Pizza is loved all around the world. The simple Italian dish of tomato sauce and various toppings served on round dough is a staple of human cuisine. It’s associated with good times as we share it with our friends at a get-together, kids have it for their birthday and it’s an ideal dish when we want something quick yet filling when having a fun day with those close to us. There are countless types, variants, and topping options, which is one of the strengths of this dish. One of the most popular flavours of pizza is Margherita.
Margherita pizza is a Neapolitan pizza traditionally made with San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil, salt and extra-virgin olive oil. Its crust is what separates it from other types of pizza, as it should be thin at the base and puffed up at the sides. It is not just a staple of Italian cuisine because of its ingredients or the place it was invented, it’s also because it reflects the green, white and red of the Italian flag.
Margherita pizza is the most famous pizza in Italy and has a long and interesting history that dates back to the 19th century. It was thought to be named after the queen of Italy at its creation. The story goes that The King and Queen were visiting southern Italy in 1889 and was growing tired of French food that was usually given to royals and instead wanted something Italian. The Queen summoned the top chef of Naples and had him make her some pizzas. She passed on garlic and anchovies pizzas but loved the one with tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil. The chef would name this pizza Margherita, the name of the Queen and was sent a thank you note from her.
This has long been the story but doubts have risen. Its colours and the fact that it represents the union between north and south Italy can come across as convenient, and the thank you note, which exists to this day, mention the Queen giving her approval for a store, rather than the pizzeria. The royal seal may also be incorrect. True or not, it’s a fascinating story that captures the magic and imagination that this dish brings.
While its components are set and its home being Italy, Margherita pizza has become a dish made and enjoyed throughout the world. Anywhere you will be able to find the necessary ingredients and numerous recipes, while countless places sell it. In Singapore alone, there are many pizzerias to choose which you can visit with friends at any day of the week. You’re also lucky enough to have some of these establishments deliver directly to your home with Deliveroo.
A perfect Margarita pizza is never far away. You can revel in this Italian dish at any time with loved ones, coworkers or alone, as you enjoy a meal (maybe) fit for a queen.
As we count down to National Day, McDonald’s Singapore is launching a delicious menu selection that puts a modern spin on traditional local favourites.
Adding to its variety of iconic burgers and desserts that Singaporeans love, McDonald’s is celebrating the diverse local food heritage with a creative touch to whet local appetites. Familiar local fare that Singaporeans grew up eating such as Nasi Lemak, Bandung and Chendol form the inspiration behind the new limited-time menu, launched in conjunction with the Singapore Food Festival (SFF) 2017.
“Nasi Lemak” Burger
Inspired by the iconic Malay dish, the “Nasi Lemak” Burger combines key elements of the dish in a mouth-watering recipe that will capture your senses from miles away. The juicy chicken thigh patty, a star ingredient of the burger, is rich in aromatic coconut flavours and coated with cornflakes crunch for an extra crispy finish. Served between lightly toasted semolina buns, the chicken thigh patty is layered with a golden fried egg, a bed of caramelised onions, crunchy cucumber slices, and topped off with a dash of sweet and spicy sambal sauce for that added zing. The “Nasi Lemak” Burger is available from $5.95 a la carte, or from $7.80 in an Extra Value Meal™.
Editor’s Note: I have tried the “Nasi Lemak” Burger and it really tastes like the usual Nasi Lemak that we get from the Hawker Centre. The sweet sambal goes very well with the juicy chicken thigh patty and I enjoyed it very much. If the sambal sauce could be spicier, it would have been almost perfect!
Bandung McFizz & Criss Cut Fries
From $3.40, you can also enjoy the savoury goodness of Criss Cut Fries, a treat no one can say no to! To balance out the rich flavours of your meal, chill out with a glass of Bandung McFizz from $3 – a refreshing take on an old-school favourite.
Chendol McFlurry & Coconut Pie
End your meal on a sweet note by digging into a Chendol McFlurry from $3. Comprising a mix of vanilla soft serve with Gula Melaka sauce whisked to perfection with Chendol jelly bits, you can savour the taste of the traditional dessert with a modern twist. Those craving for a warm dessert can get their hands on the scrumptiously crispy Coconut Pie from $1.20 and enjoy some oozing tropical coconut filling with nata de coco bits.
To relish the full experience, dig into the “Nasi Lemak” Feast from $9 to get a taste of everything including the “Nasi Lemak” Burger, Fries (M), Coconut Pie and Bandung McFizz.
The locally-inspired menu is available after breakfast hours in all McDonald’s restaurants, Drive-Thru and via McDelivery® from 13 July 2017, while stocks last.
Dessert Kiosk: Chendol Melaka Cone, Chendol Melaka Twist & Chendol Melaka ChocoCone
The beloved chendol flavour is also making its way to our Dessert Kiosks and adding a local touch to our Vanilla Cones. Slurp on the Chendol Melaka Cone andChendol Melaka Twist from $1 each or go with an adventurous choice of the Chendol Melaka ChocoCone from $1.20, available all day at McDonald’s Dessert Kiosks, while stocks last.
50 Years of National Service
As Singapore celebrates 50 years of National Service (NS50), McDonald’s is saluting our servicemen by offering all past and present NS men a FREE Apple Pie orHot Fudge Sundae with every Extra Value Meal purchased (after breakfast hours) from 4 to 10 August. Eligible customers simply need to present their SAFRA Card, 11B or Pink IC to redeem the treat.
In celebration of the nation’s birthday, McDonald’s is also spreading the joy with a limited-time offer for the signature Vanilla Cone available at a special price of only 50-cents from 4 to 10 August.
Get ready for some family feasting deals at MacDonald’s!
While most of us are spending the majority of our time working to pay bills, there are others that are spending their time the way the want. For whatever reason; whether they have made millions in the stock market or have hustled their way to building a lifestyle business, some people just get to do amazing things in their free time. When the rest of us have some free time, we usually try to spend it with family or friends, get caught up on housework or do a little travelling. It’s hard to see the world in 2 weeks a year though. But what if you started looking out for opportunities to do things that seemed larger than life, but didn’t come with the price tag that most of us can’t afford anyway? Would you do it? Sure you would. Money is what stops us from doing so many of the things we want in life. Here are three ways you can check the bigger items off on your bucket list without having to go very far or spend a lot of money.
1. Travel with a Group
If travelling is on your to-do list, the most affordable way to do it (besides having someone pay for you) is to travel with a large group. Group travel offers affordable alternative pricing on everything from meals to lodging. You can bunk with up to 4 people in a room to save even more money. Split meals with your kids, take a bus tour to save on rental cars and gas, and stick to the path less travelled. If you venture to popular tourist destinations, you’ll get hit with tourist prices; however, if you travel to the areas outside of the popular destinations, you can find much more affordable lodging and meal options. We will be sharing more about this in the upcoming post that will be published very soon!
2. Take Part in a Weekend Festival Event
There’s always some kind of celebration planned during the festive seasons, and there are even many more events planned all over Singapore! You can indulge in some soulful Japanese food at the Matsuri Race Village during the Mizuno Ekiden Run 2017, watch the thrilling Cirque du Soleil KOOZA circus performance under the Big Top Tent next to Marina Bay Sands, or take an eerie haunted walking tour at Universal Studios Singapore’s Halloween Horror Night. Well, and who would miss the biennial Singapore Airshow where you can view some of the fastest jets in the world? There’s nothing like feeling like you are being transported out of one world and being plopped into another world. Hearty food, thrilling circus performance, eerie ghostly adventures, and roaring loud planes; these things should be on everyone’s bucket lists!
3. Eat Something Exotic
Exotic is a relative term, of course, but the point is that you get outside your comfort zone and eat something you would never normally eat! Similar to travelling in groups, going out to try new foods is best practiced in groups. This way, bills can be split, people can order different entrees and appetizers to taste and you can have a great laugh with friends and family about how awesome or horrible a new food is. And of course, lots of debate and lively conversation is sure to accompany these kinds of experiences, so you won’t be bored!
I must have a cup of hot coffee early in the morning because if I don’t get my morning fix, I will feel quite lethargic. In fact, the wonderful aroma of a cup of piping hot coffee is enough to awaken all my senses and keep me freshened up for at least a couple of hours before I go to my meetings.
Recently, I have decided to brew and make my own coffee using the Aeropress Coffee Maker and it has been a great experience because it is so easy to use and is very portable. For a start, I experimented with Cafédirect’s new 100% Arabica Espresso Roast and Ground Coffee and the result is simply therapeutic although it only lasted for a while.
Created for coffee connoisseurs, this espresso blend by Cafédirect is a dark and intense coffee and it uses coffee beans from Peru and Costa Rica. In case you’re wondering; the Arabica beans from Peru make up a strong base for the coffee, bringing a natural dark chocolatey taste to each sip and the strong roasting process intensifies the taste. Costa Rica Arabica beans, on the other hand, counterbalance the Peruvian beans, softening the mouthfeel and giving the coffee a creamy finish.
Cafédirect uses a unique numbering system to indicate coffee strength and the strength of a coffee depends on a number of factors; namely the composition of coffee beans in the blend and as well as the intensity of the roasting process. Roast and ground coffees from Cafédirect span the range from 3 to 6 and the Arabica Espresso Roast and Ground Coffee is a 6, reflecting its full-bodied taste that promises a flavour explosion that leads up to a naturally sweet finish.
Cafédirect’s 100% Arabica Espresso is finely ground for easy brewing in an espresso machine, stove-top espresso pot/percolator, or сafetière (plunger) i.e. Aeropress Coffee Maker.
If you like your coffee dark and intense, Cafédirect’s 100% Arabica Espresso is the way to go and you can find it at all leading supermarkets like Cold Storage and NTUC FairPrice. When my pack of Cafédirect’s 100% Arabica Espresso finishes, my next experiment with the Aeropress Coffee Maker would be Cafédirect’s Machu Picchu Ground Coffee and also Cafedirect’s Kilimanjaro Fresh Ground Coffee.
About Cafédirect
As a business, Cafédirect is different. Growers have shares in the company and have two seats on the Cafédirect Board of Directors. Cafédirect’s unique approach has seen the company paying fair prices and working directly with smallholder growers so that they can develop their businesses and increase their influence in highly competitive commodity markets.
Through direct, personal and long-term relationships, Cafédirect partners with over 282,000 smallholder growers in 40 grower organisations across 14 developing countries. Under Cafédirect’s Fairtrade business model, 50% of the profits go back to the coffee growers who nurture and harvest the beans. This not only improves the lives of the growers but the quality of each coffee bean as well.
Valentine’s Day is round the corner and if you are thinking about where to bring your partner for a nice dinner, why not consider Japanese-French fusion restaurant, Lewin Terrace? This Valentine’s Day, Lewin Terrace presents a sumptuous 5-course dinner menu designed to tantalize palates and kindle the flames of romance.
A beautiful black-and-white bungalow surrounded by lush foliage and tucked away in the heart of the historically-iconic Fort Canning Park, Lewin Terrace offers patrons respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, providing the perfect atmosphere for lovers to share an intimate evening together as they delve into a gastronomic experience that features the finest of ingredients from Japan, masterfully prepared by Chef de Cuisine Hiroyuki Shinkai.
With over a decade of professional experience working at Michelin star establishments (L’Osier in Tokyo and Beni in Singapore), Chef Shinkai is devoted to the pursuit of perfection in the culinary arts as he continues to refine his own personal interpretation of French cuisine. Armed with the strong belief that simplicity is key, Chef Shinkai’s philosophy is grounded in the importance of elevating the natural freshness of his ingredients, an ethic that complements Lewin Terrace’s produce-driven approach.
Witness the quaint and picturesque charm of Lewin Terrace this Valentine’s Day while savouring a robust interplay of textures and flavours –all the right components for a wonderful night to remember.
Dinner is priced at SGD$388++ per couple with a half bottle of champagne, with an optional supplement of SGD$120 for a 5-glass wine pairing.
Hurry and reserve a table now!
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Lewin Terrace’s Valentine’s Day Set Dinner Menu
Amuse bouche
Le ENTRÉ Froid
Duck tartare /Salad /pear
鴨と洋梨のタルタル仕立て赤ビーツ、サラダ
Le ENTRÉ Chaud
Scallop saute/sauce aromatic /pomme écrasé
帆立貝のソテー、カレー風味の野菜のソース
Le POISSON
AMADAI/Cepes Mushroom /”KOSHIHIKARI”/Fish sauce
あまだい松笠焼
As we step into 2017, I’m sure many of you are busy cracking your heads on some worthy New Year resolutions. Wealth, happiness, travel, and many more along those lines could very well top your list but let’s be real here – we’re not accomplishing anything without health.
2016 was a year plagued by newborn diseases like MERS, Zika and strains of the Avian Influenza so it is no understatement to say our health is constantly threatened. While we put our faith in the hands of scientists and doctors to develop vaccines and cures, there is much we can do to safeguard our health.
If you’ve been exercising regularly, good on you! BUT – healthy living is not just about working out regularly.
It is a lifestyle that’s all about balance. I know it can be a real challenge to switch up your current lifestyle when you are so used to living this way. (We’re all creatures of habit after all.)
No one is expecting you to make a 360degree change overnight but we got to start somewhere and, fortunately, that somewhere starts with these simple steps. Here are some tips endorsed by dietitian Wong Hui Xin from Mount Elizabeth Hospital, to help you fulfil that 2017 resolution of eating healthy!
Spice Up Your Water
Now, we know water is great for us. But it’s tasteless, and it can sometimes be a chore to drink water. (I feel you, mate.) What do you say about spicing up that boring cup of water with a slice of lemon?
Lemon water is definitely more flavourful than regular water. But it’s also beneficial in several other ways, including raising antioxidant levels, which in turns lowers the risk of several diseases, improving digestion leaving you less bloated, and helping with detoxification so you potentially save big bucks you might have spent on a detox programme elsewhere.
Lemon is just one way you can spice up your water. If you find it too much of a hassle to carry a lemon around (because it honestly can be quite the weight), teabags are a much more viable option. Apart from increasing antioxidant levels, teas like green tea also boost metabolism and kill bacteria.
Choose The Healthier Snacks
Less ice-cream and chocolate bars, more fruits.
I’m guessing you’ve heard this one too many times but fruits definitely make a much more healthier choice of sugary snacks. They’re a great source of vitamins and nutrients that help strengthen your immune system to keep viruses at bay. So the old saying that goes “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is kind of true.
That being said, we all would appreciate some variation too, right?
Bring those nuts and seeds on!
Instead of munching on chips and biscuits (especially during office hours when you’re desk-bound for 8 hours – let’s not even get started on how detrimental that can be for your health!), go for almonds! Almonds are loaded with all the good nutrients you need to keep maintain healthy levels of blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure. If nuts aren’t your favourite, go for sunflower seeds! They are as beneficial as almonds.
Not to mention they’re easy to buy from any convenient store!
Have A Salad
You already know you should aim to consume 2 servings of vegetables and fruits a day yet many of us don’t. Salads are the easiest way to work those into your meals.
As a general guide to deciding what goes into your salad, you should always aim for a colourful bowl of vegetables to get a wide range of nutrients. As for proteins, opt for grilled options, or tofu for vegans. Finally, don’t forget some carbohydrates! Foods like corns, beans, and potatoes make for a balanced meal.
Remember that not all salads are created equal – creamy dressings are a major no-no. For healthier dressings, opt for vinaigrettes or olive oil.
The Healthier Choice Label
It’s easy to miss but products endorsed by the Health Promotion Board are lower in fat, sodium, and sugar, and some are also higher in calcium and dietary fibre compared to other options within the same food category.
If you absolutely have to get your sugared drinks fix, although I’d highly suggest you skip the midday bubble tea, the least you could do is to purchase those with lower sugar content. That way, you can have the cake and eat it too!
Order Only What You Can Eat
We’re all guilty of it – over-ordering. We walk into a fancy café and everything on the menu suddenly looks mouth-watering so we make a pact to order a dish each and share. But we don’t forget to pile on the dessert and appetisers as well. More often than not, we end up with more than enough food.
Over-ordering, and then over-eating, can lead to indigestion and bloat. More importantly, if you do finish all that food, you are bound to exceed your recommended daily calorie intake and all the suggested nutrients levels as well.
The best way to not do so is to opt for smaller servings. It can be as simple as asking for a smaller serving of rice or just holding off orders until you’ve cleared all the food on the table.
Now that wasn’t so difficult, was it? These are some handy tips that will make changing your lifestyle a tad easier.
So before we dive into how we want to embark on a month-long tour around Europe, or scoot on a beach holiday to Boracay, let us go forth and create a healthier us!
Being a frequent baker, it is important to me that I use only the finest ingredients that I can find in the market but the truth is, premium baking ingredients are not only expensive; they are hard to find as well.
When Nehal Patel from Foodsterr dropped us an email a few months back, boy were we so glad because in the midst of our busy schedules, we really had no time to go shop around for ingredients and Foodsterr came at the right time to answer to our baking needs.
Not only that, Foodsterr also has a whole range of other products that really intrigued me because recently, I have been trying to lose some weight and I honestly enjoy having my daily cup of coffee with full cream milk but I have since decided to substitute dairy milk with almond milk instead. Now, those of us who frequent the supermarket would know that the almond milk that is being sold in cartons are completely devoid of nutrients and I would very much prefer to make my own almond milk; which is really easy, but the most difficult part about making my own almond milk was to find whole almonds that are wallet-friendly.
So, here comes Foodsterr to the rescue!
For 500 grams of Natural Almonds from the USA, it cost SGD$18.90 and it is really more affordable when compared to buying almonds from a Brick and Mortar shop.
We are really pleased to announce that we have just signed a new partnership with Foodsterr, an online specialty foods marketplace (nuts, dried fruits, seeds, superfoods, flour and etc.) sourced from around the globe for wholesale and retail.
We’re pleased to share that Foodsterr is offering all our readers 10% off the total bill with the coupon code WINSOME. (key in the coupon code in your order)
*A minimum order of SGD$30 is required.
In case you’re wondering how you too can make almond milk; here’s a recipe that I follow which will yield about 470ml of almond milk
Ingredients
140 grams of raw almonds, preferably organic
470 ml of water, plus some more water set aside for soaking the raw almonds
Sweeteners like honey, sugar, agave syrup, or maple syrup, to taste, (optional)
Equipment
Bowls
Strainer
Electronic Scale
Blender
Fine-Mesh Nut Bag or Coffee Sock
Soak the almonds overnight or up to 2 days.
Place the almonds in a bowl and cover with about an inch of water. They will plump as they absorb water. Let stand on the counter, covered with a cloth, overnight, or refrigerate for up to 2 days. The longer the almonds soak, the creamier the almond milk.
Drain and rinse the almonds.
Drain the almonds from their soaking water and rinse them thoroughly under cool running water. At this point, the almonds should feel a little squishy if you pinch them. It’s best to discard the soaking water because it contains phytic acid, which inhibits the body’s ability to absorb nutrients (you can also use the water to water the plants if you don’t want to discard it).
Combine the almonds and water in a blender.
Place the almonds in the blender and cover with 470ml of water.
Blend at the highest speed for 2 minutes.
Pulse the blender a few times to break up the almonds, then blend continuously for two minutes. The almonds should be broken down into a very fine meal and the water should be white and opaque.
Strain the almonds.
Line the strainer with either the opened nut bag or coffee sock, and place over a measuring cup.
Pour the almond mixture into the strainer.
Press all the almond milk from the almond meal. Gather the nut bag or coffee sock around the almond meal and twist close. Squeeze and press with clean hands to extract as much almond milk as possible. You should get about 470ml of almond milk.
Sweeten to taste.
Taste the almond milk, and if a sweeter drink is desired, add sweetener to taste.
Refrigerate almond milk.
Store the almond milk in sealed containers in the fridge for up to two days.
Additional Information:
The leftover almond meal can be added to oatmeal, smoothies, and muffins as it is. You can also spread it out onto a baking sheet and bake it for 2 to 3 hours in an oven until it is completely dry. Dry almond meal can be kept frozen for several months and used in baked goods such as macarons.
Last week, Jacqueline and I were invited by the kind folks from The French Cellar for a wine tasting session at Vanilla Bar and Cafe and we had an awesome time pairing Thai food with French wine.
For me personally, it was also a good refresher because ever since I earned my Bordeaux Level 1 Wine Certificate from L’Ecole du vin; I have not touched my wine knowledge somewhat and Lucas, (a French Sommelier from The French Cellar) covered a great deal of information about French wine that kept me engaged throughout the session.
France produces 6 billion bottles of wine every year!
We tasted 1 sparkling, 1 white, 1 rose, and 2 reds; all of which were refreshingly good. I especially enjoyed the reds and they paired really well with spicy food.
Fun Fact #2
French wines are usually not sweet as no sugar is added; unlike some other wines where sugar is added after the fermentation process.
After the wine tasting session, Lucas shared with us more about what his company, The French Cellar, does and we were extremely intrigued by the wine subscription service that his company offers (yes, we signed up for the wine subscription service because Jacqueline and I are wine-lovers).
The French Cellar imports French wines directly from vineyards and they are carefully selected by their sommelier, Mr. Nicolas Rebut, who was the former Chef Sommelier of 3-star Michelin restaurants, Louis XV (Monaco) and Le Meurice (Paris). Based in France, Nicolas explores vineyards and forges privileged relationships with estates and winemakers in search of exclusive wines at the best value. Tasting thousands of wine samples each year, Nicolas selects only the best wines from renowned estates and undiscovered appellations.
The northern half of France produces more white wine while the southern half of France produces more red wine.
With The French Cellar’s wine subscription service, wine enthusiasts can discover two beautiful tasting wines every month, exclusively through their platform, thanks to a special and personal relationship they have between Nicholas and winemakers in France.
If you are new to wine and have absolutely zero knowledge about wine-making, fret not because the wine comes with complementary tasting notes, written by Richard, so that you can enjoy an epicurean wine journey and learn more about the wines, winemakers and vineyards.
For more information about The French Cellar, do check out their official website and if you are intrigued by their wine subscription service just like us, do attend their complimentary wine tasting workshop to understand more.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us as we will help to direct your queries to The French Cellar.
Also, if you are planning for a Wine Tour in France, keep in mind that booking chauffeured transportation is always the best decision when planning a Wine Tour with the family and friends. No one needs to be the designated driver anymore!
Chef-In-Box is Singapore’s first Vendcafé that serves an assortment of instant meals, beverages, and snacks. Located at a corner of the void deck of Block 320C Anchorvale Drive, the Vendcafé is starting to attract quite a lot of people. In this blog post, I will share with you what I honestly think about Chef In Box.
Novelty Factor
Truthfully speaking, there is no novelty factor because vending machines that serves food, drinks, and snacks are pretty commonplace. Although Chef In Box’s vending machines may be state of the art, the idea of retailing food and the likes through vending machine is not. I really don’t think there is a big difference between buying instant food from convenience stores like 7-Eleven versus buying instant food from the vending machines because either way, the food has already been processed, prepared, frozen and all it needs is a microwave for it to be heated up.
Quality and Taste of Food
When I visited Chef In Box’s Vendcafé with Jacqueline, we had the Chicken Bolognese Spaghetti and the taste is below hawker standard. Seriously, a plate of spaghetti from the Western Stall at a Hawker Centre or even the Kopitiam tastes way better. Just don’t expect too much from processed frozen food. As for me, I would gladly head down to McDonald’s for a Fillet Ol Fish Meal any time. Just so you know, the food that they have in the vending machine are Halal-certified.
Value for Money
The price range for the main courses is between SGD$3.50 to SGD$5.00 and it is pocket-friendly. Although there is an assortment of main courses available, not everything that is displayed on the food menu is actually available. I would say that the price is quite similar to what one could get at the Hawker Centre or Food Court. What’s a plus point for Chef In Box is that they accept both cash and cashless modes of payment.
Environment Sustainability
In one meal, there are lots of non-biodegradable disposables and plastic packaging involved. I really don’t think this is environmentally-friendly as compared to having a meal at the hawker centre where plates and utensils are washed and re-used. Also, I don’t see any recycling bins nearby and I personally think that having a recycling bin nearby would have addressed the issue about being environmentally-friendly because their products are mostly packed in plastics, metal, and paper.
Will this fad die off? Maybe, maybe not. Vending machine is a convenient way of getting a quick meal fix and they are still largely popular here in Singapore. If Chef In Box can improve on their quality of food, be more environmentally-friendly, and perhaps consider more fresh food (healthier-choice food) versus processed food; then probably Chef In Box will be a hit among Singaporeans.
Our comprehensive guide to Batam has been a hit with many Singaporeans and we want to thank everyone for all the questions that have been constantly pouring in.
In this blog post, we will be sharing with you some recent key updates and developments in Batam and some of the new and interesting places that we have just visited last weekend.
Apart from that, we will also be addressing some of the most common questions that we get from our readers about Batam.
To begin with, here are some common questions that we have received about Batam:
How much do you need for a 2 Days 1 Night trip to Batam?
For a 2 Days 1 Night trip to Batam, you don’t exactly need to bring a lot of money unless you intend to buy a lot of things back. In fact, changing SGD$250 to spend in Batam is more than sufficient.
Do you have any contacts for Traditional Kueh Lapis (Layered Cakes) in Batam?
Yes, we often buy our Traditional Kueh Lapis (Layered Cakes) from Diana Layer Cakes Batam and you can contact them via the phone at +62 778 466906. In our previous post about Batam, we mentioned that Diana Layer Cakes Batam accept Singapore Dollars but do note that as of last year, they have stopped collecting Singapore Dollars and they only accept Indonesian Rupiah now. The reason why we always buy from Diana Layer Cakes Batam is because they offer free delivery to our hotel and their layer cakes are the best that we have tasted so far. A 1KG original Kueh Lapis cost 250000 Rupiah (SGD$26) and a 1KG prune Kueh Lapis cost 300000 Rupiah (SGD$31).
Is it easy to get around in Batam?
Yes, it is easy to get around in Batam. Taxis are abundant but like we always say; don’t flag off the taxis that are plying the roads. Always book a taxi or approach a taxi counter to get a taxi. Do note that taxis have a minimum fare of 25000 Rupiah (SGD$2.60) and taxis from Silver Cab or Blue Bird can no longer stop at Nagoya Hill . There are taxi counters available at most hotels or shopping Centres and you can just probably go there to pay for your cab fare in advance. It’s more expensive but better than having to haggle the prices.
So last weekend, we went on a short 2 Days 1 Night trip to Batam and we visited some new dining places (at our own expense) and tried doing some new stuffs like watching a movie at their local cinema.
We arrived in Batam at about 0915, cleared the immigrations that took about 45 minutes (weekends are always the peak season), and the very first thing we did was to make sure that we got a prepaid mobile line at the counter.
With a prepaid mobile line, getting around Batam is a breeze because the taxi is just a phone call away.
We walked to our hotel (Harris Hotel Batam Centre) which was nearby the ferry terminal to pick up the Kueh Lapis that we have ordered just 2 days before and since there weren’t any rooms available just yet, we headed to the nearby Mega Mall Batam Centre to walk about. By the way, if you plan to book a room at Harris Hotel Batam Centre, it will be cheaper to book through Agoda than via the Hotel Website direct and opt for just the room only because the hotel’s buffet breakfast isn’t that fantastic as compared to the food you could get at the nearby shopping malls.
For lunch, we went to Barletta Dining and Lounge at Da Vienna Boutique Hotel and from the table setting to the personalised service, we could tell that it was somewhat a place for fine dining. The food however, was a real disappointment. An online search revealed some positive reviews about the restaurant but seriously, we won’t want to dine there again because the quality of the food is so-so and isn’t value for money.
After lunch, we booked a taxi to Nagoya Hill where we spent the entire day there. Contrary to what most people would plan to do in Batam (go-karting, sea sports, and the likes), our plan was to simply eat, shop, and relax.
At Nagoya Hill, we went to catch the movie, “Independence Day: Resurgence” at Cinema 21 and the price for a movie ticket is just 35,000 Rupiah (SGD$3.50) per ticket! The fabric seats are comfortable and the theatre is not as run down as we thought it to be.
The cinema is located at the top floor of Nagoya Hill Mall and here’s a picture of the entrance leading to the cinema.
There is a small arcade corner located near the tickets counter but I wouldn’t suggest having a go at it because the (shooting games especially) controls are faulty.
Since we had a lot of time to kill, I decided to be more adventurous and went for a haircut at Willy Salon in Nagoya Mall. The haircut which includes washing cost me 120000 Rupiah (SGD$13) and I must say, it was overall a pleasant experience!
Bule, my hairstylist; is pretty good and if you happen to go to Willy Salon, look for him!
That radiant and fresh look after a refreshing haircut.
For dinner, we went to Taste The Crab @ Hill Cafe Batam which is within walking distance from Nagoya Hill. The food there is pretty awesome and we had the medium seafood combo which consist of prawns, clams, squid rings, and crab. In case you’re wondering, the medium seafood combo cost 190000 Rupiah (SGD$20) and the portion was actually rather small for us. The next time we visit, we will definitely get the large seafood combo which cost only 220000 Rupiah (SGD$23).
Oh, and having a pint of beer is a must because it really goes well with the seafood and it cost only 40000 Rupiah (SGD$4.20)!
The dinner pretty much concluded our first day in Batam.
For our second day in Batam, we booked for a half-day spa package with Spa Central Batam which cost SGD$88 per person for 3 hours. It was our 2nd time visiting Spa Central Batam and there are quite a number of changes since the last time we were there. Even the spa package and service menu has been updated and we were quite surprised to learn that the ownership of the boutique spa has been taken over by a Singaporean (yes you read that right).
The half-day spa package included a foot bath, our choice of 3 different categories of treatments (1 x 90 minute massage and 2 other treatments (one at 30 minutes and the other at 60 minutes excluding Galvanic Facial) from their spa menu. The half-day spa package also include free transfers to and fro the spa by taxi (only if you have a minimum of 2 people taking up a 2-hour treatment session).
The treatment room is very comfortable and clean. For couples, couple room is available as well.
If you plan to visit Batam on a free-and-easy basis and have the intention to include a spa treatment package on your itinerary; I would suggest that you book your ferry tickets directly with Spa Central Batam because it cost SGD$38 nett 2-way instead of the usual SGD$48. That is SGD$10 off in savings which you can use to spend on sumptuous food in Batam!
Needless to say, we ended our trip to Batam with our usual ritual of having an A&W meal!
For more information about Spa Central Batam, do visit their website where you can find more details about the various kind of spa package they have and the costs for the different treatments as well.
