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It was our first time to Cake Avenue and as its name rightly suggests; it is da place for wonderfully crafted cakes that not only look pretty but also Instagram worthy as well. Born out of the passion to excite customers with beautiful and playful cakes, owners Natalie and Chuan Sheng Wong have come a long way since setting up their first humble outlet in 2000.

Cake Avenue New Dessert Menu 2017//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

From making birthday cakes designed to look like Bak Chor Mee to anniversary cakes that looked like branded handbags, Cake Avenue makes the impossible possible with their latest all-new dessert menu (created by Cake Avenue’s Head Pastry Chef E.T. Yew) that is designed to mimic the look and feel of classic savoury diner foods such as hamburgers, corndogs, nachos and alphabet soup.

My Personal Opinion of the All-new Dessert Menu by Cake Avenue’s Head Pastry Chef E.T. Yew

Honestly, I have a sweet tooth and I never fail to leave some stomach space for desserts. After what seems like endless servings of desserts, I literally died a happy man with an overdose of sugar in my bloodstream. Out of the 6 dessert items served, my favourite is the Nachos Dulces (SGD$12.90) and it is basically a tex-mex nachos lookalike dish that includes crispy flatbread ‘nachos’ packed with toppings such as chocolate mousse ‘refried beans’, strawberry compote ‘salsa’, julienned peach ‘cheese’, and pistachio ice cream ‘guacamole’. Sure, the Nachos Dulces might seem a little like rojak but I really like the fruity, nutty, and crunchy combination!

Cake Avenue New Dessert Menu 2017//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

If quirky is your middle name, you should try the Diner Slider and Fries (SGD$15.90). I swear it is the most mind-boggling dessert that I ever had. Featuring two slider-sized burgers, each comprising of a dark chocolate ice cream burger patty sandwiched between vanilla butter cake buns; the dish is served with a side of warm fries made up of vanilla cake. To top it off, the citrusy passionfruit puree ‘mustard’ and tangy raspberry puree ‘ketchup’ made the whole setup look completely like legit burgers and fries.

Cake Avenue New Dessert Menu 2017//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

As for the other desserts that I had, I shall keep mum and leave it a surprise for you to find out how they taste like. After all, with ample dining space and a cosy ambience, Cake Avenue gives you the best opportunity for you to jio all your friends down for some adventurous get-together.

Should you be planning a Christmas party at home or the office, you too can usher in the festive cheer with Cake Avenue’s takeaway options. Prices for the Christmas Set Menus range from SGD$67 to SGD$172 and ala-carte selections are available as well.

Cake Avenue New Dessert Menu 2017//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Whether it is a sweet dessert like the log cake or a savoury dish like the chicken lasagna, there are plenty of choices to choose from and Cake Avenue’s halal-certified too. 

Cake Avenue New Dessert Menu 2017//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Do note that a minimum of 3 days advance notice is required for all takeaway bookings so I highly recommend that you start planning early.

For more information, visit Cake Avenue’s Facebook Page and Website.


Cake Avenue

33 Lorong Kilat, #01-01/02, Kilat Centre, Singapore 598132

Nearest Train Station: Beauty World MRT Station (Downtown Line)

Operating Hours:
Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 8.30pm
Closed on Mondays

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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

La VIANDE
“Wagyu Rossini”
“Kagoshima” A4 Wagyu Beef Steak/foie gras /Madeira sauce
鹿児島和牛ステーキロッシーニ

LeDESSERT
“Chitose” Strawberry, Japanese Strawberry by Chitose

Small World

Coffee or Tea

S$388++per couple, with a half bottle of champagne

With wine pairing S$120 (5 glasses)

Evian (still) or Badoit (sparkling)

Unlimited $8 per person

All prices are subject to 10% service charge and 7% GST

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.

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It has been an exciting and exhilarating week so far and I am really glad that in 5 days’ time, I will be taking a long break away from work because I have been away from home almost every week.
Just yesterday, Jacqueline and I were at The Music Run by AIA and this year’s edition saw a vast improvement as compared to last year’s! The fringe activities along the running route were very engaging and while I’m not the sort of runner who will stop to take pictures, I was really glad that there was sufficient space that catered to both the walkers and the runners.

The entertainment likewise was superb and we had lots of fun swaying to the beats and tunes of The Sam Willows and DJ Sam Withers. Despite it being my first 5k run for the year, I was really pleased with the fact that I completed the whole run in 34 minutes without any formal training. The Music Run is definitely a good start to my two other upcoming runs that I will be participating in.

As mentioned, I will be flying off in 5 days’ time and for my coming trip, I will be heading to Taiwan with Jacqueline. We will be taking a direct flight to Kaoshiung via Scoot and then we will be returning to Singapore from Taipei via Jet Star. It has been quite a long while since our last visit to Taiwan and this time round, we will be heading to Kenting, Kaoshiung, and then northwards to Taipei.

As usual, we will often compare prices for our accommodation and boy were we glad that we chanced upon HotelsCombined because it has helped us to find the best accommodation deals in seconds! In case you’re mistaken, HotelsCombined is not a booking site but a research tool that helps travellers make the right accommodation decisions.

Their leading price comparison technology allows travellers to easily find the best price online from all the top travel sites (like Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, etc) plus many other credible sites you’ve probably never hear of too (like Amoma, Hotelopia, Skoosh, etc).

With HotelsCombined app, travellers can now have the convenience of being able to always find the best deal in seconds without having to install so many apps to compare deals one-by-one.

Since Mothers’ Day is also round the corner in about two weeks time, I’m pretty sure many people are making plans to spend quality time with their family and if you’re thinking of bringing the whole family for a classic dim sum dining experience that won’t burn a big hole in your pocket, you might want to consider making a reservation at Yum Cha Restaurant.

My family always frequent the outlet at Serangoon Gardens Country Club but unfortunately, the Yum Cha Restaurant there is no longer in operation and the only available outlets are the ones located at Chinatown and Changi Business Park. For Mothers’ Day this year, Yum Cha Restaurant is launching 3 special items that seeks to re-create the long-lost taste of traditional Chinese dishes that mothers and grandmothers would remember with nostalgia of their hometowns.

The three special items are the Braised Pork with Preserved Vegetables, the Pan-fried Salted Fish Bun, and the Almond Tarts.

Braised Pork with Preserved Vegetables

A notable classic Chinese dish, this delicious bun which was easily carried around in the past, was eaten for days while our ancestors were fleeing the war in China before settling down in different parts of Asia. Quality tender pork belly is braised in a secret recipe sauce for hours to create a sweet and succulent taste that is balanced by a soft steamed bun.

Pan-fried Salted Fish Bun

A traditional Chinese dish originating from the Guangdong province, this salted fish bun used to be a favourite of Emperor Kang Xi of the Qing Dynasty. The bottom of the bun is seared to golden brown, with a flavourful filling made from salted fish paste and minced meat. To enhance its flavour, a secret seasoning is added for a more savory experience.

Almond Tart

The classic Almond Tart has a soft and flaky texture. Served warm, its sweet taste will definitely bring back fond memories of the old days in Hong Kong.

How will you celebrate Mothers’ Day?

That’s all from us for now and it sure looks like the coming month of May is going to be quite an exciting one too!

I have not been to Korea but thanks to Singapore’s melting pot of cultures, I have tasted Korean food and I am a pretty big fan of it. Recently, we had the opportunity to dine at Andong Zzimdak, a Korean restaurant that serves a specialty dish known as Andong Jjimdak and if you have ever been to the City of Andong in South Korea to try this dish, I’m very sure you are probably craving for some of it right now.

Allow me to give you a brief introduction of the dish, Andong Jjimdak.

Andong Jjimdak (when literally translated into English) means Braised Chicken of Andong and it is a dish that originated in (you know it) the City of Andong in the Gyeongsangbukdo Province of South Korea. In 1980 at Andong Market’s Chicken Town, chefs began adding a variety of ingredients into their roasted chicken, and that is how the first Andong Jjimdak came about.

At Andong Zzimdak (the name of the Korean restaurant) that serves Andong Jjimdak (the specialty dish), they also serve other main dishes like the Boneless Jjimdak, Seafood Jjimdak, and Mayak Jjimdak.

When we were there for dinner, we had the Mayak Jjimdak and some other side dishes like the Chicken Karaage and Mini Seafood Pancake. Kimchi and Radishes were also served alongside the dishes and that made the whole dining experience authentically Korean.

The Mayak Jjimdak is lauded to be the spiciest dish served at Andong Zzimdak and it is a combination of the signature Jjimdak sauce with chicken pieces, carrot, potatoes, spicy rice cake, and sweet potato noodles.

The signature Jjimdak sauce is sweet and spicy and it goes well with a bowl of rice. The texture of the sweet potato noodles somewhat reminded me of the chewy pearls from the bubble tea shop but I suppose this shouldn’t come as a surprise since both are starchy food items. Personally, I don’t find the Mayak Jjimdak to be that spicy but if you have a low tolerance for spice, you probably might want to go for the Andong Jjimdak instead. For all you lovers of spice and chilli, you can request for some additional chilli paste which you can add into the Mayak Jimdak.

Fun Fact #1:
The sweet potato noodles and the signature Jjimdak sauce are all imported directly from Korea.

Fun Fact #2:
The Chefs at Andong Zzimdak (Singapore) have undergone culinary training that was conducted by Korean Chefs to replicate an authentic Andong Jjimdak dining experience.

Well… if you’re the sort of person who dislike having bones and meat in your food, the Boneless Jimdak would be a better choice but I personally would prefer a Boneless Mayak Seafood Jjimdak (eh no, Andong Zzimdak do not serve this dish, I actually self-created it). If only that option was available, I would have ordered it.

As for the Chicken Karaage and Mini Seafood Pancake that we had, they were fried items; so naturally, they were crisp and good, and best eaten while they were still hot.

Craving for some Andong Jjimdak already?

If you are planning a trip to Andong Zzimdak, be prepared to queue (Singapore do have a lot of Korean food fanatics here in Singapore) and do bring along your best friends or family members because the portion for the main dishes are bigger than you would have expected.

Cost per person? Approximately SGD$20.

For more information about Andong Zzimdak, do check out their Facebook Page!

Andong Zzimdak
Raffles City Shopping Centre B1-44F, 252 North Bridge Road Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 6533 3951
Opening Hours: 11.30 am – 10.00 pm Daily

I have never been to a buffet line where an uncountable amount of crabs was prepared in 12 different flavours and you can perhaps imagine my excitement when I saw them laying in the food warmer waiting for me to savour them all. Coupled with the fact that it has been awhile since I last had a hotel buffet dinner, I just couldn’t wait to start the crab feast, get my hands dirty and worry about the calories later.

The brainchild of Executive Chef Low Hoe Kiat, the Battle of the Crabs Buffet is PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road’s Annual Crustacean Affair and it is set to dazzle taste buds and satisfy the cravings of every crab lover.

Whether it is classic favourites like the Authentic Singapore Chilli Crab and the Salted Egg Yolk and Butter Crab, you can also get to savour Chef Low’s other new creations like the Steamed Marinated Spicy Crab with Light Sauce, Stir-fried Crab with Jalapeño and Fermented Black Beans, and Stewed Kimchi Crab.

My personal favourite is the mouth-watering Baby Crab Salad with Green Mango and it really makes a great appetizer with its citrus scent and tangy taste. I have to confess that one serving wasn’t enough for me and I actually helped myself to even more servings. Oh heck, I wouldn’t even mind having this for lunch every day.

If there is one crab that you must try at the buffet dinner, it has to be Chef Low’s signature Slow-braised Pumpkin Crab in Claypot! A delectable mix of lightly spiced creamy golden-yellow gravy and sweet crab meat, I reckon that the recipe for this dish is probably a tightly guarded secret. While I’m not entirely sure how this variation compared to its predecessor, I enjoyed having this dish alongside with some bread.

However, I have to admit that the crab buffet dinner isn’t all that perfect and there are certainly rooms for improvement.

What is probably most disappointing about the crab dinner buffet is the fact that some of the crabs weren’t that tasty at all. Sure, there are 12 different flavours of crabs that are available but only a few could hit the right note. Even classic favourites like the Authentic Singapore Chilli Crab and the Salted Egg Yolk and Butter Crab didn’t quite meet my expectations and I found some of the crab meat a little dry and flaky for my liking.

Other than that, I honestly feel that it was overall an enjoyable buffet dinner and I would consider going back again. Even if crabs isn’t your thing, the buffet line also has fresh sashimi, sushi, and other main courses and desserts that will not let your stomach go empty.

Are you in need of a crustacean fix?

Well, if you value quantity of crabs more than the quality of crabs or if you are looking for a place to eat unlimited crabs prepared in 12 different flavours, Spice Brasserie at PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road would be it.

Available from now till 13 December 2015 on every Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays; the Battle of the Crabs Buffet will cost SGD$88.28 nett per adult and if you hold a UOB, DBS, or Maybank credit card, it will cost just SGD$70.62 nett per adult.

Want To Win A Crab Feast For 2 At Spice Brasserie? See below for more details!

I am probably ignorant about my surroundings whenever I head down to Orchard because yes, I have heard of the sleazy Orchard Towers, the shabby Far East Shopping Centre, and the big Toys “R” Us outlet at Forum The Shopping Mall; but I have never heard of Palais Renaissance.

If not for a media event that was held last week at Palais Renaissance, I will probably still be a suaku [mountain tortoise] and not know that such a place exists in Singapore. Well, getting to Palais Renaissance is not that difficult but finding the way that leads to the carpark is. With just 32 tenants that caters mainly to an upscale clientele, Palais Renaissance is a small cosy shopping mall that has escalators that are wide enough for only 1 person.

Negative much?

Not really.

In fact, there are a couple of things that we uncovered about Palais Renaissance that truly makes it a well-hidden gem.

First and foremost, Palais Renaissance does not cater only to an affluent clientele. What we found quite affordable at Palais Renaissance are the dining options that are available even for the casual passers-by. Whether it is Jing Hua Xiao Chi, Ishinomaki Grill & Sake Bar, P. Bistro, or PS.Cafe; you will not burn a big hole in your pocket for dining at Palais Renaissance.

When we were there at Palais Renaissance, we had the privilege of dining at Jing Hua Xiao Chi and it was a dining experience that I will never forget because the taste and the flavours of the food evoked so much personal memories of my childhood days.

Founded in 1989, Jing Hua Xiao Chi was started by native Singaporeans, Mr. and Mrs. Han, and was located at the place first known as the “Qun Zhong Eating House”. The family started Jing Hua as a means to make ends meet, and took their recipes from Mr. Han’s mother, who lived in Shanghai, and from Mrs. Han, who made good dumplings at home. That is how it all began, and over the years, the family slowly adapted their recipes to suit Singaporean tastes.

It is interesting to note that Jing Hua’s menu has remained unchanged at Neil Road since its beginning and this is a true testament of how consistent quality can withstand the test of time. Prepared with ingredients sourced from Chinatown’s wet markets, Jing Hua has built a strong reputation for serving up delicious homemade dumplings over the years.

Needless to say, we will definitely be patronising Jing Hua Xiao Chi again and if you are searching high and low for an affordable homely fare that has a traditional taste [古早味] to it, Jing Hua Xiao Chi is the place.

Apart from dining at Jing Hua Xiao Chi at Palais Renaissance, we also visited DeFRED Jewellers and TOUCHE Elite to find out more about the products and services they have to offer.

DeFRED Jewellers was established since 1984 and it is a brand name that is synonymous with precious pieces of fine jewellery. They are a specialised quality jewellery boutique so prices for their intricate jewellery are expectedly exorbitant. If splurging is your cup of tea, get SGD$200 off when you “like” DeFRED’s Facebook Page, follow them on Instagram, and quote DeFRED’s slogan, “Ultimate Gift of Love by DeFRED”.

As for TOUCHE Elite, they offer aesthetic treatments that are mainly for the ladies and they recently launched a new and advanced C Plus Anti-aging Treatment with RF Tech; a remarkable advanced scientific breakthrough medical-aesthetic technologies that defy skin’s aging and helps combat pigmentation.

Well, we haven’t had any treatments done at TOUCHE Elite and so we can’t really share much but if you would like to find out more about the aesthetic treatments that are available, you can visit their website at http://www.cls-touche.com/.

Having been to Palais Renaissance, we must say that the experience has been overall a pleasant one. If we ever visit again, it would most probably be to dine at the rest of the other food and beverage restaurants or to probably get an exclusive gift that can’t be found elsewhere.

So… have you been to Palais Renaissance? Yes, you have just been there after reading this blog post!

We all know that Singapore is a food haven and there is absolutely no way anyone could go hungry in Singapore as there are so many dining options that are available for people to choose from. However, what really troubles us Singaporeans are often the questions, “What should we eat?” and “Where should we eat?”
We know it is funny but it is also very true that sometimes we even argue with one another over what to eat and where to eat! This is the dilemma that we constantly face every day and making dining decisions can be really tough at times.

What about you? Do you often find yourself asking where to eat in Singapore?

Well, with the OpenSnap App, this problem can now be solved and what is even more intriguing to us about the OpenSnap App is that it gives us pretty good suggestions as to which Restaurants and Dishes in Singapore we should try!

Not only that, the dish rating system in the OpenSnap App is really helpful as it guides us to decide what we ought to order at a restaurant!

One feature that we like about the OpenSnap App is that it allows us to bookmark our favourite topics, offers, restaurants and photos so that we can revisit the bookmarks as and when we wish and find out what are the latest promotions and offers that are available.

What we like the most about the OpenSnap App is that it also features restaurants and dishes from other regional countries like Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries! This is truly one app you don’t want to go without if you are a frequent traveller to Asian countries!

Also, just for all you foodies and food photographers, we are organising a special giveaway for all of you and this is a giveaway you don’t want to miss because if you frequently take photos of your food dishes at restaurants and even hawker centres, winning this giveaway is going to be a stroll in the park for you!

All you have to do is just download the OpenSnap App, snap photos of what you’re eating, upload the photo, and hashtag #awinsomelife! It’s really that easy and this time round, we will be giving away two prizes; a SGD$50 Isetan Shopping Voucher and a SGD$28 Golden Village Gift Card!

As long as you download the OpenSnap App, snap photos of what you’re eating, upload the photo, and hashtag #awinsomelife; you will stand a chance to win the SGD$50 Isetan Shopping Voucher through a random lucky draw and if you don’t feel that lucky at all; fret not because if you upload the most photos, you will walk away with the SGD$28 Golden Village Gift Card!

Just make sure you remember to use the hashtag #awinsomelife so that we can keep track and tally the number of photos taken using the OpenSnap App!

All photos uploaded from 24 July 2015 to 24 August 2015 will be considered for the contest and the person who uploads the most food pictures and uses the hashtag #awinsomelife will walk away with the SGD$28 Golden Village Gift Card!

So what are you waiting for?

Download the OpenSnap App and start snapping away!

For Android Users | For iPhone Users

About 2 weeks ago, Jacqueline and I had the privilege of dining at Three Bistro Wine Bar with other fellow Bloggers and it was quite a memorable occasion as I also celebrated my 27th birthday there.
Serving Modern European cuisine with an infusion of the local touch, Three Bistro Wine Bar hopes to be THE chill-out place for delectable lunch treats, melodious music, and ice-cold alcohol.

Here’s what we had when we were there and what I am about to write is solely based on my own personal opinions and taste buds.

Soup- Roasted Tomato Delight

The soup was very tangy, sweet, and aromatic. I like the zesty taste of the soup that comes mainly from the tomato and I like the fact that the soup was served piping hot because soups that are served warm is a no-go for me; it MUST BE served PIPING HOT!

Starters- Oven Baked Escargots | Grilled Foie Gras

Between the Escargots and the Foie Gras, I will choose the Foie Gras because it tasted way better than the Escargots. In fact, I must compliment the Chef for pairing the charcoal bun and maple syrup with the Foie Gras because it was such a perfect combination. On the other hand, I honestly feel that the Escargots were somewhat tasteless and lacked the buttery and cheesy flavour that I was expecting.

Mains- Sirloin Steak | Swiss Rosti with Trio Sausages | Spicy Chicken Casserole

I’m not a consumer of beef and mutton and so I can’t really comment much about the black pepper Sirloin Steak except that it looked delicious. Of the three mains offered, I personally feel that the Swiss Rosti with Trio Sausages was the best though I have to admit that the Spicy Chicken Casserole wasn’t that bad either.

The portion size of all three mains were also quite sizeable and definitely satisfying.

Dessert- Classic Italian Panna Cotta | Chocolate Lava Cake

Being a desserts-person, I feel that the desserts served were substandard and could have been better. In my opinion, the Chocolate Lava Cake would have been more delicious if it packs a more dark-chocolatey punch and as for the Classic Italian Panna Cotta, it could have been more delicately smooth.

Overall

While there were some plus and minus in the food that we had, the overall dining experience at Three Bistro Wine Bar has certainly met our expectations and with their comprehensive collection of bistro specialities, I’m pretty sure they certainly have got much to offer.

Also, if you are looking for a venue to host a corporate event or even a private party for up to 150 guests, Three Bistro Wine Bar is conveniently located between City Hall and Esplanade MRT Stations.

Just to let you know, Three Bistro Wine Bar is also having a Family Menu Promotion from now till 30 June 2015 and if you are planning for a family get-together session; you might want to consider the offer.

In a special collaboration with Three Bistro Wine Bar, all of you [yes, our avid readers] are entitled to a 10% discount when you order any food items from the A-la-Carte menu.

To be entitled for the discount, just flash this Blog Post that you’re currently reading, snap some photos of the food that you’re ordering, and then post it on Three Bistro Wine Bar Facebook Page!

It’s as simple as that!

However, do note that the 10% discount entitlement is not valid with any other promotions, discounts or vouchers.

For any reservation, you can call Three Bistro Wine Bar at +65 63388644 or drop them an email at enquiry@threebistro.com.sg

Three Bistro Wine Bar
6 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square
#01-07/08
Singapore 039594

Operation Hours: Mon – Thurs: 11am to 11pm | Fri & Sat: 11am to 12am | Sun: 1230pm to 930pm