Folks Collective: food that brings tears to your eyes.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I tucked into the food. Yes, so admittedly,  the food was good, but it was even spicier. 

Having quite a reputation as a drinking spot of sorts, we put the food at Folks Collective to the taste test.

The Grilled Pork Neck Salad ($10.90) packs quite a mean punch and had us gathering our skirts up in buckets of sweat and dirty whistling in between gulps of ice cold water. Sips on our house wines that came surprisingly cheap due to the festive promotions ($5.50 for a glass of NY Merlot/NY Sauvignon) did aid in putting out the fire. Putting its fury aside, the dish was nothing short of excellent, tender pork neck with a slight smoky tang, well balanced with a good splash of lime, crushed nuts and cool herbs. Heat seekers wouldn't want to miss out on this one.

One bite into the Signature FOLKS Wings ($6.90) revealed that bar snacks is Folk's Collective forte. The spicy notes again, part of an outrageously clever plan to up sell plenty more pints of ice cold draft beer. The wings were juicy, finger licking good with crisp heads of fried skin that shatters in the mouth. Shards of crispy fried garlic creates a separate party in the mouth.

For something a little more substantial, indulge in the Chicken Pad See-Eww ($8.90). Successfully sweet, wok-hei kissed bowl of noodles tantalises ones taste buds. A simple yet satisfying choice should you be thinking of just choosing a single dish to partake in.

A wonderful addition to the table is the Prawn Omelette ($10.90), So it may appear a bit underwhelming as the prawns are chopped to tiny pieces and then scattered midst the fluffy golden crackling of fried egg, but there are apparently advantages to this method as the distribution of prawns is more even and there was zero risk of overcooked prawns. 

Offering affordable cuisine with the combination of a chill out environment, Folks Collective has got all the right qualities to draw in the crowds and I'm sure I'll be back to sample more dishes in the near future.

Folks Collective

20 Cross Street

#01-25 China Square Central

S(048422)

t: 6536 6739
w: http://www.folkscollective.com/

Opening Hours: 
Mon - Fri: 11am - 11pm
Sat: 12 pm - 11pm

Thai Village: things that go bump at night

If you're a real stickler for fresh seafood and quality with rebellious disregard for price tags, then Thai Village would be your best bet to impress the family!

Located at what used to be Le Bistrot at the Indoor Stadium, the restaurant doesn't hide in any way, with a visually grand entrance that calls out to most patrons marching in from the carparks. Thai-teochew cuisine is served here, so should you be feeling strongly compelled to mix up your two major food groups or just plain curious as to what that is, then do swing by and give this establishment a shot!

Shi Fu Korean BBQ: Meat Lovers Rejoice

Shi Fu sited below the bright florescent lights of the many KTVs located near peace centre, may not be the most attractive sight to wander into. The thick fumes of garlic laden smoke streaming out of the open doors, yet again another dampening factor. But Shi Fu Korean BBQ is the common's best Korean BBQ in a joggers mile. So karoke party revellers seeking something to chew on after a madhouse session, this would be your best bet!

Spathe Public House: Colour me in

This day, I turned one year older. 

Older, translating significantly into physical ageing as well as a mental maturation. For once in my life, I didn't feel compelled to be so much of a nomad, relationship ties and job commitments weighing heavily on my spirit; I'm guessing it may not be such a bad thing after all since its about time such a change occurred.

Celebrations this year were more toned down, and I took to riding it out in a very hush-hushed manner. My better half decided on Spathe Public House for my birthday dinner and I happily obliged recalling our previous delightful dining experience (read here!)

Cafe Brio's: Christmas Festivities

I'm not usually one to take to buffets, but if I have to recommend one for dining with the family during this holiday season, it would have to be Cafe Brio's at Grand Copthorne Waterfront. 

First things first, let's talk prices, the Festive Buffet Dinner (ongoing from the 1st to the 30th Dec) is priced at just $62/adult and $31/child on weekdays (mon-thurs) and $72/adult, $36/child on weekends (fri-sun). If you're looking for something a little more extravagant to rake in the new year with a bang, there's the Christmas eve buffet dinner and Christmas day buffet brunch priced at $136/adult; and here's the catch, free flow red/white wine, chilled juices and soft drinks. Perfect for some merry making. 

Amidst all the price jargon, here's why I think these mentioned figures are a steal.

Stirling Bar and Grill:Officially Missing You

Stirling Bar and Grill, is a casual bistro-bar concept located along the bustling Al Ameen stretch on Bukit Timah road. Known among revellers for being a destination for late night eats, this joint injects a bit of fresh blood, booted by its craft beer and munchies offerings. I'm not too sure about the Scottish influences in this establishment, the name as explained, expressing the brothers and owners' love and respect for good English history; pitching the harmony and well-being of previous capital city of Scotland, Stirling. Gateway to the highlands, I prayed sincerely that the good nature of the city would translate into some solid comfort food.

Spruce: lights will guide you home

Spruce has a special place in my heart despite the fact that I've never paid the outlet a visit before. The proximity to my previous home and my love for burgers (Spruce has reportedly one of the best burgers in Singapore) creating a mockery of this circumstance. With a change of fortune, I was lucky enough to land an opportunity to dine at Spruce, just in time for the launch of their Christmas specials. Needless to say, I allowed the neon lights to lead me home.

Miam Miam SG :The Perfectly Engineered Meal

Miam Miam, a newish French-Japanese casual cafe kitchen, is a love child spawned by a group of globetrotting friends with a common adoration for food. Upon introduction, I was surprised to find out that the kitchen was run on a tight ship; subscribing to the Japanese ideologies of kaizen and kanban; the latter bringing about strict obedience to scheduling, keeping to a lean and time centered production process. With a 'made-to-order' guarantee put in place, food should take a little longer to reach the table, however, you get the benefit of consistencies across the board. That, my friends, is key to keeping your regulars coming back.

French boulangerie PAUL: New French Classics Menu

Change is a cardinal rule to ensure the sustainability of any food business, here in Singapore. French Boulangerie, Paul does so in a timely manner with Christmas just around the corner, sprucing up its menu offerings to boost the festive mood. 

This season, whet your palate with 26 new items on the menu from savoury mains to sweet indulgences. Note that, the menu is available in all PAUL restaurants in Singapore which include 7 locations covering East to West destinations such as Westgate and Changi Airport Terminal 3.

The Underground Supper Club: with Chef Paul Hallett

Just recently, I had the opportunity to attend the exclusive DBS Indulge underground supper club at the Equínox restaurant at Swissotel, featuring Chef de Cuisine Paul Hallett. As name states, this was a hush-hush event, kept well confined within the perilously high four walls of our glass faced room on the 69th floor of the Swissotel. The guests, a mixture of media and loyal club members, all dressed to the nines, looked ready to be swept away by the exquisite creations and nouvelle cuisine of Chef Paul Hallett as they took their place at the lavishly decked out long table that graced the middle of the room. 

MEDZS: taking you over the rainbow this Christmas

With Christmas sneaking up fast and furiously upon us, I find myself stumped, for the very first time, by the question "where should we have Christmas dinner this year?", seeing their our yearly affair had always been held in the comforts of my Auntie's place. Her retirement from the tireless role of Christmas dinner host has left the family pretty much stranded; and I'm left to figure out our venue options. Only with such an opportunity do I realize the vast amount of choices we have for Christmas cakes and venues. 

Take for example MEDZS Rainbow Log Cake ($46.90 for 1.2kg), a limited edition offering that takes their signature rainbow cake, puts some magic into its step and viola, a bedazzling logcake that would be the pride and joy of any dinner feast. Unlike any rainbow cakes that I've come across before, MEDZS's version shines from the extra efforts that have gone into the thought process. The cake comes with seven layers of flavoured cream sandwiched in between the light and cottony sponge cake. There's cream cheese, orange cream, caramel, blueberry, peppermint, chocolate chip and almond; a revelation in intense flavor matching that strangely works in cohesion with every forkful. 

Horizon Bistronomy: somewhere in the middle of no where

The latest addition to North Eastern dining on our sunny island is the Punggol Settlement. A dining collective of food and beverage establishments housed in a rebooted colonial settlement  that is set to charm the hearts of locals with its natural ambiance in cahoots with its natural surroundings of flora and fauna.

We were privileged enough to get a first hand look at the newly opened Horizon Bistronomy spearheaded by Chef Chris Fong who has received tutelage from renowned Bruno Menard and helmed his first bridgade at Anthesis at Roberston Quay. His vision to introduce fine food to the masses at affordable prices with no compromise on quality has now translated into a casual restaurant joint, Horizon Bistronomy, tucked away on the 2nd level of the Punggol Settlement.