[ANYMAP] Interview + a giveaway at [FEAST BUMP]

Yeh, so the title says it all. I recently got quizzed by the folks at ANYMAP and you can read the entire scope of the interview over on their blog. 

A little snippet for the nosey ones ensues

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Anymap: What sets your blogging style apart from other food bloggers?

Fundamentally_Flawed: Honesty is the best policy. And I guess it's in this department that I differentiate myself from most other food bloggers. Pertaining to food establishments that make false statements about the preparation methods or provenance of their food, they may get away with pulling the wool over most diners' eyes, but there's no fooling me. I will, and have called their bluff, too many times to count. The harsh brutal reality delivered as feedbac to owners and chefs is something that I pride myself on as constructive criticism should work in improving a business. 

(read more on the ANYMAP site)

Meantime, all that talk about pizza is making me hungry. 

Recently, I've had the privilege of working with the dynamic team from FeastBump, a platform that features over 200 restaurants that deliver to you, wherever you are based on this island. From exotic dishes to healthy eats and high end pastries, FeastBump has got you covered, sussing out the most convenient solutions to restaurant quality food.  First conceptualised by the creators of Oddle, a cost effective backend solution for restaurant's takeaway options; the team after being tormented by a lack of food choices that deliver to their workplace have since diversfied and set up a seperate platform offering food delivery and listing of their existing merchants on this new platform. To that, I say brilliant! and gave the system a whack.

My order meant for 4 30pm arrives earlier than expected at 4 00pm (not a bad sign). Those who hangout at Timbre would be familiar with the pizzas I'm about to feature. The Goodfellas ($20.50) is a quizzical combintion of plump shrimp, garlic butter curry sauce, crisp cereal under a bed of melted mozarella cheese with a final flourish of egg crumbs. The verdict drawn was universal, "weird" being its main definition, the crust pizza dough and further smashings of egg crumbs drawing out moisture from the plump prawns leaving them high and dry. Working to better effect is the Roasted Duck with Hoisin Sauce ($20.50) - classic combination of duck and sweet sauce reaffirmed here. abetted by scatterings of shitake mushrooms and crispy popiah skin. There's no resisting this pizza here, even more so with a bottle of beer at hand. Other pizzas worth fawning after include the Beef Con Carne Pizza and the ridiculously fusion Black Pepper Crab rendition.

So here's the deal, I'll be giving out 2 x $30 FEASTBUMP vouchers for my selected merchant Timbre. So follow this standard instructions and stand to win a chance to chow down on free pizzas!

Here's how to win:

1. Follow Fundamentally-Flawed on Facebook
2. Leave a comment on the "FEASTBUMP giveaway" post on my FB page, telling me which other Feastbump merchant would you be interested to try (clue: visit Feastbump's website here)
3. Tag at least one friend in that comment with whom you would like to share the pizza with.

Two lucky readers will be picked at random. Competition ends on the 4th March '2016 23 59 so do make sure to act fast!

Online Order available Here

Disclaimer: This post was brought to you by FEASTBUMP.

Sumiya @ Suntec City: of sake dispensers and table-cooked rice

I remember the first time I visited the Suntec City branch of Sumiya (read my previous post here) - all eyes lit up when we spotted the gleaming elephant in the room. A spotless temperature controlled Sake dispenser that taps 16 different varieties of Japanese fermented rice wines from taps at the command of a key card - a seemingly illustrious process up til the bill shows its associated tabs afterwards. But for now, let's dine with no care for consequence, shall we?

Pool Grill @ Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel: Flavors of Spain

"A bonus is that the Chef is really cute," spouts the  sprightly PR figure that greets us at the table. An innocent comment that grabbed my attention instantaneously. Needless to say, the menu cards displayed on the tables were real head-turners as well, revealing placid Spanish roots with a real potential for mischief in between the gaps. 

Guest Chef Albert Ortiz is no stranger to traditional Spanish cuisine, his 12 years of kitchen experience coupled with knowledge of global cuisine catching the eye of talent scouts always on a lookout for new perspectives. A quick chat with the maestro revealed his inspiration - a love from Japan (cue, disappointed sighs) that has fine-tuned his taste of exquisite Japanese produce and foster a kinship for its delicate cooking methods. Gamely combining that with his own traditional Spanish cooking training, the result is something so distinctively intriguing in taste profile that it would have you second guessing the provenance of the meal. 

Manhattan Bar: Do the Harlem Shake

The Manhattan bar ranks amongst the world's top 50 bars. As a homage to old-world cocktails, it serves up an impressive list featuring the many iconic boroughs of - where else - New York City. It's famed barreling program eschew the common spirits, focusing on classic and once-forgotten creations. A trailblazer amongst hotel bars, it focuses on barrel-aged Negronis and revered by visiting mixologists. Add in the quintessential weekend "adults-only cocktail brunch" that harnesses the staying powder of Bloody Marys, and you have an opus magnum to the African-American neighbourhood of Harlem, north of Manhattan borough.

Seorae: Korean Charcoal BBQ with NO chance of 'Smoke gets in your eyes'

An army of soju bombs lined up in sweet precision. That's enough to convert me into a degenerate drunkard even on a breezy Tuesday afternoon. I kid you not, a trip to Seorae, Plaza Singapura's latest resident Korean BBQ joint will have you battling some alcoholic tendencies as the yakault soju makes repeated anonymous visits to the table (I blame the ninja boyfriend). But drinks aside, food is the real deal here, capturing the true essence of Korean communal dining in a tight space.

Unveiled for the first time in Singapore, the signature galmaegisal (also occupying a significant space on the wall with porky directory) - also known as pork skirt steak is available here. Marinated in a delicious blend of Korean spices and grilled to perfection, the result is something so tantalizing, rich flavored and juicy that it would have you hissing in anticipation as you proceed to pop the piping hot jewel into your mouth. Dip it into braised sweet onions or the accompanying spicy sauces to amp up the flavor. 

Little House of Dreams Cafe: Bangin' Sticky Date Pudding

Little House of Dreams Cafe situated in the grassy depths of Dempsey Hill is the newest cafe on the block and the only one to have an unfaltering connection with old-school Ice Cream Parlor, Ben & Jerry's. A part of the Dreams Establishment, which also owns Dreams and Confetti, an online boutique specialising in trendy party supplies, stylish tableware, unique gifts, gourmet sweets and more - basically a one stop shop chock full of party essentials proving to be a haven for those who love to throw a ball of a party. Similarly, Little House of Dreams cafe exudes the same vibes, the display case lit up by cakes in the prettiest shades of pastel are adorned by exotic live blooms and macarons, beckoning out to be pre-ordered as birthday cakes. Fully customised dessert tables are an option here too with the new capabilities of the hot kitchen expanding the potential for savoury selections on the catering menu. 

How does the Little House of Dreams fare when it comes to food though? The menu reads well, perhaps a little too humdrum in most instances, but at the very least, the pricing is friendly - featuring pastas, lasagnas, pizzas and homemade burgers being its perennial star; it became quite evident why my food escapades have caught the attention of the PR. 

Because, burgers...

[ANYMAP] Trendiest Staycations in Singapore: Chronicles of some late nights.

I've got a confession to make. I love my staycations; think, crisp linen, rain showers, warm bodies under fresh sheets (Mmmm), luxurious facilities and an out-of-town experience without the actual hassle of packing your bags. What's there not to love? - Those looking to surprise the missus with a romantic island escape without skimping on the luxury should read on. I guarantee you that a you can get a lavish 5-star hotel experience without breaking the banks at one of my recommended boutique hotel staycations littered about our sunny island. 

Unlike typical hotels, boutique hotels are usually decked out in extremely unique decor, shrouded in quaint and unusual themes with the added benefit of non-fluctuating booking fees even in peak seasons. So go ahead and get your credit cards ready, cause the temptation is real!

Entertainer App 2016: Food Trail + Promo Code

I'm a huge advocate of The Entertainer App. After raking up $700 plus in savings in the past year whilst happily satisfying the tummy with yummy nosh, I can't help but laud praises for the handy app that promotes 1-1 deals at several establishments spotting the island. Aside from the mandatory F&B merchants (after all, we know Singaporeans can sniff out a good food bargain from a mile away), the entertainer app boosts several other premium lifestyle choices that will luxuriate your life. 

Recently I've had the privilege of participating in a tour of some great merchants situated along the Duxton region along with the company of like-minded foodies. 

Chir Chir (Chinatown Point): Fried Chicken for Supper?

A major incentive to braving the crowds in Chinatown during the Lunar New Year period to either, soak in the spirit or do last minute CNY shopping, is the opportunity to drag the entire family to Chir Chir at Chinatown Point to indulge in some fried chicken goodness after the sticky deed is done. 

Chir Chir opens up their third outlet in the bustling region of Chinatown, dishing out crowd favourites such as their Nest Snow and Korean styled spicy chicken wings to the eagerly awaiting public. 

My favourites include the Crispy Fried Chicken ($26.90), nothing fancy or over the top in its notion with just crispy puffed up skin to boot and irresistibly moist and succulent flesh that puffs a smoky sigh of relief when the golden hide is breached. 

[CNY'16] Ce La Vi: Modern Asian CNY Menu and the most 'HUAT' Yu Sheng.

CE LA VI. The ostentatious establishment that occupies the 57th floor of the iconic Marina Bay Sands, was where I partook in a lo hei that I deem the most 'HUAT' of the year. Mainly because, you can't get any higher than that in terms of elevation. The seemingly transparent act of tossing yu sheng from a vantage point garnering enough luck to power me for the whole year, or so I hope.

The iconic rooftop location houses a energetic club that promotes the pursuit of pleasures as well as a fine dining establishment on the other side, sporting floor to ceiling window panels for some unparalleled views of the city skyline. This Lunar New Year, CE LA VI rolls out a lavish Asian inspired meal with the over-indulgent option of wine pairing; a somewhat mandatory choice when exposed to peer pressure from the opulent settings.