Arteastiq: New High Tea and Weekday Brunch Menu
Labels:
afternoon tea,
birthdays,
desserts,
girls night out,
hidden finds,
high tea,
mandarin gallery,
orchard,
pasta,
special occasion,
tea,
will return
·
The sweeping view of the busy streets along Orchard Road never seems to fail my amusement every time I step up to the quaint tea salon that is Arteastiq; squirrelled away into the most obscure corner of the Mandarin Gallery. Despite (or rather, because) of its mysterious seclusion, the joint sees a roaring business; funded by Tai-tais cradling their porcelain cups of tea and the occasional painting enthusiast who gamely decides to go for an art jamming session.
For those who prefer the day-time vibes on a weekend, you'll be glad to know that Arteastiq's newly launched High Tea set, though severly overdue, has risen to standards with a dedicated bakery team now manning an entire station near the entrance to the shop.
Decker Barbecue: Low and Slow
Labels:
american,
barbeque,
barfood,
brisket,
comfortfoods,
craft beers,
family friendly,
hidden finds,
large groups,
must go,
ribs,
robertson quay,
smokehouse,
will return
·
Let's begin by putting on the table what Decker Barbecue is and isn't. A date night place? NO, unless you're a no-frills, carnivorous girl like me; it wouldn't be such a brilliant idea lugging your first date to this place. For weight-watchers? HELL NO, the intimidating menu showcasing various meat cuts, all cooked low and slow to guarantee a satisfactory fat maintenance will leave you with heart palpitations all night. And vegetarians, you've already been warned, not unless you're going to go the mile and call fries a vegetable; then you've been warned.
Freehouse: Stairs to Beer heaven
"No Strangers Here" shines in neon lights from the headboard above the gleaming tap system at newbie craftbeer joint Freehouse. Here, there is not such a thing as "VIP" treatment., the mandatory greetings and introductions with the friendly staff on deck, the only rite of passage to access the incandescent streams of cold beer flowing through their glycol cooled beer dispensers.
Freehouse, as the name states is a pub that isn't tied to just one brewery. A sight not so prevalent overseas but more predominant on local shores given Singaporean's thirst for variety. Located a flight of stairs up from Cheek by Jowl on Boon Tat street, this craft beer and cider haven is a labor of love from the same folks of The Mad Tapper, Singapore's first craft cider distributor to rally up the sweet-carbonated-alcohol loving crowds since early 2015. With a distribution representation throughout several breweries in NZ, Australia, United states and UK; it's not surprising to see them diversifying and fitting in the role of a tap-house with 16 beers on demand.
Woo Ricebox: From Taichung to Jurong Point
Labels:
affordable,
bentobox,
fried chicken,
jurong point,
jurong west,
large groups,
setlunch,
taiwanese
·
I rarely travel to Jurong West, mainly because the mere thought of the travelling on the East West line any further West of Jurong East evokes some serious memories; young foolish love and of tutorial-hugging days. Bittersweet, mostly of the caustic kind - crowded 179s and deep-seeded hatred for the academics despite my Dean's list beginnings. Long story cut short, I avoid heading to Boon Lay and for good reason too since rarely is there a joint, worth the heartache nor the travelling.
Woo Ricebox on the other hand is an exception. An authentic Taiwanese ricebox since 1939, it now has established itself as a household name in Taiwan with more than 200 stores under its wing. Speaking of Taiwan, I have always been amused at how commuters can practice so much discipline while granted the autonomy to tuck into their take-aways while on public transport - carriages are left spick and span with no lingering odors or pungent food stenches and containers are carefully disposed of after the feast. I suppose, if granted with the same permission to do so in Singapore would lead to dire and extremely unsanitary circumstances on our trains.
My [One-North Eats List]: Timbre+ and More!
Labels:
affordable,
cafe,
circle line,
coffee,
hawker,
hidden finds,
large groups,
local food,
one north,
will return
·
With the recent opening of hipster enclave Timbre+ in One North, the once dire foodie landscape has seen massive limelight in the recent weeks from both the media and the locals alike. On hindsight, it's strange to see how the vendors arriving with feeding buckets to nourish the hive of activities generated by the melting pot of talent, ideas and business opportunities, are so late to the game. Still, better late than never, right?
Traversing the area looking for lunch options can be a slightly daunting affair given the minimal foliage coverage and soaring temperatures in the industrial fixture. So to cut you some slack, here are some of my 'tried-and-tested' joints in and about the region.
Kanshoku Ramen @ Orchard Gateway: Keeping it real
Labels:
affordable,
all day,
hidden finds,
noodle,
orchard,
orchardgateway,
ramen,
somerset,
will return
·
It is never cold in Singapore. But since rain is in the air, often. What you want to be eating is ramen - a seemingly popular themed restaurant springing out like baby rabbits across the land - it's tonic effect against the chill (mostly from stepping in and out from blazing temperatures to frigid malls), highly regarded
The first thing you should know at Kanshoku Ramen is that they make their own ramen, no commercial, over-alkalised nonsense here. Secondly, the two young men behind the shop have no kitchen experience prior to setting up the two instalments of Kanshoku. Passion-driven and fuelled by a need to provide good food at reasonable prices to the masses; hence the eye-catching location at Orchard Gateway mall - just mention 'Psst, you know the new blue ramen stall near Orchard Central?' - Everyone nods in unison.
Si Wei Yan 思味筵: Fall on Deaf Ears
Labels:
chinese,
chinese food,
club street,
large groups,
might return,
private room,
sichuan,
spicy,
szechuan
·
The title will explain itself in awhile... but now let me proceed to mop off the beads of sweat that have gathered at my temples as I scroll through the feed of dishes carrying too much spiciness in its wake.
Si Wei Yan, the newest Szechuan cuisine restaurant to reside along wild child alley Club Street, may seem a tad out of place in the bar saturated zone - it's imposing outfit reminiscent of a Chinese spa rather than a racy szechuan restaurant. The pet project of the owners of Si Wei Mao Cai in Chinatown - 思味筵 oozes finesse; the blast of cold air within its facade preparing one for the flavor assault about to unfold.
Dallas Restaurant & Bar: Suntec City Sky Garden edition
Labels:
dinner,
hidden finds,
large groups,
promenade,
ribs,
special occasion,
steak,
sunteccity,
will return
·
With a snap of the fingers, 10 years have promptly flew past and the casual American inspired restaurant Dallas celebrates its 10th anniversary with the opening of a stunning new joint tucked away in the tropical garden hideout of Suntec City Sky Garden. Once touted to be the most secretive 'pak-tor' spot, you can now enjoy more intimate moments with your loved one, this time - in the comforts of an exquisite glass house.
Come sundown, the charming high-ceiling glasshouse takes on an almost glamorous facade - impressive island bar glistening like a beacon of hope against the mostly black marbled backdrop. Leather upholstery and elegant chandeliers give the space an effortlessly chic vibe whilst the al fresco space, boosted by a reflective pool feature, beckons for guests to enjoy an after-work tipple.
The Ramen Chronicles: Ramen Keisuke Lobster King, Menya Takeichi, Men Tei
Labels:
affordable,
clarke quay,
downtown,
japanese,
lists,
lunch,
must go,
promenade,
raffles place,
ramen,
will return
·
The Good, the bad and the ugly. Let's break the rules and reverse order, shall we?
Starting with the relatively new Ramen Keisuke Lobster King located in party capital, The Cannery at Clarke Quay. Ramen Champion Chef Keisuke Takeda has fervently worked his ass off to open up 10 outlet joints in Singapore within a span of 6 years, each touting a different concept that veers away from the traditional ramen. The Clarke Quay outlet features a specially concocted Lobster broth ramen which draws inspiration from a certain French mannerism.
But truth be told, how does the ramen measure up?
Colony @ The Ritz Carlton: One of my favorite new buffet lines in town
Labels:
affordable,
buffet dinner,
buffets,
champagne,
desserts,
high tea,
hotel,
large groups,
must go,
ritz carlton,
seafood,
special occasion,
will return
·
My blatant statement in the front goes to show I like Colony at the Ritz Carlton an awful lot. I'm sure a lot of you share the same sentiments about the spanking new buffet line to feature heritage cuisines opened for operation in September 2015. To cut to the chase, if I could get away with the financial burdens of dining in everyday, I would...
Touting eight different conservatory kitchens, each helmed with a 'live' station with display of culinary showmanship, detailing the decadent dishes decking the stations; its easy to be transfixed in the artful skill of cooking demonstrated by the amusingly amicable chefs. But it won't be too long before the lure of assertive scents of spices get to you. Pulling you in to haul the goodies back to your seats.
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