Hansang Korean Family Restaurant: BBQ lovers unite
Labels:
barbeque,
hidden finds,
korean,
korean bbq,
large groups,
must go,
novena,
will return
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Hansang Korean Family Restaurant is no ordinary Korean BBQ. It's racy expansion from its comfortable enclave in Holland Village to the simple fit out in Square 2, a demonstration of versatility and its basic attention to authenticity being highlighted with the more discerning crowds. Stove tops ring with satisfying, sizzling noises as gorgeously marbled meats turn a light shade of brown. Food here is so messy, you want to eat it in private. Perhaps the smaller the party, the better; that way you won't have to stave off too many wandering chopsticks.
Cook & Brew: [NEW MENU] spearheaded by a throng of Burgers
Labels:
barfood,
burgers,
cityviews,
comfortfoods,
desserts,
hidden finds,
hotel,
romantic,
the westin singapore
·
Picture this, you get set up on a date by your best friend with the captain of the school football team. Sure, he's got dreamy eyes and features so sharp that they could easily saw through the thickest hunk of steak, hence the extra preparation effort. Heels, check! Poofed up hair on hairspray hyper drive, check!, and you even dragged out the most decent set of knickers you have from your wardrobe. Kudos for that. He arrives at the door with a bunch of flowers and whisks you away in mist of charm, raising the bar even higher with an idyllic choice of a dinner venue, one that offers bedazzling views of the cityscape at dusk. However, as the meal unravels, you realize that beneath the chiseled good looks, is an empty vessel, one that was dull and lacklustre beneath its misleadingly glamorous facade. - my experience at Cook and Brew can be summed up in the same manner.
Launching a new menu helmed by a selection of mouthwatering gourmet burgers, the craft beer watering hole located at the Westin Singapore's speciality gastro-bar at Level 33 sets to sweep diners off their feet, with a combination attack of killer views and American comfort food.
Kilo at Pact: Datenight surefire
Labels:
affordable,
date night,
fusion,
hidden finds,
orchard,
orchard central,
romantic,
will return
·
When it comes to dining at Kilo at Pact, I'm a woman of few words. Especially after it dawned upon me that the successful kilo empire stemmed from its predecessor Raw Kitchen Bar which opened in the vicinity of Bukit timah's old fire station in 2008; my guilty conscience forcing me to recall how I condoned the outlet (mainly for its choice of outlandish pretentious location) to imminent death even before giving the kitchen a chance. Bad habit, yes I know. But fast forward 8 years and I'm swallowing my words, or rather, taking my time to savour the goodness of the unearthly sweet compressed watermelon as I dredge it through the delightfully perfumed red Thai curry gravy. Service here was gracious and kind, almost like a stab in the back as I relinquish the intimate dining experience founded by the essence of Kilo's communal spirit.
Katong Kitchen: Peranakan Halal-certified Buffet
Labels:
buffet dinner,
buffets,
East Coast/ Joo Chiat,
halal,
hidden finds,
katong,
peranakan
·
With a wealth of dining options in the east, it's hard to concur on a destination, especially in the influence of strong foodie friends. Fortunately, attending to both the needs of the diners in search of quality as well as quantity is the impressive halal-certified spread at Katong Kitchen, located on the 4th level of Village Hotel Katong.
From the superb regale to the decor, Katong Kitchen exudes similar nostalgic vibes from its wooden flooring to the marbled coffee table tops. Delighting its guests with a well formulated line up of both International and Peranakan inspired local cuisine since 2013.
A quick glance of the room will reveal all stations in full view; despite its seemingly modest confinement, the detail is in the fabric. Each hot-hold revealing something mysteriously darkened and aromatic.
Long Chim: Celebrate the celebrity restaurant's 1st Birthday with $9 dishes all day long
Labels:
affordable,
celebritychef,
cocktails,
events,
large groups,
marina bay sands,
media event,
must go,
restaurants,
special occasion,
spicy,
thai food
·
Come end of March, Long Chim turns 1 and in lieu of these festive occasion, they will be offering a plethora of signature dishes, new offerings and iconic Thai cocktails for just $9++ on the 30th March, all day from 12pm-12am.
The specially curated menu includes charming starters such as chiang mai larp of chicken, grilled pork skewers and crunchy prawn cakes while an entourage of spicy knock-out curries, red curry of roast duck will also be peddled at 9 dollars. Should the food be a tad too overwhelming in flavors, take a swig of the special beverages on offer. The melrose fizz getting my vote for best thirst quencher, its bubbly personality making for better conversations across the table.
White Rose Cafe @ York Hotel: 30th anniversary Penang Hawkers' Fare
Labels:
buffets,
hotel,
large groups,
must go,
penang food,
will return
·
When my early retirement plans from the baby shower revealed itself as foodie trip to York Hotel's Penang Hawker Fare, my aunts' eyes lit up like Christmas lights, evoking memories of her previous yearly ritual visits to the buffet line. Praising it to the high heavens with accompanying introductions of what dishes to look out for. Bemused, I went ahead with heightened expectations, hoping to get an taste of the illustrious laksa she was painting fairytale picture about.
For the 30th year in a row, York Hotel rolls out their Penang Hawker's Fare with relentless effort. For fans of the wildly popular buffet, this annual event is something to look out for. Besides the usual showcase of perennial favourite Penang street food, sizzling hot new dishes are gracing the line while exclusive cooking workshops are available to those more familiar in the kitchen.
[NEW MENU] Hungry Heroes: Burgers Galore in the shadows of Superheroes.
Labels:
affordable,
american,
barfood,
big groups,
burgers,
diner,
dinner,
farrer park,
must go,
pork belly
·
I have high expectations when it comes to burgers.
No shit, Sherlock (Hey, Captain America, I think I just said a bad word). *grimaces* Bad jokes aside, my intolerance for poorly constituted piles has become much talked about topic among fellow foodies. So upon arriving at Hungry Heroes and presented with a media-tasting menu that features 3 different burgers, not one of which was the conventional beef variation, my hairs stood on ends.
But first, appetizers to let the Proper Job IPA slide down a little easier. Heros Fries ($10) and Clash of the Potato, Mayo and Scallions ($7) are diet fiends that may just be well worth its calories. The former is your usual skinny fries topped with a landslide victory of chilli con carne, criss cross drizzles of nacho cheese and then another solid lattice of mayonnaise overhead. Talk about overkill. I would however, point you in the direction of the latter, the clash of the potato, a winsome potato salad dish enhanced by crispy duck fat cooked potatoes, a zeng-ed kewpie mayo sauce and huge pilings of spring onion. Rub it all in and you're most certainly to overindulge on this course alone.
[Singapore Cocktail Week 2016] Top 10 Cocktails you must try: Part 2
Labels:
cocktails,
events,
sgcocktailweek
·
1) Charles Muse (Neon Pigeon)
Mark Graham Thomas, previously of Bacchanalia bar and general manager of Club39 has nestled at Modern Izakaya, Neon Pigeon parked on the once sleazy street of Keong Saik this SGCW. His preference for savory concoctions over sweet proving to be quite a challenge for the average palate to wrap their beak around; but truth be told, the Charles Muse, inspired by comfy carrot soup and the infamous Hot&Cold from Operation dagger is effin' delicious. Carrots are cooked down, with fennel, caramelised onions and a good measure of salt for that savoury element and blended to a umamified soup which is then shaken with tanqueray gin. The foam that glides effortlessly above the drink consisting of fresh apricot puree and cream together with fat-rushed rum for that buttery edge.
2) Rock and Rye (Operation Dagger)
A well hidden space - a basement off the hustle and bustle of Ann Siang Hill - Operation dagger is practically a speakeasy. Here the Rock and Rye impresses, enlivened with ruby tones of seasonal stonefruit and oils expertly wrung from generous peels of lemon.
3) Swizzle with Swagger (Anti:dote)
A curious concoction with a good hit of local flavors, the Swizzle with Swagger combines Black monkey rum, gula melaka Falernum; which upon further investigation is a Carribean type spiced syrup cooked with gula melaka and tons more asian spices; and lime served with crushed ice. Too easy to drink if not for its crushing alcoholic effects masked by an innocent sweet facade.
4) All Shall Perish (HOD)
Highly recommended, the All Shall Perish comes fortified with subtle notes of ash and chocolate from the Mezcal, dashes of coffee brown Rabarbaro Nardini (rhuarb apertif) as well as Rhubarb bitters scenting the mix with a bodacious herbal drive. Great for those who love their tonic soups.
5) Sesame Street (Tess Bar)
Quite the charmer, sesame street, concocted by Diageo Reserve World Class S.E.A Bartender '2015, Steve Leong is perfectly balanced. Smoked Black sesame seed lacing the glassware wafts up memories of breakfast - peanut butter sandwiches, but it soon matures with a sip of the Old Fashioned inspired brew - Wild Turkey 81 Bourbon with orange bitters. Those interested in more local concoctions should head down to Timeout's kopitiam styled Jio You Cocktail Club where Steve Leong will be shaking up drinks, inspired by what else? - hawker fare. We've got Crab those Buns and pandan and coconut infused barley water medley Seah Street Power Nasi Lemak on the bucket list!
And there you have it... our Part 1 and 2 of the Top Cocktails to revel in the last two days of Singapore Cocktail Week 2016. So go forth and grab a drink of two; besides its friday night, there's really no excuse too. Or follow us on @thedrinkseekers Instagram for updates!
Tin Hill Social: AIX Rose Sunday Brunch
Labels:
aix rose,
all-day-breakfast,
australian,
brunch,
burgers,
eggs benedict,
fusion,
must go,
sunday brunch,
will return,
wines
·
Free flow AIX French Rose at only $14++? - there's no way I wasn't knock this game out of its ballpark. My last experience at Tin Hill Social Sunday brunch held in conjunction with Straits Wine Company was a home run. Cozy vibes and mad bokeh game within spacious grounds, with a genial carpet of natural light draped over all its corners; it was love at first sight. Then there was the food - leave it to Chef Michael Lewis to make a lasting impression with his cuisine overflowing with laid back Australian vibes with a strong emphasis on produce.
Orchard Central: Japanese Food Trail
Labels:
advertorial,
food tasting,
japanese,
large groups,
orchard,
orchard central,
ramen,
shabu shabu,
will return
·
Not the first time I'm expounding its merits but Orchard Central is a treasure trove of brilliant activities, cool stores peddling niche goods and food meccas worth boasting about. When it comes to dining in OC, we're completely spoilt for choice, whether it be fusion-Thai at Som Tam or rambunctious casual izakaya style dining at Sumiya; there's loads of ways to fill the stomach. I didn't want to get all excited but the prospects of embarking on a purely Japanese centric food trail around Orchard Central was enough for me to let our a rip-roar cheer. Delving into the heights of Orchard central and sifting through the various Japanese offerings from shabu shabu to home styled grilled items and finally ramen, we bring you the best of OC. Think of this as your definitive check list for your next visit. I assure you, my recommendations are true.
Such is the density of Japanese restaurants on the 8th floor of OC that, of an evening, the various smells adrift from boiling stock pots, grilled pork bellies and the different cook stations on the buffet line can be intoxicating. For shabu shabu, head on over to Shabu Sai, a casual Japanese sukiyai/shabu shabu establishment that does good food and remarkably good value (especially considering you can eat to your hearts content and that sauce counter tho.).
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