[London] Kym's: When you crave Chinese.
Labels:
chinese food,
dim sum,
dumplings,
london,
roast,
roast duck,
sihanthewanderer,
united Kingdom
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I'm not usually one to crave Chinese food in the thick of travelling a foreign land. But when golden boy Andrew Wong (responsible for the Michelin star welding A. Wong) opens up a second, more laid-back restaurant. It's best to get in line to experience this new culinary destination.
Sporting some seriously stylish interiors with subtle Chinese inflections and gorgeous design details that romanticise the orients; it's easy to see why the destination draws in the handsome crowds. Those looking for a casual date night, I would recommend cozying up to the copper-topped bar that sits below a dramatic cherry blossom tree. It's nothing short of a whimsical experience.
How to say Goodbye: Version 2018
Labels:
new year,
random musings,
thoughts
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A few weeks ago, my boyfriend and I called it a day. Threw in the towel, tossed in a couple of hurtful remarks just for dramatic exit effects, left that to sink its roots into each others bruised hearts for a couple of hours, and then we did the inevitable - discuss the custody of the cherished bottles we each had in our possession. Conciliatory, and it seemed horribly contrived too, as if it's been in the works for a while now. At least the lack of clichéd emotional upheaval aided to ease the sadness.
This being the only piece of melancholy in an otherwise good run through the year 2018. Few hours into the crossing over and here I am, wistful, sentimental. But mostly, grateful. After all, it's been a wildly fortuitous year from being named World's 50 Best Tastehunter to the enthralling work trips to bustling Tokyo, fashionable London, cutting-edge Berlin and exotic Cambodia. In casting my nets further and wider, I've been blessed with a journey like no other. 2018, you've gifted me with unrelenting opportunity, fulfilment and unforgettable memories. Some of which I'll cherish for a good long time.
I admit. It wasn't all easy. In 2017, I entered the year, broken, that feign image of a normal person barely recognisable in the mirror. Every inch and every piece, every nook and cranny of my entirety, crushed into smithereens. There were the constant tears that fell thick and hot, and the relentless pain that never seem to subside, only blurring into the background with the encouragement of a good old friend - alcohol. I was careful - safe-guarded my heart with fortified walls like a guarded citadel, only lowering the drawbridge when a bearded knight appeared at the front.
Undeniably, my previous encounter left me a doleful creature. But just like Rose who clung on so desperately to the bobbing door frame in the icy seas, I latched on like it was the only air to my lungs. We had our good days, I learnt to lean on his level-headed nature for work advice and his chirpy nature as a docking hub to rebuild my wings. Still, my traumatic marriage (which thankfully was absolved in the eyes of the law) had inadvertently left me determined never to need anyone again, to never be a hostage to emotional fortune. Perhaps I'm to blame. This hardwired screen accompanied by incredibly wilful behaviour and a lack of accountability leading to a fundamental distrust. Our bad days took us through plenitude of silent treatment, blame and superficial apologies. And when this drags on long enough, even the strongest of communication highways and its weathered sinkholes will crumble to result in the emergence of two separate thought islands. Such was the story of us. The long distance didn't help either.
For what it was worth, it was real. I will not discount the fact that in the aftermath of such emotional devastation, his love and concern were the treasured crutches that got me back on my feet. He opened up this family and home to me, blending me into the hearts and minds of some of the kindest, most genuine folks I've ever met. However, it became evident that the both of us lived in fear of putting ourselves at risk. The months and the days passed mindlessly without further assurance, without future investments. I've never been in a relationship and felt so lonely. Perhaps that was for the best, the long drawn moments of quietude allowing for healing and self reflection.
We split up a day after his and my birthday. A move I considered tactful (I did foot my fair share of the bill), but he deemed cruel and insensitive on the wallet. At least there was no time for agonising, the distance forming a natural blister to protect the underlying layers from infection.
2018, thank you for closing some doors. Its gutting, but its paving way for fate to clear away what's not meant for us. Divy, thank you for co-writing this chapter of my life with me, one that involves transition, soul-searching and strengthening A part of me will always love you. Now, it's time to focus on the relationship I've had with this person I've known for 32 years of my life - Me.
And in the case that love finds its way to my doorstep again... I won't live in fear that letting myself be loved automatically means putting myself at risk. I will allow my heart to love completely - not simply in pieces out of desperate self-preservation. It won't define my worth, instead, its course determines the magnitude of my love for you.
A wise man once told me the thrill behind wakeboarding lies therein the fact that it commands a ton of bravery because it inevitably ends with a fall. Truthfully, most things that are worth it in life are required a little risk somehow. I'll embrace the imminent fear of pain, if only in hope of the rewards after. I won't carry all the emotional baggage I've been holding on to. I won't keep beating myself up over things about me that aren't perfect.
Next year, I will allow myself to be loved.
HRVST Vegan Restaurant and Bar
Labels:
bar,
cocktails,
restaurants,
shenton way,
vegan,
vegetables,
vegeterian
·
Healthy vegan food. Never have I in my wildest dreams would have imagined signing up for something like this and eventually coming out from the other end of the tunnel, convinced that this is a much needed subculture movement.
HRVST restaurant and bar located on the 5th floor of the OUE downtown gallery shares its space with Kilter Avenue, a gym that's driven by movement. In the big picture , the restaurant is a holistic extension of the healthy lifestyle concept - touting vegan food and beverages to both gym users and the general public alike.
Ash & Elm Sunday Champagne Brunch: The British Edition
Labels:
bugis,
champagne,
hotel,
intercontinental hotel,
large groups,
sunday brunch,
will return,
worth it
·
If you're looking for an orthodox hotel buffet brunch with the likes of laksa, roast meats, naan and curries; turn around, there's nothing for you here. Instead, Ash and Elm in Intercontinental Singapore have decided to go full fledged English, celebrating the United Kingdoms' milestones this year (*high five* if you, like me, were glued to your screens during the royal wedding) and if you're asking me (the girl who has been dating an English bloke for the last year), nothing says 'Sunday lunch' more than a roast with all the trimmings.
Nami: Dainty set-lunches that champion the Art of Dashi
Labels:
dashi,
hidden finds,
japanese,
must go,
restaurants,
set lunch,
shangri la hotel,
will return
·
It's easy to build a killer menu from a bunch of gastronomical accessories and premium ingredients. But to build a restaurant's menu on the backbone of Japanese cuisine - dashi - is anything but derivative. Nami in Shangri-La Singapore does so with guns ablazing, and in doing so, challenges culinary boundaries of the eating out folk.
Botanico: Bon viveurs, we've got a game-changer on our hands
Labels:
botanic gardens,
date night,
european,
fusion,
hidden finds,
modern,
restaurants,
special occasion,
wine pairing,
winebar
·
Wine-lusters looking to up their game when it comes to food and wine pairings can now look to Botanico's revised wine program for sure-win epicurean dreams. Not that there's anything wrong with a medley of cheeses and cold cuts, but when occasion calls for a little bit of spice, Botanico steps up to the plate; literally, with Chef Sujatha Asokan visiting the spice pots often in an effort to match up to the burgeoning vino activities in the lush space.
[Tipsy Tuesday]: Newsletter for the Thirsty
Labels:
alcohol,
barolo,
brunch,
cocktails,
drinks,
events,
fine dining,
gin,
guest bartender,
mooncakes,
round up,
sunday brunch,
thebarawards,
truffle,
wine pairing,
worlds best bars
·
Pick your poison: from locally distilled gin from Mandai to epic wine pairings and alcoholic mooncakes. We round up our favourite drink-related events this autumn. All the better to prime your livers with before the holiday season.
~~~
Wine Lust 2018, 10 Aug - 10 Sep
The much beloved oenophiles dream experience makes a comeback for a second edition this year from the 10 August to 10 September. The month long wine-filled celebration will feature a variety of wine events at 15 award-winning restaurants across the island.
Here are some of my top picks:
4-Hands Manjimup Truffle Dinner with Renato Barolo Wines
Monti
Monti
14 Aug, 7 - 10pm
Here's a match made in heaven - decadent fresh Manjimup black truffles from Australia meets the best Barolo wines from Renato Corino.
For one night only, tuck into a sensuous 6-course dinner featuring the peak produce of the winter truffle season in Australia. With Chef Christopher Millar from Stellar at 1-Altitude and Chef Felix Chong manning the stoves, rest assured that your palate is in for a treat. The cream on the cake: each guest will enjoy 30 grams of the prized fungi paired with the finest ingredients such as Black Onyx Angus beef and Live Jade Abalone.
Alan Blakers, the founding family member of Manjimup Truffles will be on location to further drive the inception of the delectable treat amongst the diners.
This indulgent truffle themed dinner will be beautifully complemented with barolo wines as is priced at $168++ per head.
Tickets available here:
https://goo.gl/PXCCU7
~~~
Wine Lust Brunch Affair
Botanico
18 Aug, 12 - 3pm
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Wine Lust Brunch Affair
Botanico
18 Aug, 12 - 3pm
Free flow wines at brunch just found a whole new meaning with Botanico's Wine Lust Brunch Affair this coming Saturday. Besides the delectable food by Chef Sujatha Asokan, diners get a choice to top up $55++ per pax to enjoy a complimentary tasting of over 96 unique wines from around the globe. Guests can continue to enjoy their favourite tipple at home for a special price if they decide to purchase by the bottle or case.
Facebook event:
~~~
Le Donne Del Vino
Botanico
30 Aug, 7 - 10pm
Tucked away in the heart of Botanical Gardens is Botanico, a spot of tranquil beauty and immaculate lush green surroundings. Escape the city buzz with Le Donne Del Vino (Women of Wine) on the 30 August where the contemporary bistro will be honouring three of Italy's finest female winemakers alongside home-grown powerhouse Chef Sujatha Asokan who will be fastidiously preparing a memorable six-course menu featuring recipes disclosed from the winemakers' families themselves.
Tickets are priced at $110++ per pax and are available via
~~~
Barolo Wine Dinner with Giovanni Oliva
The Summerhouse
31 Aug, 6 - 10pm
If you've got a soft spot for the huge reds, this dinner might pique your interest. The full-bodied red from the historical Cordero di Montezemolo family winery will take centerstage in a five-course dinner in the cosy realms of The Summerhouse dining room.
Tickets are priced at $120++ per person and are available here:
~~~
Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with Regent Hotel's NEW Whiskey-infused Snow Skin mooncakes
Summer Palace Dim Sum guru Chef Leong Kwok Sing partners with bar Manger Philip Bischoff of Manhattan, Asia's Best Bar to present an exquisite collection of perennial favourite alongside two new spirited snowskin variants: Barrel-aged Sazerac 6-year-old Rye with coffee and chocolate and Barrel-aged La Lousiane Cocktail with Yuzu and Green Bean Paste.
The former combines the likes of rye-whiskey aged in 10 year old tawny port washed American oak barrel for 25 days, with coffee and chocolate paste for a play on nuttiness, chocolate earthiness and a risque sharpness. For those who like your cocktails a little less serious, the barrel-aged La Louisiane Cocktail with yuzu and green bean paste will hit the spot. Based on a classic Creole cocktail, the snowskin representation of is no less complex, perked up with notes of overripe oranges to awaken the senses.
Guests have the option to purchase the Manhattan Mid-Autumn box which comes with an assortment of Manhattan exclusive snow skin mooncakes and limited edition four-set whiskey tasting box (2 cl bottles of specially curated American whiskies and two exclusive barrel-aged blends from the Rickhouse in Manhattan) for $168. Definitely a gift worthy of any serious imbiber.
Enjoy early bird discounts till the Aug 19, where all 4 or 8-piece mooncake box purchases are entitled to 30% discount. Regular orders from 20 Aug to 24 Sep will enjoy a 15% discount with the use of the following credit cards: Bank of China, Citibank, Diners Club, HSBC, Maybank, OCBC and UOB.
~~~
Uniquely Singaporean: Tanglin Gin
The former combines the likes of rye-whiskey aged in 10 year old tawny port washed American oak barrel for 25 days, with coffee and chocolate paste for a play on nuttiness, chocolate earthiness and a risque sharpness. For those who like your cocktails a little less serious, the barrel-aged La Louisiane Cocktail with yuzu and green bean paste will hit the spot. Based on a classic Creole cocktail, the snowskin representation of is no less complex, perked up with notes of overripe oranges to awaken the senses.
Guests have the option to purchase the Manhattan Mid-Autumn box which comes with an assortment of Manhattan exclusive snow skin mooncakes and limited edition four-set whiskey tasting box (2 cl bottles of specially curated American whiskies and two exclusive barrel-aged blends from the Rickhouse in Manhattan) for $168. Definitely a gift worthy of any serious imbiber.
Enjoy early bird discounts till the Aug 19, where all 4 or 8-piece mooncake box purchases are entitled to 30% discount. Regular orders from 20 Aug to 24 Sep will enjoy a 15% discount with the use of the following credit cards: Bank of China, Citibank, Diners Club, HSBC, Maybank, OCBC and UOB.
~~~
Uniquely Singaporean: Tanglin Gin
It's about time that Singapore has its first Gin. Presenting to you, Tanglin Gin, Singapore's only handcrafted spirit, batch distilled in Singapore (Mandai, no less). The secret ingredient - Orchid; seemingly befitting since it's our national flower. The tipple heroes 11 botanicals, with some less usual suspects such as Amchoor (Indian Dried Green Mangoes) and Dendrobium Orchid. The result is a modern gin with a subtle floral fragrance and a slight citrus backdrop. Best enjoyed neat.
Find out more here:
~~~
The Bar Awards
is back in Singapore for its 2018 edition this weekend and it beckons you to get your crazy on!
Origin Bar
16 Aug
6pm onwards
The weekend of debauchery is starting off with a bang at Shangri-La Hotel's Origin Bar. Eight esteemed bartenders from all around the region will be doing rotational shifts behind the bar, dishing out the cheekiest of concoctions. So, don't expect to be standing straight at the end of the night.
Featured bartenders include
- Aili Nguyen of Employees Only Hong Kong (The Rising Star, Hong Kong)
- Angel Ng of PS150 (The Ada Coleman Winner, Kuala Lumpur 2017)
- Backstage Cocktail Bar (Best Hospitality, Bangkok 2018)
- Coley Cocktail Bar (Bar of the Year and Best Hospitality Team, Bangkok 2018)
- Please Don't Tell (Best Hotel Bar, Hong Kong 2018)
- Ponn Kitiphum (Mekhong's Brand Ambassador)
- Vesper (Most Creative cocktail program, Bangkok 2018)
- Yes Please (Manila)
~~~
Other guestshifts worth looking out for:
PS150 (KL) at HRVST/ 17 Aug/ 6 - 10pm
Vesper (BKK) at Smoke and Mirrors/ 17 Aug/ 8pm - 12am
Coley (KL) at The Spiffy Dapper/ 17 Aug/ 8 - 12am
Backstage Cocktail Bar (BKK) at Tess Bar and Kitchen/ 17 Aug/ 8 - 12am
Waterloo Street Luau Party/ 17 Aug/ 7pm onwards **
Jigger and Pony Sneak Preview Pop-up at Gibson/ 18 Aug/ 6pm - 2am
Tropic like It's Hot Featuring Bali's Best Bars at Lucha Loco/ 18 Aug/ 6pm - 12am
Employees Only Hong Kong at Highball/ 18 Aug/ 9pm - 12am
Please Don't Tell Hong Kong at Native/ 18 Aug/ 6 - 10pm
Vesper at Origin Bar/ 18 Aug/ 8pm - 12am
Flagship Turns 3 ft. Satan's Whiskers/ 18 Aug/ 8pm - 1am
More details here
~~~
[KL] Knowhere Bangsar opens with some excellent boozing options
Labels:
bangsar,
bar,
cocktails,
hidden finds,
kuala lumpur,
large groups,
overseas,
restaurants,
will return
·
Dining options may come and go in the Bangsar precinct, and with the spectrum of international cuisine offered, diners are spoilt for choice. It's the same in the boozing scope of things. However, a new kid on the block might just pique your curiosity. In fact, the azure of luminescent lights will cajole you into the debauchery of the drinking den. For which I implore you to take the plunge.
Zafferano presents New Dishes by Chef Emanuele Faggi
Labels:
cityviews,
downtown,
downtown line,
italian,
may return,
must go,
raffles place,
restaurants,
romantic,
special occasion
·
If there is anything more alluring about dining at Zafferano, is the fact that the new Head Chef Emanuele Faggi possesses the same charisma, in and out of the kitchen - both to bedazzle your tastebuds and to charm your socks off when he out working the dining room.
The young budding talent is a Tuscan native, who interned at the famed L'Albereta Resort led by legendary late Chef Gualtiero Marchesi. Following that, his culinary journeys whisked him away to 2-Michelin starred Cracco Ristorante where he honed his skills for five years under the wings of Chef Carlo Cracco. One precious value that is heavily emulated through the meal is the conscious effort to reduce food wastage, with various food discards or "trash" reappearing on dishes such as carrot skin powder and onion skin powder repurposed as flavouring agents. Meaningful, and I might add, brilliant all at once.
Surf + Turf at The Westin Singapore's Seasonal Tastes
Labels:
buffet dinner,
buffets,
desserts,
downtown,
downtown line,
seafood,
surf and turf,
the westin singapore
·
Located in the heart of Singapore's Central Business District at Asia Tower, Seasonal Tastes at Westin Hotel overlooks the best of Singapore's sights - the Marina Bay Sands, Merlion and the likes. Known to offer a premium buffet spread at a reasonable price, guest chef, James Marshall of W Taipei is here with flavours close to his heart.
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