Where to Eat in Abu Dhabi: Al Sayyad Marine Restaurant and Grills مطعم الصياد البحري

December 30, 2016, 9:58 am

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When I write this, I don't feel like I can do this place enough justice ever. I mean, how could I, I had one of the best meals in my life here. It could be that the stars aligned on this day, and everything just came together nicely, but if you ever find yourself in Abu Dhabi, Al Sayyad Marine Restaurant and Grills is a place you must go for your meals. Even if it is out of the way, this is really worth your time. I don't say this often, especially when I am an advocate of travel itineraries that 'make sense'. I guess the only reason why you might not visit this place is if you're highly allergic to seafood, to that, unfortunately you're missing out on this gem of a place.. don't worry, I will be posting other non-seafood places in Abu Dhabi that are extremely worth checking out too.

This humble-looking restaurant sits on the marina promenade where the long-tailed fishing boats are, which completely adds to the authenticity of it as a seafood restaurant. Not sure if they use the seafood that they caught right here, but the seafood sure tastes absolutely the freshest.

This is one meal I certainly do not like to be disturbed when I am digging in. For once, no conversations required, just pure feasting! The grilled prawns and the fish were absolutely delightful, sweet with its natural taste. My eyes watered with happiness as I peel off the prawns from the shells with my bare hands.  The prawns slip off from their shells easily. Such satisfaction. I am a glutton and I love being pampered with such good seafood. 

You know, usually the less fresh seafood gets 'salvaged' through the baptism of fire because fried or grilled items are more forgiving on the level of freshness. And if the restaurant owners have really fresh seafood, they would try to present it steamed, so as to 'show off' how good it is. But grilled + absolutely fresh seafood... this is really amazing. You have got to try it at Al Sayyad Marine Restaurant and Grills, nothing less.

Even the fried rice was fantastic. I don't know what they fry it with, but it is so, so tasty.

Al Sayyad Marine Restaurant and Grills مطعم الصياد البحري
31st St, Port Zayed, Al Mina, Abu Dhabi
(Next to Fish Market, see map)

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So long, 2016

December 30, 2016, 11:19 pm

≫ Next: Wheat & Wit, A JB Bakery With Delicious Cakes Worth Travelling For 麦风趣

≪ Previous: Where to Eat in Abu Dhabi: Al Sayyad Marine Restaurant and Grills مطعم الصياد البحري

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It almost feels like last week we stepped gingerly into 2016, unsure what was to come. And then now, we're hurtling our way into 2017. It seems there is no good way to wrap up a year within a post, because there is so much in 12 months, 366 days, too many ups and downs, times when my eyes lit up in wonder, or felt downcast, worried, determined... this, like any other year, is a year of change. This further confirms how change is the only constant in our lives, and hardly or never is it a straight line.

The biggest changes in my life in 2016, I would say, weren't necessarily good or bad, but certainly, they made me understand myself better. And that is really sufficient for me at this point in my early adulthood life.

I hang out even more with folks older than me, I guess because I do blogging and the opportunities that I land with it, and my social circle is shifting... They made me see the world in a different perspective, almost like I could take a peek into the future. And that really sharpens my mind. But at the same time, I realised that friendships, and relationships.. if either party don't put in the effort, it'll fade away... so definitely this year, I'd resolve to spend more time with my friends. 2016 has seen far less gatherings than the past years, and to a huge extent, I'm being far too ill-disciplined to make things work.

I finally stepped into the 'working world', and obviously the question that everyone has been thinking about is: do you prefer studying or working? The Taurus in me would think that you're paying to 'do work' for studying while you're being paid to work when working so obviously the latter is better... but I am starting to realise that passion should be the number one factor driving why you choose your line of work. Not salary, not prestige... because work is something that you do for a great portion of your waking hours, and it shapes your mindset, it can be nurturing, or damaging. These are the two extremes but ultimately, my point is: it does cause a great impact on who you are. And I agree with how the cliche saying goes, if you enjoy your work, you never have to work in a day of your life. I am still trying to figure out if I like doing what I do (ha ha, maybe my bosses are secretly reading this space) and honestly there are good days and bad days, and the people makes it all better. There are good days and bad days even for my interests like blogging.

Traveling has been greatly rewarding this year, and when I look back to my footprints all over the world this year, I realised it has indeed been a long year well spent. From setting off to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in February to a two-weeks long trip to China's biggest cities Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou and also to Suzhou and Wuxi, and to my first business trip to Hong Kong, then finally to Krabi for an anniversary celebration with my love... I think I have a bigger heart for travel than ever, and of course have a greater confidence to perhaps, set off for solo trips in 2017.

There are so much more that I want to say about 2016, but most of all, the reason why I got through everything was having my love to guide me through. 2016 taught me not to wish not for smooth days ahead but the tenacity to overcome any obstacles that would come your way, together with the people you love and those who love you. 2017, we're ready for you.

/Photo taken on 1 January 2017.
/Marina Bay Floating Platform, Singapore (Rock On!) organised by IMC Group.

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Wheat & Wit, A JB Bakery With Delicious Cakes Worth Travelling For 麦风趣

January 1, 2017, 7:30 pm

≫ Next: Putien Seasonal Menu Release: Seaweed Series

≪ Previous: So long, 2016

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I love desserts and all, but I am not a particularly 'cake person'. What does that even mean - it means that I prefer my desserts lightweight, so I didn't expect to like Wheat & Wit (麦风趣) as much as I did!!! Launching straight into the magic of this bakery: instead of using cheese, they use yogurt instead, which makes everything taste much more delicious, lighter, and enjoyable.

Let's start with the breads and croissants! All of them are made with pure and organic ingredients, with absolutely no artificial flavouring. Their choice of using yogurt instead of cheese is also made with health considerations in mind. However, although it is super healthy, they do not lose out on their taste! The breads look seemingly humble and boring, but just listening to the yummy combinations is enough to make my mouth water~

~ Chocolate banana buns, potato nachos buns, raisin cream cheese buns, buttermilk salted egg buns ~

Which one do you want? I really love the raisin cream cheese bun a lot, it is so cheesy yet lightweight, with the occasional sweet touch with the raisins in the fluffy bun... fresh bakes make all the difference. The potato nachos bun was a savoury surprise, it was very rich and it reminds me of really good warm nachos cheese from cinemas with mash potatoes in it. The rest of the breads are equally great in quality as well, it really depends on what flavour you like! They have even more breads on the shelves so go crazy with trying them - they are out to impress.

The croissants were tastefully and organically flavoured with matcha and does not take away the attention from the foundation of what a croissant should be - buttery, warm and flaky! 

And if you're looking for some high-tea pastries, here they are: 🙌

The cakes at Wheat & Wit are the sort that are quietly pretty, and taste absolutely delicious. It's the type of cake that I would want for my birthday, high teas with my best friends, and that I can confidently recommend to others to buy for birthdays too. It highly depends on what type of flavours you like, again, they are all organic flavours so you can be assured that you will be enjoying au naturel tastes. The Chocolate Raspberry cake was definitely my favourite out of all even though it's really a tough call. The Raspberry Cremeux is a close second, well, because I really like the raspberry element in the cake, the sweet and sour tones are just perfectly balanced and not forceful. 💟

Some pick-me-up coffees at Wheat & Wit for your mandatory cuppa 😏✌

You can share your high tea happiness with your friends and family who didn't come along by getting some from their bakery shelves and pretty boxes!

An overview shot of the gorgeous place! Totally high tea material with the rabbit ears chairs and spacious, high ceilings. Grab your friends and come visit for their pastries now! 😍 

Wheat & Wit @ the Vibe
6376 & 9236, Jalan Ibrahim Sultan
Kampung Stulang Laut
80300 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Takzim
Malaysia

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Putien Seasonal Menu Release: Seaweed Series

January 1, 2017, 10:16 pm

≫ Next: Hattendo, Fluffy Breads & Unbelievably Smooth Custard Fillings at Tanjong Pagar Centre

≪ Previous: Wheat & Wit, A JB Bakery With Delicious Cakes Worth Travelling For 麦风趣

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It's time for Putien's new seasonal menu release again and this time, it's seaweed! For the first time in Putien's history, they are introducing its all new 'first harvest seaweed' seasonal menu. If you love seaweed, this is like nothing you've ever tasted. As usual, Putien take pride in top quality and freshness, maintained when delivering these seaweed dishes. Seaweed is fiber-rich and traditionally cultivated in East Asia, sourced in particular from Wheat Island, a remote fishing village 50km away from Putian City of Fujian.

What's so different from Putien's seaweed dishes?

According to prominent gastronomist Cai Lan, seaweed that we normally get is already dried before being shipped to Singapore. But Putien's uniqueness is that they spare no effort to air freight freshly harvested seaweed directly from Fujian.

And that's what makes it different and why you would have probably never tasted seaweed this way before. The chefs at Putien has created five different seaweed dishes for you to enjoy:

Seaweed with Dried Shrimp is a seaweed-based appetizer. It sets the tone of how delicious their fresh seaweed is, not only is it extremely soft and silky, it's also sweet and savoury and you can really taste the original taste of it. The seaweed is also combined with their signature red-tail baby shrimp and tossed together as a cold salad. The shrimp's juicy freshness and tartness of a trifling of vinegar in this dish really makes for an appetizing dish! This is definitely one of the better appetizers I've had in 2016 that left me wanting.

Seaweed Omelette is a simple but skilful dish that features the First Harvest Seaweed and eggs pan-fried with strong fire to lock down the fragrance of the ingredients. It is quite salty and best paired with piping hot fragrant white rice.

Thoroughly stewed with the best-quality taro for 30 minutes, this Putien Stewed Seaweed makes for an earthy dish especially with slow-boiled chicken broth as its base! Similar to the Seaweed Omelette, its natural saltiness is quite intense and pairing it with rice would make it tons more enjoyable~

The Meizhou Claypot Rice with Seaweed is a scrumptious and hearty main, braised in seaweed and oyster soup for the ultimate essence of the sea. Every grain of pearl rice absorbed the soup, creating a savoury and fragrant taste.

Seaweed with Oyster Soup is slowly boiled with the freshest oysters and seaweed, served with a dash of vinegar to enhance the flavours without compromise. Such a heartwarming dish to end off the seaweed series of Putien.

Along with the seaweed items, we were also introduced to this Deep Fried Pork Bun that impressed me. Although it is deep fried pau, it is very light and not at all greasy, and a cross between kongbakpau and mantou with pork and caramelized onions fillings. Nom away!!! This was definitely one of the happiest takeaways that I had with Putien.

Finally... a sweet lovely dessert, of course, this Pumpkin Cream with Coconut Ice-Cream... usually I don't expect 'traditional' restaurants to have any fancy desserts but this one really took my breath away. The pumpkin cream doesn't taste like pumpkin actually, but more of a sweet potato paste sort, which is really nice. It's not too thick, and really wonderfully done with grated peanuts for the added texture.

If you are looking for a unique souvenir for your overseas friends, look out for Putien's signature and famous Spice Mum - a chilli concoction for your yummy cooking at home!

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Hattendo, Fluffy Breads & Unbelievably Smooth Custard Fillings at Tanjong Pagar Centre

January 8, 2017, 6:18 pm

≫ Next: A Life of Compromised Passions

≪ Previous: Putien Seasonal Menu Release: Seaweed Series

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Tanjong Pagar Centre has just opened its doors, welcoming a long-standing Japanese bakery brand, Hattendo as one of its tenants! Hattendo is famous for their cream buns, with five different flavours: custard, cream, matcha, azuki and chocolate for $2.50 each. The payment and collection of food operates via a queue system. On a weekend morning, waiting time is about 5-10 minutes.

The cream buns are freshly baked on the spot! The pastry chef kneads at the dough with an open-concepet kitchen. Perhaps you can even learn a thing or two by observing.

So... I tried the custard buns. Wrapped in a paper foil, my first impression was that it actually looked like a burger from the exterior appearance. Peeling it open, The little soft bun is really the queen of all breads, with a soft, fluffy bun and then it is filled with an unbelievably smooth custard filling. Imagine cream puffs, or if you've tried the shuu puffs from Koki Tamagoyaki - the fillings are similar. For a bread, I must say these cream buns from Hattendo are really good in a simple and straight forward way. But ultimately, don't look for something that would 'wow' you. There are plenty of other restaurants and shops at Tanjong Pagar Centre that are worth a visit, so drop by if you're in the area.

Hattendo Singapore

Tanjong Pagar Centre #01-05
Choon Guan Street
Singapore 078884

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A Life of Compromised Passions

January 11, 2017, 8:26 am

≫ Next: Singapore: Outram Park, Your Locality Cheat Sheet

≪ Previous: Hattendo, Fluffy Breads & Unbelievably Smooth Custard Fillings at Tanjong Pagar Centre

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I wanted to finish up / write a food post, and then I went to shower, to reflect on my life (Ha). Then inspiration struck, so the food post can wait. I was thinking to myself on how many people out there today are living out their passions, doing what they really love. Or is everyone trying to convince themselves they like what they do, paring down their dream and matching it to reality - and living out a life on what I would term - a compromised passion?

One of my favourite questions I like to ask for a more meaningful conversation is - "What did you want to grow up to be when you were young" - from this question, you can really see the other person's gaze soften and there would almost be a glimmer of childlike innocence of the yesteryear. The answer might be a lawyer, an architect, a cafe owner. And then most of the time, I don't believe that this is the true answer. There is this slight element of calculation, rationale, consideration in these answers. What did you truly wanted, when you were say, 5? 

Somewhere along the way, we learnt to take into account to realistic expectations of things around us, and we lose sight of our dreams. Then we pick up something else along the way that's feasible. And we call it our dream. I call it the compromised passion.

And this is the basis of how we live. This is not a critique of the way we live, because it is not a
choice. We never had a choice as to how we should live. Never. Because of our relation to others, wherever you think you may escape to. You cannot live out what you truly desire to because the conceptualization of what you thought was your true passion is built on an ideal world where you knew very little about the rules and limitations of. And that is the moment when you actually felt freedom, and only then you can have an unadulterated agreement of what your soul speaks of.

But here I am, saying it is okay. Because if you are happy with your compromised passion, you are the lucky one.

Sorry gotta truncate this post because I am too sleepy. Might continue this next time when I feel like it, or leave it abruptly truncated just like the many other posts.

Singapore: Outram Park, Your Locality Cheat Sheet

January 14, 2017, 1:22 am

≫ Next: 8 Exquisite Peranakan Dishes To Try at White House Indocafe

≪ Previous: A Life of Compromised Passions

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I always believed that the best way to exploring a place is with the guide of a local. This applies to wherever you go. Do you agree? But this is a luxury because we don't always have a friend in every city and town that we may venture! The next best thing: travel posts by locals dedicated to telling you where they would bring you - and what you can do and check out when you're there. This is the inspiration for today's post - quick tips to exploring Singapore in 2017 featuring Outram Park. Yes, all the fantastic, new places in this area all gathered in one place. It's been long since my first locality cheat sheet featuring Bugis (very popular, and useful I hope!) and so here's a second one.





Explore this district with your locality cheat sheet in hand:

Outram Park. A quiet neighbourhood at the edge of where downtown Singapore begins. This is one of my favourite places to wander for its slow-paced charms and a whole lot of hidden gems! Hit up the Potato Head Folk to snap a shot of this iconic building refurbished and preserved for its nostalgic charm. The blocks of Pinnacle@Duxton are right in the backdrop, an award-winning 50-storey residential Housing Development Building.

Potato Head Folk
36 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089143



A classic initiation to the Singaporean breakfast can be found at Tong Ah Eating House 東亞茶室早點. Try out our kaya butter toast, half-boiled egg (crack it in a saucer, add a dash of soya sauce and pepper) and teh peng here. You can get a similar breakfast in the chain restaurant - Ya Kun, but having breakfast here is a less 'everyday' experience.

Tong Ah Eating House
35 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089142




Wander around the little lanes of Outram Park and you might chance upon some graffiti walls to take some photos for memory keepsakes! You can look for 20 Teck Lim Road on the Google map for this one as pictured. In this area, it's a photography playground with the shophouses as your background!

For the love of cafe-hoppers in the region - there are three notable cafes mentions in this post. The first cafe is The Populus Coffee Food & Co.! Populus is famous for its Pulled Pork Grain Bowl ($18) and Buckwheat Pancakes ($20). All I can advise is... share the calories with your fellow travel buds. Ha. More to come.

The Populus Coffee Food & Co.
146 Neil Road
Singapore 088875

Photo credits: x

The second cafe stop is the latest opening in late 2016 that got everyone fan-girling and fan-boying over its interior: Botanist. Most would know it as a sister cafe to one of the hugely successful older cafes in Singapore, Pacamara. Botanist is good for its coffees and Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks ($24). You can continue your hipster journey with its interior design inspired by greenery and huge Slinky graffiti.

Botanist
74 Neil Road
Singapore 088839

Photo credits: x

The third cafe stop has got to be The LoKal, a winner in its own right for its mouthwatering Sticky Date Pudding with vanilla ice-cream. The lusciously sweet sticky date pudding was nettedly moist and soaked up the sauce readily and complemented the creamy cold vanilla ice-cream nicely. I only wished I could have a bigger stomach to finish every bit!

The LoKal
136 Neil Road
Singapore 088865

For a lunch place - Man Man by Teppei is one of the places to hit up. How and when did Man Manget so popular? There are theories, but join in the queue if you are an unagi lover because this is a pilgrimage you have to make. Eels are cut and served fresh straight from the tanks!

Man Man by Teppei
1 Keong Saik Road #01-01
Singapore 089109

For dinner, if you are looking for a 'local Chinese' setting, jostle with the crowd and find yourself a table at Kok Sen Restaurant. Order some of the signatures such as Chinese Spinach With Assorted Eggs, Claypot Yong Tau Foo, Big Prawn Hor Fun, Sweet & Sour Pork, and you're good to go.

Kok Sen Restaurant
30 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089137

I have already made it a habit to pop by Open Book Cafe 草根书室 at Bukit Pasoh every now and then because I love the Taiwanese feel of this bookstore-cafe. While the pastries and coffees are average, I highly recommend anyone who loves Chinese books to enter to soak up the literary atmosphere here.

Open Book Cafe 草根书室
25 Bukit Pasoh Road
Grassroots Book Room
Singapore 089839

Next up - desserts! When I first stepped into Apiary, I know I am in my favourite ice-cream parlour already. Possibly almost replacing Tom's Palette as my number one ice-cream place because of its selection! All its flavours are not boring, yet not too adventurous, sitting right smack in the middle of my "will buy, will eat" range. Think Earl Grey Lavender, Coconut, Thai Milk Tea, Matcha, Dark Chocolate, Black Sesame. Anyway, if you share a similar taste to me, grab a few scoops of ice-cream here and be on the go. You can even take hipster shots like this:

Apiary
84 Neil Road
Singapore 088844

Photo credit: x

Photo credits: x Photo credits: x

If ice-cream isn't enough for desserts, there are amazingly pretty and tantalizing cakes just round the corner at Japanese bakery Flor Patisserie and Mad About Sucre! They are representative bakeries in Singapore's pastry scene, so if you're even slightly fond of cakes, don't miss these out.

Flor Patisserie
2 Duxton Hill #01-01
Singapore 089588

Mad About Sucre
27 Teo Hong Road
Singapore 088334

The Library is a bespoke speakeasy bar that opens at 6pm. Entries are only allowed with passwords - these can be found on their Facebook page. Locals love it, and their popular signatures include the What's Abi, Redneggs Medicine and Thousand Eyes Cobbler ($24 for most cocktails). The Library will set you on your way for an intriguing evening in the +65.

The Library
47 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089151

If you love locality cheat sheets like these, check out Expedia's Things To Do in Singapore interactive map - highly useful for your travels and recommended as a complement to this article.

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8 Exquisite Peranakan Dishes To Try at White House Indocafe

January 16, 2017, 2:03 am

≫ Next: Abu Dhabi's Must Visit: Emirates Palace & Hakkasan

≪ Previous: Singapore: Outram Park, Your Locality Cheat Sheet

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Peranakan can be said to be one of the more obscure cuisines around this island. The lushness of its flavours deserve more appreciation. At White House Indocafe, the crossroads of Portuguese, Dutch, British, Malay, Indonesian and Chinese influences meet. Taste 8 of these quintessential and exquisite Indo-Peranakan dishes here:

1. Otah Klasik (SGD12)

We began with an appetizer unique to White House Indocafe, the Otah Klasikwhich is a delicately steamed otah in a curious texture of a 'chawanmushi' egg custard, seasoned with coconut milk and a fragrant blend of herb and spices. Presented in a shallow bowl, this otah in a chawanmushi texture was something I never knew I needed in my life until I tasted it. Please order this, this is so yummy! I really enjoyed this and it was swept clean in a jiffy!

2. Organic Ayam Buah Keluak (SGD24)

This enduring favourite, the Organic Ayam Buah Keluak is a dish comprising braised organic chicken with black nut and exotic spices. In this dish, the buah keluak has a strong, oily and moreish taste that is distinctively Peranakan style in the sauce and within the chicken as well. Even a small portion goes very well with rice.  

3. Babi Pongteh (SGD18)

Another traditional well-loved dish at White House Indocafe is the Babi Pongteh, pork belly braised in fragrant soya bean paste and aromatic spices. The fatty pork slabs are really tender and succulent, with savoury and fragrant bean paste sauce that totally speaks to my tastebuds.

4. Kari Ayam Kapitan (SGD21)

This dish, the Kari Ayam Kapitan has more of a Chinese influence slant. It is made of organic chicken braised in authentic Nyonya curry, with a sweet and chunky sauce that is best drizzled over rice! I must say this is my favourite sauce out of all the dishes, and I can totally have a whole meal with just this sauce and rice.

5. Sambal Sotong (SGD18)

Here is something for the spicy dishes lovers! This stir fried fresh squid with Indocafe’s sambal spice blend is such a bomb with their chili, I was equally intimidated and enthralled by how spicy it is, very fragrant. This is not for those who can only accept 'mild to none spiciness' (like me).

6. Chap Chye (SGD14)

The Chap Chye might seem like it is too expensive for vegetables, but this Penang style braised mixed vegetables with pork skin and prawns in fermented bean curd sauce is one of the better ones out there done right. I guess that White House already has a strong consistency across the quality of its dishes, and this shines through their tasty Chap Chye. 

7. Ikan Masak Merah (SGD28)

If I have to choose a favourite, it has to be this pan roasted codfish fillet served with homemade sweet and sour sauce! This dish is incredibly tender and delicious, I just couldn't have enough of it... right down to the last aromatic gravy bit!

8. Chendol Panna Cotta (SGD12)

I admit, I ordered it because there was 'Chendol' and 'Panna Cotta' together in its name. Who could resist that? I know I can't resist this coconut pudding with chendol, atap chee, red bean and gula melaka. It comes in the prettiest glass jar too, and you can drizzle the gula melaka as you deem fit into the panna cotta. It is quite sweet even on its own. Despite good execution, I think the combination might not have been completely suitable. The portion is quite small for its price though.

 

The beautiful and homely mansion setting is perfect for family gatherings and events. Reservations are advised at 6733 2656.

White House Indocafe
35 Scotts Road
Singapore 228227

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Abu Dhabi's Must Visit: Emirates Palace & Hakkasan

January 17, 2017, 10:45 pm

≫ Next: The Seafood Place You Never Knew You Needed: Xian Seafood Village 鲜味园 on Tagore Lane

≪ Previous: 8 Exquisite Peranakan Dishes To Try at White House Indocafe

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Here we are at yet another amazingly luxurious tourist destination, the world's most expensive
hotel and the only 7-star hotel built in the world... the Emirates Palace. This hotel showcases every side of the generous and pompous nature of the Arabian culture,  with traditional decor is used inside mostly in silver, gold, marble and glass mosaics! It is a must-visit for every tourist to Abu Dhabi, and together with the swarms of tourists, we toured the outskirts of the hotel and could not resist snapping shots of the Etihad Towers right opposite - where Fast & Furious 7 was shot!




At every turn of the corner, it is not difficult to believe this is more of a palace than a hotel.

The fountains and palm trees make for a picturesque scene. In the heart of Emirates Palace lies an award-winning Cantonese restaurant that matches the prestige of the location... Hakkasan. With 12 restaurants under this name across global destinations, Hakkasan has an impressive repertoire of classic and inventive dishes whipped up by their talented team of chefs.

The sunlight pours all around us, but we remain carefully sheltered. Taking on wooden hues underlined with bright cyan blue elements in its al fresco dining area, Hakkasan feels extremely welcoming to all its visitors. It looked like a set straight out from a Home & Living magazine, except that we are going to dine on its spanking clean white marbled tables.

Taking it all in..

I love the amount of details that go into every part of this place, even their plates are not generic white Ikea-like porcelain ones, but painted with a flair of contemporary art.

And admiring this view behind these palace walls (how many times am I allowed to say this) while enjoying Afternoon Tea, available from 3pm until 6pm daily with a selection of dim sum and dessert with a choice of Taiwanese or Chinese tea at 98 dirhams per person.

Trying Chinese food in the international land of Abu Dhabi might seem strange for someone with Chinese roots, but the quality is superb and the dim sum selection is delicious. The roast duck skin crackles upon biting, and even the stir-fried french beans are especially fragrant. It could be due to the wonderful ambience that made everything especially enjoyable.

I fell in love with the desserts immediately when I caught sight of it, I mean, it's soooo pretty! Who could resist? The dessert menu changes from time to time, but I am sure you will adore all their desserts no matter what their creations are. I was instantly enthralled, and when I tried it, I was sold. The raspberry souffle is the best souffle I have ever eaten in my life, even till to date. It was so warm, soft and fluffy, it is almost as if it is cotton candy. Neither is it too sweet. Pairing it with vanilla raspberry ice-cream is a dream. And then there is the Jivara Hazelnut Bomb drizzled with hot chocolate sauce with a party of popping candy in the ring of crushed biscuits in the plated presentation.

There was even an exhibition within the Palace about Russian history and art depicted through the wars which we took a quick tour of. Emirates Palace is definitely one of the highlights and most prominent buildings in Abu Dhabi, making it a must-visit in the city.

Emirates Palace
West Corniche Road - Ras Al Akhdar - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Hakkasan
Emirates Palace Hotel Al - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

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The Seafood Place You Never Knew You Needed: Xian Seafood Village 鲜味园 on Tagore Lane

January 18, 2017, 5:43 pm

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Singapore is getting too crowded, and unless you are a foodie *insider*, you might need to queue for hours before you can enjoy a meal at popular seafood places. Well, that's where I come in~ Because having your favourite seafood dishes does not mean waiting forever! We gathered at Xian Seafood Village 鲜味园 for a mouthwatering and impressive seafood spread in the quiet, developing Lentor neighbourhood at Tagore Lane, right next to Upper Thomson Road. Find out what you can try at Xian Seafood Village:

No air-conditioner, but powerful fans. It was pretty cooling on the day we visited Xian Seafood Village.

As a whole, there are hits and misses at Xian Seafood Village, with some that astounded me with its performance in such an unlikely location while others that fell short despite looking pretty rad. I have not yet completely understood the idea of not eating with my eyes, and sometimes I get reminded of that time and again... I talk too much, let's get on with the food review~

With a name like "Tasty" Lady's Finger (SGD10), what an irony it would be if it wasn't, right? Thankfully, this dish was well-executed and the lady's fingers were adequately cooked to a soft, tender, stringy yet not mushy texture, which I really enjoyed. It is actually a simple dish but I often tried less than ideal versions of this elsewhere. This was cooked carefully to perfection.

The Garlic Pork (SGD10) is another safe, simple homecooked dish that is crispy on the outside with the distinctive fragrance from the garlic. This has to be eaten fast otherwise it will lose its crispiness quickly. So, no waiting for dinner flatlays with this dish - eat it while it's hot!

This Thai Style Tofu with Prawn (SGD10), on the other hand, manage to maintain its crispiness sometime even after our extended photography session (there were quite a lot of us) which I really liked. The fried batter is a thin wafer, wrapped with juicy prawns inside... so delicious that I can't help but go aroi~~

La La Steamed Egg (SGD15) was pretty good, with a smooth custard-like texture steamed egg in a seafood broth.

Their Specialty Braised Meat (SGD15) is really the best though, and it's been long since I've had a braised meat so gelatinous and fatty, sinful yet amazing. The sauce is also thick and savoury enough. The fatty layers are full of collagen too but that's hardly why you would eat this delicious slab of braised meat.

Bbq Sturgeon Shark (SGD16) is similar to your usual sambal stingray, except with much more meat to try and more tender too. Super yummy with a spicy kick to it too!

We shared a large pot of wholesome Crab Prawn Fan-shell Scallops Congee (SGD50), especially nourishing and hearty for the stomach. The addition of crabs, scallops and prawns in the congee created an aromatic and sweet taste in the congee.

Hong Kong Style Steamed Shark Lips (~SGD35, dependent on weight. Pictured is about 600gm) is a unique dish that I've yet to try before, and it turns out that I liked it! Not something I'd pick out normally though because it seems rather outlandish (no pun intended), but since this is one of Xian Seafood Village's specialties, we tried it out. To my surprise, this tasted really indulging! To those who loved eating steamed fish eyes, this is almost the same except you get a whole chunk of it. Firm jelly-like texture steamed simply with soy sauce, you can even taste the natural goodness of its original flavour.

The gigantic Cheese Baked Seafood Platter (SGD138) consists of lobsters, Jumbo Crabs, prawns, fan-shelled scallops and clams. This is another way for you to enjoy your seafood especially if you adore cheese, imagine piping hot taste of lobster meat with melted cheese... The cheese is coated everywhere and they certainly are generous! I am a traditionalist when it comes to seafood, so I prefer them steamed and boiled most of the time to enjoy the freshness. Of course, this is up to personal preference. This dish is also quite pricey for the amount you get to eat though.

If you are looking for one more choice of carbohydrate, perhaps the Flower Crab Trio Seafood Bee Hoon (SGD25) would fit the bill.

Salted Egg Lobster (SGD15 per pc) is the most photogenic of them all. The salted egg craze might be dying down, but don't deny that you do crave for that taste from time to time. Xian Seafood Village does a pretty good rendition of the salted egg sauce, rich with salted egg bits paired with sweet lobster meat from the panfried lobster... This mouthwatering combination sure gets my heart pumping! Worth to get your fingers workin', messy and dirty for this.

The Soft Shell Crabs (SGD5 per pc) are crispy and maintained its crunchiness for a long while even after it was served, and you'll be surprised how much meat each soft shell crab has!

Thank you Roy for the invited food tasting. Eat with Roy at his blog.

Xian Seafood Village 鲜味园海鲜
81 Tagore Lane
#01-10
Singapore 787502

Contact number

8575 5158 / 9859 8485

Opening hours
Daily: 11am - 11pm

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What is your impact on the world?

January 19, 2017, 9:19 am

≫ Next: 南京大牌檔 Nanjing Da Pai Dang - The Best of China's Favourite Restaurant (Plaza Singapura)

≪ Previous: The Seafood Place You Never Knew You Needed: Xian Seafood Village 鲜味园 on Tagore Lane

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I have had enough of the What's the meaning of my life phase. I (Or Time, or Age) have decided to bravely pin down something as the makeshift answer. Our impact to the people around us, the impact to the world we live in, and the impact of our actions on ourselves - this is the only meaning of our lives, it is as absolute as it is noble as it is fleeting, but nonetheless, dreadfully important to us as we live in this point of our lives at this space.

Are you still with me?

Let's establish that as a temporary truth. Actually, all truths are in nature, never relevant and always temporary but that's a story for another day.

We as temporal beings, live for the moment or period of time, and the people co-existing with us in that moment in time. Kinship by blood or by a moment of crossed paths, or, just simply by sharing space on this planet... each of our action can impact positively or negatively on somebody else. And so can theirs. We are not limited by space, but space intimidates our capacity to act. But the more aware you are of your power to affect people and effect change that you want to see, then you start to take charge of your meaning in life.

Nobody said you have to be noble like Mother Teresa. You are after all, the writer of your own story, the master of your fate, the god that puts meaning in your own life. You choose. And when in the face of choice, people are afraid. Steering the course of the ship in the vast ocean - without a map - now that is maddeningly insane. And there we are, steering ships. Some refusing to acknowledge that we are in fact steering a ship with only one captain onboard. But we are ships floating along side by side, riding the waves, pushing new waves onto one another.

How do you intend to impact the world? Through your work, through outside of work, through and for your family, friends, unfriendly strangers, strangers in need, non-human fellow beings.. what would you consider to be your legacy?

---

A few days ago, I saw this on my Facebook feed:

You're a ghost driving a meat-coated skeleton made from stardust, riding a rock, hurtling through space... fear nothing.

It made me pause and chuckle. So I'm ending this post by sharing this with you. An abrupt end to an abrupt post amidst the food and travel updates.

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南京大牌檔 Nanjing Da Pai Dang - The Best of China's Favourite Restaurant (Plaza Singapura)

January 21, 2017, 10:43 pm

≫ Next: Chinese New Year Yum Cha Delivery To Your Doorstep - Hosting Gatherings Is A Breeze Now!

≪ Previous: What is your impact on the world?

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China's favourite award-winning restaurant, Nanjing Dapaidang, has found its way to Singapore shores.. And that only means one thing - delicious blessings for our tastebuds! Given it is not located within China, this overseas branch is named Nanjing Impressions. The original brand was founded in 1994 and has since maintained a consistent performance of excellent tastes of Nanjing Chinese cuisine. No wonder it enjoys a gigantic cult following of foodies wherever a branch of Nanjing Dapaidang opens. 

Just look at that crowd! And that's not even including the people queuing outside of its large interior space. Each restaurant is more than 6000 square feet, a feature that pays homage to the prosperity of Nanjing in the olden days. In 2013, it was even awarded as the Golden Tripod Winner of the “Top Ten Brands of Chain Restaurant in China” by the Chinese Restaurant Association.

The renovation and ambience here is inspired by Ming & Qing Dynasty old courtyard house and market stalls. Every pillar and beam looks like it was really from that bygone era. It was almost like a museum.

Nanjing Dapaidang does not try to conform to the 'local' tastes and retained the traditional flavours from the treats in China which is rare in Singapore. I certainly felt like I teleported back to charming land of Beijing where awesome food resides.

(Speaking of which I'll get my China travel posts in sooon)

1. Nanjing Noodles in Light Soy Sauce Broth (SGD6.80) 老牌阳春面

The first dish we tried raised the standard bar of whatever that was to come. Nanjing Noodles in Light Soy Sauce Broth (SGD6.80) 老牌阳春面 is a no-frills dish which is probably easy to cook but difficult to cook it well. And this went above and beyond the usual standards with its springy qq yet silky smooth noodles that slid off my chopsticks beautifully. It does not break easily too - and soaked in the light soy sauce broth, I would come back just to eat this. Really. If I'm not crushed by the crowd outside (figuratively and literally)

2. Tender Tofu in Shrimp Sauce (SGD10.80) 虾酱豆腐

The taste of the Tender Tofu in Shrimp Sauce (SGD10.80) 虾酱豆腐 is interestingly, different from what I expected when I caught a whiff of its fragrance and its appearance. The shrimp sauce is not too sweet and tastes like it has a tad too much fish sauce poured into it than I liked, with an intense savoury aftertaste. I reckon it to be quite an acquired taste, and it will not really appeal to everyone. Nevertheless, it is well-executed with its heavy-bodied flavours paired with the tofu which balanced it out.

3. Jinling Signature Roasted Duck (SGD16.80/ small, SGD32/ medium, SGD62/ big) 金陵烤鸭 

If there's only one thing you must order, it must be the Jinling Signature Roasted Duck (SGD16.80/ small, SGD32/ medium, SGD62/ big) 金陵烤鸭 that has won praises from far and wide. The roast duck here is tender enough, and well marinated throughout the meat. The roast duck skin is also not too greasy but tasty. This is well loved by everyone!

4. Honey Glazed Stuffed Lotus Root (SGD12.80) 金牌蜜汁藕

And now, onto my personal favourite! It's the Honey Glazed Stuffed Lotus Root (SGD12.80) 金牌蜜汁藕, a wonderful creation that singlehandedly brought me back onto the streets of Qianmen in Beijing. The power of food! These sticky sweet treats are thinly coated with candied haw (冰糖葫芦) and these soft yet crunchy lotus roots are painstakingly stuffed with glutinous rice too. I never tried this before but I really enjoyed this.

5. Baby Rooster Stew with Special Sauce served with Crispy Sesame Bun (SGD23.80) 地锅小公鸡

One of the signature items from Nanjing Da Pai Dang that you would definitely see is the Baby Rooster Stew with Special Sauce served with Crispy Sesame Bun (SGD23.80) 地锅小公鸡! 

They stewed well-marinated chicken to a lovely tenderness, with hot crispy sesame cakes to mop up the delicious sauce and enjoy! I think the sauce composed of savoury bean sauce with soy, probably with hot garlic to make it really fragrant.

6. Celestial Roast Duck Dumplings (SGD6.80/ 3 pc) 天王烤鸭包

Next up - shakin' up the usual xiaolongbaos with a special spin: Celestial Roast Duck Dumplings (SGD6.80/ 3 pc) 天王烤鸭包 ! Instead of the usual pork-stuffed soup baos, they have roasted duck in them, which I find a little.. underwhelming? Maybe I prefer roast duck in generous slices rather than stuffed in a bao like this.

7. Braised Pork Shank (SGD28) 江米扣肉

The Braised Pork Shank (SGD28) 江米扣肉 is glutinous rice with steamed pork with a banana leaf. It is another one of its famous menu items. I find that this is a very safe choice that I cannot imagine who wouldn't like this dumpling (粽子) variant - it isn't too greasy with a very tantalizing aroma too.

8. Poached Lion's Head Meatball (SGD13.80) 清炖狮子头

And finally - we had the Poached Lion's Head Meatball (SGD13.80) 清炖狮子头! It certainly is a must-try here because if you're a fan of Chinese cuisine, you're likely to have come across this dish but have you tried a really good version of this? I think that was how I felt when I tried this - I didn't think that this could be so incredibly melt-in-the-mouth, it is soft yet not completely mushy. Disclaimer - it is quite fatty, so you might not be able to stomach the whole thing by yourself, but I still think it's really damn good. Just try it with some Chinese tea and you will be okay, satisfied and happy. That diet can wait...!

There is even more food to be tried here but that's all from me in this post!

Go forth and explore, foodie adventurer.

Nanjing Da Pai Dang / Nanjing Impressions 南京大牌檔

Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road #04-46-51
Singapore 238839
Contact number

+65 63527877

Opening hours
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Note
Reserve if possible, otherwise, arrive before 11.40AM to avoid the peak hour queue.

Read what others said about Nanjing Da Pai Dang / Nanjing Impressions:
Daniel Food Diary
Camemberu
Miss Tam Chiak

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Chinese New Year Yum Cha Delivery To Your Doorstep - Hosting Gatherings Is A Breeze Now!

January 22, 2017, 9:16 am

≫ Next: Beast & Butterflies, Swanky Contemporary Restaurant at M Social Hotel

≪ Previous: 南京大牌檔 Nanjing Da Pai Dang - The Best of China's Favourite Restaurant (Plaza Singapura)

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It's a time for togetherness and gatherings again! No doubt I love Chinese New Year more than any other festive occasion throughout the whole year. There's no place for stress to be even as you host all the different gatherings that you may intend to have at your home. Because you will have your little magical fairy helper - Yum Cha Restaurants Express Delivery Service right to your doorsteps! Thank goodness for this service so we can say goodbye to scary long queues at restaurants and enjoy the comfort of having reunion dinners at home. Without the washing. Or the cooking.

A dream come true, yes??

Before you think that 'delivery' cannot be grand enough for reunion dinners, you'll be surprised what Yum Cha can provide! One look at this glistening rooster-shaped niangao and it totally enthralled all my guests with its unique shape. We have not seen this anywhere and it is so befitting of The Year of Rooster 🐓 

On the indulging end of the menu, pamper your family members with bountiful dishes such as the signature Abalone Pen Cai and the Suckling Pig. 😍😍😍

Filled with goodness, the Abalone Pen Cai has fish maw, sea cucumbers, dry conpoy, dried oysters, "Fatt Choy" and roasted pork. Yum Cha’s Suckling Pig, roasted in-house by our BBQ specialist, is another signature Chinese New Year dish which should not be missed too.

Chopsticks, plastic plates, spoons, tablecloth and trashbags are provided for your convenience. This means no washing with a quick 3-min clearing up session. Yum Cha do not collect the leftovers, so you can finish up your party any time you like. Go straight for games, mahjong, poker or conversations after your dinner (or while having dinner, if that rocks your boat!)

MONEY BAGS! My favourite. ✨✨ 🍊🍊 😍

Begin with a loh hei with some salmon slices!

The yusheng from Yum Cha was really delicious even though it has traveled some distance to the far West to my house. It is a must-have for me during gatherings because it's such a great way to bond with everyone with this fun activity! Do not worry about messing up the table because there's a disposable table cloth provided, remember?  

Some words of blessings in case you get tongue-tied!
年年有馀 (Salmon)
大吉大利 (Pomelo)

招财进宝 (Pepper & Cinnamon)

财原广进 (Oil)

鸿运当头 (Carrot)

青春常驻 (Green Radish)

步步高升 (White Radish)

金银满屋 (Peanut Powder)

生意兴隆 (Sesame seeds)

遍地黄金 (Money Bags Golden Pillows)

Moral of the story - 

The Chinese really loves money, and may you Huat in the New Year!

😍 恭喜发财！红包拿来！😍

Other dishes available for takeaway include Golden Chicken Nian Gao, Turnip cake with Chinese Sausage and Conpoy, Steamed Yam Cake with Dry Scallops, Braised Abalone with Dried Oysters and "Fatt Choy", Fried Rice with Chinese Sausage in Lotus Leaf, Crispy Fried Chicken, Roasted Crispy Duck, Roasted Crispy Pork Belly, Sliced Abalone Yu Sheng and many more. 😍

Crispy fried vermicelli wrapped niangao as pretty desserts to end your buffet spread.

Should you choose to bustle in the festive experience in Chinatown, Yum Cha’s in-house dining set menu, featuring signature items such as Salmon and Crispy Fish Skin Yu Sheng, Braised Shark's Fin soup with Crab Meat, Braised Abalone with Dried Oysters and "Fatt Choy", Doubled Boiled Ginseng Chicken Soup, Fried Crispy Chicken with Mashed Garlic, Braised Noodles with Mushroom and Dried Scallops, will start from $198++ onwards. Sets menus are also available in the Yum Cha Changi outlet. With the CNY theme in mind, Yum Cha’s chefs have also created unique dim sums to celebrate the season. 

Chinese New Year Menus and takeaway menus will be available from 23 January 2017 to 11 February 2016. Each outlet will be serving different menus, please check in store or our website www.yumcha.com.sg to view the menus.

PROMOTION
There are discounts for Chinese New Year Takeaway Goodies, when you order Yum Cha Chinese New Year Goodies between: 20th to 26th Jan 2017 to receive 10% OFF

* Terms and Conditions apply

Yum Cha Chinatown

20 Trengganu Street (Off Temple Street)

#02-01

Singapore 058479

Tel: 6372 1717 | Email: chinatown@yumcha.com.sg

Opening Hours:

Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 10.30pm

Sat, Sun & Public Holidays: 9am – 10.30pm

Closed on 27th Jan (After 3pm), 28th Jan 2017. Restaurant will reopen on 29th Jan 2017.

Yum Cha Changi

6 Changi Business Park Ave 1

#01-33 UE Bizhub East (North Tower)

Singapore 486017

Tel: 6789 1717 | Email: changi@yumcha.com.sg

Opening Hours:

Mon to Sun: 7am – 3pm, 6pm – 9pm

Closed on 27th Jan (After 2.30pm), 28th Jan 2017. Restaurant will reopen on 29th Jan 2017.

Yum Cha Express

Delivering piping hot dim sum and Chinese New Year Goodies to your doorstep!

Tel: 6222 1717 | Email:delivery@yumcha.com.sg

Website: www.yumchaexpress.com.sg

Delivery Hours: 9am – 9pm daily

Closed on 27th Jan (After 2.30pm), 28th Jan 2017. Restaurant will reopen on 29th Jan 2017.

A surcharge of $28 will apply from 26th Jan to 5th Feb 2017.

💐💐💐

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Beast & Butterflies, Swanky Contemporary Restaurant at M Social Hotel

January 28, 2017, 3:27 am

≫ Next: Drool-Worthy Thai Food Discovery in Hougang: Roy Thai Kitchen

≪ Previous: Chinese New Year Yum Cha Delivery To Your Doorstep - Hosting Gatherings Is A Breeze Now!

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Beast & Butterflies is swanky and cool. This in-house restaurant of M Social in the neighbourhood of Robertson Quay boasts of a daring mix of different interior design elements that actually worked. Think - a wall of tablets, heavy, glowing white marble tables, and a sea of lava lamps. Little surprise that it is a work from one of the world's best designers, Philippe Starck, hailing from Paris. It certainly sets you in a relaxing mood almost immediately. Each of the dishes definitely have its own interesting spin, and I found that for the same dish, some of us could really love it, or hate it. Read on for the full story on what went down!

Regardless of the size of your party, there is an appropriate table setting that would fit.

The kitchen habitat at Beast & Butterflies is helmed by Executive Chef Bryce Li. He has racked up a lot of experiences in reputable names such as One15 Marina and Raffles Hotel, and even in Thailand. Now, he is ready to bedazzle you with culinary magic here.

If you like spam, spam fries (SGD10) are practically the tasty-upgrade that you've been dreaming of. Deep fried spam fries are served with a side of nacho cheese dip. As the love for spam isn't universal, it's either a straight yes for spam lovers or a no for people who don't like spam.

Duck crispies (SGD15 / 5pc) are essentially fried dumplings stuffed with duck rilettes fillings served with a dash of pickles. The shredded duck are soaked in duck fat to make it tantalizing. While it was quite a delicious pop in the mouth, I found that it was on the pricey side.

In the name of celebrating Chinese New Year, Beast & Butterflies have released a new item on the menu, the Treasure Pot (SGD68), or also more affectionately known as the Pen Cai. This pot is brimming with abalone, scallops, prawns, fish maw, dried oysters, roast pork belly, broccoli, mushrooms, fatt choy and cabbage. 4 abalones per pot to go around. The seafood stock is extremely thick, savoury and delicious. I really enjoyed this Pen Cai and I must say it's one of the better ones I've tried this year! Takeaways are also available at SGD84.

The Full German Pork Knuckles, or Ham Hock (SGD35) is totally drool-worthy, with its crispy and saltish skin and tender and juicy meat.. every bite is such a delight. Dip it with the Nam Jim sauce on the side and enjoy it with the pickled cabbage for the best experience.

The Wooly Pork (SGD35) is a grilled slab of mangalica pork collar with crispy scallion brown rice galette, served with a side of kimchi cucumbers and drizzled with bulgogi sauce. The pork collar was
slightly lacklustre in comparison with a drier meat, though the sauce made the pork a lot more tantalizing to have. I could not appreciate the crispy brown rice which made the overall dish drier.

The Wok Fried White Clams (SGD15) was definitely my favourite of the night! A dish like this weighs about 400gm, and cooking these fresh white clams with Thai spiced sauce to the dish makes it extra delicious with that oomph of spicy kick.

The Extravaganza (SGD25) is a four-part special dessert, consisting of Yogurt & Lime Mousse, Yam Brûlée, Mango Sticky Rice and Chocolate & Banana Crumbles. The striking red and white one is the Yogurt & Lime Mousse, a particularly sour kick with the red fruit emulsion and almond crumbles. This inventive dessert would sit well with those who love desserts with more sour undertones. The Yam Brûlée is just like Creme Brûlée, but yam-based, topped with a fat scoop of coconut ice-cream. It is another creative item reminiscent of or nee. and is on the heavier side that can get jelak quite quickly. The Mango Sticky Rice was not particularly impressive, with mango cubes that were not sweet.

 

 

The best part of the Extravaganza dessert is the Chocolate & Banana Crumbles, a chocolate bomb that melts upon pouring hot chocolate gold liquid all over it! It crumbles inwards, and the result is a gooey hot mess of banana and chocolate... I love it. This can also be gotten as a separate dessert ("Chocoholic") that will be served with Sichuan pepper sauce Passion Fruit Sorbet - I would highly recommend getting this on its own.

 

The Matcha Lava (SGD10) is a really pretty, Japanese-inspired dessert, a green tea cake stuffed with rich matcha ganache. On the side, there is azuki and vanilla ice cream to go with it. 

My faourite dessert has got to be the Strawberry Basil (SGD10) though, not only is it unique in presentation with a cloud of pink candy floss, I really like the fragrance of the basil ice-cream. I must emphasize that the taste of basil ice-cream is really very different and quite a startling experience, but I ended up really liking it. It tasted like well, basil, and reminded me of pesto pasta. But forget pesto pasta and experienced it as a new flavour by itself and together with the cookie crumble at the bottom. If you're open to trying new desserts, this is the one I would recommend. (At least you'll get a Grammable Picture)

Some of the drinks are quite out-of-the-world, with cheeky inventions like the Acuban Nyonya! Like the Basil Ice-Cream, it is not for the faint-hearted. You either love it or you don't, and somehow I really took to it with its salty (yes, in a cocktail) flavours that would really be suitable as a Halloween drink. But word of warning - you could like it so much it becomes super addictive.

I definitely walked away with a new perspective of Beast & Butterflies, maybe that's the idea of the restaurant's menu items - you either found it as a fantastically beastly dish, or it might have given you butterflies in the stomach for its demand for acquired tastes.

Beast & Butterflies

M Social Hotel

90 Robertson Quay

Singapore 238259

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Drool-Worthy Thai Food Discovery in Hougang: Roy Thai Kitchen

January 30, 2017, 12:06 am

≫ Next: 6 Romantic Travel Surprises around Southeast Asia

≪ Previous: Beast & Butterflies, Swanky Contemporary Restaurant at M Social Hotel

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Where do I begin about Roy Thai Kitchen? All I could remember was that I was stoked to find out the uhhhh-mazing and authentic Thai spread they have here. It is definitely not your run of the mill kind of Thai restaurant, and could easily rival the top-ranking Thai places in Singapore. I kid you not. At Roy Thai Kitchen, they have flavourful, rich and extremely fragrant dishes that I would always consider in place of tze char. It is surely worthy to travel for in this humble stall at a coffeeshop in Hougang! Read on for more details, you won't want to miss this:

The Tom Kah Gai (SDG12), one of the most celebrated Thai dishes of all time, is not commonly seen in Singapore. But I'd say that it is one of the dishes you have to try if you:

1. Say you love Thai food and yet have not tried this

2. Have tried Thai food but didn't like it

Particularly, this Thai-Style Coconut Soup with chicken is the epitome of all food that is Thai. With unabashedly sour, milky, sweet, spicy tones all in one creamy boiling soup base, I was instantly addicted. It is reminiscent of tom yum soup, but imagine more milky, less spicy and even more fragrant than that from the infusion of galangal, lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves. But word of caution for those who can't take spiciness, this is still slightly stinging so you just pair it with rice!

Another dish we tried was the Thai Style Sukiyaki Glass Noodle Soup (SGD5) which was such a delightful noodle bowl of slippery smooth glass noodles in a bowl of sour and spicy soup with prawns. I would totally have on its own again!

An appetizing dish of Thai-Style fried chicken (SGD10) topped with mango salad was the next dish that we tried! It was definitely above average. The mango salad freshly cut, juicy and crunchy, which paired nicely with the chicken that had a crispy exterior and chewy, tasty meat.

Then, we also tried the Deep Fried Fish with Special Sauce (SGD22) which was freakin' satisfying! And it was HUGE, fresh with tender fish meat that peels off easily too. The special in-house made sauce was very different from the other dishes that were also spicy, with a tangy sweet spin to it. This complements the natural taste of the fish very well. Plus, the price makes it extremely value-for-money. For a similar plate of fish elsewhere, it is usually SGD40 and upwards.

Their Thai-Style Homemade Prawn Cakes (SGD10 / 5pcs) is different from the other crab/prawn cakes I have tried everywhere. While each prawn cake is crispy on the outside with a nice thin batter, the fillings are made really (strangely) soft and fluffy. Nevertheless, flavourful and delicious and I preferred their rendition.

And I thought that I could not be further impressed but then Roy Thai Kitchen came up with the Thai-Style flower Clams (SGD10)! Doused generously in spicy Thai sauce and basil leaves, I went after the clams one after another, and another and another... it was incredibly fresh and yummy! For someone who is not particularly crazy over clams, I can say that this is definitely way above average. Do note that the price is dependent on weight. 

The Green Curry Fried Rice (SGD5) was very fragrant and we could catch whiffs of it from a distance! The green curry taste permeates every fluffy rice grain and you can also enjoy tender slices of chicken and long beans within it. Seriously, this is fantastic value for money.

So many dishes left great deep impressions on me and I would definitely recommend coming down for family dinners! Simply order a few dishes and white rice to go around and you are guaranteed a satisfying meal. #BetterThanTzeChar

Look for the Roy Thai Kitchen stall!

If you are living in the Hougang area, definitely give this a shot.

I wished I stayed nearer so I can frequent this place more often.

If you are interested, this is their set lunch menu!

Roy Thai Kitchen
106 Hougang Ave 1
HG 106 Food Point Coffeeshop
#01-1239
Singapore 530106

Contact
+65 97701168

Opening hours
Opens daily from 1130 - 2200

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6 Romantic Travel Surprises around Southeast Asia

February 1, 2017, 12:38 am

≫ Next: Where to Eat in Abu Dhabi: Shish Shawerma

≪ Previous: Drool-Worthy Thai Food Discovery in Hougang: Roy Thai Kitchen

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Don't pull your hairs out yet!

I think you'll agree with me: 

Travel planning can be a little stressful.

But here's a little travel surprise guideto inspire your romantic holiday. From seeing the popular beach destination of Bali in another light or having a little thrilling adventure somewhere far out away from civilization, find that little spark to make your vacation extra-special. Southeast Asia is jam-packed with fascinating mysteries unbeknownst to many.

A surprise for every budget and every land - from SGD47 to 331:

1. Gourmet picnic under the stars at a private beach

🚩Bali, Indonesia

Up your holiday ante at the island paradise of Bali by indulging in this gourmet picnic under the stars. It will ignite all your wildest romantic dreams as you escape away to this gorgeous private beach.

The best part? 

With this dreamy setting, you and your partner can dine in a delicious Spanish gourmet feast while listening to the waves of the ocean and lazing around on this 18th century gorgeous vintage bed... with a blindfolded dessert tasting. Talk about sexy ;)

Price: SGD257

Interested? Make it a reality here.

2. Stay the night 

at this charming eco-home getaway

🚩Chao Praya, Bangkok, Thailand

Located on the riverbank of Chao Praya, this eco-home is surrounded by trees, fields and waterways. Enter the embrace of nature as you experience the most unforgettable experience! You can first enjoy a lovely private outdoor shower with bamboo curtains, followed by spectacular views of the Bang Krachao and the Chao Phraya River from the rooftop terrace.

Price: SGD331/ night

Interested? Put it in your plans here.

Photo credits: tripwow.tripadvisor.com 3. Take the world's longest gondola ride

🚩Bà Nà Hills, Da Nang, Vietnam

An amazing memory that you will keep close to your heart as you cruise up the Bà Nà hills with your significant other on the world's longest gondola ride. The views at Bà Nà Hills are well-raved by travelers - and absolute must-do at Da Nang! Avoid the crowds that tend to gather on weekends, and catch the sunset right at the top. Revive your childhood at the top of Bà Nà Hills with the amusement park there.

Price: SGD71 (inclusive of hotel transfers, cable car ride, entrance fee to Fantasy Land, lunch at Bà Nà Morin)

Interested? Start planning here.

4. Sunset horse-riding along the beach
🚩Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia 

Galloping into the sunset with that someone special is not far from the reality. Ride away on a gentle beautiful horse while on your getaway at Kota Kinabalu. If you are a beginner, there are professional guides there to teach you. Experience the thrills and joys of being one with nature!

Price: SGD122

 That's not all in this package... find out more here. 

5. Revitalizing spa treatment on cliff-tops

🚩Ko Samui, Thailand

Sometimes, all you need is a good massage that can knead away all your worries and stress. Relax away with a full body spa treatment with an unobstructed view of the sky and ocean from the cliff-tops. Let the professional masseurs take over.

Price: SGD92

 Interested? Book your spa treatment right here. 

Photo credits: thesamuivillas.com

6. Island-hopping and sweet sea adventures

🚩Krabi, Thailand

Keep your endorphin level up by having an element of adventure and thrill! You can do some caving at Phra Nang, snorkel around the magical tropical islands of  Ko Poda and Tup Islets in the Andaman Sea and round off the exciting day with a BBQ dinner at Ko Poda. There will never be a moment of boredom on your beach holiday.

Price: SGD47

Interested? Check out all the fancy details here.

Bonus: Hong Kong Ocean Park!

You will get 13% off on this great deal, saving SGD9 simply by booking with KKday.

Reservation will be confirmed within 48 hours.

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Where to Eat in Abu Dhabi: Shish Shawerma

February 1, 2017, 2:56 am

≫ Next: 22 Best Restaurants To Visit in Abu Dhabi in 2017

≪ Previous: 6 Romantic Travel Surprises around Southeast Asia

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Shawerma is one of the best food inventions ever made. Don't try to refute it, because your tongue would be weak with how delicious it is...! In Abu Dhabi, Shish Shawerma is the place to get your shawerma fix, where they indulge you with tasty and fresh ingredients. Some say it is the best place for shawermas, I'd leave it to you to find out if that's true for you!

Every shawerma bread (kaakeh) is made fresh upon request, topped with sesame seeds.

It is almost similar to Subway, except better! Because hummus is a sauce option, and even the black olives tasted so fresh, I liked it (for once). They even rebake the kaakeh along with the ingredients after they stuffed it in. There is little surprise the queue never abates.

We brought our piping hot shawerma out to the waterfront to eat, while looking at this beautiful view:

The sun was merciless that day, but it was considered quite cooling already in the UAE.

Needless to say, it was super delicious, a little messy to eat, but I scoffed it all down in record time! I had the chicken shawerma for 10AED (~SGD4) and it was awesome.

Shish Shawerma's menu extends beyond the shawerma - they also have hot and cold appetizers, salads, crepe (sweet & savory), together with juices, coffees and soft drinks. It is definitely a must-visit when you are in Abu Dhabi!

Shish Shawerma

Corniche Road West, Street 2, Al Khalidiya، Behind Corniche Towers

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

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22 Best Restaurants To Visit in Abu Dhabi in 2017

February 1, 2017, 5:54 am

≫ Next: Romantic V-Day Foodie Adventure 2017 in Johor Bahru

≪ Previous: Where to Eat in Abu Dhabi: Shish Shawerma

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There is a saying: there is not a single bad meal to be had in Abu Dhabi (and even the whole UAE). And that is because you must know where to seek for your food. So all the foodies out there, if you live to wine and dine, follow us on this list of the 22 Best Restaurants To Visit in Abu Dhabi in 2017, including some of the latest openings - Salt Bae's restaurant, and more..! All restaurants are carefully curated and chosen to be on this list.

Here is a map of all the featured restaurants in Abu Dhabi.

1. Nusr-Et Steakhouse aka. Salt Bae's restaurant

Let's begin the list with a bang with Salt Bae's new restaurant launch in Abu Dhabi - Nusr-Et. If you are not sure who Salt Bae is, he is this guy sprinkling salt off his elbow. Sexy. Nusret Gökçe is his real name, and this Internet sensation Turkey chef even met the King a few days back. Enjoy an expensive cut of tender sirloin steak at this steakhouse, but seats aren't guaranteed when Salt Bae is getting more and more famous by the day.

Before Salt Bae got famous, Nusr-Et was already the leading restaurant representing steakhouse culture in Turkey. It serves delicious meat in a homelike atmosphere and won diners over with its simple formula: great food, great atmosphere and a great experience!

Good for: Sirloin steaks and pilgrimage destination

Nusr-Et

The Galleria, Al Maryah Island

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Photo credits: No. Fifty Seven Instagram

2. No. Fifty Seven Boutique Café

Commonly seen at the trendiest Abu Dhabi festivals, this popular café has undoubtedly risen to the top ranks of the café scene in this Emirati city. No. Fifty Seven is best for its drool-worthy Son of a Chick burgers, its tasty salads and ice-cream cones. No promises that you won't fall head over heels for the Kinfolk-sque decor, or that you won't join its cult following.

Good for: Breakfast and brunches

No. Fifty Seven Boutique Café

Building Two, Al Marasy, Al Bateen Harbour

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

3. Al Sayyad Marine Restaurant and Grills مطعم الصياد البحري

When I head back to the Abu Dhabi, I would re-visit Al Sayyad Marine Restaurant again in a heartbeat! And every single time that I visit Abu Dhabi. Seriously, this place has the best grilled seafood in the world. Just do yourself a favour and check out this place, you won't regret it!

Good for: Grilled seafood

Al Sayyad Marine Restaurant and Grills مطعم الصياد البحري

31st St, Port Zayed, Al Mina

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

(Next to Fish Market, see map)

4. Shish Shawerma

In Abu Dhabi, Shish Shawerma is the place to get your shawerma fix, where they indulge you with tasty and fresh ingredients. Some say it is the best place for shawermas, I'd leave it to you to find out if that's true for you, but for me, yes. It was super delicious, a little messy to eat, but I scoffed it all down in record time! A chicken shawerma goes for 10 dirhams.

Good for: Shawerma

Shish Shawerma

Corniche Road West, Street 2, Al Khalidiya، Behind Corniche Towers

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

5. Cheesecake Factory

Cheesecake Factory is not unique to Abu Dhabi. But if you're not lucky enough to live in a country with this amazing cheese-crazy chain, drop by this restaurant at Yas Mall to enjoy some of the best pastas and cheese-stuffed dishes. The Fettuccini Alfredo with Chicken was da bomb, with cheesy fragrance and olive oil wrapped around every bit of pasta, this was dearly missed when it was swept clean. Don't miss out their signature side - the Stuffed Mushrooms is an absolute must-order!

Good for: Dinner, pastas and cheesy sides

Cheesecake Factory

Level 1, Yas Mall, Yas Island - أبو ظبي

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Photo credits: Burgerchi Facebook

6. Burgerchi

Two words: Simply burgerporn. Forget mediocre McDonalds, go straight for Burgerchi. This barely half a year joint provides the city-goers a new place to satisfy their cravings for juicy meat patty sandwiched between hot toasty buttery buns... oh, and the oozing cheese, bacon, and sauce, bring them on the table!

Famous for: Burgers with beetroot buns, 1971 Classic Chicken Burgers

Burgerchi

Juma Matar Al Mazrouei Building, Khalidiya Street

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Photo credits: Rosewood Hotel

7. Dai Pai Dong - Rosewood

Dai Pai Dong, whose name draws inspiration from streetside food market stalls in olden China and presentday Hong Kong, showcases modern interpretations of classic Chinese dishes. Nestled between Rosewood Abu Dhabi and The Galleria Mall, Dai Pai Dong has a plethora of Cantonese dishes and is a must-visit in Abu Dhabi’s growing dining scene. What is little known of Dai Pai Dong is that right beside the restaurant is a speakeasy bar that is quite well-concealed.

Good for: Cantonese dishes and a night away in a speakeasy bar

Dai Pai Dong

Rosewood, Al Maryah Island

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Photo credits: Koi Restaurant & Lounge

8. Koi Restaurant & Lounge

At Koi Restaurant & Lounge, their inventive menu is inspired by traditional Japanese cooking methods but also infused with modern California accents. Koi is named one of the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi time and again, so if you are looking for a restaurant that would certainly perform in the taste department, you know where to go.

Good for: Important occasions

Koi Restaurant & Lounge

The Collection, Saadiyat

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Photo credits: svweb

9. Stratos - Revolving Lounge Bar & Grill

You can strike off two things off your bucket list at Stratos. First, being in a revolving restaurant, and second, having some kickass cocktails while enjoying the stunning sunset. What's more, their plush seats and swanky atmosphere will put you in a good mood instantly.

Good for: Cocktails and sunset watching

Stratos - Revolving Lounge Bar & Grill

Sheikh Khalifa Street

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

10. Hakkasan

With 12 restaurants under this name across global destinations, Hakkasan has an impressive repertoire of classic and clever dishes whipped up by their talented team of chefs. Afternoon Dimsum is available from 3pm until 6pm daily with a selection of dim sum and dessert with a choice of Taiwanese or Chinese tea at 98 dirhams per person. Since Emirates Palace Hotel is the perfect afternoon stroll location, why not go for Hakkasan?

Good for: Afternoon dimsum brunch and gorgeous desserts

Hakkasan

Emirates Palace Hotel

West Corniche Road - Ras Al Akhdar

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Photo credits: Jumeirah Hotel

11. Nahaam

This funky and modern restaurant has an impressive array of International menus depending on which day you decide to pamper yourself at Nahaam. Commended to be the best brunch in Abu Dhabi, choose from a sea of delicious favourites, from sandwiches and burgers to salads and shakes. You get a pretty sleek view of the pool at Jumeirah, and I reckon that's a pretty good deal!

Good for: A good pampering time

Nahaam

Jumeirah Etihad Towers Corniche Road

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Photo credits: Jumeirah Hotel

1. Tori No Su

Jumeirah is a stellar, multi-award winning luxury hotel that has jaw-dropping interiors... so there is little surprise that two of its restaurants are alongside one another on this list right? Tori No Su is a high-end Japanese restaurant helmed by the talented kaiseki chef, Takashi Ando. From the spicy tuna maki to king crabs, you can either opt for the luxurious omakase tables or go a la carte.

Good for: Japanese omakase

Tori No Su

Jumeirah At Etihad Towers Corniche Road

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Photo credits: Tarbouche Instagram

1. Tarbouche al Basha

For something a little from the upmarket restaurants, Tarbouche al Basha is nestled right in the middle of The Souk Central. This Levantine restaurant has its own loyal following, and people swear by their falafels, shawarma, and naan pizza. Pro tip: their rooftop opens from 5 in the afternoon, and thereafter you will be able to enjoy the stunning view of the World Trade Center. They even provide home delivery, so if you have an ABDB address, you know you can take the lazy (but yummy) option.

Good for: Arabian breakfasts, falafel, naan pizza

Tarbouche al Basha

The Souk Central Market

Hamdan Street, Khalidiya

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Photo credits: Zuma Abu Dhabi Facebook

14. Zuma

There is no stopping of a successful restaurant chain. Zuma has sprouted in 11 international city locations under two decades. Why is this Japanese restaurant so widely adored? With no compromise on quality, this izakaya style of dining, tantalizing sushi and amazing desserts encourage diners to share their food in a classy yet laidback atmosphere. Zuma's consistent delivery has earned itself a good reputation in the culinary world in Abu Dhabi.

Good for: Sushi, cocktails, desserts - especially the banana cake

Zuma

Sowwah Square, Al Maryah Island

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Photo credit: Egg Shack Instagram

15. Egg Shack Cafe

Everybody loves eggs! And I don't mean Gudetama. Egg Shack Cafe has taken their craze for eggs up another notch and has an entire menu dedicated for it. Power up your breakfasts at Egg Shack Cafe. It will make you very happy.

Good for: Breakfasts, and specifically, egg waffles

Egg Shack Cafe

Next to Wurood Flower Cordination

Near Abu Dhabi Media, Old Airport Road Al Mushrif

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Photo credits: FindSalt Instagram

16. Salt (Not related to Salt Bae)

Salt is something different. It is a food truck, and this means one thing: it is elusive. This nomadic restaurant providing delicious gourmet staples on-the-go at shifting locations around the UAE is hard to catch, and perhaps it will do you good to follow them on Instagram @findSalt. This element of fun makes munching on their burgers and ice-cream much more interesting.

Good for: Burgers, Lotus Softies

Salt Burger

Mushrif Central Park

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Photo credits: Cho Gao Restaurant & Lounge Facebook

17. Cho Gao Restaurant & Lounge

When craving for Asian cuisine, go to trusty Cho Gao. Cho Gao means 'rice market' in Vietnamese, but you will get much more than just rice, or Vietnamese food. There is a huge variety of Asian cuisines available, including Thai, Indonesia, Chinese and Japanese. If you happen to drop by on Wednesday evening, you can savor sharing platters of divine dim sum and sushi including house grape beverages for 160 dirhams per pax.

Good for: Cho Gao Pillows

Cho Gao Restaurant & Lounge

Crowne Plaza Hotel
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street (Hamdan Street)

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Photo credits: ziyadahmed87 Instagram

18. Bu Shanab Restaurant

If you can't get enough of shawarmas, and are looking for more places to try your luck at finding the best - get yourself to Bu Shanab Restaurant. A worthy contender with their well-loved shanabz meat and chicken doner, all presented in a triangle waffle shaped bread drizzled with an appetizing sauce. Have they won your heart yet?

Good for: Shawarmas

Bu Shanab Restaurant

Bin Moosa Building,

Al Khalidiya

Opp Huda Butchery

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Photo credits: Ushna Instagram 19. Ushna

One of the very best Indian restaurants with a sophisticated, modern setting, get ready to be wowed by Ushna's food, service and amazing views. Begin your meal with a light samobosa, followed by some sharing dishes tandoori jhinga, lamb korma and chicken tikka masala, and of course naan. At night, you get to see a glowing Grand Sheikh Zayed Mosque in the distance too.

Good for: Lamb korma, samobosa, chicken tikka masala

Ushna

Ground Level, Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain, Al Maqtaa,

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

20. Leopold's of London

At award-winning cafe Leopold's of London hidden in Nations Galleria, indulge in an afternoon tea. Their extensive collection is organized in the Leopold’s Tea Library which houses more than 70 types of tea collected globally. Whichever way you like it, this place is so lovely for cake and coffee too.

Good for: Afternoon tea

Leopold's of London

Al Falah Street

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

21. Almaz by Momo

Almaz by Momo is yet another impressive Levantian restaurant with a mix of Mediterranean and Moroccan influences. With the culinary team headed by the award-winning Chef Mohamed Ourad, there is little surprise that Almaz by Momo is heavily sought after by diners. Other than teasing your tastebuds, the decor in Almaz by Momo is drop-dead gorgeous!

Good for: Moroccan cuisine

Almaz by Momo

The Galleria, Al Maryah Island

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Photo credits: Mahiblog

22. LIMO

The latest addition to the culinary scene in Abu Dhabi is LIMO, a Peruvian restaurant within the premises of Bab al-Qasr Hotel. This restaurant is a unique blend of Arabesque style and offering classic Arabian hospitality on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Don't miss out their Fish & chips style battered fried seafood with tartar sauce and the amazing Beef Anticucho, juicy skewers of beef tenderloin with pureed mashed potatoes and smoked anticuchera sauce.

Good for: Beef Anticucho and desserts

LIMO

Bab al-Qasr Hotel

West Corniche

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Photo credits: chef_rufino

Bonus! Skylite Rooftop Lounge

When the day closes, unwind and relax at one of the Emirates's most glamorous rooftop bar lounges, Skylite Rooftop Lounge. Bob your head to the best music, drinks and company.

Skylite Rooftop Lounge

 Viceroy Abu Dhabi, 9th Floor, Yas Marina Circuit

Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

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I share interesting episodes in life revolving around food, lifestyle, travel and inspirational ideas. If you would like to stay in touch, follow me on my Instagram on @amie.hu and Facebook page!

Romantic V-Day Foodie Adventure 2017 in Johor Bahru

February 2, 2017, 12:01 am

≫ Next: 4 Valentine's Day 2017 Styles That Will Turn Heads

≪ Previous: 22 Best Restaurants To Visit in Abu Dhabi in 2017

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Before Chinese New Year is done and dusted, Valentine's Day is speeding right towards you. If you are thinking of doing something different from burning holes in your wallet on V-Day itself, why not go for a one day romantic foodie adventure in Johor Bahru? Nothing beats hunting for delicious food together!

Now let's get on with the places where you can charm your date! All the places mentioned in this article are marked on this map.

Photo credits: Win Win Lee

Rosmarino Italian Restaurant

When it comes to Italian restaraurants in Johor, Rosmarino definitely emerges as one of the tops. Rosmarino strikes a perfect balance between prices, taste, atmosphere and service. Their aglio olio and lobster pasta are not to be missed. You can be sure to find fantastic Italian cuisine with a more affordable price tag and romantic atmosphere here at Rosmarino.

Rosmarino Italian Restaurant

Jalan Kuning 2

80400 Johor Bahru Malaysia

Flowers in the Window

This two-storey café Flowers in the Window is built for Valentine's Day! Its quaint floral-themed façade is unafraid to be over-the-top, extending even to their seasonal homemade cakes and drinks menu. By the same team as Roost Juice Bar round the corner, it is almost impossible to not love this place. The star desserts on display are the chocolate beetroot cake and citrus syrup cake. From coldpressed fusion fruit juices to their flower-infused teas to coffees, all of which had a premium quality to it.

Flowers in the Window

9, Jalan Dhoby

80000 Johor Bahru

Johor, Malaysia

Bev C'afe

The hunt for Bev C gives you a mini adventure that test your chemistry! When you find it, you will be charmed by Bev C's whimsical vibes. Its enigmatic visual illusory signboard and then the little hideout upstairs are all very un-Singapore. I could spend the whole day there, with a book and just overlooking Jalan Tan Hiok Nee to people-watch. Some of the best cakes around Bev C include their famous Chocolate Mint Pie, the all-new Gula Malacca Banana Pie, and the interesting Spicy Sunfruit Pie. Their handcrafted beverages include espresso ice-cubes with caramel and milk.

Bev C'afe

54 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee Bandar

80000 Johor Bahru

Johor, Malaysia

Sugar on Top

If your girlfriend loves cafehopping, she would be thrilled with Sugar on Top with its endless yummy pastas and desserts. You must not miss the matcha lava cake here - forget all you've tried and look for this one here. I prefer their first outlet cafe - the Taman Pelangi branch.

Sugar on Top

1 Jalan Kuning 1

Taman Pelangi

80400 Johor Bahru

Johor, Malaysia

Wheat & Wit

The cakes at Wheat & Wit are the sort that are quietly pretty, and taste absolutely delicious. You can celebrate V-Day with multiple cakes if you'd like here. Their Chocolate Raspberry cake and Raspberry Cremeux are my favourites. No doubt they are super photogenic too!

Wheat & Wit @ the Vibe

6376 & 9236, Jalan Ibrahim Sultan

Kampung Stulang Laut

80300 Johor Bahru

Johor, Malaysia

Whiskey House

Whiskey House is classy and a perfect place for an evening of cocktails and whiskeys. A fantastic place to chill with an impressive 300 over whiskey and cocktails selections in this opulent restaurant that's just out to impress. The owner is serious about his alcohol, with heartwarming service.They do have delicious mains and small bites here as well.

Whiskey House

Jalan Molek 1, Taman Molek

81100 Johor Bahru

Johor, Malaysia

❤Bonus!❤

Thai Spa

Pamper yourselves at Taman Mount Austin's Thai Spa after a long day of cafehopping and exploring! I had one of the best massages I ever had in my life here.

Thai Spa

No. 27 / 29 Jalan Austin Heights

8/8 Taman Mount Austin

81100 Johor Bahru

Johor, Malaysia

❤❤❤

If this is your first time in JB, don't worry, here are some directions to help you out.

How to get around Johor Bahru

1. By foot💃

From the Causeway, you can access several popular dining areas on foot, including the restaurants in City Square Mall, the stretch along Jalan Wong Ah Fook and Jalan Trus. To get to the cafes and dessert places at Jalan Dhoby and Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, you will need to walk about 10 minutes and pass by the 'Little India' of Johor.

2. By bus 🚃

You can take buses at the interchange on the ground floor. Take the escalator right after you exit from the railway station. There are several buses that lead you to major landmarks including KSL, Pelangi Mall, Holiday Plaza and more. From there, you can walk to most of the restaurants located near these places.

3. By taxi 🚕

This is the most straightforward method. Many people may still have reservations on how safe taxis are in Johor. I have not met any problems with taxis yet. However, some cab drivers may try to take the further route to maximize the meter fare or suggest a lump sum for a short distance (most likely during peak periods). As a gauge, a smooth ride from City Square to KSL should be around RM7 by meter, and you should not accept more than RM15 for a 'lump sum' fare.

4. By Grab 🚕

This is my most preferred way, it is the most efficient, cheaper than taxi, and very comfortable. The only downside is that you need data (or a SIM card).

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4 Valentine's Day 2017 Styles That Will Turn Heads

January 30, 2017, 9:15 am

≫ Next: Zafferano brings you Singapore's sunset dining

≪ Previous: Romantic V-Day Foodie Adventure 2017 in Johor Bahru

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2 weeks is more than enough for you to ship your V-Day outfit from wherever to your doorstep. Because, welcome to 2017. No date? Never mind, get your dress first. Charm your date with one of these Valentine's Day styles. Or you can may just find your Prince Charming while partying out with your girls 💗You go girl, so here are the some 2017 styles that will help you slay!

Black & Lace

This timeless combination has always been very popular among the ladies because of its lethality. Pair a black lace dress with stiletto heels, large wavy long-haired curls, red lipstick and you're ready to slay. Just look at these ladies heat up the party wherever they are: 

Zhang Xin Yu in a sexy black lace dress photoshoot Photo credits: x

Angelababy looking sweet and demure in a 'little black dress' with a naughty spin

Fan Bing Bing at the 2016 Fall Paris Fashion

Liu Tao in a lacy black dress at Bvlgari event

Ruby Lin in casual sexy 'deep V' black dress

There are many ways to amp up the sexiness level with a touch of your own style. Ship your Valentine's Day arsenal with these options~

Look for more inspirations at Picodi shopping channel Make this yours at Choies

Look for more inspirations at Picodi shopping channel Make this yours at Choies

Pretty in Porcelain

Porcelain is still going strong as a trend from 2016. Its versatile oriental patterns can complement with modern A-line skirts or bohemian beach wear. It depends on your creativity, and how you rock it. Werk werk werk~

Left: Fan Bing Bing / Right: Model strutting down a runway Photo credits: x

Even Zhao Li Ying is onto this trend

It doesn't have to look like a 'Chinese New Year' recycled outfit

Playful design with a flare out skirt

You can even pair it with a scarf, layer blue on blue for a sweet, lovely effect

Look for more inspirations at Picodi shopping channel

Look for more inspirations at Picodi shopping channel Make this yours at Choies

Look for more inspirations at Picodi shopping channel Make this yours at Romwe

Red & Bold

Whether you're a bold and confident kind of girl or a girl with a strict monochrome-only wardrobe, a red dress will make you stand out on a special day like Valentine's. Other than the Little Black Dress, every girl needs a Bold Red Dress that speaks her personality.

Sultry and sweet - you will be in the centre of attention

Liu Shi Shi on the cover of Cosmopolitan with great confidence

Disney Princess inspired drape dress, be your own Snow White

Look for more inspirations at Picodi shopping channel Make this yours at Romwe

"Let's go for a Picnic!"

This is the most 'harmless' Valentine's lunch date style! Picking this style makes you appear effortlessly beautiful, chic and lovable. It certainly doesn't make you look like you're trying too hard to impress anyone, but yet maintaining a gorgeous look.

Look for more inspirations at Picodi shopping channel Make this yours at Zalora

White paired with a pastel color is ideal, but my pick would be blue. It isn't too girly, and also a safe colour, if you want to maintain a clean and sheer look.

Look for more inspirations at Picodi shopping channel Make this yours at The Tinsel Rack

White stripes on a blue background make you look like you stepped out of a Japanese Home & Living magazine. There is a good blend of femininity and sophistication in this style.

If you are looking to turn down the 'formality' one more notch down (ie. 'Is this a date or not? Hmm but I still want to look good) go for a more flowy, lighter fabrics while keeping to a clean palette of colours! Let down your hair - figuratively and literally - and just wear what makes you comfortable.

For a really warm day out, wear a white flowy and airy top that will definitely accentuates girly vibes.

Experiment with colours, like pastel greens and yellows! This look is definitely very Korean-inspired, but not everyone can pull it off. If all else fails, you can always fall back on the little black dress and red lipstick. Happy Valentines Day, y'all. xx

For more style inspirations, go check out Picodi's fashion shopping channel, where all the best blogshops are gathered in one place.

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