All posts tagged: Singapore

EatPrayFlying pledged to Singapore Memory Project

The National Library Board (NLB) wrote to me to pledge EatPrayFlying to the Singapore Memory Project (SMP). The SMP is a national initiative started to collect, preserve and provide access to stories, moments and memories related to Singapore. I think it is quite cool to help  build a ground-up understanding of Singapore through all our dining experiences, so I have pledged EPF! If you also have some perspectives and memories to pledge, simply pledge yours here: http://singaporememory.simulation.com.sg/Public/Pledge. 🙂

LOWERCASE @ Lasalle College of the Arts

I had to give LOWERCASE 3 tries before I finally tried the food. The first time, we assumed the cafe would be open for coffee on a Sunday and we headed down and it was closed. The second time, on a Friday night, we headed down at 830pm since their Facebook said they were open till 1030pm but was told it was closed already!! I wrote to them to feedback on the opening hours, and one of their partners, Mr J, was nice enough to explain the situation and we decided to try LOWERCASE again with a group of friends on a Saturday evening. LOWERCASE is nestled in Lasalle College of the Arts and has a huge 5000 square feet space compared to the regular hipster cafes.  Their mission statement – “Lowercase is a melting pot where food, art and community come together” – is a good summary of what they are starting to look like, where random art pieces are displayed among tables of people eating. LOWERCASE seeks to promote talent by setting the stage for budding …

Duck Rice (Zhen Wang Family Restaurant) @ Bukit Timah Plaza

We discovered a hidden gem – good and cheap duck rice – on B1 of Bukit Timah Plaza. It is tucked in a cosy corner in a coffee shop called “Zhen Wang Family Restaurant” that has 3 different shops. But the most crowded one is this Duck Rice (with no signboard)! 4 of us ate for under $20 so it’s great value for the family! I love the softness of the duck though the soup is too herbal for me. — Zhen Wang Family Restaurant Basement 1 (Opposite side of Fairprice Finest, nearer escalator)

Wrap & Roll @ Ion

It was a rushed Friday lunch so my friends and I decided to all travel from our respective offices and meet in centrally located Ion for quick lunch. My Vietnamese team mate recommended Wrap & Roll (Ion branch just opened in Sep13), and she recommended is because she said it is quite authentic Vietnamese flavor (of course no where near Vietnamese price). Given Vietnam are known for their rolls, we shared the Minced Pork & Mushrooms in Steamed Rice Paper Rolls which was quite yummy. It is textured a lot like chee cheong fun. I noticed most of the tables ordered rolls to share as well; definitely be trying different flavoured rolls next time. For main, I had the Stir Fried ‘Pho’ Noodles. What I really liked about this dish was that it was very healthy; it was 40% vegetables, onions and carrots making the dish very crunchy. It also had lesser carbs than usual Asian meals so less food coma tendency after lunch. My friends had other mains. Miss S tried the Beef Hot Pot …

Artisan Boulangerie Co. @ Killiney Road

After reading about the 6 new bakeries in Singapore, and having a big hit with Bread King, we went to check out Artisan Boulangerie Co. at Killiney Road after Sunday gym session. Artisan Boulangerie Co. is a contemporary bakery, helmed by award-winning artisan baker, Eran Mayer. When Eran Mayer was in Paris, he was a member of the Paris Chamber of Commerce for Professional Artisan Bakers,  which sounds very pro. The food and bread are no doubt, good. I had the Chicken Fusilli ($10.50) with extra Scrambled Eggs ($4). The chicken fusilli serving was small, but the fusilli was fresh, chewy and served cold. The scrambled eggs were well textured and milky. N had the ABC Breakfast (18.50), with the standard – sausage, Mesclun salad, eggs and mushrooms, which was tasty too.

La Nonna @ Namly Place

I have heard so much about La Nonna, we finally went to try it out with Ms E, since we get a good 35% Palate discount with 3 diners. La Nonna means “The Grandmother” in Italian and so La Nonna would stand for traditional, unpretentious Italian country cuisine, in a cosy restaurant. We had a little drama with the manager because when I made the reservation on a Monday, they confirmed my reservation and that the Palate promotion of 35% for 3 pax will be honoured (I specifically asked). When we arrived on Friday evening, firstly, they couldn’t find our booking. Then, they said there was no promotion that night because Sunday was a PH. Even after I showed him my call log to their restaurant landed line on that Monday before, the manager insisted I might have called the Holland V branch. After haggling for 10 minutes, he rather reluctantly allowed us 35% off still, but looking still obviously agitated, which I felt was quite bad customer service. The starters were thankfully, very impressive. …

Hashi Japanese Restaurant @ Bukit Pasoh

Hashi is part of the TRE Group, who also owns Oso Ristorante, Gaia Ristorante & Bar and Absinthe Restaurant, and opened in May 2013. Hashi is helmed by ex-Nobu Australia head chef, Tadashi Takahashi. Hashi (means chopsticks in Japanese) is atas fine dining that serves exquisite authentic simple Japanese food. Tip: Restaurant Week is a good time to try out at $55/pax for 3 course dinner, considering their usual Kaiseki 5 course Lunch Menu is already $80! I liked the decor of Hashi – very minimal, elegant zen feel juxtaposed to Oso’s darker complex ambience. The sake bar structure reminded me of chopsticks (Hashi), and I loved the details of the rolls of kimono fabric leaning against the wall connecting the sushi bar to the inner seating area (that can seat up to 80 diners). First up, Appetizer – Cold Soba and Mixed Salad with Yuzu dressing and  Sashimi (3 kinds of seasonal sashimi) The Cold Soba was refreshing. The sashimi was good no doubt, but not as fresh and sweet as my favourite sashimi/chirashi dons as my best-value-and-freshness-for-money …

Nylon Coffee @ Everton

I should have started this blog a long time ago when Nylon first opened and when they were still hipster. I dare say they started the Everton Trail. Now they are so crowded that they are almost mainstream! Nonetheless, one of our favourite coffees in Singapore, we love the coffee and the 2 bosses – D and JM =) For those who may not be aware, NYLON = New York and London, because D and JM spent time in both cities and loved the coffee and culture and hence incorporated the 2 cities into their brand name. This couple is the most passionate and involved people I know in the coffee business. They travel to faraway remote places to visit farms and cooperatives to actually see the beans they are buying. They try to understand from their peers the entire journey that the coffee takes –  harvesting,  processing of coffee cherries, the transportation process of the coffees. They talk and spew all their knowledge to their customers who are interested to learn. Just to be clear, …

Drury Lane Cafe @ Tanjong Pagar

Drury Lane is another new hipster cafe (4-months-old), tucked in a bright red shop house unit along Tanjong Pagar, opposite the row of bridal studios. PS: This is NOT a real lane, but the name of the cafe. This was recommended by my Melbourne trained chiropractor so I trust his taste in food, given Melbourne’s proliferation of good cafes! Drury Cafe turned out to have pretty good food, decent coffee and a lot of space with a nice ambience compared to usual more squeezy hipster cafes. Fun fact: “Drury Lane” came from a nursery rhyme called “The Muffin Man” hence they serve a good selection of muffins! Drury Lane has spacious seating on the second floor! We had 4 mains, 1 side and 2 desserts to share. My personal favourite is the Steak and Cheese sandwich ($8). The chunky tender beef slices reminded me of the ones Mortons serve over their martini, while the onions were sweet and juicy. I ordered additional poached eggs ($1) on the side and dipping the sandwich into the eggs and hollandaise sauce was quite heavenly. Also fairly good …

The Provision Shop @ Everton

The Provision Shop is a 2-week-old addition to the Everton Trail, and it was already crowded when we reached! The Provision Shop positions themselves as a gourmet deli with a focus on salads, sandwiches and light meals. Anthony Yeoh, executive chef of Cocotte at the Wanderlust hotel, is the culinary director of The Provision Shop and bring his vision of gourmet takeaway food to discerning clients. Hence, the dishes can be a full meal in itself or conveniently complement a meal at home.