Salt Tapas & Bar’s Brunch Workshop @ Raffles City

I attended a brunch workshop led by Executive Chef Ronald Li of Salt Tapas & Bar at Raffles City and was treated to a privileged sneak peek of their new brunch menu.

(CLOSED) 20F Specialty Coffeehouse @ Foch Road

This is possibly the most ordered dish and the star at 20F. I had my reservations about this dish because I've seen some not so good reviews online. However, I still wanted to try it so badly. I mean, its duck confit and waffles! Two of my favourite things! How could I give that a miss?

The Duck & Waffle ($22) is available daily from 11am-5pm and it exceeded expectations. The waffles had a light crisp, are a little cakey and went really well with the sweet sauce. I felt that the duck leg could have been a tad more tender but the entire combination was a rocking one. The unique addition of a scoop of mixed berries sorbet gave a stark contrast in temperature and a bright tangy touch to the whole symphony. I really enjoyed it. The clever sprinkling of chopped pistachios elevated the visual appeal and I adored the nutty hints.

(CLOSED) Restaurant ANDRE @ Bukit Pasoh Road

Dining at Restaurant ANDRE can be a long wait. They're always fully booked and reservations have to be made three months in advance at times. I'm not one with much patience but I've certainly been dying to dine here since forever. Lucky me, I know the Pastry Chef of Restaurant ANDRE. Matin got me a reservation for lunch on a Friday afternoon and to be very frank, I was counting down the days fervently. Two weeks never felt this long. I must say that the wait was absolutely worth it as I legit had the Meal of the Year here. An experience beyond words.

(CLOSED) Karafuru Desserts @ Jalan Klapa

I visited Karafuru Desserts in August but haven't gotten down to writing a post about it. We went there with high hopes, after seeing so many pictures of the pretty eclairs and the bright and white space.

The Populus Coffee & Food Co. @ Neil Road

By the folks behind Department of Caffeine and 2Degrees North Coffee Co, one can expect a certain level of standard over here at The Populus. I can promise you that this place will be packed in no time. I popped by on a Thursday afternoon at 1 and the entire space was almost at full occupancy. Still in their soft launch phase, but already dishing out delicious fare, Populus is here to impress and here to stay.

The Spring Pancake & Fried Chicken ($21) is a must-order, in my opinion. I love that soft and lightly crisp texture of the pancake, studded with hints of sweetness from the presence of corn. What's even more noteworthy was the fried chicken which was perfectly crisp and wonderfully tender and juicy inside. A flawless combination together with the homemade ranch dressing that will capture your heart. One thing though, the pancake hardens if it's left out for too long so do take note!

Colourblock Nails @ Pretty with Cindy

I got my nails done before attending Maureen's wedding! This is the first time that I've done my nails since my JC prom in 2008. I'm really not too much of a girly girl. And I've never paid any attention to my nails. In fact, I love peeling my nails. I always admire girls with nice pretty nails but I know I can't have them because they will chip all too soon as I'm just generally careless and do not take care of my nails. Plus, I've to wash alot of things at Kaffles. However, Cindy reassured me that the Gelish Nails will last for 4 to 8 weeks and are very hardy. I was initially really skeptical and I know nothing about nails and I didn't want to waste her efforts for giving me beautiful nails when I most probably would ruin them the next minute. But she convinced me to give it a shot!

New Savoury Hot Meals from Pies & Coffee @ Rochester Mall

I was under the impression that Pies & Coffee was just another pie house where they keep the pies in a chiller and they would microwave them upon a customer’s order. When I paid the Rochester Mall outlet a visit, it turned out that I was terribly wrong. Beyond its modern exterior and dining room, Pies & Coffee had a sizeable kitchen with a good number of chefs bustling about preparing meals for customers. The smell of buttery pastry coupled with the fragrance of Asian curries whetted my appetite which made me dive straight into the menu.

Photoshoot for Yomeishu

Did a photoshoot for Yomeishu in July with Edmund Chen and a bunch of really awesomely photogenic people. If you don't know, I'm incredibly awkward and camera shy and it took alot of convincing before I finally decided to try this out. I was so scared and so nervous. It's like you know all the people who do photoshoots are really goodlooking, have rocking good bodies and stuff and I'm none of that. Can't tell you how much I was freaking out omg I still can't believe it happened

Nostalgic Dim Sum buffet @ Si Chuan Dou Hua (PARKROYAL on Kitchener)

Chef Wen Xin Wen is bringing back a taste of the olden days by recreating dimsums that were popular in the past. I wasn't expecting 50 dishes on the buffet menu and I definitely wasn't expecting the buffet to only cost $32- $38 per adult. Needless to say, I was immensely impressed by the selection and quality of the food. If you love yourself a good dimsum spread that is beyond value-for-money, I think you shouldn't miss this one

Bottega Hair & Beauty II

My hair got a new coat of shine recently! Told Dean that I wanted something lighter than my previous shade so he mixed up a Cool Ash Blonde for me!

Spices Cafe’s New Menu @ Concorde Hotel Singapore

Spices Cafe has been known for its scrumptious food and stellar service by both travelers and locals. It has been awarded the Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor, which recognises its dedication to deliver delectable cuisines and great hospitality. The restaurant has, recently, launched a new modern and classically designed menu. Consisting of both local and international cuisines, there is probably something for everyone and anyone.

Le Bistrot du Sommelier - One of the Best French Restaurants

I used to be under the impression that one has to pay through the nose to have good French cuisine in Singapore. Especially for a heavy eater such as myself, I thought French fare, which typically is served in bijou portions, would leave me unsatisfied after my meal. Le Bistrot du Sommelier, however, proved itself as a great exception.

(CLOSED) Sopra Cucina @ Pan Pacific Orchard

(EDIT : SUNDAY BRUNCH HAS OFFICIALLY CEASED DUE TO MANPOWER ISSUES. All dishes featured are available on the Ala Carte menu)

I've walked past Sopra a couple of times but I've never gone in. When I finally stepped in for the first time, I realised what I have been missing out on. Sopra is a huge space beautifully decorated with vintage ornaments and furniture. It exudes a comforting and relaxing vibe and makes it quite the perfect venue for events, dinner and drinks. It is also a popular haunt for Ladies Night and has one of the awesomest happy-hour deals in town but people should really know about their Sunday Brunch. For just $66++, diners can have unlimited servings of Sardinian and Italian dishes. Top up $22 and you can drink your fill of Prosecco and wines. Now, tell me, isn't that a total bang for the buck?

Tomahawk Special @ Long Bar Steakhouse (Raffles Hotel)

This beauty here is the Tomahawk, a massive ribeye steak weighing 1.7kg that is directly airflown from Australian. Simply put, it is a piece of work that will exceed all your expectations. The Angus grain-fed Tomahawk has been specially chosen to be on the menu for for the month of October so be sure not to miss it!

#TrySomethingNew @ Nando's

Nando's has 11 outlets in Singapore and they're always packed during meal times. So if you frequent Nando's or are in love with their PERI PERI sauce, you'll definitely be more than pleased to know that Nando's has launched twenty new items! I visited the two-storey outlet at Junction 8, which is fully furnished with furniture, artwork and crockery from Africa. Great vibes, spacious venue, and a wonderful destination for an after-work gathering.

Heaven and Earth Product Launch @ Art Trove

Coca-Cola Singapore has recently unveiled and added two new and unique tea flavours to its Heaven and Earth range.

Mango Tea with a hint of Chamomile and Apple Tea with a hint of Lemongrass are indeed uncommon flavour pairings, especially for beverages. Both fusion tea flavours were dubbed by the beverage company as ‘an unusual match made in heaven’. To find out more, I went to their product launch held at the esteemed Art Trove, a private museum in Bras Basah which specialises in European art.

Follia @ Clover Way

Follia sits in the midst of a private housing estate and it's a pretty popular spot for the residents living in the area and diners who sought authentic Italian cuisine. Albeit a little inaccessible, Follia has a couple of pretty outstanding dishes that might just be worth the trip. The Osso Buco alla Milanese was my favourite dish of the night. The saffron rice paired up pretty damn well with the wonderfully executed veal that has been braised for four hours.

Belvoir Fruit Farms Launches New Pressés @ Rabbit Carrot Gun

Originating from United Kingdom, Belvoir Fruit farms have been producing their own drinks since 1980s. Their signature ingredient is the elderflower which is very well-loved as seen in the popularity of their Elderflower pressé.

District 10 Bar & Grill @ Suntec City Mall

 On Tuesday, 6th October, District 10 Bar & Grill had its grand opening for its newest restaurant at Suntec City Mall. I managed to pay a visit prior to the grand opening to see what it was all about.

The outlet at Suntec City specialises in dry-aged meat. Some people might ask what’s so special about dry-aged meat. I can tell you that dry-aged meat can be a bit pricey but the price difference is definitely worthwhile. Once you’ve tried dry-aged meat, it’d be hard for you to try anything else.

Sugarhall @ Amoy Street

Sausages have never tasted this good. First and foremost, it's an astounding feat to be churning out your own sausages in house and secondly, it's definitely not an easy feat making them this delish. The House-made Sausages ($32) at Sugarhall really left an impression. Taste wise, texture wise and looks wise, these sausages aced them all.

Seattle Pike Chowder @ Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris

Only a few people are aware of the F&B establishments within the vicinity of Fort Canning Park. However, the newly refurbished Fort Canning Arts Centre not only holds the Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris but a cafe that serves highly acclaimed, award winning chowders.

Jamie's Italian @ Forum (Orchard Road)

If you have been to Orchard Road in the recent months, you would have most probably caught a glimpse or two of the eye-catching Jamie's Italian signboard outside Forum Shopping Mall. This is the second outlet of the global success to have opened up on our sunny little island, and the first to be serving up pizzas.

Joie by DOZO, Shi Li Fang & YiLi PaoPao Ice @ Orchard Central

Not many are aware of the plentiful food options available at Orchard Central. I was one of those unknowing until I embarked on a food trail recently within the shopping mall. Initially, I thought there were only a couple of F&B establishments on the verandah. However, I was surprised to discover a huge array of cuisines being offered from its basement to the rooftop.

I visited a few establishments that I thought were unique, interesting and definitely worth a try: Joie by DOZO, Shi Li Fang 食立方 and YiLi PaoPao Ice.

The Waterfall @ Shangri-La Hotel

The Waterfall at Shangri-La Hotel is truly beautiful. With an alfresco area right beside the pool and a spacious colonial indoor dining area that is comfortable and cozy, it's no wonder the restaurant has long been a popular dining destination. The Waterfall dishes out authentic Southern Italian cuisine under the watch of Chef Marco, a Sicilian native. A new menu featuring exclusive imported cheeses, cold cuts and 26 new dishes has recently been launched. Diners can opt for a semi-lunch buffet, in which they can go for unlimited rounds of antipasti, on top of their main courses.

Melissa Koh Photography for #omgkimis25

The photos taken at my party were more than gorgeous and I only have Melissa Koh Photography to thank!

Humpback @ Bukit Pasoh Road

Carrying a fun and cheery vibe, Humpback sits pretty next to The Flagship and is one of the latest projects by the awesome folks behind Jigger and Pony. With five establishments under their belt, the wonderful team still makes sure that only the very best is served at every one of their babies. Humpback impressed me a great deal with its cleverly crafted dishes and awfully friendly and warm service. I have to say that its been awhile since I've been impressed at a place that focuses on small plates.

The Halia @ Singapore Botanic Gardens

I don't know why I've never been to The Halia at Botanics before. I was seriously blown away when I arrived at the restaurant. It's so beautiful and I love the greenery and how serene and calm the place is. I was thinking that it might get very warm and humid because we were dining outdoors but the soft breeze kept us cool all night long. Seriously, why haven't I been here before?

MAD Bistro & Whisky Lounge

Sitting opposite St Regis Hotel is a 19,000square feet space that features art work for sale, periodical art exhibitions, a bistro and an exclusive whisky lounge. I've gone past this place hundreds of times but I've never thought to check it out. Collectors of art pieces would most probably already know of MAD before they shifted from Mandarin Gallery to their current location. There isn't an entry fee to enter MAD so anyone can go in and view the art pieces on display. The bistro and whisky lounge are located on level one and the bright and spacious place is quite a decent choice for gatherings and a relaxing sunday brunch

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness @ CHIJMES

If you're a giant fan of Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin, you'll definitely know Andrew McMahon. He came to Singapore about three weeks ago and held a concert at CHIJMES for his most ardent fans

Clinton Street Baking Company @ Purvis Street

Just look at that stack of fluffy goodness. The Banana Walnut Pancakes ($18) at Clinton Street Baking Company were moist and each piece had a thin base of mashed bananas that kept the entire combination tantalizing throughout. It doesn't get boring, especially with their signature maple butter and I found myself going back to this repeatedly even when there were other dishes on the table. This is seriously my favourite pancakes in Singapore now!

(CLOSED) Bottura’s Happy Hour @ Suntec City

I was fortunate enough to have visited Bologna, which is located north of Italy. The food was truly unforgettable but what I remember and miss most were those “così è la vita” moments - sipping a relaxed aperitivo at the piazza while people watching in the middle of the afternoon. So you can imagine my excitement when I found out that recently established Italian restaurant, Bottura, introduced an all-Italian Happy Hour. I was now able to reenact those beloved moments right in Downtown Singapore (in air-conditioning!)

Kakure(Scotts Road) - Incredible Omakase with Sake Pairing

Kakure, which means Mystery in Japanese, is a boutique bar by the team behind Ki-Sho. Kakure now sits right above Ki-Sho, on the second level. Designed to look like inns and homes during the Meiji and Taisho eras, Kakure presents to you a cozy and intimate dining experience where diners can communicate with the sake sommelier over a wooden bar counter while enjoying an omakase meal.

鶏金Torikin @ Bukit Timah Road

Established in November 2014, Torikin is one of a few unique Japanese restaurants in Singapore that offers Kyushu cuisine. Kyushu is considered an "undiscovered gem" by tourists and is known not only for its rich history and beautiful scenery but its amazing food as well. Kyushu cuisine is described to be hearty and homely yet refined and full of flavour. I just had to try it!

Torikin is located at the corner of Crown Centre, at the junction of King's Road and busy Bukit Timah Road. The restaurant is segmented into four areas which you may pick according to your fancy (subject to availability): alfresco, booth tables, horigotatsu-styled (sunken areas beneath the dining tables) rooms and the sushi & bar counter.

Gin Khao @ East Coast Parkway

Having only been around for about three months, this little gem that sits in the not-so-accessible East Coast Parkway has captured the attention of a great many Singaporeans with their unique range of desserts. And as much as it was really far for me, I'm glad that I made a trip down !

Joo Bar @ Tan Quee Lan Street

Established in late 2014, Joo Bar sits pretty on the quieter end of Bugis but it has rocked the local bar scene with its Korean dishes and home-brewed Makgeolli. I popped by once on a Saturday night and the place was completely packed so I sat at the bar and fell in love with their passionfruit makgeolli at first taste. Their hand-cut chips were immensely delightful too and I was stoked to be back here for their dinner menu!

#omgkimis25 @ The Laneway Market (Tanjong Katong Road)

So on the seventh of August, I turned 25. To celebrate my mid-life crisis, I had a Florals & Pastels themed birthday party at the popular The Laneway Market at Tanjong Katong Road. The second level of The Laneway Market is huge and is absolutely perfect for parties and events. It held about 60 of my guests very comfortably!

The Cold Pantry @ Rangoon Road

Undoubtedly one of the most popular waffles in Singapore, pictures of the famed Chocolate Root Beer Waffles at The Cold Pantry have invaded my instagram feed time and again and I've always wanted to try their Thai Milk Tea soft serve! So we made our way here after brunch at AEIOU, only to find out that the Thai Milk Tea soft serve wasn't available until further notice...

So anyway, we've heard that the Chocolate Root Beer Waffles ($12.50) doesn't really have much taste of root beer but I think they've worked on the recipe because I can taste root beer in the waffle! The waffle is dense and fluffy and I really enjoyed that subtle root beer flavour with the cold charcoal vanilla soft serve. That root beer drizzle, though, really does not have a trace of root beer. Oh, and we added their handmade honeycomb crumble ($1.20) to make the waffles prettier!

AEIOU @ King George's Avenue

It isn't difficult to locate AEIOU but the absence of a signboard means that you need to know exactly how the place looks. The tell-tale signs are vintage chairs and metal grills on the outside of the cafe and you just can't miss those eye-catching words "Oriental Antique House"

Flor Patisserie(Duxton Hill) - New Space, New Cakes!

Flor Patisserie at Duxton Hill celebrates her fifth birthday with a brand new look, a much larger space and a new range of cakes. Flor Patisserie has always been one of my favourite bakeries. Their Japanese-inspired French pastries are always light, easy on the palate and always leave me craving for more. You can be sure of the quality and freshness of the cakes at Flor as they are freshly baked daily and are crafted using only the finest ingredients sourced from all over the world.

Legendary Hong Kong @ Jurong Point

Legendary Hong Kong has been around for more than a year and its a shame that I've only just found out about it, especially when I stay near Lakeside. This huge casual joint is reminiscent of those popular cha chaan tengs in Hong Kong and that was what struck me first as I walked into the place. It might not be the easiest place to locate as all the signboards are bright and flashy and there are a ton of them but that area is dressed to look like the streets of Hong Kong and I think that does add points to the ambience of LHK. The brainchild of a Hong Kong-er, the food here is as authentic as it gets, and possibly the closest you can get to Hong Kong

GARDEN BEATS Festival @ Fort Canning Park

GARDEN BEATS is Singapore's first ever electric picnic. Inspired by Piknik Electronik, this music festival attracted huge crowds that came to bask in the sun and music. Armed with picnic mats and all sorts of snacks, like-minded folks were all over the place swaying to the music or just chilling

Tring 313 Food Trail @ 313 (Somerset)

Have you heard of the mobile app, Tring 313? Well I haven't until I went on a food trail at 313@somerset. I learnt more about the app and after downloading it did I realise that the app has so much to offer! In addition to having a store directory and store locator, you can also purchase coupons on Tring 313. The coupons are exclusive to shops in 313 so you can expect to find 1 for 1 Bingsu deals at O'ma Spoon, $18 for a $30 discount deals at Chir Chir, and deals at Forever 21 and Singapore's favourite froyo store llaollao!

NikuNoHi, Nigiro Cafe & Maguro-Donya Miura-Misaka-Kou @ Eat At Seven(Suntec City)

Another three of the seven dining concepts at Eat At Seven have been officially launched. Joining Enbu, is a restaurant that specialises in sashimi and Maguro, a Uakiniku restaurant and a cafe serving Italian-Japanese fare.

Park Bench Deli @ 179 Telok Ayer Road

Is this sight reminiscient of a popular Vietnamese dish? The boys at Park Bench Deli have been dazzling huge crowds at pop-ups and they finally have a physical space to call their own. Opened by a team of three who come from pretty impressive backgrounds, the sandwiches rolled out at this cool joint are not just a sight, but a taste to behold too

Refreshing The Classics @ PAUL

Where else but a French establishment to celebrate Bastille Day at! Had the good fortune of soaking up the celebratory atmosphere at PAUL at Marina Bay Link Mall with a couple of their newly launched dishes

Hands-On Cooking Class @ ToTT (Suntec City)

If I told you that I cooked and baked these three dishes, will you believe me?

Truth is, I did! Well, I wouldn't believe it too but under the guidance of Chef Francois Mermilliod of Bar A Thym, which is slated to open soon at 18 Gemmill Lane, I managed to whip up these dishes which not only looked amazing, but tasted amazing too!

(CLOSED) Bottura @ Suntec City

Quality Italian food has always been known to come with quite a steep price tag but not the authentic Italian fare at Bottura, a 144-seater which sits eye-catchingly on the second level of Suntec City. Bottura is a family name and it brings from Italy traditional cooking methods and home-style dishes that Luka Bottura, the owner, grew up eating. The biggest highlight would be their handmade pasta. We have all come across homemade items, but the pasta here is not only homemade, but it is made by hand too. So thin that it wouldn't survive being processed by a machine, the pasta dishes served at Bottura are absolute must-tries

Brunch @ FYR Cycene Ond Drinc (Boon Tat Street)

Back at FYR for their new brunch menu which is significantly different from the brunch that we are used to. We often go for big breakfast platters, eggs Benedict or French toasts these days but the menu at FYR is a Modern European take and it actually left quite a deep impression.

Golden Jubilee Menu @ STREET 50 Restaurant & Bar (Bay Hotel)

In celebration of SG50, STREET 50 at Bay Hotel is launching a Golden Jubilee Menu with more than 50 dishes. Come 1st August, diners will be able to enjoy the all-day ala carte menu that boasts of local flavours melded with global cuisines. Here we have the Bubur Cha Cha Creme Brulee ($9.90), a clever take on well-loved local dessert, bubur cha cha. The different textures present, from various ingredients such as braised yam and sweet potato, coupled with smooth pandan custard rendered this colourful number my favourite dish of the night.

Enbu @ Eat At Seven (Suntec City)

Eat At Seven is the latest multi-concept dining project in town. With seven different Japanese restaurants under one roof, diners are spoilt for choice. I like the idea of being able to try various types of food at one destination. And Enbu, which specialises in grilling, is the first to be launched