7 Of The Most Important Things To Consider When Choosing A Credit Card
The fantastic plastics are everywhere, promising you life’s greatest payment convenience. Throw in the travel, living and dining perks, and it all seem so utopic. But are you choosing the right credit card? Are you truly getting more out of it?
To make the best out of all the credit cards out there, do consider these seven things before you sign up for one:
- Get this clear once and for all: there’s no free lunch. ‘Free’ gifts that come along with your new credit card aren’t exactly free. Always read the fine print and understand the minimum expenditure within a stipulated period of time. Think twice before chalking up unnecessary bills (or worse – debt) for that freebie.
- Little things count. That ‘small’ annual card fee is really the biggest fee of all. Call the bank and ask (nicely!) if they can waive the charges. But cards such as the ANZ Travel Visa Signature Card and DBS Altitude Card give away 10,000 free miles upon paying the annual fee. Worth it? It’s your call.
- Extra rewards for overseas spending can come with hefty administrative charges. Also, don’t forget to check currency conversion rates, which is only an app away before you mad-swipe.
- Thinking of getting covered by the complimentary travel insurance that comes with your card? It usually subjects you to pay for your holidays with that very same card. The problem is the coverage may not be up to snuff when stacked against proper travel insurance plans. But cards such as the Citibank PremierMiles card and ANZ Travel Visa Signature Card do offer outstanding coverage. Compare before you sign on.
- If you rely on your plastic to chalk up airmiles for that next holiday to paradise, be sure to check the miles reward system. A dollar for a mile vs a dollar for 1.2 miles, which is better? Seriously, it’s not rocket science.
- .. yes, life has taken a toll on you and a bill is forgotten, but it’s really not the bank’s job to be your financial nanny. A late fee charge is one debt you must avoid incurring. Check the terms and rates, which can change at the bank’s discretion.
- Spare yourself the agony of going through boring brochure-talk. A financial and credit card comparison site like GoBear lists out cards that work harder according to your needs. Just key in your spending habits, salary and ideal reward outcomes, and you’re ready to compare all the benefits.
So you might wonder: why GoBear? Firstly, it’s free and most importantly, the financial metasearch engine gives you an awesome overview of cards with zero advertising from the providers.
It also currently has the widest selection of cards available in Singapore, including cards not often promoted by banks. Last but not least, you get to learn a thing or two on credit card finances from the bear itself.
https://www.facebook.com/GoBearSG/posts/943370912427923:0
From 16th to 19th March, find the GoBear mascot and you could win a pair of tickets to Gold Coast. Follow GoBear on Facebook to see where and when the bear will be giving out bits of financial advice.
This article originally appeared on Vulcan Post.
10 Best Places To Run In Singapore – #2 Will Make You Want To Put On Those Sneakers Now!
In search of running routes? Even among our office skyscrapers and high-rise HDB flats, there are countless pockets of surprises that bring us close to nature. Here’s our list of the 10 Best Places to Run in Singapore.
1. Best Nature Getaway – Macritchie Reservoir
The moment you step inside Macritchie’s trail, the hustle and bustle of the city is completely blocked out as you immerse in its lush, green jungle. Its terrain varies – the initial soil trail among tall trees lead to a wooden boardwalk by the reservoir. Then, it turns into a rocky path along a luxurious, manicured golf course. You are sure to spot plenty of monkeys on the way!
If you want to experience walking on a freestanding suspension bridge among the nature park’s canopies, the TreeTop walk is worth a detour.
For an arm workout instead, Macritchie also offers rental of kayaks.
One loop: 11km
Google maps here.
2. Most Surprises Along the Way – Southern Ridges
Coniferous trees overlooking the sea. Suspended walkways zigzagging through tree tops. Panaromic views of the city skyline. This is a long, undulating route but we absolutely love it because the sceneries along the way are just breathtaking.
The Southern Ridges connect the hills of Kent Ridge Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark and Mount Faber Park. There are various entry points to choose from. If you want to enjoy the entire trail, Kent Ridge MRT is an accessible place to start.
One-way from Kent Ridge MRT to Harbourfront MRT: 8kmGoogle maps here.
3. Most Spectacular Night Run – Gardens by the Bay + Marina Bay
A popular route among joggers working in CBD. Despite running it during countless lunch breaks and after work, the city skyline never fails to impress each time.Time your run to catch the MBS light show daily at 8pm and 9.30pm
When there are events held at SportsHub (like SEA Games 2015 closing), you may catch a first-class view of the fireworks along the Kallang basin
Small loop around Marina Bay: 5km
Big loop including Gardens By The Bay, Marina Barrage and Singapore SportsHub: 15kmGoogle maps here.
4. Most Happening – Sentosa
Dodge tourists to avoid being a photo bomber as you run pass Resorts World Sentosa and Universal Studios. Say hi to beach hunks, bikini babes and the Merlion. Rub sweaty shoulders with the rich and famous joggers of the Sentosa Cove neighbourhood.
Loop around Sentosa: 14km
Google maps here.
5. Best for Beginners – East Coast Park
Singapore’s longest park. There are plenty of toilets, vending machines and food stops along the way (if you need a rest). There is the beach with sea breeze against your cheeks. Plus, it’s a straight route – start anywhere and you won’t get lost.
Two-way: 14kmGoogle maps here.
6. Best Blend of Nature and History – Labrador Park
Labrador Park is truly an eclectic mix of nature and history because you get to run amongst the mangroves, forest and beachfront – all while appreciating relics of Singapore’s past. No kidding, these include an actual cannon that defended our coastline in WWII and a symbolic replica of the Long Ya Men (or Dragon’s Teeth Gate) that used to stand at the gateway to Keppel Harbour.
The Long Ya Men was said to help Zheng He in navigating the waters around Singapore during his seven maritime voyages to the west between 1405 and 1433 AD.
Cross the bridge towards Keppel Island and end at Harbourfront MRT
One-way from Labrador MRT – Harbourfront MRT: 6kmGoogle maps here.
7. Most Rustic – The Green Corridor
The Green Corridor is 26km if you run from Woodlands Train Checkpoint to the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. There is a certain charm to this place; each trip feels like an adventurous exploration with its beaten path surrounded by tall grasses and certain parts of preserved railway tracks (which has been around since 1903!).
Although we’ve ran and cycled parts of it, we haven’t done the full route (yet). If you want to catch a glimpse of the corridor, it’s an 8km run from Commonwealth MRT southwards, ending at Rail Mall past the iconic black metal bridge.
Partial one-way: 8km
Full Green Corridor route: 26kmGoogle maps here.
8. Heartland Favourites – Bedok Reservoir
Besides East Coast Park, Bedok Reservoir is a great alternative for those living in the East to enjoy a breezy run with a view.
One loop around Bedok Reservoir: 4km
Two-way from Simei MRT: 13kmGoogle maps here.
9. The Ditch
For Westies, the Ditch gives an enjoyable, cooling run along Pandan River with plenty of lush greenery along the way. The route is well-lit which makes for a great night run as well.
Two-way from Dover MRT: 11kmGoogle maps here.
10. Punggol Waterway
Even though Punggol Waterway is built with several man-made structures, it exudes a certain rawness in its beauty. Cross a beautiful metal bridge over its rivers, enjoy huge spaces of greenery and spot Malaysia, Pulau Ubin or Coney Island as you jog along our northern coastline.
Loop from Punggol MRT: 14kmGoogle maps here.
Where are your favourite running routes? Let us know if we’ve missed out any gems!
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This article was originally published on Instagram @explorerwoo.
ZoukOut 2016 (Prelude Edition) Is Happening In Boracay, Philippines! Tickets Available Now.
Update: 29th February
For the first time ever, ZoukOut 2016 prelude edition is happening in not just Boracay, but also in Hong Kong, though the dates are yet to be revealed. What we do know is this:
ZoukOut 2016 Prelude Edition Venue: White Beach on Boracay, at the Epic and Uptown beachfront, Philippines
ZoukOut 2016 Prelude Edition Date: April 30 and May 1
ZoukOut 2016 Prelude Edition Headline acts: American DJ and ZoukOut veteran Kaskade, home-grown DJ-producer MMXJ, Canadian electronic duo DVBBS, Dutch house music brothers DubVision, Asian duo DJ Royale & Junior, American DJ Vice and Zouk resident DJ Ghetto.
Tickets: Purchase here
Ticket Pricing: 2,000 peso (S$59) for a single-day pass and 3,600 peso (S$107) for a two-day pass.
Expected turnout: 5000 pax
ZoukOut, one of the most celebrated rave parties in Asia, has just updated their website, announcing that they will be organizing their prelude edition of ZoukOut in Boracay, Philippines.
In their Facebook page too, Zouk shared that for the first time, the ZoukOut party experience is crossing borders and venturing to new grounds.
“Boracay, Philippines, we are coming for you THIS SUMMER!”
https://www.facebook.com/ZoukOutOfficial/photos/a.323053317788524.76165.322272147866641/930228290404354/?type=3&theater&__mref=message_bubble
For the first time, fans from the region can now choose to fly in to Boracay to join in the party. As this is the prelude edition, we expect it to lead up to the main event, which we are still awaiting more details from Zouk.
Do keep a look out for more news from Discover SG on the dates and timing of the event so you can book your tickets!
https://www.facebook.com/discover.sg.official/posts/1955314331360926
If Your Date Brings You To These 8 Places In Singapore, You Know You Are Special
Living on an island-nation like Singapore, it becomes a challenge to find fresh activities and places to go to for dates. You either go back to the same places for your usual dates, or follow the crowd and check out trending cafes you saw your friends posting about on Instagram or Facebook.
If your other half ever brought you to the places below, you know you must be that special someone who made him or her go the extra mile to discover them. Some of them could be tucked away in a quaint and cosy corner of Singapore; some not the most common activities; and others you could hardly associate dating with (and yet it could be proven otherwise!).
1. NOX – Dine in the Dark
You know you are exceptional when your partner is willing to try something different with you, such as savouring a mystery set dinner in complete darkness. It’s not easy to dine comfortably with someone when nothing is in sight. You must be absolutely at ease with your dinner date, knowing that conversations will keep coming through while you engage your other senses during the meal.
Seated in a pitch-black dining room, in the comfort of your company, you will be served their exquisite European menu crafted from the finest ingredients. A truly human experience like this is not something he or she will share with just anybody!
2. Bollywood Veggies
(Image Credits: Bollywood Veggies Official Website)
A farm and a bistro in the rustic environment of the Northwest Kranji side, this place is a rare find on our little red dot. Besides enjoying a farm-to-table experience as you indulge in their local and fusion cuisine, there are many other fun, hands-on activities available. These activities include a guided farm tour, potting session, culinary class, and more.
Honestly, a trip to Bollywood Veggies would make a fresh date, literally. If your significant other has made the effort to plan a trip with you there and was happy to explore a more rural routine with you for a day, he or she is quite a keeper because you know no one usually goes for farm dates in Singapore.
3. DIVINE Wine Extraordinaire
(Image credits: DIVINE Official Website)
Located in so-called Singapore’s Gotham City (an art-deco business complex Parkview Square), DIVINE is a lush wine bar featuring bold decorative art designs and textured planes of the Jazz-Age. The highlight of this extravagant wine bar is definitely its spectacular centerpiece – a 12-metre high wine cellar. Holding up to 3,000 bottles, it chills over 200 varieties of the world’s finest wine vintages. The most fascinating part is that, they actually use a wine fairy (yes, it’s a human wine fairy dressed up with fairy wings) who “flies” up to retrieve the bottle of wine you order from the cellar! We guess your partner must have done his or her homework to uncover this beautiful and intriguing bar for you?
4. Cups N Canvas
(Image Credits: CupsNCanvas Instagram Page)
Arteastiq might be a recent hit for couples wanting to paint together, but did you know about the conceptually similar cafe-studio Cups N Canvas? Housed within a characteristic art-decor shophouse with a peculiar personality, Cups N Canvas is a great place to enjoy a sensual painting experience with your significant other while sipping an aromatic cup of coffee. They provide art-jamming sessions on weekdays, and guided art painting sessions with experienced tutors on weekends. Choose from not just acrylic paint, but also watercolour and oil paints. Brownie points for your partner if he or she managed to introduce this place to you!
5. Whale & Cloud
(Image Credits: Whale & Cloud FB Page)
Unlike the usual cafe, Whale & Cloud is only open for a few hours during weekends, caps the maximum number of guests at 12, and does not have an obvious main entrance. Well, we wouldn’t disagree with what their Instagram profile states – “Many will seek and not all shall find” – it does actually require prior research to locate the cafe! If you have been there on a date before, you know the chance did not come by easy. (P/S: Heads up if you want to try going – The last we heard, the secret café has gone on hiatus for a while.)
6. Homerun Baseball
(Image Credits: Homerun Baseball FB Page)
Forget the mainstream sports that the both of you might have tried together before. You must be someone who is spontaneous and game enough for an alternative recreational activity if your date brought you along for some swinging action! As Homerun Baseball provides an automated indoor baseball and softball batting cage location, you can perfect your swings and work on your batting accuracy without sweating under the hot sun. Even if you are not a baseball enthusiast, this is a great place to de-stress, work your arm muscles, and just have fun with your date.
7. Palm Ave Float Club
(Image Credits: Palm Ave Float Club Official Website)
Who says a date necessarily means that both of you have to be together doing something all the time? Here’s something different for the adventurous: Floatation. After engaging in your usual activities, reset your mind and body as you experience floatation in a special tank. With your mind from distraction and body free from gravity, floating benefits you through rapid stress relief, faster recovery of the body, and many other ways. The float rooms are for individuals, but we are pretty certain it is definitely a one-of-a-kind experience that you cannot wait to share with your partner once each of you is done with it!
8. Raffles Lighthouse
(Image Credits: The Straits Times)
Not everyone will think of bringing their other half to visit a lighthouse, and that’s something interesting by itself! Raffles Lighthouse, built in dedication to Sir Stamford Raffles, is located at Singapore’s Southern-most island of Pulau Satumu, which is also known as “One Tree Island”.
If you have ever climbed the 88 spiraling steps to the glass-paneled dome that sits 29 meters off the ground, you were pretty lucky because the lighthouse is usually not open to visitors. It is only accessible to the visitors during certain times of the year, with the most recent public access during Singapore Maritime Week 2015. Besides exploring and learning about the beauty of the towering lighthouse, the island also provides lovely scenery with its clear waters, sea breezes and fresh air. Guess what – there are occasional rare sightings of wild dolphins in the waters near the lighthouse too! If you are keen to go with your date next time, keep a lookout for the next tour provided by Singapore Heritage Fest or MPA.
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Not sure where to go for your date? Join us as a beta-tester for our new and upcoming app – WhereTwo! WhereTwo is all about helping you find the best places in Singapore to go for dates, be it by areas, themes or occasions. On the app, users contribute real reviews from their couple experiences on a dining, activity, or event location. In short, it provides date recommendations by couples, for couples and dating singles.
Interested? Sign up with your email in this link and you will receive a unique download link for exclusive access to our beta version! 🙂
This article is written by Yuting Lai from Between.
Democratic Design Is The Key To Great Furniture
I think I need some new furniture for my home. But here’s the thing: I’m terrible at shopping for furniture. There are just too many things to consider! The basic shape of the furniture, what it’s made of, does it have any extra useful features, does it match the rest of the furniture I already own, etc. etc.
When I think of what goes into good design of furniture, my mind tends to jump to form and function — it should serve its primary purpose, and it should also look good. After all, part of the purpose of furniture is decoration, right?
But this is where some of you might argue, “Hey! There are other things that go into good design too!” “I want my furniture to be affordable!” “Furniture should be durable and long-lasting!” And you’re not wrong. Like I said, there are many things to consider in furniture design.
Essentially, you can boil down what makes up good furniture design to five key features — form, function, sustainability, quality, and low price. IKEA dubs this Democratic Design.
I only learned about democratic design recently and it does a good job of letting me know what to look for when buying furniture. The 5 dimensions of democratic design make up the most important needs that furniture should satisfy:
- Function: This is pretty much step one. You want your furniture to be able to do what it’s supposed to do; a bookshelf should be able to hold books, a lamp should be able to produce light, and so on.
- Form: As mentioned before, furniture is supposed to look good; it’s supposed to embellish your house and make it look more appealing to live in. Have you ever seen a house without furniture? It’s really depressing.
- Sustainability: Ideally, furniture should be durable. I wouldn’t want a furniture shop to bamboozle me and sell me a product that I have to go back and buy every week because it keeps breaking.
- Quality: Sustainability comes with quality. If a piece of furniture is of good quality, in theory it would last longer. Imagine sitting on a chair and having it splinter every time you do, that’s bad quality, you don’t want that.
- Low Price: I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I’m earning a lot. Sure, I might want lavish furniture, but more importantly it should be affordable… Unless you have a friend that keeps gifting you expensive furniture for free. (In that case, hook me up!)
In their decades-long experience in furniture production, democratic design is the philosophy that guides IKEA in everything they do. By creating products that meet all 5 facets of democratic design, IKEA continues to offer a range of products that is hard to dislike, simply because they’re likely to meet all our needs.
The Stories Furniture Tells
Speaking of IKEA, they have a series of videos that showcases some of their products that best encompass democratic design. But the most interesting thing about these videos is that they have a story to tell.
Have you ever wondered where the bamboo that makes up your chair comes from? Or who it was that decided to make the chair out of bamboo to start with? Well, there’s a video for that.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRNeSuPEmyg]Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the design, development and testing of a laundry basket? There’s a video for that too.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gqlzq8wi80]I have a fascination with storytelling and these videos intrigue me because we don’t normally think about the details behind our furniture, and it’s fun to learn about them. It’s also a reminder that stories don’t just come from books or films or video games, they’re all around us.
This article originally appeared on Vulcan Post.
Rare Solar Eclipse – Watch The Sun Almost Disappear From Singapore On March 9th!
Thanks to the selfless and dedicated work of scientists, we know that Mother Nature will threaten to throw all our body clocks into disarray on the 9th of March where Singapore will experience a partial solar eclipse.
For those who don’t know, solar eclipses are rare events that only last for a few minutes where the moon aligns perfectly in a path between the sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on the latter and creating a “ring of fire” effect since the moon is smaller than the sun.
Credit: Reddit
To put into perspective how astronomically unlikely this is for Singaporeans to witness, only a very small portion of the Earth will be eclipsed in darkness since the moon is 400 times smaller than the sun. And that little portion, by sheer chance, happens to fall on the little red dot that we call home.
What we will witness in four weeks on the 9th of March, is only a partial eclipse (90% complete) but still a rare phenomenon by any means. According to Science Centre Singapore, the partial eclipse next month can be seen at around 7.22am to 9.33am, with the highest point of the eclipse somewhere around 8.23am.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgbK2FZFFdw
In other words, if you take the underground train lines to work, it may be worthwhile to switch to a bus route on this very special day in order to have a gander at this rare spectacle since the sky would see a low level of brightness akin to evening light unlike its usual 9am scorch that has some of us walking into office with wet shirts.
The paradox of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity however, is that it is potentially harmful to our vision if we stare at the sun directly.
The following are unsafe methods to view the eclipse:
- Sunglasses (polarised and non-polarised versions)
- Solar film for car and household windows
- Tinted glass
- Photographic negatives
- X-ray film
- CDs/DVDs
- Photographic filters
- Looking at the reflection in a bowl of water or mirror
You can go
5 Romantic Halal Restaurants To Dine At This Valentine’s Day
The team at Discover SG understand that it can be challenging to find a nice restaurant that is halal-friendly for Valentine’s Day. That’s why we have created this comprehensive list of dinner places that not only offer a romantic ambience, but also serve up delicious Halal food!
1. 21 on Rajah
Take your date out for an ‘Arabian Night’ dinner buffet this Valentine’s Day. This dinner feast will comprise of signature dishes such as the Roasted US Prime Ribeye Beef, Sweet Pacific Clams and Tiger Prawns. You can also indulge in heartier dishes such as Braised Lamb Shank with Parsnip and Beetroot. Some of the dishes will be freshly served at the carving station.
On top of the gastronomic delight, couples can round up their Valentine’s Day by penning down their feelings on love notes and taking pictures at a special photo booth.
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/rTICGgrX4Z/?taken-by=21onrajah[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/qRJOUBrX2b/?taken-by=21onrajah[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/qyVxnPrX_o/?taken-by=21onrajah[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/sbgb9qLX-X/?taken-by=21onrajah[/embed]Damage: $39++ per adult (brunch), $43++ per adult (dinner)
21 on Rajah
Zhongshan Park, 1 Jalan Rajah
+65 6808 6847
2. Fika Swedish Café & Bistro
One of the more popular Halal cafés in Singapore, Fika is inspired by northern European décor serving authentic Swedish cuisine. It is owned and operated by Muslims, and is a Halal certified restaurant. Couples can enjoy a special set meal- a delicious smoked salmon salad for starters, juicy tender chicken for the main course, and a sponge cake for dessert. The best part is that this special offer is available for four days, from 11 to 14 Feb.
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BA3tsRmquPX/?taken-by=fikacafesg[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BBCPEHIquBb/?tagged=fikaswedishcafe[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BBElLKBquHr/?tagged=fikacafesg[/embed]Damage: #$69++ for 2 (set course)
Fika Swedish Café & Bistro
257 Beach Road
+65 6396 9096
#01-20 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard
+65 6336 7234
#02-K3 OneKM, 11 Tanjong Katong Road
+65 6702 2456
3. Straits Kitchen
Straits Kitchen is offering a sumptuous buffet spread for couples to indulge in. The spread offers the best of local cuisine in a contemporary setting. The spread will be available for both brunch and dinner on February 14. Best part? Eat all your heart’s out!
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/0ulx2bpmIC/?tagged=straitskitchen[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/_rUUiCx8ww/?tagged=straitskitchen[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/5MZFBZhKRM/?tagged=straitskitchen[/embed]Damage: $52++ per adult (lunch), $62++ per adult (dinner)
Straits Kitchen
Grand Hyatt, 10 Scotts Road
+65 6738 1234
4. J’s Restaurant
J’s Restaurant serves authentic Latin American cuisine- from Fajitas to Burritos, and Quesadillas. Their menu was recently re-designed to incorporate Modern European dishes. The semi-fine dining ambience and the variety of dishes will make a perfect setting for couples this Valentine’s Day.
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/_ogK6eQ51H/?taken-by=jsrestaurant[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/4T9seFOg_n/?tagged=jsrestaurant[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/8230YPw5_x/?tagged=jsrestaurant[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BA4rN7ex80d/?tagged=jsrestaurant[/embed]Damage: à la carte
J’s Restaurant
#01-01 7 Purvis St
+65 6887 4787
5. Sofra Turkish Café and Restaurant
Tucked away in a quiet corner, Sofra (Turkish for dining table) serves authentic Turkish cuisine. This restaurant is a great place if you want a different dining experience. Their Adana kebab (Middle Eastern dish of minced meat) is succulent and juicy. Complete your meal with a cup of Kahva, Turkish coffee served with its grounds.
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/3F1vVDBvtP/?taken-at=703407[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/mQGi2lEERv/?taken-at=703407[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/i0TlsAmL2d/?taken-at=703407[/embed]Price: $30-40 per person
Sofra Turkish Café & Restaurant
#02-42 Shaw Tower
+65 6291 1433
(Featured image credits: Have Halal Will Travel)
This article is written by Roshni Kapur.
Milk and Honey – Affordable Yet Delicious Café Food In Bukit Batok!
Over at Bukit Batok HomeTeam NS, you’ll find Milk & Honey. It is a quaint and little café, not just an ice cream bar. You might walk past and miss delightful café, but pop in and you’ll find that they serve up delectable food at affordable prices!
The Ambience
Pretty walls, lovely furniture, quirky decorations and a well-lit interior. It is apparent that much thought was put into furnishing the café, to provide customers a relaxing and delightful dining experience. This is a wonderful place for a lazy Sunday brunch, or to enjoy desserts and coffee while catching up on some work.
The Food
What’s striking was the amount of detail and effort put into the presentation of the food and drinks served. The chefs deserve high praise for their work.
Egg Florentine, $9.40
Lightly poached egg, sautéed spinach, oven roasted roma tomata with thyme on donut waffle with gratinated hollandaise sauce and arrugula salad
The eggs were poached perfectly. Upon slicing, the yolks burst gloriously, releasing their golden goodness. The rocket salad was tasty and the portions were generous. More hollandaise sauce would be welcome, though!
Eggs Royale, $13.20
Lightly poached eggs, smoked salmon on donut waffle with gratinated hollandaise sauce and garnished with dill herb
The eggs were also poached perfectly. It might take you a while to find the smoked salmon slices, which were discreetly hidden under the eggs.
Coffee/ Tea, top up $2
Top up only $2 to your meal for gourmet coffee with a cookie on the side? Pretty presentation? Yes and yes!
Desserts
This was where the chefs one-upped themselves and created something even more magical! The same donut waffle base was used here, and the desserts were artfully decorated.
Mango Cheese, $6.20
Order this if you’re a sorbet lover, or you’re craving something refreshing and citrusy. A scoop of mango sorbet sat proudly upon the donut waffle, solidified by the strong foundation of mango cubes. Also, the dessert was well protected by a moat of invigorating passion fruit. Instead of the sorbet, eat the donut waffle together with the passion fruit. The burst of flavours in your mouth will instantly rejuvenate you.
Banana Crumble, $5.90
What do you get when you put smoked sea salt caramel gelato, caramelised baby banana with salted egg yolk and baked crumble all on top of a donut waffle? The answer is Banana Crumble! The kaleidoscope of strong, contrasting flavours combined harmoniously created a symphony of joyousness! However, this Banana Crumble can be overwhelmingly rich, so it’s advisable to order this for sharing.
Thoughtful interior decoration, warm and helpful staff, delicious food, the lack of crowds and best of all, affordable prices; you should definitely visit Milk & Honey for a delightful café experience.
Outlet & Opening Hours
HomeTeamNS
2 Bukit Batok West Avenue 7
#01-01/02/03
Singapore 659003
Monday to Thursday & Sunday: 10am to 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 10am to 11pm
(Last order at 930pm)
Crystal Jade – The Place To Get Salted Egg Yolk And Chilli Crab Xiao Long Bao!
The rise of flavoured soup dumplings
Think xiao long bao and Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao comes to mind. More widely known for the unlimited servings of xiao long baos, Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao has recently introduced an updated menu for its 25th anniversary this year.
Steamed Assorted Flavours Xiao Long Bao, $10.80 for 4
What immediately caught our eye was the multi coloured Steamed Assorted Flavours Xiao Long Bao, $10.80. Since we couldn’t decide on the flavour – Salted Egg Yolk, Chilli Crab, Ginseng or Vegetable, the easiest solution was to get them all!
The orange coloured Salted Egg Yolk Xiao Long Bao was flavourful and would delight salted egg lovers. Nonetheless, we felt that a more savoury broth in the Xiao Long Bao would have made the dish complete.
The red coloured Chilli Crab Xiao Long Bao was juicy and succulent, and our tastebuds were jolted wide awake by the intense and overwhelming chilli crab flavour. Sinful as it tasted, we craved for more of this crabby goodness.
Biting into the white coloured Vegetable Xiao Long Bao, we could taste the distinct flavour of leeks (韭菜) calming our taste buds, a welcome contrast to the fiery aggressiveness of chilli crab.
Finally, the curious looking green coloured Ginseng Xiao Long Bao may invoke fears of strong herbal aftertaste. However, we were pleasantly delighted at how the unique combination of ginseng and the savoury broth in the Xiao Long Bao gave rise to a soothing and harmonious gastronomic experience. The balance was just right, neither too mild nor overwhelming. This was definitely our favourite.
Tofu with Century Egg & Pork Floss, $6.80
Having tried this dish at many different restaurants, we assumed it would be another average experience and had no expectations. How wrong we were.
The seasoning was well prepared and the sesame oil provided a deliciously fragrant aroma. Thinly sliced and silky smooth, the tofu melted in our mouths. The addition of pork floss created a unique texture. Finish this dish quick, as the pork floss soaks up the yummy soy sauce, leading to an overwhelming salty taste which overwhelmed our taste buds.
Red Bean Pastries Pancakes, $5.80
For desserts, we ordered the Red Bean Pancake. The generous filling of red bean paste oozed out and we liked how the pancake was not too oily. It was a great end to a meal. We would definitely head back to Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao to try the other items on the new menu!
Promotion
Spend a minimum of $30 on a la carte items, and
Enjoy 50% off Salted Egg Yolk Xiao Long Bao
Only at Vivocity
Until 29 January 2016
Outlets & Opening Hours
Jurong Point JP2 #03-96
1130am to 10pm (Monday to Friday)
11am to 10pm (Saturday, Sunday & PH)
(Reservation for weekdays only, exclude eve of PH & PH)
Blk 470, Toa Payoh Lor 6, #01-70
11am to 10pm (Daily)
(No reservation allowed)
Vivocity, #01-52
1130am to 10pm (Monday to Friday)
11am to 10pm (Saturday, Sunday & PH)
(Reservation for weekdays only, exclude eve of PH & PH)
Bugis Junction, B1-04A
11am to 10pm (Daily)
(No reservation allowed)
Great World City, #02-43
11am to 10pm (Daily)
(No reservation allowed)
Holland Avenue 241
11am to 10pm (Daily)
Ngee Ann City, #04-27
1130am to 1030pm (Monday to Friday)
11am to 1030pm (Saturday)
10am to 1030pm (Sunday & PH)
(Reservation for Monday to Thursday only, excluding eve of PH & PH)
This post is written by Kaylene Tan (@kaylene.tan), Discover SG’s brand ambassador. We are looking for more brand ambassadors to grow our brands with. Email us at [email protected] to be our pioneer batch of Discover SG Brand Ambassadors, just like Kaylene!
Top 5 Most Underrated Places In Singapore To Escape The City Life This Weekend!
The alarm goes off every day at 7. Squeezed into peak hour trains like canned sardines. Tons of paperwork and emails piled up. Before you know it, you’re in bed by 9 after a tiresome day of work.
Rinse. Recycle. Repeat.
Singaporeans, we get it. More often than not, we work too hard for our own good. Sometimes, we just need to escape all the craziness of a bustling metropolitan life. Desperate times call for desperate solitude. Instead of the usual getaway spots, these 5 rather clandestine and less well-known locations each offers a totally new experience that will leave you totally refreshed and relaxed.
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Library@Orchard
Nestled in the heart of Singapore’s lively shopping district, Library@Orchard is perhaps one of the lesser-known libraries due to its rather obscure location. Decked with white sleek shelves, colourful arrays of books, and a rich rustic smell of wooden floors and chairs, it is the ideal location for bookworms and jaded workers. Lose yourself in the realms of literature in this little oasis of peace.
Location: 277 Orchard Road, #03-12 and #04-11, Orchard Gateway, Singapore 238858
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The Projector
Originally an ambitious project on crowdfunding website Indiegogo, The Projector is now a newly established independent cinema that sets out to revive the old-school nostalgic feelings of yesteryear. Showing a selection of arthouse, classic, and cult films, The Projector is a cavernous paradise for cinephiles and of course, a perfect getaway spot to immerse yourself in the crazy world of film (without the explosions).
Location: 6001 Beach Road, #05-00, Golden Mile Tower, Singapore 199589
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Farmart Centre
https://www.instagram.com/p/_1ZA-PPmX7/
https://www.instagram.com/p/9jB1ICODxd/
Truly a brilliant showcase of the best of both worlds, Farmart Centre is tucked in a pastoral and tranquil part of Singapore. During the day, get up-close with adorable farm animals and witness the production of the freshest fruits and vegetables. During the night, take your feet off the gas and tuck into a wide variety of delicious food, and perhaps, have a drink or two. Relive the good vibes of the kampong spirit!
Location: 67 Sungei Tengah Road, Singapore 699008
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HortPark Garden
Although there are arguably better parks in Singapore, this is the perfect place to absorb the quaint surroundings of nature. Aesthetically pleasing, HortPark Garden greets you with a collection of well-manicured gardens and a luscious landscape of greenery. Whether for a picnic or a gentle stroll, this park is a one-stop hub for your recreational escapades. Highlights include the Butterfly Garden and the Flora Walk.
Location: 33 Hyderabad Road, Singapore 119578
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Mr Punch Public House
No list is a complete list if it doesn’t include a place to get your drink on. A retro gastropub that shares the same location as the charming Mint Toy Museum, Mr Punch Public House is a hotspot decorated with vintage architecture and home to a quirky and capricious atmosphere. At reasonable prices, Mr Punch also offers a range of delectable dishes and drinks. This cozy little establishment is the quintessence for a quiet and enjoyable nights out.
Location: 26 Seah Street, Mint Museum, Singapore 188382
What are your underrated places to escape the city life?
This article is written by Moses Xiao.
