Author: Elena Owyong

At The Affogato Bar, It’s Never Too Early To Get Drunk On Coffee And Ice Cream

Singapore has plenty of cafes offering quality cuppas to perk you up.

The same, however, cannot be said about affogato, which is not as commonly served in cafes. So, imagine our delight when The Affogato Bar opened in Singapore!

Tucked away in a little spot in Cluny Court, this coffee and affogato bar is the latest addition to Bukit Timah’s bustling food scene.

Asia’s first affogato bar in Singapore

In its most basic form, affogato is a scoop of ice cream with a shot of hot espresso poured over it. As such, the key to a delicious affogato is good, quality coffee. In this case, The Affogato Bar uses the award-winning Dimattina Coffee that hails from Melbourne.

At the bar, choose from 5 different types of affogatos: Death by Chocolate ($13.90), Pot of Honey ($11.90), Carota Carota ($13.90), Banana Ramble ($12.90), and Classic White ($10.90). Each affogato comes with two shots of espresso for that hit of caffeine!

Our pick goes to Death by Chocolate ($13.90), a rich and decadent dessert that will delight chocoholics. Served in a martini glass, the chocolate sorbet is topped with brownie chunks, chocolate streusel and a thin round of dark chocolate.

For those who prefer something less chocolate-y, try the Banana Ramble ($12.90)! It’s served with banana pecan ice cream, soft banana cake, banana slices, pecans, and is topped off with double shots of Mocharoma.

Affogato aside, you can choose from a selection of savoury items which include bagel sandwiches in flavours such as cream cheese, dill & onion and sun-dried tomato, just to name a few!

As for drinks, the bar also serves up a full-bodied chai latte ($5.50 Hot/ $6.50 Cold) which is worth a try!

Ultimately, while we love the desserts, our only gripe is that the 15-seater is rather small. Be prepared to wait if you are patronising the bar on a weekend!

The Affogato Bar
Address: 01-04B Cluny Court, 501 Bukit Timah Road
Opening Hours: Daily, 8am – 11pm
Contact no.: 9238 9005
Website 

Also read West Your Case, East-siders – You’re Missing Out On These 8 Dessert Spots At Jurong

(Header Image Source: Burpple User Sarah Wong & Xing Wei Chua)

These Yayoi Kusama Inspired Cakes Let You Eat Some Of Her Most Famous Pieces Of Art

Dots, pumpkins and light installations have been dominating our Instagram feeds recently. That’s right, Singaporeans are going crazy for Yayoi Kusama and for good reason – the Japanese artist is one of the most influential in the world, with works that are immediately recognisable.

Can’t get enough of Kusama and her dotty, mind-bending works? The Fullerton Hotel has come up with a Yayoi Kusama-inspired afternoon tea set that will take your love for Kusama to tasty new levels.

Five special creations inspired by Yayoi Kusama’s works

The man behind the delectable three-tier afternoon tea set is Enrico Pezzelato, the hotel’s Executive Pastry Chef.

As a fan of Kusama’s works, Chef Pezzelto wanted to stay true to her works while continuing to push boundaries through his creations as well.

If you have been to the exhibition, you will have noticed that Kusama’s work is vibrant and eye-catching. The desserts created by Chef Pezzelto are no different. Among the five creations, the most colourful (and Insta-worthy!) one is the hazelnut cream on a Breton sable with bright dots. This dessert is a tribute to Kusama’s All My Love for the Tulips, I Pray Forever which sold for a staggering US$5.1 million.

Another highlight is the pretty strawberry shortcake resembling the painting Life is the Heart of a Rainbow. This dessert is topped with whipping cream and sandwiched between cocoa butter, printed with striations.

Served together with these inspired sweets is an array of finger sandwiches, bite-sized pastries, assorted cakes, and freshly baked scones that The Courtyard is known for. Additionally, you will also get to enjoy free-flow TWG tea or a coffee of your choice. To further sweeten the deal, there will be a live harpist on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays so you can have your tea in style!

This afternoon tea set ($43++) is available at The Courtyard from now till 31 July. So, quickly grab the chance to try it out!

The Courtyard
Address: Level 1, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, 1 Fullerton Square
Contact no.: 6877 8911 / 8912
Website

(Header Image Source: Epicure)

Hate That One Tattoo? Laser Off Your Regrets At These 5 Clinics

We all get tattoos done for different reasons. For some of us, it’s a form of artistic expression. For others, it’s a symbol of something important – a person, an event, an idea. Regardless of the reason for the tattoo(s), there may come a point in time when you want to get rid of them.

Currently, the most popular method for tattoo removal is by laser.

How easy or difficult your tattoo is to remove depends on factors such as the size of your tattoo, the type of ink used and the colour of the ink; that then translates into how many sessions it will take to remove your tattoo, and of course, how much it will cost.

Got something etched into your skin that you sorely regret? Here are 5 places you can get your tattoos removed for good.

1. dr. Tan + partners medical centre

At this clinic, the doctors use the Q-switch ND: YAG Laser. This laser penetrates the outer layer of the skin and destroys the tattoo ink permanently. The broken ink pigments are naturally removed from your body over the next few weeks as the tattoo lightens gradually.

If you’re concerned about the pain, put your mind at ease as a numbing cream is applied 20-30 minutes before the session. Aside from that, ice packs are also used.

The doctors caution that the results of this medical procedure varies from person to person, depending on factors such as the age, colour, density, depth, and type of the tattoo inks.

Generally, it takes around 2-10 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart to see optimal results. The clinic charges $45 for first time consultation, and the cost and number of sessions vary, depending on the tattoo.

dr. Tan + partners medical centre
Website: [email protected]
Address & Contact no.:
Scotts Medical Center (Pacific Plaza), 9 Scotts Road #06-06, Singapore 228210
Contact no.: 6694 2348

Robertson Walk, 11 Unity Street #02-07, Singapore 237995
Contact no.: 6238 7810

The Bencoolen, 180 Bencoolen St #02-20, Singapore 189646
Contact no.: 6884 4119

Novena Medical Center, 10 Sinaran Drive #08-31, Singapore 307506
Contact no.: 6397 2095

Orchard Building (H&M), 1 Grange Road #10-08, Singapore 239693
Contact no.: 6262 0762

2. Dr Eileen Tan Skin, Laser & Hair Transplant Clinic

Dr Tan is a dermatologist accredited by the Specialist Accreditation Board. According to her website, she was the first Singaporean to win the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery Preceptorship Award in 2001.

To remove tattoos, Dr Tan uses the Medlite laser which penetrates the skin and is absorbed by the tattoo ink. After which, the body’s natural filtering system removes the ink as the light absorption causes the ink to break down. Dr Tan estimates that on average, 3 – 7 sessions, spaced 6 – 8 weeks apart will be necessary.

The good news is that more than 95% fading of the tattoo can be expected. However, as more than 100 types of tattoo inks are used these days, all of which are unregulated by the US Food & Drug Administration, doctors lack sufficient information to determine the degree of removal for all inks.

Dr Eileen Tan Skin, Laser & Hair Transplant Clinic
Website: Image Credit: National Skin Centre[/caption]

Yes, the National Skin Centre (NSC) does tattoo and eyebrow tattoo removals too.

Like dr Tan + partners, NSC uses the Q-Switched Nd: YAG Laser. According to the NSC website, the pain experienced is mild and akin to snapping the skin with a rubber band. That said, some areas on the body are more sensitive than others.

As a result of the laser surgery, there may be a superficial burn on the skin surface which will take several days to heal. In the process, you may experience swelling, weeping, and crusting of the treated area.

The cost ranges from $250 – $800 per session, depending on the tattoo size, area, depth and colour. Also, this cost excludes consultation, medication and any other miscellaneous charges incurred.

National Skin Centre
Address: 1 Mandalay Road Singapore 308205
Contact no.: 6350 6666
Website: https://www.nsc.com.sg/Pages/index.aspx

4. Freia Medical

Ensure that your doctor is certified competent and knowledgeable to use medical grade lasers. In Singapore, doctors also need the National Environment Agency’s approval in order to buy and operate the lasers. Do We Tried Glamping For The First Time And It Was As Awesome As It Looks

Pancake Burgers Are The Latest Food Mashup In S’pore And We Are All Flippin’ Out

Here in Singapore, we have seen our fair share of food mashups. These include the “cronut”, a croissant and donut hybrid, the sushi burrito (self-explanatory), as well as the pizza waffle, to name a few.

Now, Tiong Bahru Bakery unveils their latest creation–pancake burgers–as part of their new Raffles City outlet dinner menu.

Pancake burgers at Tiong Bahru Bakery Raffles City

The creative folks at Tiong Bahru Bakery have whipped up 3 types of pancake burgers for you to sink your teeth into.

They recommend the PB & B Pancake Burger ($23) which has smoky spiced pork belly sandwiched between a stack of fluffy pancakes. The pancakes have maple syrup drizzled over them, with a generous helping of salted caramel, caramelised bananas, and peanuts to add some crunch.

If you prefer something savoury, The Kim Cheesy Pancake Burger ($23) is the dish for you. It tastes and resembles an okonomiyaki with its bonito flakes and lettuce toppings. The savoury kimchi pancakes in this unique creation are complemented with a tofu patty that is drenched with a sweet bean sauce. Pick this if you want a lighter option to the PB & B Burger.

Another item worth trying is the No Fuss Chicken Fusilli ($19). While this is a relatively common dish in many restaurants, Tiong Bahru Bakery checks all of our boxes with their well seasoned pasta, coupled with tender chicken thigh ragu. This will definitely be included in our list of comfort foods after a tiring day at work.

Located at such a central location and with such well executed dishes, Tiong Bahru Bakery is going to be our go-to option for dinner gatherings!

Tiong Bahru Bakery
Address: #B1-11/12, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103
Dinner timing: Weekdays: 5pm – 9.15pm; Weekends: 9am – 9.15pm
Contact no.: 63334160
Soup Curry Is A Thing, And You Can Now Get A Taste Of This Hokkaido Specialty In S’pore

(Header Image Source: 

Hilton Garden Inn Opens In S’pore So You Can Live Luxe On A Budget During Your Next Staycay

It’s the school holidays and what better way to enjoy it than with a luxe staycation?

Hilton Garden Inn, the award-winning, mid-priced hotel brand has finally opened its doors in Singapore.

Located in the heart of Little India, the hotel’s location is a dream come true for foodies. For cheap and good food, head to the nearby Tekka Market for a hearty meal of Indian food. If you are looking for a place to unwind and people-watch, hop over to Jewel Cafe and Bar for brunch. At night, you can even do some shopping at the nearby 24-hour Mustafa centre or have tipple in Clarke Quay.

Features and amenities at Hilton Garden Inn

If you are feeling peckish, visit the Pavilion Pantry which stocks a selection of fresh and healthy snacks, cold beverages and ready-to-cook meals to keep your hunger at bay. Alternatively, dine at The Garden Grille restaurant which offers local and international favourites from the à la carte menu.

Popular Omotesando Koffee Is Coming To S’pore So We Can Get Caffeinated In Style

Yes, you heard us right!

The famous Omotesando Koffee which draws crowds in Hong Kong and Tokyo is finally coming to our sunny little island.

Come June, the cafe will be at level 4 of new mall, Downtown Gallery, in Shenton Way. The cafe is located within The Work Project, a large co-working space located within the mall.

Decor-wise, Omotesando Koffee is known for its minimalist design. Both the Tokyo and Hong Kong outposts have similar decor, so we can probably expect something similar in Singapore.

If you are wondering if the quality of the coffee is going to be as good as its other branches, fret not! The baristas here will be trained by the baristas from Omotesando Japan and Hong Kong for three to six months.

Also, the coffee beans used here in Singapore will be roasted in Kyoto by Ogawa Coffee Roasters, just like the outlet in Japan. Coffee afficionados will also be able to sip the signature Omotesando Koffee blend by Eiichi Kunitomo.

The owners have promised that the Singapore outlet will have similar menu items to its Hong Kong and Tokyo branches. On top of that, there will also be items exclusive to the Singapore outlet. The menu is still a work-in-progress, so stay tuned for more updates!

(Top Image Credit: eatandtreats)

Also read 5 Harsh Realities Of Working In S’pore You Won’t Want To Hear But Should

7 Unique Durian Desserts You Must Try If You Consider Yourself A True Durian Connoisseur

Durian – you either love it or hate it, there is no in between.

Those of us who worship the King of Fruit will hunt to the ends of the Earth (or the ends of Singapore) for the best durian, and as long as there’s durian involved in some way, shape or form, we NEED to try it.

Being huge fans of the thorny, creamy fruit, we went on a mission to find some of the most intriguing durian flavoured desserts you can find in Singapore. Here’s what we found–you won’t be disappointed!

1. Durian Chee Cheong Fun

Chee Cheong Fun is a common dish in dim sum restaurants. Most of the time, these silky rice noodle rolls are stuffed with prawns or char siew.

The House of Rice Roll & Porridge has given the Cantonese classic a durian flavoured twist! Cheong fun served cold with durian filling! Filled with sweet, fleshy durian paste and sprinkled with sugared peanuts, it makes a delightful dessert to cap off your meal!

House of Rice Roll & Porridge
Address: 89 Killiney Rd, Singapore 239529
Opening Hours: 10.30am – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 7am – 10pm (Sat – Sun)
Contact no.: 6736 1355

2. Crispy King Of Durian Ice-Cream

Thank goodness for the creative chefs at Restaurant Majestic for bringing us another tantalising durian flavoured treat!

The crispy durian ice-cream dessert is a signature item on Restaurant Majestic’s menu and has received many rave reviews.

Encased in a thin, crispy batter is a cube of Mao Shan Wang durian ice-cream that sits in a generous helping of mango sauce. The three items–the crispy crust, durian ice-cream and mango sauce–complement each other perfectly. Definitely a must-try for true durian lovers!

Restaurant Majestic
Address: 31 – 37 Bukit Pasoh Rd, Singapore 089845
Opening Hours: 11.45am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm (Tues-Sun)
Contact no.: 6511 4718
Image Credit: Burpple[/caption]

Ji Xiang Confectionery has been selling ang ku kuehs since 1988. Their ang ku kuehs come in a variety of flavours ranging from yam, peanut and coconut to durian!

The best thing is all their kuehs cost less than $2! The durian flavoured ang ku kueh is priced at an affordable $1.30, while other flavours cost 80 cents a piece, with the exception of yam, which costs 90 cents.

If you’re ever in the Everton area, do pop in and give this unique kueh a try!

Ji Xiang Confectionery
Address:  Blk 1 #01-33 Everton Park, Singapore 081001
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm (Mon – Sat)
Contact no.: +65 6223 1631
Image Credit: Image Credit: 6. Durian Pengat Cake

[caption id="attachment_25230" align="alignnone" width="2000"] Image Credit: 7. Durian Puff And Durian Mousse Cake

[caption id="attachment_25238" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image Credit: Image Credit: Durian Fiesta, and this year is no exception. From 10 March to 31 July 2017, look forward to 14 durian confections which include D24 crepes, durian puffs, durian mousse cakes as well as new items such as D24 fried sesame balls and the D24 ‘Starry Starry Night’ Ice Cream Cake!

Goodwood Park Hotel
Address: The Deli, 22 Scotts Road Singapore 228221
Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm (Daily)
Tel: 6730 1786
For 2 Days Only, Chinatown Will Become The Ultimate Escape Room – Here’s What You Can Expect

These OG Bakeries Have Your Grandma’s Seal Of Approval And Are Still Standing Strong

Old school bakeries may not have Insta-worthy interiors or a cushy, air-conditioned environment. However, they retain the irresistible charm of a bygone era, filled with the aromas of freshly made bread and pastries. In addition, these bakeries bring back our happy and carefree childhood memories.

Unfortunately, these bakeries are fast becoming a thing of the past as owners without successors are forced to shutter their stores.

At DiscoverSG, we embarked on a mission to hunt down these wonderful bakeries so you can taste their delicious confections without breaking the bank.

1. Balmoral Bakery

When you have a bakery as old as Singapore, you know you are in for some tasty confection.

Balmoral Bakery was started by Hainanese “Ah Kohs” (translates into “big brothers”) in 1965 to complement Holland Village’s Balmoral Steak House. Since then, Balmoral Bakery has continued its tradition of making bread by hand.

With an amazing array of over 40 types of breads and cakes, Balmoral Bakery will capture the hearts of even the pickiest pastry lovers.

Some of the signature items at Balmoral Bakery include chicken pies, curry puffs and samosas.

Also, don’t leave without a slice of their moist and fluffy old school cakes. Most of Balmoral Bakery’s cakes and breads are priced between $0.80-$1.50, so you’re in for a treat!

Balmoral Bakery
Address: Blk 105 Clementi St 12 (Sunset Way), #01-08
Opening Hours: 8.30am – 8.00pm daily
Contact no.: 6779 2064

2. Chin Mee Chin Confectionery

Founded in 1964, Gin Thye Cake Maker is a Teochew bakery that offers a variety of traditional goodies and confections. It is also known to sell reasonably priced Guo Da Li pastries–betrothal gifts that the groom presents to the bride’s parents to acknowledge their efforts in raising the bride.

Their wedding cakes range from $9 for a heart shaped marble cake, walnut cake and butter cake to $12 for a sponge cake.

For those with a taste for traditional old school pastries, Gin Thye sells Wu Se Tang (伍色糖), Lao Ma Gao (老妈糕), Lao Gong Bing(老公饼 ), Da Lao Bing(大烙饼) and traditional Cantonese biscuit, Si Se Bing (四色饼).

If you buy many Guo Da Li items from the shop, the owner will also lend you their traditional Chinese wedding basket for free for your Guo Da Li ceremony!

Gin Thye Cake Maker
Address: 423 Sembawang road Singapore 758392
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 8.00am – 8.00pm
Sun & Public Holidays: 8.00am – 5.00pm
Contact no.: 6257 1566

Address: 632 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 #01-964 Singapore 560632
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 24 hours
Sun & Public Holidays: 24 hours
Contact no.: 6458 0206

Address: Block 152 Bukit Batok Street 11 #01-264 Singapore 650152
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 24 hours, Sun & Public Holidays: 24 hours
Contact no.: 6899 6929

Address: Blk 513 Bishan Street 13 #01-504
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 6:00am – 10.30pm , Sun & Public Holidays: 6:00am – 10.30pm
Contact no.: 6255 6362

Image Credit: Image Credit: Image Credit: Website

6. Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry (Galicier Confectionery)

Apart from kueh bangkit, Tiong Bahru Galicier’s kueh dadar (sweet nonya pancake roll) seen above is another note-worthy pastry. The exterior of the kueh dadar is oh-so-soft and it is layered with grated white coconut filling for an added crunch.

Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry Bakery
Address: Blk 55 Tiong Bahru Road #01-39 Singapore 160055
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun 10.00am – 9.00pm
Contact no.: 6324 1686

7. Tong Heng

Westies rejoice! We have found a gem of an old school bakery in the form of Tong Heng in Jurong Point. This shop was set up in the 1930s (gasp!) and boasts egg tarts to die for.

Unlike the conventional round egg tarts, Tong Heng’s legendary egg tarts are shaped like a diamond with a flaky crust. We like the velvety smooth custard filling that is not overly sweet.

[caption id="attachment_24159" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Image Credit: Old is Gold: 5 Places To Buy Unforgettable Old School Singaporean Snacks

Oo La Lab Lets You Create Your Own Signature Scent So No One Else Will Smell Like You

Christian Dior once said “A woman’s perfume tells more about her than her handwriting.”

Indeed, a fragrance can tell you a lot about a person–and even their mood!

There is a plethora of brands out there offering fragrances but the downside is there’s always the chance you may end up wearing the same scent as someone else–especially if you wear a classic fragrance like Chanel No. 5.

This is where Oo La Lab comes in. Established in 2016, this fragrance lab allows you to customise your fragrance with the finest raw ingredients. Choose from popular formulas or work with a mixologist on-site to create your own signature scent.

You can even try customising one for your friends and loved ones! With its chic black and white packaging, we think it will make the perfect gift!

Oo La La: Creating your scent at Oo La Lab

The word “oo la” stands for emotion in Oo La Lab’s Fragrance Table.

Each fragrance from the lab corresponds to an element on the table. Organised by top notes (first two rows), middle notes (third row) and base notes (bottom row), clients get to visualise how different scent families and ingredients can complement each other.

Aside from using the best ingredients, Oo La Lab also prides itself in hand-pouring their fragrances and working in small batches. Staff at the Lab also prepare the fragrances on-site and in front of customers so you can watch the making of your own fragrance.

Prices for a custom-made fragrance starts from SGD$48.

For those of you who would prefer to pick Oo La Lab’s existing fragrances, you will be pleased to know that Oo La Lab has a wide range of Eau De Parfums, crafted perfumes as well as limited edition fragrances such as the (Top Image Credit: