Category: Editor’s Pick

F45 Training In Singapore: The Most Intense 45 Minutes Of My Life

Somewhere between HIIT and Crossfit lies F45, a 45-minute-long functional training programme that has recently hit our shores early this year. The F45 fitness franchise was first developed in Australia, and has since taken the rest of the world by storm with its fast-paced full-body workout.

F45 – 45-minute-long functional training programme

If you ask me, I’d describe it as HIIT with a little more equipment than you bargained for – expect to get up close at personal with TRX straps, free weights, bosu balls, kettlebells, spin bikes, pull-up bars, rowing machines, prowlers, sledge hammers and sandbags. You could also say that it’s a less intimidating version of Crossfit. The focal point is not to attain a personal record in an overhead squat but to complete as many reps as possible in each station.

Themed exercises

Each day is dedicated to a different workout so if you’re a regular, you can be sure that you’ll be working a different muscle every day of the week. The workouts are themed and playfully named – Brooklyn (MMA- and boxing-based), Romans (resistance-based), Quarterbacks (agility- and pylometrics-based). Saturday’s Hollywood class ends off the week with a bang; combining resistance and cardio exercises across a whopping 27-stations in a mere 45-minutes.

Workouts

These themed exercises are different each week, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised as soon as you step foot into class. At each station, each set of workout ranges from 35- to 55-seconds, with a 10- to 20-seconds rest between sets or stations.

The timings and workout videos will be flashed on a screen at the front of the room for instructional purposes. The trainer, Cat, walks around the room to correct our forms while spurring us on.

My experience

My first class was Quarterbacks. There were three pods and three stations in each pod – that’s nine different stations altogether. Sounds like a manageable handful? Think again. Each station within each pod has to be completed twice (35-seconds workout, 10-seconds rest), and once all nine stations have been completed as a team, we had to repeat everything for one last round.

The workouts for that day included chest press, pull ups, push ups, weighed lunges, kettlebell lifts and prowler pushes – just to name a few.

I started to grow pale as soon as I hit my second round. I felt like I was on the verge of throwing up my non-existent breakfast (maybe I should have had a bite before leaving the house). But I soldiered on. I tried to shift my focus to the specially curated, upbeat F45 playlist in an attempt to drown out the agony I was in.

Before I knew it, the 45mins was over. Even though I found myself hobbling up the stairs as soon as my muscle soreness kicked in, it was totally worth it because I knew that I had emerged stronger.

F45 trainings have proven to be a test of endurance, cardio capacity and strength all at once, so expect to feel aches in parts of your body that you’ve never known could ache. If you’re up for the challenge, F45 offers a two-week trial for you to have a taste of painful pleasure before you commit yourself to become a regular.

Tips!

Tip #1: To avoid disappointment, make a booking online or on the F45 app prior to coming to class. Classes can get pretty full – even the 6.15am ones!

Tip#2: Hop over to Do.Main Bakery (266 Tanjong Katong Road) after class for kickass pastries. It’s only a stone’s throw away!

F45 Training

This article is brought to you by Discover SG x Collette Miles

Also, read 5 Friendly Boutique Gyms To Kickstart Your Keep Fit & Exercise Resolution!

Clearing All Your Doubts – How Exactly Does The Michelin Guide Work?

Singapore is known to be a food paradise and after soooo many years, we finally have our very own Michelin Guide Singapore!!

We’re pretty sure you’ve heard a thing or two about the Michelin Guide but what exactly is it? Why is a tyre maker involved in the dining scene?

What Is the Michelin Guide?

Michelin-Starred Chef or Michelin-Starred Restaurant?

It’s true that there are many Michelin-starred French restaurants but do you know that Tokyo has a mind blowing number of 226 Michelin-starred restaurants? Paris has a mere 94 (as of 2015). While about 50 of the 226 restaurants in Japan are French restaurants, most starred restaurants serve traditional Japanese cuisine (Kaiseki, sushi, ramen, and even poisonous blowfish).

The Michelin Guide panel of inspectors who are in charge of rating hotels and restaurants in over 24 countries live in different continents of the world. They have an open mind towards the cuisines of very culture.

Michelin Guide Inspectors Are Not Always Anonymous?

[caption id="attachment_11586" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image source: Michelin Guide Singapore and order a physical copy at $39.95 now!

Header image: The Full List Of Michelin Guide Singapore 2016 – How Many Have You Tried?

The Full List Of Michelin Guide Singapore 2016 – How Many Have You Tried?

The wait is finally over! We now have our very own Michelin Guide Singapore! And the best part of all, we’re the first Southeast Asian country, and only the fourth Asian nation after Japan, Hong Kong and Macau, to be rated by the Michelin Guide.

Michelin Star classification

The Guide conveys its review through brief summaries and with every prestigious ‘star’. Restaurants may receive zero to 3 stars for the quality of their food. The Star classification:

Without further ado, here are the starred dining establishments that made it to the 2016 Guide!

1 Starred Dining Establishment

1. Amla by Juan Amador – Goodwood Park Hotel

2. Bacchanalia – HongKong Street
3. Beni – Mandarin Gallery
4. Candlenut -New Bridge Road
5. Corner House – Botanic Gardens

10. Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle – Chinatown Food Complex
11. Jaan, Swissotel – The Stamford
12. Lei Garden – Chijmes

5. Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro – Mandarin Orchard Singapore

Chop Chop Kali Pok – Explore Melaka In Just 14 Hours!

A month ago, I visited Melaka for the first time. At least it is the first time that I could recall (my mother tells me we visited Melaka more than a decade ago, but I have no recollection). Melaka, also known as Malacca, is a state in Malaysia most well known for its historic past and amazing food choices. Just four hours from Singapore by bus, it is an ideal place to check out for a day trip or weekend jaunt.

If, like me, you have heard a lot about Melaka but have never been to the historic state, don’t fret. There are so many things to do in this UNESCO World Heritage City, but we’re telling you that you’ll be able to accomplish a lot even in just 14 hours.

Don’t believe us? Read on to find out what you should try:

Melaka in 14 hours – 8 AM: Breakfast

Whether you’re in the mood for a fruit platter or a plate of warm, yummy chicken rice balls, Melaka’s got you covered for the best local breakfast dishes you can try.

For breakfast, we avoided the “famous” restaurants with a queue and popped by one of its quieter competitors across the road. It was a risk, but to be fair, most restaurants in the Jonker Street district are pretty decent, so you won’t go wrong with a few dishes of chicken and rice. Plus, by doing that, you effectively gain another 20 to 30 minutes in your itinerary. Yay to trying more food and exploring even more!

If you’re up for dessert, try Christina Ee’s Nyonya Cendol. While it may come in a small bowl, it is deceptively filling. It’s affordable at RM 3.80 per bowl and it hits the spot every time. Furthermore, with the shop hidden away in an alley on Jonker Street, you’ll definitely get a seat and good service.

However, if you want something healthier, try Melaka’s Tropical Fruit Farm for a morning of fruit plucking and eating. Only 20 minutes from Melaka Town via car, you will be able to enjoy fruits like durian, rambutan and others. What’s more, the entrance fee is extremely affordable at only RM 4 for adults and RM 2 for children!

Christina Ee Pineapple Tarts & Cendol
Address: 75200, 8, Jalan Hang Lekir, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: +60 6-281 2023
Opening Hours: 10.30 AM – 7 PM except Thursdays

Melaka Tropical Fruit Farm
Address: Sungai Udang, Malacca, Malaysia
Tel: +60 6-351 0130
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily except Saturdays

Also, read Comfort Food Always Wins! 7 Local Desserts That Steal Our Hearts

Melaka in 14 hours – 10 AM: Sightseeing

By 10 AM, you must be ready to hit the attractions. Having secured its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008, Melaka has quite the heritage to boot. If you’re a history buff, you’ll find yourself enamored with old churches, and what is left of forts, museums and palaces.

A Famosa Fort

The image below is a photograph of the A Famosa Fort gate, which was built by the Portuguese after conquering Melaka.

Nonya and Baba museums

Plus, don’t miss out on the Nonya and Baba museums that will give you a better insight to Melaka in the late 1500s when the Chinese had migrated to the Malaysian city to trade and do business. Many interracial marriages, between the Chinese and local Malays, were formed in that period and resulted in what is now called ‘Peranakan’ culture. For the Baba Nonya Heritage Museum on Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, there is an entrance fee of RM 16.

A Famosa Fort
Address: Jalan Parameswara, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: +60 6-552 0888

Baba Nonya Heritage Museum
Address: 48-50, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: +60 6-283 1273
Opening Hours: 10 AM – 12.15 PM, 2 PM – 4 PM daily

Melaka in 14 hours – 12 PM: Lunch

It’s noontime! Are you hungry again? If your feet hurt, try sitting down at a restaurant like Nancy’s Kitchen. It boasts scrumptious Peranakan dishes. The owner and chef — Nancy, obviously, is a Peranakan lady who was born and raised in a small town called Batu Berendam in Melaka.

Growing up, she watched and helped her mother in the kitchen, and learnt to cook at a tender age. The restaurant is pretty popular with travellers, and everything is fresh, so Image Credit: @marygem / Instagram[/caption]

And if you are not a fan of sitting down, or prefer standing while you finish your lunch, try Jonker 88. If you’re lucky, you might just get a seat but going to an extremely popular restaurant might just mean you won’t be resting your legs any time soon. Our favourite is probably the Assam Laksa, which is just the right amount of spicy.

Nancy’s Kitchen
Address: 13, 13-1, 13-2, Jalan KL 3/8, Taman Kota Laksamana, Seksyen 3, 75200, Melaka, Malaysia.
Tel: +606-2836099 / +6013-6183608
Opening Hours: 11 AM – 5 PM Sundays to Thursdays, 11 AM – 9 PM Fridays and Saturdays, 11 AM – 9 PM Public Holidays, Closed on Tuesdays.

Jonker88
Address: 88, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: +60 19-397 5665
Opening Hours: 9.30 AM – 5.30 PM Sundays to Thursdays, 9.30 AM – 8.30 PM Fridays to Saturdays

Also, read 8 Best Laksa In Singapore For Thick, Flavourful & Spicy Broth

Melaka in 14 hours – 2 PM: More sightseeing!

Check out a few more attractions like the Royal Malaysian Navy Museum, Christ Church Melaka or even the official Mamee Jonker House, a great place to relive your childhood days.

The Royal Malaysian Navy Museum is an indoor-and-outdoor facility that offers you an insight into the role of the Royal Malaysian Navy since it was established. You will be able to see actual uniforms worn by the navy officers, medals awarded, and the sort of communication devices used back in the day. If you’re feeling tactile, leave the indoor premises of the museum to visit the Sri Terengganu Warship, which looks like quite a wonder. Pity you won’t be able to sail it any time soon!

Originally painted in white, Christ Church Melaka is an Anglican church built in the 18th century. Today, it is still functioning as a church, and conducts three services within its premises every Sunday. Regardless of religion, many travellers are interested in the church for its Dutch Colonial architectural flair and its role in Melaka’s Dutch era.

Founded in Melaka, snack brand Mamee can be seen everywhere, especially in the city centre, plastered on walls and advertising billboards. So, while you’re in town, why not check out the Mamee Jonker House? See how the company makes its famous noodle snack and get a few souvenirs for friends back home who grew up eating this fantastic crunchy delight.

Royal Malaysian Navy Museum
Address: Muzium Tldm, Jalan Merdeka, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: +60 6-283 0926
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 5.30 PM daily except 12.15 PM – 2.45 PM on Fridays

Christ Church Melaka
Address: Gereja Christ, Jalan Gereja, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: +60 17-824 6391

Mamee Jonker House
Address: 46 & 48,, Jalan Hang Tuah 2 & Jalan Hang Tuah, Taman Bukit Terendak, 76300 Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: +60 6-286 7666
Opening Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM Mondays to Fridays (closed on Tuesdays), 10 AM – 7 PM Saturdays to Sundays

Melaka in 14 hours – 4 PM: Chill out

Take a break from visiting attractions and learning more about the historic nature of Melaka by sipping some coffee at a cafe. Melaka has many amazing cafes that you can sit back, relax and chill at. We have selected three for you to visit!

Backlane Coffee Shop is exactly what it sounds like – a cafe tucked away in the back alley of a street. Take a breather with a beverage and some refreshments. With glass windows that almost go from wall to floor, and high ceilings, the bistro is a breath of fresh air. It has quite a range of desserts and drinks to choose from. Plus, borrow one of their many board games to kill some time.

Calanthe Art Cafe and Restaurant is another brilliant choice if you’re looking to escape from Singapore’s hustle and bustle with some artsy respite. Plus, it boasts coffee offerings from all 13 states in Malaysia, making your coffee adventure a little more exciting than usual.

Truly Two Cafe is the sort of place you’ll want to visit if you have a particularly sweet tooth. Indulge in slightly over-the-top milkshakes and other desserts at this cafe — no regrets needed!

Backlane Coffee Shop
Address: 129, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: +60 6-282 0542
Opening Hours: 11 AM – 11.30 PM Sundays to Thursdays, 11 AM – 12 AM Fridays to Saturdays

Calanthe Art Cafe and Restaurant
Address: Jalan Hang Kasturi, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: +60 6-292 2960
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 11 PM Sundays to Wednesdays, closed on Thursdays, 9 AM – 12 AM Fridays to Saturdays

Truly Two Cafe
Address: No. 9, Jalan PNBB 2, Pusat Niaga Seksyen IV, Mukim Bukit Baru, Melaka, 75150 Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: +60 6-284 3488
Opening Hours: 12 PM – 9.30 PM daily except Thursdays

Melaka in 14 hours – 6 PM: Jonker Street

In the day, Jonker Street may look just like any other street in Melaka, but do not be fooled. At night, the street comes alive with hawkers selling all sorts of things, from malt candy to watermelons to radish cake to little knick knacks.

Go slightly earlier and take your time while walking down this street because chances are, if you see something you like, it’ll be pretty difficult to go back to that specific stall later on.

Melaka in 14 hours – 8 PM: River Cruise

For only RM 15 per adult, you will be able to enjoy an unmissable opportunity. Learn more about Melaka and enjoy scenic river view at night for 45 minutes on its signature River Cruise. It’s best to go on this cruise at night since it’ll be a lot breezier and well, your legs are probably tired from all that walking.

The ticket also comes with a complimentary gift pack, which includes a beverage and some snacks, in case you get hungry on the cruise! We would recommend buying your tickets about 30 minutes earlier.

Of course, there is a lot more to Melaka than a 14-hour itinerary, but if this is your maiden expedition to a food paradise/ historically alive state/ wonderful land of fresh air and places to chill, check out these suggestions!

As for us, we’ll just count down to the days we have till we visit Melaka again. To the most scrumptious Peranakan dishes, the graffiti on the walls, the beautiful cafes and river view…

(Header image credit: Hung Nguyen Leong/Shutterstock, words by editor)

Also, read True Thoughts – Singapore From The Eyes Of A Tourist

Laksa Cocktail? 8 Whacky Singaporean Cocktails You Need To Try!

Let’s be honest, for people who aren’t exactly the fiercest of patriots, we are surprisingly crazy for any food/beverage that has local twists to them. With Salted Egg Yolk hogging the spotlight for the past couple of weeks, we’d like to take the chance to introduce the cocktail equivalent of the McDonald’s Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Burger.

Kidding. Had you for a second there, didn’t we?

Seriously, though, you never know if a Salted Egg Yolk cocktail is coming our way. In the meantime, we did some prowling in our bar scene. Guess what? We came across several locally inspired drinks, Singaporean cocktails specifically, whose weirdness rivals that of the imaginary Salted Egg Yolk’s.

Unusual yet delicious, we present you seven whacky and uniquely Singaporean cocktails you need to try.

1. Stylo Milo

Straight from the Kopitiam is Stylo Milo, Ding Dong’s playful take on our favourite childhood drink. More than just freshly brewed Milo and condensed milk, Stylo Milo also features a dash of Hakushu Distillers Reserve’s whisky and green chartreuse. This guys, is how you drink Milo peng in style.

Ding Dong
Address: 115 Amoy Street #01-02, S069935
Contact: 6557 0189
Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 12am; Sat, 6pm – 12am

2. Kaya Toast Cocktail

Need some toast to go with your Milo? Fret not, 3. Mr. Bean [caption id="attachment_11171" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Source: Saveur[/caption]

A modern take on tao huey, this beancurd cocktail is a signature drink from Jekyll & Hyde that consists of butterscotch liqeuer, kaya, frangelico, vodka and of course, beancurd. Yes, there is actual tao huey in it. Not just some chapalang beancurd, but the renowned Lao Ban beancurd is what is used for this concoction. This is a creamy, sweet and hazelnutty drink that we think is great on its own.

Jekyll & Hyde
Address: 49 Tras Street S078988
Contact: 6222 3349

4. Prawn Noodle Cocktail

[caption id="attachment_11172" align="alignnone" width="960"] Source: KUVO Singapore[/caption]

It’s not enough that Kuvo serves its own rendition of the traditional Prawn Noodle Soup. It serves also the Prawn Noodle Cocktail! Comprising of the ingredients you’ll find in your everyday Prawn Noodle Soup, be warned that this unorthodox concoction may be a little too exotic for some.

Kuvo
Address: 321 Orchard Road, #02-01 S238866
Contact: 6733 8272
Opening hours: Mon to Thu, 12pm – 1am; Fri & Sat, 12pm – 2am; Sun 12pm – 1am

5. Laksa Cocktail

[caption id="attachment_11541" align="alignnone" width="421"] Source: Burpple[/caption]

A frothy beverage made of laksa leaves, coriander, ginger, chilli, lime juice, egg white and rum, the Laksa Cocktail by Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall is a cocktail with a kick. Slightly creamy, this distinctly aromatic blend is a pretty good Singaporean cocktail rendition of the traditional laksa. On a side note, how old school is the name Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall?

Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall
Address: 60A Boat Quay, S049848
Contact: 6535 0838
Opening hours: Mon to Thu, 6pm – 12am; Fri & Sat, 6pm – 3am

6. Chicken Rice Cocktail

[caption id="attachment_11174" align="alignnone" width="788"] Source: Gourmetadventures[/caption]

Served in a traditional teacup of sorts, the Chicken Rice Cocktail from 7. Nonya Crack [caption id="attachment_11175" align="alignnone" width="700"] Source: Chope[/caption]

A concoction similar to Baileys, Singaporean cocktail of batida de coco, pandan, milk, pink salt and rum. This is another Singaporean cocktail we’d recommend as a dessert cocktail.

6327 4820
Opening hours: Daily, 4pm – 1am

8. Liang Teh

[caption id="attachment_11176" align="alignnone" width="382"] Source: The Straits Times[/caption]

Feeling a little heaty from the laksa and chicken rice? Maison Ikkoku presents to you the Liang Teh. A mixture of chrysanthemum, luo han guo, xia gu chao, red dates, ginseng and white spirits, traditional herbal tea has just gotten better. If only our ah ma had thought of this.

Maison Ikkoku
Address: 20 Kandahar Street, S198885
Contact: 6294 0078
Opening hours: Sun to Thu, 6pm – 1am; Fri & Sat, 6pm – 2am

With these eight cocktails, there really is no better time to let your Singaporean-ness shine. So unleash your inner alcoholic patriot and get started on these whacky Singaporean cocktails!

(Header image by Weekender, words by editor)

Also, read Verdict Is Out! Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore For Best Food Under $45