Category: Singapore Food Haven

21Moonstone Lets You Revisit Your Youth With Arcade Games, Cheap Booze, And Old School Snacks

Singapore has seen its fair share of bars situated in odd locations, from Smoke & Mirrors, the rooftop bar at the National Gallery Singapore, to The Library, which is hidden behind a bookcase.

Enter 21Moonstone, a bar located on the 9th floor of an old office building.

Situated on the 9th floor of Poh Leng Building at 21 Moonstone Lane (hence the name), this space is a creative co-working studio by day and a beer house by night – at least on Fridays and Saturdays.

A drastic change of pace from the trendy bars and swanky watering holes of Singapore, this bar is laidback and arty.

Think: exposed ceilings, mismatched lights, furniture, floorboards, art scattered around the space, and a giant traditional Chinese signboard!

Did you know most of the resources here are crowdsourced or donated by users of the space?

If you need some air, there is also outdoor seating (and standing) for you and your friends to make yourselves at home.

Great Minds Think Alike

21Moonstone was the brainchild of 4 friends who realised that they needed a communal space not just to work at but to hang out at.

Founded by Yang Er Tan, Jeremy Lim, Vincent Ho, and Narelle Kheng (of The Sam Willows!), each of them brings their own experience and knowledge to the table.

Welcoming freelancers, artists, photographers, and other creative minds, their intention is to establish a safe space for exchanging and generating new ideas.

Where Artistry Meets Celebrity

Considering that one of 21Moonstone’s founders is a celebrity in her own right, the place is no stranger to celebrities.

Drop by for some good, cheap alcohol, and who knows? You may even bump into some familiar faces!

21Moonstone is all about creating a casual setting for big groups of friends to chill and unwind. There’s even an old school arcade machine and card games you and your party can help yourselves to!

21Moonstone’s menu is straightforward, with a trim list of beers, ciders and a secret food menu.

You can’t go wrong with a bottle of Asahi ($8 per bottle) beer. If you’re looking for a change, we hear the Westmalle Trappist Dubbel ($12 per bottle) is founder Jeremy Lim’s personal favourite.

If you get the munchies, the bar offers old school snacks such as Muruku Ikan and Super Ring. Comfort foods such as nachos, seaweed chicken and luncheon meat are also available!

Because most of the food served here are simple finger foods, we recommend you come after dinner. Otherwise, there’s a good Fishhead Steamboat/Tze Char place downstairs called Tian Wai Tian where you can fill your stomachs before you go to 21Moonstone.

A low-key bar that’s big on good vibes, end your week on a good note at 21Moonstone!

21Moonstone
Address: 21 Moonstone Lane, Poh Leng Building, #09-01, Singapore 328426
Opening Hours: Fri – Sat: 8pm – 12am
Contact no.: 9187 0898
Website

Also read Laneway Festival Singapore 2018 Reveals Lineup Including The War On Drugs, Wolf Alice, And More

(Header Image Source: @jemplify)

10 Halloween Events And Eats That Are Creeping Into Your Calendar This October

If you’ve been counting down the days to Halloween like we have, the wait will soon be over!

It’s that time of the year where we dress up in costume, scare ourselves silly, and hopefully score ourselves some candy. What’s not to love?

This month, we’ve rounded up a list of Halloween parties you can attend, and some Halloween-themed food you can look forward to chowing down on!

Brace yourselves, you won’t see these scares coming.

Play & Discover

1. Halloween Horror Nights 7

First on the list is a Halloween house that requires no introduction.

Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights is back for its seventh edition, and this year’s scare-fest is themed after the seven dead-lier sins: cruelty, deception, malice, manipulation, narcissism, perversion and obsession.

Come face to face with your worst nightmares when you enter the 5 haunted houses, which include a mall filled with ghosts (‘Death Mall’), an eerie hut haunted by the Midnight Man (‘Hex’), and see what evils lurk within the minds of the malevolent (‘Inside The Mind’).

Wander through 2 scare zones, one of which is a sanctuary for the 7 sins (‘Pilgrimage of Sin’), and another of which is a macabre twist on your favourite holidays (‘Happy Horror Days‘).

Another highlight at Halloween Horror Nights this year is also a HHN first – Zombie laser tag. For the first time in Halloween Horror Nights history, you get the chance to defend yourself against the horrors you will meet. So grab your weapon; you’ll need it to fend off the rabid flesh-eating zombies.

Tickets are available for purchase here.

Halloween Horror Nights 7
Where: Universal Studios Singapore
When: 29 Sep – 29 Oct
Admission: $61
Image Credit: *SCAPE[/caption]

Abused and murdered by her mother, her restless spirit has returned to haunt her mother’s new family. Possessing her mother, she kills off every single member of the family before forcing her mother to hang herself.

Pay a visit to the grave-filled backyard, step into the master bedroom, and brace yourself for what you may find in the attic and the children’s room! A house full of horrors, you’ll want to take a deep breath when you arrive at the front porch.

Watch your back – you can never be too careful.

Tickets are available for purchase here.

Museum Of Horrors VII: Vengeance
Where: *SCAPE
When: 18 – 22 Oct, 26 – 31 Oct
Admission: $15 for General Admission
Website

3. Carnival of the Absurd at Lulu’s Lounge

If horror houses and being scared isn’t what you had in mind for Halloween, maybe this is.

Called ‘Carnival of the Absurd‘, this party is themed around a Coney Island freak show, which is famed for its performers who bear bodily abnormalities (e.g dwarves, four legged humans) or who can perform amazing inhuman feats like swallowing swords and contorting their own bodies.

While we don’t know yet what characters we’ll find at this carnival, you can be sure you’ll be thoroughly entertained by their roving characters and wacky stage performers.

Get your freak on and don’t be a bystander! Here, no one will be judging.

Carnival of the Absurd
Where: Lulu’s Lounge, Pan Pacific Hotel, 7 Raffles Boulevard
When: 28 Oct, 9pm – 6am
Admission: $30 cover charge

4. Cleopetra’s Revenge at Bang Bang

If you’re looking for a change of pace, pop over to Bang Bang.

Themed ‘Cleopetra’s Revenge‘, dance with menacing mummies and evil queens decked in gold into the wee hours of the morning.

Transporting you to Cleopetra’s creepy land, the night will whisper tales of the undead queen’s revenge.

Cleopetra’s Revenge
When: Oct 27 – 28, 10.30pm – 6am
Where: Bang Bang, Pan Pacific Hotel, 7 Raffles Boulevard
Admission: $35 (includes one drink)

5. Zouk’s Laboratorium Of Horror 

This Halloween, Zouk will transform into a Laboratorium of Horror with jars containing brains, icky intestines, old examination tables, and syringes. The laboratory of one mad Dr Gore, watch out for the diabolical doctor – you don’t want to be the next subject in his line of sinister experiments.

You’ll want to bring your A game – costume-wise – to this party because those in the most terrifying costumes stand a chance to win a pair of flight tickets to Athens via Scoot (worth $1680), Jimmy Choo and Kenzo fragrance hampers, a staycay at Lloyd’s Inn, and more.

The party goes on through the night till 4am, with Zouk’s resident DJs Hong, Lincey, and Jeremy Boon helming the decks.

The first 100 party-goers that arrive decked out in full costume get to enter for free!

Zouk’s Laboratorium Of Horror
When: 28 Oct, 9pm – 4am
Where: Blk 3C River Valley Road
Admission: $55 (non-member price; includes one drink)

6. Noise Invasion Festival at Haw Par Villa

There are few places in Singapore that are quite as creepy as Haw Par Villa after dark.

On 28 October, the spooky Haw Par Villa grounds will be taken over by Noise Invasion Festival, a celebration of individuality and creativity. The event’s hashtag is #GetWeird, so you know what to do! Embrace the theme and dress your weirdest.

Expect killer music at this festival, with a line-up including Sam Rui, Wicked Aura, M1LDL1FE, Axel Brizzy, Amateur Takes Control, and more. The festival’s got art, dance, and food, and teases that it’ll deviate from the usual arts festival format.

Not sure what to expect? Think unconventional and strange.

Admission to this festival is completely free, so if you’re too broke to party this Halloween, this is a great alternative for the Halloween weekend!

Noise Invasion Festival
When: 28 Oct, 6pm – 10.30pm
Where: Haw Par Villa, 262 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118628
Admission: Free

7. Singapore Halloween Festival

The Singapore Halloween Festival is back, and this year, it will take place in a water park!

An annual event that combines fun, horror, dressing up and all things Halloween, this year’s haunting will happen slightly past Halloween on 4 – 5 November. And the site they’ve chosen this year is none other than Wild Wild Wet.

There will be a Zombie Maze, a Monster Ball, a Giant Picnic Lawn with delicious gourmet F&B options, carnival games and pop-up stalls for everyone in the family! Dress your best because the person wearing the best costume will win a special prize!

Adult tickets are tagged at $45 for a regular 1-day pass, $70 for a regular 2-day pass and $388 for VIP Tier tickets (2-day pass) for 3 adults. Child tickets are $30 for a 1-day pass and $50 for a 2-day pass.

Tickets are available for purchase here.

Singapore Halloween Festival
Where: Wild Wild Wet
When: 4 – 5 Nov
Admission: $30 – $388 
Website

8. Halloween Family Night Out

Another Halloween party for the whole family is Halloween Family Night Out.

The biggest family-friendly Halloween event, this Halloween extravaganza will take over the sprawling KidZania arena.

For 2 weekends from 27 October – 5 November, the KidZania compound will take on a brand new look. The airport, restaurants, petrol kiosk and more will transform into a landscape including a candy forest, volcanoes, and the depths of the sea!

Immerse yourself in the beautifully designed rooms that will transport you and your family to a whole other dimension. Watch the professional actors as they take you through an immersive storytelling experience!

What’s Halloween without a bit of candy? Collect trick or treat goodie bags on the trees of Vampi’s candy forest and be sure to steer clear of Vampi the vampire if you plan on holding on to your loot!

For more candy, enter the neon forest and find 4 doors. Knock on the doors and if you and your family come in costume, you’ll receive a treat. Otherwise, you just may get tricked.

With carnival games, spooky snack-bites, magic shows and mysterious bubble shows taking place through the night, the kids are in for a night of fun at this Halloween fiesta!

Entry is $45 each for adult and child, and is inclusive of a limited edition Trick or Treat popcorn candy bucket, a Halloween Family Night Out Cape and The Secret Treasure Map of Magic Mummy (worth $45)!

Halloween Family Night Out
Where: KidZania @ Sentosa
When: 27 – 28 Oct, 3 – 5 Nov
Time: 7pm – 11pm
Admission: $45 (adult/child)
Website

9. Halloween At Sephora

This Halloween, why stop at putting on a Halloween costume?

Go all out and dress your face up as well with a little help from the helpful Beauty Advisors at Sephora.

For the entire month of October, spend $100 or more and get a custom Halloween makeover at any Sephora store!

Halloween at Sephora
Where: All Sephora outlets
When: 1 – 31 Oct
Website

Eats

10. Cold Stone Creamery 

This Halloween, Cold Stone Creamery is serving a spooky spin on Cookies ‘n’ Cream ice cream.

Their Halloween exclusive, Cookies ‘n’ Screammm, consists of a scoop of pumpkin ice cream mixed with a gummy worms, bloody berries, and of course, Oreo cookies. Priced at $6 – $10.50, have your dessert in a plain waffle bowl (+$1.20) or in a dipped waffle bowl (+$1.90).

Cold Stone Creamery
Locations: Also read There’s A Superhero Themed Cyclothon Happening In Singapore And All Are Welcome

(Header Image Source:

The Flagship Gong Cha Outlet Has Been Spotted And We’re Choking On Our LiHo Pearls

Oh. My. God. Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

There has been a Gong Cha outlet sighting in Singapore!

Located at Singpost Centre at Paya Lebar, the flagship outlet is still undergoing renovations in preparation for a December 2017 opening.

Since announcing their eventual return to the Singapore market back in June, Gong Cha has been quietly planning their much-anticipated comeback.

On 26 September, Gong Cha began its recruitment via a Facebook post and that was the last we heard from them.

And today, we have this! A physical Gong Cha outlet!

Gong Cha may not have a specific date of return yet, but they sure know how to keep us in anticipation.

Do stay tuned for more details in the near future!

Also read 5 Taiwanese Bubble Tea Shops To Satisfy Your BBT Cravings Before Gong Cha Makes Its Return

(Header Image Source: Gong Cha Facebook)

East Meets West At Birdfolks, Where American Fried Chicken Is Served With Kopi

There has been a recent spate of Korean-style fried chicken restaurants opening in Singapore. From 4Fingers to Chir Chir, sometimes all we want is just to have good ol’ American-style fried chicken.

Crispy, juicy, and greasy. That’s the way fried chicken should be, unclouded by a myriad of gimmicky flavours.

At Birdfolks, that is what they are serving – good ol’ American-style fried chicken.

Leave It To The Birdfolks To Serve Good Fried Chicken

Located at 1 West Coast Drive, their Signature Chicken Rice Box ($9.90) includes edamame, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, their house recipe boneless fried chicken and comes topped with a sous vide egg!

The best part is you get to choose from 4 different flavours of rice!

Choose from Original, Cilantro Lime, Tomato Oregano, and the recommended Garlic Butter rice.

Someone get me a tissue. Now. I need to stop drooling!

If you’re looking for a more traditional chicken meal, try the Thigh & Drum ($12.90) which includes 2 pieces of their signature American-styled brined fried chicken, served with fries.

What makes their fried chicken special is that the chicken is brined in a blend of seasonings before frying. This allows the chicken to retain its juiciness, ensuring satisfaction with each bite.

Another popular item on the menu is the Wasabi Mayo Chicken Sandwich ($12.90).

Chopped fried chicken is tossed in wasabi mayo before being sandwiched in dark rye sourdough (because white bread and burger buns are mainstream) with julienned carrots and corn kernels for crunch.

The cafe doesn’t serve up much in terms of drinks. Diners can choose from canned drinks ($2.80), honey lime tea ($2.60 for hot, $3.20 for iced), chocolate ($2.60 for hot, $3.20 for cold), kopi or teh. The choice of drink is clear. Teh is the weh (way) to go.

This quaint fried chicken joint currently seats 30 people and the food is really satisfying. We recommend that you pop by if you’re in the area!

Birdfolks
Address: NEWest, 1 West Coast Drive, #01-75, Singapore 128020 (Nearest MRT: Clementi)
Opening Hours: Daily: 12pm – 9pm
Contact no.: 6924 0876
Someone Finally Opened A Durian Specialty Cafe, And It Serves More Than The Typical Puffs And Cakes

(Header Image Source: @birdfolks.sg)

Someone Finally Opened A Durian Specialty Cafe, And It Serves More Than The Typical Puffs And Cakes

Love them or hate them, durians are Singapore’s national fruit; unofficially, at least.

A fruit that is beloved for its sweet, creamy flesh that melts in your mouth, few varieties can match the almighty Mao Shan Wang variety when it comes to flavour.

A nice mix of sweet and bitter – and sometimes, both – it’s no wonder Mao Shan Wang durians are the most popular among Singaporeans.

Simply called Mao Shan Wang Cafe, this durian specialty cafe is opened by Four Seasons Durian.

Situated in Chinatown, it serves fresh durian in a tantalising array of desserts including mochi, strudel, ice cream and coffee (yes, coffee) made using the king of fruit.

The First And Only Durian Specialty Cafe in Singapore

Considering the fanaticism this fruit inspires, it’s a wonder it’s taken this long for someone to open a durian specialty cafe.

Step into the cafe and you’ll be welcomed by the strong, unmistakable smell of durian – a heavenly scent for hardcore durian fans.

With a simple, industrial aesthetic featuring brick walls and exposed beam ceilings, this cafe is the perfect place for an mid-day tea durian break.

The King And Its Subjects

If you think there are only so many things you can do with durian, think again – this cafe takes the fruit in both sweet and savoury directions.

On the sweet – and more familiar – side of things, there are durian puffs, ice cream, pancakes and mochi.

On a sweltering hot day, order the Mao Shan Wang Delight ($15.80).

Consisting of a mountain of Mao Shan Wang durian soft serve ice cream, this dessert comes on a bed of brownies, with mini marshmallows and almond flakes scattered all over it.

If you’re looking for a light bite, opt for either the D24 Durian Mochi ($5 for four) or the richer Mao Shang Wang Durian Mochi ($8.80 for four). Encased in a chewy mochi skin, the D24 mochi has a milder flavour while the Mao Shan Wang Mochi packs more of a punch with each mouthful.

On the savoury side of things, there is the Black Charcoal Mao Shan Wang Durian Pizza ($18.80), which consists of a charcoal pizza base topped with a mixture of Mao Shan Wang puree and cheese.

If you’re feeling even more adventurous, try their Durian French Fries ($3.80) and Durian Nuggets ($6).

With fries and nuggets served with a dipping sauce made of D24 puree, your tastebuds are in for an unusual experience when you order yourself a serving of either of these.

Craving some durian? Whatever you’re in the mood for, your needs will be well taken care of at Mao Shan Wang Cafe!

Mao Shan Wang Cafe
Address: 49 Temple Street Singapore
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 1.30pm – 10pm; Sat: 11am – 10pm; Closed on Sun
Contact no.: 6221 2338 
Website

Also read Teppei Syokudo Is Releasing Self-Heating Bento Boxes And It’s Like We’re Living in The Future

(Header Image Source: Burpple User Dex Neo, 

Because Flat Whites Are Boring, This Cafe Serves Up Latte In A Gorgeous Lavender Hue

If a pastel purple sweet potato latte is not something you find beautiful, we don’t know what is. This gorgeous concoction can be found on the menu at Abbie’s Coffeehouse at Havelock II.

Slaying The Coffee Game

Abbie’s Coffeehouse, previously known as Slayer Coffee, is a local mobile coffee catering service opened by Abbie Tok.

They offer specialty coffee catering for events, barista and latte-art courses, and coffee appreciation events. The cafe space at Havelock II can also be booked for events. Generally, a great one-stop space for all things coffee.

The cafe offers 10 different types of coffees priced from $3.50 to $5.50, 5 different types of teas at $4.50 each, 2 unique latte flavours and also hot chocolate for those seeking a caffeine-free option.

Unique latte flavours and Chocolate go for $5 and iced versions of all drinks are an additional $1.

For those looking for a bite, they have a Matcha Infusion Cheesecake ($7), Espresso & Matcha Jinglepuffs (Jigglypuff?) and a 70% Dark Cacao Brownie.

We are obsessed with the stunning Roasted Sweet Potato Latte ($5), which easily stands out in a sea of brown and flat whites.

The unique colour is really pleasing to the eyes. The drink may sound carb-loaded and heavy, but it’s surprisingly creamy and light, with bits of sweet potato for a subtle texture contrast.

However, if the taste doesn’t appeal to you, at least your Instagram will enjoy this cup of pastel brilliance!

Havelock II is a relatively quiet mall as it is more of a commercial space than a shopping mall but if you’re in the Clarke Quay area, do drop by for a coffee!

Abbie’s Coffeehouse
Address: Havelock II, 2 Havelock Road #02-14, Singapore 059763 (Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay MRT Exit A/B)
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11am – 6pm; Sun: Closed
Contact no.: 8688 4256
This Juicery Is An Explosion Of Millennial Pink And We Want To Take Photos Against Every Wall

(Header Image Source: Abbie’s Coffeehouse)

This Juicery Is An Explosion Of Millennial Pink And We Want To Take Photos Against Every Wall

Just as we thought millennial pink was making its way out of trend, A Juicery has just opened up its first physical store, and it’s splashed in the unmistakable hue.

Image Credit: A Juicery Instagram

Located at Lorong Telok, you might want to put on shades when you enter this store because it is PINK AF. It reminds us of Charli XCX’s “Boys” music video. Where are the boys? Jay Park, hello?

Even the staff are decked in pink lab coats. Talk about commitment.

Founded in 2014, A Juicery started off as an online store selling a variety of unique juices.

There are 4 categories of juices available for selection.

Choose from green vegetable-based juices (‘Pure’), root vegetable-based juices (‘Fuel’), citrus fruit-based juices (‘Invigorate’) and nut-based milks (‘Calm’).

A 100ml bottle is tagged at $4, a 250ml bottle will cost $7, and the largest 400ml bottle will set you back $9 each.

Aesthetics aside, what’s cool about A Juicery is that they use local produce. Their juices use local vegetables such as bok choy, kai lan, chye sim, watercress, sweet potato leaves, lotus root, and bitter gourd.

A Bite, A Cleanse, An Instagram Chance

The store has very limited seating as it is meant to be a takeaway spot rather than a dine-in. In addition to their current range of juices, the store also sells different types of coffees ($3 – $6) and wraps if you’re looking for a bite.

The 3 wraps available are the Turkey Ham & Cheese, Roast Chicken & Mango, and Tangy Thai Chicken ($6.80 each).

We also got wind of a secret menu so do check with the baristas and juice staff. We know that one of the items on the secret menu is the Strawberry Latte.

It makes sense that there would be a strawberry-flavoured item on the menu, considering how everything is pink.

This store may be small, but it definitely has character.

So if you’re on a hunt for Instagram-worthy spots, this is one you should definitely check out, and get some drinks while you’re at it! Because we’re all about that LA juice cleanse life.

A Juicery
Address: 21 Lorong Telok Singapore 049033
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 8.30am – 5pm; Sat – Sun: Closed
Contact no.: 6533 1303
5 Taiwanese Bubble Tea Shops To Satisfy Your BBT Cravings Before Gong Cha Makes Its Return

(Header Image Source: A Juicery)

5 Taiwanese Bubble Tea Shops To Satisfy Your BBT Cravings Before Gong Cha Makes Its Return

Bubble tea has been a local favourite for over a decade.

This delicious milky – or milkless (we see you lactose intolerant crew) – tea comes with “pearls” which are essentially little chewy black orbs made from tapioca.

As it was tragically reported in May this year, Gong Cha, one of the largest bubble tea chains in Singapore pulled out of the country, and was replaced with the new local brand LiHo.

Many Singaporeans still pine for the return of Gong Cha and the company did not disappoint. They announced that they will eventually be returning to Singapore later this year.

The Prodigal Son Isn’t Back Yet, Can We Take Your Order?

Since Gong Cha hasn’t given us a specific date of return, here are some other good Taiwanese bubble tea shop alternatives that you can try!

1. Yuan Cha

Yuan Cha is a newcomer to the local bubble tea scene but reviews have been generally good.

Yuan Cha is known for their lower sugar levels and stronger tea flavour, which appeals to avid tea lovers who love to savour the taste of the tea instead of the sugar and milk.

Their QQ Rainbow “pearls” are made fresh daily, using matcha, yam, and sweet potatoes so they don’t include any food colouring or artificial flavouring.

We love that Yuan Cha is genuinely trying to place the tea in the spotlight and we highly recommend that you give them a try! Who knows, you might be a convert.

Image Credit: @shareteasg[/caption]

Sharetea was established in 1992 and now has franchises in more than 18 countries worldwide.