6 Kid-Friendly Eateries Perfect For Parents Who Want To FINALLY Enjoy Their Meals!
Mealtimes can sometimes be a battlefield especially when taking your young ones out to restaurants. For a quiet (and calm) mealtime when dining out, check out these 6 awesome family friendly restaurants with tons of stuff to keep your little ones occupied!
Cool de Sac
This massive entertainment center for kids is a child’s heaven like no other.
Located at Suntec City Mall, Cool de Sac is one of the best family friendly restaurants around.
It has more than enough educational play stations to keep your child entertained for the entire day!
[caption id="attachment_15703" align="aligncenter" width="920"]
Credit: #02-379/80, Singapore 038983Tel: 6337 0205
Email: [email protected]
Opening Hours: Sun – Thu, 10am to 8pm; Fri – Sat, 10am to 10am
W Credit: Website
Café Melba
Take your kid outdoors. They can run about while you enjoy a picnic-style and alfresco dining.
All complete with a huge bouncy castle on weekends, only at Café Melba.
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Credit: CafeMelba[/caption]
There is a special menu for your kids, with well-portioned all-time favourite dishes such as Fish & Chips.
Furthermore, with a wide selection of milkshakes to choose from, rest time is almost as fun as play time!
Café Melba Right here at Slappy Cakes, the rule of do not play with your food! does not exist. This one-of-a-kind dining experience allows your kids (and yes, adults as well) to literally play with their food! One of the most family friendly restaurants for yum cha in town, Mitzo Restaurant & Bar is a dining establishment to consider! [caption id="attachment_15743" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Address: 90 Goodman Road, Block N #01-56, Goodman Arts Centre, Singapore 439053
Tel: 6440 6068
Email: [email protected]
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri, 10am to 10pm; Sat – Sun & PH, 8.30am to 10pm
Credit: Slappy Cakes
Credit: Mitzo Restaurant & Bar
Credit: Grab Them Buddies! 7 Places Where We Can Have Fun Like Kids During PE!
[GIVEAWAY] GETAI – The Musical: Getting Behind The Glitz & Glamour
If you think Getai performances can’t get any louder, colourful or dramatic, think again. With its colourful sets, over-the-top costumes and everyone’s favourite Hokkien classic songs, GETAI – The Musical promises nothing but to dance its way into your heart.
That’s right, our humble Getai is going to Broadway.
GETAI – The Musical
Starring renowned local Getai performers and international celebrities, this quirky musical tells the story of an amateur performer.
Upon meeting a seasoned performer, he was inspired by how his senior overcame obstacles that were plaguing his career .
[caption id="attachment_15427" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Desmond Ng (left), Hao Hao (right) Source: RWS Sentosa[/caption]
Shedding light on three decades worth of triumphs and trials of Getai performers, this performance reveals exclusive behind-the-scenes look of a Getai stage.
[caption id="attachment_15441" align="alignnone" width="684"]
Source: singaporewest.sg[/caption]
New songs and familiar classics like Cupid, Passionate Desert and, Fight to Win will be featured.
For the slightly older audience, this musical serves as a trip down memory lane as it showcases Getai in the ‘80s.
Blending the essence of grassroots Getai with theatrics, this musical seeks to play a part in preserving the popular indigenous art.
[caption id="attachment_15428" align="alignnone" width="780"]
Source: The Straits Times[/caption]
Set in Resorts World Genting, GETAI – The Musical’s stellar cast includes Hao Hao, Desmond Ng and the Bao Bei Sisters. In anticipation of the musical’s first overseas debut, we will be giving away…
2 pairs of tickets + accommodation at First World Hotel
Oh yes, you heard us right.
Not only will two lucky readers win a pair of tickets to the musical, but they will also enjoy a one-night hotel stay. Tickets for the giveaway are for the period of 8th – 11th October 2016.
https://www.facebook.com/discover.sg.official/posts/2097113717180986
Simply LIKE and SHARE this post on Facebook to stand a chance to win a pair of tickets to Getai – The Musical by 6th October 2016!
Yes, it’s that simple! So if you’re looking for a short weekend getaway, you know what to do.
For more information on Getai – The Musical,
This article is awesomely brought to you by DiscoverSG X Resorts World Genting.
Also, read Top 5 Events You Cannot Miss: 1 October – 15 October
5 Secret Spots In Gardens By The Bay That’ll Make You Wonder WTH They’re Doing There
D0 you know that Gardens by the Bay is the inspiration to the fictional planet Xandar featured in the hit Marvel movie Guardians of the Galaxy?
Touted as the key to transforming Singapore from a ‘Garden City’ into a ‘City in a Garden’, you might be familiar with the Cloud Forest, Flower Dome and the iconic Supertrees.
But there is more to this popular attraction than meets the eye. And you’ll surely go…
Let’s find out.
1. A desert
What are you doing here, cacti-desert thingamajig?!
(Image Credit: Gardens by the Bay)
Get back to the desert, yo!
(Image Credit: Gardens by the Bay)
Not many know about this outdoor garden that features desert plants.
Aptly named Sun Pavilion, it is home to a whopping 1000 desert plants comprising of 100 different species.
Unlike the Flower Dome, admission is free.
Poke around (get it?) here if you have time.
2. A big secret
This aquarium is a fresh breath of water for those who want to look at something other than the usual floral stars in Gardens by the Bay.
Located just a stone’s throw away from Sun Pavilion, the Big Fish Aquarium lives up to its namesake- it houses large fish, duh.
(Image Credit: Trevellers)
Not many know about this hidden aquarium as it is not featured on any of the Gardens by the Bay maps.
Here, you can spot creatures like the pig-nosed turtles, catfish, and the one of the world’s largest fish, the arapaima.
[caption id="attachment_15174" align="aligncenter" width="1922"]
Credit: 
(Image Credit: Nudge Sustainability Hub)
From a pangolin to a hornbill, you are sure to be impressed by the efforts that have been taken to creating these structures.
(Image Credit: Gardens by the Bay)
Not only that, this quiet park gives you a beautiful view of Marina Bay Sands. A concrete jungle next to a ‘real’ jungle!
4. Going back in time
Step back to 500 million years ago in this part of the World of Plants.
(Image Credit: Gardens by the Bay)
Like its name suggests, you can discover many ancient species of plants like the Multipinnate Cycas and Chinese Desmos here.
Because Gardens by the Bay is so cool, you can even learn about the rare dinosaur-era plants here and also, how they have evolved.
The ‘Discover’ aspect of the park allows you to not only rest your weary feet but also transport you back in time. Much wow!
5. A timely gift
This beautiful Floral Clock was created by Audemars Piguet (a luxury watch maker) for Gardens by the Bay in celebration of Singapore’s 50th birthday in 2015.
Made from flowers such as the the Spider Flower and Madagascar Periwinkle, this clock is truly a sight to behold.
(Image Credit: Watch Collecting Lifestyle)
Luxury watch, what are you doing there? Get back on my wrist!
(Image Credit: Watch Collecting Lifestyle)
Located nearby are also sculptures worth visiting like the Guardian Lions and the Resting Budai. Further down leads you to the mysteries planet- or more commonly known as the ‘floating baby’.
Yea, Gardens by the Bay is pretty weird. We’re so proud of our SuperTrees, but WTH are these secret spots doing in our favourite garden?
We kid. Thank you Gardens by the Bay, for the desert, clock, and everything else.
(Header image credit: Nudge Sustainability Hub, words by editor)
Enjoy 1-for-1 Coffee At These Cafes Because It’s National Coffee Day!
Coffee-lovers out there, listen up! National Coffee Day is back for its third consecutive year!
You can look forward to some really delicious deals and events in town. Here’s what you can expect this week:
1-for-1 coffee deals
In celebration of National Coffee Day, 14 cafés will be participating in a 1-for-1 coffee deal from 3PM to 5PM on 29 September, so don’t forget to grab a friend!
Flash this image for 1-1 coffee. Image Credit: The 14 participating cafés:
1. Fleur Café
2. Oh My Tian Bakehouse & Café
3. Madcow Ice Cream & Music Café
4. Kaw Kaw SG
5. The Laneway Market
6. 2nd Storey Café Bar
7. On the Table
8. Suzette
9. The Lab SG
10. LAAF coffee & bistro
11. Avenue Café
12. Montana
13. The Assembly Ground
14. Carol Mel Café
All you need to do to redeem your cuppa is to flash the above image to the café staff and you’re good to go – it’s that simple!
If you didn’t already know, National Coffee Movement has teamed up with KopiPass to bring you a uniquely affordable experience of 30 cuppas at 30 different cafés at just $30.
Best of all? You can redeem these cups of coffees over 6 months.
Read more, and stand a chance to win a KopiPass here: Attention Coffee Lovers: Here’s Your Chance To Savour 30 Cups Of Coffee At Only $30!
Deliveroo Giveaway
Espressyo-self with Deliveroo and stand a chance to win the NESCAFÉ Barista and NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto MINI ME coffee machines when you order from 21-30 September.
Image Credits: Deliveroo Facebook
There’re only 10 sets to be won, so click 
Image Credits: Dutch Colony Coffee Co. Facebook
With all these deals coming your way, it seems like there’s really something to look forward to, doesn’t it?
Of course, we’ll be updating this page should more deals surface, and if you got lobang, please don’t hesitate to contact us ASAP!
Stay tuned for more, and here’s to a delicious National Kopi Day!
Also, read Mai Tu Liao! Up Your Cafe Game And Visit Sin Lee Foods For Some Sinfully Good Food!
Header image credits:
Here’s Your Chance To Truly #FlipTable, Swap Books & More At This Year’s Archifest!
The 10th Archifest returns this year with a Pavilion designed by DP Architects. Themed “Exhale”, the festival will be held from 23 September to 9 October in the heart of the CBD at Raffles Place Park.
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Credit: Archifest[/caption]
The theme ‘Exhale’ aims to examine the rapid pace of life within our dense city and to challenge people to dictate their own rhythm of life.
Take time to slow down and breathe while you enjoy the installations and events happening at the festival.
This temporary structure is not to be missed, so what are you waiting for? Come on down and explore the eye catching Pavilion at Raffles Place!
Highlights
Organised by Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) and the Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects (Sila), there are more than 30 events lined up at Archifest this year.
From talks, to workshops, and exhibitions, discover great things at Archifest 2016 with more than 100,000 visitors expected this year.
Of course, the best things first:
#FlipTable
Feeling all stressed up at work? Well, design consultancy Chemistry has the right solution for you.
Set against the backdrop of Raffles Place, the team designed #FlipTable. And it truly allows you to flip a table!
Have a go and finally put your words into action!
https://youtu.be/wcAvmzup2YA
In all seriousness, it’s actually an interactive installation that provides an avenue for you to vent your frustration in a creative manner.
Take a deep breath and exhale while you do some damage at #FlipTable. It’s all about harnessing negative energy into a positive form.
#FlipTable
Location: Raffles Place Park
Date: 23 Sep Fri, 27 Sep Tue, 3 Oct Mon
Time: 11.30am – 2pm
Book Swap & Beer
Books & Beer is Singapore’s first travelling book swap service. You’re invited to bring up to 10 pre-loved books and exchange them for another book!
[caption id="attachment_14902" align="alignnone" width="960"]
Credit: Books & Beers[/caption]
No books to swap? Simply drop by and browse some books, courtesy of ORO Editions and ONG&ONG Group. These books are free for you to take home.
Bring your own beer and beverages and enjoy your time with Books & Beers!
Book Swap at Books & Beers
Location: Raffles Place Park
Date: 24 Sep Sat
Time: 3pm – 6pm
Barter Market
Barter Market is a collective effort between local makers, artists, and crafters in our community.
The goal? Take money out of transactions.
[caption id="attachment_14905" align="alignnone" width="960"]
Credit: Archifest[/caption]
Bring a little something so you can trade your item for goods or services. No better way to bond with humans, we’d say! Nothing like good old bartering.
Barter Market
Location: Raffles Place Park
Date: 9 Oct Sun
Time: 2pm – 6pm
RGB Pavilion With A Psychedelic Selfie Tunnel
With a structure so vibrant and colourful, this is hard to miss.
The Pavilion is composed entirely of construction site materials; so it’s “zero waste”. There are rows of multi-coloured safety netting and over 70 tonnes of scaffolding pipes.
This structure is a breathtaking 22m tall! Here’s how small we’ll look:
[caption id="attachment_14930" align="aligncenter" width="2325"]
Credit: 
Credit: Archifest[/caption]
There’s so much to do at Archifest 2016! With so many exciting programmes happening this weekend till 9 Oct, be sure to mark this event down on your calendars!
Archifest 2016
Date: 23 September to 9 October
For full details of events and happenings at Archifest, visit their official website Attention Coffee Lovers: Here’s Your Chance to Savour 30 Cups Of Coffee At Only $30!
Attention Coffee Lovers: Here’s Your Chance To Savour 30 Cups Of Coffee At Only $30!
This year, the National Coffee Movement has teamed up with KopiPass to bring a unique experience to all coffee-lovers out there! Touted as the ultimate café-hopping pass, pass holders will be able to enjoy up to 30 cuppas from 30 different cafés islandwide at just $30!
Sounds like your cup of tea coffee? Then read on.
Tell me more about this.
If there’s one beverage that’s beloved the world over, it’d be coffee. We Singaporeans are no exception – from your kopitiams to the sheer number of cafés littered around the country, it’s not too much to say that kopi is everywhere in Singapore.
To make café-hopping more accessible to everyone, KopiPass allows you to café-hop with friends and loved ones without burning a hole in your wallet (because café food isn’t exactly cheap, we’re sure you know!).
So, when will KopiPass launch?
On September 29, which is National Kopi Day, of course!
[caption id="attachment_14558" align="aligncenter" width="513"]
Image Credits: Being the die-hard coffee fans that we are, Singapore has expectedly joined countries celebrating the goodness of coffee in the form of National Coffee Day – affectionately termed as National Kopi Day.
How does it work?
You buy a KopiPass for $30. With this pass, you can visit 30 participating cafes and drink 30 different cups of awesome coffee! What a great bargain, since a cuppa often costs upwards of $4 at just about any café!
Of course, we wouldn’t expect you to be able to drink 30 cups of coffee in a day, would we?
Not to worry, because your Kopipass is valid for 6 months, from 29 September 2016 to 31 March 2017. That’s a super decent amount of time.
If you find that you’re unable to make full use of it, fret not, because the pass is transferrable/ shareable! No worries about not fully utilising your pass!
Passes are available for purchase either What about the participating cafes?
The cafes will stamp your pass when you redeem your drink. Only one drink redemption per cafe. “We want to deliver a superior cafe hopping experience, which means being very selective with our participating cafes and ensuring overcrowding will not happen…” shared Kathy, co-founder of KopiPass. Image Credits: The pass is currently available for purchase online Otherwise, you may purchase the pass at any participating outlets from 29 September. If you’d like to have a KopiPass and savour 30 cups of coffee goodness, you can stand a chance to… Simply LIKE and SHARE this post on Facebook to stand a chance to win a pass! Yes, it is that simple! That’s all you need to do for a chance to savour 30 cups of coffee at 30 cafes for free. https://www.facebook.com/discover.sg.official/posts/2090012651224426 This giveaway ends 28 September. There are 10 passes up for grabs! Lucky winners will be notified through Facebook. Pssst! We also heard that some cafes will be offering 1-for-1 coffee on 29 September! KopiPass (Header image credit: KopiPass, words by editor. All picture credits: KopiPass, unless otherwise stated.) Also, read Korea Town In Singapore? Satisfy All Your Kimchi Cravings Near Beauty World MRT!
Sounds great! Where do I buy the KopiPass?
Win a KopiPass!
Follow us on facebook for the details!
30 cups of coffee for only $30!
For more information, please click This article is brought to you by Discover SG x KopiPass.
6 DIE DIE Must Visit Stalls For Lovers Of Seafood White Bee Hoon!
The seafood white bee hoon buzz is one of the latest food craze in our sunny island.
This unassuming tze-char dish has been around for ages in Singapore, with no one paying so much attention to it until now.
With so many wannabes in the market riding on the wave of the craze, it’s rare to come by stalls that genuinely know their stuff.
Here are some of the places we recommend for a good plate of our favourite local seafood white bee hoon!
1. Woon Woon Pek Beehoon
This small hawker stall at Changi Village Hawker Centre brings in long lines of customers every week.
[caption id="attachment_14515" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Credit: cptslow yeo[/caption]
Their speciality is the seafood that goes with its bee hoon. Choose from a top-up of fish, crab, prawn, crayfish or mussels. If you’re feeling hungry (or are in a group), you can try the seafood platter ($30 or $40).
Woon Woon Pek Bee Hoon
Address: Blk 2, Changi Village Road #01-52, Singapore 500002
2. East Seafood White Beehoon
Led by a chef with 30 years of culinary experience, East Seafood hawker chain prides itself on offering affordable seafood white bee hoon amidst rising seafood prices.
Image: facebook.com/eastseafood
With three hawker branches located in Toa Payoh, Hougang (Ciyuan CC) and Ang Mo Kio, they also offer great seafood add-ons with their bee hoon (crayfish, lala and crabs).
East Seafood White Bee Hoon
Address:
Blk 210 Toa Payoh Lorong 8, #01-06, Singapore 310210
Blk 407 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10 #01-733, Singapore 560407
No.51 Hougang Ave Ci Yuan Hawker Centre, Singapore 538776
3. Jia Wei White Beehoon
Quietly tucked away in an HDB coffee shop in Jalan Bukit Merah (near ABC Brickworks hawker centre), Jia Wei brings a homey taste to its tze char specials.
[caption id="attachment_14517" align="aligncenter" width="960"]
Credit: Apart from seafood white bee hoon, they also serve up popular dishes such as Har Cheong fried chicken and black pepper crab.
Jia Wei White Bee Hoon
Address: Block 2 Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 150002
4. White Restaurant The Original White Beehoon
When it comes to seafood white bee hoon, this famous restaurant chain in the north is the mother of them all.
Image: uncletehpeng.com
White Restaurant The Original White Beehoon is one of the pioneers of the famous Sembawang White Bee Hoon. Their version is dressed in thick sauce and copious ingredients (eggs, sotong, chai sim, and prawns – yum!). Beware of the long queues on the weekends!
White Restaurant The Original White Beehoon
Address: 22 Jalan Tampang (Opp Sembawang Shopping Centre) Singapore 758966
5. Hualong Fishhead Steamboat
Though not seafood white bee hoon specialists, Hualong manages to differentiate its rendition of the dish by making it drier than usual.
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Image: facebook.com/hualongfishheadsteamboat[/caption]
The seafood white bee hoon is served on an opeh leave, and topped with sliced cabbage, fried garlic and lime for flavour.
Complete your meal with one of their delicious dishes, such as fish maw soup, fried sotong and fuyong omelette.
Hua Long Fishhead Steamboat
Address: Block 347, #01-2142 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3, Singapore 560347
6. Hong Yun Seafood
One of the more successful coffee shop stalls in Toa Payoh, Hong Yun is known for the crispy – and huge – pork lard that they generously scatter across several of their dishes. Same goes for their seafood white bee hoon dish!
Image: uniquelious.blogspot.sg
While you’re there, try out their sambal kangkong and potato leaves – shiok!
Hong Yun Seafood
Address: Block 124, Toa Payoh Lor 1, #01-459 Singapore 310124
What is it about seafood white bee hoon that keeps drawing customers – new and old – week after week?
Could it the salty rice noodles that make up the core of the dish? Is it the prawns and sotong that accompanies it? Or could it be the fragrant, hot gravy that tops it all off?
It’s pointless to think too much into it – just join the queue this weekend and find out!
Also, read Wanna Share? 7 Steakhouses With Portions So Huge, You Need To Call Your Entire Squad!
Wanna Share? 7 Steakhouses With Portions So Huge, You Need To Call Your Entire Squad!
Who can resist a good steak? Be it Wagyu or Angus, a seared chunk of peppered beef never fails to tickle our taste buds.
But not all of us are built to chow down 300g-portions effortlessly. For the light eaters, sharing a meal with friends is the perfect solution! Here are 7 steakhouses that offer some of the most generous sharing portions you can find in Singapore!
1. Morton’s The Steakhouse
Start off your steakhunt with one of the more atas spots: at Mandarin Oriental Hotel!
Swanky international restaurant Morton’s maintains its name by using the highest quality, US Department of Agriculture-designated ‘prime’ steak.
Image: pinkypiggu.com
We recommend the Double Porterhouse Steak (1.3kg at $250++), which can serve around four to five pax! If you’re still craving for more, get a ribeye (460g at $102) to share between two to three peeps.
Morton’s The Steakhouse
Address: 5 Raffles Avenue, Fourth Storey, Mandarin Oriental Singapore, Singapore 039797
Tel: 6339 3740
2. Badoque Café
Nothing beats a food joint with friendly service!
Not only does Badoque Café have warm and approachable service staff, but they also whip up a really good steak too.
Image: thehalalfoodblog.com
Feast like royalty with their “King & Queen” promotion, which unites 1.2kg worth of ribeye with a 1.3kg king crab for $298. The set also comes with two starters (blue oyster and Greek salad), four soups and four drinks. This serves about five to six pax!
Badoque Café
Address: 246 Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574370
Tel: 6552 1646
3. iSTEAKS Diner
This grill-specialist has gathered a sizable fan following since its conception as a humble hawker stall in Serangoon Gardens years ago.
Having evolved into a modern diner, the long queues at both its current branches at MyVillage (Serangoon) and Holland Village are no doubt due to the superb and affordable grilled meats that iSTEAKS whips up.
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Credit: iSTEAKS Diner[/caption]
Share a 1.2kg Australian Wagyu D-Rump amongst four pax at $85 (includes four complementary sides), or a 600g Australian Porterhouse T-bone for $49. They make fantastic burgers too! Yummeh!
iSTEAKS Diner
Address: MyVillage, 1 Maju Ave, Singapore 556679
Tel: 6285 8839
4. Bedrock Bar & Grill
Think chic dark wood, plush leather and dim lights on a hot date night. We like!
Tucked in the middle of Somerset Road, Bedrock Bar & Grill was named Singapore’s top restaurant in 2015 by Wine & Dine.
Image: facebook.com/BedrockBarAndGrill
The must-try F1 Tomahawk Steak serves up to three persons at 1.4kg (market price), while the double cut dry-aged Porterhouse feeds two (1kg at $180).
Complete your meal with a side of bedrock mac n’ cheese. Ooh. La. La.
Bedrock Bar & Grill
Address: 96 Somerset Road, #01-05 Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard, Singapore 238163
Tel: 6238 0054
5. Pepper Steakhouse & Bistro
When all else in life fails us, we need a no-frills, value-for-money diner we can fall back on.
Look no further than Pepper Steakhouse & Bistro! The Australian Tomahawk is available here with an 800g option at $98, that comes with crushed green peppercorn and feeds around two pax.
Image: peppersteak.com.sg
Light-eating duos can try the 500g Chateaubriand tenderloin fillet at $74 (each sharing option also comes with thick-cut fries, sautéed spinach and a sauce of your choice). Apart from the meats, Pepper also offers an affordable lunch special that comes with five main-course items (at $15-18 each) and a buffet for salads and soups!
Pepper Steakhouse & Bistro
Address: Great World City, #01-66/67, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, Singapore 237994
Tel: 6887 3229
6. Bistecca Tuscan Steakhouse
Italian restaurants don’t just serve pasta and meatballs okay!
Bistecca Tuscan is one of the best fine-dining steakhouses in Singapore, using only organic-fed Australian F1 Wagyu for their steaks (with an impressive marbling score of 6+). Their Florentine-style cooking method produces steaks with juicy cores and charred crusts.
Image: facebook.com/BisteccaTuscanSteakhouse
Dig into a sumptuous 1.1kg Bistecca alla Fiorentina T-bone or Bistecca alla Costata ribeye ($188++ each) with one or two other friends. Don’t forget to take a wefie in the breezy al fresco area.
Bistecca Tuscan Steakhouse
Address: 25 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore 238969
Tel: 6735 6739
7. Cocotte
Nestled on the ground floor of the quaint Wanderlust hotel along Jalan Besar is the snug French restaurant-bar Cocette.
They serve up family-esque rustic French cuisine inspired by homemade meals enjoyed by the entire kampong (or the French-countryside equivalent).
Image: facebook.com/restaurantcocotte
Order a Tasmanian grass-fed Prime rib Côte de Boeuf to share in a group ($18++ per 100g), or the Truffle Wagyu for one (250g at $69++).
Still got space? Top your meal off with a helping of mussels and clams (350-400g at $35).
Cocotte
Address: 2 Dickson Road, Singapore 209494
Tel: 6298 1188
Steaks come from different sources, in various cuts, and the taste varies based on individual cooking styles.
Depending on the number of people you are eating with (and how much you can eat) you should try out different types of steak, as they all have unique experiences to offer.
If the quantitiy is too much for you, it’s okay! You can always share with your friends! Bon appetite!
Also, read We Hopped On The Makan Bus And Didn’t Wanna Get Off – Here’s Why!
We Hopped On The Makan Bus And Didn’t Wanna Get Off – Here’s Why!
Yup. Finally the first one-of-its-kind hop-on-hop-off Makan Bus tour has arrived in Singapore. Don’t dismiss this food tour as a tourist thingy yet. Otherwise, you are missing out on fun even locals can enjoy!
We all know Singapore is a food paradise, but the best local food are usually not near MRTs or in town.
Makan Bus
It can be pretty hard to enjoy good food if you don’t have a car. With the launch of the Makan Bus on 26 August 2016, reaching out to these great local food is now so much more convenient for everyone.
Recently, I was fortunate to be invited for a free MakanBus tour. Getting on the tour meant I had the opportunity to taste some of the highly acclaimed local food along the 10 specially-curated stops.
What I did not know was it is more than a mere foodie bus bringing us from the central to northern heartlands in Singapore.
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Image Credit: Makan Bus[/caption]
Our Makan Bus Journey
We received a warm welcome from the guide upon boarding the cheery yellow bus at Orchard Gateway. After an introduction, we set off!
Besides recommending good eats near each stop, he would share insights of noteworthy buildings throughout the journey too.
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Image Credit: Makan Bus[/caption]
Interesting history that we never knew about our sunny island
We thought we knew Singapore so well since we grew up here.
But we did not know that the Burma Chinese settled in Singapore as early as the 19th century!
In fact, I highly recommend you to alight at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial stop, where the Sun Yat Sen Memorial and Burmese Buddhist Temple are.
In the main worship hall of the Maha Sasana Ramsi (Burmese Buddhist Temple) sits the majestic 11-foot marble Buddha statue. This religious landmark is the only Burmese Buddhist temple of its kind in Singapore.
The statue was carved from a 10-tonne slab of marble found in Burma’s Saygin Hill and transported here in 1925.
[caption id="attachment_14391" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Image Credit: ghettosingapore.com[/caption]
Bond with your family over nostalgic hawker food settings
The 10 stops on the tour will bring you through buzzing town areas to the old shophouses in Balestier and Thomson, and finally into the HDB heartlands.
This is a specially curated route to showcase the evolution and development of Singapore over the past 51 years.
Bring your whole family, including your parents onboard, so they can reminisce about the good old days.
They will certainly be able to resonate with traditional eateries such as Boon Tong Kee and Original Herbal Shop at Balestier, and Hua Nam Restaurant at Thomson.
Image Credit: Makan Bus
It’s easier to strike conversations as you enjoy the food and nostalgic ambience with your family.
Who knows if these used to be their favourite haunts during their “paktor” days!
Discover yummy novel hawker food delights
While it’s obvious Makan Bus will bring you to yummy food places, you may be surprised at hidden gems within the heartlands.
Ang Mo Kio was the place I grew up in, and I thought I knew everything there. But I did not even know that there is a hawker stall selling sedap Mee Rebus Tarik for over 2 decades!
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Image Credit: Makan Bus[/caption]
In case you are wondering, Mee Rebus Tarik is not prepared by simply “pulling” the noodles as the Malay word “tarik” implies.
Instead, the mee rebus is laden with satay gravy and served together with either chicken or mutton satay. Such an innovative twist to the signature mee rebus!
I have tasted different versions of our favourite Indian roti prata, with egg, cheese etc for enhanced flavour.
However, it was my first time trying out some Roti Tissue along Upper Thomson Road. The prata looked like an interesting thin piece of tissue (hence its name) as seen in the image above. This is a sweet crispy prata seasoned with sugar.
Hop on and off the bus whenever you wish, wherever you fancy
There is no limit to the number of times you can hop on and off the Makan Bus.
Your $28 ticket is valid throughout the day when the bus runs from 11am to 7.30pm.
Indeed, there were times when we were engaged in such interesting conversations with the guide that we missed alighting at the designated stop.
Just continue on the looped journey and alight where you wish to tuck into the good food in the desired area.
Furthermore, you do not need to alight if you don’t find anything you fancy. Unlike other expensive food tours where you don’t get to choose the food, this is a truly flexible tour!
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Image Credit: Makan Bus[/caption]
Makan Bus definitely changes the way we can explore the hidden food joints and other untold stories of Singapore.
Bring your foreign friends on the Makan Bus tour and introduce them to life in the heartlands.
After all, this is a uniquely Singapore experience that they will not find at the usual tourist attractions. Besides, it is definitely more economical if you are travelling together in a group of 5 or more. Check out more details of this one-of-a-kind experience at Makan Bus!
(Featured image: Makan Bus)
Also, read 9 New Desserts So Wacky, You Need To Try Them At Least Once!
Gardens By The Bay Presents Yet Another Date Night Opportunity. Hint: It Ends This Week!
From 3 to 18 September, in conjunction with Mid-Autumn festival, Gardens by the Bay will be transformed into a whole new light.
With dazzling displays of elaborately handcrafted lantern sets, multimedia installation, nightly performances and many other amazing highlights, Gardens by the Bay’s event is one you must not miss. Check out the line ups for this exciting event happening at the Gardens!
1. Be Amazed By Giant Lantern Displays
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Credit: Gardens By The Bay[/caption]
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Credit: Gardens By The Bay[/caption]
Join in the spectacular display of lanterns at the Gardens this Mid-Autumn. Giant lanterns measuring up to 27 metres will be displayed at various locations in the Gardens.
Time: 7pm – 11pm daily
Location: Golden Garden, near Conservatories, Supertree Grove and Dragonfly Bridge
2. Stroll Through The Colonnade Of Lights
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Credit: Gardens By The Bay[/caption]
As you take a stroll along the Colonnade, appreciate the 4,000 colourful lanterns hanging above.
These paper lanterns are decorated by the community including local and international students and senior citizens.
Time: 7pm – 11pm daily
Location: Colonnade (Supertree Grove)
3. Be wowed by Ron Arad’s 720°
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Credit: singaporemotherhood.com[/caption]
Brought in by the Singapore International Festival of Arts, be wowed by the massive installation by designer extraodinaire Ron Arad.
He presents 720°, a monumental outdoor video installation with great creativity. At 18 metres in diameter, the installation is made up of 5,600 silicon cords of over 37 kilometres in length.
Drop by the Meadow to experience this magical interactive stage.
Time: 7pm – 11pm daily
Location: Meadow
4. Indulge In A Hearty Spread
Not only will you get to feast on some of your salted egg yolk favourites, there’s even chilli crab mantous!
Indulge in your favourite Asian goodies and eat to your heart’s content while you soak in the festivities.
Time: 6pm – 10.30pm daily
Location: Colonnade (Supertree Grove)
5. Craft And Fringe Activities
Try out various activities from lantern decorating, calligraphy to guess the riddle at the craft booths. Do note that some activities are chargeable.
Have fun reliving your childhood decorating and making lanterns and put them to good use for the night!
Time: 7pm – 10pm daily **Chinese Riddles: 8pm – 9.30pm
Location: Supertree Grove
6. Enjoy Cultural Performances By Traditional Art Groups
Though Mid-Autumn festival is largely celebrated by the Chinese community, multi-ethnic groups will be putting up cultural performances at the Supertree Grove.
Themed “Moon | Conversations”, traditional art groups will be putting up performances ranging from evergreen Chinese songs to contemporary Indian music.
Time: Mon to Thurs 8pm to 8.45pm, Fri to Sun, 7pm to 7.45pm & 8pm to 8.45pm, *12 Sep (Mon): 7pm to 7.45pm & 8pm to 8.45pm
Location: Supertree Grove
There are so many events happening at the Gardens this Mid-Autumn Festival!
Don’t forget to bring those lanterns and relieve your childhood memories of celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival. If you’re still thinking of where to go during this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, the Gardens is definitely one you must not miss out!
(All images are by Your Ultimate Guide To The Most Decadent And Epic Singapore F1 After Parties
