Category: Uniquely Singapore

[WIN] An Extravagant Dinner Buffet For 2 At The Line, Shangri-La!

This National Day, get ready for a huge treat! The Line (at Shangri-La Hotel), one of Singapore’s best international buffets, is taking Singaporeans on a journey through our unique food culture!

You can expect innovative twists of our local favourite dishes! Exactly what kind of twists? We’re talking about out-of-this-world bizarre creations.

Have you heard of Chendol – but served in bubble form? What about Tau Huey Popcorn, or Oyster Omelette served on an Oyster shell? As weird as these dishes sound, you need not fret!

We’ve gone ahead to taste and savour these not-to-be-missed unique creations. They’re as good, if not, even better than the originals of our local favourites.

The best part? You can enjoy these local delights alongside the best international selection. That’s right – there’ll be fresh cuts of sashimi, seafood on ice, beef, and not to mention, a wide selection of desserts and pastries, including the best chocolate lava cake (we had 2 servings, guilty as charged).

Without further ado, we’ll quickly take you through a few highlights. There’s just so much good food, that we can only pick and choose the very best. Keep reading, because you will stand a chance to win this dinner buffet for two as well!

Flavours of Singapore at The Line

In celebration of National Day, Shangri-La’s famous buffet dinner at The Line will transform into a traditional food street from the 1960s.

Local Delights

Chef de Cuisine Vincent Wong is a figure you won’t miss at the buffet – passionate, tattooed, and engaging, he stands out among the others. The brains behind the delectable and innovative dishes, he brought us through the story behind each dish he conceptualised.

Chendol Bubbles

Take, for example, the Chendol Bubbles. Deftly and expertly, these bubbles of goodness were scooped into this cup. It looks deceivingly bland, but trust us, this is full of flavour. Its intriguing appearance is due to pockets of Chendol-infused air. There’s red bean mousse, and standard Chendol toppings waiting at the bottom of the cup. This is the epitome of guilt-free dessert – all the flavours you want in a Chendol, but without the guilt.

Tau Huey Popcorn

If you’re in the mood for another dish that’s out of this world, try the Tau Huey popcorn! You heard us right! Here’s a hint: the futuristic kitchen at The Line uses nitrogen gas. Our local soya bean beverage will be chilled to a point where it solidifies.. and resembles popcorn! Its extremely light and delicate texture will melt in your mouth in mere seconds, only to leave you begging for more.

Keep a lookout on our FB and IG for videos of Chef Vincent preparing and explaining these dishes!

Other Creations

There are more favourite old-time delights that are sure to bring a smile to your face. Think Chicken Rice Maki Rolls (with the best chicken rice chilli), Chilli Crab Brioche, Kaya-flavoured Arabic Bread and Nasi Lemak: canapé style!

Our local Oyster Omelette takes on an imaginative twist with deep fried egg artistically placed on each fresh and tender oyster. We couldn’t help filling our plates with these mini crowd-pleasers!

A Durian Alfresco Fruit Stall!

Durian lovers will be ecstatic to note that there will be an alfresco fruit stall full of specially-imported tropical fruits! When we were there, we were treated to D13 and Pheonix durians, all opened fresh in front of you by a charming and jovial Durian Master. So rich, creamy, sweet, and good, we had a few servings each! There may also be other tropical fruits like mangosteen, rambutan, longan, and jackfruit.

All the durians you see in the picture were wiped out at about 9:30PM! Yea, that’s how good it is.

Other Delights

Besides all these, there are stations serving Satay, Laksa, Drunken Prawn, warm food dishes, childhood snacks and drinks, and local pastries and desserts – the coconut durian cake was the best!

International Spread

Marine Harvest Seafood

The Line is well known for one of the largest buffet spreads in Singapore. Its fame stems from its generous selection during the Marine Harvest Seafood nights (Tuesday & Thursday). You name it, they have it! A few types of lobsters, oysters, clams, mussels, shrimps, crab claws, prawns, are served on a cold bed of ice.

The Oysters are also shucked live and fresh in front of you!

Other Stations

In addition, there is also a Roast Station offering salmon, and different kinds of beef. The Japanese station serves up a wide selection of sashimi; Salmon, Tuna, Yellowtail, Swordfish, Octopus, and more!  If you like to have some greens for every meal, you can count on the Salad Bar. Lovers of cheese, we counted at least 5 different types of cheeses to go with biscuits, bread, or ham!

Tip: You can request for salmon belly at the sashimi station.

Unlimited Wines, Beers, Juices, & Drinks

Only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, for Marine Harvest night, enjoy a selection of unlimited sparkling, red and white wines, beers, soft drinks, and juices!

Dessert

Our best advice? Always save space for dessert. We adore the delicate toffee and nut tartlets, chocolate lava cake with matcha ice cream, and durian coconut cake. There is even a selection of local sweet treats such as kuih and traditional cream cakes for those who want to take a walk down memory lane.

Tip + food hack: Drizzle olive oil, and sea salt (from the salad bar) on their vanilla soft serve for a delightfully sweet treat with a salty crunch. Our initial scepticism about this combination melted away the moment we took a bite.

We Never Wanted To Leave

https://www.facebook.com/discover.sg.official/videos/2051248505100841/

The Line undoubtedly remains one of the best buffets to be found on our island. We loved how approachable the chefs were at their stations. They entertained the crowd as they cooked on the spot, engaged and explained the dishes, and served up hot and fresh food along with a joke or two.

If you’d like to enjoy Shangri-La‘s The Flavours of Singapore dinner buffet at The Line, make a reservation here and revel in old-world charm, makan-style! You could also stand a chance to…

Win a dinner buffet for 2 at The Line, Shangri-La!

Simply LIKE and SHARE this post on Facebook, and LIKE Shangri-La’s Facebook to stand a chance to win The Flavours of Singapore dinner buffet* for two! Yes, it is that simple! That’s all you need to do for a chance to feast at The Flavours of Singapore dinner buffet. This giveaway ends 4th August, and the lucky winner will be notified through Facebook.

*Not valid for use on the eve of and on public holidays

The Flavours of Singapore dinner buffet will run from 18 July to 14 August 2016.
Monday, Wednesday, Sunday: $79 per adult, $39 per child
Friday and Saturday: $92 per adult, $46 per child
Tuesday Marine Harvest: $98 per adult, $44 per child
Thursday Marine Harvest: $108 per adult, $44 per child
The Marine Harvest dinner buffet includes an enhanced seafood selection, and a selection of unlimited sparkling, red and white wines, beers, soft drinks, and juices.
Click here to book a table.

All prices exclude 10% service charge and 7% GST.

This was an invited food tasting session. Thoughts and opinions are our own.

This article is brought to you by Discover SG x Shangri-La Hotel

https://www.facebook.com/discover.sg.official/posts/2050764938482531

Also, read [WIN] Tickets To A Romantic Movie With Your Date Under The Stars!

A Travel Diary – S’pore From The Eyes Of A Tourist [by The Girl Beneath The Headscarf]

Sam and I took the chance to visit Singapore for a few days on our way back from the Maldives. I was so excited to come back after a long time. Not only did I miss the heat and the non-stop activity, but also the diversity of this city.

On our first day, we visited Universal Studios – I have great memories from 7 years ago when I first visited it, and it didn’t disappoint the second time! It’s definitely worth it to buy the express pass if you only have few days in Singapore, so that you can spend more time somewhere else rather than standing in queues.

Marina Bay Sands is also worth of a visit. If you stay there, I’m sure I don’t need to remind you to go for a swim in their infinity pool during sunrise or sunset – it’s an unforgettable experience.You can literally see the entire country, because as you know, Singapore is not that big at all.

At the cheaper end of the spectrum, you should also pay a visit to Bugis Market to find all the souvenirs you can handle, and some enterprising street food, all at bargain prices.

Singapore is famous for having 3 majority communities being Chinese, Malay and Indian. The beautiful Little India is a great place to experience the rich Indian heritage and culture, decorated in a variety of colours.

The Sultan Mosque near Arab St is another one of Singapore’s must-see tourist attractions, not only showcasing Singapore’s diversity but also some incredible architecture.

This article first appeared on Also, read Can You Believe It? This Dinner In Singapore Costs SGD $2.7M!

Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These 7 Gorgeous Houses! #housegoals

Sure, a house is only as cosy and welcoming as the people who stay in it. But sometimes, it doesn’t hurt to pimp up your house a little (or a lot) to help achieve a look of grandiose and luxury. And it definitely doesn’t hurt to ogle at some of these gorgeous houses that one can only dream of living in. 

From lush greenery facades to clean slate minimalism, we’ve found some of Singapore’s most gorgeous houses. They are truly aspirational and inspirational all at once.

1. Arena House | Prow Architects

Images credit:

Images credit: This pre-war two storey terrace retains its charmingly vintage vibe on the outside, but its interior has been modified to exude a modern and earthy feel. The heavy usage of wood lends the house a natural sleek image, and the sunroof allows for lots of natural lighting to permeate the expansive space. High ceilings also help create an airy feel, resulting in a house that feels light yet grand all at once.

Images credit: It’s hard to imagine that this narrow looking house can look so bright and limitless from the inside, thanks in part to the floor-to-ceiling windows that let in plenty of light. The clinically white walls contrasted with the pockets of greenery in the home create almost like a living garden that’s modern yet thick with natural vibes.

Images credit: Almost like a tropical resort villa situated in Singapore, this huge home screams opulence and decadence. With huge glass panels that stretch from floor-to-ceiling that overlook the gorgeous scenic view, a private pool and a backyard door that opens up to provide an unobstructed look at the sunrise or sunset, you’ll never want to step out of this house.

Images credit: 

Images credit: Transformation and innovations lie in the heart, and exterior of this gorgeous house, which is something that cannot be said for most homes. The main feature is the motorised timber screens that not only create a distinctive feature of the house, but they also help create a dynamic living space that transforms with the light and shadows. The same timber panel features are also echoed throughout the house to give it a sense of completeness.

Images credit: Bold and geometrical, there’s something strangely soothing and impressive about the lines of the house. Aptly named the Tetris House, clean lines merge together to create an impressive space that’s modern and undeniably luxurious. With an impressive sloping roof that creates a dynamic sense of space, this is truly one gorgeous house to lay your eyes upon.

(Header image: Also, read 5 Best Stores To Get A Scandinavian-Style Home Without Ikea!

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

What’s In This Year’s NDP Goodie Bag? You’ll Be Surprised!

What’s in my bag? NDP 2016 Goodie Bag version

In this article, we’re bringing you the NDP 2016 Goodie Bag version of ‘What’s in my bag?’! From food to National Day Merchandise, and even to.. a trash bag? We will cover all bases to give you the ultimate breakdown of what’s in your 2016 National Day Goodie Bag!

The bag itself

First, let’s start with the actual bag. It comes in our two national colours, red and white, and is made of a translucent plastic. Together with its unique structured frame, this year’s goodie bag seems like a nod towards the future. Talk about futuristic vibes! Moreover, it can be carried 2 ways: as a bag pack or a shoulder bag. The bag also comes with a rain cover. Perfect for Singapore’s temperamental climate! Impressive!

NDP merchandise, with a High-Tech twist!

Moving on to the National Day themed items. National flag, Singapore scarf, patriotic tattoos- check! The goodie bag committee has also thoughtfully included a foldable fan just in case you feel warm during the show. Besides the regulars, this year’s merchandise stars the LED wristband everyone’s been talking about!

The LED wristband flickers brightly in a kaleidoscopic array of colours. It is programmed to match the pumping music and movement of the performers due to its wireless connection. As a result, this high-tech twist allows the audience to be involved in the parade on a whole new level. Audiences simply have to wear it!

This year’s NDP 2016 Goodie Bag features… a Comic Book?

Next, we move on to the printed materials. NDP 2016 Goodie Bag includes the ever-popular discount voucher booklet in addition to the programme booklet. You can stay informed of the parade’s highlights and find the lyrics to this year’s melodious theme song, “Tomorrow’s Here Today”!

Furthermore, there will be a comic book featuring the parade’s hero, Badang. The artful comic illustrates Badang’s journey and the origin of the Singapore Stone. It makes learning about Singapore’s history, fun especially for the little ones. A must-read, we say!

There’s an… NDP trash bag too??

A trash bag seems like the strangest addition to the NDP 2016 Goodie Bag this year. Correction: an NDP themed trash bag! You can play your part in keeping the indoor stadium clean by putting all trash into this sizeable trash bag.

Also, a packet of tissue and wet wipes are included, so you can clean up any mess. Don’t forget the adorable card holder with its friendly reminder about striving for a sustainable Singapore!

Makan time!

Finally, let’s have a look at the snacks in the goodie bag! It includes crowd pleasers like double-chocolate Hello Panda, the classic Keng Guan tidbits and Tai Sun peanuts. It won’t be an NDP goodie bag without a bottle of NeWater, just in case you get thirsty. Also, there is a packet of Nin Hom Herbal Candy to soothe tired throats. With these in your goodie bag, no sore throat is going to stop you from bellowing out cheers and songs!

To end this article, we’d like to wish Singapore an advance Happy 51st Birthday. Majulah Singapura!

Also, read A Peek At NDP 2016 – Fireworks Both Indoors AND Outdoors!

Rope Yoga & Kitesurfing? 6 Thrilling Sports For Adrenaline Junkies

If you’re an adrenaline junkie, chances are you’ve already tried some of the more uh, thrilling sports such as rock climbing and walking across elevated wobbly logs at the Forest Adventure. Compared to the usual void deck soccer and multipurpose hall badminton, rock climbing does sound pretty rad.

However, as true thrill seekers, completing the Forest Adventure alone just doesn’t cut it. What you need are some heart-pounding and soul-stopping activates that will get your adrenaline going. From cable skiing to car racing, we give you six thrilling sports that will do more than satisfy the adrenaline junkie in you.

1. Urban Skiing

With 2. Cable Skiing [caption id="attachment_11352" align="alignnone" width="897"] Source: Groupon[/caption]

Sure, we may not have the luxury of large open waters but that does not stop water sports enthusiasts from trying their hands at cable skiing. Instead of a boat, you’ll be pulled by a machine at speeds from twenty to fifty-eight kilometres per hour. Not exactly a pro? Fret not as the instructors will have you covered. So if you’re looking for a cooling yet thrilling activity, check out 3. Kitesurfing [caption id="attachment_11354" align="alignnone" width="1021"] Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Though a familiar activity to many water sports enthusiasts, some may be surprised to find this sport in Singapore. Conducted at either East Coast Park or Pasir Ris, spend your day navigating a power kite whilst skimming across blue sparkly waters. For the beginners, do expect to take a couple of hours/days before you’re able to fly.