Location: Downtown Core

This Island-Wide Heritage Trail Will Have You Rediscovering What It Means To Be S’porean

History buffs and die-hard patriots, the Singapore Heritage Festival is back for its 14th year!

This year, the Singapore Heritage Festival is inviting both young and old to explore Singapore’s history and culture through a curated smorgasbord of programmes and activities.

From 28 April to 14 May, the festival will bring guests all over historical spots in Singapore. From Bukit Pasoh to Caldecott Hill, the Singapore Heritage Festivals will be hosting theatre performances, heritage tours and hands-on craft workshops.

Here are some of the highlights worth looking out for at Singapore Heritage Festival 2017!

Caldecott Broadcast Centre

What’s a Singaporean festival if there isn’t any food to indulge in? The Singapore River will be transformed into a food paradise. From food exhibitions to performances centered around food, The Singapore Heritage Festival is going all out when it comes to our favourite pastime!

The Bronx Is Turning 2 And They’re Lighting Up Canvas With An Epic Hip Hop Party

If hip hop is your jam, there’s a party happening this Friday that you won’t want to miss! Canvas’ weekly hip hop night, The Bronx will be celebrating its second anniversary, and word on the street is it’s going to be a blast.

Happening on 28 April, The Bronx Anniversary commemorates its two year tenure at popular Clarke Quay nightspot Canvas.

The Bronx At Canvas

If neither name rings any bells (don’t worry, we’re not judging), The Bronx is an event that happens every Friday, dedicated to bringing both old school and new age hip hop to partygoers.

With DJs Ollie Des and S.O.F. helming the decks and hype man Mr Boo, The Bronx is one of Canvas’s weekly mainstays.

The Bronx Anniversary 

To celebrate The Bronx Anniversary, Canvas is set to throw one epic party–and what’s a party without some drinks? The event will see some amazing drink promos. Not only do you get a free drink with the $25 entry fee, you can get your hands on house pour jugs at $45.

Want to party it up with the whole gang? Table packages start at $400 for a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and a bottle of House Vodka/Whisky.

What’s a hip hop fan without his gear? Canvas has got you covered there. For one night only, Canvas will be handing out special edition caps from local streetwear label SFB.

While the design of these special edition caps is still under wraps, what we do know is the caps are crafted from the same premium suede used by SFB!

The Chainsmokers & Ariana Grande To Perform Here In September – And They’re Not The Only Ones

Singapore may be a tiny dot on the map, but we sure are a huge spot for celebrities and musicians to make appearances at.

From Hugh Jackman to Coldplay, Singapore is no stranger to international movie premiers and huge sold-out concerts.

This September, 2 of the biggest acts of the moment will be landing on our shores: Ariana Grande and The Chainsmokers. 

Headlining the 2017 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix alongside OneRepublic, Duran Duran and Seal, there’s something for music lovers both young and old(er)!

Also read, Jay Chou To Return To Singapore In 2018 For Part 2 Of “The Invincible” Tour!

2017 Is The Year Of Star Wars – Singapore Has Its First Star Wars Festival And Everyone Is Invited

For those of you who live and breathe Star Wars, good news for you! The Star Wars Festival is coming to Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay this May.

A three day festival that begins on 4 May (of course) and runs till 6 May, this is an event chock full of Star Wars-themed activities that will delight and knock the socks off any Star Wars fanatic.

A collaboration between the Singapore Tourism Board and The Walt Disney Company, here are some of the highlights from the festival that are worth checking out!

Star Wars Run 2017
Where: Gardens by the Bay, The Meadow
When: 6 May
Time: 4pm – 11.15pm

Star Wars: The Force Awakens 
Where: Gardens by the Bay, The Meadow
When: 6 May
Time: 9pm – 11.15pm

Casual and die-hard fans alike, head on down to Gardens by the Bay this May! The festival is bound to be an amazing evening out with family and friends!

For more information on the events, head to the DJs Above & Beyond Will Be In Singapore For One Night Only – Here’s Where They’ll Be Spinning

In Need Of A Happy Hour? This ‘Atas’ Food Hall In The CBD Has A Bar That Offers Drinks For Just $5

As they say, old is gold.

This time, Singapore After Nine is casting the spotlight on an oldie but a goodie: Five Square (FIV五 Square) in the busy CBD.

It’ll have you covered from lunch through to dinner and drinks, and with live performances, no less!

Just like its name, food and drinks here go at the unbeatable rate of $5 each, every hour of everyday.

Take your pick between dining indoors or out at the alfresco area.

The Bar

Chill out with your pals over sake, wine or beer at just $5 a glass.

To liven up the party, have a go at Five Square’s pool table or dart booths. Sports fans will feel right at home here too, as Five Square often screens games on their large-screen televisions.

Their drink menu features an extensive selection of premium whiskies, a hundred or so different brands of wines, and various labels of icy cold beer.

The Bazaar

Next to the bar is a large, open food hall that can hold a total of 300 diners. Home to 5 gourmet food stalls with extensive menus, take your pick from international cuisine ranging from Japanese to Spanish!

The dishes are reasonably priced, making them a popular choice for those working in the CBD, and attracting crowds from farther away.

It’s no wonder, as the dishes beat what regular food courts can offer in terms of taste and quality, yet are not as pricey as those in upscale restaurants.

Cinqo Tapas

A take on the popular Five Tapas Bar at Cuppage Terrace, Cinqo Tapas brings on a whole host of palate pleasers.

1. Carbonara Fettucine ($9.90)

This plate of pasta was worth every dollar–and every calorie! We swear we’re not exaggerating when we say we could literally smell the aroma of the smoky prosciutto ham and rich cream while it was on its way out from the kitchen!

The fettucine was topped with thinly shaved parmesan slices and a glistening orb of an egg. The pasta was perfectly al dente, and the rich creaminess of the sauce was complemented by the smoky ham, which was chewy and crisp.

2. Angus Beef Cubes ($12)

Fried beef topped with a generous smattering of golden sautéed garlic–yum! The beef cubes were well-marinated and packed a punch of flavour. Texture-wise, however, it was a tad too chewy for my preference. Nevertheless, we enjoyed it, and the fresh rocket leaves at the side were a refreshing accompaniment to the meat.

3. Bacon Mushroom ($6)

Springy, juicy mushrooms wrapped in bacon is what this dish is all about.

It was a pity the juices from the mushrooms softened the otherwise crispy bacon. Still, it was a winning combination, as the sweet taste of mushroom offset the savoury flavour of the bacon.

Just Pho Fun

Don’t let that name fool you–this place takes its food seriously.

4. Fresh Summer Roll (2 pcs, $5)

Stuffed with vermicelli, fresh prawns, mint leaves and assorted vegetables, these rolls were a delight to crunch into. If the rice paper wrap had been a little bit softer, it would have been perfect. Nevertheless, the sweet-sour chilli dip lent the roll a kick of flavour, and was very pleasing on the whole.

5. Dry Vermicelli with BBQ Pork ($10)

The texture of the noodle was good, and the accompanying sweet-spicy-sour sauce was thoroughly interesting on the taste buds. However, the pork leaned slightly on the dry side and could have been more tender. A generous shower of ground nuts, fried shallots, and freshly julienned carrots and turnips added some colour to the dish and was the perfect way to round it off!

6. Rice Noodles with Sliced Beef Soup ($10)

The rice noodles were cooked to just the right degree of springiness, and the beef slices were cooked to tender perfection. The soup was less savoury than we had hoped, but well-flavoured nevertheless!

As a bonus, with each main dish ordered at this stall, you get a free mango salad!

Teppei

A branch-off of its renowned parent outlet at Tanjong Pagar, this stall at Five Square serves equally good grub.

Without missing a beat, it continues to spread chef Teppei’s legacy in the form of top-notch taste, quality and affordability.

7. Kaisendon, Seafood Donburi ($16)

The cubes of salmon and tuna sashimi were fresh and tender, well-marinated and flavourful.

Small chunks of sweet scallop were nestled in the middle of the sashimi pyramid. Along with the tobiko, which exploded with savoury goodness with every bite, they went perfectly with the Japanese rice. A lick of wasabi to the side of the dish cleared our palate in between mouthfuls.

8. Seared & Salmon Sashimi, Seafood Donburi ($16.80)

This was really, really good.

The salmon sashimi was fresh and chopped into thick slices. Marinated with what tasted like a mixture of soy sauce and mirin, it was the perfect balance of sweet and savoury.

The seared salmon, on the other hand, had just the right amount of smokiness to it. Even though we were too full to eat all the rice, we devoured every single bit of the salmon.

The Grill Knife (Western)

An offshoot of The Soup Spoon, The Grill Knife also offers nutrition-packed meals made with fresh ingredients, paired with their delicious homemade sauces.

9. Chicken Combo ($13.80)

Grilled over high heat, the chicken thigh was tender and moist, as were the Bratwurst sausages.

As the saying goes, the more the merrier! This was true of the Herbivore salad that came with more than 5 different vegetables! Our only gripe was that the fried wanton skins that came with the salad could have been crispier. Apart from that, this dish was a tasty balance of protein and fibre.

Gogibox (Korean)

The Gogibox offers a unique twist on Korean cuisine, with the Gogi Taco ($6.80), and the Gogi Dog ($6.80).

It also sells bentos such as the Gogi Plate above ($8.50). Take your pick from fried rice, 8 different choices of meat and a salad. Unfortunately, we did not manage to sample food from the Gogibox as it was closed, but we will definitely be back to get some!

All things considered, Five Square is definitely a top contender on our list of chill out spots. Not only does it provide affordable food and drinks with great taste and quality, it’s also conveniently situated near the workplaces in the CBD.

It’s never too late for food and drinks at Five Square. Supper, anyone?

Cheers to the next round of great food and beer,

Singapore After Nine

All prices are subject to 7% GST and 10% Service Charge. 

Five Square
Address: 1 Pickering Street, Great Eastern Centre, #01-03, Singapore 04865
Opening hours: Mon – Sat, 10am – 12am (Closed on Sundays and PH)

Also read 7 Oozy Choux Pastries That Will Have You Scrambling To Lick Everything Up

This Korean Cafe Serves Pork Ribs Wrapped With Stringy Cheese – And It’s Grate

Ever lamented the need to travel to a separate cafe for a decent Korean Patbingsoo (red bean shaved ice), because the Korean restaurant you’re at doesn’t serve desserts?

Now you can have the best of both worlds at Patbingsoo Korean Dining House, and at incredibly affordable prices!

Located at Basement 2 of Plaza Singapura, where the old aquarium shop used to be, Patbingsoo Korean Dining House features an impressive array of both the sweet and the savoury. Opened in December last year, the restaurant prides itself in flavours inspired by the food streets of Seoul, adapted to local tastes.

This restaurant knows exactly what its customers want, providing us 2 full pages of fold-out Bingsoo menu items, and unique, fusion dishes.

That means dishes like Tteok Carbonara, Patbingsoo Buritos, and Seafood Sundubu Pasta!

During our visit, we decided to stick with the more classic flavours in an attempt to transport ourselves to Seoul.

We started off with some alcoholic beverages: the Lychee Makkoli, Green Tea Soju, and the Grape Yoghurt Soju ($11.90).

If you prefer your alcohol sweet, these are perfect for you!

More importantly, they pair really well with the Spicy and Honey Garlic Chicken Wings, our first appetisers of the day.

The smell of the roasted garlic hits you first, before suffusing your taste buds with its sweet, garlicky flavours. As for the Spicy Chicken Wings, they’re great even if you’re not too good with spices. Strong aromas with none of the pain!

Next up was the Fried Samgyeopsal ($6.90), deep fried pork belly slices served with a vibrant honey mustard dipping sauce.

Crispy and peppered with a world of seasoning, this sinful pleasure was able to mask its unhealthiness by leaving out that overly greasy taste fried food tends to have.

Next up was the restaurant’s signature dish: The Rolling Cheese Pork Ribs ($38.90)!

One of the more expensive items on the menu, this dish can be shared by anywhere between 2 to 4 people, depending on how many ribs you’re willing to sacrifice.

That’s because once you’ve taken a bite of this tender, sweet and spicy marinated pork rib that’s been lovingly wrapped in a mix of melted cheddar and mozzarella, you’ll want them all to yourself!

Couple that with a whole array of sides such as cream corn, potato chips, pineapple slices and fries, plus a generous serving of the best garlic mayo I have ever tasted, and you’ve got yourself a meal fit for a king!

Next, we moved on to the House Special Ramyeon ($11.90). At this point, we were starting to get full, but the moment the piping hot, spicy ramyeon came to our table, our appetites were whet all over again.

With a creamy, eggy broth that wasn’t too spicy, this yummy ramyeon disappeared as quickly as it appeared. That’s another thing about Patbingsoo Korean Dining House: their service was extremely quick! We barely had to wait before each dish arrived, and their service was polite and incredibly helpful.

At last, our final savoury item made its appearance: the Dynamite Spam ($11.90).

Spam is a staple of many Korean dishes, such as the classic Army Stew. Brought into South Korea during World War II, it was often smuggled back home from army bases as a treat. One mishmash of Korean stews and spam later, it is now a nation-wide beloved food item.

Patbingsoo Korean Dining House serves their spam with several slivers of raw onion, a generous serving of gochujang mayo and several seaweed rice balls. This is then torched right at your table, leaving you with an intoxicating flavour that ruins regular mayo for you from here on.

At first bite, you’ll immediately notice the sharp tang of the raw onion, before it is blanketed by the tangy, torched gochujang mayo sauce. The seaweed is very fragrant as well, helping to tie everything together in an umami bomb of flavour.

After all these savoury, carb- and protein-heavy dishes, we were more than ready to cleanse our palates with some sweet treats.

We were graciously provided with 2: The Incheon Bingsoo ($11.90) and the Hoegi Patbingsoo ($10.90).

The Incheon Bingsoo is shaved ice with tiramisu coffee, rum and coffee ice cream. Definitely a must for tiramisu lovers, this Bingsoo was extremely light as well.

The mascarpone was light and fluffy with a hint of coffee, and the lady finger biscuits provided a nice crunch.

As for the Hoegi Patbingsoo, it came with fruits, jelly, red bean and red bean ice cream, all on top of shaved ice.

For those of you who typically eat fruits after a meal, you’ll be ecstatic with this Bingsoo as it comes with strawberries, mango, grapes and honeydew. It’s also a more classic version of Bingsoo, with a nice dollop of sweet red beans under a scoop of ice cream.

(P.S. That’s what the ‘Pat’ in Patbingsoo means: Red Beans!)

Overall, we had an amazing time trying out just a small selection of their huge menu. Insanely affordable with amazing quality food, this is one place I’m definitely going to make a regular dinner spot.

Patbingsoo Korean Dining House
Address: Plaza Singapura, #B2-47, 68 Orchard Road, Singapore 238839
Contact no.: 9181 3038
Operating hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11am – 10pm; Friday – Saturday: 11.30am – 10.30pm
8 Best Places In Singapore With Pizzas That Look And Taste Like Heaven!

(Top Image Credit: Burpple)

Edible Helium Balloons Are Coming To Central Perk So You And Your F.R.I.E.N.D.S Can All Sound Like Chipmunks

If you’ve had any kind of childhood at all, there’s one thing you’d probably have done as a kid: breathe helium from a balloon and tried talking after it. Whether you have done it yourself or watched someone else do it on YouTube, it’s ALWAYS hilarious.

For those of you who’ve never had this sacred childhood experience, now you can with EDIBLE Helium Balloons. Yep, that’s helium balloons are not only safe, but delicious to eat.

This latest addition to the menu at Singapore’s own FRIENDS-themed cafe, Central Perk, was inspired by a dish at 3 Michelin starred ‘Alinea’ in Chicago. The brainchild of one of its co-owners, Grant Achatz, it’s been touted as one of the coolest desserts in America!

This would be its first ever appearance in Asia.

As with most of Central Perk’s food and drink offerings, every dish has a FRIENDS-related story behind it. This dessert draws inspiration from this particular episode of the beloved sitcom:

Coming in 3 flavours–strawberry (red), banana (yellow) and blueberry (blue)–these edible balloons each come attached to a chocolate stick.

So, how do I eat this? Simply put your mouth to the balloon and suck in the helium! Talk, laugh, sing, do whatever you want with your newfound chipmunk voices! You’re sure to have a blast with your friends.

We headed down to Central Perk to have a taste of their newest dessert. Here’s a sneak peek!

Our ambassador, Jessie, had a few turns at the bubble-like dessert. Bringing back memories of the plastic bubbles we used to blow, pop and play with as kids, we found that this dessert was a lot more delicate.

https://youtu.be/k6oMofTzins

The effects of the helium didn’t last very long, just 3-5 seconds before leaving us with sticky, sweet remnants. We were also served a deconstructed Nutella cake along with the helium balloon.

Bite-sized Nutella cake served atop a scoop of frozen yoghurt and chocolate syrup – we were disappointed to find that the Nutella cake hardly tasted of Nutella. Instead, it tasted like your regular chocolate cake, although we were surprised to find that the frozen yoghurt gave the dessert a kick of tartness.

In every other bite we took, we found tiny sticky pieces of candy which gave the dessert a surprising element!

This fun, wacky dessert will be available from the 2nd week of April onwards, although prices are currently unavailable. Do watch this space for more information!

Central Perk Cafe
Address: 1 Magazine Road, Central Mall #01-01, S059567
Contact no.: 9025 2524
We Got A Sneak Peak Into The Highly Anticipated Central Perk Singapore – And “OH MY GOD!”