5 Local Eateries You Never Knew Are Owned By Celebrities!
It may come as a surprise to some, but albeit their hectic work schedules, there has been an increasing trend of celebrities venturing in the F&B industry, where they take time off-screen to open their own bars and restaurants. From seafood goodness to sweet treats, here’s our list of 5 local eateries you never knew are owned by our celebrities!
1. Wholly Crab by Felicia Chin
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Started by MediaCorp actress Felicia Chin in May 2015, Wholly Crab is a seafood eatery specialising in American/Louisiana seafood. This casual seafood joint serves their seafood by the bucket where portions are usually catered for sharing. Instead of the traditional chilli and black pepper crabs, you’ll be able to find unique sauces like Kung Pao, Marmite, Creamy Cheese, Laksa and more.
Wholly Crab has affordable combo buckets to choose from. These include the Love Buckets ($60), good to share among 2-3 dinners or their Wholly Bucket ($120) for a larger group of 5-6. One of their must-try is their signature Nori Tempura Soft Shell Crab ($12), a crispy and succulent dish. For those who aren’t exactly fans of crabs, Wholly Crab has other food options such as mussels, prawns and even pasta.
So if you’re craving for a casual dinner, try Wholly Crab for your seafood fix.
Wholly Crab (Satay by the Bay)
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, #01-17 Satay By The Bay, S018953
Opening hours: Sun to Thu 2pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 2pm-11pm
Wholly Crab (Bedok Market Place)
Address: 348 Bedok Road, #02-10 Simpang Bedok Market Place, S469560
Opening hours: Tue to Sun 4pm-10pm, Closed on Mon
2. Mischief by Cynthia Koh, Michelle Chong & Daniel Ong
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Helmed by Daniel Ong, Cynthia Koh and Michelle Chong, Mischief is an eatery that focuses on American street food. With its lively ambience, this establishment is a great place for gatherings of any kind. Sink your teeth into delicious American cuisines such as the Sloppy Joes, Philly Cheesesteak or Chicken Waffle before washing them down with a pint of cold beer. For the health-conscious, there’s always the Heirloom Tomato Salad, a dish comprising of juicy tomatoes, basil pesto, cheese and olive crumb.
Not a fan of beer? Mischief also offers a selection of alcoholic drinks such as cocktails, spirits and wines. Did we also mention that there’s neither service charge nor GST?
Mischief
Address: 8 Raffles Avenue, Esplanade Mall #01-12, S039802
Contact: 6532 0106
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 5pm-1am, Fri-Sat 5pm-3am, Sun 5pm-11pm
3. Dulce and Sucre by Jaime Teo & Daniel Ong
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They may be known as the founders of Twelve Cupcakes, but did you know that duo Jamie Teo and Daniel Ong are also behind the concept of Dulce and Sucre? An extension of Twelve Cupcakes, this establishment sells a variety of puddings, crunchies, whoopies, and tarts with prices ranging from S$3.30 – S$6.00.
If you happen to be in the Orchard area, do head down to the basement of Orchard Gateway to try their tarts, cake pops and loaves that are baked using top ingredients such as French butter and top notch chocolate. Also, expect great service here at this little quaint cafe!
Dulce and Sucre
Address: 277 Orchard Road, B1-01 Orchard Gateway, Singapore 238858
Tel: +65 6509 1255
Opening hours: Daily 10am-10pm
4. PARK at Holland Village by Adam Chen
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Located in bustling Holland Village, PARK is a one of a kind Gastro Bar opened by actor Adam Chen, whose passion for the creation of spaces paved the way for his introduction to the F&B industry. Reconstructed out of an old shipping container and powered by solar energy, PARK is a stand-alone restaurant that is pretty hard to miss.
PARK operates as a cafe by day and bistro by night. The must-try items include its Spam Chips ($8.50) and Truffle Mac and Cheese ($13.50). Do arrive early as seating is limited and establishment tends to fill up pretty fast during peak hours.
PARK at Holland Village
Address: 281 Holland Avenue, #01-01, S278996
Contact: 6532 0106
Opening hours: Fri-Sun 10am-2am, Tue-Thu 10am-12am, Closed on Mon
5. Dancing Crab by Dick Lee
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[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="960"]Other than Slappy Cake, the renowned songwriter is also the owner of Start your meal with some Crab Cakes ($13) or you know, dive straight into the Boston Lobsters ($9.50/100g) or Dungeness crabs ($8.50/100g). Other must-try dishes include classics such as the Po’boy Sandwiches ($15) and Seafood Gumbo ($11). That said, do be prepared to get your hands dirty at Dancing Crab!
Check out all the four outlets location Dancing Crab (The Grandstand)
Address: The Grandstand 200 Turf Club Road
Contact: 65 6566 3303
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 5pm-10.30m, Sat-Sun/PH 11.30am-3pm; 5pm-10.30pm
Sure, the combination of fame and food may sound like a winning formula, but we’ll leave it to you to decide if the celebrities should venture further into their second careers. However, we do salute their passion for food and they are indeed, inspiring people to look up to. If you do decide to drop by their restaurants, do let us know how they fare by dropping a comment below!
(Header image by todayonline, danielfooddiary and The Straits Times, edited by writer)
Also read: A Teppanyaki Dinner That Hits All The Right Spots – Teppan Bar Q
A Malaysian’s Unbiased Opinions Towards Singapore Food
In my opinion, the perennial debate over whether Malaysia or Singapore has better food is something that need not exist. Having lived in both countries and tasted food at every level, it is hard to say whose food is better.
Just like everything out there, both have its strengths. While I personally believe Malaysia probably fares slightly better for hawker food in general, I believe Singapore easily overtakes Malaysia for speciality dishes such as the chilli crab and chicken rice.
Red House Seafood
When I was down in Singapore for two weeks, I got to try 
The dish is only made more memorable after the crabs have been finished and all that is left is to dip the fried mantou into the sinfully good sauce. Not a single drop should be wasted.
The charcoal bun with chilli crab filling was a pleasant surprise. The innovative dish incorporates charcoal powder into the bun, which makes it softer than anyone can imagine. Packed with the chilli crab filling, these buns were quite a treat. I don’t think I would be able to find anything close to this back home.
The trio of squid was another stunning dish. While I think this can be easily found in Malaysia, this dish is special because it has all three types of squid in one dish.
We also tried its crab bee hoon at Red House seafood, a slightly upscale seafood restaurant along Prinsep Street, just a stone’s throw away from the bustling Orchard Road. Again, this is a dish uncommon to Malaysia. The Sri Lankan crabs used in Singapore are easily three times larger than those found in Malaysia. My theory is that the best crabs go to Singapore, and Malaysia gets the rest.
For some unknown reason, I’d expected the dish to be fried, but to my surprise, the dish consisted of a cold water crab bathed in rich, deeply flavoured broth and surround by thick bee hoon. The milky sheen of the broth reminded me very much of fish head bee hoon soup and indeed, the taste of this broth bore some similarities to the fish head bee hoon soup, but with more depth.
The crab seemed to have enhanced the flavour of the soup, bringing it up a notch. Again, I have to admit that I probably wouldn’t be able to find an eatery in KL that could serve a rival dish.
Roast Paradise
But if we talk about dishes that could contest each other in flavour and consistency between the two countries, it will have to be Roast Paradise’s char siew. Admittedly, Randall and Kai, the two Gen-Y owners of the hawker stall in Old Airport Road Food Centre, completed a four-week training course in Kuala Lumpur before opening their stall. But they have taken the best of what they could learn from an expert in KL before making the char siew in a uniquely Singaporean way.
I had the utmost privilege of speaking to Randall, a 26-year-old entrepreneur who was so passionate about food, he was willing to go against his parents’ wishes to enter the hawker trade. In only four weeks of training, he and Kai had mastered the art of preparing char siew and now serves to a strong crowd almost daily.
The sweet marinade of the char siew meat ($4.50 for 100gm), coupled with an unparalleled expertise in the technique of achieving tender roast meat, is what makes this dish memorable from start to end. The trip to the food centre might be a hassle for some, but it is worth it.
The dishes come with garlic rice ($0.60) or freshly made Hakka noodles ($2.20). They had, unfortunately, ran out of garlic rice and roasted pork ($4.50 for 100gm) when we were there at about 4pm (towards the end of their second service). However, we did manage to try the Hakka Mee.
In comparison, hawker food in Singapore is incredibly affordable compared to Kuala Lumpur, where an average bowl of noodles can cost up RM5.50.
Would I say either country’s food is better? I strongly believe they’re both good in their own way. Healthy competition is always encouraged.
Red House (Prinsep Street)
Address: 68 Prinsep Street, S188661
Tel: 6336 6080
Email: [email protected]
Operating hours: Mon-Fri, 11.30am-2.30pm, 5pm – 10.30pm; Sat-Sun, 11am-10.30pm
Roast Paradise 烧味天堂
Address: Old Airport Road Food Centre Stall #01-122
Brought to you by Discover SG x Foodie VS The World.
Also, read Watermelon Fried Rice In Singapore, Have You Tried It?
6 Bag Labels Every Stylish Guy Should Be Familiar With
When putting together an outfit, the one problem that almost every man will have will be picking out the right bag. While the ladies have an array of purses, clutches, totes and god knows what else to choose from, men usually face the challenge of finding a practical yet aesthetic bag that doesn’t look like one they borrowed from their girlfriends/sisters. Well, step aside ladies, because this article is where men rock the runway.
If you think a man’s bag is a ‘murse’, it’s time to join in the crowd. From bag packs to tote bags, here’s a list of six labels to kickstart your man bag predilection and to complete your outfits with.
1. Brownbreath
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Designed with a distinctive minimalist colour palette, each bag is carefully fashioned for maximum convenience while assuring that your appearance remains on point
Where to Get:
The Assembly Store
Address: #01-22/23, The Cathay, 2 Handy Rd, S229233
Megafash Outlets
https://www.megafash.com/
2. Gnome & Bow
Gnome & Bow is a Singaporean label started by local Quanda Ong. Since its infancy, the brand has been getting stirring reviews for its quality materials, workmanship, and storytelling. Wait, what?
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As a novel entry into the local fashion scene, each bag is imbued with a whimsical storytelling element such as The Hare & The Tortoise and Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. Harmonising functionality, class and fun, Gnome & Bow bags are designed for the discerning individual.
Where to Get:
The Assembly Store
Address: #01-22/23, The Cathay, 2 Handy Rd, S229233
3. Herschel
Renowned for its quality and innovation, Herschel‘s bags are perhaps the most prominent among Singaporeans. Their collection is diverse with various styles to complement your outfits. The design behind Herschel is rooted in vintage mountaineering and travel, as evident from their great emphasis on functionality.
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Herschel bags are fitted with big compartments, ideal for wanderlusts and leisure travel shoppers. Rugged and sturdy, they are also the perfect companions for Secondary School and Tertiary School students bearing laptops or textbooks whilst commuting to and fro.
Where to Buy:
The Assembly Store
Address: #01-22/23, The Cathay, 2 Handy Rd, S229233
4. Porter
The Porter label is split into two different categories – Porter International.
Head Porter/Porter Tokyo is from Japan and carries exclusive tote bags, backpacks and shoulder bags that are nearly impossible to find in brick-and-mortar stores. Their bags are catered towards affluent young to middle-aged adults and are on the pricier side.
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The Porter International bags on the other hand, are widely available. Porter bags are generally considered affordable luxuries with a strong fan base comprising of working adults. Melding aesthetics with practicalities, their collection features folios and shoulder bags optimal for the professional office look.
Where to Buy:
Wisma Atria (Porter International)
Address: #03-06, 435 Orchard Rd, S238877
TANGS (Porter International)
Address: Level 3, TANGS Orchard, 310 Orchard Rd, S238864,
#01-187 & #02-189, TANGS Vivocity, 1 Harbourfront Walk, S (098585)
5. STATE
STATE is probably so indie most would have never heard of it. This American bag-makers pride themselves as crafters of style and durability. The best feature of this bag is undoubtedly the company behind it.
STATE is a philanthropic company that employs the “Buy One, Give One” model, whereby for every bag sold, one containing school supplies is given to a needy American child for free.
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From the eye-catching colours of The Kane to the unique fireman clip closure of The Smith, the little-known brand of STATE is generating massive amounts of hype. So, before it goes mainstream, win yourself a couple of hipster style points by getting a hold of one of these babies now!
Where to Get: Premium Danish label RAINS was established in the rainy (duh) streets of Copenhagen. With a name as simple as its concept, RAINS does exactly what you expect it to do – it protects your beloved from getting soaked by rain. Their collection includes designer tote bags, messenger bags, and duffel bags; all of which is a reflection of modern city life. As we all know, Singapore is host to unpredictable weather and you wouldn’t want to be caught off-guard when it starts pouring. Practical for use be it to protect precious documents or electronics on a hike, you won’t have to worry anymore. Yes, gone are the days of Crumplers or Kankens. These bags may not necessarily come cheap, but they are definitely investments worth making. Not only will they complete your look and keep your style on point, you’ll get your money’s worth with the bags’ durability. (Header images by Pinterest) Also, read 5 Hipster Barbers You Should Visit For That Dapper Kingsman Look
6. RAINS
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A Teppanyaki Dinner That Hits All The Right Spots – Teppan Bar Q
Part of a chain of restaurants by the Ishida Kikaku Group, originating from Hakata city in Kyushu, Japan, Teppan Bar Q is the group’s second restaurant in Singapore. This newly opened restaurant is set in the hip and stylish Robertson Quay area.
The founder, Mr Kyota Ishida, also known as Mr K, promotes the taste of Hakata in all his dining ventures. Mr K has been in the industry since he was sixteen when he started working in a French restaurant. His passion for bringing a sense of excitement and discovery to customers through food has led him to open various restaurants around Japan, and now, Singapore.
Teppan Bar Q
Teppan Bar Q is a contemporary teppanyaki restaurant that offers Spanish Tapas with a creative twist. This cosy and inviting diner seats 21 pax around the counter. Indoor and outdoor seatings are available for drinks and light bites. You can also pair a wide selection of wine from Spain to Japan, private-label sakes, fruit liqueurs, cocktail, and beers, with its dishes.
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Roasted Hakata Mentai
One of Hakata region’s speciality is their Roasted Hakata Mentai ($12.90) – marinated roe of Pollock and Cod, specially flown in from Hakata. The roe is sliced into small nuggets, gently roasted on its grill, and topped with capsicum, chilli flakes.
We found this dish a little too savoury for our taste buds. However, it paired well with sake for a full bodied flavour.
Octopus Galician Style
This is an interesting combination – octopus on potatoes ($13.90). The octopus is well-cooked and seasoned to perfection. Topped with paprika powder, olive oil and spring onions on a bed of soft potatoes, this dish tantalised the taste buds. The dish was delightful – tangy, slightly peppery, and just the right amount of savoury.
Foie Gras with Daikon
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The Foie Gras with Daikon ($26.80) is our favourite dish and totally stole the limelight. This dish is chef Kyota’s signature Mediterranean-inspired dish. After grilling to perfection, the foie gras is set to rest for 2 minutes. This makes it more juicy and tender.
The smooth and rich foie gras melted in my mouth. The daikon (white radish), soaked in dashi broth, was heavenly. It oozed with unami and dashi and left me wanting more. This is a truly unforgettable dish.
Tonpei Yaki with Rice Cake & Cheese
One of Teppan Bar Q’s must-haves is definitely their Tonpei Yaki with Rice Cake and Cheese ($25.90). The Tonpei Yaki is a thin batter layered with finely chopped cabbage with slivers of pork, egg, and white sauce. The white sauce is a secret mixture of mountain yam paste and mayonnaise. The restaurant’s mayonnaise is homemade with plum-infused soymilk – a healthier choice. Also, good quality eggs from Okinawa are used for this dish. What’s also special is that this dish is served on special earthenware plates. These plates have an infrared effect that draws out the taste of the ingredients evenly. Definitely a must-try dish!
US Ribeye Angus Steak
The US Angus Ribeye Steak ($58.90 for 200g) was cooked to perfection. It was not tough at all and was juicy and tender. Choose from three accompanying sauces – sesame sauce, soy sauce with wasabi, and garlic ginger onion sauce. Out of all the sauces, we felt that the sesame sauce added a punch to the flavour of the beef. If you want to enjoy the natural flavour of the beef, simply opt for the soy sauce with wasabi.
Garlic Fried Rice
A good garlic fried rice consists of loads of garlic fried to a delectable aroma with eggs and rice. This garlic fried rice ($12.90) totally nailed it! On top of all these goodness, the chef added in a fatty portion of the steak from our previous dish which gave our fried rice a surprise burst of flavour for each bite.
Vanilla Ice Cream Kinako
To wrap up your dinner, try their Vanilla Ice Cream Kinako ($6.90). The ice cream is made from kinako – roasted soybean paste which is a healthy option for diners. A brown sugar syrup at the bottom provides a sweet finish to the dessert.
All in all, we love how quaint and cosy this little restaurant bar is. If you’re looking to unwind with friends or would like to have a family gathering in an intimate casual setting, we definitely recommend visiting Teppan Bar Q!
Do note that the servings seen in the pictures are in mini portions as this was an invited food tasting. Besides the ala carte dishes, Teppan Bar Q also offers a set course menu from $60.
In Singapore, Teppanyaki is either found at food courts or at the high-end restaurants. Teppan Bar Q fills the mid-range gap. To find this restaurant, walk along Muhammad Sultan Road instead of Unity Street.
This was an invited food tasting session.
(All photos are taken by the writer)
Teppan Bar Q
11 Unity Street, #01-21/22 Robertson Walk, Singapore 237995
Tel: 65 6235 0629
Opening Hours: Daily, 6pm – 12am
Also, read Decadent Yet Light Cakes You’ll Love – Waku Ghin @ Marina Bay Sands
The Singaporean Bucket List – 10 Challenges You Die Die Must Complete
Boy does time fly. With half of the year now gone, it’s time to do possibly to a mini reflection, to ask if you’ve done anything worthy of a #throwback post for your future social media feeds. Oh the troubles of millennials, are we right?
Seriously, though, if you’re looking to create worthy memories you can churn into bar talk, here’s a bucket list of 10 challenges to complete before the year ends.
1. Go On A Solo Bike Trip
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You’ve heard about all the good things about Pulau Ubin. How about taking things up a notch and experiencing them through a solo bike tour? Rental bike shops are aplenty on the island and once you’re good to go, cycle along the dedicated cycling track into the wetlands and see for yourself the beauty of the island.
The off-road track (especially the uphill climb) might get a little tough for the inexperienced cyclists but trust us, the scenery is worth all the effort. A little tip from us: check out the 2. Re-Visit Haw Par Villa
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFeSY5Qyn2x/?taken-at=214263195 Whilst Tiger Balm is a great invention, Haw Par Villa, the home of the Aw brothers, isn’t exactly the most youngster-friendly of spots. Remember being scared witless by the countless sculptures situated all around the premise? Or the Ten Courts of Hell that had you promise your parents that you’ll never, ever lie to them again? Now that you’re all grown-up and brave, take the chance to re-visit the park and see what Haw Par Villa really is about. It may come as a surprise, but hidden behind the sculptures are some very meaningful moral values we can learn from. For the thrill-seekers, get some extra ‘hao pa’ (Chinese translation: scared ) experience by visiting the place during the Hungry Ghost Festival. We dare you. https://www.instagram.com/p/BG1O3nsv0PH/?taken-at=214263195&hl=en https://www.instagram.com/p/BG4cvAjjMC-/?taken-at=214263195&hl=en Haw Par Villa Measuring a good 9km, the Southern Ridges trail consists of four parks spanning across the western half of Singapore. Several parts of the trail are suspended high above the canopy, giving hikers a great view comprising of the contrast between Singapore’s modern buildings and the primaeval greenery around the trail. The most scenic part of the hike can be found in the section between Hort Park and Mount Faber. The Southern Ridges Walk is pretty accessible, where you can choose to enter from West Coast Park, Kent Ridge Park, Hort Park or Mount Faber Park. Do note that anything with wheels (bicycles, roller skates) are not allowed on most of the trail! https://www.instagram.com/p/BG6IT1dCI9a/?tagged=southernridgestrail&hl=en https://www.instagram.com/p/BEnWPSbgyWO/?tagged=southernridgestrail&hl=en https://www.instagram.com/p/BCAphewNqT4/?tagged=mollymalonesingapore&hl=en Do you know how many Storm Troopers appeared in Empire Strikes Back? Can you name all the members of Backstreet Boys? Whether you’re a walking Wikipedia or someone who loves quizzes, attend for a trivia night and have some fun with your friends! There are a few bars that host trivia night but our personal favourite will have to be Molly Malone’s Quiz Night, held on Mondays 7.30pm. They usually cover a variety of genres, ranging from movies to fashion. Got your A game on? Stand a chance to walk away with a bucket of St. Miguel/St. Miguel light. Not available on Mondays? Molly Malone’s Quiz Night https://www.instagram.com/p/ryxZG3se21/?taken-by=renechong&hl=en Think you’re the next Sherlock Holmes? Then it’s time to recruit your friends and take on an Escape Room challenge! The game objective is too simple: solve the puzzles and escape from a locked room within a given time. The difficulty levels and themes vary according to the type or rooms you pick. We’re pretty blessed to have a variety of escape games available here in Singapore-,
https://www.instagram.com/p/BG49pKrOInR/?tagged=silosobeach Sentosa is famous for its 3 beaches – Siloso, Palawan, and Tanjong. It’s hard to say which is better than the other so why not experience all three beaches on the same day? We suggest you start your beach hopping with the Siloso Beach, followed by lunch or a picnic at Palawan before relaxing at Tanjong. Do check out our Beach Guide before if you’re intending on planning a beach day out! https://www.instagram.com/p/_wOYwrBFPa/?tagged=pahlawanbeach https://www.instagram.com/p/BG3t57bCrZy/?taken-at=1371397 https://www.instagram.com/p/BGZNN0zluUi/?taken-at=912509 This is obviously not for the faint-hearted. You’ve probably heard of the Old Changi Hospital, but have you tried exploring the abandoned Fort Serapong, and Old Tanglin Camp? Whilst you’re at it, strap on a camera, film your adventure and make your very own ‘True Singapore Ghost Stories’. But remember, safety is of utmost importance and try to be respectful when visiting these places. https://www.instagram.com/p/_drI69KWAk/?tagged=fortserapong https://www.instagram.com/p/zUFYPnHi49/?tagged=neotiewestate https://www.instagram.com/p/BGotSjhsDU-/?taken-at=164558236 One of the biggest food trend in Singapore this 2016 has got to be having the salted egg yolk in every dish. There is the Xiao Long Bao, Croissants, molten Cheese Tarts, Lava Toast, Onion Rings, Ice cream, Prata and also the super addictive someone-stop-us-from-eating-more Salted Egg Yolk Chips. How many of these have you ticked off from your gourmet list? We’re not sure if Salted Egg Yolk is here to stay but be sure to try everything whilst the fad lasts. Do try to space out your dishes as y’know, high cholesterol. https://www.instagram.com/p/BD2hspWAXaz/?taken-by=explodingbelly https://www.instagram.com/p/BDlCYJcgXeL/?taken-by=explodingbelly https://www.instagram.com/p/BCrFvpeG2XR/?taken-by=asdsingapore Let’s be honest. When was the last time you did something without expecting any returns? (and we’re not talking about mandatory volunteer work that you had to do to earn CIP hours). So take this time to do something good this year and volunteer at one of our many volunteer organisations! If you’re more of an animal person, check out . All in for gender equality? Sign yourself up at Volunteer Guide for a thorough list of organisations where you can contribute to. https://www.instagram.com/p/BFgSJfRMe9O/?taken-by=renechong&hl=en Doesn’t matter if AJ Hackett Sentosa has yet to open but according to their For those who are not too fond of free falling, there is also the Vertical Skywalk (used by Navy Seals, The Army and Hollywood), Skybridge and Giant Swings (swing side by side reaching 120km/hr) to keep your adrenalin going. Do follow their Facebook page for the latest updates. Did our list get you all fired up? Do tell us how many challenges you managed to tick off the list! (Header image by AJ Hackett, words by editor) Also read: It’s Now Or Never – Snag These 8 Best Lifestyle Deals This GSS
Address: 262 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118628
Operating Hours: Daily 9:00am-6:00pm3. Complete the Southern Ridges Walk
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4. Attend A Trivia Night
Day/Time: Mondays / 7:30pm
Address: 56 Circular Rd, Singapore 049411
Contact number: +65 6536 20295. Take Up The Escape Room Challenge
6. Beach Hop At Sentosa
7. Hunt The Haunted
8. Try All Salted Egg Yolk Dishes
9. Volunteer For A Cause
10. Bungy Jump
Choo Choo! JR East To Open Very First Overseas Japan Rail Cafe In SG
Train enthusiasts, cafe hopper, or lover of all things Japanese, we have great news for you! East Japan Railway Company (JR EAST) has just announced that they will be opening their very first out-of-Japan, tourism-themed cafe this November. And the best part of all, this ‘train’ will be arriving in Singapore!
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Image source: JR East[/caption]
Get your Japan rail passes at the cafe
Set to open their doors on the ground floor of Tanjong Pagar Centre, the Japan Rail Cafe will be a one-stop Japanese-experience for fans of the country. Besides dishing out yummy gourmet food and displaying kawaii items, prospective Japan tourists can also find information about lesser known regions of Japan and even purchase their Japan rail passes here. Now that sure is convenient!
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Image source: JR East[/caption]
Monthly menu and display updates
If you think this is just another ‘one visit and you’re done’ themed cafe, you’re missing out the fun here. The kawaii display items imported from Japan will be changed EVERY MONTH. The menu, which adopts the latest recipes developed by JR EAST’s F&B outlets in Tokyo, will also be updated on a monthly basis.
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Image source: Rene Chong[/caption]
Workshops, pop-up booths, and seminars
On top of that, Japan Rail Cafe will also be hosting monthly workshops, and pop-up booths selling items from shopping malls inside JR EAST’s train stations. If you’re too broke to make a trip to the land of rising sun, you can experience Japanese culture at the seminars and get your Japanese (gift or souvenirs) here!
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Image source: ClairwithoutE[/caption]
Get advice for your Japan itinerary
Planning the itinerary of an overseas trip can be a bit of a pain but we have a feeling that this cafe will be the perfect place to work on your Japan trip’s rundown. What’s better than having a local help you with your travel plans? At the Japan Rail Cafe, there will be Japanese service staff (fluent in English) who will introduce their home country to you.
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Image source: Ghost Presenter[/caption]
2016 marks the 50th anniversary of Singapore-Japan Diplomatic Relations and having a cultural exchange in a casual setting sure is a great way to celebrate the relationship. #relationshipgoals
Japan Rail Cafe
Address: 5 Wallich Street, #01-20/21, Tanjong Pagar Centre, Singapore
Estimated opening date: November 2016
(Header image source: Wikimedia, words by writer)
Also read: Popular Nightspots – Unwind To Recommended Izakayas in Singapore
Need A Break? Here’re 9 New & Hip Hotels For Your Next Staycay!
1. The South Beach
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Image credit: The South Beach[/caption]
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Image credit: The South Beach[/caption]
If you’re looking for an elaborate stay, the The South Beach
Address: 30 Beach Rd, S189763
Contact:6818 1888
Price: From S$442 per night
2. Hôtel Vagabond
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Image credit: Hotel Vagabond[/caption]
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Image credit: Hôtel Vagabond[/caption]
From its massive gold elephant to the shiny bronze rhinoceros at the reception, the quirky Hotel Vagabond
Address: 39 Syed Alwi Rd, S207630
Contact:6291 6677
Price: From S$209 per night
3. The Club Hotel
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Image credit: The Club Hotel[/caption]
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Image credit: homeanddecor.com.sg[/caption]
Head straight to Mr & Mrs Maxwell’s, the bar and lounge at The Club Hotel
Address: 28 Ann Siang Rd, 069708
Contact:6808 2188
Price:From S$268 per night
4. Hotel Jen Tanglin
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Image credit: Hotel Jen Tanglin[/caption]
Image credit: Hotel Jen Tanglin
Based on the imaginary persona of Jen, a professional hotelier, Hotel Jen Tanglin offers a cosy staycation spot at the end of Orchard’s shopping district. With Tumblr-ish quotes printed on its cushions and a lounge that looks more like a cafe than a hotel, Jen offers a charming and personal touch. This is also seen from its dabao (takeaway) box at the buffet, where you can help yourself to a little extra with the courtesy of Jen. They certainly know how to satisfy the auntie in us.
Hotel Jen Tanglin
Address: 1A Cuscaden Rd, 249716
Contact:6738 2222
Price: From $202 per night
5. Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa
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Image credit: Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa Facebook[/caption]
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Image credit: Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa Facebook[/caption]
The newly refurbished Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa
Address: 2 Bukit Manis Road Sentosa, Singapore 099891
Contact:6708 8310
Price: From S$354 per night
6. Hotel YAN
Image credit: Hotel YAN
Image credit: Hotel Yan[/caption]
This industrial-chic hotel has a chill, cafe-like vibe that hipsters will die for. Built from a former industrial warehouse, Hotel YAN
Address: 162 Tyrwhitt Rd, 207581
Contact:6805 1955
Price: From S$104 per night
7. Park Hotel Alexandra
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Image credit: Park Hotel Alexandra[/caption]
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Image credit: tripadvisor[/caption]
Want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city? Park Hotel Alexandra
Address: 323 Alexandra Road, 159972
Contact:6828 8888
Price: From S$148 per night
8. ibis Styles Singapore On Macpherson
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Image credit: booking.com[/caption]
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Image credit: ibis Styles Singapore On Macpherson[/caption]
Located at the top level of Macpherson Mall, ibis Styles Singapore On Macpherson
Address: 401 Macpherson Road Corner of MacPherson & Aljunied Rd, S368215
Contact: 6622 6000
Price: From S$99 per night
9. Oasia Hotel Downtown
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Image credit: Oasia Hotel Downtown[/caption]
Image credit: Oasia Hotel Downtown
With natural foliage and sleek modern designs, Oasia Hotel Downtown
Address: 100 Peck Seah St, 079333
Phone:6812 6900
Price from S$240 per night
Parisian-inspired stays, tropical retreats and more, there’s definitely no lack of new hotels to book a staycation this year. So if you’re too caught up with work for an overseas trip, a staycation is probably the next best thing for a quick getaway.
(Header image credit: original images (in clockwise direction) by Hotel Jen Tanglin, Sofitel Singapore Resort & Spa, , edited by author.)
Also read: 8 Cool Places For An Ultimate Chill Out Weekend At Kampong Glam
Kitchen at Bacchanalia – Send Your Taste Buds On An Adventure!
Nestled in the heart of Hong Kong Street, The Kitchen at Bacchanalia isn’t your average fine-dining restaurant. What catches the attention of passers-by is not just the well-decorated interior, but also the stunning open kitchen concept. The cosy 36 seater really makes fine dining a casual yet intriguing affair.
The Kitchen at Bacchanalia is led by head chef Ivan Brehm. This is Brehm’s first restaurant in Singapore. Born in Brazil, he uses his deep culinary knowledge and experience to create many unique and intriguing dishes. His menu is carefully thought and crafted out. All the dishes I’ve tried did not fail to excite the taste buds.
The entire restaurant exudes a relaxed vibe. The low chatter from the guests and the overall calm ambience makes dining at Bacchanalia comfortable and enjoyable. The waiters adopt a smart-casual look as they are all dressed in shirt and jeans. Upon stepping in, the delicious smell of food wafts through the air while the chefs cook.
The best part? Diners get to watch all the action! From the preparation to the cooking and even to the plating of the dishes.
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Chilled capellini pasta, black garlic mayonnaise, American chilli pepper[/caption]
The capellini pasta was chilled and perfectly al dente. The black garlic mayonnaise and sprinkles of American chilli pepper complemented the pasta and left a sharp and intriguing aftertaste, that wasn’t too overpowering. The black garlic mayonnaise sauce also gave the dish a different texture that wasn’t too soupy or thick.
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Hamachi “On Toast” – Cured Japanese Hamachi[/caption]
Hamachi is traditionally known as Japanese Yellowtail fish. It is commonly used in sushi or eaten alone as sashimi. It is normally found in the northern part of the pacific ocean and can be eaten either raw or cooked. Chef Ivan’s dish – Hamachi “On Toast” – consists of cured Japanese Hamachi atop rice and a rice cracker. Little bits of pomelo is added to balance out the saltiness and gives the dish a touch of sourness. The rice cracker also gives the dish its special crunch. All these aspects come together perfectly to wow my taste buds.
Talk about sending taste buds on an adventure – take the popular appetiser dish “Carrot” for example. The plate is filled with… you guessed it! Carrots. The carrots are cooked in different ways; from seared carrots to carrot jams and carrot sponge cakes. Because the carrots are cooked differently, the dish gave me a different perspective of carrots. I never imagined that a carrot could be so sweet and spongy. If I had to eat one kind of vegetable for the rest of my life, I’d choose to eat Chef Ivan’s carrot dish forever!
Another intriguing dish is the sesame cake that was served for dessert. It is a delicious black sesame almond cake served with pink guava sorbet. The sweetness of the sesame cake is perfectly balanced by the tangy-ness of the guava sorbet. The cake is spongy but it also doesn’t fail to melt in the mouth. Paired with the guava sorbet, the combined flavour of this duo really packs a punch. Overall, it makes for an A-star dessert.
If you’re hungry for food that will satisfy both your taste buds and your tummy, The Kitchen at Bacchanalia is definitely the place to go!
The Kitchen at Bacchanalia
Address: 39 Hong Kong Street Singapore 059678
Tel: +65 9179 4552
Opening Hours:
Lunch – Tuesday to Friday, 12pm – 2:30pm (last order)
Dinner – Monday to Saturday, 6pm – 10:30pm (last order)
Brought to you by Discover SG x The Kitchen at Bacchanalia
This was an invited food tasting session.
Also, read Red House Seafood – Comfort Food That Will Chase Away The Blues
Decadent Yet Light Cakes You’ll Love – Waku Ghin @ Marina Bay Sands
In September last year, renowned chef, Tetsuya Wakuda, launched Waku Ghin Patisserie Platine at RISE Lounge, offering 18 types of intricate pastries and petit cakes from the award-winning restaurant Waku Ghin.
The exclusive selection, which changes seasonally, is beautifully handcrafted and lovingly created by Waku Ghin’s pastry team. The cakes are available for takeaway or dine in at RISE lounge, located in the lobby of Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Tower 1.
Each cake is made in-house, using premium ingredients and fresh seasonal fruits from Japan and Europe. The picture-perfect creations are not only easy on the eyes but also on the palate, hitting the right notes for texture and flavour.
Dining at Waku Ghin’s Patisserie Platine is, of course, an experience by itself. Enjoy the stream of natural light from all directions while you sip tea at the lounge – a place where businessmen and tourists frequent any time of the day – and feel like a total tai tai.
Chocolate mousse with raspberry and pistachio
The chocolate mousse with raspberry and pistachio ($12) is a decadent dessert – though there’s a rich cocoa taste, the texture remains light. The cakes here are not at all dense, in fact, it is so light, that it is dangerously easy to polish off an entire cake by yourself without realising it. The ingredients are fresh, as promised, and this rings true in every bite.
Ghin’s cheesecake
Ghin’s cheesecake ($12), a house speciality, is feathery light and it is almost like eating a cloud. For a cheesecake, it goes against the grain of what a typical cheesecake would be like. Waku Ghin’s team pushes boundaries with the cake, making it refreshing and almost airy. It is the type of cake you would eat for a good pick-me-up after a long work day.
Matcha Opera cake
The matcha opera cake ($10) also offers the same fluffy texture as the cheesecake and is very reminiscent of a tiramisu cake. We noted a hint of alcohol in this cake and for each bite, the tastes hit the taste buds quite strongly, but there are so many layers to the taste that the alcoholic tinge is soon forgotten.
Coconut mousse with passionfruit and mango
This bright coconut mousse with passionfruit and mango ($10) also carries the same lightness in texture as the other cakes despite being so dense in the fruit department. The coconut is so subtle in the mousse that it is almost undetectable. This was one of my favourites out of the lot we tried. All the desserts were surprisingly not too sweet either.
Waku Ghin has certainly pushed boundaries to create decadent, yet light desserts. You’ll never feel jelak polishing off an entire cake yourself! Every bite and calorie is worth it, satisfaction guaranteed.
Waku Ghin Patisserie Platine
Address: Rise Lounge, first floor, Marina Bay Sands Tower 1
Opening hours: From 11am daily
Tel: 6688 5568
Brought to you by Discover SG x Foodie Vs The World
This was an invited food tasting session.
Also, read Popular Nightspots – Unwind To Recommended Izakayas in Singapore
Red House Seafood – Comfort Food That Will Chase Away The Blues
Just a stone’s throw away from buzzing Orchard Road sits Red House Seafood along Prinsep Street. Designed to look like a classic old school restaurant for both the interior and facade, Red House has a certain vintage charm to it.
Its fare is far from vintage, very modern local cuisine is offered to its patrons. When we paid a visit to Red House, we sampled their signature dishes such as the charcoal buns with chilli crab fillings ($10 for 3, 40% during lunch from now till December in conjunction with their 40th anniversary). I have always loved how charcoal powder makes the bun so soft. The bright orange filling also pops from the dark grey exterior of the bun, giving it a nice contrast.
We also tried the trio of squid ($32 for S, $64 for L) which was recommended by the manager of the restaurant. When I saw salted egg squid, I was sold, of course. Anything with salty, savoury coating makes me go nuts (I didn’t like the salted egg croissant, just on a side note). The salted egg squid retained its crispiness despite the thick coating of soft salted egg, which gave it a nice contrasting texture. There was also barbequed squid and crispy baby squid.
The barbequed squid was cooked perfectly. Squid, if overdone, gets too chewy and hard, but this was done to perfection and cooked through. The crispy baby squid was crispy as promised and had a pleasant sweetness to it, almost like caramelised Ikan Bilis.
Of course, the chilli crab is a favourite for foreigners to try when they’re in Singapore for the first time. I do believe this is one of the only dishes Malaysians don’t argue with Singaporeans over when it comes to its taste and origins. The thick, gooey gravy complements the crab meat well. I go on a little rant in my other post about how huge Singapore crabs are compared to Malaysian crabs (take a look here).
I love the mantous that come with the chilli crab. In fact, as a kid, I had always hoped my parents would let me take more than one. As an adult, little has changed. Heh.
The last dish we tried that evening at Red House was a nice soupy, crab bee hoon. The broth was thick with crab taste and it was very aromatic. My dining companions were commenting about how the soup here is better than Mellben Seafood’s. That isn’t for me to judge as I haven’t tried the latter. But I was incredibly impressed by the quality of the food here at Red House.
Needless to say, if you’re craving for quality seafood that will never disappoint, head to Red House Seafood @ Prinsep Street. This is the kind of comfort food that will chase away all blues and warm the cockles of your heart.
Red House Seafood @ Prinsep Street
Address: 68 Prinsep St
Opening hours:
Weekdays: 3PM – 10:30PM
Weekends: 11Am – 10:30PM
Brought to you by Discover SG x Foodie Vs The World
This was an invited food tasting session.
Also, read Old Is Gold – 12 Best Food Finds In Mature Estate Toa Payoh!
