Location: Serangoon

Popular China Tea Brand TaiGai Opens First Overseas Outlet At NEX – Prices Start From $3.30

While food trends come and go, Fruit Teas look like they’re here to stay for a while.

From Partea to Teafolia, fruit tea fans can look forward to the opening of TaiGai at NEX Serangoon!

Established in Shenzhen, China, TaiGai is a popular tea brand in China with over 60 stores across the country. They’re also known for their signature offerings and healthier tea options using mainly fresh fruits and premium quality teas in their concoctions.

TaiGai’s NEX outlet is their first venture out of China.

Love At First Sip

If you’re wondering, “What’s the difference between TaiGai and other fruit tea brands?”

TaiGai is the pioneer behind “Fruity Milky Kiss” – fruit-blended milk cheese crowns. The drinks are topped with a milk cheese foam that has been blended with fruits, which gives you that natural sweetness and pulpy bits as you sip on your fruity tea.

With fresh fruits used predominantly in the teas, TaiGai is careful to retain its natural fragrance and sweetness to complement the taste and aroma of these crafted teas.

Another highlight of their drinks would be their “Beary Cute Series” that comes with an adorable bear-ear lid.

If you’re wondering what drink you should get from TaiGai, here’s what we highly recommend:

Pulpy Strawberry Kiss ($6.80)

The most popular “Fruity Milky Kiss” drink would be the Pulpy Strawberry Kiss, which is perfect if you want something refreshing and sweet. About half a cup of strawberries are used for just one drink!

This drink is exceptionally popular as it has the perfect balance of fresh sweetness and a hint of sourness from the strawberries, along with the fragrance of the tea.

When you take the first sip from the opening, you can first taste the blended crown which has well-balanced milk-cheese to fruit ratio followed by the fruit-blended tea.

The milk cheese crown has a perfect velvety finishing when sipped together with the fruit blended tea. The generous pulp from the blended strawberries adds dimension to the entire experience.

Pulpy Pineapple Kiss ($6.20)

Also a part of the “Fruity Milky Kiss” series, the Pulpy Pineapple Kiss is one of TaiGai’s signature drinks.

If you’re looking for something to quench your thirst, this drink is a juicy tropical blend that is both refreshing and zesty – reminiscent of sunny days lying on the beach in Thailand.

Milky Kiss Baby Cicada Oolong ($4.90)

For the tea lovers, you can choose from the “Pure Tea” or the “Pure Tea Milky Kiss” series that are topped with the milk cheese crowns.

The Milky Kiss Baby Cicada Oolong is one of the signature drinks on the menu. Similar to the civet cat coffee, when a cicada bites the baby tea leaves, it changes the chemistry resulting in an authentic taste profile of this oolong tea.

This golden-coloured tea is paired nicely with the milk cheese crown as it was smooth and has a slight hint of bitterness from the tea itself.

Perhaps it’s time to swap out your everyday tea for the Milky Kiss Baby Cicada Oolong.

Fresh Premium Orange Burst ($5.90)

Fruit Teas, also known as infusions, are gaining popularity because they come across as healthier versions as compared to their counterparts of Bubble Tea.

In their “Fresh Fruit Tea” series, you can choose from Fresh Golden Kumquat Burst ($4), Fresh Green Lemon Burst Green Tea ($4.50), Fresh Yellow Lemon Burst Black Tea ($4.50) and Fresh Premium Orange Burst ($5.90).

The recommended drink is the Fresh Premium Orange Burst. The drink consists of freshly sliced oranges and a slice of lime.

This calming and refreshing drink makes for the perfect afternoon thirst quencher.

Beary Creative Milk Tea ($4.50)

This is probably a favourite for most as the drinks comes with an adorable bear-shaped lid.

You can choose from the Beary Co Co which is a very chocolatey drink or the Beary Creative Milk Tea which is a milk tea drink with choice of pearls, nata de coco, or red bean.

The Beary Creative Milk Tea comes with one topping of your choice and an additional 80cents for extra topping.

Pro-tip: Shine a light from the top of the cup and see the magic happen!

Overall Store Atmosphere

The service at TaiGai is fast and simple. All you have to do is key in your orders on the iPad available at the counter and wait for your number to appear on the screen!

There are seats available in the store as well for you to take IG-worthy pictures of your drinks. Do be prepared for the long queues!

If you’re looking to try out a new fruit tea place, then you might just like TaiGai’s fruity tea creations!

TaiGai
Address: NEX Serangoon, #B2-34, Singapore 556083
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 10am – 10pm
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Also Read This 7-Eleven At Boat Quay Doubles Up As A Bar – Serves Beer On Tap For $4.70

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Missing Bangkok? Head To Soi 19 To Get Your Thai Wanton Mee Fix For Just $4 A Bowl

When it comes to Thai food, I order the same three things every time — green curry, basil chicken and an omelette.

Any self-respecting chef serving Thai grub will have no problem cooking these classic dishes, and they’re so tasty and reliable that i’ve never really seen the need to try anything else.

In a way, this “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mindset has stunted my knowledge of Thai cuisine, so when I was told that I’d be eating Thai Wanton Mee I honestly thought that it was some kind of Southeast Asian fusion dish.

Turns out Thai wanton mee is actually pretty similar to Singapore’s, but prepared in a different style. Same same but different, basically.

For the uninitiated (I can’t be the only one…right?), the main difference between “regular” wanton mee and the Thai version is the absence of any sauce, resulting in a drier dish that places a heavier reliance on the noodles for flavour. The ingredients remain mostly the same though, with the inclusion of char siew, vegetables, and of course, wantons.

Bang(kok) For Your Buck

When it comes to eating Thai wanton mee in Singapore, there’s only one name that you need to know: Soi 19.

Named after the street that houses the famous SabX2 Wanton Mee in Bangkok, founder Ng Sing Chow set up his first outlet in Ang Mo Kio back in 2012, and has since opened two more outlets in Jurong and Kovan that see long queues every day.

This isn’t a case of culinary appropriation either. Ng — who previously worked in the clothing industry and had zero f&b experience — actually learned his recipe from his god brother in Thailand, and painstakingly tried 20 noodle varieties before finding one with the right texture.

His efforts have certainly paid off, because the noodles are without a doubt the star of the show here. Despite having no sauce, they’re infused with a rich, eggy flavour, and have a bouncy, al dente texture that makes it effortless to chew on. I seriously think I could’ve eaten a bowl of them without the ingredients.

That’s not to say that the ingredients aren’t good, though. The char siew used here is less sweet than what you’d usually expect — a deliberate choice, according to Ng’s daughter Claire — and it balances out the noodles’ strong taste. The larger bowls also include a few slices of fish sausage, which strangely enough taste like bak kwa (I’m still trying to figure that one out myself).

And then there’s the crispy pork lard, which is made in-house on a daily basis. The Ang Mo Kio outlet is famous for offering a free flow of these crispy bites, but this unfortunately isn’t available at the other two stores in the interest of cost. It’s a shame, considering that a small amount already adds yet another dimension of savoury goodness to an already-varied taste.

And what would a wanton mee be without…well, good wantons? The dish includes both the crispy and soft variety, and they’re quite literally bursting with flavour thanks to a generous amount of minced meat within each of them. Throw in some juicy greens for good measure, and you have an extremely hearty and satisfying meal for as low as $4.

You’d think that a wanton mee with no sauce would be less flavourful than its gravy-laden counterpart, but Soi 19 has converted my wanton allegiance to team Thai.

Earlier in our interview, Claire tells me that the goal was not to produce an exact replica of Thai wanton mee, but instead use it as an inspiration to create a version that appealed to the local palate (“60% Thai, 40% Singaporean”, she says).

Having tried a bowl for myself, I can safely say that they’ve succeeded.

Soi 19 Kovan
Address: 9 Yio Chu Kang Road, #01-56, Singapore 545523
Opening Days: Tuesday to Sunday
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 10pm

Soi 19 Ang Mo Kio
Address: 151 Ang Mo Kio Ave 5, Singapore 560151
Opening Days: Wednesday to Sunday
Opening Hours: 7am – 3:30pm

Soi 19 Jurong
Address: 130 Jurong Gateway Road, #01-211, Singapore 600130
Opening Days: Tuesday to Sunday
Opening Hours: 7am – 4pm (7pm on Fridays)

Also Read 6 Dishes Crazy Rich Asians Should Have Tried At Newton Food Centre Instead Of Satay

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7 Halal Steamboat Places To Hit Up With Your Muslim Makan Kakis

Many of us Singaporeans love going for steamboats.

A fun dining experience that offers loads more interaction than if you each ordered a main for yourselves, it’s no wonder restaurants like Hai Di Lao are so popular among families and groups of friends. Unfortunately, halal hot pots are hard to come by in Singapore.

We sussed out all the best Halal certified hot pot places in Singapore. Chinese, Thai, Korean-style – we have them all.

Whether you’re someone who has Muslim friends to take into consideration, or are Muslim yourself, here are 7 Halal certified places where you can get your hot pot fix!

1. Farah Diana Restaurant (Closed)

Located at Changi, Farah Diana Restaurant is a short 5 minute walk from Eunos MRT station.

One thing we love about this place is the price you pay for an all-you-can-eat. Adults pay just $22, while children aged 5 – 12 pay $15.

The steamboat features all the usual suspects: vegetables, seafood (crab, scallops, mussel, squid) and marinated meats (beef, chicken). You can choose from chicken or tom yum soup for your soup base. There’s also cooked food including fried rice, noodles, and traditional malay kuih.

The sambal and chilli here are top notch, so you’ll want to bring plenty of that to your table!

Take note that Farah Diana Restaurant only accepts cash, so you’ll want to make sure you draw money before you head here to eat!

Price: $22 for adults, $15 for children (5 – 12 years old)

Farah Diana Restaurant
Address: 285 Changi Road Singapore 419764 
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 4pm – 11pm; Fri: : 4pm – 12am; Sat – Sun: 2pm – 12am 
Contact no.: 9107 9792

2. Marina Bay Steamboat @ Satay By the Bay

If you’re ever in the Marina Bay Sands area, you need to try out Marina Bay BBQ Steamboat (MBBS), an alfresco concept buffet at Satay By The Bay.

Within walking distance of Gardens By The Bay and Marina Barrage, Marina Bay Steamboat offers up a wide spread of fresh seafood including crayfish, crab, scallops, prawns, and bamboo clams. You can also expect a free flow of meats, vegetables, desserts and soft drinks, so you can stuff yourself silly after a whole day of activity!

All ingredients are prepared fresh daily, so you can be sure you’re eating only the good stuff.

Price: Children 5 – 11 years old: $15 nett | Adults, Mon – Thu: $27 nett | Adults, Fri/Sat: $29 nett | Adults, Eve of PH/PH: $30 nett

Marina Bay Steamboat @ Satay By the Bay
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Satay By The Bay, #12/13/14 Marina Bay, Singapore
Opening Hours: Daily, 5pm – 11.45pm
Contact no.: 8180 8112
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3. Flame Cafe

Flame Cafe is a hot pot place you’ve probably heard of – but did you know it’s Halal certified?

Located at Tai Seng, a stone’s throw from Tai Seng MRT station, this hot pot spot made waves because of its FOUR tier Pagoda steamboat set up.

The top layer of the 4-Tier Cheesy Hotpot & BBQ Pagoda Steamboat is a steamer.

The second tier is a dipping tier (choose from Cheese, Salted Egg or Mongolian dip), and the next is a BBQ hot plate for grilling. Finally, right at the bottom is a hot pot tier that is divided down the middle so you can enjoy two different soup bases (choose from Chicken, Tom Yum, Mala, Herbal Tonic, Tomato). Talk about having options!

Choose from the Supreme ($38.90/pax), Premium ($29.90/pax) and Deluxe ($19.90/pax) Buffet, which entitles you to different kinds of ingredients to cook with your Pagoda steamboat.

Take note that the Pagoda steamboat set is only available after 3pm.

Flame Cafe
Address: Level 1 Centro Bianco Building, 73 Upper Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 534818
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 10am – 1am; Fri – Sat: 10am – 3am; Sun: 10am – 1am
Contact no.: 6288 6346
Image Credit: Burpple User Alex Chua[/caption]

Lukhon Thai prides itself in its selection of authentic Northern Thai meat marinates and delicious chilli dip. Seriously, the chilli dip is the perfect mix of sweet, spicy and salty, and is super shiok when paired with the food you’re cooking.

For the soup, you get to choose between Chicken and Tom Yum soup (we recommend the latter). Like most Mookata places, you can choose from the pre-set platters, or you can order your favourites individually. They have beef, chicken, seafood, mushrooms – everything you need for a delicious, soul-warming Mookata.

Lukhon Thai
Address: 110 Pasir Ris Central, #02-05 Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre, Singapore 519641
Contact no.: 9675 5849
Facebook

5. Makan Makan (Closed)

Located at the quaint, secluded Punggol Ranch is Makan-Makan.

Decorated with equestrian elements, Makan-Makan lets you cook your food hot pot (choose between a tom yum or chicken soup base) and grill style.

The buffet line here includes a host of greens, marinated meats like beef, chicken, mutton, and duck, and has an entire section dedicated to seafood! You can expect everything from flower crabs to crayfish, mussels and scallops.

There is also a section of cooked food that includes simple fare like chicken wings, nuggets, and spring rolls! Pair your food with carbs like mee goreng and carbonara, and you’re in for a delicious meal.

Price: $26 on weekdays, $29 on weekends

Makan-Makan
Address: 900 Punggol Road End, Singapore 829168
Opening Hours: Tue – Fri: 3pm – 11pm; Sat & Sun: 12pm – 12am; Closed on Mon
Contact no.: 8571 0203

6. Yummy Veggie

Another buffet concept, Yummy Veggie International Buffet & Steamboat Restaurant is a vegetarian restaurant that plates up a delicious array of international vegetarian cuisine and steamboat, in a buffet concept.

Located at Downtown East, Pasir Ris, Mukshidonna is a popular chain restaurant from Seoul that is known for two things: budae jjigae (Korean army stew) with tteokbokki (Korean rice cakes).

Each serving of Army Stew costs $13.90, and comes with tteokbokki, odaeng (Korean fishcakes), vegetables, and gochujang (red chilli paste) stew. You can add all your favourite ingredients into your Army Stew at an additional cost of $3 per serving. Think: dumplings, mussels, sausages, and our favourite – cheese!

Mukshidonna
Address: 1 Pasir Ris Close, #02-324, E!Avenue, Singapore 519599
Opening Hours: Daily, 11.30am – 10pm 
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The next time you’re in the mood for steamboat, be sure to hit up these restaurants! Many of these are buffet-style, so hang back and don’t leave until you’re sure you’ve had your fill!

Also read When Pasar Malam Meets USS – Singapore’s Biggest Carnival Will Make You Feel Like A Kid Again

(Header Image Source: Burpple User Kevin Marling)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Great Minds Think Alike

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

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

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

Where Artistry Meets Celebrity

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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BAKE Is Warming Up The Oven Again, And They’re Serving A Zesty Twist On Their Classic Cheese Tarts

If you’re reading this, you probably love cheese tarts as much as we do.

Well, rejoice because the good folks at BAKE are launching a new flavour on 29 September.

When Life Gives You Lemons…

Introducing the new Lemon Cheese Tart With Honey ($3.90/pc or $22/6pcs).

With the tanginess of the lemon cutting through and balancing the richness of the cheese mousse, each carefully-prepared tart is then coated with honey as a finishing touch. This creates a triple layer of flavour that melds together beautifully with each bite.

Singapore will be the only country outside of Japan to sell these limited edition cheese tarts.

The new flavour will be available at all BAKE outlets for a limited time from 29 September to 13 October so hurry down and grab a box to share with your friends and family!

BAKE Cheese Tart
Address: NEX, 23 Serangoon Central, #B2-34, Singapore 556083
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 8.30am – 10pm; Sat, Sun & PH: 10am – 10pm
Contact no.: 6920 3960
Website

Address: WESTGATE, 3 Gateway Drive, #B2-04, Singapore 608532
Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 10pm
Contact no.: 6265 1228

Address: ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #B4-33, Singapore 238801 
Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 10pm

Address: Tampines Mall: 4 Tampines Central 5, #B1-K7A, Singapore 529510
Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 10pm

Also read Prodigal Roasters Has The Most Bizarre Cheese Tart Flavors To Complement Their Seasonal Coffee Menu

(Header Image Source: BAKE Cheese Tart)

The Average Singaporean Lifestyle Automatically Ages Your Hair – Here’s How

Many of us are familiar with the term ‘skin age’, but did you know there is also such a thing as ‘hair age’?

Like our skin and the various parts of our body, our hair ages too. With age, it grows thin, turns grey, gets dry and brittle, and can lose its shine – these are all signs of ageing when it comes to the hair on our heads.

Maybe you’re touching your hair, wondering if you’re a 20-something with 30-year-old hair. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. In fact, many Singaporeans actually have hair older than they are! That’s simply because there are many factors about the average Singaporean’s lifestyle that can age your hair.

If you’re curious about what some of these factors are, here are 3 things you had no idea are ageing your crowning glory:

1. Sun Damage

Most of us Singaporeans are well familiar with how much sunshine this littler red dot sees (Read: LOTS of sun).

By being out in the sun for a long time, we subject our hair to UVA and UVB rays, which damages the outer covering of our hair strands (the ‘cuticle’), resulting in a dry, dull and brittle mane.

The next time you foresee yourself spending hours under the hot sun, try sporting a cap, or moisturise your tresses with oils, conditioners and treatments to keep them looking youthful and healthy!

2. Over-shampooing

The brand has won multiple beauty awards, including the Singapore Women’s Weekly Hair Awards 2017 (Best Volumising Treatment For Thinning Hair), Elle Beauty Treat List 2017 (Best Treatment For Hair Loss), Daily Vanity (Top 10 Trusted Hair Treatment Centre 2017), Her World Spa Awards 2016 and Harper’s Bazaar Hair Awards 2016. It also counts celebrities like Xiaxue, Jaynesh and Anand among its clients!

Whether you find out your hair is 5, 10, or 20 years older than you, TrichoKare’s got your hair needs covered with its new anti-ageing hair treatment.

Their Advanced Age Defying Hair Treatment helps to fight signs of ageing hair. It is specially developed to help both men and women counteract age-related changes in the density and diameter of their hair.

The treatment features the new Oxyjet Technology – a needleless jet infusion of oxygen and nutrients used to penetrate deeply into the scalp. It helps to detox the scalp, reactivate up to 80% of dormant hair follicles, accelerate cell regeneration to stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss.

The key ingredients the hair care specialist uses to counteract ageing hair is:

Emu Oil

• Boost the diameter and thickness of each hair
• Reactivate 80% of dormant hair follicles

Gingko Biloba extract

• Counteract signs of scalp ageing
• Boost collagen to increase new hair growth

Beauty Blogger, Rae was sent down to TrichoKare to find out more about the treatment. She took the Advanced Tricho Hair Test conducted by the certified Trichologist. How old was her hair? It was revealed that her hair was 41 years old – a good 7 years older than she is!

(Before)

(After)

“After my session with Trichokare, my scalp feels healthier and visibly cleaner than I have ever felt before. With a customised hair treatment, the solution really identifies the root of my problem. In the before scan, you can see the sebum buildup and dry flakes. These were completely removed, I was impressed by the results! I’ve since observed less flakes and reduced hair fall even after 2 weeks. The session with Trichokare definitely taught me on better haircare techniques, what should and should not be done.” – Rae

After just 1 month of treatment, TrichoKare’s customers saw visible changes including a reduction of premature grey hair as well as an increase in hair growth.

If you’re keen to try TrichoKare’s anti-ageing hair treatment, there’s a special promotion going on right now. You can get the Advanced Age Defying Hair Treatment at just $40, and you’ll have a Hair Care Kit and HairGRO Serum (U.P. $758) thrown in for good measure!

To top off an already sweet deal, you also stand a chance to win a 2D1N staycation at Marina Bay Sands (worth $680) after the trial treatment!

TrichoKare has 5 outlets across Singapore, so whether you’re curious about the age of your hair, or have hair that is in dire need of saving, make a date with Trichokare Instagram

This article is written in collaboration with TK TrichoKare. 

Live Out Your Wizard Fantasies At Platform 1094 – Dine On Magical Food And Bewitching Drinks

Fancy yourself a bit of a wizard? At this cafe, you can pretend to be it for a day–or at least a couple of hours.

There’s a wizard themed cafe in town and here, you can leave the muggle life behind by donning the elaborate cloaks, witches’ hats, and accessories like wands and broomsticks that are provided free of charge.

At this cafe reminiscent of The Three Broomsticks (the wizarding pub you may recognise from the Harry Potter books), a brick wall with a mystical-looking crest forms the perfect backdrop for all your photo-taking needs.

No mere muggle or wizard will be able to resist grabbing some nosh at this pretty place, and we quickly succumbed to their quirky menu that was filled with magical-sounding drinks, finger foods and desserts.

Where else can you find food that sounds like it came straight out of a spell book?

Drink, drank but not drunk: Mrs Lich’s Butterscotch Ale ($10)

Intense black sesame panna cotta, crispy charcoal cake, squid ink profiterole filled with mango creme and crackly lace tulle… Eat this, and embrace your dark side.

Here at Platform 1094, wizards and muggles alike are bonded by food, laughter and cosy camaraderie. Whiz by on your broomstick (or drop by on your two feet) whenever you’re craving a little magic in your cafe-hopping spree!

Platform 1094
Address: 1094 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 328192
Opening Hours: Tues – Fri: 11am – 10pm; Sat – Sun: 10am – 10pm
Contact no.: 6204 6003
)

The Best Rainbow Cakes To Indulge In While Celebrating The Freedom To Love

As June rolls around, it brings plenty of good stuff: the national treasure that is the Great Singapore Sale, turbulent Gemini season and, best of all, LGBTQ Pride Month.

Pride Month celebrations are meant to commemorate the June 28 anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City, which is considered a milestone event in the modern fight for LGBTQ rights.

The rainbow flag has long been used to represent the LGBTQ community worldwide, and while there may have been some escalator drama and cake-bashing on our shores in recent weeks, love is still love and these events won’t dull our colours.

We’ve sussed out the best cafes around the island where you can give your sweet tooth the rainbow treatment in honour of Pride Month.

1. Dean & Deluca

Tucked away at Brighton Crescent is The Coffee Daily, where the vibes are chill, the coffee is good and the rainbow cake is gorgeous.

The presentation here really takes the cake—get it?—with chocolate drizzles and bonus rainbow sprinkles. Their rainbow cake is also one of the most popular items on the menu, known to sell out by mid-afternoon, so be sure to get there early!

The Coffee Daily
Address: 75 Brighton Crescent, Singapore 559216
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 12pm – 10.30pm; Sat – Sun: 9.30am – 10.30pm
Image Credit: 4. I am… [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Image Credit: I am…[/caption]

This halal-certified café serves up some of the most iconic rainbow desserts in town.

Tuck into a classic seven-layer rainbow cake or, if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, try out the rainbow mille crepe cake. Think white and dark chocolate cream between layers of soft multi-coloured crepe, drizzled with rich chocolate syrup. You can also pair these with a warm cup of rainbow latte—latte art’s never been so technicolour.

I am…
Address: 674 North Bridge Road, Singapore 199486
Opening hours: Mon – Thu: 11am – 11pm; Fri – Sat: 11am – 1am; Sun: 11am – 10pm
Website

Show your colours this month as we celebrate the freedom to love. Eat these cakes or gift them to your LGBTQ friends as a sign of support or solidarity! And to all our friends from the LGBTQ community, we stand with you! #loveislove

Also read Pancake Burgers Are The Latest Food Mashup In S’pore And We Are All Flippin’ Out

(Header Image Source: Pinterest)

These 10 Places Serve Waffles That Are Sweet, Savoury, And Batter Than The Rest

Waffles are such a versatile food. You can have them sweet or savoury, and you can have them any time of the day.

Although they can be found everywhere, not all waffles are created equal. The perfect waffle is fragrant, light, with just the right amount of crunch. From taro waffles to Korean fried chicken waffles, here is a list of the best waffles in Singapore. Try not to salivate while reading.

For those with a sweet tooth,

1. Hatter Street Bakehouse & Cafe

Hatter Street Bakehouse & Cafe is probably one of the more underrated cafes selling waffles in Singapore. Their waffles are baked to the perfect level of crispiness, while remaining moist within, and the texture of the waffle is consistent throughout.

The Pandan Ice Cream with Gula Melaka Sauce Whoa’ffles ($9.50) was rich with local flavours. Instead of honey or chocolate sauce, Hatter Street drizzles Gula Melaka over the waffles. The Pandan Ice Cream was a nice accompaniment, with its light pandan fragrance. The waffle was perfect for soaking up the mixture of Gula Melaka and the melted scoop of creamy ice cream.

Hatter Street Bakehouse & Cafe
Address: 212 Hougang Street 21,#01-333, Singapore 530212
Opening Hours: Daily, 1pm – 10pm
Chocolate Root Beer Float Waffle (Image Credit: Burpple User Cafehoppingkids .)[/caption]

The Chocolate Root Beer Float Waffle ($12) is an aesthetically pleasing dessert creation. The rectangular waffle comes with a chocolate chip cookie, and an ash grey charcoal vanilla soft serve to top it all off. The charcoal soft serve had a hint of root beer in every mouthful, which did not overwhelm the original vanilla taste.

Because Red Velvet is so 2015, The Cold Pantry has taken their waffles to the next level by introducing Pink Velvet Waffles with Baileys Coffee Ice Cream and Sea Salt Caramel drizzle ($13.50). The rose-infused waffle and slightly bitter Baileys Coffee Ice Cream combo is a sure-win on two fronts: your stomach and your Instagram feed.

The Cold Pantry
Address: 88 Rangoon Road, #01-01, Singapore 218374
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 4pm – 10pm; Sat – Sun: 12pm – 1opm
Website

3. Froth

Served with one scoop of gourmet ice cream, the Taro Waffles ($15.90) has a rich taro taste, with beautiful purple hues. The waffle screams “Taro Heaven” as there was taro infused within the batter, and a generous spread of yam paste all over the buttery waffles. While the ice cream is nothing too special, the waffles more than made up for it.

Froth Cafe
Address: Ascott Raffles Place Singapore, 2 Finlayson Green, Level 2, Singapore 049247
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11.30am – 10pm; PH: 11.30am – 5pm; Closed on Sun
Image Credit: Facebook

5. PrimaDeli

PrimaDeli serves some of the best affordable waffles in Singapore. Done in a traditional Singaporean style, the waffles are dense and soft on the inside. They’re made fresh and right before your eyes when you order, so you can munch on them while they’re nice and warm.

PrimaDeli
Address: City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road #B1-K09, Singapore 208539
Opening Hours: Daily, 9am – 10pm
For adventurous tastebuds,

6. Revelry

[caption id="attachment_27457" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The Revelry Signature Burffle (Image Credit: theurbanwire)[/caption]

For those of you who prefer your waffles savoury instead of sweet, Revelry is the place for you. They serve ‘Burffles’, a cross between burgers and waffles. The Revelry Signature Burffle ($18) comes with juicy beef patties, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese sandwiched between crispy waffles. The waffle quarters are crisp and light, making the dish less heavy on the stomach.

The Waffles Royale ($17.50) is a spin on the classic all-day breakfast favourite, Eggs Royale, but with a waffle in place of the usual English muffin. The waffle has a light, fluffy texture and with its subtle flavour, pairs nicely with the runny poached eggs and creamy Hollandaise.

Revelry
Address: 21 Lorong Kilat, #01-02, Singapore 598123
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed – Friday: 11am – 10pm; Sat – Sun: 10am – 10pm; Closed on Tue
Facebook

7. Griddy

Imagine old school waffles but with chunks of succulent meat piled into it. That’s what Griddy specialises in – savory waffles for adventurous foodies.

The Griddy Burger ($9.90) is generously stuffed with a juicy beef patty and black pepper mushrooms. With a relatively thin and buttery waffle, this waffle burger hybrid is a real crowd-pleaser.

Alternatively, try the Ocean Catch ($7.90). The golden brown fish fillet is tender, with bonito flakes and mayonnaise scattered and splattered over it. Fish and Chips lovers should definitely give this a try as the Ocean Catch is a unique twist on savoury waffles.

Griddy
Address: Westgate, 3 Gateway Drive, #B2-K12, Singapore 608532
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu, Sun: 11am – 10pm; Fri – Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
8. The Beast [caption id="attachment_27458" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Chicken & Waffles (Image Credit: 9. 23 Jumpin

Am I the only one who eats pizza without the crust? For those of you who shun the pizza crusts like I do, why not try the waffle ‘pizza’ at 23 Jumpin?

[caption id="attachment_27193" align="aligncenter" width="2448"] Image Credit: Image Credit: Burpple User Alexander Chiew[/caption]

And if you want the best of both worlds? Simply opt for the half-half option of Mushroom and Hawaiian!

23 Jumpin
Address: The Commerze Building, 1 Irving Place, 01-25, Singapore 369546
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun: 11am – 9pm; Mon: 11am – 2pm
Website

10. Stateland Asian-Fusion Cafe

Many of you may know Stateland Asian-Fusion Cafe for their Red Velvet or S’mores Waffles, but how many of you have tried their newest creation–the Korean Fried Chicken Waffle?

The chicken was nicely fried, with a crispy outer layer and tender meat on the inside. Paired with a waffle that was tossed in cinnamon, this is a dish that we daresay even the Koreans can’t re-create.

Also, the kimchi slaw that is served on the side is so rich with flavour, you’ll be wishing there was more of it!

Stateland Asian-Fusion Cafe
Address: 32 Bali Lane, Singapore 189866
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed – Sun: 12pm – 10pm; Tue: 6pm – 10pm
Website

No matter your personal preference when it comes to waffles, I’m sure we can all agree that waffles can bring a smile to your face any day. So, text your friends and jio them out for a waffle date if your stomachs are up for it!

Also read 9 New Desserts So Wacky, You Need To Try Them At Least Once!

Hilton Garden Inn Opens In S’pore So You Can Live Luxe On A Budget During Your Next Staycay

It’s the school holidays and what better way to enjoy it than with a luxe staycation?

Hilton Garden Inn, the award-winning, mid-priced hotel brand has finally opened its doors in Singapore.

Located in the heart of Little India, the hotel’s location is a dream come true for foodies. For cheap and good food, head to the nearby Tekka Market for a hearty meal of Indian food. If you are looking for a place to unwind and people-watch, hop over to Jewel Cafe and Bar for brunch. At night, you can even do some shopping at the nearby 24-hour Mustafa centre or have tipple in Clarke Quay.

Features and amenities at Hilton Garden Inn

If you are feeling peckish, visit the Pavilion Pantry which stocks a selection of fresh and healthy snacks, cold beverages and ready-to-cook meals to keep your hunger at bay. Alternatively, dine at The Garden Grille restaurant which offers local and international favourites from the à la carte menu.