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Fit For A King: You’ll Need These Delectable Desserts To Complete Your Christmas Feast!

After hanging up your hundredth bauble, unwrapping your thousandth present, and exchanging your millionth kiss under the mistletoe, you bet it’s time for something more. If what you’re thinking is what we’re thinking, it’s none other than a Christmas feast.

Be it turkey with all the trimmings, indulgent desserts or spiced tipples, tis’ the season for feasting!

Read on for our choice picks of binge-worthy festive fare.

1. Bakerzin

This festive season, let home-grown Bakerzin tantalise your taste buds, spice up your parties, and keep your guests coming in droves.

We were lucky enough to lay our hands on a few items in their Enchanting White Christmas Takeaway Menu, and it had us wishing Christmas would never end.

Roast Cajun Capon – $36 (approx. 2kg)

Roasted for 1 ½ hours under carefully-calibrated temperatures, marinated overnight and stuffed generously with aromatic herbs and spices – that’s how much goes into preparing each roast.

It was all worth it because the chicken was moist, tender and flavourful. And, it came with crispy golden skin – a big plus.

We dipped pieces of the meat into the refreshing and tangy Chimichurri Sauce, an interesting Argentinian-inspired concoction. Equally tasty was the Christmas Tangy Sauce – an earthy, wholesome sauce made from hours of simmering chicken bones and tomatoes, and infused with red wine.

To round off the dish, we tucked into heaps of sweet roasted carrots cut to bite-sized perfection and moreish mini potatoes.

Yule Love Chocolate Log Cake ($52 – approx. 1.2 kg)

Not for the faint-hearted, don’t mess with this bad boy unless you’re a serious chocolate lover. We’re glad to say that the confection contained more chocolate mousse than cake, with a chocolate-to-cake ratio of approximately 70 to 30.

Rich and decadent, this bittersweet chocolate mousse cake is made from fine Valrhona chocolate, and luxuriously covered with chocolate frosting. 

The cake was an overall winner, considering that it nailed the chocolate just right and it was a treat for the eyes. Decorated with adorable mini Santas and crunchy candy canes, we couldn’t say no to it!

Galette des Rois – $40 (approx. 580g)

Add some pizazz to your Christmas party with this rustic Northern French pastry, otherwise known as the King Cake.

At first bite, we noticed how delicate and buttery the puff pastry was. It was considerably tastier and more buttery than most other puff pastries that we’ve tried. After that, the sweet and fragrant scent of the almond frangipane filling hit us. Baked to a golden brown hue, the cake looked as good as it tasted.

What’s more, this dessert contains a fève (porcelain toy figurine)! According to tradition, the lucky person who finds it will be the “king of the day”. Will it be you?

Croquembouche (Available in vanilla custard or Coffee Cream) – $22.80 for 27 pcs (approx. 800g)

A traditional French confection popular at weddings, this sweet pyramid dessert consisted of 27 mini choux pastries, stacked like an awesome Christmas tree.

Freshly-baked daily and glazed with a generous coating of indulgent, homemade butterscotch, this dessert is worth getting a belly for. The delicate and airy choux pastries were filled with rich and smooth coffee cream, which brought the dessert to great heights.

While the choux pastry was fluffy but not the fluffiest, the coffee cream was pretty amazing. Deep and fragrant, the coffee flavour was strong enough to lend the dessert an edge. Popping several of them made us feel like we’d downed a good cuppa, which we absolutely love.

Bakerzin
Enchanting White Christmas Takeaway: 11 November  2016 – 2 January 2017
Order: Place orders online at https://www.bakerzin.com/ or at Bakerzin outlets in Singapore

2. Cat and The Fiddle

Looking for a little slice of decadence?

Cat And The Fiddle’s Happy, Merry, Boozy! cake is a dense black forest cake crafted from a layer of chocolate mousse atop a layer of brandy-infused chocolate sponge cake. A generous offering of brandied cherries comes with every second bite.

The cake even comes with a Christmas tag and two gold Christmas tree ornaments!

Our ambassador, Vanessa, tried the cake, and here’s what she had to say:

“In lieu of the festive season, I tried The Cat and The Fiddle black forest cake that was such a sensation for my taste buds! Loved the surprise of brandy infused cherries and the soft mousse on the chocolate cake. Unconventional compared to the usual creamy log cakes!”

We’ll be giving away this cake on our Facebook soon. Like us for updates!

Cat and The Fiddle
Happy, Merry, Boozy! is available from 15 November 2016 to 1 January 2016
Price: $49.90 (inclusive of GST)
Approximate weight: 1KG (good for 8-10 servings)
Order: Place your order online at https://www.catandthefiddle.com

3. Flor Patisserie

Named after the Portuguese word for ‘flower’, FLOR Patisserie is a Japanese-inspired confectioner serving authentic French pastry. For honest baking, fresh ingredients and sincerely tasty baked goods, step right up.

Strawberry Log Cake

Our ambassador, Stephanie, tried the Strawberry Log Cake, here’s her experience:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNl_YFjDwSo/

“I really liked that the cake was moist and fluffy, and that it wasn’t very sweet, so it wasn’t too rich or overwhelming to have one slice after another. Also there wasn’t a lot of cream used, which I liked, cause it’s not that oily and fattening. ? The strawberries were a little sour, but it was a nice contrast to the sweetness of the cake ??”

Chocolate Brick Log Cake

After a bite of this tasty brick, you’ll probably crack a grin, but not your teeth! The bittersweet cake offered a solid chocolate punch.

A strong player in the texture game, smooth chocolate fudge cream was sandwiched between fluffy layers of dark chocolate sponge, complemented by crisp and flaky puff pastry on both sides of the cake.

Offering an interesting texture contrast, were the crunchy chocolate-covered pearls hidden within the cake

FLOR Patisserie
Strawberry Log cake
9.5 x 17cm – $53.50
9.5 x 24cm – $69.60
Chocolate Brick
9.5 x 17cm – $55.70
9.5 x 24cm – $72
Order: Place your order online at  at their outlets

Asanoya
Christmas Gift Box: $78
Chocolate Banana Yule Log: $45.80
Website: Diana, tried the log cake. Here’s what she had to say:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BN–qezDUXb/?taken-by=dianabakar_

“Bursting with nutty flavour, the log cake was an eruption of pure joy at first bite. A myriad of textures – from the smooth pudding, sponge cake to the crunchy wafer bits delighted my palate. The log cake was complete with dark chocolate toppings and the cutest reindeer that joyfully highlights this Christmas season.”

Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore
Order online More details Pies & Coffee is a bold and vibrant cafe that specialises in freshly baked handmade gourmet pies and coffee. Tuck into their scrumptious buttery and flaky pastry crusts which will melt in your mouth.

Pies & Coffee
Christmas Rhapsody (Ondeh-Ondeh) Log Cake
Weight: 1kg (approx.)
Price: SGD45 nett
Website

Patisserie Glace
Website: Named after a stop on London’s Northern Tube Line, Chalk Farm is a cosy white bakery that is well-known for its plethora of sweet treats. From delectable Salted Caramel Macadamia cupcakes to chocolate Guinness loaf, brownies and cheesecakes, expect an array of uniquely crafted desserts here at Chalk Farm.

Rich Christmas Fruitcake

Christmas will certainly be an even more beautiful festive season with this Rich Christmas Fruitcake from Chalk Farm! This yearly fruitcake offering looks positively gorgeous with its pink marbled fondant robe.

The dark and moist interior is a mixture of fresh prunes, sultanas, raisins, currants, glace cherries and walnuts which offers an authentic fruity flavour. Prepare your taste buds for a slight rum hint as you savour a small piece of this rich fruitcake. Artfully decorated with a crown of gold-dusted bay leaves and nuts, this Rich Christmas Fruitcake from Chalk Farm is surely a pretty sight.

Rich Christmas Fruitcake
Weight: 2.2kg
Price: SGD140 (including GST)

Espresso Meringue

You know that first sip of coffee on a busy morning? Chalk Farm’s Espresso Meringue is the perfect embodiment of that warm cup of coffee. We were impressed by how the light coffee flavoured sponge cake balanced the dense heavy coffee-infused cream.

A slightly bitter kick of the cream pairs well with the light and slightly sweet fluffy sponge cake. If you’re a true coffee enthusiast, Chalk’s Espresso Meringue is a treat worth splurging on.

Espresso Meringue
Weight: 1kg
Price: SGD78 (including GST)

Midnight Chocolate Bundt Cake

Dark, smoky and just slightly bitter Chalk Farm’s Midnight Chocolate Bundt Cake is crafted from a dense chocolate cake, unlike light sponge cakes.

This dessert is both a sweet treat and a perfect tea time snack. With hints of coffee and Christmas spice, Chalk Farm’s Midnight Chocolate Bundt Cake is topped with chilli spiked chocolate for that perfect dark twist.

Midnight Chocolate Bundt
Weight: 1.2kg
Price: SGD86 (including GST)

Chocolate, Banana and Peanut Butter Cake

[caption id="attachment_19838" align="aligncenter" width="460"] Chocolate, Banana and Peanut Butter Cake[/caption]

The Chocolate, Banana and Peanut Butter cake is layered with moist sponge and cream with banana. The peanut butter wasn’t overpowering, and the chocolate was decadent, smooth, and left us wanting for more.

Chocolate, Banana and Peanut Butter Cake
Weight: 1kg
Price: SGD75 (including GST)

Chocolate Chestnut Log

[caption id="attachment_19839" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Chestnut Log Cake[/caption]

The Chestnut Log featured luscious chocolate ganache slathered on the soft chocolate sponge, with a chestnut cream middle. With the perfect amount of sweetness, this gold encrusted log is fit for kings!

Chocolate Chestnut Log
Weight: 1kg
Price: SGD88 (including GST)

Chalk Farm
Paying homage to age-old recipes from their grandmothers, the folks at Butter Studio have a fierce passion for cakes and all things sweet. Everything is made by hand, well-sourced quality ingredients are used, and they’re dedicated to making honest, delicious desserts.

Butter Studio
Chocolate Rocher Ganache Yule Log, $62 per 1kg
Season’s Greetings Cupcakes, $35 per dozen
Speculoos Red Velvet Yule Log, $62 per 1kg
Website:

Also, read Riverside Point Is Bringing The Joy of Feasting To The Next Level With All Their Amazing Giveaways!

Riverside Point Is Bringing The Joy of Feasting To The Next Level With All Their Amazing Giveaways!

The Singapore River was an important feature of Singapore’s growing port back when we were still in our developing stages.

Fast forward to a few decades later, and the River has now evolved into the urban city’s hotspot.

With thumping music and diners spilling onto the banks of the Singapore River, it’s no surprise Riverside Point has become a mainstay along the Singapore River.

A stone’s throw from Clarke Quay MRT Station, Riverside Point houses popular restaurants that offer breathtaking views of Singapore’s night scene. For those of you who want a meal with a view, here are 5 Riverside Point restaurants that are serving up delicious Christmas eats this festive season!

1. Christmas Special @ JUMBO Seafood

[caption id="attachment_19734" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Cafe Iguana[/caption]

Traditional Christmas dinners have never been your style?

Good news for you, because Café Iguana not only serves up authentic Mexican fare, they also want you to celebrate this festive season by letting loose!

Happy Hour starts at 10pm at Café Iguana with half-off House Margaritas!

Café Iguana wants you to unwind this holiday season with traditionally-flavored Margaritas like strawberry, and exotic flavors like soursop alongside a sizzling platter of Mexican delights, you’re bound to have a Christmas you’ll never forget!

Café Iguana
Harry’s[/caption]

What better way to celebrate this festive season than indulging in the joy of feasting with some friends?

Harry’s at Riverside Point is serving a dine-in buddle for 4 pax. Inclusive of Harry’s Signature Wings, a mouthwatering Triple Sausage Platter and a couple of Cupcake shooters, you’ll be stuffed-full of Christmas cheer at Harry’s!

If you’re stuck on ideas for Christmas presents, Harry’s has also got you covered.

The restaurant has got a couple of voucher packs that would fit any beer aficionado – for example, at $49, the Berry Christmas voucher gets you 6 pints of Harry’s Premium Lager, or a meal to share at any Harry’s outlet!

Harry’s
Brewerkz[/caption]

Brewerkz isn’t your average run-of-the-mill bar – it’s known for its high quality craft beer and a winner of several awards for its signature and seasonal beers. Serving up 13 different brews on tap, it’s no wonder beer aficionados flock to Brewerkz!

Throwing the biggest Christmas party? You’re going to need some drinks to get the party started!

This year, Brewerkz is offering up a Takeaway Special you can’t refuse. With 25% off when you purchase two 6-packs and mini kegs, and 30% if you bring home four, you know you’re pretty much set when it comes to alcohol for your Christmas get-togethers. 

Brewerkz
Spicy House[/caption]

Let’s be honest, we Singaporeans love our spice – just look how people jumped on the bandwagon of downing bowls of Samyang Ramen! The majority of us Singaporeans also live by the mantra “the spicier the better”.

For Spicy House, ‘spice’ takes on a whole new meaning. A Chengdu-style hotpot restaurant that just opened its doors three months ago, the popular Chinese restaurant chain is known for its spicy broth and fresh ingredients.

This holiday season, Spicy House has a late night promotion with 32% off your total bill from 10pm to 3am from Fridays to Sundays! To make things even sweeter, Spicy House will be giving out cash vouchers from 10 to 18 December!

Share the joy of feasting and indulge in the restaurant’s flavourful broth with signature dishes such as the spicy beef balls!

Spicy House
Facebook
#01-07 Riverside Point 30 Merchant Road
Opening Hours: 11am – 2pm; 5pm – 4am
Contact: 6493 7213

Christmas At Riverside Point

This festive season, Riverside Point wants to treat all its Christmas shoppers to some amazing giveaways!

Spend a minimum of $50* and stand a chance to win an iPad Air, Apple Watch, and shopping & dining vouchers worth up to $250,000! Riverside Point will also be giving out exclusive journals when you spend a minimum of $100*!

With these amazing Christmas deals and restaurants serving up some delicious eats this festive season, head on down to Riverside Point for al fresco dining by the river and celebrate this year end the right way!

*Terms and conditions apply. Redemption is at Clarke Quay Central Concierge from now till 25 Dec 2016.

Clarke Quay Central Concierge is located at Level 1 (Blue Zone), 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, Singapore 059817. The Concierge opens from 10am to 10pm daily.

Please visit Gareth Phua)

Also Read: Under $25: 9 Super Local Christmas Gifts That Will Surely Amaze Your Friends!

9 New & Cool Restaurants In Singapore You Shouldn’t Miss Out On!

Does your date often complain about going to the usual haunts for dinners? If your answer is yes, it’s time to check out our low-down of the best new restaurants in Singapore.  These range from Michelin-starred restaurants to those with stunning views.

Best New Restaurants In Singapore For Dates

1. Birds of A Feather

Calling all Sichuan cuisine fans! It’s time for you to flock to one of Amoy Street’s new restaurants!

Opened by the owners of Chengdu cafe chain  Credit: .

[caption id="attachment_19057" align="alignnone" width="960"] Credit: Credit: 113 Amoy Street, Singapore
Opening Hours: 10am- 11pm daily
Tel: +65 6221 7449
Website

2. Tsuta Japanese Soba Noodles

Tsuta, aka the first Michelin starred ramen joint, has finally landed on our sunny shores.

Credit: The Ranting Panda

The 18-seater restaurant at Pacific Plaza created a stir in Singapore on its first day! Crowds  Credit: Pinky Piggu[/caption]

On the other hand, the Shio broth is prepared with seafood and chicken stock mixed with sea salt and rock salt and served together with green olives.

3. Renga-Ya

Renga-Ya is a Japanese BBQ and steakhouse. Its name means ”brick house” in Japanese and that is also the theme of Renga-Ya’s decor.

Aside from that, Renga-Ya also has a wide variety of yummy side dishes such as beef tataki and deep fried oysters as well as pork katsu.

Besides good food, you can also look forward to an exciting line-up of music performances daily. Monti’s resident DJs are Stephen Day and Adam Sky.

Monti
Address: 82 Collyer Quay, The Fullerton Pavilion, Singapore 049327             
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 3pm (Wed – Fri), Dinner 6pm – 1am (Mon- Thurs) and 6pm – 4am (Fri & Sat)                                                                                                                                                                                        Tel: +65 6535 0724
Email: [email protected]
of Bocuse d’Or Asia-Pacific (a prestigious international cooking competition).

[caption id="attachment_18297" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Credit: Credit: Jiaksimipng[/caption]

For meat lovers, we suggest ordering the Limestone Ridge full-blood wagyu beef rump ($32 for 150g) or Heritage US Kurobuta pork rack (S$39 for 300g) for maximum satisfaction.

[caption id="attachment_19070" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Credit: Credit: Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm daily
Tel: +65 6694 -3291
Email: [email protected]
Website

6. Upper Place

Perched atop Wangz Hotel, Upper Place offers a stunning bird’s eye view of the cityscape.

Upper Place specialises in European small plates with a pronounced Asian influence.

We recommend the Thai-inspired Slow Cooked Pork Belly Tacos ($10), Miso Norwegian Salmon ($17) and the Lobster Kueh Pie Tee ($10).

[caption id="attachment_19074" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Credit: Credit: Credit:
Opening Hours: 7am- 9.30pm daily
Tel: +65 6595 1380
Credit: Credit: Credit: Daniel Food Diary[/caption]

Besides that, Marziga Indian Bar & Grill also has a variety of Indian cocktails and mocktails.

[caption id="attachment_19082" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Credit:
Opening Hours: 12 -3:30pm, 5pm-1am
Tel: +65 62537307
Email: [email protected]
 

8. Red Tail Bar

Red Tail Bar is the latest addition to the new restaurants in Clarke Quay.

[caption id="attachment_18323" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Credit: Credit: Credit:
Opening Hours: 6pm – 2am daily
Tel: +65 6738 2988
Credit: Credit: 0 Collyer Quay, #01-01, Customs House, Singapore 049323
Opening Hours: 12pm – 11pm (Weekdays), 12pm – 12am (Wed & Fri), 4pm – 11pm (Weekends and public holidays)                                                                                                                                                                   Tel: +65 6532 1011
Email: [email protected]
So there you have it, 9 new restaurants in Singapore with distinct styles and different cuisines to impress your date!

Discover SG confirm plus chop you will have a great time exploring and indulging in great food at these new restaurants. Who knows, maybe one of these new restaurants will turn out to be your new favourite hangout or dinner spot.

Also, read 15 Delectable Meals In Singapore Below $2.50 That Will Make You Question Reality

Late Night Gyms: Because You Build Muscles While Others Sleep

Ever heard of the saying, “Treat your body like a shrine”? Besides ensuring that you have a nutritious diet, exercising is also a must. Late night gyms are on the surge in Singapore because there is definitely a demand for some of us nocturnal creatures.

Sometimes we get that intense rush of adrenaline in the middle of the night (especially when we want to take our mind off work, or if we had a particularly sinful dinner) and have to look for ways to expend those extra bouts of energy. That’s where late night gyms make all the difference.

1) Anytime Fitness

24-hour or late night gyms aren’t just a privilege anymore because they are slowly crawling into our residential areas. United States based fitness chain Anytime Fitness is a thriving franchise with over 30 late night gyms across the island.

[caption id="attachment_18712" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Credit: Anytime Fitness[/caption]

Unlike typical gigantic gyms, Anytime Fitness operates on a smaller scale in your neighbourhood.

Equipped with cardio machines and free weights – basically everything you need to get a great workout in, we are sure the gym is perfect for everyone.

[caption id="attachment_18714" align="alignnone" width="1500"] Credit: Hee Chai[/caption]

Since these late night gyms are usually unmanned after 9pm (to 9am, on weekdays), members will be given an all-access pass where they can access all 3,400 Anytime Fitness gyms worldwide, 24/7! We have to admit that this is kind of insane, but totally worth it.

Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness Branches

2) Gymmboxx

Gymmboxx was established in 2010 and they have branded themselves as an affordable gym brand ever since.

[caption id="attachment_18717" align="alignnone" width="1416"] Credit: Gymmboxx[/caption]

Looking for a spacious gym with premium workout equipment? This is it!

If you typically go for a run in the great outdoors and hit the gym only occasionally, Gymmboxx is perfect for you as well.

At just $6 per entry (for 2 hours), you can switch up your usual workout and make full use of the equipment that is available in the gym.

Do note that only 3 out of their 7 branches are open 24/7.

Gymmboxx
Credit: Beaupass[/caption] [caption id="attachment_18716" align="alignnone" width="800"] Credit: Active Lifestyle SG[/caption]

Both their branches are open till 12 midnight from Mondays to Saturdays. With a space of over 32,000 sq-ft (Asia Square branch) and a wide array of state-of-the-art fitness equipment from all over the world, you can get an extraordinary workout in a modern and comfortable environment.

Pure Fitness
Asia Square
Level 6, Asia Square Tower 1, 8 Marina View, Singapore 018960

Ocean Financial Centre (Opening December 2016)
Level 4, Ocean Financial Centre, 10 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049315

Opening Hours
Monday-Saturday: 6am – 12midnight
Sunday & Public holidays: 8am – 10pm

With all these late night gyms island-wide, we can now avoid the evening crowd and workout at our own pace, and time.

This is too good to be true! Having more time (and less excuses) to get a workout in, we are now a step nearer to our fitness goals. Say yay to a stronger body and a better health!

Header Image: Here Are 7 Things You Can Do At BOUNCE – Singapore’s Largest Indoor Trampoline Arena!

Secrets From Experts: Tips On Buying The Right Furniture & Personalising Your Home

You know what they say, there ain’t no place like home! And for good reason too, because when you shop at Tan Boon Liat, your crib is gonna be pretty hard to beat.

[caption id="attachment_18880" align="alignnone" width="580"] Ethnicraft Online (#02-01) takes the cake for quality and durable furniture.

Retailing modern, solid teak, walnut and oak wood pieces designed in Belgium, their furniture is also known for its environmental stewardship and ethical craftsmanship.

[caption id="attachment_18881" align="alignnone" width="970"] Ethnicraft Online[/caption]

What’s more, they provide lifetime warranty and lifetime maintenance service on all products.

Tip: To ensure that your pieces live to a ripe old age, it’s best to look for pieces from reputable, well-established brands or companies. These pieces are fumigated to ensure the absence of mould and pests, and kiln-dried to minimize the risk of warping and cracking. Last but not least, make sure your purchase is covered by a product warranty or after-sales maintenance services.

2) Purchase modular pieces to mix and match, and furniture designed with extra functionality in mind

Pieces that can be taken apart and re-arranged will increase their mileage as you assemble them to create an infinite number of new looks.

For instance, the Theo Wall Unit from Journey East (#03-02) is the master of all trades.

Tip: A module-based system gives homeowners the power to customise the furniture based on their needs.

[caption id="attachment_18882" align="alignnone" width="1800"] Journey East[/caption]

Where space constraint is the name of the game, this versatile piece contains modular units that can be taken apart, or combined together in a multitude of ways to fit any space. Plus, it’s made of hard-fumed oak, which translates to high quality.

Next up is the PLAYplay collection from Journey East as well.

Designed by award-winning design studio Lanzavecchia + Wai for Journey East, each piece was carefully conceptualised with the modern home in mind; in terms of design, proportion, and functionality.

Hamburger Side Table

These colourful little “hamburgers” are sure to be conversational starters.

[caption id="attachment_18905" align="alignnone" width="5760"] Journey East[/caption]

Take off the top “bun” for a slightly larger coffee table surface when you have friends over during a house party. Take your pick from 3 designs: round, oval and pentagon.

Cots from  (#07-05).

[caption id="attachment_18910" align="alignnone" width="4110"] Fynn Cotbed from Ethnicraft Online[/caption]

Neatly hidden when not in use, no one will be any the wiser when you whip out this party trick.

3. Seek out items with high transformative value and small price tags

Tip: A little goes a long way. Here’s why – small accessories can play up the value of a piece of furniture, transforming a cut-rate table to one that looks like a big-ticket item straight out of a designer showroom.

For home accessories, head to Arete Culture (#06-01), Make Room (#11-09B), or Plain Vanilla Home (#08-06). Bang-for-your-buck accessories include:

• Flowers: Arete Culture stocks a wide range of high-quality artificial flowers that require no maintenance, and they can even be washed.

[caption id="attachment_18924" align="alignnone" width="3344"] Floral Kokoro.

[caption id="attachment_18926" align="alignnone" width="600"] Cochine, Maison by Amanda Dyer, and Park London. [caption id="attachment_18911" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Cochine Candles[/caption]

• Trays: Trays are always useful when entertaining at a house party or serving dinner guests. Featured below are Ethnicraft Online’s Notre Monde Trays, which are individually hand-crafted and double as pieces of art.

[caption id="attachment_18930" align="alignnone" width="3362"] Ethnicraft Online‘s Notre Monde Tribal Quest Trays[/caption]

4. Collect meaningful memorabilia and make full use of Nature’s gifts to personalise your home

To go about making your home the most beautiful place on earth:

• Travel mementoes and personal memorabilia are a fun way of incorporating your personality throughout the home!

Tip: The trick is to edit: Display only your absolute favourites.

[caption id="attachment_18912" align="alignnone" width="650"] Pinterest[/caption]

• Pick a wall and paint a mural or a statement colour. You can also wallpaper it.

[caption id="attachment_18920" align="alignnone" width="600"]

Bring the outdoors in: Natural touches such as branches and shells are an elegant way of adding more organic textures and shapes to your home. This lends a tranquil touch to a visually-interesting space.

[caption id="attachment_18928" align="alignnone" width="455"] Pinterest[/caption]

Bonus Tip: How to Doll Up Your Home for the Christmas Season

• For some holiday cheer, all you need is a little sparkle. Create a simple but stunning table centerpiece with some tree branches in vase, which you can spray paint or decorate with Christmas baubles.

• To spice things up for the Christmas season, fill up a clear bottle or vase with festive items e.g. coloured eggs for Easter, and pussy willow for Chinese New Year.

The best part? Make Room currently has a collection of Christmas items, such as recycled wooden Christmas trees and a wide range of Christmas décor.

To keep things sophisticated, stick to the same colour family. Silvers and golds add a touch of glamour, and red is a good idea for the season.

[caption id="attachment_18932" align="alignnone" width="554"] Pinterest[/caption]

To lend your home a burst of character, do also drop by Singapore Trading Post (#07-01) or FairPrice Antique (#01-10) for fun and eclectic accessories.

Tan Boon Liat Block Party

This weekend (26 and 27 November), Tan Boon Liat will be throwing its first ever Block Party!

20 participating showrooms such as Journey East, Arete Culture and Make Room will be opening their doors for a train of design workshops, food and wine tastings, seasonal gift ideas and special offers.

It doesn’t just end there – over $5,000 worth of prizes are up for grabs!

For more information, check out their Facebook Page.

Tan Boon Liat Building
Address: 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074

Header image credits: Meat Lovers, Renga-Ya’s Hokkaido and Kagoshima Beef Are All You Need!

Meat lovers, listen up! Think you’ve tried the best Japanese beef Singapore has got to offer? Renga-Ya is here to top your must-try Wagyu list.

[caption id="attachment_18143" align="alignnone" width="932"] Party Platter[/caption]

Rejoice, because Renga-Ya Japanese BBQ & Steak Restaurant has officially opened its doors at Chijmes. And they’ll be dishing the best of beef from the prefectures of Hokkaido and Kagoshima.

Oakleaf Hokkaido Prime Beef

All Oakleaf prime beef served in Renga-Ya is carefully sourced from Hokkaido.

[caption id="attachment_18136" align="alignnone" width="851"] Hokkaido Platter[/caption]

The cows there are breed naturally without the use of antibiotics and genetically modified feed. Instead, herbs are mixed to the feed, so the meat has a natural refreshing flavour.

Kuroge A5 Grade Wagyu

Kagoshima may be well known for its active volcano but their Kuroge (Black Hair) beef is definitely a MUST TRY among meat lovers.

[caption id="attachment_18137" align="alignnone" width="852"] Kagoshima Platter[/caption]

What makes it really special is the well-balanced fat marbling and full-bodied flavour of the meat.

Beef Two Ways

Renga-Ya is as much a Yakiniku restaurant as a steak house.

As they import whole cows from Hokkaido and Kagoshima, diners can look forward to a wide-range of cuts in Japanese BBQ or flamed-grilled style.

[caption id="attachment_18134" align="alignnone" width="837"] Renga Ya Platter[/caption]

We highly recommend the Renga- Ya BBQ Platter (300g at $89.00 and 500g at $139.00) if you’d like to savour the best of both worlds (50:50 of Oakleaf and Wagyu).

[caption id="attachment_18140" align="alignnone" width="923"] Renga Ya Zen Set[/caption]

The Karubi (short rib) and Jou Rosu (chuck roll) are hands down our favourite.

Cut to precise thickness, it’s so tender that it melts in your mouth!

[caption id="attachment_18144" align="alignnone" width="960"] Hokkaido Steak Image source Renga-Ya[/caption]

Steak lovers, you can try the juicy Hokkaido or Kagoshima striploin (200g at $89.00), ribeye (200g at $59.00) or tenderloin (200g at $69.00), complemented with a choice of in-house steak sauce, ponzu radish sauce or peppercorn sauce.

Side Dishes That Are To Die For!

Main star aside, Renga-Ya also specialises in other dishes such as the Hokkaido Beef Tataki with Japanese Onions and Beef Carpaccio, which is eaten raw.

[caption id="attachment_18138" align="alignnone" width="749"] Beef Tataki[/caption]

The Oyster dish is a must try if you’d like to heighten your dining experience.

[caption id="attachment_18141" align="alignnone" width="781"] Oysters[/caption]

Featuring succulent oysters imported from Hiroshima and seasonal vegetables from Hokkaido, this dish will make you feel less guilty from the overload of meat.

[caption id="attachment_18142" align="alignnone" width="904"] Ika Yuzu Jelly Watercress Salad[/caption]

While you’re at it, don’t forget to order the super refreshing Ika Yuzu Jelly Watercress Salad. The acidity of the Yuzu jelly goes extremely well with the watercress, it’s like summer in your mouth.

Our ambassador, Valerie, visited Renga-ya. Here’s what she had to say:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMT3DrrA3mq/?taken-by=cheeriosvalerie

Are you drooling already? Time to recruit your Meat Squad and declare it Protein Day! And don’t forget to make a reservation in advance!

Renga-Ya Japanese BBQ & Steak
Address: 30 Victoria Street #01-11/12 Chijmes, S187996
Contact number: +65 6352 1966
Operating Hours:
Lunch (Daily 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm)
Dinner (Mon- Sat 6:00pm – 11:00pm), (Sun 5:00pm- 10:00pm)
Website: Renga-Ya sg
Instgram: @rengayasg

All photos are by Japan PR Agency

Also, read Sarnies’ New Menu Packs A Solid Punch: From Curry Pasta To Overflowing Burgers!

What’s Up, November! 13 Exciting Activities To Check Out [16 Nov – 30 Nov]

Mid November can be a little harsh. It’s crunch time before you go off for your Christmas holidays, where you still have no idea what gift to get for friends and family… Don’t even get us started with the year end rush of meetings and deadlines.

If you’re barely hanging in there, here are 13 fun and exciting activities to help you unwind and usher in the final month of the year.

Discover & Play

1. Neon Lights Festival

Singapore’s very own premier music and arts festival – Neon Lights Festival is back!

[caption id="attachment_18372" align="alignnone" width="960"] Image source: Neon Lights Festival[/caption]

Catered to music and art lovers of all ages, this festival will bring together more than 150 music and art performances over two days!!

Featuring performers such as Yuna, Badbadnotgood, and Southeast Asian exclusive performances by Foals, Sigur Rós & 2manydjs, it’s gonna be a weekend of major ear candy for audiophiles.

Neon Lights Festival
Date: 26-27 November
Time: 2pm- 12am
Venue: For Canning, 51 Canning Rise, 179037
Event Page: Neon Lights Festival 2016
Website:

2. Swissotel Vertical Marathon 2016

Bored of the usual run?

How about joining Asia’s most exhilirating vertical race – the Swissotel Vertical Marathon?

[caption id="attachment_18376" align="alignnone" width="960"] Image source: Run Society[/caption]

Set to take place at one of Southeast Asia’s tallest hotel (226m) Swissotel The Stamford, participants will need to blaze up 1,336 steps over 73 storeys in the shortest time possible.

Hardcore runners, CNN actually named this race as the most challenging race among 11 of the world’s coolest themed runs. Don’t miss the chance to add this to your running credentials!

Swissotel Vertical Marathon 2016
Date: 20 November, 2016
Time: 6:30am- 1:30pm
Venue: Swissotel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Road, 178882
Event Page: Swissotel Vertical Marathon
Tickets: Individual ($52-$62), Team of 2 ($108-$120)
Ticketing Website: Run Society

3. Upside Social

Like the idea of socialising and being empowered through health and fitness at the same time?

[caption id="attachment_18370" align="alignnone" width="960"] Image source: Upside Social[/caption]

Head to Spaces City Hall for a Saturday of good food, learning, meditating, and of course shopping!

Featuring Xtend Barre classes for your happy toes, Dosirak for your tummy, wellness and nutrition classes by HIC Juices, PAUSE Meditation and Jolin Tinkerbell, you’ll definitely walk away with something.

And for the shopping part, vendors such as Lorna Jane, We Are Cultured, Anaya Life, Pili Pushers, MA’ONA and Candles of Light will make sure you get a good dose of retail therapy.

Upside Social
Date: 19 November, 2016
Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Venue: Spaces City Hall, 410 North Bridge, 188726
Event Page: Upside Social
Tickets: $15-$25
Ticketing Page: Image source: A.D.I Concept[/caption]

4S: Stories After Bedtime revolves around the darker side of Malay legends and folktales.

From poisoning enemies through the use of winds and djins to summoning beings from other dimension, these stories, inspired by true incidents will make you rethink of the existence of supernatural.

Don’t blame us if you have problems falling asleep at night!

4S: Stories After Bedtime
Date: 17-19 November 2016
Time: 8pm (17 & 18 Nov), 3pm & 8pm (19 Nov)
Venue: Drama Centre 100 Victoria Street Level 5, National Library Building, 188064
Event Page: 4S: Stories After Bedtime
Tickets: $22-$25
Ticketing Page: Image source: Lila Sutra[/caption]

Inspired by Sex and the City, Sex in Singcity is an evening of open dialogue on sex, intimacy and pleasure with a panel of sexperts.

While you’re at it, you can also pick up the art of seductive strip tease…without the stripping.

And the best part of all, each entry ticket comes with a scrumptious dinner from Food Rebel and a free bubly drink from Bottles XO! Now, be a caring sister and share this with all your girlfriends.

Sex in Singcity
Date: 18 November 2016
Time: 7:00pm-9:30pm
Venue: The Hive, 59 New Bridge Road, 059405
Event Page: Sex in Singcity
Tickets: $25 (Early bird), $35 (Regular)
Ticketing Website: Image source: AFA SG[/caption]

Who said you can’t enjoy anime in real life?

Head to AFA SG and bob your head to your favourite anime theme songs, performed live by T.M Revolution, KOTOKO, Alisa Takigawa and many more over a period of 3 days!

To jazz things up even more, there will also be anime-based exhibits, activities, celebrity cosplayers, and a special Akiba stage.

Anime Festival Asia
Date: 25-27 November, 2016
Time: 9:30am – 8:00pm (25& 26 Nov), 9:30am-7:00pm (27 Nov)
Venue: Suntec City 1 Raffles Boulevard, 039693
Facebook: Anime Festival Asia
Website: 7. Monkey Goes West

Up for an adventure of a lifetime from Haw Par Villa to Jurong West?

Laughter is the best medicine and you sure can count on Ah Tang and his friends Wukong, Pigsy and Sandy to give you the best laughing therapy in town.

Monkey Goes West
Date: 18 November – 17 December 2016
Venue: Drama Centre Theatre, 100 Victoria St, #05-01 National Library Building, 188064
Time: 2:30pm and 7:30pm
Ticket Price: Restricted View ($50 – $60), Standard ($45-$80)
Seating Plan: Website: Monkey Goes West Is Back This Year With More Laughs & Catchy Tunes!

Eat

8. Amoy Street Bloc Party

You’ve probably seen a couple of new eateries popping up around Amoy Street.

What’s a better way than partying while getting to know these new kids on the block?

Set to take place on the 20th of November, Amoy St. Bloc Party will see our favourite Chinatown street transform into a festival filled with fun, food, drinks and community activities.

Dine and wine with the 8 new award winning eateries – Ding Dong, boCHINChe, Employees Only, Le Binchotan, Burger Joint, Maggie Joan’s, Gemmills and Birds of a Feather.

When sun sets, step into Ding Dong as the playful restaurant space is reimagined into a retro dance floor for the festival.

Amoy St. Bloc Party
Date: 20 November 2016 (Sunday)
Time: 3pm – 12:00am
Venue: Amoy Street
Event page: Amoy St Bloc Party
Instagram: @amoystblocparty

9. A Mashed-Up Affair: When Cocktails & Kaya Clash

Cocktail and ka.. WHAT?

Who cares if cocktail and kaya makes an unlikely pair? House at Dempsey is putting two of our favourite things together, and whipping up something delish.

[caption id="attachment_18378" align="alignnone" width="851"] Image source: House at Dempsey[/caption]

Collaborating with homegrown brand Kayamila, House at Dempsey will be pairing 4 of their signature cocktails and mocktails with 4 unique kaya flavours (Calamansi, Sea Salt Caramel, Vanilla, and of course, Original) from Kayamila.

It’s something very new and we say… just take my money!!

A Mashed-Up Affair: When Cocktails and Kaya Clash
Date: 17 November 2016
Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm
Venue: House at Dempsey, 8D Dempsey Road #01-03 249672
Event Page: A Mashed-Up Affair
Ticket: $60
Ticketing Website: Image source: Master Chef Dining & Bar[/caption]

And that’s why you should check out the MasterChef pop-up dining experience at Ash and Elm, InterContinental Singapore, for an unforgettable culinary adventure. No more wanting to lick the TV screen!

This gastronomical experience will feature restauranter Marco Pierre White, MasterChef Australia’s finalist Reynold Poernomo, MasterChef Asia’s Judge Audra Morrice, MasterChef USA’s winner Luca Manfe and our very own MasterChef Asia Woo Wai Leong.

This could totally be the most delicious dining experience you’ve ever had.

Master Chef Dining & Bar
Date: 25 November – 9 December
Time: 12pm-3pm, 6pm-10:30pm
Venue: Ash and Elm, Level 1, Intercontinental Singapore 80 Middle Road, 188966
Website: Shop

11. Affordable Art Fair

Always wanted to own an art piece but shrug whenever you look at the price tag?

Maybe you’ll find a master piece at the Affordable Art Fair.

[caption id="attachment_18371" align="alignnone" width="828"] Image source: Affordable Art Fair Singapore[/caption]

Back for its 7th autumn edition, this leading showcase for affordable contemporary art is set to take place from 18 to 20 November at F1 Pit Building.

The fair will feature a diverse range of contemporary art priced between $100 and $15,000, with 75% of art pieces under $7,500.

Now, that sure sounds like a steal!

Affordable Art Fair
Date: 18-20 November 2016
Time: 12pm-6pm (18 Nov), 11am-8pm (19 Nov), 11am-6pm (20 Nov)
Venue: 1 Republic Boulevard, F1 Pit Building, 038795
Event page: Affordable Art Fair
Tickets: $15 (Advance sales), $18 (Door sales)
Ticketing page: Image source: Free Folk[/caption]

From handcrafted goods from local artists and designers, organic skincare products to women’s wear and even wire jewellery, this market will make you wanna take a longer lunch break.

Return to Wonderland Christmas Market
Date: 28 November – 4 December 2016
Time: 11am – 8pm
Venue: Millenia Walk, South Galleria Level 1, 9 Raffles Boulevard 039596
Event Page: Return to Wonderland Christmas Market

13. Tan Boon Liat Block Party

Singapore’s unofficial furniture and lifestyle hub, Tan Boon Liat Building, is the perfect destination for hipsters and young couples.

With 15 storeys of furniture and home accessories showrooms and lifestyle providers, this building is set to be the only place you need to shop this Christmas season! Expect interesting and unique pieces of furniture, and gourmet food.

On 26 and 27 November, 20 participating showrooms will open their doors. Enjoy design showcases and workshops, tastings, collection launches, and silent auctions. There are even $5,000 worth of prizes up for grabs!

Tan Boon Liat Block Party
Date: 26 and 27 November 2016
Time: 10AM – 7PM
Address: Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074

With 13 fun activities to choose from, November sure is an exciting month! Drop us a comment and let us know which one you’ll be checking out.

Header Image source: Neon Lights Singapore

Also, read Reignite The Magic Of Christmas On Orchard Road With ION’s Tiffany & Co Xmas Tree!