Tag: food

10 Marvellous Activities to Kick Off Your March  [1-15 March]

Here we are once again at the beginning of a brand new month.

If work or school has fallen into that inevitable lull, don’t worry! As always, we’ve got some awesome events lined up to help you keep things interesting this month!

Here’s a calendar of 10 not-to-be-missed activities to kick start a month to remember!

Play & Discover

1. The Pillowman

Who says the theatre scene in Singapore is dead?

Enter Pangdemonium’s restaging of The Pillowman, a nail-biting, nightmarish nursery story for grown-ups.

The dark comedy, written by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh, will have you squirming at the edge of your seats, even as you roar with laughter.

The story revolves around writer, Katurian, who is interrogated in a dark prison cell. His crime? Penning gruesome fairy tales that bear an uncanny resemblance to a series of child murders. Tensions soon mount as the line between real and fictional worlds blur in this darkly comic psycho thriller.

This sinister stunner of a play is a vicious whirlpool of thrilling storytelling and a scary examination of the very nature and purpose of art.

The Pillowman
Where: 9 Empress Pl, 179556
When: 24 February – 12 March 2017
Timings: Tue-Fri: 7.30pm, Sat: 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sun: 2.30pm, Sun: 7.30pm (12 Mar 2017)
Website

2. Singapore International Jazz Festival

Put on your jazz shoes, because the Singapore International Jazz Festival (SingJazz) is back!

#SingJazz2017 promises to be a dazzling musical extravaganza, set against Singapore’s glittering, iconic skyline at Marina Bay Sands.

Get ready for 3 days and 2 nights of world class music entertainment by some of the biggest names in jazz. Headliners include David Foster, Corinne Bailey Rae, Gilles Peterson and more! Kick back by the water as you enjoy the wind in your hair, amazing music in the air, all with a glass of bubbly in your hand!

Also, proceeds from the festival go towards the Foundation for Arts and Social Enterprise, which provides funding to nurture local jazz talents through the Jazz Academy.

Singapore Jazz Festival
Where: Marina Bay Sands Events Plaza (The Main Stage); MBS Expo and Convention Centre (The Late Show)
Address: 2 Bayfront Ave Singapore 018972
Date: 31 Mar-2 Apr 2017
Time: 4pm to 10.30pm (The Main Stage); 10pm to 4am (The Late Show)
Email: [email protected]
Website
Facebook

3. Garden Beats Festival

This March, get ready for the #summervibes at Garden Beats!

Groove to the hottest electronic tunes at Sunshine Nation’s Electronic Picnic Festival. Expect a multi-sensory experience of music, food and games, all at Fort Canning Park.

4. Choking Hazard: An Exhibition About Toys

You’re never too old for toys–at least not the ones in this exhibition.

Kult will be showcasing the works of 30 artists and toy makers, in a great coming together of international artists and designers.

Inspired by the waste of mass production and over consumption, these artists have torn apart existing toys sourced from toy markets, and remixed them into new objects. Some are gruesome, some are hilarious, and all are witty as hell.

You can even make your own art! An assembly line of pre-loved toys will be available at the gallery to take apart and re-build into your own Frankenstein-ian art piece.

Choking Hazard: An Exhibition About Toys
Where: kult, C2-5, 11 Upper Wilkie Road, Singapore 228120
Dates: 17 FEB – 18 MAR 2017
Time: Mon-Fri 11am to 7pm, Sat 2pm to 7pm
Facebook

5. Singapore Design Week

Bet you didn’t know there was a national agency for design.

Well, the Design Singapore Council’s mission is to develop our design sector to make life better. Sounds good to us.

What’s better, its annual Singapore Design Week is back!

Get artsy home goods at the International Furniture Fair, experience robust collaborations between local designers and the industry at Singaplural, or get inspired at the ‘Innovation By Design’ Conference.

Expect a week of Singapore’s creative culture and ecosystem that integrates design and creativity into our everyday life!

Singapore Design Week
Where: Multiple venues
When: 3012 March 2017
Phone: 6333 3737
Email: [email protected]
Website
Facebook

Eat

6. PasarBella & Friends Go to Town

Here’s the perfect post workday idea: PasarBella & Friends Go to Town returns for the third iteration of its special pop-up market at this year’s i Light Marina Bay!

7. terratoria OLA

Prep your stomachs for a gastronomical adventure.

Michelin starred Chef Daniel (OLA Cocina Del Mar) and Chef Seita (terra) will come together for a one day only affair that is terratoria OLA!

[caption id="attachment_23259" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Image credit: OLA Cocina Del Mar
Address: Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3, #01-06 12 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018982
Date: 12 March 2017, 12pm to 4pm
Price: $150++
Reservations: +65 6604 7050
Email: [email protected]
Website
Facebook

8. Singapore Cocktail Festival

Mix it up at Asia’s largest celebration of cocktails this March!

The inaugural Singapore Cocktail Festival promises to be an immersive experience that will excite the palates of novices and aficionados alike.

With a mish mash of activities to Taste, Learn and Play, you’ll get to interact with a truly global lineup of mixologists. Features include some of Singapore’s best cocktail bars, as well as world class bartenders from cocktail cities like Hong Kong, London, New York, Seoul and Tokyo.

Excite your palate at the experiential cocktail village, nurture the budding mixologist in you at the workshops, or jump in a themed cocktail party!

Singapore Cocktail Festival
Where: Multiple venues
When: Thursday March 16 2017 – Tuesday March 21 2017
Email: [email protected]
Website
Facebook

9. Singapore Restaurant Week

The concept of Restaurant Week is unbelievably simple.

Dining City is offering limited seats for a special 3-course lunch and dinner at established local restaurants–for a fraction of their usual prices.

This 3-course menu will be offered at an irresistible fixed price of S$35++ for dinner and S$25++ for lunch all through the week.

Some of these luxe restaurants include the fancy 1919 Waterboat House, Wooloomooloo Steakhouse Singapore, Privé Grill, and Lewin Terrace.

What are you waiting for? Reserve your tables as soon as possible–we don’t know when’s the next time you’ll be able to savour this spread at such good prices.

Singapore Restaurant Week
Where: Participating restaurants
Date: 25 March 2017 – 1 April 2017
Email: [email protected]
Website
Who can resist a good flea and art market?

Much less one in the heart of 20 dazzling light art installations from 9 different countries. Enter Hypefest @ i Light Marina Bay!

[caption id="attachment_23255" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Image credit: MAAD[/caption]

Here is your one stop shop for artisanal goods featuring over 50 indie labels. Find eco-friendly crafted gifts and even personalized merchandise!

We won’t say more! Come down and experience it all for yourself. It’ll be an evening of pleasant discovery that’s sure to excite!

Hypefest @ i Light Marina Bay
Date: 3 Mar 2017 – 26 Mar 2017
Time: 4.00pm to 11.00pm
Venue: Marina Bay Seating Gallery Platform 20 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039805
Website

Excited yet? With this list of the freshest events, yummiest food spots, and shopping opportunities, there’s no reason to say “Singapore got nothing to do”!

Grab your friends and family, and kick back at these cannot miss activities! They’re sure to offer a well-deserved break from the work desk to keep you going all through the month.

Keep calm and March on!

Also read, These Light Art Installations Popping Up At Marina Bay Will Make You See Nature In A Whole New Light

The Wicked Cream: Gourmet Marshmallows To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

West-siders, we’ve found a sweet spot for all you dessert fiends! The Wicked Cream offers gourmet marshmallows that will surely satisfy your sweet tooth. 

Their signature creation, the WickedMallow, gives the humble roasted marshmallow a gourmet update.

These marshmallows are made in small batches, and are carefully hand-crafted and roasted individually. You can choose from an array of unique flavours like sea salt gula melaka, speculoos caremelised cookie and uji matcha, just to name a few!

[caption id="attachment_22507" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Credit: You might have even seen these guys around at pop-up stalls and art markets with their beautifully packaged jars, all ready for you to take home or give away!

[caption id="attachment_22551" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Credit: The Wicked Cream also has a These guys have definitely left their mark with their unique, instagrammable treats. Be sure to keep a lookout for these carefully crafted goodies the next time you’re at a pop-up event or local art market!

The Wicked Cream
Address: 3 South Buona Vista Road, #B1-04 Viva Vista Mall, S118136
Tel: 8222 0140 / 9732 3123
Operating Hours: Based on reservations / appointments only
8 Best Acai Bowls And Smoothies In Singapore For A Completely Guilt-Free Treat

It’s Never Too Late For A Decadent New Year’s Eve Feast At FOO’D by Davide Oldani!

The New Year’s weekend is upon us, and everyone is already gearing up for a long weekend of gatherings and the oncoming slew of treats.

However, while most would have already made plans for New Year’s Eve dinner weeks ago, there are some of us who are…busier (*ahem* procrastinators), and are still on the look out for a spot to indulge in a year end feast.

Don’t fret! We’ve found an elegant restaurant that will be serving up some mouthwatering and decadent eats this festive season!

FOO’D by Davide Oldani

Located within the iconic Victoria Theatre, FOO’D by Davide Oldani serves modern European fare. Fusing tradition with innovation, the food at FOO’D by Davide Oldani strikes the perfect balance between simple and refined.

Founded upon the principles of Cucina POP, which simultaneously means “for everyone” and “belonging to everyone”, the menu at FOO’D was conceptualized by Italian celebrity Chef Davide Oldani.

Chef owner of Michelin-starred D’O in Cornaredo, Italy, Oldani strives to blur the lines between fine dining with accessibility, and tradition with innovation.

Hazelnut And Lambrusco Sorbet Dessert

Chef Davide Oldani’s hazelnut and lambrusco sorbet dessert is a testament to his creative culinary journey. Pairing hazelnut, lambrusco sorbet, and popcorn, this impeccable dessert showcases Oldani’s gift for intertwining complementary textures in his dishes.

The satisfying crunch of popcorn matches well with the refreshing and slightly sweet lambrusco sorbet. A unique and decadent culinary creation, this modern dessert is the perfect end to a decadent meal at FOO’D!

Oldani’s Marsala And Truffle Risotto

Looking for something a tad more traditional?

Then Oldani’s risotto is a must-have!

Crafted with handmade sourdough breadcrumbs, peppercorn, Marsala and Umbrian truffle, the risotto has the rich creaminess of a perfectly cooked risotto.

With a dash of vinegar and the underlying touch of sweetness from the Marsala, Oldani’s risotto is an innovative culinary creation that is a must-have for any self-proclaimed food connoisseur.

The sleek and modern interior that diners at FOO’D enjoy alongside their meal is also due in part to Oldani dabbling in industrial design.

Seeking to make every diners’ experience comfortable, Oldani has utilized innovative flatware such as wine glasses with one rim set higher than the other, allowing diners to not only fully appreciate the full bouquet of the wine but maintain eye contact with their partners as well. An overall elegant and comfortable dining experience, FOO’D puts diners’ needs at the forefront.

New Year’s Eve isn’t complete without a mouthwatering decadent feast. Tagged at $158++ and $188++ for its 5 and 7 course New Year’s Eve Dinner Menu, end your 2016 right with FOOD’s by Davide Oldani decadent feast.

So experience a culinary adventure with loved ones at FOO’D by Davide Oldani, as you indulge in modern European fare that pushes the boundaries and tantalizes the taste buds!

[email protected]

Also Read: Dessert Buffets In Singapore: So You Can Gorge On Ice Cream, Cakes & Chocolate!

We Hopped On The Makan Bus And Didn’t Wanna Get Off – Here’s Why!

Yup. Finally the first one-of-its-kind hop-on-hop-off Makan Bus tour has arrived in Singapore. Don’t dismiss this food tour as a tourist thingy yet. Otherwise, you are missing out on fun even locals can enjoy!

We all know Singapore is a food paradise, but the best local food are usually not near MRTs or in town.

Makan Bus

It can be pretty hard to enjoy good food if you don’t have a car. With the launch of the Makan Bus on 26 August 2016, reaching out to these great local food is now so much more convenient for everyone.

Recently, I was fortunate to be invited for a free MakanBus tour. Getting on the tour meant I had the opportunity to taste some of the highly acclaimed local food along the 10 specially-curated stops.

What I did not know was it is more than a mere foodie bus bringing us from the central to northern heartlands in Singapore.

Our Makan Bus Journey

We received a warm welcome from the guide upon boarding the cheery yellow bus at Orchard Gateway. After an introduction, we set off!

Besides recommending good eats near each stop, he would share insights of noteworthy buildings throughout the journey too.

Interesting history that we never knew about our sunny island

We thought we knew Singapore so well since we grew up here.

But we did not know that the Burma Chinese settled in Singapore as early as the 19th century!

In fact, I highly recommend you to alight at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial stop, where the Sun Yat Sen Memorial and Burmese Buddhist Temple are.

In the main worship hall of the Maha Sasana Ramsi (Burmese Buddhist Temple) sits the majestic 11-foot marble Buddha statue. This religious landmark is the only Burmese Buddhist temple of its kind in Singapore.

The statue was carved from a 10-tonne slab of marble found in Burma’s Saygin Hill and transported here in 1925.

Bond with your family over nostalgic hawker food settings

The 10 stops on the tour will bring you through buzzing town areas to the old shophouses in Balestier and Thomson, and finally into the HDB heartlands.

This is a specially curated route to showcase the evolution and development of Singapore over the past 51 years.

Bring your whole family, including your parents onboard, so they can reminisce about the good old days.

They will certainly be able to resonate with traditional eateries such as Boon Tong Kee and Original Herbal Shop at Balestier, and Hua Nam Restaurant at Thomson.

Image Credit: Makan Bus

It’s easier to strike conversations as you enjoy the food and nostalgic ambience with your family.

Who knows if these used to be their favourite haunts during their “paktor” days!

Discover yummy novel hawker food delights

While it’s obvious Makan Bus will bring you to yummy food places, you may be surprised at hidden gems within the heartlands.

Ang Mo Kio was the place I grew up in, and I thought I knew everything there. But I did not even know that there is a hawker stall selling sedap Mee Rebus Tarik for over 2 decades!

In case you are wondering, Mee Rebus Tarik is not prepared by simply “pulling” the noodles as the Malay word “tarik” implies.

Instead, the mee rebus is laden with satay gravy and served together with either chicken or mutton satay. Such an innovative twist to the signature mee rebus!

I have tasted different versions of our favourite Indian roti prata, with egg, cheese etc for enhanced flavour.

However, it was my first time trying out some Roti Tissue along Upper Thomson Road. The prata looked like an interesting thin piece of tissue (hence its name) as seen in the image above. This is a sweet crispy prata seasoned with sugar.

Hop on and off the bus whenever you wish, wherever you fancy

There is no limit to the number of times you can hop on and off the Makan Bus.

Your $28 ticket is valid throughout the day when the bus runs from 11am to 7.30pm.

Indeed, there were times when we were engaged in such interesting conversations with the guide that we missed alighting at the designated stop.

Just continue on the looped journey and alight where you wish to tuck into the good food in the desired area.

Furthermore, you do not need to alight if you don’t find anything you fancy. Unlike other expensive food tours where you don’t get to choose the food, this is a truly flexible tour!

Makan Bus definitely changes the way we can explore the hidden food joints and other untold stories of Singapore.

Bring your foreign friends on the Makan Bus tour and introduce them to life in the heartlands.

After all, this is a uniquely Singapore experience that they will not find at the usual tourist attractions. Besides, it is definitely more economical if you are travelling together in a group of 5 or more. Check out more details of this one-of-a-kind experience at Makan Bus!

(Featured image: Makan Bus)

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

Take That, McD’s! KFC Strikes Back With Must Try Umakara Chicken!

In what can only be described as “a taste beyond words”, the stage is all set for the new KFC Umakara Chicken. It’s sure to confound your taste buds with tantalising flavours during its limited release from 13 Jul to 5 Aug.

Umami Taste Profile

So here’s the lowdown. We all know about the four widely accepted and recognised taste profiles. Sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Chefs and cooks everywhere craft their dishes based on these four tastes. Mastering the perfect balance of these tastes is the key to creating delicious dishes.

But, do you know that we have a 5^th taste Described as ‘moreish savoury’, this savoury taste profile is commonly known to us as ‘umami’. Foods rich in umami components include mushrooms, tomatoes, and cheeses.

Drawing inspiration from this 5^th taste, KFC has launched the new KFC Umakara Chicken.

“Juicy, fresh chicken marinated in savoury shoyu and Japanese spices, hand-coated in a spicy, crispy batter, then sprinkled with an umami spice sprinkle”

Umakara Chicken

To precede its official launch, the team at DiscoverSG had the delightful opportunity to attend an exclusive tasting session before its release to the public.

“The addictive lure of umami and the kick of heat from the Japanese spices make for an indescribable flavour combination. It gives you uninhibited taste enjoyment that is truly out of this world!”

Step aside, McDonald’s. This is how you do it.

In comparison to the much maligned Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Burger, the KFC Umakara Chicken doesn’t disappoint. After savouring this perfectly crispy chicken, we can confidently proclaim that this is perhaps, the best seasonal release from a fast-food chain we have seen since like, ever!

Deep fried to a delicious golden brown, every bite into the spicy batter contained very satisfying tinges of heat. It was not only tasty, but also addictive. There was a lingering, pleasant smell of the shoyu marinade that remained on our fingers after we were done with our meal. Talk about finger lickin’ good!

Side Dishes

Besides the Umakara Chicken, the meal also came with Crispy Tenders and Shroom Poppers. The Shroom Poppers are potato bites stuffed with mushrooms, vegetables, meatloaf, and onion. The crispy tenders were not much to shout about, and the shroom poppers were a tad underwhelming, to say the least. It was a tad disappointing considering the Umakara Chicken was fantastic.

Verdict

The Umakara Chicken is definitely going to feature in our meals for the next few weeks. You could skip the Crispy Tenders and Shrooms Peppers, and save your tummy for the Umakara Chicken! Do mark your calendar, as it’s only available for limited release from 13 Jul to 5 Aug.

KFC Umakara Chicken Meal, $7.90:
2 pieces Umakara Chicken, 1 regular Whipped Potato, 1 regular Coleslaw and 1 regular SJORA Mango Peach

KFC Umakara Chicken Box, $9.50:
 2 pieces Umakara Chicken, 2 pieces Crispy Tenders, 2 pieces Shrooms Poppers, 1 regular Whipped Potato and 1 regular SJORA Mango Peach

This was an invited tasting session.

Also, read Comfort Food Always Wins! 7 Local Desserts That Steal Our Hearts

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.

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.

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