Nakajima Suisan Grilled Fish at Takashimaya’s Japanese food court is one of the places that I usually go to when I want a quick-fix in town. The prices of the set meals — choose from Salmon Teriyaki ($12.50), Gindara Teriyaki ($14.50), and Shio Saba ($7.50) — are pocket-friendly. If you are meeting your friends in Orchard Road, head here for a simple and satisfying meal.

391A Orchard Road Basement 2
Takashimaya Food Hall Ngee Ann City

There are lots of interesting things about coffee that I want to share with you, so I worked with the good people from Infographic.SG - a data visualisation and infographic design agency by Edge Media – to come up with this visually appealing infographics to highlight some of the fun facts about coffee.

It is a really long infographics, so click more to read the rest.

If your brand/company would like to create infographics for a campaign, I highly recommend Infographic.SG. You can reach them at contact@infographics.sg

Stopped by the aroma of coffee but baffled by the various kinds of coffee beans? Captivated by the brew and foam art but never knew the studies behind coffee making? If you have always wanted to learn how to make coffee, let us show you how. We took a barista crash course with Ryan Kieran Tan from Strangers Reunion, and he shared with us some of his secrets and tips to make the perfect cup of coffee.

Here is a step by step guide on how to make coffee.

1. Take out portafilter (group handle) from machine.

2. Purge machine’s grouphead.

3. Knock out used coffee puck.

4. Stop the purge of the machine.

5. Clean and dry portafilter.

6. Grind coffee into portafilter.

7. Distribute coffee evenly.

8. Tamp coffee in portafilter.

9. Wipe off any stray coffee from the surface of portafilter.

10. Clean machine tray.

11. Lock portafilter into machine.

12. Start extraction (and pray everything goes smoothly).

13. Place cup under portafilter spouts.

14. Pray for a good flow of coffee. If the flow is not achieved, repeat step 1 to 13 until you managed to get the desired flow.

15. Stop extraction at desired time (depending on the type of coffee).

Additional steps:

16. If you are doing a milk-based coffee, the next step is to steam milk.

17. Purge the steam wand. Insert it into jar and texture milk.

18. Clean steam wand with wet cloth and purge again.

19. Pour into coffee to achieve desired latte art. Enjoy the coffee!

Thank you Ryan for helping us with this guide. If you are a coffee-lover, you must absolutely drop by Strangers Reunion and enjoy a cup of coffee. Strangers Reunion is located at 37 Kampong Bahru Road.

When I have cravings for Korean food, I like to go to Crystal Jade Korean BBQ Buffet. Their Nex outlet has a decent buffet spread and you can get the usual marinated meat and fish. The food is nothing fantastic, but it is acceptable for the price (weekdays: $24 nett for lunch, $28 nett for dinner; and weekends: $28 nett for lunch, $32 nett for dinner). There is also a students’ promotion $16.50 nett for lunch buffet on weekdays.

23 Serangoon Central
#01-01/02 Nex
Tel: +65 6634 4920
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm -10pm

Surfing is a surface water sport whereby the surfer rides on the forward face of a wave towards the shore. It may seem easy, but until you have tried it, you will never know how challenging it really is.

Many thoughts came to mind when I was battling the waves and trying to not drink too much sea water. And while balancing my quest and having fun, here are some important life lessons that I have learned from surfing.

Choose your own wave to ride. 

You have heard of the phrase: you choose your own mountain to scale. It is the same for surfing. While waiting in the shallow waters is easy, it does not provide any satisfaction. Why not venture out and try your luck with the big waves that might come? Likewise, this applies to other aspects in life. Are you contended with living a mediocre life? Or do you want to test your limits and see how far you could go? Some people go to the ends of the world, just to see what they can see. Choose your own wave to ride.

You only need one big wave; be prepared when it comes. 

In life, all we need is an opportunity, or two. Work hard, be patient, and make sure you are ready when the time comes.

Learn from others’ mistakes. 

Life will throw waves and waves at everyone. Observe and learn from others so that you will not repeat the same mistakes when it is your turn to deal with the waves.

Never give up.

You just gotta keep trying. Be it surfing or life, you need to fight for what you believe in. Yes, you are going to fail, you are going to suffer, and you will be disappointed. No one said it was going to be easy, but as long as you keep working hard, you will become a better person and success will be yours one day.

Try new things everyday.

I was never a beach person, so surfing for the first time was a revelation. I was thrown back time and again by the waves, but I was happy with what I attempted and was doing. At that point in time, it struck me that this was what life is about.

Life is not about making ends meet every month. Life is not about hitting KPIs or making your clients happy. Life is about experiencing new thing, life is about learning something different whenever you can and want to. Life is about living in the moment.

Thank you so much for your support of ladyironchef. We have just crossed the 2 million mark for monthly pageviews. Join us on our journey – on instagram, twitter and facebook – as we eat and travel around the world.

It has been a while since my last visit to Relish by Wild Rocket, so I went there for lunch during a weekend, and I am happy to report that their burgers are still very good – Relish remains one of my favourite burger joints in Singapore.

The branch at myVillage at Serangoon Garden, like the outlet at Cluny Court, has huge glass panels which allow light to shine thorough. It is a comfortable space and I can see myself going back more often.

Most of the burgers are priced between $14 – 18, which I have to say is excellent value for the quality.

The Wild Rocket Beef Burger ($14.80) is just as good as I had remember it to be. I love burgers that are highly stacked with lots of ingredients, but sometimes, all we need is a simple and good burger. Which is why I found this burger — a medium-rare beef patty sandwiched between two toasted bun, with arugula, sarawak pepper cream and sun-dried tomato relish — perfect. This is the definition of a good and no-frills burger.

With its delicious char siew soft-bone pork topped with a secret char siew sauce on a homemade foccacia, the BBQ Char Siew Open Pork Burger ($17.50) is also one of my favourites.

Other burgers on the menu include: Blue Cheese & William Pear Beef Burger ($18.50), Chicken Satay Burger ($14.60), Bacon & Cheese Beef Burger ($16.40), and a Soft Shell Chilli Crab Burger ($15.60), which was surprisingly tasty.

If you don’t feel like having burgers, there are several main courses – such as Grilled Pork Chop ($20.90), Spicy Corned Beef Spaghettini ($15.80), Green Curry Seafood Shepherd’s Pie ($17) – on the menu.

Be sure to save room for desserts. I swear by their Strawberry Cheesecake ($9) – Wild Rocket’s signature dessert – a deconstructed cheesecake which is served in a glass. It is so good that I will not go to Relish without ordering it.

The Dark Lava Chocolate Gateau ($12.80) is also worthy of a spot in my list of best chocolate lava cake in Singapore. The pandan-infused Panna Cotta ($8) with gula melaka is also an interesting option.

Relish by Wild Rocket
1 Maju Avenue
#02-07/09 myVillage at Serangoon Garden
Tel: +65 6634 3422

501 Bukit Timah Road
#02-01 Cluny Court
Tel: +65 6763 2945
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 11pm

After spending a day with Ryan from Strangers Reunion - who is also Singapore National Barista Champion 2011, 2012 & 2013 – to learn more about coffee, I have a newfound respect for the beverage. In order to make the perfect cuppa, there are many factors in play, and the next time you have a cappuccino at your favourite cafe, do thank the barista for satisfying your caffeine addiction.

Here are 5 things you should know about coffee.

1. Amount of foam in the coffee does not make a difference.

There are some people who are obsessed with the foam level in coffee, but it does not make a big difference to the taste of coffee. Technically speaking, there is a marginal difference, but most people are probably not able to tell anyway. Instead of being overly-concerned about foam, people should focus on the factors – coffee bean, temperature, texture and flavour – that makes or breaks a cup of coffee.

2. Latte Art

While latte art (or lack of) does not affect the taste of the coffee, it is an indicator of how serious a barista is about his trade as it reflects how good the milk is.

3. Soy is not meant to be a drink option.

Soy is actually meant for those who are lactose-intolerant, and not because it is healthier or tastes better. There has always been the debate that soy is healthier than milk, but that is not necessarily true. It is really not about comparing which is healthier, though. The problem with soy is that it masks the flavour of coffee. Full cream milk, on the other hand, does not affect the flavour. Milk is supposed to complement the coffee, not over-power it.

4. There is no need to stir the coffee before drinking it.

When milk is poured into the espresso to make the latte, it is already thoroughly mixed. There is no need to stir the coffee any more.

5. Coffee is good enough on its own without sugar.

If the coffee is done correctly, it should be sweet enough. Adding sugar actually stifles the coffee and does not allow its full aroma to be released. The barista has to put in a lot of hard work in order to prepare a cup of good coffee, so appreciate it as it is, because they know best how coffee should be served.

Also read our Beginners Guide to Coffee.

I really don’t visit Sydney often enough. But whenever I am there, I can trust a few friends to show me some of the best eating places. The following is a few of the must-go places, especially for first-timers to the city. Here is my guide to where to eat in Sydney.

Adriano Zumbo

If you follow MasterChef Australia, you would be familiar with Adriano Zumbo – who is probably the most well-known patissier in Australia. His followers love him for the unusual creations, while he also has his fair share of critics who do not understand what they are eating. I am a big fan of Zumbo and while there are hits and misses, I very much enjoy his desserts. The main patisserie at Balmain is slightly inaccessible, but trust me, it is worth the trip. Otherwise, you can go to his new shop at The Star to takeaway cakes and macarons.

296 Darling St
Balmain, NSW 2040, Australia
Mon to Sat: 8am – 6pm
Sun: 8am – 5pm

Shop 1, Cafe Court The Star/80 Pyrmont Street
Pyrmont NSW 2009, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9777 9000
Mon: 11am – 10pm
Tue to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 12am
Sun: 11am – 9pm

Bills

A trip to Sydney is not complete without a visit to one of Bill Granger’s restaurants. Having breakfast at Bills is one of the must-do things when you are in the city. Come here for his much-lauded ricotta hotcakes and scrambled eggs. You will not be disappointed.

For more recommendations, read my post on Sydney’s best brunch spots.

359 Crown Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9360 4762
Daily: 7am – 10pm

433 Liverpool Street
Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9360 9631
Daily: 7am – 3pm

Bourke Street Bakery

Bourke Street Bakery is a neighbourhood joint where locals meet their friends for coffee; or drop by to grab some pastries for breakfast next day. My experience at Bourke Street Bakery was mind-blowing. Everything – lemon curd tart, croissant, chocolate tart, strawberry & vanilla brulee tart, flourless chocolate cake – that we had was so good.

For more recommendations, read my post on Sydney’s best desserts.

633 Bourke Street
Surry Hills, Sydney NSW 2010
Tel: +6 2 9699 1011
Mon to Fri: 7am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 5pm

Chat Thai

The most famous Thai restaurant in Sydney, Chat Thai serves good Thai food at decent prices (by Sydney’s standard), and most importantly, they open till late night. If you are craving for Thai food when you are in Sydney, Chat Thai is your best bet.

20 Campbell Street
Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9211 1808
Daily: 10am – 2am

Gelato Messina

This is probably one of the most popular gelato shops in Sydney. Besides offering a variety of their signature flavours, the folks at Messina also constantly come up with new treats.

Shop 1/241 Victoria St,
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Tel: +61 2 8354 1223
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 11.30pm

Harry’s Cafe de Wheels

Harry’s Cafe de Wheels is an Australian icon serving legendary pies and mushy peas, pasties and hot dogs. Definitely a must-visit when you are in Sydney.

730/742 George Street
Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9211 2506
Mon & Tue: 9am – 10pm
Wed & Thu: 9am – 1am
Fri & Sat: 10a – 4pm
Sun: 10am – 10pm

Hurricane’s Grill Steakhouse

Another Sydney institution. Hurricane’s Grill Steakhouse is where locals and tourists go for the famous Hurricane’s ribs. If ribs are not your thing, you can try their premium Australian steaks and burgers.

2-10 Darling Drive
Darling Harbour NSW 2000, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9211 2210
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11pm

Kura Japanese

One of my favourite to-go places is Kura, a little hole-in-the-wall eatery at Haymarket that serves very decent Japanese food at affordable prices.

3/76 Ultimo Rd, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9212 5661
Mon to Thu: 10.30am – 11.30pm
Fri & Sat: 10.30am – 12 midnight
Sun: 10.30am – 10.30pm

Madang Korean BBQ

Madang is a household name in Sydney. It is the hottest Korean BBQ joint in town, and the queue – usually at least an hour wait during peak hours – is the testimony of its popularity. There is no doubt that Madang has good Korean BBQ and tasty kimchi pancakes. Definitely one of the must-eat places in Sydney.

371A Pitt Street
Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9264 7010
Daily: 11.30am – 12am

Mamak Malaysian Restaurant

Mamak is one of the most popular eateries in Sydney. It has affordable and authentic Malaysian food – think roti, nasi goreng and nasi lemak. You are probably thinking: why would anyone want to eat Malaysian food in Sydney? You need to know that Mamak dishes out tantalising Malaysian cuisine that you can otherwise hardly find in Sydney. If you have never been to Malaysia, or if you are working/studying in Sydney and miss this Asian genre, you have a new option now.

15 Goulburn Street
Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9211 1668
Sun to Thu: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 2am
Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 12 midnight

Ms G Restaurant

A cool and funky modern Asian restaurant which sprawls over four floors – the perfect place to hang out with your friends over cocktails and delicious food. I wish someone would open a restaurant that has a similar concept to Ms G in Singapore.

155 Victoria St, Potts Point NSW 2011, Australia
Tel: +61 2 8313 1000
Mon to Sat: 5pm – 11pm
Sun: 1pm – 10pm

Pancakes on the Rocks

Another institution in Sydney, Pancakes on the Rocks serves all kinds of pancakes. There are plenty of things to choose from the menu, and best of all, it opens 24 hours 7 days a week.

4 Hickson Rd, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9247 6371
Daily: 24 Hours

Sydney Fish Market

Here, you can get the freshest seafood in town. Enjoy freshly shucked oysters and a scrumptious seafood platter alongside seagulls and giant pelicans on the wharf.

Bank Street
Pyrmont NSW 2009, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9004 1100

The Tea Cosy

A great spot for afternoon tea, The Tea Cosy is a lovely tea room where you can get terrific scones and enjoy a pot of tea.

33 George Street
The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: +61 2 9247 3233

I relaunched ladyironchef’s current website design back in October last year and I am still loving the sleek and clean look. All credits have to go to the folks at PRODD – a creative digital agency specialising in any designed-related issues from branding to implementation.

Kevin and Hong Guan are very professional and efficient, and they always understand my ideas and execute them perfectly. I can always trust them to deliver, especially since I know nuts about IT-related stuff.

They have kindly agreed to extend an offer to my readers. Contact PRODD for a free design consultation session, where they can advise you on matters relating to branding and design. Call Kevin at +65 9002 3772, or drop an e-mail to ask@prodd.sg, and quote ladyironchef to claim your free consultation session.

Words and photographs by Natalie Koh

Daylesford is perfect for a short getaway from the bustling city of Melbourne with only an hour and a half drive out north-west. Be ready to be greeted with great food, beautiful sceneries and wonderful people. Explore this amazing town with me as we visit three of the key attractions.

Passing Clouds Winery

A road trip in Australia would not be the same without visiting at least one winery. In the spirit of embracing the Aussie drinking culture, I like to pop by some wineries along the way. One that we really liked is Passing Clouds Winery. It has seasonal reds and whites and one that they are known for is The Angel. Not to mention that it is accompanied with a beautiful landscape as its backdrop.

30 Roddas Lane
Musk 3461 Victoria
Tel: (03) 5348 5550

Mercato @ Daylesford

A small contemporary restaurant with a formal atmosphere that sits in the middle of nowhere along the quiet streets of Daylesford. Known for its unique modern Australian cuisine menu, it is usually packed with people from the town as well as tourists.

Be ready to be blown away by its entrées such as, the Twice cooked Western Plains pork belly with Hervey Bay scallops and Roasted quail with Istra bacon drenched in raspberry vinegar jus. The mains are equally mouth watering with Roasted breast of duck in red currant jus and Eye fillet of aged Kyneton Black Angus beef. The list goes on and this is a place you would want to pop in at least once when you visit Daylesford.

32 Raglan Street
Daylesford 3460 Victoria
Tel: (03) 5348 4488

Lavandula Lavender Farm

For the love of nature, this is one place you will appreciate. Apart from the beautiful greens and pretty garden with fresh lavender and roses, there are some farm animals on site such as ponies and alpacas. For the foodie like you, there is a little cottage that sells Lavender Ice Cream and Lavender Scones. Great place to have a picnic if you brought your own mat! Entrance fee is AUD$4 per person and AUD$1 for kids.

350 Hepburn-Newstead Road
Shepherds Flat 3461 Victoria
Tel: (03) 5476 4393

About the writer:
Just like that foodie friend of yours, Natalie is one who hunts down all the yummy food places and will want to order every single dish on the menu! Especially if it comes to dessert! With a strong passion for food and writing, she started a little writing space on Tumblr and her journey begins. You can read about Natalie’s adventures in Sydney here.

K-pop fans probably do not need any convincing to visit Seoul – the capital of Korea, and one of the most exciting cities in Asia. But even if you do not know Girls’ Generation or Super Junior, there are still plenty of reasons to head to Seoul. If you still need any further persuading to book a holiday there, here is a list of our favourite dessert spots in Seoul.

Passion 5

If you ask me to recommend just one place in Seoul, it will be Passion 5. They have five different categories of dining all under one roof – gelato corner, bakery take-out station, patisserie and café, chocolatier and a full-fledged restaurant. Trust me, you will be tempted to order all the cakes from the patisserie.

Passion 5 is also listed as one of our 10 favourite cafes in Seoul.

272, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 2071 9507
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

Be-witch Private Label Gourmet

The cakes at Be-witch are not cheap – 14,850 won (S$16.50) for a Strawberry Cheesecake and 13,750 won (S$15.40) for a Red Velvet – but what you get is good quality cakes done with love and care. The cafe itself is small (only 2 tables) and it is the perfect place to go for a break when you are in Garosugil.

533-8 Shinsa-dong, Gangnam-Gu
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

Deux Amis Patisserie

Further down the road from Be*witch is Duex Amis, a terrific patisserie serving gorgeous cakes and tarts that will make anyone weak in the knees. It is a must-stop for desserts when you are in Seoul. Try their Strawberry Tiramisu Tart and Caramel Cake.

535-9 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu
Tel: +82 2 3443 0030
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

Life is just a cup of cake

If you are cafe-hopping in the Itaewon-ro area, a place that is worth visiting is Life is just a cup of cake, a cute little cupcake bakery. There are the usual flavours (4,800 won each) like Chocolate, Berry, Tiramisu and Vanilla, but for something different, we recommend their White Chocolate Earl Grey and Blueberry Cream Cheese.

738-16 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu
Tel: +82 2 794 2908
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

Kyotofu

Kyotofu, New York’s favourite modern Japanese dessert bar, is also in Seoul. Believe the hype, Kyotofu has really good desserts. Even if you do not have a sweet tooth, they have a selection of savoury Japanese food on the menu.

268 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

442 Yeongdeungpodong 4(sa)-ga (15 Yeongjung-ro)
Times Square, Yeongdeungpo-gu
Tel: +82 2 749 1488
Nearest Station: Yeongdeungpo

Lepure Cafe

A bright and cheerful cafe in the day, Lepure Cafe transforms into a nice and enchanting little Japanese corner in the evening as the lights are dimmed and candles are placed on each table. Lepure has a concise Japanese-inspired dessert menu which features pretty creations like Chocolate Roll Cake, Strawberry Short Cake, Cheesecake and Chocolate Tart (5,000 won – 5,800 won/ S$5.60 – S$6.50) – which optimises quality ingredients to give every item a premium taste. The juice list is also impressive, leaving us spoilt for choice for organic options.

1F 534-8 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu
(35 Apgujeong-ro 10 gil)
Tel: +82 2 545 4508
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

For more recommendations, read our guide to 10 cafes in Seoul.

The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is a favourite among businessmen who have meetings at the International Commerce Centre, and young couples who enjoy the finest things in life.

The modern and classy interior design makes the hotel an absolute gem in the skyscraper-dominated city. It is not difficult to see why the Ritz-Carlton is one of the top hotels in the world. The service? Perfection. The staff know each guest by their first name, and they are always polite and courteous, and it feels like they are genuinely happy to see you at the hotel.

The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong has several excellent dining options which will ensure that you will never be hungry throughout the stay.

The Lounge is one of the most popular spots in Hong Kong where guests and locals go for afternoon tea (reservations are required way in advance).

Tin Lung Heen, the 2 Michelin star restaurant, delivers a modern interpretation of Cantonese food, and the Char-grilled Barbecued Iberian Pork is to-die-for. Prices are steep, but it is a restaurant with a terrific view and exceptional service. If you are celebrating a special occasion, I canot think of a better place than Tin Lung Heen at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong.

Tosca offers Southern Italian cuisine in a stunning restaurant. The food is well-executed and I love that the chefs take pride in the food presentation to provide a terrific dining experience.

I stayed at the club level, so I had access to the Club Lounge’s facilities. It includes a buffet area, a lounge section and a meeting room. I spent quite a bit of time there reading a book, while indulging in snacks.

If you go, you must have a drink at Ozone, one of the highest bars in the world. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, you should also drop by for drinks with your friends.

What I love about The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, other than the wonderful service and luxurious experience, is that it has a fantastic view of the entire city. I was thinking to myself that there is no need to make a trip to The Peak as the hotel has an even better view.

The room was posh and very cosy. It was well-equipped, and the attention to detail demonstrated the hotel’s goal to make sure that every guest has a memorable time. As I was about to check out from the hotel, I felt a tinge of sadness as my stay had been nothing short of amazing and I did not want to leave. The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is, without a doubt, one of the best hotels in the world. I will definitely be back soon.

The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong
1 Austin Rd W, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2263 2263
Note: This was an invited media stay.

Singapore F&B scene has been very exciting over the past few years. There is always a new place opening almost every week. There are so many new and cool restaurants that I find it hard to keep up. While I love checking out the latest hip place in town – it is, after all, my job to do that – sometimes, I just like to go somewhere familiar. One of my favourite restaurants in Singapore is House at Dempsey Hill.

House may already be very popular, but it is a shame that it remains as one of the most under-rated restaurants around. It is not easy to create a cosy ambience with vibes so chic. Yet, House managed to do it so effortlessly. Mismatched furnitures, spacious layout with low ceilings and sporadic partitions, dim lights complementing the sun rays that stream in from the ceiling-to-floor glass panels, soft jazz and lounge music looping while the coffee machine brews and the wine glasses clink intermittently; there is this unassuming comfort that makes sitting here all too indulging.

The folks at House have recently launched a new menu – its first major overhaul in six years. The food is still very much the same – simple comfort fare that you can eat on a regular basis. And now, we are in for more new additions.

We started with the Asparagus, Serrano Ham and Crumbed Egg $22. This classic combination never fails to please.

In addition to the legendary truffle fries ($11), Barracks Café has also introduced some new variations in the form of Pumpkin hazelnut fries ($12) – shoestring pumpkin fries with crunchy hazelnut, paprika and chilli powder; Truffle Taro Fries ($7) – straw cut yam fries with aromatic truffle oil; Curry Mustard Fries ($9) – shoestring fries topped with paprika, curry and a sprinkle of sea-salt; and Carrot Fennel Fries ($9) – straw cut sweet carrot fries with a sprinkle of fennel.

An old favourite that has its place standing firm on the menu is the Asian Sliders, also known as Kong Ba Bao. House’s rendition is easily one of the best around. Braised lean pork belly tucked in steaming hot buns, and complimented with crispy taro fries. In a word: perfection.

The Hanger Steak ($27) with croquettes and wild mushrooms was also a crowd-pleaser that afternoon. A perfectly seared steak so affordable, I would go back to House just for this.

If you are like me, a fan of risotto, you have to try the new Pumpkin Risotto with brown butter reduction and toasted pumpkin seeds.

The Roasted Chilean Cod Fish, with a refreshing apple and celery salad, was extremely fresh, but we did not fancy the sweet date sauce that came along with it. If you still have room, you should go for the Pork Ribs with Caramelised Pineapple ($27). While the meat was not off-the-fork-tender, it was still very flavourful and delicious.

House did not make any changes to the desserts menu, so you can still find the popular favourites such as their Warm Strawberry Shortcake ($9.50), Carrot Cake ($7), and Warm Chocolate Toffee Cake ($9.50).

The Bitter Chocolate Tart ($7.50) was amazing. Now, I hardly use the word ‘amazing’ to describe desserts, but House’s version completely won me over. It was bitter, sweet and done just right.

The Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake ($78) impressed, too, with its creamy and cheesy flavour, and the addictive biscuit base. The only dessert that I did not enjoy was the Warm Banana Salted Caramel Cake ($7). While the use of popcorn in a dessert was interesting, the cake was somewhat lacking in flavour and depth.

House
8D Dempsey Road
Tel: +65 6475 7787
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 6pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 4pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Note: This was an invited media tasting.

Visiting Keukenhof – the famous tulip garden in Amsterdam – was one of those experiences that I will never forget. The best thing is now you can also witness the beautiful tulips in Singapore without flying to the Netherlands.

To celebrate 80 years in Singapore, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has partnered Gardens by The Bay to organise Tulipmania, the largest tulip-themed floral show ever to be held in Singapore. Drop by the Flower Dome from 29 April – 20 May 2013 to get a feel of the Netherlands.

Gardens by the Bay
18 Marina Gardens Drive
Tel: +65 6420 6848

I have always heard a lot about the café scene in Seoul, and my recent trip to this capital city has proven the hype right. All that I had seen left a deep impression on me. I visited many outstanding cafes with unique concepts, lovely  interior designs and refreshing menus that I never thought I would have known of.

There are so many goods cafes in Seoul that it will be impossible to come up with a complete guide. Instead, I will share some of my favourite places. Here is a list of the 10 cafes that you must visit in Seoul.

Beans Bins

Beans Bins is a speciality coffee and waffles café chain. The branch in Hongdae is situated on the second level and it provides a good view of the main shopping street. Come here for their signature ice cream waffle and a cuppa after shopping.

163-19, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 325 0737
Nearest Station: Hongik University

Bloom and Goute

Located in one of the alleys at Garosu-gil, Bloom and Goute is a nice cafe where the highlights are coffee, desserts and flowers. It has a brunch menu which features dishes like Eggs Benedict (15,000), meatball and hummus (15,900) and teriyaki chicken sandwich (9,200).

545-24 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
(35-1 Apgujeong-ro 10-gil)
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

Coffee Chu

Having churros with hot chocolate dip is always a good idea, so it made me wonder why nobody had thought of opening a cafe selling churros. That was, of course, until I chanced upon Coffee Chu in Seoul. I was very excited when I stepped into the cafe. A cafe devoting itself to serving differently kinds of freshly made churros with a variety of dips? I am sold.

682-10, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
(7 Itaewon-ro 54-gil)
Tel: +82 2 790 6821
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

Dodo Cafe

When in Samcheong-dong, drop by Dodo Cafe for a break. They specialise in coffee, but you can also find food like tacos (6,000), hamburger (7,000) and their signature waffles (13,000) on the menu.

Bukchon-ro 5-gil
119-1 Samcheong-Dong, Jongno-gu
Tel: +82 2 737 7236
Nearest station: Anguk

Glamorous Penguin

Itaewon is known for its diverse range of restaurants – offering anything from Thai food to Spanish tapas and Mexican tacos – but the area also has plenty of nice cafes too, and one of the places that we like is Glamorous Penguin, tucked at a back alley off the main road near Hangangjin station. The three-story café has pretty good cakes – think red velvet, carrot cake, raspberry cake, maple apple cake (7,000 won for a slice) – and if the weather is good, get a table at the rooftop and read a book while enjoying a cuppa.

743-41 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
(Itaewon-ro 49-gil)
Tel: +82 2 790 7178
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

Jiyugaoka

There are many cafes in the Samcheong-dong area, but Jiyugaoka deserves a special mention. We love that the café is not only small and cosy, but it also has good cakes, which the owner bakes on site. The café is perfumed with the lovely scent of the baked goods, and we love sitting by the al fresco table to people-watch.

Yunposun-gil 46
Tel: +82 2 6487 6156
Nearest station: Anguk

Momo Cot

A trip to Garosugil is probably not complete without a pit stop at the always bustling and noisy Momo Cot for a munch or two and a latte. The lawn at the foot of the cafe is a wonderful spot to watch the world go by. And oh, if you are a fan of Suecomma Bonnie’s shoes, she has a boutique just above the cafe.

535-17 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Nearest Station: Sinsa Station

Passion 5

I was mightily impressed with Passion 5, a chic concept destination with 5 different categories of dining all under one roof –- gelato corner, bakery take-out station, patisserie and café, chocolatier and a full-fledged restaurant. If you love desserts like me, you must make a trip to Passion 5 when you are in Seoul.

272, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 2071 9507
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

Take out drawing

Take out drawing is a gorgeous two-story café, which doubles as an exhibition space. It serves a variety of organic beverages alongside delicious baked goods. This is a trendy spot where you can easily spend a day catching up with friends.

140-861, Itaewon-dong (Noksapyeong),
Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea
Tel: +82 2 790 2637
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

Toms Cat Cafe

There are plenty of cat cafes in the Hongdae area, but if you only have time to check out one place, go to Toms Cat Cafe. Here, you can enjoy a cup of coffee in the company of 33 cats roaming around freely in the premise.

3F, 358-125, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 8900 0450
Nearest Station: Hongik University

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best dessert spots in Seoul

Few things could be more idyllic than sitting in a nice cafe, sipping on a cup of aromatic coffee, and reading your favourite book. The good news is, nowadays, there are plenty of places to get a cup of good coffee. The coffee trend in Singapore is picking up, with new indie cafes opening up every month.

In order to get a better picture, we must understand more about the first, second and third wave coffee movements. We had a quick chat with Ryan Kieran Tan – from Strangers Reunion, who is also Singapore National Barista Champion 2011, 2012 & 2013 – on this topic.

“The first wave of coffee took place when Italian migrants introduced espresso to the world, and the second was due to the rapid expansion of big coffee chains such as Starbucks and Peet’s that made coffee widespread. We are currently in the third wave of coffee where there is a movement to produce high-quality coffee. Coffee-speciality cafes are sourcing their beans from farms, and consumers are starting to appreciate and have a deeper understanding of what goes into a good cup of coffee.”

This month, we will be telling you where to find the best coffee joints in town. For those of you who always aspire to be a barista, we will be asking cafe owners to share some insights on how you can work towards your dream. Also, you can expect articles on things that you should know about coffee, and how to make coffee. Before we get started, you can read our Beginners Guide to Coffee.

Join us on our journey – on instagram, twitter and facebook – as we search for the perfect roast.

Mother’s Day is just next Sunday, and if you are thinking of where to bring your family to celebrate the occasion, here is a guide on Mother’s Day Dinner 2013.

Aburiya Yakiniku

When it comes to yakiniku, few restaurants do it better than Aburiya at Robertson Quay. This is a great place where family and friends come together for premium meat and delicious drinks. The cheapest set menu (for 2-3pax) starts from $75.

60 Robertson Quay
#01-10 The Quayside
Tel: +65 6836 5370
Mon to Sat: 6pm – 11.30pm
Sun: 6pm – 10pm

Aoki

If you have had Aoki’s Chirashi ($35) before, I am sure you will agree with me that it is happiness in a bowl. This is a nice place to bring your family to celebrate Mother’s Day in advance, especially if you are looking for somewhere to go for lunch on a weekday. Their set lunches ($35-50) are excellent value, and you can enjoy top quality Japanese food in a classy environment.

1 Scotts Road
Shaw Centre #02-17
Tel: +65 6333 8015
Mon to Sat: 12noon – 3pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Sun: 6.30pm – 11pm

La Brezza

Regulars to St Regis Singapore will be familiar with their signature restaurants like Yan Ting and Brasserie Les Saveurs, but not many people have been to La Brezza, a poolside restaurant that serves fine trattoria-style Italian cuisine.

On weekends, they have a Prosecco brunch ($98++/pax with prosecco, $68++/pax for non-alcohol) that features an enticing spread of antipasti and cheese. That is not all. The buffet also includes handmade pastas and main courses like striploins, seabass and prawns – grilled ala minute – with free flow of prosecco. It is definitely a treat for a special occasion like Mother’s Day.

29 Tanglin Road
The St. Regis
Tel: +65 6506 6888
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Weekend Brunch: 12pm – 3pm

Loola’s by Awfully Chocolate

Loola’s by Awfully Chocolate is located at Esplanade and it offers a great view of the Marina bayfront. The food at Loola’s is modern European cuisine with an Asian twist. Starters are around $16, while main courses start from $28. Otherwise, you can also go there for Mother’s day brunch. Loola’s brunch menu (served daily from 12pm – 5pm) features items like French Toast ($18), Egg Benedict ($20), and Souffle Omelette ($22).

8 Raffles Avenue#
02-14 Esplanade Mall
Tel: +65 6336 9563
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 12am
Fri: 12pm – 1am
Sat: 10am – 1am
Sun: 10am – 12am

Morton’s of Chicago Steakhouse

Morton’s of Chicago Steakhouse has a Mother’s day dinner promotion ($115 per person) which includes a salad – choose from either the Morton’s Salad or Caesar Salad; for entree, you can have Single Cut Filet Mignon, Jumbo Lump Crab, Salmon Fillet, or Colossal Shrimp Alexander; and end off the meal with a Creme Brulee or Double Chocolate Mousse.

5 Raffles Avenue
4F Mandarin Oriental Singapore
Tel: +65 6339 3740
Mon to Sat: 5.30pm – 11 pm
Sun: 5pm – 10pm

Picotin Express

The European bistro at Quayside Isle is a sleek and streamlined version of the original Picotin at Bukit Timah.

With chef-owner Steve Kaye helming the kitchen, you can be assured of a good meal. Picotin Express serves signature dishes such as the Pan-fried Sea Bass with lemon thyme risotto ($32), Beef Bourguignon ($30), Honey Glazed Pork Ribs ($30), as well as a selection of thin crust pizzas ($22).

Picotin Express serves simple, delicious and honest comfort food that you can eat on a regular basis. It is a place that I can go back again and again, and I think your mom will like it too.

31 Ocean Way #01-06 Quayside Isle
Sentosa Cove
Tel: +65 6438 4747
Mon to Fri: 5pm – 12 midnight
Sat: 12pm – 1am
Sun: 12pm – 12 midnight

Poulet

French restaurants are aplenty in Singapore, it is not difficult to find good French food here. But if you are on a hunt for a pocket-friendly option, the options become considerately limited. Poulet at the new Bugis+, a casual French restaurant by the Thai Express group, might just be the place to bring your mom for a good and affordable meal.

201 Victoria Street
Level 4 Bugis+, Singapore
Tel: +65 6509 9411
Daily: 11.30am – 9.30pm

Rakuzen Japanese Restaurant

Rakuzen Japanese Restaurant at Millenia Walk is one of my to-go places because it offers decent Japanese food at wallet-friendly prices. If your mom loves Japanese food, bring her here.

9 Raffles Boulevard
#01-14/19 Millenia Walk
Tel: +65 6333 1171
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 11.30am – 10pm

Relish

Relish by Wild Rocket is a burger-speciality restaurant. Value for money (most of the main courses are below $20) aside, Relish dishes out high quality burgers, so good that you may never want to eat a mediocre burger again.

501 Bukit Timah Road
#02-01 Cluny Court
Tel: +65 6763 2945
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 11pm

1 Maju Avenue
#02-07/09 myVillage at Serangoon Garden
Tel: +65 6634 3422

Sky on 57

Sky on 57 by Chef Justin Quek has one of the best views of Singapore’s skyline, and if you are looking for a restaurant to impress your girlfriend’s mom, make a call to reserve a table here.

The business luncheon menu ($50 for 3 course, or $60 for 4 course) is actually very reasonable. It offers some of Justin Quek’s signature dishes like Foie Gras Xiao Long Bao, Beef Broth, Singapore Sakura Chicken RIce, and Kaya Macarons. For the excellent view and good food, this is one of the best set lunches you can get in town. Note: There is a minimum spend of $50/pax during lunch, and $100/pax during dinner.

10 Bayfront Avenue
#57-00 Marina Bay Sands, Sands Skypark Tower 1
Tel: +65 6688 8857
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm

Todai

For an all-you-can-eat-stuff-your-face international buffet, go to Todai. The seafood and sushi buffet restaurant offers a huge variety of food ranging from sushi, to BBQ meat, to Korean food and desserts. What makes customers go back again and again, however, is the Alaskan crab. Free-flow giant crab legs? I am sold. On Mother’s Day 2013, both lunch and dinner buffets are priced at $68++/pax.

2 Bayfront Avenue
#B2-01A Marina Bay Sands
Tel: +65 6688 7771
Daily: 11.30am – 4pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm

Words by Melody Yap, photograph by ladyironchef

I don’t know about you, but packing for a holiday always gives me a major headache. There seems to be so many items on the checklist, and I don’t believe I am the only one who wants to pack the whole house into the suitcase.

But having had numerous close shaves with overweight baggages, yet not wanting to put myself in the dreadful situation of needing something that can hardly be found (or too expensive to find) while being miles away from home, I set myself “must-have” lists for various kinds of holidays.

And today, I will share the top 5 items to go into that suitcase when you go for a summer vacation by the beach.

Sunblock

I cannot say enough how important this product is. Vanity aside, because UV rays are so harmful and detrimental to our skin, we must never step out without a protective layer of sunblock.

If you are afraid of the greasiness, opt for water or gel based ones. Try Clarins’ UV Plus HP Ecran Multi-protection Day Screen or The Face Shop Natural Sun Oil Cut Sun Cream. For the ladies who wear makeup to the beach, be sure to choose a makeup primer (to be applied after sunblock) with mild SPF to give you extra coverage.

Facial wipes

They are so handy, and they are life savers. After taking a long stroll and a day of beach activities, you perspire and you have (dirty) sea water stained on your face. And it will be such a pleasure to freshen up with these facial wipes.

They are inexpensive and not heavy. sure is a good idea to pack some in your beach bag!

Flip-flops and Casual flat shoes

Ditch the heels and leather loafers, and it is out to play for your favorite pair(s) of flip-flops and sandals! You are entitled to vanity for sure, but when headed to a beach, all you need is to pack light and be carefree.

Don’t bog yourself down with unnecessary weight, because as common a mistake it is (i am, too, guilty as charged), many will have the irrational worry that you may need a pair of party shoes for a dinner or two. But you would be relieved to know that in any typical beach resort or destination, people saunter around in comfortable footwear. Even when you dine at a finer restaurant, you can still be presentable with a pair of t-bar sandals, or ballerina flats.

Vitamin C

Apart from soaking up the “sunshine vitamin” (vitamin D), we need to keep ourselves healthy with vitamin C in abundance. It is said to be the most effective nutrient with a great deal of benefits, like protection against immune system deficiencies, eye diseases and skin wrinkling – just to name a few.

Bring along vitamin C tablets and supplements, because the last thing you want is to fall ill on a holiday. Also, whenever possible, eat freshly sliced fruits and drink fresh fruit juices. Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons is your best bet.

A good book

Nothing beats being away from the busy city life and lazing on the warm sand with a good book. Think nothing about your emails, forget about your bills, and read.

Read and admire the picturesque scenery before your eyes; read and listen to the sound of the waves as they splash against the rocks; read and rejuvenate yourself. It is just you and your book in a world far away from stress and unhappiness.

That is how a beach holiday should be.

I will be churning more lists in this month. Do look out for the series! I hope they would be helpful for you when you are pulling your hair the night before your flight, or frantically doing a mental check on the things you have (and have not) packed.

Everytime I eat at La Villa, I wonder why I don’t come here more often. Housed within the old school premises of River Valley Primary School, La Villa by the Senso Group is a charming Italian restaurant that not only has a nice interior, but also a beautiful al fresco dining area facing the garden.

Singapore has no shortage of good Italian restaurants, but La Villa might just be one of the better spots in town.

From antipasti ($19-25) to burgers ($18-22) and soups ($16), to pizzas ($24) and pastas ($18-30), La Villa has a big menu that can satisfy everyone.

We were contemplating between the Risotto with Duck Confit ($24 for small, $28 for large) and the Crab Meat Penne Pasta ($20 for small, $24 for large), but eventually we decided to go for the Seafood Spaghetti with Mixed Seafood in Squid Ink Sauce ($22 for small, $26 for large). The pasta was cooked al dente and served with a good portion of seafood.

The Vongole ($22 for small, $26 for large) – linguine in white wine sauce with clams, prawns and fresh parsley – was also a winner.

For main courses, La Villa has several meat and fish options on the menu. For beef lovers, go for the Entrecote ($36), a 280g grain-fed ribeye with fries and vegetables. Otherwise, the Milanese ($30), a breaded veal rack in spicy tomato sauce is worth a try. The seafood choices include King Tiger Prawn ($32) and Oven Baked Sea Bass ($28).

Besides the tantalising main courses, La Villa also has a grilled menu which features a Meat Platter consisting of Welsh lamb rack, veal rack, chicken breast, grain-fed Australian beef ribeye, pork belly, pork and veal sausages; and a Seafood Platter with rock lobster, prawns, seabass fillet, snapper fillet, black mussels and lemon sole. Each platter is available at $38 for 1 pax, $58 for 2 pax, $78 for 3 pax, and $98 for 4 pax.

There are many reasons why you should go La Villa – the restaurant has a nice ambience, it is located in a central area, they offer complimentary parking (inform the staff that you are driving when you pay for the bill), and most importantly it serves good Italian food.

The prices are acceptable for the quality and the overall dining experience. I can see myself coming back for a pasta, and a pizza or main course for sharing. I think the desserts are slightly over-priced, so I would skip that and go somewhere else. Alternatively, La Villa has a very reasonable 3-course set lunch at $28, which is perfect if you have a long break or if you are meeting your clients for a casual lunch.

And one more thing to note, the restaurant will be operating until November 2013 as their lease at the current premise is up, so if you would like to go there, make it soon.

La Villa
341 River Valley Road #01-03
Tel: +65 6836 5286
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm

For more recommendations, read my guide on Best Italian Restaurants in Singapore.