Monthly Archives: June 2014

Cook & Brew Gastrobar The Westin Singapore

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Cook & Brew

Beer? Checked. Meats and sausages? Checked. Pasta and local delights? Checked. Wines of The World? Checked.

That is Cook & Brew at The Westin Singapore for you. The comforting gastrobar is a star addition to our local dining scene, one that has earned our loyalty with its extensive menu and addictive relaxing vibe. The cosy interior furnished with oak browns and wood elements is very much like a typical German living room where you can enjoy your comfort food and chill out with friends and families. Over good beers too, of course. There is a whopping 104 beers from 18 countries to choose from!

Cook & Brew westin Singapore

Unpretentious. Fuss-free. Chic. Sexy.

We love the huge space so much, though not as much as the chef who has recently put together a spanking new menu that leaves us mind-boggled and spoilt for choice so completely. And how can we not shout about the unobstructed view of the Marina, again?

Cook & Brew at The Westin Singapore www.facebook.com/thewestinsingapore opens for the whole day, making it the perfect location for all occasions. Drop by during your lunch hour for a casual and relaxing meal, or pop by in the middle of afternoon to grab a beer and some light snacks. In the evening, it is a lovely place to have some pre-dinner drinks with your colleagues or friends before treating yourself to a well-deserved dinner.

Here, we share with you our picks from Cook & Brew’s current repertoire, and please do not leave without trying the German Platter. Yes, we mean it.

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24 Hours in Arashiyama, Kyoto

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Arashiyama 24 Hours Guide

Sitting snuggly on the western outskirts of Kyoto surrounded by mountains, Arashiyama is perfect for a day-trip transition from crowded city life to scenic mother nature. The efficiency of the Japanese transport system allows you to visit this picturesque landscape within the hour, making Arashiyama the perfect place for a day trip from Kyoto.

The area is serviced by several buses as well as three large train stations on either side, Keifuku Arashiyama Station, Hankyu Arashiyama Station and JR Saga-Sarashiyama Station both of which are within walking distance of the central area. It’s a beautifully expansive area so here’s a run down of the most unmissable things to cover off in your 24 hours in Arashiyama.

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InterContinental Singapore Hotel

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InterContinental Singapore

We have stayed at several hotels in Singapore, and InterContinental Singapore is one of our favourite experiences. Where do we even begin? From the Peranakan-themed façade and minimalist luxury, down to the lush pillow menu, a stay with InterContinental Singapore is akin to that of spending time outside of home that you can still call home.

And how does this work?

Well, quite simply because the rooms are all designed to emulate a home, where there are no frills, where you feel pampered by the amenities, where no signs of commercialisation can intimidate you. We spent a night at the Shophouse Suite, and it was one staycation that left a deep impression on us (and can’t wait to return).

Right now, InterContinental Singapore is offering a weekend staycation package (S$255++/night) – for its deluxe rooms – that is specially designed for locals. Below, we will share more about what you can look forward to.

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5 Reasons To Have a Gym Membership

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Gym Membership

Having a gym membership isn’t exactly the sexiest thing to boast about, but it makes a difference to your life, and it is the key to feeling and looking sexier. We always grumble about calories whenever we order a waffle, or we feel bothered by the muffin tops whenever we throw on our favourite pair of jeans. And this shall stop.

Because we have come to accept the fact that staying trim and fit is not given, and we are all responsible for our health and well-being. Exercising may be a chore to some, a nightmare to many, but no matter what form, it is always good to do.

So why not start with having a gym membership if you think jogging alone is nowhere near as exciting as counting stars? A gym membership brings about many possibilities and it is one to enhance your lifestyle. And for this, Amore Fitness www.amorefitness.com has our answers and here, we talk about five reasons why you should sign up for a gym membership.

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Kappo: The Art of Dining in Osaka

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Kappo Osaka

When we learnt that we were headed to Osaka, we asked ourselves, “what must we eat?”

Because Osaka is affectionately known as the Kitchen of Japan, and the Osakans worship their washoku (Japanese cuisine) – the ones who prepare dedicate their lives to perfecting the dishes they lay out on the table; the ones who savour spend their time learning and understanding every history and style of the different kinds of washoku. It is almost like a religion for Japanese (and quite possibly people from all over the world) to live and breathe the art of washoku.

So when we say ‘eat’, it is in every way an artistic indulgence, one that has us completely enveloped in the soul of Japanese expressions. The chefs pay so much attention to every step of the preparation and presentation, and there are always rich histories behind every style of dining; ingredients used are very much based on seasons, and the style of cooking has their own stories to tell too.

All that intrigue to speak about, but for now, we will begin with kappo – the definition of Osaka’s culinary glory. Like how Kyoto has its kaiseki, Osaka takes pride in their cutting and cooking, hence making up the word ‘kappo’. But do not be intimidated by the language if you do not understand, because if any, it is really a very affectionate way of dining.

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The Ultimate Crab Feast Buffet at PARKROYAL on Beach Road

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Ultimate Crab Feast

Black pepper crab. Salted egg yolk crab. Curry crab. Chilli crab. Marmite crab. Crab kut teh. Wait, are we done with the list? Not quite, apparently. And you know what this means? It is time to party with crabs!

The annual crab feast at PARKROYAL on Beach Road is here again from 13 June till 27 July 2014, and it just gets better each year.

Plaza Brasserie Crab Buffet

With 27 crab dishes including 14 whole crabs prepared in different styles, on top of everyone’s favourite seafood station, chefs preparing their speciality dishes ala minute, and a Best of Asia buffet spread – Plaza Brasserie presents its highly anticipated The Ultimate Crab Feast buffet dinner (adult S$65++. child S$39++). Yes, we can already feel your excitement!

We don’t know many people who would say no to free-flow of quality crabs, but we know this is one dinner you must not miss. Here are the highlights from The Ultimate Crab Feast by Plaza Brasserie at PARKROYAL on Beach Road.

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7 Life Lessons Learnt from A Trip to Nepal

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Nepal

Nearing the end of 2013, I was feeling jaded from my job as a writer. My performance was dipping and I realised it wasn’t the work that was changing – I was. It was time for a break – I needed some space to sort out the thoughts in my head and figure out what to do with my life (doesn’t everyone, at some point).

In March this year, I quit my job and went on a three-week volunteering trip to Nepal. I helped local villagers with their farm work and taught English at a school twice a week.

My time there was both fulfilling and difficult. Here are 7 life lessons that I learnt from a trip to Nepal, and hopefully they can benefit you too.

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