Yes, we are quite unique – as identified by our tourism board once. Our physical beings and special habits stand out wherever we are. Here are 10 ways to spot a Singaporean overseas (so you can pretend you didn’t see them).
The Westin Singapore’s Lunar New Year Buffet Dinner at Seasonal Tastes
It is no secret by now – Seasonal Tastes at The Westin Singapore is one classy restaurant we always love and frequent, and no matter how many times we dine there, there is always something new to look out for, and something different to try.
The buffet spread is one sumptuous one. Fresh seafood aplenty, sushi and sashimi selection, ala minute stations with varying cuisines, and our all-time favourite dessert shrine. They have the best desserts among the many buffet lines in Singapore. If you haven’t tried the spread, you are missing out – big time.
More reasons to visit Seasonal Tastes is the upcoming festivity, Lunar New Year. We already did, and as always, our taste buds were so spoilt by the team of chefs. This is one place to bring your family to for celebrations. The spread is wide and there will surely be something for everyone. More importantly, their lunar menu is a fair mix of traditional goodies and improvised recipes that is sure to please.
Here are the dishes to love at Seasonal Tastes’ Lunar New Year Buffet Spread:
One Dim Sum – The Best Affordable Dim Sum Restaurant in Hong Kong
The world knows Tim Ho Wan – a One-Michelin star dim sum restaurant that started with humble beginnings in Hong Kong. But do you know about One Dim Sum?
With just one nondescript and humble outlet in Prince Edward, One Dim Sum has been in the spotlight ever since they earned their one Michelin star in 2012. Even though it did not retain the Michelin star, the queue at the restaurant remains the same every day – it is mostly packed with regulars who return again and again for its much-lauded dim sum.
TungLok Group’s Chinese New Year Takeaway Goodies For Reunion Dinner + Giveaway
Lunar New Year is the biggest and most important celebration for the Chinese community. Luxuriating and feasting on delicacies is also part of the tradition of the yearly affair, and every year, families get together for elaborate dinners as a symbol of harmony and reunion.
In the past, Lunar New Year was celebrated only at home, and hence it was a time to test the women’s culinary skills. But as times evolved, families start heading out to restaurants to celebrate, or even opt for convenient takeaways.
Takeaways are indeed time (and life) savers. The idea of feasting on premium cooking at the comfort of our own abodes cannot be better. This year, of the many tastings we’ve had, TungLok stood out for their family-friendly takeaway menu that is readily available at most of their outlets. They’ve got the classic dishes like yu sheng and poon choi all covered, and their competitive prices make them a distinguished option for all who are looking for quality takeaways to treat your family and friends.
We are giving away 3 X TungLok Group CNY Festive Goodies Sets (worth S$92.90 each). More details on how you can join the giveaway at the end of this post.
Here are the highlights from TungLok Group’s Chinese New Year Takeaway Goodies for your reunion dinner.
32 Best Cafes in Bangkok You Must Visit At Least Once In Your Life
The Land of Smiles is extremely popular and well-loved among us Singaporeans. There are so many reasons to love Bangkok, and no number of trip is ever enough. What’s “enough” when you have so much to eat and shop anyway?
Over the years, we’ve seen the changes in the scene, we’ve been wowed on countless occasions, and we love how Bangkok is nailing the cafe culture. Every trip brings about new discoveries, and there is surely something new to check out and to fall in love with.
Cakes, tarts, coffee. Pancakes, eggs, French toasts. Salads, pastas, burgers. The cafe scene in Bangkok is well-rounded and nothing short of happening. When you need a slice of cake in between that crazy retail therapy, or a spot to grab your daily coffee, or a cosy space to have a meal at, this Guide to Bangkok’s 32 Best Cafes will take you through.
ThaiExpress’s Signature Dishes & New Sanook Set Lunches at S$9.90
Quite contrary to “popular beliefs”, ThaiExpress is not a fast food chain. It is a restaurant chain, yes, but its casual dining style is what makes the household brand so popular and affordable. With more than 20 outlets island-wide, ThaiExpress is the number one Thai casual dining chain restaurant in Singapore.
The chefs here take their Thai food very seriously, and the kitchen is kept busy all day through because every item that is served on the table is prepared in-house with fresh ingredients and homemade sauces – cooked to order in each kitchen daily.
Sticking true to the Thai culture and taste preferences, ThaiExpress offers an expansive menu of appetisers, soups, mains, one-dish meals and desserts. There is always something to eat and to satisfy every craving. You’d be happy to know that the price tags are superbly friendly, too; think home-style cooking in an air-conditioned and casual environment.
We will also be sharing the Sanook set lunches that are so value-for-money, they make just the perfect lunch option when you need something hearty. And of course, evergreen dishes that never go out of style, and the bestsellers of ThaiExpress.
Sisterfields Cafe: The New IT Cafe in Seminyak, Bali
It was a gloomy morning. Intermittent drizzles, dark skies and dampen spirits. But we were to rekindle our excitement to be in Bali with our first breakfast at Sisterfields Cafe.
Among the many new names to Seminyak’s dining scene, Sisterfields Cafe ranks the most popular and we knew it would be a cafe that we’d love.
Despite the rain, nothing and no one seemed bothered. The cafe was packed at 10am; the breakfast crowd was alive. Of salads, eggs, burgers and green juices, Sisterfields Cafe is the it place to be at for breakfast when in Seminyak, Bali.
Pete’s Place at Grand Hyatt Singapore Introduces a New A La Carte Menu
Pete’s Place at Grand Hyatt Singapore has been around for so many decades and is a longstanding favourite among its many loyal customers. Conveniently located in town, it is a rustic and homely outlet that dishes out nothing but the most authentic Italian dishes.
Since joining Pete’s Place, Chef Andrea Bontempi has been working to include elements from Northern Italy – from the high plateau of Piedmont to the coastal cities of Livorno and Genoa, and his home in Brescia – into the new a la carte menu.
Among the new additions to the menu, we enjoyed the Burrata e Caponata (S$22). Any good Italian worth its salt will have a good burrata on its menu, and Pete’s Place is no exception. Drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar, the burrata sat atop an eggplant caponata.
The pastas at Pete’s Place are freshly handmade from scratch, and there are twelve options on the menu to choose from. The Ravioli Astice (S$36) is a delicious combination of lobster ravioli with burrata cheese and saffron zucchini sauce, but the standout dish for us was definitely the Gamberi e Nero di Seppia (S$29) – squid ink linguine with seared sustainable prawns and calamari.
The Cacciucco alla Livornese (S$34) brought back memories from our trip to Livorno last year. Originated from the coastal city in Tuscany, this seafood stew is a classic dish that is popularly enjoyed by Italian fishermen. Traditionally, fishermen used what was left over from their catch to make the stew. What makes Pete’s Place’s rendition different is the use of the freshest seafood – a melting pot of squid, baby octopus, prawns, sustainable barramundi, cod, white bait, mussels and clams.
La Cotoletta alla Milanese (S$45) is a Milanese speciality, and something that we always order whenever we are at Milan. Very few places in Singapore serve this dish, so you could imagine our elation when we saw it on Pete’s Place new menu. The breaded veal chop is accompanied by a simple herb salad and tomato confit.
For desserts, you must get our all-time favourite Tiramisu (S$12) but make sure you save room for the Bonnet Astigiana (S$10). We loved how Chef Andrea has given the traditional Amaretti Chocolate Pudding a refreshing touch by adding orange blossom and basil cress.
For reservations at Pete’s Place, please visit singapore.grand.hyattrestaurants.com. For enquiries or information, kindly call +65 6732 1234 or e-mail [email protected].
Pete’s Place
Grand Hyatt Singapore
10 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 6416 7322
Daily: 12pm – 4.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sunday: 11.30am – 2.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard
This post is brought to you by Grand Hyatt Singapore.