Replacing the now defunct Jimoto-Ya along Pickering Street is Mister Wu, a casual dining eatery serving up Chinese far with a modern twist.

The concept behind the shop is simple staple food with little platters to share with colleagues and friends, with old-school Chinese and Cantonese music adding to the easy-going vibe of the place.

Catering to the lunch and dinner crowd with a specific menu to both, Mister Wu serves up la mian and rice bowls at affordable prices.

The main dishes start at just S$8, and with an additional S$4 you can get a lunch set inclusive of a side dish and tea.

We ordered Mr Su’s Braised Pork Rice (S$8), Revenge on Marco Polo (S$8) and Mahjong La Mian (S$8), along with a side of Fried Ping Pong Wanton (S$3 a la carte) and Brown Butter Oolong (S$3 a la carte).

We were told that the teas at Mister Wu are their own special blend, offering tea cocktails and tea ice creams made from the same blend.

The Brown Butter Oolong had a very subtle and light taste to it and was just perfect for cleansing our palate between each dish.

The Revenge of Marco Polo is a truffle mushroom dry la mian. The smell of truffles greeted us before we saw the dish, and piled at the side of the noodles were a mix of Enoki and Shimeji mushrooms, crunchy greens and a soft-yolk egg.

The Mahjong La Mian, on the other hand, had much stronger flavours. The spicy sesame sauce gave the creamy noodles a nice kick, while the shredded chicken and sliced cucumber helped to combat the heat and add texture to the bowl. Though the noodles were nice, we found the chicken a tad bit too dry.

Mr Su’s Braised Pork Rice is essentially a bowl of rice with braised pork on the side, with the same greens and egg as the previous two dishes. The braised pork was a good mix of fat and lean mean—not too dry, not too fatty, and just melts in your mouth.

The braising sauce was also rich, which accent the flavour of the pork. Though the rice had a bit of sauce on it, we did wish that the pork and rice were not served separately, as that would have allowed the sauce to soak into the rice more.

For just S$12, Mister Wu offers value-for-money meals in the CBD and is a place that would have you returning after trying their lunch menu to see what’s different in their dinner menu.

As they’ve only opened for about 2 weeks, Mister Wu is still currently undergoing their soft launch. Their full menu with pictures will be available from the 18th of this month onwards.

Mister Wu
3 Pickering Street, #01-44/45
China Square Central
Singapore 048660
Tel: +65 6781 3833
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm to 10pm
(Closed on Sundays & PH)
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

Taking luxury serviced apartments to a whole new level, the new Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore is strategically located in Singapore’s Central Business District (CBD) and housed within the exciting mixed-use development OUE Downtown.

As an exclusive serviced residence tailored with all the luxuries of a hotel, this is the ideal accommodation for both international business and leisure travellers who are intending to stay in Singapore for a week or more. The 5-star serviced apartment offers luxe modern living in the heart of the vibrant CBD, complete with a range of premium facilities and amenities and a full-fledged restaurant!

Choose to stay in one of the 268 units of studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartments; dine in the full-fledged in-house restaurant—Se7enth with sophisticated meals curated by an expert culinary team; take a dip in the outdoor infinity pool; chill at The Bar at Oakwood and host business meetings in the fully equipped Executive Boardroom with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Raising the bar for serviced apartments in the city, Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore epitomises luxe modern living in the CBD.

STUDIO APARTMENTS

Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore’s sleek and modern studio apartment is the perfect fit for couples and independent travellers who are in Singapore for mid to long-term stays.

Guests will feel right at home in this studio apartment as it is furnished with everything you need for a comfortable stay—a kitchenette with microwave, Bluetooth sound system and TV with multi-channel cable. The bathroom is fitted with a rain shower and essential bathroom amenities.

All apartments have a Samsung tablet and mobile phone with a specially curated Oakwood app that can handle all your in-room requests and more.

ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENTS

Traveling solo for a business trip? The one-bedroom apartment is a cosy abode where you can escape from the hectic CBD area and unwind from a day of hard work.

It comes with a fully-equipped kitchen, 2-in-1 washer and dryer and other amenities similar to the studio apartment.

TWO-BEDROOM APARTMENTS

The two-bedroom apartments have their own private dining areas comprising a fully-equipped Western kitchen and a dishwasher to make cleaning up hassle-free.

The addition of a stylish living room and two bedrooms, including a walk-in wardrobe, make it a very spacious place where you can host your guests. Those who are travelling with loved ones or in groups of four, this option is ideal.

OUTDOOR INFINITY POOL

Now we are finally at the fun part. Imagine coming home to a tranquil outdoor infinity lap pool and jacuzzi that overlooks the city. Grab a book and enjoy some reading on the plush cabanas and sun decks while sunbathing, too!

SE7ENTH—FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANT

Treat yourself to a comprehensive in-house dining experience at Se7enth—the city’s first full-fledged in-house restaurant in a serviced apartment helmed by Executive Chef Dickson Fung who has 13 years of experience working in prestigious 5-star hotels across three countries.

The restaurant is opened to the public and Se7enth’s contemporary setting makes it the choice destination for business meetings and lunch with your colleagues, or romantic dinner dates in the evenings. Indulge in weekday executive set lunches as well as a la carte dishes and 3-course set dinners.

Notable dishes on their menu include the succulent Wagyu Beef Burger with Pan-Fried Foie Gras, Rosemary-Flavoured Spring Chicken and Sirloin Beef Hor Fun.

THE BAR AT OAKWOOD

Looking to have a tipple? Let us share a little secret with you—Happy Hour at The Bar at Oakwood runs from 2pm to 7pm daily and you can get house pour beverages at S$9 each!

It is never too early to drink, you guys.

OTHER AWESOME FACILITIES

Guests of Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore can also look forward to using other facilities such as the Residents’ Lounge and The Fitness Center by Oakwood, a 24-hour gym that overlooks the outdoor infinity pool.

Over at The Oakwood Executive Club, this is where club members get high with exclusive privileges such as prosecco breakfast, free-flow evening cocktails and canapés, and complimentary use of the Executive Boardroom which comes with state-of-the-art amenities for professional business meetings.

But just give us the bubbles and cheese and we will be happy residents.

Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore
6 Shenton Way
Level 7, OUE Downtown 1
Singapore 068809
Tel: +65 6812 6000
Email: general.opsg@oakwoodasia.com
Web: www.OakwoodAsia.com/Singapore-CentralBusinessDistrict
Facebook: www.FB.com/OakwoodPremierOUESingapore
Instagram: www.instagram.com/oakwoodpremierouesingapore
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

This post is brought to you by Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore.

The newest cafe to open in the Central Business District is Lunar Coffee Brewers—opened by the same team behind Atlas Coffeehouse and the now-defunct Assembly Coffee.

Situated in Downtown Gallery, the cafe seeks to provide a space where you can escape from the pressures of everyday life with comfort food and specialty coffee.

Fill your tummy with hearty home-cooked rice bowls and even signature dishes that originated from Atlas Coffeehouse. The coffee selection is aplenty too; beans are sourced and roasted by Two Degrees North Coffee Co.

As an added bonus, visitors do not have to pay for GST and service charge as well. So if you are looking for a new lunch spot in the CBD area, Lunar Coffee Brewers is where you should be headed to next.

The sleek, clean lines of Lunar Coffee Brewers called out to the inner minimalists in us. We love how the interior is kept sophisticated and chic with marble tables in both white and black. The cafe reminded us of this old saying that sometimes, less is more.

The Lu Rou Belly Don (S$14.50) features bean sprouts, pickles, ginger, onsen egg and generous chunks of juicy pork belly lying atop a bed of warm fluffy rice. While it is not mind blowing, it is still worth a try.

We paired our lunch with a cup of Hot Cappuccino (S$4.50), just one of the many caffeine choices you have at the cafe. Coffee addicts would definitely enjoy the creamy milk and strong espresso which packs a punch. If there is one reason why we would patronise Lunar Coffee Brewers again, that would be their aromatic coffee.

Do not leave the cafe without trying their Milky Way Soft Serve (S$5.90). It is a white cold brew coffee soft serve ice cream made better with homemade shortbread crumble.

Lunar Coffee Brewers
#01-49 Downtown Gallery
6 Shenton Way
Singapore 068815
Tel: +65 6224 4500
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
Sat: 9am – 3pm
Closed: Sun
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/06/lunar-coffee-brewers/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2016/04/secret-locations-takeout-lunch-singapores-cbd/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2016/04/secret-locations-takeout-lunch-singapores-cbd/#comments Thu, 28 Apr 2016 04:00:06 +0000 ladyironchef http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=93202 Continue reading →]]>

‘Lunch hour’ might just be every executive’s favourite thing to hear – after ‘knock off’, of course!

But as much as you are excited to get out of the office for a breather, we all know that the lunchtime crowd in Singapore’s Central Business District (CBD) can be a nightmare. Cafes, hawker centres and restaurants alike are jam-packed with throngs of executives.

Most of you have probably given up on the idea of a peaceful lunch. But having a quiet meal in the CBD is actually possible if you do takeaways and/or bring your own lunch box and do a therapeutic private lunch away from the crowds. Yes, we have some of the best spots rounded up in this post and we are ready to share.

From Ann Siang Hill Park, Telok Ayer Green to The Promontory, here are 7 Best Locations For A Take-Out Lunch in Singapore’s CBD That You Probably Did Not Know About.

#1 ANN SIANG HILL PARK

Ann Siang Hill Park can be accessed from Ann Siang Hill and Ann Siang Road itself. The tranquil park offers an alternative view of the surrounding restored shophouses while enjoying your lunch quietly. Plenty of seats are available too. Note that smoking is strictly prohibited here.

#2 HONG LIM PARK

Speakers’ Corner at Hong Lim Park is interestingly the only venue in Singapore where “public demonstrations” are allowed (only after you have obtained a police permit). The heritage park is dotted with benches, and it is big enough for everyone to have their own space.

Trash bins are aplenty , so remember to bin your lunch boxes and help to upkeep the cleanliness of this place, as an act of consideration towards other lunch-goers who enjoy coming here for a quick lunch break too. If a trash bin is full, don’t just put your litter on top of or beside it – that’s still littering! Bin it at the next available bin which is just a few steps away.

#3 SINGAPORE RIVER

This spot right outside UOB Plaza is a popular one and is no hidden secret by now. A peaceful lunch there whilst enjoying scenic views of the river is a much needed break from all the stress at work.

Ever wondered what Kit Chan was referring to when she sang “river which brings us life” in everyone’s favourite national song ‘Home’? This is it – our Singapore River. While enjoying the river sights at lunch, let’s also remember to do our part and refrain from littering, to preserve the beauty and cleanliness of the place for future generations to come. We would want our children and grandchildren to truly understand what ‘Home’ means when they sing it in years to come. A clean and green Singapore, we will always be.

#4 TELOK AYER GREEN

Located at the corner of Boon Tat Street and Amoy Street is Telok Ayer Green, a little park with rich historical backgrounds of Singapore’s early settlements. To our surprise, most of these public benches are mostly empty during peak hours! Consider this spot for some me-time over takeaway lunches.

#5 TELOK AYER PARK

Situated just across the iconic Red Dot Museum is Telok Ayer Park, a public space bounded by Cecil Street Maxwell Road and Telok Ayer Street. The mini park’s looming shady trees provide you a temporary respite from the unbearable heat. Grab a friend and dine on the wooden benches or swing seats.

After you are done with your sumptuous lunch, don’t just leave your litter behind. Remember to dispose of them into the litter bins available. Just like how we like to be welcomed by a clean park, we would want to keep it the same way for the next user.

#6 THE LAWN

The Lawn, located just above Marina Bay Link Mall, is an ultra spacious field sandwiched between the towering skyscrapers of Marina Bay Sands. Gather your colleagues and have a picnic on the field or chill out by the benches.

This is one spot in the Marina area that is ideal for a momentary escape from work. Its spaciousness and abundance of surrounding greenery is akin to an oasis within the concrete jungle. A city respite, we’d like to call it; one that we can escape to every day during lunch hour.

#7 THE PROMONTORY

Cross the road from The Lawn and you will find yourself at The Promontory. The beautiful area boasts spectacular views of the world-famous Marina Bay Sands and Art Science Museum. It might be deemed as a touristy spot, but we do think it makes a great location for a take-out lunch.

With the cool breeze blowing while you eat, it is not uncommon that a piece of serviette or an empty paper bag may get blown onto the ground. Let’s not turn a blind eye to these ‘flyaway’ litter and remember to pick them up and trash them. After all, think of how tourists come here often, and that we would want to present the best and cleanest side of Singapore to them.

This post was brought to you by National Environment Agency (NEA).

The bustling Central Business District (CBD) is home to many restaurants, pubs, bistros and eateries. There is always something to eat, but sometimes, everything seems expensive.

What you may not know is that there are many independent eateries that offer mains for S$10 and below in the vicinity of Raffles Place, Tanjong Pagar and Telok Ayer – on top of what you might get at the usual food courts and food centres.

We bring you 10 Affordable Eats in Singapore’s Central Business District Under $10 that will not burn a hole in your wallet.

#1 AUSSIE ROLL

We first chanced upon such rolls in Australia and were impressed by the convenience of it. It is that easy to simply grab a roll to go and they are really affordable, with prices starting from S$2+ onwards. You can expect premium fillings such as avocado, prawns and lobster, and so much more.

30 Raffles Place
#B1-05 Chevron House
Singapore 048622
Tel: +65 6746 3077
Mon to Fri: 8am – 7pm
Closed: Fri & Sat
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#2 COFFEE HIVE

Farther down on Robinson Road, Coffee Hive – a Singaporean-style eatery – has a menu of affordable local fare. Expect dishes such as Chicken Curry (S$5.80), Claypot Tofu (S$5.80) and Gong Bao Ji Ding Rice (S$5.80). They also have a couple of Western dishes.

63 Robinson Road #01-02
Singapore 068894
Tel: +65 6224 8707
Mon to Fri: 7am – 6pm
Closed: Fri & Sat
Nearest Station: Downtown

#3 KOMALA’S

Komala’s is a well-known name in Singapore for Northern Indian vegetarian food, with multiple outlets islandwide. Komala’s is a popular choice for many in the CBD as most lunch options here will cost you approximately S$3 to S$5. We highly recommend the murtabaks here and trust us, the portion is huge.

#B1-06, Chevron House, 30 Raffles Place
Singapore 048622
Tel: +65 6533 0644
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#4 MOI LUM

This popular Chinese restaurant on Maxwell Road typically offers communal-style dining food and is very popular during dinner time for big groups.

What most may miss out is the fact that they offer S$7.90 set lunches (a main + a soup or drink) that is huge bang for the buck. Some popular choices include Roasted Chicken Noodles and Seafood Rice Noodles. You can go for their Cantonese Set Lunch at S$8.90 instead with slightly better mains.

38 Maxwell Rd
Singapore 069116
Tel: +65 6226 2283
Daily: 11am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#5 NGON

There are quite a number of pho places in the CBD, but because Ngon is strategically-located in One Raffles Place, it is perpetually packed during lunch hours. However, if you are lucky enough to find a seat, be sure to grab a bowl of pho (S$9.90) or a Vietnamese rice dish.

1 Raffles Place, B1-17
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6536 6466
Daily: 7.30am -9pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#6 PHO STOP

We actually prefer Pho Stop over Ngon but it is a longer walk away from the main area of the CBD. But for pho enthusiasts, it is so worth the walk – just to get a bowl of really tasty and hearty pho. They are mostly under S$10 per bowl.

72 Tanjong Pagar Rd
Singapore 088493
Tel: +65 6534 8178
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#7 QQ RICE

QQ Rice is Taiwanese chain, specialising in customisable healthy rice balls and rolls, packed with a variety of ingredients. You can pick your base rice that ranges from brown rice to purple rice and more. Choose from fresh vegetables, hearty meat options, eggs and a whole lot more, too. Something to eat on the go, and it is definitely filling. Prices are an average of S$3 to S$5, but you will definitely not exceed S$8.

#B1-07, One Raffles Place, 1 Raffles Place
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6536 9558
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 6.30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#8 SALAD & WRAPS

Customise your very own salad or wrap to go, or you can pick from their selection of more than 10 specialty salads and wraps. A regular-sized salad starts from only S$7 and a full wrap will cost you about S$8.

1 Raffle Place, #B1-11 One Raffles Place
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 9654 9868
Mon to Fri: 9.30am – 8pm
Saturday: 10.30am – 5pm
Closed: Sunday
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#9 THE SANDWICH SHOP

Made fresh daily, the sandwiches here (S$8 – S$9.50) can also double up as a great breakfast option. The sandwiches are unpretentious without the fluff, just simple and honest sandwiches packed in convenient take-away boxes in a supermarket checkout style. Their sandwiches are preservative-free and trans fat-free and they include unique spreads and sauces.

16 Collyer Quay #02-07
Singapore 049318
Tel: +65 6536 5141
Mon to Thu: 7am – 6pm
Fri: 7am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#10 THE WICKED GARLIC

The Wicked Garlic has pasta options that are pretty affordable. From carbonara to risotto, our pick for the best pasta here is the Linguini Al Nero Di Sepia ($9.70) – a squid ink pasta that is pretty flavourful. The Wicked Garlic gets pretty packed during lunchtime, so be sure to head down early.

10 Anson Road
#01-37, International Plaza
Singapore 079903
Tel: +65 8509 2942
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 9pm
Sat: 11.30am – 8am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Xperience sits within the luxurious Sofitel So Singapore which is strategically located in the Central Business District (CBD) of Singapore.

The modern European restaurant is helmed by one of Singapore’s youngest and most charming executive chef, Trevor Paulo, who has a flair for recreating western classics with interesting local twists that has surely captured our hearts.

Chef Trevor Paulo’s unique culinary creations have successfully pushed the boundaries of traditional French cuisine, where his dishes have impressed even reputable 3-Michelin Starred Chefs such as Chef Christophe Muller and Chef Hideaki Matsuo. Despite all the glorious achievements, Chef Trevor remains down-to-earth and enjoys interacting with all his guests.

The next time you are in the CBD or need some surprises in your life, head down to Sofitel So Singapore’s Xperience Restaurant to experience Chef Trevor’s new menu. You will be in for a great time, we promise.

With its open-kitchen concept, it allows diners to catch the gastronomic team in action. Of course, Chef Trevor will be there to chat with you about his dishes, or about anything at all!

Xperience Restaurant is also an ideal venue for business luncheons and romantic date nights. We’ve been there on numerous occasions, and our favourite mood has to be dinner time, where the CBD crowd is non-existent, and the whole restaurant transforms into a sexy and intimate space for you to kick off your shoes, and simply relish the night with your date.

Every starter at Xperience Restaurant is truly a showstopper and the Spanner Crab (S$24++) is our favourite one among them all.

The fresh crustacean – integrated with wasabi mayonnaise – is garnished with edible flower petals, green herbs and seaweed crackers. The different textures of flavours had us devouring the entire entrée within seconds.

Poached Sweet Prawns (S$26++) is yet another stunning creation by Chef Trevor. The refreshing layers consist of fresh Granny Smith apple slices alternating with poached sweet prawns that are marinated with homemade ponzu.

Every mouthful packs a satisfying punch and we love how gorgeous it is plated with bonito flakes and pink edible floral petals. The precise ingredients vary according to season, so do expect a few tweaks here and there!

The Home Cured Salmon (S$24++) looks simple, but what do you know! Much effort has been channeled into attaining the fish’s overall superb taste and texture profile. Served with dollops of whipped yoghurt infused crème fraîche, fried capers, tobiko roe coated with gold powder, mirin pickled onions and almond truffle soil-looking earthy crumble, this dish is in fact a complicated one with varying flavours.

Just like that, Chef Trevor has redefined cured salmon. Impressive.

The Grilled Pork Pressa (S$36++) stole all the limelight with its delicious well-marbled meat. The prime pork cut has been marinated in duck fat and roasted over chargrill to medium rare doneness; the meat was so creamy and flavourful that everyone on the table did a double take and thought it was beef instead.

The smoky pork is complemented with asparagus, capsicum honey purée, pumpkin tuile, shallot confit and vanilla pumpkin purée. Such a colourful dish that reflects elements of winter and rusticness of all sorts.

We have two other mains to love and share.

The ‘Curried’ Lamb Shoulder confit (S$35++) utilizes the cut that extends to the neck. Marinated in a myriad of spices, the meat is sous-vide for 36 hours to achieve a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

The lamb main is then complemented with carrot purée, fresh peas and goat cheese crumble. Love the play of flavours and colours using vegetables to tone down the gaminess of the meat.

The Braised Short Rib (S$35++) is another stellar highlight of Xperience Restaurant’s new menu. The fork-tender braised beef short rib is robust in flavour, and is further enhanced with Bordelaise sauce, green tea purée, roasted baby beetroot and three knob celery cubes.

Fun fact about the celeriac in case you are brushing it off already – each celeriac is cooked and presented in a different flavour – namely grilled salt, smoked salt and Vadouvan – so that every bite is a surprise.

Just when you think the show is only on the entrées and mains, wait till you see the desserts. Chef Trevor and his pastry chef will make you rethink Xperience Restaurant’s already popular desserts with his innovation and brilliance; they are works of art to say the least.

The Araguani Chocolate Dome (S$22++) is a theatrical crowd pleaser, where lukewarm pistachio and vanilla bean crémeux is poured over the sphere, and voila! The 72% dark chocolate sphere opens in a dramatic manner, revealing the Madagascar vanilla and hazelnut praline ice-cream inside.

For an exotic tropical dessert, we highly recommend the ‘Flexi’ Coconut Ganache (S$19++).

This visually stunning deconstructed treat features flexible coconut agar-infused gelatine, and is accompanied with chilli-marinated pineapple slices, noisette butter chip and artisanal goreng pisang ice-cream. The ice-cream is made from scratch with local pisang barangan bananas, a local twist done with European flair.

The Tasmanian Pepper Meringue Spike (S$20++) is the prettiest of the lot, and is definitely Vogue-worthy. The dome comprises basil cream, greek yogurt, olive oil sponge, roasted persimmon ice-cream and tomato jam.

Dressed in attention-grabbing blue and white meringue spikes, this dessert stole our hearts and we will totally return to Xperience Restaurant just for it.

These 9 dishes executed with masterly finesse are a great representation of what diners can anticipate at Sofitel So Singapore’s Xperience Restaurant.

Each dish is a photogenic masterpiece that Chef Trevor proudly presents, and if you have the chance to grab Chef Trevor, speak to him. He always has stories about his food and inspirations to share, and his passion for culinary is burning through every word. We are nothing short of impressed by him.

For the latest updates, go to Sofitel So Singapore’s website and like them on Facebook and Instagram.

Xperience Restaurant
35 Robinson Road
Sofitel So Singapore, Level 1
Singapore 068876
Tel: +65 6701 6800
Daily: 6.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place/Telok Ayer

This post is brought to you by Sofitel So Singapore.

Joe & The Juice – a popular Danish Coffee & Juice Bar makes its debut in Singapore!

Established in Copenhagen in 2002, Joe & The Juice is a renowned chain that boasts cosy spaces and offers fresh fruit/vegetable juices that are made on premise, as well as coffee and sandwiches.

Since its opening, Joe & The Juice has taken Europe by storm and you can find it in almost 70 cities across Europe.

We first chanced upon Joe & The Juice when we were in London, and we were instantly sold by the simple but clever concept. It struck the right formula – coffee lovers can get their caffeine fix while non-caffeine drinkers can have a variety of fresh fruit and vegetable juices.

Of course, there are healthy sandwiches and light bites when you need something to munch on.

Singapore is Joe & The Juice’s first foray into the Southeast Asian market, and it is definitely a great addition to Singapore’s cafe scene – especially for those who work in the Central Business District. We sure hope the ones here in town are as cosy as the ones we’ve visited in Europe.

Expect to see more of Joe & The Juice bars in Asia over the next few years.

Joe & The Juice
30 Raffles Place,
Chevron house, #01-35A
Singapore 039803
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
Sat: 8am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

Situated beneath Marina Bay Financial Centre, Marina Bay Link Mall is the retail and F&B space which thrives as a lunch and dinner hotspot for many executives with dining options to suit all sorts of diets and budgets; be prepared to be spoilt for choice!

If that’s not enough more choices await you above ground too, at the Ground Plaza, Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1 and Tower 3?

The mall sits against the stunning backdrop of the Marina Bay skyline, and some of the restaurants offer an alfresco experience under the moonlight while unwinding from a day’s of hard work. Marina Bay Link Mall lives by the country’s motto of being a gourmet city, with restaurants serving up some of the finest spread set to pamper your taste buds. It is also home to four renowned restaurants and bars – Harry’s, NUDE Seafood, Ola Cocina Del Mar and Misaki – all which strives to give their diners an exquisite dining experience without having to break the bank.

We had an extraordinary evening dining at Marina Bay Link Mall, and we want to share with you our favourite dishes. Really, Marina Bay Link Mall is not just for the bankers who work in the area; if you haven’t already ventured here before, you are missing out on these 4 restaurants at Marina Bay Link Mall that are great for every occasion.

[ GIVEAWAY ] We are giving away 10 X S$20 MBLM dining vouchers. More details on the giveaway at the end of this post.

#1 HARRY’S

Over the years, Harry’s has grown to become Singapore’s most established dining and bar chain with countless outlets sprouting across our little red dot. Expats and locals are often seen flocking to the bar. Harry’s at Marina Bay Link Mall has a strategic location that overlooks Marina Bay.

Its crowd mainly comprises office workers seeking a retreat after a tiresome day at work and it is also an outlet to catch up with a group of friends while basking in the alfresco dining atmosphere against the Marina Bay skyline.

Harry’s pride themselves in their ability to play up classic dishes, infusing elements that are unique to their own. They serve a menu full of international mouth-watering mains that boast both quality and creativity.

One of the renowned dishes includes Harry’s Beer Battered Fish & Chips (S$22), coated with a crisp Lager batter and fried to perfection, leaving the fillet with a moist and flaky flesh. The Harry’s Jazz Burger (S$19) was a pretty mean burger too, and we absolutely loved the Mushroom Truffle Oil Flatbread (S$22) – a crowd favourite that is great for sharing.

And of course, what is dining at Harry’s without some signature drinks? Try the signature cocktails such as the Harry’s 1992 (S$16) and their premium beers if you haven’t. Intolerant to alcohol? No problem, because their Lemon Lime Bitters is a good alternative.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

Harry’s
Ground Plaza
8A Marina Boulevard, #01-03
Singapore 018984
Tel: +65 6634 6318
Mon to Wed: 11:30am – 11pm
Thu to Fri, Eve of PH: 11:30am – 1am
Closed on Saturdays and Sundays
Nearest Station: Downtown

#2 NUDE SEAFOOD

NUDE Seafood draws its name from the words ‘Nutritional’ and ‘Delicious’, with their dedication in serving fresh seafood at super affordable prices. If you visit the restaurant during lunch hours, it would be a common sight to witness a bustling crowd in this establishment. Join the queue anyway and you are on your way to a hearty, nutritious, wholesome meal. They’re also great for weekday dinners.

NUDE Seafood focuses on being extra efficient without compromising on the quality of the food served. The action in the open concept kitchen is also quite a sight to behold. Watch how your seafood is being prepared; it can be therapeutic, we assure you.

NUDE’s emphasis on the usage of quality catches cooked in the simplest of methods is simple – to let the freshness of the ingredients take the centre stage. The grilled-to-order seafood are procured daily and are also extremely take-away friendly with deboned fish for easier consumption.

We enjoyed their Salmon (S$16), a sashimi-grade fish, smoked with hickory wood and served with “Forgotten Grains” consisting of unpolished rice, chickpeas, oats and almonds – grains that are rarely eaten and thus, its name.

Our favourite was undoubtedly the Chillean Bass (S$22) – or Cod Fish in simpler terms. It was nothing but sweet and wholesome. There was also the Grouper (S$19) and the beautifully butterflied King Prawn Barlotto (S$22) that are worthy tries.

And by the way, their Brownies (S$3 per slice) are homemade and while they may look like an unassuming block of brown, it was actually one of the better brownies we’ve had in town. Try that!

Once a week for Friday dinner, NUDE Seafood also throws a Friday Feast. It’s 4-course, seasonal, and a creative, unfussy take on fine dining (S$68+ per pax, additional S$28+ for pairing of 3 wines). Reservations are recommended as seats fill up quickly!

NUDE Seafood
Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3
12 Marina Boulevard, #01-02
Singapore 018982
Tel: +65 6443 1167
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
Closed on Saturdays and Sundays
Nearest Station: Downtown

#3 OLA COCINA DEL MAR

OLA Cocina Del Mar is a contemporary Spanish restaurant and bar, with hints of Peruvian influences in their menu. The cosy and laid-back dining experience is just what we need after a long day in the office.

With the presence of an open kitchen concept, diners can feast their eyes on the intricate preparation methods and the chefs’ every action. The restaurant also houses a private dining corner front row bar seats, as well as a main dining area for patrons; talk about dining in comfort, your way.

Their menu features Tapas, Paellas and Mains. And while you are thinking they are gonna be the usual Spanish Tapas you thought you knew, take a minute to notice the difference.

The signature Tapas is the Ceviche (S$25) – marinated wild fish served with a concoction of lime, chilli and red onions; refreshing with a dimension of flavours. The Pulpo (S$26), a dish of grilled Spanish octopus with lentils and romesco vinaigrette, was an evident favourite among our friends too.

You have to try the paella. The Fideua Con Secreto Iberico Setas (S$45) is an unconventional twist to the usual that we all know. No rice in this dish; instead, the chef uses Spanish pasta noodles to give a softer and lighter texture, and you would have guessed it was perfect with the grilled Iberico pork.

OLA Cocina Del Mar
Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3
12 Marina Boulevard, #01-06
Singapore 018982
Tel: +65 6604 7050
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Downtown

#4 MISAKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Misaki Japanese Restaurant thrives as one of the best Japanese establishments in the Central Business District. With its black painted walls and low-hanging lamps, Misaki brings you on a temporal trip to Japan with its minimalistic interior and nothing too flashy to steer your attention away from the food.

The gorgeously plated dishes in the restaurant brought colours to the whole dining experience with its fresh and natural elements, and we could not stop gushing. We have such weak spots for fine Japanese everything.

If you are keen on a personalised meal, the Misaki Omakase is the real deal. What is ‘omakase’, you ask? It is essentially a six-course meal that is prepared with ingredients of the season. There is no menu; just sit back, and let the chef surprise you with his culinary skills and creativity.

Prices start from S$150 per person, and the Omakase at Misaki features an appetiser, Sashimi selection, hot dish, Sushi selection, soup of the day and an accompanying dessert to end off the meal.

A total work of art that set our hearts aflutter.

Misaki’s selection of Sashimi includes five to six types of sashimi, with some seasonal items that are ever-changing so that diners can indulge in a different Japanese dining experience each time they visit Misaki. There is also an option of a S$300 Omakase meal (reservations to be made at least one week in advance) which gives you a slight glimpse into a “Jiro Dreams Of Sushi” Omakase spread.

This dish of Crab Claw – with a breaded mix of prawn and crab meat, topped with baby sardines that sits atop a concoction of Truffle crab meat with Ikura gravy – has got to be our favourite course (apart from the sashimi platter, of course) from the omakase. If you are lucky, you might get this as part of your meal too!

You see, an omakase experience is really second to none. Don’t we all love (pleasant) surprises like that? Misaki, you had us there.

Misaki Japanese Restaurant
Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3
12 Marina Boulevard, #02-08
Singapore 019982
Tel: +65 6443 1187
Mon to Sat: 11:30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Closed on Sundays
Nearest Station: Downtown

MARINA BAY LINK MALL GIVEAWAY

Marina Bay Link Mall is giving away 10 X S$20 MBLM dining vouchers. ‘Like’ Marina Bay Link Mall’s Facebook page, complete three simple steps to stand a chance to be one of 10 winners.

1. ‘Like’ Marina Bay Link Mall’s Facebook page
2. Share this post on your Facebook page and tag 3 friends
3. Answer a simple question from here.

This post is brought to you by Marina Bay Link Mall.

From The Quarters’ trademark durian crème brulee to Miss Molly’s fusion laksa pasta, third culture proprietors have successfully transformed Tanjong Pagar from a ghetto zone into a cultural splendor. The rows of charming old heritage shop houses are now homes to a melting pot of cafes and restaurants.

While Korean restaurants seem to dominate the dining scene at Tanjong Pagar, we cannot deny the existence of many other up-and-coming eateries. The historic district of Tanjong Pagar is so popular that even award-winning Tippling Club and Gattopardo Restaurant have shifted to the bustling neighbourhood and never looked back.

Here is our guide to 29 bars, cafes and restaurants in Tanjong Pagar:

#1 BAR-ROQUE GRILL

Bar-Roque Grill is a French restaurant located at the corner of Amara Hotel and you can choose to dine in its lavish dining room or chill out over drinks at its terrace bar. Don’t forget to try their free-range chicken cooked by Singapore’s largest rotisserie.

Their prices are pretty reasonable; dig into a hearty two-course set lunch (S$34) or pop by on a weekday between 5pm – 7:pm and enjoy their one-for-one happy hour.

165 Tanjong Pagar Road #01-00
Tel: +65 6444 9672
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 6pm – 10.30pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#2 CAKE SPADE

Listen up cake lovers. You are missing out on some serious good stuff if you have yet to visit Cake Spade. The owners of Cake Spade strive to provide maximum satisfaction with every bite of their creations and freshness is of utmost importance; no artificial preservatives have been used in any of the baked-from-scratch desserts.

Brilliant tasty creations include their signature strawberry tofu cheesecake (S$5.90 per slice) and nutella fudge crumble (S$4.20 per slice) – we found ourselves hopelessly addicted to their crunchy biscuit base.

1 Tras Link
#01-06, Orchid Hotel
Tel: +65 6444 9672
Mon to Thurs: 12pm – 9am
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#3 CHICKEN UP

As implied in its name, Chicken Up sells chicken that is worth queuing up for. Koreans may frown and debate about the authenticity of the fried chicken, but that is only because Chicken Up has adapted its traditional methods in its preparation. Chicken fats have been removed from the skin prior to being double fried and the end result is a juicy, fried but less greasy tender chicken.

Having said that, the chicken remains sinful and you might as well go all the way with their seemingly harmless but lethal watermelon and apples soju. Do note that Chicken Up has a large following so do make a reservation in advance or be prepared to queue up.

48 Tanjong Pagar Road
Tel: +65 6327 1203
Mon to Thurs: 5.30pm – 2am
Fri to Sat: 5.30pm – 3am
Sun: 5.30pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#4 CUMI BALI INDONESIAN RESTAURANT

Unlike its flashier neighbours, Cumi Bali Indonesian Restaurant’s simple entrance makes it easy to overlook the eatery. Cumi Bali Indonesian Restaurant is one of Tanjong Pagar’s oldest residents; it has been around for more than two decades!

Old is gold indeed; the restaurant is one of the best restaurants around and it is not hard to see why loyal patrons keep returning for more. Must-orders include the grilled sotong, chicken satay and spicy kang kong.

66 Tanjong Pagar Road
Tel: +65 6220 6619
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9.30pm
Sun: 6pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#5 DRURY LANE CAFE

Drury Lane Cafe’s recently revamped their menu but drool worthy classic dishes such as baked eggs and muffins are here to stay. Drury Lane Café’s muffins have captured the attention of many for its tastiness and unique payment concept – you get to pay whatever amount you deem fit and we hope everyone takes this opportunity to be generous instead of stingy. The shop house can be easily spotted with its bright red doorframe and workaholics rejoice – there’s free WIFI too!

94 Tanjong Pagar Road
Tel: +65 6222 6698
Mon to Tue: 8am – 6pm
Wed to Fri: 8pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#6 GATTOPARDO RISTORANTE DI MARE

Gattopardo Ristorante Di Mare’s new location at Tras Street is significantly smaller than its previous home at Fort Canning, but its presence remains at large. The charming two storey shophouse exudes romantic European vibes with its stylish décor and passersby will find themselves struggling to resist the restaurant’s inviting courtyard.

The beautiful alfresco-dining on the cozy balcony upstairs had us sold and we proceeded in with no regrets. Chef Lino Saruo has over 25 years of culinary expertise in preparing Sicilian dishes and strives to use only sustainable seafood. From entrance to departure, the entire experience is impeccable; gorgeous elegant interiors, exceptional service with attention to details and mouthwatering Southern Italian cuisine.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

34 Tras Street
Tel: +65 9325 8843
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sat to Sun: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Everton Park is quickly becoming the latest it neighbourhood. Some call it the new Tiong Bahru, and it is not difficult to see why. Since Nylon Coffee Roasters and Grin Affair started here in 2012, this quiet HDB neighbourhood has been drawing foodies to explore the area. Here is our guide to cafes and eateries in Everton Park.

#7 HAN KOOK GWAN RESTAURANT

Han Kook Kwan Korean Restaurant is one of Singapore’s oldest Korean restaurants. Korean BBQ is a hit here – you will not regret ordering their best selling seasoned primed rib with soy sauce (S$38) and seasoned pork rib with soy sauce S$28). Their pan-fried spicy squid (S$35) and seafood pancake (S$20) are also worth the calories.

26 Tanjong Pagar Road
Tel: +65 6224 2881
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 6am
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#8 HOUSE OF DANDY

Everything at House of Dandy is as fine and dandy as you imagined but do not let the luxurious 1920s Manhattan-style decors mislead you into thinking that a drink costs a bomb.

Alcoholic drinks actually start from S$8 and its patrons are mainly corporate lads and ladies. Bespoke cocktails can be created by their talented mixologists upon request or choose the King Seat Daisy cocktail which has been featured in World’s Best Bar’s best spring cocktails list.

House of Dandy is also listed in our guide to Top 5 Bars in Tanjong Pagar.

74 Tras Street
Tel: +65 8661 2340
Mon to Sat: 5pm – late
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#9 JUICE JUNKIE

It seems like the novelty of cold pressed juices is not wearing off anytime soon in sunny Singapore. Over at Juice Junkie, BPA-free bottles of fresh organic cold-pressed juices are going at around S$10 each.

For those not in the know, cold pressed juices are inherently different to typical juices in their slow juicing method; heat is significantly minimized and nutrients are more effectively locked in due to negligible oxidization. The end result is a raw juice in its most nutritious state.

68 Duxton Road
Tel: +65 9177 1489
Mon to Fri: 10am – 5pm
Sat: 11am – 4pm
Sun: Closed

#10 KKO KKO NARA

Kko Kko Nara is famous for their Korean fried chicken, which are available in the following flavours – hot and spicy, sweet and spicy, soy garlic or original. While everyone visits them for their addictive chicken, there are also other noteworthy items on the menu that are worth trying i.e. spicy sausage stew. Opened till 3am daily, Kko Kko Nara is also a popular destination for a late night of soju.

68 Tanjong Pagar Road
Tel: +65 6225 9282
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#11 LES DELICES

Les Delices may be a newcomer in the Tanjong Pagar vicinity but is no stranger to the media. Co-owner cum pastry chef Georgina Sim was previously trained in Le Cordon Bleu; the culinary school has groomed famous graduates such as American Chef Julia Child and Peruvian Chef Gaston Acurio.

Instead of succumbing to industry’s demands of coffee and customizable cakes, the Parisan-style café has decided to focus on a limited menu of French pastries and teas. Their specialty is the cream filled light Choux Pastry (S$5.90) but their other desserts such as the rich Heavenly Valrhona Chocolate Dome (S$10.90) are equally popular. Each cake has been paired with either an English or Chinese tea to bring out the best flavours.

333 Kreta Ayer Road
Tel: +65 6225 9282
Mon: 1pm – 7pm
Tue to Thu:1pm – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 1pm – 10.45pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

#12 MENYA SANJI (KAGOSHIMA RAMEN)

Most of us are used to the broth of Kurume ramen, where its soup is prepared with solely pork bones. But things are a little different at Menya Sanji – The pork bones are simmered together with a myriad of other ingredients such as chicken bones, vegetables and even seafood. The resulting broth is less oily than the conventional ramen.

The milky soup base of Menya Sanji’s signature Sanji Ramen is prepared with a pig’s head, painstakingly cooked for over 20 hours with other secret ingredients and then served with thick wheat noodles, boiled egg, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, fungi and thick slices of roasted char shu. A bowl of this Kagoshima-style goodness starts from S$11.50.

1 Tras Link
#01-04, Orchid Hotel
Tel: +65 6604 8891
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#13 MISSION JUICE

Cold pressed juices are all the rage right now with their endless health benefits. Located just a two-minutes walk away from Tanjong Pagar MRT Exit A is Mission Juice, a juice specialist with a mission to save the world with their cold pressed juices.

Mission Juice has proved that healthy things can taste good too – they sell only the most nutritious and freshest fruit juices with no added sugar. Must-try juices include Breakfast Surprise (S$5) – a mixture of apple, orange, passion fruit and pineapple.

12 Gopeng Street
Tel: +65 8202 1355
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Sat: 12pm – 5pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#14 MISS MOLLY’S

You may remember Miss Molly on Instagram for its pretty rainbow cakes (S$8.90) but we were actually drawn to the café in early 2014 after hearing about its sambal belachan shrimp linguine – a dish that was neither Italian nor Asian.

Miss Molly’s menu may be a tough nut to crack but its fusion dishes such as Laksa Pasta with Prawns (S$13.80) and Har Jiong Kai Sandwich (S$8.80) have resonated well with the younger generation who are excited to try Miss Molly’s exotic offerings. While the taste of the special dishes remain debatable, Miss Molly’s definitely deserves some recognition for their brave attempt in marrying Asian flavours into Western cuisine.

2 Craig Road
Tel: +65 6222 2671
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 12am
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#15 ONE TWO KITCHEN KOREAN BBQ & RESTAURANT

Are we in Seoul? We questioned ourselves immediately upon stepping into the restaurant. We heard endless of chatter in Korean and even the music was of course, Korean. One Two Kitchen Korean BBQ & Restaurant is a new addition to Tanjong Pagar’s K-Town but has already gained a fandom with its Izakaya-style ambience and irresistible marinated pork belly.

89 Tanjong Pagar Road
Tel: +65 9234 0950
Daily: 6pm – 6am
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#16 PHO STOP

Stop by Pho Stop for a budget-friendly Vietnamese meal. Start your meal with a fresh chicken salad (S$7) before digging into bowls of piping hot pho with sliced beef (S$8.30). Do make sure to check out their bar above called the The Bar Above, which offers an enchanting view of The Pinnacle at Duxton with its dazzling fairy lights.

72 Tanjong Pagar Road
Tel: +65 6534 8178
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 10pm (Pho Stop), 6pm – late (The Bar Above)
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#17 RAMEN KEISUKE TONKOTSU KING

A long queue formed outside Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King is a common daily sight for residents in Tanjong Pagar. Their award winning Tonkotsu Ramen Special (S$14.80) was crowned as the best in Singapore back in 2012.

Till date, the delicious thick milky broth remains unrivalled. Celebrity Chef Keisuke Takeda whom emerged champion out of over 30,00 ramen chefs in the 2011 Tokyo Ramen Championships is the rightful owner of the Keisuke brand. Their ramen surpassed all our expectations and that is not all – Keisuke also offers free flow eggs and bean sprouts to all diners.

Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best ramen.

1 Tras Link
#01-19, Orchid Hotel
Tel: +65 6636 0855
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#18 RAMEN KEISUKE TORI KING

Celebrity chef Keisuke Takeda is so confident with his ramen creations that he did not hesitate opening another ramen shop just a minute away walk away from his Tonkotsu Ramen outlet.

Located on the third level of 100AM shopping mall is Ramen Keisuke Tori King. Their specialty is in its chicken broth – made from chicken bones and chicken feet. Other essential ingredients such as Japanese seaweed are also added to the arduous eight hours boiling process. Chef Keisuke Takeda has successfully challenged the notions of conventional ramen by completing it with generous portions of tender chicken thigh meat. A bowl of chicken broth ramen starts from S$11.90.

100 Tras Street
#03-15, 100AM
Tel: +65 6604 6861
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#19 RAMYUN AND SOJU

Ramyun and Soju is a no frills Korean ramen noodle bar. A set meal starts from only S$9.90 and is inclusive of a bowl of noodles, a beverage of your choice and a dish of kimchi. You can choose from original spicy broth to dry black bean paste and add toppings such as cheese and rice cake at additional S$2 each. While their springy noodles are not fantastic, they do offer a quick and filling budget meal.

1 Tras Link, #01-03, Orchid Hotel
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Located within the vicinity of Tanjong Pagar Conservation Area is Duxton – the ideal destination for an interesting foodie experience. From Melbourne-inspired hipster cafes to Italian restaurants, the dining scene in the Duxton neighbourhood is undeniably vibrant. Read our guide to Duxton Hill’s best restaurants, cafes and bars.

#20 SQUIRES AND SCOUNDRELS

Squires and Scoundrels places a great emphasis on fun and their playfulness is evident from their incredibly early happy hour timing – it starts from an astonishing 3pm! The bar serves tasty wagyu beef and chicken burgers with recommended beer pairings.

The burgers (from S$18) are interestingly named after famous cities such as New York and Madrid. Keep yourself entertained by challenging your friends to a game of shuffleboard or pose for a picture with their pop-graffiti art.

72 Duxton Road
Tel: +65 6635 6604
Mon: Closed
Tue to Fri: 3pm – 12am
Sat: 6pm – 12am
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#21 TEPPEI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Teppei Japanese Restaurant at the ground floor of Orchid Hotel has been gaining a steady following because of its extremely affordable omakase (prices start from S$50/pax). Another highly-raved about dish that has earned its regulars’ loyalty is its barachirashi (S$17.60).

The barachirashi is pretty decent and inexpensive – probably the cheapest chirashi you can get in Singapore. It suffices as an introductory bowl for first-timers, decent enough, but there are many more chirashi-don out there that shout freshness and variety way better.

#01-18, Orchid Hotel, 1 Tras Link
Tel: +65 6222 7363
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#22 THE QUARTERS

The Quarters provides caffeine fix (from S$3.70) to the working crowd and gourmet satisfaction to foodies seeking exotic fusion food. As mentioned earlier on in the introductory paragraph, Durian Crème Brulee is served here at S$7 each.

Every item on the menu at The Quarters has a unique Singaporean local twist i.e. Shiok Burger’s crumbly pork patty (S$17) has hints of curry spices that will leave an unforgettable aftertaste. You can also purchase sealed jars of salted egg aioili and belachan here – they make great gifts for budding chefs!

16 Enggor Street
Tel: +65 6834 4174
Mon to Thu: 8am – 10pm
Fri: 8am – 10pm
Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#23 TIPPLING CLUB

Ranked as one of Asia’s top 50 restaurants for the past few years, Tippling Club certainly needs no introduction. While some dismiss the award-winning bar as a pretentious gastronomic destination, we have to admit that their cocktails have never failed to impress.

Bubble tea (S$18) is a unique concoction of apple, citrus and gin infused with melon & mangosteen – nothing like the Taiwanese bubble tea we expected. Other interesting picture worthy drinks include Purple Drank (S$23) and Juniper Sling (S$23).

The former is a playful cocktail mixed with curaco, candy gomme, citrus, raspberry and vanilla & raisin spirit, served in a cough syrup bottle. The latter is a fragrant cocktail made of cassis, cinnamon syrup, gin, cherry bitters, grand marnier and junipher, served in a Penhaligon’s perfume bottle.

38 Tanjong Pagar Road
Tel: +65 6475 2217
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 12am
Sat: 6pm – 12am
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#24 TODAMGOL

While competition may be fierce and even threatening to some restaurants along Tanjong Pagar Road, Todamgol clearly remains unaffected by its new neighbours. Opened since November 2011, the Korean restaurant still faces a relentless queue at the entrance every single day.

Todamgol serves a delectable variety of authentic Korean dishes such as the popular Korean Stew Bu Dae ji Gae (S$35) and Korean glass noodles Jap Chae (S$18). Their daily late night opening hours sees crowds toasting to soju till 3am. Now you know where to head to on Sunday and Monday nights!

31 Tanjong Pagar Road
Tel: +65 6224 7077
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 3am
Sat to Sun: 5.30pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#25 TWO BLUR GUYS

Two Blur Guys burger shop was started by two self-proclaimed blur guys in 2012. Each delicious burger is served with a fresh homemade potato leafy salad.

1 Tras Link
#01-13, Orchid Hotel
Tel: +65 6636 4183
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#26 WA BAR

WA Bar is a franchise from South Korea that specialises in beer. Their menu offers an assortment of Korean and Western fare and Korean pop fans are in a treat – the large flat screens play pop Korean music videos all night long! But WA Bar is not limited to just K pop fans. With their wide selection of beers and decent bar food menu, it is one of the go-to watering holes and a great place to unwind after work.

64 Tanjong Pagar Road
Tel: +65 6224 7073
Daily: 11am – 3am
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#27 WHIPS CUPCAKES

Located inside Icon Village, Whips Cupcakes is known for their cute mini cupcakes that are priced at only S$1.00 each. There are up to 12 flavours to choose from and the more interesting ones include nutella, marshmellow and M&M! Customised fondant toppers are available upon request.

#01-85, 12 Gopeng Sreet
Tel: +65 6222 5432
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 6.30pm
Sat to Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#28 5 THE MOMENTS

5 The Moments is actually a 2-in-1 concept of a film photography company and an ice cream shop. The beautiful café showcases an array of images from their photography portfolio and patrons interested in enquiring about wedding shoots should make an appointment in advance.

A wide selection of ice cream is available (choose from dark truffle chocolate to New York cheesecake) at S$4.80 per scoop. Their delightful waffles are crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside and drizzled with chocolate sauce.

73 Tanjong Pagar Road
Tel: +65 6222 5337
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 11.30pm
Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

New year; new resolutions. It’s time to get into the groove of eating clean (especially after all that Christmas and New Year’s indulging). So for those in the Central Business District, we’ve gathered serious intel on five gourmet joints that offer healthy eats - that not only include salads, but also carbs and meats – to please the body and the palate.

THE GREEN BAR

Executed with painstaking attention paid to taste and quality—house-made dressings consist up to 13 ingredients—there’s no doubt that salads at The Green Bar are one of the best by far. Mouthwateringly delicious is Absolutely Wicked Strawberry (S$12.90)—a crispy bed of mesclun mixed into roasted chicken and prunes coated in a smooth and velvety chocolate glaze, followed by pops of sweetness from strawberries soaked in balsamic reduction, garnished with almond flakes and Danish blue cheese that only assist in upping the enjoyment factor.

A lighter, more refreshing option, the summer duck salad (S$13.90) boasts tart and tangy flavors with perfectly smoked duck, mango, roasted potatoes, red bell peppers, beetroot, clementines and cashew nuts nestled on a bed of watercress and mixed greens that gets a boost from tangy citron vinaigrette—to which we give an approving nod to.

Needless to say, the space fills up pretty fast—what with its healthy, yet luxuriously appetizing salads—so come early. Experience shows most people do.

16 Collyer Quay
#01-16/17 Hitachi Towers
Tel: +65 9855 4290
Mon to Fri: 8am to 89pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

MUNCH SALADSMITH & ROTISSERIE

Smacked right in the heart of the CBD at One Raffles Place is Munch. Not just another salad bar (read: only vegetables), Munch Saladsmith & Rotisserie offers deliciously healthy meat options such as poached salmon (S$11.90 with a salad), and juicy and tender free-range chicken roast (S$8.90 with a salad) that simply screams from the display with its brazenly bronzed skin.

On the salad bar are a variety of carbs and greens like tricolor pasta tossed in house-made basil pesto, wild shrooms sautéed in herbs, and cold soba noodles with corn niblets and shaved red carrot, mixed in sesame dressing. Salads start from S$7.90 for two, S$9.90 for three, and S$11.90 for four. Top up a dollar to wash it down with an iced house-brewed tea.

#B1-16 One Raffles Place
Tel: +65 6438 1456
Mon to Sun: 8am to 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

PLATYPUS TEST KITCHEN

There’s carbs, and then there’s carbs—the latter offering calories actually worth consuming. What we appreciate about Platypus Test Kitchen is their commitment to delivering quality handmade pastas using choice ingredients by organic purveyors at—get this—prices that won’t burn a hole in the wallet. Its signature spicy diablo crab and prawns (S$18.90) feature a good balance of flavors—sweet prawns and firm and chunky crab claw meat tossed together with thick strands of egg tagliolini pasta in a pleasingly spicy egg sauce, finished with fragrant garlic oil and topped with generous chunks of crab meat and whole prawns.

The Chef follows up with squid ink and scallops (S$16.90) of handmade tagliolini noodle coated in a piquant and zesty garlic and lemon sauce served with seared bay scallops—absolutely addictive without being a teeth-staining affair. Food here also churns out fast—perfect for a quick lunch before zipping back to the office.

24 Raffles Place
#02-02 Clifford Centre
Tel: +65 8112 1194
Mon to Fri: 11am to 4pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

SALADSTOP

If you’re gonna eat clean, make it green. SaladStop’s range of Japanese-inspired wraps are our choice picks. Refreshingly fruity with a kick of wasabi, the Tuna San wrap (S$12.50) features a green romaine salad with creamy avocado, sweet cherry tomatoes and mandarin orange crowned with thick slices of seared tuna—edges lined with ground black pepper, beautifully tossed in an appetizing wasabi soy dressing, its glorying moment fulfilled by crunchy sesame seeds and edamame that pack a punch.

An unexpected winner is found in the Go Geisha wrap (S$9.50). If the thought of cabbage, tofu, carrots, cucumber, snow peas and soba noodles make you grimace, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by this healthy creation that yields an addictively tasty sweet-salty miso vinaigrette (with a hint of ginger), showered with chockfull of veggies—great for an antioxidant boost. Wraps here are prepared quickly as well, so here’s a great option if you’re on the go.

#B2-78, 8A Marina Boulevard
Tel: +65 6820 0141
Mon to Fri: 8am to 8:30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

WHOLE&HEARTY

Singapore’s first breakfast and fresh yogurt bar, Whole&Hearty is an open concept offering a wholesome range of takeaway breakfast options in addition to its signature heirloom yogurt bar.

Made from a variety of heirloom cultures and base milks—vegan soy, the creamier Bulgarian option, or even Scandinavian-style Viili yoghurt—these house-made yogurts are made fresh daily, complemented with local made granola from The Edible Company and nut butters by Hunter’s Kitchenette—we’re loving their macadamia, and hazelnut butters.

Charged by the bowl (S$4.50 for small; S$6.80 for medium; S$8.50 for large), regular items on the breakfast table include cold organic oats steeped in milk, baked whole apples, fresh seasonal fruit, as well as an array of seeds and nuts such as almond, pistachio, walnut, chia seeds, flax seeds and the like. Not completely “healthy” but too good to ignore is the cereal milk made with the original Momofuku Milk Bar cereal milk mix from New York City. A cheat day every once in a while is forgivable.

#01-84, 12 Gopeng Street
Tel: +65 9855 4290
Mon to Fri: 8am to 2:30pm; 12pm to 8pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

About the writer
Mandy Lynn is a former I-S Magazine writer and current columnist at Nookmag; her dining and nightlife features are published in Men’s Folio, Singapore Tatler Dining and The Drinks Business, amongst others. For bite-sized food recommendations, follow her on Instagram and Facebook, or join her Gourmet Adventures to keep up with the latest dining and nightlife news.

There are restaurants that we return to because we love the ambiance, there are those that we return to because the prices are friendly, then there are also those that hold a special place in our hearts simply because the team of chefs and waitstaff are like friends to us.

Cook & Brew at The Westin Singapore is one of those places, and it is not your typical restaurant. It is a gastrobar, sitting high on the 33rd level and with a glimpse of the city from above, with an exuberant team who are ever passionate about their food and beers, and a comprehensive menu that covers your bar snacks, mains, desserts and all the beers that you can ever dream of.

A recent change of menu had us revisiting the gastrobar, and Chef Aaron has a lot to impress, indeed. On a side note, his humble personality and comical expressions make it so easy to like him. Hailing from Canada, this man is famed for making his own sausages and meatballs, and man, do we need those with our beers!

But of course, Cook & Brew’s new menu is so fascinating that you might just need more trips back to try everything. Here are some highlights from its revamp, and 12 star dishes that you definitely must try from Cook & Brew’s new menus:

TRAIN CAR BREAKFAST

Such a catchy name, ain’t it? Start with this appetizer (S$16) of butter fried brioche (oh good Lord, yes), creamy scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and horse radish. Think of Eggs Florentine, but way better and dynamically flavoursome. Goes best with Kirin beer; yes, you know you need that.

TURKEY MEATBALLS

We are usually not fans of meatballs, but these are just splendid. Chef Aaron spent a great deal perfecting his meatballs, and the usage of turkey makes this meatballs dish a lighter one. Doused in tomato sauce, pecorino and fried bread, Turkey Meatballs (S$15) is best enjoyed with Pilsner Urquell. You can also make this a main by adding fresh cut pasta (S$8).

HOMEMADE SMOKED SAUSAGE NEW ORLEAN’S STYLE

This is one dish that the kitchen is really proud to introduce. Ever so passionate about making and linking his own sausages, Chef Aaron’s creation of Homemade Smoked Sausage (S$22) comes complete with bubble & squeak, watercress and tomato jam. No fillers, no nut extenders, no binders. No organs and intestines, too. Just pure pork meat that are freshly grounded by the kitchen. Don’t forget to order a bottle of Strongbow Gold Apple Cider too!

POUTINE “EH”

Traditionally a Canadian dish that is essentially French fries topped with a brown gravy and cheese curds, Cook & Brew has their own version of Poutine now. Trust Chef Aaron when it comes to this; he is Canadian, and this is his element.

The Poutine “Eh” (S$16) is luxurious with pulled pork that’s prepared fresh in-house on a daily basis, cheese curds and apple Strongbow gravy. Very rustic, and every bit comforting. A dish that is good to share, and best enjoyed with Strongbow Cider Red Berries.

USDA ANGUS STRIPLOIN STEAK

We are huge fans of steaks, and we enjoyed this dish thoroughly. Apart from the fact that it is a good excuse to drink Guinness, the USDA Angus Striploin Steak (S$54) is a plate of beautifully seared striploin that is creamy and slightly fatty. Served with roasted mushrooms, stilton and a watercress salad, then topped with buttered bread crumbs that look nothing than tiny bits of scrapes but explosively flavourful, this is to die for.

FANCY FISH & CHIPS – BEER BATTERED NOVA SCOTIA LOBSTERS

Because fish & chips is too mainstream, Chef Aaron has to show us how it is done. Use lobsters, he said. And so, that brilliant twist is his take on a fancier version – well, it is not named Fancy Fish & Chips (S$46) for no reason.

Beer battered Nova Scotia lobsters served with sauce gribiche, which is essentially mayo-style cold egg sauce, the Fancy Fish & Chips is one of its kind. Every bite into the sweet flesh was divine, and you can just imagine how addicted we are to it; we are already planning a next visit back to The Westin Singapore!

SMOKED BACON CARAMEL CHOCOLATE BAR

It sounds strange, but it is absolutely to die for. Heaven meets Earth when bacon is put into chocolates. Who would have thought that the sweet-savoury combination would be so flawless? This dessert of Smoked Bacon Caramel Chocolate Bar (S$13) is easily the most decadent chocolate bar we’ve had in recent times. Like Snickers, but way better and comes with dates, hazelnut and smoked bacon, topped with chocolate sauce and maple candied bacon strip. This is one hell of a life-changing dessert and you have to try it to believe what good it does for your soul!

CHICKEN WINGS

Chicken Wings are the perfect bar snacks. Cook & Brew has not only one, but three types of chicken wings – Hoisin Lime & Chili (S$12), Double Crispy Wings with Blue Cheese Sauce (S$12) and Hot Wings (S$12) – on the bar menu.

SALT COD BRANDADE ON TOAST

If you are going to Cook & brew to have some drinks with your colleagues after work, get the Salt Cod Brandade on Toast (S$12) from the bar menu. The salted cod is served on a grilled sourdough, and best enjoyed with a pint of Erdinger.

SUSHI BOWL

Happy to know that perennial favourites are staying on the menu too. We’ve tried the Sushi Bowl (S$18) in Cook & Brew’s opening days, and boy, was it satisfying. Think of a deconstructed sushi, with BBQ salmon, egg roll, avocado, radish and wasabi mayonnaise, this is on the ‘Starter Fare’ section, but the ladies would love to know the generous portion works well as a main itself. Best enjoyed with Leffe Blond!

COOK & BREW FRIED CHICKEN

Fried chicken + Beer = Happiness. Which is why we can never say no to Cook & Brew Fried Chicken (S$27). Glad that this classic dish is a mainstay, because it is ever so satisfying with the homemade wasabi mayonnaise, sesame spinach salad and cherry tomatoes. Needless to say, you need your beer with this. We’d say go for the recommended Leffe Blond, and your night is well complete.

DUCK RICE

Cook & Brew also has some local fares for the patriots and all who love a good Singaporean dish. The Duck Rice (S$25) sounds unassuming, but what do you know?Ruby red roasted duck served with white rice and braised sauce, the Duck Rice is fragrant and very enjoyable with Tsingtao beer. But of course.

For the latest updates, go to The Westin Singapore’s website, ‘like’ The Westin Singapore on facebook, and follow them on Instagram and Twitter.

Cook & Brew
The Westin Singapore
33/F Asia Square Tower 2
12 Marina View
Tel: +65 6922 6948
Mon to Thu: 11am – 12midnight
Fri: 11am – 1am
Sat: 6pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Downtown/Marina Bay

This post is brought to you by The Westin Singapore.

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!

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.

First, please do not be intimidated by the stack of menus. A total of three sacred booklets, we’d call them. The main menu is divided into several sections – snacks that are great with beers; appetisers to whet the appetite; comfort food like burger, banger & mash, and fish & chips; large plates that are good for sharing; pastas for a simple and fuss-free meal; local delights executed well; and desserts for sweet tooth lovers.

The second is a beverage list that promises a mind-boggling range, from your favourite cocktails and mocktails to the many kinds of beers to drink the night away. The third is the ever-popular Wines of The World by Westin, and who can say no to that?

So we shall kick start a good time with some hearty appetisers. Go for the Chilli Con Carne Volcano (S$13) – topped with cheddar cheese, this is best enjoyed with a pint of Pure Blonde beer. Eat it fresh and warm, and polish them off before the cheese gets hardened up!

One dish that we really love and will go back for is the Sushi Bowl (S$18). This is a modern take on the popular Chirashi-don, or you can think of it as a deconstructed sushi bowl. Served with BBQ salmon, egg roll, avocado, and wasabi mayonnaise, this is so much comfort in one simple and unassuming bowl.

If you are hanging out with your pals, get the wings to go along with beer. Shrimp Paste Chicken Wings (S$12), Double Crispy Wings with blue cheese (S$12), and Hot Spicy Wings (S$12). Warning: one serving is not enough!

Equally good is Cook & Brew’s Fried Chicken (S$27), which comes with an addictive wasabi mayonnaise dip. Wash everything down with a pint of Brew Dog Punk, IPA.

Cook & Brew also has several dishes that are ideal for a quick lunch. Get the Pulled Steak Sandwich (S$19) or the Steak & Egg (S$17). If not, the Farmer’s Omelette (S$14) is also a good option for those who just want something light. How very reasonably priced and we really love how dining at five-star hotels is becoming less intimidating with friendly outlets like Cook & Brew!

A good burger is one that brings utmost satisfaction, and it lingers on your mind and keeps you happy throughout the day. It is something that cannot go wrong, and something that we turn to whenever we want something familiar.

Cook & Brew’s Burger (S$23) is one such dish. Sandwiched between two pita bread, the beef patty is topped with melting cheddar, crispy pancetta bacon, fried onion rings and a fried egg. Not forgetting the freshly battered onion rings that were so addictive, we gobbled those before we attacked the burger itself.

And the star of the show has got to be the German Butcher Platter (S$34). One huge serving of kassler ribs, pork sausage, schnitzel, sauerkraut, pickles and mash. Everything was tantalisingly good, and we could only rub our tummies with happy sighs and relish the moments of savour. It is good for two as a main, and perfect as a side dish to share when dining with a huge party. Don’t forget your favourite beers when you pig out with this platter!

Now on to sweet endings. We cannot decide if we prefer the Cook & Brew Cheese Stick (S$15) or Hot Chocolate Brownie (S$15). The former features Philadelphia cheese, apple gel and Granny Smith apple sorbet, while the latter is a rendition that comes complete with dark cherry sauce and homemade vanilla ice cream. I guess we can always do with more than one dessert, yes?

Cook & Brew opens throughout the day and till late at night, so the next time you need an after dark outlet to unwind, you know where to head to!

Also open to corporate bookings and private parties, this is one good location to hold your events. Throw a birthday bash, do a corporate luncheon, celebrate your anniversary; however the nature of your events are, Cook & Brew’s events team will be happy to put together something for that special occasion. Direct your enquiries to cookandbrew.singapore@westin.com or call (65) 6922 6948 for more information.

For the latest updates, go to The Westin Singapore’s website, ‘like’ The Westin Singapore on facebook, and follow them on Instagram.

Cook & Brew
The Westin Singapore
33/F Asia Square Tower 2
12 Marina View
Tel: +65 6922 6948
Mon to Thu: 11am – 12midnight
Fri: 11am – 1am
Sat: 6pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Downtown/Marina Bay

This post is brought to you by The Westin Singapore.

Jewel Coffee at 1 Shenton Way has quickly become one of the more popular coffee boutiques in the Central Business District (CBD). If you love coffee, and work in the area, there’s no reason not to visit the cafe. It is quite the ideal location to meet your clients or stop by for a coffee break.

Jewel Coffee
1 Shenton Way #01-07
Tel: +65 6636 9452
Mon to Fri: 7am – 9pm
Sat: 8am – 5pm