Kimoto Gastro Bar is a quaint little Japanese kushiyaki bar at The Sail @ Marina Bay that offers pretty traditional Japanese bites at a fairly affordable price point.

Set in the busy Marina Bay area, this humble joint exudes a certain rustic charm reminiscent of local eateries off the busy streets of Tokyo. Not just that, the staff here display exceptional politeness and hospitality which gives you a familiar sense of Japanese hospitality.

They serve up an exciting array of caramelised, gorgeously charred kushiyaki (grilled skewers) pleasures along with a decent selection of small plates, salads, donburi and tempura. If you happen to be around the CBD area, this would probably be a good spot to check out.

The restaurant boasts a small and cosy space with a relaxed vibe. You get an amazing view of the open concept kitchen where you can see the chefs work their magic.

The menu here may not offer a huge selection of dishes but for what it lacks in variety, it compensates in quality—you will not be disappointed, we guarantee it!

Each lunch set comes with a simple salad drizzled with a sesame-based dressing and miso soup.

The serving for their Kushiyaki Don (S$14.90++) was modest with a mixture of 3 meat skewers, 2 vegetable skewers, a fried onsen egg and a good measure of the same of Japanese rice providing the cushion for the grilled skewers.

We really enjoyed the pork belly-wrapped asparagus, mushroom and zucchini skewers as they were delectably tender and brimming with a smoky, flame-licked flavour. The chicken breast skewers, however, were a tad bit dry.

Pop a few glances left and right and you will probably notice the Special Tempura Don (S$14.90++) being a popular choice among diners. The individual tempura featured ingredients such as shrimp, chicken, sweet corn, baby corn, pumpkin and a poached egg.

Kimoto Gastro Bar offers one of the best and reasonably priced tempura dons around the CBD.

Kimoto Gastro Bar
6 Marina Boulevard
#01-15 The Sail @ Marina Bay
Singapore 018987
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Downtown

For more recommendations, read our guide on the best tendon in Singapore.

For those who work in the CBD, are you on a constant lookout for cheap places to dine at during lunch? It is true that prices of food in the CBD are usually fixed slightly higher than elsewhere, but this does not mean that there aren’t hidden gems where you can enjoy delicious food without breaking the bank.

Let us introduce you to Gochi-So Shokudo, an under-the-radar eatery located at the corner of the basement of One Raffles Place that brings to you top-quality Iberico Pork all the way from Spain at affordable prices. Their Iberico Pork Belly Don will cost you just S$10; isn’t that a steal?

One of Gochi-So Shokudo’s most value-for-money menu options is the Iberico Pork Belly Don (S$10). If you are feeling slightly hungrier, you can upgrade your meal with side sets such as Set C (S$4) which will give you a plate of Iberico Belly Enoki and Iberico Miso Soup.

The Iberico Pork Belly Don (S$10) comes with a generous portion of thinly-sliced Iberico pork belly, an onsen egg, a handful of seaweed strips and spoonful of sliced spring onion atop a bowl of hot, fluffy rice.

If you were to glance at the store front, you would notice that the Iberico pork belly will be grilled over a charcoal fire prior to service. The wonderful char-grilled taste was evident in every slice of meat and it further enhanced the taste of the pork belly. Elsewise, our onsen egg was executed perfectly and when broken, the egg yolk added a velvety texture over the whole don that was just so enjoyable.

The Iberico Loin Katsu (S$15.80) comes with a deep-fried Iberico pork loin cutlet, fluffy bowl of rice, sesame seeds and their special dipping sauce. Admittedly, we were hoping for something more when we compared the price point of the Iberico Loin Katsu (S$15.80)  to the Iberico Pork Belly Don (S$10).

Although the skin of the Iberico pork loin cutlet was a lovely golden-brown, we found the meat of the cutlet slightly dry and lacking flavour.

Gochi-So Shokudo
1 Raffles Place, #B1-30 One Raffles Place,
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6536 6447
Mon to Thu: 11am – 9.30pm
Fri to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

China Square Central is a dining establishment located in Singapore’s Central Business District. Featuring Chinese architecture, the modern shopping mall has artfully preserved and modified several traditional shophouses from the 60′s into cafes and restaurants.

While most people tend to associate China Square Central with its grand office tower, there is more to this place than meets the eye. There are not one, but three distinct blocks that make up China Square Central—18 Cross Street, 20 Cross Street and 22 Cross Street. Yes, that means dining options are aplenty!

From Korean BBQ to Thai favourites and coffee houses, here are 9 Restaurants, Cafes & Eateries In China Square Central You Must Dine At.

#1 CLUB MEATBALLS

An open restaurant with a cocktail and wine bar, Club Meatballs is one of the nicest chill-out spots in China Square Central.

As the name suggests, meatballs are a core of Club Meatball’s menu. Some meatball dishes to try are The Vietnamese (S$9.50 and S$12.50 for 2 and 4 meatballs respectively), ‘Pimp Your Burger’ (S$14.90) and ‘Pimp Your Balls’ (S$15.90). Quirky names, but honest food.

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, diners can enjoy 50% off club sodas and soft drinks when you bring your own mug to the restaurant.

Club Meatballs
20 Cross St, #01-34/35/36, China Square Central, Singapore 048422
Tel: +65 6222 8660
Mon to Fri: 8am – 12am
Sat: 11am – 12am
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#2 ESPRESSOLAB

Espressolab is a huge franchise chain originated from Malaysia with more than 20 outlets spread across the Malay Peninsula. Good news—they have expanded to Singapore in 2014 and it is at China Square Central!

The sophisticated cafe has since been keeping diners happy with their house blend handcrafted coffee. Some unique specialities include the red velvet hot chocolate and grilled salmon with yuzu orange dressing. Also not forgetting the value for money set lunch options with complimentary ice lemon tea.

Espressolab is a welcoming place at an ideal location to host corporate meetings, all sorts of events, lunch and social gatherings. It is a great spot in the CBD that is heavy with goodness but light on the pocket.

Espressolab
18 Cross St, #02-07/08 China Square Central, Singapore 048423
Tel: +65 6536 2328
Mon to Fri: 8.00am – 7pm
Sun: 9.30am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#3 FOLKS COLLECTIVE

A vintage shophouse inspired by Bangkok’s Rod Fai Vintage Market, most of the décor at the Folks Collective (even the bricks on their walls) were sourced directly from Thailand.

Start your meal with comforting Thai favourites such as the Pomelo Salad (S$10.90) and Angel Wings (S$10.90). Enjoy the Thai-style Sea Bass (S$33.90) before completing your meal with Ice Cream Kati (S$5.90)-a coconut ice cream with sweet coconut glutinous rice, toasted peanuts, palm seeds and jackfruit strips.

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, diners will receive a free Coca-Cola or a Cold Lemongrass upon ordering any Daily Special Set at S$10.90 (U.P. S$14.80 to S$16.80++).

Folks Collective
20 Cross St, #01-25 China Square Central, Singapore 048422
Tel: +65 6536 6730
Mon to Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#4 J3 COLD PRESSED JUICE

Detox juice cleanse is all the rage right now. One brand to try out is J3 Cold Pressed Juice. They offer a range of juices—from the Detox Series (vegetables and superfoods) to the Refresh Series (fresh cold-pressed fruit juices).

Green juices tend to have a bad rep, with many having a generally unfavourable taste. But that’s not so for the green juices here, so much so we’d gladly go on a juice cleanse programme here. We especially loved the D2 Beet-Liver from the Detox Series which is a mix of beetroot, red dragon fruit, broccoli, celery, tomato, red apple, pear, orange, starfruit and lemon.

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, you can get 3 cold pressed juice bottles for S$18.90 (U.P. S$20.70); 1 cold pressed juice bottle and 1 nut milk bottle for S$13.80 (U.P. S$14.80) or a full 1-Day Cleanse with 6 juices and 1 nut milk for S$43.90 (S$49.30).

J3 Cold Press Juice
18 Cross St, #01-12 China Square Central, Singapore 048423
Tel: +65 6221 0754
Mon to Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sun: 12pm – 6pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#5 MOUTH RESTAURANT

The Mouth Restaurant is known for their seafood delights. The signature Sautéed Boston Lobster is S$49.80 each and there is an optional top-up of S$6 if you wish to enjoy it with vermicelli.

Crabs come in 6 different flavours—such as Salted Egg Yolk or Black Pepper. The BBQ Trio Combi (S$28) is also a hot favourite of the restaurant!

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, visit the restaurant with a mug or tumbler to enjoy a complimentary hot or cold drink. A minimum spending of S$68 and S$78 will also entitle you to a free Sautéed Sri Lankan Crab in Cream of Chardonnay or a free Sautéed Boston Lobster with Vermicelli respectively.

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Mouth Restaurant
22 Cross St, #01-57/62 China Square Central, Singapore 048421
Tel: +65 6438 5798
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 4pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#6 SPINELLI COFFEE COMPANY

Widely acclaimed for its fragrant coffees and cakes, Spinelli Coffee Company is a coffee chain that hails from San Francisco and only brews coffee from locally roasted beans.

Nestled in the corner of China Square Central, this coffee joint is usually not overcrowded unlike other coffee places in the CBD, thus making it a perfect place to grab a quick cuppa in a comfortable environment.

Why not also enjoy a slice of their signature cheesecakes, or a dish of roasted chicken with mashed potatoes?

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, order any Spinelli Coffee Company’s Signature Beverage to go in your Spinelli Tumbler and enjoy S$1 off your drink.

Spinelli Coffee Company
18 Cross St, #01-28 China Square Central, Singapore 048423
Tel: +65 6327 4837
Mon to Thu: 8am – 8pm
Fri: 8am – 9pm
Sat: 9am – 8pm
Sun/PH: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#7 TA LU PRAWN NOODLES

Tucked away on the 2nd level of China Square Central, Ta Lu Prawn Noodles is a humble air-conditioned eatery well-known for local favourites, in particular, the prawn noodles (S$5, S$7, S$9, S$12).

The broth is thin yet very flavourful, and a bowl of noodles is served with a generous portion of tender pork ribs and prawns.

Another local favourite worth a try is the tasty fried carrot cake.

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, bring along your own mug or tumbler to Ta Lu Prawn Noodles to redeem a complimentary hot or cold drink and do your part to support Singapore’s World Water Day.

Ta Lu Prawn Noodles
18 Cross Street, #02-32/33 China Square Central, Singapore 048423
Tel: +65 6536 1538
Mon to Fri: 7am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#8 WANG DAE BAK KOREAN BBQ RESTAURANT

Oh glorious, glorious meat! Enjoy a massive meat feast at the ever popular Wang Dae Bak Korean BBQ Restaurant where you can find premium cuts of meat such as Boneless Prime Rib (S$29), Marinated Chicken ($18), Pork Belly (S$18) and Marinated Shoulder-Loin (S$18).

The meats here are the undisputed frontrunners, especially the beautiful marbling on the prime rib. After cooking to a nice medium doneness, dip it in the sauce of your choice and savour those melty textures.

Popular side dishes include the Spicy Seafood Tofu Soup (S$11 – S$16), Kimchi Pancake (S$19) and a huge selection of side dishes or bapsang.

You can also redeem a free cup of cold or hot drink here when you bring your own mug or tumbler from 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017.

Wang Dae Bak Korean BBQ Restaurant 
22 Cross St, #01-64 China Square Central, Singapore 048421
Tel: +65 6225 2646
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#9 YUAN KEE FAMOUS CHICKEN RICE

Yuan Kee Famous Chicken Rice’s history dates all the way back to the 1970s when it used to be just a small stall selling Cantonese-style chicken rice. While it has since transformed into a much bigger air-conditioned eatery, Yuan Kee Famous Chicken Rice still sticks to its original philosophy of “home cooked goodness for all”.

Signature chicken rice dishes to try there are the steamed and roasted chicken rice sets. We thoroughly enjoyed having the fresh white chicken together with fragrant rice and spicy chilli sauce!

Besides that, the eatery also offers Emperor Chicken with Rice, Hainanese Pork Cutlet with Rice & Egg and other zi char style dishes.

You can also redeem a free lime or chestnut drink when you bring your own mug or tumbler from 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017.

Yuan Kee Famous Chicken Rice
20 Cross St, #01-03/04 China Court, Singapore 048422
Tel: +65 9658 8955
Mon to Fri: 9am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

This post is brought to you by China Square Central. 

Japanese donburi sets for only S$12 nett? Yes, you got that right!

Katanashi is a Japanese tapas bar along Boat Quay that offers reasonably priced set lunch meals on weekdays, catering mostly to working professionals whose offices are nearby.

For those who are not familiar with the area, Katanashi is a less-than-ten-minutes walking distance from Raffles Place MRT station. We are giving the Japanese bar bonus points for easy accessibility, but is their food really value-for-money? 

While Katanashi has an alfresco area, we would recommend going indoors to escape the scorching heat. Those who are dining alone can also choose to sit by the bar as you watch the chefs prepare your food right before you.

We first tried the Unatama-Don (S$12) which came in a lovely presentation.

The plump unagi glistened from the teriyaki sauce drizzled over it and went extremely well with savoury egg omelette and warm Japanese rice. There is also the usual seaweed flakes which adds extra texture in your donburi.

Every set meal comes with pickles, miso soup and cold chawanmushi. Considering the generous portion, having a lunch set meal at Katanashi is definitely a bargain!

Next up, we decided to go for that day’s Special Don—which happened to be Spicy Tuna Sashimi Don. Also at S$12 nett, it came with a huge serving of deep red tuna sashimi slices served atop warm rice and the same side dishes.

While the tuna was fresh and well marinated in spicy sauce, we would enjoy it more if the sashimi was served chilled instead.

Those who are keen to try other options can look forward to Rouleau-Don, Chicken Teritama-Don, Katsu Curry-Don and Maguro Salmon-Don (S$12).

Otherwise, treat yourself to something slightly more luxurious, such as the Hokkaido-Don and Roast Beef-Don (S$15).

Katanashi
77 Boat Quay
Singapore 049865
Tel: +65 6533 0490
Mon to Fri: 11.45am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 11.30pm
Sat: 5pm – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

Julee is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She is an advocate of travel and hopes to visit Iceland someday. She enjoys having a good conversation over tea and a slice of cake. There are two things in the world she cannot live without—food and humour.

Newly opened contemporary restaurant Ash & Char sits in the heart of Singapore’s CBD. The gastro-bar—opened by the team behind Rise & Grind Coffee Co—is just a short walk away from Tanjong Pagar MRT Station and Telok Ayer MRT station.

Ash & Char derived its name from the primary cooking techniques used for its dishes. Do not let the fancy interiors put you off; the menu is actually surprisingly affordable. The scrumptious main courses here range between S$15++ to S$21++ for a scrumptious plate of Aglio Olio and Hanger Steak respectively.

The versatile venue is perfect for business luncheons, dinner dates and even after-work drinks.

The Hanger Steak (S$21++) was cooked to medium rare, but we thought the soft and chewy slices were leaning towards rare doneness instead. The 150-day grain-fed Angus steak is served with charred baby romaine lettuce, tomatoes, garlic flakes and a semi-spicy pickled jalapeño purée.

Ash & Char’s Korean Chicken Burger (S$17++) was served with crisp sweet potato fries. Succulent marinated fork-tender Korean fried chicken, in-house fermented kimchi and refreshing apple slaw are sandwiched between two fluffy sesame buns.

If you are torn between the Korean Chicken Burger and the Hanger Steak, we say go for the burger instead.

We also recommend the Bacon & Mushroom Carbonara (S$16++). Al dente penne pasta is cooked in fragrant white wine and served with aromatic mushrooms, crispy garlic flakes, streaky bacon and a sous vide egg.

Ash & Char
#01-03/04, 21 McCallum Street
Singapore 069047
Tel: +65 9132 8880
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves travelling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all-time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.

‘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

High ceilings and a spacious interior aside, walking into Grain Traders feels just like visiting an old friend. The aroma of fresh veggies and proteins is one so comforting and familiar; we knew we were in for some wholesome goodness.

A new addition to Capitagreen in Raffles Place, Grain Traders serves up healthy grains, together with proteins and vegetables that are far from haphazardly cooked and prepared. And yes, they are healthy AND tasty food.

What we first noticed after scanning their cooked food on display was the vibrancy and variety of the food. Besides pre-arranged healthy bowls, the main draw of Grain Traders is their DIY bowls.

These bowls get you a protein, a hot veggie, 2 cold veggies, a topping, a sauce – all on top of your grain of choice. They are priced at S$16 each and you can customise them however you want. Of course, we were initially hesitant about the relatively high price, but after having our bowl, we can safely say that the taste than justifies it.

For our bowl, we picked quinoa as our grain (and we got such a huge serving that could have fed two!) and salmon as our protein. Roasted beetroot and carrots were our hot veggie choice, and coleslaw and cherry tomatoes were the cold ones.

Trust us when we say all the vegetables here are so fresh and with each component, you can really taste the effort put in to cook and flavour it. We topped off our bowl with some garlic & shallots, together with a sauce of coconut curry on the side for an extra oomph.

Other choices include beetroot feta yogurt and Asian gravy for sauces, and you can even find striploin and seared tuna in the protein choices. One thing’s for sure – at Grain Traders, you certainly get more than what you paid for.

Grain Traders
138 Market Street #01-01/02/03
Singapore 048946
Weekdays: 8am – 8pm
Sat & Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

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.

Guess why we love an amazing gastrobar like Cook & Brew? Well, it has to be the great food and equally astounding drinks. Perched on the 33rd level of The Westin Singapore, you also get treated to panoramic views of the city.

The Westin Singapore’s Executive Chef, Chef Aaron Foster, has added new items to Cook & Brew’s lunch and dinner menus. Drawing inspiration from his travels as well as working in award-wining dining establishments in New York, Toronto and Bangkok, he has developed an affinity for various cuisines that is reflected in his dishes.

The lunch menu is kept affordable with elements from both local and international flavours. The Turkey Meatball (S$15) is a great starter, as well as the Train Car Breakfast (S$16). The latter is a combination of creamy scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and horseradish served on butter-fried brioche.

Among the main courses, go for the Black Cod (S$34) with buttered braised leak puree and fingerling chips, as well as the signature Chicken Parm (S$27) – a breaded basil and yogurt marinated chicken cutlet that goes well with the Peroni Nastro Azzuro lager.

We’ve mentioned about this before, but it is simply too good not to share it again! The Fancy Fish & Chips (S$46) is a lavish version of the classic fish and chips – instead of using fish, Chef Aaron has incorporated beer-battered and butter-poached Nova Scotian lobster instead, staying true to his Canadian roots. YES, LOBSTER.

And beer fanatics, listen up. Cook & Brew has an amazing craft beer selections with 114 different brews to choose from!

Check out Cook & Brew’s new website for the menu and the latest updates.

Cook & Brew
The Westin Singapore
33/F Asia Square Tower 2 12 Marina View
Singapore 018961
Tel: +65 6922 6948
Mon to Thu: 11am – 12midnight
Fri: 11am – 1am
Sat: 5pm – 12 midnight
Nearest Station: Downtown/Marina Bay

This post is brought to you by The Westin Singapore.

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.

The menu itself reads “Lobster Shack”, and true to its slogan, you are in for some serious lobster roll business. Platypus Lobster Shack is probably the only restaurant in Singapore that offers you nine different lobster rolls – from the traditional to many modern and innovative takes like Smoked Paprika or Red Miso & Sesame rolls.

All lobster rolls (S$19.90 ala carte, S$22.90 for a set with salad & truffle potato chips) are served during dinner only and they come with approximately 100g of Boston lobster, but the flesh is chunky enough and fills up every bun. But one is not filling enough, especially for the guys. We wished the folks at Platypus would put in more effort in the presentation of the food, but for the price and its fresh supply of Boston lobsters, this is a restaurant we will return just for lobster rolls.

Equally satisfying, if not even better, than the lobster roll is the Crustacean Bowl (S$19/starter, S$26/main) – a delicious rice bowl of butter-poached lobster topped with uni creme, caviar and char-grilled cheddar cheese.

Platypus Lobster Shack
#01-31, Nankin Row, 3 Pickering Street
Mon to Thu: 6pm – 10pm
Fri: 6pm – 11pm
Sat: 6.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place/Telok Ayer

For more recommendations, read our guide to Singapore’s best lobster rolls.

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.

After taking a hiatus from Singapore’s hotel scene for a few years, The Westin has returned and this time round, sparkles amid the fanfare. Perched on a high ground and occupying levels 32 to 46 of Asia Square Tower Two at Marina View, The Westin Singapore is highly grand – literally. Besides the Westin Heavenly Bed, a stunning infinity pool, the Westin Workout fitness studio, and a luxe hotel decor, what we are really excited about is Seasonal Tastes – The Westin Singapore’s signature restaurant with interactive kitchens and featuring an impressive buffet line up that have already rocketed to our list of top favourites.

We love Seasonal Tastes’ buffet (S$45++/pax for buffet lunch, S$65++/pax for buffet dinner) for many reasons. Besides selling you the view of the Marina and how each and every chef is dedicated to whipping up their bests and delivering only the finest selections daily, we are truly excited to share about how this new addition is fast becoming a destination for the people of Singapore when they want to recharge their souls with good food.

For one, it is a top quality five-star buffet sans the exorbitant price tag, and everything that we sampled was cooked to high standards. Being located on level 32 of The Westin Singapore, Seasonal Tastes boasts a splendidly unobstructed view of Marina Bay and the south coast of Singapore. And because the location is very convenient, executives in the vicinity can now claim this spot as your favourite hangout; count on Seasonal Tastes whenever you crave a timeout from work. And if you are planning a family gathering on the weekends, parking is easy and affordable (S$3/entry).

Here are some of the highlights of Seasonal Tastes’ buffet.

Seasonal Tastes’ has an enthralling array of options, each catering to different taste buds and ethnics preferences. The team of dedicated chefs is an international one – helmed by Executive Chef Sven Cepon from Germany, the team comprises both locals and regional identities, each a master of his own roots.

Every day, they prepare their respective known comfort food, and deliver the essence of authenticity. Some days, Thai food takes the centre stage, and guests will be treated to an array of Thai dishes on the buffet line. Whenever seasons call for it, the Indian and Chinese chefs would take over and showcase the bests of their ethnic dishes.

The food menu at Seasonal Tastes is always rotating to keep things fresh and interesting. Have a chat with the chefs and learn more about their epicurean philosophies and daily menu choices; we thought this interaction was one of the most memorable take-home of the night.

All in all, expect a huge selection of food: Japanese classics, a salad bar and cold appetisers, salami and cheese counters, an enticing shrine of seafood, a combination of Korean, Indian, Thai and Chinese food, and a dessert island that is more than filled with tantalising sweets, we promise it will make you go weak in the knees.

If you are a fan of Japanese food like us, then begin your night with a drumroll made up of the sushi – an assortment of gunkan, nigiri and maki, you can expect the freshest ingredients like Ika (squid), tako (octopus), ebi (prawn), unagi (eel), salmon, jellyfish, kani (crab meat), and California roll… We were very impressed by the quality of the sushi.

The seafood section is one to look out for too – think freshly shucked oysters, big and sweet prawns, juicy scallops and mussels… and there are crabs, too! Other appetizers include a party of cold salads, and many pots of hot soup.

Our favourite was definitely the Korean food. A Korean chef prepared two of her signature dishes – stir-fried spicy chicken and pork – and while both were satisfyingly good, the spicy pork completely stole the limelight. It was so good that we had three servings of it. There is also a kimchi selection for those who cannot eat your meat without the fermented cabbage.

We were spoiled with choices when it comes to desserts. Chocolate fondue with marshmallows and fruits, vitamin C carrot cake, red berries cheese cake, roasted walnut gianduja chocolate tart, forest berries trifle, panna cotta, chocolate mousse granola, oreo biscuit cheesecake, chocolate brownie, chocolate hazelnut royale, strawberry vanilla mousse cake, nutty chocolate fudge cake, and even local kuehs – the pastry chef really gives it her all and goes all out to please the guests. While there was nothing that disappointed, we were particularly enamoured of the red berries cheesecake and hazelnut royale.

Last but certainly not the least, save some tummy space for the gelato and sorbet. The avocado gelato stood out for its fragrant creaminess, and the mango sorbet was poignantly flavoured and so very addictive.

So the Executive Chef told us: “At Seasonal Tastes, when we cook something, we make sure it is golden.” Now, we can easily fathom why Seasonal Tastes is clearly a winner when it comes to international buffet in Singapore.

Seasonal Tastes’ lunch buffet (from Mon to Sat) is S$45++/pax, while dinner buffet (from Mon to Sun) is S$65++/pax, and Seafood Night on Friday is S$78++.

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

Seasonal Tastes
32/F The Westin Singapore
Asia Square Tower 2
12 Marina View
Mon to Sat Lunch Buffet: 12pm – 2.30pm
Mon to Sun Dinner Buffet: 6.30pm – 10pm
Sunday Champagne Brunch: 12pm – 3pm
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

It’s always nice to randomly walk into a new restaurant, order without doing any prior research, and leave as a happy customer. And we did just that at Hinoki Japanese Restaurant at China Square Central.

After our meeting at Raffles Place, Velda, Beatrice and I were initially going for Ramen at Biefu restaurant, but in the end we decided to be adventurous and try out a new place. We walked around in the area, and chanced upon Hinoki Japanese Restaurant.

It is a small space with bar seats and tables, and we like that it is very cosy. The food at Honoki Restaurant is not cheap, but for the quality, it is worth the price.

It was a bad idea to let Velda do the ordering as being the glutton she is (who am I kidding, all three of us are gluttons), she ended up over-ordering.

We shared a Sushi Platter ($95) which was enough to serve a football team. Okay, I’m just exaggerating, but it was a lot of food, and not to mention that we also had a Salmon Sashimi, Chawanmushi, Mentaiko Udon, and some side dishes.

When we ordered Chawanmushi, the staff asked if we would like to try the “special” version. We went for it, and I’m sure you can see from the picture that it was quite spectacular.

While the sushi platter was impressive, the winner was the Mentaiko Udon. Drizzled with truffle oil, and topped with Mentaiko, the Udon was smooth and every bite was oh-so-good. Like what Velda said, everything tastes better when you add truffle oil. I am not a big fan of truffle oil (I think it’s over-hyped), but I have to agree that in this case, she was right. The truffle oil lifted the Mentaiko Udon and gave it a different dimension.

Overall, our meal at Hinoki Japanese Restaurant was good. We had fresh sushi and sashimi, and the nice chefs gave us sampling dishes which were not on the menu. (I half suspected it was because I was with two gorgeous ladies, but I’m not complaining since we had good food.)

It is a good place to bring your clients for a business luncheon if you are working in the area. At night, it is perfect as a place for a quiet dinner. If you don’t want to splurge, go for the bentos – they are slightly more affordable, prices range from $32 to $38.

Hinoki Japanese Restaurant
22 Cross Street
#01-50/53 China Square Central
South Bridge Court
Tel: +65 6536 7746
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

Platypus Test Kitchen at Clifford Centre is a very interesting place. They have an unique name, and it is kind of difficult to define the place.

What exactly is a test kitchen? Is it like a lab where the chefs experiment with different ingredients to come up with the best pasta in Singapore? Or is it just a name to catch the attention of customers? Knowing absolutely nothing about the place, my friend brought me to the restaurant at Raffles Place to try out their food.

The owners describe Platypus Test Kitchen as a casual Mediterranean bistro, specializing in hand-made pastas and seasonal Mediterranean fare.

For a small bistro, Platypus Test Kitchen has quite a few items on its menu. The appetisers section consists mainly of salad (Wild Rocket Salad, Caramelised Baby Carrots, Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon) and soup (Leek & Crab Bisque, Wild Mushroom Soup, Vine-Ripened Tomato Soup). The pasta menu is divided into two corners: fresh handmade pastas (Summer Truffle Egg Tagliatelle, Four Cheese Tortellini) and their signature pastas (Carbonara, Aglio Olio, Prawn Pomodoro).

Prices range from $5 to $9 for the soup and appetisers, while most of the pastas are around $12 to $15. It is also worth noting that they have a few selections that are suitable for vegetarians.

With so many pastas on Platypus Test Kitchen’s menu, it took us a while before we finally chose the Squid Ink Seafood Marinara ($15.50) and Carbonara with Double-Smoked Bacon ($12.50).

Both the squid ink tagliatelle and the spagehetti with egg yolk based cream were a little too dry for my liking. While the squid ink pasta was generous with the ingredients, I definitely had better ones elsewhere. On the other hand, the Carbonara was decent but not fantastic.

It is clear that Platypus Test Kitchen caters to the office crowd in Raffles Place for lunch. They operate from 10.30am to 5pm on weekdays, while dinner is available only on Friday night from 5pm to 9pm, and they are closed during weekends.

Maybe we ordered the wrong pastas. But I can see myself coming back again to try the other items. The pastas are reasonably priced, and they have some interesting creations on the menu. If you are working in the Raffles Place area, gather your colleagues and head to Clifford Centre to try the pastas during lunch time.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Platypus Test Kitchen
24 Raffles Place
#02-02 Clifford Centre Singapore
Tel: +65 6533 7402