The number one Thai casual dining chain restaurant in Singapore, ThaiExpress is a household name for many of us, and we grew up with the restaurant’s friendly and affordable fare.

For regulars, there is something to look forward to this Chinese New Year 2015 – ThaiExpress is introducing its first-ever Thai-Style Soft Shell Crab Lo Hei!

Lo Hei is one of the things that we always look forward to every Chinese New Year, and it is almost synonymous with the Chinese festival. Instead of the ubiquitous salmon yusheng, ThaiExpress‘s Thai-style Soft Shell Crab Lo Hei is inspired by one of its signature dishes – “Poo Phat Pong Kari” – which means Rice with Soft Shell Crab, Egg and Onion Curry. Yes, all ThaiExpress fans are excited already, we know.

Priced at S$22.80++, the Lo Hei comes with two Soft Shell Crabs, Shredded Red and Green Capsicums, White Radish, Carrots, Cucumber, Peanuts, Sesame Seeds, Rice Crackers, Lime and Green Mango and is drizzled with Mango Sauce. By the way, the rice crackers are homemade and baked by the team of chefs who are true to their Thai roots and want to pay homage to a traditional snack that they grew up eating.

The dish is good for 2 to 4 people to “Lo”, and there is a step-by-step guide to introduce you to the Thai-Style Lo Hei. Also, every order of the Soft Shell Crab Lo Hei will give you a customised ThaiExpress’s red packet.

ThaiExpress’s Thai-style Soft Shell Crab Lo Hei is available at all ThaiExpress outlets from 1st February to 5th March 2015, the 15th day of the Lunar New Year. With so many outlets across the island, there is no reason to give this a miss. Besides, how often do you get to toss soft shell crabs, right?

For the latest updates, go to ThaiExpress.com.sg, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

This post is brought to you by ThaiExpress Singapore.

Esplanade Mall’s weekday 1-for-1 lunch deals with Visa is here, running from 1 July till 30 September. I am sure you are just as excited about it as I am. There are so many fabulously irresistible promotions when you pay using Visa credit cards, and the best part is that there will be free parking for the first three hours.

Be it a business lunch meeting with clients or a causal catch-up with friends, I am definitely going to Esplanade more often than ever in the next three months. Here are some of the highlights of the weekday 1-for-1 promotions which include the selection of main courses from Barossa, Häagen-Dazs ice cream, local favourites from Space @ My Humble House, and the tempting desserts from Max Brenner.

Don’t you just love Visa for this promotion?

Barossa

Among all the lunchtime deals at Esplanade Mall, one of my favourites is Barossa’s. Main courses include Fish and Chips, Gourmet Beef Burger, Chicken Parmigiana and Blue Mussel Aglio Olio, and for their 1-course menu, it is only $10++. You can also opt for the 2-course menu (salad/soup and main course) at $14++, or 3-course menu (salad/soup, main course and dessert) at $18++.

I do think that the 1-course menu is truly a fantastic deal. Your friend and you pay only $6/pax (after tax and service charge) for a main course, which is almost the same price as compared to a meal in a food court.

#01-11 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6534 5188

Blue Mahoe Estate Caffe

At Blue Mahoe Estate Caffe, the promotion set (from $24++) comes with a cup of 100% Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee and a dessert – molten cake, sticky toffee pudding or vanilla dirt cake. Here is your chance to try their famed coffee. Note: This promotion is limited to 2 sets per transaction.

#02-24 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6338 8302

Chocz

Chocz Not many people are aware that Chocz – a gourmet chocolate cafe – also serves savoury food on the menu. For the lunch promotion, you can enjoy a spaghetti (Choice of Napolitana or Mushroom) and tea/coffee from $17.40++.

#02-13/15 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6238 0803

Häagen-Dazs

If you are a fan of Häagen-Dazs, you must drop by the branch at Esplanade from now till 30 Sept. As part of Esplanade Mall’s 1-for-1 lunchtime deals with Visa, they are offering two sets of a single scoop in a cup at $5.90 – which means you only pay $3 for a scoop.

#02-01/03 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6336 4022

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar

I was thrilled when I learned that Max Brenner is also part of the promotion. I am a big fan of their desserts, but I only save it for occasional treats. With this Visa promotion, you will be delighted to know that they are having 1-for-1 on Waffles ($18.90++), Crepes ($17.90++) and Fondues ($25.90++).

#02-14 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6336 9563

Mirchi – Taste of India

If you have always wanted to try Mirchi – Taste of India at Esplanade Mall, now is the perfect time to do so. For Esplanade’s 3-month long lunch promotion with Visa, Mirchi is having a 3-course menu at $19.90++, which includes soup, main course and dessert.

#02-23 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6334 5590
Available: 12pm-2pm

Molly Roffey’s Irish Pub

Over at Molly Roffey’s Irish Pub, you get a choice of Buffalo Wings or Sausage Bites, with Potato Wedges and a soft drink for $11 nett. That works out to only $5.50 for each set.

#01-13E Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6238 1875
Available 12pm-3pm

Ninethirty by Awfully Chocolate

Ninethirty by Awfully Chocolate replaces Loola’s at Esplanade Mall, and it showcases both contemporary and local heritage dishes with an Asian influence. Presenting a 3-course menu at $49++ is a starter of either Creamy Tomato Bacon Soup or Singapore Borscht, with main course options like Fish and Chips, Satay Pork Belly or Laksa Prawn Pasta. And for desserts, you get the White Chocolate Creme Brulee or Chocolate Tart.

#02-14 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6336 9563
Available: 12pm – 3pm

Simply Peranakan Cuisine

For fans of Peranakan food, check out Simply Peranakan Cuisine at level two of Esplanade. They are having a 1-for-1 promotion for four meals - Chicken Drumlet Rice Set ($14.90++), Pork Rice Set ($14.90++), Beef Rice Set ($15.90++), and Fish Rice Set ($15.90++).

#02-12 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6333 9382

Space @ My Humble House

A popular restaurant at Esplanade Mall is Space @ My Humble House. The eatery by the Tunglok Group serves a very good lunch set on normal days – it is perpetually full as diners tuck into local favourites.

Now that there is a 1-for-1 promotion, there is even more reason to return to try all the dishes on the menu. Main courses – including SPACE’s Hai Nan Chicken Rice, Poached Seafood Rice in Claypot – start from $12++.

#02-25 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6423 1881

Thai Express

Regulars of Thai Express should definitely drop by Esplanade from July till September. The 1-for-1 promotion for Thai Express covers all main courses $12.90++ and below. It is only applicable DBS Visa Cardholders.

#01-13D Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6533 6766

Tomo Izakaya

Tomo Izakaya, a Japanese casual dining restaurant, is serving Noodle Set ($15++) where you get to choose from Gyuniku Udon/Soba, Tempura Udon/Soba, Zaru Udon/Soba or Kimchi Ramen.

#01-09 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6533 6766

Esplanade Mall 1-for-1 promotion with Visa

Terms & Conditions: 1-for-1 lunchtime deals are available on weekdays only, excluding public holidays. Valid for dine-in Visa cardholders only. Timing of lunch hours may vary across the outlets. Not applicable with other promotions, discounts, vouchers and other offers by credit or privilege cards.

Prices indicated are subjected to service charge and prevailing government tax. Esplanade Mall and participating tenants reserve the right to amend the promotion and terms and conditions without prior notice. Food images are for illustration purposes only and do not represent actual food served.

Free weekday parking: Weekday parking is free the first 3 hours between 12-5pm for 1-for-1 Visa cardholders who purchased the 1-for-1 meals. To redeem, show your receipt at the Concert Hall Information Counter (Concourse, Level 1).

For more information about the weekday 1-for-1 promotion, please visit www.esplanademall.com/mallpromotions.