We are just a few sleeps away from 2017 and wow, what an eventful year it has been! All of us seriously deserve a pat on the back for a year of hard work and surviving life’s setbacks.

The idea of having a quiet night and catching up on sleep might sound enticing for workaholics, but you should really consider spending quality time and ushering into 2017 with your loved ones instead. You don’t have to be abroad or drunk to make it count. What matters most is the company of your closest family and friends.

Fret not if you have yet to make any plans because it isn’t too late. We have a list of 6 Stylish New Year’s Eve Parties for you to pick from.

#1 BAR CANARY

We lost count on the number of times we have visited Bar Canary. The stunning rooftop bar is hands down our favourite rooftop bar in town to date.

This coming New Year’s Eve from 9pm till late, Bar Canary will be transformed into a tropical wonderland, where you can experience artificial snow falling onto the dance floor whilst bobbing your head to live music by DJ SoulRocka by the pool. Enjoy free entry, drinks from $15 nett, bottle deals from $98 nett and table packages at $438 nett.

Special festive concoctions (S$20++ per glass) will be launched exclusively for this special month, namely Santa’s Tiki and Elf’s Slippers. The former is a cocktail comprising cognac, don, rum shaken with tropical fruit juices and served with homemade pineapple and passionfruit ice cubes. The latter consists of icy strawberry margarita popsicles served in Midori Liqueur muddled with fresh lemon and basil leaves.

PS. Bar Canary’s cocktails never fail us.

Grand Park Orchard, Level 4
270 Orchard Road
Singapore 238857
Tel: +65 6603 8855
Sun to Thu: 12pm to 1am
Fri and Sat: 12pm to 2am
Nearest Station: Somerset / Orchard

#2 MITZO RESTAURANT & BAR

Mitzo Restaurant & Bar never fails to put a smile on our faces with their famed Mitzo Special Barbeque Pork and Black Truffle Crispy Roast Duck. Celebrate the last moments of 2016 over a Cantonese dinner before toasting to a good year with their array of artisanal cocktails. Only on 31 December 2016, drinks start from S$15 nett and bottle deals start from S$98 nett.

If you want to reserve a table and enjoy the comforts of an elegant intimate setting, you can book a table (packages at S$438 nett). The event starts from 9pm and everyone enjoys free entry.

If you cannot decide between Bar Canary and Mitzo Restaurant & Bar, do consider shuffling between these two—since both are located on the same level of Grand Park Orchard. Well, sometimes in life, we can have the best of both worlds.

Grand Park Orchard, Level 4
270 Orchard Road
Singapore 238857
Tel: +65 6603 8855
Sun to Wed: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 1am
Thu to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Orchard / Somerset

#3 COCOBOLO POOLSIDE BAR + GRILL

Enjoy a more laidback dinner with festive spread at Cocobolo Poolside Bar + Grill (S$78++ per adult and S$39++ per child), then head over to Park Hotel Clarke Quay’s lobby to join in the countdown party.

The lavish dinner commences at 6.30pm; savour unlimited portions of Cajun-spiced Roast Turkey, Spanish-style Whole Roasted Suckling Pig and Fresh Seafood etc.

After indulging in Cocobolo Poolside Bar + Grill’s sumptuous buffet spread under the starry night sky, head over to the hotel lobby and enjoy free-flow beer, wine and mocktails until midnight. The hotel lobby will also broadcast live screening of MediaCorp Channel 5′s Countdown Party.

An all-you-can-eat feast followed by all-you-can-drink party? That’s life!

Park Hotel Clarke Quay
1 Unity Street
Singapore 237983
Tel: +65 6593 8855
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

#4 PORTA

PORTA has taken over the space that was previously occupied by Brizo and is Park Hotel Clarke Quay’s newest F&B development. The new restaurant will be serving modern European 3-course festive sets from S$55++ onwards. You can expect tantalising dishes such as Warm Angel Hair Pasta with Sakura Prawn and Roasted French Duck Breast on Pumpkin Puree.

Walk towards Park Hotel Clarke Quay’s hotel lobby and join in the good cheer, where all diners and in-house hotel guests are invited to partake in the countdown party. Treat yourselves to free flow beer, wines and mocktails from 11pm to 12am.

Surround yourself with your closest ones and make some new friends too!

1 Unity Street
Park Hotel Clarke Quay
Singapore 237983
Tel: +65 6593 8855
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

#5 SMOKE & MIRRORS

Perched atop the iconic National Gallery Singapore is the gorgeous destination rooftop lounge Smoke & Mirrors, which boasts panoramic views of the Marina Bay skyline. Countdown to 2017 here and look forward to spectacular fireworks, live DJ performance by DJ Kaye from Darker Than Wax and more. Cover charge is available S$98++, which includes a glass of wine or champagne and access to the indoor lounge.

Gather a group of friends for their table packages; indoor lounge tables start from S$888++ while outdoor terrace packages start from S$1,088++ for up to 4 pax. Both table packages include three bottles of Perrier-Jouët champagne.

It’s also the last day to enjoy the special festive cocktails – Mulled Ole Merry, made with Christmas Spice, Port Wine and Spiced Peach and Just Getting’ Started, a concoction of Monkey Shoulder Whiskey, Amaro Montenegro, Bubbled & a dash of festive dust.

The best dressed will walk away with a bottle of Perrier-Jouët champagne! The party starts at 9pm and the dress code is dapper and chic.

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

01 St Andrew’s Road, #06-01
National Gallery Singapore
Singapore 178957
Tel: +65 9234 8122
Nearest Station: City Hall

#6 THE CARVERY

The Carvery is a roast specialty restaurant serving a comprehensive selection of premium roasts accompanied with a note-worthy entourage of accompaniments. On 31 December, indulge in a festive buffet of US Dry Aged Blank Angus Prime Rib, Spit-roasted Chicken with Tarragon, Yorkshire Pudding, Braised Duck in Pinot Noir, Black Forest Trifle and more.

Takeaway orders (do order 3 days in advance) are available for the Spit-roasted Chicken with Tarragon until 01 Jan 2017.

The New Year’s Eve dinner will start at 6.30pm till 10.30pm and the countdown commences at 7pm. The event will last until 1am. Guests can order festive tipples such as the Enchanted Berry Fizz Aqua Luna to be served at the restaurant, while a 3-piece band plays Top 40 tunes and DJ spinning the best party hits post countdown.

Dinner + NYE party prices range from S$108++ per adult (inclusive of a glass of a champagne), S$138++ per adult (inclusive of free flow beer, champagne and wine) and S$58++ per child (inclusive of free flow soft drinks and juices).

Level 7, Park Hotel Alexandra
323 Alexandra Road
Singapore 159972
Tel: +65 6828 8880
Nearest Station: Queenstown / Redhill

This post is brought to you by Park Hotel Group. 

Dining out during Christmas has its cons; for one, everything becomes a lot more expensive, especially a hotel’s buffet spread. But we were completely surprised by The Carvery at Park Hotel Alexandra when they unveil an extremely affordable holiday-themed buffet starting from only S$45++ per adult and S$25++ per child. All the feasting at such a steal? We are in!

The Carvery is a meat-centric buffet in Singapore where you get to enjoy unlimited premium meats that are freshly sliced to order. This Christmas, think gourmet Yuletide treats such as Spiced Orange Roast Duck and Lamb Leg, as well as comforting classics of Yorkshire Pudding and Seafood Bouillabaisse.

We’ve already said it, and we will say it again – The Carvery has the best value-for-money buffet this Christmas.

And when you dine in the evening at The Carvery during this festive period, you can enter a lucky draw hosted by Park Hotel Alexandra. The prize? A brand new Prada Tessuto Saffiano Shopping Tote Bag worth S$1,520 sponsored by Reebonz!

Sitting within Park Hotel Alexandra and sharing the same level as the infinity pool, The Carvery is an upscale modern European carvery that is set to impress; we’ve dined there on several occasions, and we were never once disappointed by the impeccable quality and presentation. Watch in awe as the skilful chefs prepare wood-fire pizzas and slice grilled meats from the rotisserie.

The cosy interior of The Carvery provides a homely ambience. There is breathable space between every table, yet, the restaurant feels so pleasantly intimate; The Carvery is indeed a home away from home.

And because it is Christmas, wouldn’t it be perfect to start your meal with a bowl of piping hot Russian Borsch with Sour Cream? Made primarily with beef bones and beetroot vegetables, this soup is frequently enjoyed in Central and Eastern Europe.

But what took our breath away was the French classic Seafood Bouillabaisse. This hearty capsicum rouille broth loaded with generous amounts of fresh seafood such as prawns and mussels impressed with its full-bodied flavours; so smooth and easy to drink, and we felt all warm and fuzzy inside with every sip. Seriously, this is the best bouillabaisse we’ve ever tasted.

The main that stole all the limelight at our table was the fragrant Spiced Orange Roasted Duck. Forget the usual duck confits that you know; this entire duck stuffed with oranges and a myriad of spices such as cinnamon, cloves juniper berries and star anise is seasoned with a secret recipe and cooked to perfect tenderness.

Whoever says duck meat is often tough and tasteless obviously haven’t tried this rendition!

The Carvery’s Coffee Roasted Baby Back Ribs have been marinated overnight with a dark, sweet hickory barbecue sauce infused with roasted coffee.

The stack of pork loin back ribs is then placed in a rotisserie cage and slowly roasted. The end result is tender and robustly flavoured ribs that will make you go weak in your knees.

The Lamb Leg with Herbs de Provence is a traditional Southeastern French dish cooked to medium rare. The boneless mutton – coated with Dijon mustard, breadcrumbs and a melange of savoury herbs – is roasted in the oven to produce succulent juicy pink insides that is well contrasted with its crisp exterior.

An accompanying zesty mint sauce is its best complement, and to balance out the gaminess (for those who fear lambs).

Another exclusive festive highlight is the Maple Glazed Salmon baked on a Cedar wood plank. The wood-fired fish – enhanced by smoky cedar flavours – is drizzled with maple butter.

The juicy and fresh Norwegian salmon looked totally unassuming at first glance, but each mouthful is a delightful burst of sweetness. Simple goodness like these sure tug our heartstrings, and it is a must-try for all salmon lovers!

Something British that we always love is Yorkshire Pudding (only available during dinner). No roast is complete without a good pudding, and such is life in Singapore – a good Yorkshire Pudding is hard to come by.

But the ones here at The Carvery always have us craving for more; we’ve long been addicted. Made with eggs, flour, milk and water, the traditional British Sunday Roast staple is available during the regular dinners, but its presence made the festive dining even more rustic with its wonderfully crispy exterior and fluffy inside.

And a whole lot of comforting vegetables await you. They may be “just veggies” to you, but not until you’ve tried them.

From Baked Beetroot with Cider to Buttered Brussel Sprouts and Carrots, Fried Corn on The Cob to Wood-fired Roasted Chestnuts cooked in Coffee Beans; these amazing sides are so good on their own, and are as European and Christmasy as you can get.

All hail the English-inspired Trifle – layers of thick custard, sponge cake and whipped cream interwoven with caramelised apples and brandy-soaked prunes. The Carvery’s selection of classic Christmas treats are irresistible and well worth the calories, we promise.

Last but not least, The Carvery’s take on the traditional fruit cake has led to the birth of their cutesy palm-size Christmas Rum Pudding drizzled with rich and sticky Toffee Sauce.

Apricots, cherries, figs, raisins and other dried fruit peels used in the preparation of these Christmas Rum Puddings have been soaked in rum for more than three months! Such dedication, and how very precious!

This scrumptious festive buffet will be available from 11 Dec 2015 till 01 Jan 2016, starting from S$45++ per adult and S$25++ per child. The dishes are on rotation, but they will all be available during Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Brunch, as well as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve Dinner.

Diners will be treated to live entertainment of merry carols on Christmas Eve night, and will be given party poppers to welcome Christmas.

Festive Lucky Draw by Park Hotel Alexandra at The Carvery

As mentioned earlier, dinner guests dining during this festive period will stand a chance to enter a lucky draw that is held by Park Hotel Alexandra.

Every table is eligible to win a brand new Prada Tessuto Saffiano Shopping Tote Bag worth S$1,520, sponsored by online luxury merchandise retailer, Reebonz! The lucky draw will be held on Monday, 04 January 2016 and winners be notified via email.

Festive Staycation Special

From now till 31 December 2015, book a Deluxe or Premier room (rates from S$220++) at Park Alexandra Hotel and enjoy fabulous perks of S$50 food and beverage credit per night, complimentary wifi and late checkout at 3pm. Those staying between 11 December 2015 and 03 January 2016 will also receive a free Spiced Cappuccino with Caramel Sauce at The Coffee Belt.

The Carvery’s Festive Pricing:

11 – 30 Dec 2015 (exclude 24 and 25 Dec)
Festive Lunch (12pm – 3pm)
Mon to Fri: S$45++ per adult, S$25++ per child
Sat and Sun: S$48++ per adult, S$28++ per child
Festive Dinner (6pm – 10pm)
Sun to Thu: S$58++ per adult, S$32++ per child
Fri and Sat: S$68++ per adult, S$36++ per child

24 Dec 2015
Christmas Eve Lunch (12pm – 3pm)
Thu: S$52++ per adult, S$28++ per child
Christmas Eve Dinner (6.30pm – 10.30pm)
Thu: S$88++* or S$138++** per adult, S$48++*** per child

25 Dec 2015
Christmas Day Brunch (11.30am – 2.30pm)
Fri: S$78++ or S$128++ per adult, S$42++ per child
Christmas Day Dinner (6.30pm – 10.30pm)
Fri: S$78++ or S$128++ per adult, S$42++ per child

31 Dec 2015
New Year’s Eve Lunch (12pm – 3pm)
Thu: S$52++ per adult, S$28++ per child
New Year’s Eve Dinner and Countdown Party (6.30pm – 10.30pm, 7.30pm – 1am)
Thu: S$138++**** or S$168++** per adult, S$58++*** per child

01 Jan 2016
New Year’s Day Brunch (11.30am – 2.30pm)
Fri: S$78++* or S$128++*** per adult, S$42++*** per child
New Year’s Day Dinner (6.30pm – 10.30pm)
Fri: S$78++* or S$128++*** per adult, S$42++*** per child

* inclusive of a glass of champagne
** inclusive of free flow of wine, beer and champagne
*** inclusive of free flow soft drinks and juices
**** inclusive of three alcoholic drinks

The Carvery
Level 7, Park Hotel Alexandra
323 Alexandra Road
Singapore 159972
Tel: +65 6828 8880
Email: thecarvery.phal@parkhotelgroup.com
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown / Redhill

This post is brought to you by Park Hotel Alexandra.

As one of the newest hotels added to our cityscape, Park Hotel Alexandra is a hotel quite unlike the others in town. You might think it is strange to build a hotel in a relatively old neighbourhood, but that is precisely what had us falling in love.

Park Hotel Alexandra is no less polished and modern, and we have since had two staycations at the property. You bet we loved it.

Complete with an infinity pool, a premium roast buffet, one of the most gorgeous bars in Singapore and a stylish coffee place all within the premise, Park Hotel Alexandra is a charming one and here is Why You Should Avoid The Crowd in Town And Whisk Away to Park Hotel Alexandra.

To celebrate its grand opening, Park Hotel Alexandra has launched TRAILS OF ALEXANDRA, an interactive, discovery-oriented Facebook campaign. Stand to win attractive prizes including a 1-night staycation in a suite by answering a fun-filled quiz that revolves around the Alexandra neighbourhood! Scroll to the end of the article to find out more.

Situated just beside Ikea @ Alexandra, Park Hotel Alexandra is barely five months old. There is something about new hotels that we love; perhaps it is the exploration part and all the first impressions. Like an empty canvas waiting to be painted on, we stepped in with zero expectations. And we were welcomed by a nature-inspired oasis.

Park Hotel Alexandra boasts earthy tones and muted colours, creating a warm environment that is homely and comforting. It is very much unlike your typical business hotels which can come across as serious to some, and the fact that it sits within the charming neighbourhood of Alexandra makes it even better when you need somewhere quiet to put up at.

Being pretty much self-contained, Park Hotel Alexandra will keep you occupied during your stay. It is akin to a resort stay, where everything is within the property and there is no need to step out to meet the world at all.

We will begin with the infinity pool that sits on the seventh floor. Who can resist taking a dip here?! This 25-metre infinity pool overlooks Alexandra neighbourhood, including the iconic building The Interlace and endless greenery of the Southern Ridges. It is one respite that you’d need from all the hustle and bustle, and what makes the pool even better is the swim-up bar. Enjoy some cocktails or a glass of fresh juice in the calming waters; sounds like life, ain’t it?

And then, we have the bar. You would never expect to find such a swanky open-concept bar in Alexandra, until Aqua Luna came along. This gem of Park Hotel Alexandra is quite the perfect spot for some after-work drinks, or if you simply want a non-crazy place to enjoy your drinks in the company of your precious ones.

Honestly, funky bars in the city centre are aplenty, but you have to settle with the crowd, and that is what we do not like. And that is also why Aqua Luna is for us, where we wind down with cocktails and a beautiful sunset.

From now till 13 November 2015, quote “ladyironchef” when you reserve your table at Aqua Luna and get 50% off your second drink (of lower value). Advance reservation is required, with a minimum of 2 guests (up to 12 adult patrons) in a single bill.

The Carvery is the hotel’s only restaurant, but it suffices to feed every carnivore. Primarily a buffet restaurant that specializes in meat (you guessed that from its name, yes?), The Carvery offers a gastronomical experience with its different roasts and meats. It is a dream for meat lovers, and while we are sucker for seafood when it comes to buffet, we’d gladly trade them for this spread at The Carvery.

By the way, if you are there for dinner, they serve what is easily the best Yorkshire pudding in Singapore – you have to try it yourself!

Need some coffee? Head down to the lobby and you will be welcomed by the aroma of fresh brew from The Coffee Belt. This new kid in town is one sexy coffee place who is serious about its coffee.

Though minimalistic in appearance, the coffee packs a punch and the barista makes latte art for takeaways too! The pastries and sweets are such pleasers, particularly, the Valrhona dark chocolate cake is awesome – moist and decadent with melty chocolate bits within, and topped with sea salt to balance the sweetness.

And of course, you must be wondering about the rooms now. We stayed on the 19th floor, which is the highest of three Club Room levels; we are too spoilt by the convenience of a club room. The rooms and suites come in different configurations, but the similarity of them all lies in the spanking clean interior with contemporary touches. Two different views to pick from – city or pool. We’d pick the pool anytime.

All rooms come with a 42″ full HD Smart LED TV, and are equipped with wifi, so you can surf without worrying about chalking up your bills. Your basic needs are definitely met with pressed sheets, fresh towels, premium toiletries, and the other miscellaneous such as coffee and tea making facilities.

The strategic location makes it a refreshing alternative from the hotels in the city. Highly accessible via public transport with neighbouring shopping malls, food centres and offices, Park Hotel Alexandra is just minutes away from the city centre; you get the convenience, and you get the peace.

TRAILS OF ALEXANDRA

Park Hotel Alexandra
323 Alexandra Road
Singapore 159972
Tel: +65 6828 8888
Nearest Station: Queenstown / Redhill

This post is brought to you by Park Hotel Alexandra.