http://sparklette.net/food/jo-takes-the-cake/ http://sparklette.net/food/jo-takes-the-cake/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:46:20 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1291 As Valentine’s Day approaches, we’ll be sharing more food reviews related to the special day.

Whether or not you’re romantically inclined, you will want a piece of these sweet cupcakes by home baker Jo Takes the Cake.

Valentine’s Day vanilla cupcakes
S$30 for a box of 9

Just looking at Jo’s cupcakes alone is such a joy. After all, the first bite is taken with the eye right? And they are available at a great price too.

The set of 9 vanilla cupcakes share a common red and white colour scheme, each decorated with a unique Valentine’s Day icon. They’re so pretty I can stare at them all day! Which is your favourite?

I love the attention to detail too. For instance, even the sugar sprinkles are dyed red for Valentine’s Day! Make no mistake: These cupcakes are baked to impress. If you are racking your brains on what to give that someone special this Valentine’s, these cupcakes will definitely make her day.

Valentine’s Day chocolate cupcakes
S$20 for a box of 6

Since guys are less likely to appreciate the girlish hearts and flowers cupcakes, the set of 6 chocolate cupcakes can make a great gift for him. I personally find that this chocolate collection is quite pretty too. Each one is embellished with a red rose, and sprinkled with red sugar.

As a chocolate fan, I simply adore these. The top layer is a very thick coat of sinful rich chocolate. After that first bite, all doctor’s advice is thrown to the wind. Drink loads of water after this okay?

The packaging kind of hides the actual size of the cupcakes, which are in fact quite tall. I can’t say this enough, but the prices of these Valentine’s Day cupcakes are really reasonable. Even if you aren’t buying these for someone, there’s no reason not to get them for yourself. We all deserve a treat every once in a while.

Plus, they come with sweet red polka-dotted ribbons. Love it!

A week’s advance order is required. Self-collection at the Clementi area. To order, send a Facebook message to Jo Takes the Cake.

Have Your Say!

What’s a great foodie gift for Valentine’s Day? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!

Jo Takes the Cake
Website

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Find out if you are one of the 3 lucky winners who won the cupcakes, with delivery included!

Spring Blossoms cupcakes from MetroCakes

Winners

Prize: A set of 9 Spring Blossoms cupcakes (worth S$49.90 a set)

• June Low
• Rachel L
• Indra Gen

Congratulations to all winners! You will be contacted at your email.

Thanks to everyone that took part in this giveaway. We frequently hold contests to give out wonderful prizes such as these. To ensure that you never miss out on any giveaway, you are advised to subscribe to Sparklette (Email, RSS, Facebook, Twitter or iPhone).

Results of SQL query that selected the comments randomly (duplicate and late submissions have been removed):

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]]> 0 http://sparklette.net/food/goodwood-park-chinese-new-year/ http://sparklette.net/food/goodwood-park-chinese-new-year/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 03:00:27 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1279

This Chinese New Year, the culinary team at Goodwood Park Hotel has put together a whole range of festive delights. For reunion meals, dine-in ala carte and set menus are available at the two Min Jiang restaurants located at the hotel and Rochester Park.

Meticulously crafted cakes and goodies are available at the Deli. If you are looking for a western experience, the festive afternoon tea at L’Espresso is one buffet you must not miss.

Min Jiang

Hamachi yusheng (available for dine-in only)
S$118++ (large)

The signature hamachi (yellowtail) yusheng (raw fish salad) possesses traditional flavours with a touch of unconventional ingredients. To name some, they include flying fish roe, wasabi ebiko (prawn roe), seaweed and French chives, amidst mesclun greens, shredded red and white carrots, Buddha’s hand citron, jellyfish, onions and pomelo.

The pine nuts and sesame seeds provide delightful coarse textures while the house-made taro and sweet potato crisps add an enjoyable crunch.

For additional flavour, drizzle on the chef’s secret sweet sauce with a squeeze of lime. Now you’re all set to toss to a prosperous new year!

Golden Fortune chicken (available for dine-in and takeaway)
S$198 for 6 persons

The visually appealing Golden Fortune chicken makes a memorable show-stopper of a dish. It symbolises an abundance of wealth, and is accompanied by 8 gold-wrapped hard-boiled eggs. Get into some hammering action and watch the chicken-shaped salt crust slowly crack to reveal the lotus leaves-wrapped filling.

The delectable ingredients include chicken, whole Australian abalone, dried scallops, black moss, flower mushrooms and dang gui. These are oven-baked for 4 hours, sealing in the rich flavours. The result is chicken meat that is flavoursome and moist throughout; even the leanest parts are melt-in-your-mouth tender!

Stewed pork belly roll with Sichuan pickle sauce (available for dine-in and takeaway)
S$218 for 6 persons

With a minimum of 6 hours’ cooking required, the stewed pork belly roll is clearly a labour of love. An ample slice of pork belly is hand-rolled and braised with garlic and chilli for 5 hours. The ensuing rich stock and pork belly roll are then removed and stewed with Sichuan pickled vegetables and chillies for an additional hour, forming a remarkably robust and intensely flavourful pickle sauce base.

Notable co-stars in this pot of deliciousness are premium Australian abalones, dried oysters, black moss and Tientsin cabbage.

If you prefer to dine in the comfort of your own home, a 6-course Festive Treasures takeaway set menu that includes ikan parang yusheng, Prosperity Sea Treasures in Wooden Pot (poon choy) and dessert is available for take-out at both Min Jiang restaurants. (S$468 for 6 persons)

English Afternoon Tea Buffet

For rebels seeking an alternative to the traditional Chinese fares, try the English afternoon tea buffet at L’Espresso.

English afternoon tea buffet
S$58++ per adult / S$29++ per child

Available from 21-24 January 2012
12noon – 2:30pm, 3pm – 5:30pm

The usual Chinese New Year treats are done up with surprising western twists. We’re talking yusheng with smoked salmon, quail eggs coated with pork floss, nian gao beignet and bak kwa finger sandwiches.

Nian gao beignet
S$8.90++

The nian gao beignet in particular will leave you wanting more; these bite-sized pieces of the sticky cake are wrapped in savoury crispy spring roll skin and deep fried whilst maintaining a soft, sweet interior.

Chinese New Year Goodies at The Deli

Traditional New Year cookies and chips are available at The Deli, with all-time favourite snacks such as cashew nut cookies, almond cookies, chiku chips and yam chips. (S$18.80 to S$20.80 for a jar)

A Chinese New Year must-have, bak kwa is sold in small neat slices. (S$48 for 600g, S$72 for 1kg)

Macadamia and kumquat tart (available for takeaway at the Deli)
S$$48 for 1kg

The macadamia and kumquat tart is one unique creation you will remember. It is filled with crunchy nuts and refreshing kumquat, and adorned with almond flakes, whole macadamia nuts and marzipan firecrackers. The centrepiece is the auspicious Chinese character for prosperity that will add much colour to your festive celebration.

Fortune mandarin orange pound cake
S$72 for 1kg

Just as eye-catching is the Fortune mandarin orange pound cake, shaped like a giant mahjong tile with the Chinese word for fortune. Lightly perfumed with citrus scents and encased in icing that isn’t cloyingly sweet, this eye-catching dessert will make a perfect gift for mahjong players!

Duo of Prosperity Fish (available for takeaway at the Deli)
S$98 for 10 persons

Another highlight would be the Duo of Prosperity Fish, consisting of a mango with pomelo and sago pudding and durian pudding. Durian fans can opt for both fish-shaped puddings to be of durian flavour for the price of S$108.

Available from 9 January to 6 February 2012. All takeaway items require an advance order of one working day.

Where would you be dining this festive season? Share with us in the comments!

Goodwood Park Hotel

Min Jiang at One-North

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MetroCakes has such a knack for making cupcakes filled with cuteness and deliciousness for any occasion. Their Chinese New Year cupcakes for 2012 feature the most adorable little red dragon, spring blossoms and mandarin oranges, guaranteed to elicit plenty of oohs and ahhs from your family.

And the great news is that we have a few sets to give away to 3 lucky Sparklette readers, delivery included!

Chinese New Year Cupcakes Giveaway!

Spring Blossoms cupcakes from MetroCakes

There are 3x sets of 9 Spring Blossoms cupcakes (worth S$49.90 a set) up for grabs. MetroCakes would deliver these seasonal delights right to your doorstep!

1. This contest is only open to members of the Sparklette and MetroCakes Facebook pages. So if you haven’t, “Like” both pages now. (Bonus points if you decide to also “Like” Sparklette Studio our web design company.)

   
   

2. To participate, simply do both the following things:
   • “Like” the MetroCakes Lunar New Year Collection 2012 album on Facebook.
   • Leave a comment here using your Facebook name.

Giveaway Details

• This giveaway ends on January 18, 2012 (2359 hours Singapore time).
• This giveaway is open only to people who are based in Singapore.
• The winners will be randomly selected by an SQL query.
• Please leave a valid email address when filling out the comment form so that we can contact you if you’ve won.
• Please only comment once.
• Please note that all comments are moderated. Hence your comment may not show up right away.
• Please note that participants must follow the instructions on how to participate (mentioned above) to be eligible for the prize.
• The winners will be announced in a separate post and you are advised to subscribe to Sparklette (Email, RSS, Facebook, Twitter or iPhone) so that you can be quickly notified when the announcement post has been published.
• Terms and conditions apply.
  1. This giveaway is organised by Sparklette and MetroCakes (hereinafter known as “The Organisers”).
  2. The Organisers reserve all rights to substitute the publicised prizes with other prizes of similar commercial value at their sole discretions.
  3. The Organisers’ decision on all matters relating to this giveaway is final. No correspondence will be entertained.
  4. The Organisers reserve the right to amend the giveaway mechanics and terms and conditions without prior notification.
  5. Any incomplete, inaccurate and/or false particulars submitted will void the entry and hence be ineligible for any prizes.

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/contest/metrocakes-chinese-new-year-cupcake-giveaway/ | 89 comments

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 89 http://sparklette.net/food/metrocakes-chinese-new-year-cupcakes/ http://sparklette.net/food/metrocakes-chinese-new-year-cupcakes/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:30:35 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1275 I have a confession to make: I’m addicted to MetroCakes cupcakes. Each time the bakery launches a new festive collection, I will be bouncing in my seat with excitement as I eagerly click over to their website. Just check out what they have done this Chinese New Year. Can you resist such cuteness?

Spring Blossoms
S$49.90 for 9 / S$68.90 for 16
Rating:

This being the Year of the Dragon, the centrepiece of these beautiful cupcakes is a red fiery dragon.

Red the Dragon comes complete with black beady eyes and fearsome white scales down his back. Doesn’t he look like he’s filled with awesomeness? Well, just wait ’til he meets… The Cat!

Not so tough now, are we? Snowy the Cat eyes Red the Dragon suspiciously. ‘Sup?

Last Lunar New Year, MetroCakes had cupcakes with mandarin oranges, fire crackers, red packets, gold coins and rabbits. I’m thrilled that the mini mandarin oranges have made a return. They’re adorable and such a staple at this time of the year.

Because these cute decorations look too good to eat, I painted clear nail varnish over the oranges and placed them on my car dashboard for the whole of last Chinese New Year. This time round, I am planning to do the same with Red the Dragon.

The cupcakes featuring pink spring blossoms are linked together at the branches, which I find an interesting touch.

Apart from looking lovely, the cupcakes taste delicious too. They are in green tea flavour. Upon opening the cake box, the sweetest scent wafts into your nose. The fondant layer in such 3D cakes tends to be very sweet, but in this case, the green tea cake actually tastes divine with the fondant.

If you like, you can try pairing the cupcakes with scented tea. Allerines Tea would be just perfect for a quaint afternoon tea and cupcake session. The good news is that MetroCakes has a number of Allerines teas available as add-ons. That means that you can place your order online, and have all the cupcakes and tea delivered right to your doorstep conveniently.

Enjoy!

What are the most amazing cakes you have ever eaten? Share with us in the comments!

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Frosty the Snowman cake with Snowy the Ragdoll cat

Frosty is presented on a bed of white frosting sprinkled with colourful stars. He is so undeniably cute, it took us a long time before we finally mustered the will to sink a knife in him (I know!).

Frosty Snowman (1kg)
S$50

Underneath the fluffy white icing, Frosty is a blackforest cake at heart. He is filled with sweet dark cherries, and layers of airy chocolate sponge and chocolate cream. Overall, the cake is delicious, neither too sweet nor heavy on the palate. A real treat for the family at Christmas!

Last day of order is December 21, 2011.

Where would you be dining this festive season? Share with us in the comments!

PrimaDéli ( Halal certified)
Tel: +65 6276 3333 | Website

View the original article and join the discussion at:
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]]> 4 http://sparklette.net/food/goodwood-park-christmas-2011/ http://sparklette.net/food/goodwood-park-christmas-2011/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 03:00:23 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1253

This Christmas 2011, Goodwood Park Hotel presents a selection of new sweet and savoury dishes with an oriental touch. If you are planning a Christmas feast at home, these takeaway delights will bring much convenience.

For an Asian-style Christmas, try the home-style turkey creation, inspired by the Cantonese braised soy sauce chicken.

Poached soy sauce turkey with tau kwa and fragrant rice
S$168 for 8-12 persons

Boasting tender turkey meat and enchanting flavours of soy sauce, cinnamon, star anise and cloves, accompanied by squares of Teochew-style braised beancurd, this homely dish will warm your hearts. The fragrant rice is neither oily nor dry, available with dark soy sauce and chilli dips on the side.

Slow roasted rack of pork with potato gratin and apple sauce
S$288 for 8-10 persons

For those yearning for a traditional European-style celebration, the slow roasted rack of pork may just hit the spot.

The 3kg of Yorkshire pork is marinated with Dijon mustard, rosemary and garlic, then cooked for 3 hours to achieve a moist and tender texture. Drizzled with a complementary apple sauce and paired with delicious potato gratin, this flavoursome dish makes a hearty treat.

Araguani dark chocolate log cake with mango, passionfruit and chocolate Breton sable
S$62 for a 1kg

The chocolate log cake is made with premium 72% cocoa chocolate, lending an intense chocolatey flavour that is further accentuated by dark chocolate mousse.

The passionfruit crème and mango cubes in the inner core provide a tangy twist, while the house-made chocolate sable breton gives an addictive crunch.

Decorate your own gingerbread Christmas bell
S$32 for a kit

For the younger ones (and the young at heart), the popular decorate your own gingerbread Christmas bell kit is sold as a DIY decorative set containing four gingerbread bells, gummy bears, candied chocolate and mini piping bags of snow icing.

The entire family can enjoy this activity together. It sure adds a touch of fun to any celebration!

Warm dark cherry and walnut crumble with vanilla sauce
S$48 for 4-6 persons

Amongst the takeaway items, a personal favourite has to be the warm dark cherry and walnut crumble with vanilla sauce, a comforting dessert reminiscent of a traditional western-style Christmas celebration. This creation of black cherries, fragrant nuts and buttery crumble is the ultimate comfort food that will set Christmas bells ringing.

The takeaway gourmet treats are available at the Deli until 26 December 2011. Last order date is 21 December 2011, 12pm.

Have Your Say!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Where would you be dining this festive season? Share with us in the comments!

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Read on to find out who the 6 lucky winners are.

Christmas Blessings cupcakes from MetroCakes

Winners

• Melvin Kwan
• Guilian
• Melinda Ng
• Tan Jiaqi
• Mark Lim
• Shujuan Ang

Congratulations to all winners! You will be contacted at your email.

Results of SQL query that selected the comments randomly (duplicate and late submissions have been removed):

Thanks to everyone that took part in this giveaway. We frequently hold contests to give out wonderful prizes such as these. To ensure that you never miss out on any, you are advised to subscribe to Sparklette (Email, RSS, Facebook, Twitter or iPhone).

About MetroCakes

MetroCakes designs and bakes 3D cakes as well as mini cakes. The bakery, based in Kampong Glam, offers home delivery and makes cakes for various occasions, including weddings, birthdays, Chinese New Year and Christmas.

View the original article and join the discussion at:
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‘Tis the season for giving! And what is more fitting at Christmas than giving away adorable Christmasy cupcakes and log cakes? MetroCakes has graciously provided 3 log cakes and 3 sets of cupcakes to be given away to 6 lucky Sparklette readers, delivery included!

Read on to find out how you can win these delicious cakes to celebrate at Christmas.

Christmas Cakes Giveaway!

Winter Reverie log cake from MetroCakes

There are 3x 500g log cakes (worth S$44.90 each) and 3x sets of 9 cupcakes (worth S$49.90 a set) up for grabs. MetroCakes would deliver these seasonal delights right to your doorstep!

1. This giveaway is only open to members of the Sparklette Studio and MetroCakes Facebook pages. So if you haven’t, “Like” both pages now. (Yes, just click the Like button!)

   
   

2. To participate, simply do both the following things:
   • “Like” the MetroCakes Christmas album on Facebook.
   • Leave a comment here using your Facebook name.

Giveaway Details

• This giveaway ends on December 14, 2011 (2359 hours Singapore time).
• This giveaway is open only to people who are based in Singapore.
• The winners will be randomly selected by an SQL query.
• Please leave a valid email address when filling out the comment form so that we can contact you if you’ve won.
• Please only comment once.
• Please note that all comments are moderated. Hence your comment may not show up right away.
• Please note that participants must follow the instructions on how to participate (mentioned above) to be eligible for the prize.
• The winners will be announced in a separate post and you are advised to subscribe to Sparklette (Email, RSS, Facebook, Twitter or iPhone) so that you can be quickly notified when the announcement post has been published.
• Terms and conditions apply.
  1. This giveaway is organised by Sparklette and MetroCakes (hereinafter known as “The Organisers”).
  2. The Organisers reserve all rights to substitute the publicised prizes with other prizes of similar commercial value at their sole discretions.
  3. The Organisers’ decision on all matters relating to this giveaway is final. No correspondence will be entertained.
  4. The Organisers reserve the right to amend the giveaway mechanics and terms and conditions without prior notification.
  5. Any incomplete, inaccurate and/or false particulars submitted will void the entry and hence be ineligible for any prizes.

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/contest/metrocakes-christmas-cake-giveaway/ | 133 comments

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

Swirl is a fruity pink cake, comprising light sponge Swiss roll, a layer of fresh fruit purée, and strawberry and raspberry mousse. The cake is then slathered with velvet Venezuela chocolate.

Cheesecake lovers will be enticed by Hilton’s renowned American cheesecake, transformed into a log cake for Christmas. This signature cake will continue to win hearts with the festive decorations and a raspberry jam centre.

The Christmas bread is baked in-house using ingredients and dried fruits from the south of France. It is buttery yet light, with allusions of sweetness from the dried fruits and rounded off with a crusty sugar top.

Traditional European confections are the perfect gifts for Christmas; they are small and handy-sized, but filled with festive spirit.

The Red Christmas Tree Ball simply screams for attention. Curious people will even wonder if it’s edible! It is in fact a round cake filled with lemon orange cream and raspberry yuzu jelly, encircled with smooth red velvet chocolate. Fresh raspberries from France and bits of fruit candy are blended well together with the refreshing cream to lend additional texture.

Lovingly baked and hand-cut into the shape of a house, adorned with festive figurines made of icing sugar, the Gingerbread House and Figurine is a crowd pleaser.

Don’t these innovative pastry creations make you wish it was Christmas everyday?

Where would you be dining this festive season? Share with us in the comments!

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We have featured MetroCakes a number of times before. Their speciality certainly lies in the aesthetics department, especially when it comes to festive creations. An added bonus is that you can enjoy the convenience of ordering online and have the cakes delivered to your home.

Christmas cupcakes

The Christmas Blessings cupcakes take on strawberry and chocolate flavours. Housed in a delicate white and brown striped holder, each cupcake is embellished with colourful seasonal icons like candy canes, Christmas trees and snowflakes placed on a blue/white weave-pattern base.

Christmas Blessings
Set of 9 – S$49.90
Set of 16 – S$68.90
Rating:

Christmas log cakes

As for the timeless log cakes, they are available in two flavours.

Yuletide Nostalgia
500g – S$44.90
1kg – S$59.90
1.5kg – S$79.90
2kg – S$99.90
Rating:

The classic chocolate Yuletide Nostalgia comprises layers of chocolate ganache and chocolate sponge layers, with a dash of crushed hazelnuts bits. The chocolate is added with a generous hand and tastes satisfyingly rich, although it does get positively cloying after a while.

Winter Reverie
500g – S$44.90
1kg – S$59.90
1.5kg – S$79.90
2kg – S$99.90
Rating:

My favourite Christmas creation by MetroCakes this year is the gorgeous Winter Reverie. It is slathered with white whipping cream, with a filling of blueberry and vanilla sponge. A treat for both eyes and mouth!

Sparklette Giveaway!

We’re giving away 3 log cakes and 3 sets of cupcakes for Christmas! Check out the contest details.

Where are you getting your log cakes this Christmas? Do you prefer the traditional chocolate log cake or the modern ones with innovative flavours? Share with us in the comments!

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]]> 1 http://sparklette.net/food/emicakes-eggless-cakes/ http://sparklette.net/food/emicakes-eggless-cakes/#comments Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:09:59 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1222 Now “eggless” is usually synonymous with less-than-delicious cakes, but this time, Emicakes‘ range of eggless cakes blew us all away.

The eggless cakes are made from the egg substitute whey protein, said to be suitable for certain vegetarians. Even for a non-vegetarian like myself, I really enjoy these conveniently packed cake cubes and can hardly tell them apart from regular cakes.

Eggless cubes
S$2 each
Rating:

Available in 8 flavours — D24 durian, chocolate, mocha, choco blueberry, mango, strawberry, tiramisu and oreomisu — the cakes are priced at a very reasonable S$2 each. My personal favourites are the signature durian, tiramisu and chocolate flavours. The frosting is delectable, and the cake feels light on the palate.

Each cake comes in a petite size so you can indulge without feeling the guilt. We can finally have our cake, and eat it too!

Have Your Say!

What eggless cakes have you tried? Share with us in the comments!

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Customisation is the key to the brand’s success. You can order personalised cakes ranging from huge 2.5kg ice cream cakes for birthdays, to novelty mix-and-match flavours for bigger events. Online orders and catering requests are available from the website.

Munchy Moo has tweaked and fine-tuned the current eight cake flavours countless times after hearing feedback from friends and customers, resulting in some best-selling flagship creations.

Each flavour is available in three sizes: a square slice — good for individual enjoyment or sharing with a friend, a small cake — good to feed 4 to 5 persons, and a large cake — shareable among 6 to 7 people.

That Famous Candy Bar
S$4.50 (slice), S$25.90 (S), S$49.90 (L)

If you love the Snickers candy bars, you’ll definitely want to order That Famous Candy Bar, a layered creation of sticky-sweet peanut butter and caramel. It is almost like eating an ice-cold version of the candy, minus the overwhelming sweetness.

Luscious Chocolate
S$4.30 (slice), S$24.90 (S), S$47.90 (L)

Featuring layers of cookies and cream and chocolate ice cream that sandwich a thin layer of rich dark chocolate, and finally topped with a generous dash of crumbled cookies, Luscious Chocolate is a must-try for chocolate lovers.

Matcha Madness
S$3.80 (slice), S$22.90 (S), S$43.50 (L)

Authentically topped with a tiny scoop of red bean topping, Matcha Madness is refreshingly light and leaves no artificially sweet after-taste.

Rum float
S$3.20

Also refreshing is the rum float, which has a sinful scoop of alcoholic rum ice cream, with raisins added for texture.

Head down to Munchy Moo for your fill of unique multi-flavoured ice cream cake creations. If you wish to buy these icy treats home, the special take-home packs can keep your purchase frozen for about half an hour.

Where can you get the best ice cream cakes in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

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]]> 0 http://sparklette.net/food/coffee-stars-by-dao/ http://sparklette.net/food/coffee-stars-by-dao/#comments Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:00:10 +0000 Jasper Aston Lim http://sparklette.net/?p=1181 With coffee outlets located all over the world, including major cities like New York, Beijing and Tokyo, the Coffee Stars by Dao chain from Thailand has opened its first branch in Singapore. Known as Coffee Beans by Dao in Thailand, the café-restaurant at Wisma Atria is its first outlet in South-East Asia outside of its home country.

The café sports an open concept with a casual, yet elegant design and a chandelier as its centrepiece. It is not uncommon to see a long line of people waiting for a table, hoping to enjoy the authentic Thai cuisine and spread of international desserts.

If you are here for the desserts, the cakes would satiate your sweet tooth.

Banoffi pie
S$6.50++

The Banoffi pie, a sweet mix of fresh banana and caramel atop a pie crusting, would have you going bananas for more! Who knew a banana-based pastry could be so good?

Chocolate mousse cake
S$6.80++

The delicious, smooth chocolate mousse cake has hints of hazelnut, which reminds me of the Ferrero Rocher chocolates.

New York cheesecake with red cherries
S$6.90++

With a thick layer of cherries sitting prettily on top, the classic New York cheesecake has been transformed into a sweet fruity treat.

Blueberry cream cheese pie
S$6.90++

Similarly, the blueberry cream cheese pie features a layer of sweet and slightly tart berries on a bed of cream cheese and a pie base. I prefer this for its smoother texture and blueberry pairing.

Coconut pandan roll
S$5.80++

As one of the signature cakes, the coconut pandan roll does not disappoint. The fragrant scent fills your senses even before you bite down into the tiny, crunchy bits encased in the soft pandan roll. This great-tasting pastry is a must-try!

Thai iced coffee with milk
S$4.50++

Not many restaurants execute Thai iced coffee well. As it turns out, the amount of coffee, milk — added for sweetness — and even ice used is very well-balanced, and basically identical to what you would enjoy at a coffee joint in Thailand.

Beef lasagne
S$11.80++

Feeling peckish? The beef lasagne arrives just out of the oven, along with a friendly reminder from the waitress to be careful about the hot bowl. It is a decent portion of cheese-filled lasagne, but nothing to write home about.

With the reasonable prices, efficient service and accessible location, Coffee Stars by Dao has become a highly favourable dining venue for shoppers along Orchard Road. Its quality dishes and desserts, along with the cosy and trendy ambience are definitely here to stay.

What is your favourite café in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

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]]> 0 http://sparklette.net/food/1-caramel/ http://sparklette.net/food/1-caramel/#comments Mon, 27 Jun 2011 03:00:12 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1178

Hidden away from the bustling city, 1-Caramel is a dessert boutique located on the second level of One Rochester.

Amidst the lush greenery of Rochester Park, you would totally feel like you’re on a mini getaway with the resort-like façade.

Upon entering 1 Caramel, you may get the impression that you are stepping into a pastry workshop rather than a bistro.

The open concept of the clean and organised pastry kitchen allows us curious diners to watch how our desserts are being meticulously prepared.

Be mesmerised by the array of exquisite cakes on display, showcasing different pastry techniques, skills and artistic creativity.

The wide range includes signature whole cakes (8 to 9 inches; S$45-85) and cupcakes (S$3-3.50). You can also opt for your cakes to be customised, whose prices would then be dependent on the complexity of design.

Other than desserts, set lunches (S$12-18++) and an all-day brunch menu (S$8-22++) are available. The drinks selection includes coffees and teas (S$5-8++) and ice blended beverages (S$8-8.90++).

To add to the classy and modern contemporary interior, the excellent view of nature allows you to escape from the busy urban life while indulging your senses in the cosy ambience.

Despite the limited seating capacity of 16 diners, there is still ample room for comfort. One side benefit is that you will receive undivided attention from the staff. A reservation should be made in advance to secure a seat during peak hours.

Brunch

From the brunch menu, you can go for the tastefully presented traditional eggs Benedict with smoked salmon.

Traditional eggs Benedict
S$14++

Doused in a wonderful lemony hollandaise sauce, the poached eggs boast a runny yolk. As you cut into the eggs, they bleed beautifully to lightly coat the salmon and muffin beneath. All the elements combine to make a wholesome and well-balanced dish that you will enjoy thoroughly.

For sharing, the posh platter (S$22++) consists of three items.

Truffled brie and cherry tomatoes

The truffled brie and cherry tomatoes on a toasted brioche make a healthful finger food. Fresh tomatoes and the light pastry crumbs are bound perfectly with the great-tasting truffled brie.

Asparagus wrapped in basil and prosciutto

Even though I am one who discards any greens I see on a plate, the asparagus is an exception. I love the teaming of salted prosciutto with the al denté asparagus.

Smoked salmon tart with crème fraiche and ocean trout caviar

My favourite component of the platter would be the smoked salmon tart with crème fraiche and ocean trout caviar. The tart is freshly baked, with smoked salmon mixed in a creamy centre, and finally sprinkled with caviar for a touch of luxury.

Desserts

Raspberry rum chocolate lollipop
Not available on menu

These tiny raspberry rum chocolate lollipops are certainly worthy of your attention. Dusted with raspberry powder, the rich dark chocolate melts in the mouth. The raspberry and chocolate form a sexy pairing that leaves you craving for more.

Then comes the crowd pleaser. The 1-Caramel Assiette is an assembly of elegant petite-sized desserts that look too pretty to be eaten. If you fancy any of the desserts, you can order the regular portion at S$14++ each.

Death by chocolate (bottom right) consists of a Valrhona soffiato molten cake followed by dark chocolate sorbet and a trail of chocolaty goodness. Mysteriously, the supposedly molten chocolate centre is missing, although the very rich dark chocolate sorbet that melts into a thick chocolate sauce makes up for it.

Raspberry lychee rose panna cotta

A charming light dessert, the raspberry lychee rose panna cotta with lychee-lemon compote is a natural choice for the health-conscious. The cold pudding has a comforting smooth texture that isn’t too sweet. The acidity will not satisfy any sweet tooth but it definitely will galvanise your taste buds for more desserts!

Earl Grey crème brulee

The Earl Grey crème brulee is an infusion of Earl Grey tea leaves in smooth custard. Less sweet than the classic crème brulee, it also lacks the contrasting layer of bruleed caramel on top; cracking into the dessert would have upped the excitement factor! The quaint grissini cheese straws, dusted with tea and icing powder are a delight to nibble and go very well with the crème brulee.

Baked Alaska

The Baked Alaska comprises of home-made strawberry and vanilla ice cream capped with rum-flavoured Italian meringue, resting on nutty chocolate brownie.

Cutting into the dessert is such a joy. Beautifully layered, the contrasting textures — ice cream, cake and baked meringue — are absolutely heavenly. I devour it in minutes!

Hazelnut soufflé
S$14++

The hazelnut soufflé is coupled with a scoop of chocolate ice cream. The soufflé arrives as a puffed up pillow with a golden crown over a soft yielding centre, which spells the perfect comfort food. It is full of hazelnut richness and has a nostalgic flavour that reminds me of my favourite childhood candy bar — Kinder Bueno.

I end up eating the two separately as I feel each one tastes better on its own.

Miso soufflé
S$14++

The miso soufflé slants toward the savoury side, and I enjoy the salty-sweet combination immensely. The yuzu (a citrus fruit) ice cream that comes with it is a tad sour, and complements the soufflé. This luscious dessert is a must-try for soufflé fans.

Midori macaron

Cutting into the eggshell-like crust of the midori macaron gives way to varying textures and flavours. Tiny as it is, it would leave you wanting more.

1-Caramel displays creativity and technique in fabricating these delicate desserts. No matter what your gastronomic preferences are, you will be spoilt for choice here.

Aside from Rochester Park, are there any other unique dining enclaves in Singapore? What is your most memorable dining experience? Share with us in the comments!

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

Nearly 200 readers entered the giveaway for the 500g Daddy Dearest cake, worth S$68.80. The winners get to pick their preferred colour and flavour for the cake and have it delivered right to their doorstep!

Read on to find out who the 3 lucky winners are.

Winners

• Audrey Chua
• Chin Ming
• Clarice Hee

Congratulations to the 3 winners! MetroCakes will be contacting you at your email. Don’t forget to reply to the mail so that you can receive the cake in time for Father’s Day.

Results of SQL query that selected the comments randomly (duplicate and late submissions have been removed):

About MetroCakes

MetroCakes designs and bakes 3D cakes as well as mini cakes. The bakery, based in Kampong Glam, offers home delivery and makes cakes for various occasions, including weddings, birthdays, Chinese New Year and Christmas.

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 0 http://sparklette.net/food/coffee-club-cakes/ http://sparklette.net/food/coffee-club-cakes/#comments Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:14:47 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1157 The next time you drop by O’Coffee Club to grab some chow or a coffee, don’t forget to leave room for dessert.

O’Coffee Club has introduced an irresistible array of artisan cakes that not only taste good, but look good as well. The dazzling selection ranges from fruity creations such as Banana Paradise, Apple Amore and Lychee Lovin’, to old favourites like Blackforest, Chocolate Lollipop and New York Cheesecake.

Thanks to a bout of the flu, I have to distance myself from the rich chocolaty flavours and instead go for the healthier fruity ones. To my surprise, I find myself liking these so much, they can be my first choice any day!

Raspberry Rally

Raspberry Rally is a refreshing combination of smooth cheese mousse enveloping raspberry jelly and sweet raspberry cream. The tiara of raspberry macaron and white chocolate lend much visual appeal to this refreshing sweet creation.

Velvet Bliss

Ever seen a sponge cake that is a deep red colour? The unique Velvet Bliss is another winner, with its alternating layers of striking red sponge with cream cheese. A feast for both the eye and the palate.

Banana Brownie Bonanza

If you are a fan of chocolate and banana — as I am — you will find it impossible to pass up the Banana Brownie Bonanza. This wholesome morsel comprises chocolate mousse and banana filling on a brownie base, topped with raspberry and a tinge of edible gold for an added touch of luxury. The super rich combination may be cloying for some though.

Apricot Passion Fruit Heaven

Alternatively, try the Apricot Passion Fruit Heaven, a cube of chocolate, apricot and passion fruit coated in sticky chocolate.

This good-looking cake collection from O’Coffee Club is a breath of fresh air from the run-of-the-mill pastries served at coffee houses, and look like they belong at the coffee lounge of a 5-star hotel! Perhaps that also explains why the prices of these cakes are steeper than those at your usual cafés.

The O’Coffee Club petite cakes are priced from S$6.50 to S$6.80 each.

What are your favourite cake flavours? Share with us in the comments!

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This Father’s Day, our favourite cake maker MetroCakes has lined up a series of 3D couture cakes for the most special man in your life. The best part? They are giving away 3 of these cakes to Sparklette readers, delivery included!

Made to resemble a man’s shirt, these adorable Daddy Dearest cakes are available in six colours — blue, green, orange, red, pink and yellow — and two flavours — chocolate hazelnut fudge and orange mousse.

Read on to find out how you can win one of these specially created cakes to surprise your dad.

Father’s Day Cake Giveaway!

3 lucky Sparklette readers will each win a 500g Daddy Dearest cake worth S$68.80 from MetroCakes. Each 500g cake serves up to 6 people. The 3 winners will get to select the colour and flavour for the cake, and MetroCakes would deliver it right to your doorstep!

1. This giveaway is only open to members of the Sparklette and MetroCakes Facebook pages. So if you haven’t, “Like” both pages now. (Yes, just click the Like button!)

   
   

2. To participate, leave a comment here using your Facebook name along with the answer to this question:
   • What are the two flavours available for this custom-made Father’s Day cake?

The winners will be announced in a separate post. You are advised to subscribe to Sparklette (Email, RSS, Facebook, Twitter or iPhone) so that you can be quickly notified when the announcement post has been published.

Giveaway Details

• This giveaway ends on June 9, 2011 (2359 hours Singapore time).
• This giveaway is only open to Singapore residents.
• The 3 winners will be randomly selected by an SQL query.
• Please leave a valid email address when filling out the comment form so that we can contact you if you’ve won.
• Please only comment once.
• Comments that do not follow the instructions on how to participate (mentioned above) may not be published, or may be removed later on.

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]]> 168 http://sparklette.net/food/the-cake-galleria/ http://sparklette.net/food/the-cake-galleria/#comments Fri, 13 May 2011 03:00:08 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1137 I absolutely adore these 3D cupcakes from The Cake Galleria. Thanks to them, Sparklette is now edible!

The Cake Galleria specialises in custom-making cupcakes and whole cakes for various occasions, such as birthdays, weddings or just your regular “eat a cupcake” day. (Hint hint: Father’s Day is just around the corner.)

When the bakery first set out to create the Sparklette-themed cupcakes, I did not offer any art direction other than the fact that we have a pink and white colour scheme. The rest is up to them.

Now that the freshly baked cupcakes have arrived, they make me smile each time I see them. Not only are they delicious, the designs tie in exactly with our two main themes — food and travel. How very pretty in pink. How very Sparklette!

Unboxing the Cupcakes

The cupcakes are housed in a colourful box that is as sweet and cheery-looking as the contents within.

Aren’t these the cutest cupcakes? Each one is an ample portion, measuring approximately 7 centimetres across.

Sparklette 3D Cupcakes

Customised cupcakes
S$3.90 to 4.50 each (minimum order of 12)

The Sparklette cupcakes sport six unique toppers:
- World map
- Travel luggage with white V initial
- My name surrounded by pink flowers
- White rose
- Xiao long bao (steamed dumplings)
- Coffee cup

Which is your favourite cupcake? Is it the highly detailed xiao long bao that comes complete with a mini-sized bamboo steamer and mini-sized chopsticks, or the luggage bag that even has its own zip?

Give yourself a pat on the back if you recognise this coffee cup and saucer. Yes, that’s the icon from the new Sparklette iPhone app! Don’t you just wanna devour it, or pair it with coffee?

It’s the little touches of detail and thought that make cupcake art appealing. That the personalised design is so representative of Sparklette is simply icing on the cake.

The Cake Galleria cupcakes are available in two flavours — butter-cake and chocolate. The latter is moist and chocolaty rich, just the way we chocolate lovers like ‘em.

The Cake Galleria 3D Cupcake Designs

While the Sparklette cupcakes are dominated by girlish pinks and whites, here are the more colourful cupcake creations from The Cake Galleria.

If you are planning a cupcake party or looking to have special cupcakes made for someone dear, have them created with lots of love at The Cake Galleria.

What would your personalised cupcakes look like? Tell us in the comments!

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VJO Teahouse is located within a five-minute walk of The Riverside Bar & Restaurant. I would give you proper directions, but you probably won’t need that when the building stands out like a beacon.

Whilst doing research on my Lenovo laptop for places to go in Chiang Mai, I learn that this is one of those eateries that locals would bring their foreigner friends. After all, it’s not everyday that you get to hang out in an all-pink tea house, is it?

Upon entering the building, you pass through the shopping section that sells tea blends, teapots and other accessories that are beautifully wrapped in specially designed paper bags and tins.

Then, you arrive at the spacious dining area and finally see what everyone has been raving about. This place looks like a dream!

Under a fuchsia canopy, the lounge area is attractively decked out in floral décor and water features on the dark wood floor. Obviously much attention to detail has been paid to the interior design.

Soothing English songs play in the background as you settle into the cushioned seats of varying hues of pink. A well-stocked magazine rack is available for your reading pleasure. For those of you with your wireless devices, there is free wi-fi, too.

The breezy outdoor area with umbrellas overlooks Ping River.

We pick a cosy spot and go about our orders. Even the menus featuring the cursive logo are pretty.

VJO high tea for two
495baht + 10% service charge
Rating:

The VJO high tea for two is presented in a three-layered cake stand filled with cakes, sandwiches and fruits. All the pastries here are made in-house.

For the cakes, you get a range of petit fours that taste as good as they look.

The mini sandwiches come in two varieties — cucumber and some form of egg custard. Notice the cute little beaded picks that are stuck in each one.

As for fruits, they arrive as a colourful salad of dragonfruit, green apple, pineapple and strawberry.

Rose tea
Rating:

To wash down the delicious treats, the high tea set includes a large pot of tea, for which we choose the rose tea.

How very quaint, and so very girly! We see mostly locals, a few tourists, and even an all-male group at one point. The tea, desserts, soothing music and laid-back garden setting all make for an incredible way to chill out. By the time we have to leave the place reluctantly, it feels as though we have enjoyed a lengthy spa treatment!

How do you find the all-pink concept at VJO Teahouse? Guys, would you come here? Are there any other similar establishments out there? Share with us in the comments!

Vieng Joom On Teahouse
53 Charoenraj Road
T.Watgate A.Muang
Chiang Mai 50000
Thailand
Tel: +66 5330 3113 | Website

Operating hours: 10am – 7pm daily

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