I almost never wear any lipstick or gloss myself, deeming the opaque colours of the lipstick and sticky nature of glosses too messy and challenging at times. If you are like me, this Almost Lipstick collection is just the thing for you.

The subtle colours make application a breeze; you can practically apply it like a lip balm! The colour of your lips marries the sheer hues beautifully, creating a natural looking result with a touch of colour and a glossy finish.

There are seven lipstick hues to choose from:

• Black Honey
• Shy Honey
• Tender Honey
• Spicy Honey
• Luscious Honey
• Chic Honey
• Lovely Honey

I love the easy application and the natural look so much that the Almost Lipstick has found a permanent spot in my purse! Don’t take my word for it though. Try this out yourself at Clinique counters island-wide.

Ladies, what is one lip colour that you cannot live without? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!

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]]> http://sparklette.net/beauty/clinique-almost-lipstick/feed/ 0 http://sparklette.net/food/buffet-town/ http://sparklette.net/food/buffet-town/#comments Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:00:56 +0000 Jasper Aston Lim http://sparklette.net/?p=1228

Buffet Town is the new kid on the block of buffet restaurants. Located at Raffles City where Shokudo Japanese Food Bazaar used to sit, the restaurant aims to be the ultimate international buffet venue with an offering of over 300 food items.

Buffet
Lunch (Mon-Fri): Adult $23.80++; Child $16.80++
Lunch (Sat-Sun, Eve of and PH): Adult $28.80++; Child $16.80++
Dinner (Mon-Thu): Adult $33.80++; Child $19.80++
Dinner (Fri-Sun, Eve of and PH): Adult $38.80++; Child $19.80++
Buffet rating:

Priced very reasonably for a buffet conveniently located at the heart of Singapore, it’s no wonder that the 450-seat restaurant is bustling with activity even on a weekday evening!

Mussels

As with all buffets these days, the seafood counter is a big hit and always crowded. Many diners can be seen piling up their plates with seafood. Look out for the big and juicy freshly shucked oysters.

Chilled crayfish and prawns

Maki

At the Japanese counter, the food is replenished quickly, ensuring that the freshest quality is always made available to diners. Check out the large assortment of maki rolls, ranging from the usual California rolls to asparagus. Hand-rolls are also prepared à la minute by the chefs on duty.

Assorted maki and sashimi

Grilled chicken

The hot food section is one of the largest I’ve seen, stretching around almost the whole of the restaurant interior. You will not be disappointed with the variety of items, ranging from grilled to deep-fried, and even curries!

Western stews and curries

Forrest pizza

Boasting a thin crust and a generous serving of ingredients and mozzarella cheese, it’s no surprise that the pizzas are snatched up almost as quickly as they are replenished!

Fish and chips

One of the most important components to a good fish and chips is the breading. The fish and chips served here have just the right crispiness — a pleasant surprise for this commonly overlooked dish.

Pasta station

A highlight of Buffet Town is the pasta station where you get to create your very own pasta. Simply choose the ingredients you fancy from choices like seafood, mushrooms and even bacon, then select your preferred pasta and sauce.

Penne aglio olio

While my penne aglio olio is packed with yummy ingredients, too much black pepper has been used, hence overpowering the dish. I also try a bowl of creamy spaghetti, in which the cream sauce is lacking and prawns are undercooked.

Roast beef

The restaurant has a few main dishes that are refreshed on a regular basis, namely the carving of the day and Chinese herbal soup. I enjoy the roast beef, which is tender and nicely cooked to pink.

Old cucumber soup

Tempura

Go for the tempura, which is executed to a crisp delight. The sweet potato and ladyfingers are unanimous favourites.

Teppanyaki

Fill your plates with the meats and greens from the teppanyaki station. The chefs are friendly and ever ready to cook up a storm with your selected items. A pity that there is no alert system to inform you when your order is done, which sometimes results in collecting a plate of food that has already gone cold.

You would also find chefs hard at work grilling Japanese and local items.

Grilled pineapple

These skewers of grilled pineapple provide an interesting combination of textures and flavours, and complement the sweet satay meats.

Grilled skewers

The scallops and mussel mentai are highlights from the Japanese grilled section, cooked to perfection and still retaining the fresh seafood goodness. Best enjoyed when they are fresh off the grill!

Mussel mentai

And we’re still not done with this review yet! Buffet Town also has quite a few booths — like the adorable mini rojak stall — dedicated to serving Singapore local favourites.

Rojak station

Carrot cake

The carrot cake is just the way I like it — chunky, slightly sweet and savoury.

Laksa

While my dining companion enjoys the laksa, I feel it could have used more spices and chilli.

Hainanese chicken rice

The chicken rice may be a bit dry, while the meat is just the right oiliness and very flavourful.

Chilli crab

Sinful, but oh-so good, the scrumptious chilli crab gravy is finger-licking good and couples well with the deep-fried mantou.

Coffee and tea station

Having a ‘kopitiam’ right within the restaurant is a stroke of genius! After a heavy meal, there’s nothing better than to kick back and unwind with your favourite kopi-O or teh-si!

For those who prefer something else, there are also drinks machines, and even soy milk.

Soy milk

Mini cakes and éclairs

Not to be left out is the desserts selection. Aside from the usual cakes and tarts, you can also opt for green bean soup, cheng tng or even make your own ice kachang!

Ice cream

While the goreng pisang and waffles are nothing out of the ordinary, I find the ice cream flavours surprisingly tasty and appealing. Do try the rich chocolate as well as macadamia, which has a smooth, subtle sweetness.

Buffet Town has its share of hits and misses. While it is not on par with the high-end buffet establishments, it offers diners a very good range of items at an affordable price. As it is still relatively new, I expect improvements and better things to come.

Where can you enjoy the best value buffet in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

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]]> http://sparklette.net/food/buffet-town/feed/ 9 http://sparklette.net/food/cafe-swiss-spanish-night/ http://sparklette.net/food/cafe-swiss-spanish-night/#comments Wed, 24 Aug 2011 03:00:14 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1209 For those who have yet to try Spanish cuisine, Spanish Night at Café Swiss, Swissôtel the Stamford is perfect for sampling the cuisine without spending a bomb. If you are a grazer and can’t commit to one dish, this is the opportunity where you can flirt with lots of different flavours. By the end of the night, I promise you’ll become an expert in Spanish cuisine!

The ¡ESPAÑA! Spanish Nights
S$55.00++ per adult / S$27.50++ per child
Every Wednesday 6:30pm – 10pm

Upon entering Café Swiss, you are greeted by a waitress in a Spanish costume who will lead you into the lively atmosphere. The décor of Spanish wine bottles and ornaments lend much character to the ambience. A Spanish singer serenades the crowd, accompanied by a keyboardist and a violinist. That makes conversations a bit of a problem if you’re seated near the stage. No complaints though; the music is good, and the food keeps everyone busy!

Drinks

Red sangria
S$$30.00++ per pitcher

Sangria is a staple in any Spanish events; it’s almost like a religion! It is very typical of the Spanish to have wine along with a meal.

White sangria
S$$30.00++ per pitcher

I end up having two glasses: a red and a white sangria. I enjoy the latter more although both are really good!

Tapas

Commence your meal at the starters section where a wide selection of tapas is available, such as Torte, swordfish, prawns, meatballs, tuna turnovers, Padron peppers, garlic mushrooms on toast, octopus, baked salt cod cakes and ham croquettes.

Cold items include shaved Serrano ham, salt cod, artichokes, broad beans with ham, potato salad, sweet peppers and Spanish tuna, chilled seafood salad, tomato and onion salad, as well as an assortment of Spanish cheeses.

Most tapas dishes are suitable for the health conscious, consisting of many fresh greens and fruits.

Mix and match to create your own tapas with the numerous toppings and toast bread available. The refreshing dishes from the station will definitely whet your appetite for the mains.

Ensala da Campera (potato salad, sweet peppers and Spanish tuna)

Pulpo a la Parilla (char grilled octopus marinated in rosemarry, thyme and olive oil)

Bacalao de Granada (salt cod with oranges and olives)

Shaved Serrano ham on tomato bread

The shaved ham is too dry for my liking. But on a positive note, the tomato bread is crispy and fragrant.

Anti-clockwise from right: Tuna Banderilla with lemon dressing on a skewer, potato and onion tart with egg and garlic aioli, baked salt cod cake, tuna turnovers, ham croquettes, char-grilled marinated octopus, potato salad, salt cod, pork meatball stewed in tomato sauce and goat cheese fritter (centre)

With so many tapas to choose from, tuna is a safe bet for the less adventurous.

Tuna Banderilla with lemon dressing

The tuna Banderilla is fresh, slightly seared to perfection with a rare centre. The tangy lemon dressing complements the fish impeccably.

Tortilla de Patatas (potato and onion tart with egg and garlic aioli)

Being a quintessential part of the Spanish gastronomy, the Tortilla de Patatas is one dish I had high hopes for. The omelet itself has a starchy texture, and is quite forgettable. The aioli (garlic mayonnaise) on the other hand, is so delectable, I decide to use it as a dip for other dishes!

Coated in golden breading, the melted goat cheese is crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. It doesn’t have a terribly strong odour, although my partner across the table begs to differ! Goat cheese is definitely a food that divides — you either love it or hate it!

Savoury pork meatballs stewed in tomato sauce

The savoury pork meatballs stewed in tomato sauce may be a little tough, but each meatball is infused with a myriad of flavours.

Bunuelos de Bacalao (baked salt cod cakes)

The Bunuelos de Bacalao (baked salt cod cakes) are chock-full of nutritional salt cod, and are rich in taste and quality.

Iberico ham croquettes

The Iberico ham croquettes (on the right) are quite a hit, and get polished off the station quickly. Thankfully, the chefs are efficient in re-filling the trays with new batches. This delicious snack has a crispy breaded crust on the outside with a smooth and tasty filling.

Roast piglet with Salsa Verde

At this station, you will find a chef ready to slice a slab of roast piglet on the spot. It is definitely the star of the night; the moist and tender meat under a crispy skin is perfectly seasoned. This is the time to forgo your diet, because the mouthwatering pork is totally worth the calories!

Before moving on to the second round, have a glass of refreshing lychee tea to cleanse your palate and aid in the digestion!

A station with a selection of breads, soups and main courses awaits you.

Spicy Catalan seafood soup

The spicy Catalan seafood soup is over-salted and the seafood is almost absent, likely devoured by quicker diners. But it has a perfect consistency and is full of flavour. The tangy aroma that fills my nostrils begs me to gulp it all down.

Paella Marinera

Save some room for the Paella Marinera, an identifying symbol of Spanish cuisine. Even though rice is a belly-sweller, it is definitely worth the space in your tummy!

My only nitpick is that the paella rice isn’t cooked and served the traditional way in a paella pan. But it is still extremely fragrant and well-infused with authentic flavours. You won’t be short-changed in terms of meat chunks and seafood. I just miss the caramelised crust of rice from the bottom of a paella pan that I had at Sol Tasca.

Potato gratin

The potato gratin is made with a Spanish Manchego cheese that is creamy and isn’t overpoweringly rich. The potatoes are a little al dente, but it doesn’t stop me from getting a second helping!

Monkfish marinated with roasted garlic, cherry tomatoes, parsley. roasted chilli and red pepper sauce

Lightly spiced, the flavourful monkfish has a broad spectrum of flavours. A shame though, that it is a little tough for my liking. A moist and tender countenance would have made it perfect.

Mussels with tomato, wine, garlic, onion and coriander

Seafood, one of the pillars of Spain’s gastronomy, is essential at the spread. The mussels are large and juicy. But as tempting as the sauce is, the station is missing a ladle for hungry diners to scoop it out.

You can also find a selection of chicken, goat, stuffed peppers with Serrano ham and chickpeas with Chorizo at the main course station. These will definitely satisfy your inner epicure.

Desserts

The dessert booth is somewhat of a disappointment, with just a small selection of six ice creams and sorbets that are rarely replenished, five Spanish desserts and no sign of cakes.

Andalucian-style fried bread with honey

The Andalucian-style fried bread drizzled with honey is prepared on the spot. Similar to French toast, the mini-sized bread is drenched in egg and pan-fried.

Raspberry sorbet

Raspberry sorbet doesn’t exactly scream Spanish. The custard-filled fritter — smooth custard coated in a crispy golden breading — on the other hand, is delightful.

Baked Catalan custard with lemon and cinnamon

The baked Catalan custard with lemon and cinnamon is the most popular dessert of the night, flying off the shelf as soon as they have been replenished.

Similar to the French dessert, crème brulee, it has a crackling caramelised sugar crust on top of smooth custard. The added lemon and cinnamon make a zippy and fragrant combination. What more can we ask for? What a great way to end the night!

It is apparent that the chefs have done an extensive amount of research and put in much effort to bring Spanish culture into Café Swiss. The service is brisk and professional; the wait staffs are efficient in clearing plates from your table so there would constantly be room for more plates. This is one buffet that is totally worth your bucks!

Where can you find the best Spanish food in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

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]]> http://sparklette.net/food/cafe-swiss-spanish-night/feed/ 0 http://sparklette.net/food/fairmont-buka-puasa-buffet/ http://sparklette.net/food/fairmont-buka-puasa-buffet/#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2011 03:00:56 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1203 Having met the stringent requirements, Asian Market Café at Fairmont Singapore is now halal certified. During the month of Ramadan, the restaurant rolls out the authentic flavours of the Middle East combined with traditional Malay cuisine, boasting an extensive spread including pan-Asian cuisines and local favourites with live cooking stations, fruit and salad stations and a dessert station.

Ramadan dinner buffet
S$55++ per adult / S$30++ per child (6-12 years)

Separate male and female prayer areas adjacent to Asian Market Café are available, and the traditional fast breaking experience is further enhanced with television monitors placed around the restaurant indicating Salat al Magrib (the time to break fast). Each table is provided with a complimentary plate of dates and a serving of ayram (yoghurt drink) to be consumed upon breaking fast.

The dim lighting lends a distinctive cosiness, but you can choose to sit at the area closer to the food stations if you prefer somewhere brighter. Roomy with ample seats, the atmosphere is perfect for family gatherings, and a great place to bring foreign friends to experience authentic Asian cuisines.

Commence your meal at the fruit or salad stations; the fresh produce will get your appetite pumping for the main course.

Toss up your salads with the condiments and dressings provided.

Bamboo shoot with baby shrimp

Nyonya Achar

Grab some fresh buns, pita, crispy crackers or papadam to pair with the nutritional hummus spreads and Farrosh salad.

Tabbouleh

Chickpea salad

Kimchi

Savour the high notes of briny freshness as you slurp on the juicy oysters. The sizeable molluscs are soft, fleshy and distinctively fresh; you wouldn’t mind loading your plates with this low calorie appetising food that has lots of health benefits!

The Japanese cuisine offered includes various sushi, mini servings of soba and chawanmushi.

Clockwise from top: Fresh oysters, chawanmushi, turmeric chicken, deep fried fish, salmon sashimi

Kept warm in a traditional bamboo steamer, the tasty chawanmushi is light and so smooth that it slides right down your throat.

The hot favourite salmon sashimi gets polished off very quickly, so the staff will be busy replenishing them the entire evening!

Chicken Shawarma with condiments

The sumptuous buffet is complemented by live action stations that include meat carving, satay grilling and roti prata making, where you can watch the chefs show off their nifty skills!

The “Ouzi-style” lamb leg from the carving station looks juicy and tempting.

Satay (meat skewers)

The fried oyster omelette is the ultimate crowd pleaser. The chef is kept busy the entire night as the dish gets wiped out as soon as it gets to the tray! This dish certainly does not lose out to the famous hawkers out there! The ratio of flour, egg and oyster is perfect, and the aroma certainly attracts diners to the station like bees to honey!

The deep fried mantau (bun) is yummy enough to be eaten on its own — crispy on the outside and not oily. It also pairs the chilli crab gravy perfectly. Time to get your hands dirty!

Fried beehoon (rice vermicelli)

Nasi goreng (fried rice)

The sambal stingray is flavourful with a slightly spicy sauce that is bursting with richness. The stingray is slightly tough; a little tenderness would have made it a perfect dish.

Deep fried fish with Thai spicy sauce

The deep fried fish with Thai spicy sauce is amongst the top favourites. The batter insulates the fish so well that the flesh remains tender. The sauce isn’t over-the-top fiery and the spices are well integrated.

Turmeric chicken

The turmeric imparts an exotic fragrance to the chicken. The only disappointment is that the chicken turns out to be a little dry for my liking, though it certainly does not lack the taste factor.

Sayur Lodeh (Indonesian vegetables in coconut curry)

Sambal Udang Belimbing (spicy sambal prawns)

Daging Lembu Masak Lada Hitam

Nonya chap chai (mixed vegetables)

Nonya chicken

Kabsah Dajaj (Arabian “Briyani” with tomato and onion braised chicken on tomato rice)

The intense flavours and well-defined grains make a well-executed Arabian briyani. You will find this hard to resist once the aroma reaches your nostrils!

Foul Modmes (braised broad beans with tomato, onion and spices)

Ayam Panggang (roasted chicken with fresh spices)

The ayam panggang has to be my favourite chicken dish! The well-seasoned chicken is lip-smacking tasty and tender, unlike a few of the chicken dishes in the spread that turn out a little tough.

Mutton rendang

The mutton rendang is well executed in terms of texture, creaminess of the thick curry, the spiciness that is just right, and the robust aroma. There is no gamy smell at all.

Beef Semur (Indonesian beef stew)

If you like your meat well done, you will enjoy the aromatic beef semur — well marinated and full of flavour. The beef may be a little chewy for some who enjoy their meat done slightly rare, but the authenticity of this dish is definitely evident.

For the adventurous, you can try the exotic Moroccan Harira soup with chickpeas. The various textures from the chunks of tomato, lentil and chickpeas is palpable in every spoon. The soup is slightly thick and perfectly seasoned.

Soup Samunpai (Thai herbal soup)

Those with a lighter palate will enjoy the nourishing Thai herbal soup consisting of chicken, dates, ginseng and other herbs. The chicken meat is so tender — with no traces of fat — it falls apart easily. The soup is flavourful and must have been simmered for hours!

Laksa

Cook your own piping hot bowl of laksa with many condiments provided. Laden the noodles with the thick and rich laksa gravy that smells absolutely mouthwatering.

Roti prata (Indian pancake) station

Hop over to the roti prata station and watch the master in action, from kneading the dough to flipping the roti prata, and finally cooking it on the flat grill. You can have the traditional plain prata or egg prata, perhaps even a cheese prata! The friendly chef will gladly oblige to your requests as long as the ingredients are available.

Roti prata (Indian pancake)

The prata is perfectly browned, crispy on the outside with an eggy interior. Amazingly, it does not feel oily at all. Drench it in the accompanying fish curry, and you’re all set. The fragrant curry is so tasty, I am tempted to drink it like soup!

Teh tarik

You can order a cup of teh tarik at the live station, where your tea is pulled till foamy and frosty.

An aromatic cup of coffee is available upon order.

Save room for desserts — a dazzling array of sweet indulgence awaits!

Sweet papaya soup

For something healthful, go for the sweet papaya soup with white fungus, ginger and dates.

Nyonya kueh

The beautiful array of Nyonya kueh neatly arranged in contrasting colours sure make you want to sample every piece!

Cincau Soya

Ang Ku Kueh

Crème caramel flan

Baked jackfruit tart

The jackfruit tart is baked perfectly with a nice crispy texture that is slightly crumbly. The buttery tart has tiny bits of the fruit.

Macau egg tarts

Rice pudding

Turkish semolina cake

Unlike most cakes that are light and airy, the Turkish semolina cake is rich and slightly dense, and yet does not feel heavy on the palate. There is an extra punch of flavour from the orange zest that adds a fragrant citrusy zing. The texture is perfect and the cake isn’t crumply; cake lovers have to try this.

Durian fans must not miss the rich durian purée, a best-seller at Asian Market Café for more than 15 years!

You may also try your hand at making your own ice kacang (shaved ice dessert) at the ice grinding machine with various syrups and toppings.

Service is prompt and swift, and in fact, a little too efficient at times. You may not want to leave your food unattended, as it may be cleared once you leave the table!

The vast variety of delectable food offered at the Asian Market Café Ramadan buffet will make you wish for an extra stomach. Definitely a memorable Buka Puasa experience.

The buffet is available until August 30, 2011.

What is your favourite type of rice dumplings? Are you a traditionalist or do you prefer new flavours? Tell us in the comments!

Asian Market Café ( Halal certified)
Fairmont Singapore, level 2
80 Bras Basah Road
Singapore 189560
Tel: +65 6431 6156 | Website

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Hotels and restaurants usually make both snowskin and baked skin mooncakes available to cater to various palates. The former range is where you would see the most interesting, unique flavours.

Assorted mini snowskin mooncakes
S$53 for a box of 8 (4 flavours)
Rating:

The snowskin mooncakes at Fairmont sports a chocolate theme, with these delicious dessert flavours:

- Dark Rocher chocolate
- Rum & raisin chocolate truffle
- Champagne truffle & chocolate ganache
- Baileys chocolate

The pretty in pink dark Rocher chocolate mooncake is my personal favourite from the quartet for its silky smooth couverture chocolate and crushed almond nuts.

The packaging is most memorable. The cheongsam-inspired mooncake box is patterned with motifs, and even has actual fabric where the buttons are. Who can deny just how adorable it is?

Assorted baked mooncakes
S$55 for a box of 4
Rating:

For traditionalists, the baked mooncakes are filled with subtly sweet white lotus paste, available in these varieties:

- Olive kernel
- Double yolk
- Single yolk & macadamia nuts
- Roasted pine nuts

The mooncakes are available at Szechuan Court until September 12, 2011.

What mooncakes are you buying this year? Share with us in the comments!

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]]> http://sparklette.net/food/fairmont-szechuan-court-mooncakes/feed/ 4 http://sparklette.net/food/equinox-brunch/ http://sparklette.net/food/equinox-brunch/#comments Wed, 22 Jun 2011 03:00:47 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1171 Step into Equinox Restaurant at Swissôtel the Stamford, and you instantly know that you are in for an unforgettable dining experience. For one, the view is spectacular. You are on the 70th floor of Singapore’s tallest hotel, looking down on one of the most scenic views of the Singapore skyline and waterfront.

Every Sunday, you can enjoy a wonderful brunch here. But if you want a truly unique experience, splurge on the S$148++ pink champagne brunch that takes place only once a month on the last Sunday. This very pretty-in-pink brunch includes free-flowing rosé champagne and pink cocktails, colourful buffet spread, a pink chocolate fountain, pictures taken with the very adorable and sleepy-eyed Pink Panther and long-lasting memories of this lovely experience.

Trust me, this is one buffet worth putting down your money for. You’ll remember it for a long time.

Drinks

PINK Sunday Brunch
S$148++ per adult; S$69++ per child

Last Sunday of every month until end 2011

Your glass is never left empty as the staff tirelessly fill it with Moet & Chandon Brut rosé champagne, one of the many pink-themed drinks served here.

The friendly cocktail architect, Richard Gillam, will take your requests for cocktails, such as the spicy Bloody Mary and more exotic concoctions like Sakura.

Buffet Spread

The theme is decidedly European, with a dazzling range of cheeses, vegetables and salads.

These baubles of greens sure remind one of Christmas.

There is a touch of Asian influence here as well, such as the pink soba with kamaboko.

Choose from a few types of eggs Benedict — freshly cooked to order — with smoked salmon, spinach or bacon and a range of hollandaise sauces

The duck foie gras is simply out of the world. A charlotte of rich, buttery foie gras soaked in a complementary sauce. I was never a foie gras fan before, but after tasting Equinox’s version, I’m converted.

From the buffet spread, you get flavours from the sea such as cured salmon salsa, scallops, crabs and shellfish.

For your convenience, many of the items are placed in individual portions, such as the tiger prawn gazpacho shots and spoons of cured smoked duck.

Even the food labels at the buffet spread are pink!

At times, the staff, dressed in bright pink, would also go around surprising diners with canapés and small bites. The service rendered is simply top-notch.

Desserts

The desserts can be a buffet by itself, featuring many innovative creations as well as classic favourites like the crème brulee and good ol’ ice cream.

Just for cakes alone, there are already a handful of choices.

The crowning jewel is no doubt the pink chocolate fountain. Any idea how they made it pink?

The View

Pick a table near the windows to get an unrivalled view of the Singapore skyline.

When dining out, it’s not just the food that counts, but rather the entire experience you get from it. The Equinox PINK sunday brunch gives you the whole package — great food and drinks, a unique theme, lovely ambience and world-class service. A thoroughly enjoyable dining experience that is worth savouring over and over.

Where can you find the best brunch in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

Equinox Restaurant
Swissôtel The Stamford, Level 70
2 Stamford Road
Singapore 178882
Tel: +65 6837 3322 | Website
Service:

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]]> http://sparklette.net/food/equinox-brunch/feed/ 6 http://sparklette.net/food/fairmont-szechuan-court-dumplings/ http://sparklette.net/food/fairmont-szechuan-court-dumplings/#comments Thu, 26 May 2011 03:00:21 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1149 I have just been Kung Pow-wowed, and that’s putting it mildly.

If you would like to treat yourself to some seriously good dumplings this Dragon Boat Festival, look no further than Fairmont Singapore‘s lot of wholesome dumplings. Made of glutinous rice and wrapped in bamboo leaves, these sticky delights from Szechuan Court come packed with an assortment of savoury fillings that will impress.

After enjoying a couple of the Fairmont rice dumplings, I came away most satisfied.

Kung Pao chicken dumpling
S$36 / kg

The signature Kung Pao chicken dumpling is difficult to beat, and even harder to put down once you’ve got your hands on it. Stuffed with a generous filling of juicy diced chicken thigh meat and crunchy roasted peanuts, this huge dumpling is possibly the best I’ve had this year.

While the chicken meat is mouth-wateringly tender, enlivened with home-made chilli sauce, it is the titillating sauce that you would be hooked on. It brings burst after burst of flavour with every bite. As an added perk, I love how daring the chef is with the chilli — good news for those that seek a fiery kick.

Organic red brown rice vegetarian dumpling
S$38 / 800g

I must confess that I was a little apprehensive when I first heard of the organic red brown rice vegetarian dumpling. A meatless dumpling does not exactly spell gastronomic excellence, even if it has mock meat. As it turns out, this healthier option exceeded my expectations by far.

With its intricate combination of nutritious red brown rice, vegetarian minced pork and mock duck, gingko nuts and fermented bean curd skin, this dumpling appeals to the health-conscious. You can eat it guilt-free, and actually enjoy it. It is full of flavour, the seasoning permeating through every grain.

In addition to the food quality, the packaging is very professional and presentable if you are looking to give away dumplings this season. These scrumptious dumplings are tied in red and white string and packed in a carrier box — great for gifting.

The dumplings are available at Szechuan Court until June 6, 2011.

What is your favourite type of rice dumplings? Are you a traditionalist or do you prefer new flavours? Tell us in the comments!

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Overhead lighting structures, white-washed timber furniture and darkened mirrors spruce up the interiors at both restaurants. The long tables make for a communal dining atmosphere, so don’t be surprised if you wind up sharing the same table with strangers during the busy chow hours.

Starters

Pumpkin and crab bisque
S$5.50++
Rating:

Simple but sublime is the phrase that best describes the pumpkin and crab bisque, made more interesting with a hint of curry. The consistency is just right, the flavour sufficient to prep your taste buds for more food to come.

Calamari rings
S$7.80++
Rating:

When dining at a western restaurant, a side dish that I frequently order is the fried calamari rings. The one thing that usually kills this dish is the tough and chewy calamari, but thankfully these rings are just tender enough. Nothing groundbreaking like the ethereal, what I dub the “rings of gold” at Tony Roma’s, but clearly better than others.

Waffle vegetable crisps
S$4.80++
Rating:

Sounding totally tempting on paper are the waffle vegetable crisps, made from potato, sweet potato and taro. They turn out okay, although the crisps are cut too thickly to be fully enjoyable.

These handmade dips are lovely. The dark sauce is a hybrid of barbecue and tomato. Interesting stuff.

Burgers

This Christmas, four of the artisan burgers from the regular menu are available in healthy mini portions as well.

The Handburger Original, chicken caesar, battered dory and pulled pork are sold in the Sliders Party Pack, made up of 9 mini burgers. You can mix and match the flavours; plus, the mini sizes ensure you don’t have to overextend those jaw muscles.

The popular Handburger Original contains a fresh and juicy rib-eye patty wrapped in a caramelised onion bun along with the obligatory lettuce and tomato. This is my favourite amongst the four, and would have been rated all 5 drumsticks if the buns were better toasted.

For those with a penchant for the pleasures of the sea, the battered dory is a good option, with the fish coated by a batter that is light and not the least bit greasy. Don’t forget to lay on the spicy tartar sauce.

Desserts

Warm chocolate pot
S$5.50++

I must say that I am somewhat disappointed by the warm chocolate pot that appears to be masquerading as the chocolate lava cake. First, the good. Its presentation in the tall dessert glass rimmed with sugar crystals is pretty classy. The caramelised banana slices and the mint leaf add a nice dash of colours.

Now for the bad news. The dessert has been made to resemble the lava cake in every way. Except that it’s not. It is served warm with soft-serve vanilla ice cream on the side, but is dry throughout and sorely missing that molten chocolate centre. On hindsight, its low price point is a good indicator that this is no lava cake, but my love for the dessert must have blindsided that fact and I imagine many chocolate fondant lovers may share the same sentiments.

Beverages

As for the beverages, you have got to try the milkshakes. They cost less than the five-dollar shake that John Travolta drinks in Pulp Fiction, but I’m sure these taste as good, if not better.

Nutella and Naked Chocolate shakes
S$4.50++ and S$3.90++
Rating:

The Nutella and Naked Chocolate shakes are just the thing for the insatiable chocoholic. (Wow, I didn’t realise “chocoholic” is a word! The spell-checker did not place the annoying red zigzag line underneath.) These are extremely thick, creamy and, yes, totally sinful. But how can anyone say no to such rich and good chocolaty goodness?

Lychee mint crush
S$5.5++
Rating:

A perfect palate cleanser is the lychee mint crush, which is quite possibly one of the top 5 most refreshing beverages around. This comes with actual chunks of lychee and specks of peppermint.

There is little doubt that The Handburger can become a big player in the gourmet burger niche. With the tasty all-natural burgers sold at moderate prices, accompanied by a cast of palatable side dishes, this bistro is definitely worth your patronage if you are a burger fan.

What would your perfect burger be made of? Describe it in the comments!

Raffles City outlet

313@Somerset outlet

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I discovered the Beard Papa’s chocolate fondant some years back, marking my foray into the delicious world of chocolate lava cakes. Yes, it has a molten chocolate centre. Don’t you just love the sensation of warm chocolate filling your mouth? Ever since that first taste years ago, the lava cake has remained my most favourite dessert in the world. I’m not even sure why Beard Papa’s fondant has never been featured here before; somehow this fell through the cracks.

Fondant au Chocolat
S$2.80 for 1, S$5.20 for 2
Rating:

On the outside the fondant is moist and soft, dusted with sugar. The centre oozes out that luxurious gooey chocolate. Rather than being overtly sweet, this is pure intense, dark chocolaty goodness all around. Read about how Beard Papa’s make their Fondant au Chocolat. It is truly a labour of love!

You get it at a real bargain, too. Last I checked they were selling it at S$2.80 for one and S$5.20 for two.

Here’s a tip: Buy this home and pop it in the microwave briefly before serving. Have it a la mode with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a glass of raspberry wine. You’re welcome.

What pastries do you normally buy at Beard Papa’s? Are there other places where we can enjoy chocolate lava cakes at a bargain price? The comments form is below. You know what to do!

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Doesn’t the pattern on this tree somewhat resemble one of those designer signature prints on ladies’ handbags? More than 80 pieces of gleaming mirrored ornaments form its main decorations. They come in the shapes of four-pointed stars and the French fleur-de-lis.

(Aside: notice the bar to the bottom right? That’s Brotzeit, a German bar I frequent at VivoCity. I haven’t realised they have a new branch at Raffles City. It also shares the same semi-alfresco setting.)

And if you looked closely, you can see that the tree is densely covered with little Christmas light bulbs! During the day, the tree may not look particularly impressive. But imagine what it’ll be like when all these lights come on at night!

Photo by arti47

From 7:30pm to 9:30pm everyday, the lights come alive at half-hour intervals. Not only that — they would dance in sync to music! The dazzling performance would only be on until 28 December, so catch it while you can!

For more Christmas trees, check out the Sparklette Christmas Tree of the Day series.

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The 15,000 square foot eatery opened just weeks ago at the new basement extension of Raffles City Shopping Centre. Attracted by the fact that I can choose from over 230 dishes, I hurried down to check out the place. Many other people had the same idea, and it was only during my second visit that I managed to get in after a relatively short queue.

The design is colourful, modern and tasteful, with various areas of themed dining. The walls are dominated by murals of Tokyo city scenes overlaid with graphics of Japanese girls.

(Update: Asprah left a comment informing me that those aren’t really Japanese girls, but long-haired Japanese male rockers!)

(As I was rather enthralled by the art on those walls, I did some snooping around and found the artist’s website where you can see all the commissioned arts he did for Shokudo. here’s the link.)

There are even a few colourful neoprint machines at the centre of the restaurant! They sure are a hit with the younger crowd.

You would find the rosti here too, which is a signature potato dish at Marché. But other than that, the food is vastly different. In addition to traditional fare such as sushi, sashimi, teppanyaki and tempura, there are many more unusual creations.

Even for Western dishes such as burgers and pasta, they would be done Japanese style. The burgers come with eggs served sunny side up and — check this out — miso-flavoured beef patties!

So there I was, walking through the melange of various cooking stations, not knowing what to eat. There were so many choices and everything looked tempting to me!

Then, I spotted a queue at the omelette station. Normally, bland-tasting omelettes wouldn’t attract me much. But this time round, my Singaporean mentality kicked in. “if there’s a queue, it must be good la!” moreover, it was fun watching the chef cook the omelette in his cute square-shaped pan.

The dish is served popiah-style, with the omelette wrapped around the ingredients and cut into different segments. Delicious mayonnaise is then drizzled generously over it.

Japanese-style Unagi (Eel) Omelette
S$5.80++
Rating:

What you see here is the unagi (eel) omelette. I swear I am not exaggerating here, but boy, it was lip-smackingly good! I certainly had not expected it to be that good. I mean, there is only so much you can do with an omelette right? It was a little sweet, a little salty, and bursting with flavour all at the same time. I strongly urge everyone to go for this — we even got ourselves a second helping!

Besides unagi, you also get to choose from other ingredients such as crab meat, cheese, bacon, ham, sliced pork and mushroom too. Wow, I’m so going back to shokudo just to get a taste of the omelette again!

Japanese BBQ Eel Hot Plate
S$6.80++
Rating:

If you are in the mood for something more conventional, go for the Japanese hot plate. Besides the unagi seen above, there’s also beef, seafood or chicken (for the chicken lovers like me) to choose from. It’s nothing particularly out of the norm, but tastes good nonetheless.

Bean Sprouts
S$4++
Rating:

Okay, this is just too funny to leave out. For something that goes back to the basics, and by that I really do mean the basics, there’s the fried tau gay (bean sprouts). I couldn’t believe it when my friend came walking back to our table with a whole platter of fried tau gay! And it actually cost 4 bucks!

This is followed by dessert! Dessert choices include cr�pes, waffles and even tofu cheesecakes. Always a fan of waffles, we went for the waffle with a scoop of gelato. Why gelato? Because the Japanese are a health-conscious bunch and gelato has much less fat than regular ice cream!

Waffle with choice of gelato
S$5.80++
Rating:

It’s a long wait, though, as the waffle is made from scratch on the spot. But it’s well worth the wait. At my next visit, I’m having the tofu cheesecake. I’ve never had one before!

As I was going around checking out the food stations, one particular station piqued my interest. It’s a pizza station! These Japanese pizzas are wafer-thin and certainly do not resemble the common pizzas!

This is a plastic replica of the pizza. Look just how thin it is! I was rather pleased to see these plastic food replicas at every food station here, the way many restaurants in Japan have them!

I really enjoy the wide array of Japanese food here. There are so many different dishes to sample such that even the fussiest eater (and by that I really mean me) would find something he or she loves. I’m already looking forward to my next visit!

Shokudo Japanese Food Bazaar
Raffles City Shopping Centre
252 North Bridge Road #B1-44E
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 6837 3793
Service:

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Seriously, nothing beats having a stress-free day drinking beer by the sea. Since then, Brotzeit has become one of my favourite places to sit down for a cold beer, besides Brewerkz. The atmosphere here is great! In case anyone is curious, Brotzeit can be directly translated to bread time, which simply means snack time.

Credit

Besides the alfresco dining area, the indoor dining is pretty nice too, with all the chic designer leather furniture. The contemporary design employs a large use of white and brown tones. One side of the wall is decorated with interesting murals of animals drinking — what else — beer! Haha! They look kind of Egyptian to me.

I was there again recently, to have beer and some food. Their pork knuckles and sausages appeared to be hot-sellers. But since I don’t take any meat other than chicken, we went for their seafood platter instead.

Fischplatte
S$27.90++
Rating:

The seafood platter, or Fischplatte as they call it, was meant for two persons. All the food was spread out nicely on the plate, consisting of prawns, salmon, crabmeat, tuna and anchovies, plus an ample amount of vegetables such as cucumber, olives and tomatoes. Still, the overall portion was pretty little for a two-person share.

Deep-fried prawn
Rating:

The prawns were slightly breaded before being deep-fried. They weren’t exactly the juiciest thing. Personally I prefer prawns to be grilled or steamed. That way, they retain more of their natural seafood taste and moisture.

Smoked salmon
Rating:

I’ve always been a fan of salmon, especially when it’s sashimi. But the smoked salmon here was pretty ordinary. There’s nothing particularly memorable about it.

Marinated tuna
Rating:

To my surprise I found myself enjoying the tuna much more than the smoked salmon, despite the fact that I’ve never been fond of the former. Just look at how fresh it is!

Crab Salad
Rating:

Strangely enough, the tasty crab salad turned out to be my favourite! So there wasn’t exactly a lot of crabmeat. Nonetheless, it was bite after bite of pure delight! I liked that it was all creamy and colourful, the result of a wonderful blend of mayonnaise and vegetables.

White anchovies
Rating:

Lastly, the white anchovies. Okay, I don’t like anchovies. Never can, never will. But the white anchovies here were just bursting with flavour!

About the beer here, they have three drafts by Paulaner, specially imported from Munich. (Apparently these aren’t available at the Paulaner bar in Millenia Walk.) Usually I would go for the very light-coloured Weissbier (white beer). But next time round I’m trying out the Salvador, which has a higher alcohol content and a slight tinge of chocolate!

Something new that I just learned today: Paulaner brews its beer in accordance to the German purity law that came about in 1516. What this means is that only certain natural ingredients may be used in the brewery, ensuring that the beer would be pure. Pretty awesome eh?

Prost!

VivoCity outlet

VivoCity
1 Harbourfront Walk #01-149/151
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 6272 8815
Service:

Raffles City outlet

313@Somerset outlet

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Aerin’s, a modern European restaurant, is one of the bigger eating establishments at the Raffles City marketplace. With its dining area spread out prettily around a fountain, it would be hard for shoppers to miss a place like this. In case you’re wondering, Aerin’s is named after the owner’s daughter.

I had walked past Aerin’s on numerous occasions but hadn’t got around to actually dining there until last week. At night, the restaurant is softly lit with candles on each table, creating a cozy and chic ambience for diners. It was a full house on Friday evening, but we managed to get a table rather quickly.

Prawn Poppers
S$10++
Rating:

For starters, we had the very cutely named Prawn Poppers. It was one of their newest items and appeared on the menu only last month! Covered with a light, tasty batter, the juicy prawns came with a homemade tartar dip that was worth every fattening calorie.

Santarina
S$8++
Rating:

After watching us deliberate a long time over what drinks to order, our waitress recommended the Santarina. As its name suggests, this was actually a drink they made specially for Christmas! But with a yummy combination of passion fruit, cranberry, lemon, apple sparkling juice and soda water, I could have this all year long! It was the most refreshing drink ever!

Yakiniku Cod
S$23++
Rating:

My Yakiniku cod was baked and served with baby spinach and a huge mound of tagliatelle pasta. I didn’t really care for the pasta because the generous slab of cod fillet alone was more than enough to fill my stomach. Drenched in a very delightful and sweet Yakiniku sauce, the cod tasted heavenly!

If not for the few five-centimeter-long fish bones that I found, this would have been a five-star dish. It is possible for the chef to remove all fish bones like the Japanese do, no?

Chicken Cacciatore
S$19++
Rating:

Unlike the cod, the chicken Cacciatore was served boneless, thankfully. The chunky pieces had been cooked in a thick tomato gravy (a stark contrast from the soupy tomato base at The Mussel Guys!) and came with triangular slices of bread. The tomato gravy was herb-flavoured which on paper wouldn’t appeal to me much. But surprisingly I loved it!

Frankly, I had walked into Aerin’s expecting regular good food for the decent prices. But what I had was more than just regular good — it was outstanding! Throughout the course of the meal, I was oohing and ahhing over the excellent food. This was certainly the most satisfying meal I’ve had in 2007!

I rarely check out the same restaurant twice unless it’s really good, and Aerin’s certainly fits the bill. For that, Aerin’s gets a gold star and a smiley face from me :)

Aerin’s
Raffles City Shopping Centre
252 North Bridge Road #B1-11/12
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 6337 2231 | Website
Service:

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For more Christmas trees, check out the Sparklette Christmas Tree of the Day series.

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Located right next to the fountain, with part of the place lying beneath the skylight, out of the pan offers casual dining pseudo-alfresco style. I’m not too crazy about crêpes, nor do I get what the big deal with crêpes is, but I decided to make a meal out of seafood crêpe anyway.

Seafood Jungle
S$15+++
Rating:

I probably should have gone for a dessert crêpe as that would have been a safer option. The seafood crêpe I had was on the boring and bland side. The taste was monotonous and certainly didn’t excite for a dish that’s named “seafood jungle”. But I guess all healthful food tend to taste boring!

One thing noteworthy about the dish was the generous number of shrimps that had been stuffed within the crêpe layers. But that was it.

Coffee Oreo
S$5+++
Rating:

Anyhow, the number of calories that I saved by eating that healthy dish instead of a regular high-fat meal was undone when I washed it down with a tall glass of coffee Oreo. Well I had no idea when I placed my order that it would be two feet tall. It also didn’t help that it was mostly milk and Oreo chocolate rather than coffee.

All in all, Out of the Pan is a place for casual dining or a late afternoon tea session with friends. The service and food is nothing to shout about. And with such stiff competition going on at Raffles marketplace, I would likely give this place a miss in future.

Out of the Pan
Raffles City Shopping Centre
252 North Bridge Road #B1-45
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 6431 6103
Service:

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]]> http://sparklette.net/food/out-of-the-pan/feed/ 6 http://sparklette.net/food/chippy-british-take-away/ http://sparklette.net/food/chippy-british-take-away/#comments Sun, 16 Jul 2006 14:40:46 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=423 Okay okay, I know I’m a little late in this. This was only my first time eating from Chippy British Take Away. I was window shopping at Raffles City, got hungry, and wanted to sit down at a nice restaurant for some sumptuous dinner. But this brightly lit red little booth caught my eye.

It’s Chippy British Take Away! With that striking union jack, the cheery name, and so many sinful treats such as fried Mars Bars and beer-battered fish, tell me, how could I resist?

The food is seriously dirt cheap. I did a double take when I found that the yummy-sounding cheesy curry chicken cost just $3.45! Was the portion small? Not at all! Chippy promised 35 (or was it 45) pieces of chicken and definitely did not scringe on the portion.

So I asked for “extra spicy chicken”, paid my $3.45, watched the crew deep-fry my chicken pieces right in front of me and waited eagerly for the chicken to be ready. I got real worried when I saw how oily it was. This was definitely not meant for everyday consumption!

Cheesy Curry Chicken (Extra Spicy)
S$3.45
Rating:

But boy was it good. It was lip-smacking good! The food was cooked only upon each order placed, which explains why the chicken was still hot and crispy and packed with spices. As if that wasn’t enough, the little tub of cheese dip that came along was perfect for the chicken. It had a sweet and sour now-you-taste-it-now-you-don’t quality to it. Rather intriguing! Man, just thinking about the chicken makes me salivate already.

Even though this place is meant for take-aways, they do have some standing and sitting space reserved for customers. I like the colourful photo montage mural that decorated one side of the wall. I like the fact that the prices are cheap and the food is so yummilicious. Basically I like everything about the place! Chippy has totally won me over!

Gonna try out a couple of those fried Mars Bars next time!

Raffles City outlet

Raffles City Shopping Centre
252 North Bridge Road #B1-58
Singapore 179103

Plaza Singapura outlet

Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road #B2-38
Singapore 238839

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February 3, 2007: My list of Best (& Worst) Restaurants in Singapore for 2006
- Winner of “Best Take-out”

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