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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© 2011 Sparklette.net

With most dishes priced above S$30, budget at least S$40-50 a person. And if you pick any of the shark’s fin or abalone dishes, be prepared to reach deeper into your pocket. As part of the American Express SELECTS programme, cardholders get a 10% discount with the minimum spending of S$200. On top of that, if you make payment with your AmEx card before 29 January 2012, you may also qualify for the weekly Volkswagen car giveaway.

And so, on to the food…

Rice

As with all Chinese meals, rice is a staple.

Baked fried rice with seafood served on lotus leaf
S$22++

If you have to pick just one rice dish from the menu, definitely go for the baked fried rice with seafood. Presented on lotus leaf, the rice is chock-full of delicious ingredients like prawns, egg and other assorted seafood. Even when eaten by itself, the rice is robust with flavour and very satisfying.

Poached crispy rice with fresh crab meat in superior broth
S$32++

The poached crispy rice is one that looks really tantalising on paper. In fact, you would find two types of rice in it — crispy rice and regular white rice — soaked in a claypot of broth with crab meat. You get to see the waitress pour the crispy rice into the broth before serving it in individual bowls.

As it turns out, the dish is disappointingly dull and nondescript in comparison to its counterpart.

Seafood

Deep-fried cod fillet coated with salted egg yolk served with organic vegetables
S$32++

From the fish section, the deep-fried cod fillet is a safe bet. The cod is of good quality — tender white flesh sequestered beneath the perfectly browned and crispy salted egg yolk coating. Paired with organic vegetables and tangy fruit cubes, this dish is a delight to savour without the need for any additional dip or sauce.

Sautéed scallops topped with crab meat and roe
S$44++

The sautéed scallops don’t fare as well. Topped with crab meat and roe, the dish is lacklustre and eminently forgettable.

Poultry

Beijing-style crispy duck
S$32++

The Beijing-style crispy duck initially stumps us by arriving in pulled shreds rather than the usual slices with roasted skin a la Peking duck. All is well though, as it is undoubtedly the best dish of the night.

Eating this can be a rather fun activity in its own right. There’s just… something about eating with your fingers that makes the food that much more enjoyable. You wrap in a wafer thin pancake the duck meat, shreds of scallion and cucumber sticks. Don’t forget the superb sweet bean paste — oh I can’t get enough of that; it’s the catalyst that propels this dish out of the realm of the ordinary.

Despite offering the “best of” items from various restaurants, I do notice that some popular items, such as the intriguing coffee pork ribs from Zhou’s Kitchen aren’t on the menu here.

Desserts

The desserts section offers some wondrous possibilities at very reasonable prices. Here are some of our picks.

Chilled durian purée with purple rice purée served with ice cream in young coconut
S$10++

Durian lovers would have the easy choice of the chilled durian purée, paired with purple rice purée and ice cream in a young coconut. You get a sizable amount of durian in this that should be enough to temper any craving.

Chilled mango cream with pomelo, diced mango and sago served with ice cream in young coconut
S$8++

Another dessert that is equally up to the mark is the chilled mango cream with pomelo, diced mango and sago which is similarly served with ice cream in a small coconut.

Chilled taro pumpkin (off the menu)
S$6++

From off the menu, the excellent chilled taro pumpkin is the chef’s special for the day. With ice cream, pumpkin mousse and yam paste in a gorgeous shade, this is one triple-layered treat for both the eye and the palate. The pumpkin mousse in particular beguiles the taste buds with its feathery richness.

Service can be a bit on the tentative side, especially the waitresses who seem particularly befuddled with the available credit card privileges. There are some hits and misses with the meal, but for the most part, the kitchen hits the ground running.

What is your favourite restaurant under the Tung Lok Group? Share with us in the comments!

Tung Lok Signatures VivoCity

VivoCity
1 HarbourFront Walk #01-57
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 6376 9555
Service:

Tung Lok Signatures The Central (Clarke Quay)

Tung Lok Signatures Changi

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Credit

Even if you are looking across the sea from the neighbouring Sentosa island, you would be able to spot this tree.

Credit

The décor is simplistic — nothing more than an eight-pointed star atop and a couple of gold bands wrapping around the canopy.

Credit

At night, the gigantic tree turns into a spectacle with thousands of blue fairy lights covering its surface almost completely. If you’d like to get up close, you can enter the walkway circling around the tree base.

Credit

Credit

All photos here are taken by Mr. Choo Yut Shing and used with permission on Sparklette.

Have you seen any gorgeous Christmas trees this festive season? Share pictures with us in the comments!

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

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]]> http://sparklette.net/lifestyle/holiday/vivocity-christmas-tree-2011/feed/ 1 http://sparklette.net/food/putien-restaurant/ http://sparklette.net/food/putien-restaurant/#comments Tue, 21 Jun 2011 03:00:56 +0000 Jasper Aston Lim http://sparklette.net/?p=1174 With its humble beginnings as a coffee shop at Kitchener Road in 2000, PUTIEN Restaurant has since grown into a popular chain. Its eight outlets in Singapore and one in Jakarta serve Heng Hwa cuisine from the Fujian province in China.

For this quarter, Putien has launched its summer menu, a selection that aims to help you beat the heat. The dishes are light, cooling and easy on the palate, comprising seasonal ingredients that are native to the town of Putian in China.

Summer quencher
S$4.90++

The summer quencher, a simple combination of aloe vera, cherry tomatoes and sour plum makes a fabulous nutritious thirst-quencher. An instant pick-me-up!

Organic Momotaro tomato
S$4.90++

Parboiled, then chilled, the premium organic momotaro tomatoes, dusted with a layer of powdered sugar, is just the right mix of sweetness and tang. A very refreshing item, these succulent tomatoes will whet your appetite for more.

Fresh water bamboo with sesame
S$7.90++

The fresh water bamboo, a highly popular summer vegetable in China, is drenched in a special sesame dressing similar to that of a sesame paste dessert, but much thinner and smoother. This cooling, crunchy starter will help you combat the scorching summer heat.

Sautéed sea snails with Hua Diao wine
S$13.90++

Popular amongst the natives of Putian, the summer dish of sautéed sea snails, steeped in the fragrance of Hua Diao wine, provides a fun dining activity of sucking out the flesh from the tiny shells.

Pu Tien style century egg
S$7.90++

The Pu Tien style century egg is a different rendition from the century eggs you normally find in Singapore. For one, the eggs are much softer and creamier. That, along their fried exterior which provides a contrasting texture, makes this sweet, savoury dish extremely addictive.

Deep fried duck with yam
S$15.90++

Made from a quarter of a whole duck, the deep fried duck with yam boasts a smooth, creamy yam filling atop a layer of succulent duck meat, wrapped in a neatly fried shell. A must-order for yam fans!

Winter melon with white fungus and mushroom
S$19.90++

Prepared with white and black fungus, rooster comb and monkey head mushrooms, the seemingly simple winter melon dish is anything but. The flavourful melon and gravy, infused with the essence of the various ingredients, makes this one of the best dishes of the evening.

Stir-fried lotus root with prawn
S$21.90++

Served on a fresh lotus leaf, the China white lotus proves to be both crunchy and sweet — miles apart from the usual lotus roots in soup — teaming with the fresh prawns to make a great-tasting dish.

Pu Tien lor mee
S$15.90++

Pu Tien’s signature dish, the lor mee, made with thick noodles and 12 ingredients ranging from seafood to vegetables is served in a flavourful white gravy. Placing number one in a Pu Tien customer poll, this will be a repeat order at my future meals here.

Summer fruit platter
S$13.90++

Air-flown from Putian, the fragrant lychees in the summer fruit platter possess a slightly greenish skin and a delightfully sweet and delicate whitish pulp over the small seed. The fruit is also rich in vitamin C and fibre. Do not miss out on it during this peak lychee season!

Combining fresh and quality ingredients with a native Putian home-cooked style, Putien Restaurant serves up a winning recipe that is tasty and easy on the palate. It is no wonder it has been voted one of Singapore’s 50 best restaurants with its authentic Heng Hwa cuisine and warm service.

What are the best Chinese restaurants in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

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More than 70 readers entered the giveaway for the S$30 dining vouchers. You also indicated which dish you would like to try on the MOB menu. It seems like the most popular item is the Goodfellas mini burgers, as many of you love the fact that you can pick the type of burger and bun you want!

Read on to find out who the 5 lucky winners are.

The Goodfellas mini burgers from MOB Most Original Burgers

Winners

• Cincin
• Jess Soh
• Kyo
• Diana Sng
• Derek Yee

Congratulations to all 5 winners! You have been contacted at your email.

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

About MOB Most Original Burgers

MOB Most Original Burgers offers a diverse range of of western and fusion fares, ranging from burgers and pastas to meat and seafood dishes. The restaurant sports a mobster theme with a casual and fun vibe.

• Read the review of MOB Most Original Burgers.

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After whetting your appetite for the juicy mini burgers from MOB Most Original Burgers last week, I feel it’s only right that you get a taste too. So I asked the restaurant at VivoCity, Singapore if they could offer some vouchers to Sparklette readers. They obligingly agreed, and have kindly sponsored five S$30 dining vouchers for this giveaway!

• Read the review of MOB Most Original Burgers.

Read on to find out how you can win one of these vouchers to try out those savoury Goodfellas mini burgers, the humongous Muscle burgers and other delicious bites like the seafood platter and sweet potato fries.

Vouchers Giveaway!

The American Muscle burger from MOB Most Original Burgers

5 lucky Sparklette readers will each get to win a S$30 dining voucher from MOB Most Original Burgers.

1. This giveaway is only open to members of the Sparklette and MOB Most Original Burgers 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:
   • Name the dish that you would love to try on the MOB menu and why.

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 May 16, 2011 (2359 hours Singapore time).
• The 5 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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Burgers lead the way, which makes Most Original Burgers an ideal stopover for lunch or a casual dinner. Carnivores should feel right at home with the diverse range of grilled beef and chicken dishes. There are also fish, seafood, pastas and interestingly, a handful of Japanese and Korean inspired dishes. Vegetarians, on the other hand, need not feel left out as there are quite a number of vegetarian options on the menu.

Most Original Burgers

One must-try is definitely the mini burgers, available in a kaleidoscope of ingredients and seasonings. You pick from 13 types that range from classic beef and Philly cheese steak to Thai chicken and ebi fry (deep fried prawn).

The Goodfellas (includes a side dish)
S$16.90++
Beef Bulgogi
Teriyaki chicken
Portobello mushroom Rating:

I can’t get over how The Goodfellas look and taste. Yes, of course I am referring to the burgers. Served on a long plate, the trio of mini burgers are linked together with the unusually shaped buns. Seen here are the beef Bulgogi, teriyaki chicken and Portobello mushroom.

Oh my, these must be the juiciest burgers ever! Every bite feels incredibly satisfying as the delicious juices ooze out. Spiked with sesame oil, garlic and various condiments, the thinly sliced Bulgogi beef is tumultuously and invigoratingly savoury. If you’re in the mood for teriyaki, try the boneless grilled chicken which has a nice smoky flavour. The Portobello mushroom comes in whole and retains its natural juices.

The American Muscle (includes two side dishes)
S$21.90++
Rating:

For something meatier, go for one of the Muscle burgers. Each one is an intimidatingly huge sandwich that serves two, although some people finish it single-handedly. The American Muscle is a gargantuan portion of a 300gram rib-eye patty topped with cheese and egg, resting on a pillow of tomato slices and lettuce. I got a shock when it arrived at our table; it is like the Mount Everest of burgers! I guarantee you won’t need dinner after having this for lunch.

Comparing between the burgers from Most Original Burgers and close competitor The Handburger, for now my vote goes to the mobsters.

Sides

Sweet potato fries
S$6.50++
Rating:

Moving on to the side dishes. Some of these are teamed with the burgers, and are also available as à la carte options. The sweet potato fries are an interesting alternative to the regular French fries.

Chilli cheese fries
S$8.50++
Rating:

The chilli cheese fries don’t leave much of an impression as it is somewhat lacking in the taste department.

Goma (black sesame) spaghetti
S$6.50++
Rating:

The Goma (black sesame) spaghetti is amazing! Black and white sesame seeds are sprinkled on top for visual appeal. It tastes a little sweet and a little salty, though quite oily. I like that it comes in a petite serving so you can sample it without having to order the full portion.

Korean fried chicken
S$11.90++
Rating:

Crispy and seemingly non-greasy, the Korean fried chicken boasts a crackly skin that yields to the tender flesh. It is cut in manageable strips that can be dipped in the accompanying chilli and garlic soy sauces.

Seafood platter
S$23.90++
Rating:

Seafood selections include the seafood platter, a mighty impressive presentation of breaded prawns and calamari, battered dory, baked scallops and French fries. Served alongside are not one, not just two, but three sauces — spicy Mexican, tartar and wasabi mayonnaise. That’s customer satisfaction for ya!

While the calamari is quite tough and the rest are good but not exceptional, the scallops are fantastic. Firstly, they are huge, even bigger than the ones you usually see at hotel seafood buffets. Soft and fresh, the flavour is wonderfully complemented by the saltiness and richness of the cheese. If I ever order this dish again, it would solely be for the scallops.

Drinks

Mobster Sling
S$6.90++
Rating:

For sodas, I recommend the Mobster Sling mocktail. The name is no doubt inspired from the Singapore Sling cocktail (which is also on the menu). Topped with strawberry, this is a refreshing concoction of orange juice, lime juice and fresh mint.

While Most Original Burgers may not set off seismic waves on the culinary Richter scale, the generally good casual fares and generous portions are worth a try for a casual chow-down. Don’t be alarmed if you happen to catch the staff dressed completely in black, walking around wearing fedora hats and clutching (fake) guns. It’s simply part of the MOB theme!

Now, if you will excuse me, I’m gonna put on The Godfather DVD.

What is your favourite burger joint in Singapore? Tell us in the comments!

Most Original Burgers
VivoCity
1 Harbourfront Walk #01-52
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 6376 9681 | Website | Menu | Facebook
Service:

Opening hours: 11:30am – 11pm daily

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]]> http://sparklette.net/food/mob-most-original-burgers/feed/ 2 http://sparklette.net/food/bakerzin-meal-box/ http://sparklette.net/food/bakerzin-meal-box/#comments Sat, 27 Nov 2010 03:00:40 +0000 Jasper Aston Lim http://sparklette.net/?p=1028 With nine branches spread across the island, Bakerzin has long been a crowd favourite for its desserts, cakes and artful dishes. Pitted against the surge of café-restaurants marketing the same fancy bites, how will Bakerzin’s newly revamped menu for 2010 fare?

A new addition to the menu is the interesting meal-boxes category. Each meal-box includes a main course or pasta, soup of the day, bread, side salad, slice of cake and a choice of Italian soda or iced tea.

We opt for three of the meal-boxes, namely the carbonara, Japanese chicken curry and Barramundi fish meal-boxes.

Carbonara meal-box
S$18.90++
Rating:

The creamy smell from the carbonara meal-box wafts into our nostrils long before it even arrives at the table. I’ve always been a fan of creamy pasta, so this is a natural choice for me. The presentation is elegant, the white of the plate contrasting well with the yellow in the pasta, speckled with pink and green.

However, the pasta turns out to be a little starchy and dry, as though it has been overcooked. Having had the same dish on a previous visit, this experience left me disappointed.

Japanese chicken curry meal-box
S$21.90++
Rating:

I like the way they make the Japanese chicken curry stand out with a pile of seaweed stacked atop the rice and the asymmetrical curry arrangement. This is the standard sweet and mildly spicy Japanese curry, although its pairing with the clearly western mashed potato seems mismatched.

Barramundi fish meal-box
S$26.90++
Rating:

The Barramundi fish meal-box is the one that captures our attention. The cooking is well executed, the fish perfectly paired with a savoury sauce. The salmon salad on the side is refreshing, while the mashed potato on which the fish sits is far more flavourful than the side dishes in the other two meal-boxes. This is one item that Bakerzin should definitely retain on their next menu update. (Editor: While we’re at it, please bring back the assam (tamarind) prawn linguini and the old seafood pasta, too!)

Soup of the day is the Spicy Bloody Mary soup, which is spicy and tomato-based. One minor gripe we have is that the angular shape of the deep soup bowls makes scooping difficult.

For the cake option, you have a choice between mango and tiramisu. The latter has just the right mix of cream, sponge and cocoa powder, with a soft texture that allows the fork to slide through easily. It suffices to say that the tiramisu does not disappoint.

While we’re on the subject of the new Bakerzin menu, I have always been impressed with the menu design and layout. The previous design had a style like a glossy magazine with oh-so drool-worthy pictures. The new menu sports a simpler old-school feel with the design and paper texture, while retaining the same gorgeous studio-quality images.

Peach Italian soda
Rating:

On the whole, the new meal-box concept serves as a more affordable option for enjoying a multi-course meal. That being said, it has its drawbacks. The small plates set on a tray reminds one of airline food. For that same reason I can’t help but eye my carbonara suspiciously, wondering if it was indeed prepared way beforehand and heated up on order. The next time I visit Bakerzin, I’d stick to the ala carte orders, thank you very much!

What are your thoughts on Bakerzin’s new meal-box concept? Tell us in the comments!

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Tip: Receive even quicker updates by clicking the “Like” button on the Official Sparklette Facebook Page. Updates and photos are posted there even before they hit this website!

The scrumptious Jolly Season Party Package is a feast for 12.

You get:
- 1 Turkey / Roasted beef / Leg of lamb
- 1 Ice cream log cake
- 2 Salads / Sides / Pastas
- 1 bottle of sparkling fruit juice (750ml)

A slightly cheaper option would be the Make Merry Party Package, also good for 12:
- 1 Honey baked ham / Meatloaf
- 1 Ice cream log cake
- 2 Salads / Sides / Pastas

Swensen’s specialty ice cream log cakes are available in seven tantalising flavours:
- Cookie Carousel
- Chocolate Indulgence
- Cappuccino Raisins Fantasy
- Nutty Noel
- Berry Merry Christmas
- Durian Deluxe
- Chendol Jubilee

Each log cake is 1 kilogram and serves 10 to 12 people. Chocolate Indulgence in particular is made with the popular Sticky Chewy Chocolate ice cream, marshmallows and diced almonds.

Swensen’s party packages look well-together, filled with various goodies that one might expect at Christmas. I hope you find this Christmas Treats series useful!

Like the Sparklette Facebook Page to browse the entire Swensen’s Christmas collection 2010 and view all seven log cakes.

How would you be spending this Christmas? Would it be an intimate meal with your loved ones at home? Or a fancy dinner at the coolest restaurant in town? Share with us in the comments!

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Source

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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© 2011 Sparklette.net

The interiors here are just as charming. Seating is a choice between the indoor dining area, and an alfresco area by the sea with a view of the Resorts World Sentosa.

Photo by The Queen & Mangosteen

Apart from Queen, the other bars and restaurants along the same stretch, such as Brotzeit the German bar and Serenity the Spanish bar next door, also offer the same waterfront view.

Queen’s snapper fish & chips
S$24++
Rating:

Our main reason for coming here is to try out the much hyped Queen’s snapper fish and chips. The beer-battered fish is served with mesclun salad, a lemon wedge and tartar sauce. The twist lies in the sauce itself, which is yellow and curry-flavoured! It is very tasty, and goes delightfully well with the fish and chips.

Without the unique curry tartar sauce, the dish is otherwise quite ordinary. At that price, it would be nice if they offer a bigger portion than just two rather skimpy pieces of fish. So for now, I still prefer Fish & Co‘s cheese-stuffed fish and chips.

Photo by The Queen & Mangosteen

Still, I wouldn’t mind going back to The Queen. The drinks are priced more reasonably than the food. With the lovely ambience and sea view, it is a wonderful place for chilling out.

What is your favourite place for fish and chips? Share with us in the comments!

The Queen & Mangosteen
VivoCity
1 Habourfront Walk #01-106/107
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 6376 9380 | Website
Service:

Opening hours:
Sun – Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri, Sat & PH Eve: 11am – 1am

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throughout the month of July, they are selling their macarons at just $0.90 each! If you’ve yet to try out this cute French pastry, this is the perfect opportunity! With over a dozen flavours, there’s something for everybody.

Wait, that’s not all. They have also slashed the prices for some of their cakes by more than half!

1. Chocolate Amer (flourless chocolate sponge layered with bitter chocolate mousse, serves 6-10)
2. Cookies & cream cheesecake (studded with cookie crumble and sprinkled with crushed cookie bits, serves 8-10)
3. New York cheesecake (cream cheese coated with a tangy strawberry glaze, serves 8-10)

Imagine getting a whole cookies and cream cheesecake for less than $20! That’s a massive discount!

If you’re celebrating a loved one’s birthday this month, why not get him or her an affordable Bakerzin cake?

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]]> http://sparklette.net/food/bakerzin-cake/feed/ 3 http://sparklette.net/food/japanese-gourmet-town/ http://sparklette.net/food/japanese-gourmet-town/#comments Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:49:17 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=822 If you enjoy eating all kinds of Japanese food, jot down this place in your address book. The Japanese Gourmet Town at VivoCity houses three restaurants from three cities under one roof!

There’s Ajisen Ramen (from Kyushu), Botejyu Okonomiyaki (from Osaka) and Sapporo Curry Yoshimi (from Hokkaido). How convenient that diners can get to sample dishes from different areas in Japan!

I think Singaporeans are already very familiar with the ubiquitous Ajisen outlets. But the other two offer a very interesting deviation from your usual Japanese fares. I’m not sure if the 3-restaurants-in-1 concept is anything new, but I love it!

Let me start with the soup curry that hails from Hokkaido. Japanese curry usually comes in the form of a thick gravy. The soup curry, as its name suggests, is thin. It is also spicier and typically contains potatoes, carrots and other vegetables.

Yoshimi Fusion! Spicy Tom-yam soup curry
S$14.80++
Rating:

When ordering the soup curry, the waitress would prompt you for the level of spiciness — 1, 2 or 3 chillies. To play safe you can start with a 2. But those of you who are accustomed to eating spicy food can bravely go for the 3. It’s really not that hot.

For our soup, we had the spicy tom-yam curry. To be frank I was a little apprehensive about it as I’m simply not a fan of tom-yam. But fortunately, this fusion soup is delightfully seafood-sweet, and not that sour too. I drank every last drop of it. Yes, it was easily the most delicious dish of the meal!

If it wasn’t so pricey though, I would have awarded it all 5 drumsticks!

Pork Okonomiyaki
S$11.80++
Rating:

Doesn’t this look pretty? The sizzling Okonomiyaki is an Osaka-style pancake made of shredded cabbage. Okonomi means “favorite”, so you can select your favourite ingredient to go in the batter. We had ours with pork.

By the way, I watched the cooks at work to check out how they made the pretty design. It is easily done with a fork!

This is one dish that actually looks much better than it tastes. After a while, you get a little sick of eating all that soft cabbage batter. Maybe more of that dark sauce and mayonnaise on top would have helped. My suggestion is to make the serving smaller (and cheaper).

Seafood Yaki-Soba
S$12.80++
Rating:

The second item we tried from Osaka is the seafood Yaki-Soba, a noodle dish packed with squid, prawn, octopus and scallop. The noodles are stir-fried in a wonderful sweet-tasting sauce that I really love. What I didn’t love are the cabbage leaves. Can you tell I’m not a big fan of the greens?

Like most of the other restaurants at VivoCity, the Japanese gourmet town also offers waterfront dining. In fact the sea-facing side opens up completely (just like the nearby German bar) so even the people sitting indoor can feel the breeze. It’s pretty nice!

Japanese Gourmet Town
VivoCity
1 Harbourfront Walk #01-157/158
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 6224 9690
Service:

Bus services: 10, 30, 57, 61, 65, 80, 97, 100, 131, 143, 145, 166, 855
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront

Opening hours: 11:30am – 10pm daily

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If macaron is the first thing that pops in your mind, my, you must have a sweet tooth!

When I first laid my eyes on the macarons at Bakerzin, I fell in love with these sweet pastries. Just toss in a cup of joe and you’re all set for a delightful teatime snack!

Macarons (not to be confused with macaroon or macaroni) are made with egg white, almond powder and icing sugar, with creamy butter cream and ganache.

Macarons (assorted flavours)
$1.60 $1 each for February ’09
Rating:

On first impression, I would have thought that the green one is matcha (green tea), but it’s actually pistachio with white chocolate! The pretty one with speckles of pink is “scarlet”, a mixture of vanilla and strawberry. It’s heavenly! But my favourites are, hands down, the chocolate ones.

The bakers here really know their chocolate. You get your chocolate macarons with a touch of lemon, brandied cherry, whiskey, coffee butter cream and even banana! The chocolate ones are really the best of the lot.

After whetting your appetite, I feel it’s only right to share with you this: Bakerzin has slashed the price of these babies from $1.60 to a dollar each. The promotion is valid only in the month of February. So hurry!

(last month, they slashed the price of their phenomenal warm chocolate cake to $4.80. I’m looking forward to another great promotion next month!)

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This time round, they have kept standards high with this 101 feet tall Christmas tree that stands proudly at the rooftop. It shimmers with thousands of fairy lights, and can be seen from surrounding ships and even from Sentosa!

Even the sheltered walkway around the tree has been decorated with icicle lights. With cable cars in the background and the waterfront just a short distance away, the sight is totally mesmerising!

Photo by GenkiGenki

Favorite Christmas characters such as angels, reindeer and snowmen decorate the tree at midsection. It kinda reminds me of a carousel!

I love the words too — Christmas sparkles!

If this colourful tree isn’t sparkling enough for you, check out the jeweled tree at the mall’s main entrance. It’s made from Swarovski crystals!

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

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A Christmas tree made from sparkling Swarovski crystals! You really, really can’t beat that, not unless you have one made from diamonds… Hold on, Soo Kee Jewelry already did that last year.

Diamonds or not, this crystal tree might just be the most beautiful Christmas tree this time round.

It’s currently on display at the main entrance of VivoCity (with the actual Swarovski store just steps away too) for your viewing pleasure!

And if anyone is interested in having his or her very own crystal Christmas tree, you can grab a piece of it at Swarovski.

This cute little tree is made entirely from crystals, with light Siam crystals as the tree ornaments, and even a clear crystal pot! The little tree has a name too — Felix!

To be honest, I’m really excited about this series. Christmas always seems extra magical to me, and I’m thrilled to be doing something Christmasy on my blog. I hope you would enjoy it as much as I would!

Happy Swarox’mas!

December 19, 2007: this post has been Tomorrow-ed!

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The reason that keeps me going there is that the team of chefs serve up a mean seafood pasta. And let’s not forget the oh-so-sinful-and-yummilicious chocolate lava cake too.

But with this new 2008 menu, I’ve found a third good reason.

Assam Prawns with Linguini
S$14.80++
Rating:

The assam prawn dishes are newcomers to the menu, falling under the brand new category “just like home”, which is dedicated to local flavours. Bakerzin owner and chef Daniel Tay was taught by his Dad on how to prepare the delicious assam prawns.

For those with a weakness for spicy food, you would totally love this. I tell ya, these juicy prawns go so well with the thick and sweet spicy gravy, they’re practically exploding with flavour. It’s mouthwatering and lip-smackingly good!

Just when I thought they can’t possibly do any better than their 5-star seafood pasta, they whip up this new pasta that totally surpasses my expectations! Like the seafood pasta, a generous serving of prawns is tossed in too.

Besides the east-meets-west fusion of assam prawns with linguini, you can also choose to have it with Japanese rice. I might ask for spaghetti next time though; I feel spaghetti might just go better than linguini.

Update: I tried this with spaghetti a few days later and guess what? I did like it better than the linguini!

Oh, for the seafood pasta die-hard fans, this old favourite is still on the new menu. They wouldn’t dare take it away would they? Personally I’m just thrilled to have another excellent option for my next visit!

Aglio Olio Spaghetti
S$8.80++
Rating:

Another old favourite that remains is the traditionalist pasta dish, aglio olio spaghetti, sautéed with olive oil, garlic, chilli padi and parsley. While it was tasty, we did find it too dry for our liking. I sure hope it isn’t always dry like that, especially since this place doesn’t serve water. That’s my only pet peeve with Bakerzin. (a rather major one though.)

But who needs aglio olio when you already have two awesome tried-and-tasted pasta dishes right? Wow, my entire mouth just filled up with saliva. Can’t wait for my next visit!

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Photo by NinjaHelloKitty

Crispy Duck Salad (香酥鸭沙)
S$25++

The duck salad was a mixture of fruits, vegetables and slivers of duck meat. While I found the portion to be severely lacking for a $25 dish, the sweetness and sourness of the fruits complemented the taste of the duck very well. Still, this is one dish I would steer clear of due to its hefty price tag.

Stir-fried Sze Chuan Prawns with Dried Chili & Walnut
?++

A hot favourite among all of us at the table was the stir-fried sze chuan prawns. Rather than the conventional cashew nuts, the chef had tossed in walnuts instead. It worked! The result was heavenly. The tenderness of the prawns was a perfect contrast for the crunchy and crispy fried walnuts. I could find no fault with this dish. Everyone around the table was oohing and ahhing at the delightful taste of the walnuts!

Braised Soup with Assorted Meat & Fried Scallops
?++

What I did find somewhat puzzling was the braised soup. It was good and had a thick scallop taste. But I didn’t think there was any assorted meat in it despite what the menu stated; I only found strips of mushroom.

Gooseberry Beancurd Skin with Small Pak Choy (Chinese cabbage)
S$12++

The gooseberry beancurd skin with small pak choy (chinese cabbage) was easily the most forgettable dish by any standard. Despite its nice and exotic-sounding name, it was in fact very bland and lacking in flavour. This dish looked pretty cheap to me.

Steamed Cod Fish with Garlic & Chili
S$25++

Ahhh… Cod fish! That’s like my second most favourite fish in the world (after salmon). The portion of cod fish served was really generous. The soy sauce soupy base was really tasty too.

Crispy Chicken with Garlic Crisps (蒙古风沙鸡)
S$18/$34++

When the crispy chicken was served, it looked pretty impressive especially with all that garlic crisps.

Hold on! Is that a chicken head at the bottom left corner of the dish? I just saw it whilst blogging this post! Argh! Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Right now it looks a little disturbing.

As it turned out, the chicken was nothing spectacular. I think the meat hadn’t been marinaded properly or something. It was tasteless!

Seafood Fried Rice with XO Sauce (酱海鲜炒饭)
S$12/$18/$24++

The seafood fried rice with XO sauce was awesome! Wow, it was the most fragrant and flavourful thing ever. I didn’t know rice could taste so good. It must be the XO sauce at work!

It tasted even better with chopped green chilli! Chomp, chomp. Yum, yum.

Signature Golden Flowing Custard Bun (招牌流沙包)
S$4.80++

But! The most interesting and noteworthy dish had to be the dessert — bosses’ signature golden flowing custard bun! Now, that’s a real mouthful.

On the surface the buns looked plain, innocent and unassuming, perhaps even adorable. But upon piercing each bun with a fork, hot yellow paste flows out! Many diners were caught by surprise!

The yellow paste is a delightful mixture of salted egg yolk and sweet custard. Yummy! Susan hui, the restaurant manager, proudly declared that bosses is the only place in Singapore where this custard bun can be found!

Throughout the meal, there was constant free-flowing Chinese tea. I’m not a fan of Chinese tea, but I really dug the glass teapots that were used. The little blue glass leaf perched on the lid of each teapot was so intricate!

Other than the overall good food and nice ambience (the full length glass windows provide diners a clear view of the sea), service is wonderful too, and certainly very un-secret society. My only gripe is that the prices here are a tad on the high side!

I heard they serve dim sum lunch too. Maybe someone can check it out and let me know if it’s any good!

Bosses 黑社会
VivoCity
1 Harbourfront Walk #02-156
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 6376 9740
Service:

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Credit

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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