SINGAPORE: Pura Brasa

While it may seem that Nick and I haven't been eating out much given my *again* relatively long hiatus. I should have no excuses given I am currently on leave. Many people have asked if I ever feel bored being on leave for so long. Surprisingly, no. And to be honest I think I've never been happier in my life!

I've been chilling at home, roasting my coffee beans, perfecting my latte art, enjoying different types of coffee brewing, meeting up with friends. 

Life is good. I think Life should be this way. 

Last night saw us at dinner with Pura Brasa with Nick's parents and some friends. I've always enjoyed a good spanish, I remember years ago Nick's and my go to place for spanish was catalunya, just overlooking the Singapore River, it was a good view but a pretty pricey restaurant to be frank :/

So that closed down. And we went spanish-less for awhile. Until Minerva recommended Pura Brasa. From Dr Google, Pura Brasa is a spanish high quality restaurant chain. Singapore is their first overseas venture. The birth of Pura Brasa was by Josper, an internationally recognised brand of charcoal oven. This restaurant was meant to give ideas to Josper's customers and teach them how to implement the grills and ovens and variety of Josper's application. 

We kicked off the night with their happy hour 1-1 beer deal ( 3-7pm).

For starters - Grilled mussels 

It definitely wasn't the best mussels I've tasted. Hands down unbeatable mussels would be Belgian Beer Oostende in Adelaide Rundle Street..

But still good mussels from pura brasa anyway. I would have liked it more if there was more sauce i could eat the mussel with. It was quite dry. 

My favourite spanish omelette with chorizo 

This spanish omelette is good and I highly recommend !

We also got the battered squid which I clearly missed a photo opportunity because it was so good and snapped up before I could even realise. 

A quick vegatable dish before our winning mains 

It's really very difficult to cook a good octopus/squid. Undercook it and you risk getting diarrhoea, overcook it and you risk a rubbery feel.

This octopus leg was perfect ! 

And a signature to have in all spanish restaurants - Paella. 

The rice absorbed the seafood flavours so nicely. 

My big winner of the night - Spanish pork ribs cooked in 2 stages - 20 hours at 75degrees then finished at 400 degrees in the Jasper oven

And lastly, the 1.6kg wagyu tomahawk. 

It was good, but if I were to choose between the porl ribs and the tomahawk, definitely the pork ribs

It's a really nice environment. We had 8 people for dinner last night and they put us on a round table which is amazing, food can be shared so easily on the lazy susan. Furthermore it was right at the end pocket of the restaurant where you are almost impervious to rowdy drinkers if any. 

The service staff were top notch. We brought our own cake for the birthday girl and the service staff were so thoughtful to include a candle as well as sing a birthday song. 

Before we left they said " see you again", I think they will definitely see me again. It was food so good, it left all of us singing praises. 

Even my bulldog beefe, who is a fussy eater, he only eats prime pork ribs ( I sneakily dapaoed some ribs and wagyu for him because poor boy he gets very upset when I'm not home) enjoyed the ribs tremendously. 

Pura Brasa
5 Wallich Street #01-16 Tanjong Pagar Centre Singapore 078883
tel: +65 6386 9678
Weekdays 11am-11pm, Weekends 11am-12am

SINGAPORE: Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer

I have always told people that IF you were to go into F&B or actually any business, your target audience should be the females. Because only females have the power to summon BOTH other females to part with their money AS WELL AS their male companions. That's like 100% of the human population !

I had this conversation with an ex male classmate few days ago. We were both at a cafe which *in my honest opinion* sells expensive coffee

Me: Ya it's expensive huh the coffee.
Male Friend: $6.70 for a coffee! It's going to be my first and last time here. My $1 hawker centre coffee is better.

Compare it with my female friend whom I had the same conversation with yesterday

Female Friend: ya $6.70 is expensive la but the milk is so nice! I have drank couple of times already

After being in Australia for so many years, I've integrated into their coffee and burger culture. I get burger cravings maybe once a month? My cousin is the person I get most of my foodspiration from. It's like.. he goes everywhere to eat. To be honest I have no idea how he can sustain such a lifestyle because I definitely can't with my meagre doctor salary lol. But hey, to each his own perhaps he has some investments that are lucrative.
So Nick and I found ourselves at Black Tap over the weekend. Hailing from NYC, Black Tap I heard serves one of the best burgers. We came  to satisfy our burger cravings, but secretly I also came for their crazy shakes.

I've never had much faith in crazy shakes, especially not after my bad virgin experience was with 50SIXONE in Adelaide ( read here). It was nothing but daylight robbery except they didn't rob a bank, they robbed me. It was expensive and it tasted bad. It was SO SWEET. Artificially sweet to make it worse.

But I am an instagram whore, and aesthetically pleasing ( tho may be non practical and inedible ) things sell.

We finally managed to get in after 30mins of queueing. After being in Singapore for the last few months, I've come to a conclusion: People in Singapore are either well to do or they don't mind spending on food.
It's like every relatively expensive place I go to, there's a queue. I attempted to make a booking for the 4 day pop up sugalabo event which cost $1450++ per person for an 8 course meal and it was all booked out. So yeah....

Nick iniitally wanted a peanut butter crazy shake, but at a price of $22 we can only afford 1. I'm allergic to peanut butter so...... I chose the girly strawberry shake :D

It was.. surprisingly good. haha. 

We shared a spicy korean bbq wings - it wasn't spicy at all which is good $13

The white sauce was SO GOOD. It tasted good with fries too!

I had the Texan Burger $25

They usually cook their patties medium, but I chose to have it medium rare because I feel that beef should be eaten medium rare for the best taste. 

Nick had the Chilli Cheese $24 with onion rings

I really enjoyed the burger ! It was such a huge serving I couldn't even finish the fries.
Overall I really enjoyed myself, tho I wish the queue wasn't so long !!!

Happy me with the not so bad tasting crazy shake :D 

Black Tap 
Marina Bay Sands
11am -11.30pm
No reservations

SINGAPORE: Haidilao

Okay so recently, Nick told met that Haidilao is worth 12 Billion ! 

WTF. Okay, initially Nick told me that haidilao has an annual turnover of 12 billion a year in Singapore only, that was unbelievable so I did a quick google search and they clarified that his total net worth is 12 billion. 

See la. Perfect example of fake news. And this shows that everyone is succeptible to fake news, even highly educated with an MBBS degree Nicholas is sharing wrong information around.

So moral of the story: Doesn't pay to be more careful, please double, triple, quadriple check any information that is passed on to you. 

I have... never eaten Haidilao in Singapore before. I've heard great things about their service ( which includes free manicure ! :o omg, I think I've been to a manicurist less than 5 times in my 27 years ), I've checked out their Shanghai branch once, I thought it was pretty ordinary... hmmmm. 

So few weeks ago, Shannon, Michelle, Nick and myself wanted to grab hotpot for dinner. But guess what, THERE WASN'T ANY AVAILABLE RESERVATIONS !!!!!

We practically called the whole singapore - we're talking about more reputable chains here like haidilao, beauty in a pot . Not your open air geylang or bugis ones ah. All 4 of us probably have a different gut flora to the majority of singaporeans here because we've lived in Australia for so long, so better go to a place where they are likely to practice higher hygiene standards hmm.

Nick managed to get a table for 2 last week and asked if I was keen for dinner. It was also at a convenient branch ( Bedok Mall), so why not right?

The moment I arrived, I was greeted by service staff who promptly wanted to serve me tidbits while I waited for Nick to arrive. We were both then ushered to our table and was introduced to our table service stuff for the night and was given a hot towel, an apron each and a plastic protector for our phone. 

Our service staff - He was pretty good looking eheheheheh. 

And then we ordered the food, and ate the food. 

The food was good; I do find it rather pricey so I'm not sure if I could afford to eat here every week like some of my friends hmmm. Especially not with my current doctor paygrade lol. 

But will I return again? Definitely! 

The service was good, I liked the noodle dance, and most importantly, the restaurant manager gave me his mobile number and said " If you want to come over to eat, even if it's last minute, just give me a call " :p

SINGAPORE: Tipo Pasta Bar

8 years in Australia and I've been semi converted into a western meal lover. Previously all I knew my whole life was asian food. That is because my mom only eats asian cuisine. She doesn't like pasta, she doesn't eat steak, she definitely would never make a sunday roast. 

Since I've came back to Singapore, I haven't had pasta at all. And to be honest, I'm really craving a good pasta from my favourite Italian restaurant in Adelaide - Chianti. 

A new initiative from F&B group - the black hole, the pasta at Tipo are handcrafted. Interestingly their pasta isn't plain boring, instead subtle flavours are infused i.e lemon, beetroot, garlic

First up, the order form !

Nick and I decided to get a starter each - I had the carprese salad which was amazing! Whilw nick had the bruchetta. it was also delightful 

They were $6 each

We then decided to build our own pasta.
Below is Nick's pasta with alfredo sauce, king oyster mushroom, sauteed prawns and sous vide egg

I really enjoyed the alfredo sauce. I'm usually not a creamy sauce person because I feel sick of it really quickly. But this one was good !

$17.90

I had the beef ragu with sous vide egg $12.90

I guess this would be a good place to go to for a pasta craving. It's not as fine as Valentino's but price point also much cheaper than valentino also right. I mean, the older generation always say 一分钱一分货. If you're paying less than $15 for a pasta you also need to adjust your expectations a little bit right. haha.

Tipo Pasta 
785 North Bridge Road
12pm-10pm everyday

SINGAPORE: Yardbird Southern Table & Bar

My gosh, I really get anxious just thinking about the number of backlog travel posts I have 

 2018 Japan trip, 2018 Korea trip, 2018 New Zealand trip, 2019 Japan trip, 2019 Bangkok trip ....

HOLY. IT'S SIX.

How am I going to ever finish posting about them goodness. I probably have around 50 posts more to draft omg omg omg omg. 

Nicholas and I have been back in Singapore for awhile already and really, we have been going around trying new places, old places. And I think Singapore in terms of its food scene its much more exciting than Adelaide. There's just so many restaurants! And new restaurants are popping up every week it's just so difficult to stay on top of everything. I dare say in Adelaide that Nick and I would have already checked out a new place by 1 month post opening. 

Voted Best American Restaurant by Time Out Miami, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar was founded on the principle of farm-fresh ingredients and traditional American flavours. We decided to dig into Yardbird Singapore’s mouth-watering dinner menu last week.

Goodness, I 've just realised that Singaporeans are a really greedy bunch. The problem with Nick and myself is that we are super last minute people. We hardly ever plan our meals ahead ( unless we are travelling then I get very uptight), we only decided on yardbird a couple of hours before dinner. I couldn't get a table on chope. Nick called the restaurant and was unfortunately told that the tables are all fully booked out. But Nick is always very resourceful and he is a sweet talker so somehow is managed to sweet talk a table out of the manager.... lollollol

Some singaporeans I realised... are also a strange bunch. There was a young couple beside us. I think it's an army boy celebrating his gf's birthday. They ordered ribs and lobster mac and cheese. Wah, I held myself back so badly, I really felt like tapping them on the shoulder. I mean.... the restaurant's called yardbird... the restaurant's mascot is a chicken.... the restaurant is known for fried chicken...

WHY ARE YOU EATING RIBS AND LOBSTER?

It's like me going to a fisherman and asking him to sell me pork.

Anyway... rant over.

heheh Nicholas is SO CUTE !

For starters we had the chicken wings ( left $20)

I LOVED IT. The chili spice was on point. It's the best chicken wings I've ever had. I am a huge fan of korean chicken wings, but this is better !

Fried green tomato, cripsy pork belly, pimento cheese, smoky tomato jam, frisée, pickled lemon vinaigrette $18

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. 

Chicken and spiced watermelon and waffles for mains $40 

It's a huge portion so if you are getting sides and appetizers, I really think 1 main is good to share between 2. 

The chicken was so well marinated. I brought some back for Beefe and the moment i opened up my takeaway box my mom was like " WHATS THAT? SMELLS AMAZING" obviously Beefe had a fantastic supper. 

The spiced watermelon was refreshing. The waffles... meh. 

Really nice Mac and cheese $14

Overall, the food was good, price wise a little expensive but hey, it's housed in marina bay sands so.... I guess it's priced appropriately for venue.
The good thing is... if you are a marina bay sands member just like I am, you are entitled to 15% discount at yardbird until march 2020!!!!!

It's a heaps good deal !

I don't know about you, but I did enjoy the chicken very much and Nicholas and I are definitely going to be back for brunch another day. I really want to try their chicken and egg biscuit sandwich :p

Yardbird Southern Table & Bar ( click)

SINGAPORE: Birds of Paradise

Sorry for the long no posts.

Back in the +61 and working my ass off......

Anyhow, I love ice cream and gelato. In fact one of my greatest complaints about Adelaide is that it is so hard to find good ice cream places! There's only like.. St Louis, Gelatissimo etc I can probably count with 2 hands.

Anyway, went back to Singapore and got introduced this ice cream parlour by a good friend of mine. And I love it too because it's located in the East and I LIVE IN THE EAST.

#WINNINGINLIFE.

Absolutely loved their flavours! Very different from traditional ice cream parlours.

Okay, so usually, I always go for ice cream in a cup. Because I'm a messy ice cream eater. Actually, just messy in general hurhur.

But I just had to get my ice cream in a cone this time because.. their waffle cone has bits of thyme in it and I LOVE HERBS

Here's me with my 2 scoops - strawberry basil and crysanthemum.

My mom had their lychee something which was AMAZING.
And dad.. who is more traditional and boring lollol, had hazelnut. which was also very good.

Birds of Paradise
63 East Coast Road #01-05 (Opposite Katong I12 and Roxy Square)
Singapore 428776

open 12-10pm

SINGAPORE: Tendon Ginza Itsuki

Japanese food and culture has taken Singapore by a storm in the last recent years. I've seen so many new establishments sprucing up. And one place which I'm really starting to see heaps of Japanese restaurants congregate is Tanjong Pagar.

Prior to coming back to Singapore, I've been seeing heaps of people posting pictures of their TenDons on instagram. And I LOVE MY TenDons
I love fried food
I love food.

So I did my research looking for the Tendon restaurant that scored well for accessibility as well as taste and... heaps pointed in the direction of


Tendon Ginza Itsuki - Ramen Keisuke's eighth new concept outlet! This new 24-seater outlet is the popular ramen chain's first concept in collaboration with the highly acclaimed Ginza Itsuki Sushi restaurant in Tokyo, Japan. 

Took my parents there too and they absolutely loved it !

It is so affordable as well -$13.90++ for this bowl which include chawanmushi and free flow pickles

What really stood out for me was the pickles. THIS AMAZING PICKLES. 

You cant see it in any of my picture, but they did have a tempura egg which yolk was still runny in the middle !!!I love runny eggs !
I'm an egg lover

Be prepared to wait for about 15-20mins. There's usually a queue but it moves quite fast. Furthermore they are also very considerate, they provide free tea while your'e waiting outside

PERFECT



Tendon Ginza Itsuki
101 Tanjong Pagar Road
CASH ONLY
Open everyday 11.30am - 2.30pm, 5.30pm -10.30pm

SINGAPORE: Changi Village Hawker Centre

Are you a nature lover ? Are you an avid fisherman ?

Or Are you one of the perverse Outward Bound Singapore ( OBS) Fitspo ? 

And I'm saying perverse because I had a terrible time in OBS. I was at a tender age of 15, and I was coerced into going for this stupid camp whereby I had to kayak around pulau ubin and pitch a tent in pasir ris park wtf ? 

Can you imagine ME ?! doing that ?! Because I definitely can't, however, I've Been There and Done That and never want to partake in such activity ever again. 

Dude, i remember at the end of the camp everybody around me was crying saying how they will miss the camp. I cried too, I cried SO HARD. I was shedding all the tears of happiness that I finally get to go back home after 5 hellish days :D 

And Nick and I have discussed that if our children has to be forced to take part in such camps by their school, we will definitely at all cost try to get them out of it. 

I also thank God that national service is not compulsory for girls in Singapore, because I dont think I could survive the 1.5 years. 

Similarly, if hunger games were to ever become reality, I will definitely be one of the first to be ousted because I have 0 outdoor survival instincts. 

Anyhow, if you answered a resounding YES to any of my above 3 questions, then Changi Village Hawker Centre will not be unfamiliar to you. 

However if you are an unlucky soul and you are going to be dragged along to activities in pulau ubin  by your " resounding YES " friends, then you're welcome, today I shall introduce some of my favourite stalls to you so that at least in the grand scheme of sufferings in Pulau Ubin, you leave after being well fed. 

First up....... 

The Number 1 Long queue Mizzy corner Nasi Lemak.

I really love the smell and taste of the rice, very fragrant 

Second up, 

Okay, this carrot cake is hit and miss. Somedays it's AMAZING, somedays is mehhhh. In fact this is the only store where I order black carrot cake because I usually find white carrot cake tastier than black, but this store does a good black carrot cake. 

Third up, 

I've eaten the fried stuff at this store since I was a little girl. Also another seller I should invite to my wedding too hey hahahaha give that they watched me grow up lol. 

Also, the reason why I'm so familiar with changi village is because my church is in pasir ris and we usually go there for lunch after church. 

I love their goreng Pisang ( fried banana ) 

But something else that is seasonal is REALLY yummy, and it's JACKFRUIT ! 

This fried jackfruit is really special and tedious to prepare. First you have to dig out its seed, then boil the  seed and insert the seed back into the flesh and fry it. 

SO GOOD. 

Alright, I'll start you with 3 stores today. Will recommend more stores in the future !! 

Have fun at Pulau Ubin! As a medical professional, the best thing you can do to protect your skin is to  remember to apply heaps of Sun Screen !!!

Changi Village Food Centre

SINGAPORE: Imperial Treasure

HAPPY 2018 !!! Wishing all you readers a smashing year ahead !

How did you spend your New Year ? What was your first meal ? 

For my family, we went to Imperial Treasure Restaurant at Crowne Plaza Hotel for Dim Sum lunch. So I uploaded the picture on Instagram and I realised HEAPS of Singaporeans are also having dimsum for lunch today! Why ah ? Is there some kinda tradition I do not know of that New Year must eat dimsum ? Hmmmm.... 

Anyhow, I've always been a fan of Imperial Treasure regardless for their cooked dishes ( OHMYGOD, THE SUPER PEKING DUCK ) or their Dim sum. And I've always gone to their paragon branch. Decided to try a new branch today because my uncle befriended this Hongkong lady at the country club and she swears by this branch's dimsum. She says it's " the same standard as good restaurants in hongkong " 

WAH REAL OR BLUFF ONE ? 

But okay lor, no harm trying yes ? Given that this branch is so much nearer to my house. 

Just some of the dimsum we ordered. 

Bill came up to $155.60 for 5 thoroughly fed adults. Very reasonable, isn't it ? 

Is this really better than the paragon branch ? Hmm. I think in terms of service, definitely. All the service staff were extremely courteous and observant. They refilled our tea cups extremely quickly. 

Food service was also quick. 

My only disappointment is that the variety of food offered here is slightly different to the one at Paragon. They don't serve my favourite vegetarian goose and red bean banana soufflé ): 

The manager explained that it's because they serve cantonese cuisine here while the items I wanted were Nan Bei in origin hmm..

Nonetheless, still a very hearty meal. Very deserving to be a branch of a 1* Michelin restaurant. 

Imperial Treasures Cantonese Cuisine 

Crowne Plaza Hotel 

Changi airport Terminal 3