Archive for Food

La Bistrot Stadium – Nice French Restaurant :)

30 May 2013 Entertainment, Food No comments

A colleague from work recommended a nice French Bistro – called La Bistrot located in Stadium to celebrate a colleagues birthday – so a group of us decided to pay a visit and celebrate in style. I am certainly very happy that we decided to go there, as it was a delightful little place.

The food was lush, and the atmosphere was fresh and a nice very relaxing setting – and the wine – well lets just say we had a bottle or two…haha!

What a nice way to spend quality time with a great bunch of friends and to celebrate the young lady’s birthday in style.

It wasn’t necessarily a cheap place, but the quality and ambience (and company) certainly made up for that – and we created our own entertainment throughout the night. BUT, the news is that it is closing down in mid-June, due to the 5x increase in rent, which was not surprising based on what they intend to do around the area, but it was a big annoyance for the Proprietor. The two Partners did not intend to set-up anywhere else, so it is likely this little gem of a place will be gone forever. Who knows, they may reappear (I hope), or they might choose to do something different (private catering etc). What a shame though – those greedy landowners and landlords! 🙁

This area is really being developed, in fact I was doing some reading online about Singapore’s history, and always wanted to know what was is the area before the ‘Stadium’, and it turned out that it was actually an Airport – part of Kallang Airport – before it closed in 1955, and the area redeveloped to become what is now the sports hub and entertainment venue – and where the new National Stadium is under construction. We’ll see what else this area becomes, but I definitely think fine dining is not going to be the key focus of this area…especially now La Bistrot is going – shame though, but alas that’s show business! You may actually recall that I visit the Stadium every Sunday (no, not for Church and my Confessions) but for Futsal (indoor astro-turf football), so I am getting to know the area and shopping mall pretty well – haha!

Anyway, to end, it was a very delightful dinner, the people that attended were so much fun, and we really enjoyed the food, wine and entertainment throughout the night.

Le Bistrot
2 Stadium Walk
#01-03 Singapore Indoor Stadium
Singapore 396691
Tel:      +65 64470018
Email:  lebistrot_news@yahoo.com
URL:    http://www.lebistrot.com.sg

Pasarbella @ The Grandstand

20 May 2013 Entertainment, Food No comments

I’ve heard a lot of interesting things about Pasarbella Farmer’s market at the Grandstand, so decided to try it out. I was looking to go a couple of weeks back, but never got around to it. So this time, I called a couple of friends and we decided to give it a go.

It’s a bit out of the sticks – not near any MRT stations, but once you are there, there is quite a bit to look and do. Apparently, it is located in what was the Grandstand of the old (horse) race track, so it was quite a long but spacious location.

The Pasarbella was interesting – it was full of small sellers and stalls, but they weren’t cheap. A lot of the produce was organic – and that itself means more $$$. The selections were nice though – but I am not sure if I would come back just to buy extraordinary groceries or similar – I would probably visit Jason’s or similar, which is closer and more convenient. I don’t know, maybe I would come back, we’ll see.

After buying what we could, we then went to ‘The Ascot’ – a restaurant that was very English indeed. A nice atmosphere, and most importantly a great menu on offer. We went for the Burgers, and one of us went for the BBQ Ribs – it was certainly nicely done, and didn’t cost that bad – $98.87 for the 3 of us.

Certainly would recommend a visit to Pasarbella and certainly a meal at The Ascot!!

Big Mama Korean Night

20 May 2013 Food No comments

A Korean food night is always a pleasure to join – and especially when it is with some fab friends and colleagues. A group of us left work on Friday, 17th May and we went to Tiong Bahru to locate and visit the Big Mama Korean BBQ place – it was surely a popular spot, but it was highly recommended. Of course, we did visit Harry’s beforehand – which made it every more pleasureable!

One of our colleagues duly ordered (she was Korean – perfect!) – and we knew we were going to be in for a treat of a night, and it didn’t disappoint. A selection of delightful dishes that was delicious, tasty and a pleasure to enjoy!

This place was also quite delightful and I must state that some of the ‘scenary’ at the other tables were also quite enjoyable to watch too – only looking though, haha!!

Big Mama Korean Restaurant
2 Kim Tian Road
Singapore 169244
Tel:   +65 6270 7704
URL: http://bigmama.sg/

Ramen Night at Bugis Plus

17 May 2013 Food No comments

Well after work, I usually do one of 3 things – go home and chill locally around Novena, go and find somewhere to eat and drink before going home, or go out with some work colleagues and friends to do the same, and then go home quite late 🙂

I decided to do the latter, as I was invited to join a colleague for some delightful Ramen from Bugis+ – a shopping and food mall in central Bugis.

There was a bout 5-6 places selling different types of Japanese Ramen and Soup – and I must admit it was quite difficult to choose my dish, but I chose the Ramen Champion place – which was delicious indeed. Topped off by some delightful and refreshing Italian Gelati from Gelateria Italia – aptly named, of course 🙂

It was a very relaxing evening, and good to spend it with a fab colleague. Haha!

Ramen Champion
201 Victoria Street
Bugis+ #04 – 10
Singapore 188607
Tel:   +65 6238 1011
URL: http://www.ramenchampion.com.sg

Cheese Night at O’Batignolles

16 May 2013 Food No comments

Well what a nice way to relax with some great office folks – to visit Club Street and relax with some cheese and wine (well you can’t really have cheese on its own!).

One of my colleagues suggested this French establishment as a way to chill and chat after a hard day at work – and I must state it was delightful.  The cheese platter was delicious, the wine was really refreshing, and the fresh warm bread was a perfect accompliment (for the cheese that is!).

The only difference than being in France is the fact that it is that hot and humid in France – but there’s nothing like a bit of France in Singapore 🙂

O’Batignolles Wine Bar & Bistrot
2 Gemmill Lane, Club Street
Singapore 069247
Tel: +65 6438 3913
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OBatignolles

Brunch at Toby Estate

22 April 2013 Food No comments

A Sunday is not the same without eating a Roast or Brunch – so I decided for the Brunch on Sunday.

I heard a lot of about Toby’s Estate along Robertson Quay, so I open an invite to get a group of friends from work to come along.  In the end, only 3 of us decided to go – but I think it was a good number, as it is a busy place, and large groups are a bit manic to organise.

Toby has a reputation for its coffee – so we definitely ensure we enjoyed that, as well as the food.  I opted for the Toby Special – basically a light fry up with a bit of everything – very tasty.  We ended with a delicious cheesecake.  I am so glad we decided to sit inside, as during our brunch, the heavens opened and the rain continued for a good hour and a half.  We decided to walk along to enjoy a nice alcoholic beverage, before we called it a day and headed back to Clarke Quay and the MRT.

What a delightful session – definitely up for more brunching soon 🙂

Toby’s Estate Café
8 Rodyk Street #01-03/04
Singapore 238216
Tel:      +65 6636 7629
Email:  rodykst@tobysestate.com.sg
URL:    http://www.tobysestate.com.sg

Pub Lunch Plus Cycling Along East Coast Park

24 February 2013 Exercise, Food No comments

I decided to spend a day contemplating a few things in my head, so decided to leave my apartment and have a nice Sunday Roast – something that “feels like home”, whilst allowing me to watch the world go by and think things clearly in my head. With some recent challenges at work, I felt it was good to just have a bit of ‘me time’. Oh and 2 pints of Guinness helped too – haha!

After experiencing the East Coast Park cycle way during my secondment in 2011, I wanted to make it a more regular thing. It’s another nice way to keep fit, and also sweat the stress out of the system…and the scenery is quite nice too! 🙂

It costs something like $8, $12 or $14 dollars (for 1hr, 2hr or 3hr durations), so I decided to do a ride as far eastward I could get for 2 hours. It was perfect, because you actually go eastward and go along the cycle way until you reach the Changi area – and it’s just sooo relaxing and out of the busy city life, so you really just open your mind. I almost forgot about the time though, as what goes east, must go west – for a cycle loop – ha! Luckily I made it back, and it took just shy of 2 hours – perfect!

Very enjoyable…am keen to get a few others along too, as it is better with company!

Korean BBQ – Red Pig

23 February 2013 Food No comments

Well one word to describe the food – yummy!

We had gone for a few drinks after work, and a few of us were left deciding what to do for the rest of the night, so we decided to go for a Korean BBQ Dinner down the infamous Amoy Street – where there is a nice array of delightful Korean restaurants.

We went pretty late, and it was still very busy, but after about 10 minutes wait outside, we got a table upstairs. We had a delightful lunch, with great company, great conversation and great laughs throughout.

If you ever want a nice BBQ Korean, give this place a go – you won’t be disappointed 🙂

Red Pig Korean Restaurant
93 Amoy Street #06-0013
Singapore
069913
Tel: +65 6220 7176

Chinese New Year – in Singapore

20 February 2013 Food No comments

This year would be my first Chinese New Year in Singapore – and with the Asian linkages, it is surely going to be a massive festival.

The key focus is going to be China Town, where there is a huge number of lanterns made to look like a Snake flowing down the street. For me, the best memory was learning about the infamous dish called “Lou Hei” – something I never heard about before. it seems to be famous in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia – but strangely not that popular it seems in Hong Kong – else I would have heard of it before!

Basically, it is a dish that is meant to represent all elements food good luck, good fortune and prosperity. And apparently there is a ritual when servicing the dish up…When putting the “Lou Hei” on the table offers New Year greetings. 恭喜发财 (Gong Xi Fa Cai) meaning “Congratulations for your wealth” 万事如意 (Wan Shi Ru Yi) meaning “May all your wishes be fulfilled”

  • The raw fish is added, symbolising abundance and excess through the year. 年年有余　(Nian Nian You Yu) meaning “Abundance through the year”, as the word “fish” in Mandarin also sounds like “Abundance”.
  • The pomelo or lime is added to the fish, adding luck and auspicious value. 大吉大利　Da Ji Da Li meaning “Good luck and smooth sailing”
  • Pepper is then dashed over in the hope of attracting more money and valuables. 招财进宝 Zhao Cai Jin Bao meaning “Attract wealth and treasures”
  • Then oil is poured out, circling the ingredients and encouraging money to flow in from all directions. 一本万利 Yi Ben Wan Li meaning “Make 10,000 times of profit with your capital” 财源广进 Cai Yuan Guang Jin meaning “Numerous sources of wealth”
  • Carrots are added indicating blessings of good luck. 鸿运当头 Hong Yun Dang Tou meaning “Good luck is approaching”. Carrot (红萝卜) is used as the first character 鸿 also sound like the Chinese character for red.
  • Then the shredded green radish is placed symbolising eternal youth. 青春常驻 Qing Chun Chang Zhu meaning “Forever young”. Green radish is used as the first character 青 also sound like the Chinese character for green.
  • After which the shredded white radish is added – prosperity in business and promotion at work. 风生水起 Feng Sheng Shui Qi meaning “Progress at a fast pace” 步步高升 Bu Bu Gao Sheng meaning “Reaching higher level with each step”
  • The condiments are finally added.
  • First, peanut crumbs are dusted on the dish, symbolizing a household filled with gold and silver. 金银满屋 Jin Yin Man Wu meaning “Household filled with gold and silver”
  • Sesame seeds quickly follow symbolising a flourishing business. 生意兴隆 Sheng Yi Xing Long meaning “Prosperity for the business”
  • Deep-fried flour crisps in the shape of golden pillows is then added with wishes that literally the whole floor would be filled with gold. 满地黄金 Man Di Huang Jin meaning “Floor full of gold”

And then all of the diners at the table then stand up and on cue, proceed to toss the shredded ingredients into the air with chopsticks while saying various “auspicious wishes” out loud, or simply “撈起, 撈起”. It is believed that the height of the toss reflects the height of the diner’s growth in fortunes, thus diners are expected to toss enthusiastically – and make a huge mess on the table – haha!

It was certainly fun and very entertaining.

Fanastic Wedding Banquet

12 December 2012 Food No comments

We received a spontaneous phone call for a family friend’s wedding a couple of days after my mum and I arrived in Singapore…and it was certainly a great event – held at the Grand Copthorne Hotel, my first ever Singaporian Chinese wedding.

The bridge and groom looked fantastic – and the food was…well delicious indeed!  We were very fortunate to know some great friends in Singapore!

Oh and what was so special about the timing – well it was the 12th day of the 12th month of the 2012th year, of course…a truly 121212 wedding (I presume the wedding ceremony itself was held at 12:12 🙂

I wish Daniel and Felicia a magical life together!

Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore
392 Havelock Road
Singapore 169663
Tel: +65 6733 0880

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