6 Oct 2015
Sunday Garden Party at Barnacles By The Sea (Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort and Spa)
I could already hear shouts of excitement and splashing sounds even before I caught sight of the uniquely shaped pool. Rows of beach chairs lined up along the curves, mostly laying with adults sun tanning and relaxing while their children were happily taking a dip. The lively atmosphere tempted me to strip and jump into the pool with a splash as well! Besides the pool, there were also children slides, splash pad, all complimentary access as part of the Sunday Garden Party at Barnacles By The Sea.
While making my way to Barnacles By The Sea after being wowed by the architectural design of the resort, I met a 3-foot long monitor lizard which I later learned from the chefs that it was a regular customer of this place. Don't be afraid, it is harmless.
As I entered the spacious restaurant, my eyes were already darting towards the buffet spread. I caught sight of the fresh seafood section, attention seeking reddish hues from their shells as well as a containment of juicy-big shucked oysters on ice. Needless to say, this section was definitely the most popular among us!
As for me, I was quite inclined and impressed with the garde manger (cold dishes) section. The variety and quality of ingredients used was quite impressive I would say. Sushi, poached eggs with runny yolk, white/green asparagus with feta cheese, mozzarella cheese with tomatoes, sweet melon wrapped with parma ham, chilled crab meat, cold cuts, cold tomato soup and raw salmon related dishes. (Just some of the dishes that I actually remembered.) Of course not forgetting the salad section that contributed to the vibrant colours.
Don't miss the gourmet cheese selections imported from France! Bread sticks, fruits, nuts, sliced baguette and lavosh all set up and ready to compliment your cheese.
You definitely would not want to miss the feio gras terrine which I had, spread across a slice of baguette since the liver taste was a little overwhelming for me to eat it on its own.
I also had my fun decorating my salmon slice with colourful roes of salmon and sturgeon (caviars).
After a few rounds of garde manger, I finally decided to explore the other stations. Surprisingly there was a children's section where they had pasta, fried finger food as well as broccoli cupcakes?? An interesting way to get kids to have their greens! I almost laugh out loud (LOL).
I spotted the coffee and tea section as well! Biscotti and cookies available to go with your drinks? Anyway, I was satisfied with my glass of freshly squeezed orange juice while the rest had their alcoholic fill of white wine.
The mains were stationed outdoors but I was almost full from all the appetisers. Go ahead to try the Indian spread if you were more adventurous than me since I usually stick to my preference or comfort food. I tried the Peking duck, roast chicken, beef steak (well done by default) as well as lamb (medium rare by default). Ala minute pasta as well as soup of the day available too!
After stuffing myself silly with food and getting a little full, taking a walk around the place would definitely be a good idea, especially when the surrounding is greenery and seaside. Just outside the restaurant there would be a magic show going on, with the magician performing enthustically in front of a group of kids.
Balloon sculpting session is also available for kids! Check out the reaction of happy kids with balloons shaped like dogs or flowers. Also not forgetting the 3-men team of musicians performing in house while I enjoyed my meal.
The dessert section consisted of cut fruits, a 4-tier chocolate fondue, whole cakes, kuehs, macarons as well as mousse in petite cups. Yup, I tried everything as usual, including 5 scopes of ice cream from 'Gelato' brand (5 out of 8 types of flavours). Vanilla, raspberry cheesecake, cotton candy, pandan and passion fruit. For pandan, I felt that the taste was too overwhelming and artificial while the 'passion fruit' was actually pink guava dominant. The rest fared quite decent.
The buffet is every Sunday from 12 noon to 3pm and free parking on a first come first serve basic. Why not just take a stroll along the coastal line right outside Barnacles itself and not fret over your parking fees. Nice scenery, great place for a selfie/ootd as well as a great way to allow your food to slowly digest in your tummy after your buffet!
The Sunday Garden Party at Barnacles By The Sea is available at S$138++ per adult.
One child below 12 years dines free with every paying adult and additional S$28++ applies for each additional child (including free flow soft drinks and juices). (Include pool access.)
This offer ends at 15 Dec 2015.
For reservation or enquiries, please call (65) 6371 1966.
Thank you Hungrygowhere via Alvin Tan for the tasting invite as well as Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort and Spa for the hosting.
30 Sept 2015
Kris By Mence - Celebrity spokesperson is The Flying Dutchman!
I made my way up Robinson Point feeling slightly anxious as it was my first time attending a beauty related event. I was expecting to see other male bloggers around since Kris By Mence is a pioneer in men's skincare as well as body toning. I was wrong since the rest of the bloggers were females and treatments are also available for them too.
We got the privilege to tour around the clinic. I was quite impressed by the treatment rooms being so spacious, with the couple room large enough to be able to hold a 20 pax birthday party at least. A large TV screen as well as a glass walled shower cubicle spotted! I went to ask why was there only a shower cubicle for the couples. Do they share? Turned out that many people had asked the similar question before!
I get to take a picture with Kris By Mence's first celebrity spokesperson whom was the veteran radio DJ The Flying Dutchman.
He has a heart condition that prevented him performing intensive exercises, occasionally involved in a few business ventures and being a co host of One FM's #1 Breakfast Show on 91.3FM. It is nearly impossible for him to exercise the traditional way.
As a celebrity status, the more he would be conscious about going to the gym looking unglam, trying to workout with his big belly, feeling that all eyes were directed to him.
With help of Kris By Mence's customised management programme, he managed to regain his figure he used to have in his forties. His energy level is up, finally able to have an unobstructed view of his feet since his belly is gone.
Some weight lost facts he shared:
-Losing a total of 8kg; 5.3kg of fats
-Reducing visceral fat by 20%
-Dropping 2 pant sizes
-Surpassed his ideal weight of 79kg, a goal he has always wanted to achieve since 2013
-Jawline as well as neck tightened
He even joked that to lose weight, all he did was to SLEEP! (Yeah, during his treatments.)
Just some machines that would be used for the different treatments available.
Before any treatment, you need to go through a detailed body analysis that determined your overall body composition. Here's how the fat analysing machine's screen looks like. The data was mine I was in the acceptable range! Phew!
Anyway, check out their webpage for more information or call them for assistance.
23 Sept 2015
Cakesonline.sg - They provide free delivery service!
It wasn't exactly easy nor difficult to locate the venue where cakesonline.sg held their tasting. I arrived and I felt like I was attending a in-house party instead of a food tasting. Cakesonline.sg is actually a brand new online gourmet cake shop, ISO 22000 as well as halah certified.
I was in time and the first thing I did after placing my bag opposite miss chocoholic was to rush over to the beautifully set up table before anyone else started grabbing those irresistible petite cakes/tarts.
They even labelled the names of each individual cakes, arranging them artistically as if I were at a hotel buffet's dessert section! There were even mini chicken burgers, quiches as well as risotto which act as fillers in case we were not used to having desserts on an empty stomach.
They even labelled the names of each individual cakes, arranging them artistically as if I were at a hotel buffet's dessert section! There were even mini chicken burgers, quiches as well as risotto which act as fillers in case we were not used to having desserts on an empty stomach.
Mini Sliders
Quiche
As the 'party' begins, I took one of each cake and tart for tasting, just like what I usually did in a buffet, before deciding to get repetitive ones later on. I started off with the Lime Meringue Tart and it happened to end up as one of my favourite! Beneath the slightly torched velvety meringue and within the super crunchy tart shell was the lime curd. The tartness was perhaps being too extreme to non-sour takers but I embraced that sensation that strike me hard, making me cringed a little.
I went for the Mixed Berry Tart next, and the crunchy shell remained consistent. Natural beetroot juice was said to be the tart's colorant, allowing it to gain a girly personality. I guess I would have squealed in delight if I were a girl, obsessed with the colour pink.
Being a cheese cake lover, it is not surprising that I would love their chilled (not baked) version of it. Spectaculoos Cheesecake had really low gelatin content, looking like they were in a semi dissolved collapsing state due to the warm room temperature. Ignoring that sight, I stuffed one into my mouth. It was so smooth, creamy and it basically melted down my throat. The lovely caramelized taste as well as the little crunch made it far from being mundane.
I had to 'borrow' the picture of Pistachio Raspberry Litchi Cake from Miss Chocoholic since I actually forgot to take a picture of it! I guess I must have been overly excited over these cakes! I took a second piece just to break down the different flavours since I only felt the rush of sourness from the raspberry. All because I popped the whole piece into my mouth. The lychee as well as the extremely mild rose flavour then surfaced and came into the picture.
Lime Meringue Tart
Spectaculoos Cheesecake
Mixed Berry Tart
Pistachio Raspberry Litchi Cake
That wasn't all, I then proceed on to the chocolaty ones which did not fare as well as those above. The Tiramisu was decent since I must have been too used to having ones with alcohol content. Chocolate Salted Caramel was thankfully not as gooey as it looks since I disliked desserts that could literally glue my teeth together. However, the saltiness overpowered the sweetness for this tasting portion.
I kind of liked the idea of using maltesers as a source of inspiration for the cake. The Malt-Teaser wasn't my favourite since it appeared too dry due to the malt cocoa powder. Kids would surely jump with joy upon hearing the name though.
There was a debate whether if the Eggless Blackforest Cake contained alcohol. Cakesonline.sg is halah certified and yet Miss Chocoholic and I thought that we had tasted alcohol in it. The truth had unfolded once Chef Evelyn came out to explain to us. (Chef Evelyn was Shatec trained and had 13 years of pastry experience.) The secret ingredient that mind fucked us was actually (..Sorry, I felt that it's a secret ; not convenient to reveal.) ! I was like 'Oh ya! Why didn't I distinguish that taste??'
Chef Evelyn was really nice to stay on to share some of her knowledge with Miss Chocoholic and I since we were so eager to know more about Cakesonline.sg. We constantly bombarded her with questions and she patiently answered them all!
(The pictures are in tasting portion. They sell whole cakes.)
Do check out their webpage as they provide free delivery service throughout mainland Singapore!
Chocolate Salted Caramel
The Malt-Teaser
Tiramisu
Eggless Blackforest Cake
Chocolate Salted Caramel Tart
Tiramisu Whole
27 Aug 2015
Bistro 1855 turned one!
I caught sight of Bistro 1855, this time not losing my way like the first time I did. The entrance was clustered with helium balloons. Gold and silver, floating, bouncing against each other randomly or along with the occasional breeze. After a glance for my name on the guest list and collecting a bottle of Moscato as a door gift, I headed in. A quick surveillance around the slightly dim surroundings, I got myself seated at the extreme corner of the bistro, with the other bloggers.
Bistro 1855, the sister of 1855 The Bottle Shop has turned one this month. An occasion that was meant to be celebrated and I was glad to be part of it. A couple of wines were available, as well as tapas that were served to us. (Eg. Iberico ham & melon, Boston Lobster Roll, Squid Ink Otah ; just to name a few.) Some tapas appeared rather unique and would be a perfect pairing with a glass of alcoholic beverage that could either be ordered from the bar counter or bought from 1855 The Bottle Shop (a wine retail/cellar) within the compound. The wine cellar, an interesting selling point which not many bistros out there do not have. Their impressive collection was so wide that you would definitely find something to your liking after consulting with their sommelier.
That day, a photography booth was even set up for selfie/wefies addicts to capture their celebratory happy moments in 1855 The Bottle Shop. I spotted many people, including myself grabbing different props to pose with. The pictures were even printed out for us. Not to forget they have a talented duo singing and playing some of the hippest songs around. Once again, congrats on turning one and thank you for the invite!
(Picture below this time!)
Bistro 1855, the sister of 1855 The Bottle Shop has turned one this month. An occasion that was meant to be celebrated and I was glad to be part of it. A couple of wines were available, as well as tapas that were served to us. (Eg. Iberico ham & melon, Boston Lobster Roll, Squid Ink Otah ; just to name a few.) Some tapas appeared rather unique and would be a perfect pairing with a glass of alcoholic beverage that could either be ordered from the bar counter or bought from 1855 The Bottle Shop (a wine retail/cellar) within the compound. The wine cellar, an interesting selling point which not many bistros out there do not have. Their impressive collection was so wide that you would definitely find something to your liking after consulting with their sommelier.
That day, a photography booth was even set up for selfie/wefies addicts to capture their celebratory happy moments in 1855 The Bottle Shop. I spotted many people, including myself grabbing different props to pose with. The pictures were even printed out for us. Not to forget they have a talented duo singing and playing some of the hippest songs around. Once again, congrats on turning one and thank you for the invite!
(Picture below this time!)
21 Aug 2015
Curious Palate and Motana Brew Bar
Upon hearing that Curious Palate was one of the newer branch of cafes/bistros hidden around Princep Street, we were curiously drawn in to try its menu. How strange that the entrance doesn't seems like a welcoming one at first. We did not reconsider since we have already targeted this place since that last time we met.
The layout was a little strange, perhaps something new, stretching a long way inwards like a corridor. There were 2 large mirrors with gold frames, an unusual find in a food establishment. I could imagine a lady having some preparation works, touching up and getting ready to pose with her food.
My attempt to keep people curious, actually my mistake of forgetting to record the names of these dishes that my dining buddies and I had consumed.
The layout was a little strange, perhaps something new, stretching a long way inwards like a corridor. There were 2 large mirrors with gold frames, an unusual find in a food establishment. I could imagine a lady having some preparation works, touching up and getting ready to pose with her food.
My attempt to keep people curious, actually my mistake of forgetting to record the names of these dishes that my dining buddies and I had consumed.
The gold framed mirror and a vase of vibrant flowers proved to be useful as photography props. We immediately took our dishes to placed them from anywhere near that vase, hoping to capture a beautiful shot.
Vet was crazily in love with the Japanese inspired pasta she ordered. The mild saltiness that easily pleases the palate while the taste of konbu was not overly 'fishy'. A perfect balance of east meets west in this dish.
Honey had this fish dish and before I knew it, she had almost finished half while I just started on mine. The slice was puny, definitely not worth for its price tag. Crisp skin, glistering surface with the flesh being firm but still tender. Was uncertain what the baby carrot and radish were soaked in as they were pretty sour but appetizing. A nice balance with the sweet carrot puree.
I had the wagyu burger which was the more substantial one since I usually look out for something filling and worthwhile. The thick patty made from minced beef was tender, while the middle portion was slightly medium rare. I have no complains since I loved it that way. The whole portobello was tender, juicy and which I could slice it easily while the pesto on it was quite salty. I was glad that it wasn't ordinary fries that came with the burger! It was sweet potato fries!!! We all enjoyed it since it was sweet, softer than ordinary (potato) fries and felt less sinful too. No time to take nice shots since I was already starving!!
It would always be good to café hop with other bloggers since they at least have decent photography skills! At least easier to edit...
Omg that load of sweet potato fries! More please!
Slicing small portions out to let my friends try. Standard protocol when café hopping. After our meal, we decided to go to Motana Brew Bar which was located at Pomo for our desserts.
Sad to say the red velvet waffle was quite disappointing for me since it was highly raved by the social media crowd. I felt that it was more like a sculpture for display instead of something to go into my stomach. Being served semi-melted, almost toppling and the waffle tasting so bitter that I thought that I had forgotten to brush my teeth that morning. Haiz, those red bits were cake crumbs for your info.
5 Aug 2015
Sela Modern European Restaurant - Migme Foodie Mig Up
Modern European Restaurant with an Asian twist.
Located at 32 Seah Street. Conveniently located in between multiple Mrt stations.
A Foodie Mig Up session where I met other bloggers who uses Migme application too!
Located at 32 Seah Street. Conveniently located in between multiple Mrt stations.
A Foodie Mig Up session where I met other bloggers who uses Migme application too!
The modern interior of the restaurant, greyish tone, casual yet classy.
Procuitto Ham and Melon 16 - Chef Benson explained to us that the melon slices had undergone compression via vacuum. The resulting melon should appear more intense in colour, softer but as for flavour wise, I couldn't tell if it has intensified. (You just need the before and after, side by side for comparison.) A perfect balance of saltiness and sweetness I would say.
Pan Seared US Scallops 16 - Perfectly seared scallops had a nice pillowy texture which I love sinking my teeth into. The salted egg cream gave a salty touch, almost fooling my taste buds into thinking that I was eating mushy creamy crab roes. We all got curious when we saw 'forbidden rice' from the menu. The deception of caviar look-a-like was actually pulut hitam, also known as black glutinous rice. (Seen at the base of the dish.)
Miso Chilean Seabass 32 - I prefer having a fish dish that had some bite despite being tender, as compared to those which just melt-down in my mouth. Thankfully seabass does fit the bill since its flesh had a certain firmness as compared to other fishes such as cod! I drank a spoonful of the dashi gravy which was a little salty, perfect if I had a bowl of rice!
Kakuni Style Pork Cheeks 20 - The 'tanned' looking meat arrive looking much like beef. For a moment I couldn't tell. The pork was done Japanese style and steam baked, resulting in the overall tender consistency. My knife felt like a samurai sword which could slash through in a single slice, without the need of the sawing movements. The mix of vegetable helped to prevent 'over-meatiness' of this dish.
Semolina Cake 12 - The cake was dense and somehow slightly lumpy. My other blogger friend commented that it was sweet which I did not think so... Maybe I have eaten too much sweet stuff? Couldn't really taste the passion fruit curd tartness since it was just a thin layer or was it covered up by the sweetness of the meringue?
Dehydrated Pineapple Pavlova 10 - I really loved this dessert!! The vanilla ice cream tasted unique and slightly caramelized and I couldn't tell it was vanilla at first. The dehydrated pineapple was not totally dried up to that extend that it became crisp, but remained gummy and slightly charred. The herby taste from the thyme, the spice from the paprika, cute meringue cup, everything just compliment well together!
They also serves an affordable 3 course executive lunch set at $15.90+, from 11.30am to 2.30pm as well as a Singapore style brunch menu on Saturdays only (also from 11.30am to 2.30pm)!
From now till the end of August, when you dine in Restaurant Sela , remember to hashtag restaurantsela as well as me!!!!
The picture with the most likes would have a chance to win a private chef experience (worth $500) by chef Benson Tong in the comfort of your own home!
Restaurant SELA
32 Seah Street Singapore 188388
Phone : (65) 6337 6358
Email : enquiry@restaurantsela.com.sg
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/selarestaurant
Thank you Restaurant Sela and Migme for the invite.