MELT - The World Cafe Champagne Brunch Review

September 20, 2014 by Mark Chua in Food

The City Retreat package at the Mandarin Oriental, Singapore comes with Champagne Brunch for two at MELT - The World Cafe. The package which is priced at S$495++ also comes with a well-appointed accommodation in a Premier Ocean room for two. The Champagne Brunch comes with a wide selection of international and Asian favourites, such as freshly made breads, live shucked oysters and seafood, traditional roasts and carvings, farmhouse eggs counter as well as a tantalising spread of grilled burgers and meats at the barbecue alfresco terrace. For those with a sweet tooth, just a selection of crispy waffles, fluffy pancakes and local desserts accompanied with an endless flow of champagne. I will also recommend five must-try dishes at the Champagne Brunch.

Getting more Bang for your (Star)Buck in Singapore - Saving on your Coffee

September 15, 2014 by Mark Chua in Food

Most of us have a love-hate relationship with Starbucks - I know I do. The coffee is ridiculously crappy but yet, it's so convenient. There's a pretty decent artisan coffee place near to my work place that is just 5 minutes walk away and in fact, it is probably 20-30% cheaper too. Yet, I go to the Starbucks downstairs (1 minute walk away) to get my caffeine fix. Beyond the less-than-pleasurable beverage is a strong brand and I guess in some ways, a form of social status association. Here are some tips to save some money on your next not-so-favourite beverage:

3 Michelin-Star Chef in Sofitel So Singapore (One Night Only!)

Sofitel So Singapore

September 10, 2014 by Mark Chua in Food

The Sofitel So Singapore presents a rare opportunity on Thursday, 18 September 2014, for you to experience the culinary genius of Spain's hottest three-Michelin-star chef, Quique Dacosta. As one of the leaders of avant-garde cuisine in Spain, the master of ‘techno-emotional cuisine’, Dacosta, has a reputation for creating edible landscapes that evoke the aroma and texture of the environment and leave guests with a sensory experience that is truly extraordinary.

Thoughts on Café Fest Singapore 2014

September 07, 2014 by Mark Chua in Food

Café Fest Singapore happened over the weekend (06 to 07 September) at the Waterfront Promenade and the event organisers claim it to be the world's first Café-hopping festival. The event was unique to Singapore and it was definitely a step in the right direction in promoting the local café and music landscape. I guess if I did not purchase a S$30 VIP Ticket, I would have enjoyed it a lot more since I would have gotten to see 53A up close and personal anyway. While the event organisers did try to salvage the event on the second day by putting in certain systems in place, it was long overdue and people were already unhappy.

CONCETTO by Saveur

August 20, 2014 by Mark Chua in Food

Following the success of Saveur at Purvis St. and Far East Plaza, CONCETTO was set up in February this year to supposedly bring the same level of cuisine to everyone. Known for its affordability and good price-to-quality ratio, Saveur was an instant hit amongst the locals. CONCETTO is conveniently located a short stroll away from Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, in a gazetted national monument, The Cathay.

A Glorious Decade - Hai Tien Lo

Hai Tien Lo

August 12, 2014 by Mark Chua in Food

In celebration of Master Chef Lai Tong Ping’s (黎东平) outstanding 10 years in Hai Tien Lo (海天楼), a carefully curated menu featuring handcrafted creations is now available at the award-winning Cantonese restaurant. The six-course menu consists of 10 items that showcase Chef Lai’s culinary finesse. Each course is presented to create a visually picture and present complementary flavours resulting from handmade ingredients.

Old Hen Coffee Bar

July 29, 2014 by Mark Chua in Food

Check out the beautiful space at Old Hen Coffee Bar. Serving up delicious cold brew coffee and buttermilk waffles, this is the place to be if you're in the area (Farrer Park) on weekdays and the perfect location to idle away your lazy afternoons on weekends. Enjoy a great cup of specialty coffee at this two-week old cafe and support a local Singaporean business!

Dining in Singapore (Part I): A Credit Card Guide

July 18, 2014 by Mark Chua in Food

No matter what you are interested in (miles or cash back), there's always a card that gives you optimal returns for dining expenditures. Depending on your goal at the end of the day, find out which card should you get to benefit the most from eating out.