Squash @ The Central (Clarke Quay)

Located at the basement of The Central Clarke Quay is Squash, a new juice and salad bar founded by Mr Allan Foo. Holding a Curtin university degree in finance and marketing, Mr Allan Foo used to work in the banking industry and in real estate investment. The late nights and busy schedule has taken a toll of his health. Through the benefits of juices and micro-nutrients, he managed to restore his own health. Hence he decided to leave the corporate world and opened Squash, inspired to help others to get back in health with his delicious and nutritious food and drink offering.

Cold Pressed Juices 4.2/5

The main products at Squash is their Cold Pressed Juices that ranges from $6.90 to $9.90. Cold pressed juice is sort of a drinking trend lately even though the price is much higher compared to normal fruit juice extracted from juicers. It is understand that the cold pressed method retains more nutrients of the fruit or vegetables. It is also understand that the owner will be introducing a cold pressed juice cleansing programme in the very near future. If you are not a person that is too adventurous in taste, my advice is to avoid the vegetable cold pressed juices.

Noodle/Pasta Salad 3.5/5

Squash is not just a juices bar. Adjacent to it is a salad bar where one can mix and match their own salad preference or combination. The salad starts from $5.90 with a base (mesclun greens, noodles salad etc) and choice of 2 standard toppings and 1 dressings. Additional cost applies for premium toppings and dressings.

Thai Prawn Salad 4/5

Chicken Bulgogi Salad 3.5/5

A unique twist to the normal salad bar is the interesting introduction of Asian flavours into the salad. The exotic additions such as Thai Prawn and Chicken Bulgogi gives a new take in eating greens.

Ultimate Rojak Salad 4/5

A very bold attempt is the Ultimate Rojak Salad. The used of rojak dressing in your greens is a local twist to the hawker favourite, rojak. Dried cuttlefish and caramelized pineapple are also added to the salad. Sounds crazy but it kind of work.

Wrap 3/5

If you need something more substantial, you can add $2 to make your salad into a wrap.

Salad Yu Sheng 3/5

With the lunar new year just around the corner, Squash has also introduced the Salad Yu Sheng. Tossed to a healthy new year ahead, with this interpretation of the yu sheng.

Overall the highlight at Squash still has to be their cold pressed juices. The salad is an additional bonus for people who wants to eat healthy. Unfortunately eating healthy does not come cheap but at least at Squash the salad is quite substantial for the amount you are paying for.


Squash
The Central
6 Eu Tong Sen Street
#B1-26
Singapore 059817
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SquashTheJuicePlace
Nearest MRT: Clark Quay

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 10am - 9pm
Sun: 10am - 6pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit F. Journey time about 2 minute. [Map]

SUCRE Handmade Pineapple Truffles & Artisanal Cookies

SUCRE is a creator of Singapore artisanal pastries with design packaging. For the year of the goat, SUCRE has launched its 8 Happiness Pineapple Truffles and Artisanal Cookies.

For this lunar new year, SUCRE has created 4 new Pineapple Truffles which are all made in Singapore. The 4 new creations are Seaweed, Cheese Lite, Blueberry and Raspberry.

The Cheese Lite Pineapple Truffle is made from the finest Australian Cheddar cheese, resulting in a butter pastry. The Seaweed Pineapple Truffle incorporates the finest Japanese seaweed into its aromatic butter pastry. The Blueberry and Raspberry contains pineapple fillings blended with 100% pure blueberry and raspberry puree respectively.

Prices for Pineapple Truffles range from $17.80 for each cylinder in the Gourmet Tall Collection (18 pieces X 16g truffle) to $24.80 per box (18 pieces x 25g truffle) from the Premium Large Collection. 

SUCRE also launches 4 flavours for its 100% handmade Artisanal Cookies. These flavours include Almond, Almond Chocolate, Green Bean and Macadamia & Cranberry. The green bean and almond flavours are both ideal for vegetarian. Prices for Artisanal Cookies range from $19.80 to $21.80.

From February 4 to 17, SUCRE 100% handmade Pineapple Truffles and Artisanal Cookies will retail at JEM Shopping Mall, Level 1 Atrium as well as online at www.ruedusucre.com


SUCRE
Tel: +65 66800295
Email: order@ruedusucre.com
Website: http://ruedusucre.com/

Yan Ting @ St Regis Hotel Singapore

Yan Ting at St Regis Hotel Singapore welcomes new Executive Chinese Chef Tony Wun. Chef Tony has more than 35 years of experience under his belt leading and managing teams of chefs at various five star international hotels and restaurants. With the new appointment, Chef Tony Wun presents his specialties at Yan Ting with a delightful a la carte selections and an exquisite 8 course set menu.

Trio of Appertisers 4/5

We were given a glimpse of Chef Tony's culinary skill starting with a Trio of Appertisers. On the plate, is the Shanghai Style Smoked Fish, Cucumber with Olive Oil and Marinated Jelly Fish with Scallion Oil. Simplicity in execution to bring out the best of the ingredients is shown on the plate.

Double Boiled Sea Whelk Soup with Black Garlic 4.5/5

Sea Whelk is a form of sea snail and Chef Tony uses it to make his Doubled Boiled Sea Whelk Soup with Black Garlic served in a teapot. The clear and rich soup reminds me of the Japanese's teapot soup. Probably drawing the same concept, each tea cup is filled with the flavour essence of the sea whelk and black garlic.

Macau Style Oven Baked Pork Ribs 4/5 and Barbequed Pork Neck Meat 4.8/5

Next up is the Barbequed Pork Neck Meat and Macau Style Oven Baked Pork Ribs. The sweetness of the marinade complemented the pork ribs excellently. However the star has to be the Barbequed Pork Neck Meat. The excellent cut that gives the utmost texture enjoyment was well paired with the execution to make this one of the highlights for the night.

Steamed Yellow Fish with Preserved Vegetables and Minced Ginger 4.2/5

I am not sure whether this is a classic Cantonese dish but I truly enjoyed the used of the preserved vegetables and minced ginger with the Steamed Yellow Fish. The preserved vegetables and minced ginger complemented the dish cleverly while not drowning the natural sweetness of the yellow fish.

Cantonese Style Stir Fried Wagyu Beef 4.8/5

The Cantonese Style Stir Fried Wagyu Beef simply blown me off my seat. It was still so tender after being stir fried. It comes with a bit heat from the peppercorns but that is exactly why it is so flavourful. The fiery spice has further elevated the flavour of the beef to a new level.

Braised Mushroom filled with Dried Scallop 4.2/5

It is quite interested to see the Braised Mushroom filled with Dried Scallop. This dish demonstrates the braising skill of Chef Tony. Knowing that his specialty is in braised abalone, this dish kind of given me an indication how amazing his braised sauce for the abalone is going to be.

Wok Fried Rice with Sea Urchin and Fish Roe 3/5

One of the most looked forward dish is the Wok Fried Rice with Sea Urchin and Fish Roe. The fried rice itself was fragrant and delicious. However the high expectation of sea urchin and fish roes were unnoticeable in the dish, which turned into some what of a disappointment.

Caramel Ginger Milk 2.8/5

Wrapping up the dinner is the Caramel Ginger Milk. I did not enjoy the dessert. While the flavour was there, I felt it lacked the smoothness for a good bowl of caramel ginger milk.

Overall, I have enjoyed my dining experience at Yan Ting. Chef Tony Wun has brought expertise refined from Hong Kong, presenting flavours of the Cantonese cuisine in a modern and western twist. Guest at Yan Ting can look forward to a memorable and epicurean experience.


Yan Ting
St Regis Singapore Hotel
Level 1U
29 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247911
Tel: +65 65066887
Website: http://www.yantingrestaurant.com/cny2015
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 630pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Continue onwards to Forum Shopping Mall. Walk further down to Orchard Parade Hotel. Turn left onto Tanglin Road. St Regis is just beside Tanglin Shopping Centre. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Jade Restaurant (玉楼) Chinese New Year 2015

Ring in the lunar new year of the goat with auspicious artisanal cuisine from Jade Restaurant at Fullerton Hotel Singapore. During the lunar new year, Chef Leong and his culinary team has come up with a delicious selection of a la carte dishes, set menu and takeaways.

Eight Happiness Gold Rush Yu Sheng 4.2/5

Toss to an auspicious year with Jade Restaurant's signature Eight Happiness Gold Rush Yu Sheng with Champagne Jelly, Salmon, Olive Oil and Peach Dressing. The Eight Happiness Gold Rush Yu Sheng will feature the beautiful, artistic calligraphic drawings complemented with auspicious greetings personally drawn by the talented Master Chef  Leong. The exquisite drawings are drawn using olive oil and then dusted with cinnamon powder. I like Chef Leong's cleverly used of champagne jelly with gold leaves inside to symbolise wealth and prosperity. The little touch of luxury helps to balance the sweetness of the peach dressing.

Poached Minced Fish and Mutton Fortune Dumpling 4/5

A customary dish that is usually eaten during spring festival as it is believed that the more dumplings one eats, the more fortune one will receive. In conjunction with the year of the goat, Chef Leong combined minced fish and mutton for the perfect flavour. Chef Leong has also shaped the dumpling to resemble ingots for abundance of wealth.

Braised Seafood Soup 4.5/5

The Braised Seafood Soup with Abalone with Fish Maw in Superior Golden Broth is filled with collagen richness. The thick soup is boiled in big fire for a good 6 hours for the rich flavour. Together with premium ingredients like abalone and fish maw, this is treasure in a bowl.

Sauteed Boston Lobster with Chicken Floss in Spiced Fragrant Salt 4/5

Many often we have oven baked cheese lobster but this Sauteed Boston Lobster with Chicken Floss in Spiced Fragrant Salt is a new for me. The chicken floss, spiced fragrant salt and ginger flower gave the lobster a new lease of life with the addition aroma for a new experience.

Stewed Pork Belly 4.5/5

The Stewed Pork Belly with Dried Oyster, Black Fungus, Yam, Mushroom and Leek Flower is inspired from traditional dishes cooked by many Singaporeans during special occasions. The ingredients were stewed on low heat for 90 minutes until tender, resulting in a comforting and satisfying blend of flavours.

Fragrant Wok Fried Five Grain Glutinous Rice with Chinese Sausage 4.5/5

A must try is the Fragrant Wok Fried Five Grain Glutinous Rice with Chinese Sausage. Each mouthful is filled with delectable grains dancing on the palate with bites of diced Chinese sausage bursting it into a samba.

Trio of Dessert 4.8/5

Wrapping up the dinner is the trio of dessert, Almond Cream with Bird's Nest, Pistachio Muah Chee Glutinous Rice Ball and Yam Paste Nian Gao Tart. Bird's Nest is tasteless but the almond cream uplifted the luxurious bowl of delicacy with a complementing flavour.

Available for takeways is the Pistachio Muah Chee Glutinous Rice Ball ad Yam Paste Nian Gao Tarts. The softness of the muah chee is further boosted with aroma from the added pistachio. Another must try creation is the Yam Paste Nian Gao Tart with a layer of nian gao and a lay of yam paste encased in a buttery crust. The lunar new year goodies and takeway with be available from 3 February 2015 to 5 March 2015.


Jade Restaurant (玉楼）
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
1 Fullerton Square
Singapore 049178
Tel: +65 68778188
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFullertonHotel
Website: http://www.fullertonhotel.com/dining/diningCategories_2-en.html
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 630pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT Station. Take Exit H. Turn right and walk towards the river. At the river, turn right again and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Luk Yu Restaurant and Teahouse @ Chinatown Point

The family decided to drop by Luk Yu Restaurant and Teahouse at Chinatown for dinner one day. I quick check online seem to suggest this outlet is not affiliated to the popular restaurant in Hong Kong. Anyway, let the food be speaks for itself. We actually wanted to have dim sum but it is not available during dinner time. Hence we ordered some dishes from the ala carte menu to try instead.

Wasabi Prawn 3.5/5

We started with some Wasabi Prawn. Pretty decent execution with crunchy prawn that was coated in a wasabi mayonnaise sauce.

Sai Pang Xie 3/5

Next was the classic Chinese dish, Sai Pang Xie. All of us did not really enjoyed it. It came across rather bland and watery. I remembered adding quite a bit of vinegar to boost the taste.

Roasted Duck 3.8/5

Char Siew 3/5

Roasted Pork 3.5/5

Following that we have the Roasted Meat Platter. We chose the Roasted Duck, Char Siew and Roasted Pork. My favourite on the platter was the roasted duck. The other 2 roasts was rather mediocre.

Three Eggs Vegetable with Superior Broth 4/5

Lastly we have a vegetable dish. The Three Eggs Vegetable with Superior Broth is an usual greens that I commonly order. I like the combination of the century egg, salted egg and normal egg with the vegetables. The version at Luk Yu is slightly different with the addition of yam balls. Actually the yam ball was quite a mis-match for the dish. I don't understand the concept behind it. Nevertheless the vegetable itself in the superior stock was ready good.

Overall, I find the food at Luk Yu is rather average. There was nothing memorable about it. As the restaurant also serves dim sum, maybe the dim sum will fare better.


Luk Yu Restaurant and Teahouse
Chinatown Point
133 New Bridge Road
#01-41/42
Singapore 059413
Tel: +65 62621717
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am to 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown Point. Take Exit E. Walk to Chinatown Point. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

San Pellegrino Sparkling Fruit Beverages

All these years I only know of San Pellegrino because of their sparkling mineral water. I have not known that they have a range of Sparkling Fruit Beverages too. The finest lemons and oranges are selected, ripened in the sun of the cast groves of Southern Italy, and then picked by hand at specific harvest time. What is even more interesting is that it has a history dated all the way back to 1932.

The San Pellegrino Sparkling Fruit Beverage comes in 5 different flavours. They are namely Aranciata Rossa, Chinotto, Aranciata, Limonata and the newly introduced Pompelmo "Grapefruit". The Pompelmo is a new released flavour tat contains 16% fruit juice and is made from the finest pure Sicilian grapefruit juice which exhibits a bitter sweet, zesty taste to refresh and quench thirst.

I also noted the little details in the San Pellegrino packaging for the 330ml aluminium can drink. It comes with a exclusive foil cover lid that protects the top of the can from dust and dirt, and is 100% recyclable.

The Sparkling Fruit beverages are all made with only pure fruit juice and natural ingredients with no preservatives.

The radiance of Italian citrus fruits, the sweetness and deliciousness of their juice, and their fragrance are the essential ingredients of San Pellegrino Sparkling Fruit Beverages which is the key to its success.


San Pellegrino Sparkling Fruit Beverages
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SanPellegrinoFruitBeverages
Website: http://www.sanpellegrinofruitbeverages.com/intl/en/

Sungei Road Laksa (结霜桥叻沙) @ Jalan Berseh

Laksa is one of Singaporean's favourite local hawker dish. It is a noodle dish in curry gravy that you can find in almost every food centres or coffeeshops. However, Sungei Road Laksa (结霜桥叻沙) is probably the only one left that still insists in cooking their laksa gravy over charcoal fire.

When I reached the place, there was already a snaking queue. While I was patiently waiting for my turn, I observed that the little humble actually has a system. First one person with take the order, a second person will add the ingredients to the bowl of noodles and lastly the uncle will cook the bowl of laksa with the gravy.

Laksa 4.5/5

Another unbelievable thing about Sungei Road Laksa is that a bowl of laksa only costs $2. Where to find nowadays with the high cost of living. Actually the portion is quite small. I can easily finish 2 bowls of it at one go. If you think that seems a bit greedy, then upsize and get the $3 bowl.

Laksa 4.5/5

The laksa here is served with only a spoon. You do not need chopsticks as the thick rice noodles were already cut into smaller strips for easy consumption. The gravy itself was not too lemak and spicy. I also can taste dried shrimps in the gravy, giving it the extra aroma. Topped with slices of fishcake, beansprouts, cockles and laka leaves, this is definitely one of the best laksa I have ever eaten for a long while. It is worth queuing for it.


Sungei Road Laksa (结霜桥叻沙)
Jin Shui Kopitiam
Blk 27, Jalan Berseh
#01-100
Singapore 200027
Nearest MRT: Lavender (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 9am - 6pm
(Closed on 1st and 3rd Wed of the month)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Lavender MRT station. Take Exit B. Cut across the HDB estate to King George's Ave. Turn left on King George's Ave and walk to the end. Turn right onto Syed Alwi Road. Then turn left onto Plumber Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Hotpot Kingdom ( 鼎鼎香) @ Marina Bay Sands (MBS)

Chinese loves hotpot because it symbolizes reunion where a group of friends or family members gathered around the table cooking and eating the food together. For me, a good hotpot has to have fresh ingredients and a pot of superior soup base to go with it. Recently, I visited the newly opened, Hotpot Kingdom (鼎鼎香) at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands to see whether it meets my expectation of a good steamboat place.

Similar to one of my favourite steamboat restaurants, Imperial Treasure Steamboat, Hotpot Kingdom also offers an array of condiments where one can mix and match to create their own dipping sauce. A slight different is the variety of chilli sauces that is more suitable for the local liking of spicy.

Fried Silver Fish 4/5

Truffle Siew Mai 4/5

Some may not like to have steamboat because of the waiting time that is needed for the soup to boil and cook the ingredients. One beauty dining at Hotpot Kingdom is that they offered some starters, cooked food and even dim sum on their menu. Do note dim sum is not available for dinner.

Macanese Pork Bone Soup / Spicy Soup 4.2/5

Korean Kimchi Soup / Herbal Chicken Soup 4.2/5

Hotpot Kingdom offers ten different soup bases that is priced at $15 or $25. Under the $15 category, there are Spicy Soup, Macanese Pork Bone Soup, Pickled Vegetables with Fresh Fish Soup, Bak Kut Teh. While the $25 category consists of Beef Consomme Soup, Pork Tripe with Pepper Soup, La La Seafood Soup, Korean Kimchi Soup, Herbal Chicken Soup and Chicken Soup. As we have quite a big group, we decided to try Spicy Soup, Macanese Pork Bone Soup, Kimchi Soup and Herbal Chicken Soup. To be frank, I have enjoyed all four soups and I could not pick which is my favourite.

If you are having the Herbal Chicken Soup, the chicken is actually marinated in Chinese wine and served on the dish. At the table when the soup boils, the chicken is placed into the soup and the remaining Chinese wine marinade is poured into soup base.

Tiger Garoupa 4.2/5

Live Prawns 4.2/5

Local Lobster 4.2/5

Seafood lovers will be rejoiced with the selection of quality and fresh seafood on the menu. We tried the Tiger Garoupa ($13/100g), Live Prawns ($9/100g) and Local Lobster ($23/100g)

Homemade Meatballs 4.2/5

Another must try at Hotpot Kingdom is their Homemade Meatballs. There are Fresh Prawn Balls, Fresh Pork Ball, Dace Fish Ball, Fresh Beef Ball and Fresh Cuttlefish Ball. Ranging from $12-$14 for 6pcs. These meatballs are really good and springy but very expensive, about $2 per piece.

Vegetable and Mushroom 4/5

Ordered some Vegetable and Mushroom to go with the steamboat for a more balanced diet.

Pork Belly 4.2/5

Black Angus 4.5/5

Steamboat is not just about seafood. Good quality meat is also important part of a good spread. For a more premium selection, there are Japanese Wagyu Ribeye, Japanese Wagyu Striploin and Sliced Kurobuta Karubi, Premium US Black Angus and more.

Wanton 4/5

Egg Noodles 4/5

The menu is offers a variety of noodles and sides. An occurs of inspiration we decided to order some Wantons and Egg Noodles to cook our own inspired Wanton Noodles tossed in XO sauce.

My verdict of Hotpot Kingdom is that it is a great place for steamboat. Not only that, the extensive menu even offers a good variety of quality and fresh ingredients as well as dim sum and cooked dishes. However a steamboat meal at Hotpot Kingdom can be quite expensive.


Hotpot Kingdom (鼎鼎香)
The Shoppes
Marina Bay Sands
2 Bayfront Avenue
#B1-01B
Singapore 018972
Tel: +65 66887722
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hotpotkingdomsingapore
Website: http://www.hotpotkingdom.com/
Nearest MRT: Bayfront (CC Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bayfront MRT station. Take Exit D. Proceed to basement 2. Walk towards the other of the building and turn left. Todai is located at the far left of The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]