Showing posts with label Kueh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kueh. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Estate @ Hilton Singapore Orchard - “Sunday Social Champagne Brunch”, A Lively Celebration of Indulgence, Bubbly Elegance, and Elevated Weekend Dining

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The Estate introduces a refreshed weekend ritual with its “Sunday Social Champagne Brunch”, a vibrant dining experience that brings together good food, free-flow champagne and a lively social atmosphere. Anchored by the theme “Brunch, but make it Estate”, the experience combines the restaurant’s well-loved buffet spread with curated plated signatures, music, a live DJ spinning throughout the brunch, and family-friendly touches, with the introduction of a dedicated Junior Corner. Free-flow premier French champagne from Moët & Chandon adds a touch of French chic to the afternoon, elevating the indulgence even further.

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Seafood

The brunch begins with Estate’s renowned seafood bar taking centre stage, showcasing premium selections such as fresh French Oysters, Boston Lobsters and Alaskan King Crabs, alongside Tiger Prawns, Scallops, Clams and Mussels. This impressive spread sets the tone for a luxurious experience, offering diners a taste of the ocean’s finest with every visit to the station.

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Carving Meats

At the carving station, diners can look forward to hearty centrepieces such as the tea-smoked whole lamb leg and the lemongrass & coconut-roasted wagyu sirloin. Both offerings deliver bold flavours and succulent textures, making them particularly enjoyable for those who appreciate richly prepared meats.

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Mini Wagyu Slider

The Mini Wagyu Sliders are also worth a mention, featuring juicy patties layered with aged cheddar and caramelised onions, and nestled within fluffy brioche buns. Despite their modest size, these bites are surprisingly satisfying and well-executed.

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Foie Gras/Corned Beef Hash

A key highlight of the brunch is the reimagined lineup of individually plated chef’s signatures, elevating the dining experience beyond the traditional buffet. Favourites include the pan-seared Foie Gras, rich and buttery with a beautifully caramelised exterior, as well as the indulgent corned beef hash with soft scrambled eggs, finished with black truffle essence and caviar.

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Chawanmushi

The Lobster and Yuzu Chawanmushi is another refined creation, delicately steamed in kombu dashi and topped with ikura, delivering a silky texture, umami-rich flavours, and a gentle citrus lift.

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Seared Scallop

Equally noteworthy are the seared Scallop à la Provençale, served with a smooth cauliflower velouté, brown butter and crisp capers. The dish offers a harmonious balance of richness and subtle sweetness, complemented by layers of texture.

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Smoked Salmon and Trout Roulade

The Smoked Salmon and Trout Roulade presents a lighter yet flavourful option, paired with dill crème fraîche, pickled shallots and rye crisps. The combination brings together freshness, tanginess and a pleasant crunch.

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Singapore Chilli Mud Crab/Roasted Meats

Beyond the plated selections, the buffet continues to impress with Estate’s signature spread of international and local favourites, offering diners a wide variety of options to explore throughout the afternoon. Among the highlights are the Singapore Chilli Mud Crab served with mantou, as well as roast meats such as Five-spiced Roasted Duck, Garlic-crusted Roasted Chicken, and Roasted Pork, all of which deliver familiar, comforting flavours.

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Lobster Laksa

Another highlight is the noodle bar, where freshly prepared bowls take centre stage. The Lobster Nyonya Laksa stands out with its rich, aromatic broth. At the same time, other options such as the King Crab Laksa and Yunnan Cong You Ban Mian provide equally satisfying alternatives for those craving something warm and hearty.

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Desserts round off the brunch on a delightful note with an extensive, thoughtfully curated selection. Highlights include Singapore Heritage Nyonya Kueh, caramelised Pecan Tart, Hilton’s iconic Cheesecake, Lavender Rose Tart, and caramelised Pistachio Chocolate Cake. Guests can also enjoy a selection of Gelatos alongside the Estate’s signature handcrafted dessert jars, such as Lemongrass Hazelnut Cookie Crumble, Matcha Azuki Truffle, Japanese Sweet Potato Pudding, Cacao Velvet, and Pumpkin-spiced Panna Cotta.

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With its combination of premium ingredients, curated dishes and lively ambience, the Sunday Social Champagne Brunch delivers a well-rounded and memorable weekend experience that goes beyond the usual buffet format. The Sunday Social Champagne Brunch is available from 12 April 2026 at Hilton Singapore Orchard, priced at $138++ per adult, making it an ideal choice for a celebratory and indulgent Sunday outing.

Every Sunday | 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
From $138++ per adult (includes chilled juices, coffee, and tea)
For all Sunday Champagne Brunch experiences, top up $80++ for free flow of Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut champagne, house red and white wines, beers, Mimosa, and Bellini.


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Words and photos by Crystal. A lady who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Estate
Hilton Singapore Orchard
333 Orchard Road
Singapore 238867
Tel: +65 67374411
Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630am - 10pm
Breakfast: 630am – 1030am
Lunch: 12pm – 230pm
Dinner: 630pm – 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to ground level. Turn left onto Orchard Road. Walk down Orchard Road. Cross the road and walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]


Friday, December 5, 2025

Gilmore & Damian D'Silva @ National Gallery Singapore - A Restaurant That Pays Tribute to The Grandfather of Renowned Chef Damian D’Silva

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Housed within the historic former Supreme Court wing of the National Gallery Singapore, Gilmore & Damian D'Silva is Chef Damian D'Silva's most personal project to date — a heartfelt homage to his grandfather, Gilmore D'Silva, who shaped his values, palate, and lifelong mission to preserve Singapore's heritage cuisine. The premium-casual concept by OUE Restaurants showcases heirloom Eurasian recipes dating back over two centuries, alongside Chinese dishes inspired by Grandad's home cooking. More than just a restaurant, it is Chef Damian's continuation of storytelling through food, expressed with traditional methods, soulful flavours, and the gentlemanly hospitality passed down through generations.

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Teochew Ngoh Hiang 4.2/5

The Teochew Ngoh Hiang ($16) is a standout starter, wrapped in caul fat and deep-fried to a satisfying crisp. The filling is generous, featuring prawns, crab, minced pork, pork liver, mushrooms, and water chestnuts, seasoned with a fragrant house-blended five-spice. Paired with chuka chilli and sweet sauce, each bite delivers an elevated take on this familiar Teochew favourite.

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Nourishing Chicken Soup in Coconut 4.2/5

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A comforting bowl with a meaningful backstory, the Nourishing Chicken Soup in Coconut Husk ($28) was created by Chef Chit Pang in honour of his grandmother. Steamed with an aromatic medley of Chinese herbs (red dates, goji berries, codonopsis root, licorice, Solomon's seal, cordyceps flower, and Chinese yam), and free-range GG Poulet chicken, the broth is finished with coconut water and Hakka yellow wine. The result is a light yet flavourful soup, subtly sweet from the coconut, and served with a robust housemade chilli sauce of soy, garlic, and chilli.

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Pesce Assa 4.2/5

The Pesce Assa ($26) features Korean seerfish grilled with sambal and wrapped in banana leaf. Using Gilmore's recipe, the fish is well chosen for its firm texture and ability to carry the sambal's richness. Grilled over charcoal, the dish is aromatic and smoky, finished with coriander and sliced chillies for brightness.

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Ambiler Kachang 4.8/5

A staple from Chef Damian's childhood, the Ambiler Kachang ($18) impresses with its tangy, appetite-whetting profile. Long beans are stir-fried with salted fish, a nod to the dish's humble origins as an economical household dish. Tamarind from Indonesia gives the dish its piquant edge, making it especially effective alongside richer plates. Easily one of the most memorable dishes of the meal.

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Cowdang 4.5/5

The Cowdang ($22) is a nearly forgotten Kristang dish of stewed coconut prawns. Wild-caught Ang Kar prawns are simmered with a fragrant paste of ginger flower, ginger, garlic, and green chillies. Finished with coconut milk, the dish is creamy without being heavy, highlighting the sweetness of fresh seafood. A compelling revival of a heritage recipe at risk of fading from memory.

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Christmas Debal 4.5/5

A Kristang festive classic, the Christmas Debal ($48) transforms the tradition of cooking with Christmas leftovers into a hearty, flavour-packed stew. At Gilmore, the curry comes with smoked ham, bacon bones, roast pork, and chicken, accompanied by homemade vegetable achar and sliced baguette. Tart, spicy, and robust, this is comfort food with deep cultural resonance.

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Sugee Cake with Chantilly 4.5/5

Made using Gilmore's heirloom recipe, the Sugee Cake with Chantilly ($18) is a must-order. Semolina is soaked overnight in butter, then creamed with toasted almonds, brandy, and flour. Baked to a golden crumb, it is rich, aromatic, and indulgent without being cloying. The accompanying chantilly adds a gentle lift.

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Singapore Heritage Kuehs 4.2/5

The Singapore Heritage Kuehs ($8 for 6 pcs / $16 for 12 pcs) feature a rotating assortment of handcrafted kuehs made fresh in-house. Expect familiar favourites such as Kueh Kosui, Kueh Salat, Kueh Ku, Kueh Bingka, Pulut Bingka, and Sarang Semut. A nostalgic, well-executed way to end the meal.

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Gilmore & Damian D'Silva is more than a restaurant. It is a living tribute to ancestral wisdom, culinary heritage, and the intergenerational bond. With a well-curated menu of Eurasian and heritage dishes prepared with traditional techniques, it offers diners a rare taste of Singapore's past, reimagined with heart and intention. A must-visit for heritage cuisine lovers and those seeking a dining experience rooted in story, craft, and soul.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Gilmore & Damian D'Silva
National Gallery Singapore
1 St Andrew's Road
#01-02/03
Singapore 178957
Tel: +65 9710 0237
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Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit D. Turn left and walk down North Bridge Road. Turn left onto Coleman Street. Walk down Coleman Street. Walk to the destination. Journey time is around 5 minutes. [Map]

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Po Restaurant @ The Warehouse Hotel - Celebrates Singapore Nanyang Heritage Cuisine

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This October, Po Restaurant at The Warehouse Hotel unveils its brand-new menu, celebrating Singapore's rich Nanyang heritage and culinary traditions. Moving away from its previous mod-sin concept, the new direction is led by Head Chef Desmond Yong, who brings nearly two decades of experience, including his tenure as Head Chef at Rempapa, and a background spanning hawker stalls to refined kitchens. Together with his team, he has crafted a diverse yet concise menu showcasing dishes from Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian, and Peranakan traditions. Treasured family recipes, either his own or generously shared by others, are reinterpreted with finesse.

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Samsui Chicken 5/5

For starters, the Samsui Chicken was a pure delight. Served chilled, the poached organic chicken was tender, with slightly gelatinous skin. Complementing it was a gingery, garlicky dressing that beautifully whetted the appetite.

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Singgang Serai 4.5/5

Another outstanding starter was the Singgang Serai ($24), inspired by a Eurasian fish curry. The mackerel stew, rich with turmeric rempah and coconut milk, was encased in a toasted rice shell and topped with a delicate tomato jelly. The jelly lent a fruity sweetness and gentle tartness that balanced the umami-packed stew, while the rice shell, reminiscent of a Japanese monaka, added mild sweetness and textural crunch to each bite.

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Ikan Kerabu 4/5

The Ikan Kerabu ($28) reimagines the classic Peranakan kerabu with yellowtail cured in ginger flower and plum dressing, topped with a tangy herb salad, sakura shrimp, and coconut. While the dish was delicious, the use of herbs and coconut could be less restrained to better accentuate its kerabu character.

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Kambing Masak Lemak Chilli 5/5

The Kambing Masak Lemak Chilli ($28) was scrumptious, featuring ultra-tender, slow-braised lamb in a rich, aromatic spiced curry. The meat had a lovely char that deepened its flavour, and the fluffy steamed rice vermicelli served as the perfect accompaniment to the heady curry.

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Housemade Beancurd with Crabmeat 3/5

Among the main dishes, the Housemade Beancurd with Crabmeat ($32) featured silky steamed egg beancurd topped with plump crabmeat in superior sauce. While enjoyable, it leaned more toward an elevated Japanese chawanmushi than a Chinese-style dish, perhaps because of the addition of ikura.

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Sotong Masak Hitam 4.5/5

The Sotong Masak Hitam ($30) showcased a Peranakan classic of squid cooked in its own ink. Stir-fried with rempah and reduced to a thick, glossy sauce, it was richly spiced with just a hint of heat. The squid roe, left intact, lent additional depth and creaminess, making each bite satisfying and full-bodied. The tentacles, coated in a blend of rice and corn flour, were a brilliant touch, adding crisp texture to this traditional dish.

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Itek Sioh 5/5

The Itek Sioh ($30) was prepared confit-style, simmered in tamarind, coriander seed, and dark soy sauce. It was easily one of the better duck leg confits I've had in a while, with meat that was perfectly tender and well-balanced in flavour.

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Babi Tohay 3/5

The Babi Tohay ($32) featured Iberico pork slowly braised in Po's house-made fermented krill paste and red rice paste. While the gravy was delectable, I found some of the meat slightly dry.

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Lobster Mee 4.5/5

The Lobster Mee ($58) offered a luxurious take on KL Hokkien Mee, brimming with pork lard and premium seafood. Udon noodles were used instead of the typical yellow noodles. While purists may miss the alkaline bite of the original, I appreciated the chewiness of the udon, which made the dish feel lighter against the dark, flavoursome soy gravy.

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Brinjal Fry 2/5

For vegetables, the Brinjal Fry ($24) featured South Indian-style pan-grilled eggplant, drizzled with honey and topped with spiced puffed rice and feta. While it aimed for an Indian-inspired profile, the flavours didn't quite come together, and the brinjal itself was slightly tough and watery. I was reminded of a stir-fried brinjal dish I had previously had over here. It was more rustic in presentation but homely and delicious in flavour.

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Nasi Telang 4.5/5

There's always room for rice, and the Nasi Telang ($12) was a fragrant pleasure, glossy with ghee and aromatic with herbs.

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Kueh Tingkat 3/5

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Yuzu Cheng Tng 3.5/5

For desserts, we had the Kueh Tingkat ($22), featuring three freshly made varieties of kueh, and the Yuzu Cheng Tng ($18). The kuehs were pleasant, though the kueh kosui was a touch too sweet and lacked the desired softness. The Cheng Tng was light and refreshing, elevated by a scoop of yuzu sorbet.

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Po's refreshed menu reflects Singapore's diverse culinary roots with heart and intent. Many dishes shine with thoughtful execution, though a few have lost a touch of their traditional soul in the process of refinement. Still, kudos to Chef Desmond Yong and his team for steering Po in a bold new direction amid today's challenging F&B landscape.

Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Po Restaurant
The Warehouse Hotel
320 Havelock Road
Singapore 169628
Tel: +65 6828 0007
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Havelock (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 7 - 1030am, 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Havelock MRT station. Take Exit 4. Turn left and walk down Havelock Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Swensen’s Unlimited @ Geneo - Halal-certified Buffet Offering Peranakan, Seafood, Hand-stretched Pizzas and Desserts

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Swensen's popular buffet concept, Swensen's Unlimited, has launched its third outlet at the newly opened Geneo Mall in Singapore Science Park, following earlier openings at VivoCity and Changi Airport Terminal 2.

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What sets this new branch apart is its spacious 200-seat layout, designed to host special events such as weddings or corporate gatherings. The space features a customisable LED backdrop and a private suite with an attached bathroom - ideal as a bridal room or multi-purpose event space.

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Pricing starts at $35++ for weekday lunch and $38++ for weekday dinner (Monday to Thursday). On Fridays, weekends, public holidays, and special occasions (such as Mother's Day), the price is $50++ for lunch and $60++ for dinner. Lunch runs from 11am to 5pm, and dinner from 5pm to 10pm, with a 90-minute dining limit. Menus vary slightly depending on the day.

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Swensen’s Unlimited Buffet 3.8/5

Begin at the Seafood on Ice section with free-flow tiger prawns, mussels, clams, and flower crabs. While reasonably fresh, it was a pity that the seafood lacked flavour.

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Cold Cuts & Appetisers

Next to the Seafood on Ice are several cold cuts & appetisers, including salads and cheeses.

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Hot Food

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The Hot Food lineup consists of Indian, Asian, Western and Peranakan dishes, as well as soups such as Cream of Mushroom.

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Mala Stir-Fry Pot

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Mala Firecracker Chicken

The Hot Food spotlight shines on three outlet-exclusive dishes: Ayam Masak Merah, Mala Firecracker Chicken, and Mala Stir-Fry Pot, which packs a strong kick of spice.

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Live Carving Station

There are also a couple of live food stations. First, the Live Carving Station featured fresh roast meats, including Roast Striploin and Roast Chicken.

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Pizza Station: Trio Cheese Hand-stretched Pizza

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Pasta Station Aglio Olio Spaghetti

Second, the Pizza and Pasta Stations offered Hand-stretched Pizzas and freshly prepared pasta with various sauces and pasta options.

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Baked Rice and Noodles Station: Laksa

Lastly, the Baked Rice and Noodles Station offered Swensen's classic baked rice flavours (Curry Chicken, Chicken, and Fish) and two noodle options: Beef Noodles and Laksa.

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Ice Cream and Gelato

Moving to the last and most popular sweets section, diners will be welcomed with Swensen's massive range of Ice Cream and Gelato on rotation from its book of 48 flavours. They are made up of a mix of classics and newer creations. Some flavours that caught our eye include Zero Sugar Sticky Chewy Chocolate, Berry Hibiscus, Smoked Oak Tiramisu, and Chrysanthemum with Choco Fudge.

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Ice Cream and Gelato

The assortment of condiments allows you to customise your sundaes - do make sure to try their outlet-exclusive Pistachio Kunafa Sauce!

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Croissants and Waffles

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Chocolate Fountain

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Assorted Kueh

Continuing with the options for sweets, diners can also indulge in a chocolate fountain, croissants, waffles, assorted kuehs, fruits, and more.

Please ensure you make a reservation before heading down, especially for meals on weekends and special occasions.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Swensen’s Unlimited
Geneo
#01-06
1 Science Park Drive
Singapore 118221
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Kent Ridge (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Kent Ridge MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]