PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore

Back in March 2013, I celebrated my birthday by booking a staycation over the weekend at the newly opened PARKROYAL on Pickering. The hotel was designed by local award winning architectural firm Woha, creating a hotel in a garden design.

I would recommend the hotel to tourist because of its excellent location that is accessible and a stone throw away to many interesting places in Singapore. The Chinatown MRT station and Clark Quay MRT station is only 5 minutes walk away. Right beside the hotel is Hong Lim Food Centre where one can savour the local delicacies. Chinatown, Clarke Quay and Boat Quay are also within walking vicinity from the hotel.

Lime is the only restaurant at PARKROYAL on Pickering with floor to ceiling glass windows and three open kitchens. The spacious restaurant has a friendly and welcoming ambience offering a diverse selection of international cuisines and Asian flavours.

My room was on the tenth floor. To get to my room which is on the other section of the hotel, I need to walk through this outdoor corridor. With a closer look, I realised the right of the corridor are exactly hotel rooms with greenery wall.

This is the corridor indoor leading to my hotel room.

This is the Superior King room which I have booked. I like the floor to ceiling window design allowing the natural light to light up the room giving it a very welcoming ambience.

I like how the hotel creatively uses partition for the room. Noticed the mirror section of the room? It is actually a sliding partition.

Behind the sliding partition is the toilet and shower room.

The toiletries are pretty standard.

Beside the comfort king size bed, I like the bay window area with the floor to ceiling windows alot. I applauded the interior deisgner who creatively made used of the bay window area to create a sitting area.

There is also a table area at the bay window beside where the beverages are stored. I thought that is a very thoughtful design making use of the bay window area again.

The work desk is quite spacious and comes with a very comfort seat.

My booking came with a complimentary access to the rooftop Orchid Club Lounge. The lounge offers a spectacular 360 degree views of the Singapore city skyline.

Spent sometime at the Orchid Club Lounge for some high tea before I proceed on to check out the rest of the hotels.

The infinity pool on the 5th floor of the hotel is a bit small but comes with a view looking across Hong Lim Park. What caught my attention is the bird cage like structure which is actually oversized cabanas designed to resemble flowers about to bloom amongst the foliage.

I have enjoyed my staycation at PARKROYAL on Pickering and I highly recommend this place for tourists if you are not on a budget.


PARKROYAL on Pickering
3 Upper Pickering Road
Singapore 058289
Tel: +1800 2557795
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Parkroyal.Pickering
Website: http://www.parkroyalhotels.com/en/hotels/singapore/pickering_street/parkroyal/index.html
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE Line, DT Line), Clarke Quay (CC Line)

Bornga @ Vivocity

Following the successful opening of its first outlet at Star Vista, Bornga opens its second outlet at Vivocity in May 2013. To commemorate the new out at Vivocity, Bornga has also launched a bigger menu with new dishes that is available at both outlets. Compared to the first outlet, it has more indoor seating with a section having a nice scenic view of Sentosa.

At Bornga if you order any of the Korean BBQ meat, the service staff will barbecue the meat for you. You can also request to do it on our own too.

Mansinjang Samgyupsal 4.2/5

The Mansinjang Samgyupsal ($24 / 200g) is one of the new item on the menu. The tenderized pork belly is likely seasoned with parsley flakes, salt and pepper before serving and this allows one to enjoy the original flavours of the lovely pork.

Yangnyum Dwaeji Galbi 4.2/5

The other new item on the menu is the Yangnyum Dwaeji Galbi ($33 / 250g). The porb rib is marinated in a special house sauce. The meat was very juicy and tender. It was so tender that we even thought we were having beef instead of pork.

Woosamgyup 4.2/5

A must try at Bornga is the Woosamgyup ($28 / 220g). This is Chef Paik's patented recipe of thinly sliced US beef short plate seasoned in Bornga's secret marinade just before serving. The beautifully marbled beef was tender and succulent. The unique marinade enchanced the taste from the traditional korean barbecue.

Dwaeji Gohchujang Barbeque 4.2/5

For those that wants to avoid the hassle of barbecuing the meat, try the Dwaeji Gohchujang Barbeque ($36). The spicy pork slices are grilled and stir fried with spring onions, served on a hot plate.

Bornga Bulgogi 4.5/5

Bornga Bulgogi 4.5/5

For a change from the usual hot plate, Bornga Bulgogi ($45) comes in a sumptuous bubbling beef hotpot which resembles the Thai Mookata. Underneath the pile of fresh vegetables is the delectable beef fillet that has been marinated with Bornga's special sauce.

Sundubu Jjigae 4/5

The Sundubu Jjigae ($18) is a spicy assorted seafood soup with tofu and egg. It is a hearty and comforting soup packed with ingredients. I will be contented to settle a meal just having the soup with a bowl of rice.

Yukgaejang 4/5

Another hearty and comforting soup on the menu is the Yukgaejang ($20). It is a spicy beef soup with shredded beef, scallions, bean sprouts and glass noodles. Compared to Sundubu Jjigae, the beef soup has a more complex and robust flavour.

Bornga continues to impress me with their food quality and standard. I am also delighted that they have introduced more pork items on their menu. It remains an ideal place for family and friend gathering.


Bornga
Vivocity
1 Harbourfront Avenue
#02-123/124
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 63768268
Website: www.bornga.kr
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC Line, NE Line)

Opeining Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to Vivocity Level 2. Journey time about 5 minutes.