Mohammed Sultan, Robertson Quay-This is a place i'd go to for a nice relaxing evening out with friends, over a glass of red or bubbly. Dinner would be somewhere by the waterfront, exquisitely prepared and amazingly comforting. Or perhaps a fun night with the cute chefs at Foodbar Dada ;) If it's for brunch, the options are aplenty. Kith, Toby's, Smitten all provides great coffee and delicious food albeit the slightly higher price bracket.

Now, a new player on the block E.Clat Gourmet has decided to join the F&B scene at Robertson. They do have lofty ideas of trying to be a Gourmet Canteen, providing fine dining for the masses. Now, that could be read both ways depending on the emphasis. Fine dining for the masses (gourmet food for everyone) and fine dining for the Masses (food that the masses think is good). So which is it? Read on to find out.

E.Clat is located on the 3rd floor from ground in the Sultan Link Building is easily missed by the Robertson crowd. There are no efforts to direct traffic to the restaurant and it's hard to get to it even if you locate the building. When you finally do, you will find yourself in a canteen style restaurant but with plush cushion seats (they really try their best to stick to both Canteen and Gourmet). Well, it's comfortable enough and there is an nice alfresco dining area though it doesn't boost much of a view.

I think for a restaurant to stand out, the entire concept has to be consistent and unique. Here at E.Clat, it is just plain confusing. They offer a mix of cuisine from English to Italian to Local and now they are toying with the idea of Thai food? They muddle it further by the varied groups of target audience that they are trying to reach- office workers, dinners and students?!! Werd?? I was glad that the menu they prepared for our tasting was a little more consistent. I certainly wouldn't be able to stomach all the apparent differences.

Putting the concept aside. Let's discuss the food.

The tomato bruschetta (4 for S$6.90) was plain normal. I didn't like the home made foccacia. It lacked the aroma of the herbs and olive oil and it was stale instead of airy. Gardenia has better prepacked foccacia. #Truestory.

The Cheesey Onion Fries (S$9.90) was a disaster. Over fried and hard crinkle fries topped with an easily coagulated cheese and onions fried in gravy. The sauce isn't too bad but the fries were uncooperative in my attempt to soak them in the sauce. All the tables left this dish pretty much untouched. I really admire the boss' enthusiasm in trying to get us to have more of this. I think he created this dish. :/

Fellow blogger friend Alexis was craving for a good Eggs Benny (S$10.90) but this was a disappointment. The price was right but the food wasn't. Tasteless ham on the same stale foccacia, topped with nicely poached eggs but accompanied with a bland and watery hollandaise sauce. I prefer a full bodied and creamier sauce than this. Coffee Bean does a better one at a similar price (or cheaper). #Truestoryagain.

The signature Black Pepper Beef Pasta (S$12) was a little oily and bland for my liking. More sauce with a fiery punch would be most welcomed. I ended up eating only the beef slices, which were adequately marinated.

Seafood Baked Rice in Tomato sauce (S$10.90) didn't have fresh ingredients. The prawns and mussels tasted muddy. And where art thou, you tomato sauce? The dish as a whole just didn't work for me.

The Rum & Raisin Panna Cotta(S$8.80) was too firm. Interesting rum and raisin mousse though. Would love more rum in the raisins to stand out against the milkiness of the dessert.

Am i being too critical? Not really. I mean, i'm accessing the dishes based on their gourmet framework. It's not all that doom and gloom. E.Clat does have some redeeming qualities.

The Beer Battered Fish & Chips (S$16.90) was a delight after all that ahem. The exterior is crisp and airy and the fish was succulent and moist. Our tasting was buffet style and i actually went back for seconds. You go figure the subtext but i hardly touched much of the other dishes. Skip the fries (read above for reason).

The Smoked Duck Pizza (S$18.90) was 12 inches of fabulous. The handmade crust was thin and crunchy (when hot) and was topped with tender smoked duck (by Chef Andy himself), rockets and dollops of truffle mayonnaise all around.

I'm not sure who else other than office workers and students would be drawn to the restaurant if it continues with its operation and concept the way it is. There is some potential in this place if they streamline things a little, focus on their pub food and make it into a residential bar. To bring the cool and hip crowd over, they really need to make it a destination instead of an afterthought.
By the way darlings. If it's mass, it's mass. Don't pretend to be gourmet. It could be just really good mass food and it's a-ok. We should never pretend to be something that we are not. Because people will know. #qotd

E.Clat Gourmet

63 Mohammed Sultan Road #03-14

Sultan Link Building, Singapore 239002

Tel: +65 6604 7998
Weekdays: 8.30am - 9pm
Weekends: 10am - 3pm (Sunday operation begins in Sept)

What's your favorite childhood dessert? One of my favorite is the $1 ice cream slab sandwiched between a slice of rainbow colored bread (it still is). It's not that the ice cream is tasty, it's the whole experience. The delightful tone of the bell, shillings dropped into outstretched little hands, the thrilling click of freedom coming from the impenetrable fortress (aka my gate) and running out into the wild open for a taste of that ice cold sweetness. Oh yes, the little joys from the perspective of the little one.

These days, it's hard to elicit the same kinda excitement in me. Too many so called artisan ice cream stalls charging exorbitant prices with sub standard ice cream have made me cynical. I stick to my favorite Salted Caramel or Alfero who whip up homemade goodness that's inexpensive and is equally charming. Adding to that list is Creamier, a cooler than cool ice cream parlor in the sleepy estate of Toa Payoh.

The 3 stores have similar characteristics. All are located in residential estates, does great ice cream and are really affordable. There are 2 categories, the Standard (S$2.90sgl, 4.90dbl) and the Premium (S$3.90sgl, 6.50dbl). Extra scoops are at S$2/2.50. I'm not sure what's what so i just ordered whatever i felt like having.

The flavors are quite interesting, at least those that caught my eye were. Avocado, Earl Grey Lavender, Orange Banana Sorbet, Tahitian Vanilla (full of vanilla beans!) etc. What's really good is the creaminess of the ice cream and the intensity in flavors. The Chocolate Mint ice cream was like liquid After Eights chocolate. No kidding. It's the darkest chocolate mint ice cream i've seen (it's not even green).

We had that with the chocolate lava cake which was either of a really high cocoa content or it has some alcohol in it. My taste buds were really confused but it was that same dry and bitter mouth feel. Pair this with a sweet milk base ice cream and it'd be alright. Don't expect too much lava flow, it's the slightly coagulated sort. 

The Earl Grey Lavender was a tad too sweet for my liking and that kinda masked the Earl Grey flavor. Lavender is an interesting and suitable twist to the typical tea laced dessert. Have it on a Belgium waffle  (S$6/6.50 with sgl scoop) if you wish. Or pair it with a cup of hot coffee. Beans are sourced from a premium roaster that remains undisclosed. They also have my favorite Kopparberg Cider. Heh. 

So yea, this is another addition to my favorite ice cream list. Will be heading to them when my ice cream man doesn't come ringing. Same old charm with a modern twist. That's my kind of ice cream.

Creamier

• Blk 128, Toa Payoh Lorong 1, #01-835
• Singapore 310128
• Tel: +65 6250 1476

Tue-Thu: 12 - 10pm

Fri-Sat: 12 - 11pm

Sun: 12 - 10pm

Once upon a time, there were 3 girls with a dream, a dream of having their own little place, decorated with curated pieces of vintage and filled with the buttery aroma of cakes and bakes. It'll be a place where friends will share secrets over a pot of tea, where lovers reunite, where lost treasures are found. But dreams will remain as dreams unless you have the courage to pursue it. So they did. And Carpenter and Cook was born. 

The shop is exactly out of a fairy tale. The nostalgia and charm of a time lost and then rediscovered. The interior is warmy and cosy, peppered with an eclectic mix of handpicked and restored furniture. There is just this air of positivity and hope. I guess it must have come from Phoebe, Shenn and Eunice, who obviously have put in their heart and soul into the place.

There is something romantic about old furniture. Who did it belong to? What was the owner like? Why did they buy it? Who was it for? Each piece comes with a history that we may never know about; each a mystery.

I pondered these over the freshly baked tarts (S$6.20) and a cup of mocha. The bakes are as dreamy as everything else. These are made by the Cordon Bleu trained hands of Shenn and each bite was as delicious as you can imagine. For me, my search for the best tart ends here. 

The crisp and buttery tart base is everything one would look for. It doesn't fall to pieces when you cut or bite into it. Neither is it too soft that it fails to hold the filling. 

The Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel tart was a bitter sweet delight. I like that it isn't too cloyingly sweet. A hint of sea salt gives way to a smokey caramel and then you hit the bitter notes of the chocolate in the aftertaste. There is a clear separation of the chocolate and the tart but it melts from the warmth of your lips and becomes a rich elixir that goes down easily. 

The Lemon Cream tart was a custard and eggy delight. It's a little sharp but that's it's character. I guess a person's taste preference is also an indication of what they are like. Obviously i'm not the sweet and docile girl. I declare this to be the best tart in Singapore. It can't get better than this.

Carpenter and Cook is a place where dreams are renewed and hopes given a booster shot. And of course, tummies satisfied as well. This is a great place to throw a Mad Hatter Tea Party with the girls (they do teas and private events too) or simply where you can be left to your own devices and thoughts. I will certainly be back to finish the rest of their cakes and quiches and savory treats (they are rolled out of the kitchen ever so often) while i work on a plan to actualize my dreams.  

It's time to stop dreaming and start acting. Have a great weekend ahead.

Carpenter and Cook

19 Lorong Kilat, #01-06, Singapore 598120
Tel: +65 6463 3648
Tue – Fri: 12pm – 10pm
Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 7pm
Closed on Mon

Burgers, one of the world's best food invention. Think toasted buttery buns with sesame sprinkled on top, gushing juices from the meat patty and the refreshing crunch of greens. The sweet, savory, acidic and caramel taste assaulting your taste buds all at once. And the fries. Oh the fries. I love my burgers. After missing out on the short lived 5 minute In-n-Out excitement recently, i headed over to &Made by Bruno Menard to satisfy my burger craving.

If you have no idea who Bruno is, well, he's most popularly known as the guy who helmed L’Osier, a 3 Michelin star Japanese-French restaurant in Tokyo. Don't worry about having to know which fork or knife to use first or where to place your cutlery because &Made is a casual, playful and quirky Diner. The whole place spells fun really. It's like stepping into an 80s video game with cartoon robots and PAC Man with black, white and red Lego boxes. What's missing is probably that polyphonic tune in the background. I was expecting the servers to break into a robot dance in the middle of my meal. That didn't happen really.

Even though it's a diner, much thought has been put into the menu. It may look pedestrian on the first look- some burgers, sandwiches, fries and milkshakes; but if you look closer, it's actually French cuisine, with some Japanese influence, made to look like American food.

And American it was for me. The 3 Little Pigs (S$23) was my choice of artery clogging happiness- bacon, pork fillet and chorizo patty, smoky shiitake mushrooms, Japanese cabbage, Shibazuke pickles and Yuzu-kosho mayonnaise which is lightly spiced. Splendid burger. This was sensational and each bite was a juicy burst of flavors. All these were sandwiched between these toasted buttery brioche buns. I say throw away the fork and knife. Use your bear paws, grab them, squeeze them and squash the burger into your mouth.

The burgers come with a side of fries. I opted for the truffle fries (+S$3) and they were crisp and fresh. There are other flavored salts like Maldon, Smoked and Garlic and Vinegar. Worthy of a mention is the tangy &Made BBQ sauce that accompanied the fries. It was blended with tomatoes and onion to give it that tangy acidity which is really refreshing.

We gave the Farmer Toastoo (S$15) a go as well. This is a traditional buckwheat crepe pressed in a toastee machine to give it that crispy crunch. If only it has a spongebob print on it. :) This is absolutely tres French with a twist in presentation.  I'm not such a fan of the Farmer which contains cooked ham, caramelized onion and Racelette cheese fondue. The onion kinda overpowered the entire dish. The portion is also really small. :(

While we were busy eating, I spotted the neighbor's Salad drink order. The Red, Green and Yellow order (S$9) is served in a mini-glass pitcher with a side of savoury mini gougères. Think of it as a fruit juice or a raw gazpacho but with more vitamins. Green would pack a punch with the use of wasabi though. Sadly, our choice of drink didn't look as attractive. We ordered the Lychee, Raspberry and Rose Smoothie (S$9). I was expecting a thicker yogurt shake but this was very watery and diluted. Nay.

To wrap things up, we order the sinfully delicious Hot Caramel Lava Cake (S$15). This takes 15mins to prepare but it's definitely worth the wait. Once served, the waiter would make a precise incision and all that bitter caramel sauce will ooze out like a volcanic eruption. This is accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. I like the extra touch of French Gavottes Crepe Dentelle Cookies that gives the dessert a needed crunch. The cake has a steamed cake quality, which reminded me of the Chinese Huat Kueh. 

I really enjoyed dining at &Made. It's not just the food or the ambience but i think the service is impeccable. I felt so pampered by the friendly servers who took care of our every need even without us asking. Plates were immediately cleared once they sensed that we're done. Love love love the people there. This is definitely a place i'll go back to again, again and again. :)

&Made by Bruno Ménard
#01-04/05/06 Pacific Plaza
9 Scotts Road, Singapore 228210
Tel: +65 6732 9808
Sun-Thu: 10am -10pm

Fri-Sat: 10am - 12am 

No reservations

It's been 12 days since the start of my Zespri 14-Day Daily Scoop of Amazing Challenge! (Read about the competition here) Whee. I can't believe i am still surviving. I think i have annoyed my friends pretty much on my personal facebook account. A friend commented that i ought to become a New Zealand PR since i love it so much. I believe he meant that with sarcasm. :/ Sorry guys.

So what benefits did i reap from this challenge (apart from the insane number of kiwifruits delivered to my doorsteps)? Well, i believe it has really given me better complexion! I mean.. at the start it was pretty bad. I suddenly had an outbreak of pimples but that's kinda like detoxing my skin, clearing the clogged pores and stuff. Exactly the same thing happened when i visited my dermatologist previously. So yea, beauty tip here! Eat more kiwifruits for detox! It's cheaper than visiting the doc's. Or better still, apply some on your face. Here is my kiwi yogurt mask recipe if you missed it.

To reward my dear readers, i'm giving away some cute Zespri Kiwifruit stuff. Check this out.

Remember the cute kiwifruit holder that i've been using? I have 9 to give away! Comes with a spife as well. Then there are also 2 furry kiwifruit thumb drive which are absolutely adorable. 1 Zespri Gold Lunch Box (mother of all kiwifruit holders). And finally, see the kiwi toy at the back? That's actually a massager! It vibrates your aches away. I have 3 of the Kiwifruit Massager to give away as well!

There are several ways to win something from this stash.
1. Leave a comment on My blog or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MsSkinnyfat). Tell me why you like reading my blog or like kiwifruits.
2. Share or Like this post on Facebook

Depending on the response, i'll either just give it to those who actually do comment on something or use a randomizer. I noticed that my readers are quite shy about interacting with me on my blog or facebook or twitter for that matter. I won't bite really. :)

Remember to also tell me which of the items you prefer so that it's easier for me to give you something.

Have a kiwified week ahead! Peace out.

Tuesdays are for tea because we all need one to get through the longest day of the week and i would head over to ReStore Living, a shop-cum-café nestled in the historic district of Tanjong Pagar to get some. What's awesome is that ReStore has all my loves in 1 quaint venue: Shophouses, quirky reupholstered chairs, vintage furniture and tea. I wasn't disappointed. Colourful chairs of all shapes and sizes were hung on the walls for all to admire. Relaxing vibe with french music playing softly in the background. This feel is what i want to come home to every night after a long day at work.  

The store was conceived by Meg Wettstein and Liew Hwee Min, who share a passion for all things upholstered. The concept is simple really, pick out some vintage furniture that people are ready to discard (yes silly us) and add a little modern twist to it to make it all the rave. Then people are oh so willing to pay for them. Why not take a closer look at the things around you? Appreciate them a little more. Your trash could be someone else's treasure. Why not make them your own?

Sadly, all i can do is just appreciate it at the store till i get my own place. Oh wells. I had a great me afternoon off still with the delicious homemade wafles and cool iced tea.

I had the Chocolate, Almond and Banana half waffles (S$9.80) which was quite delightful. The batter was a little salty and went perfectly with the sweet toppings. Just the way i like it. The whipped cream is a lot denser than the usual airy sort and had an ice cream like texture which was lovely. Would love some ice cream on this one though.

The original plan was to get a Bagel (S$5.50) but unfortunately they were all sold out! The Cinnamon Raisin and Honey Wholewheat bagels are apparently hot sellers here. I heard that it's practically the best bagel in Singapore. Definitely gotta head back to try them. The cream cheese served with it is also a depart from the usual. Other than the plain cheese, there's also the Caramel Cream and Maple syrup Walnut Cream Cheese. No prize for guessing what i'd choose. :)

Head over to ReStore Living for a très European lazy afternoon. If not, at least make yourself an iced tea this afternoon. :)

ReStore Living

124 Tanjong Pagar Rd 088533

Tel: +65 6222 3510


Tue-Thu: 11am -7pm

Fri: 11am -8pm
Sat: 12pm -8pm

Sun: 12pm -5pm

I grew up eating Ang Ku Kueh (AKK)- those crayon red, tortoise shell looking glutinous rice cakes stuffed with sweet and sometimes savory fillings. My personal favorite when i was a kid is the red peanut AKK. But as i grew older, i stopped eating it. It's suddenly too sweet, too oily, too old fashioned, too something. It's not just me alone, I speak for my peers as well. How many can say that they eat these kuehs on a regular basis or would hunt it down like we do for other cuisines?

That's kinda sad actually. The loss of a way of life and along with it, culture. What we should really do is to bring the sexy back in culture and cultural food. 

I was invited by Gavan, third generation boss of Lek Lim Nyonya Cake Confectionery to try the kuehs at this traditional shop in Bedok. To my surprise, it's just a block away from my favorite Bedok 85 Bak Chor Mee place! This hidden shop has more than 48 years kueh history and they prepare all the kuehs on site.

Check out the huge selection of Nyonya Kuehs prepared freshly everyday. Gavan's mother comes to the shop every morning to oversee the preparation of the kueh skin and fillings. The family fiercely guards their secret recipe so that it stays within the family. All the kuehs are hand made. Can you believe it? In this day and age, it's hard to find handmade goods anymore. I even made my own AKK ($0.50 each; $2.30 for 5). It's really cheap for a kueh don't you think? 

Needless to say, mine was quite a failed product. The sides are not supposed to crack. The aunty was too nice to not say anything about it really! She kept encouraging me along the way. I'm obviously not cut out for a domestic life.

I loved the tapioca kuehs (S$1.20/box)! I'm bad at identifying them. All the kuehs in the picture are made from tapioca! There are the steamed sort and the baked sort. The tapioca is steamed and then mashed using a little mixer. There are still chunks of tapioca in the kueh to give you something to munch on. I love the one topped with coconut and the gula melaka one. They are not very sweet surprisingly. I finished them 2 boxes on my own. :)

My other favorite is the Soon Kueh (S$0.70 ea). The chewy skin is made from glutinous flour and some other secret ingredients. Lek Lim believes in hand making the kuehs because it maintains the crunch and moisture of the vegetables filling. I believe i can eat these soon kuehs for breakfast everyday. Heh.

I think it's great to experience those carefree childhood days where food is more basic and fun to eat. I never like eating these rainbow lapis when i was younger (they aren't tasty) but i ate them anyway because it's fun to peel off the layers. That's not to say these kuehs are not delicious. Why not try some dishes that are more traditional and Singaporean this week? You may find some surprises in our own backyard. 

Author's note: All the kuehs are vegetarian and halal!

Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery
Blk 84 Bedok North St 4 #01-21
Tel: +65 64490815
Mon - Sat: 4am - 6pm
Sun: 4am - 2pm

Singaporeans often complain there is nothing to do on weekends other than eat, shop and watch movies. The malls are always packed to the brim but there are so many other places that would allow you to roam around freely and provide experiences more satisfying than picking out a discounted pair of heels at Zara or going into HnM for the umpteenth time.

Photo: PPBNKLS

Why not spend an enriching afternoon at the museums? Immerse yourself in the rich knowledge and cultural experiences in a tranquil and serene environment that allows for pensive thoughts and intellectual conversations. I guarantee you will walk out feeling rested and balanced. 

There are generic museums that could be replicated all over the world and then there are museums that reflect the culture and identify of the people. The Peranakan Museum is the latter. I'm not a Nyonya but the Baba-Nyonya culture has been very vibrant and we do see influence of it in our daily lives, from the kuehs that we have for breakfast to certain way of life.

I still have these bowls and plates at home. They have insects painted on them; butterflies and bees symbolizes a good harvest and that there will always be food on the table. Interesting nuggets of information. 

The permanent exhibits touches on all aspects of the Peranakan life, from customs, traditions, life to death and the food as well. I'm so getting one of these intricate table and chair set. The carvings are set with mother of pearl. Throw in the telephone as well. Nice. 

From June 2012 till 17 Feb 2013, there is a special "Emily of Emerald Hill: Singaporean Identity on Stage" exhibition. It's one of my favorite local plays. This exhibition examines the creation and impact of Stella Kon's writing as well as its relevance in contemporary Singaporean culture. Comes highly recommended. S and i had fun looking at all the exhibits and collecting embossed stamps on our visit card. The kids would absolutely dig this.

If the above is not enough to entice you (seriously?), admission is free for all Singaporeans and PRs to ALL the exhibitions for August 2012. Don't wait any longer! 

To top off the Peranakan experience, you can hop over to True Blue Cuisine for a decadent Baba meal or simply be more appreciative of the typical Ang Ku Kuehs or Soon Kuehs that are available everywhere. Will be introducing a Nyonya Kueh shop to you in a bit. Stay tune!

Author's note: I'm sure some of you guys were making a mental comparison between our very own National Museum to famous ones like the Met, the Louvre and the British Museum. Ok. Apple and Orange. Bottom line is, sometimes we need to be more appreciative of what we have and stop comparing all the time. 

Peranakan Museum
39 Armenian Street
Singapore 179941
Monday: 1pm to 7pm
Tuesday to Sunday: 9am – 7pm (to 9 pm on Fridays)

It's Day7 of my Zespri 14-day Challenge! I can't believe i've lasted this long but it has been quite an interesting 1 week with all my lovely kiwifruits. This lazy girl has obviously been lazy at creating kiwi dishes. The best i've managed is the Kiwifruit Salsa. And a granola kiwifruit yogurt for breakfast. ZZZ. Fret not! Even if you are lazy like me, it's not that hard to incorporate the Vit C packed fruit in your diet. You can actually do different things with the same ingredients such as... making your own facial mask!

I'm not a facial person and i've only recently started on my skincare regime (things you do when you get older). I'm really simple when it comes to facial products and i don't see the need in spending so much money on chemicals when you can get them from natural products such as fruits and vegetables!

Kiwifruits contain the highest level of Vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. It is also rich in Vitamins A and E, which are beneficial for our skin and hair, giving us that radiant complexion. Other than eating them, it also works wonders when you use it on your face. I'm going to share with you a simple kiwi yogurt mask to give you that additional glow. :)

Ingredients:
1 Zespri Kiwifruit (3-4 teaspoon of juice)
2 Tablespoons of Yogurt
1 Tablespoon of Orange Juice
1 Tablespoon of Almond Oil

Instructions:Puree the kiwifruit in the food processor or blender or simply chop and mash it up.
Add the other ingredients in
Mix till you get a smooth thick and creamy paste (mine is a little watery)
Apply to face and leave till dry (about 30mins)
Wash off with cold water.

After washing off my mask, my skin feels moisturized and supple. Eating kiwifruits helps with the detox and i was actually getting a breakout because the pores are trying to unclog themselves :(( So it's a great thing that they soothe my skin when i apply the fruits on instead. 1 fruit, multiple wholesome uses. Now go try it for yourself! :))