The iconic Raffles Hotel has finally gotten itself a decent restaurant for brunch with The Halia coming under its roof. Afternoon tea at the Tiffin Room is one thing but ladies of leisure still need their morning coffee run and eggs of course! And what better place to do it than at the urban, casual-chic sister of the award winning restaurant. 
I much preferred the indoor space which has a bit more privacy as compared to the alfresco bar area. Plus the Singapore weather is not meant for dining outdoors, even with ceiling fans. Give me my ac please.

There is that partial garden feel within the restaurant and it felt quite cosy dining under the vines.

I started with the Cardamom, Ginger & Cinnamon Coffee ($10), which proved to be a mistake. Ginger and cinnamon are best added to tea and not coffee. This tasted like some herbal brew. Stick to the Halia infusion ($10) with sun dried ginger and wild mountain honey. Nice warming and soothing effect on the tummy.

Weekend brunch starts at 11am. The selection is extensive with both the Brunch Specials and the Main Menu available for the picking. I've been in quite a bread mood recently and the Assorted Bread & Pastries ($12) really appealed to the tummy. The croissant was delightful and i love that they serve clotted cream with the basket.

The Pancake with bacon, maple butter, fresh strawberries & puree ($12) was one of my favorite dish. I always get overwhelmed after eating a piece of pancake but Halia's rendition had me going on and on. I like the slightly buttery batter which was fluffy and the thin flaky bacon was an interesting complement to the dish. 
If you're more the traditional English Breakfast sort, you'd do well with the Grilled breakfast with any style eggs ($23). What's interesting was the sweetened bacon which was thick and juicy.

Look at that glorious poached egg. It said poached but i felt it was more half boiled. Nevertheless, i like this texture better than the papery poached sort.

The scrambled eggs had this interesting layered texture and i like that it was runny but not too creamy. I'm getting hooked on buttery eggs.  

I'm not so much of a fan of the White bean Iberico chorizo leek stew ($16) but if you like gumbo and the starchiness of such a stew for brunch, then this would be it. The stew was  rich and starchy with a tinge of sourness from the smoked chipotle sauce. 

The Heirloom Tomato ($20) was a so so dish. Definitely not what i would order. 

Freshly shucked Irish oysters ($5.50/pc) are also available for brunch. 

Moving on to the Main menu. Potato Fries with Truffle Aioli & Piquant Mayo ($8). You can never gop wrong with tuffle aioli!

The Celeriac "Lasagna" ($12) is an interesting signature with crunchy thin sheets of pasta. I thought i was munching on vegetables. This was accompanied with mushrooms, thyme, baby spinach, lemon and Madeira cream. 

Another signature is the Halia Chili Crab Spaghettini ($25). Piquant spicy finish that is typically Asian. The flavor of ginger was rather strong but it gave the dish a fresh note. I could also taste the sweetness of the crab meat. If only they would use a thicker pasta.

The Sous Vide Baharat Chicken Leg ($28) was very tender and flavorful. It also had that smoky taste which was well complemented with the sweet butternut squash puree. I was intrigued by the crispy thin skin which had the texture of a baked potato skin. Served with a ginger, coriander and pepper salsa. 

I like how Halia caters to vegetarian eaters with their innovative dishes. The Mushroom, Lentil & Walnut Bake ($24) was absolutely delicious and even this meat eater was sold. It was nutty, cheesy, savory and sweet with the fennel seed cream and sun dried tomato. I would order this again.

As you can tell, the Halia offers a wide variety for brunch and i found it quite perfect for group gatherings. Enjoy!

The Halia
#01-22/23, Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Road
Tel: +65 9639 1148

Mon - Fri: 11.30am - 10pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 10am - 10pm

Since the closure of Santi, I have been lamenting the lack of awesome fine Spanish dining in Singapore. That was before Catalunya came into the picture 2 months back. Boasting a team trained at the famed El Bulli, Santi, Drolma and Sketch, Catalunya sounds like she has the perfect ingredients to succeed in this niche. However, they have chosen to go the classic Catalan comfort food direction, which is quite the opposite of El Bulli.

Catalunya sits at the Fullerton Pavilion, a 120 seat 4300 sqft floating structure beside One Fullerton. The futuristic glass dome would have been a perfect fit for molecular gastronomy cuisine but  Executive chef Alain Devahive Tolosa doesn't want it to have any bearings of El Bulli. Instead, he introduced traditional Catalan dishes from his grandmother's time with a modern up class twist. I just feel that there's a slight mismatch between the locale and the food. I would much prefer the classic Spanish tapas bars. I'm not complaining or nit picking, i'm just wondering out loud.

The view was nonetheless stunning. The floor to ceiling glass panels offer an unobstructed view of the majestic Marina Bay Sands. This is waterfront dining at its best in Singapore, albeit its artificiality. It's very peaceful sitting there watching the waves and the Audi yachts sloshing around in the bay. Catch the sunset over drinks and then enjoy a romantic dinner under the stars. S and i went in broad daylight just so we could get better pictures for you guys but we'll definitely be back for date night.  

We started off with cocktails and it is only right to have a Sangria (i'm traditional that way). The Catalunya Sangria (S$19), made from a Protocolo Red wine base with Martini Rosso, Bacardi Superior, orange, lemonade and sugar, hits all the sweet notes. The sweetness is quite deceiving for it masks the potency of the drink, but i like it. ;) There is a good selection of wines, beers and 20 other cocktails so you could drink like a Spaniard, any time of day.

Since tapas are the highlights, we went ahead with 4 of that and then a main dish for sharing. 

Many Singaporeans would shy away from the Pa Am Tomaquet (S$8) simply because it's pricey for the simple ingredients. What's special about toast with olive oil and tomatoes you say? Well, good food doesn't have to be complicated. I love the lightly salted crusty bread which has the texture of a cracker puff. The tomatoes are juicy sweet and lightly seasoned with some sea salt, garlic and olive oil. Refreshing way to start our meal. If this is too simple for you, try the Tomato Tartar Confit (S$18) which is more 'prepared'.

I love croquettes and this is what i'd order at any tapas place. The Jamon Iberico Croquette (4 for S$12) was a creamy bechamel filling of flour, milk, cheese and butter (all my fav ingredients) and also generous chunks of Jamon Iberico. Breaded and fried to a light crisp, it left me craving for more after the first bite. I was really tempted to get another serving of this. 

The Tortilla Omelette DeConstruccion (S$10) is the very same revolutionary chef Ferran Adria created at El Bulli back in 1999. This is the closest you will get to EB now that it has changed its culinary directions. Think of this as a blended Spanish omelette with layers of tastes. Do not drink it simply. Use your spoon instead, cut right to the bottom of the glass to reach the sweet caramelized onion puree and make sure you scoop some of the egg yolk sabayon and the light potato foam on top before sending it into your mouth. The dish isn't bad but it's too fancy for my liking. I very much prefer the traditional tapas style which is more substantial and hearty.

The Traditional Suckling Pig "Segovian style" (2-3pax, S$125) is a hot favorite with diners. It's so well roasted that a plate is used to butcher the piglet before serving, typical Spanish style. The tapas version is as shown above (S$18) and is served with a refreshing lemon puree. The meat is so moist and the fats so well rendered i could not separate the 2. The guilt went out of the bay windows after i took the first bite though. Absolutely fantastic. 

The 2 favorite mains are the Suquet with Scorpion Fish (S$50) and the Lobster Rice (S$55). The Suquet brought back wonderful memories of the Catalan Fish Stew that i had at Santi but i gave it a miss in favor of the Lobster rice.

Good for 2-3pax for sharing!





The short-grain rice with lobster was cooked in a rich fish stock that is like a lobster bisque. The flavor is rich and savory with chunks of squid, clams and juicy succulent lobster. Indeed, the lobster may be of a lower grade but it was still quite satisfying. Each pot comes with a little crawler for sharing. 

Thank god S stopped me from ordering another tapas dish, if not we wouldn't have been able to squeeze space for desserts. 

The Warm Creamy Almond Tart (S$12) was worth the 15-20min wait. Actually, this is more lava cake than tart. I love the light fragrant nuttiness of the almond and caramel filling. Too bad the moist cake gave way far too readily and spilled its golden sauce onto the plate before we dug in. I would prefer a simple vanilla ice cream rather than fruit sorbet to go with it though. We were thoroughly stuffed by the end of the meal.

So to go or not to go? I think the answer is pretty obvious. Ignore the mismatch in the food and the decor and just focus on the flavors and the view. You will not be disappointed. :)

Catalunya
82 Collyer Quay

The Fullerton Pavilion,

Tel: +65 6534 0188

Daily: 11-2am

Take it from the Travelerintransit, traveling is fun, only when everything goes smoothly. I've been really lucky so far, i haven't got mugged, or lost my documents or baggage (not gonna jinx it). The crappiest experience was the missed connection when i flying out from JFK to SIN and was stucked in Dubai for a night. And that Emirates transit hotel was the worst ever. Ok i exaggerate, it was the only hotel that i had to put up at while in transit BUT it was in the middle of nowhere (in the desert) and there weren't proper facilities or decent restaurants even and it was certainly no where close to the airport. I should have just stayed at the airport instead of taking up Emirates offer. Darn!

Well, speaking of transit and airport hotels, i believe it would be hard to beat Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel. Well i've not had the opportunity to experience the hotel while in transit (Singapore is home anyway) but i've always thought about how comfortable it must be. Pretty stoked that i'd be checking CP out later this month, thanks to the pretty ladies at CP. :)

Well i love Changi Airport and if there's any airport that i'm ok with being stranded at, it'd be Changi. It's safe, clean and there are many rest stations and lounges to refresh yourself if it were a short delay. However, for longer waits, i'd rather a hot tub, a nice bed and a good meal before carrying on with my journey and Crowne Plaza provides all of that. Plus it's connected to Terminal 3 at Changi Airport via a link bridge. CP can also escort you from the aerobridge to hotel with their VIP Meet-and-Greet Service, not bad hur?

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport is more a business hotel with a resort ambience. On my previous visits, i liked how it's quiet and tranquil indoors but tropical sunshiney outside. 

Courtyard gardens, a landscaped pool area and peaceful garden views from the Lobby Lounge or al fresco courtyard. I don't think any other airport hotels offer this environment.

Now this is what i wanna check into when i'm already pissed about my trip disruption. Comfortable beds and spacious modern bathrooms with good shower amenities. Not some crappy budget hotel that doesn't even provide toothbrushes.

Food options are plenty. Cocktails at bar'75, Cantonese dining at Imperial Treasure or buffet from Azur (read review here). They are plenty more F&B outlets in Changi Airport too so you'd be spoilt for choice.

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport is offering a Great Value Package from now till 30 April 2014. The package offers travellers breakfast for up to 2 pax and $40 dining credit per night booked. Credits are non-cumulative and only for use in bar '75, Lobby Lounge and Azur (not for in-room dining). If you are going to be in transit, or you just need a pretend getaway, check them out at this link: http://goo.gl/n7PgF1

I'll be back with my report on Crown Plaza Changi Airport after my stay. Stay tuned!

xoxo
Travelerintransit

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport
75 Airport Boulevard
Singapore 819664
Tel: +65 6823 5300

Singapore Airlines is a great way to fly. It's one of the reasons why i'm proud to be Singaporean. S and i always try to fly by SQ if it suits our travel plans. While the economy class is pretty decent, their business product is the best. It's the better-than-first-class business class! Here's a look at their International Long Haul Business Class Product on the A380 SIN-JFK route. For any flight that long a ride, business class is certainly required.

After checking in, i killed some time at the SilverKris lounge till it was time to board (review some other time). It was a breeze from the lounge through the gate to my seat due to my Star Alliance Gold status. Furthermore, the business class at FRA and SIN has a separate jet bridge entrance on an upper level solely for J.

Here's a look at the cabin. 60 seats on the A380 on the upper deck.

Singapore’s business class seats are arranged in a 1:2:1 forward facing layout so everyone gets aisle access.

Now the seats. At least 30" wide, it is almost as awesome as that 34" on the SQ First Class Suites (read my review here). I could sit cross legged on my upholstered leather seat and still have space for my pillow and the leather cushion. Yea it's that much space to lounge, recline, stretch and roll around.

There are no overhead bins above the center seats so it's just a little troublesome having to share a bin with the passenger at the window. However, there are pockets of space to accommodate small items.

If you want extra leg room, the front seats are the best of course (i was at 11F). I had a hard time propping my short legs on the front shelf which also doubles as a seat. You can easily dine with your partner this way. The 15.4" screen felt a little small from where i was seated though it's honestly quite big already. 

No toiletry kits on J, SQ only provides them for First and Suites. You get all the toiletries in the spacious toilet. Eyemask and slipper socks are provided but i didn't like the texture of the sock.

Got started on the Bollinger Special Cuvee before take off, followed by one of my favorites, the 2010 Weinhaus Ress Rheingau Riesling from Germany which is a fresh and light white that goes well with white meats and spicy Asian food. Red wine drinkers should be satisfied with the 2009 Chateau Loudenne Medoc Cru Bourgeois from Bordeaux.

As it was a last minute change in flights for me (long story), i had to forgo my Book The Cook meal on my other flight (no fate with my BTC Kaiseki meal!) and settled for whatever that was served on board. Here's my supper course.

For starters, the Caesar salad with marinated prawns, scallops and smoked salmon. Succulent and juicy scallops. Yums.

For mains, i decided to give Chef Sam Leong's dish a try. The deep fried chicken with apple salad and black vinegar dressing, vegetables and steamed rice. Sadly, it was extremely bland and dry. I didn't touch the dish after the first mouth and the stewardess was rather concerned and offered me a different dish.

The Nage of Salmon and Mussel in spicy minestrone broth with pasta and vegetables was a savory and hearty dish. The meat wasn't too dry as well. Fish is always a better option on flights even though i'm not a fan.

Dessert was the Blueberry cream cheese and maple syrup cake. Followed by the cheese cart and more drinks.

Bed time! It's a flat bed on the International long haul J class with a dedicated sleeping surface. Love the fresh linen, light duvet and larger pillows. It's a manual process to fold the seat forward but I got the stewardess to turn down for me. Since nobody was seated next to me, i had a bed and a seat for easy rotation. Heh.

I opted for a light supper instead and had butter cookies with cold milk while I watch my movie in bed.

Here's the supper menu anyway.

Before landing at Frankfurt for the short layover, breakfast was served. To start, I had my favorite Bircher muesli, followed by Black Forest Ham with caramalised chicory and poached egg. There's also the Singapore fried carrot cake for some local flavor and another omelette dish.

Even though the eggs weren't perfectly poached, it was really good for an airplane breakfast!

Quick transit at FRA. Headed to the Lufthansa Senator Lounge which is on the way to my gate.  

Spacious and clean facility. Most importantly, they have showers. Nothing beats a hot shower to refresh yourself before or in between flights. I really need to try the Emirates in plane shower on their first class flight soon.

Simple shower but adequate.

The lounge breakfast had a good spread of breads, cheeses and hams. The breads are full of goodness and absolutely delicious with the honey and other condiments. I opted for a rosé instead of coffee.

Back to the plane in an hour. Was told by my fellow passenger that I don't look like I took a long haul flight. ;)

Next leg to JFK. It's the same seat so I settled back into the routine of eating and watching tv easily.

3rd breakfast! Tomato Cheese Souffle served with bacon, spinach and roasted potatoes. Amazing egg souffle i must say!

Then it was lunch. Starter of Mediterranean platter. Stuffed peppers, roasted peppers, grilled zucchini, cheese and proscuitto.

Mains was Thai Green Curry with Chicken and steamed Jasmine rice which was delicious. Comparable to TG's thai food offerings on their Business Class. 

This was one of my easiest long haul flight. I can't imagine flying economy to NYC anymore. Oh the pain. Honestly nothing else can beat this, well other than the non stop SQ37 that i took from LAX to SIN. Can't wait for SQ to bring back the non stop to NYC. Fingers crossed for 2015! Till the next one!

xoxo

Travelerintransit

The things i miss most about Paris are first, the buttery and flaky croissants and then the beautiful people watching from the quaint sidewalks. I was delighted to discover a piece of Paris, right in the heart of Singapore at Cafe & Bar Gavroche.

Cafe & Bar Gavroche is opened by Chef Patron Frederic Colin, which also owns the successful Brasserie Gavroche, also on Tras Street. The conservation shophouse would not be out of place in Paris with its cobblestone flooring, Drucker wicker chairs and pre World War artefacts which includes the 4.2m wooden bar originating from Normandy, circa 1920.

I absolutely love the outdoors-indoor concept of The Terrace, a natural light filled space, where S and i enjoyed their weekend brunch.

We got started on the freshly baked and rustic croissants ($2.50) and pain au chocolate ($3.50).These are LOVE. Flaky, salty, crumbly and glossy pastries are the best. They are absolutely out of this world especially when paired with creamy French butter and Bonne Maman jams. Definitely a mood lifter!

Have them with some coffee or even better, the pear juice ($7). It was fresh pear in liquid form. Yums.

Smoked Salmon Oeufs Benedict ($25)- I loved the that Gavroche uses Brioche instead of muffin and the pillowy bun took in all that eggy goodness. The hollandaise is on the light side but that's what made it French.

Tartine d'oeufs brouilles, tapenade et tomatoes ($17)- was an interesting open faced country bread topped with scrambled egg  and spread with tapenade olives and sweet tomatoes. This is certainly a refreshing breakfast sandwich.

Not to be missed is also their Croque Madame ($18), a hot favorite with many diners that i vow to try the next time i return.

We ended breakfast on a sweet note with the profiteroles and i was extremely sure that Gavroche does really good breads and pastries. 

This is certainly where i'd be when i need a dose of Paris.

Weekend breakfast are available from 10.30am to 2pm. Catch you guys there sometime.

Cafe & Bar Gavroche 
69 Tras Street
Tel: +65 6225 4869
Tue - Fri: 12 - 2pm, 5pm till late
Sat: 10.30am till late
Sun: 10.30am - 2.30pm