Ms Skinnyfat

Are you a Laksa fan? If you are, then you gotta head over to The Square Restaurant at Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay! From now till end June, the family-friendly buffet restaurant will be having their first themed dinner buffet of the year called Fusion Flavours with their signature ‘Laksa Bar’! Giveaway details at the end of the post!

It was a crazy laksa fusion experience for us actually and I've not had so many Laksa dishes in years! Do not miss the laksa burger (slider size) which consist a buttery brioche bun sandwiching a succulent fish and prawn patty mixed with curry leaves and laksa spices. A fragrant pesto accompanies it and you can smell the lifting perfume of the laksa before the flavors explode in your mouth. Think of it as a denser otah!

At the Laksa bar, check out the many Laksa fusion dishes! Pick from the rich and cheesy Laksa Risotto, Laksa Pasta, poached Mussels with Laksa and more. I liked the Laksa Malibu, which is an extra gao laksa with more coconut and spice, and it also has a mee rebus like nuttiness. It took me a lot of restrain not to devour the whole bowl! Pick your mix of mussels, prawns, fishballs, fried beancurd, egg and noodles, before handing it over to the chef for your piping hot bowl of laksa creation.

Gratin oyster with Laksa sauce anyone? This combination works strangely with the plump creamy oysters and a slightly cheesy laksa sauce.

Other inventive fusion dishes include the Nasi Lemak/ Laksa Risotto (the latter was a bit gelat) served with Strawberry Sambal, Chicken Rice Arancini (crunchy morsels lacking in chicken rice flavor...

The Gula Melaka Pork Belly was a salty sweet and rather tender! This was quite a hit. :)

Meaty Crabs in Rendang Sauce. The selection of dishes isn't spectacular, but much thought has gone into the creation of the dishes and some really did work very well.

Have you had fusion desserts before? I thought these were kinda on the funky side. Wasabi Butter Cake, Black Pepper Mousse, and Laksa Panna Cotta anyone?

Not all worked of course but I adored the creamy smooth Risotto Truffle Cheese Cake; dense Pumpkin & Cinnamon Bread Butter Pudding; and that melting Ginger Chocolate Fudge Cake.

Family friendly prices as well at The Square Restaurant at Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay.

Daily Dinner buffet (6-10pm) goes for:
Adult: $58

Child (5-12 years old): $29

Senior Citizen (above 55 years old): $40

Here's a giveaway for you guys. 3 dining vouchers for the Fusion Flavor Buffet Dinner up for grabs.

First Winner:

1 x Free Fusion Flavor Buffet Dinner voucher for 2 pax

Second Winner:

1 x $50 Off Fusion Flavor Buffet Dinner voucher (min. 2 pax)

Third Winner:

1 x $50 Off Fusion Flavor Buffet Dinner voucher (min. 2 pax)

All dining vouchers to be utilised by 30 June 2016.

To participate:
1. Look out for my IG post with the Oyster Gratin
2. Repost it and tag @msskinnyfat and @novotelsg
3. Use the hashtag #novotelsg
4. Follow @novotelsg
Giveaway closes 13 Jun 6pm! Novotel will be picking the winners and contacting you directly.

The Square Restaurant

Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay

177A River Valley Road, Singapore 179031

Tel: +65 6433 8790

I used to think that staycations are a waste of time and money because honestly, that money is best spent on seeing the world and exploring new places right right right? BUT #adultworklife and limited leave + we can't go without an indulgent break for too long, so HELLO St. Regis Singapore!

I love the St. Regis Singapore, having lost count of the number of times i've dined here. She is a luxurious oasis in the off-Orchard belt, allowing business and leisure travelers the convenience, without the crowd.

Check in was a breeze and we were waltzed to our room in no time. For the first time ever, i appreciated the plush chair in the St. Regis's lift, for it was a climb to our 19th floor Penthouse Room. It provided time for our friendly guest relation staff to explain to us the various facilities, services, and activities in St. Regis.

We were then handed over to our personal butler (yes all guests get to experience the legendary St. Regis Butler Service), who brought us on a tour of our gorgeous room. But first, the view!

Of course i couldn't help but jump into the plush King-size bed with 600 thread-count bed linens and choice of as many types and number of pillows that i want. Yes 1 small girl and the need for a dozen feathery clouds all to herself. Go figure. While i was bouncing away, our butler took our drink orders (the off-the-menu hot chocolate is super delicious), set up our Bose system so that we can chill to our favorite Spotify playlists, unpacked our luggage, and then fixed us a bubble bath in our super luxe bathroom. Is he superman or what?!

I could stay in this bathroom forever. A free standing bathtub centerpiece is a must for any indulgent stay. It's even better if the tub is lined with French Breche de Benou marble. Bubbly time with bubbles anyone? You could also catch up on some tv on the strategically placed flat screen.

If you don't have time for a soak, there's also the adjoining shower with massage jets to reinvigorate you, complete with the revitalizing Remede Spa bath products. Love that minty and cooling feel.

The pampering continues at the Remede Spa, the first outfit outside of US. Individualised services are provided to scrub, knead, polish you into oblivion. Here i tried the award winning signature Warm Jade Stone Massage ($290/90mins), which uses both hot and cold jade stones to aid relaxation and improve circulation. Jr had the Body Revival ($260/90mins) treatment which rejuvenated him from head to toe (he had his first ever warm paraffin foot wax treatment here).

The relaxation continues after a spot of floral tea and handmade chocolates (make sure you bring home some, they sell them outside Brasserie Les Saveurs). We chilled out (separately) in the wet facilities that is available to all guests. I alternated between the Finnish cedar wood sauna and the outdoor jacuzzi. The indoors spa pool and heated wave loungers reminded me of the traditional Turkish baths!

You can also experience the world-renowned pedicure treatments designed by French Podiatrist Bastien Gonzalez at his Mani:Pedi:Cure Studio. Really really trust me, you'll never look at your nails the same way after.

We could have gone for the daily afternoon tour of the private art collection in St. Regis which features over 100 original scultures by world famous artists such as Columbian artist Fernando Botero, French painter Marc Chagall, American architect Frank Gehry among others.. BUT the bed beckons! We couldn't even make it down to La Brezza for Italian nosh by the pool, instead choosing to have one of their thin crust pizza sent to our room. Pizza and wine in bed is pretty swell too. ;)

To make up for the inactivity the day before, we woke early to squeeze in a pre-breakfast workout. The 24-hour guest access Fitness Centre is a great place for a quiet workout. After a quick warm up, we ran to and around the newly minted UNESCO World Heritage site- The Singapore Botanic Gardens. It's surely a good way to work up an appetite in time for the epicurean breakfast spread at the gorgeous French restaurant Brasserie Les Saveurs.

I love dining at BLS because it's so pretty. Go early, and be prepared to wait. If not, you could also choose to dine at La Brezza, which has a smaller breakfast selection. That works too if you prefer a quieter dining space.

Well this is the main reason why i chose to dine at BLS, the Epicurean Lobster Omelette. Seems like most people didn't know that they could order this a la minute. Well, it's quite a normal-ish omelette with slightly old-ish lobster chunks. The caviar and creamy bisque sauce makes up for it though.

If you love your carbs, you would be very satisfied with the breakfast pastries. Love the croissants, danishes, tarts, and sweets! I obviously had no issues having bread and butter pudding, waffles, and ice cream for breakfast.

Well if a western type of breakfast isn't your thing, then skip breakfast altogether and book yourself a Weekend Dimsum Brunch at Yan Ting. For $108/pax, you can feast on as many dim sum, hot dishes, and desserts as your appetite can stomach! Everything is fired fresh upon order which is PERFECT. Do not miss the steamed lobster, har gao siew mai, char siew sor and more. Expect a full post on this soon!

Plenty to do at a stay in St. Regis Singapore. There was no rush at all at this lavish property. Can any other hotel chain beat a 4pm late check out (if you have the SPG Gold status that is)? Till the next time!

St. Regis Singapore

29 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247911
Tel: +65 6506 6888

If you were from the earlier generations, you would have remembered those scary Hello Kitty queues at MacDonald's? Even if that was before your time, you can now experience it at the brand new Hello Kitty Orchid Garden Cafe at Changi Airport Terminal 3, 24 hours everyday! (Do you sense my excitement?)

Well well, it's not a place that i'd recommend for food, but if you're in the queue, you probably are there because 1. You're a fan of Hello Kitty 2. You've been drugged and dragged there by your other half (my heart goes out to you). So here are some stuff that is somewhat worth some calories IMO. The Hola Nachos! ($15.90) are freshly made, flaky fried tortilla chips which are super crispy and buttery. Yes the cheddar sauce may taste like it came out of a can (and diluted), but it would be a t least be a source of comfort. Yes you can probably make better ones at home but remember you're stuck here in the cafe..

I would pick a traditional piquant punchy quesadilla over this mild like a kitty Enchanted Forest ($17.90; not on limited menu). The flavor is very Asian in fact, popiah-like with a strong taste of onions (not too caramelized). Wasabi sesame mayonnaise was added to the mix but I couldn't detect it at all.

Need to fill your tummy? Have the Cowabunga! Wagyu! ($24). It's the only savory thing that i took an extra bite of. This is a local wagyu beef rendang cooked with a refreshing pineapple rempeh. It was spectacular, in comparison to the rest of the dishes.

There was a time when ilLido was the top of mind recall when one mentions Italian Fine Dining. Then things went a little down south and they moved out of the Sentosa Golf Club in Aug last year. A revival came in the form of a merge with The Cliff in Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa early this year. Now, diners can pretend to be on the Amalfi coast, indulging in gourmet Italian classics with the gorgeous backdrop of the South China Sea at the new ilLido at the Cliff.

It's easy to forget you're still in Singapore once you step into the luxurious Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa. Breathtaking views and lush tropical greenery conjure the seaside holiday vibe. On a good day, the alfresco area is perfect for enjoying your meal and view without leaving unsightly sweat stains. Otherwise, head indoors to the elegant restaurant where you can feast on the extensive menu featuring seasonal antipasto, pastas, and wholesome Italian mains.

Simple fresh goodness is the Burrata with Rucola and Cherry Tomatoes ($26) with compressed tomato and pesto. The cheese is flown from Italy and has a firmer texture than my usual creamy milky preference but a decent burrata no doubt.

The Grilled Octopus with Roman Artichokes ($28) was skillfully prepared. No tug of war or jaw-breaking chew to get a piece of this nicely charred octopus into your belly.

I'd recommend the octopus along with the Hokkaido Scallops with Nduja and Sweet Pea Cream ($29). See that golden sear? What you don't see is the light pink succulent center that is so delightfully sweet.

I know it has been kind of proven by doctors that there is no such nonsense as detox through juicing, or hot yoga, or whatever trends and fads there may be out there on the market (because our liver is what cleanses our bodies of toxins). But I love to work out and I love to sweat, and it makes me feel super awesome and lighter. So if you do kind of believe in detoxing, then you have to check out Cheryl W Weight and Wellness Management.

Crowned the Herworld Spa - Best Detoxifying Treatment Editor’s choice, the Signature Body Flush treatment is said help you sweat and burn fats by speeding up your metabolic rate and enhance absorption of nutrients. Physical benefits also include smoother and brighter skin.

The first step to every treatment at Cheryl W is a detailed consultation to cater to the individual needs of every customer. So for the skinnyfat me who doesn't require weight loss treatments, my sessions were focused on detox and firming. The first step to the Flush treatment is the use of a customized machine and I tried the Slim Up firming treatment to help with localised inch lose and toning of my thighs (that's the fat part of this skinny). With the help of a machine, infra-red rays combined with electric muscle stimulation produces a slimming action and inches were lost immediately. I KID YOU NOT. Of course, to maintain the inch loss and toning, you gotta continue to work out of course but the initial boost is definitely helpful! :)

Next, an Aroma Steam Bath to relax the body and open up the pores for products to be better absorbed by the body. This is followed by a customised Sea Salt Body polish with a lymphatic massage. Whenever i use this body polish, i have a tendency to lose more water! This helps with combating water retention very well. Of course, it is also exfoliating and my skin is left smoother and brighter. The lymphatic massage helps with the 'drainage' of waste better through the lymph nodes.

Then, the Thermal Heat Therapy to helps you sweat it all out. The heat improves circulation as it increases your core body temperature which leads to an increase in heart rate. Lying in the thermal blanket is said to burn an equivalent of 2 hours of non-stop exercise. Well I still like exercising better but this helps when there aren't good classes at the gym.

The flush treatment ends with Cheryl W's in-house wellness "flush dark plum natural cleanse" drink. This drink is tasty and super filling and I believe it has some sort of cleansing powers to clear your bowels! Heh.

Keen to check out Cheryl W? Here's a treat for you. It's only $68 for 3 Sessions of Award-Winning Signature Royal Flush Body Treatment (worth $1080).

Use this special link cherylw.com.sg/msskinnyfat and you will receive an additional 3 Sessions of Body Wraps and a complimentary door gift (worth $200). :)

Cheryl W
Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Road #05-18/18A, Podium Blk Singapore 238872
Tel: 6694 6352/6452

Jean Yip Loft
307 New Bridge Road #04-01 Singapore 088757
Tel: 6634 2709 / 6834 3035

Jurong Point Shopping Centre
1 Jurong West Central 2 #03-02 Jurong Point Shopping Centre Singapore 648886
Tel: 6898 4890

Weekender Foodmania Awards is back for the third year running. And what's special about it this year? Ms Skinnyfat is gonna be a judge on the panel, along with my favorite foodies The Ranting Panda!! :))))

Obviously you can expect us to be sharing with you the best of the lot from over 80 of Singapore's restaurants across 9 dining categories. Check out the list of restaurants here! http://weekender.com.sg/foodmaniaawards/fma2016-categories/. I'm looking forward to all that amazing Japanese food and steaks!

In addition, there will be 3 Special “Weekender’s Choice” Awards. The top 3 most-voted-for restaurants will be reviewed by us too. So do let us know what is your favorite restaurant so that they can be recognized for their good food!

Vote for your favorite restaurants from now till 3 Jun and stand to win the prizes above. The judging period will be from 13 - 30 Jun, during which i'd be stuffing my face with food to make sure that the best gets awarded. The winning restaurants will be announced after 8 Jul.

What are you waiting for? Start voting now at www.weekender.com.sg/fma2016.

Weekender is Singapore’s largest circulation lifestyle paper inspiring weekend happiness, with a circulation of 230,000. FB and IG @weekendersgp

Edge has won me back with their all-new theatrical Sunday Champagne Brunch! If you think it's gonna be the same as their 'regular' buffet, you can't be more wrong. This Sunday indulgence which consists an extensive menu of unique International delicacies, is augmented with an unlimited Veuve Clicquot Champagne and live music.

You already know there are seven interactive live food theatres, and Edge has boosted the total stations to 16, which include a new Caviar Bar, Peking Duck station, and a crazy long counter of cheeses and sweets! Unlimited Veuve Cliquot Champagne and 3 cocktail bars say wert!

Your stomach would hardly survive the 4h long affair due to the sheer variety of food! Jr and I tag teamed to conquer this monstrous spread (and still failed).

I went with the cheeses (there are over 30 types of European cheeses. Adore the bleu); Iberico and Parma ham; pan seared hazelnut crusted foie gras; Avruga and Keta Caviar on blinis; and several glasses of Veuve Clicquot Brut of course.

Meanwhile, Jr tackled the fresh seafood which includes the Alaskan King Crabs, freshly shucked Oysters, Maine Lobsters, and Chilean Snow Crabs.

Rice dumpling season is in full swing now and Yan Ting at The St. Regis Singapore has brought back popular favourites like the Giant Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Abalone and Golden Dried Scallops ($33).

Definitely share this with your friends or family, or if you're greedy, have it all by yourself. My favorite type of rice dumplings are the giant ones filled with all types of roast meats. HEH.

The Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Pork belly and Salted egg ($16) is more manageable for one! I devoured this in no time. This is more the traditional type of ba zhang with darker richer flavors peppered with dried shrimps and earthy shiitake.

This year, Yan Ting has also introduced the Vegetarian Black Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Mixed Grains ($13), which is quite the healthy alternative for vegetarian friends out there.

You can also grab Yan Ting's Glutinous Rice Dumpling Gift Set ($49) which consists each of the above 3 dumplings for gifting to family and friends to commemorate the traditional festival.

Yan Ting

Upper Level 1, The St. Regis Singapore

29 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247911

Tel: +65 6506 6887

Daily: 12 - 3pm, 6.30 - 10.30pm

It's almost Rice Dumpling a.k.a. Ba Zhang season (it's actually Dragon Boat Festival) and tcc - the connoisseur concerto is putting a new spin on the classic sticky rice dumpling, in the shape of a Japanese Onigiri!

Ok i'm not sure what the shape does for the rice dumpling but i must say that the glutinous rice was soft and well flavored. Three flavors are available- the Teriyaki Unagi ($7.90) and the Sambal Hotate ($7.90) dumplings and the brand new Spicy Chic ($6.50), which is a Kung Bao Chicken dumpling with crunchy cashews.

I immediately heated up the Sambal Hotate one upon receiving it and it was delicious! It's surprising how the scallops go with the well-balanced rempah! These dumplings are available for sale from 13 May to 12 June 2016 at all tcc outlets.

Pretty unicorn hair comes at a cost, that means bleached, dry, and unmanageable hair. But i'm always well taken care of at Silkcut Salon. Wendy always prescribes a hair treatment (or 2) to go with any chemical coloring. And most recently, I tried the brand new Kerasilk Keratin treatment to smooth this mess!