Searching for ideas to sweeten up this Christmas? Indulge in Antoinette’s Yuletide Elegance. With many magical creations in store, you can make this Christmas with family and friends special. If like us, you also associate Christmas with log cakes, then Antoinette has your perfect Xmas covered with their two new log cakes— Superlova and Marronette.

Chestnut is one of our favorite fall food and it's used generously in the Marronette ($55/$110), a chestnut cake layered with chestnut crème chantilly and perfumed with Myer’s dark rum and orange confiture. Decorated with a thick ribbon of vanilla crème chantilly and candied French chestnuts, this log cake is bursting with warm nutty flavors!

Superlova ($50/$100) in contrast, is a feminine creation of all things pink. A finer rose sponge, rose petal mousse, raspberry jelly, rose petal glaze, more rose coral sponge, raspberry caviar, rose macaron, raspberry crumble, raspberry marshmallow.. You get the picture. However, it is not merely a rose and raspberry log, as there are also yuzu cream and lychee that bring a tangy kick to the tastebuds.

Don't like logs? How about a rose? Red Rosette ($150) makes a sexy centerpiece on the festive table, and is an elegant conversation starter. A chocolate cake with orange, layered with almond nougatine, and dressed with dark chocolate Chantilly with edible red cocoa spray, this red Christmas tree is more than a luscious eye candy.

Put down your mugs muggles (pun fully intended) and listen up: there’s a new place in town where some serious beer magic is happening! Alchemist Beer Lab lays claim to being the first and only infusion beer lab in Asia, and features a proud display of 16 visually stunning beer infusion towers to offer a wide variety of infused beers.

All the magical action happens within the infusion towers, where selected ingredients are placed in the fusion chamber followed by the release of compressed gases, before the beer is infused. With an infinite selection of ingredients that can be infused into a wide variety of ales, ciders, mead and stout, the possibilities are endless and we are sure even Severus Snape would be proud.

For a light start to the meal, we would highly recommend the 50 Shades of Pink, which is a pink guava infused cider. It conveys a mellow sweetness that cuts through the tartness of the cider. The Honey Trap would please those with a sweet tooth- honey mead is infused with hops, kaffir lime and lemongrass which immediately evoke memories of your last spa experience. The Obama (stout infused with marshmallow, vanilla pod and mint leaves) is an interesting concoction, as the bitterness of the stout competes with the sweetness of the marshmallow and refreshing mint to deliver complex flavors with each mouthful. You would either love it or hate it, much like how the Americans view their outgoing president. (FYI: I love it!)

More than just a micro-brewery, Alchemist also prides itself on its selection of modern European tapas that are not just sidekicks to the amazing beers, but are stars on their own. The Charcuterie platter is an excellent appetizer consisting of Iberico sausage, prosciutto, chicken and black truffle ballotine and duck liver parfait with calvados jelly. For some Mediterranean flavors, the smoked eggplant Falafel is wonderfully crispy and moist, and goes well with the accompanying paprika yogurt. 

Been to Holland Village in the recent weeks? There are quite a few newcomers, Otto’s Deli Fresh being one of them. Located in Raffles @ Holland Village, it is still quite a hidden find in the buzzing enclave. An inspiration of Chef Otto Weibel, a respected veteran in Singapore’s F&B industry, Otto’s Deli Fresh encapsulates Chef’s Otto’s passionate desire to bring homespun recipes with refined gourmet flavours to tables of family, friends, and neighbours.

Warm the tummy with earthy Button Mushroom Soup ($8.50). I love that caramelised onions are used to naturally add flavours to the soup, and the most enjoyable bit is dipping the slightly sugared and toasted brioche into the fragrant bowl.

Otto’s Deli Fresh serves good sandwiches if you like something to grab. Get your hands on the juicy Pulled Pork Burger ($19). It is a 5-hours sous vide pulled pork cheeks and citrus cabbage apple slaw between the warm toasted carbs. Served with fries and condiments, this makes a happy meal.

For a pressed sandwich, there’s a lot in that inch-thick Pressed Beef Steak Ciabatta ($20) — Hanger steak and Bresaola beef, housemade pickled Japanese cucumber, rocket, gruyere, caramelised onions and housemade bbq sauce. Go with this if you are in the moo-d.

Love your meats fresh? There are Heritage US Kurobuta Pork Rack 300g ($39) and Limestone Ridge Full Blood Wagyu Beef Rump MB4 - 150g ($32) amongst the types and cuts of meats to pick from. (Served cooked of course!) Both meats are seasoned with salt, grilled, and finished off in the oven. There is the housemade bbq sauce served alongside, but I wish there are different sauces to highlight the different meats.

Desserts were disappointing. You'd think that with four types of waffles out of a total of seven dessert options, the waffles would be at least.. something. The dense waffles would have worked ok if the flavor is richer. We tried Burnt Banana Waffle ($11.50), and despite the decent milky peanut butter gelato (the other toppings—“burnt” and freeze dried banana— were mere decorations in my opinion), I was not enthusiastic enough for a second bite.

You have to try the Valrhona Chocolate though! Hot ($9.50) and Iced ($12.50) versions are available, but I’d suggest the former, especially on a cool rainy day/ night. It’s tough to resist this red cup of joy — think luscious chocolate rimmed with crushed toasted hazelnuts. If you have ever wondered what a ferrero rocher - kinder bueno drink would taste like, well, this is the better version. There is a reason for it to be labelled ‘Otto’s Favourite Drink’ on the menu! That said, there was over-generosity of the sea salt in my cup that particular evening…

A place of familiar comfort, Otto’s Deli Fresh warms us with the hearty deli offerings. Besides the red meats, there are also seafood pastas on the menu. For the remaining rainy December days, expect to find us warming up to a Hot Valrhona Chocolate.

Otto’s Deli Fresh

118 Holland Avenue #02-01 

Raffles @ Holland Village Singapore 278990

Tel: +65 66943291

Daily: 11am - 10pm

December, the month of jolly merrymaking. If you are in town for a sunny (or rainy) Christmas, take the opportunity to soak in the heritage of the charming Raffles Hotel as you celebrate the festive season in colonial style.

An epicurean experience awaits as you tuck into Bar & Billiard Room's buffet-styled Christmas Eve Dinner ($288/adult) or Christmas Day Dinner ($288/adult). The renowned Christmas Day Brunch ($318/adult) is available for more indulgence.

Scottish Smoked Salmon, Kristal Caviar and Blinis from Christmas Buffet Menu.

A year after they started serving their famed short crust pastry egg tarts, Tai Cheong Bakery has now opened their first overseas dine in concept outside of Hong Kong at Holland Village! Dig into typical cha chan teng fare in this modern HK style tea house but be prepared to join the queue (as per authentic HK style- they do not take reservations at this 42 seater cafe).

The sweets need no introduction but how do the mains fare? 

Eggs seem to be in abundance here at Tai Cheong with plenty of egg dishes (they use three eggs in all of them)! The Three egg macaroni soup with luncheon meat ($8.50) is typical weird Brit-HK style with elbow macaroni cooked in a tomato soup, served with fried luncheon meat sticks and runny sunny side up eggs. We say this makes a great hangover meal. Plus the soup is a lot better than the typical watery sort served in HK. Very 'Campbell'.

While the Scrambled Egg Toast stack with Chicken Chop ($9.50) may not be Australian Dairy standard, the creamy scrambled eggs were fluffy and satisfying enough. However, the hot steam and moisture from the eggs, along with the butter, were soaked up quickly by the toast and it quickly turned into a soggy sponge. I'd definitely tell them to separate the different components. The pan fried chicken was dry and bland and the creamy mushroom sauce did not managed to make it any better.  

It's about two months to the end of 2016 and i'm gonna put it out there and declare Fat Lulu’s Asian Barbecue & Dessert as my favorite brunch spot of the year. This wild child is given birth by the dynamic duo Sam and Song (who founded and rebranded Five & Dime in the same River Valley Road spot) and boy is it a 360 deg change that is certainly a breath of fresh air in the F&B scene.

Wicked BBQ. Smooth Desserts. They are as distinct as day and night but they complement each other perfectly. Chef Sam helms the #NoBurnNoTaste charcoal BBQ, blasting kickass flavors into meats, fish, and vegetables seasoned with Asian spices and chillis. On the other hand, Chef Song presents desserts of refined delicacy that are technique-driven and visually arresting. Here is practically all the brunch items that you can feast on at Fat Lulu's (we only missed 2). 

For a punchy kickass breakfast, go with the Croque Tambi ($18). There’s a murtabak-styled omelette, doused in sriracha, Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise and slices of pan-seared meaty Scarmoza cheese, all sandwiched between homemade burnt-on-the-grill ciabatta bread. It’s a delicious mess you wanna get into. Cool off from the heat with the side of raita (an Indian style salad) made with cucumber, pineapple, and coriander. 

Every bite of the Fried chicken with pancakes ($22) was a party in our mouths! There's the spicy pseudo-thai style gula melaka chili sauce; tangy slaw of red cabbage with apples in Kewpie mayo; succulent fried chicken that has been brine overnight; sweetened by some light fluffy pancakes.

Another winner is the hearty and comforting Lamb Meatballs ($23) with tomato sauce, fava beans, soft eggs and papadum. The spiced up meat balls (flavored with cumin, fennel, cardamon, and onions) are cooked in a tomato sauce that reminded us of chili crab sauce. We were happy to mop all the sauce with the crunchy toast.

Feel that the dishes are too heavy for brunch? Well to play it safe (but certainly not boring), there's the delicious Bacon and Eggs ($22). Boy do we love that smoky thick cut slab bacon with with a blooming flower of creamy scrambled eggs. Layer them on top of the crunchy garlic-sour cream toast and you'd be sent to breakfast heaven with one bite.

I had the pleasure of checking out Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay during my stint as Weekender SG Food Mania Awards 2016 judge and we were all pleasantly surprised by our dining experience. BSK also went on to clinch the best restaurant in the European category! As promised, albeit super late, here is the detailed review of what we tried. 

A refreshing start was the Sea bass fillet carpaccio ($21) with avocado puree, horseradish and a spicy twang of ginger. 

For a shared starter or as a light meal for one, i'd recommend the crunchy cracker-like Flatbread ($28). It's more like a cracker pizza really with the sweet onion jam, creamy ricotta cheese, San Daniele ham and that nutty asparagus. 

In contrast, the Tomato Tart ($24), was a tangy juicy flavorful pastry puff topped with caramelized onion, burrata cheese, balsamic glaze and basil pesto. It looked and tasted like a garden with all that fresh herbs. The pastry was a little wet and flat but everyone at the table was happy with it.

Kam’s Roast is finally here in Singapore! Yes it is THAT one Michelin Star roast meat place from Hong Kong and it has opened in the star studded Pacific Plaza, which also houses Tsuta Ramen and upcoming Tim Ho Wan.

The Singapore branch is the brand’s first foray outside of Hong Kong and second in the world and much has gone into ensuring that diners taste the very same as at the HK outfit. This includes flying down the original roster of HK chefs to ensure the preparation and taste are up to mark. 

Start your meal with sides of Marinated Cucumber with Vinegar & Garlic ($6.80) and Marinated Black Fungus with Vinegar ($6.80). Both are refreshing options, with the latter providing more kick with some fragrant chili oil.

Meats are the highlights of course. We also enjoyed the firm Crispy Roast Pork ($14.80/portion) with lovely skin that is of just the right amount of crunch. I liked that each piece wasn't overly fatty and i didn't see the need or want to remove any fats. Plus they provided a nice buttery texture to each bite. 

Typically not one to order chicken at a Roast Meat place (if i wanted chicken i'd go to a chicken rice store), I was surprised at how silky and flavorful the Soya Chicken ($14.80/portion) at Kam's is. I resisted the urge to devour the entire portion (about a quarter) by myself. This pairs perfectly with the ginger scallion oil! Yumms...

I set a high standard for roast duck. The skin has to be thin and crispy (like that of Peking Duck) with a thin layer of rendered fats, and flavorful smoky meat under the golden exterior. Well.. Kam's Roast Duck ($55/duck) is typical HK restaurant standard. The meat was a tad bland for us but THAT GRAVY THOUGH! Make sure you order a bowl of fragrant fluffy rice to soak up all that special sauce. Hell we could just make a meal out of that gravy and rice. Sadly, no famous roast goose for now but they're working hard to bring some over!

If you like skin, there's also the Suckling Pig ($34.80/portion, $148 for half, $248 for whole pig). The crackling was thin and crispy (but cold). We didn't get a chance to sample the meat though so try it and let us know! 

My current obsession is Char Siew and the special ‘Toro’ Char Siu ($22.80) made with premium pork belly satisfies with the Kam family's award winning marinade, though i found myself wishing for more char! The secret recipe is by Mr Kinsen Kam, who was once the second-generation owner at the famed Yung Kee. I enjoyed perfect layers of alternating tender lean meat and fat though Jr thought it was a little too fatty (he prefers Canton Paradise's). 

You can see the layers of fats better here! There's also the regular char siew ($14.80) which is less fatty but the one we had was too dry though some other pictures/videos that we saw were a lot juicier. Teething problems we say, hopefully resolved soon. 

If you prefer noodles instead of that glorious rice with gravy, you are in luck. Kam’s Roast legendary Wonton Noodles, same as the one Mr Kinsen Kam served in Yung Kee, is available here. These noodles are air flown from Hong Kong daily on Singapore Airlines and the logistical operations are handled by Kerry Logistics. Absolute freshness guaranteed! Toppings include fresh, handmade goldfish-shaped wontons filled with prawn and pork fillings and slices of Kam’s famous roasts.

We had the Braised noodle with ginger scallion ($6.80) is served al dente with a light bouncy bite. I liked that the alkaline taste isn't too strong. 

Save your space for desserts elsewhere. The diluted Red Bean Soup with aged orange peel ($5.80) isn't quite worth your calories and bucks. 

Overall, Kam's Roast is a decent HK roast meat place in the Orchard area. They will open their doors tomorrow 19th November at 1pm. Takeaways are already available now so get your fix before the queue gets too long.

Kam's Roast Singapore

9 Scotts Road, #01-04/05/06/07

Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210

Weekdays: 11am - 10pm

Weekends & Pubic Holiday: 10am - 10pm

Ninja Cut has stealthily moved in to the vicinity of City Hall! Most of you are familiar with the sister outlet, Ninja Bowl. Ninja Cut, however, has cut its own identity with a menu featuring succulent meats, fresh seafood, and all-day brunch items.

Who doesn’t love brunch items? The best part is that whether you get out of bed at 9 in the morning or 5 in the afternoon, you still get the satisfaction to start the day!

Polenta Mash ($18). The name says it all. You will fall in love with the warm truffle polenta if you adore creamy scrambled eggs. The dish is served with Aburi pork slices, sautéed mushrooms and shaved parmesan cheese. Tucking into truffle polenta with parmesan and mushrooms brought a smile to my face.

But what left me speechless was the Cheeky Cheese ($18). That fluffy and buttery brioche (almost like danish bread) transported me to brioche heaven! With two types of cheddar stuffed between the fluffy pillows, the sandwich is the answer to the perfect brunch. So what’s the cheeky bit? 24-hour braised Japanese curry beef cheek!

Marvellous Matcha ($16), on the other hand, is a feminine and delicate plate of whimsical garden. Topped with a quenelle of ricotta, homemade chewy dango, yuzu peel ‘worms’, speculoos crumble ‘soil’ and anko, the dish is quite a piece of art. The highlight thou, is the instagrammable oozing matcha of the dense matcha ‘hotcake’. Do yourself a favor. Don’t take too long getting that marvelous picture or video. Dig in while it hits the sweet spot.

Celebrate autumn with hairy crabs because it's back in season! I know i'm a little slow in updating while feasting on a lot of Argentinian steaks and Peruvian ceviches but i've not forgotten about the luscious crabs at Shang Palace, Shangri La Hotel Singapore. You still have 2 weeks till the end of Nov 2016 to slurp on that delicious roe!

This luxurious crustacean will be prepared by Chef Steven using various traditional culinary techniques to best showcase its distinctive and delicate flavors. Of course, the traditional steamed option served with ginger tea is available (from $82/pc, choice of male/female crabs) but i prefer my crab shelled and ready to eat, so here are some crabby dishes from the a la carte items.

For something nutritious and healthy tasting, go with the Braised Bird’s Nest, Hairy Crab Meat and Roe ($56/pax). I felt that there wasn't much flavor in the broth. Even the black vinegar that our server repeatedly told us to add to all of our dishes failed to bring out any distinct profiles in this dish. IMO, i thought it was a waste of the bird's nest to be included. 

The Braised Tofu and Hairy Crab Meat & Roe Meatball ($42/portion) was a tad more flavorful, though i had a feeling that the base broth is all the same- a light hairy crab and roe starch base with edamame. The beancurd puffs and meat added more texture (the tofu more so than the delicate minced meat) and some additional flavor to the dish. 

Well, a must order is certainly the Pan-Fried Hairy Crab Meat Stuffed Shell with Shrimp Paste and Pork ($28 /pc). The sticky soy-glazed juicy shrimp and pork patties were full of flavors and before i knew it, i was scrapping the bottom of the crab head! 

We saw the repeat of the same flavor (as with the braised bird's nest and beancurd meatballs) in the Crispy Noodles with Sea Caracol, Hairy Crab Meat and Roe ($24/pax). I imagine it to be extremely boring to have to eat the same thing thrice over. That said, this was the most intensely flavored of the lot and i approve of the crunchy noodles softened by the gravy. My suggestion is to order other non hairy crab dishes from the usual Shang Palace menu (check out the Dim Sum review here).

Otherwise, the six-course Hairy Crab Menu ($138/pax) provides a good mix of dishes alongside your steamed hairy crab e.g. BBQ Kurobuta Pork with shredded lobster roll, claypot braised bird’s nest dumpling, and also a deep fried cod fish with yuzu honey glaze. A complimentary bottle of 8-year-old Chinese yellow wine is served with every four set menus ordered.

Shang Palace

Shangri-La Hotel Singapore 

22 Orange Grove Road Singapore 258350

Tel: +65 6213 4473/4398