Can you believe it's been a year since SG50 already??! Well with the upcoming National Day, let us walk down memory lane at Singapore's Favorite Buffet The Line at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore. From now till 14 Aug, Chef de Cuisine Vincent Wong has enhanced the highlights for buffet dinner with local delights. Travel back in time and revel in old-world charm as The Line transforms into a bustling food market reminiscent of traditional hawker streets from the 1960s.

Savour signature and new highlights such as Singapore Laksa; Oyster Omelette; Otak-otak; Satay; Nasi Lemak and Kueh, alongside creatively-reinterpreted delights including Chicken Rice Maki Roll; Chilli Crab Brioche and Chendol Bubbles. BUT OF COURSE, a wide range of international delights will complement the Singapore-themed highlights from the buffet. You can read about my review on The Line Shangri-La Hotel here.

Guess what! There's also specially imported durians from Malaysia (think Mao Shan Wang and D24), alongside other tropical fruits like mangosteen, jackfruit, rambutan and more. 

The Line's Dinner Buffet is priced at $79/adult (Mon, Wed, Sun), $92 (Fri & Sat), $98/108 (Tues/Thu- with enhanced seafood selection and alcohol).

If that's not enough durians for you, head over to The Line Shop for takeaways of a variety of Durian desserts like Durian and Pandan Roulade; Durian Choux; Durian Kueh Lapis; Durian Gula Melaka Tart; and Durian Cheesecake! All for $8 nett per piece!! They are open 7am - 9pm daily. 

Buffets are too much for you? Well there's also the National Day Afternoon Tea Celebration at Lobby Court. From 1 to 31 Aug 2016, indulge in Shang's National Day themed three-tiered tea set and delight in familiar local favourites with a modern twist such as Chili Crab in Tomato Bun; Beef Rendang Herb Bun, Mini Croissant with Otak Otak and Pineapple Slaw and Chicken Curry Bruschetta.

Sweets wise, how do Pandan Scones; Kueh Lapis; Onde Onde; Orchid Macaron; Durian Cheese Cake; Ang Ku Kuih; Coconut Brown Sugar Éclair and Rainbow Cake sound?

The Afternoon Tea Set is priced at $42/pax, inclusive of unlimited pours of 1 type of tea/coffee, and $51/pax inclusive of a Singapore Sling/Tiger Beer. Subsequent glasses are charged at $5.10 each. 

Shangri-La Hotel Singapore

Orange Grove Road Singapore 258350

Tel: +65 6213 4398/4275

INSPIRATION. ENTICE. EXCITE. What is your desire this evening?

Follow your inner voice and adventure across the sea to Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora at Resort World Singapore to be inspired, enticed, or excited. Cat Cora, the first female Iron Chef in Singapore is back with new seafood lunch and dinner menus that have just been launched at the restaurant in the S.E.A Aquarium.

Here’s a peek to the ENTICE ($158) menu. Teasers to start the evening are three small bites—Parma Ham Aerated Crème, Kueh Pie Tee and Ravioli.

The Parma Ham Aerated Crème stood out with its savory light cream, sprinkled with sherry onion, crouton and crispy pork skin. I want a dollop of this on my sweet french toast!

Light and fresh on the palates, Ocean - Harmony of Sea Life holds the delights of the ocean. Fresh scallop and roe, smoked oyster, abalone and barramundi, accompanied with salsa vert, charred aioli, ginger essence and a quenelle of cool watermelon sorbet. A summer delight.

The smoked salmon with chilled cauliflower milk and horseradish creme and roe of the Sous Vide Scottish Salmon was beautifully presented. The purple cauliflower pops the dish, giving the dish the crunch and vibrancy.

Well Ocean is not just about seafood! The Crisp Brick Duck Foie Gras and Braised-Seared Beef Short Rib/ Charred Grilled Wagyu Primecuts are dishes that you do not want to miss. Resembling a harmless piece of tofu, the Crisp Brick Duck Foie Gras is a silky piece of liver hidden under a crispy coat. Generously topped with cocoa nib, puffed buckwheat and ginger candy and drizzled with a tamarind-balsamic reduction, this dish is an earthy delight.

The Braised-Seared Beef Short Rib/ Charred Grilled Wagyu Primecuts will convert you into a red meat lover (how can you not be one)! Intense in flavor, the succulent meat on the short rib was easily pulled-apart and devoured; many bites into the blushing centre of the perfectly grilled wagyu did not make me feel like a caveman. How I love the fatty-goodness melting in the mouth~

Back to the marine life. We were served Lobster Milk, a meat-packed lobster ‘wanton’ in lobster milk and topped with spiced roe. A huge seafoodie sigh.

Next up, New Zealand Sustainable Fresh Fish. Look at how white the chunky piece of white fish is, and sandwiched between crispy golden crusts! Served with ratte mash and highlighted with crustacean aioli and caviar vinaigrette, the dish delighted the tastebuds.

Chocolate Ends. Greek yogurt, Grand Marnier mangoes, cocoa nibs, tarragon gelato. Let's not count calories!

The sustainably sourced produce and its preparation contribute towards a delectable and healthy meal at Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora. With a mesmerising view of adorable sea creatures (OOh! There goes the hammerhead! The manta! The tuna!), the only reason for roving eyes are in the enormous tank of blue. Perfect for a date you say?

Dinner menus include INSPIRATION ($208) and EXCITE ($128). If you can’t wait till the evening, there are lunch sets DELIGHT ($58) and LEISURE ($72) for the mid-day blues. Let’s go “Under the sea, under the sea..”

-Zen-

Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora

Resorts World Sentosa S.E.A Aquarium, Level B1M

Tel: +65 6577 6688

Lunch: 11.30am-2.30pm daily 

Dinner: 6-10.30pm daily 

It's the Mooncake season again a.k.a. Mid Autumn Festival and based on the mooncakes that i've been sampling, i think the trend this year is... YAM. We aren't strangers to this gorgeous purple pink root in our desserts and i love how it's presented in the flaky filo pastry! Also, Mao Shan Wang Durian is still a hot favorite in the snowskin collection of many restaurants.

Hai Tien Lo at Pan Pacific Singapore

With seven delicately handcrafted mooncakes, you will be spoilt for choice by Hai Tien Lo at Pan Pacific Singapore. Their highly popular Mao Shan Wang Durian Snowskin Mooncake is also making a comeback this year!

Well i'm certainly going Japanese with the Green Tea Paste with Single Yolk in a golden brown pastry! Also, how can anyone resist the Black Sesame with Single Yolk that has the most amazing fragrance. Pre order these now to be the first to get your hands on these golden parcels, available from 15 Aug to 15 Sep. 

Hai Tien Lo is also doing a specially crafted Six-Course Mid Autumn Reunion Set Menu available for dine in in the same period! Might as well gather the whole clan and celebrate!

I've written about how Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore offers an affordable Sunday Champagne Brunch with Perrier Jouet.. BUT GUESS WHAT? J65 restaurant is launching its latest dining promotion that allows guests to Eat Through The Week with a series of dining options from Monday to Sunday. Every day for dinner, J65 will launch a different theme, from Crab! It’s Monday, Tuesday’s Beef Yourself Up!, Wednesday’s Lobster Rock ‘n’ Roll, Thursday’s His Majesty the King Prawn, Hooked! Seafood Mania on Friday and Saturday, and Sunday’s Let’s Go Local.  

Yes there is going to be something for everyone but it does sound like there's going to be a lot of seafood! Crappy Mondays will be made better with Salted Egg Crab, Black Pepper Crab and Homemade Crab Popiah..

Meat lovers would delight in the Beefy Tuesday offering with Rib Eye Roast, local Sup Ekor and Beef Rendang Tok. Tiger Beer Draft goes for just $5!

The star of Wednesday is the Lobster and I want some of that Hand Tossed Lobster Roll, and Roasted Lobster Bisque. Even the local laksa gets a makeover with some lobster in them. PLUS it's Ladies' Night, so you girls get first sampler Sangria for free and subsequently, one-for-one Sangria at $14 ALL NIGHT LONG.

Prawn lovers should make it down on Thursday for a medley of King Prawn dishes- Baked Sea Salt King Prawns, Claypot Live Prawns in Herbal Broth and Penang Prawn Mee will delight your tastebuds. 

If you love ANY type of seafood, you have Fri AND Sat to feast on fresh seafood including Fin de Claire oysters, lobsters, crabs, prawns and scallops. 

Sundays are for spending with the family and your folks would certainly enjoy the local spread that includes Lamb Briyani, Chef’s Signature Popiah, Fried Oyster Omelette and Teochew Braised Duck. 

The Eat Through The Week promotions are available for dinner (6 - 9.30pm Sun - Thu; 6 - 10pm Fri & Sat). It is priced at $55/pax (Sun - Thu) or $60/pax (Fri - Sat).

J65 Restaurant

Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore, Level 1 

1A Cuscaden Road, Singapore 249716

Tel: +65 6831 4374 

Fancy English Afternoon tea with dainty finger sandwiches and bites in a colonial setting? YES PLEASE. While we were on our staycation at Goodwood Park Hotel, we couldn't help but be tantalized by the sight and smell of these gorgeous savory and sweet delights at L'Espresso.

Say goodbye to the plain 'ol cucumber sandwiches and hello to a whole range of interesting sandwiches. How about Meatloaf & Zucchini Piccata; Turkey Ham with Granny Smith Apple & Cheddar; Smoked Pork with Emmental Cheese & Orange Marmalade; Peppery Beef pastrami with Gruyere Cheese & Sauerkraut? 

If that sounded interesting, wait till you see the little open-face sandwiches. Here we have the Duo of Smoked Salmon with Avruga Caviar; Croissant with bacon and avocado apple; Blue cheese with Fig & Quince Jelly; Spiced Chicken Roll with Potato Crumble and Sour Cream. 

In particular, the Crabmeat salad with avocado & tomato salsa in Vol-au-vent (a light pastry puff), and the salami & truffle mille-feuille should not be missed. Other than the regular cold cuts, there's also the creamy spreads like the sweet-ish Emmental with Cranberry & Walnut, and the earthy and fragrant Truffle Mushroom. The Duck Rillette didn't fare that well due to the lack in flavor.

Classic Cantonese dining is made chic and edgy at Holland Village's latest hit Full of Luck Club 福乐. Brought to you by the same team behind award winning Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant, you can be sure that you're getting quality Cantonese dishes with a contemporary twist. I think it would appeal to the millenials very well. 

A selection of classic dimsum is available at Full of Luck Club and we highly recommend the Stir fried Radish cake with X.O. sauce ($6.80).

This is one of the standard dishes i order in order to evaluate dimsum restaurants fairly and Full of Luck Club doesn't disappoint. Flavorful lup cheong (wind dried Chinese sausages) is mixed with juicy radish in a slightly dense kueh with a lovely all around sear. Oh and that umami shrimpy XO paste! I'd say top it with a little more of their bean paste chili and you have a winning Chai Tow Kueh. 

Other snacks that i approve of- Poached Wontons in Chilli Soy ($8) that is like a 红油抄手 with less vinegar. The parcels were packed with juicy chunky pork and prawn meat. I thought it was pretty well balanced. The Chili Glazed Fried Fermented Bean Paste Chicken Wings ($8) make the best beer grub with the super crunchy batter coated with the pungent sweet chili bean paste that tasted innocent at the start but trust me, that heat will kick in at the end. While the Golden Sand Corn with Salted Egg Yolk ($4.80) was raved about on social media, i thought the salted egg flavor was lacking and the corn could be juicy. Perhaps it's meant to be exactly what it is, popcorn?

I know Japan is just a short flight away if there's an insane craving for fresh and crafted local eats but guess what? You can get the same stuff right at Japan Food Town, which is just less than an hour away from your doorstep! The newly opened food hall at Wisma Atria has gathered 16 F&B outlets that are guaranteed to satisfy any type of Japanese delicacy craving you may have. 

All 16 tenants will procure more than 50% of their ingredients directly from Japan, and in some cases on a daily basis, as part of the collaboration with the Japan Association of Overseas Promotion for Food & Restaurants (JAOF). Trust me they got their logistics all set to ensure fresh and unique ingredients such as Matsuzaka Beef, Kinme-Rice, and Kindai Maguro etc. get to your mouths in the fastest and most affordable way. 

On to the food. Let's start with the meats. Look at the marbling of this lovely cow at Yakiniku Heijoen. At Osaka Kitchen, sizzling Teppan-yaki specials will satisfy your meat craving. There's the locally famed Okonomi-Yaki too, but do also look out for their Japanese Omelette with Pork Belly ($8).

An affordable protein loading option is found at Shabu Shabu Tajimaya which does a 90min buffet in either shabu shabu or sukiyaki style.

Love dim sum but bored of going to the ‘same old’ restaurant? Fret not, Avenue Joffre’s Master Chef Ge Xian’e, China’s “Queen of Dim Sum” (who also has numerous prestigious Dim Sum titles under her belt!), has introduced many new and creative Dim Sum items for the month of July!

Dig in to traditional Dim Sum items such as Steamed Crystal Prawn Dumpling 冬笋鲜虾饺 ($6), Steamed Minced Pork & Abalone Siew Mai 鲍鱼烧卖($6), Steamed Shanghai Pork Dumpling 上海小笼包 ($7) and Pan-fried Pork Bun filled with Soup 灌汤上海生煎包 ($7).

The traditional items are superb.. and Oh My Dumpling! The Steamed Shanghai Pork Dumpling is THE dream dumpling. Super thin skin yet holding its hearty contents. Check. Juicy pork. Check. Intense and flavourful stock. Check. LOTS of soup and pork. Check. My only thought: Can I have a bigger spoon please?

Are there another outstanding dishes? YES. Rolling off our tongues is the Steamed Preserved Turnip & Sesame Rice Roll 香麻菜脯肠粉 ($6). The delicate layers of rice roll coiled under the mildly spiced and crunchy preserved turnip. Drizzle the roll with savoury-sweet shallot-y sauce and I’m seduced. This must be the best plate of rice roll I have ever tasted—in both texture and taste.

Tuned to the trends, Avenue Joffre has also included Dim Sum varieties to excite the modern palettes.

Buffets be the death of waistline and 6 packs! Honestly I'm still recovering from the massive eating from the Weekender Food Mania Awards and we tried as much as we could from the buffet stations at Mezza9 (Grand Hyatt), Marriott Cafe (Marriott Singapore Tang Plaza), and AquaMarine (Mandarin Oriental). BTW results are out and congrats to Mezza9 for clinching the top spot in this judging! 

Mezza9 Sunday Champagne Brunch Grand Hyatt- 10 Scotts Road Singapore 228211

If you're looking for an indulgent and quality buffet, then you certainly ought to have Mezza9 on your list. Their Sunday Champagne brunch is one to behold with fresh and delicious treats from a variety of cuisines. Seafood is obviously fresh and they are also from a sustainable source. Talk about yummy responsible eating. 

I was superbly impressed with the Japanese section. The sushi and sashimi beats most mid range Japanese restaurants! Plus there's also a live yakitori station that serves up smoky morsels of goodness.

From The Grill, make sure you grab that delicious buttery short rib that falls off the bone! Loved that nice caramel flavor and char that is Cantonese charsiew-like! The lamb chops are one of the best I've tasted here and the pairing with the mint chutney was a match made in heaven. Chinese food was decent too but the chili crab was too starchy for our liking.

The European Category was certainly one of the highlights of the Weekender Food Mania Awards 2016. When i saw the nomination list that is! Of course i expected to check out hot favorites like Andre and Joel Robuchon during the judging BUT unfortunate things happen ALL THE TIME and food judges don't get to choose what they want to taste. So here is a quick highlight of the 3 restaurants that we judged- Bread Street Kitchen, Stellar at 1-Altitude, and Cafe Iguana.

Bread Street Kitchen- Bay Level, L1-81. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Gordon Ramsay is one hated man by people in the food industry (jealousy perhaps) and given the flake that he has received for Bread Street Kitchen Singapore, I did not bother checking it out, which was a mistake thankfully corrected by the Weekender FMA judging! 

Bread Street Kitchen Singapore is modeled on the London original, and offers classic British European fare with a lovely waterfront view. The starters fared better than the mains and the refreshing slightly ginger spiced Sea bass fillet carpaccio ($21) with avocado puree; and tangy garden party that is the Tomato Tart ($24) tantalized our tastebuds. The Tamarind spiced chicken wings ($18) left us craving for some Korean Fried Chicken however. 

I also adored the crunchy cracker-like Flatbread ($28) with caramelized onion, ricotta cheese, San Daniele ham and green asparagus. It's a super thin cracker pizza wonderfully balanced with the sweet onion jam, creamy cheese, and that nutty asparagus. 

It’s hard to resist dim sum. There’s always the sweet and savory that bring happiness to the tummy. At Shang Palace, Head Dim Sum Chef Li Shou Tao has introduced 14 classic sweet and savory dim sum dishes that highlights this season’s produce.

The skin of the dumplings reveals the skills of a master dim sum Chef and Head Chef Li is certainly worthy of the title. You know how we'd rather save our calories for the fillings by stripping these bite sizes naked, but these.. we ate them whole.

Take my word and order the new items: Steamed seafood and egg white dumpling 赛螃蟹海鲜饺 ($7/3pcs); Steamed sakura shrimp and chicken dumpling 樱花虾蒸粉果 ($7/3 pcs); Steamed assorted fungus and carrot dumpling 双耳金笋饺 ($7/3pcs); and Steamed scallop dumpling with water chestnut and chinese celery 带子马蹄香芹饺 ($7/3 pcs). Fresh succulent seafood such as sakura shrimps are used. What is unique is the thinly sliced vegetables that give the dumplings an added crunch.

Find me a Singaporean who doesn't love Japanese food for i believe it's quite impossible. Sushi, dons, ramen, sashimi, yakiniku, yakitori, shabu shabu... all these delicious Japanese food are so readily accessible to us and it's practically part of our diet! No doubt we had many contestants for the Japanese cuisine category for the Weekender Food Mania Awards 2016 but somehow all our favorites failed to make the list :/ We are left to judge 3 very surprising finds, each of a different style! Headache.. Oh well.

Tenkaichi- Yakiniku

6 Raffles Boulevard #03-129 Marina Square Shopping Mall

I have my regular yakiniku haunt and that is Gyu Kaku and fellow judge Tim also has his own fav Tajimaya. Well Tenkaichi exceeded my first impression of this place (it looked like a cheap bbq place despite being in Marina Square). We were tantalized with some premium Wagyu Beef (HELLO A5 Miyazaki Wagyu) and some other glorious cuts of beef (no special treatment for us really). Tenkaichi's Premium Wagyu Buffet only costs $98/pax; the regular yakiniku buffet which includes the Australian beef (all pretty decent) alongside pork, and some seafood goes for $78. There is an ongoing promotion that takes 35% off the stated price! Do check their FB page for promotional updates.

A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Tokujo Karubi ($45.90) also available a la carte.

Coffee coffee coffee. Did i tell you that i've been completely won over by Oriole Coffee + Bar? I mean, i've been loving their coffee since like THE DEATH CREAM but i recently also realized that the Taisho White is pretty delicious when one cannot afford the crazy calories in TDC. Plus plus plus.. the new weekend brunch menu is a winner too. 

Available on weekends and public holidays from 10am to 2pm, Oriole's new brunch menu is packed with hearty and comforting breakfast-inspired dishes that pair perfectly with freshly brewed coffee. Just look at this massive brunch #onthetable!  

Starting with something healthy but super wholesome is the Wild Berries Oatmeal ($10). Yes it sounds too healthy and unappealing but it's a hidden gem! Plus didn't you read that article about the importance of a low GI breakfast? This delicious bowl of organic rolled oats is cooked with Oriole’s M.A.D. Milk, goji berries and brown sugar for sweetness, mixed in with an assortment of fresh strawberries, raspberries, blue berries and gooseberries. LOVE! 

Ok i tried. If you're not sold, there's still the Smoked Salmon Rosti ($16) with capers, fresh spring onions and homemade crème fraîche. Loved the thin potato strands here because it's more crispy and crunchy. Let me remind you again that this is mostly CARBS, and CARBS make you _ _ _ (fill in the blanks). 

Something i wouldn't mind working out harder for is the Crab Cake Benedict ($22), featuring 2 succulent Maryland-style crab cake patties, each topped with a slightly papery poached egg. and coated with a tangy lemon dill hollandaise.

Looking for comfort food? How about a Grilled Truffle Cheese Sandwich ($14)? While i enjoyed the savory flavors of the truffle cheese, Emmental cheese and oak smoked cheddar, sandwiched in a buttery broiche, it disappoints as a classical grilled cheese sandwich (where's the ooze and golden crust??). Oh but that creamy tomato cheddar soup on the side is superb with this combination though. just give me a proper CHEESUS?? 

In case you fail to make it down for weekend brunch, there's always All Day Breakfast to look forward to at Oriole which includes the Bircher ($11); Hot Cakes ($12); Avocado & Toast ($14); Jumbo Breakfast Burrito ($16) and my favorite supersize-me Humble Baked Egg Skillet ($16).

Oriole Coffee + Bar

96 Somerset Road, #01-01, Pan Pacific Serviced Suites, Singapore 238163 

Tel: +65 6238 8348 

Grab and Go Counter: Daily, 8am to 5pm 

Sun - Thu, PH: 8am - 11pm 

Fri, Sat, Eve of PH: 8am - 12am 

13 Stamford Road #02-20/21, Capitol Piazza Neue, Singapore 178905 

Tel: +65 6384 6495 

Daily: 10.30am - 10.30pm 

I’ve been having a yearning for fine pastries and cakes lately. The gloomy afternoons might have played a role in my craving, but don’t you agree that a little sugar and colors are needed to brighten the day? So i wished and I got more than just that at Patisserie Platine, the latest patisserie by the award-winning restaurant Waku Ghin. 

Designed by Chef Yasushi Ishino, Executive Pastry Chef of Waku Ghin, and created by Waku Ghin’s pastry team, expect exquisite masterpieces of pastries and cakes made using premium ingredients and fresh seasonal fruits from Japan and Europe.

The Ghin Cheese Cake ($12), a Waku Ghin signature, will change your mind on cheesecakes (even if you're not a fan)! True to Japanese cakes, this white dome features a lemon cheese mousse and a lemon curd in the center that is refreshing and light. Just like the intricate white chocolate feather lying elegantly on top.

There’s also the Strawberry Cheesecake ($10) if you just got to have strawberries in everything. The surprise in this lovely cake is the unique combination of strawberry mousse and orange cheese mousse layers. Too pretty!

Coconut Mousse with Mango & Passionfruit ($10) is a delight to the tropical at heart. Under the vibrant orange is coconut mousse and layers of mango and passionfruit. Expect bursts of flavors in this pretty little thing!