Garden dining is made better at Botanico at The Garage, Botanic Garden's latest F&B establishment. There's none of the heat or humidity at the open bar of the restaurant (thanks to their strong AC in the open air area). It is easy to forget that you are in Singapore given the elegant 1920s Art Deco setting, lush greenery, and temperate climate.

We headed out of the cozy indoor dining area to the outdoor terrace for botanical-inspired cocktails like Garage Gin’Onic ($16), Blackberry Lychee Mojito ($14), and Thyme Lemonade ($16). My refreshing elderflower flavored gin was gone in no time. We highly recommend dining in the open space instead (because it's much prettier and more romantic haha) unless it rains.

Spanish-born Chef Antonio Oviedo, previously trained by Santi and the Roca brothers, delivers a seasonality-focused meal at Botanico. Here's a look at this season's best. 

Start with the refreshing Botanico Salad ($18) which features Cañarejal cheese, a traditional raw unpasteurised sheep's milk cheese from Northern Spain; heirloom tomatoes from France; and a mix of pickled beetroot and seasonable fruits. The milky creaminess is paired with the robust sweetness from the greens (or reds if you insist).

We will never say no to cheese and chorizo and the Idiazabal Croquettes ($14) has our full attention. The smoked emulsion of this unpasteurised sheep's milk cheese from the Basque country is extremely creamy and the ooze was pretty spectacular. Mind you, each croquette is about 3.5inches long and each portion comes with two of these so it's highly advisable that you split this with your friends. #sharingiscaring

Dug this review out of archives in an attempt to keep the blog alive but anyhow.. Stamping Ground Coffee is now at Upper East Coast (previously at Club Street) to offer Easties a cozy garden vibe to enjoy your coffee or tea in. 

Is there a better way to enjoy a cuppa and croissant with the light floral notes permeating in the air?

So first, coffee. Stamping Ground Coffee supplies their Cold Brew Coffee ($6) to Gemmills and some other cafes. Taste wise, it didn't leave much of an impression, which is strange since we hear that their beans are from Papa Palheta. The Flat White (S$5) is also on the milkier spectrum.

The food selection is bistro type, with everything prepped at the counter. The Bacon Jam ($13.50) with baked eggs (more like soft boiled) and mozzarella on brioche toast was sufficiently satisfying.

That ooze was soaked up by the fluffy brioche. I would have liked it better if the bacon jam wasn't all that sweet. Still, a delicious option.  

Skip the Tuna Croissant with apples, which is easily created at home. Well, Jr's choice and if that's what he wants to eat then so be it. But you shouldn't. #okthatsall

In all, Stamping Ground Coffee House isn't quite an exciting place for coffee or food but at least it smells good (they've an on-site florist) and it's a pretty place. For better coffee in this area, head over to Dutch Colony please. #notsponsored

Stamping Ground Coffee

87 Upper East Coast Road

Singapore 455223

Tel: +65 9070 7610

Mon - Thu: 9am to 6pm

Fri - Sat: 9am to 9pm

Sun: 9am to 6pm

Looking for the hottest dining enclave in Singapore? It has to be the new Seletar Aerospace Park (SAP). We checked out The Summerhouse, a multi-concept F&B and lifestyle destination comprising The Summerhouse Dining Room and Balcony Bar located on the upper storey; and Wildseed, a café, patisserie and bar on the ground level. 

And yes, The Summerhouse is in a godforsaken spot on the island but treat it as an excursion to the English countryside as you roll along the the tree-lined roads and conservation black and whites. Our recommendation is to start the day at Wildseed cafe with a lazy brunch, then move on to after drinks at Balcony Bar, followed by supper at The Summerhouse Dining Room. In between, wander around the edible garden curated by Edible Garden City, or check out the gorgeous blooms at partner florist, Poppy Flora Studio. Or simply enjoy the peaceful nature.

The produce used at the Summerhouse is not only fresh (they connect with a farming collective of Singaporean and Malaysian growers and producers, as well as a Singapore kelong), they are also sustainably grown. Plus all the garnish used are harvested from the in-house edible garden. 

Pick from the colorful array of sandwiches, salads, eggs, cold cuts, cakes, and pastries. While indulging in the freshly made bakes, kick back with coffee from Nomad the Gallant, which roasts and blends their specialty coffee on site. 

The Flat White ($5) uses the Exodus Blend of Brazil, Fazenda Lagoa and India Bibi Plantation AB. Go for this if you like wood, spice, and chocolate. If you are not into caffeine, pick from a selection of fresh juices.

You know a restaurant/cafe has found its way to my heart when 1. I tell my friends to go there 2. I visit it again, within a reasonable time frame (too many restaurants to go to) 3. It stays on my goldfish mind for a bit. So yes Shukuu Izakaya checks all 3 boxes. Plus, it's within walking distance from my yoga studio so it's perfect for that protein fix after working out heh. 

This casual bar and bites eatery on Stanley Street serves Japanese small plates to go with a plethora of alcohol. Our choice of poison? Sake of course. Plus the boys at Shukuu Izakaya are certified sommeliers and can provide sake pairing options with the bites you pick. The sakes, and the produce served, are carefully sourced from Japan, delivering the most authentic Japanese dining experience right in the heart of CBD.  

Smaller snacks to prep our tummies for all the drinks to come. The Kawa Ebi-Age ($7), are crunchy and salty morsels that make a good snack. If you are into offal, the marinated chicken liver in soy sauce Reba Shoyuzuke ($6), wouldn't be a bad option. My gf who orders this quite often said it's pretty good. I enjoyed the tartness of the Gyu Ponzu ($7) but not the dry meat. 

For something meaty, i'd say go for the Pork Jowl Charshu ($18), a buttery slow-cooked Iberico Pork which is perfectly comforting. I'd say skip the dry and tough Yaki Gyu Tan ($14).

Love the Pek Kio Wah Kee Prawn Noodles but don't want to queue or sweat while digging in? Then you must head over to their restaurant at Esplanade! We feel that the $1 increase in prices here is worth it for the extra comfort and prevention of any hangriness. 

Go straight for their giant prawns noodles. The ones we had were the $20 bowls and featured 3 prawns that were as big as the size of my hand (my hands are small but they aren't tiny). We recommend having the specially made mee kia that is springy and picks up the sambal chili sauce so damn well. The sauces are made in-house daily and we enjoyed the fragrant sambal which isn't too spicy. For more kick, spoon some of the special spicy sauce with a tart lime base. 

Here are the big ass prawns that we had. The extra large ones are even bigger (sounds like mini lobsters). For the large or extra large prawn bowls, they are priced the Pek Kio stall. The meat has a decent texture  (not too tough) but they can be sweeter.

Broth wise, Wah Kee does a pure seafood broth with hints of garlic in it. This resulted in a sweeter flavor to the dish. I prefer something more savory but this would be a good option for those who don't take pork. 

Another dish to order is the Clams Soup ($22) which has a sweet shellfish flavor. Careful of that chili padi though, you really don't want to choke on this one. Other seafood dishes exclusive to this outlet include Boston lobster, fresh oysters from France and US, scallops, crabs, which can be prepared steamed or grilled.

I didn't see the hype when I first tasted Wah Kee Prawn Noodles years back but I guess that's because I had picked the wrong noodles. It's still a little too sweet for me but I wouldn't mind eating this when my favorite prawn mee stall is closed. 

Wah Kee Big Prawn Noodles

8 Raffles Avenue Singapore
#01-13C Esplanade Mall

Daily: 11am - 2.30pm

Sun - Thu: 5 - 10.30pm

Fri, Sat & PH: 5 - 11.30 

Singapore Chinese are different from China Chinese (please get that right) and our cuisine cannot be more distinct. That said, i think that Singaporean Chinese are most familiar with the Cantonese  and Teochew style of cooking. We hardly know much about provincial cuisine other than Beijing Roast Duck and Sichuan Ma La Hotpot. Well, Silk Road Restaurant at Amara Hotel Singapore endeavors to educate you a little through their fare from Sichuan, Shaanxi, Liaoning and Beijing.

Look at this pot of gold!!

Start your meal with something hot and comforting. Silk Road's Double-boiled Chicken Soup with ginseng and gastrodia root has extracted the essence of the chicken after having boiled it for over 6 hours with herbs used in sichuan cuisine. Umami yes, but a tad on the oily side though the flavors are quite nicely balanced and not too herby. 

If the regular yusheng tastes too light for you, the Eight Treasures Yu Sheng will knock you out with its intense flavor. The toppings may seem more Japanese but the flavor is punchy, pungent Sichuan with their potent blend of spicy garlic sauce.

HATTENDO’s signature cream buns have landed in Singapore! Originating from Hiroshima, these lovely buns of happiness are perfected to be produced in Singapore, and trust me, the chilled cream buns at HATTENDO Café will send you to tendo (heaven).

Five amazing flavours—Custard, Whipped Cream, Matcha, Azuki Beans, and Chocolate ($2.50/pc) —are available. I would nudge you to get a box of the five flavours ($12.50) if you have yet to try these heavenly buns. The soft buttery buns are so fluffy that you will find yourself trying not to leave an indent in the bun while taking the perfect picture for Instagram. Yes, it is that soft. The silky creams are not overtly sweet but delicate to the tastebuds. It sure feels like having a milky cloud of matcha/azuki/chocolate/custard/whipped cream in the mouth. 

My favourite cream buns are Whipped Cream and Matcha (I’m greedy). You will love the Whipped Cream cream bun if you adore Japanese Strawberry Shortcake—the Whipped Cream is so light yet rich and I do not regret having the entire bun. Fans of matcha will adore Matcha cream bun with its intense matcha flavours. ‘Coz how can you resist any matcha sweets originating from Japan?  

Psst. Don’t worry about the calories. Ranging between 225 kcal (for Custard) and 250.2 kcal (for Chocolate), these buns have surprisingly fewer calories than I imagined! I can definitely have a cream bun for breakfast with a lovely brew, which is an original blend created by Itsuki Coffee for HATTENDO Café. And perhaps for lunch and dinner too.

For the record, there are also protein options (salmon and chicken), soup, mason jar salads and croutons (made from the special recipe used for the cream buns) available if you need your savouries. 

I insist on having these cream buns of happiness.

Hattendo Café

7 Wallich Street Tanjong Pagar Centre #01-05 Singapore 078884

Weekdays: 10am-9pm 

Weekends: 11am-8pm 

Yan Ting is on top of the game this 2017 with their line up of impeccable dishes in Chinese New Year set menus. In fact, it's one of my top 3 dining recommendations to usher in the festivities (go figure the rest)! 

Yan Ting's Prosperity Yu Sheng with Norwegian Salmon also tops my yu sheng list. Restaurants really ought to stick with the traditional Chinese salad instead of creating strange sauces or throwing on a ton of gold flakes (it's not like it makes the dish tastier). 

Yan Ting's version is refreshing with juicy crunchy vegetables and it's also not too sweet. Plus, they have the best crackers hands down! We all know how important that is, if not the defining element of any yu sheng. 

The Chinese New Year Pun Choy was better than I remembered. The diversity of quality ingredients makes this a perfect meal in itself. We love that braising sauce that has been well absorbed by the ingredients. Bring us a pot of rice with this please! Special mention goes to the abalone and Chinese mushrooms which cut like butter. The only issue I had was with the duck that was a tad gamey.

If pun choy is too much for you, consider the Braised Boneless Short Ribs instead. I get how the radish could be infused with the superior sauce but i have no idea how they manage to get that flavor into the soft gelatinous cartilage. 

Normally I wouldn't approve of deep frying fresh dish but god.. Yan Ting's Deep-fried Sea Perch Fillet with Fermented Beancurd was glorious! That crispy airy crunch with fatty meat encased within, and the coat of wine-flavored sauce were irresistible. Don't be put off by the fermented bean curd, we didn't detect any funkiness in this one. A third pot of rice with the sauce please!

Love meeting your relatives for reunion dinner, but hate the stifling environment and conventional dishes on offer at traditional Chinese restaurants? Looking to usher in the Year of the Rooster with the sea breeze in your face? Blue Lotus Chinese Eating House, which prides itself as a new age Chinese Restaurant, offers 3 communal-style set menus this festive season priced at $68, $88, and $108 per pax. 

Each set menu starts off with the signature “Perfect” Tea-Smoked Norwegian Salmon Yu Sheng. An exhaustive list of 20 ingredients including fried silver bait and crispy salmon skin make up this 十全十美 (Shi Quan Shi Mei) Yu Sheng platter, which translate to mean “perfect 10”. Dressed in spring onion infused olive oil and house special wild honey yuzu dressing, the “Perfect” Yu Sheng is an unique anomaly from the usual overly-sweetened yu sheng that we are used to, and had us going at seconds (and even thirds). 

Instead of the usual double-boiled herbal soups, Blue Lotus has introduced the Truffle Wanton Lobster Bisque. The vividly colored soup is rich in crustacean flavor, and the thin, silky wanton skin envelops a substantial number of crunchy fresh prawns infused with heady black truffle. 

The Steamed King Oyster with Garlic and Shallots showcases gigantic (palm sized!) oysters steamed with soya sauce topped with garlic. The freshness of the shellfish and the rich flavors of the ocean are preserved with the gentle steaming, with the sweet and light soya sauce being a discrete supporting actor.

Blue Lotus is very proud of their signature chili pomelo crab, and rightly so. For CNY, they have on offer the Blue Lotus Chilli Pomelo Crab Claw. Chunks of crab meat are packed into a crab claw which is then drenched in their signature chili pomelo crab sauce. The prominent taste of fresh herbs and spices, and the right degree of fieriness without the overpowering sweetness from tomato sauce (a common ingredient in other chili crab sauces) would have you shoveling spoonfuls of the sauce into your mouth. Eating a whole crab is not usually a graceful or glam affair hence the crab claw makes for a great and fuss-free experience.

The Rooster is likely to cry “fowl!” that we are welcoming it by eating a member of its species- but the Salt Baked Herbal Spring Chicken with Chinese Wine & Herbs is too good to be missed. The chicken is well marinated and expertly prepared such that it absorbs all the flavors from the wine and herbs and also retains all its moisture. 

No Chinese dinner is complete without the carb dish, and the Josper Grilled Jumbo King Prawn with XO Mee Pok certainly does not disappoint. The huge king prawns (filled with lots of unctuous goodness in the heads!) are grilled to perfection and served with the very local Mee Pok with a twist. In fact, the dark, sweet yet savory XO Mee Pok (reminiscent of KL hokkien mee) is so good, it’s hard to tell which one was the star of this dish.

Rounding up a fantastic meal is the Double Boiled Ginger Tea with Black Sesame Rice Dumplings. The ginger tea is simple, yet comforting, while the chewy glutinous rice skin lovingly encases the black sesame filling to ensure an auspicious, sweet ending to the meal.

Dining at Blue Lotus Chinese Eating House feels a lot like eating at your favorite hipster Uncle’s home. We enjoyed the creative dishes in the comfortable al-fresco setting. Check out their Chinese New Year set menus that are available till 11 Feb 2017. 

Blue Lotus Chinese Eating House

31 Ocean Way #01-13 

Quayside Isle, Singapore 098375

Tel: +65 6339 0880

My most hated Chinese New Year activity is house visiting (because family tradition is that we must visit everybardee -eye-roll-). All that productive time wasted in front of the tv with lousy shows from yesteryears going on loop and mindless snacking on junk because there's nothing to do. Solution- take everyone out to the Yàn at National Gallery and have some refined nosh before you explore the exhibitions (or lose your relatives in the museum), or drown those awkward conversations at Smoke and Mirrors.

Expect traditional Cantonese cuisine prepared by Master Chef Chan Kung Lai. The reunion menus range from $118 to $268/pax.

Skip the usual Salmon Lo Hei and toss up some crunchy bits in the Signature Yellowtail Fish Yu Sheng with Golden Flake in Shun De Style. I'm old school when it comes to yu sheng, and I prefer a refreshing and crunchy Chinese tossed salad, rather than a plate of fried vermicelli. But i found myself enjoying this savory yu sheng that is drizzled with Yàn’s homemade soya sauce and peanut oil. Trust me it was hard to stop at one serving. Think of it as an appetizer instead of a yu sheng though. Guests also have the option to add on cubes of crispy lobster fillet for an additional price. 

It's gonna be impossible getting a table at Li Bai Sheraton Towers Singapore for Chinese New Year. The stellar Cantonese restaurant is so popular, they are usually booked out for eve and 初一the year before. Well thankfully there are 15 (or 30 if you'd rather) days of CNY feasting, so you'd likely be able to get your hands on Executive Chef Chung Yiu Ming carefully curated reunion set menus that cater to group sizes from two persons to a party of ten. Here are some highlights from Li Bai's reunion feasts.

Yu Sheng is a must and there are various options of the toppings ranging from the typical salmon, ikan parang, to the luxurious abalone, lobster, or king crab. All these come with a melange of ingredients like pomelo, yam, sweet potato, white radish, carrot and pickled ginger. Prices start at $62 for the small yusheng, and $108 for the large ones. 

Our dinner started with bowl of Double Boiled Bird's Nest Soup with Fish Maw, Chicken and American Ginseng. This is what chicken essence should taste like, with a light touch of ginseng. Love the slivers of birds' nest in this one. 

The Sauteed Scallop stuffed with Prawn Paste and served with Dried Oyster and Broccoli was flavorful. The pieces of seafood were lightly powdered with flour before being stir-fried, and thus there's a thin mocha texture with some crisp on the patties, which was quite enjoyable. 

I've been told that the Deep Fried Stuffed Chicken with Prawn Paste is laborious dish to make. How else can you get that layer of juicy patty under thin crispy skin?

The touch of mango gave the dish a refreshing sweetness (thank god it's none of that artificial yellow goo).

Carbs are a must to end the meal but we were disappointed by the bland Ee Fu Noodles with Crabmeat and Crab Roe Soup. Sadly the orange broth tasted nothing as rich as how it looked. Oh well thankfully I'm not a carb person so no loss to me.

Dinner ended on a sweet note with the Double Boiled Snow Lotus Seed with Red Date and Green Tea Nian Gao. The double boiled dessert was faultless (as expected) and the Green Tea Nian Gao ($50 for 1 kg) was a surprise for us. Loved the intense green tea flavor in this one and how the dessert wasn't too sweet. Have it pan-fried with egg or steamed for a softer warabi mochi texture (it goes perfectly with kinako and some brown sugar syrup)! 

If you are gonna miss the dine-in offers at Li Bai, you can still place an order for their takeaways, such as the Lobster and Abalone Fortune Pot |龙虾球鲍鱼盆菜 ($398) which is laden with a medley of premium treasures that symbolises wealth and abundance (comes with a claypot). Or for something different, have the Stewed "Eight Treasures" Duck with 6-Head Abalone ($398). I would also highly recommend their Radish Cake with Conpoy and Preserved Meat ($50/1kg) as a perfect lunch supplement. 

If by any chance you still miss that, The Dining Room offers a buffet lunch (16 to 20 and 23 to 28 January 2017, from 12 to 2.30pm) and dinner (27 to 29 January 2017, from 7 to 10pm). Prices start from $62

Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant

Sheraton Towers Singapore

39 Scotts Road Singapore 228230

Tel: +65 6737 6888

Mon-Sat: 11.30am - 2.30pm, 6.30 - 10.30pm

Sun: 10.30am - 2.30pm, 6.30 - 10.30pm

Ryan’s Grocery, a specialty gluten-free grocer and organic butchery, makes preparing for your Chinese New Year essential steamboat feast hassle-free (and healthier!), by offering a selection of Shabu-Shabu sets, imported organic meats and wild caught seafood. 

Ryan’s Grocery offers a selection of handmade, gluten free, organic meat ball platters ($11.80/12 pieces). Choose from hormone free chicken, juicy and flavorful beef balls made from Blackwood Valley Black Angus beef or my personal favorite- the moist Borrowdale pork balls with extra texture and crunch from the water chestnut. I could have had a dozen by myself!

Fans of pork will go crazy over the selection of free-range Borrowdale pork available in a variety of cuts, including the collar, loin and fatty belly. These lucky hogs are raised in a stress-free environment, being allowed to freely roam, play in the mud and apparently even fed strawberries! The meat is not further processed, resulting in natural flavors. We especially love the fatty pork belly, which melts in your mouth after a quick dip in the soup.

Bovine lovers will love the Black Angus beef from Blackwood Valley in the countryside of Western Australia. Exclusively grass-fed, and devoid of growth hormones and antibiotics, these lucky animals live longer than other farm bred cattle, allowing their natural flavors to develop and mature. The meat was tender, with just the right amount of fat, and was excellent with the Great Southern Truffle Mustard!