Joining the numerous grills sprouting over our tiny island is KOAL, the latest addition to Les Amis Group’s array of award-winning restaurants. What sets KOAL slightly apart is that it playfully marries Asian (Japanese, Korean and Chinese) and Western flavours and grilling techniques, to offer diners a light to night dining experience. 

Our night at KOAL started with a smorgasbord of starters and sharing plates. Jr enjoyed the Chunky Salmon with Coriander and Green Chili Dressing ($12), which was like a spicy and tangy South East Asian ceviche. 

I'm a carb monster and i love a good dinner roll. KOAL’s Bread Roll with Bacon and Grilled Spring Onions, Sour Cream and Chive Butter ($8) was a fragrant and fluffy one though i thought it could be salted further. 

My vote goes to the Crispy Pork Riblets ($16) with a smattering of peanut and sesame. The meat had a nice crispy Mala Honey glaze over it. I enjoyed picking up a piece and gnawing off a juicy bite off the bone. I would probably skip the Scallion Salad ($6) in the future. This was more like a condiment for me though i guess it helps to cut through the greasiness of the meats with its spicy sesame soy dressing.

One of the greatest challenge of a chef must be running an all-day dining restaurant in a hotel. There must be a wide selection of dishes for guests of all nationality and ages, and a balance between serving Singapore cuisine and international ones. Now throw in the healthy eating trend too and get the chef to whip up a menu that incorporates all of the above! Thankfully for Courtyard by Marriott, they've found Executive Chef John Chye who managed to do all of that at Sky 22.

Sky 22 is located on the 22nd floor of the newly opened hotel and diners get to enjoy an expansive view of the city area while dining. While breakfast is quite typical (western and local), lunch is more refreshing with the option to Build Your Own (Healthy) Bowl.

You'll taste more of Chef Chye's creations at dinner. Local flavors are infused into Western cooking and some of his inspirations come from dishes like Hakka Braised Pork, Singapore Chili Crab and more. Of course, standard Western dishes as thrown in for diners who are not that adventurous. 

A safe but tasty appetizer is the Oven-baked Camembert Cheese ($18). Somehow the saltiness of the Camembert was enhanced and it's gorgeous with the herby arugula walnut pesto and the earthy and tart Rosemary-balsamic portobello. Perfect combination on the crusty sourdough. Simplicity is awesome.

A brand new dining experience has been introduced at Hard Rock Hotel Singapore by Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). Get your savory, sweet, and Masterchef desires satisfied here with their crab and seafood dishes, elaborate patisserie, and cooking classes with their celebrity chefs. 

The highlight here is really the cooking studio, named Cooking Sessions. I don't know about you but i absolutely love cooking classes even though i never cook at home. So don't worry if your cooking skills are less than stellar, you'll be under the good hands of the celebrity chef or the resident culinary expert. Plus there are a variety of cooking programmes - from decorating cupcakes and baking cookies for the little ones (for children four years old and above at $18 nett per child) to a fine-dining 3-hour multi-course menu cook-off competition which makes for an exciting team-building activity (from $120 nett per person).

Chef Forest Leong took us through the preparation of her Fried Fish Slices with Salted Egg Yolk Cream which is served at Forest. Her husband Chef Sam Leong is one of the instructor chefs at Cooking Sessions, along with Chef Douglas Tay from Osia Steak and Seafood Grill, and Chef Yew Eng Tong from Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora.

There is a new buffet option for you island-life loving folks! Latest Recipe at the newly refurbished Le Meridien Hotel Sentosa has launched their Taste of Discovery Buffet: Seafood and Singapore Flavours. Available for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays, this Singaporean-themed buffet is looking to entice your tastebuds and excite your palate.

I always zoom in on the seafood at buffets- but the selection here is somewhat limited when compared to other buffets in town with sashimi being screamingly absent (no, sushi does not replace sashimi) but they do make up for it with the freshly shucked and tasty oysters and sweet emerald prawns.

There is also a selection of Asian-influenced salads including Thai glass noodles salad, Masala chick pea salad and Vietnamese cabbage salad with beef. But honestly, who comes to a buffet to eat salads? Instead I would focus your attention on the DIY Singapore Rojak station where you can customize and toss your own rojak (yes, you can make an all-youtiao rojak if that is your rojak fantasy!). There is even finely chopped rojak flower, how thoughtful is that! Or perhaps bites of grilled satay, deep fried beancurd rolls, otak neatly presented in bite-sized parcels, and deep fried egg floss with beancurd cubes?

The roast station also caught our attention! Just look at the glistening skins of those meats! The roast duck was our favourite of the lot- the meat was moist and tender while the skin was crispy!

If you love black pepper and also smelling like that, then snag a table near  the Char Kway Teow live station. It tastes like a full on carb version of a black pepper crab dish, sans crab. Well I prefer my Char Kway Teow the usual fashion :P 

As part of the buffet, all adult diners are also entitled to one serving of the restaurant’s specially created dishes. You may choose either the Baked lobster with Hollandaise, Black pepper lobster or the pan fried foie gras with dark cherry compote. The lobster with Hollandaise did taste more like lobster with mayonnaise (and that is always a good idea) but definitely have the punchy black pepper gravy crustacean. Or perhaps a chilli flower crab with mantous if you must have more seafood.

Reflective of the multicultural heritage we are so proud of, other dishes include tandoori chicken, Mattar paneer, Indian lamb curry with spinach and beef rendang.

Remember to save some space for desserts! There was a fairly comprehensive selection of Asian-influenced desserts including Pulut hitam, Nyonya kueh, pandan chiffon cake as well as a Chendol station and a selection of cakes and tropical panna cotta. Chendol tip: ask for less ice and more gula Melaka and coconut milk because that’s the soul of any good chendol!!

We really liked the Pandan Kaya éclairs, as well as the Raspberry coconut ones. These choux pastries were light and a good way to round up the meal! We implore you to make space for some of that American cheesecake (that little mound of a piece of crunchy biscuit) because unlike other hotel cheesecakes, this was surprisingly light yet tasty!

Overall, the Taste of Discovery Buffet: Seafood and Singapore Flavours at Le Meridien Sentosa is definitely an option to consider if you happen to be on Sentosa island, be it for a staycation, showing off your beach bodies or just catching pokemons. Available Fridays and Saturdays for dinner, the buffet is priced at $65 for adults and $29 for children and Starwood members enjoy 25% off.

Latest Recipe

Le Meridien Singapore, Sentosa

23 Beach View Singapore 098679

Tel: +658183305

-Truffles

Love beef? Then head over to 10 at Claymore at Pan Pacific Orchard for their Omi Wagyu Beef from Shiga prefecture, Japanb, only available for the month of August and September. This is enjoyed alongside their small but quality buffet. 

Look at that gorgeous marbling!! 

Yes it looks the same as advertised! As part of the themed buffet, savour the rich flavour and unique tenderness of this exquisite cut of beef (1 serving/pax), served with a pot of specially prepared soup broth, cooked by you in shabu-shabu style; or have it grilled (we found this too oily and bland though). I

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

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 

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.

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

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.

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. 

The only reason why i'd want to go to a buffet would be for the sheer variety (must be quality item of course) but i wouldn't mind going for a crab buffet since the meal wouldn't be that heavy (so i thought). On that note, if you're a crab fan, then you should check out Brizo Restaurant & Bar at Park Hotel Clarke Quay as they are presenting their second run of ‘Crazier about Crabs’ Buffet from 1 April to 28 June 2015.