“Before becoming parents, we were first husband and wife,” reads a famous quote which serves as reminder to carve time for our spouses. So when the occasion calls for it and we are able to get trusted help to babysit, we would sneak out for a couple meal sans kids. An extraordinary dining experience would be icing on the cake during these rare pockets of couple time. This is how it is with IKYU, a nondescript little Japanese diner tucked away in the artsy enclave of Yong Siak Street (near … [Read more...]
RWS Malaysian Food Street: Simply Sedap and Seriously Shiok!
Every weekend or public holiday, Singaporean families would travel in hordes across the causeway in search for authentic, honest-to-goodness hawker food. Two of the undisputed popular foodies destinations are Penang and Kuala Lumpur. Well, if you want to satisfy your cravings for Malaysian street food but the thought of packing for the entire family, braving the traffic jams, the crowd and the newly ‘imposed’ toll charges puts you off, fret not. From now till 10 May 2015, … [Read more...]
Peony Jade’s Eight Rhapsodies of Spring 精彩年菜迎羊年!
With our modern day hectic lifestyles, it is often difficult for extended families to meet, let alone slow down and enjoy a hearty meal together. Which is why whenever families meet and dine, particularly for a family celebrations or festivities like Chinese New Year, we want to make it extra meaningful, extra significant, extra enjoyable. Therefore the selection of food, location and service is important. Peony Jade is one of our 'go-to' restaurants when we feel like an indulgent meal … [Read more...]
Homely Feasting at Gu Ma Jia (姑妈家)
In our Chinese culture, nephews or nieces address their eldest aunt from the paternal side 'Gu Ma' - 姑妈. So when we received the food tasting invite from this restaurant endearingly named 'Gu Ma Jia' 姑妈家 (loosely translated as 'Eldest Aunt’s House'), we knew we were in for a treat. 'Gu Ma Jia' 姑妈家 is located in the famous Sennett Estate which is dotted with many popular eateries. The founder of the restaurant is a spiritedly housewife (affectionately known as 'Gu Ma' 姑妈) who grew up on Pulau … [Read more...]
A Yule Log for the Yuletide Season – Emicakes Log Cakes
Among the commercialized practices that we have come to associate Christmas with, the eating of log cakes is something bakeries and hotels capitalise on. One evening after dinner, Dana asked why do we eat log cakes at Christmas, we were hard-pressed for an answer. Thankfully, Mr. Google came to our rescue and this is what he says: Log Cakes or 'Yule Logs' (as they were traditionally known) date back to a pagan custom in the Middle Ages (5th to 15th Century), when a large log (usually trimmed … [Read more...]
Good Food, Great Book – Imaginary Friends Afternoon Tea @ Pan Pacific Singapore
I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me..."– Ralph Waldo Emerson Since time immemorial, good food and a good read have been inseparable. A scone or a cookie in one hand and a good book in another with the occasional sip of a warm beverage, inspire writers and readers alike - blurring the lines between reality and imagination as the senses, united with the mind, bring individuals into a world as real as one would like to, escaping … [Read more...]
Sweet, Succulent Swensen’s Lobster Rolls
Apart from its functional purposes, our senses can trigger a whole host of emotions and memories. I recently had such an experience and surprisingly, it was not at any exotic locations but rather at the all-familiar Swensen's restaurant. Sinking my teeth into their newly introduced Boston Lobster Roll and Slipper Lobster Roll transported me to Boston pier which my family recently visited in June. Sans the baying of the sea gulls and the sea breeze, the chunky, succulent flesh of the … [Read more...]
A ‘fowl’ encounter that changed my life – Chin Chin Chicken Rice
Old fan...old sign...old favourite - Chin Chin Hainanese Chicken Rice.This place changed my life. Literally.I was a young Penangite starting out a career in Singapore after my undergraduate studies. Like most of my townsfolk, good food is an important part of my life – after all, Penang is synonymous with tasty hawker fare at every corner. In addition to adjusting to the hectic work life in Singapore and transiting from being a student to a working professional, the frustration of … [Read more...]
Savour Peony Jade’s Award-Winning Mooncakes 2014
My early memories of the Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋節 are those spent in the neighbourhood park - parading our candle-lit paper (or celophane) lanterns, lighting up the parameters of the playground with small candles and gathering at my Grandma's home to enjoy pomelo and mooncakes while admiring the rounder, larger than usual moon. Though the festival carries no religious significance, we try to preserve the cultural tradition of lanterns and mooncakes in our family as part of our Chinese … [Read more...]
The Scoop on Ben & Jerry’s New CORE Ice-creams in Singapore!
Celebrating the launch of Ben & Jerry's CORES! In our home, we love desserts more than mains. An ice-cream treat at the end of a long stressful week or upon reaching a new milestone has become the de-facto family tradition. But many times, I always can't decide which flavor of ice cream to buy, so end up buying two (or more) pints and eating way too much. Not too good for the waistline eh? Now, hard-CORE ice-cream fans rejoice! Ben and Jerry has put us out of that 'misery' … [Read more...]