Golden Peony – Welcoming The Year of the Monkey [MEDIA INVITE]

Jumbo Fortune Monkey Yu Sheng

Chinese New Year is just around the corner, in welcoming the year of the Monkey, Chef Ku Keung, from Golden Peony ('GP') has prepared stunning spread to welcome the year of the Monkey.

Fortune Monkey Yu Sheng
Photo Credit: Conrad Centennial Singapore

We started with this year theme creation for Fortune Monkey Yu Sheng. Fortune Yu Sheng with Abalone, Hiramasa and Crispy Fish Skin. (风生水起; 嘻啦玛莎，鲍鱼, 金黄鱼皮金猴捞起). The one we had was the jumbo version, priced at the auspicious $888, which can feed between 30 to 40 pax. Something to consider if you are having a company CNY meal in Golden Peony.

Sliced Abalone and Hiramasa

Joie by Dozo – Elegant Meatless Dining Experience [MEDIA INVITE]

Joie by Dozo is a multi-sensory meatless dining experience created by the same group behind the defunct Dozo. Located at tallest floor of Orchard Central, it provided a awesome setting to the restaurant. The place is bright, classy yet elegant definitely a place you bring someone to impress.

Dining Area

Restaurants operated by Dozo previously are known for their set menu. This time around it is of no different. 6 course set for lunch is priced at $38.80++, while 7 course set is priced at $68.80++. Menu offered by Joie will tingle your taste buds with 5 basic taste: sweet, sour, bitter, salty and savory on each plate. Starter will be chosen by the Chef, while Side dish, Cold dish, Soup, Main, Dessert and Drink you can choose one from the menu.

DoSiRak - #Shake It Up [MEDIA INVITE]

DoSiRak

Alright, we have just past by the Christmas and New Year festive period. Which means, we are more likely to have stuffed ourself silly and need a bit of respite before the Chinese New Year knocking in front of us. So if you feel like something healthy, low in calories or detoxing, you can consider DoSiRak.

How to Build your DoSiRak!

DoSiRak means lunch box in Korean. Set up by half-Korean, half-Singaporean brothers Edward and Eugene Chia in October 2014, DoSiRak re-introduces the healthier and modern version of age-old method of enjoying a traditional Korean lunch bowl usually comprising rice, a type of meat and a medley of vegetables before mixing in gochujang (Korean chilli sauce). If you are watching your weight, there is even a calories count on each mix and all the DoSiRak menu is less than 500 calories. DoSiRak also recognised by Health Promotion Board Singapore as Healthier Dining Partner.

Healthier Dining Partner Recognition by HPB

District 10 @ Suntec City - A Different Kind of Steak

District 10 Bar and Grill @ Suntec City

District 10 Bar and Grill, the new outlet by Bonta group that recently joined the line up of 3 other District 10 restaurants specialising in Best Dry Aged Meat.

Dry Aged Beef  in the Chiller
As they were servicing the Dry Aging machine

For those who are not familiar with Dry Aged Meat, it is the process used in ageing meat in a control temperature. Through the ageing process, the liquid from the meat will evaporate, connective tissue in the meat will slowly break down resulting a more intense and succulent a steak.

The In House Butcher preparing our cut of meat

We started the meal with our favourite burrata cheese. Puglia Burrata with Organic Cherry Tomato and Basil Bruschetta ($26). The burrata is creamy, think, subtle and melts in your mouth. It is nicely pair with the rocket salad and sweet cherry tomatoes. The balsamic vinaigrette does well to neutralise the richness of the burrata. A good start to the meal, it will be better with more tomatoes.

Puglia Burrata with Organic Cherry Tomato and Basil Bruschetta

Chubbybotakkoala.com Most Memorable Moments in 2015

On the final day of the year, Chubby Botak Koala and Little Devil decided to present to our beloved readers our highlights this year.

OSIA Macadamia Soufflé 

OSIA Bar & Restaurant definitely worth considering if you are celebrating a special occasion. Beautiful service, ambiance and good selection of food. With open kitchen concept, you can view Chef Douglas Tay running the kitchen and serving those fine dining dishes for you to savour.

Guiga Prime beef short ribs, prime beef ribs

We also finally review our favourite Korean Restaurant, Guiga Korean BBQ Restaurant. It serve a good all round quality Korean food at reasonable price. It used to open until 6 in the morning, however they have shorten their operating hours to 3AM daily. Other than the delicious beef and pork, check out their grill pork intestines and freshly pickled raw crabs.

Guiga DweiJiMacchang – Pork Abomasum / pork intestines

For red meat, (steak place); Simple and unpretentious The Market Grill is a must try. Focus purely on food in a very casual ambiance. If you are seated at the middle section to the end of the restaurant, you can see the grill master at work. Do take note that this place does not take reservation, so you better be early and queue up.

The Market Grill - Wagyu Chuck Rib – 600 gram 

Smack in the middle of Orchard Road, we were introduced an awesome place for High Tea, KUVO. While the hustle and bustle of Orchard Road happening below you, you can find serenity and elegance at KUVO. Enjoy your bite size sandwich, cakes or tapas with your tea or coffee. In the evening, prepared to be entertain by head bartender Yutaka Nakashima. Kuvo open till midnight on weekday and 2AM in the weekend, making this place a chill out destination.

 Kuvo - Three tier high tea tapas / sandwich combination
Deconstructed Otah, Fried Wanton & Parma Ham Canapes 

This year we also made a few special discoveries for Crab Bee Hoon. Opened by Chef Mac Kong, Long Ji served the ultimate crab bee hoon. The thin bee hoon infused with robust crab stock, topped with female Sri-Langkan Crab, fried shallots, pork lard and cilantro. We became a regular here as our friends keep asking us to bring them here. So crab lovers, this place is a must try.

Long Ji Crab Bee Hoon - Check out the Roe

MaguroDonya Miuramisakikou Sushi & Dining, provide us with Otorogasm experience. We finally understand why Japanese went all out for this piece of fish. One of the best otoro we ever ate outside Japan. During the dinner, we also learned about Maguro (Blue Fin Tuna) and the sustainable fishing. Meanwhile, we also discover a unique fish and chips shop in the heartland. Murphy's who uses Arrowtooth fish from Canada. The fish provide amazing texture, suitable for Fish and Chips dish. One of the best fish and chips in the heartland.

MaguroDonya 3 cuts of Hon Maguro ($38) - This size is for tasting session only
On the left: Otoro in different cuts; Middle: Akami; Right: Chutoro

Thank you very much to our readers, Business Owners, Marketing & PR friends for your support in the year 2015.

Happy New Year 2016!!

xoxo

Chubby Botak Koala & the Little Devil

KPO Cafe Bar – Gastronomic Cafe Bar Experience [MEDIA INVITE]

KPO Cafe Bar

KPO Cafe Bar is a landmark Cafe Bar located in the middle of Orchard Road which intersect with Killeney Road. KPO is a abbreviation of Killiney Post Office, the Cafe Bar located beside a full functioning Singapore Post Office. Owned by Imaginings Pte Ltd, the group behind the concept of Balaclava and Nassim Hill, you can expect Gastronomic Cafe Bar experience like no other.

There are three dining areas in KPO, outdoor dining on the ground floor surrounded by the greeneries, two floors of indoor dining and a mini patio on the second floor facing the Orchard Central. Although positioning itself as Cafe Bar, I believe Gastrobar will be the more appropriate definition. Between 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm, you will be entertain by live bands playing the latest hits. Afterwards, the daily DJ will be spinning their own take on 'cool'. On Monday night when we were there, the DJ was going Retro which really bring back memories of our teenage years. The music was pretty loud, so if you are looking for place to have a good chit chat with your friends, it might not be the place to go.

KPO Bar - 1st Floor

A must-try dish here is KPO Hokkien Mee ($16). Cooked in traditional way, KPO Hokkien Mee distinguish itself by using premium ingredients. The stock are robust and well absorbed by the springy yellow noodle and thick bee hoon. The wok hei (breath of the wok) brought out the aroma in this dish, that made you salivate when it reach the table. The prawns, cuttlefish and pork lard are fresh, crunchy and light. I did not try the chilli, but the other bloggers gave it a thumbs-up so it must be good.

KPO Hokkien Mee

[CLOSED] DC Comics Super Heroes Cafe – Enjoying My Meal with Batman & Superman [MEDIA INVITE]

DC Comics Super Heroes Cafe

The Kiosk and DC Comic Shop Sections

DC Comics Super Heroes Cafe (“DCSH”) at Marina Bay Sands is one of the cafe that are licensed by Warner Bros. Unlike any normal cafe, this place is like a mini museum for DC Comics. Once you enter the cafe, every details of the cafe is basically screams DC comics characters. You have Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and The Flash leading the charge. The decorations, the menu, the food even the utensils, have DC Comic characters or their logo on it. So if you are a fan of DC Comics characters, this place definitely a must visit for you.

Batman, guarding the entrance

Superman, checking in!!