[CLOSED] Nara Thai Cuisine – Bangkok Sois Hidden Gems [MEDIA INVITE]

Nara Thai Cuisine @ Ion Orchard

The name Nara Thai Cuisine might sound familiar to those that travel to Bangkok on regular basis. Listed in Thailand Tatler's Best Restaurants List from 2007 to 2014, this restaurant is a name to be reckon with. We personally dined in Bangkok Nara Thai in Central World last year, so we have an idea on what they offered in Nara Thai Cuisine.

The Awards won

Nara Thai Cuisine Singapore ('NTS') opened its first outlet in Ion Orchard in September 2013. Singapore Tatler's recognise Nara Thai in its Best Restaurant List in 2014. Banking on its current popularity, Nara Thai has open its second outlet in Singapore at Westgate Shopping Centre.

Part of the dining area

Seasonal Taste – The Great Thai Feast [MEDIA INVITE]

The Great Thai Feast @ Seasonal Taste

From 18 to 31 July 2016, Seasonal Taste is bringing you The Great Thai Feast. With Seasonal Tastes’ resident Sous Chef Sedtapat Sukpaisanpongsa, alongside Chef Kamonwan Juntarasert and Chef Sittha Sa-Nguansat, proudly presenting a selection of authentic Thai culinary treasures, from its omnipresent street food to perennial favourites originating from Isaan, the Northeast region of Thailand.

Little Devil and Chubby Botak Koala tried the sumptuous Thai dishes and recommended this top 5 must try dishes in The Great Thai Feast at Seasonal Taste:

Beef Noodles (Kuay Teow Nuaa). This is one of our favourite street food when we are in Bangkok. Though the version here is more sterile compare to the version in Thailand, it delivers on the taste. The consommé beef broth is beefy and robust, while the beef brisket, tripe, tendon was springy yet succulent like it has been cooked over long period. The beef liver and sliced meat is done to medium rare, while the bouncy beef ball add to the texture in the noodle soup. Yum Yum!!

Beef Noodles (Kuay Teow Nuaa)

[CLOSED] Quartier Singapore – Introducing Quartier Selection [Product Tasting]

Quartier @ Serangoon Garden

Quartier is a French grocery store in Singapore, stocking fundamental food products that all French households will normally have in their kitchen. The idea of one-stop shop that sells French necessities at reasonable price was conceived by six friends living in Singapore. This was after the closure of Carrefour Singapore, as they find it almost impossible to get French products at reasonable price.

In April 2013, Quartier open its first shop in the heart of Serangoon Gardens, nearby the French school. Although it was targeted to supply the French community in Singapore, Quartier is OPEN to GENERAL PUBLIC. Quartier also offer online ordering, home delivery service and store pick-up services as well. Check out my mini tour at Quartier below.

While you can find almost all the basic necessities imported directly from French at the Quartier, now you can also take home a French Chef with you. All right, not exactly a French Chef, instead it is ready French Traditional Dishes prepared by French Chef using high quality ingredients exclusively for Quartier. This is known as Quartier Selection. The Quartier Selection will include Fresh Soups, Pâté & Rillettes, and Frozen Main Dishes.

Some Quartier Selection Fresh Soups, Pâté & Rillettes 

[CLOSED] Kay Lee Roast Meat Joint – The Legendary Dark Char Siew [MEDIA INVITE]

Kay Lee Roast Meat @ Tanjong Katong

In October 2014, Kay Lee Roast Meat Joint ('Kay Lee') was bought over by Public Listed Aztech Group for $4 million (About $2 million for the property). With such significant price, all eyes has been on how Kay Lee will be able to perform after the takeover. Since then, the single store Kay Lee has expanded to seven (7) outlets island wide.

The Roast Duck on display

Kay Lee is known for its legendary Dark Char Siew. While I never tried Kay Lee Char Siew before, LD is very familiar with it as the original Kay Lee in Paya Lebar was nearby her previous workplace. This review is specifically for Kay Lee Tanjong Katong outlet.

The combi plate here comes with the Signature Roast Duck and Crackling Roast Pork priced at $44 for large platter. The serving is supposed to be good for six persons.

Combi Platter - Large with Sauce

Macpherson Minced Meat Noodles – Possibly The Best Bak Chor Mee in Singapore

Macpherson Minced Meat Noodle

We got to know this place from a newspaper article earlier this year mentioning this legendary Bak Chor Mee / Minced Meat Noodle will be closing soon as they want to retire and cannot find a successor. In the typical Singapore kiasunism manner LD and I decided to give it a try before this place close down for good.

Like its name, Macpherson Minced Meat Noodle ('MacNoodle') originated from Macpherson before it moves to the current location in Upper Serangoon Road. During the day, this coffee shop only open for MacNoodle and occupying almost the whole coffee shop with the drink stall during the day, the stream of customers will just continuously streaming in all day.

The menu on offer are fishball noodle, minced pork noodle, pig trotter noodle; and “Miniwok” version. Price starting for $3.50 onwards.

The elusive fishballs

Nassim Hill Bakery Bistro Bar - HGW GSS Food Trail Part 3 [Media Invite]

Baked Bone Marrow @ Nassim Hill

Nassim Hill Bakery Bistro Bar ('NHB') is an exciting bistro located in Tanglin Post office building. NHB are well known for their Hot Reuben sandwich using its famed malt-flavoured Guinness Stout bread; as well as their new interpretation of classic dishes such as Spicy Eggs Benedict and Chili Crab pasta.

For those who enjoy their booze, NHB has extensive range of beers, wines, liquors, champagnes and cocktails. With the dim medieval tavern setting and huge communal tables, you are encouraged to share tables and mingle with each other.

Our tasting started with Chilli Crab ($25). This signature dish of NHB, comes with big chunks of crab meat and homemade chilli sauce. The chilli crab sauce is thick, robust and aromatic, packs with spicy punch as well. The al-dente spaghetti is well submerged in the chilli crab sauce ensuring you can taste the sauce in each bite. It makes you feel like ordering a plate of bread to finish off their sauce. If you are the kind that like spicy food, you can request the chef to spice it up to your palate.

Chilli Crab

[CLOSED] The House of Robert Timms - HGW GSS Food Trail Part 2 [Media Invite]

The House of Robert Timms @ Wheelock Place

The House of Robert Timms ('THRT') is one of the oldest Australian Brand that we normally associated with coffee. I can relate to this as LD's brother drinks THRT brand of coffee at home.

Robert Timms Selections

THRT in Wheelock Place is the first branch of THRT in Singapore, which opens in 2010. Drawing inspiration from the brand's heritage and origin, the bistro showcase the simple and hearty Aussie flavours. The décor is bright, simple and very open, very similar to those modern coffee chains around the world.

The Coffee Menu