Dignity Kitchen - A Second Lease of Life This Christmas

Christmas is beckoning, and every year this time, I will write on something that has truly moved me. Something that means more that just eating and taking pretty food photos.

In truth, 2016 has been a great year for this blog. I had sampled some of the best establishments around, and met a lot of great chefs and food owners

The Risotto Snob - What to Look For in a Good Risotto

Risotto can be quite perplexing, especially for those who might not know how to appreciate a good one.

Being Asian, we tend to be a huge consumer of rice, and we like our rice somewhat soft and fluffy. And for some, the idea of mui fan, or mushy rice in gooey stock is a particular favourite.

Salt and Tapas Bar Christmas Menu - Something Really Special

Christmas menus can be quite bland these days, but Chef Ronald Li has certainly taken the effort to concoct something really special for Christmas this year.

So special that it is only available only on the nights of Christmas Eve and Day. There are only 3 mains to choose from, and a special dessert that is truly breathtaking.

Ding Dong - Reminiscing the Past and Creating Something Delightful

Reminiscing the past and recreating the present is the gastronomic chant by Ding Dong, the gastrobar found along the rather nostalgic slope of Ann Siang Hill and Road.

Ding Dong's playful, whimsical name is aptly reflected in its food and cooking, and despite the rather cramped seating area, it's neon tones on the outside betrays a classier interior of modern gentrification of the pre-war shophouses.

The Silver Chef Log Cake Special - Antoinette, Bakerzin, Cat and the Fiddle, Chef Yamashita and Salt Tapas Bar

Christmas log cakes can be quite tedious as someone mentioned to me recently, and for the most part, can be quite pedestrian.

Heavy on the cream, traditional log cakes are always just nice to look at, and hard to finish or even eat. Thankfully, 2015's festive season will see some exceptions.

Sprigs - Upping the Culinary Ante Along Purvis Street

Purvis street has had its fair share of restaurants and bistros, but one that does not normally pop into mind is Sprigs. A recent menu revamp and a move towards more streamlined and modern based cuisine is just the tonic.

The food has come off looking more hip but not overly so, and a rethink of cooking philosophies means that diners will get a more laser focused set of plates to savour.

The Fabulous Feast at Oxwell and Co - Christmas Feasting for One and All

Christmas diners this year are likely to be more discerning than ever, and picking the perfect venue for the festive dinner may involve more than just looking at which hotel buffet spread.

Heck, I doubt many will want to engage in the same boring buffet queues this time round, and for those who want a more rustic and authentic Xmas experience, Oxwell and Co looks to be the ideal choice.

Christmas at Mitzo - Something Different This Festive Period

Christmas dining takes a different twist this year, at the Canto themed restaurant at Mitzo. Instead of superfluous turkey buffets at hotels, you might just be tempted to go a very different route.

Mitzo is coming up with a set of 6 course menu for the month of December, and another special menu just for the eves and holidays.

The Singapore Flyer Festive Menu - Christmas Fine Dining at 600 Feet Above Ground

Singapore Flyer has become iconic for tourists and locals alike, and this Christmas, they have come up with a special festive menu for romantic couples who wish to spend a lovely night up in the skies with the accompaniment of good food.

From 1 December until the end of the year (excluding specific eve and holiday menus for Xmas and New Year), patrons of the Singapore Flyer Premium Sky Dining Flight can savour a 4 course special festive menu.

boCHINche - Another Meal of the Year

boCHINche has just about the right ingredients for the perfect dining experience. A superb atmosphere, great food and one of the best looking and charming chefs in town.

If you seriously want to have a great time, why bother reading further. Get yourself there this evening for a truly gorgeous gastronomic experience.

Masizzim - Comforting Korean Fare in Cosy Surroundings

Masizzim is a mouthful when it comes to saying it out loud, but consider this. This recently opened Korean joint is from the folks behind Chir Chir, which has been a homerun as far Korean wings are concerned.

Very astutely, they have chosen the floorspace next to Chir Chir to open this new place. It has a modern and sparse look about it.

Gourmet Greens Week - Eating Healthy and Eating Well

Gourmet Greens Week is a special vegetarian only event jointly organised by Chope and Fiji Water, and will feature more than a dozen of our finest establishments.

Participating restaurants will run a week long special four-course set for lunches and dinners, priced at $30 and $45 respectively.

Avenue Joffre - Exquisite Cuisine From Shanghai, Szechuan and Canton

Contrary to what you might have read elsewhere, Avenue Joffre is not a cheap knockoff of some of the best food from China and Canton.

Quite the opposite, the restaurant actually boasts of a number of award winning and reputable names. The areas they cover are also quite interesting, from the spicy delicacies of Szechuan to well executed Cantonese dim sum fare, it stands out for its diversity.

Tin Hill Social - Expertly Classy Food in Laidback Settings

Somewhere just on the outskirts of Turf City, Tin Hill Social is almost inconspicuous. Nestled next to a pony riding school, it is almost a jewel hidden in plain sight.

Step in and you will see it resembles a laid back Australian cafe. High attic ceilings, and a simple decor betrays some very fine cooking in the kitchen.

Joyden Treasures - A Family Treat in Every Sense

Joyden is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Chinese culinary scene. Synonymous with zhe char styled dishes in a more posh setting, Joyden Treasures is the latest addition to their chain of family style restaurants.

It happens to be my first encounter with the Joyden group as well, and Treasures can be found in a spanking new venue at Kallang Leisure Park.

The Knolls at Capella Sentosa - A Perfect Romantic Dining Experience

Sentosa may be a bustling resort for tourists and foreigners, but for locals seeking a quiet and romantic getaway, The Knolls at Capella may prove to be a compelling choice.

Situated far away from the theme parks and busy aisles of the more tourist friendly sections of the small island, Capella bears more resemblance to an island chateau or mansion.

Mitzo $100Gourmet Michelin Menu - Where Swiss Precision Meets Cantonese Elegance

$100Gourmet by Citibank is pairing Chef Rolf Fleigauf, a two Michelin star chef from Switzerland with resident chef, Chef Nicky Ng for 4 days from 6 to 9 November at Mitzo, Grand Park Orchard.

I was on hand last night to sample their dinner menu, which goes for $100 per person. They also have a trimmed down lunch offering, going at $100 for two.

Alkaff Mansion Ristorante - When Canadian Beef Meets Italian Flair

Canadian beef is not common in this part of the world, where American and Australian beef consumption reigns supreme.

Alkaff Mansion Ristorante is having a special Canadian beef dinner set menu running from now until November 18th. And it is a brilliant array of dishes featuring the beef as the hero of the dishes.

A Culinary Feast of Two Cities - Fullerton Hotel's Jade Restaurant and Their Michelin Star Guest Chef

Fullerton Hotel has done it again. Their rotating menu of guest chefs has produced another spectacular experience at Jade Restaurant.

From November 2nd until 8th, Chef Lai Ching-Shing from one Michelin star YUE from Hong Kong's City Garden Hotel will be collaborating with resident Jade master, Chef Leong to present a feast of two cities.

Thai Flavours at Gin Khao and High Tea at House at Dempsey

Located in a now more desolated part of East Coast Park, this venue used to be the hive of the area. Where the MacDonalds was the point of meeting for many teenagers decades ago, it is a shadow of its former self.

It is surprising then, that a Thai eatery occupies a large area with spacious seating and a modern but zen looking decor.

Shermay Lee's Cooking School Pop-Up - The Peranakan Maestro is Back!

Shermay Lee's cooking classes are back! It has been awhile since we have had the opportunity to sit in one of her informative and highly entertaining classes, and now she is back at a new venue.

Starting from 7 November, her first in her new series of cooking sessions at Origins of Food Studio, is a perennial favourite - "My Peranakan Grandma's Cuisine".

Open Door Policy - Passion and Real Cooking Is Involved

There are places that are cool and pretentious, and there are places that are cool and real that can only be Open Door Policy. OPD from now on.

Gimmicks and fusion seems to be going out of fashion these days. Pretentious plating and combinations seem to be looking passé and diners are far more discerning now.

Legendary Hong Kong Cart Noodles - And That Roast London Duck and Polo Bun

Legendary Hong Kong is back with a new concept as part of its offerings. In fact, it is the iconic cart noodles that started in the 50s in HK.

Back then, street vendors used to push carts around the back alleys and lanes to sell bowls of noodles with an assortment of toppings and sauces.

Diner En Blanc Singapore - Something White, Something Special

Diner En Blanc Singapore is back again, and will be held at a secret location on the 21st November evening.

This year is a special one as Diner En Blanc Singapore's theme is SG50, in conjunction with our jubilee year. So, expect the food that is both catered and brought by the participants to reflect a lot of our local heritage.

Silver Food News - The Exchange, Gu Ma Jia and ChaoZhou Porridge

Cocktails are the order of the day at The Exchange in Raffles Place. And for the ladies, Elite Fridays from 28 August may just be the thing for you.

Besides the 1 for 1 housepour spirits that are available every Friday evening, special vodka martinis and two different DJs are on hand to light up the nights.

Maggie Joan's - My Kind Of Food

Hidden behind Gemmil Lane is an almost inconspicuous door and entrance to Maggie Joan's. It is the new eatery from the guys behind Moosehead Kitchen, which is one of my all time favourite places to eat.

Maggie Joan's has a more refined look about it, with more seating area but it still retains a cool vibe and tone.

Oishii Japan 2015 and Wine Fiesta 2015 - Couple of Food Festivals For This Weekend

Suntec Conventional Center is hosting this year's Oishii Japan 2015 event, which will be home to 300 food related exhibitors and booths from today, 22nd Oct until 24th October.

42 out of 47 prefectures of Japan will be represented this time, which means this is the largest Japan food fair in the whole of Southeast Asia.

Kinsa Sushi at HillV2 - Colourful and Healthy Sushi

Purple rice is something I seldom come across, and it is said to be an even healthier grain of rice than brown rice.

What is ever more exotic, is the adoption of this harder and longer grained variant in the use of making of sushi dishes. Which is what Shannon, owner of Kinsa Sushi has committed to do at his humble sushi place out in the west of Singapore.

Original Simon Road Hokkien Mee - Father to Son

Hokkien Prawn Mee is something I always like to eat outside, but there are not many that can pull this dish off successfully. Geylang's crazy cook is one of them, and undoubtedly one of the most famous ones.

Then, there is the Original Simon Road Hokkien Mee, which has been in existence for more than four decades.

Raffles Singapore Long Bar Steakhouse - The Tantalising Taste of the Tomahawk Steak

Tomahawk may be the weapon of choice for the Sioux Indians, but in culinary terms, it is one of the most visually spectacular cuts for steak.

Resembling a real Tomahawk axe, the steak retains the rib bone intact and is properly trimmed. As a result, it looks amazing as a presentation on the dining table.

Clinton Street Baking Company and Restaurant - Pancake Nirvana Has Landed

Clinton Street Baking is famous in Manhattan as one of the most popular joints for bakes and pancakes. The husband and wife owners have also published a cookbook and appeared on many culinary TV shows.

They have now set up shop in Singapore and we are privileged to be the first in this region to have a Clinton outlet.

Baked Chicken Leg with Tomato Basil Sauce and Purple Potato Mash Recipe

Recently, I seem to be neglecting my recipe features. That is why today, I would like to take the time to share with you something that is easy to do, and rather simple ingredients you can find from your local NTUC supermarket.

This is a dish with a touch of Italian inspired flavours, and is perfect for a weekend meal. The key is in the sauce, and the execution of the chicken.

Artisanal Frozen Yogurt at Milk and Honey - Refined Froyo Parfaits with Elegance

Frozen yogurt has been the rage since Llao Llao ruled the scene for some months now. Scenes of snaking queues were spotted in the basement of 313, but since the proliferation of other outlets, the waiting time has been considerably shortened.

Nevertheless, people just cannot seem to have enough of this. And Llao Llao is still pretty much value for money for what is on offer.

Seng Kee 119 Steamed Fish Head in Hot Sauce at Chinatown Kreta Ayer Market - Freshest Song in Town

Chinatown is known for a lot of things, and food is top among the list. For those who are in the known, the famous Kreta Ayer Food Market has some marvellous gems.

One of these culinary treasures is the open-at-night only Seng Keng 119 Steamed Fish Head. It is extremely popular for Song Fish Head.

The Carvery at Park Hotel Alexandra - A Roast Buffet to Savour!

Buffets are never my thing, until recently. Fullerton has consistently impressed me with both their regular selections as well as their guest chef stints.

But, for the most part, buffets are dull, recycled and predictable affairs of frozen seafood, sushi calamities and watered down versions of both local and western favourites.

Selamat Datang Mee Soto and Mee Rebus - Best of Class

Sumadi is a down to earth and and affable young lad, who happens to operate and run Selamat Datang Mee Soto and Mee Rebus at the food market along Adam Road.

He is also the third generation owner, having learned the ropes from his dad, and let me tell you straight up now. This is possible the finest mee soto and mee rebus you are going to find in town. Or anywhere.

Raven at Chijmes - Gastrobar That Tickles The Senses

Gastrobars with genuine good food is a bit of a rarity here. Then again, great food in general is also quite a challenge in this current climate of cost cutting and manpower shortage issues.

Raven at Chijmes aims to be the exception and for the most part, succeeds in differentiating itself from being a mere pub and grub experience.

District 10 Bar and Grill at Suntec City - Great Steaks

Everyone loves a good steak. Well, almost everyone. Thing is, beef is not cheap in Singapore, and there are some pretty overrated steak houses in town.

I always like to cook my own steak at home, and it's easier to control how my beef comes out. Still, for a lot of other folks, it is not easy to come by a good steakhouse when you want to dine outside.

The Halia at Singapore Botanic Gardens - An Exemplary Dining Affair

Beautiful surroundings will accompany you when you dine at The Halia at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. And the open air, alfresco area is surprisingly cooling and comfortable.

Greenery makes for such an amazing dining experience, and in and among the flowers and leaves, the Halia manages to serve up an intoxicating gastronomic time for all who come here.

Zafferano - Finally a Risotto That Hits The High Marks

Risotto has been a bane of many restaurants and cafes in Singapore, and this is largely due to the fact that most risottos served here are pre-cooked and end up being mushy and broken riced on the plate.

I have always longed for a simple plate of risotto cooked to perfection with the right technique and cooked all the way through from start to end. I have found just that establishment.