Wikipedia defines a "foodie" as amateurs who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation, and news. I don't mind being defined as an amateur because that's what I am.
Don't get me wrong. I am far from being a connosieur. I am not even a food snob. I can eat at the nicest and the not so nice places as long as the food is good.
Some say the best chicken rice. I am inclined to agree. I used to be satisfied with Chatterbox in Meritus Mandarin but this has value for money and better rice. The sauces - the dark soya and sweet ginger is heaven. The crispy tofu is another plus. The only complaint is the absence of soup!
Some say it's over-rated but for me it's the whole combination of good food and great ambience. Each branch has a different menu. I like the lunches (sandwich and pasta are good) but love the brunch! The portabello mushroom stack is a must. Desserts are good too. My first time to actually like a lemon dessert. The cocktails are great. I love the Harding branch the best because of the glass house effect but the Palais Renaissance is good too for drinks.
4. No Signboard at Esplanade
This boutique hotel is known for its quirky interiors. The lobby looks undone with bare walls and each room is designed differently. This restaurant has holes on the ceiling which leads to the hotel pool (meaning you can "see" swimmers as they swim past the holes). Even without the quirky designs, the food is great - modern Chinese. The duck and lamb were really good.
The ambience itself is breath-taking. An old colonial house dressed up with tables plus a nice outdoor seating. Drinks are great and the dessert to-die-for (black and white pudding which is really the best chocolate lava I've had).
I wonder why brunch is not as big in Manila? But here weekend brunches consist of champagne brunch buffets in hotels (getting hammered at lunch after a night of probable drinking already) and restaurants with special menus that they serve only at that time. And brunch doesn't necessarily mean between breakfast and lunch but even way beyond as it lasts all the way til after lunch even. Breakfast food during lunch? Genius! (especially for me who doesn't eat before 12 noon). The brunch here is more comfort simple food but with a twist. The green eggs (scrambled eggs with pesto) and french toast are a must.
11. Waraku at Heeren / Tonkichi at Takashimaya
What I love about Japanese resto's here is that they have these amazing bento boxes with various combinations and unique assortments. Tonkichi is good for its non-greasy tonkatsu and Waraku for the numerous choices . Simple and uncomplicated. I also like Bon Gout for Japanese curry.
Of course, I still have so many resto's to cross off my list as compiled from Luxe Guide, Time Out and other magazines. Obviously I won't get to try all and I don't think my wallet can take it!
*acknowledgement: some pics courtesy of my sister
I love the urban life -- trying the best restaurants, going to the hippest bars, and scouring the city for the newest openings.
When I travel, aside from researching on the tourist spots, I always look for the top restaurants as well. Mind you, not the most expensive, but the places that top a local's list. Sometimes, we plan our entire day around these restaurants!
I pride myself in recommending good places and being in the know of good places. I do love old favorites too but I cannot fathom how some people can eat at the same restaurant for weekends striaght in a row (yes there are some families like that).
I pride myself in recommending good places and being in the know of good places. I do love old favorites too but I cannot fathom how some people can eat at the same restaurant for weekends striaght in a row (yes there are some families like that).
I scour magazines (Time Out here) and websites to see the newest places or read the reviews. Sometimes I haven't even been to the places but because of incessant readings I can sound like I do.
Don't get me wrong. I am far from being a connosieur. I am not even a food snob. I can eat at the nicest and the not so nice places as long as the food is good.
That's one of the reasons I love it here. There are endless options for restaurants! Becuase of the international community, various cuisines thrive. The ambience are also usually a plus. There's simply not enough days to try the recommended restaurants. Believe me, my sisters and I tried. We even parked some restaurants as "snacks" to maximize the days and stretch out the 3 meals a day.
Singapore has marketed itself as a food country because of the hawker centers and unique dishes. Honestly, I believe it is just partly marketing. Each country has a unique good local dish. But I think it boils down to the endless high-low choices crammed into this small city!
Some of my best picks:
1. Boon Tong Kee at River Valley
Some say the best chicken rice. I am inclined to agree. I used to be satisfied with Chatterbox in Meritus Mandarin but this has value for money and better rice. The sauces - the dark soya and sweet ginger is heaven. The crispy tofu is another plus. The only complaint is the absence of soup!
2. P.S. Cafe at Harding
Some say it's over-rated but for me it's the whole combination of good food and great ambience. Each branch has a different menu. I like the lunches (sandwich and pasta are good) but love the brunch! The portabello mushroom stack is a must. Desserts are good too. My first time to actually like a lemon dessert. The cocktails are great. I love the Harding branch the best because of the glass house effect but the Palais Renaissance is good too for drinks.3. Brussels Sprouts at Robertson Quay
I love shellfish - oysters, clams, mussles. This belgian resto offers mussels and refillable fries! Plus the beer list is the longest I've seen.
4. No Signboard at Esplanade
Of course crabs are on everyone's must-eat in Singapore list. I wonder why as I come from an island country too. In any case, the spicy crabs here - chili crab dipped in mantou fried bread or white pepper cranb paired with cold beer and lots of rice is a must visit for any tourists.
Other options would be Jumbo and Red House for chili crab ; Long Beach for black pepper crab.
5. Marmalade Pantry at Palais Renaissance
People have raved about the cupcakes here -- I like the banana peanut butter (Elvis), am a super sucker for this combo. The food is superb too! The crab ceasar is really good as well as the sandwiches (foie gras burger). The chicken pot pie is so-so. My friend and I visited on a Thursday night and lo and behold, 20% off because it was Ladies' Night. But only applicable if you're with your girlfriends - i.e. no boys allowed.
6. Majestic Restaurant at Bukit Pasoh
This boutique hotel is known for its quirky interiors. The lobby looks undone with bare walls and each room is designed differently. This restaurant has holes on the ceiling which leads to the hotel pool (meaning you can "see" swimmers as they swim past the holes). Even without the quirky designs, the food is great - modern Chinese. The duck and lamb were really good.7. Din Tai Fung at Paragon
Dumpling heaven. Love the famous xiao long pao (until now, no one else comes close to the soft skin and flavorful soup). Other favorites are the fried rice with porkchop and warm taro buns.
8. Graze at Rochester Park
The ambience itself is breath-taking. An old colonial house dressed up with tables plus a nice outdoor seating. Drinks are great and the dessert to-die-for (black and white pudding which is really the best chocolate lava I've had).9. Da Paolo at Rochester Park
I have yet to try the Pizza Bar branch which Time Out claims has the best pizzas. But the Rochester Park branch is not bad itself. The white pizza and pasta are the best Italian I've had here so far.
10. Epicurious at Robertson Quay
I wonder why brunch is not as big in Manila? But here weekend brunches consist of champagne brunch buffets in hotels (getting hammered at lunch after a night of probable drinking already) and restaurants with special menus that they serve only at that time. And brunch doesn't necessarily mean between breakfast and lunch but even way beyond as it lasts all the way til after lunch even. Breakfast food during lunch? Genius! (especially for me who doesn't eat before 12 noon). The brunch here is more comfort simple food but with a twist. The green eggs (scrambled eggs with pesto) and french toast are a must.11. Waraku at Heeren / Tonkichi at Takashimaya
What I love about Japanese resto's here is that they have these amazing bento boxes with various combinations and unique assortments. Tonkichi is good for its non-greasy tonkatsu and Waraku for the numerous choices . Simple and uncomplicated. I also like Bon Gout for Japanese curry.12. Flutes at Fort Canning
Pretty resto in a colonial house by Fort Canning Park. Described as resto with Australian cuisine (what is Aussie food??). Love the salad and duck. Go for lunch which has cheaper set menus.
13. Hawker
Of course, what's a Singapore foodie list without a mention of Hawker Centers? I am not picky at all with my hawker places. It's more of the food that I look for which is char kway teow (noodles with cockles and grease), carrot cake (sweet radish cake), fishball soup, laksa, and hong kong style char siew/ roast duck rice/ noodles.
Some of the hawker places I like include Zion Road, Esplanade (great outdoor feel and view), Food Street at Chinatown, and Lau Pa Sat.
I find the food courts also provide good food. Especially like the one at Taka basement and Food republic at Wisma Atria / Vivo City/ Suntec. Clean and with a good assortment.
Of course, I still have so many resto's to cross off my list as compiled from Luxe Guide, Time Out and other magazines. Obviously I won't get to try all and I don't think my wallet can take it!
Jeez, no wonder I really gained pounds here. My mentality is I'll only be here temporarily so just eat and be merry!
*acknowledgement: some pics courtesy of my sister
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