Having been recently bewitched by Tree (read our feature here)- the bar above Garden of Eden under the same guidance of Chef Tim Ross-Watson – I knew it was only a matter of time before I’d be dining at his restaurant. Already wowed by his experimental mixology methods, I was looking forward to getting to the root of his progressive ways right back where they all started – in the kitchen and on the plate. While Tree might be the fun, playful, boho sibling, Garden of Eden is the grown-up and chic first-born with it’s sleek and brooding good looks. Though some of the items on the menu may not seem that out of the ordinary at first glance, it’s the preparation, culinary methods and attention to detail which change the ball game here. Take for example the Waldorf Salad ($26). What sets this apart from your usual waldorf...
Read more »
Incredible dancing skills? Check. A good dose of humour? Check. An all male cast ballet troupe? Say whhhhhhhat? This can only add up to one thing, and that thing is Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, otherwise affectionately known as the Trocks. Yes it’s been 10 long years since New York’s sensational all male comic ballet company graced our sunny isle but now, they are pirouetting their way back to Singapore and performing in all their glory at the Esplanade from 1st – 5th May. Anything that combines dance and comedy – both things that make many people very happy including yours truly – in equal measures, can only be a good thing in my books. Quite incredibly, the Trocks have managed to strike a happy balance of irresistible humour, dance precision and concern for the choreography. Believe you me this is no mean feat, and one that has won them...
Read more »
One of the things that’s really hard to find in Singapore is good tapas. My best friend lives in Spain and so I’ve had more than my fair share of great tapas and so it’s an area of cuisine that I feel has much room for improvement here in Singapore. But slowly, the tapas trend is picking up. Last year with the opening of Sabio and La Cicala, and this year with Esquina and Salt. For some people, great tapas should be a recreation of the tapas they have had in Spain (or perhaps what they think they should have in Spain). But there is plenty of bad tapas going even in Spain believe you me! To be honest, I’m not so concerned with recreating tapas I’ve had in the past, but more with tapas that is well executed with fresh ingredients and most importantly, not swimming in oil....
Read more »
Having just recently returned back from the land of Thai, I was already getting withdrawal symptoms from the food there. I was in the mood for something a little bit spicy, something nice and fragrant, and so what better a solution that Bumbu which provides a happy marriage of both Thai and Indonesian and a smidge of Chinese in their menu? Actually I’m usually a little wary of places which try to offer different cuisines in such a way but I have to say, I’m glad I let my guard down on this occassion. Tucked away in a beautiful shophouse on Kandahar Street in the Arab Quarter, the interior inside – especially upstairs – is beautifully ornate and quite a lovely surprise I hadn’t bargained for. In fact, it did remind me quite a bit of True Blue. The menu is pretty extensive with lots of variety and all...
Read more »
The weekend was coming and I didn’t fancy much of what was happening or any of the usual. I yearned to do something different. But what? Then I remembered a while back I had heard about somewhere where you could get your art on, have a glass of wine, and paint to music i.e. art jam. Now don’t get me wrong, I am no closet artist by any means and so what appealed to me about My Art Space and the set up here is that you could be as good as these guys… or as novice as me… and be welcomed regardless with open arms, and with absolutely no judgement. And for a someone like me who hasn’t held a paintbrush since I was probably 13 this is great offering because they provide all materials for you: an unlimited supply of paints, brushes, a canvas and even a...
Read more »
We are fast becoming a firm fan of Skyve over at City Nomads. Not long ago we sampled their delicious brunch offerings, and of course we’ve heard on the grapevine that their standard is just as high across their rest of their all day dining concept. And so when we were invited back to try some of their cocktails, well being the cocktail addict I am, I just couldn’t refuse and so promptly accepted and dragged The City Nomad along with me. We started out on our cocktail journey with a refreshing Dark Cherry Mojito ($20) – an interesting take on the original particularly made with a sake infusion. It’s not too sweet, not too strong, with the tartness of the cherry coming through to give it an extra added kick. This was definitely the perfect way to round off a long and hectic day. We all know what happens...
Read more »
If like me you get a craving every now and then to treat your body like a temple and just cram it full of wholesome, veggie goodness, to shun temptation that lurks around every corner then get thee to LivinGreens. You may already be a devotee of all things good for you, in which case you will probably already know about this brilliant spot. Or perhaps you are still searching for it, in which case – get thee to LivinGreens. Perhaps you’re someone who is sceptical about vegetarian and vegan food, you may even be balking right at this moment at the suggestion of no meat in your meal and so to you I also say – get thee to LivinGreens. LivinGreens in one fell swoop puts paid to non-believers by dishing up a wide selection of incredibly tasty, more-ish vegetarian and vegan food that is phenomenally good for...
Read more »
This is sort of our Fat Cow part II feature – the first being Mooalicious Cocktails where we focused on the cocktail/mixology offerings over at the bar. This time though it’s all about the food. Now we know there might be many of you out there, dying to have the subliminal Fat Cow experience that you have heard people gushing about. You may be lusting over the thought of luxurious, bespoke, premium meat selected from leading farms around the world offered up in a variety of cuts and four cooking methods to suit your mood, and of serenading your palate with that irresistible Wagyu flavour. But maybe you have been thinking…I want it so much but…. “Ouch! with that price tag?”. Well there may be a way around this now as the luxury meat atelier recently rolled out it’s lunch sets, giving those sitting on the fence the chance...
Read more »
Sometimes the flurry of new restaurants opening here can seem endless. One after the next, after the next….it can feel like a bit of a culinary merry go around! That’s why there’s somethings quite pleasing about dining at an old boy. And at almost 10 years old True Blue Cuisine is somewhat of a veteran on the Singapore dining scene. It’s been in my mind to write about a Peranakan restaurant for some time now. Initially I had wanted to try Candlenut…but it turns out it closed recently, and Blue Ginger just seemed too…well…obvious. I wanted to not only feast on Peranakan cuisine, but also immerse myself in another world of Peranakan culture, and so True Blue seemed like an appropriate choice. For when you step inside, you certainly feel like you’ve been transported into another world – one that time forgot. Hidden away in a beautifully restored shophouse,...
Read more »
When the line up for Timbre Rock & Roots was announced, I couldn’t contain my excitement when I heard that funk soul superstars Earth, Wind & Fire would be headlining Day 2. So of course when City Nomads received our media passes I jumped for joy. But this was about a lot more than just Earth, Wind & Fire as we found out for ourselves when we rocked up for the final day of the Rock & Roots Festival. Held down at Marina Promenade, when we entered the festival’s alien floor of concrete things were off to a more subdued start as the crowds hadn’t yet piled in for Hugo, the Thai-Brit rock n roll emerging sensation. Oh well, all the more room for us to rock out! This is the guy whose music was termed by Jay-Z as ‘gangsta rock’ and by gosh, I’d have to agree as...
Read more »