Places to Dine near City Hall

 Singapore has so much to offer when it comes to dining selection, from eateries, to cafes, restaurants and bistro bars, the selection is endless. With the restrictions finally easing with more dining pax, it's time to reunite with long-lost friends or had a big group family gathering, and support local businesses. I have compiled a list of dining places that I have tried near City Hall for your reference.

1. Cafe Kuriko (Closed)

Cafe Kuriko is a Japanese cafe in Funan Mall specializes in sweet potato mont blanc dessert. I was attracted by their dessert and decided to pay a visit.

One of the popular dessert choice was Purple Sweet Potato Mont Blanc Parfait which made up of purple strings of sweet potato puree, mont blanc, jelly, mochi, rice puffs, cake and vanilla ice cream. Immense in the sweet potato flavour taste with just one bite, followed by the sweet vanilla ice cream. The mochi was very chewy and soft in texture.

107 North Bridge Rd, #01-11 Funan Mall

Operating hours: 11am to 9pm daily

2. Rolling Rice

Rolling Rice is a Korean restaurant known for their gimbap. The restaurant does not collect service charge, so we have to place our order at the counter and collect our food when ready.

I had Soft Tofu Stew with rice and Traditional Gimbap. I was surprised by the size of tofu stew because the portion was quite small. Despite the size, the tofu stew was a savoury one with fair amount of spice and flavours in it. There was an egg added to enrich the soup together with clam, tofu and minced pork. 

For the Traditional Gimbap, I chose Fried Chicken as the meat for the gimbap. Filled with many ingredients, the gimbap was full of flavours. A must order dish for me whenever I come here.

6 Raffles Blvd, #02-105A Marina Square, Singapore 039594

Operating hours: 11.30am to 8.30pm from Sun to Thu, 11.30am to 9pm on Fri and Sat

3. Kei Kaisendon

Kei Kaisendon is a Japanese restaurant that serves delicious rice bowls topped with fresh ingredients from the seas of Japan! The restaurant was small but a comfortable one with their wooden furniture. We opt for the set which came with miso soup, salad and ice green tea. The dressing has enhanced the taste of the salad, making it a great appetizer.

The Salmon Mentaiyaki Don was one of the best don that I had. The salmon was lightly torched till perfection with a nice char texture between buttery and soft, it was extremely flavourful with the mentaiko sauce coated. Burst the egg yolk for a richer taste to the rice.

Last but not least was gyoza, dip it with the special chili sauce for an appetizing bite. It was a delicious mid day lunch.

6 Raffles Blvd, Marina Square #02-226A B, Singapore 039594

Operating hours: 11am to 10pm daily

4. Treasures Yi Dian Xin

Treasures Yi Dian Xin is a new casual dining concept serving classic Chinese cuisine in a contemporary setting that appeal to the younger crowds. 

The black custard bun was filled with salted egg yolk molten lava, provided a sweet and savoury rush when the custard filling burst out.

I love the crispy golden brown exterior of  the Deep Fried Yam Puff, on the inside was punctuated with the soft texture yam and mushroom. This dish was a filling one and did not result in greasy after taste.

Next was Deep Fried Prawn Dumpling with Mayonnaise Dip ($7.80++). This was one of my all time favourite, there was a nice contrast between the crunchy skin and soft fresh prawn.

Last but not least was Steamed Rice Roll with Dough Fritter ($8.30++). It was amazed how the silky and thin rice rolls can withhold the weight of the dough fritters. It was so addictive to consume even without dipping in the sauce. This was the opposite of the others where the exterior was smooth and interior was crispy.

Raffles City Shopping Centre, #B1-37, 252 North Bridge Rd, 179103

Operating hours: 11am to 10pm from Mon to Fri, 10.30am to 10pm on Sat and Sun

**

Happenings in December - Shandi Global Plant-Based Chicken Products + RAVIEL Serum + Poulet

Thursday 8/12/22

Shandi Global (Shandi) has launched the opening of plant-based chicken manufacturing facility in Singapore which produce plant-based chicken products in various formats such as patties, pieces, shreds, strips, and drumsticks.

With the reality of a global food shortage as the world population continues to increase, Shandi seeks alternatives for a sustainable food source for the world.

I received a sampling set from Shandi comprising of plant based chicken sandwich and plant based chicken crispy nuggets for review.

Shandi’s plant-based chicken has a protein content of close to 30%, on par with the protein content of actual chicken meat. making it a healthier more sustainable option without sacrificing the benefit of protein for those switching to a meatless diet.

There are 8 pieces of plant based chicken crispy nuggets in a packet. The chicken nugget was well seasoned with mild spices and the exterior tasted really like popcorn chicken while the inner resembled chewy mushroom texture.

The plant based chicken sandwich was made up of bread wrapped with plant based chicken slices, onion, tomato, lettuce and sauce. The resemblance of chicken sandwich is lower as compared to chicken nuggets, I think the spice and batter really make a lot of difference. Nevertheless, it was still tasty.

With Shandi’s plant-based chicken so similar to meat, it encourages consumer to switch to a plant-based diet while consuming the same food we love without compromising taste and nutrition.

For more information, please visit https://www.shandiglobal.com/

Saturday 10/12/22

Ended off with S'mores Ice Cream, it was my first time trying out this flavour. I can't really describe the taste but the fragrance was delectable and sweet.

Sunday 18/12/22

RAVIEL Multi Vitamin Dark Spot & Blemish Care Serum is a serum that tackle various skincare issues: dark spot and blemish correcting, evening skin tone, hydrating, brightening and wrinkle repair.

The alcohol free and unscented serum has a watery gel-like texture, which is non sticky, lightweight and absorbed fast into the skin. A non-irritating serum suitable for all skin types as it is made with 100% safe ingredients (EWG green ingredients). 

The serum hydrated my skin by locking in the moisture and smoothing the skin with diminished red spots. It gave my skin a radiant glow after the application and a dose of moisture, leaving my skin feeling soft and prep my skin for better absorption on the next step of skincare regime. It is an important skincare step in our regime that we should not miss.

Wednesday 28/12/22

Met up with GF for Christmas gathering and she introduced me to this place, Downstairs (楼下) at Suntec City basement level. The eatery has simple interior and they incorporated some retro furnishings that brings good memories with a smile such as the chess table, letterbox, hopscotch that we can find downstairs in the older days.

I had Curry Pork Cutlet Rice and Lime Juice ($8.70) which was simple and delicious. The curry sauce added richness to the ingredients and I savoured everything clean.

Friday 30/12/22

We have come to the last working day of 2022 and I bid farewell to 2022 by having a feast. We headed to Poulet @ Vivo City for lunch because they are having 3 course set lunch at $27++.

I was surprised by the generous portion of their starter because usually set meal comes in a petite portion. The Truffle Fries were served in a standard size of tray. The truffle seasoning added aroma to the lightly salted fries.

I had Chicken Aglio Olio which was infused with a touch of spice to the pasta, it contained cube chunk of chicken and bacon bits. The spiciness was still manageable without reaching for drink.

Ended off the lunch with Milk Pudding which has a milky taste, the pudding was soft and smooth. It was topped with biscuit crumbles which provide a contrast in texture with crunchy bite.

Japanese Dining

Slurping the chawanmushi that was served piping hot, every mouthful was very smooth and delicate. It was full of ingredients in it too.

Places to Dine near Downtown (2022 Edition)

Downtown may seems to be an area filled with office buildings, but it is also a discovery place for food. I always found new places to dine whenever I visit the area, I can never finish trying everything. 

I have came up with a second compilation for places to dine near Downtown (2022 edition). The last sharing was a combination of places to dine in Places to Dine near Raffles Place and Downtown, so this time round, I focus on more food areas near Downtown. 

1. Starbucks

Starbucks is a Seattle-based coffeehouse chain known for its signature roasts and light bites. I stopped by Starbucks for a cup frappuccino after finish serving HRN, my last visit to Starbucks was during pre-covid time.

I had Chocolate Chip Crème Frappuccino, consisting of a creamy blend of rich mocha-flavored sauce, chocolate chips, milk and ice. The chocolate chips added a choco fragrance to the mocha. A refreshing drink to cool myself down from the hot weather.

8A Marina Boulevard #B2-38-36, Marina Bay Link Mall, Singapore 018984

Operating hours: 7am to 8pm daily

2. Peace Japanese Cuisine

Just 5 mins from Downtown MRT Station is Peace Japanese Cuisine, serving delicious Japanese meal.

I like the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant and the distance between the tables were spaced out. Being secluded at a corner in level 3, it wasn't too crowded on the day I went, a quiet environment from the other busy restaurants.

I had Aburi Salmon Mentai Don which the Flame Seared Salmon are torched to a medium rare perfection topped with Cod Fish Roe on Hokkaido Sushi Rice. It was accompanied with a bowl of miso soup. 

We also had Green Tea, a plate of deep fried Tori Karaage and ended off with Sea Salt Vanilla Ice Cream. The saltiness from sea salt was not overpowering and contrasted well with the sweet vanilla flavour.

6A Shenton Way, #03-20 OUE Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068815

Operating hours: 11.30am to 3pm and 5.30pm to 9pm from Mon to Sat

3. PAUL

PAUL is known for being artisanal French bakers, they offer a balanced wellness menu that’s brimming with fresh fruits, quinoa, vegetables and whole grains, so you can keep things nicely balanced.

Satisfied my cravings for all day breakfast with Breakfast Waffle which consists of waffle, scrambled egg, fried chicken, bacon, cherry tomato and salad. I like how they use waffle instead of bread which gave a light crunch while maintaining the fluffiness of the waffle. The fried chicken was coated with batter and drizzled with cheese sauce to bring out the richness taste. I appreciate the salad that helped to balance out the greasiness.

Not much choices for dessert available, so we picked Rhubarb Tart but it wasn't to my liking.

8A Marina Boulevard B2-07 Marina Bay Link Mall, 018984

Operating hours: 7.30am to 8pm from Mon to Fri, 8am to 3pm on Sat

4. Chen's Mapo Tofu

Chen’s Mapo Tofu is a fast-casual restaurant serving classic Szechwan favourites. The restaurant can be easily spotted from far with their bright red wallpaper. Order your food from the counter before entering the restaurant.

I had Mapo Don and topped up $5 for set meal which includes a drink of drink and side dish. 

For side dish, I opt for Szechwan Popcorn Chicken which is the number one side in Chen's Mapo.The popcorn chicken was marinated with mild spice seasonings and created a flavourful taste that made the chicken very juicy, crispy and addictive. It also added texture to contrast with the soft tofu.

The Mapo Don consists of Chen's signature mapo tofu and savoury minced meat over the rice. The rice was coated with the spicy sauce from the mapo tofu, it immediately ignite my senses with the heat. It was delightful and after finishing one third of the portion, I started feeling the burning sensation in my mouth. 

Thankfully I had the home-made Calamansi Juice for a refreshing sip, the sourness of the calamansi  helped to ease the fire from the mapo don, providing a nice balance of taste. An ideal drink to go with the meal.

The Mala Fried Gyoza was filled with chives and minced meat, the crispy exterior provided a crunchy bite. The mala sauce was then sprinkled on top of the gyoza.

6A Shenton Way, #02-29 Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068815

Operating hours: 11am to 8pm daily

5. Ichiban Boshi

Ichiban Boshi is an unique Japanese restaurant as no two Ichiban Boshi restaurants are the same, each offering their specialty menus. 

Ichiban Boshi has a soft seating and wide table, creating a cozy and relaxing ambience for a meal. They also have counter seat if you want to watch the chef prepare the food up close.

I had Genmaicha Latte ($5.90++) which has a aromatic flavour of green tea and brown rice, the amount of milk added was adequate to add some sweetness without overpowering the aroma of the tea.

I had Curry Chicken with Cheese and Tempura set ($22.90++) which came with rice, miso soup, chawanmushi and watermelon. The different variety of food made this a delightful lunch. The tempura was a classic with the crispy batter and soft interior, dipped it with the soy sauce for more robust flavour. The spicy level of the curry was moderate with the addition of cheese, the chicken slices soaked in the pot of hot curry was succulent. The watermelon helped to ease the greasiness from the meal.

I tried the seasonal dessert from Okinawa special, Sweet Potato Ice Cream ($5.50++). The distinctive taste of sweet potato was brought out well. I needed the sweetness to balance the spicy aftertaste from the main course.

8A Marina Blvd, Marina Bay Link Mall, #B2 - 14, Singapore 018984

Operating hours: 11.30am to 10pm from Mon to Fri, 12pm to 9pm on Sat and Sun

**

Jay Chou Carnival World Tour 2022

Went to Singapore National Stadium for Jay Chou Carnival World Tour 2022 starting at 8pm. Singapore is first stop of Jay Chou's world tour.

The concert began at about 8.10pm with a circus performance, it lives up to its name of carnival world tour. Carnival World Tour celebrates Mando-pop King Jay Chou’s more than 20 years of achievement in the music industry.

I did not use the complimentary light stick because I have gotten the one that was not working.

Jay Chou started off the first song with 本草纲目, an addicting fast paced rap song that was released in 2006.

用我的方式 改写一部历史 

没什么别的事 跟着我 唸几个字 

山药 当归 枸杞 GO 山药 当归 枸杞 GO 

看我抓一把中药 服下一帖骄傲

斷了的弦.

Jay Chou's concert was a visual treat, he focused a lot on the visual effect and his outfit.

The first special guest was Alan Ko 柯有伦, it has been a long time since I last heard of him.

The second special guest was Cao Yang. I first knew about him from The Secret Jay Chou's Jukebox Musical in 2018 where he was playing the role of male lead and from Sing! China 2020. He sang us the theme song of the musical, 不能說的祕密.

只讓我們相戀 這一季的秋天 

飄落後才發現 這幸福的碎片 

要我怎麼撿

The graphical illusion created a visual feast to the eyes, Jay Chou also brought his friends along to the concert who act as backend singers.

There was a mystery song request part where they will pick random fans and they will sing a portion of the songs behind the numbers chosen.

你要离开我知道很简单

你说依赖是我们的阻碍

就算放开但能不能别没收我的爱

当作我最后才明白

What is Jay Chou's concert without magic performance?

The performance was by his friend and a lucky fan won a pair cat 1 ticket for tomorrow concert.

We were seated in the middle of Cat A and I got a good view of the stage. This was my first time attending Jay Chou's concert and I enjoyed his live performance with so many familiar songs of him. I can sing along most of the songs.

The 2 hours long concert ended with a blast. It was a great night immersing myself in the music of Jay Chou. Watching live performance is totally different from listening to mp3, the excitement of attending concert has been re-ignited. 

Beauty Review: The Skinhouse EGF Collagen Ampoule + Pore Control Powder Serum + Vita Snail Cream

Collagen level in our body will gradually reduce as we age, it is essential for us to replenish the collagen level to maintain the radiance and youthful skin. 

The Skinhouse EGF Collagen Ampoule is just the product I need as my focus is on anti-aging and hydrating product. Containing high concentration of EGF and collagen, the ampoule improves skin elasticity, reduce fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots. 

I applied the collagen ampoule over my face and neck after cleansing and toning. 

The ampoule has a watery texture that sank into skin very quickly and contained a sweet scent that is not overpowering. 

After using it for 5 days, I noticed that my skin has become more hydrated as the ampoule has nourished and moisturized my skin, giving my skin a glowing radiance. My skin also felt calmer and less prone to skin irritation. 

Ensuring we have sufficient moisture in our skin is important to keep the skin texture moist and create glowing skin. 

I have started using The Skin House Pore Control Powder Serum which provides moisture, helps to control sebum and minimise the size of the pores, definitely a saviour for people with oily skin. 

The serum was fast absorbed into skin and stay weightless, providing an instant boost of hydration to my skin before moisturiser application. It soothed and leave the skin feeling refreshed. It also leaves me feeling relaxing with its light fragrance.

I tried on Vita Snail Cream which helps to brighten, firm and lift skin. It is suitable for people with normal or dehydrated skin. The reason why it is called snail cream is because it contains 100% natural snail mucine and 90% snail secretion filtrate, making the product a perfect moisturiser. It contains vitamin E&C capsules that brings out Illuminating effect to dull skin and contains collagen for anti-wrinkle care. 

I applied Vita Snail Cream after serum, it is a luxurious cream that is fast absorbed and not too heavy on skin despite the texture looked sticky. The little red capsules are the highlight of the cream, containing vitamin E&C. The red capsules will melt when spread on skin. The cream retains moisture, leaving my skin feeling firmer, hydrated and glowing with radiance.

Thanks 0.8L Singapore for sending the products over.