Happenings in November - The Living Café

Saturday 11/11/23

I was attracted by the concept of The Living Café located at Bukit Timah's Sixth Avenue. They specialise in whole foods, there is no cow dairy, red meat, refined sugars, preservatives or vegetable oils used. The use of high quality and organic produce to create a healthy meal.

The ambience was welcoming with hanging plants along with hanging lights to create a bright interior against the green cabinets and black wall.

The Herbed Salmon Burger ($21++) was pretty unusual. Instead of fries, it was served with sweet potato without any use of oil. The herbed salmon was on a dry side with fragile patty, it broke easily in pieces when cut.

Monday 20/11/23

Today A brought me to try out The Hainan Story at Chinatown Point.

I had Curry Chicken Drumstick Rice ($10.80) which was served with one chicken drumstick, one fried egg and cabbage. What I like was a generous amount of curry gravy drizzled on the plate, every mouth was filled with the savoury flavour of the curry.

Places to Dine near Promenade

Nestled within the vibrant heart of Singapore, Promenade station is surrounded by office buildings,  myriad of shopping malls and tourist attractions. The area is further enhanced by the array of restaurants that line its surroundings. I have came up with a compilation for places to dine near Promenade.

1. Marutama Ramen & Dining

Marutama Ramen is easily recognised by their basketball look alike logo. What sets their ramen apart is the commitment to using only natural ingredients without additives, means no MSG.

I had Marutama Ramen with a seasoned boiled egg. The noodles were soaked in the delicious collagen-rich, thick chicken soup that was cooked for hours, resulting in the richness of the broth and flavourful taste.

The Yaki Goyza was deep fried to achieve the crunchy exterior and juicy interior. For extra kick, dip it into the accompanying chili sauce for a spicy note.

Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd, #02-16A Millenia Walk, Singapore 039596

Operating hours: 11.30am to 3pm daily, 5pm to 9pm from Sun to Thu, 5pm to 9.30pm on Fri and Sat

2. Elemen

Elemen is no stranger to me as this marked my third visit. Renowned for its meatless recipes and commitment to natural ingredients, Elemen consistently captivates us with its innovative dining experience.

We had 5 course set at $28.80++, I skipped introducing the dish that I posted before. For the main course, I tried something different, Golden Pao Fan. The dish did not taste like porridge even though the rice was simmered long in a flavourful broth. The addition of crispy rice bits created a contrast in texture.

Ended off with Toffee Chocolate Cake with Gelato. I like that despite being set course, their dessert is served in a decent portion The sponge cake was fluffy and light and the vanilla gelato added a sweet aroma to the cake.

9 Raffles Blvd #01-75/75A/76 Millenia Walk, 039596

Operating hours: 11.30am to 3.30pm and 5.30pm to 9.30pm daily

3. Benihana Singapore

Benihana is known for its exquisite Japanese cuisine and teppanyaki cooking, showcasing Japanese-inspired dishes, all expertly crafted and served with flair on a sizzling teppan grill. 

I had Chicken Teppanyaki ($20++) from executive lunch set which came with a tray of goodness consisting of rice, salad, miso soup, boneless chicken thigh teppanyaki and chanwanmushi. The rice was fluffy and the teppanyaki carried a distinctive smoky fragrance that elevated the dining experience.

9 Raffles Blvd, #01-41/42/42A/43 Millenia Walk, Singapore 039596

Operating hours: 11.30am to 3pm and 6pm to 10pm from Mon to Fri, 11.30am to 10pm on Sat and Sun

***

Phuket (Thailand) Day 4: Hern Coffee and Bistro + Checking Out Baan Laimai Beach Resort

 I woke up at 6.50am feeling tired with only 2 to 3 hours of sleep. It was really so hard to fall asleep during this trip. Knowing that I was heading home today was a source of relief, I was exhausted and appreciate having a good sleep at home. Glad I took another day leave to rest at home too.

It was 7am and I was greeted by the blue sky, the persistent rain had finally stopped for now. I went back to bed to snooze awhile before getting up to prepare for the day.

Since the time was still early after preparation, we spent some time chilling at the balcony and absorbing the essence of the rhythm here. With only two full days here, it was enough to cover the sights and places on my agenda despite the rain. Being away from the city and observing the lifestyle here, it allowed me to take away lots of thoughts for reflection.

Phuket (Thailand) Day 3: Patong Beach + Roxane Cafe + OGGI Nanai Restaurant

One of the best parts about staying at Baan Laimai Beach Resort was the mere 5 minutes walk to Patong Beach, a vibrant spot in Phuket, booming with an array of great restaurants, bars, cafes and famous beach.

No trip to Phuket will be complete without heading to Patong Beach. 

Even though it was raining, there were still people enjoying the beach. It would have been more crowded if not of the rain. The wet sand beneath our feet made us dragged to walk further down to the shore. I was carrying an umbrella while standing here.

Patong Beach stretched over a lengthy distance, offering a large sandy paradise. The presence of coconut trees and umbrella seating provided shade and shelter for the visitors. Despite the rain, the ambience remained inviting.

After checking out the beach, time to hit the walking street next. Patong was a charming town with convenient location with everything within walking distance. The street was lined with many restaurants and eateries.

With the street being narrow and crowded, it was a little difficult to walk and look around with umbrella as it was jam up the pathway. It was around 5pm and with the rain continued, we decided to find a place for drink and eventually settled at  Roxane Cafe & Restaurant.

Phuket (Thailand) Day 3: Baan Laimai Beach Resort & Spa

We returned back to Baan Laimai Beach Resort & Spa at 3.20pm for check in. I picked this hotel for its prime location, just a street away from Patong Beach. It was nestled in a vibrant area with many shops and food spots lining up the bustling street, an ideal spot to stay in for first timer with everything within walking distance.

Baan Laimai Beach Resort & Spa is a 4 star hotel spanning over 6 floors with 225 rooms available. The beach resort has a laid back atmosphere which immediately put me in a relax mode.

Baan Laimai Beach Resort & Spa

66 Thawewong Rd, Pa Tong, Kathu District, Phuket 83150, Thailand

The hotel lobby offered plenty of gathering area with lounges and chairs for guests to hang around, soaking up in an open environment if they did not want to stay in their room the entire day.

The beach resort was filled with a vibrating energy and the ambience that added a touch of relaxation to the last leg of our trip.

The resort is big with beautiful landscape, featuring a large outdoor pool with inviting sun loungers placed in the middle of the walking path.

Phuket (Thailand) Day 3: Checking Out of Novotel + Jungceylon Shopping Centre + Spice House

It was another night with 3 to 4 hours of limited sleep with me waking up at 3am and 6.50am. Despite feeling tired, I just couldn't sleep peacefully. But at least, I woke up slightly later today.

We returned to Amor Restaurant for the buffet breakfast located in the hotel lobby at 8.40am. However, the charges were different today. It was at 400 THB (or S$16.26) per pax.

I liked that the stations served different selections of food with some items repeated daily to ensure a diverse dining experience. The food were freshly replenished from the kitchen.

I did not managed to get scrambled egg yesterday so I ordered one today. The scrambled egg was mixed with tomatoes and mushrooms, adding an extra later of satisfaction. We spent an hour indulging in the breakfast.

After the breakfast, we went to level 3 to check out their swimming pool area. It was covered by a roof shelter to shade the guests from rain or shine while swimming.

As we stood there, we felt droplets of water drizzling down. With plans for another day outdoors, we hoped it was just a passing rain shower. We then made our way to the room to pack up for check out.

We braced the rain and crossed over to Central Patong, which akin to a department store like Robinson, offered limited shopping options. The continuous walking made us feel exhausted, prompting us to return to the hotel for check in and rest.

Phuket (Thailand) Day 2: Phuket Old Town + Aquaria Phuket

Just 6 minutes walk from the restaurant, we stumbled upon Phuket Old Town filled with plenty of beautiful streets with French style shophouses. The vibrant area with many shops and cafes, inviting us to lose ourselves in its surroundings. It was about 3pm and we began our discovery of the Old Town.

We passed by Ancient buildings in Sino-European style, a picturesque town showcasing unique architectural style, bringing a cultural sight and charming spot to visit. Old Town has a bit of everything for us to see.

Phuket Old Town is home to diverse shops, vibrant architecture and amazing food scene. I stopped by one of the snack shops to get a packet of coconut candy and big roll seaweed at 148 THB (or S$6.02).

It was in our plan to visit Phuket Thai Hua Museum. However, upon reaching the entrance, we noticed the gloomy sky. Worried about being caught in the rain without shelter on the road, we decided to forgo the visit and continue walking along the street.

The pink and white architecture created a warm and lovely feeling, reminiscent of a princess house. Just 7 minutes after the time we passed by the museum, it started raining. In total, we only spent half an hour at the Old Town. Judging from the rain, we knew it will not stopped any time soon, we decided to take a Grab ride to Central Phuket Floresta to spend the rest of our day in indoor.

Phuket (Thailand) Day 2: Amor Restaurant

It was a sleepless night where I just closed my eyes to rest and accumulating a 2 to 3 hours of sleep. Being a light sleeper, I need a quiet environment in order to sleep. Unfortunately, any noise will disrupt my ability to sleep.

It was 6am and I was already awake. Looking out of the window, the sun was just about to rise and the street was quiet. This marked the beginning of a new day in Phuket.

By 6.30am, the sky has brightened up. When I had nothing to do, I can be seen at the balcony, gazing at the spectacular view, absorbing the morning glory of the town.

Our stay did not include breakfast as I initially assumed there would be nearby options. However, after exploring around yesterday, we did not discovered suitable breakfast spots nearby. Hence, we went down to Amor Restaurant in the lobby for the morning buffet at 8.30am. We got a deal at 400 THB (or S$16.26) for 2 pax.

The breakfast buffet served from 6.30am to 10am daily. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of international, local foods, snacks and beverages. The morning buffet included cooked dishes, egg station, bread and pastries and fruits station.

My preference leaned towards bread and pastry and these were what I had for breakfast. I initially wanted scrambled egg but there was a queue at the egg station, prompted me to take the ready fried egg instead. The selection was just nice for my morning appetite. We just took our time to enjoy the one hour breakfast.

We went back to our room for half an hour rest before venturing out. Glad that we had a sunny morning because I had planned a day at the outdoor.

Phuket (Thailand) Day 1: Novotel Phuket City Phokeethra + Thai Brasserie by Blue Elephant

 

I arrived at Changi Airport Terminal 2 at 11.40am for our flight at 1.10pm. As meal will be provided on plane, we did not grab any food at the airport and went straight to the boarding gate. I took Singapore Airlines this time round and was pleased that there was no delay in boarding. I was already at my seat at 1pm.

The flying time to Phuket was about 1 hour 35 minutes, excluding the aircraft taxiing. I got a window seat where I can stare out from the airplane window, looking out at the astonishing view as we ascended higher into the sky.

We were soaring higher, with the landscape beneath us still visible and at the same level as the clouds. 

This plane was on a smaller scale with only 6 seats in a row (3 by 3), it was formally a SilkAir airplane with narrow seating and no in-flight entertainment. The only difference was the free check in of baggage and complimentary meal service. Since this was just a less than 2 hours flight, it was fine for me.

I was served with the meal after 40 minutes of flying. I had Creamy Chicken Penne served with a bread, Magnum Mini Classic, a bottle of mineral water and apple juice. The timing was just nice, the cabin crews started clearing the tray once I finished the food.

I can never get tired of the window view, it was so magical to be on the top with fluffy clouds beneath us.

I did not exchange additional currency as I still have Thai Baht left, my previous exchange rate was S$1: 24.60 baht.

We touched down at Phuket International Airport at 2pm local time in Phuket, an one hour behind Singapore. Clearing the custom was swift which took left than half an hour, but we spent quite an amount of time locating the Grab pick-up point as we don't want to go their cab. 

We returned to our room to ready ourselves for a trip to Central Phuket Floresta, the largest shopping mall in Phuket. We went out at 5.30pm and took a Grab ride which was 14 minutes drive from our hotel at 285 THB (or S$11.59). To our surprise, the Grab car that arrived was a spacious van, resembling a mini-bus and in different car plate number from the app.

Central Phuket Floresta housed many luxury and renowned fashion brands that we are all familiar with. There was not much sales so the items were not exactly cheap, so I did not spend in clothing purchase.

It was nearly 6.15pm and time for dinner, we walked around level 3 where many of the restaurants were located. We eventually settled for Thai Brasserie by Blue Elephant, wanted to try out the authentic flavours of local cuisine.

The interior of the restaurant looked modern and inviting with a blend of yellow and blue elements - yellow chairs against vibrant blue walls. The price of their creative Thai cuisine may be slightly higher than the other Thai restaurants as they used fresh and premium quality Thai products.

The 3 pieces Prawn Cakes was priced at 380 THB (or S$15.45) before service charge and tax. Though it was expensive, the quality was good and the portion was generous as they used tiger prawn. It was deep fried with bread crumbs to achieve the crispy perfection. It was juicy tenderness on the inside and crunchy on the outside. It remained crispy even after some time.

I had Phad Thai Vegetarian at 280 THB (or S$11.38) before service charge and tax. The stir fried rice noodle was loaded with many ingredients like baby corn, carrot, broccoli and beansprout to create  an injection of flavours. The portion was too huge for me and I couldn't finish the generous serving.

Phuket is a food paradise, one of the highlight of our vacation was to indulge in delicious food. 

Thai Brasserie by Blue Elephant

Central Phuket Floresta, 3rd floor, No. 304, 199, Tambol Vichit, Amphur, 83, Chang Wat, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Operating hours: 11am to 8.30pm daily

Time to burn off the calories with more shopping with plenty of shops surrounding us. We crossed over to Central Phuket Festival to check out the other connecting shopping mall. I gotten some beauty products from Watson and Miniso for my friends as souvenir, and snacks from Tops Supermarket for my family. I tend to buy more for others than myself whenever I travel.

I got a pack of Lotte Koala Mango from Tops Supermarket at 100 THB (or S$4.07) for home consumption.

It was 9.10pm and we finished walking around the two malls. The wet floor outside hinted a rain during our time in the mall. We took Grab ride back to hotel at 324 THB (or S$13.17).

We were back in hotel, here's the night view from our balcony. This marked the end of my day 1 in Phuket, a day filled with long car ride, food delight and shopping.

Aura Blender Review: Aura Portable Blender and Aura Insulated Sleeve

 We all know that having a blender at home is a great help, simplifying the process of preparing delicious smoothies, juices, sauces, and more. But having a portable blender offers an added dimension of convenience, allowing us to blend our favourite ingredients on the go, whether at the office, the gym, or while traveling. It is definitely a preferred option in our fast-paced lifestyles, ensuring a nutritious boost whenever we need it.

I recently had the opportunity to review the Aura Portable Blender, paired with the Aura Insulated Sleeve.

Aura Portable Blender

Regular price: $150.00 

The Aura Portable Blender boasts a sleek and compact design with AuraXtreme Borosilicate glass, the travel-sized wonder packs a punch for power, style, and convenience all in one.

The power button has a built-in light indicator that displays the current battery level. Press the power button to check the battery level. When the Aura Blender is running low on battery during use, the red light indicator will start blinking, serving us a reminder that it's time to recharge.

Red Light: 0-20%
Blue Light: 21-80% 

White Light: 80-100%

Cleaning the Aura Blender is an easy chore, simply add water and a drop of dish soap, then click on start button to blend and clean the blender.

I was amazed by the magic of a simple blend comprising only water and a single drop of dishwashing soap. The mixture transformed into a milky solution, and within seconds, my blender was completely  clean.

 I rinsed the blender with plain water to kickstart my blended creation.

I am going to try making dragon fruit drink where I will be blending together some fresh dragon fruit cubes with water for the antioxidant intake. I'm quite lazy in consuming the fruits so blending it into a drink in a perfect solution for me.

The cutting-edge blending technology allows the dragon fruit slices to be blend into smooth and velvety texture. The Aura Nutri Extractor blades extract & preserve up to 99% of vitamins and minerals, ensuring each sip of our blends are packed nutritional goodness.

The blender is equipped with AuraVortex blend technology, capable of pulverizing ingredients at an astonished rate of 25,000 RPM, equivalent to a dizzying 417 times per second! It can even crush ice in under 10 seconds.

I loaded the blender with dried shrimps, all set to create a batch of Hae Bee Hiam. This was the end result of the blended dried shrimps, which shows in a finely shredded form. The powerful blending capabilities surprised me, effortlessly breakdown the solid ingredients into smooth texture. 

I also had mango juices where I blend mango slices with milk to create a refreshing treat.

The Aura Blender has a built-in safety feature which ensure the blades do not function unless the jar is firmly secured to the motor base. This feature not only prevents accidental mishaps but also provides a sense of security during use.

Aura portable blender also features a convenient bottle cap, which offers the flexibility of transforming the blender into a portable bottle by swapping the base for the cap. This allows us to take our blended creations with us on the go without the need to transfer them to a separate bottle. 

Aura Insulated Sleeve

Regular price: $30.00

The addition of the Aura Insulated Sleeve was a thoughtful touch, ensuring that my freshly blended beverages stayed at the perfect temperature on the go. It can fit any standard 500ml bottles.

Crafted in premium neoprene, the Aura Insulated Sleeve provides waterproof and padded protection for the Aura Portable Blender. With the AuraGrid insulating technology, it works like a personal climate control system within the sleeve, ensuring our drinks maintain their intended temperature, whether refreshing cold or soothingly warm.

Check out Aura Blender Website to find out more about Aura Portable Blender and Aura Insulated Sleeve. Delivery is free for those residing in Singapore. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity if you have intention of getting a blender.

This post is a collaboration with Aura Blender and expressed in my own opinion.