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. Wine Universe Singapore

Wine Universe is a restaurant and bar designed with a rustic charm and quality details, furnished in a modern style with the use of dark accents and simple lines to create an inviting interior.

The Crispy Tempura Seabass ($16++) was very addictive with the crispy skin and tender meat in it. The accompanying tartare sauce was a perfect complement. Dipping the seabass into this creamy and zesty sauce enhanced the overall taste.

I had Matterhorn Rösti ($24++) topped with cooked ham and fried egg. The egg was perfectly cooked with a bright yellow center that oozed out in a creamy goodness when gently poked, adding richness to the combination. What made this Rösti particularly special was the inclusion of raclette cheese. The combination was quite unique, but I must admit that it did become a bit heavy on the cheese after I had enjoyed about half of it.

#01-109 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd, Singapore 039596

Operating hours: 12pm to 12am from Mon to Fri, 5pm to 11pm on Sat

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

We went up to level 5 to see the rooftop. From this angle, the gorgeous hill behind the hotel can be seen. Everywhere we went in Phuket, the hills had become a recurring sight like the city was surrounded by hills.

I felt like I was in a tropical paradise with a mix of greenery, sandy shores and blue sea in sight. The hotel nestled in the heart of Patong was a good place to stay in.

Hern Coffee and Bistro is an open-air and cosy place, decorated in a Modern-Asian style. Food spotting places are within arm's reach from the resort so we did not need to venture far to look for breakfast.

Egg Benedict and Nutella Latte for breakfast. The egg benedict had a balanced taste with savoury bacons and earthy mushrooms. The portion was huge for my morning appetite and I could not finish the potato. 

The nutella latte was something unusual as this was my first time seeing it on menu so I had to try it out. The latte had a smooth, creamy texture and lingering aroma of Nutella which I quite enjoyed.

After an hour, the rain had subsided. Patong is like a food street, offering an array of food variety to explore. It was a pity that I always felt full after a meal and left no capacity for dessert or light meal in between.

Hern Coffee and Bistro

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

Operating hours: 9am to 11pm daily

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.

I was elated when we got a window seat and the breathtaking view of the beach unveiled before us. Though majority of the view were blocked by trees, we can still see a partial glimpse of the sandy beach and sea. The discovery of this cafe compensated for the rainy weather.

Roxane is a three storey cafe and we were seated on second storey. While the street outside was buzzing, the cafe offered a serene escape with a laid back vibe. A perfect spot for unwinding, enjoying a meal and observing the surroundings.

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.

We were ready to head up to our room. The bellboy took our luggage and showed us to our room, he also shared with us the various amenities available within the room. Such personalized service was a delightful surprise, which I only experienced in Phuket, never in other countries.

The bathroom was spacious with with rain shower on one end, bathtub on the other end and toilet bowl in the middle.

Our room was at level 2. There is corridor view, garden view, pool view and beach front view types of room, we decided to go for the outdoor balcony overlooking swimming pool which is their most popular room type. While I was at the balcony, I spotted at least 5 guests who were at the balcony at the same time too.

The balcony was not entirely private, you can look into your neighbour's balcony and other guests' balcony too, a good spot to do people watching.

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.

I had Fried Rice with Fried Chicken at 210 THB (or S$8.54) before taxes. The spiced fried rice was fragrant, complemented by the crunchy texture of the batter chicken fillet and juicy interior.

Spice House

Rat Uthit Song Roi Pi Rd, Pa Tong, Kathu District, Phuket 83150, Thailand

Operating hours: 11am to 10pm daily

We have a pleasant one hour lunch and energy replenished to continue shopping. I bought some items from Watson and one of it was the Tiger Balm plaster, as I was having a backache from the constant walking these two days.

It was still raining outside, how I wish I could cross over and continue shopping from the long stretch of stores. Patong is also surrounded by lush greenery of the hilltop, forming a beautiful backdrop.

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.

Since it was only 4pm and we had ample time, we decided to visit Aquaria Phuket located at B1 floor. The ticket price was quite steep though, it was not in our initial itinerary as we did not have plan to visit this shopping mall again today.

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.