Wrapping Up 2014

In a moment's time, the year of 2014 will soon come to a pass, while 2015 takes the reign, yet for another brand new year. Compared to last year, 2014 was rather uneventful for myself, partially because I have my heads buried in books and work, as well as commitments in any other things. Nevertheless, this year has brought great joy, and a tinge of depressing moments - some of which I have overcame with God's glory, yet there are some that are still (hopefully) in the process of resolution.

Here are some honourable mentions of 2014!

December Scribbles

This post is gif-heavy, and when I meant it's heavy, it's really heavy. What am I talking about.

First of all,

So, the festive season has arrived, yet in a blink in an eye. While people from all walks of life are diving into shopping malls to get their last-minute Christmas shopping done and indulging in festive food, some university students  (referring to yours truly) are buried in two-meter-tall examination notes, textbooks, and what's not, and indulging in assignments, from psychopathology to the nooks and crannies of a brain. Nevertheless, December is a month that everyone is waiting for, well simply because..

Artistry @ Jalan Pinang, Singapore

Hello hungry people! Sorry for the lack of updates these few weeks as university and work are really time-consuming, and I had to set my priorities right. So, anyway Christmas is once again around the corner, and I will most probably do up a Christmasy post soon. Please look forward to it!

-

Nestled along Jalan Pinang, a quiet lane tucked away in the midst of Kampong Glam, Artistry is a cafe, which specialises in art and food. As one could have expected, the decor was cozy, with a great creativity amidst the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Artistry serves as a platform for art-lovers, featuring live bands and an art gallery with paintings which are up for sale.

Food tasting at Grand Mandarina @ New Bridge Road, Singapore

Strategically located straight outside Outram Park MRT, Grand Mandarina (previously known as Grand Mandarin) is an up-and-rising restaurant that specialises in Chinese fine dining. It incorporates traditional Cantonese cuisine alongside a fine balance of contemporary fusions, merging art and food in unison.

The interiors of the double-storey Grand Mandarina are decked with classic furniture and chandeliers, set aside walls of glossy black - pretty much one would expect from a high-end Chinese restaurant. The 160-seater restaurant also features two VIP rooms at the upper floor with minimal purchases. Perhaps, the most intriguing art-piece was the Empurau fish (also known as 忘不了), a sea-creature so elegant and prized. In fact, it is one of the most expensive freshwater fish in the world. Oh, and the reason I used the word "was", because it is for sale, with a hefty prize tag of approximately S$800/kg. Definitely not for a poor undergraduate like yours truly.

Movie Review - Interstellar

What’s beyond earth? Throughout times, humanity is always trying to explore outside this assigned space, and stepping into new boundaries. It might be fantasy, and literally an “out of the world” experience for some, but for me, the concept of space is likened to the unexplored, untouched and undisturbed deep seas, and they are surely as creepy as hell.

Image from: nerdist.com

Nomsaurus gave Interstellar

This review MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.

Directed by Christopher Nolan, better known for his Batman series, Inception (2010) and The Prestige (2006), Interstellar is a sci-fi movie flick that brings audience into extra-terrestrial lands through a team of explorers who seeks to find a new home for humanity amidst the realms of the unknown.

Movie Review - Kungfu Jungle 一个人的武林

I am a huge fan of martial arts and action movies, that's why I take up sports like taekwando and aikido, still in the high hopes that I could be the upcoming Tony Jaa or Donnie Yen. Until then, I will keep on fantasizing while  indulging in films like Kungfu Jungle.

Image from melva.sg

Nomsaurus gave Kungfu Jungle

This review MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.

At the age of 51, Donnie Yen never fails to impress, from his Fist of Fury (1995) to the glorious Ip Man (2008) days, with increasing action, speed and more exciting fighting sequences. This year, he takes on the role of Ha Houmou, a martial art instructor at the Hong Kong Police Academy, who got convicted for an accidental murder. When Fung Yu Sau (Wang Bao Qiang), a vicious killer appears in town hunting down martial art experts, Ha strikes a deal with Inspector Luk Yuen Sum (Charlie Young), offering his service to track down Fung in exchange for an earlier release.

Coffee Valley @ Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru

Like its name literally suggests, Coffee Valley is a quaint cafe located at an (v)alley off Jalan Trus, a stretch of road which inhabits old-fashioned shop-houses and eateries, such as the Faculty of Caffeine. With the aroma of freshly grounded coffee beans whiffing through the air and soft music serenading in the background, it is no wonder why this cafe never fails to attract both regulars and newcomers.

Teadot Cafe @ Westgate, Singapore [CLOSED]

With a whole lot of cafes poppin' out in the West recently, it would be a high order to catch up with this proliferation. You know what, we actually have this whole, long list of cafes to try out and strike it off the list, but it looks like we are adding more than subtracting it. Nevertheless, we got to try out Teadot cafe after deliberating for quite a while, but still decided to head on with it. 

This modern, yet dainty cafe located at Westgate attempts to reinvent the art of tea-tasting, bringing in gourmet tea drinks to people from all walks of life. Tea is the main thing there, and quite obviously, as its name suggested. It was within lunch hour, so we chose to have their lunch special - roasted chicken sandwich and tea, and a salmon rosti to go along with it.

Waffle Slayer @ Kampong Bahru, Singapore

Located in the neighborhoods of Kampong Bahru, Waffle Slayer is an expansion and spin-off from its predecessor, Strangers' Reunion. Likewise for its cozy interior, this trendy cafe is built upon the rustic industrial concept, featuring vintage furniture and an open-kitchen. This cafe specialises nothing else other than its highly acclaimed waffles of assorted flavours, ranging from sweet to savoury delights.

We were there on a weekday afternoon and were surprised to find that the cafe is more than 80% full, mostly with females - maybe they are wired for waffles? God knows. Nevertheless, we got seated in a moment of time albeit the very limited seating.

Pies & Coffee @ Rochester Mall, Singapore

Having been to Pies & Coffee a couple of times, I thought, why not do a damn review about this place already. Located at the vicinity of Rochester Mall, Pies & Coffee is a modern, stylish cafe which seats up to 80-persons, offering diners a choice of indoor and al-fresco style dining amidst the greenery and water features. Given the luxury of space, it is no wonder why it is a favourite spot for students, who sipped on their frappe while mugging for assignments and examinations. That is, including myself.

At Pies & Coffee, there are two obvious highlights - pies and coffees, which one could simply admire in full-view at their counter display. It is not easy though, as anyone would be spoilt for choices. Besides that, they do serve all-day breakfast as well, such as Smoked Salmon Stack - a glorious combination of toasted bagel, stacked with truffle mashed potatoes, velvety scrambled eggs, peas, mushroom, and finally topped with smoked salmon. This dish is completed with a side salad. Who would mind waking up to this beautiful breakfast everyday? Well, definitely not me.

Faculty of Caffeine @ Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru

Situated along Jalan Trus, Faculty of Caffeine (FOC) is the brainchild of two childhood buddies, Vinc and Edward, who are both enthusiasts of coffee and design. The exterior is difficult to be missed, with its hipster-matte-looking black-and-white signboard set upon walls of pastel blue. Given that most of the shop-houses along the stretch were unfurnished and old-fashioned, FOC sure sticks out like a sore thumb.

As expected, its interior were designed with no less thoughts. With a combination of chic and vintage, it allows a cosy space for timeless furniture, such as a vintage sewing machine and a huge mirror with Chinese characters, completed with artwork designed by the owners - a place where coffee meets art.

Movie Review - The Maze Runner

Having watched the trailers of The Maze Runner during its pre-release phases, I thought to myself, "oh boy, this is one darn movie I can't miss!" True enough, during my short getaway at Johor last weekend, I crossed this movie off my to-watch-list-of-2014.

Image from: wall.anonforge.com

Nomsaurus gave The Maze Runner

This review may contain SPOILERS.

The Maze Runner is a Sci-fi/action movie directed by Wes Ball and is based on a post-apocalyptic science fiction trilogy by James Dashner. Does anyone know who the heck is Wes Ball? Apparently, he is a rookie director who has, to date, directed less than 5 movies, but I had to admit, The Maze Runner is his golden ticket to the director's hall of fame.

Serenity Spanish Bar and Restaurant @ Vivocity, Singapore

Serenity is the first of its kind in Singapore serving authentic Spanish cuisine at the heartlands of Singapore. Up to date, Serenity has two branches locally, one located at Vivocity, and the newer branch at Ngee Ann City. Dear and I have passed by their former branch practically every single time we head to Vivocity, but hesitated because Spanish dishes might not be our cup of tea. Nevertheless, we decided to give Serenity a try as our fourth year anniversary dinner.

I have absolutely zero complaints for their ambience and services. In fact, service was polite and efficient, and I always appreciate it when either the service staff or the manager asks us for feedback (like "how is everything so far?"), which they did. We chose to dine al-fresco, set amidst the soft instrumentals and voices of the live band, with the occasional sea-breeze.

5 Brilliant Food Inventions

From cookie shots to ramen burger, these ingenious food creations are set to take any given city by storm. You see, that's the thing about food. Ingredients have no boundaries, and it's all up to the maker to bring a brand new identity to the ingredients put together, how they are prepared, garnished and then served in a certain way.

Food is not just food, it embodies a culinary form of art. And these food inventions are nonetheless, the artist's creations. Without further ado, here's my compilation of the 5 top brilliant food inventions of the 2010's.

1. CRONUTS

Named as one of the 25 best creations by TIME magazine in 2013, cronuts has taken New York by storm, sparking yet another food craze.  Personally, I haven't tried one of these gorgeous, trademarked creations by renowned pastry chef, Dominique Ansel. But hey, this does seem like a crazy-ass invention which has gotta be in everyone's must-try list. I mean.. a hybrid between croissants and dough-nuts, who would ever thought of this?

Image from: crainsnewyork.com

Blisshouse @ Clarke Quay, Singapore

Enter the whimsical world of Blisshouse, a fairytale-themed restaurant which serves Western cuisine amongst beautifully crafted gardens and fountains (and even a carriage!) that you might only discover in Disney movies. Photo opportunities are aplenty, making this place a well-desired venue for events such as solemnisation ceremonies, birthday parties and product launches, etc. In fact, the day we were there, there was some ongoing filming where there were parlour chairs and a grand piano set.

Ambience definitely scored high for Blisshouse, and service was pretty good as I would have expected. The service staff were attentive and dishes did not take long to arrive. Food-wise, there were some negative reviews from friends' experience and through my prior research, hence to be utterly honest, my expectations were not high for their offerings.

Food Tasting at Charly T’s @ 112 Katong, Singapore

We dropped by Charly T’s to check out their “Best Chicken in the City”!

The name always reminded me of a cartoon character. Well, it turned out that Charly T (not a real name) is a persona of the restaurant, who put together different experiences and interesting recipes he collected and learnt throughout his travel adventures around the globe. On the menu, you can find food orginating from different parts of the world, from Germany to Honolulu to Japan. Most of the food originated from Germany though.

We ordered the Rotisserie Chicken in original flavour.

Movie Review - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Having grown up watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) in my childhood days, it is no wonder that this movie brought back nostalgia and a tinge of sweet sentiments. Hence, when this movie was announced earlier this year, I got a little hyped up. It is like every 1990s child's favourite cartoon - now in 3D and hyper-realistic visuals. Holy mama, sweet baby Jesus. (and they even got Megan Fox on-board!).

Image from: moviefloss.com

Nomsaurus gave TMNT

This review may contain SPOILERS.

First off, I didn't expect Michael Bay to take on the role as a producer. However, it dawned to me that letting Jonathan Liebesman direct might be a good choice after all. No, I don't hate Bay, but some times his unfailing love for explosions kinda interfere with the story (take the latest Transformers for example). Liebesman, on the other hand, did it brilliantly, with the right portions of action, comedy and story plot.

Eggs & Berries 2 @ Westgate, Singapore

Having been there earlier this year for their brunch, I decided to visit Eggs & Berries once again. This time bringing a different date - well, my mother. Having a quirky and conceptualized name such as "Eggs & Berries" left little room for guessing, as most of their creations contain either the components of eggs or berries.

Eggs & Berries is well-known for their all-day American breakfast. Thus, there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't try their breakfast dishes out. For starters, go for their Italia Eggs Benedict (single, S$14.90; doppio, S$18.90) - beautifully poached eggs complemented by a combination of English muffin, parma ham, salad greens, caviar and drizzled with hollandaise sauce. You know what's better? Perfect, runny egg yolks. (On this visit, rosti was unavailable, so they have to switch the side to hash-brown instead.)

Kith Cafe @ Park Mall, Singapore

This was not our first visit to this quaint cafe. The previous one left us with much disappointment. No, not because of their service nor their food, but because we did not have a reservation early for a weekend brunch. Foolish us - better should we know that Kith Cafe is overwhelmingly crowded, even on a normal weekday afternoon.

We tried their offerings, and were pleasantly surprised. Firstly, they have an incredible breakfast and brunch menu. Secondly, this menu lasts until 5pm daily. This is good news for people who still have breakfast cravings even in the late afternoon. Dear had Salmon and Eggs (S$16.50) - a brilliant combination of multi-grain toast spread with avocado mayo, two poached eggs, smoked salmon topped with black caviar, served alongside a heap of baby spinach and spicy baked beans. 

Yup, all of these for that price - highly recommended for both quality and price.

Sushi Tei @ West Coast Plaza, Singapore

Sushi Tei has been around in Singapore since 1994, serving authentic Japanese cuisine with much affordable prices compared to many other restaurants. Why do people love it? First, there's the great value. Second, there's the quality. If you still have doubts, simply head down to any of their outlets during meal hours and see for yourself.

Their dishes never fail to impress me. A mix of innovation and creativity is probably how I would described their offerings. Take Rainbow Roll (S$13.80) for example, a classic presentation of colours in one single dish, topped with roes and drizzled with Japanese mayonnaise. Not to even mention the mouth-gasm that goes along each and every piece of sushi. Another sushi dish I highly recommend would be their Dragon Roll (S$14, S$9 for mini) - a beautiful combination of avocado slices and deep fried prawn. The thing is, I don't usually take avocado, but the complement of flavours was a true surprise for everyone on the table.

Movie Review - Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

The long-awaited sequel of the 2011 action-blockbuster - "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" has finally been released. Like an excited fan-boy, I headed down to the theatres with much expectation of what director Reeves have to offer.

Image from: dreadcentral.com

Nomsaurus gave Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

This review may contain SPOILERS.

In the predecessor movie, humanity is almost wiped-out by the Simian flu (a contagious virus modified from Alzheimer's disease), while genetically modified apes (talking monkeys included) thrive on the outskirts of San Francisco. The conclusion showed that apes and humans finally agreed to a fragile peace, with "no killing" as the essential rule between the two species. As expected, this peace is rather short-lived as they intersect once more to fight for survival.

Hamanoya @ Marina Square, Singapore

The newly-revamped "Dining Edition" wing in Marina Square features more than a dozen international offerings, including Hamanoya - a casual and affordable Japanese restaurant which specialises in robata, a slow charcoal-grilling method originating from the Northern Japan. At Hamanoya, expect a wide range of these grilled delicacies, alongside with fresh seafood and sashimi cuts that are imported from Japan itself to ensure freshness and quality.

Featuring a chic, modern design and open-concept kitchen, diners can feast their eyes while the chefs prepare and grill their skewers to perfection. As expected of any other Japanese eateries, the staff would echo signifying your arrival. In short, their value-added service is superb and holds a high level of hospitality.

Movie Review - 22 Jump Street

People do not usually expect sequels to be as good, or even, better than their predecessors, the recent  3-hour Transformers: Age of Extinction is a good example. I didn't mean that it was totally bad, but compared to other installments, it felt like a repetitive fan-service with vehicles transforming into kick-ass-looking killer-machines. Nothing else. Now, 22 Jump Street was totally unexpected. 

Image from: wjlondon.com

Nomsaurus gave 22 Jump Street

This review may contain SPOILERS.

If you have seen its predecessor, which has an inevitable name of 21 Jump Street, be prepared to get entertained once more with their non-stop laughter, adult-rated language, and on-screen bromance action by Schmidt (played by Jonah Hill) and Jenko (played by Channing Tatum).

Most Commonly Mispronounced Food Names

Imagine yourself in this position - you are in a high-class French restaurant with your romantic date, the waiter politely hands you a menu, filled with names that you know what they are, but not sure of how to pronounce them. "May I take your order, sir?" the waiter asked. "2 servings of foil grass please", you replied with much confidence while you looked at the puzzled waiter. "Uh.. Foie gras, you meant?"

Eh bro, pai seh sia.

Learn to save yourself from this kind of awkward scenario with this handy list of the top 20 commonly mispronounced food names.

Movie Review - Maleficent

I had some free time during the week and decided to catch the newest Disney flick. To be honest, I didn't expect much, especially from a male working adult cum university student's point of view, happily ever stories are so, so over-rated, and that's what Disney movies are well-known for.

Image:screencrush.com

Nomsaurus gave Maleficent

This review may contain MINIMAL SPOILERS.

Maleficent is a remake of Disney's Sleeping Beauty, but this time round, in the view of Disney's notorious ultra-villain - how and why she became the main antagonist of the 1959 classic film. Taking the role of Maleficent is none other than Angelina Jolie, whom acting skills through diverse cinematic plays (such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Salt and Wanted), have already been proved to be the cream of the crop. Not to mention, her slender body-build and foxy voice undoubtedly matches her on-screen appearance as the dark and wicked witch.

Xin Bei Tou 新北投 @ Taiwan

Known for its hot-springs, lush greeneries and rich Ketagalan culture, Beitou (北投) might just be the ideal place one might be looking for a quick getaway from the bustling city life. Attractions include the Hell Valley (Geothermal valley), Hot-springs Museum and the Ketagalan Cultural Center.

If you're interested in their hot-springs, you could find a hundred and one of them, both private and public (gender-mixed, male/female separate). Most public hot-springs' rules would require the user to put on a swimsuit, unless it is gender-separated. These tubs of goodness have a light sulfur smell, and vary in temperature and acidity, but usually hovers around 50 - 90 degrees celsius with an acidity level of ph 4.

If you're looking for a pleasant environment to relax and unwind, Sweetme Hotspring Resort offers a spacious private room with basic toiletries at an affordable price. Read my review about this resort here. 

13 MUST-TRY Street Food in Taiwan

Taiwan. The moment you hear this word, three things would inevitably popped into your mind - Shopping, food, and girls (and not regularly girls, they are 台妹). Well this post is not about shopping and girls, but well, there's always room for discussion for that. Food, probably Taiwan's national language as well, can be found in almost all nooks and crannies in the streets of this beautiful city. Well, for starters, Taiwan has more than 40 official night markets, including the famous Shilin night market (士林夜市) and Miaokou night market (廟口夜市) to the lesser known ones, like Luzhou (蘆洲夜市) and Ningxia night markets (寧夏夜市).

Well, without further ado, try this, or don't say you have been to Taiwan.

13 recommendations not enough? Read more about Taiwanese food at My Top 30 Taiwanese Eats.

1. FEN YUAN  (粉圆)

The epitome of desserts. A typical bowl of this famed ice dessert consists of grass jelly cubes, taro balls, red beans and an optional drizzle of milk. If you love Singapore's ice-kacang, I swear you would dig their rendition of shaved ice desserts.

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall 中正纪念堂 @ Taiwan

Chiang Kai Shek (CKS) Memorial Hall is one of Taipei's most popular and distinctive hallmark. Following CKS's death in 1975, the 70-metre tall memorial hall is built and opened five years later as a tribute to commemorate his great contributions to the Republic of China. The landmark has two flights of stairs with 88 steps (the age when CKS passed on) and is framed with lush gardens, and two other buildings of grandiose - National Theater and National Concert Hall.

Directions to CKS Memorial Hall

1. Take the MRT to CKS Memorial Hall, exit from Exit 5.

Such a big building is hard to be missed. Admission is free.

Arteastiq Boutique Tea Lounge @ Mandarin Gallery, Singapore

A month has passed since I last posted about bringing my girlfriend to Tablescape at Movenpick Heritage Hotel (Sentosa) for her birthday, and now this post, well, will be talking about an afternoon we had at Arteastiq on my birthday. Again, I would like to address the lack of updates again, and it's because this month has been filled with assignments and examinations, as one could expect in an undergraduate's life. Following that, I will be making a trip down to Taiwan again next week, and hopefully, could explore some new places and recommend nothing but the best to you guys!

Nevertheless. Arteastiq is located at the fourth level of Mandarin Gallery Orchard, and has a good overview of the buzzling street. Arteastiq (meaning "art of teasing") embodies the essence of luxurious living, completed with modernistic furniture and bar-lounge, offering a great city-getaway for people from all walks of life. Besides encompassing a cafe, diners could go for "art-jamming" to release their artistic juices on the canvas provided (of course, for a fee). Unlimited acrylic paint, sponge and brushes will be provided.

Tablescape @ Movenpick Heritage Hotel Sentosa, Singapore

Planning the events for your significant other's birthday is a pleasurable hassle, you had to rack your brains what to do, what gift to get, not to even forget what to eat. Luckily, a few days before her big day, I came across this particular Groupon deal which saved both my cognition and wallet. Nonetheless, the restaurant is located at Movenpick Heritage Hotel, just a stone throw away from Sentosa's Imbiah station (also known as the "Merlion station"). You'll know when you're there. Other than their humongous hotel name in the classic Times New Romans font, the hotel has a luxurious exterior which exudes a contemporary mixture of colonial-style and grandeur.

It was a hot Friday afternoon when we arrived. Like most online deals, reservation have to be made prior. Anyway, the deal we had at that point of time was S$29 for a 3-course meal, which includes a starter, a main, and a dessert. Fish and Chips was one of the two mains - a melt-in-your-mouth rendition of the classic Western dish. The texture was a tad too mushy for my liking, however the beer battered exterior was golden and nicely crisp. So I'll forgive the former.

Osaka Ohsho @ Westgate, Singapore

Boasting their fried dumpling speciality since 1969, Osaka Ohsho (which translates to "King of Gyoza in Osaka") is a destination for diners from all ways of life to savour their casual ambience and irresistible dumplings. Currently with more than 300 outlets worldwide, it has opened two right here locally at Raffles City and Westgate.

Most of their "Chipanese" (if there is a word for Japanese-Chinese fusion) dishes include, ramen, terriyaki and tempura set meals, complemented by their famous pan-fried dumplings. Do not be surprised if you found out that you are reading Mandarin off the menu, because most dishes are Chinese-inspired. As expected of the hi-tech Japanese, electronic menus are utilised to send orders to the kitchen directly, saving both manpower and time.

Hoshino Coffee @ Plaza Singapura, Singapore

Following Plaza Singapura's expansion, Hoshino Coffee has been boasting snaking long queues during meal-times, serving authentic Japanese cuisine, which includes their signature hand-dripped coffee and pancake souffles. Having recently been to Miam Miam, I would have to admit that there was an uncanny resemblance between the two, in terms of their offerings etc. I haven't had the former's main courses, so I shouldn't judge as much.

Nevertheless, if you had a chance to pass by Hoshino Coffee, I wouldn't be surprised if you got seduced by their eye-captivating artificial food display. Pancake Souffles, like I said, are one of their best-sellers - boasting a light, fluffy texture that it's sure to get any dessert-lover hooked on first bite. Prices are S$9.80 for one, and S$12.00 for the double (and, of course.. if you're in the right mind, you should get the latter for sharing). The pancake souffles are served with a dollop of cream and maple syrup. Preparation time takes 20 minutes, but as they always say.. Good things are worth the wait.

Compared to Miam Miam's rendition, Hoshino won hands-down.

MacDonald's Surprise Alarm

First of all, I would like to apologise for the lack of updates in this recent weeks as the bombardment of a never-ending assignment list, which includes essays, presentations, tutorials, and more essays. Perhaps, that was what they meant by the "university life". Nevertheless, I make it a point to check the blog's comments and requests (hopefully) on a daily basis, so, keep the comments or whatever rolling!

Secondly, recently I stumbled on this MacDonald's "Surprise Alarm" app from the Apple store, which features.. wait for it.. wait for it.. A FREEBIE (Singaporeans like this) whenever you set a daily alarm. Note that I say - daily, because Ronald MacDonald probably know how kiasu we are and has limit us to only one free gift per day. 

Nevertheless, this freebie comes in the form of treats, videos, music tracks and more. Don't ask me what's "and more", because so far, I have only gotten a free Kelly Clarkson song (which I have long ago obtained it by illegal means), kopi and hash brown (with any purchase = chey).

(above) Cool interface, huh? The skyline change in real-time every time you slide the ring.

(below) And.. This are the freebies I was mentioning:

For more information on how to get it and Terms & Conditions (which I know no one bothers to read after the first two words), visit their official page here:

https://www.mcdonalds.com.sg/surprisealarm/

Now don't say I never share good stuff hor.

Nadaman @ Shangri-la Hotel, Singapore

With a history since 1830s, the Nadaman group of restaurants has gained renowned reputation on their exceptional culinary arts, transforming the blessings of nature into food. It was a Sunday afternoon when we figured out that we really need to unwind from our busy schedules and what we needed was nothing less than to indulge in a good Japanese meal amidst the serenity. Well, it's high-time to pamper Mum also, so why not.

At Nadaman, signature dishes are meticulously crafted by their Japan-trained chef and like any other Japanese cuisine, presentation are of the highest regards. For value, have a go at their lunch set menus (S$45-75), which includes choices like tempura, wafu steak, unajyu and sashimi. For myself, the wafu steak set lunch (S$55) proved to be extremely satisfying, completed by a good combination of seasonal appetiser, steamed egg custard, salad, pickles, rice and miso soup.

Song Fa Bak Kut Teh (松发肉骨茶) @ New Bridge Road, Singapore

Think of Bak Kuh Teh and Song Fa might just appear in most people's head. This is not surprising at all, considering that their history of selling Teochew-style Bak Kut Teh was deep rooted since 1969. From a humble assistant in a Teochew stall, Mr Yeo Eng Song established the original Song Fa Bak Kut Teh at Victoria Street, and has since passed the duty to his son, Mr Yeo Hart Pong.

Today, snaking long queues never cease to disappear during meal times, while patrons from all walks of life filled the rustic halls that depict the yesteryear of Singapore. Besides their famous pork rib dishes, they offer a variety of braised treats, fish soup and other side dishes, like peanuts and vegetables that would enhance the diner's experience.

Dinosaurs: Dawn to Extinction @ Art-science Museum, Singapore

Step back in time and journey through 600 million years - to an ancient time when dinosaurs roamed the very Earth we are standing on. With hundreds of prehistoric collections, which exists in both forms of life-sized replicas and real fossils, dinosaur-lovers from all walks of life is bound to be intrigued by the many different exhibitions they have to offer. Some noteworthy fossils include one that is found in Argentina just a few months ago!

The title of the exhibition "Dawn to Extinction" pretty much gave a good summary of what you could expect - a journey through the prehistorical periods when the mighty creatures existed, namely the Precambrian, Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous. With a dino-name like Nomsaurus, it's high time to visit some of my distant relatives.

Know Your Beef

Tenderloin, rib-eye, sirloin and what's not. Do you often find yourself in a state of bewilderment whenever you glanced through a steak menu or shopping in the meat section? What and where are those parts from? How and what cooking methods could I possibly utilise to deliver a truly edible meal?

Well... Be confused no more! For I present you with this month's guide of the different cuts and parts of the cattle, their characteristics, the best method of handling, and completed with recommended recipes for you to try.

Image from channel4.com