The Quay Hotel Singapore: Asia’s First Tokidoki Pop-Up Hotel

Untitled

TOKIDOKI FANS ALERT! For a limited time only, grab your chance to stay in Asia’s FIRST Tokidoki Pop-Up Hotel, an exciting partnership with The Quay Hotel at 57 South Bridge Road! The lobby, rooftop and three of their guest rooms have been magically transformed by Creaxis Design Singapore for an ultimate Tokidoki experience, featuring iconic works by the creator Simone Legno!

Untitled

Spend a night or two with your favourite Donutella, Mermicorno and more! Apart from the decorations, there are huggable plushies and Tokidoki themed amenities for you to enjoy!

Untitled

Only the three guest rooms on the highest floor of The Quay Hotel are Tokidoki themed rooms. Which will you choose? The 24K Signature Room, Pastel Dreamland Room or Mermicornos by The Quay Room?

Untitled

Here’s taking a sneak peek at the Pastel Dreamland Room! All Donutella fanatics will be crazy over this one!

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Please don’t bring the plushies home but you can hug them and take as many photos as you wish! They will be sent for dry cleaning after every checkout.

Untitled

Even the bathroom is so pretty!

Untitled

Untitled

You can bring home these beautiful coasters!

Untitled

The Tokidoki rooms are available for stays from 1st October 2018 to 30th June 2019! Check out www.thequayhotel.sg for more information or book HERE now!

The Quay Hotel Singapore
57 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058688
Email: info@thequayhotel.sg
Tel: 6532 2482

Morganfield’s Launches Candied Peach BBQ and Smokey Bacon Bourbon Sauces

A32A5873

We have been to Morganfield’s on a number of occasions ever since they opened their first outlet at The Star Vista a few years ago. Glad to be back as a family of four this time, at Orchard Central a couple of weeks back to try Morganfield’s two new mouth-watering Sticky Bones sauces – Candied Peach BBQ and Smokey Bacon Bourbon. These new additions will be available for a limited time in May and June, in celebration of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

A32A5843

Morganfield’s is a family-friendly place. Besides baby chairs and children’s cutlery, they also provide color pencils for kids to doodle and color on the kids menu which is printed on paper. It is a great way to keep children occupied before the food arrives!

A32A5851

The Bacon Wrapped Meatballs ($11.90) were deep fried and very juicy. There was a hint of spiciness and we enjoyed eating these with some mustard sauce. Other appetizers include Pop Corn Pork, Sauteed Mushrooms, Loaded Chilli Nachos, and Golden Fried Wings.

A32A5870

The Candied Peach BBQ Sticky Bones – (Half Slab $29.90, Full Slab $46.90) was created specially for the ladies. Made with juicy peaches, the sweet and tangy combination makes this so hard to resist. We love it because the sauce really went well with the ribs, and wasn’t too overwhelming. Wash it down with a glass of SweetWater Blue ($10), definitely my kinda beer which is refreshing & fruity, and light with a hint of fresh blueberries.

A32A5871

If you like strong flavours, you will find joy in eating the Smokey Bacon Bourbon Sticky Bones – (Half Slab $29.90, Full Slab $46.90). The hearty, rich & smoky sauce is infused with bourbon, hand-chopped bacon bits & topped with strips of delicious candied bacon. Pair this with a glass of Bridge Road Robust Porter ($10) which has been roasted with barley & chocolate malt, resulting in big and bold flavors.

A32A5879

We opted for Bread Pudding ($11.90) for our dessert. What is more comforting than homemade bread pudding served with vanilla ice cream & whiskey sauce? Just remember to keep the kids away from this. If all else fails, order the Chocolate Brownie which we reckon will not go wrong.

Untitled

Available all day, every day from 30th April to 24th June, these amazing limited time offers will definitely bring joy to the whole family! Make a date with your very own Kings and Queens to enjoy this special treat at Morganfield’s. *The Candied Peach BBQ and Smoky Bacon Bourbon Sticky Bones are also available as part of the weekday Top Value Set Lunch promotion ($29.90), that comes with a free soup and drink. There are also numerous on-going promotions at Morganfield’s. Do check with them to find out more!

Morganfield’s Outlets:

Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard, Tower 4, #01-645,
S038983 (Next to Promenade MRT)
Tel: 6736 1136

The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green, Unit #02-23,
S138617 (Next to Buona Vista MRT)
Tel: 6694 3635

VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk, Unit #01-51A,
S098585 (Next to Sentosa Boardwalk Exit)
Tel: 6225 0501

Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road,
Unit #11-03/04 S238896 (Next to Somerset MRT)
Tel: 6634 1828

Opening Hours:
Sun to Thu
11am – 11pm
Fri, Sat and Eve of PH
11am – Midnight

Hoshino Coffee Set Special for Two at $60++

A32A5985

Hoshino Coffee Singapore recently launched two new outlets at OneKM Mall and Bedok Point. It is definitely a piece of good news for Hoshino coffee fans staying in the East as your favorite cafe is now so much more accessible. When misterchewy and I feel like having Japanese and Western food, we go to Hoshino Coffee for the best of both worlds, which was what we did two weeks ago at OneKM Mall. The cafe exudes a warm and homely atmosphere, making it an ideal place for quiet dates or after-work relaxation.

Untitled

Currently, there is an all-day Hoshino Coffee Set Special for two persons which is reasonably priced at $60++. The set includes 2 drinks, 2 mains and 1 dessert. Simply top up $5 for side dishes and if you have kids dining with you, you get to enjoy 50% discount on the kid’s menu. That’s quite a bit of savings for the entire family! It is also a good opportunity to try Hoshino Coffee’s new highlights such as Softshell Crab Aglio Olio, Softshell Crab Rice, “Omu” Souffle Curry, Mentaiko Carbonara, Ginger Chicken Spaghetti, and Pancake Souffle Style with Strawberry (Seasonal).

A32A5995

Our Iced Royal Milk Tea ($7.50) and Iced Matcha Latte ($9) were rich and full-bodied, not cloyingly sweet. If you are a coffee person, by all means go for their coffee! Certain coffees are refillable at 50% off.

A32A5997

I was craving pasta and felt spoilt for choice. Finally decided on the Salmon with Wasabi Cream Sauce ($16) which is a special recommendation on the menu.

A32A5999

The spaghetti was al dente and every strand was coated with the delicious cream sauce. The dollop of wasabi on each piece of salmon made this dish a more exciting one.

A32A6001

The hubs chose the Fuwa-Fuwa Hoshino Souffle on Porcini cream rice with bacon ($16.80) as it is the only omu rice dish on the menu that does not contain any beef.

A32A6011

Like its name suggests, this dish was fluffy and underneath the soft wobbly egg was mushroom rice and bits of bacon. The texture was airy and soft, making every mouthful delightful.

A32A6015

Last but not the least, we tried the seasonal Pancake Souffle Style with Strawberry ($16.80). The pancakes were soft and moist, and tasted really great with ice cream and strawberries. Do note that this takes about 15 to 20 minutes to prepare, so it’s best to let the service staff know earlier once you are ready to have it served. What are the dishes that you would love to try at Hoshino Coffee? 🙂 Stay connected with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missuschewy and on Instagram www.instagram.com/missuschewy!

Hoshino Coffee
11 Tanjong Katong Road,
#02-19/20, One KM,
Singapore 437157
Tel: 6282 8348

Opening Hours:
Daily
11.30am to 10pm (Last order 9pm)
Brunch Menu Hours:
Sat,Sunday and PH
11.30am to 1pm (Last order 12.50pm)

Kumoya X tokidoki Pop-Up Café in Singapore

A32A5690

If you are reading this, chances are you love tokidoki! Rejoice because the World’s FIRST tokidoki cafe is slated to open tomorrow, on 29 March 2018, at Kumoya cafe! You might even get a chance to get up close and personal with Simone Legno, the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of tokidoki as he will be flying into Singapore specially to officiate the opening launch day of Kumoya X tokidoki pop-up cafe!

A32A5700

I have been a fan of tokidoki in recent years, thanks to fellow mummy friends who introduced me to the tokidoki X Ju-Ju-Be diaper bag collections! To date, I own a variety of bags from collections like Space Place, Animalini, Donutella Sweet Shop, Kaiju City, Unikiki V2, Tokipops, etc! Oops I digress. #sorrynotsorry

A32A5692

My kaki Modgam knows that I loveeee tokidoki, so she very kindly extended her invitation to misterchewy and I to join her in previewing this pop-up adventure. We were instantly blown away as we entered the cafe because it totally screams TOKIDOKI! The entire place is so wild, fun and quirky!

A32A5679

Looking at all the colorful characters makes one feel younger already!

A32A5702

If you don’t already know, the theme at Kumoya changes every three months. Thus, the interior, decorations and menu, etc, change along with the themes.

A32A5678

I also like that Kumoya provides plenty of plush toys which makes the place more fun and inviting. The toys are also great as photos props!

A32A5698

A32A5683

A32A5687

A32A5684-horz

A32A5677

A32A5668

The menu is very straightforward and clearly categorized into Snacks, Mains, Desserts, and Beverages.

A32A5769

Beverages make up the bulk of the menu, with a total of 11 different choices, one of them being the Sassy Strawberry Nojito ($12.90). Sweet and sour, the perfect combo. Strawberry fruit mix is combined with wild mint syrup, soda water and fresh lime. Served with a straw holder of your favorite characters, fresh strawberry and mint leaves. This is one of the selected beverages that comes with free tokidoki limited-edition coasters, while stocks last.

A32A5748

If you are a coffee person, the Latte Iced Latte ($13.90) is a must-try. Handcrafted and brewed from premium UCC Japanese coffee beans. Served with a hand-crafted Latte cookie and magic wafer rainbow sticks. Topped with fresh whipped cream and magic sprinkles.

A32A5735

All Frappe will be served with FREE limited edition Donutella float (worth $12.90) while stocks last. Donutella Mighty Minty Chocolate Chip Frappe ($17.90) A refreshing drink with a minty kick! Green mint syrup is blended with milk and chocolate chips. Topped with fresh whipped cream and a sprinkle of dark chocolate chips!

A32A5751

Kaki had the Donutella Sweet Treat Caramel Popcorn Frappe ($17.90) which she really really liked because it’s super sweet lol. It’s a frappe Donutella would approve! A blend of popcorn syrup, milk and popcorn. Topped with fresh whipped cream, caramel sauce and caramel popcorn.

A32A5763

If you don’t exactly have a sweet tooth, Donutella’s First Love! Strawberry Cheese Frappe ($17.90) is the drink for you! Drink you favorite cheesecake! A frappe made up of cheesecake syrup and blended with strawberry fruit mix and milk. Garnished with red rosebuds, fresh whipped cream and a sprinkle of little rainbow bits! I love it because it’s not cloyingly sweet and was actually quite light and easy to drink! One more also no problem!

A32A5764

Go for the Unicorno Cotton Candy ($17.90) if you want something Instagram-worthy! The bluish purple cotton candy is so pretty that everyone went “WHOA!”. What’s unique, sweet and “rainbowy”? Unicorno’s Rainbow Cotton Candy! Sitting atop passion fruit and strawberry Calpis with butterfly pea tea.

A32A5728

Onion rings and fries are the usual suspects for snacks and we chose the Golden Sweet Potato Fries ($10.90). Taste the natural sweetness of the sweet potato battered with a subtle blend of spices. Balanced nicely with a sprinkle of house-blend sweet sour plum. It’s addictive!

A32A5738

We tried a few of the mains which were all really good. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from a character-themed cafe but we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of food served which is definitely value-for-money!

A32A5755

A32A5733

Donutella & Sweet Friends Japanese Curry Rice ($25.90). Donutella doesn’t go anywhere without her friends. Teriyaki flavored fluffy Japanese rice accompanies Japanese curry, fresh tempura salmon, breaded ebi, breaded scallops, calamari rings and fresh garden salad. Served with Miso soup and side dish of the day.

A32A5715

Moofia-Protected Pressed Sushi Rice ($24.90). Moofia and gang will ensure you’re in safe hands with this pressed sushi rice with grilled unagi in teriyaki sauce, Japanese cucumber and cheddar cheese. Served with Miso soup and side dish of the day.

A32A5725

SANDy and Polpettina Full-of-Life Chicken Katsu Burger ($23.90). SANDy and Polpettina combine forces to bring you chicken katsu burger dipped with sweet teriyaki sauce, hand-cut fries, fresh garden salad with cute ‘bones’ fish cakes and a cute little sweet Polpettina pink mantou with custard fillings. Served with Miso soup and side dish of the day.

A32A5746

A Lot-of-Things LAH! Merlion Seafood Ramen ($28.90). There’s plenty of ingredients swimming in your bowl! Ocean fresh crayfish and scallops, ramen egg, spring onion, wakame and kooky Merlion fish cakes. Served with fresh garden salad and side dish of the day. I really love the attention to detail as this dish is served with a special printed Sea Punk tray liner, while the earlier Moofia sushi rice is served with Moofia tray liner!

A32A5754

Stellina Sunny Morning Unicorno Magic Breakfast ($25.90). Start your day with happy colors! Chicken and beef sausages, hashbrown, scrambled egg, baked beans, fresh garden salad with cherry tomatoes confit and cute thunder cheese with toasted cloud bread with a happy rainbow food-pick. Served with Miso soup and side dish of the day.

A32A5786

A32A5774

The selection of desserts is also very exciting and boy, were we spoilt for choice. Being a hardcore Donutella fan, I just had to pick the Donutella’s Delightful Chocolate Cake with Dark Chocolate Sauce ($18.90)! Discover what makes Donutella delightful. Tuck into a stacked berries cake, fresh berries, heart-shaped konnyaku jelly, pretty flower chocolate, dark chocolate cookies crumble and drizzled with dark chocolate sauce. The berries cake tasted light, moist and fluffy, and went very well with the cookies crumble.

A32A5788

SANDy is kaki’s favorite tokidoki character, so she insisted we order SANDy’s Desert Garden ($17.90)! Welcome to Cactus Land! Hokkaido berries soft serve, cookies and cream brulee, chocolate rocks and flower, buttery SANDy cactus cookies and fresh cream.

A32A5782

Donutella and Dolce make such a perfect pair in the Dolce Pretty-in-Pink Berries Sponge Cake ($18.90)! As delicious as it is pretty! This strawberry sponge cake is accompanied by wafer sticks, fresh cream, marshmallow hearts and rounded off with fluffy cotton candy.

A32A5770

If waffles and ice cream are your thing, then Adios and Ciao Ciao’s Farewell Fantasy Charcoal Waffles ($22.90) will not disappoint. Before you say good-bye, have a Hokkaido berries soft serve and special buttery charcoal waffles, lovely Ciao Ciao heart cookies, fresh berries, strawberry chocolate coated cereal crunch, fresh cream and dark chocolate sauce. I must say that the charcoal waffles were crispy and pretty good!

A32A5759

We saw another table order the Unicorno Rainbow Magic Parfait! ($23.90) and we just had to go over to take some photos of this pretty dessert. Special dual swirl of Hokkaido berries soft serve, handcrafted rainbow wafer bowl, rainbow wafer sticks, Unicorno cookies, homemade brownies, special heart konnyaku jelly and fluffy cotton candy.

A32A5799

Receive a 4.5″ Peperino or Marea plush key ring with every purchase of Unicorno Rainbow Magic Parfait!, while stocks last!

A32A5793-horz

Posing with our favorite tokidoki characters!

A32A5798

tokidoki fans will be happy to know that a wide selection of merchandise will be sold at the pop-up cafe, some of which are cafe-exclusive!

A32A5706

Blind boxes.

A32A5694

Plushies of various sizes.

A32A5795

A32A5744

Kumoya x tokidoki pop-up cafe is from 29 March to end June 2018! Grab your friends and have a good time! Starting at 11am on 29 March, Simone Legno will be signing for the first 30 fans. Be there early if you don’t wanna miss out on this opportunity!

Kumoya X tokidoki
8 Jalan Klapa
Singapore 199320

Opening Hours
Tue to Thu, & Sun
12pm – 9pm
Fri & Sat
12pm – 10.30pm
(Closed on Mondays)

Korea Combo Eyebrow Embroidery by Arch Angel Brow

PB054912

My very first eyebrow embroidery experience was in December 2014, and since it was semi-permanent, the effect lasted about 2 years. After which, I had been using eyebrow mascara for another year or so, until I tried out the latest Korea Combo Eyebrow Embroidery technique by Arch Angel Brow, a beauty specialist which first opened its doors in July 2015 at 321 Clementi.

15134671_922472147884324_6533158186890505044_n
Photo credit: Arch Angel Brow

Founders Kelly and Eileen have a wealth of experience in the beauty industry and Arch Angel Brow uses only state-of-the-art technology and beauty techniques imported from Korea. What sets Arch Angel Brow apart from the many beauty salons in Singapore, you may ask? Arch Angel Brow is the FIRST to introduce Korea Combo Eyebrow Embroidery in Singapore.

Arch Angel Brow Interior
Photo credit: Arch Angel Brow

I had my brows done by the beautiful and friendly Eileen, and we had a good chat during the session. Why did I not continue with another eyebrow embroidery service after the effect wore off? Honestly, I was afraid of the bleeding involved (not a lot though), the downtime, and the troublesome aftercare required. I vividly remember having to get transparent waterproof plasters from Watsons and sticking them onto my eyebrows before entering the shower for the first week. It was really such a hassle and weekday mornings are already such a rush!

PB054909

I was impressed to learn that Arch Angel Brow practices a semi-permanent technique to design and create natural-looking brows that complement your facial features using only 100% natural botanical pigments from Korea, and most importantly, for the Korea Combo Eyebrow Embroidery, there is absolutely NO downtime (brow color will not darken after a week, thus making you look like Crayon Shin-chan), NO aftercare required (hurray!), and NO interruption to your regular beauty regime!

PB054897

Sorry if I scared you LOL but these were how my brows looked like without any eyebrow mascara. I have very uneven and sparse eyebrows. From far, I actually looked like I dont have any brows la.

PB054899

The eyebrow embroidery session consists of a consultation and drawing of eyebrows. You can let the artist know what type of eyebrows you like, the color and thickness and of course, the artist will give you advice based on your face shape and features. Eileen asked if I preferred a slight arch at the end of my brows but I opted for flatter brows for a ulzzang look (omg is this still in? LOL). I also told Eileen that I wanted slightly thicker and darker brows.

PB054902

Obviously, Eileen is a perfectionist, as she kept taking a step back to see how she could improve on the shape of my eyebrows. We finally agreed on something and numbing cream was applied next!

PB054906

I had the numbing cream on for about 20 minutes.

IMG_1717

Happy to report that the entire procedure was PAINLESS! It merely felt like eyebrow tweezing la seriously. Haha! How do you like my eyebrows? I received compliments from my friends and readers about my very natural looking brows! And I’m so in love with them that I couldn’t peel myself away from the mirror. Hahaha!

IMG_0181

I took a video for my Insta-story and can you see I had eyelash extensions done too? MAJOR LOVE!! Wow it has been more than 2 weeks now and even my colleagues commented that the lashes are still holding up so well! Highly recommended!!

IMG_1718

Even Jong Suk oppa told me I look yeppo and requested for a wefie with me when I visited him in Hong Kong! Best decision ever because I didnt have to bother about drawing my brows and sticking falsies during my trip!

PB054913

Thank you Arch Angel Brow and dear Eileen for giving me a confidence boost with my new eyebrows and eyelashes!! Can’t wait to do touchup soon!
Ladies, wait no further! First 20 customers who quote “Charlene” when booking an appointment for Korea Combo Eyebrow Embroidery will be entitled to Arch Angel Brow’s signature facial worth S$188.

Website: www.archangelbrow.com
Facebook : www.facebook.com/archangel.brow/
Instagram: @archangelbrow
Address: 321 Clementi, #01-18 (New mall near Clementi MRT Station)
Tel Number: 6250 1151

RWS S.E.A Aquarium Celebrates SG52!

A32A4190

Yay! School’s out! Parents who are planning holiday activities for your children, it’s time to include a visit to S.E.A Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa in your list! To commemorate SG52, two S.E.A. Aquarium Adult One-Day Tickets are going for only $52 now (U.P $68)! That’s like a savings of $16, which you can use to purchase extra snacks or souvenirs! 😀 Our very first visit as a family of four was last Christmas. Cayla was about 4 months old then and she was sleeping soundly in the Tula!

A32A4377

My brother and his gf joined us this time and also helped to take care of the kids! Hehe.

A32A4217

Big fish small fish everywhere! The girls were so distracted by the different fishes swimming around the tank and just wouldn’t look at the camera. Lol.

A32A4199

Chanelle was initially afraid of the sharks and other gigantic fishes but her fear soon turned into fascination!

A32A4194

A32A4229

Love the beautiful marine life. I picked up scuba diving during my undergraduate days with the NUS Dive Club and went on a few dive trips after that. It’s a pity misterchewy doesnt know how to scuba dive! I sure miss diving!

A32A4348

A32A4232

A32A4234

A32A4241

Cayla was hungry so instead of looking for the baby room, I thought it would be easier if I sat in corner to feed her.

A32A4361

Chanelle wanted a photo with”Nemo”! Hahaha many Nemos in fact!

A32A4336

Most visitors like to gather here, in front of the Open Ocean Habitat, for a magnificent view of the various marine life.

A32A4333

We chose to park ourselves at the Ocean Dome before feeding time instead.

A32A4335

You can also check out some art works by children who took part in the Ocean Conservation Art Competition.

A32A4264

A32A4265

A32A4281

Do you know that S.E.A Aquarium has its own mascot? It’s Mai the manta ray! He appears at the Ocean Dome daily at two timings – 2.45pm and 3.45pm! Remember to queue if you want a photograph with Mai!

A32A4282

A32A4284

A32A4294

Currently, there is no published schedule for fish feedings but when we were there, the feeding time was at 4pm.

A32A4299

A32A4329

A32A4342

A32A4347

A32A4354

A32A4356

Another not-to-be-missed highlight is the Discovery Touch Pool! Kids of all ages will love it because they get to touch and feel sea cucumber, starfish, and the like.

A32A4357

A32A4350

At the end of your visit, stop by the souvenir section and pick up some cute merchandise!

A32A4373

Don’t miss out on this wonderful SG52 promo where two adult tickets are only priced at $52, until 30 September 2017! Book your tickets here!

A Chocolate Adventure at Universal Studios Singapore

A32A2351

Our little family loves visiting Universal Studios Singapore because there’s always so much to see and do there! But wait.. Have you heard? From now till 28 May, Universal Studios Singapore’s latest Chocolate Adventure creation will bring fans on a memorable sensory journey through the theme park with fun-filled activities and friendly character appearances that will enthrall everyone in the family!

A32A2292

Featuring an immersive Chocolate Garden, this new walkthrough experience allows visitors to explore deliciously-themed zones such as the Fondue Garden, Cocoa Hedge Maze and Lollipop Land that are guaranteed to titillate the senses of both the young and old!

A32A2370

Here’s Mini misschewy and I at the candy-coated Lollipop Land! We sure felt like taking a bite out of those gigantic delicious looking candies!

A32A2293

A32A2356

A32A2314

A32A2310

Chocoholics can begin their Chocolate Garden journey at the Fondue Garden, dipping marshmallows into chocolate fountains! Do you know that some are even infused with fruity strawberry and fresh pandan flavours?!

A32A2363

A32A2304

The Chocolate Garden also features a Cocoa Hedge Maze for guests to explore the labyrinth, as well as a station for kids to get hands-on and unleash their inner bakers by decorating cupcakes and cookies!

A32A2321

A32A2347

A32A2350

A32A2332

All the children were squealing with excitement when friendly characters such as Candice Cupcake, Mama Cookie and Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster appeared for Instagrammable moments!

A32A2346

Visitors can go for a park-wide hunt and keep their eyes peeled for the roving Chocolate Man (pictured on the left) and win mysterious prizes ranging from retail and dining vouchers to Universal Studios Singapore admission tickets!

A32A2342

At various dining outlets, foodies can indulge in adventurously chocolate-flavoured delights, including Cho-infused Curry with Chicken Katsu, Nutella & Cheese Fries, Crispy Chicken Strips with Chocolate Dip and Cocoa Slush. Visitors can opt for the Sweet Tooth Package and choose three selected chocolate-themed items at participating dining outlets for just S$20.

A Chocolate Adventure is a new experience included with regular paid admission to Universal Studios Singapore. Visitors can enjoy a special package available at S$138 from now till 31 May 2017. The package includes one-day tickets for two adults as well as photo, retail and dining vouchers worth up to S$55. Don’t miss out on this terrific deal! 🙂

Swissotel Merchant Court Family Staycation

A32A0118

Hello chewy chewy friends! We are baaaack after a short hiatus! Hehe. Earlier this year, The Chewys went for our very first family staycation of 2017 at Swissotel Merchant Court! Now that we are a family of four, spacious rooms, children-friendly amenities and convenient location are one of our top priorities when we are planning a staycation. Our experience with another relatively new hotel late last year wasn’t such a pleasant one because they do not provide baby bath tubs.

P1080287

Swissotel Merchant Court is a luxury hotel ideally located by Clarke Quay, within walking distance of the shopping malls and numerous F&B establishments at Clarke Quay. It is also close to major places of interest.

P1080286

We were there on a Saturday and check-in was efficient.

A32A0043

All of us were very excited upon entering the room!

A32A0050

Feels like a home away from home! Our beautifully appointed room was spacious yet cosy, and well-equipped!

A32A0051

A32A0053

A32A0045

A32A0054

The hubby caught sight of the WII games and got very excited!

P1080284

We were pleasantly surprised to receive a personal handwritten card from the General Manager, along with a platter of fresh fruits. Even the kids got a card from “Uncle” Rainer!

A32A0057

At no extra cost, the Handy Smartphone is available in all rooms for guests to use during their stay at Swissotel Merchant Court. I find that this will be especially useful for overseas travellers.

A32A0058

My favourite TWG tea sachets are complimentary! There were four different types – Japanese Sencha, Morrocan Mint, French Earl Grey and English Breakfast!

A32A0062

Well-stocked mini bar

A32A0067

Oh look what have we got here! A connecting room for the kids! The Swissotel Kids’ Room was equally spacious and age-appropriate amenities can be provided upon request.

A32A0064

Even the kids’ bathroom looks amazing! The cute bathroom amenities will definitely put a smile on anyone’s face!

A32A0068

A32A0076

A32A0069

Apart from the cute stuffed toys on each bed, there were children’s story books, cartoon DVDs, toys, as well as coloring book and pencils! The room is definitely very child-friendly and glasses have been replaced with plastic cups.

A32A0219

Little misschewy was quite occupied for a really long time and we had difficulty trying to coax her to leave the room during dinner time!

A32A0101

P1070125

A staycation doesn’t feel complete without a dip in the hotel pool!

P1070130

When we were there on a Saturday afternoon, the pool was packed with throngs of people! I’m guessing it had something to do with the giant water slide. Haha.

P1070145

There’s also a baby pool for younger children to waddle about!

P1070159

P1070157

P1070173

P1070174

P1070177

P1070241

P1080267

P1080270

P1080272

P1080276

P1080279

A32A0822

Swissotel Merchant Court is running a number of promotions and the Family Fun Escape package is one of them. To sweeten your stay, Swissotel Merchant Court is giving out complimentary tickets to Universal Studios Singapore (USS) with 6 months’ validity. We utilised our tickets during Chinese New Year! This promo ends on 30 June 2017, so hurry!

Offer Includes:
– 50% off 2nd room booked
– Swissotel Kids’ Room set-up and age-appropriate amenities upon request
– 2 Adult and 2 Child USS admission tickets
– Complimentary ice cream during your stay for children 12 and below
– Guaranteed late check-out till 4.00pm
– Buffet breakfast is available at $30 per adult and $15 per child

Terms and Conditions:
– 50% off on a second room applies to the room or suite category of equal or lesser value to the originally booked room
– Advance reservation is required and subject to availability
– Booking is cancellable up to 48 hours prior to arrival
– This offer cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions/vouchers/loyalty programs
– Rates are subject to 17.7% service charge and government tax
-Family amenities and entertainment options are subject to availability
– Connecting room requests are subject to availability
– Terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice

Swissotel Merchant Court
20 Merchant Road
Singapore 058281
Tel: +65 6337 2288

For reservations, call +65 6337 9993 or email reservations.merchantcourt@swissotel.com

LongQing 隆庆 Specialty Hotpot Singapore Review

Invited Tasting

A32A0234

I’m a typical Singaporean who love having sumptuous hotpots with my family and friends from time to time. When I was recently invited to LongQing 隆庆 Specialty Hotpot along Hong Kong Street, I just couldn’t say no! Unlike many other hotpot restaurants, 8-month old LongQing prides itself in its no-MSG soup bases that are cooked for hours on end daily using ingredients like herbs, meat and bones. Apart from the extensive ala carte menu, hotpot set menus for 2 pax ($55 – $65), and 6 pax ($180) are available as well.

A32A0296

Even though LongQing is barely a year old, business was evidently brisk after 7pm which make reservations highly recommended. The restaurant exudes a warm, homely atmosphere and owner James Chiew explained that the murals are paintings of his wife, who hails from Chong Qing, and his then 3-month old son.

A32A0236

We had some appetisers to munch on while waiting for the soup bases to be served. The Chilled Spicy Black Fungus ($6.80) was spicy and tangy, making it a great appetite-whetter, plus the fungus crunched with every bite!

A32A0239

The Spicy Garlic Pork Belly ($10) was a pure delight especially when dipped into the accompanying sauce. The thinly sliced pork belly was tender with just the right amount of fat.

A32A0241

I’m a huge fan of braised pig ears since I was a little girl and I love having them with plain porridge. Very happy to know that LongQing serves Braised Pig Ear with Mashed Cucumber ($10) which was well-marinated with spices.

A32A0245

A must-have for hotpot meals, the Crispy Fish Skin ($3.80) can be eaten on its own, dipped in your own concoction of sauces, or better yet, with the delicious soup bases!

A32A0285

Little misschewy really enjoyed eating the crispy fish skin!

A32A0278

At LongQing, four types of soup bases are available, which are priced at $14 for an individual base and $18 for a mix of two bases as seen in the above photo. The Wild Mushroom soup base was really fragrant; a must-try if you are a mushroom lover like me. It is boiled using a variety of mushrooms and herbs, resulting in a natural sweetness from the juices of the mushrooms. James explained that in actuality, ma la soup bases are not supposed to be drunk because it is made using beef lard which is supposedly very oily and unhealthy. He has tweaked his recipe for the Spicy Ma La soup base such that it is not so oily for customers at LongQing to enjoy drinking it. The ma la soup bases that I had tried at other restaurants were just numbingly spicy, while the one at LongQing is addictively flavourful!

A32A0280

For those who prefer something simple can go for the Signature Clear Broth. The taste is actually quite mild, which allows the taste and freshness of the hotpot ingredients to stand out. It was our first time trying Tomato Soup as a hotpot soup base and the experience was a pleasant one. The tomato soup was sweet and very robust. Let’s take a look at the ingredients that we had! All in all, the meat and veggies were all very fresh, and we could really taste the natural sweetness of the ingredients.

A32A0250

Vegetable Platter ($12)

A32A0256

Pork Belly ($11)

A32A0294

Pork Collar ($11)

A32A0258

Pig Liver ($8)

A32A0248

Crispy Beancurd Skin Roll ($6.80)

A32A0259

Mushroom Platter ($12)

A32A0260

Handmade Pork Balls ($12)

A32A0261

Luncheon Meat ($6.80)

A32A0293

Beancurd Skin with Fish Paste ($3.80)

A32A0308

Ended our hotpot meal with some desserts! The Pumpkin Cake ($7.80) was crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, and tasted mildly sweet. Even though we were feeling quite full from the hotpot, the pumpkin cake seemed to complete the entire meal.

A32A0322

A32A0306

We also enjoyed the Crispy Taro Balls ($7.80) which were first steamed before being fried. This is LongQing’s popular dessert and you need to call and reserve!

FESTIVE PLATTER 1
Photo credit: LongQing

This Chinese New Year, gather your family and friends for hotpot at LongQing and indulge in their CNY Seafood Platter ($188) which is very value-for-money considering there are premium seafood such as lobster, abalone, sea cucumber, prawn, scallop and fish! These six chosen ingredients symbolise 六六大顺!

A32A0347

Apart from the hearty MSG-free soup bases and premium quality food ingredients, service is attentive and top-notch. Also, misterchewy gave a thumbs up for their Mandopop playlist. Do check out LongQing’s facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LongQing.sg/ for more info!

LongQing 隆庆 Hotpot
18 Hong Kong Street
Singapore 059661
Tel: 65331618
Email: reservation@bigj.sg

Opening Hours:
Tue to Fri
11.30am – 2.30pm (Last order 2pm)
Tue to Sun
5.30pm – 11pm (Last order 10.30pm)

$88++ Christmas Omakase at Fort by Maison Ikkoku

A32A9548

Let me tell you a secret (ok it’s no longer one if you had seen my IG stories). I brought my baby to a bar. Well, not just any bar, but a gastrobar that specializes in bespoke cocktails. Not only that, this place is fast gaining popularity as foodies in Singapore have caught wind of the affordably priced 12-course omakase menu at just $68++ per person. That’s FORT by Maison Ikkoku for you! Located at the top of Fort Canning Hill within Pinacothèque De Paris, FORT is a cosy 30-seater space that takes in two seatings every night, at 6.30pm and 8.30pm. I would love to occupy a seat by the bar counter to watch all the magic unfold, if it wasn’t for the fact that I had to keep an eye on the little one in the stroller.

A32A9570

The suave and youthful-looking Executive Chef cum Senior Master Mixologist, Ethan Leslie Leong, is also the Executive Director of Maison Ikkoku and FORT. He is renowned for his mixology skills and major brands such as CHANEL, Mont Blanc, Guess, Giorgio Armani, Diesel, Polo Ralph Lauren, Viktor & Rolf, agnès b and Penhaligon’s have chosen to collaborate with him to design bespoke cocktails to showcase during prestigious events.

A32A9556-horz

I had the pleasure of watching Ethan’s sidekick in action that evening. Matteo Cadeddu is an award winning mixologist from Italy and holds the title of Head Mixologist at FORT, where bespoke cocktails start from $23++. Matteo will come up with something interesting based on your preferences and if the drink is not up to your expectation, you can request to have it changed at no extra cost, although I think it’s unlikely to happen.

A32A9564-horz

I asked for something sweet, while misterchewy was leaning towards a savory choice. I would say that my Raspberry with Sake is a pretty safe drink; sweet and fruity. What’s not to like? The hubs was clearly impressed by his Earl Grey with Basil and Miso. Definitely very unique!

A32A9617

If you are not a fan of alcoholic drinks, there’s always mocktails that are equally delicious!

A32A9575

Without further ado, let’s take a sneak peek at some of the dishes we had as part of the Christmas omakase menu, priced at $88++ per person where more premium ingredients will be featured. Do note that the menu changes on a weekly basis, and is also subjected to availability of fresh, quality ingredients. The first course was Braised “Radish” with Konbo which had a slight tinge of bitterness from the radish, coupled with the kelp’s umami taste. Good start to our 12-course meal!

A32A9584

Resting in a bed of delicious Asian dressing made up of soy sauce, ginger, coriander and a drizzle of lime, the Seared Tuna Carpaccio in Asian Touch was injected with a multitude of flavors that made it a joy to devour.

A32A9587

Feast your eyes on this baby sitting atop a cube of ice. For an oyster lover, the Live Irish oyster with Caviar Lime, Salmon Roe, Wasabi Cress, Sake was a real treat! The oyster was plump and meaty, plus the juices packed a wallop!

A32A9590

As harmless as the Signature Fort Roll might look, it actually turned out to be quite fiery with Chef Ethan’s very own chilli sauce blend! Stuffed with spicy maguro, onion sprouts and cucumber, the maki crunched wonderfully with every bite!

A32A9594

The Aburi Salmon Sushi with Ikura was nothing short of amazing. Pop the entire piece into your mouth for that foodgasm experience! I love that the aburi-ed salmon had a light smoky flavor which lent an extra dimension to the overall dish.

A32A9600

It was a brilliant idea to pair truffle with mac and cheese. Both misterchewy and I adored the Truffle Mushroom Mac & Cheese with Black Roe. The pasta was al dente, with just the right amount of creaminess. Our senses were elevated with the addition of truffle!

A32A9609

I love eggs, especially one that had been submerged in hot water to create softy silky egg white and custardy egg yolk. The Free-range Onsen Egg was a good example that lived up to my expectation and more! You are supposed to beat the yolk and mix it in with the whites and garlic oil before slurping all that goodness!

A32A9615

The presentation of the Uni Ikura Donburi took my breath away. It looks just like a mini terrarium, doesn’t it? We were told to mash everything together before taking in a spoonful, which was a little difficult. Would be great if there was some kinda sauce dizzled over this dish. Our overall experience at FORT was truly amazing. Loved the atmosphere and the energetic vibe! FORT is a great place for romantic dates and also boys’ or girls’ night out! I can foresee myself returning to FORT, without the kids of course. FORT is now taking in reservations for the month of December! At $88++ for its festive omakase menu, I would say that it’s very affordable and worth every dollar. Don’t miss out on it!

FORT by Maison Ikkoku
5 Cox Terrace
#01-02/03
Fort Canning Arts Centre
Singapore 179620
Tel: 63360507 / 93877197

Opening Hours:
Daily
4pm – 2am