Walk into a time capsule of 19th-century glamorous New York right here at Manhattan, Regent Hotel Singapore. This 1 week old bar will transport you back to the Golden Age of cocktails and fine drinking with its craft bartending, artisanal spirits and luxurious environs. There was certainly nothing run-of-the-mill-hotel-bar about Manhattan.

The 90-seat bar is home to the world's first in-hotel rickhouse, where bourbon, whiskies and spirits, bitters and single-cask cocktails are aged in American oak barrels imported from Minnesota. The rickhouse is run by American bartender Ricky Paiva who has years of experience under his belt, having worked at famed bars such as San Francisco's Rickhouse which does some of the rarest, tastiest bourbons from around the world. 

Manhattan's Rickhouse uses the Solera ageing method and house blends are created by mixed fractions of the contents of the various aged spirits or cocktails. 

We had to give the Solera Aged Negroni ($25) a shot and it came served with hand-cut ice from a metre-long showcase ice block at the bar. The Gin, Vermouth, Campari cocktail was citrusy with a light sweetness and very strong.

Lightly buttered and peppered with paprika popcorns are served as snacks

I was enthralled by NYC-neighborhood-inspired cocktails which are accompanied with gourmet bites that are reflective of each neighborhood and the melting pot cultures they represent. I was naturally drawn to the Upper East Side and SOHO but Wall Street and Harlem was appealing as well. Cocktails are priced from $18 to $25 and the fixed beverage menu will change every quarter.

On the Upper East Side, we had The Millionaire ($24)- Plantation Jamaica 2000 Rum, Cedilia acai liqueur, Albicocca apricot brandy, fresh lime and house made grenadine. The ingredients and house-made syrups are not kept for more than two days to ensure freshness.

The Princess Cut ($23) is a delicate G'Vine Floraison Gin- June fleur de vigne liqueur, fresh lemon, rose water and champagne.

The Rebellion Burgers ($20) is absolutely UES in terms of its quality and taste. Juicy Angus Beef patty served with a pungent but delicious tomato onion jam, artisan Nicosia cheese and butter lettuce sandwiched in a buttered and toasted paprika bun. Is it worth 20 bucks for 2 little bites? Well the boys said yes. Non meat eaters could have the tempting Maine Lobster 'Roll' ($26) or Veggie Burger. 

On Wall Street, where life is bold and wild and never dull, i had the New York Sour ($23)- St. George Bourbon, ruby port, house made lavender maple syrup, fresh lemon plum bitters. I didn't quite taste the lavender maple syrup but it was a delicious drink nonetheless. Pair this with the Charging Bull ($24) a petit filet with bourbon apple puree. 

Wall Street served us the 'BIG' apple cheesecake ($10). I noted the irony when 4 baby Philadelphia cream cheese apple (mousse) appeared on crunchy vanilla sable. The rum-infused apple cheese mousse is encased in a thin gelatin coating. Interesting but we'd price it at $8. It's quite a stretch for $10.

I would probably give American Chef Nicholas Trosien's SOHO Village Steam Buns a la Momofuku (my fav) a shot the next time. Durocc pork belly with Hoisin sauce anyone?

Ingredients Room for drinks and food

If you're up for something special, take the Manhattan Guided Tour ($35) with its tableside trolley service to create a special cocktail blending rare spirits with artisanal vermouths and bitters.

I would certainly be frequenting Manhattan Bar, before it goes too mainstream like 28 Hong Kong Street. For a celebratory after work drink, Manhattan Bar serves complimentary Raine Laws gourmet sandwiches during their Violet Hour. Now please excuse me while i have my drink.

Manhattan
Level 2, Regent Hotel Singapore
1 Cuscaden Road, Singapore 249715
Tel: +65 6725 3377
Daily: 5pm - 1am
Violet Hour (Weekday): 5pm - 7pm

The burgeoning cocktail scene in Singapore has provided us ladies (and many boys) with the hippest and coolest watering holes where we see those who wished to be seen. L'Aiglon, the latest offering, and an extremely attractive one, is gonna be where the party is. Owner Pierre-Emmanuel Plassart drew his inspiration from the golden ages of luxury travel when he designed L'Aiglon and this gem at 69 Neil Road absolutely embodies all that glamor.

We started our night with some delicious bubbly. Introducing the J.M. Labruyère Cuvée Tradition ($24/$110). There are only 60,000 bottles in the world and L'Aiglon is the only bar in the world that carries it. Really smooth.

Our drinks were prepared by the dashing world-class bartender Louis Tan, who recently won the qualifying round for the Diageo Reserve World Class 2014. If you find him familiar, he was the ex Head Bartender at Horse's Mouth.

A must try and my top favorite poison is the Screaming Tomatoes ($22). This is the wickedly seductive sister of the Bloody Mary. Made from fresh French cherry tomatoes with a bouquet of herbs, the flavor profile is peppery and savory; a spiked gazpacho. Vodka is used in this one.

If you fancy an adult's chai tea, then At World's End ($20) would be your choice. I'm not too much a fan of cinnamon so this wasn't really my cup of tea.

The other favorite of mine is the Tiger Tail Sour ($18), a sweet fruity and fun cocktail. I can see myself drinking this all night. It's full of Vit C too, made from fresh passionfruit, pineapple and lemon and topped with Rum. Glurps.

The French 69 ($22) is essentially the Champagne Labryère with gin and fresh lemon juice. Something light and refreshing if you like.

Well apart from the drinks, i must say that the snacks here are pretty amazing. Perfect finger food, similar price tags to my other favorite bar 28 Hong Kong. The Signature Pep's Chicken Mini burger (3 for $14) came with nicely toasted crunchy buns which sandwiched the juicy and well marinated chicken patty. Other signatures to look out for are the Obsiblue Tartare with ginger flower and lime caviar ($18) and the Smoked Salmon Maki ($14). 

We couldn't get enough of the Crab cakes ($14) with curry salsa and Granny Smith. The flavors kinda explode with each bite; it's a bit of that creaminess, with a hint of spice, some acidity from the apples and the savory crab meat. Drools. The Gent's chicken samosa (3 for $12) pales in comparison. 

So here you go, L'Aiglon, what is probably going to be the hottest thing on the cocktail scene in Singapore.

L'Aiglon
69 Neil Road
Mon - Sat: 5pm - 2am

The good people of the East have decided to bring some joy to the dreary West of Singapore with W39 Bistro & Bakery. W39 is the brainchild of 2 Eastie sisters and this cheerful blue and yellow spot is actually both a bistro and a bakery and that only means 1 thing for me-brunch.

I wouldn't have gone out of my way for brunch in the West if not for an appointment in the area. Sorry westies, you're not gonna be seeing more food posts from the western part of Singers.

Weekend spells coffee and of course all day breakfast food.

My Mocha tasted more like regular latte. Where is ze chocolate??! Meh-ish latte at best. Very diluted. Thankfully I've lowered my expectation so I wasn't overly disappointed. Don't go expecting anything artisan.
Hearty Breakfast ($13.50) is a greedy and lazy girl's best option. Well, first and foremost, it has everything. It's quite hard to screw up an American breakfast since everything is kinda outsourced. The scrambled eggs were a little overdone for my liking. The best part was the toast (i think it's brioche) with its airy texture. Salted butter would be welcomed anytime. 
I originally opted for a Brie Parma Ham Panini (or was it a Croque Madame) but i was tempted by the Braised Pork Cheeks Gruyere Panini (S$13) that the neighboring table ordered. The mouthwatering scent was too good that i had to change my order immediately! Boy was I glad i did!

The panini was stellar with the slightly crusty shell and dense and moist center. Pork cheeks were tender and flavorful and the sandwich had a perfect meat-gravy-bread ratio. The taste of the meat was rather strong but i'm a carnivore so i don't care. Besides, it was balanced by the savory gravy and the light sweetness of the bread.

If you're looking for something lighter, the assortment of cakes, breads and pastries should not disappoint (i base that on my review of their breads). 

Diners looking for something more substantial can look to the European styled menu to fill their tummies.Braised Lamb Shank with fried mantou, Baked Lamb Ribs, Sake Mussels with Fries, Seared Tune etc. are available for lunch and dinner. 

W39 Bistro and Bakery is certainly a place to check out if you're in the hood!

W39 Bistro and Bakery
39 Jalan Mas Puteh, (Off West Coast Road)
Singapore 128637
Tel: +65 9646 5372
Tue - Fri: 11am - 10pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 9am - 10.30pm (brunch till 3pm)

If you're suffering from cafe fatigue in Singapore, with the dozens of cafes that are like clones of one another, perhaps check out Cups N Canvas, an Arts cafe just off Orchard Road. Cups N Canvas has been quietly making waves in the Selegie vicinity despite the lack of publicity and hype on social media. S and i drove past this place so many times without even realizing its existence. We were surprised to see the healthy crowd it drew when we popped by one weekend. I guess these sneaky folks have been keeping this gem to themselves. How can!  

I decided that i like Cups N Canvas the moment i stepped into the place. It's chill, fun and very New York. Or perhaps Brooklyn. You'll know what i mean if you've been to NYC.

Cups is split into 2 sections, an art studio and the cafe. The art studio half will be closed when there is painting class going on, otherwise the space is available for food.

Nothing makes me happier than All Day Breakfasts. Even though Cups only has 2 items on their ADB, it was enough for people to go crazy for them, especially the Eggs Ben-Addict, which is served on a bagel. In fact, they ran out of it when i was there and i really couldn't wait for an hour for breakfast to be served. :(

Of course there were other yummy options. Their pastas are very popular. The Blanc Bacon, a garlic cream bacon mushroom fettuccine is their hot seller. S tried it another time during lunch and said it was fab. The Vermillion Prawn, a white wine garlic based linguine is another favorite.

Ok back to brunch, i had the Breakfast Canvas ($16.90), which came with bratwurst, bacon, sauteed mushrooms, roasted potatoes, grilled tomatoes, greens, toast and juice. This came with a juice (from concentrate). Buttery and wet scrambled, cooked to (my idea of) perfection. A thick and juicy herb sausage that was absolutely delicious and that crispy bacon rash was simply godsend. I would have loved for a toast that is denser and more substantial as the one served was too light.

The drink to have is certainly the Sweet Potato Latte ($4.80). According to the lady boss, this is the only place in Singapore that sells it. This is made from freshly pureed sweet potato and steamed milk and i could inhale 2 of these easily. Another interesting drink to have would be the Sticky Date Shake ($6.80).

Cups N Canvas is a simple cafe, but it works. It kinda proves the point that you don't have to be indie, or third wave or fancy schmancy or complicated in order to succeed. Check them out sometime. The service is awesome. 

Cups N Canvas
139 Selegie Road
Tel: +65 6884 6855

Tue - Thu: 9.30am - 9.30pm
Fri - Sat: 9.30am - 11pm

Sun: 10am - 5pm

A Kyoto autumn adventure under the bright reds, oranges and yellows koyo, led me to the doorsteps of a hidden jewel, Giro Giro Hitoshina. This unorthodox Japanese restaurant serves a 'modern' Kyoto Kaiseiki meal in a casual and cool converted warehouse by the obscure Takase-gawa canal. The floor to ceiling picture window panes, that replaced the original brick wall, presented diners with a charming view of the lush foliage as they partake in an exquisitely prepared 8 course meal determined by the chef. 

The energy given out by the young punkish chefs was electrifying. Reserve a seat by the counter of the open kitchen and you'd be entertained by the dynamic performance as they prepare course after course with finesse.

There is no burden of choice at Giro Giro Hitoshina. You only get to make a decision on your choice of beverage (sake in our case). The menu changes seasonally (by month apparently) so you'll never taste the same thing twice (unless you dine there every other week).

 

We started with Turtle soup, which was a cold and light fish soup (i hope!). 

An Asian style Sushi roll filled with stewed mushrooms and sundried tomatoes. There's also a mini Viet Rice roll with mint and persimmon. Beancurd skin and cucumber tossed in a sesame peanut sauce. Tempura dried fish and a light lotus with smoked pork. It was a mish mash of dishes and ingredients but the individual flavors were great. 

A pretty dish that captured the essence of Autumn with all the colors and flavors. The highlight of the dish was the tofu ball made with chestnut, water chestnut and a surprise chunk of fish roe. Tofu is a signature dish of Kyoto so make sure you do a tofu meal there. Arashiyama is a good place for that. 

A fresh red snapper sashimi with freshly grated wasabi and ponzu sauce.

My other favorite dish of Smoked Yellowtail paired with a grainy creamy lemon sauce and a side of potato salad. An absolutely divine dish. 

The Gratinated Clams was presented with great fan fare, blow torch, bubbling cheese and all right before our eyes. You can't go wrong with the combination of creamy potatoes with briny succulent clams.

I would have Japanese breakfast for dinner any time and this was a comforting dish that i wouldn't mind eating for the rest of my life. Japanese rice with seaweed, grilled mackerel, tamago with fish roe, silver fish and pickled vegetables. A simple Asian meal that warms belly and the heart.

We concluded dinner with an exquisite dessert. Pear w jelly, marmalade on cake, pumpkin ice cream and an Azuki jelly. 

If you think that the meal cost a bomb, it did not. You would be able to enjoy this for ¥3,680 per person. It is not wonder why the 2 seatings a night is insufficient to satisfy the hungry crowd. Book way in advance or you'll be disappointed. The only equivalent in Singapore is Teppei (read review here) but this is more haute and exquisite. 

Giro Giro Hitoshina is the must try if you're in Kyoto. This is certainly on my Favorites list. :)

Giro Giro Hitoshina
420-7 Nanbacho matsubara sagaru Nishikiyamachi dori Shimogyo-ku Kyoto
Tel: +81 075 343 7070
Daily: 5.30 - 11pm
Closed last Mon of the month

If Apple were to design a hotel, it would look like Nine Hours (9h). Clean and sleek lines, futuristic and stark design, idiot friendly check in system, minimalist comfort. Welcome to the future of capsule hotels, right smack in the heart of traditional Kyoto.

We stayed here just for a night because it's too cool not to be checked out and the novelty of sleeping in a capsule was certainly a major pull factor.

The concept: 1 hour shower + 7 hours sleep + 1 hour rest = 9 hours; the optimum length of time for a short yet complete stay. Signs guide you silently and effectively. Quite perfect for the antisocial. Shoe check, luggage check, and then off to the showers.

Follow the number on your key tag and deposit your belongings in the locker. The size is big enough for a cabin bag or medium sized backpack.

Fresh towels, toothbrush set, a comfortable set of PJs and slippers welcome you after a long day of transit. 

A hot shower awaits and there's even a shared hot tub on the other side of the frosted door should you need a relaxing soak. 

I felt like Scarlett Johansson in The Island after donning the chic black pjs. The gender specific lifts will take you to your designated sleeping pods. Certainly very safe for solo women travelers.

The quiet and dimly lit pods were very conducive for a deep rest. There's ample head and leg room even for the non Asian travelers.

No worries about alarms going off while you are asleep. A sleep ambient control system is used to help you fall asleep and wake naturally to the brightness level in the pod. How cool is that right? A shade shields you from the outside world without causing claustrophobia. 

The pods are for 900Y for a day and you can stay up to a maximum of 17h (not just 9h). There's even a sleek space for work or lounging. I'd definitely recommend this for travelers who want a centrally located spot in Kyoto for a short stay. 

Check out the video for a better sense of how 9h is like.

Nine Hours Kyoto Teramachi
588 Teianmaeno-cho, Shijyo, Teramachi-dori,
Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, 600-8031 Japan
Tel: +81 75-353-9005

[Media Invite]

I'm a carnivore and nothing makes me happier than a combination of thin juicy slices of premium beef with gravy, topped with melted American cheese and sauteed onions sandwiched in a bread roll.  The latest option to satisfy this Philly Cheesesteak craving in Singapore is the Yellow Submarines, a cheery and happy spot located in the Toa Payoh heartland. 

The menu here was conceptualized by fellow Philly cheesesteak lovers, with the help of celebrity chef Chef Eric Teo. Other than the classic cheesesteak, there's also the chicken sub, veg sub, tuna sub and burgers. From a sales point of view, that's only logical considering how we Singaporeans are so darn fickle-minded when it comes to food. 

It's fast food self service at the Yellow Submarines though all orders are made to order on the spot. The food comes out pretty fast so make sure you keep your eyes on the display for your queue number to be pinged. 

The Yellow Submarine Classic (S$6.90) is a tasty sub no doubt with high quality Australian sirloin steak being used in this one. The cheese sauce also had me swooning and i wished there was more of that in my sub (i gave feedback that they should provide a side portion of cheese sauce for all who wants more heh). The bun was also faultless with its crusty exterior and toasted  buttery interior.  

Here comes the but.. and only because i'm too accustomed to the real deal. The meat was a little too thickly sliced and hence it lacked in the juice department. The large onion chunks (a fixture in all their subs) were too Asian styled for my liking. Philly cheesesteaks have long strands of sauteed, caramelized onions, not chunky pieces. And why the ketchup? Now that definitely doesn't belong in a Philly cheesesteak. Thankfully the ketchup taste wasn't too overpowering. I'm not saying it is no good, it's just not authentic Americano. 

Now the Oregano Submarine ($6.90) is nothing American. This is what i'd call an Asian Chicken sandwich. I don't mind the onions in this one as much as i do in the Classic because it belongs with the other flavors. The chicken meat was very tender and juicy and I enjoyed the peppery taste in this one. Aunties and uncles from the neighborhood would probably identify with this sub. 

The Single Hit Beef burger ($5.90) is actually an Italian sausage masquerading as a burger patty. I love how herby and fragrant the meat is and the bun goes so darn well with it. What's missing? Cheese sauce for sure! 

I cannot express how crazy i am about Yellow Submarines' cheese sauce. Made from a blend of several cheeses, this heavily guarded secret recipe is a sure winner. You gotta make your sub a meal with the Torpedo fries and a drink for an additional $3. I say this is certainly one of the best tasting cheese fries in Singapore. 

Other sides were pretty good as well. I had fun with the Dino Chick Junior (4pcs, $2.80), which were perfect with cheese sauce. Kids would love this one. The Corn Mine ($1.50) was also very sweet and juicy. Dayums!

Desserts don't fare as well here ($2.80 each). Again, everything was toned down for the Asian palate. The cheesecake was very milky and soft, though lacking in the richness of the cheese. The brownie was dry and not chocolatey enough.

Overall, i did enjoy my meal at the Yellow Submarines. The fries are sufficient for me to visit again soon. Do hope some changes will be made to un-Asian-fy the subs. More cheese would definitely be awesome. 

On a side note, i lament this whole 'catered to Asian taste' thingy. Food should educate, not accommodate. I admire those chef that stick to the authentic flavors and not let the whim and fancy of ignorant customers dictate what they should serve on the plate. It takes time, but I'm sure the sophisticated Singaporean diner would appreciate that. 

Peace out.

C.

Yellow Submarines

Blk 177 #01-110, Toa Payoh Central (S)310177

Tel: +65 6352 7890

Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm