I'm but a little late in visiting Jamie's Italian at Vivocity Singapore since their opening in July, but the long queues and the lacklustre reviews just made it too easy to put off. But don't write Jamie's off just yet! A recent visit to sample their updated menu left me walking away satisfied and looking forward to the next visit.

Just four months into Singapore and the restaurant has added 15 new dishes from the UK menu which includes some seasonal produce. Most of the dishes we tried were the additions but i also made it a point to order some tried and tested dishes. 

We started with the Baked Mushrooms ($12.50). Swiss browns are thinly sliced and layered on top of the Carta di Musica (a Sardinian-style thin bread) which has been dipped in the juice from the mozzarella, and baked with smoked scamorza cheese, Hay smoked mozzarella, sprigs of thyme, parmesan and olive oil. The flavors were rather earthy and i thought it was a little on the dry side but it does make for a good cracker replacement for breads. 

I couldn't resist the newly added Crab and Avocado Bruschetta ($14.50). A thinly crisped sourdough is topped with green apple sticks and crab that has been mixed with natural yoghurt, mint, parsley and chillies. Spread a little of the smashed avocado (ripe avocados blended with basil, lemon juice and red chilli) and whipped buffalo ricotta (blended with brown crabmeat and lemon juice and zest) and pop it whole. The flavors are guaranteed to blow you away.

Other must orders include the Crispy Squid and the Stuffed Risotto Balls (both $11.50 each).

I must admit that the mixed reviews on the pastas has deterred me from ordering them. So we went with another new addition, the Simple Baked Lasagne ($24). Trust me, there was nothing simple about it. A rich and tart ragu of minced beef and pork, is cooked for 2.5 hours with red wine, tomatoes, and stock. This is layered between Jamie's homemade lasagne sheets, with sweet roasted squash (LURVVE) and a thick and silky béchamel sauce. Finally it's baked with a tomato and basil passata, and finished with grated Parmesan and a fresh rocket salad. While the pasta sheet was quite dense and raw-ish (apparently very Italian), i enjoyed the combination of a tangy and chunky sauce and the sweet pumpkin. It's a little dry but it's awesome.

Other recommendations for carbs include the Tagliatelle Bolognese and Wild Truffle Risotto.  

The highlight of my meal was undoubtedly the 30 Day Matured Prime Rib ($59.80), a 350g Angus breed bone-in strip loin served with wild mushrooms and peppery endives. The juicy slab is  cooked on the grill al Mattone which seals in the juices. Go for the pimped version (add $5) for a disc of truffle butter and shaved black truffles. The medium rare version was absolutely bloody and buttery and extremely savory, just the way i like it.

Another option for carnivores would be the grilled pork chops, which is one of Executive Chef Gary Clarke’s favourites. 

For a lighter and more responsible meal, the Baked Sustainable Halibut ($29.90) cannot be missed. The sustainably fished Norwegian halibut has a nice lightly salted crust and comes paired with a vignole- a Roman white wine spring vegetable stew made with pancetta, baby onions, artichokes, broad beans, peas, Swiss chard, asparagus, mint and baby gem lettuce. Remember to soak that crostini smeared with a lemony basil yogurt dressing into the broth. S loved this dish and finished most of it.

If you love chocolate, forget everything and just order the Epic Brownie ($11.50) with amaretto ice cream and caramelized amaretti popcorn.  Made with 70% cocoa solid chocolate, this was super gooey and rich. I could taste a hint of salt which brought out the intense chocolate taste. Sweet and savory anytime! If the brownie were warmer and the ice cream less icy, this would be the ULTIMATE dessert.

Pair this (or the lovely tiramisu) with the award winning Italian coffee from Musetti. My latte ($5.50) was smooth and milky. It would have put me to sleep with happiness if not for the caffeine. 

The Raspberry Frangipane ($9.50) is a nice complement to the sweet brownie with the tart raspberries and nutty almond filling. The center was a little too soggy for my liking but the outer crust was nutty and crunchy. Yums. Now if they could work on the overall consistency of the texture. 

Another area of improvement would be their drinks. My Florence Fizz ($16.50) tasted like cough syrup and i sent it away after 1 sip. The Ginger beer ($6.50) was spicy but dilute. 

So go to Jamie's Italian. I was won over really. Just make sure you make a reservation (only for groups smaller than 7pax)

Jamie's Italian

1 Harbourfront Walk #01 165-167, VivoCity

Tel: +65 6733 5500

Sun - Thu: 12pm - 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm - 11pm 

Pop up stores are gonna be the hot thing in 2014 and what's sizzling right now is The U Factory at Gillman Barracks. Little known to the public, Gillman Baracks is a gem that houses renowned art galleries and couldn't be a better fit for The U Factory, a temporal experimental platform that cuts across art, film, music, food, design and culture.

From Nov 2013 to Jan 2014, the people behind Underscore magazine together with creative consultancy HJGHER have curated a series of activities exhibitions, events, workshops, parties and 'happenings’ in the three blocks of space, Block 37 - 39. I recently checked out what they have to offer, starting with the Boiler Room at  Block 39, which houses the f&b outlets Maison Ikkoku, Rakusaba, The Travelling C.O.W., and the Bakers League. Food first as always.

Maison Ikkoku 
MI needs no further introduction. I've tried their brunch offerings at their Kandahar outpost and it's one of my favorite cafes for brunch (read review here). Brunch is served at the U Factory and includes the amazing Salmon Florentine and the kick ass Wasabi Egg Ciabatta. Head on here if you want to beat the queue, before everyone finds out.
Weekends: 9am – 5pm

Ramen Burger by The Travelling C.O.W.
If it's not the food craze that drove New Yorkers insane, and potentially Singaporeans. The Travelling C.O.W has come up with their version of the Ramen Burger, which consists of two golden crisp ramen patties and filled with some succulent meats, paired with a secret dressing. The Bulgogi Beef burger is a crowd pleaser, a mild sweet juicy burger. I liked the Spicy BBQ Chicken, which is more savory than spicy. The sauce provided the right amount of flavors for the otherwise bland noodle patty. More could be done to the consistency of the fried noodles, but when golden brown, it goes great with the saucy gravy. Skip the Mushroom Fricasse, instant mushroom noodles would have tasted better. Burgers are going for about $9.
Fri 6pm -10pm and weekends from 12 - 8pm

Rakusaba at The U Factory
Here is Preparazzi’s innovative take on the traditional laksa dish. Chef Jeremy's aim is to challenge people’s perceptions of what constitutes a laksa and to encourage diners to engage in a wider conversation about the changing nature of what is deemed ‘traditional’ Singaporean food.

So here is a wheat and egg noodles, served with a super lemak (coconut) dipping sauce that is very creamy. Interesting texture from the noodles but the sauce was lacking in flavors. Of the condiments, Preparazzi’s signature salmon otak otak gratin and a soft boiled egg topped with “heibi hiam” (spicy dried shrimps) were delicious. I expected the same umami charsiew flavor in the pork belly but found the meat bland and on the tough side. The finishing prawn and pork broth that was added to the laksa sauce after the meal was bland as well. But overall, an interesting dish. Just not sure if it warrants the $22 price tag.

Mind you, there are limited bowls of noodles. We were made to share 1 bowl because there weren't enough and all bowls were sold out at 3pm on a Saturday. I'm not sure if they do replenish for dinner.

Fri 6pm – 11pm, Sat 11am – 11pm and Sun 11am – 3pm

Wash the rich meal down with a cool refreshing Japanese craft beer. The Minoh W-IPA has a nice lingering grape aftertaste and the Ginger Ale was delicious as well.

The Baker’s League
Vegans can feast on the delicious treats by The Bakers League and are made without egg or dairy products. They weren't open when i was there on a Sat though.
Sat 11am – 11pm and Sun 11am – 3pm 

After the huge meal, do explore the other blocks to burn off some calories.

The Monocle Shop, Control Tower, Block 37
Not to be missed is the Monocle Shop, the largest pop up in the world. Get your hands on the Monocle x Porter bags, along with their Monocle's Guide to Better Living.

Assembly Hall, Block 38
Get an art education at Assembly Hall, Block 38, which houses international exhibitions by Shigeki Fujishiro and Design Hotels, as well as local installations by Aiwei Foo, Lekker and Kult.

I really liked the vibe of Gillman Barracks and i think the concept of U Factory is great. If you don't fancy the food here, you can always pop by the Naked Finn which is located in the same area.

For more information on participants, events and workshops, visit www.theufactory.com

Thank you U Factory for the invite. 

The U Factory
Gillman Barracks,9 Lock Road Singapore 108973

Passionate about all things nice? Always on the lookout for funky thought provoking designs? Then you should head to Naiise, a new shopping portal that focuses on cool quirky designs that are functional and accessible. In my opinion, this is the local (and affordable) version of my other favorite crowd curated site The Fancy (you should get a Fancy Box subscription!) 

With more than 1,200 products across multiple verticals ranging from furniture to fashion to gadgets, there is something for everyone. There are unique overseas brands such as Pantone Universe and Ole Jansen, as well as local designers like FARM and Aide de Camp.

Naiise founder Dennis, believes that by working closely and sincerely with designers, brands, partners, influencers and the community, they can together effect change, and help people understand the value of good design and get them saying "Hey, that's naiise!" Read about the conversations with these influencers here. And here is my interview with them (read it here)

Knowing how much i travel, I was invited by Naiise to curate a Gift List for Wanderlusters, check it out here. 

Here's highlighting my top 3 picks from the site!

FARM 6 Year Coupon Journal $25

I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. It feels like I can freeze time and stay in the moment forever when I pen my travel journeys in this journal. It's also uniquely Singapore because it uses the Parking Coupon design! Quirky!

Darkroom Army Vintage Cameras $200

Capture a different dimension to your travels with the Darkroom Army's Vintage Cameras. These are seriously cool. The trip may end but the journey continues as you develop new perspectives from the pictures after you get back.

The Pantone series cameras are also absolutely pretty. I wish i can have all of them.

Komono Magnus Watch in Black Cognac $149.50 

This is one cool watch for the boys! The matte black bezel with the brown leather reminds me of the gorgeous 2012 Special Edition Panerai Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT Cerimica (which is to die for). And this is a mere fraction of the latter’s price. There's currently a 3 day timed sale till 19 Dec 2013 on Komono watches.

For my dear readers, Naiise is also offering a 5% discount till 31 Jan 2014. Simple use the voucher MSFxNaiise for the offer. This is applicable on all items storewide, with no minimum spend. Enjoy shopping at Naiise.com.

It has come to my attention that the whole world is gonna be descending/has descended upon my favorite city (NYC duh) this holiday season (as always). So here's 5 things to do in New York City during Christmas!

1. Iceskate at one of the open skating rinks. This is quintessentially NYC. Top spots are the Central Park Rink at Rockefeller Center and Winter Village at Bryant Park.

Of course, Central Park's Trump Wollman and Lasker rinks are extremely popular as well. Which brings me to my next point.

2. Chill out in Central Park

Whether it's a picnic in spring, sunbathing in summer, chasing squirrels in autumn or building snowmen in winter, there's always to do in Central Park. And it's always magical. 

Just remember to layer up and keep toasty.

3. Drink Hot Chocolate. Lots of it.

We burn lots of calories during winter so an energy drink every couple of hours is absolutely justified. Judging by the long queues at Max Brenner (841 Broadway), I guess everyone shares my same philosophy. The rich chocolate elixir will keep you warm and provide you with enough juice to go on the whole day. I love the one with the chocolate pops! And it tastes better than what we get in Singers, like seriously. With that energy boost, you're now ready for the next activity.

4. Christmas Market Shopping 

 

Is there anything that spells Christmas more than Christmas markets? I love the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park (Sixth Ave. between 40th and 42nd Sts.). If you're in a rush for time, you can do item 1, 2 and 4 here! This open-air European inspired market is open daily until 5 Jan.

Hunt down unique preloved at Brooklyn Winter Flea Market [1 Hanson Place (at Ashland Pl.), Fort Greene]. There're antique furniture, vintage preloveds as well as locally crafted artisan jewelry and art. When you're done, pay tribute to your tummy with the hot and fresh food available.

With over 100 red and white booths at the annual Union Square Holiday Market (Union Square Park, bordered by Park Avenue South, Broadway and 14th Streets,), you'd definitely be well fed, entertained and occupied. The market stays open through Christmas Eve.

If you're afraid of the cold, head on to the indoors Grand Central Holiday Fair (87 E 42nd Street).Kill two birds with one stone as you soak in the atmospheric air of the Grand Central Station's historic Vanderbilt Hall on top of your shopping. The fair runs daily from 18 Nov to 24 Dec.

While you're at Grand Central Station, be sure to check out The Campbell Apartment, a hidden cocktail lounge that would throw you back to the Golden Age of train travel. 

Sip on the Prohibition Punch or Kentucky Ginger and lose yourself in the glitz and glamour.

5. Be enchanted by The Nutcracker 

Regardless of your age, The Nutcracker by the New York City Ballet will enchant you and make you believe in Christmas once again. This is way better than any mass market Hollywood Christmas movie with no substantial plot. This is the best way to celebrate Christmas really!

So yes, 5 things to do in New York City during Christmas. Tell us what else you'd do. :) Have a merry holiday!

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)

F&B restaurants are a dime a dozen in Singapore these days and most don't even survive past a year. Which is why Absinthe is great, because despite its lack of publicity and even a change of location, it has been doing good since i last wrote about it 2 years ago (read about it here).

Led by award-winning Chef Francois Mermilliod and General Manager Vincent Jaureguiberry, Absinthe is best known for serving classic French cuisine complemented with well-priced wines right in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District.

Formerly located at Bukit Pasoh, Absinthe’s current premises at Boat Quay is spread across two adjoining shophouses over three floors, which accommodates 140 guests in various party configurations. A Seafood Bar and Chef’s Table on level one offer fresh seasonal catch, oysters and caviar. 

Enjoy an "Absinthe Afternoon" from 4 to 6.30pm on weekdays with drinks and some light bites such as fresh crustaceans from the Seafood Bar and an assortment of French cheeses. Grilled options such as Tiger Prawns ($18) and Foie Gras ($16) and gourmet sandwiches are available if you're more peckish.

Level two houses 2 dining rooms and one private room.

There is no minimum spending required for the private Beluga Boudoir, which seats 4. We heard that it is quite the popular proposal spot so do book in advance. I thought it was a wee claustrophobic with the curtains drawn.

There is another dining room and two private rooms on level three. Additionally, a private verandah on level three looks out into the stunning skyline of Marina Bay Sands and an outdoor al fresco area sets the scene for experiential dining along the iconic Singapore River. Perfect for a private party.

We sampled a couple of dishes from the ala carte menu. Pictures show tasting portions.

Hamachi ($26), carpaccio of marinated yellow tail kingfish with Aquitaine caviar, cucumber and baby cress. A simple refreshing start to the night.

Saint Jacques ($26), seared Hokkaido scallops, braised daikon, wakame and lemon thyme emulsion. Lemon line. This dish really whets the appetite with the tangy citrus. The braised daikon, while being thoroughly flavored, still maintained some bite to it. The scallop was perfectly executed with a light pinkish center and lovely browned crust.

Next, the Foie Gras Poêlé ($29), Chef Francois’ rendition of pan-fried foie gras served with warm blinis and Morello cherries. I found it little on the oily side and the blinis soaked up all the excess oil. Needless to say, I left it after a bite. If foie gras is your thing, opt for the Foie Gras Terrine ($29), layered with smoked duck breast and served with warm brioche (read it here). It's certainly a hot favorite.

The Bisque ($15), lobster (of course) was a little on the bland side. A hint of cognac was detected but did not lend any flavors to the soup.

From the mains, the Canard (lunch $40, dinner $42) is a French duck leg confit should not be missed. Nice crispy skin with a well flavored and moist duck meat. Comes served with Sarladaise potatoes, mushrooms and Madiran wine sauce.

We ended dinner on a sweet note with the Vanilla Madeleines ($15), freshly baked-to-order and accompanied with Valrhona chocolate mousse. Freshly baked goods are always good but this changed my mind about the boring madeleines. If you don't have a sweet tooth, then head for the Absinthe “French Farmed Cheese Trolley”, which are elected by an “Affineur” (Master Cheese Ager) in France, who recommends the variety according to their “best-age” for enjoyment, and are specially flown in for Absinthe on a weekly basis.

A reduced a la carte menu is available at lunch, and a full a la carte menu is available at dinner. A pocket friendly three-course Lunch Set ($38) offers good value with a selection of five dishes each under the entrées, mains and desserts. Additionally, a 7-course Degustation Menu ($98) is available for order at lunch and dinner. All menus are changed every three months but signatures will stay.

Thank you Absinthe and FoodNews PR for the delightful dinner!

Absinthe

71/72 Boat Quay, Singapore 049860

Tel: +65 6222 9068

Weekdays: 12 - 2.30pm, 4 - 6.30pm, 6.30 - 10.30pm

Weekends: 6.30 - 10.30pm