Chubbybotakkoala.com Most Memorable Moments in 2015

On the final day of the year, Chubby Botak Koala and Little Devil decided to present to our beloved readers our highlights this year.

OSIA Macadamia Soufflé 

OSIA Bar & Restaurant definitely worth considering if you are celebrating a special occasion. Beautiful service, ambiance and good selection of food. With open kitchen concept, you can view Chef Douglas Tay running the kitchen and serving those fine dining dishes for you to savour.

Guiga Prime beef short ribs, prime beef ribs

We also finally review our favourite Korean Restaurant, Guiga Korean BBQ Restaurant. It serve a good all round quality Korean food at reasonable price. It used to open until 6 in the morning, however they have shorten their operating hours to 3AM daily. Other than the delicious beef and pork, check out their grill pork intestines and freshly pickled raw crabs.

Guiga DweiJiMacchang – Pork Abomasum / pork intestines

For red meat, (steak place); Simple and unpretentious The Market Grill is a must try. Focus purely on food in a very casual ambiance. If you are seated at the middle section to the end of the restaurant, you can see the grill master at work. Do take note that this place does not take reservation, so you better be early and queue up.

The Market Grill - Wagyu Chuck Rib – 600 gram 

Smack in the middle of Orchard Road, we were introduced an awesome place for High Tea, KUVO. While the hustle and bustle of Orchard Road happening below you, you can find serenity and elegance at KUVO. Enjoy your bite size sandwich, cakes or tapas with your tea or coffee. In the evening, prepared to be entertain by head bartender Yutaka Nakashima. Kuvo open till midnight on weekday and 2AM in the weekend, making this place a chill out destination.

 Kuvo - Three tier high tea tapas / sandwich combination
Deconstructed Otah, Fried Wanton & Parma Ham Canapes 

This year we also made a few special discoveries for Crab Bee Hoon. Opened by Chef Mac Kong, Long Ji served the ultimate crab bee hoon. The thin bee hoon infused with robust crab stock, topped with female Sri-Langkan Crab, fried shallots, pork lard and cilantro. We became a regular here as our friends keep asking us to bring them here. So crab lovers, this place is a must try.

Long Ji Crab Bee Hoon - Check out the Roe

MaguroDonya Miuramisakikou Sushi & Dining, provide us with Otorogasm experience. We finally understand why Japanese went all out for this piece of fish. One of the best otoro we ever ate outside Japan. During the dinner, we also learned about Maguro (Blue Fin Tuna) and the sustainable fishing. Meanwhile, we also discover a unique fish and chips shop in the heartland. Murphy's who uses Arrowtooth fish from Canada. The fish provide amazing texture, suitable for Fish and Chips dish. One of the best fish and chips in the heartland.

MaguroDonya 3 cuts of Hon Maguro ($38) - This size is for tasting session only
On the left: Otoro in different cuts; Middle: Akami; Right: Chutoro

Thank you very much to our readers, Business Owners, Marketing & PR friends for your support in the year 2015.

Happy New Year 2016!!

xoxo

Chubby Botak Koala & the Little Devil

KPO Cafe Bar – Gastronomic Cafe Bar Experience [MEDIA INVITE]

KPO Cafe Bar

KPO Cafe Bar is a landmark Cafe Bar located in the middle of Orchard Road which intersect with Killeney Road. KPO is a abbreviation of Killiney Post Office, the Cafe Bar located beside a full functioning Singapore Post Office. Owned by Imaginings Pte Ltd, the group behind the concept of Balaclava and Nassim Hill, you can expect Gastronomic Cafe Bar experience like no other.

There are three dining areas in KPO, outdoor dining on the ground floor surrounded by the greeneries, two floors of indoor dining and a mini patio on the second floor facing the Orchard Central. Although positioning itself as Cafe Bar, I believe Gastrobar will be the more appropriate definition. Between 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm, you will be entertain by live bands playing the latest hits. Afterwards, the daily DJ will be spinning their own take on 'cool'. On Monday night when we were there, the DJ was going Retro which really bring back memories of our teenage years. The music was pretty loud, so if you are looking for place to have a good chit chat with your friends, it might not be the place to go.

KPO Bar - 1st Floor

A must-try dish here is KPO Hokkien Mee ($16). Cooked in traditional way, KPO Hokkien Mee distinguish itself by using premium ingredients. The stock are robust and well absorbed by the springy yellow noodle and thick bee hoon. The wok hei (breath of the wok) brought out the aroma in this dish, that made you salivate when it reach the table. The prawns, cuttlefish and pork lard are fresh, crunchy and light. I did not try the chilli, but the other bloggers gave it a thumbs-up so it must be good.

KPO Hokkien Mee

[CLOSED] DC Comics Super Heroes Cafe – Enjoying My Meal with Batman & Superman [MEDIA INVITE]

DC Comics Super Heroes Cafe

The Kiosk and DC Comic Shop Sections

DC Comics Super Heroes Cafe (“DCSH”) at Marina Bay Sands is one of the cafe that are licensed by Warner Bros. Unlike any normal cafe, this place is like a mini museum for DC Comics. Once you enter the cafe, every details of the cafe is basically screams DC comics characters. You have Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and The Flash leading the charge. The decorations, the menu, the food even the utensils, have DC Comic characters or their logo on it. So if you are a fan of DC Comics characters, this place definitely a must visit for you.

Batman, guarding the entrance

Superman, checking in!!

KDF Millennium Ride 2016 – Fundraising for Those in Need [CHARITY PROJECT]

12 DAYS TO CHRISTMAS, LET'S DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR CHRISTMAS 2015.

Come 15 – 18 January 2016, Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF) will held its annual KDF Millennium Ride 2016 for the 3^rd year organised by Epic Cyclists. Over 70 cyclists will be participating in the KDF Millennium Ride and riding 1000km in four days to raise funds for the Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF).

KDF is a non-profit charitable organisation that provides subsidised dialysis treatment to needy members of our community. KDF is focused on a niche group of patients, who are from the lowest 10 per cent of the income group and referred by medical social workers from the restructured hospitals. Most of these patients – if employed - hold jobs such as cleaners, hawker assistants, store assistants and taxi drivers.

Held since 2014, the annual KDF Millennium Ride is organised by Epic Cyclists, a local cycling group, and known as one of the most physically and mentally demanding rides in the region. Cyclists will endure at least 8 hours of cycling to complete a distance of 250km each day through various types of terrain and weather conditions from Malaysia to Singapore. (Check out the Youtube clip for KDF Millennium Ride 2015 below)

In 2015, A total of S$322,000 was raised through KDF Millennium Ride this year was matched by the Community Silver Trust Funds at 40%, making it a total of S$450,800 for KDF. Epic Cyclist hopes to raise at least $300,000 in 2016 for the less fortunate who requires dialysis treatment. (Check out the Youtube clip for The Closing Ceremony of KDF Millennium Ride 2015 by Channel News Asia below)

This year Chubby Botak Koala and Little Devil will volunteer as Safety Drivers to somewhat contribute to the welfare of the Epic Cyclists. With this, we hope that to raise more awareness and share the passion and mission of helping KDF patients.

All proceeds from the donations will be channelled to the needy kidney patients under the care of Kidney Dialysis Foundation. Members of the public can donate via these links:

• https://give.asia/charity/kidney_dialysis_foundation_limited (KDF Give Asia Page); or
• https://give.asia/movement/mride2016 (KDF Millennium Ride 2016 Give Asia Page); or
• https://give.asia/movement/kdf_millenium_ride_2016_with_epic_cyclist (Set up by Hence @ Chubby Botak Koala)

(No matter which link you choose, all proceeds will go directly to KDF)

Thank you very much for your generous contributions and support. 

Please pray for us for the success of this event.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Kidney Dialysis Foundation

Blk 333 Kreta Ayer Road

#03-33.

Singapore 080333

T: +65 6559 2630 (For Enquiries)

W: http://www.kdf.org.sg/

E: Enquiries@kdf.org.sg

F: https://www.facebook.com/KDFsg/

Epic Cyclist

F: https://www.facebook.com/the.epic.ride

*Banner and Youtube Video Clips are courtesy of KDF & Epic Ride 

Szechuan Court – Combining Elegance of Cantonese Cuisine with Fiery Sichuan Cuisine [MEDIA INVITE]

Szechuan Court & Kitchen (“SC”), the designated Chinese Restaurant for Swissotel and Fairmont Singapore. One of the main stay in the dining scene in Singapore, the restaurant is about the same age as the hotel itself. Serving a combination of Fine Dining Cantonese and Szechuan style cuisine, and are well-known for the use of highest quality of ingredients.

Part of the Dining Area with Privacy Rooms

Side Dishes to start

The décor of this place is modern with oriental flair. The restaurant is bright, combining the colour of gold and red. Red and Golden lanterns are also used to enhance the oriental theme in this restaurant. In typical characteristic of Chinese restaurant, most of the tables here are round. To accommodate clients that require some privacy, they have a few mini private cubicle that can seat up to 4 pax.

Table Setting - Medium Size Group

Joyden Treasures – Joyden Heritage Restaurant [MEDIA INVITE]

Joyden Treasures ('JT') is the third eatery opened under Joyden Concepts. While this group has been in the F&B industries for more than 20 years, the Joyden Concepts was launched by the second generation in 2013. It started with the transformation of their seafood restaurant from West Coast Seafood to Joyden Seafood. Followed with the opening of Joyden Canton Kitchen in 2014 at HillV2 and Joyden Treasures at Leisure Park Kallang in October 2015.

Part of the dining area with outdoor view

Each of the establishments has different focus, while JT aim to bring back the nostalgic taste of classic Singapore cuisines. These dishes were long lost either due to the complex and time consuming preparation needed. Besides that, the owners of Joyden also include a selection of their family recipe with a refine touch.

[CLOSED} Murphy's – One of The Best in Singapore Heartland

Murphy's

Fish & Chips ('F&C') brought me back to my memories during my high school in Melbourne. A good plate of fish and chips always have three characteristics: Light and crisp batter; Fresh, flaky and juicy fish; Of course mountains of fries. It is kind of difficult to get a pretty decent F&C here, they either use lower quality fish to maintain the cost down or charged pretty high.

I can't remember when I saw Murphy's in the media post featuring F&C shop in the heartland. A quick google, I found the location. Apparently it is not that far from my office. So I decided to drop by for my usual after 2 pm late lunch.

Part of the dining area, order counter and drinks

Spicy Thai – A Different Taste of Thailand [MEDIA INVITE]

Spicy Thai - Thai Cafe

Spicy Thai – Thai Cafe is a home-grown Thai restaurant opened Mr. Ron Poh, a Singaporean who has unexplainable affinity towards everything Thai. Other than serving authentic Thai Cuisine, Spicy Thai also deliver of the authentic way of cooking Thai food, especially in the use of charcoal in soup and steam dishes here.

Spicy Thai - Thai Cafe Story

The décor of the restaurant has give you the feel of a traditional restaurant in Thailand. Even with its simple and minimalistic decor, the presence of the Thai offering altars in the centre of restaurant, leave you no doubt that you are in a Thai restaurant.

Part of Indoor Dining Area