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

[CLOSED] Serenity – Spanish Style Roasted Suckling Pig

Serenity @ Vivocity

In the recent food tasting session, we (Chubby Botak Koala + other food bloggers) sampled a tapas size of Spanish Suckling Pig (Checkout the review here). As it was tapas size, it left you with a sensation of wanting more. So we decided to organise a suckling pig theme makan session.

Serenity - Table Setting

Serenity got our pick, due to their location and reputation. Thanks to Running Man for booking and putting a down payment for the whole pig, so we all can reap the benefit.

Cochinillo Asado -  Spanish style roasted suckling pig (whole)
with brown sauce and tomato jam

Au Jus from roasting

Cochinillo Asado ($338) Spanish style roasted suckling pig - whole. Good for 5 to 8 pax. Served with the au jus from the pig, brown sauce, tomato jam and potatoes. The suckling pig are roasted as whole and served as a whole. Like other traditional Spanish restaurant ritual, the suckling pig will be cut using saucer to show the crispiness of the skin and the tenderness of the meat. Normally, the saucer dispose by breaking it on the floor. In Serenity, the guest will be invited to break the plate in the bin with a stone in the middle. A nice ritual.

MaguroDonya Miuramisakikou – Its Maguro Not Tuna [MEDIA INVITE]

MaguroDonya Miuramisakikou Sushi and Dining

MaguroDonya Miuramisakikou Sushi and Dining ('MDM'), it might sounds a mouthful to pronounce, however it is one of the name that worth remembering. It is the first overseas venture by Neo-Emotion group of restaurants and if you are a Japanese food aficionado, you might want to note this down.

Mount Fuji Picture

The Setting

While most of us in Singapore always go for Salmon when you mention Sashimi, people in Japan are definitely passionate on their tuna, especially Hon Maguro (Bluefin Tuna). The most sought after fish in Japan and any sushi restaurant. The sight of maguro auction at of any seafood market auction across Japan, especially in the famous Tsukiji Market is a must see attraction for foodie like us. Know for its priced belly (Otoro), it is holy grail for Japanese food lover.

The Manager and The Chefs

Marriott Cafe – Marriott Thanksgiving and Christmas Magic [MEDIA INVITE]

Gingerbread Man Cookies - Photo Credit: Singapore Marriott Hotel

Pheww, I can't believe it that it's November already. Which means that we are approaching the end of 2015. To welcome the year-end festivities, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel is offering an extensive and exciting array of festive buffets.

Highlights of the Marriott Thanksgiving and Christmas Magic Menu are: Roast Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing. The turkey was evenly roasted as I tried both the breast and thigh meat. Both were tender and succulent, yum! While stuffing helps to seasoned the turkey, it also soaks up the juice from the turkey when it was roasted. If you are a fan of turkey stuffing, I must say, it was one of the better one. Shaped like a meatloaf or pate, it goes will with bread or with the meat itself.

Roast Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing

Oscar's – Savour the Cuisines of Latin America [MEDIA INVITE]

Savour the Cuisines of Latin America
Photo Credit: Conrad Centennial Singapore

Latin America, one of the continents that is hardly to be in our travel destinations. While we can found the cuisines from Mexico, Argentina and Brazil easily in Singapore now; Aruba, Chile, Columbia, Guatemala & Peru cuisines can be considered alien to most of us.

Fortunately from 5^th November to 4^th December 2015, all the cuisines from the countries mentioned above can be sample without the need to travel to the other side of the planet. In charge of entertaining our palate, is Executive Sous Chef Rodrigo Martinez, born in Chile, has worked around Latin America before making a pit stop in Conrad Centennial Singapore.

[CLOSED] Al-Harma – A Taste of Middle Eastern Cuisine [MEDIA INVITE]

Al-Hamra

Walking along the buzzing street of Lorong Mambong, it will be hard to not to notice people outside the restaurant smoking Sisha. Although it will be a common sight if you are in Bussorah Street or Arab Street neighbourhood, you will least expect this in at Holland Village.

Sisha

Al- Hamra is one of the restaurants under the umbrella of Ambassador Hotel Services Pte Ltd, the group in charge of transit hotel and transit lounge in Changi Airport T2 and T3. The cuisine served here originated from Lebanese and Middle Eastern. Though the food produced are sourced from Halal products, the restaurant is not Halal Certified as it served alcoholic beverages.

Part of Dining Area

Le Quartier – A French Brasserie Experience in Jakarta

Le Quartier ('LQ') an French inspired brasserie nestle in between the bustling city life of Jakarta. Located in South Jakarta, it is the area where you can find food that suits the palate of the expatriates in Jakarta. Like most food establishment in Jakarta that are not in a shopping centre, they have occupied a whole shop house. The outer part can look pretty simple. An European theme building with colour combination of blue and cream colour.

Le Quartier

Once you step through the main door you can see the full fledge bar island, which can comfortably up to 16 people surrounding the island. We were seated at back, which looks like an indoor terrace with a clear roof. During the day it allowed the natural sunlight to bask the dining area, while in the evening it should be a good setting for a gorgeous romantic setting.

The Bar

Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant – It's Hairy Crab Time [MEDIA INVITE]

Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant

One of the most anticipated culinary event for Chinese Restaurant is back. Yup, Hairy Crab Season is here. This special gastronomic occasion which normally coincide around Mid Autumn Festival and lasted for a couple of months. The Hairy Crab is popular during this period because it is the time when you can enjoy the orangey creamy roe from the female crab.

Wan Hao - Reception

For the month of October and November 2015, Wan Hao will be offering 2 Hairy Crab Grandeur set menu. Price at $98++ (for 6 course, Set Menu A) and $108++ (for 7 course, Set Menu B). A La Carte menu for Hairy Crab also available.

Wan Hao - One of the Private Room

Kopi Tiam Singapore Restaurant – Premium Singapore Cuisine [MEDIA INVITE]

Kopi Tiam Singapore Restaurant

Kopi Tiam Singapore Restaurant in Swissotel The Stamford is a perfect place to savour Singapore cuisine in air-conditioned comfort and settings. Popular Singapore dishes such as Fried Carrot Cake, Laksa, Mee Goreng, Nasi Lemak are readily available using premium ingredients to boost up the flavour of the food.

Kicking off this tasting session was Rojak ($16) and Satay ($16). The ingredients such as pineapple, cucumber, you tiao (fried dough) and water spinach in the rojak are fresh and contributed different flavours to the dish. The chilli is on the mild side which was good for me, it provide a subtle kick to the delicious fermented prawn paste that coated the ingredients. Satay was tender and succulent. It is well seasoned, with a hint of charred aroma. I personally like the mutton and beef, which was absent of any gamey taste. The peanut sauce was a bit too diluted for my liking, so I just ate the satay without it.

Rojak

Satay - Chicken, Mutton and Beef