CENTRAL PERK SINGAPORE

People who grew up watching FRIENDS series would definitely feel so psyched with the opening of Central Perk cafe in Singapore. And by people, I mean me! I am definitely one of FRIENDS' biggest fan. My college years were filled with watching this series, and I was practically in bed with Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Joey and Chandler. When the series ended on their 10th season, it didn't stop me from watching them. I have been rewatching the series for more than 50 times, I kid you not. For me, it is and will forever remain as my favorite and the best series ever made. 

Ivy's Travel: Singapore Food Diary IV

A short post on what we ate during our last SG trip. Don't expect any trending cafes since we didn't go to any. It's funny how I changed so much now that I'm not really into the rapidly growth food scenes. Normally my trip to SG won't be complete without visiting few of the trending spots, but now I am more into locals and food that I do enjoy rather than wasting my tummy space for fancy cafes' typical food, not that I won't be going there for good, it just won't be my priority anymore. 

Ivy's Travel: Christmas Festive in Singapore

It always fun to be in Singapore during Christmas since we hardly see any Christmas celebration in Jakarta. Though I'm not Christian, I do admit Christmas decorations are the best. One of my bucket list is to be able see Christmas in New York in person.

This post won't be long, since I only want to show you what Christmas look like in Singapore. Orchard Road, the heart of the city, was filled with lights, Christmas trees and ornaments. A sight to the eyes. 

Ivy's Travel: Singapore Food Diary III

So, Mom and Dad had something to do at Johor Baru last month. Since Hubs was on business trip, I tagged along with them rather than being in the house alone. I have never been to Johor before but the city is quite close to Singapore. 

Ivy's Travel:Singapore Food Diary II

Just got back from another Spore's short trip. Everyone has their personal favorite place for a short escape. Mine has always been Singapore, not only for it's short distance, but more on how they make me feel. Comfort. It's always, always feels good whenever I'm back in the city. And yes, another food hunts...

Ivy's Travel: Singapore Food Diary

Singapore has always been one of our favorite for short trip. No matter how many times we've been there, personally Hubs and I never bored with the city. Our trip to Spore mostly unplanned so I always have these list of restaurant or cafe to try saved in my mobile. :) Just like our last trip to the city last month, super impromptu and super short. So, instead of reviewing the places we tried one by one, I make it in one post as we didn't try much in each restaurants. Well, happy reading then!

Common Man Coffee Roasters Singapore

I love brunch. It's my favorite meal of the day. Since Spore has bunch of them, it has become a habit for me to always include at least one visit to a new brunch place, whenever I happen to go to the country. I even had a list of all the recommended brunch places in Spore saved in my mobile's notepad and one on the top of the list is Common Man Coffee Roasters.

Pasar Bella Singapore

Meet Pasar Bella, Singapore's largest market located at the Grandstand (formerly known as Turf City), right in the heart of Bukit Timah. Known as the first multi-sensory grocery shopping destination in Singapore with area over 30,000 square meters, it housing more than 30 unique stalls. Open daily with the markets' opening hours from 9.30am - 7pm, and restaurants from 10am - 10pm. 

Todai, Marina Bay Sands Singapore

Calling themselves as an upscale "all you care to eat" International seafood and sushi buffet restaurant, Todai offers lots of choices of good quality food. If you wonder where in Spore you can eat fresh snow crabs as much as you want, as much as you like, Todai is the place.

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, Maxwell Food Centre Spore

Meet Tian Tian, one of Spore's famous local hawker who won over Chef Gordon Ramsay during Singapore hawker challenge on July this year. The words of how good their Hainanese chicken rice has been around in ages, and not like they need to win over Gordon Ramsay to be popular, as the queuing line at their stalls in Maxwell food centre has been a strong proof on how they are loved by the locals and tourists. 

Baker & Cook, Singapore

Have you ever go to a place diner and then you just simply can't wait to go back?

My trips to Spore has always been about food hunting, and I have met a lot of great places which serves delicious kind of food, but neither one has made me wandering on the second visit so frequently like this one. Baker & Cook has been on my Spore food list for quite some time, but only until this trip I managed to go there with hubs for a morning breakfast.

Hotel Reviews: Marina Bay Sands Hotel Singapore

Last July, hubs and I went for an impromptu trip to Spore. Both of us were in need of a break that time and with only 1 hour 20 minutes flight, Spore always seems to be the right choice. It was actually a surprise trip from him. Hubs also the one who booked the hotel without my knowledge. If it was me, I doubt that I will book our stay at MBS. Why? Coz no matter how touristy that place is, my heart always stays in Orchard. For the convenient, the food, the shops, everything about it. But boy was I about to change my stubbornness.

Laduree Singapore

I have never tasted Laduree before they recently opened in Spore last April this year, yet the name has been familiar since those round colorful sweet thing become one of the phenomenon in the world of dessert. To me, personally when I think of macarons, I think of Laduree, simply because it is one of world's best known macaron. 

Tim Ho Wan, Plaza Singapura

Tim Ho Wan finally opens in Singapore with the first outlet took place at Plaza Singapura. This tremendously famous dimsum eatery franchised from Hong Kong has been well known as world's cheapest one michelin star restaurant, also been highly raved by American celebrity chef, Anthony Bourdain. 

Antoinette, Mandarin Gallery Singapore

Antoinette is a Parisian patisserie owned by Chef Pang, who is a well known pastry chef in Singapore. The patisserie has become one of the most talked about pastry shop in town. I will only do a short review as Antoinette is famous for their beautiful selections of cakes & macaroons, and we didn't try any of them. 

Hatched @Holland Village, Spore

One of my friends who stayed in Spore told me that Hatched is one of those breakfast places which less known by tourist but well known by the locals. I figured, if the place was well known by locals, it should be a good one. So the next morning, we went to Hatched for our breakfast. 

Au Chocolat, Marina Bay Sands Singapore

Last May, I went to Spore for a short break with my bestie. It had been nearly two years since our last trip together to Hong Kong back in 2011, so it was really fun to finally have another one. After checking in at York, we went to have lunch at Au Chocolat. Located at level 1 of Marina Bay Sands, Au Chocolat is a French inspired confectionery and bistro, opened by the same group behind Ku De Ta, half of the place was occupied for confectionery store filled with chocolates, candies and cakes. While the bistro have wide selections from breakfast foods, finger foods, main courses and delicious desserts.

Hotel Reviews: York Hotel Singapore

If you are looking for a hotel along Orchard, a nice one with not too shocking room rates, York Hotel might be the one. The location might not beat Mandarin, but the price surely did. The room is a bit old, but very clean and not smelly. I stayed at Mandarin before, and the room is also kinda old.

328 Katong Laksa @East Coast Rd Singapore

After two days full of western & Japanese type of fusion, we ended our last day in Spore with something more original. The famous 328 Katong Laksa is one of the most talked about when you wanted to eat a nice bowl of Laksa in the hometown. Located in the east cost road, simply took a cab and say Katong Laksa at East Coast, as you will not find any MRT near there.

Artease & Share Tea Bubble Tea

Artease bubble tea 

Tried: Apple rose tea (detoxifying effect) with aloe vera ($5), Oolong milk tea with custard puddings ($4), Plum green tea with mini pearls ($3).

Fact: Come with quite many selections from milk tea, fruit teas to coffee. Their branch at Orchard Cineleisure is in collaboration with a Japanese restaurant so we can have options of Japanese food to be eaten there. The pearl topping is free while the others like pudding, aloe vera, grass jelly cost around 0.5 cent to $1.