I’m not huge on mixed drinks in general… if I’m out at a regular bar with friends I’m not getting anything wilder than a Hendricks and soda or bourbon and coke (if I even venture past beer). But when I do go for a mixed drink I prefer my mixologist to be more alchemist than bartender. I don’t want a Pina Colada, I want something strange and unique. I want a challenge. And I want the thing made well.

I’m still on the fence when it comes to molecular gastronomy in regards to food. I’ve seen it work well and I’ve seen it bomb hard. With drinks I find it much more appropriate. Decorations, flourishes, accents, and surprises work well in mixed drinks in my not so humble opinion.

The team at Tippling Club is able to masterfully walk the fine line of showy and tasty. The signature drinks are spectacles and worth a trip in and of themselves. And that’s saying a lot for me as I don’t generally like heading down to Dempsey and the drinks are a bit pricey, but to me there’s still value here. It’s not a regular drinks with friends after work kind of place, more of a “I’d like to put on something a bit nicer and head out for a nice treat” kind of place.

If you like whiskey (even if you don’t) do yourself a favor and make sure at least someone at the table orders the Smokey Old Bastard. A jar of whiskey, sweet tobacco, and orange smoke. If this were available nearby and maybe 5 dollars cheaper (it’s 25 SGD) I’d start every evening off with one. It’s tasty. The last time we visited the place it was raining and we were seated indoors and I found it to be the perfect drink to sip slowly as we talked and watched the rain slide down the windows. A fancy mixed drink that maintains a level of masculinity…. could actually see my friends back in Texas ordering this one

If you want even more of a show, get the appropriately named Velvet Fog. Tanqueray Gin, champagne, Creme de Violette, and floral violet fog are mixed together in a science lab beaker and poured out on the spot. I’d almost expect safety gloves and goggles for the server with the amount of smoke that pours forth.

The drink went really well with some provided champagne infused grapes.

Once you’ve sampled a couple of the signature drinks you can move back to the old favorites. The bar is fully stocked… and I mean fully, at the time I visited it was one of the only places in Singapore with Hendricks Gin!

So if you haven’t yet ventured out to Tippling Club for drinks, give it a shot. If you have and it’s been a while I’d say go back again, they’re always trying new things and pushing themselves forward, no telling what they’ll be making now

The Tippling Club
8D Dempsey Road
249672
6475 2217

Highlights of what to see, do and eat in China’s capital city

We sometimes worry that a short trip is giving a majestic city like Beijing short shrift, but when all is said and done, wouldn’t you rather have visited a place briefly, than not all at?  That said, you can get a lot done in this big city, and beyond, in 48 hours. So don’t miss the opportunity to give Beijing a run for its money even if just for 2 days….here’s our highlights of what to see, do and where to eat in the capital city.

See Some of the Oldest Historical Sites in the World
You can run yourself ragged in this sprawling capital, but we have a few highlights to recommend as “must do’s”…

Tiananmen Square: if you are of a certain age, like myself, you will remember the student protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989 when tanks rolled into the square and “cleared” the area and an untold number of people were killed. Reports estimate 400-800, but the China government have never confirmed. But there is more to the square than this – it was built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty and has been the site of several significant events in Chinese history, see the Wikipedia entry for more.

Forbidden Palace: You could spend a whole day here covering the 72 hectares of this Unesco World Heritage site, and maybe you should…..I personally didn’t have the patience for that level of detail, so I would say hit the high points and main buildings and move on to a nice lunch   I am not going to lie to you…this place tried our patience a bit….it was totally overrun with Chinese and foreigners visitors alike. Be prepared to be swift and nimble in order to dodge all the sun-shielding umbrellas of the local visitors…they all seemed to be the perfect height to hit / poke us at eye level. With that said, you should definitely see the key sites like the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, the residence of the emperor and empress; The Hall of Supreme Harmony, the ceremonial center of the palace complex; and the Screen of the 9 Dragons is a true stunner outside of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, And if you really want to thoroughly dive into it, see about a tour guide…many of the signs are in limited English, so it’s difficult to really maximize the experience based on signage alone. Check out Wikipedia for more detail on the palace.

The Back Lakes, Shichahai Lakes: This is by far my favourite part of the Forbidden City complex…tranquil and soothing, this seems to be almost undiscovered compared to the frenzy inside the complex. You can stroll around the three lakes (Qianhai, Xihai and Houhai) or simply sit and relax in their gentle presence. We bought water from a local vendor and simply sat for a bit and watched the world go by….rickshaws and boys on bicycles, old ladies peddling wares and groups of girls in school uniforms giggling. You really start to get a feel for old Beijing in this picturesque and timeless part of the city.

The Great Wall, Mutianyu Section: one morning, get up very early and hire a car to take you to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. If you leave Beijing at 8am you can cover the 60km trip quickly and get there before the sun and all the tourists. Supposedly this is the less crowded section of the Great Wall…I will say though as we were leaving, it seemed to be filling up with great speed, so it seems early morning is indeed the ideal time to go. At this section of the wall you can take a cable car to the top and explore one of the best preserved parts of the Great Wall surrounded by lush woodlands and streams. It’s nearly indescribable…you simply have to see it for yourself.

For sure there is more to see in Beijing, but to do it in 48 hours, we would limit it to these 3 timeless sites.

Visit a Tea House and Shop for Local Ceramics
A trip to Beijing wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a Chinese tea house for a tea ceremony. And we know just the place….right outside the back gates of the Forbidden City lies the Terrace Tea House. Just walk past the lakes and onto Donghuamen Daije to reach the Terrace Tea House at #69. Take a seat and let the experts lead you through the timeless Chinese tea ceremony. The crowds and hustle and bustle of the city will wash away in no time.

Also, if you have the time and the interest, visit the Celadon Story, right next door at #49 Donghuamen Daije. Celadon Story has a wonderful selection of elegant celadon ceramic pieces for the home. The graceful lines and the soothing icy, jade green colour of celadon will likely tempt you in to taking a piece or two home.

Just for Laughs
Head down to the Donghuamen Street Night Market for a look at some unusual street food. This is the stuff of TV…things you have heard about but may have never actually seen. From innocuous hot teas that bubble and foam to stranger things like sheep’s penis and offal, since 1984 there have been over 100 vendors offering food here. While the grilled corn and spring rolls look familiar and appetizing, the squid flapping about on a stick and beef hearts less so. But it’s worth a look and makes for some fun photos…stroll through about 5 or 6 pm while it is still light out and you can get a good look at things before it gets too crowded. If you are feeling adventurous and prefer your food impaled, you can try the lizards on a stick.

Enjoy Rooftop Cocktails with Stunning Vistas
While there are lots of elegant places to imbibe in Beijing, we think one of the best has to be the Yin Bar at the Emperor Hotel. Widely reputed as the best rooftop bar in Beijing, you can see the emperor’s estate sprawled before you with the elegant sweep of the tiled Chinese rooftops as your vista. Go at sunset for the most impactful moment. And don’t avoid it if it is rainy on the day that you want to go…the fog and mist can lend quite an ethereal quality to the view even in inclimate weather.

Eat like an Emperor
Food is where this city shines. And I don’t mean lizards on a stick. I love Peking duck and there is no better place to get it than its city of origin. And beyond that, there are a bevy of Michelin-starred chefs (or those who have worked in Michelin-starred kitchens) in town.

Made in China: This is in the Grand Hyatt Hotel. I usually don’t gravitate to hotel restaurants when I am traveling…they tend to feel less adventurous. But we made an exception for Made in China and hope you will too. We were intrigued by the concept of bringing a street food market indoors…it works and what is really cool is that all the various chef’s stations are behind glass so you can see all the creations in progress. Peking duck is also excellent here.

Legation Quarter: This is the former US embassy, from 1903 – 1949 when the communists took over. Today it has been restored and now houses some of the beat restaurants in the city. The highlights include Daniel Boulud’s Maison Boulud and Ristorante Sadler. We really enjoyed our visit to the Ristorante Sadler, featuring a 2-Michelin starred chef. Don’t miss some of the most elegant food in Beijing….from wonderfully simple gnocchi to steamed sea bream and Tuscan-style steak….this is a restaurant who’s commitment to impeccable quality and service is apparent in everything they do. Go for the lunch set, it is an amazing deal at 200RMB ($30USD) for 3 courses of truly fine food, including wine.

Blu Lobster: for a most inventive tasting menu of fusion foods at the Shangri-la Hotel. While again, we don’t love hotel dining as a rule, we did love the fresh and inventive take the chef displayed with many of the dishes on the tasting menu. You will forget you are in a hotel and will get lost in the dreamy surroundings of the restaurant and the even dreamier dishes. Try the tomato salad, the crispy suckling pig and the parmesan-crusted sea bass.

You will find no shortage of fantastic things to do and see in Beijing, we hope our list of highlights can help guide the way to some fantastic experiences on your journey. But in spite of all the recos above, don’t forget to just take time to wander…some of the best adventures, scenic back alleys and interactions with locals can be had by just stumbling upon them. So don’t forget to make time for happenstance. Ni hao Beijing!

Enjoy a cocktail at sunset overlooking the former residence of the Chinese Emperor

The Yin Bar at the Emperor’s Hotel might just be the best rooftop bar in the city of Beijing. The hotel itself is one of the Design Hotels of the World, a list we often respect when we are hotel hunting in a new or familiar city. It usually stands for cool, hip, well-located, boutique hotels in exciting cities.

The Emperor Hotel is no exception. Its cheery and chic lime green and tangerine palette and kitschy system of rooms named after former Chinese emperors bring a modern twist to old Beijing. Take the elevator to the top of the hotel and then climb an ascending series of wooden platforms and you are overlooking a magical view of the tiled rooftops of Chinese emperor’s former residence.

Have a seat at one of the umbrella covered tables and order your favourite cocktail. If you get there in time, there is a happy hour special of 2-for-1 drinks for 80RMB ($11.57 USD / S$17). I choose the happy hour special and got an Argentinian red Cabernet, while Paul chose the Emporer’s Martini 58RMB ($8.50 USD / S$12), a blend of vodka, sake, peach, cranberry and lime. All I can say is Paul made the better choice.

Yin Bar is best at sunset and so our recommendation would be to try it for happy hour drinks before dinner (at Blu Lobster or Made in China perhaps?)

Yin Bar at the Emperor Hotel
No.33 Qihelou Street
Dongcheng District
Beijing, China
Telephone: +86 10 6526 5566

An apéritif is served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. Popular apéritifs include, my personal favorite, Pastis, ouzo, vermouth, Campari, fortified wines, and other drinks. Apéritifs are usually also served with a small snack such as cheese and olives.

Studies have shown that drinking 20 minutes before a meal does seem to lead to more food consumption. I’m curious to see if it actually makes the person more hungry or if it just lowers their inhibitions to eat more

A digestif is taken after a meal. The thought here is that the drink will help to aid in digestion. Some digestifs contain bitters or carminative herbs which are believed traditionally to help one digest. Common digestifs include amari, bitters, port, grappa, sherry, etc.

There’s no scientific research currently supporting the idea that digestifs settle the tummy. In my mind they make sense as you normally drink them “neat” (so they’re stronger drinks and therefore sipped slowly). The act of sitting calmly after a meal, slowly sipping a drink, and engaging in pleasant conversation will surely be better than staying with the wines and quickly leaving a restaurant and walking home or hopping in a taxi.

So there you have it. Now you know which one comes at which point in the meal and some common types. Now get out there and research your favorite of each so you know what to order when at a fine dining establishment or fancy dinner party.

Have a favorite pre or post-meal drink? Let us know in the comments.

Paul

From charming colonial hotels to lovely gift shops

Please don’t stay in Colombo if you go to Sri Lanka. Even 3 days is enough to explore historic Galle and the surrounding areas. Here’s our cheat sheet for how to spend 3 days in and around Galle.

On the way…

We flew in very late at night…due to the odd and inconvenient flight time offered by every airline to Sri Lanka…stayed at the Taj Airport Garden Hotel. This is truly an airport hotel of decidedly average caliber. But there is no point in splurging on this part of the trip – just crash and get up early the next day for your drive to Galle. Save yourself a lot of trouble and hire a car and driver for the journey – not only for the round trip transport, but also to take you around a bit while in Galle. It’s only a tiny bit more to pay the driver for extra time in town – since he will stay in town to wait for your return anyway (20000 LKR / S$250 / $175 USD).  You can arrange this at the Taj Airport Hotel through the travel desk. Be prepared – it’s only about 100km but it will take you about 4 hours given the condition of the roads (tuk tuks, errant cows and dogs, slow-moving trucks, etc.)

Stop off as Kosgoda Turtle Conservation Project. This is one of the many turtle conservation projects in the area, but we like this one because it is truly about animal rescue and preservation…whereas many of the others obtain their turtles through unsavory poaching practices. Visit the turtles and get a quick tour where you can learn about the different types, their habits and more (400 LKR / S$5 / $3.50 USD).  I got to hold one!

The Galle Fort…
The thing to see in Galle is the Galle Fort. The Fort is a Unesco World Heritage Sight and deservedly so…built in the 17^th century by the Portuguese and then later taken over by the Dutch it is a massive, hulking fortress of epic proportion given the time in which it was built. The fortress is so strong that when the 2004 tsunami struck, it emerged relatively unscathed. Spend an hour or so here…taking in the breathtaking water views, strolling around the ramparts and if you come on the weekend, seeing all the teenage couples paired off in dark corners, holding hands and stealing chaste kisses.

A bit of shopping in Galle…
In and around Galle Fort area, there are charming colonial streets with many a lovely store scattered about.

If you like jewelry the following are recommended. Please note though when I say jewelry in these parts, this means gemstones set in gold in traditional settings. And in some cases you can get knock off Bulgari but with real gold and stones. For me, this is not my taste (I prefer quirky things with a bit of character), but if it is yours, then try:

• MM Ibrahim, 47Church Street…in Galle since 1909, known for their Bulgari copies
• Laksana, 30 Hospital Street, wall-to-wall gemstones and jewelry, will custom make pieces as well
• Mangala, 43a Columbo Road…more gems and jewelry if you haven’t had enough
• Manika @ Fort Gallery…original, unique jewelry and gem designs

Laksana jewelry store

If you are into local handcrafts, textiles, objects, etc…then we have a few favourites to share with you. All of these have lovely selections of rustic jewelry, textiles like pillows and table linens, books on the area, cute / quirky gifts and more:

• Exotic Roots, 32 Church Street…painted bowls, wooden home décor objects and Sri Lankan handicrafts
• Elephant Walk, 30 Church Street…more of the same, but somehow I actually like this one better… we bought a rustic wooden serving platter that we thought would make a nice plate of cheeses and antipasto back home
• Kanhanda Kanda Collection, Pedlar Street, we really like this one too…the owner of the Kanhanda Kanda villa, George Cooper, is also an interior designer and here are some of his selections for you to take home… George has impeccable taste.
• Barefoot, 41 Pedlar Street…this was probably my favourite of the bunch. Lots of local hand-loomed textiles and great gift items. We left with probably a ¼ of our Christmas list complete!

Some spa?
It seems the consensus is that the Amangalla Hotel Spa and the Lighthouse Hotel & Spa are the best options around. But most places can and will arrange a massage therapist (or even a yoga instructor) to visit your hotel room. Why not indulge when on holiday?

For cocktails & dining …
Well one thing you should know is Sri Lanka is not a party place. No nightclubs, few bars and an early closing time of around 11pm make happy hour your best option for a few drinks. Besides, why not have a view of the beach and enjoy a local beer at sunset if you can. We recommend:

• Lighthouse Hotel: we enjoyed sipping a few local beers on the Grand Terrace while watching the ocean waves crash on the rocks below. Be sure to arrive around 5:30 or 6pm to catch the sunset. While we didn’t eat here, we do hear that the food is perhaps forgettable, so we would recommend heading to the Sun House for a lovely dinner afterward.
• Sun House: you can enjoy a cocktail from Dicks Bar in the courtyard or savor one of their lovely meals – we really like Sunday night curry dinner.
• Amangalla Hotel: Sit on the generous terrace and watch the watch the world go by. While you can certainly order something stronger, I found the Ginger Lime Fizz hit the spot for me after a hot day. Also try the Dining Room for dinner.
• Galle Fort Hotel: also recommended for drinks or dinner. We stopped by mid-afternoon for an iced-coffee. I love how the Sri Lankan iced-coffee is routinely topped with ice cream…one part pick-me-up and one part decadent treat.

The Lighthouse Hotel grand terrace

A local brew, Lion, enjoyed at the Lighthouse Hotel

Ice Coffee Topped with Ice Cream

Where to stay….
The list for dining and drinks above is a pretty complete list also for hotels. We really enjoyed our stay in the Sun House. Also recommended are:

• Kahanda Kanda: this is a truly lovely boutique hotel offering villas in a stunning location with panoramic views of the jungle, a neighboring lake and a tea plantation. Also well known for the excellent cuisine. George Cooper, the owner is also an excellent host. You will be welcomed like a personal friend and fully pampered by the attentive staff (pictured below).
• The Fortress: a luxury hotel / spa on the coast just a few minutes from Galle. Rather expensive…if perhaps too expensive to actually stay, it is always an option to stop by for lunch.

A serene spot at Kahanda Kanda

The grounds and saffron wall at Kanhanda Kanda

A sneak peek into a villa at Kahanda Kanda

Neighboring places worth exploring…
We really enjoyed a couple fo short jaunts we took out of downtown Galle anf thought you might too.

• Handunagoda Tea Estate: Sri Lanka is the world’s 3^rd largest producer of tea. And Hundunagoda is a 140 year-old, family-owned tea estate, purportedly supplying the back in the day supplying the emperor of China with the purest tea in the world – picked by virgins, harvested with golden scissors into golden bowls and completely untouched by human hands. Today you can tour the place (Herman is an excellent guide), see the plantation, tour the factory and learn about about teas from Sri Lanka, known in before 1972 as Ceylon.

• Mirissa Beach: about 40 minutes from Galle is a beach widely known as the most beautiful and unspoiled beach in Southern Sri Lanka. Sit on the beach, snorkel, have a beer…
• Wijaya Beach House: these days a bit crowded, Wijaya Beach is probably not the destination beach that Marissa is, but it’s a lovely stop to make on the way and have a bit of lunch. We like the curries at Wijaya Beach House…have a curry, sip and beer and sit back and watch the [many] people frolic in the surf and the locals fish by hand.
• Samakanda: sadly we ran out of time and did not make it here, but we really wish we had. Widely purported to be one of the most stunning places to visit in Southern Sri Lanka, an organic farm and tea plantation which has become a destination for many a visitor. Word has it they have a few rooms to accommodate overnight guests as well.

If you are feeling active…

There’s lots to do if you feel the need to stretch your legs a bit. We were a bit lazy on our trip, but the following are recommended if you are raring to go:

• Surfing: the best areas are Hikkaduwa, Ahangama and Midigama, the Kabalana Hotel is recommended as a staging point.
• Cycling: there is a guide that everyone swears by…Alex Barratt (077 7906 156). Alex organizes 2 rides a 35km ride touring through a tea planatation, rice paddies, including lunch at Samakanda ($50 USD). There is also a 15km version ($30 USD)

Certainly there’s no shortage of ways to entertain oneself in Galle – it really all depends on what you are looking for. It can be a totally chill, get-away-from-it-all kind of trip…or an active, I-don’t-want-to-waste-a-minute trip. But all in all I would say this – it is an island and like many island cultures, things do not happen with speed or haste. So plan (or let it all go) accordingly.

Beautiful people and glamourous cocktails and this river-view stunner

In the vein of big city bars with a view is The Glamour Bar on the Bund in Shanghai. I tend to have an affinity for Glamour Bar though, over say, the usual bar-with-a-view spots in Asia, e.g. Vertigo in Bangkok, Skybar in Kuala Lumpur or Felix at the Peninsula Hong Kong. Unlike many of its sleek, chic cousins, The Glamour Bar is bursting with personality…like your outrageous gay friend decked out in his most fabulous ensemble. It’s fun, lively, spirited and a little cheeky.

While honestly we are really more beer and wine drinkers, when we go to Glamour we like to experiment with the Signature Cocktails – just reading the menu is entertaining, with its cute and clever cocktail copy. On our last visit, Paul had the Scottish Crush, a signature cocktail of whiskey, mint and lemon juice topped with ginger beer.

I ordered the Pear Collins, a variation on the classic Tom Collins with gin, pear nectar and lemon topped with soda (both 88 RMB / $ 12.90 USD / $S 18.82).

The other thing I love about Glamour Bar is that the staff is super exuberant and friendly – none of the stiff, too-cool-for-school attitude you might find at a bar of a similar calibre in say New York or London. And all this with a stunning view of the Bund! A tip, while each table does indeed contain the requisite amount of glamour to ensure a good experience, for a truly luxe experience ask for a seat by the windows (book ahead on Fridays or Saturdays) and watch the brightly lit tour boats cruise down the Bund.

So next time you are in Shanghai, get yourself to The Glamour Bar. While it might not be a venue for hard core drinking (it is a wee bit expensive), I would highly recommend starting or ending your evening with a drink at The Glamour Bar. And then head upstairs to M on the Bund for dinner and visit one of the most famous and luxurious restaurants of Shanghai (where the view is actually even more stunning on the M on the Bund roof deck).

The Glamour Bar
from 5pm – late
6th floor
5 on the Bund (corner of Guangdong Lu)
Shanghai, China
Telephone: +86 21 6329 3751 or 6350 9988

Littered with watering holes, this street makes a great stop for drinks

I don’t know if it is the charming conservation shophouses on the street or the drink specials that keep us coming…but we often end up in the Emerald Hill area of Singapore for weekday happy hours or a weekend drink to kick off the evening. While we have eaten at a number of the bar / restaurants, Paul and I agree this is not a dining destination per se, it’s really more about hanging out with friends over drinks.

Here are a few of our favourite highlights from Emerald Hill.

Peranakan Place
This cute little conservation building is at the entryway to Emerald Hill – and contains 3 different bars / restaurant spaces – the Alley Bar, The Acid Bar and Outdoors Café & Bar.
- Alley Bar is…you guessed it….in the alleyway, with small tables and bar stools to grab a drink.
- Acid Bar is indoors and its particular draw is the frequent live music performances ranging from acoustic to jazz. Check the website for a list of performances.
- Outdoors Café & Bar is a quieter place on the street to grab a bit to eat, chat with friends and watch other Emerald Hill patrons make their way up the hill.
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180 Orchard Road
Peranakan Place
Telephone: +65 6737 2411

Howl at the Moon
This venue features an interesting concept…an entertainment pub with Live Music, Trivia Nights, Stand-up Comedy events and Dueling Piano nights where the guests pick the songs.
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180 Orchard Road
2nd Floor Peranakan Place
Telephone: +65 6838 0281

No 5 Emerald Hill
This is a great spot to pass a Friday night after work with friends due to its relaxed, casual vibe and its full range of cocktails – from Tiger beer to sexy martinis. Plus everyone agrees the chicken wings here are killer and not to be missed. And actually because this bar shares the same kitchen as its neighbours Que Pasa and Ice Cold Beer (and actually the same owners too!), you can actually order other items like pizza from Ice Cold Beer.
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5 Emerald Hill Road
Telephone: +65 6732 0818

Que Pasa
A lovely wine and tapas bar with a charming personality set in a 1910’s shop house. Have an old world or new world wine, a glass of scotch or even a cigar. Arrive early to get a seat outside to people watch and elegantly sip your cocktail.
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7 Emerald Hill Road
Telephone: +65 6235 6626

Ice Cold Beer
What can I say about this place? It is unapologetically a pub, a regular pub  – and I love it for this. No pretensions, just sit down and have a few beers with pals. Whether you come after work with a necktie or in shorts and a t-shirt, you’ll blend right in. There is a surprisingly wide variety of beers on offer from Asahi to Hoegaarden (served in a glass so big it will take 2 hands to hold!). They also offer a fun promotion on weeknights – every night the table with the most bottle caps by 9pm takes a case of the featured beer home. The night about 12 of us went out for Caroline’s birthday we won a case of Asahi!
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9 Emerald Hill Road
Telephone: +65

Hey all,
As we move along into healthy week, I thought I’d do a little roundup of drink information for you. A few years back when I was still living in Coppell, Texas I started trying to live a healthier life. I was running to the gym every other day and supplementing meals with smoothies. I couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t losing weight. I was doing everything right…or so I thought. The smoothie was actually my problem….

You see I picked up a smoothie from the gym’s attached smoothie shop and chose on taste preferences, not on carefully researched information. I figured I’d upsize since I was choosing a “healthy” smoothie drink over a value meal. I chose the 32 oz Peanut Butter Smoothie. It was rich, thick, and filled me up nicely. But I wasn’t losing weight, I was gaining as the weeks wore on.

One day at the Starbucks I managed, a customer asked to see the nutritional information of a drink she regularly ordered. She was shocked to find her twice a day treat contained over 600 calories. After that revelation we decided to promote customers to actually look into the nutritional information of some of the drinks they regularly consumed. The next time I was at the smoothie shop I decided to follow suit. I was equally horrified to find out that my “healthy” smoothie contained over 1200 Calories!!! A BIG MAC has only 450, fries around 220, and a coke around 150-200. Ignoring what that meal would do to my internal parts, it’s stunning to think from a raw weight gain/loss standpoint I was better off with the McDonald’s meal over the smoothie.

Here are some other Healthy Drink Pointers for you.

Smoothies:
So maybe I chose unwisely up top, but there are healthy smoothies out there. Look for recipes from reputable sources that also post calorie information. If you visit a shop ask to see their nutritional charts, if they don’t have them, choose another smoothie stand… they might be so tasty because they add in some unhealthy options to bring you back.
Smoothie Myths
Breakfast Smoothies
Healthy Smoothies from Eating Well

Coffee:
The healthiest drink at Starbucks (or other coffee shop) is an espresso shot followed by the plain ole drip coffee. A tall coffee has only around 100-150 calories. An Americano (half coffee half hot water) is also a very healthy option. Next up is the Cappuccino due to the fact that the milk is heavily foamed and not as dense as the regular Latte (same exact ingredients, just different heating of the milk). The Coffee Frappuccino Blended Coffee (not “frap” – how’s that for remembering my Starbucks brand awareness training?) is actually quite low for what it is at around only 240 Calories or so.

The Venti’s on some drinks get quickly into the 3-400 calorie range so keep your drinks small. Avoid the added whip creams and ask for less pumps of the sweeteners if you can handle a stronger coffee flavor. Ask for non-fat milk instead of whole….I don’t remember exactly but part of me feels like the Soy milk actually has more calories, but I would need to see the fact sheet again. Stay away from the Universal Beverage Base Drinks at all cost (Frappuccino Blended Creams). They are made with non-fat milk, but are the worse drink items on the menu. I don’t think they still carry this drink, but there was a Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino Blended Cream and I think the Venti of that topped in at over 750 calories if not more with all the whip, chocolate drizzle, etc.
NY Times on Health Benefits of Coffee

Wine:
Wine is everyone’s darling these days thanks to many published health reports stating it’s benefits. Everyone can quote some fact on red wine, but they often miss the fine print. Any benefits you gain from wine are quickly lost when you head over the two glass of day recommendation. The long-term negative benefits to your body when you go over two greatly outweigh the benefits gained. To quote from Winepros.org:

The keys to the beneficial aspects of wine drinking are regularity and moderation. The importance of this pattern of consumption this is almost impossible to over-emphasize. Overindulgence can be considerably more harmful than total abstinence.

Water:
This should be fairly obvious, but many people ignore water throughout their days, particularly here in hot, humid Asia. There’s debate going on right now as to some effects of water and how much should come from other sources such as fruits and others, but there’s no debate that we need it in our lives. So occasionally try to ignore the other drinks and opt for a glass of plain old water.
Mayo Clinic on Water

Tea:
I don’t think we need to sell our Asian readers on the benefits of Tea. The history with Teas here goes back many generations. For our non-Asian readers here are some links explaining why you should add more Tea into your daily routine…and for my faithful Texas readers it’s not just about the differences between “Sweet” and “Non-Sweet” Tea
Tea Association of the USA
Tea & Health Wiki

Glam cocktails await in this Kowloon gem

Hong Kong has no shortage of trendy bars and watering holes. But if you’re looking for something special…something different than the usual scene in Soho and definitely removed from the Lan Kwai Fong madness…then head to Salon De Ning in the Peninsula Hotel, Kowloon side.

A short walk from the Star Ferry lies the oh so grand Peninsula hotel. While the Peninsula has several lovely spots to have an evening cocktail, like the rooftop bar Felix, my current favourite is their newest addition – Salon de Ning.

Tucked away in the basement, yes the basement, they have recreated the salon of 1930’s Shanghai socialite Madame Ning. Just tell the hostess at the top of the stairs you would like to go to Salon De Ning and she will personally usher you down to an unmarked door whereupon you are greeted a mysterious and flirtatious set of eyes (digital)… presumably embodying the late Madame Ning’s. The door opens and you are escorted into a lush and transporting interior. There are 4 themed rooms – Africa, Spain, Swiss Ski and Madame’s Changing Room (you must book ahead for a room). We sat in the ski room….very much a Swiss ski chalet with a comfy leather sofa, layers of cozy carpets and fluffy pillows. Every last detail is considered – even the flickering flames of a (mock) fireplace have been included to make the experience complete.

For drinks we always like Ning’s Favourites from $108 – 265HKG. Paul’s likes the Bombay Agatini – a sumptuous blend of Bombay Sapphire, Midori and Cranberry. While I like the Caliente a spicy and powerful punch of Grey Goose, Lychee Liqueur, Fresh Lime Juice, Cranberry and Tobasco. Although honestly this drink is so intensely flavourful, it is hard to imaging having more than one. I can also personally recommend the Ning Sling and the Ning de Chine.

(And if you are as inspired by the art deco Shanghai theme as I am, then head over to Hutong at 1 Peking Place for a divine Northern Chinese meal. Another lush 1930’s Shanghai setting with panoramic water views of the city.)

Salon De Ning
The Peninsula
Salisbury Rd
Tsim Sha Tsui,.Hong Kong
Telephone: + 852 2366 6251