by Paul on February 10, 2010
“Fa cosi caldo qui o e la tua presenza?”
For those of you who don’t know, I’ll be entering a full-time culinary diploma program starting in April. I’m using my remaining months to continue to eat at great restaurants, travel, and take all the short-term cooking courses I can find. One of the more exciting courses I found while searching for classes in Singapore was offered out of Basilico’s at the Regent Hotel, Singapore. Each month they are focusing on a different Italian food region and teaching signature plates from said region. Having previously gorged ourselves enjoyed the sprawling Italian brunch, I knew that the chefs knew their regional foods and had the fresh ingredients required to pull something like this off. For February they went with a theme instead of a region… teaching a 3-course romantic meal that was every bit as indulgent as it was sensual. And as you prepare for your Valentine’s Day, you might consider cooking this rich, romance inspiring meal at home, rather than going out. [keep reading…]
by joanna on October 26, 2009
An elaborate tasting menu makes for a decadent fusion dining experience
We were delighted to be in Beijing…an unexpected detour on an extended business trip brought us to the former 2008 Olympic city. Immediately Paul, I and a colleague (Andy) set out to find the most distinctive of culinary experiences, and so it was that Blu Lobster emerged on our radars. The Spanish chef, Jordi Villegas Serra, had come from a distinctive background including a 2-starred Michelin restaurant in Barcelona and a 3-starred Michelin restaurant in Paris. Rumour has it Chef Serra is now after his own Michelin star. We heard that tasting menu was not to be missed, and so notebook and camera in hand, we set off to the Shangri La Hotel to try for ourselves. [keep reading…]
by Paul on September 21, 2009
It was only a matter of time before our Sunday brunch group broke from the main island and ventured over to the Disneyland-like island of Sentosa. I was apprehensive at first. The island is almost too planned and organized, meaning there’s little to be found or discovered. Plus with the cost of rent on the island I’m sure there’s never going to be an undiscovered hole in the wall serving up great food at amazing prices. We decided to set aside our cynical nature and answer one question – could we find good value on the island (factoring in extra travel costs, entrance to island fees, etc)? Surprisingly we did.
[keep reading…]
We really don’t do these mega-brunches all the time…really. But when high rolling friends come to town and want to dine in style, who are we to say no? A group of five of us Joanna, Lara, Markus, Ralph and myself decided to try out an old Singapore staple for champagne Sunday brunch – The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore (from now on just the Ritz). Was it worth the hype?
[keep reading…]
by Paul on March 26, 2009
If the brunch at the 4 Seasons Bangkok was elegant and indulgent… the Sunday Brunch at Brasserie Les Saveurs at the St Regis, Singapore was a downright decadent and debaucherous feast only one step back from the famed parties of ancient Rome. [keep reading…]
by joanna on March 11, 2009
I typically favour simpler brunches – something kitchy and cool, with homemade yoghurt and pancakes and endless mugs of coffee. You know the kind of place?…the one with braided rugs and probably a cat sleeping on the window sill, where I can turn up in some well-worn khaki’s and sandals and pillow-mussed hair. But every now again, it is simply necessary to go all out for the show-stopping, dress-and-high-heel-wearing, and yes-not-only-did-I-brush-my-hair-but-I-am-wearing-lipstick kind of brunch….the 5-star hotel champagne Sunday brunch! [keep reading…]
