The Devil is in the Details!

Even the pull-tab is not spared…I simply adore the Red Bull logo!

"Hug Mug"

 

 

 

Fashioned like a white egg which you are supposed to hug with both palms as you sip and “specially designed for the chocolate drinking ceremony” - Brought to you by Max Brenner, the Chocolatier

 

It is definitely adorable enough to ignite me to hug my camera but not functional enough to keep my mocha warm. Perhaps they should fix a stainless steel lining to keep the bevvy piping hot!

 

If you are interested to know more about Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man, pls log on to http://www.maxbrenner.com/.

 

 

Gastronomic Dining @ Pollen…..Singapore

Waiting eagerly like two school kids entering Disneyland for the first time; my chum and I were so excited standing at the designated pick-up point.

 

 

 

 

In two shakes of a lamb’s tail, we arrived fashionably in a buggy at the doorstep of Pollen restaurant.

 

Pollen is the one and only restaurant which you can find in the Flower Dome, Gardens by the bay. This 120-seater cum duplex restaurant is also a spin-off from Michelin-starred chef, Jason Atherton’s Pollen Social Street restaurant in London and collaboration with famed restaurateur, Loh Lik Peng.

Designed by Singapore-based Columbian architect, Antonio Eras, and “surrounded by temperate olive trees, herbs and vegetation, complete with a climate-controlled sub 20-degree temperature environment; you can easily imagine yourself to be dining in a Mediterranean garden. The flora is not all just for show as the kitchen uses herbs and vegetation fresh from their own garden patch, accessible from the restaurant’s upper level terrace.” (Epicure’s Luxe Dining Selections by HSBC Cards, Pg 96)

 

When the door opened, my chum and I were greeted by 2 parallel rows of wait staff that happened to be engaged in a staff briefing. We were then kindly requested to amble through the Flower Dome before the official dinnertime. (That’s a vantage point: you get to tour Flower Dome for free if you score a seat at Pollen!)

 

After the saunter, we returned to our reserved table and were each given a personal rack to place our pocketbooks and souvenir bags. As we shot the breeze, my chum (seated facing the interior) was indulging in the Mediterranean–chic ambience while I (seated facing the glass panels) was admiring the scenic panorama of the Singapore Flyer. The courses which we had were served in impeccable timing and accompanied with meticulous explanation on the ingredients and cooking method executed for each dish.

 

Here’s our Mediterranean Cuisine inspired by nuanced European flavors:

 

  "Complimentary Green Olives & Cod Brandade

served with sourdough bread"

 

  

"Lobster Salad"

 

 

"Roasted Sea Bass"

 

 

"Iberico Pork Belly"

 

 

"Pre-Dessert Teaser"

 

 

"PB&J - Peanut Butter and Cherry Yuzu Sorbet"

 

 

"Crispy Burnt Lemon Meringue & Cucumber Sorbet"

 

To cap our dinner, our waiter enquired us about our dessert and I enthused: “As good as you!” The dining experience was indeed a fine one but the rough side is that you have to shell out an average SGD100 check without vino in order to dine within this colossal terrarium. Nonetheless, I would love to bring my date here and amble through Flower Dome hand in hand after our romantic repast!

 

 

(For more info on Pollen, please visit http://www.pollen.com.sg/#!/welcome )

Ho Ho Ho…Merry Christmas!

A lovely Christmassy centerpiece that illuminates our Yuletide Party and whets everyone’s appetite!

(Designed by Beng Hwa, a freelance floral & fruit artist; for sales enquiries, pls contact her directly @ angeldesignsg@gmail.com )

Taiwan Fruit Beer

As I was browsing the Vino & Beer Section at Fairprice Finest to gear up for Christmas, I chanced upon these Taiwan Fruit Beer Cans.

 

Creamy mouthfeel teeming with tropical fruity notes!

(My preferred choice)

“The Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corp (TTL, 台灣菸酒公司) launched pineapple and mango beer in early April 2012 and the two products have become so popular that “the supply was unable to meet the demand,” the company said.

 

It was not the first time the company had launched fruit beer. Last year, it released white grape, green apple and lychee flavors under a different name, “Sweet Touch,” but they were not as big a hit as the pineapple and mango flavors.” (http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2012/06/18/2003535585)

 

 

An effervescing mouthfeel with a tang of bitter aftertaste that smack of fruit juice!

 

 

In my humble opinion, Taiwan Fruit Beer is an ideal low-alcoholic refresher to chime with your festive grub; especially grilled dishes. So, Booze up since “In Heaven there is no beer”!  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Heaven_There_Is_No_Beer)

 

 

*SGD3.90 per can @ Fairprice Finest, Singapore

“Spread the Cheer” – F&N

 

During lunch Today, I came across these freebies – “Wet Tissue Collectibles”! If you purchase a can of F&N Outrageous Orange or F&N Groovy Grape, you will receive a miniature F&N can of wet tissues for free. (A total of four designs to choose) I like the way they push the envelope in their advertising and promotion; what a bracing concept!

 

 

 

If you too have a mania for miniature stuff, do check it out at your nearest store or eatery!

 

"Mad For Garlic", a Food-Themed Restaurant

 

A crony knowing that I am a hardcore garlic lover, brought me to Mad for Garlic Italian Wine Bistro for dinner. Located at Clarke Quay, a well-known pub hub in Singapore and upon entering the restaurant, you might have mistaken you have walked into a tavern. From interior to drinks & food; all are garlic-inspired, even their dessert!

 

(Menu)

 

 

 

I paired up Coke with the 2 main dishes and they chimed perfectly. The piquant smell & taste of garlic goes very well with the effervescence of Coke.

 

 

Garlic Sizzling Rice

“Garlic Fried Rice with Garlic Pickles, Bacon and Fish Roe”

 

 

Triple Garlic Pasta

“Spicy Seafood Pasta served with Fresh Mussels, Shrimps, Cuttlefish and Garlic Sprouts”

 

 

Garlic Sprinkle Gelato

“Special Garlic Ice-cream served in Chocolate-covered glass with Garlic Cookie”

 

The downside of operating a food-themed restaurant is that your customers must like your ‘main star’; it is either a love or hate relationship. For example, if I don’t like garlic, most probably I wouldn’t step into Mad for Garlic even it’s for free!

 

However, if you are also a garlic aficionado, do visit this dining establishment to satiate your garlicky lust!

 

 

(For more info, please go to http://www.madforgarlic.com.sg/)