Running for food - Dewgather and Abundance

Have you read Atomic Habits by James Clear? One of the tips on building habits that resonates with me is to build a habit stack. For me, that's running for an errand, usually for food. I will run to a place near home where I can grab lunch or some grocery. And having this goal is one of the ways that motivates me to go for a run. 

Dewgather 

One of my latest running routes is the Rail Corridor. From my place, I will usually run to Jalan Kilang Barat, one of the entry points to the trail and head towards Buona Vista MRT. It's a really nice route, close to nature and away from the hustle. So I took this route in January to check out Dewgather at Star Vista. 

Dewgather is an Aussie-inspired cafe. It is quite popular and I waited for an hour to get seated. I arrived before 12noon, which could also explain the wait. Many items were no longer available when it was my turn to order. So I tried the Hummus In The Pan (left), adding on a Chorizo Sausage, for a more filling meal as recommended. Had a Yuzu Fizz too! 

Abundance

Another running route I like is the Alexandra Park Connector, which I will usually take to Ikea Alexandra for lunch. Was craving Taiwanese food in January and heard of Abundance at Lengkok Bahru. So I decided to check it out after a Saturday run.

Abundance is a Taiwanese-inspired cafe near Redhill MRT Station. It was pretty packed when I reached before 12noon. Had the Gua Bao aka Braised Pork Belly Bun (left below) recommended by many bloggers and it was a good recommendation. The condiments (pickles, coriander, peanut) go very well with the tender pork belly. Also tried Golden Egg aka fried century egg (right below) which was an interesting dish.   

My verdict on Dewgather: Comfort food and comfortable place to chill out with a friend or two. Motivated to run back and try the other items another day. 

My verdict on Abundance: Familiar flavors to savor with the family. Motivated to run back and try the other items another day.

Any food places near Tiong Bahru that you would recommend me to run for? Feel free to tell me by leaving your comments!

 

Yummy December 2021 - Cafe Coco, Grain Alley and L'éclair Pâtisserie

Can't believe that the first month of 2022 is almost over! #Grateful that I wrote all 3 blogs about my food adventure in December.  Read the first 2 if you have not (Yummy December 2021 - The Spot, Forty Hands, Takeshi-San, and Yummy December 2021 - Green Common, French Fold and Tipsy Flamingo). And here goes the final one!

Cafe Coco 🧇

Have found so much comfort in nature since COVID-19. And Gardens By The Bay (GBTB)has been one of my favorite gardens after I signed up for the Friends of the Gardens membership! Members get unlimited admission to Flower Dome Cloud Forest and OCBC Skyway. Thought it was a good deal at $42 for the annual subscription so sign up now - https://friends.gardensbythebay.com.sg/r/GX1Y54.  

Got so many things to see meh, you may ask? Well, there's something new for every season from the Poinsettia Wishes, Sakura Matsuri and more! Will leave that story to tell in another blog so we can focus on the food! Have always wanted to check out Cafe Coco at the Supertree Food Hall at GBTB  as I have heard about its Brown Butter Waffles. I like the sweet, sour berries-combination. The place was also not crowded even though I went on Christmas Day.  

Grain Alley 🥑

Finally tried Grain Alley because the queue to True Breakfast, a Taiwanese eatery I wanted to try, was so long... Guess fate has it that I would check out this cafe at Orchard Central after walking past it a few times, thinking that it has an European alfresco vibe. It was so good to watch the world go by on a weekday in Orchard over an Awesome Avocado Toast (vegan) and ice brewed tea at Grain Alley. I thought the tomatoes with olive oil/salt/pepper was the toast of the Toast :P

L'éclair Pâtisserie 🍰 

Last but not least, I ended 2021 on a sweet note with eclairs and my uni friend! We wanted to have high tea and it's amazing so many places were booked out for new year's eve. Decided to try our luck at L'éclair Pâtisserie which was recommended as a value for money choice by many online. So we were lucky and we had the High Tea Degustation Menu which I like for its sweet and savory spread. The eclairs looked and tasted so pretty :) 

2021 also ended on a very wet note - it was pouring when we left L'éclair Pâtisserie! Not the best way to end the year but sometimes, life does not turn out the way we want it. So here's a reminder to myself to seize the day and Carpe Diem, always!     

Follow me on Facebook OR Instagram (@ilovelongvacation) OR Twitter (@ilovelongvacatn) for more frequent updates on life in our backyard (#ilovelongvacationsg)! :P

Yummy December 2021 - The Spot, Forty Hands, Takeshi-San

My food adventures in December continues. Read my earlier post Yummy December 2021 - Green Common, French Fold and Tipsy Flamingo. 

The Spot

Have you gone back to office now that work from home is no longer the default? In December, I had lunch at The Spot on one of my rare trips back to the office at Marina One. It was my first-time at this multi-concept venue although I always walk past it pre-pandemic! The Spot lunch menu was reasonably priced for the quantity and quality :P

My choice of set lunch (three-courses) were char-grilled octopus (appetizer), grilled pork jowl (main course) and sea coconut brulee (dessert). Enjoyed the meal with my colleagues whom I have not had lunch with for a while! :)

 

 

Forty Hands

Was good to lunch at Forty Hands Tiong Bahru with a colleague (also ex-intern :)) who came over to my hood. Well, everyone knows Forty Hands and I think Tiong Bahru was where it started. 

Too many feasts in December so I had the Falafel and the Shaken Ice Honey Oat Latte. We also shared a Tau Sar Pau (red bean bub). Did you know that the Pau at Forty Hands are quite famous? :)

Takeshi-San

Checked out this Japanese restaurant at Holland Village at the recommendation of a friend. Could not find its website so here's the link to Takeshi-San FaceBook page. It was a good recommendation!

Had the Sushi Kaidan Sets (enjoyed a 1-for-1 offer on Chope Deals), Prawn Mentako Pasta as well as the Ikura Chawamushi and Chicken Wings. Also like the decor with the chandelier which reminds me of a sky of stars / a sea of flowers! 

 

 

So this is Part 2 of this December food adventures. Look out for the other parts on this blog, or follow me on Facebook OR Instagram (@ilovelongvacation) OR Twitter (@ilovelongvacatn) for more frequent updates on life in our backyard (#ilovelongvacationsg)! :P

Yummy December 2021 - Green Common, French Fold and Tipsy Flamingo

Can't believe that it has been a few years since I blogged here, especially since it is the pandemic. For the past 2 years, life has revolved around our backyard as we have not been able to travel (without quarantine restrictions). Have always like to use this space to share about life in Singapore so I'm back with a vengeance! 

How have you been spending your time, especially your leave, these days? For me, besides rediscovering Singapore, I have been food-hopping (whether it's delivery, takeaway or dine-in). So I thought I will share more regularly about these food adventures :P    

Green Common

Checked out Green Common, a plant-based eatery at VivoCity as I was meeting a colleague who is vegetarian (but she told me she is now a pescatarian ) for lunch. The only plant-based food I have tried so far is the Impossible Burgers!

We went for the lunch set for two and tried the Omni Musubi, Omni Kimchi Fried Rice, Egg Plant and Beef Bowl. The set also came with 2 drinks (the appetizer - chicken - was complimentary!) They kind of tasted like luncheon meat (maybe it's the texture). Overall, I found the dishes very savory and filling. Interesting so I will go back to try some of the other dishes one day. 

          

 

 

French Fold

Have always wanted to check out French Fold but it's so hard to make a reservation. Finally walk-in to the one at Telok Ayer (had to wait 20 min) after a health screening at Robinson Road. Heard that there is now another branch at Orchard Road. 

Tried the No. 04 Galette - crispy and savory - based on recommendations from blogger. Wish I could have a sweet Galette too. But it was lunch alone and I didn't want to overeat. I also like the vibes of the restaurant in a shop house along the charming Amoy Street :)

 

Tipsy Flamingo

Tipsy Flamingo is one of my favorite discoveries in December. Surprise with the fusion menu which has a local touch and were well-executed. Like the hipster vibes of the restaurant too! 

Great place for a group of girls to share a wide spread of food. We enjoyed all the items including Mushroom Shrimp Salad, Dry Laksa with Prawn, XO Carrot Cake, Seafood Pao Fan. The Tiki Tapas - Crispy Fish Skin with Rojak Sauce, Cripsy Calamari,  The Warrior Spicy Wings - and Tipsy Burnt Cheesecake were also on point!

 

 

 

Had fun blogging about Part 1 of this December food adventures. Look out for the other parts on this blog, or follow me on Facebook OR Instagram (@ilovelongvacation) OR Twitter (@ilovelongvacatn)for more frequent updates on life in our backyard (#ilovelongvacationsg)! :P

  

One Sentence Journal l 22 January 2017

Found it challenging to do this daily. Here's a throwback to an eventful Sunday. Went for Piloxing as usual, had my first acai and did my nails for the lunar new year! Managed to squeeze in time to do shopping for the house too!!

Checked out Haakon at Holland Raffles. Like the Scandinavia interior - lots of wood, white and grey. Acai was refreshing but a tad too healthy for lunch personally. The superfood salad menu looks good though. 

One Sentence Journal l 6 - 8 January 2017

Didn't get to blog the last few days, hence a 3 in 1!

6 January was our last day in Maldives. Wish we had stayed longer. The highlight of the trip was definitely the snorkeling with turtles! Also visited a sand bank which was so untouched.

Back in Singapore on 7 January early morning and rested at my parent's place for the rest of the day before heading home. It's good to be home despite the post holidays blues :p

Started 8 January, the first Sunday of the year, with Piloxing which I really enjoy. Have not really seen the results though so perhaps time to up the ante this year? Maybe join 1 more cardio activity weekly - hmmm... shall see if this comes true. Bought the very first fridge of my life today and well, had sundae at Sunday Folks for the very first time too! Yummy for a super sunny day! And no queue :)

Not bad a weekend before starting the first work week of 2017 tomorrow!

Birthday Priviledges

Can't believe I'm celebrating my birthday again! Not sure if I blogged about it last. Let me go check and get back to you later :P

Managed to take the week off (confirmed last Thursday so did not really make plans). The Lunar New Year holidays will be on Thursday and Friday so it made a lot of sense ( at least to me, not sure about others) to take Monday to Wednesday off! Been feeling really lethargic in the past week although I just had a break in Bangkok (there must be something wrong with me, not sure what but I gonna get around it. eventually.)

So I decided to do what I feel like doing today and well, try to utilize my birthday privileges! LOL.

Birthday Brunch at Flock Cafe! My first time there despite passing by a few times. Flat White was OK. The Pork cheek and gruyère sandwich was hearty and juicy. Good for sharing if you order 2 sandwiches - am sure the marginal utility will be higher :P There are many cafes in the hood that serves better food. For me,, Flock was enjoyable because I could read the literature. It was not too crowded on a weekday so brunching alone did not feel too out of place :)

Had a complimentary  'wild' birthday at the River Safari. It's a really nice gesture! :) Thank you! The only gripe - it took me 90 minutes to get there from Tiong Bahru!  

River Safari has changed a bit since my last visit 2 years ago during its soft opening. The red pandas seemed to have grown quite a bit since :) Still playful though. Love how our zoos are designed to create close encounters with the animals! 

Jia Jia. Need I say more? :) See my previous post (Hello Pandas!)

Many people said that Singapore Zoo is better than River Safari but I beg to differ. I really enjoy the experience at River Safari more - it's more serene and not overwhelming - I could cover it easily in 3 hours and leave energetic (think high!) :) Managed to spot the rhinoceros across the river and they have a new River Cruise activity now. May spot more animals on board!   

My first Amazon River Quest! ALONE! LOL! Definitely good to visit tourist attractions on a weekday. 

Reminds me of the Night Safari Tram ride :) Did not managed to get full view of many animals - just spotted them at some twists and turns... Another reason I like River Safari is the range of animals from the sky, river and land you get to see...

Another favorite - the squirrel monkeys. Seemed to have grown a bit too :P

Had a free badge and an ice cream too! Thanks, River Safari! :)
Also had a free Firehouse Happy Birthday treat! But no pictures because my phone ran out of battery. Thanks, Swensens! :)

Just wanted to share some birthday privileges with you, in the event you want to utilise them. Am sure there are many more that I am not aware of. But quite happy with the above already :)

The Missing Pan and PARK

Throwback to October 2014. Not a very happening month. Did visit a few nice cafes though. Here goes!

The Missing Pan

Catch-up with D and C at The Missing Pan. It was not as out of the way as I thought it would be. Took bus 961, dropped at Coronation Plaza and walked a few minutes to find it! Always happy to be back at ukit Timah, an area I spent a good 2 years studying (more) and exploring (less) :)  

Can't remember the name of my choice of brunch of yummy Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon. 

We got a window seat which I like. It's always nice to see the world go by and Bukit Timah on a Saturday morning is quite serene. Like the natural light that flows into The Missing Pan - kind of  start your day on a bright note!

Park At Holland Village

First saw PARK at the start of 2014 from The Hatched. Can't believe it took me so long to visit. The place gives off a very chirpy vibe - feels good to celebrate ALI's birthday here :)  By the way, we all like the spam fries - doesn't look very appealing as the centre piece but it was good! 

My pulled-pork wrap was very full-filling! Heard the truffles fries and mac/cheese are good too. So I hope it will not be too long before I get to try them!  :) 

Random shot of  me having coffee while waiting to meet up with JC friends. LOL. See my nail art? Was done at The Nail Artelier during its open house during the Halloween period. 

Another glimpse of the nail. LOL. And yes, llaollao finally! Was amused by the queue. It's nice and worth it. But shall wait for the fad to pass and the queue to shorten before getting it again... 

Happy Sunday, everyone! :)