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

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. 

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! :)

East Coast to Changi; Sakuraya Fish Mart to Chock Full of Beans

Hello June! Almost half year gone and I wonder what I have achieved. Nothing much in this space with less than 10 posts to show :P Last year this time, I have probably already blogged more than 30 posts. Blogging is indeed a full time job, contrary to belief. It's no longer mine. Kudos to all full-time bloggers - for having the courage to pursue this career! Feeling a bit emo, I guess...

Been spending quite a bit of time with myself in May. Sometimes, I'm amazed that I feel happy doing things alone.... Sometimes, I wonder if there is something wrong with me....

One of those moments in May was spent cycling from East Coast Park to Changi Beach Park via the park connectors. Started the day with an hour long bus ride to Parkway Parade and had lunch at Sakuraya. Wanted to eat at the hawker centre but it was closed for upgrading!

Cucumber Salad - very refreshing! And quite healthy :)

The first time I tried Uni (sea urchin). Hmmm... Not sure whether I like it but I definitely don't dislike it. Will have it again to decide. Haha.

Shishamo - I love it!  :)

 Was a pretty SUNNY day to cycle...

Stopped at times to rest and well, see the world go by :) Not sure how long I cycled but it took me around 2 hours to reach Changi Beach Park from East Coast Park.

Finally had the chance to visit Chock Full of Beans, famous for its coffee art. 

In a quiet corner was Chock Full of Beans.

Was after 3pm when I had this. So I called it teanner :P

Ice Rose Latte. So pretty, right? Wanted to try the hot one so I can see the coffee art. But it was too hot. 

Eggs Benedicts. Was OK. Haha. 

Was a good day alone. Haha. Planned to cycle monthly although I have not met the target this month yet. The Sukuraya menu is perfect for one so I will definitely return to try the other items. Chock Full of Beans will face another strong competitor in Changi Village :)

Tiong Bahru - Open Door Policy and Drips Cafe

Happy Vesak Day! Finally found time to hit the laptop. LOL. Been on a cleaning spree these days, and spent time housekeeping my room section by section (not that it's that BIG! :P) But well, guess I always find it easier to chew challenging tasks bit by bit :)

Visited Open Door Policy (ODP) for the first time in April, although I have passed by a few times. Nice ambiance but surprised to find that most of the customers are Caucasian. Guess locals don't find the place value for money :P

We were seated in the courtyard and looked up to see flats (not stars). LOL. Still nice dining under the sky :)

Here's a glimpse at the restaurant!  

Starters to share. Quite exquisite.  The only nice picture I managed to take. By the time the main courses were served, every dish turned out dodgy in the pictures. LOL. 

Moved on to Drips Cafe for sweets. It's been a while since my last visit in last April/March when I was still jobless. Those were the days - kinda of miss them :) Check out my earlier posts : Drips Cafe and Marched!

Our order without the waffles...  We asked for more forks and I like how the staff went 'On the way!' :P

Raspberry Tart recommended by the restaurant staff. This is the first time I tried the tart which seems to be quite popular. Not bad - see the twinkle? :)

And waffles with ice-cream and berries and maple syrup. Nice too :) Shall return again to try the savory. Haha. 

It's a Tuesday but it feels like a Sunday! Having second thoughts about all these odd public holidays in May. It's like having two TGIFs and two Monday Blues in a week. Meh.
  

Robertson Quay Chapter 1 : Anthesis

I love the beginning of every month, as it seems to give me the energy to get things in order. May started off great with the Labour Day public holiday, which I did nothing (really! maybe a little?). I always hear people saying XXX is their favourite month (usually their birthday month or Christmas or...) and well, May may jolly well be mine if it continues its good streak :P

April was not too bad either. I visited many places for the first time and one of them was Anthesis at Robertson Quay.  


I didn't know this part of Robertson Quay, near Zouk, existed. Usually, I would be at the cafes/restaurants nearer the UE Square side. Very happy to discover this part of Singapore and to finally know where Toby's Estate and Kith Café at Robertson Quay are. Anyway, vintage sight spotted on the way to Anthesis - feels like Malacca!



Our brunch! D had Egg Duet while I chose Three Little Duck - very lovingly named, aren't they? The Café Latte I had was very nice - very latte. Did I tell the joke about us ordering latte in Rome and ended up being served just milk? :)



Cosy café. And quite spacious with social space between customers. Realised I do enjoy cafes with space. How about you?



Alfresco dining by the river would have been nice too :) but I realised many of my friends usually prefer the air-conditioned indoors :P  

Not many locals spotted, I thought. Maybe that's why I only discover this stretch now!

Well, very nice morning spent at Robertson Quay. Do see myself returning most often - that's why I entitled this post Chapter 1. LOL. Any other cafes to recommend at Robertson Quay?