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