Singapore

X’mas Wreath Workshop

Posted on by ShenWendys

Hey Lovelies!

We often sacrifice self-care because we are too busy trying to save everyone else. Sometimes we just need to be selfish and love ourselves more. For when we care and love ourselves, we are better able to care for and love others.

To feel better about yourself, learn a new skill. There’s reason to believe that engaging in a project can put you in a meditation state. Finishing the project, or mastering a mini skill, boosts one’s confidence.

I did just that – took the day off and attended a X’mas Wreath Workshop hosted by A Sassy Florist with a girlfriend.

Excited to be making my first wreath
It’s a mad house of fir, spruce, pine and what have you

Mia, owner of A Sassy Florist and mummy to Apple Juice (that’s the adorable shiba who loves belly rubs and head massages). This is her first time hosting wreath making workshops and it has been a sold out success. I was glad we manage to get a spot. Mia makes beautiful hand bouquets/arrangements – Omakase style or some would say avant-garde.

The cheeky Apple Juice

Mia makes wreath making look so easy but it’s not it took us two hours to make a wreath. Mia was very good at teaching us the basics, encouraging us to let our creativity run its course. She was very patient with us, guiding and helping us along the way.

It’s all about your gut feel when making your own X’mas wreath
Milestone unlocked – our beautiful creations

I’m in love with my final wreath – it looks professionally done and very expensive – full to the brim with foliage (pine, fir, spruce, eucalyptus) and elements (deco of acorn, cotton, cinnamon).

You can hang the wreath at the door
As a table display with X’mas candles – filling the house with the smell of X’mas wonderland

We both had loads of fun making our X’mas wreath and playing with Apple Juice! A wonderful experience that I would highly recommend.

Thank you for reading.

Bior Restaurant & Bar

Posted on by ShenWendys

Hey lovelies!

Boat Quay is full of treasure, some of which are hidden and others are just gems in their own right. That said hidden amidst the rows of shops is a delicious Thai restaurant- Bior Restaurant & Bar (Bior).

A visit to Bior feels like an invitation into a Thai home. Minimalist interior design – chic and stylish exuding a warm welcome. On the second floor is a cozy bar where people sit and relax.

A cozy nook for those looking to escape the daily grind of life.

The food is authentic, deliciously tasty, portions are great size and reasonable prices to boot. Dishes are made from scratch in the kitchen only when you order so you can be assured it’s freshness and the quality.

From left: Thai Prawn Cake ($7.90), Green Milk Tea ($3) Crabmeat Roll ($11.90), Pork Collar ($9.90), Minced Pork Omelette ($9.90)

Love at first sip with the green milk tea – Pandan infused neither too sweet nor heavily laden with evaporated milk but instead very refreshing. Never drank such a good milk tea not even from the roadside of Bangkok!

Punchy tom yum soup ($11) packed with the right amount of spices

How to tell if it’s an authentic Thai restaurant? By trying the simplest dish – clear tom yum soup. I had the seafood clear tom yum soup – spicy enough but not an overkill of the senses, packing a right amount of spices and have a generous serving of ingredients.

Pork collar ($9.90) with their house special chilli dip which has a kick

Their pork collar is tender, juicy and melts in the mouth goes so well with their house special chilli dip which is freshly made each time.

Chef was so nice to accommodate my request for an extra serving of chilli dip – it’s damn shiok

The crabmeat roll is a seasonal special and not on the menu. The crabmeat used is Sri Lankan crabs and you can see they are not stingy, the roll is compactly filled with crabmeat! This dish is so yummy crispy on the outside, juicy and flavourful on the inside.

Thai Chendol

A meal is never complete without dessert don’t you agree? The difference between a regular chendol and a Thai chendol is that the latter comes with glutinous rice. The Thai chendol is rich but not too heavy or sweet pairs very well with the soft and sticky glutinous rice.

Service was impeccable too – the team was friendly, attentive, give good recommendations/suggestions and accommodating to requests.

I personally feel one of the joys of dining out is finding fantastic food and ambience when you least expect. If you missed the taste of Thai food I highly recommend you to try Bior Restaurant & Bar. I’ll definitely be going back again.

Do make a reservation to avoid disappointment.

Thank you for reading.

Bedok Bak Chor Mee @ Boat Quay

Posted on by ShenWendys

Hey lovelies!

Bet you didn’t know that there is a Bedok Bak Chor Mee (minced meat noodle) located in the heart of bustling Boat Quay.

And on the second floor is a quaint, cosy drinking hole for you to unwind after work or simply to catch up with friends.

Through this door on the right is the stairway to a secret hideout
Cozy corner

Besides minced meat noodles they also have Wu Xiang, bubble tea (if your not into alcoholic beverages) and last but definitely not the least they serve Joy Luck Teahouse egg tarts! How cool is this place?

The broth of the minced meat noodle is rich in taste – not only flavourful but delicious as well.

Soup was so aromatic I forgot to feed my camera before slurping
Wantons are yummy as they have Ti Po (dried flounder) inside which makes it so tasty you keep wanting more!
Generous serving of minced meat in broth
The perfect combi ~ Wu Xiang and beer

Food is yummilicious, ambiance is great and service is impeccable. What’s there not to like? Highly recommend you to check out Bedok Bak Chor Mee to find out for yourself. I don’t know about you but this place has become my favourite hangout! See you around.

Thank you for reading.

The Gallery Bistro

Posted on by ShenWendys

Hey Lovelies!

Sharing with you a new quaint bistro my girlfriend and I visited which have just opened – The Gallery Bistro (part of the Saveur Group). Nestled inside the grand old dame of the former Supreme Court and City Hall.

Wine & Dine with a picturesque view of the Singapore skyline, whilst taking in the afterglow of the sunset lingering on the horizon and enjoy the cool evening breeze.

As an opening special each table reservation made by quoting “Amarone” entitles you to a bottle of Amarone della Valpolicella Wine at $55 which is a steal (normal price is $136) the red wine is smooth, easy to drink and doesn’t leave an after taste. The red wine goes well with everything – truffle fries, oysters and of course steak!

Fresh, succulent, plump and smooth oysters

Food was delicious – good quality and portions are substantial. However menu selection can be improved – with more bar bites options like chicken wings, beef cubes, spam fries etc.

Tender, tasty & cooked to perfection ~ medium rare

The ambience of the restaurant has a Parisian style vibe it would have been a scene right out of “Emily in Paris” if the fairy lights could be switched on.

The restaurant manager, Pauline and her crew deserve to be complimented! Everyone is treated like a VIP! Not only were they attentive, friendly, welcoming, patient and helpful in recommending options. They always serve with a smile (ok everyone is masked up but you can tell through their eyes and their bubbly voice when they serve they are smiling from behind the masks).

Pauline and her crew – surprised me with a cake and sang me a birthday song!

An unforgettable and memorable dining experience! We will definitely be coming back again!

P.S. From 16-27.Nov they have free half dozen oysters! Checkout their Facebook or Instagram for details!

Thank you for reading and see you there!

Date Night with Mummy Dearest

Posted on by ShenWendys

 

Bonding With Mummy

‪Keeping up with the demands of being a wife, a mother and a daughter is not easy. I feel like everyone wants a piece of my time. The demands of work and my own family had made it near impossible to go out with Mummy on a one-on-one date.

  

Invited mum out for dinner at STREAT, a signature event which was part of the Singapore Food Festival. The main draw was of course Celebrity Chef Justin Quek (of Sky on 57 fame) Pop-up Restaurant.

  
I ordered a 3 course set menu paired with a glass of JQ Poupille 2009 100% Organic Merlot for both of us from Chef Justin’s Pop-up Restaurant.

  

3-Course Set Menu SGD 35 ~ Pacific Oysters, Australian Dorper Lamb Spare Ribs & Gula Java Crème Brulee

Mummy doesn’t usually drink wine but tonight she did and finished the glass all on her own. The lamb was delicious tender, flavourful and no game odour. Dessert was simply divine with the fusion mix. The price was a steal for a fine dining cuisine!

Halfway throught our meal I looked up and saw Mummy looking at me smiling nostalgically. “It was I who used to be the one asking you to sit and I ordered food for you when you were little”, she said. “Now its my turn to do it for you, all you have to do is relax and enjoy.”, I replied.

 

Mummy Dearest
 

During dinner we chatted about the recent activities/events in each other’s life and made plans to do this more often.

As we were leaving Mummy asked me to take a photo of her with the “One Fullerton” backdrop. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an Angel’s. She said:: “I told my colleagues I was going out with my daughter for dinner here and they were impressed.”

 

Mummy Dearest Smiling Radiantly
 
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time:: “I Love You”, and to give our loved ones the time they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than our FAMILY (Father And Mother I Love You). Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till “some other time.”

Time and tide waits for no one.

Thank you for reading.