Foliage - Beautiful Autumn Local Tastes in Singapore

I'm really excited about going back to Foliage to enjoy the delicious, unique, one-of-a-kind Japanese local fusion cuisine that tastes so comforting and warm. And given how the couple owner personally go to Japan to source for ingredients, and how they work together for the dinner service, the place has a very different cosy vibe, unlike any other places. This time, I'm all really to savour the unique takes on our local cuisine, made with Japanese clean cuisine philosophy. And yes, once again, I'm totally wowed over by the food and pleasantly surprised that the earthy taste of autumn is also integrated into local favourites. 

Our local favourite Chwee Kwee is reinterpreted here and made from Japanese Kuzu to yield that soft, pillowy, slightly springy texture. It perfectly balances the intense taste of the buttery sweet Bluefin Chutoro and savoury sweet Iburigakko, which is Japanese daikon, cooked with shallot and white sesame. Japanese leek added on top for that hint of vegetal freshness to lift up the taste. This refined, luxurious version of Chwee Kwee tastes so warm, comforting and packs so much natureal sweetness. I love it so much. 

I'm totally amazed by how the well-loved local Hainanese Ginger Sauce totally transforms the taste of the Japanese ingredients of Aki-Kanpachi and Maitake, while retaining the clean taste profile of Japanese cuisine. It lifts up the briny sweetness of the Aki-Kanpachi to make the fish actually tastes sweeter and meaty. It also brings out the earthy sweetness of the Maitake. This dish tastes so amazing, refined and comforting. 

Herbal Chicken Soup, with Chinese Herb Dan Gui, tastes so warm, comforting and nourishing due to herbal aroma. And unlike the usual Chinese herbal soup, this soup is very balanced in taste at the same time. Yamaimo Tsukune, which is Japanese yam ball, is packed with milky earthy flavour and savoury goodness, going so well with the herbal soup, Nama Kikurage, which is Japanese fungus, is amazingly fluffy, with a bit of chewy quality. I love its texture and how it tastes when packed with the goodness of the soup.

Hotate & Zuwai Kani is like Japanese super luxurious porridge. I love the brillance of using potato, which was thinly chopped, steamed and then deep fried numerous times to represent deep fried white bait in texture, but without the intense taste to compete with the super briny sweet crab meat. The crispy texture of the potato contrasts so well with the porridge-like texture of crab and hotate are soaked in clear thick broth. The add-on of lightly steamed Matsutake adds a different good texture and light earthy goodness to the dish. Splendid!

Matsukasa-yaki Amadai, aka Tilefish, is succulent and has this lovely mild briny sweetness highlighted by the Superior Braising Stock made with Chinese wine, ginger and yuzu zest. It works beautifully. The smooth pliable flesh of the fish juxtaposes excellently with the crispy scales. Such earthy, lovely dish.

"Tau Yew Bak", which is Kurobuta Cheek meat soaked in sauce made from blue ginger and molasses, is very tender, have a hint of bite, completed with a deep herbal taste. While I'm not a fan of braised meat, this Tau Yew Bak totally wins me over. And the salad on top is the magic to open up the rich meat sweetness that makes me go, "Wow!" The special Lime and yuzu kosho adds depth, zest and complexity to the taste of the meat. The Hokkaido starchy fluffy rice balances the strong flavours to yield that comforting taste. Kuri (Chestnut) and Ginnan (ginko nuts) add the harmonious earthy element to this dish for variation in texture and taste.

Our Favourite Almond Jelly dessert is given a super makeover with Muscat and Kyoho jelly layered over it. I'm amazed what a wonderful difference the jelly makes to the almond jelly. The floral freshness of almond jelly is cut through by the fruity sweetness of the grapes to result in a complex and refreshing taste, which is perfect after the rich meaty dish.

Bingka Kabocha, which is Pumpkin cake, with Shiro Goma, aka White Sesame, ice-cream features an awesome contrast between earthy savoury goodness and earthy sweetness. Excellent dessert to seal the deal.

Lovely, creamy Japanese wine

Georgia clay with grape skin ancient wine producer in Europe 

Red Wine from Japanese's Gio Hills that is light on the palates while featuring the distinctive tannic taste of quality red wines.

Thoughts: Local Earthy Goodness

11 Kee Seng Street

Onze #01-03

66 Chambers (Sins and Seduction Halloween Edition event) - Self-Expression and Fun

66 Chambers shakes things up for the Halloween party this year with Best Dressed for Horror, Bondage and Wildcard respectively. And votes are casted by the attendees. So it’s like “Woo, this is fun!” Also, all patrons can roll the dice to get a gift! I got leather cuffs as my gift, which make good fashion piece.

So I get to see attendees in bondage gear, a Corpse Bride, a Wednesday, some Witches, a pink Fairy kept in a cage, Rotting Captain of a ghost ship, Spiderman in translucent spider suit, Dark Lord of the monster legion, Masker Rider, Anime Cosplay. It’s a feast for the eyes.

I dressed as Possessed Occult Academia 😉 And yes, I can see perfectly in the white contact lens, and I love the creepy effect from wearing them. I love this hood that I got online, and it is the element that determines if I’m going to the Halloween Party. Many hoods are top small. This is of perfect size, shrouding the face to create the unsettling effect.

Thoughts: Dressing Up can be so Fun!

22A Tanjong Pagar Road

Pierre Herme - Beautiful Array of Dainty French Desserts

 Since I'm at Resort World Sentosa, I might as well visit Pierre Herme to experience a taste of France. The place looks so classy, impressive dainty, and beautiful, with the huge array of beautiful desserts and trays of macarons on display at the counter. This is like a French dessert boutique. So naturally, I want to get some of these dainty, lovely desserts. The dining area on second floor is full though, so I made do with getting some macarons home.

The macarons here have rich taste and perfectly crispy shells with chewy interior. And I choose a cute macaron box with Eiffel Tower as design.

Thoughts: Impressive and Beautiful

26 Sentosa Gateway Weave #01-234/234A

Lazarus Island via Air Albatross

Since Lazarus Island, Kusu Island and Sisters' Island are optional destinations on Air Albatross Speedboat ride, I might as well hop on one of them to experience Island Weekend Fun. The place is like the more peaceful, idyllic version of East Coast Park. Where one can rent a bicycle or slider to roam the place, or get some drinks from the friendly and helpful shop owner stationed neat the ferry point.

There are lots of camping points around the island, and I find out from the shop owner that campers love to camp on Lazarus island due to the peaceful surroundings.

As for me, I have fun just walking around and taking photos.

Thoughts: Relaxing Time

Albatross Island Restaurant - On the Sea Dining and Speedboat Adventure

Sunset dining on board Albatross Tallship has always been a very memorable awesome experience for me. So when I found out a new way of dining on board the ship, in the afternoon m, with speedboats, I immediately sign up for it.

The experience proves to be even better than what I expected.

First of all, afternoon dining on board Albatross Tallship takes place at the lower deck, away from the sun. And the lower deck features wooden interior, plush sofas, wicker lamps, lots of windows at the sides, creating this classy, cosy atmosphere to just relax in. And there is an option to lounge in the place until 3pm, if there is no intention to island hop.

The service is so friendly and helpful. And also goes the extra mile to inform of the options (stay on ship, or hop on the speedboat to go to RWS or one of the islands) and confirm my itinerary. Patrons are also invited to the upper deck to have unblocked view of the sea.

The food is very good, full of Southeast Asian robust flavours, where the spiciness is of the right amount to excite but will not overwhelm. This experience is really one of a kind, and worth a special trip for it.

Secondly, the speedboat is quite big, has shelter and stereo system, for us riders to just enjoy the scenery, watch the waves splashing, listen to the music, all away from the sun. The speedboat speeds through the sea, lots of wind ensures, making this ride even more enjoyable.

Speedboat is going so fast that the churning sea foam forms along the sides of the boat. It feels soothing and exciting at the same time to watch the sea foam zipping by. When it starts to rain, it feels a bit like bumper ride as the speedboat rides over the slightly choppy waters. Some sea water got splashed into the boat, but it is so fun actually! I love the experience.

Pillowy soft delicious bread goes so well with the wine.

Mildly milky sweetness of fresh raw scallop is highlighted by the mild Indian spices of the Assam Ponzu and the tart freshness from the stripes of green mango. Refreshing and spicy, balanced and exciting at the same time. I’m impressed.

Creamy and meaty, the 16-Hour Braised Beef Rendang goes perfectly with spicy Tumeric rice. I’m pleasantly surprised to find that the beef is very tender but still has a bit of bite that I prefer. The spiciness and starchiness of the rice cut through rich meatiness of the beef to yield a good balanced taste. For the first time, I want more rice, whose spicy taste profile injects the excitement into the taste.

After the slightly heavy Beef Rendang, it feels refreshing to enjoy the Pandan Gula Melaka Kulfi on a stick, which is like pandan ice-cream completed with caramel goodness. Vegetal floral taste of pandan becomes even better and more complex with the caramelised pineapple, brown butter curry leaf crumbs, sea salt adding the zest and complexity.

Comfy Speedboat

Setting out from Resort World Sentosa on Speedboat

Speedboat nearing to our destination: Albatross Restaurant on the sea

Back to Resort World Sentosa after my stint in Lazarus Island (optional destination)

Thoughts: Exciting Adventure!

8 Sentosa Gateway