Tea is Served!

Quaintessential Afternoon Tea is an elegant English tradition started in the early 19th century by Anna,7th Duchess of Bedford. Items usually include a delicious selection of finger sandwiches, French pastries and freshly baked raisin and apple scones served with jam and thick Devonshire clotted cream etc. Here are some of the best places in London to experience this real treat.

P/S:If you are in London, do remember to make reservations in advance as these places fill up fast and don't forget to add 10% for service charge!

Claridges London www.claridges.co.uk
This hotel is fabulously chic and is a delightful visit. Tea is served in an opoluent art deco foyer with a classical pianist and violinist. Afternoon tea time is from 3pm--530pm dailly. If you are lucky, they also have seasonal tea spreads to coincide with the Chelsea Flower Show or Wimbledon. Cost:31 pounds unlimited refills and sandwich galore

Landmark London www.landmarklondon.co.uk
Located in the fashionisble Marylebone district, this reminds one of the truly last grand railway hotels--combining Victorian opulence and contemporary style. Tea is taken in the Winter Garden--spectacular glass-rooted atrium with towering palms and purple flowered bougainvillea. Tea time is 3-6pm.

Cost:33 pounds featuring a range of sandwiches, teabreads, scones and pastries.

James Restaurant, Fortnum & Mason, London www.fortnumandmason.co.uk

Fortnum & Mason is an English institution. Relaxed and elegant 4th floor restaurant serves tea between 3pm-5pm daily. They also serve traditional dishes using the best British seasonal ingredients. Classic Tea Range 26 pounds Champagne Tea 31pounds

Happiness in a Box

With a tag line "disturbingly delicious desserts" and dressed in saccharine sweet white-pink hues, Gobi desserts attempt to woo with a blend of exquisite packaging and an interesting variety of pastries. Since my last visit, they have added more chocolate creations to the menu as well as whole cakes. If you are in the area, it is worth at least 1 try if not just to view the decor and the packaging.

12 varieties

2 sizes-- Box of 6($12.80) OR 12 ($21)

2 locations

www.gobi.com.sg

A delightful studio @ Bo Phut, Koh Samui offering different classes catering to differing needs. However, regular yoga practitioners might find the classes elementary, probably due to the nature of the clientel (tourists and such) but it is still a nice break and relaxing.

http://www.absoluteyogasamui.com

Bagel with Omelette

This has been on my mind over the weekend... Fluffy folded egg omelette with slivered onions, juicy tomato slice, turkey ham and cheese sandwiched between a toasted bagel.

How's that for breakfast? I say, absolutely yummy yam yam!

PS Cafe
Originally an old colonial house remnants of those colonial days, this place has been stripped bare and rebuilt. The end result is an elegant chic modernist structure with 1 wall made of glass enclosing the dinning area allowing abundant natural light to filter in. There is also an outdoor deck area-- perfect for pre-dinner (or post) drinks. Just off Holland Road and outside the Orchard Road area, the Dempsey enclave is no longer only known for its antique, teak furniture shops and carpet dealers, in fact, there is a number of wine shops, restaurants and cafes that have set up shop here. PS Cafe is uniquely situated amidst the greens at Dempsey Road-- Harding Road to be exact and accessible by either Dempsey or Minden Roads, both of which connect to Holland Road. The dining area looks out to a green field, the view --all green grass and tall trees--is, for a Singaporean restaurant in the urbanised city-- unusual. I suppose this is what they call an urban retreat in the city.
I like this place for the ambience and its' setting. Do make reservations in advance as they are notoriously well-known to reject walk-ins at the door.

PS Cafe
28 Harding Road
www.pscafe.sg

I need a Jewellery Stand like this to help me sort out my accessories.
This fairy princess stand is so pretty and girly-girl!

My only gripe is that there might not be even space for all my stuff!

Wa Cafe

The newly renovated National Museum deserves a visit.

After browsing, do drop by one of the new cafes on the premise.

Pretty WA Cafe serves gorgeous home baked breads and delectable cakes and you can choose from 290 design books and periodicals to browse through while having a cuppa.

It is a nice and cosy place with sofas and comfy chairs just right to spend a delightful afternoon.

I like cafes and cafe culture!

One of the things I miss so much is being able to sit al-freso by the pavement and watch the crowd go by. There just aren't that many places in Singapore to do that!!

Dome Cafe @ Olio

Corridor

A visit sparked off by a random conversation between 2 best friends.

Olio Dome Cafe @ Singapore Art Museum( SAM)

Love the architecrture, decor and ambience of serenity and peace.

Almost thought we were away in Europe!

Buzz..did u know??

Pluck!

I believe that style-mavens and fashionistas in Singapore have been spending their Saturdays of late checking out the many cool boutiques that have sprung up on Haji Lane, parallel and in between Arab Street and Bali Lane. Foodies now also have a reason to head down to this newly-chic street.

Pluck, a very cute self-styled "style emporium", has just opened an ice cream parlour. After doing some serious shopping at Salad and White Room, this seems to me the perfect place to rest for a while. Retail therapy and super-cool sundaes? Count me in!

Pluck, 31/33 Haji Lane, Tel: 6396 4048

Pulai Springs Resort
Cinta Ayu All-Suites Hotel
Good for a short weekend break.
I had fun last weekend... where's the next weekend???

The Library

One of the newest hip hotels @ Samui (Chawang Beach)

It is called The Library and features a red pool.

Luxurious & elegant, minimalist chic feel and ultra modern hip.

26 rooms-- 13 Studios and 13 Suites.

Tough Choices and Lemmings

pool area @ The Chedi(Chaing Mai)

Koh Samui or Chedi@ Chiang Mai?
As the story goes, went to the travel agent the other day with the very innocuous thought of picking up my Bali air tickets but as luck would have it... chanced upon a package deal for The Chedi, Chiang Mai.

We had many happy happy fond memories @ The Chedi Club @ Tanah Gajah (Ubud) and have always wanted to check out this newest addition to the pack . Now, I am torn between the beach or the mountains!

Room for Dessert?

Do you like Carrot Cake?

Another one of my fave cakes... Moist & bursting with flavours-- packed with crunchy walnuts, juicy raisins, and comes topped with a delectable velvety white-choc cream cheese frosting. I get my fix from a tiny little bakery @ Waterloo Street... S$2.60 /slice or $S18/S$30 per cake. Comes in 2 sizes, 500g or 1kg or more...

Room For Dessert

Blk 261 Waterloo Street

#01-42

Waterloo Centre

Singapore 180261

Tel: (65) 63377 637Fax: (65) 6338 6132

(swimming pool--hydro)


Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur
Back from KL... the last 3 days there were spent intensively... Here are some pictures of Hotel Maya. Its a relatively new boutique hotel housed in a refurbished building... I say they did a good job as the hotel is stylishly chic-- common public places to private spaces. It is located directly opposite Zouk and within walking distance to KLCC.
P/S: I think I must have caught a bug as I feel sick!

East meets West

Wasabi Bistro Oriental Hotel
I love Japanese Food and hence enjoyed my visit to this chic fusion Japanese Restaurant with its contemporary decor and stylish food. Here, classic japanese dishes are jazzed up with a nice blend of Californian influences. Incorporated in California nearly 25 years ago, this restaurant has since then established several branches in Asia.
Must trys include: Kumi No. 1 which though a tad pricey @ $15 a pop is heavenly.
Rainbow Rolls which is California maki but wrapped with different kinds of raw fish - salmon, swordfish or tuna is another signature dish and the Papaya Seafood Motoyaki. which is served in half a papaya. What else can I say.. I love Jap Food!

Finally visited the Chocolate Factory on The Pier @ Robertson Quay.
We tried the Black Forest Cake and Iced Chocolate. There was much of a crowd here, being a weekend evening and all, but we found the cake and drink rather ordinary. Nonetheless, this is a pretty decent place to chill, if only the weather here isn't so warm and humid, the setting will be perfect for alfresco drinks.

Busakorn Wing

Phuket, Thailand

Sun, Sea and Surf @ Patong Beach-- where the action is.

I miss the soft lapping of the ocean and sandy beaches.
There are actually 2 wings @ the Holiday Inn Phuket. We have only stayed at the Busakorn Wing but it is fabulous! Spent the weekend lounging by the pool. This resort boasts of lovely rooms and a lovely pool. You can't ask for more really... can you??

Robertson Quay

Wanderlust took root *again* today and I decided to explore the River Valley district by foot.

Started off @ Clarke Quay and discovered 2 new cafes at the newly opened Central(Soho) Mall which comprises apartments and a lifestyle mall.
Anyways, the 2 cafes are:
1) "Paisley and Cream" Nice beige decor and seems like a nice place to chill.
2) Gobi ( Cafe is not in operation just yet...it's all boarded up but I have bought cakes from them before and just lurve the packaging!)

There is something about waterways, canals and rivers that captivates and relaxes me. Maybe it is the ebb and flow of the water. Moreover, the apartments by the canal also brings back memories of my house in Surrey Quays, London. Surrey Quays is a rare gem of a find in urbanised London-- a quaint, idlyllic suburban neighbourhood that is surreally perfect with its waterways, parks, and modern conveniences-- tube stn and public buses. There's even a Surrey Quays Shopping Centre housing a gaint Tescos that is open 24hr, gift shops, River Island, Boots, BHS, WHS.... basically, everything you need on short notice can be bought here. Also amazingly convenient, it is located just 30 mins away from Central London such that one is near enough to the “action” yet far away from the “grimness” and pollution of the city. Anyways, back to Clarke Quay, admittedly the Clarke Quay/Boat Quay/Robertson Quay area is a tad commercialised(ignore the junk boat rides and river cruise operators etc) but and you will still find it a rather charming and pleasant setting.

I managed to spend a pleasant afternoon revisiting old haunts and scouting new places!

The Chocolate Factory

The Chocolate Factory Pte Ltd

This new cafe along the picturesque riverside promises to indulge the taste buds with its silky smooth, richly intense chocolate. Each piece retails for S$3 - S$18 per 100g. I am hoping to check out this place over the long CNY weekend. =)

The Pier on Robertson Quay

80 Mohamed Sultan Road

#01-11

Singapore 239013

Telephone: 62359007 Fax:: 63000691

agnes b. le pain grillé

The Entrance
The Interior (oh-so-french)
Croque madame
The Dishware... Contemporary & Chic

A Dainty Little Bistro
Managed to get a table @ Agnes B. Cafe (HK) for tea. Those familiar with this bistro nestling on the corner of Leighton and Sunning Road know just how notoriously difficult to book they are. Furthermore, they do not accept reservations for tea and we were lucky to get a table after a 20 min wait!

We shared a Croque Madame gratine ou traditionnel - which was presented with green salad and fries. Basically, this is a classic French grilled ham and cheese sandwich with an egg on the top. It was palatable and cheesy (in a good way).

Here, you also won't miss out the dessert counter @ the front of the shop... The desserts (and cake boxes) also looked very good and we decided to load up on the calories by ordering a Blueberry Cheesecake. We were not disappointed by the lovely presentation and light moussey texture that didn't leave any unpleasant aftertaste. =)

I had a very pleasant experience in this cafe and would consider returning someday for dinner!