[Yummy Review] Dining at a Singapore Countryside

Do you have a craving to dine at a cosy, luxurious-feel restaurant surrounded by lush greenery, the smell of dew and fresh air?

Welcome to Pantry At The Stables, newly revamped and launched during the last quarter of 2011.

Located at Fairways Drive, Pantry At The Stables is formerly Mimolette, now a bistro with an all-day bakery.  For those who have no idea where Fairways Drive is, that's where Bukit Timah Saddle Club is.

I'm a sucker for Mother Nature. Period.




A horse, a horse! I see a horse!
#LikeAMountainTortoise*



Go ahead and take deep breaths.
Fresh air, fresh air, more fresh air! :)


In the colonial terrace, the furnishings and decorations are designed by famous designers with a seating capacity of 64 indoors and 24 in the alfresco, the high ceilings and tall French windows keep the bistro casual and breezy throughout the day.

 I feel so peaceful.


The Alfresco









Drink-making counter out at the Alfresco








Interior




Unique design spotted: Special seats for 2.

Also, you may choose the individual seats.











They say your mood depended largely on what you eat; more importantly who you eat them with.  I was with awesome company that day: Sis, Tammy, her boyfriend and Shasha!

Hohoho, it's time to feast!

It's my first time at this restaurant, thumbs up for ALL the food I've tried!
I'm giving high marks for all.

For starters, we had:


Spicy Oriental Roast Beef Salad, $22 : 
The dish taste like thai salad, refreshing.



MUST TRY: Mexican Chicken Salad, $22
Eat the crispy tortilla, avocado, spiced corn and salsa together. Tortilla brings out the unique flavour of this salad.  *crush crush crush*

GOOD BYE CAESAR SALAD.





Zest Juice - the perfect combination of apple, pineapple and orange. $8



Sweet Red Pepper and Tomato Soup, $10

Field Mushroom Soup, $10

The mains:


BEEF LOVERS MUST-TRY: Steak & Eggs, $38. We had this medium rare, yummy!



MUST-TRY: Spaghetti Carbonara, $24


The white puffy stuff on top is not whipped cream but an egg. I like the fact that this dish is not as dry as other carbonara you eat else where so much so I had a second helping. *ops*



Basque Chicken, $30


And not to forget my favourite, desserts!
I don't know which one to recommend. 
I love them all!


With their very own bakery here at Pantry at the Stables, it's no wonder all their desserts taste freshly baked. I melted away in happiness.



Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake, $6



Granny Smith and Stem Ginger Pudding with salted caramel ice-cream, $13.



Lemon Brulee Tart, $14
That white puff you see on your right is WHIPPED CREAM this time, not the egg on the carbonara. If you like to drink lemonades, you'd like this brulee tart.



Chocolate Ganache Tart, $14



The cupcakes are $4.50 each, freshly baked daily. I had the Red Velvet with coconut cream cheese frostings. It's so fluffy and SOFT!






I was double blessed to enjoy the desserts with tea and wine.







3-COURSE SET DINNER MENU ($38++) 
*Selections change every 2 weeks.


1 starter + 1 main + 1 Dessert

Availability: Tuesdays to Sundays, 6pm to 11pm.

AFTERNOON TEA ($20++/set for 2)
BDD, let's have our next Hi-Tea session here!

On a daily basis, Pantry at the Stables offers an Afternoon Tea set for ladies to share
over afternoon chatter. guests can choose from over 10 different flavours of Gryphon Teas. The Afternoon tea set also comes with a selection of homemade finger sandwiches, scones, and cupcakes.

Besides the extensive list of teas, Pantry at the Stables is poised to become a “cult coffee outpost” with Oriole Coffee’s latest product - Oriole’s Yellowbird Seasonal Espresso Blend. Founded by award-winning coffee Barista Keith Loh, this blend of coffee is designed to be all-rounded, sweet and creamy with hints of chocolate.

Available: Tuesdays to Fridays, 3pm to 6pm.

BRUNCH SPECIALS

Weekends at Pantry at the Stables are an all-day brunch affair. To welcome the weekend on the right note, guests can also enjoy home-made Sangrias and fruity Margaritas served by the pitcher. A smaller a la carte menu is also available on these days.

Availability: Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 11pm.

KIDS' SPECIALS
Kids- friendly. :)

The kids menu features child-friendly options such as Spaghetti with Organic Tomato sauce with Meatballs ($12++), Peanut Butter and Banana Toasties ($12++) and Salmon Teriyaki with Crunchy Vegetable Croquettes ($15++). A selection of homemade milkshakes ($6.50++) featuring flavours like vanilla bean, fresh strawberries, double chocolate and cookies and cream also make great treats for the children.

BAKERY SPECIALS

Known for their selection of baked goods including their signature American style home-baked cakes, cupcakes and breads, Pantry at the Stables introduces an all-day bakery so diners can enjoy an oven-to-table experience. Signature cupcakes such as the Red Velvet – a crimson cupcake with coconut and cream cheese frosting and the Elvis – a chocolate banana cake with peanut butter frosting ($4.50 each) can be enjoyed fresh,any time of the day.

Availability: Refer to opening hours, any time of the day.

COMING UP SPECIALS

#1 In the next few months, Pantry at the Stables will be introducing a new tree house and play area for children. From activity packs and cooking classes for kids and adults to weekend barbecue and roasts, Come forward and enjoy this family-friendly concept bistro as unique as its location.

#2 The bakery at the stables will also be transformed into a retail space where Marmalade Pantry’s cake and pastry fans can walk in and pick up their favourite items either to take away or dine-in.

Look, Marmalade Pantry does home catering too!





Pantry at the Stables is located at 55 Fairways Drive Singapore 286846.
Before you head down, remember this one very important thing ::::


Pantry at the Stables is closed on Mondays.
Please don't be like me, blur-like-sotong, always visit a restaurant when it's CLOSED.

My ratings for Pantry At The Stables:

Ambience: 4.8/5

Food Uniqueness & Taste: 4.1/5

Accessibility: 1/5 (only via by private transportation or taxis)

*When I rate 4 and more, it really shows how awesome I meant.

Website: http://www.themarmaladepantry.com.sg/stables
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MarmaladePantry

Singapore Music Band Performs in Taiwan.

Photo source: LGF Facebook page.

Live For The Moment is about FIVE amazing local bands who are releasing their singles! The launch was held on the 17th March 2012; it's over but you'll definitely want to look forward to so much more future performances they had prepared just for us!

Behind the scenes video of Live For The Moment Photo Shoot:







I particularly like Regine Han from the LGF band. We met at the Guinness Live singing contest previously. I remembered telling everyone how totally awed I was by her capability to build rapport with her audience, keeping us entertained throughout her singing performance.

Click here to read my post on her PK match with Alfred Sim. I've recorded videos of her solid voice!

LGF stands for Little Green Frog; a Guinness Live unplugged! band.

Introductio of the band members:

The Vocalist - Regine Han.



Photo source: LGF Facebook page.

The Keyboard/ EFX/P Programmer/ Composer - Seto


Photo source: LGF Facebook page.

The Bassist - Chern Hui

Photo source: LGF Facebook page.

LGF have performed for:


★ Singapore，2011 Tiger Lunar Extravaganza @ Promontory Marina Bay


★ Singapore , 2010 – 2012 , 6-month Guinness Promotional Event

★Taiwan, 2010 - 2012, Spring Scream and live houses

★ Malaysia KL , 2010 , Indie Music Festival 8

★ Singapore , Chingay Parade 2010 (after party)

★ Singapore , Huayi Chinese Arts Festival @ the Esplanade 2006, 2008, 2010

★ Singapore, Istana performance 2005

★ The band’s 1st single, Grey, used as the soundtrack of the online drama series, LUMINA. (Hong Kong)

★ The band’s 2nd single, 这样的我, is compiled in the compilation album “PlaySpeak” featuring veteran artistes from over Asia.

★ The band has also done shows for corporate clients like Singtel (INQ phone launch), Google Singapore, Nikon Singapore, British American Tobacco, ExxonMobil, Asian Pacific Breweries, Creative Video Awards 2012, COMPASS Awards, etc.


Information source from:  LGF Facebook page

LGF's 3rd mini album is out and you may do your purchase from their facebook fanpage!
It's called <>.



Are these Regine's sexeh legs?!
*wolf whistle*

You may purchase the album at the price of  only S$5.90.

In general, I think it is only logical that the initial support Singaporean bands/brands receive should always begin within the country itself, then spread far and wide and not the other way around.


It's time to SUPPORT OUR LOCAL TALENTS.
Livr For The Moment are now performing in TAIWAN at various locations.

Check our their schedules from their official poster.




I'll be ending off this post with a recorded clip I've found on YouTube:
Live For The Moment on Taiwan Radio Station, 2nd April 2012.

Once again, let's #SupportOurLocalTalents.

Enjoy!

Why I Am Special

This is random but I can't stop myself from the sudden urge to write this post.

Have you ever thought how special you are? List a few things you can think of.

Value your life. Treasure it.
YOU ARE SPECIAL IN YOUR OWN WAY.

1. I love to sleep. Sleeping is the only time I can dream. My dreams are most peculiar. In them, I can be wandering in a shopping mall, which never existed in reality, this moment, then strolling in the garden the next.

Sometimes, you feel the adrenaline rush as you free-fall from a high-level. Ithe feeling is like sitting on a Viking ship, where you are at the highest point and coming down.

Other times, you feel yourself running at your fastest but your legs aren't bringing you anywhere. Within spilt seconds your footsteps become so heavy that even after using all your might, you find yourself trying to run across a scene in your dream at the speed of only 0.000000000001km/h.

I remember many of my dreams. Maybe I should write them out into short stories just in case I forget them one day.

Once, I had a nightmare about rolls of toilet paper turning alive and trying to wrap me into an egyptian mummy. I told someone(I forgot who) about it and that person started laughing non-stop, commenting that it's the funniest nightmare he had ever heard.

BUT IT WAS SCARY; I was being attacked afterall.

Then there were several times I couldn't wake up from my dreams.

In them, I knew I was dreaming, and i'd try to open and shut my eyes to wake myself up but to no avail. Of course, eventually I did; after being 'burnt alive in a hut which caught fire'.

From the same scenario, there were times I thought I had woken up when in actual fact I'm still in it. Of course, I'd wake up to reality; it's a matter of time.

All the same, nightmares never affect me from my love for dreaming.

Have you had weird dreams before?

I know of some friends who never dream. How does it feel like to NOT have dreams? Will you be in pitch darkness? Do you feel 'empty'?

Later, I started reading up a book which is used to interpret dreams. It's call 'the dictionary of dreams'. I think it belongs to my younger sister.

From this book, you'll discover what your dream tells you about your deepest emotions, predictions of your future, unknown concerns which you're subconsciously thinking at the back of your mind... through the things, people, actions and even colours in your dream.

For instance, dreaming of a red sky, red floor or something red could mean that a girl's period is approaching.

Ironically, a nightmare might be showing you good signs instead, like maybe you'll get a promotion or a surprise visit from a distant friend/relative. So having a nightmare doesn't really sound that bad afterall!

Amazing, isn't it?

No 2. I am a chatterbox. I can chatter non-stop with my loved ones, especially PILLOW TALKS. I love to share stories, especially my life story.

I'll never mind telling you a bedtime story too if you asked!

No 3. I have a soft spot for soft toys. (Both are soft; something in common. :p)

The oldest soft toy I possess is a cow I called 'Niu niu'. It's been around for as long as I can remember. Everytime a new soft toy is being introduced into my collection, I'd tell them that 'Niu niu' is their king and that all the toys have to listen to him when I'm not around.

Once a toddler whom my mom was babysitting drew on Niu Niu's entire back, even it's yellow horns, with a blue permanent marker, I raged with anger!

My mom insisted on throwing it away down the rubbish chute. There I was, playing tug-of-war with her next to the chute opening, clinging onto Niu Niu legs, crying my heart out, begging her to allow me to keep it.

I told her that I'd love Niu Niu all the same, even if it's blue instead of white for the rest of my life.

She finally raised the white flag and gave Niu Niu back to me. Over time, and it meant years, the ink eventually faded away.

That very next day after the incident, I crept up to the toddler where he was taking his usual nap and inked his face and body with magic pen markers.

I ran to my mom and told her to throw him away now that he's dirty.

Instead, my mom gave me a good thrashing. I was caned, leaving prominent marks all over my body for days but for once, I didn't cry.

No one dared to try anything funny on Niu Niu anymore. I'm still hugging it now as I'm writing this.

My family ever joked that Niu Niu could be my wedding dowry for my daughter or daughter-in-law in future. It's officially my family heirloom.

No 4. I have imaginary friends up until the age of 16. I still love them and am grateful that I have my 'best friends' then, who stood by me at the lowest point of my life.

Maybe imaginary friends do exist in another world, who can justify that they don't?

No 5. I'm a proud fur mummy of my pet toy poodle, Bubble Leong! The most adorable dog In the world Yayala~

No 6. I've always enjoyed and loved planning, organizing friends' outings and parties, catching up sessions, gatherings, short getaways! ALWAYS.

No 7. Although I'm a keen learner, turning up for lessons seems extremely difficult for me. Truancy, late, assignments undone...

I love to learn new things, gain more knowledge. You get to meet your classmates, schoolmates, friends.

Maybe it's the part where I had to wake up early for school that drove me mad.

*Why must the alarm clock interrupt my dream EVERYDAY? (go back to No1 for the reason why)

No 8. I befriended many, many, many, many x999999999999999999999 awesome friends who always show their support and love for me all these years.

你们辛苦啦～

Genuine friends are gems and sparkling diamonds found in hidden treasure chests.


Here's to everyone of us being so special, in our very own way, Yummmmmmm Seng!

Time to hit the sack.
NIGHTS EVERYONE!

Jcube and the new Jurong Ice Skating Rink

It's my first visit to Jcube, with my dear Kele!

Kele is my first close girlfriend I met during my teenage years when I was working part time at Bugis Village. We'd frequent KTV sessions together! It feels great to catch up with girlfriends. :)

Situated in Jurong East, next to Jurong East MRT Station, Jcube is a heartland shopping mall and home to Singapore's 1st Olympic-size(60 by 30 metre) ice rink!

EVERYONE,
there's an INDOOR ICE SKATING RINK here, a big one!

Take a look at the white, spacious and high-ceiling interior! I like the air ventilation inside.
The food outlets are opened, now waiting for the retail shops to commence.











Kele and I had dim sum at Canton Paradise. Their Hong Kong style congee and custard buns are super awesome! The carrot cake, though, was a little too salty.










The ice rink is located at level 3, surrounded by F&B outlets and IMAX theatre. There is a Sticky candy stall too! In addition, feel free to sit at the 460-seat viewing gallery with your friends.







Seating at the yellow section(level 4, external) is for FREE.
Pay S$3.50 to be at the purple section(level 3, inside the rink).



I can't wait to sharpen my skates!
It's both rusty and mouldy for being kept too long in the storeroom.

Note to figure skaters: Spinning and jumping is NOT ALLOWED in the rink on public sessions.





It cost S$12 to do a regular sharpening and S$25 for a customised one. For customised sharpening, your weight and height will be taken into considering and catered to your liking. However, sharpenings are by appointments only for now.



On level, Kele and I caught sight of this 4-minute simulator game for S$7!



The IMAX theatre is located on level 4.



Here's how the ice rink looks like from the yellow-section seating gallery. The steps are steep, please be careful!







My first memories of Jcube is shared with Kele and the baby girl she's expecting.
I am contented.



Ice skating rink, here I come!

Rates for ice-skating at Jcube:

Photo taken from the internet.


SPECIAL:
Starting from 12.45pm, there'll be 2 hours of FREE SKATING for the first 50 guests at the rink between 03-05 April 2012. Participants must be a minimum of 6 years old. Children below 6 years old would require their parents to endorse an indemnity form. 


RANDOM:

I've got a new Gucci bag from Italy, YEAH!



Went out with a new hairstyle, I really like it, yesterday. It was styled and improvised by Joey!


Bubble in specs looks so adorable! Have you like his facebook page yet?



I can't wait to browse the photos taken during the FDP photoshoot. Thanks Angeline and Hagen for styling, guiding me how to pose and taking the photographs! Thanks Silver Zir for making me laugh and smile. :)






I want this hairstyle!!!