The Tipling club, Singapore.

This is a tricky one. I will not do the food justice by describing it. However, if we rely on pictures alone some of the creations from head Chef, Ryan Clift (Wilkshire, UK, born), will not make sense because of the creative presentation, innovative ways of delivering the food and the varying drinking vessels.  

So apologies for my attempt. I hope I have captured what a truly fantastic experience I had at the Tipling club.

Menu and interior

We had the 5 course tasting menu, plus the drinks pairing. The interior revolves around the kitchen, it's as if the kitchen is the stage and you have front row seats. All equipment is on display, the ingredients stacked high, the drinks bottles precariously dangling from the ceiling. 

Entrees and Course 1
Soups in test tubes and glass straws.
The yoghurt pot contained a curry like mousse, topped with finely chopped coriander and freeze dried yoghurt.
Course 2 is the Smoke Trout, with apples, both fresh and freeze dried, powdered horseradish and a sorbet.




Course 3
Rach and I order two different things.
One was a carrot Gnocchi another a salted cod, both served with different cocktails.

Course 3, Garden Vegetables, which was served with a beetroot liquor 

Course 4, Pigeon and a black truffle paste.

Desserts!
Depsey Hill Dessert is designed around the restaurants local surroundings. A mixture of different chocolates, creams, ice-cream, mousse and a green tea sponge.
Followed by Hand-made chocolates
And a very special treat for the birthday boy (ME!), Champagne and a extra special additional dessert!

Thank you to the Tipling Club and of course, Rachel for my birthday present!

The Hyatt Sunday Brunch

The Hyatt Sunday Brunch was recommended to me several times, so for Rachels 30th birthday celebration, we gave it a go.

They did not disappoint, we were spoilt with the normal selection of seafood, roast meats, cheese boards etc, but they had a few unique touches to their brunch. A satay station was a welcome introduction, there was actually quite a lot of open fires/bbq in the open kitchens, which gave the whole restaurant a great aroma. They also had a live fish station and a extensive sushi station.

We opted for the free flow option, (what else!) and the champagne on offer was Perrier-Jouet.

I have seen slightly better dessert stations at other brunches, however again the Hyatt put their own twist of things by offering something different, liquid nitrogen meringues!

Rick Steins St. Petroc's Bistro

Another one of Rick Steins Restaurants. Our second day in Padstow and lunch was a 3 course meal at St. Petroc's Bistro. Calamari, Mushroom risotto, and Sticky Toffee Pudding with Clotted Cream.  

THE Hot Chocolate Shop!

I used to live in Windsor, UK and just across the bridge from Eton is a little Cafe, the Chocolate Theatre Cafe and I love it!

Every week I used to visit. I have always wondered what Roy the owner thinks of me, because each week I would have a new friend, date, relative, work colleague with me, someone new to introduce to the Hot Chocolates and any excuse for me to indulge in another!

5 years on and when I am back in the UK I always go to visit.

You must try one of their extensive range of Hot Chocolates, accompanied by a breakfast, soup, platter or Sandwich, plus if you too have a ultra-sweet-tooth, then treat yourself to one of the incredible homemade cakes and pastries.

I found this little video on you tube...

Thai Pancakes - Kanom Thai

On a recent visit to Thailand I tried Kanom Thai, or Thai crispy pancakes. They come in sweet or savory form. The savory form contains coriander (the herb of the devil) so avoided that one, and opted for the sweet version. The white, gooey, fluffy, centre, which is topped with orange rind, is the main event. It tastes like a marshmallow meringue. A definitely for any fellow sweet tooth.

I was particularly impressed by the way they made them...

Ice Cream Tasting

Ice Cream Tasting at a client meeting in New Zealand, it's a tough job sometimes.

Don't worry it's not hazardous, we had just come off the building site we were designing.

ITC Gardenia, Bangalore, Indian Restaurant

Whilst staying at the ITC Gardenia, Bangalore, India. We visited their India Restaurant. We had a selection of their curries, which were all excellent, followed by Shahi Tuhra.

Shaha Tuhrais made by pouring delicately reduced milk over crisp home made bread sweetened in saffron syrup, garnished with silver leaf and pistachio. So it's like a India bread and butter pudding. It was very sickly, but I had to eat it all!

Finished with a plate of fresh fruit.

Shrove Tuesday

In the UK, the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of lent, is Shove Tuesday or Pancake Day! A tradition of eating and celebrating before the fasting that (is meant to anyway!) take place in for the 40 days of Lent.

We celebrated here in Singapore. It was a feast of sweet and savory pancakes, my favourites being, Cheese and Tomato, and Vanilla Ice cream, Sultanas, and Baileys!

Sea Coconut and Lychee dessert

A popular dessert amongst Chinese culture, fruit on a bed of crushed ice. This particular dessert contained Lychee and Sea coconut, which is the Coco de Mer species of Coconut that has been soaked in syrup/sugar. I was told it was good for the respiratory system.

Mr Bean - Bean Curd

A local favourite... why I don't know. It is bland, it has a slippery jelly texture, with a unpleasant after taste, there is a reason why it is $1.50 for a bucket of it!

Chocolat 'n' Spice

This tiny little bakery has a huge reputation.

All they do is Muffins, Cakes and Brownies and people go mad for them. I was warned I might have to queue for quite some time to sample these legendary little buns, so I pitched up at 8:15am and no one else was there, plus they were warm and fresh!

I bought a big batch, with a selection of their many flavours and treated the office to pre-Chinese New Year Friday morning Muffin.

Amazing Apple Strudel

534 North bridge or in the Food Court in Bugis Junction.