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5 Recommended Restaurants & Foods to Eat in Siem Reap Cambodia!
We’ve been scouring the internet for restaurant recommendations and foods to eat in Siem Reap, Cambodia. However, our search only yielded some “hits” and mostly “misses”. After all that experience, we’ve decided to put together a list of recommended restaurants and foods to eat in Siem Reap Cambodia, for you to kick start your gastronomic journey!
Restaurants and Foods to eat in Siem Reap Cambodia
1. Mahob Khmer Cuisine
Chef and restaurateur Seng Sothea hits all the right spots with dishes at Mahob Khmer Cuisine Restaurant. The Khmer Beef Tenderloin on BBQ hot stone was our favourite with local sauces that dabble with the senses (spicy, sweet, sour, garlicky). Needless to say, the beef was so so tender. At USD$6.90, the beef tenderloin (300g) was a steal!
We also enjoyed our desserts of Banana Sago crème brulee style and Lemongrass tart with passion fruit ice cream. Who would have thought that lemongrass would make an excellent tart? Genius this!
For mains, we’d recommend the Caramelized pork shank with palm sugar, ginger, and black pepper. The beef lok lak has an awesome presentation but somehow it was not as tender as the one on hot stone. If you’re going for cocktails, give the Rainbow a miss and try the Lemongrass Martini.
All in all, with its attractive pricing and great tasting food, we’d definitely recommend Mahob Khmer Cuisine Restaurant for you to try out delicious Khmer cuisine!
Address: Mahob Khmer Cuisine is located at #137, Traing village, Group 3, Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia and is opened for lunch and dinner.
2. Khmer Kitchen Restaurant
Khmer Kitchen Restaurant is a place you should go to try home-styled Khmer cuisine. Each dish goes for $4USD and there’s just wholesome, “mum’s taste” in every dish. Take for instance, the pork ribs were well marinated and had a slight bite to it with most of the meat coming off its bone easily. The pumpkin beef in oven was another favourite of ours – comfort food, asian style 🙂
Do note that there are 3 outlets in the vicinity of pub street. Khmer Kitchen Restaurant is located at Mondul I, Sangkat Svay Dangkum, Siem Reap Cambodia. When we visited the first restaurant, it was full and we were led to the next restaurant (by one of the staff) which was about a 2 minutes walk away. Again, it was full. But we waited for only about 5 minutes before we had our seat. After we were seated, 3 more groups of people arrived at the restaurant…If you’re visiting during dinner hours, be prepared for a queue.
Address: Khmer Kitchen Restaurant is located at Street 11, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
3. Easy Speaking Cambodian BBQ
Easy Speaking BBQ located at 178, Mondul 1 Sangkat Svay Dangkum, Siem Reap, Cambodia was our choice to try out the Cambodian BBQ (and hotpot) this evening. There are actually many restaurants offering Cambodian styled BBQ and frankly speaking, Easy Speaking BBQ’s menu is not that cheap. Nonetheless, we liked the venue because it’s located right in the heart of pub street. A great place to people watch. Also, beers go at $0.50USD per glass. (WHAT?!) This makes it a good place to chill (albeit a little hot) and try out a new dish like the Cambodian BBQ.
The interesting thing about Cambodian BBQ is that
1. You can try out interesting meats like snakes and crocodiles.
2. Similar to the steamboat/bbq concept in Singapore, the Cambodian BBQ offers both the BBQ in the middle and hot pot on the sides. Instead of using butter or margarine, a thick slab of lard is used to “lather” the plate before the BBQ commences.
If you’re trying out the Cambodian BBQ for the first time, we’d recommend Easy Speaking BBQ. A menu for 2 starts at $10USD. We went for the $18USD (choice of more meats) and had 2 beers for an additional dollar (WHAT?!)
Address: Easy Speaking BBQ is located at Street 08, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia and is open from 7am to 12am daily
4. The Blue Pumpkin
If clubbing is not your cup of tea, right at the edge of Pub Street sits the Blue Pumpkin – a cafe that attracts many youths to hang out here. Portions are generous and you can literally “kick off your shoes, sit back and relax” on one of these huge sofa seats. Many youths and young adults hang out here to read a book or just catch up with friends. A good change for a night of sinful cakes and ice cream indulgence ;P
Address: The Blue Pumpkin is located at Sivatha Rd, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia and is open from 7am to 11pm.
5. Beer Battle House of Beer
Beer Battle is located at the entrance of Pub Street. With a row of barrels right outside the restaurant, you’d probably won’t miss it. Although the pub food we’ve tried (mojito and chicken wings) are a miss, we still enjoyed the music from the live band very very much. They could even sing in Korean and got the Korean tourists all hyped up with the “saranghaeyo” and heart-shaped gestures over their heads. The bands also had a wide selection of songs from the 70s to the 90s and 2000s.
Secondly, head straight to the “window” seats at the sides of the second level and you’ll be treated to awesome views over Pub Street. Enjoy a drink, people watch and listen to awesome music from the live band. A great way to end off an evening at Pub Street, Siem Reap!
Address: Beer Battle House of Beer is located at Street 08, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia and is open from 4pm to 2am daily (except on Sundays close at 12am)
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We hope you have enjoyed our coverage of the 5 Recommended Restaurants and Foods to eat in Siem Reap Cambodia. Let us know what you think in our comments section below!
Top 7 Things to do and Attractions in Siem Reap Cambodia!
When you think about Siem Reap in Cambodia, what do you think of? Temples, temples and more temples? To help you avoid the “Temple Fatigue”, here are the top 7 things to do and attractions in Siem Reap Cambodia!
Top 7 Things to do and Attractions in Siem Reap Cambodia
1. Tuk Tuk Ride
When visiting Siem Reap, remember to try the Tuk Tuk rides! That’s when you can really feel the wind in your hair and the people in the streets! A ride costs approximately USD$5 for a return trip from your hotel to the city and USD$15-$20 for a full day (especially needed for your visit to the Ankor Temple Complex).
2. Ankor Complex
Ankor Wat Temple
Bayon Temple
Ankor Thom Temple (aka Tomb Raider Angelina Jolie Temple)
To help you avoid “Temple Fatigue” at the Angkor Complex, you can limit your visit to only
i. Angkor Wat. Because it is the most beautiful temple structure within the complex.
ii. Bayon. Because of the many smiling faces and photo opportunity with actors in traditional costumes.
iii. Angkor Thom. Because Angelina Jolie shot Tomb Raider there.
After a while, all other temples will look more or less the same. Remember to hire a tuk tuk for a day to ease your transfers from temple to temple. Please do not attempt to walk…
3. Pub Street Siem Reap
After a day out at the Ankor Complex, Pub Street is a great venue to chill out. If you’re having your dinner there, many restaurants offer beers on tap for a mere USD$1! There are also many venues with live music, performances and clubs till the wee hours of the morning.
4. Siem Reap Old Market
Siem Reap Old Market offers tourists an opportunity to shop for souvenirs such as t-shirts, magnets and display items – much akin to Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City and Bogyoke Market in Yangon. Of course, it is also very much a market for the locals. You can buy shoes, textiles, get a manicure/pedicure, visit the hair salon and buy fruits and vegetables from the wet market before going back. North Face jackets go for 70USD here (20USD cheaper than that at pub street)!
5. Angkor Night Market
The Angkor Night Market is a cleaner (night) version of the Old Market. Because of its al fresco concept, the air quality is also better than that at the Old Market. Definitely a nice place to shop, chill and spend the evening at.
Tip: Prices are the cheapest at the Temple Complex, followed by the Night Market, followed by Pub Street. Hence, try not to do your souvenir shopping at Pub Street.
6. Movies @ Angkor Cinema
Drop in ANYTIME at Angkor Cinema and you can catch your favourite movie at just 5USD per person. This is because, the concept of the cinema is like that of a KTV in Singapore. You’ll enter a private room (complete with large sofa chairs and surround sound) and they’ll play the movie you’ve selected. As simple as that. Payment is made before you enter.
7. Dining in Siem Reap
There are many dining options in Siem Reap which we’ll show you in our next post!
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We hope you have enjoyed our coverage of the 7 top things to do and attractions in Siem Reap Cambodia. Let us know what you think in our comments section below!
Swissotel Merchant Court Executive Room Staycation : Right in the heart of Clarke Quay!
During our recent staycation, we visited the Swissotel Merchant Court at Clarke Quay and upgraded ourselves to the Executive Room! Initially, we booked a classic room through Agoda for $205 (without breakfast) and wanted to find our own meals around the vicinity. However, at the reception, we were offered an upgrade to the Executive Room for $100++ which included
– Upgrade from Classic to Executive Room with views over the Clarke Quay area
– Breakfast for 2
– Access to Swiss Executive Club with cocktail hours from 6pm to 8pm
– Complimentary Wifi
We could not resist this offer and took the upgrade at the reception!
Swissotel Merchant Court Executive Room
Video tour of Swissotel Merchant Court Executive Room
What we enjoyed about the Executive Room was its awesome views over Clarke Quay and Singapore River. In the day, we could see the beautiful Singapore skyline and in the evening, the life of the party at Clarke Quay. Even at 2am in the morning, there were still many people enjoying themselves and hanging out at Read Bridge (Malacca Bridge). Not to worry, the windows are sound proof so we were not disturbed by the crowds at all 😉
Having stayed at bathrooms with exceptionally huge bath tubs (see De Sarann Villa), we were not really used to the small in-room bath tub. Nonetheless, our room was at level 11 of the Swissotel Merchant Court which gives us easy access to the Swiss Executive Club!
Swissotel Merchant Court Swiss Executive Club
The Swiss Executive Club is located at level 11 (same floor as our room, yay!) of the Swissotel Merchant Court. We enjoyed the views that the executive club offers over Clarke Quay and the CBD area. Although the selection of food during cocktail hours was lacking in variety, the quality was not too bad. Satay, sushi and prawns were foods that made us come back for seconds. As for the drinks, both red and white wines tasted better than most house wines offered during cocktail hours. Worth the upgrade? A resounding YES!
Swissotel Merchant Court Facilities and Services
Swissotel Merchant Court offers the full suite of services expected of a 5 stars hotel. The swimming pool of Swissotel Merchant Court has slides for the kids, wading pool and also a jacuzzi pool. Surrounded by luscious greenery, the pool area is a sanctuary right in the heart of the city. At the same level, you can also access the gym. At the cardio station, you can have views over Clarke Quay as you work out the sweat – in preparation for the feasting at night! :O
The Ellenborough Market Cafe is also a famous joint for foodies, particularly for the nonya cuisine. We visited Ellenborough Market Cafe when it was having the crab buffet promotion and we also enjoyed its signature durian pengat during that visit. Yum!
Swissotel Merchant Court also offers full spa services at the Spa and Sports. Check out the menu above to see the prices and services that the Spa and Sports offers!
In and Around Swissotel Merchant Court Clarke Quay
Swissotel Merchant Court is located at 20 Merchant Road Singapore 058281 – right in the heart of the city. You can have easy access to the clubbing scene and night life at Clarke Quay and also feel the vibe of Chinatown, minutes away by foot. Shopping opportunities abound at Liang Court and Central Shopping Mall.
For a more relaxing time, Fort Canning Hill is just a stone’s throw away, offering you a perfect spot for picnics or that morning stroll with your loved ones. Don’t forget to hop on the swing swing like we did!
Breakfast at Swissotel Merchant Court Ellenborough Market Cafe
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We hope you have enjoyed our coverage of the Swissotel Merchant Court and our stay at the Executive Room with access to the Swiss Executive Club!
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Mandarin Orchard Singapore Staycation Review: Best Views From “Top Of The M” Meritus Club Lounge!
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Novotel Singapore On Stevens Staycation: An Urban Oasis
A Letter To Jen (Hotel Jen Orchardgateway Staycation)…
Quincy Hotel Qool Weekend Staycation : Singapore’s ALL-IN Staycation!
National Day Staycation At The Regent Singapore – A Four Seasons Hotel!
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The Clan Hotel Staycation Review: Sky Gym and Sky Pool Views That Mesmerise!
AMOY Hotel Singapore : Why You Should Stay Here During Your Next Visit
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The Fullerton Hotel Singapore Staycation: The Complete Review
Pan Pacific Singapore Hotel Harbour Studio Staycation!
Ritz Carlton Singapore Staycation: Simply Shiok!
Clarke Quay
Swissotel Merchant Court Executive Room Staycation : Right In The Heart Of Clarke Quay!
Bugis
Mercure Singapore Bugis Staycation: Executive Loft Room Review!
Novena
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Katong
Grand Mercure Roxy Singapore Staycation : The Studio Suite!
Uniquely Singapore Staycation At Village Hotel Katong!
Downtown East
D’Resort @ Downtown East : A Perfect Staycation For The Entire Family!
Changi
Village Hotel Changi Staycation : Rediscover The Gems Of Singapore!
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The Ultimate Family Staycation At Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa!
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Airport Lounge access with ANZ Travel Card!
Update: ANZ Travel Card to drop complimentary lounge access on 1st April 2017.
If you have the ANZ Travel Card, you’d realise that there are several benefits of having the card, including
– Earning up to 2.8 miles with every $1 spent (with designated merchants) or 1.4 miles with all other spendings.
– Complimentary airport limousine departure transfers with minimum spending of $1,500
– Travel accident and inconvenience insurance coverage when you purchase your air tickets using the ANZ Travel Card
Our favourite perk of having the ANZ Travel Card? Airport lounge access of course!
Airport Lounge access with ANZ Travel Card
You may have read our coverage of Dnata SkyView Lounge and SATS Premier Lounge. These were lounges that provided complimentary access with the ANZ Veloce partnership. To find out which are the lounges currently available with the ANZ Travel Card, all you have to do is visit the Veloce Website and key in the first 6 digits of your credit card number. It will then show you the available lounges associated with your credit card (in this case, the ANZ Travel Card).
Correct as of February 2015
During our latest visit, we were surprised to know that the complimentary lounges at Changi Airport has changed…again…(maybe the next time we won’t be so surprised anymore :P)
Unfortunately, with this round of revision, both lounges do not offer complimentary alcoholic beverages. Nonetheless, you’d be happy to note other services available at these lounges…
Changi Airport Terminal 1 : Airport Wellness Oasis
If you’re departing from T1, instead of the Dnata Skyview Lounge, ANZ Travel Card holders can visit the Airport Wellness Oasis just below it.
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What we love about the new lounge is that it offers a 20 minutes complimentary fish spa! You can do this “treatment” once at departure and another when you arrive back in SG again 😉 Food wise, it is nothing to shout about. Beverages such as soft drinks, juice and coffee/tea are available and showering facilities are complimentary as well.
Changi Airport Terminal 3 : Ambassador Transit Lounge
At Terminal 3, you can visit the Ambassador Transit Lounge. Again, alcoholic beverages are not complimentary. However, views over the Butterfly Garden offers a relaxing vibe to this lounge.
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Food offered at the Ambassador Transit Lounge is certainly better than the Airport Wellness Oasis. With convenience offered by the Sky Train, it is really easy to travel internally between terminals (and thus lounges!).
[UPDATE]
Saw this update at ANZ Travel Visa’s website
From 1 September 2016, receive two complimentary access to over 800 DragonPass lounges around the world when you charge a minimum of $10,000 to your ANZ Travel Card in each calendar quarter. A unique DragonPass membership number will be issued to you when you qualify.
That’s a spend of $10,000 in 3 months! Guess we’ll probably not be renewing with ANZ Travel Card anymore. If you have any thoughts on this, tell us more in the comments section below!
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Do you have any ideas or tips of utilising the airport hotels or lounges offered by ANZ Travel Card? Let us know in the comments section below!
Lounge Istanbul Ataturk Airport : One of the Top Airport Lounges in the World!
Lounge Istanbul, located at the departure terminal of Ataturk Aiport in Turkey, is the largest airport lounge that we’ve ever been to. Having been to the SATS, Dnata, KrisFlyer Gold Lounge and China Airlines Dyanasty Lounge, Lounge Istanbul is certainly an eye-opener for us. Let’s find out what makes Lounge Istanbul one of the top airport lounges in the world!
About Lounge Istanbul at Ataturk Airport Turkey
Spanning almost 6000m2 (WHAT?!), Lounge Istanbul boasts of several amenities that we have not seen before, including a self-service baggage storage area, a pool table, a golf simulator, a miniature virtual car rally and many drinks and food points all around the lounge! It is also able to accommodate 1000 guests at any point in time!
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What we enjoyed about Lounge Istanbul at Ataturk Airport Turkey
When we first entered Lounge Istanbul, we were very impressed by its decorations. We then found out that it is one of the largest airport lounges in the world. Here are some of the things we enjoyed about the lounge.
1. Decorations with different themes. As you can see from the pictures above, there are many different themes in and around the lounge. You can choose to chill at the classy and elegant area of the lounge, enjoy some coffee and desserts at the cafe themed area or lounge at many of the comfortable seats across the Istanbul Lounge!
2. Many different and unique amenities. Unlike the usual lounges that only offers food, publications and internet, Lounge Istanbul offers many firsts for us including
– A Golf Simimulator
– Miniature race rally course
– Pool Table
– Cinema
– Library
– Suites
– Massages
– Children’s Playroom
3. Sheer Size. As Kate mentioned, the Istanbul Lounge is so huge that it’s better to first find a seat before heading to check out the amenities. Otherwise, you’ll have trouble finding each other within the lounge!
True story.
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If you have also visited Lounge Istanbul at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul Turkey, do let us know what you think in the comments section below!
China Airlines Dynasty Lounge @ Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
China Airlines Dynasty Lounge was one of the lounges we’ve visited during our Taiwan Trip in 2014. With the ANZ Travel Credit Card, we were able to have complimentary (aka FREE!) entry into the China Airlines Dynasty Lounge located at Terminal 1 and 2 of the Taoyuan International Airport.
China Airlines Dynasty Lounge Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
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What we enjoyed at China Airlines Dynasty Lounge Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
1. Separating dining and lounge area. The cool thing about this lounge is that there is an automated door that separates the lounge area from the dining area. This ensures that the smells of the food keeps contained within the dining area as far as possible. Nice touch by China Airlines.
2. Noodle Bar. To make the dining experience more enjoyable, there is a noodle bar that serves up Taiwanese noodles including beef noodles, noodles with pork broth, noodles with minced meat in sweet bean paste sauce and rice noodles with pork in soup. If you happen to miss any of these yummy local delicacies during your trip to Taiwan, this would be an excellent opportunity to “catch up” on these noodles!
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If you have experienced the China Airlines Dynasty Lounge at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, do let us know what you think in the comment section below!
KrisFlyer Gold Lounge (T3) access with Star Alliance Gold Card
KrisFlyer Gold Lounge is the one of the two airport lounges operated by Singapore Airlines. You can access the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge at Terminal 3 of Singapore Changi Airport using the Star Alliance Gold Card when you depart via any Star Alliance Airlines. This time, we departed via Turkish Airlines!
About KrisFlyer Gold Lounge at Terminal 3
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What we liked about KrisFlyer Gold Lounge at Terminal 3
There are a few things that we enjoyed about the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge.
1. Tapping your own beer. At the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge, you’re able to tap your own Tiger beer using frosted mugs that have been chilled in the fridge. You can even control the amount of head that you want for your beer!
2. Classy ambience. Compared to the SATS and Dnata lounges that we have visited previously, KrisFlyer Gold Lounge certainly exudes class and elegance in its decor.
Have you been to the SilverKris Lounge at Terminal 2 and 3? Although the name sounds less classy as comapred to KrisFlyer Gold Lounge, it is actually only available to Suites, First Class, Business Class and PPS members flying with Singapore Airlines.
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If you have visited the KrisFlyer Gold or SilverKris lounges, tell us more in the comments section below!
Crystal Jade Jiang Nan Vivocity : A Pictorial Review
Crystal Jade Jiang Nan is one of the specialty of the Crystal Jade Group. This Crystal Jade Jiang Nan we visited is located at Vivocity, 1 Harbour Front Walk, #01-52. If you’re visiting on the weekends, it’s preferred that you make reservations (Tel: 62211830) due to the huge crowds visiting during makan hours.
Enjoy this pictorial review of our coverage of Crystal Jade Jiang Nan at Vivocity!
What we ate at Crystal Jade Jiang Nan Vivocity
Crystal Jade Jiang Nan Vivocity Review
If you’re thinking of what to eat at Vivocity, you can check out Jamie’s Italian Singapore or here at Crystal Jade Jiang Nan.
Having tried all of the above dishes, we’ll strongly recommend the following dishes
1. BBQ Pork Sesame Pastry (叉烧酥）: Soooooooooo flaky on the outside! Handle with care!
2. Bamboo Charcoal Black Pepper Chicken Bun : Crispy outer layer with a ‘traditional’ black pepper chicken taste.
3. Hong Kong Ying Yang : To have a beautiful display (effect from the dry ice) while you enjoy your dinner.
4. La Mian : But maybe not the spicy beef version as it’s a tad too salty for our liking. Nonetheless, the noodles were really good. Makes you want to slurp continously!
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We hope you have enjoyed our pictorial coverage of Crystal Jade Jiang Nan @ Vivocity! Enjoy!
Oriental Pearl Tower Shanghai (东方明珠塔) : Is it worth a visit?
Oriental Pearl Tower Shanghai (东方明珠塔) is a radio and TV tower in the city of Shanghai. Towering at 468 metres, the Oriental Pearl Tower offers splendid views over the entire city of Shanghai. The only shortfall was a cloud of haze affecting the views when we visited. Nonetheless, this post will tell you all the things to see and expect at the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai!
Views from the Oriental Pearl Tower Shanghai
Entry tickets to the Oriental Pearl Tower costs between 120RMB to 220RMB (approximately $24 to $44), inclusive of entry into the Shanghai History Museum. While we were there, we noticed that there were ALOT of people. It was actually quite noisy when we reached the observation deck, due to the chatter and conversations that took place within. In addition, the hazy skyline also dwindled the experience somewhat. Nonetheless, views over the city, the Bund as well as the Huang Pu River was still quite amazing.
At the transparent observation deck, you may have to “jostle” for prime spot. The best spots are already taken by the official photographers. However, if you ask politely, they may offer you the spot and even take a quick shot for you 😉
After the visit to the observation deck, we returned downstairs to visit the Shanghai History Museum which was a great addition to the tour at the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai. Here are the highlights from the visit…
Shanghai History Museum at Oriental Pearl Tower
The Shanghai History Museum tells of how life was like in the golden era of Shanghai in the 1930s. There were many interesting exhibits which really showcased how the rich and famous enjoyed life then in China. What really caught our eye though, was the wedding sedan shown in the picture above. For the bride to sit within the sedan, the decorative structure has to be taken apart piece by piece. After the bride sat within, it would then be placed back piece by piece again! What a piece of art!
The address of Oriental Pearl Tower is located at 1 Century Ave, Pudong, Shanghai, China.
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We hope you have enjoyed our coverage of the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai History Museum! Do let us (and other readers) know if you have other interesting information, in our comments section below!
Gas Work Park & Le Fournil Bakery: For the Best Views of Seattle City!
Gas Works Park is an alternate venue to Kerry Park View Point for a view of the Seattle City Skyline.
Gas Works Park was originally a coal gasification plant which was operating from 1900s to 1950s. It was later renovated and opened officially to the public as a park in 1975.
Prior to our visit to Gas Works Park, we visited a famous french bakery by the name of Le Fournil…
After contemplating for a really long time, we finally decided on the capuccino, almond croissant as well as the cream puff with chocolate on top. Special mention has to go to the cream puff where the cream was rich but not too sweet. The cream blended well with the puff itself. Yum!
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For your convenience, we have arranged for the best hotel deals in Seattle right here!
Something interesting that happened during our visit to Gas Works Park was that we wanted to feed our Boudin sour dough bread “imported” from San Francisco, to the ducks that were swimming close to the waters there. However, we were not able to attract the ducks to come close enough to feed on the bread, only the ravens came by to have a look. The wind was really cold as the ducks were starting to draw towards us. As it was just too cold, we decided to feed the bread to the ravens instead, and left.
Nonetheless, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Gas Works Park (thanks to Kate!) and the breakfast from Le Fournil.
Great breakfast with great views? What else can we ask for? 😉
3 Cheap and Good Eats along the Singapore River!
There is a common misconception that restaurants along the Singapore River would be very pricey. True in most cases. But in this post, we’ll let you in on the 3 cheap and good eats along the Singapore River!
1. Saizeriya at Liang Court
Saizeriya Menu
Saizeriya is a Japanese franchise chain that specialises in Italian food. Here, you can get cheap, good and huge portions of pasta! Our favourites include Peperoncino Bacon Spaghetti ($4.90), Squid Ink Spaghetti ($5.90) and the Asari Soup Spaghetti ($5.90). For these prices and these tastes? Definitely value for money! Saizeriya also boasts to have the “cheapest Escargots in town”! For only $5.90, you’ll get 6 yummilicious escargots oven grilled to perfection.
And the best part? There’s no service charge or government taxes. All prices that you see are NETT PRICES!
Address : #02-22 Liang Court Shopping Centre (177 River Valley Rd, Singapore 179030)
Opening Hours : 11am to 10pm daily
2. Hooters at Clarke Quay
Hooters has launched its set lunch menu at $10++ with 10 choices of main course to choose from. Choices include NZ Sirloin Steak, Hooters Burger and the Hooters Chicken Wings. Set lunch even comes with sides of curly fries (hard to get them cheap outside these days), drinks as well as a scoop of the day’s ice cream.
For $5++, you’ll also get to enjoy an ice cold mug of Tiger beer. All these can be enjoyed with awesome views of the river. Excellent value for its awesome location.
Address : #01-03 SHOPHOUSE ROW (BLK 3D RIVER VALLEY ROAD CLARKE QUAY, SINGAPORE 179023)
Hours : The set lunch menu is available from 11am to 3pm daily
3. Chiso Zanmai at Central Shopping Mall Clarke Quay
Free flow of Shabu Shabu at Chiso Zanmai
Chiso Zanmai, located at Central Shopping Mall (Clarke Quay), offers Japanese buffet at only $14.90++ for lunch on week days! The best part of this buffet is the free flow of shabu shabu which you can enjoy to your heart’s content. There’s also a selection of Japanese sushi, Japanese fare and desserts to choose from. Free flow of drinks is available for $1.90++. Otherwise, ice water is complimentary.
Address : #02-17 The Central @ Clarke Quay (6 Eu Tong Sen Street, Singapore 059817)
Opening Hours : 12pm to 3pm
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We hope you have enjoyed our post and will be able to enjoy these cheap and good eats along the Singapore River!
Jamie’s Italian Sydney : Classy joint for a perfect night out!
While in Sydney, we decided to visit Jamie’s Italian, an italian-styled restaurant owned by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. Jamie’s Italian Sydney is located at 107 Pitt St, right in the heart of Sydney. A centrally located classy restaurant – ingredients for a perfect night out!
What we ate at Jamie’s Italian Sydney
All of the dishes above tasted good. But we would like to point out that the burger looks better than it tastes. This is because, the buns were a little tough and the patty, though juicy and tender at first, became a little tough and dry as the meal went out. On the other hand, we really enjoyed the lasagne. Fresh pasta with fresh ingredients? Yum!
Address of Jamie’s Italian Sydney
Jamie’s Italian Sydney is located at 107 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
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Jamie’s Italian Sydney offers great food and for Sydney standards, a reasonable price. If you’re planning for a night’s out, Jamie’s Italian Sydney would definitely be an excellent choice!
Check out our coverage of Jamie’s Italian Singapore for a comparison between the two restaurants!
Jamie’s Italian Singapore Vivocity : Is it worth a visit?
Jamie’s Italian has finally made its way to the shores of Singapore! Well-known celebrity chef – Jamie Oliver, has chosen to open this italian restaurant at the vibrant waterfront of Vivocity. We’ll tell you what are some of the stuff we’ve tried and whether it is worth it to visit Jamie’s Italian Singapore!
What we ate at Jamie’s Italian Singapore
The decoration within Jamie’s Italian is the “atas casual” style where there’s an open concept kitchen to prepare starters and cocktails. Guests on the other hand feel entirely relaxed in this cosy atmosphere. As we visited the joint on a Sunday, we could feel the urge to just while away a lazy Sunday afternoon.
For starters, we went with Crispy Soft Shell Crab ($12.50) and the Jamie’s Italian Mojito ($18). The crispy soft shell crab was served with chilli, fennel, sea lettuce & smashed avocado with yuzu lime. Although the soft shell crab was really small (miniature almost), the taste packed a punch. The smashed avocado was rich and appetising, providing a perfect compliment to the lightly crisp soft shell crab.
Jamie’s Italian Mojito contains Bacardi Superior rum, Martini Bianco, fresh mint, lime & sugar, topped with Prosecco. The difference with usual mojito is the addition of the Martini Bianco and Prosecco. This version had loads of fresh mint, making the drink really refreshing. But with a pricing of $18, there just isn’t enough “wow” factor for a recommendation.
Since we were in an italian-styled restaurant, we decided to try Jamie Oliver’s take on pasta. While we were at it, we decided to try a funny-shaped pasta – Meatball Pappardelle ($14). Meatball Pappardelle has beef & pork meatballs with wiggly pappardelle, tomatoes, garlic, red wine & herby breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs were served separately and you’ll be invited by the waiting staff to mix it into the pasta. The interesting thing about this dish is the wiggly pappardelle. When we first laid eyes on it, it really resembled the tentacles of the octopus. But the cool thing about the wiggly pappardelle is that it traps the sauces within the gaps of the pasta, allowing each mouth to burst with the flavours of the tomato-based sauce. Meatballs were also tender when the dish first arrived. But after a couple of minutes, it became a little tougher and drier on the inside. All in all, we think that the meatball pappardelle was really good and comparable to the best tomato-based pasta we’ve had at Fior d’Italia – America’s Oldest Italian Restaurant.
Jamie’s Italian Singapore Desserts
For desserts, we went with the Gelato ($10.50) and the Epic Brownie ($11.50). For the Gelato, you can have the option of 3 scoops of ice cream served with any two of these toppings: Smashed honeycomb, Crushed nuts & seeds, Fruit compote or Butterscotch sauce. We chose salted caramel, vanilla and strawberry, topped with crushed nuts & seeds and smashed honeycomb. Our favourite was the vanilla flavour but for $10.50 it was too pricey. On the other hand, we’d recommend the Epic Brownie. Each mouthful was so rich with chocolate that it tasted sinfully awesome! The choco-rich brownie was balanced with the amaretto ice cream & caramelised amaretti popcorn. Definitely one of the richest choco brownie we’ve had.
We got a sneak at the lemon meringue cheesecake when it was served to other tables. Looked really good 😉
How to get to Jamie’s Italian Singapore
Jamie’s Italian Singapore is located at level 1 of Vivocity. The nearest MRT station is HarbourFront.
Address of Vivocity is 1 Harbourfront Walk, Singapore 098585.
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Is Jamie’s Italian Singapore worth a visit?
For ala carte, the menu was indeed pricey. All in all, the above came to about $80 (WHAT?!). Still, the taste of each dish was really good and by the time we were done, we were exceptionally full as well. For a better deal, there’s a “Jamie’s Sharing Feast for 2” which costs $138. The feast includes antipasti, 3 mains, dessert plank as well as coffee and tea. This feast allows you to try the recommended items on menu at a better price.
All in all, we think that Jamie’s Italian Singapore is definitely worth a visit. But be prepared to “mend” your pockets after the meal!
Check out our coverage of Jamie’s Italian Sydney for a comparison between the two restaurants!
Mydin Mall Meru Raya Day Out : Of missed buses at Amanjaya Terminal Ipoh
Mydin Mall was the place we hanged out at when we missed our bus at the nearby Amanjaya Terminal during our Ipoh trip. If you have read our post on the “Top 10 things to eat in Ipoh Malaysia“, you would have read that we actually booked for a bus that did not appear on the day of departure!
Hence, we decided to wait for 8 hours at Mydin Mall before the next departure to Singapore in the evening. So this post covers the things to do in Mydin Mall or more specifically the Mydin Wholesale Hypermart (Pasar Raya Besar) @ Meru Raya (PT 229142, Jalan Meru Bestari B2, Bandar Meru Raya, 30020 Jelapang, Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan)
Things to do at Mydin Wholesale Hypermart Meru Raya Ipoh
After reaching the mall, we started with bowling where Tom won the first game with a score of 122 to 57! Yay!
Ole Ole Superbowl Bowling Alley
Good Time Arcade
Also available is the Good Time arcade if you’d like to enjoy a couple of video games and such.
My Kara Family Karaoke
In fact, it was quite worth it in Singapore standards to sing at My Kara as it was only 46RM for 2 hours, inclusive of drinks. That translates to only $10 per person. Plus, the system was really up to date and state of the art. It was relatively easy to find the songs that we wanted to sing.
What we ate at Mydin Wholesale Hypermart Meru Raya Ipoh
There’s a food court named Rasa Village where we had the following
We also visited Mr Cendol with its appealing entrance…
What we really loved about the Soya Special was that the ice was shaved soya ice! Coupled with the ice cream and gula melaka, the cendol was rich, sweet and delicious!
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So if you also happen to miss a bus some time in Amanjaya Bus Terminal in Ipoh, why not check out the options at Mydin Mall Meru Raya?
Regalodge Hotel Ipoh Malaysia : A quick review and Introduction of the BASIC factor
During our recent visit to Ipoh Malaysia, we stayed at the Regalodge Hotel Ipoh and this post will give a quick review / overview of our stay.
But first, we want to reveal for the first time – the BASIC Factor. An assessment criteria that Kate and I have devised for hotels that we’ll be staying in, in the future.
So you must be wondering, what exactly is the BASIC factor?
BASIC Factor for 2bearbear.com Hotel Reviews
The BASIC factor refers to different aspects of the hotel which we think (note : “we” refers to the opinions of the 2bearbears) are important during our stay. It may be a little quirky, but these are things that we feel are what makes a good stay, GREAT!
Do note also that for all factors, there will either be a score of 0, 0.5 or 1. Hence, the maximum point a hotel can get based on the BASIC factor, would be 5.
B – Bathroom. To make a stay excellent, a good bathroom and thus a bathtub is necessary. 0.5 will be granted to a room with a clean bathroom and 1 to a room with bathtub (and has to be clean and working!).
A – Ambience. This factor is relatively subjective in nature. In general, if there are no negative vibes, the hotel receives 0.5. If the vibe is good (i.e. it can be quaint, boutique, sporty, trendy, classy, luxurious, opulence etc.), the hotel receives a score of 1.
S – Service. For us, friendly service with an eye for detail will make your stay that much more wonderful. Hotels with good service receives 0.5 while excellent and impeccable service receives a score of 1.
I – Infinity Pool. To clarify, it need not be “infinity pool” per se. As long as there’s a swimming pool, the hotel receives 0.5. An excellent pool (pool with a view, sky pool, infinity pool, huge pools) receives a score of 1.
C – Comfort. It is important for guests to feel rested after their stay and this is attributed very much to the comfort of their stay. A clean and decent room affords 0.5 while an extremely comfortable stay (beds that makes you want to lie in it after check-out timing) affords a score of 1.
And with the introduction of the BASIC factor for hotel assessments, we’re gonna introduce the Regalodge Hotel in Ipoh Malaysia!
Regalodge Hotel Ipoh Malaysia Review
We chose Regalodge because of its close proximity to the historic buildings of Ipoh, walking distance to great food joints as well as the relatively good reviews of the hotel at Agoda.com
Regalodge Ipoh Superior Room
Our overall stay at the Regalodge Ipoh was pleasant though we found the room to be a little small. Hence, the overall BASIC factor score for Regalodge Hotel Ipoh is…2.5
B – 1. Bathroom comes equipped with a bathtub.
A – 0.5. Inviting room and general atmosphere at the hotel. No “wow” factor though.
S – 0.5. Service was normal. Met with a little delay at the reception while checking in but was met with smiles at that.
I – 0. No swimming pool at the hotel though there’s a spa pool if you visit Regal Spa.
C – 0.5. Room is small but comfortable.
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Top 4 Things to do and Attractions in Pattaya, Thailand!
Having done our cruise to Laem Chabang on Mariner of the Seas, we took the opportunity to stay over at Pattaya, Thailand. This post will cover all the things to do and attractions in Pattaya, Thailand! Enjoy!
Where to stay in Pattaya Thailand
1. Royal Cliff Hotel Pattaya
Thanks to the good folks of Royal Cliff Hotel Pattaya, we were hosted to a stay at the Mini Suite Plus of the hotel. Situated in the Gulf of Thailand, Royal Cliff Hotel offers magnificent views of the sunset over Ko Khrok Island DAILY! Whether its a romantic or beach bum getaway, you’ll be sure to find a suitable room (and affordable price) at the Royal Cliff Hotel Pattaya!
Sea View Plus Suite Royal Cliff Beach Hotel
Jacuzzi inside the Presidential Platinum Suite of Royal Wing Suites and Spa
Royal Cliff’s Private Beach next to Royal Cliff Beach Terrace
Infini Pool (aka Infinity Pool) of Royal Cliff Hotels
Sunset by the Infinity Pool of the Royal Cliff Hotels
Pattaya Thailand Attractions and Things to do
2. Pattaya Walking Street
Walking Street Pattaya
Walking Street Pattaya Pubs, Restaurants, Massage parlours
Pattaya Walking Street is one of the main tourist attractions in Pattaya. There are loads of entertainment options along this stretch of street ranging from F&B to pubs, shows, massages and more. As you walk from the walking street towards the beach area, you’ll be able to find great (clean) massages for less than $10 an hour! :O
3. Pattaya Beach
Beach Activities – Island Hopping at Pattaya
Soaking up the sun in Pattaya
Frankly speaking, the beach at Pattaya? One word. Disappointing. This stretch of sand is really what you get (yes, the “width” of the beach is maybe 10 steps wide, maybe 5 for Tom). The only saving grace is that there are 2 things that you can do from Pattaya Beach. Island hopping is one of the main things that you can do from Pattaya Beach and you can visit neighbouring islands such as Koh Larn, Koh Si Chang or Coral island. That’s really where you can enjoy the clear blue waters and wide sandy beaches. Not at Pattaya Beach though.
You can also get to do some water activities at Pattaya Beach. The usual suspects of para-sailing and jet-skiing are available from your friendly touters at the beach 🙂
4. Shopping!!!
There are a few shopping options along Pattaya Beach which includes
Shopping at Royal Garden Plaza Pattaya – Right in Front of the Beach!
Central Festival right next to Hilton Pattaya
Best mango sticky rice at only 80 baht! Look inside the supermarket of Central Festival downstairs
Don’t forget to try the mango sticky rice inside the supermarket of Central Festival. YOU WON’T REGRET IT! Good for 2 to share!
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We hope that you have enjoyed our coverage of the things to do and attractions in Pattaya, Thailand. Don’t forget to check out this post before your next visit to Pattaya Thailand!
Qibao Old Town (七宝老街) : A feel of historic Shanghai!
Qibao Old Town (or old street; known as 七宝老街 in chinese) is a historic area of Shanghai and is easy accessible via the Shanghai Metro by alighting at the Qibao Station. At Qibao Old Street, you’ll be able to not only enjoy a variety of street foods but also experience the old architecture, especially along the Puhui River.
What to do at Qibao Old Town Shanghai
There are many things to do and attractions in Qibao Old Town in Shanghai. Instead of explaining all that we saw, we’ll show all the amazing and beautiful pictures we took at this scenic and picturesque old town!
As you can see from the pictures above, one of the most beautiful shots can be taken from the bridge with views of the old town. Besides scenic shots of the old town and its intricate architectural structures, the other highlight of visit Qibao is the FOOD!
Things to eat at Qibao Old Town Shanghai
Check out the live demonstration on the making of the Dragon’s Beard Candy!
What we enjoyed about the food at Qibao Old Town is that it is similar to the night markets of Taiwan. Walk and eat, eat and walk!
But if there’s one thing you should try here, it’s the Shanghai ‘soup’ dumpling aka 上海小笼包! Do let us know if you have any other food recommendations at Qibao Old Town in the comments section below!
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We hope you have enjoyed our coverage of Qibao Old Town in Shanghai! Remember to take more shots of the old town and of the beautiful bridges! Happy Travels Everyone!
Singapore Art Museum SAM
Singapore Art Museum (also known as SAM) is located in the heart of the Singapore Art District. During our stay at the Rendezvous Hotel Singapore, we visited the Singapore Art Museum, which by the way, is free for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (yay!)
Singapore Art Museum SAM
Singapore Art Museum SAM Exhibitions
Unearthed Exhibition at Singapore Art Museum
Medium at Large SAM
While we were at SAM, there were 2 main exhibitions going on, including the Unearthed and Medium at Large Exhibitions!
Unearthed Exhibition Singapore Art Museum
Unearthed “Tree” – What do you want to see unearthed?
Happenings along the Singapore River
Bukit Brown Cemetery
A Day Without A Tree
Paint melting away under the intense heat of the sun
The Unearthed series is about our relationship with planet earth and the various facets of it starts with the “tree” where visitors put up notes on its branches to share about what do they want to “unearth”. At the Singapore River, various memories (fictitious or real) are written on its banks. There is also a segment that features the recent reclamation of the Bukit Brown Cemetery to make way for the construction of a road that will link the Adam Flyover and the MacRitchie Viaduct.
But in the “Unearthed” exhibition, we appreciated the “A Day Without A Tree” feature whereby roman looking pillars start to melt on the left. So you can use the pillar on the right as a basis of comparison. The interesting thing was that there’s another empty room next to it and you’d think that its a place “under construction”. But if you observe carefully, you’ll realise that the floor is white. White from the paint that melted from the pillars!
Medium At Large – Singapore Art Museum
Various mediums at work in this exhibition
Of the many exhibitions here, there are a couple which we thought were really cool…
Pepe and Marcial Bonifacio Portraits
Description of Pepe and Marcial Bonifacio Portraits
The portraits were actually “executed” via M16 bullets etched unto sand paper. The cool part is that the whole bullet was eventually used , ALL OF IT, to become the portraits that we see. WOW!
Steam Rice Man Singapore Art Museum
Description of Steam Rice Man
Video of Steam Rice Man
If you have read the description, both rice and coal powder are essential part of the Vietnamese yet at the same time has contrasts of soft & hard, sticky & dusty, white & black. There’s also a video that depicts the entire process the artist goes through. Right opposite Steam Rice Man is a video of a lady dancing on butter. Through her expression, it shows the helplessness as she falls and tries to regain her dance again. It sort of depicts her struggles moving from an asian country where rice is a staple, to America where bread and butter became the staple – resulting in her weight gains. Hence, the butter dance. Cool.
Status @ Singapore Art Museum (SAM)
Description of Status
For us, this was one of the art pieces that lets you imagine what the artist is trying to say. Is there something trying to escape? Or is the medium tired of being encased that it forms its own frame? Or just, too much paint used on the original painting? It’s really up to you to decide and that’s the fun part of it!
To end off, we’d like to introduce you to this interactive art piece…
Honey Sticks Singapore Art Museum
Description of Honey Sticks
There are 6425 honey sticks in this exhibit to signify the number of REGISTERED births in Singapore in 1941, the year the parents of the artist were born. Visitors are encouraged to take a honey stick to enjoy from the various flavours of grape, watermelon, green apple and honey (among others). As the number of honey sticks reduces, it sort of signifies the life and death of people through life.
How to get to the Singapore Art Museum SAM
Map of Singapore Art Museum
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Top 10 Things to do and Attractions in Ipoh Malaysia!
There are many things to do and attractions in Ipoh and in this post, we’ll show you the attractions, things to do and what to eat (especially in this food paradise) in Ipoh!
Things to do in Ipoh Malaysia
As Ipoh was one of the administrative centers during the colonial rule, you’ll realise that many of these historic buildings still remain today.
1. Birch Memorial Clocktower
2. Ipoh Railway Station
3. Ipoh City Hall
4. Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank
5. Ipoh High Court
6. Ipoh Town Bridge
On Sunday mornings, Memory Lane (along Jalan Lim Bo Seng) turns into a flea market, mainly for the sale of 2nd hand goods.
7. Memory Lane
Attractions in Ipoh Malaysia
8. Lost World Hot Springs and Spa
Alternatively, you can opt for one of the spa packages at Crystal Spa (within Lost World Hot Springs and Spa) and gain entry for free.
What to eat in Ipoh Malaysia
In our list of Top 10 things to eat in Ipoh Malaysia, we mentioned what you should try when you’re there. But if we were to narrow the list down for you, there’s really 2 foods that you MUST try in Ipoh…
9. Snow Beer
10. Ipoh Hor Fun
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We hope you have enjoyed this list of the top 10 things to do and attractions in Ipoh, Malaysia! Tell us more if there are other things to do and attractions in Ipoh, in our comments section below!
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Riverview Hotel Sunday Brunch @ River Garden Coffee House
Riverview Hotel’s Sunday Brunch was where we enjoyed a leisurely Sunday afternoon with our family. We chose the Sunday Brunch at Riverview Hotel’s River Garden because
1. Selection of Food. The Sunday Brunch at Riverview Hotel has a wide variety of cuisine available. Beside the usual international buffet, there would be a “twist” at each promotion of Sunday Brunch at Riverview Hotel. During our last visit to Riverview Hotel’s Sunday Brunch, it was a BBQ and Beer Brunch which included the popular Erdinger Beer. This time, the promotion included free flow of moscato or prosecco as well as freshly shucked oysters!
Sunday Brunch at Riverview Hotel River Garden Coffee House
2. Location. The River Garden Coffee House has a central location by the Singapore River. After your meal, you can continue to have drinks by the river (al fresco style) and watch people strolling/jogging along the river. Kids would be playing and boats passing by as well. Accompanied by your family as everyone enjoys this view? Priceless.
Riverview Hotel Sunday Brunch
What we had at the Riverview Hotel Sunday Brunch
According to our nephew (the one who brought you this awesome review of Harris Hotel Batam), “everything is so good!”. He was spot on!
The prawns were fresh and succulent while the snow crab was sweet and delicious. Oysters were freshly shucked and were perfect with a tinge of lemon and tobasco! You can see how huge and fresh the oysters were. Comparable to the $100++ Sunday Brunches that we’ve tried. The only difference is that they only have 1 choice of oysters. But one good variety is enough to get us hooked 🙂 The minus for seafood was that the chili crabs were not fresh. In local terms, “nua nua” (meaning soft). Not a good description for crabs and prawns.
Another plus to this Sunday Brunch at Riverview Hotel is the durian pengat! This we did not notice at our last visit. Again, this durian pengat is comparable to the famous durian pengat at Swissotel Merchant Court’s Ellenborough Market Cafe – with all the edible bits of the durian. So good, that we had 2 bowls full – each.
Lastly, we sneaked a peek at the choice of moscato and prosecco at the Sunday Brunch. We realised that the River Garden Coffee House did not scrimp on their selection and had the Cascine Prosecco and Brown Brothers Moscato on their list. We’ve enjoyed several champagne brunches and we realised that the Cascine Prosecco has a relatively close taste to some selection of champagnes. Hence, if you’re not really into differentiating between champagnes and prosecco, the Sunday Brunch at Riverview Hotel is definitely a great buffet at a great price!
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If we had no budget to adhere to, the Raffles Hotel Sunday Buffet Brunch at the Bar and Billiard Room would be our top pick for Sunday Brunch in Singapore. However, as budget conscious Singaporeans, we’d definitely visit the Riverview Hotel Sunday Brunch for its quality, variety, fresh oysters and great selection of moscato and prosecco!
The Sunday Brunch Buffet at Riverview Hotel costs $48.80++ for adults and $22.80++ for kids. ANZ, Citibank, DBS, POSB and UOB Cardholders get to enjoy 15% discount on Sunday Brunch prices. CIMB Cardholders enjoy 17% discount on Sunday Brunch prices.
Mall of Istanbul (MOI) : Shopping Eating and Relaxing on Day 8 of Turkey Trip!
Mall of Istanbul (MOI) was where we spent our last day of our Turkey Trip. In fact, we were given the option of taking the Bosphorus Cruise, visiting a huge shopping mall and spice market for $100USD per person. We gave that option a miss because we wanted to really “take things down a notch” and relax before heading back to Singapore. That decision also saved us $200USD 😉 But there’s another reason why we decided to skip the tour, and that’s because our hotel, Wyndham Grand Istanbul Europe (formerly known as Wyndham Istanbul Petek) is located close to the LARGEST shopping mall in Istanbul – Mall of Istanbul (MOI!).
With that, we decided to enjoy a leisurely breakfast, take a dip in the indoor pool of Wyndham Grand Istanbul Europe, before we headed out to Mall of Istanbul – a mere 10 minutes by taxi (about 20TL)
Wyndham Grand Istanbul Europe to Mall of Istanbul
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The breakfast buffet spread at Wyndham Grand Istanbul Europe was the only international buffet spread during our Turkey trip this time round. There’s the usual breads, cereals and egg station that is more familiar to the Singaporean taste. But what really surprised us was a HUGE SLAB of honeycomb at breakfast! Yummy (and supposedly healthy)!
After the hearty breakfast, we headed to the 24 hours fitness centre. There, you can enjoy the swimming pool (with nice views), gym (overlooking the swimming pool), Turkish bath as well as full spa services.
The only catch about using the swimming pool is that you’ll have to pay 5USD for a swimming cap – compulsory for both men and women. To us, it was more like an entry fee. Looking past that small little issue, you’ll soon be glad that you made the decision to stay and enjoy. Afterall, Wyndham Grand Istanbul Europe is an international 5 star hotel.
After an enjoyable swim (with no one else at the pool), Kate and I went for our baths separately and we have 2 amazing experiences to share…
Tom : Next to the swimming pool, there are separate Turkish baths for both ladies and men. What I enjoyed about the Turkish Bath is that the design is classy yet traditional with soothing music in the background. The temperature of the water have been adjusted and filled up to nice warm temperature, ready for your bath. Remember to take some soap from the shower area into the Turkish bath.
At the centre of the Turkish bath is an octagonal bathing slab. It is warm. The most enjoyable part of the bath is to lie on the heated slab and soothe your mind and body after 7 days of travelling. Ah…definitely a must try!
Kate : While Tom enjoyed the Turkish bath, I enjoyed the shower facilities of the hotel. Turns out that there are jets surrounding you as you take your shower. Much akin to an automated car wash :p. Definitely recommend taking the shower after the Turkish bath. Cool!
All about Mall of Istanbul (MOI)
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Mall of Istanbul is the largest shopping mall in Istanbul that has more than 350 stores for the most avid shopping enthusiasts. There’s also a food court (Gourmet Center) at the top level and even an indoor amusement theme park (the largest in Turkey) by the name of Moipark – all 15,000m2 of it!
Even for Singaporean standards, the Mall of Istanbul is huge. We took about 6 hours to cover the entire mall (which of course includes shopping, resting, chilling and marketing). But our biggest find has got to be the Aldar restaurant which can be prominently seen at the entrance of Mall of Istanbul.
When you enter into the restaurant area (there’s also a cafe area), you would think that you have entered into a fine dining restaurant. Chandeliers, tall windows overlooking the streets and posh decorations within. Having not seen the menu before we entered, we really prayed hard that the price was acceptable. Next, our waiter, who by the way spoke excellent English, came to attend to us. The head waiter (WHAT?!) then came by to say hello to us and asked if everything was fine. We certainly hope so…(referring to the menu)
The waiter then came back with a tablet (electronic menu!) and showed us how to navigate through the menu. As we browsed through, we heaved a sigh of relief. Even with the description above, the meal would cost the same as an average priced meal in a Singapore restaurant ($20 per person). So we went ahead and ordered the mushroom pasta and Turkish chicken kebab. Both of which tasted AWESOME!
The portion of the mushroom pasta was HUGE. Good for two to share (and more). The flavours of the mushrooms were evident and the sauce was thick and creamy, just the way we like it. At 19TL ($10SGD), it was a steal! The highlight of the evening was the chicken kebab. First of all, it was tender and juicy! This made the dish stand out from all other dry and hard chicken kebabs that we have tasted before. The smoky and slightly charred texture also brought out the overall taste of the chicken and its spices. Shiok!
We ordered a lemon tea for 5TL and the total bill came up to…44TL! No additional taxes! (WHAT??!?!!?!) Hence, if you’re ever visiting the Mall of Istanbul, be sure to pop by Aldar’s, you won’t regret it. It was easily the best meal of our entire trip!
Itinerary of Turkey Travel Day 8: Mall of Istanbul and Wyndham Grand Istanbul Europe
0700 : Breakfast buffet at Wyndham Grand Istanbul Europe
0800 : Swimming and relaxing at the Turkish baths and showers
1000 : Depart for Mall of Istanbul
1900 : Arrival back at Wyndham Grand Istanbul Europe
2000 : Complimentary airport transfer
2200 : Meet up with rest of tour group
0040 : Depart from Istanbul Ataturk Airport back to Singapore
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Additional snippets of information
– Wyndham Grand Istanbul Europe is located at Mimar Sinan Cadessi No: 80-82 Gunesli, Istanbul, 34212. They can be reached at +90 21 24640000
– Mall of Istanbul is located at Süleyman Demirel Bulvarı, Mahmutbey, Başakşehir, 34306 Istanbul, Turkey
– Mall of Istanbul is about 10 minutes away from Wyndham Grand Istanbul Europe. Taxi ride costs about 20TL per trip.
– There is complimentary airport transfer every hour from Wyndham Grand Istanbul Europe to the airport. You will have to make reservations with the concierge.
– There is also complimentary transfers to the city. Departing at 10am in the morning and returning at 4pm in the afternoon.
Related posts
This post is part of our 10 Days 7 Nights Turkey travel with Chan Brothers. Below, you can find other relevant posts covered during this trip.
Turkey Trip Day 1 : Singapore to Istanbul and Ferry to Canakkale
Turkey Travel Day 2 : Visiting the Trojan Horse of Troy and Ancient City of Pergamon
Turkey Travel Day 3 : Visit to Ephesus / Turkish Bath and Hot Springs of Lycus River Hotel Pamukkale
Turkey Trip Day 4 : Pamukkale Cotton Castle and Journey to Cappadocia!
Hot Air Balloon Flight in Cappadocia with Royal Balloon : Turkey Travel Day 6!
Mall of Istanbul (MOI) : Shopping Eating and Relaxing on Day 8 of Turkey Trip!
We hope you have enjoyed our coverage of our 10D7N Turkish travels with Chan Brothers during the winter months (27th December to 5th January). Let us know what you think in our comments section below!