aly's wonderland

Day 3: Singapore Slingin, Marathon Eatin’

Day 3 in Singapore. We had to cram as much in as possible because… well, we only had 36 hours to try out all the fabulous restaurants it had to offer!

Brunch: Ding Tai Fung @ Paragon, Orchard Road

I reiterate the fact that Orchard Road, for a food-lovin’-person like moi, is heaven. Step out of our hotel, walk a hundred metres, and boom! Din Tai Fung.

An Award winning restaurant that originated from Taipei, it has now expanded to satisfy your dim sum cravings in over 10 countries worldwide. Their specialty? Their distinct 18 folds steamed dumpling, better known as ‘Xiao Long Bao’.

You know me and my dim sum cravings. I had to have it that Saturday morning. We got there just after noon, slightly delayed due to an argument in a camera shop. Lil’ Chef was looking for new toys…

It was the 50-millionth one we’d been to, and I just don’t understand the concept of ‘looking for a better price’. If I see something I like, I buy it.

Anyway, argument resolved, we arrived in the basement of Paragon to a queue the size of J-Lo’s behind. Maybe bigger.

We ticked off dishes to order on the menu, and sat watching the chefs skillfully work their magic.

About 20 minutes later, success! We had a table, and we sat down, sipped our jasmine tea and  eagerly awaited the bliss that was to come.

Xiao Long Bao

A thin skin encased a rich soup that explodes in your mouth. Must be eaten with shredded ginger and vinegar.

Steamed shrimp dumpling

Won Ton Soup

Fat wontons exploding with mince pork and prawns.

I can’t tell you the prices because I seem to have misplaced the receipt. (I think the total bill came up to something like $ 36.00). I can, however, tell you that it was good… so good…

Next up – Shopping! Walked for 3 hours, bought lots of stuff and felt a bit peckish. “Hey,” I said. “Let’s go check out Jason’s other restaurant! It’s just across the road!”

It’s true, we didn’t travel very far in the 3 hours and probably only walked a couple of blocks. There it was, the newly opened Mandarin Gallery. I have to admit, I felt a little claustrophobic with the narrow corridors and low ceilings. It was like a maze. A really expensive, extensive-collaboration-of-designers maze. After a little wandering, we found it. The Society Bistro, another ingenious restaurant of the Society Group, and a new outlet from the original restaurant on Fullerton Road.

Food fit for a king and queen…

Ahh… Tucked away neatly in a corner (I can’t remember what floor, I was lost and nearly threw myself down on the floor in ecstasy when we found it!), is a sleek bar, and a cozy restaurant.

Idle shoppers graced their large wooden tables, and the centerpiece was even more impressive than that at the Nautilus Project where we had dined the night before.

It was smaller, but definitely just as impressive.

I liked the open pastry kitchen. I liked the soft lighting, and the warm colours. And I loved the menu. We had glanced at it the night before, and I knew then that I had to try it before we left Singapore.

Lil’ Chef was still full from brunch so we ordered a couple of dishes to share, and well as some delicious green tea.

I loved the headings in the menu. ‘Sinful Soup Flavours’, ‘Dug from the Earth’, ‘Plucked from the garden’…

There were 3 soups on offer, and I wanted them all. The great thing is, you can have it all!

Sinful Soup Flavours

Trio tasting of 3 soups ($ 14.00)

*Prices below are for full sized portions, from left to right

Chilled Avocado & Tahitian vanilla soup ($9.00)

Soup of forest mushroom dressed with truffle cream ($ 13.00)

Lobster bisque with ocean seafood tian ($15.00)

It was a tough choice between the Tataki of Wagyu Beef, yuzu soba noodles, shitake mushroom and miso from the Raised on the Farm section, and the Grilled Tiger Prawns, Moorish spiced carrots, avocado and sesame mayo from the ‘Hooked from the Sea’ section. I also spied a Sri Lankan Crab and cilantro omellete with lemongrass sauce and hoi sin glaze, but the prawns won.

Hooked from the Sea

Grilled Tiger Prawns, Moorish spiced carrots, avocado and sesame mayo ($16/28)

It was everything I dreamed it would be. All the flavours meshing together, allowing the fresh, succulent flesh of the chargrilled prawns to POP. You heard me. My prawn? It popped. I must not forget to mention the sweet potato crisps that really added texture.

With so much on offer from The Land of Milk and Honey ( Artisan Cheeses, also offered in a tasting portion) as well as Lil’ Chef’s favourite part of the menu, Sugar and Spice, I almost regretted eating before coming here.

The Society Bistro offers a haven for tired shoppers. WARNING: You have to find it first, but once you do, settle into a warm and friendly environment to rest you tired feet, and indulge in “no fuss, simple, healthy, honest fare including foods fresh from our very own bakehouse”.

After that you would think we couldn’t go on right? WRONG.  A little more shopping, a trip across town to the border of Sentosa, to VIVO City.

In search of a store that sells everything from claypots to hairclips. I loved the outdoor rooftop, complete with water feature.

Even a fake-gymnast and a panoramic view of Sentosa!

Then, (no it’s not over, it was only 5.45pm) we took the MRT to Chinatown in search of camera equipment (shop number 50 million and one, I think?). Thank god he sat me next door at the Singapore Heritage Centre, while he went off in search of his Canon stuff.

45 mins later, I’m getting antsy, my phone doesn’t seem to want to roam, and I’m wondering if I’ve been abandoned. I wonder if I should jump over to the Singapore Heritage Restaurant instead…

Founded by Bodybuilder Alvin Koh, the menu actually sounded quite yummy.

But he returned, with a bag, and I jumped up for joy! It was a struggle to fight off the crowdsWe had 30 mins to make it across town to our dinner reservation, and this was one I did not want to miss.

Coming soon… Day 3 – Singapore Slingin’, Marathon Eatin’- Dinner