Beauty Soup found at Plaza Singapura

The Bijin Nabe (borderline vulgar) is a combination of the freshest vegtables, seafood and chicken cooked in golden Jidori chicken soup. A healthy and very generous dose of collagen is the key to unlocking the secret of beautiful skin by drinking the pot dry.

The soup is stewed until the chicken bones are fully dissolved and then allowed to cool to room temperature. The soup then turns into a smooth and silky pudding that is super rich in collagen.

The 美人锅 is the latest thing at Plaza Singapura, one is likely to queue up to an hour to get a seat.

However, it's worthwhile if you ain't famished! For $25++ each, you get a platter of fresh vegetables, meat and noodles to cook them yourself! The soup is rich, thick and leaves an aftertaste that is indescribable, positively. It is quite unlike any other soup i've tried. "Jitokko" is a very valuable chicken brand in Japan, raised organically through strict quality controls and limited to a number of farmers. Quality stuff!

It's definitely a date place for a different experience. It's loyalty card is very different too. It's like a name card and you collect stamps to be promoted.

Despite the complimentary dessert less than a bite size, simple gestures makes customers happy!

The beauty hotpot is only available for dinner. Ramen for the beauty is available during lunch. Start queuing at 5.30pm or put your name on the waiting list while you go shopping. No reservations are allowed.

Tsukada Nojo

Plaza Singapura, #03-81

Know your Date through Date Manners

The phone is contagious. 

Seeing someone check it while with you, makes you want to check it too.

Your date orders as soon as the waiter comes over.
This person wants to be in charge, moves quickly and get things done. He or she likes things done a certain way and could be a compulsive worker. My date made reservations and pre-ordered the menu, i like decisive men.

Your date still can't decide what to order.
This person may struggle with decisions and multi-tasking. But he or she is likely to be caring, wants to feel appreciated and loves spending quality time with others. It's a super positive interpretation of fickle-mindedness. Women are forgiven!

Your date places the fork and knife in the four o'clock position
This indicates a certain level of poise and sophitication. He or she is probably raise to be very traditional, and your table manners is most probably being checked on right now. As you can tell from the picture, we're half hearted with poise and sophistication.

Your date orders too much alcohol
This could mean your date is nervous and have an inability to enjoy oneself in an unfamiliar situation. Or that you may have an alcoholic at hand.

Your date holds a fork more like a weapon than an eating tool
This may be a sign of hidden aggression, so be wary of possible future blow-ups. You may also want to be wary of sleeping beside.

Your date apply salt and pepper on served food before tasting it
This may be someone of superiority complex. It displays a lack of trust in others, and may allude to control issues. Also applies to the soya sauce people.

Oh, and hold a wine glass by its stem, chew with your mouth closed and eat a sushi whole, without dip.

The above is copied from a table mat at Table Manners, a very cool concept bistro at Changi City Point.

Make your own Chocolate

Giveaway

CONTEST UPDATE
Yvonne, Grace and Kenneth have won their creations! Check out Yvonne's creation for her boyfriend! Isn't she sweet?

I must say i was skeptical of http://www.cocoa-b.com/ initially because of the strangest additions you can add to your chocolate.

I know strawberry bits in white chocolate is heavenly (my favourite when in Australia), but BACON bits in white chocolate? Or how about ikan bilis and garlic granulas? Sounds like char kway tiao already!

You CAN match normal toppings like fruits and nuts with your chocolate. However, as with all things, i decide to wing it and try the most exotic of the exotic toppings.

I was pleasantly surprised.

Or maybe i'm a closet chocolatier.

I carefully select a combination of the exotic with spices.

DARK CHOCOLATE CHILLI CHICKEN FLOSS

This was inspired by Breadtalk's floss bun which we all love. I didn't think it could go wrong.

The floss don't quite stick to the chocolate, but the chilli dark chocolate combination was a good one. I tasted a hint of sea salt too but i can't be sure. Maybe Cocoa B do screen our recipes just to ensure we don't go horrendous wrong. A little magical dust of a missing ingredient to make us feel like the most inventive chocolatier with award winning creations.


WHITE CHOCOLATE ROSEMARY BACON BITS WITH HEART SPRINKLES

This was clearly inspired when i need lunch. Imagining a slow cooked tender pork leg with rosemary, heart sprinkles thrown in just because.

I don't think bacon bits have much of a flavour to begin with (like in casear salads), but it provides a crunchy bite. It also adds an oily film to your lips. The rosemary was fragrant, it was quite an adventurous choice.


WOLFBERRY LOTUS SEED MILK CHOCOLATE


The healthier choice chocolate is inspired by the soups that my mum makes. I will never chew on wolfberries because it weirds me out. I usually collect them floating in the soup and swallow them whole. They're so small i hope my stomach juices can digest them without effort.

Maybe adding it into chocolate would make the child eat her wolfberries. And i did! The roasted lotus seed is just like a hazelnut. Very similiar to the regular chocolate bar filled with fruits and nuts, but you know its not. It's EXOTIC.

Your creation, their kitchen. Make your own chocolate. Maybe as a gift, maybe as self-indulgence, however you like it, it starts from $7.90.

GIVEAWAY

3 readers can get their creations (100g) delivered! Leave a comment what creation you will make and what inspired you. Remember to include your email!
CONTEST ENDS 26 MARCH.

Win an ultimate weekend in Monaco with Johnnie Walker

Having just returned from Dubai, where facial masks come with gold certificates, there is another play ground for the rich not too far from Dubai, but in the heart of the Mediterranean Europe.

Monaco!

From now to 30 Apr, Johnnie Walker is offering FOUR fans the trip of a lifetime - the ultimate luxury race weekend in Monaco worth $80, 000 per person.

Flying in style to the French city of Nice, a helicopter will be waiting on standby for private transfers to dazzling Monaco.

Once in Monaco, the luxury lifestyle will continue, with the winners enjoying accommodation at a luxury hotel with access to VIP parties.

On race day, they'll enjoy the afternoon on a private yacht with an unbeatable trackside view of all the thrilling action.

Not only are you living like a race driver, the prize also includes the priceless opportunity to meet the Vodafone McLaren mercedes team in PERSON and get up close and person with the iconic Monaco circuit in a guided tour of the racetrack and Formula One pit.

TO WIN- every purchase of Johnnie Walker Black Label or Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve from March 2013 will include a unique Gold Pass code. To enter the contest, participants should head to the Johnnie Walker Singapore Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JohnnieWalkerSingapore where you can enter the codes to earn points.

Think it's a slim chance to win? There's also the Taste of Monaco which Johnnie Walker is bringing to Singapore ahead of the big race. A special edition of the Circuit Nights party series is taking place at Avalon on April 6th. With renowned DJs and Johnnie Walker, it's going to be an unforgettable Monaco-themed evening. For admission details, go LIKE their page!

Guaranteed drive of a lifetime.

Six Things to do in Dubai

The irony is, my most memorable experience in Dubai, a DESERT, is to ski.

Now, Dubai is widely acclaimed and infamous for screwing with people's eyes and minds by having architecture like these....

It reminds me of Singapore. We do have the Esplanade which looks like a durian or a housefly's eye. Dubai is a country that is filled more with expats than locals, and Singapore's getting there.

But otherwise, what i did in Dubai:

1. Rode a Camel and kicked up a Sandstorm

The traditional dance performed by a man.

If a weekend activity for Singaporeans is the cinema, then setting up a ten, transporting butlers, cooks in a jeep into the middle of the desert for a BBQ is the norm in The Middle East. However, if you are a tourist, you can experience a bit of that desert safari via land tours. Do a bit of research as this is my second time experiencing it and i find the second operator more luxurious than my first experience. The difference is in the food quality and they have waiters in vests. Performances like belly dancing & activities like ride a camel are the same but Hanna and sand boarding (i surfed like a pro) was something new.

Dining under the stars.

Very touristy. They did this for a golden photo moment.

Camel didn't look amused.

2. Travelling in Dubai

Many have misconceptions of Dubai, simply because it is part of the middle east. It is relatively safe, there is a subway like our MRT and you don't really have to cover up (in summer, it gets REALLY hot and balmy in the evening so tank tops, shorts and slippers is the way to go). However, the first few nights of my stay was still pretty chilly (end of winter).

Taxis in the background.

Taxis are aplenty in Dubai but they aren't exactly cheap. There is ALOT of distance to cover in Dubai and you're better off (and richer) getting around with the MRT. However, there is ALSO alot of distance within the MRT. You spend about 10 minutes just walking to the platform. It was pretty amusing. It felt like a workout every time i take the MRT to get somewhere.

You don't get stared at much despite having more males than females anywhere.

Take an abra across the creek to the heritage village. It's only $1 and its the local's mode of transport.

                             

3. Diving in Oman
I crossed the borders into Musadam and did two dives. Underwater was abit different from tropical waters. I saw neon bright purple and yellow corals which i've never seen before. It was a nice day trip out of the concrete jungle.

4. Watch the Musical Fountain

which beats the Las Vegas fountain (apparently). It's the most beautiful thing i've seen.

It is highly recommended to make dinner reservations at Karam Beirut (+971 4 339 9789) to watch the fountain and eat. 

The traditional Middle Eastern meal was A FEAST!

It was about SGD 50 per pax, so we made our value worth by sitting and watching 5 fountain shows. We never got tired of it! We had to pee desperately after though.

There was also a tomato so huge we ate it like a burger. We passed the communal tomato around.

For an aerial view of the Dubai fountain, you can also dine at the Karma Kafe (+971 4 423 0909) at the Souk Al Bahar across of Dubai Mall. 

It has old Chinese babies plastered on the bar counter.
Strange choice, but otherwise very nice oriental looking lounge.

Scaling the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa.

 Upon seeing our pose, some Arabs started doing the same pose too. Hahaha!

5. Visit the Malls
Dubai is all about impressions......within shopping malls. Especially the famous Guinness record aquarium in a mall.

Doesn't look so spectacular here, but it is.

They have breath taking water features, also in a mall.

A very tall man-made waterfall.

As well as the largest snow park......in a mall (you guessed it right!)

Check out his (real) name! 

Getting a hot choco!

I don't know why, i look like i'm about to strip.

It was my first time skiing, and it was pretty darn exhilarating. The snow was slippery, the slopes were steep. I fell and almost made a snow ball of myself countless times. I crashed so much into my friend, i was really afraid i'll crush his nuts. A steady hand, encouraging words made me learn within an hour!

There're even ski lifts! Duh. It's the LARGEST ski park in a mall.

Yes, back to reality. It's A DESERT OUTSIDE.

Yes, we window shop. Everything was expensive, made of gold.

Vinegar for SGD1534 0_0
Aged 100 years, better than wine.
One drop is all that you'll need in your salad, we were told.

 Even their facial masks have CERTIFICATES because it has real gold.

Gold is as common as salt and pepper.

Something more affordable to buy as souvenirs are camel's milk chocolate. It doesn't taste as milky as cow's milk and is apparently healthier.

A small block is SGD 10

Or take a walk in the perfume souk (station Banjyas Square) and get the latest Iphone 5 perfume. It smells like DKNY's Delicious which is coincidentally or not, shaped like an apple.

SGD 10 after bargaining.

BlackBerry's fans are not neglected.

If you need to spray on some pheromones.

6. Eat like a local

Take a walk around Bastakiya and you'll come across quaint finds where you can eat local grub.

I love hummus, bitchez.

Try the very local dish, the Waraq Enab, which is vine leaves stuffed with rice, tomatoes, parsley, onions and lemon juice. You eat it whole. Another thing to order is also the Mutabbal, grilled eggplant puree.

I caved in to some Western grub, only because i was told it's THE BEST burgers.

Shaking it up with Shake Shack

I'm not too impressed.

It was pretty amusing to see the burger army behind the counter though. It was 11.30pm but there was a team of 30 people working. Our orders took 5 minutes, there was hardly a crowd.

Levitation.

Dubai at my feet.

Go on, souk in the atmosphere.