tesss

~Invited Session~  Frieda Restaurant opens at the newly revamped wing at Capitol Piazza and is part of the food and beverage arm of Kempinski Hotel. There are both cosy tables and bar counter seats at Frieda. Craft beers and beers from the tap are available, great for those seeking a Happy Hour tipple. Complimentary sourdough before our mains arrived. Crusty warm bread always makes a good pre meal snack. On their beverage list is a whole assortment of beers, juices, teas and also sodas. Platter of Grilled Sausages and Meatloaf ($54 for 2 pax, $105 for 4 pax) Great for sharing and this platter showcased a whole medley of German delights. Sausages for one were the highlight. Choose from herb, cheese and chipotle meat sausages and a number of sides like german dumplings, mash and saurkeraut. Veal Wiener Schnitzel ($37) Traditionally, veal is used to create this dish, pounded thinly and evenly to tenderize before it is breaded with flour, egg and breadcrumbs and deep fried. Yummy on its

~Invited Session~ Crystal Jade's fine dining restaurant, Crystal Jade Palace, has reopened its doors with a refreshed look and menu. The team has opted for a colour palette of jade green and gold, paired with commissioned art pieces by local artist, Sam Auditeur, presenting a cosy and welcoming ambiance for diners. Onto the menu that has undergone some revamps as well with Chef Martin Foo and his team coming up with creations that are both uniquely Asian yet innovative. Garden Salad with Crabmeat, Pomelo and Sakura Ebi ($14.80) Paying homage to the western and local salads, this was uniquely asian with the choice of ingredients and I thought the combination of pomelo was refreshing. Steamed XO Scallop Dumpling wrapped in 'Marbled' Skin ($8.80 for 3 pieces) Dimsum is only available on weekends and I was thrilled to be able to try their dumpling, a delicate squid ink skin enveloping celery, scallop and prawn topped with homemade XO sauce. Sunday yumcha someday! Deep Fried

I decided to get cakes from Jenny of Ten Butter Fingrrs again this year for the kids' celebrations. The firstborn's birthday cake was all about going Young, Wild and Three. I really wanted an Ostheimer cake so with that theme in mind, I matched her tree trunk design with a wooden unicorn. Pity this unicorn took a fall before we could even cut the cake hence staining her butt - argh! I love how the tree trunk and toy came together so beautifully, thank goodness for pinterest for always coming to my rescue. A kid's friendly version of blackforest so the threenager could have his cake and eat it. Jenny's sponge cake recipe is always on point, fluffy and moist and lathered with luscious cream and those juicy cherries. I'm hardly a blackforest fan mainly because the layers always end up too wet but this version held up so well - delicious. Another beauty for the princess for her first month and I actually fell in love with the balloons first before leaving it to Jenny to

~Invited Session~ Beauty in the Pot has made its way West and this time, they are honouring this opening with a special collaboration with Le Shrimp Ramen. Fans of the ramen place can rejoice because they have launched  a Hearty Shrimp broth made from big prawns baked, hand ground till fine and simmered for more than eight hours with premium conpoy, clams and spices for more oomph. This definitely gives the hae mee stock a run for their money because it's rich, thick and packed with umami in every drop. Every visit I get tempted to concoct my own sauce but the broth is always so tasty no further seasoning is required. Anyone else like me? Red Garoupa Alaskan Crab Stick Assorted Balls Platter, Ebiko Prawn Paste and Assorted Dumplings platter   US Kurobuta Pork Ox Tongue Fried Beancurd Skin Signature Homemade Fish Tofu We had the usual BITP staples and between the mala and hearty shrimp broth, I veered towards mala. Somehow red meats and seafood taste better in spicy broths, a

I love my kueh lapis but finding a legitimate one is the challenge. So far Bengawan Solo's has been consistent yet the price has not been. Batam ones I heard are really good yet those that stud the island have been meh - I was thrilled to receive one recommended by a fellow foodie. As dubious as the name sounds, it definitely tastes otherwise. A buttery fragrance greeted as I lifted the cardboard cover on this. The uneven layers for one were telling of the laborious work that goes behind each cake. One bite and I reckon this has enough eggs and butter packed into it to send my health readings array, assuming I ate nothing but this. So good I tried tracking them down via Facebook and Instagram to find out more yet they do remain very elusive. No luck ordering a second but this was amazing while it lasted. Very moist, not sweet and leaves a pleasant eggy aftertaste.

Doughnut Shack is the IT doughnut place on Instagram these days and viral it went with their audacious creations - think chilli crab doughnut! I ordered boxes of these to try and also gift away for the littlest's full month. So thankful that the lady boss was accommodating and took on my order despite not opening till later in the day and I requested for an early morning delivery. While they have a range of doughnuts and bombolinis, I thought it is definitely easier to gift bombolini. Not everyone has a sweet tooth and large doughnuts typically do not resonate well. Face it, how often have you declined a sweet treat because of its portions? I definitely have. Pistachio, Peanut Butter Jam, Crème Brulee, Brown Sugar and Donutella were the flavours in my boxes. I like how fluffy and soft the bombolinis were, they reminded me of Dunkin' Donuts sugar dusted donuts. Fillings wise they probably were not overflowing (like J and Co), just sufficient to have some in every bite (well two