French for dinner

The food at L'Angelus keeps bringing me back. It's a little on the salty side, portions are generous and the beef soo delicious, what breed of cow is that?

Cherries Jubilee, I noticed their desserts are all alcoholic.

Feed at Raffles

My Amex card also offers a Feed at Raffles membership privilage. The first time I was introduced to these discount cards was by my cousin-in-law who is in the insurance line and needs to regularly feed her clients (us!). I can dine at any Raffles group restaurant at half price if I bring someone. Good for couples and families who regularly dine out.

 

 

Satay

Malay barbecue staple. These little sticks of minced or whole meat marinated in spices are alternated with animal fat on a bamboo skewer. When placed over a barbe, the fat drips onto the burning charcoal below that sizzles into smoke, flavouring the meat. Served with raw onions, cucumbers and kutupat (rice wrapped in pandan leaves). Chinese hawkers like to add pureed pineapple into the spicy peanut sauce. With or without, it's a mainstay at barbecues and supper.

Nail Biting Finish

French manicure for my uncle's wedding...with pink roses and crystals

Bakerzin

I always come for the desserts. The mains are ok too.

 

 

One of the few places that serve diablos.

I-Canton

Dimsum place at Ion Orchard, until 5:30pm. Apart from the unusual decor, the food is reminiscent of Crystal Jade Kitchen with dumpling noodles and roast meats.

In addition, there is a drinks menu. I had my jasmine tea with lemongrass coz I read lemongrass helps relieve fatigue and jetlag.

Like those good old HK restaurants, there is roast suckling pig on the menu that I had to try and is delicious!

Sushi on a leaf

My favourite combination of sushi - blowtorched and on a leaf. I just love it when they serve food on leaves, it's like spices, giving food a different dimension of flavour. That and lots of natural belly fats in my cut of sashimi.



Wagyu Beef

I have been completely spoilt on soft juicy prime beef this past week, nothing less can do now. I bought a cut of Japanese wagyu from Isetan supermarket to pan fry in it's own fat for a min and it was done! I think this is a 5 or 6 marbling score. The good thing about wagyu is the beef is tender even if it is well-done, so you don't have to eat rare beef.

Kwanpen

This Singaporean brand specializes in crocodile skin accessories with the absolutely adorable paw print hardware. The first time I walked into a Kwanpen store at old Mandarin Gallery, I fell in love with a large white Raffles Bag, their signature pleated, top-opening bag. I was surprised to know the best selling item wasn't the Raffles but rather birkin / kelly inspired bags at a fraction of the price.

The Amex offer drew me into the MBS store in search of my very own piece of croc candy. The neat refined Kwanpen look actually comes from the beautiful porsus and nile crocodile's uniform small scales. I saw the most gorgeous black patent croc briefcase that I want for my dad, if I have $10,500 to spare. If you are not into croc, there are other types of exotic skins like eel, python or ostrich. Although none as pretty as candy coloured patent croc.

I took some time to decide on an item, finally settling on a broad croc belt with a textured gold buckle made to look like gator skin. I also got more free gifts from the nice staff, a black croc mobile strap and a Kwanpen bag hanger. Soo happy with my splurge ;)

BKK Day 4

Mimosa cocktails for breakfast, why not? It's served every morning and I have been good abstaining from alcohol in the morning except today. Leaving for the airport straight after breakfast.

I would like to thank the thoughtful hotel staff, who leave me extra candles & incense every morning and little gifts every night during turn-down service. I will defintely book Banyan Tree again on my next vacation.

The new airport is fantastic - natural lights floods the check-in area, additional aircons where it's crowded and the duty-free shopping where I got an orchid plant.

* I bought 5 wallets in this trip, I can't believe it. But, only 1 pair of shoes. So it's sort of evened out.



BKK Day 3

Started the day with traditional Thai iced tea - very sweet.

 

Today, we head to Mah Boon Krong(MBK) Shopping Centre. It's a generic shopping mall that locals go to, so we know it must be good. You can get local snacks, handicrafts, accessories and even soft toys here. The adjacent Tokyu departmental store stocks better known brands and Kose compacts at $14.

 

 

For lunch, we headed to MK steamboat restaurant. Thai steamboat restaurants like this and Coca have a dip for your food and home-made fishcakes.

 

When we got back to the hotel, there was a fruit carving demonstration at the club lounge and hors d'œuvres from Baiyun restaurant.

Lush bath to relaaxx before dinner. Soaking in glitter and bath oils...

Dinner at Saffron. I think this is the first time we are having Thai food since arriving in Bangkok. Lemongrass speared prawn tom yum goong.

 

BKK Day 2

Chatuchak weekend market is THE place to go in Bangkok and opens at 7:30am. My mom and I head there early to avoid the crowds. This place sells everything from animals to clothes in a concentric maze with a clock tower in the center. Love the energy and variety!

We are pretty much done by mid-day and head back to the hotel to cool down with light snacks and iced tea. Live jazz band playing in the lobby lounge is definitely a different vibe from this morning.

And it's all complimentary from the hotel!

Time to try out the famous Banyan Tree spa, soo excited. We checked out the gift shop while they prepared our treatment rooms. Where I managed to do some damage to my card - I can't help it, there are some really lovely things in there. 

Their spa is gorgeous, the therapists soo well-trained and the mixed oils smelled almost hypnotic. We both left glowing with smiles.

For a holistic living place, you never go hungry here. It's almost as though they try to feed you at every possible opportunity.

We had another fitting at the tailors and then headed to Chinatown for a sharksfin dinner.

There are 3 famous shops in Chinatown that serve the most scrumptious bird's nest and shark's fin. If you prefer dining al fresco at the roadside hawkers, you will be pleased to know they also serve shark's fin and bird's nest.

My favourite dining place serves seafood with this tangy sour chilli dip that keeps me coming back for more.

Thai sharksfin soup is slightly different from the usual kind served in Singapore. An entire fin is broiled in claypot and you have to dunk the raw vegetables into the boiling broth.

BKK Day 1

Woke up, had breakfast then left for the airport. Flight was delayed by 10 mins and completely full.

 

 

 

 

I booked Banyan Tree because it is big on the spa thing, so I can relax at the end of a nice long shopping day.

 

 

 

 

I am soo in love with the little touches - jasmine flowers when I arrive, lemongrass scented corridors and aromatherapy in the room. The fruit hamper in my room gets replenished everyday.

 

 

In-suite there is an enlarged bathtub with a view of the cityscape. You can order bath services but I just went with my Lush bath bombs. The bathroom is also fully stocked with bath salts, lotions etc.

 

 

We immediately went to the tailor to get our dresses made. It's 24hours but you really need the extra time for alterations.

 

 

Dinner at Vertigo, the IT restaurant in Bangkok at the moment and located on the 61st floor of the hotel I was staying at. It's al fresco dining on the top of the building with little torchlights for you to inspect the menu.

 

 

The menu is fusion with a wagyu steak in truffle soy sauce and grilled corn with chilli butter. I am usually sceptical about fusion but this was delicious.