Botanico at The Garage

Singapore, February 2016 – Everyone has been talking about a new restaurant – Botanico at The Garage with Spanish-born Chef Antonio Oviedo at its helm.   Located on the UNESCO site – Singapore Botanical Gardens, the restaurant is surrounded by beautiful greenery.   Its menu of contemporary Spanish cuisine is simple, yet innovative. Mr. King and I…

BAR MASA

New York City, December 2016 – When travelling with my son (4 years old), it is difficult to find restaurants that strike a balance between fine Japanese cuisine and children friendly atmosphere. Fortunately, BAR MASA is able to fulfill both of these criteria. The casual dining of renowned Chef Masa Takayama serves up delectable modern Japanese…

Zuma London

London, September 2014 – Being a big fan of Zuma Hong Kong, I had equally high expectations of Zuma London, the Japanese izakaya style of informal dining with a modern twist. The restaurant is located in the heart of Knightsbridge, on a tiny street (Raphael Street) behind The Bulgari Hotel. The widely popular Zuma London…

Modern Cantonese at Hakkasan

London, October 2014 – Mr. King and I spent a date night at the very hip and modern Cantonese restaurant – the 1-Michelin star Hakkasan on Bruton Street, Mayfair. After alighting the cab, we looked around for the restaurant, but the only place that seemed to be “bustling” was an entrance with a black façade….

Corner House’s Gastro-Botanica Cuisine

Singapore, August 2016 – We decided to celebrate Singapore’s National Day at a restaurant with a sense of history. Corner House (#17 – Asia’s Best 50 Restaurants) was a natural choice since it was located at Singapore Botanic Gardens (an UNESCO site) inside a conserved building – a 1910 Black and White bungalow, which was the…

Family Lunch at OSIA

Singapore, January 2015 – Mr. King and I decided to do a family lunch at Osia, located in Resorts World Sentosa (integrated resort complex). With Little K (3 years old) in tow, we went there for lunch on a Saturday. We were able to secure a table by walking in. Since Osia has been awarded…

Summer Pavilion Cantonese Cuisine

Singapore, December 2015 – Being a Hong Kong native, I am quite particular about Cantonese cuisine, and I was very impressed by Summer Pavilion at Ritz Carlton Singapore. To me, great Cantonese cuisine should have a few qualities – freshness of ingredients, perfectly seasoning, combining the right produce and a delicate demeanor. Most important of…

Michelin Guide Singapore is Here

Singapore, July 2016 – The Michelin stars have arrived in the Lion City at last!  The Inaugural (First Edition) Michelin Guide for Singapore was released last night, and stars were awarded to a number of fine dining as well as hawker food restaurants. The Michelin stars went to 29 establishments in Singapore.  Only one restaurant…

Imahan Sukiyaki

Tokyo, June 2016 – Ningyocho Imahan Ginza (“Imahan”) is my all-time-favorite sukiyaki restaurant in Tokyo. Over the past decade or so, Mr. King and I have visited Imahan on every trip. Imahan specializes in wagyu beef, and is traditional, rustic and decadent, all in one. The branch I like most is located on the fifth…

Tempura Kondo

Tokyo, June 2016 – “If Tempura Kondo is good enough for Prime Minister Abe, it is good enough me!” – joked Mr. King.   It was rumored the 2-Michelin star Tempura Kondo was in fact, Abe’s first choice restaurant for hosting American President Obama on his visit to Tokyo. We were curious and luckily got a…

The Clifford Pier

Singapore  – When dining, Mr. King & I prefer to explore places with a history. So it was pure nostalgia when we visited The Clifford Pier at The Fullerton Bay Hotel in Singapore. “A historic landmark, Clifford Pier was built in 1933 as the landing jetty for ships and marks the arrival point where our forefathers began…

Old Bazaar Kitchen

Hong Kong – I was sad to learn that Old Bazaar Kitchen (“OBK”)– what I considered a gem – has closed. It was the ultimate “Hole in the Wall” – with modest décor and only 8 tables at its narrow premises in Wanchai. So I thought I would share some of my photos of their…