To commemorate 30 years of serving lavish seafood spreads, the Seafood International Market & Restaurant has launched a mainly seafood buffet of epic proportions in conjunction with its $2.5 million facelift.

The dishes are varied and a challenge to finish.

The older Chinese have long been lauded for their voracious appetites, eating foods that would leave any uninitiated gawking. Of all the weird and bizarre, turtle soup seems by far the most prosaic, and I personally endorse it for flavour and as a Chinese delicacy.

There aren't that many restaurants left in Singapore selling this particular dish - Ser Seng along Macpherson Rd is one of the last of its kind and has been operating at its current premises for nearly 3 decades! The set-up is simple, no more posh than what you'd expect from a run-of-the-mill shophouse: aluminum tables, plastic chairs and the orange utensils complete the coffee shop feel.

Turtle soup doesn't come cheap. Just a small bowl like what I had set me back a hefty $15, plus $0.70 for the rice.
The soup is tasty, with strong notes of herbs throughout every slurp. It is in fact the core flavour of the soup. The turtle meat, with the exception of the collagen like skin, tastes very much like stringy chicken.There are supposedly much medicinal benefits to be reaped from the painstakingly concocted soup. And I could just believe that with all the tonic vibes I'm getting from just a small bowl.
Definitely worth a re-visit - and given that the restaurant has done well to expand to twice it's original size in the past decade, I'm not alone in thinking so!

Many might be familiar with Max Brenner Chocolate Bar as one of the popular dessert places to chill out and relax over something chocolatey. But just for the benefit of anyone who might have missed out some (actually just ONE) of the menu items, I thought I would just highlight the SUCKAO.

Hands down my favourite chocolate drink so far, the Suckao moniker is derived from a combination of "Suck" and "Cacao". The four components to the indulgent chocolate drink: Chocolate chips (available in Dark, Milk or White), a cupful of milk, a metal cup held over a candle flame and a contraption that doubles up as a scoop as well as a straw.Initiates to this indulgent ritual would not have a hard time picking up the ropes.
1. Scoop some chips into the metal cup.
2. Add some milk (not too much at first), and stir as the chocolate melts over the candle flame.
3. Once the chocolate has melted and been mixed with the milk, do a taste test and repeat as necessary to achieve the desired consistency. Personally I'm as much a fan of the ritual as well as the flexibility of the drink. At just $7.90, I could have the most sinful of chocolate espressos or a rich, velvety chocolate milk. All these factors combined, simple make the Suckao indisputably chocolate drink to watch. Max Brenner Chocolate Bar @ VivoCity
Sun to Thu: 1000 - 2145
Fri & Sat: 1000 - 2300

For a city rat like myself, Expo is really one heck of a journey away. One that I would hardly consider if not for the quarterly IT shows that are being hosted at the exhibition halls.

Be that as it may, I count it a happy coincidence this time round that my visit for Sitex 2013 allowed me to try out Table Manners at Changi City Point.

The restaurant is a splendid affair - an indoor dining area which looked a cross between a retail outlet selling novelty home accessories and a restaurant/cafe, plus a charming gazebo where diners can choose to eat, drink and be merry to their hearts' content. 

I preferred the quiet of the indoor dining, with the wooden furnishings crossed with low hanging black lamps and black leather seats. Especially when I get fancy collateral before my meal as well!
Imagine having a designated spot on the table for any and everything u own, and humourous jabs at stereotypes of poor table manners.

"Thicker tissue packs reserve your seat for a longer period of time." -- Table Manners


Service was slightly on the tardy side; I'd be understanding due to the dinner-time crowds and maybe the staff having to grapple with mobile ordering CMS, but surely it shouldn't take me 3-5 minutes of waving to get some attention should it?

The menu is predominantly Western, with a touch here and there of Asian influences. I had the one of the restaurant signatures - Norwegian Baked Salmon - which was really on the money.
A generous slab of salmon baked with garlic miso mayo for flavour and served on top of mash potato and a creamy mushroom ragout.

The cook on the salmon was perfect, beautifully pink throughout and the flavour went magnificently with the mushrooms and mash below. 

Norwegian Baked Salmon - $22
Rating: **** [4/5]

I also got to try the Beer Batter Fish n Chips. 2 fillets fried a crispy golden brown in a beer batter, served with truffle fries and house salad on the side.
In terms of Fish n Chips, I would definitely have tasted better. Though the fish tasted fresh, no other flavours leapt at me, not the goodness of quality seafood nor scented beer batter. Likewise, the truffle fries though smelling faintly of truffle when served, didnt really impress.

Fish n Chips -- $18
Ratings: ** [2.5/5]

Summing up, I really liked the look and feel of Table Manners. Thoughtfulness really went beyond the menu to fill out a concept restaurant/cafe that all might relate to and enjoy. The prices are acceptable as well and I'm definitely not gonna pass up a 2nd visit to try desserts like their Sea Salt Chocolate Caramel Tart and Chocolate Mousse Dome Cake!

Teadot at Serangoon NEX isn't really that new a cafe, but certainly noteworthy as a alternative u can turn to if you are in the vicinity. In fact, it's right opposite Starbucks at NEX and this cafe is really holding its own! Where Starbucks has its signature dark mahogany wood finishing, Teadot has opted for a lighter, more lively, but still wooden finishes as well.

But what really counts is it's alternative drinks menu. As it's name might suggest, TeaDot focuses more on the tea aspect - you'll find a mix of Yuzu, Chai Tea, Green Tea variations among the menu. In response to Starbucks' Tall, Grande and Venti, you have a quirky Puny, Regular and Generous. $6.50-$7.50 gets you the biggest cup in the mix depending on flavour.I had the Lonely Mocha Frappe, strangely named I thought, for loneliness for one of the furthest things from my mind when I tasted the drink. It's by no means gelat, but nice and smooth chocolatey notes were clear and there's the delightful wake up call of caffeine in the after taste.To go along, a Green Tea Cake which was decidedly matcha. Alternating layers of green tea flavored mousse and sponge with a delightful chocolate twirl seated on top for effect.

My initial assessment: TeaDot really hits the spot with its refreshing drink menu and it is definitely going places with a much more expansive cake and pastry list as well. Lonely Mocha Frappuchino has just taken too spot in my heart for local mocha drinks for attention to detail and that amazing flavour profile. Definitely a place to watch!