ArTEAstiq

A lunch meeting with a fellow colleague who is also a foodie can come with unexpected pleasures!  That is what happened during a short business lunch in Singapore.  Arteastiq, like its carefully spelt name suggests, tries to meld art and tea drinking into a seamless experience for those who have a taste for both.

Arteastiq first tasted success when they introduced the unique concept of an Art Jamming studio tea cafe in their Orchard Street location.  The restaurant we visited is their newer one, which combines the art studio and tea concept with a more traditional Chinese menu in Mellenia Walk.

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The House

On the hunt for something new I had expanded my search to include the neighbouring areas of Union Square.  I was rewarded with this interesting find which showed up with 4.5 stars on Yelp! from 2700 reviews.  Users raved online about their 'top' Asian fusion fare and about their top-notch seafood specialities.  I clearly had to try The House right away!

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Wayfare Tavern

Another restaurant. Another celebrity chef.  Chef/owner Tyler Florence is well-known to viewers of the Food Channel and has several cookbooks in his name as well.  Wayfare Tavern is his culinary outpost where he brings to life traditional American food in very interesting surroundings.  The animal heads on the walls, the gold eagles on their plates, the pewter plates and curved Windsor chairs all add up to a lot of atmosphere.

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Irish Stew and Oyster Stout

Like neighbouring England, some of the best food in Ireland is of the simplest kind.  Then what better place than one of the old-world pubs to try some local food with the drinks?  TimeOut had recommended the Porterhouse in the Temple Bar area, so after a walk through Dublin Castle and Trinity College here I was.  The Porterhouse is a large pub with three levels, an excess of wood and lots of old-world charm.  It is also Dublin's oldest microbrewery pub that only sells its own beer labels.

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In Ireland!

I am always excited when visiting a new country and this time was no different!  I peered out eagerly from my window as the aircraft banked smoothly through the clouds over Dublin airport on a bright, clear morning. Immigration was a breeze and soon I was off on my way chatting with my talkative and friendly driver as he drove me down to my hotel.  It didn't take me much time to realise that being friendly is pretty much the norm; I find the Irish the friendliest and most welcoming people in the West.

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A Taste of Kashmir

The unique cuisine of Kashmir is said to date back to the early 16th century when Timur invaded India, but its food underwent considerable change as immigrants from Samarkand (in modern day Afganistan) arrived.  Mutton and rice are staples that are cooked together and separately in a variety of forms.  Fish and a variety of interesting local vegetables such as the lotus stem from local lakes make up other parts of their extravagant cuisine.

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