Nonbei Izakaya Tasting Session
282 South Bridge Road

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 12am


https://www.facebook.com/Nonbeiizakaya282

This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session.
Attended with representatives from Jennifer Yeo Lifestyle, Chubby Botak Koala, and Thara Koiii.

Skewers Yaki Tori, Tori Kawa, Tebasaki, Ko Tamanegi, Asapara Bekon, Mukago (SGD $??)

Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Chwee Kueh

Chwee Kueh

Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Chicken Wings

Chicken Wings

Fukusen Restaurant & Fukusen Izakaya
33 Jalan Sultan

117A Killiney Road

51 Jalan Sultan

https://fukusen.sg/

Fukusen Omakase Chirashi Donburi

Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant
50 East Coast Road
Level 2, Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy

https://www.jiaweirestaurant.com/

Jia Wei Tofu, Luffa Melon Poached In Egg White (SGD $26)

Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy
50 East Coast Road

https://www.grandmercureroxy.com.sg/


Ye Olde Reliable Hotel

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 6
Visited: Aug-2022
Ambience & Setting: 6
Food & Beverage: 5
Service: 7
Value for Money: 7
Budget about SGD $1,350 per person.
- $1,350 Accomodation 5D4N


Hotel Facilities: Business Centre, Free Wi-Fi, Gymnasium, Swimming Pool, 2 Restaurants (Feast Roxy, Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant), 1 Cafe (Wave Cafe), 2 Lounges (Lobby Lounge, Executive Lounge), Meeting & Function Rooms (East Coast Function Rooms, Roxy Function Rooms), Self-Service Launderette, Cable TV, Currency Exchange Service, Roxy Square I & II Shopping Centres


Hotel Activities: Working Out, Internet Surfing, Swimming, Meetings, Relaxing, Doing Laundry, Dining, Shopping, Hair Cut & Styling, Beauty Treatments


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Introduction
Located about 20 minutes drive away from the Changi international airport in Singapore, the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy is a 4-star business hotel, owned and operated under the Accor Group. Situated close to town, and within walking distance to the dining and entertainment areas of Marine Parade, Katong, and Joo Chiat, the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy hotel has an old-world charm. Although we have prior corporate and commercial history, I visited and stayed as a regular paying customer.


Ambience
Ambience at the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy is old-school. While the lobby appears modern with its gleaming marble tiles and high ceiling, the rest of the place harkens back to the 1980s, with low lighting, wooden furnishings, and muted carpets. Small windows offer views of the surrounding area. This was probably better back in the day, when you had ocean views, but today, the built-up residences surrounding the hotel block line of sight. Interestingly, the lower floors are brighter with a more modern, contemporary, airy feel.


Room
Rooms at the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy is aging but functional. I stayed at the Studio Suite, which had warm earthy tones, low lighting, a marble tiled bathroom, and a carpeted living room. Said to have a "chic minimalist zen" vibe, I didn't quite feel it, although I still decently enjoyed the experience.

The large king size bed is clean and comfortable, with sheets changed daily (!). The working deck is spacious, and the wireless internet is fast and stable although the router is exposed beneath the table. The television has a decent range of cable channels, but isn't a smart TV, so there's no option for streaming.

The pantry has a daily stock of coffee and tea sachets, while the small mini-bar is useful for keeping drinks cool. The wardrobe and vanity area is of decent size, though I wished for more hangers and shelves.

The bathroom features a toilet, shower, and bathtub in separate areas, with amenities stocked. The shower has options for regular or rain shower mode. The bathtub is decent sized, easy to use, however, you cannot shower standing up due to the lack of a splash guard.

The living room has a nice sized sofa lounger, which also doubles as a relaxing secondary area for resting. The lack of a TV here is an odd choice, guests are left staring at a blank wall. I like the complimentary fruit basket provided in suite, as well as the complimentary hygiene care pack provided at reception. Safety is good, with in-room electronic safe and sturdy chain door lock, as well as elevators that require keycard access.


Food
Food at the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy is primarily from their all-day dining restaurant, Feast Roxy (formerly known as Feast @ East Roxy). Sadly, the Executive Lounge was undergoing refurbishment during my visit, so a section of Feast Roxy was carved out as a replacement lounge. The service staff at Feast Roxy seat guests quickly, and proactively offer to clear finished plates throughout the meal, but don't engage in much conversation. Quality of dishes, at least for breakfast, is decent enough (though with the myriad dining options around the hotel, I'd rather dine elsewhere). Dishes are generally about average in taste and presentation, not terrible, but not particularly exciting or memorable. This was the lowest point for me.


Service
Service at the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy is professional and efficient. Reception staff work quickly, checking guests in or out, with porters to assist with baggage during peak periods. They demonstrate good knowledge of the surrounding areas of interest. Housekeeping staff work efficiently as well, turning around rooms with good effort, though a little more attention to detail in cleanliness would be welcome. Their affordable price range per room night, and proximity to the airport, make the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy hotel one of the better options for business travellers and airline crew.


Facilities & Activities
The facilities and activities at the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy are catered to business travellers. The business kiosks and function rooms have been refreshed with modern meeting equipment and technology, well-suited and reliable for business meetings. We had previously used their function rooms for corporate events, and had a good experience. The gymnasium is well-equipped and clean, and the swimming pool is a nice size for doing laps. An unusually large sun deck and terrace allows for relaxing. Instead of laundry service, they offer a self-service launderette. The Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy hotel is also co-located to the adjourning Roxy Square I & II Shopping Centres, and just opposite Parkway Parade Shopping Centre, which has options for shopping, dining, entertainment, and self-care treatments.


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Po Restaurant
320 Havelock Road
Level 1, The Warehouse Hotel

https://www.po.com.sg/

SG Chee Cheong Fun By Ben Yeo

Georges Bar
687 East Coast Road

500 New Punggol Road
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133 Pasir Ris Road

690 West Camp Road
#02-02 JTC Aviation 2

60 Nanyang Crescent
#01-03 Nanyang Technological University North Hill Residence

30 Tai Seng Street
#01-07 BreadTalk IHQ

https://www.georges.com.sg/

Chicken Satay (SGD $15.90)

Tora Hachi Japanese Grill & Restaurant Tasting Session
29 Lorong Mambong

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm


https://tora-hachi-jp-grill-restaurant.business.site/

This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session.
Attended with representatives from Chubby Botak Koala, and Epicurious Caniggia.

Grilled Skewers

National Day 2022

Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala

Decker Barbecue
60 Robertson Quay
#01-17 The Quayside

https://www.deckerbarbecue.com/

Meal Flat Lay At Decker Barbecue

Gim Tim Restaurant 2022
157 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 #01-546

https://www.gimtim.com.sg/

Steamed Red Grouper Fish With Minced Chye Poh (SGD $9 for 100g, $72 for 800g)

The Gong By Drinks & Co. Tasting Session 2022
1 Kim Seng Promenade
#01-128 Great World

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10:30pm


https://drinksandco.asia/

This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session, but I did pay the standard price during subsequent visits.
Attended with representatives from Chubby Botak Koala, msginginly, and Epicurious Caniggia.

Chilean Black Cod (SGD $37)