Ivan Teh - RunningMan

L'Atelier Tirami Su

L'Atelier Tirami Su
6 Eu Tong Sen Street
#B1-09 The Central

http://www.latelier-tiramisu.com/

Only Tiramisu, But Excellent Tiramisu

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 6
Value for Money: 9
Spent about SGD $8 per person.

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With a name that means 'The Tiramisu Workshop', there's no prizes for guessing what L'Atelier Tirami Su specialises in. Crafting only that classic Italian dessert cake of Tiramisu, L'Atelier Tirami Su was founded in June 2013. They bake their Tiramisu fresh daily, using family recipes handed down over generations.

Ambience at L'Atelier Tirami Su is discreet, with a quiet sophistication. Located as they are in a quiet corner of The Central shopping mall's basement, just above the Clarke Quay MRT station, you actually have to go out of your way to find them. Colour themes of red, black, white, lend a calm vibe, along with the minimalist decor. Furniture is modern cafe style, and the atmosphere is suitable for lingering.

Service at L'Atelier Tirami Su is largely self-service, with ordering and payment done over the counter, though staff do served orders tableside. They are also able to provide basic descriptions of each of their lovely dessert cakes, and can make recommendations. Generally, I find staff here to be friendly, and easy to engage in conversation.

Food at L'Atelier Tirami Su is all about the Italian dessert of Tiramisu. Named because it's a 'pick me up', the classic Tiramisu is served semi-cold, but not frozen, and the basic recipe usually consists of ladyfingers / sponge fingers dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of eggs, sugar, mascarpone cheese, then flavoured with cocoa powder. Portions here are suitable for 1 person, though sharing is recommended due to the richness of the dessert. Prices are reasonable, budget about SGD $8 for 1 slice.

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There aren't many seats within the place, but many customers also order takeaway. I find the atmosphere to be calming, and suitable for chilling.

L'Atelier Tirami Su Signage

L'Atelier Tirami Su Seating

L'Atelier Tirami Su Counter

Drinking Water Tap

There are many variations of Tiramisu available here, but all are hand made and baked fresh daily using quality ingredients and liqueur.

Tiramisu

Piccolo (SGD $15)

The Tiramisu Classico (SGD $7.20) was smooth, creamy, yet light and airy, with a more moist than usual texture. With the complex combination of the sweetness and bitterness of both chocolate and coffee, this classic is delightful on the palate, and really among the best tiramisu I've ever eaten! Highly recommended!

Tiramisu Classico 01

Tiramisu Classico 02

The Tiramisu Creme Brulee (SGD $7.50) is a new creation, an excellent experience of eating both a creme brulee and a tiramisu! The caramelised sugar layer on top is only torched upon order, and the thin, crisp sugar crust crackes satisfiyingly, to give way into the moist, soft, sweet eggy custard below. You get flavours of butterscotch and salted caramel, which is tantalising, and leaves you wanting more with each bite. Highly recommended!

Tiramisu Creme Brulee 01

Tiramisu Creme Brulee 02

The Tiramisu Pistachio (SGD $7.50) is very good, but I personally prefer the other variations. The crunch and floral aroma of the crushed pistachio nuts is wonderful when contrasted against the silky smooth tiramisu. Good!

Tiramisu Pistachio 01

Tiramisu Pistachio 02

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Singapore Favourite Food Village 2015 Review

Singapore Favourite Food Village 2015 Review

http://singaporefavouritefood.sg/

This was an invited media review. Part of my meal here was free, but I paid the standard price for several other dishes.
Attended with representatives from The Silver Chef, Fiona Seah, Strictly Ours, The Chosen Glutton, and SG Food On Foot.

The 6th edition of the Singapore Favourite Food Village is here! Held at Clarke Quay Read Bridge, from 24 July to 2 August, the Singapore Favourite Food Village 2015 is organised as part of Singapore's Golden Jubilee / SG50 celebration. It promises to showcase a variety of mouth-watering local delights, all under-one-roof. Was at the opening ceremony to catch the highlights!

Singapore Favourite Food Village 2015 @ Clarke Quay Read Bridge

Singapore Favourite Food Village 2015 Logo Balloon

Singapore Favourite Food Village 2015 Event Dates

Organised in conjunction with the 22nd edition of the Singapore Food Festival, the theme for the Singapore Favourite Food Village 2015 is 'A Wok Down Memory Lane', paying homage to the former Ellenborough Market hawker centre, during its heydays of the late 1800s. The old Ellenborough Market catered to the largely Chinese Teochew population who lived along the Singapore River, hence its nickname of 'Teochew Market'. I must say, while there is some information about it displayed here, I'm not 100% sure if the old market looked like this. But at least there's a buzzing atmosphere!

Singapore Favourite Food Village 2015 Atmosphere

Teochew History Information

Ellenborough Market

At the Singapore Favourite Food Village 2015, guests can look forward to traditional Chinese entertainment in the form of Teochew wayang opera. Managed to catch opera troupe Tok Tok Chiang (with celebrity Nick Shen and Susan Lee) performing during the opening ceremony. Known for including magic tricks as part of their performance, Tok Tok Chiang Opera Troupe will be showcasing this traditional form of entertainment on weekend evenings! Am glad the organisers have revived Teochew wayang opera as part of the SG50 celebrations, as it's a dying art in Singapore!

Teochew Opera Information

Tok Tok Chiang Opera Troupe Performers Nick Shen & Susan Lee With Dr. Lily Tirtasana Neo (MP Of Kreta Ayer - Kim Seng Ward)

Tok Tok Chiang Opera Troupe Performers Nick Shen & Susan Lee

Saw award-winning celebrity chef Eric Low demonstrating how to prepare Teochew Opera Porridge, a common supper dish sold by street hawkers during the heydays of Teochew street opera. The hawkers would travel with the opera troupes around the island, and business was brisk. This porridge made an ideal supper treat as performances ended rather late!

Chef Eric Low

Chef Jason Teo of Swissotel Merchant Court Singapore presented his version of Teochew Steamed Pomfret Fish (SGD $10), with a nicely sour sauce that isn't too overpowering. His Teochew Cold Crab (SGD $12), while fresh with creamy roe, may be frowned upon by traditionalists, as it's a rather different take.

Swissotel Merchant Court Singapore Stall

Chef Jason Teo

Teochew Steamed Pomfret Fish (SGD $10)

Teochew Cold Crab (SGD $12)

Chef Charles Tan of Jia Le Hong Kong Roasted Food presented his famous Roast Suckling Pig (SGD $12) and Char Siew Marinated Roast Pork Loin & Sio Bak Roast Pork Belly Rice (SGD $6.80). I find his suckling pig and roast meats to be of a pretty good standard, nice char and some sweetness to the meat, able to rival some restaurants, despite essentially being a hawker stall.

Jia Le Hong Kong Roasted Food Stall

Roast Suckling Pig (Whole)

Roast Suckling Pig (SGD $12)

Char Siew Marinated Roast Pork Loin & Sio Bak Roast Pork Belly Rice (SGD $6.80)

Was rather surprised that the Yam Taro Paste Orh Nee (SGD $4) is decent. Thick, sticky, and rich with yam flavour, though very 'heaty'.

Yam Taro Paste Orh Nee (SGD $4)

The Truffle Wanton Noodles (SGD $8) has 2 things going for it, the fragrant aroma of truffle oil, and the sweet Aburi pork char siew. However, it's a little on the dry side, somewhat lacking in gravy. Not too big an issue for me, as I didn't eat that much of the noodles.

Truffle Wanton Noodles (SGD $8)

Chef Boon Kaichun / Ah Boy of Good Chance Popiah can be seen making his famous Popiah (SGD $3). This is easily one of the best items you'll get at Singapore Favourite Food Village 2015, the large, fresh, tightly packed snack is excellent. Get the spicy version for more kick. Highly recommended!

Good Chance Popiah Stall

Chef Boon Kaichun / Ah Boy

Making Popiah

Popiah (SGD $3)

The Carrot Cake (Salted Egg) (SGD $6 / $8) is definitely worth trying, both for its novelty, and because it's also well executed. The Chinese style salted egg sauce is at the bottom, and pairs well with the carrot cake. Worth ordering!

Cooking Carrot Cake / Chye Tow Kueh

Carrot Cake (Salted Egg) (SGD $6 / $8)

Owner Jerome Lim of Ming Fa Noodles House is presenting several of his signature noodle dishes. He seems to be 'allied' with Chef Boon Kaichun / Ah Boy, because when we wandered over to get the Popiah, he pulled Jerome Lim over to ask him to pass us a bowl of noodles as well. Having eaten at his various stalls islandwide on several occasions, I have to say their food here is as good as their other stalls, packed with ingredients.

Ming Fa Noodles House Stall

Owner Jerome Lim

Surprised by the Pig Trotter Lor Mee (SGD $6.50 / $8.50), in that they gave us a whole pig's trotter, that is actually pretty good! The meat is tender and savoury, well braised. The braising sauce / lor for the noodles is a little thin though.

Everything Foods Lor Mee Stall

Pig Trotter Lor Mee (SGD $6.50 / $8.50)

Pig Trotter Lor Mee

Pig Trotter Lor Mee

The rather industrious ice cream uncle, selling his old-school ice cream from a motorcycle side car, can be found just parked at the start of Read Bridge. Love the nostalgic flavour of Yam Ice Cream With Wafer (SGD $2), so I got the upsized version.

Yam Ice Cream With Wafer (SGD $2)

A big thank you to all the sponsers, without whom, the Singapore Favourite Food Village 2015 would not be possible! And special thanks as well to all those from the Singapore Food & Beverage Alliance (SFBA) who are putting in time and effort to organise this!

Esso Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Balloon

Singapore Favourite Food Village 2015 Sponsors, Source Credits

Overall, the Singapore Favourite Food Village 2015 is worth a visit, especially for those looking for something different to do on the weekend, or for tourists wishing to experience a slice of Singapore. The wide variety of decent food should appeal to most, and I recommend also catching the traditional opera performances. Do check it out as well, at Clarke Quay Read Bridge, from 24 July to 2 August, open daily from 5pm - 11pm!

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How Much Money

How Much Money

Team building activity, How Much Money.

How Much Money by Ivan Teh

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SPies & All Things Nice

SPies & All Things Nice
348 Bedok Road
#02-15 Simpang Bedok Market Place

https://www.facebook.com/spiesandallthingsnice

Nice Spice Pies

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 6
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 5
Value for Money: 9
Spent about SGD $5 per person.

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Opened in April 2015 within the Simpang Bedok Market Place, SPies & All Things Nice serves unique gourmet pies and delectable dessert tarts with Asian inspired flavours. Hand made fresh daily in-store, the savoury and sweet pies / tarts offered by SPies & All Things Nice are absolutely delicious!

Ambience at SPies & All Things Nice is similar to the rest of the stalls here, on account of the shared casual seating, and clean, bright atmosphere. Love their brand name, which is inspired by the classic nursury rhyme 'What Are Little Boys Made Of?', and spices. The products are clearly displayed and labelled, and the menu is also legible. Walk past the stall, and you'll be drawn in by the colourful Peranakan decor and fragrant aroma of baking!

Service at SPies & All Things Nice is decent. Largely self-service, with ordering, payment, and collection done over the counter. The majority of customers get takeaway, but if you can also choose to dine in. Staff, being involved in the creation of pies / tart daily, are very knowledgable about the ingredients and taste of their baked goods, and can make good recommendations. Beyond that, there's very little other interaction with staff.

Food at SPies & All Things Nice is all about savoury pies, and sweet tarts. Their pies / tarts are all Asian flavoured, containing local Singaporean or Peranakan spices and ingredients. Generally, I find their pies / tarts to be of excellent quality and taste, much better than most other places. Portions are small, they usually create it mini-sized. Prices are decent and affordable, budget about SGD $5 per person, and sharing is recommended.

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The quaint Peranakan decor and aroma of freshly baked pies / tarts is incredibly intoxicating, attracting passer-bys.

SPies & All Things Nice Facade

SPies & All Things Nice Menu

Their savoury pies and sweet tarts are tasty, and made with fresh premium ingredients daily. Also, their products contain no monosodium glutamate (MSG) or other preservatives. Best eaten fresh and hot!

Pies & Tarts

Dessert Tarts

Savoury Pies

Savoury Pies In Box

The pretty Almond Longan Tart (SGD $2.50) features chunks of fruity longan set within a smooth, rich almond flavoured custard, topped with candied cherries and crushed almond bits. Tastes very close to the actual Almond Longan dessert, so lovely.

Almond Longan Tart

Drawing inspiration from the Pulut Hitam dessert, the Pulut Hitam Tart (SGD $2.50) is fragrant with the aroma of soft black glutinous rice, mixed with gula melaka / palm sugar, coconut milk, topped with dessicated coconut. The filling is sweet and satisfiying, incredibly good. Highly recommended!

Pulut Hitam Tart

The Babi Pongteh Pie (SGD $2.50) is a decadent Peranakan inspired pie, with fresh slices of pork collar, fatty pork belly, shiitake mushrooms, and potatoes, braised till soft in an aromatic braising sauce of soy sauce, preserved beans, and spices. Tasty with the savoury pork and spices, but I did feel the meat could have been slightly more tender.

Babi Pongteh Pie 01

Babi Pongteh Pie 02

The Beef Rendang Pie (SGD $2.50) is very spicy! Tender beef brisket and beef rump is stewed in a fiery concoction of spices, including lemongrass, chili, kaffir lime leaves, and coconut gravy. Savoury, with good meaty / beef flavour, the heat from the spices kicks strongly, and leaves a lingering burn. Get a cool drink with this!

Beef Rendang Pie 01

Beef Rendang Pie 02

A popular favourite, the Chicken Laksa Pie (SGD $2.50) has chunky cubes of chicken and potatoes, stewed in a secret recipe laksa sauce, along with a slice of hard boiled egg. I must admit the flavour is incredibly similar to a normal bowl of laksa, you get the taste of the spices and richness of the coconut gravy. Very good, highy recommended!

Chicken Laksa Pie 01

Chicken Laksa Pie 02

Their latest creation is the Thai Basil Chicken Pie (SGD $2.50), with chunks of chicken and shiitake mushrooms in a fragrant, creamy Thai inspired basil sauce, topped with a leaf of fried basil. Decent taste, but my least favourite of all their savoury pies.

Thai Basil Chicken Pie 01

Thai Basil Chicken Pie 02

They also created a Kueh Pie Tee Chili Crab (SGD $5.50) in celebration of Singapore's Jubilee Year / SG50! The crisp, non-greasy shells are tasty, without becoming soggy from the filling of stewed turnip, egg, and chunks of deshelled crab, all coated in a spicy chili crab gravy. Good!