m

FOOD | PHOTOGRAPHY | LIFESTYLE | TRAVEL

Korean fusion has become an insanely popular food trend, especially in the USA. Here we have SYNC™ Korean Fusion Bistro, this is a first-of-its-kind dining concept in Singapore that marries traditional Korean food with western elements, and adding a touch of technology into your dining experience. 

SYNC™ strives to bring good food with technology to people from all generations. You will be surprised to find a kids' corner for young children to experience the latest electronic gadgets and another area for young professionals and even senior citizens to enjoy. 

As SYNC™ Korean Fusion Bistro is powered by Samsung, you not be surprised to find many Samsung gadgets here. 
Restaurant fun has just begun as Samsung tablets take to the table 

The digital menu will uphold you to a new level of experience. It eliminates setback associated with the conventional menu booklet. You can browse the menu, choose dishes and order directly from the digital menu. 

This saves more time, increase efficiency and productivity in the restaurant operation, so that the crew can focus more on serving food and presenting the final bill. You will be happy to know that SYNC™ does not charge any service fee, and the bistro is wired up with complimentary WIFI.

FOOD AND DRINKS
Iced Honey Citron $7.50
The Iced Honey Citron does not only taste great by itself, but it is a perfect cooler drink for the summer. I would also recommend the Iced Yuzu drink here, which is another good refresher. 
Kimchi Cheese Fries $8.00
Starting the meal with Kimchi Nacho Fries was really comforting. You can never go wrong with French fries covered with cheese and the shredded kimchi added some savoury spiciness to the palate.

Toppoki with Fried Bacon and Egg $7.90* (New item to be launched)
The popular Korean snack food made from soft rice cake, fish cake and sweet red chili sauce is served in a hot plate here. Crumbled bacon and a soft boiled egg makes the best companion to this snack. 

Korean Fried Chicken $12.00 for 8

The crackling skin of the Korean fried chicken encasing the succulent meat has a sweet and mild spicy glaze, but somehow it just fall out of flavour. I was expecting it to be more fragrant with a fiery kick, but the sauce was a little too sweet to my liking. 
Sync Baked Bibimbap $15.00
You can expect the usual Korean fare at every Korean restaurant. The combination of the assortment of vegetables, with the rice and the Korean chilli paste was cooked just right, but I would prefer this same dish to be served in a hot stone pot, so that I can collect the golden crispy leftover on the bottom of the rice. 
Jajangmyeon $12.90* (New item to be launched)
Jajangmyeon is the Korean version of Chinese ZhaJiang Noodles 炸醬麵. Chunky, savory black bean sauce noodles with diced meat and vegetables was simple, and not that interesting to me, actually won over my heart. The sauce was savoury-sweet and full-flavoured after mixing well with the noodles, it become my comfort food at its best. 
K-Pot Stew $16.00
This one-pot dish features Korean dumplings, sliced meat, sausages, rice cakes, vegetables and noodles all stewed in a spicy sweet sauce. The broth could be better served with deeper flavours and spices at higher cooking temperature that warms the belly and satiates the palates. 

Warm White Chocolate Taro Lava Cake $10.00

Warm Butterscotch Matcha Lava Cake $10.00
Desserts, the butterscotch infused Matcha lava cake was the winner out of the two, as it was more intense in flavour. Ooey matcha filling flows out of the warm souffle-like cake, this was pure decadence I can go for a second round without the ice cream. 


VERDICT
The mains were a little underwhelming, but the appetisers and desserts sealed the deal for me. 

 I will be back to enjoy their Set Lunch Special (Weekdays 11am - 2pm) at an unbelievable affordable price of $7.90 for a 2-course meal, and top-up $2 for a side dish or complete the meal with a dessert. 

 The Happy Hour Special (Weekday 5pm - 8pm) is such a good steal, at only $7 nett for all house pours, selected cocktails, beers and wines. 

SYNC KOREAN FUSION BISTRO
Address: Westgate, 3 Gateway Drive, #03-01 Singapore 608532
Tel: 6369 9913
Facebook: www.facebook.com/syncbistro
The cafe boom in Singapore is seriously not letting up. New cafes sprouting up on this tiny island are knocking us off faster than we keep up. 

There are at least 20 newly opened cafes in the East the last 8 months. The numbers just keep growing and fueling the trend of hungry cafe-hoppers among us. 

We heard a fair bit about the cafe scene at the Western part of Singapore in the making, but come to think of it, how many of us have actually made recent trips to explore these little gems of the West.  

I have suss out some cafes that fits the bill to be in this list. Some are new players (open recently in 2014) and some have been around for a couple of years. 

Here's a round up of the hotspots in the West, and the cafes are listed in no particular order. 

Bouna Vista (Biopolis / Fusionpolis / One-North)

 Bodacious Bar and Bistro 
This 130-seat bistro and bar has plentiful of space available indoor and for those seeking alfresco dining. Opened in July this year 2014, Bodacious could be the next space for big groups to hang out. You can find fuss-free all day breakfast with a pleasant twist, and mains such as fatty duck confit, hungry man's tofu burger and a few other surprises.
Food Offerings: All Day Breakfast, Burgers, Mains, Desserts
Drink Offerings: Coffee, Tea, Beers, Wines, Others.

Bodacious Bar and Bistro 
Address: 70 Biopolis Street Singapore 138587
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bodaciousbistro


Envy Coffee
The youngest cafe for now, in the One-North community offers a great space for coffee and hearty meals to the people working and living there. Opened in May 2014, Envy Coffee is very new but the skilful barista here is able to pull a perfect espresso shot. The menu is a bit limited but that's not too much of a problem, as the food are comforting enough and reasonably priced. 
Food Offerings: Toasts, Sandwiches, Mains and Desserts
Drink Offerings: Coffee, Tea, Refreshers

Envy Coffee
Address: Nexus@One-North, #01-04, 1 Fusionopolis Link, Singapore 138542
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnvyCoffeeSG


Curbside Cafe and Wine Bar
An American-style diner and wine bar located within the Biopolis research park at Nucleos building, just minutes away from One-North MRT. Curbside Cafe has a menu of brunch items, sandwiches and salads, and signature mains such as Mac and Cheese, and Coca-cola beef stew.
Food Offerings: Quick Bites, Mains, Desserts
Drink Offerings: Coffee, Tea, Craft Beers, Others

Curbside Cafe & Wine Bar
Address: 21 Biopolis Road, Nucleos, #01-27, Singapore 138567
Jimmy Monkey
This three-year old Australian-styled cafe is located amidst lush flora and unique architecture of the 15 billion dollar condominium One-North Residences. Jimmy Monkey serves a good cuppa joe and offers a range of delectable meals. 
Food Offerings: Quick Bites, Brunch, Mains and Desserts
Drink Offerings: Coffee, Tea, Beers, Others

Jimmy Monkey Cafe and Bar
Address: 9 One-North Gateway, #01-51 One-North Residences, Singapore 138643
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jimmymonkeycafe

 Note: JM Cafe undergoing expansion, set to open mid-late September 2014.
Revolution Coffee
A quaint cafe located within the Infinite Studios near Portsdown down, serving handcrafted speciality coffee and casual food. 

 A connecting shuttle between Infinite Studios and one-north MRT station is provided between 8am and 8pm, from Mondays to Fridays, except Public Holidays. 

For those planning a trip down on the weekend where there is no shuttle service, you can check out the guide below for directions.
https://www.facebook.com/notes/revolution-coffee/how-the-hll-do-i-get-to-infinite-studios/418112854974910
Food Offerings: Quick Bites, Sandwiches, All Day Breakfast, Hot Dishes and Desserts
Drink Offerings: Coffee, Tea, Others

 Revolution Coffee
Address: 21 Media Circle, #01-03A, Singapore 138562
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RevolutionCoffeeSG


Hoopla 
Neighbour to the hipster joint Revolution Coffee next door, this new cafe Hoopla (opened in Jan 2014) has a big menu for brunch purists. Its stylish and massive space is good for families and large groups. 
Food Offerings: Toasties, All Day Breakfast, Pizzas, Mains
Drink Offerings: Coffee, Tea, Slushies, Others

Hoopla
Address: 21 Media Circle, #01-05 Infinite Studios, Singapore 138562


Clementi (West Coast)

W39 Bistro and Bakery
Opened in April 2013, this cosy little joint hidden in the quiet neighbourhood of Jalan Mas Puteh serving European styled dishes with a touch of local taste. Despite its 'ulu' location, the bistro is getting pretty crowded especially on the weekends. Reservations are recommended. 
Food Offerings: Quick Bites, Brunch, Mains and Desserts
Drink Offerings: Coffee, Tea, W39 Specials, Wine, Others

 W39 Bistro and Bakery
Address: 39 Jalan Mas Puteh, Singapore 128637
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/W39Bistro


The Tiny Roaster
This tiny wall-in-the-hole coffee studio located in neighbourhoods of Clementi West is great for serious coffee lovers. I will not classify The Tiny Roaster in the category of a typical cafe, as they do not serve any food here. However, I feel that they deserve the feature because they serve good coffee and you probably will not be able to find another brew studio in this area. 
Drink Offerings: Black Brew, White Brew, Vienna, Affogato
Merchandise: Roasted Coffee and Unroasted Green Beans, Coffee brewing tools

The Tiny Roaster
Address: 612 Clementi West Street 1, #01-288B, Singapore 120612


There are more cafes, restaurants and bars in parts of Holland Village, Rochester Park and including Bukit Timah, but those were already well established, and the quicker ones among you might have already explored and visited a number of times. 

 Holland Village


 Rochester Park



Bukit Timah
Please let me know if you think that I have missed out any feature-worthy cafes to be included in this list, by dropping me a line or leave a comment below. 
Everyday places are becoming "HOT" photography locations for couples, fashion and lifestyle bloggers, wedding photographers, and the avid explorers. 

 If you try searching on the Google for "Best Photography Locations" in Singapore, you will probably end up with many search results. 

 It didn’t take long for me to come out with my own Bucket List of Iconic places to photograph in Singapore. 

 Some of the featured locations are not new and original, I'll admit that but these selections are based on a different photographic perspective where I believe this is your ticket to the prime spots in Singapore. 


NATURE LOVERS (GARDENS AND PARKS)
Our Singapore gardens and parks have wonderful green space that give great excuses for organising outings with families and friends. 

 With the abundance of gardens and parks in Singapore, I have selected the Mount Faber Park and Botanic Gardens as they provide a great respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. 
Mount Faber Park

Besides providing photo opportunities of Singapore's nature trail, Mount Faber Park offers great selection of food and beverage establishments where you can dine and catch stunning views of the city. You know that you'll definitely go hungry after walking to the peak for photo kicks. 
Singapore Botanic Gardens 

A lively garden place for colours with no shortage of natural scenery for any type of photo-shoot. From the garden entrance with the majestic iron gates, to the iconic Tembusu tree, and not forgetting the romantic gazebos found around the park. There are too many noteworthy locations where you could take nature shots in this 74-hectare park.


ARCHITECTURE (MAN-MADE BRIDGES)
The highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore providing magnificent vantage points for the surrounding area as you soak in the natural beauty of the forest’s flora and fauna.

It is also one of the best spots in Singapore to catch panoramic views of the city, the harbour and the Southern Islands.

Apart from the pre-requesite nature shots, you can also check out the 10 km trail that connects you to other possible photo spots such as Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Reserve.
Henderson Waves / The Southern Ridges


URBAN CITYSCAPE (SKYLINES AND WATERFRONT)
From nature to urban cityscape, much attention has to be given to its urban form. 

Located at the Southern tip of Singapore, the Marina Bay area has gone through massive urban transformation to becoming a world-class destination today. 

With more than 120 skyscrapers crowding the Marina Bay area, you cannot deny that Singapore's skyline is one of the most distinctive in the world. 

There is a wealth of stunning birds-eye-view of our city atop those impressive architectural achievements. The waterfront is undoubtedly one of the best spots to take in the magnificent sights around the Bay. 
Marina Bay Area 

The Bay made perfect for walking is served by a comprehensive pedestrian network of walkways, bridges and sideways. You can move around Marina Bay to this historic landmark - The Clifford Pier that has been transformed into The Clifford Pier restaurant. 
The Clifford Pier (Fullerton Bay Hotel)

This spectacular restaurant The Clifford Pier acts as a glamorous photo backdrop with its stunning interiors of the dining space, and the dramatic architectures of the original pier, you will be drawn to take photographs good time.
HERITAGE AND CULTURE (MUSEUMS)
Elegance, colonial, rich heritage, treasures among treasures, the National Museum stands out as the gem in the crown of Singapore's museums. What is most distinctive about the National Museum is quite defined by its strong and beautiful architecture.
The National Museum of Singapore

The National Museum provides a grand backdrop with its superior architectural design and its white body, which explains its popularity as one of the top spots for wedding photography. While I was taking pictures of my models, I spotted this wedding couple and took the simple act of joy to capture their beautiful moments in my camera. 

Do note that a nominal fee will be charged for bridal and commercial photography. 


ALLEYS AND LANES (CHARMING NEIGHBOURHOODS)
Charming neighbourhood like the Tiong Bahru Estate fits the bill as they are quirky, and if you are feeling adventurous enough to brave the sweltering heat, you can have fun exploring hidden alleys. 
There are just so many ways to expand your creativity. 
Tiong Bahru Estate


TRAINSPOTTING (RAILWAY TRACKS)
The railway track is an obvious choice for those interested in the rough and tumble type of photography. The iconic black truss bridge across the Bukit Timah Railway is a significant place to take your photographs. 

 The abandoned tracks and the rusted overarching structures provide a photogenic backdrop, if you decided to go the distance you will be able to see remains of the old railway station and the area surrounding that appears to be trapped in time.
Bukit Timah Railway

I may not be able to travel far to take in more beautiful sights that our tiny island has to offer. 

So if you are an avid photographer, it's time to practice your skills and introduce what else are visually exciting in Singapore.


Photography Credits
Models: Marilyn and Reina
Models Outfit: Proudly Sponsored by MCRUNWAY