Dinner at Seafood Paradise @ Marina Bay Sands

10 Bayfront Avenue, #02-03 Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018956

Tel: 6688 7051

Website: https://www.paradisegroup.com.sg/category/seafood-paradise

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParadiseGrp

December is the month of feasting, and as The Beau's and his niece's birthday both fall within the month, we had a family dinner at Seafood Paradise.

Since its humble beginnings in 2002, starting out as a modest seafood restaurant at Defu Lane, Seafood Paradise has since blossomed into a full-fledge Chinese fine-dining restaurant under the Paradise Group. As such, we had no doubt about their food quality, and were looking forward to our meal here. The interior was spacious, tastefully decorated, but service could be improved upon.

We started with a pot of Hot Chrysanthemum Tea - clear, light and comforting.

Foodwise, Bamboo Clams (SGD$13.90 per piece) was served first - fresh, springy, fleshy, aromatic with garlic flavour, sitting on a bed on enoki mushroom - utterly addictive.

Then Sea Bass with Brinjal (SGD$40.00 for medium), served in claypot and tossed with spring onion, chilli as well as bamboo shoots. The stir-fried pieces of fish was laced with natural sweetness, nearly crispy around the edges, and very easy on the palate.

Kai Lan stir-fried with garlic dices made for a good balance among the meaty meal, our source of vitamins and fibre.

The Honey-Glazed Pork Ribs (SGD$6.80 per piece) was like a giant lollipop, with tender meat that fell off the rack easily. Crispy on the exterior and glazed beautifully with honey, this was another dish that we found immensely satisfying.

Next, Seafood Fried Rice - well greased but not oily, tossed with good portions of shrimps and scallop cubes. While this dish was rather well-executed, it lacked the "wok-hei" (aka "wok's breath") that we look for in good fried rice dishes.

Finally, the highlights that we came for - Sri Lankan Crabs. We started with their signature Creamy Butter Crab (SGD$80.00) comprising evaporated milk, white pepper, butter, sugar, curry leaves, chilli and lemongrass, exuding a myriad of exotic fragrance through the smooth creaminess of the broth.

Black Pepper Crab (SGD$80.00) was pleasing as well, bold in its spicy notes; the coarse ground grains created a lovely texture that the teeth enjoyed biting on as well.

Overall, we enjoyed our dining experience at Seafood Paradise as well as the variety of dishes - there were still many things that enticed us but we did not order as it would be too much for us. We look forward to returning for another feast someday soon.

Traditional Klang Claypot Bak Kut Teh @ Rail Mall

444 Upper Bukit Timah Road, The Rail Mall, Singapore 678066

Tel: 6465 8688

Website: None supplied

We decided to explore Rail Mall for a simple dinner, and chanced upon Traditional Klang Claypot Bak Kut Teh restaurant, by the E.A.T. group.

Being a cool rainy day, the idea of piping hot soup appealed to us. Furthermore, the restaurant serves dry bak kut teh as well, a favorite of mine. Part of me was also hoping it might be the resurrection of my favorite herbal Klang BKT stall along Beach Road (defunct now).

Anyway, The Beau ordered for the 2 of us in the air-conditioned restaurant. Ordering is done at the counter by the way.

We had some simple side dishes such as You Mai Vegetables with garlic (SGD$3.80), Doughstick aka You Tiao (SGD$1.60) and my favorite Braised Egg (SGD$0.80).

Bak Kut Teh (SGD$6.60) was served very shortly after ordering; portion was notably small. The soup version comprised pork ribs, inards and beancurd skin (tau kee). We dug into the steaming soup eagerly only to watch each other's face fall. The soup was bland, totally devoid of any taste at all, let alone herbal aroma.

My Dry Bak Kut Teh (SGD$6.80) arrived next, the serving so paltry they might as well have served it on a plate. The saving grace was that the meat was tender, and there were lady's fingers in the tasty mixture tinged with spiciness.

Good service would be wistful thinking at this place, sadly, such that even refill of (tasteless) soup warranted repeated requests and half a mug-ful only. Needless to say, we both concurred that there are better avenues to satiate future BKT cravings.


For Reviews on Other Bak Kut Teh stalls visited:-

1) Founder Bak Kut Teh @ Balestier
2) Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh @ Rangoon Road
3) Heng Heng Bak Kut Teh @ Rangoon Road
4) Lian Peng Bak Kut Teh @ IMM
5) Song Fa Bak Kut Teh @ Chinatown Point

Review on Yacht Charter with Ximula Sail

11 Cove Drive, ONE°15 Marina Club, Sentosa Cove, Singapore 098497

Tel: 8716 1519

Website: http://www.ximulasail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ximulasail

Friends of mine know that I have always loved water bodies and vessels, strangely addiction for someone who has Hydrophobia and panics whenever her head goes underwater. Chuckles. That aside, being onboard yachts, cruises, ferries, and ships always delight me - with the elements of the sand, sun and sea as enticing prospects.

I was happy to be part of the group chartering Ximula Sail for a day of fun out at sea, letting the breeze kiss my skin all over.  The yacht can hold up to 18 persons and is docked at One° 15 Marina Club, Sentosa - home to many beautiful yachts. Service by director Min Qi was fantastic as well - friendly, personable, and always keeping a lookout for the safety of her passengers.

Introduction of the yacht was made to us - galley, bedrooms and whatever's exterior. We started sailing around 4.30pm, but before that were prepped with Calming Ginger Pills if we needed, to prevent seasick-ness.  I had no need for those, thankfully. Food may be catered for consumption onboard the yacht, and packing list (caps, ponchos, towels, swimsuit, etc) was disseminated to us before we set sail.

The yacht sailed to Lazarus Island where we could kayak and swim. The waters were clear and surroundings were tranquil, the perfect getaway from city life's immense stress. We stayed there for about 2 hours before the yacht turned back toward Sentosa. I got to steer the wheel, with detailed advice and guidance from their friendly captains.

All in all, the sailing experience was amazing and I would love to do this a lot more often. Thank you for the opportunity to enjoy this fun and beautiful trip out at sea! Charters are reasonably-priced, starting from SGD$1,200 so do contact Ximula Sail today for your corporate / personal events!

Photo credits:  Meng Lee @ Lifeview Photography and Alvin D. S.


Other Cruising Experiences:
1)  Star Cruise to Kuala Lumpur (review here)
2) V Spirit Cruise at Halong Bay @ Hanoi, Vietnam (review here)

[Poem] Forgive Me

Forgive me, 

I never meant to 

Take the game, 

Two 

Steps ahead; 

Take the lead, 

Sharpen the knife, 

For your use. 

Forgive me, 

I never meant to 

Dance 

Tonight, dance to 

Music of the cold 

Wind, 

Underneath starlit 

Skies so silent. 

Forgive me, 

I never meant to 

Fall, 

Right into 

Your lure, 

At all. 

Lipstick stains, 

Wine glass pieces. 

Forgive me, 

I never meant to 

Dream 

A dream to sizzle; 

Throbbing flesh, 

Bare, 

Moans in hush, 

You came.

Copyright © Winepoetess 2017

Maneuvering Malaysia - Going Genting [Revisit]

69000 Pahang Darul, Genting Highlands, Mamur, Malaysia

Tel: (+603) 6101 1110

Website: http://www.gentinghighlands.info and https://www.rwgenting.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ResortsWorldGenting

The last time we went up to Resorts World Genting (review here) was probably around 10 years back - wow, time flies! Some of the old attractions such as Ridley's Museum, theme parks and Cradle Rock have made way for the new development, a new theme park that promises to be massive, and exciting. We revisited, and here's an update on what to do at Genting in the meantime.

ACCOMMODATION

We tried to book other hotels (I am not a fan of First World Hotel) but that November, all the hotels up on Genting Highlands were fully booked, leaving only those at mid-mountain available.

FIRST WORLD HOTEL
Genting Highlands, 69000 Malaysia
Tel: +60 32718 1118
Website: https://www.rwgenting.com/hotel/firstworld-hotel

We had no choice but to stick with First World Hotel - but were pleased to stay at the newly extended wing with nicer facilities, wifi in room and a fridge! Room per night was around SGD$80.00. Room service was quite efficient and checking out was very easy - simply drop the hotel cards into machines on lobby level and thats it.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Although the theme parks are not ready yet, rest assured that there is plenty to do up here at Genting Highlands for a relaxing vacation - whether you like shopping, KTV, movies or other indulgences. Also do catch their spectacular light show performances at timed
intervals.

SHOPPING
Resorts World Genting has 4 storeys of retail boutiques, with familiar brands such as Sephora, Adidas, Esprit, H&M, Clarks, etc, and some of their local brands. So feel free to shop till you drop whilst here.

CASINOS
Well. yes, cannot miss that one out for sure. Whether you are looking for dice games, card games or just jackpot machines, the newly renovated 2-storey casino has more than enough slots for you to try your hand (and luck) at the various games, as long as you remember to bring $$$.

FOOT MASSAGE / HAIR CUT
There are foot massage spas and several hair salons located among the shops so if you are not a fan of shopping or casino, do drop by to pamper yourself with a soothing foot massage or hair styling session. After all, you are on vacation!

THEATERS
There are also concert performances and movie theatres available for those who prefer visual delights, enjoying concerts, plays and your favourite flicks in cool, air-conditioned comfort.

CHIN SWEE CAVE TEMPLE
For the more religious-inclined, or those with love for culture, drive a little downhill to the Chin Swee Cave Temple, erected in honour of Buddhist monk Chin Swee who has also been referred to as deity. Indulge in the beauty of the scenic views, magnificent Pagoda and Fairies Bridge, etc.

RESTAURANTS

Unlike last time, there is no lack of food up here at Resorts World Genting, be it local Malaysian delights, casual cafes or stylish European fare - they have it all covered.  We started eating from the foot of the mountain, all the way to Kulai on the way back - so I shall cover all restaurants here.

BURGER AND LOBSTER
Resorts World Genting, Sky Avenue Level 1, Genting Highlands 69000, Malaysia
Tel: +60 36105 9186
Website: https://www.burgerandlobster.com/en/location/genting-highlands

I had been recommended to try this restaurant out, and during lunch and dinner time, there was always a long queue. Lobster Rolls are their specialty, and one could choose original or spicy flavour - I picked the spicy one with a glass of White Wine, enjoying the good service and tranquil ambience immensely. Be prepared to spend around SGD$50.00 per person here.

DRAGON-I PEKING DUCK RESTAURANT
Genting Highlands Resort, Level T2 Sky Avenue Lots T2-22 & 23, 69000 Pahang, Malaysia
Tel: +603 6101 3880
Website: https://www.dragon-i.com.my

This Shanghai restaurant is very popular at Resorts World Genting too, always garnering a long queue - but its easy to see why. With the lavish decor and attentive service, as well as delectable, quality Chinese dishes, people don't mind spending a little time and money to dine well on vacation. We enjoyed their Peking Duck, steamed fish, eggplant etc.

AH YAT ABALONE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Genting Highlands Resort, Level T2A Sky Avenue Lot F/L2A, 23, 69000 Pahang, Malaysia
Tel:
Website: https://www.rwgenting.com/en/fb/others/ahyat.htm

Prominent brand in Singapore and the region, it wasnt surprising that we also tried Ah Yat Seafood and Abalone set meal here - quality superior items in comfortable settings.

CHIN SWEE VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT
Chin Swee Caves Temple, Genting Highlands 69000, Pahang, Malaysia
Tel: +603 6101 1613
Website: http://www.chinswee-vegetarianrestaurant.com

Located at the serene Chin Swee Caves Temple, this spacious vegetarian restaurant serves up pretty tasty vegetarian dishes for those who do not mind going meat-less. The servers here also take good care of the aesthetics arrangement of the dishes.

MALAYSIAN FOOD STREET
Genting Highlands Level 4 Sky Avenue, 69000 Bentong, Malaysia
Website: https://www.rwgenting.com/dining/cuisines/local-favourites/MFS

A spacious food court style dining arena adorned with vintage Malaysian decorations such as trishaw, etc. There are many stalls serving up local delights such as Hokkien Mee, Sarawak Kolo Mee, Dim Sum, Curry Laksa, Wanton Mee, Bak Kut Teh etc.

OLD TOWN WHITE COFFEE CAFE
B-5 Taxi Stand Resort Hotel, Genting Highlands 69000, Bentong, Malaysia
Tel: +603 6101 2713
Website: http://www.oldtown.com.my

Definitely no stranger to this cafe in both Singapore and Malaysia, we decided to enjoy some hot beverages here while going up at night to enjoy the chilly air and blasts of cloud passing through our bodies, generating blissful coolness. We had Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate, Hot Honey Lemon, Chicken Nuggets and Fries for supper.

LOONG KEE RESTAURANT
35-37 Jalan Jati 1, 69000 Gohtong Jaya, Genting Highland, Pahang, Malaysia
Tel: +603 6100 1149
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pg/gohtongjayaloongkee

A friendly, family-style Cantonese restaurant serving up delicious dishes, and where we enjoyed steamed fish, clams soup, beer, tofu, eggplant dishes, a hearty meal at the foot of Genting Highlands before continuing the journey uphill.

MEEI SHIH RESTAURANT
69 Jalan Angerrik 3, Taman Kulai Utama, 81000 Kulai, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +6012 721 2196
Website: None

Enroute home from Genting Highlands, we stopped by this restaurant at Kulai area (Johor) serving up fresh and live seafood. We had Steamed Fish, Black Pepper Crabs, Salted Egg Crabs, etc.

AZUMA JAPANESE RESTAURANT
35C Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Tel: +6073 005038
Website: http://www.edoichigroup.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AzumaJapaneseRestaurant

Under the Edoichi (Right Potential) Group, Azuma Japanese Restaurant has several locations around Malaysia itself, serving up pretty fresh and delectable sushi, sashimi and other Japanese dishes at reasonable rates.

LUCKY KING  BUN (好运面包王)
28, 29 Jalan MPK6, Medan Perdagangan Kepayang, Lebuhraya Seremban, Bukit Nenas, 70200 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Tel: +60 6631 1755
Website: http://www.luckykingbun.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LUCKYKINGBUN

Great combination of big buns and curry chicken in thick gravy and chunky potatoes; definitely delicious and hearty!

LAU YOU JI (老友记) RESTAURANT
No. 38 Jalan Loke Yew, Bentong Town, Pahang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 16443 3129
Website: https://www.facebook.com/laoyoukeekopitiam

We wanted to eat at the famous seafood restaurant opposite but it was closed, so we  dropped by here for Laksa and Wanton Noodles (tried the original version and the curry version) but food and service were both mediocre, unfortunately.