Category: MediaInvite

Arts Festival Village- Media Invite

Daddy went for Arts Festival preview last Wed. Preview sounds wierd, since Arts Festival will end very soon on 02Jun. More details are available at Arts Festival homepage.

If you have been strolling along Esplanade Park, you must have caught sight of all the activities every evening. The whole park has been transformed. Click on link, in case you are curious about TEN things to know about Arts Festival.

The media group gathered at the Bridge Cafe. Our briefing will be conducted on the roof, supposedly the best spot to capture all the activities in and around Festival Village.

Kee Hong (GM for Arts Fest) told us about the various activities planned during this period. Daddy wonder whether Arts people will always sport funny hairdo or jewellery, as in making a statement 🙂

We were brought to see a wrestling match !! No WWE, no Hulk Hogan, but we got Merlion versus 12 other contestants! We suspect Merlion could be one of Singapore’s pioneer politician.

From another angle, you might mistaken stage as getai (seventh month). Conincidentally, Merlion’s contestant was Getai. A lady who knew how to dance, but could not fight… KO !

If you have young kids, do drop by Kids Arts Village. Managed by kids, performers are kids too, to make the adults laugh hilariously, and to secure your own child’s attention. There are spooky story telling for the adventurous 🙂

This bunch just need to stay still and act cute. All the adults were giggling, gushing at the awesome cuteness !

We spotted a pair of centaurs march across a short pontoon bridge, and took up center stage right in the center of Singapore River. (Centaur is the mystical half horse half man). Daddy thought he might be Merlion’s (the real one spewing water) distant cousin.

Flux centaur

Cafe project – do not expect to eat here, you are supposed to drink and the uncle waiters will dance their ensemble every 20 min. You will hear “We are the champion and “D Tanjong Katong” !

This cafe is ideal for you to chill down with a glass of drink, and be entertained. Daddy believe this was the most happening cafe around Esplanade !

A short preview.. we recommend Cafe Bridge and Entangle to keep your kids entertained.

Boon Yee and Boon Xin checking out this weekend’s event. It seems like Tangle will be popular with our kids (who do not like Spiderman?)

“Tangle” photos and timing can be found here — > http://www.singaporeartsfest.com/event/tangle/

Daddy will recommend that you pop by David’s account of Arts Festival preview –>
http://5stonesphoto.com/blog/2012/05/17/singapore-arts-festival-2012-a-sneak-preview/

Daddy is also a penpal with Young@Heart. View our community-outreach photos :
– More Festival Village photos
– Siglap CC RSVP vs Young@HEart
– Rehearsal at SOTA

Claire is Daddy’s penpal, and we will share more about Young@Heart performances in the next post.

If you love our blog, we would like to encourage you to vote for us.
Sengkang Babies is in the Top Ten for Best-Family category.
Read the details and instructions here –> https://sengkangbabies.com/campaign/sengkangbabies-is-a-finalist-in-singapore-blog-awards-2012

Halia’s 4 course set Dinner for Mummy dearest

[sponsored review]

Last week, Daddy was invited to a food tasting session at Halia (Botanic Gardens).
Halia is Malay for ginger (teh-Halia got it?), and that could explain why our cuisines and even mocktail always carry a tinge of ginger.

We start with a refreshing Halia Jive. This is Halia’ signature mocktail.
Ice blended fresh ginger, fruit punch, orange, honey ($12)

Halia is surrounded by lush greenery, offering secluded intimacy to it’s diners.
(photo credit to Halia)

In the evening, Halia is lighted by natural lighting and candles, it will be an experience to go alfresco with friends or family. We definitely love Halia’s landscaping setup, very condusive for chit chats, over sumptuous fine dining !

This Mother’s day weekend from 11-13 May, Halia has something in store to pamper our Mummies. A special four course dinner awaits her.

Halia’s 4-course Mother’s Day set dinner is priced at $140++ per person with the beef main course, and $150++ per person with the seabass main course. This menu is also available as ala carte instead of a set.

Home made bread, so appetizing! This humble bread set expectations high among the parents.

#01 – Starter – Capsicum veloute with pan-seared lobster and truffle oil

The Capsicum veloute is actually made from bell peppers, but Daddy thought the lobster broth is mildly sweet but thick with lobster essence. Daddy is tempted to use his bread as dip.

#02 – Entrée – Tian of crab in garlic aioli, egg white, beetroot petal and chive with mille feuille of buttered brioche and passionfruit puree

Crab is filled with different sauces, it oozes different textures in our mouths. Delicious.

Look at Halia’s professional photos. Our dining experience is greatly enhanced by artistic decorations and layout.

(photo credit to Halia)

#03 – Main Course – Char-grilled Rangers Valley beef tenderloin with puree of butternut squash, cranberry beef jus, soft herb salad in green lime vinaigrette and edible flowers (photo credit to Halia)

Or Pan-fried line-caught sea bass fillet with yuzu orange reduction, siphon of truffle mash potato and lait de soja

Daddy chose the sea bass. It was crispy outside, sweet freshness inside ! We finished every morsel, leaving no scraps behind ! When fish is this good, you do not even need condiment to enhance the flavour.

The mash potato was too soft and spongy for Daddy, but if you love mousse, you will love chef’s potato creation.

#4 – Milk chocolate bar, orange caramel ice cream, blood orange gelee

Halia wrap up Mummy’s dinner with cool desserts. We order Milk chocolate bar, and it was heavenly to scoop up every drop of ice cream.

Another dessert would be Strawberry gazpacho, cocoa streusel, basil sorbet, black peppercorn snap.

In between our servings, we catch up on family stories and jokes.
We can watch the chefs at work through Halia’s open kitchen concept.

We got to sample Mother’s Day Weekend Brunch too. Available from 12 & 13 May, from 10am-4pm. Look at what Halia is offering to titillate our taste buds.

For oyster lovers, half dozen seasonal baked oysters for ($30)
They come in different flavourings, spicy, sweet, onion.

Parmesan and basil fregola, tempura of green asparagus and baby nasu, vine-ripened tomato and morel emulsion ($34)

This is actually a sort of pasta made from small beads.

Granny Smith apple salad, grape, yuzu walnut, raisin, parmesan & candied orange twist in honey mustard dressing ($20).

Poached eggs on brioche, dill hollandaise, roasted brown mushroom, spinach & tomato with crisp back bacon ($25).

Daddy can order this for breakfast everyday, love the crispy bacon with molten egg !

The ladies ordered ginger tea to end their evening. The warm beverage helps with digestion and was soothing. Daddy should know better than to order black coffee duh.

We would like to take this opportunity to thanks Halia and FoodNews’ Leroy for hosting us. Leroy’s rich food vocabulary and descriptives meant we parent-bloggers only need to concentrate on taking photos and enjoying ourselves. You need to know a bit of French to pronounce all the dishes, Bon appetit !

Do pop by for more foodies photos at our Fanpage.

If you are looking for a venue to make Mummy happy or an intimate corner with your spouse, try Halia at Botanic Gardens.

The Halia is located at 1 Cluny Road, Ginger Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore 259569. For reservations, please call 8444 1148 or email alicetang@halia.com.sg