Halia Asian Fusion Cuisine at Singapore Botanical Gardens

Halia at Singapore Botanical Gardens is a tiny Asian fusion restaurant set in the largest and most beautiful garden in Singapore. The gardens is a popular spot for an early morning jog, with crowds tapering off at midday when the tropical heat gets to many. This is about the best time to head down to Halia where you can hide away in the cool darkness of the restaurant, enjoying at the lush foliage that surrounds the restaurant.

The food at Halia is a mix of Asian fusion with some dishes infused with ginger. I am not very much a fan of ginger, so it was a good thing that there are still options for people like me. I like the apple salad and seafood broth, both were clean, healthy and hearty. I would personally give desserts a miss as it does not have any wow factor to add on unnecessary calories. Sipping a cup of tea and reading a book would be a pleasant way to pass time especially during a weekday when the crowds would be lesser. As the restaurant is a distance from the main road, be prepared to walk to the restaurant with cool clothing and proper shoes. Otherwise, cab from the nearest MRT which is at Orchard or Douby Ghaut. 

Halia 

Singapore Botanical Gardens

1 Cluny Road, Ginger Garden

Singapore 259569

Tel: 6476 6711

Reservations: http://thehalia.com/sbg/reservations/

Opening Hours

Mondays to Fridays: 12 noon to 9.30pm

Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays: 10.00am to 9.30pm

Brunch Specials: 10am to 4pm (weekends and public holidays)

Afternoon Tea: 3pm to 5pm (weekends and public holidays)

CONCETTO by saveur

I chose Concetto at The Cathay which came as a recommendation from a food blogger friend for my birthday celebration. I did not want my friends to feel the pinch of the dollar when they treated me, but rather, relax, enjoy and feast.

Concetto's design layout is urban industrial and raw, the kind of place that do not encourage you to sit and stay for long, rather to eat and go. Perhaps this explains the lack of coffee in the menu when I was there. Their concept is fusion restaurant food at street prices. The huge plus factor is that the food tastes as good as the price, it makes you want to order more dishes from the menu.

My two favorite dishes was the calamari salad (you don't really get good calamari in Singapore), and the risotto, though not my favorite food choice, when I sampled it, I was undoubtedly impressed and it won all other mains hands down. The deconstructed Tiramisu is a unique dessert and definitely worth a sample. Interesting how they can make a mess look like art!

Would I come back? A definite yes, if I want budget food but restaurant quality. Let's hope they do not change the prices or portion for a while.

CONCETTO by saveur
The Cathay
2 Handy Road #01-11
Singapore 229233
Daily: 12:00pm - 9.30pm daily (Last order 9.15pm)
Tel: 6735 1141
Email: enquiry@saveur.sg
MRT: Douby Gaut MRT

Tatsuya - fine Japanese restaurant with lunch bentos at a steal!

When a friend recommended having lunch at Tatsuya Japanese Restaurant at Goodwood Park, I was rather hesitant as I was under the impression that alar carte dining in a 5 star hotel would surely be rather pricey.

I was in for a surprise. Only during lunch Tatsuya would have bento lunch boxes and you can choose from a wide selection of sashimi boxes to fulfilled the craving for a fresh and a light meal of Japanese cuisine. I was also surprised that a bento lunch box is quite filling and certainly satisfying. That's the thing about Japanese cuisine that because is is light you don't have the dull, yucky feeling as opposed to a Chinese meal or Western food of steak and potatoes. In fact you know are probably eating the freshest of fish when you eat sashimi, else you will be down with food poisoning. I very much enjoyed the food presentation in Tatsuya lunch bento box that it was a while before I actually tucked in. I suppose that's why the Japanese are so slim and healthy because they take such great pride in their presentation and in preparing no less than the finest of cuisines.

Tatsuya Japanese Restaurant
Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Tel: 6887 4598
MRT: Orchard

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12:00 - 15:00, 18:30 - 23:00