Review : Luxe Singapore

Finding "a hole in the wall restaurant" and chancing upon instragrammable cafes have been my fancy as of late.

My friends say that I value aesthetics more than quality and quite frankly, that is somewhat true at times but not most often. I adore quaint set ups, minimalist interiors injected with rustic vibe that any cafes or restaurants with this theme would surely lure me in.

I've been in a couple of boutique cafes in Singapore and one thing they have in common - pricey. That shouldn't be surprising considering SG is one of the most expensive countries as per Yahoo. Yes, they would all cause a dent in your wallet hence dining frequently is highly discouraged. But food is a basic necessity and not really considered a luxury isn't it? So let me take you to this cozy cafe which I found just a few blocks from my workplace.

When I was sourcing for a place to catch up, chill and just pass time, I'd pen down these 3 things to consider.

1. Location

2. Reviews on Food and Price

3. Ambiance

I decided to meet up with a friend to go over my laptop dilemma ( my entire photo library has decided to quit on me ) and I panicked at the very least realizing years of memories now down the drain. ( be sure to BACK UP your photos  - note to self ). Was going over a list of several cafes in Tanjong ( I was bit biased as I didn't want to wander off from the city ) and found Luxe Cafe which is located at Keong Saik Rd at the Working Capitol Bldg. It's a 10-min leisurely walk from Cantonment Center.

As I turned left at Keong Saik Rd, I immediately saw "Luxe" written on the white pillars of the Capitol Bldg. This Sydney based cafe is nothing short of spectacular. The door opens to a lounge with vibrant colored sofas adorned with a center table and candles. It looks so inviting that it could easily pass of a hotel lobby. I was greeted by the waiter and ushered me to my reserved seat. The photos from their website did justice to the minimalist interiors of the restaurant. It was  mix of sophistication, class and relaxed ambiance. Uncluttered and luxurious.

The menu is limited however they are very much willing to prepare the avocado toast even though it's  30 minutes past 7pm.  They're all friendly, warm and generous. I was looking for something light yet filling and within my price range. The Seared Salmon in Chilli Caramel Dressing (S$28) was my first bet. It was prepared with utmost gusto. A mix of flavors and textures which rolled perfectly on my tastebuds. I just wish the serving was a bit more considering the price.

My friend on the other hand ordered the Luxe Burger with Grass Fed Beef (S$28). He said it was good but forgettable. There's really nothing amazing or special with the taste.

To cap things off, we ordered the much hyped about dessert - Pandan Madeleines ( S$8 ). It was moist, soft and not too fluffy. But forget about the bread, the main show stealer was the "kaya". It was by far the best Kaya I ever had in my 4 years in Singapore. It tastes like vanilla with a hint of zest and a bit of pandan. It was oh so good!

Luxe exhibits an Aussie cafe vibe. The spaces are wide, clean and woody. We thought we're ready to head off when the waiter asked if we are keen to have a slice of cake. We're a bit reluctant but then he said it's from Sunday and they won't be selling it. It was Tuesday and who am I to say no to a FREE slice of delicious chocolate cake. Needless to say, I devoured it in a jiffy.

Luxe Sydney tops the list of the cafes I've been to in Singapore. The service is well executed and you can see the heart put into every dish. It's minimalistic interiors makes it the perfect place for a relaxed weekend brunch and after work drinks. It is well situated, smacked in the middle of Outram MRT and Tanjong Pagar making it a popular spot for yuppies so booking a reservation is highly advertised.

There are still a bit of things to improve on but overall, I'd give this cafe a 4-star rating for its overall ambiance, food and service. It's your ticket to experience that little piece of luxury right in CBD.

Xo,

Jhesy

Ngong Ping 360

Here's the last entry for our November getaway in Hong Kong. Since we're pressed for time, we decided to skip Ocean Park and head over to Lantau Island instead.  Lantau is the largest island in Hong Kong and apparently almost double the size of Hong Kong island itself. It is famous for its soaring mountains and lush valley. 

Ngong Ping 360  is must-see tourist destination in this island, located at the western part of Lantau Island is one of the highlights of our Hong Kong trip. Getting here was a breeze ( literally ) as it was windy inside the MTR.  From TST, alight at Tung Chung station and the cable car should be right adjacent to it.  We arrived at around 1030 am on a Tuesday morning. I had this slightly realistic expectation that it will not be crowded for 2 reasons. 1. It's a weekday 2. It's off peak.  But lo and behold, looks like everyone thought of the same thing and we walked into a long queue of people who were waiting their turn to buy the tickets. Yes, it wasn't even the queue to board the cable car. My fell face and heart sank. We're supposed to finish early and head back to TST for last minute shopping but I scrapped the idea as it would be close to impossible to make it back by 2:00pm. 

We bought the Crystal Cabin at $255HKD. Piece of advice should you want to visit to avoid long queues, purchase your tickets online. Advanced booking can be made up to 14 days prior to visits.

The 25-minute exhilarating cable car ride traversing to 5.7 km is not for those with a faint heart or fear of heights. But sure enough if you would dare to face your fears, I can assure it's worth every penny spent. The journey to Ngong Ping offers 360 degrees astonishing bird's view of South China Sea and lush greenery. 

As you step out of the cable car, you will be greeted by the culturally-themed village showcasing culture and spiritual integrity of Ngong Ping. 

Tian Tan Buddha or famously known as Big Buddha is 34 metres tall and weighs 250 tons. The right hand of the Buddha is held up as a “Fear-Not mudra” – a manifestation of the great vow to eliminate suffering from all sentient beings. The left hand is placed on the Buddha’s thigh with his palm facing out and fingers slightly pointing downwards. This is known as the “Wish-Granting mudra”, signifying the compassionate vow to grant happiness to all men. The Dharma cakra in the palm represents the everlasting turning of the Wheel of Dharma and the dissemination of the Dharma to every corner of the world.

A climb of 268 steps should take you to the Giant Buddha. I did this the first time I went but opted to wander around the area this time and explore the monasteries. And I couldn't be happier that I did. 

We spent the rest of the little time we've had roaming around the temples and taking photos of the area. For almost 3 hours spent queuing for the ticket alone, I'd say Lantau Island was well worth the experience. Be sure to include this touristy spot on your itinerary and spare an hour or two for shopping at the Citygate outlet. 

Xo,

Jhesy 

Travel Diary : Phuket

As I gaze into the lucite green waters while we're being anchored to the shores of Maya Bay, I can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. It was May 28th and 365 days ago, I was at the exact same place, slightly calloused, broken, alone but with a determined spirit to not accept defeat as I ventured Phuket by myself.

This time, I was with a group of friends, slightly whole, happier and a better version of myself.

There's something about Phuket that feels like home.  When I saw it for the first time last year, I felt a sense of belonging as if I was Thai in my past life. I wandered the streets with nothing but a heart for adventure and Thai phrases to come in handy. I embraced everything about Phuket, the busy streets of Bangla Road down to the solemn and free shores of Kata Beach. Everything seems ordinary to one's eye yet if felt as if I found a refuge, a place of solace in this foreign land.

It was everyone's first and I felt a sense of responsibility to have everything planned down to the smallest detail. To say that we are more than prepared is a bit of an understatement. Centara Kata was our home for 4 days. It was short walk to the beach but situated at the heart of Kata Island where everything you need is a stone away. We were the perfect tourists.  Itinerary planned and tours booked.

Our means of transportation towards Phi Phi Island, was a speed boat; enough to carry an approximate of 30 pax. It was a diverse group and we were joined with a group of friends from New Zealand. We sat at the edge of the boat, bracing the strong winds and scorching heat of the sun. There were a lot of singing and dancing in between stops ( and I couldn't be happier that they are my travel buddies for this trip)

The moment we set foot on the aqua waters of Maya Bay, I breathe deeply and hold in the salty air,  I close my eyes briefly.  As I get acquainted again and mesmerised by the beauty that surrounds me, my panoramic view was then clouded by a group of tourists who just arrived to explore the island. The beauty of Phuket was placed on the map after the 2000 movie " The Beach " which  put it as a top tourist destination in Asia. It is indeed a touristy place hence it would be best to cruise around the island early in the morning, this should bide you tranquility until 0900 o'clock.

If I could stay longer, I certainly would. Phuket and its serenity would always leave me with a sense of calm and peace.  Unlike most places or beach escapades I've been to where I have loads of mementos/souvenirs to remind me of its beauty and charm; Phuket specifically deviates from all of those. Indeed, I took a ton of stills needed to showcase a beach getaway; but the canvas of Phuket painted in my head along with the shared memories made with these wonderful people were more than a priceless keepsake.