The Bird Southern Table & Bar Opens at Marina Bay Sands

Award-winning Yardbird has finally opened its doors at Marina Bay Sands under the name The Bird Southern Table & Bar, offering authentic Southern U.S. cuisine and warm hospitality. Think hearty, comfort flavors that are rich and leaves you coming back for more. 

On the table of almost every group of customers is the signature Chicken "n" Watermelon "n"Waffles ($45) which spells everything that you see on the plate. Brined in a secret marinade for 27 hours according to a heritage family recipe before being deep fried in an air pressure fryer, the chicken is not shatteringly crunchy but has a light crispness that retains moistness beneath the skin. Even the most challenging breast meat section was well-executed. The chicken wings are already very flavorful on its own but the honey hot sauce is readily available for that extra kick (though less spicy than Tabasco). Just as important here are the tender Vermont sharp cheddar Cheese waffles that works as an outstanding pair with the bourbon syrup.

The Macaroni n Cheese ($14) is another popular favorite (especially amongst kids) that is made with five artisanal cheeses. Probably because I had this immediately after the chicken, the taste was comparatively lighter than usual Cheese dishes elsewhere. But that's not a bad thing. Just try to dig in while it's hot before the pasta starts to dry up.

For those looking for light appetizers and drinks, The Bird's extensive beverage program serves up high quality cocktails, whisky and bourbons from the signature Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade and to the regional-inspired The Japanese Pork Chop, Ong Bak and Pandan Mule. The drinks are truly refreshing and their restrained sweetness is what I like best about them. In fact, alcohol lovers or wine connoisseurs would delight to know that The Bird boasts one of the most impressive selections of bourbon and internationally sought-after spirits. The menu even offers special bourbons to pair with the fried chicken!

Diners can enjoy them alongside appetizers such as the creamy deviled eggs and Fried Green Tomato B.L.T, of which the latter is a less common combination of house smoked pork belly, pimento cheese, smoky tomato jam all stacked on a deep fried green tomato. With plenty of umami-packed ingredients all in one bite, this dish would make you go mamma Mia. For desserts, we tried the Cafe Creme Brulee and Banana Pudding which are truly keeping up with the spirit of authentic Southern US desserts. In other words, they are extra creamy, rich, dense and sweet. Honestly speaking, I'm not a fan of their desserts. However, for their other interesting sweets that are not categorized under desserts (e.g. 77 elvis pancakes - peanut bacon butter, bourbon maple syrup, banana compote, chocolate chips) give me a call and I'll be right back anytime.

B1-07, Galleria Level

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

Lunch
Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 4:00pm
Dinner
Daily: 4:00pm - 11:00pm
Drinks and Light Snacks
Daily: 11:00pm - 2:00am
Weekend Brunch
Sat/Sun: 10:00am-4pm

Click here for updates and menu

 

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Gaston Luga: Best Women's Backpack Recommendation

Not sure if you face the same problem. But I always have a difficulty finding the right size of backpack when I travel. Laptop, portable charger, DSLR camera, passport, handphones, water bottle...I often have to divide them two bags because my old backpack gets full very easily once I slot in my bulky camera. I have another bigger size mountain backpack but it makes me look as if I am going on an mountain hiking adventure even though I maybe just walking down the streets of Shinjuku.

But now with Gaston Luga, the problem is solved. It's big enough to store everything that I need (no more for the need of one shoulder bag and one laptop bag) and yet stylish at the same time. I adore the Scandinavian minimalistic design that allows me to carry it to everywhere without feeling like a school kid. I can bring it to posh locations like hotels and carry it as I trek through forests or mountain regions. 



Most importantly, it doesn't lack in functionality. For instance, on the back of my Classic Olive and Brown backpack is the unique Gaston Luga pocket for passport, travel documents or other important belongings that need to be kept safe yet easily accessible. I no longer have to dig my passport or travel pass that's probably squashed by my camera or water bottle.

Two-way metal zipper opens the main compartment, which contains an inner 13-15" laptop compartment and 2 smaller pockets for smaller belongings such as wallet or phone.

Like most backpacks, Gaston Luga's backpack comes with an outer zipper pocket to keep other small belongings that are often used and have to be easily accessible. But what makes it special is that the extra front leather straps are held by strong magnets, adding another layer of security when travelling on the road.

Good news for all dairyandcream readers! Enjoy FREE shipping + 20% off as tax rebate (from non-EU country) + 15% off with my code "dairyandcream" on the remaining price after tax rebate. That means a whopping discount of more than SGD100! Example of a classic bag will cost $216.92 after discount (original up to $319)

Shop for your ideal backpack at www.gastonluga.com now!

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Magie Du Chocolat マジドゥショコラ : So called "Magic" Chocolate Soufflés

Opened in Dec 2016 by chef-owner Matsumuro Wagomi, Magie Du Chocolat is the latest addition to the hot chocolate scene in Tokyo. It sells everything to do with chocolate and is said to support the direct trade movement of chocolates. An eco-friendly sustainable practice, that is.

But did I taste the magic here? Unfortunately not. The Uji Matcha Chocolat Souffle (¥480) was too sweet and tasted predominantly of white chocolate. Nonetheless, we loved the creamy texture when the cake melted in the mouth even though it looked rough when sliced apart. Never mind if it didn't possess any of the fluffy or airy characteristics of the common soufflés we know. This was rich and dense, with a biscuit base which had turned a little soggy.

Thankfully we decided to give a second chance by trying the Tanzania 75%. Indeed, this dark chocolate was a safer bet with its mellow bitterness. Skip the soft serve as it tastes as cheap as convenience store ice cream. Even if it is said to be made from chocolate Papua 35% and Tanzania 75%. To be honest, I'm cynical about the source of chocolates used here as I saw its supplier carrying boxes of XX chocolates, a common chocolate brand used in the industry, into the kitchen. Bean to bar? Really? Hmm....

myfoodsirens and I couldn't understand why there is a queue for this shop. Perhaps it's the magic of chocolate but we left disillusioned.

Magie Du Chocolat マジドゥショコラ
〒158-0083 東京都世田谷区奥沢６丁目３３−１４
10am-7pm (Closed on Tues)

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Atmosphere Bistro : New Menu, Better and More Delicious

When it comes to seaside dining experience, I tend to think of expensive and generic food that tends to play second fiddle to the ambience. But I am happily proven wrong during my recent visit to Atmosphere bistro which has revamped its menu to offer new Asian fusion dishes that more than pleases the eye.

The western-centric menu remains casual but the quality has definitely gone up notches since my last visit. Starting with the Garlic Butter Mussels ($14.80), the whole shell blue mussels were plump and fresh, with an aromatic garlic butter cream sauce that is perfect for mopping up with the crispy roti prata. Many dishes have become more instagram-worthy but thankfully they are not short of flavors. For instance, the Lava Cheese Burger ($24.80)  is something you might want to reward yourself with after sweating out at East Coast Park. Beneath the toasted Brioche Buns is an evil stack of deep fried Camembert Cheese that oozes while your knife cuts through to the beef patty.

Just like the Waffle Burger ($21.80), the beef patty here was slightly too mushy and thus my vote goes to the Mentaiko Pull Pork Burger ($24.80) as the moist pork is more easygoing on the palates and the bed of shredded carrots worked like a refreshing coleslaw that added pleasant acidity to the dish.

Fusion is no longer confusion here with the Mentaiko Waffle Pizza ($16.80) serving as another good example. The tender buttermilk waffle isn't those crispy types but that's not a bad thing at all. Together with the Pork Bratwurst Sausages, Mentaiko Mayo, pineapples, cheese and bonito flakes, this is a sweet-savory combination that resembled a Hawaiian Pizza but hundred times better than one. The Premium Seafood Rice Bowl ($24.80) is my another favorite dish that comes with plenty fresh seafood like scallops and cod fish atop of premium Japanese rice. The garlic butter sauce did not overpower the natural sweetness of the seafood and this serves as a good break from the monotony of western dishes.Considering the quality ingredients here, this is a value-for-money dish not to be missed. 

Desserts are given a serious makeover here and one should definitely not miss the Black Pearl ($16.80). Even though the idea of pouring hot sauce over chocolate sphere is nothing new, the chocolate is potent and the intense rum punches through the sweetness. I was teleported to cloud nine. The Matcha Lava Cake ($14.80) was too sweet while I preferred the Coconut Cheesy Toast ($14.80) to have more Gula Melaka to balance out the rich Mozarella Cheese. But overall with the major improvements in food, this bistro certainly offers more than just the "atmosphere" 

Monday to Thursday: 6pm to 12am

Friday and Eve of Public Holiday: 6pm to 1am

Saturday, Sunday, Public Holiday: 10.30am to 1am

* Closing time subjected to change for LIVE sport screenings

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Chocolatier Inamura Shozo : Hidden Chocolate Patisserie in Ueno Tokyo

Most patissiers would serve chocolate cakes but very few would open another outlet just dedicated only to chocolate. Imamura Shozo is one of those. Located in the quiet suburbs of Yanesen, Chocolatier Inamura Shozo is Chef Inamura's second boutique after his popular Patissier Imamura Shozo which debuted in 2000 in Ueno Sakuragi.

But the range isn't very wide. Only chocolate entremets and confectionaries like bons-bons or pound cakes. No plated desserts or ice cream. Even for the entremets, you can easily count them in less than ten fingers. And there's only 6-8 pieces for each type. Apparently, the range doesn't change frequently as well. 

Yet, I can say that the chocolate entremets are high flyers in the league of chocolate even though I only tried two items. The chocolate glaze was as smooth as mirror and the mousse glided around the tongue almost like an Olympian ice skater skiing in the ice rink. The Matcha Chocolate is probably the most matcha-ish chocolate entremet I've ever, ever have. There's a good balance of matcha and white chocolate, with the mellow bitterness emerging mainly from the matcha ganache. It was sweet but in the milky form that won't shut you off like some entremets which make you feel as if you are just eating sugar. 

Coincidentally, the Larme (涙のしずく) was another tea-based entremet of bergamot tea. I picked this because the tangy lemon cream provided a nice refresher which prevented me from feeling jaded with the chocolate. Both works were impeccable in achieving the right consistency of chocolate mousse that can be enjoyed at a cool temperature of 25-26 degrees. Even better than Jean Paul Hevin to me. But it could be more adventure in the textures. None of the entremets had a crunchy component and a macaron base is the furthest you can get besides the typical sponge-mousse-ganache combination.

Nevertheless, the CP value is high and I was very satisfied with the two I had (initially I even wanted to order three for myself). It's worth a detour if you are in the Yanesen district or maybe as breakfast before lunch at the coffee house. Just be prepared that the potency of the chocolate is likely to get you a little chocolate dizzy.

〒110-0002 東京都台東区上野桜木2-19-8

10am-7pm

Closed on Mondays and every Third Tues 

http://www.inamura.jp/

宇治の抹茶とホワイトチョコレートを合わせたムースとチョコレートのムースで層をつくり、土台のマカロンに抹茶のガナッシュとチョコのガナッシュの２種類をサンドいたしました。

ベルガモット風味の紅茶が香るチョコレートガナッシュ・チョコレートムース・レモンのクリーム・マカロンショコラが入っております。レモンクリームで爽やかさを表現しており

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