Swensen's SG50 menu (Jan-Mar 2015)

Was invited to food tasting at Swensen's for their upcoming SG50 menu.

Not only that, we tried the special christmas menu available in December as well!

My favourite was the Velvety Christmas Cheer ($6.90) that is a rich blend of red velvet chocolate, milk and milo, crowned with fluffy whipped cream and marshmallows. The perfect drink to get warm and cosy in this festive season :)

Pop Goes the Caramel ($11.50)

This joyously delicious combination just got better! Generous scoops of Salted Caramel ice cream topped with crunchy caramel popcorn and drizzled with luxuriously smooth caramel, this is one magical treat you can't miss.

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As a local staple family restaurant, Swensen’s has grown and progressed alongside Singapore every step of the way for the past few decades. In conjunction with the momentous SG50 island-wide celebration, Swensen’s presents an inventive menu that pays homage to the nation’s signature flair of Singaporean flavors by reintroducing all-time favourite dishes infused with the essence of local specialties. 

For the whole year of 2015, diners can expect an intriguing dish every month at Swensen’s as part of an ongoing joyous celebration for the nation’s 50 year milestone. These limited edition offerings are bound to please your palettes with their rich, comforting flavors, all at a pocket-friendly price point. 

SG50 Menu: January 2015 – March 2015 

The three entrées will be launched successively in the first quarter of the year, and would satiate any appetite looking to devour savoury dishes with a spicy kick.

January 2015

Laksa Aglio Olio with King Prawns ($14.90)

A Swensen’s original back by popular demand! Putting a local twist on the classic Aglio Olio, this

indulgent creation features succulent king prawns poached in a flavorful Court-Bouillion and tossed in tantalizing Laksa pesto and fragrant Laksa leaves. 

The laksa flavour was pretty much undetectable, but the fragrance of the laksa leaves were definitely heavenly. However, if you're on a first date, do take note of the laksa leaves getting stuck between the teeth :p The Aglio Olio is surprisingly not spicy at all, hence we would recommend having a 'spicy' version for real aglio olio lovers :)

February 2015

Grilled Chicken with Spicy Satay Sauce ($14.90)

One of Singapore’s most enduring dishes with a Swensen’s makeover! This main course features

juicy chicken marinated with chef’s special blend of spices and grilled to tender perfection, accompanied with a delicious homemade satay gravy, which is DA-BOMB if you're craving for satay and don't wanna spend time queueing/waiting for those at food stalls that will eventually come chao-tar, like 90% of the time :/ I can't wait for February to come~!

Complementing the dish perfectly is a side of fragrant pineapple butter rice and refreshing mixed

salad, and crackers.

March 2015

Beef Rendang Baked Rice ($13.90)

Dig into tender beef slices wonderfully basted in delectable homemade spicy Rendang sauce, served

over a bed of aromatic savory rice. The dish is then baked to golden brown perfection with a layer of

delicious melted cheese, and crowned with crispy prawn crackers for that crunchy finish.

I personally find this main course a little too spicy for my taste buds, but wouldn't deny that it is the most flavourful out of the three dishes we sampled.

The SG50 Menu launches in Swensen’s restaurants island-wide from 1st January 2015, and will run till 31st December 2015. Each dish will only be there for a month, so do check them out while available!

Below are addresses of the Swensen's outlets :)

Ang Mo Kio Hub

53 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3

#B1-25/26

Bedok Mall

311 New Upper Changi Road

#01-77

Bukit Panjang Plaza

1 Jelebu Road

#03-04

Causeway Point

1 Woodlands Square

#02-08/09

Centrepoint

176 Orchard Road

#02-52/53/54

Compass Point

1 Sengkang Square

#B1-28/29

City Square Mall

180 Kitchener Road

#03-37/38

Clementi Mall

3155 Commonwealth Ave

West #05-31/32/33

E! Hub @ Downtown East

1 Pasir Ris Close #02-121/122

IMM

2 Jurong East Street 21

#01-111

ION Orchard

2 Orchard Turn

#B1-31

Junction 8

9 Bishan Place

#01-39

Jurong Point

63 Jurong West Central 3

#B1-64

Marina Square

6 Raffles Boulevard

#01-206/207

Nex Mall

23 Serangoon Central

#02-07/08

North Point

930 Yishun Avenue 2

#01-16/17

Parkway Parade

80 Marine Parade Road

#B1-33/34

Plaza Singapura

68 Orchard Road

#03-23

Tampines Mall

4 Tampines Central 5

#03-30

The Seletar Mall *NEW*

33 Sengkang Avenue

#02-11/12

Thomson Plaza

301 Upper Thompson Road

#03-23

West Mall

1 Bukit Batok Central Link

#02-05

24 hours Swensen's Outlet

Changi Airport Terminal 2

Mezzanine Level, Arrival Meeting Hall North

Southwest Tavern Singapore

Got to know of a cowboy theme restaurant located in the west side of Singapore at TradeHub 21, hugeee thanks to Vincent!

Southwest Tavern

8 Boon Lay Way #01-33 Tradehub 21

Singapore 609964

Tel: 6515 4303

Mon - Fri: 11:00 - 00:00

Sat - Sun: 15:00 - 00:00

PH: 17:00 - 00:00

TradeHub 21 has free parking for the first hour. Plus free parking on weekdays after 7, weekends and PH!

Nearest Bus Stop

Bus 52, 99, 105, 105B, 188 and NR5

Nearest MRT station

Jurong East MRT (NS1/EW24)

Take bus 105 for 7 stops

***

The restaurant-and-bar-in-one in a neighborhood location has its furnishings vastly influenced by the Texas ‘cowboy’ culture and effortlessly radiates a warm, casual and intimate atmosphere that would appeal to even the most discerning diner.

Despite the restaurant nestled amidst offices and the train tracks, it gives out the vibe of a sub-urban rustic, relaxing scene that invites bar goers to unwind absolutely at the bar with a refreshing smooth pint of beer or cocktail of their choice. Stocked with a staggering variety of beer, wine and other spirits, and classic cocktails, Southwest Tavern would confidently be able to cater to every taste.
 

 

We were there on a weekend evening and the crowd started streaming in around 7pm. Be sure to make reservations if you're visiting on a weekend night :)

 

 

Peach soda and lychee milkshake ice-blended.
 

Topped with a lychee, cute!
 

Southwest Tavern serves many authentic American tavern dishes and a variety of beers. Popular for their yummy steaks, interesting beer butt chickens and famous suicide wings, we had to try at least one of them on our first visit!

Hence we decided on the Meat Lover platter so that we can sample their steak plus two other meat dishes :p

Meat Lover $68

Australia Marbled Sirloin, Lamb Shank and Pork Ribs

(We requested for the lamb shank to be changed to grilled Norwegian Salmon instead)

 

This platter is good to be shared with two or more people. The sirloin steak was indeed marbled well and evenly, as pictured in the menu. We requested for it to be done medium well, and the steak came slightly blackened with bits of crisp on the exterior but still quite pink and juicy inside. Importantly, it was done (medium-well) perfectly without much of the bloodiness yay! This red meat is so succulent that it is good to go even without the steak sauce.
 

With home-made mash potatoes where you can still bite into chunks of real, soft potatoes, and salad with such fresh, crunchy greens, the sides were no less amazing than the mains. Those sides were an joyful discovery for us, proving that the whole platter was done with so much love and effort right down to the details.
 

I’d mentioned in other post that I’m not exactly a fan of pork. However, the pork ribs served at Southwest Tavern is so tender and mouth-watering that I finished most of the dish on my own!
 

 

Mocktail (tequila sunrise) as an after-drink.
 

Specially-created chilli for their famous suicide wings!
 

On a whole, Southwest Tavern recreates an unforgettable experience with value-for-money beers and authentic American Tavern dishes. It is a great hangout venue in alfresco setting, especially for those staying or working near the West.

I can’t wait to visit again for the beer-butt chicken with a larger group of friends!

***

A note on their upcoming event:
 

Oktoberfest @ Southwest tavern

04/10/2014 from 7.00pm - 10.00pm

By reservation only! Call 65154303 to book now :)

Quote: "I got the info from Facebook" so Southwest Tavern can bring you more deals through Facebook.

S$50.00++ per pax

Free flow, draught beer

Erdinger and Heineken

Buffet style

- potato gratin / potato wedges with demi glaze brown sauce

- garden salad with lemon vinaigrette

- pork knuckle

- pork roulade

- german pork bratwurst

- chicken bratwurst

- veal bratwurst

- bbq pork ribs

https://www.facebook.com/swtavern

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Swensen's U.S. Southern Barbecue Menu from 1st September 2014 to 31st October 2014.

SWENSEN’S TURNS UP THE HEAT WITH U.S. SOUTHERN BARBECUE FAVORITES

Savor five new tantalizing seasonal additions with a Cajun twist that are big on flavors.

This season, Swensen’s flames up its grill and dishes up a menu inspired by the bold flavor palates unique to the Southern USA. Barbecuing is an all-American cooking technique that 

has resounding popularity today, with its roots firmly entrenched in good, ‘ol Southern comfort. So lasso up, and take heart in traditional country favourites cooked over hot, seasoned grills and slathered with rich, creamy sauces that deliver bangs of flavor.

Serving up rustic, wholesome dishes fit for any cowboy, Swensen’s pays its homage to Southern fare with tantalizing entrees like Swensen’s Cajun Chicken with Creamy Ranch Sauce, Grilled Snapper with Seafood Creole Sauce, Jalapeno BBQ Burger and a spicy appetizer in the novel Firecracker Soft Shell Prawns. For the complete Southern experience, finish up your meal with the zesty Key Lime Soda as inspired by the classic, American Key Lime Pie. 

Saddle up and dig in, as the limited edition menu is available only from 1st September 2014 to 31st October 2014.

Firecracker Soft Shell Prawns ($8.90)

These lightly battered morsels are coated with a unique blend of spices. Pop one of these for a 

party in your mouth! Served together with Swensen’s signature U.S. Fries and fresh veggie sticks with pineapple BBQ and Tartar sauce dips on the side.

Swensen’s Cajun Chicken with Creamy Ranch Sauce ($15.90)

A half chicken slow cooked with cajun herbs and spices, perfectly balanced by homemade creamy ranch sauce. Accompanied with mixed wild rice, mesclun salad and BBQ beans. Definitely a serving generous enough for the hungry cowboy!

Grilled Snapper with Seafood Creole Sauce ($17.90)

Using the finest and freshest ingredients, Swensen’s brings you this specially caught 

saltwater snapper on a platter! Tenderly grilled and generously drizzled with chef’s own special creamy creole sauce, it comes with buttered vegetables and mixed wild rice to complete the meal.

Jalapeno BBQ Burger ($16.90)

It’s getting hot in here! This Southern burger is stacked high with a juicy beef patty, flavorful jalapeno chunks and onion rings to serve up an excellent gourmet burger experience. Served with steak cut fries lightly seasoned in cajun spices and mesclun salad.

Key Lime Soda ($5.80)

Swensen’s version of the classic American Key Lime pie, made into a drink! Creamy, zesty, sharp, sweet and delicious. Take a sip, close your eyes and be transported to the Florida Keys…

Feeling thirsty now? Order up any U.S. BBQ main course with the Firecracker Soft Shell Prawns and enjoy the refreshing Key Lime Soda at a discounted price of $2! 

To cool down, we had our special ice cream creation from the ice cream buffet bar that's only available at Swensen's Ion Orchard outlet :)

This limited time only (U.S. Southern Barbecue) menu will be available at all Swensen’s outlets from 1st September 2014 to 31st October 2014.

Give them a try while you can! :)

Taipei Day 2 - National Palace Museum; Soka Center; Jay Chou Deja Vu Restaurant

Started off day 2 with the Taiwan National Palace Museum and Taiwan Soka Association headquarters building, Zhi Shan Culture Center.


Taiwan National Palace Museum

Take the MRT Danshui Line (red line) to the Shilin Station and change to bus R30 to the National Palace Museum. Other routes that will take you to and near the Museum plaza are buses 255, 304, 815, Minibus 18 and Minibus 19.

We took bus 255 because we wanted to visit the Taiwan Soka Association headquarters building nearby at the same time.

Bus 255 stops right outside Zhi Shan Cultural Center (opposite National Palace Museum), super convenient!

How the bus looks like:




Taiwan Soka Association (TSA)
TSA Zhi Shan Culture Center

No. 250, Zhi Shan Road, Section 2
Shihlin District, Taipei,
Taiwan 111

Tel: 
886-2-2888-1777

Fax: 
886-2-2888-1788





There was an calligraphy & painting exhibition by Lee Yih-Hong 李義弘 when we visited the cultural center.



Here's him:


You may refer to his works and bibliography here.

In the exhibition hall above, there was a collaboration project by the national palace museum and various museums of the world showing the history and evolution of arts, and raising awareness on the museums in the world.





Looking through a summary of the evolution of paintings.
As we walked 'through' the timeline, we can see that paintings get more colourful and at the same time, more complex. It's probably in-line with how the world has developed overall over the centuries.



Arts reference books for you to delve deeper.





Us in a photo in a photo :)



The TSA office which is a few steps away from Zhi Shan Cultural Center.
We went to make zaimu and bought souvenirs back for Singapore members & friends :)







Moving on, we crossed the road to the National Palace Museum!

National Palace Museum

No.221, Sec. 2, Zhishan Rd., Shilin Dist.
Taipei City 11143, Taiwan (R.O.C.) .

Opening hours:
Daily from 08:30 to 18:30 all year round.

Admission ticket price:
TWD250 per person
TWD150 for students with valid international student ID or Youth Travel Card

For more details on hours & ticket prices, click HERE.

Do note that photography is not allowed in the palace museum.
All photography equipments, coats and luggages will be requested to be deposited at the checkroom.

Familiar group? Haven't seen them in Singapore for quite some time.



A cute kitty store we passed by.
Full of kitty merchandises!





By the time we ended our tours at the soka center/national palace museum, it was way past noon!
Thus we decided to go for high tea at Jay Chou's Deja Vu Restaurant.


Jay Chou's Deja Vu Restaurant

No.1, Sec. 1, Bade Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei city 100
台北市八德路一段一號  華山1914文創園區  中四A館 

Phone:
02-2396-8296

Hours:
12 pm- 12 am

Website:
www.deja-vu.com.tw

Email:
service@deja-vu.com.tw

Nearest station: 
Zhongxiao Xinsheng station 忠孝新生站

The restaurant is hidden within Hua Shan Creative Park (文創園區). Take the Blue Line towards Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center and alight at Zhongxiao Xinsheng station. It's merely 2-3 stops away from Ximending/Taipei Main station area.
From Zhongxiao Xinsheng station, take a 10-15mins stroll towards Hua Shan Creative Park and you'll find Deja Vu Restaurant quite easily once you walk into the park.

The fine dining restaurant is a joint venture between 2 Taiwan celebrities Jay Chou 周杰伦 and Liu Qian 刘谦 and thus, ta-dah! You get a magic-theme restaurant.
Besides various items and props used by Liu Qian in his magic previously, Jay Chou fans will scream at the antique piano and the Batmobile which was featured in his 'Superman Can't Fly' and 'Super Sports Goddess' MVs.
I love the feel of this restaurant totally!

We had fresh orange juice (TWD160) and coffee latte (TWD80).

The tea sets are available at TWD580+ per tray, each tray serves two persons.
There was a selection of sweet and savoury treats respectively on the first and second tier, and fresh fruit platter on the bottom tier of the tray.

The tiramisu and cheesecakes were pretty good!
I had two servings of the cheesecake without feeling jerlat afterwards :)

Next up would be Wufenpu and Raohe Night market!

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Taipei Day 1 - Kuo Kuang Express Bus & InHouse Hotel

Taipei Day 1 - Ding Tai Fung, Taipei 101, Ximending & Modern Toilet

Taipei Day 2 - National Palace Museum, Taiwan Soka Center, Jay Chou Deja Vu Restaurant

Taipei Day 2 - Wufenpu & Raohe Night Market