singapore x roomorama

How quickly time flies and down went my 9th class with Bloesem in Singapore last week! It has always been a pleasure working with the team and getting myself acquainted will all of my already-talented students, come young or old. 

The new bloesem studio is every photographer's dream canvas. I even had a commenter on Instagram noting on how nostalgic the exterior of the place is, and I couldn't agree more.

More often than not on my trips to Singapore, I will visit my relatives' somewhere around the north west part of the city and it will usually cost me half an hour to an hour to get to the main district. As I look for an alternative place to stay, Roomorama could not have come at a better timing. Roomorama, the largest platform for professionally-managed, vacation rentals worldwide, solved my indecisive nut of a brain by offering me a place to stay at one of their coolest properties.

Situated in a quiet neighbourhood just 15 minutes away from Singapore's shopping Orchard road district, the house I was offered to was an architectural feast for the eyes. The whole structure looked like a retreat somewhere off the beaten path.

It was truly an intimate and relaxing getaway given the vibes (tall, ample trees and greenery, a large swimming pool I wish I knew how to use and swim, a spacious living hall and communal kitchen area) ties the string of the entire house with austere simplicity. Not to mention, the room I was treated to screamed beautiful - all decked with white washed walls, high ceiling and tall windows, overlooking the swimming pool, punny artworks fashioned empty spaces, and a TV set I could use... finally I was able to watch Comedy Central without having to surf on an unauthorised website!

The stay perfectly represented my idea of a dream staycation.

Enjoy USD50 off your next booking with them when you key in 'trishates' at the checkout page. For more room listings, I highly recommend checking out www.roomorama.com.

T.

44 at apw pop-up bar, bangsar

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting this pop up bar to sample some, if not all, of their signature cocktails. Now, I am no expert in alcohol and truth to be told, I have always associated cocktails as a concoction of alcohol and fruits. I had to google what 'spirits' mean (the pop up bar aims to promote American craft spirits brought into SouthEast Asia by Singapore-based company, Liberty Spirits). Having just returned from Germany, where drinking seems to be a national favourite pastime, I owe it to them for introducing me to whiskey and coke which quickly became my go-to drink during my survival from social meltdowns in clubs and bars. I was so ready for this.

Here's a list of what I had (by the order of photos above):

Tasting Flight
Any three spirits and in predictable Trisha fashion, I chose three types of whiskey under the recommendation of the bartender of the night - Outlaw, Roundstone Rye, World's Best Moonshine

Rushmore Thyme
New Deal 33, thyme, lemon juice, egg white and lavender bitters

Weekly Special
Dragonfruit & some yummy stuff'

Darjeeling Jungle Bird
Ragged Mountain Rum, Campari, lime and pineapple juice

Budapest Old Fashioned
Lapseng Sauchong Cactotin Roundstone Rye, orange ginger  sugar and basement bitters

Cascara Bee Sting
7 Stars Moonshine, honey, lemon juice and Ceylon Cascara coffee cherry tea

Who knew with cocktails that bear names like Darjeeling Jungle Bird and Rushmore Thyme (which took the crown for best cocktail in my books) would get me tipsy by the end of the night! Do people even get drunk from drinking cocktails??  I'm a wuss.

On a side note, thought it was brilliant to print name/descriptive cards for each cocktail served on thick card that double serves as coasters too. Always had a soft spot for the company's choice of graphic designer.

Huge thanks to the team at FreeForm for coordinating my visit and enlightening me with the good stuff that is American craft spirits. You know what they say, 'once you go American, everything becomes different.'

Just made that up.

44 at APW

* All shots taken with an iPhone 5s because the author had conveniently left her memory card used for her DSLR in the office as she was making her way down to this event.

T.

coffee for days

Pinterest is such a beautiful and inspiring visual discovery tool. I have seen many pictures of coffee but it seems that there is a growing appreciation for a certain marbling effect a dose of milk does to black coffee. Thankfully it was the exam season at this time of discovery and so I decided to try for myself. The result, as taken with my iPhone above, was as true as it looks on Pinterest.

T.

fat spoon cookbook

About a couple of months ago, the lovely duo of the inimitable Fat Spoon invited me to the launching of their new cookbook. If there's anything I like to read, it's definitely cookbooks. I say this only because books are not always my thing. But, give me a book with photos of my most favourite thing on earth (food), you've got me.

The Fat Spoon Cookbook highlights a simple philosophy in their cooking where traditional food meets new techniques. From Medium-boiled Eggs with Asam Jawa Sauce to TORCHED SALMON RICE BOWL, they sure have a way of combining wonderfully uncommon ingredients into our everyday local favourites.

This cookbook is beautifully photographed and represents perfectly of what they serve at the cafe. Read what happened during the event on Joyce's blog and take a glimpse into what was served for lunch! :-)

For now, I've got my eyes on the Asian Salmon Tartare with Poppadom Chips and I can't wait to get into the kitchen and cook!

T.

iphone, lately - july

Catch me in action on instagram - www.instagram.com/trishates.

T.

chasing squares

Stoked to be a part of this!

#ChasingSquares is Malaysia's first curated mobile photography exhibition featuring 7 points of view about what we chase in life. Come support our local photography talents (and me!) starting this 18th February at D6, Sentul. Proceeds go to stART Society Malaysia.

Read our feature online on TheMalayMail website and,

Be there or be Square.

facebook, instagram

T.

cafes of kuala lumpur

Last week, I was contacted by Jayne Tan, an avid traveller and the lead community manager of Singapore-based, food-sharing application Burpple, to share my take on KL's 5 top cafes to visit. As a self-proclaimed cafe junkie, I immediately agreed to it because how hard can it be right? Obviously, I never give anything a good second thinking, like that one day when a stranger came up to me and asked for my number so I did just that... The point is, choosing had never been this hard but at the end of the day, you just have to make it work. So I did just that and all was well.

Enjoy!
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For A Hearty Breakfast: Antipodean Café

There is definitely a spell in this café cum brunch diner, that never fails to rack up long queues- even as it enters its third year. Antipodean reigns at the top with their exemplary meals, impeccable service, and complimentary wifi, drawing a full house of foodies clamoring for room daily. Quintessential orders of the Big Breakfast (with mushrooms), or the All-Day Breakfast (with red beans) is recommended. Proceed from there through the long menu written on the walls of the café. There is also Kopi Luwak, just in case.

*Take note that breakfast ends at 11am, with the exception of the All-day Breakfast!

20 Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar

For Straight-up, No-frills Coffee: Artisan Roast Coffee

As its name implies, Artisan Roast promotes the artisanship of producing high-quality coffee, and this is where the latest wave of coffee lovers are searching for the perfect fix. Baristas cringe at the mention of syrups or flavorings (also distinctively pointed out on their menu board), with the exception of a classic mocha that uses fineFrench Valrhona chocolate. You will find well-executed espresso drinks, alongside house coffees brewed in the likes of a Chemex. Don’t leave without trying their zesty lemon cake, and other selection of sweet treats too.

*Multiple locations around KL, however, it’s recommended to visit their latest outlet in Section 13 which provides a more spacious and picturesque coffee platform OR head over to TTDI for consistent cups of coffee.

4 Lorong Rahim Kajai 14, Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI)
19, Jalan 13/2, Section 13
2 Jalan Telawi Satu, Bangsar

For an Assuring Cup of Sublime Coffee: Top Brew Coffee Bar

Helmed by the winner of the 2012 Malaysia Barista Championship, JH Yee, Top Brew speaks for itself as the leading coffee bar, with its unpretentious, humble ambience that will surely make you feel right at home. Uncover the joy of spot-on, espresso-milk balance in the perfect temperature. This is where you want to be for a reliable, quality coffee experience.

Top Brew is a hidden gem of a cafe, nestled in the vicinity of the ever-swanky Mont Kiara. Take a cab and use Google Maps wisely.

Plaza Damas 3, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, Sri Hartamas

For The Most Important Meal Of The Day: The Red Beanbag

A gem of a café, The Red Beanbag’s reputation for friendly service is matched only by their scrumptious offering of delectable Australian-inspired food. Their coffee is hit-and-miss, but you can expect no less of an enjoyable espresso drink which will satisfy your inner coffee geek. Enter The Red Beanbag and enjoy a great cup alongside hearty, brunch delights that can’t be beat.

Lot A4-1-8, Solaris Dutamas, Jalan Dutamas 1

For An Unforgettable Dining Experience: Acme Bar & Coffee

This year-old café/ bar/restaurant is the bustle of Jalan Binjai, and its space is poised to explode. Acme marks a strong entry into the coffee industry’s look-and-feel, with its aesthetically pleasing interior. It remains till today, an alluring place to stop for a well-prepared cup of coffee and menu specials. Score!

The Troika, Jalan Binjai
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With a world-class product experience and a growing community of users, Burpple is a fun, easy place for people to share photos, opinions and experiences of food right from your fingertips and showcase them to the world.

Find out more on www.burpple.com/sg

yeast boulangerie

I have to admit, social media has gotten the better part of me. Should there be an Olympic Medal in checking your phone for new updates every 5 minutes or so, I would win hands down... and I ain't sorry.

While I was away from the blog-o-sphere of theweekendbrunch, I took the path most travelled and submitted to using Instagram as my sole food-sharing platform. The gastronomic adventure continues, but my old pad did not make the cut. It has been over four months now and I am still adjusting to this new cubbyhole... though, mostly in the kitchen.
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Amidst all the business, I managed to sneak and breathe out dust and stress steam, to inhale the scent of an operational boulangerie in the stylish suburbs of Bangsar.

Yeast Boulangerie, Bistro and Bar has a pretty long attribution for what is simply known as 'The place where everybody goes when Antipodean is full'. Looking back at my last visit, that was exactly how I stumbled Yeast.

Pictured below is my order of Oeuf Poché Bénédictins on Brioche Toast with Smoked Salmon, Béarnaise Sauce and Greens. In other words, I had a plate of poached eggs on French toast with smoked salmon, hollandaise-like sauce, vegetables and a bonus of French attitude. A requisite breakfast choice so much so that the table beside you probably beat you into ordering the same thing first.

As its name implies, Yeast Boulangerie serves an assorted line of fresh breads daily, a tantalizing fare of gourmet French cuisine as a Bistronomy and fine wine over at the Bar à Vin. But really, its probably their motive of serving simple French cuisine at an affordable rate that lures customers in. Besides Antipodean being full, of course.

Yeast Bistronomy, Bangsar

T.

// photos taken with iPhone 4's camera.