Hotel Buffet at Oscar's: 55 Dishes for S$55 (Conrad Centennial Singapore)

There are so many celebratory feasts going on for National Day 2020 but Conrad Centennial Singapore is rolling out the red (and white) carpet this year with Oscar's 55 dishes for S$55. Check out the full menu here. 

Boutique Hotel SG Staycation: Hotel G #BurgersInBed

Hotel G Singapore (certified SG Clean) is introducing not one, but two irresistible staycation packages catering to every budget, ideal for those in need of a little break.

My family and I have stayed here before and loved every bit of it. See my previous review plus video of the place:

https://www.camemberu.com/2017/11/hotel-g-singapore-staycation-in-city.html

#BURGERSINBED

From only SG$120++ per room per night, enjoy #BURGERSINBED in a Queen-bedded Good Room (yes, it's upgradeable to King), with an ‘It Takes Two’ meal box, straight from 25 Degrees Burger, Wine & Liquor Bar located on the first floor of Hotel G Singapore. This bestselling combo from the acclaimed American-style eatery includes 2 mouth-watering burgers to choose from the Signature #1, #2, #3 and #4 burgers with a choice of 1 side – the menu can be seen here. 

The snug bed and gourmet comfort food make for a winning formula for a night in. Additionally, this offer includes a complimentary parking coupon and late check-out till 2pm, as well as in-room perks like a free bottle of wine and a welcome kit for a safe and enjoyable stay. Bookings can be made directly on www.hotelgsingapore.com, using the promo code BURGERSINBED.

Glam Your Gram

Experience an instagrammable staycation with delectable French food and wine with Hotel G’s Glam Your Gram promotion which includes a stay in a king-bedded Good Room with $50 credit to spend at Ginett Restaurant & Wine Bar. Ginett specialises in crowd-pleasing favourites like succulent dry-aged Black Angus steaks as well as French AOC cheese and cold cuts, paired with renowned French wine labels. 

Rates start from SG$140++ per night for a Good Room, and includes breakfast for two, a complimentary parking coupon, early check-in and late check-out. The picture-perfect rooms are all decked out with dangling dreamcatchers, stylish artwork, a free bottle of wine and a welcome kit full of surprises. Bookings can be made directly on www.hotelgsingapore.com, using the promo code GLAMYOURGRAM.

The promotions are valid for booking till August 31st 2020, with the stay period valid till 31 December 2021, subject to availability. That's a long while!

Undecided on your dates for a staycation? You can purchase these packages now and stay later. Just email res@hotelgsingapore.com.

Terms and conditions apply.

HOTEL G
200 Middle Road
Singapore 188980
Tel: +65 6809-7988

Photo courtesy of Hotel G

PartyDiva.Co SG55 National Day Mini Buffet Party Catering / Delivery

National Day 2020 is going to be so different this year. For the first time, the NDP will be brought to everyone not just at the Padang or Marina Bay, but wherever you are on the island. We are all celebrating together (safely) at home as we get together to enjoy the company of our family and loved ones. And it doesn't have to feel scaled down when you can have a party of your own with all the trimmings! 

 

Organising a party can involve quite a bit of effort though. You can either source for your own food, beverages and decorations from various vendors, or you can find someone to do it all for you. For my SG55 dinner party, PartyDiva.Co was just the perfect partner in celebration.  PartyDiva.Co is a curated and collaborative marketplace for Gifting, Events and Party Planning. 

Food Delivery: Amelia's Homemade Carrot Cake

Carrot cake is often a labour of love, I think. All that hard work grating radish, chopping and frying ingredients, and finally steaming the mixture. But you get to put in as much care and ingredients as you want.

Amelia did that for her family at first, during the circuit breaker period. Then friends and relatives were asking for more. Soon, she had enough demand to start a small home business. Not surprising. Just look at the amount of toppings that go into the carrot cake - dried shrimp, dried shiitake mushrooms, Chinese sausage. It smells so good.

Circles Launches eSIM Plans

Ever since iPhones became eSIM enabled in 2018, the writing was on the wall. With eSIM (embedded SIM) built into phones, we no longer have to futz around with physical SIM cards. No more waiting to get the SIM card, swapping it to toggle between lines/countries or worry about losing your card when you lose your phone. Still, it took us a year to get mobile phone eSIM plans in Singapore. And now we have Circles giving us eSIM with that same affordable data!

Check out the details here:
https://nebula.circles.life/esim-safe-entry


Here's a look at the 40GB plans. Add on $20 for up to 100Gb.

All you have to do is check if your phone is compatible, choose your plan, and an email will be sent to you with a QR code to activate the eSIM. 

It's still not for your Apple Watch though. But so tempting if you have been contemplating getting a second line, or just switching over. The eSIM convenience and security just makes sense.

5-Star SG Staycation: Singapore Marriott Tangs Plaza Hotel

I'm so glad staycations are coming back. So far (as of 15 July 2020) some 35 hotels in Singapore have gotten approval to host guests again, provided they follow very strict guidelines.

And given that we still can't travel, we might as well enjoy a local break with five-star pampering. The Singapore Marriot Tangs Plaza is offering some good deals too.

Lobster Nasi Lemak at Oscar's, Conrad Centennial Singapore

Oh, how did I miss this earlier? Oscar's at Conrad Centennial Singapore has re-opened for dining in and they are having a limited time promo: Lobster Nasi Lemak with a buffet of side dishes like beef rendang, Muar otah, sambal sotong, and prawn chili served to your table. Finish off with decadent durian puff and Pandan Milo Tiramisu. All for just S$40++ per person. But hurry. This offer is available until 31st July 2020.

MENU

Welcome Beverage
A Complimentary Air Limau or Gula Melaka Iced Tea

StartersKueh Pie Tee
With a home-made signature sauce
Served with braised turnips, steamed baby shrimps, fried shallots and sesame seeds

Set Main Course
Lobster Nasi Lemak
With fried chicken wings, ikan bilis, peanuts, egg, achar and signature onion chili sambal

Unlimited sides
Beef Rendang
Muar Otah Otah
Sotong Chili Sambal
Bergedil
Green Beans with Dried Shrimp and White Garlic Sauce
Signature home-made Prawn Chili
Kerabu Timun

Dessert
Durian Puff
Pandan Milo Tiramisu
Ice Creams

Available
Monday – Friday: Dinner (6:00pm – 10:00pm)
Saturday and Sunday : Lunch (12:00pm – 2:30pm) and Dinner (6:00pm – 10:00pm)

For more information or to make your reservation please call 6432 7481/ 63 or email sinci.oscars@conradhotels.com

OSCAR'S

Conrad Centennial Singapore, 

Lobby Level at Oscar’s
Two Temasek Boulevard 

Singapore 038982

Photo courtesy of Conrad Centennial Singapore

Food Delivery Review: Sri Lankan Crabs and Zichar from 8Crabs.com

I have been meaning to try 8Crabs.com for a while but was too swamped transitioning between jobs (yaaas, bright new shiny job!). But what a lovely celebration feast it turned out to be, once I could settle down and enjoy these fresh, meaty, wild caught Sri Lankan crabs right in the comfort of home.

Rang Mahal Food Delivery: North Indian Fine-Dining at Home

Just wanna put here one of the best food delivery experiences we've had recently. Rang Mahal has always excelled at Indian fine-dining and I'm glad they offer delivery for you to continue enjoying their food in the comfort of home. Find their menu and order online here - https://rangmahal.oddle.me

What we had tonight (click next on Instagram post below for video identifying the dishes):

* Murg Tikka Dhaba Briyani: chicken briyani cooked Punjabi Dhaba style. ❤️ divine! This was the star dish, and quite frankly, the best briyani we have had in a couple of years!
* Tandoor-grilled Seabass: very simply seasoned for the fish's natural sweetness to shine through; it was juicy inside despite tandoor grilling
* Dal Makhni: lusciously rich unlike most watery dal concoctions
* Chicken Tikka Masala: made interesting with capsicum
* Garlic naan: freshly made and still warm!
* Pudina or mint prata: so unusual; maybe it should go with a Lamb Roganjosh
* Chowpatty Ki Puri Pani: comes with all the condiments
* Kachumba Raita: loved this thick yoghurt
* Rice Flakes & Brown Onion Chiwda: great salty add on for steamed white rice
* Crispy Moong Lentils: also crunchy addition to rice
* Gulab Jamun: gone before I could taste any!

Minimum order $50 for delivery; free islandwide delivery for orders over $100.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Catherine Ling (@camemberu) on Jul 6, 2020 at 8:13am PDT

Sudio Ett Wireless Earphones Review (Discount Code Inside)

I've been looking out for wireless earbuds that can compare to AirPods Pro but with prices that aren't so insane  are much more reasonable, and the Sudio Ett (S$239, use my code "camemberuEtt" for 15% off) is my favourite so far. They've taken the best features of the AirPods Pro, blessed them with beautifully pristine Swedish aesthetics and made them more affordable.

Features at a glance:

• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
• 6 hours play time, 4 hours with ANC
• Total battery life: 30 hours, 4 extra charges with the carrying case
• Wireless charging & quick-charge with USB-C (15 mins for 1 hour play time)
• IPX5 water protection (splash/rain/sweat proof; great for sports)
• Dual-microphone, with transparency mode activated during phone calls for enhanced sound quality
• Multi-function button for controls (I like that this is a physical button, not a fiddly touch sensor thing)
• Automatic pairing (the Bluetooth pairing works so well!)
• Siri & Google assistant compatible
• Available in 4 colours: Black, White, Green & Pink
• Free home delivery to your doorstep (worldwide)
• 18-month international warranty

The Sudio Ett comes in four colours: black and these three above (pink, white, and a cool army green).

Campaign Promo: Get a Sudio tote bag for free with every purchase from sudio.com (Until end of July, or while stock last).

I hadn't thought much of a tote bag, but this one is superbly done using quality canvas, and it even has a little Swedish flag as a tag on the side (see below).

What's inside the package:

The sturdy box holds a drawer that slides out smoothly, bearing goodies within. Everything just exudes quality and good design.

I love the matte carrying case. It's sturdy and looks like it'll stay scratch- and smudge-free unlike the shiny glossy cases. The case comes with four unobtrusive LED light indicators telling you the battery charge status, and when the earbuds are charging. There's also a leather lanyard for you to hook this up to your bag or backpack.




The earbuds are very light at 5g each. They may look a little bulkier but that's because of a bigger battery enabling longer playback time. Fair enough. These earbuds come pre-fitted with comfy tips that I could wear right away for a few hours without fatigue. I didn't have to break open the blister pack of multiple sized tips (XS to XL, so many!).

Bluetooth pairing works smoothly right out of the box. You pair it just once with your iPhone or whatever device, and thereafter it just works automatically. I realised the earbuds start pairing even before I take them out of the case. I guess it must be activated when I flipped open the case cover.

However, if you have multiple devices, you'll need to re-do the pairing when you switch devices. Small matter, at least you dictate which device it pairs with, and it doesn't just pair with the nearest available thing automatically.

Sound Test!

Now, the most important part: sound quality. I do like these earbuds. They immediately sound good - clear vocals, buttery bass, nice mid-frequencies. Would have liked sharper high frequency sounds, but that can get grating.

On phone calls, I can hear myself well, thanks to the transparency mode (allows more ambient noise, so you can hear yourself speaking, and don't end up raising your voice too much). The other party is a bit more muffled (on data calls) but I can catch everything still.

I haven't figured out how to trigger Siri yet, but I can certainly hear Siri answer on the earbuds when I call out using my phone.


Yes, I have tested these sweeties out on the road (fortunately or unfortunately, I'm in essential services that require me to travel to the office once every three days) and I am even happier with the results outdoors.

The Active Noise Cancelling (activated by pressing two seconds on either earbud button) really works on trains and buses. Music pretty much flows uninterrupted and undisturbed. I did not even hear the door closing warnings or beeps. It's so easy to get engrossed, you would have to be careful not to miss your destination station or stop. Of course, it does matter what kind of music you're playing - slow, soft jazz, for example, would not filter out ambient noise as completely as loud rock.

While it's great to close your eyes and enjoy the immersive experience, if you're navigating traffic or in public transport, it might be wise to keep an eye open for moving objects or people who aren't watching where they're going.

On the whole, these are a very decent alternative to the AirPods Pro. If you're considering these as a gift, the package even comes with a gift bag, gift tag and ribbon all ready for you to present.

Sudio offers a 30-day return policy, no questions asked. Of course, feel free to approach their support team should you face any issues, before sending items back.

Discount Code

Use my code "camemberuEtt" for 15% off at https://www.sudio.com/sg/earphones/ett-1. The Sudio Ett with discount will likely be at SGD203 thereabouts. Includes delivery. Pretty good deal! Maybe for Father's Day or loved ones in quarantine (hopefully you'll get to meet soon).








Thanks to Sudio for the review unit.

Cemani Crispy Chicken Skin Snacks

My girls and I love crispy fish skin and chicharrón (crispy pork skin). I also adore kawa (Japanese-style chicken skin on skewers grilled til crispy). So when I heard about Cemani's chicken skin snacks, I was thrilled. About time someone did this!

The name Cemani refers to a breed of chicken. The local founders partnered with Tenderfresh and did a ton of R&D to come up with this final product.

What's astounding is they have managed to remove 99% of the fats. This is to make for guilt-free snacking, but the final texture seems puffed rather than fried. While it melts in the mouth, it isn't exactly crackling. I liked it but found myself wishing it had a harder, more satisfying crunch.



My family's unanimous favourite is the Mala flavour. It isn't just because we are rabid fans of anything mala. This really is the more addictive of the lot. Some of my colleagues preferred the Salted Egg Yolk one though. There's also Original and Tom Yum.

They have just launched the Cereal Chicken skin flavour. I'll add my opinion after I've tried it. Hmmm. Maybe they can consider something like Butter Shoyu or Seaweed. Haha, I'm just partial to Japanese-inspired flavours.

So far, the ingredients are halal and preparation is done in a halal kitchen but certification is still on the way.

I have to say I much prefer the old packaging though; it looks more vibrant and sophisticated. I love the wooden background giving it a more organic feel. Not sure why they changed the design so quickly after launch.



Cemani products can be found in supermarkets, convenient stores and online. The normal retail price is S$10 per 80g pack, but it's S$7.50 online.







Thanks to Cemani for sending the samples.