Hachi Tei Japanese Cuisine

“It does not not charge GST nor service charge. The food is good and cheap."
— Leonard Png, blogger

MEET the talent behind the blog "The Chronicles of Leonard". His name is Leonard Png, 30, and he works as a laboratory executive at NTU.

“I blog almost everything under the sun, mostly about myself, my thoughts, the food I ate, the movie I watched, the places I went to, the events I attended, the countries I went to, the photographs I took, rants, occasionally gossips,” says Leonard.

Here, he recommends his favourite Japanese restaurant in Singapore.

What would you like to recommend today?
Hachi Tei Japanese Cuisine.

When was the last time you visited it?
19 July 2008, wanted to go on National Day but they were closed for business on public holidays.

What's unique about it?
It does not charge GST nor service charge. The food is good and cheap. You'll have a (house) heartwarming meal as the female boss will be walking around to chitchat with you, ask you how's the food. The female boss is super-duper friendly. Like dining in Taiwan.

What else do they offer?
I guess just Japanese food.

Who should we look for?
Cherine, the lady boss. Reason as per mentioned above. Hard to miss her.

Any dish which is your favourite?
My favorite is sashimi, thus i'll recommend the Sashimi Set that I ate. The sashimi is very fresh, it's served as per ordered, not watery at all. My friend said that once you had tried their Chirashi Don, you won't wanna try another place's Chirashi Don, how true, only my friend know as I yet tried it myself. Interview by Sabrina Ong

View original food review on Hachi Tei Japanese Cuisine.

Best Furniture Stores

“Lifestorey carries well-known designer brands like Kartell, Sintesis and Jongform” — Victor Loh, interior designer
By Ronald Wan

TO MOST, home is where the heart is. For interior designer Victor Loh, home is what he conceptualises, designs and believes in. Victor is an interior designer by training and the co-owner of Design Rebirth, an interior design firm. The firm’s projects include mostly residential and show flats (www.designrebirth.com). We asked Victor, who has eight years of experience in interior design, which interior design shops and showrooms he frequents:

Goodrich Global (8 Changi South Lane, #01-01 Goodrich Gallery; Tel. no: 6788 6868): Goodrich Global offers an extensive collection of wallcoverings, fabrics, carpets and laminate floorings to cater to every living space possible. The company has grown to become a leading supplier of interior wall-coverings in Southeast Asia today.Victor says, “All the wallpapers and wall coverings I use for my homes and projects come from Goodrich. They offer a comprehensive range of wallpapers in every style and material. And they are gorgeous.”

Lifestorey (#02-33D Great World City, 1 Kim Seng Promenade; Tel. no: 6732 7362): Homeowners who are design-savvy and pay attention to interior décor magazines will know a thing or two about Lifestorey. It is the go-to shop for snazzy and stylish home furnishings and accessories that help define the designer and mod look in most pretty houses. “Lifestorey carries well-known designer brands like Kartell, Sintesis and Jongform. For the latter, I always get the nice modern lounge sofa sets. You can’t go wrong when you come to Lifestorey.”

Space (9 Raffles Boulevard Millenia Walk Level 2 Tel: 6415 0000): Space specialises in furniture that are strong in design, quality and aesthetics. The company has since become the most progressive retailers of contemporary design in Southeast Asia. The showroom in Singapore carries furniture and accessories from well-known brands like Kartell, Poliform, Louis Poulsen, Fritz Hansen and Flos. In short, Space is synonymous with style and substance. Victor reveals, “I come here for the Kartell chairs and lighting as well. Space is known for famous quality products that are strong in design.”

Plaats (Temporary location on 96A Rangoon Road): Plaats functions like an intellectual movement. Or a graphic design outfit. Either way, check out their website for more abstract information (www.plaats-make.com). Victor says, “Plaats actually consists of three designer friends working together. I know them from school days and they have so much creativity and potential. The objects and products they offer are simply out of the box.”

View original article of the Best Furniture Stores in Singapore.

Kampong Glam

“Hop from one place to another every hour if you actually want to…the entire area is simply unpretentious and you can plan your entire day here…” — Amalina Mohamad, freelance TV producer

By Ronald Wan

TO CHILL out or hang out is not an easy task. Firstly, you got to beat the crowd — or, rather, get away from them. That pretty much rules out your usual malls as well as restaurants and cafes where you can hardly hear yourself or your friend anyway.

So, does getting to a secluded spot in Singapore to unwind mean either you hike in a forested area or get the best tour package out of the country? Save yourself from the jungle mosquito bites and expensive airfares. Surely there is somewhere to hang out — just ask freelance TV producer Amalina Mohamad, who has worked with several production houses such as Free State, Dua M and MediaCorp.

You see, TV producers know the best locations in town because it’s more or less part of their jobs to scour interesting locations. Here, she recommends the hip Kampong Glam neighborhood.

What are you recommending today?
Kampong Glam — a favourite location of mine, and which I visit relatively often. It has many quaint spots to hang out in and the whole vibe here is where the old meets the new.

What’s so special about it?
You can hop from one place to another every hour if you actually want to! And the best part – the entire Kampong Glam area is simply unpretentious. You can plan your entire day there.

What activities do you recommend?
Shop at Haji Lane at favourites like House of Japan (55 Haji Lane Tel: 6396 6657) and Straits Records (43 Haji Lane). Then have lunch at Kampong Café and then scour other lanes and streets like Arab, Bussorah, Baghdad and Kandahar for quirky fashionable finds from lace, stones, silk, textiles, diamantes and everything you need to make a nice dress!

There must be something else to other than shopping?
Check out the gorgeous Sultan Mosque – it’s the one with the golden dome – on Bussorah Street if you have time. Have tea or shisha at one of the many Mediterranean cafes such as Altazzag Restaurant (24 Haji Lane Tel: 6295 5024).

And when the sun sets?
End your day with a nice murtabak dinner at nearby famous eateries New Victory or Zam Zam (697 North Bridge Road Tel: 6298 6230). The atmosphere is superbly relaxing and very much away from the hustle and bustle of Orchard Road or even the nearby Bugis where there is a galaxy of cackling teenagers.

View original article on Kampong Glam.

Milly’s hair.lashes.nail shop

“Would you like long hair and long lashes?”
— Nadia (aka. nadnut), STOMP Star Blogger

Text and photos by Sabrina Ong

NOWADAYS, almost anything is possible, as long as you’re willing to pay the right price.

Described by STOMP Star Blog as a “feisty young lady", 24-year-old Star Blogger Nadia (aka. nadnut), personal blog at www.nadnut.com, is currently studying for her degree while going around taking pretty photos, telling stories about her life and the universe, and extending her hair and lashes.

I know Nadia personally, and I know for a fact that she wouldn’t be caught dead wearing the same dress twice (in a month). This tells you not just the amount of clothes she has, but also the amount of shopping she does.

That said, I wasn’t surprised at all at how fast she has grown fond of her highly recommended, often visited, “hair.lashes.nails” shop: Milly’s, located on the second floor of Far East Plaza (#02-83).

How did she discover the place?
The story begins when Emily, owner of Milly’s, approached Nadia if she’d like to try out her services. Initially, Nadia was a little apprehensive about the offer. She was expecting a catch, but soon learned that the offer was as genuine as gold. Thereafter, it became somewhat of an addiction and stayed that way.

When was the last time she visited it?
When asked for the last time she visited Milly’s, Nadia said, “I did my eyebrow threading, hair extension and gel extensions just two days ago”, which would be August 12. She added, “I even brought my mum to do eyebrow threading and lash extensions and she loved it!”

What’s unique about it?
“The shop has a wide variety of hair and lash extensions, and the pricing is very affordable,” says Nadia. “My gel extensions only cost $70, which would have cost more than $100 elsewhere!” She added, “anyone and everyone should try her out!”

What else do they offer?
Milly’s offers services such as manicures, pedicures, gel and acrylic extensions, lash extensions, eyebrow threading and hair extensions. Her price ranges from as low as $1 (per strand of hair) to a couple of hundreds, depending on what services you’re looking at. For 1 st time customers, eyebrow threading is at $5 (nett), and if you take the $380 promotional package, you get a $400 worth of credit, an additional $20 value.

Who should you look for?
Emily, the owner of Milly’s, specialises in hair and lashes and has been in this line for more than a year, even before her shop was opened on 5 th June 2008. With Milly’s now up and running, Emily rarely takes on a client herself, unless a special request is made. Most of the time, her staff does the work.

View original article on Milly's hair.lashes.nail shop.

Best Cakes In Singapore

“Usual suspects on the dessert menu include toasted macadamia caramel cheesecake and dulce de leche torte”
— Roxanne Toh, online cakeshop owner

By Ronald Wan

LIFE is a piece of cake literally for Roxanne Toh. The sprightly girl loves her cakes and pastries so much she just had to make them herself and and share with the world.

Overdoughs (www.overdoughs.com), a gourmet baked goods online business, was set up by Roxanne and her mom Janet.

With years of trying out new recipes, butter and whipped cream under her belt (or waist), Roxanne definitely knows her cake (and eats it too). So we approached the lovely gal to recommend some of her favourite cakes and pastries.

Barracks (8D Dempsey Road Tel: 6475 7787):
Usual suspects on the dessert menu include toasted macadamia caramel cheesecake and dulce de leche torte. I love others like the chai chocolate cake. But my all-time favourite is their lemon tart served in a tin box and hidden under a generous mountain of crushed hazelnuts and crumbs.

PS Café (28 Harding Road Tel: 6479 3343):
It’s a fond reminder of the cafes that line Domain Road in Melbourne, where I spent some years in. I’m a recent Key Lime Pie convert. Feel your eyes widen when you bite into the lime-green custard cradled by a firm biscuit base!

Pasticceria da Valentino’s (7 Jalan Bingka Tel: 6462 2760):
Valentino’s history stretches across three whole generations (the restaurant is adjacent to the pastry shop). Their Chantilly Cream White Chocolate Cake wins my vote for being slightly alcoholic and very pretty.

Overdoughs (www.overdoughs.com):
Can I recommend mine? (Laughs) The lemon lavender loaf (aka Ella) and zucchini muffins (aka Frankie’s Waltz) are my favourite breakfast foods, taken with a hot soy latte!

Sweet Secrets (246D Upper Thomson Road Tel: 6455 2808):
Because you can never go wrong with it! The Chocolate Royal is a personal favourite, having had it at several birthday lunches in the office. Love eating the last bits of the hazelnut crunch base when there aren’t enough seconds to go around the table.

View original article on the Best Cakes in Singapore.

Fashion Forward

“I would advise shopping at Far East Plaza because the shops there have tons of interesting designs and details that are not your usual mass-produced stuff...”
— Sheryl Rachel Tham, fashion stylist

IT'S difficult to catch Sheryl Rachel Tham on a bad hair day or in an ugly get-up.

This fashion merchandising degree student at Raffles Design Institute is conscious of what she wears and how she presents herself. Call it vanity, but we think it’s more to do with her work and passion for everything fashion, sugar and spice.

Sheryl’s cool resume includes being a freelance fashion stylist and assistant show producer for numerous fashion and beauty events for clients like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Bvlgari and Lancome Singapore Fashion Festival.

The petite gal does doesn't consider herself a fashion doyenne or one of those impossible divas. She coolly tells us that she is just a “regular girl who loves to dress up on occasion and make herself look good”.

We like her spunky attitude already and speak to her about her favourite fashion haunts in town.

Far East Plaza (14 Scotts Road): “I would advise shopping at Far East Plaza because the shops there have tons of interesting designs and details that are not your usual mass-produced stuff from places like Mango or Forever 21. Check out Level One (it looks more to me like the basement level actually) where they have a whole mix of mostly girly shops from Dotti (#01-82) to In the Closet (#01-44). To look good, the trick lies in styling and accessorising so it would make the outfit look totally different than usual. Match and pair apparel with other stuff you usually don’t pair them with scarves, necklaces, cardigans and belts. And you can find them all here at Far East.”

Marina Square (6 Raffles Boulevard): “There is a wide range of interesting shops worth checking out here. You get stuff from your usual boutiques like Lacoste (#02-129-131), Massimo Dutti (#02-158-159) and Topshop (#02-109-114). The latter has loads of interesting stuff to pick up and mix and match. For something different, head to the third level area nearer to the cinema. Lots of cool small shops here from Le 7 (#03-219), Multiple O (#03-357) to Attitude (#03-254). There are other shops like DCP (#03-362-363) where you can find cute graphic tees and even Skin (#03-332E), the glam rock label brought in by the pop singer Sun. I like coming to Marina Square because they have everything I need!”

And for something else and truly different, Sheryl recommends, “I have been travelling quite a bit and most of my cheap and nice stuff comes from my travels. A few good and cheap places to shop are Hong Kong, Bangkok and Taipei. Yes, they are out of Singapore but it’s worth it! They have loads of unique and affordable stuff. Go crazy shopping there! I would!”

View original article for Fashion Forward.

Confessions of a Beauty Queen

“My trick is choosing a foundation that is one tone darker than what's meant for my skin – to the horror of the ladies who sell the foundation..."
— Natasha Riard, 2005 Ms Singapore Universe 1st runner-up

BEAUTY doesn't come cheap. For those who have the looks (read: models, beauty pageant queens and celebrities), here's our advice: Flaunt it like there’s no tomorrow.

But what if tomorrow comes and beauty is no longer there? Until we discover the fountain of youth, we just have to rely on beauty products or makeup services.

On that note, have you ever wondered how a beauty queen maintains her flawless skin and attains that pretty glow? It’s not cosmetic surgery, as far as Natasha Riard, Ms Singapore Universe 2005 1 st Runner-Up, is concerned. Here, she shares beauty secrets, from head to toe. Text and interview by Ronald Wan

Face & Body:
“I swear by a few things! Cleanse, tone, moisturise, and slather sunblock like it's gold. I use my dermatologist-recommended facial cleanser from Avene, tone my skin with Kiehl's Yerba Mate tea toner, and moisturise with La Roche Posay (it is God's gift to women). As for sunblock, I use La Roche Posay as well. At night, I moisture my face with The Body Shop Vitamin C Intensive Night Treatment and the Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream. I alternate my night moisturiser with La Roche Posay Hydraphase as well. I'm addicted to this brand! "

Make Up:
"I rarely wear make-up, but when I do, I swear by MAC liquid foundation. It is the only foundation I'll use. My trick is choosing a foundation that is one tone darker than what's meant for my skin – to the horror of the ladies who sell the foundation – but I promise you, you will never ever appear like a white sheet on camera or in real life ever again."

Apparel:
"I absolutely love clothes and heels from Guess?, or even Marciano. Their tops accentuate my waist and bust, and their heels are high and mighty. Apart from Guess?, I frequent Warehouse and Zara. I love rich and strong colours and these shops give just that. I never shop online. I don't know how people do that!"

Accessories/Bags:
"I’m a bag-o-holic and I can't stay away from Chanel or Ferragamo. If you're planning to get an everyday bag from Chanel, I recommend their Caviar collection because it's more sturdy and durable and you won't spend nights crying because someone scratched your lambskin Mademoiselle. Ferragamo's latest sunglasses collection is to die for. If you've been saving up for a pair of sunnies, spend it there."

Stockists:
Kiehl’s - 260 Orchard Road The Heeren Shops #01-07
Chanel - 391 Orchard Road # 01-25/26/27 Ngee Ann City Tel: 6733 5120
Salvatore Ferragamo - 290 Orchard Road Paragon #01-38 Tel: 6738 3206
Zara - 391 Orchard Road Ngee Ann City #B1-15-24 Tel: 6735 1018
Warehouse - Vivocity Harbourfront Walk #01-72 Tel: 6275 7861
Guess - 252 North Bridge Road Raffles City Shopping Centre #01-03 Tel: 6334-3121
The Body Shop - 252 North Bridge Road Raffles City Shopping Centre #01-42 Tel: 6336 2551

View original article of Confessions of a Beauty Queen.

BodyTech™ Perfectionist System by Marie France Bodyline

“Throughout the procedure, I felt very relaxed and with the attention given by the therapist, I felt assured and comfortable even while going through a –3% chill effect.”
— Sabrina Ong, 88DB.com writer

BEING overweight significantly increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer...the list seems almost endless. Plus, if you do get sick or need surgery, being overweight can make any treatments riskier.

Women today face incredible pressure handling numerous responsibilities such as juggling careers and families. Maintaining one’s health and a sense of well-being is often overlooked in favour of more urgent demands on a woman’s time. Coupled with an unhealthy diet, these daily assaults to a woman’s body certainly take their toll.

So, what can people like these do to achieve their goal of looking great? Try a no-sweat fitness programme, as 88DB.com writer Sabrina Ong did.

What are you recommending today?
A new body slimming treatment, BodyTech™ Perfectionist System by Marie France Bodyline.

What made you try it?
A colleague asked me if I wanted to write about it, and so arrangements were made and I made my trip down to the outlet at International Building #08-01/02. To be frank, I didn’t know what to expect. For all I knew they’d probably throw me a pile of notes and pitch to me how great their product is. But no, instead of a long, boring, “we’re great” presentation, they insisted that I should try it out myself.

Were you impressed?
To a certain extend I’m impressed by their confidence in their product, and after trying it out, I understand why. I’ve tried other slimming programmes before and this is one of the most relaxing one of all. And it’s services… let’s just say it’s a true representation of what service should be. (And I’m not a paying customer.)

How long is the session?
The BodyTech™ Perfectionist System is a 1.5 hours programme (per treatment) that 'BTPS' addresses five common body problems (excess fat, flabby skin, wrinkles, cellulite and stretch marks) with one treatment. It eliminates fat and cellulite while improving skin tone, circulation and energy flow of the body.

What do they do to your body?
During the treatment, a small suction cup is used to work on specific accu-points along the whole body; this is supposedly to energies the body.Next, pressotherapy, where “presso cups” are used to release and dislodge fibrous skin tissue. This hastens circulation and drainage, which would result in an effective remedy for circulatory related problems such as cellulite, water retention and heavy legs. Finally, the body undergoes cryotherapy at –3%. To enhance the slimming process faster, I purchased the BodyTech™ Perfectionist Serum, a lightweight gel especially formulated through scientific research and boosted with the CafeiSilane C, BodyFit and Regestril active compounds.

Was it effective?
All this may sound technical, and I’ll be honest, it is. I’m not an expert in this mumbo jumbo and undergoing just one treatment hasn’t exactly shown me “amazing results”. What I can say is that throughout the process, I felt very relaxed and with the attention given by the therapist, I felt assured and comfortable even while going through a –3% chill effect.

Would you consider signing up?
Honestly, why not? I wouldn’t mind losing an extra pound or two at the right price. Would you? To end this, I’d like to thank Marie France Bodyline for their complimentary treatment as well as their little gift that I brought back for my “future mother-in-law”.

Shape up to desirable curves today. Call 1800-732 7877 now for a FREE trial or visit www.mariefrance.com for more information.

Orchard
360 Orchard Road #08-01/05
International Building

Bishan Central
Blk 513 Bishan Street 13 #01-502

Marina Square
6 Raffles Boulevard
#01-200 Marina Square

Jurong Point
1 Jurong West Central #02-37
Jurong Point Shopping Centre

Siglap
907 East Coast Road
#01-04 Springvale

Tampines
5 Tampines Central 6
#01-23 Telepark

Woodlands
900 South Woodlands Drive
#06-07 Woodlands Civic Centre

View original article about the BodyTech Perfectionist System by Marie France Bodyline.

Bella’s Seaweed Cold Mask

“The only time I woke up during the treatment was when a new layer of mask was placed on my face.”
— Sabrina, 88DB.com writer

WHY do women do facial? “I want to look beautiful,” says Zune. “My skin complexion is not good so I do facial hoping to improve it.” “I have very sensitive skin,” says Sara. “I want to feel pampered while improving my complexion.”

A facial is a cosmetic treatment on the face, commonly involving a variety of skin treatments, including: steam, exfoliation, extraction, creams, lotions, masks, peels, and massage. Normally performed in a beauty salon, it is also a common spa treatment.

Basically women want to be pampered and look radiant, this is why women like me go for facials. When a colleague asked me to try one at Bella, I knew I needed a treat and this was one that no woman would reject. And so arrangements were made and I headed down to the Bella shop at International Building #08-06.

What am I recommending today?
Seaweed Cold Mask by Bella. This involves a unique anti-ageing treatment utilising the natural, therapeutic properties of seaweed. The result? “An extraordinary, skin nourishing serum which precisely duplicates the body’s own intercellular fluid with moisture binding abilities,” says the brochure.

Why do you recommend it?
As a writer, I am out conducting interviews, attending events, etcetera. In short, I move around a lot, whether rain or shine. Having such a tight schedule at most times, it’s nice to just sit back, relax, and let the therapist pamper me a little with the results being a more radiant and fresh look.

How different was this treatment from other facials?
I never really liked having people squeezing my face to achieve what we believe to be “beauty”. But this was different. When I arrived, I was given tea, led to a room, got changed, and attended to like the princess that I claim to be. The service was at its best, and the treatment literally put me to sleep.

How good was it?
How many of you out there can sleep through a facial treatment? Then again, perhaps my tolerance for pain is beyond others, or I’m just too tired to react. The only time I woke up during the treatment was when a new layer of mask was placed on my face.

Bella Skin Care Client offers free consultations; for more details, log on to www.bellaskin.com. They may also be contacted at the following branches:

Hotline: 1800-732 7677

Orchard: 1800-734 0807

Marina Square: 1800-733 2662

Jurong Point: 1800-316 7767

Tampines Junction: 1800-783 6066

View original article on Bella's Seaweed Cold Mask.

Best Art Galleries In Singapore

“I really like Opera Gallery's collection. I've bought all sorts of paintings from them, from French ones to Romanian...” — Patricia Liang, Mulan Gallery owner

PATRICIA Liang has a case of art attack. The art director of Mulan Gallery, an art gallery selling resplendent contemporary sculptures and paintings, travels extensively around the world in search of good art. Take a look inside her sprawling apartment and you will find paintings dotting the walls and sculptures lining the floors. It’s as if one has walked into an art gallery or museum. Patricia is that passionate about art. Hence, we speak to the mother of two boys on her recommendations on her favourite art galleries in Singapore. Text and interview by Ronald Wan

Opera Gallery Singapore (Ngee Ann City; 321 Orchard Road #02-12H; Tel: 6735 2618): “I always buy my art from them. I really like and admire their collection here. I have bought all sorts of paintings from them from the French ones to Romanian,” says Patricia. Opera Gallery is an illustrious international gallery and the Singapore gallery is located in the heart of Orchard Road. The huge space i offers the perfect spot for art lovers to appreciate fine art in the best setting. Master artists featured here include Salvador Dali, Pierre Bonnard, Damien Hirst, Claude Monet to Eugene Boudin. Asian art is also available here such as works by Chang Xin, Kim Chang-Young and Chen Yi Fei. A professional team at the gallery will provide any information or advice to interested art collectors.

Mulan Gallery (Tanglin Shopping Centre; 19 Tanglin Road #02-33; Tel: 6738 0810): “Of course I have to recommend Mulan Gallery. We are the new kid on the art block and we are certainly making ourselves known among art lovers and even the companies with vested interests in art,” enthuses Patricia. Mulan Gallery is the latest and brand new contemporary art gallery set up in Singapore, which offers original and resplendent contemporary bronze and clay sculptures and paintings by celebrated artists worldwide, especially in Europe and China. Mulan Gallery aims to put together a diverse and esteemed portfolio of eminent and well-respected artists, including young emerging artists from all over the world. Famous artists whose works have been highly sought after by art aficionados worldwide and featured in Mulan Gallery include Jiang Huan, Zhang Hua, Fernando Suraez, Zheng Yu Kui, Yu Qing Cheng, Lu Peng and more. The gallery also aims to raise awareness and standard of contemporary art appreciation, especially in sculptures, in Singapore.

View original article of the Best Art Galleries In Singapore.