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Wednesday, 31 March 2021
Tuesday, 30 March 2021
5 exciting homegrown businesses to visit in Istanbul
1. Homemade Aromaterapi
Once a small boutique in the charming Kuzguncuk, Homemade Aromaterapi and its 100% natural beauty products have come a long way. The local boutique now has stores in the upscale Nisantasi neighbourhood of Istanbul as well as the coastal area of Alsancak. Customers will have a really hard time choosing from their stellar range of products, which includes cold-pressed essential oils, natural deodorant with rose and geranium, lavender and rosemary facial cream, aromatherapy shampoo and conditioner and much more. The boutique also has a men’s care line and hosts regular workshops covering aromatherapy and all its heavenly benefits.
2. SalonCuma
Only open on Thursday and Friday nights for walk-ins, this restaurant transports you back in time, specifically to Istanbul in the 1930s. A glorious speakeasy, SalonCuma is given an elegant vibe of yesteryear by antique objects and furnishings, with excellent cocktails to match. This outfit also has a bespoke private events space that’s available for booking. Come by and celebrate an intimate dinner, anniversary or a birthday while enjoying the ambience.
3. Araka
The talented chef Pinar Tasdemir, who has worked at some of Istanbul’s most prestigious fine-dining institutions, has finally opened her very own place. Tucked away on a side street in the beautiful Bosphorus coast neighbourhood of Yenikoy, there’s something quite Nordic about the restaurant’s minimalist interior. The menu, however, is firmly Aegean and a bit experimental which comprises intriguing creations such as lionfish served with fennel and peach bisque; or sutlac (rice pudding) with vanilla and edible flowers.
4. Pilevneli Gallery
Hiding in plain sight, Murat Pilevneli’s second eponymous art gallery in Istanbul is housed in a former liqueur and cognac factory that was built by the French Modernist architect Robert Mallet-Stevens in the 1930s. The works of contemporary artists from Turkey and abroad are exhibited in a building sporting gorgeous Art Deco details and wide-open spaces flooded with plenty of natural light. Pilevneli’s first gallery in the Dolapdere district is also worth a mention because of its equally stunning architecture, completed by award-winning Emre Arolat Architecture in 2017.
5. Alaf Kuruçeşme
There was nothing very gourmet about Turkish street food until Alaf Kuruçeşme opened in the Kurucesme neighbourhood and took it upscale. In a modern dining room with a view of the Bosphorus, classic dishes are given a modern twist. For instance, the kokorec (chopped and spiced lamb intestines) – which is reinterpreted as a sumptuous burger with a brioche bun, avocado sauce, sumac, red onion and parsley. The menu is heavily influenced by the nomadic life, with dishes being prepared in a wood oven. During the day, the restaurant also has a casual eatery downstairs that serves a smaller daily menu of delicious gourmet street eats.
Please check the establishments’ respective websites for opening hours as well as booking requirements before visiting, and remember to adhere to safe-distancing measures while out and about.
The information is accurate as of press time. For updated information, please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.
To learn more about Singapore Airlines flights, visit singaporeair.com.
SEE ALSO: Istanbul’s female-led restaurant revolution
This article was originally published in the August 2019 issue of SilverKris magazine and updated on 3o March 2021.
The post 5 exciting homegrown businesses to visit in Istanbul appeared first on SilverKris.
from SilverKris
Monday, 29 March 2021
Sunday, 28 March 2021
Saturday, 27 March 2021
A guide to the hippest neighbourhoods in Canberra, Australia
Just minutes from the centre of Canberra, behind the Australian War Memorial, peak hour starts early. On the bush track leading to the peak of Mount Ainslie (above), there are friendly nods between passers-by. “Walking here is so popular it’s actually a bit cult-like,” says journalist and long-time local Ginger Gorman.
She’s right. Most Canberrans have a Mount Ainslie story. Politicians walk it. Mums hike it with their babies nestled in carriers. Some regulars have even been known to stroll up in costume. Whatever the demographic – or dress code – what most Mount Ainslie hikers remember are not the myriad corners leading to yet another set of steps, but the regular sightings of kangaroos, possums and Australian birdlife here. And of course, the perspective from the summit.
“It’s so peaceful; the only thing you hear is magpies. Then there’s that incredible view down Anzac Parade,” says Gorman of the sweeping vista across Lake Burley Griffin to both Parliament Houses. Also visible are institutions such as the National Gallery of Australia and High Court of Australia.
While the view from Mount Ainslie rarely fails to impress, Canberra itself has long had a hard time convincing the broader public of its merits.
But over the past few years, the city’s fan base has expanded exponentially. Make no mistake, Canberra’s Bush Capital status is still intact, but it now coexists alongside a lively cafe scene and creative artisans – and visitors and reviewers are taking notice. For many, the shift to a hipper Canberra is best represented by two precincts, New Acton and Braddon.
The Braddon boom
Just a handful of years ago, Lonsdale Street in Braddon was home to more car yards than kale salads. Then came Lonsdale Street Roasters (below), where dishes are prepared with quality ingredients and minimal fuss. Here, macrame plant holders dangle above tables that are usually full.
Next, savvy developers – in particular Nik Bulum, who is often credited with the reinvention of Braddon – tapped into the pop-up trend taking hold of Australian culture. Vegan bakers, stylish types and artists all took short-term leases in Lonsdale Street shopfronts and started a roaring trade.
Visitors commented, reviewers across the globe took note and long-time locals such as Anthea Cahill, founder of tea retailer Real Chai, felt the city tilt. “Suddenly, there were heaps of young people here. They all came out of hiding and everything came to life,” says Cahill, whose products are stocked in trendy food havens including The Cupping Room on University Avenue and Penny University in Kingston.
As planned, redevelopment took over the thriving site, but the experiment changed Braddon irrevocably and a number of those original businesses found permanent premises nearby. One is Sweet Bones Company (above), a vegan bakery and eatery where cake pops and an eggless egg-salad made with tofu somehow make sense.
A new fashion scene has also emerged, through local womenswear labels such as Pink Ink, as well as multi-brand boutique Rebel Muse. It’s a marked difference from the scene just a few years ago. “Fashion didn’t sell. People were shopping from malls,” says Rachel Evagelou from Handmade Canberra, which runs markets selling handcrafted jewellery, clothing and homeware by local artisans. “Now, fashion is one of our bestsellers. People want their own sense of style and identity.” For Evagelou, the timing is right. “Canberrans have stopped feeling the need to mimic Sydney or Melbourne. We’ve become confident in our own style,” she says.
New action and beyond
If it’s the vibe of Lonsdale Street that has changed Braddon – a short drive or cycle away, New Acton’s calling card may be its architectural flow. Here, a clever mix of contemporary materials and props has been used to create a visually pleasing lifestyle hub with environmentally conscious undertones. And community events take place among eateries that focus on local, seasonal ingredients.
Canberran favourites include Mocan & Green Grout – visit with friends, dinner is tapas style. And try the breakfast, dinner, bar and group menu at Monster Kitchen and Bar inside the visually captivating Ovolo Nishi.
Even in the suburbs, fresh ideas are brewing. In the Inner North suburb of O’Connor, Sly Fox Coffee (above) draws walkers and cyclists making the daily commute. Here, locals would hang out around milk crates and a communal table set up on the side of a cycle path between David Street and MacArthur Avenue.
“I came up with the idea when I rode against the cycle traffic one morning. I realised there were hundreds of people riding to work and they could use a coffee stop,” says founder Patrick Dillon. “Now, everyone knows one another. We have only one table – that really helps, as people sit together and talk.”
Wild at heart
If this all sounds very urban, don’t be deceived. Canberra hasn’t changed so drastically that there is not plenty of outdoors to explore. While most visitors stick to the bridge-to-bridge walk – or Segway ride – around Lake Burley Griffin, those who detour less than an hour out of town find serene bushland filled with more Aussie icons than people.
The contrast between nature and city life is among the reasons Sydney expat Andrew Smith moved to Canberra with his family a year ago. “I ride to work, my wife goes to cultural events and we all bushwalk,” says Smith. “I was at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve recently with my four-year-old and we sat in front of a dam, by ourselves, watching the platypus play.”
Smith has yet to explore the nearby Corin Forest where, on the Southern Hemisphere’s longest bobsled, the 1.2km bush-based Alpine Slide, riders are often observed by the local kangaroo population.
Perhaps what’s most interesting in a city that’s finally finding its niche is the way culture is being integrated into the bush setting. In summer, the Australian National Botanic Gardens hosts Sunset Cinema (above). Attendees hike a steep hill to get to the outdoor screen but, once there, beanbags and wine are on hand.
– TEXT BY SUE WHITE
PHOTOS: LAUREN BAMFORD, VISIT CANBERRA, SUNSET CINEMA
SEE ALSO: An insider’s guide to Canberra, Australia
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings on 21 March 2017 and updated on 27 March 2021.
The post A guide to the hippest neighbourhoods in Canberra, Australia appeared first on SilverKris.
from SilverKris
Friday, 26 March 2021
10 best egg-cellent Easter brunches to try in Singapore
It’s a well-known fact that Singaporeans love their food (and have even coined it a national past-time!). Weekend brunches here have become quite an institution, and are usually a good excuse to while away lazy weekend mornings with loved ones. Brunch during the Easter weekend however, is on a whole other level – restaurants here usually pull out the stops to make their feast a family-friendly, indulgent and activity-packed one. From best dressed competitions and treasure hunts for egg-shaped chocolates to all-you-can-eat spreads of meats and seafood, here are some places you should consider for the Easter weekend this year (2 to 4 April 2021).
1. Alley on 25
This Easter, indulge in a hearty lunch spread at this convivial eatery at Andaz Singapore, where you get unlimited servings of meats ranging from an assortment of gourmet sausages to roasted lamb leg and honey baked ham, as well as fresh seafood on ice. There’s also a speciality cage-free eggs at the egg station, such as Bacon & Egg Cup; Baked Avocado & Egg; and Avruga Caviar Egg to suit the occasion, and you can tuck in to your heart’s content with unlimited servings of cold cuts and assorted bread and cheese. For mains (limited to one portion per diner), standouts include the Beef Burger with Seared Foie Gras, Lobster Mac & Cheese and Grilled Jerk Chicken that’s marinated for 48 hours using five-spice powder, all-spice and nutmeg, and charred to perfection. End off the meal with a free-flow of sweet treats such as the Garden in a Glass, Mud Cake, Carrot Cake and Easter Chocolates. Available on 3 and 4 April 2021.
2. Tablescape
The elegant restaurant’s 10-course Easter lunch set, available from 2 to 4 April 2021, is a nod to European familial traditions. Dishes such as Assorted Cold Cuts and Cheeses pay homage to European farming traditions when various pork products finish curing around Easter, while the Puffy Pastry, also commonly known as the Easter Pie, is a typical savoury pastry made at home by Italian mamas to celebrate the holy day. Tablescape’s version comes stuffed with cheeses and meats, with the addition of black truffle for added flavour. Other dishes include roasted lamb leg, a customary protein for Easter meals; Pork Belly Roulade, served with roast potatoes and grilled vegetables; Seafood Salad with octopus, squid, clams and mussels; as well as a selection of European traditional Easter cakes and fragrant spiced Hot Cross Buns for dessert.
3. Brasserie Les Saveurs
Easter brunch is a celebratory affair best had with your loved ones. Brasserie Les Saveurs’ offerings, available only on 4 April 2021, involve a mix of small and large communal plates served to your table. These include seafood and sashimi platters; a savoury Foie Gras Terrine with Fruit Chutney and Brioche Bread; Beef Tartare with Red Radish and Soft Egg Yolk; and entrees of Crab Salad with Avruga Pearls and Lobster Bisque Espuma with Crab Meat and Salted Egg. These are complemented by the choice of one main course per person – Lamb Saddle with Mediterranean Herbs, Pan Seared Sea Bass with Sautéed Green Vegetables, or Impossible Meat with Globe Artichoke. For desserts, the little ones can get creative by decorating their own chocolate Easter eggs with condiments, while adults can take their pick from a roving dessert trolley seated with sublime dessert creations such as Easter Egg Tiramisu, Chestnut Citrus Tart; Crêpes Suzette and a creamy nitrogen ice cream. Complement your meal with flutes of champagne or a selection of non-alcoholic beverages. Reserve here.
4. Xperience Restaurant
The drool-worthy Easter feast at SO/ Singapore’s all-day restaurant-bar features an Instagram-worthy brunch tower made for sharing and served to your table. It’s heaped with delicious creations such as Charcuterie & Cheese, Devilled Eggs, Bacon & Leek Quiche, Chicken Liver Mousse on Sour Dough Toast, Garlic Butter Roasted Boston Lobster, Grilled King Prawn with Sweet Sauce, Sambal Sting Ray and Hot Cross Buns. Make sure you leave space for the bottomless carving station; highlights include a Spiced Roasted Pork Rack, Whole Butter Roasted Chicken and Mustard & Herb Marinated Australian Ribeye served with Braised Red Cabbage & Mashed Potato. Available on 3 and 4 April 2021, you can make it a celebration by topping up for free-flow Prosecco, wine & beers or Champagne. Bonus: The best-dressed couple wins a 2D1N stay at SO/ Bangkok, so make sure you dress to impress. Book here.
5. LAVO Italian Restaurant & Rooftop Bar
Feasting here comes with a bonus – a spectacular view of Singapore’s gorgeous cityscape. Its Easter rendition of its popular Sunday Champagne Brunch comes with delectable dishes such as Rack of Lamb with rosemary salsa verde, roasted garlic and grilled lemon; a whole roasted branzino (European bass) with lemon vinaigrette; devilled eggs with tonnato and fried capers, stuffed artichokes with Grana Padano and garlic bread crumbs; and a selection of Easter-themed desserts. Served a la carte tableside, brunch will also feature regular staples including fresh seafood from the raw bar, Italian American favourites, and free-flow Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Peroni beer, and cocktails such as Mimosas, Bloody Marys and Singapore Slings.
6. Hotel Fort Canning
The hotel’s Easter Fantasy Bonanza on 4 April 2021 is a fun-filled one for the entire family. The theme is “Crazy Rich Families” so join in the fun by putting on your fanciest holiday-appropriate outfits and strut your stuff as a family. The best-dressed family stand to win prizes worth over S$800, including a night’s stay at Hotel Fort Canning and a gift hamper from WE Cinemas. Kids will receive a door gift that will include eggs and a sticker set for them to decorate the eggs with. At the event, enjoy a four-course lunch menu in the park that will feature lobster miso soup, herb-crusted lamb loin, and sous vide chicken egg with asparagus cured ham. Young ones also get to enjoy their own special all-you-can-eat menu that includes comfort food such as mac and cheese, mini meatball pasta and burnt cheesecake.
7. Porta
This modern European restaurant is keeping things simple – but no less hearty – with two celebratory platters (both ideal for two diners to share) to choose from. The Family Favourite Platter is brimming with delights such as Smoked Salmon and Guacamole Croissant, French Toast, Mini Omelette, Sauteed Mushrooms and Chicken Chipolata Sausage; while the Fantastic Feast Platter comes with Eggs Benedict with Pork Ham, Scrambled Eggs, Sauteed Mushrooms, Crispy Bacon and Pork Bratwurst. Both sets are accompanied by Confit Tomatoes, Potato Rosti, Bircher Muesli, Multigrain Bread and greens. Available only on 4 April 2021.
8. Solo Ristorante
The Italian eatery’s Easter Brunch on 4 April 2021 promises a veritable feast of Italian classics that will feel like you just got transported to an Italian grandma’s kitchen. Look forward to a casual free-flow style meal of traditional favourites that have been given an elevated twist by chef Simone Fraternali, while enjoying the cosy setting of dark wood interiors and warm lighting. A must-try item is the Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb, which is a festive favourite, as well as seasonal Spring ingredients such as white asparagus and artichoke.
9. Ash & Elm
InterContinental Singapore’s Ash & Elm is serving up a decadent champagne brunch of succulent roasts, luscious caviar, and premium seafood on ice from 2 April to 4 April. Enjoy multiple servings of the Easter Roast of Herbs Crust Roasted Lamb Leg from a wagon and take your pick from an extensive selection of cheeses from France, Italy, United Kingdom and New Zealand, offered on a roving trolley. Other savouries include Foie Gras a la Plancha with Spicy Orange Marmalade and Smoked Honey-Glazed Pork Ham. End on a sweet note with Easter-themed desserts including Manjari Creme Brulee, Pistachio Eclair with Berries Compote, Chocolate Flower Pot and Bunny Cupcake.
10. Atrium Restaurant
The Halal-certified all-day restaurant at Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium has prepared some Easter highlights to complement their already-extensive buffet menu. Enjoy treats such as freshly baked Hot Cross Buns and Pumpkin Pie, as well as special Easter Cookies in the shape of adorable bunnies that the little ones will love. This is on top of crowd favourites such as Seafood On Ice, Salmon Sashimi and Chilli Crab as well as local sweets like Ice Cream served with Wafer Biscuits or Rainbow-coloured Bread and Durian Pengat (a traditional Malay dessert where the King of Fruits is prepared with coconut cream). Be sure to leave some space for Executive Chef Chua Yew Hock’s Signature Laksa, a moreish dish that is sure to hit the spot. Available from 2 to 4 April 2021.
Please check the establishments’ respective websites for opening hours before visiting, and remember to adhere to safe-distancing measures while out and about.
SEE ALSO: 8 new global dining concepts in Singapore that will transport you to another location
The post 10 best egg-cellent Easter brunches to try in Singapore appeared first on SilverKris.
from SilverKris
Thursday, 25 March 2021
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