for an update of buffets to be found in our sunny island, look here.

i just made another batch of yummy cupcakes. for those of you who’ve tried and want to try baking them yourselves, here’s the recipe… enjoy!

ORANGE CHOCOLATE CHIP CUPCAKES WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 1 1/4 hr

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
Finely grated zest of 1 navel orange
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup whole milk
1 1/4 cups semisweet mini chocolate chips (7 1/2 oz)
1/4 cup heavy cream

Special equipment: a muffin tin with 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups, plus paper liners

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, then beat in egg, zest, and vanilla.

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt and mix into butter mixture at low speed, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

Fold in 1/2 cup chips and divide batter among lined muffin cups.

Bake in middle of oven until pale golden and a tester comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Turn cupcakes out onto a rack to cool completely.

Bring cream to a simmer in a small heavy saucepan and add remaining 3/4 cup chips, whisking until smooth. Spread frosting on cupcakes.

Makes 12 cupcakes.
   

Taken from Gourmet magazine
February 2002

guess what i chanced upon today? a small, tucked-away place that sells all kinds of magazines (current and back issues) at lower-than-retail prices. they’ve got a wide range – cars, pcs, parenting, food & wine, crafts etc..even martha’s living and kids. most back issues are 30-35% less than retail, it’s really great to get them cheaper even though they’re older issues. for $30, i got a scrapping mag and 5 delicious food ones and jon got a copy of Star (how predictable) …

looks like i’m going to be cooking up another pig-out for you gals and guys soon

I know I will kick myself one day if I don’t put this down in the blog. At least I won’t have to worry about losing the article. Here’s a list of the best-known buffets in town (according to Lifestyle on 18 April 2004). I’m even going to tell you how much it’ll cost your pocket. This is definitely not for the Kate Mosses. Here goes …

The Fullerton Singapore – Gourmet Buffet Dinner
Town Restaurant (6877-8128)
6.30-10.30pm, Mondays – Saturdays
Starts from $28+++
Mix and match appetizer, dessert and seafood buffets.

Conrad Centennial Singapore – Big Breakfast Buffet
Oscar’s Cafe & Terrace (6432-7481)
7am-3pm every Sunday
$28+++
Highlight is the vitamin corner which includes a juice bar.

M Hotel Singapore – Sunday High Curry
Cafe 2000 (6421-6222)
Noon-3pm every Sunday
$28+++
Curry as well as Western spread including roast prime ribs and Yorkshire pudding. Fish head curry is highly recommended.

Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort – Brunch ‘n’ PlungeSharkey’s (6371-1071)
12.30-3pm
$39.50+++
Enjoy a great sea view and free use of pool facilities. Barbeque items include pork ribs and tiger king prawns.

Raffles The Plaza – Plaza Market Peranakan Buffet
Plaza Market Cafe (6431-6156)
Lunch and dinner daily.
$25+++ (lunch) $30+++ (dinner)

The Fullerton Singapore – Chocolate Buffet
8-11pm every Friday & Saturday
$24+++
This is one which I’d personally love to try… imagine, it has a drink station with chocolate-blended yummies!
Anyone game for it, please let me know.

Shangri-La Hotel – Coffee Garden’s Seafood Extravaganza
Coffee Garden (6213-4275)
6.30-10.30pm daily
$61+++
Over 100 items including barbeque lobster, Norwegian salmon, pizzas, curries and sashimi.

Swissotel Merchant Court Singapore – Buffet Lunch and Dinner
Ellenborough Market Cafe (6239-1848)
Noon-2.30pm, 6.30-10.30pm daily.
Weekdays: $19.90+++ (lunch), $24.90+++ (dinner). $25.90+++ (weekend dinner)
I’ve tried this one before and the durian pengat is yummy!

The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore – Sunday Champagne Brunch
Greenhouse (6434-5288)
11.30am-3.30pm every Sunday
$88+++
I guess the only way to know is to go try it, huh? Comes with Moet & Chandon Champagne.

Four Seasons Hotel Singapore – Sunday Brunch at One-Ninety
One-Ninety (6831-7250)
11am-1pm or 1.30pm-3pm
$68+++ (without champagne), $98+++ (with champagne)
I can attest that this was brunch was simply indulgent!

Grand Hyatt Singapore – Pete’s Place Salad Bar
Pete’s Place (6416-7113)
11.30am-2.30pm (Mon-Sat), 6-10.30pm daily
$16+++, $19.50+++ plus soup & dessert, $26+++ with pasta
This one is delicious too!

Royal Plaza on Scotts – International Buffet High-Tea
Cafe Vienna (6589-7799)
3-5.30pm (Mon-Fri), Noon-5pm (weekends, eves & PH)
$18.50+++ (weekdays), $24.50+++
Went to this one with my ex-colleagues and it’s value for money.

Goodwood Park Hotel – Local High Tea
Coffee Lounge (6730-1746)
2.45-5pm daily
$18.80+++
Includes dimsum, local and western fare.

Hotel Royal – Tropical Peking-Style Steamboat Buffet
Jade Room Restaurant (6251-8135)
11.15am-2.30pm, 6.15-10.30pm daily
$13.80+++ (lunch), $18.80+++ (dinner)
The supposed secret weapon is the dipping sauce.

Raffles Hotel – International Buffet High Tea
Tiffin Room (6331-1612)
3.30-5pm daily
$31.50+++
Hmmm… scones with jam, butter and whipped cream.

Meritus Mandarin Singapore – International Buffet
Triple 3 (6831-6271)
Noon-3pm, 6.30-10.30pm daily
$41.80+++ (lunch), $52+++ (dinner)
Different theme each month, but baked honey-glazed ham, roast prime rib of beef, salmon sashimi and rock oysters are trademark items.

There. Now all we need to do is go try them all. I’m going for afternoon tea at the Shangri-La this Friday. Will update this list again. Do let me know if you’ve tried anything else so that we can add to this, ya?