If You're Not Really On A Budget...

...you could try Mr Punch Restaurant and Winebar in the Mint Museum of Toys at Seah Street, behind the Raffles Hotel.

My Ate Richie and Kuya Joseph had their solemnization (wedding) here and I really don't know the cost. It looks sharp in here so I guess it kind of falls into the not-so-light-on-the-pocket category. But whatevs, the food is great and I think their contact person (whose name I forgot...again!) did a wonderful job in organizing and coordinating the staff. In short, sulit ang bayad. That's why I had to like their Facebook page and share it to you guys! :)

Friar's at Universal Studios Singapore

Spending S$12 (Php330) for a chicken wrap, crisscut potato fries and drinks seems ridiculous for me so I had to categorize this here. However, you will not regret buying it when your teeth sinks into the soft dough that holds the crunchy veggies and the flavorful chicken inside it. I underestimated the power of the chicken wrap. My cousin, Gomer does not eat vegetables but when he tasted the wrap, he did not mind the greens inside it. Auntie Guritte said that it's that good if Gomer ate the veggies. Not only it's delicious, it's also a heavy but healthy lunch that's enough to keep you filled until your next meal.

Edit: For a not-so-light-on-the-pocket-but-totally-worth-it pasalubong, go for Garrett Popcorn. I already made a review here in one of my previous entries. Prices range from S$4 (Php134) for a small bag to a whopping S$320 (Php10,7970) for a 6.5 gallon can. We usually buy the 1 or 2 gallon tin can to take home to the PH because the popcorn can stay crunchy for up to a month when unopened and can last for 1 week after it's opened. They had a promo for S$25 (Php843) wherein there are two small tin cans were sold along with the popcorn.

These are my top two recommendations. Let me also direct you to a tea party at TWG, steak feast at CUT by Wolfgang Puck, sossy dinner at Capella para ubos ang pera. Loljk. These are just the most popular fine dining restaurants in Singapore that's worthy to mention since it has high reviews among the travel blogs and travel websites.

Eating in Singapore...On A Budget

In relation to the "Hopefully I'll be able to whip out and entry or two" post, here are some of my recommendations about the best places to eat when in Singapore in a budget. This post is also in response to a couple of emails I got from Pam and Sandy. I already reviewed IKEA Restaurant so here goes the new batch of recommendations:

Maxwell Food Center

This is located in Chinatown, near the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. After checking out all of the souvenir shops and splurged almost all of your Singapore Dollars, Maxwell Food Centre is the place to be. There are lots of food to choose from over a hundred stalls. This is the biggest hawker center I've been to. Food prices depend on the serving size but from the food that we ordered, it only ranges from S$2-10 (Php67-337). The drinks do not go higher than S$5. Must try dishes are the Hainanese Chicken Rice, Kuay Teow, Chicken Satay and Oyster Cake. Mind you, the servings are huge enough for sharing. Before ordering, ask the Uncle or Auntie that's manning the store about the serving sizes so you won't load up that much.

This place is also famous because Anthony Bourdain of the "No Reservations" fame visited this place. Among the stalls he visited is the Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake and the Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice. These stalls are among the most popular so when you drop by to visit, just be patient with the queue.

Wuerstelstand

Also in Chinatown, stands "The Last Sausage Kiosk Before The Equator" wherein they serve authentic German sausages that's made by an Austrian chef named, Erich Sollbock. For as low as S$1.50 (Php50), you can have a frankfurter that goes heavy in your stomach. Not only that, they also sell Austrian style bread. I forgot how much it costs but I liked the onion bread because it's soft and tasty. You can find it at Trengganu Street, corner Sago Street. If you are in doubt, go look for a place that has a lot of Austrians and you'll know you're in the right place. May araw na medyo masungit si Chef pero keri lang naman, magpakabait ka na lang. Haha. To know more, check out Chef Sollbock's blog.

Wicked is Wicked!

From my May 6, 2012 post. Let's defy gravity :)

I thought that watching Wicked is just a dream that's going to be fulfilled once I get to charge professional fees (READ: fulfilled when I'm already 40). Since I can't afford it right now, I was expecting it as my birthday gift but it didn't happen.

That gift came four months later. I was really close to not watching it because I saw on the taxi ads that it was extended until April 1st only. I was so ecstatic to find out that it was extended until April 22. Whoopee!

I couldn't believe that I'd be seeing this stage in person!

When Charmaine and I was left in Singapore, we decided to scrimp on our trip to Indonesia just to watch Wicked. Mom and Dad says that we have a free hand on the money but they won't give us money anymore if it runs out. Since we are on a tight budget, we took the S$98 seats through Sistic. I decided to ask Bingkee come with us since we haven't had time to meet up before my sister's wedding. She was ecstatic and we just decided to meet up at the Esplanade Mall since the performance is at the Grand Theater in Marina Bay Sands.

Chamu

Me and Bingkee

This is my first time to watch a Broadway Musical and it's better because I'm with my sister, Charmaine and Bingkee. We have few photos because Bingkee came from a lecture and that photos are strictly prohibited in the Grand Theater. But whatever, it was so awesome. I nearly teared up when Elphaba and Glinda were singing Defying Gravity. I almost peed my pants (or skirt for that matter) when Elphaba was flying on her broom. I found myself singing along...

So if you care to find me, look to the Western sky.As someone told me lately: Everyone deserves the chance to fly! And if I'm flying solo at least I'm flying free...

I AM SUCH A DORK. Haha.

Everything about this production is really good. From the props, costumes, to the cast it was all awesome. I was even amazed to find out that it's the Australian Wicked who was performing. They gave new character to the roles that they playing. Suzie Mathers (Glinda) is hilarious because of the way she squeals. David Harris is hot as Fiyero. LOL. Jemma Rix's voice fits the role of Elphaba. Another kiss of approval.

I'd like to thank Bingkee for taking time out to meet us up. I know she enjoyed even if she came from a lecture. I'm also grateful to our Mommy and Daddy for letting us stay a few more weeks.

This is one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. :)

IKEA Restaurant Rocks!

From my June 19, 2012 entry. I must have been hungry during this time.

I love to eat. Really. Take a look at my fat ass, it shows. Anyway, when it comes to food, I dare to try something different because I find it fun to tickle my taste buds with food that I haven't tasted before. I also try to eat at different places so that I know where to go when I feel like stress eating. Lol.

I also like to experience different set ups when it comes to food and this is why IKEA's restaurant and cafe got my attention.

My sister Charmaine and I set off to Alexandra Road to try out at IKEA because Ate Richie likes it there so much. When you reach the restaurant, you'll notice that the place is packed but there are enough tables and seats for everyone.

What struck me most about this place is that it is a self-service restaurant

Brownie points for IKEA

Although there are still a few people who leave their trays on the table, the self-service policy is very much observed here. Being accustomed to leaving our utensils on the table after eating at a restaurant, this is something new for me, considering that this is done to keep the food prices down.

Let's now go to the food. Since I like dessert, I love the set up that the dessert is displayed before the main course. Haha. Charmaine and I tried Swedish desserts such as the Princess Cake or PRINCESSTÅRTA, a cream cake with marzipan, Almond Cake, and the Swedish Apple Cake.

Our New Family Picture...

From one of the too many May 6, 2012 entries. I tweaked this entry a bit because I wanted a little introductory shizz for my brother-in-law and my relatives.

Now that the eldest of Ricardo's Tres Marias is married, it's only fitting to have a new family picture because we should include our new family member. Meet our Kuya Joseph. He and Ate Richie got married last March 30, 2012 at Singapore. They have their own reasons for that so let's not meddle with it. And now the pictures:

After the solemnization rites...

...at Mr. Punch at the Mint Museum of Toys

At the Esplanade

At the Merlion Park

Again

And I'd like to introduce to you the extended family from the Cervales and Oville clans who were present at the wedding.

Left side (L-R): Tita Neneng, Ronnel, Lola Nita and Lola Corazon
Right side (L-R): Goria and Gorio Auntie Guritte and Gomer

It's our first time to travel abroad as a family and I found myself reeling in sentimentality. Hrhr. I hope that we could do this again sometime. :)