Catalunya

There is a new gastro buzzword in town and it's Catalunya. Exceptional view, fantastic food, great service... it is no surprise that it's always packed since its inception last month. From the same peeps that brought you Ku De Ta and Au Chocolat (more on that next time), it is the resto to see and be seen now.

Catalunya is located between Fullerton Bay Hotel and One Fullerton

Impressive entrance


Great view overlooking the Marina Bay


Cosy interior. The booth seats offer the best view.


View from the booth seat


Here are some of my favourites at Catalunya...


Passionfruit mocktail


Mixed berries mocktail


Jamon Iberico "Gran Reserva" $55
Cured Iberian ham, an iconic dish in Spain


Pa Amb Tomaquet $8
An iconic Catalan dish – bread with tomato and olive oil


Tomato tartar confit $18


Ham, cheese and truffle “bikini” $18


Tortilla omelette "deconstruccion" $10
A modern version of one of Spain’s most popular recipes


Traditional suckling pig "Segovian style" $125
(This is good for 2-3 pax and not for the faint hearted)


Friendly Reuben showed off the suckling pig


Reuben showed us how it's done. Chopping up the piglet using a plate.


Wood roasted pineapple $12
(The perfect and my favourite side dish)


Chocolate in different textures with passion fruit $12


"Torrija" with milk ice cream $12
Fried milk bread with spices served with smoked milk ice cream

For more information, please visit www.catalunya.sg

30 Days Of Restyle

Perth Fashion Festival (PFF) may not be well-known in Singapore yet, compared to the major fashion events in other cities, but its creativity is what makes it one to watch out for. As one of the International Fashion Ambassadors for PFF, I am keeping my eyes on the stuff they do and I would like to share with you - 30 Days of Restyle.

30 Days of Restyle is an innovative initiative to prove that fashion can be fabulous at any price! PFF has partnered with 10 local bloggers and 7 charities to show how one can restyle the wardrobe for less and support the community at the same time. Charities involved in this wonderful project include Save the Children, Anglicare, DrugARM, Good Samaritans, The Salvation Army, The Red Cross and St Vincent de Paul.

Check out the Restyle campaign featuring the bloggers and their curated styles. Bloggers involved in 30 Days of Restyle include Vintage Valley, Gin in a Teacup, Love thy Muse, Blonde Suburbia, Hug Sized, Peanut Moonbeam Knickers, Le Fanciulle, Sass & Spice and Love from Shell and, Bonnie Friday.

by peanutmoonbeamknickers

by thevintagevalley

by bonniefridayblog

During the month of August, bloggers have agreed to purchase only recycled clothing and accessories from the charities involved, they will then post their daily ‘restyled’ look on their blogs showing the fashionistas of Perth where they can go to find the ultimate vintage look.

by hugsized

by sassandspice

by lefanciulle

by lovethymuse

by blondesuburbia

“We love the new Restyle format for this year’s festival. 30 Days of Restyle gives us a great opportunity to engage with the community, bringing affordable, fun fashion to the people and supporting seven wonderful charities at the same time,” PFF Director, Mariella Harvey-Hanrahan said. Very well said indeed! Money can't buy you style... but with style, you can buy anything at any price and still look stylish. If you can do your bit for charity at the same time, even better!

by lovefromshell

by gininateacup

Please visit Perth Fashion Festival Facebook page to check out the daily looks of the bloggers and their vintage finds. I can't wait to go vintage shopping when I am in Perth this September for PFF shows.

Pernod Ricard Wine Dinner

Last night, I had the best wine and food pairing at an exclusive wine dinner hosted by Pernod Ricard. To say I have a great job is an understatement.

The dinner was held at the Presidential Suite of the iconic Fullerton Hotel

The dining table was set at the glass balcony of the majestic suite, overlooking the Marina Bay. It can't get more elegant than this.


Pernod Ricard showcased the 5 wine brands from its enviable stable of brands — Jacob’s Creek (Australia), Wyndham Estate (Australia), Brancott Estate (New Zealand), Campo Viejo (Spain) and Graffigna (Argentina). Its Global Wine Ambassador, Chris Morrison was also in town to host this special dinner.

I was seated next to Jane Ngiam, Chief Editor of Singapore Tatler.

Here's a look at the wine and food pairing...

Norwegian salmon carpaccio with black olive dust, citrus notes and mustard cresses. Paired with Brancott Estate Letter Series Sauvignon Gris 2010.

Brancott Estate's Letter Series is the top varietal range of wines from the best vineyards. For this wine, it is handcrafted from the Sauvignon Gris grapes from the Renwick vineyard in Marlborough. Most people know Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, and some may even think Sauvignon Gris is a hybrid or a blended wine from the two mentioned grape varietal. However, Sauvignon Gris is an ancient grape varietal from Bordeaux that is gaining renewed interest in Marlborough. This wine is great with seafood dishes and salads. The 2010 Sauvignon Gris is also the first vintage from this range.

Parmesan laced risotto with sage roasted quail. Paired with Jacob's Creek Reeves Point Chardonnay 2007.

Jacob’s Creek Reeves Point Chardonnay is the best Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay available and is part of its most premium range. Did you know that Chardonnay is Australia's No. 1 grape varietal export? The fresh citrus melon flavours, delicate structure and ideal length, along with its buttery and oaky taste makes this wine a great match with chicken or creamy pasta dishes.


Truffle honey glazed duck supreme with salt braised shallot and natural jus. Paired with George Wyndham Shiraz Grenache 2008.


Did you know that George Wyndham, founder of Wyndham Estate, planted Australia’s first commercial Shiraz vineyard in 1830? It is the most important grape varietal at Wyndham Estate. The reason for blending is to make a perfect wine. The two varieties complement each other well with dense dark berry Shiraz fruit balanced by the softer fragrant Grenache. This wine is an ideal accompaniment to duck breast, turkey, herb crusted pork loin and traditional slow-cooked meals such as Coq au Vin.

Slow roasted lamb loin, garbanzo hummus, five spices date puree, and goat's curd. Paired with Campo Viejo Dominio 2008.

Campo Viejo is the flagship of Rioja wines. Dominio is a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Mazuelo. Did you know that Tempranillo is indigenous to Rioja, and is the region’s signature grape? Its name comes from the word “Temprano”, meaning ‘early’ in Spanish, because it ripens before most Spanish red grape varieties. It is also the region’s most widely grown grape with over 75% of the total planted area dedicated to it. This wine has been aged for 11 months in new French oak casks, and it is a big aromatic wine that goes well with a wide range of dishes: cold cuts, rice, pasta, vegetables, mushrooms, white meat and roast or grilled red meat.

Keen's aged cheddar, Mimolette, aged Stilton with honey and balsamic fig preserve. Paired with Jacob's Creek St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon.


St Hugo is the most premium range from Jacob's Creek, and is named after Hugo Gramp, grandson of founder Johann Gramp. This Cabernet Sauvignon originates from the vineyards in Coonawarra region, an area considered by many as Australia’s best Cabernet region. This full-bodied wine displays a rich, textured palate of concentrated cassis and berry fruit flavours with well-integrated tannins. It is ideally suited to red meat dishes and in particular, grilled steak or a seasoned lamb rack.

I ended the night with sweet treats of cakes and macaroons.