Singapore, December 2012

I really love Singapore, but the last time Mr Ng and I went there was back in 2008 so it's been a while. This time round we went with my parents and so not only did I want to stay somewhere a little nicer but I also had strict instructions from my Mum to stay in a hotel within walking distance to Orchard Road (Singapore's famous retail strip). So we decided on the Four Seasons located on Orchard Boulevard which is just behind Orchard Road and I have to say this place has now made it on to my list as one of the nicest hotels I've had the pleasure of staying at.

Since we booked through American Express, we were upgraded to the Boulevard rooms which, as the name suggests, had a great view of Orchard Boulevard. Our rooms were super spacious and clean, had a huge bathroom with separate section for the WC and bidet and my favourite - L'Occitane bathroom amenities! And because we arrived on Christmas Day, we were delighted to find a cute little Christmas cake waiting for us:

I think it's small touches like these that really make a hotel stand out.

Our booking also included a set dinner for two per room which we enjoyed on our first night which was surprisingly very good:

The only other meals we had at the hotel were the continental breakfasts each morning but this too was really enjoyable.

Now on to Iggy's which was ranked 26th on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list last year, and was our one fine dining meal for the trip. I honestly had never heard of Iggy's until my Mum read about it in a magazine but once we knew we were going to be in the same country as Asia's Best Restaurant 2012, we booked as soon as we could. Only the degustation Christmas Menu was offered on the night we went and at SGD275 per person (excluding tax) it was probably the priciest meal I've had in my life. However each of the dishes were so beautifully presented and the flavour, omg..it really was a feast for the senses. Yes, portions were on the smaller size but by the end of the meal we all felt just right.

Clockwise from left: Snacks to start - Gillardeau oyster, Somen and Golden Oscietra, Sea bream and ankimo, Buri and egg sauce

Snow crab, Onion tart, yummy soudough bread, Alba white truffle (hands down best pasta ever)

(choice of either) Kinmedai, (or) Roast Duck, Consomme, Mr Iggy himself who was nice enough to go around and greet every single table

Forest berries - campari, blood orange and lime mascarpone, very cool food 'cover' through which the waiters asked us to smell the food after removing the metal ball before revealing the dish, Pumpkin - spiced sponge cake, Petit fours - chocolate, pecans, selection of home-made chocolates and macaroons which we picked from a 'Christmas tree'

The restaurant is located inside the Hilton Singapore on Orchard road and they only take bookings one month in advance so if you're thinking of going be sure to book as soon as you can since it's only a very small restaurant (from what we could see approximately 10 tables and a separate private dining room).

And now some random photos to leave you with:

famous Paradise Dynasty xiao long bao at Ion Orchard

out and about on Orchard Road and at Marina Bay Sands

Hawker food! including super smooth tofu fa/tofu pudding) from Hong Kong Bean in Chinatown (funny, I've never seen this in HK)

I feel like we didn't explore too much food-wise this trip but hopefully there will be a next time. I miss Singapore already...