GREEK EATS AT ALATI
Expect to be transported to the Greek Islands when you walk into Alati for a meal.
It has white-washed walls, white floorboards and white furniture accented with signature Santorini blue cushions.
Order a selection of dips ($32) and pita bread ($4 each) and a Greek salad with a block of feta ($22) to start.
The tzatziki - a yogurt with cucumber and a hint of garlic - is bright and lively, while the flavourful fava bean puree with raw onions is a joy to eat. I also like the melitzanosalata - moreish smoky eggplant dip. Individual portions of each dip are priced at $15 to $16.
Main courses include the moist salt-baked fish (from $9.80 a 100g depending on the type of fish and an additional $10 for salt-baking), grilled octopus ($36) - tender throughout with a light herbaceous flavour and a deep crispy char on the exterior; and grilled squid ($34) - fresh and sweet, served with pesto and squid ink mayonnaise.
WHERE: 73 Amoy Street, Alati Divine Greek Cuisine MRT: Tanjong Pagar/Telok Ayer OPEN: Noon to 2.30pm (lunch, weekday), 6pm to midnight (dinner, Monday to Saturday), closed on Sunday TEL: 6221-6124 INFO: www.alati.sg
SAY 'AH-SIGH-EE'
The acai berry, the much-talked-about superfood that is said to have high antioxidant levels and weight loss properties, is finally gaining popularity here.
The berries - they look like blueberries on steroids - come from the acai palm. They are blended into a pulp and usually mixed with coconut water until a smooth, sorbet-like consistency is achieved. On the palate, acai puree is slightly tart, with a subtle undertone of dark chocolate.
At Absolute Acai at China Square Central, the acai bowls (from $4.90, photo) come with toppings such as bananas, blueberries, granola, coconut flakes and chia seeds. Have it for breakfast or after lunch to prevent the post-lunch slump.
These bowls are also healthier alternatives to beat the heat compared with other cold treats such as ice cream and milk tea with pearls.
WHERE: Absolute Acai, 3 Pickering Street, Nankin Row, 01-38 MRT: Telok Ayer/Chinatown OPEN: 9.30am to 8.30pm (weekday), closed on weekend TEL: 6224-4088 INFO: Go to www.absolute-acai.com or e-mail info@absolute-acai.com
LEARN TO MAKE COCKTAILS
Singapore Cocktail Week starts tomorrow with more than 200 events and 60 participating bars and restaurants. If you're keen to learn how to make your favourite cocktail, there are a number of workshops (from $35 a person) you can attend.
Tess Bar & Kitchen's resident bartender Steve Leong will teach you how to make three cocktails, while gin lovers can opt for the gin and tonic workshop at The Spiffy Dapper in Amoy Street to find out what makes the perfect G&T.
Those who want some insight into how progressive cocktails are created should join Luke Whearty and Aki Nishikura's session at Operation Dagger in Ann Siang Hill.
WHERE: Various bars around town WHEN: Tomorrow to March 19 PRICE: Workshops start at $35 a person INFO: Go to facebook.com/SGCocktailWeek or singaporecocktailweek.com.sg. E-mail hello@singaporecocktailweek.com.sg for event inquiries and ticketing@gogorilla.com.sg for ticketing inquiries
TEMPURA AT TENSHIN
Tenshin is my go-to restaurant whenever I want a filling and satisfying Japanese meal. The restaurant specialises in tempura and has a range of good value and reasonably priced set meals at lunch time which start at $40.
I usually head there for lunch because it is one of those restaurants whose prices increase significantly come dinner time - $110 and up - unless you opt for the vegetable course at $60. Dinner offerings, however, are heartier.
I love that the tempura here is served with various types of flavoured salts, including a green-hued matcha salt and a curry salt that add pizzazz to the battered items.
On days when I'm hungry, I opt for the Tokusen Tendon set ($55, photo), which never fails to fill me up.
A bowl of warm Japanese rice is topped with small chunks of prawn lightly coated in a crispy batter, as well as other tempura vegetables including pumpkin, eggplant and shishito peppers, drizzled with sweet sauce. A set comes with a salad, pickles, miso soup and dessert.
WHERE: Tenshin, 1 Cuscaden Road, Regent Singapore, 03-01 MRT: Orchard OPEN: Noon to 2.30pm, 6 to 10.30pm, daily TEL: 6735-4588 INFO: Go to www.tenshin.sg
