Saturday 27 April 2013

Tunglok XiHe Peiking Duck

Tunglok XiHe Peiking Duck is located at turf city.  It is part of Tunglok group and specialises in peiking duck.  During my visit, the servers told us that we will need to wait 45min for the peiking duck, so we tried other dishes instead.

Wagyu beef at Tunglok XiHe Peiking Duck



The Tasting Room at Marina Square

The tasting room at Marina square serves mainly western and pasta.  They have a wine cellar with a selection of wine and alcoholic drinks on their drinks menu.  They are open till quite late on the Saturday that I was there.

 

Wedding Banquet - The Fullerton Hotel

The Fullerton hotel has a high ceiling ballroom with a flight of stairs leading to it.
The nearest mrt station to this central Singapore hotel is Raffles Place.

Found these 2013 banquet rates per table:

Wedding lunch: 968+ taxes
Wedding dinner weekday : $1118+taxes (Mon to Thur)
Wedding dinner weekend: $1318+ taxes (Fri to Sun)


The Fullerton Hotel Singapore


Ang Pow rate for breakeven:
Lunch: $120
Dinner: $130 (weekday)-$160 (weekend)

Wedding Banquet - Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands is connected to Bayfront mrt station on the circle line. 

Found their 2013 wedding package rates:

Sun to Thur wedding package starts from $1088+ taxes per table of 10 and the Saturday, eve of public holiday and public holiday starts from $1188+taxes per table of 10.


Ang Pow rate for breakeven: 
Dinner: $140 weekend

Hotel Solemnisation venues with high tea buffet below $60+ taxes per person

If you are searching for a hotel solemnisation  high tea buffet for 2013 below $60+ taxes per person, here are some of the choices:

found these packages:
1) Grand Mecure Roxy is located at East Coast Road, opposite Parkway Parade Shopping. For a package for 30 guests, they offer

High Tea Buffet From $1,800+ taxes
Lunch Buffet from $2,000+ taxes
Dinner Buffet from From $2,200+ taxes
2) ParkRoyal on Kitchener across the road from City Square at Farrer Park Mrt station, for 30 guests they offer

High Tea Buffet From $1888
Lunch Buffet from $2188
Dinner Buffet from From $2588

3) Furama Riverfront is located at Havelock Road, for 30 guests they offer

High Tea Buffet From $1688+ taxes
Lunch Buffet from $1888+ taxes

4) Furama City Centre  is located at Eu Tong Sen Street at the Chinatown area, for 30 guests they offer

High Tea Buffet From $1488+ taxes
Lunch Buffet from $1688+ taxes
Dinner Buffet from From $1988+ taxes
5) Riverview Hotel is located at Havelock Road and has solemnisation packages from $2088 for 30 guests

6) Miramar hotel is located at Havelock Road with high tea solemnisation packages from $48+taxes per person.

7) Ramada is Zhongshan Park at Ah Hood Road Balestier is a new hotel, they offer

High Tea Buffet From $35+ taxes per person
Lunch Buffet from $40+ taxes per person
Dinner Buffet from $55+ taxes per person


for more hotel solemnisation venues, click here
for other solemnisation venues, click here



Do you have other solemnisation packages to share?  If you do, feel free to leave a comment below.

Thursday 25 April 2013

Lebanese food at Al Qasr, Holland Village

The restaurants in Holland Village are pretty crowded on a Friday night, managed to get a table at this corner restaurant that serves lebanese and middle eastern food.

To the right on photo is a seafood stew in tomato base from the moroccon menu. (dont know why but seeing the moroccon menu just reminds me of the Prince of morocco in merchant of venice, no relation though)

To the left on the photo, is beef wrapped in tortilla pocket.
 In the middle, somewhere at the back of the photo, this taste like small bits of rice.


lebanese food

Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant at Parkroyal on Beach Road

Si Chuan Dou Hua restaurant is located at ParkRoyal Beach Road and they also have restaurants at Top of UOB Plaza and ParkRoyal on Kitchener Road.  This restaurant, as their name suggests, serves sichuan cuisine.  You can watch the tea master serve tea using a long spout (about 1m long) kettle.

I had dinner there on one of the weekends, tried their wasabi prawns, tea camphor smoked duck which comes with steam buns, asparagus with scallops, prawn salad, fish, Ee Fu noodle and a REALLY spicy ma la chicken.

Si Chuan Dou Hua Tea Camphor smoked Duck

Si Chuan Dou Hua wasabi prawn


Desert menu includes a nicely presented mango pudding with dry ice, hot and cold hashima, signature dou hua with red dates and more...

Si chuan dou hua mango pudding

For hotel staycation, compare and get good deals here

Wednesday 24 April 2013

ROM and Solemnisation - The Fullerton Bay Hotel at Collyer Quay

The Fullerton Bay Hotel


Fullerton Bay Hotel


The Fullerton Bay hotel is at Collyer Quay, opposite Fullerton hotel.
found these 2013 rates for solemnisation at Fullerton Bay Hotel floating pods:
Lunch: $88+ taxes
Dinner: $98+ taxes



Wedding Banquet - York Hotel at Orchard Road, Mount Elizabeth

 Wedding at York Hotel at Orchard Road, Mount Elizabeth


York Hotel is located at Orchard Road, Mount Elizabeth. The nearest MRT is Orchard mrt. It is behind Goodwood Park hotel, about 10-15 min walk from the mrt station.  The photos are taken the ballroom on level 1 beside the cafe.


York Hotel wedding

York hotel ballroom
found these  2013 banquet rates: 
Weekday dinner : $938 and $998
Weekend dinner: $1008 and $1038

Ang Pow rate for breakeven:
Dinner: $100 (weekday) to $110 (weekend)

Sunday 21 April 2013

ROM and Solemnisation Venue - Resort World Sentosa Equarius Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Maritime Experiential Museum

Equarius Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Maritime Experiential Museum at the Resort World Sentosa has high tea buffet solemnization packages 2013.

Equarius Hotel
High tea buffet with use of lawn or glass pavilion for solemnisation ceremony

Found these rates:
High tea buffet for min of 80 pax  at $118+ taxes.


 Hard Rock Hotel .
High tea buffet with use of poolside cabanas for solemnisation ceremony


Found these rates:
High tea buffet for min of 50 pax  at $108+ taxes.


Maritime Experiential Museum
High tea buffet with use of historic ship harbour for solemnisation ceremony

Found these rates:
High tea buffet for min of 50 pax (mon to sun)/ 80 pax for eve of ph and ph at $138+ taxes

Outdoor Prewedding Bridal Photoshoot venues in Singapore

Many couples would have a prewedding photoshoot about 6 months before the actual day to allow for ample time for processing the wedding photo album.  Remember to bring sunblock and your matching shoes, and perhaps props for the photo effect.

Here are some recommendations for places to go for outdoor prewedding photoshoot:

Parks:
Singapore Botanical Garden
Hort Park

Central region:
Marina Bay Sands
Gardens by the Bay
Marina Bay Area overlooking Fullerton Square
National Museum
Marina Barrage

East and North East region:
Pulau Ubin
Changi Coastal Walk
Punggol Waterway
East Coast Park

Southern region:
Tanjong Beach at Sentosa
Universal studio at Sentosa
Keppel Bay
Henderson Waves

Western region:
Raffles Marina


Some of these places may require a fee for phototaking.

Do you have other photoshoot venues to share, if you do, feel free to leave a comment below.

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Wedding Banquet Packages for hotels and restaurants

Wedding Banquet Packages Bookings

A weekend wedding dinner at a hotel would typically cost $1100 to $1500 per table for a table of 10.
A wedding lunch or weekday wedding dinner can cost 15 to 25% lesser than a weekend dinner.

Firstly, confirm your wedding date
Determine your budget
Determine your minimum number of tables.
Determine if you want a hotel wedding banquet or at a restarant banquet.

Wedding Banquet Lunch or Dinner package would typically consist of

1) 1 barrel of beer
2) 1 bottle of wine per confirm table
3) 70% to 75% of wedding invitiation cards
4) Wedding favor for your guests
5) Theme setup and 2 VIP tables
6) 1 night or 2nights bridal suite/ room stay
7) 1 night helpers room or day use room
8) 8  or 9 couse lunch or dinner
9) Solemnisation room (may incur additional charges)
10) 2 VIP parking lots
11) 25% parking coupons for guests
12) Guest book
13) Ang Pow boxes
14) Projectors
15) Food tasting for 8 to 10 person

For some hotels, it may be possible to negotiate for 1 more night stay, solemnisation room or poolside solemnisation, more wedding invitation cards, more parking coupons.

It may also be possible to negotiate for free flow beer or wine corkage waivers, depending on hotel.

During roadshows or promotions, it may even be able to get 1 table free or be given rebates off your bill.

Look out for credit card promotions/ privileges.

Deposit amount depends on the hotel (typically $3k to $5K, some require 25% of total bill)

There are some posts regarding banquet rates in this blog too, for your reference.


ROM and Solemnisation Venues in Singapore

Solemnisation Venues in Singapore

The following are solemnisation venues in Singapore, depending if you would like a garden, poolside, indoor, beach, waterfront or yacht solemnisation.

A) Garden or close to nature solemnisation
1) Villa Halia at Singapore Botanical Garden
2) The Coastal Settlement at Netheravon Road (near Changi village)
3) ilLido at Sentosa Golf Club
4) The Bark cafe at Upper Changi Road North
5) Equarius Hotel (lawn or glass pavilion) at RWS


B) Poolside solemnisation
1) Changi Village hotel poolside
2) Swissotel Merchant Court hotel poolside
3) Crowne Plaza Changi Airport poolside
4) Hard Rock Hotel at RWS


C) Beach solemnisation
1) 1-Twenty six at East Coast
2) Shangri-la's Rasa Sentosa Resort and Spa

D) Waterfront solemnisation
1) Forlino at One Fullerton
2) Boathouse at Fullerton Road
3) Jing at One Fullerton
4) Prive at Keppelbay
5) Raffles Marina

E) Indoor
1) Blisshouse theme restaurant

F) Places of Interest/ Sentosa Solemnisation
1) Singapore Flyer
2) The Maritime Experiential Museum

G) Yacht Solemnisation
Raffles Marina

H) Chinese Restaurants
1) Si Chuan Dou Hua at UOB Plaza
2) Tunglok Orchard Central
3) Tunglok Vivocity
4) Peong Jade at Clarke Quay
5) Peong Jade at Keppel Club
6) Peach Garden @33 OCBC Centre


for more hotel solemnisation venues, click here

Do you have other solemnisation venues to share, if you do, feel free to leave a comment below.

Selection of apartment/ condo

HDB Flat Selection

Hdb flat selection

One of your major decisions as a couple would be selecting your future apartment/ condo.  Hdb launches new selection of Build to Order (BTO) flats usually in the third week of every other month (Jan, March, May and every other month).  Executive condominium launches depend on the developer.

When choosing yourt apt/ condo, these are some general points to note,

1) avoid noon/ evening sun (generally units that are west facing are exposed to the noon/ evening sun)
2) minimum blockage of view
3) garden view, open field, river view or waterway view are popular selections
4) high floors are super popular
5) proximity to transport such as mrt, lrt
6) proximity to amenities such as shopping places, supermarkets, eating places
7) proximity to childcare centre which will be helpful in future
8) As for units facing school, there may be CCAs on weekends (thus the activites may wake you up) when you need your beauty sleep most
9) For units facing expressways, note the noise level and dust

Hua Ting Restaurant at Orchard Hotel, Orchard Road

Hua Ting Restaurant at Orchard Hotel

Hua Ting restaurant is located at Orchard Hotel level 2 and they serve cantonese cuisine.  This restaurant serves the food for Orchard hotel wedding banquet.  They serve dim sum lunch too.  Chinese food with good ambience.
Hua Ting restaurant table setting


Hua Ting restaurant dish -prawn


Hua Ting restaurant dish - asparagus

Hua Ting restaurant dish - beef

For hotel staycation, compare and get good deals here

Ah Hoi's Kitchen at Traders hotel

Ah Hoi's Kitchen at Traders hotel

Ah Hoi's Kitchen is beside the poolside of Traders Hotel at Cuscaden Road.  Guests can dine either by the poolside alfresco or indoor.  They serve local food (tze char) such as chilli crab, meat with pork floss and more..
Ah Hoi's Kitchen dish - meat with pork floss

Ah Hoi's Kitchen dishes such as chilli prawn and bun


Ah Hoi's Kitchen dish
For hotel staycation, compare and get good deals here

Tien Court Restaurant at Copthorne King's Hotel

Tien Court Restaurant at Copthorne Kings's Hotel

Tien Court Restaurant is located at Copthorne Kings's Hotel at Havelock Road. They serve Cantonese and Sze Chuan cuisine. Menu includes Sauteed King Prawn, Cod fish fillet, lobster noodles and more..

sauteed king prawn


For hotel staycation, compare and get good deals here

Musical Date - The Phantom of the Opera at Marina Bay Sands Theatre in Singapore


The Phantom of the Opera is here, at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore


The Phantom of the Opera, picture taken from Sistic pamphlet

The Phantom of the Opera is here, at the Marina Bay Sands, from 16 Jul to 11 Aug 2013.
I watched it in New York and it was full house.

Do you remember the crashing chandelier scene?
Book early for early bird discount.



Monday 15 April 2013

Solemnisation Venue - Blisshouse Theme restaurant at Central mall, clarke quay

Blisshouse Theme restaurant

There is a wedding bliss roadshow at the Central mall at Clarke Quay till 12 may.  One of the exhibitors is Blisshouse theme restaurant.  It is newly open at Central mall and the displayed setting looks suitable for a solemnisation venue if you are looking are a indoor cum garden theme solemnisation.


Blisshouse theme

Blisshouse theme displayed setting

Blisshouse theme displayed setting

Plaza Brasserie buffet at PARKROYAL on Beach Road

The buffet at Plaza Brasserie at PARKROYAL on Beach Road has a Best of Asia seafood theme this season (till 26 May).  On a weekday, they served a whole sea bass/ garoupa in hongkong style or in Thai lime sauce for each order, as many servings as you like.



The crab station offers Green curry, pepper and salted egg yolk crab.
Thai green curry crab

Pepper crab
salted egg yolk crab

Oyster station
Oysters
Sushi station
Sushi
others
cheese and chilled prawn
Desert station
Desert

For hotel staycation, compare and get good deals here

Thursday 11 April 2013

Wedding Banquet - Mandarin Oriental

Mandarin Oriental is at the Marina Bay area, opposite the Esplanade.  It is connected to the Marina Square shopping mall and near the Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre.  They are walking distance to the Cityhall MRT station and Esplanade MRT station.

Mandarin Oriental

Their Oriental Ballroom, The Atrium Suites, The Garden Suites cater to different number of guests. 
found these 2013 rates per table:
Wedding Lunch: 968+ taxes
Wedding Dinner: 1068+ taxes (Mon to Thur), 1268+ taxes (fri, eve of public holiday),  1368+ taxes (Sat, Sun and public holiday)


Ang Pow rate for breakeven:
Lunch: $120
Dinner: $130 (weekday) to $160 (weekend)

Wedding Banquet - PARKROYAL on Beach Road


PARKROYAL on Beach Road is walking distance from Nicoll Highway MRT station.  Mid this year, they will have 2 new high ceiling ballrooms.  The Pan Pacific Service Suites Beach Road which opens in May is next to PARKROYAL on Beach Road.


found these 2013 rates per table:

New Ballroom:
Weekday Dinner - $868+taxes
Weekend Dinner - $1008+ taxes

Ang Pow rate for breakeven:
Dinner: $110 (weekday) to $120 (weekend)



PARKROYAL on Beach Road

ParkRoyal on Beach Road, The Plaza Ballroom which can accommodate up to 45 tables.

ParkRoyal Beach Road Plaza Ballroom

This looks like the Garden theme:

ParkRoyal Beach Road Plaza Ballroom

The VIP table setting with golden sash on chairs:

ParkRoyal Beach Road Plaza Ballroom VIP table


     


Wedding Banquet - Conrad Centennial

Conrad Centennial is next to the Suntec Convention and Exhibition Hall at the Marina Bay Area.  It is near to the Cityhall Mrt station and the Promenade MRT station.  

Conrad Centennial

Wedding banquet 2013

found these rates per table:
Wedding Lunch: $1088nett (table of 10)
Weekday dinner- $1238+ taxes (table of 12)
Weekend dinner-  $1438+ taxes (table of 12)

Ang Pow rate for breakeven:
Lunch: $110
Dinner:$130 (weekday) to $150 (weekend)


Wedding Banquet - Intercontinental Singapore


Intercontinental Singapore is next to Bugis Junction shopping mall at Bugis MRT station.  They have a high ceiling ballroom.


Intercontinental Singapore


Wedding Banquet 2013

found these rates per table:

Wedding Lunch - $968+ taxes
Weekend Dinner (Fri & public holiday) - $1238+ taxes
Weekend Dinner (Sat, Sun & public holiday) - $1388+ taxes


Ang Pow rate for breakeven: 
Lunch $120
Dinner: $150 (weekend) to $170 (weekend)


Monday 8 April 2013

Planning for your Honeymoon?

If you are planning for your Honeymoon or your vacation, Emirates is offering special fare on selected departures when you book by 14 April 2013.

Saw these fares:
Singapore to Paris (return) at SGD1189
Singapore to Brisbane (return) at SGD644
Singapore to Melbourne (return) at SGD760

ROM and Solemnisation Venue - Singapore Flyer

Singapore Flyer by night

Solemnisation on the Singapore Flyer

found these 2013 rates:
Singapore flyer has solemnisation package for up to 26 guests from $2999.

Wedding Banquet - Grand Park Cityhall

Wedding Banquet 2013

Grand Park Cityhall is walking distance from Cityhall MRT station, near Funan DigitalLife mall.  Ballroom has high ceiling

Grand Park Cityhall


found these rates per table:
Weekend lunch: 738+ taxes (min 22, max 30 tables)
Weekday(Mon-Thur) dinner: 858+ taxes (min 25, max 30 tables)
Weekday Fri dinner: 968+ taxes (min 25, max 30 tables)
Weekend dinner:  1028+taxes (min 25, max 30 tables)

Ang Pow rate for breakeven:
Lunch: $90
Dinner: $100 (weekday)- $120(weekend)



Wedding Banquet - Swissotel Merchant Court


Swissotel Merchant Court

Wedding Banquet 2013
Swissotel Merchant Court is located next to Clarke Quay Mrt station.  They have a high ceiling ballroom.


Swissotel Merchant Court

found these rates per table:
Wedding Lunch: 768+ taxes (min 25, max 50)
Wedding Dinner: 908+ taxes (Weekday dinner min 30, max 50 tables), 1088+ taxes (Fri, Sat, Sun, Eve of public holiday and public holidays) (min 35, max 50 tables)


Ang Pow rate for breakeven:
Lunch: $90- $100
Dinner: $110 (weekday) to $130 (weekend)


Swissotel Merchant Court

Swissotel Merchant Court Market Cafe

Swissotel Merchant Court entrance to ballroom

Swissotel Merchant Court


Wedding Banquet - PARKROYAL on Pickering

Wedding Banquet

ParkRoyal on Pickering is a new hotel at Upper Pickering Street.  It is walking distance from Clarke Quay Mrt station and Chinatown mrt station on the North East Line.  They have a High ceiling ballroom with a 8 or 9 course menu with Shanghai, Singapore or Paris theme.  The ballroom is on the second level.

PARKROYAL on Pickering
                               
found these banquet rates per table:
Wedding Lunch: 888+ taxes or 988+ taxes min 20, max 30 tables
Weekday dinner: 1088+ taxes or 1188+taxes min 20, max 30 tables
Weekend dinner: 1288+ taxes or 1388+ taxes  min 20, max 30 tables


Ang Pow rate for breakeven: 
Wedding Lunch: $110
Wedding Dinner: $130 (weekday) to $150 (weekend)

Pictures of ParkRoyal on Pickering

Entrance to ParkRoyal on Pickering 

Nicely lit stairways


View from ballroom

William Ballroom reception area




For hotel staycation, compare and get good deals here