#SteveExplores

[steve-explores]

Autumn Tokyo Getaway 2024 - Asakusa, Ginza and Tokyo Station

Day 4 of my Tokyo getaway started bright and early to pray for health and happiness for my family and friends at Asakusa.

After a morning filled with crowds, it was time to escape to Ginza for my favorite ramen in the city: Tsukemen at Tsujita. Although I had to queue for an hour for the ramen, it was definitely worth it as the chewy noodles paired perfectly with the thick flavorful broth.

Next stop: Tea break while walking to Tokyo station.

When I finally arrived at Tokyo Station, it was almost time for dinner which left me with a bit of time to take a quick stroll around the various hobby stores in the area.

While exploring the stores, I came across a unique Oden restaurant which became my dinner spot. Mizutaki Oden Shamon offers a wide selection of oden from chicken and fish cakes to daikon and tofu. I would highly recommend a visit if you happen to be in the neighborhood.

[steve-explores]

Autumn Tokyo Getaway 2024 - Toyosu and Ikebukuro

Start of Day 2 in Tokyo began with visiting one of the best onigiri store in the city: Onigiri Bongo. The store opens at 9am and will have a never ending queue of hungry diners till it closes at night.

Diners can choose from over 50 types of onigiri with lots of customization options to create your favorite kind of rice ball.

I loved it so much that it became my breakfast spot each morning until I left Tokyo.

After filling up my belly, it was off to Toyosu to relax with a good dip in the onsen at Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club.

As the day is ending, it was time for a quick dinner at Ikebukuro Sunshine City with a unique nabe experience at Hakata Motsunabe Yamaya featuring a Mentaiko dinner menu.

After a day of feasting, I took a short stroll and had a surprise encounter with some wild Pokemon.

[steve-explores]

Autumn Tokyo Getaway 2024 - Shibuya

Since I missed my opportunity to visit Tokyo in March due to a sudden bout of fever, I had to grab my chance to explore Tokyo before the end of 2024. What better time to do so than in Autumn with a welcoming weather that is not too cold, not too hot, not too wet and not too dry.

First stop of the day is lunch at my favorite pitstop for udon with a view: TsuruTonTan UDON NOODLE Brasserie at Shibuya Scramble Square. With a wide range of springy udon cooked in a variety of styles, there is bound to be something for everyone.

After lunch, its time to explore the neighborhood to visit some of its iconic residents such as Mario and Mewtwo while indulging in tea breaks in-between.

As day turns to night, the time for dinner queues has arrived and I found myself at Shibuya Scramble to enjoy one of the best Shabu Shabu experience at Tsukada.

Diners can choose between Shabu Shabu and Sukiyaki, and each course includes a starter, meat and vegetables, and a dessert.

The ingredients were fresh, the broth was liquid gold, and the service was impeccable. Truly a great way to end a wonderful first day of Tokyo exploration.

[steve-explores]

Osaka Family Getaway March-2025

After a short four-day stay in Kyoto, we arrived in Osaka to savor the wonderful local cuisine while soaking up the electrifying atmosphere of the city as the community gears up for World Expo 2025.

For this leg of the family trip, we are fortunate to be able to stay at the recently opened Four Seasons Hotel Osaka which is a food paradise endorsed by my little foodie at home.

Our 1st foodie pitstop at Four Seasons Hotel Osaka is Jardin which offers all-day dining from breakfast and lunch to afternoon tea and buffet dinner.

Our 2nd foodie pitstop at Four Seasons Hotel Osaka is Jiang Nan Chun which offers exquisite authentic Cantonese cuisine while offering a stunning view of the city.

One of the most memorable adventure during our Osaka stay is a visit to one of the largest aquarium in the world: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. My recommendation is to cater for an entire day at the aquarium since there is simply so much to see and do in the area.

And on our way back home, we head over to Legoland to say hello to some familiar characters.

During our short trip, we even managed to spring a little surprise birthday party for my mother-in-law at the renowned Sushi L’Abysse Osaka Yannick Alléno at Four Seasons Hotel Osaka.

The omakase experience is one of the best that I have enjoyed, with every dish meticulously constructed and orchestrated into a melodious symphony of flavors and emotions to draw diners into the culinary world painted by the chef. It is a dining experience that I would be returning to during my next visit in Osaka.

With that, it concludes a whirlwind week-long adventure in Kyoto and Osaka.

It has been a truly wonderful family trip and I am looking forward to my next visit in the Kansai region to explore more and eat more!

[steve-explores]

The Summerhouse Valentine's Day Dinner

To end this year's Valentine's Day celebrations with a big finale, my wife and I enjoyed a beautiful private dining experience at The Summerhouse Garden Dome.

Overall, the dining experience at The Summerhouse was enjoyable with a great ambience for romantic gatherings with loved ones.

[steve-explores]

Behind the Canvas Series 1 Jean-Michel Basquiat Immersive Experience

It's the weekends again and it's another opportunity to expose my little toddler to the wonderful world of art with a visit to the Jean-Michel Basquiat Immersive Experience at Marina Bay Sands.

Behind the Canvas Series 1: Jean-Michel Basquiat is a fun interactive exhibition that allows visitors to dive into the wonderful complex mind of the artist through a variety of mixed media experiences.

I would highly recommend the experience for all art lovers both young and old. For more ticketing information, visit https://www.marinabaysands.com/entertainment/events/jean-michel-basquiat.html

[steve-explores]

5th Valentine's Day Celebration at JAAN by Kirk Westaway

Today marks the 5th year that my wife and I celebrated our special Valentine's Day at our favorite restaurant in town, JAAN by Kirk Westaway.

And I am happy to report that the restaurant is still as good as ever, serving up comforting modern British cuisine in an inviting environment overlooking the beautiful cityscape.

Here's a quick look at my Valentine's Day lunch feast:

The restaurant led by Chef Kirk Westaway is a testament that great restaurants can age well like fine wine while maintaining its core values of delivering delicious cuisine that is held to the highest standards in the competitive local culinary scene. We noticed small improvements in familiar favorites while the chef and his team continue to explore new seasonal ingredients to deliver exciting dishes and flavors to its guests.

And yes, we would be returning to the restaurant to celebrate our 6th Valentine's Day together.

Till then, Bon Appétit!

[steve-explores]

Chingay Parade 2025 Joy

Chingay Parade is back for another grand party, celebrating SG60 with a theme of Joy which focuses on our love for food that transcends age, language, and ethnicity.

This year's street parade is extra special as both Malaysia and Singapore will jointly nominate Chingay onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in March 2025 as an SG60 milestone and a joint effort with Malaysia to commemorate 60 years of bilateral ties.

Check the exciting telecast of the Chingay Parade at https://www.youtube.com/@ChingayParadeSG

[steve-explores]

Exploring The World of Studio Ghibli

As a long time fan of the World of Studio Ghibli, I am excited to share my passion for my favorite Ghibli films with my family at the exhibition held at ArtScience Museum.

The exhibits are located at two levels: Basement 2 and Level 3. Fans are advised to allocate at least 1-2 hours to explore all of the exhibits as the exhibition features lots of exquisite sets recreating iconic film scenes with lots of photo opportunities and hands-on activities.

My family enjoyed the exhibit a lot and I managed to convince my wife to watch a couple of Studio Ghibli movies with me after exploring the beautiful exhibition.

Catch The World of Ghibli at ArtScience Museum till 2 Feb 2025.

For ticking information, visit https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/exhibitions/studio-ghibli.html

[steve-explores]

Wedding Anniversary Celebrations at Cloudstreet

Time flies and its been 3 years since my last visit to Cloudstreet. Back then, I was just turning 41 and being thankful for meeting the love of my life during the pandemic lockdown. Fast forward to today, I am happily married and navigating parenthood with the best partner that I could ever hope for.

Stepping into the restaurant feels surreal as it is both familiar and distant at the same time, a déjà vu feeling in a revamped environment with similar vibes accompanied by the same dining companion.

Any reservations I had is quickly blown away by a bubbly warm reception and a menu that parallels my last visit in 2021.

Below is a quick look at the menu for the night:

The night started strongly with a couple of appetizing bites followed by a trio of delectable starters that showcase the growth of the chef and restaurant, elevating and refining every single aspect presented on the plate, and exemplifying the age old advice of "less is more".

With an impressive start, we quickly moved on to the main event with dishes ranging from Japanese Saba and Murray Cod to their signature Liquorice Bread and Tochigi A4 Wagyu. Flawless presentation with clean, refined flavor notes that speaks volumes of the depth of the team helmed by Chef Rishi.

At the end of a satisfying line-up of mains, we moved upstairs to Level 2 for a trio of desserts and snacks to end the night.

Overall, I loved the dining experience at Cloudstreet, with the restaurant entering my personal list of top 5 culinary marvels in Singapore that I would visit again and again. The entire menu shows a lot more refinement along with measured restraint and flair from Chef Rishi, and I am excited to see how the restaurant continues to evolve in years to come.

Big thank you to the entire Cloudstreet team for making my wedding anniversary extra special with one of the most memorable and delicious meals that I enjoyed in 2024.

[steve-explores]

Autumn Tokyo Getaway 2024 - Omotesando

Just one more day before I leave Tokyo so I decided to explore the various cafes in Omotesando on a rainy weekend.

My first pitstop is Higuma Doughnuts × Coffee Wrights which serves freshly made doughnuts with a great cup of espresso.

And just a few steps away is the renowned Koffee Mameya where fans travel around the world to sample its brews.

After two cups of delicious coffee, I have reached my limit and slowly made my way back to Shibuya Scramble Square for a delicious late lunch at Sushi Kakida. The menu is simple, the prices are reasonable, and the quality of the sushi is fantastic.

With lots to pack before returning to Singapore, an early dinner made sense and it was back to Shabu Shabu at Tsukada in Shibuya Scramble Square.

And with that, I bid farewell to Tokyo. The visit was short but the experiences were truly memorable. Till next time!

[steve-explores]

Autumn Tokyo Getaway 2024 - Kawagoe

Time flies and its almost the half way mark of my Autumn getaway in Tokyo. I decided to spend a day in Kawagoe, getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

After arriving in Kawagoe, my first order of business is to visit the local Starbucks which has a unique look and feel unlike others in the city.

Lunch time involves sampling one of the best Oyakodon at Ohana which has great balance and flavors in a deceptively simple dish.

I have always enjoyed strolling along the streets of Kawagoe, admiring its unique architecture that transports visitors to a different space and time.

To end the day, its a special visit to Ogakiku, an unagi restaurant with over 200 years of history. Needless to say, the experience was absolutely amazing and its a visit that needs to be undertaken by all unagi lovers.

[steve-explores]

Grand Europe Adventure 2024 - Sightseeing in Taormina, Italy

During our short stay at San Domenico Palace, we managed to briefly explore the beautiful tranquil town located close to the hotel.

[steve-explores]

Grand Europe Adventure 2024 - Family Time at San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel, Italy

After three weeks in Europe, we are finally at our last destination: San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel. This hotel is formerly a 14th century convent and is awarded “Best Hotel” in the Legends, Luminaries, and Leaders Best of the Best category at the 2023 Virtuoso Travel Awards.

The hotel truly lives up to its title as the best hotel with its breathtaking views, beautiful interior, and luxurious amenities and facilities.

San Domenico Palace, Taormina is the perfect final pitstop to celebrate my family's three week European adventure spanning 7 cities across 2 countries. We spent a lot of time by the pool and in the restaurants, dining and relaxing as we prepare to return back home in time to start school for our little girl.

Here's a quick glimpse at all of the delicious culinary creations at San Domenico Palace, Taormina:

A huge thank you to the team at San Domenico Palace, Taormina for making our short stay so memorable!

[steve-explores]

Grand Europe Adventure 2024 - Exploring masterpieces at Galleria Borghese, Rome Italy

One of our final pitstop in Rome is Galleria Borghese, which is a former palace and currently houses one of the most impressive art collections in the world featuring masterpieces by Caravaggio, Canova, and Raphael.

A key highlight for our trip to Galleria Borghese is a walk through Borghese Gardens which is filled with families on picnics and bike rides on a lazy weekend afternoon.

After a 20 minute stroll through the Borghese Gardens, we finally arrived at Galleria Borghese. Unfortunately, part of the gallery is closed for renovations. So it will be another excuse to return to Rome in the future.

And with that, we will finally bid farewell to Rome where we spent a memorable week in the historical city.

Next final destination in our Grand Europe Adventure in 2024: Taormina!

[steve-explores]

Grand Europe Adventure 2024 - Admiring The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps, Rome Italy

It's another beautiful sunny day in Rome which means more places to explore in the city!

First stop is The Spanish Steps which is made famous in the classic Roman Holiday film staring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. Noteworthy is that the public is banned from sitting on the steps after a major cleaning and restoration project in 2016 with €400 fines being handed out to offenders.

Next stop is The Trevi Fountain which is the most popular fountain in the city for tourist to visit and capture beautiful shots of the spectacular fountain. It is highly advisable to visit before 8am to avoid the crowds.

Final pitstop is Piazza del Popolo which was once the traditional entrance point to the city where “all roads lead to Rome”.

And finally, the highlight of the day: The Pantheon. It was built originally as a temple to all gods and later turned into a church, renowned for its dome which is the largest unsupported dome in the world.