Classic aperitivi at Osteria Mozza, Marina Bay Sands

This was an invite to experience the classic aperitivi at Osteria Mozza. Some of you know I am not a drinker, but I like to find out more about things. So I accepted the invitation.

What is aperitivo? (singular of aperitivi) It's an alcoholic drink served before a meal as an appetiser. Oh yes, the Italians have turn their pleasure into a tradition, having a drink and some 'nibbles' just before their 'late' meals. I remember going to Rome and while everyone's enjoying their drinks around 6 to 7 pm. Our family, we were so hungry looking for dinner and no one except tourists like us are having dinner!

Osteria Mozza's Amaro Bar has launched a menu consists of the classic aperitivi as well as refreshing spring/summer cocktails made with fresh seasonal herbs and fruits. We were hosted by Bar Manager Mr Lucas Swallows was with Chef Mario Batali's companies in LA before heading to Singapore.


It was very entertaining listening to Mr Swallows talk about his knowledge about drinks and food that goes with it. He talked about how using fresh seasonal ingredients like herbs and fruits makes a difference. Their ingredients are sourced together by Osteria Mozza outlets in US.


There are also antipasti prepared by the Osteria Mozza kitchen to go with your drinks.
Oh the above was delicious!


Mr Swallows preparing a light summer drink for us.


The Gordon's Cup ($22)
A cucumber and gin based drink was for a non-drinker like me, quite refreshing because of the cucumber scented Gin used together with Japanese cucumbers, freshly squeezed lime and syrup.

Somehow I particularly liked the cucumbers!


I could not help not snapping a photo of this.
We were seated at the bar and these were all in front of us. ;-)


The Singapore Sling (1913). ($22)

Whenever Mr Swallows mentions "Singapore Sling", he will add "Nineteen Thirteen" behind it. It sounds quite a mouthful but that's the name of the drink here, Singapore Sling (1913). He said what they have here is very close to the original recipe, just with an added Italian Twist. This version mixes dry gin, cherry brandy, and Benedictine Dom with bitters, lime and soda.

From my notes that I entered into my phone, I noted the taste as very fruity, a refreshing tartness yet complex. (I forgot what I meant by complex). I remember this version here is not as sweet. If you have tried the many versions of Singapore Sling around, try this and see what you think of it.


The Singapore Sling (1913) was paired with a toast with aubergine, mozzarella and caramelised nuts.


Mr Swallows crushing ice manually because he said his usual tools have not arrived in Singapore.
All the citrus they used in their drinks are all hand-crushed.
He was going to prepare the Berry Cobbler.


The Berry Cobbler ($22)
Made from raspberry, muddled citrus, Brandy, Amaro and crushed ice.
Ahem, very strong for me. It does smell good though.


That's if you are wondering which Brandy and Amaro was used for the drink.
As I said I am learning and want to find out more, the Rabarbaro Zucca was created in 1845, and was served in the royal court. Ref It's based on Chinese medicine!


Acque Fresche
If you are not into alcoholic drinks, there's their "Acque Fresche" menu.
Mocktails or their artisanal sodas made from fresh herbs. All priced at $10.

Birre Alla Bottiglie
My father-in-law will probably be interested in their "Birre Alla Bottiglie" menu.
There was around 7 different Italian and American beers.

The Amaro Bar serves aperitivi during dinner service, which runs daily from 5pm – 11pm.

Osteria Mozza 10 Bayfront Avenue Level B1, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Singapore 018956 Tel: +65 6688 8522 Amaro Bar hours: Dinner: 5pm – 11pm (Daily)

Maison Ikkoku Bar @ Kandahar Street

Some people leave office on the dot so they can pick up their kids.  Many of my colleagues do that!

Some leave work on the dot so that they can go exercise. I know more people doing this!

Some others have to work late because everyone in their company stay back just to show they are hardworking! It's true, I have friends that work in such company!

Some others leave work to meet up and enjoy a drinks of two with their friends or colleagues to network or to catch up. If you are in this category, lucky you! 

Here's one place that recently opened that might interest you.


(These 2 photos courtesy of Maison Ikkoku)

Maison Ikkoku recently opened up their Bar on the 3rd floor of the shophouse they occupy. It's 1000 sq feet in area space with a seating capacity for 45 pax. It has a nice cosy indoor place and a 'roof top' outdoor area too.

I was there recently to try out some of their MI Signature Cocktails.


MI2 - Passionate Moment is the name of this drink.

The server came and took out a lighter. The sprig of rosemary was set a flame. It's to extract the flavour of the herb. I can only smell a bit of it! LOL!


MI2 Passionate Moment is made from Fresh Passionfruit, Lemon, Rosemary, Gin, Vodka ($22).
It's made from Freshly Squeezed Juices! You might it's fruit juices when you have it until the alcohol hits you!



MI1 White French Maid is another of their signature MI cocktails. It's concocted with Coffee Liquor, French Caramel Liquor, Vodka, Fresh Milk and Coffee Beans ($25).

See the layers? The top layer of fresh milk that has been froth up and 'burnt' using a torch has a texture like marshmallows!

I am not much of a coffee person nor an alcoholic but KopiKosongGirl is! It's her kind of drink with alcohol added in! Coffee bean's the same one they used to brew their coffee on the ground floor.



The cocktail bar is helmed by Director of Bar Operations and Mixologies, Ethan Leslie Leong. He has over 18 years of experience in the food & beverage/hospitality industry as a bartender, consultant and mixologist.

Here he is mixing another glass of MI1 White French Maid.


We were chatting and I was looking at how Ethan made the drink.
That's not fresh cream, but fresh milk that has been froth up!



The Fabulous DianaV ($25)

MI’s mixologist Ethan has collaborated with three personalities to come up with their own bespoke cocktails.

- Renowned Show Producer Daniel Boey
- Award-winning Art Director Justin Long
- Home-grown singer-songwriter Aarika Lee

Looking at the ingredients of the drinks, I had Daniel Boey's The Fabulous DianaV. Ingredients were Red apple, Mint, Gin, Pomegranate, Lemon, Apple Liquor and Menthe-Pastile. It's nice!

These cocktails available for a limited time from now till October 2012 and each is priced at $25.



One of the interesting snack I had with the drinks is the Spam Fries!
Ooo, so salty and yet to addictive!

Maison Ikkoku Cocktail Bar 20 Kandahar Street Singapore 198885 Hours: Mon - Thu (6pm – 1am) Fri, Sat and Eve of Public Holiday (6pm – 2am). Closed on Sun. http://www.maison-ikkoku.net/

Bar Hopping @ Changi Airport Terminals 1, 2 and 3, Singapore

About 2 Fridays ago, if you have been following me on Twitter, Facebook or on Instagram on the iPhone, you would have followed me on my adventure around the 3 Terminals at Changi Airport.

What were the group of 5 of us doing? We were bar-hopping in the Departure / Transit Area of the airport, i.e. the section after you have passed the Immigration. While bar-hopping we also got to visit the Butterfly Garden and discovered that there are 2 Movie Theatres at the airport too.

There are just so many things to do in the airport, each Terminal has about 100 shops or more. The whole airport is like 3 huge shopping, adventure, eating and drinking mall!

How early do you always check in for your flights? There are people who like to check-in online and arrive at the airport just in time. If you do that, you are missing out what Changi Airport has to offer. Do you know that for some airlines, you can check-in 24 hours before the flight? Check this page for the timing. The past few years I have been checking in 2 to 3 hours early so that I can roam the airport. I have this fascination about airports that I can't explain.

Anyway, if you have been to Changi Airport recently, you would have noticed the Fabulous Fridays Deals that is going on.  I flew back to Singapore the other day and I was in a rush to go home I forgot about the deals. So the next time you are flying in or out of Changi Airport on Fridays, remember to go early or stay back later. In the past few months, they were featuring different themes such as Perfume and Cosmetics (SKII Cellumination and Laneige Water Sleeping pack was at 30% off) and Electronics (iPad2 going at 30% off).

The Fabulous Friday theme for November is "Liquor". Selected liquors will be offered at 50% off! All shoppers need to do is to spend a minimum of $30 via Visa or $60 by other means at any retail or dining outlets at Changi. Present the receipt at the event area and redeem these vouchers to enjoy fabulous savings.

Follow me as I remember the trip around the 3 Terminals of Changi Airport for the Bar-Hopping Experience.

>> Changi Airport Terminal 3 - Hard Rock Cafe



The adventure started with dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe at Terminal 3.

Do you know that the Hard Rock Cafe at Terminal 3 is the first Hard Rock Cafe in an airport in the world? The menu is pretty interesting and most of it I remember being told can also be found at the city branch.



The Hurricane ($18) and if you opt for it to be served in a souvenir glass ($30) that you can bring that glass home!

What's inside? It's a rumbling blend of orange, mango and pineapple juice, infused with Bacardi Superior Rum, dark rum, amaretto and grenadine and garnished with an orange and maraschino cherry.

I would say 'potent'.



The Triple Platinum Margarita ($15) and you want a Keeper, ie with the Margarita Glass it's $30.
It's a mix of Sauza Gold Tequila, triple sec, Grand Marnier and margarita mix come together to provide the ultimate margarita experience.



The Exotic Margarita ($22)
It's a Patrón Silver Tequila and triple sec mixed with Monin Pomegranate syrup and margarita mix.



If you want a non-alcoholic drink, this is an example of it.
The Groupie Grind ($8) with Margarita Glass ($23)

It's made from Mango purée, piña colada mix and pineapple juice blended with a strawberry swirl. I find this very nice!



This was the Crushed Velvet ($8) with Martini Glass ($23)

It's Monin Pomegranate and Monin Raspberry syrup combined with fresh lemonade and Sprite. I warn you this was super super sweet!

End of Stop 1. We tried 5 drinks.
My personal favourite was probably the Groupie Grind.




>> Changi Airport Terminal 1 - Harry's Bar at the Cactus Garden



Did you know that there's a Cactus Garden on the rooftop of Terminal 1?

I did not until this bar-hopping adventure. The Cactus Garden is where Harry's Bar is located. There are 40 species of cacti and succulents that they brought in from Africa and the Americas. It was dark at night so I did not go around. I would come back again during the day time on my next flight out of Terminal 1.

There are Golden Barrels, Silver Touch, Oldman Cactus, towering Prickly-Pear and giant bottle shaped Club-Foot trees. There is also a collection of massive prehistoric Cycads, towering Euphorbia's and tree-like Dracaenas. (Information that I got from the Changi Airport website) There are also metal cactus plants that glows at night! These were the ones that I could see at night. LOL




This was Dirty Harry. ($15)
It's a mix of Vodka, Lychee Liqueur, Brown sugar and lime wedges.




The Dry Martini. ($14)
I found out that night that I don't like Martinis at all! Just not my type of drink. ;-)



The Jungle Juice ($15)
It's a blend of Banana Liqueur, Malibu, Midori Melon Liqueur, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice and Grenadine.

I like this! It just taste so refreshing!




The Strawberry Margarita ($15)



The Singapore Sling ($15)



The bartender really know his stuff. When asked to come up with a drink, he mixed a special drink for us. Cointreau, cranberry and lime with a orange fragrance. The fragrance was from a slice of orange peel that was set aflame.

End of Stop 2. We tried 6 drinks. Total 11 drinks for the night.
My personal favourite was probably the Jungle Juice.



>> Changi Airport Terminal 1 - Swimming Pool and Bar



I heard of the swimming pool on the rooftop of Terminal 1 and it's the first time that I set foot into it.
It's next to the Ambassador Transit Hotel that is very very popular. If you are transiting in Changi, it's best to prebook a room if you want to stay there.



It's free entry, you only pay when you want to use a pool when you are not a hotel guest. Non hotel guest pay SGD $13.91 nett. Price for use is inclusive of pool usage, shower, basic toiletries and a non-alcoholic drink.



Remy Martin VSOP.

Note for Airport Visitors on 18 Nov 2011:
Transit Area: Remy VSOP (1 litre) - Usual price $70.50, Special Price on 18 Nov only $35.25
Public Area: Remy Martin VSOP (750 ml) - Usual price $105.00, Special price on 18 Nov only $52.50



Johnnie Walker Black Label.

I should have blogged this earlier. On 4 Nov, Johnnie Walker Black Label was part of the Fabulous Friday special.

Anyway, for the Fabulous Friday 25 Nov deal, Vodka drinkers would be glad.
Transit Area: Grey Goose Original - Usual price $57.00, Special Price on 25 Nov only $28.50
Public Area: Absolute Vodka Blue (750 ml) - Usual price $66.50, Special price on 25 Nov only $33.25



Black Label and Remy Martin's again not my kind of drink.
If you like a sweeter version of the Singapore Sling ($18.50 nett), try it here at the Pool Bar.

The bartender said, their follow quite closely the original Singapore Sling recipe.

End of Stop 3. We tried 3 drinks. Total 14 drinks for the night.
My personal favourite was probably the Singapore Sling here, since I don't like hard liquor.



>> Changi Airport Terminal 2 - Hari's Pub



This is different from Harry's Bar that we went earlier. This is Hari's Pub.
Smoker who are dying to get a puff after or before going up the plane (smoking is bad by the way! Seek help from Health Promotion Board's Quit4Life if you can.) can come here.



Fuzzy Navel ($16 nett)
Mix of Vodka and Peach




Limelight ($16 nett)
Sweet, Smoky and a bit of lime.



Green Ice ($16 nett)
Mix of Vodka,  Gin, Tequila, Rum and Midori.



Negroni ($16 nett)
Mix of Campari, Gin and Martini.

We also had another Negroni variant that was lighter. That was mixed with Soda. I can't take it. Still too strong for me.




House Beer. It's incredibly nice. Very smooth and easy to drink.
We were listening to the Manager explaining to us that most house beer are made in house, but for theirs, they get someone to brew it for them. Only when it's done at a brewery they can get it so light, smooth and consistent. Too many kind of alcohol in the system, I can't remember who brew it for them.

End of Stop 4. We tried 6 drinks. Total 20 drinks for the night.
My personal favourite was probably the Singapore Sling here, since I don't like hard liquor.


>> Changi Airport Terminal 2 - O'Learys Sports Bar and Grill



O'Learys Sports Bar and Grill at Terminal 2 serves food that's similar to Hard Rock Cafe in Terminal 3. I was reading Instagram and Twitter replies plus the Changi Airport staff, half seems to like Hard Rock better, the other half thinks O'Learys is nicer.

What do you think?



I always think it's fun to sit at the bar counter.
I think it's because I can 'see' what the barman is doing.




Tiger Beer.



We got to try out 2 new drinks that they are going to serve in their menu. I think it's available now since it's November.

The Cosmopolitan.
A mix of Vodka, Cointreau, Lime Juice and Cranberry Juice.



The Sidecar.
Remy Martin, Cointreau and Lime Juice.



Kir Royale.
Crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) in Champagne.




Thanks to the manager here, he said we should try this.
Their signature Chicken Quesadilla. It's nice to have something to eat after drinking so many kinds of spirits. It is nice. Something warm after all the cold drinks.


End of Stop 5. We tried 4 drinks. Total 24 drinks for the night.
My personal favourite was probably the Chicken Quesadilla. I think too much alcohol has numb the brains. LOL



>> Changi Airport Terminal 3 - Tiger Signature Bar



We got back to Terminal 3. Tiger has their Signature Bar here.
Previously known as the Tiger Champions Lounge, they have renovated and it's call Tiger Signature Bar.



See your favourite drink there?



It was like 12:45 in the morning and we were half awake and half filled with the spirit.
But when some deep fried food was served, we ate it.



The drink to try here is Tiger Crystal.  It's the lighter version of the original Tiger Beer. It's lower in alcohol content too, at 4.3% instead of 5%.

You can see how cold the beer is. The beer tap was frozen with ice!



Tiger Crystal. ($12)



Their version of Singapore Sling. ($20)
Of the many versions of Singapore Sling, I like the version here.


End of Stop 6. We tried 4 drinks, 2 kinds. Total 28 drinks for the night.

My personal favourite was probably the Tiger Crystal.

Now, that was quite an adventure isn't it? There are many more drinking places to visit in Changi Airport, but we could only do that many in around 6 hours. Do you know that Anthony Bourdain said that Changi Airport is one of the Top 3 Airport Bars in the World?

The next time you are flying through Changi Airport, check in early! There are things to discover at this wonderful airport. The places above also serves non-alcoholic drinks. While walking around, I also discovered something else. There are also as many Coffee places in Changi Airport! The next time I fly out, maybe I shall recce the place and find Chocolate and Chocolate Drink places!



Please, please drink responsibly. We shared the drinks and did not finished them all.


This bar-hopping adventure has been made possible thanks to Corporate Communications Office of the Changi Airport Group.