Cafe Fest 2014 @ The WaterFront Promenade

Cafe Fest 2014 
Address: The WaterFront Promenade (the nearest entrance to MBS is the one near Carnivore)


We had 2 VIP passes to the Cafe Fest 2014 and it is K's birthday, I thought it was quite a special experience because we don't get Cafe Fest here before so we went.

Here is a brief introduction before I start to write about my experience today.

Cafe Fest is organised in this way that they hand-picked 12 cafes to participate so that we can have 12 cafes in ONE place. Its quite a brilliant idea, I always think Singapore is too boring, we should have more weekends events/markets.

This event is open to everyone, it is a open area, anyone can pass by go come! However there are passes whereby you can purchase from as early as 2-3 months back. These passes are Regular Passes S$20-25 and VIP Passes S$30.

You must be confused, why buy passes when its open to EVERYONE. READ BELOW which I extracted from their website.


From Cafe Fest Website

''Hang on. If the vent is opened to public, why do I need a pass?

Yup. Everyone's welcome at the festival but only festival pass holders can purchase F&B from the 12 cafés. Also, festival pass holders get to enjoy festival prices at the event. These prices for F&B can go as much as 25% off regular priced items at their cafés. Not to mention the awesome freebies that come with it. We're really helping you save and get the best out of this event.''

''How much are the passes?

Regular café hopping passes are $20 for early bird and $25 after that. VIP passes are $30. Either way, we promise you an amazing experience on both days!''

''What is this VIP area about?

First off, being a VIP is always amazing. The VIP area we're catering for is a sheltered tent where our VIP guests can get some shade from the sun. Trust us, with Singapore's weather, any shade would make a massive difference. VIPs can hang out in the VIP area and watch our live music acts while enjoying great food & beverage. The space in the VIP area is limited so we're operating on a first come, first served basis! We're very strict on who gets to enter so please ensure your friends and family coming with you are all VIPs, if not you'll be the only one in there and trust us, you'll have no second thoughts about leaving everyone behind! (: ''

http://mypaper.sg/lifestyle/have-day-out-coffee-20140804 - this is a write-up by My Paper, stating goodie bag worth S$100 and VIP priority queues.

Wow sounds pretty fun & exciting! Lets get started! 

I was expecting something like Savour but a smaller scale but I was wrong & greatly disappointed.



Registration booth! The crew in grey Cafe Fest tees at this booth are volunteers, so be nice to them.

We arrived at 10.10am, so the pictures you see here are not flooded with people. I came back to take a look at 2.30pm, WOWWWWW it was so so so so crowded, long queues are seen everywhere, and makes the whole place minimal walking space.

Anyway, the event starts at 10am, 1 of the volunteer was kind enough to inform us that most stalls are not ready yet, give them around 15 mins. It was fine with us, we don't expect them to be PERFECT since this is their first time anyway. 10am or 10.30am is fine.

By the way, there are Nu Smoothie welcome drinks but we were not told.

And I realised regular pass holders has a bottle of water in their goodie bags but not us :(



They will give you a stamp and goodie bag after you had registered. Remember to get your stamp as this is needed for the fabulous discounts & amazing experience that they claimed above.



Well, actually nothing to shout about. Appreciate the cloth bags, inside the bags are all ''papers'', basically pamphlets and Nets FlashPay card with S$0 value and of course a map of this Cafe Fest.


12 Cafes



I am cafe.



Cute signage!



Cake Love, not even open yet.



OZ Specialty Coffe



Bloomsbury Bakers



Maison Ikkoku



Necessary Provisions



Hatter Street - look at the poster on the left, it gets me all excited because I can finally try the waffles without heading to the cafe.



Jimmy Monkey



Toby's Estate



Tiong Bahru Bakery



The Providore



Common Man Coffee Roasters


VIP Area



This tent here is the Live Band + VIP Seating area. I was starting to feel the disappointment.



Maybe 20 beanbag chair-like in the VIP area, so VIPs, you all sit on the green grass patch ok.

Then we all realised, this VIP area is accessible by everyone & anyone. The public, the regular pass holders too. Why VIP pass holders were reminded if 1 in the group is VIP pass holder, the rest of the friends should buy VIP passes too because ''trust us, you'll have no second thoughts about leaving everyone behind! (: ''



Even if there is a proper control, this VIP seating area is too open, so what is VIP or public. VIPs paid S$30 for nothing. FYI, VIPs don't have express queue, don't have any special seating areas. Go at your own risk.

Latest update from Cafe Fest's Facebook post because too many negative feedbacks & complaints on their Facebook:

''Taking your feedback in for tomorrow's festival, we will make the following changes:

- VIP express queues at certain cafés for VIP pass holders
- To create more value for our pass holders, we've decided to increase the prices for non-pass holders. That value will be at least $2 to $3 more than pass holders.
- Tighter management of access to VIP tentage

As some of you have attended Saturday's session and might not come for Sunday's, we are working out some form of compensation for you. Please drop us an email (cafefest.compensation@gmail.com) with your name and NRIC, which and how many passes by Sunday, September 13. We will consolidate and inform you about the compensation details.

We conceptualised this festival with the best of intentions, and we're extremely disappointed we fell short of your expectations. We know this may not put all of you at ease, but we do apologise and will continue to do our best to address all your concerns.''


Actually with this status update from Cafe Fest, I personally feel that they are trying to drive public (those without passes) away, telling them not to go for Sunday's session. They are increasing the price for PUBLIC. Meaning a coffee cost S$6 earlier on, and will cost at least S$7-8 on Sunday. So dear PUBLIC, if the increase of price is true, and you are in time to see this post, you may refer to the prices below for the food/drinks I had there.


The Food & Service



Our first stop is Tiong Bahru Bakery. Ordered:

Kouign Amann S$4 (pass holders)/ S$5 (public) &
Chicken Hotdog with Pepper Vienna S$6 (pass holders) / S$7 (public)

1 staff packed the food for us, another collected money from me. Gave her a S$50 note, and received S$30. So I was charged S$20 instead of S$10. I went back to tell the staff and she returned me the S$10 apologetically.

Phew, got my money back hahah.

There are only 4 tables with benches around, we managed to grab seats, we opened up the bag and found ONLY A KOUIGN AMANN. By now K was fuming mad, actually I was too. We were sweating like mad already, plus the first cafe we went to, is … … Anyway, we went back to collect the Chicken Hotdog bun.

Well, anyway its K's birthday, I dont want to spoil it. I asked if he want to leave now, he said it was ok, just stay on and enjoy.

But frankly speaking, we both find that the Kouign Amann taste better here because it was heated up, and its fresh. Yums!



It was very very hot, so I saw that Necessary Provisions had this Houjicha Cold Brew S$5.50 (pass holders) / S$6 (public).

Went to order, paid and waited for my drinks as there were 3 customers in front of me waiting for their coffee.

When it was my turn, I was told that they have not gotten their ice supply, can I just have the Houjicha, i said ok.

So what you see here is what I was served (just that I took 2 sips before I realised I should take a picture). Less than half a cup S$5.50.

So, this point of time, I was really quite mad.



Next is Bloomsbury Bakers.

Was attracted by their pretty & yummy-sounding desserts.

Banana Peanut Butter Cup S$5 (pass holder) , I forgotten how much was it for public.

Was asked if I want this to be heated up, I said ok, it would be nice. 8 seconds later, i was told ''sorry our heating appliances are not ready yet.''

But it is very soft and nice even its not heated up. We enjoyed it!



Speculoos Cheesecake S$5 (pass holder) is really good too, however drink more water, as I sense a sore throat towards the end of the cup.

Hopped over to Hatter Street to want to order a waffle, was told that the organiser did not allow them to sell waffles here :((



Lastly, OZ Specialty Coffee for a bottle of Coffee with Milk Cold Brew S$4 (pass holder).

Coffee is the kind that I like! Grabbed the bottle and get out of there within 20 minutes. I was frankly disappointed. Very disappointed.

Its funny I hop lesser here compared to my other cafe hopping days.


Thank you to the organisers for the effort by putting everything together for this Cafe Fest. However as VIP pass holders, we expect something different if not why call VIP? VIP pass holders paid S$30 per pax for an amazing experience, however they don't expect the amazing experience to be like ''paid money for nothing'' experience. Nobody consider that as amazing.



Lastly, OOTD. All in a super good mood before heading out, but to come home feeling sad & disappointed.

Maki-San Design your own Sushi @ The Arcade

Maki-San
Address: 
11 Collyer Quay #01-12 The Arcade Singapore 049317 (Opens Mon-fri, close at 2pm on Sat, close on Sundays)
2 Handy Road #B1-17/18 The Cathay Singapore 229233 (opens daily)

For Delivery: 82184204 The Arcade
                      67378772 The Cathay



If you have not heard, Maki-San (the first Sushi DIY shop) opens at CBD in The Arcade! WOOHOO! Sad to say I am not working in the CBD, but I can feel the joy of the CBD people. DIY lunch, why not? Today, Chef Eric, the founder & Chef of Maki-San speak to us on his experience here and let us understand more on Maki-San. We are very very honoured.

Chef Eric is a chef from a very reputable hotel in Singapore, ok don't disclose too much. Anyway he shared with us his experience being a chef there. :D



Maki-San is Singapore's and Southeast Asia's first ever concept shop that lets you customise your own sushi and Japanese-Inspired salads.

Every part of your sushi roll and salad bowl can be designed to suit your taste buds - from the rice, wraps, meats - down to veggies and homemade sauces. DIY sushi and salads is that fuss-free!

And if you feel that its too tedious, simply choose from their selection of ready-made house specialities like

California Dreaming S$8.90: California roll, with Kani Sticks, Avocado, Tamagoyaki, Asparagus, Carrots, Cucumbers, Tobiko covered in Mayo.

Keep On Shrimpin' S$9.90: Tempura Ebi, Asparagus, Mixed Greens, Wasabi Mayo, rolled up in an unconventional sesame soy wrap.

Roast N' Roll S$8.90: Shredded Chicken, rolled with Asparagus, Roasted Tomatoes, Grilled Zucchini and topped with BBQ Sauce.



When Maki-san opened 2 years back at the Cathay, I was so excited and pulled my colleagues to try! We already had our dinner but still shared a maki & salad. The ingredients are fresh and lots of varieties for us to choose from.

I am also a very visual person, so I love love love their sushi boxes, they are so pretty! Later I will show you. I see from Instagram, many people reuse the boxes as a pencil case, little storage box, or even cut out and make them into bookmarks!

And needless to say, the clean & simple furnishings in the shop, like a eat-and-go kind of quick and fulfilling mealtime you can have here.



Chef Eric in the picture! :X

However the outlet at The Arcade don't have any seating area, just a bar counter table that can stand maybe 4-5 person.





Only at The Arcade

Firstly pick up a form for either Sushi or Salad. For The Arcade outlet, there is also an additional ''Bread'' form!

So apart from DIY Sushi & Salads, Maki-San also sells Bread/Sandwiches, but only at The Arcade!

And and and, Chef Eric also tells us that he is going to have a grab & go kind of mini sizes maki and also a Yaki-BeeHoon (I would love love to try that!!) for morning rush hour! The word Yaki-BeeHoon already makes me salivate.

Maki-San is so good to CBD people, I told Chef Eric to open one near me! Anyway, they are also opening an outlet soon in London! *claps*





Maki-San now DELIVERS:

from The Arcade to:
Ocean Towers, Ocean Financial Centre, Clifford Centre, 16 Collyer Quay, Tung Centre, HSBC Building, Straits Trading Building, Singapore Land Tower, Chevron House, OUE Tower, OUE Bayfront, Equity Plaza, Republic Plaza, Republic Plaza II, Bharat Building, Malacca Centre, Royal Brothers Building, Bank of Singapore Centre, Sinsoy Building & One Raffles Place.
Contact us 8218 4204 to place your orders today!

from The Cathay to:
Cathay Residences, SMU, SOTA, POMO, Peace Centre, Sunshine Plaza, Lasalle, NAFA, Wilkie’s Edge, Rendezvous Hotel, Park Mall, MacDonald House, Plaza Singapura, YMCA, Concorde Hotel, Manu Life building.
Min Spend: $50
Delivery Hours: 12pm - 9pm
Contact us 67378772 to place your orders today!

Did not see your location above, order via food panda.sg!





Maki-San has a large spread of raw & grilled items, freshly prepared or sourced. Western, Japanese and local flavours - all coming together for a fun, flavourful mix.

They also use unique ingredients like brown rice for sushi and glass noodles for salad base.





The usual seaweed wrap.



If you want a healthier version, you can choose the soy wrap instead.







We are ready to place our orders!



Had always love the beautiful boxes!



A peek into our boxes. Teehee! I can have pink sushi roll!



Our Mega Sans.





Introducing this creation of K's. I forgotten what are the ingredients except the tempura soft shell crab and chili crab sauce!!

You have to try the refreshing chili crab sauce, it is way too good! By the way, all the sauces are house made! The chill crab sauce is actually a monthly special. It receives good response so Maki-San decided to continue the sauce for a month.

Mega San S$9.90: 1 wrap, 1 rice, 5 essentials, 1 special, 1 sprinkle and 1 house sauce.

Sounds like a good deal, creating your own sushi by choosing from a huge variety of ingredients!





And this is my creation!

If you think that Mega San is too mega for you, you may choose Little San.

Little San S$6.90: 1 wrap, 1 rice, 3 essentials, 1 sprinkle, 1 house sauce.

If you are expecting half the quantity, you are wrong, the maki is still a full size maki, just that it is reduced by 2 essentials and 1 special ingredient. So I always of for the Mega San instead. Love biting into a packed with different ingredients maki.

Apart from white rice, you can opt for Healthy Brown Rice and top up S$1 for Healthy Soy wrap.



You must be curious why is the my maki pink in colour. Because this is the Healthy Soy Wrap!

Chef Eric said that they will have different colours Healthy Soy Wrap for a period, depending on supplier. They have pink, yellow, green etc.

Not to worry, these colours are not colourings, they are actually natural ingredients like from vegetables.

My pink maki is actually from a radish that is pink/reddish in colour. The green soy wrap will be the greenish colour from spinach. How cool is that huh!





Verdict of the Healthy Soy Wrap, some hits and misses.

It lacks the seaweed taste, for seaweed lovers like me, you will find it disappointing to bite into the tasteless soy wrap with your DIY maki.

I had come across people who hates seaweeds, so this is the best for them, we seldom see sushi/maki with other kind of wraps except seaweed.

And for people who cannot really bite (like me, it gets worse with age), I had problems biting my seaweed, I will usually dig out the rice and ingredients, eat them up, before eating the seaweed on its own. So you can see form the picture above, I can bite my maki into half, without any problem!



These are some daily special deals I saw at The Arcade.


Promotions

1) As this is Maki-San's birthday month, spend S$20 and above to get tokens to the Gashapons! The capsules are full of surprises, you have to give it a try! Sorry, I can't help but drop you little hints to tempt you, the capsules are filled with vouchers, badges, stickers & earphones!

2) Maki-San has a new tray liners created just for their 2nd birthday, *hint: purplish colour in stead of the usual green*. Place you sushi creatively on their special ray liners, upload to instagram and hashtag #makibday, you could win a meal for 2 at Maki-San! Contest ends 15th September 2014.

3) Did you know Maki-San has a pre-order app in App Store? Download now & try it out! Get a 20% off your orders when you order in advance and collect when its ready. Applicable to both outlets at The Arcade and The Cathay. For a limited time only.



Lastly, Chef Eric made us a Fruit Maki!! Not on sale, but I decided to post it as Chef Eric is so kind to make us this really special maki! It consists of peaches, dried cranberries, and it gave a refreshing taste. A good change from the usual!


Thank you Maki-San for having us and Chef Eric for being such a good host!

The Fiji Lime Food Truck @ Orchard Gateway

Past Event 
The Fiji Lime Truck Pop-Up!
Orchard Gateway



On 16th August 2014 Saturday, we attended this Fiji Food Truck event with both my sistas.
Bee was invited and Eileen as usual, won some vouchers to the food truck, so we all went together. Lucky K & myself get to eat and skip the queue.



More than 500 people flocked down to try The Lime Truck's dishes on Friday & Saturday and all proceeds of S$9821 went to the Willing Hearts Charity! *claps*



Each dish will be complemented by a bottle of Fiji Water, my favourite brand of water!



Taco with Blue Crab and Jicama S$10 

The ''taco'' is actually radish, a very refreshing dish I would say.



Fresh Fish Ceviche Tostada S$10 

My favourite among the 3, because I love the huge chuck of fresh fish, very appetising!



Braised Pork Belly Taco with Tomatillo Pico De Gallo and Sriracha S$10

The pork belly is tender, and no bad smell of pork.



The 3 of us with the Lime Truck, posing with our Fiji Water!