☆Brat-Packer☆

Tanya Jumabhoy - 19 - Bath/Singapore. Marketing student at the University of Bath. Avid traveller, foodie, and marketing/psychology geek. I have more air miles than friends.

[brat-packer]

Fingerprint Payments: A New Business Model for In-Store Shoppers {Business}

Biometric fingerprint payment methods are currently being tested in checkouts of university shops in America, however have not fully taken off. Buy-As-You-Shop would be a new business model of in-store shopping, making the process efficient, quick and entertaining for shoppers. Through taking the underdeveloped concept of fingerprint payment to the next level, it entirely eliminates queues and waiting times. A consumer’s fingerprint will be registered with their payment card and bank. Next, high street shops will feature fingerprint scanners on products or racks holding clothing items. For example, in Topshop, a clothes rack of the same sweater or same priced products will feature a fingerprint scanner on the top of the rack. If a consumer wishes to purchase the product, they scan their fingerprint, and the item is theirs. The biological data is linked to their bank, thus, the money is withdrawn from their account. The concept of Buy-As-You-Shop will eliminate cashier queues, a problem not targeted by fingerprint payment methods currently being developed. Once the customer has scanned their fingerprint on scanners linked to every product they wish to purchase, they can leave the shop having paid for all of their items.

The Buy-As-You-Shop technology and scanners will be sold to major high street retailers including Topshop, Primark, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Costa and Starbucks. These stores experience long queues and waiting times for shoppers, which can consequently reduce purchases. In addition, these shops can reduce costs on employees, as being done currently with self-checkout. As this payment method takes off, check-out lines can eventually become extinct. The popularity of these stores can make Buy-As-You-Shop a widespread payment method.

Money will be made through selling the scanner to stores, creating a new business model for in-store shopping. Shops receive added value through increasing ease and speed of purchasing for consumers. Impulse purchasing is likely to increase as payment is simple and on-the-spot, and through eliminating credit cards or cash, the thought process of spending money is reduced, which could also increase customer expenditure. Queuing will significantly reduce, increasing purchasing, and reducing employee costs for retailers. For consumers, their added value comes in the form of easier shopping, reducing the hassle of carrying payment on them, reducing the likelihood of losing cash or cards, and the increased security of payments.  

[brat-packer]

Tokyo & Kyoto {Japan}

The gruelling 14 hours spent in an airborne metal tube from England to Singapore and the cost that comes with those uncomfortably small seats, stale bread and sealed cups of water was what my boyfriend, Christian, underwent in order to visit me in this tiny island for 3 weeks. However, when he pointed out that this was his first trip to Asia, and that it would make sense to visit another country as well, I was all for it - especially when he suggested Japan, a place I have never gone to but have always been dying to visit! So we began our research, myself armed with a Japan travel guide from Waterstones like an overly typical tourist and Christian with his Japanese phrasebook in hand, and we settled on the destinations of Tokyo - the capital of Japan and one of the most famous cities in the world - and Kyoto - the former capital, now home to culturally enthralling sites like gorgeous temples, palaces and villages. 

Christian is my favourite person to travel with because he can somehow turn a 7-hour plane journey with a crying baby into one that I wish was even longer, and despite the hellish confusion that we experienced upon landing in Tokyo thanks to the massively tourist-unfriendly subway system, his common sense (and sixth sense as a train-lover) managed to get us to our destination - the APA Hotel in Shiomi. 

The APA Hotel, Tokyo-Shiomi-Ekimae

This 3-star hotel was home to us for 2 nights in Tokyo. Upon booking the room, we saw that it was next to a train station (Shiomi) that could bring us to the centre of Tokyo rather easily as the hotel is quite out of the way - however at arrival we couldn’t find Shiomi station on the subway map. It took us a few hours and a taxi ride to realise that Shiomi is not part of the subway system but rather an above-ground train system called the JR, which is highly useful information to anyone visiting Tokyo. The JR from Shiomi didn’t fail to get us to the centre of Tokyo with ease after we managed to work out the confusing payment system and match Japanese characters from the station’s map to Christian’s beloved iPhone Tokyo Subway app, making the hotel quite an ideal location to avoid the city centre’s high accommodation prices. 

This business hotel was extremely clean and even though the rooms were small, this is typical of Tokyo hotels. The room was well-lit with comfortable beds and a lovely hot shower. The only complaint would be the minimal amount of English spoken by the hotel staff - from the struggles of understanding Christian’s name to them being of no help with any questions we had, we were both rather surprised that the hotel staff could speak barely any English, however soon discovered that this was similar to the rest of the people in Tokyo. The hotel had two amazing restaurants within a 2-minute walk, both serving mouthwatering Japanese food, one being a friendly joint and the other being a Japanese experience on its own, with a no-shoe policy, private rooms and low seating. 

TOKYO, DAY 1

Our early morning arrival in this bustling city meant we had to make the most of our time in Tokyo before we could flop dead after a night of no sleep, so Christian and I decided to visit the Imperial Palace. 

The gardens were beautiful and it was definitely a lovely first sight in Japan, however the area surrounding the grounds had no restaurants or cafes at all which led us to a rather grumpy state of mind. After a long time of dragging our tired bodies around in the sweltering Japanese heat, we got back on the subway and got off at a random stop, ecstatic to see a Coffee Bean and some restaurants right opposite the station. 

TOKYO, DAY 2

If you ever talk to anyone who has been to Tokyo, Harajuku Street and Shibuya will always be on the list of places to visit. So Christian and I woke up with a fresh start after a much needed night of rest and found our way to Harajuku within the rather crazy crowd of people and the over-complicated subway system. 

Harajuku was definitely my highlight of Tokyo, with a market selling cheap clothes, accessories and cute items that were typically Japanese. This was exactly what I was looking forward to seeing in this area, however I couldn’t help feeling bad for Christian when I practically forced him to try bubble tea (milk tea with tapioca balls) which he despised and when I had to visit every single cutesy overly-female Japanese market stall within the market, of which only a few catered towards men. We then wandered the nearby streets and found a lovely sushi restaurant, having a mini feast that was truly unforgettable. 

The Meiji Shrine was next on our list, and we were happily surprised with how close it was to Harajuku - right next to it, in fact. This is definitely a sight worth seeing - with a beautiful temple in the middle of a crazy city, it was a new experience being able to find peace amid all the madness. 

KYOTO, DAY 1

Monstrous rain pouring down wasn’t what we had expected when the bullet train (Shinkansen) arrived in Kyoto, so we quickly made our way to our hotel (the ANA Crowne Plaza) to re-plan our day, accommodating the disastrous weather. We found that surprisingly, Kyoto catered more towards English-speaking tourists than Tokyo, making our journey relatively easy. The rain slowed after a while and we thought we had to make the most of our time in Kyoto, and luckily, we had booked a hotel that was situated right next to a Japanese sight - Nijo Castle. So we made our way to the grounds, simply a 2-minute walk away from the front door of our hotel, and explored the castle. The interior was stunning, peaceful and simplistic, with wooden floors and a bamboo scent throughout. However the gardens surrounding the castle were truly gorgeous with small ponds and greenery that made the whole area extremely relaxing. 

Of course, this sense of relaxation vanished when it started tipping with rain again, forcing Christian and I to simply embrace the fact that we were completely soaked within a minute of trying to find shelter so to just power through. It certainly didn’t help that the exit of the palace required us to walk around the entire grounds in the pouring rain with no umbrella or raincoat, and it definitely wasn’t a smart idea to wear a white top. 

Completely drenched and filled with laughter, we found a small Japanese restaurant next to our hotel that served the most delicious food, warming us up. The waiter/chef gave us pitying looks and a small cloth towel to soak up the water which of course was of minimal use, but finally being able to be out of the torrential downpour was happiness on its own. 

We quickly made our way to 7/11 when the rain slowed down and bought ourselves raincoats so that we could brave the weather the next day if the rain decided to visit again. 

KYOTO, DAY 2

This was the best day of our entire trip, as we were extremely excited to visit a certain temple which was the main reason for us picking Kyoto as our second destination - Daigo-ji Temple. Raincoats on with a slight drizzle, we walked from the subway station to the temple grounds and wandered around for a bit, before stumbling upon the picturesque view that we saw repeatedly on Google images whenever typing in ‘Kyoto’. Truly breathtaking, a gorgeous still pond with a red bridge stretching over and a small temple-like structure on the other side, we had to sit down to take in this view before us. Even though the photos are stunning, it really doesn’t do justice to the peace and serenity this place harboured. With just a slight drizzle and a maximum of 6 other people in the vicinity, the overall feel and beauty of Daigo-ji is reason alone for us to want to go back to Kyoto. 

After dragging ourselves away from this heaven on earth, we visited multiple other temples, the highlight of those being the oldest zen garden, Kenninji, another peaceful and gorgeous experience and definitely a Kyoto recommendation. 

Visiting Japan with the love of my life made the experience even better, and it would definitely be a destination that I would recommend to anyone who wanted to explore true Asian culture. We both believe that the destinations of Tokyo and Kyoto gave us a chance to experience a mix of both the upcoming city life of Japan and the older, more relaxed and cultural side of the country. The people in Japan are really something else - manners is a top priority and their kindness, generosity, help and acceptance with tourists was unlike any other country I have ever visited. If you only have time or wish to only visit one place in Japan, I would recommend Kyoto over Tokyo for a truer experience of Japanese culture and for an easier and more relaxed holiday. 

[brat-packer]

Isle of Skye {Scotland}

The month of September brought with it copious amounts of aeroplane rides, long car journeys and train trips around the United Kingdom, with my travel route being Singapore, London, Aberdeen, Keith, Isle of Skye, London, and Bath. After spending a few nights in Keith with my eldest sister, my parents, myself, my sister and her two canine buddies (Leighla and Dempsey) took a trip to the Isle of Skye in the West Coast of Scotland. 

Our rented ‘cottage’ (Dunliath) was more like a luxury villa, with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a cosy sitting room, a sunroom, kitchen, and the most used part of the house - the ping pong table, which, as you can imagine, was truly a highlight for an Asian family. Driving up to the cottage, we realised just how secluded it was and how high up in the mountains it was situated, but it was all worth it once we arrived. The vast windows captured a breathtaking view of plenty of greenery, the sea and mountains surrounding it, which was obviously a beautiful sight to wake up to every morning. 

During the days, my family and I would have relaxing mornings consisting of scrambled eggs on toast and tea, long walks in the nearby forest with the dogs and car rides to nearby towns. On one day we decided to take a boat ride to a mountainous island for some scenic walks, a trip which I would highly recommend. Packing some sandwiches, crisps and drinks, we picnicked in front of a gorgeous loch and allowed the dogs to run freely, enjoying the cool waters. 

Our day trip to Portree was another highlight, where my family and I explored the area, took beautiful photos and enjoyed lunch in the sun. The town was very dog-friendly which was obviously a requirement for our princess and prince, so pets are a definite recommendation to bring along if wanted.  

Evenings and nights were filled with wine, steaks and overly-intense ping pong tournaments, which got a little out of hand after a few glasses of wine due to my mother’s exceptionally strong sense of competitiveness. 

This holiday destination is definitely recommended for relaxing escapes, perhaps with families or even as a honeymoon spot. The vast amounts of greenery surrounding our cottage meant that we were really the only ones in the area and could explore freely without worrying about cars or other people, also allowing the dogs to enjoy their leash-free holiday too. Whilst some may prefer a cottage closer to civilisation, the car ride to the nearest town was not too long at all and it was extremely refreshing to be away from the noise and fuss that other people bring. Looking around and having enormous mountains and beautifully blue waters on either side of you was something I had never experienced, and the sense of freedom gained on this holiday makes it a place I would visit again in a second. 

[brat-packer]

The New Business Class

From 21500 feet up in the sky, a few metres away from luscious comfort and therefore sadly curtained off to narrower seats, little legroom and staler food, this post about Singapore Airlines' luxurious business class comes from an economy class seat during a 13 hour flight from London Heathrow to Singapore's Changi Airport. 6 hours into my flight, I realised that there was no chance of falling asleep with a butt cramp and open eyes despite my desperate attempt to speed up time, and I found myself craving a glass of champagne, softer butter and kinder flight attendants - all of which can be found behind that segregating curtain that leads to the heavenly business class. So, with headphones in and some Alt-J lullabies keeping me calm and patient, I have decided that despite the discomfort of economy class, Singapore Airlines has really nailed business class, and praise is deserved where it's due.

My parents generously flew me business class when I was leaving Singapore to go to university, and that is truly an experience I won't be forgetting any time soon. Walking past the seats today, my mind flashed back to when I didn't have to walk any further. Champagne was handed to me on arrival, and when the head steward realised how much I loved Dom Perignon, he went into first class and fished out a bottle for me, clicking his tongue whenever I accepted a glass of Taittinger from other attendants and telling me to call him specially when I fancied another glass.

The seats didn't seem as large as expected upon first sight, however once seated, you truly have all the space you need. Folding into a fully flat bed, you can get a proper night's rest with no disturbances. Just tell a flight attendant that you're ready to sleep and stand aside as they transform your airline seat into a roomy bed with a fitted sheet, pillows and a blanket. 

(I’m sure that the flight attendants would actually tuck you in if requested).

Of course as a hungry teenager, food was a massive part of the experience. Having "booked the cook", I was able to order my meal in advance and after months of careful consideration (seriously, it took me months), decided to go with the lamb chops. As a three course meal, presentation was faultless - lamb was laid delicately on a white plate that was placed on a white tablecloth, alongside which lay silverware, sauces, bread and butter and napkins. However the taste was not as spectacular as expected, the lamb being quite fatty, tough and dry, and my other meal of beef kway teow also lacking flavour and a kick.

Feeling peckish towards the final hours of the flight, it was to my delight that my favourite champagne-serving steward was more than happy to cater to my rumbling stomach. When I sheepishly said that I felt like "a hot chocolate that isn't hot - so a cold chocolatey milk drink, if you get what I mean?", I expected to be met with a judgemental glare and a response along the lines of "no". To my surprise, the steward came back not long later with a cold "hot" chocolate and even some berries on his own initiative. Satisfied with my snack that was truly spot on, he came back again 20 minutes later with two Magnum ice creams for my mother and I, again with no request prompting his hospitable behaviour.

Numerous glasses of Dom later, my parents and I arrived in London, and I can safely say that this was the first time I've ever stepped off a 13 hour flight feeling refreshed and well-rested. In fact, I didn't even want to leave the cosy den I had created, and was more than prepared to repeat the journey immediately.

Whilst the features of Singapore Airlines’ business class truly excelled, the service was really something else. After having formed a friendship over our mutual understanding of my love for champagne, the head steward wrote a card wishing me luck in university which the cabin crew all signed. Other stand-out aspects were simple changes between the two classes - a bottle of water placed next to your seat in business class meant that you needn’t call for an attendant when thirsty, making your comfort truly key. Noise cancelling headphones were another feature, with soft, plush linings as a treat for your ears compared to the in-ear headphones in economy class. Faster meal service and clearing of trays also significantly adds to a passenger’s comfort, and the flight attendants waiting on you hand and foot leaves you with barely any complaints. There really is a remarkable difference between service standards in business and economy class, which can be observed simply through the tired and impatient stewardesses in the latter, and whilst Singapore Airlines’ business class drains your wallet, I genuinely believe that, particularly for long-haul flights, it is worth every cent. 

[brat-packer]

Equinox: Champagne Brunch {Singapore}

69 is where it’s at. 

Level 69 to be more precise, at Swissotel The Stamford, Singapore - a room containing endless bottles of champagne and food fit for a king. Named ‘Equinox Restaurant’, this renowned eatery within a 4-star, luxurious hotel holds a decadent champagne brunch every Sunday (SGD$158++ per person), and pink champagne brunches on the last Sunday of every month (SGD$178++ per person).

Equinox definitely differentiates itself from other champagne-brunch-competition in Singapore through it’s outstanding views on the 69th floor as well as the detail and precision gone into both service and food. Having been to other hotel champagne brunches (such as Shangri-La’s brunch at The Line), Equinox truly trumps its competitors. The amount of photographs that have been uploaded on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter of the majestic views and iconic pink desserts from Equinox makes it known without need for a name. 

The brunch offers a variety of foods, including a seafood stand, an extensive cheese, salad and fruit selection, roast beef/lamb/chicken, pasta, soups and of course a small room dedicated solely to desserts. The food is truly delicious, the desserts being the main highlight. 

You really couldn’t ask for more - apart from some champagne, which the restaurant has covered the second you sit down. If you prefer a champagne cocktail instead, such as a bellini, this is also included in the price you’ve paid! Impeccable service also comes with your empty wallet as the staff are at your beck and call, including a magician boasting card tricks and balloon art. 

Dessert

While the entire meal was spectacular, the desserts were truly outstandingly mouthwatering. They ranged from chocolate fondue to ice cream to small cakes to macarons to waffles, and everything in between. 

The View

Another highlight of the brunch had to have been the breathtaking view, capturing the most modern, beautiful, idealistic shot of Singapore, featuring the famous Marina Bay Sands, The Esplanade and The Singapore Flyer. Surrounding these iconic landmarks is blue island waters.

Having been to both of the brunches, I would recommend the ordinary champagne Sunday brunch, as the pink themed brunch holds minimal valuable differences in the forms of balloons, rosé champagne and pink-themed desserts. 

Another piece of advice - the ‘++’ on the price tag has been, in my experience, more of a ‘++++’, so make sure you’re well prepared in the wallet department. However, I have always found the brunch to provide value for my money, and it is therefore a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon (in my opinion) whether you’re a local or just visiting the island, as long as you’re a champagne and food lover. 

[brat-packer]

Carluccio’s {Bath}

Carluccio’s is an Italian restaurant chain with locations all around the United Kingdom. It boasts the restaurant-chain promise of consistency, yet lacks the typical, some-what tacky food-chain vibe. This Italian food haven has become a favourite meal location ever since my boyfriend, Christian, first took me, serving us breakfast, lunch and dinner on various occasions. 

Breakfast

Eggs Royale

Christian ordered a full English breakfast (as usual) and I ordered the eggs royale, a recent obsession of mine. Christian seemed happy with his breakfast as they gave him his breakfast necessities (bacon, eggs, baked beans, toast, mushrooms etc) which come together to form a happy morning for him. My free-range poached eggs were served on a bed of salmon which was placed on ‘toasted Italian bread’ (so therefore Italian toast), all drizzled generously with creamy hollandaise sauce. Whilst the eggs, poached perfectly, the salmon and hollandaise were delicious, I would have preferred the dish to be served on a toasted muffin or a softer type of bread. The ‘Italian toast’ seemed as though it had undergone a six-day journey from Italy. 

Lunch

Homemade spinach and ricotta ravioli with a sage and butter sauce

On a day when I was on the road to developing a terrible flu, Christian and I went to Carluccio’s for lunch after visiting the Bath Christmas Market for some comfort food. Christian ordered his usual - the ribeye steak - and I ordered the homemade spinach and ricotta ravioli served with a sage and butter sauce. Being a ravioli fanatic, I was particularly pleased to see they had my favourite - spinach and ricotta - on the menu. The ravioli was soft and not at all chewy, and the filling was fresh and creamy, however got to be slightly heavy towards the end. I was at first surprised that the portion seemed rather small, but then realised that the pasta dish filled my stomach to the brim. 

Dinner

Chargrilled ribeye steak served with rosemary potatoes and tarragon mayonnaise

The ribeye steak has to be our favourite dish at Carluccio’s. The ribeye is not too thick but also not thin like the flat iron, and therefore tastes ideal cooked medium-rare or rare. The juicy steak has to be one of the most flavourful I’ve had, as even eaten on its own without the sauce, its taste never gets boring or bland. The potatoes are cooked so that they have an ever so slight crisp, and the tarragon mayonnaise sauce is really something else, adding to the explosion of flavours when a forkful of steak, potatoes and sauce enters your mouth. I have never found a fault with this dish, apart from the fact that the restaurant has started to serve it on a plate rather than a wooden board, which I thought made it look rustically Italian. The plate is nothing special as far as serving dishes go, downplaying the importance of the steak on the menu and the magnificence of it. 

Dessert(s)

The chocolate torte and the chocolate and salted caramel sundae

Christian ordered his favourite Carluccio’s dessert, the affogato, which has three scoops of vanilla ice cream and is served with a shot of espresso to be poured on top. The chocolate torte has been my go-to dessert at Carluccio’s, dusted with icing sugar and served with a raspberry coulis. The decadent torte provides a dense, rich, smooth and thick chocolate filling, however the raspberry coulis is a tad overpowering, therefore a small dip of sauce on the spoonful of chocolate is more than enough. This is a dessert I would definitely recommend for chocolate-lovers as it satisfies every aspect of my chocolate cravings and is perfectly portioned for an end-of-meal treat. 

The chocolate and salted caramel sundae is new on the menu and was begging to be sampled. Whilst it may please ice-cream lovers, I didn’t enjoy this dessert nearly as much as the chocolate torte. The thick chocolate sauce hardens over the ice cream and is difficult to break or have along with a spoon of ice cream, and when had alone is far too rich. However the caramel was a gooey surprise, and altogether, the flavours of the dessert worked rather well. 

[brat-packer]

Koh Samui {Thailand}

Finally the time has come

That was my first thought when I arrived at Singapore’s Changi Airport to begin my graduation trip to Koh Samui along with over one hundred other students from my grade and other schools, all on the hunt for cheap beer, drunk girls and some quality time with friends in the softest sand, the coolest water filling infinity pools and under the scorching sun.

Villa Satu (Rockwater Villas)

Our villa slept 10 people within 5 ensuite (bathtub and shower) bedrooms and held in it an outdoor living room, pool table and massive speakers, an indoor living room, television, dining room and kitchen, an infinity pool with sunbeds and little pools of water around the grounds. Consisting of three levels and an incredible view up an indescribably giant hill (a hill that only a 4x4 car could conquer), as well as daily cleaning services, Villa Satu (of Rockwater Villas, Koh Samui) was by far one of the best villas we could find for such a reasonable price. 

A Typical Day

Lounging around the pool under the sun, games of beer pong and television marathons filled our days, and cheap cup-noodles, McDonald’s and too many packets of crisps filled our stomachs along with an endless flow of cocktails. Our nights were centred around the incredibly stress-free and easy nightlife of Koh Samui, with cheap drinks served in buckets and an outdoor club (Green Mango, a club so successful that the area was named after it - Soi Green Mango on Chaweng Beach Road). After pre-drinking at our villa, the 10 of us would proceed to Hush at Chaweng Beach Road and continue drinking with more of our friends. Hush bar plays different genres of music including hip hop, R&B, rap, house etc. and has the cheapest deals on buckets of drinks (a Thai tourist obsession). We would then spend the rest of our night at Green Mango and somehow end up back in our bed much later that night. 

Ark Bar

We first visited the talked-about Ark Bar when we had our day trip to Chaweng Beach - as our villa had everything we needed (sun, a pool, drinks, friends) we only had a beach day once, not extremely impressed by the sand and water quality, but then again, that beach is for large amounts of tourists and students rather than white-sand, clear-water seekers. Ark Bar is attached to a hotel (Ark Bar Beach Resort) and is situated right on Chaweng Beach. However, looking in some of the rooms, I would not recommend this place to those looking for a luxurious vacation, as it seems to be more fitting for students or backpackers (not brat-packers). 

The food at Ark Bar ranges from Western to Thai. I must say that I was extremely impressed with the quality of food and drink - particularly the pad thai (or phat thai) noodles are a must-try, which I’ve ordered for breakfast, lunch and dinner on different days. The sticky mango rice is another exquisite dish that boasts the juiciest Thai mangoes and sweet, coconut syrup-soaked sticky rice, two harmonious Thai treasures.  

Our graduation trip to Koh Samui is one that I will never forget - being able to spend a week with my closest friends before leaving to different corners of the world for university was incredible, to say the least. Our gorgeous, luxurious villa was definitely a high point of the holiday, and the friendly people, delicious food and stress-free environments contributed to it all. The most difficult part of the vacation would have to be finding the right amount one can sustainably drink every day/night for a week whilst avoiding terrible hangovers. 

[brat-packer]

Brooklyn {New York}

In the Easter holidays my sister and I decided to take a long-awaited trip to New York City to celebrate my 19th birthday. Flying from Aberdeen meant a few hours in transit in London, during which my sister and I had coffee, explored WHSmith one too many times, walked right past Tiffany’s when we realised she was dressed in muddy wellington boots, and had a satisfactory snack of nachos at one of the airport restaurants.

Our flight to Newark Airport consisted of a sleepless 7-hour journey with Virgin Airlines, highlights including a crying baby and a complaining sister. Landing in New York in the evening, we dragged our tired bodies into a yellow taxi and straight to our hotel, The Holiday Inn at Midtown West 57th Street, for a good night’s rest.

Out of the 7 days spent in New York, the most eventful and interesting day had to be when my sister and I took the subway to Brooklyn, explored the area and walked the Brooklyn Bridge back to Manhattan. 

Brooklyn

Walking down the streets of Brooklyn, we realised how different it was from Manhattan in the best ways possible. Much calmer roads, a quainter vibe and charming neighbourhoods of bookshops and boutique stores held our interest as we roamed and explored, finding a pizza joint that supposedly sold the best pizza in Brooklyn. 

The restaurant certainly lived up to its name, baking the best pie I’ve ever had. We then strolled along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, snapping photographs of the bridge, which was the perfect location to also see the Manhattan skyline. The many stalls serving ice cream and lemonade make the promenade an ideal place for families to relax in the sweltering heat whilst children enjoy the open area. 

After our failed quest to find some thrift clothing stores around the area, we decided to head back to Manhattan, way too dehydrated and lethargic to walk the bridge. However on our trek back to the subway, passing the stairs to the bridge was too hard to resist, and so we began our walk back to the city. 

Whilst the bridge was beautiful, my expectations of it were not met. Thinking we’d be closer to the edge of the bridge, I was surprised that there were roads placed below either side of the walking/cycling area, making the distance to the edge quite large, which made it more difficult for stunning photo opportunities and also held a small feel of claustrophobia. The bridge consisted of only two lanes, one for cyclists and one for pedestrians, however this meant that both groups coming from either Brooklyn or Manhattan collided. It also (frustratingly) resulted in slow walkers essentially controlling the speed of the crowd. 

The rest of the day consisted of lounging about in the hotel room and ordering takeaway when we realised that neither of us could barely even walk to turn the television on. 

Brooklyn is definitely a recommendation if visiting New York City! The vibes were so different from those in Manhattan and the borough is definitely an up-and-coming location for families on summer days, teenagers in need of space, or dog-walkers seeking open areas for playtime. 

[brat-packer]

Omakase Burger {Singapore}

As a burger lover, or a lover of anything that's both edible, unhealthy and delicious, I was filled with excitement when my family and I visited Omakase Burger. I've been told by countless people that these are the best burgers in Singapore, but decided I needed to try it out for myself before approving of such a grand title. 

o·ma·ka·se [oh-ma-ka-seh]

adjective.

Chef’s choice

From Japanese お任せ(omakase, “it’s up to you”)

Omakase Burger wants their customers to entrust that they will provide a burger that is of the finest quality and taste with their best skills. 

The structure of the restaurant is quite different from other burger joints I have visited. As you queue for a table (I'm quite sure that there is always a line snaking out and around of this heavenly place), you should already have in mind what you want to eat, as when you approach the front desk, they immediately take your order, ask for payment, and hand you a buzzer. You find a table and once the buzzer goes off, approach the kitchen counter to collect your own meal. With a system like that, one would expect a rushing crowd at the counter, all trying to grab their food at once. However it was quite the opposite - the atmosphere was calm with only one person up at the counter to collect their meal at a time (with a full house!), and the food was ready in no time at all. 

Whilst waiting for the food, I read a few of the reviews placed on the windows of this packed restaurant. From the best sources in Singapore were words praising the restaurant in full swing! This only added to my excitement.

Now onto the best part - the food! 

I ordered the Omakase Cheeseburger, cheese fries and a lemonade, all for SGD$22, and the food was worth every single cent. My family also ordered sides of truffle fries and sweet potato fries. 

The food was served in a little basket, which added a cute, personal touch to the meal, in contrast to it being served on a tray like in other fast food joints. In my opinion, this differentiated Omakase from the typical fast food chains in Singapore, such as McDonalds or Wendy's. Omakase sends out the message that this isn’t just another unhealthy, cheap and low-quality place to eat. This restaurant had all the perks of a fast food restaurant (speed, efficiency and quantity) yet also held their own charm with a personal touch that only added to the quality of the food and the experience.

The burger was wrapped in something similar to baking paper, and the fries in a cardboard carton. The lemonade was served in a pitcher alongside a glass filled with ice (again, strongly contrasting a fast food restaurant with a classier and more customer-valuing appeal).

Only on rare occasions have I tasted meat that almost melts in your mouth. Incredible flavours burst out with the oozing American cheese, the juice of the tomatoes and the tenderness of the meat. Cooked at medium, just how they recommend it, the meat was tender yet had a more-than-satisfying bite. 

The cheese fries were delicious, smothered generously with cheese sauce, however with the slightest tweak, I would recommend a little less saltiness. The truffle fries, on the other hand, were perfect! Not overpowering and maintaining a crunch throughout the meal. The sweet potato fries were also worth the order, however would come third in rankings simply due to the deliciousness of the other sides. 

Overall, I was extremely satisfied with my visit to Omakase Burger and would undoubtedly return to this heaven on Earth (Turf Club Road, Grandstand). I can confidently now give it the title of being the best burger I have ever tasted in Singapore. 

[brat-packer]

Plain Vanilla {Singapore}

Sink your teeth into creamy, thick frosting, and spongey, light cake at Plain Vanilla, a bakery turning cupcakes into an experience. 

Of course I love cake, because who doesn't, but the cupcakes at Plain Vanilla are really something else. The small business opened not too long ago, with its first store in the prime location of Holland Village. Tucked away upstairs next to a waxing parlour, Plain Vanilla was what I liked to think of as a hidden treasure. 

The flavours? Endless. My personal favourites involve red velvet, cinnamon brown sugar, salted caramel, and milk chocolate chip.The cupcakes are so carefully on point with their ratios of frosting to cake and are so exquisite that I could devour a whole box of six in one sitting and still want to keep going (yes, it has happened before). 

Smothered with a generous helping of frosting and toppings, I have never once been disappointed with their produce and never once have I not wolfed down a cupcake immediately upon purchase. Plain Vanilla aims (and succeeds) at bringing the simplest, yet somehow most intense flavours to the table. 

Not to mention Plain Vanilla's more than reasonable 'sustainability' program. Return an empty 6 or 12-cupcake box and receive a free cupcake! Definitely an offer worth taking advantage of.

Plain Vanilla is by far the best cupcake shop I have discovered so far in Singapore. I have tried one of its top competitors, Twelve Cupcakes, and although they were delicious, nothing quite compares to this traditional, genuine and simple business. 

Contrary to its name, Plain Vanilla is anything but plain.