Hawker Haven at Maxwell Food Centre + BEST Hainanese Ever

That's it. I'm in love with Hawker Food

It was really providence that our hotel is located right across Maxwell Food Centre, one of the most popular hawker hotspots in the whole of Singapore. So famous, in fact that one notable celebrity foodie has deemed some of the dishes from the stalls at Maxwell "the Best of the best".

Anthony Bourdain, are you talking about Hainanese Chicken Rice?!?

Surprise Singapore Day 1: Tower Club + Chili Crab

So goes Day 1 of my Singapore Surprise trip... After we checked in at Scarlet Hotel, I wanted to get some business done before the pleasure, so first on the agenda was a business lunch with my banker to get some updates.

I asked for directions on where we were to meet, but instead she sent Barry and his Benz to pick us up and take us to our destination.

Barry, is a private driver whose card reads "Have Barry, Will Travel. He gives great tips on where to go after my lunch meeting, and I pick up his card just in case I want to feel snooty and get chauffered around Singapore.

Wee Nam Kee's Hainanese Happy Meal

As you are reading this, I am probably in Singapore at the same time this is published, so I find it apt to roll this post out so when I arrive, I'd have some comparison to the wildly popular Hainanese Chicken Rice meal from Singapore import Wee Nam Kee. Turns out, I actually know the proprietor of the Manila franchise, so I promised I would try it out for ToT.

When news surfaced a couple of months ago of Wee Nam Kee's grand opening in Ayala Triangle Park, there was much anticipation from the hungry set because they say that this is THE best Hainanese Chicken Rice. I held off from the opening stampede because I just don't like running with the pack, and preferred to come when all the hoopla had died down. I like the birdcage chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, and the roofed awning by the booths. It reminded me of Kung Fu Panda's Noodle Shop look.

Right on the table is a condiment set of Kecap Manis (sweet soy sauce), Sesame Ginger Scallion paste, and Sambal chili. Although I like the availability of these items without needing to request from the server, I kinda wished the ginger paste was served fresh to keep up with the aroma and the texture.

Spice Fusion's Authentic South East Asian Flavor

Spice Fusion

Since I'm in Cebu right now for the upcoming Sinulog Festival, one of my priorities is definitely where to eat, aside from Hotel Elizabeth's Flora Cafe, and where to take my friends out for an awesome meal. One of the places I thoroughly enjoyed during a previous visit was Spice Fusion, a South East Asian Restaurant located in Banilad Town Center just off Banilad Road.

The interiors aren't that impressive, a bit plain really, but their menu is as extensive as can be! If you're craving for Singaporean, Indonesian, Malaysian and other SEA food, then this is the place to go especially since it's managed by Malaysian chef Ling Sui Ching formerly from the Cebu Waterfront Hotels. Since my Cebu Crew is very good at filling up my naivete Manila tummy with Cebu resto finds, I gave them the liberty to order... and order they did!

Yummy Ya Kun Kaya Toast for Takeout

Now that I've begun to fly PAL to Cebu rather than Cebu Pac, I've found my new brekkie go-to at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 (PAL), which I absolutely love because I've always wanted to try ever since my friend Manila Boy raved about it.

Ya Kun Kaya Toast

Originating in 1944 in Singapore as the establishment for Coffee & Kaya, Ya Kun Kaya now has several stores in Manila. Might be too simple for the Filipino mindset when it comes to the "breakfast meal," but it is certainly one of the best. I ordered breakfast #1 and boarded my plane.

Stevie's Hainanese Chicken for Pick-Up Please

This is the usual Sunday Lunch situation.

Though everyone thinks I am THAT eager to cook and show off my cooking chops, ToT is not a morning person and prefer to sleep through breakfast and head straight to lunch. So if you think I'd slave away on the open flame every Sunday morning to prepare a noontime spread, don't be fooled.

If I can't wake up, I PICK UP!