Start The Year With A Treat

The year has started and it’s back to the grind after two weeks of partying, feasting and hopefully, some thoughtful reflection. So I suggest we start the year with a treat. There is a strong case for this. One – we deserve a reward for working towards world peace and familial harmony last year; and two – we’ll be working hard again this year putting all the resolutions we’ve planned into motion, grooming our nest, nurturing quality children and bringing home our share of the bacon. With so much on our plates, what better way than to start 2011 on a motivating note! We should….

Go shopping in Hong Kong!

A weekend would be perfect! Elaine will vouch for the high quality of retail therapy available there. And while there, you might as well take advantage of Metropark Hotel Wanchai Hong Kong’s newly launched Ladies Only Floor, called ‘She by Metropark’ (pictured above and top). So it’s not super duper luxe, but it is very comfy and pretty, with all the comforts particularly catered to the girls. Pretty, feminine rooms come with pillow menu, feminine accessories and design, complimentary broadband internet access and spa toiletries by THANN. Without a doubt, such a floor also gives women travellers a greater level of security. What’s best though is its great location smack bang in the heart of the city, near shops like Pacific Place, and foodie hubs like Lan Kwai Fong. To mark its launch, the hotel is offering an introductory package of HK$900 per room per night, excluding a 10% service charge, and late check-out at 3pm.

41-49 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong

Tel:+852 2863-7399

Email rsvn.hkwh@metroparkhotels.com

Buy A Ring

Friendship ring, engagement ring, wedding ring, eternity ring…these little trinkets have a way of marking time, don’t they? So why not buy yourself a new year bling? I have been buying one for myself every year for the last few years already, and it’s a fun way to remember the passing time….especially when they are fun, whimsical pieces. It was a ladybird and flower pendant with black diamonds in 2009, an onyx and diamond lizard in 2010, wonder what it’ll be this year? If I had to choose one now, it’ll be a funky, edgy stud ring from GoldHeart. Not exactly Cartier, but I just love how easy these are to buy….! Only S$868.

Goldheart Boutiques islandwide in Singapore

Toast The Year

Before things heat up and get you too busy, catch up with old friends and toast the year. Two great places for sundowners, especially when the weather is still cool and breezy here, are Octapas Spanish Tapas Bar and Tomo Izakaya, two great watering holes with gourmet nibbles in Clarke Quay.

I like that Octapas is just by the riverside where you can while away a leisurely evening, grazing, drinking and talking. Run by the people who used to do Tapas Tree, it offers a good range of sangria and Spanish tapas. I like their traditional red wine based sangria (S$14 ) better than the white wine version with apple juice. You must have the grilled squid with balsamic vinegar reduction ($15.50), beef tenderloin ($17) comprising cubes of grilled tender, flavourful meat, and paella marisco which, though a little soft, is pretty pleasant with their richly braised vegetables. Reservations only up til 7pm weekdays.

From Spain to Japan, Tomo Izakaya, round the corner, offers a good range of sake (ask for the sparkling variety) and light Japanese eats, enough of which can make a meal. What I really liked was the kobacha ni, simmered pumpkin which though simple, was excellent; hijiki and simmered soybean salad ($9, above), Nasu Agebitashi or deepfried eggplant with soup stock and Ginger (S$7.30) and ebiten tama chazuke, a porridge with deep fried prawns($9.50).

Octapas Spanish Tapas Bar - Blk D #01-08 Clarke Quay Tel: 68372938

Tomo Izakaya - Blk 3A #01-04 Clarke Quay Tel: 6333 0100

Drink Good Coffee

Everybody’s raving about it, sipping it and buying it. Even though I have a Jura at home, I will admit Nespresso does a mean caffeine kick. Since our calorie intake is limited, don’t waste it on imbibing anything less than the best you can buy and get one of these sleek machines onto your kitchen counter. It’s latest models are the retro-stylish Nespresso CitiZ Metal, automatic single-headed espresso machine (S$598, left) and the Nespresso CitiZ and Milk Metal with built-in milk frother (S$728). It’s a great way to start off the remaining 359 mornings of 2011, no?

- Ee Waun