By The Way - Mother's Day Treats We Like - Part 1

Last year I lamented how Mother’s Day promotions and events around town seemed to think all Moms are keen on traditional Chinese herbal foods, Peranakan pantoons, and slipper beading. So far, no one has suggested Hokkien love songs over lunch yet, but methinks they are all more suited for Grandparents Day! Happily there are some improvements this year and if I wasn’t so completely flat-on-my-back tired out, and can muster up enough energy to insist the family celebrate Mother’s Day in tribute to overworked moi, here’s what I won’t mind having for Mother’s Day….(second Sunday of May I was just reminded)….

A brainwave by Coriander Leaf, this is a cooking class with a difference, where mom and daughter can bond over tomato and basil bruschetta, grilled lamb, lime & thyme cream in phyllo nests with marinated strawberries, tomato soup, and other dishes. This hands-on cooking session by Samia Ahad takes place on Saturday, 8 May from 3pm – 6.30pm, culminating in a gourmet meal together at the lovely restaurant. Sounds like fun. Either Mommy and Princess will get to bond and appreciate each other better, or Mom might end up reverting back to pursed lips and nagging ways and Daughter countering with typical eyeball-rolling and teenage angst. But knowing Samia, she’ll keep everyone cool and happy, and realise (being a mom herself) that all we need is a lychee martini to set the mood right again! ($140++ per person; reservations essential.) If you can’t make it that day, sign up for any of Coriander Leaf’s scheduled demo cooking classes as a mom and daughter pair and get a complimentary mini hamper (worth $38) comprising tomato chutney, cumin crisps, homemade cookies with fresh flowers.

3A Merchant Court #02-03,

River Valley Road, Clarke Quay

Tel: 6732-3354

For all the hard work we put in, including driving the kids from tuition to everywhere else, I won’t mind a new car from my adoring family, since we live half the day in it. But if putting down some serious moolah is not on the cards right now, how about a little la dolce vita with a rented set of exotic wheels for a week or two? I am not proud….I’d be delighted to spin about in a Bentley GTC (see the nice pix?), a gorgeous sweetie with its roof down for a joy ride in the evening, to pick the kid up from school or piano, or a night out in town, etc…..A girl’s gotta move, right? Luxe Car Rental has a mouthwatering fleet of cars including this Bentley, and other lovelies like an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster, Maserati Spyder, Ferrari F430 Spider and Porsche Boxster. Time for a girls’ night out? Indeedy-do!

Tel: 65 62787800

www. luxecar.com.sg

If you’re not hung up on the date but will happily take the Mom’s Day treat, wait till the end of May and potter off on the fabled Eastern & Oriental Express. For one night only, the E&O is opening its doors to guests for an exclusive dinner! Get into your glamorous best, relive the historical romance of travel and board the train at 6:30pm. Depart from Singapore for a leisurely ride across the border into Malaysia while you enjoy a three-course dinner with wines in the restaurant cart.

Imagine trundling through the countryside of Malaysia at dusk in the old fancy train like the colonial explorers did a century ago, passing by the silent silhouette of the jungles and slipping by rural villages. How romantic! Ooo – and is that a tiger we hear over the rise? Quick, sip more Champers! We turn around and arrive back in Singapore by midnight when the magic ends. Lush, isn’t it?

This exotic expedition takes place one night only on Saturday, 22 May, from 6.30pm til midnight. $395 per person including dinner and wines. Minimum of 2 persons per booking.

Contact Sheila 63950683 

email: oereservations.singapore@orient-express.com

- by EW