Cliff(y) Goes Dining

Trying out two unfamiliar Mexican dishes! From Canada, we shall move on to Cancun, Mexico. Despite our initial intent to spend some leisurely time along the beach, unforeseen circumstances forced my BFF and me to scramble our travel plan. Nevertheless, we made the most of our very limited time indulging in some Mexican cuisine at the airport branch of Guacamole Grill before boarding our flight to Panama.

"Some may say it’s crazy to build Niagara’s newest craft brewery on the street of fun..." Located in the heart of Clifton Hill, one of the main tourist hubs in Niagara Falls, The Niagara Brewing Company has been crafting batches after batches of beer since 2015. Whether you're a beer aficionado or simply looking to unwind with friends, the place offers a welcoming environment to sip, savour and enjoy the best of the local brews.

"A true farm-to-table experience!" A culinary gem in the heart of the Niagara Falls area, AG Inspired Cuisine is proudly named one of Canada's top fine-dining restaurants. Helmed by Executive Chef Cory Linkson, the menu celebrates contemporary Canadian cuisine that highlights the freshness of seasonal ingredients. My BFF and I went for the Three Course Menu priced at  C$99.00 (~S$97.90)  per person.

No beavers are harmed in the making! Fancy some deep-fried dough pastries that are individually hand-stretched to resemble the tails of beavers? BeaverTails is a Canadian chain that originated in Killaloe in 1978, and established its first permanent store in Ottawa in 1981. Since then, it's expanded to six countries, including the USA, the UAE, Mexico, France and Japan at the point of writing.

Where you can find the "world famous peameal bacon on a bun"! Originally opened in 1902, St. Lawrence Market is an iconic public market in Toronto, Canada, a culinary hotspot showcasing more than 120 merchants. The current building incorporates one that was once home to the first permanent city hall and jailhouse that operated from 1845 to 1899. During our visit, my BFF and I sampled some delights for breakfast.

Prime rib: the prime choice for a rib-sticking meal! The Keg, a Canadian-owned chain of steakhouse restaurants and bars, has humble origins dating back to 1971 when it was founded in Vancouver as The Keg and Cleaver. Since its inception, the brand has grown exponentially, expanding to over 160 locations across Canada and the USA. It continues to be a beloved destination for steak enthusiasts.

How does French toast coated with cornflakes sound? During my inaugural visit to Toronto, Canada, I had the opportunity to explore the area for a few days. Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown (4*) provided a pleasant stay. For the first morning, my BFF and I decided to try the breakfast items at The View Restaurant and Bar within the hotel premises. 

Porridge to warm the body and soul onboard! Following a brief layover of less than two hours at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan, it was time to continue our journey with EVA Air BR36 bound for Toronto, Canada. Please excuse the slightly odd colors in the photos below as I did my best to reduce the extreme yellow hue using my rudimentary skills in Adobe Photoshop.

How about indulging in some tea-infused menu onboard? Let's start our trip to the Americas with an exploration of the in-flight food and beverages onboard EVA Air BR226 from Singapore to Taipei, Taiwan. Photos in the coming posts remain in a square format because, as mentioned earlier, I lost most of my photos and the only ones I've got left are those I've shared on my Instagram.

Let's 'makan' (lit. eat) at PeraMakan! A play on the word Peranakan, Restaurant PeraMakan near Farrer Park MRT station takes diners on a culinary journey through fusion dishes born from the intermingling of Chinese, Malay and Indonesian cultures. The brand was founded in 2004 by Kathryn Ho, a fourth generation Nyonya of Malacca and Penang parentage.

Yummy pizza, but too sweet a spaghetti dish... Born as a food truck store in Seoul's Yeouido Night Goblin Market in 2016, GOPIZZA rapidly expanded to 30 pop-up stores at top department stores across South Korea within half a year. Today, it has surpassed 100 outlets in four countries. I found myself compelled to try its offerings when I was at Suntec City Mall.

Legit 'gyukatsu' in Singapore! I'd consider Biseryu in Far East Plaza at Orchard a hidden gem, a small restaurant showcasing dishes curated from eight distinct concept restaurants in Japan, such as ox tongue from Senri and fried chicken from Karamasa. What draws me to the establishment, however, is the premium gyukatsu : beef cutlet that's not so commonly found in Singapore.

Are you Team Chicken or Team Beef for Prosperity Burger? In a blink of an eye, we find ourselves approaching the end of the Lunar New Year period. Have you indulged in McDonald's  Prosperity Burger yet this year? Did you know that 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of this beloved burger, which is also available in other regions, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Hong Kong?

Lovely 'ayam kalio' for brunch! We've finally come to the last post regarding my family trip to the Kansai region of Japan. We boarded Malaysia Airlines MH53 from Osaka, Japan to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and subsequently connecting to Singapore. For the 7-hour flight in Economy Class, we were treated to brunch and refreshment.

Sublime experience with 'shirasu don'! Welcome to Yuasa City in Wakayama Prefecture, the birthplace of shoyu (Japanese soy sauce). A culinary delight not to be missed in this region is shirasu (Japanese whitebait), which I previously saw in a travel show onboard a flight in the past that made my mouth water. Kadoya Shokudo is well-known for its fresh shirasu since its establishment in 1946.

The best orange juice I've ever had in my life! Located on the man-made island of Wakayama Marina City, Kuroshio Market is a bustling seaside seafood market featuring an array of freshly caught treasures from the sea. There's a food court with a few stalls at the market from which my family and I got our lunch. Despite the absence of English menu, there are images for the dishes at each stall.

Totally wasn't expecting the jumbo-sized 'tonkatsu'! As I stepped into yet another prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan, my very first meal in Wakayama was nothing short of delightful. The humble flagship store of Sarashina, a family-run establishment located not far from Wakayama station, was a truly serendipitous find that afternoon.

Does anybody know the exact name of the roasted rice congee dish? Following a sumptuous dinner, a restful night's sleep and a thoroughly enjoyable soak in the hot bath the following morning, the anticipation for breakfast at Mikasa Ryokan in Nara heightened. I've always enjoyed Japanese breakfast, where the symphony of rice, soup, protein and vegetables provides a nutritious and satisfying start to the day.

Take your pick: beef or seafood? After spending a night at Henn-na Hotel Nara , my family and I moved on to the slopes of Mount Wakakusa, finding solace and culinary delight at Mikasa Ryokan. Opting for a half-board plan, we had a memorable dinner where each dish was meticulously prepared and served with the grace of traditional Japanese hospitality.

Not Japanese, but simple French dishes for breakfast~ Happy New Year, folks! Ever since I heard about the world's first hotel run by robots in 2015, I'd always wanted to stay at Henn-na Hotel. The opportunity eventually materialised during my second visit to Nara with my family. For breakfast, each guest gets to choose one dish with free-flowing drinks.