Marche Christmas

Holaa! Feliz Navidad!

So last weekend, me, my sister – @noviabenny and her fiance – @yondythong had a Christmas Dinner at Marche, and it’s awesomeeee! Heard about it a few times and looking at the location and the always-there crowd, I always have the impression this place is one of those fancy restaurants with ceiling-high price, definitely not my everyday eatery! But hey, It’s Christmas!

Being a first-timer, I was pleasantly surprised by the restaurant concept. Turns out it’s somewhat like a European food-court where each person will be given a card upon entering [forget to take a snap of this card] and there are lots of stalls selling different kinds of European delis: Pastas, Pizzas, Paellas [their Seafood paella was AMAZING!], Steaks, Pork Knuckle, Rosti [apparently their rosti is quite ell-known], Salads, Soups, Drinks, Cakes, etc!

Take a peek at what’s inside:

THE famous Swiss Rosti

THE star of the night, Seafood Paella

DAT SEAFOOD PAELLA THOOO….!!
That’s arguably the best paella in town, but legit the best one I’ve had! By default, it came with prawns, chicken and mussel, then the guy asked if we want to add pan-fried calamari for $2.5. YAAAASSS OF COURSE!! and I’m happy we did! Very flavorful and rice was nice & plump. Not the kind where the rice is mostly dry and stick to the pan.

Now you might or might not have heard [or read] people talking about their Rosti, and some even went to the extent of saying it’s like a compulsory thing, it feels like there’s something missing if you go to marche without ordering their famous rosti. so, of course, we got Ourself one too! With sausages! IMHO, I’d say it’s not worth the hype. I mean it’s okay, eatable. Not horrible but not amazing either. How did it taste like? Pan-fried small-cut potato. That’s about it.

Other than these two, we had Salmon Steak, Mushroom Soup, Garlic Bread, and the Tiramisu Cake as well as the lemon tea too! Most of them are – as expected – not bad. These things feed the three of us well. We're tempted to get the pork knuckle as well, but I’m glad we didn’t, or else it’ll be such a burden to finish.

If I am to come back, I will definitely say it’s the Paella!

OH! one more thing, despite having a nice ambiance, it was quite hard to take a well-lit picture in there. Perhaps it’s for you to enjoy the moment – be there, talk, catch up – instead of being busy taking pics.

Here’s a little video of our visit:

Merry Christmas!! Have a Blessed one!

Marché Mövenpick 313@somerset

313 Orchard Rd, Level 1, Discovery Walk,
313@somerset, 313@Somerset

Open until 11:00 PM

Average/Pax S$30-40

Follow me on Instagram @anthony.ali for more recent updates!

WWIM13 x Singapore [with @ExploreSingapore]

How's your weekend??

Mine? Touristy..!

So last sunday, I went to my very first World-Wide Insta Meet [WWIM] hosted by @exploreSingapore at The Fullerton Heritage.

Together with my friend, we unexpectedly came early -- good for us, we were entitled a free Heritage Trail Tour!

Never knew that Fullerton was such a powerful building that served as post office, and several important ministries simultaneously. Even before that, during British colonial time, it was an important building for the government. Fun fact: during this time -- even as a government property -- it has a private club, billiard room, and several suites! cool, huh?!

Now that! Was a touristy weekend.

Honestly, the first half of the tour was proven not-so-exciting for a lot of participants -- as around 2/3 of them gone before we reached the 'woaaaaahhh' part. It was quite fascinating to me tho! [a foreigner who never really learnt about Singapore's history -- perhaps.]

Now about this woaah part. So as the tour nearing to end, we were brought up to lv. 4, where the billiard room was [now it's a private dining hall], lv. 8 where we have access to Lighthouse -- a luxurious Italian restaurant with wonderful view of Marina Bay area. AND this rooftop wine bar where the wind breeze, and you get a wonderful no-boundaries view of marina bay area.

Marina Bay from The Fullerton Hotel rooftop -- The Lighthouse wine bar.

I'm grateful we came early that day. I mean we made a few new friends there, but to me, the highlight of the event was really the tour. Learnt new things, get the access to such restaurant [not sure when else i can get these kind of opportunity -- honestly].

The Lighthouse

Taking candle-light dinner to a whole new level. [esp. if she loves italian food]

View from the former "Billiard Room"

Free snacks at the end of the event.

Lastly, do check out and follow my instagram @anthony.ali for more -- mostly food -- updates. :)