The Coffee Connoiseur - Citylink Branch

Club Sandwich ($12.50) - Egg Mayo and Cajun Chicken Breast.


Ultimate Hazelnut Frappe ($7.50)


Green Apple Twist ($6.20)


Macaroni Gratin ($10.80) - Mushroom, Chicken Ham and Diced Chicken


Unearthing the goodness of macaroni and cheese!


Best eaten piping hot! (Looking @ this makes me crave for the dish!)


Beef Mozza-Tofu ($9.80) served on a musical platter.



Dark Devotion ($9.90) - Chocolate cake, vanilla Ice-cream and summer berries.


Light Strawberry Mousseline ($6.90) - mousse + strawberries


I remember thinking to myself that since it was my best friend's birthday, we'll gonna treat her to somewhere/something special. Not the usual repetitive eatery you'll find at every mall. In the end, as Hailey was around too, we decided to rest that adventurous spirit and settle at TCC @ Citylink, which turned out to be a pretty enjoyable experience. I guess for us ultimately, it is the company that matters.

Amongst all the coffee joints, The Coffee Connoisseur has left quite an indelible impression on me due to the fact that they have managed to expand so rapidly from an unknown name to a leading local coffee chain which can rival the internationally reknown Starbucks in reputation and quality. I recall visiting one of TCC's first outlets @ Millenia Walk, surveying the hip decor and luxurious coffee selection and thinking that whoever behind this concept is bold and perhaps too confident about the future of TCC. I guess I should be eating my words because the very astute management has managed to develop TCC into a popular chillout destination well-known for its gourmet coffee and hip decor. Starting with only 2 boutiques in 2003, the chain has since expanded to 28 (they are referred to as) boutiques. To me, its not as easy as Starbucks adding a few more outlets because if you notice, the interior design of each boutique is unique, avant-garde, meticuously chosen and true to the brand's artistic philosophy. Sitting at any of its outlets without even drinking its coffee is an enjoyable visual treat itself!

Although the outlet @ Citylink is located indoors (next to MPH and opposite the H20 boutique), you have a choice between sitting at the more private area inside or the outside whereby you can gawk at the steady stream of crowd between Suntec/Marina Square and CityHall MRT. With not much of a preference, we plonked ourselves on a firm white coloured sofa near the glass door.

YL ordered the club sandwich ($12.50) which seemed like quite a decent proportion and from which I helped to finish the strange tasting chips (tapioca?). LG had the marcaroni gratin ($10.80), a combination of mushroom, chicken ham and diced chicken which she gave the thumbs up to, as well as the green apple twist ($6.20). This must have been the third time I've gone for the beef mozza tofu ($9.80) , a delightful light dish of silky tofu with suki yaki sauce and minced beef beneath melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella cheese, which I'll probably never get sick of. If there is one dish you should try @ TCC, it should be this. The ultimate hazelnut frappe ($7.50) has a distinctive hazelnut taste that is not too sweet and the desserts that we shared, the dark devotion ($9.90) and light strawberry Mousseline ($6.90) was pretty standard dessert fare (not bad but nothing much to rave about).

One thing I have to say about TCC is the effort they are willing to put into their presentation, which is one of their selling points and representative of their passion for art. Looking at the pretty arrangement of the food not only makes it look good to eat but also elevates the enjoyment of the whole dining experience (something which you usually get at fine dining places). For that, for their extensive range of gourmet coffee concoctions (which not even Starbucks or Coffee Bean can match) and for the friendly service we recieved @ the Citylink outlet, I give TCC props!

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Address:

1 Raffles Link #B1-26

Citylink Mall

Singapore 039393

Phone : 6423 1022

http://www.thecoffeeconnoisseur.com/

Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday & Public Holidays - 9am to 11pm Friday, Saturday & Eve of Public Holidays - 9am to 12am

Cuisine: Western

Price: approx $10 - $25 per pax
Dresscode: relaxed

Darkmuze's Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Remark: Good place to chill after shopping and to people-watch in air-conditioned comfort!

IndoChine Waterfront - 3rd March 2008

Stunning view of Boat Quay from Indochine Waterfront.


Chicken Basil with mint leaves as a delectable accompaniment.

The exquisite interior that screams chic!

This review is late but I simply have to post about it just to kick off my recent flurry of dining escapades. What I love about my eating adventures is how unpredictable they can be most of the time. Although budget and location are important considerations, sometimes my companions and I just end up at the most unexpected places and getting our tastebuds gastronomically stimulated as a reward. I'm no food critic but yeah, I love to share food reviews...especially when the dining experience is incredible!

So back to Indochine. Now I've heard about this famous entertainment lifestyle group before courtesy of generous press coverage and that square brochure which always comes with a copy of Juice. Even without experiencing any of the outlets or sampling any of its menus, the name "Indochine" gives off a chi-chi vibe and in my impression, is a place where I wouldn't visit unless I'm feeling the impulsiveness to splurge. In addition, the idea of mixing around with high-class executives and rich pple (no offense) isn't exactly my cup of tea (not that I can afford to anyway).

Inspired by his passion for food, entertaining and design, the ingenious and ambitious commodities trader turned food entrepreneur Mr Michael Ma founded the Indochine Group in 1999. Mr Ma, who was born in Laos in 1967, saw that that was a potential market for Laotian and Vietnamese food which was previously not available in Singapore. The first outlet Indochine Club Street was opened in 1999 and in a short 9 years, the group has expanded to include a diverse range of 14 restaurants/clubs/lounges in 5 prime locations in Singapore, as well as venues in Kuala Lumpur, Hamburg, New Delhi and Phuket. This business achievement alone is mind-boggling, not to mention the numerous accolades and awards the group has recieved in dining/experience/design, including being voted as one of Travel and Leisure's top 100 Fabulous Places and Things in 2001 and most significantly, being the choice destination for glamourous social events.

So you wonder? How did I, someone who isn't exactly into such fancy places, stumble into this place let alone taste its exquisite fare (lols). The trip began as innocuously enough when my companion EZ and I decided to have dinner @ nearby Timbre@ Arts House, thanks to my brillant suggestion, only to find out after the valet parked the car that this Timbre doesn't serve the delectable main course seen on Timbre's website. They only serve pizzas, finger food and booze as the waitress politely tells us. Not willingly to change location, we wander across to the next available option - which happens to be Tadah! Indochine Waterfront.

Chucking aside its chi-chi reputation, I actually dig this place for its atmosphere and decor. My other companions and I would have chosen to chill here on previous occasions if not for the price deterrant. Anyway, EZ tells me he dined @ Indochine Waterfront before and it was a memorable experience and I decided I should just give it at least a shot, so in we went.

We chose to sit inside but found out later that the alfresco setting was fully booked. With a breathtaking and romantic view of the river after sunset accentuated by live Jazz performances, it is no wonder that the alfresco area is so popular with regulars. So do remember to make reservations if you wanna sit outside. But the interior atmosphere ain't shabby as well. The decor is distinctively contemporary yet with a delightful nod to the Oriental with Buddha statues, rich saffron and burgundy hued drapes and antique cabinets contrasted with gleaming steel chairs. The other word to describe this place is luxurious, with its glittering chandeliers and dark leather chairs. The lighting is kinda dim though, perhaps to make the ambience more cozy, but it makes it quite difficult to see the food you are consuming.

The lack of visual stimulation shouldn't be much of a complain considering how amazing the food tasted. We ordered fried tofu, the basil chicken and the tom-yum seafood soup from the Vietnamese-Laotian-Cambodian-French fusion menu. My favourite dish has to be the basil chicken which tasted so homely with the addition of herbs and spices. The tofu was crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and one of the best fried tofus I've ever tasted. You can choose how spicy you want your tom-yum soup to be but I would suggest that you go for the max because we chose the not-too-spicier version and it tasted more tomato-ish, which doesn't give the kick that good-tom-yam soup should provide. Even the rice (refillable from a basket which server carries around) tasted extraordinary and really yummy of course.

EZ was really generous to give me a treat and I really owe my first Indochine dining experience to him! Would I go back again? Definately yes. For the basil chicken and white rice and for the other highlights I've yet to try..oh and when I'm feeling rich. The service was excellent as well. The staff knew the food well and they were attentive without being intrusive. Indochine Waterfront is one place that proves that good food does come with a price!

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Address:
IndoChine Waterfront
Asian Civilisation Musuem, The Historic District
1 Empress Place
63391720 (Reservations strongly encouraged)
http://www.indochine.com.sg/
Opening Hours: 12 - 230pm and 6.30 - 11pm from Sun to Thurs/
til midnight Fri - Sat
Cuisine: Vietnamese/Laotian/ Cambodian/ French Fusion
Price: approx $30 - $60 per pax
Dresscode: Smart Casual
Darkmuze's Rating: 8.5/10
Darkmuze's Remark: Good place for business dinner or a great place to impress your first date!!

Chinatown Walk 2008

Night walk around Chinatown - 19 Feb 2008

All photos property of The Conscious Beat.

Singapore Airshow 2008

Singapore Airshow Trade Day - Feb 24th 2008

All Photos property of The Conscious Beat.

Incubus @ Fort Canning Park - 7 March 2008

Lights! Camera! Transaction! The Incubus concert kicked off at 9pm sharp, after opening band Saosin from California psyched the crowd up with a one hour set and the obligatory waiting for the rock stars. I haven't heard of Saosin (don't you just love the pronounciation?) before until the media started to give them some attention but they definately had their own fans out there in the sea of Incubus fanatics. People who were already jumping and mouthing lyrics to their brand of emo hardcore rock.

Speaking of the fans, what a crowd I'm telling you. We reached Fort Canning a little past 8pm and the sloping grassy area before the stage was already packed to the brim. And so I conclude that we do have plenty of Incubus fans in the country (just that I don't happen to know alot of them) and they were out in full force that night. I got the concert T-shirt which they were selling @ $40 before we weaved into the dense forest of people to find a good spot. The idea was to try to squeeze to the front when there was an opportunity.

The concert people decided to treat us to some 80s retro music while we waiting for Incubus and well, at least there were some people who were enjoying the good memories.

Once the band burst onto the stage with the very charismatic frontman Brandon Boyd, they began with introducing two songs from their latest album Light Grenades, "Quicksand" and "A Kiss To Send Us Off". "OK now the monster is awake..." crooned Brandon and how apt that line was. The built up was fantastic to the energetic chorus of AKTSUF and the band cleverly followed up with old favourites like "Nice To Know You" and "I Wish You Were Here". I wish you were there to experience that sort of phenomenon whereby you have the whole Fort Canning singing along. It was like some hippie movement whereby everyone was obsessed with the Incubus cause and where happiness permeated all the molecules in the air, which started to thump with the deafening beats of pure adoration. Who knows...maybe the security guards and bouncers were head-bopping too. It was that infectious.

One of the highlights has got be when Brandon sang one of their biggest hits "Drive" acoustic when the crowd's voices almost threatened to drown out his voice. The sound system was fantastic and the band were in top form, despite their intensive tour schedule. Brandon's vocals were solid, lead guitarist Michael Einziger stole the show at some points and DJ Kilmore added the unique factor with his turntablist skills. Mr Brandon showcased his guitar skills and played the bongo drums during one of the songs. We got to experience some serious guitar riffs and amazing combinations during the longer than usual Pistola. Phew. Their secret arsenal must be an infinite ageless passion for music.

The crowd went berserk (including myself) when Megalomanic was played. Even back where we stood, some 4 metres away from the stage, there was some minor moshing going on. I got shovelled a few times and Siv tried to ensure I didn't get any broken bones lolz. Oh well, if not for the wierd sickness that overcame me during the last third of the gig, I would have lurged forward, joined in the moshing, whatever. So yeah, that was a little disappointing for me. Being at such an amazing occasion but trying not to faint from the sharp pain in the stomach, accompanying nausea and stifling whiff of sweat and cigarettes that wrapped around us like a thick blanket.

Brandon made some lusty fans very happy when he stripped from his red pleated shirt, to grey singlet and to topless. Blame our notorious humidity but I think he does that quite often during their concerts. During one part of the concert, this guy from behind actually shouted something about wanted to (censored word) Brandon and coincidentally, Brandon muttered "thank you". Siv and I just looked at each other and laughed. So Brandon is certified hot and his appeal extends to both sexes. I mean some groupie wannabies were definately there for him but I'll like to think that most of us were united in our love for their talent and distinctive music.

Megalomaniac was the last song of their 14 song set but after much cajoling for an encore from the tireless crowd, the boys returned with an encore set which comprised of "Stellar", "Circles" and "Aqueous Transmission".

I’m building an antenna
Transmissions will be sent
When I am through
Maybe we can meet again
- Aqueous Transmission

So it was of the best concerts I've ever attended, though they didn't play "Warning". It was nice to know Incubus, live. I hope we can meet again.

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Complete Set List

1) Quicksand
2) A Kiss To Send Us Off
3) Nice To Know You
4) I Wish You Were Here
5) Anna Molly
6) Vitamin
7) Favourite Things
8) The Warmth
9) Drive
10) Oil and Water
11) Pistola
12) Talk Shows on Mute
13) Sick Little Sad World
14) Megalomaniac

Encore set

15) Stellar
16) Circles
17) Aqueous Tranmission