Make Oasia Hotel Singapore Your Oasis

Oasia Hotel Singapore is the maiden hotel of Oasia, a new hospitality brand by Far East Organization. Located in the charming enclave of the Novena district, this premier business hotel offers distinctively elegant accommodation and warm service characterised by refreshing Asian hospitality. From the moment you arrive, you will experience personal touches that enable you to relax and rejuvenate in a tranquil setting. At Oasia, our service is both welcoming and intuitive, making you feel cared for and pampered like no other. Discover your oasis in Oasia. Situated in the prime district of Novena, we are only minutes away from Orchard Road, a world-renowned shopping and leisure destination where you can enjoy a wide selection of retail, dining and entertainment facilities. You can also choose to shop to your heart’s content at Square 2, which is conveniently located right next to Oasia.

The published price for the weekend package is from $300++. SHIMWORLD readers enjoy a special 10% discount by clicking this link http://bit.ly/oasiawk-jan when making a reservation (valid till Dec 31, 2012).

More photos of Oasia Hotel on Facebook

Created by award-winning Japanese interior designer, Takashi Sugimoto, our Club Rooms are inspired by the refreshing elements of nature that promise to soothe your senses. Here, you can take pleasure in the panoramic view of the cityscape from within the comforts of your room and enjoy top-notch amenities such as a 46” LCD television, a superior Martello® coffee-making facility, and an elegant bathroom that is equipped with a delightful rain shower and fine touches.

My room — an Oasia Club Room — located right below the Oasia Club on 22nd floor overlooks Singapore’s newest medical hub, comprising Novena Specialist Centre, Novena Medical Centre, National Skin Centre and Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

With its minimalistic chic and comfortably furnished rooms, new business hotel, Oasia Hotel has managed to give justice to, and find a balance between the words “fuss-free” and “luxurious”.

Creative use of drinking glasses back-lit by a network of bright LED seen at Zaffron.

So much salmon so little time.

Traditional cured fish.

My breakfast at Oasia Club where sumptuous breakfast is served exclusively to Club guests. All others dine at Zaffron. Here, I have croissant, wild mushrooms, raw salmon, fried rice to start the morning on the day I’m due to leave Singapore.

Located on the eighth floor, our 20-metre pool and pleasurable jacuzzi facilities allow you to soak in the surrounding spectacular views of the cityscape while you relax in complete serenity.

The same pool at a different angle at night.

Enjoy a workout at our Fitness Centre on the eighth floor to feel energized all day long. Equipped with sophisticated cardiovascular and weight training equipment, even tired business travellers can stretch their limbs after long flights.

The Oasia Club Located on the 22nd fl oor, our Oasia Club off ers all club floor guests total privacy from the rest of the world. With a lavish spread of international breakfast served daily, you can lounge at the club fl oor pool deck and also stay connected to the outside world via the complimentary Wi-Fi service. Evening cocktails and canapés are served daily from 6pm to 8pm to round-off your day on a high note.

I balanced the 5D Mark II on the skinny rail on the 22nd floor to capture the illuminated Oasia Club and to its left below, Tan Tock Seng Hospital

You can even enjoy a wide variety of local food delights such as chicken rice, laksa, satay, mee goreng and tropical fruits like mangosteens, papayas, and pineapples at the nearby Newton Food Centre or the local eateries around. With Singapore’s newest medical hub, comprising Novena Specialist Centre, Novena Medical Centre, National Skin Centre and Tan Tock Seng Hospital, you will have excellent medical expertise close at hand.

All-day Breakfast at the Kookaburra Restaurant & Gastrobar Singapore

“Premium quality yet affordable pricing” pretty much sums up my take on Kookaburra’s food, service and the bill you have to settle afterwards. For Bruneians who frequently patronize fine dining restaurants such as Fratini, Villa Mauri, you’ll quickly see Kookaburra’s prices are very reasonable by contrast so you’re off to a great start before you even step inside. It’s been more than 3 weeks since I was treated to dinner there, just a week after its official opening, and I find myself craving their delicious culinary crafts.

Kookaburra Restaurant & Gastrobar opens its doors to the public from 16th April 2012. Located at the Albert Court Village Hotel, the highly anticipated sequel to its underground affiliated hangout Late Plate at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House in National University of Singapore brings much cheer as the latest addition to the hotel’s stable of F&B offerings. Strategically located at the junction of Selegie Road and Rochor Canal Road, Kookaburra is well-placed in the multi-cultural enclave known for its artistic and eclectic pursuits.

Visit Jan Shim Photography on Facebook for (a few) more photos of Kookaburra

Kookaburra Restaurant is located to the left of this facade – hard to miss and once inside, hard to leave your seats.

Draw closer and the appeal of its surrounds in the classical restored pre-war shophouse grows. The purposeful integration of the modern chic and nostalgic heritage is immediately apparent as you walk into the restaurant. Raw-but-warm interiors framed with large clear windows overlooking the colonial courtyard on one side and the busy streets on the other offer a glimpse of life in this artistic and fashion hub.

Executive Chef Roland Graham waves at our host, Yan Leng, General Manager of Albert Court Village Hotel.

Chef Roland explains, “Our philosophy with regard to culinary offerings is simple. We want to allow the freshness and quality of the ingredients to speak for themselves, be it the freshest catch from the sea to prime meat pickings or vegetables in season. Our focus will always be on premium quality yet affordable pricing”.

With permission from Chef Roland, I ventured into the immaculately clean kitchen for this photo opportunity.

Turn to the wine cellar and the excitement grows. With over 300 specially selected labels straddling both old and new world wines, guests will be spoilt for choice when selecting pairing options for the contemporary bush tucker fare. To top it off, Kookaburra’s team of mixologists have put together a themed menu of cocktail creations that gives its own spin to all-time favourites, such as fresh fruit martinis and mojitos. Looking for a beer instead? Take your pick from any imported premium brands and 2 international drafts on tap.

 

Click on image to see larger version of Kookaburra’s signature dishes.

Kookaburra Restaurant & Gastrobar Food and Drinks Menu April 2012 (PDF)

Uncertain of the correct name, I think it’s the Mezza Plate which comprises a selection of pickled grapes, honey tomatoes, green olives, crumbled Oz Feta etc.

Same dish as the photo immediate above showing a hint of what I think is smoked tuna etc.

It’s unclear if this is thinly sliced bacon or ham as this mystery image on Facebook leaves question unanswered.

My favourite starter: Chef’s Drips – Pickled grapes, served with toasted crisps and cheese gratinated wontons.

The new restaurant has also added a slew of impressive special mains such as Char-grilled Rump Steak, Kurobuta Rendang, Barbequed Kangaroo and Duck Leg & Goose Rillette amongst other rare treats. Each created specifically for the new outlet by resident Executive Chef Roland Graham, the menu at Kookaburra is a showcase of originality and uncompromising taste and quality.

BBQ Kangaroo marinated skewered loin, smoked salt dusted chunky chips, mustard and horseradish BBQ sauce.

Award winning steak cut chips dusted with tabil sauce infused smoked salt, kaffir lime aioli and mustard ketchup.

Seafood pasta served with nuts, greens and garlic bread (not in menu).

Fluffy Pancake Stack caramelized apples, crisp pork belly, swirled cinnamon rhubarb ice-cream.

Kurobuta Rendang – Kurobuta Pork Jowl slowly braised in herbs and spices toasted fresh coconut green bean sambal, sticky rice.

Marshmallow White Chocolate Martini

The Monster Mojito – Light and dark rum, fresh lime, mint, gomme flavoured with choice of watermelon or mixed berries or mango pomelo.

What I Order at Nur Wanita Restaurant: Gaeng Hang-Le

I dug a little bit into the origin of this dish and quickly discovered it is a Chiang Mai traditional dish called Gaeng Hung Lay which literally means Northern-style Pork Curry. Also known as  Khao Soi, it is a popular Burmese-influenced curry dish and the signature dish of Northern Thailand. Because pork isn’t served in all good halal restaurants in Brunei, we get a version at Nur Wanita Thai Restaurant called Gaeng Hang-Le (choice of chicken or beef).

Photos of our first dinner at Nur Wanita Kuala Belait shortly after its soft opening

Unlike Nur Wanita's first outlet in Kiarong, Bandar Seri Begawan, their restaurant in Kuala Belait offers dinning in an private room with an elegant touch.

Iced lemon tea is an all time favourite. I think this day and age of conscious dining, patrons should be allowed to control how much sugar their drinks contain. I asked for reduced sugar and it was still too sweet for my liking.

More photos of other fine dishes we ordered at Nur Wanita on Facebook

A shot of Nur Wanita's menu with a description of Gaeng Hang-Le's flavour and texture rich recipe.

Last night I asked for extra gravy and more than anything else, EXTRA ginger slices!

This is Gaeng Hang-Le, the only dish I order when dining at Nur Wanita. Available in either chicken or beef, I've only ever had the chicken and love the texture from the peanuts, garlic and ginger slices — lots of ginger. This photo was taken on the evening we dined with cousin Daniel and his wife where presentation is usually better compared to how it's served in Kuala Belait.

All photographs featured here and those on Facebook captured with Canon PowerShot G11