Thinking back to the
90’s when Marina Square Shopping Centre was the only Mall in the vicinity and
was also the place where I will hang out with my friends to catch a movie or
have a game of bowling. After which, we will go over to the Park where
Esplanade is currently standing. Flying
Kites, having picnics and playing Frisbee were some of the leisure activities
for us.
Fast Forwarding to
2012 and it is a different scenario all together with skyscrapers overseeing
Marina Square Shopping Centre and Suntec just beside it with Marina Bay Sands a
stone’s throw away. Many have changed over the decade or so, none of the shops
that was housed in this mall are around (I remembered there was an NTUC
Fairprice right at the corner facing the sea).
Over the years, I
didn’t really notice the massive change in Marina Square and something prompted
me to drop by the area when I came to know that Carrefour is ending it’s time
in Singapore.
I took some time
walking around the Mall and decided to grab lunch at the Food court located on
the 4th Floor. A stall at the corner caught my eye because it was
selling Claypot Rice, one of the dishes I like to order if there is such a
stall available anywhere (The Last time I had was at Malaysian Food Street in
Resorts World Sentosa).
It is a simple dish
with Rice, Chicken, preserved sausages and Salted Fish. Nothing to shout about
but enough to fill my tummy and I ended it by having a cup of Kopi-O which
turned up to be the best in the meal. Other dishes that made up this meal were
Fried Hokkien Mee and Pork Ribs Prawn Mee.
Claypot Chicken Rice
Fried Hokkien Mee
Prawn Noodle Soup
The Mall has put aside
a corner of the mall on the 2nd Floor for Parents and Kids with
Mothercare, Kiddy Palace and a number of children boutique stores. What I love
about this corner is that there is a playground for kids and Marks and Spencer
(Food) for parents to do some light shopping. For me is to get a bottle of red
wine with some cheese and biscuits to go along with.
After which, I decided
to drop by Suntec and realized it is in a state of renovation with Carrefour closing
their doors in a couple of weeks’ time. On the way there, a niche and small
café caught my eyes – Ella J Lifestyle Café, which is helmed by a Korean Lady
who makes the cakes and muffins on her own. Even the cups served in the café
can be bought or I can chose those displayed on the retail shelf.
Hot Chocolate
I had a couple of
cakes to try out and was pretty impressed by the freshness of the cakes like
“Lady Grey Bundt Cake with Rosewater Icing”. For a start, this cake is pretty
hard on the surface but once I bit into the inner part, it was soft and full of
taste. A little on the sweet side, it will suit ladies working around the area
and female shoppers on weekends. Personally, I find the café quiet which suits
me well if I need some quiet time and the background music is not at loud too.
I like the Flatwhite made by the Korean Owner.
I ended the day having
Dinner at Mr Curry because I am a fan of Japanese Curry (and because it is
sweet!). Appetizer was Waruku Salad which contains lettuce, cherry tomatoes, sliced hard boiled egg, mashed potato and sauce. It was pretty good to get my appetite going and ready for my main
course which was Sausage Omelette Curry Rice. Curry Sauce was sweet with the
Egg wrapped over the rice and sausages scattered over the dish. It was light on
the tongue and easy on the stomach as well, good for children whom will like to
experience Curry for a start!
Curry Sausage Omelette Rice
Waraku Salad
Curry Omu Rice Kids Set
Being Full and
exhausted from a day of walking around Marina Square and Suntec, I decided to
end my day with a Tall Cup of Café Latte at Starbucks and then retired to my room
with an amazing breakfast buffet spread that awaits me the next day….
Prawn Noodle Station
Sushi Bar
Grilled Items - Steak anyone?
Chocolate Fondue
Fruits Bar
If you are a 70’s,
80’s baby, take some time to remember if Marina Square have impacted you in a
way or another. For me it sure did and it is encrypted in my memory for a long
time to come!
Signing Off,
I Eat I Breathe
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