Singapore Arts, Beauty and Inspirations Male Blogger

ZELL-V, a leader in therapeutic cellular therapies for anti-ageing, beauty, and optimum health has launched its first skincare range in Singapore sometime back. Being established in Germany and has its presence in over 40 countries, ZELL-V's top selling would be its Platinum Plus Sheep Placenta Extract using a formula to provide double dose of anti-ageing effect.

Its first series of skincare range includes Swiss formulated Zell-V Green Wonder Cream+, Zell-V Plus Phytocell Serum+, Be+ range, Be Jojoba Oil as well as the Zell-V Phytogreen with 100% Organic Marine Algae Cell Factor.   

"The function of Zell-V Phytogreen with 100% Organic Marine Algae Cell was to optimise cellular detox and nourish cells for greater health, beauty and overall well-being."

I personally had the privilege to try out Zell-V Phytogreen with 100% Organic Marine Algae Cell Factor for a month. These green tablets as shown in picture below were blue-green marine algae extracts of potent nutrients namely antioxidant and C-Phycocyanin, organically cultivated in New Zealand. There was even a certificate of origin in the box containing the 30 tablets.

Basically after taking the tablets for almost a week, the most obvious result for me would be that I required less sleep to restore my energy level. In fact I even slept an hour or more later than my usual timing, yet having my normal energy level. It took sometime for me to accustom to my increased energy level and I daringly went to jog and swim after work as well. 

Just like when I started the tablets which needed time to get used to, stopping it also requires time (maybe about a few days) since my energy level would drop slightly back to normal. Do note that the results may vary from each individuals and I only express my personal opinion after a month of consumption.

For more information, you may want to refer to http://sg.zell-v.com/  

Early this June, I was privileged to have attended a media preview of Tatinis Art Show - A Love Affair with Art. The art exhibit was held at the F1 Pit Building, quite a walking distance away from the nearest MRT station which as Promenade.

The exhibition showcases both local as well as international artists, featuring over 400+ art pieces at seriously affordable price. The place was open to public for art collectors, art lovers or even an art newbie like me to browse around and appreciate art. There was performances going on such as belly dancing (I supposed) and more which I probably missed.

The crowd that day was a huge mix or local and internationals as well, with many either browsing around like me while some were chatting with the artists whom were standing around their individual booth with an array of their art works. I really loved some of their works and the exhibition was indeed an eye opener for me.

It was meant to be a short getaway and I rushed over to the airport after taking half day leave that Friday. The air ticket to Kuala Lumpur International Airport was almost twice the usual price since it was a few days before Malaysia's election day.

I met up with my friends in Royale Chulan The Curve, the place where I would be staying for 2 nights. Due to the horrible traffic jam, it took about one and the half hours to reach my destination. 

I should have taken to KL Central via train and alighted at SBK08 - MRT Mutiara Damansara. It would probably be much faster and cheaper too.

This was more of a eat, sleep, chill on bed weekends trip. Did not snap much pictures at all since I was in my ''nua'' mode. I even forgotten to taken pictures of the room itself. Breakfast was provided and we settled our meals in a German and Vietnamese restaurant, as well as occasional snacks we could grab.

Besides The Curve Shopping Centre of few storeys high, an underpass of food outlets that links to IKEA, I did not explore much. I probably only grabbed a few bars of Valrhona chocolate, hair dye and other random stuff which I thought was priced better as compared to Singapore.

Definitely a good place to eat, sleep and chill, provided that you are familiar with the place. I should perhaps learn Malay since I kept having people speaking to me in the language I could not understand. More short weekends getaways and staycations in future!

I had the privilege to attend a Healthy Cooking Workshop held at Mahota with May Schooling (mum of Singapore's swim champion Joseph Schooling), sharing her experience of how to prepare quick and healthy meals to refuel and recharge her son before his swim.

After her demo on a quick cheesy sandwich, it was Chef Benson's turn to prepare a healthy plant-powered smoothie which acts as a substitute for milo. It was a recipe created for his lactose intolerance son. However, the taste was not exactly like milo but still it tasted not that bad.

Next was sampling a version of Chef Benson's healthy nasi lemak and watching how he mixed the spirulina protein bar. There was also a little hands on session for us with all the ingredients prepared. I started mixing everything with the glove provided, at the same time creating a little mess. With dates as its base, the spirulina protein bar was quite sweet though.

It was a fun workshop and I got to explore the beautiful interior of Mahota. Great place to wind up and chill or even shop around its retail segment for groceries!

Hosted by DBS, road to REGATTA 2018. 

Probably one of my most unusual night's out with my friends as we spent our 2 hours in Esplanade theatre watching a ballet performance titled "Giselle". It was my first time and never in my life I would expect myself sitting in theatre watching a ballet performance. 

"Giselle" is a ballet performance in 2 acts, featuring choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot, as it remains one of the well loved classics in the company's history. With the hint of romance and betrayal, I had to decipher the entire storyline based on the performers acting and facial expression since no dialogue were involved at all. I guess it would be normal for my friends and I to sort of got ''lost'' midway yet roughly understood the storyline in the end.

Anyway it was great to see interesting medieval style props as well as beautiful costumes worn by the performers/actors, maybe the term ballerinas would perhaps be more accurate. I also noticed each jump, hop or whatever movements were in sync with the background classical music as well. By watching them performed on their toes, it definitely looks tiring and requires plenty of practise.

Still, that night was an eye-opener for me even though ballet just isn't everyone's cup of tea. At least I get to experience watching such a unique performance.

Still not knowing how to pronounce "Don Quijote", titled after the chivalric main character of a fictional Spanish novel, I recalled my dining experience I had at Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant which was located at Dempsey.

Don Quijote is an authentic Spanish restaurant in Singapore, not only acclaimed for their tapas and traditionally made Spanish fare, but also for their selection of alcohol. The owner has been to Spain for at least 10 times (and counting up) ever since the resturant has started 12 years ago. Every photographs framed up in his resturant were taken by him. 

The dishes served here were basically non-region specific dishes and I started off with a glass of Virgin Sangria ($10.00/glass), a non-alcohol version of Sangria Tinto (red) ($14.50/glass). It was a refreshing and light drink with fruit cubes in it.

Spicy Calamari ($16.00) was my addiction as it was rather fresh, great texture, nicely grilled with spicyiness just right for me. I had to skip the ‘Live’ Gambas al Ajillo ($18.00) due to allergy, yet the sight and fragrance of nicely brown chopped garlic loaded on top of the large sea prawns was so alluring.

I had an instant liking to the Croquetas con Jamón ($16.00) after my first bite on its non-oily, yet crisp shell with velvety smooth potato and ham filling. Definitely a great snack to go with alcohol.

The Secreto Iberico a la Plancha ($26.00) was Iberian pork grilled to what we called ''medium rare'' in steak. It was slightly chewy and perfectly safe to consume despite the ''medium rare'' state since these ''clean'' pigs ate only grass and acorns.

Another highlight which I regret to take a decent picture of was the Rabo de Toro - Ox-tail stew ($36.00). The same recipe for the past 12 years and a great comfort food. The meat was so tender that it readily fell off the bone. I could not help grabbing bread and dipping it into the rich savoury stew!

Cutting off the gimmicky plate breaking session during the serving of the Asado de Cochinillo Espanol as probably only the more tourisy resturants does that. The ½ Oven-roasted spanish suckling pig was served with really crispy skin and tender flesh as well. I would love to stuff myself silly with this dish.

Chuletón de Buey ($18/100gm (total - $324)) was the charcoal-flame-grilled bone-in tomahawk rib-steak weighing 1.8kg that day which wowed everyone with its grandeur size while ''bone-in''. My image was already deboned and sliced neatly, revealing the medium rare flesh. 

As for the carbs, both Paella Valenciana w ‘live’ Boston Lobster and Fideuá Negra w ‘live’ Boston Lobster ($65 (large) + $79 (w lobster)) were brimming with umami, probably the carbs had well absorbed the flavors of the seafood.  

Last but not least, the desserts served were Bomba de Chocolate -Warm-chocolate ‘lava’ cake ($19.00) and Churros with chocolate sauce ($16.00). Both desserts use Blanxart artisanal chocolate imported from Barcelona. Being a hardcore chocolate lover myself, I enjoyed how the chocolate wasn't overly sweet nor 'gelat'.

Trying out less common cuisines such as the Spanish fare from Don Quijote would always be an interesting experience for me. Although dining indoors tend to be more cosy, having it al fresco with alcohol and snacks would be a great way to chill too!

Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant

Dempsey
Block 7 Dempsey Road, #01-02
Singapore 249671
Tel: (+65) 6476 2811

Website: http://www.don-quijote-restaurants.com/