Sapporo Grand Hotel, Sapporo…ideal for travellers keen to get up, out, and take on Sapporo

Keep the curtains of the old-fashioned rooms open and wake to the sight of the city  commercial offices spread out before you, just past your toes. These are not rooms designed for lingering in or honeymooning, or for inviting friends to stay who are, say, over 6 foot.

What this micro-hotel lack in size, décor, service and style, it makes up for in the superb location. Centrally situated in close proximity to JR Tower, Sapporo Station and the subway, it is ideal for travellers keen to get up, out, and take on Sapporo. An abundance of excellent restaurants and shopping are a short stroll away including Paseo Mall, Daimaru Department Store and Tokyu Department Store Food Court.

Truly an old-world ambience that transport guests back in time. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Siamese Boat Noodle, Bangkok…just go

There’s no beating around the bush. This Siam Paragon noodle joint serves, you guessed it, boat noodles.

The highlight was the Australian wagyu ribeye, beef ball, braised shank and tendon where the soup comes with a gorgeous beef flavour with a hint of spiciness and the beef itself is seriously tender and tasty to boot. While the much loved Australian wagyu ribeye is perfectly cooked and a firm bestseller here, another favourite is the suitably spice steamed wontons with Sichuan chilli. And I never tire of the grilled pork ball (3 skewers) with pleasingly flavoured sweet chilli dip. The crispy pork fat is also a crowd pleaser.

The place is regularly packed and it deserves to be busy. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, New York City…relentlessly noisy

Wolfgang’s is far from a pleasant, relaxing place to spend a lot of money. It attracts a boisterous clientele, bursting with crowds which prefer bellowing at the top of their lungs to conversations and therefore is relentlessly noisy.

I loved the texture of the dry-aged beef – a little crunchy on the outside and tender in the middle – but was underwhelmed by the taste – the surface would have fared better with a more chargrilled twang.

Given the food and the noise levels, your meal won’t measure up, and at these prices, these days, you should get more for your money. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Restoran Ban Lee Siang, Melaka…fading away

Satay celup, which literally means satay dip, can be found across Melaka and is similar to satay as the ingredients are skewered on sticks and dipped into a boiling pot of hot satay peanut gravy. One key difference though – satay celup has way more delicious and awesome variety such as enoki mushrooms wrapped in ham, crab sticks, cockles, fish balls, sausages and prawns.

One of the oldest and most original satay celup restaurant Restoran Ban Lee Siang can inevitably be “overrun with tourists” at times, but it’s still a big hit with many locals too. Having seen it at its very best in my younger days, it was disappointing to have an average meal.

It is a shadow of its former self. I kid you not. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Spa Chanterelle, Phu Quoc…long story short, my masseur is now in my will

Phone off, fluffy robe on.

One of the best spas I’ve been to, Spa Chanterelle is a cocoon of pampering and sheer relaxation. Named the World’s Leading New Spa in 2017 at the World Luxury Awards, this Alice in Wonderland themed spa is wrapped with suspended bicycles, leafy loungers, and halls plastered with repeating quotes. It’s the ideal place to shut the door on reality. My extremely competent and genuinely interested masseur, Lily, not only found my pain points quickly, but really focused on them while constantly checking if I was happy with the pressure she was applying, and well, long story short, she’s now in my will. Guaranteed rejuvenation.

You’ll leave feeling like a totally different person. You’ll be so damn relaxed you’ll be floating all the way to your room. Promise. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Cow Play Cow Moo, Singapore…If gaming in arcades sounds like your idea of heaven

If you’re searching for some fun and an activity that’s guaranteed to fill your day or evening with entertainment, why don’t you try heading to an arcade?

Jam-packed with as much fun as you can handle, Cow Play Cow Moo is a family-friendly arcade, completely unique arcade style and there are loads of machines to try with a great atmosphere to have fun in. You can choose to stick to the claw machines, coin drop games, or multiple-player deep sea fishing machines—or instead, you can opt for racing, carnival, Pokémon, Hello Kitty, Pac-Man or Sponge-Bob to commemorate your experience. It is popular with a mix of diehard arcade buffs and casual gamers. The perfect place for your family when it’s a blistering hot and humid day or miserably cold, rainy night or you just don’t feel like venturing outside.

Be sure to bring cash! This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Fruitscake Factory, Sapporo… gratuitously enjoyable strawberry tart

If you’re sweet-toothed in Sapporo, you’re in luck – Fruitscake Factory is the creme de la creme of bakeries in the city.

The array of cakes displayed is jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring. You can’t really go wrong with the tarts,  but if you can get it go for their gratuitously enjoyable creation, the strawberry  tart which is – and I’m only slightly exaggerating – divine.

On your marks, get set… eat! This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Ruen Urai, Bangkok…nearly 650 tripadvisor reviews don’t lie

First things first: the food. It’s good!

When evaluating local Thai spots in Bangkok, I like to run restaurants through my Thai Restaurant Test, which features just one question – “Would you eat anything other than pad thai here?” Ruen Urai gets an A on that test. There’s a whole menu of dishes worth ordering which helps separate it from your run of the mill joints. The other thing that separates it from the slew of Thai restaurants in the area? The space actually feel comfortable and almost borderline romantic

Thai isn’t a place worth traveling out of the way for. But it’s definitely worth having in your back pocket when you’re in the area and you need to fill your veins with some Thai food.This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Bistro Remedios, Manila…If you’re a foreigner looking for the taste of an authentic Filipino kitchen: this is the place to go

While Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisines continue to dominate the culinary landscape, I can’t help but feel that the food of the Philippines isn’t given the love it deserves.

The menu at Bistro Remedios is expansive and affordable whether you’re in the mood for a warming bowl of bulalo – – a country dish made of boiled beef shank and vegetables or a plate of Sugpo sa gata at sili – prawns simmered in coconut milk with buko meat and chilies. With a hearty (and often hefty) array of traditional dishes, the Binukadkad na crispy Pla Pla – butterfly-cut fried pla pla fish served with balo-balo and fresh mustard leaves makes Bistro Remedios worthy of a visit.

After all, who could possibly turn down a succulent tilapia that is cooked deep fried which is crispy on the outside but soft inside and served with two sauces? Not me, dear reader. Not me. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

 

Twin Anchors, Chicago…get a taste of what Chicago ribs are all about

According to its website, Twin Anchors has hosted Frank Sinatra and countless other celebrities and has been featured in both Return to Me and The Dark Knight.

The baby back ribs are Chicago-style, meaning it’s not even technically considered barbecue. The ribs are slow-cooked rather than smoked, so the sweet and sloppy meat droop lifelessly in the classic Chicago fall-off-the-bone fashion. And, oh yes, I love the “zesty” (really tangy) sauce which elevates these bone shiners to finger lickin’ good.

Charmingly dingy and as neighborhoodsy as can be, the space is small and it’s a no-booking restaurant, so you might have to queue. I am not sweet-natured. I’m getting old. I might be dead soon. The food really has to be worth it. Happily, at Twin Anchors, it is.

If I lived in Chicago, I’d have a hard time staying away for too long. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…