The Nail Social: Socially Conscious Nail Salon | Singapore

ABBEY: Yey, another pedicure for my tired feet. This time we went to Nail Social. The place is at a cozy upper room near Bugis MRT. 

From the time we stepped in I knew it will be a relaxing session. And yes it was! The nail technician pampered my feet with scrub and massage and really cleaned my nails. Then finished them off with glossy-shine buff. By the way they did these all quietly and without talking to other workers; which is plus for me. Total peace. And by the way they don’t hard sell. Haha. 

Be sure to make appointment and include all you want to be done with your precious nails both hands and feet as we got turned down for a manicure due to full schedule which is understandable. 

WILL: Isn’t quite disturbing of your nail attendant is bothering you to push extra services on your supposedly “relaxation day”? Well it doesn’t happen on The Nail Social. Kudos to that and congratulations to us for a having a peaceful me-time. 

Nail Social is located at Haji Lane (nearest MRT: Bugis). They are the second floor of one of the shophouses there. So what’s the difference to other nail salons? 

1. They do have this homey feel that will relax your body. 

2. Comfy non-electrical seats but no back massage for your entire session. 

3. They have an iPad which is connected to Netflix. Free to use for your entertainment. 

4. For classic pedicure, I requested the attendant to thoroughly take out the dry skin on my big toes and she did without complain. 

5. NO HARD SELLING! 

Now I am wondering why they are always fully booked even on weekdays. Looking forward to visit the other branch of The Nail Social.

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The Nail Social

(W) https://www.thenailsocial.co/

(H) Tues - Sat 10am - 8pm | Sundays 10am - 4pm | (closed on Mondays)

(A) 42A Haji Lane (2nd Floor) Singapore 189235

(T) +65 6717 3221

Pinoy Nuttiest Meringue Cake - How to Make Easy Sans Rival Layer Cashew and Almond Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

Merengue 

3 egg whites

1/2 cup cashew nuts (crushed)

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp vinegar

Corn flour (optional)

Buttercream

3 egg yolks

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter (softened)

1 tsp vanilla

Note: Adjust the sugar and butter to liking.

Merengue:

Beat the egg whites until frothy then add the vinegar.

Gradually add the sugar and beat until medium peaks are formed.

Fold in the cashews and put the mixture in a piping bag.

Trace circles (5-6 inch in diameter) and flatten it.

Bake for 45 mins or until lightly brown.

Buttercream:

Mix egg yolks and sugar in double boiler until sugar is dissolved.

Remove from heat and beat until light and fluffy.

Add the butter (in batches) then add the vanilla and continue beating until the color becomes light.

Assemble the cake by alternating merengue and thinlayer of buttercream. Cover the cake with remaining buttercream and garnish with roughly chopped cashews. Design as you desire.

VERDICT

WILL: I am bothering (literally) Abbey about this cake. Almost every day I kept on blabbering what kind of nuts is perfect for the cake. wink-wink So one day, he have done it and kept on doing it in 3 consecutive months until it is perfect for me. Haha. 

How was it? The merengue crust is not that crunchy but chewy, just the way I like it. The nutty frosting is not that sweet and just perfect even without a black coffee pairing. 

Whenever I watch him baking this cake, it seems so easy and can finish doing it in 3hours (including the baking time). BUT you can only eat the cake by next day. Why? It taste better once the frosting already sipped in to it merengue crust!

Melt Café Dinner Crustacean and BBQ Buffet at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore FREE S$98++ BUFFET Review

ABBEY: We have our plans laid out for my natal day. But Melt Cafe (Mandarin Oriental) sent me a mail with greetings and a gift; 1 for 1 dining for lunch or dinner. So I said let’s go. Good decision! It’s raining lobsters there. A seafood platter (lobster, prawns, mussels) will be served upon your sitting. That’s just the beginning. Move over allergies. I even ordered a plate of lobsters only and make my own lobster roll with fried mantou, butter and garlic. Hahaha.

I went multiple times to the grill station for beef, scallops and oysters to satisfy my char cravings. Then I moved to the hot foods like chicken and vegatable tandoori with basmati rice and braised pork. For dessert, I love the combination of vanilla and chocolate ice creams; and also a plateful of watermelon. I brought home my complimentary birthday cake. There’s no room for it. Haha. 

WILL: Abbey was blessed by The Dining Society on his birthday month. He teceived an email that he get a FREE buffet of his choice (lunch or dinner) at Melt Cafe located at Mandarin Oriental Singapore.

We already had a dinner buffet at Melt Cafe but the difference for this is that now it is a crustaceans like lobsters are free flow + there’s a barbecue just outside the cafe. Of course I enjoyed the meal than before. You can definitely know that lobster and other seafoods are fresh because it doesn’t leave any unappetizing taste in your mouth. Because of COVID-19 there are people behind the counters to hand you the food. They are very attentive and surprisingly quite cheerful in giving your plate of food. It is a happy and tummy-filling day not only for the birthday boy but also for me. Hehe.

Thanks Melt Cafe and The Dining Society for making my husband’s birthday extraordinary!

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MELT CAFÉ

(W) https://www.mandarinoriental.com/sing...

(H) 6.30 - 9:30PM

(A) 5 RAFFLES AVENUE, MARINA SQUARE, SINGAPORE 039797

(T) +65 6885 3500

Beach Road Kitchen Festive Lunch Buffet at JW Marriott Singapore Hotel

ABBEY: At last we set foot at Beach Road Kitchen. We had our buffet lunch courtesy of the November birthday celebrators. 

I indulged in grilled beef ribs, pork belly, and ham. I think I had three to four servings. They are really that delicious. They have chicken tandoori but not that much appealing to me. Their prawns are fresh as well as the sashimi. I also had the “Impossible” beef bolognese; you won’t notice that there’s no beef in it. Creamy and beefy-licious. 

We were also given our piece of cake with cappuccino. The staffs are attentive and friendly.

WILL: You must meet your good friends in a good restaurant, right? So why not meet them for a buffet lunch at Beach Road Kitchen located at JW Marriott. 

What’s the difference of this restaurant to others? They have this concept of Chefs-on-Show. Beach Toad Kitchen showcases live stations for your food. It is well guaranteed that it is freshly cooked and just out of the stove or grill. The restaurant’s ambiance is light and waiters are very attentive to clear your table after every plate of food you had. 

Please do not skip their funghi pizza. What else? Grilled Pork just perfect with meatless bolognese pasta! I will confess, I have three rounds of Seafood on Ice! Hehe!

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Beach Road Kitchen of JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach

(W) https://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...

(A) 30 Beach Road, Access via Nicoll Highway Singapore, Singapore 189763

(T) 6818 1888