We'll Tell You - A&W Couple's Blog

ABBEY:  We wrapped up the year with a relaxed brunch at Sky22 at Courtyard by Marriott Singapore , and it turned out to be a lovely choice. Located on the twenty-second floor, the restaurant offers an impressive view of the surroundings. From our table, we could see the ongoing construction of Toa Payoh Sports Centre beside the park, as well as a portion of MacRitchie Reservoir in the distance. The elevated vantage point really adds to the dining experience. We went for the semi-buffet brunch , where you choose one main course and enjoy free-flow access to the salad bar, bread, soup, and desserts. For my main, I ordered the Wagyu Beef Cheek Bourguignon , which was incredibly tender and comforting. It was served with crispy kale, carrot purée, and mushrooms, a well-balanced and satisfying plate. The buffet spread was fun to explore. I ended up creating my own version of a “Subway-style” sandwich using tomatoes, pork sausage, corn, and leafy greens. Simple, but surprisingly good. ...

ABBEY:  Before the year ended, we finally caught Beauty and the Beast: The Musical at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, and it was a lovely way to wrap up the year. The audience was mostly families, with plenty of kids in tow. Some were holding glowing Enchanted Roses, seated excitedly beside their parents. Every time I watch a stage adaptation of a well-loved movie, I find myself curious about how the story will translate to live theatre. In this case, the production truly delivered. From the opening scene in Belle’s village to the transformation of the prince into the Beast and back again, every moment felt thoughtfully staged. “Be Our Guest” stood out with its colourful, lively, almost cabaret-like energy that instantly filled the theatre with excitement. The visual effects and choreography were engaging. What made the show even more enjoyable was the humour woven throughout the performance. The cast landed their punchlines well, and the audience responded warmly, especiall...

ABBEY:  Manila never runs out of dining options, whether you are looking for comfort food, classic Filipino dishes, or a relaxed place to unwind. During our stay, we managed to try several restaurants across different parts of the city. Here are the places we ate at and what we ordered. Nono’s Comfort Kitchen and Bakery We arrived in Manila in the afternoon and walked from our hotel to Ayala Malls Manila Bay. While strolling around, we stumbled upon Nono’s Comfort Kitchen and Bakery, which felt perfect for merienda time. I ordered the Arroz Caldo with Bone Marrow and Tokwa’t Baboy. The rice porridge was flavourful and comforting, topped with garlic bits, crispy wonton strips, egg, and gelatinous bone marrow. A squeeze of calamansi brought everything together. Paired with tokwa’t baboy, it truly lived up to the restaurant’s “comfort” promise. Even though it was still early, we tried Engkanto beer since it was buy-one-get-one, and it was a good deal. Casa Reyes Bistro After ou...

ABBEY:  When we returned to Manila, we split our stay between Grand Westside Hotel and Holiday Inn Express. We first checked in at Grand Westside Hotel, known as the largest hotel in the Philippines by room count, with a total of 1,530 rooms. One big plus is its location, as Ayala Malls Manila Bay is just a short walk away. We booked two rooms and were assigned connecting rooms, which was very convenient. However, it took about six hours before the connecting doors were opened, possibly due to the holiday rush. The rooms themselves were spacious enough for us to unpack our luggage comfortably. The bed and linens felt clean, and we had a restful night’s sleep before flying to Palawan. After our Palawan escapade, we stayed at Holiday Inn Express. Aside from the Christmas season, the hotel was also busy hosting delegates for the 2025 Junior World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. Despite this, check-in was quick and only took a few minutes. Once we reached our floor, we notice...