Halia

Halia means ginger in Malay and is aptly located in the one-hectare Ginger Garden of the Singapore Botanic Gardens where over 250 species of gingers with their stunning foliage and colourful flowers thrive. According to the website, its construction was carried out at the same time that the Ginger Garden was developed in 2000. So architecture could be conformed to the contours of the land, dignity of mature trees such as decades-old majestic palm trees and preservation of heritage. The restaurant officially opened the following year with various forms of ginger and its related family creatively introduced into some dishes and beverage creations such as Halia Infusion (hot or chilled), a house-specialty of sun-dried ginger and wild mountain honey. In 2008, its first and only overseas branch opened at Westlake, Hanoi.

SunnyHills

1st saw SunnyHills during Takashimaya Mooncake Fair but did not try its Sunny Delights, that is, pineapple cakes as I was focused only on mooncakes. Heard rave reviews of how delicious the pineapple was and decided to pop by Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade one weekend afternoon. Located on the 3rd floor in a quiet corner, a sign at its entrance where eatery's menu would usually be placed read "Our Treat. Enjoy a cup of tea. Try our gourmet pineapple cake". Walking into the quaint little place with cement walls and floor, I noticed a big dining table carved out of a single tree right smack in the centre flanked by Atomi's Hiroshima chairs by Maruni. In the front corners just like a courtyard of someone's home were plants, bicycles and a bench with stools which could double as coffee tables. Felt at home with the warm hospitality of cheerful staff and magazines to read as I sat down with mostly Japanese customers, some of whom are tourists, and a few locals.