Chinese New Year 2016 – Goodies Galore

With Chinese New Year (CNY) round the corner, have you bought festive goodies and new clothes? While I would not be able to help you on the latter, could share on the former. I went not once, not twice or even thrice but four times to Takashimaya's CNY Festive Celebrations. There seemed to be fewer stalls selling nuts, baked and fried goods. Instead, there were more dried goods and frozen seafood stalls with even SK Jewellery jumping on the bandwagon. What stood out this year was many stalls were baking pineapple tarts on the spot, so the place was filled with the aroma of butter and sweet pineapple. I ordered the ones from SunnyHills, and kueh lapis from Bengawan Solo. As Kee Wah Bakery did not bring in its Chinese sweet crispies, I bought its pineapple shortcakes and almond crisps which I fell in love with after someone bought and brought it back from Hong Kong as souvenir.

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.