April 2024

The Best Breads, Bakeries and Luxury Hotels in Singapore

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Best Breads, Bakeries and Luxury Hotels in Singapore Singapore is a melting pot of cultures, cuisines and flavors. It’s also a paradise for bread lovers, as you can find a variety of delicious baked goods from different traditions and influences. Whether you crave for a fluffy croissant, a crispy roti prata, a savory curry puff or a sweet kaya toast, Singapore has it all. But what if you want to indulge in more than just bread? What if you want to experience the ultimate luxury and comfort in this vibrant city? Well, you’re in luck, because Singapore also boasts some of the most amazing 5-star hotels in the world. From elegant colonial-style buildings to futuristic skyscrapers, from serene gardens to dazzling infinity pools, from exquisite dining to pampering spa treatments, these hotels will make you feel like royalty. In this blog post, I will share with you the best breads, bakeries and luxury hotels in Singapore. You will discover the top 7 authentic breads and baked goods you have to try when visiting Singapore, the best 7 bakeries in Singapore and which luxury hotels are in walking distance, the top 7 5-star luxury hotels in Singapore, things for luxury travelers to see and do in Singapore, cookbooks to get a taste of Singapore at home listing the top Amazon cookbooks for Swiss bread lovers, and additional resources with some links for travelers. Let’s get started! The Top 7 Authentic Breads and Baked Goods You Have to Try When Visiting Singapore Singapore is a foodie’s heaven, and bread is no exception. Here are some of the most authentic and delicious breads and baked goods you have to try when visiting Singapore. Kaya Toast Kaya toast is a quintessential Singaporean breakfast staple. It consists of two slices of toasted bread spread with butter and kaya, a coconut jam made with eggs, sugar and pandan leaves. It’s usually served with soft-boiled eggs and a cup of coffee or tea. Kaya toast is sweet, creamy and fragrant, and it will give you a boost of energy for the day. Roti Prata Roti prata is a type of Indian flatbread that is popular in Singapore. It’s made with flour, water, oil and salt, and it’s cooked on a griddle until golden and crispy. Roti prata can be eaten plain or with various fillings such as cheese, egg, banana or chocolate. It’s usually served with curry or sugar for dipping. Roti prata is flaky, chewy and savory, and it will satisfy your appetite anytime. Curry Puff Curry puff is a type of pastry that is filled with spicy curry and meat or vegetables. It’s deep-fried until golden and crisp, and it’s often sold at hawker centers or street stalls. Curry puff is one of the most popular snacks in Singapore, as it’s easy to eat on the go and it has a rich and flavorful taste. Croissant Croissant is a type of French pastry that is made with buttery layers of dough that are rolled and folded several times. It’s baked until puffy and flaky, and it can be plain or filled with chocolate, cheese or ham. Croissant is one of the most common breads in Singaporean bakeries, as it’s light, buttery and delicious. Pandan Cake Pandan cake is a type of sponge cake that is flavored with pandan leaves, which give it a green color and a fragrant aroma. It’s soft, moist and fluffy, and it can be eaten plain or with whipped cream or coconut milk. Pandan cake is one of the most popular desserts in Singapore, as it’s refreshing, sweet and aromatic. Tau Sar Piah Tau sar piah is a type of Chinese pastry that is filled with red bean paste or green bean paste. It’s baked until golden and crumbly, and it has a sweet and nutty flavor. Tau sar piah is one of the oldest traditional pastries in Singapore, as it dates back to the 19th century when Chinese immigrants brought it over from Fujian province. Pineapple Tart Pineapple tart is a type of cookie that is topped with pineapple jam. It’s buttery, crumbly and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Pineapple tart is one of the most festive pastries in Singapore, as it’s often eaten during Chinese New Year or Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al-Fitr). Pineapple tart symbolizes prosperity and good luck. The Best 7 Bakeries in Singapore and Which Luxury Hotels Are in Walking Distance Singapore has a lot of amazing bakeries that offer a variety of breads and pastries from different cuisines and cultures. Here are some of the best 7 bakeries in Singapore and which luxury hotels are in walking distance from them. Tiong Bahru Bakery Tiong Bahru Bakery is one of the most famous and popular bakeries in Singapore. It’s known for its croissants, kouign amann, sourdough bread and other French-inspired baked goods. It also serves coffee, tea and sandwiches. Tiong Bahru Bakery has several outlets across the island, but the original one is located in the charming Tiong Bahru neighborhood, which is full of hip cafes, art galleries and boutiques. Luxury hotel nearby: Wangz Hotel This boutique hotel is a 10-minute walk from Tiong Bahru Bakery. It has stylish rooms with rain showers, iPod docks and Nespresso machines. It also has a rooftop bar and restaurant with panoramic views of the city BreadTalk BreadTalk is a homegrown bakery chain that has expanded to over 10 countries. It’s known for its creative and innovative breads and pastries, such as the floss bun, the fire floss bun, the pork floss bun and the cheese boat. It also offers cakes, muffins and cookies. BreadTalk has over 40 outlets in Singapore, but one of the most convenient ones is located at Raffles City Shopping Centre, which is connected to City Hall MRT station. Luxury hotel nearby: Fairmont Singapore This 5-star hotel is a 5-minute walk from BreadTalk. It has elegant rooms with city views, marble bathrooms and pillow menus. It also has a spa, a fitness center, an outdoor pool and 15

A wide image of Loule Portugal with a statue and roundabout on the right, the market in the center, and a finger pointing to Fabrica Da Amendoa bakery on the left, under blue skies.

The Best Bakery in The Algarve. Go Eat This.

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The best bakery in the Algarve is Fabrica da Amendoa in Loule, about 20 minutes northwest of Faro. They serve amazing bread (Páo) and pastries which are authentic, local to the region, and worth the trip if you’re anywhere in the area. If you wanna know more about what to order in Portugal, why I think it’s such a great bakery, or what to do in Loule, Portugal while you’re already there eating, read on! (and, if you’re sick of typing “what’s the best ______ in ______” and getting lists of 57 things, keep reading to help let Google know that real content is better than SEO clickbait.) How to Get To The Best Bakery In The Algarve Google Maps link to Fabrica da Amendoa In the center of Loule, on one of the main roundabouts, and about 100 meters from the entrance to the famed Loule Mercado (The Loule Market) but as with many things in Europe, this best bakery in the Algarve is easy to miss if you’re hustling, so here’s a picture of me pointing to it so you know exactly where to find it. Best Bakery in the Algarve: Why Fabrica da Amendoa Tops the List Honestly, there’s tons of great bakeries in the algarve, and no one person would ever be able to taste them all – so this could also read “what’s the best bakery you’ve tasted so far?” But I also believe that when you typed in “What’s the best bakery in the algarve,” you just wanted to get your hands on incredible local breads, unique pastries you can’t find elsewhere, and a reliable place to stop – I can guarantee all of those things at Fabrica de Amendoa. Amazing smells, bright and comfortable and pretty minimalist design, all highlight the reason you’re there in the first place – doughy things that taste good, with or without coffee to dip them in, probably with a combination of flour and/or sugar and/or eggs (and if you’re doing it right, definitely some custards.) They do sweet and savory. They have daily staples which can only be found in this part of the world. They bake everything fresh, it all tastes perfect, the people are nice and speak in an insane number of languages, and though I’ve had pastries there that aren’t my thing, I’ve never had pastries that are bad. What to order at a bakery in Southern Portugal If you are like me, and you’re visiting a new place, you don’t just get “a” pastry, that is terrible. Ideally you are with a few other people and you can grab multiple pastries and breads to taste your way thru and find your personal favorite. And while I’ll have some specific suggestions below, I just want to show you what I purchased on a recent trip. I wanted a selection of stuff for a late morning pastry + coffee snack with friends, and I’ll show you what I got. How much does it cost to eat at a great bakery in Portugal? All of the above was 11.40 Euro. Yeah. That’s a pretty sick deal. Pao de Aqua: Signature Bread at Algarve’s Best Bakery This site is all about the bread, so let’s start there. Pao de Agua is, to me, the perfect expression of bread. It’s flour, it’s water, it’s salt, it’s crunchy, it’s chewy, it’s got these big fantastic air bubbles inside of flavor, and it’s got a crust on the outside that reminds me of my favorite crusts on Earth. I’m a sucker for a sandwich, and you can absolutely use it for that, but really the core experience is just to ask for “pao com manteiga” and then experience that whole deep-seated sense we have in our psyche that “bread = life” because somewhere in our ancestry it’s the thing that helped us all survive the winter. This bread triggers that whole feeling HARD. Like, this is bread that is meant to satisfy the core need of bread on Earth, to sustain you. And dammit if sustanance doesn’t taste incredible (and shout out to all my ancestors who ate enough bread to survive!) Folhado Loule: My favorite pastry In Southern Portugal “The best pastry in Southern Portugal” – fixed it. Sorry Pastel de Nata, I know you’re more famous, and I know you’re having a moment – it’s definitely deserved. You’re creamy and awesome and your flaky sides were invented by monks. Excellent all around. But there are a lot more pastries in Portugal, and in fact, many many cities have their own specialities which you just can’t get elsewhere. King among those is the “Folhado Loule,” the flaky folded pastry of Loule. It’s an egg custard plus a little lemon and vanilla. It’s covered in sugar, but somehow it isn’t too sweat. It’s got these lovely flaky bites inside and I guarantee you’ll get crumbs all over you, but I promise you will not care. This is so much my sons favorite pastry, that my son continued to ask for them at every other bakery we went to in Portugal. But if you got 10 minutes outside of Loule, you CANNOT find them. Go 30 minutes outside, and they WON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT YES I’M SERIOUS!??!!? But if there’s one thing I want you to do, it’s stop in this bakery, eat this pastry, absolutely get a cup of coffee to wash it down. How to Order Coffee In Portugal The Right Way You know how the eskimos have like 20 words for snow? The Portugese are the same way for all the different names for how to order coffee. Like – they don’t just have a name for an espresso (here called simply a “cafe” or “eshhh-presso,” they’ve got a drink called “San principe.” That’s when you DON’T include the first 10-12 drops of the espresso shot, since they are slightly weaker till the flow gets going, and you get a perfectly strong espresso shot.

The Best Bakery in Stockholm: A Sweet and Savory Showdown

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If you’re looking for the best bakery in Stockholm, you might be overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. After all, this is a city that takes its bread and pastries seriously. But don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work for you and ranked the top contenders in a sweet and savory showdown. Here are the criteria we used to judge them: So, without further ado, let’s get ready to rumble! The Heavyweight Champion: Fabrique Fabrique is the undisputed king of the ring when it comes to bakeries in Stockholm. With over 20 locations across the city, this chain has a loyal fan base that swears by its sourdough bread, cardamom buns, and cinnamon rolls. Fabrique’s products are made with organic ingredients and baked in stone ovens, giving them a crispy crust and a soft interior. The service is fast and friendly, and the atmosphere is cozy and rustic. The prices are reasonable for the quality and quantity you get, and you can also find some unique creations like saffron buns, chocolate rye bread, and fig and walnut loaf. Fabrique is a knockout punch that will leave you breathless and satisfied. The Contender: Vete-Katten Vete-Katten is a classic Swedish bakery that has been around since 1928. It’s a place where tradition meets innovation, and where you can find everything from rye bread and croissants to princess cakes and semlor. Vete-Katten’s products are made with fresh ingredients and baked daily, ensuring a high level of quality and taste. The service is polite and professional, and the atmosphere is elegant and charming. The prices are on the higher end, but you get what you pay for: a slice of history and culture. Vete-Katten is a worthy opponent that will put up a good fight. The Underdog: Konditori Genuin Konditori Genuin is the everything bakery you might walk past and not know it’s there – except for the smells that’ll stop you in your tracks. As you approach its modest facade, the air becomes rich with the scents of iconic Swedish breads—crisp knäckebröd and sweet, spiced vörtbröd—mingling with the inviting smells of buttery kanelbullar and freshly brewed coffee. These enchanting aromas halt even the most hurried pedestrians, luring them inside to discover a cozy haven where traditional Swedish baking meets culinary craftsmanship at its finest. The Best Bakery In Stockholm Is…. So, who wins the title of the best bakery in Stockholm? Well, it depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a reliable and consistent option that offers a wide range of products, go for Fabrique. If you want a refined and sophisticated option that offers a touch of nostalgia, go for Vete-Katten. But hey, why not try them all? After all, life is too short to miss out on good bread and pastries. And remember, this is just our opinion. You might have your own favorite bakery in Stockholm that we didn’t mention. If so, let us know in the comments below. We’re always up for a challenge! Ok, screw it. It’s Konditori Genuin. What is the best time to visit Stockholm? The best time to visit Stockholm depends on what you want to see and do. If you want to enjoy the long days and warm weather, go in the summer. You’ll be able to explore the city’s parks, islands, and outdoor cafes, as well as attend festivals and events. However, be prepared for crowds and higher prices, as this is the peak season. If you want to avoid the crowds and save some money, go in the spring or autumn. You’ll still be able to enjoy the city’s attractions, but with fewer people and lower costs. However, be prepared for unpredictable weather and shorter days, as this is the shoulder season. If you want to experience the winter wonderland, go in the winter. You’ll be able to see the city covered in snow, ice skate on frozen lakes, and visit museums and galleries. However, be prepared for cold temperatures and dark days, as this is the low season. What bread should I try when I’m in Stockholm? When you’re in Stockholm, you should try some of the local breads that are popular in Sweden. Here are some of them: What kind of baked goods do they eat in Sweden? Sweden has a rich and diverse culture of baked goods that reflect its history and geography. Here are some of the most common ones: Here are the two more sections that you requested: The Best Luxury Hotels Within Walking Distance of Fabrique Bakery If you want to stay in a luxury hotel that is close to Fabrique Bakery, you have plenty of options to choose from. Here are some of the best ones: Additional Resources If you want to learn more about the best bakery in Stockholm, or about Stockholm in general, here are some additional resources that you might find useful:

15 Most Special French Breads

15 Most Special French Breads You’ve Want To Try

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Let’s explore the delightful world of French bread beyond the iconic baguette. In this blog post, we’ll delve into 15 Most Special French Breads that deserve your attention. Whether you’re a seasoned bread enthusiast or a curious foodie, these bread varieties will transport your taste buds to the heart of France. 15 Most Special French Breads 1. Tartine Imagine a rustic loaf, hand-kneaded with care, infused with fragrant herbs, and perhaps enriched with eggs and butter. The tartine, though not as famous as its counterparts, holds its own in the pantheon of French breads. Its crumb is milder and creamier than regular sourdough, inviting you to tear off a piece and savor the delicate flavors.  2. Pain aux Olives Close your eyes and imagine the Mediterranean sun. Now picture a rustic loaf studded with plump, briny olives. Pain aux Olives captures the essence of southern France—the warmth, the sea breeze, and the joy of sharing food with loved ones. Pair it with cheese or tapenade for a sensory journey. Whether topped with olive tapenade or graced with a slice of ripe Camembert, the tartine embodies simplicity and sophistication. 3. Croissant While technically of Austrian origin, the French have elevated the croissant to an art form. Picture flaky layers, buttery richness, and that irresistible aroma wafting from a Parisian bakery. The process? Complex. The result? Pure delight. Whether enjoyed with a café au lait or devoured on a leisurely morning, the croissant transcends mere pastry—it’s a love letter to indulgence. 4. Faluche du Nord Venture north to Nord, where the faluche du Nord reigns supreme. This traditional flatbread, soft and tender, defies expectations. Its buttery flavor lingers on the palate, a comforting reminder of home. Pair it with a hearty stew or simply savor it on its own—the faluche whispers tales of family gatherings and shared meals. 5. Pain Brie Soft crust, unusual shape—meet the pain brie. Named after ancient machinery used to beat the dough, this bread exudes simplicity. It’s the kind of loaf you’d find in a cozy French kitchen, waiting to be sliced and savored. Close your eyes, take a bite, and let the buttery notes transport you to the heart of Normandy. 6. Fougasse Artistry meets sustenance in the fougasse. Shaped like a leaf or an ear of wheat, it’s a visual delight. The crust crackles under your fingers, revealing a soft, herb-infused interior. Olive oil, rosemary, or perhaps a sprinkle of sea salt—each fougasse tells a story of sun-drenched Provençal landscapes. 7. Pain Poilâne Whole wheat enthusiasts, rejoice! The pain poilâne, named after the famed Poilâne bakery in Paris, boasts stone-ground whole wheat flour. Its nutty, earthy flavor invites contemplation. Slice it thick, slather it with salted butter, and let the grains speak of tradition and nourishment. 8. Pain Complet Wholemeal bread, hearty and wholesome. Packed with fiber and minerals, it’s the conscientious choice for health-conscious bread lovers. Pair it with a robust cheese or a smear of fig jam—the pain complot bridges the gap between sustenance and pleasure. 9. Bâtard Neither baguette nor boule, the bâtard occupies the middle ground. Its golden crust encases a tender crumb, perfect for tearing apart at the table. Imagine breaking bread with friends, laughter echoing through a sunlit courtyard—the bâtard embodies conviviality. 10. Pain d’Épi Shaped like a wheat stalk, the pain d’épi celebrates the harvest. Its artistic presentation graces festive occasions, evoking memories of communal feasts. Break it apart, share stories, and let the golden grains connect you to generations past. 11. Pain de Campagne Rustic and hearty, Pain de Campagne combines wheat and rye flours (and sometimes spelt). Its crunchy crust, baked in wood-fired ovens, encases a soft, chewy interior. Imagine tearing into a warm slice, surrounded by the aroma of tradition and the French countryside. 12. Pain Viennois Pain Viennois is soft, slightly sweet, and reminiscent of Vienna’s baking heritage. Pair it with butter and jam for a delightful breakfast experience. Each bite carries a touch of elegance and comfort. 13. Pain de Seigle Pain de Seigle, made predominantly with rye flour, offers a robust flavor profile. Its dense crumb and dark crust evoke memories of cozy French villages. Spread some salted butter or top it with smoked salmon—the rye bread whispers tales of tradition and resilience. 14. Pain aux Céréales Pain aux Céréales is a celebration of seeds and grains. Loaded with wholesome goodness, it combines the earthy flavors of sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, and perhaps a touch of sesame. Each slice tells a story of health-conscious choices and nourishment. 15. Baguette Did you think we could do 15 Most Special French Breads without the baguette? It may be the world’s most perfect bread! Ah, the baguette—the quintessential French bread that needs no introduction. Its elongated form, crisp crust, and soft interior have graced countless Parisian breakfast tables. Flour, water, salt, and yeast—these humble ingredients come together to create an icon. The baguette’s versatility knows no bounds: dunk it in balsamic vinegar, slather it with butter, or transform it into garlic bread. Remember: Each of these 15 Most Special French Breads breads has a story, a region, and a unique flavor waiting to be savored. So, whether you’re in a Parisian bakery or your own kitchen

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