Eating

The Eating Guide to Oslo, Norway

Norway

Amidst the Norwegian natural landscapes of endless fjords, towering mountains and pristine lakes, lies the vibrant city of Oslo. The capital of Norway is a city that boasts modernity, state of the art infrastructure and chic city dwellers. Despite the fact that it’s in late May, strong winds cutting through the streets is so common that most locals sport a leather jacket. On the other hand, I fear getting swept off my feet whenever I get close to Aker Brygge, the hip area for youngsters. To get warmed up, I escaped into the restaurants to try what the city had to offer.

Look forward to: Fish and seafood

Fiskeriet

Where: Fiskeriet Youngstorget, Youngstorget 2b, 0181 Oslo
What: Fish and chips
For: Seafood lovers

Fiskeriet needs no introduction. Locals frequent this tiny little shop that promises great seafood. Half of the shop is occupied by the fishmonger that sells fresh seafood. The other half is made up of bar counter seats and and a few tables. If you’re looking for a quick bite, swing by this place for their takeaway fish and chips. If you love seafood, all the more you should make a stop at Fiskeriet. The menu is small but is everything you can dream of if you’re a seafood lover. Choose from the classic fish and chips, bacalao or fish soup. For those who are into raw food, sashimi is also available accompanied with a generous helping of bread.

Olivia

Where: Stranden 3, 0250 Oslo, Norway
What: Norwegian Italian food
For: CBD crowd lovers

While you’re admiring the sea views of Aker Brygge, pop into Olivia, Oslo’s version of an Italian restaurant. Despite being a large restaurant, this place was packed since 7 in the evening. A mixture of businessmen having dinner, working women meeting up after work and the sound of wine glasses clinking; the atmosphere at Olivia is a good break away from rural Norway.

The food is a great example of how Italian cuisine can be redefined to suit the Norwegian taste. Spaghetti al Profumo di Mare is a seafood spaghetti with a lemon, buttery cream taste. Another dish to try is the Carpaccio di Tonno, which is a starter of sliced raw tuna topped with sea salt, rockets and olives.

The Eating Guide to London for £20 and Under

England

When I got off the subway in London’s city centre, it was a Friday and the beginning of a long weekend thanks to a bank holiday. I wandered into streets filled with red brick architecture, that looks like a scene from Notting Hill. The streets are littered with cafes and restaurants. Bars are filled with happy people holding a beer. They were having a great time just standing outside the bars and adding laughter to the street noise. Every cafe looks cool. Posters of musicals and plays filled the advertisement spaces.

If you come from Singapore (like myself), London seems like a terrifyingly expensive place to visit. Something that costs £10 is basically $20. Everything is a lot more expensive and being in the city, accommodations can blow your travel budget. That being said, London is a beautiful city, and one that shouldn’t be missed. Here’s a guide on three amazing places where you can have a great meal and not count your pennies afterwards.

Flat Iron Steak

Where: 17 Beak St, Soho, W1F 9RW & 9 Denmark St, Soho, WC2H 8LS
What: Flat iron
For: Steaks

This is one of my favourite place to get an awesome steak. If you have been blowing $30 and above for steaks, the pricing in this place might seem unreal. Flat Iron Steak price their steaks at £10. Yes, you’ve got that right. Before you start questioning the quality, this is not some mediocre piece of meat. I first heard of the flat iron steak from one of Jamie Oliver’s youtube videos. When I heard of the name of the restaurant, I just had to try it to see for myself.

The restaurant adds certain memorable touches to their customer experience, from the adorable little butcher knife you get to cut the steak to the popcorn that’s sitting on the table before you arrive. Now let’s get down to the meat. The taste of this particular cut rivals that of the famed Wagyu beef due to its marbling. I tend to judge the quality of a steak by first trying it on its own without any sauce. This steak is only lightly seasoned with salt and pepper. Perfect! This is the way every steak should be tasted. It is also recommended that we try the medium rare version, which I did and was totally blown away.

Vasco & Piero’s Pavilion Restaurant

Where: 15 Poland Street, Soho, London, W1F 8QE
What: Umbrian Italian food
For: Elegant Italian dining

I must confess that I was craving for authentic Italian food on my first day in London. Which is why, rather than trying local British food, I headed into this quaint looking restaurant that’s just off Oxford Street. The food at Vasco & Piero’s Pavilion Restaurant is exactly what I hoped for – true Italian cooking that creates simple dishes that brings out the flavours of its ingredients. The quality of the olive oil used is a testament to traditional Italian cooking values, and its flavour is impeccable. The restaurant focuses on Umbrian cuisine and sources most of its ingredients from this region of Italy.

Burger & Lobster

Where: 36-38 Dean Street, Soho, London, W1D 4PS (and more)
What: Lobster
For: Casual dining

Burger & Lobster is probably every Singaporean’s favourite eating place in London. Every Singaporean friend of mine who has been to London insisted I try this place. Made popular by its huge lobster priced at £20, everyone wants a bite of this juicy crustacean. You get to choose to have the lobster served steamed, grilled or as a lobster roll. Another popular choice is their humongous burger which is also priced at £20. This restaurant is packed at any time of the day and they have a strict no reservations policy if you’re a group of less than six persons. Be sure to come early to secure your seats!

Eating in South Island, New Zealand

New Zealand

The South Island sure lives up to its magical reputation of being one of the most untouched places in the world. Farms are sprawled everywhere and the water runs clean even in the city. Everything is organic right down to that slab of butter you get next to your toasts. Oh yes, butter and toasts, the things great breakfasts are made of. There’s nothing a traveller loves more than wholesome breakfasts, and New Zealanders are certainly brilliant at making just that!

What to expect: Luxurious breakfast spreads

The Grange

Where: 56 Armagh Street, Central City, Christchurch 8001, New Zealand
What: Pancakes and eggs benedict 
For: Bed and breakfast

One of the best breakfasts I ever had in South Island was while I was staying at The Grange. It’s like waking up to mum cooking breakfast for you. You’re talking about fluffy pancakes with cinnamon and bananas, full English breakfasts and poached eggs on English muffins with hollandaise sauce. Definitely the place to start the day!

Dimitris Greek Food

Where: 79 Cashel St, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
What: Gyros and Souvlakia 
For: A Greek alternative

If you ever get tired of New Zealand’s grilled steaks and fish & chips, head to Dimitris Greek Food at the Re:Start Mall. Sold in a food truck, you’ll get drawn by the smell of meat and pita bread on the grill. The portions are massive! Gyros are loaded with meat, tomatoes, vegetables and awesome feta cheese that really adds a little something to this traditional Greek wrap.

The Wrinkly Rams

Where: 24-30 Omarama-Twizel Road, Rapid 10, Omarama 9448, New Zealand
What: Wholesome food
For: A breakfast stop 

One of the perks of eating at The Wrinkly Rams is the cute little lambs you get to play with just next to the café. But of course, the hearty breakfast is another reason why you should make a stop here. The classic breakfast was humongous. Toasts came with a selection of spreads such as honey, jam and butter. The salmon scrambled eggs on toast is a great alternative to the regular eggs benedict and English breakfast.

Matheson Café

Where: Lake Matheson Rd, Fox Glacier 7859, New Zealand
What: Wholesome food
For: A café stop if you’re visiting Lake Matheson

If you’re heading to Lake Matheson or even to the Fox Glacier, swing by Matheson Café for great coffee and food. Like The Wrinkly Rams, Matheson Café serves interesting breakfast options such as grilled pesto mushrooms and salmon bagel benedict.