Asia Sentinel

Readers of the Wandering Palate may have noticed that I rarely write negative reviews on restaurants, with a self-compliance adopting the old adage "If you've got nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. " Furthermore, I find it best to refrain from criticizing the work of other journalists or publications out of respect for both their opinion and avoiding conflicts of interest.

I've just completed an online booking for air travel between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and perplexed not only at the extortionate cost of the airfare but more so, the deceiving if not despicable means of using fuel surcharges that turn a purportedly low-cost fare into a decidedly high-cost fare by means of fake additional charges. ...

With a plethora of new restaurants in Singapore, the Wandering Palate is largely unimpressed with the 'Johnny come latelies' and names a well-established, family owned and run Cantonese restaurant as his current "Best Restaurant in Singapore" ...

Having been asked for some restaurant recommendations in Osaka the other day, which served as a reminder I am way behind in completing a full write up on our recent trip there and to Kyoto. So I am posting this as a reminder to get my act together and finish it--meanwhile this brief piece will serve you well for a diversified eating itinerary for a weekend, or three or 4 day visit.

One Event, 10 Street Food Cities, 37 Masters, 40+ Best Street Food Choices, 1 Location, over 10 Days, At the World Street Food Jamboree 2013. Do not miss this unique event and fantastic opportunity to experience global street food.

World-famous Speakers to Heat Up Singapore at The World Street Food Congress – 2 Day Dialogue World Street Food Congress organisers, Makansutra, reveals an impressive line-up of influential thinkers, advocates and captains of the F&B industry who will be headlining The World Street Food Dialogue, a 2-day conference and industry event from 3 rd to 4th June 2013. Whilst billed as a food industry and writers conference, this 2-day event would be equally fascinating for anyone interested in street food–I a guess that is all of Singapore!

It has become a longstanding tradition that our good friends from Hong Kong, John and Sandra, join us for Christmas Day lunch; no matter where we are in the world, they always manage to make it for our Roast Turkey and Christmas Pudding ritual that lasts all day--and well into the night. ...

The Austrians are taking cool climate wine appreciation to a new level this year during the Austrian Wine Experience from May 17 to June 16, 2013.

Saluting the fourth annual International Sauvignon Blanc Day on May 17th, wine journalists all over the world have the opportunity to come out of the closet; to confess they do in fact drink sauvignon blanc and some may even admit to liking this overly-popular white grape variety. ...

On our last trip to Burgundy we had the good fortune to meet with the highly talented sculptor, Paul Day, an Englishman living in France, or near Dijon to be precise. Our chance connection came about when Day came over to our friend’s property where we were staying, not far from his studio, to organise the delivery of two significant pieces that they had procured and Day was there to discuss the logistics. ...