Author: Alex Chua
I love my burgers. Fatty, flame-grilled meat patty enclosed with cheese and veggies, slapped with two toasted buns are my simple go-to indulgences whenever I’m feeling carnivorous. When Potato Head unveils its first stand-alone location for their award-winning burger and cocktail brand Three Buns, I knew I couldn’t, and shouldn’t, miss this burg-bulous event.
Taking its sustainability business seriously, the 80-seat burger bar is retro-fitted with upcycled, eco-friendly interiors and sustainably-made furniture handcrafted by Indonesian artisans. This environmental-friendly endeavour gels well with the Potato Head Family ethos of “Good Times, Do Good”. We know they do good, so now let’s roll on the Good Times!
Executive Chef Adam Penny, known globally for making iconic burgers from scratch, has curated a new menu with exclusive combinations and popular signatures for us to try. First up is the Red Man Burger (Beef Rendang). Looks like a mouthful, the sous-vide beef cheeks are so tender you can almost use your lips to bite. Fully-infused with a hearty sweet and spicy blend of over 10 spices and ingredients which includes gula melaka, the complex flavours are further accentuated by the coconut mayo and fluffy coconut buns made from coconut oil and coconut milk. Yes, I am going coconuts over this, and it is really sedap!
Next up is the Da Cheese Master, inspired by the dirty, old-fashioned truck stop burger. Moist, juicy black Angus beef patty wrapped in gooey double cheddar, charred onions, double ketchup and rich white miso paste, the taste is solid, meaty and flavourful. Be sure to have the napkins ready before you bite into this perky delicious.
Vegetarians, don’t skip this burger joint just because they are selling burgers. The latest meat-free burger on the menu, Truffello patties consist of truffle and Portobello mushrooms. Juicy, whole portobellos has a nice savoury bite-feel, and I have nothing to complain even though I am a devoted carnivore.
Saving the best bun to the last is the Bun DMC. Homemade watermelon rind relish stacked on bawang goreng, onion puree plus 3 islands mayo on pillowy buns oozing with melted cheese. Sinful. Succulent. Bam! No shame to say I can have this anytime of the day.
Besides the burgers, Three Buns also sells delish hotdog buns too. One of their signatures is the Asian-inspired Seng Dog is topped with wasabi mayo, Three Buns relish and bawang goreng, all nestled in freshly toasted matcha bun. The soft/meaty mouthfeels is just pure joy.
As if the above isn’t enough to satisfy your full-to-bursting stomach, the friendly service staff presented the Sticky Icky Wicky. Date pudding steeped in gula melaka, coupled with a melange of toasted coconut butterscotch sauce and a generous scoop of salted vanilla. Tuck into this is bound for a sticky mess, and I almost couldn’t fork it because my dessert resembles the shape of a duck.
Three Buns Quayside
60 Robertson Quay, #01-01, Singapore 238252
quay
Weekend Staycation at Holiday Inn Express
This is my third time doing a hotel staycation but first sponsored staycation. Weekends staycations are the cheapest alternative to a holiday. I was having an extremely busy week but with much thanks to HolidayInn Express, I get to chill and relax the weekends away in Holiday Inn Express at Clarke Quay!
I have to work on Saturdays so I was very much looking forward to the post work activities. James picked me and TC from our workplace and OFFFFFFFFF to the land of laughters.
The check-in process was kinda fast as it took the staff only 5 minutes. The staffs at the reception area was all chirpy and friendly! The guy who served me even told me he knows My Fat Pocket!
I also realized that there was a vending machine that sell snacks. Totally what is needed during a staycation. If you or partner can’t sleep and need something to chew on, just hop over to the machine.
After checking in……. Being anal, the first thing that I went to check was the toilet. I went to look for the hand soap and hair dryer first. LOL.
There were 4 pillows on the queen sized bed. You can pick if you want the soft or firm pillows. This is way too considerate. Save you the trouble of calling the reception for a change of pillows. The helpers also asked me if I wanted more towels for when I bumped into him after swimming. They were all very helpful.
2 thumbs up for all the staffs at Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay!
I like hotel beds a lot because they are very comfy and clean. I have a thing for ultra clean bedsheets. So I had a very good sleep that night as well!
The room is also very functional because you can open up the side wall and you will be able to wash your hands without the need of walking over to the toilet.
Pssst. Each room comes with a 32-inch LED TV, an iPod dock and free wifi access!
As the rooftop pool closes at 9pm, the pool was the next stop after checking out the rooms!
The highlight of my entire staycation was the rooftop pool. It was very relaxing and we had A WHOLE TRUCKLOAD OF FUN THERE! William and Shaun met some korean tourists there and took a few shots with them. LOL. How cheeky.
Know what? You can see pictures of the lower part of the body of others when they are swimming. Too cool!
James, William and TC …. Skinny Dip? Well, maybe not. LOL.
And here comes Joyce! My partner in crime for the night.
My favourite picture out of the entire album was this. Perfect pictures don’t happen when you take it intentionally. This was one beautiful accident which was captured by William. Real smiles are BIG.
There is also a gym next to the pool. As it is open for 24 hours a day, you can head up to the gym to work a little if you can’t sleep.
The boys wanted to wake up at 7am for the gym but…..
It was nearly 7 when we left the pool. Back to the comfy room to clean ourselves up before dinner.
As HolidayInn Express Clarke Quay is located only 700 metres from Clarke Quay MRT Station or 1km from Chinatown, we were literally surrounded by good food hideouts. However, we went on to Central for good ramen and supermarket shopping.
We got chips and some drinks from the Japanese Supermarket nearby. And a Magnum minis to end the night. Or probably, to make the night a little sweeter.
If you are one party people, there are a lot of places and bars for you to chill out before heading back to the hotel. 
As each room accommodates two, not all stayed. Nonetheless, it was a great experience and night!
Breakfast is the first meal of the day and it is important to start it well. I like hotel breakfast because I would stuff myself with their scramble eggs!!
The seats were easily available everywhere. You can have it inside the hotel or outside at the open space area.
High chairs, tables, sofa, or couch, pick any two that you find most comfortable.
You can have it Chinese, French or Western. From noodles to congee to sausages to pastries. This is to cater to the different groups of tourists.
Look at how the scramble eggs were cooked to perfection. I had double servings of that!
The day started out really good and I was feeling all pampered by the hotel. I had bad experiences at other hotels before but I would sincerely recommend Holiday Inn Express for a reliable and fuss free stay.
Thank you #StaySmartCQ; HolidayInn Express Clarke Quay for giving me the chance to experience such a wonderful staycation.
The hotel is located at 2 Magazine Road Singapore 059573 (right beside Central Mall).
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/HolidayInnExpressSingaporeClarkeQuay