The first Ottolenghi cookbook I ever bought

by Arnaud | Feb 4, 2026 | Culture

5 min read

The first Ottolenghi cookbook I ever bought

The first Ottolenghi cookbook I ever bought was Jerusalem, and I can safely say that this book quietly changed the way I cook and, honestly, the way I think about vegetables forever.

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Before Jerusalem, I cooked quite normally. After Jerusalem, vegetables became the main character in my kitchen.

Ottolenghi has this magical ability to turn vegetables into something so rich, so comforting, and so satisfying that you genuinely forget about meat. Not in a preachy way. Not in a “this is healthier” way. More in a “why would I even want anything else” way.

When I opened my first restaurant, DR.Inc (which is now called Lisette’s, run by The Social), the entire foundation of my buffet came straight out of Ottolenghi cookbooks. Dish after dish after dish was inspired by him. And of course, I never made any money, because I also followed his ingredient lists religiously.

If he said macadamia nuts, I bought macadamia nuts.
If he said maple syrup, I bought maple syrup.
If he said the best olive oil, I bought the best olive oil.

No shortcuts. No compromises. Zero business sense. Lots of flavour.

But the colours, the textures, the abundance, the richness. It was completely intoxicating. Big trays of roasted vegetables, herbs everywhere, yoghurt, tahini, citrus, crunch, softness, sweetness, heat. Everything layered. Everything generous.

I honestly don’t think I have ever cooked an Ottolenghi dish that wasn’t delicious, and more importantly, one that I didn’t immediately want to eat again.

Wall panels that would work perfectly as a skirt

by Arnaud | Feb 3, 2026 | Travel

5 min read

Wall panels that would work perfectly as a skirt

I’m in Singapore this week.
Back and forth between here and KL for work, and I realised this would probably be my last hotel stay for a while. So I thought, why not pick something really different?

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I booked The Vagabond Club on a whim. No research. Just scrolling on my hotel app and pressing “book.” And honestly, it’s been one of the strangest and most interesting hotel experiences I’ve had in Singapore.

From the moment you walk in, there’s a rhinoceros sculpture as a reception desk and walls wrapped in red velvet. Dramatic, theatrical, slightly ridiculous, slightly fabulous.

Then you open the door to your room and everything shifts.

There are hand-painted walls and these incredible linen wall panels with floral motifs. The panels, in particular, stopped me in my tracks. All I could think was: this would make such a beautiful skirt. Long panels. Vertical flow. Printed linen. A garment waiting to happen.

The room itself feels calm, artistic, and thoughtful with a touch too much. A lovely contrast to the wild lobby downstairs.

The hotel sits in a heritage Art Deco building from the 1950s, located between Little India and Kampong Glam, two of Singapore’s oldest and most character-filled neighbourhoods. Little India is full of spice shops, textile stores, and temples. Kampong Glam is home to colourful shophouses, cafés, boutiques, and the Sultan Mosque. It’s layered and very alive.

Stepping outside at night did give me a small oops moment. The street energy is… lively. Let’s leave it at that. But tonight there’s live jazz at the hotel bar, and suddenly everything makes sense again.

It’s the kind of hotel you’d want to stay in with someone special. A little bit strange. A little bit romantic. A little bit confusing.

Everything feels slightly wrong.
And somehow, very right.

Little envelopes. Big meaning.

by Arnaud | Feb 2, 2026 | Design

5 min read

Little envelopes. Big meaning.

This year, I wanted to create angpows that do more than carry money.

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For the first time, I’ve designed a series of angpows with phrases printed inside. Each one carries a Chinese idiom, together with a simple, modern interpretation. Thoughts about life, people, resilience, kindness, perspective, and possibility.

On the inside of every angpow, you’ll also find our mantra:

We make our universe beautiful.

These angpows are inspired by the same thinking behind our Firecracker Collection, the idea that a good life is built from six essential elements. The elements we need to feel grounded, hopeful, and balanced in business, love, and work.

There are six designs, with three variations each, making 18 individual angpows in total. All of them are hot stamped with gold foil, giving them a subtle shine and a slightly celebratory feel.

Some of the texts include:

狗急跳墙
Gou ji tiao qiang
A dog in a panic can leap a wall
When life pushes you, you often discover what you are capable of. You might surprise yourself.

牡丹虽好, 全凭绿叶扶持
Mudan sui hao, quan ping luye fuchi
The peony is beautiful, but it needs its leaves
Good things flourish when there is good support. Celebrate your people.

人生在世, 无非是戏
Rensheng zai shi, wufei shi xi
Life on earth is a performance
Life is a big stage. Do your best, enjoy the moment, and do not take yourself too seriously.

老鸹窝里出凤凰
Laogua wo li chu fenghuang
A phoenix can rise from a crow’s nest
Greatness has a habit of appearing in unexpected places. Believe in possibility.

萝卜白菜, 各有所爱
Luobo baicai, ge you suo ai
Some love radish, some love cabbage
Everyone has their own preferences. There is a match for every person and every moment.
(My personal favourite.)

Together, these angpows become small carriers of meaning. Something you can give. Something you can keep. Something that might land with someone exactly when they need it.

Another one of those things that you don’t need but must have.

Available in all stores in Singapore and Malaysia .

Sunday morning skirt launch at Tanglin Mall

by Arnaud | Jan 30, 2026 | Events

5 min read

Sunday morning skirt launch at Tanglin Mall

This Sunday at 10 a.m. sharp, we’re releasing our new Balloon Skirt (formerly known as the Pelikat Skirt) in a very limited run of just 25 pieces, available exclusively at our Tanglin store.

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The last time we launched the Pelikat Skirt, it sold out in under an hour, so if you’ve had your eye on this silhouette, it’s worth coming early.

Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

And while you’re on your way to the store, you might notice something else.

If you’re walking through Tanglin Mall over the next weeks and notice flowers slowly appearing across the floor, you’re not imagining things.

They’re from our Singapore Soul, Lan Hua collection, reimagined as a flower trail leading towards our store. Each shape is inspired by orchids, with different silhouettes and personalities, as a small nod to Singapore’s deep love for orchids and their role as a national symbol. We wanted to create something that gently draws you in, something that feels joyful and slightly unexpected, even before you step inside.

The flower stickers will be on the floor for the next six months, and we’ve also created a small visual display inside the store that will be up for about two weeks, so if you’re around, do come by and have a look before it changes.

We’d love to see you this Sunday morning.

10 a.m.
Tanglin Mall

Singapore has Card Day. Malaysia says excuse me?

by Arnaud | Jan 30, 2026 | Design, Events

5 min read

Singapore has Card Day. Malaysia says excuse me?

Special Card Day at TANGS… and yes, we’re doing something in Malaysia too

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Once every few months, TANGS in Singapore hosts what many shoppers look forward to most: Card Day. It’s the weekend where things get busy in the best possible way. People come early, bags start stacking up, and there’s a very specific Card Day buzz in the air.

And every time, we start getting messages.

“Why is everything happening in Singapore?”
“What about us in Malaysia?”

Fair question.

So this time, we decided to stop explaining and just say: let’s do both.

For Friday and Saturday only, we’re running the same promotions in Singapore and Malaysia, so nobody feels left out.

HOME (Nala Estate Collection)
Buy any 2 items and get 20% off
(Includes Maxi Bag and Reversible Tote)

Fire Cracker collection
Buy any 2 pieces and get 10%

In Singapore, you’ll find our HOME selection at NALA Estate, TANGS Tanglin (3rd floor).

In Malaysia, these promotions apply at all NALA stores.

Small note: promotions are valid on Friday and Saturday only.

Because good things are better when everyone gets to enjoy them.

We’d love to see you.

The first Ottolenghi cookbook I ever bought

The first Ottolenghi cookbook I ever bought

The first Ottolenghi cookbook I ever bought was Jerusalem, and I can safely say that this book quietly changed the way I cook and, honestly, the way I think about vegetables forever.

Wall panels that would work perfectly as a skirt

Wall panels that would work perfectly as a skirt

I’m in Singapore this week.Back and forth between here and KL for work, and I realised this would probably be my last hotel stay for a while. So I thought, why not pick something really different?

Little envelopes. Big meaning.

Little envelopes. Big meaning.

This year, I wanted to create angpows that do more than carry money.

Sunday morning skirt launch at Tanglin Mall

Sunday morning skirt launch at Tanglin Mall

This Sunday at 10 a.m. sharp, we’re releasing our new Balloon Skirt (formerly known as the Pelikat Skirt) in a very limited run of just 25 pieces, available exclusively at our Tanglin store.

Singapore has Card Day. Malaysia says excuse me?

Singapore has Card Day. Malaysia says excuse me?

Special Card Day at TANGS… and yes, we’re doing something in Malaysia too

I’m in Singapore this week.
Back and forth between here and KL for work, and I realised this would probably be my last hotel stay for a while. So I thought, why not pick something really different?