Wild Rocketing

Dominic Khoo's 28th Fevrier

2012-02-05T11:09:00.000+08:00

We were out running some errands around our neighborhood and in the blistering afternoon heat, I was in desperate need for a pit stop. I was just about to settle for my usual bubble tea until Alv brought up, "didn't you mention there was a cafe around here that you wanted to check out?". Yes, I have trained him well.

Thanks to his ingenuity and a few quick checks on the iPhone, we found ourselves at Dominic Khoo's 28th Fevrier.

Located amidst warehouses and light industries within the matured estate of Bukit Merah, the shop enjoys the absolute luxury of wide, open space. The owner, Dominic Khoo, who is a celebrity/ lifestyle photographer by profession, adorns the white walls with his photos as you advance within the space. It is a combination of a cafe cum photo gallery cum a bespoke tailor cum leather shoes boutique corner.

Don't expect much from the cafe - it is limited to just drinks and an even more unimpressive selection of pastries. We were however just thankful to quench our thirst and for a tranquil, undisturbed spot to indulge in some reading. Oh and yes, they have a good playlist on as well.

Believe it or not, these lounge chairs, which we rested our bums on are actually made of recycled paper! Though it is considered to be highly durable given that it has to withstand humans' weight, but it is already showing signs of wear and tear. Maybe bum fatigue.

With this place located off the beaten track, you can probably expect little walk-in. We spotted only two to three customers at any one time but then again, we were there on a weekday afternoon. It was however, a welcoming respite from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind within our densely populated city. Feels good to not have another person infringing on your comfort zone, doesn't it? Without any distractions, it really forces you to slow down and focus on whatever you are doing there and then, whether it is to read, chat or work.

Just that my bum probably can't take sitting on recycled paper for too long.

How not to be a Tourist

2012-01-25T19:13:00.000+08:00

If I ever go New York, I want to spend my nights here. Heck, I might even hole up the entire day there with a cup of tea and a good novel.

P.S.: The website is extremely useful for learning all the tips and nuances the locals hold dear to. And yes, they come without the tacky souvenirs, touts and tourist traps.

20/20 Home Cure

2012-01-20T23:52:00.000+08:00

Living independently means you have to start taking charge of everything - from the groceries to the cleaning. Toilet rolls or washing detergents are not going to magically appear when they deplete, just as when you were staying with your parents. I have been relatively competent at handling chores on a small square area i.e. my room, and even though my new house is far (very far, in fact!) from being a mansion, I am conscious of the need to put aside time and effort in attaining a tidy and clean environment for Alv and myself. Let's face it - who will consider household chores a hobby or something that you look forward to doing? If you do, let me know and I'll give you my number.

I recently stumbled upon the 20/20 Home Cure videos by Apartment Therapy and find them extremely useful. I'm certain a lot of my pals who just took on recent roles as home owners will be blown away by how these simple and little steps can aid in maintaining your lovely homes, well, lovely. So take some time and watch the videos from Day 1 to Day 20 here. For a quick start, you can also check out this wonderful and dare I say, inspirational, article - How to clean your house in 20 minutes a day for 30 days. Good luck with your home cure!

Pic Source

Sunday Musings

2012-01-15T23:46:00.001+08:00

The weather has been in the midst of transiting from the cool, wind-in-your-hair chill to our familiar summer-like tropical heat. I have been feeling so lazy, plus there are like one hundred and one things to do and work is acting up again. Worse, an annoying ulcer in my gum is affecting my appetite and thus, mood.

But I'm looking forward to this week, where I'll be going for the first session of a new activity that I'm taking up this year. This will tick the checkbox of one of my resolutions this year - to pick up something new, which is very much in-line with my on-going self-development journey.

To continuous enrichment. *glasses clink*

Cute cutout poster from here

(Salted) Caramel Macarons

2012-01-02T11:43:00.000+08:00

As a kid, I'm never a fan of Caramel. The sticky, gooey and almost cloyingly sweet treacle didn't exactly hold a spot in my heart. Hence I have always deliberately avoided Caramel related desserts or sweets. However as I aged (just like my egg whites!), I slowly developed the taste buds for it. It was all thanks to one ingredient that created an entire evolution of this simple, children's favourite - salt. That one condiment that propelled Caramel into super stardom and one of a grown-up profile, and had it appearing in patisseries and restaurants. It got me hooked, line and sinker.

So for the gifting season, I decided to try using it as filling in my macs. At first, I struggled to attain the right consistency of the Caramel to keep it from flowing out of the shells. After consulting my best friend, the internet, the best solution was to thicken it through cornflour. I'm pretty sure it is not an orthodox method, but it will do for now. I threw in the salt at a certain point when I was cooking it but it may have been muted through the heat.

Whether salted or not, it worked beautifully, with the Caramel filling being able to hold itself together and remained sandwiched neatly within the shells. This turned out to be a limited edition flavor as my first batch of shells went bonkers with one inaccurate measurement; that is how intolerant it is to errors!

Hope it has been a great start to your 2012 so far, with a new year and a new beginning. I'm looking forward to what surprises this new year will bring and the new memories and experiences that will be created, either through a personal journey or with my loved ones. May you be on the right track for one too.

Esquina

2011-12-28T20:13:00.000+08:00

When it comes to eating, ladies tend to prefer variety over quantity, since we love the idea of sampling various dishes without going overboard with the calories or having to suffer from a bout of indigestion. The idea of grazing over a wide selection of compact-sized dishes within a meal makes Tapas an attractive proposition. The concept is very much like our well-loved Dim Sum and with the swift rise of Tapas bars all over, it is apparent that our red dot has detected this trend.

One that comes with star billing is Esquina, whose head chef, Jason Atherton comes with the embellishment of a Michelin star. It is located a skip away from Hotel 1929 and is of no coincidence that the hotelier behind the said hotel has a stake in this Spanish eatery. Housed in a corner shophouse whose past life was that of a launderette, it has taken on a new identity as a hip and trendy restaurant.

The interior adopts an industrial chic theme (I like!) and intimate bar seatings, which are limited but that, along with their no-reservations rule, pitches its exclusivity.

Regrettably, its positive attributes don't go any further than that. I don't consider myself familiar with Spanish food to comment much on how authentic their dishes are, but my dining companions who have more exquisite tastebuds weren't particularly impressed. When our Patatas Bravas turned out to be ordinary French Fries and Tomato Bread was nothing more than a smear of tomato spread on toast, we found ourselves shaking our heads....

The BBQ Mackerel was actually quite well-cooked, with a crusty, crisp skin and goes nicely with the dollop of Aioli, but we did wish that the portion was upsized to match the price. The bright yellow Spanish Omelette fared on the side of mediocrity. Not wanting to be further disappointed, we took that as our cue to exit.

I do suppose that there are certain expectations when you know you are dining at a place that is helmed by a Michelin-starred chef. If you are a die-hard, traditional Spanish foodie, this place will probably not be sufficiently appealing. The media has been raving about their Foie Gras burger and Iberico pork, so you might get better luck with them.

Meanwhile our search for good Spanish food continues.

X'mas Party

2011-12-26T16:23:00.000+08:00

How was your Christmas weekend? We partake in our annual ritual - a X'mas Party at my Sis-in-law's house. Potluck is the way to go with my contributions being a couple of canapes, salad, and lastly a Chocolate Cake. Alv made his all-time Roasted Chicken Drumstick, which unfortunately didn't come with a favourable-looking photo. Next time!

For the Holiday Season

2011-12-22T22:47:00.000+08:00

K was such a doll to hand carry this treasured gift of Laduree macarons from London. Arriving all fresh-faced, with nary a scratch (though Ms. Caramel probably couldn't take the flight descend....you could witness the little mess near her), but those baubles were gorgeous and a delight....and the best part? She actually got all the flavours right! Thanks babe!

Speaking about baubles, can you envision an X'mas tree with them dangling from ends to ends? Just thinking of that makes my heart palpitate with glee.

To all ya folks out there, enjoy the holiday season with a big pinch of happiness, a generous dash of hope and sprinklings of love.

The Black Sheep Cafe

2011-12-19T23:04:00.000+08:00

I have a penchant for selecting restaurants or dining spots that are modest and almost boutique-like. They bring about a different dining experience and tends to be bubbling with character, which may exhibit or showcase the personality behind it and creates the ambience that personifies the style of the cuisine. Having a hole-in-the-wall location is optional.

Hence I was glad that J suggested checking out the French food at The Black Sheep Cafe for our customary birthday celebrations. Patrons are literally surrounded by sheeps in the forms of paintings and figurines. Bah.

Trusting the recommendation of the opportune wait staff, who was clever enough to keep them coming and us spending, we started our meal with a unique appetizer - Baked Brie Cheese. It was melty goodness, but the fruit compote, though a fresh touch, was strangely served in a slightly frozen state that left our mouths in a numbing state.

Your typical Caesar Salad, but jazzed up with Grilled Prawns

The Duck Confit was fantastic, proven by its lasting memory in my heart and mind - probably the best I have ever eaten. The skin crisped up to a glorious, golden-brown colour and the succulent flesh made this a great dish. The Mango Relish by the side provided a tangy contrast and threw in an added dimension.

I had a bite of Alv's Lamb Shank, which was fork-tender, soft and comforting. But G and I remained devoted to our new love, Duck Confit. Can I declare this as a must-order here?

One word - winner.

We ended the meal by indulging in a Flourless Chocolate Tart and a somewhat over-zealous risen Souffle. The former was more of a chocolate fondant than a tart, but we still appreciated the lava-like warm chocolate when sliced in. The latter came with a cloud-like texture but was so saccharine that our sweet tooth (or teeth) hurts. Thank goodness, we had the common sense to share.

The Black Sheep Cafe does away with the stuffy decorum and the fastidious nature of fine dining. Instead it chooses to focus on a small selection of dishes and aims to do them well. That is going back to basics for you.

For me, I'm just going back for the Duck Confit.

Drips Bakery Cafe

2011-12-14T21:14:00.001+08:00

This weekend was all about checking out a series of cafes in the Tiong Bahru estate. A visit to The Orange Thimble proved to be quite a stress-reliever and a welcoming start to the weekend. We followed up with an afternoon stopover at Drips Bakery Cafe on Sunday, which is just a stone's throw away from TOT.

Like TOT, it occupies an expansive and large space, which was filled with our favourite old-school furnishings. It was all bright and light in there. We were appreciative that the owners took into consideration the importance of having personal space - all tables were amply spaced out for comfortable seating. When we were there, there was an attractive array of tarts for us to pick from. The last Mixed Berries Tart instantly caught my eye and for fear of it being snatched away under my nose, I promptly proceeded to secure it. A good choice, I must say - the crust was not too thick and had a nice snap to it, and the luscious, sweet berries were perfect accompaniments. The pastry cream was unfortunately a pathetic, stingy swipe across the base, which meant serious rationing. Top it up, chef!

The other tarts look equally amazing and warrant a subsequent visit....I'm going to give it another shot.

The Orange Thimble

2011-12-11T23:36:00.002+08:00

It is a little known fact that Tiong Bahru has evolved into an enclave of the uber cool and hip. With that, the cafe culture there has somewhat blossomed, ever since the very first of its kind, Fourty Hands started the ball rolling. The Orange Thimble was next in line to offer those in the neighbourhood and beyond a quaint place to hang out.

Alv and I found ourselves there one Friday evening after dinner. With supposedly everyone out painting the town red, the cafe was devoid of crowds, which made it such a wonderful place to spend a quiet night in. I went totally nuts in all its retro and eclectic glory.

It is a cross between a cafe and an art gallery, which meant many of its walls were decked with photos and paintings. I especially appreciate such an arrangement, which not only allows you to better visualise how these pieces would fit into a home setting but also enables you to view them freely without the niggling obligations. Another asset of the cafe is its spaciousness, which provided several nooks and crannies to nestle oneself in, be it indoor or out in the courtyard.

We lazed on the couch with our Strawberry & Cream and Cafe Latte Macchiato. I wasn't in the mood for ice-cream but there seemed to be a good selection there. Now I know where to go for my late night fixes in future.

Brekkie lovers will be thrilled to know that they serve up brunch as well. Girlfriends, you know where our next brunch spot will be....

Next cafe on the street to check out - Drips!

Zaffron Kitchen

2011-12-04T00:29:00.000+08:00

One of the perks of staying on the red dot is that though we are small in size, we are big on flavours. This is all thanks to our multi-ethnic background, the rich heritage behind each race and the individualistic culinary styles that they lug along with them. I always love my Nasi Padang, Mee Siam, Briyani and Roti Prata and have ready and full access to them whenever craving strikes. When that occurred one evening, we found ourselves being led to Zaffron Kitchen.

The approach that the restaurant adopted was one that was modern and contemporary, and an inviting one especially for spice-fearing folks or those who have never taken well to the intense and robust flavours of this genre. Before we commenced on our taste-fest, both Alv and I were already swooning over the industrial cum rustic decor of the restaurant, that fully embodied the design aesthetics that we so favoured.

Take your pick.

All in all, everything was excellent and we were duly impressed. The Samosas were enlarged versions of the regular triangles and were well-made curry puffs with heavy fillings. I couldn't stop attacking the Butter Chicken, but I could be bias since that ranks top as my favourite Indian dish. At least for me, the curry was the de-facto dipping gravy for the Garlic or Cheese Naan. The Chicken Tikka managed to maintain its succulence after undergoing Tandoori treatment and we got to mix things up a little with the green Malai Chicken Tikka that is marinated with Coriander; giving rise to its hue.

Speaking of curry, the mutton pieces (following pic on the right) in the other were equally tender and would have gone well hand-in-hand with some rice. You probably can't tell that the other pic is a Vegetable dish. It is Aloo Gobi Masala, which is spiced Cauliflower and Potatoes. I'm constantly amazed at how a bland veg like Cauliflower can be totally transformed into something that is so flavourful in Indian dishes.

No UFO here, the Dum Chicken Briyani was encased in a Prata wrap. After tearing through that, you will get access to the fragrant Basmati Rice, a Chicken Thigh and a hard-boiled egg. The rice was slightly dry, but that could be easily resolved with the myriad of curries and the yogurt side available. This on its own, is confident of filling one up, but who would consider not sampling the rest of the other wonderful dishes?

For the purists, Zaffron Kitchen may come across as mild or too eager to please non-regulars of Indian cuisine. However even if the spice factor could be turned up one notch, the dishes were well executed and lovely. To put it to the real test, I have bold intentions to bring a friend, G, who has never dared venture into the realms of Indian food, to see if it could potentially convert her and open up this part of the world for her! If this life-changing moment does happen for her, she will have me and Zaffron Kitchen to thank.

Artichoke Cafe & Bar

2011-11-25T23:31:00.001+08:00

After what seemed like eternity, I caught up with S one Saturday morning for brunch at Artichoke. This was the rare moment that I took a breather from Project Habitation and could afford to just sit back and do
N-O-T-H-I-N-G, except to eat and chat over coffee. Pure heaven.

Replacing the now defunct My Secret Garden, the cafe is nestled within a courtyard at Sculpture Square. It emits a welcoming vibe with its all natural, rustic look that doesn't put you in a self-conscious mood, even if you are in shorts and sandals. Leave that wifebeater singlet at home though.

The brunch menu isn't especially lengthy but it should be able to delight the majority. You get a good mix of healthy light stuff to peck on or if an oil-fueled mega meal is needed to kickstart the day, those are available as well. S and I were wise enough to select both types to share.

S recommended the big breakfast meal, which is a one dish wonder that contains almost everything you will need or crave for - from protein to carbo. It comes with eggs, which we chose to scramble and a handful of arugula leaves thrown in for good measures. Most brunch joints serve up bacon strips. Not Artichoke. It goes one step further with bacon chop and as if as that is not enough, they are glazed with maple syrup. That is serious stuff with sweet and savoury chews in one mouthful. By the way, there is a reason why this set comes with two hashbrowns - it is meant to be shared! Sharing extends to both good things and guilt.

The guilt was offset with a yogurt dish, a plate of healthy goodness with a tart rhubarb centre, a drizzle of honey and chopped pistachio nuts. We lapped it all up, as we exchanged the on-goings in each other lives and soak up the weekend mood.

The cafe caters to either solo diners who enjoy a tranquil moment with their papers or those with a large group of mates. We spotted both demographics, who enjoyed their mornings the way that each favoured. Now I know why S and her hubby are hooked on this place for brunch. I know I am. I probably can spend countless hours there, just as long as there is either one of the following:

1) a good friend (ok, husband will do as well)

2) a stack of magazines or an intriguing novel

3) a good cup of coffee

Chocolate Macarons

2011-11-15T21:42:00.000+08:00

I managed to squeeze out a spot of free time on Sunday to produce a batch of Chocolate Macarons. Relishing in the pleasure of each familiar motion and step, I enjoyed every quiet moment of doing so and took pride in the finished product.

Pardon the odd cracks....I still love them all the same.

Vineyard @ Hort Park

2011-11-08T22:33:00.000+08:00

We ventured upon Vineyard when we were jogging at Hort Park one evening and was drawn by their warm and cosy atmosphere. So we made a promise to come back one day when we were better dressed (we know better than to cause distress to the other patrons with our stinky sports attires). And what was a more appropriate occasion than our 1st year wedding anniversary?

Emanating a warm glow out of its tall glass windows into the park, the restaurant was like a beacon in the sea of black. It makes for a great place for date nights since it wasn't intimidating and stuffy, but yet suitable enough for a quiet dinner for two (and of course more). And if you are indecisive on the type of cuisine, the menu offered an array of Thai, French and Italian favourites. Fancy being served the best of all worlds in one place!

First up to tantalize the palates, we had Thai Fish Cake served with Spicy Mango Salad. These were springy and moist when bitten, although they could do with less oil. The Mango Salad helped cut that back slightly and provided a refreshing kick.

I loved how Alv's Braised Lamb Shank was served in such rustic style. Cooked in Shiraz, it came succulent and fell off the huge bone with ease. Along with seasonal veg and a mini cocotte of Potato Mousseline, I couldn't stop dipping my spoon in the latter, which was all rich and creamy goodness.

My order of Duck Leg Confit with Onion Marmalade and Orange reduction came with a crisp skin and wasn't too bad. It just wasn't particularly memorable or mind-blowing, though I did recall how the Onion sauce got quite overwhelming after one too many taste.

As much as we would have liked to, we couldn't take on desserts and for a place call Vineyard, we didn't go for any wine. They were sold by bottles, which was far too much for just the two of us. So we called it a night, but we are probably going back again. This time with a truckload of folks, so that we get to try more!

Project Habitation

2011-10-26T22:05:00.001+08:00

I know, I know....I have been so sporadic with my posting, but I do have a good reason for it. I'm currently dedicating (almost) all of my waking hours to our home renovation. After the collection of keys, we were in this relaxed mode and literally took our own sweet time on it. Now with all my new neighbours having moved in, the guilt of having to cause them the additional noise and dust when we start work is weighing in heavily on us. Hopefully they can be placated with a cake or two?

All our weekends are filled with furniture shopping, looking at taps, sinks, lights and fans, and the repeated action of flashing our credit cards. The pain will set in when we receive our bills, but 'til then....let's enjoy my purchases so far.

So you can understand that the blog will unfortunately have to take a backseat for now. I hope to be able to put some up some new stuffs from time to time....when I get time to take a breather from all that work.

Antoinette

2011-10-16T12:52:00.001+08:00

I cannot resist desserts and most of my girlfriends share the same adoration for all things sweet, which we consider as the perfect end to a meal. When we met up for dinner before K headed off to London, it seemed that Antoinette at Mandarin Gallery was an appropriate and befitting after-dinner thought. We are after all talking about a girl (and this extends to her sis, P) who totes sugar around in her bag for extra measures.

The plush (and heavy) arm chairs and chi-chi, Victorian environment does create that cozy and intimate environment and was an obvious model after a certain established French patisserie. The late night crowd didn't quite deter us, but it meant that there were minimal number of pastries left for selection.

Tart Cafe Caramel was one of the more attractive choices left but it had a strong coffee taste, which slightly overpowered the Salted Caramel and affected the overall balance.

However that one dessert that blew us away was the Antoinette Earl Grey ice cream that was topped with raspberry jelly and covered with shavings of milk chocolate shards. It could do without the thick layer of whipped cream that blanketed the main star and had us confused initially when we didn't taste the anticipated flavour with the first swipe of the spoon. Dig deeper beneath it and you will be rewarded by the pleasant and distinctive Bergamot taste.

Antoinette brings about a slice of France to our sunny shores and offers that quick escape from the regime. As if to top up the authenticity of the French experience, you can expect surly and brusque treatment from the wait staff. Having said that, I am keen to while away an afternoon with some girlfriends at their original branch at Penhas Road and sample more.

Back and Busy

2011-10-11T21:43:00.001+08:00

I'm back and happy to be home. Bangkok was nice as usual, but I didn't had much fun by myself. Guess I'm not too much of a single traveller. Beijing wasn't half that bad, but I had higher expectations for it. The experience was marred by the fact that I was constantly rushing about with a (huge) crowd, being squashed like sardines in a subway or being stuck for hours in jams. I didn't quite take too well to Beijing's cuisine as well - everything was either too oily or too salty for my liking. In all honesty, I even prefer our local version of their national dish, the Peking duck. However highlights were in the form of taking a rickshaw ride around their Hutongs (alleys), sweeping the racks of adorable and affordable knick-knacks at Kodo (a lifestyle shop in Beijing), acquiring cheap art pieces at Silk Market and believe it or not - tasting one of the best steaks that I have eaten in my life. I kid you not....in good ol' China itself!

A fine piece of meat indeed!

Now that I'm back, I'm throwing myself whole-heartedly into doing up my new place and turning it into somewhere liveable. We have been pretty laidback with the whole thing, but we will need to buck up and quicken our pace if we are intending to move in by the start of 2012.

Our neighbours will probably hate us for starting our reno this late. Ooops.

P.S.: If you happen to be in Beijing, check out Steak Factory. I had two dinners there that left me in awe.

Locate it @ China World Trade Center NB-203, Chaoyang District

Another Significant Milestone - 21

2011-09-14T21:10:00.000+08:00

Birthdays - don't we all love them? 12th September 2011 was the day that my youngest sis, the baby in the family turns 21. When I took a walk down memory lane and recalled my 21st birthday, it seemed like eternity....but I digress. Anyhow, she sourced out this cute-looking restaurant, Hosted on the Patio to host her party at and it was quite a success. Though it was located at a secluded area in Alexandra, it was surprisingly a full house on that Saturday evening.

We loved how whimsical the entire place looked, with such a friendly and beckoning air about it. I couldn't think of a more suitable and lovely place for a 21st birthday. The look of the restaurant seemed to depict the conversion to adulthood and being on the brink of maturity - not that of the sophisticated but almost coming of age.

The food didn't especially impress but I guess that wasn't the key focus. The ambience set the mood and we soaked in the fun party atmosphere. My sis and her friends had a ball of a time and the live band did a lively rendition of the birthday song. Coincidentally, someone else who shared the same name with her was celebrating her 28th birthday at the next table! I don't have a photo of my sis's birthday cake, which she ordered from Crummb, but it was the most adorable sight.

I will be keeping busy with work travels for the month of September, so blogging (and baking) will have to wait until October. I look forward to feeding myself well and checking out the sights and sounds amidst the limited R&R time that I have there. Adios!

Sweet Gifts

2011-09-04T10:51:00.000+08:00

There were a couple of occasions this month that warrant the gifting of macarons. One of my dearest girlfriend, Ag welcomes and celebrates her 30th birthday (I'll be joining you soon!) and another, K will be leaving Singapore for Master's education in London for a year. Both are well-versed with their sweets and share my intense love for macs. Another colleague, T has never tasted a macaron before (the horrors!) and I felt that I had to do my part to get him acquainted with the world of these colourful treats. Though I did cite the concerns of mine putting him off them forever and not to pass judgments just based on them alone!

This task of creating three flavours to offer that variety equated to an almost full day of work. I apologise for being a tardy worker, but when it comes to making macs, the chances of failure are higher if you are going to be impatient and rush them along. Or that could just be my speed/ pace. Whatever it was, I was just glad for the positive results - I can't imagine the disappointment after slaving a whole day at this, though I must say that the purple and yellow ones turned out with slightly brittle shells. I would also have to up my dosage of Bailey's for future batches as it got seemingly lost in the buttercream.

I love seeing the look on my recipients' faces when they lighted up at the sight of them, which made all the work worthwhile. But who wouldn't, since they look so pretty in rows? To me, it was the best way of expressing my heartfelt thoughts for these occasions and that the recipients will be sharing and enjoying them with their loved ones.

Berry Vanilla Ice Cream Cake

2011-09-03T10:55:00.000+08:00

I was far too ambitious when I decided to make an Ice Cream Cake for Alv's birthday. Though it is not obvious from this angle and the eye-catching strawberries served as pretty distractions, it was indeed really sloppy at the sides. You needed to work really quickly with the ice cream, which melted at a far faster rate than I can react to it. I later got to the point where I can't differentiate which was the Vanilla ice cream and which was the whipped cream frosting - they all looked the same to me!

Unfortunately, I couldn't seek consolation in the texture of the cake - it was questionable as well. I think my next solution is to attend classes before further DIY at home. I should do better with shopping for one 'til then.

Check out the inspirational and real McCoy from Annie's Eats.

Porn's

2011-08-29T20:55:00.000+08:00

In case the title sounds misleading, this is not a post of triple X contents. We are, after all, a family-friendly blog. Likewise, Thai restaurant, Porn's wasn't named as such to trigger any naughty thoughts but is the namesake of the owner - popular local TV host, Pornsak. On a side note, I must say that his infotainment show, Food Source, which chronicles food from soil to table, is highly insightful and enriching.

I have been wanting to check out his first Porn's branch, located at Liang Seah Street but have heard how challenging it is to get a table there. Thus, I was delighted to know that his second branch was located within the premise of Mount Faber Safra, which was a stone's throw away from our place.

A simple and casual outfit, the restaurant kept to a rustic feel and is almost village-like. Tin toys and retro furnishings decked the shelves, adding on to the playful and nostalgic air.

We work with the ubiquitous Thai dishes and they were pretty good, all with reasonable prices to boot. The Tom Yam soup, a clear version starts off mild but later ascends to a tongue-numbing sensation. One word: shiok!

And then, there were some clear winners that deserves special mentions.

Rockstar #1: Start your meal with the Green Mango salad, which is extremely light, fresh and crunchy, and wasn't lip-puckering sour or acidic as some unripe, green mangoes can be. I couldn't stop digging into this refreshing starter.

Rockstar #2: Who can resist fried chicken wings? The Stuffed Chicken Wing at Porn's was bountiful on the inside - filled to the brim with chestnut and meat stuffing and crispy brown skin on the exterior. Its generous size meant that you get a good fix with one wing.

Rockstar #3: The Basil Chicken proves to be a hit with the entire family. Just like the Tom Yam Soup, its spiciness is not detected on the onset or instantly, but creeps up slowly with subsequent bites. This being a fragrant and well-spiced dish, it goes best with good ol' white rice.

Desserts like Mango with Sticky Rice and Red Ruby, on the other hand, didn't exactly impress. I have no qualms going without them the next time, but I'm more than contended to have another convenient and great dining spot near us. We are already planning our next visit and know exactly what we'll have.

Canele Mid Autumn Macarons

2011-08-28T10:03:00.000+08:00

Alv brightened a mundane midweek evening with this box of surprise, thanks to kind courtesy from his company. Elegantly packaged with a touch of luxe, this was Canele's Mid Autumn Festival's selection of Asian flavours. Popular flavours of Lychee, Red Bean, Green Tea were packed alongside unique local ones of Tea Tarik and Orh Nee (Yam).

As much as I wanted to sample everything, we had to be nice and share with the entire family (damn!). But I got to try majority of them, with a preference steered towards Red Bean and Tea Tarik. The Green Tea was also heavily scented with the tea's earthy fragrance, evident of the quality of the ingredients used.

Beautiful colour palette, isn't it? This looks like a fine piece of art to me.

Bario

2011-08-24T18:22:00.002+08:00

It has been some time that I have followed up with a subsequent visit to Illuma for my next bowl of Ramen. This afternoon was for Bario's, which was a wise choice, given that the queue is more humane as compared to that for the dinner crowd. We had the Half Bowl, seeing that the full size one was humongous and one that I'm certain would leave me in a delirious state. Ain't wise for a working afternoon.

Bario's Ramen do not follow the typical configuration of a Ramen. The noodles was a fatter and flatter version, and reminded me of the noodles used in our local Lor Mee. It was also topped with crunchy cabbage slices and a massive amount of beansprouts. The Half Bowl comes with two slices of Char Siew, which was the prize of the bowl. Amazingly fork tender and succulent, the fatty portion that came in a chunky slab on top of the leaner part, provided that melt-in-the-mouth sensation. The Half Bowl doesn't come with an egg, so add on if you must.

The diluted and watery appearance of the broth was deceptive, as the taste was robust with a strong garlic flavour. For garlic lovers, feel free to stir in more of the free-flowing, fresh chopped garlic. I am a fan of garlic (though the consequence can be stinky), but personally I wouldn't like it to overpower or mask the taste of the soup, which is a key element of Ramen. And this on its own was pretty close to that level. The saltiness and oiliness hits you after a while and you wonder how one can down the full size. But I would kill for their dreamy Char Siew.

Tetsu - my next stop!

Celebrating 30 at U.S.S

2011-08-21T21:02:00.001+08:00

2011 is the year that both Alv and myself will cross one of life's major milestone and enter into the uncharted territory of the Thirties. Alv was first to make his foray last Saturday (there are plenty of August's babies). A thrill ride and theme park lover, it was apt to mark my ever-youthful hubby's big day with a visit to Universal Studio Singapore.

Ogres in the house

Ryan joins in the fun

Not sharing the same interest of frightening myself silly and too much of a scaredy cat, I gave most of the rides a miss and instead took to enjoying the shows, the milder rides and the carnival-like atmosphere. I particularly enjoyed the New York theme, where it was like strolling down the city circa 1940.

More cartoon characters come to life

Here's to a rocking 30, babe!

Sweets for a 7 year old Sweetie

2011-08-20T23:06:00.000+08:00

Heading up to this Saturday, I have been keeping myself busy in the kitchen. Today is the day that my dear nephew, Ryan turns 7 years old and he is always such an avid supporter of whatever I churn out (except if they were vegetable dishes of any kind). So I knew he would welcome any desserts for his party this evening and thought I provided a mini array of Cookies, Cupcakes and Macarons.

My previous batch of Macarons turned out to be awful, resulting in disappointment on my recipients' part. Anyone who makes them know how finicky and fussy they can be and that they can be a no-show even with constant practice. Hence I was hoping that the odds wouldn't be against me this time round. My decision to play it safe by sticking with the tried-and-tested flavour paid off. These Macs filled with Lemon Curd didn't let me down, both aesthetically and taste-wise.

The cookies shaped in the head of the ever-iconic Mickey Mouse had their outlines piped with Blue icing, which was Ryan's favourite colour and individually filled with letters.

I chose to work with a new recipe in my well-loved Hummingbird cookbook - the intriguing sounding Black Bottom Cupcakes. A combination of Cream Cheese and Chocolate Sponge should be a crowd pleaser and it sure was. I was tempted to swirl frosting on the top but was too tired to wash my mixing bowl and whisks for the numerous time, so thought I'll leave that for another occasion. It was a wise choice, given the amount of sugary treats that were available at the event, not to mention that there was also the birthday cake. Ryan got into the potluck spirit and made Chocolate Mousse for us.

My favourite moment was when Ryan had one of each dessert on his plate and was taking bites of each of them every one time, instead of having them individually. Talk about having no favourites and paying undivided attention to your food.

Arteastiq

2011-08-15T21:30:00.001+08:00

Remember that during my last trip to Arteastiq, I noticed how the front area was boxed-up and shrouded in secrecy? Turns out that they were revamping the exterior of the cafe. This time round when we dropped by after dinner, we were greeted by a new addition (again), where it now has a forward-looking "face" to passer-bys. This meant installing a counter, a cake display, a board menu and further increase to its seating capacity.

The humidity and heat had us craving for something ice cold. What's better than to jolt oneself up with a double boost of iced tea and ice-cream simultaneously? This series comprised of not just a tall glass of iced tea topped with a scoop of ice-cream, but also a separate globe of the neat version, so as to thoughtfully let drinkers enjoy the tea in its natural form, without any "distractions".

I was attracted by the sound of Raffles Earl Grey Lavender Tea with Champagne Vanilla Gelato, which conjured thoughts of romance and elegance. However with neither components wanting to overpower the other, the overall taste was too mild for my liking. In the end, I much preferred the original tea, where it was sufficiently robust on its own. On the other hand, Alv's Beauty Yang, made of Oolong Tea with Lychee Martini Gelato was fantastic. The Gelato which was somewhat a Sorbet, was indeed a freeze-blast version of one of my favourite cocktail.

The Chocolate Banana Mousse was sufficiently rich and decadent but what really stole my heart was Eve, Arteastiq's famous Orange Cake. Don't be deceived by its dense-looking outlook, which might have you running the opposite direction. Instead it was as light as an angel, with every bite carrying a delightful whiff of citrus. It makes you yearn for more, just like how Adam was tempted by Eve.

Now guess what this is? It is actually something edible....

You would never have thought that it is a piece of Chocolate Mochi! I actually thought it was a wiping cloth at first! Now imagine how hilarious it would be if I had pick that up to clean a spill.

Every visit to Arteastiq has never failed to surprise me. What started off as a furniture shop with a mini resting spot, it has since converted to a full flung cafe due to the popularity of their tea and desserts. But deep inside, I actually preferred its original layout of a stretch at the back of the store. Kept hidden and inconspicuous except to the esoteric crowd, it was a secret haven and an escape from the outside world.

I guess you can't keep a good secret for too long.

Straight in your face

2011-08-14T23:22:00.001+08:00

I caught sight of this ad at a bus stop and was fascinated by how the message was conveyed in a candid and impactful manner, without being too fanciful or complicated. Simple and straight to the point, the truth just hits you hard. Don't you just love a witty ad?

Izakaya Nijumaru

2011-08-12T23:24:00.001+08:00

One of Alv's all-time favourite cuisine, besides pledging loyalty to local delights, is Japanese. So it was no surprise that was our choice for his birthday celebratory dinner with G and J. Online research shows that Izakaya Nijumaru was a hot favourite amongst the Jap community and Jap food lovers here. And if it is good enough for them, it should be good enough for us, right?

Wrong - there are always exceptions.

Observation #1: Curt and unfriendly service just doesn't cut it

It started off on the wrong foot, when the wait staff brushed us aside and curtly asked us to wait outside for our seats to be ready. After we gotten a seat, we proceeded to order from the menu, which though had English next to their Romaji terms, didn't describe what the dishes were. With our limited knowledge, we tried to figure them out on their own. When we got one of the wait staff (most of them were aunties in their mid-fourties) to explain what some of them were, she reacted like we ought to know them, by making no attempt to explain each dish beyond a word and doing so in a perfunctory manner. Excuse me, but the last I remembered, Japanese wasn't a compulsory third language.

Oh, and they missed out on one of our order but still had that item on the bill.

Observation #2: Mediocre dishes. Period.

The food wasn't bad or anything, but there weren't any specialities that particularly jumped out at us. We do have to commend that the Sashimi was extremely fresh, with thick cut slices. But everything else tasted pretty regular and much like what you can get at any Japanese restaurant. In fact when the aunties do make recommendations, everything sounded like Chinese homecooked fare i.e. Stirred Fried Pork with Ginger and Onion, Fried Omelette with Bittergourd etc. I couldn't detect anything remotely Japanese in these dishes 'cept they came translated in that language. There isn't much of a differentiating factor, making me wonder on the need for a second trip.

Assorted Sashimi

Chicken Yakitori alongside Bacon & Asparagus ones

Char Soba

Ebi Tempura

Observation #3: You want Sushi but they don't have it.

I would understand that not all Jap restaurants sell Sushi, but given that Sashimi is offered on the menu, wouldn't Sushi be a natural extension of it? Evidently, Izakaya's focus was on Bento sets and perhaps their forte wasn't in making Sushi. Regrettably, our craving wasn't satiated.

To clarify, their food wasn't half bad and on hindsight, we might have scored better with their Bento sets. I guessed given that appalling service and with the plethora of better choices out there, you wouldn't be short of Jap restaurants to check out or be limited to this one place, especially if it is somewhere in Japanese-galore Cuppage Plaza.

Ikkousha

2011-08-07T16:38:00.001+08:00

If you are a Ramen fan - and it seems that most Singaporeans are, given the number of Ramen shops on our red dot - you will definitely be in the knows of the Ultimate Ramen Champion Competition that is being held at Level 4 of Illuma Bugis. For the uninitiated, six of Japan's best Ramen chefs are pitting against each other for the ultimate spot of clinching the title and be invited to hold permanent residency here. I did my research prior to it and found out that the top few choices were Ikkousha, Bario and Tetsu.

As much as I would like to taste all three in one sitting, I couldn't. So for my first taste test, I opted for the Ikkousha Hakata Ajitama Ramen. The pork-based broth was thick and sweet but still managed to remain light on the palette and didn't had you reeling from the richness. The noodles were springy and firm. Served with an egg, black Fungus and Char Siew slices, every mouthful was utter delight. It wasn't long before I wiped the entire bowl out.

Besides Ramen, Ikkousha also offered sides for accompaniment. The Chicken Gyoza wasn't anything to shout about but the Big Fried Chicken, deep-fried to golden brown perfection was crispy and wasn't shrouded in oil. We had to have seconds.

Some of my dinner partners tried out the other stalls, where I only took sips of the broth, so it may not be fair to judge. But my personal take is that if you are into thickened and creamy broth, go for Ikkousha's.

Iroha's Spicy Miso Ajitama Ramen

Gantetsu's Special Miso Ramen

Next up - Bario and Tetsu!

Roasted Chicken + Mac & Cheese

2011-08-06T10:56:00.000+08:00

I dare say that one of the best investment that we had for the house was our oven. Ever since we installed one, we have been discovering the convenience and ease of creating our meals with it. We especially love how we can just throw food into the "big silver box" and go about on our daily tasks, as our dinner gets magnificently cooked in there without much fuss.

Alv is getting to be quite an expert at roasting Chicken. Chicken legs to be precise. The exterior are browned to a golden and glossy gleam, as they cook in their natural juices. The skin is the best part, which makes diet-watchers awfully difficult to leave that out as you eat. The meat that was infused with the marinate from the outside yielded such tender succulence. The merits of working with legs instead of a whole chicken is that it is much easier to handle chicken legs as they get evenly cooked throughout, unlike a whole chicken. And no more fighting over who gets the drumstick!

Some roasted vegetables on the sides, and there you go - one full meal.

Or is it? It is hard for me to leave out carbs in a meal, even though I'm consciously trying to reduce my intake. I made a Mac & Cheese from Gwyneth Paltrow's My Father's Daughter and was glad that this recipe didn't request for too many variation and elaborated (read: expensive) cheeses. It was just the basics of Parmesan and Mascarpone. Though I believed I did take my love for carbs too far, as I threw in far too much Macaroni and didn't had enough cheese sauce to coat each elbow nicely. Some parts ended up bland without sufficiently absorbing the cheesy goodness. Still, I like the crusty top that adds to the texture, thanks to the liberal scattering of breadcrumbs.

We are so enamored with our "big silver box".

Lei Garden

2011-07-30T15:13:00.000+08:00

When we were in Hong Kong, it became customary that every morning before we hit the shops, we got our heady fill of Dim Sum at one of the many restaurants that dot the city. There is just something about indulging in a good brekkie of piping hot Siew Mai or Har Gao and Century Egg congee. Most times, you'll see your next table being filled with uncles, reading the morning's papers or chatting, as they sip on their Chinese Tea and consume basket after basket of goodies.

Having Dim Sum with the family on a Sunday morning is a heartwarming and boisterous affair, and you can't go wrong with the evergreen staples at Lei Garden. Most of them were major hits in their own rights but a few of them were clearly the rockstars in the restaurant's repertoire.

Rockstar #1: Anything made with their pastry are must-tries, as in their Char Siew Sou (most left in the above) and Egg Tarts. Made thick but crumbly, every bite was extremely satisfying and was a solid foundation for whatever fillings it was paired up with.

Rockstar #2: The pork trotters in vinegar was soft and tender, with enough wobbly fats to make us go giddy with guilty excitement. The dark broth which was laden with lashings of vinegar and ginger had us slurping every drop.

Rockstar #3: Don't ever leave Lei Garden without trying their custard buns, which are handmade and delightfully done. You are greeted by a bright yellow custard when you pry open these soft buns, which is thick and rich but not sweet. We tried ordering seconds but they were sold out by 12 noon!

Personally, Chicken Feet and Pan-fried Carrot Cake are my must-orders whenever I have Dim Sum and I was equally pleased with theirs. It is no doubt that Lei Garden definitely ranks high up there in my list of favourite Dim Sum restaurants. I'll be happy to spend every Sunday morning with this Dim Sum Dolly.

15 Minutes

2011-07-29T21:34:00.000+08:00

When I first set foot into the boundary of LASALLE, College of the Arts, the first thing that struck me was the futuristic architecture and the seamless fluidity of its design. The glasshouse structures that spells modernity, permits for the flow of light and demonstrates an expression of openness.

You don't have to wander far to hit 15 Minutes, a cafe embedded within the campus but yet within close proximity from the streets to encourage anyone and everyone to drop by. The youthful vibe in there is undeniable, with the canteen benches and communal tables setting the stage and acted as a stark reminder of a school. Smells like teen spirit in here.

All their salads are served in glass bottles, ensuring that all ingredients contained are well-mixed and fully absorbs the dressing. Our Taco Steak Salad was like Tex-Mex in a bottle, with all its components nicely coated with Balsamic Vinaigrette. It was a hearty one containing beef strips, romaine lettuce, cucumbers, onions, cheddar cheese, roasted capsicum and a smattering of corn chips.

An interesting pizza flavour that caught our eyes was the Oriental Duck Pizza. The thin crust topped with glazed duck breast, cashew nuts and juicy mandarin oranges was served with a cheery sunny side-up. The sauce which was enhanced with a slight spiciness was a pleasant touch but could have its sweetness downplayed, which becomes cloying after one too many bites.

If you are in the mood for Asian, you won't feel neglected since there are a few offerings in that genre. Don't belittle the spiciness of the tender Sambal Chicken Thigh, served in its full Malay glory along with Tempe slices. The chicken surprisingly wasn't the main draw. Instead, its co-star, the herb rice shone. With its intense fragrance and well-defined grains, it didn't rely on the piquant Sambal for support. Along with the zesty tomato pineapple salsa, those two alone could feed me and I'll remain happy.

As the name of the cafe goes, it embodies the expression of anyone attaining their 15 minutes of fame by providing a stage at one area of the cafe for performances and acts, with the aim to provide a platform for our youths of today to showcase their talents.

Now, if only every school canteen is as cool as this one.

Cool Summer Soba

2011-07-25T21:34:00.000+08:00

The weather these recent weeks have been blisteringly HOT. In this sweltering heat, I don't think anyone would fancy staving long hours over the stove. Alv's family have long taken to making Cha Soba at home when the calling for a quick fix arises. And it is as simple as cooking the Soba, chilling it in iced water and then throwing in together Enoki Mushrooms, Prawns, Sliced Pork or pretty much anything else you fancy. The finishing touches are in the forms of a good handful of toasted Nori (seaweed) and a sprinkling of leek. Have your dipping sauce on hand, which you can get from the Japanese shelves in the supermart and you get a cool dish, which is both light and refreshing.

I wanted to try a new accompanying sauce this time and made my own Sesame Sauce, but I think the result was more Sesame paste, the sweet Chinese dessert than anything else! As I quote in my 7 years old nephew's words, "the presentation of the dish looks wonderful but the taste is rather disappointing....". I'm pretty sure that had something to do with all those vegetables by the side!

Laurent's Cafe & Chocolate Bar

2011-07-24T08:49:00.000+08:00

Heading out with a girlfriend always includes incessant chatting and some form of sweets. A place that fitted well in our after-dinner program was Laurent's Cafe & Chocolate Bar.

Knowing that Souffles were their star recommendations, we opted for a Grand Marnier Souffle served with Vanilla Sauce. Whilst waiting for it - it seeks for your patience for 30 minutes, we ordered a rather exotic-looking St. Honore, which comprised of puffs and whipped cream piled on top of a glazed donut. Soft and chewy all in one mouthful.

In the end, it didn't take long for the Souffle to arrive. For some reason, I had expected it to be a choc-flavoured one, so imagine my disappointment when I caught sight of its cream top. Its wobbly, curd-like insides left a light and fluffy texture on the tongue but we couldn't exactly detect the liqueur in there and it got to a point that it became rather bland. This meant we had to go heavy with the Vanilla sauce, which only added to the undeniably saccharine taste.

Ironically (and regrettably), we didn't order anything with chocolate. Perhaps this warrants for a second visit? Alternatively, this trip has planted the idea in me to attempt this tricky dessert at home....not sure it will be a success but am certain it will be a Chocolate version.

A Scrumptious Affair

2011-07-19T21:14:00.001+08:00

Dinner for Sunday was a scrumptious affair. It started off with these gorgeous fresh scallops that was courtesy of Alv's aunt. To cater to everyone's taste, Alv had half of the batch spiked with cheese and bacon for that salty kick and the balance half was kept in its natural state, with the simplest seasonings of garlic and salt.

Waldorf Salad or a pseudo one was our greens for the day. Why did I say so? Mine lacked walnuts, a fixture in any Waldorf, which still eluded me after much efforts. Are they that exotic? Anyway we all had a super dose of Vitamin C (and a grimace on our faces) after we finished the salad, as I had by mistake mixed in double the lemon juice required. >_<

When I stumbled upon this recipe on one of my favourite food blog, Annie's Eats, I was fascinated. Fancy a tomato sauce with the most basic of ingredients and was so easy to make. Though I was tempted to well, tempt fate and throw in celery, black pepper, herbs etc when I was making it, I held on to keep to the authenticity of the sauce. The results were rewarding - the sauce was wholesome and the tang of the red rosy fruit was striking in it. To counter the acidity, which might not appeal to everyone, do flavour with salt. I even kept the onions in instead of disposing them, as we love softly cooked onions for that melt-in-your-mouth sensation. And Annie was spot on with the fragrance - every time we lifted the lid, the smell that wafted out was amazing. Simplicity at its best.

I'll be making more of it to bottle up for any last minute dinners.

Graze at Martin No.38

2011-07-16T16:55:00.001+08:00

Martin No. 38 just got a lot hipper with the addition of Graze, a second outlet from the original at Rochester Park. Serving modern Australian cuisine, its interior comprises of a soothing palette of grey and white and dashes of green in the form of big potted plants. The simplicity of it all exudes an inviting vibe and makes for a nice spot for cosy lunches or intimate dinners.

Starting off with a Pear & Frisee Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, this dish included Candied Walnuts and smears of Gorgonzola Cheese, which was a brilliant touch for cheese lovers like us. It was refreshingly crisp and light but there were very little traces of the Vinaigrette, leaving the greens slightly dry.

The Shellfish Spaghetti cooked in White Wine was delectable and blew us away. The pasta was done to Al-Dente perfection and hinted of a slight spice and lemon tang. The prawns were firm to the bite, with clams heavily scattered atop the pasta. This is one dish that I'll go back for.

The Whole Rotisserie Baby Spring Chicken came accompanied with thick Chips, which were addictive and Pickled Coleslaw. The exterior of golden-brown demonstrated how well-crisped the skin was but unfortunately the seasoning didn't permeate through the skin to hit the meat. A waste, since the chicken flesh was extremely tender.

The interesting layout of the restaurant allows for different pockets of seating areas and space, which provides the flexibility to craft out areas for private events. Coupled with the fact that it is located conveniently close to town yet away from it makes it a great choice to hang out at without feeling the squeeze. Portioning however tends to be small and can be rather painful for the price.

If you are in the mood for more, check out Provisions, its deli and gourmet pantry that is next to it. It isn't extensively stocked but has a curated selection of Wine, Tea, Jams, Olive Oil and more, including some baked goods. You can't miss their four striking blue SMEG fridges that are placed shoulder-to-shoulder!

Well, you weren't expecting your regular provision shop, were you?

Earl Grey Tea Cake

2011-07-10T20:34:00.001+08:00

When I was a kid, one of my favourite tea time snack was the Sara Lee Pound Cake. Best accompanied with a glass of milk, it was a treat that I looked forward to, along with my daily dose of cartoons. I fancied both Butter and Chocolate versions, and during times when I couldn't decide which best to have - I opted for the Marble Pound!

I decided to pay homage to this adored delight and had it coupled up with Earl Grey, a tea that I favoured greatly and one that is often used in baked goods in the likes of cupcakes, cookies etc. With the help of Alv, it didn't take long before the loaf got sent into the oven and the house was filled with a lingering citrusy and buttery scent. Speckled with tea leaves bits, the pound cake was moist and fragrant, especially when served fresh out of the oven.

Yes, I'll have it with a glass of milk, thank you.

Homemade Garlic Spread

2011-07-03T21:00:00.000+08:00

Remember the Garlic Bread that I made? Upon the request from Alv's sis, I made a fresh batch of Garlic spread this afternoon and bottled them for her to satiate her craving over the week.

It is so easy to make that you wonder why people still buy them off the shelf. All it needs is just 120g of butter, 4 cloves of garlic and 1/4 cup of parsley. Mix them up and that's it.

These bottles of paste are waiting to be cooled before they go into the refrigerator, hence they have yet to solidify, but you get the picture.

Apparently, she's going to have garlic bread for supper tonight!

Pique Nique

2011-07-03T00:48:00.000+08:00

If you are a fan of all things sweet, you would know that Chef Pang is the present buzzword in our local foodscene. With his relentless roll-out of new themed establishments this year (apparently more to come) and all of them undergoing his personal treatment and stamp, he aims to dominate the already-saturated dessert arena. Well, his company is not called Sugar Daddy for nothing.

I have been excitedly anticipating Pique Nique as there have been much news prior to its opening but somehow haven't found a chance to drop by. I finally got down to it last week with Ag and An for dinner.

The quirky cum rustic look, a current favoured design in several restaurants/ cafes provides the right basis for a cosy sit-down to enjoy tea with sweets on the side. That is definitely an appealing proposition to Takashimaya's shoppers, when they transit from retail therapy to another form of therapy.

As much as we could survive on desserts alone, it would be a waste to not sample any of their mains. Though the selection wasn't wide, carbohydrates was the underlying message across the board. Read burgers, hotdog buns, Mac & Cheese....you get the point.

The Normandy burger with its composition of Beef Patty, Blue Cheese and Fuji Apple, proved to be a good choice. The sweetness of the fruit cuts through all that protein but the cheese would be too mild for cheese-lovers. The thick-cut fries with jacket on the edges were especially addictive. The Classique Mac & Cheese was however a let-down, with it being overly salty and us pushing it away after a few mouthfuls.

The Shinjuku Incident burger - yes, the burgers here have very interesting names - didn't come accompanied with Jackie Chan but came with a fried egg and beef patty glazed with Terriyaki sauce, making for a hearty burger with a sweet aftertaste. The Crab Chowder was a thick broth, with corn bits and silvers of crab meat but again, it erred on being heavily salted.

It would have been a sin to leave Pique Nique without ordering any desserts. Ag and I went goo-goo-gaa-gaa over the pastry counter and had to practice self-restraint from selecting everything. In the end, we held back with just three Whoopie Pies and a Lemon Chiffon Pie.

A speciality of Pique Nique is the all-American delight, Whoopie Pie. It is supposedly a take on cupcakes with the buttercream sandwiched instead of being atop, so that every bite is a combination of cake and cream. The cake had a soft texture but was slightly limp. The French Chocolate Whoopie Pie was yum though, with full credit to its rich chocolate buttercream filling. Still, our unanimous votes go to macarons.

The Lemon Chiffon Pie was a tart and heady citrus rush but the base possessed the same limp and flaccid characteristics. Was that supposed to be a trademark amongst all its pastries?

It was surprisingly disappointing for somewhere as highly touted as Pique Nique. In a strange turn of events, its burgers turned out to be our preferred as compared to its desserts, which was supposed to be its main attraction. Perhaps with that much enthusiasm and hype over this first start-up, higher expectations followed in tandem. I for one, was expecting Canele's standard and thought this kinda missed the mark.

Hmm, I'm hoping for better luck with Antoinette.

Nana & Bird "Lookbook"

2011-06-25T08:25:00.000+08:00

You don't ever pass up a chance to do a lookbook, even if it is an unofficial one. Not especially when it is for Nana and Bird. How can I resist this chance of donning on their array of gorgeous collections from various up and coming designers, all lovingly sourced and curated by its owners?

Now we are no Giselle or Heidi, but we know how to appreciate a good design when we see one.

Take for example this coral-coloured short dress, which is made of silk-cotton. Soft to the touch and comfortable to the skin, it is a pretty piece with an ideal cut that will never age. I love dresses with pockets, that makes them all the more utilitarian.

The sweet hue of this dress sets the stage for easy accessorizing to maximum effects. Nana & Bird has applied their sharp eyes for details and designs to good use into another avenue - their in-house accessories line, aptly named, made by hand. Each one-of-a-kind piece consists of vintage bits and semi-precious stones like no other. This turquoise necklace with enamel jewels will add major impact to any outfits.

Who says that necklaces must always come in full circles? This pair of angel wings won't let you fly but will allow you to stand out from the crowd.

Linen in all its natural glory provides a fuss-free and organic look. This number with a ruffled neckline can take you from meetings to after-work dinner and drinks. Take a stab at fun with a duck ring, a surprising twist to an otherwise classic look!

With its puffed bottom and asymmetrical hemline, this white sheath is no ordinary one and is the perfect piece for a garden party. A closer look displays a dainty, textured effect, which is as comfortable as it looks. Jazz it up with a black bib necklace to create a visually stunning sight.

Animals are the flavours of the day.

What can be more gratifying than a free-form, trapeze dress that allows you to run and twirl freely without any restrictions? Interrupt its stripped pattern with a chunky necklace of black and gold, that cleverly transforms this look from sweet to sassy.

Evoking retro in a playful manner, this adorable polka-dot number can be cleverly worn in four different ways. This look has its sides tucked in to create pockets. A standout piece that doesn't require over-embellishment, but can have its fun factor intensified with a cute necklace. P.S.: this is my favourite piece.

A pristine, white long dress that can take you to any occasion but never have you blend into a wall - with the detailing of a big bow in the middle. Its simplicity achieves an almost zen-like feel about it. Add a ring or go all the way with three - ta da, you got a forest on your finger!

A blue on blue ensemble doesn't have to look boring, when it is topped with a statement necklace. Once again, from the made by hand collection, pearls are updated in a funky look when ingeniously linked with a bow-tie!

Welcome the weekend by breaking out from the mould of stark black and tightly strapped, and ease into a mustard-yellow, batwing asymmetrical blouse that can be simply thrown over with jeans. The colour palette is enriched with a bright red tote, which had its inspiration drawn from the sacks used by divers. This one even had an Owl brooch in tow!

This olive-green sleeveless top is extremely versatile - pair it under a blazer to make it work-friendly or wear it with shorts for brunches on Sunday. Make it a buffet brunch, since the shorts comes with an elastic front to accommodate any changes in waistline!

Air kisses and thanks to S, my "co-model" cum co-photographer, who was a fantastic sport and Georgina, co-owner of Nana & Bird, who has handpicked and put together outfits after outfits for us. If you like what you see, look out for their pop-ups, which comes in the form of a monthly open house or when they partake in various events. There are also selected accessories that you can purchase online. Whichever mode you choose, you will find yourself falling head over heels over their swoon-worthy items.

Our changing room

Regent High Tea Buffet

2011-06-19T00:44:00.000+08:00

I'm not usually a fan of buffet, where the pressure to stretch beyond your usual capacity is unavoidable so as to justify the high cost per pax. But when my sis-in-law told me about how sought-after the Weekend High Tea Buffet was at Regent's - a point proven by the long line of reservations, I thought maybe it was time to give my stomach a workout (yes, that is an understatement given that I binge all the time).

The Tea Lounge, tucked at the end of the ground floor by a stretch of full-length windows, was a vision of contemporary cum elegant, English-library look. The choice of the sofa seating to promote cozy, intimate gatherings or the sit-down dining setting for ease of polishing off the spread offered customers options on their preferences to spend a luxurious afternoon there. Live piano music in the background enhanced the ambience further.

The spread wasn't extensively grand but there were a couple of interesting selections that differentiated themselves from the plethora of similar versions in the market. I especially favoured the Scallops and Seared Tuna salad, which was a fantastic starter. The Duck Pate and Caviar made for savoury bites on thin, crisp bread slices.

Some of our local delights were also showcased - namely Satay, Chili Crab with fried Mantou (buns), Har Gao (prawn dumplings) and Ee Fu Noodles, alongside Mushroom and Ham Quiche, Roast Lamb and Baked Salmon.

What is a High Tea Buffet without the cakes, pastries and desserts? This one covered some of the regular favourites. A Waffle and Crepe station was also on stand-by should more carbs be craved. As a Macaron fiend, I was delighted to spot them in their jewelled colours and knew I would wallow in self-regret if I didn't try all of them. The citrusy Lemon was my most-loved and was a decision echoed across our table. Another pet choice was The Dark Chocolate Truffles that possessed bitter and rich depth. Everything was drenched down with sips of hot Rose Bud tea to lift all that sweetness....and possibly, aid digestion at the same time.

Now, will I come back again? I seriously doubt so - a decision primarily due to the lack of choices that resulted in this being an extremely exorbitant tea session. I have to admit though, the environment was perfect for weekend languidness and lazing, along with pals or families. Service was excellent as well, with empty plates cleared and teapots filled in a timely fashion. It was indeed a great way to bust the stress of the earlier work week, even though I will now have to incorporate high intensity cardio exercises in the next one to work off the expanded waistline! *Burp*

Outfits: Playing Dre$$ Up

2011-06-15T21:55:00.002+08:00

I was tagged by The Pleasure Monger (such an honour) to feature an outfit that is easy on the pocket and yet decent enough for evenings out. My recent trip to Bangkok has resulted in such a fruitful yield, that it didn't take me too long to put a couple of new and old together and (hopefully) pass them of as outfits suitable for dining out.

Disclaimer: Don't expect ballgowns here....I'm in the business of comfort and versatility. That means togs that can conveniently take me from work to play.

The first outfit is suitable for dinner with the in-laws or a snug movie date with the hubby. My legs are usually covered up in leggings when I'm in too-short dresses because I'm always out and about and lack the feminine graciousness to go without it. Indecent exposure is a fashion boo-boo.

The second dress is in an Azure shade, which is left loose and breezy and accessorized with a statement bib necklace (got this from a previous trip to BKK!) to break the sea of blue. My cocktail ring has earned much compliments - even from the next door's Uncle, who claims that he has been on the lookout for a stone of that colour! I told him I purchased it from a sale in Mango and later spent another half an hour explaining that Mango wasn't a fruit.

The same dress is clinched at the waist to recreate another totally different look. The belt provides definition and with that, shapes the bottom of the dress in a tulip-style. I couldn't resist the same piece in hot pink!

I love how these outfits can easily take me anywhere and is flexible to be further modified/ developed into varying, alternate styles. That could be simply achieved with the throw of a scarf, change of accessories or through donning on a blazer. Whatever it is, always have fun playing dress-up!

Once Again....but with Embellishment

2011-06-12T21:38:00.001+08:00

How do you know when you have overdone a recipe?

Example #1: Your mother-in-law advises you to pack "for your family/ colleagues/ friends/ neighbours to try".

Example #2: Your husband (courageously) admits that he would be more delighted to see McWings than Macarons.

I have to come clean - I have a zealous obsession with Macarons (as if as it is not obvious enough). I love eating and making them and then eating them. It is almost therapeutic for me to do so, to go through the familiar motions of stirring the batter and piping the circles out. I almost feel blissed-out, though it does come with the nagging worry at the back of your mind that it is at high risk of the notion of Murphy's Law.

The moment I reach out for the AC controller, my mom-in-law knows that I'll be baking Macs....yet again.

I didn't want to repeat flavours - not so soon anyway, but with the excess Matcha buttercream in the fridge, I made another batch of Green Tea Macs this weekend. To make a conscious effort to differentiate, I had this batch studded with sesame seeds this time round. At least I made an effort.

I promise more other flavours/ colours to come!*

* I can picture Alv and mom-in-law shaking their head, saying "NOooooo...."

Pavé Chocolates

2011-06-08T22:52:00.000+08:00

It seems that eating never cease in the East, with the rows and rows of eateries, cafes and restaurants found there. One of which was Pavé, where the theme - a cross between Alice-in-Wonderland and Parisian chic drew our curiosity in as we pass it by.

Pavé offered a humble but delectable-looking array of cakes and chocolates. That's why I fancy artisan creations, which places greater emphasis and care on quality rather than quantity. We opted to share "For Alice" which comprised of layers made up of Dark Chocolate Mousse, Vanilla Creme Brulee and Raspberries. One bite and it was an explosion of bittersweet and sour tang. Talk about evoking all senses.

In between bites and a nice cup of tea at hand, you look out of the window and notice the reduced pace of the odd passerby out on the street. It was as if as time stood still.

I relish quiet moments like this.

Cheery Prints

2011-06-06T20:54:00.000+08:00

Alv and I have kickstarted discussions about the decor of our new home - it is coming by year end and we are getting rather excited about it! We are contemplating a neutral palette of white, brown, grey and green but I wouldn't mind a spot or two of bright florals for a touch of quirk and surprise in the sea of natural tones. This on-going hot topic has gotten me paying more attention to prints and details like the packaging of this tube of biscuits. I love the cheery prints on this one (the biscuits taste great too), don't you?

Green Tea Macarons with Green Tea Buttercream

2011-06-05T16:18:00.001+08:00

And the baking spree continues - this time round, with Green Tea Macarons. I love Matcha in any versions - be it in cakes, ice-cream, cookies or in its simplest form, as a drink. Other than for its anti-oxidant properties, the touch of bitterness in Green Tea leaves a soothing after-taste and can be well-tempered with anything saccharine.

There are a couple of fillings that would compliment Green Tea macs well. Adzuki (Red Bean) paste buttercream is an evergreen choice. Other feasible pairings are with Chestnut and Sesame pastes. I've seen White Chocolate Ganache as a possible filling as well but I'm no fan of Chocolate in that form. Anyway, I had none of these ingredients available and decided to play matchy-matchy with a Green Tea buttercream instead.

At first, I was rather concerned with a Matcha overload but my worries were unfounded as they were excellent. I reduced the sugar content of the buttercream to cut down on the overall sweetness and luckily, that did not compromise on the taste. A match made in heaven, if you asked me.

It is evident that you can't make macs without full concentration and focus. In one instance, I accidentally swung my piping tip to the side that resulted in a little beak for this one!

Chocolate Tarts

2011-06-05T00:13:00.000+08:00

When I was in Bangkok, I got myself some new cookbooks, which got me fired up to get busy in the kitchen when I got back. Moreover, I have a huge stash of butter in my fridge that needed to be cleared ASAP, which provided additional pressure to bake, bake, bake!

Besides macarons, I have always been enamoured with tarts. My all-time favourite is a Lemon Meringue Tart, followed by Blueberry Cream Cheese Tart and any good Fruit Tart. The versatility of tarts stems from the fact that it is pretty much a blank canvas, with the taste dictated by the toppings you pile onto it. You could explore extreme ends of the spectrum - sweet or savoury.

I'm almost obsessed about the thickness of the base, where my aim is to achieve a pastry shell that is firm enough to hold in the filling but to yet have it as thin and light as possible. I did struggle a bit to arrive at the right texture but guess I still did alright since the chocolate tarts I made were well-received. The family, yet again, had no choice but to consume whatever I make.

Appearance-wise, the tart shells strung after they came out of the oven, which was puzzling. But they look rather rustic, right? That's what we conveniently term any creations that look less than appealing! Let's see if I can get the formula right the next time.

Seafood Feast in Bangkok

2011-06-04T23:31:00.000+08:00

My family loves eating but when it comes to seafood, the passion for it is on such an elevated level, that so much so, it is almost always the first tier of choice when it comes to deciding what to have for our get-togethers, celebrations or sometimes just for our regular dinners.

Being in Bangkok didn't deter us from hunting for a seafood restaurant to satiate our craving. Even being lost didn't. We hopped on a cab, which totally drove us the wrong way and dropped us at a restaurant that was aptly named, Best Beef. The subsequent cab was a life-saver, which thankfully delivered us to the Seafood Market and Restaurant located at Sukhumvit Road.

The procedure is as such - you basically choose your live seafood off the racks and they cook it as per your preference. Easy peasy. It was fun browsing and to check out the quality and freshness of the live catches before you picked them.

As the saying goes, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. The seafood feast was severely heavy and after the entire meal, my sis and I were even in a state of deliriousness and were seeing images of crustaceans dancing around us. The dinner obviously didn't come cheap but my family thoroughly enjoyed it, though we suffered a slight bout of indigestion from all that richness....and likely boosted our Cholesterol level along with it.

Bird's Nest

2011-06-01T22:33:00.001+08:00

You can't leave Bangkok without drinking Bird's Nest, a delicacy that is famed for increasing vitality and what most ladies attribute to for achieving crystal-clear complexion. During my earlier Bangkok trip, my friends brought me to Nam Sing Bird Nest Co. located in Chinatown to try the variations of Bird's nest available. I had to include this dessert stopover in our itinerary this time round.

The most commonly seen and consumed is of the White Nest. The Red Nest is the rarest version and contrary to beliefs, it is not from the blood of the swiftlet but a chemical reaction that results between the swiftlet's saliva and the limestone caves.

To sample and compare the various grades and types of bird's nest, we ordered three different bowls to share. You can spot the obvious difference where the cheaper, lower grade lacks the transparency and clarity of that of the higher grade. The top notch grade could go up to 1500 Baht, which converts to S$60 for a bowl of goodness! This is no ordinary tong shui (sweet soup in Cantonese).

Now if only I could include one bowl per day as part of my diet....

Greyhound Cafe

2011-05-29T00:55:00.001+08:00

Thai cult label, Greyhound is known for its edgy differentiation, chic sophistication and for being a trend setter. A brand that is often favoured by those in the creative line of work, it was recently showcased at the recent Audi Fashion Festival 2011 in Singapore to much success. To build on the lifestyle aspects of the brand, the group's chain of Greyhound Cafes have been serving up nosh in Bangkok. Because fashionistas also have to eat, ya?

To live up to its designer background, you wouldn't expect anything less than stylish interiors and cool fixtures in their cafes. What struck me the most when we set foot into the branch at Siam Center, was the striking resemblances that it bears to our homegrown P.S. Cafe! I guess the same trendy characteristics bind when you forge fashion and food together.

After a bout of massive wandering, their sofa seats looks inviting. So did the sides, since we were feeling peckish. Unfortunately they were pretty (no pun intended) disappointing, with the Calamari lacking that fried, crispy crunch and the Prawn Bisque being rather unforgettable. We did have one hit with the Cheesecake which was rich and smooth on the tongue, but that alone wasn't sufficient to save the day.

It was nice to chill and quench your thirst after a long day of shopping and I did had a field time admiring their surrounding furniture. However their food left little to be desired. Plus the manager there was rather stand-offish and had a bit of an attitude. The ironic thing was that one of the waiter had a tee on with a tongue-in-cheek message that said, "The guy in the suit (referring to the manager) is not my boss, you are." Probably should have reminded him that.

Nara

2011-05-26T22:44:00.000+08:00

For this Bangkok trip, I only had two aims in mind - eat lots, shop lots. Gratifying relief was through the much-needed Thai massages (which I simply couldn't get enough of!). We also performed the obligatory, touristy deed of visiting the Grand Palace and a couple of temples, but that was also fun and was a novel change from being holed up in the malls. One can't shop all day, right? - Ok, maybe one can.

For one of the days that we had no plans for, we went off the beaten track and went to Thong Lo. Now, I have done my due research before making the trip there and apparently, it was supposed to be hip and happening with cool restaurants, cafes and edgy shops. To our dismay, we only located one mall, which was Eight Thonglor Building. Starving from the lack of breakfast, we decided to make the most out of it and just entered the first restaurant that we spotted.

Nara turned out to be an amazing surprise. It wasn't your typical Thai restaurant that was decked out in traditional, heavy teak pieces with all those intricacies. It was instead modern and well-designed, with an eclectic vibe of hip and fun.

Next up, the food. My entire family was practically raving over the various Thai dishes that were so well executed and delightful. The Vermicelli in Tom Yang Goong didn't attempt to numb your lips and mouth but courted with a slightly seafood-sweetened broth. The slices of liver were done to precise perfection, with nary an overcooked bite. Needless to say, we fell head over heels for it.

We couldn't miss the national dish, Pad Thai. It was well-cooked and flavourful, with my sole grouse of it being slightly greasy. I only had one mouthful of the Pineapple Rice and couldn't recall much about it, but no complaints from sis who was having it.

The entire fish was served in its full, fried glory but with the flesh being sliced up for ease of serving. It was crispy on the outside and remain tender on the inside. The generous sprinkling of ginger flakes just enhances the crunch and lifted the flavour further. Unfortunately, one dish which didn't thrill was the Stir-Fried Squid with Salted Egg Yolks. The dish was just too soggy and sloppy for our liking. It would have worked to its favour if Fried Calamari was served up instead of having it stir-fried*.

*Forgive the typo - I must be dreaming of Fried Calamari when I was doing up the pics!

Though there were a few obvious drawbacks, desserts were thankfully fab especially the Banana Fritters, which had a thin, crisp batter enveloping its hot insides. You can't go wrong when you further top that with a spoonful of cool Vanilla Ice-Cream.

We were full of praises for Nara. Not all dishes topped the chart, but those that did, exceeded expectations. So there you go - an unplanned and unconventional route can sometimes result in unexpected (pleasant) surprises.

Back from BKK

2011-05-22T19:59:00.000+08:00

Hey there, I'm back! Bangkok has been great fun and it is always nice to spend time with the folks. There were showers on certain days but that helped to cool off the heat, which was especially welcoming when we were braving the Jatujak Market. On our last day, we even caught the Red-Shirts in action on the street in front of the Central World shopping centre. It was our last half day in Bangkok and we wanted to make the most out of it. The lengths that we go to for shopping....tsk tsk.

For most of our holidays, I am highly reliant on Alv to prepare, plan everything and guide me throughout the trip. So basically, I just sit back, relax and enjoy the holiday. This time round, I didn't had my regular tour guide cum concierge cum porter, as he couldn't come with us. This forced me to step up to the plate and assume this role. Moreover I was just in Bangkok a year ago. I must say it got rather stressful at times navigating my way around, staying alert and leading everyone down the right directions. Thank goodness, Bangkok isn't a difficult place to navigate. But I do feel enlightened and liberated by this experience, where this trip has taught me to be more independent and to take charge.

I came across a couple of cool cafes and good restaurants there and I can't wait to share them. For now, I still need to recover from the fatigue and catch up on some other stuffs. Soon, I promise.

"Out of Office" from 14-May-11 to 19-May-11

2011-05-14T09:32:00.001+08:00

This totally unexpected trip to Bangkok came about because of my dad, who needed a much-deserved break and to get himself recharged after all those crazy hours at work. It has also been yonks since my entire clan went on a holiday together. Though we are excited about it, I'm expecting lots of madness, given that everyone's idea of an ideal holiday differs. The ladies can literally shop 'til we drop or 'til we can't feel our feet, whichever comes first. My dad and bro would probably take better to massages, food bingeing and lazing by the pool. Well, compromising would be key to prevent us from killing each other on this family vacation - wish me luck.

Bye peeps!

P.S.: Posting will resume when I'm back....and when my feet recovers.

Photosource

Coccogelo

2011-05-14T09:17:00.000+08:00

In this blazing heat, one can't help but crave for ice-cream to bring about some respite and relief. I'm beginning to hallucinate and see mirages of cool cones and colourful scoops amidst this terrible heatwave! Hence, it was definitely a mood-lifter when we drop in on Gelato parlour, Coccogelo.

When you first step in, you can't help but be entranced by the key feature of the shop - a full stretch of almost lifelike, whimsical mural that seems to be depicting a story of adventures. One can imagine being part of this colourful illustration if you stare hard enough. Ok, that is probably due to a worsen case of hallucination from the heat.

The shop does have a cute vibe about it, with its trinkets and little knick-knacks and offers such a homely and rustic feel.

We were determined to not stick to the tried and tested flavours and that wasn't tough since most of them steered from your typical standards. The parlour is known for its intriguing flavours in the likes of Blue Cheese, Lavender Maple and Red Bull - how exotic!

We opted for Banana Tim Tam, Earl Grey and Dark Cherry Mocha and definitely made the right choices. The Banana Tim Tam had us thinking of banana split as we ate on and Earl Grey was light on the palate. Though I can't remember if I tasted Cherries in the Dark Cherry Mocha, it was wonderfully chocolaty. Best of all, they were smooth, rich and weren't overboard with the sweet factor.

Ahhh, such sweet relief....even though I can't summon for cool breezes, I can always turn to ice-cream. Actually for Coccogelo, I'm going to find all excuses to enjoy their Gelato, regardless of the weather out there.

P.S.: I went back for a 2nd visit and tried their Lychee Sorbet and Milo Crumble. They weren't too bad, but I still prefer the three flavours in my first taste test. One of us ordered Pistachio and that was quite a winner as well.

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice

2011-05-08T22:38:00.000+08:00

Chicken rice fan, Alv was excited to spot Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at Joo Chiat. Unlike its food centre stall at Maxwell market, this was a full-fledged eatery, which was air-conditioned and decked out in an entirely whitewashed and understated style (the light bulbs spell industrial chic!). Given the upgrade, we expected a vast difference in prices but they remain surprisingly competitive. It is definitely nice to be able to enjoy authentic local delights in a comfortable environment, especially with the return of hot, sunny days.

The chicken rice pretty much meets the mark and didn't disappoint, though we felt that the chicken was far too tender and attributed that to the artificial dose of tenderizer. We also spotted this interesting text in their menu, under Side Dishes. Anybody fancy some "spare parts"?

JooJoo & Mooshi Bakes

2011-05-07T23:24:00.001+08:00

The folks behind Awfully Chocolate stepped out of its desserts (chocolate, to be precise) boundary and started off in the dining arena with Everything with Fries (EWF). Not being contended with serving up fries and western fare, the group now adds another two other ventures, JooJoo and Mooshi Bakes to its portfolio.

Design-wise, it aims to keep to the simplistic, clean and almost-clinical look that is synonymous across all of its outfits, but this time round with a touch of Japanese to suit the concept of their nosh.

It was back to the basics with the JooJoo Soya Eggs, served chilled and with strands of soba and strips of seaweed. Too basic and nothing unique, if you ask me.

We had couple of yakitori skewers - Pork Belly & Quail's Eggs with Miso and Chicken Thigh & Leek with Sea Salt. The pork belly that was used to wrap around the eggs was slightly too thin for us to fully savour it. The chicken thigh relied simply on the salt to bring out its flavour and was not bad, though the uneven seasoning resulted in some areas being overly salted. Pairing it with fragrant leek was a good idea, though it should have been more proportionate in size with the meat.

A widely-touted dish of the restaurant was the Grilled Premium Ribeye served with Garlic Butter Sauce, JooJoo Onigiri and Sauteed Seasonal Vegs. Beef-loving us couldn't resist ordering it and unfortunately, it didn't impress though the doneness of the steak was up to mark. It was supposed to be garlic butter but we didn't even get a whiff of that. Instead, the taste strangely conveyed of Terriyaki sauce. Alv enjoyed the Onigiri, but I thought that would be more appropriate in a bento set.

Mooshi Bakes being located a few steps beside JooJoo makes ordering of desserts or getting takeaways of their cream puffs and buns convenient.

We decided on a Pear Frangipane Slice with a dollop of Vanilla ice-cream, which was dense and had gently-caramelized pear slices forming the top crust. The ice-cream came in handy to prevent the cake from getting too dry.

If your dessert fix is not satiated with Mooshi Bakes and in case you are wondering, yes, an Awfully Chocolate counter/ bar can also be found there. Unfortunately those segments are pretty much the only ones worth checking out. Just like EWF, JooJoo is regrettably below average. Alv commented that they would be better off sticking to what they are good at - making cakes and desserts. No surprise that I concur with that.

Tawandang Microbrewery

2011-05-04T23:01:00.000+08:00

As a prelude to my upcoming Bangkok trip - yes, I'm going to Bangkok again; this time with the family - we had dinner at Tawandang Microbrewery. One of the many restaurants located at the still-hip Dempsey enclave, it has been receiving good reviews and we were keen to find out why.

You would have thought that a microbrewery would only attract those who pledge their love to beer and will be pleasantly surprised at how family-friendly the restaurant is. There were lots of parents with kids in tow having their meals there, making it quite an interesting sight.

We couldn't stray from the quintessential Thai dishes like Tom Yam Goong and Pineapple Rice, but added on a couple of grilled orders.

For spice fiends, The Tom Yam Goong will appeal to you with its strong, fiery taste. It was however a tad too spicy for me. Their chicken wings, a signature dish was smoking good and goes well with beer. A second plate came in quick succession.

The beef slices achieved tender succulence but the Pineapple Rice wasn't as fragrant as I would have liked it to be. We also ordered a Grilled Seabass with Salt, a popular Thai street dish which had the fish wrapped in banana leaves before going under the grill. Served hot, it was an awesome dish to go with rice and the accompanying green spicy seafood sauce was a wonderful compliment.

If you are wondering how we ended with a Pork Knuckle dish on our table, Tawandang is of a joint German descent. Deep fried to golden-brown satisfaction, the start of each bite was crackling before you hit the tender meat within. It has something extra that you probably don't get at any German restaurants and that is, Thai chilli! It would have been nice if the Sauerkraut and Mashed could match up though.

The restaurant's live band, fronted by two Thai singers, starts at approximately 7.45pm and keeps you entertain as you dine. Their versatile repertoire includes covers of 80's English oldies to jazz and with one or two Thai songs in between. They even did a Theresa Teng's number and at one point, they had two kids dancing on the stage with the singers!

All in all a good restaurant, where our only grouse was that portioning tend to the smaller side of things, making each dish rather expensive. However given that it comes with entertainment, it is indeed a good place to hang out with the folks. Moreover how often can you see grannies, kids and beer guzzlers enjoying and chilling at the same place?

Cookyn Inc

2011-05-02T22:12:00.000+08:00

We were at Cookyn Inc's official opening on 1st May, where Mervyn and team have expanded operations and moved into a larger and more spacious premise located in the Garden Hub at Margaret Drive. With the tranquil environment amidst the landscape of this horticulture hub and with three types of kitchens to boot - Italian, Swiss and American, their cooking parties and workshops looks set to create a whole new, sensory experience. The name of the company has been updated to host their stable of chefs, which aims to offer a full suite of cuisines and courses.

I'm just in love with their spanking new kitchens and high loft-like ceilings....

As per the mantra of the cooking school, there are a few activity stations to get everyone participating and be kept involved. There was a cookie icing station for kids, which was an ingenious ideas to keep them entertain as the adults mingled around. Our nephew, Ry had a ball of a time there, decorating his cookies with bright and cheery colours. The other stations were macaron piping, sorbet making, filo pastry making and herbs planting. Food and drinks were free-flowing, which was the key to a good party and kept the tummies of guests happy.

At the herb garden, we were encouraged to get our hands dirty, dig in the soil and plant stalks of laksa leaves, dill, lemongrass and more. Nifty tips on growing herbs were dispensed and they even offered us stalks to take home to cultivate. Ry with the help of his dad, marked his spot with two stalks of lemongrass and named them after himself!

What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, with Ry enjoying the entire experience the most! He was so hyped by it that he pen the turn of events in his diary and told us that he wished he could spend everyday this way! Hmm, do I see a budding chef in the midst?

Almost Famous

2011-05-01T12:03:00.000+08:00

I was pleasantly surprised on Thursday evening, when I came to know that we are one of the finalists in the Straits Times Urban's Aisle Style contest! This contest was done in conjunction with the Royal Wedding, where couples were asked to send in a photo and tell the story behind their outfits. The winning entry gets to win a pair of air tickets to London - an enticing grand prize that I cannot resist!

Coincidentally, I was out of Singapore for training for most of this week and had limited access to internet. Hence Urban didn't manage to reach me to obtain our details for the column.

My beauty sleep in the wee hours of the Friday morning was awakened by my dear husband, Alv who broke the news that we won consolation along with two other couples. I should have probably reminded him not to wake me up unless we strike jackpot. Still it was thrilling to see our faces on print and nice to know that we have scored shopping and dining vouchers.

Here is the write-up on it. I got a few queries on our stiff and unsmiling poses in this picture! It was meant to channel the look circa 1930s to compliment the vintage environment. I thought it would look almost authentic in black and white, don't you think?

For the actual entry in Facebook, see here!

Lemon Bars

2011-04-24T14:40:00.000+08:00

I'm a huge chocolate fan - 70% dark bitter ones for sure, but if I were to choose between a Chocolate dessert and a Lemon one, I'm likely to opt for the latter. That sharp tang that creates a refreshing take on the palate and sometimes a glint in the eye, the citrus fruit is often such a perfect counterbalance to a buttery pastry and hinders it from being cloying.

The lemon bars, which were meant to be desserts for my mom-in-law's birthday lunch turned out to be our snack on a Sunday afternoon, which none of us are complaining about. The top was gooey and zesty goodness, with a crumbly shortbread base. Alv felt that the crust could have been more buttery, so perhaps I should have been more generous with that the next time. I skipped the sprinkling of powdered sugar over them to keep our trips to the dentist no more than the annual, obligatory checks.

Ok, that's my Vitamin C intake for today.

A Birthday Celebration

2011-04-23T21:01:00.003+08:00

To celebrate my mom-in-law's birthday, we threw her a birthday party at home, with lots of goodies made in house. With great aid from Alv and my dad-in-law, our contributions for the party consisted of a Guacamole dip, Roast Chicken Leg stuffed with Feta cheese and my new found knowledge of Roast Potatoes with Mentaiko Mayo. We also made Lemon Bars that didn't manage to get chilled in time but that didn't matter as we were too stuffed by the end of the meal to go for it anyway (read: desserts for tomorrow!).

Somehow my Mentaiko Mayo didn't turn out as rich and flavourful as the one that we had at Mervyn's class. In fact, the spicy cod roe erred on the saltier side of things. The key giveaway would be the colour, that lacked its original orangey tinge. I'm wondering where went wrong here....

Thankfully, the roast chicken turned out to be succulent and oh-so-tender. The simple exterior seasoning of olive oil, salt, pepper and herbs were sufficient to bring out the flavour of the chicken. Each leg was then stuffed with so much Feta Cheese that I'm just glad we didn't had anyone with a phobia for cheese at the table.

I set out to bake a birthday cake for my mom-in-law the day before, but it was such an awful failure with a mystery to boot - there was a hole in the middle of the cake! Until today, we are completely clueless at what happened there. In the end, it was Lana Chocolate Cake to the rescue.

But the key was that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal and the great company, and my mom-in-law was in high spirits, from having everyone around to share this wonderful day with her.

Lavendar Macarons with Orange Buttercream Filling

2011-04-20T22:54:00.000+08:00

There is a gem of a find near S's home, which I'm greatly envious of. Just a stone's throw away from her place, there is a store, Kitchen Capers that carries all sorts of bake ware products, tools and ingredients. Mind you, not just your regular flour and butter but exotic ingredients like egg white powder, edible gold leaf, chocolate transfer sheet and dried flowers. I was simply excited to find dried lavender flowers there! And the best part, they decant and repackaged their products into smaller sizes that are more suitable for home use and obviously, this also meant paying for only what you require.

Back to the dried lavender flowers. I have been sourcing for them for the longest time, with the aim of making lavender cupcakes with them. However with aged egg whites in the fridge, I couldn't resist piloting them on macs. The only problem was that I wasn't that efficient at the air bubbles-popping stage. By the time I got to sprinkling them on their surfaces, most of the shells were already on their way to dry-dom and couldn't absorb the floral bits. I guess it is due to the same reason that the lavender scent didn't get imparted to the shells. I must also make a mental note to let the colours arrive at a more vivid, richer tone when mixing the batter to avoid them looking washed-out after a trip to the oven's.

To compliment the lavender shells, I used the orange buttercream filling from one of my favourite food blogs, Cannelle et Vanille. Though the lavender taste wasn't too apparent, the orange buttercream was fantastic and had bites of orange zest, which amplified the orange tang. My kind guinea pigs echoed their love for it, which of course made my day.

Now I only wish that Kitchen Capers will consider expanding and setting shop near my place! Would it help if I promise to be a fervent supporter?

Spicy Shrimp & Spaghetti Aglio Olio & Tomato Onion Salad

2011-04-17T10:44:00.000+08:00

I love my pasta and without a doubt, my all-time favourite would be Aglio Olio. I love how the simple ingredients of garlic, chili flakes, parsley, black pepper can come together and create something so aromatic and piquant and yet never overwhelms. A bonus is that it can be done in a jiffy, which means your meal gets served fast! Who likes cold food?

I tried this recipe from Rachael Ray, which I must say is fantastic and dead easy to follow. Even Alv was swooning over how good lunch was and asked for seconds. Since I had tomatoes and onions around, I tried her recommended side of a Tomato Onion Salad, which didn't take more than few minutes to put together.

A gratifying lunch is even so, when you don't have to tear your kitchen apart to make it.

Dinner around Moscato D'Asti

2011-04-16T15:07:00.000+08:00

When S told us that she was given a bottle of Moscato D'Asti and generously invited us to share with her, we quickly made plans for a dinner party at her home. Feeling ambitious, we decided to try our hands at roasting and the meat of choice? Lamb.

To take the pressure of our maiden attempt at roasting a lamb, we planned for a couple of other easy sides of bruschettas, salad and mash potato. At the back of our mind, we knew we could always count on Plan B, which was in the form of the nearest Boon Tong Kee Chicken Rice.

We initially had a recipe in mind but the butcher at Espirito Santo offered an easier and faster one, which we eventually adopted. With a well-marinated slab, we just threw on loads of rosemary, embedded some garlic cloves within the folds and just drizzled lots of olive oil. Thankfully, our lamb turned out fine, save for some areas that were far too thick to cook, which we subsequently sliced up and gave them more time in the oven. The mash was a winner (no pics unfortunately), where we took extra efforts to sieve the potatoes to rid the lumps and achieve that smooth and creamy texture. In our opinion, it was worth every effort.

S, being an avid macaron baker, will always has one thing aplenty at home - egg yolks! That is one essential ingredient in Crème Brûlée, which we had as desserts. The fun part is always the blow-torching of the top layer of sugar and seeing it caramelizing away into a golden-brown crust that shields from the inner soft custard that melts in your mouth.

And the main star that we plan this dinner around, which didn't disappoint. Even if it did, we would still have this wonderful dinner and company to remember by.

Introducing Superwoman - Gwyneth Paltrow

2011-04-15T23:13:00.000+08:00

Is there anything this lady can't do? An Oscar-winning actress, mom, lifestyle guru and one who proved her singing chops on Glee Season 2 and Country Strong, this over-achiever adds yet another leaf to her list of accomplishments - cookbook author. All these while still looking so gorgeous, damn!

Gwyneth Paltrow's latest work, My Father's Daughter is a compilation of family recipes and is a tribute to her dad, who showed her the ropes of the kitchen and influenced her love for food.

I took a peek at her cookbook and I'm just sold on the photos. I'm not surprised if a TV cooking series is next on the cards. Even if the food isn't fab, there's always her to watch.

Photos from One King's Lane.

Chocolate Macarons

2011-04-10T19:28:00.000+08:00

After my recent success, I was curious to find out if I had indeed acquired the skills of making macarons or was just plain lucky. Even though I was absolutely drained after work on Friday, I was looking forward to reaching home to get my hands on my egg whites, almond flour and get down to making another batch. I don't know how I summoned every energy in my body to do anything else after a crazy work week, but I guess my love for them overcame everything else! When you get to that level, I guess you can call it passion.

This time round I added cocoa powder to create a Chocolate shell to match the Chocolate ganache. With S's advice of using parchment paper to garner neater looking feet, I replaced my regular Silpat for that and that tip worked! All of them had an even round of skirting at the base (whoppee!) and with a firmer control over my piping, most of them turned out looking pretty even in size, which makes matchmaking the shells an easy-peasy task. On that concept, I have this crazy notion of how macarons are so romantic since no matter what happened, you'll somehow be able to find another shell of the same or close-to size to make a perfect partner.

I thickened the ganache this time round, so that it would be sufficiently viscous to pipe onto each shell without it being a free-flowing mess. Clean shells, this time round!

If anyone could see me on Friday night at 11.00 pm, you would catch me doing a little joyous jiggy by my oven. You can't blame me, can you?

Cookyn with Mervyn - A Tribute to Japan

2011-04-09T02:15:00.006+08:00

To contribute to Japan's relief efforts, Cookyn with Mervyn specially set up a course aptly named, "A Tribute to Japan". After a tried and tested session with them for my department's team bonding event, I was more than happy to go back for a class and at the same time do my part to help Japan, a country that I have utmost admiration for.

To cater to the bigger than usual crowd that comprised of twenty, Mervyn brought his session out of his regular Novena studio into the large, swanky and state-of-the-art equipped kitchen facility at Kitchen Culture. The seafood and salad greens used for that day came courtesy from Green Grocer and Genting Garden, with most of them arriving on that morning itself. It is as fresh as you can get.

It was a four-course meal, which started off with a Hamachi and Maguro Salad with Calamansi dressing, which was such a refreshing appetizer and whetted our appetities for more to come. It was supposed to be Carpaccio-style but I decided against it as firstly, I'm no expert with my knife to slice to that degree of thinness and secondly, who wouldn't want more fish? Anyhow, I realised that slicing Sashimi wasn't as challenging as it looked, as long as you stick to using a long and sharp knife, which would yield a smooth cut in one go.

We had the Cold Soba with Smoked Duck, where Mervyn taught us how to flambé the sake laden sauce. I believe it will be quite some time before I try attempting that at home. Or maybe not in my in-law's home.

The end result was a lightly sweetened broth to dip your Soba in and one that will not leave you in a state of dehydration. Mervyn's demonstration was of a mini and neat bundle of Soba in a teeny-weeny appetizer shot glass, which looked all classy as Hors d'oeuvres but greedy XY and me decided to just cut the chase and got ourselves bowls to contain them instead.

Next up was Oven-Roasted Potatoes with Mentaiko Mayo and Seaweed Powder, which were wedges drenched in a gorgeous Mentaiko Mayo dressing that had a hint of spice and herbs from the chili flakes, chives and garlic powder. We absolutely FELL IN LOVE with that dish. In my humble opinion, that was the dish of the day. We were not ashamed to say that we went for seconds. The best part is that the same dressing is versatile to be used on pasta, salad, as a dip....pretty much anything else you want on. I'm even contended to eat it on its own, though having it with pasta sounds like an ingenious idea.

Our dessert was Orange and Sochu Jelly with Whipped Cream, which was pretty much jello spiked with liqueur. It wouldn't be my top choice for a dessert but I have to admit that the idea of simply serving your dessert in a fruit and not washing more bowls is an enticing one.

We definitely had a great time learning how to cook together and picked up so many nifty tricks and tips, which Mervyn generously shared with us. Learning is made so much more meaningful when you get hands-on practice and through informal sharing. The best part would be the ability to eat and cook at the same time, though I might be doing a lot more of the latter on that day. But the three of us had so much fun that we decided that we'll find an opportunity to plan for a private cooking party the next time!

We rounded the entire session with all participants sharing their experiences in Japan and their favourite Japanese food. Everyone unanimously agreed about Japan's one-of-kind and unique culture, their strong social ethics that bind the entire nation together and the sense of pride that they take in making whatever they do the best in class. A final sum of S$3K was raised from this event, making this session such a meaningful and worthwhile one. Kudos to Cookyn with Mervyn for arranging this fund-raising event!

Arteastiq

2011-04-04T22:40:00.000+08:00

When I brought Ag to my favourite tea place on Friday night for a nightcap and was greeted by a dark black panel on the exterior, the first thoughts that ran in my mind was "Uh oh...". I was absolutely worried that it had moved away or worst, closed for good. The shutters of cafes and F & B outlets goes up and comes down with an easy snap of the finger. Imagine my relief when we ventured further and saw that business was running as usual. In fact, a quick glance showed an almost full house and my next concern turned to whether they could seat us. That was simply unfounded as guess what? The inevitable has happened - they expanded!

Expanded space with more seats

Business at the tea boutique must be encouraging enough for them to cut back on their furniture space to extend their seating capacity, which was proven by the crowd that evening. Nevertheless, it wasn't bustling with people milling around or was uncomfortably packed. It still very much maintained as that perfect place for gals' gossips in between of sips.

We were in the mood for Choya. Ag had the Lychee version and mine was with Pear and they were both divine. Our earlier dinner of Xiao Long Baos and more dumplings dishes had prevented us from attacking desserts, but I did remind Ag to try the Gelato the next time she was there.

I have no qualms spending every Friday nights there.

Sweet Success with my Macarons

2011-04-03T10:06:00.001+08:00

Most of you know that I have a love-hate relationship with my macarons. Making them always come accompanied with lots of drama - usually in the form of frustration and anger. I always remember that my first attempt had Alv's hands burnt and caused my mom-in-law to break a flask - now, that was drama. I have shoved both ruined batter and deformed-looking macs down the bin so many a times. I won't deny that I have even shed a tear or two due to the inability to get them right after countless tries. My poor husband got so traumatized by it that he always have that worried look on his face when he hears that I'm attempting it YET AGAIN and would then proceed to hide himself away in his study until the entire deed is done!

I'm elated to inform that I have achieved a slight breakthrough this time round! I chose to make a simple base, filled with chocolate ganache. I also took a very relaxed approach to making them without any high hopes or expectations and that kind of set the mood for the entire session that morning. Probably with the familiarity of the process, it went quite smoothly and the 24 piped shells were sitting there to dry within an hour.

The end results weren't perfect, where some of their feet didn't form evenly and some whittled out. Not all of them had smooth surfaces, with some appearing warped and their tops not shaping nicely, but they were the best results that I have ever achieved so far on my own and I was extremely pleased with them. I chose to sandwich dark chocolate ganache between the shells, so as to cut the overall sweetness.

Taste-wise, they were pretty decent, with a chewy and crumbly texture and everyone said that there were vast improvements from my earlier ones. A tip if you can resist not wolfing them immediately after making - macarons are best eaten after two days of resting, where the filling comes together with the shells and the flavour gets fully developed.

I'm definitely itching to try more to see if it was just a one-hit wonder (maybe the stars were aligned that day!) and to practice until I get their aesthetics right. Now wish me luck on my continuous journey towards perfecting the art of macarons.

I love Mac....I love Mac not....I love Mac!

The Tintin Shop

2011-04-02T01:05:00.000+08:00

Both Alv and I grew up with books around us, where reading was a regular regime in life. I was fed on Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton, Charles Dickens and your regular classics. Alv's all time favourite was....well, Tin Tin. I won't jeer at it since it was the only "legalized" comic that you can find in school libraries then. Moreover it was one of those very well-written ones with elements of politics, mysteries and adventures that kept people flipping. Thus, when we stepped foot into the first ever Tin Tin shop here in Singapore, it brought back flashes of fond childhood memories for him.

Fans of Tin Tin will definitely be delighted. The shop pays homage to all things Tin Tin, with a full range of authentic merchandise, celebrating this Belgian hero and of course Snowy, his loyal sidekick. It is almost like a museum, where you'll come into contact with limited-edition and one-off personal pieces that are courtesy of the owners'. I believe this is the first-ever branch outside of Europe and in Asia.

There is even a beer garden right outside the shop if you are in the mood for a swig of Belgian beer, while you take in the sights of tourists and locals alike on the street of Chinatown.

One of the pros about this place is the wide range of merchandises it offers, which will cater to any price budgets. From the mass-affordable prints, postcards and mugs to the exquisite figurines for the serious collector, there seems to be something for everyone. So go on, indulge in your childhood (or even adulthood) love for all things Tin Tin.

The Magic After a Shower

2011-04-02T00:02:00.000+08:00

It isn't everyday that we see a rainbow. Look closely - do you see another one on the left side, albeit its light and faded outline. Now what are the odds of seeing TWO in one view, next to each other, with such clarity and within proximity?

Kudos to Ryan, Alv's nephew, who was sharp-eyed enough to spot them from the balcony and alerted all of us to witness such a pretty sight. Photos taken from our bedroom window.

Seafood Spaghetti in Basil Pesto & Garlic Bread

2011-03-28T23:13:00.000+08:00

What's there to not like about Italian food? It comes with the promise of wholesome, hearty sustenance and with that tinge of forbidden indulgence, since it is usually carbo-laden. Or sweets galore....but I digress. Think pasta, pizza, bruschettas - you get the drift.

I decided to make Seafood Spaghetti with Basil Pesto. The ingredients are simple, with basil leaves, garlic, olive oil and roasted pinenuts or cashew nuts, whichever you fancy. Throw them into a food processor to be blitz and the result is a green relish, full of herbs and nutty flavour for your hot spaghetti. I throw in squids and prawns for good measure.

To compliment our pasta, I opted for garlic bread. Since the garlic paste was made from scratch, I was given the autonomy to decide how garlicky or buttery I wanted it. This D.I.Y. garlic spread is so easy to make. In fact, you can make more to store and use it as and when you want to. The fresh and pungent fragrance of the garlic definitely beat the store-bought version anytime. It was just a waste that I didn't had soup to go with it!

B.B. = Before baking

Our Italian lunch - mama mia! Now how do you say carbo overload in Italian?

Progress of Weekend Project

2011-03-27T21:17:00.000+08:00

I'm pleased to update that the progress of our weekend project has been going rather smoothly. We have sand the chair to its au naturel glory and dismantled the back rest. The upholstery has been ripped off to reveal its foam and wooden base, which we are intending to replace totally. We have also started to source for fabric and chanced upon some really cool looking ones.We have in mind a floral design even though I was equally attracted to a cute polka dot one! The natural timber of the wood have also inspired us to consider a light birch or oak colour as its new stain.

We still have lots of work on this....patience is key.

Au Naturel

Japanese Cheesecake

2011-03-26T21:42:00.001+08:00

For almost the whole of last month, baking had to be put on hold due to a heavy workload and my bouts of flu and throat infection. I wasn't about to disperse germs to my family through their tummies. I'm glad to finally be able to get back into the thick of oven action and my first choice for my comeback? Japanese cheesecake.

I was won over and attracted by the soft, cushion-like outlook of The Little Teochew's and thought that it would be a family favourite that would go down well with everybody.

It wasn't difficult to make and what more with The Little Teochew's kind provision of several essential and useful tips, one is 90% set for success when attempting this recipe. Alas, there is still a 10% possibility of breaking the deal. I was careful to have my oven door left slightly ajar and to maintain my cake in the oven to prevent a sudden drop in temperature. After opening it, it didn't take long before the nicely risen cake started to deflate. The indention finally decided to stop after it had concave considerably in the centre, coupled with lots of "wrinkles" on the surface. My only guess was that I didn't heed sufficiently of her Tip #6, where the cake didn't achieve ample level of dryness to fight against deflation.

Whatever it lacked in appearance, it made up for it in its spongy and light texture, which makes tearing into it such an act of bliss and contentment. It could definitely do with a richer, cheesier taste, which was likely attributed to my use of the spread version of the cream cheese instead of its full-fledged, original type. This recipe is a keeper and would make such a great tea-time treat, and I'm hoping to hit bull's eye in both aesthetics and taste with my next try.

Nana and Bird

2011-03-20T21:37:00.001+08:00

When I told Alv I was heading to Block 24 Tiong Bahru to check out clothes, he looked at me quizzically and asked, "Are you sure? There are only housings there."

Welcome to a brand new shopping experience - a boutique within a home. The hopeless shopaholic in me couldn't get enough of thronging our ever famous Orchard belt and hip enclaves and from doing online shopping. My shopping circuit now extends into people's HDB flat.

Nana and Bird was the grand scheme of a pair of shopaholics, who decided to take their love of shopping to the next level. Besides shopping for themselves, they go the extra mile to look out for other shopaholics like us and do so by lugging back clothes and accessories from their travels. This meant that every piece is lovingly handpicked, one-of-a-kind and possesses more individuality than all those mass offerings out there. To offer the retail feel, co-owner, Georgina generously opens up her home, one of the low-rise, heritage HDB flats at Tiong Bahru (heart the house!) once every month. The homely and friendly environment makes you feel like you are perusing a fellow girlfriend's purchases more than anything else, making the experience such a personal and intimate one.

As much as I resisted, I couldn't deny myself this gorgeous tunic/dress, with intricate embroidery from Ribbon and Roses. Notabilia tried the blue version and agreed on how comfortable and versatile the piece is.

And also a Nana and Bird shopping bag! I resolve to save the world with this by cutting down on my reliance on paper bags during future shopping trips.

Love the logo

It is a known fact that shopping is a national activity, with new malls popping up like mushrooms all over and even faster than you can say "retail therapy". Major boutiques or chains however lack that personal feel and distinct character, so Nana and Bird is a refreshing fixture to the scene. I'm adding this mini-emporium as one of my shopping haunts and will definitely be anticipating future surprises from them.

Friendly Saturday

2011-03-20T21:00:00.001+08:00

One of my favourite pastimes is reading blogs. I am constantly glued to my lappy, following up on the happenings and interests of others. I have several on my blogroll that I follow religiously and with my varied interests that span from eating to decor and fashion to travel, I spend a good amount of time being opened to the world of others and learning and discovering lots on the way.

The first letter of my blog was "inked" in July'09 and since then, there was no turning back. Besides giving me a chance to express myself and to share what I enjoy and love with the world, one other perk of running this blog is the ability to connect with like-minded folks and forging friendships along the way. All with interesting personalities at that.

My plan this weekend included meeting up with the very artsy Notabilia, who possesses such strong enthuasisam in arts, design and creativity. We have been interacting through our blogs for a period in time and thought that it will be nice to put faces to the writing. We made plans to check out Nana and Bird (read more about it in my next post) and hang out at Fourty Hands. She is every bit as interesting in person as her blog and with such an easy and friendly disposition! Time just whizzed by as we strolled within the neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru and chatted (almost) non-stop throughout.

Coffee at Fourty Hands

What a brilliant way to spend a Saturday and I'm looking forward to our next cofeeshop talk!

Japan

2011-03-17T22:56:00.000+08:00

I was ironing a stripped tee that I bought from Muji in Tokyo a few years back and was suddenly awashed with a heavy sense of poignancy for this amazing country. I have been following closely on the news about Japan's devastation and the daily developments on it has unfortunately been bordering on the negative. I only pray for smoother rescue efforts and that they not be further hindered with worsening conditions or unfavourable factors.

Do whatever you can. Every small effort will count.

Weekend Project

2011-03-15T22:22:00.000+08:00

Look what we found underneath our block! This old chair was spotted lone in one corner and my first thought was "salvage!". It was a funny sight to see both of us lugging it back quietly to our stairway after a late night out.

This will be our D-I-Y project for the upcoming weekends, where we have ambitious plans to revive it and give it a brand new life. Likely treatments to it include a fresh coat of pain and to reupholster it....by ourselves. This being our first time at refurbishing a furniture piece, we are expecting lots of trial and error. If all goes well (cross fingers!), we may have a new chair for our new home.

I'm beginning to feel very much like a rag and bone man.....old TVs and radio sets, anyone?

Le Bistrot du Sommelier

2011-03-12T23:26:00.000+08:00

Meeting friends for dinner on a Friday night is always such an appealing idea, where you know you will be ending the day on a brilliant note and starting the weekend with a bang. Especially so when you will be going to a widely touted restaurant like Le Bistrot du Sommelier.

Le Bistrot du Sommelier, brainchild of Patrick Heuberger of Au Petit Salut's fame, is one where you will expect hearty, rustic French food and is unlike its fine-dining, classy, intricately-plated (read: miniscule portions) French cousins. It is without a doubt that the cuisine influences and dictates the atmosphere of the place. In Le Bistrot's case, it was filled with boisterous laughter and vivacious chatting amongst tables.

The dinner started off nicely with a Duck Rillette, which was simply smeared on crusty bread and paired with gherkins on the side. All of their Rillettes are made in-house, signaling the restaurant's ethos towards preservation of quality. The other appetizer, which was recommended by the wait staff, was a seasonal offering of a type of cheese that I had no recollection of its name, but was serious comfort food. Warmed and melty, the cheese was filled with mushrooms that made for excellent dipping and scooping.

Now for the main star of the night - the heavyweight Côte de Boeuf, that we dared venture for only because of our strong cast of three couples. The 1 kg Angus prime beef rib, roasted to a medium-rare perfection, came in its full serving of meat, bones, fats and all. It was definitely worth the 45 minutes wait, where every cut of meat was tender and sublime, after being seared in the caramelized shallots and garlic confit. The sides of greens and potato gratin complimented the red meat.

Side order of shoestring fries were addictive.

The back of the menu

The meal ended on a blend of sweet and sour notes. The lovely blistered Crème brûlée, which was rich and creamy was a compatible match with the tart and icy apple-flavoured sorbet.

My impression of the chef dated way back when I picked up his chocolate truffles lesson at Shermay's. I still recalled how he told me to go easy with the decorations of my truffles as greedy me went crazy with the nuts and white chocolate drizzling. I'm definitely intrigued to try their other variants of steaks, which S and L are crazy over. Interestingly, some of their classics like braised beef cheeks and Coq Au Vin are creatively served in claypots!

P.S.: I couldn't help making the new couple posed for photos with the menu board!

Running from the paparazzi

Peek-a-boo

Standing Sushi Bar

2011-03-10T22:22:00.000+08:00

I remembered spotting Standing Sushi Bar (SSB) from one of my favourite haunt, Food for Thought one evening and made a mental note to drop by the next time. That idea came in handy this week when I developed this enormous craving for sushi. Light and uncomplicated Japanese cuisine would make an invigorating lunch - especially befitting for two recovering patients.

SSB first started out in One Raffles Place to cater to the maddening office crowd, who would appreciate a place for a quick meal (chop-chop) but one that serves healthier nosh than fast food. The concept was true to the style of those subway eateries that one finds in Japan, which aim to conveniently stave the hunger pangs of people on the go and in between of transits. A quick hop into one would have you viewing the repetitive and almost-synchronized motion of travellers slurping their bowls of udon/ramen while standing.

Though we can walk for miles, we weren't that keen on challenging our leg and calf muscles especially while eating, which may result in a case of indigestion. So we opted to relax and enjoy our meal at the seats-included branch at 8QSAM.

Alv had the Sushi Set that comes with a piping hot bowl of Udon and Chawamushi. One distinct difference between the sushi served at SSB versus some of the others, is how each lavish slice of fish or seafood is draped generously over the rice, fully engulfing it. Don't believe that a midget of fish atop a pile of rice makes a sushi. Now, this is how proper sushi should look like.

Pretty and zen-like in a row

My Sushi Také set comprises of 7 assorted sushi, two pieces of Maki, miso soup and a salad. The variety provided satiates the greed to taste various types in the most convenient way.

The rice seems to be cocooned within the slices of fish

We thought a savoury dish will help spark up the delicate meal and the Bacon and Asparagus Robatayaki was a good choice. The bacon slices were nicely done without charring, with the asparagus giving rise to crunchy relief in each bite.

On a whole, SSB was decent though we thought that the freshness factor could be further enhanced. The sushi there regrettably did not uphold the sprightly and vivid quality of good sushi.

I wouldn't credit this side note to SSB but as we were eating away, we reminisced about our wonderful Japan trip - by its culture, its heritage and its gastronomical delights that we wholeheartedly indulged in. Those were sweet memories, which we will be keen to relive again. Anytime.

P.S.: it was a brilliant days for photographs, with some shots of the buildings nearby.