Held at the mint museum of toys, the event was to house 50 individuals from Yebbers to sponsors and major holders of interest with the beloved website we've all grown to love and grow with.
The mint museum was an extremely interesting choice to have an event as first of all, i've never heard of it before and secondly, who would have thought the museum actually served decent food??? (thats a post ill save for later though. Muahahaha!)
Back to the event, loads of prizes ranging from creative zen stones to a 4gd zen player (which i wanted badly but didn't win in the end. Sigh) to webcams and optical mice. Its definitely a wonderful plethora of prizes which entices and keeps the interest of the people when it came to the games. Well done, loved bingo but the winner always seems to be that extremely lucky girl!?!? Nevertheless, never say die i suppose.
I did have a few gripes which were basically small ones about the very limited space for activity and lack of seating in the place but its mostly minor.
The architecture of the museum is pretty interesting with its second place hanging glass exhibition hall directly above our heads which was surprisingly suspended by the ceiling instead of having pillars for support. (Thank you PB for this piece of info.) The selection of old school toys were also astonishing but my gf wasn't quite comfortable with some of the scarier looking ones. I would be frightened too if i had to spend the night with that load of antique toys staring at me. Still, interesting place.
The venue staff were great and helped solve whatever questions or needs that arose.
......i need to talk about the food, it was good. Particularly the bruschetta and the chicken potato hybrid which i've had multiple servings. Nice work on Yebber's part to source out great places for events.
Finally, the best part was learning more about the people present that made the system work. Great stuff, lets keep them coming!!!
Pasta Fresca is an Italian restaurant chain that has a presence in China and Singapore, with 4 outlets currently operating in the latter. Managed to have a quick dinner with my friend at its Siglap outlet one evening when the crowds were still slowly trickling in.
The interior was rather simplistic yet cosy through the injection of earthly tones into its colour scheme and overhanging pieces of cloth (or whatever you call them). Coupled with warm lights and Italian style painting panels, it made for a lazy and somewhat sleepy dinner.
Alfredo Fettuccine - One of the more decent renditions around, the fettuccine was al dente with the cream based sauce not too heavy on the palate. The toppings of diced chicken, ham and garden peas were quite generous as well, which made this dish quite bang for the buck.
Quattro Stagioni - Bearing the same name as Vivaldi's Four Seasons, the Quattro Stagioni was quite decent with the exception of the crust, which could have been thinner and crispier. Although we only ordered a small pizza, it was already quite a size. Ingredients were generous as well, with the olives, ham, mushrooms and artichokes scattered throughout.
Mousse Al Cioccolato - I'm pretty sure chocolate fanatics will like this dish - chocolaty rich and gooey but not overwhelming. Served chilled, it made for a nice and sweet, albeit heart stopping dessert. The funny thing was that it was supposedly flavoured with orange peel, something that I couldn't make out at all.
Tiramisu - For the price, I honestly didn't expect much. The tiramisu looked good but was let down by quite a few factors. First of all, there was the glaring absence of the liqueur taste. Secondly, the mascarpone cheese came across as more creamy then light or fluffy. But having said all that, it was still very palatable.
I was stuffed at the end of it and so was my friend. Food quality in general was a notch above average but the best part was, it didn't cost an arm or leg, standing at about $46 for 2 mains & 2 desserts. Service was quite good and I would be inclined to drop by if I was in the area and craving for a hearty Italian fix.
Dubbed the “Bohemian enclave” of Singapore, Holland Village is a curious mix between old and new. Traditional coffee shops and a wet market jostle for space aside swanky wine bars and fine dining restaurants. And in the space of one week, I was fortunate to take part in this dining culture twice. And in both occasions, I was indulging in the pleasure of the rich Italian cuisine. Situated at the corner among a cluster of shophouses is Al Dente Trattoria.
At Al Dente, one can choose to dine al fresco or indoors. Unfortunately, although the candlelight adds an amorous atmosphere for the diners, frequent passer-by walking along Lorong Mambong seeks to blemish it, thus our choice to venture indoors.
We were served by an over-enthusiastic service staff that we felt pressured to order more than we should (apparently ice water was a choice of sprinkling or still, and I ended ordering the ice-peach tea instead). He was also quick to note down the order of the Antipasti Sampler Platter – which we haven’t agreed upon – but felt obliged to since he already wrote it.
Thankfully, the appetiser turned out to be pretty fine. A platter of premium salami slices, grilled mushrooms, tomatoes with mozzarella cheese, ham with melon & cold seafood cuts on fresh garden greens was a harmonious dish that suited all three of us. While both my friends went for the Linguine Marinara, or the seafood of lobster, shrimps, clams, mussels & cod fillet tossed with linguine pasta in a wine seafood stock, finished with a robust herbed tomato stew, I was encouraged yet again by the service staff to go for the Penne with Scallops, or the tube pasta with fresh Australian scallops & zucchini slices, sautéed in a light cream sauce, infused with brandy.
The scallops were indeed juicy and fresh, and the taste of zucchini was refreshing as I haven’t had it since my Perth days. The only fault that I would pick on would be that the cream sauce was too rich, such that one cannot taste the hint of brandy in it.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
I attended the Party held at the Mint on Friday and I loved it. I love the place, with all the quirky toys. It never fails to amaze me, this place.
Richard, the curator, was also very nice to help us out although it was past the time for him to knock off. He even offered to take us up to the balcony to see another area they have for a gathering. It was open air and I can see the makings of a BBQ there!
Anyways back to the party, lots of people were there, Yebbers and Pingsters and other bloggers... We were suitably entertained, though I have to agree with some that we needed a mic or a gong to get people's attention at least. :) The bingo game sure got lots of people's attention!!!
Also the prizes were great though I din win any. But I'm sure many appreciated the prizes. :)
The food also also pretty good though I'd prefer to have seats when I eat but it was alright too. I was too excited to eat wor. Nonetheless the people made sure we had all we need for the party to go on and I think that's one of the most important things when choosing a venue - having the support from the venue staff. :)
For me, there is nothing more Italian than a piping hot & thin crusty slice of pizza. At Da Paolo, you find a stylish Pizza Bar like no other – with its long strip of dappled brown and white cow hide running along the ceiling and down one wall, bronze panels, a wall of wine-bottles and a stylish glass kitchen – Da Paolo’s choice of location for the Pizza Bar was premeditated – the bohemian status of Chip Bee Gardens lends itself to the Pizza Bar’s concept of providing a friendly and inspired environment to dine and wine. The Pizza Bar pursues closely to Da Paolo trademark cooking that is using fresh ingredients to elicit the taste. Ingredients to make the pizza dough are sourced directly from Italy and toppings are made from fresh ingredients only.
For starters, we decided on the Insalata di Spinaci con Avocado, Gamberetti e Mango, or Baby Spinach with Avocado, Shrimps and Mango Salad. A refreshing salad that comes with generous ingredients, this is a fine starter that really rouse the appetite for the mains – the savoury prawns along with the sweet and sourish mango and rich avocado really open up our palates for the mains.
For the pizzas, we chose two tomato-based pizzas – the first being Pizza Salmone, Funghi e Pesto, or the Pizza with Tomato, Mozzarella, Smoked Salmon, Mushrooms and Pesto. The Smoked Salmon was really fresh and full of flavour and we really liked the addition of the mushrooms – the chewy bite of the shrooms adds a new twist to this dish.
For the second – Pizza Rucola, Prosciutto e Scaglie di Parmigiano, or Pizza with Tomato, Mozzarella, Arugula Leaves, Parma Ham and Shaved Parmesan, the mild bitterness of the Rocket Salad is a perfect harmony with the saltiness of the Parma Ham. It also helps that I am a huge fan of the Arugula with Parmesan.
The thin crusts of both pizzas are also well executed and are definitely one of the best I have eaten in Singapore. And if you think the both of us are ambitious, you might be surprised to know that we managed to clean out a starter and 2 large pizzas in an hour or so. Service was generally attentive and most staffs were friendly except for a particular staff in which we felt was pretty unprofessional in taking orders. He was standing approximately 2 metres away from me and took the orders without writing down – something, which my dining partner felt was pretty rude as well.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Stepped into Oomphatico’s and you would imagine yourself transported to another world – lush and whimsical, the place was brightly and warmly lit with colours – a mixed of modern yet vintage feel.
Furniture were well spaced so one would not feel confined. The fixtures were very cosy with thick cushioned armchairs, in a myriad of colours and tones, and there's a stylish casualness about the place, without being pretentious, it gives customers a very peaceful ambience to dine in.
Pride itself of serving “Good Food”, the outlet comes with many interesting items on the menu – organic, Thai, noodles, Raw, gluten-free, raw and even ZEN to name some of them. You probably need time to scrutinise the menu to fully understand the kinds of items available to delight your palate. For starters, we order the Raw Deal, a Raw Vegetable Salad consisting of Beetroot, Apples and lots of Nuts and Seeds. I eat raw salad, but even I think this dish was too ambitious for me – perhaps because I am not a big fan of beetroot. The shredded apples though add a nice sweetness to it.
For the mains, we shared the Prawn and Spinach Brown Rice Risotto. It was a good balance between the spinach and the creamy-rich risotto, and the prawns add a delightful bite to this dish.
The other main we shared was the Rebelde Lina, an interesting Pizza topped with Spanish onions, Mushrooms, Bacon, Spinach and Tomatoes but most importantly – a whole EGG!!! Yes, at Oomphatico’s, all egg lovers will delighted to know that they have a pizza come served with an egg cracked all over it (Although this photo doesn't do justice to the pizza - trust me - it looks better in real).
Service was also a joy, with plenty of friendly staffs to attend to our needs. One lady (which I assume to be the boss) also made the effort to go around each table and chat with the guests, which made us feel very welcome. Overall I think this restaurant offers a refreshing experience from many others. From the food it offers to the service to the décor and furnishing, there will definitely be something you will be enticed by.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Tekka Centre, or 竹脚中心 located in the Little India area is a multi-use building complex comprising a wet market, food centre and shops, located along Bukit Timah Road, Race Course Road, Buffalo Road and Serangoon Road. It is said that at the wet market, you can find all sorts of spices, and traditional ingredients that you cannot find anywhere else in Singapore. And it is also at the food centre that you can find one of the most popular Indian Muslim Stall that dished out the best Original Chicken Dum Briyani – Yakader Muslim Food.
Cooked using long grain Basmati Rice and Glee, the Dum method of cooking stews food in a pot sealed with foil to prevent the steam from escaping. The food gradually steams in its own natural juices, captivating the subtle essence of the spices and herbs added at the start of the cooking process. I usually avoid this stall during lunchtime, as heavy lunch just doesn’t work for me. But the curiosity got over me, as day in day out, I always see a queue snaking outside this modest stall. At first glance, the serving doesn’t look appetising – everything looks orangey red (but then doesn’t all Briyani look like this?) but it was truly a heartily satisfying meal.
The rice was palatable and not as greasy as I thought it would be and the curry was a great complement to it. The spices captured by the chicken also gave it an aromatic and fragrant taste to it but at the end of the day, it was the texture of the flesh that won me over.
It was VERY tender and succulent unlike many others that I have tried before, so much so that it caught me by surprise!
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Their signature Warm Chocolate Cake is sinfully delectable. Described as the “melt-in-the-mouth chocolate cake oozing with rich Valrhona chocolate”, Valrhona, founded since 1924, focuses mainly on top-quality luxury chocolate marketed for professional as well as for private consumption. And I would say what a huge difference it made especially since I could evaluate it to the second-rated one I had at Friends@Jelita. Also the warmness of the cake prepared freshly by the chef harmonised perfectly with the cold Homemade Vanilla Ice-cream. What is also often overlooked is the Orange Confit at the bottom that amazingly complements the bittersweet chocolate cake giving it a subtle fruity flavour to it.
Finally rinse it off with the revitalising Lavender Violet Lime that comes in a romantic purple – an Italian soda with lavender flavoured syrup that tasted so refreshing. I like it as it wasn’t very sweet but however, I would prefer if peppermint leaf were used to give it a better lift instead of the lime, as the drink tends to turn bitter towards the end. My friend had the Strawberry Lavender Lime that is very much sweeter but still as good. Definitely a favourite with the ladies!
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
The good thing about working in a foreign company is you get to meet lots of people from different walks of life from different nationalities, discovering different cultures and traditions. In my company, I have worked with Americans, Dutch, Swiss, Japanese, Korean, Malaysians, Indians, Filipinos and Chinese to name a few. And it was one day that my Korean colleague introduced me to Korean food at this place. She said she find the standard of food served here similar, if not better, than most of the other Korean restaurant she has been to so far - for a fraction of the price.
Taking her word for it, we ventured to Le Meridien for one of our lunches. Lunch was Spicy Beef Soup with rice plus a choice of condiment between Kimchi, Cucumber, or Anchovies.
Serving was generous with the bowl filled to the brim with Beef, Tofu and stalks of Spring Onions (It helps that I love eating spring onions!). The soup with a dash of Sesame Seeds was served piping hot and although MSG laced, the hint of spiciness make the soup truly enjoyable to taste.
The beef slices could have been bigger but for a meal costing less than $10, I have no complains against the serving and standard of the food.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
On Friday, it was an honour to be invited to Yebber’s 1st anniversary event. The event was held in Mint (Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys) – Museum of Toys, across from Raffles Hotel. Showcasing an extensive collection of vintage toys from all over the world, it is regarded as one of the finest in the world and the largest in Southeast Asia. At the basement was Mint Café – Asia’s very first toy-themed café.
I arrived early and did a quick tour of the place before the event started at the 3rd Level and was greeted with toys and characters that I was familiar with – from Popeye to Ultraman, to retro Matchbox car collectibles, Kampung toys and even the Beatles.
All the guests were later treated to a sumptuous buffet dinner consisting of Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Seafood Platter (Calamari, Dory Fillet, & Scallops), Bruschetta (Wild Mushrooms, Tomato Checca & Salmon Cream), and Linguini with Crab Sauce.
Personally, I thought the Wild Mushroom Bruschetta was the best – the toast was crispy and the mushrooms were flavoursome. I bet the salmon cream ones were just as great but unfortunately, I didn’t managed to lay my hands on them before they were cleared out. Oh, the desserts were pretty lovely as well, especially the Strawberry Panna Cotta - the sourish berries was a delightful complement to the sweet pudding.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
1=SGD 0.0587
Yebber's 1st Year Anniversary went with a Bang!
Held at the mint museum of toys, the event was to house 50 individuals from Yebbers to sponsors and major holders of interest with the beloved website we've all grown to love and grow with.
The mint museum was an extremely interesting choice to have an event as first of all, i've never heard of it before and secondly, who would have thought the museum actually served decent food??? (thats a post ill save for later though. Muahahaha!)
Back to the event, loads of prizes ranging from creative zen stones to a 4gd zen player (which i wanted badly but didn't win in the end. Sigh) to webcams and optical mice. Its definitely a wonderful plethora of prizes which entices and keeps the interest of the people when it came to the games. Well done, loved bingo but the winner always seems to be that extremely lucky girl!?!? Nevertheless, never say die i suppose.
I did have a few gripes which were basically small ones about the very limited space for activity and lack of seating in the place but its mostly minor.
The architecture of the museum is pretty interesting with its second place hanging glass exhibition hall directly above our heads which was surprisingly suspended by the ceiling instead of having pillars for support. (Thank you PB for this piece of info.) The selection of old school toys were also astonishing but my gf wasn't quite comfortable with some of the scarier looking ones. I would be frightened too if i had to spend the night with that load of antique toys staring at me. Still, interesting place.
The venue staff were great and helped solve whatever questions or needs that arose.
......i need to talk about the food, it was good. Particularly the bruschetta and the chicken potato hybrid which i've had multiple servings. Nice work on Yebber's part to source out great places for events.
Finally, the best part was learning more about the people present that made the system work. Great stuff, lets keep them coming!!!
Happy Birthday Yebber!
Rating given:
Pasta Fresca is an Italian restaurant chain that has a presence in China and Singapore, with 4 outlets currently operating in the latter. Managed to have a quick dinner with my friend at its Siglap outlet one evening when the crowds were still slowly trickling in.
The interior was rather simplistic yet cosy through the injection of earthly tones into its colour scheme and overhanging pieces of cloth (or whatever you call them). Coupled with warm lights and Italian style painting panels, it made for a lazy and somewhat sleepy dinner.
Alfredo Fettuccine - One of the more decent renditions around, the fettuccine was al dente with the cream based sauce not too heavy on the palate. The toppings of diced chicken, ham and garden peas were quite generous as well, which made this dish quite bang for the buck.
Quattro Stagioni - Bearing the same name as Vivaldi's Four Seasons, the Quattro Stagioni was quite decent with the exception of the crust, which could have been thinner and crispier. Although we only ordered a small pizza, it was already quite a size. Ingredients were generous as well, with the olives, ham, mushrooms and artichokes scattered throughout.
Mousse Al Cioccolato - I'm pretty sure chocolate fanatics will like this dish - chocolaty rich and gooey but not overwhelming. Served chilled, it made for a nice and sweet, albeit heart stopping dessert. The funny thing was that it was supposedly flavoured with orange peel, something that I couldn't make out at all.
Tiramisu - For the price, I honestly didn't expect much. The tiramisu looked good but was let down by quite a few factors. First of all, there was the glaring absence of the liqueur taste. Secondly, the mascarpone cheese came across as more creamy then light or fluffy. But having said all that, it was still very palatable.
I was stuffed at the end of it and so was my friend. Food quality in general was a notch above average but the best part was, it didn't cost an arm or leg, standing at about $46 for 2 mains & 2 desserts. Service was quite good and I would be inclined to drop by if I was in the area and craving for a hearty Italian fix.
See all my pictures here
Rating given:
Dubbed the “Bohemian enclave” of Singapore, Holland Village is a curious mix between old and new. Traditional coffee shops and a wet market jostle for space aside swanky wine bars and fine dining restaurants. And in the space of one week, I was fortunate to take part in this dining culture twice. And in both occasions, I was indulging in the pleasure of the rich Italian cuisine. Situated at the corner among a cluster of shophouses is Al Dente Trattoria.
At Al Dente, one can choose to dine al fresco or indoors. Unfortunately, although the candlelight adds an amorous atmosphere for the diners, frequent passer-by walking along Lorong Mambong seeks to blemish it, thus our choice to venture indoors.
We were served by an over-enthusiastic service staff that we felt pressured to order more than we should (apparently ice water was a choice of sprinkling or still, and I ended ordering the ice-peach tea instead). He was also quick to note down the order of the Antipasti Sampler Platter – which we haven’t agreed upon – but felt obliged to since he already wrote it.
Thankfully, the appetiser turned out to be pretty fine. A platter of premium salami slices, grilled mushrooms, tomatoes with mozzarella cheese, ham with melon & cold seafood cuts on fresh garden greens was a harmonious dish that suited all three of us. While both my friends went for the Linguine Marinara, or the seafood of lobster, shrimps, clams, mussels & cod fillet tossed with linguine pasta in a wine seafood stock, finished with a robust herbed tomato stew, I was encouraged yet again by the service staff to go for the Penne with Scallops, or the tube pasta with fresh Australian scallops & zucchini slices, sautéed in a light cream sauce, infused with brandy.
The scallops were indeed juicy and fresh, and the taste of zucchini was refreshing as I haven’t had it since my Perth days. The only fault that I would pick on would be that the cream sauce was too rich, such that one cannot taste the hint of brandy in it.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
I LOVE YEBBER! heh heh
Happy Birthday to Yebber! Whoohoo!
I attended the Party held at the Mint on Friday and I loved it. I love the place, with all the quirky toys. It never fails to amaze me, this place.
Richard, the curator, was also very nice to help us out although it was past the time for him to knock off. He even offered to take us up to the balcony to see another area they have for a gathering. It was open air and I can see the makings of a BBQ there!
Anyways back to the party, lots of people were there, Yebbers and Pingsters and other bloggers... We were suitably entertained, though I have to agree with some that we needed a mic or a gong to get people's attention at least. :) The bingo game sure got lots of people's attention!!!
Also the prizes were great though I din win any. But I'm sure many appreciated the prizes. :)
The food also also pretty good though I'd prefer to have seats when I eat but it was alright too. I was too excited to eat wor. Nonetheless the people made sure we had all we need for the party to go on and I think that's one of the most important things when choosing a venue - having the support from the venue staff. :)
Looking forward to the next one!!!
Rating given:
For me, there is nothing more Italian than a piping hot & thin crusty slice of pizza. At Da Paolo, you find a stylish Pizza Bar like no other – with its long strip of dappled brown and white cow hide running along the ceiling and down one wall, bronze panels, a wall of wine-bottles and a stylish glass kitchen – Da Paolo’s choice of location for the Pizza Bar was premeditated – the bohemian status of Chip Bee Gardens lends itself to the Pizza Bar’s concept of providing a friendly and inspired environment to dine and wine. The Pizza Bar pursues closely to Da Paolo trademark cooking that is using fresh ingredients to elicit the taste. Ingredients to make the pizza dough are sourced directly from Italy and toppings are made from fresh ingredients only.
For starters, we decided on the Insalata di Spinaci con Avocado, Gamberetti e Mango, or Baby Spinach with Avocado, Shrimps and Mango Salad. A refreshing salad that comes with generous ingredients, this is a fine starter that really rouse the appetite for the mains – the savoury prawns along with the sweet and sourish mango and rich avocado really open up our palates for the mains.
For the pizzas, we chose two tomato-based pizzas – the first being Pizza Salmone, Funghi e Pesto, or the Pizza with Tomato, Mozzarella, Smoked Salmon, Mushrooms and Pesto. The Smoked Salmon was really fresh and full of flavour and we really liked the addition of the mushrooms – the chewy bite of the shrooms adds a new twist to this dish.
For the second – Pizza Rucola, Prosciutto e Scaglie di Parmigiano, or Pizza with Tomato, Mozzarella, Arugula Leaves, Parma Ham and Shaved Parmesan, the mild bitterness of the Rocket Salad is a perfect harmony with the saltiness of the Parma Ham. It also helps that I am a huge fan of the Arugula with Parmesan.
The thin crusts of both pizzas are also well executed and are definitely one of the best I have eaten in Singapore. And if you think the both of us are ambitious, you might be surprised to know that we managed to clean out a starter and 2 large pizzas in an hour or so. Service was generally attentive and most staffs were friendly except for a particular staff in which we felt was pretty unprofessional in taking orders. He was standing approximately 2 metres away from me and took the orders without writing down – something, which my dining partner felt was pretty rude as well.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
Stepped into Oomphatico’s and you would imagine yourself transported to another world – lush and whimsical, the place was brightly and warmly lit with colours – a mixed of modern yet vintage feel.
Furniture were well spaced so one would not feel confined. The fixtures were very cosy with thick cushioned armchairs, in a myriad of colours and tones, and there's a stylish casualness about the place, without being pretentious, it gives customers a very peaceful ambience to dine in.
Pride itself of serving “Good Food”, the outlet comes with many interesting items on the menu – organic, Thai, noodles, Raw, gluten-free, raw and even ZEN to name some of them. You probably need time to scrutinise the menu to fully understand the kinds of items available to delight your palate. For starters, we order the Raw Deal, a Raw Vegetable Salad consisting of Beetroot, Apples and lots of Nuts and Seeds. I eat raw salad, but even I think this dish was too ambitious for me – perhaps because I am not a big fan of beetroot. The shredded apples though add a nice sweetness to it.
For the mains, we shared the Prawn and Spinach Brown Rice Risotto. It was a good balance between the spinach and the creamy-rich risotto, and the prawns add a delightful bite to this dish.
The other main we shared was the Rebelde Lina, an interesting Pizza topped with Spanish onions, Mushrooms, Bacon, Spinach and Tomatoes but most importantly – a whole EGG!!! Yes, at Oomphatico’s, all egg lovers will delighted to know that they have a pizza come served with an egg cracked all over it (Although this photo doesn't do justice to the pizza - trust me - it looks better in real).
Service was also a joy, with plenty of friendly staffs to attend to our needs. One lady (which I assume to be the boss) also made the effort to go around each table and chat with the guests, which made us feel very welcome. Overall I think this restaurant offers a refreshing experience from many others. From the food it offers to the service to the décor and furnishing, there will definitely be something you will be enticed by.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
Tekka Centre, or 竹脚中心 located in the Little India area is a multi-use building complex comprising a wet market, food centre and shops, located along Bukit Timah Road, Race Course Road, Buffalo Road and Serangoon Road. It is said that at the wet market, you can find all sorts of spices, and traditional ingredients that you cannot find anywhere else in Singapore. And it is also at the food centre that you can find one of the most popular Indian Muslim Stall that dished out the best Original Chicken Dum Briyani – Yakader Muslim Food.
Cooked using long grain Basmati Rice and Glee, the Dum method of cooking stews food in a pot sealed with foil to prevent the steam from escaping. The food gradually steams in its own natural juices, captivating the subtle essence of the spices and herbs added at the start of the cooking process. I usually avoid this stall during lunchtime, as heavy lunch just doesn’t work for me. But the curiosity got over me, as day in day out, I always see a queue snaking outside this modest stall. At first glance, the serving doesn’t look appetising – everything looks orangey red (but then doesn’t all Briyani look like this?) but it was truly a heartily satisfying meal.
The rice was palatable and not as greasy as I thought it would be and the curry was a great complement to it. The spices captured by the chicken also gave it an aromatic and fragrant taste to it but at the end of the day, it was the texture of the flesh that won me over.
It was VERY tender and succulent unlike many others that I have tried before, so much so that it caught me by surprise!
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
Their signature Warm Chocolate Cake is sinfully delectable. Described as the “melt-in-the-mouth chocolate cake oozing with rich Valrhona chocolate”, Valrhona, founded since 1924, focuses mainly on top-quality luxury chocolate marketed for professional as well as for private consumption. And I would say what a huge difference it made especially since I could evaluate it to the second-rated one I had at Friends@Jelita. Also the warmness of the cake prepared freshly by the chef harmonised perfectly with the cold Homemade Vanilla Ice-cream. What is also often overlooked is the Orange Confit at the bottom that amazingly complements the bittersweet chocolate cake giving it a subtle fruity flavour to it.
Finally rinse it off with the revitalising Lavender Violet Lime that comes in a romantic purple – an Italian soda with lavender flavoured syrup that tasted so refreshing. I like it as it wasn’t very sweet but however, I would prefer if peppermint leaf were used to give it a better lift instead of the lime, as the drink tends to turn bitter towards the end. My friend had the Strawberry Lavender Lime that is very much sweeter but still as good. Definitely a favourite with the ladies!
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
The good thing about working in a foreign company is you get to meet lots of people from different walks of life from different nationalities, discovering different cultures and traditions. In my company, I have worked with Americans, Dutch, Swiss, Japanese, Korean, Malaysians, Indians, Filipinos and Chinese to name a few. And it was one day that my Korean colleague introduced me to Korean food at this place. She said she find the standard of food served here similar, if not better, than most of the other Korean restaurant she has been to so far - for a fraction of the price.
Taking her word for it, we ventured to Le Meridien for one of our lunches. Lunch was Spicy Beef Soup with rice plus a choice of condiment between Kimchi, Cucumber, or Anchovies.
Serving was generous with the bowl filled to the brim with Beef, Tofu and stalks of Spring Onions (It helps that I love eating spring onions!). The soup with a dash of Sesame Seeds was served piping hot and although MSG laced, the hint of spiciness make the soup truly enjoyable to taste.
The beef slices could have been bigger but for a meal costing less than $10, I have no complains against the serving and standard of the food.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
On Friday, it was an honour to be invited to Yebber’s 1st anniversary event. The event was held in Mint (Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys) – Museum of Toys, across from Raffles Hotel. Showcasing an extensive collection of vintage toys from all over the world, it is regarded as one of the finest in the world and the largest in Southeast Asia. At the basement was Mint Café – Asia’s very first toy-themed café.
I arrived early and did a quick tour of the place before the event started at the 3rd Level and was greeted with toys and characters that I was familiar with – from Popeye to Ultraman, to retro Matchbox car collectibles, Kampung toys and even the Beatles.
All the guests were later treated to a sumptuous buffet dinner consisting of Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Seafood Platter (Calamari, Dory Fillet, & Scallops), Bruschetta (Wild Mushrooms, Tomato Checca & Salmon Cream), and Linguini with Crab Sauce.
Personally, I thought the Wild Mushroom Bruschetta was the best – the toast was crispy and the mushrooms were flavoursome. I bet the salmon cream ones were just as great but unfortunately, I didn’t managed to lay my hands on them before they were cleared out. Oh, the desserts were pretty lovely as well, especially the Strawberry Panna Cotta - the sourish berries was a delightful complement to the sweet pudding.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
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