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Beauty & Wellness
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1=SGD 0.0587
Popped by Thai Village with my gf and parents to have dinner. Honestly I have never been a fan of Thai Village, not after my unhappy encounter at the restaurant's Oasis outlet, details of which I shall not divulge for some personal reasons.
Sitting pretty in a stand alone structure with huge windows in the midst of secluded Taman Jurong, Thai Village literally outshines the competition (think MacDonalds and KFC) with its huge neon signboards and brightly lighted interior. Surprisingly, for a restaurant situated in such an isolated heartland, it was rather packed by the time we got down to eating our food.
Thai Village is purportedly known for its quality shark's fin at a prices that won't break your arm. At $90 for a portion of shark's fin large enough for 6 bowls, I'm inclined to agree. However, the quality of the shark's fin was rather debatable as the fins, though served as a whole piece, was a little too coarse, unlike top grade shark's fin where the fins are smooth and have a slight bony texture. The soup could also have been better, coming across as a tad too starchy and heavy. But honestly, I'll be hard pressed to find a dish of similar quality and quantity for that price in Singapore(maybe I just haven't eaten enough to know).
Salt Baked Chicken Drumsticks - As tantalizing as the name may sound, it tasted nowhere near. I was expecting something salty yet the chicken, which was served in a huge claypot, turned out sweet. Sure, the meat was tender but $16 for 6 tiny pieces is a big no no. It was overall a very forgettable dish.
Baked Crabs with Vermicelli & the garlic base - The star for the evening - Baked Crabs with Vermicelli. To be honest, I haven't had such a great rendition of this dish for eons. The crab's flesh was fresh, sweet and firm, all markings of an excellent crab. The vermicelli was excellent as well, having soaked up the juices from the crab as well as from the tons of garlic at the bottom, rendering it soft and silky with a rather strong garlic taste. And before I forget, there was a little surprise hidden beneath the mountain of garlic - pieces of 3 tiered pork (literal translation from San Chen Rou) which were a little too hard from all the baking but tasted excellently garlicky nevertheless.
Seafood Fried Rice - A 50-50 dish if you ask me. Why so? The rice was fragrant and tasty but lacked the quintessential Wok Hei taste. Seafood pickings were also rather miserly. Take your chances!
Asparagus Fried with Mushroom - Asparagus are supposed to be a little hard and crunchy, but this one was a little too soft and portions were measly. Coupled with the fact that I could only make out 6 pieces of scallops and it becomes a must never order again dish.
Baked Thai Style Cod Fish - The fish was a little crispy on the outside but terribly tasteless, unless you consider oil a taste. Not to mention that it wasn't actually very fresh. I guess I need not say more.
Yam Paste - One of the very decent Orh Nee that I've tried, but just a little too runny for my liking and the onset of a generous quantity of coconut milk was quite overwhelming.
The 4 of us chalked up a rather hefty bill of about $230, which I feel is a little on the expensive side given the number of merely average dishes. Sure the Baked Crabs and Shark's Fin Soup soup were good, but I really don't foresee myself returning just for those.
See my pictures here
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Cathay - a name synonymous with movies of the past era. What most people don't know is that Cathay actually operates a rather niche eatery in its premises which goes by the name of The Cathay Restaurant. Started in 1940, the restaurant served up European fare but switched to Chinese food in 1951 and was purportedly Singapore's finest Chinese restaurant at that time.
Situated on the 2nd floor of the spanking new Cathay building, The Cathay Restaurant embraces the modern with its unpretentiously upclass decor yet retains his heritage by showcasing portraits of movie stars from the golden era. Retro-ish (if there's such a word) I must say.
Doubled Boiled Shark's Bone Cartilage with Bamboo Fungus - I've always been a fan of shark bone soup and The Cathay Restaurant's rendition didn't disappoint. But then again, it wasn't outstanding either. The soup was tasty but did come across as a little too milky for my liking and left a slight starchy residue on my tongue after every mouthful, which I personally found a little unsettling.
Deep Fried Spring Rolls - This is not your usual spring rolls because it comes with fatty pork, mushrooms and turnip as ingredients. Found it rather normal in spite of all the ingredients, probably due to the overall blandness but the skin was nice and crisp though.
Siew Mai - Interestingly, the Siew Mai had this predominant mushroom taste owing to the fact that one of the ingredients in it was a sizable chunk of mushroom. This is something rather unique but I personally found it a little too "mushroomy", totally eclipsing the traditional pork taste that I associate with Siew Mai. Just an individual preference I guess.
Pan Fried Pork Chop with Special Sauce - The pork chop was very well marinated as evident by the lightly sweet flavours each bite held. However, the pork was a tad on the chewy side which made eating difficult and there was a slight overuse on the amount of Chinese celery as I found the taste pretty evident, to the extent of being a little overwhelming.
Poached Seasonal Vegetables - Funny how poached seasonal vegetables would turn out to have beancurd in it. Not that I'm complaining though. The beancurd was tasty but wasn't firm or silky enough to make the premium grade cut. The vegetables tasted like they had been blanched in boiling water and served up with gravy.
Special Homemade Noodles with Mixed Seafood - I honestly don't see or taste anything special about the homemade noodles. Sure, it was chewy but that was it. Beansprouts and fresh average sized prawns graced the dish which tasted to me a little like Hor Fun due to the slightly smoky and starchy gravy. Having said that, the gravy was really too weak to make much of a difference, especially when the noodles were practically tasteless. I had to resort to adding soya sauce.
Double Boiled Dried Apricot with Sea Coconut and Red Dates -
If you get a kick out of having a sugar rush, then this dessert is probably for you. It was insanely sweet and I must say even for a sugar fanatic like me, I had a hard time trying to finish it. I attribute this to the extra sugar they added into the syrup on top of the sweetness from the already very sweet apricot.
With a 1 for 1 offer from Standard Chartered, I only had to fork out about $55 for 2 pax, which I feel is rather reasonable given the acceptable quantity and decent quality of food. If the standard of the dim sum is anything to go by, food quality at The Cathay isn't exactly top notch, but its refined enough to warrant another visit. Not without a high percentage discount though.
See all my pictures here
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If you like something different from the regular restaurant EAT OUTS, you should visit BORSHCH steak house. Its further down the shop houses after SuSHi Tei at the Serangoon Garden area. I was around there and I was captured by the outlook of the restaurant.
It look rather retro, kind of reminded me of english coffee houses during the eighties at low level flatted areas. They serve a good variety of normal and executive set lunches and dinners at very value for money prices. Written on a standing white board is the menu and the items for TODAY SPECIALS. While I entered the Restaurant, it emits a RUSSIAN Ambience. Not the Chic Russian kind of look rather the HOMELY Russian Feel. With the neatly layed table, I sat down with my friend at the corner.
The walls were adorned with some pictures which were pretty old, not exactly pretty but very vintage.... I order a Lamb Shank executive lunch and it comes with a beef soup, garlic toast, dessert and coffee, all for $12.80.
The soup arrived quickly and I happily tucked in. It was tomato based beef broth, very savoury and healthy with lots of Vegetables. I personally felt it was a little like the Campbell's ABC Vegetable soup but as i had it more and more, it got more and more delicious. Its not too blend but of the right taste and i don't feel thirsty as when i always do after canned soup.
My Lamb Shank looked HUGE... The meat was tender and the gravy is scrimptiously delicious.... It is not bloachy like when you over do the corn starch, rather, its watery but you could taste the richness of the many ingredients added. Not exactly chuncky as the ingredients have been boiled to melt inside the sauce. The potatoes and vegetables by the side is nicely poached to perfection and goes well with the sauce.
Later, the dessert was a scoop of ice cream and coffee and i put the ice cream on top of the coffee to reduce calories and to make my favourite Leenie's AFFAGATO.....
After the scrumptious meal I need not worry about exercising off the fats, as i felt preservatives free and healthy.. *heehee*
Perfect for a ROMANTIC, DOWN TO EARTH Dinner...... FAB....
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"Oh nice nails! Where did you do it? "
'Sh... its a secret..."
Secrets at Eleven is a relaxing and very nice place to get your pretty nails. Located on the second level (above Happy Daze). The decor is simple and welcoming. I had my meni done at their balcony. Imagine, relaxing on a big arm chair, with open view of the happenings below me and the friendliest manicurist. 2 other friends can sit next to you by the balcony and together have your nails done up, drink a cup of nice warm tea and catch-up with the latest happenings in life.
The manicurists know their products very well and their service and skill is good. When come to choosing colors for the nails, they'll try on every color you want to see on each of your nails so that you can see exactly how it looks like on your hands. (I ended up with 10 different color on my fingers!) This is great cos you'll not regret only after all the nails were painted. They wouldn't rush you and they'll be more than glad to try on as many colors as you want so that you're happy with the decision.
For just $23 for a classic mani and $33 for a classic pedi, Secrets at Eleven is the place to go with your girlfriends!
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Blue Mist is a small cafe/Restaurant/Bar situated near the end of AMARA at the back, facing the small road.
A perfectly cosy place to chill out with your friends or to meet your clients for a short drink. This cafe bar though small, provides a plentiful of choices of food. And what more, a more plentiful choices of wines to choose from the rack. These wines are thoughtfully priced with the price tag, obvious but not offensive. Besides beer and wine you can also get carefully crafted cocktails and house pours.
I love to order a nice pot of tea and have their dark cherry and almond pie. I love that pie very much as it is so delectable. With its buttery crust and soft creamy fillings, who would not like something so delectable. Every bite melts in your mouth yet you can crunch on bits of almond slices... Oooh.... Its not too sweet but savoury enough. Sip on a cup of hot mint tea from their extensive selections and enjoy the bliss.... These tea leaves are freshly kept in jars and the visual effect is just fab....
Nice place to hang out, day and night.. and the service is also pretty good. You may choose to sit in or alfresco style... but when you sit near the clear glass partitions, please beware of the protruding glass slabs that you might bump your head on.. Overall, its a nice place.....
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If you like SteamBoat and Chicken Rice, This is the place to be. They have been in business since before i was born and till today, business is still thriving. You can Imagine how yummy.
Located at a not so glamourous shopping mall. This steamboat restaurant serves one of the best chicken rice I had ever tasted. The chicken meat is soft and tender but not too oily. Steamboat is about the same but the ingredients are pretty standard with veg, fishballs, a little meat, sea cucumber, fish skin..etc...
When both combined... Everything just went crazily YUMMY... The chicken rice went so well with the steamboat. With a nice cup of freshly squeezed orange juice, it is completely appetizing, especially on a rainy day. Seeping the hot hot soup with a half cooked egg is simply a dream come through.
On some evenings, they also serve Pork Satay. Can you find another Satay Stall in a fully air conditioned shopping mall? There is also roast pork and if you like hor fun and other kinds of noodle dishes. They are cooked OLD STYLE and very yummy.
Remember to call to book your sits, sometimes its rather difficult as it is pretty popular.
Traditional SteamBoat with CHICKY Rice...... YUM YUM......
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Pepper Lunch , by now is a new popular fast food chain serving up set meals on a sizzling hot pot right up to your table. It's like an individual serving of BBQ food.
Each set has a good combination of meat, vegetables and rice. A nice well-balanced meal, served fast cos it cooks at your table. :) A nice alternative to the regular fast food, but it's at twice the price.
What we ordered at the Suntec Outlet:
Teriyaki Chicken Set
Beef Pepper Rice
The place was rather empty (as it was a weekday) when we went in at 11.30am... we ordered quickly. They adopted a new system of seating people. They give you a table number suitable for the number of patrons and the huge number tags are already on all the tables. I think this is much more efficient and it prevents people from hogging tables far too big for their group. The Teriyaki Chicken set is their latest promotion so it's not on their menu on their website. The lady introduced it to me and I gladly tried it. There's also the Teriyaki Salmon set and Teriyaki Beef Set.
Our food arrived quickly. The young man who served us patiently explained how to cook the food and what condiments we could add. He said it quickly, clearly and with a smile.
Both dishes were good. The food tasted fine, partly due to our cooking. haha
One gripe would be the presentation of the food. They were very innovative in having the paper around the hotplate so that patrons would not burn themselves against it. But the chopsticks and the bowls are of very poor material, and quite ugly in fact. Another thing is that the salt and pepper container at our table was virtually empty. Since it was the start of the day, I would have expected everything to be nicely filled up.
By the time we left at 12.10pm, the place was nicely filling up with the lunchtime crowd.
Now.. I would like to try the cheaper Pepper Lunch at Century Square Food court... haha
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There is a Mc Cafe next to the mcdonald in Jurong Point and before the launching of the WIFI all over singapore, mcdonald had it launched first.
The Mc Cafe there is pretty nice and classy. with the dark brown theme, but the service is not so friendly. What more, there is only one power wall socket there and it is functional. But ONE DAY.. to many customer's dismay, it has been turned off... There is no power for those who brought their lappy there to charge for a little while. I mean, if you do not provide ample wall sockets thats fine, but if its delibrately switch off then that is unfriendly.
It has been functional for quite a few months and as the number of charging customer's increases it becomes non-functional. Who knows what happened to it...
Anyway, the sandwiches are nice and the hot chocolate is fabulous. I love the milk fluff they put on top of the hot chocolate and the chocolaty powders they sprinkle on top.. not to say the wonderfully matched mushmellows.. OH SO DELECTABLE.....
Not recommended for working or presentations to your customers.... If not.... bring your own generator......
Goodness.. Its McDonald's.........
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I'm loving every bits of this new magazine! Saw this new magazine at the newsstand and was attracted by its name - Smitten. Curious to know what's it about, I picked it up and glance through the cover and saw that this copy is their debut issue and topics looks pretty interesting.
Project Smitten is the name of the magazine. (Smitten reminds me of kitten. Small, cute, playful, fun, pretty and mischievous!)
Flipping through the pages of Smitten and I'm greeted by the faces behind Smitten. In Smitten picks, the key ladies in Smitten share they favorite picks for the month. This gives me, as a reader, feel closer to the magazine as I'm able to match the names to faces. Loving this!
Every page you flip to, you'll find the trendiest and uber stylish fashion. Best of all, they show you exactly where you can get them! Even the cute little puppies.
Another section I love is the spy section - spy now and smitten spy. You'll be able to find rare finds and hidden treasures locally, internationally and in the www in these sections.
The smitten decorate pages are also one that I simply adore! I love everything pretty, cute, quirky and cool. Decorate now shows you where you can find these cool stuff to add on to your collection. Great pages to flip through if you're considering buying unique gifts for your friends.
Smitten is one mag that I'm so going to subscribe!
Oh, did I mention about the Smitten Society card that gives you great discounts during the Smitten Shopping Week? Go grab a copy of smitten to find out!
*****Updated 6 Jan 2008*****
Was delighted to have received my first subscribed delivery from Project Smitten (Jan/Feb08) this morning at my doorstep. Since I’m at my CNY shopping mood, I quickly flipped the pages and see what they’ve in store for us. Spotted a “Hot Buy” of a bag organiser from M)phosis on page 55 of this issue and wanted to get one for myself. Went shopping at Bugis Junction and stopped by M)phosis to ask if they’ve stock for it. Looks like, I’m not the first who was there to ask about this bag.
The salesgirl asked which magazine I saw this bag in and told me that the bag I was looking for was from months ago! They no longer carry it! I asked if they’ll be bringing in more, she said it depends.
I was quite upset that this thing happened. Why does a fashion magazine publish a product that was already not on sale? I was very pleased with their content once. But after this incident, and many other which I’d heard (from their facebook group), I guess they’ve got to improve a lot more to gain back the trust from existing subscribers and attract new ones.
Dropping my 5 stars rating to 3.
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Yummy O? Yet another donut outlet for the craze for donuts. Was it really Yummy?
Ever since don't know when, the craze for donuts picked up and everyone in Singapore was taking leave and skipping lessons just to queue for a box of donuts. Similar to many other craze fab, everyone wants a piece of this fab pie "while the rod is hot". So everywhere I go, I see some kind of donuts outlet and if there's not a long queue, I'll go get some to try it out. (Famous or not famous, rewarded or not rewarded.)
The drifting fragrance of the donuts lured me towards the stall hidden at the corner of White Sands (among OCK and other snack stalls). Curious to find out what they have to offer, I went to take a peep. And the heart shaped donuts and mocha flavored ones tempted me to buy and try. Something different from the other donuts is that they donut prices are fixed. No bulk discount even if you buy 6 or 12 in a box. (Maybe that's why there wasn't a queue?) And one plus point for this is the packaging. Instead of just placing your donuts in a big box, they have this plastic tray that separates the donuts in the box, I thought this was helpful, so you don't have to worry about them pushing against one another inside the box.
Now, the most important element is the taste and yumminess of these donuts. They claimed to be the only donut awarded with an award by Singapore. (can't remember by which organisation) but I'm having second thought about it. My mum agreed with me too. I told her I didn't have to queue for these donuts. And later when she tried one, she told me those I queued for tasted better. These donuts were too sweet and the dough taste just like any bread with fillings from the usual bakeries. Other than this, I don't know what else to comment on the donuts. Sure not how their name suggests.
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