Tucked in a quiet corner of Shaw Leisure Gallery is a little surprise called Tom's Palette which sells home-made ice cream.
When curious me entered their premises for the first time, I was greeted by sincere counter staff who are really proud of their little ice cream parlour and their flavours. That pretty scared me away, plus I had no intention for ice cream that day.
So a few hours ago, I decided to go for it. I stepped in to the ice cream parlour, got greeted by the rather sweet lady boss (I think), tasted the Oreo Cheesecake flavour, which was good, but settled for their Pisang Honey Walnut and Horlicks flavours in a small cup. You get to taste 2 flavours in a small cup at no extra charge and each cup is $2.80, which is considerably cheaper than other ice cream places. I thought it is a good tactic, to create a sense of value that the customer can taste 2 flavours for the price of one. It definitely helps those who can't decide between flavour 1 and flavour 2.
Their ice cream is definitely one of the better ones I've tasted. Rich in flavour and really smooth texture, slightly creamier than the Japanese ice creams. I really enjoyed their Horlicks flavour which I believe had extra amounts of the ingredient to pack the extra punch. The Pisang Honey Walnut though only managed to leave a mild impression with a weak banana flavour. But at least they were generous with the walnuts.
Anyway, overheard a conversation between the staff and a customer, there was apparently a batch of cockles flavoured ice cream... see-hum ice cream? Ice cream mai hum? mai hum, mai hum, hai hum...
If you do remember, I had ravaged MOF for their lousy food and lack of variety in an earlier review. Somehow and for some reason, somebody did give a damn (I am assuming this) about that bad review, or maybe the management was really not proud of what they had to offer at the Marina Square branch. And since they couldn't "re-brand" their stupidest name in the world, they probably thought it would be the best move to concentrate on selling their good stuff. Which is probably the only best thing that came out of MOF, by the way.
Simply said, the Girlfriend and I loved that just-you-and-me moment with the Macha Sundae (seen in picture). For S$6, you get soft-serve ice-cream with a scoop of their very good green tea red bean ice-cream and a whole lot of other toppings like green tea sauce, cereal, jelly, azuki red bean, peaches, waffle, watermelon wedges and cherry. We thought it was a very good deal if compared to places like Ben & Jerry's or Häagen-Dazs.
On another occasion, I tried the item with their green tea ice-cream, rice dumplings and red bean paste (which they claim to use red beans imported from Japan). The rich flavour from the green tea ice-cream was really pleasant and the rice dumplings were chewy with just the right texture. The red bean paste was unfortunately still a little too sweet to my liking. But overall, it was an enjoyable takeaway dessert.
The menu has also been bumped up, which only means more choices and that's a good thing. Do give the items recommended in the menu a try, you may just be pleasantly surprised too.
On a totally unrelated note, I was at Balestier Road briefly during the weekend and came across a rather fascinating traditional bakery. Any other interesting stuff that I should look out for in that area?
This is one of the rare prata places that only prepares your food upon your order. No more cold and stale prata kosong and prata telur. Plus the portions are larger than the usual prata places.
There's really nothing to complain here. It's pleasantly old school from the century old shop space to the food they serve and the price they charge (i.e. really cheap).
This is THE place for prata!
Must Tries: any prata is good
Do note that your "breakfast pratas" are not available during their peak hours. For those who are willing, go there in the morning.
The restaurant chain decided on a different approach here. You don't queue up to order any more. At this outlet, the crew comes to take your orders and serve you. At the same price too.
The place is spacious and well-lit. Talking about lighting, they have really innovative lampshades made of bottles of soft drinks. According to the staff, they are alcoholic and available for order at $7.50 a bottle.
I won't talk about the food here as the quality is pretty much the same everywhere.
It's much like settlers' cafe where you get a place to play games together. The food is just ok though. But you go there to have a good time in your friends' company. The fun is from all the interesting games which means anything other than Monopoly, Risk, Cluedo, Scrabble, Mad Magazine, etc. And boring friends equates boring time there. Best to go in groups large enough to be hauled up for illegal gathering (which means 5 or more). We had 14.
This place is like a copy of Azabu Sabo, except more expensive. Nothing really inspiring here. I had to forced myself to order something out of the menu after going through it for a about ten times because the items were either uninspiring to look at and/or they were overpriced.
Desserts were ok as it was not so sweet, but that section of the menu lacked variety.
To make things worse, the service is blur and slow.
I did not enjoy my time there and I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone... Well, maybe my enemies, if I have any.
You could eat everything on the menu at one sitting
Think I could eat everything on the menu here in one sitting. One of the things that this place got right was less sugar. Everything has only a tinge of sweetness here, and that's to make sure you can taste the flavour of the ingredients. The result - a well-balanced taste in every menu item that will leave you wanting for more.
Something experiencial that I particularly enjoy here is to make my order in Mandarin. Somehow, it just tastes better that way. (Or maybe they did something special for me when I used Mandarin) Anyone tried ordering in Cantonese? Maybe the effect would be even better?
Another thing that I particularly like about the shop is their decor. Pretty, authentic-looking hardwood furniture to seat the customers. But I would not recommend this place to hold your party or gathering here. It is a good place to stopover for what they sell, but sitting there for a long stretch means you are preventing others from enjoying really good desserts.
Anyway, I can't believe you are still reading this. You should be on your way down to try something there!
Must Tries: mango sago, steamed egg pudding, pulot hitam and just about everything else on the menu
I don't really fancy clubbing, but an occasion called for it. So I went to St James Powerhouse and for a cover charge of $20 for guys and $15 for ladies (both include one house pour) I got to visit the different joints at the refurbished building.
Dragonfly is supposed to be part of the network of clubs within St James Powerhouse, but they locked up the doors that connected the clubs together. Its entrance was all the way at the back of the building from Movida, so you need to make a huge detour around the building. And once you found your way there, there was a queue that did not seem to move. I was lucky that I had gotten my entry from Movida, just that the drink coupon could only be used at there.
Music was alright, at least Canto has a proper tune to it, as opposed to the deafening, pointless thumps at Zouk.
And the crowds are something a-nation-quick-to-judge would love. Lots of tattoos and blotched dye jobs! (read: ah bengs and ah lians. See? I'm judgemental too!) It's like, "I hope a staring incident will happen and spark off some action!" (judgemental again!) Yeah, that pretty much the idea behind my review title, invite the MPs to meet the partying crowds here.
I thought this place was not too bad. My mantra for a club has always been "LIVE BAND" and this place had a pretty decent one that belts out latin music. (I think)
The music, though, also drew a rather defined crowd. They are generally older, more traveled and/or from another country. Also because of the age, the crowd tend to be watchers and not dancers. I could be wrong, since I was only there till 12 midnight.
Anyway, the toilet there is a horror. The light inside was dim. What was the management thinking? Ambience? Toilets MUST BE BRIGHTLY LIT! Especially the gents because men don't shoot as well as they aim! Were they trying to hide the mess with darkness?
Low scores because of the stupid idea of a toilet.
1=SGD 0.0587
Good Ice Cream is Fresh Home-made Ice Cream
Tucked in a quiet corner of Shaw Leisure Gallery is a little surprise called Tom's Palette which sells home-made ice cream.
When curious me entered their premises for the first time, I was greeted by sincere counter staff who are really proud of their little ice cream parlour and their flavours. That pretty scared me away, plus I had no intention for ice cream that day.
So a few hours ago, I decided to go for it. I stepped in to the ice cream parlour, got greeted by the rather sweet lady boss (I think), tasted the Oreo Cheesecake flavour, which was good, but settled for their Pisang Honey Walnut and Horlicks flavours in a small cup. You get to taste 2 flavours in a small cup at no extra charge and each cup is $2.80, which is considerably cheaper than other ice cream places. I thought it is a good tactic, to create a sense of value that the customer can taste 2 flavours for the price of one. It definitely helps those who can't decide between flavour 1 and flavour 2.
Their ice cream is definitely one of the better ones I've tasted. Rich in flavour and really smooth texture, slightly creamier than the Japanese ice creams. I really enjoyed their Horlicks flavour which I believe had extra amounts of the ingredient to pack the extra punch. The Pisang Honey Walnut though only managed to leave a mild impression with a weak banana flavour. But at least they were generous with the walnuts.
Anyway, overheard a conversation between the staff and a customer, there was apparently a batch of cockles flavoured ice cream... see-hum ice cream? Ice cream mai hum? mai hum, mai hum, hai hum...
Must Tries: Go taste each of them yourself lah.
Rating given:
They Finally Got It Right!
If you do remember, I had ravaged MOF for their lousy food and lack of variety in an earlier review. Somehow and for some reason, somebody did give a damn (I am assuming this) about that bad review, or maybe the management was really not proud of what they had to offer at the Marina Square branch. And since they couldn't "re-brand" their stupidest name in the world, they probably thought it would be the best move to concentrate on selling their good stuff. Which is probably the only best thing that came out of MOF, by the way.
Simply said, the Girlfriend and I loved that just-you-and-me moment with the Macha Sundae (seen in picture). For S$6, you get soft-serve ice-cream with a scoop of their very good green tea red bean ice-cream and a whole lot of other toppings like green tea sauce, cereal, jelly, azuki red bean, peaches, waffle, watermelon wedges and cherry. We thought it was a very good deal if compared to places like Ben & Jerry's or Häagen-Dazs.
On another occasion, I tried the item with their green tea ice-cream, rice dumplings and red bean paste (which they claim to use red beans imported from Japan). The rich flavour from the green tea ice-cream was really pleasant and the rice dumplings were chewy with just the right texture. The red bean paste was unfortunately still a little too sweet to my liking. But overall, it was an enjoyable takeaway dessert.
The menu has also been bumped up, which only means more choices and that's a good thing. Do give the items recommended in the menu a try, you may just be pleasantly surprised too.
On a totally unrelated note, I was at Balestier Road briefly during the weekend and came across a rather fascinating traditional bakery. Any other interesting stuff that I should look out for in that area?
Must Tries: Their ice-cream, of course
Rating given:
Everything is made on order and extra large
This is one of the rare prata places that only prepares your food upon your order. No more cold and stale prata kosong and prata telur. Plus the portions are larger than the usual prata places.
There's really nothing to complain here.
It's pleasantly old school from the century old shop space to the food they serve and the price they charge (i.e. really cheap).
This is THE place for prata!
Must Tries: any prata is good
Do note that your "breakfast pratas" are not available during their peak hours. For those who are willing, go there in the morning.
Rating given:
You order from your table here
The restaurant chain decided on a different approach here. You don't queue up to order any more. At this outlet, the crew comes to take your orders and serve you. At the same price too.
The place is spacious and well-lit. Talking about lighting, they have really innovative lampshades made of bottles of soft drinks. According to the staff, they are alcoholic and available for order at $7.50 a bottle.
I won't talk about the food here as the quality is pretty much the same everywhere.
Rating given:
The Most Authentic Rebranded Ya Kun in Singapore
I'm giving this place the highest ratings because of the following reasons:
- You pay $1.20 for kopi-peng here when branches everywhere else charges $1.80 (You mean ice is 60 cents?)
- You have those really authentic old tables.
- Service is surprisingly fast despite the generally older staff.
- It doesn't look like other Ya Kun branches.
- I think this is the only Ka Yun that toast the bread over a real charcoal fire.
- It is amazing to see men sitting out in the open with their long sleeve shirts and ties drinking hot coffee without breaking a sweat.
- It is amazing to see ladies sitting out in the open with their thick war paint drinking hot coffee without breaking a sweat.
- It is somewhat of a cool experience to be shouted at by the busy old staff running around.
- You get to shout across the place without being rowdy.
- On yeah, I did I mention the coffee, kaya toast and eggs seem to be always perfect?
Rating given:
Have your illegal gathering and not get caught!
It's much like settlers' cafe where you get a place to play games together. The food is just ok though. But you go there to have a good time in your friends' company. The fun is from all the interesting games which means anything other than Monopoly, Risk, Cluedo, Scrabble, Mad Magazine, etc. And boring friends equates boring time there. Best to go in groups large enough to be hauled up for illegal gathering (which means 5 or more). We had 14.
See what happened at http://kormmandos.multiply.com/photos/album/116
Rating given:
Yawn~
This place is like a copy of Azabu Sabo, except more expensive.
Nothing really inspiring here. I had to forced myself to order something out of the menu after going through it for a about ten times because the items were either uninspiring to look at and/or they were overpriced.
Desserts were ok as it was not so sweet, but that section of the menu lacked variety.
To make things worse, the service is blur and slow.
I did not enjoy my time there and I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone... Well, maybe my enemies, if I have any.
Rating given:
You could eat everything on the menu at one sitting
Think I could eat everything on the menu here in one sitting. One of the things that this place got right was less sugar. Everything has only a tinge of sweetness here, and that's to make sure you can taste the flavour of the ingredients. The result - a well-balanced taste in every menu item that will leave you wanting for more.
Something experiencial that I particularly enjoy here is to make my order in Mandarin. Somehow, it just tastes better that way.
(Or maybe they did something special for me when I used Mandarin)
Anyone tried ordering in Cantonese? Maybe the effect would be even better?
Another thing that I particularly like about the shop is their decor. Pretty, authentic-looking hardwood furniture to seat the customers. But I would not recommend this place to hold your party or gathering here. It is a good place to stopover for what they sell, but sitting there for a long stretch means you are preventing others from enjoying really good desserts.
Anyway, I can't believe you are still reading this.
You should be on your way down to try something there!
Must Tries: mango sago, steamed egg pudding, pulot hitam and just about everything else on the menu
Rating given:
MPs here for meet the ah bengs & ah lians session
I don't really fancy clubbing, but an occasion called for it.
So I went to St James Powerhouse and for a cover charge of $20 for guys and $15 for ladies (both include one house pour) I got to visit the different joints at the refurbished building.
Dragonfly is supposed to be part of the network of clubs within St James Powerhouse, but they locked up the doors that connected the clubs together. Its entrance was all the way at the back of the building from Movida, so you need to make a huge detour around the building. And once you found your way there, there was a queue that did not seem to move. I was lucky that I had gotten my entry from Movida, just that the drink coupon could only be used at there.
Music was alright, at least Canto has a proper tune to it, as opposed to the deafening, pointless thumps at Zouk.
And the crowds are something a-nation-quick-to-judge would love.
Lots of tattoos and blotched dye jobs!
(read: ah bengs and ah lians. See? I'm judgemental too!)
It's like, "I hope a staring incident will happen and spark off some action!"
(judgemental again!)
Yeah, that pretty much the idea behind my review title, invite the MPs to meet the partying crowds here.
Rating given:
The toilet is a horror
I thought this place was not too bad.
My mantra for a club has always been "LIVE BAND" and this place had a pretty decent one that belts out latin music. (I think)
The music, though, also drew a rather defined crowd. They are generally older, more traveled and/or from another country. Also because of the age, the crowd tend to be watchers and not dancers. I could be wrong, since I was only there till 12 midnight.
Anyway, the toilet there is a horror.
The light inside was dim.
What was the management thinking? Ambience?
Toilets MUST BE BRIGHTLY LIT! Especially the gents because men don't shoot as well as they aim!
Were they trying to hide the mess with darkness?
Low scores because of the stupid idea of a toilet.
Rating given: