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.
Totally agree with Leenie! Kallang McDonalds is the best place to go!
This is the place where I spent most of my weekends and some weekdays noon at. Especially during the school holidays. My bf and I will drive up, park at the Free parking lots and spend the whole afternoon at Kallang McDonalds, either marking worksheets, preparing presentations, writing papers or mugging for exams.
With the Free power sources around the place, no wonder so many business people who works out of office would gather there for meetings or checking emails and surfing the net.
The corner booth seats next to the toilet is my favorite spot. But they're usually taken up. And there's no power point at those seats. Except for one furthest away from the toilet which has a point nearby, but not long enough for the usual labtop cables. So some even brought their own extension chord!! McDonalds should have more of such facilities for their standalone outlets like Kallang's.
I'm giving this outlet 5 stars for their generosity for providing so many power points for customers and never complaining or "chasing" anyone away even if they sat there entire day with just a purchase of a EVM.
If you happen to be there often too, share your experience here too! Who knows, maybe we might have seen one another before! (hmm... maybe we could have a Yebber gathering one day at Kallang McDonalds! tsk tsk.)
Cheap and good is what I call this Chicken Rice Stall.
It was love at first sight! Ever since I took my first mouthful of the rice and chicken with their chilli, I knew immediately that this is what I'll be having for a long long time.
As a fan of chicken rice (I don't take char siew or any food with pork/lard) I give this stall 4 out of 5 thumbs up. I'll order their set everytime I have it. Paying just $3.50 for a plate of boneless chicken, vegetables, rice and soup. Where can you find such a cheap chicken rice meal? I remember paying $5.50 to $6 for a set exactly the same at Food Courts.
The meat is served with cucumber, a slice of tomato and few pieces of archar. Texture of meat is just right and it isn't too oily. The chilli is good too. Trust me. Cos I'm a chilli freak! LOL!
After reading so much about Island Creamery from blogs and hearing people talk about it in forum, finally I went to check the place out yesterday. Rushed down to meet a group of bloggers at Serene Centre after a quicky at Games Convention over at Suntec.
First thing that came to mind upon entering the small shop at the corner of Serene Centre was, "Hmm... another one with photo wall, just like pitstop." The big wall opposite the counter was covered with photos taken by the customers of Island Creamery. They have a portable photo printer where you can use to print your photos on the spot, scribble your names and what not on the photo and have a piece of the wall for your group. This is a very nice way to fill-up blank spaces on the wall as it added colors to the place with all the photos. This might also be one of the pulling factor that draws customers to return to see if they can spot their photos again few months later at the same spot or if any friends they know visited the place too.
So what can you find other than the photo wall at Island Creamery? Ice-cream of course! And in many interesting flavors too. One of the other attraction is the many local taste flavored ice-creams available. Find Teh Tarik, Pulua Hitum, Chendol, Apple Pie, Holick, Milo and many other flavors that'll make you want to try them all.
My group bought 4 tubs for $8 each and shared. Flavors are Nutella, ReversO, Burnt Caramel and Teh Tarik. I tried them all and concluded that other than the unique flavors and taste, that tasted just the way they should, there's really nothing much to rave about. The ice-cream is too creamery for my liking. And they are very sweet too. I had to drink 2 gulps of water after each scope (small scope) of ice-cream.
My bf bought a scope (at $2.50) of the berry mixed flavor to try. We both felt that this one tasted slightly better as the sourness from berries somehow lessen the sweet taste of the ice cream. And you can taste the berries and had to crew on it.
There're other better ice creams out there. If I were to return to Island Creamery, it would either be for another gathering or someone invited me there for free ice-cream. Other than that, I'll probably not return for the ice cream.
Finally I got to try the donuts at Donut Factory. Passed by the one at Raffles City so many times but the queue is longer than the MRT train. When I saw that there's a seperate queue for this outlet at Suntec, I was delighted!
There's a mini cafe within Donut Factory where you can sit and enjoy a cup of tea with your donut. They also has pretty interesting donut dishes. Can't recall the name, but there's one that is served with a scope of ice-cream (like how others do it on brownies) and one that comes like a sandwich with something in between and comes in a bento box with side salad. Didn't try these, maybe next time when I passed by it again.
And thanks to this cafe concept of theirs, they have a seperate counter for cafe or takeaway. But you can only buy max. of 2 donuts. So everyone in the queue bought 2 donuts each.
Now, the donuts, I've to say, there's really nothing that great about them. The dough taste like the one at Dippin Donut (used to be Vinco Donut). We tried the Hazelnut Milk Chocolate, Mint Dark Chocolate, Strawberry White Chocolate and the Glazed (which is reserved for my breakfast tmr).
The first we bit into was the Strawberry White Chocolate, it's too sweet for our liking. The strawberry tasted more like sugar cream and blended with the sweet white chocolate, its overpowering! Try it if you have a super sweet tooth, if not, try others. Hazelnut one was alright. The nut makes it crunchy and kind of compilment the soft dough. I like the Mint Dark Chocolate. Not too sweet and the mint taste is refreshing.
Overall, the donuts was just so-so. I guess its the variety available that attracted the long long queue. And also maybe due to the way they price the donuts. The more you buy, the cheaper you pay. So everyone also buy more. And when everyone infront of you buys more, the longer you got to wait for more to be baked. Even with the many staff, about 6 in the kitchen baking donuts, the queue was still long (but not as long as the one at Raffles City.) But if you aren't buying in boxes, join the cafe queue. It's faster.
************ Updated 19 October 2007 ************
Was at Suntec for dinner this day and passed by donut factory to check out the queue, and to our delightness, the queue was bearable. So we joined the queue and were served in less than 10mins. Great work! There were 2 staff taking turn to pack customers' orders and 1 cashier for the main donut queue. There were also 12 others working non-stop in the kitchen. Amazing team they have.
This time I get to buy all the flavors that I want to try. Yap, looking at the photos, I got almost all those that's yummilicious! The Double Chocolate is to die for! The filling tasted like Nutella and the chocolate melts in your mouth. Gives a great satisfaction when you bite into it. So relax... (yes choc helps one relaxes.)
I don't know what made me buy 4 of the Spicy Donuts, but I kinda regretted. It's nice, but not the flavor that I would like a second helping of. It's made up of nacho cheese I think. Guess I prefer sweet donuts.
Now, I know which are the flavors I'll get when I go back again. The Double Choc, Mint Dark Choc, Apple Cinnamon and Rasberry Dark Chco. And for the wide variety that I like, I'm increasing my rating from 3 stars to 5 stars. (Also cos of the many other donuts which I've tasted so far. Other than those that's yet to have arrived in SG. Psss... I heard some pretty good ones coming next year... Yeah!)
Being beautiful has never been easier with Benefit!
Chanced upon Benefit from their website and found it at CK Tangs. I just couldn't resist myself, the packaging is so cool! I told myself I just need to get them! After understanding about the various products from the lady, I bought dr.feelgood and some-kind-a-gorgeous. These two items burnt a $120 big hole in my wallet!
After using it for more than a month now, I must say, I simply love them! The powder is so light and you don't feel like wearing make-up at all! I used to hate wearing make-up, so when I say I loveeee Benefit, I truely mean it! I don't think I'll be using any other brands anymore.
Also bought their popular blusher, Dandelion online. And I simply love love love it too! Am waiting to buy more. In fact, I want all!
Talking about creativity! This group of creative people sure has a great creative idea and I've a feeling this is going to be big! (One day)
Saw them at MAAD today. I've to say, this is a very new and fun gift idea for everyone and anyone! Sure will put a smile on your friend's and loved one's face when you give a head to them. I am already considering getting it for couple of my girlfriends. (shhh...)
Go check out their website for samples of the heads. So cute lah!
Oh! btw... they're cushions aka huggables aka pillow or whatever you want to call it.
Was planning to head to play boardgames at Boat Quay when we chanced upon this Thai Restuarant. Took a glance at the menu and found the price pretty reasonable. So we went in to get our dinner.
I like the murals on their walls. Simple yet tasteful. Simple decor and gives a very easy and relax feel while dining. Clean too. Nothing fancy. I like.
We ordered fried tofu (3 flavours), spicy chiang mai squid and green curry chicken. The food was nice and lightly taste. Its different from the other Thai food i had before which has a very strong taste of their spicies. Food here is nicely cooked with just the right amount of spice. You'll still be able to taste the original taste of the meat/vege with the sauce over it.
Was quite confused with the ordering process at my first visit. First I was given a number card with my table number. Then the guy at the entrance will place a matching table number at an available table for the number of guest. Then we placed our order, collected our drinks and had to sit at the table given to us. (You cannot choose to sit at another table as it'll all be numbered.)
Food came and we had to cook our own food. Pour in the sauces and start cooking your meat on the hot stone. All the sizzling and cooking created a strong smell that filled the entire place. I personally wouldn't like sitting there for too long after my meal. Kinda stink the clothes.
Had my second visit at Pepper Lunch yesterday. My friends were there before me and were about to finish when I arrived. I queued to order my food and from my previous experience, I requested for a number card. The guy asked where I sit and I told him my table number was removed as the food already delivered. He doesn't seem to understand me as he kept asking for a table number! I repeated myself again this time slower and pointing to my table. Then finally he understood. But he seemed rather lost not knowing what to do. Later he told me to inform the cashier when placing my order. So I did. And the cashier gave me a confused look again! I'm totally lost. What's so difficult about giving me a new table number? Later he checked with the guy again and then he told her to give me a table number from her sets of numbers. Walking back to my table to join my friend, I asked myself, what's the difference from the guy at the entrance giving me a number and the cashier giving me a number? Aren't they the same?
The food was alright. Its the concept of cooking it yourself and the special sauce they have that makes it a novelty for customers. Other than that, I don't see what's so good about it, considering the smell and price and service, I'll rather not have my meal there.
Quick review: Was there yesterday for Secret. Show time was 7.45pm. But we were not allowed to enter earlier as the theatre wasn't ready. Wanted to buy popcorns at the counter inside and go to the ladies before the show. But we couldn't.
The cinemas was packed and the queue was long at the ticketing counter. As we bought our tickets earlier, we had to requeue to get popcorns. They should have created an express lane for those who just want popcorns instead of putting the ticketing n popcorn counter together. Yes its easier for those who buy ticket the last minute/ before the show and get their popcorns at the same time. But what about people like us? The most irritating thing is when those buying tickets infront of you can't decide which seats to pick! They held up the queue and we ended up late for the show. When we finally got to our theatre, the show already started!
Later we found out that they do delivery service to our seats for food orders. I feel that this is a good gesture for people who bought tickets first so they can order their food and get it delivered. But think again, wouldn't these delivery disturb the others in the theatre? Especially if the delivery is for someone sitting right in the center of the row?
I still feel that a seperate counter is better for those who just want popcorn.
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.
Rating given:
Totally agree with Leenie! Kallang McDonalds is the best place to go!
This is the place where I spent most of my weekends and some weekdays noon at. Especially during the school holidays. My bf and I will drive up, park at the Free parking lots and spend the whole afternoon at Kallang McDonalds, either marking worksheets, preparing presentations, writing papers or mugging for exams.
With the Free power sources around the place, no wonder so many business people who works out of office would gather there for meetings or checking emails and surfing the net.
The corner booth seats next to the toilet is my favorite spot. But they're usually taken up. And there's no power point at those seats. Except for one furthest away from the toilet which has a point nearby, but not long enough for the usual labtop cables. So some even brought their own extension chord!! McDonalds should have more of such facilities for their standalone outlets like Kallang's.
I'm giving this outlet 5 stars for their generosity for providing so many power points for customers and never complaining or "chasing" anyone away even if they sat there entire day with just a purchase of a EVM.
If you happen to be there often too, share your experience here too! Who knows, maybe we might have seen one another before! (hmm... maybe we could have a Yebber gathering one day at Kallang McDonalds! tsk tsk.)
Rating given:
Cheap and good is what I call this Chicken Rice Stall.
It was love at first sight! Ever since I took my first mouthful of the rice and chicken with their chilli, I knew immediately that this is what I'll be having for a long long time.
As a fan of chicken rice (I don't take char siew or any food with pork/lard) I give this stall 4 out of 5 thumbs up. I'll order their set everytime I have it. Paying just $3.50 for a plate of boneless chicken, vegetables, rice and soup. Where can you find such a cheap chicken rice meal? I remember paying $5.50 to $6 for a set exactly the same at Food Courts.
The meat is served with cucumber, a slice of tomato and few pieces of archar. Texture of meat is just right and it isn't too oily. The chilli is good too. Trust me. Cos I'm a chilli freak! LOL!
Rating given:
Yes, its creamery. But is there more to it?
After reading so much about Island Creamery from blogs and hearing people talk about it in forum, finally I went to check the place out yesterday. Rushed down to meet a group of bloggers at Serene Centre after a quicky at Games Convention over at Suntec.
First thing that came to mind upon entering the small shop at the corner of Serene Centre was, "Hmm... another one with photo wall, just like pitstop." The big wall opposite the counter was covered with photos taken by the customers of Island Creamery. They have a portable photo printer where you can use to print your photos on the spot, scribble your names and what not on the photo and have a piece of the wall for your group. This is a very nice way to fill-up blank spaces on the wall as it added colors to the place with all the photos. This might also be one of the pulling factor that draws customers to return to see if they can spot their photos again few months later at the same spot or if any friends they know visited the place too.
So what can you find other than the photo wall at Island Creamery? Ice-cream of course! And in many interesting flavors too. One of the other attraction is the many local taste flavored ice-creams available. Find Teh Tarik, Pulua Hitum, Chendol, Apple Pie, Holick, Milo and many other flavors that'll make you want to try them all.
My group bought 4 tubs for $8 each and shared. Flavors are Nutella, ReversO, Burnt Caramel and Teh Tarik. I tried them all and concluded that other than the unique flavors and taste, that tasted just the way they should, there's really nothing much to rave about. The ice-cream is too creamery for my liking. And they are very sweet too. I had to drink 2 gulps of water after each scope (small scope) of ice-cream.
My bf bought a scope (at $2.50) of the berry mixed flavor to try. We both felt that this one tasted slightly better as the sourness from berries somehow lessen the sweet taste of the ice cream. And you can taste the berries and had to crew on it.
There're other better ice creams out there. If I were to return to Island Creamery, it would either be for another gathering or someone invited me there for free ice-cream. Other than that, I'll probably not return for the ice cream.
Rating given:
Finally I got to try the donuts at Donut Factory. Passed by the one at Raffles City so many times but the queue is longer than the MRT train. When I saw that there's a seperate queue for this outlet at Suntec, I was delighted!
There's a mini cafe within Donut Factory where you can sit and enjoy a cup of tea with your donut. They also has pretty interesting donut dishes. Can't recall the name, but there's one that is served with a scope of ice-cream (like how others do it on brownies) and one that comes like a sandwich with something in between and comes in a bento box with side salad. Didn't try these, maybe next time when I passed by it again.
And thanks to this cafe concept of theirs, they have a seperate counter for cafe or takeaway. But you can only buy max. of 2 donuts. So everyone in the queue bought 2 donuts each.
Now, the donuts, I've to say, there's really nothing that great about them. The dough taste like the one at Dippin Donut (used to be Vinco Donut). We tried the Hazelnut Milk Chocolate, Mint Dark Chocolate, Strawberry White Chocolate and the Glazed (which is reserved for my breakfast tmr).
The first we bit into was the Strawberry White Chocolate, it's too sweet for our liking. The strawberry tasted more like sugar cream and blended with the sweet white chocolate, its overpowering! Try it if you have a super sweet tooth, if not, try others. Hazelnut one was alright. The nut makes it crunchy and kind of compilment the soft dough. I like the Mint Dark Chocolate. Not too sweet and the mint taste is refreshing.
Overall, the donuts was just so-so. I guess its the variety available that attracted the long long queue. And also maybe due to the way they price the donuts. The more you buy, the cheaper you pay. So everyone also buy more. And when everyone infront of you buys more, the longer you got to wait for more to be baked. Even with the many staff, about 6 in the kitchen baking donuts, the queue was still long (but not as long as the one at Raffles City.) But if you aren't buying in boxes, join the cafe queue. It's faster.
************ Updated 19 October 2007 ************
Was at Suntec for dinner this day and passed by donut factory to check out the queue, and to our delightness, the queue was bearable. So we joined the queue and were served in less than 10mins. Great work! There were 2 staff taking turn to pack customers' orders and 1 cashier for the main donut queue. There were also 12 others working non-stop in the kitchen. Amazing team they have.
This time I get to buy all the flavors that I want to try. Yap, looking at the photos, I got almost all those that's yummilicious! The Double Chocolate is to die for! The filling tasted like Nutella and the chocolate melts in your mouth. Gives a great satisfaction when you bite into it. So relax... (yes choc helps one relaxes.)
I don't know what made me buy 4 of the Spicy Donuts, but I kinda regretted. It's nice, but not the flavor that I would like a second helping of. It's made up of nacho cheese I think. Guess I prefer sweet donuts.
Now, I know which are the flavors I'll get when I go back again. The Double Choc, Mint Dark Choc, Apple Cinnamon and Rasberry Dark Chco. And for the wide variety that I like, I'm increasing my rating from 3 stars to 5 stars. (Also cos of the many other donuts which I've tasted so far. Other than those that's yet to have arrived in SG. Psss... I heard some pretty good ones coming next year... Yeah!)
Rating given:
Being beautiful has never been easier with Benefit!
Chanced upon Benefit from their website and found it at CK Tangs. I just couldn't resist myself, the packaging is so cool! I told myself I just need to get them! After understanding about the various products from the lady, I bought dr.feelgood and some-kind-a-gorgeous. These two items burnt a $120 big hole in my wallet!
After using it for more than a month now, I must say, I simply love them! The powder is so light and you don't feel like wearing make-up at all! I used to hate wearing make-up, so when I say I loveeee Benefit, I truely mean it! I don't think I'll be using any other brands anymore.
Also bought their popular blusher, Dandelion online. And I simply love love love it too! Am waiting to buy more. In fact, I want all!
Rating given:
Talking about creativity! This group of creative people sure has a great creative idea and I've a feeling this is going to be big! (One day)
Saw them at MAAD today. I've to say, this is a very new and fun gift idea for everyone and anyone! Sure will put a smile on your friend's and loved one's face when you give a head to them. I am already considering getting it for couple of my girlfriends. (shhh...)
Go check out their website for samples of the heads. So cute lah!
Oh! btw... they're cushions aka huggables aka pillow or whatever you want to call it.
Rating given:
Was planning to head to play boardgames at Boat Quay when we chanced upon this Thai Restuarant. Took a glance at the menu and found the price pretty reasonable. So we went in to get our dinner.
I like the murals on their walls. Simple yet tasteful. Simple decor and gives a very easy and relax feel while dining. Clean too. Nothing fancy. I like.
We ordered fried tofu (3 flavours), spicy chiang mai squid and green curry chicken. The food was nice and lightly taste. Its different from the other Thai food i had before which has a very strong taste of their spicies. Food here is nicely cooked with just the right amount of spice. You'll still be able to taste the original taste of the meat/vege with the sauce over it.
Total spent $22 for 2 person. Worth a try.
Rating given:
Was quite confused with the ordering process at my first visit. First I was given a number card with my table number. Then the guy at the entrance will place a matching table number at an available table for the number of guest. Then we placed our order, collected our drinks and had to sit at the table given to us. (You cannot choose to sit at another table as it'll all be numbered.)
Food came and we had to cook our own food. Pour in the sauces and start cooking your meat on the hot stone. All the sizzling and cooking created a strong smell that filled the entire place. I personally wouldn't like sitting there for too long after my meal. Kinda stink the clothes.
Had my second visit at Pepper Lunch yesterday. My friends were there before me and were about to finish when I arrived. I queued to order my food and from my previous experience, I requested for a number card. The guy asked where I sit and I told him my table number was removed as the food already delivered. He doesn't seem to understand me as he kept asking for a table number! I repeated myself again this time slower and pointing to my table. Then finally he understood. But he seemed rather lost not knowing what to do. Later he told me to inform the cashier when placing my order. So I did. And the cashier gave me a confused look again! I'm totally lost. What's so difficult about giving me a new table number? Later he checked with the guy again and then he told her to give me a table number from her sets of numbers. Walking back to my table to join my friend, I asked myself, what's the difference from the guy at the entrance giving me a number and the cashier giving me a number? Aren't they the same?
The food was alright. Its the concept of cooking it yourself and the special sauce they have that makes it a novelty for customers. Other than that, I don't see what's so good about it, considering the smell and price and service, I'll rather not have my meal there.
Rating given:
Quick review: Was there yesterday for Secret. Show time was 7.45pm. But we were not allowed to enter earlier as the theatre wasn't ready. Wanted to buy popcorns at the counter inside and go to the ladies before the show. But we couldn't.
The cinemas was packed and the queue was long at the ticketing counter. As we bought our tickets earlier, we had to requeue to get popcorns. They should have created an express lane for those who just want popcorns instead of putting the ticketing n popcorn counter together. Yes its easier for those who buy ticket the last minute/ before the show and get their popcorns at the same time. But what about people like us? The most irritating thing is when those buying tickets infront of you can't decide which seats to pick! They held up the queue and we ended up late for the show. When we finally got to our theatre, the show already started!
Later we found out that they do delivery service to our seats for food orders. I feel that this is a good gesture for people who bought tickets first so they can order their food and get it delivered. But think again, wouldn't these delivery disturb the others in the theatre? Especially if the delivery is for someone sitting right in the center of the row?
I still feel that a seperate counter is better for those who just want popcorn.
Rating given: