Whilst studying in Canada, my friends and I used to “Yum Cha” every weekend morning without fail and it was often very fun with all the food and interaction. When I came back to Singapore, no one I knew practised that and thus the habit slowly died down. Up early and feeling nostalgic on a Sunday morning, I decided to visit the long standing Yan Palace Restaurant for some dim sum and roped in my gf to help with the eating.
Finding the place wasn’t too difficult as it was just next to Hong Lim food centre and parking was a breeze with the multi story carpark just next to it. (Its $1/hr even on Sundays though) When we got there at about 1100, the restaurant was almost packed with people. (The restaurant could seat about 100 people easily) The interior looked like that of a typical Chinese restaurant of yester year. As we were only having dim sum, a list was provided for us to tick off the types of dim sum we desired. We ordered the Mini egg tarts, Xiao Long Bao (Steamed Shanghai pork buns), century egg with pork porridge, Char Siew Sou (BBQ pork puff), Har Kaw, Siew Mai, Chee Cheong Fun with BBQ pork and Chee Cheong Fun with prawns.
The mini egg tarts at first glance, looked totally unappealing with its slightly dark crust. But as they say, goodness comes from within. In the case of this egg tart, it was literal. The custard wasn’t too sweet and very smooth. The crust was a little hard and had a little milky and oven-baked taste, just like a cookie. Very good I should say! I like this crust better then Tong Heng’s one, but Tong Heng’s custard still prevails. The Xiao Long Bao was disappointing, being too dry with no hint of juiciness at all.
I’ve never liked century egg and all the variations that come with it. But I tried the century egg with pork porridge after some cajoling by my gf and I liked it. The porridge was very sticky and didn’t have the century egg taste at all. (I avoided the century egg) In fact, it tasted like very good pork porridge with deep fried crispys. Next up was the Char Siew Sou, whose crust I like very much due to the oven baked taste that separates it from its other competitors. However, the char siew filling was not up to the mark. It tasted a little watery and didn’t have the real BBQ pork taste. The Siew Mai was good, not too salty and with lots of prawns and lean meat packed into it. Har Kaw tasted normal, but a little expensive in my opinion, given its size and taste.
Last up was the Chee Chong Fun, one with BBQ pork and other with prawns. I liked the one with prawns a lot better as the BBQ pork was practically tasteless. The Chee Chong Fun itself wasn’t too soft, unlike good Chee Chong Funs.
At about $32 for 2 pax for dim sum, it’s a little on the high side, but take comfort in the fact that quite a few dishes at Yan Palace Restaurant are well worth the money. However, do note that the dim sum range is not extensive and they do not serve the dim sum in pushcarts, unlike Red Star. (I’ll do a formal review soon) Nevertheless, Yan Palace Restaurant has found a fan in me with their egg tarts. I’ll be back to try out their long forgotten Zhu Jiao Chu.
Bought a few times here. Sells a lot of "Nu Ren Wo Zui Da" recommended products as well as make-up/skin care items from Taiwan and Japan. Gives photos and detailed descriptions (mostly in both English and Chinese). The blog owner responses fast to email inquiries and orders. A person who is good to talk to and is able to give recommendations to your needs. Items are well tagged and organized so that even though its in blogshop style, you will not have trouble looking for what you wanted unless you just want to browse.
Have in-stocks as well as pre-order items.
Charges ($3) for meet-ups though except for meet-ups at Woodlands. Provides only 4 places for meet-ups and only if you purchase 4 items and above. This is understandable as the person is working other than on her blogshop. Also, she clearly states that in the blog.
Items are in original packaging and its stated in the blog that free samples are given for every purchases and true to her words, I do receive free samples every time.
Shopping at InQBox is almost like a treasure hunt trip in a small shop. This is a good place for local designers who need a place to host and sell their wares but can't afford a store on their own.
InQBox works in a concept of boxing things up. Each box is for rental to most people who has got things to sell. Products ranges from accessories to stationary, to gifts, aromatherapy stuff and many others. Products on sale varies since the box belongs to individual owners.
If you pass by one, you might want to go in and check it out. You'll never know what you'll find!
Just as my review on Cafe Cartel in Plaza Singapura.. This review won't be really different. As usual... The place is very very cramped. I guess Cafe Cartel believes that the more people they squeeze inside, the more revenue it will get. It's logically true in a sense, but it really compromises customer's comfort I guess..
And I'll repeat my advice again.. Don't go to Cafe Cartel when it's crowded! Seriously, just find another place to eat.
When I went to this branch with my friends, it was horrible. Our table is adjoined to a table beside us occupied by a couple. Well but in the end the staff did bring us a separator between our tables though..
CAn't remember what I was having that day. I think it's another pan-fried linguini.. Or... Er I don't know. Hahaha.
Service was bad. We called out several times to refill our glasses. I think it took us 4 or more calls before our glasses finally were refilled.
And since it was crowded.. The bread is gone! When the bread finally came, everybody just flocked around the bread table. Makes the space even more cramped.. Haiz...
I tried their cakes here. Didn't like it. The sponge cake was not spongy at all. Don't know how to explain it.. It's just.. Not spongy -_- the chocolate cake was not very nice either. Hmm maybe because I came late so the cakes were the leftovers? Who knows...
I gave this branch 2 stars based on my experience that time. I've visited this branch only once.. ANd I believe they are actually better when it's not very crowded.
Cafe Cartel confuses me! Sometimes it's very good and I left with a smile but sometimes it's also very bad and I swear to myself not to eat there anymore.
Service level also varies. For instance, one time when I was there with my boyfriend, we couldn't get one waiter to attend to our order. Of course we know we can go to the counter to give our order but won't it be nice if the waiter comes? And it wasn't even crowded. (My boyfriend ended up going to the counter anyway) But then after that our glasses of iced water were never empty. They always quickly filled up our glasses. Now tell me how should I rate the service if it's like that? Sigh..
My biggest advice for anyone who wants to eat at Cafe Cartel is... Please don't go there when it's crowded! You might end up being seated at the uncomfortable and narrow seats tables and not getting any bread at all! (the bread is nice btw)
The same thing goes for food. One day it was sooo good. (I think I had the pan-fried linguini). Then the other day I tried their Fish n Chips, it was too crispy and oily.. Also when I tried their grilled chicken with mushroom sauce.. No mushroom present in my dish! Strange.. I have tried many other dishes I guess, since I actually come here pretty often with my boyfriend or friends.
Oh and their set lunch is very nice! It's very worth it ^^
So since they always confuse me.. I guess 3 stars will be enough lah. Just in the middle. Hehe.
Decor was simple and they had nice looking circular booths, which could seat up to 4 people. Got a seat pretty fast and we proceeded to order a Macau style cheese baked rice with pork chop, chicken porridge and red bean snow ice(or something like that).Our food came within 10 mins and we were quite pleased with the presentation. The food actually looked good. However, imagine our disappointment when the porridge tasted bland and the portion was pathetic. I'm sure the $2.50 porridge at the hawker centre outside my house tasted better then that and with a bigger portion to boot. The baked rice was cold on the inside and hot on the outside (the cheese). The rice was drenched in oil(I could actually see the layer of oil!). The saving grace was the red bean snow ice which was actually an oversized ice kachang, but with just red bean, grass jelly and lots of condensed milk in it. I found it quite ok, probably due to the fact that I kinda like ice kachang.
Damage was $25.55/- which I feel is hardly worth it. One of the worst places I've eaten so far. Service is hardly existent as well. Will not be going back EVER! One other thing to note. They charge 40 cents for their iced water (refillable) and they have this practice of rounding up the bill to the nearest 5 cents.
Brewerkz is the place to go for drinks in the afternoon. Why the afternoon? Because the last i know. A jug of beer in the afternoon cost less then a glass of beer at night.
Its with this information that i visited Brewerkz 3 times and each time. Its was a different experience.
First time i was there was with the guys. Being little boys, we wanted a liltte of everything and ordered the sampler platter which costs somewhere between $21-28 dollars. you get to try every single beer they have on offer and needless to say, some were winners and some tasted horrible. Honorable mentions include their golden ale and fruitbrews which changes everyday.
We also ordered the chilli cheese fries which were really really big.And honestly, it tasted good. Very much better then i thought. Thick creamy melting cheese accompanied with red hot chilli sauce and thick french fries. It was good enough to recommend.
Second time and third time around, we were there just to drink and have a meal. My gf had the beer braised salmon which was terribly bitter and just plain bad with a fishy aftertaste and i had a beer braised beef which was also....quite badly done. But the golden ale and fruit beer saved the day and heck, they were cheaper then the darn main course.
I don't see that offer on the website anymore though. So i'm not sure if they still have the happy hour charges for noon. Give them a call though. I remembered that a JUG of beer, cost my $9.90 when i went. Now thats value for money.
UPDATES: I take back my word Sakae improved. Sounds like Hougang branch surpassed this town branch.
OLD REVIEW:
Argh used to be there since it opened... Used to be so bloody awesome it used to be a treat for my family... However it changed concept and less pricey, and also lowered their standards.
I missed their this set which has a big ass basket that has almost everything that you crave for in a jap restaurant, however they cancelled that...and I just have to make do for their ichiban bento, which is the next thing i go for.
I won't say it's bad, it's just slightly better than Sakae, well I mean surprisingly Sakae got slightly better recently. Waraku still continues to plunge...at least Ichiban is maintaining.
But generally fresh, their wasabi is still nice. They used to serve wasabi that has like lil bits of spices in it...but now, still alright, just hate the bad ones. It either makes or break your jap meal.
Ever since it started selling Nasi Lemak, you hear it everywhere with people saying how tasty the chicken wings are. How wonderful the ikan billis is and even how special and fragrant the rice is. Is it even justified to do so i wonder.
Living pretty close to the store, i've patronized is a few times with my parents in tow to get a few packets of the coveted Nasi Lemak. The problem is the horrendous queue that never seems to diminish regardless of the time. So its wait wait wait and finally eat. Something i detest doing by the way.
When we finally did get to eat the Nasi lemak. My only question is: How did they ever get a reputation that good? the rice is fragrant but not too special. The chicken wing is normal enough to find somewhere else and basically, the only thing to justify the long wait is the sheer number of packets bought by people in front and the slow movement of the staff...
The prices aren't cheap either. Calling @ $6 for a simple packet of coconut rice. I'm amazed people still throng the place.
As for me, i'd rather settle for the Kovan market across the street if i need food. You readers can try and make your own conclusion.
1=SGD 0.0587
Whilst studying in Canada, my friends and I used to “Yum Cha” every weekend morning without fail and it was often very fun with all the food and interaction. When I came back to Singapore, no one I knew practised that and thus the habit slowly died down. Up early and feeling nostalgic on a Sunday morning, I decided to visit the long standing Yan Palace Restaurant for some dim sum and roped in my gf to help with the eating.
Finding the place wasn’t too difficult as it was just next to Hong Lim food centre and parking was a breeze with the multi story carpark just next to it. (Its $1/hr even on Sundays though) When we got there at about 1100, the restaurant was almost packed with people. (The restaurant could seat about 100 people easily) The interior looked like that of a typical Chinese restaurant of yester year. As we were only having dim sum, a list was provided for us to tick off the types of dim sum we desired. We ordered the Mini egg tarts, Xiao Long Bao (Steamed Shanghai pork buns), century egg with pork porridge, Char Siew Sou (BBQ pork puff), Har Kaw, Siew Mai, Chee Cheong Fun with BBQ pork and Chee Cheong Fun with prawns.
The mini egg tarts at first glance, looked totally unappealing with its slightly dark crust. But as they say, goodness comes from within. In the case of this egg tart, it was literal. The custard wasn’t too sweet and very smooth. The crust was a little hard and had a little milky and oven-baked taste, just like a cookie. Very good I should say! I like this crust better then Tong Heng’s one, but Tong Heng’s custard still prevails. The Xiao Long Bao was disappointing, being too dry with no hint of juiciness at all.
I’ve never liked century egg and all the variations that come with it. But I tried the century egg with pork porridge after some cajoling by my gf and I liked it. The porridge was very sticky and didn’t have the century egg taste at all. (I avoided the century egg) In fact, it tasted like very good pork porridge with deep fried crispys. Next up was the Char Siew Sou, whose crust I like very much due to the oven baked taste that separates it from its other competitors. However, the char siew filling was not up to the mark. It tasted a little watery and didn’t have the real BBQ pork taste. The Siew Mai was good, not too salty and with lots of prawns and lean meat packed into it. Har Kaw tasted normal, but a little expensive in my opinion, given its size and taste.
Last up was the Chee Chong Fun, one with BBQ pork and other with prawns. I liked the one with prawns a lot better as the BBQ pork was practically tasteless. The Chee Chong Fun itself wasn’t too soft, unlike good Chee Chong Funs.
At about $32 for 2 pax for dim sum, it’s a little on the high side, but take comfort in the fact that quite a few dishes at Yan Palace Restaurant are well worth the money. However, do note that the dim sum range is not extensive and they do not serve the dim sum in pushcarts, unlike Red Star. (I’ll do a formal review soon) Nevertheless, Yan Palace Restaurant has found a fan in me with their egg tarts. I’ll be back to try out their long forgotten Zhu Jiao Chu.
See all my pictures here
Rating given:
Bought a few times here. Sells a lot of "Nu Ren Wo Zui Da" recommended products as well as make-up/skin care items from Taiwan and Japan. Gives photos and detailed descriptions (mostly in both English and Chinese). The blog owner responses fast to email inquiries and orders. A person who is good to talk to and is able to give recommendations to your needs. Items are well tagged and organized so that even though its in blogshop style, you will not have trouble looking for what you wanted unless you just want to browse.
Have in-stocks as well as pre-order items.
Charges ($3) for meet-ups though except for meet-ups at Woodlands. Provides only 4 places for meet-ups and only if you purchase 4 items and above. This is understandable as the person is working other than on her blogshop. Also, she clearly states that in the blog.
Items are in original packaging and its stated in the blog that free samples are given for every purchases and true to her words, I do receive free samples every time.
Rating given:
Shopping at InQBox is almost like a treasure hunt trip in a small shop. This is a good place for local designers who need a place to host and sell their wares but can't afford a store on their own.
InQBox works in a concept of boxing things up. Each box is for rental to most people who has got things to sell. Products ranges from accessories to stationary, to gifts, aromatherapy stuff and many others. Products on sale varies since the box belongs to individual owners.
If you pass by one, you might want to go in and check it out. You'll never know what you'll find!
Rating given:
Just as my review on Cafe Cartel in Plaza Singapura.. This review won't be really different. As usual... The place is very very cramped. I guess Cafe Cartel believes that the more people they squeeze inside, the more revenue it will get. It's logically true in a sense, but it really compromises customer's comfort I guess..
And I'll repeat my advice again.. Don't go to Cafe Cartel when it's crowded! Seriously, just find another place to eat.
When I went to this branch with my friends, it was horrible. Our table is adjoined to a table beside us occupied by a couple. Well but in the end the staff did bring us a separator between our tables though..
CAn't remember what I was having that day. I think it's another pan-fried linguini.. Or... Er I don't know. Hahaha.
Service was bad. We called out several times to refill our glasses. I think it took us 4 or more calls before our glasses finally were refilled.
And since it was crowded.. The bread is gone! When the bread finally came, everybody just flocked around the bread table. Makes the space even more cramped.. Haiz...
I tried their cakes here. Didn't like it. The sponge cake was not spongy at all. Don't know how to explain it.. It's just.. Not spongy -_- the chocolate cake was not very nice either. Hmm maybe because I came late so the cakes were the leftovers? Who knows...
I gave this branch 2 stars based on my experience that time. I've visited this branch only once.. ANd I believe they are actually better when it's not very crowded.
Rating given:
Cafe Cartel confuses me! Sometimes it's very good and I left with a smile but sometimes it's also very bad and I swear to myself not to eat there anymore.
Service level also varies. For instance, one time when I was there with my boyfriend, we couldn't get one waiter to attend to our order. Of course we know we can go to the counter to give our order but won't it be nice if the waiter comes? And it wasn't even crowded. (My boyfriend ended up going to the counter anyway) But then after that our glasses of iced water were never empty. They always quickly filled up our glasses. Now tell me how should I rate the service if it's like that? Sigh..
My biggest advice for anyone who wants to eat at Cafe Cartel is... Please don't go there when it's crowded! You might end up being seated at the uncomfortable and narrow seats tables and not getting any bread at all! (the bread is nice btw)
The same thing goes for food. One day it was sooo good. (I think I had the pan-fried linguini). Then the other day I tried their Fish n Chips, it was too crispy and oily.. Also when I tried their grilled chicken with mushroom sauce.. No mushroom present in my dish! Strange.. I have tried many other dishes I guess, since I actually come here pretty often with my boyfriend or friends.
Oh and their set lunch is very nice! It's very worth it ^^
So since they always confuse me.. I guess 3 stars will be enough lah. Just in the middle. Hehe.
Rating given:
Decor was simple and they had nice looking circular booths, which could seat up to 4 people. Got a seat pretty fast and we proceeded to order a Macau style cheese baked rice with pork chop, chicken porridge and red bean snow ice(or something like that).Our food came within 10 mins and we were quite pleased with the presentation. The food actually looked good. However, imagine our disappointment when the porridge tasted bland and the portion was pathetic. I'm sure the $2.50 porridge at the hawker centre outside my house tasted better then that and with a bigger portion to boot. The baked rice was cold on the inside and hot on the outside (the cheese). The rice was drenched in oil(I could actually see the layer of oil!). The saving grace was the red bean snow ice which was actually an oversized ice kachang, but with just red bean, grass jelly and lots of condensed milk in it. I found it quite ok, probably due to the fact that I kinda like ice kachang.
Damage was $25.55/- which I feel is hardly worth it. One of the worst places I've eaten so far. Service is hardly existent as well. Will not be going back EVER! One other thing to note. They charge 40 cents for their iced water (refillable) and they have this practice of rounding up the bill to the nearest 5 cents.
Rating given:
YAY ate thai express today.
I have cravings for thai express sometimes.
I tried Thai Green Curry at Sticky Rice at AMK hub one day and tried it just now at Thai express. Sad to say but it's better at AMK hub.
But it's still relatively good, but the chicken meat was so dry it tasted like the chicken was thirsty when it got slaughtered.
But the others still taste as good, one of the better Thai Express branches so far.. :)
service was kinda good too although they ask stupid questions sometimes...but it was out of courtesy so it's ok :)
Rating given:
Brewerkz is the place to go for drinks in the afternoon. Why the afternoon? Because the last i know. A jug of beer in the afternoon cost less then a glass of beer at night.
Its with this information that i visited Brewerkz 3 times and each time. Its was a different experience.
First time i was there was with the guys. Being little boys, we wanted a liltte of everything and ordered the sampler platter which costs somewhere between $21-28 dollars. you get to try every single beer they have on offer and needless to say, some were winners and some tasted horrible. Honorable mentions include their golden ale and fruitbrews which changes everyday.
We also ordered the chilli cheese fries which were really really big.And honestly, it tasted good. Very much better then i thought. Thick creamy melting cheese accompanied with red hot chilli sauce and thick french fries. It was good enough to recommend.
Second time and third time around, we were there just to drink and have a meal. My gf had the beer braised salmon which was terribly bitter and just plain bad with a fishy aftertaste and i had a beer braised beef which was also....quite badly done. But the golden ale and fruit beer saved the day and heck, they were cheaper then the darn main course.
I don't see that offer on the website anymore though. So i'm not sure if they still have the happy hour charges for noon. Give them a call though. I remembered that a JUG of beer, cost my $9.90 when i went. Now thats value for money.
Rating given:
UPDATES:
I take back my word Sakae improved. Sounds like Hougang branch surpassed this town branch.
OLD REVIEW:
Argh used to be there since it opened...
Used to be so bloody awesome it used to be a treat for my family...
However it changed concept and less pricey, and also lowered their standards.
I missed their this set which has a big ass basket that has almost everything that you crave for in a jap restaurant, however they cancelled that...and I just have to make do for their ichiban bento, which is the next thing i go for.
I won't say it's bad, it's just slightly better than Sakae, well I mean surprisingly Sakae got slightly better recently. Waraku still continues to plunge...at least Ichiban is maintaining.
But generally fresh, their wasabi is still nice. They used to serve wasabi that has like lil bits of spices in it...but now, still alright, just hate the bad ones. It either makes or break your jap meal.
so 3 stars for now.
Rating given:
This food stall is legendary.
Ever since it started selling Nasi Lemak, you hear it everywhere with people saying how tasty the chicken wings are. How wonderful the ikan billis is and even how special and fragrant the rice is. Is it even justified to do so i wonder.
Living pretty close to the store, i've patronized is a few times with my parents in tow to get a few packets of the coveted Nasi Lemak. The problem is the horrendous queue that never seems to diminish regardless of the time. So its wait wait wait and finally eat. Something i detest doing by the way.
When we finally did get to eat the Nasi lemak. My only question is: How did they ever get a reputation that good? the rice is fragrant but not too special. The chicken wing is normal enough to find somewhere else and basically, the only thing to justify the long wait is the sheer number of packets bought by people in front and the slow movement of the staff...
The prices aren't cheap either. Calling @ $6 for a simple packet of coconut rice. I'm amazed people still throng the place.
As for me, i'd rather settle for the Kovan market across the street if i need food. You readers can try and make your own conclusion.
Rating given: