EsSpecially for the wonderful Taxi Uncle Who drove me home when I was slightly tipsy and pouring out my love for cute doggies.
I really love to have a doggie... But mum says stinky and so... I never had one.. But i do love to visit pet shops.. to just oogle and salivate at these cute little puppies.
Taxi uncle gave me his other business card and a few days later.. I just went by to say Hi... He was not there but it is indeed a special pet shop... I would say something not of the regular services other shops provide..
At NooAgeDog.... You can find organic food for doggies if you like and premium BACK TO NATURE.. Harmony Enhancing Services like DOGGIE SPA... REIKI HEALING.... HYDROTHERAPY .... AROMATHERAPHY.... BUSH FLOWER ESSENCE THERAPY....
It so new age right..... and its definitely good for your precious doggie....
Having problems feeding him? Consult their expert in Nutrition Therapy.... and turn your precious into a priced pedegree....
If you're going away for a while, they do pet sitting and boarding as well as day care... How comprehensive yar....
For me.. i'm just waiting for mum to get immune to the neighbour's doggie smell and I'll definitely get myself a cute little bulldog as my pal... of course from Taxi Uncle... meanwhile... I am sourcing. YOGA for DOGGIEs.... ZEN.............
CAFE Dining Class Food in the HeartLand.. Whats the difference... I say.. its saving money on airconditioning while we SAVE GAIA.... I am soo In.....
Whoes more In? My daddy and mummy or me? Of course Dad n Mum... Because they secretly rendevouz at the Astons while i was having my boring honey stars with milk at home. Yes.. Thats My Mum and My Dad.. and so.. me and me brothers for once decide to invade their secret eating place by challenging them to a game of badminton.. and guess who won?
Them of course.. but we won a meal at the Astons, just that we paid for it.. I was shock at the setting of the place.. This lousy Kopitiam at the far corner of Jurong East Central next to the not so famous Shop n Save has now turned into a palace. The ChiC Sign Boards and fancy table lays plus if you want fanciful desserts, there is a 717 Durian and pastry there... I was more then shock. It was ecstatic, when i saw the price of the food on this huge beautiful, classically designed billboard... They have chicken cooked with all sorts of cordiments like BBQ sauce, Tangy Lemony tasting, mushroom sauce, not to mention the Ribs, Salmon, grilled or bbq, sausages of a various kinds, sandwiches, burgers... and the KING of it all SLAB ON THE STEAK!!!!!
With the mains chosen, you can now choose your side dish. All mains come with 2 side dish... Hot or Cold.. From Coleslaw, corn to baked potatoes or potato salard... They have it all.. Don't forget to try their soup.. which is so creamy, savoury and smooth......
The food is good.. Crispy as it should be and soft and tender inside. The sauce is so savoury, full of flavour and this is how a good slab of BBQ Chicken should be. The sides weres fabulous as well.. Coleslaw fresh and chewy and whipped potato smooth and creamy...
Best of it all.. For a meal for 5 adults and 2 kids. It cost less then $50.. What a STEAL...... Who says fine dining must have aircon and music.. I can watch TV there somemore......
SAVE GAIA..... (See I'm so IN)
Cheap Lunch with Free Flow of RootBeer Float......
I like this place..... The simpleness and the easy going attitude... It gives me the wonderful feeling of freedom.. I don't know why.
The restaurant is nothing much. With its simple deco and menu, I believe the attracting point is not the food or ambience but rather the freedom associated.
Let me explain more about why i feel FREE...DOM..
As you enter.. there's no waiter's screaming into your ears... unlike some other joints... when all the waiters or waiteress will scream WELCOME...... and it always turns me white and I would not have much appetite later... EARS r FREE of stress..
If you order any of their set meals or main course you could op to have free flow drinks and ice-cream which includes root beer, pepsi n other soft drinks, ice lemon tea or coffee from the COFFEE MAKER.... FREE DRINKS and REFILL.... I like....
Then you can also have free flow of ice-cream... I like that too... and make any sinful combination you want. The last time i went there.. I have like 2 root beer floats before my lunch was served... I like THAT....
The menu was a simple fare.. the normal fried stuffs and grilled jap cuisines.... I particularly like their chicken cutlet or watever u call that in Jap... Its nice.. the chicken is huge and it comes with abundant rice and some simple toufu soup which is filling and yummy.... The fried soft shell crab is also nicey... thats if you like crabs and fried stuffs and calamari also nicey.... But what I like best is that after u finish, the waiteress or waiters will not rush you out.. So you can enjoy as much servings of free flow drinks and ice-cream.. as you sit and chat and laze and snake out the afternoon....
Where can you find nice and filling jap fare with unlimited supply of drinks and ice-cream, not to mention the root beer float in SUNTEC CITY.... I say.. definitely must go... especially for SNAKERs.... I mean... Snake Eaters... Oopss.. I think I should Stop Now....
If you haven't seen HeavenScene... You definitely Haven't seen it all.....
I was idling away one weekday afternoon.. I would not say when and guess what I found....... Heaven...... Must be missing an Angel......
Its a humble little shop hidden away from all the buzzle at level 3 of golden landmark mall; like a piece of exquisite jewellery, sitted there quietly, waiting to be found and Awed....
I was just merely looking for a Belly scarf for Belly Dancing when i walked into HeavenScene. Boy.. The clothes were BEAUTIFUL.. EXOTIC need not say... and Interesting.... I was always intrigued by the Middle Eastern Art and Fashion and this place provides it all.... As I walk deeper into the shop, through the glisttering bead veil.. I found my love once again.. COFFEE and CHOCOLATE aroma filled the small space i breath. What sinfully addictive potent combination. I can't help but have to enjoy a coffee break.
Though the cafe is not big, it is so cosy and every piece of furniture is full of the middle eastern culture. Beautifully crafted chandelier to egyptian tiles on the wall... These decorations can make a mini museum by itself. I love the cups and the spoons best. These self picked and imported spoons have careful sculpted and gold plated ends... truly intriguing.
After chatting with the lovely lady boss, we decided to try her bread pudding and boy.. it was Sooooo Goooood....... Soft but not smashy... The milky and buttery taste is simply too good. Even now thinking about it makes my mouth all watery. It simply goes so well with the aromatic coffee. *slurp*
For an Exclusive Night out to a party with no accidental twins in fashion and for an exotic and intriguing coffee break; My $10 ticket to the middle east.... Cheers to the bread pudding....
A newcomer has burst onto the dessert scene at Serangoon Gardens, which already hosts popular dessert outlets like Frolick, a yoghurt specialist and Ice Cube, which sells ice cream and the like. However this new dessert place, aptly named Dessert Bowl or 一碗甜品, caters to people who prefer Chinese desserts.
Opened only about a week ago, Dessert Bowl can be rather difficult to find, given that its on the 2nd floor and plays neighbour to a pub along a quiet row of shophouses that houses OCBC as well. It definitely doesn't help that the signs are not prominently located. However make your way up and be rewarded by the sight of a brightly lighted cosy area which can probably take about 30 people or so. If you are lucky, you might just get one of the 2 sofa seats that overlook the roads below through the huge glass windows.
Rock Melon Sago - A very typical Chinese dessert, the rock melon sago wasn't outstanding and I personally found it a tad too sweet. But having said that, I don't remember the last time I had a rock melon sago that made me go wow. So maybe its just me.
Strawberry Ice - I didn't get to try this but from what I understand, the strawberries were very sour but other then that, no other complaints.
Mango De Creme - My original order of the Durian mousse was sold out so I thought I would try something a little different, namely the Mango De Creme, which was essentially custard with toppings of mango cubes and puree served up in a tin foil container. The custard came across as smooth and firm, very much like the texture of creme brulee. I'm not sure if it was effort on the part of the shop or pure luck that the mango cubes were sweet but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Overall a rather enjoyable dessert.
I don't really eat alot of Chinese desserts so I'm not sure if $10.50 for 3 desserts is considered expensive. But personally I think its still acceptable especially when this is definitely a cheaper alternative to Ice Cube. The dessert menu is rather extensive and that would probably be a good reason for me to drop by often for an after dinner dessert session.
Tian Wai Tian has been around for as long as i remember, and i believe they need no introduction. Located just besides the PIE expressway at the Upper Serangoon road exit. If you are coming from train, then stop at Potong Pasir MRT on the North-east line.
There isn’t any ambience to talk about, Tian Wai Tian is your typical zi-char in a normal coffee shop kind of place. Tian Wai Tian is so popular that besides the seats in the coffee shop, they also have tables at the back alley.
The most amazing thing is actually Tian Wai Tian only serves a few of their popular dishes, as in they don’t even have a menu to choose from, its always the same old few dishes, yet they pack in the crowd everyday!
Fish Head Steamboat ($20) Tian Wai Tian’s famous fish head steamboat! There are two types of fish to choose for your steamboat, the white promfet and the red groupa, which we got. The soup base is always a very important item for any steamboat as all the essence of the ingredients are cook together in it.
The soup here is pretty good, and you can have it topped up too. But i find it to be slightly on the salty side. More vegetables are needed to have a better balance.
Well a must-try dish if you come to Tian Wai Tian, since this is their signature dish.
Prawn Roll ($7) I believe the prawn roll is a very common dish and most people should be familiar with it, my family usually have it during the Chinese new year! The prawn roll here is good, dipped in the sweet sauce, awesome!
Tofu Prawn ($12) The tofu prawn in spicy sauce taste refreshing initially. Seldom do we see a combination of prawn and tofu cooked in spicy sauce. However, the taste is a tad too much and we can’t finish the dish.
Fried prawn sauce chicken ($8)
The fried prawn sauce chicken is mainstay dish on most of the zi-char stores, my favourite so far is the one in Holland Village XO Fishhead store. But the ones here are pretty decent i guess.
Sambal Kangkong ($6) Kangkong are best done in hot spicy sambal, and the one at Tian Wai Tian doesn’t disappoint. Hot and spicy!
Total Bill is $55.50 for 4 person. Tian Wai Tian serves their famous fish head steamboat, with the few of their popular dishes. Variety isn’t what you can have at this zi-char store, but if its some familiar dish that you need, find them here!
Service-wise, practically none, this is a zi-char, not some fanciful restaurant. The auntie working there can be quite rude and snobbish, so don’t say you are not warn.
You are always welcome to visit ladyironchef for a full-up on this trip. Whatever written herein are my genuine feelings expressed in words. Food, my dear, is what they call an adventure!
After conquering the hearts of many with their Holland Village outlet, Frolick has moved on to the North - Serangoon Gardens!!!
Just few units away from Ice3, it holds on to the same theme of white background and bright colourful slogans on one side of their wall and the other decked out with multiple of button pins (Note: 317 to be exact – the same number as the bus that brings one to Gardens – and in case you are wondering, I didn’t count – the girls at the counter did).
With that, Frolick retains the branding of being loud and edgy rolled into one. To recap, an Original Frozen Yogurt cost $3.50 for Cup A, $4.80 for Cup B ( 1 topping) & $6.30 for Cup C ( 2 toppings) and a Flavoured Frozen Yogurt cost $3.90, $5.30 & $6.90 respectively. Additional assorted toppings go for $1 each.
I ordered the Cup C of the Original Flavoured Yogurt with Granola and Vanilla Clodhoppers, or Crunchy Vanilla Fudge-covered Graham Clusters and it was lovely. The standard of the yogurt is consistent with their flagship outlet and the vanilla clodhoppers were a delightful topping to munch.
Seating is limited but the crowd was thin on a Friday night. And if guys out there haven’t yet noticed, Frolick employs the same policy as Ben & Jerry’s by hiring eye-candy as counter staff – girlfriends beware!
Frolick also has another outlet opening soon in Millienia Walk but I reckon it is not before long that you will find another one in Siglap – just to complete the trio (this is entirely my own conjecture and it does not represent the official statement and position of Frolick).
You can view the all photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Have you ever wished you could have a nice and relaxing weekend brunch/lunch in a lush greenery setting without the midday heat or the pesky mosquitoes? Well that was certainly on my mind as I headed to Canopy for a lazy weekend lunch with my gf.
Located smack in the middle of Bishan Park, Canopy is managed by Asmara spa and the cosiness is apparent from the minute you step in. Comfortable padded chairs coupled with huge wooden trim glass doors that allow sunlight to peer in make for a nice resort feel. The arched ceilings add a touch of colonial class and best of all, the interior is airconditioned. Canopy offers al fresco seating as well but unless you don't mind sweating it out on a hot day then by all means go ahead.
Eggs Benedict - One of the items on the breakfast/lunch menu, the eggs benedict was a rip off in my humble opinion. $12 for 2 slices of bread, 2 slices of ham and 2 poached eggs drizzled with Hollandaise sauce just screams expensive. And to top it off, it wasn't exactly outstanding. The egg yolk wasn't the least bit runny and the bread was a tad too dry.
Wagyu Steak with Skinny Fries & Herb Butter - A daily special that was scribbled on an overhanging chalkboard, the wagyu beef weighed in at about 300g(according to the waitress) and came as per requested - medium rare. However that's where the complimentaries end. The wagyu didn't taste like wagyu at all. The meat wasn't as tender or succulent as I had expected it to be and it was pretty much tasteless. I know of places which can put this dish to shame with their normal beef. And in case you are wondering, the herb butter was pretty bland as well.
Linguine Tossed with Lobster - As tantalizing as this dish may sound, it was a disappointment really. For starters, the linguine wasn't al dente and came across as very bland. The small lobster cubes (yes cubes), though crunchy and fresh, were bland as well and overall the whole dish was rather dry.
ps: I could count the number of lobster cubes with 2 hands. I suspect all the cubes combined can barely form one whole medium sized prawn.
Disappointment would be an understatement, not when I had to fork out over $75 for a less than satisfying lunch. Service was a tad slow and the food was so average that I didn't have the heart nor the wallet to stay on for dessert. The good thing about this place is its setting, but unless the management decides to lower the prices or buck up on the quality, the neighbouring joint shows more promise.
Heard many good things about Bistro 103's food and service so made the trip west one evening to try it out for myself. Opened in April 2007, Bistro 103 is a small family run restaurant with the husband as the chef and his wife and brother in law manning the store.
Located at the unlikelinesses of places, in a small shop unit along Pasir Panjang Road just next to a motorcycle repair shop and Manhill Restaurant, Bistro 103 offers a simple and unpretentious dining area filled with wooden furniture and daily specials scribbled on a chalkboard. From what I understand, the menu is rotated monthly and corkage stands at $5 .
Breaded Seafood Tofu with Wasabi Mayo - This was something unique which I have never tried anywhere else before. The tofu was coated with bread crumbs and deep fried till a crisp. There was a slight hint of tofu taste but the texture seemed a little too firm for my liking. Also, the bread crumbs came across as a little too thick as well.
Bacon, Ham and Mushrooms - We chose to have this dish done with a tomato base for a change and I must say it was quite well executed. The tomato sauce was lightly sweet with a mild tomato undertone, which is vastly different from the usual zesty type of tomato sauce that I'm used to. The pasta was a little too overcooked though, as evident by its limpness. The quantity of mushrooms was also found lacking but the generous servings of ham and bacon made up for it somewhat. Maybe they should just omit the mushrooms in the title altogether.
Oven Baked Barbeque Pork Ribs - This came as a recommendation and though huge in serving size, I found the execution a little wanting. The marination was not thorough enough and some parts tasted bland. On the upside, the meat fell off the bone with minimal resistance yet retained a certain degree of firmness. Nice but could have been better.
Chocolate Panna Cotta - Usually chocolate and panna cotta in the same dish would do the trick for me but not in this case. The panna cotta wasn't firm enough and I couldn't quite make out the taste of it as the layer of chocolate syrup and cocoa powder above proved a tad too overwhelming. So much for a $5 dessert.
Brownie with Ice Cream - A staple personal favourite, the brownie was served steaming hot (literally!) as evident by the steam it emitted when I cut through it. Moist(a little too moist actually) and not too sweet. Coupled with the normal tasting ice cream, it made for a sweet and not too expensive ($5) ending.
Dinner for 2 cost about $62 which does stretch the value for money notion a little thin. But hey, its $62 for an appetiser, 2 mains and 2 desserts - a value proposition that can hardly be found elsewhere, not for the quality of food nor the service. And if you need that extra nudge, try patriotism. Its after all, local.
Our fourth and final stop of the tour - Waraku, a casual Japanese dining joint with quite a few outlets in the eastern and central parts of Singapore.
Located on the 3rd floor of Central just further down from Wakashachiya, Waraku seems to be rather popular with Singaporeans judging from the long queues that form during meal times at alot of their outlets and the relatively good comments online. The interior at this particular outlet was decked out in shades of white and brown with wood featuring prominently in the decor. As with most of the other restaurants at Central, the window seats look out into the picturesque clarke quay for a more enjoyable dining experience.
California Ura Maki - Uramaki differs from other types of maki(rolled sushi) in that the rice is on the outside and the nori(layered sheets of seaweed) on the inside. Preparation methods aside, the california maki barely made it past the average mark. The rice was a little too dry and loose and the copious amounts of roe did nothing to enhance the taste, preferring to remain as decorative pieces.
Sashimi 5 Kinds - The huge platter of sashimi came with prawns, salmon, tuna, squid and yellow tail served atop a bed of ice and garnished with leaves and flowers to up the visual appeal. I don't know if the standard for sashimi is consistent throughout all the Waraku outlets but the sashimi at this particular outlet was bad. Nothing was fresh and I kid you not, I spit out the prawn and salmon as soon as I took the first bite. Maybe I'm just being picky and overreacting but it happens that I'm very sensitive to seafood which aren't fresh. But I wasn't the only one. Most of the sashimi was left untouched save for the polite gesture of a few pieces.
1=SGD 0.0587
EsSpecially for the wonderful Taxi Uncle Who drove me home when I was slightly tipsy and pouring out my love for cute doggies.
I really love to have a doggie... But mum says stinky and so... I never had one.. But i do love to visit pet shops.. to just oogle and salivate at these cute little puppies.
Taxi uncle gave me his other business card and a few days later.. I just went by to say Hi... He was not there but it is indeed a special pet shop... I would say something not of the regular services other shops provide..
At NooAgeDog.... You can find organic food for doggies if you like and premium BACK TO NATURE.. Harmony Enhancing Services like DOGGIE SPA... REIKI HEALING.... HYDROTHERAPY .... AROMATHERAPHY.... BUSH FLOWER ESSENCE THERAPY....
It so new age right..... and its definitely good for your precious doggie....
Having problems feeding him? Consult their expert in Nutrition Therapy.... and turn your precious into a priced pedegree....
If you're going away for a while, they do pet sitting and boarding as well as day care... How comprehensive yar....
For me.. i'm just waiting for mum to get immune to the neighbour's doggie smell and I'll definitely get myself a cute little bulldog as my pal... of course from Taxi Uncle... meanwhile... I am sourcing. YOGA for DOGGIEs.... ZEN.............
Rating given:
CAFE Dining Class Food in the HeartLand.. Whats the difference... I say.. its saving money on airconditioning while we SAVE GAIA.... I am soo In.....
Whoes more In? My daddy and mummy or me? Of course Dad n Mum... Because they secretly rendevouz at the Astons while i was having my boring honey stars with milk at home. Yes.. Thats My Mum and My Dad.. and so.. me and me brothers for once decide to invade their secret eating place by challenging them to a game of badminton.. and guess who won?
Them of course.. but we won a meal at the Astons, just that we paid for it.. I was shock at the setting of the place.. This lousy Kopitiam at the far corner of Jurong East Central next to the not so famous Shop n Save has now turned into a palace. The ChiC Sign Boards and fancy table lays plus if you want fanciful desserts, there is a 717 Durian and pastry there... I was more then shock. It was ecstatic, when i saw the price of the food on this huge beautiful, classically designed billboard... They have chicken cooked with all sorts of cordiments like BBQ sauce, Tangy Lemony tasting, mushroom sauce, not to mention the Ribs, Salmon, grilled or bbq, sausages of a various kinds, sandwiches, burgers... and the KING of it all SLAB ON THE STEAK!!!!!
With the mains chosen, you can now choose your side dish. All mains come with 2 side dish... Hot or Cold.. From Coleslaw, corn to baked potatoes or potato salard... They have it all.. Don't forget to try their soup.. which is so creamy, savoury and smooth......
The food is good.. Crispy as it should be and soft and tender inside. The sauce is so savoury, full of flavour and this is how a good slab of BBQ Chicken should be. The sides weres fabulous as well.. Coleslaw fresh and chewy and whipped potato smooth and creamy...
Best of it all.. For a meal for 5 adults and 2 kids. It cost less then $50.. What a STEAL...... Who says fine dining must have aircon and music.. I can watch TV there somemore......
SAVE GAIA..... (See I'm so IN)
Rating given:
Cheap Lunch with Free Flow of RootBeer Float......
I like this place..... The simpleness and the easy going attitude... It gives me the wonderful feeling of freedom.. I don't know why.
The restaurant is nothing much. With its simple deco and menu, I believe the attracting point is not the food or ambience but rather the freedom associated.
Let me explain more about why i feel FREE...DOM..
As you enter.. there's no waiter's screaming into your ears... unlike some other joints... when all the waiters or waiteress will scream WELCOME...... and it always turns me white and I would not have much appetite later... EARS r FREE of stress..
If you order any of their set meals or main course you could op to have free flow drinks and ice-cream which includes root beer, pepsi n other soft drinks, ice lemon tea or coffee from the COFFEE MAKER.... FREE DRINKS and REFILL.... I like....
Then you can also have free flow of ice-cream... I like that too... and make any sinful combination you want. The last time i went there.. I have like 2 root beer floats before my lunch was served... I like THAT....
The menu was a simple fare.. the normal fried stuffs and grilled jap cuisines.... I particularly like their chicken cutlet or watever u call that in Jap... Its nice.. the chicken is huge and it comes with abundant rice and some simple toufu soup which is filling and yummy.... The fried soft shell crab is also nicey... thats if you like crabs and fried stuffs and calamari also nicey.... But what I like best is that after u finish, the waiteress or waiters will not rush you out.. So you can enjoy as much servings of free flow drinks and ice-cream.. as you sit and chat and laze and snake out the afternoon....
Where can you find nice and filling jap fare with unlimited supply of drinks and ice-cream, not to mention the root beer float in SUNTEC CITY.... I say.. definitely must go... especially for SNAKERs.... I mean... Snake Eaters... Oopss.. I think I should Stop Now....
Rating given:
If you haven't seen HeavenScene... You definitely Haven't seen it all.....
I was idling away one weekday afternoon.. I would not say when and guess what I found....... Heaven...... Must be missing an Angel......
Its a humble little shop hidden away from all the buzzle at level 3 of golden landmark mall; like a piece of exquisite jewellery, sitted there quietly, waiting to be found and Awed....
I was just merely looking for a Belly scarf for Belly Dancing when i walked into HeavenScene. Boy.. The clothes were BEAUTIFUL.. EXOTIC need not say... and Interesting.... I was always intrigued by the Middle Eastern Art and Fashion and this place provides it all.... As I walk deeper into the shop, through the glisttering bead veil.. I found my love once again.. COFFEE and CHOCOLATE aroma filled the small space i breath. What sinfully addictive potent combination. I can't help but have to enjoy a coffee break.
Though the cafe is not big, it is so cosy and every piece of furniture is full of the middle eastern culture. Beautifully crafted chandelier to egyptian tiles on the wall... These decorations can make a mini museum by itself. I love the cups and the spoons best. These self picked and imported spoons have careful sculpted and gold plated ends... truly intriguing.
After chatting with the lovely lady boss, we decided to try her bread pudding and boy.. it was Sooooo Goooood....... Soft but not smashy... The milky and buttery taste is simply too good. Even now thinking about it makes my mouth all watery. It simply goes so well with the aromatic coffee. *slurp*
For an Exclusive Night out to a party with no accidental twins in fashion and for an exotic and intriguing coffee break; My $10 ticket to the middle east.... Cheers to the bread pudding....
Rating given:
A newcomer has burst onto the dessert scene at Serangoon Gardens, which already hosts popular dessert outlets like Frolick, a yoghurt specialist and Ice Cube, which sells ice cream and the like. However this new dessert place, aptly named Dessert Bowl or 一碗甜品, caters to people who prefer Chinese desserts.
Opened only about a week ago, Dessert Bowl can be rather difficult to find, given that its on the 2nd floor and plays neighbour to a pub along a quiet row of shophouses that houses OCBC as well. It definitely doesn't help that the signs are not prominently located. However make your way up and be rewarded by the sight of a brightly lighted cosy area which can probably take about 30 people or so. If you are lucky, you might just get one of the 2 sofa seats that overlook the roads below through the huge glass windows.
Rock Melon Sago - A very typical Chinese dessert, the rock melon sago wasn't outstanding and I personally found it a tad too sweet. But having said that, I don't remember the last time I had a rock melon sago that made me go wow. So maybe its just me.
Strawberry Ice - I didn't get to try this but from what I understand, the strawberries were very sour but other then that, no other complaints.
Mango De Creme - My original order of the Durian mousse was sold out so I thought I would try something a little different, namely the Mango De Creme, which was essentially custard with toppings of mango cubes and puree served up in a tin foil container. The custard came across as smooth and firm, very much like the texture of creme brulee. I'm not sure if it was effort on the part of the shop or pure luck that the mango cubes were sweet but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Overall a rather enjoyable dessert.
I don't really eat alot of Chinese desserts so I'm not sure if $10.50 for 3 desserts is considered expensive. But personally I think its still acceptable especially when this is definitely a cheaper alternative to Ice Cube. The dessert menu is rather extensive and that would probably be a good reason for me to drop by often for an after dinner dessert session.
See all my pictures here.
Rating given:
Tian Wai Tian has been around for as long as i remember, and i believe they need no introduction. Located just besides the PIE expressway at the Upper Serangoon road exit. If you are coming from train, then stop at Potong Pasir MRT on the North-east line.
There isn’t any ambience to talk about, Tian Wai Tian is your typical zi-char in a normal coffee shop kind of place. Tian Wai Tian is so popular that besides the seats in the coffee shop, they also have tables at the back alley.
The most amazing thing is actually Tian Wai Tian only serves a few of their popular dishes, as in they don’t even have a menu to choose from, its always the same old few dishes, yet they pack in the crowd everyday!
Fish Head Steamboat ($20)
Tian Wai Tian’s famous fish head steamboat! There are two types of fish to choose for your steamboat, the white promfet and the red groupa, which we got. The soup base is always a very important item for any steamboat as all the essence of the ingredients are cook together in it.
The soup here is pretty good, and you can have it topped up too. But i find it to be slightly on the salty side. More vegetables are needed to have a better balance.
Well a must-try dish if you come to Tian Wai Tian, since this is their signature dish.
Prawn Roll ($7)
I believe the prawn roll is a very common dish and most people should be familiar with it, my family usually have it during the Chinese new year! The prawn roll here is good, dipped in the sweet sauce, awesome!
Tofu Prawn ($12)
The tofu prawn in spicy sauce taste refreshing initially. Seldom do we see a combination of prawn and tofu cooked in spicy sauce. However, the taste is a tad too much and we can’t finish the dish.
Fried prawn sauce chicken ($8)
The fried prawn sauce chicken is mainstay dish on most of the zi-char stores, my favourite so far is the one in Holland Village XO Fishhead store. But the ones here are pretty decent i guess.
Sambal Kangkong ($6)
Kangkong are best done in hot spicy sambal, and the one at Tian Wai Tian doesn’t disappoint. Hot and spicy!
Total Bill is $55.50 for 4 person. Tian Wai Tian serves their famous fish head steamboat, with the few of their popular dishes. Variety isn’t what you can have at this zi-char store, but if its some familiar dish that you need, find them here!
Service-wise, practically none, this is a zi-char, not some fanciful restaurant. The auntie working there can be quite rude and snobbish, so don’t say you are not warn.
You are always welcome to visit ladyironchef for a full-up on this trip. Whatever written herein are my genuine feelings expressed in words. Food, my dear, is what they call an adventure!
Rating given:
After conquering the hearts of many with their Holland Village outlet, Frolick has moved on to the North - Serangoon Gardens!!!
Just few units away from Ice3, it holds on to the same theme of white background and bright colourful slogans on one side of their wall and the other decked out with multiple of button pins (Note: 317 to be exact – the same number as the bus that brings one to Gardens – and in case you are wondering, I didn’t count – the girls at the counter did).
With that, Frolick retains the branding of being loud and edgy rolled into one. To recap, an Original Frozen Yogurt cost $3.50 for Cup A, $4.80 for Cup B ( 1 topping) & $6.30 for Cup C ( 2 toppings) and a Flavoured Frozen Yogurt cost $3.90, $5.30 & $6.90 respectively. Additional assorted toppings go for $1 each.
I ordered the Cup C of the Original Flavoured Yogurt with Granola and Vanilla Clodhoppers, or Crunchy Vanilla Fudge-covered Graham Clusters and it was lovely. The standard of the yogurt is consistent with their flagship outlet and the vanilla clodhoppers were a delightful topping to munch.
Seating is limited but the crowd was thin on a Friday night. And if guys out there haven’t yet noticed, Frolick employs the same policy as Ben & Jerry’s by hiring eye-candy as counter staff – girlfriends beware!
Frolick also has another outlet opening soon in Millienia Walk but I reckon it is not before long that you will find another one in Siglap – just to complete the trio (this is entirely my own conjecture and it does not represent the official statement and position of Frolick).
You can view the all photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
Have you ever wished you could have a nice and relaxing weekend brunch/lunch in a lush greenery setting without the midday heat or the pesky mosquitoes? Well that was certainly on my mind as I headed to Canopy for a lazy weekend lunch with my gf.
Located smack in the middle of Bishan Park, Canopy is managed by Asmara spa and the cosiness is apparent from the minute you step in. Comfortable padded chairs coupled with huge wooden trim glass doors that allow sunlight to peer in make for a nice resort feel. The arched ceilings add a touch of colonial class and best of all, the interior is airconditioned. Canopy offers al fresco seating as well but unless you don't mind sweating it out on a hot day then by all means go ahead.
Eggs Benedict - One of the items on the breakfast/lunch menu, the eggs benedict was a rip off in my humble opinion. $12 for 2 slices of bread, 2 slices of ham and 2 poached eggs drizzled with Hollandaise sauce just screams expensive. And to top it off, it wasn't exactly outstanding. The egg yolk wasn't the least bit runny and the bread was a tad too dry.
Wagyu Steak with Skinny Fries & Herb Butter - A daily special that was scribbled on an overhanging chalkboard, the wagyu beef weighed in at about 300g(according to the waitress) and came as per requested - medium rare. However that's where the complimentaries end. The wagyu didn't taste like wagyu at all. The meat wasn't as tender or succulent as I had expected it to be and it was pretty much tasteless. I know of places which can put this dish to shame with their normal beef. And in case you are wondering, the herb butter was pretty bland as well.
Linguine Tossed with Lobster - As tantalizing as this dish may sound, it was a disappointment really. For starters, the linguine wasn't al dente and came across as very bland. The small lobster cubes (yes cubes), though crunchy and fresh, were bland as well and overall the whole dish was rather dry.
ps: I could count the number of lobster cubes with 2 hands. I suspect all the cubes combined can barely form one whole medium sized prawn.
Disappointment would be an understatement, not when I had to fork out over $75 for a less than satisfying lunch. Service was a tad slow and the food was so average that I didn't have the heart nor the wallet to stay on for dessert. The good thing about this place is its setting, but unless the management decides to lower the prices or buck up on the quality, the neighbouring joint shows more promise.
See all my pictures here.
Rating given:
Heard many good things about Bistro 103's food and service so made the trip west one evening to try it out for myself. Opened in April 2007, Bistro 103 is a small family run restaurant with the husband as the chef and his wife and brother in law manning the store.
Located at the unlikelinesses of places, in a small shop unit along Pasir Panjang Road just next to a motorcycle repair shop and Manhill Restaurant, Bistro 103 offers a simple and unpretentious dining area filled with wooden furniture and daily specials scribbled on a chalkboard. From what I understand, the menu is rotated monthly and corkage stands at $5 .
Breaded Seafood Tofu with Wasabi Mayo - This was something unique which I have never tried anywhere else before. The tofu was coated with bread crumbs and deep fried till a crisp. There was a slight hint of tofu taste but the texture seemed a little too firm for my liking. Also, the bread crumbs came across as a little too thick as well.
Bacon, Ham and Mushrooms - We chose to have this dish done with a tomato base for a change and I must say it was quite well executed. The tomato sauce was lightly sweet with a mild tomato undertone, which is vastly different from the usual zesty type of tomato sauce that I'm used to. The pasta was a little too overcooked though, as evident by its limpness. The quantity of mushrooms was also found lacking but the generous servings of ham and bacon made up for it somewhat. Maybe they should just omit the mushrooms in the title altogether.
Oven Baked Barbeque Pork Ribs - This came as a recommendation and though huge in serving size, I found the execution a little wanting. The marination was not thorough enough and some parts tasted bland. On the upside, the meat fell off the bone with minimal resistance yet retained a certain degree of firmness. Nice but could have been better.
Chocolate Panna Cotta - Usually chocolate and panna cotta in the same dish would do the trick for me but not in this case. The panna cotta wasn't firm enough and I couldn't quite make out the taste of it as the layer of chocolate syrup and cocoa powder above proved a tad too overwhelming. So much for a $5 dessert.
Brownie with Ice Cream - A staple personal favourite, the brownie was served steaming hot (literally!) as evident by the steam it emitted when I cut through it. Moist(a little too moist actually) and not too sweet. Coupled with the normal tasting ice cream, it made for a sweet and not too expensive ($5) ending.
Dinner for 2 cost about $62 which does stretch the value for money notion a little thin. But hey, its $62 for an appetiser, 2 mains and 2 desserts - a value proposition that can hardly be found elsewhere, not for the quality of food nor the service. And if you need that extra nudge, try patriotism. Its after all, local.
See all my pictures here.
Rating given:
Our fourth and final stop of the tour - Waraku, a casual Japanese dining joint with quite a few outlets in the eastern and central parts of Singapore.
Located on the 3rd floor of Central just further down from Wakashachiya, Waraku seems to be rather popular with Singaporeans judging from the long queues that form during meal times at alot of their outlets and the relatively good comments online. The interior at this particular outlet was decked out in shades of white and brown with wood featuring prominently in the decor. As with most of the other restaurants at Central, the window seats look out into the picturesque clarke quay for a more enjoyable dining experience.
California Ura Maki - Uramaki differs from other types of maki(rolled sushi) in that the rice is on the outside and the nori(layered sheets of seaweed) on the inside. Preparation methods aside, the california maki barely made it past the average mark. The rice was a little too dry and loose and the copious amounts of roe did nothing to enhance the taste, preferring to remain as decorative pieces.
Sashimi 5 Kinds - The huge platter of sashimi came with prawns, salmon, tuna, squid and yellow tail served atop a bed of ice and garnished with leaves and flowers to up the visual appeal. I don't know if the standard for sashimi is consistent throughout all the Waraku outlets but the sashimi at this particular outlet was bad. Nothing was fresh and I kid you not, I spit out the prawn and salmon as soon as I took the first bite. Maybe I'm just being picky and overreacting but it happens that I'm very sensitive to seafood which aren't fresh. But I wasn't the only one. Most of the sashimi was left untouched save for the polite gesture of a few pieces.
See all my pictures here.
Rating given: