The 50% lunch discount that La Brezza dangled to all Astor card members was to good to resist and I ended up having lunch there one fine afternoon. What's weird is that La Brezza, which means sea breeze in Italian yet serves Mediterranean food, is relatively unknown in the culinary circles even though it has been around for quite a bit.
Located on the second floor of the posh St Regis, La Brezza looks out into the hotel's swimming pool and boasts floor to ceilings windows to allow sunlight in. The bright and cheery ambience is accentuated through the use of white wicker chairs and striped blue/white curtains, which also give the place a laid back feel. The sofa couple seats are positioned with their back facing the wall, which allows both parties to have a full view of the pool.
I didn't think too much of the complimentary bread although there was quite a variety and it came served in a pretty white porcelain bowl with blue markings on it. And surprise surprise, we had bottled water with our set lunch, which makes me wonder if they even serve sky juice.
LaBrezza Salad - There was no mention of chicken in the description but I'm glad that they added it in. The generous serving of chicken breast slices were very well marinated and grilled, coming across as succulent and soft. The greens were fresh with a touch of light dressing and shaved cheese atop. Great way to start off!
Tomato Mozzarella - I am honestly not a big fan of raw tomatoes except when they come in the guise of bruschetta. But to be fair, this dish proved to be quite decent. The tomato slices were fresh and juicy and went well with the chilled and light burratina cheese, which helped to keep the acidity of the tomatoes in check.
Grilled Salmon - The chef's favourite for the day - grilled salmon. Well grilled till the skin boasted a nice crisp, the salmon did come across as a wee bit too dry for my liking. I did like the polenta on the side though - smooth and creamy .
Frutti Di Mare - Frutti Di Mare, or fruit of the sea, over risotto was my choice of main. The risotto was creamy and done al dente without the sauce being too overwhelming. Coupled with a generous serving of seafood, I must say I enjoyed this dish quite a bit.
Paris Brest - This dessert was said to be created by a pastry chef in honour of a bicycle race between Paris and Brest in France. But La Brezza's rendition was a little lacking. The pastry wasn't fluffy and could have been a little softer as well. The hazelnut cream filling was decent though and the brown sorbet by the side was actually lime sorbet. Surprise surprise.
Chocolate Tart - The chocolate tart was rich with a tinge of bitterness and a layer of gooey caramel wedged inside, all held together by a thin yet solid tart base. Sadly, the caramel didn't quite feature in the taste though. And what better to complement a chocolate tart then with a scoop of chocolate ice cream and a piece of chocolate?
Without the 50% discount, I would be hard pressed to find a reason to return, especially when the 3 course set lunch is a whopping $52 ($61.20 nett). The bottle of Evian provides scant comfort for the price and so does the food quality, which is above average but still a few notches below outstanding.
Was in the mood for hor fun (河粉) aka thick flat rice noodles, so headed down to Koon Kee after hearing/reading some pretty good stuff about it. It definitely helped that it was within a 5 minute bus ride from my house.
Located in a rather old shophouse at the beginning of Yio Chu Kang road, just opposite Serangoon Stadium, Koon Kee has a rather dated interior that would probably invoke nostalgia in the older generation. The walls are lined with interesting collectables that the owner has amassed over the years, which add to the retro effect. The place is not air conditioned by the way, but has plenty of fans to keep the heat at bay.
Hor Fun ($5) - The seafood hor fun had relatively generous servings of pork, fish slices and of course lots of greens to go along. The ingredients weren't exactly the freshest, but still palatable. The gravy didn't come across as too starchy and had a light garlicky taste to it while the hor fun had a stronger then usual wok hei taste but I would have preferred it to be a little more burnt. It all boils down to personal preference though.
Beef Hor Fun ($6) - Personally I am biased towards the beef hor fun as I am an avid fan of beef. The gravy was more robust (or is it a psychological thing?) with a heavier dosage of garlic and pepper. The beef slices tasted like they had been well soaked in tenderizer but I guess its common for most places that do this dish. And yes, I would have preferred the hor fun to carry a slightly stronger wok hei taste.
Special Tofu ($6) - There was nothing special about the tofu honestly. It carried a coating of flour on the outside which was fried to a crisp but a little too thick for my liking. And though soft, it was bland and had to be eaten with the accompanying sweet and mildly spicy sauce with crushed peanuts.
Egg Foo Yong ($6) - This dish was like your everyday fried egg save for bits of carrots, vegetables and strands of crab meat in it. Nothing like the ones I had in Hong Kong or Canada. Decent but probably not something I'll order again for $6.
All in all, I think prices are a wee bit steep for the hor fun, especially when the place is pretty much like a coffee shop. Price aside, quality is above average and worth a try. I understand that there are limited quantities of hor fun each day so please go early.
Although this was named as Astons Express
but apparently was not very express as we often had to wait
like 20 mins for our food. Meaning other colleagues who have
started eating before us would have finished their food and
sat there waiting for us before we start on ours. Hence usually we would order together if we want to eat Astons so that none have to wait. Still it eats into our time and reduced the time we would usually use for coffee elsewhere.
Food was not bad, I've tried the Grilled fish with herbs or something.
Fish was tender with no strange smell, the herb sauce was great too,
compliments the fish meat and made it sweet. However it looks a bit
lame on a damn big plate. Perhaps due to the light colour of the meat and sauce.
The baked potato is a must try even if you are ordering as
a side dish though many may dislike the flaky texture but the potato taste
great~ (suspect they may have added something to add to the taste
but I'm not sure what)
A nice change from the normal food court food. Good to try once in a
while but do get a seat before ordering as they want table no.
Braved the mad crowds to visit ION Orchard over the weekend to check out the various new to Singapore shops and more importantly, the gamut of eateries that this upscale shopping mall claims to offer. AOBA caught my attention because of the persistent queues forming even during after lunch hours plus the fact that my stomach was rumbling when we walked past it.
The place isn't big, with a seating capacity of about 30 people or so, which probably explains the queue. Tables for 2 are spaced uncomfortably close, so any notions of having private conversations can be thrown right out of the window.
Fried Tofu - It was never my intention to order the fried tofu, but since it carried a 50% discount, cheapo/greedy me conveniently added that to the order. And it was average at best. The skin tasted limp but still palatable.
Ebi Mayonnaise - Small prawns coated with a thick layer of flour, deep fried and drizzled with copious amounts of mayonnaise - a recipe for unhealthy eating. But I'm a sucker for the prawn and mayo combo so this dish turned out fine. Decent but not outstanding. And pretty expensive at that (1 small prawn, $1).
Shoyu Tontoro Ramen - The ramen reminded me of the traditional Chinese yellow egg noodles, albeit a little thinner, chewier and sans the alkaline taste. The broth had a strong taste of pork but came across as a wee bit too salty and too much of it can make you woozy. The pork slices were relatively tender and soft while the egg was nicely done without the yolk being too soft. Portions are small for the price ($16.80 ) though.
Shio Scallop Ramen - The scallops were rather tasteless to begin with and while the ramen was of the same variant as my tontoro ramen, the broth was much lighter and free of any pork taste.
2 bowls of ramen and 2 small sides cost us to the tune of $47, which is rather expensive given the quality in my humble opinion. The long queues to get a table and to pay for our meal as well as cramp dining spaces definitely do not make things better. But for those who are interested in trying AOBA out, they have another outlet within Manpuku at Tampines One.
Went there for a facial promotion of $22 facial $8 for eye mask. Thought their service is not EXCELLENT but I found it to be not bad. Perhaps I was lucky and gotten the therapist whom was good? The therapist did ask me whether I wanted to add a $20 ampoule for collagen but when I said no, she did not push for me to buy. Touch was light and soothing, when I didn't want to talk, she didn't try to act friendly like a lot of therapist would.
We were urshered to this room where the manager asked whether we would be interested in their facial packages. But when I mentioned I have packages elsewhere, she did not push more and instead introduced a promotional slimming package and offered to customize it for us.
Though in the end my friend and I signed for the package, we did not felt that we were forced into it. Perhaps it was due to previous cases hence the service improved? In anyway, we just went for our first treatment yesterday and although my friend did not like her therapist who was from China and lack experience, mine was great but did try to act friendly with me.
All in all, the service was not too bad, the atmosphere was great and space not crammed like some other facials I went to.
I never fail to visit pet lover's centre when i go shopping at IKEA or Queensway Shopping Centre.. Its not a very big shop, but you can buy everything you need for your pets there.... There's food, bedding, snacks and treats...
Basically, I love to squat and watch the little animals lazing away in their tanks.. Though the tanks don't look really clean but they have everything they need inside the tank... like water, hay, food bowl, bedding, pee container and their comfy hiding place...... Its really hard to keep them clean anyway... judging by the fact that they stay in the tank all day and shit alot....
I love the service in this shop as I find the staff extremely helpful.. and they love the animals.... Occassionally, you can see them bringing out the little animals for a short cuddle and that will make these little lovelies.. really happy....
They have new stock of live animals all the time and not only their turn-over is high, the animals are in such good conditions... Fluffy Fur, Shiny Coats, Excellent ears and eyes.. and most importantly they have good various breeds. Theres bound to be something u like...
By the way.. the little animals they sell are hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits.. If you like Dogs and Cats, why not drop by Pets Safari at VIVO....
All in all, the prices are reasonable and I love the fact that they do delivery for purchases above $50 and you could also get a membership for $5 with discounts all year round.
If your darling pet gave birth to too many children, you can also bring down to the shop to ask to sell to them... They handle these animals so expertly... and have a good eye in keeping them healthy and selecting the healthy ones from the not so good ones.. So its pretty safe if you buy live pets from PLC....
I read about Chef Suffian Zain, who relinquished his position as head chef of renowned fine dining restaurant, Iggy's,to join L'Entrepot, a new casual bistro by the Esmirada group serving up classical French food. And that was good enough reason to give the newly minted restaurant a shot.
Aptly located at Clarke Quay, along the Singapore river (entrepot is French for warehouse and is a place where import and export activities take place), L'Entrepot's al fresco and indoor dining area is seperated by a pedestrain walkway. While the al fresco area offers a venue to take in the sights and sounds of the Singapore river, the indoor area doesn't have much of a view to offer. It is however, a rather cozy place with a seemingly huge wine cellar showcasing dozens of bottles of wine.
Lobster Bisque - Apparently a must try at L'Entrepot and one that garnered rave reviews in a certain newspaper, the lobster bisque was disappointing to say the least. As with any lobster bisque, there were a few small cursory pieces of lobster flesh but the soup was rather watered down and lacked richness. The puff pastry, though flaky, wasn't buttery enough in my humble opinion.
Angus Rossini (Pan Roasted Angus Tenderloin, Mashed Potato, Duxell Mushroom, Pan Fried Foie Gras, Red Wine Sauce) - The tenderloin came in 2 chunks, both done medium rare as per request. Although the meat was relatively tender, it did seem a little dry and void of the beefy taste that most beef lovers would appreciate. The mushroom duxell(e) came sandwiched between the 2 blocks of beef and tasted rather bland and watery - not exactly ideal. As for the foie gras, it was thinly sliced and decently soft and quivery on the inside. I understand that it was better then the foie gras dish some of my dinner companions had ordered as appetisers.
On my part, the bill came up to about $47 after a 20% discount ($59 without discount), which is rather expensive for the quality of the food. We were so disappointed that we made the decision to adjorn elsewhere for desserts. Service was decent but that's not good enough reason for me to want to return. I had definitely expected more from Chef Suffian Zain.
Had a craving for ramen but didn't fancy jostling with the mad crowds at Santouka or Marutama nor was I particularly willing to pay in excess of $15 for a bowl of ramen. Enter Men Tei, which I came across while reading some forums online. Its selling point (to me at least)? All bowls of ramen go for $13 nett.
Located on the ground level of Robinson Centre along Robinson Road in the Central Business District (CBD), Men Tei occupys a small space that is simpley done up and seats probably about 20 pax tops. The menu occupies a single sheet of paper (6 different types of ramen) so if you are looking for variety, this place is probably out.
Shio Ramen - You have the option of specifying the "doneness" of your noodles, ranging from normal, hard or extra hard. I didn't know that until after my ramen was served so I am assuming they gave me the normal option. I thought that it was a little too soft but at least it retained a little chewiness. The ramen broth honestly wasn't very robust and I couldn't quite make out any pork taste. Simply put, it was just salty but light. The egg was quite well done - quivery without being overly soft while the yakibuta (3 slices) was tender and flavourful.
Spicy Tonkatsu Ramen - Although the spicy ramen looked the part, it actually wasn't that bad and that's coming from someone who has a low tolerance for spiciness. As with the Shio ramen, the broth wasn't very robust but the yakibuta and tamago were equally good.
For the price, I honestly think its value for money given the quality of the ramen. Service is decent as well and best of all, there is no queue when you dine there on weekday evenings (they do not open on weekends or public holidays). The same can't be said for weekday lunch though. Men Tei also provides a delivery service to nearby offices for those who crave ramen but are too busy to step out.
I bought my DARLING MR CASH here at Happy Paws.. After much tedious research and hunting... I finally found the PET HAVEN OF SINGAPORE.. Its not some pet farm.. its not a ulu place like deep in the some reserves.. its right at serangoon north.... West landers like me will not know such a place until you have read enough blogs and forums to find out...
I went to farmway, went to SPCA, however i could not find the THE ONE... and after much hunting, found my darling guinea pig which i named him MR CASH at Happy Paws.....
There are many shops there... selling Chinchillas, Dogs, Cats, Birds, Hamsters, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Fishes.. however upon viewing so many shops, i decided to buy my first REAL PET at Happy Paws.. and the reason is obvious...
First, they have a comprehensive range of products and the prices are very reasonable.. on top of that they have given me good discounts...
Second... I saw 2 well kept and cleaned caged guinea pigs.. unlike some where the cages are so dirty and you wonder if you are bringing back a sick pet which will just pass on in a few days... I was glad when i asked to hold the gp i chose before commiting to buy i was declined as handling them will make them frightened.. i'm sure my pig is going to survive.....
The things i bought included cages, pellets, cat's litter bedding, water bottle, shit bowl, hay and Mr Cash.... When I asked, they actually took the time to help me fix up everything, dress up the cage before putting Mr Cash in.. and they also included his toy ball he was playing with and the apple sticks he chews on.... Before putting him in his new house... The owner actually talks to him, cooed him and whisper some soothing words to him and it really helps calm him down.....
She then advices me on him.. telling me what are his favourite food and how to handle him.... Matter of fact she had his brother which is one of the earlier batch from the same parantage and his brother was such a big boy in such good conditions... I was impressed when she told me she feeds them organic carrots and corns as treats and I'm so sure... MR Cash is going to be so healthy....
If you are looking for a pet, or pet supplies or any grooming services, you can put your trust in Happy Paws Pet Kiosk.... as I know my pets are in good hands when they are with them.... Such passionate animal lovers are the most important criteria in grooming, caring and even introducing you the best they can offer for the well being of your companion.... Most importantly.. they are associated with a REASONABLE PRICE...
If you feel particularly chinese today, then you should lunch as hand in hand.... Though i like the name of the restaurant, i however do not like to hold hands with rude waitresses...
I was trying to get a quick bite one busy afternoon at jurong point where it seems like EVERYWHERE is packed.... Oh.. School Holidays Again and when i saw there are special in-house seats for these restaurants in the food court, i have no choice but to get in as there are the only seats available.
There again.. friendly calls that promises nothing but good food and friendly services still gets a hold of me.. however they are nothing but empty promises.. and the worse thing is I get conned again and again, hoping that things wll improve. This lady at the counter attracted me with the good variety of spread in the menu and most of all.. available seats..... I mean, one can't help but want to get away from crowds and so... i took the bait and went in hoping to get a good meal..
As i admired the deco, which is typically china chinese style, I was rudely offered some cutleries with a bang on the table.... There she goes.. stating all the famous dishes and me and my pal basically chose some noodles and giving the dumplings a miss... She hounded on about how good the dumpling are and blah blah blah but when i ask for some warm water, she told me there was none.... Not Even Tap Water.....
The food came in about 10 mins and while the food court is bustling away... I was stranded with my poor pal in a quiet corner in this part of beijing... However, the fried noodles was quite nice... chewy and well flavoured noodles with some prawns, veg and other stuffs. The braised beef noodles were good as well.... The soup savoury and beef soft... We also tried the century egg toufoo which however is not to my liking... I find it too plain but my pal thinks its nice...
All In All.. the food was great and if these chinese friends can have more social responsibility in providing better services and more kindness.. It would just be great... Heal the world... Make it a better place... For you and for me and the Great China.....
The 50% lunch discount that La Brezza dangled to all Astor card members was to good to resist and I ended up having lunch there one fine afternoon. What's weird is that La Brezza, which means sea breeze in Italian yet serves Mediterranean food, is relatively unknown in the culinary circles even though it has been around for quite a bit.
Located on the second floor of the posh St Regis, La Brezza looks out into the hotel's swimming pool and boasts floor to ceilings windows to allow sunlight in. The bright and cheery ambience is accentuated through the use of white wicker chairs and striped blue/white curtains, which also give the place a laid back feel. The sofa couple seats are positioned with their back facing the wall, which allows both parties to have a full view of the pool.
I didn't think too much of the complimentary bread although there was quite a variety and it came served in a pretty white porcelain bowl with blue markings on it. And surprise surprise, we had bottled water with our set lunch, which makes me wonder if they even serve sky juice.
LaBrezza Salad - There was no mention of chicken in the description but I'm glad that they added it in. The generous serving of chicken breast slices were very well marinated and grilled, coming across as succulent and soft. The greens were fresh with a touch of light dressing and shaved cheese atop. Great way to start off!
Tomato Mozzarella - I am honestly not a big fan of raw tomatoes except when they come in the guise of bruschetta. But to be fair, this dish proved to be quite decent. The tomato slices were fresh and juicy and went well with the chilled and light burratina cheese, which helped to keep the acidity of the tomatoes in check.
Grilled Salmon - The chef's favourite for the day - grilled salmon. Well grilled till the skin boasted a nice crisp, the salmon did come across as a wee bit too dry for my liking. I did like the polenta on the side though - smooth and creamy .
Frutti Di Mare - Frutti Di Mare, or fruit of the sea, over risotto was my choice of main. The risotto was creamy and done al dente without the sauce being too overwhelming. Coupled with a generous serving of seafood, I must say I enjoyed this dish quite a bit.
Paris Brest - This dessert was said to be created by a pastry chef in honour of a bicycle race between Paris and Brest in France. But La Brezza's rendition was a little lacking. The pastry wasn't fluffy and could have been a little softer as well. The hazelnut cream filling was decent though and the brown sorbet by the side was actually lime sorbet. Surprise surprise.
Chocolate Tart - The chocolate tart was rich with a tinge of bitterness and a layer of gooey caramel wedged inside, all held together by a thin yet solid tart base. Sadly, the caramel didn't quite feature in the taste though. And what better to complement a chocolate tart then with a scoop of chocolate ice cream and a piece of chocolate?
Without the 50% discount, I would be hard pressed to find a reason to return, especially when the 3 course set lunch is a whopping $52 ($61.20 nett). The bottle of Evian provides scant comfort for the price and so does the food quality, which is above average but still a few notches below outstanding.
See all my pictures here.
Rating given:
Was in the mood for hor fun (河粉) aka thick flat rice noodles, so headed down to Koon Kee after hearing/reading some pretty good stuff about it. It definitely helped that it was within a 5 minute bus ride from my house.
Located in a rather old shophouse at the beginning of Yio Chu Kang road, just opposite Serangoon Stadium, Koon Kee has a rather dated interior that would probably invoke nostalgia in the older generation. The walls are lined with interesting collectables that the owner has amassed over the years, which add to the retro effect. The place is not air conditioned by the way, but has plenty of fans to keep the heat at bay.
Hor Fun ($5) - The seafood hor fun had relatively generous servings of pork, fish slices and of course lots of greens to go along. The ingredients weren't exactly the freshest, but still palatable. The gravy didn't come across as too starchy and had a light garlicky taste to it while the hor fun had a stronger then usual wok hei taste but I would have preferred it to be a little more burnt. It all boils down to personal preference though.
Beef Hor Fun ($6) - Personally I am biased towards the beef hor fun as I am an avid fan of beef. The gravy was more robust (or is it a psychological thing?) with a heavier dosage of garlic and pepper. The beef slices tasted like they had been well soaked in tenderizer but I guess its common for most places that do this dish. And yes, I would have preferred the hor fun to carry a slightly stronger wok hei taste.
Special Tofu ($6) - There was nothing special about the tofu honestly. It carried a coating of flour on the outside which was fried to a crisp but a little too thick for my liking. And though soft, it was bland and had to be eaten with the accompanying sweet and mildly spicy sauce with crushed peanuts.
Egg Foo Yong ($6) - This dish was like your everyday fried egg save for bits of carrots, vegetables and strands of crab meat in it. Nothing like the ones I had in Hong Kong or Canada. Decent but probably not something I'll order again for $6.
All in all, I think prices are a wee bit steep for the hor fun, especially when the place is pretty much like a coffee shop. Price aside, quality is above average and worth a try. I understand that there are limited quantities of hor fun each day so please go early.
See all my pictures here.
Rating given:
Although this was named as Astons Express
but apparently was not very express as we often had to wait
like 20 mins for our food. Meaning other colleagues who have
started eating before us would have finished their food and
sat there waiting for us before we start on ours. Hence usually we would order together if we want to eat Astons so that none have to wait. Still it eats into our time and reduced the time we would usually use for coffee elsewhere.
Food was not bad, I've tried the Grilled fish with herbs or something.
Fish was tender with no strange smell, the herb sauce was great too,
compliments the fish meat and made it sweet. However it looks a bit
lame on a damn big plate. Perhaps due to the light colour of the meat and sauce.
The baked potato is a must try even if you are ordering as
a side dish though many may dislike the flaky texture but the potato taste
great~ (suspect they may have added something to add to the taste
but I'm not sure what)
A nice change from the normal food court food. Good to try once in a
while but do get a seat before ordering as they want table no.
Rating given:
Braved the mad crowds to visit ION Orchard over the weekend to check out the various new to Singapore shops and more importantly, the gamut of eateries that this upscale shopping mall claims to offer. AOBA caught my attention because of the persistent queues forming even during after lunch hours plus the fact that my stomach was rumbling when we walked past it.
The place isn't big, with a seating capacity of about 30 people or so, which probably explains the queue. Tables for 2 are spaced uncomfortably close, so any notions of having private conversations can be thrown right out of the window.
Fried Tofu - It was never my intention to order the fried tofu, but since it carried a 50% discount, cheapo/greedy me conveniently added that to the order. And it was average at best. The skin tasted limp but still palatable.
Ebi Mayonnaise - Small prawns coated with a thick layer of flour, deep fried and drizzled with copious amounts of mayonnaise - a recipe for unhealthy eating. But I'm a sucker for the prawn and mayo combo so this dish turned out fine. Decent but not outstanding. And pretty expensive at that (1 small prawn, $1).
Shoyu Tontoro Ramen - The ramen reminded me of the traditional Chinese yellow egg noodles, albeit a little thinner, chewier and sans the alkaline taste. The broth had a strong taste of pork but came across as a wee bit too salty and too much of it can make you woozy. The pork slices were relatively tender and soft while the egg was nicely done without the yolk being too soft. Portions are small for the price ($16.80 ) though.
Shio Scallop Ramen - The scallops were rather tasteless to begin with and while the ramen was of the same variant as my tontoro ramen, the broth was much lighter and free of any pork taste.
2 bowls of ramen and 2 small sides cost us to the tune of $47, which is rather expensive given the quality in my humble opinion. The long queues to get a table and to pay for our meal as well as cramp dining spaces definitely do not make things better. But for those who are interested in trying AOBA out, they have another outlet within Manpuku at Tampines One.
See all my pictures here.
Rating given:
Went there for a facial promotion of $22 facial $8 for eye mask. Thought their service is not EXCELLENT but I found it to be not bad. Perhaps I was lucky and gotten the therapist whom was good? The therapist did ask me whether I wanted to add a $20 ampoule for collagen but when I said no, she did not push for me to buy. Touch was light and soothing, when I didn't want to talk, she didn't try to act friendly like a lot of therapist would.
We were urshered to this room where the manager asked whether we would be interested in their facial packages. But when I mentioned I have packages elsewhere, she did not push more and instead introduced a promotional slimming package and offered to customize it for us.
Though in the end my friend and I signed for the package, we did not felt that we were forced into it. Perhaps it was due to previous cases hence the service improved? In anyway, we just went for our first treatment yesterday and although my friend did not like her therapist who was from China and lack experience, mine was great but did try to act friendly with me.
All in all, the service was not too bad, the atmosphere was great and space not crammed like some other facials I went to.
Rating given:
I never fail to visit pet lover's centre when i go shopping at IKEA or Queensway Shopping Centre.. Its not a very big shop, but you can buy everything you need for your pets there.... There's food, bedding, snacks and treats...
Basically, I love to squat and watch the little animals lazing away in their tanks.. Though the tanks don't look really clean but they have everything they need inside the tank... like water, hay, food bowl, bedding, pee container and their comfy hiding place...... Its really hard to keep them clean anyway... judging by the fact that they stay in the tank all day and shit alot....
I love the service in this shop as I find the staff extremely helpful.. and they love the animals.... Occassionally, you can see them bringing out the little animals for a short cuddle and that will make these little lovelies.. really happy....
They have new stock of live animals all the time and not only their turn-over is high, the animals are in such good conditions... Fluffy Fur, Shiny Coats, Excellent ears and eyes.. and most importantly they have good various breeds. Theres bound to be something u like...
By the way.. the little animals they sell are hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits.. If you like Dogs and Cats, why not drop by Pets Safari at VIVO....
All in all, the prices are reasonable and I love the fact that they do delivery for purchases above $50 and you could also get a membership for $5 with discounts all year round.
If your darling pet gave birth to too many children, you can also bring down to the shop to ask to sell to them... They handle these animals so expertly... and have a good eye in keeping them healthy and selecting the healthy ones from the not so good ones.. So its pretty safe if you buy live pets from PLC....
Rating given:
I read about Chef Suffian Zain, who relinquished his position as head chef of renowned fine dining restaurant, Iggy's,to join L'Entrepot, a new casual bistro by the Esmirada group serving up classical French food. And that was good enough reason to give the newly minted restaurant a shot.
Aptly located at Clarke Quay, along the Singapore river (entrepot is French for warehouse and is a place where import and export activities take place), L'Entrepot's al fresco and indoor dining area is seperated by a pedestrain walkway. While the al fresco area offers a venue to take in the sights and sounds of the Singapore river, the indoor area doesn't have much of a view to offer. It is however, a rather cozy place with a seemingly huge wine cellar showcasing dozens of bottles of wine.
Lobster Bisque - Apparently a must try at L'Entrepot and one that garnered rave reviews in a certain newspaper, the lobster bisque was disappointing to say the least. As with any lobster bisque, there were a few small cursory pieces of lobster flesh but the soup was rather watered down and lacked richness. The puff pastry, though flaky, wasn't buttery enough in my humble opinion.
Angus Rossini (Pan Roasted Angus Tenderloin, Mashed Potato, Duxell Mushroom, Pan Fried Foie Gras, Red Wine Sauce) - The tenderloin came in 2 chunks, both done medium rare as per request. Although the meat was relatively tender, it did seem a little dry and void of the beefy taste that most beef lovers would appreciate. The mushroom duxell(e) came sandwiched between the 2 blocks of beef and tasted rather bland and watery - not exactly ideal. As for the foie gras, it was thinly sliced and decently soft and quivery on the inside. I understand that it was better then the foie gras dish some of my dinner companions had ordered as appetisers.
On my part, the bill came up to about $47 after a 20% discount ($59 without discount), which is rather expensive for the quality of the food. We were so disappointed that we made the decision to adjorn elsewhere for desserts. Service was decent but that's not good enough reason for me to want to return. I had definitely expected more from Chef Suffian Zain.
See all my pictures here.
Rating given:
Had a craving for ramen but didn't fancy jostling with the mad crowds at Santouka or Marutama nor was I particularly willing to pay in excess of $15 for a bowl of ramen. Enter Men Tei, which I came across while reading some forums online. Its selling point (to me at least)? All bowls of ramen go for $13 nett.
Located on the ground level of Robinson Centre along Robinson Road in the Central Business District (CBD), Men Tei occupys a small space that is simpley done up and seats probably about 20 pax tops. The menu occupies a single sheet of paper (6 different types of ramen) so if you are looking for variety, this place is probably out.
Shio Ramen - You have the option of specifying the "doneness" of your noodles, ranging from normal, hard or extra hard. I didn't know that until after my ramen was served so I am assuming they gave me the normal option. I thought that it was a little too soft but at least it retained a little chewiness. The ramen broth honestly wasn't very robust and I couldn't quite make out any pork taste. Simply put, it was just salty but light. The egg was quite well done - quivery without being overly soft while the yakibuta (3 slices) was tender and flavourful.
Spicy Tonkatsu Ramen - Although the spicy ramen looked the part, it actually wasn't that bad and that's coming from someone who has a low tolerance for spiciness. As with the Shio ramen, the broth wasn't very robust but the yakibuta and tamago were equally good.
For the price, I honestly think its value for money given the quality of the ramen. Service is decent as well and best of all, there is no queue when you dine there on weekday evenings (they do not open on weekends or public holidays). The same can't be said for weekday lunch though. Men Tei also provides a delivery service to nearby offices for those who crave ramen but are too busy to step out.
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I bought my DARLING MR CASH here at Happy Paws.. After much tedious research and hunting... I finally found the PET HAVEN OF SINGAPORE.. Its not some pet farm.. its not a ulu place like deep in the some reserves.. its right at serangoon north.... West landers like me will not know such a place until you have read enough blogs and forums to find out...
I went to farmway, went to SPCA, however i could not find the THE ONE... and after much hunting, found my darling guinea pig which i named him MR CASH at Happy Paws.....
There are many shops there... selling Chinchillas, Dogs, Cats, Birds, Hamsters, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Fishes.. however upon viewing so many shops, i decided to buy my first REAL PET at Happy Paws.. and the reason is obvious...
First, they have a comprehensive range of products and the prices are very reasonable.. on top of that they have given me good discounts...
Second... I saw 2 well kept and cleaned caged guinea pigs.. unlike some where the cages are so dirty and you wonder if you are bringing back a sick pet which will just pass on in a few days... I was glad when i asked to hold the gp i chose before commiting to buy i was declined as handling them will make them frightened.. i'm sure my pig is going to survive.....
The things i bought included cages, pellets, cat's litter bedding, water bottle, shit bowl, hay and Mr Cash.... When I asked, they actually took the time to help me fix up everything, dress up the cage before putting Mr Cash in.. and they also included his toy ball he was playing with and the apple sticks he chews on.... Before putting him in his new house... The owner actually talks to him, cooed him and whisper some soothing words to him and it really helps calm him down.....
She then advices me on him.. telling me what are his favourite food and how to handle him.... Matter of fact she had his brother which is one of the earlier batch from the same parantage and his brother was such a big boy in such good conditions... I was impressed when she told me she feeds them organic carrots and corns as treats and I'm so sure... MR Cash is going to be so healthy....
If you are looking for a pet, or pet supplies or any grooming services, you can put your trust in Happy Paws Pet Kiosk.... as I know my pets are in good hands when they are with them.... Such passionate animal lovers are the most important criteria in grooming, caring and even introducing you the best they can offer for the well being of your companion.... Most importantly.. they are associated with a REASONABLE PRICE...
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If you feel particularly chinese today, then you should lunch as hand in hand.... Though i like the name of the restaurant, i however do not like to hold hands with rude waitresses...
I was trying to get a quick bite one busy afternoon at jurong point where it seems like EVERYWHERE is packed.... Oh.. School Holidays Again and when i saw there are special in-house seats for these restaurants in the food court, i have no choice but to get in as there are the only seats available.
There again.. friendly calls that promises nothing but good food and friendly services still gets a hold of me.. however they are nothing but empty promises.. and the worse thing is I get conned again and again, hoping that things wll improve. This lady at the counter attracted me with the good variety of spread in the menu and most of all.. available seats..... I mean, one can't help but want to get away from crowds and so... i took the bait and went in hoping to get a good meal..
As i admired the deco, which is typically china chinese style, I was rudely offered some cutleries with a bang on the table.... There she goes.. stating all the famous dishes and me and my pal basically chose some noodles and giving the dumplings a miss... She hounded on about how good the dumpling are and blah blah blah but when i ask for some warm water, she told me there was none.... Not Even Tap Water.....
The food came in about 10 mins and while the food court is bustling away... I was stranded with my poor pal in a quiet corner in this part of beijing... However, the fried noodles was quite nice... chewy and well flavoured noodles with some prawns, veg and other stuffs. The braised beef noodles were good as well.... The soup savoury and beef soft... We also tried the century egg toufoo which however is not to my liking... I find it too plain but my pal thinks its nice...
All In All.. the food was great and if these chinese friends can have more social responsibility in providing better services and more kindness.. It would just be great... Heal the world... Make it a better place... For you and for me and the Great China.....
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