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Endoh Taiki's Reviews

    611. Da Mario Pizzeria   
       05 Mar 2009 at 12:10 am
    Category: Italian
    feizhu feizhu says:

    Organised a dinner at Da Mario after reading a couple of relatively good reviews about it online. This small Italian restaurant, which is helmed by Chef Mario from Abruzzo, Italy, promises an authentic Italian dinner by using the freshest ingredients as well as by making sauces and certain pastas from scratch.

    Located at The Quayside just diagonally opposite from The Gallery Hotel, Da Mario is a small outfit that can sit probably 30 pax tops. Seating is mainly al fresco with the exception of a couple of small tables in the air conditioned interior. If you are worried about rising temperatures from sitting in the open, worry not. The restaurant has a couple of fans and blowers to keep you cool.

    Calamari - The calamari's batter was a tad too thick for my liking while being overly generous on the salt. I'm not sure that this is my idea of a good calamari. The dip and lemon sauce did help a bit though.

    Bruschetta Al Pomodoro - I can't believe how much olive oil went into this dish. The bread was literally soaked in olive oil, which made it rather gross to consume. Credit goes to the fresh and tangy tomatoes though.

    Portobello Gratinato - Finally something that's worth mentioning - the Portobello mushroom. Served up in one humongous piece, the mushroom was tasty and succulent with a light hint of cheese. Black olives added a nice sourish twist to it while the sun dried tomatoes contributed a natural sweetness.

    Capellini Regina - I only had a small sampling portion of this dish but what struck me was the excessive olive oil present, resulting in a soggy and rather oily rendition of angel hair pasta. My friend even went so far as to term it as a wetter/oilier version of "fried beehoon", which I am most inclined to agree given the resemblence in taste.

    Tortelli - This was reminiscent of the lobster and crab meat ravioli I had at Bistro Senso about 2 months back. Taste of crab meat was predominant and the lobster, if any, was forgotten. I also thought that the tortelli was done up a little too thick, which resulted in a chewier then usual texture.

    Omega 3 Pizza - In other words, smoked salmon pizza. Comparisons with Parma's offering is inevitable but its a totally different take on the same dish. Parma uses a mayonnaise base and rawer tasting salmon whereas for Da Mario, its tomato based and the rawness of the smoked salmon is very much subdued. I personally still prefer Parma's rendition but there are some who prefer otherwise.

    Tiramisu - I only had a cursory bite of this dessert and found it rather average. The mascarpone cheese was too soft which affected the texture of the whole cake and I couldn't quite make out any alcohol. The only upside was the generous portion, which could have been shared amongst 2 - 3 pax comfortably.

    Each of us forked out almost $35 for a filling, but not exactly satisfying dinner. Food quality is average but portion sizes are quite respectable. Service is very decent as well but the waiting time can vary, depending on the crowd. This is due to the lean kitchen that Da Mario operates (there's only Chef Mario and 1 assistant). Take your chances here.

    See all my pictures here.


    Rating given:Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5

    612. A Lighting   
       04 Mar 2009 at 10:24 pm
    Category: Restaurants
    Bobo Bobo says:

    I got to know about this shop from a renovation forum while doing renovations in my home. I favoured this over the regular Jalan Besar shops cos it's away from all the light-shoppers AND it's much nearer to where I live. Moreover I'm more familiar with Geylang. But I hadn't shopped for lights before then and wasn't sure what to expect.

    I liked the shop instantly on sight. It was in a corner of a pretty rundown building. What I liked was that it wasn't one of those big snobbish looking lighting stores (like some others I passed along the way there). It looked exactly like what it was.. a family run business with nice warm friendly smiles. Alex is the young man in charge and he certainly knows his products well! If you see a light that you liked in another shop you can just describe it to him and he will know it instantly.

    The shop itself is quite small though they try to cramp as much as possible on display. He knows lights pretty well so he can source for lights which aren't on display in his shop. I think the prices in his shop are very competitive and certainly much cheaper than the bigger fancy stores I went to on the same stretch. He has the same designs too! I think Alex's resourcefulness really makes up for the lack of variety (his shop is small rem?).

    On top of that they have ceiling fans of almost every brand there and it's good to talk to Alex about ceiling fans because he can really advise on what size and brand to buy.

    I think the best part was that they weren't pushy. We went back three times and only bought on the third trip. AND Alex remembered us and our requirements even after a few days. In fact, he remembered my sister even after a few weeks!

    With good prices, prompt delivery and good service, I think this shop is really worth visiting if you're looking for lights!!


    Rating given:Rating: 5 out of 5Rating: 5 out of 5Rating: 5 out of 5Rating: 5 out of 5Rating: 5 out of 5

       01 Mar 2009 at 8:55 pm
    Category: Deli and Cafe, Desserts
    Bobo Bobo says:

    Situated right in the centre of Palais Renaissance, you can find this place easily as it's at the foot of the escalator. My galfriend and I went there on a weekday afternoon just before lunch hours so we had the luxury of choosing any seat we wanted. I had expected it to remain quiet save for a few tai-tais but BOY was I wrong. At noon, the whole place filled up.

    We sat for quite a bit, chatting and taking a long time going through the menu. Throughout that time, no iced water was served. I thought that this is one of those that refuse to serve water so I commented about it to my friend. She laughed and replied that you have to ASK for it though it's free. That really puzzled me.

    Food ordered:
    Linguini with crabmeat tomato chllis and pinenuts $22

    I had this dish. Don't be fooled but that little lump. It really is quite a filling portion. The pinenuts added a nice crunchy texture to the pasta and the pasta was suitably done. The downside of this dish was the sauce. It tasted fine on the first few bites but halfway I really couldn't stand the fishy taste of the crabmeat anymore. It was also unbearably salty after a while and I didn't finish my pasta.

    Scrambled Eggs with Sausage on Toast and Field Mushrooms $18
    The description forgot to add that it had fries too. My friend ordered it, thinking it sounded like a great brunch only to be surprised by the large serving of fries that came with it. The combination was a little odd but each item tasted fine on their own. I didn't relish putting them altogether in one mouthful though.

    Deluxe Chocolate Pecan Brownie
    Again, the description failed to include that there was ice cream served with this brownie (although I do know that most places have ice cream but it's not quite polite to assume.) If I had known this, I would have requested for the ice cream to placed on a separate dish. Not to mention if you take a good look at my picture, the ice cream was already melting when it arrived. Since my friend and I had no intention of having the ice cream in the first place we didn't ask for a change. I found the brownie a little too dry for my taste and the chocolate taste wasn't strong enough. It was more like a cake with a hard crust. We chatted for 3 hours and managed to finish this in the end. No easy feat though.

    The staff were quite efficient in taking orders and serving but they lack a certain warmth. I guess that's their style.

    Would I go back again? Only if a good friend suggested it.


    Rating given:Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5

    614. Red Lacquer   
       27 Feb 2009 at 10:13 pm
    Leenie Pigs Leenie Pigs says:

    I was looking for a good place for lunch the other day with my partner and we came by the Red Lacquer....

    Its a beautiful place with Red Lanterns, Red Lacquered tables and chairs, not to forget the great view from the large window pane.. overlooking whats left of the scenery in JURONG Industrial area.

    The menu was a simple fare... They serve traditional food like prawn noodles, fried oyster egg, nasi lemak, curry and other peranakan stuffs. What i really like is that they took the effort to write the names in the peranakan spellings.. Its interesting and educational for me.

    We ordered one chicken curry nasi lemak. The ikan billis were yummy, achar nice and crunchy, not to forget the yummy coconut rice, which is just right a portion to my delight.... not forgetting the star.... Chicken Curry. A little too spicy for me, however savoury and the chicken is tender yet full of flavour. I was given the thigh and i love thighs.... they are not too hard yet gives a nice firmness...

    We also ordered the penang hokkien mee SPECIAL.. in which they gave bigger prawns and perhaps a little more of this and that. It was yummy, savoury and truly peranakan.

    One thing not to be missed when having penang food is the Chendol... The chendol came with a separate cup of coconut milk.. I like this arrangement as some people like me, do not enjoy coconut milk as much. However, this coconut milk is rich, creamy and smooth therefore its very pleasing to taste. Its pretty nice, but the ice at the bottom is all frozen. I guess they must have prepared and froze it. Well it serves quickly but the frozen bottom does not add much to taste.

    The only thing i am not too pleased is that they do not serve ice or warm water.... I do not enjoy restaurants that do not serve plain water.... Its not costly or troublesome, yet when not served water, it always leaves a bad impression.

    I'm not going back there again.. just because they do not serve water... :P


    Rating given:Rating: 2 out of 5Rating: 2 out of 5Rating: 2 out of 5Rating: 2 out of 5Rating: 2 out of 5

       27 Feb 2009 at 10:05 pm
    Category: Restaurants
    Leenie Pigs Leenie Pigs says:

    The first time i came here is because i saw the S$2 cuppucino sign... I think the coffee was great... Nice aroma with a hint of acidity...

    I am not much a coffee drinker but i'm a cake eater... The cakes and other snacks are only okay, however the coffee portion is quite generous.... If you're out with a bunch of friends and wants a coffee break, you could hang out here and can laze on the couch and chit chat till the roof falls...

    Its not a huge outlet but there are plentiful seats.. The space is pretty comfortable and with many promotions going on, you will be sure your drink is one value for money.

    Its usually not crowded unlike other places and if you are like me who like to stay away from the crowd, you will like this place. Proper chairs and tables and a plenty. If you are looking for a proper business meeting or coffee with an associate, this is the place to be..


    Rating given:Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5

    616. TCC (Beach Centre)   
       27 Feb 2009 at 9:57 pm
    Leenie Pigs Leenie Pigs says:

    I can't help feeling relaxed and pampered sitting here writing this review in this fabulous coffee place, restaurant, cafe, whatever it is you call it. With the carefully selected jazz music playing in the background, one cannot but feel at ease in this simple setting of tables in a huge glass cabinate.

    From here i can see the buzzing beach road in front of me as well as the anxious vehicles trying to turn into seah street. The cool airconditioning contrasted with the hot sun toasting the black tar road outside.

    A simple and quiet set-up, tucked away from the bustle of the city life around. This place is indeed a gem for small talks, discussion and other sort of secret rendevouz... There are a good selections of business magazines, fashion magazines, golf, food and travel magazines for your leisure reading here and they are regularly updated. Besides the occasionally horns of irritated drivers shooing the car in front of them there is also a particularly periodical burping sound from this wierd looking 'the avengers' look-alike coffee dripper or watever it is. Such coffee drippers have an interesting set-up of icy-cold water dripping into a container of crushed coffee beans and into a container of pure and thick aromatic coffee solution....

    So much about the place. Lets talk about the food. They serve the standard menu similar to the rest of the outlets. I particular love the breakfast menu they serve here... The vegs are fresh and crunchy and french toast made moist yet crunchy at the sides. Finish off the breakfast with a nice cup of raspberry yoghurt drink.. Perfectly healthy...

    Feeling naughty? Perhaps indulge in a nice chunky piece of marble cheese cake. Rich and creamy cheese on chocolaty brownie base that will melt in your mouth. Some like to eat big chunks of it.. having to taste the cheese all over the inside of your mouth while i simply love to carve them in small bite and savour this delicacy slowly....

    I good hide-out... Good only when others don't bring along their kids to study here and make freaking lots of noise. Nor do we see students studying here while teasing each other. Lets keep this a good hide-out for us adults :)


    Rating given:Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5

    617. TCC (Bugis Junction)   
       27 Feb 2009 at 9:48 pm
    Leenie Pigs Leenie Pigs says:

    There are 2 TCCs in Bugis. One of which is the open concept one, which is right smack in the middle of what it used to be a common walkway. Cosy and good for big group gatherings. You can watch shoppers walk by and simply laze the afternoon away reading a book. Or perhaps hope by to rest your legs while waiting for your other half to finish shopping. They provide magazines for your to read and warm lightings.

    But the gem is really the other TCC at bugis, nearby to the open concept one, which is diagonally opposite the National Library. As you enter the vacinity, you are first greeted by the thick exotic aroma of the brewing coffee. Really heavenly... The design of the place is just sooo chic.... The gothic designs and contemporary comfy couches are just a wonderful hide out. What more, for those workholics who just can't live without their laptops, there are ample power points everywhere for you to charge your LAPPY....

    I love the comfy couches best... ample space for all S, M, L, Even XXL sizes like me yet it has a high fully covered arm rest. I feel very secure when i sit on these couches as i need not worry about my buldging stomach. Besides that it puts me in a very relaxing position.

    It is a good spot for meeting your clients or even to catch up with a business friend as they also have special round tables at corners, something like little balconies for privacy. With ample sockets everywhere, it is easy for you to do a good presentation or show your friends some photos. Wireless SG is available as well, you can show your friends your collections of videos on YOUTUBE.....

    The food menu is great. They offer baked items, sandwiches and other fusion dishes. Fabulous place to hang out......


    Rating given:Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5

       27 Feb 2009 at 9:35 pm
    Category: Japanese
    Leenie Pigs Leenie Pigs says:

    The Old Hoshi had lousy service but the new Hoshi with its New Renovation and New Look still have lousy service... However, the manager looks like a fine active, nice and enthusiastic Man.....

    Perhaps its the management system, perhaps its the culture.. Perhaps its even the people they choose to hire.... What i want is just a good refill of hot green tea in my cup and food to be served fast, fresh and tasty....

    I cannot deny the fact that Hoshi's Menu is a little pricey... and i always thought it was authentic japanese food... But things really changed when i heard the japanese looking sushi chef spoke in China Chinese.... I was a little amazed.... I didn;t know China Chinese Chef (CCC) can make such good authentic jap cuisines.. However, i hope to think that not all are CCC in the kitchen...

    The new Hoshi looks great... Ample space.... Nice Layout.... however the buffet is gone... The last time i went, there is only ala cart... meaning from the cart... *shui mei!! Har Kow!! Xiao Long Bao!!*

    The set menus are great.... The must have would be the Sashimi..... Fresh Succulent Juicy Raw Fish.. always taste good no matter how pissed you are from being ignored. Heh heh! The food I must say is pretty good for us Kampong Jurong Residents.... I mean there is not much to choose from....*So Don't Complain!!!*

    It is pricey for lunch.... And its always crowded on lunch times.. You could really see the waiteresses and waiters running around.... and beyond that confusion... the Sashimi still taste as good... Yum.......

    Pictures speaks a thousand words.. No Matter what i say... just look at the picture and imagine the BEST :)


    Rating given:Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5

    619. Page One (VivoCity)   
       26 Feb 2009 at 1:44 pm
    Leenie Pigs Leenie Pigs says:

    I was looking for some classic books such as Narnia, InkHeart, etc. I already went to many mega bookstores and to my amazement, I found what I was looking for nowhere but PageOne.

    A serious looking, huge bookstore with a green logo is all i could remember of Pageone. The interior decoration was nothing less then interesting. I love the center elevated portion best.. The elevated areas with book shelves crooked and slanted is like a replication of a study room in the pirates bunk on board a huge ship seeking a treasure. Beautiful, intrinsic details of the shelves and slanted floor makes it so much a fantasy to me.

    While browsing through the collection of books, I realised this one thing..... unlike some book stores... The titles are a plenty however, there are only one or two copies, which makes a huge variety of titles for you to choose from in one shelf. While in some bookstores... They have many books and have them in many repeated copies in which you will have a whole shelf full of similar titles. Not much a Selection.

    I was actually looking for some intrinsic designed novels such as ancient logo embossed hard cover with brown paper in gold tinted edges for my collection. I found the title i wanted and some other bonus catch as well....

    I find that for a book shop, the amount of selection is most important, however, what is important is the ambience and space. In PageOne, you can take your time to browse through the books and there are soothing jazz music playing in the background. If you find something you like and want to read a little of it before deciding to purchase, there are some sits hidden near the glass windows for you to browse through. Though Limited, these sits offers a great sea view which makes the entire "searching for a book" process much more enjoyable.

    If you like chinese books, be it novels or general references, there is a good selection of multiple titles at the back of the book store.

    This is a pretty serious book store.... Straight to the point, comprehensive and you might find some gems here... Reasonably priced and great services......

    A must go for BookWorms......


    Rating given:Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5

       25 Feb 2009 at 12:08 am
    Category: Skin Care
    Leenie Pigs Leenie Pigs says:

    I love body shop.... I could remember when I was a little girl, I am always intrigued by the perfume oils that comes in delicate small little fat round bottles. They smell so nice and have a hundred and one uses. You can use them as perfumes or drop a few drop in your bowl of dried flowers or perhaps onto the edge of your pillow for a flowery dream.... I could say.. I grew up with The Body Shop....

    As i grew, my love for beautiful and nice smelling things grew too.... I started loving fruitty soaps and flowery body wash..... Whats better then starting a day emerging from a hot shower smelling like a blooming garden in spring.....

    Lately, I have been really crazy with their range of cosmetics. I find the blushers great to put on, eye-shadows having the most beautiful hues..... and the other thing i love is the shimmering stuffs they have.. Like shimmering body lotions and the shimmer powder that is laced with White Musk Fragrance.... It sure adds on the glam to your night gown.... The slight shimmer glowing on your skin sure makes you look more enchanting and less bare when you are dressed to kill, be it clubbing or attending a formal dinner.

    Their range of products are good, useful and value for money. Most importantly they are enviromentally nuturing and supports a good cause. It makes the shopping spree much more justifiable.

    Bring home useful products at a good Cost and for a good Cause


    Rating given:Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5

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