tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67068839311485928092024-03-14T00:42:37.470+08:00Kelvin.Eats.eats food . love food . anytime . anywhereKelvin Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06269112192102240701noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706883931148592809.post-78092389227200894232012-02-08T15:15:00.000+08:002012-02-08T15:15:24.292+08:00Project 2012It's been a long time, too long, since I've updated anything. Working on a small project, hoping to get phase 1 done by first quarter. Looking forward to unveiling it. Meanwhile, small food reviews are available in my facebook page. Just look out for the albums labelled "eats". Till next time.<br />
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Kelvin.eats.Kelvin Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06269112192102240701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706883931148592809.post-4472842549260174432011-01-25T00:46:00.005+08:002011-03-11T19:14:55.337+08:00Swa Garden<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">540 Macpherson Road</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Phone : +65 6744 5009</span><br />
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</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Ambience</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Old school Teo Chew restaurant that has witnessed countless Grandparents’ major birthday celebrations. One such occasion was seated beside my table, a sea of red festivity with the occasional black rebel. Chairs and tables were utilitarian of old, as were the glasses and teacups. I especially enjoy the salmon orange stained table cloth. With such festivities abound, the noise level was expectedly above average, not the best place for a romantic night out.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Service</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The pink and yellow polo teed staff were ruthlessly efficient as they poured the tea, which was distinctively fragrant, served iced water and almost mind read what I wanted to order. Such service could over come from years of dedication to the art of food serving in a place like this. No fuss, no muss, no waiting.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Food</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Like the service, the food was served lighting fast. We were the last table seated in a full restaurant and the food arrived when our conversations have barely started.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJL2WRNmvI4Q1FJZWV_R2tCK58CLMxCrAIRoYsgER9yQ0eoEEzq_x-zhZQnc5XIwtdabPhe9CWspJ1_51v478lQa7X0za-msfepwHmdr6SlcY7qm2xCSG2TmtQD-FAkD5rtTslzB7hr5DB/s1600/Fish+Maw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJL2WRNmvI4Q1FJZWV_R2tCK58CLMxCrAIRoYsgER9yQ0eoEEzq_x-zhZQnc5XIwtdabPhe9CWspJ1_51v478lQa7X0za-msfepwHmdr6SlcY7qm2xCSG2TmtQD-FAkD5rtTslzB7hr5DB/s400/Fish+Maw.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Fish Maw Soup</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Though a little bland, the natural and clean taste of the brown stew was a great way to start our dinner.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QarQCQlD6KuaWVi7tOohNLvzXeGfrNRPU1Vd5nWckEkkZLrmvErPhG3Rc8GxzLDawQ0HeCGttTmSBm8_Uen2PEqjGn3-gKVb85LNfYu_BZfFvop5iWL8kCpb_MeAdEkAi1yknXVN7c0S/s1600/Braised+Goose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QarQCQlD6KuaWVi7tOohNLvzXeGfrNRPU1Vd5nWckEkkZLrmvErPhG3Rc8GxzLDawQ0HeCGttTmSBm8_Uen2PEqjGn3-gKVb85LNfYu_BZfFvop5iWL8kCpb_MeAdEkAi1yknXVN7c0S/s400/Braised+Goose.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Braised goose</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A must order signature dish, plump, juicy sliced of goose sat atop a small hill of beancurd. Flavourful without excess fat, the beacurd soaking up the braised gravy delivering a pleasant satisfaction.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt4yz2TG8CzCuRSvX1Sjnw_Ub0pmSEV-XLuIEmlDsRWUL35nKfzxGOTcnxlAmtdj9zVnriZWaDvFOdiclS-nlTroMHv1Md6zI6kr8WibC_Fi3YpLrzEOb9j1e7O0WuLePbV4r5vEcLL4G/s1600/Oyster+Egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt4yz2TG8CzCuRSvX1Sjnw_Ub0pmSEV-XLuIEmlDsRWUL35nKfzxGOTcnxlAmtdj9zVnriZWaDvFOdiclS-nlTroMHv1Md6zI6kr8WibC_Fi3YpLrzEOb9j1e7O0WuLePbV4r5vEcLL4G/s400/Oyster+Egg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Oyster Eggs</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">An ordinary dish when made well is almost always something special, This was the case with this simple pairing of eggs with oysters. Shallow fried, the beaten eggs had risen to envelope fresh succulent oysters gently so that all the wonderful juices were captured within the egg wall.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2ZeTQt3uhtsss4MEbuZWeS8z8CsrTTxErzhBUHgXfkIVY_Gp6KCPcLWZLbGhzFuOZLo-ML8OVQInbljRdw0RVTjxWKaKOPY1NkPSbJinZQW7J61R0sGIFTmBeshHfbIoPWGOrfxLuFtI/s1600/Crab_Prawn+Rolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2ZeTQt3uhtsss4MEbuZWeS8z8CsrTTxErzhBUHgXfkIVY_Gp6KCPcLWZLbGhzFuOZLo-ML8OVQInbljRdw0RVTjxWKaKOPY1NkPSbJinZQW7J61R0sGIFTmBeshHfbIoPWGOrfxLuFtI/s400/Crab_Prawn+Rolls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Prawn/Crab roll</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The ubiquitous Prawn roll was ordinary but well executed. The slight less common crab roll on the other hand was a moist ball of delightful crab bits, encrusted within a golden brown coat.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Steamed Promfet</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another must have Teo Chew dish of fresh promfet steamed with salted vegetables and tomatoes. What makes their gravy, or soup better than most is the use of lard as a base for the fish. It is the most pricy course but well worth it. I later found out this dish is included in the set meal and would cost a lot less.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfetkrIxy501a9dgpiPIwKBvABsv7m34dUuEbJvvRBaLAHMJKzUVtMPR_g135On0lf5ccwEIaLr4tV2EfmZltrW8W3GRuJjkPMPLkGqg2hs9fHr1L6xwjZVlu5SuwlG4vccplPQZstamt/s1600/Steamed+Prawns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfetkrIxy501a9dgpiPIwKBvABsv7m34dUuEbJvvRBaLAHMJKzUVtMPR_g135On0lf5ccwEIaLr4tV2EfmZltrW8W3GRuJjkPMPLkGqg2hs9fHr1L6xwjZVlu5SuwlG4vccplPQZstamt/s400/Steamed+Prawns.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>White Steamed Prawns</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A last minute addition, as the dish traveled from the kitchen, its unbelievable fragrance made heads turn as I noticed the envy of the table of reds as they eyed our serving plate of orange and white freshness. Such simplicity when confidently paired with fresh ingredient often produces the most wonderfully delightful results. I still remember the crunch of the prawns as the rice wine sauce sweetens my mouth.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The reason I was there. Soft deep dark yams beaten to submission to present its true flavours, paired with sweet pulpy pumpkin, covered with a clean water chestnut broth. The concoction was delightfully sweet but not saccharine. What sets this apart from the thousands of wedding dinner desserts is the water chestnut broth with its natural sweetness. I dare say this is the best version of one of my favourite dessert of all time.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With the lighting quick service, homely food and excellent dessert, no wonder this place really pack in the crowds. Reservation is highly recommended for weekend and holiday dinners.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ambience - 2/5</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Service - 4/5</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Food - 7/10</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Price - $15-50 per person</span></b>Kelvin Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06269112192102240701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706883931148592809.post-16826749612146831762011-01-13T01:29:00.003+08:002011-04-16T10:07:26.794+08:00Chicken Up<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #656565; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="address" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 480px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">48 Tanjong Pagar Road<br />
#01-01 S088469</span></div><div class="phones" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tel: 63271203</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Hy7wmGkbFTj0V9abaD_QnjyRzdZixVyxewC0wRzfxf5D3QOGJCYs4hNjgOmo7sMrKna1XYUsVf1WreDyoNd2OYaBMBsTiRw6J2i327gqqHT6eA4yzcPN0uyo7anbQ1ApndY9aob1HbMS/s1600/P3260127-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Hy7wmGkbFTj0V9abaD_QnjyRzdZixVyxewC0wRzfxf5D3QOGJCYs4hNjgOmo7sMrKna1XYUsVf1WreDyoNd2OYaBMBsTiRw6J2i327gqqHT6eA4yzcPN0uyo7anbQ1ApndY9aob1HbMS/s320/P3260127-1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I find myself once again in the troughs of the unofficial korean food street, aka Tanjong Pagar Road, the appeal of fried chicken, more specifically, Korean Fried Chicken, calls to me. My first attempt was at BBQ chicken in Downtown east. Claimed to use only olive oil, the chicken were crispy and juicy, slightly better than the Colonel’s Hot and Spicy. The second attempt was in Lotte World, Seoul. What appeared to be a under patronized stall gave me a better glimpse of how good Korean Fried Chicken is.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ambience</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The bright fiery red décor stands out among the many Korean offerings. Shiny red laminated tables paired with equally crimson leather benches gives this place its distinct look. Korean TV snipplets glared from what else but a Samsung LCD with K-pop mildly blaring from the speakers courtesy of some very now K-band. Feels almost fast food like, just classier.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Service</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Most, if not all the staff are Korean. Orders were made plainly and I usually point to what I want on the menu to confirm. The nice waitress suggested “Mild Up” after we professed to not being able to handle spicy very well. To make things more interesting, she suggested the “Curry Up” as well, claming it non spicy. I added a Leek dumpling, its picture reminiscent of Chinese Dumping. Finishing the order was a impromptus lesson on how to pronounce a white grape drink ‘bong bong’. Fun.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Food</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Salad is provided free. With a blend of lettuce, cherry tomatoes and purple cabbages tossed with a tart dressing, the salad was standard stuff yet important as a starter before the anticipatory deep fried onslaught.</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Leek Dumplings - $8</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A mini version of Chinese “shui jiao”, filled with fresh pork complimented by leek. The accompanying sauce was however, decidedly Korean. Dark red vinegar with chilli powder makes the usual Chinese vinegar with ginger seem subdued. Each fresh tasting steamed dumpling was light on the palate until the vinegar kicks in. The size makes this dish a slightly out of place but pleasant appetizer.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A whole version serves eight pieces and half four. Stacked up were eight gorgeous pieces of golden fried chicken parts. I attacked my favourite part, the thigh with aplomb. Crunching my way past the battered skin peppered with a mild spice mix of secret ingredients, I was rewarded with a succulent, tender, fleshy center. The flesh of the thigh burst into flavours I was not quite familiar with, though I instantly knew I liked. It was only after I reached the bone did I realize how little oil there was. The battered should have tasted a lot oilier but it didn’t. The skin and tender flesh of the thigh, usually one of the fattiest portion though juicy, did not feel like there were any excess fat. The bird came with chilli and mustard, both quite unnecessary as the chicken was flavourful enough.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4uyhaZxs4-o9CptALTTqV9HXSccBBub83nojs5FyKwf7P3UPSFXnyi1fMVzkroplaeg7A3vEaz_KIS78MT7chKJWVK5OlIL2O-1ro04wXolYkU4hJpRq_le7lnE9kRQ5NjXfBWmf_6Lh/s1600/CurryUp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4uyhaZxs4-o9CptALTTqV9HXSccBBub83nojs5FyKwf7P3UPSFXnyi1fMVzkroplaeg7A3vEaz_KIS78MT7chKJWVK5OlIL2O-1ro04wXolYkU4hJpRq_le7lnE9kRQ5NjXfBWmf_6Lh/s320/CurryUp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Curry Up – W($25)/H($15)</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The only difference was the curry sauce and did it make a difference. This time, I dipped a piece of breast with slight trepidation into the brownish curry gravy. Together with the curry, the simple piece of breast cut chewed with a cotton like feel. Floating in the delightful sauce were cut potatoes and carrots, adding to the wonderful feel of the curry.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My food buddies had initially thought it was impossible to finish so many pieces of chicken. We ended up fighting for the remaining pieces as civility gave way to deep fried chicken lust. A wonderful addition to my list of places to go for good food after dark as the restaurant closes at 2am on weekends.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ambience - 2/5</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Service - 3/5</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Food - 7/10</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Price - $10-25 per person</span></b>Kelvin Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06269112192102240701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706883931148592809.post-56930885117539188142010-09-18T11:59:00.001+08:002010-09-18T12:00:45.506+08:00Sin Huat Seafood Restaurant<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #565656; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><ul class="vcard" style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li class="adr" style="margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="street-address" property="v:street-address"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Geylang Road Lorong 35</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">,</span></span></span></li>
<li class="adr" style="margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="locality"><span property="v:locality"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Singapore</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> </span></span></span><span property="v:postal-code"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">389589</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="tel otNoRsrv" style="margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="value"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Tel: 6744 9755</span></span></span></span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Greed, Gluttony, Lust, Pride, Envy, Wrath, Sloth. The seven deadly sins most Singaporeans would commit once in a while. I did, well, almost all of them during a visit to the famous and sometimes infamous Crab institute Sin Huat at Geylang.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dRpbB0cVyrgMIKAlX14IBRuqvaHWB7p-qJ7oskB486YsFg4ANj5VHjgOn0zcUKbEZK2R8PqNeG74X63Qh4AoJQb3x3jDRe2tADJGg5iZx4oFF9xbKnP98RggecOeL7ANq-H-jOLItvYZ/s1600/Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dRpbB0cVyrgMIKAlX14IBRuqvaHWB7p-qJ7oskB486YsFg4ANj5VHjgOn0zcUKbEZK2R8PqNeG74X63Qh4AoJQb3x3jDRe2tADJGg5iZx4oFF9xbKnP98RggecOeL7ANq-H-jOLItvYZ/s400/Sign.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Ambience</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Coffee shop by day, coffee shop in guise by night. The bright red plastic chairs remain, along with peeling laminated tops of foldable round tables. The feel is decidedly viscerally raw. As the vehicles by night raced by, neon lit Geylang juxtaposed with the dark damp streets defines the ambience.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Service</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Service staff sits you down taking drinks order in a jiffy. Food orders are left to the chef , when he takes his short breaks between dishes. He tends to invoke over-ordering so do take caution. Although he seems satisfied after you order the crabs so maybe you can start with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxzNfdk8DuKfwhzYqAraGBg6HAY6vUpBVZ7nL1Xt2JwqgcNGqe_UQcHhgR0YpHzjD2r41HAPCKa7rztsZaRhPSmkIFO1HewbRIr0kpDA1V_DqyaKl4QLltoMf9GYn4LCooO9dxrMPDjge/s1600/Roast+Pork.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxzNfdk8DuKfwhzYqAraGBg6HAY6vUpBVZ7nL1Xt2JwqgcNGqe_UQcHhgR0YpHzjD2r41HAPCKa7rztsZaRhPSmkIFO1HewbRIr0kpDA1V_DqyaKl4QLltoMf9GYn4LCooO9dxrMPDjge/s400/Roast+Pork.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Roast pork platter</i> – A porky quadtet of Char Siew, Roasted Belly, Ribs and Sausage. The Char siew stood out with its fat marbled center coated by a dark red caramelized syrup. Roasted belly was standard good stuff but the ribs felt a little too chewy. Sausage was almost all fat, it was almost too fat, even for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Scallops with black bean sauce</i> – Ultra fresh succulent treasure of the oceans were coated with a brooding sauce peppered with garlic. Sauce was surprising mild and generously complimented the fresh scallops.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OXbt6Ma4dt7mGeUV2yGGVCL0R3kZIiShi9iYWs400d4tXp0dsETsK2W33K9KDWNpGV5OZBKB5oiawPK3TfV8oetiCtsFZ9qhN7415_uiQ1vmELxKqbBe3ntPJlDsX_jSqhob7f8oCCHW/s1600/Gong+Gong.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OXbt6Ma4dt7mGeUV2yGGVCL0R3kZIiShi9iYWs400d4tXp0dsETsK2W33K9KDWNpGV5OZBKB5oiawPK3TfV8oetiCtsFZ9qhN7415_uiQ1vmELxKqbBe3ntPJlDsX_jSqhob7f8oCCHW/s400/Gong+Gong.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Topshell(Gong Gong) with special sauce </i>– The sauce looked innocent enough, heaps of rough chopped garlic, chilli, spring onion swirling in a viscous mix that delivered a potent blow to my delicate palate, opening my senses, leaving me wanting more amid the pain. As for the Topshell itself, there is really nothing much to say except they are the freshest and plumpest mollusks I ever had the pleasure of plucking from the shell. And what an easy pluck it was as they were already semi exposed, rendering the provided picks slightly redundant. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EPwlU4OV-IZPDen8lOP2cKiYwkjE5G-SQtOmJQRFk6zZHDYVQXpd5y0OsW2IXkoNIliSca_uAayPvjWx6d88oifk2TrFk4Dm-caO_Pa0gEOqB7_n2jgKKuTXLkcxt8P2XmqhzUaAKqvP/s1600/Crab+Bee+Hoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EPwlU4OV-IZPDen8lOP2cKiYwkjE5G-SQtOmJQRFk6zZHDYVQXpd5y0OsW2IXkoNIliSca_uAayPvjWx6d88oifk2TrFk4Dm-caO_Pa0gEOqB7_n2jgKKuTXLkcxt8P2XmqhzUaAKqvP/s400/Crab+Bee+Hoon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Sri Lankan Crab Bee Hoon</i> – Usually served as a finale, drips of bee hoon soaking in what I suspect to be lard are placed casually over a monster of a crab. It took a while to break the crustacean’s hard red shell. The reward beneath was immense. The sweetness of its flesh envelops my being as the coarse surroundings faded and I melt into a blissful oblivion of intoxication. Of course, that ended with my last spoonful of the sinful mix.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5OpQZQ5H_Z0xrn02F1YSci6Viyu8z3upLAObJLRluZs_vIPG7AXWvl0zSc4SSfGGrAoanNKAe8LxnUlmiipiFFh1B6QOFVsTU5K7FFVebqmz46LPjk9UunKmmr3pwThsNj9tYih-4RMY/s1600/Crab+Bee+Hoon+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5OpQZQ5H_Z0xrn02F1YSci6Viyu8z3upLAObJLRluZs_vIPG7AXWvl0zSc4SSfGGrAoanNKAe8LxnUlmiipiFFh1B6QOFVsTU5K7FFVebqmz46LPjk9UunKmmr3pwThsNj9tYih-4RMY/s400/Crab+Bee+Hoon+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This place made the news recently for having a infamously difficult chef, almost dictator like. Also, the prices makes the air conditioned restaurants feel, well, cheaper. Do not leave home without your credit card or lots or cash! After the last dish, I know I will always be back, regardless of what they print, especially for the exceptionally wonderful but extremely pricey Gong Gongs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(New rating format!)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ambience - 1/5</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Service - 2/5</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Food - 9/10</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Price - About $70-120 per person</div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div></span>Kelvin Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06269112192102240701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706883931148592809.post-77737500014325576782010-04-05T20:11:00.000+08:002010-04-05T20:11:25.747+08:00Chako<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Restaurant Chako<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1431898009">134 </a></span><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1431898009">West Coast Way</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1431898009"><br />
</a></span> <span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=134+West+Coast+Way+singapore&sll=1.316474,103.757449&sspn=0.030719,0.045447&g=134+West+Coast+Way+Hong+Leong+Garden+Shopping+Centre+singapore&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=134+W+Coast+Way,+Singapore+127064&ll=1.316859,103.755151&spn=0.00768,0.01545&z=17">Hong Leong Garden Shopping Centre</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tel: +65 6776 3919<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Opening hours<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mon – Fri 12:15pm – 2:30pm, 6:30pm – 10:30pm, Sat – Sun 6:30pm – 10:30pm<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNXnwfofkUfvfuSFG587H94_RtB9Rl8bWqM0ZCescOsINuADVO0p2xjEVHTfQcmnckZO1pfpt1Vafyec_NAWsxGarAhcErjQ1fH4zdfcaAaDvCCeCI2NqH65J0uYxU5Nmg43WQp_eqgml/s1600/sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNXnwfofkUfvfuSFG587H94_RtB9Rl8bWqM0ZCescOsINuADVO0p2xjEVHTfQcmnckZO1pfpt1Vafyec_NAWsxGarAhcErjQ1fH4zdfcaAaDvCCeCI2NqH65J0uYxU5Nmg43WQp_eqgml/s400/sign.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I cannot remember when I started watching Japan Hour. What I remember though, is the food centric program, week after week, brings us to wonderful localised places in we probably never heard of and might probably never find. What I love most about food segments, is that they almost never showcase big fancy famous restaurants. Instead, we get the quaint, generations handed down restaurants that always have a lovely geniel obasan behind the counter. On a lazy sunday night, my buddies found ourselves in one such gem in western Singapore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was the perfect cozy corner. So cozy and private, the stares we got made us feel like we just gatecrashed a secret party. They didn't last long though as the regulars went back to their food. It must have been fate that there was just one table left. There were hushed speaking tones as the tables were closer to each other than normal. Florescent lit, there was an interesting view from behind counter, behind a semi hidden shade.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We were served by the owner's daughter as she warned us repeatedly about the long waiting time. We weren't in a hurry to go anywhere. It was the first in a long time I felt such personal attentive service. She breezed us through the menu and highly recommended the specials. As I was advised long ago, always go for the specials.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Hwq4GMeZ2Lg3x-BgN8OIiFjVfsrZM7TLTAdOaZCVYmZhISrTFcfmNHK9FUH5ogBstvGcUaK8clEJyBnm2f-bXPm2H-0VPzCRLMlU6ckROwWTYJdDexELIkU0NVACURBXQfpaJ-5gnd3C/s1600/oden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Hwq4GMeZ2Lg3x-BgN8OIiFjVfsrZM7TLTAdOaZCVYmZhISrTFcfmNHK9FUH5ogBstvGcUaK8clEJyBnm2f-bXPm2H-0VPzCRLMlU6ckROwWTYJdDexELIkU0NVACURBXQfpaJ-5gnd3C/s400/oden.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oden<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The special for the day. We were told it was slow cooked for about 5 hours that day. We could tell. The soft but firm root vegetables seemed to have absorbed every bit of essence from the bean stock. It was earthy, salty, beany. Just the way I like my root vegetables done.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TO9DFxJ4pqChM2BtrG74OiwdcS5rC2ulN2BIwNu2CO7iXPMMQQugEhk_2jUkeGX-ZNXecXfxB4LEfx8rv505YuBBuF6Xwcwy3fTUX_Jx4w9catO-W3pN1T34tu6cvSfMYJWEo3FaezCp/s1600/gyoza.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TO9DFxJ4pqChM2BtrG74OiwdcS5rC2ulN2BIwNu2CO7iXPMMQQugEhk_2jUkeGX-ZNXecXfxB4LEfx8rv505YuBBuF6Xwcwy3fTUX_Jx4w9catO-W3pN1T34tu6cvSfMYJWEo3FaezCp/s400/gyoza.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJv9ejWWWL6C3H2ulV89LOkCCNn3esdPjgwTrn2-IwfsdO3O63-hk2vcN97-UC-ZSfd_OK0AcLtPWYtkurHs8uX4nKTc7FF5-cGYLF9ebUNO2RiVRO3Ou0wnWI-7N1jb0AmoLm7MwhEEJO/s1600/hamburger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJv9ejWWWL6C3H2ulV89LOkCCNn3esdPjgwTrn2-IwfsdO3O63-hk2vcN97-UC-ZSfd_OK0AcLtPWYtkurHs8uX4nKTc7FF5-cGYLF9ebUNO2RiVRO3Ou0wnWI-7N1jb0AmoLm7MwhEEJO/s400/hamburger.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hamburger Steak<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The beef loosely packed, had distinct flavours of the onion and spices within. A tad salty but flavours of the meat still shone through.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAa16FXE-us7utk5E2YC6n6WnnDZZnxWB4JJbj7aodSvWIRqXgn-uCZkTNRn5SMWSx0A0hi8QpveYasQFO-zqApRYTv68bpxYqOQ1-PZORwa4hmSM-JOjXFSyHvNDSmX-hQTr64kIcPONx/s1600/flounder_set.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAa16FXE-us7utk5E2YC6n6WnnDZZnxWB4JJbj7aodSvWIRqXgn-uCZkTNRn5SMWSx0A0hi8QpveYasQFO-zqApRYTv68bpxYqOQ1-PZORwa4hmSM-JOjXFSyHvNDSmX-hQTr64kIcPONx/s400/flounder_set.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Flounder in Soy Sauce<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My favourite dish. Flounder was expectely fine fleshed as soaked in new deepness of the soy sauce I never expected. Ever mouthful of the fish went with a mouthful of rice as I experienced a new level of comfort.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9lWMZBaStPwdM8RLuG9vdizW0hTpSpH_0GnQRlwyr2ueFzLrIrvJ7knRM2AeKmL4_v7bGYZZ-H_MBb8R7_VTtTx_S4RD8zaj2fqwcF4rpKa8K-NO1cERnQQgFrGDRUiXYfy6IuklIG18/s1600/chako_set.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9lWMZBaStPwdM8RLuG9vdizW0hTpSpH_0GnQRlwyr2ueFzLrIrvJ7knRM2AeKmL4_v7bGYZZ-H_MBb8R7_VTtTx_S4RD8zaj2fqwcF4rpKa8K-NO1cERnQQgFrGDRUiXYfy6IuklIG18/s400/chako_set.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Chako set<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Essentially a bento with Saba Shioyaki. The saba was lovingly roasted as the salt on the skin dried as the flesh kept moist and fresh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdMuSxeeschTzR7FdGghp0N5A06ln6DGY-uRlZSgAjrrEeYAMOObZapuX1avpnzUQ32wXjE_SB1FSZCnefH9BydB6FkO9CO5AFZ7AavkhmSP9UzT03yjE55VcGBn10qovhxI39m4ujaPX/s1600/green_tea_pudding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdMuSxeeschTzR7FdGghp0N5A06ln6DGY-uRlZSgAjrrEeYAMOObZapuX1avpnzUQ32wXjE_SB1FSZCnefH9BydB6FkO9CO5AFZ7AavkhmSP9UzT03yjE55VcGBn10qovhxI39m4ujaPX/s400/green_tea_pudding.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Green Tea pudding<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To round up an evening of earthy and homecooked food was the semi sweet, soft green tea pudding. The dessert had a less of a sweet overtone but the rather slight bitter nature of green tea made it a wonderful end to our meal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The meal took about 4.5 hours as we chatted through the night. We even stayed long enough to have a nice leisurely chat with the owner. A lovely obasan whose passion for Japanese food that tastes good and is good for you inspired me to continue with my food journeys. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ambience 11/15<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Service 12/15<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Food 11/15</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Kelvin Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06269112192102240701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706883931148592809.post-8786487178387797472009-11-29T14:16:00.030+08:002009-12-18T00:44:48.328+08:00La Strada<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 15px;"><span style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>#02-10 Shaw Centre</b></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
1 Scotts Road</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Les Amis. <span style="font-weight: normal;">I’ve faithfully avoided the infamously pricey group of restaurants, largely due to the rumoured wallet busting prices. So it was comforting to learn </span>La Strada<span style="font-weight: normal;"> wasn't very much pricier than the Italian joints I've hit in the past.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlq5M9HRfjRugD1k-9Sonkl9Nc_5dl8XrHWMoRUPwlUhI52dOfLM26k42kxk808q7uPqr_5Km-XYSonFYlhQZnGPrtI8HV9bmECLU8lJLGaDhsfU1cD3QgPBEiyWZbz7cRdm9oCo0-JkT-/s1600/Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlq5M9HRfjRugD1k-9Sonkl9Nc_5dl8XrHWMoRUPwlUhI52dOfLM26k42kxk808q7uPqr_5Km-XYSonFYlhQZnGPrtI8HV9bmECLU8lJLGaDhsfU1cD3QgPBEiyWZbz7cRdm9oCo0-JkT-/s400/Sign.JPG" /></span></a><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Service</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The first question posted by the waiter was, “Sparkling, still or iced water?” It was a good start as I had a special regard for Singapore’s tap water. The waiters were attentive and swift. I was also suitably impressed that they did not have to check with us whose order was up.</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>The Ambience</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The décor was pleasantly unintimidating. The space felt uncluttered, with understated dark wood floors, quiet quality furniture.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOtnkb9Me7ftjr8EPhQg-Qd9a771vpTAYsuwXliUWqGiY5KSDeHYbQwyA_h-CY3DbXCwMe4gOhQ0pFvkHndSXzYVcYV0y0rxMsNYMryhiGpDTiRTFmoRsIR2OWcHBlP0RSBBztxjtqUym/s1600/Inside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOtnkb9Me7ftjr8EPhQg-Qd9a771vpTAYsuwXliUWqGiY5KSDeHYbQwyA_h-CY3DbXCwMe4gOhQ0pFvkHndSXzYVcYV0y0rxMsNYMryhiGpDTiRTFmoRsIR2OWcHBlP0RSBBztxjtqUym/s400/Inside.JPG" /></span></a><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The bread basket came with a surprise. Pizza styled tomato sauce laden bread! Followed by the real thing.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1XqVD2rLk_KT6u20-aCaeZZ5tFFjS-yfVvcws6jRU5Vpe3n3lMxFxh46_2XQAhXysnxLSe06IzVt971TdUTtvuXjewJo-uGPt4G4sXsv-Op51MF5tQ-_O323QzZBs5eF2tdYJV8dtbZP/s1600/Bread_Basket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1XqVD2rLk_KT6u20-aCaeZZ5tFFjS-yfVvcws6jRU5Vpe3n3lMxFxh46_2XQAhXysnxLSe06IzVt971TdUTtvuXjewJo-uGPt4G4sXsv-Op51MF5tQ-_O323QzZBs5eF2tdYJV8dtbZP/s400/Bread_Basket.JPG" width="400" /></span></a><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Prosciutto cotto e funghi</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mushrooms were full bodied, lightly sautéed with the right amount of bite. The ingredients were deceptively simple; Italian gammon ham, mozzarella and tomato sauce. The quartet of quality ingredients embraced one another to produce a down to earth taste of a freshly made pizza.<br />
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My appetizer soon arrived.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Carpaccio Di Manzon</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The menu describe this dish as “thinly sliced wagyu beef, drizzled with truffle mayonnaise, extra virgin olive oil, shaved parmesan and rucola” Sounds good? Tasted good. I know many have dismissed truffles as being overpriced mushrooms, but anyone who has tasted the truffle mayonnaise would agree how much so little can do so much to dress up a common Italian dish. </span></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheINH6WbredXd6eIyOiXYFS_31s2AQY5rJzJq_WZ_gaEk-rRaxV5z86EelOAKr2IpUUIVTxSvB5fQx-mnwnrIxw5rHQOTC5u01-ZFJHe6U4-UvBpWl-FmMSRFtGicVUlKUubvmjDOEhCYq/s1600/Carpaccio+Di+Manzon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheINH6WbredXd6eIyOiXYFS_31s2AQY5rJzJq_WZ_gaEk-rRaxV5z86EelOAKr2IpUUIVTxSvB5fQx-mnwnrIxw5rHQOTC5u01-ZFJHe6U4-UvBpWl-FmMSRFtGicVUlKUubvmjDOEhCYq/s400/Carpaccio+Di+Manzon.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Pollo</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I merely got two bites of Pollo, a char-grilled baby French chicken but throughly enjoyed the herb dried grilled, tender, juicy, smooth piece of baby chicken.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8rOP-8l7T-e8tu7ogmE0UdnH1QKnr94pfDw9Nr_jx5DpSFA-B3-EAQjzdOW46xrDCC6FtNuu4fpenvHGIOolmNWhXT0WbPdZDsFwmC51pJ9JR7jE1MKaj-2GjpYtODwA_CLKJHNz0F9B/s1600/Pollo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8rOP-8l7T-e8tu7ogmE0UdnH1QKnr94pfDw9Nr_jx5DpSFA-B3-EAQjzdOW46xrDCC6FtNuu4fpenvHGIOolmNWhXT0WbPdZDsFwmC51pJ9JR7jE1MKaj-2GjpYtODwA_CLKJHNz0F9B/s400/Pollo.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Finally, my main arrived, I’ve opted for something that always sounded good but ends in bitter disappointment. Of course, I’m talking about ravioli. I mean, pasta wrapped with something special. How can it be bad? It was, many times over my years of enjoying Italian. Still, one more bad order couldn’t hurt. Could it?</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Ravioli</b></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The filling this time is braised quail with root vegetables in a raisin sauce. Not looking good. I went for the unusual raisin sauce with the pointed tips of my fork. It was a expectedly sweet, with a taste I just couldn’t quite understand. What I understood, was that it tasted fabulously decadant. Delighted, I spooned my first piece of ravioli. As I slipped the velvety piece of meticulously made piece of pasta in, my heart was pumping in estatic anticipation of what the fillings would be like. It. Was. Sublime. The quail with root vegetables were moist and rich. Complicated together yet displaying simplistic individual flair. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYzdqKrH40XRnoDxA8Q97aBa48igQEXuVmvYePL-27M9ye6ILSY-zL4aAvhmHoO1Fba0LagvRBDntPU5lXzZIE6AJWRTBaz9T9w8A6OnfpvEOCGcg7ufyTSHMpEooN7h-9TUaLhGNOVrD/s1600/Ravioli.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYzdqKrH40XRnoDxA8Q97aBa48igQEXuVmvYePL-27M9ye6ILSY-zL4aAvhmHoO1Fba0LagvRBDntPU5lXzZIE6AJWRTBaz9T9w8A6OnfpvEOCGcg7ufyTSHMpEooN7h-9TUaLhGNOVrD/s400/Ravioli.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What this dainty piece of pasta did, was to restore my confidence in ravioli. They do make it this good, you’ll just have to look a little harder. Although my seach has not ended, it's nice to know I can always come back for more Ravioli here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Ambience 12/15</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Service 12/15</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Food 13/15</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Will I come again?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yes, if not for anything else, the Ravioli that made my day.</span><br />
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</div>Kelvin Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06269112192102240701noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706883931148592809.post-8190747124967193762009-11-08T01:23:00.000+08:002009-11-08T01:42:42.464+08:00Northern Thai<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 Tyrwhitt Road</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTLJOFv-fwvkTYOuhyNxlDoxwBRWfCPjQdBaoPxKO6OfDEo_Uv4FPvj_VaFkPQ6i-IzrM1l2bTlLn-VsKeYBlFR82sXV8hEkVWVaL5YLzWaUEU1KHE3XtNu5k5Gdy5MqV1ok24S2IJtji/s400/Corner.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401414864494140786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizi3N8wG9KhEJ989NdqvaPjVJgFWlMHAeCFQ1rQsb9Q5SCwyw7Io9C3tRX43rvxvRvnYyA2RYYbVquEL8nOo_d8WLbAJk7uZUa46iSjWNFc_u9QDg8yYyAMP9IrVEqi2gKVw7XxZPYGlKF/s400/Stall.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401414869320297442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Thanks to a couple of foodie buddies, a recent sudden Thai craving of mine was so satisfyingly placated I had to share this euphoric spicy joy.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Northern Thai Restaurant is not located at the most likely corners one would expect to down really good tom yam. The coffee shop bearing the same name doesn’t seem like much, but a testament to its quality usually shows through its crowdedness. I sensed immediately this place is already no secret to the throngs of white collars already tucking away their spiced lunch. Thankfully, we managed to grab ourselves a small table amidst the madness.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My experienced foodie buddy wasted no time ordering. The food arrived in record time. Amazing really, considering how crowded the joint was. As the pungent whiffs of lemongrass, chilli padi and seafood reached my nostrils, I too wasted no time digging in.</span></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEUetM2hIX00sbKhRrJfnM_9KDogaUA4WRBF03i3HCYAgSSE5425dlfYs8LWQ8Z-Oz72CFL1v0ZYTbsPGtOFefjLHMD3q2tQBaxUsTEvltA9R-uuTbE3yJF45lO1fjKH6zxMwwpkA370d/s400/Fried+Rice.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401414872333980722" /><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Fried Rice</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The oily plate of rice, fried with the usual medley of seafood and egg, was fragrant from the first bite. The rice provided an excellent bite as the flavours of seafood, fish oil and </span></span></span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Bangkok</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">came flooding back. My only complaint is that it was too good on its own. For rice as an accompliment, I would recommend either the plain rice, or the weaker flavoured Pineapple rice.</span></span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9EiF3_WSW3lTh3CdFznXM7zC6YSgvE3IE3_hFEpjfU2_K1suKraUsmArZRCMcVa01kCbLix5KBBqiRBV96LxevLTdRkDaEH2iImEi3x8OO4B19kKvwXQ5sp8MrchzgjLJBqZxU2P8zKs/s400/pineappleRice.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401414876782476034" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Pineapple Rice</span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The pale canary coloured rice, with bits of tart pineapple mixed in, was weak tasting by itself. However, something magical happens when it was combined with the ever potent Tom Yam Fish Soup.</span></span></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2ZnhpMV5q69uwdSIh58tVzWiNSgM61wjdu7soCkQ9_6NU29EtVIympZ_rXHwNx_J9dF4A6RVSK8c0jPHQjlmwnXN6kgK2_CcmAbnCkF3KDiVbeLPcn9HmJuv8EtTHHPY0Whr2EkQr4J8/s400/tomYamSeafood.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401414882270658722" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Tom Yam Fish Soup (Cloudy Version)</span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As my spoon broke through the surface of a slightly unnaturally orange soup, I knew I was in for something good. Rummaging around, I found pieces of sliced ginger, lemon grass, fish and a whole host of unidentifiable herbs and spices. With every spoonful, the coconut milky goodness spiked with just the right amount of chilli padi was slightly painful but terribly addictive. It hurt so good I couldn’t stop until it was all gone. Thankfully, the other foodie buddy opted for a NS (Non Spicy) version of the fish soup.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">NS Fish Soup</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The biggest difference between the NS version was the omnipresence of bitter gourd. The overall flavour was a little shy and it had a good clearing effect, easing much of the pain caused by my inability to hold my chilli. Taste buds revived, I just had to have my all time fave, Fried Tang Hoon.</span></span></span></p><p></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxUHegLnKY1feqQT5uixKzox0DX9U7XN7KVHMO8ruykipW27rxdUj9pjWLADmLoZg2oAb_9A_BVQwLLmhaWX-fWHL9YuVJLCWe5yw9KQ0eolTthLuna2tk6Z1D9GtADp-OVwyqbKlR7Q_/s400/friedTangHoon.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401415065012495250" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Fried Tang Hoon</span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Deep, dark soy sauce coloured vermicelli, tossed casually with a simple mix of seafood was something I had on every </span></span></span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Bangkok</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> trip. Since it’s usually quite disappointingly placid over here, I’ve given up on my search for something at least parable to </span></span></span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Bangkok</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">’s. I might not have found one better, but this comes pretty close. The well soaked, confidently fried plate of Tang Hoon was more satisfying than most of our more established “Thai” air conditioned restaurants at a mere fraction of the price. I’ll take this with heat and sweat over the air conditioned comfort anyway.</span></span></span></p></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzgoQ0as_CyOq3qCkow7olJ3CFfnp3ZiSWEVDaGAHVhVEctRfwpuXy1JT4Tmup6VTqYo-Zal8vYcXsX6dZ_MmPj0A_VPr25u7jFAJOflOCYj_ut-pfKg0N_u3l1KEHjzJiqD2FR9uGj1r/s1600-h/Fried+Fish+with+Chilli.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzgoQ0as_CyOq3qCkow7olJ3CFfnp3ZiSWEVDaGAHVhVEctRfwpuXy1JT4Tmup6VTqYo-Zal8vYcXsX6dZ_MmPj0A_VPr25u7jFAJOflOCYj_ut-pfKg0N_u3l1KEHjzJiqD2FR9uGj1r/s400/Fried+Fish+with+Chilli.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401415071306007458" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Fried Fish Fillet with Thai Chilli Sauce</span></span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Strange thing about eating Thai food, I usually end up eating more than normal, which in itself is pretty impressive considering how much I usually eat. With my lust almost satisfied, I requested for the interesting looking Deep Fried Fish Fillet with Thai chilli sauce. Boy was it good. The gently crispy breaded surface hid fresh, succulent white flesh of the fish. Paired immaculately with the potent spicy and sweet chilli sauce, I was in Thai Heaven.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Do take note that this joint is only open in the afternoon. Lucky for those of us who do not have the gastronomic pleasure of working nearby, they are also open on Saturdays. This is my joint de jour for Thai food henceforth. Unfortunately, only on Saturdays now.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Kelvin Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06269112192102240701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706883931148592809.post-84784135753640506142009-06-25T14:46:00.000+08:002009-06-25T14:48:45.759+08:00Tahu Telor<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ole Ole Javiyan - Stall 5 ,</span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Bedok</span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Camp</span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Food</span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Center</span></st1:placetype></st1:place></div><div style="text-align: left;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Junction of </span><st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Upper East Coast Road</span></st1:address></st1:street><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> and </span><st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Bedok Road</span></st1:address></st1:street></st1:placetype></st1:place></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It’s been a succession of unrelenting hot days. What better way to relief the heat then to head down to my favourite Cheng Ting stall in </span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bedok</span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Camp</span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Food</span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Center</span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. The car park was strangely empty as I trudged up the narrow footpath. My answer lies within. An entire row stalls, closed, as my thirst was unsatisfactorily quenched by the more common chin-chow.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thirst quenched, it was my hunger for good food that now needed gratification. Almost reflexively, I made a quick order for sinful delight, the Tahu Telor.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I was told to wait ten minutes as I headed back to my table filled with various other fillers. After fifteen minutes, it finally came.</span></span></span><div><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span><div><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7g0erIyrkldrZHWnCQpy0MhBxQ-abvzEaNj4Htr3AgpKrkaAA9HfYI9DZ3u0LHFGjhhdDmDTufASHfSnUtEupJNpqSEZkKTbvKgNGwCBPH8s5DvsTCulRtpkBuh617ZGmVZG3Az_wDb3/s320/tauhuTelor.JPG" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 223px; " border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351153220449003506" /></span><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The reason it took so long is that the stall owners do not prepare it beforehand. While so many others do that, this stall has consistently met my freshness quota. Also, unlike many other places that replaces the tofu with a harder, easier to manage Tau Kwa, this stall, thankfully sticks to the good old smooth and silky cubes of white goodness.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Drizzled with a dark prawn paste sauce, the smell reminiscent of Rojak, another perennial local favourite of mine, my senses heighten as I tear apart the webby, spongelike egg structure. The toppings of cool shredded cucumbers and carrots fell into the oily mix of cholesterol busting eggs, tofu, and divine prawn sauce, lightly sprinkled with crushed peanut.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Whilst the egg itself did not present much flavour, nor did the usually bland tofu inject any distinct taste, the sauce does well to accentuate the two. It was like eating Rojak, but with a textural difference. Rojak being the rough, crunchy brother, Tahu Telor being the softer, gentler sister.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I would recommend sharing this dish. As much as I love the pungent prawn paste sauce and deep fried goodness of the eggs, finishing an entire plate proved a little much. Furthermore, I need the space for my fried prawn noodles and Cheng Ting. If only they were open. Must remind myself to avoid going on a Monday…</span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><br /></span></p></div></div>Kelvin Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06269112192102240701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706883931148592809.post-33574643784050242162009-06-25T14:38:00.000+08:002009-06-25T14:41:33.138+08:00I'm back!<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hey guys and girls, I'm back! I would like to apologise for the lack of updates. I was busy doing this...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wGu6Q1aqTRxUVtyUEWmstriQtj8E8zqZuvuR8ZTfDKTb0skxRyZLyZzfD21zcRbFNluJMKQcNqto0OKDLNonaQAoDa5nixVo_qX9uDZ1e2AFhsB7JVYjHx9fdux1LUpVIgGPuYPpPlnH/s1600-h/Redang.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wGu6Q1aqTRxUVtyUEWmstriQtj8E8zqZuvuR8ZTfDKTb0skxRyZLyZzfD21zcRbFNluJMKQcNqto0OKDLNonaQAoDa5nixVo_qX9uDZ1e2AFhsB7JVYjHx9fdux1LUpVIgGPuYPpPlnH/s320/Redang.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351151465126021202" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> p.s. That's me in the chair on the right.<br /></span></span>Kelvin Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06269112192102240701noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706883931148592809.post-91129780091658295712009-05-29T12:52:00.000+08:002009-06-12T09:37:09.329+08:00Paradise Inn<st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">West Coast</span></span></span></st1:placename><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Plaza</span></span></st1:placetype></span></st1:place><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> #B1-48</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4knwG0KKmg2Cy7uYwDsrboxlaiWXWDYsS6FOypUp148xhckNru5D1Nc9m1cRX8kjHLlTcfCybFatXOL2cD9zrwSwlfbhDKa9Cw9vNIYQVKvkigNFQ0ZioqUlS3k3XnVjAVcbQV0k1vXV/s1600-h/wall.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341105038986816130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4knwG0KKmg2Cy7uYwDsrboxlaiWXWDYsS6FOypUp148xhckNru5D1Nc9m1cRX8kjHLlTcfCybFatXOL2cD9zrwSwlfbhDKa9Cw9vNIYQVKvkigNFQ0ZioqUlS3k3XnVjAVcbQV0k1vXV/s320/wall.JPG" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It was called </span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ginza</span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Plaza</span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> last time I ventured along the west coast. Now, with a minty new veneer and brightly coloured shops, </span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">West Coast</span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Plaza</span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> is born. Along with its birth, is many new eateries eager for west side patrons. On this lazy afternoon, a late lunch here was the perfect stopover before collection of a prize hamper in Pandan Loop. With more than a handful of eateries, both familiar and strange, my friend and I opted for the new. Noting Paradise Inn was the only eatery with a queue on his last visit, my friend enthused it.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341105036261024562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVm6MqoGyx50Iza9q1iIdhvnB245Gk2X_E2HuJdYRgSqHkv731Kgw7v4TpNwBTHA2ZM6GfvrjxeiDoimHmxPOC_VfRf1QfkkoVi1mOA9Y4j1mTOz9_2Y9pnwVIjWQ6QUwu5RrhePS35zT/s320/setting.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341104899091339426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNLCHWJRSfA4e17IpW1My5-pJrGVDf1PcG8-OnpzSRtLonj7iFY0GSw3lkHEc0CFtI9W8cWUWjLqVlHOvycuBVanGq9n-EpVVJB-oIAuvKdsnF3_yboDKe_spmQmck5xkLzBxxIcRUk5J/s320/lantern.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341104893499525186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUB-s6h3OatWla3KKkjEptx_UIQe0oVih4Et67frrvn4nWyrnENTrM1BxVXf9224_MoCuYtHECwieHNTs9elbHGPao8iVwvK5KOmHDfjj0VXcFEjkMiAZDrhtWUhoFFO2eMLpcXly8IIzb/s320/decor.JPG" border="0" /></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Ambience</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If I didn’t know better, I would have avoided the eatery like a coughing, sneezing man on the MRT. The gimmicky Chinese furniture, the hanging lanterns, the extraneous wood panels bearing the eatery’s name, forewarned of not too serious food. Luckily, I was proved wrong.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Service</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">With mostly Chinese National waitresses, the service was efficient in mandarin. The waitress taking our order did not interfere nor introduce any dishes but did do well to explain that one of our orders would not look like the corresponding picture. Interesting. The request for ice water was also met with a nonchalantly quick response.</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Food</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Since it was a late lunch, we carefully selected our dishes to fill the hunger without destroying dinner’s appetite.</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341104902934649266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_nRe10i9Vco5wxKBtLlKVPJRHHWf8EDzyk44rxtNlHpD8nIoaNKeSNN7KZlup4ATXQWxc8UTN5SfX8wrSKSKuSIL5vMJPa3hwzcpvENLTFPWLGatjZZUOgv-p5CfB1ZWrjSD3VoXHU38/s320/porkBun1.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341105032524395522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitU2Dbv1tyIk04XShTFSkgJGLWd-ZSWYZ_IWcYTW6X0lIRxd5ZpVM2PFVrxoAOG8BLL2xtV7oXXou1ukjbua67JHBthq527ke0l1nlr9H8qc_O9xE9GbFZKLyD_1zdThoxDlEmhwtRGCl1/s320/porkBun2.JPG" border="0" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pork Belly with Lotus Bun</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Inescapably, I had to compare this dish to my favourite one at </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Beng Hiang</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. The meat was a little tough on first bite. Cooked in a competent mix of spices, the meat and particularly the fat eluded a nice balanced fragrance. The bun was soft with just a touch of chewiness. The leftover sauce mixed with the fat was just right for dipping whatever was left of the bun. Overall not as good as Beng Hiang, but good enough for second helpings. I remembered the time I had trying to finish ten of these with a friend at </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Beng Hiang</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. Paradise Inn is a little more considerate, they charge per order.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341104900388366514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Mx3ze9eLb9TK1R6JaP3MryC4zp5-7X4yN9gcQK8BWafdE4HXWxPD2cexWG-GfJ4cNGowO8Zu6N-nc84ECdD53Jdn-rvLSt58epXkS2QCjR-L4gckRqqePvsbxwUxFVlaZipvS_RVV9o5/s320/friedRice.JPG" border="0" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Yang Chou Fried Rice</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our choice of filler was the </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">ubiquitous </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Yang Chou Fried Rice</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. The individual ingredients, particularly the shrimp and char siew stood out as I munched through the spoonfuls. Slightly oily but nicely salted, the dish provided all the gestation comfort I expect from this dish.</span></span></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341104894438761602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 203px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67Uc55MYNfiJZ_IUNgq1xUPV12_FIIInT5ygVrkQUOEpZ4e0gFWoz9UwH_eg4PWNueNX-LZDrDE4YCZkh1T5XY5jPHTYRTXLkZq1ZlkD5HOLX-e0_qB2Dsa7419YdjOevFuRw5DUyAFEz/s320/beef.JPG" border="0" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Beef Fillet in Chinese Style</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Looking slightly different from the print on the menu (we were not warned), the thinly sliced pieces of beef was sprinkled with tiny cuts of mango. Ignoring the mango, I took an entire piece. The tenderness was surprising. Each bite did not so much as cut the meat but instead brought out a strong, overwhelming garlic flavour. Mixed with the juices of the meat, the garlicky taste soon melted with the meat into a blissful goodness. The next piece was accompanied by the mango and the sweet, slightly tart quality of the mango went even better as it brought down the flavour of the garlic, making the taste more varied.</span></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtpGzhT6XcaJ0bTguJoAkReEDkbk4BhQhxFAjNk7yZ1Ti0OGAA6VYD4CeJzxaUtjXOEk3ceTaDuaqpFKpyB4GhG5pADsU-kGSBK7jCZEyPsyq39QspDTSWoJQWVD-0mGX-3i9mZHT3GlU/s1600-h/tofu.JPG"><span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341105039338847170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 211px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtpGzhT6XcaJ0bTguJoAkReEDkbk4BhQhxFAjNk7yZ1Ti0OGAA6VYD4CeJzxaUtjXOEk3ceTaDuaqpFKpyB4GhG5pADsU-kGSBK7jCZEyPsyq39QspDTSWoJQWVD-0mGX-3i9mZHT3GlU/s320/tofu.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Mini Wok Tofu</span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The dish indeed looked different from the picture. The small spread of pork floss atop a plain looking piece of fried Tofu swimmingly in brown gravy was not impressive. Digging further, small cuts of shrimp, sea cucumber and mushrooms were revealed. The Tofu felt freshly made, soft, firm and light tasting. It went very well with slivers of sweet pork floss after it was dampened by the flavourful gravy. It might have looked different from the picture, but it provided an expected taste.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I could now understand the queue at this eatery during the weekends. The food was a lot better tasting than the name and the décor suggested. Having said that, I was still mildly puzzled at the queue as the meal did cost quite a bit more than expected.<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ambience – 8/15<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Service – 10/15</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Food – 10/15</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p></p>Kelvin Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06269112192102240701noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706883931148592809.post-67841754072567764602009-05-18T23:05:00.001+08:002009-06-12T09:29:50.790+08:00Maintenance of Standards<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It is always disappointing to discover an old favourite haunt with lower standards. What is that makes it so difficult to maintain standards? Higher costs? Different chef? Diminishing passion? Overwhelming business? Whatever the reason, how should we handle this phenomenon?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I’ve recently been introduced to an unlikely restaurant. Located within walking distance from my home, I’ve always given it a miss for a combination of factors. The overly open layout, the horrid lime green sofas, the trying to be clever name... However, at the advice of my fellow foodie, I ventured forth for lunch.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It was actually quite decent! The mushroom soup with chopped mushrooms exuding a woody scent and taste, the ultra crisp garlic bread with an unassuming and bold garlic flavour, the tender and decently cooked chicken that adorned a nicely decorated plate. All in all, it was a satisfying meal which warranted repeat dining.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And repeat I did. With family, friends and fellow foodies. Then the trouble started. On my third visit, I noticed that the garlic bread weren’t as crunchy as before. The soup also lacked the mushroom creaminess I had first experienced. The main courses seem also to be lackluster. It was my fourth visit though, that made me write this entry.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The mushroom soup that I adored was milky, almost tasteless and lukewarm. The garlic bread which impressed with its crisp, flavourful exterior was flaccid, oily and speckled with a few pathetic pieces of what seemed to be garlic. The main course of pan fried salmon as still stacked nicely as before, but was overcooked, under salted and quite painful to finish up.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The most astonishing fact remains that the four visits were all within the same month! How is this possible? Granted restaurant was not doing too well to begin with. With such a landslide of standards, they’ve quite possibly lost this customer, along with all his recommended friends and family. It then hit me. I had recommended this place to quite a few friends after my first visit. What if this remains the standard? I would inevitably lose all my credibility as a food reviewer then wouldn’t I?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hence, if any of my recommendations within this blog proves unsatisfactory in anyway, I urge you, my friends and family, to inform me of the injustice. I would perform a follow up review and post a revised rating, or even remove the entry. I just hope I wouldn’t have to do that too often. Given this economy and the less choices of good food in </span></span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Singapore</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span></span><br /></p>Kelvin Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06269112192102240701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706883931148592809.post-19537283995407712282009-05-14T15:31:00.000+08:002009-05-14T15:38:01.621+08:00Heng Kee Curry Beehoon Noodles - Hong Lim Food Center<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It was hot just before lunch time. Then it rained. It stayed hot and became humid. Perfect weather for spicy hawker food wouldn’t you say? Piqued by my last review on<a href="http://kelvineats.blogspot.com/2009/05/madam-kwans-restaurant.html"> Madam Kwan’s chicken curry</a>, a foodie buddy of mine was determined I try one of his personal favourite. I could spot the queue kilometers away. Actually, most of the stalls had queues. They must all be famous. I was rueful that this was my first visit, how could I have missed this place? <br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Since it was lunch rush hour, strategy was the name of the game. Armed with an umbrella (which I unfortunately left behind afterwards), I ventured the tables, hoping to catch one with patrons at the end of their meals. My friend on the other hand, swiftly joined the snaking queue.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">After a sweaty twenty minute wait, lunch was served. I have to say, it was not pretty. Bits of sharply chopped chicken parts, mangled with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">taupok</span> (fried beancurd skin) and half a potato atop noodles with beehoon. The aroma though, was a thing of beauty.</span></o:p></p></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-0j3hEUq0yZ4KjHZUvHKIJqC18q7r-7S-Dye9RvrCUcMwSGya3UuBaKzhY-jRvBfWv0V-Izk1KIFAMS94o8mXOvMZtSkJYH_H_aSAy5PqwfhYgW-ICqi14akqHS_Cbmeo1ijV0-8TmhS/s320/curry_noodle.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335579537732559730" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">First was the chicken, I was given parts of breast and wing. The meat was sufficiently tender but strangely lacked the stronger taste I was anticipating. My friend reminded about the small dish of darken chilli paste that accompanied. Ah, the mystery solved. Dipping my chicken precariously into the paste, it all made sense. The combination was fierce. The chilli, initially spicy, transformed the plain piece of chicken with its fragrant sweetness. Wonderful.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Next, I popped a piece of the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">taupok</span>, that my friend has taken the liberty of ordering extra. The moment I took my first bite I was secretly thanking my friend for the extra order. The soft, chewy piece of modest taupok, took upon itself to absorb all the possible flavours of the curry. The curry bursts out of its every pore with every bite. I was blissfully entrapped in a maze of curry frenzy. Like the chicken, the initial spiciness paved the way for the amazing curry flavour. The coconut milk gave a necessary sweet ending note.</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Lastly, the staple portion of my bowl, the mix of noodles with beehoon. It was strange, but the noodles and beehoon did not seem to fully absorb the curry. Cocooned in a small bubble of warm cooked water, the noodles mix seemed to stand out on its own. Bouncy, warm and comforting, I started taking a spoon of curry with every bite of the noodles.</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The thick goodness of coconut milk was a little more subtle in this dish. Instead, the curry was an extremely smooth concoction, fusing everything in the bowl without possessing any of their individual taste. The curry was good to the last drop.</span><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApBY7kb9F15pMimEe9AGPDuVPMiTtFjuK9TjvsmUTYKNRn6S7FRkUw5gzJJLlKmkSfIzOMv5Ng3RkNPKpCSqojGFNq9AzvIrYL0KX3F359wXKL-BXrur2znhCAcAO9pXJ8yNiB8tWnIsp/s1600-h/stall.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApBY7kb9F15pMimEe9AGPDuVPMiTtFjuK9TjvsmUTYKNRn6S7FRkUw5gzJJLlKmkSfIzOMv5Ng3RkNPKpCSqojGFNq9AzvIrYL0KX3F359wXKL-BXrur2znhCAcAO9pXJ8yNiB8tWnIsp/s320/stall.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335579541527299266" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It was slightly after lunch time when we finished. As we passed the stall, there was slight comfort to see the queue reduced. I know what time to come when the craving eventually gets the better of me.</span><br /></div>Kelvin Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06269112192102240701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706883931148592809.post-43832081087720399692009-05-11T10:58:00.000+08:002009-05-11T12:32:36.605+08:00Saiseriya Ristorante E Caffe<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Liang Court</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "> #02-22 – </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Singapore</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region></span><br /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5HhjKc1cABakUSYieN7NtBeGoTG6rHDMIDeeazu1pbSJ5Z9-j2e2sdIxJdOR7jiT_cUhPkUrZZzydBYwzp49iIcqNg3efG0FTE81sGwSGetw-Vh-OjpXHoYObxHu28S4hLuORxq1lXdf/s320/front-1.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 219px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334413284998411042" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Hiding in a corner of the reopen, remodeled and restyled </span></span><st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Liang Court</span></span></st1:address></st1:street><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">, is an Italian restaurant, with an obviously Japanese name. A giant poster hanging in the foyer tells me there 800 outlets in </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Japan</span></span></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">, and here’s the first in </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Singapore</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">.</span></span><br /></p></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style=""><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0FRHGSXN86Z8NamhMitFni4arbGUV84CKWm50TtoRNcI9NSHvW1xlu4CaGrL0YgLQehCnWOZJxYSZzckaNR8e5beGCKDAt6BROJy5k5GHm9_odTvXiNPZN9JmRR3C2vmKSH0woO8wbgM/s320/decor-1.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334416056514639186" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The Ambience</span><br /></p></div><div style=""><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The Sicilian coloured restaurant was unassumingly simple but pleasant. A fairly large seating area means the decibels are on the high side when crowded. The fluorescent lighting made the place feel like a fast food restaurant, only better.</span></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The Service</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Can you say fast? The manager personally took our orders. His warm and extremely courteous manner made us order a little more than we initially wanted. The rest of the wait staff was also very courteous and attentive. There was not one moment when anyone in the restaurant had the chance to feel neglected. The food arrived in record time despite a full restaurant. Most impressive.</span></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The Food</span><br /></p></div></span><div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The prices were noticeably lower than usual. Whilst it seemed like good news, it made me doubt for a moment about the expected quality.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Minestrone Vegetable Soup</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – Clear tomato based soup with a surprising familiar taste which I just cannot put my finger on. The ingredients were fresh with a surprise entry of fried bacon.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Seafood Chowder</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – Slightly tastier than the Minestrone, a nice creamy texture with a satisfactory mix of seafood tastes.</span></o:p></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ePah1NRtXVP2kcRGE9QkXwnsCXahEdkOHO8Ybt8RV8vNtDuJzxYAOjMloLbdy_It8M6TGFGja0QeTAQ5Wfa_tSe9UlG7yo4fQWTSXcLf4o-GoAw-bsY-XMMMd8Kk8-hkosVdD0wzP7Ya/s320/escargots-1.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 258px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334415772994150178" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Glazed Escargots</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – My</span><span lang="EN-SG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> favourite</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> dish. Non chewy escargot baked in butter and spices. The butter sauce was so good we had to order extra Foccacia bread to soak up the remnants. The pricing also made it difficult not to place another order of it.</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Focaccia</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – It was more like Naan than Focaccia, but nonetheless, it was freshly baked, warm, soft and perfect with the Escargots and soup.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5BT-Gu5CI50E-CLcOWZC0aeDz0wZgUPQi4Mo0MqfhT-FCFPKytqAzvjDG3oPnlnk-8U9qs3X-h4RA8IAeamHLVyq-KATTz_YpkVyEpJTCfzEETIhcn2k4-NUK1d-atgSwVF1N6AdV2Au/s320/doria-1.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 198px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334415629160854434" /></div></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Doria with Meat Sauce</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – The picture on the menu had a crown placed beside it. Their Number <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">1 dish! For the life of me, I did not know what Doria was. The picture looked nice enough though. The mystery was solved with the arrival of the hot dish. It was like a gratin except it had risotto in place of mashed potatoes. The creamy cheese sauce with slightly burnt edges topped with a tomato based beef sauce went well with the</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">risotto within.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovGE-Jaqpnc4l7RkRL6DfGwZyvbFNM3xfPts8hchYZJWIN7XOX3_yyTX3pkzmR-KGTbDb7xCoubLig38S25sOMDEFi20DaUaz_7HHqjvnVd67u0vrFhARNDuA4UbobgOznv9B4LqX7UGb/s320/cream_pasta-1.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334414626775572802" /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Spaghetti with Mushroom and cream</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – My least</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> favourite</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> dish. The spaghetti was limp and uninspired. The sauce needed more flavour and less salt.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWSQLuM1IvGi8I8xM0NgAXHQ9UYomNEy4m-J9HytsCCRXp8PG3XDELLNgNH2iEHf0DfqmLmsRyAEf26q3E-zRNuM8n9uLM6_bsUMkzbs3g7CIL-pjHR4z6MCOgv6VFldtIzlyGM_P2M87/s320/seafood_pasta-1.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334414629729325298" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Spaghetti Vongole Rosso</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – Similar to the cream version, the lifeless spaghetti made this dish placid and slightly boring. However, the spaghetti was lower priced than most food court pasta. Still, I would have expected something better.</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoqhH_kw7fLCtVxK-A45c4JwEnX4ErcRVwO52S1eWP9aQBuIM5eBP11Ret0mwNml4i6jnljt5JHdTJEPvpykF4bZW2TyHie6ygtLGMEjCTwX_7ZZWbcyLq6wfElBwQBGvBh1NLfadF2Qe/s320/mushroom_pizza-1.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334413283374701186" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Pizza With Mushrooms</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – The cheese was a little too oily and runny. Other than that, the pizza was reasonably well made and loads better than Pizza Hut’s.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-AZA_h_l8DWdHLrbvTlJ6FUuCEs6oDQNszCvjE7MnZIt8bG4pSU5lLLpbtpt2nzJUnTexsLWe38ongBpR6Jd1Xz9_Um5bnxp01VsF-1_uHTZusf-4vQR2EIG-K3tC6S5VUBYGNCnv-6H/s320/mushroom_steak-1.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334413286987496914" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hamburger Steak with Mushroom Sauce</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – The better of the two Hamburger dish, the mushroom sauce featured strong tasting mushrooms which made everything on the plate tasty. Everything had a dash too much salt for my liking though.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Z-59FfZN3mQT3lxOZFHUWlW85J59e4xGo1axFra3b_qyxIry-eXKdNy960vJCTDLjnszVv2QOoSWOC4QpXmljqDKZb4i0x9GXW3Dk_7OA8K-1ij54gf5e7t584vBnae7H090uXL8KBRK/s320/cheese_streak-1.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334417599237338610" /><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hamburger Steak with Cheese and Tomato</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – The melted mozzarella made the steak slightly tougher and the</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> flavours</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> did not go too well. I would just order the mushroom version on my next visit.</span></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Despite our obvious over order (there were three of us), the price was still kept reasonably low. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The portions did not reflect the price as they were quite substantial. Overall, an enjoyable experience with lower priced food. As a bonus, for less than $3 per person, drinks bar buffet featured Latte and Cappuccino that would make most places which overcharge for them hide in shame. Definitely worth a revisit.</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ambience – 7/15</span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Service – 11/15</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Food – 9/15</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p></div>Kelvin Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06269112192102240701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706883931148592809.post-79776552670285517842009-05-06T09:05:00.000+08:002009-08-30T22:01:04.457+08:00Madam Kwan's Restaurant<div><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Kuala Lumpur</span></span></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Malaysia - KLCC</span></span></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My trip to Genting Highlands was punctuated with a trip down to KL. The star purpose of this trip was to lunch at Madam Kwan’s. Highly recommended by my sister, my family made lunch at Madam Kwan’s an important event during our yearly trip to Genting Highlands. This time however, I was armed with a camera and my trusty notebook.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The Ambience</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Greeted by a multi-coloured tile façade of the service counter, the décor was decidedly up-market. The place had a quiet executive feel, which was apt since the clientele was mostly busy lunching executives and tai-tais, with the occasional tourists. That being said, the restaurant was anything but quiet, especially since we were there during the early lunch hour.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The Service</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Based on the clientele, the service was efficient but slightly cold. It’s worth mentioning that they serve ice water without being asked, the ice water however, had a curious whole strawberry, leaf intact, floating conspicuously. This branch tends to get rather busy, hence the food arrives in record time, filling the entire table with our lunch.</span></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The Food</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Serving both traditional Malay Cuisine with sprinkles of Chinese and Western, I decided on concentrating on the traditional. Although they offered set dishes, my party decided to share the goodness to maximize the experience.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiK4I5HxPbGkUdpYgYMtPCh2dA8MDdMdDDKJJLal8PEs8Bfp2iQfDdFjZGXh5xeTu0zclbMvFoCxMLeXPmUL4NeV4OTicjGYybsxR6ggdFVx8B6z7nDfnXKQaSvu6bg6yU9u5HuwU4kmii/s1600-h/curry_chicken.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 192px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiK4I5HxPbGkUdpYgYMtPCh2dA8MDdMdDDKJJLal8PEs8Bfp2iQfDdFjZGXh5xeTu0zclbMvFoCxMLeXPmUL4NeV4OTicjGYybsxR6ggdFVx8B6z7nDfnXKQaSvu6bg6yU9u5HuwU4kmii/s320/curry_chicken.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332532222241283266" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Chicken Curry</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – The plate of warm orange covered chicken was the first to arrive. The sweet, almost overwhelming taste and smell of coconut spreads warmly on our taste buds. The playful spicy kick came in momentarily, and lifted the taste of this dish so far up I was reluctant to come down. I knew then, I needed rice. Lots of rice. Nothing was going to stop us from licking the plate dry. It was one of the best curry chicken I’ve ever tasted.</span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzzV5JsZ1DC3EkuOCDb6d5L7553FF-FNT9FzssmiHK6NTKzw2ViMZ1xmE-t_ykqk9QEGBmf5O-VkxLwqHUmLum_ZTI4j4IZbEAwRMcbzZsSK8qT3jn3r2l4F7KebuLY2Oo8U6GboKs16z/s1600-h/drumstick.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 253px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzzV5JsZ1DC3EkuOCDb6d5L7553FF-FNT9FzssmiHK6NTKzw2ViMZ1xmE-t_ykqk9QEGBmf5O-VkxLwqHUmLum_ZTI4j4IZbEAwRMcbzZsSK8qT3jn3r2l4F7KebuLY2Oo8U6GboKs16z/s320/drumstick.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332531712372961346" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Chicken Drumstick</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – It seemed like chicken overkill to order another chicken dish, but having previously devoured two of their giant drumsticks, it would have been a sin not order it again. The golden fried drumsticks, with a thin layer of crispy skin, were seasoned so well, the same wonderful fragrant spices were evident throughout the entire leg. You had to have it all, the wafer thin skin, the juicy plump flesh, even the bone, which had no dark red marks, tasted particularly good. Yes, I was guilty of tasting the bone.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD2-5DYW0rg0m-_TsduUS7lf2F6oj3jpaHuZZLnuF0FCv0MShOwa7KuaJLGPtvoeroJb5usHcN_ZC-Is0XEcwIUnjvyelWnnMIB2DyEuDKyt-D9JjEgv9DsR3FvWNSRTHeJ_J0oO9cZGi/s1600-h/bojari_rice.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD2-5DYW0rg0m-_TsduUS7lf2F6oj3jpaHuZZLnuF0FCv0MShOwa7KuaJLGPtvoeroJb5usHcN_ZC-Is0XEcwIUnjvyelWnnMIB2DyEuDKyt-D9JjEgv9DsR3FvWNSRTHeJ_J0oO9cZGi/s320/bojari_rice.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332530239942116386" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Bojari Rice</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – Slightly less oily than its coconut counter-part,the tri-coloured bojari rice was something else. The feel it gave was that of Indian Nasi Beranyi but with normal short fragrant rice. Without the oily exterior, this dish of rice actually gave a different dimension when combined with the curry chicken. The rice absorbs the curry and gives it an extra kick.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQj7EnZc3nFGm6YLPib13ncr7oiVTGqb6gcFVW73ZEC1e65vCBDIiWgGEUWJ_Spzz9fOVSNSOi3IFxaJ1RLZDEJy3GVsDOzPfJ3tbv97ZIm8AlDaN3vFDYJQJIja64ERBXIIZX1qKiAKN/s1600-h/coconut_rice.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQj7EnZc3nFGm6YLPib13ncr7oiVTGqb6gcFVW73ZEC1e65vCBDIiWgGEUWJ_Spzz9fOVSNSOi3IFxaJ1RLZDEJy3GVsDOzPfJ3tbv97ZIm8AlDaN3vFDYJQJIja64ERBXIIZX1qKiAKN/s320/coconut_rice.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332530179094478562" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Coconut Rice</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – A classic Nasi-Lemak, with a good balance of fragrant pandan and oily goodness of coconut milk. The rice was soft and plump with a shimmering oily surface. Something this bad for your must be good. Indeed, the flavours in the rice was consistent from start to finish. Already excellent by itself, the curry chicken when drizzled on, was a perfect combination of the two coconut based dish. It was difficult resisting an extra order of rice.</span></o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfs1NsHAXIJiSSDFnQT-H2nXCwDPIgtun8exJtJWIW4fXrJOFQgYNqvf901VubWxO0st3KXqZKjQL8dK5KXYwEP7R0hVf4jq0P_XegRUPGwpYwtk9moY53DyndSoszmlOZVtvlmM5LZf7/s1600-h/brinjal.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 194px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfs1NsHAXIJiSSDFnQT-H2nXCwDPIgtun8exJtJWIW4fXrJOFQgYNqvf901VubWxO0st3KXqZKjQL8dK5KXYwEP7R0hVf4jq0P_XegRUPGwpYwtk9moY53DyndSoszmlOZVtvlmM5LZf7/s320/brinjal.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332530102177143218" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></div></span></a></div><span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Brinjal(Eggplant) lightly fried with Garlic</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – This seemingly simple dish smelled so good, I attacked it the moment it was served. The slightly burnt surface of the Brinjal hid a white, soft fleshy center. The entire cut of Brinjal was covered with a fragrant oil, with large pieces of garlic. The accompanying pieces of garlic went splendidly with the Brinjal. The combination of the fleshy white with the pungent punch of crunchy garlic was so good I was in Brinjal Heaven.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div></span><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeB0QCrenPdHpmxI7NuJNFdihzSCqXTLs2oxTqf8HYa-vcchfWCpY4KDEZnLSyrRMywZN_zuurlzyyIRPK6dpmOUEbp_oZnlKcHI71nLGND3DHqRa-2_3A4boJ_YEBuN375MYdzsNImnI/s1600-h/otah.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;float: right; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeB0QCrenPdHpmxI7NuJNFdihzSCqXTLs2oxTqf8HYa-vcchfWCpY4KDEZnLSyrRMywZN_zuurlzyyIRPK6dpmOUEbp_oZnlKcHI71nLGND3DHqRa-2_3A4boJ_YEBuN375MYdzsNImnI/s320/otah.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332530018340871266" /></a></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Otah Otah</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – Brightly coloured red than usual, this piece of spicy fish paste wrapped in banana leaf looked a little suspicious. It had more of a bounce than what I am used to. The taste was pleasant enough though I prefer the version found at the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ali-san Taiwanese Porridge joint in Kovan</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. The colour largely contributed to my lessen interests in the dish. I think I’m better off with another order of chicken curry.<br /></span></div><div><p></p></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Beef Rendang</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – For the price listed, this seemed like an awfully small dish of beef. It was only slightly spicy, with a hint of sweetness. The meat itself was a little tough. I’ve had better costing a lot less.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div></span><p></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Petai with Sambal Prawns</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> – Petai, nicknamed “Stink Bean” (for obvious reasons) was seldom present on my table. In fact, this is my first recollection of ever ordering this dish. However, I was in the company of avid and experienced Malay cuisine lovers. I approached the dish with trepidation, and was rewarded with one of the strongest tasting bean I’ve ever put it my mouth. It did not go down well. The rest at the table commented that it was an acquired taste. I believed them, but did not venture much further. It must have been a little too strong for them as well. We did not finish the dish.</span></span></o:p></p><p></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7RjZ8znW6xHeGV59PtYjRXlf3jrgigQKe3EVxxz3IKT3aaJTUIHdOXg3O_YLqi1_Se1fjKXLSkDarlPFo0VL209M9oD4O-71vcavaHTO40KkE4wvnrnnDyHOWzKQfryNUcCDgtyVthJW/s1600-h/madam_kwan.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7RjZ8znW6xHeGV59PtYjRXlf3jrgigQKe3EVxxz3IKT3aaJTUIHdOXg3O_YLqi1_Se1fjKXLSkDarlPFo0VL209M9oD4O-71vcavaHTO40KkE4wvnrnnDyHOWzKQfryNUcCDgtyVthJW/s320/madam_kwan.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332529907424986514" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So, if you find yourself in KLCC, it’s worth giving Madam Kwan’s a try. Just avoid the 1pm lunch crowd. I’ve witnessed frustratingly long queues and for those who know me. Queues and I don’t get along too well.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ambience – 7/15</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Service – 8/15</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Food – 10/15</span></span></p><p></p></div></div></div></div>Kelvin Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06269112192102240701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706883931148592809.post-10228693795216943882009-04-30T09:10:00.000+08:002009-06-12T09:36:42.985+08:00Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice – </span></span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Maxwell</span></span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Food</span></span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Center</span></span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One of the Hawker Legends, as anointed by </span></span><a href="http://www.makansutra.com/legends.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Makan Sutra in 2005</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, this singular chicken rice stall in </span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Maxwell</span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Food</span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Center</span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> has always been sort of a mystery to me. This is largely due to my reluctance to join the snaking queues of lunch rush hour.</span></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thru a series of rather fortunate events, I found myself at Maxwell, 3pm, no visible queues in sight. Having lunched a couple of hours before, I was glad to have left the horrendous beef noodles at Vivo’s </span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Food</span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Republic</span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> mostly untouched.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Service</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Without the foreplay of queuing in our infamous afternoon sticky sun, and with the absence of many disgruntled patrons, willing me to order as quickly, as little as I can, ordering the legendary local delicacy seemed, a tad mundane. The nice middle aged lady behind the counter, with obvious experience with large crowds, was extremely efficient in her communication with the chicken handler.</span></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Food</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I sat down a couple of tables down, unhurried, unflustered, hungry. To cleanse my palate, I took a sip of the mandatory accompanying soup. Almost immediately, my taste buds were dancing in a medley of possibly one of the best chicken rice soup I’ve ever tasted. Even the finely chopped spring onions were exceptionally tasty. The chopped pieces of steamed chicken were slathered in a brownish translucent sauce that merely hinted oiliness. This gave the otherwise boring flesh an extra boost in flavour. What fascinated me, was how well the rice was cooked. Any chicken rice lover would tell you that the rice is the most important part of this dish. The bed of rice which the chicken laid on, had a shade of canary yellow. Each grain, cooked to a point just past al dente, in no doubt the secret mixture of chicken fat, shallots, garlic and various wonderful ingredients. Like I said, the mixture was secret. When eaten alone, the rice gave off such a fragrant lift in my mouth that I could not contain my smile. Needless to say, I lapped up the entire plate of rice, chicken, skin and even the usually neglected cucumbers with such pleasure, I had to force myself to leave the hawker center before I ended up with a second plate.</span></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Many have claimed this to be the best chicken rice stall in </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Singapore</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. I am not going to argue that, but as with matters of tastes, it is wise to leave a little room for doubt. I can’t wait till the next time I end up in Maxwell food center at 3pm again. Maybe I will make sure that happens soon.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">p.s. I do not intend to rate hawker stalls as it is unfair for the prices we are paying.</span></span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span></o:p></p>Kelvin Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06269112192102240701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706883931148592809.post-78663553248991723602009-04-14T13:38:00.003+08:002011-02-26T16:18:51.173+08:00Pasta Inc. - Jalan Besar<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">35 Keong Saik Road</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">+65 6224 1501</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">[Along the stretch of old shop houses along Jalan Besar, hides a little Italian Restaurant named </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pasta Inc.</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Taking over the compound previously spaced by Stiff Chilli, I chanced upon this little jewel on my lunch break with a fellow foodie colleague.] They have since moved to a new location, thankfully found out because of a good friend's Birthday Dinner. Review remains the same for now. Standby for pictures.<br />
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</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The ambience</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
Since the space for lunch time was limited to a cosy 6 table setting, the ambience was that of a boutique hotel. Small, uncluttered, classy.<br />
<br />
</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The service</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
Keith, one of the co-owners of the joint, was attentive and pleasantly friendly. With a background in service from his service days, Keith gave a detailed and frank introduction to the food he is so very proud of. Iced water replenished constantly without as much as a wave of my hand was a warm welcome change to places which still have the audacity to charge three to five times the supermarket prices of bottled water.<br />
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</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The food</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
My colleague and I shared three appetizers.<br />
<br />
</span></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Prawns in butter, garlic and herbs</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> – This little delightful dish gave the expected luxurious taste of butter, paired perfectly with the mix of garlic and herbs. The nicely peeled prawns, fresh, bouncy with bite, soaked in the rich mixture started our meal on a bright promising note.<br />
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</span></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Prosciutto ham and mozzarella cheese with rocket drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> – The five ingredients, when eaten together, produced a most interesting sensation of salty, tart, sweet and bitter, all mixed together, each taste given its own time to express itself. The balsamic vinegar was especially good, much better than what we can expect from our supermarket variety.<br />
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</span></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Portobello mushroom with herb and olive oil</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> – What appeared to be a simple dish of Portobello mushroom lightly cooked with olive oil and herbs gave my colleague and me goose bumps. The soft, creamy texture of the Portobello, with a deep, dark flavour, gently coaxed out by the herb and excellent olive oil was the perfect end to our appetizer course.<br />
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As recommended by Keith as the best seller, I had the squid ink sauce whilst my colleague had the saffron cream linguine.<br />
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</span></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Squid Ink sauce spaghetti with seafood</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> – I had squid ink pasta and squid ink bread before, but nothing prepared me for what was to come. The dish arrived in the most unusual fashion. The squid ink sauce came, covering everything on the plate. From the well cooked spaghetti, to the similarly fresh seafood, everything was coloured in a dark shade of purple by the sauce. What this sauce conveyed, was a strong, deep dark flavour of the sea. The sensation of the flavours enveloped me, casting a warm comforting sensation with a hint of unfamiliarity from the squid ink. It was so good that I knew I would be back again for another experience.<br />
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</span></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Saffron cream sauce linguine with seafood</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> – The thick linguine came, covered with a light coat of cream. The cream was lightly cooked with saffron, giving it a slightly pungent but very pleasant taste. The seafood, as with the rest of the meal, was fresh and sweet.<br />
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It certainly was a surprise to find such fine quality Italian at this price. I would definitely revisit this quaint little joint, if not for anything else, the Portobello and the Squid Ink Sauce.<br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ambience – 9/15</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Service – 12/15</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Food – 11/15</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: medium;">Lunch 12pm till 2.30pm</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dinner 6pm till 10.30pm</span></span>Kelvin Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06269112192102240701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706883931148592809.post-27892331646379075122009-04-13T10:31:00.007+08:002011-02-01T16:32:03.464+08:00Welcome to my world of food!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>This blog shall bear testament to my gastronomic adventures. It shall not be limited by prices, locations or types of service. Stay tuned for my take on food I love.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Kelvin</b><br />
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