20 Nov 2010

A week ago, Alan called and suggested meeting up for wine.... well, decided to gather for wine on Saturday, 20 Nov. Called a few people but most of them had to give it a miss last minute.

Anyway, Derrick and I met up in the afternoon as we were supposed to go and get some snacks for the wine session. We met up in Chinatown and he drove to Mandarin Gallery where we went to an interesting place - ARTEASTIQ (tea lounge by Marxx) on the 4th floor. The front was some exquisite furniture and you could see some people in the back sipping away. S$48++ high tea set for 2.

We managed to get seats and I have to admit...service was slow! It took quite a while before drinks were served. I ordered hot Pomelo tea and Derrick had hot Lycee tea. Mine tasted very good..... Derrick's was bland..... then, we found, he had to put brown sugar!

The tea set was simple, salmon roll, tuna on toast, wagyu wrap and shellfish salad..all in small portions.... yup! That's about it! Expensive, of course!!!!!!!!!! Guess what,. it was full house!

We went over to Taka to meet Alan and to buy some fusion bak kwa, some skewers from TORI, noodle in egg wrap and popiah before going over to Jones for the crackers, cheese and some dried fruits.

By the time we got to Wong's place, it was already past 7. Wasted no time to set up the snacks and also to chill the wines.

It was a small gathering this time but we had a great time watching TV programmes (爱; ICE AGE & VAMPIRE 'S DAIRY) and chatting away, with good wines, courtesy of Derrick. We also had snack from Japan, courtesy of Alan.

There was this special bottle that is only available from 18 Nov onwards (every year) and you would only keep it for 6 months.

Every party must come to an end , and so was our's. By the time I got home, it was just before my shoes changed to ........

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Stephen's Trip to the Merlion City

10 Nov

Meeting after 6pm? Unable....had to go to the airport to welcome Stephen, arriving from Hong Kong. Raymond was kind enough to go with me. Arrived at Terminal 3 about 7pm (early) and decided to have something to eat at the arrival hall. Ordered a bowl of curry chicken at Killiney Kopitiam (freezer chicken).

Stephen was surprised and glad when he saw Raymond. He did not expect Raymond would come to the airport!

After some discussion, decided to go to Bugis for dinner. Went to the Fish restaurant ....was still crowded when we got there but managed to find seat. After a few bowls of soup noodle and fried chicken wings, we called it a night.

11 Nov

The morning started with heavy downpour. By the late morning, it started to clear up. It's Sentosa Day and we made our way by bus to Vivocity to catch the monorail (S$3 ride) across to Sentosa.

The waterfront station was an interesting place to start with. That's where the resorts, casino and Universal Studio were. We also went over to the beach to take a look. We got to try the sky ride and also the famous LUGE. It was really exciting!

Met up with Raymond at Chinatown for dinner. Went to the food court and had Fried Kway Teow, Chui Kway and satay. Obviously those were not enough and we moved to the restaurant opposite Central@ClarkeQuay for Bak Kut Teh. By the end of the meal, Stephen was too full for words but Raymond was only 3/4 full......

12 Nov

Had to work today. Unable take the day off...only 3 of us answering the hot line....very busy day. Derrick has been very kind to show Stephen around. Stephen came over top the office to drop off his backpack. Derrick and Albert came over to have lunch. Went to the Japanese restaurant opp the office. The rest of the afternoon.....(Derrick brought him to Bugis for desserts at Ah Chew, to see the Merlion and finally to Marina Bay Sands ...casino).

Met up with Stephen after work and we headed out to Grand Mercure Roxy for our 2N stay. Surprisingly, the room was rather spacious and cosy.

We then proceeded to Jang Shou Korean BBQ at Katong Village (just behind the hotel) where Gerald, Jay and Sam were alredy there waiting. Being a Friday night, it was quite busy with lost of patrons. The spread was very good and everyone was busy eating and eating away!. Lots of meats!

After dinner, we decided to try the Awfully Chocolate shop nearby. We managed to squeeze a treat out of Raymond. Ended up with a pint of chocolate ice cream, 1 slice of the Super stacked Chocolate cake and 1 slice of the White Chocolate Butterscotch block . I actually asked 'What flavour (ice cream) do you have' and the sales lady looked at me and said : Chocolate! ... but Of course!

The slices were good and the ice cream was awesome! The chocolate ice cream was AWFULLY GOOD!

13 Nov

Went over to Marine Parade for a look- see and breakfast (at the American Embassy) and then to Parkway Parade before going over to East Coast Park.



A short walk along the beach and soon we arrived at the Seafood International Market & Restaurant for lunch. Wong, Tony, Raymond, Sam, Alan and Derrick came to have lunch with us. The ala-carte buffet spread was quite good and we certainly had more than enough!


By the time we finished lunch, we was already after 2pm! As usual, a meal is not complete without dessert and we decided to go over to Awfully Chocolate shop again......and.......on Raymond! Everyone enjoyed the chocolate ice cream - AWFULLY DELICIOUS!



We went back to the hotel to rest and even by dinner time, we were too full to eat! Went for a stroll along East Coast road and also to Parkway Parade again. Had some light snacks before we went back to the hotel.

14 Nov

A very early to the airport for his departure back to Hong Kong.



The trip was long overdue but glad that he finally made it here.....



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Good Thing Happens Twice

6 Nov

A sms from Gerald regarding steamboat dinner at Tian Fu at 7pm. I was there for steambat dinner the night before! I replied....SURE!

Was to meet Jay and Edward (KL) at Paya Lebar MRT. Been a while since I last met up with Edward. Small Ben, Raymond and Sam were all invited as well.

Same stock base and same dishes over and over again...lots of pork, meat balls, wantons, bean curd skins, etc.......coupled with the wonderful chili...... we had many rounds....

After dinner, its dessert and the same ice cream Kafe..... again! They enjoyed the waffles!

2 steamboat dinners in 2 nights......in the same restaurant.....same food!


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A Good Evening

4 Nov 2010

It's been a while since I went to Katong for my favourite steamboat...been a long while!

Last night, made reservation for dinner at Tian Fu. Managed to get seat....surprising! The reservation was for outside table but when I got there, they managed to get me an inside table (air con) provided I would leave before 9pm. I agreed.

The menu was new....I noticed the popular stock base has a price tag. Only the common stock comes free.....my favourite Satay stock and dry scallop stock are chargeable. The buffet spread is not huge (limited according to the table next to mine) but sufficient for me, though.

We ordered our faviourite items and tucked away happily........ We still reckon this is still the best steamboat as far as the stock base is concerned. Great chili too!

Dinner is never complete without desserts. We went over to Little Ice Cream Kafe (lick.com.sg) for homemade ice cream and waffle. Indeed, this place has very delicious waffle!

It was a very satisfying dinner........


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Charles & Diana

Charles & Diana is a loving couple who believes that each has found true love in each other. In their so-journ, they have met and spent their lives with others but those relationships did not last......... Finally, after many years of looking around they found each other. The only problem was they were miles apart.

Diana met Charles, by chance, when she was on a holiday. She had a wonderful time that few days.......she did not expect anything would flourish when she left. She was wrong........ Both continue to keep in touch and make effort to meet up and as time went by, the relationship developed.

Diana had a previous long distance relationship and for quite a long time, she was not in favour of it. She would discourage others when they seek her advice. Now, she is involved in another long distance relationship.......

Long distance relationship is never easy. A great deal of commitment is needed. Charles & Diana knew that each hasd to put in effort and even sacrifices to keep the relationship going. Taking the relationship for granted would end the whole thing........

For Diana, it was love that she has for Charles that is important. It was not the distance. She felt that she has found her true love and she wanted to make every effort to treasure it. She believed that she must continuously make effort to remind herself that she must not take the relationship for granted and she would treasure every moments she has with Charles.

For Charles, he loved Diana very much but he felt that Diana was overacting. He believes that as long as he has his love for Diana in his heart, it was good enough. He was not the sort that would express his love for her openly.

What the future holds for them, they do not know. The only thing Diana knows is that she will continue to love and cherish her relationship with Charles. Nothing lasts for ever......she hopes her love for Charles would.........


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JB with a Twist

30 Oct

Met up with Raymond and Small Ben at Kranji MRT. The queue was exceptionally long and as usual, the yellow bus took a very long time to come. When we cleared the SG immigration, the bus queue was not as bad as I thought. The worst came - the traffic jam......all the way to JB custom.

As expected, we made our way to our 1st stop - Bak Kut Teh lunch at our favourite, rundown, crowded and hot restaurant. The food was as always, simply delicious!

After lunch, we went over for our foot reflex. The 80mins session was very relaxing for me. Have always enjoyed the session.

Went over to Leisuremall for Raymond to buy his comic and we stopped over at a newly opened Kopitiam (just outside Leisuremall) - Chamek Kopitiam. We ordered some snacks and drink. Believe me, you would not want to go back there again! The food was below average.

We decided to have early dinner but we did not really ordered a lot.... the seafood was delicious but a bit pricey! The Balonglong drink was simply mind blowing, though!

City Square Mall had a Food Street in the atrium and it was rather interesting. While we were about to proceed to the JB immigration, we saw a counter selling train ticket. We found that there is train back to Singapore. As Raymond has never tried the train, we decided to try it out. Small Ben managed to buy the tickets off the counter though we were told that we could only buy 30 mins before the train departs. We waited eagerly at 7:30pm for 8pm departure. Then, it was 8pm and we were still waiting to go in. The clock was ticking but we were still waiting......we learned the train was delayed. Then, we were allowed to go in......we had to clear immigration....and then we had to wait again at the holding area. Finally, we managed to board the train - free seating.

The train left the station and slowly made its way to Singapore. I saw the traffic jam coming back to Singapore. Glad I was in the train instead. It came to a stop at the SG immigration and we all had to get off to clear immigration and custom. Then back to the train and finally arrived at Tanjong Pagar station.

It was an experience for Raymond....... however, I do not think I would not consider the train again (if it is always late!).

The train journey was about 1 hour (in total) and only cost M$5. So many trips to JB, 1st time taking the train back!


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Buffets

Having been passing by this new small Japanese buffet at the basement of 313. Really small spread.......but it stated QUALITY JAPANESE BUFFET...

TARAFUKU FISH MARKET & JAPANESE RESTUARANT - www.cfc.com.sg

Decided to try the [place out and we finally. Met up with Raymond and we decided to take a look at the mini spread. The catch was that they were serving unlimited serving of black pig meat for shabu shabu.

The waiter brought a small shabu shabu pot and our 1st plate of the black pig slices. It was delicious! The sashimi tasted good too, especially the sword fish slices that melted in the mouth! The ramen was very good as well!

Honestly, the spread was not extensive, like other places. However, there was more than enough to eat! When Raymond, reckoned that he had enough, he lamented that he had yet to try the chicken dishes. Though the desserts were very limited, they were rather tasty!

The charges were not expensive.....the spread was not extensive........however, the quality was there.....it is worth going back again!

Korean BBQ buffet at Tanjong Pagar....that was what the sms stated. Was it supposed to be Tanjong Katong, I wondered. Well, it was Tanjong Pagar. Derrick brought us to this small restaurant along Tanjong Pagar - 2D1N SOJU BANG. On the 2nd level of the small restaurant, it was serving BBQ buffet. We managed to get a table and soon after , the whole place was packed, on a Thursday night!

Compared to the restaurant at Katong, this place is centrally located but the spread was limited. We have some marinated pork and beef (not as extensive spread as Katong's) and lots of prawn. The meat were rather tasty and for the price we paid, it was worth the money.

Would we go back again? Certainly! next time, we will go with a empty stomach!

This place is a lot more accessible and also for the price we paid, certainly worth making more trips there!



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