A Room of Food Musings..along with a seaview

spices and all sorts

2008-06-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

I have moved.Just feel like it. Still under construction,but hope it will be better.

www.ofchutneyandthyme.blogspot.com

See you guys.and if u do read this room..thank you once again.

hmmmm

2008-05-31T07:25:00.001-07:00

guys.i wont be blogging in a while + upload pictures is a problem!!!
thank you for brwsing anyhow. i might move as well...watch this space for more :)

In the Sky

2008-05-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

I am always amazed what did i do for 13hours in the air..it is like 5 in the morning to 5 in the evening..goodness...

-there is so many channels till it is pointless..because you want to watch this and that..till...you do not know what to watch

-sleeping is useless as well..i get all sorts of weird dreams and aching all over..which make you more tired than before... i just had this dream of the air stewardess telling all of us 'who wants to buy rice?'..(i guess because of food prices rising up?)..and they gave us bags of Japanese rice !!

-i did consider doing a face mask...my mom thinks i'm mad.....

-read..you get things all over you..till it is really a headache to read

-try stretching around..till the person's next to you gap and open their mouth so wide till a golf ball can go in..you feel disgusted all over...

This time..is interesting. My mum ( i do not know why) requested a no beef menu for me..because 'plane's beef are like elastic bands..you chew and chew..you just could not possibly swallow...' 'Alright....'

Although plane food are like hospital food..the difference is that you can tick the menu off a paper in a hospital than on a plane..but i still like the 'little surprises' of what is beneath the foil paper...

Minutes after I settle myself down..

'Are you Theresa B.han?'
.....yes?'
'hmmm..you are not vegetarian,are you?' 'Not really...'
He looks at me with the why-the-menu-request-then look...

The next thing I know, I cannot choose what I want..whether the chicken or lamb(the first meal)..or the chicken and beef (the second menu..okay..i obviously cannot choose the 'beef')

'Here you go,Theresa'
He gave me a 'special' tray with the note 'no beef' every time
What I do not understand is that..why can't i have the chicken?? Instead I was given fish(no complaints) and a very steam chicken the next meal (although the second meal they have roast chicken)

Nevertheles, he did remember my name..'Bye,Theresa..' as I went off.

I think I'll try a different experiment next time.Requesting upon 'fish only' menu. :)

.withlove.

Food for thought

2008-05-13T14:50:00.000-07:00

My phone did the caterpillar dance. *Smiles* Mummy dearest certainly makes my day.

Every time,without fail, while passing through Covent Garden, I must have these yummy-licious Ben's cookies.

If I am not mistaken, that's the only one at Covent Garden...the mere thought of such beautifully done cookies just makes you smile.

.withlove.

Pizza Express

2008-05-07T09:38:00.000-07:00

I was curious. It was everywhere, this Pizza Express...I suddenly have this image of me dashing around with a slice of pizza with olives and parma ham flying from one street end to another..never mind me. It must be the post-exams hype.( 4 down..3 more to go!!)

The setting was really chic, eye-catching,some place you're confident that the authenthic making of pizza is well defined. Well, the outlook at least...as I was saying, boy! it was even in Chinatown and they sell the bake-it-yourself ones at Waitrose.You cannot miss them although you try.

where :Pizza Express ...like 300 of them around London?

I had this one at Leicester Square..for once ,was not there for any chinese food.

A little something to kick start the evening.Something simple and nothing too fancy.Freshly baked dough,a dash of extra virgin olive oil and sprinklets rosemary. It came pipping hot but should opt for something like burschetta next time round.Not something fantastic, and yet not too bad.

I find the mains rather blend, to be honest. Perhaps this is how a true Italian pizza should be. It evolves around various types of ham, yellow red peppers, artichokes,chicken breast, all sorts of cheese, mushrooms and not forgetting the basil.You can't go wrong with these. It is a lot of combination of various Italian ingredients.

It is always, as always the seafood for me..but never once do I come across clamps,prawns,calamari......or another one word as close as sea. There was tuna but was an additional side. Well then, have no choice but to look elsewhere...at last, settled on La Reine.Sounds pretty impressive though. Prosciutto cotto ham, mushrooms and it seems..a recipe fit for the Italiain Queen before.hmmm....

It was thin(too thinly) crusted. Perhaps it was just that day or so, but it was rather dry.Half of the pizza 'stiffen' along the way and I literally left the side crust as it was rather 'hard'.And they did not..at least, knife it out for you. Being all prim and proper at first, I was using fork and knife to slice it up. The rest went 'stiff' in the end that I totally gave up and use my fingers to tear them up. The mushrooms and cheese went flying and it was a bit messy.

ps.the spotlight shinning directly at it makes such a lot of difference.

Their pasta range was really good. I think this was cannelloni.Pasta tube stuffed with ricotta and spinach with rich blend of tomato sauce. Certainly rich in taste and creamy. Perfect for cheese lovers.

Perhaps I was expecting a little too much, but the whole dining experince was not fantastic, and yet not a one-off thing. Seeing this at Waitrose the other day, I can't help myself but bought another Pizza Express and bake it myself. It was a whooping £8.20 at Pizza Express and £3.90 at Waitrose. talk about paying the extra for ambience and service charge.

..and I add a little extra on the pizza. Extra mature cheddar from Marks&Spencer. I always find pizzza lacking in this.Always.

Tra la la.The outcome. This reminds me. Lighting is so important at all manner.

Pizza here was great but not something you will crave for though...or go all the way to some place just for Pizza Express.

..and Pizza Express is this. unlike the Americans who practically stuffed and topped them with all possible sorts, from caviar to chocolate, Pizza Express only use the few simple Italian key ingredients-mainly dough, cheese, tomato, with a little variation of ham and herbs and turning them to what is truly defined-an Italian pizza experience.

.withlove.

I Always Love This

2008-04-19T19:38:00.000-07:00

So true.

We aint superstars, we are not perfect, we are not worthy, we are never good enough,

but He never fails to be there for me and you.

.withlove.

Food for thought

2008-04-11T09:27:00.001-07:00

This is, by far, the most generous filling of sweet temptations I ever come across.

Martabak, something like jian long pao you see in the morning markets in KL..but with whole lot of different (and a lot more) ingredients.

You can choose to have cheese or chocolate rice toppings or both..then

Next.in orderly form,

a layer of margarine

a layer of sweeten milk

a dash of peanut bits

a layer of sugar

another layer of margarine

a layer of cheese/chocolate rice/both

fold over..and another layer of margarine to on top to finish the touch.

Beautiful.

been busy busy busy.and will be busy busy.will not be updating for quite awhile....watch this space in a few weeks time for updates!!!

.withlove.

Eat Eat Eat

2008-03-30T16:10:00.000-07:00

My poor dear mk..was searching for Manchester update..as well as mic...well then, if not for my 2 darlings, I did not really intend to do Manchester.Dont get me wrong, it was a lovely getaway from London..and a long needed one.Lazy is the word for it. since you insist.....

here it is. food + great friends= beautiful

The first thing to do was to EAT.First stop.Chinatown. Where else? It was this place call Pacific...incidentally, I learnt a really really awesome term. Sam Siew Mien. 3 barbecue noodles= Char siew + Duck+ Siew Ju + noodle. I was not aware of it...till jo told me.and I went back to London, for the fun of it, I looked it up on a Chinese dining menu..this thing is universal!! oh goodness, I sound so kampung. I think this dish will be just the perfect one for guys.

It was around 4-ish when we had our lunch. and dinner is 2 hours away...we just can't do it. Full to the brim. Instead, we watch a movie, Juno :) in the cinema.£4 only..and it is like...£10 at the Odeon in London??? goodness. Its been such a looooong time I step into one!!! I miss movie-goings in KL where I will just watch Award winning to Bollywood.Those where the days....sigh..

oh! oh! Manchester has this road...a really long one call Curry Mile (Jo, correct?) it is so awesome. Indian dinning one after another. some even sell candy. oh la la. Thanks to Jo, we were her guinea pigs, trying a new one instead of the one she said was good. Since it was not really impressive, I did not really take photos...and I think I kinda take a liking with rogan josh, while jo like the madras.

It was 10-ish when we ate our dinner..the length that we will go just to eat...and jo was so hype up..thinking of taking us to ..Moonlight? an ice-cream shop next. But, we just gave up.If only we had the capacity.

The next day was at Old Trafford.

No. we do not like him in particular. Just thought he was the hottie of them all...naturally..

Just for the fun of it, since I am here...and was in the mood for it.A Manchester United jersey..with my name on it..wohoo..I prefer to be a...striker please :)Quick note, no, I am not really into football...For those of you who know my surname, yea..I put that up instead. I was thinking of putting 14 or 12, even 10..because that is Ronaldinho's number:)Do not question me why, but I 'heart' Ronaldinho ever since.Honestly, guys, how is the jersey number chosen? It cannot be the number of players, sine we have Nani as 17. Can someone tell me how the jersey numbers are chosen?

Then, we head to Old Trafford Center. A major shopping complex...reminds me of Sunway Pyramid though.So, Manchester is not really missing out of shopping,really, compare to London. Of all things...honestly, of all things, we had Krispy Kreme.

Not colourful enough though...i have to say, cinammon bun was not what I expected. One off thing.really.

Next..of all things again...of all things...we had Pizza Hut...lol...jo was craving for their cookie dough. Eh, pizza hut's cookie dough is really superb. Half baked cookie, leaving the dough texture still soft...and pipping hot..with oozing melting chocolate chips, and a vanilla ice cream to finish the touch.. oh la la.

If KL has it, I think I am going to have one when I get back as well. Wonderful....quite impressive actually, from Pizza Hut. Incidentally, I love Ben & Jerry's cookie dough as well....hmmmmmmmm....

jo, what happen to the part where we were suppose to have Korean bbq..and spanish food?and french toasts with your 5 eggs? I wander...

It was awesome catching up with 3 friends-for-life girlfriends, + one skyping all the way from Philly. 4 of us, all at once !!! it will be wicked when all of us get back for summer!!! and sue faye too !! all the crazy weekend plans..and nites out...mk's beautiful summer plan...and just all of us gals growing up with each other.

.withlove.

Food for thought

2008-03-30T15:59:00.000-07:00

yummy jumpy yam-my bunny

.withlove.

Soup of the Day

2008-03-24T17:42:00.000-07:00

Warning : Girlie post ahead.

I never thought I would watch Juno.Pass it off as another chic movie...till I really sit up and go whoa.. Juno won the Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards..and nominated for Best Picture and Best Actress ??? Some of you guys might wave the Oscars off as just one of those awards..but there must be something about Juno...I do not see Bridget Jone's Diary nominated for one(I think) and no doubt, I guess it was an awesome movie.One that you will remember..and makes you smile.

Now now.Honestly, I do not know what came over me till having this 'side-track' post. So, it might just as well be me having Soup's' of the Day in the near future if I'm smitten with a character/weak in the knees actors.

Soup of the Day :Michael Cera as Paulie Bleeker in Juno

Michael Cera/Bleeker might not look like an ideal Prince Charming, but him being Bleeker in Juno is just the guy that every girl wish to have in life.The charm, the shyness,the comfort, the sweet little things, the tingling feelings he has for you,the not overly confident self,the loving you twice as much...Right, I might be a bit too over the top..but I guess, Michael Cera's' sometimes are the rare gems...

My darling galfren was ranting on about 'china apek' aka guys that blends in with the lamp post on the street that is practically everywhere. The other was picky..well, aren't we all?The pre-requisites in the must-list have to be ticked before even consideration.Then again, the guys-occupies your facebook-because-of-his-'outstanding'-appearances are mere extinction by either taken, or at my age now,not really available,or too full of themselves or are just pure assholes.

I guess sometimes, normal guys like Michael Cera is the real deal.that makes it more the better.

The best scene in Juno, perhaps :)

ps. I'm just so taken away by Michael Cera . oh la la.

.withlove.

Food for thought

2008-03-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

First glance, it does not look good, but this Black Sesame Bun taste good. You can feel the paste is not from any canned-items stuff...the 'liew' the ingredients are really 'chuk gao'..authentic and full to the brim.thus perhaps the muddy-looking-grainy-mushy..okay, i shall stop......

The Yam Bun as well ..was really good.

We decided to give it go when my aunt went ecstasy seeing it saying one at Los Angeles was oh-la-la....especially the xiao long bao.

where:Ding Tai Fung

The Paragon,Orchard Road, Singapore

ps.I know there are branches everywhere, but this is the one at Paragon.

.withlove.

My Daily Intake of Chocolate

2008-03-14T15:44:00.000-07:00

This has been going on for the past few weeks, and I have just noticed it.

I do not consider myself as a chocoholic. Worst still, I am oblivious of it...till now.

Every day, I am in touch with chocolate, whether it is a hint of it or lots of it.

random.Eventually I was writing, My Daily Consumption of Chocolate.goodness..look what economics has done to me.....

Monday

Gorgeous Vanilla cake,with chocolate chips, a whirlwind affair of soft icing on top, with bits of curl-ed milk chocolates and flakes of white chocolate to finish the touch.

Home-made range, Waitrose.

Tuesday

Viennese All Buttered Sandwich, with oozing, weeping,melting chocolate in between
Marks and Spencer

Wednesday

It was KitKat a few weeks running, and I have no choice but to eat up this sweet all chocolate reindeer before March.

ThursdayFlapjack. My obsession for the time being. with tons of chocolate chips squeezed in between to add some flavour to it.

The Best is yet to come......

FridayThe best cereal you can have in the morning.It certainly brighten up my Friday...and my Wednesday..and my Tuesday...oops!! Triple Chocolate Crunch from Marks and Spencer.

Just imagine, crunching milk (warm recommended) with bits of chocolate blend together..heavenly. very hearty..i mean 'healthy' start for my day.

This is a must try!!! I think they have it at M&S back home in KL.

Saturday

Warm frothy hot chocolate...mmmmm......

Sunday

Repeating the chocolate cereal, viennese chocolate sandwich and vanilla cake again...

Oh goodness!!!

.withlove.

Food for thought

2008-03-07T17:03:00.000-08:00

Looking through pictures...and I found these...which reminds me very well...sigh....

They have the best cheese cake made in town, and it is from a Japanese buffet !!!

tsk..i partly look forward to this more than the mains...although I must admit, on quality sense, they do serve the best and the finest in town.

where: Zipangu

Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Saturday and Sunday buffet brunch

this is excellent as well. the kind where you will remember that this place serve beautiful ,moist .walnut-ty carrot cake.

vanilla ice-cream was really creamy

it is so weird that im doing the dessert part more than the main Japanese buffet, but i can't help it!! their dessert section is just oh-la-la. and i think we need not say more about the buffet because Zipangu is just top notch.

.withlove.

Busapa Eathai

2008-02-29T13:28:00.000-08:00

Alan Yau is really someone to talk about. Basically, the Hong Kong-born restaurateur bring in the Oriental cuisine with a cutting edge style to London.

He bend the rules, make us believe that dim sum can be indeed, quite a statement at Hakkasan(which gained the Michelin Star and it was the first Michelin for Cantonese cuisine....that is really something) and the brains behind another talk-about,urban-chic chain ,Wagamama..and recently Yauatcha..which can easily cost a whooping £120 for a two person meal...

heavy,revolutionary,different stuff..i must say...

Now,now,let's go for a fairly reasonable, affordable ,and a really worthwhile dining experience place.it is from the same person who 'revamp' the whole oriental dining experience,but this time, let's go Thai.

where:Busapa Eathai
106-110 Wardour Street,London
TUBE:Leicester Square (Northern Line) Les Miserable, straight ahead
phone: 44(0)2072558686

Other Branches:

22 Store Street, London WC1E 7DF

8-13 Bird Street,London W1V 0TR

Opening times :
Monday-Thursday 12pm-11pm
Friday-Saturday 12pm-11.30pm
Sunday 12pm-10pm

The setting is rather queer.with the usual incense sticks.It was canteen-like setting, remind me much of communal eating. There are huge square tables where all of us just sit around each other. Some people might not get use to the sitting arrangements but it is something new to me as well, and I don't mind a single bit.

Eathai is a fusion of words. Split them up you get Eat Thai.It represents a Thai casual dining venue and oh! it replaces the word restaurant.

One of those dining experience where you will go....Life is indeed something to celebrate about.
I am not exaggerating. I must say, embarrassingly,we are freaking neighbours with Thailand and we can't even get good Thai food in Kuala Lumpur as authentic as Busapa !! Those like the one you have at The Curve..was it called Thai Express? or those at One Utama..even the ones at Bangsar,the tom yam, the green curry are either just sour, too blend, extremely sugary, or just plain malaysian-made thai food.

Authentic is the word for Busapa Eathai. Each dish is burst with lots of unidentified spices and all at the right mix and blend. You can just taste the extra kick that made this Thai experience so different from the rest, and a excellent one.

My worst experience of Tom Yam goong was with Secret Recipe. It really test my resilience towards hotness..not even sourness.

When this tom yam goong arrived, I took a sip,and it was beautiful. The right spices and indeed, it was sour.The kind where it tingles and dances on flames in your throat. It is sour but as well as, with flavour and wonderful mixed of ingredients..it was just right.

Steamed Jasmine rice in bamboo tube. So that you can scoop your rice out with the portion you want each time to your plate and it will still be warm.How thoughtful !!

Busapa Eathai also have steamed sticky rice and steamed coconut rice.

As well as various steamed rice, they also have different fried rice. This is Crabmeat egg fried rice. I was thinking the commercial red colouring crabmeat, but this is indeed authentic crab's meat. 'Wok hei' is very much here as well....

others include Green curry fried rice, Chilli prawn fried rice with shiitake mushroom, Asparagus and sun blush tomato fried rice (with apple and egg...hmmm..)

Who walks in a Thai dining place without all sorts of colours curry on the menu? This have the same affair as well. This here, is Jungle Curry. red curry with aubergine, bamboo shoots and french beans.

Found some I-can't-identify-because-I-only-know-how-to-eat spices.....

They have Green Curry, Mussaman Duck Curry( with potato, peanut,onions)....pumpkin curry(why..this should be interesting), Southern Curry of braised lamb shank, Geng Gari Gai (you know, I translate this to Cantonese..and it makes sense....doesn't it?and I wander how did it get in here.....?)

Busapa's stir-fry dishes are really good as well. Once again, no short cuts here and the spices are just in touch with the dishes. Excellent.

This is Pat King Talay. Prawn, baby squid(awesome!!!) and scallop with woodear, a bit of chilli and swayed towards the Oriental style dish.

They have a dish call Rose apple stir-fry. Chicken, holy basil and apple perhaps. I tried their cod fillet the other day, it was lovely.

Wok noodle are also in the menu..with the usual affair of glass noodles, mee siam and those sorts.

I love sour stuff.Indeed, I can drink vinegar, it was no surprise, I drain the whole Tom Yam goong!! one satisfied customer.

.withlove.

Food for thought

2008-02-24T13:43:00.000-08:00

.Lazy Sundays Crêpes.

ps.Love the 2 in 1 fork-knife !!

.withlove.

TOO good to be true

2008-02-14T10:19:00.000-08:00

There is not enough time for everything when I am in HongKong. Every single time.

Nay, I dont go there for 'tourist site'..more for getting that, eating this, eating that..eating around the clock....

Buffet requires time, in fact, lots of free time. But this place never fails to impress me and all the time in the world is worth it for TOO cafe.

where:

Café Too ,Island Shangri-la Hong Kong
7/F Island Shangri-la Hotel, Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong.

(5 minutes walk from MTR Admiralty Station)
Opening Hours: 6.30am-1am

Tel :+85228208571

it is better you make reservation beforehand to avoid dissapointment.

It is the buffet I went for ,the weekend afternoon buffets.They do have other highlights, like dinner buffet, their main courses and lots more. The dining environment is really pleasant and highly creative.

To be honest, the first time really impressed me.Having seven seperate cooking sections, it seems, to showcase all international cuisine, each showing different culinary style including Indian, and each is of top notch , and such wide variety!

They say it is not the quantity that matters,but the quality..but for TOO cafe, the quantity and quality goes hand in hand.

The dessert section alone made me go wild in ecstasy like a little girl. Each dessert are so delicate and you just want to give a go at every single one of them!(thank goodness the portion is not big)And this was the place where I had my very best 'yau kai'... oil chicken.

I compiled all the pictures from previous till now, so some might not look really good..but the food itself is really excellent and you just wish you have a bottomless stomach for this buffet!..you can get my drift.

.chesnut.

surprisingly well done!

I was in cloud9 when I saw, not 2 but 3!!! chocolate fountains!!

.white.chocolate.strawberry.

Some hot stuff now.....

oh goodness...

...although buffets are all the same, perhaps the closest to this is Lemon Garden at Kuala Lumpur Shangri-la, but this one at Hong Kong is a total different dining experience, and it is a must try if you are in HongKong!!

.withlove.

Food for thought

2008-02-03T13:14:00.000-08:00

It's next Thursday!!

I will give anything to fly back just for the weekend, and to be in London again on next Monday...i miss pre-chinese new year preperation..i really do..not so much of during..or post (obviously).....

i did not manage to take as much food pictures the year before..but this post will be mostly everything i would trade for anything to go back for chinese new year....

As a child, I use to like the lighter colour one..doesnt any kid? As I grew older, I prefer the 'yun cheong'...steamed together with nga ku..oh goodness...it's heavenly!!!

Mum always always know where to get the best pineapple tarts, love letters( i like the one with chicken floss), almond biscuits, dragon biscuits, fried nga ku..i prefer the steamed one though, with the lap cheong..hmmmm.....the whitish biscuits that melts in your mouth,the mandarin oranges where mum always get the wholesales one..fresher she says, the ...

ooh! I just had it this Saturday at Royal China..and it's a staggering £3.80=rm 24.7 for 3 mingy pieces of nian gao.....where you can get a whole tube, a good one free handmade back home..sigh....

every year, at my grandma's ,everybody pratically flocked here during the 1st day of Chinese New year....

i took snapshots last year as much as possible, as if I'm off for a long time.....:) i will definitely miss all of these..all of these pictures here....

cousins...and 6 of them missing..hoping the day where all of us can be at the same place at once :)...there are four generations in our family :)thanks to Marcus.... standing next to his aunt Ally here (the little girl beside him..)

..along with Aunty June..did not manage to take a picture with her....hmmmm....Aunt Jenny was so much fun during the trip to Ho Po, and I miss talking to Aunt Angela....

most of all....I miss

her..my grandma. we love yam, glutinuous rice...drink vinegar..yes, the one you have with your xiao long pao :).....and we just have good taste for food.

.Happy Chinese New Year 2008.

.withlove.

Random

2008-01-23T16:16:00.000-08:00

When I was really young, sitting in the car...

looking out the window...

I used to imagine the white lines on the road (back then ,I didnt know it was the divider)...

........ as stripes of white noodles (hor fun maybe..?)

And when the car drove by every line...i imagine the car eating up every horfun...

the dry style aka 'kon lou'

..and get all hungry..

Boy, do i sound ignorant.....i was young..we all are somewhat..imaginative? back then....?

I guess I love food a lot back then already....:)

this can be the yellow noodle..the one with lots of MSG..and not healthy at all..i personally thinks there is some gassy feeling when i tasted it....

.withlove.

Food for thought

2008-01-08T15:47:00.000-08:00

mmmm..wibbly wobbly 'white' sinful in between....i love the layers of combination.

looks really tempting...

.withlove.

.It was worthwhile.

2008-01-04T14:38:00.000-08:00

Brussels was fun. It basically evolved around food...what else?

Grand Place is the place to be in Brussels.....one of the most magnificent town square in the world, and the feeling is just magical at night when the lights were all around.

In these few days, we basically had mussels, oysters, paella, mussels, waffles, oyster,mussels, escargot (my Favourite..oh la la).mussels, calamari,oysters.......you get the drift.

.tra la la.

this was practically everywhere down the street at St.Hubert.

We kept going back St. Hubert Gallery for dinner..it was worthwhile .

Sad to say, I did not scribble down the dining places... the whole street is filled with them, basically we strolled inside any that does not have a waiter pulling us in = we had this theory that good place does not need advertising to bring in customers, make perfect sense?

Anyway, I 'm just going to put up the photos I 'spam'-ed with my camera. Hope you enjoy it, as much as I had it :)

.breakfast in style.

.fresh oysters with white wine.

.paella for 2.

.screw it.
.eating it straight from the massive plate.

.smei finish'd this all by herself.way to go, girl !

.pot of mussels.again.
.i think we had 5 pots in 3 nights.

.Belgian beer.
.cheers.

.chocolates we bought on the first 2 days.

I must say, Corne Port Royal Belgian Chocolates is the best. You can just taste the difference from the rest. It stands out from the crowd.

Trust me, surprisingly, although Belgium= Chocolates, once again, not any random shops you step into is reliable.

I regrettably bought some from a small shop ,thinking of authenticity ...ahem....but only to found myself choking back at the chocolate....didn't buy Neuhaus, Godiva, Leonidas, Guylian because it is everywhere else.

We had 2 dinners before rushing back to London.just in time.

Love good food just a bit too much.Typical.

not forgetting...Belgium waffles...again.hmmmm

.withlove.

ps. Corne Port Royal Belgian chocolates is honestly the creme-de-la-creme.

Food for thought

2007-12-25T08:23:00.000-08:00

Really have this lovely feeling when I shot it..hmmmm....

Sinful Delight

2007-12-22T04:05:00.000-08:00

Waffles.Chocolate.Guylian.Oysters.Mussels.Paella.Tintin.Waffles.

Goodness knows why we choose Brussels, the weather is freaking cold,I was walking around literally like a penguin.. shivering and teeth chattering. Nevertheless, the eating spree was worthwhile and deserving.

This coffee lounge offers waffles, selections of cakes and pies,the usual affairs of coffee variations and the surroundings are just perfect and cosy.where:Aroma Coffee Lounge,Grand Place 37, Brussels, Belgium

It is so perfectly located. At Grand Place.prominent place of Brussels..where else but Grand Place?

We were lucky enough to step into a waffles place that offers the best of its kind.

Lots of selection of toppings to go with the waffles, like whipped cream,banana,ice cream,strawberries,chocolate sauce(this is essential !!)..or combinations of 3 or 4 of what was mentioned.

ooh..this just makes you weak in the knees...

Waffles, soaked in thick,heavenly chocolate sauce, with a touch of whipped cream and finished with vanilla ice-cream just overwhelms any body's senses.....and for a moment,you literally melt to the ground, lost for words. This is just cloud nine.

mmmm...Unforgettable feeling..in every way....

my love affair with Belgium waffles is just too overwhelming. oh la la !!

of course, not forgetting hot chocolate in Belgium. Chocolates bites with frothy heart-warming milk..hmmmmm......

.withlove.

Girls for Thought

2007-12-08T17:23:00.001-08:00

i know this is random...but
I L-O-V-E it !!!!!

'this the season to be gorgeous.
..Girl Power..

This advert from Boots definitely rocks!!!

Mayflower-ed

2007-12-06T16:40:00.000-08:00

Forgive me,I have been MIA for so long. Never mind if you haven't notice.

Where else can we get authentic chinese ...except Chinatown? Not exactly all of it..but there are so many around, you just have no choice but to be picky.

Some are student catered..like having a meal for under 5pounds, which is not bad for student;s rate, like Laughing Buddha or Canton.

This however, is one dining experince you got to have in your list. Personally, I go in for their aromatic crispy duck only ;) They are at their best for it.

where :Mayflower
68-70 Shaftesbury Avenue
W1D 6LY

Chinatown,London

Telephone: 020 7734 9207

5pm-4am daily..(whoot.. till 4 in the morning(reminds me of gwen's song)....how convenient)

Tube station:Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus

Crunchy skin, generous portion , soft and tender duck meat... just lovely !!

essentials..with the pancake. hmmm... all 'excitment' rolled into one...one cannot make do without the other...

ta-da

I can't help it. Was craving for sweet and sour. I know, so common!! but who cares. the colours look so vivid, don't you think? And the taste too, not too glue-ey. The crispy batter wrapped around the cod fish slices is not too thick, just right and crispy. Surprisingly, it is not soggy!! although generously covered with sweet and sour.

Compliments from Mayflower. And the best thing is, you see the white cubes with lots and lots of sago? its YAM..!! alright if you are not excited, I am. Haven't been eating them for ages, and anything yam-my = yummy ..like my dear grandma.. we just could not resist.

.withlove.

Food for thought

2007-11-24T06:23:00.000-08:00

boy !!! .he loves his noodles.

my dear nephew :)

.withlove.

I feel Happy

2007-11-21T14:14:00.002-08:00

Don't you just love cupcakes?

Its the soft-but-not-too-mushy icing that literally put a smile back on your fair face.

Back home, I really don't understand why people will buy cupcakes?!! It's more like children's cake.I always see them sitting pretty at Delicious though....

Mint choc cupcakes..99p .Waitrose.

Now, I just can't get enough of them.Particularly Waitrose's...Selfridges was surprisingly sell 'can be better' cupcakes....

i heard the apartmetn at The Curve gave a 'whirl-wind' load of icing....yummy-licious!!

.withlove.

Food for thought

2007-11-12T16:39:00.000-08:00

....mmm...mmm..mmmmmmmmmmm.......

.withlove.

A Hearty One... Guilt-free perhaps??

2007-10-29T12:18:00.001-07:00

I like eating vegetarian sometimes......and..i think it is just a psychological thing...it makes me feel healthier..though,not to say it is less fattening..if you add up all the oil(mostly vegetarian dishes are fried)....unless they are all steamed..and boiled(and all 'flat-ish' taste) ah well..who cares!! so long as it is good food.

This time, where:

It is located in a circle of shops,rather at the back, beside an organic store....

This restaurant's decor is rather quaint....like stepping into the 'ancient times' Chinese eatery shops..with small wooden chairs.. big round marble tables...red lanterns unmistakably hanging around the restaurant.

Sesame Honey Chicken. My absolute favourite. Definitely not missing out..because you cannot really differentiate it from the real one!!! The sauce gives a 'sweetish' taste to the dish....

Ah...Lamb curry. Somehow, I love the poultry textures of vegetarian dishes..it really makes me wonder how they did it!!!and it is rather...authentic. One of the restaurant's best.... not too thick...yet the taste remain just right.

..bitter gourd.

..oh!! they do have 'lei thong'..like Daily Soup of the Day. This was black seaweed.... and having it for the first time, it was really something different...and it was good!!! there were 'pai guad'.. spare ribs..like the usual soup.inside too...how nice!!

my family's favourite. Every single time..unmistakably, this must be on the table. Ginger fish and 'dou si' . Of course, this time ,there isnt any 'best' part of the fish..like the cheeks of the fish....but even better....every part of this 'fish; is at is best !!! The accompanying sauce that is poured over does the wonders..mmmmmmmmmm.....

Hmmm..other dishes includes...the usual 'dao pao' either with sweet & sour , 'lai you'
Fish head curry
Bak kut Teh
Olives bean curd...and lots lots more dishes...just endless.....
..they have daily specials too... some of them comes only once in a blue moon, and it is usually dishes that you look forward to..why can't they have it on the usual ones?? sigh.....

oh!! they do sell moon cakes too... they used to have red dates ones..but apparently it is not available anymore...

Soong Foong's vegetarian buns are really good too..

Ay...if you want an authentic? may i say, vegetarian experience, from dishes to moon cakes..Soong Foong Inn is just the place.

.withlove.

Food for Thought

2007-10-29T12:16:00.000-07:00

...Black Herbal Jelly..(Guai Ling Gao)..battered !!!

All good stuff roll'd up in one

2007-10-29T11:41:00.000-07:00

ah..the thrill of going to pasar malam.... picking up small eatery and munch along when you stroll along with the crowd... tsk tsk.. i always go pasar malam mainly for the food...
This time round, it is SS2 pasar malam, every Monday. Popiah vendors are everywhere....and I find this particular one, Stadium Popiah in SS2 pasar malam..it is the McDonald side..but further..much further down from McD....is really good.

Roll up in a thin popiah skin, the finely shredded turnip( as known as bangkuang) is cooked with enough 'taste', as in ,you can taste that lots of ingredients is included. Some others are as plain,and white as the popiah skin. You can include a slice of pork sausage if you like..and mmm..generous filling of shallots.. and with good combination of sauce....with the extra kick of hot chili, up to your fancy.

At times, I requested it not to be sliced up and munch it as a roll, while walking along...yummy!!

tsk tsk. there is a tong sui store in this pasar malam, facing the Eu Yan Sang side..where it opens at 5pm, and within two hours or less...he is done. It is really worth a try, his tong sui is really good. And the best thing is, without looking around, he knows who comes first......and who is next....

.withlove.

Food for Thought

2007-10-26T06:44:00.000-07:00

That is right people!!!

Can you imagine if food have captions on them?

Like on McD's sesame bun, the roast chicken, the foam on your late,
on the subway, on the sandwiches,on the pancake.....

Words that will brighten your day..perhaps?

Words of encouragement?

the weather report?

the headlines of news and hollywood gossips?

the stockmarket ..like Google share price

or bussiness headlines...like the collapse of Northern Rock?

oh!! the general knowledge stuff..like "Malaysia is not in China"(some 'diots here do thought it was)

Or, the price of the eatery..since London is so expensive, I think it is effective...

bought a bagel the other day from UCL's Lower Refactory.... turn in inside out..there is no price tag on it..it was just tomato basil cheese bagel..thought it will be reasonable...then, at the cashier....2.50pound...I nearly died-ed..goodness!!!

.withlove.

of herbs & morning tea

2007-10-26T06:27:00.000-07:00

Before I start anything, let me say that I'm such a 'diot because I think..I conclude..... i left ALL the name cards, the address, the scribbling of various eatery that I would like to put in this room back in Malaysia. No fret, I will still put of the pictures, hopefully.... browsing here and there, I will be able to say where are they..... I love food and you guys too much to do this!!!.....anything excellent must share, aint?

Here, here. We all do know that Bak Kut Teh (pork bone tea)= Klang. or there is this brilliant one in Selayang too...but

It depends on personal preference, actually. I personally do not really fancy the thick, dark broth kind..and this sort of Bak Kut Teh is more towards the 'stewing' kind...to me, it is not really genuine Bak Kut Teh ??

This , I find, is one of the best. Not in Klang, I beg your pardon.This is in
where: Ee Fatt Restaurant, Pudu.Kuala Lumpur
( Near the morning market in Pudu..)

One thing I like about Ee Fatt is that it is authentic.In the sense that, there is no side stuff or variations like lettuce to put inside...'stewy' thick dark broth.......some even have 'pork leg'(direct cantonese translation) And....and Ee Fat have very rich combination of herbs, especially dang gui...(dang gui 'taste' is the most important in any Bak Kut Teh)...very strong herbs flavoured soup ............

I love this best. tsk tsk.. I always have 2 BIG bowls for myself(I am such a pig.....I know), and it is still not really enough......

Bak Kut Teh ,with this, along with a a small(perhaps a bit more..) of garlic, sprinklets of chilli padi, blend in with soy sauce...is just the per-fect typical morning breakfast !!!!

I just thought this will help, as I didn't bring along the exact address...this is the shop front.....

I just cannot get enough of it.............

It is really somewhere you will go regularly........from the first..to perhaps 10 years?? after that...if the next generation does it as well............... of course

I personally think that a place where people keep flocking in does not mean that it IS the best place (although they might be not bad)......and there are places where it is sooo much more better..Ee Fatt is one of those.

.withlove.

Something(food??) for thought

2007-10-23T09:10:00.000-07:00

I know it is only Facebook, but the wishabi application does have some sort of element of truth..you think? :)

Your Wish Personality is:
Culinary Connoisseur

.withlove.

Subway rocks!!!

2007-10-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

I am still delighted...although it was days ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The game is..............

It is very simply. Subway will flip a coin.
Heads- you pay for your subway,but a free drink is included.
Tails- it is absolutely FREE
You are a winner in both ways, but of course....everyone would love to have tails..like DUH!!!

The trick is, you order your subway first, then at the cashier, they will flip the coin.

I was thinking, if you call for the nicer ones like Chicken and Bacon Ranch(yummy!!) or Subway Melt.....and a foot long (instead of usual half)..this is TOTALLY worth it, then again, the possibility is 50-50.so, yea..THIS is really..not good.

My heart literally skipped a bit when he flipped the coin..and then...drumrolls pleeeaaaaaaassse

i got it FREE..woohooo!!!

that is 2 to 3 pounds saved.

I am not really a risk taker, so I went for something fairly reasonable, which is Meatball Marinara (which is also Sub of the Day= it is cheaper on that specific day)...............

Subway here, is totally different from Malaysia...and it is really different, in terms of ingredients, the sauces, the salads, and of course, the bread. It looks so hearty, and you just feel like sinking your teeth into your Subway right away!!!!!!

And, Subway, is more reasonable, then say, Pret A Manger,in terms of value for money(especially Sub of the Day) + they make it right in front of you+ you can choose your choice of veggie, kinds of bread, sauces= Subway Rawks!!!!!

where:it is all scatter around London?? hahahah

.withlove.

Food for thought

2007-10-03T07:19:00.001-07:00

Now i understand the real meaning of mouth-watering. This is an absolute.

Oh,goodness!!!

tsk tsk. I heard people from Singapore always come down here just to get these !!!

where: Oversea Restaurant
84-88, Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur Wilayah Persekutuan 55100 Malaysia

Tel : 03-2144-9911

i am making myself hungry...oh goodness., i hope you do..too!! lol.

.withlove.

I Love Indian

2007-09-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

out eating during the weekends..it is the WEEKENDS..so, that is already an excuse to go somewhere really excellent for a nice, hot meal..in this chilly weather of Lodon. British weather..Brrrrr.......

London..(smiles) is at its best at Indian cuisine. Tony Blair have the curry as a national dish, for god's sake. In addition, you cannot survive if your restaurant is not top notch..unless the location is not central.

This, however, is.

where :Khan's Restaurant

13-15, Westbourne Grove

Bayswater, London

W2 4UA

Tel: 0207 727 5420

http://www.khansrestaurant.com/

have to order one of their very best tandoori bread, their garlic naan, baked in clay oven. Not too dry, and generous topping of garlic..mmm.....1.90pound

Rogan Josh, a very popular dish at Khan's. It is basically a very mild meat dish, cooked in special herbs and spices, and with lentils. The meat is rather tender, and the curry herbs is , yet, not too thick and 'pungent'. Just nice........4.35 pounds

essential. essential. Who walks in without ordering biryani(spiced rice) ? Well, you have to order tandoori bread, the least !!!! Chicken Biryani, this is. I never ever order vegetable biryani, no offence, but I think poultry, meat, or seafood biryani brings out more flavour....5.95 pounds.

Raita... comes with the meal...a dip or a side dish base on yogurt. Served chilled, and like Japanese cuisine's white radish that goes along with tempura, raita gives a cooling effect, a perfect match with the hot curries. It is very good for digestion too..so you will not feel too full after having Indian cuisine. Normally seasoned with mint, cucumber,onion, cilantro. VERY helpful when you are having curries.

i feel awkward not having veggies on a meal. I feel..sinful somehow. So, here you go, vegetable curry. Mixed veggies, like peas, onions, carrots..... 3.05pounds.

As the dish is designed, the restaurant's surroundings is rather like a resort. with coconut trees as pillars..beautiful scenaries as walls.

.withlove.

Food for thought

2007-09-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

This post..MY CRAVINGS..at this moment.

I miss this so much, it is not just a regular cendol, but the DURIAN part of this particular cendol...' outshine' any other cendol.

WHY WHY WHY can't all cendol have durian toppings???!!!!

A plus point too, cendol will not be at its best if the 'greenish stuff' does not have a hint of pandan.

this restaurant, have everything. Durian (very generously) and the pandan...beautiful.
where:Penang Village, Hartamas Shopping Centre.

tsk tsk,this outlet is the best among other outlets. the decor, the food, the atmosphere..

.....me and the brilliant woman,who co-owned, behind this amazing decor + (essential) delicious food of the franchise of Penang Village.

.withlove.

After for sooo long..

2007-09-25T14:51:00.000-07:00

Well, someone.. ahem.. bugged me to update about my life. Well, apologies to that. Have been really busy.

oh! by the way, from now onwards, im oing to put up what im eating daily too. Of course, like Ego, I would certainly not have NOT good food inside me..so yeah, i thought it will be interesting.

Hope you enjoy it as much!!!! To Jo, here here...update on my life = update on food where Im now. lol.

Ah...one of UK's best. Yes yes.... a lot of these in Chinatown in UK, + expensive,so ,you have to be wise.

$$ : 4.80 pound
where : Four Season, Basewater (tube station's Basewater, the opposite road, to your left..)

Food for Thought

2007-09-10T21:25:00.000-07:00

Nothing really special , just my cravings (winks') at the moment......

.withlove.

Brain Food

2007-09-10T10:25:00.000-07:00

...not literally, but along the same lines.

This time, from Indonesia.

Otak-otak, the name given by the outlooks of it, mushy and soft is popular in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

Made with mixed,mashed fish paste, garlic, mixed spices ,coriander seeds,lemon grass, shallots,shrimp paste,creamy coconut milk ,sometimes a hint of prawn too..if generous

Being used to eat M'sia orangy-strong herbs otak-otak, I'm pleasantly surprised Indon's in plain white.

Indonesia's plainwhite otak-otak,wrapped in banana leaves is not that 'thick' & strong-herb in flavour, in terms of its taste.
It is like eating fish paste, but grilled. I guess by dipping the otak-otak with various sauces give it the extra flavour and ..really, it is good.

It is not that strong in herbs, which, I think M'sia's one is..and sometimes the 'orangy' colour gives the otak-otak a spicy look.

This otak-otak can be dipped in peanut sauce (like gado-gado ones) or chilli sauce..or both.

I,myself ,like it seperate....besides these two, I also like my brain food with kecap manis ..mmm

peanut sauce and chili sauce

where: Muara Musi

Muara Karang, Blok R4 Timur No. 16A

(Sebelah Kumon) Jakarta Utara, Indonesia

Tel no. :6660 6579 (Direct Number, I'm not sure about the area code)

Sauces are essential, whether it is chinese, western...or any cuisines,and this one is excellent at it..and the otak-otak have this 'grill' 'smoky' fish flavoury taste.

.withlove.

Food for Thought

2007-09-05T09:52:00.000-07:00

Sweet 'cute-ty' little fish roe in turnip shape....simply petite...can i say, adorable ?

Chicken Stripes & River Noodle

2007-09-03T21:09:00.000-07:00

We do have Ipoh Kai Si Hor Fun in KL..Ipoh in KL..rit...

Some claim that their noodles are fresh from Ipoh..that does help a lot, but of course, going to Ipoh+ Ipoh's water(essential)+ingredients+Ipoh's soup base, it makes whole lot of differents....but on the other hand, for those who miss this Ipoh signature food in KL...well, I have nothing to say.

Right...Ipoh Kai Si Hor Fun ...direct translation Chicken Stripes River Noodle...in Ipoh.

Here again, stepping into any shops is a no-no, although this dish is originally from Ipoh.

This one, I personally must admit, the hor fun is not as smooth...the prawn soup base is there, rich in ingredient ..but worth trying.

A side note: pity. the store next door has not open!!!!.... this store(the one next door) however, the hor fun is the 'smooth-est' I ever try, it is like slurping water, and the soup base is the clear type..this one..I must say, is better than the one I'm going to recommend...but.. the coffee shop has not open..!!!ah..never mind.

This one...is worth trying..certainly not those things where it is a one-off thing.

The one I have just said, is just next door..well, take your pick.

If you want thicker soup base, go to the one I am about to recommend.

If you want clear-er soup+ really smooth hor fun, go to the one next door.

where:Tien Chun (coffee shop's name)

Jalan Bandar Turiah

Off Jalan Hugh Low,Ipoh

(cross river and the bridge, before traffic light, turn right)

.withlove.

Food for Thought

2007-09-03T04:18:00.000-07:00

Mmmm..pippin' hot Custard Buns.
I use to go(if i can..still is) to every different dim sum sessions to try each restaurant's custard buns. I love them (i know a lot of people don't..heavan knows why..sigh)

Some..goodness.. are like a few whole salted eggyolk stuffed inside..hard and artificially orange in colour.
This, is the best i have tried. Flowy...no orangy 'look' and simply good.

Alternatively.....

2007-09-03T01:35:00.000-07:00

We, humans are so creative. Do not consume meat? No fret!! We have vegetarian meat, along with curry fish head, curry lamb, honey chicken,peking duck,barbecue pork, even bak kut teh ..and the best thing of it.. all of it taste the same.

Of course, the originals..do taste exactly( a little bit better) as their names are.

This one, as creative it can be, have all sorts of dishes...all vegetarian.(of course) Located along the shops in Taman Danau Desa, it is like stepping into a quaint little chinese 'xiu sek' eatery shop. very cosy and pleasant environment.with the polished wooden stools,with intricately craved polished round tables, along with hanging little red lanterns.

where : Fan Cai Xiang Vegetarion Restaurant
No.23-G, Plaza Danau 2, Jalan 2/109F
Taman Danau Desa, 58100,
Off Jalan Klang Lama,
Kuala Lumpur
(beside 7-eleven)

Tel/Fax: 03-79819812
016-6878720 (Steven Koh)...if you lost your way, I guess.

They have the usual affair of Lo Hon Zai (not too heavy, the sauce is just nice)... all kinds of fried rice,noodles,meat dishes..as creative as they can offer, even their bean curd are home-made, and indeed, their bean curd dishes are beautiful... the choices are so much till you really have no idea what to order !!!

I must say, their vegetable in soup base are very clear, very.but it could be better... oh! and their bitter gourd fried hor fun is really nice.it is like the usual fried hor fun.. and the taste with bitter gourd gives it a very different, refreshing taste.

hmm..i personally have not acquire bitter gourd taste, but I love this dish as much.
There is 'wok' hei in this dish...

kampung fried rice. A dish worth recommendation. Sprinkles of mixed herbs blends very well with the fried rice. a different taste..

home made bean curd with minced meat

lai you dao pao... (custard)? layered fried bean curd.
very creamy...perfect !!..the dao pao itself is a little bit dry though..but the rich sauce is just mmmh...

.withlove.

Food for Thought

2007-08-31T08:20:00.000-07:00

Xiao Long Bao swimming in jacuzzi..ah...how nice!!!

First time...

2007-08-30T03:50:00.000-07:00

....all credits to Bubbles !!!

Thank you so much, for the effort, the worries of whether it will 'sink' in the center(phew,it did not!!), the bubbles, the constant checking,the fun!!, the dedication. Honestly, could not have done it without you !!!!

It's for my dear mummy, and again, Bubble's brilliant idea to make a home-made cheesecake. My first time, well..with a little cheat of having Bubbles to help me...but I'm glad.. We are glad...more than glad that it turn out..well !!!

Funny.Baking is not all about having the precise amount of ingredients,to put in the best butter
the finest cheese, to stop the stopwatch exactly after 1 minute of beating,following the recipe word by word..it needs the extra magical touch to make it all worthwhile= it is the heart that counts. It is the end results,and when that person smiles, you know you already melt their hearts.

Side note: Baking=chemistry. All those things like putting in sour cream makes the texture different, a bowl of water in the oven will not make the cake crack+moise the cake...all these miscellaneous steps are so incredible !!

.withlove.

Food for Thought

2007-08-27T02:50:00.000-07:00

Anything fresh..is the best, the very first pick, the first cuts of meat.....
this home cook'd ( a village in China) dish of simple combination of ingredients says it all.

Like The Locals

2007-08-27T01:34:00.000-07:00

When you are a tourist=time is ticking, bumping around, stepping into any restaurants you see, is a definite no-no. Unless, lucky you, you accidentally walk into a good one. Most of the time, well, quite a few times, for me, it is dissapointing.

Well, if you want good food,that is.

Hey, think about it. We are tourists, of course, like places of 'Must go', eg. without going to Eiffel Tower, it is pointless to say you have been to Paris, or KLCC in KL...likewise, food..is as essential.

Some say, without eating a meal in Yung Kee Restaurant when you are in Hong Kong= you did not go Hong Kong. Ah well....

Hence, witout any recommendation..please... be cautious?? to step into any small cafe aka Cha Chan Teng that is litter all over Hong Kong.

They serve the usual affair of ying yong coffee,lemon tea, chat hei(7 -up) i love this translation, the sam men zhi aka sandwich, congee, wanton soup, den tan(egg white dessert), toast bread...you get my idea...but be careful, not all are as good...

This, is a good pick for the usual affair of cha chan teng in Hong Kong. reasonable, affordable price.. and good food.

where:Ho Hung Kee Congee & Noodle Wanton Shop

2, Sharp St., East, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

(it is near Times Square in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong..walk along Esprit,straight up..or ask any locals...it is a small shop at the side)

The congee...is the best, shall i say. It is so smooth..and literally melts in your mouth,and they give a generous portion of ingredients,like fish slices..or whatever types you ordered.. I have no idea what makes it so even, so smooth..i think the soup base is ...the key.

The wanton noodles have this really 'bouncy', chewy texture, accomodate with very clear and refreshing soup.All in all, with the local cha chan teng environment, where space is precious, squeezing everybody in a tiny cosy shop, locals speaking in fast, fluent Cantonese..it is worth the time of having a meal in Ho Hung Kee shop.

As you can see...it is by the side...

Good food,at times. are like little gems in Old Curiousity shops, where it needs to be found..and at times, not easily found.

.withlove.

Food for Thought

2007-08-26T09:37:00.000-07:00

we have all sorts..shrimp, beef,chicken, squid..... radish balls, this time.
Rather 'gass-sy', the taste, that is...but something different.

Something different..hakka'ians anyone?

2007-08-26T07:25:00.000-07:00

rice flour, leak..and some diced meat,some chopp'd-up small beancurds... simple yet delicious !!

A proud Hakka dish (Ban) ..from this...(below)

Hmmm.i myself did learn from grandma..but this lady is incredible at making it !!

It takes a lot of hard work, dedication,patience(because while making it, it can easily break and create holes,this can be frustrating,and if once,twice 'broken',it has to be thrown away,i myself,unfortunately have experienced this before).. and strong,'bearable' hands ( because the dough needs to be hot,very hot, in order for the bits of dough to stick into one, before making into small balls)..all in all, it is an art.

Just something fun , since we are at it.

A side note: In Malaysia, they do make, but you have to know from who to order,and where.

.withlove.

Little fine things...

2007-08-26T06:20:00.000-07:00

Funny. They are all more or less the same ingredients...but some are as dry as sahara dessert, like swallowing sand,some are too buttery, some (..like this one) will just make you weak in the knees...hmmm..

This time, let me introduce to you (drumrolls please...!) Victorian Sandwich. and from our very own !!!

where:The Teapot Cafe,169, Jalan SS2/24
Petaling Jaya

Tel No: 03 - 7875 3024 (close early on Mondays)

If you fancy butter cake, this is for you too. I admit, it is a tiny weeny bit rich, but the melting, fine buttery taste is just right. It makes you crave for more after the first bite. Absolutely delectable. And the jam between gives just the perfect finishing touch to the whole taste of the cake.

To me( lah), you will not get too 'bored' just eating butter.. butter.. and more butter till the thought of butter cake make you shudder,(hey,it rhymes!!.butter..butter...makes you shudder).. but the jam in between does give the extra delightful sparkle of taste that makes you dream, crave of it... days after having one.

On the side note: They do serve lunch, dinner, teas and such, but I have yet to try them.

.with love.

Food for Thought

2007-08-25T07:42:00.000-07:00

Just a simple recipe of spring onion oil.. and a sprinklet...of spring onion.

Simple and yet ... so refreshingly enjoyable.

Patience...patience is what you need.

2007-08-25T06:09:00.000-07:00

You have experienced it before, well, if you do want to enjoy good food. In restaurants, little stalls, wet markets' food stall, in bistros,in one own's kitchen... good food can be anywhere...but the painstakingly looong wait even before ordering anything, is sometimes unbearable. But in the end, you know it is worthwhile.

This, however, is in Singapore. How shall I say where it is located..hmmm. If you take a MTR, stop at City Hall. Out you step, and you will find yourself stepping into Raffles City Shopping Centre. Go up the fast moving escalotors, you will see Starbucks.. and then,beside it, down to Market Place, where you will find this gem.

Doughnuts, this time. But, wait. Not Krispy Kreme... no no.. to my opinion, not as sweet , and KK is, not as nice. Honestly !! Donut Factory , that is !

Donut Facotry, is a MUST stop if you go Singapore, er, if you do not want to shop a lot, that is... that is = if you have a LOT of free time. Trust me, a lot.
I myself queue'd 2 and a 1/2 hours. NO, i am not joking. Ah well, since I'm not shopping, I have all the time in the world.

And, boy!! it is worth waiting. They have various flavouring, from peanut butter filling glazed, blueberry glazed,hazelnut mlik chocolate,double chocolate to wasabi cheese, kaya white chocolate,spicy cheese. Knowing Singaporeans, like HKies alike, are picky with thier food, I was thinking, this little shop must be something.

And certainly, Donut Factory do prove that they are indeed outshined any donut shops available( yesss, even Big Apple in the Curve, Damansara is a far far cry from Donut Factory..)

The donuts are freshly made.. right in front of your eyes!!..not greasy, not sweet, a little smaller from KK, it literally melts in your mouth, very soft,even it smells like freshly out baked bread,even the flavourings do not taste artificial. and they give an enormously generous filling in each donut( till it pours out)

Details:SGD 10 for a box of 12 glazed doughnuts (SGD 11 if they're in assorted flavours)
Where: Raffles City Shopping Centre #B1-61. Tel: (65) 6337 6268. Open 12.30pm - 10pm daily.
B1 - 61 RAFFLES CITY SHOPPING CENTRE
250 NORTH BRIDGE ROAD
Singapore 179101

As you can see, this is Part2 of the line..Part1 is anywhere before the guy in pink(sitting)

Im nearly there.....soon..soon....

This proves it..

I have queue'd 2 and a 1/2 hrs for these..for goodness sake!! as kiasu as ever, I bought 2 boxes of 12. Oh, did I tell you..they limit your purchase to 2 dozens only.

The little donut shop that excits Singporeans.... and all sorts.oh the lucky Singaporeans!!

Food for Thought

2007-08-24T02:56:00.000-07:00

Home cook-ed !!!

Tummy...eased!!

2007-08-24T02:23:00.001-07:00

Jsut something simple. Excuse me, eh? I'm just starting to warm up.

Yogurt, there are lots of brands in the supermarkets. If you want something reasonable, yet alright, not too picky about taste, you go for the local ones.

But this one,Emmi Swiss Premium yogurt is affordable( rm2-2.50) per cup, not too thick and rich, the flavour is just nice and liquidy.

No offence, but Ski is too rich, and too creamy. On a ordinary day, I cannot finish a whole cup, and I feel like not having it for days later( because it is too rich)

But this one? It's from Switzerland and its made from fresh Alpines milk. They have flavours even like rasberry(my favourite), grapefruit(dont be surprise, ithought this will taste sour, but it is NOT!), plain, strawberry, blueberry, aloe vera( this is OK only).

At first, they only import once in a blue moon, thus ..this much!!!

You can purchase it in places like Jusco, Carefour, anything big.

Something on the side. Throw in some fresh blueberries inside.mmm..just the taste!!

.with love.

A Start

2007-08-24T02:23:00.000-07:00

An intro, shall i say? This blog, or room, shall i say, is about a great many of musings of a person who adore food. Thank goodness, phew!! this will not be a blog of touchy,mushy things or anything too personal. That, shall i say, some things are bst kept to oneself.

I do not consider myself someone who travel afar, but this blog is about anything (food, that is) that I think worth sharing. Good things must share, isnt it? It will be about the pasta(pesto's my fav), the meringue, the tiramisu, the cheesecake, the soto ayam, the paella, the crepes, the ceaser salad, the club sandwich, the raviolli... basically anything that I think is best.
Anything I frown upon, and any that makes me hungry for more.

Some say, food is food ,IS food. They are all the same. No, they are not! Good food awakes all youe senses, it journeys through places in your body that you could never imagine, and it excites every cell in your body, and...

Ah well, you will understand when you read along. Enjoy !