Friday, July 31, 2009

New York Lunch


We have arrived at the last the day of July already. And I finally managed to have lunch with my intern daughter. Finally. After almost canceling it again because of scheduling conflict. I am glad we did it this time.


This is how we gained weight. Eat and eat again. The place we picked is called New York New York, just a couple minutes away from her office. No mistake here, it is New York twice, with more New York pictures on the wall around the area, yellow cabs, tall buildings, the lights... Chrysler building picture on the menu....New York atmosphere is tried to be re-created here. So, let's give the credit due, this is New-York-ish lunch.


The waiter, however, was so lacking of enthusiasm .... in such a lazy attitude, he barely showed us the table. On the way, he dropped the menu on the floor without realizing it, which we picked up and let him know that he dropped the menu. He had no reaction.... no thank you, no smile whatsoever. What a useless creature!


The menu looks tempting, I must say. For a little while, looking at those laid out selection, we felt transformed as if we were in a restaurant in the USA - minus excited and eager waiters.


We had calamari as starter and we shared the rests of the food, Rotisserie Chicken, Caesar Salad and Pepperoni Pizza.


There were other waitresses that serve us too while we were there, they were a lot nicer and more responsive compared to the first one we met. I am not sure if I want to go back to this place again, as I don't find the food too appetizing. My kids did not mind the food, however. But I do. Too bad!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Pão de Queijo


Making these cheese goodies has been brought into the conversation by my youngest daughter for a long time. We decided, D-day was going to be yesterday. Call them Brazilian Cheese Buns or balls, they are originally called Pão de Queijo. I have seen the recipe that require frying, however these were the baked version. So, they are supposed to be healthier.


It is interesting to note this recipe uses tapioca flour and they do resemble to Japanese Cheese Mochi that we always buy from a bakery in the city. Parmesan cheese was used and they are nice for breakfast, snack or appetizer. Japanese Mochi however, uses glutinous rice flour.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Ion Update


ION Orchard has been opened since last week. We did not visit the place on purpose. By accident we had errands to run nearby before having to meet someone in another building, around five minutes away from the place. It was rather quiet when we were passing through that day, it was Thursday though. Last weekend, however, the place was quite packed with crowds.



In October, ION will officially open.

At the back of the building the construction of the taller tower continues.....



Monday, July 27, 2009

Quiche For Breakfast

I woke up on Sunday morning and went to the kitchen, feeling like an egg-and-bacon dish for breakfast. But not just that, I like to have them baked, with some sort of shell. The quick one would be the bread.


But again, I wanted something better than bread, like crust., crispy one with some cheese filling too. The whole wanting business led me into making the crust and change the whole course into making Quiche Lorraine session while everyone was still in bed.


One Sunday morning......., I had Quiche Lorraine for breakfast and a cup of hot cocoa. Yum...

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Toys & People


They call it "The Craziest Toy Sale". It was in the basement of Ngee Ann City and tt did look a bit crazy, it was packed, it was noisy and all colors seemed blended well inside- people and toys. I am glad I did not have to go there, my toy days are so over.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Dinner At Nanbantei


Not long after we had lunch at Nanbantei, we went back full force for dinner. No Obento this time, they are only available for lunch. Everyone picked their favorite.


I had Soboro Rice above, which is rice topped with sliced seasoned mushroom and minced chicken.



Vegetable tempura, among them we got eggplant and lady fingers and a few other veggies.


My favorite of all is asparagus maki which is asparagus wrapped in thin sliced pork, seasoned and grilled. Super delish!

Friday, July 24, 2009

One Of My Favorite Things


I don't always buy stuff from the places that we go to when we travel abroad, but occasionally something would catch my eyes and I could not help but getting them. Something small and does not cost too much money and space in our house, like the above wooden cow that we bought from a store in Victoria Island, British Columbia. We visited the place in 2004, back when life was less complicated and we were all younger.......

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Fresh From Oven Breakfast


It is just great to have been able to store bread dough in the fridge and be able to use it anytime I want. I could have freshly baked breads for breakfast in the morning, without having to run to the store to get them.


I used my stored brioche dough this morning, just enough to make six small buns. I rolled out the dough into a rectangle and put enough cheese in between and folded the dough then sliced them into six pieces.


Upon leaving them to rise, I brushed some egg wash on the top part, sprinkled some coarse sugar and topped them with grated cheese. Ready to bake for 12-15 minutes. They are good for breakfast.....

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Sunday On China Street



It was Sunday, so typically it's quiet around business district and subsequently around China Street, which location is just around the corner. Our aim to go there was to have lunch at Sushi Tei without a large crowd and it tends to be a successful mission, just like last Sunday. I don't care as much about fighting against everyone's intention to eat there. It gets tiring, might as well just go along and I do not have to eat much there if I do not want to.


The yellow building is where Sushi Tei' premise is located.


Other buildings nearby are painted in different colors, making the street vibrant and interesting.


There are some more places to eat and drink along the street, Pizza Hut is right there as well.


Some offices are located there, modern tall buildings can be seen on the background. Aberdeen's name is right up clearly.


After lunch, we crossed the street to the famous Coffee Shop, called Ya Kun Kaya Toast, selling primarily traditional coffee and toast, just like the name suggests. The place is well known in this country and has opened its branches outside Singapore as well.







Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Crystal Jade Teochew Jakarta


Pacific Place in Jakarta was still under construction when we went to Jakarta two years ago. By the time we were there last month, the mall is up and running and frequented by a gazillion of people. Ritz Carlton Hotel, not the one involved in the recent explosion, is adjacent to the mall. The mall has everything but nothing cheap.


There are MANY restaurants and places to eat there. Of course, out of that many, DH picked one that he is familiar with, a restaurant within the family of Crystal Jade, a place that was safe enough for everyone to like the food. We had dinner upon our arrival in Jakarta after traveling out of the city for a few days with two of my sisters and four children altogether. A party of 10, hungry and tired.


The food we had were good in general and their service was good too, as is in most Indonesian restaurants. People were really friendly and patient with our requests. I always appreciate waitresses that show willingness to wait on the table unlike some we encounter very often here.


As we finished and walked out the long corridor to the exit, every single employee that we passed and saw each of us, thanked every single one of us...... I never got as many thanks in my life before. Never ever. Really something!



Later that night, four of the ten people went to see The Transformers 2. The other six, went back for bed - exhausted.Sleeping 6

Monday, July 20, 2009

Wholemeal French Toast



I need some sort of visual aid to get me to cook something sometimes. Martha Stewart has been the one behind last Sunday's breakfast. I use the leftover wholemeal bread that we had. Along with a couple slices of bacon and a cup of coffee, I got my very busy day started yesterday.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Blowfish


Blowfish is an upscale contemporary Japanese restaurant, located in the vicinity of central business district in Jakarta. DH loves the place and dines there very often when he is in town. He took us there before and he took us again on our last visit earlier this month. They have moved their location since the last time I had lunch over there a few years ago.



Aside from the Salmon Sashimi that most of us tend to like, we had salad and mushroom karaage to lessen the guilt inside for not being able to eat enough vegetables during the holiday. The guilt was back very quickly as the delicious food served tasted very creamy or more accurately-although it won't be accurate enough- mayonaisey...


Their chicken karaage was served with sliced chilli on top sprinkled with sesame seeds.


The grilled scallop below is uber creamy, this should be good for anyone who needs cholesterol booster! It was sinful.



Til another time, when it is safe enough to go back to the country again!