Tea Review

 Imagine getting to drink something full of anti-oxidants and vitamins that will greatly benefit your body. Imagine that your thirst are greatly soothe after having such drinks. Well, the subject matter will be tea and the old adage that you are what you eat may seem downright elementary but is often ignored in our fast paced society.

So, take time off to enjoy a cup of tea that is full of beneficiary properties to the body. A tin of nice-looking tea was given as a gift and time for the sampling to reveal the taste. They are delicious and stimulating, because there is a constant aromatic newness in the streams of oolong but it has a weak body and highly represented by the light green colour of the drink. Taste review - 3.5/5.

Well, have some tea they say and you will be cleansed, relaxed and ready to take on the new destination. Cheers to good health and thanks Aunt Debbie for the tea...

Dim Sum

Dim sum refers to a Chinese style prepared as small bite-sized or individual portions of food traditionally served in small steamer baskets or on small plates. And as a continuation of the post birthday celebration, mum treated us to dim sum buffet.

 Jellied pork skin and BBQ chicken wings

 

 

 Sesame bao and chive dumplings

 

 Xiao long bao and prawn dumplings

 Durian beard and desserts

Each dishes is so unique and when it comes to choosing, take everything to sample as long as your stomach can bag all the ordered food. The food is good and most importantly, it is cheap!! about $16.80/pax.

Had cravings for buffet for months and this bout of food gorging definitely left me satisfied. Guess it has assisted me in regaining and maintaining my balance in the following months to come without buffet....

 

Shantou buffet - must try!! but please remember to make booking for it is always full house. We went on a weekday afternoon thinking that it will be empty. OMG.... We are wrong...the restaurant is packed to the brimmed and make us wonder why- aren't these people working on a weekday afternoon?

Nutrition from buffet

Comfort food in such abundance and variance are a supremely indulgent combination creating the ultimate backdrop for my 35th birthday celebration. First of all the fashion line of seafood that you can see lining up in your sight waiting for the moment of being devoured. Here it comes:



  

Cafe Spice @ concorde hotel - despite having a spicy name - the food are not so spicy but they are temptingly delicious. With views over the crowded streets of orchard, the air is constantly laden with the aromatic scent of Chinese herbs and the warm tingle of sweet desserts, set on a constant chatter of the fun-filled crowd.

The night ends immersing in a few round of this evilly wicked chocolate moose and the great company leaves wonderful memories.

Roast Chicken

Who can ever say no to such a nicely roasted meat dressed in its Sunday best - lined with shades of golden brown hue. Roast chicken was surely created for moments like this. Down this with a glass of nice chilled beer or indulge with a nice port (go for W&J Graham's) and the moment will truly be perfect!!

Review - soft and moist body, texture almost like the chicken from Kenny Roger. Aromatic five spices does wonder giving it an uplifting taste. Thumbs up.

A short trip to Malaysia

Truly reflecting the the meaning of short trip, our trips nowadays seems to border around Malaysia, namely Bukit Indah and KSL. Epitomising this meaning in the above picture demanding why why - why is my holiday getting shorter?? Ha ha... another 2 years, my darling, when little Matthias is older enough to travel or older enough to get a passport....

Welcome to the world of cheap and good durian. This is probably one of the best tasting and value for money durian that we have chanced upon... make a guess....S$3.26/Kg,,, versus S$18/Kg in Singapore.... Heaven awaits!!

Tasting - creamy, deep and distinctive caramel flavour with superb bitter sweet aged sherry tasting. Thumbs up!!

This mother of all durians weigh in at a high of 5kg and its sheer size can be seen from the attached pic. Samuel is basking in delight after tasting, definitely - more durians for me dad....

As we search for the that depth and enjoyment within us, the stomach will deliver its knocking of acid juices to signal time to feast. Some of the food that we enjoy and don't enjoy - bak kut teh, coffee, roast duck, chicken rice, soups, etc... wait for the reviews.

Starting to put things right in one's life and to put them in practice seems to be natural and as i pen this blog - it begs 2 questions - is the wait fruitful for it is a funny old beast which taunts you to keep thinking, tugging at the inner peace for it promises the world and becomes your biggest frustration - can one keep waiting for to change things little by little, perseverance is essential.

Wander off to the distant future, Samuel can best summarize the situation - with a smile, don't keep me waiting for too long dad... :)

Artisan Pandan Chiffon Cake

Aptly named as the pandan cake, this cake exudes the abundance aroma of the pandan plant. The aroma intensifies after 40 mins in the oven and it embraces the whole living space, beckons you near to the oven.

The pandan cake is a very light cake and the baking method uses a combination of both batter and foam peaks. Fresh pandan leaves and coconut milk are used to enhance the taste and smell.

I would say that the foam is quite interesting to make - beat egg whites till stiff peaks formed - test the stiffness by overturning the pail of whites over your head and it should not drop down. A beyond time experience!! if your whites are unable to hold.

Cooling period - an innovative way to cool your pandan cake before tasting. It reminds me of the yeliu rock formation in Taiwan. Tasting is next and we take pride in calling upon the Khoos for the tasting.                                                                                                                     Review - soft and fluffy, almost velvety texture. Moist and light with a spongy feel. The panel like it - thumbs up.

Arrival of prince Matthias

Returned familiarity of the anxious moment, when 2 years back we awaited the arrival of our first born Samuel, now we await the arrival of Matthias.

Confidence surrounds since we had already went through it once, yet being confident is one thing, reality is another.

At 0137, Matthias arrived healthily into this World. A thunderous cry follow... ha ha...(awaiting the moment) he is quite different from Samuel - in the way he signalled his arrival. Samuel arrived in serenity and refused to cry even though the nurses pricked him with a needle.

The ultimate partnership of happiness surrounds dad, mum and child when suddenly a part of the moment became shrouded with unease. Flowing river of blood gathers on the floor and mum is bleeding all of a sudden. Panicked filled room, nervous nurses, paled mum and dad was heralded out of the room.

Who can ever bear such spectacle? I was worried and pace around the delivery suite, burning a seared track in its path - such exaggeration but i will not want to ever relive such moment....

Fast forwarding and today mummy has since recovered and is doing well. I am grateful that everything turns out well in the end, grateful for every good night and day, grateful for healthy sons so i offer my gratitude and love to the divine.

 

Virgin Post - the vintage dome

Vintage Dome versus Young Dome

Matured discolouration of the label is achieved after the years spent in its stunning and informal environment. The rough gauge of its cellar stay 5+ years in Yishun and 5+ years in Ponggol.

The tasting presented the following - Vintage wins as it has increased body and sweetness. More earthy tone of freshness fills the mouth and linger through on the smooth finish. Amazing bitter sweet aromas of cinammon, saffron and the faintest hint of floral honey. Do not drink neat as it is too overpowering, serve with hot mineral-rich water instead.

Some say that rules are for breaking and wines for sharing with generous servings of laughter. Any takers for sampling?