An Appetite For All Things Good

Paris Day 8

2011-12-11T23:48:00.007+11:00

I apologize for the long hiatus in updating my dear blog. December 2011 was such a busy period (Christmas) for a girl who works in a patisserie that there was absolutely no time to write! No time even to watch Korean dramas!

From where I left off.
Paris.

Remember the Poilane bread I bought the day before? I had it for breakfast the very next day; with a bit of butter and honey. Heaven.

Our first stop of the day was to return to the Louvre after our failed attempt to enter it.

Lo and behold! There was such! a queue at the entrance.
Do note that there are various entrance fee for different age groups and work profession. For example, I'm a youth, hence had paid for the Youth category which is a little lesser than the full Adult price. If you are a teacher or is with an Art association, you get to go in for free. Alternatively, the first Sunday of each month is free museum day in Paris. :)

The exhibits. The really famous ones.

Victoire de Samothrace.
The most beautiful of all the artwork in the Louvre, in my opinion.

Leonardo da Vinci
Mona Lisa "la Gioconda"; John the Baptist

The crowd viewing Mona Lisa.

A short break, that is lunch at the only available place inside of Le Louvre; Paul Patisserie. Half a cold prosciutto sandwich.

Venus de Milo

Sights.

The Louvre museum is expansive. It has three parts, the Sully Wing, the Richelieu Wing and the Denon Wing, each holds an entirely different style of artwork. Fun fact: There are 35,000 works of art on display in the Louvre. If you were to spend 30 seconds on each piece of art, not counting the time taken walking from one artwork to the next, it would take about thirteen days to complete the largest museum in the world.

It took me an entire afternoon of quick browsing and only stopping at the displays that caught my attention (I even skipped the Egyptian, Near Eastern and Islamic sections), and my eyes and brain were tired as hell when we left it.

A quick stop at the Eiffel Tower for a photo shoot.

Dinner at a quaint bistro in Saint Germain des Pres, where the sky is still bright at 10 in the evening.

Champagne, bread with terrine trio.

A very good dish this one.
Pan-fried scallops with caramelized leeks and pureed potato.

End.

Paris Day 7

2011-11-09T15:54:00.011+11:00

J'adore le pain.
I cannot say that enough. I love breads. Now that I am finally in the capital of bread, I am determined to start the hunt for the best baguette, croissant, pain de campagne, you name it... as soon as possible.

Very luckily, just two streets down from our hotel sits Le Grenier à Pain (rue Faubourg Poissonniére), winner of 2010 Meilleure Baguette de Paris. It's main shop is in rue des Abbesses where online reviews says is the place to get their award-winning baguettes. Therefore, being on my way to Poilâne, I quickly grabbed my favourite viennoiseries- un pain au chocolat et un pain aux raisins- to temporarily assuage my hunger.

The street of morning Paris.
All of their buildings look like this. And I mean everywhere. It is impossible to find a single high-rise; the tallest structure would probably be Eiffel Tower. I think I quite like it like this; nothing to obstruct my view of the clear blue sky.

A pinch of shopping along the way.

And here we are! at Saint Germain des Prés district where the original Poilâne bakery on the Rue de Cherche Midi remains its flagship store. I have heard from Gabby that in Paris, the patisseries don't like to have pictures of their goods taken. I was not too sure whether this includes boulangeries as well but I was not keen to try this out. Hence, I could only stand on the opposite street to take a fleeting shot of this quaint wooden shop front.

Poilane sells their signature Miche bread by the gram. The first thing I did after exiting the shop was to plunge my hand into the large white paper bag for a slice la miche de pain and put it in mouth. The second thing I did was to take a photograph of the bitten bread.

Lunch.
Just two doors down Poilâne, there is un petite cafe that sells open toasts, using only Poilâne miche de pain.
Condiments: Oregano, salt, rosemary and pepper.

Left: Spinach and corn salad with mustard dressing. Right: Tomato and mozzarella toast, and prosciutto and goat cheese toast.

Last but no least (in fact the most important), dessert: a most vibrantly coloured millefeuilles aux fraises.

It seems that it is customary to drink a strong espresso after each meal, for the waitress would definitely ask: un cafe? Oui, bien sûr!

One interesting sculpture I saw. Aptly describes "... right up your ass".

It was a Tuesday that day if I remembered correctly. And the next on my schedule after Poilâne was Musée du Louvre -
The most visited museum in the world.
The museum which houses Leonardo Da Vinci, Rapheal, Titan, and Rembrandt.
The museum that was epic center of The Da Vinci Code.
The museum that does not open on a Tuesday.
(Note to all: Do your homework before going on a trip like this. Check the opening hours, rates and everything. Be kiasu!)

Thus, we spent our time taking pictures of Le Louvre, the glass pyramids and all, instead, which was great due to the fact that there was not much tourists around compared to the following day when we came again.

We continued our way to the smaller Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, which is at the west of Le Louvre. (The larger Arc de Triomphe (Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile) stands at the western end of Champs Elysées)

And continued straight into The Tuileries Garden (Jardins des Tuileries), originally the royal garden for the Tuileries Palace, now a public garden located between the Musée du Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. Great place for picnics (at the open field) and other love-ly activities (in between grass hedges).

Hence, we bought a few gateaux from Pattinson's Patisserie and joined in the fun!

Jardins des Tuileries

My flower-shaped creme glacée au chocolat noir. First a chocolate cake, then a chocolate ice-cream; I was feeling rather chocolaty that day.

Place de la Concorde; The Fountain of River Commerce and Navigation.
Behind us is the North Fountain of the two most symbolic fountains in Paris. And opposite the fountain is the giant Egyptian obelisk that is too huge to fit into my camera from where I was standing, so I gave up trying to take a photograph of it. But you should know, it is the one of the two Obelisks of Luxor that the Egyptian government gave to France in 1829, which only arrived in Paris in 1833 after the gargantuan effort of the French to transport it.

You have to agree that Paris has got quite a number of great monuments with its fair share of history, of how it came to be. At the end of the day when we returned to our hotel, tired from all the walking, I have got to admit that Paris is a city rich in culture that has got so much history to share. I can't help but fall in love with this city.

Dinner. Escargot, Rosé, Carbonara and pizza.

Warning: Paris has got as many good food establishments as downright disappointing food places. Once again, do your homework.

End.

London- Paris Day 6

2011-09-26T15:55:00.007+10:00

A week in London, a week in Paris. On Day 6, we made preparations to leave for Paris via Eurostar in the afternoon. I won't illustrate what we did in the morning as I don't want to bore you but it was a lot of rushing around (last minute shopping etc.) and frantic packing.

A quick lunch at the nearby sushi shop (that is an all-in-one Asian food stall really, since it sells curry rice and sweet sour pork as well).

It takes approximately 2.5 hours of train ride from London St. Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. Plus, Paris is one hour faster than London, therefore it is 3 hours lost in translation.
On board Eurostar; beside a black lady whose child kept kicking my leg while he slept...

Destination Paris- Gare du Nord (which means North Station) International. After a trip to the hotel to unload our luggage, we headed off to St. Germain des Pres to meet Gabriella (aka Gabby).

Now, about Gabby, she was my classmate at French class (Alliance Francaise) during my time in Sydney, Australia. We got along very well for we both love food and French culture. After I returned to Singapore, she went over to France, living the dream that she had always dreamed of (ie. eating lots of French pasties and getting a French boyfriend ^^). And Gabby had me promised her to definitely let her know if I ever went to France. Thus on my very first day in Paris, we met up for dinner.

Dinner was originally scheduled to be at Le Comptoir du Relais, a popular French bistro that serves classical French cuisine featuring heavily on charcuterie, after much discussion with Gabby on facebook. We even timed it to be on a weekend knowing that the restaurant doesn't take reservation on a weekend, hence we might have a chance of getting a table in this restaurant that is notorious for its waiting list if we went early. Alas, it was not to be so. Le Comptoir was full when we arrived. Gabby explained that the weather on that day was particularly good (which apparently is a cause for celebration in Paris), which resulted in a huge turn-out of people looking to enjoy the beautiful evening.

Therefore, it was an hour later, after much hunting, that we found a charming French restaurant called La Petite Cour that we all agreed on.

I was famished.

Appetizer

A crisp salad of spring root vegetables. Very refreshing.

A soup.
I beg your pardon, I really can't recall what kind of soup this is. But interesting isn't it? To serve it in a martini glass.

King prawn and avocado rolled in mango, with wasabi cream.

Mains

Rack of lamb, grilled, with crispy polenta cake. Star main of the night.

Stefanie's, my new friend introduced by Gabby, chicken breast.

Aileen's snapper in a soup of green peas.

Matthiew's pork.

Bread station, a common feature in Parisian restaurants. However, this particular bread station is particularly quaint don't you think?

From left: Stefanie, Gabby, Matthiew (Gabby's boyfriend), Aileen and I. Mum's the photographer.

Baba rhum, a classic french dessert, is basically a yeast-risen cake soaked in a rum flavoured sugar syrup. Unfortunately, this restaurant's version failed big time. None of us were impressed, especially Matthiew who, a local Parisian, thinks his grandmother can make a way better one.

Chocolate Trio of mousse, glacé and gateau.

La Petite Cour- 8, rue Mabillon 75006 Paris
Métro : Mabillon ou Saint-Germain-des-Prés

End.

London Day 5

2011-09-02T23:46:00.004+10:00

The fifth day in London brought us to Portobello Market, Nottinghill.

Portobello Market, in case you don't know, is a mile-long street market sells a wide variety of goods, clothes, antiques and even food, with different items being sold on different days. It is open every day, except for Sunday. Well, we went on a Saturday, the best time to visit in my opinion, the day where the renowned antique market comes to life, combined with many fashion and second-hand goods stall. All in all, it was the best kind of bargain-shopping you can get.

Hence early morning, we got off at Nottinghill Gate Underground station and walked with the gathering crowd along Portobello Road towards the famous market. Then we chanced upon this dainty little Italian pizzeria, Arancina.

A second breakfast we had.

Sights along Portobello Road.

I am sorry to say that I had not taken any pictures of the market. Not a single one. It seemed that from the moment I entered the first boutique, I had clean forgotten about my Leica.. However, it is my pleasure to inform all those who have not been to Nottinghill that it is exactly the same as in Nottinghill (the movie)!

Lunch was at Gail's, this busy cafe that serves solid sandwiches, salads and soups. Very my kind of cafe.

Potato and leek soup with a hunk of dark rye bread.

Beetroot salad with tuna, sprouts and chickpeas.

Chamomile tea.

As you can see, shopping took a whole day. The next available picture I have is of dinner, which we had at a très French restaurant near our hotel at Marylebone street, La Ratatouille.

Half dozen escargot baked in garlic butter.

Chef's salad of baby carrots, radicchio, duck liver pate and a fried egg.

Steak Frites.

Fondant chocolat.

Bon appetit.

End.

London Day 4

2011-08-24T11:45:00.011+10:00

Day 4: Traveling round London.

Early morning brought us to Borough Market. (exit through London Bridge station)

In case you are wondering, "hmm.. Borough Market sounds familiar.." Yup, you are right. This is the market where Jamie Oliver frequents whenever he needs fresh, good produce.

He is absolutely right on this. You can get some of the best produce here; cheese, butter, poultry, vegetables, fruits, flowers etc.. with the exception of seafood.

Free-tastings too!

Just outside of Borough Market, there lived Monmouth. Don't know if you have heard of it. It is supposed to be quite a popular coffee place... but I didn't when I came. I just joined the queue like all Singaporeans do.. haha.

Coffee here is fantastic! Monmouth does all sorts of coffee; brewed, gourmet, filter, plunger.. well, all except Kopi. The coffee beans are quite pricey too, at £36 per kilo (our coffee bean of the day).

Look! Such a cool cafe concept! On your left: Chocolate truffles to go with your coffee. Right: A real communal table where you buy a plate from the cashier and just help yourself to whatever is on the table. I love this cafe.

Latte & Cappucino.

Rest of Borough Market.

Sights while we look for The London Bridge.

"London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down.."

Look across and you'll see the Tower Bridge.

Yum cha at Chinatown.

Then off to the rough side of London: Camdentown, known for their street markets selling fashion, lifestyle, books, food, junk/antiques and more bizarre items. (Note: Watch out for your bags.)
It is very different from say.. Bond Street and Knightsbridge where you get your chi-chi Chanel and Topshop. Here at Camdentown, things sell quite cheaply, plus you get to bargain to your heart's delight.

Cyberdog: You will never never never see this kind of shop in Singapore. Ever.
First step into the shop, you'll be hit by its intense trance music and the overpowering musk of weed (marijuana). Then when you strain your eyes in its dimly lit display areas, you will discover rows of robotic-looking mannequin donning Cyberdog's brand of expensive alien fashion. Very bizarre. I didn't have the nerve to delve deeper into the supposedly large underground labyrinth of this clothing empire when my mother's friend suggested, thus returned to the safety of daylight 20minutes after.

Dinner at Royal China, a Chinese restaurant near to our hotel.

香酥鸭 Crispy duck. A highly popular Chinese dish in London apparently.

Bon appetit.

End.

London Day 3

2011-08-11T20:45:00.012+10:00

So, to continue from where I left off, we woke up at that shabby apartment early the next morning and left to hunt for some local breakfast. I was curious as to what normal Londoners eat for breakfast...

As it turns out...
It's just white bread! Below shows the most luxurious breakfast set you can find in the local cafe. The bacon sandwich that I ordered was just white bread and bacon, full-stop.

On the bright side, they do serve a decent cup of coffee.

Move to our hotel: The Blandford Hotel. A modest, homely hotel which is just off Baker street station. Does Baker street ring a bell yet? It was the street where Sherlock Holmes used to live.

Well-fed and happy with warm bellies, we resumed our sight-seeing plans.

House of Parliament

Westminster Abbey
You can imagine how excited we were to view the inside of this historic church, more so given the recent, highly publicized marriage of Prince William and Kate. My maid, an avid British Royal Family fan, is forever telling me: "Girl girl, you must go take picture of the church okay!!" However, to our horror, the church was not open for viewing until much later, and there was a huge queue surrounding the circumference of the church already waiting. (not to mention the substantial entrance fee!) Therefore we had to satisfy with the smaller St. Margaret's Church just outside of Westminster Abbey.

Note to self: Do check in advance the opening hours of the church to avoid disappointment!

St. Margaret's Church

Sights recorded as we passed one park and a few gardens, on our way to our lunch appointment at The Ritz.

Highlight of the day: Tea at The Ritz, Piccadilly.
Well, if you do come to London, you HAVE to do a High-tea at The Ritz. It's the royalty experience you are going for; after all Queen Elizabeth did choose to celebrate her 80th birthday and golden jubilee there. Do book weeks and weeks in advance to be sure you get a table. Reservation can be done quite simply through their website at http://www.theritzlondon.com/tea/london-,default-en.html.

In Wikipedia, it says that The Ritz is build in a neoclassical style, which is a style that draws inspiration from the Renaissance and Baroque period. Quite charming and elegant in its setting. My mum and I can't resist taking a picture with its furniture.

At the famous Palm Court.

The Ritz offers an extensive 17 types of teas, of which I ordered Elderflower and Earl Grey. (You may change the flavour of your tea as many times as you like, in fact all 17 times if you have the capacity)

Each table is given a pot of clotted cream and strawberry jam each to go with the scones. Generosity rocks.

On a three tier stand:

Top deck- Petit fours
Fig butter cake, Dark chocolate cake, Mont Blanc, Millefeuille, Banana Macaron, Fruit tart.

Bottom deck
Freshly cut sandwiches with smoked salmon, cucumber, egg mayonnaise, roast ham and Cheddar cheese fillings

Middle deck
Warm scones and two slices of heavy fruit cake.

May I inject my own opinion here that the scones at The Ritz are by far the best I have tasted. They are different from the usual scones. They are alot smoother and softer and has this milky sweetness to it. Tastes heavenly with clotted cream and strawberry jam.

By the way, all of the above are refillable.

After the very fulfilling Tea at The Ritz, we took a leisurely stroll to the Buckingham Palace.

Sunbathers.

Buckingham Palace.

Back to Marylebone High street for dinner.

Dinner at an Italian restaurant whose name I have forgotten. Ha.

End.

London Day 2

2011-08-03T14:21:00.006+10:00

Day 2: Crisp morning, clear weather, a little chilly, perfect for walking!

First to Harrods
Castle cake: ₤1,995 converts to $3,899.39. It is by far the most expensive cake I have come across.

Bonbons!

Hunt for breakfast: my mother's hungry face

Breakfast at Quarter (cafe cum delicatessen)

(A really flat) Pancake with mascarpone and honey- Not too bad at all given that I was really looking forward to a fluffy pancake. I suppose the more-of-a-crepe-then-pancake was saved by the fabulously fat-rich mascarpone. I fell in love with mascarpone that morning.
Assorted danish pastries with clotted cream, jam and (Echire!)butter.

After breakfast treat from Harrods: Salmon Roll, which looks really good, but alas! the salmon was not fresh!

A walk along Cromwell road to Knightsbridge interspersed with a good deal of (very expensive!) shopping.

Followed by an exceptional lunch at Harvey Nichols at their roof garden.

A French classic: Sole de Douvres à la Meuniere

Antipasti- Prosciutto, two kinds of salami, sundried tomato, olives and some kind of very nice tasting marinated pepper.

For every good that comes by, something bad will happen. Do you believe in that? I am starting to see some truth in it. Something dreadful did happen after that splendid morning. You see, we wanted to have the experience of living local, eating local and shopping local. So we thought: why not get a local apartment and live like one? Therefore, after all that wonderful shopping and lunch, we went to pack our bags at the hotel and went to meet the owner of the apartment at her place, Bryanston Square. I should have known something wasn't right.

First, it was the taxi ride. The taxi brought us into a neighborhood of Middle-East. I'm not racist, I'm just not good enough at this racial co-existing thing. So no, not comfortable. Second, the owner was an hour late. At this point, I should have ran and got us a decent hotel while it was still early, but nope, I foolishly held out hope that the apartment would at least be like what I saw on the internet: clean and nice.

When we got into the apartment, after four flights of stairs while lugging our luggage, we saw a total mess. It was obvious that the apartment is a work-house being hurriedly tidied (with no success) into some semblance of a living area. Cracked tiles littered the not-too-clean, not-too-functional kitchen, junk being swept underneath the stark four-legged table and huddled into the cabinet, and that omnipresent smell of spice and incense that faintly reminds me of an Indian temple.

It was too late to seek for new accommodation for it was late into the evening, and we were just figuring how to establish an internet connection. Hence, we had to make-do for the night, barely even using the toilet, and had to very carefully sniff our way through the neighborhood for dinner. Moral of the story is (something we are all so familiar with) never be fooled by appearances.

In spite of all the crap that happened, we found this gem of a pub that (very surprisingly) serves Thai food.
This pub is filled with memorabilia of the British Royal Family in the form of plates, photographs and little sand-bottles. Really cute!

Green Curry with rice.

Phad Thai.

Nothing like a taste of home.

End.

A First Trip into Europe: London

2011-07-27T18:55:00.005+10:00

17 May ~ 31 May 2011

When I was younger, whenever someone says "why not go Europe for a holiday?", I would feel a pang of fear and apprehension. Don't know why but I had always have the idea that Europe was a dangerous place. The people are so big and athletic that I can never hope to outrun them (if they try to rob me that is). Their many national languages (and accents) are so different from mine that even though if it is English, I can never hope to understand them. Their culture is so opposite with my Asian roots that when I say I'm in a foreign country, I mean a 100% foreign. Scary. Or is it?

Heidi. You bloody idiot. You don't know what you have been missing.

Europe is a wonderful place.
For food, for sights, for art and music, for its culture, for its people.

I am already planning a second trip back, next year perhaps?

This trip began with my first week in London. Traveling companions: my mum and my college friend A.

We went to bed the moment we arrived in London on a Tuesday evening, tried to sleep off the 7 hour time difference, and get our bodies adjusted to London time. It seemed to work for me for I woke up the next morning feeling very fresh and eager for breakfast.

Patisserie Valerie at Oxford Circus for breakfast. London morning is cold. Brr.

Latte. I had to find out if London has coffee the same way as Sydney does. Answer is yes, but Sydney does it a lot better.

Wow, even in a common chain patisserie they serve you Lescure butter? (Little did I know I would be eating a variety of excellent butter in days to come.)

Eggs Benedict. The eggs were really huge and round, like a pair of b-cup breasts..

Croque Monsieur, first of the many more to come.

First stop: National Gallery. Did I mention most art galleries in London have no entrance fee?

View from the National Gallery. Off we go to gaze at Rubens, Rembrant, Monet, Van Gogh and Cezanne.

A and I.

Next, shopping at Soho! My mum's favourite past-time. My favourite time is lunch time, which brings us to White Horse, a recommendation by a sales assistant when I asked for the best fish and chips in the area.

Fish and chips + Beer = Pub food.

Fish and chips as it is with a bit of pea mash on the side. Condiments include your regular tomato ketchup, malt vinegar, mustard and salt and pepper.

More shopping till our feet command us to stop at this quaint teahouse in a small shopping square.

We got a very good Chai latte, orange white tea and a slice of homemade orange almond cake.

That concludes our first day in London, for we were too full after high-tea for dinner, so we returned to our hotel for an early night.

End.

The Plain

2011-06-17T22:55:00.003+10:00

It was a two foodies' mission to have an early morning breakfast at The Plain; Heidi & Ja. As early as 7:15am, even before The Plain officially open its doors...

When I first heard of The Plain, I never would have thought it would be so near to my workplace; a literally five minute walk away. You see, even though I pass it everyday (it is on the way to the parking lots), I hardly recognise it as a cafe. You would think it belonged to Chan & Goh solicitors or Swiss Capital Group; that is an office, from the lack of signage and the dark exterior. It was only on a Sunday morning, when I was later to work than usual that I saw a long line of people queuing up for coffee that I realised that was the cafe that everyone was talking about. Hence, when Ja from Thailand dropped into town, I knew I had to try it with her.

50 Craig Road.

The Plain serves superb Australian gourmet coffee, simple yet tasty sandwiches and home-made pastries, in a minimalistic setting with the occasional gorgeous vases of flowers.

Large communal table

Private dining

Financier- I was told these yummy-looking butter cakes were made by the owner's sister-in-law.

Superb...

Latte (Heidi)

Skinny Cappuccino (Ja)

Salami with chilli jam Ciabatta sandwich- I like, though I think it can do with a bit more chilli jam.

End.

Waku Ghin

2011-05-14T23:11:00.012+10:00

Hi there. It's been a while since my last post. Yes, I have been busy, having just entered the kitchen full-time since my one year hiatus of studying then doing management in the office. (As much as I like sitting in front of the computer, and smiling and talking to customers, I prefer the kitchen. Anytime. Even though it can be really tiring.) Therefore YAY! to me. I have finally worked my way into the kitchen.

Before I get carried away on how wonderful my kitchen life is, I must share this particular dinner with you. It's Waku Ghin.

In case if you don't know, Waku Ghin is a Japanese-Australian-French, weighing more on Japanese, fusion restaurant, opened by celebrity chef Tetsuya Wakuda. "This first-class restaurant features a sake bar and caviar lounge, as well as an impressive, arcing display of the 3,000-bottle wine collection. A choice of intimate, private dining rooms, afford small parties the privilege of watching skilled chefs prepare food in front of them on steel cooking plates." It is located in Marina Bay Sands, on the second level of the casino building. (best to go a little earlier before your reserved time; it takes a bit of a trick to find your way up)

I am no stranger to Chef Tetsuya's style of cuisine, having eaten the degustation course at Tetsuya in Sydney and have liked it tremendously. Therefore, I was really looking forward to Waku Ghin.

The occasion was my dear mother's birthday.

There. That is my mum. She refuses to let me disclose her real age. Not even here. Well, definitely not here. Can you guess her age?

At the waiting lounge.

Ja and Kimmy (first and second from the right), my Le Cordon Bleu classmates (also two of my closest friends) who were visiting me, came to join us for this joyous occasion. Ja, of Beansprout Cafe, was one of my dining companions at Tetsuya. Kimmy, my bench mate in class, actually works in Tetsuya.
You can totally tell this is going to be fun.

And so, we were ushered into a long teppanyaki room where our grand degustation dinner was served.

In chronological order:

Entrées

Flan of Oyster with Bacon and Spinach

My Favourite! To me, this soft chawanmushi coupled with a single cooked oyster and flavourful spinach and bacon pesto is perfect. The oyster is so skillfully cooked that even when warm to touch, still retains the texture that of a raw oyster.

Marinated Botan Ebi with Sea Urchin and Oscietre Caviar

My second favourite! A sea-urchin bowl of ocean richness swimming in the delicate flavours of umami. However, it got too rich for me towards the end. Alas! If only I had a bit of Japanese rice to go with, it would have been a perfect dish!

Grilled Anago with Foie Gras and Confit of Zucchini

Mains (prepared in front of us)

Tasmanian Abalone with Polenta, Tomato and Garlic Cream
These abalones (a type of marine snail) were very much alive and moving when presented to us. Then Chef Cory (our main chef for the night) went ahead to pan-fry them.

Braised Canadian Lobster with Tarragon

Like a reduced lobster bisque with an obscene amount of lobster meat, this dish was a wee bit overwhelming for me; there was too much salt in it. But man, the lobsters were succulent.

Charcoal Grilled Duck with Potato

Crisp duck skin with tender meat. Potato that has such fine texture that it gave way into mash the moment you chew on it.

Australian Blackmore Wagyu Roll with Wasabi, Citrus Soy Sauce and Grated Radish

Due to the radiation fears caused by the March 11 Japan earthquake, Waku Ghin switched their Japanese wagyu to an Australian variety, which was a little disappointing. I was so looking forward that awesome melt-in-your-mouth sensation! Nevertheless, the Blackmore was equally good though lacking that silky finish that you get from Japanese wagyu.

Condiments of sliced spring onion, crispy garlic slices and freshly grated wasabi.

By the way, you are free to ask the chef as many questions as you wish; like what kind of olive oil they use; why do you have to melt the butter first.. etc.

For example, I was intrigued by the wasabi grater that Chef Cory was using to grate our wasabi for the wagyu beef. The grater was very fine spikes and looked almost smooth. And most interestingly, the grated wasabi could come off the grater easily without leaving much stain on the grater. So I asked: what sort of grater is that? Turned out that it is a traditional sharkskin wasabi grater.

Consomme with Rice and Hirame

Palate cleanser

Gyokuro 玉露

A type of fine and very expensive tea from Japan that is grown under the shade rather than in full sun. Chef Cory explained that this tea requires a low brewing temperature of about 40℃, any higher it would release too much catechins and would result in a bitter taste.

The Gyokuro tastes like a salty seaweed broth with a sweet aftertaste. I like.

With Ja and Kimmy in the toilet. ha-ha.

Before dessert, we were given a VIP treatment- a kitchen tour (both inner and stage kitchens), courtesy of Kimmy since she is the pastry chef at Tetsuya.

Desserts

Granita of Grapefruit with Chartreuse Jelly

Dark Chocolate Mousse with raspberry compote.

Petit Fours

With Chef Cory

The bill which is 2.5 times of my salary.

Farewell shot of the staff of Waku Ghin.

End.

Wild Honey

2011-04-28T23:21:00.002+10:00

I get it now. Writing about food and posting it on the web, is like sharing with a massive platform of people what is delicious, where to find it, so that others may share the same joy you experienced.

Ever since I was a kid I have been told, as you might have been as well, to eat like a king for breakfast, a prince for lunch, and a pauper for dinner. I totally agree with the breakfast part. In fact, I may even go so far to say that you may eat like a greedy pig for all three meals as long as you have a balanced diet and lots of exercise. I'm still working on the "lots of exercise". The only exercise I'm getting these days seems to be working my fingers, either on the piano or on the computer keyboard. I eat like a greedy pig.

This greedy pig has found another fabulous breakfast place to feast in. It is called Wild Honey.

Brief description of Wild Honey (in my own words):
Wild Honey is an all-day breakfast-serving bistro, doing a variety of Australian-style breakfast inspired by countries around the world. The servings are huge, but you can probably finish it on your own because they are that delicious. Their prices reflects the high quality produce that they use, which I don't mind occasionally paying for. Located at #03-02, Mandarin Gallery, along Orchard Road.

Vietnamese Pork Sandwich - Pulled roasted shoulder of pork, vietnamese prosciutto and pork sausage with marinated vegetables on toasted ciabatta

Californian - Eggs softly scrambled with tofu, yellow and red peppers, fresh herbs on char-grilled ciabatta

English - The classic full breakfast; creamy scrambled eggs, pork sausage, sauteed mushrooms, dad's baked beans, bacon and vine ripened tomato with toasted brioche

Creamy scrambled eggs, two thick slices of Brioche toasted, vine-ripened tomatoes.

Sweet Morning - French toast of Brioche and mango, vanilla mascarpone, berry compote and honey.

Sweet morning was fantastically good. I love the marriage of roasted mango, thick brioche toast and warm honey.

Coffee, I remember, was good, strong and aromatic.

I think most importantly I ended this meal with a smile on my face for the food was delightful and the company (my family with Kim and Angel) was appreciative. What more can I ask for?

- End -

A Different Take on Things

2011-04-28T00:19:00.002+10:00

A new skin, a new start. A different take on things now.

I have been told that I have been wasting time, digging a hole with a little spade in the desert instead of searching for the oasis. I will stop that now. Wasting time that is. (And sorry if I had wasted your time with mine)

I shall be brave. I shall be generous. I shall be patient.

A new chapter starts now.

I believe I had not properly explained what happened in the past year. On how I came to own a very cool patisserie with a very cool Chef Y. It is quite a miracle. I never would have thought Chef Y, a master chef from Japan, would actually agree to a partnership with his apprentice, a Singaporean girl who was barely 21 at that time. ME! Wow. I'm greatly honored. Still am.

What happened was.

I returned to Singapore, having freshly graduated from Le Cordon Bleu, to find work, and I found it at G. Patisserie where I met Chef Y. I had a merry time there for 3 months, learning to bake commercially while learning to joke professionally as well. Then the time came when I had to return to Le Cordon Bleu to complete my management course. I was so afraid then that I would loose this second family that I had grown so close to, and that includes Chef Y's wife and Chef Y's two other apprentices, Chef W and AJ.

Hence, I asked the question. It was not easy. I had to ask many times. There was a language barrier. (Me no speak Japanese, he no speak English) There was the financial security issue. (I am very fortunate to have a rich and very giving mother) Mostly importantly, whether or not I was a compatible partner. (GP was a terrible experience for Chef Y) I waited three months.

In the end, Chef Y said yes. Therefore we now own this very cool patisserie on a hill.

Three cheers!

- End

CNY: 2011

2011-02-14T01:12:00.005+11:00

Wheew! I finally got some time off to write! I love holidays like these, when it feels endlessly long, haha. Let me share with you how I have spent my Chinese New Year holidays.

A better part of Chinese New Year was spent over at my Uncle's, in Malacca, eating almost non-stop. You'd have proper meals with rice, followed by some tea, then a round of munching on CNY cookies, melon seeds, more tea while you catch up on each other lives, and the next proper meal arrives. Amazingly, I could still eat! hahaha, I love my stomach.

As Aunt Angel has got enough food for a month stored in the fridge, we ate home most of the time.

Complete with Ami-chan's okonomiyaki.

On the third day of CNY though, we broke out of our stay-home-for-meals fast and came out for breakfast at this super awesome mamak stall, serving fantastic lontong and nasi lemak.

After, we spent the afternoon by the beach, munching on CNY cookies and lazing away...

Until we are hungry enough to go search for more food...

We stopped at yet another mamak stall, which is famous for their coconut shake.

And had mini packets of everything, bee hoon, nasi, mee, with a glass of their famous coconut shake. Sedap!

A tiny bit of shopping in Malacca town to exercise off the fats.

Followed by the last bit of gula melaka cendol.

Back home to Singapore.

Thank you my wonderful Kim & Angel for hosting us.

Guest Star

2011-01-13T20:34:00.003+11:00

Psst, guess who came?? It's Joanne Peh!

It was a fine afternoon. The three of us, A & D and I, were standing behind the counter watching the filming of a new police drama which will feature Joanne Peh, Qi Yuwu and Priscelia Chan, at the carpark just across the street from us. D who was hilariously high, kept saying "oh my god! what if they came in? oh my god!" We joked abit, giggling from our private fantasies and went about with our work.

The sky darkened considerably as time passed, turning the slight drizzle into a light rain. It was a quiet day at FLOR, the only sound(s) came from A & D who evident excitement has escalated into an estasy-like state. I could hear lots of giggling and an occasional gasp continued by more giggles. Then, all of a sudden, there was silence. I came out to find two unusually quiet, star-struck girls gaping at a very tall Joanne Peh. Irrasshaimase! How can I help you? spilled from my mouth before I could even think. Joanna good-naturedly replied "I came in to hide from rain..." Sure, do as you like. I turned away and ran to fetch my camera. Can I take a picture with you? "Sure!" A helpfully took the camera from me and snap a picture of Joanne with a starry-eyed me. Thank you!

Joanne then went out to get her assistant, Yu Wu and Priscelia to have an afternoon tea at FLOR together.

Do you know how hard it is to maintain a face of professionalism while your heart is pumping at a rate of 120 heart beats per minute? It was such a good experience.. haha.

My Brother's "Sa Tiao" Ceremony

2011-01-09T20:53:00.002+11:00

We braved the rain, the roaring crowd and the long wait just so to put that three stripes on his breast.

Congratulations hey, Sergeant.

Christmas at ION Orchard

2011-01-09T18:23:00.002+11:00

Mum and I,

Merry-making at the purple lights.

Year 2010: A Summary

2011-01-02T01:21:00.002+11:00

It has been overall an exciting year 2010. I guess the grand event of the year would be the setting up of FLOR Patisserie, which from conception to opening, took 6 whole months. Luckily, or unluckily (depending on how you look at it), I was away in Le Cordon Bleu, Sydney, pursuing my Diploma in Kitchen Management during the 6 months. Although it was interspersed with several trips back to Singapore, I did not have to face the amount of the stress and pressure as my incomparable mother does. I am infinitely thankful for my incomparable mother.

One other event that took place during the 6 months, I got to visit the hometown of Chef Y and experience the warmth and hospitality of his family, especially Chef Y's mother who had so much love to give. From then I knew, love knows no boundaries, no language barrier nor age gap can stop the profusion of love one had to give.

FLOR Patisserie opened in July 2010. I was overwhelmed with the sheer amount of personal time you had to give over to your career, at the same time, hugely afraid of the future which seem so set in stone. It was a turbulent period for me, struggling with self-doubt and the lack of maturity which led to many childish acts of mine that my mum and Chef Y had patiently suffered. Growing up is wonderful yet so painful.

I want to thank my mother for all that I am.

I want to thank Chef Y and Ami for their patient and unconditional teaching of the subject I love the most - pastry.

I want to thank Uncle Kim and Angel for steering me in the right direction for every wrong turn I took.

I want to thank my father for his deliciously fried wait bait and for coming to my rescue when FLOR car's right hind tire was punctured.

I want to thank my brother for giving up his precious free time in order to help my out at FLOR.

I want to thank my friends for not abandoning me even though I might have forgotten them in my business.

I want to thank myself for having lived past 2010, and is still living, healthy and happy.

I have a feeling 2011 is going to be better.

My Joyous Account of Christmas at FLOR

2010-12-25T19:40:00.006+11:00

You must be wondering how was Christmas at FLOR.

Christmas began with cutting strawberries, mountains of them, until our hands became itchy from its mild acidity.

Christmas meant no sleep, no rest, no facial expression to my three chefs.

Well, the only facial expression they can pull off during Christmas is smugness.

My cuter and overall more pleasant sales assistants, who despite their sweet exterior hides a fearsome drive to work and work, sell and sell.

The banquet on Christmas Eve, beautifully prepared by my mother and Aida.

The girls at FLOR.

Robin's family who came to join us.

My brother's best mate.

My lovable mother.

A Merry Christmas to you all.

Chocolate

2010-12-16T02:33:00.005+11:00

Chocolate, bittersweet, is like life; it depends on how you look at it.

2010-12-09T05:08:00.002+11:00

I guess it is insecurity behind my rebellious thoughts.. haha... run away! hide! fly away if you grew wings!

Irresponsible little girl.

I was a child. I still am. Please be patient with me while I'm growing up.

Sorry for any inconveniences that I may have caused.

2010-11-09T12:16:00.002+11:00

好想这样就跑到一个无人知的地方。。

反正没有被需要，也没有得到，

所以就算了。

是时候走了。

A real treat by Chef

2010-10-07T20:56:00.007+11:00

Fish Nabe: A birthday treat from Chef.

[I wonder is it possible to be a gourmand at 21? A random house dictionary tells me a gourmand is who is of often indiscriminately and 21 years and one day old what am I? I'm still finding out, but I can tell you, I'd love a good meal anytime.]

As a 21 birthday treat, Chef brought me to Miz Restaurant for a surprise dinner. Our dinner wasn't on the menu. It was a request from Chef to Mizu-san (the restaurant's executive chef). A request that would require a medium-large fish, a really fresh medium-large fish from Japan.

I was excited.

Appetizer: Fish liver with spiced radish, dashi-tamago and lightly pickled octopus.

Read: Fish liver. This is my first time eating one...Do you have any idea how enormous the fish has to be to possess a liver that big?? And how should I describe it.. You know how a foie gras taste like? This is smoother in texture, firmer in shape and lighter in taste with no fishy odour attached to it, which frankly is quite amazing. Currently my second favourite liver dish after duck.

Sashimi of the body of the fish. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to recall the name of this fish.. I was too high on sake and umeshu to remember tiny details like that. What I do remember is this sashimi is really sweet. And unlike other white fish which flesh can sometimes be a bit soft and mushy, this sashimi is tender yet firm, allowing us to chew on it fully to comprehend its sweetness before washing it down with more sake.

Fish nabe's accompanying vegetables: lettuce, mushrooms, Japanese negi, sliken tofu and shirataki noodles.

After the sashimi was gone by about half, the claypot of fish head (and tail) soup, deeply flavoured with dashi and soy sauce, arrives. Chef and Ami proceeds to throw in vegetables like familiar pros, negi first, tofu next, followed by lettuce and mushrooms.. On went the lid, we ate more sashimi while waiting for the soup to reboil.

Steam emits from the steam hole of the lid, we know it is ready. Now for the principal act: Chopsticks poised with a raw slice of fish dangling off its tip, dip into the the boiling broth for two seconds exactly, put the medium-rare fish into your mouth and chew with exaggerated adagio. There, a taste of heaven.

Udon comes after all the fish and vegetables are gone to fill our stomachs to its maximum capacity. I like this part the best. The broth is sweet and thick with aroma, the result of boiling fish head and vegetables for prolonged period. Coupled with plain udon. Perfect.

Thank you Chef and Ami chan for this exquisite dinner!

Even when we were bloated, stuffed, bellies swollen with fish, soup, udon and sake, a dinner like this is not complete without dessert. We had black sesame ice-cream, amen.
End.

苏丹

2010-10-06T01:13:00.002+11:00

苏丹。头

苏丹。尾

苏丹，你好吗？

End.

Grace's Hospitality

2010-10-05T20:42:00.004+11:00

Strange isn't it? How friends whom you grew up with, played truant and endured punishments with, can seem so foreign and distant after you have left the nest of your childhood. Yet some people whom you met briefly, shared a workplace for a short term can show much concern for you and your well-being, who keep in contact even after long periods of absence. It is that simple "Long time no see. How are you doing?", that simple question that requires no effort at all, yet is the hardest to convey with sincerity, hardest to show from the bottom of your heart that you really care. I am lucky to know one of such person who asks "How are you doing???" all the time. She is Grace.

Grace, our former Glacé comrade, invited FLOR team over to her place for dinner. It was a home-cooked feast.

After dinner, came the surprise (which is no surprise at all cause I chanced upon it in the fridge): my birthday cake.

Women.

Men.

Chef and Ami-chan.

Thank you, Grace.

End.

My September Dream- Hong Kong

2010-09-27T23:28:00.007+10:00

My dream from Taiwan continued into Hong Kong. The stubby buildings, cross-word puzzle landscape transformed into a high density, noisy, sky-less space. There are so many things going on at the same time, so many colours and smells that it is slightly terrifying. It is already my fifth time here, and yet I still can't get used to the hustle and bustle of this face-paced city.

Welcome to Hong Kong.

I will let the pictures speak for itself.

One of my childhood favourites, for breakfast.

糖醋排骨，菜饭套餐, Vinegar pork ribs and vegetable rice. I love how they put xiao bai cai into the rice with a little bit of oil to moisten it.

Afternoon tea: 巧手姜汁炖鲜奶, Ginger Milk Custard.

Highlight of the trip: 周杰倫超時代演唱會!!!

I like this big screen. Very creative.

Yahoo!

Supper

猪肠粉（芝麻花生酱），我的最爱！

水果红豆B仔凉粉

Macau Restaurant for quintessential Hong Kong breakfast.

公仔面午餐肉套餐. Which is in fact instant noodles..

葡國蛋塔. Portuguese egg tart, best I have tried. Pastry is well-baked and crispy, egg custard is really smooth.

End.

Jay chou concert rocks!

My September Dream- Taiwan

2010-09-23T00:34:00.004+10:00

I took a little break, a five day trip to Taiwan and Hong Kong. It was like a dream, a blur. Even two days after I returned, I could not wake from it. It was as if I had a film over my eyes, and through the film, I kept seeing foodshops, shopping havens, design hotels- walking, shopping, walking, eating.

Time to wake.

Wake up.

"I'm up."

I'm recounting my September dream- Part One: Taiwan.

My mum and I arrived at a very hot Taiwan. It was summer. I would have preferred Spring and Autumn, perfect temperature for shopping and eating. Nevertheless, I am grateful to be even allowed to go for a holiday. Thank you mum, thank you FLOR.

So we arrived in time for dinner at a Japanese restaurant called 欣葉. It was a "Oh it looks good, so let's check it out" kind of thing. We glimpsed it on our way to the hotel, and quickly got the address down then took a cab back out to look for it. We didn't even know what kind of Japanese cuisine they serve, therefore we got a surprise when we got to the dining room- it was buffet-style washoku 和食. Normally I wouldn't choose to have buffet if I can help it. But this was high-quality (of a la carte standard), detailed and wide variety. They had sashimi cut-to-order, nicely grilled fish, a wide array of appetisers, tempura etc. I ate till I can't eat anymore and went back to the hotel to sleep on my bloated stomach.

That was day 1 in Taiwan.

Day 2, we started with one of the best European coffee in Taiwan: Wilbeck Cafe, which only serves coffee, nothing else. Cute eh? Funny how all good coffees seem to originate from hole-in-the-wall places. Wilbeck is no different.

When I was there, just outside the cafe, a young man was sorting, throwing out bad green coffee beans by hand, then roasting them in this small industrial roasting machine. They don't have much roasted coffee bean for sale, most of the blends are still green, which goes to show how fresh their coffee is.

One for shots, one for milk. Can I assume that this cafe is manned by young people? Young men passionate in the art of coffee making- really rare.

Latte. Bittersweet, a hint of chocolate, ultra smooth with no sugar added. The feeling I get when I drink Wilbeck coffee can be described as the familiar rush of happiness when chocolate melts in your mouth. It is all in that "hmmmmmm...." that comes after.

Me holding onto my trophy cup.

Followed by a long afternoon of shopping which I will not bore you with.

Night: Shida Night Market 師大夜市. Yes, more shopping but not without dinner first. I came here the first time I was in Taiwan and I made a promise to come back again. It is the most popular luwei 滷味 stall in Shida. This stall serves massive numbers each night, most of it customers are students from the university next to the market.

It works like this. You choose your ingredients: pig's intestines, tofu, duck meat, fried pig's skin, noodle of sorts, then the lady will chop them up and dump them all into this boiling pot of herbal soup. This pot of soup, infused with all the previous customers' selection, is flavourful and fragrant. When your share is cooked, the lady will dump it all on a large plate, squirt some sauce, chili and pickles onto it and pass the steaming plate to you. You then carry your plate like a prize to the tables behind.

And that concludes my Taiwan leg of the trip. I shall tuck into my 滷味...

End.

爸爸的金玉良言

2010-09-13T00:18:00.003+10:00

不为功德，方为善
不为功名，且读书
以和为贵，彼此尊重，互相祝福
人走茶凉，无需惋惜

百事皆休，周游列国

健康是要在年轻时开始

－
完

6kg

2010-09-10T20:10:00.005+10:00

FLOR's largest strawberry shortcake is
6 kg,
SGD$240,
and very very beautiful.

End.

Fresh Passionfruit with Yogurt

2010-09-10T19:15:00.002+10:00

Kim and Angel's homegrown passionfruit

吃起来就是那么的温馨。

讓他去吧！

2010-08-26T00:04:00.001+10:00

Let it go...

Plan B by Becasse

2010-08-12T17:32:00.003+10:00

During the last week of my stay in Sydney, I ate like a mad women on revenge.

Plan B was on my "must-go-and-eat" list for the longest time, ever since I saw it on Ja's blog. What's more, it's the cheapest wagyu burger in town, $10.

I went with Elise at around 4 in the evening, the last customers to arrive in this unassuming, hole-in-the-wall cafe, right next to Bécasse itself. We sat at the alfresco tables- purposely- to enjoy the cold, winter wind whipping down Clarence street. It's not too bad really.. once you have realised it is the last winter you will have in years to come..

I had my usual café latte. A decent one from Single Origin.

The famous Becasse wagyu beef burger $10. 600-day grass fed wagyu beef burger with beetroot and caramelised onions.

I liked it. I like the char-grilled-ness of the thick beef patty, the self-pickled beetroot and the partially melted vintage cheddar. I just wished I could stuff the entire stack of brioche- beef patty- brioche into my mouth and chew, so that I could enjoy the squirt of beef juices from the succulent coarse beef patty, lightly toasted buttery brioche bun and sweet-sourness of the pickled beetroot all at once. However by doing so, I would have to dislocate my lower jaw which I rather not. In any case, I'm glad I went, for now I know the difference between a Macdonalds' burger and a gourmet, 600-day grass fed wagyu burger- a AUD $5.00 difference...

I'm joking..

I miss Sydney.

Plan B by Bécasse
204 Clarence Street, Sydney
Tel: +61 (02) 92833440

Open Monday to Friday 8am-4pm
Kitchen opens 12pm

End.

便当

2010-08-10T20:46:00.002+10:00

美姐的便当特别温暖。

有感而发

2010-08-05T01:53:00.002+10:00

我有时会想做一个普通人有什么不好。

FLOR's Grand Open

2010-08-03T19:23:00.005+10:00

Homemade sandwiches with love.

Ah Seng acting coy...

Lunch time.

The photographer- my botak brother.

My happy "kuku" kitchen.

FLOR production team.

Behind the scenes.

Aida at her best.

Supportive friends. (missing Xinyi and Eliz.)

Made with love.

Ha ha ha.

I think I may have gone off my rockers...

End.

Post-Sydney

2010-07-30T00:51:00.003+10:00

I miss Sydney. More than anything the pace of life.

FLOR Patisserie is open!

2010-07-07T00:56:00.005+10:00

I'm incredibly tired! Probably too tired to take my own sweet time to write a lengthy post. The past week has been a little crazy but I want to share this piece of news with you guys. IT is finally opened and running. My patisserie that is.

Welcome! いらっしゃいませ！

FLOR Patisserie - Authentic Japanese Cakes

2 Duxton Hill, #01-01
Singapore 08588
Phone: +65 6223 8628

Baking daily from 11am - 7pm
(Sundays: 11 am - 5pm)

www.cakeflor.com.sg

End.

Press on

2010-07-02T02:25:00.002+10:00

Bit of flower to cheer you up,

to put a smile on your face...

just so that you can press on.

Bakery Trade Show 2010- Food Service Australia

2010-06-24T20:17:00.010+10:00

I was lured by the promise of food-lots and lots of it!, bits of cool machinery and exciting new products out in the market. And yes, the free entrance.

Bakery Competition.

A competition using breads as medium to create almost life-like sculptures. There seem to be a recurring theme too. I think it has something to do with this guy called Ned Kelly. Apparently, he is a bushranger/ outlaw... Strange theme. Anyway, it was interesting to see all these bread sculptures and taste all the excess breads, generously given away by the chefs.

Decorative cakes.

Freebies. Yes, that is why we're here.

It was interesting to see that there were quite a variety of machines on show. Apart from your standard deck ovens, there were huge rotating ovens that can bake an entire push-cart of baking trays (abit like in the airline kitchens), hi-tech cleaning equipment to automated piping machines (for choux, shortbread, macarons, you name it), and automated doughnut-maker (from start to end-piping, frying, glazing). There were so many automated this, automated that, that, to tell the truth, I started asking what is the point of a pastry chef, of a human being? And is Australia heading in that direction? In a world that is fed by machines? I hope not. I still want to be fed by humans.

End.

Madang- Best Seafood Pancake in Sydney

2010-06-21T18:11:00.002+10:00

The title says it all.

Banchan, complimentary side dishes. They are not fantastic like the ones in Myunga, Eastwood, but they are still good. I like the apple dressing of the lettuce salad!

Haemul pajeon 해물파전, $11-small ($19-large). Best seafood pancake ever. Simply because it has the right thickness, generous bits of squid, prawns and shallots, this awesome soy-sesame dipping sauce to go with and is damn crispy. And it stays that way through out the meal.

Nakji bokkeum 낙지볶음, stir-fried baby octopus with lots of julienne onions in gochujang sauce. It looks really spicy at first, but as I chewed on the baby octopus tentacles, I was quite relieved because it is actually quite sweet! But after a few bites, as the chilli builds up, and it gets really spicy! Beware!

Spicy tofu and crab soup. Definitely on my favourite Korean soup list. The crab meat in the soup is real stuff, not crab sticks, hence it lends this subtle sweetness to the broth. On a cold winter afternoon, this boiling hot broth with a bowl of steamed white rice is the perfect remedy to an empty stomach.

Sorry about the names and prices, I forgot all of them and had to go searching on the internet for them. This is the best I can do...

371A Pitt Street

Sydney, NSW 200

Phone: 9264 7010

The place is a little hard to get to (for me who is an absolutely fail at directions, it is almost impossible). Best find a friend who had already been there to show you the way.

End.

Macquarie Visions. Vivid Sydney

2010-06-20T21:57:00.003+10:00

From 21 May to 21 June, Energy Australia and Vivid Sydney has put together a series of light installation by projecting light images onto monumental buildings. It starts From St Mary’s Cathedral and Hyde Park Barracks to Parliament House, the State Library of NSW and The Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

My first impression of St Mary's was eerie. It looked like a ghost church from far. Then as I advanced, it looked like a church on fire because of all that red, fiery light. I liked it best when it had blue and white colours projected on. It looked like the starry night. You get to enjoy this weird mix of aboriginal and classical music playing throughout the light exhibit too. =)

End.

Fouratefive, Campos coffee

2010-06-20T15:37:00.004+10:00

Have you ever had a time when you want to get to this place but you can't? You remember seeing that place but you don't remember how to get there? Then, after going round and round in circles looking, you gave up? Because you were too hungry to care? Well, I have.

At ten-thirty in the morning, I was suppose to be sitting in Cafe Ish, with a plate of croc-in-a-hole on my table (ever since I saw it on A Table For Two I wanted to try..). No, I was walking uphill along Albion Street, still looking for the fabled cafe; I could feel Elise stomach grumbling. No, I had not consulted the map, nor do I remember the address. I was ultra confident that I would have no problem at all finding the cafe for I had passed it at least 3 times, on my way to Crown Street. Things have a way of hiding themselves when you are looking for them, and that includes cafes as well. After walking around Surry Hills for half an hour, we decided to head to Fouratefive instead. Elise had yet to try their famous sandwiches.

11am on a Saturday morning. It was so, so busy. The insides were full. There were lots of people standing outside, waiting for their takeaway coffees and sandwiches. We were lucky. We only had to wait for about five minutes before we got our table.

Busy is as busy does. We only got our food 25 minutes after ordering...

Carrot, apple and ginger, $5. My favourite. I had it the last time I came.

Homemade creamed corn served with two poached eggs, crispy bacon and organic sourdough toast, $14. It was normal for me. Nothing fantastic. My only comment would be the creamed corn wasn't creamy enough.

Toasted sandwich, smoked ham, gruyere cheese, potato and fennel hash and bechamel sauce on organic sourdough, $11. It's like a croque monsieur except that it has potato in it. It's my first potato in a sandwich... hmmm, bit of a overkill with all that starch. And I reckon they could have used better gruyere. Still nice. It was a really big breakfast for me.

Followed by Campos Coffee at Newtown.

485 Crown Street, Surry Hills, Sydney

Phone: 9698 6485

www.fouratefive.com

End.

Botega Del Vino

2010-06-20T13:52:00.005+10:00

I'm in love with Sonoma's Miche bread. Dark, sour, springy with a thick crust. Delish.

Saturday morning, Heidi was a girl on mission. Objective 1: Breakfast at Infinity cafe. But Heidi is very bad at directions, she could not find the cafe. Nevermind. Heidi adapts to situation quickly. Objective 1.1: Breakfast at Botega Del Vino- must eat that chicken sandwich Row raves about. Objective 2: Buy Sonoma's Miche bread from the same deli.

Elise bought a cranberry and turkey sandwich, which was stuffed full of rocket leaves. It was a bit dry and had way too much rocket in it.
Heidi got her chicken and egg mayo sandwich. Now she knows: chicken and egg mayo- a great combination. Shreds of tender chicken, generous amounts of salty egg mayo (where the yolks were still kind of translucent), spinach leaves and soy and linseed sourdough. Really really good.

Botega Del Vino

Potts Point 1/77 Macleay St

Phone: 9331 8333

End.

Berry Berries (aka Strawberry Shortcake)

2010-06-19T23:42:00.000+10:00

Waguri Millefeuille 和栗ミルフイル

2010-06-19T19:50:00.001+10:00

Class Excursion to Fish Market

2010-06-18T12:12:00.005+10:00

Lowenbrau

2010-06-04T21:06:00.004+10:00

It has been pissing down rain this entire week. Wet, dreary, cold and unable to do my laundry, I pretty much stay home mostly. Monday evening, after school, I couldn't take it anymore. I called Elise, and we hoped down to the city for dinner at Lowenbrau, Sydney's most well-known authentic Bavarian restaurant.

Right: Hofbrau Dunkel Diesel, 300ml, $7.50- Coke with dark lager, sweet and with a very distinctive taste. Left: Lowenbrau original radler, 300ml, $7.40- also known as shandy, beer with lemonade, light and easy to drink. haha, having fun with beers hey.

Calamari served with a passionfruit sauce, small. $18.50. When it first came out, I balked. The calamari is white. Used to that golden brown stuff, white is alien to me. But when I put it in my mouth and chewed, I understood why it was white. Unlike the usual rubbery stuff, this calamari is tender, just cooked and very easy to chew and swallow. Paired with the passionfruit sauce, oh yumm!

Schweinshaxn-
Oven Roasted Pork Knuckle with Sauerkraut, Löwenbräu Bier sauce and Mashed Potato, $32.50. For my asian stomach, one knuckle is more than enough for two. Anyway, when it came, the first thing I did was to cut it up for sharing. It was amazingly difficult to saw through the thick crackling. Elise had to hold the knuckle with her fork and knife while I applied brute strength in getting the meat of the bone. No wonder it was so difficult to cut, the knuckle was dry. It was so dry that some parts of the knuckle was completely dehydrated that we had to discard it. Good thing the skin was crispy. My advise is to quickly eat the crackling while it is warm. Once it cools, it becomes like hard plastic. The mash and the sauerkraut were very complimentary to the knuckle. They moisten our bruised tongue and gums, and evens out the saltiness of the pork knuckle.

They do look delicious right?

Cnr Playfair & Argyle Street
The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Phone: (02) 9247 7785

Opening Hours:
7 days, 9am til late.
Live entertainment every night from 7pm and from
12 to 3pm on Friday and Sunday.

End.

Happy Birthday Chocolatesuze

2010-06-04T19:36:00.005+10:00

29th June 2010, I was invited to Chocolatesuze's birthday party. The invitation was extended to all Sydney food bloggers. I felt honoured to be invited, after all, my blog does not strictly qualify as a food blog. It has bits and pieces of my personal life too. And I was excited! Excited to meet a bunch of people who likes to eat, shoot and share, like me! Who cares if I have never met them before? I reckon since we speak the same language (that is food), we can talk about food for the entire time. For example, "Hi I'm Heidi. What do you think of Adriano Zumbo's.....?"

Ja and I got a box of chocolates from Belle Fleur for Susan. I got a few extra salted caramel chocolates for us to taste. Row strongly recommended them. I'm totally for salted caramel chocolates now...

At City Hotel, Kent Street. Bloggers started to fill the space by around 3.45pm. Blogger count: 60 in attendance. It was interesting to see the different kinds of people that make up Sydney's blogging community. My observation shall end here for I have yet to learn the tactful way of presenting my opinions so that I do not offend people.

The blogger community is like college. You have the popular crowd, the intellectuals, the party animals, the nerds, the silly bunch of girls and a few clueless people like us: Heidi, Ja and Monica. I guess you can call us the outcast...

With Susan, the birthday girl.

Susan's giant birthday cake. Chocolate flavour, is it any surprise?

Generous serve of finger food.

In case you are wondering why everyone dresses so strangely. The theme for the party was: Back to School. The strangest so far is the lady below. She is a blackboard.

End.

Kazbah

2010-06-04T18:28:00.004+10:00

It seemed ages ago that I last had a new post. It's not that I haven't been doing anything. I have in fact, been eating, baking and going out. Just that it takes greater effort to blog nowadays.

Anyways, around two weeks ago, Stella, Elise and I went to Kazbah for dinner. I remember it was a rainy night, Stella just had her first day working at Victoire. Therefore this is sort of a celebratory dinner for her.

Having did my homework reading up on Kazbah on Ja's blog, I have already decided what I wanted to eat. I wanted the lamb that made Ja cried tears of happiness. I want to cry my own tears of happiness too. We had the two course deal, which for $45, you get a mix starter plate to share, a main course and a glass of wine.

The obligatory bread course: two kinds of dukkah (herb and nuts) and olive oil with a single slice of turkish flat bread. I like the dukkah, I love the nut version.

Unfortunately, the lights in Kazbah were not conducive for photography. This is the best I could do... They had an open kitchen.

Kazbah's Mixed Mezze plate to share- (from bottom left, clockwise) Chickpea and raisins with shredded lamb, Honey sesame chicken wings, Crackers and dips (Hummus, Babaganouj, Taramasalata), Tabouleh, Fried Cauliflower with Eggplant Jam, Pinenuts and Yoghurt Tahini Sauce and Tomatoes Stuffed with couscous and mince beef. The babaganouj (pardon me if I got the name wrong) is flavoured with smoked salmon and caviar. It is absolutely divine. It has such a strong smoky flavour and well salted. You alternate with mouthful of the fresh, herby tabouleh. Beautiful. The rest of the starters were really good too. My next favourite is the fried zucchini flowers, followed by the chickpea and lamb. Yumm yumm.

Two whites and one red.

Casablanca Royale
- Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder, Braised Vegetables, Sultana Jam, Couscous and Condiments, usual price $64 for two.
I have to inform you that I did not cry tears of happiness that night. The lamb was undeniably good, so soft that you can pull the meat apart with a spoon. The braised carrots were so beautifully soft and incredibly sweet. But, but it is not that great. There wasn't enough body to the flavour. Let me explain.
In Heidi's food book, salt should be complimented by sugar, and sugar should be complimented by sour and sometimes bitter. It's like there was something lacking in flavour in the lamb, which was rather disappointing really. I had such high hopes for the lamb.

Couscous, seriously spicy chilli paste, yogurt and pickled lemon, to go with the braised lamb.

Special recommendation: Baked Baby Snapper with Pistachio Samke Hara Sauce. Two words- not fresh, which is the worst you can do to a whole fish.

Overall, despite the flops, we had a good time there. Company was great, waitstaff were friendly and the starters were amazing. If I ever go back, I'd probably be back for their famous breakfast tagines.

Kazbah on Darling

379 Darling Street
Balmain, NSW 2041
Sydney, Australia

Opening Hours:

Breakfast- Tuesday to Sunday: 8am to 3pm
Lunch- Tuesday to Sunday 12 to 3pm
Dinner- Tuesday to Saturday 6pm to late

Phone: (02) 9555 7067

End.

Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Muffins

2010-05-25T15:07:00.003+10:00

Do you like muffins that crack on the top? I do.
I skipped school and baked muffins instead. Makes sense? Definitely. At least I learnt that sprinkling raw sugar on top of your muffins produces these beautiful crack lines.

From the Bourke Street Bakery cookbook (again), I found this dark chocolate and raspberry muffin recipe which I thought I would give it a go since I have raspberries left over from the sourcream and raspberry butter cake. This recipe is pretty good and very easy to follow. By substituting the chocolate and raspberries, this is a good muffin base recipe to use. Feel free to do it with oats, almond, mixed berries, raisins... it is up to your imagination. It produces a light muffin with a not-too-crumbly texture. Best eaten warm, when the chocolate is soft and molten. Yummm.

Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Muffins - makes 12 (recipe says 12 but I could make 12 muffins and 24 mini muffins with the recipe)

400g plain flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
300 caster sugar
310 unsalted butter
480 buttermilk
3 eggs
225g dark chocolate (55%), roughly chopped
225g raspberries
55g raw sugar, for sprinkling

1. Line muffins tins with muffin cups or baking paper cut into squares. (Do cut your own baking paper for lining. I find it gives a more artisan look to the muffins.) Pre-heat oven to 190℃.

2. Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat, then remove from heat, stir in buttermilk.

3. Using a whisk, stir in eggs to combine.

4. Pour egg mixture over dry ingredients, whisk to combine roughly. It is okay to have small lumps of flour at this stage.

5. Use a large spoon to gently fold through the chocolate and raspberries.

6. Spoon mixture into the prepared muffin tin. Sprinkle tops with raw sugar.

7. Reduce temperature to 180℃, bake for 25-30mins.

8. Cool in tins for 10mins before serving.

End.

Bourke Street Bakery - Crown Street

2010-05-24T18:08:00.009+10:00

I love Crown Street. I love its seriously good cafes and restaurants, the cute little shops that you can't resist buying from, the gourmet grocers and the fact that Bourke Street Bakery is so close.

秋

Ginger Brulee Tart, $4. I have forgotten how good it is.

Dark chocolate and sour cherry biscuit, $3.50. Soft, short and moist. Really chocolatey with random bits of sour cherry. I thought it could go for a bit more in the oven. I like my biscuits well done.

Fatter = More of me.
You see, eating all these heavy-duty goodies is actually not as bad as it seems.

The sky overcast, a drizzle that goes on and off, and wind that howls from start to end of the street. It was kind of romantic, just the two of us huddling under one umbrella, slowly making our way to the busstop. If only, if only it were a guy beside me. Then it wouldn't be so god damn cold. Not that I mind that it was Elise...

The loaf.

End.

Sourcream Raspberry Buttercake

2010-05-20T15:24:00.007+10:00

It has been a long time since I have baked anything. I attribute that to lazy fingers and the lack of a more modern oven. What excuses! I know... No matter how I explain, I can never justify for not baking. Now that winter is well on its way; and I am constantly hungry due to the cold, I can no longer put off my desire for a proper butter cake. I need all the butter and sugar to insulate against the cold! I did try to get Sara Lee's pound cake instead of having to bake one myself, but it seems Sara Lee's pound cake is non-existent in Sydney. No choice, it's time to go back to the kitchen.

I currently live in an Australian house that must be at least 30 years old. Yes, it's like a little cottage house which comes with the a gas oven- an oven powered by real flames. There is a knob controlling the temperature by adjusting the fire and that is about it. How do you tell 180℃ from 200℃? Eye-power? Sense of touch? Years and years of experience? Temperature control, even in an electric oven is something I have yet to master, let alone a gas oven. But, if the people who pre-dates the electric oven can bake the most delicious cakes and breads, I'm sure I can too.

I have adapted the sourcream butter cake recipe from the Bourke Street Bakery Cookbook. I have cut the sugar, omitted the poached pears and increased the raspberries. In the recipe, it says to scatter the raspberries on the top of the batter just before you bake it, so that the raspberries will sink into the batter while it bakes. I did that, but for some reason, the raspberries did not sink. It stayed on the top, some got burnt, some turned in to jelly, which gave a brilliant red colour to contrast the sea of dark gold. Rustic is as rustic does. A bit burnt around the edges, uneven cracks, but that precisely is the beauty of gâteau rustique.

Sourcream, Raspberry Butter Cake - adapted from Bourke Street Bakery Cookbook

28cm round tin (I used a 20X20cm square tin), bottom and sides lined, paper should protrude 1 inch (2.5cm)- makes 16

Ingredients:
250g unsalted butter, softened
355g caster sugar (I cut it down to 250g, but not sweet enough. will use 300g next time)
a few drops vanilla essence
4 eggs
200g sourcream
300g self-raising flour (if using plain flour, add 15g baking powder)
200g raspberries (recipe specified fresh, but I used frozen. it works as well)

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 200℃. (I just jack mine up high)

2. Cream butter, sugar and vanilla till pale and creamy.

3. Add eggs one at a time. Make sure the egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.

4. Mix in sour cream in two batches.

5. Fold in flour in 2 batches. Mix till well-combined.

6. Scatter berries on top. (I'd probably mix the raspberries through next time)

7. Bake for 55 mins to 1 hour 15 mins, or until wooden skewer comes out clean when inserted.

8. Remove from oven, cool in tin for 10mins, turn out onto wire-rack to cool completely.

May store in airtight container for up to 3 days.

Conclusion: I was quite happy with the result, having feared the worst since I was still trying to figure out how to work the gas oven. I ended up turning it every half hour, changing tier after an hour and covering the top with baking paper during the last half hour. It was worth the effort. The butter cake was a little dry from staying in the oven for too long, but overall still moist. It was not sweet enough probably because sour cream dampens the sweetness from the sugar, which I found out from making this cake. Also the texture was quite fine due to the creaming method (I prefer larger crumb).

Yes yes, quite happy this time though I only ate one tiny slice of my much-awaited butter cake, I gave the rest away. Food should be shared, agree?

End

2010-05-17T23:32:00.001+10:00

Something I found-

Don’t worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.

Don’t waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long and, in the end, it’s only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts. Don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.

And smile always.

Black Star Pastry

2010-05-17T19:42:00.005+10:00

From fouratefive, onto Black Star Pastry. The view from Black Star.

Olive Bread, $5.50. Time-Out Sydney rated Black Star Bakery one of the top ten bakeries in Sydney, so of course have to try their breads too. I chose the olive bread because 1: I love olive bread and 2. the other alternative was raisin bread, can't say I love raisin breads. the breads were almost sold out. It is a sourdough alright. Rough textured, the type that goes hard in days. I quite like the bread, but compared to consummate's olive bread, I prefer the latter. Black Star's one is a true sourdough, whereas consummate is more of an olive oil bread, therefore is softer and more fragrant.

Ninja Gingerbread, $4. It is expensive for such a small piece of gingerbread, but it is well worth the money. It is quite thick, and texture is something between a shortbread and a chewy biscuit. Spicy, bits of ginger, and a thick coat of tempered chocolate, yumm yumm.

Canele, $3. Stella ordered the canele. I am not familiar with canele, but Stella said it was very good. She likes the strong caramel taste.

I started with the legs of the gingerbread man. Imagine him crying bloody murder!, while I happily chew him off bit by bit. haha.

On our way back to the city for dinner.

277 Australia St

Newtown, 2042

Phone: 02 9557 8656

www.blackstarpastry.com.au

End.

fouratefive

2010-05-17T18:50:00.003+10:00

First cafe to be rated five star on Time-out Sydney. They must have some seriously good stuff there hey?

Welcome to fouratefive. As you can see, the doorway is pretty small, two is a tight fit. I arrived in the afternoon for lunch. When I got there, the cafe was packed, there was a queue outside and I was quite overwhelmed by the bustling waitress and zealously eating patrons. I stood outside the entrance, didn't quite know what to do.. how am I going to eat in there? The barrister cum host (their coffee station is right smack at the entrance, so the barristers have the double duty of hosting as well, don't ask me why, they must have their own reasons. their kitchen is in all places with the patrons eating around it. well, as long as I get my food hot and within reasonable time frame, I'm happy.) must have noticed me standing in the doorway, he shouted out: have you got your name on the list? Ohh, the list... so that's how things work here. After I got my name written on the list, I didn't have to wait long at all for my table to be ready.

I sat outside, exposed to the elements. I thank thee for thy good weather.

Apple, carrot and ginger juice, $5.50. Extremely fresh and generous as well. Ginger is good for cold weathers.

Rare roast beef with onion relish, fresh tomato, dijon mustard, polski ogorki &
cos lettuce on grilled sourdough $14.
I am in love with this rare beef sandwich. The beef is so rare, yet so tender and moist. And the combination of sweet, sour, pungent, salty pickle and fresh lettuce, all stacked in this lovely dark sourdough, perfect. This is one seriously good sandwich, which I am sure I will dream of from time to time.

Pulled pork on ciabatta with pickled carrot & radish, aioli, apple & tomato
chutney & rocket $13.
The menu says ciabatta but I got the same dark sourdough instead. After all the raving reviews of this particular pulled pork sandwich, it fell short of my expectations. Don't get me wrong, it is still a good sandwich. It's just that when I compare it to the rare beef sandwich, this is a little bit disappointing. The pork is slightly dry and under seasoned. I can't quite taste the chutney in some parts of the sandwich. And there I was, expecting that "striations of sweet, sweet meat meld seamlessly with cooling fresh cucumber and apple spiced up with tomato chutney and slathered with aioli"- from Time-Out Sydney. Overall the sandwich was too dry and bland for me.

I would love to come back again to get my hands on their beef burger and perhaps their salads. Who wants to come with me? =)

485 Crown St

Surry Hills, 2010

Phone: 02 9698 6485

www.fouratefive.com

End.

Kawa Sydney Cafe

2010-05-14T21:48:00.003+10:00

It is a cafe that Elise and I stumbled into. We were walking along Crown sreet, Surry Hills, on a bright and sunny Saturday, after a satisfying lunch at Spice I Am. And we were looking for something sweet to finish the deal. I was particularly looking for coffee.

It was rather interesting, walking along Crown Street. It is not unlike Darling street of Balmain, or Australia street of Newtown, where cafes litter the street. Except that restaurants like Marque, Bills, Billy Kwong are also on the menu. Crown Street is clearly the place to go for seriously good food.

As I said, we stumbled into Kawa, or rather drawn by its cute exterior and busy-ness, we decided to give it a go. Kawa Sydney Cafe is just across the road from Thomas Duxton Grocer.

French tables and chairs. I love the alfresco sitting. Bask in the sun till you are warm and toast.

Elise had her usual latte with the unusual addition of soy milk, $3.50 + $0.50 for soymilk. Urgghh, it was bitter with a very strong taste of soy. Unless you are a soy-lover, I'd say give this a miss. I reckon they burnt the soymilk too, since the froth was tad too dry.

I opted for a cold banana and raspberries, honey yogurt smoothie, $6. Can't go wrong with a smoothie when you've got all the right ingredients. Yumm, perfect for a sunny Saturday afternoon.

I'd say Kawa is your average cafe that got lucky because of its location. Ambiance is definitely better than its food and service.

Something interesting that caught my eye.

348A Crown St Surry Hills NSW 2010

Phone: (02) 9331 6811

Open Daily 8am-5pm

End.

Spice I Am

2010-05-13T20:22:00.003+10:00

Ja was raving about this Thai restaurant ever since I started school in January. Constantly talking about how good the basil chili pork belly is, how she could eat it every single day if it weren't for her reflux... It was the last straw when she brought me to the restaurant (on our way back from Bourke Street) just to point out to me its location. Okay, I get it. I will go try.

Together with Elise (since Ja was still recovering from reflux, I did not invite her), we took our lunch at Spice I Am. Not to be confused with Spice I Am- The Restaurant (Darlinghurst), though of the same company, this hole-in-the-wall Spice I Am is smaller, friendlier, cheaper. Its dishes are less done-up, which suits me just fine because as long as Thai cuisine is concerned, I'm only interested in the food.

As you can see, the people are sitting pretty close together...

Longan drink, really really good. I think they cook it themselves?

Deep fried whitebait with a sour basil sauce. Really fresh fish, cooked to perfection, crispy. The sauce, wow, is sour, a little spicy and very fragrant. The only thing I didn't like about this dish is: too little sauce!

Kra Pao Moo Gob
Stir fried crispy pork belly with SpiceIam chilli jam, basil and long red chilli- the much raved-about dish and it fully deserves the title. Crispy, tender pork belly, spicy, salty and slightly sweet. I will definitely be back for more.

Shop 1, 90 Wentworth Ave
Surry Hills, 2010

Phone: 02 9280 0928

Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11.30am-3pm; 6-10pm

End.

2010-05-11T12:56:00.001+10:00

The best hand-cut 炸酱面 in Burwood, Sydney.

Out of routine

2010-05-10T19:48:00.007+10:00

I went through a forest to get to school. How strange does that sound? Why did Heidi want to get to school that badly that she had to trek though soil, fallen dead leaves and tree roots?

To be honest, I did think of giving up and returning home. Twice. But since I am such a goody-two-shoes, I stuck out to the end. Now you know the end of this particular story, you might be wondering what led to it. Don't worry, you won't have to back-track far.

You see, as with all typical Mondays, I slept in. It was a cold morning (as with all other mornings of the week..) and that is all you need for an excuse to stay nice and warm under your blanket with the electric heater turned on. As a result, I was late for my bus. (though I suspect the 518 bus arrived earlier than usual- I was at the busstop only one minute late..) I took the 501 bus, which arrived 15 minutes later, an awful long time that I spent debating whether if I should return home and slumber on. I did not, however.

The 501 bus, unlike 518, brings me to the back of my school, which usually requires a walk through the meandering gardens of the horticulture faculty. I quite like the gardens actually, and would gladly take this route if I could wake a little earlier to catch the early 501 since the garden route takes abit more time. I think by this time it is quite obvious that I was late for school.

Coincidentally, the gardens were closed for a huge make-over, the entire horticulture section was walled-up. One of the construction worker, on his way out, had kindly told us the alternative route to school. Now enter Chris, my classmate who was in the bus with me. While following the given advice, Chris had discovered a little path which looked like a short-cut to school. Perhaps it was our over-eagerness to get to class, we dumbly took the short-cut. It wasn't before long that we realised something was wrong.

The short-cut itself was under construction as well. Great. Faced by a dead end, my only natural response is to turn back and continue with the advised path. Chris thought a little differently and for that I really admire him. He gave his surroundings a good scan-over and said to me: okay, now, we create our own path. Just like that, relying on Chris' sense of direction, we deviated from the stone path and headed for school.

Yes, and that was Chris' chosen path, the fastest way to get to school. He chose to climb a rather steep slope. (above) We stood there for a while, contemplating. This was when I thought for the second time: I want to go home... Then Chris turned around and said: "well, I can climb this. But I don't know if you can..." I wished I said something along the lines of: Of course I can, lead the way! But at that moment, I think I muttered: "let's go..." in a small small voice.

Clutching at dried bushes, trees and Chris' helping hand, together, we spilled onto the bright sunny school field, with lots of soil and dried twigs in my shoes and a few weird stares from passerbys. Thanks Chris. We made it to class, slightly late.

Now you ask, why did I want to get to class so badly? There was a test, duh. Who would want to go to class?

Bits of My Mundane Life

2010-05-08T19:21:00.005+10:00

Writing for the sake of writing is pretty lame, which is what I am currently doing because well... I feel compelled to blog, or rather I am bored and have nothing better to do and I am too lazy to transfer pictures from my camera to the computer, hence this is me recycling my old pictures. I don't think I have anything of interest to share with you guys, unless of course if you are family or friends. Now that you have been warned...

I'm going to share my tiny bits of mundane life with you.

As you know, I am a student at LCB, Sydney, in the middle of Certificate IV (Hospitality Management) term 2. I am well into my third week of school after my summer holidays, and I can safely say that school has been quite bland, like gooey porridge. Out of the three subjects I am having this term, one we have covered last term, and one I have covered in high school when I was 13. I am miserably miserably bored at school. You know what I do when the teacher repeat the slides from the powerpoint? I draw, scrawl, invent codes that only I would understand and write French curses all over my lecture notes...

On the other hand, my foodie life is good. I cook a fair bit.. either that, or Elise would cook and I'll head over for dinner. We always try to make the other happy, so you can imagine, dinner is usually quite good. Weekends are usually reserved for visits to bakeries/patisseries/cafes/restaurants. Actually I would love to go on foodie tours on every non-school days (make the best out of my remaining days in Sydney) but due to the lack of company, lack of funding and my desire to not be fat, I will stay home and read books instead. Although on the bright side, I do have a japanese degustation dinner planned at the end of the month. And maybe Tetsuya in July. Maybe.

Two weeks in Sydney now and I haven't had a cup of decent gourmet coffee. Don't know why but something always happen. Last week I had a cold, so no coffees since the caffeine dehydrates you. This week was too warm for coffees. All I wanted was a cold banana and raspberry smoothie. Well, I will be going to campos next week, and hopefully I will be in the mood by then.

I miss Japan terribly. The nice air, food, hot springs and many many things. And you of course, who had kindly taken the time to read this post. =)

Bourke Street Bakery

2010-05-04T13:46:00.004+10:00

Hi guys, I'm back in Sydney. Holiday is over, school has started. It will be three months before I return to Singapore, this time for good. So might as well enjoy Sydney while it last. =)

One thing I will definitely miss: Bourke Street Bakery: their tarts! sausage rolls! and their amazing sourdoughs!! I won't wish for Bourke St. to open in Singapore though.. they will loose their magic there. Please don't come! I will visit you instead!

Lamb, harissa and almond roll, $4. I love the huge bits of whole blanched almonds, the sweet raisins and the very fragrant mince lamb!

Ja's raisin snail. She has got reflux, so it is all mild and gentle food for now.

Ja: my best Sydney foodie friend. I will also miss her.

おみやげ

2010-05-04T12:53:00.001+10:00

Mackerel pressed sushi.

Home with Chef, Nara, Japan- End

2010-05-01T16:21:00.005+10:00

Day 9- we went home.

Morning- I like mornings. The freshness of the air, even in a polluted city like Osaka, tastes good.

Faces in transit (Hong Kong). A little tired, a little bored, a little sad perhaps but definitely glad to be home soon.

おかえり！(Singapore airport)

All packed into the van to be transported home. haha.

I miss Lawson already. おにぎりは　食べたいんです。

End.

Home with Chef, Nara, Japan- VII

2010-04-30T19:05:00.008+10:00

Day 8- was the day of preparation and goodbyes.

See that girl in a red jacket sitting at the piano? That's me. I think this picture looks kind of eerie. Is that how people see me when I'm playing the piano??

Chef brought us to Horyuji, the oldest temple in Japan.

Temple grounds.

きれい　ですね。。もう　いかい　見たいんです。

Lunch- Kakiage Soba　かき揚げ　そば, not the best soba.

Saying goodbye to the Yamashita family.

Arrival at ANA gate tower hotel, which is very near the airport. We have an early flight the next morning. View from our hotel window.

Ami-chan. 四连拍.

Dinner with designer-san.

Sake, standing in a box of icy cold water.

Sashimi and steak set- looks kind of dangy doesn't it?

But the company was good. =)

Our last visit to our favourite store: Lawson, where we had our last fruit milk, onigiri and canned coffees. I think, in a way, Lawson defines Japan- it is every where, or in weiloon's words: 跟蟑螂一样多.

End.

Home with Chef, Nara, Japan- VI

2010-04-28T20:17:00.008+10:00

Day 7- was all about food. The first thing Chef said to me as he picked us up from the hotel was: ランチにいこうか！ (let's go for lunch!) thank god for the fact that my brother and I woke up too late to be in time for breakfast...

I'm sure most people knows Osaka's local dish called the Okonomiyaki お好み焼き, but how many, I wonder, knows its sister dish: Monjayaki もんじゃ焼き? That was what we had for lunch.

Well, we had all the four yaki dishes actually. It came as a set for 4 people. Monjayaki もんじゃ焼き, okonomiyaki お好み焼き, yakisoba 焼きそば (fried soba), yakigohan 焼きご飯 (fried rice). yummy yummy, all the yakimono 焼き物.

That will be HD, JD, AJ and W. I think my brother looked like he had one too many cups of coffee, and AJ looked like he had none.

How to make monjayaki もんじゃ焼き:

tadah! It is kind of gooey and crunchy (depending on what kind of filling you choose to put into your monjayaki) at the same time. Taste like any of the yakimono since they kind of use the same condiments, which was rather tasty. oh yes, we each had a tiny scraper to deliver/scrape the sticky mess from the teppan into our mouths.

Miso-stewed beef. Taste great. The meat is so soft that you can easily pull it apart.

Okonomiyaki お好み焼き. Bonito flakes and mayonnaise is free-flow.

Fried rice and noodles with bits of konnyaku.

Ami chan's auntie, whom we address as machine-gun auntie because she talks like one, and her husband paid for our lunch. Thank you very much!

Chef's friend's patisserie. I like the interior decor. It feels very warm and inviting, like a country house.

Wide selection of cookies.

Market research.

End.

Home with Chef, Nara, Japan- V

2010-04-27T14:01:00.015+10:00

Day 6- After breakfast, chef brought us to his father's fields, where Otosan and his brother-in-law were planting suika すいか, watermelon.

Edamame えだまめ.

Yield is about 300 watermelon in Autumn.

Todaiji temple.

Nara deer park. Kids will be kids.

I like how in this picture the tree looks like it is following chef.

Lunch- kamameshi 釜飯, iron-pot steamed rice. We waited an hour for our orders to cook. The best part of the kamameshi is the burnt rice stuck to the sides and the bottom of the pot. And it takes some skills to get the burnt rice out. The trick is to remember to cover your pot every time you scoop rice. This way, the pot will steam, and the steam allows you to easily scrape burnt rice of the pot.

I had the unagi set. Really really good!

Daibutsu.

Shika and I!

Nigatsu-do.

I prefer Nigatsu-do to Daibutsu, even though they are only a few hundred metres apart. It is quieter at Nigatsu-do, which allows you to fully bask in the lush greenery and take in the old wooden structures of the temple.

Dinner at Jun chan's place- gyoza nabe! Thank you for the meal!

End.

home with Chef, Nara, Japan- IV

2010-04-26T22:42:00.012+10:00

Day 4. As usual, my brother and I had our breakfast in our hotel, before meeting up with chef. And as usual, we stuffed our faces with onigiri おにぎ, wanting to savour every bit of Japan as much as we could. Then-

Lunch. Ramen. Saika Ramen, a popular ramen shop in Nara.

Can't say no to this cute waitress ( きれいおねちゃん!).

Kaarage set, chashuu ramen, saika ramen. It's good, but it is waay too salty, even by Japanese standards. Chef said it tastes different from the last time he had eaten here.

It took us 1 hour to get from Nara to Osaka, with Ami chan manning the wheel and the rest of us sleeping like open-mouth ducks. We went to visit our supplier, Hirata san.

Tour.

Yay. Done with the less interesting bit. On to my favourite part of the day: patisserie-hunt; Monsieur Makino, http://www.m-makino.com/. It is one of the top patisseries in Osaka. This is one of their main branches. For such a large shop front, they only allow take-aways. Don't you think the structure of the shop itself looks like a decoration cake??

Cute waitstaff (きれいおねちゃん): A necessity.

heh heh heh... go on and drool. =P

We took away 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 slices for after-dinner dessert. This is called legitimate market research.

Beautiful! but taste-wise, I still think my chef is better. Honest to god.

Ami chan's family. We had shabu shabu with Ami chan's father, his wife cooked. Deliciousss... marbled pork slices. I swear, between themselves, my brother and AJ demolished 3 platters of shabu shabu pork. I am more modest... half a platter is enough. hohoho.

We visited Jun chan, Ami chan's cousin, after dinner.

And I thought my chef was this cool guy (note the past tense) until he picked up the hula-hoop and started hula-hooping... ._.'"

Jun chan (mother) and Iku kun (son). Jun chan has got the cutest voice I have ever heard in person. Whenever I hear Jun chan and her granddaughter talk, I would think it is two little girls talking, and when I actually witness it in person, my lower jaw would drop and go "oh".

We all decided to go for Onsen together after a very full dinner (many platters of fatty marbled pork AND dessert). They say onsen is anti-fattening.

Going for onsen by yourself as a foreigner, no matter how many times, is different from going for onsen with a local Japanese. Onsen is not merely about hot water bath. There are green tea bath, electric water bath, jacuzzi bath and salt bath. Jun chan taught me the ropes.

Salt bath is by far the most extreme (most painful) I have tried. It was like being submerged in a hot water bath; the sauna room is about 40 degrees celsius (the same temperature as a hot water bath) with plenty of steam and moisture in the air. Well, I felt like I was slowly being steamed alive. Jun chan hands me a cup of salt, then we proceed to rub salt all over our bodies. Excellent remedy for water retention, but at that time and then, I thought of myself as a piece of lamb chop, and I was marinating it. We rubbed our tummies, our thighs, our arms, then the worst happened. I blinked. Salty sweat stunk my eye. I became blind in one eye. Very very bad. The room, smoky and dimly-lit as it is, is being filled as more naked bodies walked into my blur vision. Did I mention I was mildly claustrophobic? Get me out of here! I barely muttered, "げんかいです... (this is my limit)" before rushing for the water barrel to rinse out the salt, then I bolted for the door.

It was THE EXPERIENCE of the entire trip. However torturous, I probably would do it again, and again. One suffers for beauty, they say. I did loose 500g after all. =)

End.

Home with Chef, Nara, Japan- III

2010-04-26T21:12:00.008+10:00

Day 4- Our day started with lunch, at a soba shop near Yakushiji temple. The beautiful garden which we could see from the room we were eating in.

Kitsune udon set and tenzaru soba. Eating cold soba in cold weather is like eating ice-cream in cold weather: shiok!!!

On to Yakushiji.

I like this temple. It has an aura of calm and wisdom.

We gladly took refuge from the cold (freakishly cold today) in the teahouse just outside Yakushiji. I was introduced to Higashi 乾菓子, a dry type of wagashi. It tastes like shortbread without butter, and it melts into a sweet gooey mess in your mouth. Not the best texture in the world, but tolerable. Thank god for the matcha...

Dinner at Chef's parent's place, Okasan's cooking: Oden and wagyu tataki. It's wonder-wonderfully delicious...

Thanks you very much for the beautiful dinner. I hope to come again, and many many times after! =D

End.

Home with Chef, Nara, Japan- II

2010-04-22T15:13:00.009+10:00

Day 3. Breakfast at the hotel. It's like being a kindergardener all over again. Plastic trays!

Waiting for chef to pick us up.

Onwards to the Shrine of the White Snake Goddess. At the base of the shrine, we found a hand-made somen shop that has a beautiful garden, and pots of lovely flowers.

Second breakfast, warm somen and roast sweet potato.

みわさん　え　行きます！

Why are there red maple leaves in the middle of Spring, I wonder?? Perhaps it's the power of miwa san...

Walking up to the shrine, where I got my fortune told. 吉 A good sign. =)

We visited ami-chan's aunt, a very giving and generous lady who spoke not a word of English but we understood her anyway. I found out that some gestures are international.

Persimmon leaf-wrapped zushi!! I'd wanted to try this a long time ago.. finally! yumm yumm, I like the smell of the persimmon leaf. うれしい！

Ishi buta, our next sight-seeing venue, is ermm... a pile of rocks manually hauled and put together by ancient Japanese.

Rocks are alright, but the flowers are truly a sight to behold.

Teatime! A wagyu speciality shop.

The average price of wagyu, 300g plus, (nicely marbled) is about 500yen, which translates to about S$8. Am I right to say that the extra $50 we usually see on menus comes from freight? What a joke...

We bought wagyu croquette and katsu to eat. They actually fry their wagyu... and man, it is delicious.

Dinner at chef's home. Sukiyaki!! Chef's mother, sister and wife prepared dinner for us. ごちそうさまでした！

End.