Spacemonkey Learns To Spell

French Food in Thailand?

2011-10-23T17:08:00.007+08:00

Farang Ses

Chef Dominique Bugnand

Salade Caprese

These are what I call Magic Mushrooms...

Escargots de Bourgogne au beurre d’ail

Homard Canadien

pot au feu

Crêpes Suzette

prepared at our table...

Profiteroles au chocolat chaud

Petit Four

The Resort.

2011-10-23T15:14:00.005+08:00

14 - 16 October 2011

I am such a FAN...

haha.

The M.O is a huge 60-acre resort

with only 54 suites and 64 villas

and all the amenities you would expect

from the best resort you can ever conceive in your head!!

The massive lush space

and such few accommodations

means you are more likely to run into the hotel's staff than a resident!!

But the huge compound also means that you got to either

walk,

cycle or

call a buggy

to bring you for to the coffee house for breakfast!

Here I am on a bicycle

(which I fell off from and had 2 massive odd shaped bruises)

An organic garden and rice fields where the gardeners maintain and

you can even find some of the veggies in your dinner!

The Dheva Spa!

(Image from Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi)

Here is the deluxe villa with pool...

Yes... with a private pool... and lovely views of the rice fields...

(Image from Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi)

The Colonial Pool

(Image from Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi)

Click for more information on the resort.

Checking Into the M.O.

2011-10-20T22:46:00.008+08:00

Mandarin Oriental

Dhara Dhevi

Chiang Mai

Thailand

- 14-16 October 2011 -

Just as we collected our bags from the belt at Chiang Mai's International Airport,

a staff from Mandarin Oriental greeted us and showed us to our transport to our hotel....

You should seen my mum's face when we saw the car pull over!

A blue vintage Mercedes Benz stretch limo!

SUCCESS!

A short 20 minute drive brought us to the hotel's lobby for our check in...

which we did over tea and cold tamarind scented towels

over the lounge chairs in the majestic lobby...

Then, we were taken to our suite in a buggy!

(No, I didn't get to drive... we had a driver)

The buggy pulling up at the colonial suite building...

Our room was on the second floor...

When our butler opened the door...

I gasped....

Our suite was huge...

1415 sqf Deluxe Colonial Suite -

One of the smaller accommodations on the hotel's estate!!!

On the right of the hall way is the powder room...

And the mini bar before leading to the living room...

A lovely console table faces the mini bar...

With fresh florals!

The amazing living room of the suite...

Complimentary fruit and wine....

as well as a greeting card from the hotel's manager...

The bed room...

With its own seating area...

Daddy channel surfing....

The amazingly huge toilet...

which is larger than my room!!!

Shower room...

Wardrobe

And a huge balcony with outdoor dining area...

And an amazing view!!

This is one of the largest and best suites I have ever been in....

the views were breath taking...

All i wanted to do was to spend all my time in the lovely suite!

Get Set CROCHET GO!

2011-09-26T22:31:00.003+08:00

The geek inside me is emerging....

I want to crochet so I can create

Parabolic Hyperbolas

BLU KOUZINA

2011-09-18T02:30:00.004+08:00

BLU KOUZINA

893 Bukit Timah Road

Singapore

My cousin's husband and I have this arrangement where we meet up for a meal once a month and

take turns to select good eateries in Singapore.

Last time we did it,

I brought him to L'Entrecote and this time,

he introduced me to a Greek restaurant -

BLU KOUZINA

This unsuspecting place is amazing... with the best thick and rich olive oil I have ever tasted. To be honest, I have never had much experience eating at a greek place (other than a soulvaki here and there in Lygon Street in Melbourne, Australia). Thanks to Steve for taking me here to try more Greek food.... I really enjoyed their salads and mezedes!

Unfortunately, I did not get to check out their little store...

I will have to wait till the next time I visit the eatery!!

Since it was just the both of us, we skipped the mains and opted for a variety of mezedes, a salad and some pita, as well as a bottle of Chardonnay from Greece!

Biftekia

Greek beef patties served with a yogurt dill sauce

Bougiourdi

Red Peppers stuffed with spicy feta cheese

Pita Bread

Grilled pita bread with sea salt and paprika

Tzatziki

Yogurt mixed with cucumber, extra virgin olive oil and garlic

Xoriatiki

Greek Salad, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives and green pepper,

topped with extra virgin olive oil and organic vinegar

......

Marina Bay

2011-09-18T02:18:00.004+08:00

Last Thursday,

my colleagues and I had an awesome opportunity to take a short sailing lesson

& ride on the Audi Ultra at Marina Bay.

After that, a couple of us hung out at the Verve Pizzeria for some dinner...

I thought their pizza was ok...

But the bruschetta was AMAZING

French Restaurant, Hanoi Vietnam

2011-09-05T22:05:00.005+08:00

Le Verticale

by Didier Corlou

'19 Ngo Van So

Hanoi

Vietnam

mon père

Cordier Sauternes Collection Privée, 2007

apéritif

foie gras et fruits de la passion de jus

grillades de crevettes

palourde

Red Tuna

glace à la vanille à la citronnelle

profiterole au chocolat

-délicieux-

Bridesmaids

2011-07-24T01:01:00.004+08:00

Just watched this movie this afternoon

starring Kristen Wiig (Knocked Up),

Maya Rudolph (SNL) &

Chris O'Dowd (IT Crowd, UK) =)

It was hilarious and I literally had to try to hold my pee in because I was laughing so hard!

The guys have Hangover and girls finally get their version!

Here's the theme song!

It has been ringing in my head the whole day!!

Enjoy!

A V O C A D O

2011-07-01T16:28:00.003+08:00

Andrea's Really Easy Avocado Milkshake

(serves 2)

5 cubes of ice

1 whole avocado

1 glass of skimmed milk

1 teaspoon of vanilla essence

1.5 tablespoons of honey

Put 5 cubes of ice into the blender and pulse till blended well.

Add the avocado, milk, vanilla essence and honey to the blender

and blender at high speed till smooth.

Serve in a glass!

(Duh)

Inspiration

2011-07-01T00:50:00.002+08:00

Here is an amazing home amidst a breathtaking backdrop of New Zealand.

I found the Alan Pye Cottage on Desire to Inspire....

Design*Sponge will be creating a 400 page book!!!

Design Sponge at Home (Official Book Trailer) from The Panic Room Videos on Vimeo.

The Proposal(s)

2011-06-25T02:57:00.006+08:00

A musical wedding proposal in Disneyland -

The happiest place on earth...

A crazy wedding proposal in Glendale, CA

that was part of Howie Mandel's Mobbed TV series.

If I was surprised like this..

I wouldn't know if I would pee in my pants or go into a hysterical fit.

Sorry guys, I just had to show this to your girls

... these are just too heard to beat!

Know & Be Still

2011-06-25T02:50:00.001+08:00

I have always wanted a tattoo,

But just never knew exactly what to get... and where to have it...

Here's a design I did for a friend's friend.

And to see she actually went ahead to do it....

Is just an amazing feeling.

Basil + Cheese

2011-06-24T16:53:00.004+08:00

Since getting my fragrant basil plants.....

Besides making green pesto sauce....

Here are my other culinary kitchen experiments-

Grilled Cheese

Port Salut with tomato slices & fresh basil leaves

toasted on buttered whole meal bread slices

Mac + 3Cheese +++ Casserole

Macaroni and spicy pork sausage casserole

with basil-tomato puree,

mozzarella, white cheddar & parmesan

Here is Patches waiting next to the oven!

MAE PANG

2011-06-23T21:28:00.006+08:00

One of the most talented, hardworking and giving person I am privileged to know...

Congrats Aimei!

Pancakes

2011-06-23T21:00:00.004+08:00

The Pancake Parlour

Melbourne, Australia

Who doesn't love pancakes for brunch?

Here's what Philene, my pups and I had on our last trip to Melbourne...

Traditional Bacon & Eggs

2 buttermilk pancakes,

whole rashers of bacon and 2 scrambled free range eggs,

served with whipped butter and maple syrup!

Cheese & Potato Pancake

A potato pancake with a crust of golden cheese,

topped with whipped butter and fresh mushroom sauce

& side salad

Cheese Kransky

2 cheese kransky sausages,

served with 2 fried free range eggs,

2 buttermilk pancakes,

whipped butter & maply syrup

Hanoi Cooking Centre

2011-06-02T00:40:00.009+08:00

Hanoi

Vietnam

14-17 May 2011

______

On one of the days of our trip to Hanoi,

my Dad and I decided to go for a

Vietnamese cooking class at the

Hanoi Cooking Centre.

The lesson started with a very exciting visit to a neighbourhood market,

just steps away from the school's shophouse location.

Our instructor for the day was a young local and chef who showed us the ins and outs of the local Vietnamese market,

and explained to us how certain ingredients are normally used in Vietnamese cooking.

_______

At The Market

Bee Larvae

Yes.. no kidding...

We got ourselves one serving!

These small crabs were ground into a paste for soups...

I am not sure if these are the same variety of horn snails

(Potamididae or chut-chut) we have in Singapore...

But I would imagine they would similarly go well with a chili & lime dipping sauce!!!

______

Back At The Kitchen

Daddy prepping in his apron before we start making our Spring Rolls!

"Bitter Leaves"

(I am not sure if they are Artemisia Annua)

But the Vietnamese swear by its medicinal properties...

claiming it is the magical cure for E V E R Y T H I N G

from fevers, food poisoning and hangovers!

Chef pounded the leaves with a mortar and pestle and made us drink the dark green liquid.

Yup... the name explains it all...

Frying our spring rolls!!!

Err.. ZERO FAT

This is a classic dipping sauce for many dishes in Vietnamese cooking...

3 tablespoons fish sauce

5 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

6 tablespoons sugar

2 garlic cloves (chopped)

1 red chili (chopped)

*mix altogether till sugar is fully dissolved

Pan fried bee larvae...

They tasted like beans....

but with a texture of shrimp shells on the outside....

Chef used the bitter leaves to create this lovely omelette!!

After cooking, the leaves weren't as bitter...

Cha Gio

(fried spring rolls with wood ear mushrooms, pork & cellophane noodles)

Goi Cuon

(sweet potato, pickled prawns, vermicelli & pork wraps)

We made all these food!!!

Since we could my Dad and I knew we would not be able to finish everything,

we invited these 2 travelers from Amsterdam, whom we met at a bookshop behind the cooking school, to join us!

______

Really enjoyed the time I spent with my Dad...

But with my non-existant kitchen skills...

It is obvious that no Vietnamese mother-in-law

would allow her son to marry me...

Hung Dao Street Market

2011-05-21T04:14:00.009+08:00

Hanoi

Vietnam

14-17 May 2011

______

Every Saturday evening,

Hung Dao

in the Old Quarters

becomes a crowded night market

all the way into the early hours of the morning.

Packed with locals and tourists,

we knew this was the best place

to find Hanoi's delicious street grub.

Hanoi's busy streets at the Old Quarters...

It is really more terrifying than other Asian cities I have been...

there isn't much order on the streets...

and honking somehow just adds to the festive mood at Hung Dao..

______

We passed several bric-a brac shops... and then headed straight for the food!

Strangely, we were attracted to the sweets first...

Clusters of locals stoop on low chairs, which are barely a foot high

And huddle around a table where a friendly woman mixes bowls of agar-agar and "tadpoles"...

After some seemingly confident hand gestures, we ordered this!!!

Pulut Hitam in a cup with crushed ice, sago and plain yogurt!

It was awesome...

and because it didn't have the usual coconut milk,

I managed to convince myself that this was the "healthier option"

almost worthy of the Healthy Pyramid symbol!

______

After weaving through the market...

we found ourselves drawn to an alley next to a rail bridge.

Here we found a stall and several young people

doing what I would describe to be similar to Seoul Garden....

just way better....

I think it is a family-run stall... this must be the grandma.

Obviously, she guards the food..

After more hand gestures (we were slowly getting a hang of things)

We were served this plate while we sat on our bright blue scaled-down plastic street-side furniture..

Fresh cuts of beef, piled with spring onion, cilantro, corn and some egg plant on the side...

Yes... BEAT THAT FARMER'S MARKET!!

So here's the instructions...

Oil the hot plate with butter and oil

Place sliced raw beef and vegetables onto the hot plate

Once the beef is cooked perfectly (not over done),

dip in sauce (as seen in small green bowls).

The sauce is made of a mixture of fish sauce, lime juice, pepper and cut red chilies.

Put meat and vegetables into a baguette as shown above.

Best enjoyed with a bottle of local beer!!!

______

Yum...

Writing this is really difficult without feeling HUNGRY!!!

______

Food at the Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake

2011-05-19T01:30:00.005+08:00

Hanoi

Vietnam

14-17 May 2011

______

INTERCONTINENTAL

HANOI WESTLAKE

______

CAFÉ DU LAC RESTAURANT

We had our first meal in Hanoi in this relaxed brasserie.

I had skipped my meal on the plane and was feeling peckish...

Spring rolls! A staple in Vietnamese cuisine...

Gỏi cuốn (summer rolls) & Nem rán (fried pork rolls) served with a dipping sauce of spices and fish sauce.

A focaccia open face sandwich with smoked salmon, cream cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, served with french fries and greens

PHO

Need I say more??

______

CLUB INTERCONTINENTAL LOUNGE

This is where we are served complimentary drinks all day, full selection of breakfast and canapés & cocktails in the evening.

The breakfast spread of breads, fruit, cold cuts and cereal was already pretty substantial...

I loved a little antipasti-esque selection of cold cuts, smoked fish, preserved olives & shallots, brie & saltines.

In addition to the spread, there is a selection of hot menu items to choose from...

This is my egg-white-omelette with sausage and streaky bacon..

Pho was also another choice...

As much as I wanted to get an authentic bowl of pho by the small hawkers by the streets, it was difficult because the hotel served it to us complimentary!!

This was my favourite...

The Japanese Breakfast

of steamed Japanese rice, miso soup, sea weed, a selection of pickles,

nattou, simmered daikon, tamago and grilled salmon...

served with a hot pot of green tea...

PERFECT & yes... also complimentary!

(well.. inclusive in our hotel stay)

Vietnamese drip coffee!!!

The concierge staff at the lounge let me in on a little secret....

They use the Premium blend of Trung Nguyen coffee!!

They also offer the traditional Vietnamese iced coffee...

Evening canapés included local inspired bites

And of course.... CHEESE

They do switch up the hot selections but I could not get enough of the olive & tomato spreads!

______

THE SUNSET BAR

The perfect end to an evening would be to have a Passionfruit Martini and watch the dramatic view at the Westlake...

_____

*Despite the lovely food from the hotel... I did manage to leave the hotel to get food outside... I will post them up soon!

Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake

2011-05-18T21:38:00.014+08:00

Hanoi

Vietnam

14-17 May 2011

______

INTERCONTINENTAL

HANOI WESTLAKE

1A Nghi Tam, Tay Ho, Ha Noi, Vietnam

My family made a short trip to Hanoi on my mum's Krisflyer points and we stayed at the lovely Intercontinental, Westlake. It is such a retreat away from the busy noisy and crowded streets of Hanoi's Old French Quarters. The award winning hotel is located in the prestigious and historic Westlake, and has the most beautiful views.

The hotel's entrance of the main building.

The hotel is made up of a 5-floor main building, one central pavilion

(housing the breath taking Sunset Bar)

and several other smaller pavilions of more guest rooms.

The hotel actually floats above the lake and accommodates over 359 guest rooms & suites,

3 restaurants & 3 bars, a health club and other bespoke amenities.

Floating pavilions lit up beautifully at night.

(this is actually the view from one of our suite's balconies)

The lovely landscaped pool area with comfortable lounge chairs...

The view of the entire estate from the main building,

with the city skyline in the background.

The focal point of the pinwheel plan is the red roofed Sunset Bar.

The romantic daybeds are the favourites for locals, travelers and guests.

It has the best views of the sun setting on the horizon,

the breathtaking views is its main attraction...

but for me it is its fresh

Passionfruit Martinis!

Club Intercontinental is a lounge exclusive to guests of Club rooms and Suites.

The service here is impeccable and the staff will go all out to please.

(I think now everyone working in the hotel would have heard of my dad's loves for bananas!)

The Club Intercontinental Lounge serves beverages all day, a full selection of breakfast and cocktails & hors d'oeuvres in the evenings.

______

The Lotus Suite

We stayed at the Lotus Suite similar to this one...

(Andrea got the extra foldout bed)

Lovely toilets with double sinks, bath and separate shower...

I loved the lantern side lamps!

They remind me of the rattan crab traps!!

We were greeted with fresh floral arrangements in our room, fresh fruit, and a hand-written note from the Front Office Manager. As well as an antique lacquer mini chest of drawers...

Which contained surprise desserts in each drawer!!

Macarons, petit four & cupcakes!

It was such a lovely stay...

I can't wait to go back!!
______

Summer Picnic Ideas

2011-05-12T12:21:00.000+08:00

______

Summer Picnic Ideas

from

Martha Stewart Living

Here's just some inspiration

for another outdoor party or BBQ

Anyone up for a collab party?

Blast some awesome music with your Panda speakers

Shout out for some great company

Head Outdoors!

______

-Drinks-

Strawberry Lemonade

Lemon Whiskey Sours

Classic Lemonade

Summer Sangria

______

-Starters-

Marinated Mozzarella

Prosciutto-Basil Crostini

Basil-Infused Olive Oil

Sweet Onion Dip

______

-Summer Salads-

Grilled Vegetables

Greek-Style Pasta with Shrimp

Pasta Salad with Roasted Broccoli

Arugula, Potato, and Green Bean Salad with Creamy Walnut Dressing

______

-Sandwiches-

Roast Beef Sandwich

Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Mustard

Tuna Nicoise Sandwich

Beef Tenderloin Sandwiches with Herb Mayonnaise

______

-Sweets-

Malted Milk Shakes

Brownie-and-Peanut-Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches

Nectarine & Strawberry Pops

Lemon-Blueberry Tart

______

Enjoy!

Balanced Meal at Brewerkz

2011-05-10T23:58:00.007+08:00

_______

Was out with church friends at

Brewerkz

for beer & a hearty meal

Thanks for the wonderful company!

06.05.2011

______

Junie praying to a rack of ribs

Junie & Gen

Pam & Anthony

Jon & I

______

A salad

Just one for 6 of us to share

so we can feel like we were eating healthy.

(fibre)

Smoked Salmon & Arugula Pizza

(almost healthy, omega 3 fatty acids)

Rack of Ribs

with slaw & BBQ sauce

(our protein)

Buffalo Wings

with Blue Cheese Dip

(cheese = calcium?)

This is just part of a Cheese Stick

Fried Mozzarella with Tomato Chutney

(more calcium?)

______

That was our "balanced" meal...

Haha

Thanks guys for being around for me...

_______

The Lion King

2011-05-09T02:03:00.007+08:00

______

Went to catch

The Lion King

with Jiayi

30.04.2011

Everyone was telling us how wonderful it was

so we treated ourselves to the best

Platinum Reserve Tickets

a Pre-Show Dinner at

South Coast.

______

South Coast is an alfresco restaurant

located at the Marina Bay Sands

that serves casual Australian grub,

with a gorgeous view of the city.

Our Australian dinner host was very warm

and the backdrop was breathtaking...

Jia and I had a relaxing dinner

with the evening sun setting behind us.

Seared Hokkaido Scallop on a Green Pea Purée

Wagyu Tataki Salad, Enoki Mushrooms and Cherry Tomatoes

Petite Fillet with Fries, served with a Café de Paris Herb Butter

(a compound butter of mustard, marjoram, dill, rosemary, tarragon, paprika, parsley, shallots, garlic, all whipped into the butter)

Jia having her main:

Roasted chicken breast, sautéed potatoes scallion cream, sage oil

______

Our Tickets!

Our tickets included the Platinum Reserve seats,

a drink (champagne, wines, beers & soft drinks)...

As well as a souvenir & a $10.00 voucher

that we could redeem for The Lion King merchandise at the store.

I just have no idea what I am going to do with this hand-painted mask ornament...

Nonetheless had a wonderful evening with Jia -

my resident Play/Musical/Concert/Show buddy

_______

Not Just Because We Want To But Because We Can

2011-05-04T10:31:00.005+08:00

This critically criticized band became an online sensation on Twitter after their intelligent conversations on the social network became the 95th most popular trending topic on one fine evening in April 2011. This completely imaginary band is currently hard at work on their debut album

On Beards and Blasphemy

which is due out in end 2011.

The Straits Times named us

"The band most likely to sell-out and sing the National Day theme song in 2012".

the H Y P O T E N U S E

Mother's Day Is This Weekend!

2011-05-03T17:32:00.009+08:00

I love Mother's Day

So if you are preparing to do a DIY Mother's Day

Here's some of my favourite ideas from no one else but

Martha Stewart

______

Brunch Decorations

Butterfly Party Lanterns

Paper lanterns are inexpensive from Ikea or party supply stores.

Butterflies can be punched out from magazine pages, using a butterfly puncher from scrap booking stores.

Click for instructions!

______

Brunch Menu

Bacon, Egg in a Toast Cup

(get it? toast? cup?)

Such a smart idea.. I personally can't wait to try making this!

Click for the recipe!

Heart-Shaped Egg in the Hole

Use heart shaped cookie cutters to create the hole in a slice of bread soaked in gorgeous herb butter.

Click for the recipe!

______

Handmade Gifts

Tea Lights

(Literally!)

Use tea cups from thrift shops to make these lovely candles...

Instead of a regular gift tag, tie a tag on the handle that looks like a tea bag label!

Click to get the how-to!

_______

Whether you are a Mummy-Mummy,

a Mummy to 2 darling pooches or

a Mummy "mummying" some overgrown kids,

I sincerely hope you know that

you are always appreciated!

Happy Mother's Day!

______

Hoot Hoot

2011-04-30T02:59:00.003+08:00

Thanks for all the Awesomes & Crazies.

i Heart Owls.

STEFF BOMB

2011-04-29T09:30:00.003+08:00

Just the Cutest Things

s t e p h b o m b

Visit their Etsy store!

Birthday

2011-04-26T23:36:00.003+08:00

Celebrated my Birthday

with 14 of my close friends

I had a wonderful time...

Thanks to everyone of you who made it very special

23.04.2011

Shang Palace

Shangri-la Hotel

Pu'er Private room that seats up to 16 guests

...

F R I E N D S

I am not sure what we were doing in this picture.

But I am sure whatever I was doing was only necessary.

Thanks everyone for all the lovely birthday wishes.

...

F O O D

Lobster & Mango Salad

Peking Duck

Baked Cod with Miso, served with Bak Choy

Beef Short Rib

Braised Pork with Fried Bread Stick

Truffled Ee Fu Noodles

Dessert Plate

Green Tea Glutinous Rice Ball filled with Black Sesame Paste

Steamed Custard and Salted Egg Yolk Bun

Wolfberry & Osthmanthus Jelly

For some of us, one just wasn't enough!

Spiced Carrot Cake with Ricotta Cheese Mousse

...

Thanks for all the lovely birthday wishes & for always being around for me...

Salt Grill & Sky Bar

2011-04-23T13:05:00.008+08:00

Salt Grill & Sky Bar

Ion Orchard

Level 55

t/+65 6592 5118

The wonderful view from the 55th floor

Pan roasted Hokkaido sea scallops,

cauliflower cream, citrus salad, basil oil

Australian yellowtail kingfish sashimi, ginger, eschallot and goats feta

1/2 dozen Oysters of the day, served natural

Muscles in broth and garlic toast

Barramundi fillet 160g, miso mayonnaise

Spiced Australian blue fin tuna, lime

Truffled mashed potato

Auntie Judy enjoying some bread, olive oil & dukkah

(a traditional Egyptian recipes of blended nuts and spices)

Uncle David

Cheese selection with lavosh

Souffle with gelato

Chocolate 3 ways

Peppermint tea

Tea set menu of savories and sweets

-menu-

Decadent Tuesday

2011-04-19T22:18:00.003+08:00

Today I had dim sum with Kristin at

Imperial Treasure Nan Bei Restaurant

I enjoy her very relaxed company.

Crispy Roast Pork with Mustard Sauce

Custard & Salted-Egg-Yolk Pau

... ...

For dinner, I brought Papa to

L'Entrecôte

And we shared THIS

Oven-baked Beef Marrow on top of the usual Steak Frites

... ...

L’Entrecôte

2011-04-14T12:36:00.015+08:00

L’Entrecôte

36 Duxton Hill

Singapore 089614

t. 62385700

http://lentrecote.sg/

...

This quaint and rustic Parisian bistro,

serves up the best French cuisine in Singapore.

L’Entrecôte celebrates the simplicity of French bistro food

& the true spirit of Joie du vivre.

Besides the extensive wine list,

the wine racks in the main dining area where the old shop house air well is,

adds to the warm bistro atmosphere.

Here, I realised that relaxed conversations and great company,

are just as important as great food.

The hearty meals served here are simply unpretentious and just unassuming -

perfect to create conversation.

...

A complimentary glass of Kir

(a classic french cocktail of crème de cassis & white wine)

is a wonderful touch!

Duck Rillettes

with crusty, grilled and buttered Poilâne bread and gerkins

The humble

Sardines in their Tin

served with rock salt and lemon,

really gets down to the simplicity of French food

Tender Leeks in Vinaigrette

& Sweet Red Onions

...

Fresh garden greens topped & crunchy walnuts with mustard dressing

served on the side to the Plat Principal.

At L'Entrecote,

the Plat du Jour is the same everyday!

Steak Frites

Medium rare steak slices, cooked to just the right colour of pink, doused in a heavily-guarded butter sauce is just divine. Married with free-flow of golden shoestring fries, no one is complaining of the lack of choices!

...

Be warned, the 15-dessert strong menu means you have to leave enough space for it!

All of the 6 desserts I have sampled from the menu were gorgeous and decadent...

The friendly staff at our table was more than happy to share with us her recommendations!

Half-baked Chocolate Cake

Vacherin du Bistrot

Clumsy but delicious stack of meringue, vanilla and hazelnut ice cream, served with warm chocolate sauce

Crêpe Suzette

with tangerine & Grand Marnier, topped with vanilla ice cream

Bon Appétit

...

Biennale 2011 : Old Kallang Airport - Martin Creed

2011-04-13T15:49:00.009+08:00

Martin Creed

b. 1968, Wakefield, United Kingdom

Lives and works in London

'Words are things. Words are shapes, sounds, noises. Words are like other things. Words are materials. Words, like most things, are a demand for attention. I think I used words first in my work to try to describe things, to write instruction or scripts, to allow things to be made without me, by other people.'

-Martin Creed

Biennale 2011 : Old Kallang Airport - Michael Lee

2011-04-13T15:26:00.006+08:00

Michael Lee

b. 1972, Singapore

Lives and works in Hong Kong and Singapore

Office Orchitect, 2011

Studio of fictitious architect, KS Wong; installation with models, prints and research notes

Dimensions variable

Commissioned by the Singapore Biennale 2011

Michael Lee is interested in examining the relationships between desire and space, and how human aspirations conceive and affect architectural environments. Inspired by the powerful sources of influence and imagination that have shaped Singapore's contemporary urban landscape, Lee's work investigates the possible outcomes of 'unrealised architectural proposals' that could have shaped an alternative image of Singapore. Working within this fictional framework, Lee's installation Office Orchitect consists of the studio, office and home of and invented architect named KS Wong, whose 'anally rigorous' practice offers a new approach to viewing urban development and natural environments.

-Singapore Biennale 2011

Melbourne Feb 2011 - Little Bourke Street

2011-04-02T02:43:00.006+08:00

Why I Love Little Bourke Street

...

"The Best Coffee In the World, Seriously..."

Brother Baba Budan

359 Little Bourke Street

Melbourne 3000

This little nook serves speciality coffee and single origin coffee!

I had a soy latte which tasted like toasted almonds...

It was amazing!

Chairs hanging from the ceiling!

...

"That's Pretty Damn Good Pizza..."

+39 Pizzeria

362 Little Bourke Street

Melbourne 3000

Said it right!

Prawn Linguini

Calzone

The crust was light and crispy and the chili oil was mind blowing.

Pizza with olives, artichokes, mushrooms and prosciutto.

...

Melbourne Feb 2011 - Fly Emirates!

2011-04-02T01:32:00.007+08:00

Fly Emirates

My dad and I took a trip to Melbourne and

we flew Emirates for the first time and better yet,

we flew on Business!

Besides being cheaper than flying Singapore Airlines,

we were both very impressed by their service, food and technology on board.

Business Class Seats on Boeing-777

They are massage chairs and everything including the lighting, privacy screen, massage settings and entertainment system, is controlled by a touch screen remote (yes it is wireless!). These are the "Lie Flat Seats" which are for the mid-distance flights. For overnight flights, like the one we were on, they offered to turn down our seats by placing a mattress over the flat seats, complete with soft blankets and full sized fluffed up pillow!

Large screens for movies and games which are all also touch screen!

There is also so much leg room!

Sweet...

A glass of champagne before take off!

They served us what they called a "Light Snack", which had 5 courses!!!

This one was my starter - Salmon Tartar with fresh dill and asparagus.

Nice wines too, I can't remember what Chardonnay I had...

Dessert was a light cheese cake with fresh fruit and kiwi sauce, accompanied by Godiva pralines and a nice cup of tea...

I felt like a Princess!

Full Fools

2011-04-02T00:22:00.005+08:00

Lunch at Wild Honey

with Greg

Toasted bagel with onion cream cheese, grilled heirloom tomatoes and scrambled eggs with caramelized onions and sturgeon

Eggs Benedict and prosciutto on toasted brioch topped with hollandaise sauce

Here's the stamps Greg got me!

The black and white stamps are created from photos of adorable dogs and cats

While the brightly colored ones are like Mr. Potato Head stickers with fruit and veg!

You can take the animated facial feature stickers and stick them on the fruit and veg stamps!

Yes they are real stamps!!

So awesome.

Thanks!

How To Dance

2011-03-31T17:14:00.005+08:00

Found this on Flea's Blog:

This video will show you

how to dance

how I will want to dance

the next time when I am out with you.

Don't you just love the British?

Not A Crime To Shower You With Rhyme

2011-03-28T12:06:00.008+08:00

This is for my friends who challenged me on Twitter

I think I smashed it but please don't be bitter.

Move aside Mother Goose, I think it's my time,

To create comical prose & nonsensical rhyme.

...

Submission

for @crazee_dawn

Shortly, we face our impending doom

Over studios and workshops, grey clouds loom

While everyone scrambles for a laser machine slot

My blood here boils and thickens into a huge clot

Our days are numbered, we start the countdown

To the day our face will be without this frown

Good luck my friends for submission

Imagine after which, all our recreation

...

Blasphemy

for @UdderInc

Blasphemy is considered a sin

It is like throwing all your brownie points into the bin

If you are troubled and angry with God

Just cool down to the tunes of your iPod

...

Avocado

for @fleaflyflooflum

An avocado is a fruit which is green

Its insides taste sublime, like smooth cream

I love it so much, I ate and I ate

Was it five, six, seven or eight?

Oh my gosh, I feel so full of the green stuff now

I feel exactly like an overfed cow

...

Calculator

for @DesmondWu

On my desk is an important instrument

So here I give my humble testament

The calculator helps me more than just count

When I need my digits, my fingers on the machine it will mount

The tiny buttons my fingers crunch and press

With him around, it really alleviates the stress

...

Dawn

for @prawncrisps

I knew this girl from architecture school

She held her nose high and thought she was all cool

We were placed in the same studio is year 2

We became like peas in a pod, like a left and right shoe

She told me my imaginary sister was her imaginary pal

She was as retarded as me, who could ever tell?

So close are we, before each had no clue

That now and through the years, we would stick like glue

Even doing mundane stuff is fun with Dawn

With her, I'll give up Sundays to mow the lawn

...

Leprechauns

for @shuxianlee

Leprechauns are short and green

I heard others say that they can be real mean

Although a Leprechaun is on the box of Lucky Charms

He devours children and he really harms

Don't ever mistake a Leprechaun as Santa's elf

He will leave you with bad luck and the gold to himself

Beware when he tells you beyond the rainbow, is gold in a pot

What he really implies will make your brain rot

Don't underestimate this mysterious stout Irish folk

All he wants is all your beer and pot to smoke

...

Unicorn

for @jldlin

Sometimes after horses are born

On their head sprouts a mysterious horn

A unicorn is more than just a magical horse

'Cos it shits glitter and marshmallows of course

This fantastic four-legged magical creature

Deserves a VOGUE centre spread special feature

...

.

2011-03-22T12:18:00.000+08:00