Chewy Junior

Whenever I go for courses and class ends early, I can't help but find my feet bringing me to that beloved spot in Tanjong Pagar - where Chocolat and Spice is. I really love their muffins. Pity that they close so early, and I can't be bothered to stand in that long (and not to mention super stuff and hot weather making it unbearable at times) queue which forms during lunch. So, I hardly venture there to buy it during lunch. So, since I was on course today and ended a tad earlier than 6.30pm (or should I say 7pm?) , I decided to try my luck and see if Chocolat and Spice was opened. But as you can see from the title of this blog, obviously, they weren't open. But instead, I decided to give Chewy Junior a try. I had read about it from Straits Times before and my colleague bought it once for us to try. But the last time I had it, it wasn't all that good, but, I decided to try it yet again, this time making sure I had psycho-ed myself enough to know that it is a CHEWY piece of dough and not anything light like an eclair. And, for sure, after all that psychological talk, it tasted not too bad.

So, I bought a box of 9 Chewies for my churchies, and I think there were 2 schools that divided people: you either like it or don't like it. Some said that it was really good that they liked it. But some were like.. er.. It's ok. I belong to the latter. So far, I've tried the original and the last time, the chocolate one. I've yet to try the kaya, cheese and oreo which look REALLY good. I probably will give it a try, but I'll definitely not stand in a long queue to wait for this. Besides, if Chocolat and Spice is open, I'll rather my muffins to the Chewies. Or at least, I'll stand in queue for the muffins, and if I'm in a happy mood and Chewy Junior doesn't have a queue, I might buy some to test out the rest of the flavours.

Goodwood Park Hotel's Durian Creations

It's been an event filled weekend and this coming weeks will be filled too. Anyway, to back track a little, after hearing all those raves about Goodwood Park Hotel's durian creations, I finally tried them this year. I had intended to buy their famous durian mousse cake for my parents' surprise 25th Wedding Anniversary celebration (that's another story..) and while I was at it I couldn't resist buying their other durian creations. And, indeed, they are legendary. Not sugar laden, with the right amount of creamyness and smoothness but still being able to tastes chuncks of durian and bite into some durian fibre. VERY YUMMY!! The cake was really good too!! A durian fan's paradise...

Happy Father's Day

I love my daddy a lot. And my daddy always loves his little girl cos she is "daddy's little jojo".

'Nuf said.

The Spot is on YOUth - Publicity 1

That's the lovely poster that Glenn designed for us for the Youth Day event we're having at FL. And, I donned the TKGS uniform (1st in 6 years!!) for the publicity. I found the photo highly amusing and I just had to put it here. =)

Happy 21st Birthday Pet...

Welcome to ADULTHOOD babe!!

Love you lots, Miss you Loads and Hurry Up come back to Singapore!! Happy 21st Birthday!!

Birthday Celebration 6 - La Cantina, Changi Village Hotel

Thursday, 31st May 2007

Jo arranged a birthday dinner for me at La Cantina, Changi Village Hotel, since I was complaining that ever since she worked there, she hasn't treated me to Cantina. I've eaten there before, and the food is not too bad and the view is lovely. Yup, so for my 23rd, she arranged dinner there and called along some of my closest churchies: Nat, Mei, Gav, Ben, Gen, and not forgetting Stanley and Louis. Pet... I wish you were there!!! Anyhow, as they all said, my focus was not on the celebration that night, but on my little prince, whom I told Jo I wanted to spend my birthday with (since the bigger princes seem a little far fetched. But, you know what? Miraculously I spent my birthday with all of the princes I wanted to... =)) And boy, I love my little prince so much!! And, for that night, he was my focus. Sorry to neglect the rest of you, but just for tonight, all I needed was my little prince. Godpa must have been so jealous since he was off to call while we were having a while of a time. I shall let the pictures speak for itself...

Jo... thanks for EVERYTHING. Love you LOADS!!!

Birthday Celebration 5 - Sage

Wednesday, 30th May 2007

I was supposed to spend tonight with my parents. But when I checked worship schedule, I realised I was on, so had to cancel my plans. But after constant urging from Jo to try to change with someone, I finally got someone to replace me which freed me for dinner on my birthday. Since my parents and I had already made plans for Morton's on monday, so I decided not to disrupt the plans and Jo so sweetly planned a wonderful birthday dinner for me at Sage at Robertson Walk.

JJ very sweetly came to pick me from office (so I didn't have to take an MRT there..) And we were there early. Not early enough to go to another place to have drinks, but still early. In the end, we ended up heading early to the restaurant and having a chat over some bubbly. Sage is located on the 2nd floor of Robertson Walk and is nicely done up with the dim lights but modern interiors. Our only qualms was the open kitchen, of which the look didn't complement the whole look of the restaurant. It's a small place, sitting no more than 40 - 50. The wait staff were very friendly and it almost felt like you were eating at a friend's place. The lady boss was even more hospitable. You know, that feeling when the boss comes out to talk to you and makes you feel so welcomed? And yes, there was bread with butter served while we were waiting for Jo and Stanley (by which the dr was uber hungry). Yummy yummy...

I can't exactly figure out the type of cuisine served at Sage. But, it's good stuff. My first dish was the escargot with prawns in risotto and egg. (Look at the dish with green stuff) The consome was very rich, a tad salty though, but I soon found out the reason for that, and they had it froth. The escargots were out of their shell and so were the prawns, which made eating a breeze. So, the reason for the salty consome? See that white thing? It's an egg poached so well the yolk just oozes out when you break the white. It's amazing! So, with the richness of the yolk and the plainness of the white eaten together with the consome everything just came off so well. You have chewy bits of escargot and prawns mixed together with the consome + yolk and the soft springiness of the white and some small bits of rice to break the monotony. Every mouthful is a new experience in itself!! A master's work in itself.

Ooo.. and I finally got to eat foie gras!!! Picked off a piece from Stanley's plate. And, it was good! I can't really describe it, cos it was a small piece that I picked off. But, it was soft, smooth and it just went down so well.

Next for me was the lamb shank, which I heard was good. It is good, except that it's a bit too salty. You know, lamb has this certain smell that tends to come off very strong? This one had the smell, but it was well under control by the chef. I would have preferred if the accompanying sauce that made a water like body around the island shaped shank was sweeter to counter the saltiness of the lamb. But, a very well prepared dish indeed.

I had my cheese platter for dessert. I'm a sucker for cheeses, especially european cheese. Although the saltiness from the lamb shank didn't put me in much of a mood for the cheese. But, still, the cheeses were good. I really liked Jo's dessert of the strawberry terrine with champagne ice cream. I just love it when the strawberry terrine just melts in your mouth. Ahh... Heaven...

Dinner was very good... Meant to be eaten slowly and enjoyed to the full. If not for Morton's this would have been my best birthday meal where food is concerned. Jo, thank you so much for a wonderful night. *wink* and even more surprising surprises of the night...

Birthday Celebration 4 - Lunch at Uncle Sam's

Wednesday, 30th May 2007
I met Ling, Roomie, Steffi and Gav for lunch on the actual day. Pity that KY couldn't make it since she had a meeting. So, we trooped down to Uncle Sam's to try out the claypot (of which I've heard lots about). Ever since I started work here, lunches are my most treasured 1 - 1.5hrs since it's the time I get to take a break from work, recharge and reenergize over lunch. To allow me to think frivolous stuff and leave those difficult calculations, formulas and concepts to be pushed to the side. Lunch is the time to talk rubbish, bitch, complain, laugh, be lame and all. All of which, we had during lunch. What more could I ask for? The food was good, except Ling and I forgot to ask them not to put the spring onion. Don't ask us why we don't eat spring onion. I know, apparently there's no smell, but to us, there is. So imagine our horror when our claypots came with lots of spring onions on it. Good that it came first, so it gave us time to scrap away the spring onions while waiting for the other claypots to come. And Ling paid for lunch (she always has this credit card BAD habit, hor sophie? We need to BAR her from her BAD habit). But, Ling's always such a dear...

Birthday Celebration 3 - Prego

Tuesday, 29th may 2007

Nat and JJ were so surprised that I had never eaten at Prego before, so the 4 of us (plus Mei) decided to check it out as part of my birthday celebration.
It was good italian food, but we over ordered. There were so many appetizers to eat. And the bread, balsamic vinegar and olive oil was good. Well aged balsamic vinegar... Ahh... You know, one of my simplest pleasures is just to eat fresh, warm, well risen, good bread together with well whipped butter, quality extra virgin olive oil and well aged balsamic vinegar. Just that, and it'll make a meal for me, and I'll be super contented. I digress. Back to the story, I was so full before my main came! Regretted ordering my main. Oh, and JJ arranged for a small (luckily it was a small one, cos I was SO FULL!!!) but nonetheless very pretty mango cake and got the staff the sing a birthday song for me. It was a night of fantastic company. I love my 2 favouritest BnS guys. Just a pity that my other favouritest is close to 10,000km away from me. Veen, I wish you were here with us... miss you so much!!

Birthday Celebration 2 - Morton's and Felicia's House

Monday, 28th May 2007

My parents brought me to Morton's for my birthday dinner. =) And this time it was to eat the steaks and not just drink the martinis and eat the steak sandwiches (which I must say is really good). Well, didn't really dress up, cos I was in office wear after all, but definitely more dressed up than the jeans and heels I wore the last time. And no... no beach sandals. That aside.. It was a lovely dinner. I was so amused at the huge onion bread that they served when we were seated. I was even more intrigued at the little presentation our server did on what the specials were and the presentation of the different cuts. Oh, and when they were introducing one of the lobster dish, they actually used a real lobster in the presentation. But, since we were here for the steak, we had it. And, the cuts were HUGE!!! The steak was just fantabulous. Well seasoned, nicely charred on the outside with a slight crisp and the inside was juicy and chewy. Absolutely delicious, like nothing I've ever tried. Indeed the BEST steak. The creamy spinach was good too. But, really the spotlight is on the steak. =) And how could I not order their infamous legendary chocolate cake which ooozed of dark molten chocolate, served warm with a scoop of haagen dazs vanilla ice cream. So delicious... While we were ordering our desserts, the server asked us whether it was any occasion or was it just a usual family dinner, so we told her it was my birthday celebration. She was so sweet, when we were about to leave, she gave us a doggy bag with a huge slice of Morton's cheesecake in it. And, gosh, the cheesecake is GOOD!!! As good as the one from Hilton that i bought for Gav's birthday. Oooo... Yum yum yum...

After dinner, I headed off to Felicia's place, cos it was my "sister's" (as Ms P would say, aka Shalica's) last day at PBEA and they were giving her her farewell treat at Felicia's place. In my 3 months in PBEA, I've come to love this bunch of fun loving colleagues. They are the ones who first exposed me to Club5 and Chivas and a whole list of drinking games. And, the times we spent bonding over drinks (I inevitably put on a lot of weight during that period because of all the drinking and sneaking of food off from Brasserie) and dinner are the most memorable times. I've learnt to love Club 5 because of this bunch, but sigh... things won't ever be the same again. I want the old Club 5 back!!!

They were so sweet. Sally bought me a cake for my birthday (and it's really very good!) and Roy (Banquet Ops) brought the cake out and lit the candles. We left all the work to the Banquet Ops guy to do it. Our logic: Since he always does it for customers, I'm sure he's best at doing it. He said we were bullying him, but what are the ops ppl for? Haha... But, really, Roy's the best in the Ops team in my opinion. Well, at least he suits the people at PBEA. And as ever, we were playing cards again. Nellie and Fiona never cease to amuse me when they're super high and playing BIG bets. Haha...

Birthday Celebration 1 - Portobelle & Menotti

My birthday celebration started with dinner on 24 May 2007 with Nat and JJ at Portobelle Restaurant at Killiney Road. They are so sweet. At first, I had worship practice on my birthday so I wasn't able to make it for dinner with them that day, so they decided to celebrate it earlier for me. JJ found the place for us and helped us coordinate everything and and made the reservations. It's a quaint and very small place (I think at most they can take 20 people in the shop), and with that comes a cosyness that's uncomparable. They serve Spanish, Greek, Italian and Mexican cuisine. I loved the Moussaka, considering that I'm not a fan of eggplant. But, the eggplant was soft and just went down very well with the sauce. In fact, it's been a while since I had Spanish and Greek food. Mmmm... Greek especially... Food was nice but portions were a bit too small. So 1 appetizer and 3 mains later, we were still hungry and we decided to adjourn to Menotti for desserts.

We had the Duomo, Soffiato and the gelato. Duomo (bottom 1st from left) was actually a recommended review from Urban and it is GOOD!!! I love the dark chocolate center and coffee beans and it's wrapped in mascaporne cheese. Gosh... It's really good, although I can't figure out what the sugary sticky coating fronting the dome shape is. Soffiato was equally fantastic, a warm DARK chocolate cake (if you haven't already known, my latest obsession is with Dark chocolate. I just love dark chocolate with its bittersweet taste and the richness of the cocoa in the chocolate. Ooo... You're almost i cloud 9!) served with chocolate chip gelato ice cream. JJ ordered a selection of gelato, which I must say was a VERY good selection. We had peanut, chocolate chip and coffee and all were SO GOOD!!! Not coyingly sweet or over rich. Just nice, the right amount. And I fell in love with the peanut one. One bite and you'll know why... Ahhh....

And, needless to say, tonnes of good laughs (Sigh... Veen, wish u were here tooo!!!), talking rubbish, just what I needed especially after a long day of work. These boys just perk me up!!! It's almost therapeutic to spend an evening with them. Haha... Thanks boys for the wonderful evenings, and yes... many many more to come. Pepper crab... *hint hint*...

My birthday celebration...

I had a very very memorable 23rd birthday celebration. And, not just one, but multiple ones!!! And for that, I have my wonderful bunch of friends to thank. Thank you so much for the wonderful celebration, great company, fantastic food and so much more. I can't say enough thanks. Thank you to each and everyone of you. =)

And, my actual day celebration was even better. I still had to work, but I still had a fantabulous time. In fact, my actual day celebration started from 29th May 07 when I caught dinner with Nat, Mei and JJ. Then a nice long sleep and waking up slightly later the next day (cos I decided to pamper myself and take a cab to work), to reading Pet's birthday card from Aussie (miss you Pet... I wish you were here in town to celebrate my birthday with me..) and then a relaxing ride to the office. And for breakfast, I had cheesecake from Morton's!! It was super delicious, courteousy from the waitress who gave me the cake after she found out that it was my birthday celebration a couple of days ago. Cheesecake and spreadsheets. No wonder the spreadsheets looked more appealing that day... After which, this was followed by a call from Veen with 3 birthday wishes from Veen, Kris and Ryn from NYC!!! I was so surprised that they called. Thank you so much Veen for the call. I was really very touched and very surprised. It really made my morning!! =) And, gosh... I miss you so much. Come back to Singapore soon, can? Please... I really miss you a lot.

This was followed by lunch at Uncle Sam's claypot with my lovely pals who work in and around Shenton Way - Steffi, Gav, Roomie and Ling. Hee... Pity KY couldn't join us for lunch cos she had a meeting. But nonetheless, thank you so much for the great lunch company. It was a really relaxing time to chill out and spend my birthday with my churchies. And, Gav and KY, thank you so much for the fondue set!!! I really love it A LOT!!! =) *wink*

And, since it was my birthday, I decided I wouldn't stay all that late at work. Jo very sweetly arranged a wonderful dinner and JJ came pick me from office to head to Robertson walk. A bout of slow traffic later and wondering around Robertson walk to find the place, we finally found the Sage, tucked in a little corner on the 2nd floor of Robertson walk. A small, modern restaurant with lights dimmed. We were seated in front of the open kitchen, which... hmmm... I think the consensus was that it didn't look all that pretty. But, it's always interesting to see the chefs whip up the dishes. A glass of champagne, and some bread later, Jo and Stan arrived(well, it was a long, but enjoyable wait... *wink to Jo*) with a bouquet of purple roses. So sweet!!! Aww... Dinner was great with the flavours of the dishes very well layered. Pictures in the next post. Only complain was that the food tends to be a tad too salty for my liking. Hee... And, guess what I ordered for dessert? Cheese platter!!! Haha... My favourite. Although I kinda regretted, cos the food was a bit too salty for a cheese platter to round off my meal. The platter came with grapes by the side, so I was picking more of the grapes than anything. But, I still love the cheese. =)

I hitched a ride from JJ to go home to change before Part 2 to Zouk and also to put down my stuff. Jo kept rushing me to come out of my house and to rush to Piano Bar to join them cos she said there were cute guys there. (I was a little reluctant, cos I didn't want to go to Zouk since I heard the queue had started to form at 9pm!! Which spells that Zouk will be a mad house and be super packed that there will be room to stand and no room to dance. So, what's the fun?) On hearing that we weren't going to Zouk, I quickly left and headed to Piano Bar and there the unplanned surprise awaited me. Haha... I was so so shocked and my jaw just dropped. I almost couldn't believe me eyes. But, still, I got what I was wishing for. Not the way I hoped, but in a better way than I had been hoping for. =) *wink JO*

I took Vesak day holiday as my own time out to shop and hang with myself, which was good as I was roaming Marina. Saw quite a number of things that I wanted to buy, but, I need to exercise restrain. After which, it was off to CVH and prepare myself for my night with my churchies and my lil Prince, of cos lil Prince being my main focus of the night. I just love the boy so much!! He's so cute and I got him this little Tigger and he was so happy. Just seeing him smile is more than enough. =) Thank you JO for arranging this lovely 2 day celebration. I've really enjoyed every moment of it. Really... I can't say enough of thanks babe... Love ya girl!!