Sunday, January 31

[Tasting Invitation] Milk & Honey Gelato Bukit Batok Home Team NS


Iced Mocha

Roasted Roma Tomato Soup

Freshly  Roasted Roma Tomato Flavoured with Vegetable Stock, Serve with Diced Goat Cheese and Homemade Basil Oil. The soup itself is light and has a sweet sour taste which open one's appetite. A good to have before your mains is delivered to you.

Eggs Royale

Lightly poached eggs, smoked salmon on donut waffle with gratinated hollandaise sauce & garnished with dill herb. It could have been better if the smoked salmon is thicker, with a stronger flavour in its hollandaise sauce.

Milk & Honey Eggs Benedict

Lightly Poached Eggs, Sliced Gourmet Ham, Turkey Bacon on Donut Waffle w Gratinated Hollandaise Sauce and Arrugula Salad. Particularly, I enjoyed this dish pretty much. One great combination that goes along well with the donut waffle.

Milk & Honey Pancakes

Buttermilk pancakes served with caramelised banana, strawberries, homemade honey comb & whipping cream. The pancakes itself is light and fluffy. I adore the whipping cream that goes along well with it. The caramelised banana and strawberries is a great match with the pancake.

Chicken Bechamel Pie

Boneless Chicken Chunks Sauteed with Assorted Root Vegetables, Fresh Herbs & Wild Forest Mushroom served on Puff Pastry Shell. The puff has a crisp texture that complement rather well with the tender chicken chunks. If you adore chicken stew, you will definitely enjoy this dish.

Berry Malt

Mud Ball Pie

Banana Crumble

Peanut Butter Jelly

Mango Cheese

The desserts has a pretty presentation and taste that stands on its own. I guess it depends on individual preferences to determine the ones you adore. For me, I enjoyed the Mud Ball Pie & Mango cheese!

Please do take note that their brunch menu and donut waffles are available only at this outlet.

Bukit Batok HomeTeam NS
2 Bukit Batok West Ave 7
S'pore 659003

Sunday, January 24

[Tasting Invitation] Seed & Soil Juice Of Nature


Seed & Soil is grown from a true passion to share the experience of nourishing your body. Sprouted on Singapore’s shores in 2015, their philosophy is simple.



I tasted some of their fresh cold-pressed juices. Particularly, I enjoyed the Green Valley and Urban Orchard juices! The other flavours tasted pretty decent too. Why not replace harmful soft drinks with these fresh cold-pressed juices? 


Besides cold pressed juices, they do also sell smoothie bowl! The one I had was this lovely pitaya sunrise! I adore the added seeds and nuts which enhance its texture! It is high in vitamin C and serves as an overall antioxidant for the body. It helps to regulate muscle contraction and fluid balance as well!

Seed and Soil
1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza
#01-22
Singapore 082001

Wednesday, January 20

[Media Invite] Celebrate the Essence of CNY at STREET 50 Restaurant & Bar

Was invited to a media tasting: Celebrate the Essence of CNY at STREET 50 Restaurant & Bar‏! Swing into Springtime with the QuintESSENCE of festive buffet lunch treats at STREET 50 Restaurant & Bar between 5 and 21 February 2016! Stand to WIN yourself five $200 BRAND’S® Hampers!
 
 EssenceTIAL Yusheng

Regular $38++ (up to 4 pax), Large $68++ (8 to 10 Pax)

EssenceTIAL Yusheng comprising Smoked Salmon Low Hei Salad with specially made BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken Aspic & Vinaigrette! 
 
Diners can expect to swing into feasting action with auspicious signatures like the Essence of 8 Treasures Platter (八宝鲜味精典盘), Fortune Chicken with Essence Consommé (精鸡报喜富贵汤), Sixth Happiness Seabass in Essence (六六大顺精目鲈) and Seventh Heaven Crabmeat Noodle in Essence Stew (七星报喜精选蟹面). 
 
They can also tuck into other 20 auspicious dishes at the buffet counter and be sure to usher in prosperity and progress when chef pan-fries nian gao at the live station!

CNY IN ESSENCE Buffet Lunch 
6 to 9 Feb and weekends (13, 14, 20, 21 Feb) 
$38++ (Adult), $18++ (Child, 6-12 years) 

Essence of 8 Treasures Platter (八宝鲜味精典盘)
 
Salad of Pacific clam, prawns, smoked oysters, Sea Asparagus, Black Fungus, "Fatt Choy" & Roasted Pine Nuts with Essence Vinaigrette. A great combination of ingredients that brings more flavour to this dish.

Fortune Chicken with Essence Consommé (精鸡报喜富贵汤)
 
Herbal chicken steamed with old ginger, Chinese Wine, Dried Longan, Red Dates & Essence of Chicken. Particularly, I enjoyed this dish pretty much. The broth itself is light yet flavourful. Most importantly, it goes well with the tender chicken meat.

Sixth Happiness Seabass in Essence (六六大顺精目鲈) 
 
Seabass with Carrot Pearl, Barley, Green Zucchini Pearl, Yellow Zucchini Pearl, White Fungus & Essence of Chicken. The fish itself is tender and goes rather well with the gravy.

Seventh Heaven Crabmeat Noodle in Essence Stew (七星报喜精选蟹面)
 
Hong Kong Noodle with Yellow Chives, Mushroom, Crabmeat, Chinese Mushroom & Lily Bulb in Essence Stew. Luvin' the light yet not too flavourful sauce that complement well with the noodles!
 
 
1. CNY IN ESSENCE’ Hotpot Buffet Dinner - 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21 Feb
6.30pm to 10.00pm: $38++ (Adult), $18++ (Child, 6-12 years)

2. CNY IN ESSENCE’ Hotpot Buffet Dinner - 7 Feb (Eve of Chinese New Year)
6.30pm to 10.00pm: $58++ (Adult), $28++ (Child, 6-12 years)
 
The hot pot buffet menu boasts a mouth-watering ensemble of about 50 ingredients from unlimited servings of healthy greens to fried specialities and premium platters of fresh seafood to delicious meats. STREET 50’s vegetable platters include Enoki mushrooms, white cabbage, baby kailan, dried seaweed, Thai lettuce accompanied with your carbo needs - noodles or rice. Choices for seafood include Red Grouper fillets, white clams, sliced squid, Canadian scallops, flower crabs and red prawns. 
 
There are also familiar all-time favourites like fish balls, crab sticks, chicken franks and sliced chicken, for that added home-cooked flair. As for meat lovers, the restaurant has the freshest of sliced beef and pork that are sure to satisfy your cravings! Aside from tasty broths, fresh seafood and succulent meat items, hot pot lovers can look forward to seasonal specials of premium platters of wagyu beef, bamboo clams, scallops, sea cucumbers and Kurobuta pork! 

Bay Hotel Singapore (opposite VivoCity)
50 Telok Blangah Road 
Singapore 098828

Monday, January 18

The Dream Makers 2 志在四方 2 Drama Review



Sequel to Star Awards 2014 Best Drama, The Dream Makers 2 continues to follow the lives of those working in the frontline and backstage of a TV Station, where temptations of fame can devilise a human, especially in an environment where the common belief that “the devil gets the hindmost” prevails. Faced with competitions and pressure, can the protagonists overcome all once again? 




Just finished watching The Dream Makers 2 志在四方 2. Honestly, I rarely follow each episode of a Mediacorp series, unless I see certain potential in its plot. The success of its prelude is one reason for me to catch this drama.

Personally, I feel that the story is well-crafted with a focused story-line. Initially, the drama may appear dull without much development. However, the story build up got better with certain secret agenda among the casts.

It revolves around temptations and being revengeful after being hurt. On the other hand, it educated viewers to let go of grudges and learn to forgive, in order to feel peace and happy. It reminded me about the importance of kinship and cherish the people around me. Most importantly, not to boast but be humble. 

I have to affirm that the casts did well in their craft! Some are touching while some kept me at the edge of my seat. A rather good local drama indeed. However, it could have been better if more episodes are included for the already well-developed drama. 

Ratings: 3.8/5

Sunday, January 10

The Da Bang Food Review



The dabang is one of the most chic and rustic cafe serving Australian brunch and dessert with a Korean twist and it's nestled in an busy city in Tanjong Pagar. The cafe encompasses the full experience, from the delights of brunch, aromatic premium coffee beans from Graffeo and complemented with great music and ambience.


Brunch situation with Wei ren at The Da Bang few weeks ago. Thanks The Da Bang for the complimentary voucher to give this cafe a try! 

Eggs Benedict

Nice presentation with decent portion. It tasted okay though it could have
 been better less oily with a flowing yolk. 

 
Blueberry Milk

I adore this beverage as it does not have the artificial taste. 
It was neither too sweet nor blend.

The Big Breakfast

No doubt that a hearty dish for breakfast.  
However, it appear quite oily and tasted average.

Iced Mocha

This is definitely a good drink to go along with your brunch! 
The beverage itself is not too sweet and has a good balance of its chocolate and coffee. 

 
Twist Potato 

It was nicely prepared with a good texture. Though it could have been better if it was served warm.
I would certainly recommend you to order this dish when you visit this cafe!

52 Tanjong Pagar Road 
Singapore

Friday, January 8

Love Me, If You Dare 他來了,請閉眼 Drama Review


Getting inside the head of a violent criminal is not easy. But Simon/Allen Bao Jinyan, a brilliant criminal psychologist, has the ability to get into the minds of even the most mysterious and violent criminals. He’s a professor at The University of Maryland and works as an analyst and advisor on the police department’s most violent or difficult cases. With the help of his young assistant, Jenny Jian Yao, Simon delves into the thoughts and intentions of the criminal mind. As the daughter of a veteran police investigator with a deep sense of justice, can Jenny help Simon open up emotionally as they work together to solve crimes? ~~ It is based on the novel “Close Your Eyes, Stay Close to Me” by Ding Mo. - See more at: http://kissasian.com/Drama/Love-Me-if-You-Dare#sthash.nfXVROfw.dpuf
Getting inside the head of a violent criminal is not easy. But Simon/Allen Bao Jinyan, a brilliant criminal psychologist, has the ability to get into the minds of even the most mysterious and violent criminals. He’s a professor at The University of Maryland and works as an analyst and advisor on the police department’s most violent or difficult cases. With the help of his young assistant, Jenny Jian Yao, Simon delves into the thoughts and intentions of the criminal mind. As the daughter of a veteran police investigator with a deep sense of justice, can Jenny help Simon open up emotionally as they work together to solve crimes? ~~ It is based on the novel “Close Your Eyes, Stay Close to Me” by Ding Mo. - See more at: http://kissasian.com/Drama/Love-Me-if-You-Dare#sthash.nfXVROfw.dpuf

Getting inside the head of a violent criminal is not easy. But Simon/Allen Bao Jinyan, a brilliant criminal psychologist, has the ability to get into the minds of even the most mysterious and violent criminals. He’s a professor at The University of Maryland and works as an analyst and advisor on the police department’s most violent or difficult cases. With the help of his young assistant, Jenny Jian Yao, Simon delves into the thoughts and intentions of the criminal mind. As the daughter of a veteran police investigator with a deep sense of justice, can Jenny help Simon open up emotionally as they work together to solve crimes? ~~ It is based on the novel “Close Your Eyes, Stay Close to Me” by Ding Mo.



Finished watching this Drama - Love Me, If You Dare 他來了,請閉眼. Personally, I feel that the story has a smart plot which keep me in great suspense. If you have not already know, this is actually a thriller mystery drama. A show that I will choose to watch.

The different cases portrayed in each episode was nicely done with an unexpected twist, though some may appear predictable to me. I thought it was interesting that the cases are linked from the very beginning to the finale. 

Initially, the development of its plot was pretty amazing. However, the climax did not work well for me, though it was still acceptable. The finale was a slight disappointment as it could have further elaborate more on its strategies to capture the mastermind.

Ratings: 3.85/5

Tuesday, January 5

IP Man 3 Movie Review


Ip Man (Donnie Yen) takes on disciple, Bruce Lee, and engage in frequent sparring sessions to hone his skill after seeing great potential. Meanwhile, a well-known property developer-cum-street fighter played by American boxer Mike Tyson, challenges Ip Man in an incredible showdown of Wing Chun kung fu versus heavyweight boxing. In a never-seen-before union of Ip Man, Bruce Lee (revived by computer graphics) and Mike Tyson, the past and the present unite as a tribute to two of China’s greatest fighters.


Watched IP Man 3 with 《葉問3》with my church mentee Ting Feng.

Personally, I feel that the story is average as more elements could have been injected. The plot presented initially was quite weak and predictable. However, it got better with a good story build up that keep me at the edge of my seat. 

No doubt that the martial arts flicks remain commendable as before. The finale depicted was rather touching. It educated viewers on the importance of kinship. A quote from this movie - Actually, the most important thing is the people around you. 其实最重要的是你身边的人

A simple yet heart-warming martial arts flicks film! 

Ratings: 3.5/5