Goodbye Sweet 2016

2016 has been an amazing year. I know I have a tendency to repeat this statement =) It was a year of personal growth, mindful living and discovering my (working) purpose in life.

It was a year of celebrations. Lucas’ first birthday and Russell’s deer-themed birthday party reminded us of how precious times were with the two little ones. I would always be very grateful to KW for whipping up my birthday dinner single-handedly (those crab cakes!). Happy times with several weddings of dear old friends as well.

It was a year of exploration. We traveled to Osaka, Koyoto and Nara, where Russell developed his immense love for deers. Melbourne came knocking and we ate our weight in seafood and gelato. Back at home, we appreciated how Singapore has evolved to be more kid-friendly with ArtScience Museum, National Gallery and Gardens by the Bay. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do about the dastardly humidity just yet.

It was a year of quality family time as we took our first family trip in 3 years with my parents and sibling. We spent many weekends with our boys doing seemingly-routine activities that mean the world to our boys.

Although this started out as a food blog, it is quite obvious I haven’t quite sustained the momentum. In fact, most of the meals weren’t about what I ate but who I ate them with.

Thank you for sticking around, I wish you an even more glorious 2017 full of positivity, surprises and joy!

Last of 2016 - We Are Family

Only $2.50 at 58 Minced Meat Noodles, Bedok

I rarely travel to the East but for a dear friend, a couple of us journeyed to the East and our loyalty was rewarded with delicious bak chor mee at only $2.50. The journey was long and the wait even longer.

As we had a 30-min wait to endure, we shared some roast pork (so-so) and steamed chicken (silky and smooth).

At last they arrived! The fact that this store has survived through the years selling only one type of noodle with minimal variations says alot.

Look at how happy we are! 

Those noodles were amazing! "QQ" and immersed in a hearty broth where I was almost tempted to go back for more. I still can't get over the fact that a small but filling bowl is only $2.50.

Falalalalalala Xmas 2016

Tis' the season to be hoggy... 

Instead of our usual annual Christmas party, we had a small dinner with our family. We have been feeling quite partied out recently and decided to keep things small - and sane.

That said, there was quite a spread, despite the smaller crowd! KW grilled up a ginormous bone-in ham with spiced rub and mustard glaze; I made two started - smoked salmon bruschetta with walmuts and pesto and a Moroccan chicken salad with almonds and raisins; my younger sister made a lobster diavolo pasta; and my elder sister took care of desserts with a moreish gingersnap toffee cake from Little Favors by Ethel.

Merry Christmas everyone! Wishing you all much joy and laughter with your loved ones this festive season =)

 

Greyhound Cafe, Thonglor Bangkok

As you might have heard, greyhound café has descended onto our tiny island with their inaugural outlet at Paragon. So why did we visit the one in Bangkok? Simple – it isn’t ridiculously 2-3-times-overpriced. I finally understand why people cafehop in Bangkok - apart from the lifestyle aspect, the prices are also not absurdly hyped up in a $20-for-eggs-and-toast way. Daniel from Daniel Food Diary has a more thorough breakdown of the prices on his blog. I know I know … Blame the landlords, there are our modern-day oligarchs. Thankfully as consumers, we also have a choice to exercise our right to fish out those dollars when we see fit.

The history of Greyhound brings to mind our local PS Café – both started out with apparel before branching out into the F&B scene and their crowds are largely made up of the upper middle class, tourists and expats. Like most cafes these days, they operate similar to a chain, which is why you will find a Greyhound Café or Sweet Hound branch in most major upmarket malls. The guys on our team found it bewildering when we took the BTS and walked 15 mins under the hot sun to visit their Thonglor branch. Oops, sorry guys.    

Onto the food, members of the clan unanimously found the food to be better at Greyhound, compared to Audrey.  

 

Crowd favorite Calamari Fritti was served with punchy tartar sauce. A squeeze of lemon is essential for grease-control.

The famous Greyhound Fried Chicken Wings were unfortunately dry and lacklustre.

 Another signature starter Crispy Sweet Corn with Crab Meat was served with the quintessential Thai sweet sauce. Super moreish.

Caesar Salad – Yes, I know my fetish for Caesar salads is alarming.

KW’s Spaghetti with Thai Anchovy made me raise more than an eyebrow but he enjoyed it very much.

My mum’s Minced Pork and Smoked Balls was right up my alley too. The last sentence sounds weird. True though.

I lapped up the Crab Fried Rice that we ordered for the boys. I am such a fried rice freak.  The accompanying broth was a bowlful of comfort.

I am glad the desserts we ordered were as good as their savoury dishes, and I was really taken with their Banoffee Crumble and Walnut brownie.

Audrey Cafe des Fleurs Emquartier, Bangkok

Next to decidedly upmarket at Emquartier is Helix, a multi- storey haven for cafehoppers and tastemakers. We had lunch at the unabashedly girly Audrey Cafe des Fleurs, which is part of the Audrey Group that has popular cafes around Bangkok. Almost like a secret garden within the green sanctuary of Helix, the café is decked out with artificial plants and flowers, artistically-placed picture frames, and French vintage furniture. Glad to report the 3 gentlemen in our family, perhaps brimming with masculine confidence, partook in the meal with zero complains.

The expansive menu serves up western and Thai favourites, and perhaps consequently thai-western fusion dishes. There is something for everyone though not everyone will feel the same way about the meal.

We were split into 2 tables since the bigger tables were taken up by expat taitais. On the other table, my younger sister absolutely abhorred the crab souffle she ordered, while my elder sister thought the two pasta dishes were so-so.Be careful with what you choose.

 

On our table, we fared better with conservative choices – pork knuckle rice paper rolls, classic Caesar salad, gargantuan cheeseburger with toasty fries, and creamy unctuous carbonara.

The highlight of our meal was their puffy omelette which was seriously dreamy, albeit a little greasy, and I had a field day dunking these into the addictive Thai dipping sauce which came with the rice paper rolls.

 

For desserts, we shared their signature Thai tea crepe cake (the fakeness of their flower pots desserts put me off), and it was pretty good – my younger sister was almost tempted to get one for the flight home.

Back from Bangkok

Hello there, we just got back from a 4-day vacation to Bangkok. It was the first vacation with my family of origin, yes the whole jean gang! Dad, mum, elder sister, younger sister, brother-in-law, niece, KW and our two boys... With 3 kids under 5 years old, you bet it was a chaotic at times. That said, I think we all had a great time. We co-existed for 4 days with zilch drama or blow-ups (very usual for a family full of headstrong women). 

We stayed at Centara Grand Centralworld, which was hands down ridiculously convenient. Best part of all, we scored a surprise upgrade to their Executive Suite (oh, the suite life), which was godsend with you have two incredibly energetic boys. 

Though I normally like to stay in Singapore during December (cooler weather, less people), the Christmas decorations made the city and hotel really festive. And boy, did our boys love those reindeers.