The Milkshakers' Rostis

Once Upon A Rosti
Shenton Way, Singapore
August 2012

Merlion Wayfarer read about OUAR from a friend's Facebook. They've just opened a rosti outlet there after doing well with the milkshake one for many years. Ok, time Merlion Wayfarer venture into the CBD area to check out this place.

The outlet is manned by two young Filipino guys in jeans. Orders are placed at the yellow counter on the left, while the guy at the red-white-striped counter roasts the rostis in a hotplate...

The sign with a bright yellow sofa and coffee table below...

The "Sir All Day Breakfast" consisted of chicken Italian sausage, egg, shredded cheddar cheese and turkey bacon. The triple rosti was S$7.60 (UP S$10.40), despite the "triple" serving, consist of just 3 fairly flat pieces of about a closed palm width. Just enough for one person, and definitely not worth the original price. (Read "The Ultimate Plainness" for another rosti update)...

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Crystal Jade Kitchen - Of Succulent Prawns & Fragrant Osmanthus

Junction 8, Bishan
Singapore
July 2012
 
Sometimes, Merlion Wayfarer would visit a Chinese eatery in her adventures. Today was one such day. Merlion Wayfarer was at Bishan to buy her Saltimblanco tickets and decided to drop by Crystal Jade.
 
This outlet, like many of their mass market "Kitchen" ones, was serving the dinner buffet. Not feeling ravenous, Merlion Wayfarer decided to opt for the more digestible ala carte option.
   
The post on Hungry Go Where by Crystal Jade's management:

"The perfect place to enjoy your favourite Cantonese-style Noodles, Dim Sum, Congee, BBQ delights and Cantonese specialties set in a friendly environment. Ideal for casual dining with excellent cuisine and service second to none."

(Source:  Hungry Go Where)
  

Crystal Jade has always been known for their Hong Kong style Cantonese cuisine, that was why Merlion Wayfarer was amused to find this in their menu:
  

A crash course in local vegetables - their names and how they look like...

 

Merlion Wayfarer ordered the Shrimp Dumpling Noodles Soup (水饺面汤) - which Crystal Jade serves the way it is served in Hong Kong.

  

As usual the noodles didn't live up to the dumplings -
being a bit harder in texture compared to the meat-based soup and thick generous dumplings...

The succulent whole prawn compacted inside each "shrimp" dumpling -
Don't play-play, it's not hay bee (虾米) hor...

After enjoying the main course, Merlion Wayfarer decided to order her dessert.

Osmanthus jelly (桂花糕) - Delicate jelly cubes chilled with fragrant osmanthus flowers and wolfberries.
Although they looked like some herbal concoction, the taste is delicate and mildly fragrant...

  

A close-up of the jelly. See how it reflected the light?
It was more agar agar than jelly, and it was kinda addictive to keep slurping the cubes...

  

Looking at the diners still stuffing themselves with the buffet food and the "mass-produced" desserts, Merlion Wayfarer left the restaurant beholding the sweet aftertaste of the osmanthus in her palate. Hiak hiak hiak!
  



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The full album is available at:
Merlion Wayfarer's Picasa (Food - Cantonese)

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A Wait Since Secondary School For Arnold's Fried Chicken

City Plaza, Geylang Road

East, Singapore

July 2012

   

Merlion Wayfarer heard a lot about Arnold's since secondary school. Even in recent few years, she heard quite a bit from her Easterner friends who frequent the place. So one fine evening, she and Her Hunk decided to make a visit all the way to City Plaza in Geylang Road for her fried chicken adventure.
       

When they reached the lobby of the shopping mall, the fragrant smell of fried chicken surrounded her. But despite the strong fragrance, they could not locate the outlet after walking around the entire level one. She was stumped!

      

It was only after she asked the Ah Chek at the security post that she knew Arnold's is located at the second floor near Watsons.

        

And... horrors of horrors. They had forgotten that it was Ramadan and it was time to break fast. There were lots of people milling outside. And their queue number was 20 numbers away!

A queue system where you take a queue number and place your order first even before you are seated...

   

Lots of people both inside and outside the restaurant. Chairs are provided for diners waiting outside...

      

She tried to see things on the bright side - Ok lah, can go shopping. So it was time to mill about the interesting fashion boutiques in City Plaza, looking at the really affordable clothes that ended up in online blog shops at jacked-up prices.

      

Only 10 minutes later, they decided to check back at Arnold's, you know, "just in case". And the queue number displayed was just a few numbers away from theirs!

      

There were two separate queues - One for dining in and and another for takeaway...

   

Surprisingly, they were seated less than 15 minutes after taking the queue number.
      

Many people inside waiting for their food too...

         
Since it's their 1st time at Arnold's, they ordered the spring chicken set. Since many people ordered that too lah. Ok monkey see, monkey do. A bit pricey though, at S$11.90. And added on some potato wedges.

   

The wedges were fragrant and crispy. A bit heavy though. Too much to finish...     

 

Then the famed spring chicken came. (After all, this is Arnold's FRIED CHICKEN!)

           

The chicken was crispy on the outside and tender white on the inside. It was swimming in a bit of liquid, and more oozed out as they ripped it apart. Much as they'd like to think it was just "juice" (a.k.a. water) from the chicken, it turned out to be pure oily oil. Somehow, they tried to console themselves - at least two of them sharing the chicken, so it was just "half the calories". After some time, it kinda got a bit gelat. And they were really glad there were two of them sharing the chicken!

        

       

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More photos are available on Merlion Wayfarer's Picasa at :

Food - Fast Food

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Elusive Durian-Detection Skills

Wonderful Fruit Enterprise (旺德福名种猫山王)

147 Sims Ave, along Geylang Lorong 17

Singapore 387469

July 2012

           

One fine night, Merlion Wayfarer was sidetracked by all her friends' delicious posts on the latest durian posts on Facebook and decided to venture out seeking the thorny shells herself.

                

On that weekend night, Geylang was as usual chaotic with the evening traffic and the dining crowds. Many bright stalls beckoned, but filtering from left to right, or right to left, in the onslaught of cars and buses and heck-care-the-driver pedestrians proved to be a mountainous task. There were no bright neon "P" signs to indicate available parking in plain sight.

      

Finally, a bright light appeared in the horizon where ample parking space abound in the lane and estate behind. On goes the indicator light, and soon the car was parked.

       

Known for her acute sense of smell, Merlion Wayfarer sniffed a few pokeys in the pile. Uh-uh, she knew they were the pale yellow type.

      

“你会不会选?" the Ah Chek asked. Well, maybe he didn't like people to dig up his entire pile to find the better-tasting ones.

  

“来我帮你选!" Not a good decision, but he had already opened a few.
     

 

Mai hiam, for a lower price than some of the stalls they saw and much larger fruits, they settled. (After all, must look ai-zai mah. A bit paiseh to admit they didn't know their fruits well hor?)
   

      Out of the four durians bought, only one tasted solid with darker flesh and a bitter pungent taste.
   

 

Well, it's time Merlion Wayfarer brush up on her durian detection skills!
         



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The full album is available at: Merlion Wayfarer's Picasa (Food - Fruits)

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Lai Lai's QQ vs Lai Lai's Beef

Lai Lai Casual Dining

nex, Serangoon Central

Singapore

July 2012

Lai Lai is not much known for their curry. Today Merlion Wayfarer decided to take a risk and try out their lunch specials for chicken and beef curries.

 

The Taiwanese style of curry is different from the Indian, from the Malay and from the Japanese type. This version is less watery, more oily and much spicier.

 

The chicken was just about right, and the beef was tough. Merlion Wayfarer ended up eating more beef than her share coz her friend didn't like the taste.

  

However, both of them slurped up the delicious tangy q-q noodles and enjoyed the bouncy taste tremendously - Sure beats their 招牌 beef!

 

 

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The full album is available at:
Merlion Wayfarer's Picasa (Food - Taiwanese)

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Indonesia BBQ - Fried BBQ Fish No Enough

Indonesia BBQ, KopiTiam Food Court

JCube, Jurong East

West, Singapore

July 2012

  

A frequent visitor to food centres in Singapore, Merlion Wayfarer usually prefers the non-airconditioned versions to their airconditioned cousins. Somehow the heat and fresh air makes the taste more authentic...

    

Somehow, there will be times when she is "forced" to choose an airconditioned foodcourt. Today was one such day when the nearest non-airconditioned kopitiam was about ten minutes away and many of the restaurants upstairs had already taken their last order.

    

The photos seemed similar to foodcourt stalls opened by Riverside BBQ. And this made it the most attractive choice by far.

     

                

As it near closing hours, there was not much choice. The chicken was sold out. Only the fish was left. Well well, boh bian, she "made do" with the  BBQ version. Here's how it looked like:

       

Looked kinda boringly flat, really...

                 

It was only when she started tucking into the dish that she realized how misleading appearances can be - The pomfret had been fried before being barbequed. Yet, the meat of the fish retained its moist tenderness. The fried bits of the fish crunched with every single bite. Where she had avoid fish skin before, Merlion Wayfarer now eagerly savoured each fragrant crisp that had been doused with thick black sweet soya sauce and laced with fragrant fried onions.
         

               

In a jiffy, the meal was gone. The food court was closed. Errrm, not enough leh, how.....

        

                      



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The full album is available at:
Merlion Wayfarer's Picasa (Food - South East Asian)

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A Classic 60's Treat From LE

LE Cafe Confectionery and Pastry
Middle Road, Singapore
July 2012
   

"Steeped in tradition, we are one of Singapore's oldest and finest cake and pastry shops. Our long and illustrious history (over 50 years) will attest to our growing reputation for the renowned quality and unique taste of our products.

Our selections are 100% crafted by hand, and contain no pork or lard. From award-winning pastries to customised cakes, we have something perfect for any occasion.

Come in and savour the LE experience."

(Source:  LE)

          

Yeap, Merlion Wayfarer could not resist. She went to the LE at Middle Road several times. And each time, she did not manage to sample the famous bean curd tarts.
      
This time, it was because the tarts were not ready until 1pm. So she bought back its "Old-fashioned Rock Buns". The tagline on the label was "A classic 60's treat". Seems reasonable. Most people do not mind paying S$3.80 for nostalgia.
       

          

Coupled with a hot green tea drink, the combination was perfect - the rock buns were rocky enough with a hard crust and a moon rock type exterior, yet moist enough not to be dry or flaky. The raisins, nuts and jelly bits provide sweet little tinge to spice up the buttery flavour. The cherries add that little nostalgic touch to a traditional pastry.
         

           

Well, Merlion Wayfarer is definitely going back again for more 60's treats!  
     

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The full album is available at:Merlion Wayfarer's Picasa (Food - Desserts)

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Hollywood After Party at Universal Studios Singapore

Hollywood After Party
Universal Studios Singapore
Sentosa, Singapore
28 July 2012
  

In conjunction with the Olympics and Mio TV, Merlion Wayfarer was invited to the inaugural Hollywood After Party.

 

 

A huge TV screen was mounted at the entrance of USS. We were expecting more sports-themed or Hollywood-based excitement, but the only thing belonging to these 2 themes was that single TV screen.   

Huge TV screen showing ESPN's broadcast of a badminton match... 

Enigma was the band engaged to play for the event...

 
Despite the rain, despite their equipment getting wet, they gamely sang on...

 

The choice of songs made the audience stand up and dance...

   

The rain and lack of shelter in USS made many of the audience stay within the main Hollywood area and the dining places. Empty streets in the rain...

 

"New York" was deserted too...

The alfresco seats were left empty...

The Battlestar Galactica roller coaster at night -

You can spot a park warden guarding the entrance in the dark...

  

The place where the fireworks was supposed to be fired from, except that it was cancelled...

  

Range of attractive movie-themed items that are so irresistibly tempting...

  

The bright colours are just so tempting!

Many stopped by this display to pose with the characters from Sesame Street...

 

Alcoholic drinks served in plastic cups amidst live band music

- A different kind of simple enjoyment...

  
The "STOP" sign reminded us to pause and see the fun atmosphere

as we enjoyed the last of the band music...

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More photos are available on Merlion Wayfarer's Picasa at :
Places - Universal Studios Singapore

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Seoul Yummy - Healthful Korean Stone Pots

Seoul Yummy

Suntec City, Singapore
August 2012
       
Since returning from Korea some years ago, Merlion Wayfarer has always been looking for places with really solid Korean food - the type of the standard in Korea, where you bei paiseh recommend your true blue friends from Korea. I would say that Seoul Yummy is one of those.

          

Feeling the craving for healthy Korean food, Merlion Wayfarer went to Suntec's Seoul Yummy while on a shopping trip.

       

Ginseng Chicken Soup is served healthy brown rice. High in calories, but also low in fiber. The soup is served piping hot and retains its temperature even after 30 minutes due to the hot stone bowl... 
         

         

Bi Bim Bap is quite a simple dish to make. It involves putting a heap of pickled ingredients on top of some rice before being served. The diner will then be required to mix the ingredients today. However, few places serve with authentic hot stone pots, and horror of horrors, some even serve this dish in a plastic plate!     

                

Seoul Yummy's version retains its heat well in the hot stone bowl. For those who are lovers of claypot rice, Merlion Wayferer recommends not stirring the rice at the bottom for a crispy fragrant experience!
          

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The full album is available at:
Merlion Wayfarer's Picasa (Food - Korean)

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