In-between work:Lobster Rolls and Pork Noodles

Was looking through the photos taken in July with my mobile phone. Up to nothing much, except for going on a short weekend trip to Chiangmai (which I word-pressed in http://ilovelongvacation.wordpress.com/) and checking out some much-hyped about food in-between work.

Lobster rolls must be one of the latest food fad in town. Had my first one at Platypus Lobster Shack with the girls at Pickering Street after work one day. Not awesome, but wholesome :)

Cosy cafe specialising in lobster rolls after 6pm. 

The making of the lobster rolls. Looks simple. But it took a while before we were served....

The best shot I took of the lobster roll served with chips and salad. Too cosy were the lighting! We all chose The Traditional flavor, this being our first visit. Served in other flavours too. Like sun-dried  tomatoes, smoked paprika, spicy diablo etc. 

Had the famous Tai Hwa Pork Noodles (Bak Chor Mee) for lunch at Crawford Lane. Was such a long wait of 1.5 hours! Tasty but don't think  I will do it again for lunch. Too much of a queue - for taxi and then food. LOL.

Bak Chor Mee! Ingredients were cooked just right - nothing over cooked or under cooked. Sounds really simple right? But really hard to strike that dedicate balance, I think 

Huge portion of pork balls soup! Tangy balls and savory soup :)

Wish I had found the energy and time to blog earlier about these food options so you can check out if you work near or are near the CBD. Not really a fan of checking out food during and after working hours though - guess not in the food mood :P Always more enjoyable to explore our backyard on weekends (which I have spent quite a few checking out flats these days...taking a break this weekend because I'm running the Half Marathon tomorrow!!)

East Coast to Changi; Sakuraya Fish Mart to Chock Full of Beans

Hello June! Almost half year gone and I wonder what I have achieved. Nothing much in this space with less than 10 posts to show :P Last year this time, I have probably already blogged more than 30 posts. Blogging is indeed a full time job, contrary to belief. It's no longer mine. Kudos to all full-time bloggers - for having the courage to pursue this career! Feeling a bit emo, I guess...

Been spending quite a bit of time with myself in May. Sometimes, I'm amazed that I feel happy doing things alone.... Sometimes, I wonder if there is something wrong with me....

One of those moments in May was spent cycling from East Coast Park to Changi Beach Park via the park connectors. Started the day with an hour long bus ride to Parkway Parade and had lunch at Sakuraya. Wanted to eat at the hawker centre but it was closed for upgrading!

Cucumber Salad - very refreshing! And quite healthy :)

The first time I tried Uni (sea urchin). Hmmm... Not sure whether I like it but I definitely don't dislike it. Will have it again to decide. Haha.

Shishamo - I love it!  :)

 Was a pretty SUNNY day to cycle...

Stopped at times to rest and well, see the world go by :) Not sure how long I cycled but it took me around 2 hours to reach Changi Beach Park from East Coast Park.

Finally had the chance to visit Chock Full of Beans, famous for its coffee art. 

In a quiet corner was Chock Full of Beans.

Was after 3pm when I had this. So I called it teanner :P

Ice Rose Latte. So pretty, right? Wanted to try the hot one so I can see the coffee art. But it was too hot. 

Eggs Benedicts. Was OK. Haha. 

Was a good day alone. Haha. Planned to cycle monthly although I have not met the target this month yet. The Sukuraya menu is perfect for one so I will definitely return to try the other items. Chock Full of Beans will face another strong competitor in Changi Village :)

Tiong Bahru - Open Door Policy and Drips Cafe

Happy Vesak Day! Finally found time to hit the laptop. LOL. Been on a cleaning spree these days, and spent time housekeeping my room section by section (not that it's that BIG! :P) But well, guess I always find it easier to chew challenging tasks bit by bit :)

Visited Open Door Policy (ODP) for the first time in April, although I have passed by a few times. Nice ambiance but surprised to find that most of the customers are Caucasian. Guess locals don't find the place value for money :P

We were seated in the courtyard and looked up to see flats (not stars). LOL. Still nice dining under the sky :)

Here's a glimpse at the restaurant!  

Starters to share. Quite exquisite.  The only nice picture I managed to take. By the time the main courses were served, every dish turned out dodgy in the pictures. LOL. 

Moved on to Drips Cafe for sweets. It's been a while since my last visit in last April/March when I was still jobless. Those were the days - kinda of miss them :) Check out my earlier posts : Drips Cafe and Marched!

Our order without the waffles...  We asked for more forks and I like how the staff went 'On the way!' :P

Raspberry Tart recommended by the restaurant staff. This is the first time I tried the tart which seems to be quite popular. Not bad - see the twinkle? :)

And waffles with ice-cream and berries and maple syrup. Nice too :) Shall return again to try the savory. Haha. 

It's a Tuesday but it feels like a Sunday! Having second thoughts about all these odd public holidays in May. It's like having two TGIFs and two Monday Blues in a week. Meh.
  

Robertson Quay Chapter 1 : Anthesis

I love the beginning of every month, as it seems to give me the energy to get things in order. May started off great with the Labour Day public holiday, which I did nothing (really! maybe a little?). I always hear people saying XXX is their favourite month (usually their birthday month or Christmas or...) and well, May may jolly well be mine if it continues its good streak :P

April was not too bad either. I visited many places for the first time and one of them was Anthesis at Robertson Quay.  


I didn't know this part of Robertson Quay, near Zouk, existed. Usually, I would be at the cafes/restaurants nearer the UE Square side. Very happy to discover this part of Singapore and to finally know where Toby's Estate and Kith Café at Robertson Quay are. Anyway, vintage sight spotted on the way to Anthesis - feels like Malacca!



Our brunch! D had Egg Duet while I chose Three Little Duck - very lovingly named, aren't they? The Café Latte I had was very nice - very latte. Did I tell the joke about us ordering latte in Rome and ended up being served just milk? :)



Cosy café. And quite spacious with social space between customers. Realised I do enjoy cafes with space. How about you?



Alfresco dining by the river would have been nice too :) but I realised many of my friends usually prefer the air-conditioned indoors :P  

Not many locals spotted, I thought. Maybe that's why I only discover this stretch now!

Well, very nice morning spent at Robertson Quay. Do see myself returning most often - that's why I entitled this post Chapter 1. LOL. Any other cafes to recommend at Robertson Quay?

The Marshmallow Tree and Little Part 1 Cafe

Back with a vigour! LOL. Well, went to a few cafes in March - The Marshmallow Tree near my place (Telok Blangah MRT station) and Little Part 1 Café near Thomson Plaza.

The Marshmallow Tree

 

Been wanting to visit The Marshmallow Tree because it's so near my place! Tried to go once either on Christmas eve or new year eve (half day off from work! yeah!) - went but didn't venture in because it looked kind of crowded. So I went with MQ after we collected our goody bag for the Venus Run (took place on 8 Mar - will blog about the yummy hawker food we had at Satay Club after the run later).

 

Quirky decor.



Located right in a quiet neighbourhood, next to a coffee shop and other local shops. Very hidden, I must say. If not for all the blogs (and word of mouth), I'm not sure how people will get to know its existence....



Small and cosy cafe. Can maybe accommodate at most 20 people?



Ordered the Rose Latte - love it! :)



Wanted to try the swing. But felt a bit shy. Haha. Maybe next time.

Little Part 1 Café

Wanted to visit Habitat but XF suggested this cafe hidden in a private estate instead. Not really the typical cafe with coffees and cakes but quite a full-scale one offering main courses and alcohols. Feels a bit like Holland Village. Haha.



Decor was a bit whimsical, a fairy-tale cottage feel.

Was a really hot day that day(Singapore has not been raining much in March!) so this green tea latte was really good. It's true - sometimes, different drinks do suit different weather (and occasions). LOL.



Nachos with cheese. Really good! Please order if you go :)



Buffalo wings - hot! Nice too.



Wrap with ham and BBQ chicken, I think. The skin was really crispy but overall a bit too savoury with all sauces.



Pork ribs. Half slab. As you can tell by now, we ordered too much for two! Should have stopped at three :P It's nice and tender - would have enjoyed it more on an emptier stomach :P



Was a really early dinner and we kind of saw the sun set in the cafe with all the sun rays dancing around :)

I'm sure many of you are probably cafe-hopping somewhere, enjoying what's left of Sunday - it's like the national hobby now! The cafe scene in Singapore is indeed growing! Sometimes I feel really lucky to be staying here  - so much to cherish and appreciate :)  Well, I had my moments yesterday at Wheelers Yard, so I decided to stay home and well, just enjoy whatever I enjoy doing. Till the next post!

Wheelers Yard

Hi all! It's been so long since my last post! GOSH! LOL. Guess you can tell I'm thrilled to be back to one of my favourite activities :)

Just came back from a holiday in Seoul, so I'm still feeling recharged even though I have gone back to work since 1 April. Thought I better share about my virgin trip to Wheelers Yard before I get backlogged by work (meh).

XF kindly brought GT and me to Wheelers Yard (near Balestier) today although she's been there numerous times. It's so challenging to get there if you do not drive (or cycle :P) - we met at Novena, took Bus 21 (or 131) outside IRAS building (opposite Novena Square) and walked into an industrial park before we got there! And on a rainy day - heard Singapore has not been raining since I went Seoul, so it's been about 2 weeks... and well, it had to rain today. Phew.

Not sure if it was worth the travel. Haha. But definitely a nice place to hang out if you want to avoid the crowd. Literally because unlike many cafes, Wheelers Yard is very very very spacious! See  below pictures if you don't believe me :P



We had our brunch indoors because GT wanted it. LOL. Our next-door neighbours at Wheelers Yard.



One of the private corners. Good if you are just there for a drink. But we preferred the high table so we can eat in comfort.



The long communal tables were separated by the bicycles to create small private tables - thought it was such a good idea! 



The bicycle theme is very strong in Wheelers Yard. I'm sure the bicycle enthusiasts will love it here! We saw a few with their bicycles today :)



Cappuccino! With biscuits from the past :)



My BIG Breakfast. So full! Our neighbours had the cheese fries and fish and chips etc - they look good too!



After brunch, we moved to the outdoors. Really spacious right? :P



And the bicycle shop...

The structure in the warehouse has been left intact, I think. Adds to the charm of the space. See the high ceiling? Such a spacious café...



Last but not least, the facade and its infamous blue gate. LOL. Heard it is a photo spot! :P

It's amazing to see the café slowly fill up as we had our brunch on a rainy day. Guess it has its charm. It's worth checking out if you have not been there, especially if you have great company or you just want some quiet time alone, away from the city buzz...

PS: Cannot seem to locate the website so I reckon there isn't one. But if you Google, you will find many bloggers talking about it, with the address and what not....

Kith again

Happy Lunar New Year! Can't believe that we have moved so quickly from 2013 to 2014, and now from the Year of the Snake to that of the Horse!! And I cannot believe that it's been close to a month since I lasted blogged!!!

Well, life goes on as normal. No vacation so far in 2014. Will be going to Seoul in March so I'm pretty excited about it although I have been there a few times :) Happy to celebrate an old friend's birthday in January at Kith Park Mall.



Didn't know Kith has expanded its outdoor seating area - business must be good! :P Breezy evening... with lots of buzz in the background due to the Thaipusam festivity. Still quite chillax.



Calamari. Hard to go wrong with this starter.



Smoked Salmon Pizza. Our friends ordered 1 pizza each - almost impossible to finish for girls to finish one on their own! I helped out with 1 slice each, so better to share. LOL.



Parma Ham Pizza - Nice! Preferred this over the Smoked Salmon. The taste was more balanced, I think.



My choice of Carbonara pasta . Safe choice as I was recovering from cough :) Found it a bit too savoury after a while...



Marina pasta for the birthday girl - customised from tomato base to aglio aglio. Tasted a bit like Fried Hokkien Mee. Haha. 

Always happy to visit Kith :P Check out the following for some of my Kith times...
- Kith@Quayside Isle
- Ice Honey Milk Latte