With Suspense - Traffic Offense for Parking along Double Zig Zag Lines

What more can i say?

I can only wait until our efficient and hardworking (it's only the second day of 2010) traffic police officer, Jerome, submits his "returns" to the headquarters before the final verdict is out.

• Would it be 6 demerit points or 9 demerit points?
• Would it be S$150 fine or S$200?
• Pity it's not election month. =(

Although it is damn deserving of me to park at double zig zag line, i will treat it as a lesson well learnt.

Karma is what i believe in and with that in mind, i hope i will get a significant sum (in S$) for performance bonus coming 18th January 2010.

Fine, had heard that performance bonus is going to be pathetic! Not gonna be hopeful in that then!

At the very very least, a guaranteed first prize in 4D tomorrow!!!

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Don't say i never give valuable information hor!

There are a few numbers in the attached picture (above) you can play around for 4D and TOTO. If you win, generous donations are sincerely welcome!

And stop blaming yourself, WY!! It's Wendy's fault!! Wahahahaha. 

Ju Shin Jung Korean Charcoal BBQ (주신정) @ West Coast

My first humble experience with Korean BarBeQue (bbq) started with Seoul Garden @ Marina Square almost 15 years ago. I was then blown away by the Korean style of meat-marination, which differs from the spice-based, char-siew based or honey-based marination we have in Singapore.

Yesterday, i was again impressed by this Korean bbq restaurant that i heard so much from my NUS colleagues. Though we spent over S$100 for 4 persons, it was a worthy meal we had!

Why??

First

Charcoal bbq!! Meat cooked over charcoal has always tasted better than any other modes of cooking. For a barbeque lover like me, this is the ultimate enjoyment (for food of course).

Second

Two jars of cold barley tea and plain water were dispensed for each table. You finish one bottle, you can request for another. At no additional charge!!

I love Korean barley tea! By the way, it's different from the barley water all of us are accustomed to.

Third

Impressive side dishes!

To name a few, there were kimchi (of around 2-3 types), fried pumpkin cakes (mini), seasoned onions, pumpkin soup (i thought this was more paste like than soup), 江鱼仔 (what's it called in English), some seaweed in seasoned water, cold tofu with spicy paste and a tray of leafy vegetables (not sure if it's given because of the BBQ items ordered)!

I remember a delicious dish of fried lotus roots from my last visit (had only set lunch then) but it was missing this round.

The best part of this wide array of side dishes?? You can refill them too!!!

Fourth

The well-marinated meat of course!

We ordered a portion of chicken, pork and beef. Two ways of bbq-ing; you could ask the staff to bbq on your behalf or you could always do it yourself. Simple enough right?

The beef was nothing extraordinary but we were really impressed with the chicken and pork. How should i describe it? Although i could use japanese teriyaki chicken and pork satay to define the taste, it was really something more than that.

Fifth

Remember the leafy vegetables i mentioned at "THIRD"? It has a special role to play for this bbq meal!

Smeared with sesame oil, garlic, special Korean savoury paste and if you prefer, with any of the side dishes, the crunchy vegetables were delegated as a "wrapper" for the cooked meat; just like the Natsumi burgers from MOS Burgers!

A playful way to eat your meal (like homemade popiah) and a really healthy way of eating!

Good for me!

Sixth

No, it hasn't ended! What comes after all the above?

A slice of heart-shaped watermelon and a fantastically refreshing bowl of cold rice tea!

This special tea concluded the whole meal; sweet, balanced and fulfilling

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Total Damage

$110.65, with the following:

1 portion of Chicken @$22

1 portion of Pork @$22

1 portion of Beef @$30

1 bowl of spicy seafood + tofu soup @$16

4 Water/Tea/Towel @$4

Service charge @10%

Goods and services tax @7%

Location

The addresses and contacts are listed in the below below.

Additional Information

Remember to make a reservation!! It could get pretty crowded and waiting time could be long.

Service was overall good with friendly, helpful staff and relatively quick deliverance of our orders. However, i would strongly suggest that the restaurant has a staff member stationed permanently at the front desk to handle walk-in customers and reservations.

For families with children, there is a play-ground within the restaurant! And for those who prefer more privacy, rooms are available.

Lastly, be prepared to smell really bad after your meal.

Money Faces

Could someone please tell me why is it necessary to have a picture of a country's who's who on its currency? One reason i could think of is historical; Ancient Roman coins, from my understanding, have the face of its ruler (at the time of minting).

Anyway, a creative group (i believe they were really bored) of people found a way to prove that money could also be used as a mode of entertainment instead of being a medium for entertainment!

 Interesting yah?

It must be, because someone tried using Singapore currency too!

Saizeriya (Again) @ City Square Mall

I was not exactly that hungry when i stumbled onto this newly-opened branch in newly-opened City Square Mall.

With its incredibly-priced dishes, always immaculate service and for this shop alone, ample seats, there's no way i am going to ignore its pulling presence!

Since we were pretty full, we only ordered two dishes! Including free flow of ice water. Don't you love restaurants that don't force you to buy bottled water?!?!?

Oh, i forgot. You do have a choice. You can choose not to drink.

Oven-baked Scallops in Cheese (i think)

Steaming HOT!! I might have preferred the dry ones from Hokkaido but the ones here were not too bad too!

The tomato sauce and cheese dampened the usually strong fishy taste of scallops. The overall result turned out to be better than expected.

Pork and Hamburger Steak

This is one dish i must have, every-single-time i visit. As i have blogged about this before, i shall spare you the main details.

Although playing a minor role in this dish, the corn kernels were really flavourful!!

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Location:

This second branch is located at 180, Kitchener Road, City Square Mall, #B2-55/56 and connected to Farrer Park (not Road hor) MRT Station.

Hainanese Chicken Rice (海南雞飯) @ Guan Gourmet House, Yishun

Everyone knows about Hainanese chicken rice; from the old ah mah selling vegetables by the OCBC bank in Chong Pang to the ang moh who contributes frequently to the Straits Times' column (Neil Humphreys lah).

Tell me you are kidding if you truthfully don't know! Foreigners are forgivable!

For the past few months, i repeatedly went back to this Hainanese Chicken Rice stall in Yishun Block 925. Quite a surprise since i have always preferred roasted chicken rice.

What's so good about it??

The Rice

Rice is an important component for this dish annd the one here didn't fail.

Grain upon grain of rice, each significantly apart from one another yet fused with the elements of chicken, garlic and ginger. The essential factors to provide a delicious chew that is soft and fluffy.

The Chicken

Pieces of solid bitey meat that were still sufficiently moisturized! The best part? They were deboned for easy chomping and de-fat to follow the Ministry of Health's advice (i guess)!

The Supporting Vegs

The tomato was a normal raw one; won't want to bore you with its health benefits. I love the achar! Crunchy, slightly sourish and spicy! A few strips of cucumber were hidden underneath the meat.

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Location:

This stall is located within a coffee shop at block 925 behind Yishun Bus Interchange. Please find the map usually placed in interchanges for further details on surrounding areas around a respective interchange.

Additional Information:

At S$3.50 (you can choose S$2.50 if you wish) for one pax, it's not exactly expensive.

Partial self service since you have to queue to place and pay for your orders. The service staff will deliver your meals to you.

If you drive, please do not park at the roadside since the traffic wardens frequently patronise this area. There is a multi-storey car park located right above the coffee shop. 

A Simple Christmas Brunch (2009)

First and foremost, Merry Christmas 2009!!

Though i am not Christian, Christmas has always retained a special place in my heart. I remember the first time my mum brought me to Orchard Road with all its glitter and festive decorations. It was such an eye opener for me!

So what was my first meal for Christmas this year?

Sarpino's Pizzas

We ordered home delivery!

Sponsored by my dear sister (the older one of course)!

Mama Mia pizza with grilled chicken strips, garlic, spinach, cheese with turkey bacon.

The Villaggio pizza (non-meat) with olive oil, parmesan, garlic, tomatoes, onion, black olives, mushrooms, spinach leaves and cheese.

Truthfully, i prefer Pizza Hut's pizzas. There was a festive pizza from Pizza Hut that will make me drool whenever i think about it; The Chinese New Year pizza with strips of bak kwa and BBQ sauce!

Fruit Cake

This was a gift from my sister's friend, Jean Tan! The best thing? Not only was the cake simply beautiful, it was home made by Jean's niece.

Taste-wise, we all agreed it was really good! The cake was filled with loads of candied fruits but did not give the overly sweet sensation usually associated with fruit cakes.

Definitely a lighter BUT healthier version!