Enchanted Airways @ Universal Studios Singapore [USS]

Now that Battlestar Galattica is down once again for an indefinite period of time, i guess it's time to re-focus our attention on another roller-coaster ride; the Enchanted Airways.

Before we board the vessel, it's necessary to purchase tickets from the booth where our beloved gingerbread man has found a new job as the ticketing officer! 

Tsk tsk tsk - such decadent lifestyle!

Several destinations were identified but as you could see from the board, we would be flying to Shrek's Swamp! Not that it matters since it was a permanent destination for everyone lining up to take the flight.

That's sad as i am as interested to pay a visit to places like the Cyclops Caverns! For all you know, there would be a new attraction exploring these unknown yet fascinating tourist spots.

Unlike human flights, fluids like magic potions are allowed on board! But, unicorns?!?! How are you even able to squeeze them into the overhead compartments?! 

You know what's the best thing? There wasn't even any compartment above my head!!

Bet i don't need to tell everyone that the vessel in question would be none other than the majestic Dragon, also known as the romantic interest of Donkey, the talkative sidekick of Shrek! 

How the union manages to create such adorable hybrids elude me! 

Reaching an elevation of thirteen meters, this three hundred and fifty meters track took around sixty six seconds to make one round. Back to the same spot; not to Shrek's Swamp!

The ride was exciting although definitely not on the same level as Battlestar Galattica, Transformers 4D or even the Mummy ride. The best comparison would be the rollercoaster ride in Genting Highland outdoor theme park. 

Other pictures for your reference. 

As the speed averages around forty six kilometers an hour, many riders would not have noticed the many artifacts along the ride. For example, the disturbing fact that it was merely a day since the last air crash! 

Maybe it was a matter of incorrect manpower assignment; the big bad wolf was the air traffic controller!

That brick tower was known as the cheese tower, residence of the three blind mice. As with any fairy tale, it's a mystery why they chose to live in a tower where there would be a greater risk to fall to their death. 

Our beloved three little pigs who were still working to build their houses. Guess the older two never learn their lesson from the little brother. 

By the way, i am still anticipating the grand arrival of the all new A380 air coach from the Enchanted Airways. It has already been quite a few years since the announcement. 

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Location

Far Far Away Zone 

Universal Studios Singapore

Celebrity Cafe & Bakery - Plain Waffle with Ice Cream @ Universal Studios Singapore [USS]

The weather was hot, the legs were sore, the mind was sleepy, and the mouth was itchy. So would you like to guess what i did when this signage stopped me on my way out of Universal Studios Singapore?

No prize for the correct answer as it was common knowledge that i would step in for a better look! 

There were many pastries to choose from although i wonder what was its link to the 'celebrity' label. The only celebrities i can relate to were the cupcakes with the bright images of Sesame Street's characters.

Nevertheless, it was the plain waffle with ice cream that caught my attention! Oh, the combo came with a free cup of coffee / tea too! 

Imprinted with the faces of Cookie Monster and Elmo, the two pieces of waffles would definitely delight the fans of Sesame Street. Not i though since my parents are Mandarin-speaking and Chinese programmes were a perpetual mainstay at home.

When it comes to waffles, i am extremely particular with the syrup. It must be maple syrup and not honey, especially those that left a bad aftertaste. Which was sadly the case with this syrup from Celebrity Cafe. 

Waffles wise; i am afraid they were more pancakes rather than waffles, without the fluffiness that would have greatly improved the dish. Thank god for the store-made vanilla ice cream which helped tremendously in my objective to clean up the plate! Cannot waste money mah. 

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Would i be back? I would if i am tired from taking the rides in the theme park and would like to do some people-watching! 

Location

Within Hollywood zone

Price

S$7.80 nett as above.

Yap Kee Wanton Mee - The Absolutely Marvelous Egg Noodles (葉記全蛋雲吞面) @ BGain 442 Eating House [Opposite Clementi Central Hawker Centre]

You know that selfish feeling of wanting to keep a place secret so that not many people would be aware of its existence; thereby reducing the risk of having to queue for a frustratingly long period of time the next time you visit? 

I was stuck with that dilemma a week ago when i finally found the opportunity to try the wanton noodles in Clementi that colleagues have been gushing about every single time we touched on the topic of wanton mee! 

Before i moved on, do note that this is NOT the dark-style Boon Kee wanton noodles in Clementi Central hawker centre that i mentioned a few years ago. Yap Kee used to operate from the food centre in Holland Drive but was forced to move to this current location when the centre closed for a major renovation

Without further ado, let me present to you Yap Kee Wanton Noodles!

Okay, i can sense the questions running in that brain of yours: What's so amazing about this wanton mee? It looked pretty normal to me unlike the Red Ring you blogged before. Are you sure this is good? And etc etc etc. 

I agree! Appearance wise, it didn't look much and i can honestly tell you that the wantons (dumplings) were not exceptional and the soup was not robust enough. Other than the aforementioned, everything else was great! 

The pieces of char siew, though not as epic as the legendary Kay Lee, were still one of the better ones with sufficient flavour and a nice bite. The big surprise actually came from the thin strands of egg noodle! 

They were, to put it in very simple terms, perfectly cooked with the right level of springiness that would put many other noodle stalls to shame and tasted so distinctly delicious (the egg definitely played a part); i came back within a week and ordered the S$4 serving! 

Need i say more?

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Location

Block 442, Clementi Avenue 3

BGain Coffeeshop, #01-121

[Opposite Clementi Central Hawker Centre]

[Updated Address] Moved to Block 44, 
Holland Drive #02-04, Singapore 270044

Opening Hours

Monday to Friday (am) - 6.30am to 2pm

Monday to Friday (pm) - 5.30pm to 8.30pm

Saturday to Sunday - 6.30am to 3pm

Price

Minimum S$3 a bowl

The Lawn Grill & Salad Café @ Biopolis Way [Near Buona Vista MRT Station]

To cut the long story short, I was invited for a food tasting session at "The Lawn" a few months ago but the cafe was closed for stock taking even though i had already informed i would be available then. 

Granted i have to bear some responsibility as i neglected to seek a confirmation. However, this incident left a really very bad taste in my mouth. When i was invited once again to check out their new outlet, i declined even though i specifically mentioned about that incident.

No, there wasn't even a courtesy reply!

Nonetheless, this didn't stop me from visiting one wet afternoon for lunch, together with a few of my colleagues who were craving for salads! As many are aware, i am not a vegetable person and would therefore be subject to certain prejudice that might appear even more unfair to the cafe after my unhappy episode. 

Having these colleagues around would help to give a more balanced review. 

In addition to creating your own salad box topped with a wide variety of toppings (you choose five) and dressed in one of their eight home-made dressings, the key selling point was definitely the pairing of grilled items to savourise the healthy meal. 

For those who could not do without carbohydrates, there was an option to have a serving of olive rice together with a grilled item and side salad. One colleague coupled it with the asparagus and eggplant which were in fact quite good. I must also add that the ladies absolutely loved the olive rice! 

I am sticking to my salad box. 

At first glance, even i have to admit the server was too generous with my choice of maple grilled chicken breast; so much so that i could barely see the bed of crisp and fresh vegetables hidden right beneath it!

I could not remember what i selected for my five toppings although i vaguely recalled sunflower seeds, cucumber, raisins, boiled egg and maybe, grapes. For dressing, it was the sweet honeyball.

Frankly, it took me a while to clean up the bowl, which was huge! The three ladies, veterans of commercial salad bars, shared that it was absolutely well worth the money!

Since i have never patronised a salad bar before, my comments shall therefore be limited to the following; the greens were choked with freshness, the grilled chicken had a subtle maple taste that was not excessively flavoured and i was simply blown away by the great selection of toppings and unique dressings! 

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Location

31 Biopolis Way, 

Nanos #01-07

[Near Buona Vista MRT Station]

Map

As above

Website

http://www.thelawn.com.sg 

Price

Basic Salad Box - S$9.90

Basic Olive Rice - S$9.90

[Nett but premium options and additional servings would incur extra charges]

Additional Information

You can top up your salad at S$2.90 for a can drink, soup and bun or S$3.90 for a regular coffee, soup and swiss roll! Thinking vegetables would not satisfy my tummy, i paid for the former. 

Despite its 'chunky' feel, the cream of mushroom tasted way too thin. Saving grace was the appetising bun which came soft and warm; a great companion to the soup on a rainy day!