tesss

Tanglin Halt is a baffling area for me, there are two districts with hawker centers, one with a wet market and the other stands alone - all within walking distance anyhow. This visit was purely meant for Thunder Tea Rice that by my own unfortunate stoke of luck decided to close its shutters for "personal matters". And without many other choices, we opted for one with the longest queue. Opening at 530pm till 930pm, this curry rice stall gets constant snaking queues. Truth be told, I am partial towards curry rice, it is not one of my top favourite local dishes neither do I have cravings about it much - if anything a curry laden nasi padang meal would have won my vote in a heartbeat. Pork chops fried till so crisp, these could pass off as keropok with its almost non-existent meat content. Ask for a side of curry to dunk them in if this is too dry for comfort. Assam fish with a watery gravy and thankfully fresh fish. Vegetable dishes were pretty ordinary, similar to what one can ...

I shall not hide my love for Pasarbella, afterall, I did enjoy some delicious times at Turf City. Except the distance usually puts me off from patronizing as often as I'd like. Pimp My Salad, one of the stalls has been gaining huge interest for its photogenic green plates. Gone are the days of the famed Ponderosa or Sizzler Salad Bar (depending which generation one belonged to) and salads were merely chopped lettuce  and the likes of a deconstructed caesar salad with dressing.  Meet 21st century's interpretation of salad - with plenty of autonomy over what goes into the plate and no further tossing is actually necessary. Will work for smashed sweet potato. Baby Spinach, Greek Feta Cheese, Cherry Tomatoes with Parsley and Garlic, Grilled Thai Asparagus, Hummus, Roasted Lemon Chicken Breast, Lemon and Olive Oil Dressing ($14) While the chicken was cooked too tender, hummus and greek feta cheese made healthy eating so darn delicious. The thai asparagus were somehow a letdown w...

Greater China cuisine intrigues me - how huge a disparity when you visit different parts. To this, the frequent flyer to China would vehemently disagree and brush it off as "too salty, too oily, too spicy." Szechuan food in China, is far more than hotpots and dried chillies. Tian Bao Szechuan Food like its name suggests, specializes in Szechuan food and lays claim to being the only one with authentic dishes. Decor is tasteful, largely chinese influenced and I fell in love with the ceiling with a steamer installation. Refuse their sides of chilled black fungus and peanuts and save your bill a couple of buckeroos. Note that wet towels and warm water are chargeable. Local Long Beans in House-Made Ginger Sauce ($5.60) Blanched long beans in soya sauce, more than ginger sauce. This appetizer was off to a very bland start. Tian Bao Steamed Small Pau with Pork (6pcs) ($9.80) I've not known Xiao Long Bao described in any other way until Tian Bao and this was far from the fam...

Vietnamese food with a french flair is what differentiates L'Euphoriz from the other Vietnamese joints around though the menu is mainly vietnamese with the typical staples like rice rolls, pho and coffee. Bahn mi was significantly missing from the menu.  Beef Skewers ($14) Sweetened beef satay on a stick, well at least the portions of meat on the satay stick far trumps those eaten at a hawker center. Loved the pickled radish and carrots that came with it, an appetizing start I must say! Beef Combination Pho ($14) Beef Tenderloin, Beef Brisket, Beef Balls Broth simmered for 8 hours with vietnamese spices and served with rice noodles. I found the broth still lacking in flavour inspite the 8 hour simmering. That said, the meat portions were generous and proved a hearty relief! An average joint in the heart of CBD, great to shy away from the sweltering heat and manageable crowds. L'Euphoriz #01-21,, Shenton Way, AXA Tower

Each of my JB trails would begin with Nasi Lemak, I mean there is no better way than to eat local and soak in their breakfast atmosphere. The original plan to check out this nameless Nasi Lemak stall along Jalan Madmoodiah, only to realise they close on public holidays. Damn. After driving around the area for eons and checking with more than one motorist, we were actually pointed to Warong Rasa-Rasa Johor. First impressions - it had proper facilities and not under some dingy cherry tree at least! Its signature menu on the wall for easy reference. Laksa Johor (RM 5) Just because we were in Johor, we had to give this uniquely Johorian dish a go, afterall I really had a mean version at the stall under the cherry tree !   A far cry from what I had, this was a version with soggy yellow noodles and malay spices that did not quite resemble a bolognese much.   If all things fail, nasi lemak should not.  Yet it did, including the sambal chilli that was hinging on too sweet. Skinny fried chicken...

Having been on a roll for Thunder Tea Rice, it became apparent I had to give this particular store a try at its flagship. It did not dawn on me that they had so many outlets and the one that I have been patronizing all these years belonged to this same one! Thunder Tea Rice ($4.50) Brown Rice ($5) Next to Hakka abacus and yong tau foo, thunder tea rice remains one of my top favourite dishes from their cuisine. The star on the menu and a must order at every table. A single dish that packs so many types of greens and tofu, seasoned with dried shrimp and fried ikan bilis and served with a side of thunder tea which is too grassy for me. Missing out on flavour somewhat, it came across as on the bland side. Do request for their chilli padi and homemade chilli sauce for more flavouring. Craving satisfied! Basil Chicken Rice ($6) On top of just offering thunder tea rice and vermicelli, there are a host of basil based dishes which opens a variety of choices for other diners. Laced with swee...

I didn't realise this entry was lurking in my folder for so long, unpublished. Which really reminds me how long ago was my last vacation. Having been pampered to death by our Asian airports, well specifically Changi Airport...I find it hard to come to terms with the other airports in terms of facilities and food options. Ahmad Ibrahim Airport does not fare too shabbily in terms of shops and food options, but (the single and most offensive one) the prices are insane. It is a clear case of pay through your nose or go hungry. Boo. Burger King prices, all in USD. Balk at the prices I did but it was as crowded as any other fast food restaurant anywhere in the world. Which made Dome's prices actually reasonably more affordable.  If memory serves me right, two mains cost us almost USD 40, taxes included which is not too far off from fast food. Since our flight was scheduled before noon, most of the coffee options were actually not available - another cultural revolution here. Or, it ...