Jollibee @Lucky Plaza

I did not get to try out Jollibee when I was in Manila, for the one night's stay was too brief.  Therefore, when my Filipino ex-colleagues asked me to catch up and go Jollibee @Lucky Plaza, I said "Yes" right away.

When I first arrived at the outlet, the entire place was not that crowded, except that many people are queuing in the main door and it was blocked.  It was bizarre to me that the main entrance was blocked, so I went in from the side door wanting to seek for my friends who have arrived before me.  After failure to find them, I called then realised that they are all queuing in an empty shop space, next to Jollibee.  Well-hidden from the walkway!  So glad I came with my Filipino friends, otherwise I will be so lost!

Jollibee
@Lucky Plaza
304 Orchard Road
#06-048A
Singapore 238863
Tel: 90543892 / 67355119 / 67355117

Menu clearly shown.  Offers mainly 4 variations - fried chicken, spaghetti, hamburger (known as 'Yum!'); and burger steak with rice.


After nearly 1 hour of queuing and waiting, our food finally came! 
[Interesting side information:  My friends shared with me that Filipinos' staple food is rice, they can have rice for all 3 meals!  Even for fast food, they will eat with rice!]

My friends told me the portion are rather small, so I ordered a 1-pc chicken with spaghetti set + single patty Yum.  To my surprise, the tomato spaghetti tasted very good, even better than many Italian restaurants (for the tomato sauce has such rich delicious taste, they must have used plentiful of tomatoes in the process)!  By default, you will be given chicken breast (b'cos 3 of us who ordered the 1-pc chicken set, all got the same part!).  So if you don't like breast meat, you have to let the counter staff know beforehand.  The fried breast meat is much better than KFC, more juicier for sure but without that much of fats, with its outer skin fried to slight crisp --> I like!!  As for the Yum, I would say you can definitely get better burgers elsewhere.

[ My verdict ]: Is it worth the queue?  Hmm..not enough to shout out.  No harm trying out and queue if you have the time to spare, but perhaps better to wait till the next outlet is opened to dilute the crowd.

NEW! Thai Eatery "Folks Collective" @Heart of CBD

Lately, I have been nagged and teased by my Hubby saying that, I am doing "post" blogs!  It's true, cos' I have been eating more good foods than I can blog and review about it.  (So blessed, I know!!)  Can't be help much, as we eat 3 meals a day and I can only write that many entries a week. *pout*  Nonetheless, I will try to pace myself more quickly and try to frequently update this blog (which I hope my entries & information are useful in providing foodie folks good places to eat)! =p 
[P.S: I would greatly appreciate your kind comments here, if you find my blog entry is useful to you.]
 
There is a Thai Eatery called "Folks Collective" newly opened in the heart of CBD district!  (Credits given to my Hubby for he recommends this new restaurant that is near his workplace.)
 
Earlier this week, I deliberately went down to have lunch with my Hubby.  The lunch crowd is dispersing, paying off their bills as we reached the restaurant around 1.30pm.  After we managed to squeeze thru' the people crowding the cashier, which is by the entrance, we are greeted by a man (in shirt & tie) whom we thought was the Restaurant Manager (but he was dressed more like a working class than a Restaurant Manager).  There seem to be mostly Thai personnel working in that restaurant.

Immediately, I am attracted to the decoration in the restaurant.  A clash between modern and vintage concept (I am particularly interested in renovation and decoration these days, as I am designing for my new house).  There is a old signboard (written in Chinese and Thai) and chest of drawers that are commonly found in traditional Chinese Medical Hall, at the far end of the restaurant.  While the other end of the restaurant, it is lavishly decorated with chandelier, big lilies, lighter colour scheme and many framed mirrors, more of modern French feel, to create a segregated space for mini gatherings.

[**Suitable for friends' gatherings]

Folks Collective
20 Cross Street
#01-25 China Square Central
Singapore 048422
Tel: 8285 3595 / 8504 0425
Email: hello@folkscollective.com

 

Old-school blackboard nicely written with colourful chalks.

 

Set B - Minced Shrimp Omeletti + Green Curry with Chicken + Steamed Jasmine Rice and Set C - Crispy Pork Belly & Baby Kai-Lan + Tom Kha Chicken Soup + Steamed Jasmine Rice served in trendy, yet smaller version of "Teng Kat" (vintage tiffin carriers).
 
I like the green curry with chicken, for the chicken is tender and the curry gravy is not too thick nor sweet, thus easy to drink.  The creamy tom yum chicken soup is quite tasty, but a little to salty to be drank alone, better to go with rice.

 
Dishes almost cleaned out.  Needless to say more, right?!

 

Bijin Nabe 美人锅 @Plaza Singapura, New Extension

I always passed by this shop @Plaza Singapura (PS) extension, that is very packed and the waiting list full until they refuse to take in anymore guests for the day.  (Note: They do not take in any reservation)  The restaurant's signature dish is Bijin Nabe.  This dish is a great combination of fresh vegetables, seafood, chicken and healthy dose of collagen (serves minimum 2 pax).

The restaurant's seating capacity is rather small, very limited seating and thus they restrict each table approx. 1.5 hours to dine in.  You will not see any visible long queue outside the shopfront, as the door host will call you when your table is ready and you have to get to the restaurant preferably in 5 minutes.  Thus, make sure everyone arrives before you can take your seat.  I was determined to eat their bijin nabe on one of the Fridays, thus I arrived at the restaurant at 5.30pm to leave my name and contact number, then went shopping around PS.  To manage your expectations, the sweet door host will inform you the waiting time is about 2 hours, but my table was ready in an hour's time.  By that time I returned to the restaurant, their waiting list was already full for the night.  If you can't get your name on the waiting list before 7pm (peak hour), you can forget about eating at their restaurant, and expect to queue elsewhere for your dinner.  So for the moral of this experience, I got to quote this old phrase: "early bird gets to eat the worm!" (早起的鸟儿有虫吃！).

Tsukada Nojo
@Plaza Singapura extension
60B Orchard Road
#03-81 Atrium@Orchard
Singapore 238891
Tel: 6336 5003 (**No reservation is accepted!)
Offical Website: www.apcompan.jp

Standard menu (as shown below).  The set meal per person comes with all the essential ingredients and own choice of noodles (3 types to choose from).  The serving portion is just nice (you will be full even before eating the noodles, but you would want to miss trying out their specially-made noodles you can soaked in the remaining collagen soup), without overeating.  You can also add on and order additional items from this menu.

Look how big are the slabs of collagen pudding!  They're even bigger than my 2 fists add together!!  Y(^o^)Y

The friendly service staff can straightaway tell that we are there the very 1st time.  Without us asking or saying anything, they helped, guided and served us how to eat the bijin nabe as if they are our private butler.  ** Excellent service!!
Otherwise, one can always follow the recommended steps to on "How to eat Bijin Nabe" posters that are sticked onto the wooden planks and "tabe hajimeru" (start eating)! 

2 persons' share was more than satisfying and filling.  The soup base consisted of rich collagen and chicken, that was totally mesmerising!  It was so sweet and well-balanced with the chicken wings and drums hidden underneath the big collagen puddings.  With a metal spoon rolling the bamboo chicken, Tori Tsukune into meatballs.  It was very tender and tasty.
For $25++ per person, this is definitely a wondrous treat to the stomach and skin!


It is recommended by the staff to add in the seaweed paste (purposely made into heart-shape) and yuzu slices separately into one's bowl, instead of putting it into the entire pot of collagen soup.  Indeed, it altered the taste of the soup differently.  Very interesting taste!

Just when we have finished our meal (for about nearly 2 hours), the service staff handed us a namecard each (see below picture) and tell us to write down our name.  Apparently, the restaurant has a very special loyalty programme, which give their customers the job title of Asst. Manager during first visit and "promote" them to Manager on the next visit, with a surprise appetiser by the Chef.  And of cos, you can climb the corporate ladder further with more visits!  *smiles*

 

Before you leave, don't forget to take a picture with their adorable door host (whom I believed is a genuine Japanese and can speak very fluent English)!

4Fingers Crispy Chicken @ION

When I first heard about how tasty and popular the Korean-styled 4Fingers Crispy Chicken is - my first response was that: "How can anyone miss out this store especially when it is located at the most prominent shopping mall in Singapore?!"  Plus this store has been opened for more than a year!!  Still today, many of my friends have yet to hear about this fast food outlet, not to mention tasting it!  Thus, I will be reviewing about "wings" lately.  (Don't be mistaken for this is not Korean crispy chicken.  It is inspired by eateries in New York city that sell Korean fried chicken.)

I have ate at the ION Orchard outlet and ordered takeaway for several times (*Ideal supper snack for our elderly, if you want to display your act of filial piety!. B'cos the wings surprisingly still crispy even when it is takeaway, not consumed on the spot!).  The crowd just keep coming in even after 9pm, but the peak period should be around 7-8pm, after that it is easier to get seats.  The tricky thing to dine at the outlet itself, is to find and secure seats first, before you can join the queue and order your food.  Cos' the food is prepared and served pretty quickly.  Unless, you get many people who had finished their food but hogging the seats to chitchat.  (Seriously, that little shopfront is NOT MEANT for group gatherings or after-meal chitchat!  Go somewhere else for chitchat pls!!)  Hence, normally I will go find seats, while my Hubby queue in the line --> Teamwork folks! haa

4Fingers Crispy Chicken
@ION Orchard #B4-06A
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 238801

How to order?

There are 10 value meal sets to choose from (#Reference menu taken from their website).

Set A - 6pcs option in mix of Soy Garlic + Hot & Spicy wings & drummettes; and Set C - Chicken Burger.

Do not expect to have meaty wings, cos' they are using small wings and drumlets.  The selling point of their wings is "crispiness" with immersed sauce that clings tightly onto the wings' skin.  The 2 different sauces used - "Soy Garlic" and "Hot & Spicy" are simply good match (I like to have both sauced-wings alternately consumed)!  You will be caught finger-licking for sure!  While you are savouring the wings, don't forget the fries!  Their fries are also crispy on the outside and warm & soft on the inside.  Also, the "seaweed" slightly-spicy powder (also can opt for "kimchi" powder) sprinkled over it just enhanced the taste more.  So eat it while it is still hot (the 5-minute "live fries" rule still applies!)!

I have tried Set B - Katsu Chicken Sandwich on a separate visit, and I still liked it over the Chicken Burger.  It is a little oily as the 2 layers of bread (somewhat similar to Chinese bun, not 'bao') are deep-fried to its maximum crisp.  Oh come on, forget about feeling guilty since you are here to eat fast food!  Get rid of those extra calories after the meal! ;) 

Honestly, I would consider 4Fingers as one of the more expensive fast food chains, as you are expected to pay ~S$10 per set meal on average.  If you have not try their wings till today, I strongly URGE you to try it (despite the pending long queue)!  There will be a 2nd outlet to be opened at Plaza Singapura soon, so yeah we can eat it more often!!

Keep a lookout on my upcoming review on more Korean-inspired wings, Nene Chicken, recently opened at Star Vista.

::Travel Journal:: Boracay, Philippines - The Prep

I first heard about Boracay, this beach island from a Filipina ex-colleague.  So after hitting the keywords into Google, I have marked this beautiful beach my next beach destination to go (following will be Hua Hin!).

Leveraging on the promo prices from Jetstar, we quickly booked the tickets to Manila, Philippines to depart in 1 month's time.

After some massive deliberation with our couple friends within the short 2-3 days, we decided to depart for Boracay via Kalibo (instead of Caticlan, which is nearer to Boracay).  *The tricky part is that to save $costs$ on domestic flight, we would have to spend more time on travelling - to take additional bus ride.  Hence the conclusion was to, save some $$ on flight and allocate more $$ on accommodation.  My rough, yet safe estimation would be a 12-hr journey (could be shorter) to get to Boracay from Singapore, with sufficient time allocated for transfer in b/w international & domestic flight terminal.  As such, with the travelling time wastage, we planned for a 5D4N trip to Boracay, so we could have at least 3-full days on the island.

Here are a list of my Top 10 things/items that you must bring for a beach getaway:
1.  Sunblock, with at least SPF 50++ --> You will need more than SPF 100++ if going out to the sea, or playing water sports.  A non-oily and non-sticky one is highly recommended.

2.  Bikini / Swim Wear - for the men, you can simply bring 1 or 2 pairs of swimming trunks, unless you don't mind wearing the same wet pair of trunks the following day.
For the ladies, you have to prepare enough sets of bikinis (est. 1 set for each day).  Cos' the weather is so hot, every gal on the island wears a bikini & walk around.  So don't get caught in any fashion disaster --> Floral prints are out, & plain luminous + frills bikinis are in!
3.  Sunglass / Visor / Shades
4.  Straw Hat - this could be your fashion statement, but if you don't have it, fret not!  For it can be bought easily along the beach, at a real cheap price (less than SGD10)!
5.  Moisturising Mask - especially when going to such tropical regions, or after being out under the sun a whole day.

6.  Beach Wear - travel light with beach wear that are light in weight, as well as dry fast materials.
7.  Slippers - So much easier to walk on the sand with slippers, you won't need any shoes at all (unless you are going for trekking, which I doubt so..). 
8.  Camera - a good & easy-to-use camera is essential! You don't want to miss out those beautiful scenery after taking all the trouble getting there! ;)
9.  Aloe Vera Gel - carry a small bottle (56g) will be enough, in case you get burnt under the sun.
10. Dry Bag - for wet clothes, or prevent water & sand from getting into your belongings (esp. handy if you are on a boat to do any water activities).

Can't wait to see the highly-rated White Beach and look forward to the blue skies, sunshine, white sand & hot bikini babes/hunks!

Gourmet Weekend - Part 2 @The Grandstand

Further down the Bukit Timah Road, it led us to The Grandstand (formerly known as the Turf City).  It has been redeveloped and now transformed into a mega restaurant and "marketing" spot!

All the non-aircon food hawkers and vendors were removed but so glad one of my previous food owners is still around!  It has been shifted to an air-conditioning and restaurant concept, but still has its "signature" bar counter within the shop.

CURRY GARDENn
@The Grandstand #01-06
200 Turf Club Road
Singapore 287994
Tel: 6314 4640
*Reservation is recommended!

Mango lassi and Indian lime juice --> Yummy! 

 
Garlic naan set with tandoori chicken (can choose between tandoori and fried chicken) is nice, cos its gravy was flavourful and not too watery; chicken is tender.  However, I find the naan was too thick, had too much flour taste in it (just can't beat the hot, crispy-sides garlic naan from Grand Palki!).
It is more $$-worth, as compared to ordering from ala carte menu, unless you prefer to have more meat or vegetable dishes.

 
Garlic naan set with lamb is another good choice.  Its meat is totally tender without any strong stench.

 
~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,

Pasarbella is a new spot to visit in town!  The concept of a gourmet market has brought Singapore's F&B scene to a whole new level.

Pasarbella
@The Grandstand
200 Turf Club Road
Singapore 287994




Listing of the stores (majority still not ready for business at time being).  They had a soft launch held on 4 & 5 May, so there should be more stores opened by now.

 

 
The retro steel-foiled partition is an ideal & must-take spot to snap pictures with your good company (see below picture).

 

 

Love the slogan on one of the wall (at east end entrance) - "You are what you eat"!  How true it is.....well, Singaporeans are more particular in food now and we jolly well can afford better quality food not just to satisfy our basic needs e.g. hunger & nutrition, but also our taste buds.  Eating good food is also a form of modern lifestyle.

 

I have also spotted a store that are selling macarons, which are more expensive than Laduree Singapore!  Hope they really taste good, but too bad the shopfront ain't enticing enough for me to buy from them. 

 

Look out for more organic foodstuff and coming our way during my next visit!

Gourmet Weekend - Part 1

Torque is having moving out sales, up to 50% storewide discount for ALL the 'atas' food supplies and wines, extended from 3 May till 3 June! 

Don't miss out the fruit preserve that is richer than normal jam (containing higher fruit content), and special choice of pasta that comes with different pasta recipes inside!

Torque
@ToTT Store
896 Dunearn Road
Sime Darby Centre
#01-01A Singapore 589472