Red Hot Chilli Ban Mee @ Amoy

I have a new addiction - and it comes in a form of noodles. Yes, 'em humble noodles. Something so simple can come in so many variations, and they can be so darn delicious at that. Was recently introduced to this mouth-watering bowl of chilli goodness, churned out by Grandma Ban Mee in Amoy Food Centre (apparently they been in operation since Dec 2015 and I've only been flagged of their existence like a week ago. Tsk tsk tsk, must keep eyes open wide enough), and I've been hooked ever since.

Like OMG really.............. Take my money already, please.

The Low Down on Good Eats - Amoy Food Center Series

Can't quite find any write-ups about this hawker center. But from the facade of the building, it looks to be have been built around the 80s? Nonetheless, for those working around the CBD (Shenton Way, Tanjong Pagar area) you would have been pretty much acquainted with grabbing a hurried lunch here, jostling with the office crowd and choping seats with tissue packets, namecards, EZ Link cards, etc...... Ahh, the joys of dining in the Central Business District. Despite all the shortcomings this place has, it still proves to be a popular dining choice, food is good and decently priced. Here I have listed down some personal faves which I hope you may enjoy as much I do!

Rafee's Corner #01-76

They make one of THE Best Teh Halia ever. Key point to note is, when asked for "kurang manis" or "less sweet", the tea comes with just a hint of sweetness that does not overpower the heady scent of ginger and freshly brewed tea. Although they generally have some kuehs for sale throughout the day, the best variety is found in the mornings. Come early in to find familiar favourites like Kueh Lopis, Kueh Kosui and Pulut Panggang.

Would You Like Some Cha? @ Cha Tra Mue Tanjong Pagar

Just as how coffee come from a variety of beans from the world over, tea, too, come from a variety of tea leaves from the world over. Tea originated from southwestern China, and is now the second most widely consumed drink in the world (after water!). While tea plants may have it's origins in East Asia, throughout the years, with different types of processing and hybridization, we now have a mind boggling array of brews to choose from (if you happen to be at TWG, do take some time to browse through their non-exhaustive list of brews sourced from all around the world). It is said that China's legendary Da Hong Pao tea is the world's most expensive tea, 1g of this rare tea will set you back a staggering $1,400, or $10,000 for a pot! But hey, we don't need to go to that extent for a good cuppa, not too far away, tucked away along the stretch of little shops at Tanjong Pagar MRT, is Cha Tra Mue, who in my opinion, does the best Thai Milk Tea I have come across by far. And, I believe the throngs of eager customers awaiting their orders around lunch hour can attest to my claim, hehe.

Liquid gold

Magical Evening @ Cuca Flavor Restaurant, Jimbaran, Bali

It's been so long, since I have had actual time-out as a Mom. And we are talking time-out in a foreign land here! It has been a very trying of late, so many things going on in the background. What should I do with the evening that was miraculously gifted to me courtesy of a very dear friend (where the kid was spending a sleepover at)... With some very quick homework done a few hours to dinner time, Cuca Flavor was decided upon for dinner. The concept? Tapas style food given an artistic fine-dining updo while maintaining the traditional flavors of local Indonesian cooking.

Roasted Pork Buns @ IDR60K

Honey glazed BBQ pork held together with soft pancake bun. Utterly delicious.

Tea Time @ Arteastiq Mandarin Gallery

I believe Arteastiq had it's humble beginnings sometime in 2010-ish, when it once shared the current space in Mandarin Gallery with a furniture store called MARXX. And from what I gathered from reading some past online reviews, the Arteastiq as we now come to know (art jamming with F&B) came out on it's own in 2011-ish, and has now grown to 2 outlets (one in the original Mandarin Gallery location and another in Plaza Singapura). They are known to be the place to go to for a quiet respite in chaotic downtown Orchard, somewhat tai-tai-ish, if I may say so. Arteastiq serves quite a good range of teas, beautiful food in a serene space, and for those with a penchant for art, you can unleash your inner Da Vinci in their art studio section of each outlet. We've done art jamming twice, will do a write-up on that soon enough! But for now, let's talk food. Haha

Afternoon Tea set @ $48++, enough for 2 not-so-hungry people

RaRa And Reddy Goes To Movie In Park

There is just something about the great outdoors. Being outside, amongst the greens, clean fresh air. coupled with beautiful weather, add in some food and drinks, a picnic blanket, some pillows, a movie and a gorgeous sunset... and we've got a winner! Singapore Botanic Gardens was given the honor of being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site after being inscribed in Germany on 4th July 2015. How exciting is that, to have our very own gem of a park being one the only three Botanic Gardens listed as a heritage site (the other 2 being Kew Gardens in England and Padua Gardens in Italy). Our Botanic Gardens plays host to an array of events and activities all year round, ranging from free concerts, movie screenings, tours, walks.. There is always something for almost everyone. And lucky us, we managed to catch a movie screening during the March holiday this year,  Our very first movie in the park! Yay!

Perfect setting!

Sarnie Fix @ Park Bench Deli

There is nothing ordinary about the sarnies you get here. Everything seem to have gone for a "makeover", elevated to another level, gone from hmm-ok, to hmm-this-is-awesome. Opened not too long ago in 2015, this is a collaborative effort of Chef Ming (from the famed Lolla), Chef Andre Soen (The Cajun Kings) and business partner Aamir Ghani. No boring humdrum stuff here, expect amped up versions of humble everyday favourites. The menu might not too expansive, but hey, we believe that if you're gona sell just one thing, then you better be sure to make it so good you wouldn't have to sell anything else.

Grilled Cheese and Kong Bak Banh Mi

Andsoforth We Went! - The Picnic Edition

Stumbled upon an ad on Facebook, "The Picnic" it said, and indoor some more! There is no menu, no details of location, we are to book ourselves tickets, keep a look out for an "initiation" via SMS, follow instructions to the location of event (with clues provided), arrive at destination, have fun and oh, "keep The Secret between you (us) and us (Andsoforth)". Like OMG, so intriguing! Macam Amazing Race kinda feel! Psyched by the idea of a potential wild goose chase (considering my inability to navigate let alone read maps) and the mysterious makan session, I gamely paid for 2 tickets. And waited, and received, and found, and arrived, and ate, and had so much fun! Here's what went down..

Oh, just a tiny note, The Picnic was one of the many pop-up style events that Andsoforth has organized. The Picnic was sometime in Feb 2016, ya, procrastination took over unfortunately, bah (hence the They are now currently running another themed makan cum theater cum entertainment show entitled "The Spy, The Thug, His Wife, Her Lover". Tickets going for $88 per pop, check out their website for more details ya!

Our picnic basket for the afternoon (picnic basket did not come along, pity!)

Playing Willy Wonka For The Day @ Anjali Chocolat

Chocolate. Now who does not like chocolate? They come in all shapes and sizes and all variations, it  is made into candies, truffles, artisan chocolates, used in baking, in cooking, the list is endless. It goes as far as your imagination take you. Artisan chocolate in our Little Red Dot is a rarity, quite understandably, our hot and humid climate is not exactly ideal to get creative with something as temperamental as chocolate. But with that said, where there is a will there is a way, there is always the option of working in a cool climate controlled room with a/c. And that brings us to Anjali Chocolat, Set up not too long ago, probably sometime in 2014, they are known for their handmade chocolates infused with exotic flavors, how does Lemongrass Coconut Truffles and Star Anise Bonbons sound like? Yeah, sounds good enough :)
Now let's get our hands dirty and make some chocolate!

White Chocolate Lavender Truffles and Mayan Chilli Bonbons for sampling. Bliss.