Nobody Stays Virgin

I do reckon that the title is rather rude but it's a funny quote I came across few years ago. It sounds like "nobody stays virgin, life fxxks everyone." There's a rationale behind this - my life is pretty screwed for the past few weeks.

Went to Canelé Pâtisserie Chocolaterie yesterday - to seek refuge and to find sanity. Their awesome sinful macarons will give me peace of mind in a blissful afternoon. With Sarah Turnbull's "Almost French" and Joyce Jonathan's "Le Piège" and "J'ai Pas Besoin De Toi" shuffling between songs in ipod, I was soothed for a few good hours.

Sinking in the cozy couch in Canelé Pâtisserie Chocolaterie, Robertson Walk. Short legs, in Salvatore Ferragamo's Varina (merely look-alike, haven't got the real ones from Florence :p).

Macarons, Caramel Latte and book

My all-time favourite - haven't been this loyal to flavours: Violet, Caramel Sel (Salty Caramel) and 77% Ganache (Dark Chocolate). Every bite gives you the ultimate indescribable pleasure.

Sipping latte. I think I found the way to overcome my allergic to coffee. The culprit that makes me sick is not the caffeine but sugar and instant creamer. A cup of long black / espresso is now my morning dosage of alcohol on my workdays.

Upon finishing 3/4 of my latte, I found something that made me smiled genuinely, or rather stupidly in the cafe alone: Stressed = Desserts :)

Colleague of mine told me that macarons from Hilton is good. This was the one. Had this while half-way vetting documents in my office.

Still like the one from Canelé. Die-hard fan.

I remember I once said I will melt if someone buys me a dozen of these angelic macarons. I was lying. Two years ago, he did that. Flew all the way just to get one dozen of Canelé macarons and brought back to me, hoping to surprise me when I opened the door and saw it. I was thrilled for 3 minutes, and being too realistic, I knew that even the best macarons flew from Paris will never be able to salvage the relationship that was fated to end. I left ever since then and never got back.

Life is rather maddening these days. I have to make crucial decisions in life again, just like gambling. You lose once the wrong decision is made. Nobody knows how, what and when, only yourself know best. It's dreadful when you don't get support from your loved ones. I know it's hard to support someone when you know you are losing him / her. It's all about give and take, you gain something, and you lose something else. I lost someone recently and if I were to go venturing further as I wish, the same damn thing is going to happen again and again. I guess karma comes back and round. Yes it does.

I officially declare macarons as my best comfort food. Especially the one from Canelé. Till I find something better, if that ever exists.

Liebe to all broken souls. Have a feast for a better day. Guten appetit...
xx

Canelé Pâtisserie Chocolaterie
11 Unity Street, Robertson Walk, #01-09 Singapore
Tel: + 656738 8145 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            + 656738 8145      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Fight or Leave It.

I am kinda agitated since last week. I don't know why. Something is bothering me. Past histories.

Have been repeating Cee-Lo Green's "Fxxx You" for billions of times these two days. Love this song for no reason. Maybe it's because Bruno Mars wrote this song. It was funny when I was partying a few weeks ago, the DJ played this song and everyone at the dance floor was dancing with their middle fingers up :)

Lotsa rubbish in my mind. I was telling bestie that I have learnt a hard approach as I grow older - that I will have to fight for something that I want. On the other hand, she mentioned that sometimes the more you do, the harder you try, the lesser of chance you will get it. Sigh, what an irony. I don't know, maybe it was what I have encountered that makes me a person today. Someone with very strong characteristics I guess - so bad that sometimes I intimidate people and chase them away :P

Two years ago, when I was focusing wholeheartedly on building my career, I told everyone that all I ever wanted was my career. THAT'S ALL.

Two years later, after experiencing a failed 4-year relationship, bad karma, shifting and traveling, lost someone so significant that hit me so bad and still building my career, I have somehow changed my mindset. If you were to ask me the same question of what do I want, I can be very frank in telling you that "I want to settle down. If someone I love were to ask me to marry him, I will do so!" Unfortunately, there isn't anyone, how depressing :)

Guess it was all because of peer pressure of seeing everyone around getting married and expecting babies. Another bestie actually told me that expecting a baby was "the best and most miraculous moments in her life" - WOW! She is happily married and recently welcomed her baby girl to this beautiful (and mean) world :)

To fight or not to fight. It's tiring to fight alone. I don't know but I believe how my heart feels. If it's not going to work, it ain't going to work but oh well, at least I tried :)

Will be visiting the one-month-old Xavier tomorrow. This god son is so fortunate to have a shopaholic aunt who just bought him a pair of Ralph Lauren shoes!

Liebe xx

Satisfying the German Craving

By all means, I am talking about food. I know, it will be so much better to enjoy the hearty German cuisine with a hot German dude but well, didn't happen. Was having dinner with Sky and his soon-to-be girlfriend, hopefully :)


I have been pretty geeky recently. All I ever done was Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, Google, Blackberry and iPhone. Of course some movies, Half-way through a Puerto Rican movie though. Googles has been the best friend in finding whatever needed. Even food. I have decided not to be geeky and will bring Cessa, my DSLR out for dinner on a Sunday evening.


Having a soft spot for German (the culture I mean), I love everything about the country. I made a reservation at Brotzeit the moment I read about it.

Original Munchner Dunkel Paulaner - a dark lager beer from Munich. Characteristic ruby brown hue comes from caramel malts and is filled with a rich malt sweetness.

I don't like beer, except Paulaner (and Bintang beer). I know I am a weirdo but this is unexplainable. Maybe another soft spot? Personally I think that this beer is so much smoother than the normal gassy lager beer.

Iced Cappuccino

Weisswurst

Sky was like "What the heck are you talking about?"

"GERMAN! SAUSAGE!"

"You speak German?"

"A teensy bit of broken Deutsch" (Sad)

Three traditional Bavarian veal and pork sausage served with home made pretzel

Frankly I don't find this weisswurst as great as those I have had before. Maybe because it was boiled and not smoked so it tasted a tad too soft and bland. However, the pretzel was awesome, slightly crunchy and chewy.

Cordon Bleu

This is definitely one of the most fattening dishes that I love everywhere - pork, deep fried, cheese and ham. However, I must say that Cordon Bleu here is pretty disappointing as it was too dried and the melting cheese that was supposed to be in the centre was, unseen. Maybe it was "melted" while being deep fried in a pot of hot oil :(

The main - Pork knuckle

This is simply delicious. The skin is so sinfully crunchy and the only thing that stopped me from eating this was when my newly met friend, Suzanne talked about cholesterol. Please, please don't talk about serious topics over the dining table? Seriously, I should start to work out now. I can't be eating like this and not doing anything about the fats accumulated... I should go to the gym, maybe in another two weeks time :)

My plate towards the end of the dinner. A bit of Cordon Bleu, A bit of pork knuckle and a lot of Sauerkraut. I LOVE Sauerkraut but those from El Cerdo seems to taste better. Well this is very fine as well no doubt.

The bar / long dining table near to the entrance

I will come back for more pork knuckle and Paulaner beer - even though it reminds me of someone silly.
However, as said, please allow me to have some time to work out. I seriously need to. I am gaining so much weight nowadays by simply allowing myself to eat whatever and whenever...

(Hello, this is a food blog, how are you going to write without eating? - Well, make sense)


Guten appetit!

Brotzeit German Bier Bar & Restaurant
VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk,
#01-149/151
Singapore 098585

Tel: +65 6272 8815
Email: info@brotzeit1516.com

* Reservation is recommended

Mamma Mia Italiano ... Mondo Mio

In order to create the ambiance to write a review for an Italian restaurant, I am tuning into Italian songs - by my all-time favourite, Il Divo.

My ex-colleague highly recommended Mondo Mio for real good Italian food, especially their risotto. After watching "The Guru of Chai" play (pretended to be artistic :P), me and my only bestie in this small island headed to this restaurant.

I love Italian food, even though they are fattening. Sigh.

Being a ravioli die-hard fan, I will order this dish whenever I find it in the menu. Mondo Mio serves Ravioli di Ricotta & Spinaci in Crema di Formaggio. 

The menu says "Truly authentic Italian dumplings filled with spinach and ricotta cheese and tossed in a creamy cheese sauce". I was stunned when the dish was served, even before I tried it - as I can count how many pieces are there! You got it - 8 tiny pieces and guess what, I was starving that time so I took less than 15 minutes to finish it. Yeah right, I know I am a big eater. Frankly I don't find ravioli here extraordinary. The Lobster Ravioli I had at Centro KL (I think the restaurant is closed down now) was the best, followed by the Salmon and Pumpkin Ravioli at L'osteria Langkawi.

Bestie had the Pasta all’Amatriciana - your choice of Italian pasta served in a slightly spicy tomato sauce flavoured with thinly sliced onion and bacon.We both found that the pasta was not cooked al-dente but UNCOOKED. Too bad. Didn't like it at all.

As mentioned earlier, I was starving and 8 tiny pieces of ravioli were not filling enough for big eater. So I went for dessert. We shared the Chocolate Profiterole. It was okay but the ice-cream tasted like normal Nestle ice-cream instead of gelato that a decent Italian restaurant should serve.

We didn't enjoy the dinner though. Well I guess everyone deserves a second chance. Maybe I will pay a visit again for something else.


Guten Appetit!

Mondo Mio
30, Robertson Quay
Riverside View #01-02A
Singapore 238251

Brew Works Magic at Brewerkz

Used to work somewhere near to one of the most happening spot in this small island - Clarke Quay. Friday night was when we will head to somewhere to grab a beer or two and bitch about nonsensical people around the world.


Brewerkz is one of the places for such occasion. Brewerkz - "Brew Works" - quite a quirky name huh? This place serves about 15 types of unique own-brewed beer, those that you can't never find at the supermarket.


Frankly I am not a beer person. However, I must admit that beer suits casual conversation the most. I do like Bintang beer from Bali. I still remember how i drank a whole mug of chilled Bintang beer the moment I sat down with my friends at the restaurant.


This place is always crowded with well-heeled white-collared people sitting in groups, chatting jovially and of course, drinking beer. The first time I came here it somehow reminded me of Paulaner Bräuhaus at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski, Jakarta. Darn, how could I forget this place and Paulaner beer - one-litre of it made me lost so much of.... Okay, enough of whining...

I tried their honeyed beer. Pretty smooth and definitely for ladies who opt for something light and easy to go with. I prefer the Darkside Lager though. My friend somehow got us some huge onion rings for signing in FourSquare @@

Apart from beer beer beer beer beer and more beer, Brewerkz has a really extensive food menu as well, serving finger food such as fries that go best with beer to sandwiches, pizzas and hearty Pork Knuckle. We ordered some Nachos and they were sooooooooooo goooooooodd....

If you are really not a beer person, wines, spirits, liquors and cocktails are available from the menu as well. Come on guys, you want to see how their brew works, don't you :)


Let's head for beer next Friday!


Brewerkz Riverside Point
30 Merchant Road
#01-05/06 Riverside Point
Singapore 058282
Tel: +65 6438 7438

So Seoul Yummy

Wandered around The Central Mall, looking for food with my ex-colleague. Grumpy and hungry. Menu displayed outside captured our attention. Went in straight and ordered a set menu for two persons in less than 10 minutes.

I am not a K-pop person. My young cousin was once trying hard to introduce me Shinee, SJ or TBXQ etc. In less than 2 minutes, I got all of them mixed up. I think I have only watched two Korean drama series in my entire life. Korean food, however, is something I fancy.

As usual - the side dishes. They serve spicy cold tofu (first on left), potato salad, braised nuts, pickled cucumber, fried anchovies and of course, Kimchi.

My all-time favourite - spicy Kimchi soup with pork, tofu, shiitake mushroom and other generous condiments all found in the thick, rich soup. Hot, spicy and absolutely delicious! (In fact the best I have ever tasted) What's Korean food without Kimchi soup?

The set meal for two comes with three main courses for you to choose. We agreed on the Spicy Beef Glass Noodles as one of them and it's definitely the right choice. Can never get enough of the bouncy glass noodles with huge slices of beef   (I ordered the same during my subsequent visit as well...)

Another main course - Spicy (again) Hot Plate Chicken. I would say there isn't anything extraordinary to yell about this dish. The chicken is tender, would be better if it is spicier... 

Some of the other choices include Hot Plate Salmon, Bibimbap and Saba Fish. The Saba Fish is pretty decent though.


Staying in this small island could be very depressing sometimes, as I don't seem to be able to find good food easily. Seoul Yummy is one of the few exceptions so far.


Guten Appetit, liebe...

Seoul Yummy
The Central Mall
Level 3-92/95
6 Eu Tong Sen Street, Singapore
Tel: +65 62278802

A New Place. A New Me.

I am moving forward.
I am leaving the dramas behind.
I am going to be a god mother for little Xavier.

I want to eat good food.
I want to go travelling.
I want to blog more frequent.
I want to take more nice photos using my DSLR, Cessa.
I want to ensure a certain figure in my bank account by end of 2011.
I want someone who can make me committed to a relationship.

I, am starting a new life.
Off you go, nonsensical people...

Lunar. Rabbit. New Year

I am going to leave the politics for a few days.
I am going to leave my fort for a few days.
I am going to leave all the stabbing and defending for a few days.
I am going to leave the mailbox runs by itself for a few days.
I am going to be myself for a few days.
I am going home for a few days.

Happy Lunar New Year peeps. May the Year of the Rabbit be a bountiful and prosperous one for all.
I hope this is going to be a great year for me.

Haven't Met You Yet

Sipping Corona at Clarke Quay, 22nd January 2011, 10:00 pm.
Part and parcel of conversation between me and my bestie, Michelle aka SY.

***

Mich SY: In Red
Me: In purple

Mich SY: Can I ask you a question?

Me: Yeah?

Why did you break up with him after being together for so long? Don't you think it's sad?

Erm, yeah, it was sad that we didn't manage to be together after four damn years but I had to do it. I don't want the same terrible thing to happen again.

Don't you think it's wasted? I mean, not to say "wasted" but he is a great guy. He has done so much for you.

Yeah, he definitely is. He never yelled at me throughout these years. At all. The only time he yelled, we're done. It just needed to happen. I was about to leave the city that time and I foresaw that the same damn thing of his insecurity will happen again and again, like a never ending story. You know, the thought of me being unfaithful just because he's insecure kills everything. I was sorry for the way I let it go too but you know, that's the best way.

You know what, the worst thing was, I have been living under the wrong perception. Everyone thought that I was the cruel one who dumped him. In fact, it's just the total opposite. I was unwanted. Haha... 

Yeah, that's why. It's the same between me and my boyfriend now. We are so far away from each other and I have to do things to make him feel secured. When you are apart from each other, you just need to take care of his feeling, just so the relationship grows stronger.

However, I think that long-distance might just work for me at the moment. I have been moving a bit these two years.

By the way, do you wish to get someone and how do you plan to do that?

Erm, I don't know , there's nothing much I can do, hahahaha... except to wait for the right him to fall from the sky (God, please be mercy to me :P)
Well, it's nice to have someone to talk to, someone who cares but the thought of having to contribute the same frightens me. Sometimes I seriously think that I don't have the time to care a damn thing about my partner (if I happen to have one now) because life has been crazy enough for myself. I can't imagine if I have to comfort someone while I've just had the worst day of my life. I know, this sounds unfair, relationship is a two-way thing, but it's tiring.

***

Conclusion: Maybe I should act dumb. Being too independent freaks people out. Nay, not a good idea at all...

I guess it's half timing, and the other half's luck - Haven't Met You Yet by Michael Buble

Lotsa love to those who love, and to those being loved ... Xx

Away. Again

Haven't really got the time to update what's wrong with me lately here. Yes, I have moved again. From one island to another. A city island this time. Everything was mad rush.

Life has been okay, could be better. Getting used to traveling with the subways, not to forget bus.

Looking for more places for better food. 

Paying rental which is almost equivalent to the money sufficient for a nice apartment / posh imported car back in my home country. 

Just realized that I have a long-abandoned twitter account. My last tweet was nearly exactly one year ago - when the Christmas was just around the corner.I should start to tweet more. Not only for work anymore.
Do check out the right panel here.

This year, I am not home for Christmas.
Have a blessed Christmas, lotsa love to all lonely souls away from home and loved ones.