Tony Roma's anyone

Hey, if you like Tony Roma's...here's a free-for-all voucher...think anyone can use it. Expires at the end of this month!

http://www.tonyromas-mms.com/files/documents/Singapore/gc-voucher.jpg

My Little Red House

Sourcing for something 'power' in the middle of the night is no easy feat. I always like going to eating places which are not overly crowded.

But after trying the delightful treats at little Red House (located just behind Pek Kio Community club - you could see it from the glittering purple lights) I couldn't stop going back there.

The "xian yu cao fan" (Salted Fish Fried Rice)is an instant hit! Days later I went back to discover more delights. What I like about the food is that it is consistently good. It hovers between good and very good - never disappointing!

Other favourites of mine will definitely include:

- Black Pepper Beef (tender to the utmost, I'm not sure if it's over dosing the bi-carbonate soda or the stuff that cooks do to fake suppleness...taste is just great - never to intoxicating)

- Salted Egg Prawns

- Deep Fried Baby Squid

- Sambal Kangkong (like the other dishes never intoxicating..
I've had Sambal KK at other more famous joints like, Sinma, Long Beach, Jumbo and so on and still they don't taste quite like this...I guess if you go to some other places which some of their specialty dishes are so-called excellent,
the less "important" dishes would not be overly enjoyable.
The slight sweetness of the sambal added to its moderate spiciness balances out the rougher texture of the vegetable making it more platable then its peers.

In 3 words "cruncy", "Tender", "Addictive"

- I usually like the soup to go with it. Nothing great or fancy aboutthe soups but it goes well with dishes. If you're soupy people like methe conventional salted vege beancurd and other seafood stuff one would fit the rest of the dishes.

- And oh yeah...this is a definite must!!..they don't make it all the time..
Mongolian Tofu (Meng gu Doufu). Doesn't look too much does it? but mmmmm...delightful


The owner, Vincent is an excellent host. He used to be the one cooking at a smaller Zhi Cha diam and now he runs this make shift "restaurant" which is located at the (name) hostel. The guy remembers the names of his frequenters. He would indicate to his workers, "Mrs Wong Lai le (Mrs Wong has come - with the infered connotation, "attend to her") and his men would rush to take her orders.


Talking is stimulating enough to make me drip from the side of my lips. I'm not sure if I'm exaggerating but I can tell you how most of the dishes here taste.

And if that's not enough...my mother who is the self-proclaim authority on "authentic chinese food" (the fallacious concept that everything that my grandma told her is chinese, oughta be chinese - and the latter definitely isn't the sanest of people - but 'nuff said)...took a bite on the black pepper beef that I tar powed for her said, "Mm wah! the beef very nice"

This is the first Tze Char that she never complained about. Usually it's like, "This one too black! Not fresh izzit dats why so much black sauce" or "so salTISH"

Tastebutts Feel: Not to speak too highly about one of my pet places, I'd dare say that it has always been GOOD - consistenly good. I bet that that's something you will agree to once you plunge your own tastebutts into them...but just my personal opinion. I think it's just excellent!

Way Out of a Man's wrath is his Stomach

I think it's all arbitrary when people ask me, where they can find the "best" this 'n that. Same goes for food....to me I don't think there is something that I can proclaim as "The Best"... that no one would refute or at the least disagree with.

However, I have an opinion for a characteristic that can be counted as "good" (especially in the realms of food). Something that is good oughta placate my anger when I'm utterly pissed with something (or someone). It is said that a "hungry man is an angry man". Yes I get grumpy and easily worked up when I'm hungry but that's not to say that it is the only legitimate reason.
Just today I got pretty pissed at someone (nope this is not one of those blogs where a guy throws tantrums, whine or sulk vehemently over international space). I know I needed something "good" to calm my anger.

My wife and I drove to Compass Point and I had only one shop I wanted to try and that was Curry San! Yes there seems to be one at Far East Sq but I only discovered it recently. (You see I'm not one of those CBD guys.....hardly there ..too much ERPs and massive carpark (over)charges!!) But anyway.... the food was good!

Fast food style (like Yoshinoya pattern) Japanese Curry. The alternative dishes are mainly Miso soup based. We ordered Vongole Spagetthi (like "clam soup mee.. tng" likedat - don't have the white wine to go with it but replaced w/miso soup) and Breaded Cod Fish Curry with Rice. They are really not bad!

The presentation was nice and the taste?.... though it was not something to die for...but quite good. The curry doesn't feel like overly intoxicating (you know like they say, "too much bi jeng lah, make u very thirsty and after hair all drop")...sweet and typically non-spicy Japanese curry mix.

The Spagetthi was a little too powdery for my liking and the clams were a little clammy. We can't like lup chilli or tabasco sauce over it without spoiling the taste of the Miso soup, which was actually quite good too.

The selection is wide enough as far as types (different animal types) and simple enough as far as categories (only got curry/miso base - the rest are like side-dishes). Also, give this place some business lah...especially if you live around Sengkang, Yio Chu Kang or AMK (as you can see the pic above, the place's a lil' empty...I see people walk past sometimes... like scared to try). Most importantly it eased my tastebutts (like my tongue and stomach have anger glands or receptors or something) and my wrath....lets just say I forgave the person immediately after eating.

If you're looking for a fast-food type alternative and if you are tired of Yoshinoya and Mos Burger, try this out. It's not to ex but not real cheap either. We paid $15 in total for the two, alongside a drink and a small bowl of soup.

Tastebutts Opinion: No complains. No Thumbs up, pleasent and puts a smile on my face.

Set "A"

I was supposed to graduate with a B.Th years ago but was short of a couple of subjects. I finally found time to complete those missing credits. My classes are at a private school near Jalan Berseh. So I had about 30 mins before classes began, this Tuesday.

The immediate impression was of course breakfast at MACs. (like there was some subliminal mental "anchor" that make me scream "mcdonalds!!", whenever I think "Breakfast"). This is the one at Jalan Berseh - New World Center. If you play pool, that's the building which national players train in.
I walked into Mcdonalds with no money, so I walked out to the nearest ATM bout 50 meters away to draw some.

I haven't had Mcdonalds for a while now 'cause of the obvious: The desire to rid myself of the terror that is my post-quarterlife, mid-sectional but otherwise benign "tumor" (aka my paunch) and the practical desire to stay healthier longer, saved me from Ronald's evil clutches for several months now.

Good thing for me, my junk food resistance (and that momentary diversion to the ATM) led me to switch choices. I looked over to Jalan Berseh food center (which was on the other side of Jalan Berseh) and I saw Coffee Hut....

I'm usually not impressed with food that comes out from that hawker center. However, this shop caught my eye..... A bunch of executives were sitting around this "accolade" filled stall (from afar it looked like a secondary school newspaper-clips montage project)

I rushed over quickly and ordered the usual "Set A" from a menu suspiciously similar to other bread and coffee joints. Standard items at lower prices...think it was $3.80 versus $4.20 at places like Toast Box and Killiney)

According to the old New Paper cutting featuring the owner himself, this guy forked-out $3000 to learn the art of coffee making. (my instant response? "wah lau eh!!! kenna con xia" heh actually I teach magic also at that price) ...anyway... guess what - IT WAS WORTH IT!!

The coffee was heavy in aroma and smooth in texture (moderate acidity). If you're talking about the initial, to me... it was jolting enough. But what's more, there was major resonance!! It was most satisfying to my tastebutts!!

I'm no coffee expert but it felt heavenly, (like as though I was tasting civet crap refined coffee beans). 1st class ..but if you're a heavy drinker....Like you like those dam gao, dam bitter type, then I don't think it's your cup of tea (or coffee).

The bread? So-so lah...

The eggs? I must admit quite shiok (wait quite long for it xia - make me late for class..so i ate in a rush...never take pic) but I think better than the original Killiney Road one (which many swear by). The choice of jiang ching (soy sauce) and pepper is mild. (For taste of 'runny eggs', I'd rather the one at Koufu Fernvale Point in Sengkang)....but I guess if you like... than you like...it all boils down to preference right?

If you need a routine shot of caffeine, pop down to Coffee Hut one morning and treat yourself to "three grand" standard coffee.

Tastebutts Appraisal: It sure sets me up for the rigors of my Greek Interpretation class! Two thumbs up on the coffee! One thumb each for the rest of the set.

Nepalese Tease

Ah...little did I know that blogging would be so tedious. I'm just talking about Soooper Simple video editing using Microsoft Picture Editor (which you may not have heard off - it comes free with Web Expression - which is a totally non-popular and uncool web editing program).

Okay anyway this was lunch from a few days ago, I spent whatever little time I possessed to blog but ended up only doing basic editing of the pics!

I'm not sure if you've heard of this small food place at Block 95 Toa Payoh Lorong 4 (Tim's Restaurant and Cafe. I knew it's too good to be true when my friend brought me there. He told me that it was Nepalese food. My first response was, "Izzit? (meaning: dunno whether can Nepalese food really come out of Toa Payoh - usually "indegeous" cusines are reserved for the "Atas" variety. But my guess was partially right...they are a little shack that serves a variety of so called "western food" with a few authentic (i can't really tell) Nepalese snacks.

If you look at the menu here, you can see that the snacks are stated right at the bottom. When I frantically rummaged through the menu, this was the only page that was presenting Nepalese food.
But (like you should already noticed) the prices are feastable as they are feasible. Number 89 on the menu caught my eye on the menu. Initially, I wanted pasta at a place I use to frequent in AMK where Botak Jones (AMK branch) now resides...it ceased to exist!! so my friend recommended this place instead.

Like I was saying, 89 (Aussie Pork Chop) tickled my lenses. I ordered it and they say, "Sori ser dawn haf (she might be Nepalese, least she looks it...?)".

"HAA, don't have!?" I exclaimed and my opinion was already downhill (POPULAR DEMAND?? - duh I was like the only customer there and I don't get it?). I decided to hold off the judgment first and give them a chance. So I ordered the Samosa (apparently Nepalese but tasted nice, just like normal curry puff - see picture above) a lunch set which comes with soup, garlic bread, 3 in one Teh Tarik, banana cake and THiS....


This Snapper, quite bought back my certain confidence in their selection. I thought it looks good enough to water my tastebutts slightly. Taste was above decent but texture was a little off - felt slightly overcooked (my friend exclaimed a similar sentiment with his spring chicken "Dry" was his comment).

Of course, the major redeeming factor was the $15 (approximately) I paid for the entire meal. Also, the mash potatoes was nice. Moreover, it helped embellished the "weight" of the dish and it helped filled me up. (It's important that I get a good burp after a meal - without it all hope - that means that it has to be nice enough for me to put it all down - I'm not too much a fuss but fussy enough - if it sucks I'll be unabashed not to even continue.)

All in all, it's "cost effective" (i.e. of total experience) ...nice place to go to..servers are nice bunch. Good executive lunch crowd and not too expensive - pretty decent!

My tastebutts ratings: I give it one lembeh thumb up..

The Right Topic

I've been thinking of blogging for a while now but it's hard to find a subject that I'd actually like sharing with the whole world.

Let's just put it this way, talking about food is not reserved for the "experts" (as many other topics are). To me a food "expert" is one who likes food and is serious 'bout it.!

Me? I eat to live so that I might continue eating.

Wise King Solomon has put it this way, " A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work." (Ecclesiaties 2:24)

Of course, food is not an end or a means for me but it's certainly a serious part of my life.
Since I'm neither "gustationally" nor "horizontally" challenged, I know that blogging's gonna be a real treat for me!