All Things Nice

With the ever expanding empire of the BreadTalk Group, a new dessert place called "All Things Nice" was born.

Shop Front

However when I went into the restaurant, the only thing I could call nice was the country style ambiance with helpers wearing straw-hats. I nearly had a mini heart attack when I ordered the chendol. At $5.50 per bowl, i can easily eat 2 at any other food courts.

Country Theme

Taste was about average with red beans, soft attap chee, green jelly topped with sago and shreds of jackfruit.

Cost:$5.50

Rating: 3 / 5

All Things Nice

Suntec City Mall, 3 Temasek Boulevard #B1-165 Singapore 038983

Monsta Cafe

My 2nd Visit to Monsta Cafe. Due to its location, its tad inaccessible if we do not have a transport to get around. Since most of the time, our trip to JB was rather packed as we want to explore the most out of one visit. So you can actually see that my return would mean that this place is worth a visit..If you do have the chance, do take a ride there and experience it.

Monsta Cafe

It's a pretty nice place that serves food above average standard I would say. What attracted us was the environment was rather unique and eye catching with its cartoonic illustrations. This 2 Storey high restaurant does have a Alfresco Dining Area at the top. Cafe was spacious and great for holding of events. What's more they had a cozy cafe built in front of their shop where one could enjoy their interesting cups of coffee art as well as cakes.



 Thus far, this was the cutest menu that I ever come across in Johor.

Menu

Toilet had impressed me a little with chalk wordings written over the chalkboard painted walls.

Taro Milkshake was to my liking with some chocolate powder on its top. The drink reminded me of the old school tub of King's Ice Cream I had during my childhood days. Simply Love it's fragrance.

If I were to choose from the 2 milkshake I would prefer the former as it was generally sweeter. The chocolate milkshake was tad bitter and I thought we could get something better elsewhere.

A relaxing side dish,Deep Fried Shitake Mushrooms complemented with the glasses milkshakes on a relaxing weekend. Looks over-fried with its unattractive dark brown coarse exterior, the shrooms did taste good and soft with the chilli given. Vegetables was tuck aside on the dish added with vingear.

Well, if you are tired of the Shopping Food that looks the same everywhere, by visiting Monsta Cafe, it may spice up your day.

Monsta Cafe
Location: 157 Jalan Bestari 1/5, Taman Tan Sri Yaakob, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Tim Ho Wan (添好运) Famous Michelin-starred Hong Kong restaurant

Having awarded the Michelin star award, Tim Ho Wan has its status made prominent ever since it was first launched in Singapore few months back and this explains why the dim-sum die-hearts are willingly queuing outside the restaurant despite of the long waiting time that could take up to more than 2 hours. Yup, crazy but true!

My second attempt to Tim Ho Wan was successful. My first was simply too long and I had gave up as waiting time is about 3 crazy hours. I had taken extra mile to be as early as 9am (an hour before the operating hours) on a sunday morning and I'm still not the first in queue, there are about 20 pax ahead of me.

The big 4 Heavenly Kings are highly recommended and on top of the dinning menu.

4 Heavenly Kings

A1. Steamed Egg Cake
This sponge like cake was absolutely fluffy with mild sweetness with steamed vapor evaporating.
Normally I dont really fancy cake like this but the bite is really awesome!
Cost: S$3.80

Steamed Egg Cake

B5-S Prawn Dumplings (4Pcs)
are generally well fare. The springy prawns are encased in a filigree of fine and translucent wrap which goes very well with a dab of their specially made chilli.
Cost: S$5.50

E21 Congee with Lean Pork, Century Egg & Salted Egg
The mixture of eggs together with bits of Lean Pork Cubes are simply a tasty surprise among all Dim Sum Congee that I had tried so far.
Cost: S$4.80

Congee

Pork Dumpling with Shrimp (4pcs)
With a eye shape wolf berry on the top of the Siew Mai has enhanced the colors of the presentation. Standard of siew mai are probably on par with the few well known dim sum restaurants in Singapore. However, they do have a slight yellow skin smell which is not in flavor for me.
Costs: S$5.00

Siew Mai

Baked Bun with BBQ Pork (3pcs)
This is the BEST of all and a DEFINITE MUST TRY. Soft crispy crust most probably drizzled with sugary butter gives the exterior a contemporary twist to the BBQ Pork Bun. The humble BBQ Pork was meaty and succulent with the BBQ Pork Sauce giving it depth and richness in flavour.
Dangerously Addictive snack with a winning combination of crispy and sweet! No wonder they limit 3pcs to each pax.
Cost:S$4.50

Limited Order of Baked Bun with BBQ Pork

Fresh Char Siew!

Pan Fried Carrot Cake (3 Pcs)
A very rich in raddish flavour carrot cake with little flour. Perfectly well steam to its fullness to achieve a meltingly soft radish all within the centre portion, not forgetting that the top pan fried layer are abit hard given off the charred outlook.
Cost: S$4.50

Carrot Cake

Barley
Plain & almost sugarless. Good thing is that this bland taste will not affect the taste of the dim sums.
Cost: S$2.00 per cup

Barley Drinks

Its quite considerate of the management staff as big fans were installed along the queuing corridors to prepare customers for their wait. It would be better if they do provide reservation and take-away service. But due to its limited manpower, it's not available till now.

Tim Ho Wan
Location: Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road #01-29A (The Atrium), 238839  

It's all about the smoke!

If you love to dine in Holland Village, Sunset way maybe just another alternative for dining in the western part of Singapore. With its atmosphere as a pretty eyeopener, the unique al fresco dining area in the heartland place could possibly gained a major thumbs-up.

Al Fresco Dining

Smokey serves a good place for comfort American Food if you are in need for one. Their ambience was unpretendious and relaxing, a place where you can seek remedies after a tiring day at work. 

Beer selection is wide and this place is well prepared with 3 big screens installed, thus in event of live TV football matches, one can make Smokey as a gathering point.

Bar Counter with 3 Screens

Alcohol Lovers, this is for you , "Never Trust a Skinny Brewer". :)

Never Trust a Skinny Brewer

We have chosen the soup of the day in bowl over the cup version. The latter is smaller in portion and does not come with toasts.

Cream of Mushroom tasted of mushroom broth with thickened cream, refreshing & delightful with small cuts of mushroom included.
Cost: $9.00

Soup of the day

Toasts served were not of the standards. Most of us would have expected something crispy that require some effort to bite them off but not in this case.

Garlic Toasts

With BBQ as Smokey's signature, it is hard for us to leave our butts without trying its Barbequed meat. Just forget about the healthy vegetables for a moment and munch on the meats!


Chicken Wings were well marinated and penetrated into the meat. Fried and tossed in their hot Wing sauce. This piping hot chicken wings were served with homemade blue cheese dressing and chilli.
Level of spiciness were all determined during ordering by their friendly staff.

Cost: $10 (6 Pcs)

Buffalo Wings (6 Pcs)

BBQ Baby Back Ribs were intensely seasoned followed by a little touch-up with its savoury homemade BBQ sauce. Fries and Coleslaw were its compliments. If you are concerned about its tenderness, no worries, they are forks and knifes friendly. :)
Cost: $25

Smoked Baby Back Ribs Half Slab

For those who drive, parking lots are available at the MSCP (Multi Storey Car Park) next to Smokey's. The MSCP has a walkway linking to the restaurants block sheltering us whether it rains or shines. And if you are there on a Sunday, Parking is Free Of Charge. :). Besides that, no GST required in the total payment. 

All in all, this place maybe a tad inaccessible, but definitely worth making a trip down.

A View of Smokey's

Rating: 4 / 5 
Smokey's 
Location: Blk 106 Clementi Street 12, #01-54/56 Singapore 120106

Loy Kee Chicken Rice

Loy Kee was once famous for its Hainanese Chicken Rice cuisine back in the 90s as they were  voted for the best selling chicken rice in Singapore that had met the quality, satisfaction and standard from its patrons. Back then, Loy Kee Chinese Rice Franchise Stalls was seen almost everywhere and thus their presence was made known so as their reputation.

Till today, we are still able to have a feel of how a Traditional Hainanese Chicken Rice Feels like but unfortunately not many were left. I guess those that can survived with the franchise, their standards should be there.


There were 2 Loy Kee Stalls in Balestier. I was recommended to the Hawker's instead of their premium outlet as my friend thinks that this stall tastes better. Let's go!

Loy Kee Chicken Rice & Porridge

Having occupying 2 stall units in Whampoa Makan Place, one would have thought their business would be good. Anyway, the stall is manned by some folks. The lady and man who had served us was friendly.

Soup was light but tasty and packs a good chicken aroma throughout.

Chicken Soup for the Soul :)

The Plate

The water boiled Bok Choy was sufficiently tasty with oyster sauce and fried shallots. Not over greasy and I simply loves the crunch!

Vegetables (Boy Choy) with Oyster Sauce $3

Half chicken meat was soft and tender, maintaining a good quality standard. I like the sweet and sour Ah Char Taste that was tucked by the side of the plate. Yum Yum!

Half Chicken for $11

Chicken was succulent and complemented with their daily home-brewed garlic chilli, hand grounded ginger and the piquant dark soy sauce that was easily accessible from the condiments rack given.

Ah Zhar with Chicken

Most of the chicken rice has too much sesame oil added. Unlike Loy Kee's their rice was fragrant and not that oily.

Bowl of Rice

Overall, I find that Loy Kee serves a reasonable comfort food and most important of all, it's delicious and wallet friendly.

Rating: 4/5
Loy Kee Chicken Rice & Porridge
Location: Whampoa Makan Place, Blk 92 Whampoa Drive, #01-49/50, Singapore 320092

Classic Cakes, Anyone?

Classic Cakes was founded in 2005 by Charles Quek who has turned his passion of baking into his career. Located at one of the shops near the famous Daily Scoop Ice Cream Shop in Clementi Arcade of Sunset Way, its hard to give a miss to this shop especially when there are many articles on its glass windows about the Baker, Charles.

Classic Cakes Shop Front

Mille Crepe is becoming more popular in Singapore nowadays.

I quite fond of this French Pastry and I could not take my eyes away from the chiller once I spotted its existence!  Mille refers to thousand in French and such pastry make up of 20 thin pancake layers with fresh pastry cream consistently spread in between the layers.

Cake was served chilled with a burnt caramelized Sugar taste on its top layer. What's more its hard to find a place that sells such pastry and I had my luck to even tried on their Durian Mille Crepe which was not commonly available in the shop. Likes!

Cost: $8.50

Durian Mille Crepes

Like the former, the layers on the Tiramisu was well defined. Tasted moist with sponginess as you bite down those mascarpone ‘cream' with coffee favours. However, this might be a disappointment to rum lovers as its favour wasn't that strong but still it totally floats my boat!
Cost: $5.30

 

 

Tiramisu

Tiramisu

Attended by the boss, Charles, during my visit, I find that this guy was rather polite. There were only 2 tables for dine-ins and slices of cakes were served on disposables plates and forks which make it easier to clear up just by throwing the used materials into the bins provided at the corners of the shop.

Overall, its abit pricey but I would say its definitely worth the money! I will be definitely making a return to try other favours. Still amazed by the appearance of traditional Chinese radish cake in their shop. Alright, I will try this the next round!

Classic Cakes
Location: 41 Sunset Way #01-06 Clementi Arcade Singapore 597071

Pique Nique [Closed]

As we walked passed Pique Nique, we were attracted by its quaint shop front and its unique name that  rhymes with "Picnic". It's casual and cosy environment had given us another reason to dine there after a hectic day.

 

Settings of Pique Nique had given us a homely feel with bricks foliage. With a huge tree rooted in the middle of the cafe and next to it was a shipping container painted in lime green . With many wires from the lamp hanging above the table, this modern industrial dining concept was rather eye catching as we entered the restaurant and totally follow suits to the current renovation trends. Not only that, this particular dining area was decorated with grass carpet and had brought out the feel of having a picnic.

Industrial Concepts

I was in the mood for greens that night and ordered Cajun Chicken Salad. Portion was big, consisting of fresh leaves, including my favourite wild roquette, tomatoes, slices of hard boiled egg, shredded cheddar sprinkled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. It was also served with Zesty Citrus Dressing and was kind of refreshing!

Cost: $12.80

Under the All Day Breakfast Menu, Long Island Breakfast includes 2 fried eggs, with grilled bacon, pork sausages, grilled tomato, baked beans.
Cost: $15.80

The Big Breakfast Burger looks appetizing to munch on especially! Served with juiciest beef patty, bacon, egg, grilled tomamto, cheese, lettuce and sauteed onion. Yums!
Cost: $14.00

Pique Nique
Location: JCube, 2 Jurong East Central 1 #01-08, Singapore 609731