Lady M

Lady M has been on my mind for a while and I had never got the chance to taste their crepe cakes when they were in Marina Square. Luckily, they came closer to the West and there is no reason skipping the cafe now.

Lady M

Cafe is conveniently located in Westgate at the same level of Jurong East MRT station control exit. Interior of Lady M give a comfortable feeling to diners with its white theme color and spacious environment.

Lady M Interior

Menu

Menu

Dusted with the earthy green fine matcha powder on each and every layer of the paper thin crepe with the natural bitter aftertaste. I'm pretty impress by the thin crepe layers spread with Japanese style pastry cream on every layers and was so grateful that the texture was so good that it literally melts in my mouth.

Green Tea Mille Crepes - $9

The boutique exclusive, only available in West Gate! The twenty thin layers of handmade crepes and refreshingly light chestnut-kissed pastry cream sandwiched in between the layers with . Topped with powdered sugar and with good notes of roasted chestnuts, this is indeed a rare find!

Marron Mille Crepes - $9

Skipping the cold beverages, I opted for Chamomile Dream in a pot at $5.50. It was indeed good drink for me to keep my stomach warm as I was having stomach upset. Tea is plain and Sweetness can be adjusted with the sugar cubes given.

Chamomile Dream - $5.50

My friend order the caffe latte to pair along with the crepes. To be frank, with just crepes and drinks, we were really done for the night, skipping the dinner.

Caffe Latte

Mille Crepe cakes are my favorite and with the choices of flavour chosen, I would say the sweetness was at right amount. I dont mind visiting again for other flavours of cakes or even their pastries.

Our "Meal"

Rating: 3 / 5

Lady M
Location: Westgate, 3 Gateway Drive #02-25/26 Singapore 608532

Restaurante Tai Lei Loi Kei

After hearing the media raving about the authentic Pork Chop Burger in Macau and having visited Macau a few times, I am quite determined to have them in my stomach and I promise myself that I won't leave Macau without having them.

Tai Lei Lok Lei is located in Taipa and even though we have maps on our hand, we could not recognize the shop despite walking up and down in the location, perhaps the facade was misleading as it was quiet and looked more like a shop to us than an eatery.

Facade

Though the streets were a little quiet outside, we were surprised to see the Restaurant pack full of people. Servers were quick to welcome us as we stepped in looking blankly at the menu that was plastered on the door, just right in front of the entrance.

Inside the Restaurant

We took a "take away" as we are running short of time detouring the route from our group of friends. Service was quick and shortly we packed 2 delicious Pork Chop Buns and hurried back to the meeting point. Converting the rate into SGD, it was not cheap at all but for the sake of experiencing it and after missing it all these while, I would say it worth the money and time spend finding Tai Lei Loi Kei!

In a paper bag

Finally, I'm holding on to the Macanese pork chop buns that we were all looking for! The meat was indeed unique in its taste as compared to the usual ones we had. Meat was charred on the edges and deep fried. These pork chop was remarkably good with its special marinate and was sandwiched between the bun. Consume it while its moist and juicy. Spot on!

Macanese Pork Chop Bun - 35 HKD

澳門大利來記豬扒包 Tai Lei Loi Kei
Location: 新馬路大三巴街鳳凰大廈1樓23號舖

Gim Tim

Gim Tim is a reputable name and has always been flocked by families who want to enjoy a decent and authentic cuisine in the heartland of Ang Mo Kio. Opening its door since 1975 and serving quality food to her customer, Gim Tim has been seen popular with many. Gim Tim is located in rather humble air-conditioned restaurant below the HDB Blocks, for those who is not very familar with Ang Mo Kio area, the landmark to spot may be the Market & Food Centre in Ang Mo Kio Ave 4. Growing from this into establishing a group of resaturants with 3 outlets serving finest Hokkien, Sze Chuan and Cantonese cuisine.

Gim Tim

Cooridoors

Wet Tissue

For weekends, its hardly that you will get a table without a reservation as it is usually fully booked with tables of happy family. Fortunately, we walked in early and got ourselves a table and was served by friendly staff. One good point to note was that you can see that Gim Tim employs senior citizens around as servers I felt very comfortable with.

Gim Tim

I must say that I was not very hungry but I had an impressive start with their deeply fried golden brown Xia Zao (Prawn Dumplings). Dipping into its sweet and savoury sauce was truly heavenly. The taste of it was indescribable and definitely unique on its own. I haven't tasted such different Xia Zao anywhere else!

Deep Fried Xia Zao - $12 / $18 / $24

Vegetables were not stated on their menu somehow and we had ordered the stirred fried Kai Lan with garlic. Nothing extra special about the dish, its quite standard.

Kai Lan with Garlic - $10

Replacing the bowls of rice, we had the fried traditional tapioca roll. If you enjoy the Hakka Abacus Beads / Seeds, I bet you would pretty much enjoy this dish! Ingredients were almost or identical to the Hakka dish with dried shrimp, spring onions, bean sprouts and tapioca. The catch in the dish is none other than the thin and springy slices of Tapioca Roll complemented by the sweet tasty sauce as well as the fragrant of fried dried shrimp. Yummy!

Fried Traditional Tapioca Roll - $12 / $18

The true blue classic Hokkien dish that I'm waiting for! Since everywhere is emphasizing on healthier food, I guess this is why Kong Bah has become lean nowadays! Slices of "Bui Bui" (Fatty translated from dialect) meat has gone lean!You can still see the distinctive layers on each and every piece of the Kong Bah though it was deeply coated in its toothsome braised sauce. Sandwich this good stuff in the fluffy smooth pau with a portion of lettuce and enjoy the absolute juicy-ness that comes to your mind as you sink your teeth into the meat! It was ever-so-satisfying!

Steamed Preserved Meat Served with Bao (Kong Bah Bao) - $12 / $18 / $24

Kong Bah

Here comes the Teochew's Favourite, Or Nee aka Yam Paste! Marvelous, suiting the taste buds! With mashed Taro mixed with Gingko nuts and corn kernels, its naturally sweet with minimal use of sugar and coconut milk. I thought it was good as they had given good consideration to older folks who enjoy the desserts!

Sweetened Taro Paste with Gingko Nut (Or Nee) - $4 / $15 / $30

Taro

Nothing fanciful spotted from the Mango Puree with Pamelo, perhaps the way they served in a cup got our eyes wider? It was something running of the mill and not much comments about it.

Mango Puree with Pamelo & Ice Cream - $4 / $15 / $30

Gim Tim, I have always wanted to visit them many years back after hearing pleasant things about them via words of mouth and I was very pleased to visit them!  The spirit of their stuff and atmosphere of dining is something I'm looking forward to and you can see happy faces enjoying meals with their families of generations. It's a good place for family gathering and also if you enjoy such cuisine.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Gim Tim
Location: Blk 157 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4 #01-546 Singapore 560157

Asam Laksa

Asam Laksa has taken its spot over the Western Stall in West Coast Square. It was kind of mix feelings as on one hand I was sad to hear that there are only 1 option left for western food but on the other hand I was quite happy to see this unique stall out there.

Asam Laksa

Asam Laksa is a chain stalls with staff in uniform. Hygiene is well taken care of over here with friendly servers wearing hair net.

Asam Laksa - $3.50

Noodles were thick and springy, soaking up the delicious gravy and made the bowl of Asam Laksa so appetizing. Ingredients like pineapple and large chunks of fish were given in the serving. Apparently, there is only 1 standard size served at $3.50.

Closer Shot

Serving was small and it will be better if it was served in bigger size at the same cost.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Asam Laksa
Location: Blk 726 Clementi West Street 2 #01-138 Singapore 120726

Mak's Noodle 麥奀雲吞麵世家

While flipping through the newspaper in Hong Kong, we spotted an article recommending the top 10 Wanton Noodles in Hong Kong and different branches of Mak's Noodle had secured a few rankings in the list. Even knowing that back in Singapore we have Mak's Noodle in a few shopping malls, we still decided to go ahead for our dinner / supper after our trip from Macau (Apprently, there was not much eateries opening at the hour).

Mak's Noodle

Our stomachs were all shouting for food as we still did not have our dinner yet. While waiting, we had some soy milk to keep our stomach warm and fill. Soy milk was fresh and level of sweetness is moderate.

Fresh Soy Milk - 10 HKD

We all know that the palm size bowl portion is the signature's of Mak's Noodle and no complains about it, not even the masculine who tends to eat more. Perhaps they know that this is Hong Kong and finding of supper / food around our accommodation is definitely not an issue to them.

Wanton Noodle in Soup - 38 HKD

Standards of their noodle was pretty well maintain, springy and fine with tasty soup and spring onions as garnishing just like what we had in Singapore. Wanton was plump and generously filled with prawns. Though dish is straight forward with just noodles and dumplings, I would say that they were doing well enough to maintain its reputation and even in overseas. Price on the other hand is more of less similar to what we had in singapore.

Close up

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Mak's Noodle
Location: 19 Lock Road, Tsim Sha Tsui  尖沙咀樂道十九號

Penang Home Made Beef Ball

Ever since the launch of Down Town line in Beauty World end of last December, the area has been swarmed with people. Eateries around there have been seen to be bustling with customers.

PENANG Home Made Beef Ball

At the top of Beauty World Centre, we spotted Penang Home Made Beef Ball stall and without much hesitation, we ordered as most of the stalls were either done with their business day or with food items sold out.

With every item cost at $5, there is no need to compare the price, however only 3 kinds of selection is available and I had chosen over their beef balls noodle soup. The home made beef balls were springy and tasty in its soup with coriander as garnishing. The noodles / Kway Teow were coupled with sweet tasting brown gravy and beansprouts that were thoroughly cooked. No complains from the guy who dislikes having rather "raw" beansprouts. Perfect!

Beef Balls Noodle Soup / Rice - $5

Noodles

Beef Balls

Noodles with braised beef brisket was awesome. It may looked dull and miserable with 2 beef balls in a bowl of soup but for a $5 portion, it is relatively friendly. Noodles were generously given with braised beef brisket covering up in its luscious brown sauce that permeates the meat. Yummy!

Braised Brisket Noodle - $5

Brisket

Food in overall was not too bad with a friendly service. We were quite lucky to have the last 2 bowls of noodle before they closed for the day. Flocking with people coming from parts of Singapore in our newly implemented Down Town Line, business has been seen booming and for patrons, its kind of competitive now as we need to be early before they got sold out.

Rating: 3.25 / 5

Penang Home Made Beef Ball
Location: Beauty World Centre, 144 Upper Bukit Timah Road #04 Singapore 588177

Faithful Restaurant

Our breakfast plan was disrupted when we realized that the popular Australian Dairy was closed on Thursday thus we had no choice but to search alternatives in the vicinity. We chanced by Faithful restaurant and was somehow welcomed by its friendly staff who was trying to introduce their breakfast to us.

Faithful Restaurant

Interior was modern and not that run down as we have thought. Perhaps that is why we decided to dine in after hesitating for some time. Breakfast was served daily from 7 to 11.30am.

Interior

With many sets and permutations of food for breakfast, our group was rather please and settle quite fast on their decision of breakfast set. Breakfast was served at reasonable pricing with Set G (维记鲜奶早餐 - The Kowloon Dairy Milk Breakfast) consisting of a choice of bun (Polo Bun in our case), fried egg, ham and a cup of beverage.

Set G - 29 HKD

Set F as their 金牌早餐 (Gold Medal Breakfast when translated) was something quite common for breakfast in Hong Kong, Macaroni with ham. During my earlier trips to Hong Kong, I'm rather detest to their style of breakfast be it Instant Noodle or Macaroni with ham but this time round I'm gradually into them, almost for all breakfast! Macaroni was cook to the correct texture and not getting too soggy with tasty broth and simplicity says the best with just only ham as toppings.

Macaroni

Besides that, Set F consists of 2 sunny side eggs and a toast spread with butter. With just as good as 29 HKD (about $5 SGD) you get a decent breakfast like this.

Toast and Egg

Set C (时菜公仔面早餐) stood up as the most tempting meal with that piece of aromatic pork chop! A bowl of noodles with meat, lettuce and fried egg with a tasty broth.

Set C - 33 HKD

Though it is instant noodle, the additional pork chop had enhanced the soup flavour, making the simple breakfast interesting.

Pork Chop in Noodle

All in all, the typical breakfast was something that was not plan in the itinerary. It was a usual down to earth stall, nothing fanciful and nothing commercialized that had been raved by the tourists. I thought it is a good experience to bench mark the standard against those that are deemed to be more popular in the tourists forums.  

Faithful Restaurant
Location: G/F, No. 25-29 Parkes Street, Jordan  佐敦白加士街25-29號地下