Food - Verandah @ Gardens by the Bay

14 May 2013

It's nice to be able to lunch with your family on a weekday. Often times we get so caught up with our work that it seems almost impossible to get together for lunch because of time constrains.  We're pretty lucky to be able to do this often enough when we do pick the kids up from school. They're really excited when my parents pick them because it always means that they get to go out for lunch. Their simplicity of looking forward to have a loved one pick them up because they're excited to go out with them is really sweet. I think a lot of times now when someone picks us we're happy because it's a convenience to us more than us being excited to see them.

X-posted to glutTANs where we usually talk more about the food we had

Food - Le Cuisson

2nd May 2013

I much prefer the beginning of months to the end of months. Could be that it signifies, in some ways, new beginnings and being able to start on a fresh sheet. Even if it isn't so, I still feel fresher at the beginning just knowing it's the 1st. It allows me to let go of whatever baggage has been building up over the past month, and is a constant reminder to relax and just let all that unnecessary feelings go. 

For some odd reason J was very chirpy that day. Normally I would be angry with him over that odd reason, but he was just too happy and refreshed I couldn't bring myself to be a wet blanket. On days that I do manage to relax and take things less seriously, I actually find myself smiling a lot more.

X-posted to glutTANs

For our thoughts on all the food that we eat

Food - Tiong Bahru Bakery

Spent an afternoon roaming around Tiong Bahru with my sister. It's one of those estates that I find very peaceful and open. Not too crowded, not too built up. It retains some sort of the past and introduces lots of quirky random things at the same time. The bakery really saw a mish mash of customers walking in and out. Didn't really like that it was so poseur-ish, yet it was, in a way, some sort comforting to have such a diverse mix of people coming and going.

Oh, I wish they would offer soy milk options for free.

Food - Jones the Grocer

As fans of big open spaces (and beer), we find the both of us being attracted to Jones the Grocer at Dempsey for it's rustic, almost industrial, interior. I've always loved wood and the effect it has on spaces. It can be used as storage, display, and just adds a lot of feel to a place. I like the fact that the tables are big and allows you to feel almost like you're dining in your own home, unlike other places that have small tables just enough for 2 reminding you constantly that you're in a commercial space.

 Just a note, the Parma Ham serving is kinda big and is pretty salty.

Food - Wimbly Lu

The name Wimbly Lu reminds me of whimsical and lulu - 2 things that remind me of a childhood memory. I visited on 2 different occasions with 2 different groups of people and each time I had a different feel about the place. Interesting how company changes everything (like being stuck on a holiday with a sucky travel mate). While the food was really the same both times, who I hung out with changed my take away from each visit. 

The first time I was left sitting alone because my friend was almost an hour late. It felt nice actually because the cafe was relatively empty on a Saturday morning and alone time is always welcomed. So I basically sat and did nothing and didn't think of anything much as well. It seems stupid, but did so much to just help me wind down from the work week and allow me to not be in a constant state of rush. I think sometimes I cannot draw a straight line between workday and weekend and it ends up making me very very drained. Need to remember that time wasted is not wasted if it helps to rejuvenate the mind.

The second time, the place was packed and noisy, and so I didn't like the experience as much. I think I tend to get upset a lot especially when my parents put down an idea I have. I then get angry and upset and start wondering whether or not they are just being skeptics, plain disinterested or is my idea really bad. Know what? In my anger I just forgot all about the times they had stood by me, letting me do things my way, letting me learn and fumble and then helping me when I meet with an obstacle or need a push to get things done. Sometimes all it takes is a small simple incident to make you realize how fortunate you really are. 

Food - Coastal Settlement

A lot of people I've met are very unforgiving and when something/someone screws up, they start to blame and take it for granted that it should never happen esp since (insert reason to justify). Maybe we should all take a step back and start to feel how they feel on the other side when we complain or are being unreasonable. I think sometimes we think we are the only one with "rights".

"Whenever you feel like criticizing any one," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had.” 
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Food - Saveur

Promised to bring Ian there when he's back in Singapore so the last weekend before he enlisted, we finally brought him there. Thankfully I got J to go queue at 5:45pm, because when I got there slightly before 6pm, the queue had extended round the end of the block.

Can't decide if I preferred the Angel Hair Pasta with Sherry Minced Pork and Sakura Ebi, or the Angel Hair Pasta with Tiger Prawn and Lumpfish Cavier. Was so hungry we ordered 2 servings of each.

My favourites - Mash Potato, Sauté Potato and Pistachio Panna Cotta  with Roasted Pistachio Nuts. Very much a pistachio person.

I'm thinking of heading there again, but the queue is really quite a put off. They're extending though, just next door so hopefully the queue starts to ease. A good lunch fix for under $20.

 

Food - Antoinette

On weekends when J and I feel we need some alone time together, we usually hop out of the house and  head to some cafe for brunch or even just desserts. Sometimes I think we over hype the activities that couples do together. What works for one couple, may not work for another. Do not envy others because it will only lead to you thinking that your relationship is not as perfect as it should be. There is no perfect, just balance. For now we prefer simple moments just spent together relaxing, and it's these moments spent together with him that really makes me happy and content at the end of the day.

 

The Blinis (French thick pancakes) is very fluffy and indeed savory! To think we were dismissing the need for them to call their pancakes savory in the menu. After 2 days, J is still raving about them. Definitely my current favourite pancake place for now.