Monthly Archives: March 2011

Mar 17

Lunch @ Torisho Taka

G and I have added Torisho to “our must try for dinner” list due to our recent lunch experience there.  While we both have a fondness of Kazu Sumiyaki for our grilled food needs, it’s always good to have more options.  And Torisho is no stranger to quality; it’s the sibling restaurant of Aoki (which incidentally offers an amazing chirashi lunch).  The lunch selection is not fancy – mostly a selection of donburi, but each dish is well prepared and the prices are quite reasonable.  G went with the wagyu ($38), and I, the pork ($28). Continue reading »

Mar 15

Donate to Japan relief efforts

If you haven’t already, please take the time to donate to one of the many charities out there for this recent disaster in Japan.  In this era of digital donations, it’s so easy that there’s no excuse for not donating.

Have a $1? Then buy a Sonic or Street Fighter game from the App Store.  Sega and Capcom are donating 100% of the proceeds to charity, and you get some entertainment as a bonus.   Learn more and donate.

Likewise, you can make a donation directly via the iTunes Store.  Or if you’re into Zynga games, they make in game donations very easy (article).

Frequent traveler?  Hilton is matching donations and allowing members to donate via HHonors points.  I’m guessing your hotel chain of choice is offering the same donation options.

Then there’s the good old fashion way, donate directly to the Red Cross here.

Mar 14

Silky-smooth chawanmushi

A quick search for “chawanmushi recipes” yields thousands of results that have one thing in common: vague cooking instructions.  The actual recipes themselves are more or less the same: 3 parts dashi (with mirin/soy sauce) to 1 part beaten egg, plus additional ingredients.  Steaming the mixture however, is an entirely different matter.  Most of the recipes found on the first page have vague descriptions, like steam for 10-12 minutes on medium heat.  One helpful recipe explains that low heat is important for creating silky smooth chawanmushi (doesn’t overcook, less bubbles).  The problem is that terms like medium heat, or test with toothpick means plenty of trial and error.  Continue reading »

Mar 14

Second babymoon

So we wanted to squeeze in another baby moon via a short trip somewhere because something tells us that our world will be topsy turvy when Junior arrives. A trip to Okinawa with the cousins would have been perfect but things didn’t quite work out.

We thought about some places in Southeast Asia and came up with Cambodia (‘cos W really wants to visit Angkor Wat before the government restricts access to some temples) and Taiwan. Taiwan turned out to be really expensive after checking out some travel websites and Cambodia seemed like a better option. I figure it’s not the sort of place one would bring toddlers so if we didn’t visit now, it’d probably be closer to two decades before we could visit.

BUT… there’s alot of walking involved and sanitation is not the best. Also, we would be making the trip in my 28th week where we could run the risk of having Junior born on Cambodian soil. Just yesterday, a friend commented that she thought we were crazy for thinking of going while a cousin berated me for being reckless. As a result, it looks like we are now back to square one and are considering new options – Phuket, Bangkok or Bali. I personally don’t mind a staycation (just need a break without breaking the bank) but I think W has island fever and needs to get away.

Mar 13

Dear SDU,

G would like to thank you for your most recent gift of the “duet” name card holder (pictured right).  Yes, we are aware that as of 2009 you are now the Social Development Network (SDN), but G still fondly refers to you as SDU and may need time to get used to this new dating social service for graduates and non-graduates alike.

As you may have noticed, G is with child, but don’t worry, she’s not single!  Which brings us to a matter dear to your heart – marriage.  We’d also like to inform you that G has been (for the most part) happily married for 6 years and your mailers, while appreciated, are no longer necessary.   Your colleagues at MCYS will also be pleased to know that we plan to have 2 babies real soon.  So congratulations on Mission Accomplished for this couple (even if one of us is not a local).

Regards,

W & G

Mar 12

Sky on 57

The two defining features of Sky on 57 are the panoramic views from atop the Marina Bay Sands, and its executive chef, regional celebrity, Justin Quek.  While the rest of the Skypark is off limits to restaurant patrons, the views available from the restaurant are still quite magnificent.  There is an outdoor patio where you can sip away at overpriced but well-mixed alcoholic drinks while impressing dates, guests, etc…  As for the food, the upscale fusion cuisine is reasonably well-executed albeit uninspired.  Given the prices, there are better dining options elsewhere, but then again you are paying a premium for the views.

The occasion was a birthday party for a group of 8, with a degustation menu that was left to the chef.  The starter was a chicken liver pate with marmalade cherry tomatoes that while nicely composed, felt a bit “cheap” given the relative abundance of finer ingredients (ie duck or goose liver).  The demitasse of shark broth that followed was well balanced, but no more unique than what one might find at a mid-range chinese restaurant.  Similarly, the pepper lobster was also cooked just-right yet unremarkable.  At this point we were all waiting in anticipation for the main course that would wow us. Continue reading »

Mar 11

Crossroads

Two years ago almost to the day, we were at a crossroads in our life and we made a decision together to move to Singapore. There were many reasons for the move but also an equal number of reasons not to move.

Reasons to move include (1) my family in Singapore; (2) pressure from my family to return and help with the family business because my help may not be needed in the future but it was needed then; (3) starting our own little family in Singapore; and (4) support from W’s boss who gave him the opportunity to move on better terms rather than the (significantly) crappier one offered by the local branch of a multinational company.

Reasons not to move include (1) W’s career in the US as a move would mean an invisible ceiling in terms of promotions given the distance from the head office; (2) my rising career in an industry that was almost recession proof; (3) W’s family in the US; and (4) our beautiful 2-br we had recently purchased and the independent living associated with it.

Continue reading »

Mar 9

Casa Tartufo

On an impromptu sibling double-date the other night, we ended up trying this newish “truffle-themed” restaurant.  Cousin S, a “pig” with a talent for sniffing out worthwhile dining, had said that the truffle pastas here were a must try.  Since the four of us all love truffles,  we were eager to sniff up as much as humanly possible in a single meal.  Casa Tartufo compentently integrates truffle into its menu items in a way that does not overpower yet leaves a pleasant after-taste which lingers long after the meal has concluded.  However the dishes themselves were quite average for the prices charged, resulting in a decent but sadly forgettable meal.

Continue reading »

Mar 7

Hediard

G had a craving for a croque-madame and suggested that we eat at Hediard, a cafe and fine foods boutique that feels unabashedly old world with its dark interior and reserved upscale decor.  It was already 2pm by the time we sat down, and the lunch rush (if there was one) was well over.  Other than the Asian bohemian contently sipping coffee by the windowsill, the place was completely ours.  While an empty resto-cafe could have been a warning sign that the food wasn’t up to the standard of the prices charged (the food was great),  at least the ambiance was worth it so far.

Continue reading »