Sunday dinner with Alchy gang

It’s been a long while since I last saw the Alchy gang. Over dinner and coffee today, I looked at us the way we are now and I really feel we’ve come a damn long way. In the past, the keywords for weekends meant Zouk, Mono, Martell, Vodka, Zouk invites, guest list, etc. Of late, getting together having a meal together and just being in each other’s company.
Today, we celebrated Cousin Pat’s birthday over dinner at Chin Chin. It is also the first time our latest addition, Reyes is out with us. Reyes is such a bundle of joy and everytime I see the Sin family, I feel so happy for them.

And for the first time at Chin Chin, I experienced really great service. The aunty even came over and asked if the food is ok leh. All because Miss Jenny-I-am-Hainanese-and-I-can-speak-the-language-Foo ordered the food in Hainanese. Puts me and Roy to shame since we are also from the same clan and cannot understand a word of it.
Now, the food at Chin Chin is undoubtedly good and I don’t have to really wax lyrical about it. If you plan to go there for a meal with the family, just order exactly what you see here (the Hainanese knows what best to order at a Hainanese joint), and you will walk out of the eating place beaming with content. Better still if you can speak Hainanese!

Hainanese Pork Chop

Chap-Chye

Stir Fried Pork

Hen

Curry Fish Head. Ok, I took the picture after we whacked the fish head.

Fuyong Omelette

 

Chin Chin is one of the best Hainanese joints with a rich history in town. A really good place to tuck into a great meal with family and/or friends. The prices are wallet-friendly – something that is favoured by all in this current economic situation

 

 Chin Chin Eating House is at 19 Purvis Street
Parking is almost impossible! Try Raffles Hotel carpark instead.
I give a rating of 9 burps

Filed under: Central, Hawker Eats, Alchy gang, Reyes

Brunch @ Barracks

Went to House for brunch sometime in mid-August with Jocelyn and I really loved it. Dempsey is definitely a much better place to be at during the early afternoon as opposed to the evening. It is subdued and calm, air is crisp and the atmosphere is relaxing. The brunch menu is not very extensive, but the food served is quality and well-prepared. Here is a perfect way to spend a lazy weekend afternoon. Will write more about the food the next time I go there. (Memory failing me la, can’t rmbr what we had.. can only remember the taste. Haa)

Our brunch: some cereal for Jocelyn, eggs Benedict for me, Strawberry Cheesecake (I die die must have this one everytime I go there)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barracks Cafe is at 8D Dempsey Road
Parking is a breeze during the daytime. Evenings are a challenge
I give a rating of 8.5 burps

Filed under: Central, Ladies who brunch, Slightly Atas Eats, West, Dempsey

Imperior Treasure

a hungry Zann brought me to this eating place at Marina Square. We cut a deal with the busy looking waitress at the door – we could have a table immediately but we have to finish up within an hour. They gave 2 of us a table for 6. Service was quick and friendly, but don’t expect much since the restaurant was packed with hungry diners, mostly consisting of families.
The food came as quickly as we’ve made our decisions and I liked the fact that they came together.

We had the Shanghai style Fried Rice and it was delightful. The rice is flavourful and fluffy, and there’s this addictive thing about it that makes you keep eating and eating. Downside though, is that the prawns are not springy as those at Crystal Jade or Ding Tai Fung.

We also had the Fried Pork Ribs with Salt & Pepper. I strongly recommend this one if you go there. This is a very nice change from the usual braised pork ribs. Crisp and savoury, this could be even better than fried chicken. It’s a tad oily though.

 

 I’m not a big fan of Xiao Long Bao, I actually prefer char siew bao or tua bao for that matter. But nevertheless, the Xiao Long Bao here is good I must say. the skin is thin, and the meat filling is quite substantial, but it breaks too easily so this can be quite a challenge to eat. 

PS: We didn’t manage to finish up within 1 hour and they completely forgot about the deal we cut at the door.

Imperial Treasure La Mian Xiao Long Bao is at Marina Square, Level 1
Parking is a no brainer. If you don’t know where to park here, please slap yourself
I give a rating of 7.5 burps

Filed under: Central, Random Eats, chinese, marina square

Wild Rocket

Met cousin Judz on a Friday night and managed to get a table at Wild Rocket. This place has garnered lots of positive reviews on foodie forums and has been on my list of must-trys. We arrived close to 7pm to a relatively empty restaurant, and by 8pm it was bustling with well-heeled diners. Staff was warm albeit seeming obviously shorthanded. Small selection of menu, the chef has incorporated quite a bit of fusion into otherwise very “angmoh” food

We started with Pumpkin Salad, and we weren’t impressed. The salad was way too dry for our palatte and we had to ask for extra dressing.

nd because Judz wasn’t hungry and I didn’t really want to put my waistline at risk, we shared a main course of Prawn Aglio Olio. I liked the consistency and springy-ness of the spaghetti but wished the prawns were fresher and tastier

the Fried Sweet Potato was clearly our fave. Slightly salty and crisp on the outside, sweet and mushy on the inside.. We didn’t spare a single morsel of this
we wanted to try the Yam Paste with Coconut cream (we love Teochew Or Ni.. perhaps cos our moms are Teochews.. Haha) but wasn’t feeling very adventurous thus decided to stick to safe old Strawberry Cheesecake instead. We were presented with a surprise when our order came. Strawberry Cheesecake was served in a martini glass, with fresh strawberries, toped with a cheesecake base, vanilla icecream and finished off with a dollop of cream cheese. Interesting presentation I must say, although I would have prefer to see a good old slice. Last up was coffee, another something we both were happy with. Strong, robust and lethal coffee. Good stuff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wild Rocket is at Hangout Hotel, 10A Upper Wilkie Road, Singapore 228119.
Parking is free within Hangout Hotel but it is scarce!
I give a rating of 6 burps

Filed under: Central, Slightly Atas Eats