Pelican Pizza

Remember how pelicans in the disney movie Dumbo worked as dispatch riders and fly the skies delivering babies at doorsteps of expecting households? Guess what, they ditched the baby business for pizza delivery! I’m thinking probably the former isn’t really the thriving “industry” as it was in Singapore way back when each child actually had siblings to clown around with (and get hand-me-down stuff… argh!). A nation fast becoming one of workaholics and money-chasers who’d rather spend their days as swinging bachelors and ageing bachelorettes pass their bio clock, than to settle down and raise a family to call your own (don’t forget Grandma and Granpa!). Ok maybe we’ve not found our Mr/Ms Right just yet. Or for the ladies, our own MR BIG (which I gladly compensate for shoes teehee). So forget couples, we now deliver pizzas to the CBD!!

Out of Biznez!!

Ok so no pelican delivery of ANYTHING, just a pizza place named after a stork… which actually gives a nice ring & rhyme to it. I gotta say, it’s probably one of the best tasting pizzas ive tasted, and the cheapest one to boot! I first got to know of Pelican pizza as an NTU hostelite, whose food choices are limited to Canteen A and JP. And when the tummy growls and grumbles late at night, what’s there to do but call for doorstep delivery right? Sarpino was usually the choice of pizza, being the second most affordable to Pelican. Plus, the latter didn’t really look quite that appealing on paper. But when you had one too many of the same kind, it’s about time for something different.


Like a smart consumer (at least I’d like to think that I am haha), I did my research online and surprisingly, reviews were mostly raves than rants. I did notice though, fewer pizza choices reduced to basic ones. No fancy schmancy pizzas here, just back to basics. Don’t be fooled though, by the lack of visual appeal or care put into the website, or the less-than-appealing pizza pamphlet that you would rather use as a temporary mouse pad (it works). I'm guessing the lack of investment in the aesthetic department actually favours customers to save a pocketful. As advertising isn’t one of their top priorities, we wouldn’t have to fork out as much to pay for the brand. Think of it, we are actually paying for what we want. WOW…

If you dont really fancy 1001 toppings on your pizza and simply contented with essential ingredients, then this is the pizza hut – woops I meant place - for you. NO frills, just good ol’ tasting pizzas. It also saves you endless pondering and squabbling over which pizzas to get. Too many options is sometimes a hassle, no?

The chicken mayo is my family’s favourite, although i've yet to try all pizzas from their menu. The chicken comes in chunks of tender meat, and boy are they generous with their mozzie cheese! Meat lover, like what the name implies, is recommended for carnivores. It still goes if you’re not a fan, as the taste is not too overwhelming on the palette. But if you rather not devour that much meat, pelican pizza is flexible enough to allow a personalisation to pizza. Just don’t be afraid to ASK! The crust comes in a standard size, which is not too thick -like you know where- neither is it too thin. Fluffy and crispy at the same time, it might just convert crust-haters to crust-eaters! Pizzas come only in 2 sizes, regular priced at $23.90 and large $31.90.

Chicken mayo with loads of mozarellaa.. likey!! A pizza this good deserves a FLASH!!

Meat Lover's.. or Meat OVERLOAD? Oven-baked chicken wings just made the cut, pizza hut drumlets still the one to beat. Don’t miss their garlic bread though, which is really buttery and loaded with garlic spread.

A dash of chilli hot sauce, microwave for a bit and BAM!! Cheese taste so much better melted, also gives you that stringy effect!!

They may not employ big and bold adverts to sell, but word of mouth (or the blog) is a good start in getting more curious taste-testers to secure a loyal fan base. They got me already! So the next time you’re dialling for pizza, why not try something besides that usual order? It wouldn’t hurt to try, as pelican pizzas goes for 1-for-1, delivery is free AND it’s dirt cheap (ok lah can make it). Right from the pelican’s mouth.

Sounds AWFULLY familiar, dont it??

View their very simple website here: Pelican Pizza

Coffee Bean goes halal

It was some months ago that Linda told me a friend of hers, an employee at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf mentioned the café getting THE cert anytime soon. Months whizzed pass yet no news of – until the 24th of May. Tucked neatly as the front page highlights, Berita Harian announced all 41 outlets obtaining the Muslim “go-ahead-and-feast” stamp, with 2 more outlets at Downtown East and Ogilvy Centre on the way.

Read it to believe it!

Its Project Manager overseeing the process of the halal certification stated that the bid to go halal had been made 3 to 4 years back but was put on hold, while waiting for the coffee distributors in the US of A to obtain a halal certification from their side, that is Ifanca. The cakes (delectable I might add), he added, were not a problem as they do not contain alcohol since 4 years ago.

And get this, Coffee Bean is the actual pioneer behind the clever concept of ice-blended drink, only the rave in any café. And don’t miss out on online orders of myriad cakes and party packs from Chocolate Strawberries In A Box & Cheesecake Sampler to Mini Pizzas & Quiches.

I guess now I can have that chicken sandwich to accompany my mocha frappe and cranberry muffin. Cheers.

THE Original Ice-Blended, only at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

David to win American Idol 7!

It has finally come down to a battle between the Davids and boy finals never sounded this good!! Just look at the number of reviews flooding the worldwideweb.. Dare i say even bigger than the presidential race to the whitehouse right now.. Like Obama Hilary who yall talkin' bout?? Yeah they may be all smiles but boy the punches they had in store!

Big Cook was his rocker self, although honestly I was an itsy bitsy disappointed over his overall performance. Man don’t you hate it when Simon’s right.. right about at the stage of the competition where contestants are supposed to pan out WINNING songs than indulgent ones, and for that, something tells me Archekins might just walk away as the 7th AI.

Upbeat rocker songs no matter how catchy don’t make winning songs. Slow, inspiring and show-stopping songs do. And who better belts such songs but Archie. Talking about the fine lad, I swear Archie’s gonna pass out after every song!! He seems so flushed and truly surprised at each comments…Sorta reminds you of Melinda don’t it? Oh come on you know you’re good! Thank Ryan for holding him still while the judges comment. And what’s up with those drop-it-like-its-HOT RED lips?? Omg WHAT shade of lipstick is that? His lips are bleeding more red than a vampire’s sucking. Wrong analogy? Whatever haha.

Something like this, sans fangs and much less bling

So here’s my review of the Final 2 performances:

1st round: Heard the song b4, predictable sound from Big D. Just olraight I guess. For lil’D an even famous song, Elton John’s mind you.. SO blatantly obvious that Clive Davis has his eyes set on lil’D, him giving that kid a standing ovation was for everyone to witness… not fair I say!! Although I hate to say that it does take guts and a heck of a big voice to pull off a well-known song, so david archuleta, the sun definitely ain’t gonna go down on you for this one.

Ding ding ding! Round 1 goes to the corner in blue!

2nd round: Wow thats OST material right there!! But not to sure whether that constitutes a compliment for Cook though. Archekins went with an oh-so inspiring song, no surprise there and so leaves round 2 sort of like a warm-up round for the big finale… and for viewers to get a quickie at the loo.

-- IT’S A DRAW! --

3rd round: Simon’s right to say that Cook would have stood a better chance with Billie jean, Hello or even Always be my baby.. and get everyone wanting to have his haha. But David did have a good point in that, why do smth he’s done before? Like I never thought of such reasoning and was glad he chose to hold his ground and stood up for what he believes in the ethics of performing. BUT for the record, he did understand what SImon was trying to point out hehe..

Let it out brother… let it ALL out…..

I just like posting his pics, that’s all :D

Hmm, Archie my dear boy, you made me fall in love with your voice all over. The last song sent me on a trip back to the audition days, reminiscing the moment where he pulled my (and im sure many MANY other) heartstrings with his emotionally-packed, heart-tugging, warmth-inducing rendition of Bryan Adam’s Heaven. Oh im thinking about our younger years… God im getting old.

Look into my dreamy eyes…. when I say vote… Dial IDOL-01 and VOTE!

With 2 rounds against the Rocker, and if the judges comments are anything to go by, the Belter gets the better hand at bagging the tilte thanks to wise song choices showcasing one heck of a voice. You could really tell Simon was rooting for the former and how Cook lost him as the show progressed. Couldn’t even be bothered to watch Cook (utterly rude btw!!!) waste his last song on an entirely new one., but hey, that’s his prerogative.

Chicks dig guitars and the bad boy image don’t they?? Yeah this goes to all you single laydees out there… coz (where’s the camera??) YES im as single as can get!!

But whatever the outcome, there’s no doubt about them deserving to clinch the top two spots. NEVER in the bottom 3 yo! Doesn’t really matter who gets the title, Song BMG record deal, fame and fortune, all the girls.. ok maybe after a couple of months of sulking and whimpering trying to get over the lost and what could’ve been his. Just look at Draughtry now and.. Ruben… huh ruben whoo?? My point exactly. And can someone please pass him a towel… a super-soaker while you’re at it!!

Man this guy is awesome… No you’re too nice, consistently nice! Aww just give the man a hug!!

Presenting once again the Davids of AI7

Imagine..





The World I know.

Man i gotta start posting food reviews!!

Lazy sunday afternoon

Another lazy Sunday afternoon and you find yourself with nuts to do and loads of time at your dispense. And of course with so many interesting shows on tv, how else would you rather spend your last morsel of a weekend before monday blues sets in right? I’m talking about unheard of sunday noon movies that really is a time filler more than anything, and reruns of programme that you might have missed the first time... intentionally.

So there I layed on the bed (lazy ass bum right, can’t even sit while watching tv) switching channels countless times over until I finally settled on a programme on Suria miffing teenagers, or so the title implies. Like seriously, Ish remaja?? Isshhh you grown-up adults you!! Oh what a minute, I AM one of them. Ish ish ish.

Anyway… the topic at hand were hobbies these punksters are getting involved in these days compared to the days of occupying the only decent sitting place at the void deck only to strum the heartstrings away. God, isn’t that the kind of stereotypically comments that never fails to irk you, only to realise that it’s kinda sad that we never seem to outgrow our ways of such narrowed thinking? It’s one thing to associate “typical behaviour” to race, but to talk about it as normality? I mean I can’t say I’m not guilty of indulging in clichéd remarks, but it’s beneficial when it’s used as a talking point for a thinking dialogue.

Then again, to think of it, it’s only natural that we have such a mentality when we are brought up in a society which takes no heed in such issues, simply choosing to ignore and brush under the rug.

They think coz it’s a sensitive topic, it shouldn’t be brought to light.. Yes, thou shall not speakth of.. Boy do we need education in our classrooms.. and fast. While it may be tad too late to reverse such thinking of normality, it is never too late nor impossible to educate the generation after a thing or two, so they can in turn bring some positive change in the society they call their own. Be the change you want to see in the world, Gandhi once said. Ok so maybe AED101 wasn’t all that bad a module after all :p

Ok so what the heck where was i? OH yeah, lazy sunday noons and the case of bad reruns!! Ok maybe not as bad when it gives you something to think about. Like when a question was posed as to whether having a hobby would deter kids from getting themselves involved in the wrong things and hence contribute to gejala-gejala sosial (society’s problems). So what, you’re tryna say that no hobby = free time = no focus = will try anything for the thrill of it = teeming case of teen delinquents? So if you ain’t got no hobby, you’ll be doomed to a life of felony?

I was like, WHAT?? I happen to have a lot of free time but I don’t go around sniffing for pleasurable highs and shoplifting lipglosses!! I think teens are missing the point here.. It’s not really having nothing to do that compels an adolescent to experiment and get into trouble, it is beyond that. What about family background, lack of education, negative peer pressure, or parents who were never really there? IMO curiosity doesn’t cut it. One might be curious about how certain things work, but the decision to succumb to it is another issue all together. Sure, it might be one of the driving factors contributing to teen troubles, but surely there are more serious underlying causes such as that stemming from the type of upbringing, or even worst, the absence of it.. what is a house when you can’t call it a home?

I don’t think simply having no hobbies would spiral one to a life of no focus, and therefore would be compelled to try the bad and ugly.

Then again, it is not to say that having no hobbies would be the way to go. I myself, found a hobby in my interest in food and dining experience, although not particularly friendly to the waistline hehe..

At least we saw one thing eye to eye,that was when the host pointed out that the free time - which is virtually like NO TIME for Singaporean students – should make the most out of it, to utilize it wisely towards the betterment of oneself.

So boys and girls, laydees and gents, why not try something that would benefit society while enjoying every minute of it? Can’t we contribute to a better world, or at least the society we live in and still have fun chilling out with your buds? Why not…

Join a cycling club and organise a ride to help a charity in need?

Lend a hand at the nearest mosque, temple, church or synagogue when they are short of volunteers?

Round up a group of friends and help organise an outing of a lifetime for the children of welfare?

Put that Martha Stewart cap on and go crazy with bakes and cakes to raise money for someone who very much needs it..

Invite friends and friends of friends as volunteers at meet-the-residents session, to understand and empathise your neighbours who are constantly beleaguered by problems, which makes you reflect and appreciate your life a lot more than before?

You don’t need to save the cheerleader to save the world (just HAD to say that).

So while im lying on my bed, switching through the channels 100 and 1 times over, don’t worry, I won’t be reaching for that tub of glue across the room for a sniffing session. Maybe a craft sale perhaps?

Are u single, David?

What a coincidence, I'm single too!! We have soo much in common!! hahahahaha....

But in all seriousness, David C. finally made his mark as THE artist that he is and will be when he's out in the market, with his haunting interpretation of Mariah Carey's Always be my Baby (see idol corner!). I mean, to take on classics and flipit-and-reverseit to something else is... something else! He took a risk with a popular Mariah Carey hit… and wowee did it pay off big time! Best thing is that there no comparing with the original, coz he made it his own. Who'd ever think of rocking out one of MC's songs the way he did. Now that’s a sign of a genuine artist. Now that MJ's out of idol, there's no fighting over who has the sexiest voice in idol history *:D blushes like mad!!*


It's not without a battle if not for the other, that is David A. In the results show, he pulled off a melinda doolittle by not choosing sides and sat in the middle, trying not to hurt anyone's feelings.. awwww!! If that aint cute and adorable, I dunno what is. teehee..





Boy, it’s a tough one between the Davids. Sorry Archuleta, Cook gets my vote this week! ALthough technically its not counted hehe..



>>Group performance: One sweet day


This one will definitely linger on and on…

Pick me up, buttercup

So it’s the time of the semester again, where assignments are aplenty and deadlines are looming nearer. It’s stressing times like this that calls for quick pick-me-ups… and cupcakes sure makes it all better!

It would be great if you can whip up cupcakes to call your own, but with little time to spare in the kitchen, using a pre-mix is totally forgivable! :D

The recipe is real simple and quick, and making them is effortless. Trust me when I say that it only takes a minute to cook! How does that work you ask?? Oh the wonders of the microwave oven!

Ingredients for cupcake:
2 cups of yellow cake mix
2 Tbsp butter, softened
½ cup water
1 egg

Frosting:
1 cup confectioners’ (icing) sugar
2 Tbsp butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 tsp milk
food colour of choice

1. Simply mix cupcake ingredients to make up the batter.
2. Spoon into minicups about halfway full and pop in the microwave oven for 1 min.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the frosting by creaming icing sugar, butter and vanilla essence. Add milk last and gradually, may need to add more to desired consistency.
4. Leave cupcakes cool before topping up with icing.

I separated the frosting into 3 batches to which I added different food colourings. To prevent from adding too much colour, use a toothpick to dip into the colouring and use this to mix it into the frosting.

With half of the batter remaining, I added in chocolate chips (get only the best!) and once cooked, topped them up with the chocolate buttercream frosting I made previously. You can do this if you find yourself with too much batter and icing at hand - store them in ziplocs and take them out whenever the need for cupcake calls!

chocolate cuppy cakes

And wala! Cupcakes that are a snap to make, and also quick to finish!

J.Coming to Singapore

J.Co Batam outlet after a raid by our fellow countrymen

Say what?? Another post on donuts? Homer Simpson would be so proud of me hehe. Don’t say you didn’t expect it, coz the latest low-down (or down-low.. whichever side of the earth you’re at)… J.Co Donuts has finally hit Singapore shores! Yup, all the way from Batam, ferry-ride and all. And you know how determined Singaporeans can be, especially with their food, when you see throngs of uncles and aunties in the ferry ride back to Singapore, with more bags of boxes of donuts they can carry. Now that J.Co has opened its first shop cum café at Raffles City basement, expect to see them there.

You might have read it in the papers, or like me, observe a sudden scene of bright orange boxes lugged in awfully large plastic bags (ever noticed and wondered why they all come in orange boxes?), certainly not from Batam (or some say JB).

This box made its way into my home

Anywho, with Breadtalk buying over J.Co Donuts, faster than you know, outlets have made its way into KL and Singapore. I was obviously unaware of this until I noticed passersby with boxes of assumingly donuts in Raffles City. And boy did they lure the curious cat to the shop of sin… sinfully good-looking donuts!! Hastily but discreetly, I trailed those orange boxes in the attempt to hunt down the donut trove.


I tell you, the café couldn’t be glowing with any more brilliance. Lo and behold, there it was, the J.Co I knew. Even glow-wier was me, as I beamed and smiled sheepishly just so darn pleased with what was before me. Picture the smile of the cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland, only wider. And before you know it, I was in line all ready to order! Dang you pretty donuts!

Yup this is the one!

Must... refrain... from queing....

Shoot it's too late.

No way out but to the cashier.. my pocket's doomed for sure. Some thing’s gotta give… maybe it’s the waistline, but definitely not your money! Good stuff does come in friendly price tags! For $7, half a dozen of donuts are yours to devour, but with 1 dozen you get away with only $11.50. Now that’s a good deal. And for 2 dozen to feed your big hungry family and next-door neighbours? A mere $21. Ok J.CO ain’t foolin me to get more than I can chew, literally. Maybe next week.

Although feeling rather deceived into queuing and ordering impulsively, all was forgiven because boy, I was in for a treat!! (What people do for donuts :I)


(from top left):

Why Nuts?: coz im nuts over you!! White chocolate with peanut butter filling.

Coco Loco: chocolate inside and out. If they could find another place to stuff in more chocolate, they would.

Black Jack: It's really chocolate with bread in it.

Tira-miss u: of course with cream filling inside.. dont wanna waste the space, now do they

Alcapone: Classic white chocolate with crispy almond slices

Snow white: Simple icing sugar, poisonous apple not included.

Curiosity killed the cat? It sure made this cat a tiny bit fatter! Clearly displayed donuts being dumped into the deep fryer for all to witness I thought, was a clever way of them to say, “Look, if you get all heavy and sluggy, it surely ain’t any of our bizz kapish? Heck yeah you know wht you're getting yourself into. So don’t go ard tryna sue our…” Ok so i get their point: not another "McDonalds and fat kids" episode. Onus on us to exercise control and responsibility over our health and well-being... ladida. Umm… maybe after sampling a couple of your donuts?

Well hello J.Co donuts!

Seoul garden: Still seoul good!

I had the greatest time catching up with the TK girls… and what better way to enjoy the company over lunch than at somewhere all too familiar, going way back when we donned those distinctive green pinafores... And I love our uniform! Did you know former TKGians include the likes of Halimah Yacob, Jade Seah, Felicia Chin, Suzanne Ho (CAN newscaster)? Moribus Modestus to that!


Anywayy, back to food matters… I don’t know how to explain the rants about the drop of quality and food standards in Seoul Garden, because the last time I checked, it was perfectly A. ok. More or less the familiar items when you last paid a visit; same old marinade of chicken and beef, seafood and greens, plus a few new additions to the buffet spread.

And familiarity is not necessarily a bad thing. It’s hard to describe, but going back to same place knowing that you can rely on your favourites is a comforting feeling. Who can not love the crowd pleasers that is Szechuan and char siew chicken? Chunks of meat drenched in menacingly dark sauce…rule of thumb: more dark = more sedap.

Stepping into Seoul Garden after a 2-year quarantine made me appreciate the old flavours and relish the new, especially Coffee chicken. For real son! The taste? Like chicken with a subtle lingering taste of a good cuppa. The unusual (and slightly disturbing to some) combination is surprisingly good! Who knew coffee had a place alongside chicken. Or maybe it’s an acquired taste. Or as Shaf puts it, like kopiko.

Some funky flavours for Seoul Garden to consider

Putting aside piling assignments and pesky groupmates, being a student has its perks too. For the same buffet, a student is charged a mere $15 or so per head. Just be sure too arrive before the clock strikes half past four. That’s great value considering ala carte menus in most restaurants of par. Plus it’s a buffet you can loosen your buckle to; there’s just something about bbqs and eating without restrictions or control (think of a bbq gathering where you made at least 3 rounds around the bbq pit. My point exactly). On top of that, ready-to-go western food, sushi platters, chinese cuisine side dishes, and a dessert spread with new additions to boot.

The kueh-kueh are a real treat! Too bad i didn't have a tupperware with me :I

No meal's complete without some ice-cream filling

Ana finally got the ice-machine-shredder-thingy working...

Considering the low turnout rate on weekdays at the Marina Square outlet, and hence food sits longer, everything (that we ate at least) was fresh with no sign of staleness. Just one suggestion, top up the corn ice-cream man! Other than that, we certainly enjoyed lunch+dinner=linner. Then again, the company might have made all the difference.

There's always room for ice-cream... and good times with old friends :D