BINGO and the noisy class: Finding our identity

In bio CS class last week, we were made to play ‘BINGO and the quiet signal’ to test out the teaching strategy. The game was no stranger, having played it 1001 times before but yet still had ways to amuse us. Instruction: Find someone who fits the description in the box.

And it didn’t take us (Dimas, Fina, Haslindah, myself) half a second to match the person fitting this description:

And we chorused… “Mardiana!!” Yes it’s soo you.

I also found out that Fina’s the only girl among a gang of brothers, and that makes both of us. And growing up with guys really trains you up to be one tough cookie! Am I right sista from another mother??

This one was self-confessed, and she really would have killed for some Milka right there and then. I can picture it right now… Haslindah, cold turkey style: “Pass me the chocolate... and nobody gets hurt!”


I’ve created one for Dimas since she has not been to Nepal, and has moved out of hostel…

and therefore....

Damn girl (hint of envy..), at this rate, you’ll be in Nepal in no time!

Last but not least, yours truly,

Munch on this: Munchy Donut

Out with the old, in with the new. And that was probably what Munchy Donut did.

Before the idea of freshly served donuts and donut parlours hit the local food scene, there were donuts around to keep donut-lovers occupied until their next overseas trip to Krispy Kremes or Dunkin’ Donuts. These were usually pre-fried, pre-topped and delivered to supermarkets or 7-11 to be sold. They tasted just alright, but a donut right out of the oven would be swell.

And then there was Donut Factory, which initiated a nationwide craze over donuts and in no time, a swift cascade of several other donut shops, each competing with their own range of donuts and the quirkiest name one could imagine. They knew Singaporeans wanted their donuts, and heck, they’re giving it to us.

Good ol' rainbow sprinkle and white chocolate

Donuts on a stick!

With many new kids on the block, there was a familiar brand with the facelift that probably saved its life. And this is assuming it was the Munchy Donut during my secondary school days. And then the taste-testing began…

The donuts are actually more colourful than what you see (blame a chocolate lover for buying more chocolate donuts why don’t you!). What I love about Munchy Donuts is that the toppings stay moist because they’re usually snapped up even before the next batch comes in. The dough is soft and fluffy, more like soft bread than donut though.

Choz O’nutter and Choz O’cream are chocolate-topped donuts with peanut butter and custard filling respectively. The chocolate topping taste more semi-sweet than sweet, and the bittersweet chocoloate topping should be left for true dark chocolate fans to experience the “shiok” in O’shiok.

Smart advertising!

More sweeter versions are cinnamon-topped Silly-Mon (told’ja they came up with silly names, literally) and Typhoon Oreo, both with white-chocolate base and veeery sweet. And for the conservative tastebuds, try the old school strawberry and chocolate donuts with rainbow sprinkles and nuts or lightly glazed originals.

Unlikely marriage of green-tea flavoured white chocolate with red bean filling - Putting Green - shows that Munchy Donuts are clearly putting in the effort to explore other flavours, but I’d leave that for others to try for now. Putting aside the brave attempt, they do stay true to more traditional recipes. For the crowd who seek old favourites, this is one of them donut shops.

With shops at each end - Causeway Point and Tanjong Katong (opp. Tanjong Katong Girls’) and more opening soon, it’s difficult not to get some. If this was the Munchy I once knew, they have come a long way.

Any relations between the two? Probably, coz somebody took a bite outta both of em!

Munchy Donut outlets:

226 Tanjong Katong Rd S437015 (Tel: 6344 0880)

Causeway Point (Cold storage)1 Woodlands Square#B1-22/31/32 Causeway Point S738099


Eastwood (Cold storage) 20 East Wood Road #01-07/09 East Wood Centre S486442

United Square (Cold storage) 101 Thomson Road #B1-52 S307596

Let the Good Times roll...

Talk about neglect! I didn’t think it was this long a period that I left my darling food journal in the dumps. Utter disbelief. And yet, after months of NO posts and NO pics to slaver over, there is still hope yet. Although inactive/ignored/abandoned/deserted (yes the guilt is just eating me up), the food destinations were far from.

So hello 2008… A new year, a new look, & another chapter of the good (food), the bad (..service?) and the ugly (must be how I eat).

All sea critters welcome!

I wanna go to the Naked Fish Shoppe!!!!

With the 'healthier choice' stamp of approval from HPB, the more reasons to go... Pass me the salt honey!

The 'Putu Piring' stall

You know how some putu piring are either too dry or have way too little gula melaka filling? All that and the vendor’s all too penny-pinching on the coconut shavings? It’s as good as eating steamed flour sometimes.

So there was really nothing special about putu piring, for me at least - until one day I bit into what soon became a staple on sunday mornings . And I thought, this is the one. I tell you, there’s no other that comes close to these babies (my mom and I decided to put it to the test and went on a putu piring tasting survey… What?? We just appreciate good food ok).

There were just so soft and fluffly, and won’t harden if you kept them for later. And don’t be surprised if it gets messy, the thick gooey gula melaka gets all over the place!

i'm totally feelin' the whole lotta fillin'..

Even seeps to the underside!

Not taking my word for it? Action speaks louder than words, and the long queues would say it all. What better publicity that a beeline of loyal customers… and those who just find it thrilling to queue up at the longest line (coz that would mean that there’s something good in store down the line - or free goodie bags and hello kitties).

A stream of customers demands efficient and fast service, and that they certainly have. Instead of the usual lonesome 1 tending to a stall, 4 now engages in their own ‘stations’ - one scoops the filling, the other steams it, take it out when its freakin hot and steamy and lastly packing 3 in a bundle… all that for good one dollar. Better yet, 10 cents off with a banquet card, y’all! heheh…

4 pairs of diligent hands at your service

Stuff in some more please, Uncle

Located just beside Darul Arqam (Muslim Convert Association) or across the road from Malay Village, the stall simply known as what it sells – Putu Piring makes up one of the stalls in Banquet at Haig Road. It’ll be the best one buck you’ll spend on food (I pay only 90cents :p)

Banquet Blk 12 Haig Road,
#01-323

Wedding Bells...

Yes I know this is a food blog and all, so technically speaking I should keep it neutral...

But words really can’t describe the emotions that surged through the heart, when I witnessed what they have been fighting for all this time, struggling against the odds, all this while staying true to each other to make it work – come alive at that very instance.

I had to control my tears as they, with the blessings of the Almighty, were granted that long-awaited walk down the aisle amongst families and friends, finally together hand in hand.

To Ahmed and Haslindah:

My most sincere congrats to the newly wedded couple. Haslindah, you blew me away… you were beautiful beyond words. Ahmed, consider yourself one lucky chap!

Love knows no boundaries, truly. You and Ahmed are truly one fairy tale with a very well-deserved happy ending! You cannot believe how happy I am for both of you. To a new phase of your lives blissfully together, Insyallah.

And oh, just for the record, the food didn’t disappoint ;)

Carousel at Scotts

This is the sight that awaits you as you enter Royal Plaza at Scotts:

The most enthralling and dreamy wedding reception venue every bride could ask for. (Imagine all candles lit up. A page out of --insert your preferred Disney princess’ name-- is it just not….)

And of course, of decadent cakes and yummy macaroons!

But alas, these eye candies (in both senses) or rather works of art (isn’t the practice of good food?) weren’t part of the buffet, but surprisingly reasonably priced at around 5 buckaroos ++ a piece.

Much to our delight, the spread awaiting inside was no less… delightful? (for the lack of a better word :p)

Ambience was definitely one of the highlights in Carousel, the place partitioned into several dining areas with its own name and décor; The State room for functions and gatherings, the serene setting of the Verandah, the bright-burst of sunshine in the Terrace and the Living room for casual dining.

The Verandah

Pretty neat decor

The Japanese station offered the usual fare. The sushi was too my liking but the sashimi, I gave a miss. Blame it on all the horrifying sashimi-related stories and images in my head.

Cold soba, cali maki, and salads that'll rock your socks off

Popiah cups, spring rolls and more sushi & cold salad

Sandwiches were comparable to many I’ve tasted (pita dough being an exception. That’s hot.) but it’s the salads that really hit the chord (or tastebuds rather?) for me. Poached salmon salads and many other weird-sounding salad concoction (enlighten me please on what’s a vert) that nonetheless tasted great.

For the sweeter palate, expect scones, muffins, array of all cakes familiar and of house creations. And not forgetting the chocolate fountain, with accompanying sticks of fruits to coat (or multi-coat for me hehe). Western desserts were balanced with a fair share of local kuehs and puddings.

Sweets for my sweet

Chocolate & rasberry mousse, brownies, fruit tart and french pattisierie

It's nice to eat when it's nice to look at

Glowing hot scones!

Spot FD... (The Chocolat fountain)

...and Mardi! (The Asian Influence)

Bread pudding with vanilla sauce

All in all, I would describe this dining experience as pleasant – in both ways. Pleasant in that the place was cosy & welcoming, and customer service was tops. Pleasant also to the extent of blandness. The food averaged out decent and palatable but didn’t really make me come for thirdths. But seconds I did hehe.

But hey, it was high tea. Don’t expect a glorious spread of dense food aimed to burst your belly. Food at this hour is meant to be light, doi. But we were famished. Oh well.

But judging from Dimas’ rave reviews on lunch – roast lamb, whip-on-the-spot pasta, cheescakes, belgium waffles… shots of desserts?! You definitely got me there. Expect more ‘station kitchens’ offering a bigger food spread of international sorts.

For those keen to give it a try, be sure to make reservations. Turn-outs are usually high owing to it being Halal and a hot-spot for teachers, especially on half-days (I kid not!). And be sure to make it for lunch or dinner to not miss on the good stuff, which I’m sure I will soon.

* * *

CAROUSEL

Royal Plaza On Scotts

25 Scotts Road S228220

Tel: 6589-7799

Buffet hours: Lunch is 12.00 to 2pm; high tea is 3.30 to 5.30pm; dinner is 6.30 to 10.30pm; supper is 11pm to 4am.

Ayam Penyet Surabaya

Next stop on my list of makan places tried and tested is an Indonesian restaurant located somewhere in the glitzy wondershopping fashion street that is Orchard Road. Just that it’s neither one of them upmarket dining places nor the most chic of restaurants.

Located in the humble but popular shopping mall to foreigners and bargain-hunters, Resto Surabaya at Lucky Plaza has my thumbs up for authentic Indonesian fare.

It’s about time really, to get a taste of the much talked about Javanese dish that has made headlines and lured many celebrities (Sheila on 7, Peterpan, tinkerbelle?). Yes, all the hype surrounding their signature dish - Ayam Penyet Kremes.

And surely enough, the Ayam Penyet did not fail to deliver. Translated loosely as “smashed” chicken, this suggests actions of hammering, only to loosen the meat from the bones. The result? One tasty Ayam Penyet. Tender and moist meat, crispy skin with no hints of sogginess – Sure chases away the guilt of eating fried chicken! The dish also includes a generous serving of rice with fried tempe (fermented soybeans), tahu and great-tasting sambal thrown in for good measure.

So what really sets apart Resto Surabaya’s Ayam Penyet from the rest? I would think that the secret lies in the chili paste aka sambal. Variations to the sambal (in the attempt to cater to the local tastebuds) usually render them sweeter than the original. This restaurant however values the authenticity of Javanese cuisine and has fortunately conserved its distinctive flavour. The sambal maintains the tart taste with a good dose of spicy; definitely one that may scorch the unseasoned tongue and leave others wanting more.

Other appetizing dishes include Pecel Sayur - vegetables with “assam” and peanuts and Cah Kangkung or stir-fried kangkung, with the freshness of the vegetable preserved to the crisp. You’d need to try the rest to know how they'd fare now, wouldn’t you :)

All good things shouldn’t have to carry hefty price tag and this eatery very much understands this. Dishes are reasonably priced at hawker rates, probably owing to the rather confined and crammed space allocated for the restaurant.

You may have your own favourite Ayam Penyet eatery serving Indonesian food alike. In Lucky Plaza itself, outlets such as Ayam Penyet Ria and Ayam Bakar Ojoli have their own fair share of loyal customers. Not forgetting the most raved (as mentioned in a newspaper review) Changi Village Ayam Penyet Bistari, known to have modified their sambal to the likes of many.

Who knows, I might just change my mind on the best-tasting Ayam Penyet meal as I survey from store to store (speaking of which, there is this one restaurant around the corner – Waerong Penyet at Marine Parade opened and run by the famous Indon brothers. Hmm sounds like a hearty lunch to me :p). So far though, Resto Surabaya proves to be my personal fave. At the end of the day, you just gotta appreciate the food you're blessed with.

It may not be a Kintamani or Kartini in ambiance or location, but really, who gives a hoot when you’re dining on good food?

Resto Surabaya
Lucky Plaza #02-63/64
304 Orchard road Singapore 238863
Operating Hours: 1100 -2100hr
Tel: 6732 1803