Restaurant Review :- Ministry of Food, Suntec City Mall, Singapore

There was quite a crowd when we ventured into the Ministry of Food, Suntec City, Singapore.

We were seated comfortably but once we saw the Menu we were amazed there are so many dishes to choose from in this Japanese Restaurant.

We had high hopes - as there was quite a crowd there for Sunday @ 14:00.

I decided to order the Beef Moyashi Itame as a Starter and the the Salmon Curry Hotplate for the main course (pictured below).
The Beef was very healthy though slightly chewy and could have been softer on the palate. The starter was satisfactory I would say.

When  the Salmon Curry it arrived it looked so wonderfully appetizing and the aroma of the food was making my tongue tingle and my stomach rumble.

When I tasted it - it was so utterly pleasurable and exiquisitely tasty and the flavours were utterly appealing.


My friend ordered popcorn Chicken and Udon.

The Udon was fine but the soup was no that tasy and the chicken popcorn was pretty standard.


The net result was not a scrap of food remaining on our plates - see below - and a contented feeling in our stomachs. :)

 

All this for an acceptable price of $36 for two people.

We will return to the Ministry of Food - by the way they have a special offer on Weekdays 2.30 - 5.30pm.

There is also a discount with Standard Chartered Credit Cards.

Restaurant Review :- Mara-tama Ramen, Suntec City Mall, Singapore

Saturday 3pm - Hungry and in need of replenishment.

What could be better than a tasty Japanese Ramen Dish?

Time to head to Mara-tama Ramen on the 3rd Floor at Suntec City



The waiter welcomed me warmly and I sat down and ordered swiftly.

The menu is quite brief but the Tan Men (Chicken soup with Vegetables) really caught my eye.

The soup was absolutely delicious and the vegetables were very fresh. In fact I would say it was absolutely perfect except for a little too much salt.

I enjoyed the dish so much that I completely ate everything (see below). That rarely happens when I go to restaurant so in some strange way that was an amazing achievement.

I would say fifteen dollars for a Ramen dish in Suntac was a little bit expensive as the ambience and comfort is not really up to much. The manager was a little bit ill mannered too but the waiter was very polite and very nice when serving.

I would recommend the Ramen dishes at this restaurant to anyone. Lovely!

Restaurant Review :- Pho House, Singapore

食评 :- Pho House, 越南餐厅，新加坡

Feeling in the need of some snappy yet relaxed Vietnamese Food in Singapore - I found myself at Suntec City Mall, You can get here swiftly by alighting at Promenade MRT Station.

感觉需要一些活泼的尚未放松在新加坡的越南食品 - 我发现自己在新达城购物中心，你可以在这里得到迅速在海滨公园地铁站下车.

I ventured to the third floor and entered the Pho House establishment. I received a restrained welcome from the owner.

我冒昧地三楼，进入“保护海港条例”内务建立。我收到的所有者有节制的欢迎。

I checked out the menu - decided on the marinated grilled chicken and  broken rice (Thit Ga Com Tam). The waiter looked very dissapointed when I ordered no additional items - must have been a slow day.

我检查出菜单 - 腌制的烤鸡肉和碎米决定.
服务员显得很失望，当我命令没有额外的项目 - 必须有一个缓慢的一天。




The meal arrived within 20 minutes. The Chicken was succulent and tasty and had been marinated perfectly. The rice looked worn out and the Salad was extremely ordinary.

饭后20分钟内抵达。鸡，肉质可口，并已拌好的完美。水稻看着磨损，是极为普通的沙拉。

Not really worth $9.90 - There are better options out there - the Chicken was nice though!

没有真正值得$ 9.90 - 那里有更好的选择 - 鸡是不错的虽然！

Restaurant Review :- "Ju Fu Lin: Ju Fu Lin - Simply the Best Food in Guilin!!"

餐馆点评： - “聚福林：聚福林 - 简直是在桂林的最佳饭馆！”

Ju Fu Lin Restaurant is situated very Centrally - On the Same Street as KFC and near the Irish Pub.
 聚福林饭馆很好找-在有肯德基那条街，靠近爱尔兰酒吧。

Had Barbequed Eggplant(Aubergine) dish - it was lovely. Had barbequed Mushrooms and Beef , BBQ Chicken and BBQ Cabbage.
 吃了烤茄子。-很美味。吃了烤蘑菇和牛肉，烤鸡肉和烤卷心菜。

Also recommend - The Beijing beer - Yan Jing Beer.
还推荐 - - 燕京啤酒，北京啤酒。

The Music was nice - Chinese Pop music with a mix of Western Tunes.
 音乐很好-中文流行音乐混合西方曲调。



The Waitress out Front - called "Liao Hai Yan" was very helpful - though her English was limited - but there is an English Menu with Pictures - You can point at the dishes etc.
叫廖海燕那位服务员对我们很有帮助-虽然她英文水平有限-但是英文菜单上有图片，你可以指着点菜。

Don't go Inside - as it is very Smoky and Noisy. Advise you to stay out Front which is undercover. This is a great place to people watch.
不要进饭馆里面-因为很呛而且吵闹。建议你呆在外面，那里也有遮挡。这是一个看周围行人的好地方。

We tried Beer Fish and Beer Duck Dishes - Don't recommend them - nothing special - as we could not taste the beer. Stick to Chinese Staple Dishes.
 我们尝试了啤酒鱼和啤酒鸭。- 不推荐他们-没有什么特别的-因为我们尝不到啤酒。

Had Chinese Tea - It was nice and free of charge.
 喝了中国茶（茉莉花茶）-很不错而且是免费的。

They also have a singer - who sings Chinese Love Songs Most nights.
他们也有一个歌手 - 中国情歌的大多数晚上是谁唱的。

Not really Expensive - but above average cost in Guilin - Very Close to Sheraton Hotel. 13rmb taxi fare from Shangrila - 20 minute taxi ride.
不是真昂贵 - 但仍高于桂林的平均价格 - 到喜来登酒店非常接近。 13rmb车费从香格里拉 - 20分钟车程。

Enjoy the food.
享受美食

 Favorite Dish: Eggplant(Aubergine) - Barbecued and Mushroom - Barbecued.
最爱的菜：茄子和蘑菇-烤的
Meat + Rice Noodle (Lu Rou Fen) - very tasty.
肉+米粉（鲁肉粉）- 很好吃。
Address: No. 10 Zhengyang Lu (Near the Central Square)
地址：正阳路10号（靠近中心广场）
Comparison: more expensive than average
比较：比平均价格贵
Directions: Near KFC and Central Square (Zhong Xin Guang Chang)
位置：靠近肯德基和中心广场
Price: US$21-30
价格：21-30美元
Rating: 4/5
等级：4/5

主题：中国Theme: Chinese

Review of Rosewood Inn (Hotel), Yangshuo, Guilin, China

点评：中国桂林阳朔玫瑰木宾馆

We arrived quite Tired after the Li Jiang Cruise.
We had booked a 2 twin bed room on the 2nd floor with a Balcony - unfortunately a lot of Mosquitos had come in from the Balcony.
We asked to move rooms and the staff were so helpful and obliging.
We moved to a 3 single bed room on the first floor(ground floor) with No windows - but a lovely bathroom and was close to reception - we had lots of space.
It was peaceful and quiet and relaxing.
Not noisy - as it was off West Street - which parties all night!!
Free Chocolates and water were provided and the linen was clean.
We could get discount at many restaurants that are also owned by the same owner (from Hong Kong) - so that was advantageous.
The Manager has very good English and her employees are very helpful.
Some other hotel guests were chain smokers but luckily we just had to put up with that for 1 night - as you may be aware there is no smoking ban in China!
We could hire bikes for 25 rmb per day - quite cheap!!
Would definitely recommend this hotel.

Unique Qualities: Peaceful and quiet.
Nice Rooms.
Friendly and helpful Staff.
Arranged a Taxi to Guilin for us for 200RMB.
Address: Gui Hua Jie (off West Street), Yangshuo
Comparison: more expensive than average
Directions: Next to Ren Min Gong She Cafe.
Price: US$80-120
Theme: Inn
与众不同的地方：安静，平和
房间好，员工友好，帮我们叫出租车，200块人民币到桂林
地址：广西壮族自治区阳朔县西街桂花路21号
价格比较：比平均价格贵很多
地点：在人民公社隔壁
价格：80-120美元
类型：小旅馆

Cafe Review- Blue Mountain Cafe @313 Somerset, Singapore August 2011

蓝山咖啡@313萨默塞特，新加坡2011年8月回顾

Blue Mountain Cafe @ 313 Somerset, Singapore Whips any Starbucks butt for taste and decor in Singapore :)

Blue Mountain Cafe is a perfect place to hang out for a tasty Latte. Got a comfortable seat in a pleasant ambient place away from the crowds in 313 Somerset, Level 3.

蓝山咖啡是一个完美的地方挂出美味的拿铁。远离人群，3级在313萨默塞特了一个愉快的环境的地方在舒适的座位。

We stayed there for 1 hour and got a chance to relax and chat happily. No students hanging around for the wifi - as is the case in every Starbucks in Singapore.

You will frequently see 'No Studying' signs in a Starbucks or other popular Cafes in Singapore. Quite amusing - as you would never see this sign in Europe , USA or Australia for sure!!



The Standard Latte is tasty and these baristas really know how to deliver promptly and with the perfect fusion of flavours.



I had a Pina Colada Latte, essentially a Skinny Latte with a a tasty fusion of Pineapple and Coconut. Very Carribean for Asia!!



I would highly recommend this place as a we really enjoyed it - we will be back!

The Price of an Apple IPAD2 IN Singapore? How much is it on August 2011?

新加坡的一个苹果IPAD2多少钱呢？它在2011年8月是多少钱？

These delightful pictures show you the current price of an Apple IPAD2 as at 20th August 2011 at EpiCentre Apple Store, right next to Somerset MRT(Subway) in Singapore.

这些好看的照片告诉你现在（2011年8月20日）在新加坡索美塞地铁站附近的EpiCentre苹果店一个苹果IPAD2的价格。

Currently 1 Singapore Dollar equates to 5 RMB and 1.20 US Dollars.
现在1新币等于5人民币，1.2美元。

Restaurant Review(餐馆点评) :- Hot Tomato - Cafe and Grill(热番茄咖啡餐厅) - 313@Somerset B3 Singapore(新加坡）

We actually were going to relax and have food at Fish in Basement 3 @ Somerset 313 but after an icy cold reception by the waitress there and a hot blast reality check at the expensive prices we sauntered next door.

Welcome :- All smiles at Hot Tomato Cafe and Grill  and a proud exclamation of 20% off between 3pm - 6pm Monday - Friday was music to our ears from the service staff.

The Menu :- Very visual with some nice photos of the dishes. Another plus is that all dishes are cooked in healthy 'olive oil' - Mamma Mia - Is this too good to be true?

Ordering :- We ordered the Grilled Norwegian Salmon - a 'must try' on the menu and roast chicken with french fries - we contemplated how well that latter dish would be cooked.

Delivery:- The dishes arrived within 23 minutes - quite impressive - but it was quiet. Presentation was impressive - though one recommendation would be that the salad should consist of more than lettuce.



Grilled Norwegian Salmon - Yes it tasted as good as it looks!

Roast Chicken - So Succulent and Delicious Blackpepper Sauce


Tasty? :- So Delicious and all for less than $22 - pretty reasonable for Somerset.

Summary :- Recommended especially between 3pm and 6pm on weekdays and they do a special Student Deal too.

A Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - Book Review

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It is Oscar Wilde's only published novel.

The build up of the central plot was slow and methodical - but it really gives a very emotive insight into the type of Society Victorian London really was. The book was published towards the end (1891) of Victoria's rule. She died in 1901.

Dorian's beauty and youth  are completely worshipped by all people that he comes into contact with and he can be forgiven all his defects due to such appeal, especially by the many smitten ladies he comes into contact with. He exemplifies a Victorian 'celebrity'.

The central concept surrounds a portrait of Dorian who poses for an emerging artist called 'Basil Hallward'.
The painting is the best Basil will ultimately ever paint, perhaps due to the passion and emotion he uses in this work. To Basil, Dorian is the perfect muse who enables him to fully reach his potential.

Dorian is encouraged by his mentor called Lord Henry and affectionately referred to as 'Harry' by Dorian.
Harry has endless philosophies on a variety of subjects such as Love, Marriage, Women etc.
His whimsical attitudes which he proudly shares with Dorian allow the readers to intellectually consider or logically ponder Dorian's predicament.

Harry gives Dorian a 'scandalous' novel which encourages him to live life to excess and invest his time in immoral acts and immoral deeds. This ultimately leads to his downfall.

The painting will eventually enable Dorian to not age physically in 18 years but the portrait becomes the physical representation of Dorian's wounded soul. Dorian seems to magically have power over all he meets due to the power of this 'work of art'. His actions become beyond reproach.

I recommend that you read this Novel if you are interested in Victorian London, moralistic Scandals or Art.
Here is a link :- http://www.amazon.com/Picture-Dorian-Modern-Library-Classics/dp/0375751513

Please note you can obtain this novel for free for the Kindle.


There is also a movie - which is worth watching too.
Here is the trailer