Din Tai Fung

What welcomes you on the table

Last weekend, we went to Bishan to get something. Since it took over an hour for us to travel and we left the house a little late, it was almost lunch time when we got there. We roamed around for a bit and the husband suggested we eat at Din Tai Fung. Wow, for no occasion we will eat at DTF!! I'm celebrating because it's a bit expensive there, that is for me :D

Chili oil

As you know it, you have to be wait listed before can get a seat at Din Tai Fung. While waiting, we were given the paper so we can choose our orders on our own. For me, this is really good because sometimes I'm kinda hesitant to order if there's a bit of language barrier between me and the taker. You can see a big menu with photos and description outside, too. 

We waited for about 15 minutes before we were ushered to our table. When we took our seats, we were given hot tea and sauce plates with ginger strips. Below you can see the card on how to eat a Xiao Long Bao.

Ginger and instruction on how to eat Xiao Long Bao

For starters, we had the fried pork and veggie dumpling. I cannot remember what the sauce is but I didn't like it. It was brown and tasted like sweet-salty in a weird kind of way. :D The husband didn't like it too. So we dipped it in chili oil/soy sauce.

Pork and Vegetable Fried Dumplings

The last time we ate the DTF, we had the breaded pork chop and I was surprised that the one served to use didn't look like it at all! But I still liked it, it was soft and as always, the fried rice was superb!

Pork chop atop the fried rice

I felt so sad that I ordered the wrong item. I really thought I chose the Xiao Long Bao, not the dumpling. Argh! But these didn't disappoint at all. 

Dumplings prettily arranged

I wasn't able to take a photo of the two noodles that we ordered. You'd wonder what we would do with two noodles, right? Actually I made a mistake (again) by ordering plain noodles for the little girl. I didn't know plain would mean nothing going with it. Zilch, zero, nada. Of course my little girl didn't like it so we had to get another one. As you can see below, the dumpling also has soup inside. It was really a wonderful treat! :)

See the juicy dumpling?

Total bill was $41 something . It was just okay. However, for me, it was already expensive :D I could actually eat these kind of food in Manila with a lower rate. But hey, we're talking about Din Tai Fung here, baby! :) I will always go back, if money isn't an issue!

Din Tai Fung
Website: www.dintaifung.com.sg
Branch Visited:
Junction 8 Shopping Centre
9 Bishan Place #01-41 Singapore 579837

Contact: +65 6356 5228

Petit Provence

When my little girl used to attend a class in Tampines NTUC, we would frequent the malls around the area. Usually after each session, we will swing by Tampines Mall or Century Square. I can see that there are several bakeries around but one of the bakeshops that I like around Tampines Central is Petit Provence. Although they only have a few, I love the assortment of breads they offer.

Last week, I bought 2 pieces. The coffee roll and the milk pan. I believe the milk pan is one of the best sellers and I haven't seen this kind of bread in any other bakeries I've visited. According to their website, the milk pan is "Soft on the outside, softer on the inside. The smooth, creamy and milky filling will take your breath away." And I must say, yes, the creamy filling does feel magical, almost taking you to bread heaven. :D

The milk bread up close. Sorry, it doesn't really look that way. But because it was dumped in my bag and I was scurrying after the little girl around, it became like a raisin after. Well, not really a raisin but more like a grape on its way to becoming one.

Milk Pan $1.60

Usually, a coffee bun that you can see is filled with cinnamon or raisins. But this one made my eyes lit up.  It was coffee flavored with chocolate chips. And the bread is very soft, it almost melts in your mouth. Just perfect!

Coffee Roll $1.40

I can remember one time that I bought a cream cheese bread and when I bit, I felt something hard. When I took a closer look, there was a staple wire. I didn't know what to do at first. Should I take a photo of it as a proof? Should I give it back? The husband told me to just show it to the staff just so they will be aware. So when I explained it to them, they were really sorry and gave me 2 new cream cheese breads! Oh yeah, honesty pays! :)

The prices of the bread are not cheap, I must say. But if you're in the mood for some indulgence of sweet breads, head to Petit Provence. Try their wassants, they're also yummy!

Petit Provence

Century Square
2 Tampines Central 5, #01-16
10am-10pmContact: 6467 6966
Website: www.provence.com.sg

It's Only A Cafe, Don't Take It So Seriously...

With A Pinch of Salt by Kyra

We had an early celebration of Father's Day yesterday. It was double celebration because our little girl also turned 33 months old as well. 

After swimming, we headed to East Coast area to have lunch at With a Pinch of Salt. It took us almost an hour to get to Tanjong Katong road from Tampines Sports Stadium. Whew! Good thing the place wasn't hard to find. 

When you get to their door, you could browse their menu and see the offer below from UOB.

The husband said the place reminds him of Mom & Tina's in Manila. It was homey and quaint.  Feels cozy and kid-friendly, too.

Free internet connection!

While I was finishing my meal, my little girl played and read the books with her dad. It was a wonderful idea that they have this in the cafe, to keep little kids busy before or after eating.  They also have magazines!

Books and magazine to keep you entertained

The husband got the Seafood Black Lips pasta. It was spaghetti cooked in squid ink with fish, shrimps, squid and clams.  The taste was unique! Reminds me of paella negra but with a twist. Imagine eating it with pasta instead of rice. Cool, right? :)

Black Lips $15.90

I was in the mood for some sausages so I got the Bangers and Mash.  It's refreshing to have a taste of the English Bratwurst and Chorizo sausages again. I loved the mashed potatoes, it was smooth and lightly seasoned. I believe the brown sauce they're referring in their menu is the gravy that I'm accustomed to, which made me really happy with this dish! :)

Bangers & Mash $10.90

The little tot had the soup of the day, cream of chicken soup.  It was tasty but I found the serving a bit small.  I was hoping we'll get a big portion since it was priced at almost $5 but it was a small bowl and the little girl finished it in no time. 

Soup of the day - Chicken Soup $4.90

We ordered an additional dish, just to let the little girl have something to munch on.  True enough, the soup didn't make her full. She was still hungry and ate some of her dad's Black Lips pasta and these potato wedges.  No wonder she's very heavy to carry!!

Potato Wedges $7.90

Our total bill was almost $40, including GST. Not sure though about the service charge. It was the husband who paid the bill.  They accept NETS and credit card (Visa/Mastercard, no Amex) with a minimum purchase of $20.

We enjoyed our food and as much as we would want to go back again, I guess we won't be doing it anytime soon as the trip is very long from our place! But it was definitely worth our time. Food and service were great, the place was also clean. It's a departure from the typical big chain restaurant. Our preference has always been the hole-in-the-wall, cozy type of place.

With A Pinch Of Salt
297 Tanjong Katong Road
Singapore 437080
Contact: 6348 2297
Email: eat@withapinchofsalt.com.sg
Website: With A Pinch of Salt
Menu (menu is kinda outdated)

Chicken Satay

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken legs and thighs (preferred) or 4 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 2 stalks lemongrass, chopped
• 6 shallots, peeled and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4 Tbsp cooking oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp turmeric powder
• 4 tsp of kecap manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce)
• 1 tsp oyster sauce
• Bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 2 hours to avoid burning (optional)

Method:

1. Cut the chicken meat into small cubes. The recipe suggests to grind the spices in a food processor to create a paste however I just mixed everything. You can also pound it if you have mortar and pestle.
2. Marinate the chicken pieces with the spice paste for 10-12 hours.
3. Thread the meat onto the bamboo skewers and grill for 2-3 minutes on each side. Serve hot with the fresh cucumber pieces and onions.

For the dipping sauce, please follow the satay peanut sauce recipe.

After 8 hours of marination

Grilled to perfection

Peanut Sauce

Date Night at Nando's

Two weeks ago, the husband and I were able to sneak in a date night because the little girl slept early. So we had dinner at a nearby restaurant, Nando's. If I remember it correctly, it's been over a year since we had an all-adult dinner. :)

The sauces they use - Hot, Extra Hot, Mild and Lemon & Herb

According to their website, these are the:

• Extra Hot Peri-Peri - Evoke tears of joy with our flavour for serious chili lovers
• Hot Peri-Peri - If you really want to spice things up
• Mild Peri-Peri - A little warmer - perfect for those looking for more adventure
• Lemon & Herb - For beginner or those who like lots of flavour, but not too much heat

Interiors

The husband's choice was the Cataplana Originale in Hot Peri-Peri. We thought it looked like an alien or a war weapon used in the olden times. 

The husband's choice, Cataplana Originale S$19.90 -- looks like an alien weapon

True enough, it was like a bomb. The chicken, that is. The husband usually likes very spicy food. He eats a dried chili straight up. But this was one really spicy. I also tried it and unfortunately, it didn't impress me much. Maybe because the sauce was too overpowering and it took away the beauty of the dish. :(

And the insides were lethal!

I had the 1/4 Chicken in Hot Peri-Peri as well. It was too spicy and I didn't finish my meal :( The rice went well with the chicken but I guess choosing the fries was just too much of carbo loading. 

My plate, 1/4 chicken with 2 sidelines S$14.90

I liked my drink, Madeira Red. Until I realized it was soda. Urk. I don't usually drink soda so does the husband. I wish they had bottomless iced tea instead of this fancy shmancy soda drink!

Madeira Red - S$4.90

The husband and I would like to go back to Nando's to give it another try. This time, we have to choose Mild Peri-Peri! :)

Nando's Peri-Peri
Outlets in Singapore:
Bugis Junction Victoria Street - 6448 6555
Tanglin Mall Tanglin Road - 6235 3555
Plaza Singapura Orchard Road - 6337 2555
Tampines Mall Tampines Central - 6789 5052
Katong Mall East Coast Road - 6636 3165
JCube Jurong East - 6684 5387
Menu
Website: Nando's

Bao Today

Over the weekend, we thought of using the voucher we purchased last month. I was excited to eat dimsum again! :)

We got to Marina Square past 1pm and we were really hungry already.  Good thing the place wasn't packed so we got ourselves a table right away and the staff offered a high chair for the little tot. Service is good and they started serving our orders after 10 minutes! :)

I was a bit disappointed because a lot of the items we chose were not available - like the Xiao Long Bao and the Baked Egg Tarts. Boo.

Mango Pudding

Our drinks - Pineapple Ice Blended and Milo Dinosaur

The Shrimp and Spinach Dumplings were really tasty! I loved that it has a generous amount of shrimps in it.

Shrimp and Spinach Dumpling

Chee Cheong Fun with Scallops were soft and yummy on the inside. The sauce perfectly complimented the excellent texture of the noodle and the scallops inside.

Chee Cheong Fun with Scallops

This was supposed to be my meal but the tot finished all the noodles! This dish also came with a soup with 2 dumplings in it. I liked the char siew and the fried dumplings!

Char Siew and Golden Dumpling

The prawn dumpling was such a delight, I forgot I was disappointed that they didn't have Xiao Long Bao anymore!

Scallop Prawn Dumpling

The spare ribs was a bit of a letdown because there were too much fat and bones, not much meat. :(

Spare Ribs

Instead of having the Siew Mai, I don't know why I chose the Chicken Bao. I guess I just wanted to try it since it was something different. It was made of chicken and chives, and I liked how it was a bit of savory and sweet at the same time.

Chicken Sesame Bao

I forgot to take a photo of the Salmon that the husband had. I was too busy feeding the little girl. :D

Overall, I was pleased with the food. Everything we had were good! Well, I guess except for the Mango Pudding which I think tasted like it was really made with artificial mango flavoring. I guess I was happy we only paid about $21.50 for everything we had but technically it was $41.50, thanks to our voucher!

Bao Today

6 Raffles Boulevard,

#02-234 Marina Square, Singapore

Tel: +65 6336 2237 | Website

Third Time's the Charm

The husband and I have been craving for noodles from this stall in the round market for the last 2 weeks. The first time we went was during Easter Sunday and the second was on a Saturday few weeks ago. In both instances, we went there for dinner and the stall was closed. Last Saturday, we went there for lunch and it was open. Yahoo!!

You can see the long line of eager noodle fanatics.

The usual items they sell and have different sizes/prices.

I got the Spare Rib Mushroom Noodle

Dumpling noodle - $3

Our help had the dumpling noodle. The dumplings were big and the whole serving was huge. Not a disappointment at all.

Chicken Feet Mushroom Noodle - $4

The husband had the chicken feet mushroom noodles. As a big guy, the $4 serving was enough for him. It had 3 dumplings and 4 or 5 slow-cooked chicken feet.

Spare Ribs Mushroom Noodles - $5

I had this really large portion of the Spare Ribs Mushroom Noodles. It had char siew slices, 3 chock-full shrimp dumplings, mushrooms and oh-so tender spare ribs!

Yummy Sarawak Kolo Mee

Blk 137 Tampines Round Market and Food Centre #01-45

Open 5:00am - 3:00pm daily