Saturday, May 23, 2009

Manpuku @ Tampines 1

It's been awhile since we went to the East, so my friends decided to visit the new Tampines 1 and have din at the Manpuku Japanese Gourmet Town. The place was still drawing in the crowds despite opening for quite some time.



We tried quite alot of items, so l've decided to group them into 2 broad categories.

The 'so-so' ones..

Maybe cos l've tried too many better ramen recently, the version from 'Aoba Hokkaido Ramen' was bland and was churned out like fast food. There was only l piece of thin pork and the hard boiled egg was like something you could get at home. The grilled eel and katsu don were quite average too.




The 'must haves'..



It was worth the long wait for the Osaka Botejyu okonomiyaki (named 'Moonlight Special') which tasted like the real deal from Japan. The Hokkyokusei Omu Rice was fragrant and the portion was generous.

Special mentions must be given to the fruit tarts from 'Fruit Paradise'. I remember passing by a similar shop in Japan and regretted not trying it then. So l'm glad they were brought to our shores instead. Available in various fruits combo... the mango & orange/grapefruit ones we tried were bursting with freshness and the cream wasn't too heavy too. It's kinda ex for $7.80 a slice, but l'm not really complaining.


Manpuku Japanese Gourmet Town
10 Tampines Central 1
#03-16 Tampines 1

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Michelangelo's Restaurant

My colleague treated me to lunch at Michaelangelo's today. The slightly crisp Snapper was superb, with no fishy taste at all. The chicken fettuccine was average though.



Michelangelo's Restaurant
Blk 44 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-60 Chip Bee Gardens

Monday, May 18, 2009

Eli Scruggs

l was really touched by this episode of Desperade Housewives so l decided to summarise and share with my friends here...

Eli, the handyman first met Mary Alice whilst she was gardening and told her he was looking for odd jobs. She declined initially but when she saw some holes in his shoes, she immediately told him she had a vase which needed fixing.

A couple of years later, Eli walks into Mary Alice's house one afternoon and finds her sitting at the table obviously with something bothering her. He didnt know she was going to kill herself.

When he heard the tragic news, Eli sat in his truck for almost an hour, devastated that he had done nothing to save her. He then made a quiet vow to God: from that moment forward, he would do what he could to help people, to help them fix their lives. And for the rest of his life, that's exactly what he did.....

He told Gabby to cut the snobbish attitude when she was new in town and to learn to like her neighbours or she would end up being all alone. She ended up having them as close friends for life.

He cheered Edie up and reassured her she was still an attractive catch, when she was dumped by her lover.

He consoled Lynette when she accidentally left her baby girl in the car and told her its understandable as she got alot on her mind with three kids, a new baby and a new job. She realised work is not everything and learnt to treasure her kids.

He kept Bree's cookbook which she had thrown away years ago and gave it back to her after her husband died.... he offered hope when she was lost and years later, she became a top selling cookbook author making her extremely wealthy and popular.

He lent a shoulder to Susan during her failed relationships, telling her though he hasn't had much experience in love, she was heroic to him because no matter how much heartbreaks she suffered, she always continues to find true love and never gives up hope.

When Eli died, throngs of people attended his funeral because he has touched their lives one way or another.

l don't know why this fictitious character left such an indelible mark on me but l'm sure there are many such kind souls around us.... ln my life, l too hope l could bless the people around me and somehow make this journey more palatable.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Spruce @ Phoenix Park

It's great to have Sunday brunch in the outdoors, and one such place is Spruce. Nestled within the Phoenix Park, this cafe serves the usual breakfast fare while offering a laidback surrounding. The Spruce Big Brekkie and the banana pancakes with blueberry syrup were quite decent, but we still prefer Rider's version though.





320 Tanglin Road,
Phoenix Park

Friday, May 15, 2009

Tatsuya Japanese Restaurant

The lunchtime Bento sets at this place are definitely value for money! The chefs were authentic, the ambience was posh and the food simply exquisite. The sashimi were so fresh it could melt in your mouth.

No wonder Fann frequents this place... haha



22 Scotts Road
Goodwood Park Hotel


For din, we had Thai Express at Paragon. Luv the mango salad.



On Sat, watched 'Angels & Demons'. Quite a fast-paced movie with the necessary twists and turns. But could border on absurdity, like how on earth did a Parish Priest suddenly learn how to fly a helicopter!