Coastal Settlement

It's been a while since I brought 83 year old Mum out for a date. Her idea of eating out is the standard Chinese round table restaurant or Zhi-char. Once in a while, I will bring her out for something unusual for her. I love to expose her to theme restaurants and see her expression. Hehee... As she puzzled why this queer restaurant owner picks up junks she looked around fondingly at the stuffs we used to have. Mum and I had an incredible time basking in the peace, greens and nostalgia of this unassuming house.

The Coastal Settlement 

Address:
200 Netheravon Rd, Singapore 508529 (Changi)
Opening hours: 10.30am - 12 midnight, closed on Monday.

The Charm of Karung-Guni Randomness

Green & Serene

Retro Cheeky Contrast

Hung Up Oldies

Almost every household used to have this TV

Mayo Dip, Luncheon Meat

Crispy without the oil. Addictive!

Portobello Mushroom Fries

Prawn Bisque
Would be much better if served warmer

Half  + Half = Double the fun! 
Prawn + Mushroom Beef Pizza

Yuzu Tart
Burst of freshness and textures...The ultimate finale of every ideal meal 

Ambience: 9 out of 10

Cleanliness: 9 out of 10

Remarks:
Uber-friendly to humans, pets and wheelchairs.
Warm helpful staffs (from the waiters to the valet drivers). The waiter volunteered to wheelchair my Mum to the handicap restroom with me. The valet driver offered to help me carry the wheelchair into my car. Excellent service!
Free private parking in the restaurant or public carpark at Turn House road.

Durian

In our efforts to eat healthy, my boyfriend suggested fruits for supper. He brought me to this place. And I love his idea! Definately a better experience than the street durian I usually had.

Charming Toa Payoh

What impresses me about this durian shop:
~ Ample space around.
~ No sleazy brothels or hotels nearby.
~ Away from noisy dusty roads.

Sin Yee Wang Durian
Address: Blk 211 Lor 8 Toa Payoh #01-21, Toa Payoh, Singapore 310211 (HDB shop)

猫山王

Recommends:
1. Cat's mountain durian - about $15 for every kilogram. Boyfriend paid about $30 for one. 1 fruit is more than enough for 2 person to share.

2. Coconuts - Refreshing combination with the king of fruit!

Ambience: 6 out of 10

Cleanliness: 7 out of 10

Fruits galore

Remarks:
Besides durians, they have a wide selection of fruits like red flesh dragon fruit too.
Outdoor seating with a pail of water for washing hands by the drain.
Open air public carpark besides the block.

Perk Myself Up

What do you do when you are stressed, listless or upset?

Everyone has different preference to deal with their issues. Some likes to shop, some likes to get drunk, while some likes to pull a prank on others. Shopping is therapeutic but can be draining to our finances. Being drunk might get us into trouble. Pranks might cost us retribution and relations.

There are many activities that we can do to make ourselves feel fabulous. But we want the fun without damaging our purse or reputation.

I encourage you to draw up your own "Pamper Myself" list. Brainstorm 20 healthy activities you have done in the past which made you feel awesome.

My "Love Lydia" list:
1. Taking a bath
2. Going on nature walks
3. Meeting new friends
4. Re-arranging my room
5. Hearing an inspiring speech
6. Pleasing my parents
7. Watching a comedy
8. Playing board games
9. Singing
10. Gardening
11. Wearing smart clothes
12. Seeing good things happen
to my family or friends
13. Talking about Philosophy
14. Drinking hot ginger tea
15. Complimenting someone
16. Preparing a new dish
17. Swimming
18. Getting massage
19. Spending time with my loved one
20. Listening to relaxing music

You will be surprised that most joys are pretty simple to execute, inexpensive and wholesome!


This list is an incredible way to remind ourselves the varieties we have whenever we need a recharge! This "Love Lydia" list also acts as my saviour. It distracts me from binging on my favourite potato chips. Oh… how addictive these Wasabi flavoured potato chips are! I could chomp down 3 packets at one go! Imagine the guilt aftermath. :S

I saved this useful list in my handphone and refer it whenever I feel the need to indulge. You might prefer to write it down in a card and keep it in our wallet or paste it in front of your desk. Whatever is more effective for you. Happy Pampering!

Cooking Lobster

Grilled cod fish at Cornerstone. Must try!!!

Cornerstone is a new restaurant in tranquil Bishan Park. The garden concept makes it an ideal place to chill out and dine with loved ones. What impresses me is the owners put an extra effort to make this place elderly, kids and pets friendly. As such it is an ideal place for gatherings.

Successful, young and diligent chef Yeo Kian Tong

Owner, chef Yeo Kian Tong, graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts and is a winner of Gourmand World Cookbook Award (Best Chinese Cookbook Singapore). He is the pride of Singapore and believes in serving quality western food at affordable price. We have known each other for years and always wanted to run a cooking class together. Hence Clique Wise had a Lobster Bisque cooking class at Cornerstone today.

I am a soup person and hopes to cook Lobster bisque. Lobster bisque is a complicated and delicate dish to prepare. The thought of handling the lobster is enough to scare most of us. But chef Albert Ryan of Cornerstone made it easy for novices like us to learn.

In this video, he demostrated how to cut the lobster with great ease. By cutting the lobster across, we could retrieve the flesh for frying, or just grill, bake and steam it like this.

Chef Albert Ryan taught us how to cut lobster.

Chef Albert Ryan has appeared in many cooking programmes,
he shares his knowledge generously.

Supper 2

After Midnight Supper Place

Besides supper after parties/work, this place which serves traditional comfort food is ideal for breakfast, brunch and afternoon tea too!

Yong He Dou Jiang 永和豆浆 (Previously in Geylang Lor 9)

Address: 517 Geylang Road (Near Lorong 27A) Singapore 389473 (near Paya Lebar MRT) 

They will be moving to Lorong 24A in December 2012.

Opening hours: 24 hours

Recommends:

1. Taiwan Mee Sua - fragrant, flavourful (without the pungent smell of pig intestines) and smooth... Ah Ma and Ah Gong swears by it!

2. Soy bean curd, salty (Dao Huay)- rare gem!

3. Soy bean milk, warm (Dao Huay Jui)- comforts tummy!

4. Onion pancake - well fried and light, kids love it!

5. Fried dough stick (Youtiao) - less oily and crispy fresh!

Ambience: 8 out of 10

Cleanliness: 8 out of 10

Remarks:

Located at the peaceful side of Geylang, with less than 2 hookers around. Suitable for big groups, family gatherings as they have huge round tables and is very spacious. 

ION Sky

ION Sky park is the highest point in Orchard. There is a cafe lounge here - VIVA Japan. Ideal place to chill out, enjoy the sceneries and spend some quiet time during the day. However, the ambience switched at nightfall. The lights of the city add glamour and beauty to this place, making it a perfect place to lounge, romance and meet new friends!

Interesting artwork to commenmorate the Earthquarke &Tsunami

that struck the north-east coast in Japan about a year ago.

 

Cocktail that Rocks

Old fashion - the sunset cocktail

Old fashion sounds like an elderly's drink. It has been around since 1800s. I could imagine a grandfather sharing this cocktail with his peers as they chat the sunset away.

Surprisingly, it's a 23 year old fun Chinese guy that recommended it to me! Rowell likes the woody manly characteristics. Interesting taste for a sporty cute guy. He definately knows how to appreciate the finer things in life.

Besides a pleasant woody touch, it's fragrant and ultra-soothing to me.
It is the evening cocktail to partake as we reflect the day, with a tinge of regret (bitter) that a day is over, yet assuring (sweet stability from the maple syrup) as we know another bright new dawn awaits us. 

Here is the recipe with compliments from Ethan, the bartender who introduces Old Fashion to Rowell.

~ 20ml maple syrup, dash orange bitters.
~ One orange slice, 30ml Laphroigh muddle, one cube ice, stir till melt.
~ Then 15 ml Laphroigh, one cube ice, stir till melt.
~ Add another 15 ml Laphroigh, 1 cube ice. Stir till melt.
~ Dash orange bitters. Top up ice.
~ One orange slice as garnish.

Requires an experienced cocktail mixologist to prepare Old fashion.
Drop by an established cocktail lounge to best enjoy this deep awesome drink. Cheers!

Taiwan - Sun Moon Lake

After the Singles Day celebration dating event on 11 Nov, I flew to Taiwan to join my family for a holiday the next morning.

When I saw this breath-taking view from my room at the Lalu, I was awed speechless. It's a Chinese painting came to live! I was mesmerized by the grandeur of God's creation. I felt small compared to the huge mountains yet connected... Connected with self, God and nature.


Enjoy the panorama view taken from my Canon camera, without tripod.

What an ultra refreshing experience!

Thank God for this wonderful holiday to feel in touch with nature, especially when it was shared with my loved ones.