Ketchup...

I've been afflicted by a common malady of recent that has prevented me from updating this blog. That ailment is commonly known by most as laziness.

So there I've said it. I've stumbled into a state of inertia which was caused by various factors. Work being one of them. Also that there was quite a bit of hours spending time shuttling in transit between Kadrin Valley and Reikland and Eataine and well.....that's that. I'm not doing those today, which is the reason why I'm here typing this.


I've been out eating still if anyone was wondering. It's mostly been some of the same old stuff that I've mentioned before and a place call Wan Tou Shek which turned out to be quite nice. Have actually been there two or three times in the past month so I guess I'm quite liking it. Along with the durian trip across the road after that for some rather expensive Mau Shan Wangs. Otherwise, it was mostly a bunch of noodle craving that led me back to Tai Hwa where a fortunate case of running out of mee pok led me to ordering the mee kia version with extra minced meat. And a bowl of meatballs. Firm noodles with the spicy fishy vinegar toss....... good stuff here still.


The noodle binge included more minced pork noodles from Fei Xiong at the basement of Junction 8 and a leap back to QQ Noodle House which has really lousy char siew, but tasty noodles which made me forgive the other things that I didn't quite like. And even more minced meat noodles from the little food centre at Holland Village. And then there was also the potato noodles from Lai Lai. Or the Northern Chinese hand cut noodle thingy with braised beef and tendons from Crystal Jade La Mien place. Plus a return back to the same restaurant, but in another outlet for their rendition of the Dan Dan Mien which paled in comparison with Yoshimaru Ramen Bar and Ichibantei.


Still on the thread of noodles, one of my favourite duck places formerly known as Circular Sumptious Square has rechristened itself into Cookalicious Sumptious Square. I don't know what prompted the change in that name but the shop has gotten renovations and felt a little less imbued with the spirit of the former setup as an old trusty roast meat stall. Still the food was enjoyable the same. Prices haven't changed if my memory serves me.


Like I said, basically re-visits and oodles of noodles.

I'll stop short of talking about a rather disappointing and unsatisfying visit to Aston Prime. So here's one month of catchup for you.

Bites from the Hokkaido Fair at Isetan

Absinthe, Bukit Pasoh

I first notice of this place because of the name Absinthe (48 Bukit Pasoh Road, tel : 6222 9068); a name that is surrounded by half truths, rumours and a aura of dark disposition because of the purported hallucinogenic effects of the drink. It has in the course of history, been the cause of deaths. Of such as Oscar Wilde. I've tried some but failed to conjure the green fairies that were suppose to appear. I also realized that I don't enjoy it as the taste of aniseed/liquorice reminded me too much of cough syrup. But I digress..... this is a restaurant that serves French food.

Smells like awesome sauce : Space Marines

Will be brought to us by THQ and Relic Entertainment.

Click image for trailer!

A tortellini alla Genovese from Porta Porta

This pasta tasted homely and heart warming in more ways than one. Prior to this, I've never ordered anything alla Genovese since I had always assumed that they were just another one of those tomato sauced concoctions which I may dislike. I was wrong. This was mostly meat/onions/white wine/and some other minced and stewed vegetables. Tomatoes were used but in a sparing manner in comparison to the regular ragu type of sauce. I couldn't taste much of the other vegetables. The white wine and meat flavours were rich in the stew like broth with ricotta filled tortellinis. Piping hot. Another reason for me to come back another time. Now if only they were more wallet friendly.....

Al Forno Trattoria revisited

Parma

Pappardelle al Quatro Formaggi

Frittura Mista

the slice before the rest

Medaglioni di Maiale Pancetta

Bummer! They ran out of gnocchi. It was the thing that I wanted to have from here. What I liked about their gnocchi was that they were pan fried. That got them crusty before their rich four cheese sauce came into play. So we ended up with their pappardelle which was not bad at all. Thick cut and not over cooked.

The Parma ham on their pizza were sliced thicker than I remembered them. Could hardly eat the pizza without pulling most of the ham off. It was nice (also a tad pricier than most places) but not as memorable as the previous time I had them. Those fried prawns that came with the calamari weren't anything to be excited about.

What was also good were the pork fillets. Thick hearty chunks of pig (tenderloin) wrapped in more pig (bacon) in a brown sauce. Couldn't tell what was that sauce but it was nice.

This place was old school and also no frills which I liked. Discounting one particular service staff that had a smile that I found a little disquietly disturbing.