F1

Managed to get hold of 2 sets of F1 Race tickets for the 3-day event.  All areas connected with the race were super packed but well managed and in order.

The race did not interest me but the atmosphere and the surrounding areas in the Marina Bay.  We got  good shots of the nightview and fireworks as we were seated at the grand stand in the floating platform.

The spotlights are the attractions

Splendid Skylines

"GANTAN"

This is a carbo and economical filling dish.  The potatoes are sliced thinly and deep fry till half cooked.  Drain the potatoes of oil and cook with minced pork & caramelized onions with dark soya sauce.

JONES

Intended to lunch at Wild Honey at Mandarin Gallery but due to long queue ended up at Jones the Grocer.  Although a bit pricey but make up for quality food.

Spacious and bright with tall ceiling.  A bar section stock with wines, liquor and cocktails.  The products on sale are upmarket and exclusive. 

Fruity raspberry juice and thick chocolate drink

Pear Salad with arugula leaves and crispy walnuts in vinegar sauce

Smoke salmon sandwich with side salad

Lamb cutlets in mint jelly and zucchini

Apple crumble for dessert

Strawberry shortcake, light and spongy

TAI DONG

DH has been raving about the braised duck in Circular Street, which draws crowd during lunch time.  When running errand in town we ended up at the popular stall. 

Less than a dozen ducks hanging when we walked into the shop, which is plain in deco with tables and chairs arranged in rows on both sides of the wall.

The duck was on a dry side which shows that they have not been braised long enough to absorb the sauce.

It was corrected by the garlicky vinegar chilly sauce.  The sauce goes well with the duck.

A big plate of braised cabbage to share between 2 person.  The cabbage was tasty and soft but not soggy.

HOSHIGAOKA

An old place where we used to frequent when the children were young.  Shaw House branch is the first time we patronized.

A Tonkatsu set

A huge set to share between 2 person

Plus rice, soup and chiwamushi

As usual a terriyaki done for my youngest daughter, be it salmon this round

MINI PANCAKES

A long queue at one of the food stores in Takashimaya and out of curiosity joined the queue.  It was mini pancakes made on the spot for 10 @ $3.50, a novelty snack.

Batter was poured into cast iron mould

The pancakes were cooked till brown on one side and flipped over to continue cooking

The ready pancakes were sprinkled with icing sugar and drizzled with lemon syrup.  There are choices of chocolate and strawberry syrups

Thick cream to go with the cakes.  Convenient snack to eat on the go.

CAPSICUMS & PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM

3 color capsicums fried with marrow and portobella mushroom, together with tomatoes make a healthy dish.

KAI LAN

I seldom fry kai-lan as it smells of strong insecticides.  But I cannot resist the crunchiness of its stalk.  The greenery of the stalk attracted me when I saw it at the market and brought it home.

The vegetables was totally soaked in water for at least half an hour and rinsed many times to get rid of the chemical.  It was stir-fried in high heat with marinated pork and rice wine.

NEX

Nex at Serangoon is huge, with hundreds of shops & restaurants and take a bit of time to complete the whole place.  When time to settle for dinner we landed at the Crystal Jade where they are having a promotion - a set meal complete of 2 main dishes plus a drink, rice and dessert.  We ordered 2 sets for 3 persons to share.

The scallops were fresh and the tasty sauce to go with the rice

Vegetables cooked with 3 types of eggs in superior stock

Deep fried prawns coated with oats to go with mayonnaise sauce

Roast duck is a must

Osmanthus jelly with wolfberries

Creamy mango pudding

Sour plum drink

LOSS

Life is so unpredictable.  My father died shortly after discovered with lung cancer 3 months ago in June. Before he was healthy and go about his carefree life until he had his fall.  When the hospital did a CT scan on his head it was shown his brain was invested with white spots.   The spots were confirmed stage 4 carcinoma which spread from his lungs.  He underwent 3 rounds of light chemotherapy and was given six-months to live, which was not to be.  

It was a blessing that he did not suffer any pain.   He was having breathing difficulty and hospitalized on his last days.  He went into coma and slipped away in the morning on Saturday 3rd at 11.28 am with his children and grand-children by his side.

During those busy days cooking was impossible and meals were taken in the hospital.  At Singapore General Hospital Coffee & Toast Cafe the food is flavorful although a bit costly for the public.  

Chicken Rendang Nasi - A big chicken drumstick with thick curry gravy and santan fragrance, accompany with acar and fried anchovies & peanuts.

Thick chicken curry with huge potatoes and egg plants

Sweet sourish mee-siam to whet your appetite

Laksa in excellent gravy with huge fresh cockles and tau-pok.  Biting into the tau-pok opens the flood of laksa gravy which is irresistible.