Archive for the 'Usual Ramblings' Category

Babboooooooooo!!

Published on August 22, 2010 in This I like and Usual Ramblings. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

That very evening (after the Lucky Rice Talk + Taste and Shake Shack), the chefs and I decided to discover the culinary offerings of a celebrity chef and popped over to Mario Batali’s restaurant, Babbo. To be honest, I have never been to an authentic Italian restaurant (or at least I think it is authentic), and was really looking forward to dining there. Adding to that, I guess my meet up with Chef Batali at the Farmer’s Market the day before might have played a part in fueling my desire on a visit ~shrugs shoulders~.

I can’t for the life of me remember what happened that night given that it was a good four or so months between my visit and this article. But all I can remember was learning a couple of things from their wine sommelier and a little more about Italian food and how they are served. The damage that night was pretty decent with each of us footing about US$80 for a three (or four) course meal with wine. As always, the great company did make our night enjoyable as we laughed into the night with made up ridiculous jokes.

Food photography that night was a disaster with extremely dim lighting and a not so good camera. Again, one of those moments you wish you brought a better camera. Anyways, I have uploaded my attempts in my Flickr album, so if you still want to take a peep, just click here.


Perhaps the only decent photo, Baboo’s restaurant front

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Shake Shack not very shiok

Published on August 20, 2010 in Things that suck, This I like and Usual Ramblings. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

After hearing so much about Shake Shack from the locals in New York, the chefs and a bunch of us decided to make our way to the popular burger joint in our bid to celebrate the work completed so far. Our plan was to allow the chefs to head back to the hotel for a quick shower after the Lucky Rice Talk + Taste while ST and I make our way there to queue. Upon arrival, ST and I almost passed out as we witnessed one of Singapore’s favourite past time…queuing.

The 80 meters or more queue really did give the chefs ample time to go back, shower and meet us and they arrived 45mins later only to find us smack in the middle. A good half hour later, we found ourselves face to face with the service staff and by that time, we knew exactly what we wanted. We took our seats minutes later and waited for another 15 mins or so before picking up our order at a separate counter.


Left: Somewhere in the middle of the queue | Right: A closer look at Shake Shack

Now one would think that the food served at the Shake Shack must be earth shattering given the long wait time. Unfortunately, we weren’t too impressed with both presentation and taste. Chefs and their experienced palates aside, we all had our fair share of junk food but this one doesn’t seem to cut it with the exception of some such as the Concrete Jungle shake.


Left: You order here… | Right: …and pick up here


Left and right: Our order


Left: Not so nice and greasy Double Cheeseburger | Right: Oh so yummy Concrete Jungle milkshake

However, as a complete food experience, it wasn’t that bad actually. The company was good, the weather was just right and we were fortunate enough to find enough seats without much hassle. After hearing so much about the burger joint, we knew we had to be fair to ourselves and give it at least a go. As a person who believes that taste is a mater of opinion, I suggest you too should give it a try and who knows, you may like them.. :)

More photos in my Flickr album here.

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Talk + Taste

Published on August 16, 2010 in Usual Ramblings. 1 Comment Tags: , , .

The very next day (after the Lucky Rice Grand Feast that is… ;) ), Chefs Willin, Ryan and Gino popped over to the French Culinary Institute for a cooking showcase attended by a much smaller crowd making up of culinary enthusiasts. Compared to previous events, the Lucky Rice Talk + Taste is pretty much a walk in a park for Chef Willin despite facing a line up of popular chefs representing various countries such as Zakary Pelaccio from Fatty Crab who spoke for Malaysia and the funny Taiwanese chef Eddie Huang from New York’s Baohaus.

I think what set Chef Willin apart from the other chefs in addition to his humour is that fact that he is the only local based in his own country. Again, his Laksa Pesto with Tiger Prawn was a hit.


Left: The chefs in the prep room | Right: I made Chef Willin pose for this ‘molecular gastronomy’ inspired photo


Left: Chef Gino carefully pumps the pesto | Right: The final product


Left: Zakary Pelaccio | Right: Eddie Huang


Left: Our local chefs spying from behind | Right: Now its their turn


Left: Chef Ryan helping Chef Willin with the showcase | Right: Chef Gino and Susannah preparing the tasting portions


Left: One of the many trays | Right: We prepared ingredients for the guests too

More photos in my Flickr album here.

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Farmer’s Market

Published on August 11, 2010 in Usual Ramblings. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

JC and I popped over to two Farmer’s Market at Tucker Street and Union Square in New York sometime during early May (a day after the Lucky Rice Night Market to be exact) in our bid to learn more about the trade. To be honestly,I’m not a hippie (I think), but after being influenced (or maybe forced upon) by Lyn (my boo – who is also not a hippie) on sustainable and ethical dining, I became rather interested in products and produces that are organic, dolphin-friendly, fair trade, etc. So I guess you can understand why I felt like a kid in a candy store upon arrival and did my running around amok routine again (similar to the day before).

I dragged JC around happily as we combed the colourful market filled with fresh, organic produces while sipping on Apple and Pear ciders.  As a person who almost never ventured into supermarkets abroad, I was really intrigued with the variety of colours available from potatoes to even eggs at the market. I guess you can’t find really them widely available at our local NTUCs or Shop N Save…I think…


Left: A crowded Saturday morning at Union Square | Right: Berries


Left: Flowers and plants | Right: APPLES!!


Left and right: They even had oysters


Left: PEARS!! | Right: The Pear and Apple ciders we were sipping on


Left: For those who love greens | Right: BREAD!!


Left: Colour potatoes | Right: All kinds of poultry

Coincidentally (and fortunately for me), celebrity and Michelin star chef Mario Batali was present that morning to sign his new book Molto Gusto. Being the celebrity chef whore that I am, I made JC stand under a shade while I queue up. The wait was about 10 minutes (thankfully) and before I knew it, I was standing in front of Chef Batali and staring at his signature orange Crocs while he signed on my (or rather Lyn’s) new book. Yes, it really was a memorable morning… :)


Left: Chef Batali signing his book for a fan | Right: Another fan right here…

More photos in my Flickr album here.

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Night Market at DUMBO

Published on August 7, 2010 in This I like and Usual Ramblings. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

The very next day (after the successful media dinner at Double Crown), we took a day off and headed to the Lucky Rice Night Market at DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass).

To accurately describe the event (and of course this is me being lazy), here’s an extract from the Lucky Rice’s Night Market webpage - ”Inspired by the festive night markets of Asia–from Taipei and Singapore to Hong Kong and Kyoto–LUCKYRICE threw a giant party with Momofuku chef David Chang. Centralized under the historic and newly re-opened Archway Under the Manhattan Bridge in Brooklyn’s DUMBO, the outdoor feast served up traditional Asian night market grub as well as some not-so-traditional street food interpreted by some of the city’s gastrohipsters. Vendors sold Korean tacos stuffed with kimchee, hotdogs topped with Thai pickled cucumbers and mango, mouth-watering Vietnamese baguette sandwiches (banh mi) and other Asian street food–authentic and inspired. There was also a dedicated Malaysian Pavilion featuring the best variety of Malaysian food in the area. Along with food samples and beverages, our partners poured beer, cocktails, tapioca tea and more.”

Since we weren’t working that night and Singapore’s food reputation was not at stake, we decided to goof off and ran amok sampling all kinds of dishes and taking weird photos of ourselves. Not bad for a bunch of alcohol-free people, can’t imagine how different the situation would be if there was an open bar… :)


Left: Under the bridge before the sun sets | Right: Our neighbours were there too


Left and right: Food from the Malaysian Pavillion


Left: Malaysian Coffee | Right: I can’t for the life of me remember what that was..LOL


Left: The festival guide | Right: Double Crown’s Chef de Cuisin Christopher Rendell did not have a day off, he had to man a stall


Left and right: Double Crown served Coconut Chicken with Snow Peas and Mint and Shaved Ice “Sundae Bar”


Left: Dirt Candy | Right: I think its dumpling


Left: Taiwan was represented serving Stinky Tofu | Right: AsiaDog


Left: Even the media were there | Right: Us goofers!!


Left: I kid you not, the event is actually held under the Manhattan Bridge | Right: View is much better at night

More photos in my Flickr album here.

After-note: Oh hey..remembered I said that there was no open bar earlier? Well I was checking out their website again and discovered in the below event video that there ACTUALLY WAS ONE…AND I MISSED IT!! Excuse me while I go kill myself now..LOL!!

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A Taste of Singapore in NYC

Published on August 6, 2010 in This I like and Usual Ramblings. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

As part of Singapore’s many food branding efforts, we brought Wild Rocket’s Chef Willin Low to New York for a series of culinary showcase featuring modern Singapore cuisine. Together with his two assistants Chef Ryan, also from Wild Rocket and Chef Gino from Burger Bench & Bar, we subjected them to the mercy of the American media as they attempted to justify their unique cuisine on foreign soil. To be honest, we weren’t too worried given Willin’s vast experience with media from abroad. In addition, this is not his first showcase overseas.

So on 29 April, we paired the local boys with Executive Chef Brad Farmerie of Double Crown and PUBLIC (a Michelin one-starred restaurant) to create an eight-course dinner featuring Singapore-inspired dishes for a room full of the who’s who in the NY’s media industry…no pressure there guys.. ;)


Left: Willin briefing the Double Crown crew before dinner | Right: Double Crown’s Chef de Cuisin Christopher Rendell preparing his laksa dish


Left: From left – Gino, Ryan and Willin | Right: Brad speaking to the guests before dinner was served


The menu


Left: Brad’s Coconut Laksa (very lemak) | Right: Willin’s Pan Seared Hokkaido Scallops


Left: Brad’s Sweetbread Satay | Right: Willin’s Sea bass Carpaccio Salad (Yu Sheng)


Left: Willin’s popular Laksa Linguini with Tiger Prawns | Right: Brad’s Guiness and Five-Spice Braised Short Rib


Left: Willin’s Panda Panna Cotta | Right Brad’s Coconut Chiffon Cake


Left: The guests showing appreciation to the chefs | Right: Double Crown Restaurant


Left: The chefs | Right: After party

Later that night, we all headed to the Bowery Hotel (just across the road) for the Lucky Rice Opening Night Cocktail Party hosted by Kelly Choi for booze, booze and more booze. I was too busy getting wasted and was unable to take many proper photos but thankfully, the folks at Lucky Rice produced a short event video.

And to think this is us getting started.. ;)

More photos in my Flickr album here.

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Here’s to you boss…

Published on July 8, 2010 in Usual Ramblings. 2 Comments

…may you rest in peace

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Celtics Anthem

Published on June 15, 2010 in Usual Ramblings. 8 Comments Tags: , , , .

Again I don’t normally post videos in my blog and I’m really not that into gangsta rap. But with a title like “Who are we (The Celtics!), let’s just say I’m willing to bend the rules a little. So here’s the video by some rap band called N.B.S (I dunno who they are, dun ask me ~shrugs shoulders~).

With a current 3-2 lead against the Lakers, I’m crossing my fingers that the Celtics will take the series in six games and become champs. But this will be tough given that it will take place at Staples Centre in California. I guess I am just going to continue believing, and donning my Celtic tees while screaming “Beat L.A.!! Beat L.A.!! Beat L.A.!!”.

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First reap

Published on June 13, 2010 in This I like and Usual Ramblings. 2 Comments Tags: , .

Finally after months of failed attempts and numerous plant sacrifices, Lyn and I (mostly, if not all Lyn) reaped our first green, the wild rocket. Never mind that the leaves are really tiny and almost unnoticeable on our plate of pasta but hey, this to us is victory. With our new home up and ready in the next few months, we are hoping to start our planting projects including setting up a complete controlled environment with customised lamps and adopt methods like hydroponics. Yes, things are going to get exciting.. :)


Left: Our tasty, yet bitter and spicy wild rocket | Right: Our wild rocket playing the role of Wally in this dinner dish

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Sandwiched, a pop-up concept

Published on June 8, 2010 in Usual Ramblings. 3 Comments Tags: , , , .

During our business trip in New York, JC and I experienced a pop-up cafe at the Whitney Museum of American Art called Sandwiched to learn about the concept. For the benefit of the unsure, pop-ups in general are concepts where retail or F&B establishments temporarily showcase their products or cuisine for a short period of time. In this case, Sandwiched is a pop-up cafe by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group serving simple to complex sandwiches (surprise surprise) located at the basement of the museum until the fall of 2010.


Left and right: The interior of Sandwiched

While the reviews were rave (I think) and concept interesting, it was quite a misadventure for us given that we feel somewhat ripped off for the food provided. However, in their defence, we weren’t really that hungry during the visit and decided on a simple bread with peanut butter and jelly. Even so, our high expectations collapsed when the sandwich looked like something we could have easily prepared at home.


Left and right: The sandwich

What we received was as good as it gets, no gimmicks, no garnishing, no nothing for about US$5 or so (I can’t recall the exact price). I know…ouch. While I know I won’t be returning to New York anytime soon, I think I just might give them another chance if travel permits. But this time round, I am going to order something bigger..much bigger.. ;)


I like the less is more design

More photos in my Flickr album here.

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