A little bit of sangria @Margarita's

When it comes to finding Mexican food in Singapore, alas there isn't much choice. Good thing is, Margarita's is quite alright to satisfy that cravings. After watching Marley & Me that afternoon, K, A, and I went to Margarita's. However, A had to get back to her house so K and I went first. I was famished as I only had cereal for brunch so we decided, or rather K took pity on me and we ordered nachos to start with and sangria. After all what is Mexican food without some wine?

The sangria was nice, fruity enough without losing its wine essence. My only complain though, for the price that we paid, we should be getting either two jugs or just one full jug without any ice cubes. I wanted to order more, but decided that I better keep my money for something else more value for money.

The bar area, the atmosphere is quite cozy and warm

By the time we got to Dempsey the sky that had darkened earlier started raining cats and dogs. It was surprising that despite the fact that we got there around 6.30, we almost couldn't get a table since they claimed to be fully booked. However, K and I managed to get a table with the promise that we would be done by 8.30. As soon as we sat down, I ordered nachos as I was positively famished. Then, remembering A's craving for sangria K and I ordered a jug of sangria.

Our jug of sangria @SGD 59.60 (didn't I tell you it's a bit pricey?)

The nachos couldn't come any sooner. The smell intensified by my hunger was heavenly and warm, contrasting with the wet ugly weather outside. There was an abundance of cheese, nacho chips and jalapeno pickles, complete with refried beans. I don't usually like jalapeno pickles but perhaps I was just way too hungry to care so I ate them and to my surprise, I really like them! I would have liked it better if there were more salsa, guacamole and sour cream on the nachos as well as some more beans, but this was enough to satiate my Mexican craving for this time.

Nachos @16.90

By the time A and N came, K and I finished the nachos already. Hence we decided to ordered a couple of main courses to share as we weren't starving anymore. We decided on crab enchiladas and mixed meat fajitas. The crab enchiladas came in a bowl with tomato based gravy and a side of salad, mexican rice and refried beans. It's a huge meal, that I would be struggling if I were to order it alone, though maybe if I hadn't eaten any nachos I could have devoured it clean. The innard was brimming with crab meat, tender and sweet, savory if you mix with the sauce. It was addictive. The rice was buttery and creamy, very comforting. I love mixing it with some refried beans.

Crab Enchiladas @SGD 34

The side dish: rice with refried beans and salad

The mixed fajita came in half meat half chicken with some tortillas and three different dips which unfortunately I couldn't remember only that they were good. It was so nice to shelter inside when it's pouring outside with some warm tacos filled with meat, roasted veggies, sour cream and refried beans. If only I could get some blanket and a TV, I'd be all set for a lazy afternoon/evening.

Mixed fajitas: Beef and Chicken @SGD 32

For desert, we decided to order their tiramisu. It was huge. I love the strong taste of coffee, but I find that the lady fingers could use some more time soaking in the coffee with rum as it was a bit too dry. I haven't had any spectacular tiramisu in a while. Maybe I need to go to Rome and visit my lovely Italian friend F who made the best tiramisu ever when I was in college...

Tiramisu @SGD 12

Margarita's Restaurant

Block 11 Dempsey Rd #01-19

Singapore

+65 6471 3228

Fish Head Curry, the Chinese way

My brother always says that the best tasting food is never served on a nice looking, polished restaurants. He has this philosophy that the dirtier and shabbier the place is, the more out of reach it is, the better it tastes. Not sure if that is all true, but there is some truth in that if a place is shabby but years in and year out people still come, then it says something about the quality of food and taste of that restaurant. That is the case with the fish head curry from Our Makan Shop.

Fish Head Curry, Indian dish cooked by Chinese with a Chinese twist

I'm not actually big on eating fish head, maybe it's because I kinda feel guilty that the fish is staring at me while I poke, flesh out and nibble its body. Though the neck and cheek of the fish are almost always have the most tender meat than the rest of the body. I must say that for this dish, the curry is my favorite. Sweet, sour and savory. Mucho addictive! The best part for me is to dip the crispy papadum to the curry. Hm.... Last time I was there, I had to order a second round of papadum.

Squid in Squid Ink and Curry

Yes, it's rather dark in color isn't it? Fret not, it tasted wonderful. The squid was tender, chewy but not rubbery. Tasted great with some rice. The curry taste was very interesting as I never thought of putting squid ink together with curry...

Eggplant Curry

As an eggplant afficionado, this dish rank high in my favorite list. The eggplant are tender without being too mushy and the curry seeped deep inside the skin of the eggplant.

Stir fried long beans

My plate of rice, papadum, stir fried long beans, squid and eggplant

Since all the dishes are quite rich in flavor, be it spicy or curry, the rice moderates the flavor of each dish. And the papadum,... it's good on its own, and it's great dipped into the curry sauce. Either way with the papadum, you win.

Our Makan Shop
Blk 34 Whampoa West #01-27

Near Boon Keng MRT

Singapore 330034

+65 6297 9729

Daily Scoop of ice cream

Who doesn't love ice cream? And in humid Singapore, who doesn't feel like ice cream, almost everyday? Apparently there are a couple of locally handmade ice cream shops, Island Creamery and The Daily Scoop. The place is small and cozy. There were quit a selection of ice cream too and they make new batches right in front of you. The catch is that they don't always have all the flavors out at the same time.

Salted Mr. Brown

That day, I wanted to have the Brandied Figs & Honey. I spent a good ten minutes checking out the selection out there, trying to find it. Alas, it wasn't there. Finally something caught my eye, Salted Mr. Brown. The ingredients list said: sea salt, caramel and brownies. Hm... something sweet yet not too sweet and a little salty? One scoop later I was really happy with my choice.

Baileys and Amaretto

A, my partner in crime was all too happy when she find Bailey ice cream and decided to double it up with the Amaretto. The Baileys tasted cappucino-y but can't really taste the Baileys, need more Baileys on the batch. The Amaretto was sweet and I could taste the cherry. We were satisfied at the end of our scoops. Hopefully next time I get to try the Brandied Figs & Honey, or another scoop of the Salted Mr. Brown.

Daily Scoop
41 Sunset Way Arcade
Singapore
+65 6463 3365
http://www.thedailyscoop.com.sg/

Lhanna Thai for Dessert & Pad Thai

Thai iced tea for two with a candlelight table... How romantic no? Well, I was with M so we both agreed that there was nothing romantic about that! But, M is an old friend of mine and old friends are the best because you grew up with them and have gone through the ups and downs of friendship. It's also a good thing that M has a car and gives me a lift! Thanks M! For me, the best Thai iced tea that I've ever had is here in Lhanna Thai. It's sweet but you can taste the strength of the tea. It's very refreshing.


Mango Sticky Rice

The best Thai dessert is without a doubt the mango sticky rice. The sweetness from the mango and the hint of fruitiness works like a charm with the sticky rice and sweet coconut milk. And I can fool myself into believing that it's actually healthy since it's fruit... Though in reality, mango is a high calories fruit. Oh well, I ain't no saint.

Pad thai

While I enjoyed my mango sticky rice, M got pad thai instead since she hadn't had dinner. It was good, tasty and filling. However, if I were to have a Thai meal, I would probably go with the fried garoupa, chicken cashew and/or curry... yummm.....

Lhanna Thai

Jl. KH Hashim no. 112

Jakarta Pusat

+62 21 319 25037

Grounding sesame lesson @Tonkichi

Tonkichi is one of my favorite restaurants in Singapore, for sure. The first time I saw it on the fourth floor of Takashimaya, it brought me back to the good old times in Kyoto, especially this awesome tonkatsu restaurant down at Shijo. For the life of me I can't remember what it's called but I can still picture my way there from my school. I ate there multiple times. It was there when I learnt to grind my own sesame and learn what a pleasure it is to have the fragrant smell of sesame wafting through your nose. It was my first ever proper Japanese tonkatsu and what a happy camper I was to discover a similar restaurant, here! in Singapore!

For some reason, there is always a long line around lunch and dinner time, which is why I always avoid the rush hour, hence eating at weird hours at times...

I had the pleasure of having K, who is Japanese that night which was awesome because I learnt something new. I forgot what she ordered, but I get the one thing that I always order every time I go, Hire Katsu Oyster set at SGD 24. Hire Katsu is claimed to be the premium fillet and it has less fat while Rosu Katsu, is more tender because it has some fat on the edges. I've tried both previously but Hire is my favorite. So for my set, I got 3 pieces of hire katsu and 2 pieces of oyster fry with tartar sauce on the side. The set comes with free flow of rice, shredded cabbage and miso soup. Good deal I say.

K demonstrating how to ground the sesame using the mortar

As soon as we ordered, the waiter gave us our sesame bowl to ground on our own. The fragrant was so nice and relaxing. Then when our orders came, K told me that after you mixed the tonkatsu sauce with the ground sesame, you're supposed to pour it on your tonkatsu and shredded cabbage! Usually I would just dip my katsu in... Oops.. Well I guess at the end of the day it is a personal choice though, so don't feel obliged!

Hire Katsu and Oyster Fry set @SGD 24, set includes; rice, miso soup, pickles and fruits for dessert.

I just the way all of the katsu, cabbage, the sauce, compliments the fluffy white rice. The hire katsu was crisp and firm but tender at the same time. Oyster-fry was also crisp and yum especially with the tartar sauce.

Bite off section of the oyster fry with the tartar sauce at the background

If you come here starving, try to upgrade your set meal and get tonjiru instead of miso soup. It's definitely not my host mom's home cooked tonjiru, but definitely worth the try. Tonjiru is pork soup with veggies and also includes gobo which is burdock root and konyaku which is jelly like food made from potato super yum!

A slice of hire katsu, you can see the pinkness of the meat and the ground sesame mixed tonkatsu sauce

It was a satisfying dinner indeed. I think of all the restaurants in Singapore, I've come here the most. Hmm... maybe I'll go there for lunch today....

Tonkichi

Ngee Ann City (Takashimaya)

391 Orchard Rd, #04-24

Singapore 238872

+65 6735 7522