Birthday at Hoshino Coffee

There was a mini celebration for Monica's birthday last Friday at Hoshino Coffee at Plaza Singapura over dinner. We gathered at about 6.15pm and afterwards, the queue was neverending! This is my second visit to Hoshino Coffee and I succumbed to the temptation of the tomato sauce omelette rice, just like what I ordered when I first visited with 大肥.

I'm gonna make a snappy review of the foods ordered but note that none of these pictures were taken by me but sourced from the internet:

Fuwa-fuwa

Fuwa-fuwa actually means bubbles bubbles in Japanese according to my friends. One of my friend ordered this and it jiggles like a fat cartoon character that I find it so adorable! Okay, cool it, it's just a food. So the top layer is made out of whipped egg or some egg custard and lightly baked. The bottom is filled with rice and ham and bacon and some mushrooms. I guess this dish is pretty light and good for someone who wants to leave some tummy space for the pancake souffle. My friend said she was hungry like three hours after dinner... so I guess it IS pretty light.

Lobster bisque

The freshness (as well as saltiness) of the bisque is absolutely tasty! Some people find it a tad salty - well lobster is caught from the sea so it should be salty since it is SEAfood isn't it? okay bad joke and moving along - but I find it alright. The portion is generous and the pasta is just right. Still, I couldn't quite bring myself to like this dish entirely because mark the rating of this food a little down due to the saltiness. So I'd say it is a 3 out of 5.

Tomato sauce omelette rice

My go-to food when I'm lazy to choose anything and it never fails me (maybe my tummy). This dish isn't suitable for strict Buddhists though, i.e. cannot eat anything that has beef in it, because the sauce contains beef gelatin. Don't worry, the staff always informs the customer beforehand so it's a plus point. Maybe I was too happy during my first visit that I didn't notice the measly amount of prawns and broccoli given, but I did notice it bright and clear this time: two pieces each, few cubes of cheese drowning in tomato sauce while omelette tops the rice. My omelette didn't fully cover the rice this time though, but who cares, it tastes so yummy. Hmm... I might say the omelette has a texture like the omelette in McDonald's big breakfast but a bit more cooked. The tomato sauce won't leave you jelak because it's the right mix of thickness and tomato-ishness.

Pancake souffle served with softee

You MUST try this... it's so fluffy and light! It comes with a dollop of whipped cream on the top and served with a cutesy little metal jug of maple syrup. We ordered it with softee - soft serve ice cream somewhat like McDonald's ice cream- and the combination of souffle with maple syrup or ice cream is anything but heavenly. Some say this is a crossover between a light cake and a pancake, and it definitely cannot be compared to McDonald's hot cakes - no no no! This is a light dessert, provided you don't order with the ice cream, that leaves me wanting for more. 

Oh my god, I'm so sorry for comparing this delectable dessert continuously to McDonald's food.

Matcha parfait

Am I the only one who feels that the green tea ice cream sold outside has more milky flavour than green tea flavour? This might be the one that has a perfect balance between both flavours and my avid-dessert-fan friend gave the chops and thumbs up to this. the matcha parfait comes in a tall sundae glass with cornflakes at the bottom, chestnuts, azuki (red bean) paste at the top, matcha jelly cubes, a salty/sweet cracker for topping and some slices of bananas. For someone who isn't an ice-cream fan, I would have to share this dessert with the girls after finishing a plate of tomato sauce omelette rice. I might just come back another time for the desserts only!

Last but not least, the hand-drip Hoshino coffee. It tasted a little bitter and sour but just like a normal long black coffee to me. How is it hand-dripped? I don't know. But what gets people go crazy over this 200 ml cup of coffee really boggles my mind. I'd rather drink something else.

The Key to Adulthood

Congratulations Hui Yi! Being an ultimate klutz and insanely lucky, you have managed to live to 21 years old! I have the party planned four months ahead from location, guest list, catering and decorations and I am proud to say that I'm rather pleased with the results even though it was a cozy celebration with family, relatives and close friends. Let me share this artistic picture of my two adorable nephews who were sitting at the balcony area while waiting for our time to enter the chalet.

We checked in at 2pm and I started with all the decorations. I was so glad that my aunt and cousin came early to help around while 大肥 came a little later. Although I didn't feel any sense of urgency with the relaxed atmosphere as my parents and aunt and uncle chat over kopi, time was ticking and I still had to take the measurements of the area to figure out where I should place my decorations.

Lo' and behold, my sister's vintage polaroid wasn't able to take photos despite replacing the batteries - it eats 4 batteries! Then my cousin had a great idea and told me to open the gift she bought with her brother and I was a bit skeptical when I asked "Is it useful? Will I use it often" and she replied "Hmm... depends but I hope you like it!". It was just the polaroid camera I needed for this situation! They chose a baby yellow colour and it comes along with all the freebies like photo sticker, bag, films, wide angle lens. I can't express how grateful and appreciative I am at that moment.

The whole party caused butterflies in my stomach and I had the littlest appetite for that day (heck, I "ate" butterflies so whaddya think?) I was rushing all over the place, hoping the guests wouldn't be bored and had something to eat instead of sitting there like a China vase. The worst situation was that I had just gotten out of the shower when Hayley and Julie showed up. Thankfully, 大肥 helped me to handle the incoming guests while I get ready makeup and shoes. I wouldn't know what I would do without him... he is so good at hospitality!

Pretty girls at for 5th batch of Massey

This photo shows the height of the shortest guy in the party! I kept blinking at the count of 3... ugh!

Massey classmates! One more year to go!

Secondary school buddies... we came a long way

All my favourite noisy and always-late people!

I love Charmaine's pose with the tall hat and chee ko pek eyes!

Mah spastic and Energizer Bunny AAA batteries (cousins) for life!

On the actual day of 11 August 2013, 大肥 came over to celebrate birthday with my favourite red velvet cake and a simple lunch of western food at Hougang Plaza. Yum yum! I love today.

Happy birthday to me.

Fika and Ah Chew

It has been almost a year since I last blogged! Many thanks to the busy semester in school and thank goodness for completing junior year. These two weeks was given for us to fully relax, rejuvenate and recharge for the upcoming senior year... then I'll graduate at the end of next year!

Let's get onto food review(s) shall we?

The usual group, a.k.a. Julie & Co., 10 of us went to Fika to celebrate Elijah's 21st birthday over dinner.

Happy birthday Elijah!

Julie said that everyone would have to dress fancy since we are eating at a fancy place but I guess everyone dressed as smart casual except for her. Here's my take on fancy NAILS. No outfit photos 'cos I'm not an OOTD (Outfit Of The Day) person.

As usual, everyone was running late and we're thankful, yet very embarrassed, that Fika opened the second storey seats just for us 'cos we are a big group and first floor was rather crammed. At first impression I thought Fika would be decorated with a lot of messy paisley prints like a cottage wooden house in Sweden but I had totally forgotten that IKEA is from Sweden too and it turned out that the restaurant was washed in white, simple designs yet looked very cosy and homely to be at. It is definitely a place to chill out and have good (and big portions) of Swedish food.

Five of us arrived first so we went ahead to order food. Everyone, except me, are able to eat beef so they ordered Swedish Homemade Meatballs ($19.50) and Swedish Pasta Bake ($17.90) to share. I can only drool at the generous amount of cheese in the baked pasta (no photo! :( )but I was turned off immediately when the oil dripped onto my napkin and turned into a light yellow colour (GASP! THE OIL!).

Swedish Homemade Meatballs. Credits to Fika Cafe

They serve large portions, usually meant to be shared if a group of girls are dining for the first time; quality is food is superb; and the ambience is calming. Most of us ordered crepes as recommended by Ziana and the food was so yummy that money was well spent! I ordered Skagen Crepe ($17.90) and its filling is a mix of Swedish fresh water shrimps, smoked salmon, fresh dill, mayonnaise and topped with fish roe. Don't be fooled by the word "shrimps" into thinking that they are hei bi (dried shrimps) 'cos they are very succulent!

Swedish Homemade Meatballs. Credits to Fika Cafe

Since it's my first time trying Swedish food and the crepe I ordered looked very similar to a food that can be found commonly in sushi shops, I would automatically compare to it right? The filling tastes similar to the crabstick or lobster salad/mayo sushi you get for $1.60 outside but the mayonnaise used in the crepe isn't thick and the shrimps give a firm bite - succulent - that doesn't make me feel jelak after finishing one portion of the crepe.

Skagen crepe

See that bunch of red roes on top of the crepe? It tastes so much better than the fish roe you get at sushi shop... I mean isn't it obvious? You get the food quality for the price you pay. I would say the roe is a little saltier as compared to the orange fish/shrimp roe used in sushi and it has to be savoured bit by bit.

If you are a beef-lover - and this advice is coming from a person who doesn't eat beef - you must try the Roast Beef Crepe than the Pytt i Panna (diced beef with potatoes, onions, egg and beetroot slices) cos they were all raving about it. Downside is that the salad dressing was a tad oily for me and I would prefer if they had replaced it with vinaigrette to make it more appetizing. Their desserts looked yummy but I haven't had the chance to try them and might as well save up since the birthday boy is treating us to dessert!

Overall, I would recommend friends to try this place and I would come back for the good service and savoury crepes and definitely the dessert! Money is well-spent :)

Directions to Fika (Beach Road): From Bugis MRT station, exit until you see BHG. Walk along Victoria St, walk through Golden Landmark, cross the road to Arab St and walk all the way to the end. You should see Fika at the shophouses on your left.

Next, we headed to Ah Chew's dessert at Liang Seah St and gossiped away.

Deciding what's nice

Most of us ordered Grass Jelly with Watermelon/Longan/Lychee 'cos we were rather full to our throat from Fika. It was a refreshing dessert with the grass jelly not-so sweet and has a firm bite and instead the sweetness was contributed by the syrup and watermelon. I can't remember the price exactly but I do remember that prices start from $2.80 and can go as high as $8.80 for Hashima.

Grass jelly with watermelon

Directions to Ah Chew's dessert: From Mos Burger at Bugis Junction, jaywalk (whoops but be very careful) to Liang Seah St until you see Yu Kee Duck Rice. Walk along the shophouses on the right side until you see the signboard.

Two Decades Old

Often I've been part of the crowd that does surprises and love to see the reaction of birthday guy or girl when we pop out of the blue and shout "Happy birthday!". Yesterday it was my turn to be the birthday girl and boy, I almost though the surprise and the big group of people seated together were the friends of a couple walking ahead of us up the staircase.

So my day started out by meeting 大肥 at White Sands as I was lugging a big bag of clothes to change for staying over. Something tells me it isn't normal to see him hiding his right hand behind his back... I thought, hmm maybe another gold wire bookmark or a birthday card? But nope, he fished out a small bouquet of yellow and orange tinted tulips and smiled from ear to ear.

I believe my reaction was rather underwhelming cos I choked out "Wow... okay" as I took over the bouquet. I mean, don't blame me, I'm not a fan of receiving flowers everyday like how guys believe girls would like. Yes, receiving flowers are very sweet because not many people does this nowadays and can you believe the price of a small bouquet these days? I'd rather my boy spend his money on something more practical (like feeding my tummy... muahahaha!) but the thought of him spending a little fortune to get a classic bouquet is heart-warming. I had to comfort him repeatedly due to my underwhelmed response.

He told me that when he asked the florist for tulips to be given to me, the florist replied,

"Boy, buy rose la! Cheaper and romantic. Tulips (are) expensive you know."

But he went ahead with my favourite tulips. Don't hate on me but I feel roses are over-rated - I rather get something like tulips or sunflowers (those singular ones with a big stalk). We had Pepper Lunch for brunch (yes... despite my cough) and I was reminded by him to carry this bouquet wherever I go. Then we went back to settle down at his house and lazed around to watch TV until it was time to wash up and get ready to celebrate my birthday by having dinner at The Loft!

Gigantic phone which has all of his attention

Yes! Unglam/fatty shot!

Fattest period of our lives

Honestly I wasn't expecting much for my birthday every year because it feels like passing another day and I don't feel like there is a spotlight shining on me wherever I go. Birthdays are special days whereby I could treat myself by retail therapy and indulge in sinful foods despite my weak immune system. So I thought, hey, my boyfriend had made plans to eat at this posh-looking place and spending my special day with him at his house cuddling and being cosy doesn't seem so bad afterall.

I asked if he had made reservations and he said the place isn't packed so there is no need for reservations, then again I thought "hmm why wouldn't a restaurant be packed on a Saturday and considering it is located at an atas area?". Anyway, my suspicions were quickly erased once I walked up the stairs and heard a loud

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU~

I got shocked for a moment and thought it was for the couple walking in front of us... until I saw Cheryl's wide grin. And~ as usual I teared up a little and was so glad that all of them are here. We quickly placed our orders and halfway through the dinner, Sophia and Cheryl felt their food was undercooked... it was either too mushy or the pasta wasn't as al dente was expected. In overall I'd say the pork rack, fish & chips and mushroom tarts were the better ones in the menu.

Pork Rack

Grilled Chicken

Bitchy eye-roll

As we finished the dinner, Soph and Cheryl said they had to go to the toilet and left the table. After I went to the toilet I realize "Eh... didn't they say they went to the toilet but it seems like there's only one cubicle here?" I gave them the benefit of doubt that there were more toilets downstairs...

And they came up the stairs with mixed berries tart from Fruit Paradise as my birthday "cake"!

Love you guys! :*

Thank you guys for the amazing surprise and company! I treasure our friendship from the past 7 years and I know you all will be my lifelong and crazy and hyper friends :) Additionally I'm glad that Adin was roped into this birthday dinner.

To my dear who had been tolerating my nonsensical temper and always-starving tummy, 辛苦你了！You would never expect a girl at my size to have such a big appetite and you've spoiled me for good. I like that we are approaching the end of the year because the next event we are celebrating is our anniversary and your birthday. Also, you are so good as keeping my suspicions at bay while you carry out the surprise with them (you even told them I like Fruit Paradise!). Or am I just too blur to notice? Well... at least I am not paranoid!

Directions to The Loft @ Katong: It is located behind Roxy Square and next to 328 Katong Laksa