Tag Archives: french cuisine

25’s A Man

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That boy man half boy half man who’s younger than me by half a year is finally 25.
By right you turn adult when you’re 21 but 21 to me is when you start being reckless and enjoy life to the fullest.
25 to me is when you start taking things more seriously, start planning for a future and to really start being a true adult.
But of course this might not apply to everyone. No big gatherings with friends or whatsoever for Fatty this year because he didn’t want to. (Not sire if he really didn’t want to or he said he didn’t want to just so I could give him a surprise like every other year.)

We initially decided on Cilantro for his birthday dinner but it was fully booked on a Saturday night so Lafite it was.
I was actually really looking forward to try Cilantro, guess I’ll have to continue waiting. Lunch seems like a good idea! :B

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Singapore : First Stop – Cocotte.

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Where: Cocotte @ Wanderlust Hotel
What: French Cusinie

It was more than ten years ago when I last step foot on Singapore.
Although it was more than a decade but my memories are still vivid.
There was a period where I really had lots of fun and laughters at Singapore with my family and there was also a period whereby flying over to Singapore broke my heart.

When I was 11 I flew over to Singapore with my brother, just the two of us to check out on our dad who was then receiving medical help for his sickness.
Maybe this was the reason as to why flying to Singapore no longer excites me. Singapore suddenly sounds so ……… unhappy after all those things I went through there.
And another reason is of course, THE CURRENCY.

I’d rather fly to Thailand but this time I’m glad that I finally get to visit Singapore all over again despite the currency that makes me cringe.
I was at Singapore for four days and boy I must say, that was definitely a very jam-packed-tiring-trip.


#1 We were suppose to leave at 7.30 in the morning but everything got delayed to two hours late and it took us about 3 and a half hours to reach Singapore. We didn’t really want to speed knowing that there’s a lot of speed trap camera along the highway. Better safe than sorry.


#2 Drive till sot sot dei jor.

The first thing we did upon reaching Singapore was to go for lunch at Cocotte which was located inside Wanderlust Hotel.


#3 There’s this very annoying fact about my boyfriend is that he always tends to accidentally appear in my pictures. His head, his arm, his feet, his finger, or even his hair. Try to spot him in my Singapore pictures and see who got the most ‘Fatty’.

Prize: A full length picture of my Fatty.


#4 A very comfortable setting with warm and rustic interior.


#5


#6


#7 Colourful kettles on top of the wine fridge.


#8 The window that we sat by let the amount of right sunlight in and I also fancy their table setting.


#9 My partner :)


#10 Maybe I was trying to look like a mouse seeing that I was wearing a Mickey Mouse pullover.

Fatty tried to read the comic strip and it said ‘Been trying to phone, your line has been busy’.
What kind of a lame comic is that?

We ordered a lunch set for $35 which comes with a soup, main, dessert, and coffee or tea in addition to another ala-carte to share.


#11 Mushroom soup with truffle oil which surprisingly tasted so so good, it might just have been the best mushroom I’ve tasted by far. It could be the truffle oil but whatever it was, this is one damn good mushroom soup.


#12 Gratin of Roasted Butternut Squash, Sage, and Gnocchi Parisenne – $20. This is a very cheesy and full filling ala-carte and as you can tell by the size (HAHA), Fatty loves this dish. It was a little too cheesy for me but the butternut was tasted quite good.


#13 Roasted Sea Bream and Persillade. I much preferred Roasted Sea Bream than Roasted Butternut Squash on that day. The fish was fresh, the simple taste was just nice with a tinge of lemon.


#14 Fatty trying to create an-obviously-fail-coffee-art.


#15 Dessert served was Chocolate Tart which I surprisingly quite like. I am never a chocolate person and so is Fatty but we almost finished off the whole tart if it weren’t for our-full-to-the-brim-tummy. Very chocolaty with very little sweetness in it, just the way I like it.

Nothing innovative about their french menu like Nathalie’s but nonetheless it was a good meal.
I have to repeat, I especially like their mushroom soup!
Inclusive of tax, our first lunch came up to about $65+. I don’t even want to convert and find out how much(Ringgits) I’ve spent on that lunch alone.
Go for their set lunch which I think is really worth it but do take note Cocotte’s set lunch is only available on weekday from 12pm to 2.30 pm.

COCOTTE
Address:
No. 2 Dickson Road
Singapore 209494
+65 6298 1188
info@restaurantcocotte.com

OPENING HOURS:

Lunch:
Mondays to Saturdays
1200hrs – 1430hrs
(Last order 1400hrs)

Dinner:
Mondays to Thursdays
1830hrs – 2230hrs
(Last order 2200hrs)

Fridays to Saturdays
1830hrs – 2300hrs
(Last order 2230hrs)
Closed on Sundays

Brunch:
Saturdays to Sundays
1200hrs – 1500hrs
(Last order 1430hrs)

Bar:
Mondays to Thursdays
1200hrs – 2300hrs
Fridays to Saturdays
1200hrs – 0000hrs
Sundays
1200hrs – 1500hrs

Journey for the Soul : Siem Reap Day 4.

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My previous Siem Reap day 3 post was to me, a little too heavy which is why I skipped rambling and rambling on what we did that night after exploring beautiful ruins.

We went to Pub Street for the second time, it’s like the only place you’ll feel like going during the night. Or more like the only place you can hangout at night.
The first thing we did upon reaching Pub Street was to look for a decent massage parlor.
We went to this massage parlor called Lemongrass Garden and we paid $10 for a full body massage which lasts for about one hour.
I cant remember much on the massage, I was falling asleep. Towards the end, we both wished we could continue sleeping till the dawn breaks.
After such a long and tiring day, it is definitely worth pampering yourself with a nice massage.

If you’re on a tight budget, you can opt for a $2 foot massage that last for half an hour.
There’re everywhere around Pub Street and for such a low price, I’ll just have to say that it is worth every penny you pay.

For days I told Fatty that I wanted to try their local bbq because I saw them everywhere and they look so tempting. I just had to, so bbq it was after our massage.
There’s a street of local food at Pub Street where you can spot easily. If you’re looking for cheap dinner, that’s the place to go.


Right before we stepped into Pub Street, where people enjoy their beer, music, and companion.

I randomly picked a stall and ordered what we saw on the menu.


Orgasmic ice blended fruit juice! Fatty’s mango banana ice blended juice and my coconut ice blended juice. These are seriously so good and rich, not just some lousy packet fruit drink. Their ice blended fruit juice will deoxidise and soon change colour after it is left for too long.


Fatty’s fried noodle for about a dollar a plate.


And the local bbq I ordered. You can choose up to four different type of meats plus vegetables, noodles, and rice will be included for just $4 a set. The portion is just nice for the two of us.

On the next day which is our 4th day at Siem Reap, we swapped hotel again.
We’re back to the first hotel that mistakenly booked our room wrongly, Golden Banana Boutique Hotel and Resort.
Among all three hotels which we picked, Golden Banana costs the most. We paid RM260 for a night which is indeed quite pricey.


Balconies that overlook the swimming pool.


Love it!


Anyone is welcome to lay down and enjoy their holiday.


But of course I prefer siting on this rattan chair while I let it swing. :)


The view from our balcony.


LOVE! Outdoor bathtub right at our balcony. We poured half the bottle of soap into the bathtub to create bubble bath. ♥


Where our shower is.


Part of our room.


That’s what he do when he cant be bothered about me snapping pictures.


Absolutely love their wardrobe!! Directly attached to the wall’s cement. And damn, I love their rattan hangers too. Was so tempted I almost wanted to take those lovely hangers home.

Not sure where to go after checking out our room, I decided to go to their local market for a walk. Yes, pasar. (:


Tried their local coffee and cup of ice coffee alone can cause the both of us diabetes! It was soooooooo sweet I wonder how much of condensed milk she poured it in.


Crickets, anyone?

Something from Siem Reap that made in fell in love with is their kampot black pepper.
I love the smell and the taste of their black pepper, very much different from those I’ve tasted.


Local spices and snacks. $2 for 3 packs if I’m not mistaken.
Don’t buy from shops or night markets, their definitely more pricey. The cheapest I saw are the ones selling in the market.


Delicious popiah found in the market.


The best food, most often than not can be found in the most unexpected place.
Nothing interesting, I know. Looks somewhat dirty even.


But this bowl of noodle completed my day. Every now and then I miss eating this bowl of noodle!! Fatty said it’s ‘la zah min’ as known as dirty noodles. Please someone enlighten me, do we have it here in Malaysia?


The friendly kids who were so eager to look at the photo after I captured it. :)


After our lunch, we went back to the thought provoking cafe called Art Deli to have a drink.


Have I mentioned that beers in Cambodia is amazingly cheap? Only $0.50 for glass of draft Angkor beer and $1.50 for a bottle of Asahi.
Now I really wish I can drink.


One of my favourite picture from Siem Reap!


I heart this cafe! How can you not love a place like this, right?


Such a creative idea.


Keep calm and carry one.

I enjoyed my short time in the cafe. Enjoyed looking at all the arts around and listen to one of my favourite music, Soledad.
Time constraint wont let me stay for long so I leave this little cafe knowing that one day, I’ll be back definitely.
We wanted to spend more time in the hotel since we paid quite a sum for it so we went back for a swim.


Sorry, I’m a girl. A vain one sometimes. :P

Time for my much awaited dinner after our swim.
Among all the restaurants that I’ve researched on, Wat Damnak Cuisine is the only restaurant that I told myself I cannot miss.

‘Cuisine Wat Damnak was founded on the simple concept of using only local fresh seasonal produce with which to create exquisite Cambodian food.’
Cuisine Wat Damnak is considered as a fine dining restaurant and they only have two set menus for you to choose from. However, their set menus are change every week depending on what’s available in the market as the chef will only pick the freshest and the best ingredients.

Don’t get me wrong, I was so eager to try Cuisine Wat Damnak is not for the reason that I want to dine in fancy restaurants. I was attracted by their concept, how their menus will change every week and how dedicated this french chef is. ‘French chef’, I cant say no.

There’s two tasting menu, one price at $17 and another price at $24.


Dimly lit ambience.


A very asian yet taste too good to be true amuse bouche.

The quality of the pictures I took are bad due to the dim light so I’ll forego posting it up.

Four course meal with a dessert for only about Rm75, that’s like a frigging good deal.
If you ever go to Siem Reap, please try this restaurant. This will not disappoint you, I swear. :)


Some fruit we’ve not tasted before.

And that’s how we end our last night in Siem Reap, with a very good meal.
That night, I was heavy hearted. I do not want to leave this inspiring place just yet.
Right there and then I wish I can have another week but I tell myself I shouldn’t be greedy.


Golden Banana’s cafe, where we had our breakfast.


Love those lights. I think I love almost everything I see in Siem Reap la.


Damn special right the clock!! I was staring at it for so long.


Fatty’s English breakfast before we leave the hotel. He’s always very eager to eat his meal, he cant even wait for 5 seconds for me to capture a picture. Pfft.


And my super hearty-warmy-yummy local porridge.

We were running late and I was so afraid that we might not make it to the airport on time.
But then again I realised, no such thing.


Goodbye Siem Reap for now.

I will definitely be back and the next time when I’m there, there’s one thing I will and must do.
Go for a cooking class because they do offer such classes there.

Next time.
Till then Siem Reap.

Golden Banana Boutique Hotel and Resort.
Phum Wat Damnak, Kumm Sala Komreuk, Krom 10, Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia.
Tel: +885(0) 12654638 or +885(0) 63766655
Website: www.goldenbanana.info
Email: goldenbanana2@gmail.com

Cuisine Wat Damnak
Between Psa Dey Hoy market and Angkor High School,
Wat Damnak village, Sala Kamrek Commune, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 6.30pm till 9.45pm (last order)
For any further information and booking, please fill in the contact form
or call +855 (0)63 965 491 / +855 (0)77 347 762
or email info@cuisinewatdamnak.com\

Nathalie’s Gourmet : Second Visit

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I am afraid that I might be losing my blogging mojo slowly.
I’ve been somewhat busy lately, juggling my time around work, play, eat and sleep.
My nine-to-six-job, my friends, my boyfriend, my family, my personal time at home, my play time, and not to mention been working rather hard for side income.
There’s actually more to that!
And the busy period has just begun, there’s more of it to come.

Oh wait, and also updating this blog.

This was about two to three weeks ago.
Boyfriend and I decided to have our dinner at Publika, S.wine.
Which I’ve been wanting to go for some while now.

I guess luck was with us this time round because S.wine was full that night.
We head over to Nathalie’s Gourmet which is obviously a much better choice.
Not only because Nathalie’s Gourmet serves good quality food but it is also due to the reason that S.wine is a tad bit of a disappointment.

More on that later.


Ben Tay and his canggih hair.Such a metrosexual guy.


Complimentary bread that comes with a very good unsalted butter to go along with it. Sprinkled some salt onto the butter for a well balance saltiness.

King Prawn Soup, Prawns in Quenelle with Fresh Herbs, Thai Basil Emulsion – Rm28
The heavy small of prawn fills the air once this dish was served. The smell did opened up my appetite, I was so eager to try my first spoon.

Every corner of my mouth is filled up with the taste of king prawn. One spoon after another, I just couldn’t stop savoring it.

Warm Monk Fish Brandade Crispy Violet Potatoes, Greens, Quail Egg, Salmon Roe and Chive Dressing – Rm26
I cant tell much about this dish as I’m already quite full after drinking that bowl of awesome soup.

Pan-Fried Veal Tenderloin, Mushroom Raviole, Agar of Vegetables, Short Veal Juice – Rm61
Very weird agar-agar that has vegetables in it and it tasted salty. We both don’t really like it but it does look nice.
Tenderloin of course was very tender.

I should really stop delaying my food post for too long, I sometimes cant remember how the food I ate tasted like anymore.

Okay back to S.wine at Publika, that was one of my worst meal.
The food served was bland. I was expecting so much more!
Most importantly, my dish for that day was filled with beans and nuts and sesames!!! I cant even taste my pork!!!

Beans and nuts and sesames!? You kidding me!?
Fatty said, ‘I think the amount of beans and nuts you ate today is more than the amount of beans and nuts you ate in your entire life’.
Which I think what he said is true.

I bloody hate beans and nuts!
You can torture me with those.

Nathalie’s Gourmet Studio
Unit A4-1-5 – Solaris Dutamas,
Jalan Dutamas 1,
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Tel : 03 62 07 95 72

Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie,
Menara Taipan, Jalan Punchak,
Off Jalan P. Ramlee, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2072-4452

Birthday Dinner at Bistro à Table

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Bistro à Table (pronounced “ah t-ah-bl”) in French literally means “to the table!”, a common term used in French households to gather family and friends around the table to feast.
The bistro food pays homage to modern French comfort food, while adopting local elements – we like to call it “adaptive French cuisine”.

The boyfriend had been wanting to try out Bistro à Table since some time back and he finally did when he brought me there on my birthday.
French cuisine it is, we both share a common love.
And before that, sorry for the low quality picture because I did not use flash in this dimly lit restaurant.


* Bistro à Table


* Decorated with light bulbs and plants.


* A very simple and casual interior they have.


* I would prefer siting at the table behind of me because there’s curtain’s surrounding that table and it just feels nicer somehow.


* My fatty (:


* Complimentary bread.


* This prawn is so good, no joke! The slightly burnt prawn when dip in the avocado sauce became a match made in heaven.


* Baked onion with shaved black autumn truffles, organic egg and melted Gruyere. The chef shaved the black truffles right in front of us and I just somehow feel like it’s more worth the money haha. This dish requires lots of skills I guess, I don’t know how they stuff the egg inside the onion.


* Cannelloni of Seared Scallops & School Prawns in Lobster Bisque & Indonesian Black Nut Tapenade. This fusion dish is very well executed, brings out a little Thai flavour while both the scallops and prawns are mad fresh.


* Truffled Mash Potatoes, eat this and you’ll be full.


* 8 hour slow-cooked traditional Roast Lamb, not the most creative dish. Maybe we should have order another dish instead.

I had a great birthday dinner and I really enjoyed the food, thanks to the boyfriend. (:
It seems like he prefer Bistro à Table more than Nathalie’s but both to me are equally good.
Really appreciate French cuisine!

Total bill came up to about Rm250.

Bistro à Table

6 Jalan 17/54
46400 Petaling Jaya
Selangor.

03 7931 2831

Nathalie’s Gourmet

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Oh dear Nathalie, such fate I have with you.
After so many attempts, finally I get to enjoy such a scrumptious lunch.
Been wanting to try this out since the first time I heard of Nathalie’s Gourmet through a friend of mine.
He told me it’s French cuisine, well nuff said. And of course, not to forget their famous Macarons and the cooking classes they offered which I am very interested at.

So, if you ask why so many attempts my answer will probably be that there might be someone jinxing it.
Planned to have my last year’s birthday dinner but my friend just couldn’t make it.
Planned to pay Nathalie Gourmet a visit during the beginning of the year with Ben but yet couldn’t make it as well.
This time when he’s back, we made an arrangement for dinner only to find out that they’re only open till 6 o’clock.
Then we planned for lunch and we couldn’t make it on time every single time, either that he needs to help his mom to run some errands or that there’s something else going on.
One fine day when we both can make it, they said they’re opened for dinner that day and at 3 o’clock, they’re only left with desserts.
Mygoodnessake! All the way to Solaris Dutamas and you tell me you’re only left with desserts!?

Well fine. I told myself I’ll go back again someday no matter what.
Wednesday morning, I called and woke the boyfriend up for our lunch to make sure he wont be late and I wont miss my Nathalie Gourmet.
But bad luck is with me, mom dropped her set of keys and she needs to use mine.
I decided to follow her out and wait outside for Ben but mom said, ‘oh, nevermind I’ve got a set of new lock just use this one will do’.
Okay, since she said so. Yet I was about to follow her out the door and she asked me why do I still need to follow her out since I’ve got the key.
Oh ya right, so I stayed at home and wait for Ben.
Guess what! When he reached, I couldn’t find a single way to open the pad lock, the damn key doesn’t work. Lock smith to my rescue which cost a good damn hundred fifty bucks.
Cut the nonsense, I almost miss the chance to dine in Natalie Gourmet AGAIN!

Thank god I make it through this time despite all the crap that is thrown to me that morning.


* Not so beautiful morning but a beautiful afternoon (:


* Nathalie Gourmet Studio.


* The interior. Not too fond of their tables and chairs, not exactly a very comfortable seat.


* The bread and butter itself already taste so good.


* Norwegian Poached Egg, Chive Emulsion for Rm28. The salmon together with poached egg is marvelous.


* Pan fried scallops, Fresh ginger sauce, and Melted leeks for Rm31. As usual if there’s scallops on the menu, boyfriend will order it. That sauce is one helluva sauce, I don’t even know what is the right word to describe it.


* Beef tenderloin, Potato Mille-feuille, Greens and Revised Bernaise Sauce for Rm50. Medium well for the beef and it is perfect. So perfect that this is one of the best as long as I can remember.

Only three dishes for us, an addition of dessert would be perfect but we skipped it since the dessert menu somehow did not attract us.


* However, the colours from Macarons did attract me. So much more colourful in real life (:


* Bought five Macarons for Ben’s mom and sisters and they said it taste good. Rm20.75 for a box of five (:

Absolutely love the food there and I really want to join the cooking class so badly for I know that it will not disappoint me.
Definitely will return to enjoy delicious meal again and also try out their new branch called Cuisine Gourmet by Natalie at KL.

Nathalie’s Gourmet Studio
Unit A4-1-5 – Solaris Dutamas,
Jalan Dutamas 1,
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Tel : 03 62 07 95 72

Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie,
Menara Taipan, Jalan Punchak,
Off Jalan P. Ramlee, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2072-4452

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