Singapore 2013 Series: Walkathon in Central

Ten arrived early morning of Thursday. Diane and I waited for her in Changi airport so we all could get back to Bukit Batok together.

Come Thursday morning, we had our breakfast at Bukit Batok hawker center. I had a French Toast and teh oh (hot tea) while Ten ordered a kaya toast set.

We visited Diane in her building so we could all eat lunch together at Lau Pa Sat. But first, we bought milk teas from Old Tea Hut (where a bajillion people were lining up too!).

Lau Pa Sat was filled to the brim when we got there. Typical lunch scenario, says Diane. Here, you can spot people from all walks of life. Expats, locals, tourists, they're all here. It's crazy inside! Choosing where and what to eat was the hardest decision I made for that day. There were just too many choices!!! After walking and looking around for about 15 minutes I finally settled to a pork roast meal. Napaka-safe lang ng order ko. Waley.

Look at the magnificent Victorian structure of Lau Pa Sat. The building itself is already a tourist spot in my opinion. Lau Pa Sat used to be Singapore's old wet market called Telok Ayer before it was converted into a hawker center.

After lunch, Ten and I got on a bus not really sure where to go. We got off somewhere (I forgot the name already) and from there walked our way to National Museum of Singapore. 

When we got to NMS, it was only then that I realized Fort Canning was just nearby. Someday I wish to watch a [hipster] music event in those grounds hahaha.

I'm a sucker for museums. The museum at the Raffles Hotel was in my list of to-go places. So we went there after checking out SAM (this will be in another post). Raffles Hotel is home to the famous Singapore Sling. No thanks, we can live without having one. Here's how the backyard looks like from the second floor.

I was a little heartbroken when I saw this on the door of the Raffles Museum. Why didn't you wait for me?? huhu. We went inside the Museum Shop instead which breathes a vibe of mustiness and oldness hehe. I wanted to buy something but, yeah, you got it, they were expensive.

We left Raffles Hotel a tad sadder, took a bus that will take us to Orchard, well, the huge H&M store to be specific. We saw this pretty cool wall art when we got off the bus.

No, I'm not one of those people that posts their day's worth of shopping hauls primarily because I didn't have a haul to show hahaha. I know I like/want/need/wish to own a LOT of stuff but I take pride in the fact that I am not an impulsive buyer. I am pragmatic when it comes to spending my hard-earned money. Actually, kuripot talaga ko kasi no choice, wala akong magulang/kapatid/ibang kamag-anak na maaasahan.

I digress.

Loved the stair lighting of Isetan that I just had to take a snap.

We had our dinner at Food Republic inside ION Orchard. I ordered a Ban Mian good for 3 person (pretty bland for my taste. see that's the problem with some Singaporean dishes I've tasted, they're not exactly winning in the jolt-your-senses-with-various-flavors contest OR THAT'S JUST ME).

I'm glad Ten was having so much fun with her first authentic Singapore Rice Chicken. Look at that serving.

I'll have SAM post next!

Sunday Hits

The Cheese and haven't been able to ride our bikes for 3 consecutive weeks due to various weekend activities. But last Sunday, after his mom intercepted our supposed Arayat climb,  we finally had the time. 

After a few rounds in the oval, Science Complex and Heartbreak Road, I asked for a shake break. Homaygoodness avocado shake is the best! These two serving cost us only 40 pesos. Inuwi pa ni JC yung isa since hindi nya naubos.

Since we only had a hundred pesos with us that time, medyo pinagkasya namin ang budget namin. I missed eating at Lutong Bahay so we decided to have our breakfast there for a change (skip muna sa Coop). We ordered Hotsilog with extra fried rice. This cost us a total of 50 pesos! I love estudyante rate breakfasts.

 The unnecessary Lutong Bahay selfie.

After breakfast, we went back to Acad Oval and hung out there for a while before going home. For a change, we took a new way home. We exited at Vanguard, took the overpass (fronting the huge Iglesia ni Cristo church/New Era University) and finally, Sentral road. We like this new route so much because there are less people in the overpass as compared in Philcoa plus less vehicles too in the road. Yay for little discoveries! 

Candid shot in the overpass overlooking the deadly Commonwealth Avenue.

Romy's Despedida Lunch at Maple

A few months ago (gad this is a super late post) we tried Maple, the newest addition in the [still] squeaky clean East Wing of Shangri-La Mall Plaza. 

When we came in a little before noon, there were a lot of vacant tables but after ordering our food I noticed that the place was already packed with a lot of people waiting outside!

Maple menu.

Rightfully so, a maple tree wall art. This one's a real crowd pleaser, a good spot for your selfies ;)

Dainty paper table mat. It's all in the details.

"Ink, pink, piggy's feet, give me something good to eat!" Cute! I could totally have this as a personal mantra.

I love, LOVE the Huevos Rancheros! It's not salad but it could actually pass as a very healthy meal. Who knew tortillas, cabbage and eggs could turn out to be a great combo. Well, this one definitely is.

Huevos Rancheros (Php340). A classic Mexican breakfast made with tortillas, refried beans, grilled chicken and a sunny-side up egg, topped with cheese and ranchero sauce.

Oddly, I didn't find any description for the Truffle Omelet Soufflé in Munchpunch. Too bad because this one's a true food gem.

Truffle Omelet Soufflé (Php330).

This was dessert. I'm not really a fan of puddings but I guess Maple's version is really good since Ten and Romy liked it pretty well.

Bourbon Bread Pudding (PhP220). A traditional American favourite served with a bourbon creme anglaise or a la mode.

Maple somehow failed on this order. My friend Romy was the unlucky girl to have bitten into a tin foil as she was digging into her pancake. Head over to her blog for a more detailed post of the incident.

Blueberry and Cream Cheese Pancake Tower (Php450). A tower of 6 buttermilk pancakes with alternating layers of preserved blueberries and thick cream cheese topped with blueberry compote.

Overall, the food was great but marred by the tin foil incident and add to that the seemingly slow and poor service. Despite all these, we were fair. We reckon the slow service could be attributed to staff who were still on adjustment period, still trying to sink in to their new roles. I truly hope they've already improved on this aspect because I believe in the saying if the service is good, the customer experience will be good.

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Maple

Shangri-la Plaza Mall

LG/F Shangri-la Plaza Mall, East Wing, Shaw Blvd cor EDSA

Wack Wack, Mandaluyong

Stranded

Typhoon Maring intensified by Habagat rains forced us to stay an extra night in Caticlan which we paid out of our own pockets. It was so frustrating, seeing almost 80% of flights get cancelled after fervent hopes of weather getting slightly better in Manila.

Our flight, 2P 052, was first to cancel. Many flights followed suit.

How can you not hope when weather is this good in Aklan. Too bad it's the opposite in our destination

But we were still lucky. Most of the stranded passengers in Caticlan airport missed their connecting flights which certainly is more pain in the ass and pocket.

This was the scene in the airport at 6am earlier. Cranky passengers cannot wait to board and get out of there, including us.

Fortunately, we were able to get into the second earliest flight out of Caticlan albeit not without delay still. I know PAL looked after its stranded passengers the best way they can and I appreciate that.

After quite a turbulent ride we finally taxied into NAIA in rainy Manila. I've never been so relieved. At least we didn't get rerouted to Clark (I found out later flights got rerouted to DMIA). I'm just happy we're finally home.

The view outside my window - somewhere in Metro Manila - after we got a clearing.

A Taste of Turkey at Bricks & Copper

In our quest for an escape from corporate woes, we found ourselves in Bricks & Copper, a hole-in-the-wall that promises an authentic experience of Turkish cuisine.

For appetizer we ordered their Babakanus with extra bread cos the bread's really good especially when warm.

I ordered the Menemen with Turkish pilav. Menemen is a traditional Turkish spicy egg omelet with chili, salt, black pepper and tomatoes.

The pilav.

Romy had the Tavuk Pilav (Chicken on Turkish Rice).

While Ten had the Adana Beef kebab on Turkish Rice. Basically, beef kebab on Turkish rice topped with special tomato sauce with vegetable sides.

In fairness, there's really a distinct taste to their tavuk and adana that I haven't had before. It's really good. Unlike my forgetable Menemen hahaha.

The Turkish chef is also there if you wish to talk or ask him more about the food. Nadyahe lang kami kasi we think he was on a break. Kawawa naman, mukhang pagod.


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Bricks and Copper Turkish Cuisine
Shaw 500 Zentrum, Shaw Blvd
Pleasant Hills, Mandaluyong