Singaporean Optometric Gathering (8,9,10th Grad Batch) - THE HIDDEN FOODIE ISSUE!

Ying Thai 2
110 Lygon St
Carlton 3053 VIC
Phone: (03) 9639 1697

This is one of the very rare occasions where we get to meet up like that. Lenny, my senior (Jasmine's batch: 2004 Graduation Batch, 8th Optometry Batch) Singapore Poly Optometry Course, happened to be in town that day (flew down from Queensland) , so we decided to have a mini gathering! Dion (same batch as Jasmine and Lenny) planned everything so we simply tagged along lah..

Instead of harping on the nitty gritty of our gathering, I shall skip straight to what matters.. The FOOD!

This place has been highly recommended by Aussie locals (thanks mates!) and I know why.. As the name suggests.. It serves delicious thai cuisine in a strangely nursery like setting..

The Main Entrance:

They offer Al-fresco style dining too:

So colouful! :

Kids in background playing Singapore Kampong games?

Hao Na and Rachel.

Hao Na and Cutie-Cutie.

HaoNa, Rachel and Carolyn.

(Kids playing Gasing (Gah-Seng) in background!)

Handsome fella in middle is Dion.

I admit, I don't exactly look my best here.

Did I mention he was an Air Force Officer?

Notice the warm and cosy home-like setting..

From Left: Jasmine, Dion, Lenny

They even have authentic Chang (Elephant, in Thai) Plates.

Alright that's all folks. This is not a true foodie issue.. simply because I forgot to take pics of what we ate.. But the Green Curry was absolutely FANTASTIC! I have no idea where they got the ingredients from, it tastes really good, by Australia standards.

Further down the street..

Il Dolce Freddo

Ph: (03) 9639 3344; 116 Lygon St, CARLTON 3053

Gelati Time!! It has always been standard practice amongst foodies to have lunch at Ying Thai2 followed by ice-cream at Il Dolce Freddo..

Look at the winter crowd..

Business is brisk here! They even offer *gasps* DURIAN ICE CREAM!!!

I had the Ferrero Roche Ice cream, it was very awesome. The sell ice-cream exactly the same was as Tom's Palette (Shaw Towers, Singapore), choose a cup size, cone or waffle. And any 2 ice-cream.

'La Fruita Passione'

Foodies Anonymous #1

Ok, I admit, I'm NOT a hardcore foodie. Neither am I an expert food critic. This is just a sample of the food I like.. which most people would find palatable.

FIN Seafood Cafe, Marina Square

Marina Square #02-226A/B6 Raffles Boulevard (S)039594

Heard that anyone could get oysters for only SGD$1/ piece every mon, Xiaoping and I decided to head down to our favourite hang out mall, Marina Square, which is just a 10 min bus ride/mrt ride down from my home. Sadly, we arrived there at 1400 hrs.. still too early for 'Oyster night' which starts after 1500 hrs.. But they were still reasonably priced at SGD$1.95. We chanced upon an INCREDIBLE OFFER for weekday luncheon at FIN:

This:

Mussels as Starters...

+

Seafood Pasta ala Olio UP: SGD 11.90

+

Apple crumble for Dessert and free flow Coffee

=

Cost: SGD 8.00 !!!

As you can see from above.. it's a STEAL!! It's Criminal!! Food was quite good (despite everything being ready made) but as usual, service sucked BIG time. Waiters seemed pretty un-motivated, they don't smile or greet you. They ignore you and simply want you to just finish up and get out of their lives.. forever. Here's an interesting thought: I read from a Men's Magazine that in Singapore, Fresh Seafood is only delivered to the restaurants and various eateries twice a week: Tuesdays and Thursdays. Therefore, the BEST time to get seafood are on these days. The WORST time to have seafood is on MON.. simply because the seafood have been sitting in the refrigerator for a consecutive 4-5 days already. This makes me wonder.. Is that the reason why Oyster Night is on Mon?

DESSERT TIME!

One of my personal fav:

Tom's Palette

100 Beach Road #01-25 Shaw Leisure Gallery, Singapore 189702


(Shaw Towers)

Tom's Palette is a rather cool hang out place to be! Very cosy environment, the staff are friendly, service is good and personalised and you can to try all the ice-cream before you finally settle for 2 of your favourite flavours for only SGD$2.80 (small cup) or SGD$4.00 (big cup). I loved their local creation Tau Sar Piah Ice cream but when I went there on 090707, it was gone! Instead, I had Horlicks Ice-cream and Ed's Tea (tastes like Teh Tarik). Customers can also order ANY flavour they want by the Tub and they'll discuss with you if that particular flavour can be made and also the price of your request. Love the (liang cha) cooling tea that your grandma makes? Turn it into ice-cream then.. and double the chill.. with cheese!

Fans of the place can't help but leave traces of them being there in the very conveniently positioned Fan Board. Examples of 'Fan Art ':

Lastly, there's supper:

East Coast Lagoon Food Village

1220 East Coast Parkway

When I went there on 090707, a Mon night, many of the food stalls have already closed for the day. Only One recommendation from there:

Hwa Kee Barbeque Pork

Stall No 4, East Coast Lagoon Food Village

East Coast Parkway

They basically served pretty good Wanton Mee (steamed meat dumpling noodles), however, it the Char Siew is their selling point. Sorry, I'm not able to provide a picture of the dish because I was so hungry then I practically gobbled it up!

I also ordered a plate of sambal fried lala (clamshells) and sugar cane. Would have ordered BBQ Chicken wings, Stingray, Oyster Omelette and Hokkien Mee if I had the opportunity!

Tip of the day: when eating clamshells of any kind, be it hum or lala.. if the shell is UNOPENED, DO NOT TRY TO OPEN IT! The following images are graphic and explicit in nature. They should not be viewed by expecting mothers and the faint hearted...with cheese. This is what you get if you do:

EEW!! The single most harrowing experience I ever had in East Coast Park. The stall which I ordered this dish from was actually recommended by Channel U...