Page One @ Vivo doesn't have any special theme. I'm not quite sure whether if it's an upscale book store like Kinokuniya or Borders, it wasn't really close to any.
The first thing I observed from the entrance was the small walkways leading into the store. Perhaps more space should be allocated there, since the entrance is the place with the highest human traffic. Imagine that you haven't even start your search for the books, you have to squeeze through the shelves and people clogged at the entrance.
The other thing I observed, they allocated a small area with seats for talk-shows. In fact, when we were there there was indeed a talk-show going on. It is propped right at the side of the entrance and I guess that is a sign that there will be regular talk-shows on book reviews etc. Isn't it great?
The decor of the place wasn't anything fantastic I guess. The usual huge bookshelves where every book is lined up side by side. One thing though, I didn't really see any displays of special featured publication. Maybe there are, but they are not eye-catching at all.
Usually at a bookstore, I would only gun for two topics. Religious and Marketing/PR books. I was surprised that alot of popular titles and publications are not available here. I did a very quick scan around these two topics, I didn't really see much publications from famous marketing writers like Philip Kotler or once popular Naked Marketing. Religiously, I scouted for one of the top selling book titled The Decline & Fall of Church of Rome... again to no avail.
The staffs were helpful and polite though. When I couldn't find the religious section, I was answered in a way I have never experienced in famous bookstores. "Sir, can you follow me please? I will lead you there," he answered with a smile. Some bookstores employees I encountered probably gonna point in a general direction and tell me it's there.
My verdict? An average bookstore, if you look hard enough you might find some gems in there. However, I wished their topics can be arranged in a better way. What I didn't like for sure is the layout of the shelves, which makes crossing over to another shelf "complicated". I was almost trying to play "maze" in some part of the store.
For a start, I looked forward to this lunch meetup with Claudia and Bobo very much. Feizhu's arrival was a pleasant surprise, but one more friend is never too much.
I was pretty surprised that Earle Swensen’s was pretty empty when Bobo and I stepped in. Hey, it's a Sunday... we see plenty of people... it's lunchtime! Why shouldn't it be packed? As we made our way to the table, it's pretty evident of the spacious floor area, and the scenery overlooking the Sentosa was great. Like I was telling the rest, it would be absolutely stunning to have outdoor seats after the sun sets. I wouldn't mind bringing my own candles.
Let me leave the other food reviews to the individual rapists. (The criminals know what they did...)
Let me touch on my first order, the cappuccino... lousy! It tasted just like any coffee I can rip off in food courts, to the point I feel stupid trying to have my coffee fix there. Why on earth did I even spend more than what I paid for in CoffeeBean, and yet get a cup half the size of CoffeeBean's serving? Secondly, the cappuccino was almost cold. There is air-con but I doubt the air-con is that powerful? You can never bluff your way through with a coffee addict!
My main dish was Sirloin Steak with mashed potato. I have other options to go along with like french fries, but I always thought mashed potato is more appropriate to go along with steaks. For steaks, I often swear by Swensen@Orchard. Therefore, my obvious choice was to try their Sirloin Steak. One word - HORRIBLE!
To put it simply, it was small. I had wanted my steak done medium-rare, and any steak enthusiast should know how bloodied it should be. The very second my knife sunk into the steak, I know I'm in for a big disappointment. The feel of slicing into medium-rare steak just wasn't there. In fact, it took me quite some strength to slice it open for everyone to see. No kidding! Everyone could see that the steak was cooked right down to the center. Not a trace of blood and I'm sorry, that is not medium-rare! For a while, I thought I ordered Lamb Chop.
If you know it's a thin slice of steak, control the cooking time. This is really dependent on the chef and his experience.
However, the sauce was tasting good but too bad the steak spoilt the entire dish totally. Salvaging the dish was the mash potato, or so I thought. Tasted good, but it wasn't mashed properly. I could still bite little chunks of potato. My last hope for some form of compensation just got cruxified.
I'm convinced of my preference of Swensen steak outlet. Earle Swensen @ Vivocity definitely does not make the mark for my tastebuds.
My verdict? I'm sorry, but this place is not worth the money they charged. And I think it's slightly higher than other Swensen's branches? Avoid at all cost if you can, there are plenty more eateries along the whole stretch to satisfy your hunger. 2 stars for the generally friendly staffs, comfortable seats, clean environment and great scenery, that's about it.
Like the rest of them, if not for the great company I would have walked out of that place frowning. You just can't bluff your way through with sub-standard (if not horrendous) food, can you?
Waking up hungry on a Saturday morning and travelling a long way on MRT is no easy feat. I arrived at Tiong Bahru Plaza wondering what I can have for breakfast but after looking at McDonald's long queue, I gave up and decided to browse around for other options.
I turned the corner and saw Ya Kun Kaya Toast outlet. There were little people and so I thought that would be a good fix. I pop over the counter, and was greeted cheerfully. Not just the cashier, but also the assistant in the background who bellowed out a loud "GOOD MORNING!" in Chinese. Okay, a little embarrassing but that's a good start to the day.
I ordered a Set A because I didn't want to eat too much. The coffee was quickly prepared, and the way it was served to me - surprising. It was also the first time someone offered this option to me... "Enjoy your breakfast mister, if your coffee is not sweet enough, come back to me for a little more sugar/milk". NICE! I always love my coffee slightly sweeter.
One thing that turns me off about Ya Kun is how hard the toasts are. I have already taken note of the varying differences of toasts among several branches, and I guess it boils down very much to the person preparing it.
Ya Kun @ Tong Bahru gives me my perfect toast just as I like it. A balanced toast ending with a crispy surface, BUT the interior of the bread is soft. I have tried Ya Kun toasts from elsewhere, biting into them feel more like cookies than toast bread. The fillings of butter slices and kaya were generous too.
The half-boiled eggs were a joy. Nicely done, not too much raw parts but yet, not too cooked too. Coffee was nice. It was thick and not diluted, the sweetness was just nice to my standard and preference of coffee so I didn't need to turn back to the kind offer I was told.
Nice things are said, now comes the critics. They weren't hot enough. Everything was warm, but not hot. Coffee drinkers like me enjoy having our coffee piping hot and that was a disappointment. Somehow, coffee don't taste as enjoyable as when it's just warm.
The half-boiled eggs were close to being cold. Literally I mean! As I held up the plate, I don't even feel a single bit of warmth until I slurped the eggs the good old style, it was only that little warm. What another disappointment! Thanks God the bread were freshly toasted and that saved the day.
My verdict? It's barely an acceptable for breakfast, if you do not mind the high price at Ya Kun. That's about it. Perhaps, not all traditional remains the same after franchising or branching.
If only everything were served really hot, I think the experience of having breakfast there will be even better. Tables were very small, too small for my liking so you had better grab another chair to place your bags or suitcases on. You don't actually expect much atmosphere in such a branch, do you?
claudsaid: IMO all YK somehow the same. Feel times I had, my eggs were cold. Not even warm! But still, I love half-boiled eggs! Craving for some now! Tsk tsk. 17 Sep 2007 at 12:46 pm
Endoh Taikisaid: I think most of it are done beforehand and stand by to be sold. Guess next time I will tell them I want it really hot! 17 Sep 2007 at 5:07 pm
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Would you believe it if I tell you this coffeeshop has depended solely on the customers brought in by this single stall? Would you believe if I say I would sometimes delay my sleep just to await the first sunrise to buy my breakfast from this stall?
Honestly, there isn't really a brand or stall name. At least it isn't displayed publicly. Over the past few years, this particular coffeeshop housing this wanton mee stall has changed several times UNTIL this stall started business here. Ever since, the coffeeshop has been able to make it because this stall brings in so much customers. Other stalls in the same coffeeshop on the other hand, comes and goes like stocks and shares.
If you like the usual hawker/kopitiam food, you should like this. The first thing I love, is the noodles. It's perfect, and not soggy! It's that amazing chewing sensation when my teeth sink into them that makes me swear my life upon this stall. Plate after plate, the noodles standard just doesn't fade.
This wanton mee also comes with a generous serving of sweet char siew, healthy vegetables and THREE WANTONS! I think most places still come with a stingy two wantons but they're more than happy to serve three - one fried wanton and two boiled wanton. I know it's only a difference of one but who doesn't want more? Especially when their wantons are stuffed with more meat than those flimsy ones we get elsewhere?
This stall has more to offer. Lor mee and fried chicken mee. Talking about fried chicken mee, it's really their speciality. I tried asking for the recipe of their fried chicken bits but the lady boss told me the recipe is a secret. All she could tell me... honey is one of the ingredients.
Not only is the fried chicken sweet... don't expect alot of meat too. The best experience of this fried chicken mee is the crunchiness of the fried exterior along with the wet noodles. What a contrast.
Wanting to meet me for dinner to try out? I'm so sorry, they're close by noon. No matter how much ingredients they purchase, everything is sold out after lunchtime. That's how good they are. It's little wonder why the customers keep returning to them every morning, starting from 7am. Like me, we are never sick of eating their noodles.
My verdict? A must try! It's probably not the most glamorous food around, but comparing the serving, taste and rapport with their customer against some other "famous wanton mee" in Old Kallang Airport Road or North Bridge Road - this neighbourhood stall beats the big names hands down.
Regular customers (twice or thrice a week) like me get just a tiny little whiny bigger share... haha... can I be blamed? The only saddening thing is GST taking a toll on them, and the price has since risen from $2.50 to $2.80. I don't care... I still want my good food!
claudsaid: You REALLY love this Wantan Mee! I used to love one at Toa Payoh North Blk 206 too, but now they're selling fishball noodles. Well, can't try this one thou, since I don't take pork anymore. 06 Sep 2007 at 9:25 am
Bobosaid: Whoa this is the one you recommended me right? When you buying one for me sia?! *sads* 06 Sep 2007 at 4:15 pm
Endoh Taikisaid: claudia: Oh yea I love it to bits... I tried those "famous ones: really nothing special... 06 Sep 2007 at 4:54 pm
Endoh Taikisaid: Bobo: yep! let's set a date then... but eating there is the best. By the time reach you in packet I think the noodles dry up already haha 06 Sep 2007 at 4:55 pm
claudsaid: any other food that is edible there? let's meet up for makan one of these day! 06 Sep 2007 at 10:04 pm
Endoh Taikisaid: There's a western dining outlet at woodgroves but I have never tried it... yet. 07 Sep 2007 at 12:49 am
I hate living in Woodlands because it is so far from everywhere but luckily, there are some form of compensation (or comfort they called it) when it comes to food.
Zai Lai (再来) Minced Pork Noodles can be found in S11 Coffeeshop situated at Blk 304 Woodlands Ave 1. It is one of the few stalls around Woodlands that dishes out minced pork noodles 24hrs a day. It has provided me an extra option apart from the prata 5mins away from me. It is also not hard to see why shift workers from Senoko, Marsiling and Kranji industrial estate often flock to this stall for their supper.
(Let's just call minced pork noodles as bah chor mee - BCM)
Their noodles have evolved over the years. Nowadays, the BCM are darker than what I used to get. The reason for this is due to more dark sauce being used instead of the normal soya sauce. It is also a little soupy than it used to be, but not to the extend like the mutant you find at Bedok 85. (I hate that soupy BCM to the core.) Much to the delight of a meat lover like me, they give alot more minced pork too!
One reason why I absolutely love their BCM, they cook their pork only upon ordering. I have tried BCM, and I realised quite a handful of stalls pre-cooked their pork. The problem is, pre-cooked pork tend to harden up and that doesn't taste good. This is something I don't get here, where the pork are nicely soaked in the boiling water. Tender... and fresh. Why fresh? They only take out a small bowl of minced pork every now and then to prevent over-exposure of the raw meat, I was told by the auntie.
There are other noodles too, for example their Teochew Dumplings Noodles, which is a little different from the usual Wanton Noodles you eat.
Is this the best BCM we can find around, let me be honest and say - NO! This is definitely not the best stall. Afterall, they have a morning cook and a night cook, sometimes their standards differ. I still prefer the good old traditional BCM which is dry. I find it a little soggy currently and next time I might ask for a little lesser sauce in my noodles.
My verdict? It's a tough call between Good and Average. Sorta dangling in between both.
No doubt it's not the best BCM around, I must admit that it is one of the better quick fix when one goes hungry in the wee hours. If you happen to go hungry around Woodlands, you know where to go and what to eat. This stall is definitely better than the other located at the infamous Woodlands 888. Zai Lai has a branch in Ang Mo Kio too, but I ain't sure where exactly.
Hint: I just took a 10mins walk at 3.30am to get myself BCM, and I have no qualms about it. It's worth the walk. I'm enjoying it while I post up this review. Yummylicious~
1=SGD 0.0587
The first thing I observed from the entrance was the small walkways leading into the store. Perhaps more space should be allocated there, since the entrance is the place with the highest human traffic. Imagine that you haven't even start your search for the books, you have to squeeze through the shelves and people clogged at the entrance.
The other thing I observed, they allocated a small area with seats for talk-shows. In fact, when we were there there was indeed a talk-show going on. It is propped right at the side of the entrance and I guess that is a sign that there will be regular talk-shows on book reviews etc. Isn't it great?
The decor of the place wasn't anything fantastic I guess. The usual huge bookshelves where every book is lined up side by side. One thing though, I didn't really see any displays of special featured publication. Maybe there are, but they are not eye-catching at all.
Usually at a bookstore, I would only gun for two topics. Religious and Marketing/PR books. I was surprised that alot of popular titles and publications are not available here. I did a very quick scan around these two topics, I didn't really see much publications from famous marketing writers like Philip Kotler or once popular Naked Marketing. Religiously, I scouted for one of the top selling book titled The Decline & Fall of Church of Rome... again to no avail.
The staffs were helpful and polite though. When I couldn't find the religious section, I was answered in a way I have never experienced in famous bookstores. "Sir, can you follow me please? I will lead you there," he answered with a smile. Some bookstores employees I encountered probably gonna point in a general direction and tell me it's there.
My verdict? An average bookstore, if you look hard enough you might find some gems in there. However, I wished their topics can be arranged in a better way. What I didn't like for sure is the layout of the shelves, which makes crossing over to another shelf "complicated". I was almost trying to play "maze" in some part of the store.
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!I would testify to the Maze thing... hehe
25 Sep 2007 at 11:19 pm
I don't like the maze thing. Too tedious to get to the section I want.
06 Dec 2007 at 5:46 pm
I was pretty surprised that Earle Swensen’s was pretty empty when Bobo and I stepped in. Hey, it's a Sunday... we see plenty of people... it's lunchtime! Why shouldn't it be packed? As we made our way to the table, it's pretty evident of the spacious floor area, and the scenery overlooking the Sentosa was great. Like I was telling the rest, it would be absolutely stunning to have outdoor seats after the sun sets. I wouldn't mind bringing my own candles.
Let me leave the other food reviews to the individual rapists. (The criminals know what they did...)
Let me touch on my first order, the cappuccino... lousy! It tasted just like any coffee I can rip off in food courts, to the point I feel stupid trying to have my coffee fix there. Why on earth did I even spend more than what I paid for in CoffeeBean, and yet get a cup half the size of CoffeeBean's serving? Secondly, the cappuccino was almost cold. There is air-con but I doubt the air-con is that powerful? You can never bluff your way through with a coffee addict!
My main dish was Sirloin Steak with mashed potato. I have other options to go along with like french fries, but I always thought mashed potato is more appropriate to go along with steaks. For steaks, I often swear by Swensen@Orchard. Therefore, my obvious choice was to try their Sirloin Steak. One word - HORRIBLE!
To put it simply, it was small. I had wanted my steak done medium-rare, and any steak enthusiast should know how bloodied it should be. The very second my knife sunk into the steak, I know I'm in for a big disappointment. The feel of slicing into medium-rare steak just wasn't there. In fact, it took me quite some strength to slice it open for everyone to see. No kidding! Everyone could see that the steak was cooked right down to the center. Not a trace of blood and I'm sorry, that is not medium-rare! For a while, I thought I ordered Lamb Chop.
If you know it's a thin slice of steak, control the cooking time. This is really dependent on the chef and his experience.
However, the sauce was tasting good but too bad the steak spoilt the entire dish totally. Salvaging the dish was the mash potato, or so I thought. Tasted good, but it wasn't mashed properly. I could still bite little chunks of potato. My last hope for some form of compensation just got cruxified.
I'm convinced of my preference of Swensen steak outlet. Earle Swensen @ Vivocity definitely does not make the mark for my tastebuds.
My verdict? I'm sorry, but this place is not worth the money they charged. And I think it's slightly higher than other Swensen's branches? Avoid at all cost if you can, there are plenty more eateries along the whole stretch to satisfy your hunger. 2 stars for the generally friendly staffs, comfortable seats, clean environment and great scenery, that's about it.
Like the rest of them, if not for the great company I would have walked out of that place frowning. You just can't bluff your way through with sub-standard (if not horrendous) food, can you?
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I turned the corner and saw Ya Kun Kaya Toast outlet. There were little people and so I thought that would be a good fix. I pop over the counter, and was greeted cheerfully. Not just the cashier, but also the assistant in the background who bellowed out a loud "GOOD MORNING!" in Chinese. Okay, a little embarrassing but that's a good start to the day.
I ordered a Set A because I didn't want to eat too much. The coffee was quickly prepared, and the way it was served to me - surprising. It was also the first time someone offered this option to me... "Enjoy your breakfast mister, if your coffee is not sweet enough, come back to me for a little more sugar/milk". NICE! I always love my coffee slightly sweeter.
One thing that turns me off about Ya Kun is how hard the toasts are. I have already taken note of the varying differences of toasts among several branches, and I guess it boils down very much to the person preparing it.
Ya Kun @ Tong Bahru gives me my perfect toast just as I like it. A balanced toast ending with a crispy surface, BUT the interior of the bread is soft. I have tried Ya Kun toasts from elsewhere, biting into them feel more like cookies than toast bread. The fillings of butter slices and kaya were generous too.
The half-boiled eggs were a joy. Nicely done, not too much raw parts but yet, not too cooked too. Coffee was nice. It was thick and not diluted, the sweetness was just nice to my standard and preference of coffee so I didn't need to turn back to the kind offer I was told.
Nice things are said, now comes the critics. They weren't hot enough. Everything was warm, but not hot. Coffee drinkers like me enjoy having our coffee piping hot and that was a disappointment. Somehow, coffee don't taste as enjoyable as when it's just warm.
The half-boiled eggs were close to being cold. Literally I mean! As I held up the plate, I don't even feel a single bit of warmth until I slurped the eggs the good old style, it was only that little warm. What another disappointment! Thanks God the bread were freshly toasted and that saved the day.
My verdict? It's barely an acceptable for breakfast, if you do not mind the high price at Ya Kun. That's about it. Perhaps, not all traditional remains the same after franchising or branching.
If only everything were served really hot, I think the experience of having breakfast there will be even better. Tables were very small, too small for my liking so you had better grab another chair to place your bags or suitcases on. You don't actually expect much atmosphere in such a branch, do you?
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!IMO all YK somehow the same. Feel times I had, my eggs were cold. Not even warm! But still, I love half-boiled eggs! Craving for some now! Tsk tsk.
17 Sep 2007 at 12:46 pm
I think most of it are done beforehand and stand by to be sold. Guess next time I will tell them I want it really hot!
17 Sep 2007 at 5:07 pm
Honestly, there isn't really a brand or stall name. At least it isn't displayed publicly. Over the past few years, this particular coffeeshop housing this wanton mee stall has changed several times UNTIL this stall started business here. Ever since, the coffeeshop has been able to make it because this stall brings in so much customers. Other stalls in the same coffeeshop on the other hand, comes and goes like stocks and shares.
If you like the usual hawker/kopitiam food, you should like this. The first thing I love, is the noodles. It's perfect, and not soggy! It's that amazing chewing sensation when my teeth sink into them that makes me swear my life upon this stall. Plate after plate, the noodles standard just doesn't fade.
This wanton mee also comes with a generous serving of sweet char siew, healthy vegetables and THREE WANTONS! I think most places still come with a stingy two wantons but they're more than happy to serve three - one fried wanton and two boiled wanton. I know it's only a difference of one but who doesn't want more? Especially when their wantons are stuffed with more meat than those flimsy ones we get elsewhere?
This stall has more to offer. Lor mee and fried chicken mee. Talking about fried chicken mee, it's really their speciality. I tried asking for the recipe of their fried chicken bits but the lady boss told me the recipe is a secret. All she could tell me... honey is one of the ingredients.
Not only is the fried chicken sweet... don't expect alot of meat too. The best experience of this fried chicken mee is the crunchiness of the fried exterior along with the wet noodles. What a contrast.
Wanting to meet me for dinner to try out? I'm so sorry, they're close by noon. No matter how much ingredients they purchase, everything is sold out after lunchtime. That's how good they are. It's little wonder why the customers keep returning to them every morning, starting from 7am. Like me, we are never sick of eating their noodles.
My verdict? A must try! It's probably not the most glamorous food around, but comparing the serving, taste and rapport with their customer against some other "famous wanton mee" in Old Kallang Airport Road or North Bridge Road - this neighbourhood stall beats the big names hands down.
Regular customers (twice or thrice a week) like me get just a tiny little whiny bigger share... haha... can I be blamed? The only saddening thing is GST taking a toll on them, and the price has since risen from $2.50 to $2.80. I don't care... I still want my good food!
- 3 more comments »
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!You REALLY love this Wantan Mee! I used to love one at Toa Payoh North Blk 206 too, but now they're selling fishball noodles. Well, can't try this one thou, since I don't take pork anymore.
06 Sep 2007 at 9:25 am
Whoa this is the one you recommended me right? When you buying one for me sia?! *sads*
06 Sep 2007 at 4:15 pm
claudia: Oh yea I love it to bits... I tried those "famous ones: really nothing special...
06 Sep 2007 at 4:54 pm
I hate living in Woodlands because it is so far from everywhere but luckily, there are some form of compensation (or comfort they called it) when it comes to food.
Zai Lai (再来) Minced Pork Noodles can be found in S11 Coffeeshop situated at Blk 304 Woodlands Ave 1. It is one of the few stalls around Woodlands that dishes out minced pork noodles 24hrs a day. It has provided me an extra option apart from the prata 5mins away from me. It is also not hard to see why shift workers from Senoko, Marsiling and Kranji industrial estate often flock to this stall for their supper.
(Let's just call minced pork noodles as bah chor mee - BCM)
Their noodles have evolved over the years. Nowadays, the BCM are darker than what I used to get. The reason for this is due to more dark sauce being used instead of the normal soya sauce. It is also a little soupy than it used to be, but not to the extend like the mutant you find at Bedok 85. (I hate that soupy BCM to the core.) Much to the delight of a meat lover like me, they give alot more minced pork too!
One reason why I absolutely love their BCM, they cook their pork only upon ordering. I have tried BCM, and I realised quite a handful of stalls pre-cooked their pork. The problem is, pre-cooked pork tend to harden up and that doesn't taste good. This is something I don't get here, where the pork are nicely soaked in the boiling water. Tender... and fresh. Why fresh? They only take out a small bowl of minced pork every now and then to prevent over-exposure of the raw meat, I was told by the auntie.
There are other noodles too, for example their Teochew Dumplings Noodles, which is a little different from the usual Wanton Noodles you eat.
Is this the best BCM we can find around, let me be honest and say - NO! This is definitely not the best stall. Afterall, they have a morning cook and a night cook, sometimes their standards differ. I still prefer the good old traditional BCM which is dry. I find it a little soggy currently and next time I might ask for a little lesser sauce in my noodles.
My verdict? It's a tough call between Good and Average. Sorta dangling in between both.
No doubt it's not the best BCM around, I must admit that it is one of the better quick fix when one goes hungry in the wee hours. If you happen to go hungry around Woodlands, you know where to go and what to eat. This stall is definitely better than the other located at the infamous Woodlands 888. Zai Lai has a branch in Ang Mo Kio too, but I ain't sure where exactly.
Hint: I just took a 10mins walk at 3.30am to get myself BCM, and I have no qualms about it. It's worth the walk. I'm enjoying it while I post up this review. Yummylicious~
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