Xin Yi Pin Catering, the Imperial Menu

Yam Ring with Prawns

A reduction of budget from last year's order of Xin Yi Pin's Emperor Menu ($14.90+), this time we are on their more economical Imperial Menu ($11.90+).

But, maybe it's the wrong choice of food selection ('Paper Wrapped' - Aluminum foil-wrapped Chicken and Baby Kai Lan are not in pictures), or the cutting down on ingredients, we are just not enjoying the meal as much as the previous. The Yam Ring tasted especially disappointing as it was primarily clustered with cauliflower, with so little of prawns..

Edible food; tight spread for 25 pax. Make sure you order enough to feed your guest.

Vietnam Spring Roll, with Sweet Potato

Deep Fried Ee Fu Mee

Vegetarian Fried Rice

 Mongolia Pork Rib

Steam Assam Fish with Pineapple

 Salad Prawns with Cocktail

 Mini Fruit Tarts and Portugese Egg Tarts

李貴(亞蟹), Lee Kui (Ah Hoi) Restaurant since 1968

Teochew Raw Fish

Hearing so much about the legendary Lee Kui Teochew Restaurant from TV foodie programmes, i had very much looked forward to tonight's Chinese New Year dinner ($468++ set menu); with a hidden agenda of scouting a good Teochew restaurant for Ric, where they just might serves a nice rendition of his favourite Teochew raw fish.

The 8 course dinner was near perfect; ruined by the raw fish - fishy tasting sashimi; even someone with a cat sense like myself doesn't appreciate it. Watch this, Lee Kui - overlooking the little things might just cost you the reputation as a reliable, old time Teochew restaurant.

Combination of 6 Dishes 

(Chicken Nuggets in Seaweed Wrap, Salad Prawns, Smoked Duck, Century Egg Jello, Prawn Balls, Jellyfish)

Steamed Sea Bream Hong Kong Style

Crab Meat & Fish Maw in Thick Soup

Teochew Duck Meat with Braised Beancurd

Boiled Live Prawns

Abalone w/ Sweet Bean and Asparagus

Yam Paste w/ Ginko Nuts

National Orchid Garden!

The National Orchid Garden in Singapore Botanic Garden is the last tourist attraction on my mind, if you asked me before today's visit. This garden is truly amazing! I think every visitors to Singapore should visit the 3 hectares land for its hundreds of orchid species and hybrids! And all at an under-value admission charge of just $5 for adults!

I have never witness so many fascinating species of the orchid hybrids! It'll be a shame to visit the Gardens by the Bay but missed this small, stunning place.

These colorful hybrids that greeted us around the ground are considered the common species? Just wait till you see the below ones from the VIP and Celebrity Orchid Gardens!

Dendrobium Masako Kotaishi Hidenka

- named in honour of  Princess Masako of Japan to commemorate the royal wedding with Prince Naruhito in 1993.

Dendrobium Faisal El-Fayez

- named after His Excellency Faisal El-Fayez, former PM of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordon during his visit on 19 June 2004.

Spathoglottis Philippe 'Mathilde'

- named after Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium during her visit on 27 Nov 2008.

Ascocenda Yingluck Shinawatra

- named after Her Excellency Yingluck Shinawatra, PM of the Kingdom of Thailand during her visit on 8 Dec 2011.

Renantanda Akihito

- 'an apt bloody red orchid', named in honour of Emperor Akihito of Japan during his visit in 1970.

Next, comes my favorite orchid - Vanda Miss Joaquim. The first orchid hybrid to be described from Singapore; and selected to be the National Flower of Singapore in 1981. It was thrilled to finally meet the real flower. It is beautifully gracious!

Venda Mimi Palmer

Then, never ever missed smelling this sweetly scented flowers when you locate it! This hybrid registered in 1963, has strong markings on the flowers that are considered a breakthrough in the Vanda breeding!

And there are the "Tan Hoon Siang Mist House" and the Cool House where these delicate hybrids are sheltered. All in all, you'll need at least 2 hours to tour the National Orchid Garden entirely! 

Enjoy! 

松鱼业, Song Fish Dealer

King Crab Legs ($48/kg)

This was probably our first purchase from the Song Fish dealer at 19 Fishery Port Road - King Crab legs for the reunion dinner steamboat with hotplate! Everybody enjoys the taste of the intensified sea-freshness.

Given my tighter working hours, it is a bonus to get a visit to the Fishery Port - just a day in advance of the Chinese New Year's Eve. These photos are for you to take a peek of the seafood pricing this year; if you too, like myself can't make it for shopping at these wholesalers.

Balai Kurau, large ($38/kg), medium ($28/kg) 

Red Snapper Tail ($16/kg), Golden Pomfret ($10/kg), Parang ($10/kg), Batang ($14/kg) 

Squid, large ($12/kg)

Grey Prawns, large ($25/kg), Red Leg Prawns, large ($30/kg)

Grouper Fish, medium/ cleaned ($11 each)

Frozen Rabbit Fish ($8/pkt)

$8 yields a bag of 6 Rabbit Fish; which is cheap. But of the 6, only 1 of the fish comes with fish roe; it is a disappointment. Another bag fare slightly better - 2 fishes with roe.

Chinese Pomfret, large/ cleaned ($60/kg)

The frozen Chinese Pomfret stretches over my chest and weights 1.282kg, costing $76.90!

Overall, Song Fish offers reasonably fresh seafood, even their frozen is good enough after thawing. And the place is popular with customers who came for bulk purchase of air-flown Norway Salmon - minimum purchase of half Salmon fish.

Now, at least, i am feeling the mood of the Chinese New Year.

Krispy Kreme - An 80 years old Donut!

Chocolate Dreamcake ($2.60)

What do you think of having a bread that cost as much as your lunch but can't fill you up at all? That is Krispy Kreme for you, my after lunch dessert today.

The doughnut is soft and fluffy; having a unique sponginess that's probably makes Krispy stands out from the rest of the donut-makers. Its sugar glazing is as sweet as any regular donuts while its chocolate filled isn't as cloying or thick; which is good.

It's fair to have a go with Krispy - just to know what's the hype all about. While we certainly have many other dessert choice at $2.60.

Earle Swensen's - Chicken, Fish & Chips

Fried Chicken Delight ($19.90++)

A tenderly juicy golden fried chicken cutlet bursting with flavors and drizzled with Chef's special jackfruit salsa 

that gracefully complements the dish with its rich burst of flavors. Served with crispy fries and Mesclun salad.

After having a taste of Earle's flavorsome and juicy charbroiled-steak, Ric had a hard time convincing me to try the stereotyped of fried chicken cutlet and dory fish fillet. 'How good can that be!?' i had argued. 'How different can it be from that of Swensen?'

And i was dead wrong. Firstly, serving size was bigger than Swensen's! The fried chicken cutlet was seriously delicious! The dory fillet, thick and juicy. And if these wasn't enough, there's always the free-flow-salad-bar for our indulgence on this lazy weekend afternoon..

Fish & Chips ($19.90++)

Our classic all-time favorite! Traditionally prepared tender breaded dory fillet fried to crisp perfection and 

served with US fries and creamy tartar dip for that extra flavorful crunch.