LANXESS: A Musical Chemistry in the Woods

In celebration with the International Year of Chemistry, German specialty chemicals company Lanxess put up a Symphony Orchestra Concert with The Singapore National Youth Orchestra in the outdoor of the Botanic Gardens.

Together with guest conductor, Jason Lai, it was a rousing performance of:
Richard Wagner: Overture to "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg"
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: ‘Andante cantabile’ from Symphony No. 5
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: ‘Allegro vivace’ from Violin Concerto in D major, op. 35 (Selina Tang, Violin)
John Williams: Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone

As if the working of chemistry, i was overwhelmed by the pieces from John Williams & the Potter instead of my much anticipated Tchaikovsky; the Sorcerer's Stone does have that magical allure to the finale of the evening..

The Ongz Cafe, 王氏

"Mapo" Spicy Tofu; Value Meal for 2 ($20++)

Ongz Cafe was a westernized decorated cafe where a menu of both Chinese and Western cuisine were offered. Opting for their Chinese cooking, the waitress recommended their all day value meal of $20++ for a selection of 2 vegetables and 1 meat from the standard menu.

Armed with a $10 discount coupon from Superdeals, the value of this meal was thus very much promoted. Even before considering their quality of craft cooking. Yes, it was an enjoyable dinner, relaxing over a background playing of popular hits from the 80's..

Stir Fried French Bean/ w minced meat

Salt & Pepper Pork Ribs

Harvey Fresh, Carrot :)

Harvey Fresh Carrot Juice, 1 litre (Promotional Price $1.45)

How many types of packaged Carrot Juice have i tried? Not many actually. Used to enjoy the ones from Pokka Carrot Fruit Juice until Harvey Fresh from the Western Australia came along in our local market.

What makes it different from the usual sweetness of fruit juices was its distinct hint of raw, bitter greenness you taste in its carrot juices and i like that. It's like drinking juicy raw carrots. Very real. 

Given an option, it's Carrot over Orange juices.

And there's also something about the Beta-carotene in carrots that converts to vitamin A in the body and helps improve vision. Vitamin A helps vision by forming a purple pigment called rhodopsin that the eye needs in order to be able to see in dim light. The more vitamin A you get, the more rhodopsin your body is able to produce. In addition, Beta-carotene is one of the most antioxidants in the carrot, and helps the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells in the body, also protecting cells against free radicals!

In Paradise with Seafood

Signature Creamy Butter Crab, 1.1kg ($52.80++, $48 per kg)

Seafood Paradise, we heard so much about their much acclaimed Creamy Butter Crab and had yet tried them until today. Singaporeans are so spoil with all the good Chili Crab available island wide that we constantly sought out new recipe to have our crabs ;) 

And this is 1 really delicious recipe to please both the butter-loving Asian and Westerners! Mildly sweet, flavorful and warmly creamy with crispy coconut crumbs, you would wish to drink it all up! It's well worth our tireless effort of working the crab bounded by short lunch hour.

Fried Bee Hoon in XO Sauce ($12++)

The fried Bee Hoon was a good attempt of heated wok frying with glass vermicelli. It however pales in comparison with the Carbohydrate option of deep fried steamed buns, 馒头 ($0.60++ per piece) that would much compliments the Butter Crab.

Do order more fried buns as your choice Carbo ;) i would.

味香, Wei Xiang Lu Mian

Was i crazy to have Lor Mee two days in a row? Maybe :) But they can be quite different sometimes; and i'm not really tired of them - loving its vinegary gooey gravy.

This stall in Telok Blangah Crescent Food Centre has been in business for near 40 years! Yes, in this same hawker centre. I had some childhood memory of them and had asked the stall owner for confirmation.

Lor Mee ($2.50)

Wei Xiang does not serve my favourite rendition of Lor Mee though; they dished very traditional Hokkien Lor Mee of dark browned gravy rather than the common black ones - bringing them in league with the famous 源春驰名卤面 at Amoy Street. I was not accustomed to the taste but Ric could vouch its authenticity.

I however identify with their meticulously prepared ingredients of shredded fried fish fillets, ngor hiang and braised pork belly! They tasted as nostalgia as what i used to have at home.

Dining in Protected Area - the Jurong Island!

Oasis @ Sakra Building

There is a risk running this post as i wish to share about this noodle stall in the Oasis Food Court sited in Singapore Jurong Island. Why the risk? Cos this petrochemical invested island was gazetted as a Protected Place after the 911 terrorist attack; access into the isle was limited to registered employees and visitors only.

That left many baffled about the industrialised isle; have no doubt though, akin to our main land industrial parks, greening of the place has been active. You may be amazed by the beautiful vast vegetation as you drive along the island highway!

However, never waive your cameras about here. Due to very valid security reasons, photographic equipment brought into the island has to be declared and approved by the Island Security; exercise your discreet. We shall see more of the food photos and have just 1 'camouflage' photo of the Oasis building - where the island food court is sited. So shall you are invited here for business, and needing a place to lunch, you will know where to head to ;)

Newton Meng Kee Prawn Noodle House

And this is the stall! We used to patronise them so often when they were in Jurong Logistics Hub at Jurong Port Road. Missing them for a while as they quietly relocate into Jurong Island.

Ric found them. And i have my favourite Prawn noodles and Lor Mee once again! But only when i get to come into the island :( See the long queue? They are still the most popular stall here.

Meng Kee served a version of very palatable prawn noodles, popular on all days. But on every Wed, Fri, they have a special of Lor Mee! And we kind of got addicted to these too.

Be early! If you don't wish to be disappointed with a sold out by 1pm or 12pm! We suffered during our last visit and make it earlier today for lunch at 11am. Haha... ;)

Lor Mee ($3)