Pasos de Tango

Pasos de Tango Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml ($12.50)

We had our fair share of budget red wines but this Argentinian red from the NTUC Fairprice supermarket was really hard to shallow - one reason was the strong hint of alcohol, a typical characteristic of cheap wine. And this bottle clearly has it lots.

Even the scenic waterfront view at the Marina Promenade fails redemption. 

Light & Water Show at Marina Bay Sands

But we still had our time, watching the lights from the nightly show staged by Marina Bay Sands Resort. It's pretty cool and relaxing at the promenade which i hope helps Ric unwind; he had had a full work loaded week.

Maybe we should just avoid unknown budget wines... working hard is deserving of better, right?

福南街, Hock Lam Rice Menu

Beef Noodle with assortment, dry ($6.50)

I can't help craving for noodles if you brought me to Hock Lam, so i couldn't understand Ric's want for their fried rice? "How can it be good since that wasn't their signature?" i baffled.

Garlic Fried Rice with Stewed Beef ($6.50)

Upon receiving Ric's order, the cook set to work nosily in the kitchen with his wok and fierce fire, after a couple minutes this was served with a side of beef soup.

And how was it? Well, i can't help pinching continuously from Ric's plate! The fried rice was well done and the stewed beef was surprisingly excellent ;)

Samsung Galaxy S2

Samsung Galaxy S2 ($899)

It's been a week since Ric bought the latest Samsung Galaxy SII in replacement of my bulky Samsung Galaxy Tab; i was sad to part with Tab big screen convenience but welcome my new freedom without having to lug a little notebook everywhere i go, even to the supermarket!

Galaxy S2 battery life was only half of what i used to enjoy on Tab though; S2 needs charging up every alternate days even after installing the Automatic Task Killer Apps, Tab survives me over span of 3-4 days!

As i was used to the Tab Android interface, switching to the smartphone was a breeze. In fact, it was smarter with its phone options and settings compared to the tablet. Option of making the switch from Android to Apple IPhone OS was aborted after much consideration.

I love this phone. But was so afraid i might drop it as my small palm couldn't stretch and hold its broad 66.10mm width securely. The weight of 116g was so light that i sometimes jolted, forgetting the phone was in my pocket all this time :P

Though it could have been a white cased Galaxy SII, we were advised against the purchase as the white color coating stains after a period of usage.

Katong Sin Chew, after a lapse of 3 years.

Gosh! How time flies, it's been 3 years since we last visited the Sin Chew Cake Shop in Bedok. And the rich buttery baking aroma from their oven was stronger than ever... in this quiet neighbourhood, the shop was crowded at 4pm!?

Best Sellers: Pandan kaya cake ($1.10) and Cupcakes ($0.80)

Egg Tart ($1), Hot Dog Bun ($1)

Our only grouses, the food items are not display with name tags or price labels, so you've got to guess or ask the sales assistance like a novice. Our lot cost $3.90 in total and the pricing was an estimate.

Though so many of their customers were snapping up the fluffy cupcakes, our favourite was the hotdog bun and the pandan kaya cake. Especially the Pandan Kaya Cake, remember!!

Quentin's - Semi Buffet Lunch at the Eurasian Restaurant

Quentin's Buffet Table at China Square, level 3

I was sceptical; how can i not be when well reputed Quentin's discount their Express Set Lunches normally priced at $9.90 (Local delight) or $12 (Western set) to just $6 with Bigdeal Coupon!

Any meal could cost you $6 bucks easily these days, so we've got nothing to lose, i thought and bought 2 coupons.

Chicken Congee and Barley Sweet Soup dessert

Salad Bar with Deep Fried Bean Curb, Fish Fillets

As we made order for our Mains, we were asked to help ourselves to the salad bar comprising simple cuts of lettuces, carrots, green capsicum and cucumbers with thousand island sauce. The addition of fried bean curb and fish fillets as snacks were much appreciated to the otherwise plain spread.

Pot Roast Beef (Western Set), Babi Assam and (Local Delight)

Day to day option for set lunches varies; we have today the Pot Roast Beef that was beef knuckle marinated and pot-roasted for 6 hours till it melt-in-the-mouth, served with warm savory potato mash.

But it was Babi Assam who stole the limelight with its thick marinated curry made with tender Pork trotters, pork and soft potatoes! We do love the taste of the accompanying long beans cooked like Malay dish of Sayur lodeh.

Chicken Congee, Laksa, Coffee Tea with Cakes, Fruits with Barley Sweet Soup

From the buffet table we continued our meal; especially impressed with the congee and barley sweet soup. There was even cheese cake to go with our coffee.

Quentin's large dining hall was quietly conducive for making small lunch chat and all in all, it was quite a deal. Food presentation was unpretentious while we acknowledged Quentin's sincerity in providing a variety at low cost.

128 Fish Porridge

Fish Slice Soup ($4), Fish Head Soup ($5), Rice ($0.50) 

You wouldn't miss this stall at #01-42, who commands one of the longest lunch time queues in Jurong West Market and Food Centre, the snaking queue in their narrow alley stretches till 2pm!

What's addictive? The flavorsome soup with a good tang from salted vegetable, their spicy belacan chili dip and their $6 Angoli fish head! My $5 bowl today was a blunder lah.

As different fish type was served for the varied pricing of $4, $5 and $6, i urge you to spurge on the priciest for a most gratifiying meal.