Azabu Sabo Temptations

Making quite a buzz since its opening in Marina Square in June 2006, Azabu Sabo, since its inception more than 26 years ago in Tokyo, promises one that serves authentic Japanese desserts and Hokkaido ice-creams.

They were also being featured on TV - "Sweet for My Sweet" programme; i missed the episode but Ric watched. So today he happily dragged me into the store as his surprise recommendation for me.

At just after 4pm, the place was pleasantly quiet. But observing the pricey dessert model presentations outside the store, i was quite reluctant to budge.

Hokkaido Hot-ball w/ Premium Vanilla Ice-cream, Red bean paste, Sweet Potato & Brown Sugar Syrup ($7.80++)

As according to the waitress, Hokkaido Hot-ball are rice flour balls with custard infill. After enquiring, we ordered one.

Pics in the menu had been magnified; the actual serving size was for one only. The taste was not disappointing though, great ice-cream and red bean paste that leaves such satisfying aftertaste that i wish would stay on my taste buds longer.

Deep Fried Ham w/ Cheese & Chilli Sauce (6.80++)

We enjoyed this little serving of deep fried item too, couldn't well describe the lovely sensation of its ham with melted cheese. It must be something else also.

The chunk of salad with Japanese salad sauce as a side dish was also delightful.

Their desserts are worth coming back for; really recommend them for couples. It's undoubtedly a "Sweet for My Sweet" experience. I for one, felt pampered & sweeten after relishing the dessert here ;)

SparksWinds Go Pops!

Sparks Goes Pop! is presented by Esplanade as part of the Beautiful Sunday programme series. This being our first time into the Concert Hall is exciting.

A band of an almost 80 members range from full-time students to working adults from the former Yuhua and River Valley Combined Alumni Band and alumni members of the Pioneer Junior College Symphonic Band.

SparksWinds would be performing popular Pop tunes from Japan and America today.

As the band opens with repertoire of 'March.April.May', 'Tabidachi No Hini', 'Northern Ground Singer's Selection', i was already feeling the arrival of a beautiful Sunday :)

Following were selections of sprightly wind music, and rounding off the performance with Big Band Jazz and echoed piece of 'YMCA'. All in all, they performed a good selection of music in their one-hour set.

Kudos to efforts by the government and organization bodies to promote music and arts appreciation to the general public; we got to enjoy all of these free performances at the Esplanade.

And i applause the generous act of opening the Concert Hall for these free performances. Mostly local acts, but they’re actually quite good.

When I go there to see something free, it usually feels like something worth paying for. Everybody can appreciate the Arts, from old retirees to young children; Arts should be for all to enjoy.

So it maybe a right decision to building of the Esplanade in 2002 at a cost of SDG 600 mil, and steering Singapore towards being an Arts Hub after all.

Going Bananas...

While Ric was queuing up for the ever famous Loong Fatt's Salty Bean Pastry 豆沙饼 at Balestier Rd (later, we honestly don't think we like their version of the pastry, it's too sweet even for my sweet tooth), i walked past their back lane and saw this fantastic sight of banana flower.

This banana tree is just about my height; lesser than 2m tall but it's already blooming with banana fruits and flower. A marvel sight to behold...

House of Dumplings， 北方小吃

Reference to a food write-up in the Chinese Papers 联合早报, on this modest food stall that serves Northern China fare at Blk 28 of Kelantan Lane; we had a satisfying lunch today.

While being skeptical about its food quality dues to its plain stall decorations, we were put at ease by the pleasant and friendly lady at the stall. Rather than urging us for more orders, she actually advises us that our 2 order of dumplings were substantial for a meal.

However upon the serving of our Xiao Long Bao, we were pleasantly pleased with the food quality and decide to venture further with an additional order of its homemade noodle soup.

The neatly kneaded dumplings were swollen with stock, and filling of minced pork were flavored enough to be tasty without being salty for my liking.

I was impressed by the freshness; none of the dumpling skins stuck to the lining paper and nothing had been re-steamed.

Xiao Long Bao, 小笼包 ($3)

The skin was thin and does not taste floury, and none bursts on us when we pick it up with the chopsticks.

Pan-fried Gyozas, 锅贴 ($5)

My joy was receiving my long desired Pan-fried dumpling that had the right finished texture of soft one-sided with the other side being crisply pan-fried.

As with its steamed meat dumplings, the meat filling for the gyozas is tasty and succulent.

Handmade Noodles, 板面 ($4)

After our heavy meat dumplings servings, we were glad to tuck into our light bowl of noodle soup.

Being deceptively plain-looking, the bowl offers more bite and taste than we first imagined. Their handmade noodle really surprises me of its slippery and non-floury taste and textures!

I've never been a lover of these handmade noodles dues to its floury-taste nature but the one served here today changes my viewpoint of Ban Mian. It could actually tastes so good.

The broth was full-bodied but not overwhelming. And when we accidentally burst the half-cooked egg yolk in the soup, the soup base transforms into one that further entices our taste buds...

We emptied the bowl.

With mum in mind, we enquire if their dishes could be served in Vegetarian styled, the ever obliging stall lady replied with a welcoming, yes. Even the dumplings could be done with Vegetarian fillings! But try to come in at non-peak hours, she advised :)

I'll definitely be back soon.

Aftermeal at Frontier

After our meal of Indian rice and Yong Tou Foo noodles, Ric suggested to try something new for bites.

He discouraged me of my usual Danish bun and secretively hides the Potato with Ham Bun ($1.30) behind him. To be fair, it's rather nice but i miss my sweet Danish :(

Sensing my unimpressed disposition, Ric agreed with my suggestion to try out the Ice-cream Waffles from the Western food stall.

With freshly toasted, warm and crisp waffle, you're given a choice out of the varieties of ice-cream flavours. Ric chooses the Chocolate Chips.

At $2.50, it was more costly than our lunch itself. But not bad truly, for a real 'deep pocket' waffle with whip cream & solid scoop of ice-cream. It's comparable to what we last had at Killiney's.

Now i'm finally done lunching :))

Tarts & Butter

Ric bought these unique and pretty Bean Curd Tarts ($1 each) from LE Cafe for mum who loves bean curb. But mum being butter-taste repellent couldn't appreciate it.

The light buttery taste came from its thinly baked crust which we actually liked; it compliments the smooth bean curb fillings very well.

A change from the heaviness of Egg Tarts; this is a delightful light snacks to have.

The Old-fashioned Butter Cake ($1 each) claims to be fashioned after the classic 60's butter cake. As in the 60's, chiefly the rich or the more well-off families could afford the luxuries of cakes.

Thus we have no idea really if these sweet buttery cakes were well worthy to be called the 60's butter cake, but still it was a comfort to be able to try on food stuffs that strive to preserve the food culture of olden days.