Surprise supermarket find

Chanced across this in the chilled foods section while browsing the aisles of Meidi-ya at Liang Court, and had to give it a try. Eggs are one of my dietary staples and faves, and chawanmushi has to be among the top eggy dishes I favour.

It's quite legit! Has the same silky custardy texture that the usual restaurant versions have, just that I was having it cold (was too lazy to heat up LOL), but it was still really yummy.

Heh, perfect for those days when I just want to have sashimi, some cold edamame (available from the same mart, just wash straight out of the packet and sprinkle some salt!), glass of ocha (or sake). Yay. Simple fuss-free meal done.

💖

Making breakfast

I don't have much of an appetite for breakfast in the morning - most days, all I really need to function is a strong cup of black coffee (americano or kopi-o gao) and I am a happy camper for the day.

That said, I do have a weakness for soft-boiled eggs, and I have found that they are quick and easy to make as part of my routine for getting ready, to pack and have alongside the coffee while I arrive at the office. There's a certain comfort in having them as I go through the emails or my task list, starting my work day.

happy eggs

Not to mention they cost a fraction of what I would pay buying them at the foodcourt with my coffee. LOL. #cheapo

Sunday gym date

Gotta say I'm really enjoying the gf's new "cult" membership. Bright and early one Sunday morning, she and her partner came by and whisked me off to the gym since we were all intending to go for a workout at the same time that day.

Funnily enough, we strode into the gym together, then went our separate ways for our individual workouts - them to their respective aerial yoga and Powerplate classes, whereas I needed a hard-ish leg workout, something I tended not to have the luxury of time to do during the week. It always feels good to not have to rush through my session and feel like I've done enough to exert the muscles on all fronts for some proper DOMS to come.

Then some 1.5 hours later, we reconvened at the gym's lounge area, and proceeded to the basement for a quick lunch.

As much as I am used to my originating outlet for Virgin Active at Raffles Place, I really do enjoy this new Tanjong Pagar outlet. Not only is the space larger and more equipped, the shops and facilities in the spanking new Tanjong Pagar Centre is really quite a fun mix. It was such comfort to tuck into some hearty clam chowder at the Seattle Pike Chowder in the basement of the building after an all-out workout. Moreish and satisfying, it was just the right balance of saltiness and creaminess. According to J and D, who have tasted the real deal from the original shop in the States, it's pretty legit and a proper franchisee. Let's hope that this nifty outlet hangs around for a while more.

Thereafter, we adjourned to Jewel coffee upstairs for a lovely cuppa each, fortifying and reassuringly strong. Yumms. Being the all-out friends they are, they then dutifully gave me a lift back before going on their way home.

What an awesomely wholesome Sunday. Definitely looking forward to more of such healthy shenanigans! Hehehe. :D

My yummy chowder - no pics of gyms cos we are all serious athletes. Oof. :p

Catch up with the sis

Between the wondersis being based in the States and me stuck in full-on "navelgazing" mode for the most part of last year, we haven't been as connected as we used to, and I've definitely missed that. One of my key priorities to address for the new year. :)

I promptly booked in a catch up with her the week of my return to Singapore, which eventuated as a run-date in her hood, and a chance for me to have a sneak preview of her renovated flat. Such fun!

We did a short 3km jog along the track just downstairs of her place - love that it's so near and convenient. At my parents', there was a running track a stone's throw away but still a 3 minute walk. This was even easier, we literally could start running as we left her block!

It's always a treat to run with her, or rather just doing any workout - this girl is my most frequent jogging/workout companion. It might or might not be due to the fact that we used to live under the same roof, and also since yours truly here only have a tiny handful of people I would actually bother to arrange to exercise with - I'm quite the lone wolf for my exertions, since the social factor was never my motivation, plus most of the time exercise is my me-time, which I am highly protective of, if you don't know by now.

With the sis, it's different, and much of it owes to our #samefactory traits - we enjoy each other's company, often in complete silence, and are so attuned to each other that we don't need to really say much to communicate either. While we used to have similar pacing, I can no longer count that as a plus since she outpaces me by a large margin these days, and often just accommodates to my snail speed instead. :p

So yes, we did our odd silent but comforting run, after which we had a wholesome yummy dinner cooked by her, whilst conversing on all kinds of random topics veering in all tandems late into the night. Best. 

It was splendid sister (and some brother-in-law) time, looking forward to more to come. : )

My dinner - check out that chunky thigh! ;D

Le Chameleux: Lunch in Belgium

Le Chameleux

One thing I love about Luxembourg is its strategic location, where it's just a not-long drive to several other European countries. France obviously, but also Germany, and one afternoon, we drove out to Belgium to meet another of AB's longtime good friend and his wife for lunch, together with their 9-year-old daughter. The family is currently based out of London, but had flown back to Europe for Christmas. They had missed each other once while we were in London in September, so a meet up this time round was imperative.

The choice of venue for lunch was at Le Chameleux, a charming French restaurant tucked in the middle of the woods. You know it's a remote location when even the address can't be detected on the car's TomTom. No matter, with some clever maneuvering we managed to get there on schedule without getting lost. (All credit to AB though, since I know nuts about navigating in this area I've never been).

First clue that the food was going to be excellent was when we stepped into this not-the-easiest-to-find establishment, and they were full house. WOW. Fortunately, we'd made reservations, and most of the other guests had not arrived yet, so service was pleasingly prompt and smooth.

Second clue that lunch would be awesome was that it had a grand total of 6 choices each for main course and desserts. I really like when a menu is kept simplistic - somehow it conveys that the owner/chef are truly good, based on the assumption that they have the confidence and focus on getting those few dishes really well done and are vouching that you will like any of the few selections they offer.

Their signature was la truite meunière, and a no-brainer order for me, being a huge fish fan (for food). I was definitely not disappointed - the fish came perfectly fried such that the skin was crispy golden while the flesh was tender and juicy, and in a perfect size that was just nice to fill you up together with the potatoes and salad. Do take note: that's declared with the caveat that you can be prudent with the gorgeous pomme de terre though. I have a terrible weakness for all things potatoes so I must say I was quite proud of myself that I didn't overdose on those tasty sautéed beauties. I love that it's a whole fish too - the flesh just fell right off the bones and was a such a pleasure to savour - suffice to say I devoured every morsel off the bone. Meoow. Yumm.

Truite meunière: perfection on a plate

I even found space to order dessert, although I have no idea what possessed me to choose the dame blanche. It sounded innocent enough when described by the server: Vanilla and chocolate ice cream served with chocolate sauce and chantilly cream. Who knew that the actual thing was a monster of a sundae?! I completely ignored the cream, nibbled on the waffle biscuit, and just dug at most of the chocolate ice-cream, then left the rest to melt into a mess in the glass. :p Thankfully the rest of the group was busy catching up over their respective desserts (crepes Grand-Marnier and sorbet framboise et citron), and barely noticed. A double espresso also helped prevent a post lunch coma, such that I could enjoy the scenic drive back without dosing off. Heh.

Monster of a Dame Blanche

It sounds like the food was the star for me, but really, it was rather enjoyable to chat with the family who are also fluent in English other than French. Even the little girl, given her education in London, was conversant and reminded me a little of myself so we had some fun dialogues on favourite colours and erm, homework. Hahaha.

All in all, a really pleasant afternoon outing, and a good reunion for AB. With their reluctance to travel to Asia in the near future, who knows when their next meeting will be? Bearing that in mind, we took a bunch of "we-fies" and photos before respectively rolling into our cars and parting ways.

One of the random shots on our way back

knuckled

Fri night dinner was birthday celebrations for one of the bf's buddies from high school days - thoughtfully organised by his utterly delightful babe of a girlfriend. The sweet gal sneakily called his pals and coordinated this get-together with the respective partners invited as well.

Dinner was German fare at Brotzeit, Vivocity. I say she made a good choice, as it seemed just the perfect place for the group. While it was more of a bar than restaurant, with noisy music and chatter, having to raise your voices to be heard across the table, the boys were all too happy to not have to bother about getting too boisterous or rowdy, haha.

I arrived late, when most have placed their dinner orders. And the moment I sat down, the bf breezily informed me that he's ordered dinner to share, rattling off various items smoothly in German. All I had to do was order a lager, and wait for the food to come. This I was too pleased with, seeing the mindboggling names on the menu that rendered me lost. The bf, on the other hand, was well-acquainted with the food and language, having spent a semester there on exchange.

He ordered schäuferla, which was surprisingly not listed on the menu, took just over an hour to prepare. It was well worth the wait though - roasted to a delicious crisp brown, the meat was tender, the skin crunchy, and the fats melt-in-your-mouth. Accompanied with tangy sauerkraut and mash on the sides, it was satiating and not cloying. For that evening, I abandoned my calorie-phobia at the door and dug in to enjoy the meal, guilt oblivious. :p

The gang of them are close pals who meet up at least once every weekend, for intellectual stimulation (read: mahjong), sports (soccer) and entertainment (EPL and drinking sessions). While I usually have not much common topics with them, seeing that I don't play mj, and am pretty clueless at soccer (though I at least know what off-side means, I think), am usually happy to sit there in silent observance of their unpretentious men talk and goofy banter - this group who have witnessed one another at his best and worst, know all the embarrassing moments and naughty escapades.

It also helps that, coming from the same high school, they have the typical mannerisms that this bemusedtots is not unfamiliar with, and thus were on a wavelength and frequency that I could easily attune to.

Such nights, I like. It envelopes me, this certain quiet pleasure from included in other parts of his life, even on the sidelines, and seeing other sides of this love of mine.

[pleased]

of quality and familiarity

gatherings with the Gang are always great - the place and cuisine of choice may vary in terms of satiation factor, but the company always, always makes the best of it.

yesterday was one of those where we attempt to venture somewhere different for lunch, in honour of The Dude (so-called cos he's the only guy in our group of seven. Hee), belated celebration for his bday, and also to catch up before he flies off far far away for the next 4-6 months.

Thanks to recommendation by nottozlady, we enjoyed some yummy German fare at Werner's Oven in Siglap. A perfect place for some reasonably-priced bangers & mash, crispy pork knuckles, meatloaf, and of course beer, savoured on a quiet Sunday arvo - discounting the chatters and laughter from us, that is. :p Oh, and it comes with an attached bakery too that sells delightful bread and pastries. :)

Twas nice to see everyone looking great, and the hours just flew past without us knowing. As we parted ways, I know the next one will prob take place in a couple of months, something to look forward to already. The group size may shrink or stretch, but I know we will meet.

As always, the meeting was good, cos these familiar chums make the success factor. Not the place, not the food - though those would definitely be more than welcome. :)