Han's Cafe has been a household name since the 70s. I still remember when I was a kid, we frequently patronise Han's for their cakes. Back then they sold only cakes were considered cheap and good! Over the years, Han's Cafe has commercialised and is now a F&B chain restaurant serving not just cakes and pasty but also a wide variety of food such as sandwiches, western cuisines (e.g. Fish & Chips, Chicken Chop, Pork Chop, Steak, Spaghetti), chinese cuisine (.e.g Hor Fun, Fried Rice). In 2007, they have converted some of their outlets to Hanis which serves food that are Halal certified. Han's Cafe at Suntec was relatively empty on a Saturday evening. It was easy finding a seat and ordering, a contrast to the other neighbouring restaurants such as Sakae Sushi which was packed.After ordering, customers are required to collect some of their orders such as drinks, soup, bread and cakes (if they have ordered such items) at the end of the counter. In addition, customers will be required to collect the utensils themselves. The mains which require more time to cook will be served. This has been the concept of Han's Cafe for since a long long time ago.

We ordered the Grill Dory Fish ($9.80) and Chicken Chop with Mushroom Sauce ($11.80) All Day Set Meal which was available from 1130am to 930pm. The Sets was served with Soup of the Day, Main Course, Coffee / Tea / Ice Lemon Tea / Orange Juice and Dessert. The Soup Of The Day was the Cream of Mushroom Soup. Although the thickness of the soup was just right, there was barely an hint of mushroom flavour in it. The bread was the typical Han's Cafe Garlic Bread which has not changed for years as far as I can recall. Unlike other restaurants which uses French Loaf Bread, Han's Cafe uses normal bread with a layer of garlic spread on it. I quite like this soft version although it was cold as it I normally dip them into the soup.

Orange juice was average and seemed to be made from syrup. As for the dessert, despite its appearance, it was the nicest item in this meal! The wife ordered the Grilled Fish Dory which I felt disappointing. It was lacking in taste. The Chicken Chop with Mushroom Sauce was average. The carrots were blanched and boiled in water. The potato wedges were decent. The chicken chop was well cooked and the mushroom sauce helped enhance the taste of the meat which I suspect did not went through much marination (if any). Although there was nothing much to shout about, there was also nothing to fault.

I wonder if I am the only one.. the standard and quality of food at Han's Cafe seems to be deteriorating. They are better off concentrating on what they are good at, which are the cakes. Branching out to serving western and chinese cuisines and not doing it well may generate more revenue for them, but it will also erode the brand name that they have built up over the years.

Another visit to Ang Mo Kio to patronise Tip Top Curry Puff.
Still not use to their new exterior, prefer the previous which was more down to earth and with a modest feel. Tip Top Curry Puff (The Puff Factory) is halal certified. Hence, Muslim friends will be able to savour this.

The packaging has also changed. Use to be plain packaging with no design. Now it comes with prints that showcase the name and also the website of Tip Top. Well, this is the norm now, branding plays a big role. I guess part of the price increase (i.e. 20cents) was partly due to the re-branding. With a price increase, somehow, the size of the curry puff has shrunk slightly. Ironic.Crisp crust while the inside was full of moist mashed potatoes, chicken chunks, egg with spices. But it was not as fragrant as before. Standard has dropped? Remember, how I mentioned in my previous posts that one could smell the curry puff from afar. You can literally smell your way to the shop if you can't locate it. Now, you would not be able to do that - no more of that wonderfully aroma (smell).

Detailed review and photos: http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2013/02/tip-top-curry-puff-ang-mo-kio-revisit.html

Ps: I found out subsequently that Tip Top owner has sold their business and reopen another one called AMK Curry Puff at Toa Payoh Central. (http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2013/08/amk-curry-puff-toa-payoh-central.html)

Penang Delights is a hawker stall located at S11 in Ang Mo Kio selling Penang Prawn Mee, Penang Lor Mee, Prawn Dry Mee and Pork Ribs Mee. Judging by the Lianhe Wanbao 联合晚报 and Channel U articles, this stalls seems to be famous for its Penang Prawn Mee and Penang Lor Mee. If you have difficult locating the stall, its just next to Rasa Sayang Western Food 啦莎沙央西餐. Although there was a queue at the stall, they cook and serve the noodles quite fast. Before I knew it, it was my turn to order. The prawns were fresh, firm and sweet. Partially de-shelled, with its head and tail still intact. A nice gesture as this made it easier to enjoy the prawns. The prawn broth was tasty and had an intense umami flavour that could only be achieved after boiling the prawn shells, heads and pork bones for long hours. However, it was not exactly mind blowing. Overall, the Penang Prawn Mee was quite decent, but not the best around.

Detailed review: http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2013/02/penang-delights-prawn-mee-lor-mee-ang.html

Went over to Mayim at Northpoint on two occasions. The first occasion was to have dinner on a Friday.

Has anyone tried the peanuts (left) before?

Here's what we ordered.Interesting cup that helps to filter out the tea leaves. If you are interested in getting one, I the shop name and address is in the first photo. However, I feel that for a lazy person like me, I will find it a hassle to keep removing the filter before drinking.

‘Sou Mei’ Tea with Wolfberry Fruits was fragrant and wolfberry provides lots of health benefits. You can request for the waiter/waitress to refill with hot water whenever you have finished drinking it.The Soup ‘La Mian’ topped with slices of classic marinated chickenas promised came with the la mian and chicken in the soup. The la mian is similar to the likes of crystal jade, however, it was slightly harder. The chicken was well marinated; fragrant and tender despite being soaked in the soup. Thought that the chicken was delicious! Disappointingly, the soup base was a tad too salty. This dish would have been great and healthy if it was less salty and vegetables was added.The Spiced flavoured ‘la mian’ was topped with minced pork, peanut, seasame & preserved vegetable served in dry with special meat sauce. It was amazing delicious on the first few mouthfuls. However, towards the end, it got too spicy for us. If you have a good tolerance for spicy food, this is a good bet.

Overall, a decent place. During peak periods (weekends), be prepared to queue. Service was prompt and decent.

On the second occasion, went over on a Thursday night for dinner. There was no queue and inside the restaurant, it was half full. I thought that I will like this Poached vegetables garnished with mushrooms dish. After all, how bad can you go when you have 3 kinds of mushrooms for a mushroom fan. Sadly, this dish was too salty that it overwhelmed the fragrance of the mushrooms. The shredded ham was quick tough. The chicken on the other hand was well marinated. Soft, fragrant and tender. Realised from this visit and the previous that chicken seems to be one of their better dishes.Well, the Sauteed Sliced Fish was quite oily. Felt that the flavours of different ingredients were not brought out, resulting in the fish slices being tasteless. Can't even taste the sweetness of the fish. And should it not be fried sliced garlic? Felt that this dish is not value for money. I am sure you can taste better ones at better prices.The soup was really average. Felt that it was again overpriced and not valued for money despite the many ingredients. Somehow, the taste of the ingredients was overwhelmed by the amount of sodium. Of course, rice was ordered to go along with these items.

During this second visit, I was quite disappointed with some of their food. However, the positive side is that I realised that their marinated chicken is delicious. This time round their service was not that ideal. Had to call repeatedly before someone came to take our order. In addition, despite us asking for the rice to be served after the first dish came. The rice came only after all our dishes arrive despite us asking for it twice.

Detailed review: http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2011/10/mayim-north-point.html

A trip down to Paradise Dynasty on a weekday for lunch. We arrive before 12 noon. Do not be mistaken by the queue. They are waiting for either their friends or waiting to be seated. Still lots of space available inside at this time. Do note, you will only be brought inside when all your guest have arrived. The World’s First 8 Flavoured Xiao Long Bao which created lots of publicity online and in the media for this restaurant.

Tables near the entrance. This photo was taken as we were leaving at around 130pm. By then, the place was full. Not an easy accomplishment as it was a weekday and the place was huge!We were seated inside. Here you can spot more empty tables as these photos were taken when we arrived. Huge place with large sitting capacity. Amazing, it was full by 1245pm. Look at setting of this restaurant. Moreover, waiters and waitress were in uniform that makes you feel as if they are serving a prince/princess (you).

What drinks to order? Water or tea when the price is the same.

Well, we ordered tea, which was refillable.Needless to say, we ordered the Signature Dynasty Dumplings. Appearance wise, I would have given a perfect 10. Taste wise, it was a disappointment. Even the original flavour one was so-so. I would still prefer Crystal Jade’s.I ordered the La Mian with Sliced Pork in Signature Pork Bone Soup. The la mian was good, each strand was thin, soft and fragrant. Each piece of pork was thinly sliced. The half an egg was nicely cooked too with its runny yolk. The only down side was that the soup base was quite salty.The La Mian in Hot and Sour Soup was supposed to be spicy and sour. But it was way too sour.Overall, in terms of food, Paradise Dynasty reminds me of Crystal Jade. After tasting the food, I would prefer Crystal Jade’s Xiao Long Bao and La Mian. In terms of service, Paradise Dynasty’s service was prompt and efficient. Felt that Paradise Dynasty’s Xiao Long Bao was over-hyped. Nothing special. But overall, is still a decent place to come for lunch if you are in town especially for its la mian.

Detailed review: http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2011/09/paradise-dynasty-ion-orchard.html