Paradise Inn is one of the brands under the Paradise Group. Paradise Group has come a long way. Back then in 2002, it was located in a coffee shop in the industrial estate at Defu Lane. Today, Paradise Group has expanded rapidly over a short span of time to more than 30 restaurants with 8 different concepts. In addition, they have breached into the overseas market with 9 restaurants in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and China. Always good to hear that a Singapore brand has set foot into the overseas market.

Paradise Inn's concept is to replicate the concept of inn (tea house), restaurant and dessert house, and at the same time offer authentic and value for money food. Paradise Inn at Changi Airport Terminal 1 is the largest outlet under the Paradise Group with a capacity of more than 150 seats.As we visited the restaurant at 945pm on a weekday, the restaurant was relatively empty. Although the restaurant closes at 11pm, the last order is at 10pm.The Braised Peanuts $1.50, a common common starter at Chinese restaurants was highly addictive. Once you start with one, it would be hard to stop.There were a variety of floral and herb fruit-infused hot teas to choose from as its concept was a tea house too. We chose the Jasmine, Osmanthus, Dried Longan & Chrysanthemum Tea which cost $3.80 per person. Its benefit includes nourishing the heart, improving the immune system and strengthening eyesight. With the tea candle below, the tea was kept warm at all time. The Jasmine, Osmanthus, Dried Longan & Chrysanthemum Tea was light and refreshing. Tea lovers would love this!The La Mian with Beef Brisket Soup $10.80 came in either spicy or non-spicy version. The partner ordered the non-spicy version. The beef was tender and the broth was rich and tasty. A plus point to mention would be that the soup was not oily.I ordered the La Mian with Shredded Pork and Preserved Vegetables $7.80 in Signature Pork Bone Soup which was served with half an onsen egg. The la mian was quite good; smooth and springy. The broth was tasty and had the preserved vegetable (Sze Chuan vegetable) flavour was infused in the broth. Kudos to the chef for the execution as the broth was not overly salty, which is normally the case when preserved vegetable is used. Furthermore, the onsen egg was surprisingly very well executed!

We were so glad to enjoy such delicious Chinese cuisine the moment we arrived in Singapore! Home sweet home.

The Italian Restaurant Saizeriya was one of the 12 participating restaurants.Diners with Liang Court's Wednesdays' Food Trail Coupon can get to try the US Sirlion Steak (U.P. $11.90) with Salad and Free-flow Drink Bar (U.P. $3.90).The amount of food served with this coupon was astonishing. So generous! There was even a plate of rice! The salad which was served almost immediately after I had ordered the food.The US Sirloin Steak was average. It was the most expensive on Saizeriya's menu. I felt that the steak was a tad too dry and hard. The portion of the serving was big considering the price.

So far I have tried the set meals at two participating outlets. I am impressed by the portions. I would have expected that the servings would likely be 'downsized'. But well, I was wrong. I am glad that the serving was the same as what a normal customer (without coupon) would have been served. Kudos to Liang Court and participating restaurants! The little things that matters.

I must say, this Wednesdays' Food Trail Coupon was value for money.

For full review and more photos, please visit http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2013/07/liang-court-wednesdays-food-tasting.html

Liang Court held an event called Wednesdays' Food Tasting Trails in July and August 2013. Diners could purchase the Food Trail Coupon for $30 at the Customer Service Counter and enjoy 3 different set meals from 3 different restaurants in Liang Court and also a free beer. The first restaurant was been pre-selected, diners could choose their second and third stops from any of the remaining 11 participating F&B shops. I received a copy of the Food Trail Guide and two complimentary Wednesdays' Food Tasting Trails Coupons. As shown above, the coupon shows that my first restaurant (pre-selected) is Tamoya. Looking through all the set meals in the Guide, I decided to try Marutama Ramen first (there is no need to utilise the coupon in sequence). The Liang Court's Wednesdays' Food Trail Coupon allowed me to try the Zenbu-nose (U.P. $18). It was essentially the signature Marutama Ramen with all toppings! The toppings are the Kakuni (Stewed Pork Belly), Sliced Roasted Pork, Aosa (Seaweed), Negi (Spring Onions) and Half-Boiled Seasoned Egg.

Those who frequent Marutama Ramen would know that the signature Marutama Ramen (without toppings) would have cost $12 and an addition $6 is required if all toppings were added. The Zenbu-nose; with all toppings added!Three big pieces of Sliced Roasted Pork (Char Siew) were given. The roasted pork had quite a good balance of lean meat and fat ratio. So much so that it was tender.The Kakuni (Stewed Pork Belly) as it should be had a higher proportion of fats to lean meat compared to the Char Siew.'The Half-boiled Seasoned Egg would have been perfect if its yolk was runny as they had got the marination right. It was a pity that it was slightly overcooked and the yolk was not runny.This bowl of Zenbu-nose ramen came with lots of ingredients like how it should be. If you were to take the cost of the Food Trail Coupon (i.e. $30) and divide by 3 restaurants, it means that essentially, you are paying for $10 per restaurant (do not forget, there's a free beer too).

Chew on this: Having this bowl of Zenbu-nose ramen would have covered more than 50% of your purchase of the coupon.

DFor full review and more photos, please visit http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2013/07/liang-court-wednesdays-food-tasting.html

I made two trips down to Pek Kio Market and Food Centre on a Saturday and Saturday for breakfast as I have been wanting to try the popular Wah Kee Big Prawn Noodle 華記大蝦麵.But however, the stall was closed on both days! Never mind, there are other food worth eating in this food centre too! As I was walking around searching for another stall to patronise, I spotted this unique stall called Pin Wei Hong Kong Style Chee Cheong Fun 品味港式猪肠粉. This stall is located directly opposite Wah Kee Big Prawn Noodle.

What caught my attention was neither the queue nor was it the menu which offered Scallop ($4) and Abalone ($16.80) Chee Chong Fun. It was instead the fact that each piece was Chee Chong Fun was freshly made upon order, the traditional way (using a cloth)! Not factory made! The reason why there was a queue was because at anyone time, only two Chee Chong Fun (Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls) could be made. Standing there, observing the way the Chee Chong Fun was made, I must say that it was an enriching experience seeing the whole process of it and watching their nimble hands at work. The owner, the man in white shirt was friendly and approachable.I ordered the Char Siew Chee Cheong Fun which cost $2.50. The owner does not stinge on the ingredients. For $2.50, I got a plate of Char Siew Chee Cheong Fun which was double the portion of what is served elsewhere with another layer of Chee Cheong Fun stacked on top. In addition, there were lots of Char Siew fillings.

The Chee Cheong Fun was served in a delectable well-balanced sauce that comprised of light soy sauce and sesame oil. Personally, I preferred this type of sauce compared to version with dark soy sauce. Fragrant sesame seeds were sprinkled on top to enhance the taste. This Chee Cheong Fun; steamed rice roll was soft, thin and smooth, it was also able to hold the fillings without breaking. Pin Wei Hong Kong Style Chee Cheong Fun is certainly worth a try as it is of similar standard (or even better) to those served at restaurants and cheaper too! I can imagine myself having this for breakfast every weekend if I am staying at the block of flats next to it!

Life is interesting isn't? If Wah Kee Big Prawn Noodle was not closed, I would not have discovered this Chee Cheong Fun Stall! Literally - "When one door closes, another opens."

Ps: I noticed that more people ordered the Prawn Chee Chong Fun which cost $4.

For full review and more photos, please visit http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2013/07/pin-wei-hong-kong-style-chee-cheong-fun.html

Another trip to Jack's Place at level 2 of Woodlands Civic Centre. As I have done a few posts on Jack's Place, I shall not do any introduction on this chain of restaurant. You can read more about Jack's Place in the previous posts.Signature white and green checkered table cloth and menu. All branches in Jack's Place looks and feels alike.

We decided to order the Executive Set Lunch - N.Z. Ribeye Steak with Brown Sauce ($17.90) and were ordered that. As we were informing the staff that we wanted to upgrade to Lobster Bisque Soup (+$2.30), we were informed that we should order from the Administrative Professionals Week - Set Lunch Menu which would be more value-for-money as it comes with a choice of Lobster Bisque Soup or Cream of Fresh Shiitake Mushroom Soup. In addition, tempura prawns were served with the steak.

The staff was right. We were so glad that she made that recommendation! We both ordered the Grilled N.Z Ribeye Steak & Tempura Prawns. The staff kindly accommodated to our request for it to be served in the hot plate instead of a normal ceramic plate. Nothing beats eating steaks out of a sizzling hot plate! I am impress with the service! Thumbs up! Garlic Bread was served together with the soup. One piece for each person.As usual, being mushroom fantics we had to order the mushroom soup - Cream of Fresh Shiitake Mushroom Soup. A hearty bowl of soup was filled with lots of small chunks of shiitake mushrooms and mushroom flavour!Ever since I tried the Lobster Bisque Soup last year, I could not resist the temptation to order it again. Great soup, rich in flavour and great balance in taste. In addition, several chunks of lobster meat were in the soup. So affordable! The Lobster Bisque Soup is one of Jack's Place house specialty.For our main course, we both ordered the Grilled N.Z Ribeye Steak & Tempura Prawns. The staff kindly accommodated to our request to serve it in a sizzling hot plate instead of the norm which is to serve in a ceramic plate. As usual, Jack's Place never disappoint me. Their steaks were good. It may not be the best, but its way above average. Their baked potato and vegetables were good too. The tempura prawns on the other hand was forgettable.We always request for extra brown sauce. We both polish off the sauce off by complementing the sauce with the steak. So yummy! If only, I know how they made the brown sauce. The extra brown sauce was enough to make me satisfy me. Funny, how simple/trivia things can make a big difference. We ended off the meal with the Day's Dessert and Coffee & Tea.The Day's Dessert was Cherry Cake. It was not bad; not dry. Dense and well-flavoured cake.

For $18.90++ this meal was so value for money. In addition, I like their service. Staff are well trained, attentive and prompt. It was great that they made recommendation which was relevant to our needs wants. Great Job Jack's Place! I will be back! Nom Nom Nom..

I wonder how their other affiliated company - Eatzi Gourmet fares. Eatzi Gourmet serves similar food, the difference is that it is certified halal.

For full review and more photos, please visit http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2013/05/jacks-place-administrative.html