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

V8 cafe is located at a corner of Bugis Junction. Unless you have heard of it or happen to walk pass, chances are that you would not have seen it. Pop by for lunch during a weekday on 2 different occasions. Not too crowded. The most 70% occupied.

Let's start with the first visit.

As it was my first visit, the item that caught my eye was V8 Cafe Signature Dish. After all, the signature dish is the item that will be the differentiating factor.

As it was during lunch time, the dish comes as a set along with soup and drink (Ice Lemon Tea).The soup of the day was Cream of Mushroom. Somehow what I notice was that it was half filled. Nothing comes free does it? =) It was a decent mushroom soup.In the V8 Cafe Signature Dish, the main item was the grilled chicken which was accompanied by whipped potato, coleslaw and carrots (boiled). The cheese did not overwhelmed the taste of the chicken. In fact, it complemented the taste. Inside, the chicken is tender and juicy. Outside the skin was crispy at the side. Thought that it was quite an average. But if it is the signature dish for V8 Cafe, then I will disagree as there is nothing special. You can get a similar item at other restaurants or western stalls in coffee shops.

Overall, service and ambience was good. If you find the background music too loud, you can request for the volume to be lowered. Food wise it was average.

Next will be on the 2nd visit. Again, similarly about 70% occupied.

Ordered the Chicken Cutlet $8.80. As it was lunch time, the meal came along with soup of the day and drink (Barley).The soup of the day was Cream of Mushroom again. Was half-filled. This time the soup was not as decent as the previous time. It was quite salty.The Chicken Cutlet was served with salad and onion rings. Just 3 pieces of onion rings which were oily. The chicken cutlet was even more oily. Not a decent dish.

Overall, service and ambience was good. But the food this time was way below average - terrible.

Detailed review: http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2011/09/v8-cafe-bugis-junction_18.html

My 2nd post on Twelve Cupcakes.

In a short time span of 7days, I have eaten cupcakes twice! Both occasions from Twelve Cupcakes. Cupcakes are addictive! Take a look at this article.Take a look at it's ceiling!Not a lot of variety left.Ordered 3 cupcakes. That would be $9.00The Chocolate Vanilla had a layer of chocolate cream cheese on top of vanilla cupcake. Was average. Nothing to fantastic.PB Chocolate... you maybe asking what does PB means? Well... it is Peanut Butter!! Peanute Butter on top of moist chocolate cupcake. This is delicious. What an idea. Definitely the best out of the three that was bought. I was tempted to just open a bottle of peanut butter and add more of it on top of this chocolate cake.Cookies and Cream on top of moist chocolate cupcake. The cookies and cream flavour was not strong enough. Else it would have been a deadly combination. Disappointing.

On another occasion on the same week..Vanilla cream cheese on red velvet cupcake was delicious. No wonder this is their bestseller. The vanilla cream was addictive.Lemon cheese cream on top of vanilla cupcake was average. Did not quite like the lemon flavour on the cream.

Overall, I can now change my top favourites to PB Chocolate followed by Red Velvet and Chocolate Chocolate! I am quite curious on how the cream are made as they are quite delicious and complement the cupcakes well. In addition, notice that chocolate cupcakes are better than vanilla cupcakes.

Detailed review: http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2011/11/twelve-cupcakes-millenia-walk-2nd.html

This is my 3rd visit to Tao's Restaurant. First visited this place 3 years ago in 2008. Recently, we went back to again on a Saturday afternoon. I was quite surprised to find that the layout of the place and even price has not changed. In terms of the menu, some of the items on the menu has changed.

Tao's Restaurant concept is to serve 6-7 course meal at an affordable price.

Lunch, it is 6 course meal at $19.80 ($23.30 nett)
Dinner, it is 7 course set meal at $29.80 ($35.07 nett)

What's the difference between lunch and dinner other than price? Well, for dinner there is an addition dish which is the Grilled King Oyster Mushroom & Sorbet. So far, have not eaten during dinner before so can't comment about this dish.

Now let's start with the lunch - 6 course set meal.Course 1: Starter - Bacon & Mushroom Gratin with soft toasted bread. It was baked in with mushroom, bacon and cheese. Using it as a spread for the bread, the Bacon & Mushroom Gratin was delicious although it was slightly on the salty end. You can ask for more serving of bread, I asked for 1 more to accompany this heavenly starter.

Course 2: Salads - Top Shell Salad with Cold Japanese Noodle. This dish was served cold. The top shell was served with chop chilli, peanuts, Japanese noodles and a dressing that seems similar to Thai dressing. This dish did not suit my taste bud as it was on the sour side.Course 2: Salads - Prawn Roll with Pork Floss. This dish is so much better than the Top Shell Salad. It was light, refreshing and sweet, the taste of this dish complement the ingredients well. Course 3: Soups - Cream of Mushroom. This dish is my favourite1 As mushroom is one of my favourite ingredient, this might be biased! This bowl of soup is 100 % mushroom! So many chunks of mushrooms between each flavour and the whole soup has a strong flavour/essence of mushroom (that I was wondering if my nose will start bleeding from being too heaty =P) Definitely home-made and totally different from the ones outside or the ones you find in cans. The only issue I had was why the bowl was not even half filled!

Course 3: Soups - Cream of Pumpkin. Ordinary, I prefer mushroom soup. Course 4: Main Entrees - Tao's Grilled Chicken Jumbo Leg. Surprisingly, there was a layer of chilli oil and giving it a spicy flavour which did not suit the sauce. Otherwise, the chicken leg was well cooked and well marinated. Moreover, it was very tender. Course 4: Main Entrees - Tao's Oven Roasted Steak. The steak was huge considering that this was our 4th dish. Moreover, it was well marinated and well cooked. It was tender, soft and tasty. I have no idea why the 2 dishes use the same sauce.But the mushroom sauce really spoilt the dish, does not compliment the steak. What about the sides (mashed sweet potato, yam chip and boiled broccoli)It was delicious!Course 5: Desserts - Creme Brule. After my previous 2 visit, I knew that the Creme Brule was a must order. But this time, I was disappointed. There was a very strong eggy flavour which even overwhelmed the flavour of the charred caramelised sugar. Course 5: Main Entrees - Tiramisu. This was good!

The 2 cup size are different!Course 6: Beverages - Lavender Tea. Too strong a flavour. Taste like medicine to me.

Course 6: Beverages - Iced Rose Apple Tea. Inside, there was pieces of apple and also rose bud. This was very refreshing and light. The fork at the side is used for the apples inside. Certainly something to try.

Overall, Tao's restaurant's lunch set is quite value for money. What I look forward to over here is Bacon & Mushroom Gratin, Mushroom Soup, Tiramisu and Iced Rose Apple Tea. If you noticed, the main course was not something I look forward to. As they were average or should I say below average. The service was good and prompt. I will definitely be back for some of the items here during lunch.

Detailed review: http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2011/09/taos-restaurant-pomo.html

Yomenya Goemon Japanese Spaghetti House is a Japanese food outlet that sells only spaghetti cooked the Japanese way! In addition, you get to eat your spaghetti with chopsticks! It is located at the new Marina Bay Link Mall. The nearest MRT station is Raffles Place MRT station near exit I.Both of us ordered the Set Lunch Menu. She ordered Set C whie I ordered Set A. Her choice of spaghetti was‘Smoked Chicken & Four Cheeses’ while mine was‘Mediterranean Tomato Cream Soup (Spaghetti with Fresh Seafood)’. Both would have cost $13.50 each if ordered as a la carte.For each set, only one serving from the salad bar is allowed. Look at the variety.I am such a typical Singaporean, my bowl was filled to the brim after my trip to the salad bar.We were told the Mediterranean Tomato Cream Soup was their top best seller. True, to the recommendation of the staff, it was delicious! This is a cream based pasta. It was not very creamy, hence eating was enjoyable even till the end.The seafood was very fresh. No wonder it is their best seller. Certainty something to try.Smoked Chicken & Four Cheeses another cream based pasta. It was too creamy, otherwise would certainty be another dish that would be a hit among foodies.Soup that comes with the set.Chocolate Cake with Cookie & Ice Cream would have cost $6.00 if it did not come along with the set. The cookie and ice cream were just average. But the chocolate cake was the star. Do give it a try!
Overall, i would definitely come back and try the other spaghetti again. Yummy! Moreover, the portion per serving was huge. If you are a small eater, you could order the half & half set and share with a friend. They are opening a 2nd outlet at Katong Mall somewhere in August this year. Wish that their 3rd can be situated at a more convenient location, such as Woodlands or Yishun.

Detailed review: http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2011/09/yomenya-goemon-japanese-spaghetti-house.html