Lady M Confections Singapore (Marina Square)

Lady M Confections has opened a store in Singapore at Marina Square! This is its first store outside of US. Interestingly, this is only Lady M Confections' fifth outlet! The other four stores are located in New York and Los Angeles. Now you do not have to travel all the way to US to try this! 

Lady M Confections first opened in 2001 in New York and is well known for its cakes especially the mille crepe cake which uses a combination of French pastry techniques and Japanese etiquette of precision. In fact, many have claimed that Lady M Confections is the one who started the milli crepe cake craze.

We visited Lady M Confections Singapore on a Saturday at 5pm. To our surprise, there was a queue of around 5 persons in front of us although there were a few empty tables. From observation, it seemed that there was insufficient staff. Some of the tables were still not cleared. We waited around 10 minutes before we got into the cafe. 

The store looks similar to the other stores in US with white theme used for its setup and furnishing. It was a pity the ambience was noisy, making it hard to hold a decent conversation. In addition, with 56 seats, if you are coming in a group of more than 5, it may be hard to get a table.

Cake Menu

The cake menu is appended above. It was a pity the Green Tea Mille Crepe was not available. 

Vanilla Mille Crepe $7.50

The signature Vanilla Mille Crepe cost $7.50. This mille crepe cake was essentially a layered caked made up of more than 20 layers of paper thin crepes, with a vanilla cream filling between each layer. Each of these cakes are handmade over a period of 10 hours!

The top of the Vanilla Mille Crepe was lightly caramelized. The more than 20 over layers of crepes were incredibly thin with a soft texture. The light aromatic pastry cream with a hint of vanilla flavour complement the layers well. The Vanilla Mille Crepe was delicious on the first few mouthful. However, towards the end, we felt that it was too sweet and had difficulty finishing it. 

Checker $8

The Checker $8 was a checkered vanilla and chocolate sponge cake covered in chocolate ganache. The cubes of chocolate and vanilla sponge cake were alternated to form checkered pattern. Each of these cubes were separated by light pastry cream. Personally, I thought that the layer of cream between each cube was too thick. The rich and bitter chocolate ganache complemented the sponge cake well. At $8 per slice, I thought that the cake was pretty ordinary. I would have expected something better for this price.

I am not particularly wowed by the cakes I had at Lady M Confections Singapore. In addition, the service needs to be improved. The staff had a tendency to look straight and not look around the surroundings. It was a challenge looking for one to take order or to even ask for the bill. If you are dining in, there will be a 10% service charge. I doubt I will be back anytime soon.. unless they have the Green Tea Mille Crepe (which is something I want to try).

Good news for fans of Lady M. By October, a second outlet will be opened in One Fullerton.

Lady M Confections Singapore (Marina Square)

#02-103 Marina Square Shopping Mall 

6 Raffles Boulevard  

Singapore 039594

Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 9pm

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Liang Court Wednesdays' Food Tasting Trails: Tamoya, Shakey's Pizza and Dulcet & Studio

Continue on with my previous post on Liang Court Wednesdays' Food Tasting Trails, I made 2 trips down to Liang Court on the last day of the food trail for both lunch and dinner. 

Tamoya Udon

For lunch, I visited Tamoya Udon which is a Japanese restaurant that specialises in handmade Udon.

Tamoya Udon

With the Liang Court's Wednesdays' Food Trail Coupon, I was able to try the large Curry Udon (U.P $10.80) with Prawn Tempura (U.P $2.50), Fried Chicken (U.P $1.50) and Chikuwa Tempura (U.P $1). 

Curry Udon

The Curry Udon was delicious. The Udon handmade using three types of flour was the highlight. It was chewy yet soft and smooth. The curry with lots of onions added to it complemented the udon well. 

Prawn Tempura, Chikuwa Tempura and Fried Chicken

The Fried Chicken was decent, while the Prawn and Chikuwa Tempura were disappointing. Both the tempura were cold, hard and no longer crisp. They were also coated with too much batter.

For dinner, the Partner and I went for Shakey's Pizza.

The Liang Court's Wednesdays' Food Trail Coupon provided us with several choices:
(a) Slim Trim Caesar Salad (U.P $5) and Spaghetti Carbonara (U.P $13.80)
(b) Shakey's Baby Back Ribs (Full Slab) (U.P $19.80)
(c) Oishi Wasabi Premium Pizza (90-inch) (U.P $19.80) or;
     Hula Hawaiian Classic Pizza (9-inch)(U.P $18.80)

We went for option (a) and (c). 

Slim Trim Caesar Salad and Spaghetti Carbonara

We ordered the Slim Trim Caesar Salad and Spaghetti Carbonara.

Slim Trim Caesar Salad 

The Slim Trim Caesar Salad consisted of lettuce, egg, parmesan cheese, bacon bits and garlic bread was quite good. Considering the fact that we seldom take salad, we finish this entire dish!

Spaghetti Carbonara

The Spaghetti Carbonara served with bacon and mushrooms with creamy egg sauce may not be the best, but it as certainly quite decently executed.

Oishi Wasabi Premium Pizza 

As we wanted to try something different we decided to order Oishi Wasabi Premium Pizza which consisted of shrimps, scallops, pineapples and wasabi sauce topped with lots of bonito flakes. Surprisingly, the wasabi sauce did not overwhelm the taste and complemented this dish well. We both felt that the shrimps and scallops did not match up to this pizza. Both ingredients were not exactly fresh. What a waste.

Dulcet & Studio

After dinner we walked round the shopping centre and also visited Mediya, the Japanese supermarket while waiting for our food to digest. Before, we headed back home, we stopped over at Dulcet & Studio for its cakes.

The food trail coupon enabled us to order two pieces of cakes and also a cup of regular coffee. As we visited at close to 9pm, most of the more popular cakes had already been sold out. We were just left with three choices. =(

We chose the Rose Chiffon Cake (U.P. $7) and Macha Marble Chiffon Cake (U.P. $4)  with a cup of regular coffee.

Macha Marble Chiffon Cake

The Macha Marble Chiffon Cake was just average. It was soft and fluffy but too dry.  The macha flavour could have been stronger.

Rose Chiffon Cake

The Rose Chiffon Cake fared better. It was soft, fluffy and had a stronger rose fragrant.

The coffee was a huge disappointment. We took just two sips and left it untouched.

That's all for the Liang Court Wednesdays' Food Tasting Trails. I wonder if they will hold this again next year. It's so value for money!

Liang Court Wednesdays' Food Tasting Trails: Tamoya, Shakey's Pizza and Dulcet & Studio
Liang Court, 177 River Valley Road
Singapore 179030
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Pork Knuckle Lunch and Lake Titisee (Germany, Titisee)

After leaving Nancy (France), we opted to visit Titisee (Germany). All I can say is that we made the right decision as the view there was magnificent and it was snowing! 

The breath-taking scenery while we were on the way to Titisee. It was quite cool that when we left France for Germany, we did not even need to step down and show our passport.

Titisee

When we arrived at Titisee, it was not snowing. The wind (as seen on the right) was howling furiously and it was just so freezing cold. If we thought that the temperature was cold at France.. this was another test for us and also a preparation of what was to come in Switzerland.

At Titisee, we first visited the Drubba which is a Cuckoo Clock maker and seller. Besides that the shop also sells a variety of branded watches, jewelries, wallets and accessories.

Drubba Cuckoo Clocks

The Cuckoo Clocks are made from scratch. Beautiful handicrafts! After that we headed for a Pork Knuckle lunch at the restaurant above Drubba. The restaurant name is called Hochfirst. It is a new restaurant in the existing Zur Mühle Restaurant. Hochfirst is located at the first floor while Zur Mühle is located at the ground floor. I believe that both restaurants are run by the same management. 

The view at the restaurant was amazing. They offer a panoramic view of the backdrop of the adjacent Black Forest. As the snow fell from the sky, it enhanced the beauty of the scenery. The restaurant was less than half full at the time of visit. A possible reason could be because it was already 2pm. 

A tip to share with everyone. This restaurant provides free wifi! You can approach the waitress and ask her for the password. Awesome right? 

Soup

We were first served a small bowl of vegetable soup which was quite salty. 

Fries

Fries for sharing. 

Rice

Rice for sharing too. We hardly touched it as there was too much carbo and meat. 

Pork Knuckle

Huge Pork Knuckle. It was memorable for the wrong reasons. Dry, hard, tough and it still had lots of (visible) hair.. I just zoom straight in for the meat and did not eat the exterior. Pretty tasteless. Mixing the sauce with the meat did help to enhance the taste.

Black Forest Cake

Black Forest Cake was quite good. But would be better if there was less cream. 

Ice Wine

Lastly, Ice Wine before we headed out to play in the snow (sounds like we are children!). It starting snowing after our meal. Perfect timing!

You can click on all photos to enlarge.

Lake Titisee

Lake Titisee which looks misty as it was snowing. The lake takes a long time to freeze as the wind is strong. You can notice the water surface moving.

Snowflakes

I have heard of the term snowflake before. But this was the first time I noticed that the snow that landed onto us was literally shaped like a snowflake. Cool! The previous few occasions where I experience snowing, the snow was just circular or round in shape. In the above picture, you can spot two similar shape snowflakes. We saw several other types of snowflakes that day. It was the only occasion we witness snowflakes throughout our stay in Europe although it was snowing in Switzerland.

Pork Knuckle Lunch and Lake Titisee (Germany, Titisee) 

Seestraße 37 - 41 

79822 Titisee-Neustadt, Germany

Tel: +49 7651 981200

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Jack's Place - Administrative Professionals Week (Woodlands Civic Centre)

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 feel alike.

Administrative Professionals Week - Set Lunch Menu

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

Garlic Bread was served together with the soup. One piece for each person.

Cream of Fresh Shiitake Mushroom Soup

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!

Lobster Bisque Soup

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.

Grilled N.Z Ribeye Steak & Tempura Prawns

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.

Brown Sauce

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. 

Day's Dessert and Coffee & Tea

We ended off the meal with the Day's Dessert and Coffee & Tea.

Cherry Cake

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.

Jack's Place - Administrative Professionals Week (Woodlands Civic Centre)

#02-05/06 Woodlands Civic Centre

Tel: 6363 4803

Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 1030pm

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Dulcet & Studio (Liang Court)

Earlier this year, the operators of Tampopo Group opened a new Japanese lifestyle concept restaurant with western cuisine called Dulcet & Studio at Liang Court. With this, Tampopo Group now operates three F&B restaurants in Liang Court; Tampopo Restaurant, Tampopo Deli and Dulcet & Studio. Tampopo Group also operates the Tarafuku Japanese Buffet at Somerset 313, 

Dulcet & Studio serves a fusion of japanese and western cuisines such as salad, soup and pasta using Japanese ingredients. For example, Black Pig is used in their Bolognese Fettuccine Pasta. Another interesting  consideration is that they also serves Tampopo's signature desserts such as the Scoop Cake as well as the Matcha Chiffon!  

Wide varieties of cakes and puddings to choose from. Spot the Scoop Cakes and Matcha Chiffons?

Besides dishing out food for customers, the inner half of the dining space is actually a cooking studio where culinary classes can be held . Hence, the name 'studio' in Dulcet & Studio. 

Dulcet & Studio is marketed as a self-service restaurant. Customers place their order at the counter and make the payment. Next, customers are supposed to collect their order and cutlery and sauces from cutlery station. After finishing the meal, customers are supposed to clear their tables. Well, for the record, the food was served by the waitress and while I was enjoying my dessert to arrive, the table was cleared. =)

Cutlery station

The cutlery station where the utensils and sauces are. 

After placing my order, I went back to my table as I was given a queue number. (so much for collecting the orders ourselves)

While waiting for the food to arrive, customers can peek into the kitchen through the glass windows. 

Mushroom Cappuccion $5.50

The Mushroom Cappuccino was served with a piece of bread. The bread was impressive. So ordinary looking, it was served warm and was so soft and fluffy on the inside. I wish that I could have more of this bread. 

Mushroom Cappuccion $5.50

Mushroom Cappuccion $5.50

The Mushroom Cappuccino was unique. It was served in a cup instead of a bowl. In addition, had a layer of foam on top. The soup was full of mushrooms chunks and mushroom essence. 

Bacon & Mushroom Cream Tagliolini Pasta $12

The Bacon & Mushroom Cream Tagliolini Pasta was consisted of pasta with 2 long slices of bacon and lots of fragrant mushroom. It was a pity the bacon was too dry and salty as the pasta and the mushrooms when mix well was delicious.

Fresh Chicken Leg Confit $11

Fresh Chicken Leg Confit $11

The chicken on the Fresh Chicken Leg Confit was on the oily end. It was saved by, the moist and tender meat on inside while its skin was crispy. Best to polish this off immediately before the skin soak up the oil and becomes soggy. The fries served at the side had the hallmark of a good fries. Crispy and solid while soft and fluffy on the inside. It was a pity that we both agreed that it was too salty.

Tea Time Cake $2

Besides food, the desserts here are a must try. After all they are by Tampopo's Deli! You will be spoilt for choice as there is a wide variety of cakes or puddings. We decided to try the Tea Time Cake as we had not tried it before. It was a Hokkaido Chiffon Cake hence costed $2; reasonably priced. Still personally preferred the Scoop Cake as well as the Matcha Chiffon. 

Dulcet & Studio (Liang Court)

177 River Valley Road

#01-41/42 Liang Court

Tel: 6338 9248

Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 10pm

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