Starbucks Singapore: 1 For 1 Venti-Sized Christmas Beverage (1 Dec 2015)

Source: Starbucks Singapore

Starbucks Singapore: 1 For 1 Venti-Sized Christmas Beverage  (1 Dec 2015)

- Valid on  1 December 2015 from 3pm to 7pm
- Limited to 2 redemptions per customer.

Inako Scenic View Cafe Restaurant 清境伊拿谷景觀咖啡餐廳 (Taiwan, Nantou Country)

Roasted Chicken (Earthen Jar Chicken) 現烤甕缸雞 560 TWD (S$24.50)

Inako Scenic View Cafe Restaurant is an alfresco dining restaurant perched over a mountainous deep valley in Cingjing. 

This restaurant is well-known among Taiwanese for its food and scenery. It has been featured by their local magazines and visited by Taiwanese celebrities.  

This is the magnificent view from the dining area. It is beautiful and the air is so fresh. Coupled with the cooling weather, it is a perfect place to enjoy our food during the afternoon.

Set Menu

We ordered the Set Menu for 5 persons at 1200 TWD (S$52.40). It consisted of Steamed Live Trout 清蒸中段活鱒魚, Stirred Fried Mountain Vegetables with Mountain Pork Meat 山菜炒山豬肉, Crystal Shrimp 碧湖水晶蝦, Stirred Fried Chicken Soup Bamboo Shoot 雞湯滷桂竹筍, Highland Cabbage 高山高麗菜, Live Trout Head and Tail Soup 活鱒魚頭尾湯 and Steamed Rice.

We also ordered their signature Roasted Chicken (Earthen Jar Chicken) 現烤甕缸雞560 TWD (S$24.50). This is dish and the Steamed Live Trout 清蒸中段活鱒魚 are their signature dishes \.

Do note that, I have literally translated the Chinese characters to English Language. Hence, the dishes may sound weird in English Language.

The signature Roasted Chicken (Earthen Jar Chicken) 現烤甕缸雞 is a very famous dish here and this is a must try at the restaurant. The chickens are marinated and then cooked in huge earthen jar placed outside the restaurant. The chickens are hooked up-right and cooked (roasted).  The essence and fats from the chicken is then collected at the bottom. Each earthen jar can cook four chickens at any point in time. Every now and then, a staff will take out each chicken from the jar and spray them with a layer of oil before putting back to roast, resulting in the crisp skin and tender meat.  

Roasted Chicken (Earthen Jar Chicken) 現烤甕缸雞 560 TWD (S$24.50)

The signature Roasted Chicken (Earthen Jar Chicken) 現烤甕缸雞 560 TWD (S$24.50) was served with dipping sauce (i.e. chilli and salt) and interesting a pair of cotton knitted work gloves and plastic gloves! Just like what you see in the above photo.

The chicken was so tender that it was easily torn into smaller pieces by hand. Hence, gloves were provided. The chicken skin was crispy and there were no fats in between as the fats had all been roasted. The interior meat was juicy and tender, not dry at all. Taste wise, it was just nice and there was no need for me to use the dipping sauce. A must try! 

Highland Cabbage 高山高麗菜

These cabbage from the Highland Cabbage 高山高麗菜 dish were grown and harvested from the mountains. Although it was well cooked and the cabbage was sweet and crunchy, it was just an ordinary dish. 

Stirred Fried Chicken Soup Bamboo Shoot  雞湯滷桂竹筍

The Stirred Fried Chicken Soup Bamboo Shoot 雞湯滷桂竹筍 is another must try.This dish was well executed. They were so fresh and crunchy with a sweet taste. Not hard at all and taste so different from the ones you eat or can buy in Singapore. 

Crystal Shrimp 碧湖水晶蝦

The Crystal Shrimp 碧湖水晶蝦 was a very addictive dish. The shrimps were deep fried with their shells still intact and were lightly seasoned with pepper, salt and chilli. They were so well deep fried that the shells were so crisp and crunchy which the interior meat was soft and sweet. Perfect with plain rice (white steamed rice).

Stirred Fried Mountain Vegetables with Mountain Pork Meat 山菜炒山豬肉

The vegetables and pig used in this dish (i.e. Stirred Fried Mountain Vegetables with Mountain Pork Meat 山菜炒山豬肉) were grown from the mountains. They were very generous with the pork meat.

Steamed Live Trout 清蒸中段活鱒魚

This is another signature dish - Steamed Live Trout 清蒸中段活鱒魚. The trout fish was taken freshly from the fish tank. Its head and tail were removed leaving just the body. The fish was then cooked with shredded ginger, chili and garlic mixed with little soy sauce till it was 50% cooked. It would then be served to customers.  The staff would then advise the customers to wait 10 minutes as the fish would continue cooking. By then the fish would be perfectly cooked. 

Steamed Live Trout 清蒸中段活鱒魚

The trout fish had a lot of bones in it. Even for someone like me who is used to eating fish, I was extremely careful when eating this dish. I did not find this fantastic. 

Live Trout Head and Tail Soup 活鱒魚頭尾湯

As for the head and tail of the trout fish, they were not wasted. They were used to cook the Live Trout Head and Tail Soup 活鱒魚頭尾湯 together with ingredients such as mushroom and carrot.

Live Trout Head and Tail Soup 活鱒魚頭尾湯

The soup was lightly flavoured.

高山鱒魚

Look at the number of Trout Fish in the fish tank. Interestingly, they were all perceptually swimming in a particular direction. 

Inako Scenic View Cafe Restaurant 清境伊拿谷景觀咖啡餐廳(Taiwan, Nantou Country)

546南投縣仁愛鄉大同村仁和路信義巷36之1附1號

No. 25-1, Rénhé Rd, Renai Township, Nantou County, Taiwan 546

Tel: 049 280 3710

Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 9pm

Website

Facebook

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Starbucks: Buy 1 Get 1 Free Cakes and Cookies (till 26 Nov 2015)

Starbucks: Buy 1 Get 1 Free Cakes and Cookies (till 26 Nov 2015)
Buy 1 Get 1 Free Raspberry White Chocolate Brulee Cheesecake on 23rd Nov, Lemon Curd Cake on 24th Nov, Cookie Crumble Cheesecake on 25th Nov and Pistachio Cookies on 26th Nov.

- Valid till 26th Nov 2015
- While stocks last

Teochew Fish Ball Noodles (Wiseng Food Place)

Fishballs Noodle $3

This Teochew Fish Ball Noodles stall located at Wiseng Food Place coffee shop tucked away at a corner of Crawford Lane is a hidden gem. Although it is located a couple of blocks away from more well known Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle, this stall has its own group of loyal followers too. 

Teochew Fish Ball Noodles is manned by an elderly man with more than 50 years of experience. He first operated the stall at Selegie Road before moving to Kitchener complex and subsequently to its current location at Crawford Lane. Each time, his followers will follow him to his new location.

During lunch time, the waiting time would be around 20 to 30 minutes long. The fishball noodles now cost between $3 to $4, compared to $2.50 to $3 previously. 

Fishballs Noodle $3

This is the dry version of the Fishballs Noodles (mee pok) $3 with chilli.

Fishballs Noodle $3

It is served with sliced fishcakes, fishballs, meatball, minced meat, lean meat and topped with pork lard bits, fried garlic and sliced spring onions. I love this bowl of noodles as it is a simple no frills fishball noodles with fresh ingredients. I just cannot fault the ingredients or the taste of it. It is so simple yet so delicious. I also love the yummy well balance mixture of sauce which consisted of chilli, chilli oil and vinegar. The chilli used is different from those else where. 

Teochew Fish Ball Noodles (Wiseng Food Place)

#01-29 Wiseng Food Place
Block 462 Crawford Lane
Singapore 190462
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat from 8am to 3pm

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Dazzling Cafe Sky 蜜糖土司專賣店 (Taiwan, Taichung)

Vanilla Ice Cream Waffle 200 TWD (S$8.70) 

Dazzling Cafe is a popular cafe chain in Taiwan known for their Shibuya Honey Toast. Did you know the Dazzling Group first started out as a clothing and jewelry boutique called Dazzling Fashion before embarking on the Food and Beverage journey.

We went to Dazzling Cafe Sky in Taichung which is located in Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store.

We visited on a weekday afternoon at around 2.30pm. We were surprised to learn that the cafe was fully booked (all the air conditioned seats). Yes, at 2.30pm! Ridiculous right? It is a weekday, don't people need to work!

This whole area (indoor) was booked. Even the empty tables..as they were reserved by customers for the sitting at 3pm. We understand that those dining indoors had a 90-minute time limit., even then it was still fully booked. That is how popular Dazzling Cafe is!

The only place left is alfresco dining outside. But that means dining under the sun. These groups of customers were like us, they did not make any reservations.

After weighing our options, we decided to dine under the sun as this cafe was so popular and back then there was no plans to open the cafe in Singapore. It was quite warm but we still went for it =D

This is the menu.

Part of the drinks menu.

Soup, salad and appetizer menu.

The honey toast and waffle menu.

Fresh Tropical Fruit Tea (Pot) (cold) 160 TWD (S$7)

Each person was required to order a drink regardless of how much food is ordered. We ordered the Fresh Tropical Fruit Tea (Pot) (cold) TWD (S$7).

Fresh Tropical Fruit Tea (Pot) 160 TWD (S$7)

Each individual cup was filled with sliced fruits (apple, orange, grape and strawberry) and ice.

Fresh Tropical Fruit Tea (Pot) 160 TWD (S$7)

We all loved the Fresh Tropical Fruit Tea. It was light and refreshing. It kept us cooled and sane despite having to sit under the sun.

Dazzling Cocoa (35% Cocoa) 140 TWD (S$6.10)

This is the Dazzling Cocoa (35% Cocoa) 140 TWD (S$6.10). I had expected it to be better, but it was just too thin for my liking.

Truffle French Fries 210 TWD (S$9.10)

The Truffle French Fries 210 TWD (S$9.10) was delicious. The fries were straight cut (thick fries). They were hot, crisp and  full of truffle aroma. We all loved this dish and polished it off quickly.

Vanilla Ice Cream Waffle 200 TWD (S$8.70) 

Although we were here mainly for the dessert; Shibuya Honey Toast, we decided to also try their Vanilla Ice Cream Waffle 200 TWD (S$8.70). The ice cream was served at the side. The shape of the waffle was unique and it was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Hazelnut Chocolate Honey Toast 290 TWD (S$12.60)

Now this is the what we really came for, all the way from Singapore! Tada~ Hazelnut Chocolate Honey Toast 290 TWD (S$12.60). The two pictures did this no justice. It taste way better than it looks. We were very weary that the ice cream was melting very quickly in the heat hence the hastily taken photos.

Hazelnut Chocolate Honey Toast 290 TWD (S$12.60)

The Hazelnut Chocolate Honey Toast consisted of thick honey toast, vanilla ice cream and hazelnut sauce. The bread was perfectly flavored and toast. If you thought that the exterior was delicious, wait till you get to the interior. The toast cubes in the interior had hazelnut bits in them. And when you pop one into your mouth, the hazelnut flavour just seems to explodes out. The taste is totally out of the world. It made the trip worth it especially sunning ourselves outside and sweating for a good one hour for this. This is a must try! 

You have got to visit Dazzling Cafe in Taiwan! One of our member in this group has tried the outlet in Singapore and was disappointed. It was different from what she had in Taiwan. 

Dazzling Cafe Sky 蜜糖土司專賣店 (Taiwan, Taichung)
Shin Kong Mitsukoshi 台中新光三越  
Tai Zhong Gang Rd. Sec.2, No.111 3F 台中港路二段111號3樓 
Tel: 04 2251 8036
Opening Hours: Sun to Thur 11am - 930pm
                           Fri & Sat 11am - 10pm
Website

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McDonald's: Free Burgers, Brownie Bites & Customised Coke® Can (Nov 2015)

McDonald's: Free Burgers, Brownie Bites & Customised Coke® Can (Nov 2015)
13 Nov 2015, 11am onwards: 100 Free Create Your Taste Burgers will be given away at the following stores: Ang Mo Kio, Causeway Point, Lot One Shopping Mall, JEM, Kallang, Raffles City, Sun Plaza & Yishun Safra Outlets
14 Nov 2015: Free Customised Coke® Can with every Create Your Taste Meal at McDonald’s JEM & Sun Plaza Outlets
14 Nov 2015: Free Brownie Bites with every Create Your Meal upsized
21 Nov 2015: Free Customised Coke® Can with every Create Your Taste Meal at McDonald’s Kallang & Yishun Safra Outlets

- Available after breakfast hours
- While stocks last
- Only available at McDonald's Create Your Taste Outlets

Sogurt: "11.11" Treat - 1 For 1 Yogurt (11 Nov 2015)

Source: Sogurt

Sogurt: "11.11" Treat - 1 For 1 Yogurt (11 Nov 2015)

- Valid on 11 Nov 2015
- 1 for 1 free cup if your cup weighs between 110g - 119g
- Flash this Facebook post to enjoy the offer.

Bev C - Cafe & Fashion Retail Store (Malaysia, Johor Bahru)

Lemon Tea Ice Cube Drink and House Special Espresso Ice Cube Drink with Chocolate and Milk

Singapore and Malaysia are closely linked to each other in many aspects, even food. Just like how the number of cafes have emerged in Singapore in recent years, the number of cafes in Malaysia and Johor Bahru have also increased. One such cafe with a unique concept is Bev C.

Bev C is located around 15 minutes walk away from the the causeway / City Square. It stands out among the other cafes because of its unique concept and design. It is both a cafe and fashion retail store!

Bev C is uniquely design. From its appearance, it would not be a sweeping statement to say that a tremendous thoughts and effort had been placed into its design. It is suitable photo shoot, be it OOT (Outfit Of the Day), selfie or welfie.

Looks at these pictures.

There is even a cozy corner with a bed! How cool is that!

House Special Espresso Ice Cube Drink with Chocolate and Milk RM 12.90

As for their drinks, they are not only thirst quencher, but also Instagram worthy and unique. Most patrons will come here for their ice cubes drinks which are one of the must tries at this cafe due to its unique concept. The concept is not to use (normal) ice cubes which dilutes the drink. Hence, for this House Special Espresso Ice Cube Drink with Chocolate and Milk RM 12.90, it came with Espresso ice cubes!! Cold milk is then poured into the glass filled with  espresso ice cubes and chocolate.

Lemon Tea Ice Cube Drink RM 12.90

Another popular drink that is enjoy by patrons from all walks of life is the Lemon Tea Ice Cube Drink RM 12.90.

Lemon Tea Ice Cube Drink RM 12.90

Yes, you saw this correctly, there are lemon tea ice cubes. It is so refreshing and perfect for this scorching weather!

White Chocolate Truffle Pie RM 13.90

The White Chocolate Truffle Pie RM 13.90 is one of their best sellers at this cafe. Very forgiving in terms of taste and not overly sweet. The truffle flavour was on the faint end though.

To me, Bev C stands out more as a cafe compared to a clothing retail store. With its unique design and menu, it is bound to attract even more attention from both sides of the causeway although it is located along the same alley with many other cafes. Great place to chill out at! 

Bev C - Cafe & Fashion Retail Store (Malaysia, Johor Bahru)
54 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee 
80000 Johor Bahru
Tel: 07 221 3530
Opening Hours: Tue to Thur, Sun 11am - 8pm 
                         Fri to Sat 11am - 10pm 
                         Closed on Monday
Website

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Starbucks Singapore: 1 For 1 Venti-Sized Christmas Drink (2 to 5 Nov 2015)

Source: Starbucks Singapore

Starbucks Singapore: 1 For 1 Venti-Sized Christmas Drink (2 to 5 Nov 2015)

- Valid from 2 to 5 Nov 2015 from 3pm to 7pm
- Valid for Venti-sized Peppermint Mocha, Toffee Nut Latte, Gingerbread Latte and Christmas Panettone Latte
- Valid at all Starbucks outlet in Singapore