29 April 2014

Bei Zhan Restaurant 北栈 (Malacca)

Established in 1995, Beizhan Restaurant occupied a small shop lot and provided "Healthy Home Cook Delicacy" (家常菜) to their customers. Gradually, with the support of their customers, Beizhan Restaurant moved to a unique building in 2009 for a bigger space in order to cater for more customers and all kinds of occasion.
How to get there?
Address: No. 43 Jalan Kota Laksamana 2/17, Taman Kota Laksamana Seksyen 2, 75200 Melaka
Tel: +606 281 2684 / 288 2684 / 281 5684
Bei Zhan Restaurant Website

The restaurant is near and within walking distance from Holiday Inn Melaka.

Opening hours
Daily from 11am to 2.30pm (Lunch) & 5.30pm to 10pm (Dinner)
Pattaya Fried Chicken 芭提雅酥鸡 (S) RM12
Fried Vegetables with Garlic 清炒时菜 (S) RM8
Cod Fish 鳕鱼 (Market Price)
Then, the market price was RM0.22 per gram and the cod fish weighed 420 grams.
We paid RM 92.40 for the cod fish and was worth it. The cod fish tasted good with the light soy sauce.
Seasoned Steamed Pork 红烧扣肉 (S) RM15
Buns 花包 (RM0.60 each)
Fill the buns with seasoned steamed pork
 Black Pepper Lamb Shank in Mongolian style 蒙古黑椒羊扒 (M) RM50

Overall, the dining experience was pleasant. The staff were polite and friendly.

26 April 2014

Discover the Next Generation Chocolate - Purity from Nature!

Cacao Barry, the world's leading gourmet chocolate brand, unveils the next generation of chocolate couvertures - Purity from Nature!
The Purity from Nature chocolate couvertures - Ocoa, Inaya and Alunga are stemmed from a rising demand for premium chocolate by artisans, chocolatiers and pastry chefs.
Ocoa, a dark and distinctive chocolate couverture (70% cocoa) with good cocoa taste and a hint of acidity. Suitable for enrobing and moulding.

Inaya, a dark chocolate couverture (65% cocoa) with intense cocoa taste, has a good balance between bitterness and acidic notes. Suitable for mousse, ganache and moelleux.

Alunga, a milk chocolate couverture (41% cocoa) that is slightly sweet with a dominant taste of cocoa and milk. Suitable for mousse and ganache.
"Pure, Intense and Traceable chocolate!"
Fermentation is a crucial step in awakening and extracting the best flavours from the beans. Cacao Barry took years of painstaking research that resulted in the Q-Fermentation method, in which specific micro-organisms naturally present in the plantation brings out the most outstanding purity and intensity from beans.

For the launch of Purity from Nature chocolate couvertures in Asia-Pacific, Cacao Barry Singapore collaborated with 4 chefs on "Creative Day" to create eight extraordinary recipes which incorporate local ingredients with Purity from Nature.

Andres Lara
Cacao Barry Ambassador
Group Pastry Chef, Jason Atherton Group
Taking a Zen approach towards his desserts, he adopts an open mind and has developed a unique style over the years, reflecting sophistication and elegance in his creations.

Thierry Delourneaux
Executive Pastry Chef, Fairmont Singapore & Swissotel The Stamford
An avid chocolate lover who worked tirelessly to further refine his recipes to achieve the aromatic KaruKera 70% (a chocolate infused with intense cocoa flavours with a tinge of floral note, the right balance of bitterness and sweetness). The signature Karu Kera 70% comprises aromatic cocoa beans from Cacao Barry grown in exotic locations.

Ivy Wong
Pastry Chef, Fairmont Singapore & Swissotel The Stamford
A multi-award winning pastry chef who creates her very own 45% couverture chocolate, a milk chocolate profile with a unique lingering bitter aftertaste.
Janice Wong
Chef and owner of 2am:dessertbar and 2am:experience
Recently named Asia's Best Pastry Chef for the 2nd consecutive year, her meticulous and flawlessly designed desserts showcase her technical abilities while paying homage to art and fashion.
"The perfect couverture should be unrivalled in purity and intensity, a height which Purity from Nature has achieved. These chocolates have been designed for specific applications and allows me to freely express myself in my desserts," said Janice Wong.

"Pure Intensity from Nature"
Hear from the chefs about incorporating local ingredients with Purity from Nature!
During the Asia-Pacific launch, we tasted some delicacies created with the chocolate couvertures.
Personally, I like the delicacy that used Alunga (41% cocoa) as a coating, with a topping of caviar.
It is an ideal combination of the new generation chocolate couvertures and ingredients, which appeal to our taste buds.
Eager to taste the chocolates?
Chef Janice Wong will be using the new generation of chocolates (Ocoa, Inaya and Alunga) in her 2am:dessertbar.

How to get there?
Address: 21a Lorong Liput, Holland Village Singapore 277733
Tel: +65 6291 9727

By Car -
  • Along Holland Avenue, turn into Lorong Liput and park at the open car park (Electronic system parking)
By Public Transport -
  • Alight at Bus No. 11419 (Holland Village Stn) - Bus No. 48, 61, 106, 970
  • Alight at Bus No. 11261 (Holland Village) - Bus No. 7, 61, 75, 77, 95, 165, 970

Nearest MRT Station: Holland Village (CC21)

Opening hours
Mon to Sat: 6pm to 2am
Closed on Sundays

22 April 2014

Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum (Malacca)

Located along Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock which is next to Jonker Street, Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum provides a glimpse into the culture of Peranakans - Baba (Straits-born gentleman) and Nyonya (Straits-born lady) in the early 20th-century Malaya. The tour is conducted around the house which is a combination of three terrace lots that were acquired by the Chan family in 1861.
How to get there?
Address: 48 & 50, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: +606 283 1273
Opening hours
Mon to Thurs: 10am to 1pm, 2pm to 4.30pm
Fri to Sun: 9.45am to 4.30pm
(Last morning tour at 11.45am, last afternoon tour at 3.45pm)

Entrance Fee (Conducted Tour)
Adult - RM 15
Child (5-12 years old) - RM 10
(Entrance fees increased with effective from 1 Jan 2014)
Very interesting tour which provides a better understanding into the Peranakans' way of life.
I couldn't take photos as video and photo-taking are prohibited in the Museum.
Visit the website for more information and photos.

Read my post on Malacca.

Where else have I been in Malacca?

17 April 2014

Two Blur Guys (Boat Quay)

Two Blur Guys adopted the New York concept cafe and opened their first cafe in the bustling CBD area, Tanjong Pagar. The cafe offers 6 different signature burgers. I have gone to their second cafe at Boat Quay which is much more spacious. As the cafe is located at Boat Quay, they provide alcoholic drinks. Good place to have some burgers and chill out!
How to get there?
Address: 64 Boat Quay Singapore 049852 (Boat Quay Shophouses)
Tel: 6536 7904

By Car -
  • Along South Bridge Road, turn left into Circular Road and park at the kerbside carpark lots
  • Or along South Bridge Road, turn left into North Canal Road and park at the kerbside carpark lots
  • Alternatively, turn into Carpenter Street and park at the open carpark

By Public Transport -
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 05029 (Boat Quay) - Bus No. 51, 61, 63, 80, 124, 145, 166, 174, 197, 851, 961
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 04239 (Clarke Quay Stn, New Bridge Rd) - Bus No. 2, 12, 33, 54, 147, 190
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 04222 (Clarke Quay Stn, Eu Tong Sen St) - Bus No. 2, 12, 33, 51, 54, 61, 63, 80, 124, 145, 147, 166, 174, 190, 197, 851, 961

Nearest MRT Station: Clarke Quay (Exit E)
Truffle Fries
Prime Beef with Portobello
Premium Beef & Grilled Mushroom
 Prime Beef with Streaky Bacon
Ground beef patty stuffed with streaky bacon and Gruyere cheese
Pulled Pork
Marinated pork, Gruyere cheese and honey mustard
Smoked Salmon
Selected Salmon fillet topped with Avocado Salsa
Other Outlet
Address: 1 Tras Link #01-13 Orchid Hotel Singapore 078867
Tel: 6636 4183

By Car –
  • Coupon parking along Tras Street, Wallich Street, Tg Pagar Road or Peck Seah Street
  • Alternatively, park in the Multi-Storey Carpark at Tg Pagar Plaza (Cashcard payment)

By Bike –
  • Coupon parking along Choon Guan Street or Tras Street (behind Amara Shopping Ctr)
  • Alternatively, park in the Multi-Storey Carpark at Tg Pagar Plaza (FOC)

By Public Transport –
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 05429 (Bef Wallich St) / 05421 (Aft Craig Road) - Bus No. 80, 145

Nearest MRT Station: Tanjong Pagar (Exit A)

Opening hours
Mon to Sat: 11am to 9.30pm
Closed on Sundays

Two Blur Guys Facebook

14 April 2014

Indulge in a Gratifying Gourmet Experience with Saboten (さぼてん)!

Established in 1966, Saboten (さぼてん) has more than 500 branches worldwide which is the largest Tonkatsu chain in Japan. It is well-known for its heavenly breaded, deep-fried pork and chicken cutlets. And has become the definite place for Katsu aficionados. In addition, Saboten provides excellent Tonkatsu experience with the finest and freshest ingredients!
On 14 April 2014, the Saboten outlet at IMM unveils a brand new dining concept!
A total of 18 new set meals of affordable prices from S$14.90, will be introduced and are available from then on.

How to get there?
Address: 2 Jurong East Street 21 #01-19, IMM Building Singapore 609601
Tel: 6898 3432

By Car -
  • Along Jurong Gateway Road, turn left and in a short distance, turn left to enter the carpark
  • Free parking for the 1st 3 hours

By Public Transport -
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 28659 (IMM Bldg) / 28651 (Opp IMM Bldg) - Bus No. 52, 105, 188, 333, 502
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 28669 (Jurong East Warehse) - Bus No. 183
  • Alight at Jurong East Bus Interchange - Bus No. 51, 52, 66, 78, 79, 97, 98, 105, 143, 160, 183, 197, 333, 334, 335, 506
  • Free Shuttle Bus to and fro Jurong East MRT Station (Pick-up point at JCube & Westgate) Daily from 10.30pm to 10.30pm (10-15 mins interval)

Nearest MRT Station: Jurong East (Take the Shuttle Bus)

Opening hours
Daily from 11am to 10pm (Last order at 9.30pm)

We started our meal with the cabbage!
 Pour the creamy Goma ごま dressing over the cabbage.
The cabbage will help to have better digestion.
Chawanmushi 茶碗蒸し
(Comes with the set meal, the chawanmushi tastes smooth and interestingly, consists of corn)
 Sesame is provided to pour on the rice to entice the meal and it is also beneficial for our health.
 Grind the Sesame in the Japanese mortar (Suribachi すり鉢) with the pestle (Surikogi 擂粉木).
Out of the 18 new set meals, we have gotten an opportunity to taste the following:

Aka Ebi Mentai & Half Loin Katsu Gozen
(The prawns which span the size of the serving plate, are crowned with ebi mayo!)
Black Pepper Kurobuta Teppanyaki & Halibut Katsu Gozen (S$18.90)
(The black pepper consists of a piquant taste and the crispiness of the Halibut Katsu, enliven the meal)

 Alternatively, you could order the Black Pepper Kurobuta Teppanyaki & Half Loin Katsu Set which comes with Salmon Sashimi.

Another set meal is the Twin Set Katsu Supreme & Wagyu Beef Shabu Shabu Set.
The beef is sliced thinly so that each slice melts in your mouth!
If you simply love chicken meat, order the Chicken Teriyaki & Chicken Katsu Set.
3 Days Special Promotion!
On 18 April 2014, customers can enjoy 50% off on their favourite Saboten set menus. (Available on selected items only).

On 19 & 20 April 2014, customers who dine in Saboten will receive a secret reward gift from the restaurant, including complimentary meal vouchers, dining vouchers and many more exciting prizes to be won!

Hurry and dine at Saboten!
Visit their Facebook for more information.

Last but not least, I'd like to thank Jaslyn and Racheal for the invitation!