Soup Restaurant

My stomach was not feeling as good these few days. Wondering if its gastric that I had gotten beause of all the irregular hours of dining due to work. Ted says maybe I should get a good remedy through drinking some nice hot nourishing soup. I thought maybe too.. because my stomach seem to have lost its sense of hunger and wasnt capable of absorbing or feeling for solid food anymore.

With that in mind, we headed for Soup Restaurant. Some nourishing soup to cure my stomach or gastric hopefully! A pleasant nice ambience with bamboo settings at the exterior of the restaurant welcomed us.

Soup Restaurant. The House of Chinatown Heritage Cuisine. The cuisines offered at the restaurant were simple dishes which used to be the staple food of the Chinese Samsui women in Singapore's Chinatown. (Some history for your information, Samsui women are the Chinese Hakka and Cantonese female immigrants from China who used to work as construction workers during the olden days. Wearing red headgear and in blue uniforms, these strong women were called the "Samsui women" because of their place of origin, the Sam Sui district of Sanshui county. Samsui means "three water", a reference to three rivers that flow there, namely the West River, North River and Sui River which are branches of the river Zhu Jian.) The simple pleasures are cleverly delivered at the restaurants as fine Chinese cuisines. Chinese herbal soups, in particular are what this restaurant boosts of. And you will know why the Chinese is so good at it! The soup really sizzles! It is also precisely the reason why Ted and me went there for! SOUP!

We surveyed the brown environmental friendly paper menu. We decided upon the Boiled Soup of the Day for two - which was the Winter Gourd with Lean Meat Soup. There were also many other delicious Chinese herbal soup such as Scallop with herbal Black Chicken, Lingzhi Chicken Soup, Herbs with Snakehead Fish Soup etc etc. Each soup is to remedy a specific cause, for example, some is to remedy fatigue, combat insomnia, for strengthening the body or just simply to supplement the lungs. That is how amazing the Chinese soup can be!

Steamed Minced Pork with Water Chestnut

The recommended dish at the restaurant was actually the "Samsui Ginger Chicken" but we decided to give it a miss as my stomach was not too good. To a foodie like me, its very sad when you are sick and dont feel for food anymore... Just to complete the dinner, we also ordered the Steamed Minced Pork with Water Chestnut and the staple Ah Por (in Chinese meaning "Grandmother's") tapioca leaves. I feel bad that because of my state, Teddy had to endure and have these simple dishes for dinner with me. But fortunately the cuisines turn out simply great!! And Ted has no complaints about it. He even surprised by saying that we should go to this place more often to have more healthy and nourishing meals!

Boiled Soup of the Day - Winter Gourd with Lean Meat Soup & Peanut appetiser

Despite my failing stomach, I could feel for the hot and delicious Winter Gourd with Lean Meat Soup. It came served in a hot Chinese herbal pot. It must have been boiled for hours because the natural goodness of the meat and the gourd just blends so well into the soup. Making it such a wonderful remedy to my stomach. Thank you! It was such a nice warm feeling.

The other 2 cuisines we ordered though simple, were well cooked too. Maybe the cooking sauce is the key to the great taste. My taste buds did not fail me and I could still savour the tantalising food. I am sure anyone looking for simple satisying meal will not be disappointed at The Soup Restaurant. You should try it too! And dont forget to try those steamed peanuts served as appetisers before the meal. They were simply unforgettably good!

Soup Restaurant has 13 outlets located over Singapore, in places like Changi Airport, Jurong, Ang Mo Kio, Bras Basah, Suntec City, Novena, Orchard, Scotts, Somerset, Tampines, Woodlands and Sengkang. The one we visited was at 19 Hougang Ave 10 #02-21 Hougang Mall, Singapore 583766 Tel: 6386 6188.

Hotel Intercontinental Olive Tree Restaurant

Craving for some delicious nice food, we headed for Hotel Intercontinental at Bugis Junction. Olive Tree Restaurant caught my attention immediately when I stepped in the hotel. The electronic signboard was displaying “$55++ Seafood Buffet”. Delicious and being so hungry that I could chew an elephant down, I persuaded Ted to have that with me. So it was Olive Tree for us that evening!

I love a place that sets me at ease when I dine. That’s how Olive Tree Restaurant made me felt in that warm cosy Mediterranean ambience. Feel like I’m transported to Italy!

The people in the restaurant are all real gem too! Really friendly and thoughtful! I put them to the test that evening when I asked for a paper bag to pack the empty clam shells I had. The waitress didn’t wink a wee bit at my request and even offered to wash the clam shells for me if I want to bring them home. How nice!!

Then there was also the kind dessert bar chef Francis Foo who asked if I would like some crepes. I said yes and there he went, grilling some nice freshly made crepes for me. Dipped into some nice yellow honey, he also added some cubic-sized mangoes onto of my plate atop my crepes. Then he also gave me some green ice-cream which tastes so deliciously milky!!! Really love the desserts there. Some of the unforgettable desserts I had are: Crème Brulee (simply wonderful!), fruit mousse and also the marshmallows dipped in sinful chocolate fondue!!


Before I forget, we actually started off with a tantalising wonderful palate of starters. Great selection! These are just some of those I picked.


The soup of the day was Cream of Mushroom and there was also the Kiam Chai Ark (in Hokkien translated as “Salted Vegetable Duck”) Soup. Both soups taste just as heavenly.

The buffet spread that evening also included cold crabs, oysters, fresh prawns, clams, mussels and Japanese sushi. The mains were great offerings like: buttered rice, nonya curry chicken, Indian battered peas and cheese, sambal prawns, grilled ikan, cheese broccoli, duck breast with orange and chives, grilled pork with fennel among others! Exotic yet fine and tantalising cuisines served. How I wish I had 2 stomachs to fill all the delicious food there that evening! If you wish for a great meal with variety and everything good, please remember to head to Olive Tree!

Olive Tree Restaurant is located at Hotel Intercontinental, 80 Middle Road, Singapore 188966 Tel: 6338 7600

My Secret Garden

This nice little restaurant is located just beside the Sculpture Square. Branded as a great place for wining and dining, many people were drinking away at the ourdoor area with some dining indoors...

Time seem to have stood still here and you seem to be in an European restaurant! Like perhaps in Italy or France! Don’t expect your food to be served quickly here because my dinner took about 30-40 minutes to be served that evening! Maybe as in the European standards, you got to chat, relax while enjoying your food so I suppose dining here is meant to be a no rush... my piece of advice is don’t visit this place if you are hungry!



To start off, Ted and me ordered an appetiser – the Portobello Mushroom (@ S$18). The dish was a real delight! 2 nicely grilled fresh big Portobello mushrooms served together with some green salad garnishes. The salad dressing went very well with the mushrooms. I can only say this dish is really not enough for 2!! Delicious.


For the mains, we had the Cilantro Chicken (@ S$20) that evening. I wanted the chicken breast while Ted ordered the chicken thigh to be served. The chicken was very well grilled and was served on top of the mashed potatoes. The dish was nicely decorated with pieces of red and green capsicums. There were no surprises.

Overall, we would just say it’s a good meal ! The appetiser was unexpectedly the better dish.

My Secret Garden is located at 161 Middle Road, Singapore 188978 Tel: 6334 8334.

Baiyoke Sky Hotel Sky Restaurant, Bangkok

While in Bangkok Thailand, we had the chance to try the Sky Restaurant at Thailand's tallest hotel, Baiyoke Sky Hotel (309 metres and 88 storeys high). The Sky Restaurant was on the 76th floor of the hotel and offers the Sky Buffet - international buffet lunch or dinner (@ 740Baht or 940Baht per pax. They offer a special 50% discount for in-house guest) Its probably one of the things that you have to do when in Bangkok and have a good panoramic view of the city while having a sumptuous lunch or dinner! So we went for it.

Alas. We were not exceptionally fascinated by the buffet spread. The spread was a great variety offering Western, Italian, Japanese, Chinese delicacies etc such as grilled beef/ pork slices, pizza, sushi, sashimi, dimsum and many others. This sky buffet also boasts of rock lobsters and seafood like river prawns, scallops, crabs, teppanyaki seafood, steamed prawns, fried fishes etc. Unlimited soft drinks were served too. The best dish we found in our opinion, was probably the delicious hot grilled beef/pork slices, Thai tom-yum soup and fried vermicelli with prawns prepared by the butler chef on the spot. All the other dishes seem to have lost its appeal as it appeared ransacked by the other guests in some manner. To be fair, maybe what we experienced that day could be due to the busy dining hour ...

All in all, its a visit that tourists will probably have to try to relax, enjoy and be entertained while getting a taste of the city sight! Clowns and magicians abound to entertain you at the restaurant while you feast. Would not specially recommend you visiting the Sky Restaurant if you are afraid of heights though.

The Bangkok Sky Restaurant is at Level 76, BAIYOKE SKY HOTEL (Thailand's Tallest Hotel) 222 Rajprarop Road, Rajthevee, Bangkok 10400 Thailand Tel: 66(0) 2656-3000, 2656-3456.

Kaiton Pathuwan Chicken Rice, Bangkok

Spent the weekends over at Bangkok Thailand. Took a river boat ride down the Chao Praya, went for relaxing massages and crazy shopping at the many markets / malls at Siam Square, Chitlom and Pratunam areas!! There was simply not enough time to eat, shop, massage and do so many things ... Bangkok is a great place with friendly people! Really. The Land of Smiles as they are known as. Except for the scorching heat and occasional showers, we had a real great time there! And I have evidence of the beautiful place below.

ok we also have to share a secret dining place we found along the Pratunam Pier.

Its probably not a secret anymore because when we went, we found so many foreigners too - mainly Hong Kong-ers already savouring the delicious chicken rice there! Yes. Its a Hainanese Chicken Rice stall along the Pratunam area. Probably tourists will not specially visit this place but maybe those staying around the area will find it. The shop is not along the main road and you have to walk down the street to locate it. Price for a meal at the roadside stall is reasonable and the best part is the fresh kampung chicken meat coupled with nicely cooked chicken rice. When you in Thailand and crave for chicken rice, you have it there. Do note the staff at the stall are all wearing pink polo shirts. So dont miss it and check out the place next time if you crave for some delicious Hainanese Chicken Rice while you are in Bangkok, Thailand !

Kaiton Pathuwan Chicken Rice is located at Soi Phetchaburi 30, New Phetchaburi Road, Makkasan, Rachatewee, Bangkok, Thailand.

Café De Amigo Restaurant

Café De Amigo was named the “Most Popular Theme Restaurant” in Year 1999 and 2000 by Gourmet Hunt / RadioCorp Singapore. It was previously located at the Specialist Shopping Centre. This new place at Funan DigitaLife Mall is slightly bigger now and not so cram. You will be surprised there is also a live band playing some light jazz music while you eat in the evening between 8pm-930pm! So with the band playing in the backdrop, the restaurant has almost succeeded in creating an overall great ambience with just nicely dimmed lighting for a great evening with friends and family! You will love it! Its also probably one of the places you could go if you are wine lover too. The owner, Mr Tommy Lam is a wine connoisseur and he brings in a whole load of good wine. Check out the wine room there!

Ted and me went for the Set Dinner at S$42++ per pax that evening. The menu offers some great choices too. Here’s what we had:

Appetisers: - Scallops Florentine - Oysters natural (+$3)
Soup: - Cream of Potato - Soup of the Day (Pumpkin Soup)
Main: - Pork Chop (mushroom sauce) - same
Dessert: - Freeezing Tiramisu - same
Drink: - Hot Lemon Tea with Honey - Café latte

Of course, there were more choices available on the menu for the set! Most likely you can find something you want to eat without complaining there is a limited choice.

The cuisines were simple but yet fantastic! The Scallops Florentine were baked with cheese and were so soft, creamy and fresh. Two scallops were just too little for greedy me! Ted’s Oyster Natural were delicious too!

The Cream of Potato soup was very smooth and thick but I find it a little too sour for my liking! Ted's Soup of the Day (Pumpkin soup) was a good choice! It was creamy and sweet.

Our mains were served. Never knew pork chops could be this good! There were three pork slices served and they were REALLY soft, juicy and tender!! Cooked with a little black pepper and served with mushroom sauce, I think this one deserves three stars! The dish was garnished with carrots and broccoli. Simple presentation but the cuisine scored! Ted agreed too.

Lastly, we had our dessert. The FREEEZING Tiramisu! Like its name, the middle layers were ice cold and freezing! Real delightful one! YUM! We finished the evening with our coffee and nice sweet hot lemon tea with honey, chatting away happily in the dim light and jazz music...

Café De Amigo is at 109 North Bridge Road, #02-15 Funan DigitaLife Mall, Singapore 179097. Tel: 6835 0238 Opens daily from 11am to 11pm. Best to call and reserve seats as there can be quite a crowd in the evenings.

Tabletop ware

Just received a mailer recently on Royal Albert 100 years of mug series and thought about the tableware we see while dining. To a foodie like me, presentation of the tabletop wares is just as important as the food palate and quality! it is almost one of the key to a diner's appetite. Talking about tableware, I am still very much overwhelmed by the experience I had previously at Royal Copenhagen Tea Lounge (See older post).

My recollection of the Royal Copenhagen tableware is still vivid as I can recall that lovely Blue Fluted series tableware that I was served there... I really love it! Accordingly, the Blue Fluted series was designed by Arnold Krog. Designed originally as the Blue Fluted Plain series in 1775. The series has much evolved and became more elaborated with the designs incorporating Half Lace and Full Lace on the exterior lining the tableware. Blue Fluted Full Lace displays the utmost variation in ornamentation and craftsmanship. The lace-like weave of the borders is so intricate that only a very highly skilled craftsman can accomplish them in all their complexity. I had an urge to purchase them. If you are interested like me too, do take a look at Etabletop - the online authorised dealer for Royal Copenhagen. Recommend to also read their blog; I have listed it on the blog list at the right.

Ministry of Food My Izakaya

Ted and me visited the Ministry of Food (MOF) at Marina Square for dinner the other Friday. This was not our first visit there. Probably our third or fourth visit. We recalled the delicious Japanese food we had and even signed up as members then so we definitely had to go back!

There was a long queue outside MOF that evening. In a while we were shown a seat for two at the side of the restaurant. The restaurant was quite crowded and appears to be a little noisy. Probably it’s the weekend crowd! We quickly ordered our food. I liked the Salmon Shabu-Shabu set (S$16.80) and had to order it. We also tried the chawan-mushi, going at a discount of S$2.80 that evening. In addition, we ordered some Ala-Cartes like the Tori Karaage 6 pieces (S$6.80) and the Pork Rice (S$4.90).

What a letdown this time! I suspect the chef might have been changed as the quality of the food appears to have slipped. The Salmon Shabu set which was served with specially made Apple sauce along with a plate of fresh greens was quite different this time round. We were served very huge pieces of cucumbers and tomatoes on the plate of greens and the slices of salmon also appear to be prepared in a hurry. Vaguely recalled the previous times we were served very delicately and nicely cut pieces of greens and salmon pieces. Somehow we just could not feel the quality we expected and experienced previously. The Pork Rice was not what we expected either. The pork pieces looked like they were prepared in a rush. Luckily for the chawan-mushi, it was great though. Soft and hot! The tori karaage (fried chicken pieces) was quite the usual.

To end the meal, we had to go for the heavenly Macha Imo dessert (S$3.00) offered as a discount to the Salmon Shabu-Shabu set. Macha Imo as the name suggests, consists of Green Tea Milk Ice-Cream served with Red Beans paste and pieces of nicely fried Sweet Potatoes. This is a very nice treat, especially so for the sweet-tooth! The dessert was served with a small instructional sheet teaching you how to savour this heavenly ice-cream! Basically, you have to mix a little bit of each thing i.e. take a little bit of hot fried sweet potato and eat with a little bit of the cold green tea ice-cream together with some sweet red bean paste. Hot mix with cold. Experience is great! YUM! Thankfully this saved the day!!

I wish the other main dishes could be better improved to the standard I used to remember. I will visit the place again because I am still a member and maybe it could have been a bad chef day that the food quality went *poof* or maybe it’s due to the heavy crowd building up these days at the place... though I strongly believe quality of food should never be compromised in any way no matter how. Well you let me know if you get a chance to visit the restaurant next time!

Ministry Of Food My Izakaya is located at 6 Raffles Boulevard, #02-138E Center Stage, Marina Square, Singapore 039594 Tel: 6334 2202.