Braised Pork Noodles 鲁肉面

My lunch today at Xin Wang Taiwan Cafe.

How to Order Nanyang (local) Coffee

Saw this poster when having lunch at a cofffee shop near my place.

Nanyang coffee is roasted and prepared differently from other types like American, French, Italian etc. Just like your Latte, Flat White, Long Black, Cuppaccino, Espresso, Machiato...etc, our Nanyang coffee has its own labelling which might be a mouthful for unsuspecting foreigners and even locals who are not familiar with kopitiam/kopi culture.

For a start Kopi is coffee in Malay.

Kopi : local coffee with condensed milk
Kopi-O : 咖啡乌- local coffee without milk with only sugar. O is 乌(in Chinese and Hokkien) means black
Kopi-C : local coffee with evaporated milk. Smoother and less sweet compared to Kopi. I am not sure, I suspect the "C" comes from"Carnation" which is a brand of evaporated milk.
Kopi-Gau : Coffee strong brew (Gau is 厚 in Hokkien)
Kopi-Po: Coffee weak brew (Po is 薄 in Hokkien)
Kopi-Peng: Coffee with sugar, milk and ice aka Ice Coffee (Peng is 冰in Hokkien)

Since Nanyang/local coffee comes with sugar and/or milk, the following variation is to help you get the right cuppa:

Gai-dai : more sugar/ sweeter
Siu-dau: less sugar/less sweet
Kosong: Kosong in Malay is nothing/zero, so it means without any sugar

So you can have the same combination with tea (teh), milo, horlick etc.

OSO Ristorante

Located at Bukit Pasoh Road, just across from Majestic Hotel. I have heard good things about this Italian restaurant and finally got to try it last Saturday. I called for reservations on Friday night and was only left with a table at the balcony.

As you enter the restaurant, there is a nice chill out lounge/bar area for pre-dinner drinks or just lounge around after a hearty meal. We had no time for that as we were running late, just a reminder call from the counter as well. Parking was a challenge but they do provide valet service.

Food and service did not dissapoint. Selection of wine was pretty good. Staff was pretty attentive and knowledgeable and provided good explanations and recommendations.


Spider crab “granchio” meat with mixed vegetables tartar “Venezia” style













Italian mixed cold cut “affettati” served with shallot, onion and gherkin (Homemade cured beef “bresaola”; Cooked “mortadella” ham & Parma ham “prosciutto” 18 months)












Deboned goose “oca” leg comfit with sweet corn and mashed potato













70% hot dark chocolate tart “crostata” with milk ice cream

the Garden Slug - eat drink, don't think

A small cosy diner located just a stone throw from where I live. Passed by it once, but only got to try this last Saturday.

Venue - simple, warm and cosy. It provides magazines, newspapers and a bookshelf with a variety of books for browsing. Free wifi internet available and you don't have to worry about your lappy running out of juice as numerous powerpoints line the walls.

Food was pretty good.

Pete's Place

Sorry folks for such a long absence. Work has kept me away from this blog. Anyway, I have not been as dilligent in my food photography as well, even when I do snap, I was just too tired to think of what to write.

OK, now that I have a little more time, I shall try to be a little more active.

Was invited to an appreciation dinner by Hyatt last Friday at Pete's Place, Grand Hyatt Singapore. According to Hyatt folks and people who work there in Hyatt Singapore before, this place hasn't changed a bit in 30 years, same decor and still dishing out quality Italian fares. Not entirely sure about the decor bit, but I have to agree about the quality food part.