Fresh...Rabbit Paella

My Dad makes a mean Paella, but like all great men he would be lost without his wife, my Mum, who provided the finest ingredients; Scallops, Prawns, Chicken, Chorizo, Saffron. However, after a day out in the country at a friends house I thought I would add an important ingredient to the traditional Spanish Paella... Rabbit!

Earlier in the day I caught a 10pound Carp, feeling lucky, I thought I would try and hunt for a Rabbit in the evening. It was an equally as successful trip and I bagged myself a Rabbit for the dish. I obviously am clueless about preparing a Rabbit so left that to my good friend Archie to show me the ropes and then I delivered it to my mother the very next day, with a big grin on my face!

THE Hot Chocolate Shop!

I used to live in Windsor, UK and just across the bridge from Eton is a little Cafe, the Chocolate Theatre Cafe and I love it!

Every week I used to visit. I have always wondered what Roy the owner thinks of me, because each week I would have a new friend, date, relative, work colleague with me, someone new to introduce to the Hot Chocolates and any excuse for me to indulge in another!

5 years on and when I am back in the UK I always go to visit.

You must try one of their extensive range of Hot Chocolates, accompanied by a breakfast, soup, platter or Sandwich, plus if you too have a ultra-sweet-tooth, then treat yourself to one of the incredible homemade cakes and pastries.

I found this little video on you tube...

The Devonshire Arms - Middle Handley

On a recent trip back to the UK I visited the Devonshire Arms, Middle Handley, Derbyshire.

I strongly recommend you go visit if you are in the area, (I know, that is unlikely for the majority of the people that read this! It's a long way from Singapore) however the food is fantastic and even though it has gone through a modern refurb they have managed to keep hold of that traditional UK pub feel.

I had Scallops, Lamb Shank and Treacle Tart, all top notch.

All washed down with a local ale and a glass of Rioja!

Thanying Restaurant Amara Hotel

Great Thai food.

Reasonable price.

Particularly recommend the dried stingray and the Beef Gang Panang.

Robinson 100 Sunday Lunch

When 6 UK ex-pats get together in Singapore, craving a good old Sunday Dinner, there is no messing about. Chicken and Pork Joint, Yorkshire Puddings, Carrots and Parsnips, Cauliflower Cheese, Leeks, Broccoli, Sprouts and the star of the show.... Rachels Roast Potatoes!

Watch this space....

I work for a brand design company called Design Bridge. This year they turn 25 years old. Over the past 25 years we have worked with food and drinks companies throughout the globe. To celebrate this, each of our 3 offices are heading on their own individual foodie adventure. London to Padstow, Cornwall, UK. Amsterdam to a Maastricht, Netherlands. Singapore to Cambodia!

As a special twist, Design Bridge ran a competition to win a silver ticket. A lucky draw that gives the winner the chance to attend not only their own office trip, but one of the other offices.

All the offices hooked up via video call and the draw took place......... and one of the winners is........... Me!

Watch this space I will capture both the UK and Cambodia trip.


www.designbridge.com

Braised Duck

This is duck is fantastic. It's very basic, but it hits the spot. All this for $3. You can find 'Duck man' in a small food court on Sultan Gate Place, next door to the 'Claypot Chicken man' from an earlier post...
http://singforyadinner.blogspot.com/2010/10/chicken-claypot.html

Thai Pancakes - Kanom Thai

On a recent visit to Thailand I tried Kanom Thai, or Thai crispy pancakes. They come in sweet or savory form. The savory form contains coriander (the herb of the devil) so avoided that one, and opted for the sweet version. The white, gooey, fluffy, centre, which is topped with orange rind, is the main event. It tastes like a marshmallow meringue. A definitely for any fellow sweet tooth.

I was particularly impressed by the way they made them...

New Graze Restaurant, Martin Road, Robinson Quay

Great breakfast/brunch, all in one hot iron pan. Top Breakfast! Must return to explore the menu a bit further...

Quán Ăn Ngon, Vietnam

On a recent visit to Ho Chi Minh City, we stopped off for lunch at Quán Ăn Ngon. Great setting, a tree covered garden square, with a surrounding kitchen and BBQ. The menu was great value, with a large variety of dishes. The dishes we ordered tasted fantastic, full of fresh Vietnamese ingredients. I had the Bun Bo Xao Xa. We managed to get a table at Lunch time, however, a local told us we were lucky to get in, so be sure to book in advance.

Frog

Whilst in China town, on our Tuesday bank holiday to celebrate Buddha's Birthday, I thought I would try something new... Live Frog Stir-fried with ginger and spring onion.

The meat tasted really good, nicely flavored by the ginger and onion. The only problem was finding the meat! We had a frog each and there was about a tablespoons worth of meat. I recommend getting at least 2/3 each if you are expecting it to be a meal.

Washed down with some flowering jasmine tea.

Hard Rock Cafe, Las Vegas

Whilst on a recent trip to Las Vegas, in between drinking, I managed to squeeze in a meal at a classic American venue, Hard Rock Cafe. It did not disappoint, loud rock music, over enthusiastic staff, massive portions and your RDA on a plate!

I went for the BBQ pulled Pork and BBQ spare ribs combo, with fries and coleslaw obviously.

It tasted great, but I had to turn down a trip to the Cheese Cake Factory after such as feast.

Cafe On Kohi, Kohimarama, Auckland

This place was amazing! I was so impressed.

We stubbled across Cafe on Kohi whilst on a design trip to New Zealand. The Cafe/Restaurant is located in Mission Bay.

We were there for Brunch and the large variety of food on offer was only bettered by the excellent quality of ingredients and impeccable service.

I had the Eggs Benedict, with spinach and grilled portobello mushrooms.

If you are ever in Auckland it is a must!

Not a bad view too!

Ice Cream Tasting

Ice Cream Tasting at a client meeting in New Zealand, it's a tough job sometimes.

Don't worry it's not hazardous, we had just come off the building site we were designing.

Pasta Brava, Tanjong Pagar

I had heard mixed reviews about Pasta Brava, Craig Street, Tanjong Pagar.

It didn't get off to a great start as I was reminded of the dress code as I sat down. I was wearing shorts (strange that in 34 degree heat!) they are not allowed in Pasta Brava, so take note. They did kindly make an exception.

Thankfully they did, because we had a great meal, I thought the food was excellent.

Classic Italain Food, with not a Pizza in sight.

I went quite classic with my choices apart from the main. I chose the home made large Tagliatelle pasta, with King Prawn and Scallops, in a Saffron cream sauce.

Indian post dinner mouth fresheners

Whilst on my travels I have noticed at the end of many Indian meals a selection of what looks like 'salt, herbs and spices' is brought to the table. I have frequently discarded it, until I was out with a Indian client the other day and he explained what it was. They are a selection of very fragrant, fresh flavored nibbles, that you take a hand full of at the end of the meal to freshen your mouth to prevent that stale taste you often get after Indian food, leaving you with fresh breath.

ITC Gardenia, Bangalore, Indian Restaurant

Whilst staying at the ITC Gardenia, Bangalore, India. We visited their India Restaurant. We had a selection of their curries, which were all excellent, followed by Shahi Tuhra.

Shaha Tuhrais made by pouring delicately reduced milk over crisp home made bread sweetened in saffron syrup, garnished with silver leaf and pistachio. So it's like a India bread and butter pudding. It was very sickly, but I had to eat it all!

Finished with a plate of fresh fruit.

Indian Breakfast 2 - Masala Dosa

My new favorite breakfast when visiting India, Masala Dosa. It's a pancake made from rice batter and black lentils, served with different pickles and curry sauce. This particular one had some potato mix in the middle.

Chinese Tea Pouring Performance

At my recent visit to Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant I drank White Tea and this is how is was served...

Holding a kettle in one hand, a waiter can pour boiling water into a teacup 50 centimeters away without spilling any on the table. There is a teapot that originates from Chengdu teahouses, usually made of brass and having an absurdly long spout, servers use these teapots to refresh customers' teacups without interrupting conversations. it also adds great theatre to a usually mundane task.

Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant, Parkroyal Hotel

On Friday, (slightly hungover!) I was kindly taken out for a fantastic Chinese meal. We had a extensive selection of dishes, such as Vegetable and Fish soup, Hot plate Chili Beef, Noodles and Fish Curry.

A highlight was trying Abalone. Abalone is a large mollusk, much like an Oyster. They are an expensive delicacy and they served a lot in traditional Chinese Restaurants, so I have always been intrigued to try them.
The Chinese colleague I was sat next to whispered to me, "I don't really like them, they are like chewing on rubber bands", he wasn't wrong! I did enjoy it though. They taste similar to Scallops, but with that rubbery texture so nicely described by my colleague.

(pictured with the Broccoli if you want to see what it looked like)

The Duck course had a slight twist from what I am used to. The Duck wasn't crispy, but delicately cooked to a pink finish, an it was served with steamed buns instead of pancakes.


Here is a bit of bumph from the Parkroyal Website regarding the Resturant.
Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant originated in Beijing, China. Its serves authentic Si Chuan dishes and was patronised by top government officials. Master chefs prepare an exquisite menu of authentic Si Chuan, Cantonese and Hunan cuisine, served in a sophisticated, elegant ambience ideal for even the grandest celebration.