Komala Vilas

I love Indian food and there's nothing quite like Komala Vilas for a good decent value-for-money authentic meal. Their palek paneer is one of the best I've eaten.
The masala thosai - decent.

I have no idea what this is, but it's some chappati-like thing in a ball - great with curry.

And to wash it all down, a hot cup of masala tea. Perfect.

76 / 78 Serangoon Road Singapore 217981, Tel: 6293 6980

12 / 14 Buffalo RoadSingapore 209 723, Tel : 62933664

Website: http://www.komalavilas.com.sg/

Santaro, Amara Hotel

I had only gone to Santaro for lunch before, but thanks to a Groupon deal, we bought 50% vouchers and headed there for dinner a couple of months ago.

The husband ordered unagi - we were pleasantly surprised to find it was freshly grilled to just the right degree.

Cha soba for our carbs

Cod done 3 ways - one with mentaiko (that was mine), one teriyaki (I think) and one shio (again, i think). Simple, ordinary, but still delicious.

Our chirashi sushi was extremely enjoyable.

There was a lot of fish, and these were pretty good cuts as well. Unfortunately, as I recall, it was pretty expensive so we won't be going back there anytime soon.

Loved all the colours of the fish.

We also had a sushi set. This was the premium set, I believe. Unfortunately I felt it was pretty ordinary - in terms of value for money, I didn't think it was worth it. Good, but not that mindblowing.

The restaurant was pretty empty at night. Guess it really gets most of its business from lunch and at dinner time, from those people with entertainment budgets.

I ordered a grilled mentaiko.

Now, this I enjoyed, although it was pretty salty. Great with lemon.

Durian puffs

We had the inlaws over for lunch on Saturday afternoon. They showed up at the door with a huge tray of home made durian puffs. I really have the best mother in law in the world.

She used 3 durians - sultan, mao shan wang and can't remember what else- they were mind-numbingly delicious. We ate and ate, and ate some more. The woman is a genius.

HKIA

I hadn't gone to Hong Kong in years - and had flown in to Kai Tak airport then, so this was my first time at HKIA. Reminded me of Beijing Terminal 3 and the new Shanghai Hongqiao terminal - with the ramped entrance.

Since I was on the last leg of my KF Gold (which is now pretty much lost for good), I decided to venture into the SilverKris lounge to make the most of it. Unfortunately, thanks to a crazily huge dinner at Guangdong BBQ, I couldn't eat anything at all.

And then I saw this, and there was hope!

It was just what I needed to prepare me for the 15 hour flight to SFO.

Hong Kong: Temple Street

On our first night in Hong Kong, one of the co-workers brought us to Temple Street for dinner. When we got there, I got really excited since the place looked really lao jiet and full of life.

Everywhere we went, there were people sitting on the streets eating and drinking.

Now, or so I thought, this is Hong Kong!

And we sat down at this place called Temple Street Spicy Crab. Ooh I was rubbing my hands together in delight and in anticipation of all the yummy things we were going to order.

Disappointingly, the group was not very adventurous and we ended up ordering things like stif fried beef with vegetables that I didn't even bother to photograph. The only thing worth crowing about was the oyster omelette - the only dish I felt was worth the effort. What an anticlimax. I mean, who goes to Temple Street Spicy Crab and doesn't order spicy crab?!

Hong Kong: Tai Cheong Egg Tarts

So after stuffing my face silly at Luk Yu (yes, I went alone), I went in search of egg tarts. The same foodie friend that directed me to Luk Yu had given me the details for Tai Cheong. Unfortunately the map I was using didn't have Lyndhhurst Terrace marked out on it, so it really could have been in Tsim Sha Tsui or the New Territories for all I knew. I was just looking for egg tarts, and any one would have been fine.

And it must have been my day because I decided to make a random turn to buy a bottle of water from 7-11, and lo and behold, I saw Lyndhurst Terrace. Walked on for bit before seeing this glorious sign.

Since I had so serendipitiously come across the shop, I felt I had to make it worth my while. So I bought 10 intending to give 5 away to my colleagues (and to eat the other 5). Fortunately no one I travelled with knows about this blog. So please don't tell them about it.
In fact I was so desperate that I found a ledge somewhere and sat down to devour the egg tarts. They were well worth the effort. Absolutely pannacotta-smooth texture, albeit less soft, and wonderful flaky pastry.

35 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong
Opening Hours : 7:30am – 9pm (Mondays to Saturdays)8:30am – 9pm (Sundays and Public Holidays)
Telephone : 852-2544 3475

Hong Kong: Luk Yu Tea House

A friend recommended that I try out Luk Yu for the old school in-the-mood-for-love atmosphere, and so I headed there on a Sunday afternoon just after 3 to avoid the lunch time crowd.

No English menu available - I had to decipher the Chinese text and work out what sounded good.

Loved the cutlery.

Of the 4 items I ordered, I only knew 2 dishes - the har kow and spring rolls. The others were quite a surprise.
Beefballs made from mince - these were quite tasty and tender.

I liked the spring rolls too - they came crispy hot

The har kow was really good quality. I wouldn't have minded another serve but couldn't be bothered waiting. Plus I had an egg tart mission to fulfil.
Some sort of soon kueh thing. Not too bad but not very memorable, since I can't even recall what it tasted like.

Dipping sauces

Great for morning yumcha. Best visited in a group of 4 people.

24 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong
Opening Hours : 7am - 10pm
Telephone : 852-2523 5464