Conquering the World...One bite at a time

Short. Simple. Satisfactory.

2005-09-10T04:59:00.000-07:00

This time it's quit beating around the bush. JUST THIS MUST HAVE ENTRY!!!

TIRED? THIRSTY? HOT?

Quench it all with Gelarè ice cream, a taste of heaven on a home made cone. Just $3.80 for a single scoop single flavour, you'll savour every drop of it. And top it up with 40cents, you get a single scoop double flavours, so its sampling 2 for the price of one, almost. It's $6.30 for double scoop but it's worth it none the less, so TRY IT!!!

Especially the chocolate flavour, you've got au naturel chocolate bits oozing in every bite you take.

The best catch, you've got it @ 50% off on tuesdays!

Geláre Ice Cream

All White Chocolate Chip
Azuki Red Bean
Banana Walnut
Butter Pecan
Cappucino
Chocolate Overload
Cookie Dough
Cookies N Cream
Green Tea
Jamaican Chocolate
Macadamia Nut
Mocha Chip
Oregon Mint Fudge
Passion Fruit
Pistachio Nuts
Pralines N Cream
Rum N Raisin
Swiss Caramel Chocolate
Tiramisu
Tropical Mango
Vanilla Bean
Vanilla Chocolate Chip
Wild Strawberry
Soy Chocolate Obsession
Soy Purely Vanilla
Raspberry Sorbet
Blueberry Cheesecake
Brandied Cherry
Choc Chip Choc Chunk
Apple Pie Crunch
Strawberry Cheesecake
Oregon Hazelnut
Lemon Sorbet
Mango Sorbet

Suntec City Mall

3 Temasek Boulevard
#02-084/086/088
Suntec City Mall
Singapore 038983
Tel/Fax: 6336 5615

Operations Hours:
Mon to Sun: 9.30am - 10.00pm

East Coast Park Recreation Centre

1000 East Coast Parkway Unit 19
Singapore 449876
Tel: 6441 1283
Fax: 6441 9101

Operation Hours:
Mon - Thu: 12.00pm - 10.00pm
Fri: 12.00pm - till late
Sat: 9.00am - till late
Sun: 9.00am - 10.00pm

Siglap

9 Upper East Coast Road #01-01
Singapore 455203
Tel/Fax: 6441 0232

Operation Hours:
Mon, Wed to Fri: 11.00am - 11.00pm
Tue, Sun: 9.00am - 11.00pm
Sat: 9.00am - till late

Plaza Singapura

68 Orchard Road #05-20
Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839
Tel: 6338 4023

Operation Hours:
Mon - Fri, Sun: 10.00am - 10.00pm
Sat: 10.00am - till late whats late? hah... i 'm the ardent fan.

Far East Plaza

14 Scotts Road #01-23
Far East Plaza
Tel: 6235 3192

Operation Hours:
Mon - Sun: 11.00am - 10.00pm

Parkway Parade

80 Marine Parade Road #01-K10
Parkway Parade
Tel: 6344 3146

Operation Hours:
Mon - Fri: 11.00am - 11.00pm
Sat & Sun: 9.00am - 11.00pm

Tampines Mall

4 Tampines Central 5
#04-25/26 Tampines Mall
Singapore 529510
Tel: 67879022

Operations Hours:
Mon - Sun: 10.00am - 10.00pm

Causeway Point

1 Woodlands Square
#03-37/38 Causeway Point
Singapore 738099
Tel/Fax: 68912665

Operations Hours:
Mon - Sun: 10.30am - 10.00pm

Holland Village

29 Lorong Mambong, Holland Village
Tel: 67635843
Fax: 67635845

Operations Hours:
Sun - Thur: 11am - 12am
Fri - Sat: 11am - 2am good to be hardworking to open this late, cos i'll drop by.

Singapore Changi Airport
Terminal 1

Singapore Changi Airport
Terminal 1, Departure Transit
Lounge East

Operations Hours:
24 Hours

Citylink Mall

1 Raffles Link #B1-26B
Singapore 039393
Tel: 68357910

Operations Hours:
Sun - Thur: 9am - 10.30pm
Fri, Sat & Eve of PH: 9am - Midnight GOSH you open till MIDNIGHT! I love you.

WWW.GELARE.COM.SG (a match made in heaven)

Exam Fever!

2005-09-03T07:50:00.000-07:00

So we're not updating this as often as we should. Because we have A levels and Promotional Examinations, and as such victims of the MOE system we are unable to eat and review as often as we like!

On a mini hiatus, at least for the next three weeks.

Fish Pic(k)s!

2005-08-25T23:39:00.000-07:00

So I finally decided to charge my camera and after school today I went to have some of the Greenwood fish and chips mentioned in this entry, so here are the pictures!

Yummy Yummy Yummy I've got love in my tummy

The exterior of the bistro

Got Beef?

2005-08-23T22:55:00.000-07:00

Sandwiches are perfect if you're too full/lazy/poor to eat a proper full meal and one of my favourite sandwich is roast beef sandwich. After travelling far and wide to find a roast beef sandwich that can give me orgasms in the mouth, I chanced upon one at the bakery of:

Inter-Continental Hotel
80 Middle Road
Singapore 188966
Phone: (65) 6338 7600
Nearest MRT station: Bugis

Firstly to quell any rumours that we are neglecting our health conscious readers, I am proud to say that this sandwich is wholegrain not the evil white ones that all you Atkins worshippers are allergic to. But then again you Atkins worshippers avoid any kind of bread, or carbs to be exact. What are you guys crazy or something. How can you forgo mashed potatoes, pasta, tom yam noodles and roast beef sandwich? What is the point of being skinny when you cannot have orgasms in the mouth, because let's face it we are all tired of faking it.

I digress. Back to the roast beef sandwich.

A 6 inch wholegrain, with pieces of walnut and bits of oat to give it a nice chewy texture, thinly sliced succulent beef strips, mushroom in cream sauce and for a good dose of fibre, spinach (I think) that has been tossed in dressing to make up this mouthwatering creation that is so big, you have to stretch your mouth to take a bite. Unless of course your mouth is exceptionally big then you won't have much of a problem. I actually wanted to take a picture of this glorious creation but while waiting for my camera battery to charge I decided to take a bite. And another. And another. And as I am typing this I am taking even more bites so maybe next time yes.

Did I mention that after 9pm, the prices are slashed by half? Not just the roast beef sandwich, everything else in the shop too!

Long, thick, and cheap. Just the way I like it.

Authen - CITY

2005-08-20T07:28:00.000-07:00

Alley food is the best, you say? I say, I say!

Okay not exactly alley, but down the aisle, sandwiched between Shell Station and Slender Shapes, lies a row of traditional looking shophouses, one of which says Thai Noodle House, one that outbeats it all.

5 Coronation Rd #01-03
Coronation Arcade
Time: 1130 - 2130, Off on Mon
Outlet: 64670104

So the saying " I'll miss the old school days" are true! The moment you're at the doorstep, you're welcomed with the student menu that speaks to your heart (especially if you're a student) and makes you go 'damn I should've squeezed into my old school uniform' if youre not. An amazing contrast to the restaurant-like pricings that you usually face, the student menu welcomes you with open arms. It's easy, it's cheap, it's S$4.00 per meal and S$1.50 per dessert, isn't that insatiable!

Wait a minute. All these claims are really exhilarating, every breath of it, cos it's just so true. There isn't even service charge so expect a round sum and not those irritable cents you get at the end of the day, usually.

The Memorable Menu :

1) Thai Tom Yam Noodle (choice of chicken or seafood)
2) Thai Beef Noodle
3) Pineapple Rice
4) Olive Rice

5) Red Ruby with Coconut Milk
6) Chendol
7) Tapioca with Coconut Milk

Here's the icing to the cake, the taste.

The Thai Tomyam noodles is worth every penny of yours. It comes with a pair of mussels, shrimp, squids and fishballs. Delectable as it is, the soup floats with bits of mouth watering and deathly chilli padis and lemon grass, so be careful not to choke on them while thinking they are spring onions. You could opt for Noodles or Glass Noodles, your choice. The aroma is definitely a great start to the meal, so breathe, eat, pay and leave. Thats the steps you ought to take. It's definitely the most authentic in flavour, and even the owners are thai, my guess. Sniffs.

The Pineapple Rice isn't too bad, comes yellow and topped with mounds of Chicken floss to satisfy the sour-sweet taste you're seeking. The rice isn't as tasty as the Tomyam, I admit, but definitely worth your $4. For hungry students, you might want to order 2, cos its simply, convenient to your impatient chewings and you wouldnt want to burn your tongue with TomYam soup eh? Oh, this Pineapple Rice is also perfect for you if you cannot stand the rage of chilli in your mouth, your complement. Personally, however, I would definitely prefer pineapple rice in a pineapple, but keep in mind you've paid $4 not $14 or $40.

The Olive Rice - OOH. It isn't the OLIVE RICE you would expect. It comes topped with minced meat and you gotta mix it really well to avoid the meal being too salty at the start and bland at the end. The taste of the Rice goes FAB with the Pineapple option though many don't see it that way, and what enhances it all is the typical singaporean option, the 3-in-1 choice where you mix the Pineapple Rice with the Olive Rice and the TomYam Noodles. It neutralises the heat and the sourness and the saltiness, and you've got Thailand on your tongue. (Like Willy Wonka and the Hatching Egg if you get what I mean)

Havent a preference for beef so I can't review that, it wouldnt equate. But since 75% of whats on the student menu's got my thumbs up, you would expect the same. Go on, try it!

The Desserts -

The Red Ruby is fab especially after the chilli rage and the mucus trickling down your nose, the beads of pespiration rolling down your forehead. The flour-ish taste outside, accompanied by the crunchy chestnuts inside just bursts tangibly in your mouth, it's like poppin'!

The Chendol is just like the Red Ruby, just that they've added Jac Fruits inside. Best of all, these desserts costs $1.50, so just pay $4.50 for the taste of all three.

Like everyone else, I'm leaving the best for the last. The Tapioca is the bomb. Steamed, it honestly doesn't go well if you're feeling really hot already, but it's nice all the same. Sweet and topped with coconut milk, these sticky bits are almost fudge-like and chewy and it's candy cane on a plate. For the sweet toothed, you'll really love it like you love chocolate. It keeps you filled to the brim, it gives you energy, what more of a beauty. You keep wanting more, this unsatisfied voracious thrill of compulsion that consumes you cos this dessert is, fantastic! But I warn you, due to popular demand, it usually runs out at about 3pm, so too bad for you late comers. The early bird gets the worm!

Experience says, don't go there on monday though. They're closed. Thank God for Thailand, for Tomyam, for good old Siam and Chilli to feed our noses. Authen-city.

Perng turns 18!

2005-08-20T06:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear EE PERNG, Happy Birthday to you!

Many happy returns on this special day, may your stomach grow wider and your appetite bigger, may you do well in your Alevels and become successful in life and earn lots of money so you can treat us to buffets.

LOTS OF LOVE, your friends at PIAC.

Jelly Jelly Bo Belly

2005-08-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

It is my pleasure as Fuhrer of PIAC to declare a special honorary membership to my friend with the yummy name. Tonight she leaves for America land of the free, and henceforth she will be our roving PIAC reporter in the US of A where the food has to be spectacular since 30% of Americans are obsese, after all.

We would like to wish her all the best in her future endeavors, and we will miss her deeply. Take care Jelly!

I like to Ramen Ramen!

2005-08-18T02:37:00.000-07:00

Sing it with me now!

Ramen Ramen (Singapore)
382 Upper Bukit Timah Road,
The Railmall
Tel :67639597

The tagline of this place is “Have You Ramen Yet?” -which makes no sense gramatically and literally, but the food here is so great I’m not going to be anal about it. It might not be that easy to find because it’s at the far end of the railmall, but just look out for the huge Rocky’s Pizza sign (another yummy place! But I’ll save that for another time) and walk in that direction, you won’t miss it. The logo is a sumo wrestler chef eating a bowl of noodles, talk about multi tasker extraordinaire.

First of all I want to talk about the décor. Those of you who only want to know about the bites skip on to the next paragraph, but I do believe ambience plays a big role in creating the right atmosphere to put you in the mood to eat. I am intrigued by the large wall art display where hundreds of lights glow from behind soup spoons, like REAL soup spoons glued to the wall! How kitsch! The other wall is boring in comparison, just a mural of more multi tasking sumos. The furniture is minimalist and everything’s clean and white, at the end of the length of the restaurant there is a counter and behind it the kitchen, so you can glance through the glass panal to see if the cooks are really that fat. (They aren’t, if you’re dying to know)

Now, usually I believe that everyone has their own discerning palate and should choose what they prefer. In this case however, I’m just going tell you to skip everything and just go for their signature dish, the Ramen Ramen Ramen ($7.90) (believe me, I felt stupid saying it to the waiter too). The soup base is just amazing, I believe they use pork bones and boil it for ages until the base has that milky quality and texture, and it is incredibly sweet. I am completely one hundred and ten percent infatuated with this soup.

The noodles are springy and hold their shape and form till the very last drop is consumed, they are not overly soft like the instant noodle type which go limp after ten minutes, and they are also not overly hard like those at Ajisen Ramen (which I have, on my one and only visit there, categorized as awful and swore up and down I would never go there again). The only other type of noodles that are of comparable quality are those found at Crystal Jade’s Shanghai La Mien, which technically isn’t even Ramen but has a similar feel all the same.

Ramen Ramen Ramen comes served with the requisite seaweed, sliced pork which is surprisingly tender and has a good texture about it. The only complaint I had was the weird looking black fungus this that came on top, it looked poisonous and I sure wasn’t going to eat it. But seeing as I myself didn’t try it, don’t take my word for it. My dining companion (er, my father) ate his as well as mine and declared it tasty so I guess it’s all a matter of COURAGE! You can also choose additional toppings, the most popular being sweet corn (for an additional charge of course)

The other items of the menu are basically the same thing, same soup base, with something extra or another. I do however, recommend against the Miso Ramen ($8.90) because what they do is basically add Miso paste to the soup and it just wrecks up the original flavour and makes it too salty. The Chilli Ramen is not worth it to because for the extra dollar, just add in chilli flakes yourself!

you know you love piac

2005-08-15T06:04:00.000-07:00

First of all we would like to say a big thank you to all the F.O.Ps (Friends of Piac) out there, thank you for your wonderful support, thank you for increasing our hits because the thought that our message of GOOD FOOD is going out there to the masses makes us happy. We value your readership and your feedback so keep checking back when you can! We are out there every day, trying new food (and satisfying our stomachs) to give you the very best.

Meanwhile, while the entries so far are by Rachel and I (Lauren), the PIAC team also consists of Eeperng, Claryce, and our newest addition Nana! We welcome anyone who wants to send us a review, or recommendations about eating places, good or bad. Ever have a bad dining experience? Bad service? Roaches in your food? Let us know so that we can add it to the PIAC blacklist.

Upcoming projects include a Tom Yum instant noodle tasting, and reviews from The Line, Thai Noodle House, Mien, Ramen Ramen and many more. Seeing as we're broke students struggling to spend our merger pocket money wisely, we especially like C&G (Cheap and good) hawker fare. Food does not have to be expensive to be good, so let's keep in mind that something yummy could be in a hawker centre near you!

And remember: Always spread the PIAC love! Peas out

sex bomb sex bomb you're my sex bomb

2005-08-13T03:20:00.000-07:00

422 Orchard Road
#01-12B Orchard Hotel Shopping Arcade
Singapore 238879
Tel : 6836 6317
Fax :6836 6316
Open daily from 11.00am - 8.00pm

1 Raffles Link
#B1-04 CityLink Mall
Singapore 039393
Open daily from 11.00am - 9.00pm

Like Augustus Gloop, like Charlie Bucket, like Mr Willie Wonka, like every one else (except Mike Teevee) I LOVE CHOCOLATTT!

While this is a authentic, Belgian and f-r-e-s-h. Flown fresh weekly from Brussels, it's satisfaction guaranteed.

It's what you call, 2nd degree price discrimination in Economics if I'm not wrong, for the pricings of Leonidas Chocolate. Say, 2 pieces for S$6.50, I'ld rather buy 30 pieces for $85. But it's all worth it! You're paying for this little babies airfare and your, 'libido' you call it. Best of all, chocolate is legal drug and not frowned upon. Dark chocolate aids you should you have stomach problems too.

I love the wide selection of chocolates so delicately displayed without denial. Nibs, 72% cocoa, after dinner mints, it's just my edible casanova.

I'm just in love, and love's in me.

Content Leonidas Consumer.

Creme-de-la-creme

2005-08-13T03:17:00.000-07:00

Welcomed by numerous waitors and waitresses, it already feels like home. The restaurant itself is intricately decorated and indeed increases the urge to order.

We had selected their signature "Mango and Chicken Tart", baked just nicely, placed into little paper cups to round it all. The tart is presented in 2 shades of baked brown, the top being the darker. While the exterior appears to be dry, the interior is a succulent mixture of baked mango and cubes of chicken with tangy sauces. It's tasting heaven in your mouth.

Siew Mai isn't just Siew Mai over at Hua Ting. It's a combination of prawns and pork just enough to satisfy both sides of your tastebuds. Topped with roe, the delicacy is just savoury. It's a strong and tasty yellow ball, and no hesitation to order another tier.

I would admit that their HarGow isn't exactly the best there is, but the generous servings of prawns entices that greed-spirit of mine, and bad isn't the word. I would prefer it a little more wet on the inside, and resorting to soak it in vinegar makes that prawn dumpling thrice as nice. Indeed a fascinating discovery.

Another commendable dish was their Xiao Long Bao, with came lined with a leaf at the bottom. The dumpling comes with shredded fibre-like meat and hot soup inside, so do be very careful with your first bite, it burns! Greed spoils it all, I warn you. But above that, their meat inside doesn't taste like pure meat alone, there are secret ingredients inside too! To satisfy this mystery, give that a try!

Best of all, there is this dish (which isnt a dim sum) and its undoubtedly creme-de-la-creme. Its double boiled shark's bone soup with thinly sliced bittergourd, chunks of codfish and vermicelli. At 60 dollars, it's worth a try. Definitely. 2 servings are good enough for 4 fairly big eaters, and the taste is just oh-so-wonderful. Every bite of the cod fish, is smooth and rich, fresh and delectable.

It isn't a surprise to know that Hua Ting won the Asian Ethnic Restaurant of the Year, and it's even outbeaten Lei Garden. From www.wgsawards.com, it says,

A Chinese restaurant that uses authentic cooking techniques to serve modern Cantonese cuisine, Hua Ting's signature dishes include double-boiled shark's bone cartilage soup, braised Australian green lips abalone, and other provincial specialties by masterchef Chan Kwok from Hong Kong. Nominated as one of the best restaurants under the Chinese cuisine category by top restaurant guides, Hua Ting is also an award recipient of the Heinz Asian Ethnic Restaurant at the WGS Awards of Excellence 2003. Consolidating two technologically advanced systems called RSViP and ProHost under one main frame, Hua Ting is the first Chinese restaurant in Singapore to introduce such a dual system, and via this technology, distinguishes itself from the competition in its customer service delivery.

But! One thing, book before going there!

This little fishie went to the market

2005-08-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

This little fishie stayed home
This little fishie cried wee wee wee, all the way... into my stomach! Muahaha.

Okay bad joke. But there is nothing funny about...

Greenwood Fish Market and Bistro
34 Greenwood Avenue
Tel: 6467 4950
Open for lunch (12-2.30pm) and dinner (6.30-11pm), closed on Monday and public holidays

Now, if you go to school with us, you have probably heard us evangelising the infamous Greenwood fish and chips. Go the the canteen now and perk your ears up a bit and you will heard snatches of three girls gasing about said dish. This is how wonderful Greenwood is.

Tucked behind Raffles Girls' Primary School in the residential area of Hillcrest along the Bukit Timah/Dunearn stretch is this gem of a place. There's a whole stretch of fabulous eateries here, Les Amis has a string of restaurants, Raku has a branch here, and this is the place where the famous Lana Cake shop is (I don't care what Sunday Times says. Lana Cakes are unbeatable). Tucked in between the Lana Cake shop and a swiss butchery is the mothership of all fish and chips.

For one, the fish is of incredibly high quality and it's super fresh. Take a bite and you can see from the precise way the flesh of the fish flakes that this is really the good stuff. And the serving is generous too, it's usually two large pieces surrounded by fries. When I say large I mean large...on occasion I have been unable to finish my portion and that is usually unthinkable since I have a reputation for being a bottemless pit, so lets just keep this between us, shall we? The fries are fries, don't get me wrong, they are good fries, but just pale in comparison to the FISH. However, they do come in handy to scoop up the yummy chilli sause that comes with it. The chili sause is as good as the main course itself (well almost, in any case it's one of the best I've tried), it's a secret mix of basil chili and honey and a word of advice from us to you is to ask for extra. They're usually quite happy to comply. Can't get enough of it? They sell it in bottles as well.

Now, here's a crucial bit and we want you to pay attention: The fish and chips are $9 when you buy and take away from the store, but $17 when you eat there. You must be thinking, well, it's the same shop! There must be something special that they are charging me $8 more! Here's the deal-it's exactly the same. What they are charging you for is the seat your ass is taking up in the restaurant tucked behind the market. SO do yourself and us a favour and buy takeout and eat it in the car. We guarentee it will make everyone else in the car pissed off because they're jealous cause it smells so good, and your $8 can be un-wasted on the ice cream at Estivo Gelato two doors away. And the bistro, while looking chic, smells kind of fishy.

You know, I feel like my entry is not doing justice to the fish and chips. They are SPECTACULAR! WONDERFUL! ORGASMIC!PERFECTION IN YOUR TUMMY! There are no words to describe how much I love them. In fact, if I could I would marry them, and have little fish and chip babies. oh oh oh.

The Piac girls were once caught in a fish-and-chips related adventure. Cut a long story short we were caught in the rain with the said fish and chips and the first thing I lept to was to protect my precious. MY PRECIOUS. Cue Gollum moment.

Thailand right at your doorstep

2005-08-09T01:47:00.000-07:00

Siam Kitchen, thats where we want to be!
Can be found at Great World City, Causeway Point, Jurong Point, Lot 1 (Chua Chu Kang) and Suntec City

A cold and windy day, looking for something to spice up your life? Warm the very arteries and veins of your body? What do you turn to? No no, not hot chocalate nor a fire place. It's the mouth-watering, tear activating aroma of Spicy Tom Yam Seafood Soup With Noodles at SiamKitchen! Going at S$6.90, it comes with a spread of squidos, fish chunks, and peeled prawns. ( Though I prefer peeling the prawns manually). The big bowl of delight appears (and is) spicy to the max, with chilli padis, curry leaves and lemon grass fringing the gigantic bowl. Optimum if combined with the chilli-powder soya sauce that complements it all!Oh yes, to even spice with nice, order this with some specially brewed thai milk tea to smoothen the taste!

If this doesnt fill your bottomless pit of a stomach, you could even go for the Seafood Kway Teow with Chilli and I must say that is heaven on a plate. The burnt-like smell of this fried dish gets your nose twitching in agreement and anxiety. @ 6.90 also, it offers chunks of fried fish, prawns, and squid with bits of chilli. A little too salty for my tastebuds, but other than that, I would recommend it highly.

Best of all, the pull factor of Siam Kitchen is it's student rates that apply on week days @ a certain time, be aware of it, foodies!

Commentator's note : The smell is enticing. Do dig your noses for maximised effect.

We Love Seth Cohen and the OC

2005-08-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

Season 1: The Homecoming

Seth: Do you know what I dream about when I dream about thanksgiving which is-which is often? I dream about eating SO much deliciousness that all the blood rushes to my stomach and I pass out at the table. Please don’t deny me that!

Quick Bites: Mos Burger

2005-08-05T22:15:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love MOS burger? (no one has to answer that, it's rhethorical)

It's like fast food that's not that fast because they only start making your food after they take your order, and somehow that takes it up a notch over mass-produced Big Macs courtesy of those big obnoxious yellow arches-and what's with Ronald McD? He's creepy. (but I still love the fries, so don't sue me.) Then there's a cute packaging, the little baskets of food, the little trays they provide to squeeze your ketchup in instead of smearing it all over the paper napkins. That being said, the Japanese have done it again. They have made fast food classy.

Then there's the burgers itself which are not so run of the mill. There's fillings like Unagi($3.75 for the burger, $6.75 for the meal inclusive of one small fries and drink) and Ebi which are just some of my favourites but I feel that the best part of the burger is in fact that it is pressed between two just oily enough to be good rice patties! Mmm, sublime. They've recently come up with an alternative though, lettuce, for the atkins dieting girl and for those who in general prefer healthier food. How innovative!

Now for the best part about MOS burger. Their AMAZING Vanila Milkshake ($2.00). A little like ice cream, a little like heaven. When I tried it I was happy for the first time in my life. There's not much to say except GO TRY IT NOW. See the amount of capitals I'm using. See how excited I am. But the best thing about MOS is also the shittiest- this milkshake isn't sold at all their outlets, as far as I know I've had it at the Shaw/Lido outlet, the one at Jurong Point, the one at Takashimaya and they one at Plaza Singapura. And remember, VANILA, not strawberry, because the latter tastes like a cross between plastic and bubblegum.

Right now there's a new dish in town! MOS Clam Chowder($2.25)- I don't know about you but I. Love. Clam. Chowder. And the Long John's Silver version just does not do it for me, it's lukewarm and the clams taste like plastic. I can't wait to try the MOS take on this.

Food Trivia: Pasta

2005-08-05T06:51:00.000-07:00

Thomas Jefferson brought a pasta making machine back with him in 1789, when he returned to America after serving as ambassador to France. It was not until 1848 that pasta was first produced commercially in the U.S., and not until the late 19th century that it became popular.

At least 10 years before Marco Polo's trip to China, Romans were eating ravioli, lasagna and macaroni, and there are references to fettuccine from even earlier than that.

According to the National Pasta Association, Americans consume about 20 pounds of pasta per person each year. Italians eat more than 3 times that amount.

There are more than 500 different pasta shapes. Translating their names into English does not exactly make them sound appetizing: worms, spindles, hats, butterflies, twins, tubes, thimbles, little boys, little ears, quill pens, strings, ribbons etc.

Mamma Mia...here we go again

2005-08-05T00:18:00.000-07:00

There are probably alot of questions running through your mind right now. What is Piac? Who ARE these greedy girls? Why are they always eating? We'll answer those questions in time to come. Let's begin with a story...the tale of the place that inspired it all.

PIAC: Pasta in a cup
Bukit Panjang Plaza, Basement level
Tel: 67693356

Piac is excellent, for one thing, you really get what you see in the picture, unlike some places where they show you 29345876 tiger prawns and you end up with 3 itty bitty shrimps- a pet peeve of many a Piac girl. Being completely addicted to Tom yum, we had to give their Tom Yum Tomato soup ($2.00 per cup and it comes along with a free iced tea, with every purchase of a pasta, or $2.70 alone)a go. At first we were tremendously disappointed by its size, but we soon found that Quality far outweighs quantity. It was thick and rich, the tomato adding a tangy zest to the traditional thai spicy soup. There were a couple of prawns, squid and large mussels, and it further added to the yummy aroma of the soup which slid down our throat like...actually we can't describe how it felt, it was just too good. We're drooling all over the keyboard now. On to the main course!

There's a huge variety of pastas to choose from, all scaled down to an enticing size just enough to whet your appetite. Non-seafood pastas are $3.50, and yours truly had had the Penne Arrabiata before on a seperate occasion. It was truly F to the A-B. The garlic seemed a tad overdone, but conbined with the chilli and the liberal amount of olive oil, it was AMAZING. I hate to say this but the smell was even better than the taste. I could breathe the smell forever. AMEN.

Seafood pastas include a variety of cream or tomato sauces, or you could choose something done Alio Olio. Lauren (I'm refering to myself in the third person just for posterity's sake) , being decidedly unadventurous was bent on the Tomato based Seafood spagetti. Perng, on the other hand, chose the Alio Olio Seafood linguine. For the tomato based I felt that the pasta was slightly overcooked but they did a good job anyway with the stir fry and sause. Not as garlicky as the former Arrabiata dish, for those who prefer it that way. There is no picture of this dish because I tore into it before anyone remembered to take a picture. Perng's was half eaten but still in good enough shape to be snapped by the camera phone.

But anyway anyway, what can we say? We love this place, especially the catchy little name. They do delivery too, to any part of Singapore for orders $30 and above, $10 if you so happen to be in Bukit Panjang. One downside to this place is that it is only a stall, there's no sitting area or anything so after you get your pasta, (not really in a cup sized container, it's bigger than that) you can move over to the right of that row of stalls, in front of the Royal Sporting House, where there's a cluster of high tables you can perch on, or you can do what we did and head upstairs to the Kopitiam on the 2nd level and sneak a seat there. And for this month ONLY, in celebration of our nation's birthday, Creamy Tomato Soup is at the low low price of 40cents with any purchase. It was so worthwhile I decided to give it a go even though I was pretty full, and I wasn't disappointed. It was slightly too thick, but the texture was smooth and the flavour sparked off my tastebuds.

There are other varieties of course, some notable ones would be the Black Pepper Chicken Linguine and the Baked Salmon Pasta in Cream Sauce. What are you waiting for? Go try it now!

Pictures to be added later, once I figure out how to upload them from my phone onto my desktop.
upcoming review: The Line at Shangri-la ... BUFFET ALERT!!!