The Cheshire Cat

Random Sunday

2011-07-05T17:16:00.008+09:00

Check out this couple; the guy was in wedge heels, walking nonchalantly!!!

Blood red bruschetta

Cufflinks so colourful

Here comes the summer sales

Outdoor terrace for some all-you-can-drink bubbly happy hour

Interesting Sunday. For the places we visited were so random.

I came, I saw, I conquered.
- Julius Caesar

Nirvana

2011-07-05T14:13:00.016+09:00

Bubbly with some complimentary cashew nut nibbles

Crabmeat masala with grapefruit; best of east meets west

Tandoori chicken and paneer that were too dry

Naan with eggplant curry

Available daily till end of this month, Nirvana New York in Midtown is offering a one and a half hour of all-you-can-drink champagne happy hour. Be sure to book early as all that free-flowing effervescence is best enjoyed on their outdoor terrace which offers unblocked view of the vast Hinoki Machi Park.

Was there over the weekend, nibbling and drinking to my heart's content as I sat watching the daylight fading. I enjoy this particular time of the day very much as the city seemed to recover from the searing heat, with people once again filling up the pavements, hurrying to get to their next destination.

With the night moving in and us getting more and more tipsy by the minute, we decided to go for some proper food. First up was an appetiser of crabmeat masala. Was uncertain with this choice initially as I was afraid that the spices would be overpowering. Turned out my fears were unfounded. The dish was nicely presented with the sweetness of the crabmeat coming through beautifully. The addition of grapefruit segments was ingenious as it gave the whole dish a tangy twist. The tandoori chicken and paneer on the otherhand were most disappointing, dry and tasteless. The last dish of naan and eggplant curry was decent enough though nothing to go ga-ga over.

To be honest, I think the pull factors for Nirvana are in their cushy outdoor terrace and happy hour. If judged purely on their food, I would say nay...

Nirvana New York

Address: 9-7-4 Akasaka, 1F Garden Terrace Tokyo Midtown, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Telephone: 03-5647-8305
Michelin: None

Julius

2011-07-05T13:58:00.003+09:00

July's wishlist - A stylish Prada fabric sling bag in a neutral shade complete with an ostentatious crocodile leather toggle clasp

1 July

2011-07-05T12:59:00.009+09:00

Light lunch of truffled mac and cheese given the uptown treatment

Growth of sunflowers hugely encouraged here to clean up the radioactive soil

Pretty flowers blooming in the church's courtyard

May God bless

Very innovative shirt fitted with a fan!

Still not used to the high level of humidity here. It has been just hot, hot, hot with Friday noon a sizzling 38 degrees!

Met a friend for a light lunch since the heat has been a dampener on my appetite. Thereafter, headed to Omotesando for some shade amongst the tree-lined streets.

Ichii

2011-07-05T12:28:00.012+09:00

Trio of zensai

Very pleasing combo of lettuce with smelts and fried garlic bits

Cold corn potage

Sashimi so fresh and succulent

Flavourful fish soup with loads of exotic veges

Meltingly tender Wagyu steak accompanied by pickled red cabbage which serves as a palate cleanser

Refreshing thin noodles in sesame ごま sauce

Creme brulee

Tucked almost at the very end of a back alley, Ichii turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. As with most Japanese restaurants, the decor was very minimalist with lots of bamboo and lacquer accent. And save for a couple of soupy dishes, it was almost a one-man show with everything painstakingly prepared at the counter by that one chef whom we were speculating the whole evening if he was wearing a toupee. Poor chap.

Ichii

Address: 7-18-6 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
Telephone: 03-3423-8260
Michelin: None

Puny

2011-06-27T12:55:00.000+09:00

Still prefer the seedless variety

Sure, they come as perfect as any photoshopped celeb but am still a little apprehensive about paying an arm and leg for fruits in Japan. Take for instance, this watermelon. It is as puny as my stretched hand but still command a jaw dropping 700 yen or S$11 which is considered cheap by Japanese standards.

Natural Sunday

2011-06-27T12:48:00.000+09:00

Beautifully sculpted boughs

Shinjuku Gyoen, 新宿御苑

Not so itsy-bitsy spider...shudders

Breed of rose called Playboy

Naturally followed by another breed called Playgirl

Gigantic Magnolia

Huge Magnolias in bloom

A walk in the park. Marvelling at Mother Nature in all its glory.

“Is this a time to be cloudy and sad,
When our mother Nature laughs around;
When even the deep blue heavens look glad,
And gladness breathes from the blossoming ground?”
-William Cullen Bryant

24 June

2011-06-27T12:35:00.010+09:00

Some online retail therapy to kick-start my Friday!

Lunch was decadent with foie gras on toasted corn bread at TAC

Rico's best-est garlic bread in the world

Stingray fin with its edible soft bones

Foie gras...yet again for dinner

Simply lovely Wagyu

With the mercury showing an energy-sapping 35 degrees, it was a day to stay indoors. No venturing out to shop. No cycling around. Only feasting of the very best at TAC and Rico's. Oh, and not forgetting a spot of retail therapy on saks.com.

Sesame Oil Chicken Mee Sua

2011-06-21T11:45:00.011+09:00

Been having bouts of nostalgia of late and really craving for some good robust home cooked food. Being in a foreign land, who to turn to except me, myself and I. So, armed with the laptop, I plunged headlong into my search for a simple to-follow recipe of everyone's childhood dish, the humble sesame oil chicken 麻油鸡. Due to its liberal use of ginger, it is also a must-have confinement dish for new mummies.

Anyway, coming back late from work yesterday and at the same time recalling a conversation I had a while back, I decided to put the idea given to me into action as I was in no mood to cook additional rice to go with the dish. The idea was to incorporate mee sua into the dish. So, I tweaked the recipe a little to make this a one dish meal.

This is the first time I am actually posting a recipe as I often cook just using my gut instincts. As such, I will try to be as specific as I possibly can.

Sesame Oil Chicken Mee Sua 麻油鸡面线 (Serves 2)

Ingredients:

4 chicken drumettes or wings
3 inches knob of ginger (peeled and coarsely minced)
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
1/2 tbsp light soy sauce
3 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp chinese rice wine or Benedictine Dom liqueur
1/4 tsp sugar
50ml water
2 coils of mee sua

Method:

1. Heat the wok and add in the sesame oil.
2. Add the coarsely minced ginger and stir fry till fragrant. Most recipes indicate ginger strips but I personally find minced ginger more pleasing when consumed in larger quantities as per this recipe.
3. Add chicken and continue to stir fry for a few minutes.
4. Add the soy sauces, wine and sugar.
5. Continue to stir fry till chicken is almost cooked and add in the water. Cover and let it simmer for a few minutes.
6. Lastly, add in the mee sua. More water might be needed as the mee sua is like a sponge absorbing loads of liquid.
7. Garnish with coriander and serve immediately.

Bon Appetit!

Solitude Sunday

2011-06-20T12:35:00.001+09:00

Still very into nudes, blush and neutrals

My fave fairy tale embossed on tubs of steam cream

Fall collection already spotted on Omotesando; errr, with this erratic cold weather, where does summer fit???

Something for all bosses to take note: Work well, not hard.

Rewarding myself with something lovely

Asian chicken salad that is currently my can-eat-a-thousand-times-but-still-not-sick-of-it kinda food

A very delightful weekend alone but not lonely. Solitude is a deliberate choice and it is all about attitude.

“The whole value of solitude depends upon one's self; it may be a sanctuary or a prison, a haven of repose or a place of punishment, a heaven or a hell, as we ourselves make it”
- John Lubbock

17 June

2011-06-20T00:43:00.017+09:00

Grilled chicken with vegs and a sesame based sauce at Afternoon Tea in Shibuya

Including an egg with a runny yolk...yummy!

Care to commit murder with a ceramic knife at Tokyu Hands?

Ala ice-kachang machines, cheery and gay at Tokyu Hands

Hmmm, not so factual a statement? So did meet bags which get the hands down from me

Weekly dose of retail therapy in the form of a very charming bow print

Had a mild case of the runs which thankfully cleared by midday. Cold wet weather which seemed to be the norm these days. Nevertheless, off we trotted to Shibuya with our brollies. Had a most healthy and delicious lunch at Afternoon Tea.

Wee Sunday

2011-06-15T11:59:00.012+09:00

Cheated a little with this post. This was from Saturday night crossing into Sunday morning...

Sensō-ji 浅草寺 in the night

Very ethereal feel

Enjoying bottled beer and fried vege chips at Bar Six overlooking the temple

Overexposed pic on the terrace of Bar Six

Night experience by Sensō-ji. Ethereal.

"This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness."
- The Dalai Lama

10 June

2011-06-11T18:58:00.015+09:00

A pair of rainbow-hued wings for little fairies

In preparation for the upcoming rainy season

Fave chocolate croissant from Choco Cro, a mid-afternoon sugar fix

Delicious crisps from Mitsukoshi food hall

New whimsical summer frock

Loving the contrast broad racerback straps

No lunch date with the BFF yesterday. Instead we ended up at Choco Cro with their to die-for croissants that come smother in velvety chocolate right down to the very last mouthful of crumbs.

Weekly girlie meet-ups are never without a trip to the stores. We were both enamoured with this floral frock, lightly layered with just that right dosage of sweet romance.

Excited

2011-06-08T14:20:00.017+09:00

Coquelicot (ko-klee-ko): a striking red poppy that graces the French countryside

Balenciaga is finally unveiling a new red for fall. Since missing out on rouge vermillon and tomato from 2007 Spring and Fall collections, been sticking my neck out for a true red to add to my tiny but happy family of Motorcycle Le Dix Bags. Still undecided though if it is gonna be Velo, First or Town. Even with that settled, still gonna be an uphill task making up my mind over which hardware to go with the chosen style. Nevertheless, still very pleased and hyped up over the gorgeous coquelicot.

Sunday Blues

2011-06-05T23:01:00.004+09:00

Cloudy skies with not a single patch of blue in sight...

Started the day in a colour-block tube dress

Navi, navi, take me to no-man's land

The vast ocean in steel blue

Funky plates adorning the walls of Rondino (click here for previous post on Rondino)

Same seat, same order, always...the head waiter exclaimed as he smiled

For all the bravehearts: rollercoaster plunging into azure waters

Rollercoaster's upclose plunge

Grocery shopping for something blue

Windy drive by the sea. Clearing my head and drinking in the salty air.

“There isn't any symbolism. The sea is the sea. The old man is an old man. The boy is a boy and the fish is a fish. The shark are all sharks no better and no worse. All the symbolism that people say is shit. What goes beyond is what you see beyond when you know.”
- Ernest Hemingway

All In A Name

2011-06-04T22:10:00.002+09:00

Befittingly beautiful setting

The very limited selection of food & drinks available

Not too crazy over the vegetable crudités

Caprese fared much better though portions were pathetic

With the mercury rising, decided to do an impromptu Friday evening wine session on the Bvlgari terrace in Ginza. Wanted some finger munchies to stave off the hunger pangs but was sadly disappointed. Not only was there a lack of choices, nothing sounded particularly interesting too. Eventually, settled on some vegetable crudités and classic caprese. Like its restaurant below which we had been for dinner quite some time back (click here for previous post), the terrace lounge is just as exorbitantly expensive. Including 2 glasses of wine that comprised of just 2 quick sips, the bill totalled up to 11,000JPY (S$170). Steep.

La Terrazza Lounge
Address: 2-7-12 Ginza, Ginza Tower, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
Telephone: 03-6362-0555
Michelin: None

3 June

2011-06-04T16:36:00.011+09:00

Weather had cleared just in time for our weekly catch-up session

Biking to Omotesando with our pink Balenciagas

So ravenous that we ordered heaps at Sweet Dynasty

Sweet endings with sesame filled glutinous rice balls and grass jelly with mango
Wolves in sheep's clothing at Issey Miyake?

Quaint restaurant in an alley just off Omotesando

Random makeshift basket pram

Had a fairly good workout yesterday with the BFF. Intended to head for the Adidas by Stella McCartney family sale at Harajuku but the forgetful me only remembered that I had left the invitation at home midway there. So, off we cycled, back towards home.

Thereafter, the BFF decided on a Hawaiian cafe just barely a minute away from the sale venue. Cycled there just to discover there was a snaking queue that spilled over to the main street. So, off we cycled again, this time to Sweet Dynasty. So famished that we doubled our lunch order.

Filled and satisfied, time to be retail therapied.

Pleats Please

2011-06-04T15:45:00.003+09:00

Pretty pleats for you & me

Striking red accordion pleated skirt with a frilly-sleeved black top

Paired with a nude top

Fabulously flattering, accordion pleats are very handy for disguising a host of problems that we womenfolk are only too familiar with. Slightly wider on the hips? Disobedient tummies jutting out? Thunder thighs? Cut the story short. Don on that razor sharp knife pleated skirt and the rest is history.

Juno

2011-06-02T13:23:00.009+09:00

June's wishlist - Prada's duo-tone ballerina that puts a spring back into each step

Shop HK

2011-06-01T09:52:00.003+09:00

Came across this article on Yahoo and thought it will be good to share with those who are heading to the shoppers' paradise of Hong Kong.

Outlet shops (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN)

In the south part of HK, in Ap Lei Chau, is Horizon Plaza (2 Lee Wing St., Ap Lei Chau; tel. 852-25549089), a 28-storey industrial building that houses the outlet shops of the high-end department store Lane Crawford and equally upscale Joyce Boutique, among others.

From Exchange Square in Central (Connaught Road), take the 590 bus to Ap Lei Chau (fare is HK$6.90). The scenic ride takes 20-30 minutes. Get off on the last stop. From the terminal, take a five-minute cab ride (HK$18) to Horizon Plaza or there is a shuttle from the bus terminal to Horizon Plaza.

At the reception, ask for a copy of the shopping guide so you know which floors to hit. It has outlets for fashion, furniture and home accessories, kitchenware, toys and baby items, food and wines, and even an excellent pet supplies shop.

Business hours are 10am-6pm. Note, though, that some shops are closed on certain days, so you may want to check before going.

We suggest you work your way down, beginning on the 27th floor, where you'll find the warehouse of Club Monaco, Juicy Couture, Marni, Diesel, the Max Mara Fashion Group. The elevators are kind of slow, so you may want to take the stairs if you're going only one or two floors down.

It's hard not to lose your head on the 25th floor, the vast Lane Crawford warehouse, which has last-season collections of every designer of note up to 70-per-cent off.

On the 21st floor is Joyce Boutique, smaller than Lane Crawford but with a selection that's just as impressive. It has Balenciaga, Azzedine Alaia, Balmain, Comme des Garcons, Jil Sander, among others. The menswear racks and shoes are also worth a look-see. Right above, on the 22nd floor, is the Armani outlet.

If you like your Jimmy Choos, head for Bluebell Fashion on the 19th floor, which has shoes and purses from the label, as well as racks and racks of Paul Smith and Moschino. Next door, at Fairton Label Fashion Warehouse, is a mix of Jean Paul Gaultier, Lancel, Seven, Kookai.

On the fifth is the outlet of the I.T boutique chain, which sells avant-garde designers like Martin Margiela, Tsumori Chisato, Yohji Yamamoto. Don't make the mistake of skipping on a purchase even as you're also headed to the I.T Sale Shop in Tsim Sha Tsui (3/F, Silvercord Building, across Harbour City on Canton Road); the stocks are different in every shop.

Before heading back to Central, check out Space Warehouse (2/F, South Horizon Plaza, East Wing) near the bus terminal. It's the outlet shop of Prada and Miu Miu. There's a big Prada sign, so you won't miss it.

Citygate Outlets in Lantau (Tung Chung Station on the MTR; www.citygateoutlets.com.hk) is an outlet mall near the airport. They have all the brands like Burberry, Timberland, Coach, Ralph Lauren, Diane Von Furstenberg, Escada, Calvin Klein and Vivienne Tam.

Exotic

2011-05-31T19:20:00.005+09:00

Balenciaga's python skin Papier

Not too sold on Balenciaga's new exotic skin offerings. Am a firm believer of: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Drink Drive

2011-05-31T18:51:00.006+09:00

No worries about drunk driving.

Easy As ABC

2011-05-30T13:15:00.004+09:00

The best cure to homesickness is Prima. Their pre-mixes of laksa, mee rebus, mee siam, char kway teow, chicken curry and chilli crab are as good as they possibly can get.

Wishing they will come up soon with some mee-pok tah ready-to-use kit though...

Splat Sunday

2011-05-30T10:25:00.013+09:00

Incessant rain pitter-pattering on the city...

A Sunday brunch of baked eggs

Maneki-neko, 招き猫 for an abundance of good fortune

Rainbow-hued sweets to counteract the gloomy skies

Sloshing about in rain boots

Time to keep warm with some German & Swedish hot wine

48-hour raining marathon weekend for all things indoorsy, including a rare trip to the gym

"Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon."
-Susan Ertz

Double Twos

2011-05-28T10:21:00.016+09:00

Sweet wall mural

Ala Winnie the Pooh setting with 2 "honeypots"

Ladies first...the usual hot girls-toting-alcohol-poster-combo that is so lethal!

Next comes the testosterone charged eye candies

Simple food on the house. Never knew raw cabbage with ketchup & mayo can taste so good!

One for the album with the BFF

Yes, was at Two Two (click here for previous post) only the day before yesterday with a like minded beer-guzzling pal. And yes, was here again yesterday, dragged by the Tokyo BFF after her curiosity got the better of her and she decided to go for the Two Two test drive. Afterall, the poor gal had already endured my umpteenth "live commentary" of the place with the super duper fried chicken.

Glad to have made it 2 evenings in a row though for ever since the cute Korean waitress left, I have yet to establish a new relationship with the current batch of say, (a grand total of) 2 servers (in their defence, the place is really quite tiny)! Now the one geeky Korean guy absolutely remembers us and threw a couple of freebies our way:)