29 November 2013

Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant Pte Ltd 瑞春点心餐厅

Read good comments about Swee Choon and indeed, they are quite well-known for their Dim Sum. When we arrived, we had to take queue number and wait outside of the restaurant. Fortunately, it wasn't a long wait and we got our table within 30 minutes. The place is air-conditioned and spacious. We could comfortably enjoy our meal.
How to get there?
Address: 183/ 185/ 187/ 189/ 191 Jalan Besar Singapore 208882
Tel: 6225 7788

By Car - 
  • Along Jalan Besar, turn right into Desker Road and park in the lots along roadside (Coupon parking)
  • Alternatively, park along Kelantan Lane or Jalan Berseh
By Public Transport -
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 07419 (Opp Veerasamy Rd) - Bus No. 23, 64, 65, 66, 67, 130, 139, 147, 857, NR6
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 07231 (Bef Tai Hoe Hotel) - Bus No. 21, 125, 130, 141
Nearest MRT Station: Farrer Park / Jalan Besar (Under Construction)

Opening hours
Mon to Sat: 11am to 2.30pm / 6pm to 6am
Sun & PH: 10am to 3pm / 6pm to 6am
Closed on Tuesdays

Mode of payment
Cash and Nets
Menu with many choices!
Sweet Soya Bean Milk S$1.80
Chrysantheum S$1.30
Shanghai Xiao Long Bao S$4.00
Spring Roll S$2.00
Carrot Cake S$2.00
Char Siew Pau S$1.80
 Plain Chee Cheong Fun S$1.80
Law Mai Kai S$2.50
Century Egg Porridge S$2.80
 Pan Fried Pork Dumpling S$4.00
Sichuan Chilli Oil Wanton S$4.00
Fried Fish Ball S$1.20
Siew Mai S$1.80
Steamed Salted Egg Yolk Custard Bun S$3.60
Fried Chicken Wing S$1.50
 Mee-Suah Kueh S$2.00
Mango with Pomelo and Sago S$3.30
The dessert wasn't as good as what I expected it to be.
Nevertheless, the overall Dim Sum is good and of reasonable price. 
Thumbs up! =)

25 November 2013

Batam Trip 1 (One Day Tour Package)

Short getaway trip from the bustling city with some close friends. Just an hour ferry ride from Singapore to Indonesia. To save on the hassle, we bought the Spa and tour package from Groupon as a group.
Ferry
WaveMaster
Email them to check on their pricing or check Groupon for deals.
Take the ferry at Harbourfront Centre Level 3.
Nearest MRT Station: Harbourfront

Tour Agency (Batam)
Desindo Tour
You will be guided by the local tour guide who communicated to us in both English and Chinese.


What’s there in Batam?
We were brought to the Polo Ralph Lauren for some shopping but nothing caught our eyes.

Batam Chocolate House
Address: Komp. Rejeki Graha Mas Blok A No. 1-2 (Deretan Edukits Batam Centre) Batam Centre - Indonesia
Tel: +62 778 462415
They sell all sorts of chocolates. Chocolate products made in Indonesia and overseas can be bought here. However, the prices are quite comparable to those at the supermarkets or in Singapore.

Golden Prawn Batam
Address: Jalan Bengkong Laut Batam, Kepulauan Riau
Tel: +62 778 411 138
Our lunch was taken care of, quite a number of dishes such as the chilli crabs, sweet and sour fried fish, prawns, vegetables, fried sotong, etc. I was dismayed by the coconut drink that I've ordered as it wasn't as good and it tasted a bit sour.

Batam Layer Cakes (Kueh Lapis)
Address: Bengkong Laut, Jalan Sumatra No. 1 (Jalan Golden Prawn)
Tel: +62 778 789 6364 / +62 831 8445 6788 (HP - Ms Li Lun)
Email: blc_batam@ymail.com
The layer cakes come in a variety of choices - Original, Cinnamon, Cheese, Prune, Pandan and a few others. Prices range from S$25 to S$29 or Rupiah 200,000 and above. We bought a few cakes as the prices are quite reasonable.

First Choice (Spa, Massage & Reflexology)
Address: Komp. Penuin Centre Blok OA No. 12 - 12A
Tel: +62 778 431 506 / 778 431 499 / 778 700 2012
They provide a selection of spa packages that are really relaxing for the body. 
Do remember to provide tips for the masseur, it's about Rupiah 15,000 (S$2) and above.

Providence Maitreya Missionary Monastery
Address: Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya, Bukit Beruntung - Sel Panas (Batam - Indonesia 29432)
Tel: +62 778 462901-4 / 462347
Email: dutamal@indosat.net.id
This is where you could offer prayers to the deities and Buddhas, namely Guan Yu, Shakyamuni, Guan Yin Goddess of Mercy and a few others. In the monastery, they have a vegetarian restaurant where you could have lunch there.

Yong Heng Food Trading
Address: Komp, Ruko Golden Prawn Blok C No. 6-7 Bengkong Laut, Batam Island
Tel: +62 778 411 814
This little shop sells all types of tidbits and they do provide food tasting. The prices are also reasonable and we bought a few snacks home.
Before going back, we went to the Miniature Houses where it consists of the different architecture of houses. It's a short walk that takes less than 30 minutes. 

22 November 2013

Auntie Kim's Korean Restaurant

Came to know of Auntie Kim's Korean Restaurant a few years back as there were good comments about their Ja Jang Myun and Seafood Pancake. This time, they opened another branch at Alexandra Retail Centre which is located near my place as compared to Upper Thomson. Their food remains as good and very filling too although they are slightly pricey.
How to get there?
Address: 460 Alexandra Road #02-21 PSA Building Singapore 119963
Tel: 6274 3383

By Car/Bike -
  • Along Pasir Panjang Road/ Telok Blangah Road, turn into Alexandra Road and turn left towards the entrance of the carpark (Aft McDonald's Drive Thru)
  • *Enjoy weekend free parking from 8am to 12mn, no minimum spending is required.
  • *Enjoy complimentary parking on weekdays when you spent at least S$30 at ARC from 5pm to 10pm.
*Information obtained from ARC website.


By Public Transport -
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 15149/ 15141 (PSA Bldg/ Opp PSA Bldg) - Bus No. 10, 30, 30E, 51, 143, 175, 176, 188
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 15041/ 15049 (NOL Bldg/ Opp NOL Bldg) - Bus No. 51, 57, 61, 93, 97, 97E, 100, 120, 166, 175, 408, 963, 963E, 963R

Nearest MRT Station: Labrador Park (10 minutes walk)

Opening hours
Mon to Sun: 11.30am to 3pm, 5.30pm to 10pm
Side dishes (Banchan)
Seafood Pancake (Haemuljeon)
Sundae Gukbap
Blackbean Noodle (Jajangmyun)
Cold Noodle Soup (Mul naengmyun)
Tteokbokki
Gimbap
Ramen
Upper Thomson Outlet
265 Upper Thomson Road Singapore 574392
Tel: 6452 2112
Opening hours: Mon to Sun (11am to 3pm, 5.30pm to 10pm)