Zhou's Kitchen @ Anchorpoint

I have passed by Zhou's Kitchen - Casual Chinese Dining at Anchorpoint a few times but have not been in there. Today I had the opportunity of stepping in for lunch. The restaurant looks pretty cosy. We had a group of eleven and were lucky that there was a table big enough to cater to the group.

We ordered noodles, crispy chicken, sweet and sour pork, egg soup, some tim sum like prawn dumplings, and dessert. All in all, it was a pretty good lunch - good tasting and not too filling as well. The ambience is quite good, rather quiet for a lunch time crowd. I think our table is about the only one that is lively. There are not that many guests and whichever guests there were were pretty quiet.

Since it was on the second floor at an annex off Anchorpoint, the restaurant is accessible through the first floor of the annex, with stairs leading to the second floor. The kitchen is right in the middle of the restaurant, and the table we were given is next to the kitchen, with a view of the scenery outside.

At least the food is good. Being part of the famous Tung Lok Group, the food is definitely of a certain standard. This is one place I would not mind coming again! The next time I go I will sure take pictures of the place and the food!

Food : 3.5 out of 5
Ambience : 3.5 out of 5
Price : 3.5 out of 5

I Found My Dream Kitchen!

See the entire kitchen? The stove area, cooking area, and the ovens to die for!


This clock is so appropriate for the kitchen! I want to have one like that too!

My dream ovens! How I wish I can have a set like that - one for baking, one for grilling and one for roasting! Or we can make turkey in one and bake a cake in the other! That would be so great!

Saturday Evening Barbecue And A Peranakan Party

Last night I had two eating events back-to-back. First was a poolside barbecue in the late afternoon, then a Peranakan-themed party in the evening.

It was supposed to be a Japanese-themed barbecue, but it was not feasible in the end, so everyone just whipped up something, like sauce / dip, curry, sausages, and of course, barbecued prawns and chicken wings!

The special sauce / dip

Barbecued food - sausages and corn

But the best was the dessert - Japanese green tea ice cream and black sesame ice cream! Unfortunately, I did not manage to snap any photos of those.

After the casual barbecue, we adjoined to where the fun of the evening began - the Peranakan-themed party! My friend is really a wonderful cook! We had authentic Peranakan food and Peranakan games like Indonesian / Malay songs and name games like how to address one's family members in the Peranakan way.

White Bait Fritters

Papaya Prawn Curry

Nonya Mee Siam

The only one that was bought from outside - Nasi Kunyit

Ayam Sio

Condiments - Nonya Achar, Kueh Pie Tie, Mango Sambal, Sambal Belachan

Bakwan Kepiting Soup

The specialty of the day - Ayam Buah Keluak

Desserts Galore - Nonya Kueh

Banana Pie

Bubor Char Char

Coconut Ice Cream

It was a great party with great food! I must really learn how to cook Peranakan food so I can continue partaking in the delicious gastronomical concoctions!

Smoochie's Bistro & Bar @ Alexandra

Recently I discovered this place called Smoothie's Bistro & Bar, situated at Alexandra opposite PSA Building.

Initially I expected the place to serve just drinks and desserts but the menu looks tempting so we had our dinner there as well.

The interior is cosy, with dim lighting. There is a live band (or rather, a one-person band - a beautiful lady strumming her guitar and singing along). There is a bar counter as well as an alfresco area.

The air-conditioner was spewing ice-cold air. My preference would be to sit alfresco, but it was pouring so we had to sit inside. Just behind our table is a coffee table with two sofas. I felt like sitting and just relaxing on the sofa!

The sofa

Our table

The band area

I ordered a pan-fried Chilean Cod, with a glass of orange juice and a vanilla bean ice cream as dessert. He had a ribeye steak with his favourite Erdinger beer.

My glass of orange juice

The bar counter opening out into the alfresco area

The food exceeded my expectations. I thought it would just be another casual bistro, but the quality and presentation of the food is superb! The main course comes individually-plated, with potatoes, broccoli and coulis.

My Chilean Cod

The fish is pan-fried to perfection! It is soft, smooth, just melts in your mouth, and the honey-glazed marinade is still prominent. Sweet!

His Ribeye Steak, medium rare

From experience, it is very hard to get a steak medium rare. But the steak is perfectly medium rare! Not too tough, not too tender, and the steak was cooked with just the right doneness as evidenced by the little pinkish flesh. Delicious!

My Vanilla Bean ice cream

Even the ice cream looks perfect! One scoop of vanilla bean ice cream with a strawberry on top.

In short, this is one gem I discovered. Good food, nice ambience, great entertainment (we can even request for songs!) and all for the price of $25.00 per person on the average! There is also a 15% discount for Citibank cardholders, hence I find it pretty worthwhile!

Food : 4.5 out of 5
Ambience : 4 out of 5
Service : 3.5 out of 5 (food was a little slow in coming)
Price : 4 out of 5 (depends on what you order though)

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Liang Kee Teochew Restaurant @ Whampoa West

We had a family dinner at Liang Kee Teochew Restaurant at Whampoa West last night. When my cousin told me about the venue, I was scratching my head, wondering where Whampoa West is. I checked the street directory and saw the nearest train station being at Boon Keng.

When I alighted at the Boon Keng station, I thought I would take some time in trying to find the place. Little did I know the block is just next to the station! However, being a very long block of flats, I had to walk all the way down to the other end to reach the restaurant.

The food is average. Because I had a full lunch, I did not wish to eat too much dinner, so I only settled for some vegetables, meat dishes and fish maw soup. It is a typical Teochew cuisine of nine courses, but I was so full that I could not eat anymore after the fourth dish!

At least I know this is a place I would sure go again! Good food, great service. Of all the mid-range Chinese restaurants, this is one of the better ones!

Cuisine : Chinese - Teochew
Food : 3.5 out of 5
Price : No comment as I did not foot the bill

The Good Housekeeping All Colour Cook Book

Due to a very kind lady, I am now the owner of another great cook book - The Good Housekeeping All Colour Cook Book. I first came across this cook book at her place and was looking through it. The next thing I knew, she saw me again and passed it to me!

The book has over three hundred recipes, as can be seen. It contains classic recipes like Chicken Cordon Bleu, French Onion Soup, Cakes and other traditional recipes. Now I have another cookbook for my collection, really cannot wait to try out the recipes!