Thursday, May 13, 2010

American Idol 2010: Falling Slowly


This has got to be my favourite performance of this season.

Originally by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, Falling Slowly was taken off the movie Once. Although the original version has a hauntingly beautiful intricacy about it, I'm all for this edgy, climatic rendition by Top 4 contestants Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox.

Which was your favourite performance of the season and who do you think will take the title of American Idol 2010?

Although I'm not his biggest fan, I have a hunch that Lee DeWyze will inevitably take it home this year. I guess we'll just have to wait and see! Wager? (;

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

iLove: Ip Man 2! (and Ip Man 1 too...)

If you haven't already caught Ip Man 2 in the cinema, what the hell are you waiting for?!

It's so fantastic that I don't think I could do it any justice with an attempt at a review. Please, go and watch it; especially if you have watched Ip Man 1!

I loved it so much that I've decided to rent Ip Man 1 and then watch Ip Man 2 again!!!

http://www.ipman-movie.com/

It's a crying shame that Donnie Yen has announced that this will be his last appearance as Ip Man. I don't think I could accept anyone other actor playing the role. I hope he'd seriously reconsider!

Photo credit: http://aronil.com

Monday, May 10, 2010

iLove: Breakfasts!


I had quite a cracking weekend but the only downside is that it resulted in my putting on extra two kilos!

To say that I ate extremely well would be quite an understatement. But apart from cringing at the scale this morning, I'd have to admit it was definitely worth it. Besides, calories can be burned, no?

My first breakfast adventure found me at the new (well not so new but I haven't really been out in a while) Mandarin Gallery. Through recommendations, I discovered a quaint little all-day breakfast bistro, Wild Honey.

We were warmly greeted by the service staff, who even enthusiastically offered recommendations when we found ourselves completely overwhelmed by the enormous selection of tantalizing breakfasts from around the world!

The even have two iPod touches docked by the counter in case you need a little visual aid to the country style chalkboard menu! Excited, we ordered a Tunisian and European breakfast. I couldn't resist but ordered a cheeky side serving of smoked salmon to go along.

The food at Wild Honey not only satisfied our tastebuds and eager stomachs, the presentation was absolutely mouth-watering!

My Tunisian breakfast, a "sizzling pan of tomato stew, fried eggs and chorizo sausage", was both delicate and hearty, which I washed down with a tall glass of freshly squeezed orange juice - pulp and all.


Expect to pay the price for impeccable service and sensational food, a breakfast for 2 would set you back at least $60 with beverages. However, it is definitely well worth it with the cosy setting that simulates a breakfast table in a humble cottage.

A must try for every breakfast enthusiast! http://www.wildhoney.com.sg/

Our next breakfast adventure ensued one hungry Sunday morning as we ventured into Rochester Park. After a brief tour of our options, we soon settled on Graze.

Operating out of an old British colonial black and white house, Graze was bustling with tables of families celebrating Mother's Day.

We didn't have a reservation but were lucky enough to be shown to a lovely little al fresco table amidst the lush garden that busy morning.

If there's one thing I love about the service, it's that the waiter pulls up the chair for you and tucks you neatly into the table. There were many encounters with service staff who were kind enough to pull out your seat for you but hastily forgot about completing the seating process! That irks me! But moving on...

They lay out bottles of home made spiced honey and chilli infused oil at every table, which I thought was particularly charming. I ordered a baked omlette for myself which came with a choice of 4 toppings. The eggs were fluffy but needed an extra hint of seasoning. We still had some space at the end so we shared a portion of their mini banana pancakes with roasted walnuts and cranberry syrup. They weren't really fantastic but you can't really go wrong with pancakes.

My only bone to pick with the service is that some of the waiting staff seemed a bit disoriented. They clear your plates and refill your water all the time but you could just tell that their minds were wandering off into a different dimension. Also, when we asked for worcestershire sauce, they didn't even know what it was but claimed that they didn't have any anyway.

All in all, it was hard to get fussy with the service because it was a beautiful morning and it was really heart warming to be surrounded by dozens of rosy cheeked children paying tribute to their mommies.

If you're around the area, don't forget to give Graze a try. http://www.graze.sg/

If you're a breakfast enthusiast yourself, pray do tell the best breakfasts joints you've visited! Please drop me a comment or an e-mail at shyanne.soraya@gmail.com, especially if it's the best prata or roti kirai in your neighbourhood!

Photo Credits: glitzy.wordpress.com, curiosityfillsthecat.blogspot.com, accidentalepicurean.com