Sunday, December 16, 2012

mayyn meal - The Beaufort Street Merchant

It was the day of the Beaufort Street Festival and the street was closed down with all kinds of shops and stalls overflowing onto the roads. The weather was hot, the crowds pretty busy to be honest. 

X and I decided to stop by the Beaufort Street Merchant for lunch and to escape the heat for abit. 



ootd, just my very first maxidress and a pair of jelly flats.


Anyway, foodwise. We ordered the pork to share which came with the coleslaw. Interesting mustard accompaniment and the pork was cooked quite well. We had to wait quite awhile to be served because it was so packed.


Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

We also shared the chips with aioli. I think the saltiness was just right and the portions were just nice for us both to share.

The day was really more about the festival though. I spent more time in the house decor and furniture shops which is always good fun. i ended up finding my perfect whiskey decanter and bought it. Also found the perfect print to go in my bedroom and eventually went back to buy it.



Completely Random

Out on a jaunt with a gf in Singapore on a weekday arvo is one of life's best luxuries for me. And to spend it with Belle is even better because we have a little too much Aussie in us. Casually dressed to combat the humidity, the shopping is always better when your friend is into similar brands. 

She accompanied me yet again on one of those leisurely window shopping days. But this time, I actually had to stop in and check on something in the shops. But alas, the shop was closed for a private event which we later managed to get into. Amazing... was what greeted us in the shops.


Candy loving! Loewe sweets and desserts nicely set out to celebrate the launch of a new line.


The Loewe macaron tower looks scrumptious and the cupcakes divine. I was so busy taking these photos and looking at the bag goodies, I didnt have any to eat. Oh well, now you know where my true loyalties lie. Fashion. not food...


Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

So cute.

mayyn meal - The Merrywell

The hot new gastro-pub that's got the city talking. Merrywell at Burswood. Or the newly renovated Crown Casino. 

I had to go there for a looksee myself right? And also because I live too closeby to not go there. My first experience was with Chiara and Abby on a weekday afternoon for a catch-up lunch.

The interior is pretty big and spacious. I love the informal outdoor settings and how its set all on its own outside of the hotels and casino. The wood decor and brown orange lighting makes it look warm and inviting.


Thats the French fries with bacon aioli. I love the way its been served to us. And even more impressive is the even thickness of the handcut shoestring fries. Its fresh frites which is one of my major weaknesses of all time. And to have it in shoestring form and a bit of the skin on is pure luxe.

The bacon aioli is creamy and thick and a little spicy.


I ordered the D-Man and G-Mac BLT sandwich. I could not resist pancetta and bacon and onion rings. I found it a bit overwhelming for me though. So salty and greasy. The onion rings were alittle bland and soft too. The fried egg, I wish the yolk was runny too and would have have just brought the whole sandwich together.

Chiara had the lobster brioche rolls which were quite a small portion really but it is an entree. 

The company was amazing for my lunch though, and the menu for dinner looks so good I knew I had to go back again...  And so I did...


Returned with X on a Saturday evening. Lucky we got there just before 5pm and had a table to sit at. otherwise, reservations are advisable. The place was quite packed and by the time it hit 7pm, the place was wayy crowded with all kinds of people. Most very nicely dressed up though.

That jar of yumminess is Strawberry Fields. Just a blend of alcohol mix in a jar. Too much ice in my opinion but great for drinks with the girlfriends and on a hot summer day.


We ordered the Merrywell Chips. Kinda like very roughly cut potato wedges with bacon aioli. I prefer this to the French Fries though. Maybe because it had more bite in each mouthful.Well seasoned.


I saw this on the menu and knew I had to order it. Red Velvet waffles and Fried Chicken with killer bee honey. Weird combi but I never stick much to ordinary stuff anyway. The portions were generous! I couldnt finish the fried chicken at all. They were very crispy and tender and hot. Nice. But I felt it lacked in seasoning somehow. The red velvet waffles were yummy and had that hint of lemon zest in each bite. I quite enjoy it. Once to try it is quite enough for me.

The menu had so many other wonderful things to try that I know I will keep going back for more.


X ordered the Chicken Parmagiana which came with pasta. I tried some and loved the freshly made egg pasta. Interesting. The pub grub dont come cheap but at least the portions are insane.

Indeed, DUDE FOOD.

And because I have been craving for this since I saw Abby eat it on my first visit, I decided to head down to the pub one late afternoon alone for an early dinner...



The Merrywell Caesar Salad with added Grilled Chicken. The croutons were abit too big to handle and tough because of its size. But other than that I loved it. The whole thing was wonderfully crisp and light and refreshing. Best part?


Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

The runny poached egg,fried on the outside. Amazing technique involved and I completely love it. Perfection.

Would I return? FOR SURE. Prices are a bit steeper than elsewhere but the surroundings are beautiful, the location amazing, and food pretty special.

The Merrywell on Urbanspoon

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Time for a Shoestopper!

Oh and this one is definitely a heck of a shoestopper!


This pair of pumps are classic vintage Salavatore Ferragamo. I am so thankful to inherit it because Mum has never ever worn it. Dad had bought it for her about 20 years ago in Hong Kong but it was too tight on her. What are the odds. Brand new and vintage.


This design is definitely old-school and somehow, I feel as if I can pull it off in this era still. That's the beauty of style and classic isn't it?

Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

Sure it is a little hardy but with time to break into them, Im sure its going to be one of my favourite companions. 

How would you pair this gorgeous flats with? Skinny jeans? A sixties style maxi skirt? Highwaisted floral denim shorts? Neon bodycon dress? The possibilities are endless. 

Thank you. I mean it. 

A Little Note from Mayy...

Well, so it has been awhile since I wrote a little note here. Life is treating me pretty well at the moment. Feels completely blessed and trying to relax with it all.

This year has really flown by and caught up with me. In between, it was bloody torturous and seemed meaningless though. But with time on my hands, I decided to send messages online to friends and acquaintances whom I havent seen or spoken to for awhile. I wanted to do so because it is nice to reconnect once in awhile. People were and are in your life for a reason. Of course, and being away here alone is also something to reflect upon...

With the year coming to a close very soon, and y'all reflect on the year gone past, maybe think about the wrongs you have done and see if you could right it. Or say hi to an old friend. You never know whats going to happen right?

mayyn meal - Paulaner's

Meeting up with Aiky usually entails alot of food. And to celebrate no Monday blues for us both, we decided to head down to Paulaner's at Millenia Walk, Singapore. A German pub, no less.



Sausage platter for us both to start things off. I actually love the potatoes served with it. and the sauce, kind of like curry sauce!


Monday sesh? German beer, a pint each. Well I still prefer my pristine Little Creatures to be honest but fresh cool beer on a hot humid Singapore arvo. All good.

Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

And of course the piece de resistance, Pig's Trotters. I dont know how we were both going to finish it. For the record, we didnt. We tried really hard. But we couldnt. It was not too bad, For me, I preferred the Asian version. The crackling was abit too tough in my opinion. The meat was sweet and tender though. Nice to try it once of course. Maybe one day, I would have the real thing in Germany ;)

Completely Random

Photo credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

Pretty little presentation aint it? Thai-style otah Yhingthai Palace Restaurant on 36 Purvis Street, Singapore. The food was not too bad, abit fancier in terms of ambience and presentation.

The Aristocats

I had bought a new 2TB hard drive and got a good friend to load it up with a bunch of stuff. He was real sweet and shared his Disney movies collection with me. 

So being back here with not much to do, I decided to catch up with my childhood since I really dont remember the exact details of my old favourite movies like the original six Disney Princesses stories. Its nice to watch them all and appreciate the stories better now that I am older after all. =)

Cinderella will always be number one, but I dont quite dislike Snow White that much now. Ariel is really quite spoilt isnt she? Jasmine is quite gorgeous and Aurora is so sweet. And that Belle, one of a kind...

Now that you know I am a girly girl at heart, I fell in love with Marie the littlest Aristocat when i saw her pictures. So white and pink and pretty. She's really the only cat I like. Real or cartoon. But I am not familiar with her story at all!


But of course I am watching the 1970 movie right now. What a cute movie! Duchess has a pretty accent... reminds me of the Green Acres actress. 

Photos credits: www.fanpop.com

Marie is such a little romantic princess. Haha. My kind of pet. And the story set in Paris! Ahhh the Eiffel Tower and cobblestones and the romance between Duchess and Thomas, little kittens wanting a daddy. Cue the sweet happy sighs.

Its nice to finally be able to say I remember and know these cartoons and their stories eh? I cannot wait to share them with my little baby girl next time... Just like in the second picture. A ladylike baby girl, and two mischievous cheeky baby boys with musical and artistic instincts.

Oh alright, here's hoping to a happy family life for me in the future then. 

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

mayyn meal - Osia

This post is more of like a photo post. Osia is the Modern Australian fine dining place at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore. In good company with neighbours like Palio and Joel Robouchon.


Started the dinner with fresh oysters. typical Aussies alright.


Pan seared foie gras and amazing fresh juicy scallop.


Lobster bisque.


The lobster entree which looked pretty and fresh tasting.



The amazing Seafood Ice Experience. Flavoured shaved ice paired with different seafood. i loved the lychee mojito ice and prawns combi best.


Amazing mushroom soup with truffle tossed croutons.


My black truffle risotto with a perfect poached egg. 


The cod fish and king prawn and scallops main course. The cod fish was abit too covered by the sauce though and marred the freshness of everything.

So ice cream sundaes for the rest of the dinner crew, while I decided to go for the macademia souffle.



Absolutely perfection. A tad too sweet but it works. so worth the wait...

mayyn meal - La Barca

I have been craving for pasta so bad. And especially at this amazing Italian restaurant in Singapore. My family has been frequenting this joint for quite awhile now and I only been able to join them for the first time recently.

"Located just off Fort Road and Mountbatten Road on the East Coast, La Barca Ristorante & Wine Bar is nestled within the Goodman Arts Centre at 90 Goodman Road. Once in the Arts Centre, follow the restaurant signs to “Block C,” close to the Amphitheater."


The place is very quiet and nicely lit, using the word nestled was so accurate. when I went, it was alot of kids running around, family gatherings and friends catchup.


I really like the intimate settings. It is also quite a big space with many tables inside as well as outdoor settings.


Cute.



The head chef is from the Tuscany region and thus, the food is heavily influenced by the amazing Italian cities of Florence and Siena. This place is famous for their Florentine Steak. Huge portions though!

Complimentary soup before we start dinner. A fish soup for that evening...


I needed to order that because well, I missed it. Cold cuts are definitely the one thing I am very in love with. This plate from La Barca has of course very generous helping. But the bruschetta were too bland and soft.


Hand cut potato wedges with rosemary and thyme. Piping hot and crunchy on the outside.


The breaded grilled prawns were quite alright but I wouldnt have ordered it given the many other yummy options. And besides, I really wanted Italian food.


The lamb ragout pici - pasta cooked to perfection, smells and tastes like Italy. something I sorely missed and am glad to have finally found outside of my favourite country in the world. I mean it when I say perfect Italian version because it is al dente and nothing like what most Singaporeans are accustomed to.


Amazing cheesy and truffle ravioli, very soft and tender pasta skin and the cheese baked to just right kind of pull.


We also ordered the hand-pulled pork version of ragout pici. Very similar I should say in terms of flavour but the pork one was softer and more minced.

Very filling dinner and so fulfilled and satisfied after it. But nothing is complete without dessert...



The restaurant also offered complimentary petit fours at every table. I am loving this amazing service!


Very sweet semifreddo. And each flavour was distinctive in each bite.

Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

And I got the warm chocolate tart which came as described and amazing. Its not too chocolatey and the tart is crumbly with a soft middle. Perfect end.

I was so stuffed by the end of it and loved chatting to the head chef at the end of it. And I really meant it when I said everything was good and the pasta was perfect. 

Definitely a must go, and daddy has to be prepared to be taking me there more often now.