Habitat Coffee & Tim Ho Wan

Just another short reviews of a cafe and restaurant which both, was my first try.

Last week, I had my brunch at Habitat Coffee, located at Upper Thomson, just opposite of Udders.  

"The Big Ben" - $14

salad, scrambled egg, sausage, hash browns, mini pancake and hollandaise sauce

At a weekday, and 2PM+, it was a full house even with waiting list for some others. 

My first impression of the place wasn't on how the interior looked like but how squeezy the cafe is. I'm guessing like most other F&B business, they hope to have as many tables as possible to be able to hold more customers. I couldn't even have a proper short chat with my friend as the tables between each other was too close and uncomfortable. I constantly hear people saying 'excuse me' in order to pass through behind me, as I was sitting by the door. 

Food: 

It was okay, not bad but neither was it extremely tasty. I like the hash browns though. 

Overall, not worth $14 for it. 

I would still hope to go back for a try on others in the menu, provided the cafe isn't overcrowded. 

Yesterday, I met up with my smallest aunt, her two kids and grandmother with my mom. Went all the way to Jurong, Westgate just to try out Tim Ho Wan! Yes, I haven't tried it before. I'm just not willing to queue for it. We met at 11AM, though we arrived a little late. The rest were already in queue and we only got a table at near to 12PM.

Bad lighting as it started to rain and I would prefer natural sunlight. 

Congee

Pan Fried Carrot Cake

Vermicelli Roll with Shrimps 

this was good! 

Har Gau 

another favorite!

Siew Mai

which came toppled 

Fried fish with some kind of salad sauce

which I didn't like it

Beancurd Skin Roll with Pork and Shrimps

Baked Char Siew Bun 

which is the reason on why I wanted to try Tim Ho Wan! 

Honestly, I was disappointed with the size of it. I thought it would be bigger though. The taste was pretty good, but wasn't up to what I expected. Maybe as I hear so many good reviews about it, my expectation went further up. 

I guess I still prefer the traditional steamed kind with soft fluffy bun.

Mango Pomelo Sago 

Red Dates and Chrysanthemum Jelly

Total price was $60+. Which I find it quite reasonable.

I will still go back for some of the dim sums that I like, but not with the long queue.

Side note, I had breakfast for dinner yesterday due to the whole day breakfast from McDonald's! Would love it if they offer this often.

Habitat Coffee:

• 223 Upper Thomson Road
• Singapore, Singapore 574355
• https://www.facebook.com/habitatcoffee/

Tim Ho Wan (Westgate):

3 Gateway Drive #01-13/14
Westgate, Jurong East
Singapore 608532
Tel: (65) 6686 2000

https://www.facebook.com/timhowan

Icon by Shunji Matsuo

Last Sunday, 11 August 2013

Went all the way to Tanjong Pagar, 100AM for hair treatment with Lihern. We bought the $38 groupon vouchers which includes Hair & Scalp treatment. Then I added additional step for the scalp treatment and a hair cut by my stylist which happens to be a senior one. 

Total: $32 (UP $40) + $25 + GST = $60.95 + $38 (Groupon)

Spent so much for my hair! Side note, my hair is short now again which I'm liking it! 

After that, went off the meet Eileen and her family for the 7th Month Dinner.

Busy period coming, with all the talks after classes, then FOH volunteer, and most important UT3. 

Day out with Mom & Brother

Tiring but fun Saturday! 27th July 2013

Out for my appointment early in the morning at 7AM, then breakfast and back home. Napped and went out to meet Mom at 4:30PM at Bishan to Expo Electronics Fair. Had her lunner at Aljunied first, then went to Changi City Point to walk around while waiting for brother to reach.

Went Skechers and bought her a pair of shoes as her current ones is too dirty already.

Off for a short visit to the Fair after that, then to Changi Airport Terminal 3 for Earle Swensen's. As mother wants to eat the free flow salads and fruits and her favourite ice cream. Queued for almost an hour due to peak hour! 

My dessert and the foods shared between me and brother. Total bill: $118

Took bus back home after that! And only reached home at almost 12AM. 

City Square Again With The Cousins

Cousin Apple and I planned to bring two of our younger cousins out for a day trip set on this particular day.

Initially, the plan was to go Bird Park as there is a promotion meant for school holidays. Last minute changed of plan as cousin's leg was in pain. Couldn't think of where to go, and ended up back to Momiji again! Since the two sisters are Japan lovers.

No photos of the foods this time, since it's practically the same.

Mom passed me money to treat them! Ended up nearing $100 for four of us.

Decided to watch movie after that! Chose Epic as there was no other suitable movies for the twelve year old cousin.

3.5/5 stars! Pretty nice and funny, but as the storyline was meant for children, everything that goes along was  already expected.

Went to play at Time Zone for a short while as well! Been so many years. 

Had dinner over there as well! Decided on Old Town White Coffee after a very long decision.

Apple's treat this time round! Also for my birthday treat.

Ended our day after that! Fun and tiring.

Genting Trip, 4 Days 3 Nights

5 June 2013, Wednesday - 8 June 2013, Saturday

Was supposed to worked for a week at my previous office during my second week of my school break. Then on Monday, mom texted me to say she's going Indonesia, and insisted me to go as well. After some persuading, decided to go. And the trip is happening on Wednesday. Two days later! Most last minute trip ever.

The thing is, all the along I thought we were going Indonesia until that very morning when we board the coach and I asked her, saying isn't that coach going Genting? Then she replied me saying we are going Genting as my birthday was coming and she wanted to give me a Surprise! Very surprised indeed! And so, all I had packed was shorts and t-shirts. No cardigan nor jacket.

Went there to relax, eat and shop. Not many photos for this trip as nothing has changed.

Watched After Earth over there! Felt it's quite interesting, except some illogical parts. 3/5 stars.

Tore open my pouch as the zip came off and our room card was inside ._."

Bought these from Sasa as they were having sales! 

Mom insisted I buy a cardigan even though I said I wasn't cold. Didn't use it even once.

It was always only during overseas trip that I am willing to buy Starbucks. Drank it daily! 

I did love to go again, especially next year where I will be able to step in the casino legally!

Momiji Japanese Buffet with Cousin

And so, our (cousin Apple and me) real soon to go back to City Square was yesterday day! 

31 May 2013, Friday.

We actually planned for this buffet during our last trip for the korean bbq buffet. Walked pass it and find it so appealing! Met up for the lunch period as the dinner was much more expensive. To our surprise, there were queues even before opening! This makes us even more excited for it. 

Paid around $25 each after adding everything. So worth it!

There were lots of varieties and best of all, cooked salmon! Kiseki only offered Sashimi, so I didn't ate much. This time, I ate to my fullest! We were in love with their saba fish too! If I remembered correctly, we were satisfied with everything that went in to our mouth. 

The desserts! Look at the varieties again! We were shocked in a good way that the ice creams were from Haagen Dazs! Most of the buffet restaurants offered only cheap brands but not Momiji! We both agreed that just by going for the free flow ice cream were worth the price. Unfortunately, we only had one serving each due to the stomach being full already!

I don't know about my cousin, but I'll definitely want to go back again. I even feel like eating them again right now. Maybe partly because I am hungry right now.

After that, we stroll around the mall while carrying a heavy stone each. Our full stomach!

Then to Bugis after that at 4pm+, went to find another cousin, Lihern as I want to buy skincare products.

At around 7:30pm, we decided to have dinner even though we still felt full from the buffet earlier as we are worried we will be hungry by the time we reach home, and there's nothing to eat. Decided on Crystal Jade! As dimsums are small servings, no need to worry we can't finish it.

We shared the above, and paid $10 each. Back to carrying a stone again after that. 

Walked around again, and went back home at 9pm!

The loots! from Missha! Bought the Oxygen Micro Essence Peeling at $42.90 before discount, and Cleansing tissue at $14.90 before discount. The other two are free gifts! Had 35% and 30% off for the products. The good thing having cousins working at a beauty care shop. 

Outing with cousins

On the 22 May 2013, Wednesday, I met up with cousin, Apple for korean bbq buffet! It was a last minute thing, and so I spent the time in class googling for one restaurant. Decided on Gangnam Garden at City Square Mall! The food was ok, except that the variety was very little and the price was not cheap. I think it was $30 or $35 for each pax.

One thing we both loved about that mall is the quietness and emptiness. So we've decided to go back there again very soon!

And as it was school break for me after Wednesday's last class, we both decided to not end the night so early since neither of us have either school or work the next day. So, we decided to catch a movie before calling it a night! Went for Coffee bean to chill while waiting for the time to reach. Cousin treated me for the Hazelnut Ice Blended! I'm craving for it again since. I guess it's my new found expensive favourite drink.

 Decided on Star Trek!

It was good. Despite neither of us watched the first movie of this. 4/5 stars!

Then on the 24 May 2013, Friday, met with another cousin of mine, Lihern to catch Fast Furious 6! We went to Dhoby Ghaut for meal, and cousin's quick shopping. Went back to her place to rest, then off to North Point! Bought Share Tea along, then popcorn and off we go.

Definitely a great movie. Been waiting for this to come out! 4.5/5!

Although I prefer the previous bank robbery scene where the two main lead work together and pulled the vault around the streets slamming everything in the way!  

Mother's Day dinner at Cafe De Paradiso

So, initially was intending to treat mom for vegetarian mother's day dinner. Then, I asked her if she wants to ask my grandma along, as the previous night when they celebrate mother's day with the other aunts and uncles, we were not there. Decided on this Cafe since it's near my grandma, and I have been wanting to try it. Last minute, mom asked my neighbour along, as her sons are not taking her to any dinner and will be alone at home. Lucky us, mom friend drove us to my grandma's. Ended up cousin came along too.

WRONG CHOICE

Here's the bad experience. Before we were seated, we ordered our food first cause we know it will take awhile to be done. We ordered around 7.45pm. The claypot yi mee came, without any utensils. Mom self-serviced to get it. Then, vegetarian sharkfin soup came. Without any small bowl as well. They just dump the big bowl here and went off. Until we call out. After that, the cereal prawn came. We just stared at it cause our rice wasn't here! Halfway, the table beside us asked for two water, and the waitress slam the drinks on our table without checking and went off. We have to pass the drinks ourselves to the next table.

This is one thing I am most mad of. After nearing to 8.45pm, I checked with the waitress on the rest of our dishes, if she have missed out ordering it. She assured me it's on the way. And went off. Shortly, I saw the chef shouting to her, asking her HOW MANY BAKED RICE IS NEEDED, AND SHE ANSWERED THREE. So what is this? ON THE WAY? You didn't even send the orders to the kitchen in the first place! My mom, cousin and neighbour was very hungry already. The baked rice only came at over 9pm. It took over 1 and a half hour for their supposedly dinner to come.

Then at first, we ordered satay as well. I saw them serving a few to other tables, and stopped. Until I checked with them as well, and they said it's coming. After very long awhile, I saw them mass serving the satays. Like what? Shouldn't you serve based on the table's order instead of mass producing then serving them all at once and let the tables that ordered first wait so long?

I ordered an Ice Chocolate and Banana Chocolate, and after awhile, the Ice Chocolate came. After waiting, I checked again, and they forgot my Banana Chocolate...

The very last dish came, potato cheese balls. When we were already done with other food at like 9.30pm which is their closing time. We thought they forgot this again, and never bothered to ask them.

And the bill. What to expect? More problem. I checked through and saw a smoothie, and a cappuccino charged to us. Then I saw 12 cups of plain water charged to us as well. 5 person drinking 12 cups of water. You kidding me? We came for water buffet? They just mixed up the table's bills and anyhow charge! Ended up they overcharged us over $10+. So glad I checked the bill. Normally, I don't.

Total bill came up to $95.

Totally feel so heart pain. Not cause of the money, but we have to pay for the unpleasant experience, and making my mom and others suffer with empty stomach for so long. When it's supposed to be a celebration.

Will I ever go back again, NO. Unless someone wants to treat, and it's not during peak hour time.
In my opinion, if they can't handle so many customers, then don't open so many tables.
Although the food was not bad.

The only picture I took when we just settled down. Nice ambience though. Then I never bothered to take photos of their foods after that. Was already fuming mad.

Mom and cousin

P/S: Don't get plain water next time if you wanna go. They charge us 50 cents per cup, and never bothered to let us know when we ordered it, never thinking it's so expensive.

Chinese New Year 2013

It's Chinese New Year! As usual, first will be to my father's side. 

The grandma with most of the grandchildren.

Salute to the yellow man that is going to the army very soon.

The red team

Favourite photo of the day!

Went to watch Ah Boys to Men 2 with the cousins after that. Another cousin booked the tickets in advance. 6PM at Junction 8. Awesome movie! Went for late dinner at Pasta Mania with cousins, Lihern & Lishan then to aunt's house to chit chat with brother after that, and ended the day!

Day 2 of CNY, went mother's side. Love the foooods! Not all relatives were there as uncles and their family came at Day 1 while aunts and us came at Day 2.

The princess with her two bodyguards.

Took a train back to sembawang alone at the evening as both brothers went somewhere else earlier, and mom is going another place as well. Went to 2nd aunt's place for steamboat, then home when parents came to fetch.

Day 3, was to one of mom's friend's place at Admiralty. Had yummy foods! Then back home. Later in the night around 11pm, Maggie came over with her boyf. Ordered Domino's for us and brother. Chit chat and gaming for the night, then they went back.

Not the end of the CNY although there's no more yearly visitings. Back soon!