Thursday, December 31, 2015

Good bye my memorable 2015, hello to an awesome 2016!

I remember writing resolutions every single year in the past and end up not really fulfilling them. Last year, I can't exactly remember what I told myself I want to achieve but the only thing that etched in my mind was to travel.

I've always wanted to see the world - well, everyone does. But I would say that 2015 has been really fulfilling, exciting and unforgettable.

There were a fair share of happiness, joy, tears and anger. So much happened within the course of 365 days. Well, I'm not going to go into details - so if you can understand, you can, if you can't then that's too bad.

By the time you are reading this, I would probably be at some corner of Taiwan, Taipei counting down with my beloved relatives/cousins. Though this would be the 4th trip to Taiwan together as a family but hey, it doesn't really matter which country we repeatedly visit because it's the company that makes it different.

Let's see...

I..

  1. Got a new job this year, which I'm currently loving it.
  2. Finally graduated from my part-time university course after a painful 3.5 years
  3. Set foot prints to Vietnam and Manila for the first time.
  4. Traveled to Korea, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
  5. Made tons of new friends from all over the world through the course of work.
Some may say I am enjoying 'good life' - well, I don't disagree with you but neither do I entirely agree with you. Just like every glamorous moment, you just don't see the efforts, pains and sacrifices behind it. Not implying anything... #justsaying

This year has been really fruitful for me. Be it personal or career, it has been a fantastic year. It may not have been smooth sailing, but it sure shaped me up a lot. 

Every time I go away from home either for days or weeks for business, I learn something new from the new people I meet in my life. I'm blessed to be able to know all these people, though they may never read this - but hey, you came in my life and made it awesome. I may never tell you how awesome and happy I am to meet you, but I do. While we're miles apart, I hope friendships build will last.

Change is the only constant. People change all the time and we all adapt and change together - for better or for worst, it's never for one to simply judge. No one stays at the same spot forever, you either move forward or get left behind. Your dream now will be different from 5 years ago and it will continue to change in the next 5 years to come. No one should tell you that your change is wrong - because it's for no one to judge your life.

Friends come and go, some stay while some go. You can't grab hold of everyone even if you want to. Maybe you never wanted to let go, but certain circumstances you gave yourself let that friendship slip through the cracks of your fingers. Friendship built 5 years ago changes over time, but no one said changes are bad - it just depends on how you look at that change. The best love is to let one be free to do what they want, not to tell them what you think they should be doing but to support their decision. Never control someone's life just like how you don't wish to be controlled.

Thank you to those whom have always supported me in any decisions I make. Always hoping I choose the best for myself, regardless of what it may implicate on you. You know who you are, I don't need to name. I don't express much but it does not mean I don't appreciate. Or rather, sometimes I just don't know how to best show my appreciation.

To you whom shut your doors on me - I don't know what to say. I barely speak to you anyway and I reckon we've not met for years, but yet one fine day I realize that hey - what happened? It is necessary to go to this extend? I was taken aback and left confused but I decided not to pursue further. You decide what's best in your life. If removing me from your life makes you a happier person then I will not barge into it. Friendships are like connecting doors, it takes two open doors to walk through. Though you closed yours, mine is still left agar. Till the day you decide to open it again, just push a little and you'll traces of me left behind.

Always do it for yourself, not for anyone. Do what makes you happy, not what makes someone else happy. When you are happy, happiness will spread. Don't change just to suit someone, someone that suits you will come. 

I just realized this seems like a very emotional post but hey - it's just my thoughts in bits and pieces through my eyes in my life. You may disagree with me, it's fine. And no, I'm not depressed or what, hahaha, I'm probably having the best time of my life now as you are reading and enjoying the cold and fun surrounded by my family.

I left this post in my drafts for months before I scheduled it to be posted on this very last day of 2015. For memory sake, I wanted to draw up my year with a closure.

The road ahead of me is uncertain and grey, I don't know what's coming my way and neither do I know if I'm staying the same. That 'me' you meet today might be different from that 'me' you meet 3 months down the road. I can't tell you I'm never changing - because changes are everywhere. Just like my horoscope sign - free spirited and highly adaptable, I probably live up to it. I'll still probably stay annoying and noisy so... hahahhaa! Anyway..

To whoever that is reading this...

I wish you had a an awesome 2015 and the next would be even better. Happy new year!

xoxo, 
pepperminter

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Starker @ ZhongShan Park

This place gives me the shuffle/switch feel but definitely a lot quieter. They have a range of unique beer and personally I liked the lychee one. Well, anything that's sweet for alcohol will definitely be my choice.



Pork Ribs $19.80

Seafood Aglio Olio $22.80

Smoked Salmon $19.80

Beef Burger $18

Chicken Burger $16.80

Duck Confit $24.80

Pork Knuckles $38.80 (For sharing of 6pax) this is their signature so you can order like how we did, to share on top of my mains if you can eat hehe.


Lychee Beer 

Good place for good beer, good ambiance and good food. Also, the surrounding is pretty quiet for a wind down Friday too!

***

Address:
1 Jalan Rajah #01-02/03 
Singapore 329133

Opening hours:
Sunday to Thursday 1200 to 0100
Friday & Saturday 1200 to 0200

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Cafe: Laurent's Cafe @ Heeren

Made reservations for a Saturday afternoon for brunch at Laurent's for a birthday celebration last month. Open and spacious concept, really loved the entire experience there.

Mainly I think their desserts are worth returning for, the mains are not too bad too.

I really can't remember what I ordered but the bread was way too tough but the salmon within was good.


This was not too bad too, something like their big breakfast.

Prawn Agio was good.





Tiramisu




Lava Cake which you have to wait for another 18 minutes for it. And yes, it was good.





I'm sorry I totally can't recall what we had so I'm just gonna leave all the pictures to do the talking. In any case, there was this particular dessert that tasted very very closed to rocher, you HAVE to eat that. It was the best among all the other delicious cakes available. Ask the friendly staff and they will gladly promote and recommend their cakes to you.

***


Address:

260 Orchard Road B1-02C,
The Heeren
Singapore 238855)

Opening hours:
Daily 0900 to 2300

Reservations:
Chope

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Restaurant Week 2015: The Chop House @ Vivo City

As you are reading this, I am somewhere... in Seoul! Hahahaha, enjoying my kimchi and rice cakes and of course the cold weather...

Anyway, another restaurant week post! Another place that I think you should totally visit even if it's not on restaurant week.

Mushroom soup which was really thick and mushroomy (if you know what I mean) hahaha

Between the 2 appetizer, I think my soup was a better choice.

Come chop house, must eat pork chop! Very, super aiyo so nice. Must eat okay hahaha.

Pasta, which I forgot was what Pasta but in any case this was decent, so the pork chop is a better choice.

Affogato which isn't my choice since I don't take coffee, but comments where this is normal.

Good tart, which I also think this is a better choice compared to coffee as dessert.

So either you wait for the next restaurant week in 2016 March (most likely) or just visit them at Vivo city for an occasion! :)

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Restaurant Week 2015: Violet Herbs @ Tras Street

Restaurant week has got to be my favourite! This time round I took the chance to visit 3 restaurants but only managed to blog 2. Out of the 3 this is my favourite! Awesome service and really good food. Totally worth the price that I paid for.

You get to visit expensive restaurants, pay probably a fraction or half to enjoy the food! Comes with normally 3 course meal for let's say a lunch is about $25++ and dinner starts from $35++. No additional charges unless you decide to top up.

Made a visit to Violet Herbs to celebrate one of my girlfriend's birthday and definitely one of the best choices made by another girlfriend whom chose this place.

Scallops... so nice, I just cannot - I need to eat this again.

I forgot what fish was this but I think is Barramudi. 


Duck Confit

Chocolate cake

Chocolate Tart

Menu is quite limited when you choose to go for the restaurant week. Usually for each section you get to choose between 3 items, sometimes you have to add on to better dishes such as beef (usually they will require top ups).

I am not sure if you can find these dishes I tried on normal days but definitely it's worth trying. Else, just wait up for the next restaurant week and book away!

Friday, December 11, 2015

Cafe: Chye Seng Huat Hardware

No need to introduce this place because I'm sure it's so popular that I'm probably one of the last few people to dine here.

Anyway, still gonna share with you what I had there.

Seats are really limited and it's free sitting. Not really suited for big groups of 6 in my opinion. Anyway, I went for lunch and had to take the bar counter seats cause it was just too crowded. It's free seating so fastest first!

Favourite point, it's nett price. Keke.

Asian Pork Collar Roll $15

Papa burger $18 (I was attracted to the charcoal bread)

Nutella mini muffins $5
Never go wrong with Nutella but 5 tiny muffins for $5, is kinda pricey. 

Cenpedak Crumble $5
Their best seller according to them but... not really my liking.

Overall, good food and ambiance. If you haven't tried it, please do. I can't comment on the coffee (it's a total waste cause I don't really drink coffee and my coffee guru wasn't with me.) but I heard it's good too. In any case, make this in your to-go list if you haven't!

***

Address:
150 Tyrwhitt Road
Singapore 207563

Opening Hours:
Closed on Mondays
Weekdays 0900 to 1900
Weekends 0900 to 2200

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Cafe: Old Boys Gallery @ Kampong Bahru

Visited this cozy cafe months back and finally having some time to pen down my thoughts of this place.

Went over for lunch and hooray to set lunches! Feels so value for money all the time hahahaha.


It was rather quiet when we were there in the afternoon. 




This salad was soooo good, I know it looks normal but trust me, it was beyond my expectation for a 'set lunch kind of salad' - if you know what I mean.


Loved my roasted pork pasta to bits.


This should be chicken chop, so long ago until I forgot what was eaten lol. Anyway this was really good too.


Back then when I finished the meal, I was very satisfied and happy. You should go and try their lunch if you can. I hope it's still available though. I probably went there 3-4 months back perhaps in September or October.

***


Address:

67 Kampong Bahru Road
Singapore 169371

Reservations:
9187 0756

Opening hours:
Closed on Sunday
Monday to Saturday
1130 to 2300