Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, Losing It's Magic

This time last week, Lin & I had lunch at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant. We've not been there in the last few Shanghai trips & thought we should this time round. :) I missed the xiao long baos...

There was a long queue as usual. But we didn't have to wait that long as we adjourned to the upper floor. :)

The red eye flight dulled our brains. *.* We should have gone for the sampler set, which allows us to taste the various dumplings and snacks at a valued price. But instead we went a-la-carte. We wanted to change our order but the waitress said no... :( Lin was upset, but I reminded her not to let the bad service spoil our mini vacation. :) 

Somehow we felt the food wasn't as fabulous as before. Or is it because we have tried better dumplings in other restaurants?

The prawn balls with crab roe soup were in fact soupless? And we found them oily. It kind of spoilt our appetite for whatever's coming next.

Next up were crab roe tofu & salted cashew nut with black sesame cake. I remember liking the crab roe tofu very much, but somehow it wasn't spectacular anymore. :( The salted cashew nut with black sesame cake was kinda weird. It was salty, sweet...couldn't really describe it. It was an acquired taste.

Lin didn't quite like the crab roe & shark fin dumpling, but I thought it was quite good? Lol! :)))

Thank goodness the xiao long bao didn't disappoint us! :) It was juicy & flavourful.

We felt the glutinous rice dumplings we learnt at our cooking class some years back in Shanghai was much better. :))) Maybe it was because we were more generous with our stuffing. :)))

The restaurants in Shanghai serves complimentary fruit platter. ;)

We took a stroll around Yu Yuan and the commodity shops nearby after lunch.  :) There are actually lots of hidden treasures waiting to be uncovered. ;)

Details of Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant:

Yu Yuan

378 Fuyou Rd
Shanghai, China

Brunch or Lunch at Fountain, Xintiandi

Prior to going to the Singapore Day Carnival on Sat, Mary, Alecia, Lin & I headed to Fountain, Xintiandi for a quick brunch which became lunch instead. :)))

Not too bad a place but do not expect much of the service. One of the service staff was in fact grouchy. : /

I love this pic Lin took of Alecia & myself. :) I've become Alecia's playmate. Lol! :))) And she wanna sit beside me for all meals. Well, I'm honored. Lol! :)))

Mary & Alecia shared a French Coquette Madame while Lin & I shared Fountain's char grilled burger. They were both pretty good. We love the chuncky fries. :) They could have been more creative with the dips for the fries instead of plain-o tomato sauce though.

Details of Fountain Xintiandi:
Unit 4, Building 10-12
Lane 181, Taicang Road
Luwan District
Shanghai 200021, China
T: +86 21 6326 8800
W: http://www.fountainxtd.com/

Singapore Day 2011 新加坡 “热”

We've been MIA for a week as we were in Shanghai! :) Great to be back in Shanghai & spending some time with Mary & drama baby, Alecia. :) Alecia hasn't been to Singapore and Mary wanted her to experience a slice of our country. So what better way to bring her to Singapore Day Carnival at Shanghai Central Park yesterday noon! ^.* The day was perfect for a carnival even though it was a little chilly. :)

There were some familiar stuff at the carnival such as HDB flats & courtesy lion.

Alecia was glued to the stage performances by various artists such as Jeanatte Aw, Michelle Chong and students. We didn't manage to stay for Kit Chan's performance though. Lin and I had to rush to another place before heading to the airport.

Alecia & I entertained ourselves while Lin & Mary went to queue for some local fare.

Satays was the only local delight Lin & Mary got as the wait at each food station was approximately 35 mins! :O The other popular hawker fare available were chicken rice, nasi lemak, chilli crabs, hokkien mee, Indian rojak, satay bee hoon, tau suan, bandung and teh terik. :) These are fabulous treats for fellow men who are miles away from home and such authentic hawker fare is not widely available. Singaporeans from Beijing, Chengdu etc, made their way to Shanghai for this carnival. :) Alecia loves satay! :D

Alecia & Mary looked fabulous with our national flag! :)

Each participants were given at least 2 goody bags! :) We love the SG jude tot bags! :)

And we love the newspaper printed pinic mat, the cutesy T-shirt, the recipe books & CD (appropriate when we have a local themed party). :)

Do check out Shanghai Central Park if you're in town. It's a pleasant place for family outings. ^.*

Koka & Blossom's Day Out

We took Koka & Blossom (Emma's new love) to Canopy today! :) Fabulous weather with occasional breeze. :D

Koka spotted Shueling who was having breakfast with her SingPost's colleagues from afar! Lol! :))) And so we finally introduced her to Shueling's dog, Bubbles! :)

Isn't Blossom beautiful? I love her "perm"! ^.*





















Koka wants to eat BUT we wanna take pics! :)))

Koka: "Are those Egg Benedicts mine?"

Koka: "That's it???" *.*

I was nice enough to give her a pinch of my muffin! Hahahahah.... :D

Details of Canopy Garden Dining & Bar:
Bishan Park 2
T: +65 6556 1533
W: http://www.canopydining.com.sg/

Ginger Fried Rice

It's a hectic Friday! So I decided to cook something real simple but delicious - ginger fried rice. And when mom, beanie & Lin are home, they would have something to fill their tummies.

There are many variations of ginger fried rice and here's my take. ^.*

Ingredients (serves 4)
2.5 cups of uncooked rice
1 tbsp of chopped garlic
1.5 cup of shredded ginger
1.5 - 2 cups of celery
1kg of prawns
1/2 chicken stock cube
1.5 tsp of soy sauce

Method
Cook rice in a rice cooker you normally would & leave it aside
Boil the prawns, de-shell, dice  and leave them aside
Heat some butter in a wok, add garlic & fry till fragrant
Add the ginger & celery, fry for a few mins
Add the rice and chicken stock cube and mix them well with the other ingredients
Season with soy sauce
Fry a while more & it's done! :)

What did you have for dinner tonight? :)

Who Has a Cuter Butt?

Who has a cuter butt? Lin or Koka?

Mom: "Of course Koka!"
Lin: *.*

Linda & Andy's Bundle of Joy :D

This is not the usual posting on food, travel or Koka. But we just wanna SHARE the good news! :D Our gf, Linda delivered to a beautiful baby boy on Tues! :) Lin & I managed to find time to vist them at Thomson Medical this morning! :D

We proudly present to you this cutie pie, Aidan! :)

Aidan is such a great baby. He's able to sleep amidst all the rattle. :))) His mommy was busy packing and all ready to go home! :D

Oh, here's our little gift of love for baby Aidan. ^.*

Looking foward to seeing him at his 1st month celebration! :D