Gaga over Japanese sweets

It's Hokkaido Fair again! The last time I wrote about it was back in 2007!! Yea, after being back from Japan, I can't help but get addicted to anything Japanese again easily.

 

That day I read about the fair, I immediately made my way down just to purchase the mille crepe. But sadly, I did buy more than just the cake (a box of 4 for S$18). I got myself Sakura Mochi ice cream (S$5.50) which was mildly sweet, with a grainy texture and quite to my liking. I also got a few skewers of dango (something I missed out in Japan), each costs S$2.70, not the cheapest. I like the sesame one best, so rich and flavorful. The colorful ones were just pretty. The green tea with red beans were alright, very "Japanese" themed but otherwise nothing special. For the mille crepe, as no sample was available, I decided to go for the original flavour. It was so good, my family loved it. So I made another trip down for more.

I got the rare cheese flavour as well as the green tea (that comes sandwiched with two layers of red beans). I quite like the cheese, though the sister did not, it's a bit salty and cheese-y. The green tea is refreshing, something different and those red beans added some sweetness to it. If you get two boxes, it's at S$34 (S$2 cheaper, which I didn't know the first time!) and comes with a cooler bag. I feel like getting more, but I might be going to Malacca for freshly made mille crepe... So I should refrain from buying more!

Smartest idea ;)

Why won't they sell ice cream at half price on rainy days???

Well, isn't it so, what's the possibility of anyone getting it during such cold weather???

I would buy it if it's half the price! Anyhow, I had the passion fruit gelato earlier, it was drizzling, at least better than the cold evening the day before. So sour, so to my liking!!

(This reminds me how Giordano sells umbrellas at half price on rainy days!)

Too much foods kill

I haven't been to IKEA for breakfast for a while. And it's a joy to go there with friends :) They always have a different breakfast menu and that is very enticing. I was late, so I got my friend to order some stuff to share. This time they were serving organic pancakes and french toasts. My friend was dying to have the trademarked meatballs and wings too... and so, I gladly obliged.

The mouths did not stop there ;)

Next, our first visit to U.d.d.e.r.s (local homemade ice cream) along Upper East Coast road, it's a hassle for me as I hate the winding bus journey. But when you have company, time on the bus flies by. I was so tempted to have a double scoop but for my waistline, I decided to just stick with one. Oh boy, what a tormentous decision to make!

Above picture shows Strawberry Field (with the real sour strawberry taste!), Orange Chocolate Bitters (intense dark chocolate with alcoholic orange taste) and the famous Rum & Raisin (yummy with real raisins soaked in rum). Very very yummy... I'm sure to revisit to try the wineberries which I tested if it's still there!

We also showed our talent on the board. The above tiny animals in bright blue were drawn by a little girl who was inspired by our mini zoo and wanted to add in her contribution :)

We walked under the scorching sun to explore the nearby restaurants and decided to head for Katong Laksa which we supposed was around the corner. Fortunately, we took a bus, because it was a long way ahead! The famous ones are the No. 328 and 49.

We settled for 328 as my friend fancied the air-conditioned seating, but the laksa didn't meet my expectation. In fact, I thought the "non famous" one at Holland Village I had over a month ago did a better job! So no no for a re-visit, no matter how many newspaper clippings you have on the wall!!

I wonder if this combination (alcoholic ice cream plus katong laksa with lots chilli) was so lethal that it made me so exhausted when I got home. After a short nap, I woke up with body ache and a headache that didn't leave me for over a day. To make it worse, I think all the walking under the hot sun didn't help! Today my face broke up in red itchy patches and pimples :( I might be allergic to something. Is it the ice cream?? Or the laksa?? Or was it heat exhaustion? I told the doctor who was amused when I said it might be allergy (haha, sometimes I'm a self doctor), he didn't think so but gave me the medicine anyway. True enough, after 2 pills and a mask I put on this morning, my skin totally recovers! Phew!

Das Eis und Sorbet

Find this place @ PARCO Marina Bay, Galta Gelato Italiano Artigianale. A gem for ice cream and sorbet!

I had it twice since and nothing will prove otherwise. The ice cream is just so good... the sorbet a little too sweet for my liking but some flavours are pretty okay. I didn't snap a photo of the little shop, but they have 2 cool rotating machines, one for ice cream, the other for sorbet. The staff are also very generous with the scoops, it's S$4.80 for double, just nearly a dollar more than a single! There's no point trying to save some calories anyway ;)

Pink Guava & Raspberry sorbet.

Rum Orange & 100% Black Chocolate.

The Rum Orange & 100% Black Chocolate is my most recent try, and I swear that rum is really strong on the first spoonful... But I didn't get drunk ;) Nothing beats chocolate, and not to mention, dark chocolate. It isn't bitter, it just tastes delectably not-too-sweet. The sorbet is my first try, those are the least sweet flavours among the others. Too much Pink Guava can get a little too sweet but fortunately the raspberry balances it out nicely.

I also sampled Pistachio flavour at their tasting booth in Millenia Walk, however it wasn't there for sale!!! I would love a scoop of that, so milky and refreshing! Raspberry with ginger is a quirky idea, but that combination is just not right.

They always have something new... so go and have a look at their new and constantly changing menu!

B&J's Free Cone Day

That's today! 17th April 2007, an annual celebration internationally - wow, worldwide, so wherever you're, go find a Ben & Jerry's store!

I had the cookies & creams, yummi yumm yummm... always have time to Q for another! The news, B&J's has also joined Environmental Challenge Organisation (ECO) Singapore to fight against global warming... Wow, what is this wind that is blowing around Singapore now. Nothing bad, but hey this "Save the Earth" campaign seems to be all over. B&J's will be selling their 100% Biodegradable grocery shopping bag at S$10 with profits donated to ECO... very tempted to get one, shall find out!

UPDATE
Greedy me, I know... Yes, I know I shouldn't... but it's BEN & JERRY!!! So I got another cone of strawberry cheesecake. God, it's heavenly. And now I can promise no more (dairy) ice-cream indulgence for a month at least... I can do the sorbet/real fruit juice one, right? Fair enough?

I can't believe it, I don't like caramel!

UNCANNY CASHEW! You scored 66% SWEET, 81% CHUNKY, and 74% UNIQUE!

sweet cream base with caramel-coated cashew pieces & swirls of caramel What a nutty person you are...with an ice cream flavor to match! But there's more to you than just being crazy and 'out there'...you have a good heart and you can be creative when the mood strikes. You could stand to calm down a bit, but overall, you're a good person to have around.

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender!

Link: The Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Flavor Test written by weered1 on OkCupid Free Online Dating

Have a break, have a tic tac

I don't like Kit Kat so muchhh.....

I didn't end up buying the yam mooncake, I couldn't find them. ALL SOLD OUT. Just get on my nerves these last minute shoppings, it never went well for something like that. Anyhow I replaced them with 5 mini tubs of Ben & Jerry ice creams, enough for all. Fortunately, they made up for it.

Mid autumn [mooncake festival] this year wasn't as exciting. It could be the lousy weather, the rain that spolit the atmosphere. Or could be myself?! I made a [simple] wish with all the candles I lit up the last mid autumn, it came true. I should be thankful or in a way give myself a kiss because I made the effort. This year, I wish for nothing... I want it to be over with my mind at peace. It felt good and I slept well.

Months of hard work, I pity my eyes for being tortured by these computer screens. Time to give it a break, I had my coming Monday OFF, yippee!!! I want to jump like a kid, thumping the ground with my elephant legs!!! I want a candy. I should buy myself some sweets.

So many plans [or is it "much"?!?!] for the lovely Saturday & Sunday. A booze. The beach. Long-time no-see friend. Volleyball [finally]. My mates. Dancing. A swim. DVDs. Aww, I can't wait. Have a nice weekend too.