Pension Ohno (Hokkaido)

As with life, a lot of decisions are made based on calculated risks. So, when Tripadvisor shows very few (albeit good) reviews of a place, you sometime have to make the call whether those are genuine reviews. And with a stroke of luck, you may just find something good- Pension Ohno is one of them. (Note: Trip was in July 2013). 

1) Location 

Pension Ohno is located right opposite Lake Toya. It's a 15-20 minute walk from the popular Toya Sunpalace, a hotel where everyone stays when they go to Lake Toya. There is a convenience store within a 5 minute walk away. 

For one night's stay and meals for two people, we paid a total of 16,660 JPY (around S$202). This place does not have a website of its own so we booked it on Japanican. 

2) Accommodation and amenities 
While the room may be slightly dated, it is very clean. Toilets are small. There is a free coffee/tea machine. An onsen is also available although it looked pretty dark and small.

3) Food 
This is one of the highlights of staying at this place. By paying an extra fee, you get to enjoy dinner/breakfast here. The food is lip-smacking good!

For dinner, we had a fresh and healthy combination of seafood, vegetables, meat and soup! A very wholesome meal awaits.

This is what we had for breakfast. No wonder Japanese have the highest life expectancies. This is testimony that healthy food does not need to be boring or bland. We enjoyed every morsel of food at Pension Ohno cooked by the owner. All the fresh local produce really makes a difference to the eating experience.

4) How to get there
This is the slightly tricky part if you are not going by car. It's possible to reach there by public transport just that you would have to make sure that you get down at the correct stop. Take the DonanBus from JR Toya Station to the bus stop. Continue walking in the direction of the traffic flow for around 10 minutes, ask around and you will see Pension Ohno on the opposite side of the road. I can't give any more precise directions than that because google maps have limited use when they come to addresses in Japan. When you return to the JR Station, walk back to the bus stop right in front of Toya Sun Palace.

5) Service 
The owner was friendly but not intrusive. Let her know if you have any dietary requirements in advance so that she can take note before preparing your meals.

6) What to do 
Besides walking around Lake Toya, we also walked a short distance to watch the fireworks held daily for about twenty minutes (except from November to late April). One day is more than sufficient to spend at Lake Toya.

Pension Ohno
56-2 Sobetsu Onsen
Sobetsucho, Asugun
Hokkaido

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Bakerzin (Vivo City)

One rainy Saturday evening, my friend declared that she needed chocolate lava cake and tea. When this sort of craving hits, there's no way you can fend it off. 

I opted for Chocolate Amer ($8.50) which is a flourless sponge cake, with chocolate mousse made with valrhona chocolate. I was pleasantly surprised that I could switch vanilla ice-cream for chocolate ice cream. Now this is a marvellous combination of all things chocolatey. Rich and suitably bitter- unless you have a heart made of stone or you absolutely hate chocolate (how's that even possible?), you will fall in love with this cake.

Bakerzin's cakes have always been on the pricier side. But this cake felt so comforting, it is like sitting by the fireside on a cold winter night,

Bakerzin (Vivo City)
VivoCity
1 Harbour Front Walk
#01-207
Tel No: 6 438 8700 

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I Wan Noodles

On a Friday night, this eatery was still pretty crowded although this part of Tanjong Pagar isn't where young people would be seen on a Friday night- think Duxton Hill, Ann Siang Hill etc.

I tried the Signature Chilli Crab Wanton Noodles ($8.80). This consisted of a very huge piece of deep fried soft shell crab and many shredded deep fried pieces of beancurd skin. While they are pretty generous with their ingredients, the crab sauce fails to impress- it was pretty dilute and was a little too salty.

While the food is innovative and affordable, the crab sauce was disappointing. Servers were friendly though. 

I Wan Noodles

Maxwell Chambers

32 Maxwell Road

#01-07

Tel No: 6 222 8968 

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Eighteen Chefs (Tiong Bahru Plaza)

The first time I stepped foot in Eighteen Chefs at Simei was four to five years ago. In that span of time, they have opened a couple more outlets. 

Why 18? Apparently the number 18 has reference to a secret society in Singapore. The owner of Eighteen Chefs, Benny Se Teo, is behind this venture to help troubled youths and ex-convicts. 

This place is well known for its baked rice. But I decided to go for the Tom Yam Seafood Aglio Olio ($13.80). It was appetising but the prawns weren't exactly the freshest of the lot. If only there was more sauce to go with this dish because the pasta bordered on being a little too dry. Nonetheless, I liked how fragrant this dish was.

Pretty much self-service here- place your own orders, get your own water, get your own cutlery. Food was average for the price.

Eighteen Chefs (Tiong Bahru Plaza)
302 Tiong Bahru Road
#02-K1/K6

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Plitvice Lakes (Croatia)

Yesterday, I saw a post on 15 Charming Small Towns you need to visit in Italy. Then, wanderlust set in. Hopefully this post will similarly ignite your desire to visit the Plitvice Lakes!

I spent a full day in July at the Plitvice Lakes and its magnificence is unrivalled.

1. What to do

Your sole responsibility at Plitvice Lakes is to take in all the sights- the lakes, caves and waterfalls.

Entrance fees are 110KN for one day (adults).

There are several walking trails and the trails are marked very clearly so you won't get lost. Choose your trail depending on how long you would like to walk. For example, Trail A (2-3 hours) is at the lower parts of the national park. Trail K (the one we did) takes around 6-8 hours and you get to walk around the entire national park. If you are healthy and up for it, I recommend Trail K. A bit of hiking to do, but I promise it will be all worth it (always in hindsight).

The weather in July was perfect- cooling for a long walk.

Lots of flora and fauna, something to marvel at with every step.

The advantage of taking the longer trail (minus burning fats) is that the scenery from up there is amazing.

Carry some food to have a picnic here.

2. How to get there

Buses from Zagreb, Zadar or Split will get you there. We caught a bus from Zadar and took a bus to Zagreb. Timetable here. Timetables are posted at the stations, so keep a lookout for it.

3. Where to stay

There are three hotels which are located within the park itself. However, I highly recommend Villa Lika.

4. What to eat 

Food options were pretty limited in the area. We tried some food at a ski resort nearby but it was nothing to shout about.

Conclusion 

If you love nature or are a photography buff or just want to have a chill time, Croatia is the place for you! 

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5 Reasons why I like Christmas

1. Festive decorations 
I love it when I walk down the streets and am greeted by christmas trees adorned with quirky ornaments, the splashes of colour and how all these make each step taken a little lighter.

2. Season of giving
I know Christmas is a very commercialised season. But it also gives us the perfect opportunity to write cards, think of thoughtful gifts for our family and friends, thus concluding the year on a good note. We also don't forget those who need a little Christmas cheer. While giving can happen any time of the year, we often get too caught up with the mundanes with life. So, spread some love to everyone this season!

(credit: everydaypeoplecartoons)

3. Memories
Christmas always invokes a lot of good memories. All the time spent with loved ones, the aroma of food at these gatherings and the suspense when tearing away the gift wrappers etc. I have never really fancied turkeys though.

(credit: someecards)

4. Weather
The weather in December near Christmas is generally cool. Finally, a respite from the sweltering heat for the rest of the year.

5. Christmas songs
Ah this is one part that even a grinch can't resist! Here are some of my favourites.

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Sri Sujana Nasi Lemak

I seldom venture anywhere near Changi Village because it takes forever to reach there by public transport. Last weekend, however, we decided to go to the Changi Boardwalk and had lunch at the Changi Village Market and Food Centre. Speaking of Changi Boardwalk, it was a nice escape from the daily hustle and bustle of city life- a boy roasting a small crab over a small flame, anglers who watch the world go by and families who set up camps and have picnics. A real pity though, that there was quite a bit of trash, probably swept up to the shore. 

Since there was quite a queue at Sri Sujana Nasi Lemak, I decided to join the queue with my typical Singaporean mentality. 

The Chicken Set ($3.50) was quite a letdown. The rice whilst fragrant with strong pandan taste, was a little too salty. The chicken wing while still hot, was a little over deep fried resulting in the meat being dry.

I also ordered Mackerel Otah ($1). The other otah was selling at 40 cents. I decided to order the mackerel otah to see where the premium was coming from. Turns out it was just pretty ordinary.

Apparently this stall has got the certification from Makansutra- but the standard of the food here just doesn't live up to its reputation.

Sri Sujana Muslim Food
2 Changi Village Road
#01-30
Changi Village Market and Food Centre 

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Grand Shanghai

This place seeks to bring you back to old Shanghai- the chandeliers, the stage where the band performs, everything about it just feels like this is not a typical Chinese restaurant. 

Other than the atmosphere, the dim sum was pretty average. The Siew Mai ($4.50) was my favourite of the lot with juicy fillings.

The Egg Tarts ($1 per piece) are a far cry from what any good egg tart should be like- the egg yolk didn't melt instantly and the crust did not have the aromatic buttery kick to it.

We ordered Steamed Crabmeat Dumplings ($8) but couldn't really taste the crabmeat.

The Braised Ee Fu Noodle with Crabmeat ($22) was moist and pretty good.

The Crispy Pancake Stuffed with Red Bean Paste ($12) was average. 

I wouldn't recommend getting the dim sum here because for the same price, you can get something better elsewhere. Service is nearly non-existent during weekend lunch hours.

Grand Shanghai
King's Centre
390 Havelock Road
#01-01
Tel No: 6836 6866

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Orchard Hotel Singapore

We had a one-night free stay at Orchard Hotel as we subscribed to some loyalty card. Check-in was relatively hassle free. The only problem was that they didn't have sufficient chairs in the lobby. 

For one night, this was a pretty decent stay. However, one problem that we faced was that we weren't told which wing  our room was located at- this room was located in the older wing which was not connected to the older wing. Unsurprisingly, the rooms felt a little tired. Plus, a major disadvantage of this place is that there was no complimentary wifi (not sure if it was because we were part of the loyalty programme). Remote control felt oily.

As for amenities, there is a gym and a swimming pool.

I'm not sure about the quality of their buffet breakfast but DO NOT order their ala carte breakfast at Orchard Cafe. This was definitely the worst breakfast I've had in quite some time. The Eggs Benedict were so bad- the hollandaise sauce was far too sour, the muffin was just pathetic, the hashbrowns were the best amongst the rest- pretty sure these came from the freezer.

The Pancakes with Maple Syrup was bad as well- not fluffy at all. McDonald's pancakes beat this hands down anytime!

Location is excellent if you indeed to shop at the Orchard stretch. At night, you may walk past Orchard Towers and that on its own is really an experience!

Orchard Hotel Singapore 
442 Orchard Road
Tel No: 6 7347766 

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Cumi Bali Indonesian Restaurant

Cumi Bali has been operating for more than 2 decades and is supposedly one of the best Indonesian restaurants in Singapore. The first thing that hits us when we enter the restaurant is a very strong smell which might be a little overwhelming. Ironically, we didn't order Cumi Bali, which is grilled squid.

Simple furnishing. Initially, we thought these were christmas lights but realised that it was a mish mash of random decor.

This belecan was mild but added a subtle punch to the dishes. 

The Ikan Bakar ($28) was fish slathered with otah. This was something new and while delicious, it probably could be cooked slightly more. Maybe I'm just too use to the smoky flavours of the barbequed otahs.

The Sate Ayam Madura ($7 per stick) is a must order. Big, chunky and tender- each stick is good for two to share. The sweetness of the marinate and the slightly charred taste came together perfectly.

The curry vegetables were pretty ordinary. 

It would be better to come in a larger group and share the food. Otherwise, it might be a tad expensive. Other than that, the food here is pretty good! 

Cumi Bali Indonesian Restaurant

66 Tanjong Pagar Road

Tel No: 6 220 6619 

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Penny University

The East Coast stretch is one of my favourite places in Singapore- not only because there's plenty of good food here but also because there's an eclectic blend of the new and the old and you get to see beautiful architecture in this area. 

There are very few brunch places in the East and Penny University stands out because it's affordable and the food is good. 

There was a pretty large lunch turnout and the place can be a little cramped. Other than that, some retro elements in this place coupled with a comfy setting.

If you have a look at their menu, you will realise that their menu options are a lot cheaper than other brunch places. I had the Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon ($12) which consists of poached eggs on sourdough toasts, hollandaise sauce drizzled over the eggs and smoked salmon. Apparently, there's supposed to be chilli jam as well- but this was not spicy at all. I had a nice time wiping this dish clean- poached eggs were done beautifully, salmon was fresh and bread was delightful.

The desserts display were pretty insane- such beautiful homely looking desserts! Croissants, little tarts, mint chocolate pie, carrot walnut cake etc. But this humble looking French Apple Cake ($5.50) appealed to me. This cake was not too sweet as many apple cakes tend to be and the baker didn't skimp on the apples as well- every bite had apple slices in it.

A very good option for brunch in the East, service was average.

Penny University
402 East Coast Road
Tel No: 9008 9314 

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Mezza9

There are several show kitchens at Mezza9- grill, steam basket, deli counter, wok, seafood etc. We opted for the two course set lunch ($29++) which consists of an appetiser and main course. For an extra $10, you get a dessert thrown in as well. 

The only thing that might be slightly disconcerting is that the tables are placed very near each other such that you could easily listen to the conversation at the next table. 

We were served some complimentary bread which had a crispy crust with a soft interior. The tomato dip was also a break away from the usual butter/olive oil.

For the appetisers, I opted for the Yam Pu Nim which is crispy soft shell cab with green mango salad, shallot and spring onion. This was a very refreshing dish as the sweet and sour sauce drizzled over the appetiser seeped into the soft shell crab, without making the soft shell crab soggy. Together with the crunchy bits of sour green mango, this was indeed very appetising.

Ordinarily, the tom yum soups that they serve in Singapore don't faze me at all. But this was something to be wary of. The Tom Yum Talay was so spicy, the pores on my face opened instantly. Looking at the fiery red of the tom yum, I didn't expect anything less. The fish was a little overcooked. Despite the spiciness, this soup was addictive and was perfect with the rice. Now, excuse me while I wipe my perspiration away.

The set meal also comes with coffee/tea. I opted for a cappuccino. Finally, I realise how it is possible for people to enjoy drinking coffee. The main reason why coffee isn't a daily fixture of my diet (which really isn't a bad thing) is because of its slightly sourish taste- is that caused by acidity? In any case, the cappuccino didn't have any of that sour taste and together with the chocolate cookie, made a perfect drink.

For the price and the decent fare here, I think it's worth a trip to Hyatt for the set lunch. One more thing that really tips the balance is that the service here is really attentive- didn't have to ask anyone to refill our water, pleasant service and happy faces. It was a pleasant meal!

Mezza9
Grand Hyatt Hotel
10 Scotts Road
Tel No: 6730 7188 

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