Forlino - One for One promotion

Getting to Forlino is a challenge.  We can see it when we are at the ground level of Fullerton One, next to the mini merlion, but we could not find the stairs or lift to up.  Once you took the lift to 2nd level, you still would not be able to see the entrance.  You followed a walk way, and finally after a few turns, you would see some black and white tiles, and a few overly enthusatics waiters whom none can pronounce my name...dar dar, you found Forlino!

At 1845Hr, there were only 2 tables.  I tried to ask for a table next to the window, but was rejected as they were "reserved" Hmm..i thought i reserved too!?! 
We went for the One for One gourmet menu, at $98+++.  It was a 5 courses dinner, that started with a appertiser, which we had change to scallop instead of Pan Seared Goose Liver with Amaretto and Pumpkin Cream.

Scallop.  Taste like normal scallop.  Not too bad, but nothing great.

Homemade Spaghetti with Black Cod and Peppermint Artichokes.  This was my favourite.  The mint sauce (The green thing around the sapgehtti) gave it a very refreshing taste.

Wagyu Beef Cheek Braised with Marsala Wine and Herb Mashed Potatoes.  Beef cheek was soft and tender.

Halibut Filet with Orange, Green Asparagus and Martini Vermouth Sauce.  Sad to say, this fish filet is very normal.  It had no fishy taste, but nothing special, a bit too plain.  Beef cheek would be a better choice.

Molten Lava Chocolate Cake with Banana Gelato and Rum Sauce.  Very very sweet.  Sugar overload!

The courses ended with Coffee & Petit Fours, which i did not manage to take photo of, as the captain came to hint that my flash was too strong. 

On the whole, food was okay at at one for one rate.  Wine list was extensive, but expensive too. Forlino is more suitable for dates with the nice ambience and dim lights.  Definitely not for family.  Ask for window seats so that you can see dine with the Esplande in front of you.

Rating:  7/10 (If one for one)

Forlino Pte Ltd

#02-06 One Fullerton
One Fullerton Road Singapore 049213
Tel: 6877 6995

Wine Connection @ Robertson Quay

Wine Connection, one of the cheapest place in Singapore to have wine.  They have a good selection wine, cheese platters, and also a bistro that serve main course.  GT and I had wanted to check out the new Altitude bar at OUB centre, but due to the weather, they closed the roof top bar, so we changed our plans instead, and we ended up in Wine Connection.

I love the wine glasses :-)

They sell a lot of pasta, jams, sauce at the bistro, including Foie Gras

Duck Confitt.  I always ended up choosing duck confiit when i saw it in the menu.  The duck confiit here was a bit too salty for my liking.  Skin was alright, but not as crispy as it should be.  The potatoes on the side were very good though, and the beans took the saltiness away.

Cheese Platter.  You can also make your own platter.

Wine for the night.  NZ White.  Very nice, must remember the name Momo.

Wine Connection

11 Unity Street

#01-05/06 Robertson Walk
Singapore237995
http://www.wineconnection.com.sg/

TJ in town - Vanilla Pod

TJ is a regular visitor to Singapore, and he is also the personal shopper for the girls, and the God father of Yee Mei's children.  He is usually here twice a day, and this time he was here alone, gf at home.  We went to Vanilla Pod for dinner, and planned to go to the night safari after dinner.  I was down with flu, but thank God that after medicine, I was better to make it for the dinner, though I had to skip the safari as I was really tired.

Yee Mei and Family

Vanilla Pod was tucked at far away in Mandai, near the Mandai Orchid Garden.  Yee Mei and her hubby had an argument which was the best way to take from Parkway Parade..haha

Finally we reached the place, after bringing TJ to visit most of the highway in Singapore...ECP, CTE, AYE, KPE and PIE.  Before we got into the restaurant, we "protected" ourselves with insect repellent!  Well prepared :-)

It was quite a far from the carpark, and we finally reached the restaurant, which i thought was not as grand as I have imagined it to be.  It was really very crowded at 1915Hr, and mostly were family or large group gathering.  Well, we had a big group too.  4 children and 5 adults :-)

Starter:  Looks good but i could not eat...Paul the Octopus, sorry, it should be squid.

 Caesar Salad.  Normal.

This was my choice of my main course, and I thought was the best among the mains that we have ordered.  Grilled Haked Fish.  The seasoning that they have used was special, and it gave the fish a very nice fragance.  The meat had its texture and not too soggy, and no fishy taste at all!

Beef Tenderlion.  Cooking style was good, but the beef was not of top quality.

Sea bass with Caviar.  I thought it was too plain.  Nothing special.

Lamb Racks.  We asked for medium, which turned out a bit too bloody for my liking.

Pizzas.  Well, better than your normal pizzas, with crispy base and fresh ingredient, but i still prefer those from Spizza.

Service was friendly, but a bit too slow.  We had to wait quite a while for the mains to be serve.  Thank God that they served the children's meal first to keep them quiet.  Price was reasonable.  Recommended for family and children are welcome. 


Vanilla Pod by Chef Peter
Address: 200 Mandai Lake Road Mandai Orchid Garden Singapore
Tel: +65 6368 0672

Mount Kinabau, Sabah August 2010 (part 3)

Last day in KK.  Were on the 1330Hr flight, so we still have the morning for some local breakfast and walk around.  I wanted to buy Old Town white coffee, but it was not open til 1000Hr, alas..

We went to Jalan Kaya for breakfast as Anson claimed that it sells the best Laksa in KK.

The fanous Ba Gu Teh which was only open at night.

Barber store:

the "Best" Laksa.  Taste normal to me, and more like a curry noodle.

This trip will always be remembered for the most difficult trip i have ever made to date.  It was a once a life time experience.  At the peak, you can experience and be awed at God's creation. 
Maybe i will try again next time, with more practice.

Some asked me "Why i paid money to torture myself?"  Well, i did have a thought of regret when I woke up at 0130HR with headache.  But as I think back about the trip, I have learnt and experienced a lot of things, some of them were:

• Been in the rain for 8 hours consecutive, total 14 hours.
• Eating the most horrible food, yet i finished everything.  So means when one is hungry, taste is not that important anymore.  As a self proclaimed foodie, I nenevr know that I can eat horrible food too, and I ate a lot!
• Yours legs can go totally out of control
• How it felt for not bathing for 2 days
• Praying and climbing.  At one point, I was at the verge of giving up, so all i could do was to pray, ask Jesus to help me to complete it.  And He did! 

Mount Kinabau, Sabah August 2010 (part 2)

Okay, now we have reached the summit, the next question was "HOW DO WE GET DOWN?!?!?"

We set off again after breakfast at 1100HR.  It was another 6km down, and on average of 1km 1 hour, we needed another 6 hours to get down!!!  To make matter worse, it was drizzling when we were about to set off.  Lesson learnt:  To be specific in your prayers.  I prayed that it would not rain at night so that we can do the night climb, but i did not ask for no rain on my way up & down!

Going down was tougher than I imagined.  Partly my legs were already very exhausted, and going down the stairs had imapcted my knees, making them wobbily.  The rain did not make it easier, as the steps and rocks were slippery.  I slipped and fell again, thank God it was not serious.

This time, we were fighting to beat the sunset, so that we can reached our destination before the sky turned dark.  This trip, I finally realised what i meant by "Psalms 105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" 

I finally reached the foot of the mountain at 1900Hr, wet, tired, cold and hungry, but very happy to reach my destination.  I felt like a mission accomplished.  The next bad news was "another 2.5 hours drive back to town" which means my toes had to soak in my wet socks for another 2.5 hours.

Finally reached and checked into our fake shangri-la, spelt without a 's.  Hot shower never felt so good, and after that, I was revived and I went supper with Aw and Teck while the rest slept.

Day 4:

We have decided to take a city tour with Anson, the guide, as all of us were tired, and did not want to walk too much.  Since the city tour would bring us to most of the attractions in KK, and dropped us at the entrance, we decided to go for it.  At RM70 per person, we thought was reasonable.

My lunch: Hor Fun

 

Our first stop:  The clock tower

The city mosque

City View from Signal Hill:

We went to aqarium at the Univerity of KK, Sutra Habour before finally reaching Tanjong Aru beach to wait for the sunset.  Very happy to see the rainbow. 

Dinner time:

We finished the day with the movie Expendables.  Movie was good, except that I had problem getting out of my chair after the movie, and I hate the steps in the cinema!!!!!!!! Urghhhhhh