Jones The Grocer @ Dempsey Hill

Located at Block 9 of Dempsey Hill, we were seated at its alfresco seating area (smoking area). Service was pretty good, with menu and water brought out promptly without having to request for it.

Decided on a piccolo latte, a smoothie and a tapas to try.

piccolo latte

iberico chorizo with diced potatoes, and onions served with baguette

closer view of chorizo dish

The piccolo latte was quite strong, and has a tinge of bitterness to it. Still alright to have it without sugar. The baguette was nicely toasted and with an enjoyable chewy texture. The chorizo dish was rather flat tasting. Reminds me of lap cheong (preserved sausage) but not as fragrant and abit saltier than expected.

Spent $25 for food and drinks.

Plan b. @ Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur

Located at the ground floor of Mid Valley Megamall, this is one cosy looking cafe. Visited on a Friday noon around 1pm and it was crowded. It prides itself as having a modern Aussie-meets-New York deli menu.

Plan b.

One can have wholeday breakfast here. Think toast with egg, Eggs Benny, Breakfast Platter etc with prices ranging from RM8++ till RM26++. Gourmet sandwiches such as ox tongue sandwich? No problem, available here. Salads? Sure. Mains include beef steak, chicken and fish. Had a quick glimpse at the prices of mains. Expect to pay RM40++ for braised chicken and RM55++ for steak. Saw some patrons having Prime Beef Pie (@RM23++).

plain water is available here

Wasn't feeling very hungry so ordered a red velvet cake and a latte.

red velvet cake (@RM10++)

latte (@RM8++) without latte art

The cake was quite bouncy, but would've preferred if it has some cream cheese in between the layers. Liked that it wasn't too sweet. The coffee was smooth and mild.

Chong Tian Seafood Restaurant @ Taman Bukit Mewah, Kajang

Visited during the fourth day of Chinese New Year. Had early dinner. This time round, we had stir fried nai bai, steamed assam fish, egg furong, claypot tofu and braised meat with yam.

egg furong, nai bai and claypot tofu

must haves with white rice

hot water to clean the utensils

Being the first few tables for dinner, the dishes arrived pretty quickly.

egg furong (@RM10)

fried eggs with onions, small shrimps and abit of char siew

stir fried nai bai (@RM12)

simple stir-fried with garlic

braised pork with yam (@RM15)

fatty pork!

steamed assam fish - tilapia (@RM25.50)

huge fish!

The food was alright, and the fish was very reasonably priced. Plenty of meat to go around. The braised pork with yam, well, there were more yam pieces as compared to pork slices. Just four slices of pork.

Total bill came up to RM82.50 for a family of five pax.

Sate Kajang Hj. Samuri @ Kajang, Selangor

Located at Bangunan Dato Nazir, near the stadium. Kajang is synonymous with satay and the Haji Samuri brand of satay, has been around for as long as I can remember!

main outlet

Satay is available daily from 1030am onwards, except Friday from 4pm onwards. Usually crowded.

In the good old days (read many many many years ago), one would order the meat and grab a seat. Then, a bunch of satay would be served and patrons would eat what they want. Once done with the meal, the seller would come by to count the sticks and for those uneaten ones, they'd take back to re-heat and would probably end up on someone else's table.

Nowadays, it's self-service and payment must be made prior to receiving the food.

self-service counter (order and pay)

antiques

The decor is quaint, with antiques such as old gramaphones, typewriters and charcoal irons displayed on shelves or corners in the dining area.

no sugar cane here

The  best drink to go with satay, would be sugar cane. Unfortunately, that is not available here. Probably too much of a hassle to make. If its any consolation, whole coconut is available. The other drinks are usually a tad too sweet.

cucumber and rice (@RM1.50+ per plate)

kuah (peanut gravy) refillable

After ordering and making payment, do collect the cucumber and rice (ketupat) if you had ordered any, plus the drinks. The only thing that'll be sent to your table would be the satay and cooked items such as fried noodles etc.

chicken satay (@RM0.70+ per stick)

The beef (@RM0.70+ per stick) and mutton (@RM1.40+ per stick) satay suffered the same fate. Both were tough and chewy. The chicken satay was pretty consistent throughout the times that we ordered. Good sized and not too tough. Would have preferred if there's a bit more fats in the chicken satay.

There are rabbit and venison too, should you wish to try.

It's strange how the taste had changed. I remembered the taste of perut (beef tripe satay) that I had when I was a child. It was cheesy. Now, it doesn't taste like cheese, at all. But if you like something soft, then perut satay (@RM0.80+ per stick) would be good. No worries, there wasn't any funky taste nor smell to the perut.

friendly satay chefs

Bliss Restaurant @ Cheng San CC, Ang Mo Kio

Located at Cheng San CC, Ang Mo Kio. How often have I dined within any community club's vicinity? Hmm..almost never?

To get there, I followed the stated directions from SG Food on Foot (Derrick, who had been to Bliss Restaurant before, and in similiar fashion which was, by public transport!).

Alighted at AMK MRT, took exit B, turned right then walk along covered walkway till there is an opening at the right side. At about halfway mark and you'll see people turning right, plus there'd be an ice-cream uncle. Then, you'll see a stairs leading up to the park, or turn left and you'll see a lift, and nearby another stairs. Take the stairs or the lift (if you must), and now walk straight. The MRT tracks would be on your left (fenced). Then, turn right again at a playground of some sorts, and you'll see a public washroom plus that tiny sign that says, "Cheng San CC". Walk right ahead and you'll see the restaurant right away.

The restaurant has an indoor dining area, as well as al-fresco area (non-smoking).

menu (food and drinks)

indoor dining area

alcohol, anyone?

This place has quite an extensive drinks list for a restaurant located in a community club. Wine, whiskey, beer, cocktails etc. Happy Hour happens daily from 3pm till 8pm, with Hoegaarden draught going for just $9+ a pint.

Hoegaarden and San Miguel, on tap

Got myself a glass of premium pour (Long Neck Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa).

Premium Pour (@$8.90+)

light golden, mild to taste, almost non-tannic

Oooh, shouldn't drink on an empty stomach. Had Suicidal Wings (@$6.90+ for 6 pieces, mid-joints and drumlets aka 3 full wings).

Suicidal Wing, coated with Hot Devil sauce & chili flakes

curry leaves for extra flavour

chili flakes

Suicidal did sound abit scary, thus requested to have the chili flakes separated so that it wouldn't be too spicy. Actually, the Hot Devil sauce, turned out to be pretty mild. Too mild, to be suicidal!

could this be Hot Devil Sauce? Turned out to be negative...hmmm..

Next up, main course. Wasn't feeling particularly hungry, so chose a seafood dish, the Lobster Tail & Caviar (@$23.90+). Originally served with rice, but requested to have that changed to garden salad instead. Not a problem. Liked that the restaurant was able to provide options to suit particular dietary requests.

Lobster Tail & Caviar

closer view

from top: miso-mayo, onion sambal and balsamic vinegar (for salad)

Am glad that the sauces were served separately, as both the miso-mayo and sweet onion sambal were pretty salty. Unfortunately, the lobster meat was a little tougher than expected.

sweet onion sambal lobster

The table near mine (dainty gals) were having sirloin steak medium rare. That blissful look on their faces after taking a bite out of the tender-looking, still pink in the middle meat, had me convinced that my next order in this restaurant, would be exactly that!

How about desserts? Perhaps a scoop of ice-cream? How about a scoop of ice-cream laced with rum? Oooh. That piqued my interest.

Mango Mojito Mambo (@$7.90+)

mango ice-cream laced with rum

with some fruit bits

This was one potent dessert! Strong rum. Recommended if you like alcohol/rum and mango ice-cream.

The restaurant has a pleasant, family-friendly vibe at its indoor area. Though I spied mostly young-adults and working adults making up its clientale during the eve of visit (weekday). Prices are reasonable and service was courteous and accommodating.

Thank you to Ms Pamela Mariveles (Marketing Officer) and Mr Xiao Yu Lin (Assistant Manager) for your hospitality.

For more information:
Bliss Restaurant & Catering Pte Ltd
Cheng San Community Club
6 Ang Mo Kio St 53,
#01-01 Singapore 569205

Tel: 62803389, Email: info@blissrestaurant.com.sg
Web: www.blissrestaurant.com.sg
Operating hours: Sun-Thurs (3pm-12am), Fri-Sat (3pm-2am)