Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

Which of the following statements are true?

a) Yes. I do have friends in many places.

b) Yes. Deep Dish Pizza is awesome.

c) Yes. Chicago is a beautiful city.

d) Yes. You suck if you disagree with a,b & c.

I have many pre-conceived notions. I think that Godzilla exists and we should always respect Big Foot. If there was a fight between Captain Kirk from Starship Enterprise and Chewbacca, the taller guy wins. And if Spock ever had a conversation with Yoda, it would be like watching any political debate.

With that being said, my college friends live in the wonderful city of Chicago. They took the time out of their busy schedules to hang out for a few precious hours and brought us around Millennium Park, best park in Chicago hands down and brought us to Lou Malnati's, Chicago's other big name Deep Dish Pizza restaurant.

I don't really like thinking about the Deep Dish Pizza. In my mind, pizzas should be respected and not be made into a casserole. It should be crispy yet foldable, delightful and not overly simplified. The Deep Dish Pizza invokes, in my opinion, unnecessary name calling like "Butter crusted Pizza," and "different from the other forms of pizzas," or "Pizza Hut's ugly fat sister."

As delightful as the city of Chicago is, I knew deep within my mind grapes that the true test of the city is in their most famous culinary cuisine. Our gracious hosts guided us to Lou Malnati's and once I force fed the pizza in my mouth, it was as if my whole life passed, sounds of glass shattering and zits popping and then a blank.

It was good.

Now why we ordered 2 large when there was 7 of us, I really don't know. We only managed to finish 1 pizza. And yes, 1 slice was enough for me but I had 2. While walking out though, I did see a family of 3 finishing 1 large pizza. The point being this ...

Brennan's Market

After our exercise at Kopp's, the clan crossed the street and gathered at Brennan's Market.

I love this place. And I wanted to buy so many things in the store even though I was already so full.

Fruits smelled fantastic, Wisconsin produce is brilliant.

It's a must go.

Kopp"s Frozen Custard

In Wisconsin or some might call it the land flowing with milk and dispensing custard, and some might say maybe even say makers of great cheese, (isn't this just all a variation of milk you might think? And yes you might.) I was given a wonderful opportunity to taste some of it's natural goodness, except cheese of course, I don't like cheese like Wallace and Gromit.

Kopp's Frozen Custard is one such place that serves natural Wisconsin goodness. Considered to be one of the favorites by Papa G of (M&G), we took a gander and showed up.

I had been having burgers and brats the last few days, and when the G clan hit Kopp's during lunch, we reminded ourselves that we were going to treat ourselves with more burgers and brats later during dinner, so we had to order something else besides burgers.

Standing in the waiting room as if I was an anxious father to be at a hospital awaiting for the birth of my new child, me and the mrs took a deep breath and for a second had forgotten what we ordered. She ordered a cheese burger and I ordered, wait for it, a double hamburger. As if I couldn't stuff more meat in my mouth, I went for the jugular. Lola and K-Bo ordered the fish sandwich, of whom pictures I did not take because I felt a sense of disrespect on behalf of the state of Wisconsin.

Burgers. Check. Onion Rings. Check. Arteries clogged? Check.

The burger were juicy and firm. It's candor was both lyrical and erotic. And to top everything off, and as if my body couldn't take anymore calories in this wonderful Wisconsin visage, the wife ordered a turtle sundae and Lola got some custard with nuts.

Now I don't normally drink milk (actually, I have not drank milk the last 20 some years of my life), but if milk tasted like custard and was frozen, milk would be awesome. Can a customer ever complain that there is too much chocolate, caramel and pecans in a custard? I don't think so but can I just raise my arm to wonder, can I have some more?

Do cows a favor and go to Kopp's.

TV Centerfold Caption: Got Hand?

King Linus having a feast!

Santa Fe Cafe

Santa Fe Cafe is a favorite breakfast place for my in laws, lets call them Mr and Mrs G (M&G) and true to their word, they brought us there for breakfast one Saturday morning.

The wait took several minutes but it was all good. It was crowded (always a good sign) and the breakfast smelled proper. Once seated, we ordered the french toasts, omelette's, pancakes and corn beef hash for myself.

Let me explain myself before I go on, I have been in a late funk in taste and my taste buds have been yearning for something spicy. So once the corn beef hash showed up, off went the screw top of the Tabasco sauce and down it's poured into my corn beef hash, and paint me naive, but hot dog! It was a good combination.

As my in laws and wife stared at me (in my mind), I pondered at the wonder of the first person who ever put Tabasco sauce into their corn beef hash and wondered how amazing and strange yet delightful this combination was.

Breakfast, it's what with Tabasco.

McCormick and Schmick's

In our continuing adventures with B Dub, we head to the Plaza for some shopping and a walking exercise in patience as I was shopping with 2 ladies. It was lunch time and this time, because I was more awake, I made a more diligent decision.

McCormick and Schmidt's or so the wife calls it is a seafood restaurant. Now, my avid readers must be thinking, the gourmand comes from an island with exceptional seafood, will this be another faux paus? Fortunately, it was not.

We ordered the seafood Mac and Cheese, the oyster sampler, clam chowder, fried shrimp and crab cakes and I have to say each choice was good. The oysters are fresh and wonderful, my wife swears by the seafood mac and cheese, the clam chowder was slightly too corny, but that's just me, and the crab cakes were the best I've had, granted I haven't had many crab cakes before. Who would have thought a restaurant in the mid west serving good seafood? Its like me walking around Singapore asking for American BBQ.

The more important thing is that it was great weather, we sat outside, had a good time chatting and I felt like a grown up! *gulp*

The service was impeccable, and the combination of friend and being on holiday makes it an exceptional experience.

Mild-ly wildly recommended.

Krispy Kreme

Yes, its bad for you. It clogs your heart and you might probably die of diabetes. But has death ever tasted so artificially orgasmic?

One of the pilgrimages the wife always insists on is Krispy Kreme and since my in laws moved closer to one, I guess we had no choice. Our dear friend B Dub decided to meet us to drive us around and my wife had her first call of port.

I initially did not want to order anything but honestly I could not resist that smell. If only once I could taste that doughnut and I did.

My one and only time.

Worth it.

O'Dowd's

First of all, the excuse that I am giving is that I just got off the plane, I still didn't know what time it was and the server from Mizzou had to check my ID because she thought someone from KU was giving her some Mc'Lovin action.

My wonderful in laws knew of all these conditions and wanted to bring us somewhere near the airport to grab a bite and hit the sack as we will be having a crazy upcoming few days.

We go to Zona Rosa and after walking one complete round, we decided on O'Dowd's. Don't ask me why. It just seemed the most logical choice then. Like the KU-Mizzou rivalry can't get any worse, the server from Mizzou decides to sit the family right in front of the band. (hence the red lighted tinge on the pictures) and out of my own air headiness, I ordered fish and chips.

Yes, go ahead and laugh at me. Returning to a wonderful place that has fantastic BBQ, burgers and what have you, I order myself fish and chips and to true irony, it wasn't that great. The bangers and mash were decent and the wife was giving me a look on her cabbage and beef.

In defence of O'Dowd's, the band was actually pretty good, beer was cheap and it was great weather to be seated outside and it is a top 10 Irish pub in America, or so it claims.

I just wish I was more awake then.

MiMi's Cafe

Read the subtitles as the "Breakfast Tour," because the wife is such a big breakfast person and we have to do "Brinner," (having breakfast during dinner) often and one of the first stops in Kansas City is our beloved MiMi's Cafe .

Yes, its a chain and yes it has tons of old people, which seems to be weird because it seems as if only old people have breakfast? And thankfully there isn't an age limit in the restaurant. But I digress.

The food was still good and memorable. I wanted my beef roast at 11am but for good reasons, it wasn't ready but they manage to knock one out for me anyways.

In summary, I returned to MiMi's twice.

Good times.

Tokyo McDonald's Part Deux

Once again Tokyo Narita McDonald's, you have stood up to the test.

Probably the juxtaposition of the awesomeness that is you and the life demeaning Delta Airlines food gives me more reason to want to make a stop at the airport.

Don't miss it when you're there at Terminal 1.

Delta Airlines

You win! Its because of you, I have stopped eating Airplane food.

Why give your customers a menu for each meal when there really isn't any choice? It's either chicken or chicken. And why say that you serve beer or wine when you have neither? I asked for a beer and you don't have it?

Delta. You win.

Customers suck!

Warong M Nasir

It's the day before I go for my long holiday and what better way to leave to the home of hamburgers and hotdogs then to eat more local food!

As an excuse for a work meeting, I met my vendor near his home along Killiney Road. I have walked by this restaurant so many times but have never walked in.

The food was slightly pricey. I ordered a side of Beef Rendang, Curry Chicken and some vegetable kuah with 2 drinks and I paid $12. I have to say that there was too much curry happening in my rice but in the overall picture, a good meal.

Recommended.

Founder Bak Kut Teh

We were bored. Jigga Man was free and the Mrs had something else to do. I was having my pre natal cravings (I hear pregnant women have it constantly) again. Jigga Man wanted to bring me around in his new ride and I decided on Bak Kut Teh(BKT). Something that I have mentioned several memoirs ago and was thinking about.

As some of you might know, Bradell is a strange place. A place not unlike Mars but more similar to the atmosphere on Saturn. The line was long and I was reassured by Jigga Man that when there is a long line, "they will come." So we came, and waited. And after an approximate wait of 20 mins and my hunger pangs pang-ing, we finally got our seats.

We had already pre ordered while waiting in line and can I say this? I think I can because its my blog, this BKT was out of this world. There are 2 types of BKT, the darker broth that is supposedly more herbal and the clearer broth that is more peppery, it depends on whether you are Jackal or Hyde that day I guess, or Michael Jackson but I digress ... The BKT soup served here was only a tinge of pepper and a whole lot of garlic sweetness. The broth was clean and delicate. The pork ribs were meaty and succulent, the salted vegetable were well done and their vegetables broiled in broth was lovely.

Maybe like the Singapore version of the Carnegie Deli in New York, there were tons of pictures of local and Asian celebrities on the walls, so I guess some people like it.

A place worth re-visiting over and over again. Highly recommended. 12 thumbs up! But beware the line and wait.

TV: Enviromental Rant

I don't want to go on a rant here but I have no choice. I have already used the word rant in my title and you bloggers know that once you use a word in the title, you can't go back.


If you stop reading this rant in 2 sentences. It is this. Being "eco- friendly," stinks. Yes, I said that. It stinks. Take that you granola eating, pot smoking, tree hugging hippies.


Why is it that toilet urinals with the sign above always happen to be the smelliest toilets in malls? Sure, the toilets in the local hawker centres, coffee shops or even homes might have worse smelling bathrooms, but the ones using "eco-friendly," technology smells off left over urine. And what's the kicker, the flush doesn't work for these urinals and it wreaks of somebody who ate asparagus and stinky cheese, thinks that the urinals is a water fountain and goes No. 2 again in the same urinal/water fountain.


I think more people would adopt environmentally friendly technology if it didn't stink. If right now, I were to be asked if I want Mother Earth to die or die of stench, I think I would pick the former. That's how bad the smell is.


Rant out!

Warong Nasi Pariaman

So I'm left alone by the Mrs as she headed to her pedicure? Or is it manicure? With her buddy Hazelicous. So what do I do? I look for Batik shirts! As usual, Pampadam's recommendations are spot on, but before I go on a rant here; she is beginning to be more right about stuff like this than most.

I walk around aimlessly in the Arab Street area and I have to say that the place is lovely. I have hardly been to that part of the island before and the people were nice. I was thinking to myself where are they from?

Anyways, I walked into the Briyani House which my parents recommended. There weren't alot of people and the 3 "varieties," of different briyani were, well, different because its all just different rice types. I was confused. And when the guy behind the counter placed the rice and chicken for the customer in a microwave oven, I did what most normal human beings would do. I walked out of the store. (That's why I will never eat in a Burger King even though how cool the ads are)

Right across the street was Warong Nasi Pairaman. For those who don't understand Malay, the name basically means something rice something.

This place was full of people, the service was quick and painless and the dishes looked, outstanding. I was just taking a look when the lady stopped me and asked if I wanted to eat. How can one refuse? I just said yes. She recommended 3 dishes and I ordered 4.

The beef rendang was fresh out of the pot and it melted in my mouth. I never really liked Achar before but can I just say that this was the freshest Achar I have had in my life? Freshly cut pineapples, cucumber and sliced onions with green and red chillis and my guess, a hint of freshly squeezed lemon. I didn't really like the fish because I thought it was over fried hence too tough. The cabbage kuah was done al dente, lovely and slightly milky. And out of greed, I ordered a side of fried chicken, which was lovely. All this and a can of coke, $9.

What a fine. I was so satisfied that I just sat at a bus stop to read a copy of the newspaper whilst waiting for the wife who was about 20 mins away.

And can I add, the people at the store were absolutely friendly.

TV: EAT LOCAL CHALLENGE.

The Eat Local Challenge is an initiative taken from the United States where customers are encouraged to pick food vendors based on the quality of the food and their commitment to socially responsible practices.

Now, I am a very practical person. Singapore is an island. So we can't grow our own produce or have our own water, or have space to grow free range chickens, or breed grass fed cows or can we have any say in the practice of fair trade because we are, well, surrounded by water. We are in one heck of a disadvantage. And more importantly, I do love MacDonald's and KFC and I do indulge in fairly expensive culinary adventures right in Singapore. But even in our country's short history, our lack of National identity (just my opinion) and culture, I have been thinking about what is something that we can preserve or to keep as our own?

And since this is a food blog. Why not Food !?! The way I see it, before everything turns into a "KopiTiam," "Banquet," and now Food Republic (which I still enjoy but I think is ridiculously expensive) food court; we should preserve what Singapore already has. Great food! Who wants to eat at a chicken rice store at a food court where the chicken rice is over priced, deadly stale, and highly processed and we go there purely out of convenience and nothing else, when there is a smaller chicken rice store that is cheaper and maybe 10 mins away?

I have been thinking about this because I have been wanting to eat Bak Kut Teh recently, and I realized that all the great stores are never at a mall or at a food court. They're in the neighborhood stores, in the nook that I have never been to (Yes, even though Singapore is SO SMALL), at that part of town that I hardly visit. All this wonderful food at great prices and nostalgic local atmosphere.

If we don't support their business, then these stores will slowly disappear, just like our culinary identity.

My version of the Eat Local Challenge Poster!

TV: Thai Style

My bro in law K-bo was performing in Bangkok and we decided to take a road trip and meet up.

One of the places we went was Ban Chiang, in the Silom area near the BTS. I was expecting locals, instead we saw tons of tourists. Your mind must be screaming "TRAP! TRAP!" But it was not. How was the food? I think it was outstanding.

Rated #8 in the trip advisor list of restaurants and recommended by both Fodors and Tatler. The service was outstanding. The food, specifically the darn coconut ice cream was fantastic. Probably the best I have had. Ever. And the pineapple fried rice was delectable, Tom Yum Soup which I was wish was slightly more spicy was already tremendous.

Everyone loved the meal. The deco is a comfortable and nostalgic, the servers were competent in their english and gave good recommendations. Sometimes when you travel to a foreign country, all you want is a place to eat genuine local food that is well cooked and loved by the locals.

The damage in total was about SGD $80 for 4 people. I think its on the high side but still worth a try.

TV: Hittin It 4th of July Style

It's 4th of July and I decided to have a party.

The ManGohs were gracious enough to host the BBQ. The Tasty Bits brought black angus steak and foie gras, and we brought burgers, pasta salad, hot dogs, buns , and a salad. And pampadam brought her big personality.

7 people and too much food. Some beer and a whole lot of fun at a condominium name that sounds like a city.

The picture posted above is mr tasty bits cooking the foie.

If this was a review, I would say that the beef was best I have had in a while, and I have to say that tasty bits might own some cows in the United States without telling me because the steaks tasted happy, cooked happy and made everyone happy. So happy that the ManGohs were dreaming steak that very night. You think I am kidding?

My drool on the ground disagrees.

Wah Wah Wahiro!

First, the bad news. Like wanting to quit my job every day. I really do want to close this blog. Who reads a blog nowadays anyway? Seriously. If you are younger, you either tweet, or have a facebook account and I have none of both. I don't have a myspace booty call page and I don't have a web cam that follows me around to record me eating. Who wants to know thoughts when pithy schmug comments and phrases are sufficient for our attention deprived minds?

The good news? 5 Japanese restaurants in around my area and I think I have found the best one yet! Wahiro at Tanjong Katong Shopping Centre, located at the corner of a cross junction of Joo Chiat Place and East Coast Road lies a small treasure of Wahiro restaurant.

We were hungry. We wanted Japanese. And any restaurant in town was filled with a long queue and an even longer stench of mediocrity. This place can sit 30 at best and some on the floor. The food was fresh and delightful and service sometime non existent but the food more than made up for it.

The sashimi is fresh. Yakitori was good, soba noodles delightful, sushi rolls out of this world.

Pithy enough?

Highly recommended.