Red Star + Books Actually
Wee! Back from FOC. I need to spend some time writing down reflections for FOC but that's a huge task left for another day.
Today we (Rachel Glad Bel Me) went for dimsum at Red Star Restaurant! I don't have photos cos the lighting wasn't good and the food's presentation wasn't great either. Even though the taste is not what you'll get at say Jing or Royal China, the vibe/ambience/taste really brought me a 温馨的感觉. Things to note:
1. Siewmais nowadays are overloaded with big fat prawns, as if restaurants are trying to show off their readily available source of big fat prawns. The siewmai in Red Star had good ol' meat that reminded me of siewmais I ate when I was young :)
2. The fried prawn dumplings were surprisingly good. There were pieces of water chestnut for added crunch. It was oozing "juice" (ok lah it was oil. But nice oil kind u know.) The skin was crispy yet softly disintegrating. (Not like that stupid crispy fry that totally didn't disintegrate in my mouth but gave me a scratch in my mouth that led to an ulcer).
3. The Egg Tart was fantastic! I finished the huge tart (and I don't usually eat egg tarts). The custard had a nice balance of egg and sugar. And the pastry was flaky didn't feel "gelak".
4. The dessert. I liked the Mango Pudding and the Ice Jelly thing.
5. The most important reason why I'll come back here again - the ambience! The restaurant is HUGE and decked out in oriental fashion. Nice chinese vibe :) And the friendly waitresses go around in pushcarts "selling" the dimsum to us! If I had a tourist friend, I'll totally bring her here anyday over some place like Crystal Jade. Easier on the pockets too; if I didn't have enough money to go to Royal China I would take her here.
Okay so anyway, after the yummy adventure, Godma brought us to this really cosy bookstore called Books Actually. Everyone should go there! Support local authors too! They have a good collection of books by local authors. I bought this book titled Lions in Winter by Wena Poon... a collection of short stories about "displaced Singaporeans". Jason we're supposed to share this book! And also this book of poetry by Alfian Sa'at for Jo/HG. :) Can't wait to go back there again! Let me know if any of you are interested in these books! Ok I have to end abruptly now going for dinner!
Red Star Restaurant
#07-23, Blk 54 Chin Swee Road
S(160054)
Tel: 6532 5266
Books Actually
No. 5 Ann Siang Road
S (069688)
Tel: 6221 1170