Love Notes

I’m in love. In love with a very special someone. Her name is Cambodia. I know. ALL my friends say I just can’t stop raving about it. Cambodia’s simply breathtaking. I just can’t get her off my mind. She’s made me drop all of my defenses and love again without apprehension, without looking forward to rejection, without false hope. I love her for all her humble and not-so-humble edible offerings every day and every night.

Particularly broth in any form. Khmer broth is addictive. Be forewarned. Best tasted in casual shorts and tees, with favorite flip flops. The most memorable sloppy slurps I experienced is with this bowl of locally made porridge. I had the opportunity to meet with the owner who ran a street joint that could hold 50-60 people easily. Palm-sized squares of white one-ply tissues are freely supplied at every table, as well as a small waste basket lays sturdy at each corner. So I guess one could rate the success of any food stall quite easily with the naked eye by the number of used tissues in the small bins and on the cement floor.

A bowl of the yummilicious “chok” saturated with cooked slices of chicken, pork, beef and chunks of vegetables can change your day from a so-so one to a very satisfied-with-a-toothy-smile night. All of which cost me US$1. The owner revealed that she boiled chicken and pork bones for a few hours every morning and added unidentified local spices into the whole mix. I could taste ginger, definitely pepper and a dash of salt.

But the broth is spectacular. Spectacularly a-ma-ma-zing. Absolutely unforgettable. Hence my love affair continues. I might just move over to this unforbidden city for a few months. And add more savory memories to the already overflowing ones. I’m in love. Can’t you tell?

SUSHI, SMOOSHIE

I never used to like rice but with sushi, I temporarily convert my dislikes into do-able. The Japanese can do that to you. It's pretty funny how I used to be so picky about what went into my mouth and now, I've become adventurous all in the name of "passione"...the tireless pursuit for ultimate happiness in the simple things in life - medium rare beef steak (wagyu, no wagyu, what's the diff?), reverse California maki (best done in Akashi), and steamed custard bun nuked by sunset-orange salted egg (of course, only at Imperial Treasure).

I totally dig when Madonna alerts me with "Get ready to jump now, baby. Get ready to jump."

Sitting in a restaurant, not knowing what you ordered and having no idea why, is like jumping into a seemingly calm lake with your clothes on. You don't know what's in the water, you don't care. You only know one thing, there's no turning back. Like when I was in Amici @ Holland Village the other day, I was in my usual "just because I feel like it" mood. But I really wished I could have turned back and headed for the nearest roti prata mama shop. I actually stayed on with my friend where we were adequately tortured with aglio olio which tasted like soggy salted pretzels, and a pizza with limp yellow slices of Asian tomatoes on Asian cheese - all these at a self-professed AUTHENTIC ITALIAN restaurant. Seriously. Seriously.

I don't know why I'm ranting. I guess I felt conned. Aiyoh.

Fashion On Your Plate

Have you been to Brown Sugar? It was my first time last week. It's in Stardus Clubhouse. A frosted door claims its name to makan fame, which I easily walked pass unknowingly, ending up at the end of the corridor. I found myself in the communal bathroom. Where was the bistro anyway?

I backed up a number of steps and ah ha! Found the frosted door and the not-so-conspicuous Brown Sugar logo smiling at me. It's not a very big space but I quickly nestled myself against

the soft couch and comfy cushions. If not for my friends' arrival to the table, I would have taken a well-sought-after snooze. Very tired that evening, man.

We ordered a sea of stuff, much to my delight! And everything looked gorgeous! (best said with a posh British accent)

Each plate had an equally gorgeous title attached to them too...hmmmmmmm...

Deconstructed apple salad with walnuts, Wagyu beef burger with tossed salad, fresh cod with slim-wedge fries, aglio olio made friendly with pine nuts, molten lava with Varlhona chocolate meshed with vanilla ice-cream, pear tartin paired with honey & fig ice-cream....the list goes on.

I'm gonna check out the lamb the next time I sashay my way to this Mohamed Sultan 'do. If they do good lamb, they must be good. I couldn't help but compare them to Wild Rocket though. Similar genre of food and emphasis on presentation and tastes. Which one I prefer? Ssssssssh...Let me lamb it before I reveal this succulent secret.

They were all yummy-doodles and oh-so puh-ree-tee. A must-do for a cosy third date or a fun reunion with close friends or even a casual business lunch to feed the hungry client.

Fantasize with these pictures. Very gorgeous, very me ;D