Two Hearts become One

A fairytale wedding that took almost a year to plan. A mammoth task for the couple as both are in Singapore. The wedding celebrations were held in Penang, the hometown of the lovely bride, who is a dear friend of mine.

The Suffolk House is an Anglo-Indian garden house and Malaysia's only surviving Georgian mansion built in the early 1800s.

Façade of The Suffolk House

What it looks at night

Beautiful majestic trees flanked the surroundings

The settings of the outdoor. Getting ready for the exchanging of vows.
I have always seen this on television and movies. It became a reality as I witnessed my very good friends walking down the floral path. The weather was erratic, having rained earlier. Fortunately, it stopped. It was cool and the right kind of setting for a fairytale wedding ceremony to commence.

Confetti from rose petals

The father of the bride walking his daughter down the green aisle.

After the ceremony, bride tosses the bridal bouquet. The one who catches the bouquet, as superstition goes, will be the next in line to get married.

Small bites for cocktail reception

Interior of Suffolk House

Beautiful Chinese lanterns hanging from the high ceiling

Romantic candles placed in various corners of the house

Idea from the bride. Find your seat hanging on a board by the reception.

Entrance to the dining hall

Communal table settings

Table settings

Before the dinner proper, an old fashioned tea ceremony for family members held in a separate room.

A 4-course western dinner comprising of a starter, soup, main and dessert.

Chicken and almond terrine, rocket emulsion, nutmeg fruit relish, fragrant leaves and pickles, balsamic and lemongrass reduction

Mushroom soup
Thick and creamy. Perfect for dipping with hard crusted bread

Vadouvan spice stuffed chicken tigh and drumstick, crushed pumpkin with coconut, wilted local grees and pea

Seared seabass

Dessert
Coconut ice cream with tropical fruits and a butter sponge cake with white chocolate.

This was a very private intimate wedding that was held among family, very close relatives and friends. There was music, much laughter and I believe the most memorable was when the bride walked in and sang the song "From this Moment On" to the bridegroom. So much thought and planning conceptualised into a picture perfect dream come true wedding for the happy couple.

Cheers to my good friends. Congratulations again! May the Lord bless the two of you abundantly in love, joy and happiness and may God's  love be the bond that holds your marriage together.

This was indeed a beautiful fairytale wedding.

A meaningful poem written by the couple's good friend.

Now that you say I do, remember to follow through.
To your bride in her youth, your vows must be made true.
And in the busyness of your days, remember her like she is today.
Beautiful as always, to be cherished and loved till the end of your days.



Name : Suffolk House
Address : 250 Jalan Air Hitam, Georgetown, 10460 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

The Chicken or the Rice

Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice from Thailand, a winner of the Michelin Bib Gourmand.

Managed by the Minor Food Group, a Singapore-owned F&B lifestyle company. The very same group which manages brands like Thai Express, Poulet, Buffet Town International Buffet Restaurant, just to name a few.

Recently opened at Nex, customers are greeted by old fashioned shophouse metal gate and old school tiled floor. This was what ignited my curiosity because the façade is different from the rest of the shops nearby.

 

Rooster saucers which reminded of days gone by.

Plump chickens hanging that looked tempting.

Matching rooster plate. Customers have a choice of breast or thigh. I chose the thigh because I find it juicier than breast. Boneless, with a soft silky gelatonous skin. The rice was fluffy, quite a clean taste but I preferred it to have a more aromatic chicken flavour. Served with their own special dipping sauce. Dark brown in color, it was a mix of chilli padi, fish sauce and secret ingredients. The taste, atad spicy with a tangy finish.

Single Portion Chicken Rice (Thigh) ($5.50)

Stir Fried Tofu ($8.00)

Stir Fried tofu with thai dark soya sauce. Alittle sweet but this is a dish that I always enjoyed eating.

Chai Poh (pickled radish) omelette ($6.50)

Popular amongst many people. A quite ordinary dish but taste good. It is preferred with more of chai poh for that punchy taste, as echoed by my fellow foodies.

Signature Braised Pork (Small $8.00; Medium $12)

Pork was braised in black sauce and Chinese spices. Similarly to our local version. However, I find these alittle overpowered by the spices. Suitable for those who like the richness of the five spices and a slight herbalish mouthfeel.

Steamed Sea Bass with Chilli, Lime and Garlic ($28)

A reasonable sized seabass. This was a hit with most of us. Seabass was fresh. The broth had a spicy, sweet, sour and tangy undertone. A wonderful flavour of lemongrass. The scintillating finish whets the appetite and one just go back for more and more.

Table of Plenty (bird's eye view)

Red Ruby & Coconut Ice Cream ($5.00)

This was wiped out in no time. Crunchy water chestnuts in sweet coconut ice cream. A sweet ending. My preferred dessert if I were to visit again.

Thai Chendol ($5.00)

Pandan jelly, red ruby and jackfruit immersed  in icy coconut milk. My preference is still our local version with gula melaka. It is decent but I felt it needed an extra ingredient to make it more robust.

Steamed Tapioca with Coconut Cream ($4.50)

This was a hit and miss. Some of us liked it. Some of us don't. I personally did not fancy it as the coconut cream left a sort of a "gummy" like finish.

Final words

The Thai chicken rice is clearly less oily and lighter in taste. It might satisfy the discerning tastebuds of hainanese chicken rice fans, who are looking for a healthy version. But prices here are quite reasonable and service is good which is a huge plus. Worth a visit.

Thank you @mutantcommunications for the invite and @Goangsg for hosting.

Details :

Go-Ang Chicken Rice

#B1-0505 Nex Shopping Mall

23 Serangoon Central

Opening Hours : 1100 to 2200 hours

Nearest MRT : Serangoon

Oh My Beef!

BEEF SUKIYAKI DON KEISUKE

 

 

 

 

The latest restaurant concept by Chef Keisuke Takeda. Chef Keisuke is the founder of Ramen Keisuke. Just in Singapore, he has already 15 outlets, each having their own individual  concept.

 

Beef Sukiyaki Don Keisuke will be officially opened on September 24th, 2018 at Onze at Tanjong Pagar (across from 100AM). It is a small restaurant, sits maximum 14 pax, counter seats.

  

 

Menu

 

The menu presented in a wooden tablet, in both English and Japanese.

 

 

Not very extensive, just two beef donburi items. Namely, beef sukiyaki don and kiwami wagyu sukiyaki don.

 

 

Kawai (cute) looking spice boxes.

Ichimi - chilli flakes

Yuzu shichimi - 7 spice with yuzu

Sansho - Japanese pepper

 

 

 

Rice cooked over open fire brings out the natural sweetness of the grains with a bit of a nuttyness tone.

 

 

 

The marbling of the wagyu beef looks amazing. Yonezawa beef Grade A4 is considered one of famous beef brands in Japan.

 

Beef prepared a la minute. First the tare sauce is poured into the pot. Once it bubbles, throw in the beef and let it cook for less than a minute to maintain that tenderness.

Once done, beef is placed over the bowl of rice. Beneath the meat, lies a piece of beancurd and some cabbages. Accompaniments included a bowl of miso soup which was prepared using two types of miso paste and fish powder. It was rich with a umami mouthfeel. Also, by the side, was a sesame beancurd with a gooey sweet sauce. Texturally tasted like mochi. Of course, not forgetting free flow pickles, are provided by the side.

This set, Kiwami Wagyu Sukiyaki Don ($29.90++) comes with miso soup, an onsen egg, sesame beancurd and free flow pickles.

 

This was one of the better rice bowls I have enjoyed in a long while. The only component that I did not fancy was the sesame beancurd. For the price of $29.90 for the wagyu beef set, is reasonable. There is another set (not featured here), the Beef Sukiyaki Don (US prime beef) goes for $13.90++ which also includes all the accompaniments at the wagyu.

 

Beef  Sukiyaki Don Keisuke officially opens its doors to the public on September 24th, 2018.

 

Thank you @blessincasia for the invite and Beef Sukiyaki Don Keisuke for hosting.

 

 

Beef Sukiyaki Don Keisuke

11 Kee Seng Street #01-01

Onze @Tanjong Pagar