Food Tour 59: The bad, The Normal, and The Good

Generally, I always eat the same few food. But on days I try out different stuff...I try to do a review on what are calories that are worth it. 

1. Cai Lin Ji

This is supposedly a famous outlet in Hubei, China. But when I tried their star dish - lotus soup, it just didn't hit me the right way. The lotus is the "Chinese lotus", which is more fibrous and sticky. I didn't like the taste of it. The soup was alright, but it felt like something I could make at home too. So I didn't get what was so special. The husband tried their noodles which I felt was pretty average too. I was reading some reviews online and it seems I may not have ordered the "right dishes". Shall give it another try. :D

2. Surrey Hills Grocer (Raffles City)

I have been to its other outlet at Joo Koon and was blown away by the quality of food. This outlet was pretty average and the price was on the high side. There was no set lunch and we ended up getting McDonald's ice cream instead cos a drink and main has crossed S$60. I have came to learn that all the outlets serve a different menu and not all outlets are good. The other one that is good is their VivoCity Brunch. Not crossing this totally, but being a little more selective. It is definitely not as good for value as per their old days. 

3. Yun Place

Ever since Milk Fish moved away from Millenia Walk, I have been struggling to find an exclusive new favourite. There are other good food there. It's just that they have other outlets at more convenient places. Finally tried it out, and it was super good. I slurped up all the soup and the meat was so soft and tender. I can't wait to be back. The food was so tasty. I just realised they are a quiet sister company to Yun Nan, no wonder the quality. You really need to drop them a visit to try them out. Enough said!

Random Places Outside MiaoLi

2 places which the drivers detoured to that I think deserves to spend more time at.

GaoMei Wetlands 

This place hits me at the right spot. Personally, I really love windmills (because Singapore doesn't have those) and I love how this place came with a Marsh. You can't really catch any crabs there (conservation area) but you can watch them crawl around which itself was interesting. At the end of wooden pathway, there was actually an area which you can enter the water into marsh area. No crabs there, but the kids didn't want to get their feet wet. 

Best of all, this place is free. We went there around sunset, and the view was truly spectacular. It is one of those places I would have loved to stop and enjoy it over a nice beverage. If you could find a restaurant nearby, I am sure the sunset time can be used productively over dinner. 

Not going to lie, but the driver got onto my nerves at this place. This is really one of those places that you really need to come somewhat prepared. I didn't have any slippers prepared and fortunately I was wearing tights which could be rolled up. Though spontaneous at heart, I still prefer walking around with clean, dry feet. My shoes stunk a little after.

Also, it was not very near to MiaoLi and much closer to TaiChung (which is a place that should be explored on its own). I felt rather rushed towards the end - like a sheep being herded and couldn't really enjoy the sunset and the liberation of a holiday. Definitely a place suitable for the family (see how happy my kids and the elderly are). 

Lu Kang Old Street

To be quite fair, I don't really feel this place is suitable for children. We went for a bike tour around the area. This place has quite a bit of historical flair which I would have love to indulge in further with my husband (if we didn't come with the extended family and the kids) on a self-walking tour. I wouldn't have taken the bike tour cos the cyclist was just rushing us around and not all the temples are worth visiting. The tourist attractions are quite limited and it is more of the temple architecture which really caught my eye. (If you are not much of a temple person, this isn't for you.)

*** Aftermath correction, I was researching and realised I missed plenty of good food and pretty streets. :'(

As we didn't plan much cultural elements within our itinerary, the Sweet Osmanthus Lane Art Village provided a nice respite and education on the work of the craftsmen. I personally think the items sold there are very expensive (even with a strong exchange rate). I guess it depends how much you value handicrafts cos my in-laws supported quite a bit. We also checked out the Gentlemen's alley, which was a really tight and narrow alleyway. Wished I had more time at this place. 

Wan to Play: i2Katong

At this rate, you guys might really think I am out to review every Wan to Play indoor playground. To be fair, they are the only indoor playground which we have invested in a package, simply because they have so many outlets. :D This used to be their crown jewel, because it has really high ceilings the slide was the most impressive. By the time we made our visit, the place is pretty worn out. It didn't help that the aircon was barely working, so we were all sweaty and pretty much ready to be out after an hour. 

It has the typical mix of a trampoline section, hinoki beads, kitchen pretend-play. My kids spent the most time at the kitchen pretend-play because it had one of the most and realistic stuff, compared to other indoor playground. There was also additional bonus fun in rolling off round objects down the super high slide. 

Very limited photos this time round, because most of them were videos of the kids (and the adults) sliding down. Even though it is worn, the slide is still pretty exciting. Wan to Play seems to build steeper slides than their peers, because I always have the most fun down theirs. This outlet also have the most attractive retail. Usually, I am not attracted by any items on sale, but a few caught my eye here and the price is pretty reasonable. 

Fun Fact, we actually forgot our socks and went to another place to buy them. We could have actually just bought it at their outlets cos the quality was great and the price comparable. Since the other place we bought from gave the kids free gift, we kinda got ourselves a steal. :P Overall, this outlet isn't too bad and have great potential, just needs a good revamp!

First Time on Luge

I am sure many Singaporeans can relate. The Luge has been on Sentosa for quite a bit and I have never been on it...till now. I always had this misconception that it was very expensive and not very fun. But now that I have been on it, it is pretty thrilling and the view up on the skyride is pretty gorgeous. I was in fact more frightened than the children on the skyride because I was wearing covered slippers which could fall off (Wear appropriate footwear!) and I think I might have a slight fear of heights. My friend dropped her phone cover on the ride. >_<

There were basically 4 tracks in total and we took 2. You could control the speed of your ride. I was too chicken to go at full blast but I reckon it would be exciting to ride down that way (which my husband did). The children sat as pillion. It was pretty easy to learn and navigate the luge. Nothing to really see on the luge ride, so it is really all about the speed. 

 

There is also the night version, but I really can't imagine how much more fun it can be (probably need to give it a try once). Now that I have taken it once, I might try it again in other countries. There is really quite a bit of appeal to it. To get the best bang for your bucks, you should just purchase the package for 4 rides. (You can pay for unlimited children pillion riders on the spot. Each additional ride would cost $10 each.)

The thing is...you won't stop at 1 and you might try the same route at different speed. I would say at least 2-3 rides before you feel "no regrets". You can also purchase photos and videos of yourself racing down. But I looked pretty crappy in them...so nope. The digital versions are not very expensive, so you might also needa race down a few times for the perfect shoot. For Singaporeans, you really needa at least try once.

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Luge Tickets: https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/132-skyline-luge-singapore/

** Use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5% Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

The Music Circle

During our Katong Staycay, we went for a trial session at The Music Circle. They have 2 outlets and this was the outlet that was further from our residence. It was really new and classily decorated. They were even music-related toys at the waiting area. For our younger kid, she went for the "The Tiny Circle" which was catered for age group.

This was not supposed to be a drop-off class and required parent accompaniment. However, our kid was so comfy with the teacher and could understand all the instructions very well, I could just sit and observe from the side. The class was conducted in a dance along to music with some actions for her to follow to train rhythm and coordination. 

The Tiny Circle" did not particularly stood out in the way the way it was conducted. Most music-play class were mainly of the same formats. But the teacher had a super angelic voice and was music to my ears. The older child attended the "The Junior Circle" which involved a lot more singing and introduction to notes. At The Music Circle, they don't believe in introducing children to a core instrument below 6yo.

However, how they taught do-re-mi and full note/ half notes were really innovative and more importantly effective. I wouldn't think our older child is particularly gifted in music. But he could pick up and by the end of the class understand half notes and form different rhythm with full and half notes. I was definitely impressed. Don't be too surprised to see us at the other outlet hehe.