Throwback to Last Saturday's Dinner at Shabu Sai

When I was doing laundry just now, I tried to recall where did we go for dinner last week. Cos today I suggested not to go out  (sad) cos didi is having a cold.

I realised I forgot to blog about dinner at Shabu Sai, East Point last Saturday in celebration of my papa's birthday. It was my parents' first visit. Somehow it felt a while since we last went out for dinner like that. This time, with Bin Bin in the pram.

Hubby, bro and I are not new to Shabu Sai. And its 90 min limit is rather well known so I was quite cautious when they asked me to go have a seat first before the rest arrived. Then I realised the outlet at East Point wasn't particular about the time limit, probably cos there was no queue. The restaurant was not fully occupied but it was still bustling with action.

That outlet did not serve any cooked food like the one at Orchard Central. It seemed limited with the food choices but I still found it enjoyable. It's always the people that matters. I think papa and mama enjoy themselves too though they shared that the soups were a tad salty and the price was steep for the ingredients. True that but it is still a decent and reasonable place for family dinners. The last time at Shabu Sai was with Evans and hubby at the The Clark Quay Central which has now closed down. Still remember that time we were having staycation at Merchant Court and baby was still cosy in my tummy. Missing those times when I could go freely whenever and wherever I wanted. Now... ...

Anyway back to the dinner, paid around $161 with 3 top ups for free flow drinks and ice cream. Had my heart's content!!!

Got to think of the next dinner place to celebrate mama's birthday!

Sunday Lunch, East Point Mall

Lunch at East Point was a simpler affair. But one thing I wish was the nursing room can be better designed. The wall table was a little far from the sofa. The sofa was a bit chunky to be moved. And I was carrying a baby. So I got to stretch when I had to put away the bottle. Somehow it has the toilet smell too. While it looked ok,  I didn't find it pleasant to be in there. No photo here because I was carrying Eden, hoping to finish his feed in a less noisy place. (Lately it has been quite a challenge for Eden to finish the bottle of 150ml).

But we made it a little more fun at the Four Leaves Cafe. We tried to copy Eden's expression but he changed too fast and we couldn't keep up. Lol.

Saturday at Parkway Parade

Though it was rather rush to get prepared for outings, especially on a Saturday when we got to pack back home from my parents' place, we still wanted to head out for dinner. Just for the fun of it and it's more interesting to be out. Baby Eden needs to be exposed more to the outside world too.

So as Evans suggested, we chose Parkway Parade as our next challenge location. Ya, just another shopping mall. So we are thinking probably should not call outings to malls a challenge, unless the experience is a totally different one like hubby said, taking the public transport. That would really be a challenge!

At Parkway we had dinner at Social Square where they serve a fusion of jap and western food. We were there before and experience was ok but this time, it was a little disappointing, from the ipad ordering, delay in the food served to cashier. Plus i think the ramen I had was nothing to rave about. I enjoyed the beef ramen from Sakae better. Eden was a little fussy, while we were waiting for the ramen, so I brought him around for a walk. Ahhh, back to the time when Evans was this small.... we got to take turns to mind him so that the other one could eat in peace. Actually this time, I am more zen. When I had Evans, I couldn't eat slowly. I basically inhaled my food cos I couldn't let him cry. Now, I would leave Eden to hubby if I could. Hehe!

Quite a Happening Weekend

By "happening", it's not like my younger days when I stayed out late with my friends for movie or clubbing or supper. Nowadays being able to go out is a luxury or rather happening for me.

The weekend has been quite fulfilling as we got to go out to Changi city point on Saturday for dinner and on Sunday, Suntec City for lunch and coffee. Then Tampines Mart for dinner. It was definitely an eye opener for baby Eden as he got to see the surroundings instead of staying in his pram the whole time.

By the end of the weekend, we were seriously exhausted. It felt like you have not slept in a day but I am happy because I had fun. I think the kiddos too.

Throwback to Last Sunday at One KM Mall

Evans has stopped his Heguru class. It was a lil sad for me as he started the course in 2013 with Teacher Rhian and now we have to say goodbye.

Anyway though there was no more class for Evans, we still went back to one km last Sunday for lunch and tea. Gotta use the Fika groupon before it expired.

We also met up with Teacher Rhian and had a short chat.

It was a good day out for me. Felt really liberated to be finally going out like we used to. Eden was considered quite cooperative too. I particularly enjoyed the tea time we had at Gelare. Wish that we can just take time so easily.

Bringing Baby Eden Out

We set a few challenges to bring baby Eden out, just like how we did for Evans when he was still a baby. We started off with BK Drive Thru., then a simple and quick breakfast at Hans, Bedok CC, then went on to lunch at one km mall. Yesterday we went to the airport for dinner! It was all good. I mean of course Eden did cry here and there but we could somehow manage. But bringing the kids out takes a lot of thinking and time to prepare and pack. So it really helps if the place we are going is quite self sufficient like a well equipped and clean baby room (with hot water dispenser).

I am very comfortable bringing the kids to the airport because it has the space and it's clean. Also it is pram friendly.

Gu Ma Jia, Mothers' Day Dinner

Last night, I brought my family to Gu Ma House (45 Tai Thong Crescent) for a belated Mothers' Day dinner. This was their first time so I thought to recommend some of the dishes which I tried the last time... I think generally they like the food; at least another option for dinners, instead of sticking to the same old places.

They had different preferences. Papa, hubby and bro liked the oyster omelette; mama liked the beancurd soup and ubin lala bee hoon; bro liked the yam ring ribs; Evans liked..... everything. But I think most were not a fan of the fried bean-jal (long beans with fried brinjal). The lady boss, Gu Ma was there too and she thanked us for dining at her restaurant. Evans seemed very pleased with the food. 

Should have taken this at the start of the dinner, but too hungry

After dinner, we went to the D'zerts Cafe near our place. Had the waffle with (cookies and cream) ice cream, topped with salted caramel sauce. What a nice way to end the evening outing with the yummy dessert. The waffle was crispy and the ice cream was creamy too! 

Can't wait for the waffle to fall into his mouth

Dinner at The Palete, UE Square

Another random outing to somewhere we seldom venture on weekends. Lately I have been feeling lazy as well so many weekends, we merely went somewhere nearby. But this evening was a nice one, hubby brought us to UE Square for dinner and light tea.

Needless to say, Evans was the most excited one to seeing new places and going to new restaurant and cafe.

The Palette is a small little restaurant in the UE Square. Its concept is similar to The Lighthouse but I think the variety there was a little limited and the price was a bit steeper too. The manager and the waitress liked to talk to Evans and teased him by calling him "Boss" and "Young Sir". It was funny but we felt a wee bit uncomfortable because they came to our table pretty often. And Evans was a little shy. The manager gave him a wine cork as a token and then he also served him a complimentary scoop of vanilla ice cream!!! I was still joking to hubby that hopefully no free ice cream. Luckily Evans was the kiddo who would not dig into the ice cream without our approval. We just gave him a few spoons of it; then hubby and I just discreetly tried to finish the rest of it. Not that we are strict parents but Evans really has the tendency to cough after cold stuff at night. So I did not want to take the risk. I must say the ice cream was delicious as its vanilla flavour was really rich and with the chocolate fudge, it was really refreshing and cooling. Great stuff for the hot weather!!!

At the Palete

After dinner, it was time to take a walk around our old "playground" at Robertson Walk with the familiar surroundings but no longer the familiar clubs like Newsroom, Dbl O, Mdm Wong... Most has turned into eateries and pubs. We used to club here really often, especially Newsroom and Mdm Wong. Felt really nice to revisit the place. There were many people dining around. Happening still.

We ended up at Pies and Coffee for some drinks and apple tart, bringing back some nice memories as I have been there with the gang after our Korean BBQ dinner for Ah Bo's farewell. The cafe was nice and quiet, very suitable for small group gathering and families like ours; unlike the pubs and diners outside which were a little rowdy. 

And before we called it a night...

At the UE Square with Do-Re-Mi

Saturday Dinner, Gardens By the Bay

It was an impromptu dinner decision. Hubby got a few groupons for meals and one of which was a diner at the Gardens by the Bay (GBB), Oriental Western Bistro. Evans and I were a tad excited as it was our first time dining there and it did sound like a nice place.

There were many tourists at the GBB but the restaurant was not crowded. Along the stretch of restaurants, there were Texas Fried Chicken, Peach Garden, etc. Oriental Western Bistro is a small diner in-between. Its food was American and pretty simple but good enough for our dinner.

Evans's OOTD

 

Waiting to go into the carpark, nice view

A nice cooling evening

Evans on his papa's shoulders

happy at the bistro, waiting for our food

 

While the food was not really the impressive kind but I enjoyed the dinner because it wasn't rowdy and I love to see Evans and hubby enjoying their food. It felt really nice to also have my root beer float. Evans had the kid's set with tomato spaghetti with grilled chicken fillet while I had the same but with butter rice. Hubby ordered the pork chop and it was tender. We shared the fried chicken wings and fries, not too bad.

 

Spicy chicken wings with fries, something to share

The boys, enjoying the food

Evans took a shot of me with my butter rice.

 

I still remember how I dug into the food, feeling quite satisfied. I realized I had too many fries today. Fries in the morning at Han's and dinner. But Evans enjoyed his few fries, dipping in the sweet chilli sauce. Really enjoyed seeing him having "fun" with his food and eating so well.

 

The stretch of diners, I am sure we will be back again :)

Our night ended with a stroll at the GBB with beautifully lighted up "trees", I loved how the colours of the trees transformed from one shade to another. Very romantic... and the night was made more comfortable with the breeze and nice music. The surprise came when the Light Rhapsody started. The lights were dancing to the broadway kind of music and it was beautiful. While Evans thought the music was too loud, I thought some of the songs brought me back to the clubbing days. :)

 

A lovely evening indeed. Hope to bring my folks there one day.