happily ever after... maybe not.

a brilliant take on a parody of fairy tales combined with current day issues, you have to check out this series of photographs by dina goldstein. thanks for the link rama! =)

dina goldstein's fallen princesses

restaurant week 2010: lunch at garibaldi italian resturant & bar

and so.. the much anticipated lunch date at garibaldi came and went. thanks to restaurant week, jols and i had the opportunity of dining at one of the top italian restaurants in singapore yesterday!

lunch menu

insalata di gamberi, avocado e aranicia

poached prawns salad with avocado & orange

-----

tagliolini neri al granchio

homemade black in thin noodle with crab meat in vodka sauce

or

saltinbocca alla romana

veal "scaloppini" with parma ham, sage & marsala wine sauce

-----

tiramisu all 'amaretto e scaglie di cioccolato

homemade tiramisu with amaretto flavor and shaved chocolate

-----

coffee/tea

the restaurant had a minimalistic design, with a bar area and a large wine cellar upon entering. the main dining area was further in, and the tables were spaced out far enough from one another such that there was sufficient privacy, yet you'd still be able to catch bits and pieces of the other tables' conversations. it might sound weird, but i really liked the toilet, which was very nicely done up with marble tiles and fresh hand towels by the basin.

the dishes were well executed, of which the veal with parma ham and tiramisu were winners. the bread served throughout the meal was the most perfectly warmed bread i've ever, ever had, and should be the benchmark for any excellent restaurant.

a portion of my noodles were clumped together, perhaps due to the production process of the noodles, so i had it sent back. the service staff took it back with no questions asked. he had a disturbed look on his face, obviously annoyed that i had been served food that was not up to their usual quality. a fresh batch of noodles came back the second time around, with a significantly larger portion, and our next course was personally served by the manager of the restaurant. it was quite amusing to be given that much attention because i was obviously too happy to be bothered by that little glitch in the meal.

food wise, the dishes were definitely top quality and well executed, though i personally feel that the "wow" factor seems to be somewhat missing in the meal.

nevertheless, the service at garibaldi's was absolutely excellent! the service staff were attentive but not intrusive, though they were a little slow in refilling our glasses once the lunch crowd came in. knowing that jols and i wanted to share both the mains, the service staff offered to divide them into two individual portions. they also enquired if we were doing alright throughout the courses, which was a nice touch to the already exceptional service provided.

on the overall, it was a fantastic experience being able to finally dine in one of the finest restaurants around. excellent food, service and setting, not to forget awesome company, it was one of the best lunches i've had in a long while.

can't wait for restaurant week 2011! =)

today's devotional.

the daily devotional's always a great way to start the morning. =)

See God As A Good Father

Luke 15:31
31“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.

Faith is believing that we have a good God, and that He protects and provides for those who trust in Him. Remember the parable of the prodigal son? (Luke 15:11–32) Jesus shared it to illustrate how good our heavenly Father is. The wayward son had squandered his father’s inheritance before he decided to go home to ask his father to make him a hired servant.

But before he could reach home, his father saw him from afar, ran toward him and embraced him. And instead of making him a hired servant, the father turned to his servants and said, “Bring out the best robe! Get a ring and sandals for my son! Let’s kill the fatted calf and celebrate!”

Now, when the older son returned from work and heard about the celebration, he became angry and refused to enter the house. When his father came out to ask him what was wrong, the older son complained, “Look, I’ve served you all these years. Yet, you never gave me a calf to celebrate with my friends. But as soon as this prodigal son of yours comes home, you kill the fatted calf for him!”

Notice what his father told him: “Son, you are always with me and all that I have is yours. We should celebrate because your brother was dead but is alive again. He was lost but is now found.”

Can you see how the older brother perceived his father? He saw his father as a hard and stingy man. He believed that he had to work to get something good from his father. He didn’t realize that he already had an inheritance! He could have killed the fatted calf any time for a celebration!

Like the father in the parable, God has already given you an inheritance in Christ. Don’t fail to enjoy it by doubting God’s goodness or by believing that you must work for it. See your Father’s heart of love and goodness toward you, and celebrate your inheritance today!

Source

© Copyright Joseph Prince, 2006. All rights reserved. 

No part of this document or any related files may be modified, adapted, reproduced, 

distributed and/or converted in any form and by any means (electronic, photocopying or otherwise) 

without express written consent of the copyright holder.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version®. 

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

move over, subway!

knew of this place some time back but haven't got to try it until recently, and damn i should have visited Quiznos a long long loooongg time ago! 

a sandwich place with a similar concept to Subway, this place puts Subway to utter shame. on my first visit i tried the Zesty Grill Steak sandwich (6" for $6.90), described as "thinly-sliced steak, mozzarella, cheddar, mushrooms, sauteed onions, honey bourbon mustard and zesty grille sauce on rosemary parmesan bread". sounds good? it sure damn was! 

the rosemary parmesan bread was warm and fluffy, unlike the ones at Subway which i never did like but had to live with. the thinly sliced steak with all its cheese, onion and shrooms friends made a delicious combination, but more importantly, the ingredients  tasted fresh. there was also a side bar with different kinds of jalepenos and pickles to choose from, and they were delish as well. 

to top it all off, they actually toasted not only the sandwich, but my cookie as well. i hope my subsequent trips won't disappoint, and as they become popular in singapore (which i'm very sure they will), that their franchise outlets will keep up the fine quality of its sandwiches. three cheers for Quiznos! =)

Quiznos Sub Shop
181 Orchard Road #03-33
Orchard Central
Tel: 6509 9833
Opens daily, 11am-11pm

viewing the world through food.

Japan: The Ukita family of Kodaira City
Food expenditure for one week: 37,699 Yen or $317.25

Favorite foods: sashimi, fruit, cake, potato chips

Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp
Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23

Favorite foods: soup with fresh sheep meat

United States: The Revis family of North Carolina
Food expenditure for one week: $341.98

Favorite foods: spaghetti, potatoes, sesame chicken

view more interesting shots in what the world eats, part I

photographs by peter menzel from the book "hungry planet"
source: www.time.com