12. The Story of Matcha Lava Cake, M Seven Cafe

 

It has been a while since the last time I eat the gooey melted lava cake. Lava cake is one of the desserts which is fun to consume. One is because it has a certain unique element to it. Once you have used your spoon to dig the inside of lava cake, certain liquid is expected to come out from the cake be it either matcha, chocolate, salted egg, depending on the filling used. M Seven Cafe’s rendition of matcha lava cake (SGD 8.5) is actually pretty good but I think it went a bit overboard on the toppings i.e. the chocolate sauce, the peanuts and the whipped cream. The chocolate ice cream used for the pairing of the lava cake is too sweet. I think dark chocolate ice cream will fare better because the matcha lava cake is already sweet. 

 

I am currently hooked with this Korean drama starring Lee Jong Suk and Suzy, While You Were Sleeping. I wonder if it’s the casting or the storyline, everything seems to come together beautifully and engage you in a don’t-want-to-stop-watching mood. I suppose the pretty faces of the actors and the actresses help to boost the drama too. After all, who does not enjoy looking at pretty people? I have been using drama as a consolation to cheer myself up whenever I have to look at someone whose attitude I loathe or someone who has hurt me before (and yet, still have to see the person at common event, etc). It does not healthy and it’s indeed sound like a temporary fix, but watching cute oppa on K-dramas help to wash off some dirt from your eyes given by reality. I hope I will encounter someone who treat me kindly without using me and all sort and hence, ending my K-drama addiction (or at least, destroy the distorted use of K-drama as consolation means). 

 

Where to get Matcha Lava Cake: M Seven Cafe, 1 Selegie Road, #01-12 Pomo, Singapore

Opening times: Daily 10AM - 10PM

 

11. The Story of Butterscotch Banana Pancake, Atlas Coffeehouse

The Butterscotch Banana Pancake (SGD 18) from Atlas Coffeehouse is huge. I think it is more of a hotcake rather than pancake but being a true-born INFP, I will leave the concept of “pancake” opens for an interpretation. Anyway, every man is allowed to have a free opinion. I find it a bit too sweet, heavy and impossible to finish even with two mouths to share. I wish Atlas Coffeehouse sells smaller portion of the pancake so that I can do my forever-alone-hanging-out antic here while enjoying the pancake. 

 

By the way, I have just finished reading Norwegian Wood. Despite its being 0% surrealist, this book left a lasting impression on me. I fell in love with the storyline despite its open ended ending. While the storyline may be somewhat revolving around death, a topic which is seldom touched and talked upon in our society, it managers to perspire a dark and yet beautifully depressed view on life and death. Ironically, Midori Kobayashi is my most favourite character in this otherwise, gloomy story. 

 

Where to get Butterscotch Banana Pancake: 6 Duke’s Road, Singapore

Opening times: Tuesday - Sunday 8AM - 7PM, Closed on Monday

10. The Story of Checkers, Lady M Confections

Lady M’s Checkers reminded me of the cake which I used to eat when I was young. Everytime anybody go to the market, I will ask the person to help me buy checkers. Although the price of the Checkers cake which I used to eat when I was small is definitely nowhere near Lady M’s price because it was sold in the wet market in third world country. Lady M’s rendition of Checkers cake weaves together a precise and tender checkerboard of vanilla and chocolate sponge cake. The light fresh whipped cream comes tucked between the squares, outfitted in a silky dark chocolate ganache. 

TIL THE END OF TIME

I am currently into Korean indie band, the Black Skirts. Since I heard one of their songs titled “Til the End of Time” which was prominently featured in Another Oh Hae Young drama everytime handsome Eric has his screentime, I had fallen in love with this one man band. I find that his songs that I like are usually the bittersweet ones (probably because my life is not all sweet and candies all the time). 

사실 난 지금 기다린 만큼 더 

기다릴 수 있지만 

왠지 난 지금 이 순간이 우리의 마지막일 것 같아

How long can you wait for your love to come back?

When the love come back after hurting you, would you give a chance?

Where to get Checkers: Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, #01-27, 02-07, Singapore

Opening times: Daily 11AM - 10PM

9. The Story of Churros, Common Man Coffee Roasters

I’ve never been to Spain but I like the taste of churros, especially when you dip them into the chocolate sauce. I seldom eat churros in Singapore though. The last time I ate them was at Common Man Coffee Roasters and 2 sticks of Common Man Churros costs SGD 12.50. I wonder if this kind of price tag can be considered a crime in Spain. 

 

DOUBLE STANDARD

 

During my patchy relationship with Mr Arse Angel, I’ve met so many of my friends for advice. While I’m grateful for their advice, I kinda develop a degree of skepticism towards my own confidants at the same time. I hate to feel this way but I could not help it. Because most human beings have this thing called double standard. 

 

When I am at the more comfortable/ secured stage of my life, I find it’s easy to give advice to other people whose life is not all rosy and rainbow. Ironically, that does not mean that I will follow my own advice when the same situation happen to me. Taking this widespread human behaviour into, it’s hard for me to listen to any advice without a pinch of salt. 

I suppose you should never really invest 100% in everything in life unless you receive words of affirmation from God. 

There goes the simple things. 

Where to get Churros: Common Man Coffee Roasters, 22 Martin Road, #01-00

Opening times: Monday to Friday 7.30AM - 5PM, Saturday to Sunday 7.30AM - 6PM

8. The Story of Strawberry Mille Feuille, Paul

Mille Feuille is one of trademark pastries offered by Paul. While I usually go for the plain one, I decided to go for Strawberry Mille Feuille that night. The crispy golden puff pastry, strawberry creme-filled Napoleon cake topped with light apricot glaze. A lovely rendition in my belly. Sometimes I can’t really decide whether I like strawberry or chocolate better as the base for the cake. Hmm. 

 

FRIENDSHIP FOR LOVE?

 

I am at the age where my peers are getting married (and even have babies) one by one. At this stage of life, I come to realisation that my close friends are mainly made of singles. Old articles written by the Guardian and BBC have confirmed that statistically, you tend to lose friends for a relationship at the ratio of 1:2 (losing 2 close friends from 1 relationship). Oh wow, isn’t that a bummer?

 

But then again, love for your partner is definitely bigger than your love for close friends. So I suppose this what make people who are getting in relationship to somewhat “ditch” their close friends. The intimacy of a relationship after all correlates very tightly with the frequency of your interactions with those individuals. Needless to say, if you don’t even bother to make effort to still see your friend, the emotional engagement that you have with them will drop. Being at the receiving end of this treatment, I even say that the level can drop to the irreparable stage i.e. the stage where I don’t bother to ignite our friendship ever again. After all, who want to be treated like a convenient friend?

 

But then again, since this seems to be a worldwide MO (and I probably would be swept through the same MO if I get into relationship again, despite my strong willpower not to), I suppose this is one of those pet-peeve that you just have to endure and get it by as long as you are still living on earth. Sucks, but nobody’s perfect.  

Where to get Strawberry Mille Feuille: Paul, 3 Gateway Drive, #01-05 Westgate, Singapore

Opening hours: Daily 9AM - 9.30PM

 

7. The Story of Exotique, Ciel Patisserie

It seems that the adventurous side of me has taken over my laziness for the past few days. I become more open to travel further (which is in Singapore standard involve few MRT stations + few bus stops from home) to try out new stuff. Having fellow adventurous cafehopping buddy helps a great deal in this Singapore version of cafe adventure of our lifetime. Ciel Patisserie, a small cafe located a few stops away from Serangoon MRT station, is a nice place to have cake and coffee. Its cakes remind me of Kki, those pretty little cakes with colorful coating. Exotique (SGD 6.40) is described as coconut bavarian creme, passion fruit cremeux, coconut joconde and coconut white chocolate crisp on the menu. In layman terms, it’s a coconut cake filled with passion fruit cream and white chocolate crisp at the bottom of the cake. Perfect cake for those people who prefer their cakes to be on the less sweet side because of the sweet and sour taste of passionfruit. 

HAS UNEMPLOYMENT BECOME A MORE ACCEPTABLE TREND?

I have eaten many cakes for the past few days in view of my failed relationship. While this has helped a lot in mood, the new habit does not really help in terms of waist size. Engulfed with immediate fear over the moving needle on the scale, I quickly make a run to the gym. Gym membership in Singapore is definitely not cheap and yet, I am unable to let go of this membership. I have included gym as one of those places which I visit everyday because one session of gym class will help me to spend few hours of my, otherwise, free day. 

I expect the 3PM class to be empty because by right, most people are supposedly stuck in their office, trying to overcome their drowsiness after lunch. Today was an exception. The class was nearly as full as a weekend class. My curiosity encouraged me to take a 360 degrees view of the class to see what kind of people made it to the class. Most of them are in their 30s. 

Are all of us unemployed at the moment? Or do these people have find out the ultimate secret of work-life balance?

I wonder if I should do a quick survey to them one day. 

One day, when my crazy gut is higher than my common sense. 

Where to get Kimchi Toastie: 124 Hougang Avenue 1, #01-1444, Singapore

Opening times: Tues - Thurs 11AM to 8PM, Fri - Sat 11AM to 9PM, Sun 3 - 9PM, Closed on Mon 

6. The Story of Kimchi Toastie, Paddy Hills

Paddy Hills was the last cafe I visited with Mr Arse-Angel. But then, I did not associate the cafe with the nasty turn of event that followed our story later on. After all, I personally think Paddy Hills is one of the nice quaint cafes in Singapore (except when it’s crowded). Paddy Hills updates its menu quite often so it’s normal for certain dishes to be taken in and taken out from the menu especially during festive season. I did not see Kimchi Toastie (SGD 19) in the menu when I visited Paddy Hill earlier this year so I kinda wanted to try it. It’s basically a pastry item combined with local twist. The kimchi toastie is a danish loaf filled with house cured bacon, mozzarella, orange cheddar and it is served with a side of two onsen eggs. I wonder why most restaurants always give two eggs in brunch item. I suppose it’s to justify the price of the meal. And yet, I think two eggs are too much for me. The kimchi toast tastes pretty good though I wonder if it’s because I am a pastries lover by nature.

COPING UP

Between the end of that strange relationship and the approach of November, my life went on without a change. Each day would dawn without incident and end as it had begun. I was quite surprised with my own acceptance of the whole situation despite the fact that I still have no job. Work is after all the best way to occupy your mind from a failed relationship and when this avenue is not even listed as an option, one tend to wonder how to make oneself busy. 

Making round from gym, food place and supermarket, that’s how my days pass one by one. With an occasional job application, whenever the opportunity arise. 

I’ve taken up reading again after 8 years of neglecting any kind of books due to busy lifestyle. My brother has become a fan of Haruki Murakami and his books are weird. In a good way of weird. I have finished Kafka on the Shore and now in the middle of reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. While none of Murakami-sensei’s stories end on a sweet sugary note, I find joy (and even consolation and acceptance) by reading them. I was kinda able to move on from my problem easier because of his storyline, especially in The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. 

A mystery indeed, a pleasant one. 

Where to get Kimchi Toastie: Paddy Hills, 38 South Buona Vista Road, Singapore

Opening times: Monday to Friday 10.30AM - 10PM, Saturday to Sunday 9AM - 5PM, 6PM - 10PM

5. The story of Momma Hero, The Tiramisu Hero

When I was small, I think superheroes are very cool especially the scenes where they are saving their loved ones (ahem, girlfriend). But, after incurring bruises and cuts while growing up, I realise that most of the times, you can only be your own hero. Because human is a not a secured being to put your hope and trust on. Despite the sour words, the Momma Hero (SGD 7.5) from the Tiramisu Hero taste rich and sweet enough although I would prefer it to have more alcoholic flavor inside the small jar. 

After my encounter with Mr Arse-Angel and the bitter experience which followed, I had a feeling that I should really reflect on myself and realign some of my life goals. But then again, life goals are such a heavy words. Maybe I should start by editing my unemployed life’s to-do-list. 

*EDITTED* TO-DO-LIST DURING BREAK:

1. Find new job

2. Lose weight

3. Revive dying love life Get back on track of reading

4. Write something

I’ve read somewhere online that an INFP tend to have a good skill of writing and I do enjoy writing stuff (albeit mostly nonsense). The thing is I lack discipline and motivation and I don’t really read book often. When you are working 9 to god-knows-what-time desk job, you totally have no motivation to read any book. All you wanna do is concuss on the bed. Such an irony, having salary and yet, no time to enjoy it. 

Editted to-do-list seems doable but I was kinda nervous if I’m about to end the year of 2017 by having no income. 

*picking up Murakami’s book because life’s dark* 

Where to get Momma Hero: 121 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore

Opening times: Sunday to Thursday 11AM - 10PM, Friday to Saturday 11AM - 12AM

4. The Story of Flan Normand, Paul

I have not really been to Paul in ages for its patisserie stuff. But that one particular night, I needed to cheer myself up by stuffing myself with sweet stuff. Flan Normand (SGD 7) was actually not the cake that my cake-date wanted to order but her favourite cake was already sold out by then. It is an apples, almonds, custard cream puff pastry. It’s a tad sweet but I don’t mind because after all I need some sugary love. Even if it comes from Flan Normand, not a human being. 

MR ARSE-ANGEL

I met Mr Arse Angel in church and I was kinda crushing on him for 9 months. We are serving in the same ministry (until now, I decided not to dump the ministry just because of an arse) and well, hate to admit, but he was kinda cute. At first, he was kinda reserved but he started to open up and we started hanging out for a few times. I had to say while his dating game was not really the best that I had ever experience, his texting skill is on another level. It’s the level where your hope is raised and making you kinda confident that he was somewhat into you too (or at least has a certain degree of interest in you). Needless to say, we texted everyday for the past 9 months. 

I keep playing your part

But it’s not my scene

Want this plot to twist

I’ve had enough mystery

Despite the intense texting, he was somewhat lukewarm in the face-to-face dating activity. He only started asking me out for dates in the 6th month of our game. Actually I should have picked up the slow signs as he did not take me seriously. But being a hopeful romantic, I chose to give him more time with some kind of delusional optimism. The thing is, instead of backing out or tossing me away, he chose to entertain and thus, string me along in his game. 

I’d wondered why’d it taken me so long

But Lord knows that I’m not you

And if I was I wouldn’t be so cruel

‘Cause waiting on love ain’t so easy to do

He finally dropped a bomb two weeks ago saying that he fell in love with someone who he just met for less than 5 days during his overseas trip. My first reaction is definitely WTF because is that even love. But who am I to say what’s and what’s not about love since love is a riddle to me. I confronted him to ask if he’s ever considering me. On text, he did say yes but he did not see us together. But when I met him, he told me that all along he did not have feeling at all. Plus, he did not think that his text is flirty and stuff. That’s how he text his friends normally. Which means, he text “I MISS YOU” and seind flirty emoticon to all his friends. Turns out Mr Arse-Angel is not only cruel, but also creepy. 

While I don’t really mind if he’s keeping his options open, I was really pissed when I find out that he just want to hang out with me as friends when he needs some kind of girlfriend-companion (or some ego boost) and then, he stop texting me altogether when he starts his relationship (expected actually). If all along he does not even consider me as friend, I wonder if I am just a used plastic bag in his textbook. Not exactly a nice way to treat someone. I don’t think he really has a real friend in life, the kind who will help you when you are in dire situation, with this kind of attitude. But that will not be my problem, for sure. 

No I can’t always be waiting waiting on you

I can’t always be playing playing your fool, fool

But I find that revenge is somewhat a hardwork which required both physical and emotional effort which I don’t feel like spending on Mr Arse-Angel. I suppose I should just move on because after all what does not kill you makes you stronger. 

Goodbye, Mr Arse-Angel.

Where to get Flan Normand: Paul Westgate, 3 Gateway Drive #01-05, Singapore

Opening times: Daily 9AM - 9.30PM

3. The Story of Ondeh Ondeh Cake, FLO

This is the first time I had Ondeh Ondeh Cake in the 30 years of living on earth. Ondeh Ondeh is a traditional Indonesian green-colored balls of rice cake filled with liquid palm sugar and coated in grated coconut. It is those kind of cake you can buy at any wet market in Indonesia. Childhood memories. Quite surprised people turn it into the flavor of modern cake nowadays. While the taste is more or less the same, it lacks the oomph flavour of grated coconut. Maybe the cake would have tasted better if the filling between each layer is infused with grated coconut.

Do you often have dream in those limbo hour between waking up and yet, not waking up? I do. The thing is most of those dreams are neither prophecy or serious stuff about life. They are always weird. Even though, they look pretty interestingly similar to action movies at times. 

This morning, the dream is bordering on the line of strange and it was so full of kids who seem to be a mixture of my nephews, nieces and probably their friends. I was somewhat undecided whether I am stuck in IT movie or Stranger Things tv series. But either way, I was so drained in the dream. The dream was situated at my old house in Jakarta. I woke up in my own bedroom and yet the first thing that I saw is that there are two of my nieces sitting nearby just sleeping around on the same bed with me. Hmm, okay, so apparently the whole family from my Mom’s side seems to have invaded the house. 

I was looking for a room to spend what I usually do, personal me-time and yet all rooms are invaded. I ended up sitting on the chair on the sitting room and showed my frustrated look to my brother. This happended while there are so many kids (around kindergarden age) running around here and there. Oh my gawd, this started to feel like a bad dream really. I ended up venting my frustration to my journal laying on the table and the more I wrote, the more I saw my writing becomes uglier and uglier due to the frustration that I endured. 

I decided to wake up shortly after that because after all, it’s already 10AM on a Sunday morning. Hmm. 

Where to get the Ondeh Ondeh Cake: FLO Food Lovers Only, 2 Jurong Street East 21, #02-15A IMM

Opening times: Daily 11AM - 10PM

2. The Story of Lychee Rosewater, Suzette

This was the first time I had a cake named Lychee Rosewater (SGD 8). The moist sponge cakes layered with sweet cream and topped with rose flavoured butter cream taste light and yet, it exudes the right amount of sweetness. If only I am not too lazy to walk all the way to Esplanade Mall, I would probably have this cake often to cheer me up on those gloomy days.

When you are unemployed, you suddenly have a lot of time on your hands. Chances are you will start to think of what to achieve in life while at the same time, looking for a new source of cash flow. After all, the rental and daily expenses will not pay by themselves. Looking back at those busy times at the bank, I don’t really have the time to take care of both my weight and love life. I figure, a break may be a good time to pursue both goals. After all, both has always on the list of every new year’s resolution. 

TO-DO-LIST DURING BREAK:

1. Find new job

2. Lose weight

3. Revive dying love life

I am quite surprised with my own ability to create a to-do-list because after all, I am the type who does not really follow my own plan. Blame it on the “P” of my INFP personality, maybe? Looking at the above to-do-list again, I suppose 3 things on your to-do-list does not really make it an achievement or something. I wonder how am I gonna do the above three things on my list but I guess I’ll think about it while finishing the Lychee Rosewater Cake. 

On second thought, do I really need include task #3 in the to-do-list? Hmm. 

Where to get the Lychee Rosewater Cake: Suzette, 8 Raffles Avenue, #01-13E Esplanade Mall, Singapore

Opening times: Tue 12PM - 7PM, Wed - Thu 12PM - 10PM, Fri - Sat 12PM - 11PM, Sun 12PM - 9.30PM, Mon Closed

1. The story of Coco Nana, Nesuto Patisserie

I had a slice of Coco Nana (SGD 9) from Nesuto. I seldom choose coconut based cake whenever I feel like having cake but that night, Sierra feels like having one, so we chose this cake to share. Inside the coconut sprinkled cover, you will find a chocolate sponge cake filled with banana and chocolate cream. Quite a refreshing combination I suppose, banana, chocolate and coconut. 

I have never imagined that I would be jobless once again in my early 30s. The first time I took a break from work was exactly 10 years. I started my career in audit. Nobody asked me to pick auditor as career. I just think of it at the right way to go since I was graduated with an accounting degree. The first lesson that I learnt from my first job was everything which come with a set of bond or commitment is never pretty and there’s no way I would spend my 20s slaving from morning to morning on a daily basis. I desperately resigned on my last day and went without a job for two months. The maximum number of time off which I could take because my bank account was about to reach the darkest bottom pit of zero balance. 

10 years later, I have not really found what I’m looking for, it seems. And here I am, jobless once again. At least, this time I am jobless with an adequate amount of dollars in my bank account. I think I would make do for at least the next 5 months, unless my sanity gives up on me. Coco Nana does not really start with a nice sweet story I suppose. 

Where to get Coco Nana: Nesuto Patisserie, 53 Tras Street, Singapore

Opening times: Mon - Thu 12PM to 10PM, Fri - Sat 12PM to 11PM, Sun 12PM to 7PM

Oink Noona: Xiao Ya Tou, Tanjong Pagar

 "Do not focus so much on the future you lose the importance of today" is probably the verse that I need to hear the most recently. I do not know the future and yet, I keep to think so much about it. I wonder if I lose my focus on enjoying the present moment. Sometimes in order to refocus back to what's important in life, you need to chill a little bit with your best buddy in tow to accompany you or listen to your random crap in life. If that's what you want to do at the moment, you may want to come to Xiao Ya Tou at Duxton Hill in Tanjong Pagar.

 

 

Xiao Ya Tou is a hipster restaurant which looks like it came straight away from the retro era of China (or Hong Kong, maybe?). The interior design of Xiao Yao Tou is like Central's but times two. I wonder if my parents used to come to this kind of restaurant when they were dating each other. 

 

 

Xiao Ya Tou starts serving dinner starting from 6PM. Sliders are interesting but only available after 9PM. I suppose Xiao Ya Tou offers them as accompaniment to alcohols. My dinner buddy is actually looking forward to Xiao Ya Tou's unagi benedict but unfortunately the dish is only served for Sunday brunch. Oh well, probably I will only come here for brunch on Sunday when I don't feel like laying around on my bed, which is highly unlikely. Besides the unagi benedict, Xiao Ya Tou offers other quirky dishes such as Crab and Lap Cheong Omelette (SGD 9) and Spicy Brussel Sprout (SGD 12). 

 

 

Checking out the utensils which looks like Blue China, while waiting for the drinks to come. Xiao Ya Tou has a pretty extensive selection of alcoholic drinks and cocktails. Some of the interesting concoctions include Milo and Yakult as the ingredients but the serving for these drinks is definitely not for two people (we are not heavy drinkers either) so yeah, too bad...

 

...we ended up coming back to a fix of caffeine, wherever we go. Hahaha. The chai latte (SGD 6.50) is served in the way that I like, not too sweet (I'm a fan of Chai) and my dinner buddy enjoyed her matcha latte (SGD 6.50) too. We just wish the cup can be a bit bigger with the price tag of SGD 6+. 

 

 

We ordered one dish from the small plates section, one dish from the big plates section and one carbo dish to share amongst the two of us. The Cheezy Pork Sausage (SGD 10) are a combination of sausage, rice cake, spring onion and lettuces drenched in garlic soya sauce. Not bad at all, although anything that have rice cake inside will make me happy nonetheless. 

 

 

Based on review in Burpple, one of the most order dish in Xiao Ya Tou is its XYT Ayam Percik (SGD 26), which is a cheeky rendition curry chicken by Xiao Ya Tou's chef. The curry is rich and yet, not spicy so you can definitely take it if you don't like spicy food. It taste better than it looks, we finished the whole plate of chicken. #chicoverdose

 

 

Being Indonesian, I love to devour all types of fried rice, especially those which come with fried shallots. Goes well with the ayam percik as well although on second thought, white rice is probably more suitable to pair with ayam percik as the chicken dish is quite rich and strong in flavour. 

 

Xiao Ya Tou's address:

 

6 Duxton Hill, Tanjong Pagar.

 

 

Xiao Ya Tou's opening hours:

 

Monday and Tuesday: 11AM - 11PM

Wednesday and Thursday: 5PM - 11PM

Friday: 11AM - 12AM

Saturday: 9AM - 12AM

Sunday: 9AM - 5PM