riza sukses: Agustus 2015

Senin, 31 Agustus 2015

Heads up -- European Day of Jewish Culture is next weekend

By Ruth Ellen Gruber

If you are in Europe -- in virtually any country in Europe -- next weekend, you will be able to experience the European Day of Jewish Culture, an annual continent-wide festival of Jewish heritage and history that is celebrating its 16th edition this year.

Each year events revolve around a common theme -- this year it is “Bridges” — and many events stress aspects of dialogue and inter-religious and other cooperation, while others highlight "spiritual" bridges and other meanings of the concept: anything that "joins or connects."

Events are scheduled in more than 30 countries, and while there are only a couple of events in some countries, in other countries the “day” has become “days” or even a full week of events.

Italy, whose Jewish history goes back more than 2000 years, is one of the main countries taking part in the EDJC — this year events are scheduled in some 72 locales up and down the peninsula, with Florence the focus of central observances. (There are Jewish communities in only about 20 towns and cities in Italy, with total membership in Jewish communities under 25,000 people.)

Highlights include everything from the opening of a Jewish bookstore in Rome, to conferences to book launches to concerts to round-table discussions, to guided tours of historic Jewish quarters; the ancient synagogue in Ostia Antica; Jewish catacombs; the medieval mikvah in Siracusa, Sicily; synagogues and Jewish cemeteries.

See full Italian program here (in Italian)

Spain also has a very rich program, coordinated by the 24-member Network of Jewish Quarters.

See the full Spain program

And Britain, too, has a very full schedule of events, stretching over several days -- see the full UK program here.

All told, all over Europe there are hundreds of individual events to choose from – lectures, concerts, food-tastings, book fairs, and more — plus many guided tours and informal visits to Jewish heritage sites that are generally closed to the public or limited in access.

Events are geared primarily for local people — Jews, but also, in some cases overwhelmingly, non-Jews: the Day is aimed at education as well as tourism.

You can access some programs in participating countries at the website of the AEPJ -- European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage. (Unfortunately the program search does not always function correctly.)

Taiphoon Formosa Cuisine Restaurant (台风膳房台湾料理) at Taman Sutera Utama, Johor Bahru.

Taiphoon Formosa Cuisine restaurant 台风膳房台湾料理 (N1.51433 E103.66898) is located exactly same place with Taroko Teppanyaki along Jalan Tanjung Sutera 8/2, Taman Sutera Utama, Johor.

We were there quite early and it was not that crowded. The restaurant cozy and tidy environment remain the same, equipped with air-conditioning and free Wifi services.

Cozy and tidy setting of the restaurant

The humble and friendly owner - Mr Thomas started to introduced their signature dishes to us once we settled the table. At first, he would like us to try out the imported Taiwan teas which are not easy available in Johor Bahru, as the name of the tea was 'Shan-lin-xi' （杉林溪）. Beside this, they also have another 3-4 more imported Taiwan tea in the restaurant.

Alisan tea 阿里山高山茶

Highlands tea 高山极品茶

This was my first time tasting the Taiwanese tea, surprisingly...it was not in brown colour...but totally plain and no colour at all. The aroma was spreading around our table once it pour into each small cup, we like it very much!

Shan-lin-xi Taiwanese tea 杉林溪高山茶

We let Mr Thomas to introduced their signature dishes on the dinner...and the dishes were :-
1) Taiwanese pork knuckles 台湾猪脚
2) Shredded pork with mashed garlic 蒜泥白肉
3) Mapo toufu (stir fried toufu in hot sauce) 麻婆豆腐
4) Garlic sprout bean curd 蒜苗豆干
5) Braised intestine 卤大肠
6) Stir fried Chinese broccoli 清炒芥兰
7) Meat ball soup 贡丸汤
8) Chicken cooked with ginger and wine in casserole 三杯鸡
9) Chives and cabbage dumplings 韭菜和白菜饺子

Taiwanese pork knuckles 台湾猪脚

The taste of the Taiwanese pork knuckles was slightly different from our local braised pork knuckles, it was mild and not too salty but with a nice aroma. Beside that, the pork knuckles was cooked with peanuts and it went well with a plate of plain rice. Like it!

Shredded pork with mashed garlic 蒜泥白肉

This was a popular dish in Taiwan. The sliced pork was boiled and served with the mashed garlic sauce and almost 13 types of ingredients like onion, ginger, soy sauce, rock sugar, anise, Chinese cinnamon, salt and many more...the pork were half lean and fat, and succulent, with all this combination of the ingredients above...resulted this delicious dish on our table.
This was one of the best dish of our dinner! Awesome!

Mapo toufu (stir fried toufu in hot sauce) 麻婆豆腐

Mapo toufu (stir fried toufu in hot sauce) 麻婆豆腐

Mapo toufu was nice with a little spicy on the gravy on the smooth bean curd, the taste was above average.

Garlic sprout bean curd 蒜苗豆干

The garlic sprouts bean curd available locally too, but fried with certain different local ingredients. Garlic sprouts were just nice with the crunchy bite with a level saltiness.

Braised intestine 卤大肠 + 卤蛋

Braised intestine 卤大肠 + 卤蛋

The braised intestines is widely available locally especially at the Koey Teow Kia restaurant, the only different about this dish was the sauce from Taiwanese recipe. It really brought me back to Taipei for few second when I taste on it. Nice!

Stir fried Chinese broccoli 清炒芥兰

Stir fried Chinese broccoli was average and it was a local dish, not Taiwanese signature.

Meat ball soup 贡丸汤

Meat ball soup was prepared with meat ball (minced pork) with white radish, the size of the balls were bigger than what we have locally, the soup was tasty and all of us like it.

Chicken cooked with ginger and wine in casserole 三杯鸡

The dish above also known as three cup chicken, a popular dish within Taiwan. The chicken cooked with ginger and wine, topped up with basil leafs. Taste was slightly different compare with local clay pot yellow rice wine chicken. Taste above average.

Chives and cabbage dumplings 韭菜和白菜饺子

Homemade dumplings skin and rich stuffing. Dip into the vinegar and ginger, it was perfect
Based on my personal taste bud, I like their dumplings very much! Chives or cabbage, I grabbed both! This is one of the recommended dumplings you should order!

Beside the dishes above, we did ordered some of the Teppanyaki dishes from the restaurant...chicken, lamb and beef.

New Zealand beef Teppanyaki

Overall, we like the food over here. I'll be back often for the mashed garlic sliced pork and the dumplings!

The business hour of Taiphoon Formosa Cuisine restaurant is 11am - 10pm, daily. Do drop by if you happen at Taman Sutera Utama area (if you are reading from your smartphone, you can click on the GPS coordinates and launch Google map navigation to the restaurant.)

* The above food descriptions were based on my personal taste bud.

Taiphoon Formosa Cuisine Restaurant
(台风膳房台湾料理)

99, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/2,

Taman Sutera Utama,

Skudai - Johor Bahru.

Open everyday 11am - 10pm

Facebook : https://goo.gl/QHpy4b

Location of Taiphoon Formosa Cuisine Restaurant 台风膳房台湾料理 at Taman Sutera Utama, Johor Bahru.

Kamis, 27 Agustus 2015

#CarousellxAirbnb

I became a Carousell member early this year and I am still loving this app to every bits! I am quite an impulse online buyer so I have alot clothes and accessories that are BNIB or only used/wore once. Ever since I have downloaded Carousell app, I have successfully sold off quite a couple of my stuff and hence made new room for my new stuff =D!

I am very excited to know there is a campaign going on with Carousell and Airbnb which we share our travel story when we list our travel inspired items + include hashtag #CarousellxAirbnb and 5 lucky winners with the best stories will get to win $500 of Airbnb travel credits*!

How to join the contest
1. Download the Carousell app
2. List 1 or more items that are related to your travel experience for sale and in the item description
3. Tell us the travel story the item represents and add hashtag #CarousellxAirbnb
4. Submit your listing(s) to the Carousell marketplace

Log on to bit.ly/carousellxairbnb to check out what others have shared!

This contest ends on 11 September 2015.
*T&Cs: http://bit.ly/carousellxairbnb-termsandconditions

I have already listed my item and hashtag #CarousellxAirbnb!

I hope I win and this will be my perfect birthday present this year!!*hehe

Minggu, 16 Agustus 2015

Thailand - Where to eat in Bangkok

Where to eat in Bangkok

Bangkok is one of my favorite city in the world! I will always find time to go once a year to immerse myself in shopping and eating~

Below is the list of restaurants/cafes I have been for the past frequent visits to Bangkok. I hope this list will continue as long as possible.

1) Road side

We rarely see temporary roadside food stall in Singapore already. The only one left is the ice cream tricycle stall which we usually see at Orchard or Bugis.

Roadside stalls usually sell relatively cheaper but definitely less hygienic than fixed stalls. Nevertheless, still a YAY!

I would label Bangkok as Fruits City. They always have fruit sellers everywhere you go. Fruit juice is always the savior under the forever-hot-weather. Prices are usually around 20-40 baht.

Can I have one mango sticky rice without coconut milk pls~

Packets & packets of varieties of fruits

Kaya pancakes

Mini pancake roll up with yam/kaya/pineapple fillings

Grilled chicken! This is my favorite! As we were strolling around "What The Food" bazaar outside Central World and we were attracted to this stall by its smell.

I chose the smallest size. Although this is very unhealthy, but it was damn yummy! ~50baht

Eggs and chicken croissants. ~180baht

2) Mango Tango

Mango is my second favourite fruit after durian.

They have many varieties of mango products - fruits, ice cream, pudding, smoothies and etc.

I still think roadside traditional mango sticky rice is nicer hehe

Mango Tango

Website: http://www.mymangotango.com/

3) After You

They have a very raving review from Bangkok to Singapore.

Their shibuya honey toast was the most famous item. Order the mini size one because the regular size is big even for 2 people.

I particularly like their coffee -

Go during off peak hours or less popular branch otherwise you might be queuing for 1-2 hours.

Hot peppermint 105baht

Baby matcha toast 175baht

After You

Website: http://www.afteryoudessertcafe.com/

4) ISAO

I am very thankful to my friend's recommendation on this Japanese restaurant. This Japanese-Western fusion restaurant offers very creative and appealing sushi rolls (like "Jackie" sushi roll which looks like a caterpillar).

ISAO

Website: http://www.isaotaste.com/

5) Mr. Jones' Orphanage

This is for all the sweet tooth out there.

6) Som Tam Nua

This Thai restaurant was packed with Singaporeans when we were there.

Thai rice flour noodles 97baht

Pork sausage 92baht

Som Tam Nua

Address: 392/14, Siam Square Soi 5, Rama 1 Rd, Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, 10330

Opening hours: 10:45 am – 9:30 am

7) Sabx2 Pratunum Wanton Mee

This store exhibit great professionalism by hiring staff that know how to speak mandarin to cater for Chinese customers which are mostly Singaporeans and Malaysians.

I personally preferred the pork knuckles rice.

wanton mee 50baht

pork knuckles rice 60baht

SabX2 Pratunam Wanton Noodles

4/32-33 Soi Petchburi 19, Pratunam, Bangkok, Thailand

Opening Hours: 9am – 4pm Daily

8) Roast

This is my favorite cafe in Bangkok. My reason of visiting for the first time was for the ice latte with coffee ice. It amazed me with their food especially the french toast with cranberry and cornflakes sprinkled on it.

Classic eggs benedict 240baht

French toast with cranberry 280baht

Roast

Website: http://www.roastbkk.com/

9) Aran Bicicletta

This is for the cycling enthusiasts where they can drink coffee while indulging in their hobby and sharing their cycling stories with owners or other cycling enthusiasts.

Latte

Tiramisu in tall glass

Aran Bicicletta

Address: 128/10 Paholyothin Soi 2, Bangkok, Thailand

Nearest Train: BTS Ari

10) Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant

I was googling "theme restaurant in Bangkok" and this came up on the first page. I thought it will be a weird and exclusive kind of restaurant. Yes, it was quite a weird experience where you see condoms as decoration all over the restaurant - the lamps, the costumes on mannequins and even as a thank you gift with your bill.

Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant

Website: http://www.pda.or.th/restaurant/

11) MIX

We visited MIX restaurant at Terminal 21 mall on my last day in Bangkok. We wanted to have one last local meal before we heading to the airport hence we went in without much hesitation and it turned out an unforgettable experience for us. We over ordered because everything in the menu looked very delicious to us.

Fried rice with crab meat 150baht

Hot spicy soup 199baht + roti 100baht

Shrimp cream soup 185baht

Fish paste mousse 179baht

Baked crab meat in apple 275baht

MIX

Website: http://www.mixrestaurantandbar.com/

12) Wabi/sabi Japanese Gastro Bar

I usually stay around Central World mall as it is conveniently located between Siam shopping areas and Platinum mall. I realized Bangkok has more varieties of Japanese fusion restaurants than in Singapore.

Watermelon juice 90baht

Takana fried rice 180baht

Tamago sushi 120baht

Temari sushi 480baht

Salmon lomi lomi 380baht (only available on Valentine day 2015)

Wabi/sabi Japanese Gastro Bar

G/F, The Groove, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., Bangkok, Thailand

Nearest Train: Siam

13) Zense Gourmet Deck & Lounge Panorama

This is considered one of the cheapest rooftop restaurants as we did not want to spurge our money on expensive food.

This is located at Central World mall and has great sunset view as well as the traffic view around Siam shopping areas.

Go around sunset timing to maximize the lovely stay.

My favorite soup - lobster bisque

Zense Gourmet Deck & Lounge Panorama

Address: Level 17, Zen World @ Central World

14) Capri

I am normally quite picky on ink spaghetti but this totally hit on my taste bud. I like their al fresco dining area facing the sea while enjoying their live band.

Capri restaurant

Asiatique The Riverfront

15) The Best of Boat Noodles

This has been one of my lists to try and I have finally tried it after so long. The place is not easy to find so make sure you have Googlemap with you.

Believe it or not, one bowl cost only 10baht! Thick noodle soup with pork/beef. The soup tasted like they put some herb in the soup that made it very tasty.