Lovaholic's 49th Monthniversary™ at HIP Diner USA (Parco Bugis)!!!

Lovaholic celebrates their 49th Monthniversary™ on 5th April 2008 (Saturday) with her dearest Honezzz aka Significant Other (SO) at HIP DINER USA located at Parco Bugis Junction!!!

My dearest SO and I decided to try the newly renovated HIP DINER USA, which is a part of Billy Bombers', at Basement 1 of Parco Bugis Junction!!! I got craving for western food that day and my SO, being especially NICE + UNDERSTANDING, he lets me had it my way!!! *Feeling blissful!!!*

It has been a rather long time since I have done a food review.... (@_@)

LOVAHOLIC IS NOT A FOOD CRITIC BUT REVIEWING IN A CONSUMER'S POINT OF VIEW. LOVAHOLIC HAS NO AFFIRMATION OR WHATSOEVER LINK FOR THE RESTAURANT/CAFE/FOOD COURT/HAWKER CENTER BEING REVIEWED.

HIP Diner USA @ Parco Bugic Junction


Background Information

All of us know that Billy Bombers (BB) is all about casual American Dining and their food portion is especially big!!! Well, that's why we call it American serving! What's so special about this HIP Diner USA (HIP) ?! Prices are slightly cheaper and the food portion indirectly got shrink too!!! *Opps!*

There are 2 branches that I know of... Orchard Cineleisure and Parco Bugis Junction.... It seems to me that they are targeting the lesser spending power teens.


Ambience?!

In terms of interior theme design, BB definitely got my vote as HIP looks like BB got a facelift with lesser 1950s gimmicks and tight lighting budget!!! No sight of the 1950's BIG HOLLYWOOD'S STARS posters, Crafty Fighter Planes Models and even the dummy 1950's music player that you get to see at Century Square branch!!! *Disappointing....*

It's more like a America's Flag falling all over the place in a chic manner!!! (v_v)



I "smell" similarity between the Billy Bomber's and HIP Diner USA's menu!!!


Trying to look "YOUNG" with American's comic strip walls?!


Entrance of HIP.


I love the STARS-ALL-OVER Bar counter! * I'm seeing stars.... Giddy* ~(*_*)~


Ambience is still pleasant thou... It's American Dinning!!!

Rating: 7/10


Service?!

The service crew are rather friendly and prompt in request! They don't really put on a smile most of the times but are really pleasant throughout the whole dining process. (^_^) *Applauding Approvingly!*

Rating: 8/10


Food?!

The HIP menu is almost identical to its parents, BB but with some fresh new creativity. Here's our orders!!!



The Special Appearance of GREEN Tabasco Sauce!!! Seldom spotted in Singapore's restaurants...


1) Classic Chocolate Shake with special malt!!!


This has been an all-time favourite for my Honezzz!!! A must ordered for him!!!

BB serves great Chocolate Milkshake especially the one with Malt. It is deliciously thick and sweet for most likings!!! The differences between BB and HIP are that BB will serves you the Milkshake in a special TIN TUMBLER and the friendly crew will pours it in a glass jar in your very eyes but HIP simply serves it to you in a glass with wiped cream!!! And... You got to REQUEST (with additional $1) for that delicious malt.

BB/HIP serves great MILKSHAKE!!!

Price: $5.50 + $1 (if you want MALT)

Rating: 8/10


2) Soup of the Day with Puff


Delicious Puff on top of Clam Chowder!!!


Puff breaks revealing the Clam Chowder!! *Yum Yum!*

The Puff makes the soup smelling buttery and it is just the extra perk that the norm clam chowder needs. It is nothing special as I have Cream Soup with puff in many places before.

Price: $4.90

Rating: 7/10


3) Sirloin Steak (Medium Rare)


Honezzz's dinner... He wasn't adventurous that day....

Sirloin Steak is like a basic must-have for most western restaurant. The quality and freshness affects the taste of the dish. SO always has his medium done/rare as he simply loves the taste. I can't touch beef as mentioned in the earlier post. He was commenting that the portion for HIP is definitely smaller as compare to BB. Dish tasted norm. It was served with mashed potato and fresh green as sides.

Price: $18.90

Rating (by SO): 6/10 (a mere pass.)


4) Great Seafood Skilled

Lovaholic's Dinner.

Great Seafood Skilled wasn't that great to me that day. The serving portion was totally a big turn-off as compare to BB!!! I was kinda disheartened upon serving and the cramped presentation of the dish makes it worst... It looked like a plate of messy fried seafood. This dish consists of Soft-shell crab in Tempura style, Grilled Shrimps with red & green capsicums, Oven-baked style Cheese Mussels, fresh green and mashed potato as sides. The only consoling came from the fresh seafood! (^_^)

Price: $ 16.90

Rating: 6.5/10


Value for $$$?!


Bill for the day!!!

Our bill came out to be $55.55. Rather expensive for such a small portion of serving thou and the food are more of the average side to deserve a higher rating.

Rating: 6/10


Overall?!

Ambience?! - 7/10
Service?! - 8/10
Food?! - 6.5/10
Value for $$$?! - 6/10
OVERALL - 6/10



LOVAHOLIC'S P.S


My dear SO faking a smile to "please" me before dinner starts...


Lovaholic stealing SO's spinach!!! It's my favorite!!! :P


A happy guy with his stomach filled... ("^_^)


Been really grateful and blissful with much unpleasant times that Raymond and I make it this far... We have our ups and downs like most couples. Quarrels then make up then quarrels then make up... I guess it's pretty much what happens in most relationships... especially for us...


Our monthly "Potrait"!!!


This is the 49th!!! My dearest Honezzz hates this as he blames me for asking him to make a funny face.. (#_#)



------------------------------


Face-of-the-Day!


Feeling Lovely after Makeup... (^_^)


Eye Makeup - Open! Love the Limited Edition Majolica Majorca Pink/Brown Palette! <3<3<3


Eye Makeup - Close.


"Tools & Materials" for FOTD


-Base:
Loreal UV Perfect Sunblock (Not shown)
Paul & Joe Creamy Compact #02
Paul & Joe Loose Powder Iris #04

-Eyes:
Majolica Majorca (MM) X'mas 2006 Limited Edition Pink/Brown
MM eyeshadow in white (for highlight)
MM Automatic liner in Brown
Ettusais Hyper Curl Seperate Mascara

-Cheeks:
Paul & Joe Face Color

-Lip:
Skin Food Honey Glossy Rouge in #362
SONY B&C Curvy Lip Silicone in #501 (Clear)







Happy 49th Monthniversary to my deareat Honezzz,
Lovaholic Vienne (.n_n.)

Lovaholic's 42nd Monthniversary™ at Earle Swensen (Vivocity)!!!

Lovaholic celebrated yet another Monthniversary™ with her SO (Significant Other) though life just get a bit more tougher than before especially with her SO.

This time it was at Earle Swensen located at the new Vivocity. A totally different concept from the usual western family style Swensen restaurants. It is more modernise with an exhilarating sea view. All thanks to the roof-to-floor glass walls!!! (^_^)


Earle Swensen @ VivoCity


Ambience?!

As I mentioned earlier, this restaurant offers great sea view which is a plus point even food offered was average to good. A great difference from the usual Swensen restaurant.

Rating: 8/10


Food?!

1) The Salad.


Vienne's Creation Salad from their Salad Bar


The Salad Bar!!!
(Photo Credit to streetdirectory.com)

A variety of really fresh veggies and fruits for all the patrons to pick and mix. I love that they have Turkey Bacon Bits at the salad bar!!! Rare!!! *Yummy!!!*

Price: FOC with any main course ordered.

Rating: 7/10 ---> Credit to the freshness of veggies and fruits!!!


2) Cioppino (Enough for 2) - Italian traditional seafood pot.


I just can't stop loving seafood especially when its cook the Italian way!!! *love love*

This dish remind me of Mariana pasta (without pasta) but serve with crispy bread slice. The tomato base gravy tasted a bit too plain but it was fine for me as I hate food that are too heavy in taste and has too much seasoning.... Prawns, mussels, squids and fish were fresh enough for seafood lovers like me!!! (^_^)

Price: $28.80

Rating: 7.5/10


3) Porterhouse Steak.


SO's order. As usual, I can't take beef due to religion purpose.

We have no idea which part of the cow this piece of steak belonged to. I am still not good enough to be a food critic but was trying hard to identify that small portion of beef. No idea. According to SO, it was almost well-done when SO asked for medium done. Gravy was black pepper. It was not fulfilling at all.

Price: $29.80

Rating: 5/10 ---> Blame it on the unattentiveness of the waiter.


4) Soda Lime.


Feeling Green?!


SO's looking at his sweet treat!!!

Lime Sorbet scoop with ice-blended lime juice & whipped cream. I just heart lime sorbet!!! Swensen is truly famous for its ice-cream!!! Although, the presentation was so-so especially when that "green" color for the sorbet looked very pukey but it tasted "concentrated" enough!!!

Price: $5.00

Rating: 8/10


Value for $$$?!

Our bill came to a total $74.86. It was truly a bit more than reasonable for 2 courses + dessert. Too expensive for the food they offered but I think most of the bill went to the view!!! *Duh!!!*



Lovaholic's P.S

Snapshots for that day!


SO pretending to enjoy his food!!! (>_<)

I simply looked fat and ugly in this pic!!! Put it up anyway...

He looked more chubby and uncle-ish whilst driving?! I think maybe it is the "uncle-to-be" symptom?


May not step in again unless I feel like having their signature desserts!!! (^_^)




More ice-cream for me?!
Lovaholic Vienne (*_*)

Lovaholic feels Lovely on her 41st Monthniversary™. (^_^)

Lovaholic's SO (Significant Other) helped her got one item off her Wishlist ---> Sarah Jessica Parker's (SJP) scent-Lovely. *Dancing around* (^_^)

Lovaholic get to have one small item every (other) month from SO during her Monthniversary™. So, for August, she picked her lemming!!! Sarah Jessica Parker's Lovely!!!

I got attracted by the simple vintage-looking pink bottle in ballerina pink at first which I think will look LOVELY on my dressing table. The scent just got the better of me!!! (@_@)


Pics of Lovaholic's New LOVE:


Sarah Jessica Parker's first scent -LOVELY!!!
(From LEFT to RIGHT: Lovely - Liquid Satin 100ml(Perfume serum spray with non-alcohol content) for glowy skin, Lovely - Miniature 5ml, Lovely Perfume 100ml. )

The gifts with purchase. Additional Joy!!!
(From LEFT to RIGHT: Body Shower Gel, Miniature 5ml, SJP Quilted Diary)

The Lovely SJP!!! Simply LOVE her charisma.... (^_^)


I heart Sarah Jessica Parker (SJP) after catching all 6 seasons of her signature HBO series Sex And the City. Been watching "illegally" online *oops* when I was in Polytechnic till I managed to fly to New York (2 work trips to be exact) to get all 6 seasons of DVDs. Am a happy girl and it was one of my "achievements" during my flying career. I just love shopping!!! *wahaha!!!*

SJP's 2nd scent, COVET, is already out in the US market but Singapore are simply slow in importing!!! *Fuming!*

Related Webbies:

1)SJP - LOVELY (first scent)
•LOVELY - " Loveliness is everywhere"

2)SJP - COVET (second scent)
•COVET - "I HAD TO HAVE IT"





Smelling nice makes one happy,
Lovaholic Vienne (^_^)

Lovaholic's 41st Monthniversary™ at Fish & Co. (Wheelock Place)!!! (^_^)

Lovaholic celebrated her 41st Monthniversary™ of togetherness with her SO (Significant Other) aka "Honezzz" to me on 11th August 2007 (Saturday) instead on the actual day (5th of every month) due to the fact both of us are kinda broke that day!!! *Wahaha!* (>_<)

We have dine there many times but still picked Fish & Co. that day since I am craving for Mussels and Prawns!!! I LOVE SEAFOOD!!! *Yummy!!!* (^_^)


Fish & Co. @ Wheelock Place


Ambience?!

A very american furnishing and touch but good for a family or friends causal dinning. Love the glass panels that bring in so much light!!!

Rating: 7/10


Food?!

1) Seafood Platter for 2.


Seafood Platter that serves 2 but we hardly finished it!!! (>_<)


I have eat this for like over 10 times (and counting)!!! It is not that I LOVE it but rather it was kinda an on-off craving for FISH & CO's Seafood Platter. I like the part that they serve FRESH seafood!!! I knew it the moment I sank my teeth on the fish & etc. I believe this is bound to be their success "recipe" as they have so many branches in Singapore and other parts of Asia. The "rice" (I think it is a kind of pasta), but SO think it is just normal rice, smell great and taste good with the tinge of sweetness due to the presence of raisins. I believe the fragrance yellow colored rice may be due to Saffron but it is too expensive for such a simple dish.... *puzzling*

Price: $34.90

Rating: 7/10


2) Big Mug of Sharkie Freeze


SO busy with his DRINK OF THE DAY - SHARKIE FREEZE!!!


Oh my goodness!!! The mug is bigger than my face!!! (^_^)


SO's order. In the end, we can't finish it at all!!! This citrus drink is ice-blended. I could taste lemon, lime & etc...Taste just great and refreshing after much of oily stuff!!! Serving size is just too large for 2 pax. (>_<)

Price: $6.50 (Quite a good value)

Rating: 6/10 (Common drink but creatively named!!!)


3) Singapore 42 (Special Mocktail for the month to celebrate our National Day)
Sorry no picture for this as the dumb Lovaholic accidentally deleted it!! (>_<) It was another fruitty citrus drink but more on the berries side. Raspberry was the main and lime was the side. Sour!!! But I love it!!! Special blend for special occasion!!!

Price: $4.20

Rating: 7/10


Value for $$$?!

Our bill came up to $53.65. Still quite reasonable to me as I received quite a good service. Food is fresh and I am happy after my meal!!! (^_^)




Seafood for me please,
Lovaholic Vienne (^_^)

Lovaholic's 40th Monthniversary™ at Ajitei (Bugis)!!! (^_^)

Lovaholic celebrated her 40th Monthniversary™ with her SO (Significant Other) at Ajitei (Bugis) on 5th July 2007, Thursday.

Lovaholic LOVES Japanese Culture especially their cusine but I still can't take raw delicacy without having runs!!! (>_<)


Ajitei @ Parco Bugic Junction


Background Information of Ajitei

Ajitei is part of the Ajisen (Famous chain of Ramen restaurants). It is a whole new concept restaurant which introduces authentic Kyoto dessert to Singapore! With over 88 variety of fine Japanese cuisine serve under one roof at a very affordable price. Their desserts are specially imported from Japan.
(Quoted from their Webby.)


Food?!

1)Pork Cutlet Set with nice plum sauce

SO's dinner! (^_^)


SO's dinner but I got to taste too. *Wahaha!!!* The Pork Cutlet was not really as crispy and juicy as the one I had at Maison Manson (Erh... I dunno whether I got the name correctly.... Apologies...) but still acceptable for my fussy taste bud. Plum sauce taste great as I love its sourness with a tinge of sweetness. Too bad, they should warm the sauce a bit. (>_<)

Rating: 6.5/10



2)Toji Katsu Set

My Dinner!!! (^_^)


I had ate the worst of Toji Katsu from some ulu Japanese restaurant before. Ajitei must have make sure that this dish is serve pipping hot!!! This dish must be serve this way to taste great as it contains egg as the "gravy"!!! Thumbs up for this!!! Katsu (Pork) tasted norm to me. (^_^)

Rating: 7/10


3) Coke Float

SO's Coke Ice-cream Float. (>_<)


A regular drink. Something to bring down the heat!

Rating: 6/10


3)Dessert - Tokoroten Anmitsu, mini-sized Mitarashi Dango & Macha scoope with cornflakes Set

I just love Japanese Desserts!!! Tokoroten Anmitsu (center), mini-sized Mitarashi Dango which I love to the core (left) & Macha scoope with cornflakes?! (right).


I have to admit that I love the chewy dango and the combination of Macha (green tea) ice-cream and red bean paste. It just taste great to me!!! Still, I prefer Japanese Desserts from MOF-MY IZAKAYA as theirs are closer to what I had before at Japan. (^_^)

I am drooling now thinking of the desserts... I just love the chewy mitarashi dango!!! *Yum Yum* (@_@)

Rating: 7/10


Value for $$$?!

The bill was about $50 which I think is quite reasonable. For more pics of food and information, visit them AJITEI


LOVAHOLIC'S P.S

Snapshoots!!!


I just heart hot green tea!!! *Sip Sip* (^_^)

SO displaying his patience for me as I "slowly" finished my dessert. *Heart heart* (^_^)





Go eat some Jap stuff,
Lovaholic Vienne (*^_^*)


P.S: I have no affiliation or whatsoever relationship with Ajitei or MOF. I just purely review in the good cause of my Lovables' taste buds. (^_^)

Lovaholic's 39th Monthniversary™ at Kim Gary Cafe!!!

Lovaholic dine at Kim Gary HongKong Cafe for her 39th Monthniversary™ with SO (Significant Other).


Kim Gary HongKong Cafe @VivoCity


Ambience?!

Kim Gary HongKong Cafe, located at VivoCity, is rather a simple "GREEN" deco cafe.


Cafe front of KIM GARY (pic credit: www.thelocalking.com)


I was in GREEN blouse... SO joked that I'm one of their promotors... (O_o)


Rating: 6 /10


Food?!


SO guessing which is "Ying Yang" and "HK Style Milk Tea"?!


What we ordered!!!

We ordered the Twin Cheese & Minced Beef Chicken Chop Bake rice, Curry Cheese Chicken Chop and the Drumlets. It was almost like we were having a CHICKEN FEAST for our Monthniversary™!!! SO was so sick of chicken after that dinner!!! (>_<)

1) Twin Cheese & Minced Beef Chicken Chop

Due to my religion, I must refrain from touching beef. SO review this dish... From his expressions, he was savouring and enjoying the heavenly cheesy scented dish for about a min or two.... then he saw corn.... (O_o) In just seconds, his facial expression changed from enjoying the dish to feeling disgusted by the sight of the corn... I have totally no idea why must corn be added to the dish as the smell and the taste of it alter the whole cheesy yummy taste to cheesy funny corn smelling dish... It does not make a dish more healthier by adding a few tiny winy corn... Other than the flaw, the chicken was well done and minced beef was tasty according to SO.

Rating: 5/10


2) Curry Cheese Chicken Chop

My dinner. The cheese and curry mix was really a great combination for a curry and cheese lovers like me!!! The only flaw was that the curry was too greasy and not "THICK" enough for my liking!!! Either rice or bread to go with this... The chili oil may be why I got a upset stomach...

Rating: 6/10


3) Drumlets

I love this but SO thinks otherwise... He commented that it was too oily and showed me the drips of oil... I somehow agree but then drumlets was rather delicious... (^_^) I SAW CORN AGAIN!!! I love my veggies but it really have no sense to keep on putting corn for their dishes.... *Ohmine!!*

Rating: 7/10


Value for $$$?!

The bill came up to about $39 which I think it was rather reasonable. I may go back to try their toast and desserts :P






Eat GOOD stuff to PAMPER yourself,
Lovaholic VIenne (^_^)