Thicken me up Scotty

Carl's Jr is one of the very few fast food chains in Singapore in which I deem worth to be consumed. The previous glory of the BIG THREE namely MacDonalds, KFC and Burger King have long lost their spark and shine. Some like A&W even cease to exist anymore. However, fret not. As new competition have step up to satisfy what has been lost in the years of dominance of the evil empires. We see Carl's Jr, Popeyes Chicken & Biscuit and the soon to arriving Wendy's.

Carl's Jr introduced its Thickburger in Singapore early this year with the un-presidential help of Edison Chen. The new Thickburger boast of using a half pound of 100% Angus Beef for its patty accompanied by two slices of American cheese, pickles, tomatoes, red onions and crisp lettuce; topped with mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard on top of a sesame seed bun. Comes in a box instead of the regular paper wrap.

Though the visual impression isn't at its best.
Trust me on taste wise.

I must give it to Carl's Jr. They have sure winner in this. The Angus Patty is totally different compared to the regular patty that you would get. It is more succulent and juicy and there is a natural sweetness from the ground meat. The mustard and mayonnaise compliments it in perfect harmony, as the greasy juices overwhelms your mouth.

For those who don't consume beef. Carl's Jr also have a variety of Chicken Sandwiches.
Charbroiled Sante Fe Chicken (above)

Fries with potato skin intact.

Compared to the first time I ate in their maiden opening in Marina Square, Carl's has finally change their fries to that with the skin still intact. Some may see as the skin being unclean and expose to pesticides. I beg to differ. Potato skin in fact contains more nutrients than its starchy internal. On top of that, it adds extra texture and taste to the boring starch.

Not to rest on its laurels. Just about a month ago, Carl's Jr introduced the newly Western Bacon Thickburger. For those western bacon burger fans, this is a god send with the best of the two burgers in one. One would think that with the arrival of the Thickburger, this would eliminate the purpose of anyone doubling their burger patties. So....Wrong!

Western Bacon ThickBurger

Double Portobello Mushroom Burger
Two normal patties is roughly equivalent to a single Thickburger Patty.

The impossible. Double Western Bacon Thickburger.
Its so thick that the box can't even close properly.

Comparison between a single and double Thickburger.

My friend is a monster in disguise. Eating a Double Western Bacon Burger together with a Beef Chili Cheese Fries, coming up to $18. The bottomless pit glutton even ate 26 sticks of satay for supper the night before. Insane.

Difference between the normal and western bacon Thickburger. It really depends on you. If you like a more refreshing and crispy crunchy greens, then go with the normal. Else if smoky and greasy goodness is your type of sinful pleasure, then the western bacon.

Beef Chili Cheese Fries sure is messy.

Only item I dislike on Carl's menu is its Beef Chili Cheese Fries. I can't stand the hint of curry power within, taste rather artificial to me. Rather would prefer some hot sauce instead.

Do note that as this outlet is located in the neighborhood, the place can be flooded with kids and students. The sitting is really limited. Stop hogging the seats and studying for your papers. There is a proper place called a "library".

Carl's Jr (Tampines)
10 Tampines Central 1
#B1-05 Tampines 1

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Emicakes

Pandora's Box

Their branch on Tampines 1 was celebrating their newly opened shop. I manage to grab this for only $20, after a 15% discount.

Pretty little flower.

Thick layer of fudge.

For the chocolate lovers this is a must for they the layers are so very thick. Though the sweet tooth may wanna stay clear. This instead would appeal to those who prefer their chocolate to be less sweet and dark chocolate lovers.

Emicakes (Tampines 1)
10 Tampines Central 1
#B1-15 Tampines 1
Tel: 67895143
Website: http://www.emicakes.com.sg/

Hong Kong Kim Gary Restaurant @ Tampines 1

I've originally was planning for a Hong Kong trip, but it was cancel in the end due to some complication. Fortunately, Kim Gary opens a new branch in the east, easing some of the disappointment. Now I don't need to travel all the way south just to get my favorite Hong Kong fix.

Kim Gary who is that? I hardly watch any Hong Kong drama.
Doesn't really matter as long he bring the good food, my wallet is always open.

The place is rather spacious, but be prepared to wait quite a while. This place is packed to the brim. Not that I blame them. Who can find fault with someone if their food is so good.

Ying Yong Tea (Mixture of tea and coffee).

The Ying Yong here is the best I've tried by far. Most Hong Kong cafes suffer a downfall on their Ying Yong. They're either too bland or too milky. Kim Gary does it just with the correct proportion and mix. The concoction is thick and heavy, without either coffee or tea overwhelming each other.

Borsch Soup

Another hot favorite is Kim Gary's Borsch Soup. Compared to the "western" version, which can be quite heavy and sour. The one being sold here is more light and clear, which is a good thing as I often find the one outside a bit too sour to my liking. The vegetable are nice and soft, simply mashes away in your mouth. There is also a Sweet Corn Cream Soup, which I would advice you to give a miss for the Borsch.

Garlic Bread (comes in the Steak Sets).

Baked Potatoes Skin topped with Bacon & Cheese.

There are some appetizer for those who isn't really hungry. One of such is the Baked Potatoes Skin topped with Bacon & Cheese. Looks really mouth watering. However, turns out to be a disappointment. I was dry and lacks enough cheese and bacon. The garlic bread that comes in the Steak set instead is rather crowd pleaser. I could smell its aroma across the table. The toast is browned nicely, giving it extra crunch when bit into.

Cheese Baked Rice with Pork Chop

Cheese Baked Rice with Chicken Drumlets

One of the more popular dishes in Hong Kong cruise is the Cheese Baked Rice. Kim Gary offered a variety of cheese baked rice with different kinds of meats that go with it. Customers have a choice of Pork or Chicken Chop, Beef, Fish or drumlets. As if that is not enough for customization there is even two different sauces of your choice, for the baked rice to soak in. There is a white creamy sauce with cream, milk and corn. The red in the other hand, is tomato sauce and beef stock. I'd prefer the white cream sauce as its more tasty and is in perfect harmony with the thick layer of melted cheese on top of it. If you are still indecisive and want the joy of two worlds, there is also a twin sauce version. Though its will cost you slightly more.

Cheese Baked Rice with Fish (looking at the tons of cheese)

Kim Gary's Cheese Baked Rice is the power house. The cheese blankets the whole bamboo steamer and the sauce is sufficient to coat each grain evenly. Rice isn't dry and hard after the baking process. Thanks to the ample amount of sauce and thick layer of cheese, resulting in a nature steaming effect within. Caution though. It can be quite hot within. Pork and Chicken Chop are really tender and the fish is also soft and melts in your mouth. After your first bit, you would be scrapping for every scrap, licking the foil for every drip of sauce and wanting a second helping more.

Supreme Chicken Chop Curry Baked with Swiss Cheese

Supreme Pork Chop Curry Baked with Swiss Cheese

The curry baked is also another hot item on the menu. In fact, it has some similarities of the cheese baked rice. The curry baked is like the evil sister of the previous subtle cheese version. Both are baked and have melted cheese coating the top surface. Those who love spicy food should try the curry baked. Its really spicy and you would be soon gulping down glasses of water. Yet though hot, this heat will growth on you and leave you really satisfied by the end of the meal. It cost slight more then the baked rice and has the option of either rice or spaghetti.

Black Pepper Sauce Sizzling Steak on Hotplate

This hot plate is huge. All of us were starving in amazement on the huge portion serving for the Steak on Hotplate. However, it turn out to be quite disappointing. The sauce was bland and starchy from the exhaustive amount of corn starch. Making it more of a soup than sauce. The steak is tender rather chewy, showing that its quite a cheap grade. Interesting thing is that they serve fries on a hot plate. This makes my wonder if the fries remains crisp or soggy from the bubbling hot sauce.

The new outlet is a lot more difference compare to its Vivocity branch, with a more dark and class feel to it. Everything is glossy, thus making the interior very brightly lit. Service Staff are polite and patient. They would even accommodate to your special requests.

Overall, Kim Gary is definite place for Singaporean to have a quick bit of Hong Kong food without actually leaving the island. Of course you can't compare this with those in Hong Kong, but its a good attempt to re-create the standards there.

Hong Kong Kim Gary Restaurant (Tampines 1)
10 Tampines Central 1
#B1-07 Tampines 1
Tel: 6786 1418
Website: http://www.kimgary.com.my/


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Sake Inn

Love sake? Well then go down to Tampines 1 with its first sake dedicated shop. Since there are wines dedicated shop, why not have a sake one instead.

The large symbol certainly states the product they sell.

There are sake, health vingers, Japanese beers and soft drinks.

All the sake to get you drunk.

Fruit wines with different flavors for your choosing.

Tea for the non-drinkers.

Sake offers a many kinds of drinker to cater the different drinkers. They are sake for the heavy drinkers, health vinger health conscious one, beer for soccer party gathering, tea for the humble and soft drink for kids. All imported direct from Japanese. There is a large variety over here and many different type for you to choose from. The staff are also very friendly and will take time to cater the taste and budget that you are sorting.

Sake Inn
10 Tampines Central 1
#B1-30 Tampines 1
Singapore 529539


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Yamazaki Boulangerie Chaude @ Tampines 1

Now many up market food places are gradually moving from the city areas to the heartlands. One such example is Yamazaki. Sister to Sun Moulin in Shaw House, this bakery brings Japanese bakery to the new shopping center (Tampines 1) which opens not too long ago.



Yamazaki is filled with many kinds of cakes and pastries. Most are very different from the ones you can get from normal bakeries. The brightly lit shop adds much glow to the lustful pastries. Making difficult to choose from the already large variety that is available.

Strawberry Sandwich at front right.

There is some sandwiches available for those who are skipping their regular lunch breaks. The sandwiches are rather regular with combination like ham and cheese, egg mayonnaise and tuna mayonnaise. However something interesting caught my eye. Strawberry Sandwich. Consisting of fresh strawberries and whipped cream sandwiched between two slices of bread. Kind of looks like a cheap version of strawberry short cake. One up for innovation.

Doesnt all these cakes scream yummy.

I just cant resist anything with green tea.

Chomp Time!

Too beautiful to even eat. My eyes soon lost its battle to my stomach.

The Jumbo Cream Tea Puff is rather disappointing. The puff is rather dry. The cream in the other hand though in large volumes doesn't really have distinct green tea flavour but rather more of a cream consistence. How with in mind the price of the pastry its still rather acceptable. I heard that Yamazaki make signature waffles, maybe I'll try those instead on my next visit.

Yamazaki is kind enough to indicated all pastries and cake have some allergies indications for the ingredients they used to make each cake. Allowing the customers with allergies to choose the correct pastries for themselves.

Yamazaki Boulangerie Chaude
10 Tampines Central 1
#B1-14 Tampines 1


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