The People's Cafe, Taipei Taiwan

It's a celebration of me getting old and actually mainly an excuse to see a lot of friends who I met while I was at Warwick and who I haven't seen for 1 or 2 years.

The main reason that I chose this restaurant is because the restaurant has a VIP room which can accommodate up to 14 people. Also, if it's your birthday month, you can order wine for 15% off and upgrade the dessert!

The restaurant it not extensively big but the decoration is stylish and the VIP room is quite cosy.

There is a buffet, a little one but all of the choices are carefully cooked not like the usual 'common buffet'.

Specially recommand the mussel which are baked in a very unique source. Love it! However, I was too busy at talking, didn't have the second chance to take more.

Start with the soup, I chose Cream Tuna Soup. OK.

For the main course I couldn't make my decison for a while between Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Groose Liver or Peach Marinated Lamb Chop with Red Wine Sause. In the end, Groose Liver won the Lamb Chop!

It's really really nice. Attacked friend's lamb chop, it's also v. nice!!!

Forgot to take the picture of the cake. The restaurant was v sweet, put a candle on the cake for my birthday and my friends song happy birthday song in Chinese, English, Japanese and Korean!!!

All set menu comes with soup, main, dissert and unlimited coffee, tea or soft drinks. The prince is from 400 NT to 800 NT plus 10% service charge.

Will definitly recommand this restaurant, the price is v reasonable and the food and service are fantastic.

website:http://www.peoples.com.tw/

The Real Greek Restaurant, London

Before leaving London for a short break at home. I met Camille for a nice dinner to cheer a nice ending of my summer in London.

I was told that this restaurant is quite nice, plus I like the location. The location of one of the branchs is alone the riverside of the south of the river Thames, which you can spot St. Paul Church and the City.

We arrive rather late and the restaurant was quite busy but we still managed to get a table outsite. It's rather nice atmosphere but the food.......

We had Grilled octopus (5.50)

and Salt cod (5.95) = Greet version of ship and chips (without chips)

and Melitzanosalata (4.20)...smoked aubergine, tomato spring onion and coriarder.

and Little dolmades (3.50)....we dislike this one

and Greek flat bread (1.75)

I'll NEVER EVER order wine in a Greek restaurant again. Cos...it's so weird. It tastes funny and comes in a funny pot.

The portion is too small. Therefore after emptied everything (not because they are tastful but because I was starving) I had to have dessert.

We ordered Dessert sharer (7.25) which is a bit of everything, Kataifi + Baklava + Greek yoghurt + Greek delights and the best Chocolate cake. It's okish!

The total was 34.60 but weHAD to pay for 'optional service charge', so the bill was 38.93 in the end.

Apart from the location, it was a totally dissapointment. Will never visit this restaurant.

Terrible! can't even bother to put on the weblink of the restaurant. Anyway, you can find anything by googling.

The Troubadour Cafe, London

Lisa came to London to visit me. By accident we fond this cafe not too far from my place which mentioned by her sister. We thought we might give it a try.

The cafe doesn't look anything special from outsite, but once we opened the door I immediately fell in love with the place.

The decor is very unique, a mixture of antish stuff with pop style painting. A very interesting but surprising harmonious combination. I love it! Also, the place is quite cosy, provides fresh daily newspapers - a great place to sit, read an enjoy being alone.

I orderd Ldy Muck's breakfast (6.50), it's rather nice but the portion is undoubtely too small for guys. However, we peeked someone else's order, the burgers they serve looks really really good and huge and price is of course more expensive too (around 10 pounds).

The service is great. I asked for a 'huge' glass of water and the waiter brought me a kattle of water with 2 glasses.....no kidding...it was really a kattle of water.

Love this place and will definitly visit it often.

Add: 265 Old Broptom Road (nearest tube station: Earl's Court)

website: www.troubadour.co.uk

Misato Japanese Restaurant London

Have beening this restaurant so many times. This is the first Japanese restaurant that I visited while London was still a rather new territory for me.

Visited again with my colleague after watching the foodball game in the afternoon, we were so hungry and this restaurant made the best choice for at at the moment due the portion and the price.

The portion is v big and the price is relatively cheap. I had curry pork with rice which is only 6.90.

Advices for visiting this restaurant, only order their rice or noodle dishes. Their sushi is not v good. Arrive around 12 or 6, otherwise you will definitly have to queu for a while.

Add: 11 Wardour Street London W1D 6PG

nearest tub station : Leicester Square

Final Fling

To be honest....I'd rather spend the 20 pounds (the ticket without dinner is 20 less) on a nice decent restaurant.

But...it's the whole Final Fling package that you have to do once in you lifetime.

The starter....Tomoto tart...it's okish.

The main course...god...terrible...it's the driest chicken I have never had and the potato and vegs tasted v weird.

Ok....at least the dessert is v nice...love it!!!

However, for 20 pounds, we were expecting to get at least a bottle of wine per table...but nothing...nothing...not even a single glass of whatsoever kind of beverage!

Instead we got useless sweet and balloons on our tables. For god sake, we are not 6 yrs old kids anymore!

BBQ

At last, the idea of having a BBQ party were put into practice.

Lisa and I spent the whole afternoon shopping for food and the whole evening and morning at preparing.

We had ...of course...suasage, chichen shewer and burger (Vivian's home madeburger!).

Also I found a recipe from Delia - A terrine of summer fruit, Lisa made it and it is serious good!!!

The omelette I made also received v. high recommendation!

Learn one lession from the BBQ party, never again hold a BBQ party at lunch time when the weather is about 30 degree. I was cooked before the meat all cooked!!

salmon & mushroom risotto with rocket leaf

Since I am going to move to London, I have to be a bit more careful about my spending. Cooking will definitly be much cheaper than dinning out.

So, to be a good girl and dutyful daughter, I cooked tonight!

Since I still have quite a lot salmon in my fridge and risotto rice, Lisa and I made this v. nice risotto.

Fry onion until it's soft(onion = chopped in little dice), add rice and fry it for a bit. Add water gradually (would be much better to use stock, but I forgot to buy it) and salmon (cutted into small size). Keep stir it and add water gradually until the rice is cooked. Then add salt and cream cheese (well mix them).

Dress the plate with rocket leaf then pour cooked risotto on the leaf.

Adde a bit lemon juice. That's it! simple and easy.

Harry Ramsden's Fish & Chips, Brighton UK

When you come to Brighton, you can never miss the ritual - to have fish & chip and to sit in the peir and eat it.

We went to the most famous fish & chips shop in Brighton - Harry Ramsden's, which located directly opposite the peir. So you can't miss it.

It's has restaurant as well but the price is quite expensive for fish & chip (nearly 9 as I remember).

Anway, we got takeaway (4.95 for meal deal) and walked to the pier and sat there to have our last dinner at Brighton.

The portion is rather big.

I'd say it's the best fish I have never had, however the chips could be a bit nicer.

Love it and it's just one of the things you must do when you visit Brighton.

The Regency Restaurant (seafood), Brighton UK

I received an email which informedthat I had been offered a summer internship in London. So we had to celebrate it. Also,Lisa and I missed the seafood we had while we visited Barcelona last year. We decided to go for this restaurant that I found on the internet.

The Regency Restaurant established in 1965 and has been visited by many famous people (check the photos on the wall on the way down to toilet).

The restaurant is located in front of the seafront. So, it would be very nice to sit outsite when the weather is hot (just like what we did in Barcelona!).

We sat outsite at first when it was still nice and warm.

We ordered grill fish medley (10.25) which is a selection of different fishes...
And deep fried seafood platter (6.75) to share.

It's was rather nice.

However, the service was a bit slow, the wine is quite expensive there and the dessert was such a disaster (didn't even bother to take a picture).

Marrocos home made ice cream, Brighton UK

We were strolling alongside the beach the saw this ice cream shop.

Thee were people queuing outsite and people who drove to there and get off the buy the ice cream. So it has to be good.
We went for it.

2 scoops only2.20, and it's really really nice.

Mint Restaurant, Brighton UK

I found some information about this restaurant on internet, decided to visit at the second day in Brighton for Lunch.

This restaurant is located in 'Lane', which is a very complicated area, therefore I spent nearly 20 mins to find this place. The decoration of the restaurant is quite different but a bit disorganised.

Lisa had Chef's Sandwich (5.95)...
and I had Lamb Kofte plus Mint Yogurt (5.25) Lisa also had strawberry milk shake which is only 2.50 and it's v nice.

I like this restaurant and would like to visit it again.

website: www.littlefish.ltd.uk

Momma Cherri's Soul Food Shack, Brighton UK

THE MUST VISIT restaurant at Brighton - Momma Cherri's Soul Food Shake!

If you don't know why it is famous for...well, it appeared at Gordon Ramsay's tv show.

It's extremely popular, so I'd advise to check the availability on their website. You can also book the tables on the website.

It's the picture of their old restaurant. We, of course, the most famous Soul Bowl (15 per person)which is a selection of Momma Cherr's special. After having it, we were absolutely full. We actually had difficulty to finish it and it said on the menu that if you don't feel full after finishing it, pls do tell them...I suppose they will provide you more!

However, we could not resist but ordered key lime pie (4.5) for dessert to share. The portion of the pie is unbelievable huge (as you can see from the picture). The funny canadian waiter even comment on it and asked us 'did you bribed someone?!' Overall, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!! it's such a uniqu experience, the food, the atmosphere of the restaurant....however, the price is not cheap!!!

Would love to visit this place again.

Pancake...Breakfast

Don't know why, I had craving for self-made pancake lately. Bought this Japanese package pancake mixture while I was in London. Today, bank holiday....have nothing planned and woke up rather late...decided to have a huge brunch. According to the instruction half package should yield 4 pancake. However, I ended up with 6 huge pancake. So stuff!

Wasabi, Victorian Station, London

Bought something quick at the station. This place is rather new (at least I didn't see it when I went to London 2 months ago).

The price is rather cheap for London standard, 2 for 1 pounds or 1.5 pounds.

They also do bento.

It's located in front of Tony and Guy.

www.wasabi.co.uk

Taro Sushi Noodle Bar, London

Went to London right after finishing my last exam.

Met up a friend who I haven't seen for almost an year.

Decided to go for lunch around 2pm which was quite late...so didn't have many choices....

Went for this one in SOHO
It's called ...can't remember the Japanese...anyway...it's eel on rice.

The price is rather decent 8 pounds something...and my friend paid for me! nice of him!

The restaurant is okish.

Add: 61 Brewer Street, London W1
Tel:020 7734 5826
www.tarorestaurants.co.uk

Sponge cake with raspberry & mascarpone cream

This recipe is from Delia Smith
It's dead easy and v. nice!

(sponge)
175g self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
3 large eggs
175g caster sugar
175g butter
1/2 vanilla extra
(filling)
225g raspberries
3/4 tbsp raspberry jam
250g mascarpone
200g fromage frais
1 tbsp caster sugar 1 tsp vanilla

Method
Pre-heat oven 170 c, baking 50
Sieve flour & baking powder (hold high)
Add the rest of sponge ingredients (well mixed)
(filling)
mascarpone + fromage frais +sugar + vanilla
put jam over cake + half cream +raspberries + cream + jam

Carrot cake

Unbelievable! got a text message around 4 from Paul, told me that Richard is asking me whether or not I'm baking today!?

Boys at my flat (and even one who is not actually living at my flat) started to take it for granted!

Anyway, it's the finishing product.....

Cake
8oz of self raising flour
5oz light muscovado sugar (or just brown sugar)
4oz grated carrot
2 ripe bananas mashed
2oz chopped walnuts
5fl oz sunflower oil
2tsp. baking powder
2 eggs

icing
6oz low fat soft cheese
2oz soft margarine
2oz sifted icing

ps. It would be nicer to add a bit lemon or passion fruit juice for the icing

Method

Pre heat oven 180 c
Grease the tin
Mix all the ingredients together to a smooth paste

Place in tin and cook in oven for 50-60 mins

Allow it to cool
Ice the cake and store it in a fridge

Lemon Meringue pie

Really had nothing to do....so let's bake!

It turned out much easier then I think! and looks v impressive!

(filling)
200 g white sugar
15 g all-purpose flour
25 g corn flour
1/4 tsp salt
355 ml water
2 lemons, juiced and zested
30 g butter
4 egg yolks, beaten
(meringue)
4 egg whites
75 g white sugar
(pie crust)
155 g all-purpose flour
1/4 g salt
100 g shortening, chilled
45 ml ice water (cool for 30 mins, 200 c bake for 10 mins)

method

Preheat oven to 175 degrees C
Filling: In a medium saucepan, whisk together 1 cup sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in water, lemon juice and lemon zest. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to a boil. Stir in butter. Place egg yolks in a small bowl and gradually whisk in 1/2 cup of hot sugar mixture. Whisk egg yolk mixture back into remaining sugar mixture. Bring to a boil and continue to cook while stirring constantly until thick. Remove from heat. Pour filling into baked pastry shell.
Meringue: In a large glass or metal bowl, whip egg whites until foamy. Add sugar gradually, and continue to whip until stiff peaks form. Spread meringue over pie, sealing the edges at the crust.
Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until meringue is golden brown.

Browines

Yesterday afternoon, have nothing to do....so I started to bake....

By the night, it was all gone!!!

115 g butter
200 sugar
2 eggs
60g flour
1tsp vanilla extra
30g unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 baking powder

(fosting)
3 tablespoon butter softened
3 tablespoon cocoa powder
1tsp honey
1tsp vanilla

Methods

Pre-heat over 175 c
Melt butter + sugar + eggs
Then + flour + and the rest ingredient (well mixed)
Bake 25-30 mins

Trifle

Another of Lisa and my 'domesticising' project!