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We Con. You Con.
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Sartorialist
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Flavorpill London
Notebook Magazine
NYLON
Travel, NY Times
Marc Jacobs
A.P.C.
MocoLoco
Design*Sponge
Casual Poet
Soon Lee
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Saturday, May 21, 2011
Hung Dao Street Market
Hanoi
Vietnam
14-17 May 2011
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Every Saturday evening,
Hung Dao
in the Old Quarters
becomes a crowded night market
all the way into the early hours of the morning.
Packed with locals and tourists,
we knew this was the best place
to find Hanoi's delicious street grub.
Hanoi's busy streets at the Old Quarters...
It is really more terrifying than other Asian cities I have been...
there isn't much order on the streets...
and honking somehow just adds to the festive mood at Hung Dao..
______
We passed several bric-a brac shops... and then headed straight for the food!
Strangely, we were attracted to the sweets first...
Clusters of locals stoop on low chairs, which are barely a foot high
And huddle around a table where a friendly woman mixes bowls of agar-agar and "tadpoles"...
After some seemingly confident hand gestures, we ordered this!!!
Pulut Hitam in a cup with crushed ice, sago and plain yogurt!
It was awesome...
and because it didn't have the usual coconut milk,
I managed to convince myself that this was the "healthier option"
almost worthy of the Healthy Pyramid symbol!
______
After weaving through the market...
we found ourselves drawn to an alley next to a rail bridge.
Here we found a stall and several young people
doing what I would describe to be similar to Seoul Garden....
just way better....
I think it is a family-run stall... this must be the grandma.
Obviously, she guards the food..
After more hand gestures (we were slowly getting a hang of things)
We were served this plate while we sat on our bright blue scaled-down plastic street-side furniture..
Fresh cuts of beef, piled with spring onion, cilantro, corn and some egg plant on the side...
Yes... BEAT THAT FARMER'S MARKET!!
So here's the instructions...
1
Oil the hot plate with butter and oil
2
Place sliced raw beef and vegetables onto the hot plate
3
Once the beef is cooked perfectly (not over done),
dip in sauce (as seen in small green bowls).
The sauce is made of a mixture of fish sauce, lime juice, pepper and cut red chilies.
4
Put meat and vegetables into a baguette as shown above.
5
Best enjoyed with a bottle of local beer!!!
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Yum...
Writing this is really difficult without feeling HUNGRY!!!
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Thursday, May 19, 2011
Food at the Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake
Hanoi
Vietnam
14-17 May 2011
______
HANOI WESTLAKE
______
CAFÉ DU LAC RESTAURANT
We had our first meal in Hanoi in this relaxed brasserie.
I had skipped my meal on the plane and was feeling peckish...
Spring rolls! A staple in Vietnamese cuisine...
Gỏi cuốn (summer rolls) & Nem rán (fried pork rolls) served with a dipping sauce of spices and fish sauce.
A focaccia open face sandwich with smoked salmon, cream cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, served with french fries and greens
PHO
Need I say more??
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CLUB INTERCONTINENTAL LOUNGE
This is where we are served complimentary drinks all day, full selection of breakfast and canapés & cocktails in the evening.
The breakfast spread of breads, fruit, cold cuts and cereal was already pretty substantial...
I loved a little antipasti-esque selection of cold cuts, smoked fish, preserved olives & shallots, brie & saltines.
In addition to the spread, there is a selection of hot menu items to choose from...
This is my egg-white-omelette with sausage and streaky bacon..
Pho was also another choice...
As much as I wanted to get an authentic bowl of pho by the small hawkers by the streets, it was difficult because the hotel served it to us complimentary!!
This was my favourite...
The Japanese Breakfast
of steamed Japanese rice, miso soup, sea weed, a selection of pickles,
nattou, simmered daikon, tamago and grilled salmon...
served with a hot pot of green tea...
PERFECT & yes... also complimentary!
(well.. inclusive in our hotel stay)
Vietnamese drip coffee!!!
The concierge staff at the lounge let me in on a little secret....
They also offer the traditional Vietnamese iced coffee...
Evening canapés included local inspired bites
And of course.... CHEESE
They do switch up the hot selections but I could not get enough of the olive & tomato spreads!
______
THE SUNSET BAR
The perfect end to an evening would be to have a Passionfruit Martini and watch the dramatic view at the Westlake...
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*Despite the lovely food from the hotel... I did manage to leave the hotel to get food outside... I will post them up soon!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake
Hanoi
Vietnam
14-17 May 2011
______
HANOI WESTLAKE
1A Nghi Tam, Tay Ho, Ha Noi, Vietnam
My family made a short trip to Hanoi on my mum's Krisflyer points and we stayed at the lovely Intercontinental, Westlake. It is such a retreat away from the busy noisy and crowded streets of Hanoi's Old French Quarters. The award winning hotel is located in the prestigious and historic Westlake, and has the most beautiful views.
The hotel's entrance of the main building.
The hotel is made up of a 5-floor main building, one central pavilion
(housing the breath taking Sunset Bar)
and several other smaller pavilions of more guest rooms.
The hotel actually floats above the lake and accommodates over 359 guest rooms & suites,
3 restaurants & 3 bars, a health club and other bespoke amenities.
Floating pavilions lit up beautifully at night.
(this is actually the view from one of our suite's balconies)
The lovely landscaped pool area with comfortable lounge chairs...
The view of the entire estate from the main building,
with the city skyline in the background.
The focal point of the pinwheel plan is the red roofed Sunset Bar.
The romantic daybeds are the favourites for locals, travelers and guests.
It has the best views of the sun setting on the horizon,
the breathtaking views is its main attraction...
but for me it is its fresh
Passionfruit Martinis!
Club Intercontinental is a lounge exclusive to guests of Club rooms and Suites.
The service here is impeccable and the staff will go all out to please.
(I think now everyone working in the hotel would have heard of my dad's loves for bananas!)
The Club Intercontinental Lounge serves beverages all day, a full selection of breakfast and cocktails & hors d'oeuvres in the evenings.
______
The Lotus Suite
We stayed at the Lotus Suite similar to this one...
(Andrea got the extra foldout bed)
Lovely toilets with double sinks, bath and separate shower...
I loved the lantern side lamps!
They remind me of the rattan crab traps!!
We were greeted with fresh floral arrangements in our room, fresh fruit, and a hand-written note from the Front Office Manager. As well as an antique lacquer mini chest of drawers...
Which contained surprise desserts in each drawer!!
Macarons, petit four & cupcakes!
It was such a lovely stay...
I can't wait to go back!!
______
______
Labels: Hanoi, hotel, Intercontinental, Travel, Vietnam
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Summer Picnic Ideas
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Summer Picnic Ideas
from
Here's just some inspiration
for another outdoor party or BBQ
Anyone up for a collab party?
Blast some awesome music with your Panda speakers
Shout out for some great company
&
Head Outdoors!
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-Drinks-
______
-Summer Salads-
______
-Sweets-
______
Enjoy!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Balanced Meal at Brewerkz
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Was out with church friends at
Brewerkz
for beer & a hearty meal
Thanks for the wonderful company!
06.05.2011
______
Junie praying to a rack of ribs
Junie & Gen
Pam & Anthony
Jon & I
______
A salad
Just one for 6 of us to share
so we can feel like we were eating healthy.
(fibre)
Smoked Salmon & Arugula Pizza
(almost healthy, omega 3 fatty acids)
Rack of Ribs
with slaw & BBQ sauce
(our protein)
Buffalo Wings
with Blue Cheese Dip
(cheese = calcium?)
This is just part of a Cheese Stick
Fried Mozzarella with Tomato Chutney
(more calcium?)
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That was our "balanced" meal...
Haha
Thanks guys for being around for me...
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