We had a small celebration for Gillian on her birthday last Saturday (see Gillian's blog for the pics - links). The pics you see here was our private birthday treat for her yesterday. She has been a great help to me especially with Joash. And without a doubt, the best Godma that Joash can ever have!

We brought her to Vines at Novena for dinner. Tommy & I have been there a few times for lunch but this is the first time we are having dinner there. We love the food (big portion) and service plus the prices are very reasonable. The ambience is quite romantic (in Gil's words) and simple. Joash seems to enjoy the place too.

THE FOOD: (1 - 10)

#1 SOUP - We had Creamy Minestrone Soup with Chicken and garlic bread. This is by far the only version minestrones that I like, normally, I don't take minestrone soup at all. And yes, the celery inside doesn't taste horrible. My favourite part is the garlic bread. Gil likes it too: 6/10 for the soup 7/10 for the bread.

#2 APPETISER - Salad. Hmm................ I don't like salad in the first place and this salad has lots of onions in it....so yucky......... you will like it if you're an onion lover. Tommy and Gillian had to eat it for me. No rating cos I hate salad.

#3 MAIN COURSE - Tommy had BBQ Sirloin Steak and Boneless Chicken with BBQ Sauce. The beef was tender with no stinky taste. Gillian had Grilled Turkey Sausage and Fish with BBQ Sauce. The sausage was very delicious. She gave us some to try. I had BBQ Chicken and Prawns with Mushroom Sauce. The chicken was tender and the sauce was yummy. The prawns were ok only. Overall rating: 8/10

#4 DESSERT: Brownie & Walnut with Vanilla Ice-cream. We love this simple dessert cos the cake was moist and hot and goes well with the ice -cream. But the brownie is not the chewy type and I am not a nuts person. 7/10

Gillian also bought a Blue Berry Cream Cheese Pie for her friend and even gave us some. It was good too!

Looks like we will be having more meals at Vines......... Anyone intersted to join us the next time?

Oh one last thing to add, we brought Joash to the zoo yesterday morning. It's his first time. Go see Tom's blog for the pics!

p/s: the words are in purple cos it's Gil's favourite colour!

Yesterday, we had a great time at the Esplanade with the Lees........ I'm sure you can tell from the pics. But as usual, I've got to give my comments on the food. We had "Malan" food (somekind of china food with a bit of shanghai twist.....). I shall name the dishes here with my comments (upon 10, 10 being the nicest and 1 being horrible!):

1. Stir fried Mushroom & Vege: The only dish that wasn't as salty compared to the rest - 7/10

2. XO Fried Rice: Salty but rather tasty esp when they fried it with my favourite green peas (I know some of you are going to puke!) but it's really nothing special - 7.5/10

3. Chicken Ginseng Soup: The soup tasted like "pond" water (ok not that I have tasted pond water before!). And where's the ginseng???? But the chicken was tender enough but rather tasteless...... I am sure the food court version is better - 3/10

4. Fried Bee hoon: It's SALTY! I think I can fry a better tasting one! All of us felt that they fried the bee hoon with lots of soy sauce - 4/10

5. Pumpkin & Prawn Balls: Sounds nice but it was really not very nice. The skins was too thick and the prawns were not very fresh....... just plain - 4/10

6. Xiao Long Baos: Another SALTY dish.......... it's nothing to crave for....we actually ordered 2 of these, thinking that it might just taste as nice as Crystal Jade ones but...haha.....it's far from it. After having these, I just feels like going Crystal Jade - 4/10

As for the ambience....... my Ale got bitten by mosquitos so many times.......and it's not al fresco dinning mind you....... but funny thing was that none of us except her got bitten......maybe she is just too attractive........ in Kendrick's words........ a magnet to mosquitoes. So if you want to risk having Dengue, by all means......dine there...haha! And yes, this wil be the first and last time we're dinning there!

But like what most people would say......... it's the company that really matters. Ale & I had a ball of a time "cam-whoring" (learnt this term from all the blogs that I read...... sounds crude...... but true to a certain extent!). Our Hbs became nannies cum photographers cos they got to carry the children and take pics for us at the same time. Ale & I felt like we were taking pics for our wedding.......haha! Overall, we had a relaxed and fun evening together......and I'm looking forward to more of such times!

LUV YOU ALE AND A BIG KISSY FOR YOU!

We attended a small but very enjoyable wedding last week. It was Abelle's Wedding (Ale's sis). They held the wedding celebration at The Sentosa Resort. Ps Gordon was the Emcee & Singer for the day As usual, he did well! The Wedding ended on a high note with almost everyone dancing away. So sweet & romantic!

Charming and witty. You are always the first person to come up with a wisecrack. Sure, you have an attitude, but that's why people love you. You keep them on their toes. Sometimes you can be misleading, but always end up doing the right thing for the people you love.

I did a quiz on th above just for fun with my BF. The description is quite accurate especially the attitude part. Btw, Megara is Hercules' wife in the cartoon. My Best friend is Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)....... so true cos she likes to sleep.........haha! Those who love Disney Princess just like us, go take the quiz....... have fun!