Thursday, August 28, 2014

Milan - To Eat (Don Raffaele, Royal Restaurant)

Milan - To Stay
Milan - To Do
Milan - To Eat
Milan - To Buy
Milan - To Eat
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 26Aug2014
Don Raffaele
(located 260m from Marriott hotel)


 
Don Raffaele is a short walk from Marriott Hotel Milan, and came recommended from the counter's concierge. The place is not hard to find, and located three streets down.

 Ordered:
26Aug2014
Complimentary serving of Montanare
(small fried pizza)

*Taste like poorly friend you char kui (dough fritters) The dough wasn't even hot, and
dish was oily with a cold topping of tomato salsa. Although it came complimentary, this
could have skipped.*
 

Risotto Del Sole €12.00
(Risotto with Cuttlefish, octopus, Shrimp, mussels, clams and saffron)

 *A pleasant description but Chinese may call it char beng. A very heavy dish, creamy
and a little on the salty side. They could be more generous with the seafoods but a
decent dish. Very filling and it's better to be shared.*

Incaciata €9.00
(Fresh pasta with swordfish, clams and basil)


Shi Ling,"Ok only"

Fusilli Alla nerano €10.50
(Fresh pasta with provolone cheese, zucchini, basil, bacon and black pepper.)
 
Senthil ,"A light vinegary flavor...Enjoyable, and I'd go back again for the dish"

Fettuccelle Alla Pescatora €12.00
(Fresh pasta with cuttlefish, calamari, shrimp and parsley) 

Michelle, "Something different."

Ravioli Di Bufala €10.00
(Filled with ricotta cheese, marjoram, tomato, Parmesan cheese and basil)

Lai,"The filling is a little dry."

Donna Margherita €8.00
(Tomato, buffalo mozzarella and basil)


*It could have a little more cook time in the wood oven to give it that additional char. The
additional €2 for buffalo vs non-buffalo mozzarella maybe up indistinguishable unless
both were ordered.*

Donna Marid €8.50
(Neapolitan sausages, green vegetables, provolone cheese)


*I personally do like this dish, with a pleasant, smokiness to the greens. It pairs
surprisingly well with the cheese and sausage topping. An enlightening, flavorful
experience."


Herman,"Food was ok... insufficient meat selection, with only a single option of pork and
chicken."
2 bottles wine
2 bottles sparkling water
2 bottles flat water
Fed:9
Total €157.90


Don Raffaele definitely fulfills the close proximity requirement to Marriott Hotel. The
place serves descent pastas, but to unfamiliar pallets, fresh pasta is much starchier and
heavier than off the shelf pasta noodles. Pasta dishes maybe heavier and better of to share.
However, like recognizing a good roast joint by the fact that they have their own roaster, having a wood oven guarantees solid pizzas which I felt they definitely delivered. Some found that the end crusts were a little thick, or slightly salty, but overall, I personally felt it was good value and great flavor. A wood char flavor really comes through the flavor. Review of pizzas ordered as seen above. Probably a pizza over a pasta place.

*ABBA Contribution by Herman*
Royal Restaurant
(located 400m from Domo station)

*Yet to be reviewed*

 
no stop 12:00-23:00 (Plus side, they don't have Siesta *A rest period in the afternoon
where no sales are conducted*)
Ranked 1366 of 4361 on trip advisor.


*ABBA Contribution by Michelle*

Free bites with order of wine
(located above Super Dry store in Domo)
*Yet to be reviewed*
Order of wine comes with Free flow of small bites. (Brie, crackers and various canapés)
A great way to spend a cool day in Domo.

Italy Milan - To Do (Via Monte Napoleone)

Milan - To Stay
Milan - To Do
Milan - To Eat

Milan - To Buy
Milan - To Do:
Via Monte Napoleone

26Aug2014
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The street for big, big brand names with individual boutique stores. If you aren't familiar
with these household names in the fashion industry, it'd best not to go in asking the
pricing of everything.

However, with that said, the stores are immaculately designed, with staff members
dressed to the nines. Even the security guards look like fashion models who mean
business. A place where even Burberry Mannequins are life models! Store designs and
showcasing of products are amazing.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Melbourne - To Eat (Tapas Movida)

Melbourne - To Stay
Melbourne - To Do
Melbourne - To Eat
Melbourne - To Eat
17Aug2014

Tapas Movida

Ordered on:
17Aug2014
Anchoa AUD4.50 Each. x2 order seen below.
Hand-filleted Cantabrian Artisan Anchovy on Crouton with Smoked Tomato Sorbet
 *An explosion of salt which is further enhanced with the capers. The cold tomato sorbet was a great touch, but perhaps it had absorbed the extra saltiness from the anchovies. All salt. A semi-sweet sorbet topper would have been preferred.*

Brioche, Duck Liver Pate & PX Foam Toasted Sandwich AUD3.50 Each
*Smooth, creamy paste in this nice package. Artisan indeed. May have settled for a pot pie for the same pricing. Not to say it ain't good, but for the experience.* 

Tigre AUD4 each.
Crumbed Mussel and Chorizo in a Half Shell
 
*A potato like gratin, in a blend of mussel and meat mixture.
'Nuff Said. the presentation is nice :D*

Pollo Escabanche Al Miguel AUD4.50 each

 *Sounds fancy right. But its basically, chicken mayo served between potato chips. The dash of Tabasco however was pretty nice, a great idea of future sandwich dishes to brighten the dish.*

Xato AUD3.50 Each
Yellow Fin Tuna Belly with Romesco, Olive and Endive
*Absolutely stunning. The balance of the ingredients were thoroughly enjoyable. Probably the only complaint is the paper thin serving of fatty yellow tuna. But a fantastic burst of flavors.*

Sardina AUD3.50 Each
Marinated Sardine Fillet with Parsley Onion and Brik Pastry Crisp.
 *A nice dish, but strangely tasted more like mackerel as compared to the usual fishiness from sardines. Loaded with lovely fish oils, and easy and delicate eat.*

Unknown.
Pointed at what look great served to adjacent table.

Lamb of the bone.
Approx AUD8 Each

 
*Spiced, stuffed lamb. Their stuffing might have been overworked to the point that texturally it was very powdery. The lamb was a beautiful pink on the inside, with extremely tender and tasteful meet near the bone. Their chimichuri green sauce I call it pairs well but somewhat reminding me of green mint sauce often served at tandoori joints.*
2 Glasses of Table wine at 11AUD each. Total:  AUD78
Fed 2

Overly priced. Yeah... for the gastronomic adventure, perhaps, but at the pricing, see how much you'd really want to give it a try. To me, some were hits and mostly average or some questionable. The probable only re-order I'd make, would be the Tuna.

Taking pricing out of the equation, it is a nice place to have an Artisan meal over a glass of wine, which were to pretty good standards as well. Definitely not a tummy filler but the place is popular and crowds seen even at 3pm on a weekend afternoon.
Click here for ABBA details of MovidaClick here for ABBA location 1 Hosier Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Melbourne - To Do (ACMI Australia)

Melbourne - Where Crew Stays
Melbourne - To Do
Melbourne - To Eat
Melbourne - To Do
ACMI
(Australian Center For The Moving Image)

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17Aug2014
The dreamworks exhibit was on that period of visit but for a whooping AUD25 per entry. I think not. But to roam the free section with loads of interactive displays, a great hang out for kids and film buffs.
As the center's name suggests, it illustrates the usage of colors, sound and effects it has on all films, and does it brilliantly through their interactive booths, fun for both young and old.
The two stand outs for me were definitely the matrix booth where one could do a bullet time gif animation of one's self and emailed out, and the Wilhelm scream.

Movie below says it all. You never noticed till its been brought to your attention. How many films can you recognize from it?

A great pop by that's good for about 3hrs tops. I didn't have the full time to explore but worth a slower, thorougher walk through in future. Plus, you often get street performers outside the center.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Jakarta - To Eat (ABBA Contribution by Frankie Tan 05Aug2014 The Duck King)

Jakarta - To Stay
Jakarta - To Do
Jakarta - To Eat
Jakarta - To Buy
Jakarta - To Eat
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The Duck King
located at Senyan City

ABBA Contribution by Frankie Tan 05Aug2014 The Duck King

 

Much raves about on then Internet. Located at Senayan City which is near our hotel (10000IDR approx SGD1.20) away. Restaurant is at 04-12. Very nicely done roast duck. Crispy skin without being over oily under the skin with the right amount of fats. Meat is soft and juicy with fragrance of roasting. Order of 1/4, 1/2 or whole duck avail.

Approx 70000IDR per 1/4. The Chinese cooking is good too. Vegetables are stir fried with "wok hei". Strongly recommended!!!