Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Jumbo Seafood, Dempsey, Singapore

Whatever differences we may have with our southern neighbours, imaginary or otherwise, there is no denying that as a destination for a short holiday with kids, ignoring the ridiculous exchange rate, Singapore actually has quite a lot to offer in terms of attractions. From whore lined streets, in Geylang, (okay, that wasn't for kids), to large ferris wheels....

Courtesy of my generous uncle, whose son's nuptials we were attending in the island republic, we got to sit in the famous Singapore Flyer....thankfully when we did, for a few days later, the thing konked out, and people were STUCK on it for up to 6 hours. I wonder what it would be like peeing out the window. You'd expect something like that to happen to the Eye of Malaysia, when it was going up and down and around lake titiwangsa, but to their credit, there was no incidences that I am aware of. But Singapore? EFFICIENT old Singapore?

Photobucket

If you don't have to pay, I would highly recommend the ride. It affords fantastic panoramic views of the island, and rumour has it you can even see Malaysia, Tanah Air Gemilangku, on a clear day. Either the island is damn tiny, OR, they simply point to some under developed part left on the island and label it, "Malaysia". At S$30 per head, or thereabouts, it would have cost me and the brood a small fortune to have gone on the ferris wheel.

The other place of interest that we went (sans relatives) was the Singapore Zoo. It was a toss up between the zoo and underwater world in Sentosa, as MY main objective was to see a dugong. When I heard that you could see your dugong, (actually they were manatees, close relatives of the dugong) and feed it too, at the zoo, I was sold. Actually, I misheard. You can't feed it, but you can watch it being fed.

Photobucket
Apart from being very well nourished, unlike their Malaysian counterparts, (I bet you while queueing in animal heaven, waiting for their respective postings on earth, animals must groan loudly when they get posted to Zoo Negara..... must be like Msians being posted to ....dare I say it? S--------?, the zoo animals are also very well trained. On cue, they would strike a pose for you. Which makes me wonder if they aren't National Service trainees in costume....

When all the rellies arriving for the wedding had arrived, Uncle brought us, after lovely pre dinner drinks with gammon ham and cheeses, at the house, to Jumbo at Dempsey Road. Good thing we didn;t eat at Jumbo the night before with Hairy Berry. The last time I went to Dempsey, it was a few abandoned army barracks, with hints of potential, and a smattering of trendy wine bars. Now, my goodness, its changed beyond recognition!!!

Miraculously managing to find a carpark, and being very wary, having just been fined the previous day for not displaying those ubiquitous coupons, at the dinner place with Hairy Berry, ($30 for no coupon...actually I thought the whole island was controlled electronically via the VEP card, hence didn't occur to me to look for coupons), I made my way through the throngs of expats. Recession? Does that mean party?

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket
All of the above were part of the four seasons platter. I loved the scallops with the yam ring. Rather unique.


Photobucket
Another rather unusual dish was this Pumpkin soup Sharksfin... it seems a waste to have that precious stock to be drowned in pumpkin, but the taste was good, and well, it was different. Lots of fresh crab meat.

Photobucket
Till today, I still don't know how to photograph fish, so I shall just concentrate on the lips. The soon hock, or bamboo fish, was okay, I prefer the ones here, both in size and in preparation. But the maternal side of my family lurves their soon hock, and its almost a must have in any family gathering.

Photobucket
The scallops and asparagus were lovely. Fresh plump scallops, sauteed nicely in aromatic oil, almost like XO sauce...hmm, come to think of it, it might have been.

Photobucket
Mini lobsters steamed with egg white. Lovely, but by this time, we were like exploding already. Again, very fresh and sweet. Firm meat, and the method of preparation preserved the natural taste of the lobster.

Photobucket
The pepper crab again. Not sure if it was white pepper, but it was good.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket
I somewhat preferred the chilli crab here compared with NO SIGNBOARD's. Tastes more like the Malaysian version. A quick discussion with Queen of Crabs however revealed that we both prefer the plainer sauces that don't kill the natural flavours of the crab. And it was unanimously agreed that the Chinks cook shell fish the best!

Photobucket

Photobucket
Lovely ending to the meal, my favourite noodles. Can't really go wrong with noodles. Comfort food. Although at this point, the best comfort we could derive was to empty our bowels.

Photobucket

Photobucket

While waiting for dessert, we popped over to the gourmet shops in the vicinity, Jones, and Culina. Singaporeans are darn lucky, so much choice.

Overall, a very enjoyable culinary experience..... yum. Thanks Uncle.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Singaporeans are darn lucky, so much choice."

Have to agree with you there. I shall visit them Lion City more often, heh. Think I'll find a great host there to bring me around makan-ing? :D

wmw said...

Dropping by to wish you a Happy New Year!

HairyBerry said...

"I wonder what it would be like peeing out the window."

that brings a whole new perspective to the infamous golden shower (which is apparently a flower as well). hehehehe...

nice collage of the flyer (which i've never stepped into..hehe) and the fantastic write-up. truth is often humourous and that's the best part of it! well done!

aiyoh, so kesian lar you. kena fined after the dinner at no signboard.

"Joe" who is constantly craving said...

30 sg dollars? thou shall nvr part away with so much money and instead shall feast on those seafood dishes...

alot of crab ar..so cheap and abundant ar?

Anonymous said...

wah sg really the place for crabs ya. i love dempsey, such a lovely place to explore. and jones! could spend the whole afternoon there.

Precious Pea said...

Now am very curious of the white pepper crab, maybe I should plan a trip there if only i could successfully coax Hubby to agree to it. Unlike you, i got no kiddos and got no reason to go as Hubby said for the price paid..might as well go to places further away.

By the way, those scallops looks soooo good!

fatboybakes said...

pea, there a lot to see and do in SG actually, main killer is the accommodation.

jasmine, wow, i'd need a platinum card if i were to wander around jones for a whole day.... but yeah, dempsey area quite hip.

nipples, wat to do, had to pay the fine anyway...scared get arrested at tuas when i left the island, knowing how efficient they are.

hairy berry, haha, yeah, i kick myself for that oversight. was too eager to meet you i guess...so completely forgot abt them coupons.

wmw, thank you, same to u.

LFB, is that a rhetorical question? abt finding a great host?

Henry Yeo said...

I got numb to the conversation rate after 5 months when I check out the selections at *sigh* Kinokuniya, Takashimaya City, HMV.....

Wonder if you managed to get hold of the abalone bak ku teh

J2Kfm said...

imagine you paid SGD30, and stuck for 6 hours. hahaha ... can really make out Malaysia's perimeter and maybe Borneo. =P

aiyo the crabs look damn damn good lah .... though I normall rebut for the claws only!

Anonymous said...

Scallops in yam ring... I want! *Wondering how to do that...

Dharm said...

Sounds and looks like a fun trip. Somehow though, I just don't like Singapore. Nice, Clean, Efficient but somehow with no soul...

Anonymous said...

Not rhetorical, FBB. More like a less-than-subtle hint ma... :P

Anonymous said...

LFB, gotta to be even less subtler wor...who you hinting at?

dharm, hahah, yup, sterile is normally the first thought that comes to mind...but you gotta give it to them la, to have created such a thriving economy from nothing.

jason, doesn't sound that hard. probably just use the same stuff to make woo kok..

J2KFM, hahah, you know, i used to claw my way to for the claws to, but now, in my old age, i find that the body is actually rather palatable too.

henry, abalone BKT? WHERE?? WHERE??

minchow said...

That crab claw is surely more fascinating scenery than what would be up on the flyer!! Ooh, and agree about the Singaporean zoo animals... such a well-behaved lot. Almost creepily so.

Anonymous said...

omg the claw! O_O gimme that! i am so so craving for crabs. :( with my soaring cholesterol....oh my lord

fatboybakes said...

xin, crab got cholesterol ah? haha...please la, you look young enuff to be spared such afflictions.

550ml, ya, dont you reckon, them animals, even in the night safari, all on cue one!!!

Ciki said...

Crabs! We need a crab outing next i say.. and soon :D I have this hankering for the sri lankan crabs at aliyaa now, i tell ya;P

fatboybakes said...

aliyaa got sri lankan crab? must be exp hor. yeah, lets go for it. where to get sri lankan crab in KL? i havent heard of them in awhile...they used to be the craze here in my youth....