Sunday 27 October 2013

Capri Trattoria and Pizzeria

Sorry that I've not been updating my blog regularly, I was so caught up at work that I have no energy for some fun during the weekends! Finally something forced me to remember that life is not just about work, it's about friends and enjoyment. It's my old friend's birthday and it's a tradition to have a nice dinner and some catching up..

This time we went to Capri Trattoria and Pizzeria, a humble and cozy place that was decorated like granny's dining room (only if your granny is an italian).


 Sorry my new iphone still not very good capturing pictures at night.



See the gentleman at the bar counter? He's Luca, the owner of this place.

The place's was slightly nosy but the food....just by looking at them causes drool...

Salsiccia ($23). A pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and home-made pork sausage. This pizza can be shared among at least 2 pax. Thin crispy light crust and non-gluttony sausage.

 Risotto con porchini ($25). It's cooked with porcini mushroom sauce. I think it has a hint of truffle, could be either real truffle or truffle oil. No matter what, this is my favorite dish.

Tonnarelli al ragu di maiale e manzo ($25). Home-made tonnarelli pasta tossed in red wine based stew of korubuta pork cheek and shin shank beef that is slow cooked for 6 hours with hints of vincotto. Ohhh..this pasta really tasted great, the beef and pork were soft and the tonnarelli was bouncy. Not starchy at all.

Baccala alla caprese ($34). Cod fish based with cherry tomatoes, black olives, capers, served with salad and oven-baked potato. You have to eat the skin! It was soooooo crispy!

I really had a great time here, the food was really amazing..very homely but rich in Italian culture. My bff even mentioned that it is as good as what you can eat in Italy. And we know Italians are serious in food.

Overall, here are my views:
Ambience 3.5/5
Food 4/5
Service 3.5/5
Price Slightly steep but worth it
Toilet Availability 3/5 (1 clean cubicle is enough for such a good place)

I suggest you make a reservation first because there are only 15 tables! Here are the details:

Address:
No. 3 Binjai Park Singapore 589819
Closed on Monday. 

Telephone: 6468 4886


Check out their website at http://www.trattoriacapri.com/.

Do drive or grab a cab to Capri one day! You won't regret it.

xoxo

Sunday 13 October 2013

MacRitchie Reservoir 麦里芝蓄水池

This is the oldest reservoir in Singapore.

The plan of building the reservoir started way back in 1823, when a British resident, John Crawfurd set aside $1,000 to execute the plan. But no news.

Then our famous Mr Tan Kim Seng tried to revive the plan with $13,000 but with poor project management, the budget became insufficient and it stopped work since. Mr Tan died and the reservoir was not complete.

The construction then dragged and dragged until 1877 when it was finally completed.

But how does the name MacRitchie come by?

Finally in 1891, one guy called James MacRitchie, a municipal engineer, oversaw a $32,000 expansion of the reservoir and that's how the reservoir was named in 1922. (according to Wikipedia)

Not bad right? Just oversee a project and it will be named after you!

But behind all the history of building this reservoir and to be independent by supplying fresh water to Singapore residents, this reservoir has a lot more to offer.

 Running trail

  Directions

Stairs for non trek-able shoes

 Boardwalk

 Peace

 Rest

Oxygen (fresh one)

 Serenity

And a little mischief
These kids ran up to me and snatched my bag of hard boiled eggs...my breakfast was gone and I loved it.

If you are a hardcore trekker and wish to trek the whole MacRitchie, you may want to give yourself at least 5 hours time. You won't get lost with all the directions given and you will still get the mud on your shoes. Super thrilling. There was once I did it with my dad, under hot sun and pouring rain within 5 hours. We swore that we will never do it again...hahaa..BUT we still love the whole painful process, especially when we made it up to the HSBC treetop walk where we walked on a suspension bridge and be on the canopy of the forest. If you are lucky, you may even get to see owls.

 
So if you want to relief your mind with some fresh air and serenity, do visit MacRitchie Reservoir. It's free and it's definitely a place for soul-searching. Kudos to all the people who made this place come true.

P.S. Do remember to bring your own food and drink. The humble coffee shop is no longer there anymore. I really miss eating his mee siam and hot milo.