tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16253783438715624112024-03-13T19:26:19.856+08:00TheHungrySaint food reviewThe Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-67309430152470985272011-12-16T23:52:00.000+08:002011-12-16T23:52:32.226+08:00Yes! Your QUEENS MajestyEver since the boardwalk from Vivocity to Sentosa had been completed, i wanted to take a walk to see how this bridge had been transformed and so one fine evening, i took a walk along the boardwalk towards Sentosa. The walk was refreshing especially during the evening time. It used to be just a stone bridge without much to see 10 years ago and no one would walk on the bridge unless absolutely necessary. This bridge certainly has changed a lot. Halfway to Sentosa, is a restaurant called Queens. I decided to give this restaurant a try.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Since I didnt start off the trip as a eating trip, i didnt bring my camera, so no pictures for this blog entry.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Queens and The King Louis in Vivocity belongs to the same company. Queens provide a windy alfresco sitting area along the boardwalk and overlooking the 'Straits of Sentosa'. It has a very nice ambience. When you dine in the alfresco area, I feel as if I am sitting in one of those restaurants along Darling Harbour in Australia. There are live singing by Queens invited singer. This is certainly a good place for dating or chill out.<br />
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I had ordered the set menu which cost $25++ and the set menu consists of English Salad, Mushroom Soup, Provençal Pork Loin with Mixed Berries Sauce, 1 scoop of Ice Cream and 1 cup of Sir Thomas Kenyan Highland Tea.<br />
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<b>English Salad</b><br />
The English Salad consist of Lettuce, fried bacon bits, croutons and about 1/2 a hard-boiled egg mixed in Italian sauce. The portion of the salad is just good enough for 1 person. It is a normal salad that anyone can make at home. Just mixed the above ingredients together. The lettuce is quite fresh.<br />
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<b>Mushroom Soup</b><br />
The soup comes in a cup and with a toasted slice of garlic bread as a side compliment. In the soup, I can feel the bits of mushroom and the soup is not too creamy. Overall it is quite a nice mushroom soup that i enjoyed.<br />
<br />
<b>Provençal Pork Loin with Mixed Berries Sauce</b><br />
There are 4 pieces of pork loin meat with mixed berries sauce on top of the meat. French beans and half a seared apricot are placed beneath the 4 pieces of meat. The portion of this main course is a huge portion.<br />
The sauce is sweet and has a slight tinge of sour taste. The sauce together with the meat taste just nice. However the berries are a bit sour and the meat should be taken with the sauce and not the berries as the sour taste of the berries would overpower the sweetness of the sauce and the pork. The meat is tender but is slightly over to the dry side, still I can feel the juiciness of the meat.<br />
The greens (french beans) are undercooked and it still have the raw green taste.<br />
<br />
<b>Ice Cream</b><br />
The ice cream is maize ice cream which is something that i have not tasted since my primary school years. The ice cream is very normal and I probably wont remember it.<br />
<br />
<b>Service</b><br />
The waitress that served me are very friendly and is able to accomdate my needs. The set menu comes with an english breakfast tea, but the waitress granted my wish to change it to the Kenyan Highland tea instead. However i am still having mixed reviews about their service, reason being that some of the servers do not put your dish in front of you, instead they put my dish some distance from me even though the space in front of me is empty and thus i need to bring the dish to myself.<br />
<br />
<b>Ratings</b><br />
Food Presentation: 2.5/5<br />
Food Taste: 3.5/5<br />
Service: 2.5/5<br />
Cleanliness: 3/5<br />
Ambience: 5/5<br />
Value for Money: 4.5/5<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">RECOMMENDED</span></b></div>The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com5Sentosa Gateway, Singapore1.258222 103.823787300000051.2509265 103.82035930000005 1.2655174999999999 103.82721530000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-82068038319208189992011-10-30T16:47:00.002+08:002011-10-30T16:51:29.238+08:00Looking for Steak? Try "The Steakhouse"Had a walk around Clark Quay and suddenly feel like eating something nice so i decided to do a search online to check whether there are any good steaks around. (It has been time of the year that i craved for some steak, nice one.)<br />
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Going online, and done a search and found saw some recommendations about this restaurant called The Steakhouse and mostly they have some good reviews except one or two where the customers complained of bad service. Anyway i am craving for good steak so what the heck, lets give it a try.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GAWdXsuko6o/Tq0C6lVUVeI/AAAAAAAAAqM/PcFkCAESaa4/s1600/_MG_6750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GAWdXsuko6o/Tq0C6lVUVeI/AAAAAAAAAqM/PcFkCAESaa4/s400/_MG_6750.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The restaurant has quite a good ambience. I arrived quite early about 6pm, just when they are opening for dinner, so i am the only guest besides another table that is only drinking some beer.<br />
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I am brought to a seat, and given a menu to select my steak. There are about 4 or 5 choices of steak and prices are quite reasonable considering that it is a steakhouse with some fine cuts of beef. If you know some steakhouses charge extremely high prices for fine cuts of steak. I ordered a Filet Mignon and Grilled Asparagus.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Filet Mignon is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">is a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial;">steak</span>cut of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial;">beef</span> taken from the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial;">tenderloin</span>. It is </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">is the most tender cut of beef, and is the most expensive. As it contains less connective tissue, it is the most tender portion of the whole cow.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><b>Food</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><b>Filet Mignon (300g) Medium</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Medium Filet Mignon with red wine sauce</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MZSpPAAAilE/Tq0JDV2gO4I/AAAAAAAAAqc/byi28zJQzGk/s1600/_MG_6703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MZSpPAAAilE/Tq0JDV2gO4I/AAAAAAAAAqc/byi28zJQzGk/s400/_MG_6703.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WQ6wE8alcsM/Tq0JGnxbJQI/AAAAAAAAAqs/XdYBjgq7wy0/s1600/_MG_6712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WQ6wE8alcsM/Tq0JGnxbJQI/AAAAAAAAAqs/XdYBjgq7wy0/s400/_MG_6712.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<i>Presentation:</i><br />
The steak is served chargrilled and the it is placed together with just some salad and half a tomato. The purpose of such simple presentation is to have the steak piece stand out, which i appreciate. The size is of the 300g steak is slightly smaller than the size of a guy's clenched fist. Since it is a medium raw style that i had ordered, blood can still be seen in the cut steak.<br />
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<i>Taste:</i><br />
The 1st bite into the steak have a slight tinge of blood taste, but subsequent bites of the steak do not taste of any blood. The saltiness of the meat is just nice. It is a wonderful piece of meat i would say. Though there are slight tinge of blood in the meat, there are no blood that flows out during the subsequent cuts of the meat.<br />
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The red wine sauce is the perfect sauce that compliments the meat. If you do not like the taste of blood in your mouth, this sauce covers the blood smell easily.<br />
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<b>Grilled Asparagus</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-onQl-3wTnnU/Tq0JE2aphcI/AAAAAAAAAqk/vwgkesWjWDI/s1600/_MG_6710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-onQl-3wTnnU/Tq0JE2aphcI/AAAAAAAAAqk/vwgkesWjWDI/s320/_MG_6710.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i>Presentation:</i></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">The asparagus are quite huge but they have cut it into half. There is a pinch of rock salt on the asparagus and also olive oil can be seen at the bottom of the bowl.</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i>Taste:</i></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">The asparagus is quite good, and though i am not a big fan of asparagus, i still finished the whole portion of them. It is not overly cooked but has that slighly saltish taste.</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">The Steakhouse Service attitude</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I had seen quite some bad comments on the service attitude. I am served with a lady waitress that dont seem to like me. She couldnt give me much introduction to the portions of the meat that they have on their menu. This lady also told me outright that they do not serve water. What saved the day for their service is that another male waiter served me a glass of water after serving me the steak and asparagus. I guess he sensed that i may have a hard time swallowing the steak without any liquid. Quite a considerate service. I guess it depends on who is serving you.</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ratings</span>Food Presentation: 4/5<br />
Food Taste: 4/5<br />
Service Attitude: 3.5/5<br />
Cleanliness: 4/5<br />
Ambience: 4/5<br />
Value for Money: 3.5/5</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">The Steakhouse in Clark Quay is a good place for some good steak with a reasonable price. Their service level may be dragged down by some individual but it is definitely a good place to go for some fine steak.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b>RECOMMENDED</b></span></div>The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-78408865053680178612010-08-12T23:24:00.000+08:002010-08-12T23:24:46.834+08:00Gratin with Scallop and Prawn<b>Gratin with Scallop and Prawn (S$13.90)</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TGQOJZrsoZI/AAAAAAAAAmM/o5gCEPX_VBs/s1600/_MG_8751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TGQOJZrsoZI/AAAAAAAAAmM/o5gCEPX_VBs/s400/_MG_8751.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TGQORlKci1I/AAAAAAAAAmc/lKjXhxcIV10/s1600/_MG_8744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TGQORlKci1I/AAAAAAAAAmc/lKjXhxcIV10/s400/_MG_8744.jpg" width="267" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TGQONFPjCKI/AAAAAAAAAmU/Ut_7ZFYK-RQ/s1600/_MG_8745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TGQONFPjCKI/AAAAAAAAAmU/Ut_7ZFYK-RQ/s400/_MG_8745.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
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<b>Presentation</b><br />
The gratin comes in a big nice bowl. The gratin is fully covered under the cream and cheese. The huge prawns and scallop can be seen protruding out from the cheese.<br />
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<b>Taste</b><br />
The gratin is very creamy and cheesy. It is similar to pizza with the strands of melted cheese when the gratin is scooped out from the bowl. The cream taste covers the taste of the shell pasta. The prawn and scallop is very fresh and together with the cream which has the sweetness of onions, makes this gratin, quite a wonderful dish. Even though i don't take onions, which is a nemesis of mine, I was not resisting this dish after i found that there were onion strips in the cream. There is totally no onion taste but the sweetness of onions.<br />
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<b>Rating</b><br />
Presentation: 3.5/5<br />
Taste: 3.5/5<br />
Value for Money: 3/5<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>RECOMMENDED</b></span><br />
<br />
Location<br />
Ma Maison Restaurant, Singapore<br />
Bugis Junction<br />
<br />
Read other reviews of Ma Maison here.<br />
<a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/08/fusion-pizza-western-chef-pizza.html">Chef Pizza</a>The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-43680824013303157772010-08-12T23:03:00.001+08:002010-08-12T23:28:15.604+08:00Fusion Pizza: Western Chef Pizza Japanese Style<b>Chef Pizza (S$13.50)</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TGQMwRDOlkI/AAAAAAAAAl8/P0MzM3mgYhM/s1600/_MG_8755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TGQMwRDOlkI/AAAAAAAAAl8/P0MzM3mgYhM/s400/_MG_8755.jpg" width="267" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TGQM19bVDWI/AAAAAAAAAmE/ttSMmHAyqHA/s1600/_MG_8758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TGQM19bVDWI/AAAAAAAAAmE/ttSMmHAyqHA/s400/_MG_8758.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<b>Presentation</b><br />
The chef pizza is a very small size, about 7 to 8 inches in diameter. It comes in a thin metal 'pan'which has a interesting handle.<br />
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<b>Taste</b><br />
The crust is thin but however it is not crispy. Even though the pizza is quite cheesy, ie there are a lot of cheese, it is not salty. The toppings on the pizza, mainly mushroom, is not enough. It feels more like eating pieces of mushrooms with lots of cheese and a not so crispy crust.<br />
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<b>Rating</b><br />
Presentation: 2/5<br />
Taste: 2/5<br />
Value for Money: 2/5<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>NOT RECOMMENDED</b></span><br />
<br />
Location:<br />
Ma Maison Restaurant, Singapore<br />
Bugis Junction<br />
<br />
Read other reviews of Ma Maison here<br />
<a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/08/gratin-with-scallop-and-prawn.html">Gratin with Prawn and Scallop</a>The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-31193406648322337432010-08-03T22:29:00.000+08:002010-08-03T22:29:02.417+08:00Midori: Japanese Green Tea Sponge Cake<b>Midori</b><br />
Matcha Sponge and Azuki Bean Compote layers in Yuzu infused Bavarois<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TFbedMpMeHI/AAAAAAAAAlk/t6i5vHDoUBQ/s1600/P1020953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TFbedMpMeHI/AAAAAAAAAlk/t6i5vHDoUBQ/s400/P1020953.jpg" width="267" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TFbeijhRzZI/AAAAAAAAAls/80qEIQopVeo/s1600/P1020941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TFbeijhRzZI/AAAAAAAAAls/80qEIQopVeo/s400/P1020941.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TFbemgYAAYI/AAAAAAAAAl0/ocp8IOH1Rgw/s1600/P1020946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TFbemgYAAYI/AAAAAAAAAl0/ocp8IOH1Rgw/s400/P1020946.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
<b>Presentation</b><br />
This cake has 5 layers. The top layer is yuzu bavarois, followed by the matcha sponge cake. The 4th layer is the Azuki bean layer. Topped with a green tea macaron and backed with a thin white choc piece on the outer portion.<br />
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<b>Taste</b><br />
The 1st bite into this cake gave me a refreshing feeling. The yuzu is of a sweet nature and blends well with the matcha sponge cake. The Azuki layers with the bean gave the cake some texture and is actually quite smooth. Contradicting textures but its nice.<br />
The taste of each layer is very bland, so bland that each layer is almost tasteless. However if you put all the 5 layers together, this is where the miracle comes. The refreshing yuzu sensation will be dancing on your palate. There are also yuzu sacs in the bavarois.<br />
Even though this is the second piece of cake that i had, the citrus taste whets your appetite and makes it easy for the cake to be taken. However I wish that they would complement the cake with a bit more citrus taste.<br />
<br />
The tea that was ordered goes very well with this cake. A little description on the tea - Miraculous Mandrain: A melange of warm rich black tea blended with the fresh tartness of normandy apples and notes of caramel. A youth tea of delight.<br />
The taste of the apple from this tea is almost infused into the cake when they mixed on the palate. I wonder if this Miraculous Mandrain tea is specially made for this Midori cake.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Ratings</b><br />
<i>Presentation: 2.5/5</i><br />
<i>Taste: 4.5/5</i><br />
<i>Value for money: 4/5</i><br />
The best cake that i had taken from 1-Caramel. Both legs and hands up for this cake. Highly Recommended.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #6aa84f;">HIGHLY RECOMMENDED</div><br />
<b>Location</b><br />
1-Caramel.<br />
Read other reviews of 1-Caramel here.<br />
<a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/08/banana-cream-pie.html">Banana Cream Pie</a><br />
<a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2009/11/1-2-buckle-my-shoesno-its-1caramel.html">Other Cakes</a>The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-7147218914656742562010-08-02T22:21:00.001+08:002010-08-02T22:42:18.192+08:00Banana Cream Pie<b>Banana Cream Pie</b><br />
Crispy table tart with almond frangipane filling topped with a layer of light pastry cream and fresh banana chunks<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TFbTPxvL6kI/AAAAAAAAAlM/5i_rV34raSA/s1600/P1020927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TFbTPxvL6kI/AAAAAAAAAlM/5i_rV34raSA/s400/P1020927.jpg" width="267" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TFbTSj6HASI/AAAAAAAAAlU/uOHYEzcQleM/s1600/P1020932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TFbTSj6HASI/AAAAAAAAAlU/uOHYEzcQleM/s400/P1020932.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TFbTXJNXugI/AAAAAAAAAlc/M_CiIEbvx5A/s1600/P1020935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TFbTXJNXugI/AAAAAAAAAlc/M_CiIEbvx5A/s400/P1020935.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Presentation<br />
The top layer is banana custard, with banana fruit chunks in between the sweet bottom crust layer. There is also a sweetened white cream covering the outer circumference of the pie.<br />
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Taste<br />
The bottom crust is sweet but not too hard. The top layer of the custard gives the whole pie a very nice and smooth texture. The bottom crust gives it a good support, which is of mixed texture. The banana fruit is however not to my liking as it lacks the solid feel to it. However towards the end of the dessert, the sweetness starts to overwhelm you.<br />
Overall it is a good dessert to end your meal with.<br />
<br />
Ratings<br />
<i>Presentation: 3.5/5</i><br />
<i>Taste: 3.5/5</i><br />
<i>Value for money: 2.5/5</i><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">RECOMMENDED</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: black;">Location</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: black;">1-Caramel. Read the <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2009/11/1-2-buckle-my-shoesno-its-1caramel.html">other reviews</a> of 1-Caramel here. </span> </span>The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-69514268122724289582010-08-02T01:05:00.000+08:002010-08-02T01:05:58.342+08:00Xi Men Ding Taiwan CuisineMe and my wife were wandering around the Vivocity Shopping Mall looking for some food after our shopping. We were rather familiar with the restaurants in Vivocity. One of the newer restaurants that were opened is this one that serves Taiwanese Cuisine.<br />
<br />
The restaurant looks ok and the food picture looks ok too. We had been to Taiwan and decided to give this restaurant a try since both of us love taiwanese food. Table was easily available as there wasnt much of a crowd.<br />
<br />
Looking thru the menu, the items were mostly taiwanese style food. We ordered 4 dishes, of which 1 is a snack, 1 is a soup and 2 normal dishes.<br />
<br />
<b>Snack: Taiwanese Fried Beancurd (S$7.50)</b><br />
This dish is a whole beancurd, cut into small pieces and fried. Chilli sauce and a mixture of salt and pepper comes as a dip for the fried beancurd. The fried beancurd itself is tasteless. The texture of the beancurd is coarse, both the crust and the inside. <br />
The salt pepper mixture is for the dipping of the beancurd, but even with that mixture, the taste just doesnt blend in. With a direct comparison with Crystal Jade's salt pepper tofu, this fried beancurd simply does not make the grade.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">NOT RECOMMENDED</div><br />
<br />
<b>Soup: Clam Soup (S$6.00)</b><br />
The soup is ordered based on per pax and it is a lucky thing that we only ordered 1 bowl. The soup taste a tad slight salty and the taste of the clams was simply too strong. There were quite a number of small clams in the soup.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">NOT RECOMMENDED</div><br />
<br />
<b>Main Dish: Radish and Egg Pancake (S$10.00)</b><br />
This is a simple dish. Basically it is chopped radish fried with eggs and nothing could go wrong with this. It must be said that though the taste is also slightly bland, the fried egg is very thick, about 1 inch in thickness. The radish adds a slightly sweet taste to the egg. The egg is fried till golden brown, but while the outer layer of the fried egg is crispy, the inner egg layer is soft. <br />
<br />
<div style="color: #6aa84f;">RECOMMENDED</div><br />
<br />
<b>Main Dish: Sanbei Chicken with Basil (S$17.90)</b><br />
This is a very common dish in Taiwan and is actually not difficult to cook. This dish is also the signature dish of the restaurant. Though its the signature dish, the dish is actually not much any different from those that you can find from the receipe books. In short, the dish did not create a sanbei chicken dish that is unique to itself. However the taste is still acceptable.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #6aa84f;">RECOMMENDED</div><br />
<br />
<b>Overall Rating</b><br />
<i>Presentation: 2.5/5</i><br />
<i>Taste: 1/5</i><br />
<i>Value for money: 1/5</i><br />
This is not a restaurant that I will visit again. It would not be too far fetch to say that if they do not improve on their food, very soon a new food establishment would be opening in that spot instead. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">NOT RECOMMENDED</span>The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-59781204291724439762010-07-11T01:54:00.003+08:002010-07-11T02:02:03.011+08:00Wondermilk Cupcakes<div class="" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: left;">Cupcakes</div><div class="" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TBZaYLKt1sI/AAAAAAAAAkc/jsNFnv1uUVU/s400/_MG_6919.jpg" width="267" /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TBZa0N4woZI/AAAAAAAAAkk/4T-dULL3Cvk/s1600/_MG_6920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TBZa0N4woZI/AAAAAAAAAkk/4T-dULL3Cvk/s400/_MG_6920.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TBZa_lg5DDI/AAAAAAAAAks/1FA5eqLL_6A/s1600/_MG_6921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TBZa_lg5DDI/AAAAAAAAAks/1FA5eqLL_6A/s400/_MG_6921.jpg" width="267" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TBZbGNHpsII/AAAAAAAAAk0/OlaNLf_owqk/s1600/_MG_6932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TBZbGNHpsII/AAAAAAAAAk0/OlaNLf_owqk/s400/_MG_6932.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TBZbdahCSPI/AAAAAAAAAk8/ThBKMQUMBCg/s1600/_MG_6926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TBZbdahCSPI/AAAAAAAAAk8/ThBKMQUMBCg/s400/_MG_6926.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TBZbs3LJKKI/AAAAAAAAAlE/5Ubt3PqGNE0/s1600/_MG_6922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/TBZbs3LJKKI/AAAAAAAAAlE/5Ubt3PqGNE0/s400/_MG_6922.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<i>Presentation</i><br />
The cupcakes are small in size with about 2 inches in diameter. The cupcakes were of different flavours, placed in a small cardboard container. Each of the cupcakes were decorated differently with different toppings on top.<br />
<br />
<i>Taste</i><br />
<b>Foxy Red Velvety </b>- Cream Cheese Cupcake<br />
The top of the cupcake has a little bit of cheese that is mixed with cream. It has a creamy texture. With the red choc toppings, it adds another layer of sweetness to the cream. The cake layer is red in colour but otherwise proofs to be just a normal cupcake. The texture of the cake is soft with a little bit of sponginess.<br />
<br />
<b>Oh My Peanut Choc </b>- Peanut Butter Chocolate Cupcake<br />
There is a very heavy peanut butter taste that covers the taste of the choc cake beneath it. The peanut butter is too think that it covers and seals the throat. If you love peanut butter, this is the one for you.<br />
<br />
<b>Pina Colada </b>- Fragrant Pineapple Flavour Cheese Cupcake<br />
It has a refreshing taste especially after all the heavy choc flavour ones. Besides the pineapple taste, there is also a tinge of passion fruit taste with the crunchy passion fruit seeds in the cupcake.<br />
<br />
<b>Mr White Choc</b> - Rich Choc Cupcake<br />
This is a very normal choc cupcake. There are not much of any flavours. It is supposed to be a white choc cupcake but it seems that the white choc didn't really shine thru.<br />
<br />
<b>Ratings</b><br />
<i>Presentation: 2/5</i><br />
<i>Taste: 2/5</i><br />
I have never been a fan of cupcakes and have never tried it. What i know of cupcakes are that they have a nice and delicate appearance but with a very very sweet taste that can cause a big toothache. This further confirms it. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">NOT RECOMMENDED</span>The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-76204072858717676832010-05-22T19:50:00.000+08:002010-05-22T19:50:28.328+08:00Dessert Review: Chocolate Berries MeringueBesides the <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/dessert-review-strawberry-mascarpone.html">Strawberry Mascarpone</a>, we also order the Chocolate Berries Meringue for our dessert. Our main dishes review: <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/food-review-pound-chicken-escalope.html">Chicken Escalope</a> and <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/food-review-pollo-pizza.html">Pollo Pizza</a>, can be found at the respective links.<br />
<br />
<b>Meringue</b> is a type of dessert made from whipped egg whites and sugar.<br />
<br />
<b>Food</b><br />
<b>Chocolate Berries Meringue (RM 15.00)</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_e5NiYnsDI/AAAAAAAAAjY/hBDSRKCCCYY/s1600/_MG_6896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_e5NiYnsDI/AAAAAAAAAjY/hBDSRKCCCYY/s400/_MG_6896.jpg" width="267" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_e5PvWowvI/AAAAAAAAAjg/dv23YK2_Ic0/s1600/_MG_6898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_e5PvWowvI/AAAAAAAAAjg/dv23YK2_Ic0/s400/_MG_6898.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_e5U2PvGqI/AAAAAAAAAjo/vnyKFPdBiMY/s1600/_MG_6904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_e5U2PvGqI/AAAAAAAAAjo/vnyKFPdBiMY/s400/_MG_6904.jpg" width="267" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_e5XNs5hqI/AAAAAAAAAjw/8I9ahZZShVM/s1600/_MG_6901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_e5XNs5hqI/AAAAAAAAAjw/8I9ahZZShVM/s400/_MG_6901.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_e5ZPB7gaI/AAAAAAAAAj4/5fL3WcZjiV4/s1600/_MG_6907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_e5ZPB7gaI/AAAAAAAAAj4/5fL3WcZjiV4/s400/_MG_6907.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<i>Presentation</i><br />
The meringue is slightly browned in colour and this is evidence that the meringue has been baked in high temperature for a short period of time. There are multiple layers of meringue and cream with blue berries and strawberries. There are generous chunks of strawberries and whole blueberries on the top layer cream.<br />
<br />
<br />
Taste<br />
The strawberries are not too sweet and is slightly sourish. In contrast, the meringue is sweet. Put these 2 together and it becomes a marvelous mix. The sourish taste is neutralised by the sweetness. Though the meringue is hard in nature, the crispiness is welcomed. The meringue simply melts in the mouth. However there are a bit too much cream in this dessert. The is not much chocolate taste although this is know as Chocoloate Berries Meringue.<br />
One thing that i find disturbing is that the meringue smells slightly fishy. This could be from the egg white, which sometimes give out such smell after being baked, but this smell is gone once it goes into your mouth.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">RECOMMENDED</span>The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-65401346112376378792010-05-22T18:16:00.001+08:002010-05-22T19:51:19.323+08:00Dessert Review: Strawberry MascarponeNo meal is ever completed without desserts. We had ordered Strawberry Mascarpone and <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/dessert-review-chocolate-berries.html">Chocolate Berry Meringue</a> for dessert after our main dishes of <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/food-review-pound-chicken-escalope.html">Chicken Escalope</a> and <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/food-review-pollo-pizza.html">Pollo Pizza</a>.<br />
<br />
Mascarpone is is an Italian triple-cream cheese, originated in the area between Lodi and Abbiategrasso, Italy, southwest of Milan, probably in the late 16th or early 17th century.<br />
<br />
Basically, this is a strawberry cheesecake that we had ordered.<br />
<br />
<b>Food</b><br />
<b>Strawberry Mascarpone (RM12.50)</b><br />
A.K.A Strawberry Cheesecake<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_elyjmp94I/AAAAAAAAAjA/haDpxOtJB60/s1600/_MG_6910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_elyjmp94I/AAAAAAAAAjA/haDpxOtJB60/s400/_MG_6910.jpg" width="267" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_el0S1bywI/AAAAAAAAAjI/2LDkAGI7_wE/s1600/_MG_6916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_el0S1bywI/AAAAAAAAAjI/2LDkAGI7_wE/s400/_MG_6916.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_el3tJEvuI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/SaxqdMmu5zE/s1600/_MG_6913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_el3tJEvuI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/SaxqdMmu5zE/s400/_MG_6913.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<i>Presentation</i><br />
An italian cheesecake that comes with crusted biscuits at the bottom. There are small chunks of strawberries in the cheesecake. Strawberry puree was also mixed into the cheesecake to give it the red strawberry colour in the cheesecake.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Taste</i><br />
With the mascarpone cheese, it gives the cheesecake a very buttery smooth texture, to be exact it has a very creamy texture. There are small chunks of strawberries in the cheesecake though mostly are concentrated in the centre of the cake. As with the strawberry to whet the appetite, I dont find it too cheesy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">RECOMMENDED</span>The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-52819894595564939632010-05-18T22:43:00.001+08:002010-05-22T19:55:14.645+08:00Food Review: Pollo PizzaThe 2nd main dish that I took at Alexis was the Pollo Pizza. Look at the <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/food-review-pound-chicken-escalope.html">1st main dish here</a> and my dessert <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/dessert-review-strawberry-mascarpone.html">Strawberry Mascarpone</a> and <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/dessert-review-chocolate-berries.html">Chocolate Berries Meringue</a> here.<br />
<br />
<b>Food</b><br />
<b>Pollo Pizza</b><br />
Chicken Pizza (RM 29.00)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_KkvF6I6sI/AAAAAAAAAiw/A1xvLtXXpEg/s1600/_MG_6892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_KkvF6I6sI/AAAAAAAAAiw/A1xvLtXXpEg/s400/_MG_6892.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_Kk4WEbiNI/AAAAAAAAAi4/01Q6ez5brmk/s1600/_MG_6893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_Kk4WEbiNI/AAAAAAAAAi4/01Q6ez5brmk/s400/_MG_6893.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<i>Presentation</i><br />
The pizza is a thin crusted pizza with moderate amount of melted cheese and topped with thin slices of capsicum. The pizza is about 10 to 12 inches wide.<br />
<br />
<i>Taste</i><br />
It seems that this pizza looks like a normal cheese pizza topped with capsicum. However the secret is the layer of chicken in between the cheese and crust layers. The chicken is pounded to a very thin layer and similar to the chicken escalope, the chicken meat is tender and smooth.<br />
The slices of pizza appears to be quite cheesy but it is not as what it seems. The cheese amounts to just nice.<br />
If you are like me that is not a fan of capsicum, you will be surprised at how sweet the capsicum has become on this pizza dish.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #6aa84f;">RECOMMENDED</div>This pizza dish surprises me with the thin layer of chicken under the cheese. Sure is a new way to top the pizza. The toppings taste good too.The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-54660542908249702662010-05-17T23:20:00.002+08:002010-05-22T19:53:38.883+08:00Food Review: Pound the Chicken EscalopeWent to Alexis at The Gardens. This is my second visit and for the 1st visit, the food was so nice that i ate quite a lot. For my 2nd visit, I ordered Chicken Escalope and <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/food-review-pollo-pizza.html">Pollo Pizza</a> for as my main dish and <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/dessert-review-strawberry-mascarpone.html">Strawberry Mascarpone</a> and <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/dessert-review-chocolate-berries.html">Chocolate Berries Meringue</a> for my dessert.<br />
<br />
<b>Food</b><br />
<b>Chicken Escalope (RM35.00)</b><br />
Crispy Breaded Fried with Flattened Minched Chicken Meat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_FWpxvN-ZI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/JlKqxpHv0Og/s1600/_MG_6881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_FWpxvN-ZI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/JlKqxpHv0Og/s400/_MG_6881.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_FWx1y5pHI/AAAAAAAAAiY/ZOePnBmOMOw/s1600/_MG_6885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_FWx1y5pHI/AAAAAAAAAiY/ZOePnBmOMOw/s400/_MG_6885.jpg" width="267" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_FW97lLRoI/AAAAAAAAAig/lOa4wQ28SVQ/s1600/_MG_6889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_FW97lLRoI/AAAAAAAAAig/lOa4wQ28SVQ/s400/_MG_6889.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_FXFa3C7RI/AAAAAAAAAio/e9bybYX7wmA/s1600/_MG_6887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S_FXFa3C7RI/AAAAAAAAAio/e9bybYX7wmA/s400/_MG_6887.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<i>Presentation</i><br />
The piece of chicken is quite large about the size of a 6 inch pizza. It comes with some pan-fried tomatoes on top of the meat. There are also a side salad and a slice of lemon to add flavour to the chicken meat.<br />
<br />
A bit of a lesson here: Escalopes originate from France and are pieces of boneless meat which have been thinned out using a mallet<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-main_0-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escalopes#cite_note-main-0"></a></sup>, rolling pin<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-main_0-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escalopes#cite_note-main-0"></a></sup> or beaten with the handle of a knife.That is why the piece of chicken is so flat.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Taste</i><br />
The cruumps are mixed with different spices, distinctly indian spices. The chicken is deep fried till quite crispy, and the texture of the chicken is smooth and nice, even though the layer of meat is relatively thin. The smoothness is usually obtained from the pounding of the meat into this flat layer. However the taste of the chicken is slightly bland even with the indian spices. Just add a little salt and pepper and squish the lemon slice and it would taste wonderful.<br />
The salad is very fresh and is mixed well using olive oil and lemon.<br />
The pan-fried tomatoes are just nicely cooked.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">RECOMMENDED</span><br />
Even though the dish may look quite plain with just the chicken, salad and the lemon. I enjoyed this piece of chicken meat, done just right.The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-21906745863105448872010-05-16T01:41:00.000+08:002010-05-16T01:41:06.133+08:00Wine Review: Nepenthe - The Fugue 2003Just bought this wine from Cold Storage. I had tried the yr 2000 btl and it was a wonderful bottle. This is the 1st time i am trying the 2003 bottle. Lets see if it taste just as good as the year 2000 bottle.<br />
<br />
<b>Nepenthe The Fugue</b><br />
Year 2003<br />
Limited Release <br />
Adelaide Hills<br />
Australia<br />
S$49.95<br />
<br />
Mixed blend of grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon 48%, Malbec 22%, Merlot 15%, Cabernet Franc 15%<br />
Contains Sulphites. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-7Y0dTzfsI/AAAAAAAAAh4/XdLZo5-S6kk/s1600/_MG_7047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-7Y0dTzfsI/AAAAAAAAAh4/XdLZo5-S6kk/s400/_MG_7047.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Described in Homers, The Odyssey, the original Nepenthe was a potion so powerful that it erased gruef and banished sorrow. Nepenthe is located in the steep Adelaide Hills, where ancient soils and the cooling influence of altitude ensure long living wines.<br />
<br />
Fugue: A musical piece with two or more melodies which build to a complex form with a marked climax; made famous by J.S. Bach. The Fugue reflects the music after which it is named; richly layered, resonating and building with time in a bottle.<br />
<br />
Based on Cabernet Sauvignon, enhanced by blending with its traditional partners, The Fugue is a full flavoured, complex and elegantly structured wine. It is recommended to be decanted before serving.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-7Y_rUt4wI/AAAAAAAAAiA/HAVLkqBQANE/s1600/_MG_7052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-7Y_rUt4wI/AAAAAAAAAiA/HAVLkqBQANE/s400/_MG_7052.jpg" width="267" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-7ZK1EK-kI/AAAAAAAAAiI/lCj23bwf9EU/s1600/_MG_7061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-7ZK1EK-kI/AAAAAAAAAiI/lCj23bwf9EU/s400/_MG_7061.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<b>My Tasting Notes</b>:<br />
Wine is dark crimson in colour. The bouquet smells of dark fruits. The wine is of slightly buttery texture and exhibits a bit of earthly tones with a tinge of tobacco. There are dark berries taste which remains on the palate for sometime. The finish of the wine goes to mid throat. I would consider this to be mid-full flavoured.<br />
<br />
Ratings: 85/100<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">RECOMMENDED </span><br />
<br />
If you would like to take a look at the wineyard's tasting notes, take a look <a href="http://www.nepenthe.com.au/index.cfm?objectid=41AA9B39-EE4E-A363-F4BB1BB007F1F8A5">here</a>.The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-86648197422277633722010-05-10T22:50:00.002+08:002010-05-10T22:56:17.729+08:00Cheesecake -- Banana StyleIt is never enough to just take 1 dessert. We had ordered 2 dessert from the start and the 2nd one is Banana Cheesecake.<br />
<br />
Check out the other items that we had ordered <br />
<br />
<ol><li><a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/fusion-of-western-and-jap-food-kissaten.html">Grilled Saba Fish Set</a></li>
<li><a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/pizza-with-japanese-curry.html">Japanese Curry Pizza</a></li>
<li><a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/caramel-pudding.html">Caramel Pudding</a></li>
<li><a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/cheesecake-banana-style.html">Banana Cheesecake</a></li>
</ol><br />
<b>Food</b><br />
<b>Banana Cheesecake (RM7.90)</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-gbPs0ulKI/AAAAAAAAAhw/7X6V3B7i1PI/s1600/_MG_6868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-gbPs0ulKI/AAAAAAAAAhw/7X6V3B7i1PI/s400/_MG_6868.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Presentation</i><br />
The dessert in Kissaten, I realised, is decorated at a minimum. The cake is just placed in the middle of the plate.<br />
<br />
<i>Taste</i><br />
The banana fruit in the cake blends well with the cheese taste. It goes smoothly together with the cheesecake. The layer of choc at the bottom gives and ending to the taste of the cheesecake in a flavourful way.<br />
The cake however could be quite filling if taken by just one pax. I would advise ordering this piece of cake to share between 2 pax or 3 if all had taken dinner. <br />
<br />
<div style="color: #6aa84f;">RECOMMENDED</div>A nice piece of cake with well supported base of choc. Banana fruit meat gives the cheese a complimentary taste.The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-81489420619712404212010-05-10T22:35:00.002+08:002010-05-10T22:51:08.467+08:00Caramel PuddingWho dont have a second stomach for dessert? Dessert is a must. Now for the desserts that we ordered in Kissaten.<br />
<br />
<br />
The other items that we ordered<br />
<ol><li><a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/fusion-of-western-and-jap-food-kissaten.html">Grilled Saba Fish Set</a></li>
<li><a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/pizza-with-japanese-curry.html">Japanese Curry Pizza</a></li>
<li><a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/caramel-pudding.html">Caramel Pudding</a></li>
<li><a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/cheesecake-banana-style.html">Banana Cheesecake</a></li>
</ol><br />
1st dessert that comes to us. Caramel Pudding. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Food</b><br />
<b>Caramel Pudding (RM 4.90)</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-gXK_btqyI/AAAAAAAAAho/2hYcRk2cGuM/s1600/_MG_6863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-gXK_btqyI/AAAAAAAAAho/2hYcRk2cGuM/s320/_MG_6863.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<i>Presentation</i><br />
The pudding is rather plain. The pudding is like a fortress surrounded by the caramel sauce.<br />
<br />
<i>Taste</i><br />
The pudding texture is very smooth. The pudding wobbles like a piece of soft tofu about to collapse but still remains intact. Caramel taste is strong but it is very refreshing.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #6aa84f;">RECOMMENDED</div>This dessert is a must try especially if it is a hot sunny afternoon. This will definitely perk you up.The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-26916140189625054592010-05-07T00:45:00.003+08:002010-05-10T22:51:22.607+08:00Pizza with Japanese CurryFrom Kissaten, we also ordered a Japanese Curry Pizza. You can read about the other items that we ordered here.<br />
<ol><li><a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/fusion-of-western-and-jap-food-kissaten.html">Grilled Saba Fish Set</a></li>
<li><a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/pizza-with-japanese-curry.html">Japanese Curry Pizza</a></li>
<li><a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/caramel-pudding.html">Caramel Pudding</a></li>
<li><a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/cheesecake-banana-style.html">Banana Cheesecake</a></li>
</ol><br />
<br />
<b>Food</b><br />
Japanese Curry Pizza (RM17.90)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BHL08I-mI/AAAAAAAAAgo/sFSs5hcAvMQ/s1600/_MG_6829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BHL08I-mI/AAAAAAAAAgo/sFSs5hcAvMQ/s400/_MG_6829.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BHN-CP48I/AAAAAAAAAgw/-hsZjXcFJX4/s1600/_MG_6835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BHN-CP48I/AAAAAAAAAgw/-hsZjXcFJX4/s400/_MG_6835.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BHPv01HcI/AAAAAAAAAg4/w2RQhYN5RHw/s1600/_MG_6837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BHPv01HcI/AAAAAAAAAg4/w2RQhYN5RHw/s400/_MG_6837.jpg" width="267" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BHRkbl9fI/AAAAAAAAAhA/GxtB3my6SqY/s1600/_MG_6857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BHRkbl9fI/AAAAAAAAAhA/GxtB3my6SqY/s400/_MG_6857.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<i>Presentation</i><br />
The pizza is about 9 to 10 inch wide. It is a japanese curry pizza topped with egg plant and mozzarella cheese. The egg plants are well spaced out but otherwise, it is quite plan looking. <br />
<br />
<i>Taste</i><br />
The curry taste is not strong. It is a light flavour pizza, which the egg plant blends nicely with the japanese curry. Cheese volume is slightly lacking. I find that there are not enough cheese on top of the pizza. It is also possibly because of the lack of cheese that the egg plant blends with the cheese. I have not imagined that egg plant can be used on pizza and with japanese curry. A very interesting dish i would say. <br />
<br />
<div style="color: #6aa84f;">RECOMMENDED</div>It is ok to give this pizza a try if you have not taken any japanese pizza before. However the chances of re-ordering this again would be very low, as there could be other dishes that is worth more of my attention.The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-119320976610392242010-05-07T00:18:00.011+08:002010-05-10T22:51:38.162+08:00Fusion of Western and Jap Food - KissatenMet up with my friend on a Saturday when i was in KL for a dinner meal. One of the party wants to eat<span style="background-color: white;"> </span>Tonkatsu<span style="background-color: white;"> an</span>d so we decided to head to a nearby Jap<span style="background-color: white;"> </span>and western fusion restaurant near our place. Kissaten<span style="background-color: white;"> @ </span>Jaya<span style="background-color: white;"> On</span>e.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BG0XetkyI/AAAAAAAAAf4/L14XDmDxMiI/s1600/_MG_6827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BG0XetkyI/AAAAAAAAAf4/L14XDmDxMiI/s400/_MG_6827.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
Kissaten, <span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="t_nihongo_kanji" lang="ja" xml:lang="ja">喫茶店,</span></span> in Japanese means Japanese-style coffee shop, those older and smaller establishment. Though it is a coffee shop, it does not have the cosiness of those smaller establishment. It is more of a restaurant then a coffee shop. They offer al-fresco dining experience as well. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BJq-mrtOI/AAAAAAAAAhI/WpuhzSfW3oA/s1600/_MG_6873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BJq-mrtOI/AAAAAAAAAhI/WpuhzSfW3oA/s400/_MG_6873.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
The 'coffee shop' is quite a popular place for family outing. Most of the tables were taken and there were some big families dining in the restaurant. There were quite a number of tables and in some of the locations where the tables were placed, it seemed quite out of place. Imagine putting a table with 4 chairs in a cross junction between the exit from the kitchen, the main entrance to the restaurant and the entrance to the restaurant from the stairs from level 1. It comes across to me that they are really making full use of the space that they are neglecting the safety of the diners.<br />
<br />
We had ordered quite a few items to fill our stomach.<br />
<ol><li><a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/fusion-of-western-and-jap-food-kissaten.html">Grilled Saba Fish Set</a></li>
<li><a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/pizza-with-japanese-curry.html">Japanese Curry Pizza</a></li>
<li><a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/caramel-pudding.html">Caramel Pudding</a></li>
<li><a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/05/cheesecake-banana-style.html">Banana Cheesecake</a></li>
</ol><br />
<ol></ol><a name='more'></a><br />
<b>Food</b><br />
Grilled Saba Fish Set (RM27.80)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BG7N_XqcI/AAAAAAAAAgA/fpxA42OndTI/s1600/_MG_6847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BG7N_XqcI/AAAAAAAAAgA/fpxA42OndTI/s400/_MG_6847.jpg" width="267" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BHDZfDwzI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/hC7zMhu5mlo/s1600/_MG_6851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BHDZfDwzI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/hC7zMhu5mlo/s400/_MG_6851.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BG_W0LsRI/AAAAAAAAAgI/TouII8pXiMQ/s1600/_MG_6850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BG_W0LsRI/AAAAAAAAAgI/TouII8pXiMQ/s400/_MG_6850.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BHHINuaAI/AAAAAAAAAgg/HFgf891_QXw/s1600/_MG_6856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BHHINuaAI/AAAAAAAAAgg/HFgf891_QXw/s400/_MG_6856.jpg" width="267" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BHFU9_s2I/AAAAAAAAAgY/SfWdD7NVu9E/s1600/_MG_6853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S-BHFU9_s2I/AAAAAAAAAgY/SfWdD7NVu9E/s400/_MG_6853.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<i>Presentation</i><br />
The set comes with japanese rice, the grilled saba fish, some salad on the side, a ball of radish, chawamushi, and a bowl of miso soup. <br />
<br />
<i>Taste</i><br />
Lets start with the saba fish, it is still very crispy even after its been left on the table for 15-20 minutes while i take its photo. When i pierce the skin of the fish, the oil squirt and oozed out. Wonderful. The fish is just nicely grilled, almost to perfection. The fish still retains it juiciness and the texture of the fish is good. <br />
Some people finds that this species of Mackerel is fishy and shun the fish. What can be done is to squeeze a the lemon slice onto the fish, and the whole fish jumps out with a tangy citrus taste instead of the dreaded fish taste. The fish is prepared quite well as there is only a tinge of fishy taste on the top part of the fish.<br />
<br />
The chawamushi is not the most fantastic that i had tried. The texture is not really that smooth but there are some traditional items in this dish, like ginko nuts, chicken, mushroom. The bowl of miso soup is a disater. It taste so bland that i am not sure if i am drinking miso soup or just seaweed mixed with plain water. <br />
<br />
<div style="color: lime;">RECOMMENDED </div>The main item, Saba fish, is grilled rather perfectly and retains all the juiciness and nice texture of the fish meat. Forgo the Miso Soup.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Kissaten's Service Attitude</b><br />
The service that i experienced is not really fantastic. The waiter dont seem to know their menu. When asked about what one of the item in the menu contains, the staff is totally ignorant of the item. Even when we order our dishes, the waiter and waitresses have to look at our menu and copy down the item. It seems totally strange that their staff needs to do so. I would be thinking that they do not know what they are serving.<br />
They have also served us the wrong dessert, which we rejected but came back a second time to try and get us to accept the wrong desserts.<br />
Our tables are also not cleared after our main dish and we have to called them to help us clear before they do so.<br />
Even though they dont take the initiative to do a number of things that I would expect service staff in a restaurant to do so, they are rather responsive to our calls.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><b>Ratings</b></div>Food Presentation: 3/5<br />
Food Taste: 3.5/5<br />
Service Attitude: 2/5<br />
Cleanliness: 3.5 /5<br />
Value for Money: 2.5/5<br />
This is not a place that i will be going again for their food, unless friends want to chill out there. There are other places that can do saba fishes as well as them but with better services and cheaper. The other dishes are not too great. However credit must be given to the dessert. They are good.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">NOT RECOMMENDED, unless for their dessert</span>The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-19492489771951979782010-04-29T00:48:00.004+08:002010-05-02T00:01:58.676+08:00Apple Strudel from Modesto @ VivocityFollowing the main dish of pasta, I ordered an apple strudel as my dessert. Read the <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/04/pasta-from-modestos-vivocity.html">pasta review here</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Strudel Di Melee Con Gelato Alla Vaniglia ($13.00)</b><br />
Home Made Apple Strudel, served warm and topped with Vanilla Ice-Cream<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S9hiVcJsthI/AAAAAAAAAfw/J2waQxaqv3Q/s1600/_MG_6591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S9hiVcJsthI/AAAAAAAAAfw/J2waQxaqv3Q/s320/_MG_6591.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S9hiX7ItfUI/AAAAAAAAAf0/Fy0eIe0yQFQ/s1600/_MG_6593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S9hiX7ItfUI/AAAAAAAAAf0/Fy0eIe0yQFQ/s320/_MG_6593.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<i>Presentation</i><br />
This dessert comes with a scope of vanilla ice-cream on top of the golden brown baked apple strudel. Cocoa powder and icing sugar were sprinkled around the plate to give it a simple decoration.<br />
<br />
<i>Taste</i><br />
I started eating from the crust of the strudel, but found that the crust is not crispy. It would be a lot better if the crust is crispy. Even though the crust is not cripsy, I can still find a fragrant butter taste used for making the crust and making the crust golden brown. It contains caramelised pine nuts, raisins, walnuts and a few slices of apple. <br />
There is nothing special about the ice-cream which can be found almost anywhere. However having the hot studel and the cold ice-cream both in the mouth at the same time gives a very contradictory feeling, which some people may not like. I like this feeling, which feels like a tug of war happening on my tongue. <br />
<br />
<b>Ratings</b><br />
Presentation: 3/5<br />
Taste: 3.5/5<br />
Value for money: 3/5<br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">NOT RECOMMENDED</div>This is not a dessert that i will go back for, at least not at Modesto. I think there could be other places that do the strudel better than they do.The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-387307935344474212010-04-27T22:54:00.005+08:002010-04-29T01:04:45.440+08:00Pasta from Modesto's @ Vivocity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Modesto, a place that i had been to 3 times before with my love one but this time i went alone after my fashion shoot. Modesto in Italian means shy, modest and humble. <br />
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This branch has a rustic interior of old Italy and Tuscan brickwork. In the evening, the interior has a warm feeling and with the yellow lights, makes the place rather romantic. The tables are spaced quite far away which makes private talk ok.<br />
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It also an outdoor area that overlooks the bay and be able to see Sentosa and Resort World Singapore. Once the Resort World has fully completed the iconic Crane Dance and the Maritime Xperiential Museum, it would pack a view to behold, especially if there are fireworks. This view would be fantastic.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Modesto serves quite a number of Italian dishes. The menu items are all in Italian but the description of the dish is in English. This is to cater to the local crowd. Modesto specialises in their Pasta and also the traditional wood-fried pizza with thin, crisp crust. I had tried their pizza before and indeed they are quite good, but this time i tried their pasta instead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Food</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Tagliolini Aglio Olio Di Nocciola E Peperoncino Con Aragostine ($29.00)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fresh home made pasta with baby lobster meat, slices of fresh chilli, garlic and hazelnut oil</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S9WtiQkgCxI/AAAAAAAAAfo/ntbiZyOtJ8c/s320/_MG_6586.jpg" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S9WteO8Cb8I/AAAAAAAAAfg/KtjOQTSsXXU/s1600/_MG_6580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S9WteO8Cb8I/AAAAAAAAAfg/KtjOQTSsXXU/s320/_MG_6580.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S9WtZepse9I/AAAAAAAAAfY/nYTkjpo1E-A/s1600/_MG_6577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VruZZLhcqGI/S9WtZepse9I/AAAAAAAAAfY/nYTkjpo1E-A/s320/_MG_6577.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><i>Presentation</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">What can be see from this spaghetti dish is that the garlic are aplenty and mixed well with the chilli, spaghetti and lobster meat.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<i>Taste</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">The spaghetti is cooked just nice, firm but not hard. In Italian terms, its al dente. The pasta is pan fried till the ideal form. There are a strong garlic taste as there are lots of garlic in this dish. The fresh cut chilli adds slight but of spiciness to the dish, a welcomed addition, else the dish would be rather monotonous.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The baby lobster meat is realtively fresh but not the freshest that I hade tried before.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The only thing that i dislike is that the spaghetti is slight dry due to the lack of the hazelnut oil. This make twirling the spaghetti a bit difficult.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Given this dish cost nearly $30 dollars, the portion of this dish is considered to be small.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: lime;">Recommended (only if you can stand the strong garlic taste)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Dessert</b><br />
I have ordered an apple strudel as dessert. Read the <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/04/apple-strudel-from-modesto-vivocity.html">review of the strudel here</a>.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Modesto's Service Attitude</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The staff are very courteous, from the moment you step into the restaurant to the moment you leave. The waiter makes themselves scarces but when you need them, they are easily reachable. Contradicting as it is, but thats what i experienced. Of the many times that i went, only once that they took some time to see me, this could be an exception. </div><div style="text-align: left;">The staff also know their menu well and food items well. The waiter was able to describe to me one of the food item that i had no idea even though of the english description.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Ratings</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Food Presentation: 3/5<br />
Food Taste: 3.5/5<br />
Service Attitude: 4/5<br />
Cleanliness: 4/5<br />
Value for Money: 3/5<br />
With a nice view of the bay, especially after the Genting Resort World has been fully completed, it is worth to go into this restaurant if you happen to be around the area. Their pizza are good, pasta is reasonably ok but skip their dessert though. I believe there are better dessert elsewhere.<br />
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<span style="color: lime;">RECOMMENDED</span></div></div>The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-70825695686365784642010-04-22T20:20:00.001+08:002010-04-22T20:23:33.616+08:00Q & A With Andrew Scrivani (Round 2)<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">This is the following the article that i posted a few days back on. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">If you missed the main article. Read it <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/04/some-tips-on-how-to-take-photos-of-food.html">here</a>.</span></span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Read the 1st part of the Q&A <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/04/q-with-andrew-scrivani-round-1.html">here</a></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Q.</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Any tips on shooting brown food? Like sauces, mashed potatoes with gravy, etc? They never come out right. Thanks.</span></span></div><div class="a left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 2px; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">A.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">I am so glad you asked this question. Brown and dark green foods are by far the hardest to photograph. This is where all of your skill as a photographer and especially a lighter comes into play. When I shot<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>the Nigella Lawson column<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>for the Times several years ago, a large portion of her food was dark. Creating a shimmer on the food is essential to create depth. Side lighting the food was almost always the solution to get that shimmer. I have also taken to extreme macro shots (finding one specific highlight on the plate to focus on) or the action shot as was the case with her food: pouring, spooning, cutting, etc. Also, carefully selecting your props and colors really helps compliment the food.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span id="more-24041"></span></span></span></div><div class="q left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 31px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Q.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">My question is, do you think it’s possible to get carried away with close-ups? Would it be better to mix it up a bit and show more environment around food now and then?</span></span></div><div class="a left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 2px; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">A.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">I would definitely say you could get carried away with the close up. When I was first shooting food I was obsessed with it. It took some time to get comfortable moving away from the plate, but when I did, my portfolio has a balance it didn’t have before.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="q left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 31px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Q.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">What about the times when you have to photograph in the late evening indoors? Any tips to improve the photos for night home lighting (with the yellow light)? How can you make the best of such lighting situations? Does an extra light source help – If so which kind? </span></span></div><div class="a left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 2px; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">A.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">So many of you are realizing that the hardest part for any photographer, professional or amateur is the manipulation of light. The key word is light…you will need at least some light to make a good photograph and in restaurants a good rule of thumb is that if you cannot see your food well with the naked eye you will probably struggle without lighting equipment. There is no magic bullet to solving the low-light issues in restaurants and no really great low-tech solutions that will help you make night photos that will rival the daylight photos on your blog. I shot in restaurants for years with professional gear and still needed to take plates back into he kitchen just to get a somewhat usable image for publication when lighting the room was not an option.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">With that said the way you can try to get that usable night or low-light shot would be to set your camera to manual, raise your ISO to its best high setting (this varies depending on your equipment). Go to your most open aperture (the best you can do on many point and shoot cameras is 2.8), use a tabletop tripod, a slow shutter speed and if possible a shutter release cable to avoid jostling the camera when shooting.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">For the photographer who is working at home and wants to invest in some lighting equipment here are some quick homemade studio lighting options:</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">The<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Lowel Ego tabletop light<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>works well to light small plates or to use in conjunction with your reflectors and cards on your tabletop. The area it lights is small but will work for a single plate of a macro shot. It can be had for under $100.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">I also have used a single strobe flash set up on a light stand behind a translucent piece of Plexiglas or sheet of gel-like paper. The plexi should be milky white. Set up the food on a table in front of the plexi. When the flash fires behind your table and through the plexi it produces a softer, whiter light that mimics daylight much better than even soft boxes. It will take some time to master this technique, but once you do, it will become your standby for low tech, low light food photography.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Finally, only buy cameras that shoot in RAW format and learn how to manipulate those files like you would if you were developing film. The control over light temperature and exposure will make a world of difference. Working with JPEG files can be very limiting. Most cameras come with their own editing software or you can use Photoshop or another professional editing software.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="q left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 31px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Q.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">I have cobbled together a tabletop ’studio’ of a homemade lightbox and a mish-mash of desk lamps for lighting. Could you recommend some basic/essential studio tools or items (i.e. lighting, backdrop) I would need to take very simple yet sharp images with my point-and-shoot?</span></span></div><div class="a left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 2px; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">A.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">I use paper, fabric, wood and plastic as both backdrops and tabletops on my studio table interchangeably. Other simple studio tools are some small reflective light discs (they are usually silver/gold/black/white on alternating sides), small clamps for making your discs stand up on your table. They can also be used to make rigs to hold items like spoons and forks when you work alone, small scrims to filter the light, white fun tack or other gum-like product to hold items that roll or slide in place. Chopsticks and tweezers are good to have on hand for manipulating the fine details of the food and if you can afford them, a set of auto poles. The auto poles can be used to hold backdrops that can be either anchored like a cyc where the food sits on top of the paper and rises to a backdrop or a true background where you create a false wall behind the food.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="q left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 31px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Q.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">What do you normally shoot with and what is the lens you use the most often? </span></span></div><div class="a left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 2px; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">A.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">I shoot with Canon 5D Mark II and Canon 1DS Mark II Digital SLR cameras. My primary food lenses are a Canon 50MM Macro and a Canon 100MM L Series Macro lens. I always recommend fixed lenses for food shooting because they tend to have lower F-stops. I also have a Lensbaby lens that helps create some very funky effects when I’m feeling the need for a change.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="q left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 31px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Q.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Andrew, what do you say to the photographer looking to capture food in a more natural way? I’m a food blogger at home, and an Art Director at work. Having been on my fair share of magazine food shoots I understand what goes into making a photograph editorially beautiful. But I’m looking for something more raw and less perfect for my blog, but still appetizing. My issue is more on creating mood and accessibility (making the reader say – I can do that!) as opposed to slick and unattainable. Any suggestions?</span></span></div><div class="a left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 2px; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">A.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">To capture food in a natural, organic way I try to employ the act of eating or preparing it in the photos. Certainly no one wants to see mouths and teeth, but I often use hands holding spoons and forks with food. I also show food being stirred or worked in its pan or pot with utensils. You can show food being served, people holding platters or plates of food, and food being worked with hands (i.e. kneading bread or rolling meatballs). Try showing the food cooking on the stove, in the vessel it was cooked in or being sprinkled with cheese or herbs, etc. These are often the most beautiful and least styled images in my portfolio.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Click <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/04/q-with-andrew-scrivani-round-1.html">here</a> for the 1st part of the Q&A. </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"></span></span>The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-41856213175953189452010-04-21T20:55:00.001+08:002010-04-22T20:22:24.105+08:00Q & A With Andrew Scrivani (Round 1)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"></span></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">This is the following the article that i posted a few days back on. The last tip really is a helpful one. Check it out.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">If you missed the previous article. Read it <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/04/some-tips-on-how-to-take-photos-of-food.html">here</a>.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">For the 2nd part of the Q&A, read it <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/04/q-with-andrew-scrivani-round-2.html">here</a> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Q. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">What would you say are some food photography code of conduct when taking photos of restaurant food? I’m tired of “food bloggers” and others taking photos of food, at the same table or next to us, when we’re out to eat. The flash is distracting, and I loathe being forced to wait while my table companions insist on getting a blogworthy shot. What are some ways people can do their photography without being a nuisance to other diners?</span></span></div><div class="a left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 2px; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">A.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">My tip to those who take pictures in dimly lit restaurants is to first, turn off the flash, raise the ISO as high as the camera will go without pixelating the images, use a slow shutter speed and a shallow depth of field (most point and shoot cameras will be able to shoot at 3.5 or even 2.8) and invest in a small tabletop tripod. I have even taken to using the candles on the table to throw some warm, romantic light on the food … to mixed results. This should help not only the photos but also be more courteous to your fellow diners. I think<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Randy Cohen, The Ethicist, would agree.</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="q left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 31px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Q.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">What’s the best way to avoid having the steam of hot food mess with the autofocus on a close-up shot?</span></span></div><div class="a left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 2px; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">A.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Best way to avoid having your auto focus training its electronic eye on your steamy lobster tails would be to turn off the auto focus. Switch to manual and hand focus the camera on the food that is being helpful and sitting still. A lower tech solution is to move the steam by blowing on it or even using a small fan to manipulate the steam to your advantage.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span id="more-23999"></span></span></span></div><div class="q left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 31px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Q.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">How should one think about food photography for a self-published cookbook, where the same type of shot might get (really) old?</span></span></div><div class="a left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 2px; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">A.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">My advice for self-publishing a cookbook would be to have a theme in mind and organize your props, backgrounds and settings in a coordinated way. Keep your lighting consistent. I would also have a “push and pull” approach, meaning push in for some marco shots and pull away for some table shots. Mix up the angles of the shots.</span></span></div><div class="q left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 31px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Q.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Can you recommend a point-and-shoot camera with a great macro lens for super-detailed shots?</span></span></div><div class="a left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 2px; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">A.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">I have had good experiences with both Canon and Panasonic point-and-shoot cameras. I own a Canon G10 and a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZF7. I have also heard good things about the Canon Powershot SD 960 IS, Sony Cyber-Shot DSC_W220 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1.</span></span></div><div class="q left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 31px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Q.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">What about shooting pictures of food while it’s cooking? There’s often flames or smoke to contend with – any tips there?</span></span></div><div class="a left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 2px; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">A.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">You think flames and smoke are a problem? I call that a photo op. Use those organic details to your advantage and try to capture your food in action. I try to redirect the smoke, sometimes using a fan to keep the food in focus, sometimes I let it be and it makes a great picture. Try some BBQ shots this summer … and add some extra paper or cardboard to the mix to make bigger flames.</span></span></div><div class="q left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 31px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Q.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Are you aware of good fluorescent lights that give off a more natural light for photography?</span></span></div><div class="a left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 2px; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">A.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">If you have a RAW setting on your camera shoot in that format. If you are shooting in fluorescent light you may be able to adjust your white balance in Photoshop or another editing software to make your lighting look more natural.</span></span></div><div class="q left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 31px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Q.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Could you take one specific kind of food and give some tips about photographing it? For instance, yesterday I had to take pics of a loaf of prune quick bread. I wanted to the shot to be pleasing to the eye, but also to show reality-size, color, texture, etc– how the bread truly was and how it should look after you made it. Top? Side? Angle? Straight on? On cooling rack? On platter? I did get it outdoors, which was good as it’s snowing today.</span></span></div><div class="a left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); clear: left; float: left; height: 32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 2px; width: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">A.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">My experience has often been that until the food is on the table it is hard to determine what the best angle will be. I very often have an image in my head and I will sketch my idea and try to re-create the sketch. Some foods, particularly foods that are amorphous tend to work graphically with really striking or interesting props, often straight on or over the top. Sometimes food is ugly and in order to made in interesting picture the rest of the setting needs to help out a bit. With your prune bread, my sketch looks like a few slices, piled askew with one slice showing its face and the prunes inside. I may use an off color wooden cutting board, an antique knife and shoot it straight on – that’s the image that popped into my head.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Proceed to the <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/04/q-with-andrew-scrivani-round-2.html">2nd part</a> of the Q&A </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"></span></span>The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-15068199489139420122010-04-16T23:10:00.003+08:002010-04-21T20:58:16.203+08:00Some Tips on How to Take Photos of Food<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">An article that i found in NYtimes on how to take good photos of food. Read the full article below. <a href="http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/06/how-to-take-photos-of-food/"></a></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">A few of the tips i find are really useful. Pay attention to point 1 and 2. Those are the easiest to achieve in any typical restaurant setting. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Point 4 seems a bit technical to non photo enthusiast. It is basically saying not to shine direct light onto the food. Best that the light source has a translucent white paper covering it.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">For point 5, ask the waitress for the brightest table and seat that the restaurant has. This is a must. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">I will post more of Andrew's tips in the next few updates. Remember to come back if you want to improve your food photo taking skills. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">The 1st part of his Q&A can be found <a href="http://thehungrysaint.blogspot.com/2010/04/q-with-andrew-scrivani-round-1.html">here</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><i>Andrew Scrivani, a freelance photographer and food stylist for The New York Times, is taking questions on how to photograph food. Andrew writes the food and photography blog<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Making Sunday Sauce. Post your question in the comments below and he will respond throughout the week. In the meantime, here are five basic tips on creating a successful food portrait.</i></span></span><br />
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</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><b>Making Food Pretty</b></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">1.<b> Shoot in natural light </b>whenever possible. Use window light, shoot outdoors. Flash photography is possible but not preferable<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">and takes some gear and instruction to execute well. The flash in most point-and-shoot cameras is your worst enemy for shooting food. Your photos will always look dull and flat from this type of flash. Turn it off. Ideally you want your food to be back lit or side lit.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">2. <b>Fill your frame with the food</b>. You don’t want to have a lot of empty space, meaning it shouldn’t be so far away from the plate that you don’t capture what’s on the plate.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">3. <b>Set up your plate with the same care</b> you might apply to dressing yourself for a night out — classic, coordinated and elegant. Every imperfection is magnified under the camera. Don’t overfill the plate. Smaller is better. Larger plates, bowls and pots are much more difficult to frame. Keep your plates below 10 inches wide.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span id="more-14813"></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">4. For bright and sunny days, <b>where there is direct light, use a white card or paper</b>, placing the food between the light source and the card, which will allow the light to bounce off the card, ultimately softening the level of brightness. And you can also use scrims, filters and gel frosts (available at any camera shop) to cover the window and allow the daylight to filter through. Cloudy days or indirect sunlight often don’t need filtering. Also, wearing neutral colors like white or tan will help reflect light back onto your subject.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">5. When shooting in low light, <b>move the food to the brightest part of the room</b>. Turn up your lamps and other light sources. For a point-and-shoot, turn off your flash and employ a tripod or a flat surface to keep the camera steady. Hand holding the camera in low light will often produce blurry images.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">The link to the article can be found <a href="http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/06/how-to-take-photos-of-food/">here.</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"> </span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"> </span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,'times new roman',times,serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"></span></span>The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-5987863575282415182010-04-11T23:12:00.001+08:002010-04-11T23:31:32.820+08:00Having Sleepless nights? It may be linked to what you ate in the day.If you are having sleeping trouble, there are 5 foods that are advised not to be eaten before going to sleep.<br />
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<b>Canned and smoked meats</b>:<br />
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A favorite meal for many people, a sandwich of smoked meat, sausage, or sliced meat. Smoked meats have high levels of amino acid tyramine, which causes the brain to release norepinephrine, which alerts the brain and makes us to be vigilant and stir.<br />
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<b>Chocolate</b>:<br />
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Do you love it? Be careful in the evening. Many people have excessive sensitivity against caffeine, especially at older ages, and even the smallest piece of chocolate or ice cream can prevent them from sleeping at night. Chocolate contains tyrosine, which is tonic amino acid.<br />
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<b>Energy drinks:</b><br />
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Energy drinks like Red Bull are very rich with caffeine in addition to the amino acid taurine, which increase alertness and adrenaline. Recent studies have shown that, even if they dealt with energy drinks early in the day, the high-dose common for taurine and caffeine can make sleep difficult.<br />
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<b>Tomato sauce, chili, pizza, spicy foods</b>:<br />
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Digestive disorder is a common source of sleep problems, but many people fail to discover the link. Acidic and spicy foods can cause the heartburn and other symptoms that cause sleeping problems.<br />
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<b>Alcohol</b>:<br />
Drinking alcohol can increase the feeling of relaxation, but will return later in the night to cause insomnia. Because alcohol causes dehydration, this will make you wake up to urinate more, which means disturbance all over the duration of sleep. Wine also contains a catalyst.The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-79276875293559712022010-04-08T00:30:00.003+08:002010-04-10T02:49:34.090+08:00First Camera, Then ForkThis is an article that i found from New York Times regarding the current relationship of eating and photography. Nowadays with the affordability of the digital cameras, DSLR or not, everything and anything you eat can be photographed. Read on....... <br />
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First Camera, Then Fork<br />
By KATE MURPHY<br />
Published: April 6, 2010<br />
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JAVIER GARCIA, a 28-year-old neuroscientist at the University of California, Irvine, was in the campus pub recently having a grilled cheese sandwich. But before he took a bite, he snapped a digital picture of it, cheese artistically oozing between toasted white bread, just as he has photographed everything he has eaten in the last five years.<br />
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Every other week he posts the photos on his Web site, ejavi.com/javiDiet, providing a strangely intimate and unedited view of his life and attracting fans from as far away as Ecuador. The nearly 9,000 photos leave nothing out, not even snacks as small as a single square of shredded wheat.<br />
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When he lost his iPhone while visiting New York last month, he pleaded with exasperated friends to take pictures of his food and to e-mail them to him, lest his record be incomplete. “It was a nightmare,” Mr. Garcia said, particularly because the unfocused pictures “were not the quality I’m used to.”<br />
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In 1825, the French philosopher and gourmand Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin wrote, “Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.” Today, people are showing the world what they eat by photographing every meal, revealing themselves perhaps more vividly than they might by merely reciting the names of appetizers and entrees.<br />
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Keeping a photographic food diary is a growing phenomenon with everything from truffle-stuffed suckling pig to humble bowls of Cheerios being captured and offered for public consumption. Indeed, the number of pictures tagged “food” on the photo-sharing Web site Flickr has increased tenfold to more than six million in the last two years, according to Tara Kirchner, the company’s marketing director. One of the largest and most active Flickr groups, called “I Ate This,” includes more than 300,000 photos that have been contributed by more than 19,000 members. There would be more, but members are limited to 50 photos a month. The same phenomena can be found on other sites like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Foodspotting, Shutterfly, Chowhound and FoodCandy.<br />
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Nora Sherman, 28, the deputy director of the City University of New York’s Building Performance Lab, which promotes sustainable construction, finds that the pictures she takes of her food are her most popular posts on Facebook, Twitter and on her blog, Thought for Food, (noraleah.com). The immediate and enthusiastic commentary on, say, an arugula and feta salad or a plate of fried okra have given her a sense of connection and community since moving to Manhattan from New Orleans in 2006.<br />
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“People I have never met follow my blog and know me through the food I eat,” Ms. Sherman said. She was even introduced to her boyfriend through someone she came to know through his comments on the food pictures on her blog, and who thought the two might be a match.<br />
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She said she takes pictures of at least half the meals she eats, omitting, for example, multicourse meals when it might “interrupt the flow.” But she has noticed lately that it’s becoming harder to suppress the urge to shoot. “I get this ‘must take picture’ feeling before I eat, and what’s worse is that I hate bad pictures so I have to capture it in just the right light and at just the right angle,” Ms. Sherman said.<br />
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She uses a Canon PowerShot S90 and uploads pictures to her Web site daily, sometimes several times a day, which takes at most 30 minutes a day. The camera, she said, is small but works well in low light. She doesn’t style her photos, saying, “I like to take shots that no pro would ever take — holding an oyster in my hand about to slurp it down, or a bagel with a bite out of it.”<br />
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Her impulse to photograph her food and do so artistically has made her a more adventurous eater. “It’s driven me to seek out interesting, photogenic foods,” she said. She is now more likely to eat foods she would have once avoided, like beef tendon, heart and tripe at an Asian shopping mall in Flushing, Queens. And, she said, photographing the food has kept her honest when she has started diets: “When I decided to have salad for dinner during a juice fast, I snapped and posted that.”<br />
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Photos are also a means of self-motivation for Mr. Garcia, who began photographing his food after he lost 80 pounds. “It’s definitely part of my neuroticism about trying to keep thin,” he said. “It keeps you accountable because you don’t want to have to see that you ate an entire jar of peanut butter.”<br />
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And, ever the scientist, he hopes to one day use the photographs to calculate how much money he spends to consume a calorie versus how much he spends in gym memberships and sports gear to burn a calorie. “People I have dated haven’t been that into it,” he said of his food photo-journaling. “But it’s never been a deal breaker.”<br />
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Pamela Hollinger, 36, an independent radio programmer and announcer in Stephenville, Tex., said her husband of eight years is resigned to her taking pictures of her food. “When we were dating, it was like, ‘What are you doing?’ ” she said. “Now it’s a quirk he’s come to accept.”<br />
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Her habit began in 1997 as a way to show her mother what she ate on vacations, but she now photographs almost everything she eats, leaving out only insignificant snacks and anything unappealing looking, like a bowl of oatmeal. “I think getting an iPhone had a lot to do with it,” Ms. Hollinger said. “It’s so easy to just take a quick picture of what I’m eating and no one really notices.” Or maybe they think she is just texting at the table.<br />
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She e-mails the pictures directly from her phone to a few friends and posts some of them on her Facebook page as well as on Chowhound. “I like to show off what I’m eating or something I’ve made that I’m proud of, like a pork rib-eye roast that became pulled pork sandwiches and then pork tacos and then pork salad,” she said. “I get more comments on my food pictures than anything else. Within seconds, I get, ‘Oh, I’m jealous,’ or ‘Hey, can I come over?’ ”<br />
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That some people are keeping photographic food diaries and posting them online does not surprise psychotherapists. “In the unconscious mind, food equals love because food is our deepest and earliest connection with our caretaker,” said Kathryn Zerbe, a psychiatrist who specializes in eating disorders and food fixations at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. “So it makes sense that people would want to capture, collect, catalog, brag about and show off their food.”<br />
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Photographing meals becomes pathological, however, if it interferes with careers or relationships or there’s anxiety associated with not doing it. “I’d have to ask if they would feel O.K. if they didn’t do it,” said Tracy Foose, a psychiatrist at the University of California, San Francisco, who treats patients with obsessive-compulsive disorders. “Could they resist the urge to do it?”<br />
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Joe Catterson, the general manager of Alinea restaurant in Chicago, said that, increasingly, people can’t. “One guy arrived with the wrong lens or something on his camera and left his wife sitting at the table for an hour while he went home to get it,” he said.<br />
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Such compulsion is apparent even at restaurants where the plating is less elaborate. “They’ve got to take a picture of their pancakes and send it to their friend,” said John Vasilopoulos, the manager at the Cup & Saucer, a diner on the Lower East Side. “I don’t get it because their food gets cold, but I take it as a compliment.”<br />
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Evidently aware of the trend, manufacturers like Nikon, Olympus, Sony and Fuji have within the last two years released cameras with special “food” or “cuisine” modes, costing around $200 to $600. “These functions enable close-up shots with enhanced sharpness and saturation so the food colors and textures really pop,” said Terry Sullivan, associate editor of digital imaging technologies at Consumer Reports.<br />
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This bemuses Tucker Shaw, the food critic for The Denver Post, who made do with a basic point-and-shoot digital camera to take pictures of everything he ate in 2004; he published the photos in his book, “Everything I Ate: A Year in the Life of My Mouth.”<br />
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“It used to turn heads if you took a picture of your food, and I even got in trouble at a few restaurants,” he said. “Now it’s ubiquitous and just shows that we are in a spastic food era — we couldn’t get more obsessive.”<br />
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Nonetheless, Mr. Shaw said the year he spent photographing his food (and a year was enough for him) resulted in an achingly honest account of his life that revealed far more than the fact that he ate too few leafy green vegetables: “The pictures, I realize now, are incredibly personal, and by looking at them you can probably deduce the type of person I am.” Moreover, the pictures set off memories and emotions in a way a written journal could not. “I remember every single day, who I was with, what I was feeling,” he said.<br />
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Unlike a picture of a flower or friend, a picture of a meal recalls something smelled, touched, tasted and ultimately ingested. Carl Rosenberg, 52, a Web site developer who divides his time among San Francisco; Austin, Tex.; and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, photographs his food along the way with a Nikon D3.<br />
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“You have more of a direct connection with your food, so it forms a more essential memory of an occasion,” he said. He often places a small stuffed animal, a sheep, which he calls the Crazy Sheep, next to his food before taking a picture; reminiscent of the globe-trotting garden gnome in the French film “Amélie.”<br />
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“I think photographing food is a more accurate way to document life,” said Mr. Rosenberg, who shares photos with family and friends but does not post them. “Food isn’t going to put on a special face when you take a picture of it.”The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625378343871562411.post-77573232118643668772010-04-06T22:53:00.006+08:002010-04-10T02:50:13.277+08:00Did I just get 'clubbed' at Coffee Club, Holland?<div>Coffee Club, a chain coffee cafe along with TCC and Starbucks, are all competing with each other in the small Singapore. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I happened to pop into the branch at Holland Village after my class at about 4.30pm. The whole cafe is almost empty at that time. The manager greeted me and lead me to a place at the 2nd storey. Wonderful view i must say, as the cafe is located at a corner of Holland V and i am seated at a table next to the glass panel where i can see the people that are walking outside. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Since i was the only few patrons in the cafe, ordering was easy and serving was quick. I had ordered a Choc Delice and a pot of Earl Grey.</div><div><br />
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</div><div><b>Food</b></div><div>This post will come without any photos as my lens broke down when i am photographing the dessert.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Choc Delice (S$7.00)</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><i>Presentation</i></div><div>This dessert is all about chocolate. It is just like lava cake except that the centre contains dark bittersweet choc mousse. The top portion is covered with dark choc syrup. Overall presentation of the dessert is superb, decorated with raspberries and blueberries and a scope of vanilla ice-cream on top of the rice crispies.</div><div><br />
</div><div><i>Taste</i></div><div>This dessert has a very rich and thick chocolate. It can be said that the mousse in the centre of the cake is slightly hard and if you were to blind fold me and put a scope of the mousse and outer layer of cake together into my mouth, there wouldn't be much of a difference in the texture. The mousse and cake becomes a whole. I believe that if the mousse is fitted into the centre, then the mousse should be the creamy texture layer that would have a twist to the monotonous cake layer.</div><div>The mousse is warmer and becomes creamier and softer towards the bottom of the cake. The mousse melts in the mouth and coats the cake with the creamy choc taste. Wonderful at that.</div><div>However the dark choc syrup outside, and together with the bittersweet choc mousse inside, overpowers everything, inclusive of the blueberries and raspberries. It also doesn't go well with the crispies.</div><div>The vanilla ice-cream gives a refreshing taste to the palate, especially since the cake is so chocolaty. The crispies is sweet and if tasted together with the ice-cream gives a cold, refresh sensation to the palate and they blend really well together.</div><div><br />
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</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Not Recommended (if you are not really a fan of Choc)</b></span></div><div><br />
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</div><div><b>Coffee Club Service Attitude</b></div><div>The waiter was totally gone after the dessert and tea was served. The entire 2nd storey has no waiter around and during my duration of the stay, i only saw a waiter twice. Once when the waiter comes up to their 'room' to change and another time when a new waitress takes over the shift. This is possibly due to the off-peak period that i arrive at the cafe, but this is still no excuse to have all the waiter/waitress hidden away.</div><div>During bill payment, the waiter is outright <b>non-courteous</b>. After i have signed on the credit card receipt, the waiter simply says thank you, sir, and just stands there, while my card and the bill are still stuck in the pocket of the signing pad. He does not even have the courtesy to take the card and the customer copy receipt out to hand it over to me. I even give him some time to see if he will take the card and return it to me, but NO. That was never done. So much for the 10% service charge, where i wasnt even served. :( </div><div>Anyway its a good bye for me. </div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Coffee Club Cleanliness</b></div><div>Overall cleanliness is good.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ratings</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Food Presentation: 4/5</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Food Taste: 2.5/5<br />
Service Attitude: 1/5<br />
Cleanliness: 3.5/5<br />
Value for Money: 1.5/5</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The dessert isn't that fantastic, and the service level of the waiter definitely puts me off. This is the 1st time that i had to take the card out from the pocket myself , so much for any service. I think the service at this join needs to be revamped, having no waiter around while there are still customers in the cafe is UNACCEPTABLE. Given that there are other such coffee joints around, i doubt i would ever step into Coffee Club at Holland Village again. Such service is simply not worth promoting.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">NOT RECOMMENDED</span></b></span></span></div>The Saintshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618841570753505656noreply@blogger.com0