P365 TE Day 151

Ras Malai - My Favorite Indian Dessert

Travel Bite: While eating in India is a challenge, unless you have local friends who know what you want and will take care of you, my no fail favorite dessert is Ras Malai. 

Literally Ras means Juicy, and Malai means Cream. It's really just Paneer (yummy soft cheese - which reminds me of Tiramisu), soaked in a sweetened cream or milk mixture. 

Location: India
Date Photo Taken: April 2011

P365 TE Points for today: 2 out of 3 (for now)
P365 TE Points from Audience Interaction as of May 17: 136

P365 TE Running Points: 436 out of 453 (as of posting)

You can read the background of Project 365 Travel Edition here.  

Feel free to come back everyday. just saying...

P365 TE Day 150

Best Salted Egg Sauce from Irvin's

Travel Bite: One of the popular Singapore dishes in Singapore is anything with Salted Egg Sauce. They serve it with crabs, prawns, chicken, squid, etc. You can get the best Salted Egg Sauce from Irvin's Seafood House in Upper Thompson road (They used to be just down the street from my place on River Valley but I'm sure astronomical rent caused them to move). It really doesn't matter what you order it on because for me it's really the sauce that I go for. Nothing else I've tried has been comparable.

You can read my post on Irvin's here.

Location: Singapore
Date Photo Taken: October 2013

P365 TE Points for today: 2 out of 3 (for now)
P365 TE Points from Audience Interaction as of May 30: 149

P365 TE Running Points: 449 out of 450 (as of posting)

You can read the background of Project 365 Travel Edition here.  

Feel free to come back everyday. just saying...

L'avant Comptoir

This time around, I only had 3 days in Paris, so even before leaving, I did my research well on where I wanted to eat, what days some restaurants were closed, and which places needed reservations.

The output was a list of places for more meals than I actually had. So I had to prioritize the restaurants I wanted to visit for sure, and which places I was flexible about.

L'avant Comptoir falls in the first category.  In fact, I was so excited to try it, it was on my itinerary for dinner just after I arrived from Florence at around 6pm. The plan was to just leave my things at the flat, then go out for a light dinner.

L'avant Comptoir is an Hors d'Oeuvres bar,
the French version of a Tapas Bar.

They have a take out counter at the entrance.

Then you're welcomed by this pig.

The place is Standing Room Only and it's very crowded.

There's also a pig's head mounted on the wall.

The only menu available is hanging from the ceiling.

You need to do your research before hand, so you know what you really
MUST order. Then you can just look around and point to what others are eating.

You'll need to elbow your way through the bar to get space.
Then wait for someone to pay attention.

These were the things on my MUST TRY list: 

Ham and Artichoke Waffles

Macaron de Boudin Noir (Blood Sausage Macaron)

It was my first time to try Blood Sausage. It's quite good.
Softer than a normal sausage, with each bite giving a burst of flavor
that goes really well with the slightly sweet macaron shells.

But I really came here for the Brochette Foie Gras Piquillos.
(Foie Gras and Pimiento on a stick)

This was literally to die for. I couldn't resist a selfie.
Worth the trip. Best first meal in Paris ever!

Just a word of caution: if you're like me, who enjoys the food,
but the drink - not so much, the server (on the left) gets quite sarcastic.
Good thing, I have thick skin and I just enjoyed my meal.

The food is very affordable.
(In fact, it's quite cheap for Paris - and this is St. Germain!) So I get it
when the server gets sarcastic when you don't order expensive drinks.

L'avant Comptoir is the younger sibling of Le Comptoir, right beside,
another highly recommended restaurant in Paris, where you need to
make reservations months in advance.

My first dinner in Paris was one of the best ones I've had, and it was really value for money too. Just a word of caution, since you're eating mostly Hors D' Ouevres, don't come on an empty stomach. It was perfect for me because my wonderful landlady made me zucchini soup which I had as midnight snack when I started getting hungry. Another great idea would be to have a light dinner here, and have a Buerre et Sucre (Butter and Sugar) Crepe for dessert. just saying.

L'avant Comptoir

3 Carrefour de l' l'Odéon

75006 Paris, France

+33 1 44 27 07 97

P365 TE Day 149

Our Lady of Lourdes

Travel Bite: Lourdes has always been one of our favorite destinations in the South of France (very close to the Spanish border) due to it's reputation for healing miracles. Our family went there in 2000, and then again in 2006 when I was based in Paris.

You can line up for the Baths. You'll be assisted by nuns (maybe priests if you're a guy), and you'll be submerged in a marble tub filled with holy water. Beware it's icy cold though.

Location: Lourdes, France
Date Photo Taken: May 2006

P365 TE Points for today: 2 out of 3 (for now)
P365 TE Points from Audience Interaction as of May 28: 148

P365 TE Running Points: 446 out of 447 (as of posting)

You can read the background of Project 365 Travel Edition here.  

Feel free to come back everyday. just saying...

P365 TE Day 148

Malaysian Batik Masks and Shadow Puppets

Travel Bite: What to buy in Malaysia? This also had us stumped, that's why it's not our destination of choice. But if it's your first time, and you're looking for souvenirs, it's worth visiting the Central Market in KL. It's along the subway line so getting there is very easy. The place is air-conditioned and bargaining is expected.

I was able to score some batik masks for my Singapore home and I got Rama and Sita shadow puppets for Sofia.

Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date Photo Taken: February 2011

P365 TE Points for today: 2 out of 3 (for now)
P365 TE Points from Audience Interaction as of May 27: 147

P365 TE Running Points: 443 out of 444 (as of posting)

You can read the background of Project 365 Travel Edition here.  

Feel free to come back everyday. just saying...

Discount Clothing from SYMPA stores in Paris

Paris is the fashion capital of the world. However, not everyone who lives in Paris can afford Louboutins and the Lanvin clothes to go with their red-soled shoes. While there are more affordable French brands, you may be wondering where the locals go to snag a bargain - when retail prices in the stores are very expensive (even for the more affordable brands) and Soldes (or Sale) normally only happens in January and July!

When I lived in Paris 8 years ago, I stumbled on where the locals shop. Montmarte is one of my favorite areas, so I always used to take the tube to Anvers, then I'd walk up the hill to Sacre Couer.

Since I normally get distracted by sale signs, and people happily digging through sale piles, I realized that the SYMPA stores lining the way, were discount clothing stores.

This is the intersection right in front of the Anvers Metro.
You can already see the SYMPA store on your left.

If you go straight up, you'll reach Sacre Couer.

Closer look at the SYMPA store in the corner.

If you enter the store, you'll see well marked piles of clothes with the brand and the price.

On Parle De Vous Discounted Tops

There is no way, you'll be able to buy the blouse at the same price
in the On Parle de Vous boutique.

They have Sinequanone (behind) and American Brands like Ralph Lauren.

There are a lot of SYMPA stores beside each other. If walk up towards Sacre Couer, you'll find them on your left.

Grandes Marques just means branded stuff.
I used to buy a lot of Kookai branded stuff in piles
similar to this when I lived in Paris, for just 2 euros.

They also have clothes for guys.

Just out of curiosity, I checked out Yves Dorsey website and sure enough,
the SYMPA prices are really a steal.

You can also find more SYMPA branches along Boulevard de Rochechouart, which just means that you walk to your right (away from the SYMPA store in the corner), instead of walking up to Sacre Couer.

This is one of the branches on Blvd de Rochechouart.

Just a word of caution, keep your valuables near you at all times. This is a very dangerous area with a lot of pick pockets because there are also a lot of tourists. In fact, when I was there, I could see and hear guys selling used phones to passersby which means they probably just pick-pocketed it from some innocent person passing by.

Since we're on the topic of hidden shopping areas, I will also add another tip.

The best Ice Cream in Paris for me, is the one sold by
the guy standing in this cafe corner (across SYMPA).

It's a soft serve cone that's half Vanilla, and half strawberry sorbet.
Really yummy. It's been my favorite ice cream place since my first visit in 2000!

I think I may be outgrowing my sucker for a sale tendencies though. I actually found several good buys for myself and for Sofia, but I decided to return them because I didn't want to carry them home. I guess, I can only start looking for bargains here when I live in Paris again so bringing them home won't be an issue. just saying.

P365 TE Day 147

Old Town White Coffee in Malaysia

Travel Bite: I don't go to KL often. In fact, if there are cheap flights to KL, we normally pass, since we normally struggle to find something we like eating - and our trips are normally food craving dictated. (unlimited Nasi Goreng and Mee Goreng isn't really my cup of tea)

However, the White Coffee of Malaysia is quite good. It's similar to Singapore's Kopi C (strong coffee mixed with condensed milk). Old Town is like their local Starbucks. You can even find the instant version in the groceries - it's also available here.

Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date Photo Taken: February 2011

P365 TE Points for today: 2 out of 3 (for now)
P365 TE Points from Audience Interaction as of May 26: 146

P365 TE Running Points: 440 out of 441 (as of posting)

You can read the background of Project 365 Travel Edition here.  

Feel free to come back everyday. just saying...

P365 TE Day 146

Wearing a Sari in India

Travel Bite: When travelling, the best way to enjoy yourself is to fit in with the locals. In India, you can do this by wearing a Sari, which I actually did when I celebrated by birthday there in a Sari (but I just went down until the lobby Coffee Shop).

I bought my Sari from the night market in Goa. Bargaining is key because at first the seller wanted 2,000rupees (close to Php2,000) for the one I'm wearing because it "was made out of real gold thread". She ended up selling it for 200 rupees. I guess gold thread has lost it's value. Hahaha.


Location: Mumbai, India
Date Photo Taken: February 2010

P365 TE Points for today: 2 out of 3 (for now)
P365 TE Points from Audience Interaction as of May 25: 145

P365 TE Running Points: 437 out of 438 (as of posting)

You can read the background of Project 365 Travel Edition here.  

Feel free to come back everyday. just saying...

Tim Ho Wan now open in Manila

Tim Ho Wan, the popular dimsum place in Hong Kong, known for it's BBQ Pork Buns and for the affordable Michelin star experience has finally opened in Manila. It's been open for less than a week, so expect long lines during meal times, but I've heard that the line during off hours are manageable. 

Tim Ho Wan opened a few days ago in Megamall's
Fashion Mall, the new wing in Building B.

Best not to come during meal times as the lines are long.
We sent someone to line up for us, so even if we were first,
we needed to wait for tables to be available since there were 8 of us.

This is the placemat is also the menu.
We planned what we wanted to order while we were waiting.

We were strategically able to work in lunch at TimHoWan
in between trade visits.

I wanted some congee because I love everything with salted egg.
This has both Century and Salted Eggs plus some pork bits.

The fried dumpling with Wasabi was good. Not too oily, with a kick.

I will definitely come back for the dimsum. It's good, just like Tim Ho Wan in Singapore. (My memories of Hong Kong were more of the BBQ Pork Buns).

Hakaw

Spinach Shrimp Dumplings

And my favorite Carrot Cake. Super Yummy.

Spare Ribs

Since we came for the BBQ Pork Buns, we ordered 6 orders to be shared by 8 of us.

Nothing beats Freshly Baked BBQ Pork Buns

I love how soft the bread is on top, while the bottom remains crisp.

This is the inside of the BBQ Pork Bun

If you're asking how it fares compared to Hong Kong or Singapore, I will let you be the judge based on the pictures.

SG vs. HK

Personally, I remember the BBQ Pork Buns to be the best from Hong Kong. But if you eat the BBQ Pork Buns at the restaurant, when it's piping hot, I think the difference is minimal, and they are all very good. I don't know if it's just me, but I think the buns from SG and HK were also meatier, but that may just be the pictures.

For dessert, we had the Mango Pomelo with mini sago (tapioca).
It was very refreshing.

It's nice that we no longer have to go to Hong Kong or Singapore to satisfty our Tim Ho Wan craving. So when we go to those places, we can focus on our other favorite things to eat.  just saying.

Tim Ho Wan

UG/F SM Megamall, Julia Vargas St

Wack Wack, Mandaluyong