[Review] La Ristrettos Coffee Boutique

Discovered this coffee boutique by chance when my colleague and I walked past its poster at Novena Square. Quietly tucked in the corner on level 8 of Novena Medical Centre is this hidden gem. Despite the busy lunch hour, La Ristrettos provided a perfect getaway. It is just a small unit, probably a 20-seater at best, with al fresco option.

However, the ambience is so ideal. Warm and cosy, with hint of coffee in the air. Open concept coffee bar sees the barista at work.

We chose the indoor high seat and it overlooks the bamboo garden outside. Feast for the eyes even before our food came. The seating arrangement was spaced adequately, so it was not too much of a squeeze, and still able to chat comfortably. The menu is extensive with different kinds of coffee, pasta dishes, salads, sandwiches, soup, brunch...

For lunch, I ordered my usual Iced Americano, and a Panini Cotoletta.

Panini Cotoletta ($11)

Their Panini Cotoletta was a clear winner. I always thought nothing can go wrong with Panini, and thus, nothing can go especially well with it. Usually sandwiches are my insurance choice, and Panini tops the insurance choice for its lower calories. Ah well, forget about the calories in this case.. 

Panini Cotoletta is an awesome combination of panini, italian schnitzel, lemon aioli, avocado, paired with garden greens tossed in balsamic vinaigrette. The panini bread was smothered with butter and toasted, giving it a chewy texture. The portion is not at all small, so expect a very filling lunch. In fact I only ate the top bread. The italian schnitzel was so tasty. It is so spot-on for a schnitzel! The batter was tasty, and fried to perfection. Chicken was still tender. Topped with the lemon aioli, it was well-balanced, shaving away the greasiness, and yet topping another notch in taste. 

Fried chicken, aioli, buttered panini, sounds too heavy right? Thank goodness for the avocados! Ripe slices of avocado accented the dish, simultaneously adding a creamy dimension.

Moving on to my Iced Americano.. For the longest time ever I've declared my love for Iced Americano, and sometimes white. How I can resist not ordering a cuppa at a coffee boutique? They have Americano ($3.50) on the menu, but not Iced Americano. Just add ice, it's a dollar for ice. I wonder why is the ice quite overpriced. But at $4.50, it is still great value for money for a cup of Iced Americano. It is one of the fair priced cup that I've had in cafes.

Americano is basically just espresso shots topped with hot water. To me, it is always the good way to find out the cafe's coffee quality through Americano. It is a skill test as well. When brewed at a sub-optimal temperature, the espresso shot actually goes sour.

So, I am actually a little disappointed about my Iced Americano here. Though the espresso was done correctly, but the coffee strength and aroma was lacking. It was rather bland for my liking. For a place that touts using good coffee beans, I would have expected more from my Iced Americano. I started sipping from the bottom of the cup, so I'm pretty sure it was bland not because the ice diluted it. 

I love this place for it's ambiance and Panini Cotoletta. Will give the Americano another chance soon, and hope it was just a 'misunderstanding' =)

Dreams are realised, not lost.

Do you still remember the numerous times in primary school when you were tasked to write about your dreams and ambitions? I did.

When I was in Primary 4, I wanted to be a reporter. A war-zone reporter to be precise. That was when I was age 10 and 'war-zone' was kind of sugar coated. Tales of bravery of front line soldiers, the protection and 'special rights' of war-zone reporter enticed me. No one said my aspiration was bad or wrong or whatsoever.

I was very much into chinese writing, and had my first article published in Lianhe Zaobao in Primary 5. It was a big step for me to experience how it feels to see my work goes into public eyes. A step nearer to being a war-zone reporter perhaps.

However, as I grew older, all I can do is to laugh off that aspiration. Cliche as can be, what is right of war, and do I really want to be there to report what is left of war? And the 'special rights', I can only say that bullets have no eyes.

And then I remember distinctively in Primary 6, the same question was asked again in class. This time, my best friend answered that she wants to be a professor. I have never heard of the title professor before, but had an idea of what it is after her explanation. So, I wanted to be a professor too! 

Slowly over the years, many of us probably forgets what we wanted to be, what our dreams are. Which is really alright, because along the way we would explore the different options we have in life.

Really, are our dreams lost?

I would say no. We merely adapted our dreams to reality. We realise our dreams. We become realistic.

So, my dream was to become a war-zone reporter... and along the line in the media industry. I went on to major in Mass Communications in university.

I don't think I fell too far off target by doing few months of sports journalism last year, and switching to corporate communications this year. Ultimately the same basis holds, and the dream was not lost at all, in fact it upgraded into something better. This is the power of adaptation. If we do not reflect and re-draw our life plans to make it work out, you can only imagine the agony.

What about my professor dream? I am very much encouraged by the academic paper oral presentation offer at the International conference slated for August, which I have sadly rejected the invitation due to circumstance. The timing is not right. However, I believe I will become better in time to come. Slightly disheartened now but I definitely will move on.

Back to dreams and growing up. 

Of course I didn't have it easy. A lot of challenges and tumbles along the way, but hold strong to your belief and the strength will come. It does not matter whether or not you realise your dream at the first attempt, it is the journey that you learn most. 

At age 24, I am still so green to the society, and in particular, corporate world. So much to learn, but don't lose sight of your dreams. Make it work out for you. Everyone have some form of regrets, me too, but I try not to let it hold me back. I'm still trying hard, but I am sure we are all able to find some way to compensate the regrets we have in our life somehow. 

It's midweek, look up and take a breather. Everything will be fine.

Vlog #12 - Wet'n'Wild & Warner Bros. Movie World

Third installation of my Gold Coast Adventures. Trip was made in May this year, and slowly rolled out in subsequent vlogs! I believe there could be one or two more vlogs in the pipline! 

As part of the VIP Pass that I purchased, I could enjoy unlimited entry into 3 parks. I've covered Sea World in my previous vlog, therefore, a natural continuation to the series is my visit to Wet'n'Wild and Warner Bros. Movie World! 

If you are planning your trip to Gold Coast and worrying if allocating an entire day to Wet'n'Wild is too excessive.. Yes, it is! However, fret not. You can just walk over to Movie World which is along the same highway. Ten minutes for a nice easy stroll over. En route you'll see Paradise County as well. For arrangement of transport, you can alight at Wet'n'Wild and make arrangements to head back to city from Movie World, or even Paradise County.

I had a great time especially at Movie World! The parade was awesome!

I hope you enjoyed the vlog as well.

Vlog #11 - KidZania Malaysia with Savelle!

During my last trip to KL, I brought my niece to KidZania located at The Curve. It is a children amusement park which simulates employment and economy. Kids will have the chance to try out all the different kind of employment, from cashier, fast food server, postman, uniformed personnel, civil servant, to surgeon, insurance agent and more.

It was fun and worth the visit. 

Thank you for watching. 

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Souvenirs - Trust issue begins.

Usually I'll come home with some souvenirs for my family, friends and colleagues. So for my Gold Coast trip, I bought snacks and key chains for them. I'm sure everyone would have received the 'Australia' koala or kangaroo key chains a million times, but I would still get it again as I appreciate all the hardwork/ extra effort that the rest have to put in so that I could enjoy my holidays. Imagine your colleagues slogging over the extra work load while you're away enjoying. Least I could do is to appreciate.

First day of my trip, I went outlet shopping at Harbour Town and there's a souvenir shop. Price was reasonable to me so I bought all the souvenirs I needed there. Anyway, everything was Made in China. Get over and done with, I thought. But actually, when I explored Surfer's Paradise the next day, I realised I have paid 30% - 40% more for those souvenirs hahahahahaha! Go to the shop at Surfer's with the megaphone for lowest priced souvenirs. Lesson learnt.

I tried looking for Made in Australia souvenirs, but I didn't manage to find them at Harbour Town. Continued hunting at Surfer's and that's when I started having trust issue with souvenirs.

I sure I can fly with this.

Cute plushies, those with 'Australia' printed, embroidered, tagged... Flip around, Made in China. Some are Designed in Australia, Made in China. No difference.

And I thought I would be safe with 'Hand-Crafted'. Those boomerangs. Look at the fine prints, 'Hand-Crafted in Indonesia'. 

Frankly, I was looking for Made in Australia souvenir for a friend.

And I saw this. AUSTRALIAN GOLD. I was thinking, awesome. Nothing can go wrong. However, I flipped the packaging, Made in China! 

Tell me, how to resolve this trust issue?! That is why I bought more snacks as souvenirs. 

Australia produces large amount of dairy products. Therefore, chocolates are a safe bet. I bought a carton of Tim-Tam back. There's only 6 in a carton though. Weighed about 2 kg only. Great choice as it's not too taxing on my baggage limit.

Anyway, after shopping in numerous souvenir shops, to be fair, I found out that most of them have a section of Australian-produced souvenirs like plushies, opal key chains, opal book marks etc. But usually they are located deeper into the shop. I need to shop wiser next time in souvenir shops. 

I also managed to get kangaroo fur key chains from the local market directly from the guy who made it. Rest assure, I've also asked about its source. They were from the butchery. Kangaroo meat is common in Australia and thus by-products need not be obtained through poaching. If otherwise, I would not have bought them. Kudos.

Vlog #10 - Timezone Surfer's Paradise

Timezone Surfer's Paradise, located at Centro, is currently the world's largest Timezone. It was huge as compared to the ones we have in Singapore. It's always a good idea to pop over after all the shops are closed as Timezone remains opened till midnight daily!

Environment was brightly lit, clean and filled with fun vibes. All kind of game machines for all ages. However, if you're looking to gamble, then you might have to visit those slots and video poker gaming venue down the street instead. Timezone does not provides any form of gambling, which I think is really good. No smoking too. 

Thank you for watching Vlog #10. 

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