V^3 Review: Apple iPhone

Yes folks, I have an iPhone. It is brilliant in it's execution and a perfect example of the Apple philosophy... introduce "new" technologies, and force your user base to learn them, while excluding "unnecessary" features.

Generally when reviewing products, from waffle irons to driving irons, you tend to look at what the product has, but I find that I should spend equal time looking at what the iPhone doesn't have. Like video recording.

For a company so "in touch" with whats "hip" and "happening", for a company that knows to include an option to make the text "hip-hop" on all the menus and as an additional feature on the Safari browser, how could they not include video recording? How are you meant to film yourself if you're suddenly inspired to do a crip video, or CRUMP?

Where is the Youtube LOVE? Then again, I suppose they reason that you wouldn't want to put your iPhone on the dirty dirty floor to film your Adicolors / Superstars / Nike Cortez as you're walkin' it out.


Another notable exclusion is the lack of dials. I mean, every good invention needs a dial. And no laser support? How the heck am I going to continue my plans for world domination without lasers? I mean, isn't that Apple's company goal? World domination? Surely Steve Jobs is an expert at that, looking at the success of the iPod which is now synonymous for any mp3 player...

Moving on, the best feature of the iPhone I feel, is being able to hold it up high in the air like a beacon, attracting hot chicks and businessmen with suitcases of money. Because every real business-person has an iPhone. Much like the original poster for Star wars, it's as if the iPhone is the modern-day (or... current-day) equivalent of a lightsaber?

If Star Wars is set in "A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away...", why does all their stuff ROCK so much harder than ours? And why has Yoda, in his 900 years of existence and astounding wisdom never mastered basic English grammar? Why am I talking about Star Wars in an Apple oriented post? I think the answer is quite clear.

The whole Apple philosophy and image that they're promoting is that Apple are "rebels". "I'm a Mac, I'm a PC" is just another way of saying "I'm a Jedi, I'm an evil Sith Lord". It's like Bill Gates is the evil yet nerdy Darth Vader, building up a Death-Star XP Vista and enslaving all the universe to following his evil Sith ways, in the Dark Side of the Force that is modern computing. And when the future seemed the dimmest... *cough* Windows 2000 *cough*, "A New Hope" came in the form of.. Steve Jobs and his candy-coloured Apple iBooks. And fashionable computing.

Fast-forward 7-8 years down the track and the Apple brand is synonymous with cool, hip, happening, silhouetted dancing and annoying fanboys. Yes, I'm a Mac user and have to admit that the MacEvangelism is a very annoying marketting tool. I'll end with this, get a Mac. It looks cool. Chicks dig it. And if you're a chick, dudes dig it. Having a white (or silver shiny) laptop totally shows your creativity and "zest for life".

After-note: For those of you playing along at home, I don't have an iPhone... and I am rather bored today. And yes, the Photoshop is meant to look absurdly fake. (But only because I'm crap at Photoshop)

V^3 Review of Blades of Glory:

Blades of Glory: starring Will Ferrell, and Jon Heder (the guy from Napoleon Dynamite) provided a smorgasbord of humorous and disturbing imagery to dazzle the mind. The scenes in this movie will have the audience genuinely chuckle, cry and cringe every couple of minutes, which is impressive as most movies nowadays which try to be funny just end up being stupid and lame. The combination of these two actors, was quite brilliant because, to be quite frank, these guys are pretty much willing to do anything for a laugh.



The storyline, whilst simple, I found it to be very entertaining because…c’mon, two men…grown men, wearing flamboyant costumes and competing in paired ice-skating…who doesn’t want to see that? If you just put your hand up, you’re lying. The execution of the two main characters by Ferrell and Heder was excellent. Ferrell, being a raw, and untamed male, being coupled with Heder, who was ultra prissy, and borderline gay, was hilarious. The movie was masterfully scripted with many memorable quotes and will have most in stitches. If there were one thing worth seeing, it would definitely be the ending. I won’t give it away, but I can confidently say that it will leave you in shock, awe, and probably have you scratching your head as it is that incomprehensibly wonderful. It is comparable to seeing that magic trick where the magician pours water into a bucket, and when he goes to throw it at you, only confetti comes out. You don’t know what the hell just happened, but you know it was freaking cool, and you want to see it again.

V^3 gives Blades of Glory 5/5

V^3 Movies: 300 [turbo review]

Yes, that's right, I'm reviewing 300 randomly with no explanation for the random absence. That explanation'll come in my other blog.

Moving along, I got around to seeing this movie last Friday and was speechless upon leaving the cinema. It was GOOD definitely, but there were just too many awe-inspiring moments visually to pick a favourite.

The movie 300 is not:
1. Intensely mentally stimulating
2. Historically accurate
3. Always tasteful


I won't give away too much but just don't expect an intense psychological thriller or an intense multi-layered tapestry of plot. Most of the movie is fan-service. (a la "Lets have awesome fight scenes!")

And 2 and 3 sort of come together in that there are a lot of freaks in this movie...
Does anyone think that Xerxes is some transvestite Dhalsim (taken from the IGN review)?

There are also a lot of unintentionally funny lines / scenes in the movie that take a perverted or extremely immature sense of humour to appreciate.

For what it is (a visually awesome spectacle of computer generated effects and macho war-cries), it does the job extremely well. If that sort of stuff floats your boat, go watch it NOW.

For those who've seen it already, I reveal to you this video. Don't watch it if you haven't seen the movie yet, cos it uses quite a lot of footage from the film. Enjoy:

V^3 Food Review: Mexicana Cantina, Bentley

Uni food normally consists of beer, pizza and my very favourite... Nachos!

So if you so happen to find yourself within the concrete jungle called Bentley campus, there is this little hidden cantina which sells authentic mexican food.



These nachos have some real substance to them. What makes these nachos so delectable is the composition of such a dish. You start of with the hot crispy nacho chips covered in an authentic tomato salsa with plenty of sour cream. Most places would stop there and call it a day. However, Mexicana Cantina takes it one step further by adding in real beef. The meat is the substance of this dish, with hearty chunks of beef that fall apart in your mouth, so tender and definately completes a once commonly bland food. This will always be a favourite of mine. Prices are quite resonable too, These nachos will set you back around $5.60

V^3 recommends eating nachos (or any other food) with a refreshing bottle of vitamilk.


Mexicana Cantina
Located next to the noodle house

9451 3550
10am - 2:30pm

V^3 Gives Mexicana Cantina 4/5

V^3 Food Review: Izumi Japanese Cuisine, Victoria Park

Izumi Japanese Cuisine

Once in awhile you find one of those little gems in Perth that serves excellence on a plate. Izumi is one such place that I have discovered in my journey. Whilst at breakfast in Victoria Park, I spied this place along the main street stuck between two competing Chinese food stores. For some reason, the establishment caught my eye, the place had a real authentic yet humble appearance. I decided I had to visit this place for lunch on a later date...

This is what I saw and tasted, and I will tell it as it is… It tasted gangsta!

Takoyaki



Served as an entrée, these fried octopus balls were hot bite sized pieces of bursting flavours. The smooth and sweet barbecue sauce goes well with the fillings of octopus and batter, there is no overpowering smell from the octopus, so the flavours are well balanced. With a generous serve of six, these are always a popular item on the menu. 4/5

Tetaki Beef



Essentailly beef slices doused with rice vinegar and swimming in soy sauce, this cold dish is for those who enjoy beef at its best. The steak is seared on the outside until brown whilst leaving the inside rare for maximum tenderness. The beef melts in your mouth comparable to that of kobe beef which would cost around $100 per bite or $800 for a 250gram steak respectively. It may have something to do with the liquids breaking down the cold rare beef. I don't know the science behind it, but who needs to know the science to enjoy it? This dish is far less a burden on the wallet compared to kobe beef and a definate one for the beef lovers. 3.5/5

Agadeshi Tofu



Three soft Japanese tofu cubes crusted in a light batter bring forth a mix of textures that spill perfection. In other words… it was dope! The dish itself is rather large and for some this would be a meal in itself with rice. But as they say, the more the merrier! So bring it on! Izumi gives us more than expected by adding some tempura vegetables to complete the dish. The sauce has a scent of ginger, which is sweet, and one whiff would make mouths salivate in hunger. The mushroom included in this dish was juicy and I will definitely make a special request this on my next visit. This is a dish I will always remember from Izumi. 4.5/5

Okonomiyaki



This is a rare dish to be found in Perth and is the reason why Izumi reflects authenticity. The dish originates from Osaka and is essentially a pancake composed of shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, batter, welsh onion, your choice of meats (white, red and in between) all topped off with nori and bonito flakes that come alive with energy and movement. Okonomiyaki is quite filling as most cakes generally are. The okonomiyaki topping sauce is thick and sweet and has a hint of ginger, the tanginess of mayonnaise makes for an interesting mix of flavours. Definitely a good dish on its own, even better in a meal. 3/5

Teriyaki Chicken



I usually gauge the quality of a Japanese restaurant by the way it serves the simple iconic dishes. Izumi’s serve of teriyaki chicken was smooth and generously large. The chicken is moist and steaming with aromas that make me hungry as I write this… Honestly, the serve was so large, you could probably eat this as a one on its own. However, not the absolute best teriyaki chicken I have tasted, this one is special in its own way and is definitely above par in terms of flavour and satisfaction. 3.5/5

Japanese Salad



So far, I have found that Izumi’s dishes are rather on the sweet side and this salad to my expectations, was also quite sweet. The fresh garden leaves, tomato, carrot and cucumber are splashed with a citrus dressing and makes a great refresher between the hot bites of the main courses. 2.5/5

Green Tea Ice Cream



Finish off the meal with a chilled green tea ice cream, rich in flavours and green tea goodness, a perfect compliment to a Japanese meal. 3/5


Izumi Japanese Cuisine

Entrée $5-8
Mains $10
Dessert $4

806 Albany Hwy Victoria Park
9472 1339
BYO

Izumi is one of those humble establishments that exist to bring culinary authenticity and memorable flavours to the masses. This place will always be a favourite for me, I believe one day you will enjoy it just as I have.

V^3 gives Izumi 4/5

V^3 Food Review: Binh Minh, Northbridge

I haven’t had a chance to eat some good Asian food lately, so I decided to have lunch at a place that has been on good terms with me for quite awhile. I present to you, Binh Minh.



A humble establishment that was once a typical unnoticed phở shop, this place has built quite a name for itself, receiving good ratings from the Perth dining circles and highly noted for its value for money.

Spring Rolls



I decided to try Binh Minh’s variation of the humble spring roll, unlike other restaurants, these were served with a fish sauce for dipping and a side of pickled vegetables. Fresh out of the fryer, the roll is crisp and the filling is hot and steams out a sweet aroma of pork and vegetables. Their size is rather small and at $5 a plate, many would cry rip! Nonetheless, if you want an appetiser, these are always a good start. 2.5/5

Bo Luc Lac



This is a traditional Vietnamese dish called Bo Luc Lac (sp?) that consist of chunky beef cubes and onions all stir-fried. The beef cubes were highly juicy and tender giving you a burst of flavours in each bite. The dish is rather simple to make and Binh Minh’s execution was rather delicious. 3.5/5

Salt and Pepper Squid



The salt and pepper squid has been recommended to me a few times due to Binh Minh’s unique flavorous approach to the popular Chinese dish. The Vietnamese influence in this dish is present as you take a bite and experience mixed emotions; a sweet aroma of fish sauce accompanies the saltiness in the batter. Whilst the taste was rather unique, I believe this dish fell short due to its texture. The batter is too thick and did not retain a crispiness that is an integral part of the salt and pepper squid experience. There was hardly any contrast to the chewy squid filling. While some may argue this is awesome in its own right, I believe that this execution could have been better had the batter been lighter, crispier and hotter. 3/5

Crispy Skin Chicken



Crispy skin chicken has always been a favourite dish and Binh Minh’s offers a nice and generous serve. There is a distinct aroma of soy sauce, which is neither too salty nor sweet and goes quite well with rice. 3/5

Avocado Smoothie


I tried the Avocado smoothie and was pleasantly surprised, the texture is creamy and just the right amount of sweetness. This is definitely not a common western beverage and makes for an interesting experience of flavours and textures. This smoothie is thick and would probably make any hungry person feel complete. 3.5/5

Kiwi Fruit Smoothie



I was worried when I saw this on the menu and wondered how they would serve such a beverage. And my assumptions were once again correct, the drink tasted awkward to say the least as it was a mix of creamy sweet milk, which is, then disturbed by a hit of kiwi fruit tanginess. You should probably make a pass on this drink if you decide to dine at Binh Minh. 1.5/5



Binh Minh
Vietnamese and Chinese Restaurant
Entrée $5
Mains $10

Unit 5/347 William St, Northbridge
9228 8898

This place is great value for money, and you always get a generous serve. I would recommend trying their dinner menu as it more extensive and contains a few specialties such as the beef salad and steamboat! However, their lunches are just as satisfying for the hungry traveller.

V^3 gives Binh Minh 3/5.

V^3 Utopia Tour - Original Milk Tea

We here at V^3 have planned another mission in the quest for all things good in Perth by presenting to you, the V^3 Utopia Tour!

The execution is simple. Over the coming months, we will sample ALL flavours of bubble tea available at utopia and rate each for the common good of beverage awareness. All flavours will be judged by their texture, presentation and most importantly taste. Any ill effects that result after consumption will be noted. A rating system of x/10 will be implemented.

So let us begin the tour!
With an extensive flavour menu, the choices are hard to come by. Thus, we will start off with the one and only original milk tea.

Original Milk Tea



A traditional blend of the commonly consumed English black tea (or of similar variety) and milk. The simplicity of this beverage makes it a safe choice to select. I am usually more partial to black tea without milk and sugar as most purist enjoy their tea straight. However, this drink is served chilled and therefore the addition of milk and sugar does not result in a sickly warm and sweet drink. It actually enhances the flavours and gives it a smoother texture. What it lacks though, is a kick of uniqueness and quality. In other respects, it offers a fresh fragrance of tea that can be enjoyed by all those who love infused beverages. The only way to improve this drink is to use higher quality teas such a Benoist or Twinings Earl Grey (both recommended by the British royal family). Nevertheless, it makes a satisfying bubble tea.



This drink is recommended with sago.
V^3 gives Original Milk Tea 6/10

What flavour shall we try next? Leave your comments or a flavour request to contribute in the quest for bubble tea goodness.

V^3 Anime: Yakitate! Japan

There's English bread, German bread, and French bread, but Japan's bread, Japan, does not exist.
In that case, there's no choice but to create it.
This story is a serious, biographical ballad of a boy who possesses Solar Hands, Azuma Kazuma, who will create a Japanese bread made by and for the Japanese people, which can be presented to the world proudly.
- [ Opening Text for the Anime ]

Yakitate! Japan is the best anime I have seen. From the opening text, you can tell that this is an adventure of epic proportions. It's an anime about the creation of a bread to represent the nation of Japan, a Ja-pan (Pan being the Japanese word for bread). The show is filled with puns like this... and most of the time they get carried away to the point of absurdity.

One of the selling points of the anime is in fact it's absurdity. Y!J takes a simple concept like bread, and wraps it in all the cliches normally found in other anime, including power-ups, vast explanations of techniques and contains most of the archetypes found in other anime... such as the naive protagonist, the loser sidekick who'll never surpass the main character, the mysterious/serious guy, the random girl, and afro-wearing mentor-figure. Okay, maybe not the afro-wearing mentor figure.

The show itself has equal parts storyline and randomness, appealing to the two extremes of the anime-viewing public.

The storyline follows Azuma Kazuma in his quest to make a bread worthy of representing the Japanese nation, and his trials and growth as a baker through the various competitions in the show. Besides the fantastic baking segments, there is a back-story for every character, and an internal struggle within Pantasia (the main bakery featured in the show) for control and inheritance of the company, along with the mysterious pasts of several characters in the show...

With regards to randomness, most of it comes into play when the judging of the bread commences. The bread is usually so fantastic that it causes the person eating the bread to experience a reaction. The reaction itself usually references some pun on the bread's name, or alludes to Japanese / Western culture in some way, and just describing it like this doesn't do it justice. You should get out there and just watch it yourself.

Yakitate! Japan has often been called Iron Chef + Initial D in the fantastical nature of the baking combined with the in-depth analysis of the ingredients and baking procedures... but would definately appeal to fans of more random anime because of it's light-hearted nature and randomness. The only negative I can list is probably the rather weak conclusion of the anime that felt rushed and didn't do justice to the awesomeness of the rest of the show... I mean come on, it ended on episode 69. What kind of a number is that to end on?

Recommended for fans of: Iron Chef, Anime that take something normal and add fantastic elements (i.e. Prince of Tennis), Any Anime at all!

P.S. Be sure to have some Regent Cakes pastries with you while watching the show, because everyone I know who has seen it instantly felt an urge to go and eat some quality baking.

V^3 Food Review: Musashi - Joondalup

So I was in Joondalup recently and decided to try a place that had been mentioned in some conversation over good Japanese food. The target was Musashi, who claim to serve some fine take-away.


It seems that there is a current surge of Japanese food joints popping up everywhere. Needless to say, there are the poor excuses for food and some rather unauthentic horrid combinations of Chinese/Japanese cuisine. However. Musashi is not and example of such poor excuses for fare.


The dishes are simple, I ordered a teriyaki chicken which is a common dish among all Japanese eateries. This place executes it rather well and reflects their authenticity. The taste is smooth and like that of Jaws teriyaki chicken. A blend of sweet sauces with rice makes a hearty serve. It comes with a side of cabbage salad and something that I found rather strange, a potato ball filled with vegetables. Probably not the best salad I've had but its a good filler. At $6.50 per box it's not a bad deal at all.


Musashi Fine Japanese Food
Unit 7/ 113 Grand Blv, Joondalup
Japanese Take-away
Telephone: 9301-0226.

V^3 gives Musashi. 3/5

V^3 Food Review: Mario's Pizza

Perth city is filled with pizza parlours from north to south... These include a franchise style pizza, which offers some very filling party food but nonetheless, do not satisfy the palate and certainly brings no justice to the classic dish that is the pizza.

I received tip-off on Perth’s best pizza north of the river. The destination was Mario’s. It had an Italian name, so that was a good sign.


Having dined at other certain popular establishments such as Marco’s pizza, I decided to compare Mario’s to my past experiences at Marco’s. Since both claim they serve the best pizza north of the river, both Mario’s and Marco’s have their reputations on the line. The winner will taste the sweet victory of my twenty bucks, while the loser will taste the bitter shame of defeat.

So let us begin.


Upon entering this establishment, don’t let its humble scenery fool you. This place is 100% authentic. So authentic that this family business has great Italian pride and don’t even speak English. This is proof that you are getting authentic pizza made the Italian way. (Yes, you even have to speak Italian to order at Mario’s)


Their menu is rather extensive and they provide a plentiful selection of toppings for all your pizza needs. Our party decided to order 3 different pizzas to sample their range of flavours including red meat, chicken and seafood. At this point we were quite hungry and mouths watering.


First on the menu was Mario’s Special, a creation recommended by Lady Dianabol. Consisting of such fantastical ingredients of onion, pepperoni, bacon, tomato, pineapple, olives and anchovies. A rather unique combination, we found this dish to be a nice balance of sweet and salty. The salty anchovies presented a nice contrast with the juicy pineapple. Olives and tomatoes are a classic Italian ingredient and really bring out the authenticity of this dish. The olives used were plump and not dry like those canned pre-sliced varieties. A diffusion of authentic flavours made Mario’s Special an experience worth savouring and exclusive to this pizza store.



I decided to try the chicken pizza at Mario’s due to my utmost fondness of Marco’s chicken pizza. Needless to say, I have found a new throning champion in the chicken pizza world. Mario’s offering provides a traditional and modern blend of onion, mushroom, tomato, pineapple, and the key ingredient, chicken. To add a sweet twist to the otherwise conservative ingredients, Mario’s recommend the barbeque sauce. The hot chicken and barbeque sweetness go hand in hand to deliver quite possibly the best chicken pizza I have ever graced upon my palate.


The Marina is a simple seafood pizza that consists of prawns, crab and mussels, all seasoned by herbs to give an aromatic pizza. I am usually cautious when it comes to eating seafood, as the scent can be quite pungent. However, this pizza had a fresh baked mouth watering aroma that filled the air. The shrimps were nicely plump and plentiful, giving eat bite a generous burst of flavours. I think the decision not to add anchovies to this pizza was a wise move. This was due to the saltiness of the cheese, which gave balance to the flavours. I personally think a carbonara sauce instead of tomato would have perfected this pizza. Nevertheless the Marina is an awesome choice for all seafood lovers.


So after having the Mario’s experience, I can state that Marco’s offer a great pizza, however, Mario’s have that authentic Italian touch and atmosphere that gives the pizzas a better flavour and experience. I would also like to note that unlike Marco’s, the pizzas at Mario’s are less greasy and more flavoursome. Unless you like your food greased up good, I declare Mario’s as Perth’s best pizza north of the river.

One thing that I have forgotten to mention is that Mario’s serve chilli mussels and a great selection of pastas. At $10 a serve I’ve been told they are comparable (if not, better) to that of classy Italian restaurants.

If you feel like some Italian, you can’t go wrong with Mario’s. It certainly beats Dominoes in my books.

Pizzas: $10
Pastas: $10

Mario’s Pizza
Shop 55c Walter Road, Dianella
9271 3322

V^3 Gives Mario's Pizza. 4.5/5

V^3 Food Review: Cicerello's

After a nice day at Cottesloe beach, swimming, baking in the sun and the usual things, we had empty stomachs which were waiting to be filled. To keep in theme of all things marine, we decided to dine at Cicerello's.

This establishment on the fisherman’s wharf in Fremantle claims to serve Perth's best fish and chips. I have dined here before and coming back was not a problem. Suffice it to say, this place does indeed serve the best fish and chips.

Upon entering the eatery, you are greeted with a grandiose fish tank that surrounds the dining area. It's a beautiful marine tank and really gives the atmosphere a boost and some eye candy.


Garlic Prawns

The prawns looked so tempting, I could not resist. I had even forgotten that I was allergic to prawns! However, I was willing to fight the pain for a good meal! In the end, it was well worth it. The prawns were puffed in soda and cooked in a creamy garlic sauce that tasted ever so nice as I swallowed them down my itching and swelling throat. Awesome. The dish comes with a side of chips and salad. The chips were very fresh and tasted equally good with the garlic sauce. The salad is good as always and gave the dish some colour. At $19.50 for this meal, it was large serving that even I could not finish. 3.5/5

Seafood Tray

If it's your first time to Cicerello’s and you are here for the best, I recommend the seafood tray. For $13.75 you get a massive helping of deep fried awesomeness that will guaruntee to give you coronary heart disease after 1 serving. But fried taste great. So bring it on! You get, prawns, crab, fish, pineapple, calamari, chips and a nice coleslaw and tartare to add colour and flavour. Great value and a great feed. 4/5

Best sauce ever!

It's tartare, what’s more to say?

Traditional Fish and Chips

At $10.50 for a simple serve of fish and chips, you can't go wrong. This is what makes Cicerello's famous. The oil used to cook the fish and chips is always fresh and you get a nice large serve for your money. 4/5


Ever since its rebuild in 1997, Cicerello's still serves the freshest seafood in Fremantle. The atmosphere can get crowded at times, but that's a good sign of quality food.

44 Mews Road Fremantle
Mains $15-25
Kid Friendly

V^3 gives Cicerello's 4/5

V^3 Food Review: Singapore Chinatown Restaurant

Singapore Chinatown (SCT) Restaurant is located in Northbridge’s little cove of restaurants. The place has recently re-opened after a short closure, so we decided to find out what has changed and to sample their in house specialties.

Contrary to the name, Singapore Chinatown, does not serve Singaporean food and the owners are not Singaporean. Nevertheless, we were game to try any good Asian food.


Salt and Pepper Spare Ribs

This is a favourite at amongst everyone and SCT does this dish very well. The spare rib pieces are juicy and tender whilst the coating is nice and crispy. The oil they use is quite fresh too and does not make the breading soggy. They serve it with fried onions and this gives a nice aroma. 3/5

Roast Pork with Beancurd and Mushroom
This dish was indeed very hearty and given in a massive portion. It contains roast pork, nice juicy mushrooms, Chinese cabbage and a braised bean curd. Mixed with a good helping of gravy this dish is an instant winner in my book. Its taste is like home cooking and is a very simple dish to go with rice. 4/5

Sizzling Japanese Tofu
This is type of tofu is a variation to the braised tofu served. Essentially a classic dish that is available at almost every Chinese restaurant. SCT’s variation does not stand out in any way, Japanese tofu is very soft and a great vegetarian dish. The let down with this particular serve is that they used frozen peas and carrots which infused into the gravy and did not give an authentic and fresh taste. 2.5/5

Honey Pepper Beef

When this dish was served, I was surprised by its stark contrast to what I imagined it to be. Covered in a dark rich honey sauce, it tasted very sweet and the red meat was nice, tender, and juicy. Some may say it is too rich, but mix it with rice and the flavours become quite balanced. If you enjoy sweet meats, this dish is a winner. 3.5/5

Deep Fried Salted Egg Yolk Battered Squid

This actual dish is not on the menu, and you have to request it. Nonetheless, it is done exceptionally well at SCT. The squid is cooked well, while not becoming too chewy. And the egg salted egg yolk batter encapsulates the squid completely giving a great balance of flavour and texture. The egg yolk is very salty and has a starchy texture, which may be mistaken for flour. But be assured, this dish is superb. 4/5

Sago

Quite a simple dessert that was given to us “on the house”. A mixture of fresh coconut milk, sago, watermelons and rockmelons served chilled. Definitely a refresher after that hearty meal. 3.5/5

So nothing has changed after their re-opening, which is good thing as the food they serve is still great and in large portions. This place is good eating if you like to dine with friends without breaking the bank. I assure you that everyone will leave satisfied and full.

Entre $5
Mains $10
Dessert $4
BYO

Expect to pay around $10-15 per head for a great meal.
V^3 Gives Singapore Chinatown Restaurant 3.5/5.

V^3 Drink Review: Canned Coffee

For those of us who have busy lives and need that quick caffeine shot, there are alternatives in the form of canned coffee. I heard about these being quite popular in Asia, so I hunted around to find three examples of canned coffee in order to see what all this hype was about.

Well firstly, energy drinks such as Red Bull (read as: “Red Bullshit” because it does not work) are not as popular in Asian culture as the coffee counterparts. Since Asians enjoy their coffee night and day, I have high expectations for these coffees in a can.

Dydo コーヒーBlend Coffee

This is a cold milk coffee originating from Japan that is rather dilute and sweet. It tasted less milky and more watery. After drinking this coffee, my body filled with stimulant but the pay off was a sickly stomach. While the taste is acceptable, the watery blend with milk is not good on the stomach. I would not recommend this drink over freshly made coffee. 2/5.

Cafécino Espresso & Milk Double Shot

This is a product of Taiwan and tastes far better than that Dydo junk. Less dilute and more sweet it's quite a nice light blend that has a more authentic taste of Asian milk coffee. Cafécino has emulated the taste well but still, nothing beats the original stuff. 3/5.

Cafécino Espresso Double Shot

This is one is by far the better tasting coffee of the latter. Made of coffee beans, water and sugar, I guess you cannot go wrong. The coffee was the non milk variant and tasted very similar to the ice coffee they serve in Vietnam. Albeit, for an espresso it is a little diluted, but I prefer my espressos that way instead of the hardcore shots. 3.5/5.

Needless to say, canned coffee is crap (read as: inferior) compared to the fresh roasted and blended alternative. The Cafécino Espresso Double Shot was a bare pass, but still does not compare to what any of us can make at home. I suggest you stay away from canned coffee unless you intend to review it.

However, If you are so inclined to try these, canned coffe is available at most Asian Groceries.