Vanilla Scented "spray and wipe" came to mind because it only takes using to draw a simple conclusion that the product has failed the functionality test.
Promised to be "food safe" and pleasantly scented with vanilla, it is an attractive idea in a world full of surprising chronic allergies and terminal illnesses coming out very so often.
However, the problem lies in two area :
(1) doubts about its efficacy as a cleaning agent - there is an apparent incompatibility between cleaning power and safety to human inhalation and consumption. Most people using "spray and wipe" detergent, do not feel the need to rinse the cloth and wipe over a second time.
(2) the after effect : the scent is so sweet and nice that it attracts ants and other insects and creepy crawlies. It has to do with the first assessment stated above. Had it been effective, it would not leave any residue from the food stains and add on food for insects on the cleaned surface. That's what waiters do in the restaurants anyway and we have been living with it without really knowing the long-term effects on health.
There may not be an appropriate returns policy nor was there any feedback regarding the new product.
But I do know that many who have used it and unsatisfied with the product would just shun it and go for something more effective despite their absence of food safe claims.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Mooney Mooney - Central Coast Seafood Galore
Don't look down on club food. They are good quality and reasonably priced for workers like us. Mooney Mooney's Workers' Club is always packed with customers who enjoyed good food and nice scenery by the Hawkesbury River. Book at least a week in advance (two during school holidays) to avoid disappointment.
Chef's entree selection with Japanese-Thai-Euro fusion twist - soy oyster, tangy ginger prawn, yummy crab cakes
Part of the seafood platter for two : first tier of deep fried fish and chips, prawns, calamari. and lobster mornay.
The delectable Mediterranean pasta with stuffed olives, sundried tomatoes and rocket cooked in aioli sauce
Second tier of seafood platter : the cold dishes of swimmer crab, smoked salmon, mussels, steamed prawn and marinated octopus.
Shop Windows and Indoor Christmas Decorations - Random Street Wandering Snapshots
Shop front, hotel lobby, interiors - in the mood of Christmas.
Some of my favourite Christmas decor for this year.
Westfield front desk adorned with white light Christmas trees
A cheerful Australian Christmas shop window of swimwear and ladies' fashion
Wholly edible gingerbread house with candies, icing and stuffed toys.
From the masters of crystal crafts and manufacturing
Good to look at : designer wear that most ordinary folks like me can't afford to buy.
Some of my favourite Christmas decor for this year.
Westfield front desk adorned with white light Christmas trees
A cheerful Australian Christmas shop window of swimwear and ladies' fashion
Wholly edible gingerbread house with candies, icing and stuffed toys.
From the masters of crystal crafts and manufacturing
Good to look at : designer wear that most ordinary folks like me can't afford to buy.
Christmas Decorations at David Jones on Pitt, Museum @ Sydney CBD
Can't hold a candle to London and New York but the animated decorations and display at the windows of David Jones departmental stores always attract huge crowds from locals, out of town visitors, to foreign tourists.
Much talked about in the news : Fireplace, Drummer Boy, Nativity scene, Wise Men and the King.
Much talked about in the news : Fireplace, Drummer Boy, Nativity scene, Wise Men and the King.
Lindt Chocolate at Martin Place
Good chocolates are irresistible. The exhilarating experience makes it well worth the expenses.
Here's the much talked-about Lindt Chocolate at Martin Place.
Some of the boxed chocolates may be less costly than the normal retail price in most stores, but higher than what you would pay for the same thing on special price at supermarkets. (We know Woolies and Coles have bargaining power even till today after Costco came along).
The opera cakes is said to be something to die for! Intense richness but not fullness.
Yes, they have macaroons too!
Here's the much talked-about Lindt Chocolate at Martin Place.
Some of the boxed chocolates may be less costly than the normal retail price in most stores, but higher than what you would pay for the same thing on special price at supermarkets. (We know Woolies and Coles have bargaining power even till today after Costco came along).
The opera cakes is said to be something to die for! Intense richness but not fullness.
Yes, they have macaroons too!
Hot Chocolate, Coffee, Mocha or Tea
My Swiss friends may argue that Lindt is certainly not the best Swiss chocolateurs have to offer.
I heard that Guylian Belgian Chocolates at Circular Quay is equally good and has a wider selection on its menu (including cooked food).
Let's check it out another time when we recover from over indulgence with sweets and festive feasting.
Chef's Gallery : the art of dim sum, noodles, yum cha in the heart of Sydney city
Chef's Gallery certainly lives up to its name. Shanghai, Cantonese, Beijing and Fusion cuisines to delight your palates no matter how conservative your tastes are.
The first course :
Seafood spring rolls.
Unlike the usual flour based thin crepe pastry, the fillings are wrapped in rice vermicelli "net". Crispy and full of texture with every bite.
The spinach noodles tossed in shrimp roe is heavenly. One would think of enjoying this in some famous Hong Kong stalls or speciality noodle shop. The calamari (small squid?) are tender and cooked al dante with generous servings of prawns and shitake mushrooms thrown in. It is natural tasting and looking, not like some chemical coloured neon noodles in certain food courts and noodle houses.
Chef's Gallery is famous for its handmade noodles. It is never too much to order more than one type of noodles. Also offered are egg noodles with seafood ball and spicy meat sauce noodles (zhajiang mian).
Though fried rice is well known here, the small amounts of vegetables in this supposedly named olive fried rice did not bring out the full flavour of this traditional dish. Perhaps it is meant to be a modernised version with lots egg accompaniment and chicken powder for this fried rice dish.
The highlight is definitely the piglet shaped black sesame buns. They are cute, attractive looking and tastes excellent. A favourite among kids and adults and must have when you eat here.
The rainbow coloured vegetable dumplings are surprisingly tasty and interesting despite prejudices towards vegetarian dishes. Filled with carrots, bamboo shoot, corn, chives, black wood ear fungus, tofu it is delicately wrapped in soft and thin translucent special crystal flour pastry.
Highly recommended for its prompt service and enjoyable food. Try to reserve whenever possible. Otherwise, be prepared to wait during peak hours.
The first course :
Seafood spring rolls. Unlike the usual flour based thin crepe pastry, the fillings are wrapped in rice vermicelli "net". Crispy and full of texture with every bite.
The spinach noodles tossed in shrimp roe is heavenly. One would think of enjoying this in some famous Hong Kong stalls or speciality noodle shop. The calamari (small squid?) are tender and cooked al dante with generous servings of prawns and shitake mushrooms thrown in. It is natural tasting and looking, not like some chemical coloured neon noodles in certain food courts and noodle houses.
Chef's Gallery is famous for its handmade noodles. It is never too much to order more than one type of noodles. Also offered are egg noodles with seafood ball and spicy meat sauce noodles (zhajiang mian).
Though fried rice is well known here, the small amounts of vegetables in this supposedly named olive fried rice did not bring out the full flavour of this traditional dish. Perhaps it is meant to be a modernised version with lots egg accompaniment and chicken powder for this fried rice dish.
The highlight is definitely the piglet shaped black sesame buns. They are cute, attractive looking and tastes excellent. A favourite among kids and adults and must have when you eat here.
The rainbow coloured vegetable dumplings are surprisingly tasty and interesting despite prejudices towards vegetarian dishes. Filled with carrots, bamboo shoot, corn, chives, black wood ear fungus, tofu it is delicately wrapped in soft and thin translucent special crystal flour pastry.
Highly recommended for its prompt service and enjoyable food. Try to reserve whenever possible. Otherwise, be prepared to wait during peak hours.
Glass at Hilton : dine and wine
Duck in brick pastry with orange wasabi sauce and green peas
Barrumundi and Moreton Bay Bug with mushrooms and potatoes crispy and soft
Grill beef mellowed and flavoursome
Chicken liver parfait encased in buttery rim with preserved pear - light, subtle and not coy
The recommended matching wines were lovely drinking and have pleasant after taste.
Be prepared to pay double for good food, wine and customer service. Compared to some well reviewed fine dining restaurants, I think it is well worth the expense as the value you get matches the price tag.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Free Ads : too good to be true likely to be a scam - restaurants learns the hard and expensive way
A sophisticated scam with a business plan which sounded convincing. Where is the contract which will nail down the two conmen who are nowhere to be found now after taking more than tens of thousands from restauranteurs? It's too good to be true. The cheats have played on human greed and desperation, at a time when businesses are confronting an economic slowdown.
http://m.smh.com.au/nsw/restaurateurs-find-theres-no-such-thing-as-a-free-ad-20111226-1pajo.html
Another tactic is to make the ad appear officious and mandatory like an entry in the business directory asking for confirmation. I and some fellow business associates had fallen prey to such pseudo scams with an attached fine print of the prices and fees if the information was valid to be published. It was eventually published on an online directory which no customers would be able to check as it is not on the top of google listing.
http://m.smh.com.au/nsw/restaurateurs-find-theres-no-such-thing-as-a-free-ad-20111226-1pajo.html
Another tactic is to make the ad appear officious and mandatory like an entry in the business directory asking for confirmation. I and some fellow business associates had fallen prey to such pseudo scams with an attached fine print of the prices and fees if the information was valid to be published. It was eventually published on an online directory which no customers would be able to check as it is not on the top of google listing.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Occupy : not a big thing in Australia, not yet, unless the economy takes further dive
2011 has been a tough year. Times are bad and may be looking worse in the year ahead. The in-thing is to blame the filthy rich bankers and industrialists who have been profiting from innocent workers, won a taxpayers' bailout and not sharing their ill-gotten wealth. While Australia is not shielded from the negative effects reeling from the global financial crisis, the economy has slowed down and jobs are becoming scarcer. Will OCCUPY get us far? Only if rich capitalists are moved to create more jobs instead of splurging on affluence and luxuries for themselves.
In early September, members of the media were barely paying attention to the vague, lefty Hooverville-campout thingy called Occupy Wall Street.
By early October, its protesters had coalesced around a theme: "We Are the 99%" (who disapprove of greed, corruption and the disproportional power held by the richest 1%).
And the movement spread from Manhattan: seemingly overnight, there were Occupy Boston, Occupy Los Angeles and Occupy Chicago. And then Occupy London and Occupy Hong Kong.
People were even "occupying" Antarctica, and late-night talk-show hosts cashed in on occupy jokes. ("Earlier this week, a protester at Occupy Wall Street proposed to his girlfriend," Conan O'Brien said. "His exact words were, 'Will you occupy my parents' basement with me until I get a job?' ")
That sort of nationally broadcast mockery was a sign of just how big the movement had gotten. In 2011, occupy became this generation's sit-in, a word connoting peaceful but uncompromising objections to the status quo.
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2101344_2100571_2100572,00.html #ixzz1h7QX2l00
In early September, members of the media were barely paying attention to the vague, lefty Hooverville-campout thingy called Occupy Wall Street.
By early October, its protesters had coalesced around a theme: "We Are the 99%" (who disapprove of greed, corruption and the disproportional power held by the richest 1%).
And the movement spread from Manhattan: seemingly overnight, there were Occupy Boston, Occupy Los Angeles and Occupy Chicago. And then Occupy London and Occupy Hong Kong.
People were even "occupying" Antarctica, and late-night talk-show hosts cashed in on occupy jokes. ("Earlier this week, a protester at Occupy Wall Street proposed to his girlfriend," Conan O'Brien said. "His exact words were, 'Will you occupy my parents' basement with me until I get a job?' ")
That sort of nationally broadcast mockery was a sign of just how big the movement had gotten. In 2011, occupy became this generation's sit-in, a word connoting peaceful but uncompromising objections to the status quo.
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2101344_2100571_2100572,00.html #ixzz1h7QX2l00
Monday, December 19, 2011
Darling Quarter by the harbour - new kid of the block - restaurants, pubs, water playground
The latest happening place in Sydney CBD, Harbour area is no longer the classical entertainment and exhibition centre, but Darling Quarter, which boasts of fine dining, pubs, fountains and children's playground. There will be some interesting activity to suit every one. Check this out.
Yum Cha in the City - Eight by Zilver (is quality worth the money?)
Nice delicately made and tasty dim sums. But to fill up can set you back by around A$20 per person.
The reputation tag of Zilver is certainly one of the main attractions. But with huge floor space and some customers who have not tried the new establishment, there is usually sufficient seats or short waiting time even at the peak periods.
Steamed rice rolls with meat fillings - more salty than flavoursome, and not piping hot from the mobile steamer but already plated.
Thumbs up : phoenix claws (deep fried chicken feet stewed in spices and soy sauce)
An acquired taste? I beg to differ. Most shun it because of the looks and imagination
Can't fault the freshly baked flaky egg custard tart - the only issue is that it's a bit small compared to most standard servings.
Pan-fried steamed taro cake. Not bad. But they didn't have the popular radish cake at that time.
Beauty and health secret (or not any more?) : soft melt in the mouth tofu flower in ginger syrup.
Not sweet enough even for someone who doesn't have a sweet tooth.
Salty crispy sticky rice dumpling is very tasty enveloped in thin pastry and fried to perfection
Chives dumplings : we had two versions, the steamed and pan-fried. The steamed ones won hands down. The skin was soft and thin but maintains its shape and texture. The generous combination of seafood and vegetables ingredients with full flavours is enjoyable.
Is it worth the price tag? It's OK for special occasions. Think I'll stick to suburban yum cha at 30 to 40 per cent discounted prices for more regular yum cha.
http://ausletters.blogspot.com/2011/12/yum-cha-at-carlingford.html
The reputation tag of Zilver is certainly one of the main attractions. But with huge floor space and some customers who have not tried the new establishment, there is usually sufficient seats or short waiting time even at the peak periods.
Steamed rice rolls with meat fillings - more salty than flavoursome, and not piping hot from the mobile steamer but already plated.
Thumbs up : phoenix claws (deep fried chicken feet stewed in spices and soy sauce)
An acquired taste? I beg to differ. Most shun it because of the looks and imagination
Pretty good - BBQ pork steamed buns
Can't fault the freshly baked flaky egg custard tart - the only issue is that it's a bit small compared to most standard servings.
Pan-fried steamed taro cake. Not bad. But they didn't have the popular radish cake at that time.
Beauty and health secret (or not any more?) : soft melt in the mouth tofu flower in ginger syrup.
Not sweet enough even for someone who doesn't have a sweet tooth.
Salty crispy sticky rice dumpling is very tasty enveloped in thin pastry and fried to perfection
Chives dumplings : we had two versions, the steamed and pan-fried. The steamed ones won hands down. The skin was soft and thin but maintains its shape and texture. The generous combination of seafood and vegetables ingredients with full flavours is enjoyable.
Is it worth the price tag? It's OK for special occasions. Think I'll stick to suburban yum cha at 30 to 40 per cent discounted prices for more regular yum cha.
http://ausletters.blogspot.com/2011/12/yum-cha-at-carlingford.html
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