Category Archives: Travel

Glass Kettle BKE260 – Breville

14 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by in Australia, Kitchen wares, Shopping, Travel

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My current electric kettle went psycho on me a few months back. The kettle doesn’t stop boiling and I almost had a heart attack when I saw water spitting out from the sprout non-stop. After that, I was very caution when I need to boil water. I’ll stand next to the kettle and wait for it to boil. It doesn’t cut off by itself so I’ll need to do it manually. It was quite irritating / dangerous.

And so, begins my hunt for an electric kettle. The selection I’ve seen in Malaysia was not impressive and I was quite shocked by the price too. Some better quality plastic models are asking for RM 100++ and the stainless steel models can get as high as RM 250++. Nothing I’ve seen so far capture my heart… So, I revert back to watching my kettle like a hound when I put it to boil. (It’s the Philip plastic kettle which we have been using for more than 5 years)

During my recent trip to Melbourne (Australia), I decided to browse the options of electric kettle there…(it was not intentional as I was there with my bro to hunt for a TV). I couldn’t resist it from the first moment I saw it sitting on the display shelf in Harvey Norman. It was almost love in first sight. But, I hesitated because of the hefty price tag at AUD 98 (sigh… I can’t justify to myself forking out RM 300+ for a kettle).

When my brother saw me salivating over the kettle, he told me that he saw a rather similar kettle in Big W (different model same brand) for a lower price. Really?!! Hooray!!! We quickly scramble off to Big W to hunt for the kettle. I was so excited when I see it priced at AUD 68 (about RM200+). Yes – my bro got his TV too. LOL.

Let me introduce my newest toy in the kitchen – the Breville’s Glass kettle. Yes – the body of the kettle is made from glass. How COOL is that?

Tada… look how beautiful it is sitting on my countertop. I was quite worry transporting it back (check it in with my luggage) initially. Thankfully, upon arrival the kettle is still in one piece and it’s working fine… This time round, I was actually lulled to stay back and watch the water boil. It was so fascinating. LOL

Glass Kettle

Note that it is not just any normal glass. It’s Schott DURAN glass !!!

I am a big fan of Schott glass product (love their range of Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Glass!!! – I’ll reserve that for another blog post one day). Schott has more than 125 years experience specialising in glass. DURAN is the division for the lab devices. So, I was pretty confident the glass should be quite durable (unless you drop it) and able to withstand boiling heat with no effect on the material property.

For more information on this glass kettle, you can find it on Breville’s website (http://www.breville.com.au/glass-kettle.html). Breville is an Australian owned company specialising in Kitchen Appliances.

E.DEHILLERIN – one of my favourite shop in Paris

20 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by in France, Kitchen wares, Shopping, Travel

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E.Dehillerin is definitely one of my top 10 favourite shop in the world.

This little quaint shop is located in Paris (not far from the Louvre museum). If you take the metro, it is easiest if you stop at the Louvre-Rivoli metro. From there, head straight along Rue du Louvre and you will see the shop on your right (rue Coquillière)

So, what does this shop sells?

E.DehillerinThey sell everything and anything to do with kitchen and pastry tools and cookware. If you are into baking and cooking, you will LOVE this place. They have an amazing range of copper-pots and cast iron products.

Unlike other kitchenware shops, this place is like an organise mess. Why do I say so? Going into the shop feels like you are transported back to the previous century. Things are scattered all over the place. You’ll find goods all over the floor and some are hung on the ceiling. But, if you ask any of the assistant in the shop, they will be able to easily locate the items you are asking for.

I know many people find this arrangements to be a bit daunting. But, I love it. It’s like a treasure cove. I could easily spend 2-3 hours going thru item by item and not get bored. They also stock my favourite Staub !!!

Talking about this place makes me miss it so much already. One big tip for you guys heading there, PLEASE go during NON-peak hours. I usually go there on weekday early morning and gets plenty of attention from the assistants. Most of them can speak English but can be a tad impatient. Don’t go during weekend. It’s a nightmare to get any service / attention.

Have fun shopping ! BTW, you can also order online if you want.

http://www.e-dehillerin.fr/en/index.php

18 et 20, rue Coquillière – 51, rue Jean- Jacques Rousseau – 75001 PARIS
Phone: +33 1 42 36 53 13 – Fax: +33 1 42 36 54 80
Email: info@e-dehillerin.fr

Open on monday from 9 to 12.30 and from 2 to 6 pm and on tuesday to saturdays from 9 am to 6 pm. Closed on sunday and off-days.

Le Coq Hardi – Ales, France

18 Tuesday Dec 2012

Posted by in France, Gastronomy, Oversea Restaurants, Travel

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I walked pass this little restaurant many times in the past, but was never tempted to check it out. The bright red deco and outside frame of the restaurant felt a little too pub-like to me. Hence, I pre-judge this little guy and refuse to even look at their menu.

I’m so glad hub and I decided to give this restaurant a try this round. More like an interesting encounter which made us stop right in front of this restaurant, giving me the reason to scan thru their menu. I was instantly hooked. They serve quite a number of interesting traditional French / almost home cook type dishes.

The restaurant was pretty pack even at 6.45pm (which was relatively early for French to start dining). This is surely a good sign. The waitress speaks almost no English but luckily she is happy to help as much as she could and bear with my lousy French. LOL.

Hubby ordered escargot for starter to share. It was so delicious and I was so glad that it was a huge plate pack with escargots (I think there’s easily 2 dozens of escargots on that plate!). The sauce was absolutely fantastic and compliments the escargots really well.Escargot

For mains, hubby ordered duck. He loves the French way of cooking duck. This is the traditional Magret de Canard with apricot sauce. Simple common dish but done really well. The duck meat was pan-fried well, leaving it juicy and tender. It was a very generous portion plate fill with assortment of sides.

Canard à l'Orange As for me, I am in love with my Sole meunière. Such a simple dish of pan frying the sole with butter, and yet, the taste was anything but simple. The texture of the fish combine with the butter almost has a melt-like quality once in your mouth.

Sole meunièreEach bite is almost as amazing as the first, making me want to savor each bite slowly and making the meal last forever. Now, I truly understand why French takes 3-4 hours for dinner. When you have food this good, who would want their dinner to end?!

I would have loved to try their dessert. But, we were super full by then. I can’t wait to come back again to try their other dishes.

 

Address: 7 Rue Mandajors, 30100 Alès, France
Phone:+33 4 66 52 15 75