Zoccai

Zoccai ring with 6.2 faceted Amethyst in 18kt rose gold with diamonds around it
aaAAAaaa *drools*

I've been shopping for my birthday gift
and I'm still SHOPPING FOR IT!!!!
GAH I can't make up my mind

Zoccai was founded in Venice, Italy back in 1839
sigh...how come I was not introduced to this brand when I was in Venice 3 years back?
I would have ta-pau-ed the whole shop if my credit card can stand it

every year they have an exhibition at Baselworld, Switzerland - the world largest watch and jewelry fair, which I dun get time to walk around *even thought I've attended it 5x!!!*
bcoz I'm just too bogged down with my own brand

unlike some Fatty woman with BIG HAIR and her Hermes Croco Birkin going around Baselworld shopping for watches and jewelries with the Rakyat's money
I see her every year in Baselworld *pui!!!*

Anyway let's talk bout happier things like diamonds, gold and precious stones

I can't really decide between the two
but of coz this 4.2 carat of Rose Quartz is more expensive than the earlier one bcoz of the weight of the gold and the number of diamonds

anyway Rose quartz and amethyst are semi-precious stone
my birth stone is actually emerald
but it's so auntie looking
maybe when I turned 40 I'll fall in love with it :P

There's a preview today!!!!! for Carlo Barberis!!!

you can purchase Zoccai jewelries from La Prendo
my favourite place to shop for bags, shoes, accessories - esp when I dun travel
and trust me La Prendo is POISON
I never leave its shop empty handed :P

So if you happen to be in Singapore please do drop by at their shops either in Fullerton or Dempsey
the one in Fullerton specialized only on Jewelries
for handbags and other leather goods, head down to Dempsey Hill

else if you hands are very very itchy now...please log on here
www.laprendo.com

lemme warn u first, if u do buy something from this website
it is entirely your own fault and not mine :))))))))))))))
yippeeeee another eppy day!!!!

La Rosetta Restaurant, Rome *One Michelin Star*

La Rosetta is just a few steps away fr one of the most important monument in Rome - the Pantheon
We walked past it day in day out without realising there's a Michelin Star restaurant right under our nose
*yes we stayed near to the Pantheon like a few steps away? kekekeke*
**yes I know it's November 2010 and a bit lagging to blog something from December 2009**

Liver of monkfish with pumpkin puree

Founded in 1966 by Carmelo Riccioli and Romana Collela, La Rosetta serves only SEAFOOD
Ingredients and seafood are brought in TWICE a day from the ports of Lazio, Anzio, Terracina and Civitavecchia....yes folks..twice a day...once in the morning and then evening.
Seafood was also handpicked and chosen personally by Chef's trustworthy man every single day for the past years.....

Any fresher u have to go and catch it urself :P
currently managed by Chef Massimo Riccioli whom has very deep passion for this Sicilian styled seafood restaurant

Phyllo pastry with fish and spinach

We've never been to a "Fish only" Michelin star restaurant....
I mean really never ever and didn't know what to expect
moreover it was impromptu, we thought of trying this place on our very last night in Rome
and reservation was only made on the very same day.
Lucky we got a table but the restaurant was full that nite.

Salted cod tempura style

all the pictures u've seen so far were Amuse Bouche
preparation was very fine right up to the small details
taste was so clean so u can enjoy the freshness of the ingredients.

Gah!!! could not stop meself fr indulging their breads

and there's more!!! oh Monkey if u gonna enjoy ur dinner pls stop now!!!!

there's walnut bread and pistachios and oh so much more

our favourite oyster - Belon oysters...served with local lemons
*pronounced as Bear-Lon*

it costed Euro 7 at an exchange rate of 5.2 then - RM 36.40 each
but they were worth more than its price tag
look how fresh the meat was!!!!
OMG this was already the climax of the dinner and we haven't really started yet?
kekkekekekekeke

after 3 weeks of Gaja wines in Italy....we decided it's time to go back to burg...hahahahaha
maker was Fourrier we just hope the Sommelier was not furious...hahahahaha
They take pride in their own Italian wines..
*so Mr. JS, pls dun order Gaja when we are in France*

fresh raw snapper marinated in lime with extra virgin olive oil

this one was very like the "Kadazan" dish that JS prepared before cept there's no chili innit
so fr the pic, u can see the raw fish almost got "cooked" by all the lime juice with some occasional crunchy bites of cold cucumber

Tuna carpaccio with strawberry and thyme

the berries were all chopped up so u can't see much but this is superb!!!!
at this juncture we were just amazed.....
and the Chef haven't even cook yet...hahaha it's all RAW

super RED RED RAW prawns
we've never seen prawns this red when it's raw....

*Chef Lino Sauro serves this too at Gattopardo, Singapore*
the prize was its head :P
ultimate!!!!!

Langoustine??? yes langoustine with salmon roe was another speechless starter
amazingly fresh......
Both of us were so quiet enjoying our dinner....
when your diners are quiet, the food has got to be mind blowing!!!!

oh this one....wished I got do this again
fresh fat fat anchovies on toast with sprinkled cayenne

if u noticed, the anchovies were raw too but damn damn good

after the mind blowing 1st course we proceed to 2nd course
and our expectations and senses got heighten even more

2nd course was another journey of freshness fr the sea
but this round - they were cooked...hehehehhehehe

lurve this long plate

mixed warm seafood salad with calamari, prawns, mussels and octupus

they were just briefly stir fried to achieve its crunchy texture and never ever over cook ur seafood
have u seen such beautiful mussels before????
lurve the yellowness innit :))))))))))

my favourite!!!! Baby octupus grilled to perfection
and its tentacle has that extra crunch...
fr the pic u can see how anal the Chef was...he even laid the octupus in such beautiful way
and took Monkey one bite hahahahahahaahaha

beautiful lobster with sweet tomatoes and fresh basil
this was one very very good too

our 3rd course was a fried baby Octupus with pepper served with cheese biscotti
we were glad to see its portion bcoz at this time, we were quiet amazed and full :P
*Asians have small stomachs ok??*

**well not all asians kakakakakakaka**

it has a very fresh and rich taste, think Chef used squid ink?

crunchy tempura zucchini on top of tempura baby squid
Chef Riccioli used a lot of babies in his cooking....hahahaha

before our main course a sorbet was served
lemon sorbet with blueberry...the lemon were sourced locally
and it has such Sicilian taste to it

 

can i take u home? :)))

Pasta man aka Mr JS had his pasta fix - Spaghetti with melody of seafood

he's gonna miss all the pasta....and so he did until today

Off topic:
Last nite was uploading piccas....he said he would love to go to Italy again this year
Monkey -_- "then wat about our France trip? your champagne and burgundy wineries visit how?"
since we can't go this year again....so pls do savour the pics Mr. JS...hahahaha

see....he's looking sad here...our last nite in Italy :((((((((

Monkey's main was a seabass cooked in local lemon sauce
accompanying it was crispy prawn wrapped in Katafi pastry
*katafi is basically shredded phyllo pastry originated fr Middle East*
**Saint Veeny makes very yummy Katafi Prawns too!!!!**

just cooked nicely.....OMG I m drooling now :P
I haven't had fish for the past 4 days already!!!!

the green stuffs on the shot glass were shaved asparagus
very very yummy

homemade petit four

since we wanna savour the last nite with my very last indulgence of GELATO and JS with his espresso at the local mom pop shop...we decided to skip dessert here
hehehhehehehe

oh yes Italy....how we misses u....

but we got to give other countries a chance for us to visit them ok?
hehehehehe

nope this round I m not buying/carrying anything back for u all....
coz the luggage bags will be used to lug WINES back......hehehehehe

La Rosetta Restaurant *One Michelin Star*
Via della Rosetta, 8 - 00186
Rome, Italy.
Tel: +0039 06 6861 002
www.larosetta.com

Fuchsia Snails @ Milan

saw this pic at my pic bank and thought the Fuchsia snail is so cute

actually in my very very own opinion
Milan is a rather boring city
apart fr all its amazing impressive high streets
*like one whole row of dolce & Gabbana? as in the whole street has got only D&G boutiques*

the sight seeing + historical walk part is not as interesting as Rome or Venice
but makans in Milan are SUPERB!!!!!

I miss Cracco Peck
but Chef Lino said they are coming to Singapore soon!!!!
WHEN?????????????

Gigantic Salami

we saw this at Campo da Fiori
O_O

I dun enjoy cured meat as much as JS
he was a eppy boy munching on waxy prosciutto with his bread every morning
I can just looked in awe

will blog about a splendid meat shop aka charcuterie
tonnes of things to do...no time to archive pics
*busy busy busy*
am so so so tired :(

Dolce & Gabbana

my pretty open toe pumps fr Dolce & Gabbana
patented leather and it was super comfy
fits perfectly :))))))))))))))))

I don't understand why I bought my man aka JS, Dolce & Gabbana shoes at full price
at D&G boutiques...

while Monkey bought hers fr the factory outlet
ish ish ish...
maybe that's why lar.......no $$$ have to buy fr factory outlet!!!!
kekekekekekeke

u won't believe it....
monkey got this pair at RM 390
nyek nyek nyek

hiak hiak hiak hiak

kikikikikikikik

kakakakkakakkakak

I was so kiasu at the factory outlet and browse racks by racks
side to side, up to down
in fact I learnt this skill fr years of stock-taking process with auditors :P
afraid of missing a single item...I completely browse the whole outlet 2x
*well annual stk take oso have to counter check 2x mar*

but it's all worth it :))))
coz the Prada travel wallet that I blogged bout months ago...
*click here to read*

it's a tiny lil factory outlet in the heart of Rome
was too lazy to go to the one 23km away

Discount dell'Alta Moda
Via di Gesu e Maria
Rome, Italy.
Tel: 06 361 37 96

All in one Wagon

this is a wagon
erm well the driver's cubicle was on the other side
sat in Vatican City right smack at Piazza San Pietro
it's a sight to behold
especially when u are thirsty and hungry after all the endless walk around this place

it sells GELATO, burgers, sandiwches, panini, junk food, chips, all sorts of drinks, coffee, tea, gas u name it
fruits, puffs, tarts, candies, lollies...ciggies, tissues, souvenirs, maps
everything were beautifully merchandised!!

gosh it's like walking convenience store!!!
I like :))))))))))))

Al Picchio Ristoria, Rome

hmmm lucky I snap pic of the napkin coz kinda forgotten wat's the name of this place

:P well after 4 months.....sure ler...
this family run place was so cozy and nice
just down the road by the corner of Trevi Fountain
and has been there since 1930

the frontal of the shop with its merchandising of yummy food
by the way this restaurant served simple everyday food
just like our "chap farn" shop

esp this plate of freshly made pasta
WAHHHHH
everyday when I passed by this shop....Monkey would beg JS to have lunch/dinner here
JS: "It's just a italian "chap farn" shop leh!!!"
yes I know no michelin stars, no great wines...but I m sure they have AWESOME pastas!!!!

the other reason why I was dying to eat here....
look at the spit roasted hog on the chopping board
with its crispy skin!!!!!

and grilled artichokes!!!!!
oh my gawd....the artichokes in Italy were fantastic!!!!!

other available grilled stuffs were zucchinis and eggplants
yeah the huge chunks in black were grilled sweet eggplants!!!!
so jumbo rite?

they have some other hot appetizers too

the salad counter
so u see wat I mean when I said it's a "Chap Farn" shop

wow and perfectly wood roasted chicken!!!!!!
but I didn't have any coz....JS was around.....and nobody will share the poultry with me :(
*I shall blog soon bout another place I went, where I had the whole roast chick to meself :P*

this place speak no english and no english menu....
so pls rely on your eye contact, pointing here n there esp on the table nearby and also sign language
just tell the Papa waiter cum owner cum father cum boss u want something delicious
sign language = put all your five fingers into your lips, smack it, muaks it...
he should understand :P

and based on his recommendation we had a micture of grilled mushrooms, chilis and zucchinis
unbelievable bcoz of the extra virgin olive oil they used....it was apple green!!!!!

next was calamari and sweet shrimps - deep fried with a slice of lemon only
so simple but yet......gawd..esp the prawns u chomp everything including its shells.
still can taste the saltiness fr the sea

finally, this was wat we came for...
JS had an unbelievable yummy and value for money of coz
porcini pasta!!!!!
the pasta have such good texture and it was very very eggy

and I was craving for meat and fresh tomato based pasta!!!!!
worth coming here..
chap farn shop...kekekekkeke

and there's a variety of sweet desserts on the display waiting to be picked up
from tiramisu to lemon tart to cream puffs and more cakes and tarts
we didn't have any coz Monkey wanted gelato near the hotel again :P
 

everynite on the way home,
we'll stop by the gelateria.....
monkey will have 2 scoops and JS will have his double express decaffeinato
hehehehehehe

really a nice chap farn place
:D:D:D:D