I hang out quite a bit at United Square, no thanks to the fact that HoroBoy's enrichment centre is there and Horogal's paediatrician is also there.
What's more, my baby sister's office is there too. So dining there on a regular basis is a given.
However, given that the place is supposedly a kid-centric mall, I've always groused about how it's really not that kid (especially baby)-friendly.
Today, however, I was quite blown away. Not so much by the mall itself but one of its restaurants.
Was looking for a place to have lunch and walked past Bangkok Jam. I had a meal at Bangkok Jam, Raffles City, some months back and my sister's Fiancé ordered Pad Thai. It looked really good so I earmarked it to try another day.
Today, I did. So since I got to lunch at 3pm, the place was rather quiet save for one table occupied by some late diners.
I walked in and noticed a cordoned off area that had toys. They had a play area!
HoroGal very quickly went in to the play area and explored the toys and wares.
It was awesome. I had a peaceful lunch while HoroGal was able to roam around and play to her heart's content.
I ordered a Seafood Pad Thai that was on their Executive Lunch promo so it came with a free drink.
Look. At. That! So gorgeous. So tantalizing. So drool-worthy. All for $10.90++ with a free drink.
While I inhaled my lunch, the little Missy was stomping the "playground".
HoroGal pretending to make herself a drink at the kitchen.
Okay, so at the back of my mind I was like, "No! Don't put your mouth on this toy that's probably laced with bacteria!!!" But I was too happy with the fact I was able to eat lunch undisturbed. So I "closed one eye" to it. I know. I'm a terrible Mom 😔
Anyway, I'm glad I found this "playground" and I'm pretty sure I'll be hanging there with HoroGal pretty often from now on. After all, I never tire of Mango with Sticky Rice 😝
In case you think this post is about some horror story, I'd like to start by assuring you it is not.
Jack Ripper is not only absolutely not violent or horrific. In fact, it is quite delish.
Yes, it's a food place. A burger and beer joint to be precise.
Was invited by the owner of Jack Ripper to try out their revamped menu.
Tucked away in the corner of a coffee shop at Bukit Merah Lane, right in the midst of a bunch of motor vehicle workshops.
This was HoroBoy's order of the RIPPER'S ORIGINAL. It's essentially a cheeseburger.
HoroBoy saying grace before tucking in. Love that he never fails to do that and I often need his reminder to 😁
Wolfing down his RIPPER'S ORIGINAL ($12 for the set with burger and fries)
HoroBoy's verdict: Burger was awesome though a tad too small for his growing appetite (did I mention he's going through a growth spurt... Again!) Boy likes the fries but had to stop after 3/4 of it cos he's on a diet (that's another story for another time)
Now. THIS is MY RIPPER'S CLASSIC ($16 for the burger and fries set) as recommended by the Chef, Anand. He shared that all their beef patties are made from premium grade beef and imported from Australia. The patties are done with "secret ingredients" according to their instructions.
Another shot of my burger against the background, which is the stall itself.
Verdict: I really like the patty! It's not crazy, densely packed like machine-made ones. I don't know about you but that totally spoils the bite for me.
I forgot to ask but the texture and packing of the beef patty feels like it's handmade.
Anand cooked the patty just under medium-well doneness though he didn't actually ask how we liked it done. I assume there's no special preparation instructions. However, it's so perfectly cooked that the patty was still tender and juicy. Which leads me to one slight disappointment in the burger. It could really use a better burger bun. A good burger bun would have been able to soak up the juices from the patty without getting too soggy. The burger bun it was served in, reminded me of the ones sold by Gardenia.. 😳
Aside from that, the tomatoes, lettuce and onions were so nicely crisp and fresh it married ever so nicely with the juicy patty. And I love that they used sharp cheddar cheese that was perfectly grilled and melted over the patty.
Have to say I'm not crazy about the fries though. First of all, there wasn't a selection. It's just regular thick-cut fries that probably came in a pack from the stores and was lightly tossed in herbs in an attempt to enhance the taste. Didn't quite work it for me.
Anand, however, shared that there are plans to launch their own-made fries. I assume that's going to come from fresh potatoes. Looking forward to that.
I was there at lunch time and there wasn't much of a crowd but I understand that dinner gets quite packed.
Being housed within a specialty coffee shop (the coffee shop is not quite your regular ones, it serves a variety of western and European cuisines, from German and French), Jack Ripper enjoys a drinking crowd at night. Beer on the tap and German brews are also available in the same coffee shop.
If probably head back down one evening with some friends for a chill out and try their sliders then.
JACK RIPPER
Blk 119 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-41
Tues-Sun (Closed on Mondays)
11:30am-3pm
5:30pm-10pm
So it's CA (Continual Assessment) season for my son aka HoroBoy and since it's PSLE Oral exam for the P6ers today and tomorrow, all the P1-5 kids are home. However, HoroBoy has e-learning, which is essentially tutorials and assignments to be done via the online learning facility. Hence, he's forbidden from eating out today and I've agreed to get him something nice for lunch.
I should mention the fact that HoroBoy is supposed to be on a diet (ya IKR! So skinny still need to diet. Can die!) due to his upcoming TKD competitions.
He has to maintain under 34kg for this weekend (23/8)'s competition and go under 33kg for the National's happening in September. He's currently 33.3kg so from now till September, he needs to lose another 400g (damn sian, no fried food)
Anyway, back to the main point of my post. I was out buying lunch after an appointment and decided to swing by Bedok Simpang cos I read somewhere that they've revamped the former food centre.
I was specifically looking for the stall "Uncle Chicken Rice". The owners are descendants of the former Sin Kee who operated from Margaret Drive. After relocating to various places, they've congregated once again and are now in Bedok Simpang.
Decided to go for their most basic Hainanese Chicken Rice to try the quality.
Doesn't look that wild but I like that the chicken is tender and juicy.
Also ordered the Lou Ding Set for HoroBoy cos I promised him something nice.
Soy chicken, mustard greens, boiled egg with ramen noodles. HoroBoy says that "it's okay." He likes the chicken and egg and would rather have it with rice. He likened the noodles to instant noodles without the MSG. 😅
So conclusion of the food is that it's probably a 7 out of 10. Nice enough but not spectacular.
I would however like to go back there one evening, perhaps with Horo and some friends to makan and chill out.
Rather fancy the quaint and somewhat eclectic decor that has injected a new lease of life in the former food centre, transforming it into a "hipper" food enclave. Given that on the ground level, it's hot with crowd and heat from the weather and the cooking from all the restaurants, this second level food enclave is spared the heat and noise (at least whilst I was there). It was bright, airy and breezy (probably from the fans but who cares) and the aesthetic presentation more than soothes any frazzled nerves.
A pie shop and the next one serves some western cuisine which I did not bother to check out cos I had to rush home.
The drinks stall. So pretty looking. Must go order there some time.
And much, much more. If you happen to be there, do leave a comment in this post and let me know what you had, recommendations and comments about the place too.
