IMPERIAL TREASURE @ 01-02 CROWNE PLAZA CHANGI AIRPORT, TERMINAL 3, SINGAPORE

I've been hearing a lot 'bout this place, especially its Siao Lung Bao. The moment we step off the plane, we are brought here for lunch... eh, not exactly; let me rephrase that:

For the first time in aviation history, (drum roll please) our Air Asia's plane lanes a half-hour ahead of schedule. Thus, making the person who's supposed to meet us late - yes, the very same person who's been singing praises 'bout Imperial Treasure Restaurant and she has her tot with her.

Chee Chun Fun

It's been some 3 years when we first met... complete strangers with one common interest, who's graciously gone out of the way to meet me and my big tot. And the lil' tot has grown to be quite a talker, and someone's been paying attention to his chitachatter to know of his impending birthday.

Fried White Radish Cake

This lunch, like this trip, is unplanned; I think, it totally screws up what's been lined up for the coming Saturday. But still, this provides a opportune time to catch-up and warm up to the next meetup with the man of the house. Had it not been for this, I would never have known that there's a lil' restaurant tucked in the corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, even though we had gone around taking pictures of the hotel lobby years ago.

Sui Mai

Loh Mai Kai

Once we've gotten past the irrevocable Dim-Sum items (above), we've come to its more prominent staple. Yes, I know,I know, the roast duck isn't exactly its renowned Bejing Duck... but, What The Duck, how does 2 ladies and 1½ men gonna finish on bird. So this is the next best thing. It's as good as the Londoner's roast duck - crisp on the skin, and plum moist meat.

Roast Duck

What may seem like an innocuous Foo Chok roll until one bites into it coupled with the rich broth, then one will appreciate the beauty of this gem. Mr. T would certainly concur: " It's in the soup, Foo'!"

Steamed Beancurd Skin Roll & Seaweed With Superior Soup

For those who extol the virtues of Sibu's Hung Nan soup, you ain't taste nothing yet! This is for all aficionados of all things soupy. What looks like milky fish head soup is, in fact, a rich bone full-flavored broth. The noodle is a smooth rice noodle as opposed to the slight textured Hung Nan -one slurppily goodness jaunt!

Vermicelli Soup With Roasted Duck

We seem to be missing its famous Siao Lung Bao here; it's not an omission on our part. It seems the owner, who looks a bit like the C.E.O. of United Overseas Bank, would not have it included in the menu here when its quality is not to par...

Baked BBQ Pork Pastry

Steamed Salted Egg Custard Bun

Steamed Egg Yolk Cake

... but then the steamed egg yolk cake slips through the cracks; taste-wise it's okay, but the layers are not layers - a botched job. However, the savory salted egg custard bun (2 photos above) simply oozes sweet-salty gooey delight for anyone, who digs salted egg, to sink one's teeth into.

Custard Tart

Mango Pudding

Those 2 sweets are more for the lil' guy... (I don't think he's implying 1Malaysia there). Gotta thank her mom for the lovely meal, and more to come!

This is my feeble attempt to get this blog going after a long break - blame it on procrastination than anything else.