Jani Journey Journal

Da Paolo Gastronomia has always been on the top of my ‘must eat’ list everytime I came to Singapore. Not only they got one of the best desserts in town (yeah, I’m a sucker for desserts), they also provide fresh and fuss free food. The Da Paolo Group was first established in Singapore in 1989 by Paolo and Judie Scarpa. They opened a simple trattoria that serves simple and delicious Italian food. Ever since then, the Da Paolo has grown and now known as one of the best Italian food chains in Singapore. I personally always have loved the Da Paolo for their wide variety foods, visually appealing and absolutely delicious.

I came there for a quick lunch before going out hunting some good pictures for my instagram (#instaslave). Got so confused due to their wide variety of food, the waitress recommended the Smoked Salmon Pizza Slices (SGD 8 – forgot the exact price though) and Café Latte (SGD 4.5). The other thing I love about Da Paolo Gastronomia is their quick service concept. In a city where everything is moving fast, I think having a place for a quick meal like this is really necessary.

The Salmon Pizza Slices was yum! I love how fresh the salmon was. Since everything was already pre-prepared before, I thought the food would be just okay. Turns out the food served was still fresh and sure was lovely. Although the only thing missing was just a little bit more pepper on top would make it more perfect for me.

The Café Latte was also quite nice. The coffee was a bit thinner than the way I like it but I love how the milk and coffee perfectly mix together. And also they serve the coffee with less foam, just how I like it.

I also bought a box of Nutella Cake (SGD 9) for take away. I didn’t take any picture of the cake but believe me, IT WAS FREAKING AWESOME! It was thick, gooey, dense, moist and OH MY GOD! I even out of words to describe it! I kinda regret I didn’t bought more to bring it back to Jakarta. It was that good, I even thought about flying back to Singapore right now just to eat that cake.

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Da Paolo Gastronomia

Raffles City Shopping Center

252 North Bridge Road, B1-45

Singapore, 179103

Opening hours: 7.30AM - 10PM

Food: 4/5

Ambiance: 4/5

Price: 4/5

Service: 4/5

Earlier today, I officially graduated from my University. After a long and tiring 5 years of professional degree plus 3,5 years of undergraduate degree, I finally did it.

I cannot thank Lord enough for this blessing. Yes, I count this as a blessing because honestly I don’t think I could ever be in this stage. Though to think about it again, after all the tears that He put me through, this was more like a reward from Him. Anyway, thank you Lord.

To all my fellow friends who have fallen last Friday. You have every right to cry, you have every reason to feel the world against you. I’ll share my shoulder for you to cry on tonight. Though the world may seems like crushing down and your faith in everything starting to fade, believe me it happens for a reason. This may sound like sh*t but trust me God never give what you want, but He give what best for you. Cry as much as you want and whine as much as you want tonight. Promise me, tomorrow you will fight harder than before. I will always be by your side through this. I believe in you guys.

To all my fellow friends who were graduated with me today, congratulations. We deserve it. We had our own story to get to this day. All the tears and drama, all the pain and anger. We had our own reason to do this. Nevertheless, be proud of yourself cause you finally done something that you started years ago. So congratulations.

And here is a cheer to all of us.

For every sleepless night and bottomless coffee cups. For every tears in between our fight and struggle. For every pray that came from our mouth and heart. For starting this all together and also finishing it together.

May this thing never happen again.

Ever.

As you all probably know, I’m a big (literally and figuratively, LOL) dessert girl. And lately, I also become addicted to coffee. So when I came to Singapore, the first two thing I look for is a good dessert and a decent coffee. Then I read about a place called Plain Vanilla Bakery, who of course offer both of it. I’ve heard about Plain Vanilla Bakery before but I never had the chance to try it when I came to Singapore last year. So I decided to visit their outlet that located in ION mall at Orchard, which located inside a local joined space called ‘In Good Company’.

When I get in, the first thing that came in my mind was ‘WOW!’. I was mesmerized by their wide selection of desserts. They got tons choices of sweet stuff such as cupcakes, cakes and tarts. They also have a few choices in the savory departments like savory tarts, salad and some sandwiches. Oh I think I have died and went to dessert heaven!

Since I already ate lunch before I came here (which I deeply regret cause I can’t eat more their dessert), I decided to choose a cake to accompany me that afternoon. I pick Butterscotch Banana Cake (SGD 6.50) because I can’t stand those shiny butterscotch glaze on top of it. And of course a cup Hot Café Latte (SGD 5) to complete my meal (or snack? I don’t even care, LOL).

The cake was so moist and fluffy, and also the banana taste just perfect and you can find some nuts inside. The butterscotch was really yummy! It was not too sweet and somehow works perfectly with the banana cake without overpowering one another. As for the coffee, I like how fragrant it was when they brew it. The taste of the coffee itself was nice with a little bit of acidic aftertaste (well here I am talking like a true coffee fan, LOL).

I also bring back a piece of Red Velvet Cupcake (SGD 3.90) back to my hotel. The cupcake was decent with a good amount of cream cheese on top. But since I’m not a big fan of red velvet, I can’t really tell you how it really taste. To me it was just okay.

I didn’t take pictures of the interior because there were a lot of people, and I don’t want to bother them by snapping here and there. There was this beautiful words on one of their walls, which I really love. The interior was minimalist and they got this cold but homey comfortable ambience. It sure can make me don’t want to go even after my coffee become cold. Curious? Just see it by yourself then!

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Plain Vanilla Bakery

ION Orchard

2 Orchard Turn, B1-06

Singapore, 238801

Opening hours: 11AM – 7PM (Mon to Thu), 10AM – 7.30PM (Fri to Sun)

Food: 4,5/5

Ambiance: 4/5

Price: 4/5

Service: 4/5

So last Sunday morning, my mom surprised me with a ticket to Singapore. She woke me early in the morning, told me to pack my things and sent me off with a taxi to the airport. I almost thought she want to get rid of me somehow but I think she knew that I need a break after a long and tiring exam days. Thanks mom!

And here is some snaps from my recent trip to Singapore. I had a lot of fun exploring the city, alone. Yes, I went there all alone. How does it feel? Surprisingly amazing! I will write a special post about travelling by yourself later. Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss it. Meanwhile, please enjoy the pictures.

Hi there! Here I am after missing for a few decades months. Where have I been, you asked? I’ve been busy preparing final exam on my university, and this time it was for real (finally!).

It was one (two rather) month of hell! I’ve been busy studying all day and all night, NON STOP. No, I don’t mean to exaggerate it, but really for the past two months my life was just home and uni with sh*t loads of books in between. I felt so tired and even I thought about quitting.

But above everything else, I feel grateful for this particular thing that happened in my life. After a long (almost) 9 years, I finally at the end of the (f*ckin' long) road of university life. To be honest, I never imagine that this day would come. But then here I am, surviving all that drama.

And now I’m just out here waiting for the result of the exam. Wish me luck, everyone! Though no matter what the result is, I’m proud of myself for fighting till the end of the road.

Went to Bogor over the weekend with my best friends from Senior High School and it was super fun! Stayed in a private villa that we found through Airbnb and we did a little barbeque (and failed because someone bought the wrong meat, lol), some fun games and of course “curhat” session all night long!

I really had a lot of fun that I (surprisingly) didn’t take a lot of photos about our activities around the villa. But I managed to took some picture of the villa and will write some review here because the villa was super duper great!

Until that post came, here is a shot from our photoshoot "ala-ala" at the villa :)