Dear You,

To those who remained and still lurks in this platform. It has been years since I last wrote here. Well, I turned 30 this year. I was so afraid that I haven’t done enough. Enough money, enough experiences or enough time. Looking back in the past years, I have stopped writing food reviews. I just resort to whining about how late deliveries are these days. Or how expensive it is to dine out compared to cooking my own meal at home. Which I usually cry to my mom that I’m too tired from work to cook for myself.

If you made it this far without getting bored from my two paragraph rant about adulting. If it interests you, I have two cats who I love and adore so much. I have travelled the world, seen what it has to offer. Met so many people who, I lately say is a collection of who I am today. I took tiny pieces of them with me to build my personality, my likes and even my work ethic.

Still not married, although I have seen a few of my friends who, now has kids of their own.

I have laughed, loved, cried way more than I have ever imagined I would when I was in my early twenties. Life didn’t turn out as what I was expecting it to be. but I’m fine with what I have now.

I have kept the habit of not showing my face on social media. I don’t see any reason why I need to change it now.

Sometimes I still ask myself if I have ever really known “love” in the years of my search for it. I still can’t find the answer to that question but I believe that, more often than not, we will never really know what love is until we find that right person.

You will not believe where life has taken me and what life has taken from me. You will not think it possible for me to have endured all that I have suffered from.

For now, take care of yourself for me. Hold on to your dream and don’t even think of letting go. Believe in your heart that you will find your heart desires no matter what happens. God has planned the course and it is up to us to follow the directions. Don’t worry, don’t be afraid about getting lost, God saw to it that all the roads, no matter which one you choose to follow… it will lead to your dreams… 

I believe in you,

Roods.

Here's a spontaneous trip I took with a guy I just met in a bar that night. One of the best experiences still.

I miss the outside world.

How are you doin?

Tai Pei Dao: Dim Sum Heaven Hidden in Downtown Dubai

I’ve been tricked, I’ve been fooled and I’ve been faked. That’s what happened to me in my search for an authentic dimsum place in Dubai. Then one day as I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed, I saw an ad of an Unlimited Dimsum offer, read all the nice reviews on their page and it’s only down in across Bat Square a few minutes from where I work.

So one weekend, off I went.

Tai Pei Dao is quaint corner restaurant in Downtown Dubai, elegantly decorated with Traditional Chinese decor. As you enter, you’re greeted by courteous staff. First thing you’ll see is the little corner right by the bar where you can be witness a traditional Taiwanese tea ceremony. (Never had the chance to see one tho, but would love to when I go back)

We availed their Unli-Dimsum Promotion (115Dhs with Tea / 90Dhs without). The waitress recommended the Oriental beauty tea spring onion Pancake (quite a mouthful to say) and two of each steamed dimsums so we know what to order for the rest of our visit.

We were first served Oolong tea while we wait for our meals to arrive. Tea served has a full bodied taste, which i thought would be a great palate cleanser after every serving.

I suggest ordering in advance for your next selection when your dimsums arrive at your table because the waiter said that they make it fresh in their kitchen so it will take some time before your order comes out. Nevertheless it was worth the wait.

We enjoyed everything we ordered, the staff would recommend which sauce goes with which one and often they would give you their personal prefference since there’s a variety of dimsums that you could choose from. If you’re unfamiliar with the cuicine you can always try the classic, the chicken siu-mai. Dip it in soy sauce and chili, it’s just the best darn thing you’ll ever taste.

We ended up trying everything in the menu except for the ones that were unavailable like the Tun ting oolong beef wrap and the chin hsuan tea seafood rolled in  tofu skin

And for desserts, we had the classic Sesame ball which I’m a total fan off. It was crunchy on the outside smooth with delicious red bean paste on the inside. We also had the Red bean cake which is equally as appealing as the sesame ball.

The pièce de résistance of the whole visit was their Organic chocolate Lava cake. Decadent but not too sweet. And there we ended on a sweet note.

Would definitely come back for more and prior to this write up, I did go back for more.

It was such a lovely place with really accommodating staff but the best part of this place was of course the food.

Tai Pei Dao is located at Downtown Dubai › Southridge Tower 4, Downtown Dubai, Dubai

Burrito and fresh nachos from Taqado.

Organic Quinoa Salad

It's good to see the city every once in a while. Being stuck in international city 6 days a week feels like being stuck in the province. #CraftedWithInkAndLove (at Magnolia Bakery the Beach Jbr)

Late lunch. (at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre)

Great way to start the week. Coffee. (at Moli Cafe)

Today's adventure with @daryllbborja led us to swedish meatballs and creating that blog we planned a few weeks back. #BEdxb (at IKEA Food Court, Dubai Festival City)

Breakfast @ Ihop

Shameless plug.