Flawless Nails at Kim Keat Road

One morning as my cab drove past the shophouses along Kim Keat Road, I saw a flash - of a new Nail Shop! I must have been very blind not to notice this new & huge retail shop because they have been opened since November!

Pedicure at Kim Keat Road
Babes of Jalan Bahagia / Ma'mor / Balestier Road - we now have somewhere to go to do up our nails! This is a picture of the shopfront :) with a big banner you would never miss.

I have been looking for somewhere convenient in the neighbourhood to do my nails. I've been trawling the Whampoa neighbourhood for a place - I mean a proper place - to do my nails.

There is one shabby-looking saloon at Blk 86 which offers manicure and pedicure services at really low rates but I didn't give in to the cajoling of the auntie who went on and on about her pedicure promotion that comes with a paraffin. Her shop didn't look comfortable as there wasn't a single soul when I peeped in on a Saturday morning. In the end I walked off in the pretext that I need to attend to my groceries first.

Ok anyway, back to Flawless. The interior of the shop is really spacious. They have a large reception counter in that huge space, and it looks empty for the moment. Fully carpeted and shoes are to be taken off.

As you walk in further, you'll see the nails area. And a long corridor that leads into the spa rooms (I suppose).

Pedicure at Kim Keat Road

The pedicure area has 4 stations and are kept very neat and clean.
Pedicure at Kim Keat Road

I did mine and the retail price for it is $35. Shopping malls pricing eh? Was contemplating about getting the package at 10 sessions at 10% off but I would rather share the package with someone or pay an extra $3.50 every month for the next 10 months. Anyone interested to share the package with me?

The friendly ladies at Flawless also introduced a facial promotion they have - 5 sessions (with ear candling, with some eye thing, with some neck thing) for $165. This, I'm definitely more interested! And it's going to end this month - so I'm going back again for facial soon!

The only complaint issue I have - is with the seats at the pedicure area. I thought the sofas are a little bit stiff and I can't slump back into dreamland while someone is painting my toenails. They only have a little pillow for me to hug and their magazines are either nail catalogues or boring lifestyle magazines in Mandarin.

The rest are fine and I'm happy with my newly painted toenails :)

Pedicure at Kim Keat Road Pedicure at Kim Keat Road

Oh yes, the shop assistant told me the best time to go without a crowd is - weekday nights. They are open till 10pm.



Updates on 1 May 09

This is my 4th facial for their $165 5-in-1 package and I enjoy all my visits! Particularly because I love fingers nibbling at my face and the feel-good factor that I will walk out of the shop looking fairer!

Most of the time, they come up with very good promotions like these. 5 facial sessions + 5 manicures + 5 pedicures at $300. Budgetnistas, this is value for money! This is a good time to stretch your dollar!

Flawless Nails 60 Kim Keat Road
The promotion end date is stated 30 March. When I was there end April, they told me they have extended it!

While waiting for my masseuse to get ready, I sat at the couch area with nicely served ginger tea.
Facial at Kim Keat

Just for your information, please take off your shoes and leave your umbrella at the door area (see yellow arrow)
Facial at Kim Keat

Facial anyone?

There is a shortcut from Jalan Ma'mor to Toa Payoh

You can get to Toa Payoh by foot, despite having no ways to drive straight across. It is in fact cumbersome if you want to drive to the temple across the expressway. See below blue line.
shortcut-toa-payoh

There is staircase (or a overhead bridge) at Jalan Ma'mor which leads to the neighbourhood of Toa Payoh.
shortcut-toa-payohshortcut-toa-payoh
You'll have to get across the huge Pan Island Expressway.

Shanghai-like Spa in Balestier

There is a Qian Zu Ge Spa located on the 4th storey of Rocca Balestier and we decided to check it out. Very nice and cosy indeed, as if we're in China, just that the price you will pay here is more than double of that in China.





I'm very impressed with their full range of services (from Thai Massage to Nail Spa) and facilities (from Sauna to Internet services). However, there weren't a lot of customers on a Sunday afternoon going by the look of it. Only 2 uncles were around *raise one brow*


I did a foot reflexology at $58 for 1 hour. This is including a herbal foot bath, back/shoulder/head massage.

Full Pedicure cost $30. Might give it a try the next time.

Fish Head Steamboat at Whampoa Market

We had fishhead steamboat at Whampoa Market with Mom and S. This is also the only fishhead steamboat we have tried - the one at the corner. So there are no comments as to which one is the "real" or "famous" one, but my mom says there's another stall that uses charcoal instead. *shrugs*

Nevertheless, it is still nice but I guess there's also a lot of MSG in the soup.




Ordered some other side dishes.


Some vege. And Hoover rojak.

Hoover rojak is so conveniently available here that we only have it when our guests are around. We will not, queue up for 20 minutes just to get it for ourselves.

Where to find the best Fish and Chips in Balestier?

astons-balestier-2
New Astons stall spotted in a coffeeshop along Kim Keat and Balestier Road junction. This coffeeshop is also quite newly renovated with traditional old benches or stools and wooden tables.

Best value-for-money fish and chips found here! Crispy fish and chips coated in very fragrant batter.
astons-balestier-4
$6.50 for a very big portion of fish with 2 sides.

Be prepared to wait for your food!
astons-balestier-5

They have a variety of western food selection. Place is popular with students from nearby Curtin University.
astons-balestier-6



On other occasions, Chuck and I had these.

astons-balestier-3
Sirloin steak at $10.90.

astons-balestier-1
Teriyaki chicken ($5.90).

Tucked neatly at the coffee shop at:
312 Balestier Road #01-01
Tuckshoppe LLP Stall No. 4
Opening Hours : 11am-10pm (closed on alternate Monday)

Chakey's Salt Baked Chicken

We never knew the name of this Upper Serangoon Road coffeeshop but we know we love the salt baked chicken there. Hence, 1 packet of Chakey's Baked chicken $16.50 + white fluffy home-cooked rice got us a meal.

opal-cres-salt-baked-2 opal-cres-salt-baked-4

opal-cres-salt-baked-3
They look like packets of burgers! Actual size is much bigger.

Salt Baked Chicken drenched in dark sauces after it's unwrapped from its parchment paper. Tip: Always dip your chicken pieces into the flavourful oil/sauce!
opal-cres-salt-baked-1

1383 Serangoon Road Coffeeshop

Cafe de Hong Kong along Balestier Road

There's this chinese restaurant we've always passed by and of course, ever. so. ready. to try it!




Left: The menu has a wide variety of chef' recommendations, they look great. Right: Chuck loves the 3-egg dish. Century egg. Salted egg. And egg egg.


Left: Coffee Spare Ribs. My sweet tooth is showing! Right: Salted chicken, of which we couldn't finish and tabao home :)

Portions were a bit small, total bill is about $48. May eat again.

Cafe de Hong Kong
新天地茶餐厅
586 Balestier Road
#01-01 Eastpac Building