Transit in the Airports...

What do you usually do when you have a long transit in an airport?

On the way back to Jakarta, my delegation and I had to wait about 5 hours in one of airports in Ohio before flying to Chicago for a transit. So... what did we do? We chose Sbarro - the Italian Eatery restaurant, where we could kill the time by eating, chit chatting and playing game cards :)

Sbarro

The pizza

The pasta served with a homemade breadstick

Finally we were flying after a delay for 30 minutes inside the small domestic flight.

On the top of Chicago :)

Argh... another delay in Chicago airport for 2 hours :(

Since it was almost midnight when we arrived in Los Angeles from Chicago and we didn't get any food in the domestic flight so we decided to eat something at the food court in LAX airport although the choices of food wasn't many because most of the food counters were closed already. Luckily, Sushi Boy and McDonald's were still open.

Sushi Boy

Udon

Oops.. this is my McDonald's b'fast picture... :D

At Hong Kong airport, we didn't eat because we just had a quite nice breakfast and our transit time was less than 2 hours, thus as usual while waiting the departure time, my delegation played game cards and showed off their silly bandz which is a big trend for the children in America - well, that's what I think :)

Silly Bandz

Chocolate Workshop With Laurent Bernard at Emilie Restaurant, Jakarta

Yesterday, I was invited for bloggers workshop "All about Belgian Chocolate" featuring Laurent Bernard - a renowned chocolatier.

The workshop was held at Emilie Restaurant, a French "fine dining" restaurant located in South Jakarta. The interior of Emilie Restaurant is elegant with nice ambiance.

Before the workshop started, we were served with a lovely lunch.

Le Salade César
Caesar Salad with Sautéed Prawns

Le Poulet
Roasted Chicken Breast, Savory Jus and Mashed Potato

Les Profiteroles
Profiteroles with Ice Cream & Warm Dark Chocolate Sauce

As soon as the lunch was served completely, we were headed directly to the second floor where there's a private kitchen studio.

A little background of Laurent Bernard. Before landing in Singapore in 2003 as the Executive Pastry Chef of Meritus Mandarin Singapore and starting "Laurent’s Café & Chocolate Bar" in Singapore in 2006, Laurent Bernard has more than 20 years experience in pastry and chocolate. He worked in some of the most prestigious 5 stars hotels in London, the USA, the Middle East, Israel and Caribbean.

In the workshop, we learned the facts about chocolate - learned about the history of chocolate, when it was first discovered in South America and then brought to Europe, how to recognize a good chocolate, how to appreciate it, and how to make truffles pralines.

Overall, I really enjoyed this workshop because I can learn about Belgian chocolate and how fine chocolate is made.

At the end of the workshop, each of us received a gift bag :)

Orangette (Weight: 100gr, S$15.00)

Delicate combination of orange and dark chocolate

Emilie Restaurant
Jl. Senopati 39, Kebayoran Baru
Jakarta Selatan 12910
Tel: +62-21-5213626

Laurent’s Café & Chocolate Bar
The Pier Branch
The Pier at Robertson Quay 80
Mohammad Sultan Road #01-11
Singapore 239013
Telephone: +65 6235 9007
-or-
Portsdown Branch
5B Portsdown Road #01-02
Singapore 139311
Telephone: +65 6475 4182

A wonderful 24 hours in Ohio

During the camp, there's a day off for each leader, they could choose where they want to go or what to do. For me, instead of going to the other cities for shopping or clubbing like the other leaders, I prefer to have a peaceful, calm and restful day off thus I stayed with a family that live in the countryside to experience their American style of living and I also had a chance to visit the world largest and oldest military "National Museum of the United States Air Force".

After visiting the National Museum and doing some grocery shopping, we went "home". I couldn't be more delighted when I found out that for dinner, we were to have pizza because it's one of my favorite food!

Since we were going to eat in the house, we had to pick up the Pizza first from
Karen's Pizzaria
106 N Main St
Christiansburg, OH

The pizzas are so delicious!!! Much better than those being served at the camp or any pizzas that I've eaten here so far in Jakarta - Oops, am I exaggerating? Hahaha, but seriously, it's so delicious.

Different way of cutting a pizza.

A good frozen dessert after eating a lot of pizza :)

Vanilla ice cream between 2 chocolate cookies

I was asked, whether there's anything that I would like to eat. Without any hesitation, my direct answer's Rice Krispies Treats :)

This is Parker, he loves to make cookies!
And yes, he is the one who made the Rice Krispies Treats for the second dessert.

Rice Krispies Recipe from Kellogs:

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows or 4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups Rice Krispies


Directions:
1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
2. Add Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.
3. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Cut into 2-inch squares. Best if served the same day.

Note:

• For best results, use fresh marshmallows.
• 1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow crème can be substituted for marshmallows.
• Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended.
• Store no more than two days at room temperature in airtight container. To freeze, place in layers separated by wax paper in airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

The following day, the family brought me to Loretta's Country Kitchen for lunch. It's a small casual restaurant serving American's home country-style food.

Location:
Loretta's Country Kitchen
12 E Pike St,
Christiansburg, OH 45389

Loretta's Country Kitchen

Appetizers

Fried Bologna US$ 4.29
4 oz of Grilled Bologna with Lettuce, Tomato and Mayo on a Bun

Grilled Ham and Cheese US$3.99
Baked Ham slice with choice of Cheese, served on grilled Bread.

Philly Sandwich US$5.79

Shaved Roast Beef grilled with Provolone Cheese, smothered with Onions and Peppers, served on a Hoagie Bun.

Reuben US$5.69

Mound of Corned Beef with Sauerkraut, Swiss Cheese and 1000 Island Dressing on Deli Rye Bread.

It's luscious, juicy and really satisfying!

By the way, Buffalo Burger is served at Loretta. Too bad, I didn't give it a try.

For desserts, it's a must to try the delicious taste of Loretta's homemade pies. It costs US$2.19 per slice.

A lot fillings' varieties such as Coconut, Pecan, German Chocolate, Butterscotch, Peanut Butter - chocolate, Cherry Crumb, Chocolate, Peach Crumb, Raisin, Strawberry - Rhubarb, Fresh Strawberry, Black Raspberry Crumb, Peanut Butter, Banana, Custard, Rhubarb, Apple Crumb, Lemon.

Homemade Lemon Pie

Homemade Butterscotch Pie

I chose the Homemade Black Raspberry Crumb Pie
The pie crusts from scratch are buttery & flaky.
One word for this pie.... Scrumptious!

Ugly Duckling Cake US$ 1.85
Yellow cake with sweetened flaked coconut on the top.

As soon as we finished our lunch, the family drove me back to the camp. Although it's nice to be back in the camp again but I did wish for a longer day off. Well, anyway, I really had a wonderful 24 hours and enjoyed it very much :)

Disclaimer:
The review and opinion expressed here are purely according to my personal taste. There's a possibility that the taste of the food might change later on, which could affect the review and opinion here. I also affirm that no monetary or non-monetary compensation has been received from these restaurants for writing this review.