The Assembly Ground - From Retail to Bistro

A lot of us remember the old CD and record stores from the 90s and early 00s. Mention names like Sembawang CD and Supreme Records, and we all remember patronizing these places for the latest music and movies.

The last of these, Gramaphone, had their final store in Cathay Cineleisure, which occupied the ground floor near the main entrance. Sadly, Gramaphone is gone today.

Thai Village at Indoor Stadium Walk - More Than Just Shark's Fin

Most of us tend to associate Thai food with tom yam, pineapple rice and pad thai, but there is also Teochew Thai cuisine which is often overlooked.

Teochew Thai food is quite close to classic Teochew Chinese cuisine, but is infused with Thai flavors and seasonings. Teochew Thai is also famous for shark's fin, which has become a controversial issue of late.

Salmon Tartare with Soy and Pickled Japanese Cucumbers - A Simple Dish to Make at Home

A lot of you might not be aware that citrus acid is a method of cooking, just like frying or boiling. Although it does not create natural heat in a protein, it does change the molecular structure of the fish or meat.

Thus, ceviche is a very popular way of adding citrus to raw seafood or fish to create a simple and delicious appetizer or dish.

Witbier Cafe - Pairing Beer With Comfort Food

I used to frequent Kandahar Street to buy home the wonderful swiss rolls from Rich and Good Bakery. In the last few years, along that same stretch, a number of chill out bars have popped up to provide a nice after hours place to relax and unwind.

Witbier Cafe was among the first to headline that area, and among the owners of this establishment is a beer importer with a passion for good food.

The Tastemaker Store - A Simple Cafe Elegance, Something Old and Something New

Beo Crescent along Havelock Road is known in the 70s and 80s for having a number of old school hawker and coffeeshop delights, and some of these eateries are still there.

But it has not been spared the current trend of having old shophouses remodeled into cooler hipster cafes as well. Like it or not, hipster cafes are making their way into more heartland areas.

Soi 19 Thai Wanton Mee - A Different Yet Familiar Kind of Wanton Noodles

This was the first time that I have heard of Thai styled wanton noodles, and it is said that this dish is quite the rage in Pratunum, Bangkok.

Soi 19 Thai Wanton Mee is located in a remote corner of Ang Mo Kio, and has no actual relation to the Soi 19 eatery in Thailand. Nevertheless, the dish they serve up here does bear more than a passing resemblance to the one in Pratunum.

Ply Baked Goods - An Intimate Cafe in Upper Thomson

Upper Thomson is filled with cafes and eateries, and most of them are found on the shophouses lining the main road. It is not surprising then, to discover that there are also far more discreet cafes situated behind the main road.

Ply Baked Goods is one such place. In fact, it started out as a bakery, and has only recently converted some of its shop space into a little cafe area.

Penang Char Kway Teow at Perling, Johor Bahru - Kim Leng Coffeeshop, The Legacy Continues

I was brought to this very humble looking coffeeshop in Taman Perling one morning to savor one of the best char kway teow in Johor. It was originally manned by the husband, who has sadly passed away.

These days, the wife is still running the stall and frying the noodles, with her son helping out and learning the ropes at the same time.