Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Flee Away Cafe - A Little Nostalgia in a Hipster Cafe in Little India

We seem to be obsessed with nostalgia these days. Maybe it's because a number of us are tired of the way the powers that be are trying to turn this country into a sterile skyline of commercial skyscrapers.

We miss the rustic charm of our old ways, the dusty streets and crooked lines. Instead of seeing shimmering and shiny paintwork, we long for something that is real, and downtrodden.

Friday, August 8, 2014

The Lokal - A Cool, Classy Cafe Bistro Along Neil Road

The Lokal is another new cafe bistro that has opened up along Neil Road. Helmed by Chef Darren Farr, he used to be at Sydney's Tetsuya.

As for the cafe itself, it is very chic, elegant and also cosy at the same time. There isn't a distinctive theme, other than it looks classy and cool. Situated next to the Goethe Institute, you might just miss it as there is no visible signage at the front door.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Ootoya Japanese Restaurant and Panasonic - Indoor Grown Vegetables with Japanese Home Styled Cooking

Mention Panasonic and the first thing that comes to mind are consumer electronic products from this famous Japanese giant. Food is likely the last thing you will associate with them.

But today, Panasonic is making great strides in using their techno know how to cultivate vegetables in an indoor environment in a land scarce country like Singapore.

Monday, August 4, 2014

Saigon Kitchen - A Taste of Vietnam in Thomson Plaza

You will not expect much from mall food these days, especially when there are so many franchises populating the shopping centres around Singapore.

It came as a pleasant surprise when I saw a fellow blogger posted this small Vietnamese cafe on her Instagram, and I decided to pay Saigon Kitchen a visit.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Agnia at Once Upon a Bar - Modernizing Asian Classics

I always feel that those that who can only replicate recipes can, at best, be a good and competent cook. To be a great chef, you have to create and revolutionize food that has come before.

That is probably why I tend to favor chefs that constantly look at new ways to modernize classics. At the same time, understanding what makes a classic a classic is just as important.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Lao San Kway Chap in Ang Mo Kio - Simple, Fulfilling and Delicious

Kway Chap is not my usual go to comfort food, and the reason is that not many kway chap stalls in Singapore can conjure up a good bowl of kway chap.

Across the causeway, it is a whole different story. Most of the kway chap there are quite immaculately prepared and presented. In many instances here, the biggest issue is the cleaning of the pig internals that usually puts me off.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Grand Mandarin Restaurant - A Classy New Kid on the Chinese Gastronomic Block

It's quite easy to be jaded by Chinese fine dining these days. While Singapore has been infused with all forms of international gastronomy, very little has changed when it comes to Chinese cuisine.

The various attempts at infusion has only caused more confusion. More often than not, the fusion aspects are merely superfluous, and rarely do they actually work.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Tian Kee and Co - A Slice of Dakota Crescent Nostalgia Until December 2016

We sat on the high stools back facing from the main cafe and glancing at the main road, and the sense of old Singapore came flooding back almost instantly.

Then came news just yesterday that this entire neighborhood will make way for redevelopment come 2017. The persistent deconstruction of Singapore's past, has present Singapore really come to this?