Valentine's Day 2014 - Unspoken, What It Means to Me

How do you actually celebrate a day like Valentine's Day? Especially in this era where flowers and dinners are jacked up many times their usual rate, where commercialism rules over actual sentiments.

Some people will actually go into a denial mode, and say that everyday is their valentine's day, and choose not to celebrate it at all. Which is perfectly fine.

Itacho Sushi - Affordable But High Quality Sushi

These days, it is a rare occurrence when I patronise a sushi eatery, as prices have gone up and the quality of the fish has sadly, gone the opposite way.

But when I was invited to a tasting at Itacho Sushi recently, I was surprised to find that good quality sashimi and sushi can be still be found at affordable prices.

Truly Curry Rice - Young Hawkers in Telok Blangah

You hear people lamenting about how the hawker culture will die and the young ones are unwilling to take over all the time. The current hawker generation is also facing problems of high rentals and expenses to survive.

So, it is with this backdrop that I was introduced to the hawker duo of Joel and Deniece that took me totally by surprise. They both quit their daytime jobs to take over a curry rice stall.

Spicy Thai - Thai Cafe, Delicious Thai Cuisine in Aljunied

Ron was someone I knew from my days in IT, and he and his partner ran an SI company that supported me and my company for over a decade. And that is the thing about working with reliable vendors, there is a sense of trust and confidence.

So, when Ron decided to start a Thai zhe char styled kopitiam in Aljunied, there wasn't a sense of trepidation. For I know, knowing how he and his partner work, they will always deliver the goods, and then some.

Mr and Mrs Mohgan's Super Crispy Roti Prata - The Beautiful Prata

A prata is a prata is a prata. A simple dish, but really, very hard to master and get it perfectly done. I have had a few pratas in my lifetime, and even the best like Sin Ming Prata has dipped somewhat in standards in recent times.

Personally, my favorite prata stall is largely an unknown one, and that's because it is hidden away in one corner of Seletar Hills, destined not to be discovered. But I shall let you in on another one for everyone's benefit.

Saigon Vietnamese Delicacy - A Taste of Authentic Vietnam Fare in Geylang

Since my October trip to Hanoi, I have been desperately seeking for some authentic Vietnamese fare, and it has been a rather hard search. Thankfully, dashtaz managed to find me one in Geylang.

It is located just a few doors from Rochor Beancurd House and is very humbly decorated. Boon Kiat, who is the owner here, is also very soft spoken and almost borders on the shy side.

Streets of London at British Hainan - Where the Old Ushers in the Young

It was just past 11 in the morning when our trio of yummicraft, smartcard and myself reached the exterior of this very rustic looking eating house.

Greeting us was a similar trio of young bosses, getting ready for lunch service as we intruded upon their prep time. Despite this, the warmth and smiles never relented.

No Name Cheng Tng - A Comforting and Cooling Sweet Broth

Cheng Tng is a classic Chinese dessert that hails from Techoew origins. I used to remember one of my early memories of a child, was to have a bowl of this comforting sweet broth near my dad's working place at Mohd Sultan Road, where UE Square is now.

Back then, it used to be just warehouses, and rows of hawkers were lined up just outside selling their food. This and a bowl of sweet potato soup were the things that brought us great joy when you were young.