We'll Tell You - A&W Couple's Blog

ABBEY: Yahoo, another unwinding activity after a day's work. Singapore lit up the night when they launched Night Festival. We went last Aug 21.  The first performance we saw is Anooki. :) They are performing at the front wall of National Museum. Yes, on the wall. It was a cartoon projection. The Anookis played, ran, and made the wall like jelly. They colored it with red, blue, green and even filled it up with balls. At the end, they whistled to the tune of Happy Birthday greeting Singapore for its 50th. Then we went to Armenian street. Loud music caught our attention and we saw New Stream Brass Band playing and encouraging the crowd to sing and dance with the beat. Next is the Peranakan Museum Variety Show (by The Main Wayang Co.). The Peranakans really got the crowd's vibes with their novelty songs. It was fun, cheerful and tiring (as you dance, shout and sing). Few minutes after the show, we got to see the Spark! by World Beaters Music of UK. I thought they a...

ABBEY: Before heading to 2015 Singapore Night Festival, we filled up our tummies with food from Comnam Broken Rice bowl in Raffles City. It caters Vietnamese street food.  I got marinated pork cutlet (with chicken ham, pickles, viet steamed egg with pork) for 10.5 sgd. Within minutes, the order was already on our table. It was zesty and tangy due to cilantro and lime and was flavorful. They are also using fish sauce which is used also in Philippines. Sweet, sour, salty, and spicy; all in one bowl.  We also tried their version of sugar cane juice. They put lime on that as well. This is a sister company of NamNam Noodle Bar. WILL:  I am intrigued on the long queue that is building up every time I passed at Raffles City. So when Abbey and I got the chance to have dinner there, we instantly grabbed the chance.  Comnam is serving broken rice. In Philippines this kind of rice is used for chicken feeds and I am not surprised that this store expla...

Ingredients: Kimchi (whole cabbage as this will be used for wrapping) Slices of pork belly Onion  (1/2 of king sized-thinly sliced) Pepper paste (depends how spicy you want) 3-4 tbsp sesame oil 3-4 honey Ground black pepper. Vegetarian version: 4-6 shitake mushrooms (soaked for at least 3 hours to be plumped- cubed or sliced) 2-3 stalks of green onion (chopped small) Onion (1/2 of king sized-thinly sliced) 2 tbsp soy sauce 2 tbsp honey 2-3 tbsp sesame oil Ground black pepper For the vegetarian version, mix all the ingredients in a bowl and set aside. On a pan, layer the onions. Wrap the pork belly with kimchi. Put a strip of sesame oil before rolling. This will give more flavor to the pork. Ensure that the roll is tight. Put it on the pan when finished. Do the same with the mushrooms. Once all the rolls are on the pan, spread pepper paste on each of them. Sprinkle with ground black pepper; drizzle with sesame oil and honey. Put a...

ABBEY: I first set my foot on Muthu's Curry at Suntec. It was when my colleague celebrated the arrival of his first child. It was really a treat. So from that moment, I want my wife to dine here.  First, there's unlimited papadum which is really her favorite. Second, they have butter chicken. Third, the food taste great. We dined and ordered Dum Biryani (11sgd) and butter chicken. The biryani rice is aromatic and flavorful. It was served with raita (yogurt, onion and carrots) and chicken curry sauce. I wasn't expecting the serving of butter chicken that small which costs 12sgd. But it didn't stop Wilma to order another bowl of biryani rice. And we got a couple of bowls of papadum.  WILL:  I managed to come up with the decision what I will eat for dinner when I reached Abbey's office that night. I chose to buy some hot fish noodles but when I met my husband he announced that we will eat at Muthu's Curry. I protested for the idea but when he ...

ABBEY: As people of all ages and races celebrated Singapore's 50th birthday, we also had some plans to participate. Since MRT and buses offered free rides it is expected for jam-packed destinations. Sentosa for one was really a crowd favorite. The snake line for Sentosa Express is very long that some people opted for the boardwalk.  For me and my wife, we visited the recently opened Indian Heritage Centre at 5 Campbell Ln (nearest MRT is Little India). We were warmly welcomed by their staff. They told us to go up to fourth story after giving us the information pamphlet. The museum exhibits the part of Indians in building in Singapore. How they thrive, built business and live in this land. One of the busts that were given by Indian government to commemorate the museum inauguration is of Mahatma Gandhi.  The first National Servicemen enlistee is an Indian. It was Mr. Albel Singh which served Singapore Armed Forces for 32 years. Part of the museum shows their religion;...

ABBEY: You want to walk in a suspension bridge so you can be as tall as the trees? You're in for a treat as you go to HSBC's TreeTop Walk inside MacRitchie reservoir.  I've been here twice. The first visit is when I traversed the long journey from Lornie road (Lamppost 51). It was exciting at first as you can appreciate nature and the views along the trail. But if you're walking nonstop for more than 4 hours on the heat of the day it is not funny anymore. The signs keep telling how much more to walk but it seems endless. I thought that we were already lost, that I have to save battery for my phone and water :) I just want to walk on the bridge. At last we saw the ranger station. I knew we're close. Few more minutes then we were on top. It was relieving. The long walk is worth it. I can't imagine I've done that. The second time, I stepped up my game plan. I came prepared. We took the track from Venus Carpark. Within 45 mins, we reached it. I'm gla...

ABBEY: We planned on meeting my former colleague, Arnold but due to some office work he was not able to come. So Wilma came up with something and asked me and Grace to go to Wheeler's Yard at Lor Ampas (one-bus ride -139 from Toa Payoh bus interchange). Grace was delighted to hear that as she is a cyclist.  The ambiance is like a warehouse you see in movies where the bad guys hide their kidnap victims. But instead of tension and fear, the cafe was filled with all-smiling and attentive staffs. It was warm and relaxing.  I got their spring chicken. It took time to be served. But, oh boy, when it was served, it was aromatic and delicious. Since it was baked, the fat is almost gone leaving the skin crispy. The meat can easily be removed from the bones. It came with creamy mash potatoes and purple cabbage coleslaw. The meals starts from 15sgd.  Other half of the place is for the bikes and accessories that are for sale.  WILL:  Wheeler's Cafe is o...

ABBEY: I've been here in Singapore for 6 years now. And coming from a not so progressive country, I can clearly see the difference.  In terms of security, first and foremost, it was great. No worries if you left office late at night; you can enjoy chatting with your friends in your mobile devices. You can even use your phone to save your table while buying your food. And most of all, you can wear your backpack on both shoulders. With less tax being withheld, we can save more of our salaries. You can breathe fresh air the whole day not only in the morning. Yes, MRT has service disruption, but compared to where I came where delay is a normal occurence, the service is efficient. And free buses are readily available when disruption happens. Taxi fare will be metered, not in a contract and most of the drivers are polite and friendly. You can ask directions if you're a tourist or just read the signs and you'll never get lost. Shop till you drop or go to their museums to le...

ABBEY: Normally, the buffet we are going to is for lunch and dinner but this time, we went for high tea. It was at Marriot Cafe at Orchard.  All the while, I'm thinking it will all be shortcakes, cold cuts, pastries, coffee and tea. Whoa, I was wrong. They are serving local delis. From Hainanese chicken rice, Hokien Mee to Nasi Lemak, you can have a couple of plates. They also have braised, duck and pork as well as bak kut teh. I indulged myself with slices of salmon. From time to time, I had a bite of their prata and chicken nuggets. I keep coming back for beef rendang, spicy but delicious. When we visited, they are offering 20sgd per person promotoion. Room of improvements though: Don't try to hide the burnt side of prata, it cannot be hidden. Just don't serve it. For the crispy fried chicken, please try to completely fry it. I can still see the uncooked batter inside.  And when making nigiri, make sure that the nori strip is fully wrapped around it. The ones I had...

ABBEY: Another year has passed and time for our specs to change again. Since we are getting new every year, we opted for glasses with cheaper prices.  As long as it protects our eyes from computer radiation, changes the shades when outdoors and of course the right grade or power for eyes, we are ok. We tried Wink Optics (Seletar Mall branch). For a fraction of the cost (178SGD) from our previous purchase, we bought our new set of eyes. And after a week, we are able to use them.  WILL:  Many optical shops are out there offering promotions as part of Great Singapore Sale. And for our annual eye check-up/change specs, it is my duty to scout for great quality for a lower price. Then I saw Wink Optics.  They are having a 50% off on the second pair and the most nice part is frames+lenses were only $98 and above.  We headed to their Seletar Mall branch after our hike at MacRitchie Reservoir. Our eyes were  checked (nothing changed) and we have som...