Sail away with Kontiki, yet another Bicycle Cafe, and those Putu Pirings

The lions grabbed lunch at Seok Seng Bicycle Cafe, prolly the third bicycle themed joint on the island. Affordable plates below $10 certainly drew the crowd that was predominantly made up of families and cyclists in their full sweaty regalia (how's that for authenticity). The whole set up was not as souped up as its sexier and "hipster-fied" peers like Coast Cycles and Wheeler's Yard but no one can deny the million dollar view with private planes taking off in the distance. Grub is decidedly humble, not for fusspots and the lions suspect, catered for time-starved lunch folks working in the vicinity.  

Next, a pitstop for some snacks is in order. Hello best putu pirings on the island at Haig Road Market and Food Centre. These Malay style, plate-shaped (piring) rice cakes' allure lie in their pillowy soft, melt-in-the-mouth exteriors (flour mix is a secret blend) and not-too-sweet Gula Melaka filled centres. Oh, and the accompanying grated coconut that is lightly salted is sublime too. The lioness eyed the Gula Melaka that was used and it looked like a huge, sticky, paste-like, peanut buttery mess. Definitely worth the trip down to gorge on some of these babies while they are piping hot.

The cub got a few bites too and adores the taste.

Let me have some more... ...

If I wish hard enuf, maybe these putu babies will
multiply... ...

Bah... ...not working... ...

Then it's time to chill while the cub takes his afternoon nap. Speaking of million dollar views, this place is home to one too. The new community lifestyle and water sports hub along the Marina Reservoir - Passion Wave @ Marina Bay - is home to nautical themed Kontiki (named after an expedition by raft across the Pacific Ocean)  and the cosy and homely cafe, Plant Story (their second joint after the one in Hort Park).

The brains behind Handlebar has hatched a new concept drinking hole and
restaurant. The grub here is reminiscent of Handlebar's very meaty menu.

Airline seats.

Meow! Someone's hungry... ...

Paddles as leg rest at the bar counter.

This section would work better in the evening breeze. Now it's absolutely
scorching under the heat of the afternoon sun.

The man needs his beer.

View from the alfresco area.

Customised cassette tape tables.

Daddy, I wanna build a raft and sail the seven seas... ...

If light refreshments is your cup of tea for the afternoon, head for Plant Story just upstairs. The view is no less stunning from there.

Evening date night takes the two lions to Ghim Moh Temporary Market with the cutest and weirdest adjoining bus terminal! 

And aiyoh, they discovered that Flock Cafe has another joint in the West at Ghim Moh and they are unaware of it till now... ... yipeeee another place to chill for westies... ...

KIV Flock, the lioness wants the comfort of her favourite joint in the west instead so the lion acquiesced. Aaaaaaaaah... ...nothing like nursing a cold brew after a fruitful weekend. 

Cold Brew at The Tiny Roaster.

Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring
Haig Road Market and Cooked Food Centre
#01-08

14 Haig Road
Singapore 43004

Seok Seng 1954 Bicycle Cafe
MAJ Aviation Building 

#01-01

Seletar Aerospace

Kontiki
11 Rhu Cross
#01-02
Passion Wave @ Marina Bay

Pig Ear Biscuits

Is it the lioness' imagination or have the two cats been stumbling upon "cuter" treats ever since they started taking their little cub out?

Meet the only artisanal pig ear biscuits (named for its shape, no pork lah) on the island churned out by a husband-and-wife team. Even though the process is partly mechanised now, skilful hands are still needed for battering and kneading the dough to submission. No stale factory made stuff here. The biscuits, sliced more thinly than the mass produced ones (yums! hear the soul-comforting crunch), are made in batches, packet by packet daily. And they sell out literally in a blink of an eye. The lion was thankful he managed to grab one pack as a trip back 5 minutes later yielded null.  

The lions had a chat with the towkay neo and she quipped that her soft-spoken husband had taken a break for almost a decade because his hands were stiff and arthritic from the daily kneading. He is now back toiling over what he does best. And nope, their children have not expressed any intention of taking over the business.

The lions also sneaked a bite of the freshly crisp cuttlefish snack made here daily as well. Bliss.

Chai Wee Cuttlefish

Smith Street Food Centre

335 Smith Street
#02-59/65

Singapore 050335

Uncle, why is Gong Tng called Gong Tng?

"Because I use a huge ass wooden rolling pin to 'gong gong' the peanut candy flat." Yup right from the horse's mouth, though those aren't exactly his angmoh words. Mystery solved. Thank goodness for a contact of Mr Business Times that alerted the lions to what must be the only surviving artisanal handmade gong tng aka peanut candy brittle stall in Penang. The lions are humbled and in awe of this man's tireless dedication to his craft. Very often, city dwellers take certain things for granted and this is one of them. The lion would just pop one of these peanut brittles into his mouth without ever pondering about how it was made. The handmade process is a tedious one but the resulting candy is fit for a king. The lion has surely developed a deeper appreciation for the humble childhood sweet now.

Talk about the sweat and skill that goes into this....

Flatten the peanut candy with a wooden pin by hitting
on it several times.

The cool surface of a glass bottle comes in handy as well to roll the candy
evenly.

Dusting a little flour... ...

Encasing the peanut powder with the flattened candy. 

Making sure that the fold is tight... ...

Tightening the fold with two flat rectangular
slates of wood.

Sharp and thin knife used to cut the long roll by gut feel. No measurements
needed by this veteran candy maker.

Ok! Done! Transfer blocks of peanut brittle to a container. Approximately
24 pieces for RM20.

The bright red signage. This candy veteran was specially invited
by Seaview Hotel (now defunct) for a food festival on its premises
many years ago. Hey hoteliers, time to bring him back to the Lion City
for a demo again! Sure to attract crowds one.

Reserve your containers of candy.

Mr Ang also churns out another type of hua sheng tang
by hand.