Blankets and Coffee - pawprints around a tiny island. A food & coffee blog in Singapore.: Hawker Centre

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

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

Monday, October 26, 2015

The Beautiful Mess, GuYou Kopi and the End of an Era

The lioness only does this for her intrepid lion, braving the heat and haze to visit those last vestiges of post-colonial, baby-boomer Singapura on the island. All these were done in the course of one day.

First stop was Heap Seng Leong for GuYou Kopi. Unbeatable. A generous slab of butter sloppily drowning atop a muddy cup. Tastes infinitely better than the supposedly more sophisticated cups recreated now in modern cafes with arabica beans. Can't, for the love of kopi, figure out why. Must be the use of oily robusta beans. Oh, the lions spotted some Indonesian tourists privy to the secret of this gem.

Only a few metres away... ...

The lion wanted the lioness to try an above decent cuppa at Ah Lim Coffee House located at North Bridge Road Market and Food Centre just a hop and skip away from Heap Seng Leong. She grimaced at the thought of downing another traditionally strong and acidic cup, but was pleasantly surprised by the very mellow and smooth kopi here. Mmmm... ... the lion was gleefully right. The style of traditional kopi here went down really well with her.

Exploring the neighbourhood on a leisurely Saturday... ...

What have we here... ... Sze Thye Cake Shop.

Founded in the 1950s, this nondescript Teochew bakery sells its traditional handmade piah, nut brittles, puffed rice and other candies using time-honoured methods and equipment unchanged in decades. Also, the rather gruff owner (man of few words indeed) still handcrafts sculptures from sugar and other ingredients for weddings, birthdays and religious occasions. A great place to go for soon-to-be-wedded couples craving some authenticity when observing those traditional customs.

................................................................................................................

Next, on to a block party to say "Goodbye Blk 74 to 80" at Commonwealth Drive. Sob, sob... ...
A cluster of seven housing blocks comprising Singapore's first 10-storey flats aka chap lau chu in Hokkien has been left vacant in this part of Tanglin Halt since late 2013 and is slated for demolition and redevelopment later this year.

Wah... ... look at the crowds relishing the complimentary ice-cream, popcorn and drinks on top of a screening of selected local films like "Singapore Dreaming" and "7 Letters", in addition to live performances by ShiGGa Shay and Tay Kexin. Nice.

The lions didn't manage to beat the snaking queue for exclusive access to Block 74. But, hey, Uncle Wanderlust did, and he is happy to share his photos with the lions here: