Gone Fishing Wednesdays

Every 3rd Wednesday evening of the month, a philosophy cum arts café transforms into a philosophy corner — a far cry from the boring, overrated coffee joints you find in town
By Estella Ng / Photos By Mr Lau / www.Urbanwire.com

HOSTING the café since Oct 2003, resident philosopher Lau Kwong Fook, who holds an MA in Philosophy from the University of Canterbury, hangs around Gone Fishing from 8pm to 10pm to lead discussions, on issues such as clear thinking, with just about anyone who is interested to hear what he has to say.

He is a freelance philosopher (giving talks to individuals, groups and organizations), editor and philosophy trainer. He even hosts a blog for reports and updates on the monthly philosophy café sessions held.

Read more about philosophy at Gone Fishing Café.

Makeup Artist Liren Neo

“During our overseas shoot, she helped us in more ways than just putting on make-up…she made our experience pain-free and enjoyable.” — Karen Liew, future bride

SOON-to-be-bride Karen Liew has done the rounds of suppliers for her upcoming wedding, and one of her finds is professional makeup artist Liren Neo. “I have found her not only a good make-up artist but also a very helpful, knowledgeable and IT-oriented person,” says Karen, who also notes Liren’s punctuality and helpfulness. “She’s an artist who never fails in her service.”

Read more about this recommendation for makeup artist, Liren Neo.

Want Some American Idol Soup?

It’s a mixture of good and bland, actually.
By Fiona Poh
Photos from www.chickensoup.com



The ever-popular TV talent-search series American Idol has found another way to milk its appeal and is now making soup. Not literally, of course, because Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul is just another book in the uplifting Chicken Soup series. Though this edition is about a reality TV series, it seems too tightly entwined with the fantasies of American Idol to be totally believable.

First season finalist Jim Verraros’s “The Impossible Dream” is both memorable and touching. He writes about his parents and the sad fact that they’ll never hear him sing. “I wouldn’t trade them for all the hearing parents in the world, but sometimes I dream that one day, by some miracle, I could pick up the phone and say ‘I love you’ without an interpreter in the middle,” he writes.

Speaking like a character out of a Disney production, Verraros is still optimistic, however, because “impossible things happen every day”.

Read more about Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul.

Five Guitars And A Movie

Custom-designed electric guitars up for auction at Singapore premiere of ‘Control,’ the critically acclaimed movie about cult band Joy Division’s lead singer

CONTROL, the critically acclaimed movie about Ian Curtis, the late frontman of seminal English band Joy Division, will be shown from 10 – 11 May at The Substation Theatre. Five electric guitars, custom-designed based on inspiration from the band and its music, will be publicly auctioned during the same period.

Hailed by The Guardian as "the best film of the year: a tender, bleakly funny and superbly acted biopic of Curtis", Control is directed by veteran music video director and photographer Anton Corbijn.

Read more about this film review.

Alternative Fuel - ChaNGe Fuels, Save the World!

As petrol prices look set to hit astronomical levels, mere mortals are frantically looking for alternative fuels. Fear not plebians! The answer is here...
By Fandy, SGCarMart Team

ENVIRONMENT-friendly vehicles are quite the rage nowadays. Everyone, from superstars to the regular dude on the street, is talking about it. Bio-diesel, Hybrid, CNG, Solar, electric cars all seem like the “it” words for the moment. Spearheaded by celebrities like Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Ellen Degeneres and Will Ferrell, there has been no better time to talk about environment-friendly cars than right now. I mean, if celebrities are doing their part, shouldn’t you? Now, if only they would stop jetting about in their private jets, I would be the first to commend them on being really environmentally conscious.

Read more about Alternative Fuel.

This Caddy Don't Need No Tiger

Over the past few years, many people have turned to powerful turbodiesel Eurovans, which can fulfill dual roles as business and leisure vehicles. Just how good to drive are they?
Team SGcarmart takes a look at one...
By SGCarMart.com

GOING to a garage does not make you a car, and going to McDonalds does not make you a Big Mac. So people realized driving a van does not make you a delivery man. Eurovans have grown in popularity due to their unique styling and powerful but fuel efficient diesel engine. The Volkswagen Caddy TDI is just one of the many that have flooded the market. So the team at sgcarmart decided to step out of the comfort of passenger cars and try their hand at driving such a commercial vehicle, and got more than they bargained for...

Read more on This Caddy Don't Need No Tiger.

In Search Of Eurasian Food

It’s widely believed that the only way to taste authentic Eurasian cuisine is by visiting a Eurasian household—Quentin’s challenges that belief
By James P. Ong / Photographs by Leigh Mojares

BY THE time we reached Quentin’s, the avenue alongside it was already enjoying a reprieve from vehicular traffic and the skies were ready to turn sunset orange. So when the waitress offered to sit us inside the dimly lit dining area, in one of those elegant tables covered in two layers of cloth, red and black, we opted to dine al fresco. You know, the way people used to in Singapore back when they still lived in proper houses with balconies?

For those who are unaware, Quentin’s first opened in November at a charming shop house along East Coast Road. It immediately attracted a cult following; such is the rarity of restaurants that serve Eurasian food. It is widely believed that the best place to have this type of cuisine is at a Eurasian household. Quentin Pereira, the restaurant’s owner, is said to use recipes from his grandmother.

Read more of In Search of Eurasian Cuisine.

Gourmet Ice Cream Flavours

Lavender. Chili Chocolate. Tom’s Palette offers both traditional and experimental ice cream flavours in its Beach Road outlet
By Cheryl Chia

THERE are many ice cream parlours that have been sprouting all around Singapore. Our sunny little island is known for its extreme temperatures. Here in this tiny red dot, it’s either scorching hot or cold and wet.

Whatever it is, I’ve never seen anyone complain about the lack of ice cream here. My friends eat ice cream even when the weather is cold. The same goes for me. I love ice cream and I believe that any time is ice cream time.

That explains why I’m ever so eager to try out new ice cream parlours whenever I get tip-offs from my friends and the newspapers.

I had some Thai Basil Rice for dinner the other day and was really looking for something to douse the fire in my mouth. Another opportunity to eat ice cream, I thought.

So where was I going to get my ice cream? I was yearning for soemthing freshly made, nothing pre-packaged. Then I remembered Tom’s Palette, a locally owned ice cream parlour that serves unique flavours like black sesame and chrysanthemum.

Read more about this ice cream parlour serving Gourmet Ice Cream Flavours.

North Indian and Bangladeshi Cuisine

Enjoy your meal in sovereign luxury
By Mavis Ang

Like an uncultured layman browsing through an art gallery, I was completely clueless about North Indian food and Bangladeshi cuisine when I stepped into Aangan. So like a guided tour, Aangan’s top chef introduced each of the buffet dishes to me with elaborate details on its origins and ingredients. It all ended up in a heap of jargon in my head eventually, but I’m still determined to understand the authentic North Indian cuisine in a slightly more practical way.

Read more on North Indian and Bangaldeshi Cuisine.

Arabian Nights At Arab Street

Café Le Claire, located on quaint Arab Street, serves authentic Middle Eastern Food like hummus, harissa, and even a whole carcass of lamb
By Cheryl Chia

THOUGH small in size, Singapore has plenty of gems that I’m still in the process of discovering. I don’t know about you, but I love exploring quaint streets that exude a unique essence.

Take Arab Street for example. Walking past that area allows me to appreciate the sights and smells, of course. Peppered with plenty of Mediterranean cafes and Middle Eastern restaurants, one can’t help but be enticed by the alluring scent of grilled meat and the works.

Read more about Middle Eastern Food.

Great Italian Food At Miss Clarity Cafe

Run by a French-trained Singaporean chef, this cosy café serves Italian dishes like risotto and ravioli that’ll leave you and your tastebuds awestruck.
By Cheryl Chia

WITH a name like Miss Clarity, you’d be forgiven for mistaking this bright local café for a regular teenage haunt that serves fish and chips, burgers and ice cream. But while it’s true that this place is popular with the young, they’re not the only ones who have been streaming in. Only barely a year old, Miss Clarity Café has already gained a reputation for being a cosy restaurant to go to when you want warm and delicious hearty food at a reasonable price.

Serving Asian fare as well as the typical Western grub like bangers and mash, this Singapore café has added new items to the menu since they first opened. Their head chef, Jonathan Pang, used to be from Raffles Grill. Having apprenticed at Michelin-star restaurants in France and receiving guidance from top chefs, Mr Pang took the liberty of using his creativity to come up with an array of wonderful culinary creations.

Read more on Great Italian Food At Miss Clarity Cafe.

Hundreds Of Recipes At Cold Rock Ice Creamery

Choose from 30 ice cream flavours and 40 mixes at this Australian concept store
By Mavis Ang

WALKING into Cold Rock at Holland Village was a bit like entering Willy Wonka’s refrigerator. This ice cream parlor’s bright walls, futuristic furniture, colourful desserts, and blue floor tiles did an excellent job at uncovering my childlike fantasy of an ice cream heaven. As I stuck my face close to the counter in wide-eyed marvel at the multi-coloured ice creams and toppings, I proceeded to the toughest part — deciding on the best combination.

Read more on the Hundreds Of Recipes At Cold Rock Ice Creamery.

More Than Brownies At Melvados

Tucked away in a quiet residential area, this restaurant used to be serve just brownies — but its menu has now expanded to offer specialities like Italian pizza, pasta and lasagna
Photos and story by Mavis Ang

LOCATED amidst schools and residential districts in Bukit Timah, Melvados is often heard of, but not easily found. You can hardly notice this Singapore restaurant even if you drive past it, as the building hides behind overgrown roadside flora. “We get lunch and dinner crowds, but it’s the hours in-between which get a little too quiet,” says owner Richard Ng.

Although the location of this Singapore cafe is a bit out of the way, I liked the fact that it’s hidden from the crowd. It provides me, and others who seek refuge from congested fast food restaurants, a tranquil eating experience.

Read more on this food review, More Than Brownies At Melvados.

9 Minutes of Sex and Gore

Is the director's cut of Lust, Caution worth seeing?

THE NC-16 version released last month was 148 minutes long. Any individual resourceful enough to check IMDB would have known that the movie’s full running time was 157 minutes.

So where did the other nine minutes go? Wasn’t most of the talk surrounding Ang Lee’s latest masterpiece about supposedly controversial sex scenes that some said bordered on being pornographic? Caution was definitely exercised with the censored release.

So after much flak that characterized an earlier Ang Lee-tamed (the director himself did the edits, hence, this too was an ‘original’) version of Lust, Caution, the Singapore’s movie goers above 21 years of age can finally view the ‘full-uncut’ version of the film – all 157 minutes.

To read more about this movie review, visit 88DB Lifestyle now!

[Review] Geylang Lorong 9 Beef Kway Teow

It’s not just about their signature dish
By Mavis Ang

When a hawker food stall is named after their signature dish, I can’t help but think that nothing else on their menu would be good. However, my parents and I ended up ordering four other dishes because we needed to make the trip to faraway Geylang worthwhile – by stuffing ourselves to the max.

Judging simply by the pictures on the menu, we picked the essential Beef Kway Teow, Stir Fried Chicken Wings with Spicy Salt, Thai Style Tofu, Stir Fried Sprout-lings, and Pork Ribs. It added up to $45, and for such a grand feast for three persons, that’s a pretty good price.

As we were there pretty early in the evening (about 5pm), orders were served within 10 minutes, even before I had taken in the sights fully. Sitting at a roadside table among narrow streets and rows of old shop houses reminds me of Bangkok, and this took my Geylang meal to a whole new eating experience, as if I was on a little holiday with my family.

Located at 237 (Lorong 9) Geylang, this hawker stall is open from 11am to 3am everyday except Mondays, when they open at 5pm. Unless you’re in Geylang for other activities, be sure to plan an early dinner at the Lorong 9’s Beef Kway Teow stall as it gets crowded and waiting hours are much longer later into the night.

To read more about this food review, visit 88DB Lifestyle.

Clearly Delicious

Go to Miss Clarity when you want reasonably priced warm and delicious hearty food
By Cheryl Chia

WITH a name like Miss Clarity, you’d be forgiven for mistaking this bright local café for a regular teenage haunt, one that serves your regular fish and chips, burgers and ice cream. But while it’s true that this place is popular with the young, they’re not the only ones who have been streaming in. Only barely a year old, Miss Clarity Café has already gained a reputation for being a cosy place to go to when you want warm and delicious hearty food at a reasonable price.

Serving Asian fare as well as the typical Western grub like bangers and mash, this café have added new items to the menu since they first opened. Their head chef, Jonathan Pang, used to be from Raffles Grill. Having apprenticed at Michelin-star restaurants in France and receiving guidance from top chefs, Mr Pang took the liberty of using his creativity to come up with an array of wonderful culinary creations.

Dishes like the Risotto Venere with Steamed Seabass and Vegetable Cream ($13.80) and the Oyster Ravioli with Clams Vinaigrette ($11.80) certainly knocked my socks off!

First of all, Risotto Venere is made from wild Arborio rice and it does look a bit like our Asian black glutinous rice but, taste-wise, this one is much nuttier. The cream complemented the risotto and I polished off every single rice-grain. Yes, it was that delicious and the sea bass was a good addition to the rice. Plump and tender, the simply steamed fish did itself justice.

The ravioli served here is like no other. I’ve tried ravioli at other Italian restaurants but none has impressed me as much as the ones Jonathan has created. The ravioli I tried was stuffed with fresh oysters and the entire little package was translucent and oh-so-smooth!

I don’t know how he made the skin, but this ravioli has a texture so smooth that it simply glides down your throat — no kidding! The clams in the vinaigrette were a refreshing touch too. Absolutely delightful! Try the Ravioli of Potato Marmalade with Vegetable Cream ($9.80) if you’re not a fan of oysters.

Fancy some seafood? Why not try the Grilled Slipper Lobster with Capellini and Tomato Lobster Cream ($15.80). This pasta dish tastes great and the sauce really brought out the flavours of the lobster.

Still hungry and daring enough to try something out of the ordinary? Then I suggest you order the French Escargots in garlic butter (half dozen: $6, one dozen: $11) or the Lobster Bisque with Cheese melted on Garlic Bread ($6). Seriously, you don’t often get escargots in small cafés don’t you? If you’re not yet impressed then I reckon you check out their full menu at their website: www.missclaritycafe.com

This is one café that’s worth your while — whether you feel like having something fancy or as simple as a warm sandwich. Trust me, you’ll leave the place feeling good; if not, awestruck (like me).

Miss Clarity Café
5 Purvis Street, #01-04
Tel: 6339-4803
Email: happy@missclaritycafe.com
Website: www.missclaritycafe.com