The week between Christmas and New Year's is made for Jane Snow's Hot Buttered Rum Batter.
The rushing around is over. If it isn't wrapped or decorated, it probably isn't going to get done. That week is the reward, when we get to slow down and enjoy. For my favorite recipe for doing that, I always say an inner thanks to Jane Snow.
When I became a food writer in the late 1980s, the food writer to beat was Jane Snow of the Akron Beacon Journal. A constant-motion machine of writing, she won all the awards, she broke all the food news, she caught the trends before anyone else. And when it came to recipes, Jane had a sixth sense about what people would want to eat.
She still does, even though she took a buyout and went into semi-retirement several years ago. Semi, I said: While everybody else was figuring out blogs and Twitter feeds, Jane was inventing "See Jane Cook," her online newsletter.
She sends it out every week, with stories about life with her husband, Tony the Japanese sushi chef, and her continuing adventures with food. While it has a lot about food in her area of Ohio, it also a timelessness and that cosmic sense that good food in one place is good food in any place. It's free, too: Go to janesnowtoday.com to sign up.
Hot Buttered RumFrom Jane Snow. Make the butter mixture and keep it in the refrigerator. It lasts for weeks.
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened6 tablespoons packed brown sugar (light or dark)1/4 cup molasses or dark corn syrupRumBoiling waterWhipped cream (optional)
Combine the butter, brown sugar and molasses or dark corn syrup. Mash with the back of a spoon or the tines of a fork to make a paste. Refrigerate until ready to use.
To use, place 1 1/2 to 2 rounded teaspoons of mix in a mug. Add 1 ounce rum Top with boiling water, stirring until the mix is melted. Top with whipped cream if you really need it.
YIELD: At least a dozen servings, maybe more.
31 Aralık 2012 Pazartesi
One Great . . . hot buttered rum
To contact us Click HERE
Molly O'Neill leads table talk in Rock Hill
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In the mood to think, talk and eat food? Rock Hill's Friday Arts Project will hold "A Place at the Table: Creativity in Food & Togetherness," a two-day forum Jan. 18-19 at the Gettys Art Center, 201 E. Main St. in Rock Hill.
The aim, according to the organizers: "Community, goodness and the mysterious bond that occurs around the table through art, film, discussion and shared meals."
Speakers include Molly O'Neill, former New York Times food columnist and author the mega-cookbook "One Big Table"; Peter Reinhart, chef on assignment at Johnson & Wales University; Levine Museum of the New South curator Tom Hanchett; and former Observer writer and barbecuer Dan Huntley.
The two-day event will include discussions, lectures, art exhibits, film screenings, an opening reception and meals, including a Live Fire Feast on Saturday night that involves a discussion on ethnic barbecue and a meal of lamb and other dishes cooked by Huntley and Fausta Salvatierra of Cocina Latina.
The two-day conference and three meals on Saturday is $85; the Saturday evening feast only is $45; a patron-level ticket including the entire conference and a limited-edition fine-art print is $150.
Details and registration: www.fridayartsproject.org, or call Stephen Crotts, 803-554-1826.
Need New Year oysters?
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They aren't cheap at 99 cents each, but Alabama's Point aux Pins oysters are available at Whole Foods in SouthPark through the holiday.
Farm-raised in Grand Bay, Ala., by Steve and Dema Crockett, the Point aux Pins has been getting a following from Alabama chefs like Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, and oyster fanatics.
Texas food writer Robb Walsh had a good report on how they're raised when they first hit the market in 2010 and called them the best Gulf oysters he had eaten in a while.
They'll be available through the holiday at Whole Foods stores in the Southeast, including the Charlotte store, 6610 Fairview Road, near Sharon Road.
The most meat on a sandwich?
To contact us Click HERE
We present, for your perusal, the Chivito Al Pan, from Che Gaucho, 4724 Old Pineville Road (in the little strip shopping center just past Woodlawn).
Featured on the lunch specials, the Chivito is pounded (or similarly flattened) sirloin, ham, bacon, mozzarella and a fried egg, on a crispy roll roughly the size of a grown man's bedroom slipper. With fries. It's $7.50 and it's big. How big? A family of four could have split it.
Since every order also comes with a bowl of creamy potato soup, I skipped most of the bread (pity, it had a lovely crisp crust) and just aimed for the sandwich filling. I still only made it maybe a third of the way in. I'm betting a teenage boy could do it in a couple of bites, but I'm just a girl.
Che Gaucho is a nice little cafe with an Argentine/Uruguyan menu, which, as far as I can tell, makes it the only Uruguyan restaurant in Charlotte. Get a look at the menu here.
One Great . . . silky kale salad
To contact us Click HERE
Ah, the ubiquitous kale. If you stick close to a local diet, that means lots of kale in the winter.
Since I have a kale-disliking husband, I'm always seeking kale dishes he doesn't find objectionable. So I paid attention when I started seeing a new technique:
Rubbed kale, sometimes called massaged kale. Seriously -- you toss raw kale with olive oil, lemon juice and salt. And then you rub it: Knead it, squeeze it, scrub it between your palms. Do that for at least 2 minutes and the kale breaks down, softens and takes on a silky texture.
Yes, you have to rub it after you add the oil, salt and an acid. If you just rub the bare leaves, it won't get all that soft. But think of all that oil you're massaging into your dry hands in winter. It's like a kale spa treatment.
After you soften the leaves (and wash your hands), you toss the kale with a few more ingredients and end up with a terrific winter salad. You can add almost anything. For this version, the spicy nature of kale led me to think of sweet and hot touches of maple syrup and cayenne, plus some sliced mushrooms because I had them handy. But you can change it up. Swap the lemon juice for a flavored vinegar. Add Parmesan, feta or goat cheese. Try toasted nuts and sliced pear. Toss it with a diced avocado.
The method works with regular kale or black kale (AKA lacinato or dinosaur kale). The salad even keeps a day or so in the refrigerator, so you can take extras for your lunch.
Rubbed Kale Salad
1 head kale (regular or black kale)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (or try a flavored vinegar)
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 cup sliced fresh mushroom caps (see note)
TRIM away and discard the kale stalks. Stack the leaves and cut into 1/2-inch- to 1-inch-wide ribbons. Place in a large salad bowl.
ADD the oil, lemon juice and salt and toss to miss. Put your hands in the bowl and massage the kale, rubbing and squeezing it for 2 or 3 minutes, until it's soft.
ADD maple syrup, cayenne and garlic and toss well. Add the mushrooms or whatever else you're adding (see note). Serve at room temperature. Refrigerate leftovers for a day or so.
NOTE: Instead of mushrooms, you could add shaved Parmesan or crumbled feta or goat cheese, toasted nuts, sliced fruit or diced vegetables.
YIELD: 2 to 4 servings.
27 Aralık 2012 Perşembe
Party Announcement: Flip Your Gift Party: Sat. Jan 5th
To contact us Click HERE
I'm throwing a party that is perfect for those Christmas gifts...see the details below:) 
Flip Your Gift is a FREE “swap” party that focuses solely on gifts. It allows you to “re-gift” without the negative connotation.
Perhaps you received a duplicate gift this holiday season or received a gift that is amazing but doesn’t match your style or decor.
Flip Your Gift allows you to exchange a similarly priced gift for one that better suits your needs, wants, style and/or decor. No gag gifts allowed! This is a free, fun festive event in which you exchange gifts, leaving with a special present that you cannot wait to take home to use, wear and/or admire.
Attendees bring a gift to exchange for a similarly priced gift that best suits their needs and/or wants.
This event is proudly sponsored by The Boulevard at South End.
Complimentary small bites, wine and desserts by Hey Sugar Shop Date: Saturday, January 5, 2013Location: The Ashton SouthEndTime: 11am-2pm
RSVP via Facebook or by leaving a comment/your name at the end of this post.
Flip Your Gift is a FREE “swap” party that focuses solely on gifts. It allows you to “re-gift” without the negative connotation.
Perhaps you received a duplicate gift this holiday season or received a gift that is amazing but doesn’t match your style or decor.
Flip Your Gift allows you to exchange a similarly priced gift for one that better suits your needs, wants, style and/or decor. No gag gifts allowed! This is a free, fun festive event in which you exchange gifts, leaving with a special present that you cannot wait to take home to use, wear and/or admire.
Attendees bring a gift to exchange for a similarly priced gift that best suits their needs and/or wants.
This event is proudly sponsored by The Boulevard at South End.
Complimentary small bites, wine and desserts by Hey Sugar Shop Date: Saturday, January 5, 2013Location: The Ashton SouthEndTime: 11am-2pm
RSVP via Facebook or by leaving a comment/your name at the end of this post.
Cafe Sketchwalk 1.1 - L'Etoile Cafe
To contact us Click HERE
Started the day meeting up with friends at L'Etoile Cafe at Owen Road. I was there for brunch and had their delicious french toast with scrambled eggs and bacon. It was a delicious fare - not too greasy nor was the maple syrup accompanying the toast too sweet. There was even a nice hint of cinnamon in the syrup. I had their flat white to wash the brunch down... it was so good, I had two - coffees that is.
However, what must be the main draw of the place is the environment. Set like a French-influenced Japanese cafe, the place has a charm and quaintness that blends itself beautifully into the quiet and comfortably appointed interiors.
This is a definite place to visit for some chill time alone or with friends.
Started the day meeting up with friends at L'Etoile Cafe at Owen Road. I was there for brunch and had their delicious french toast with scrambled eggs and bacon. It was a delicious fare - not too greasy nor was the maple syrup accompanying the toast too sweet. There was even a nice hint of cinnamon in the syrup. I had their flat white to wash the brunch down... it was so good, I had two - coffees that is.
However, what must be the main draw of the place is the environment. Set like a French-influenced Japanese cafe, the place has a charm and quaintness that blends itself beautifully into the quiet and comfortably appointed interiors.
This is a definite place to visit for some chill time alone or with friends.
Cafe Sketchwalk 3: Orchard Shopping Belt.
To contact us Click HERE
This is the off-shoot from the Rodyk Street main store. It's a collaboration with X-Tra furtniture store and thus explains the electic and stylish selection of furniture.
The coffee is interesting enough with a passable selection of food. 'Home-cooked' and 'simple' are words that one would not and should not use when introducing a bistro in the busy retail/commercial area; but they did, to underwhelming effect.
Black Coffee was closed for renovation (or for good?) when I was there. So I just walked a few more steps to check out this other shop that is basally a glorified local kopitiam. Bleary-eyed CBD workers form long queues in the morning to get their kopi fix from Coffee & Toast. Local tea and coffee in the style of Ya Kun, Wang etc. but slightly cheaper than either place.
Raindrops Cafe offers alfresco dining and dishes by the former Red Dot Cafe Chef. If it starts pouring in the middle of a meal, a 20 per cent discount will be given. The crew also offers rain shelter service with specially designed umbrellas since there isn't any linkway from the main building to this littel bistro.
Raindrops Cafe serves simple comfort food. The food portions are a little small and not fantastic in terms of taste but the prices are reasonable and it’s a good . If you are looking for a nice cafe to chill out or for dinner Raindrops Cafe may be the right place.
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| Kith Cafe at Park Mall, Penang Road. |
The coffee is interesting enough with a passable selection of food. 'Home-cooked' and 'simple' are words that one would not and should not use when introducing a bistro in the busy retail/commercial area; but they did, to underwhelming effect.
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| Coffee & Toast at Triple One Somerset, Exeter Road. |
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| Raindrops Cafe at *Scape, Orchard Road. |
Raindrops Cafe serves simple comfort food. The food portions are a little small and not fantastic in terms of taste but the prices are reasonable and it’s a good . If you are looking for a nice cafe to chill out or for dinner Raindrops Cafe may be the right place.
Ad Hoc Sketchwalk at Conservation Areas...
To contact us Click HERE
Le Chocolat Cafe is a sandwich & pastry café within the boutique hotel The Club, and is situated along Ann Siang Hill. The café here is small and still finding a foothold in this seemingly sleepy but charmingly peaceful part of Singapore. The service can be slow but it allows you to soak in the ambience and adds to the charm of the place.
A lifestyle boutique combining mid-high end international menswear retail, a café centered on quality coffee and a semi-alfresco cocktail bar.
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| Le Chocolat Cafe at The Club, Ann Siang Hill |
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| Maison Ikkoku at Kandahar Street. |
DECEMBER SKETCHWALK 29DEC, 9:30AM
To contact us Click HERE
Hi Everyone!
This upcoming sketchwalk will be in favour of the people living in the east because we will be sketching around Bedok! It's a pretty busy and big neighbourhood. We will meet at the Bedok Food Centre just beside Bedok Mrt Station at 930am. You can have your breakfast there before the event (or eat and draw when the sketching starts like some of you like to do) From the food centre, we will hand out highlighted locations for you to draw and explore so you can head for all the places that are famous in Bedok.
You will be able to submit the sketches done in this sketchwalk to Epigram to be included in the upcoming "I Love Bedok" book. Yes, it's in the same series as the "I love Toa Payoh" book. Only the best sketches will be chosen for the book so do as many as you can and submit them! You will get 1 complimentary copy if 1 drawing gets into the book. And 2 copies if 3 or more drawings gets featured.
(all files sent to Jocelyn using yousendit or youtransfer at jocelyn@epigrambooks.sg)
We will have just 3 groups this time + 1 special ah-hoc afternoon group (see below).
We will meet back at the hawker centre again (this may change if we find a quieter location) at 12:30pm for a show and tell session before lunch.
See you guys there!
Call 91070735 if you get lost or can't find us. (well, hard not to miss so many sketchers about.)
Group 1
BEDOK INTERCHANGE
Goreng Pisang stall (back corner stall)-
Bedok Chwee Kueh, #01-53-
Jian Bo Shui Kueh, #01-24-
Selegie Soya Bean / Beancurd, #01-46-
Famous Bedok porridge near interchange - ??
Group 2: BEDOK TOWN CENTRE
Group3: New Upper Changi Road / Bedok North Road
ADHOC GROUP
BEDOK SOUTHBedok South Ave 1
Wah Rojak, #01-197Hill
Street Char Kway Teow, #01-187
is next to food centre, and good angles to sketch from – the ground
here is all red tiled. Temasek
Junior College (I don’t think this is drawable from outside, so it
is optional)
Hi Everyone!
This upcoming sketchwalk will be in favour of the people living in the east because we will be sketching around Bedok! It's a pretty busy and big neighbourhood. We will meet at the Bedok Food Centre just beside Bedok Mrt Station at 930am. You can have your breakfast there before the event (or eat and draw when the sketching starts like some of you like to do) From the food centre, we will hand out highlighted locations for you to draw and explore so you can head for all the places that are famous in Bedok.
You will be able to submit the sketches done in this sketchwalk to Epigram to be included in the upcoming "I Love Bedok" book. Yes, it's in the same series as the "I love Toa Payoh" book. Only the best sketches will be chosen for the book so do as many as you can and submit them! You will get 1 complimentary copy if 1 drawing gets into the book. And 2 copies if 3 or more drawings gets featured.
(all files sent to Jocelyn using yousendit or youtransfer at jocelyn@epigrambooks.sg)
We will have just 3 groups this time + 1 special ah-hoc afternoon group (see below).
We will meet back at the hawker centre again (this may change if we find a quieter location) at 12:30pm for a show and tell session before lunch.
See you guys there!
Call 91070735 if you get lost or can't find us. (well, hard not to miss so many sketchers about.)
Group 1BEDOK INTERCHANGE
- Bedok
MRT entrance
(on Bus Interchange side)
- Bedok Bus Interchange and surrounds
There are some iconic places at theinterchange itself that I think should be documented. One is the flower shop,the other is a medicine shop that sells really inexpensive toiletries. Andfurther in there's the wet market and lots of mom and pop shops (I'd recommendone called Kian Wee Stationery Shop -- has those old school toys too!)
- Bedok
Interchange Food Centre
(Blk
207 New Upper Changi Road)
Goreng Pisang stall (back corner stall)-
Bedok Chwee Kueh, #01-53-
Jian Bo Shui Kueh, #01-24-
Selegie Soya Bean / Beancurd, #01-46-
Famous Bedok porridge near interchange - ??
- Current construction
of Bedok
Residences
–Huge
site worth recording, cranes and all!
- Princess
Theatre building
– v old.
Group 2: BEDOK TOWN CENTRE
- Bedok Public Library
This was the first solar powered library. Might be good for sketches to
catch top-view down (if possible?). - Bedok Adventure Park
- Blk 216 Market and Food Centre (technically Bedok North St 1)
- Hon Ni Kitchen Nasi Lemak (closed on Sun)
- Chris’s Kway Chap, #01-80
- Rui Xing Coffee (kopi and toast), #01-42
- Mixed rice stall ($2 only!) facing road, always with long queues
- And any other neighbourhood stores that catch artists’ attention
Group3: New Upper Changi Road / Bedok North Road
- Bedok
Swimming Complex - Bedok
Sports Hall - Bedok
Stadium - Bedok
Badminton Hall - Bedok
Tennis Centre - Bedok
Community Club (across road from swimming pool)
ADHOC GROUP
BEDOK SOUTHBedok South Ave 1- Bedok
South Road Market and Food Centre (Blk
16)
Wah Rojak, #01-197Hill
Street Char Kway Teow, #01-187
- Blk
18 HDB old-style long block
is next to food centre, and good angles to sketch from – the ground
here is all red tiled. Temasek
Junior College (I don’t think this is drawable from outside, so it
is optional)
20 Aralık 2012 Perşembe
The People's Cocktail Competition at Drago Centro
To contact us Click HERE
For four weeks straight, Drago Centro and Michael Shearin, Drago Centro's Sommelier and Beverage Director hosted The People's Cocktail, a weekly cocktail contest held over Twitter. Each Monday they would tweet out a secret ingredient and you have until Friday afternoon to tweet in your recipe. Over the weekend, Michael Shearin and head bartender Jaymee Mandeville worked on the submitted recipes and by Monday afternoon a winner was announced.
Last week, all four winners came together for a final battle for a spot on Drago Centro's summer cocktail list. I ain't gonna lie. I was terrified going up against guys with monikers like SazeracLA, Rumdood and LushAngeles. What did I get myself into???
So thankful my husband Dylan emailed our friends in the area to stop on by. There was a lot of waiting around but with good friends and a stiff Aviation, it was easy to relax and have fun.
My best friends, my husband Dylan and my brother Jeremy. They knew I was nervous but both of them were so encouraging. Love you guys!
Once all the judges arrived, it was time to make cocktails.
Week 1 Chuck Taggart
Secret Ingredient: Blueberries
Week 2 Ron Dollete
Secret Ingredient: Fernet Branca
Week 3 Matt Robold
Secret Ingredient: Gin
Week 4 Jeni Afuso
Secret Ingredient: Lemon
When it was my turn to make my cocktail, all I was left with melted ice and some shaky knees. I don't know how I did it, but I threw out four Momo Rye Fizz's within minutes and even made several drinks for my friends who came.
After the judges, Caroline from Caroline on Crack, Lesley of The Tasting Table, Shauna of The Minty, and Chef Celestino Drago from Drago Centro had time to sip through all the cocktails, they announced Drago Centro's Peoples Cocktail Winner. It was a very close finish, but I was able to push past the big boys and win it with my Momo Rye Fizz. Hooraaaaay!
We spent the remainder of the night celebrating at Caña Rum Bar. Lots of party punch went down. It was truly a great night.
Thanks for reading!
Last week, all four winners came together for a final battle for a spot on Drago Centro's summer cocktail list. I ain't gonna lie. I was terrified going up against guys with monikers like SazeracLA, Rumdood and LushAngeles. What did I get myself into???
So thankful my husband Dylan emailed our friends in the area to stop on by. There was a lot of waiting around but with good friends and a stiff Aviation, it was easy to relax and have fun.
My best friends, my husband Dylan and my brother Jeremy. They knew I was nervous but both of them were so encouraging. Love you guys!
Once all the judges arrived, it was time to make cocktails.
Week 1 Chuck Taggart
Secret Ingredient: Blueberries
- 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
- 20 blueberries
- .5 ounce Amaro Ramazzotti
- 1 barspoon (tsp) Trader Tiki’s Cinnamon Syrup
- Lemon peel for garnish
In a mixing glass, muddle the blueberries thoroughly in the whiskey. Add the Amaro and syrup, ice and shake for 15 seconds. Double-strain over ice into a large Old Fashioned glass, and garnish with a large swath of lemon peel.
Week 2 Ron Dollete
Secret Ingredient: Fernet Branca
- 1 oz. Fernet-Branca
- 1 oz. Krogstad Aquavit
- 1 oz. Cointreau
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Week 3 Matt Robold
Secret Ingredient: Gin
- 2 oz. Bols Genever
- .5 oz. Scotch
- .25 oz. Simple Syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters.
Week 4 Jeni Afuso
Secret Ingredient: Lemon
- 1/2 fresh peach
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 2 oz Rittenhouse 100 Rye
- 1 oz lemon juice
- Club soda
When it was my turn to make my cocktail, all I was left with melted ice and some shaky knees. I don't know how I did it, but I threw out four Momo Rye Fizz's within minutes and even made several drinks for my friends who came.
After the judges, Caroline from Caroline on Crack, Lesley of The Tasting Table, Shauna of The Minty, and Chef Celestino Drago from Drago Centro had time to sip through all the cocktails, they announced Drago Centro's Peoples Cocktail Winner. It was a very close finish, but I was able to push past the big boys and win it with my Momo Rye Fizz. Hooraaaaay!
We spent the remainder of the night celebrating at Caña Rum Bar. Lots of party punch went down. It was truly a great night.
Thanks for reading!
Orchard in the Monsoon.
To contact us Click HERE
Orchard Road got its name from the nutmeg, pepper and fruit orchards or the plantations that the road led to in the mid-1800s. Commercial development only began in the twentieth century, and took off in the 1970s.
Orchard Road was already cut in the 1830s, though the new road was not named in George Coleman's 1836 Map of Singapore. In the 1830s the Orchard Road area was the scene of gambier and pepper plantations. Later, nutmeg plantations and fruit orchards predominated, hence its name.
By 1846, the spread of houses had reached up to Tank Road. There were none on the left side and only three or four houses went past Tank Road on the right side of Orchard Road.
One major sight during this period was a Dr Jun tending his garden, which helped endorse the road's name. He had a garden and plantation at the corner of what is now Scotts Road and Orchard Road.
Towards the later part of the 1840s, graveyards began to appear along the road. By 1846, the Chinese had a large graveyard around what is now the Meritus Mandarin Hotel and Ngee Ann City, while the Sumatrans from Bencoolen had their burial ground where the current Grand Central Hotel stands. Later a Jewish cemetery was established; it was located where Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station is now situated, and demolished in 1984.
In the 1860s, Orchard Road had a great number of private houses and bungalows on hills looking down through the valley where the road passed through. Early in the 1890s, King Chulalongkorn, the then King of Siam, acquired "Hurricane House" in the vicinity of Orchard Road through Tan Kim Ching, the Thai Consul in Singapore. Two further pieces of adjoining property were added later and these subsequently became the site of the present Royal Thai Embassy at 370 Orchard Road.
In the early 20th century, it was noted that Orchard Road "present[ed] the appearance of a well-shaded avenue to English mansion[s]", comparable in its "quiet but effective beauty to Devonshire lanes." The Chinese called the area tang leng pa sat koi or "Tanglin market street". The Tamils refer to the road as vaira kimadam or "fakir's place", and muttu than (high ground), a reference to the hilly nature of the area.
Flash floods occurred at the road's iconic junction with Scotts Road on 16 June 2010 after 100mm of rain fell from 8 am to 11 am that morning, reportedly the worst flood at the junction since 1984. Shopping malls along Orchard Road like Lucky Plaza and Liat Towers were affected by the flood. The flood had caused some shopping mall and car park basements to be submerged in the water. Rescuers had to pull out about 70 passengers from cars and buses, as flooding shut down Orchard Road, which is lined with high-end shopping malls and tourist attractions. No one was injured.
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| Orchard Road Promenade outside Liat Towers after the rain. |
Orchard Road was already cut in the 1830s, though the new road was not named in George Coleman's 1836 Map of Singapore. In the 1830s the Orchard Road area was the scene of gambier and pepper plantations. Later, nutmeg plantations and fruit orchards predominated, hence its name.
By 1846, the spread of houses had reached up to Tank Road. There were none on the left side and only three or four houses went past Tank Road on the right side of Orchard Road.
One major sight during this period was a Dr Jun tending his garden, which helped endorse the road's name. He had a garden and plantation at the corner of what is now Scotts Road and Orchard Road.
Towards the later part of the 1840s, graveyards began to appear along the road. By 1846, the Chinese had a large graveyard around what is now the Meritus Mandarin Hotel and Ngee Ann City, while the Sumatrans from Bencoolen had their burial ground where the current Grand Central Hotel stands. Later a Jewish cemetery was established; it was located where Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station is now situated, and demolished in 1984.
In the 1860s, Orchard Road had a great number of private houses and bungalows on hills looking down through the valley where the road passed through. Early in the 1890s, King Chulalongkorn, the then King of Siam, acquired "Hurricane House" in the vicinity of Orchard Road through Tan Kim Ching, the Thai Consul in Singapore. Two further pieces of adjoining property were added later and these subsequently became the site of the present Royal Thai Embassy at 370 Orchard Road.
In the early 20th century, it was noted that Orchard Road "present[ed] the appearance of a well-shaded avenue to English mansion[s]", comparable in its "quiet but effective beauty to Devonshire lanes." The Chinese called the area tang leng pa sat koi or "Tanglin market street". The Tamils refer to the road as vaira kimadam or "fakir's place", and muttu than (high ground), a reference to the hilly nature of the area.
Flash floods occurred at the road's iconic junction with Scotts Road on 16 June 2010 after 100mm of rain fell from 8 am to 11 am that morning, reportedly the worst flood at the junction since 1984. Shopping malls along Orchard Road like Lucky Plaza and Liat Towers were affected by the flood. The flood had caused some shopping mall and car park basements to be submerged in the water. Rescuers had to pull out about 70 passengers from cars and buses, as flooding shut down Orchard Road, which is lined with high-end shopping malls and tourist attractions. No one was injured.
Cafe Sketchwalk 1.1 - L'Etoile Cafe
To contact us Click HERE
Started the day meeting up with friends at L'Etoile Cafe at Owen Road. I was there for brunch and had their delicious french toast with scrambled eggs and bacon. It was a delicious fare - not too greasy nor was the maple syrup accompanying the toast too sweet. There was even a nice hint of cinnamon in the syrup. I had their flat white to wash the brunch down... it was so good, I had two - coffees that is.
However, what must be the main draw of the place is the environment. Set like a French-influenced Japanese cafe, the place has a charm and quaintness that blends itself beautifully into the quiet and comfortably appointed interiors.
This is a definite place to visit for some chill time alone or with friends.
Started the day meeting up with friends at L'Etoile Cafe at Owen Road. I was there for brunch and had their delicious french toast with scrambled eggs and bacon. It was a delicious fare - not too greasy nor was the maple syrup accompanying the toast too sweet. There was even a nice hint of cinnamon in the syrup. I had their flat white to wash the brunch down... it was so good, I had two - coffees that is.
However, what must be the main draw of the place is the environment. Set like a French-influenced Japanese cafe, the place has a charm and quaintness that blends itself beautifully into the quiet and comfortably appointed interiors.
This is a definite place to visit for some chill time alone or with friends.
Art Prints for Sale - My First Group Art Exhibition-cum-Sale
To contact us Click HERE
Viridian Art House is organising a Christmas Creative Art Exhibition Sale and I have been invited to put up a collection of my paintings’ prints for exhibition and sale at the event. This is a 2-day affair from 15 to 16 Dec 12 from 11am to 6pm.
Hope to see you there and show your support for my art pieces.
These pieces have been carefully selected and reproduced on high gauge archive quality A5 art paper for the pleasure of your collection.
Hope to see you there and show your support for my art pieces.
These pieces have been carefully selected and reproduced on high gauge archive quality A5 art paper for the pleasure of your collection.
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| Starbucks Liat Towers before the Ponding Flood — at Starbucks Coffee @ Liat Towers. |
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| Sungei Buloh in the mist — at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. |
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| MacRitchie Reservoir Dawn — at MacRitchie Reservoir. |
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| 玄江殿 — at 玄江殿. |
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| MacRitchie Reservoir After the Rain — at MacRitchie Reservoir. |
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| Dunlop Street in Contrast — at Dunlop Street. |
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| House 1A at Bukit Ayer Molek. |
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| Sunset at Orchard Road Promenade after the Rain — at Wheelock Place. |
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| Malay Heritage Centre — at Malay Heritage Center. |
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| Cast Iron Table Leg Detail — at Starbucks Rochester Park. |
Spinelli at Wheelock Place.
To contact us Click HERE
Wheelock Place went through a major overhaul after its anchor tenant closed down in 2011. Marks & Spencers took over that retail space. The vacant basement was then segregated into parcels of shop spaces now helmed by niche shops, boutiques and a few cafes and bistros, one of which is Spinelli.
Spinelli Coffee Company has its origins in San Francisco and was the first American specialty coffee retailer to reach the shores of Singapore in 1996. Their coffee beans are selected from plantations around the world, roasted and blended by Master Roasters in Singapore to ensurecoffee freshness. Staff members are carefully trained in product knowledge and preparation methods.
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| Spinelli Coffee Company at Wheelock Place |
Spinelli Coffee Company has its origins in San Francisco and was the first American specialty coffee retailer to reach the shores of Singapore in 1996. Their coffee beans are selected from plantations around the world, roasted and blended by Master Roasters in Singapore to ensurecoffee freshness. Staff members are carefully trained in product knowledge and preparation methods.
16 Aralık 2012 Pazar
Bobby's Burger Palace: Vanilla Caramel Bourbon Milkshake
To contact us Click HERE
Bill
Burgers are the new tapas in DC, and at least this trend tends to bring milkshakes with it. Unfortunately, Bobby's Burger Palace's Vanilla Caramel Bourbon milkshake comes nowhere near living up to the excitement about the restaurant overall.
Instead of incorporating the caramel flavor evenly into the shake, some caramel ribbons swirl through the glass. This caramel sauce can add intriguing texture and flavor to an ice-cream dish eaten with a spoon, but it's largely lost in a dish enjoyed through a thick straw. This shake lacked the deep, indulgent vanilla flavor that should be expected in a vanilla shake. The only traceable flavor was the bourbon. The problem wasn't that the bourbon was so strong or voluminous that it overpowered the other flavors; it was that the other flavors were weak and didn't blend well. This left the shake tasting like chilled bourbon and sugar rather than a milkshake. Skip this dessert.
2121 K Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 974-6260
Washington Post (Readers: 2/4)
Yelp (3/5)
Tripadvisor (4/5)
Burgers are the new tapas in DC, and at least this trend tends to bring milkshakes with it. Unfortunately, Bobby's Burger Palace's Vanilla Caramel Bourbon milkshake comes nowhere near living up to the excitement about the restaurant overall.
Instead of incorporating the caramel flavor evenly into the shake, some caramel ribbons swirl through the glass. This caramel sauce can add intriguing texture and flavor to an ice-cream dish eaten with a spoon, but it's largely lost in a dish enjoyed through a thick straw. This shake lacked the deep, indulgent vanilla flavor that should be expected in a vanilla shake. The only traceable flavor was the bourbon. The problem wasn't that the bourbon was so strong or voluminous that it overpowered the other flavors; it was that the other flavors were weak and didn't blend well. This left the shake tasting like chilled bourbon and sugar rather than a milkshake. Skip this dessert.
2121 K Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20037
Washington Post (Readers: 2/4)
Yelp (3/5)
Tripadvisor (4/5)
Bill's Red Velvet Cake: A Special Holiday Post From Our Guest Writer Laura
To contact us Click HERE
We normally don't review desserts that aren't offered commercially. We're breaking the format for a special holiday post from Laura, as part of our effort to convince her to write for us. If readers are interested, we'll see what we can do to share this cake.
Laura
Having entered chocolate cake-baking contests as a teen in 4-H, I thought I had seen it all when it comes to the marvels of a faultless cake. Not so…and not until Thanksgiving 2011 when Bill made his deluxe red velvet cake.
Umm Georgetown Cupcake? Crumbs what?! Oh Founding Farmers, you’re so close, but no thank you. Bill’s velvet underground is where it’s at. This perfect combination of homemade cake batter made with select ingredients that result in a soft and gooey deep red cake layered and layered with soft cream-cheese, almost-frozen frosting is the most decadent holiday masterpiece. It's so good that you'll make Santa's nice list, no matter how naughty your calorie count gets.
THANKS BILL!!!
Laura
Having entered chocolate cake-baking contests as a teen in 4-H, I thought I had seen it all when it comes to the marvels of a faultless cake. Not so…and not until Thanksgiving 2011 when Bill made his deluxe red velvet cake.
Umm Georgetown Cupcake? Crumbs what?! Oh Founding Farmers, you’re so close, but no thank you. Bill’s velvet underground is where it’s at. This perfect combination of homemade cake batter made with select ingredients that result in a soft and gooey deep red cake layered and layered with soft cream-cheese, almost-frozen frosting is the most decadent holiday masterpiece. It's so good that you'll make Santa's nice list, no matter how naughty your calorie count gets.
THANKS BILL!!!
Honeymoon Hop - Paraty, Brazil
To contact us Click HERE
Dylan and I were pretty bumbed when it was time to say goodbye to Ipanema and head on a long bus headed for Paraty, a historical Portuguese town south of Rio de Janeiro.
Goodbye Rio, hello rain. It pretty much rained every single day while we were in Paraty making it our least favorite part of our honeymoon. It doesn't help that our "private" room at our pousada was separated from the dorm rooms by a door and latch. Getting to our "shared" bathroom meant climbing through two dorm rooms only to find a mildew infested bathroom. Budget traveling sucks sometimes. You really never know what you're going to get. In any other situation, I would have picked up my bags and left, but it was Christmas season in Brazil and everyone and their mamas were out and about traveling...meaning we were stuck at this place.
Dylan and I tried to make the best of it. Most of the time we just stared at our ceiling fan laughing at our horror stories at what we find in our bathroom. Other times we were really close to killing each other.
The good thing is that we learned 1. We'll take it out on each other in sucky situations and 2. We had to learn how to make the best of it. That night we vowed to never stay in our room unless we we really had to.
We ended up spending a lot of time walking around the colonial center dodging water puddles and craters in the cobblestone roads.
The next day we ended up renting a car and getting the hell away from our pousada. Bumpy roads??? Sign us up.
First stop, Cachoeira Do Tobogao. Cachoeira Do Tobogao is the ultimate Slip 'n Slide. It's a peaceful waterfall over one massively smooth rock.
Slides are the bomb.
After spending an hour or so in the rain and waterfall, we walked across the street to the local cachaça distillery.
While Dylan was filling up on free cachaça, I was busy scarfing down these guava butter cookies.
Tons of beaches around Paraty.
Unfortunately, food down in Paraty was just ok. We ended up at a per kilo restaurant in Trinidade because we were starving. I guess a per kilo meal on the road beats American fast food.
I love Guarana. But I really looooooooooove Guarana Zero.
Casquinha de siri everywhere! One of our favorite Brazilian appetizer made with sautéed crab meat, coconut milk, palm oil, tomatoes, bell peppers, parmesan cheese and bread crumbs.
Pastéis time!
We spent a lot of time hanging out at the supermarket. Dylan stocked up on random Maggi goods while I stocked up on $5 Havaianas. I love wandering foreign supermarkets!
"Eye patches makes me happy!"
So long Paraty!
Dylan and I were pretty bumbed when it was time to say goodbye to Ipanema and head on a long bus headed for Paraty, a historical Portuguese town south of Rio de Janeiro.
Goodbye Rio, hello rain. It pretty much rained every single day while we were in Paraty making it our least favorite part of our honeymoon. It doesn't help that our "private" room at our pousada was separated from the dorm rooms by a door and latch. Getting to our "shared" bathroom meant climbing through two dorm rooms only to find a mildew infested bathroom. Budget traveling sucks sometimes. You really never know what you're going to get. In any other situation, I would have picked up my bags and left, but it was Christmas season in Brazil and everyone and their mamas were out and about traveling...meaning we were stuck at this place.
Dylan and I tried to make the best of it. Most of the time we just stared at our ceiling fan laughing at our horror stories at what we find in our bathroom. Other times we were really close to killing each other.
The good thing is that we learned 1. We'll take it out on each other in sucky situations and 2. We had to learn how to make the best of it. That night we vowed to never stay in our room unless we we really had to.
We ended up spending a lot of time walking around the colonial center dodging water puddles and craters in the cobblestone roads.
The next day we ended up renting a car and getting the hell away from our pousada. Bumpy roads??? Sign us up.
First stop, Cachoeira Do Tobogao. Cachoeira Do Tobogao is the ultimate Slip 'n Slide. It's a peaceful waterfall over one massively smooth rock.
Slides are the bomb.
After spending an hour or so in the rain and waterfall, we walked across the street to the local cachaça distillery.
While Dylan was filling up on free cachaça, I was busy scarfing down these guava butter cookies.
Tons of beaches around Paraty.
Unfortunately, food down in Paraty was just ok. We ended up at a per kilo restaurant in Trinidade because we were starving. I guess a per kilo meal on the road beats American fast food.
I love Guarana. But I really looooooooooove Guarana Zero.
Casquinha de siri everywhere! One of our favorite Brazilian appetizer made with sautéed crab meat, coconut milk, palm oil, tomatoes, bell peppers, parmesan cheese and bread crumbs.
Pastéis time!
We spent a lot of time hanging out at the supermarket. Dylan stocked up on random Maggi goods while I stocked up on $5 Havaianas. I love wandering foreign supermarkets!
"Eye patches makes me happy!"
So long Paraty!
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