Make Prata at Casuarina

Singapore has a long list of signature dishes, and the roti prata is one of them. Roti prata, an evolution of a Pakistan pancake, is a popular crispy flat bread amongst locals for breakfast, snack or supper. Pretty much an any-time any-day food!

Its a lightly flavoured dough commonly served plain with curry (i like to eat it with sugar too) but the local menus now feature a variety of eccentric variations such as durian (double whammy for a brave tourist, locals wouldn't eat it as it is a double whammy combi. Too heaty. ), ice-cream, cheese, chocolate and banana. All worth a try if you're adventurous but i'll stick with the safer variations like with egg or onion.

Prata stalls are easy to find but the more famous prata stalls are the ones who take up a few shop lots in a stretch. Usually to serve the night owls with their favourite after-party meal or where we catch up with friends in shorts and tees over a prata and milo peng (ice chocolatey drink) or teh tarik (pulled milk tea).

Between the many prata stalls, some places do it better than the others in texture. I prefer the light and slightly crispy than the soft and chewy ones. One of the better ones is found at Casuarina, off Upper Thomson Road.

Little did i know that, Casuarina offers a Prata Scholar Workshop on their premises at an affordable price of $15!

The prata chef took a break from flipping prata to come teach us. He was runner-up from last year's Singapore Prata Competition. A narrow shave from emerging champion in speed, size and skill.

If the runner-up is cooking at Casuarina, this would mean the prata there must be as big as it can get = value for money!

It may be a little difficult for some to understand the heavily accented Indian, but Mr. Babulal was extremely patient with us. The 2 hour session is conducted on dining premises, thus expect a little shuffling to and fro and some stares from diners. However, the atmosphere was bustling and as authentic as it can get. All staff were extremely tolerant, patient and friendly as we get in their way.

Entering the kitchen to understand what happens after all that flipping and tossing.

The 2 hour session includes learning how to flip and toss the dough, an essential preparation step before it gets pan-fried. As the kitchen is used for serving paying customers, we don't get to fry the prata we just made (i don't think my prata will be any ready for eating anyway!).

However, the good news is with the workshop, you get to gorge on unlimited plain prata with a drink. We even get a prata scholar certificate to boot!

The sight of the prata chef making prata is a sight to behold. With quick finger and hand movements; a toss in the air; and vigorous slaps and smacks just before serving are the steps to making prata. Try it for a unique Singapore experience.

New Haunts in Singapore

I have been sharing some of the awesome new places i've checked out on Instagram. Are you following yet?

The Vault @ 237 South Bridge Road
is the latest bistro bar near Chinatown. Stepping pass the super cool entrance of a heavy vault door like in bank robbery movies, level 1 is the dining area while level 2 is a bar with cool beats. It feels like one of those underground bars in London. You need to be on the guest list to enter, call 6222 5001 to enquire otherwise rock up The Vault ala bank robbery style and pretend your friends 
are already in there. 

Keep your cool.

I thought i was looking at a mirror until my friend pointed out there's no reflection.
TRÈS Cool

Hounds of the Baskerville @ 24 Bali Lane
is like stepping into1904 of Sherlock Holmes. Bespoke tattooing, traditional barber and shaving services are available. They only serve men and you need to make an appointment (6299 1197) for a shave ($25)/ cut ($30). They plan to increase prices from $5-$10 in a couple of months' time.

Dressed in smart vests with slicked hair, it's part of the role-play.
There's even a Caucasian old man who looked awfully like Alfred from Batman.

Table Manners @ Changi City Point
If you live in the East, i would think Tampines Mall is super crowded if you're looking for food. I like Table Manners for its pick-and-choose lunch. For about $15, you get really quality eats.

The Library @ Keong Siak
uses a weekly code name to enter. This can be acquired via word-of-mouth (this concept doesn't stick in Singapore) or simply pop your head next door into Keong Siak Street Snacks and enquire.

Behind the facade of a very narrow book store, a spacious bar with very dim lights and painstakingly concocted alcoholic drinks awaits. It is packed every night by 10pm and you may not get a chance to enter till closing time. It is not a place for hook ups, so bring a date, go early and enjoy the experience. Food from Keong Siak Street Snacks can be ordered inside too. Expect to shell out $20 for a drink though.

The secret door, be transported.

There is ANOTHER secret within the library, other than the bar behind the walls. SMS Madam J for a viewing. I won't spoil the secret ;p

Sorry, it's blur. To make it all the more mysterious.

Keong Siak Street Snacks

serves sophisticated western street food. The fried oysters were pretty good, so is the pulled pork. It's a pretty small dining area as well and it's often filled. Not cheap.

Bar Stories @ Haji Lane
recently renovated, they now sit more than before and they serve food. Cocktails can be custom-made to your taste buds (from $24) with delicate pretty & expensive bar bites to accompany.

Parkview Square
more affectionately known as the Gotham Building to us. Because of it's impressive and intimidating facade, i always thought it is not open to public, otherwise too expensive and you'll need to spend $200 or more. I was wrong and it has a very surreal lounge inside. With a 15m high ceiling, the hand crafted Greek designs took my breath away.

You're in luck if someone orders an expensive bottle of wine. There is a "fairy" who "flies" up the 3 storey wine cellar to retrieve the bottle. The more expensive it is, the higher she "flies" and you can peep up her skirt.

The Japanese tourists
capturing the view from below on their iPads and iPhones

Follow me on Instagram @chrispytine

Things to do in Singapore: Golden Mile

I've always been an advocate for the non-conventional places to go, eat and do. Getting our picture taken against a couldn't-be-more-fake backdrop and shopping for gifts in Little India couldn't be more amusing. This is probably another of those places not mentioned in any traveller's guide like Geylang.

Even I, myself only recently discovered Golden Mile to add to the cheap date ideas list. Golden Mile have always just been a location for me to board the coaches to Malaysia. Only stepping in to visit the loo before departure, i never did think it was a place i would come hang out or eat. The entire building is permeated with smells like salted fish and the floors were grubby. A huge difference from the shiny malls on Orchard Road.

Little did i know that if you want to experience Bangkok, you can do it in Golden Mile without buying an air ticket.

En-route to dinner, i pass by skimpy cladded Thai girls. I can't decide if they are working girls from the bars around or they're Singapore residents missing home.

Reeling in the sights and sounds, i hear noisy Thai chatter and animated Thai songs thumping through the KTV lounges.

My friend introduced me to New Udon Thai Food. There's nothing Japanese about it, but rather it's steamboat plus bbq in one!

Costing $21 per person, it's a novelty to see a concave steamboat. The ones along Bugis Street usually have a bowl sunken in the middle for the soup while the hot plate surrounds it. Food is cooked with electronic gas.

At Golden Mile, New Udon Thai Food is the only one offering steamboat bbq and with the concave middle where you grill food, while soup surrounds like a moat.

Lard is given to put on top, the food is cooked with charcoal beneath.

Not free flow

The ingenious bit is that as the food is cooked on the concave plate, all the juices will drip into the soup adding that extra oomph. You may cook the seafood and meat on the hot plate, and the vermicelli, egg and vegetables in the soup. 

While this may be an unconventional date idea, do note that not every girl will appreciate being taken to a meal filled with smoke that would make her hair and clothes stink.

 Ask for the Thai ice tea!

 Thereafter, take a stroll and check out what Little Thailand has to offer.

Clothes comparable to Bangkok prices. Starts at $15 for a decent dress.

I was thrilled to see Thai massages although my friend doubt they are "clean".

Missing any mobile wires? They have shops selling random stuff.

 I was amused to see "hampers" packed in a pail with goodies and toiletries inside. It costs $35 and i exclaimed a bit too loudly, "Do the Thais give this to each other as gifts?!?"

 I got corrected by the store owner that this is for praying. This "hamper" is presented as gifts to Buddha and not to men. Ignorant me!

The Thais like in Thailand are very friendly and have no problem with you taking photos.

I find the strangest things on sale.

Turning nipples pink, whitening groin areas.

 I try not to make a deduction from the numerous vanity products for naughty bits i found on sale.

Will you dare try these slimming creams?

 If you'd like to get the BBQ Steamboat thing home, you can purchase one from the supermarket on 2nd floor for $30+

But otherwise for a souvenir, you can get Lighter Babe of the Month.

I know of someone who collects Lay's flavours around the world. Here, you can find Thailand's flavour e.g. Sushi, crab, lobster

 Like in Mustafa, i chuckled to myself as i discover strange perfumes.

 Brue Lee's deodorant surprisingly smelled pretty good (i like it) and it was long lasting (my hair still smelled after a shower). For ONLY $3.90, it is MADE IN FRANCE!! Don't play play...

 I love their copy liners. No limitation, No Imitation 0_0

Comes in Be Water, Anger Blinds and Don't Think, Feel.

 HILARIOUS!

 I saw this and it reminds me of the Harajuku Lovers fragrance collection created by pop star Gwen Stefani! It also smelled pretty good except it's only $8.50 and made in China.

Harajuku lovers can be bought in departmental stores, starting from $70+

After strolling around and having a chuckle at what we find, we went back to level 1 for desert!

 As authentic as it can get! It reminds me of the food court in Platinum Mall in Bangkok.

 We settled for red ruby and mango sticky rice (my favourite) for $3+ each.  

Unlike Little India and Chinatown, stipulated by the government and the urban planners that it shall be named as that, i wonder how did Golden Mile come to become "Little Thailand". Like how did Lucky Plaza becomes Manila on Sundays or Peninsula is Mynmmar (next post coming up). Did one villager move to Singapore, set up shop in Golden Mile and started bringing more towner in? I heard that's what the Indians do at banks. Ha ha ha.

Golden Mile, due for an en bloc any time now, where will the Thais move to if it gets demolished?  Better visit now before it disappears.

As the night gets late, i spot more skimpy cladded girls appearing and i saw them taking off their cardigans and leaving them in these lockers unlocked.

Golden Mile, what a colourful sight.