Trump speaking Singlish? The bus of the beast? Satellite-based ERP? It’s proving to be quite a goofy week in Singapore, but we’re not complaining because we’ve got buzzy highlights like an M83 concert to look forward to! Here’s this week’s Hots and Nots.
HOT
New, steamin’ shabu shabu at Sakurazaka
Wine Culture’s latest dining venture takes on authentic Japanese shabu shabu dining with a touch of European flair. The twist being that – unlike just cooking in boiling water – the broths served here are European-influenced, like beef consomme and boullaibaisse. Sakurazaka also offers less common pork and beef varieties, and also a mix of Asian and Western vegetables. Sakurazaka’s Chef Masashi, a Fukuoka native, has also introduced traditional sukiyaki, as well as a selection of European-inspired kakigori (shaved ice). We’re especially fond of the port wine flavoured one!
Sakurazaka, 24 Greenwood Avenue, Singapore 289221. p. 6463 0333. Open daily 6pm-10.30pm.
Space out at the M83 concert
It has been announced that these synth-pop shamans are beaming themselves down to the Coliseum at Hard Rock Hotel for their second Singapore gig since Laneway 2012. Their latest album, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, dropped five years ago, but hits like “Midnight City” are still on regular circulation in our late-night chill-out playlists.
The convenient, yet controversial Bus 666
Get your kicks on bus triple six as it burns rubber all the way from Punggol to the CBD. While the express service makes getting to the city much less painful for Punggol residents, the significance of its number isn’t lost on Singaporeans, inviting a slew of hell-raising jokes directed at the inauspicious number. While there are plenty of Singaporeans willing to make good-natured jabs at the number, there have been some who find it offensive. C’mon, lighten up guys!
Trump ‘speaks’ Singlish
If you’re already having trouble taking Donald Trump seriously, this perfectly dubbed video of him speaking Singlish will remove what little credibility remains. Here’s “Donner Trum” in all his hilarity.
NOT
Satellite-based ERP could make driving in SG more expensive
For millennia, mankind has looked to the heavens in awe. The LTA, however, looks towards the skies and sees a more efficient way to charge motorists for road usage. The new system, to be rolled out in 2020, will use satellite tracking and a new in-car ERP unit that is capable of charging motorists per distance travelled. While it may take the pain out of quick jaunts into the city where ERP gantries are prevalent, taxi-drivers and bus operators might end up paying significantly more than they are used to.
Violet Kwan retires from Lana Cake Shop
If you’ve fond memories of a rustic, homely chocolate birthday cake sometime in your past, there’s a good chance you’ve tasted a cake from this baking institution. After half a century of baking her famous chocolate cakes, Mrs. Violet Kwan is ready to retire from her renowned bakery at Bukit Timah. There is a silver lining though; she’s looking for a successor to take over her recipes and the business. Here’s hoping whoever takes on her mantle is as passionate at her craft as she is.
Lana Cake Shop, 36 Greenwood Ave, Singapore 289239. p. 64668940. Open Mon-Tue 10.30am-4.30pm, Wed-Fri 10.30am-5.30pm, Sat 10.30pm-4.30pm. Closed on Sun.
A slider with the ID of 483 doesn't exist.How to void a void deck
It’s no news that space is a premium in Singapore; after all, it’s the country with the third highest population density (close to 8000 per square kilometre). So it’s not surprising that even the open spaces of the void deck serve several unique purposes like for holding weddings, funerals and spontaneous games of badminton. In a bid to prevent people from the popular pastime of “void deck soccer”, however, railings have been erected across some of these heartland spaces. Not only are they an eyesore, they serve absolutely zero purpose whatsoever save for starting queues – admittedly, another Singaporean pastime. On the bright side, maybe void deck parkour might become a thing!
SG50 commemorative notes
There are countless jokes about Singapore’s national sport being “queuing up for things” (see void deck railings), and one fad that drew lines longer than China’s Great Wall was the SG50 commemorative notes. Funnily enough, it’s been revealed that there’d been an oversupply of these notes, leading to a loss of exclusivity and more people eager to get rid of them. Unfortunately, ATMs don’t accept these notes thanks to their unique sizes, and some businesses don’t want them either because depositing them would require a trip to the nearest bank – we all know what those weekend queues are like…