4 Ways To Dine With Theme In Singapore

Whether you believe it or not, themed restaurants and other eateries go way back. Its roots can be traced from the burlesque cabarets of 19th-century Paris. While many concepts are challenging to pull off, many talented people have turned it into reality!

Take the following unique eateries as concrete examples.

FOR THE FANS OF F.R.I.E.N.D.S

The creators of the wildly popular American sitcom FRIENDS were supposed to name the show: “Insomnia Café”. They later kept it simple and picked the title FRIENDS. You see, the fictional characters frequent the nearby café called Central Perk. It is an iconic backdrop for most of their silly and touching moments.

Fortunately for you, you can reenact some of your favorite scenes by dropping by Singapore’s own Central Perk. The prices of their items might discourage most from becoming regulars, but it is something that a fan shall experience once. If the café’s novelty means nothing to you then, you might want to skip this.

Address: Central Perk, 1 Magazine Road, 01-01 Central Mall, Singapore 059567

FOR THE HIPPIE AT HEART

Picture a slate of vintage automobiles decorating a restaurant that is filled with home-style dishes. Words cannot fully capture the hippie vibe, which Kombi Rocks exudes. You have to see it with your own eyes!

Image Credits: fb.com/KombiRocks

Its versatility comes from being a diner, a vintage shop, a rental company, and a museum. The collection of restored cars are available for bookings at weddings and other events.

Address: 66 Yio Chu Kang Road, Singapore 545568

FOR THE SUPERHERO GEEK

With the release of Aquaman, I cannot deny the fact that the DC Comics universe has been stepping their game. Fortunately for us, we can immerse ourselves with all its glory by going to the DC Super Heroes Cafe. Choose the dishes that focus on your favorite superhero or villain!

Image Credits: danielfooddiary.com

There are two branches in Singapore including the Marina Bay Sanda and Ngee Ann City outlet. Try the vividly sweet Joker’s Rainbow Freakshow (S$16.90) or the King of Atlantis Crab Leg Aglio Olio (S$26.90).

Address: 391A Orchard Road, #02-13, Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238873

FOR THE CAT LOVER

Unless you are living under the rock, you might have encountered the adorable gray cat called Pusheen at least once. Pusheen is an online character created by Claire Belton and Andrew Duff. Since its creation, it has been turned into merchandise and Facebook stickers. Its growing following paved for the first Pusheen-themed eatery in Singapore.

The Pusheen Café is located at Kumoya. It is a Japanese-French café, which offers food without alcohol, pork, and lard. Its menu will feature food designed by the talented @LittleMissBento (Shirley Wong) together with the Kumoya kitchen team.

Image Credits: spot.ph

The Pusheen Café is here for a limited time only. Enjoy their dishes until March 2019! 🙂

Address: Kumoya @ 8 Jalan Klapa Singapore 199320

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Try These New Food Twists In Singapore

From Milo-coated chicken to salted egg yolk fries, here are some of the new flavors available in Singapore.

Salted Egg Yolk Fries by McDonald’s

Last Christmas, I discovered that my nephew has been allergic to potatoes. Imagine not being able to eat fries and all its glorious flavors! What’s more? McDonald’s just introduced the Salted Egg Yolk Fries. It takes the trend to another level! Simply upgrade your regular fries by adding S$1.20.

Pandan Ice Cream by McDonald’s

Launched at the same time as the Salted Egg Yolk fries and the Peach Pie (i.e., retails for S$1.40) is none other than the Pandan ice cream. Local-inspired Pandan desserts are now available on the McDonald’s menu. Begin by trying the Pandan Soft Serve Cone, Pandan Twist Cone, or the Pandan ChocoCone. These three retail for about S$1 to S$1.20.

Image Credits: mukahpages.blogspot.com

McDonald’s Sundae or the McFlurry fans will be happy to hear that the Pandan flavor extends to these treats as well. Pandan Soft Serve Sundae costs about S$2. While, the McFlurry is S$3.

Sweet Potato Milkshake by Don Don Donki

Expect nothing but long queues at Don Don Donki, especially with their newly offered Sweet Potato Milkshake (S$4.90). Members can get this unique milkshake at a dollar off. However, you can also collect points and redeem these in-store points for additional discounts.

This drink is available on a limited time only. Head down to their outlets at Orchard Central or 100 AM to enjoy this drink while stocks last!

Milo-Coated Chicken Pops by Flavour Flings

You do not have to cross the Malaysian border to get the hugely popular calorie bomb called the Milo-Coated Fried Chicken. In Malaysia, the spicy fried chicken is coated with the cocoa powder and Milo dip. In Hougang, an eatery called Flavour Flings recently added the Milo-Coated Chicken Pops to its menu. It costs about S$9.90 per plate. This comes with the Sambal Belachan Mayo and Nacho Cheese Sauce.

Does it sound weird to you? Well, it seems that the people of Have Halal Will Travel gave it a resounding thumbs up. Judge it for yourself!

Image Credits: Flavour Flings via facebook.com

The new year 2019 calls for more foodventures! Be bold enough to try at least one of these dishes. 🙂

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Dramatic Increase In Transport Fares Welcome 2019

Capping off the year was the application of the price hike as suggested by the Public Transport Council (PTC). This is a part of the Fare Review Exercise, which affects the train and bus services (i.e., including Go Ahead Singapore, SBS, SMRT, and Tower Transit).

Notice your remaining balance for the past few days. You may tap out of a station and feel that you have been charged more than the usual rate. The same thing happened when you took the bus. It just does not add up, right? Well, you are not alone. The increase in transport fares began in December 29, 2018.

Adults who take the trains and buses will have to pay 6 cents more for the card fares. While, an adult cash bus fare and a single-trip train fare bumps up by 10 cents. Lastly, students and senior citizens are experiencing a cent increase in card fares.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

Many factors contributed to increase in fares. Firstly, the fare review came after the three consecutive years of fare reductions. In its press release last October, the PTC highlighted that the fare reductions totaled to 8.3%.

Secondly, the biggest contributing factor to the hike was the surge in energy prices. As the authorities track how much a bus or rail capacity has in relation to the ridership, they found that the real usage has not kept up with the capacity growth. Following this observation, the Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan agrees that raising fares are unavoidable due to the operating costs.

” PTC’s decision on fares seldom pleases all. Commuters do not welcome fare increases; operators need fare adjustments to keep pace with their operating costs. Against such challenges, PTC has chosen the right strategy to be open, transparent and fair. ” – Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on a Facebook post

Lastly, the funds collected from the hike will benefit the SMRT Rail and the SBS Transit. The former will get about S$24.1 million more for its repair and maintenance costs. Furthermore, the funds will be used to increase the manpower for improved rail network performance. The latter will take about S$10.9 million more, which can be used to cover the operations and to adjust the salaries for the workers.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Equipped with these information, may you always keep your EZ-Link cards topped up!

Sources: 1 & 2

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Break The Ice With These Money Magic Tricks

To get through the awkward initial phase of a party or a conversation, the ice must be broken!

There are many ways to liven up a party such as playing trivia game, eating appetizers, or asking hilarious questions. How about performing magic tricks? Well, consider using coins to awe the crowd with the following money magic tricks!

COIN BE GONE

You will be needing metal rings, coins, papers, and playing cards for this magic trick. Start by showing a ring, a playing card, and a coin. These items should be placed on the piece of paper. Then, the ring and playing card will be stacked on the top of the coin. When the ring and card are removed, the coin will completely disappear!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

How was it done? The secret to this easy trick is to have an extra sheet of the same paper. Use it to cut a circle following the diameter of the second ring. Then, attach it to the bottom of the second “gimmick” ring. The spectators will believe the coin vanished in thin air. Get the full steps at The Spruce Crafts.

THE MAGIC CLOTH

Although you have a tight budget, it does not matter! You can put on a show with just a cloth and a coin.

Perform a coin vanishing trick anytime and anywhere with the “Magic Cloth”. Simply insert a coin into a piece of cloth or a dramatic red handkerchief. Say your seemingly magical words! In a blink of an eye, the coin will mysteriously disappear.

How can this happen? Well, the coin will be kept in a tiny pocket formed using a rubber band. Full details are here: thesprucecrafts.com.

FINGERS CAN SEE

The last trick is so easy that it can be performed by your blindfolded kid. Have a spectator randomly select a coin from a bowl. Ask this person to write his or her initials on it. Afterwards, command the spectator to whisper something to it for added effect. Let him or her place the coin inside the bowl.

Without looking, you can immediately reach into the bowl and select the marked coin. The secret to this trick is finding a coin with a different texture (i.e., rough or smooth, wet or dry).

Image Credits: pixabay.com

When all else fails, you can purchase a tool to help you fool the audience with your money tricks. Begin your search in Amazon! 🙂

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3 Tips To Conquer Singapore’s Holiday Shopping

The Holiday Season should not be the primary reason to live out as a Crazy Rich Asian while shopping. Yes! Buying gifts can show how much you love or appreciate a person. However, you do not have to be a big spender or an impulsive buyer to offer meaningful gifts. Take it as a challenge that you can cheerfully give without regrets!

Be a smart shopper this Yuletide Season with these tips.

#1: GOT MY BUDGET LOCKED DOWN

One’s daily or monthly budget rarely includes Christmas gifts and New Year tokens. Instead, these short-term expenses come at the end of the year. The seemingly convenient placing of this expense may lead to mindless or unthoughtful spending. You might as well go all out due to the year-end sales in Orchard Road, right? Wrong! You will realize the impact of your yuletide expenses as the new year chimes in. It is not ideal to start 2019 with a financial shock!

Set a reasonable amount that you can spend on shopping for gifts. Remember that the price tags do not dictate the value of the gifts!

#2: KEPT MY EYES PEELED FOR THESE STORES

Do you know what Popular Bookstore and Muji Singapore have in common? They both house some of the most useful yet affordable items that you can find! Keep your eyes peeled with aesthetically pleasing and inspiring gift ideas such as journals, organizers, bottles of aromatherapy, and travel bags.

Who knows? The book you picked can just spark personal development! My personal favorite is Malcom Gladwell’s “The Tipping Point”. Or, the envelope organizer you gave can ignite one’s financial discipline.

#3: SET A SPECIFIC DATE FOR SHOPPING

Whether you are shopping virtually online or physically in stores, only shop when you made time for it. Allotting a specific date and time for shopping can help you avoid impulsive purchases. You see, smart shopping entails plenty of calculation and decision-making. You need to put careful thoughts on what you are going to buy and to whom you are buying it for.

Amp up your savings by considering these local bazaars:

A. Bugis Junction Christmas Market

Imagine being in the center of the biggest Christmas bazaar in Bugis! You will overwhelmed by different food, retail, and carnival game booths. Get your phones ready because there will be some Instagram-worthy opportunities courtesy of the place’s magical lights and vibrant colors. The Christmas Market runs until December 30 from 12 nn to 9 pm.

B. The Great Christmas Village

Back by popular demand, the Christmas Village at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza will run until December 26. It includes amusement rides, a Santa House, a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, and other retail booths. Festivities start at 11:30 am daily!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Happy Holidays from all of us at Money Digest! 🙂

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