All the F&B establishments you need to visit in February

F&B February 2022

Singaporeans love their food and the majority of us would flock to a newly opened F&B establishment when we catch news of it.

As most of us are supporters of the slogan ”Diet can start tomorrow”, we’re giving you a chance to continue with the Chinese New Year wave of sumptuous food with these relatively new-in-town food offerings. From laksa steamboat to siew baos and Din Tai Fung-style fried rice, here are all the F&B establishments you need to visit in February.

San Laksa

San Laksa Steamboat

Location: 147 Kitchener Road, Singapore 208524

San Laksa, a steamboat restaurant on Kitchener Road, has reopened after 14 years in Telok Blangah. San Laksa’s owner claims that they are our sunny island’s first laksa steamboat expert.

If you like laksa, you certainly have to taste their famous laksa steamboat, which is a great combination of local culture and flavor. With a creamy coconut flavor and a tinge of spice, their classic curry laksa soup is offered. Please do ask for more chili if you have a spicier palette and prefer a pot that can match up to your taste buds. Lobster with laksa is one of San Laksa’s newest and more pricey selections, and there’s a CNY Lobster Promotion Set from S$88++ running till 15 February. Reservations are necessary, so phone them immediately to reserve your set!

Fei Lou Fatt

Fei Lou Fatt 肥佬發

Location: 928 Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 787121

Fei Lou Fatt is housed in a shophouse on Upper Thomson Road and will open to the public on 8 February. The founder of the famous Sembawang white bee hoon restaurant business has created this casual eatery.

A range of prawn and pork rib noodles with prawn soup that is slow-cooked every day for over 10 hours is the highlight of Fei Lou Fatt. It’s difficult not to get drunk in prawns, from basic prawn noodle bowls to large prawn noodle bowls and prawn & braised pork ribs noodles. If you want to go all out, get the Fei Lou Noodle, which includes abalones, giant prawns, and herb-braised pork ribs in mouthwatering prawn broth. Dry variations with specialty hae bee hiam will also be available.

Mr Shao Bao

 

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Location: Westgate, 3 Gateway Drive, #B2-K3, Singapore 608532

Do you want to enjoy a box of baked crispy pork buns with your family? Mr Shao Bao is owned by a Singapore Permanent Resident who received training in Seremban to gain knowledge on how to produce the pastry and observe how things were run at a well-known 40-year-old siew bao store in Negeri Sembilan’s capital.

Traditional siew baos with a unique touch is the focus of Mr Shao Bao’s menu. Siew baos adorned with a piece of cheddar cheese or covered with the sweet crust of a bolo bun are now on the menu. There are also floss and bacon versions. According to the brand, a truffle rendition might be launched soon.

Little Grain Coffee

 

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Location: 304 Orchard Road, Singapore 238863

Little Grain Coffee, as the name implies, is a little takeout shop with only two al-fresco counter chairs that recently debuted outside Lucky Plaza. The cute cafe was founded by the same people that brought you Grain Alley in Orchard Central and Grain Works at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station.

Little Grain Coffee’s menu includes a variety of teas and coffees, as well as alcoholic beverages starting at S$5.80. Salads, desserts, and pastries are also available as light nibbles to accompany your drinks. Those who are lactose sensitive may appreciate the fact that oat milk is available as a substitute at no additional costs.

The Butcher’s Dining

 

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Location: 593 Havelock Road, #01-03, Singapore 169641

The Butcher’s Dining is a posh butcher’s shop that also doubles as a grocery store. A trendy Korean couple who formerly owned a Japanese restaurant at Odeon Towers, as well as other Korean and Italian F&B establishments in shopping malls, are behind this initiative.

Our focus is on the connected café, which is helmed by a Korean head chef who formerly worked at Daniel Boulud’s DB Bistro & Oyster Bar at Marina Bay Sands and Meatsmith, a prominent American barbecue restaurant. Old-school pork cutlets, spicy pork kimbap, and rice with bulgogi-like meat are all on the menu. We suggest wrapping your meal up with an MIMC Jeju Tangerine Pound Cake.

Ah Keat Chicken Rice

Location: Bukit Merah Central Food Centre, 163 Bukit Merah Central, #02-35, Singapore 150163

Ah Keat Chicken Rice was founded by a Culinary Institute of America 2020 alumnus who worked as an apprentice at Shunfu Mart Food Centre’s Leong Hainanese Chicken Rice before his venture.

You can expect the chicken meat to be soft and juicy, with the right film of gelatin behind the skin. Also aromatic, springy, and not overly greasy or salty is the rice. We certainly don’t need to go much further in the description, especially when coupled with the appetite-inducing house-made chili-ginger sauce. Greens, liver, and gizzards, as well as a soft-boiled egg with a runny yolk, can be added to upgrade your plate. For a lower-calorie meal, try their signature porridge instead.

Ding Gua Gua Fried Rice

 

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Location: Block 69 Bedok South Avenue 3, #01-498, Singapore 460069

Ding Gua Gua Fried Rice is overseen by a chef with 13 years of Din Tai Fung experience and a former restaurant manager who has worked with Din Tai Fung before. They’re joined by a partner who manages the company’s back-end operations.

You would have guessed that the simple hawker stall specializes in fried rice, and of course, one inspired by Din Tai Fung. There are four different types of fried rice to pick from, each with shrimp, luncheon meat, a fried pork chop, or Taiwanese sausage. Spicy crunchy cucumber, hot and sour soup, and handmade crispy prawn fritters are among the side dishes available on the menu.

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Best bars to grab your booze in 2022

Atlas Singapore

Thinking of visiting some freshly opened bars in Singapore to grab your booze? We’ve got the new names in town just for you. But before you go with bae or enjoy a quiet night alone, make sure you know how to order booze without embarrassing yourself.

You know the saying that goes, “Ask and you shall receive?”, it works. It also doesn’t hurt to equip yourself with some bar lingo before you go on your date. Checking the menu beforehand can also go a long way to ease you into your visit.

Once you’re ready, call in to make a reservation to secure your seats. Here are the best bars to grab your booze in 2022.

Atlas

Atlas cocktail making

Location: 600 North Bridge Road, Parkview Square, Singapore 188778

Atlas is a magnificent bar located on the ground floor of Singapore’s renowned Parkview Square skyscraper in the iconic Bugis neighborhood. A genuinely amazing assortment of cocktails influenced by the Arts Décoratifs can be expected.

The team is glad to provide a beverage exactly suited to your event and as spectacular as the surroundings, from an adventurous Old Tom & Tonic to a classic creamy Atlas Espresso Martini inspired by period trademarks. Two of the world’s most impressive physical collections of gin and champagne are housed at the Atlas Collections too. It’s a labor of love that took two years to put together, with contributions from generous pals, distillers, and vintners from all around the world.

Mo Bar

Location: 5 Raffles Avenue, Marina Square, Singapore 039797

Head to Mo Bar if you want a dynamic experience that highlights our little red dot’s flavors and fragrances. It has also been named one of the world’s and Asia’s 50 best bars last year, having been driven by the wonderful culture of Asia’s ports.

Using the best ingredients and cutting-edge processes, Mandarin Oriental’s creative staff creates unique cocktails and drinks that vary from crisp to spirituous. It’s safe to say that Mo Bar is one of the trendiest places in Singapore, so grab your Skyline Whisky or a Daintree Gin and enjoy the stunning views of Marina Bay with your friends and loved ones.

Bar Uva

 

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Location: 24 Purvis Street, Singapore 188601

Bar Uva is a brand new all-encompassing wine bar initiative from the same folks behind Nutmeg & Clove and Tess Bar & Kitchen. For most who do not know Italian, “uva” is a term that indicates grapes, which makes a fitting name for this sophisticated brand.

This bar was founded with the intention of serving a wide range of wines at multiple prices. The team hopes to shift people’s perceptions of wines as being too difficult to appreciate, and to provide a location where wine enthusiasts of all levels may enjoy fine wines with a satisfying meal. Their wine selection includes approximately over 150 types, the majority of which are acquired abroad by the team themselves.

Analogue Initiative

Spirulina cocktail

Location: 30 Victoria Street, #01-31 CHIJMES, Singapore 187996

Analogue Initiative is headed by a group of forward-thinking entrepreneurs who want to make dining and drinking more socially responsible. To pioneer the modern-day bar scene, the team acts from a position of curiosity and a desire to enhance the eating and sipping experience by embracing new methods, innovations, and food products.

Their enthusiasm is at the core of their job, whether it’s exploring tactics to make their food establishment more accessible, selecting foods that have a low environmental burden, or rethinking energy and resource consumption. We took a look at their drinks menu and think you will fancy their offerings from classics to spritzers and non-alcoholic beverages. There are even uniquely concocted cocktails with peanut butter and mushroom jerkies!

Iko Restaurant and Bar

 

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Location: 65 Neil Road, Singapore 088897

iKO has re-risen after overcoming adversity. In daily Japanese, iKO means “let’s go,” and it emerges with a fresh resolution to shake up the meal experience with the enticing grace of a geisha. Tapping into the conventional and genuine Japanese cuisine for creative references, iKO also allows the seasons and their bounty to influence its food repertoire.

The remodeled restaurant and bar’s semordnilap “oki,” which means “ocean” in Japanese, makes up a significant part of their menu. Pair their cutting-edge cuisine with edgy natural wines or indulgent house and sparkling sakes. After surviving difficulties, iKO continues its tradition, much like the crane depicted in the establishment’s mural, which is an emblem of longevity and auspiciousness in Japanese culture.

Underground Taps Craft Beer Bar

 

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Location: 6A Shenton Way, #B1-08 OUE Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068815

With the opening of their latest taproom, The Providore gets creative. The bar, which is located just behind the wine room at their Downtown Gallery branch, offers over 50 craft beers from across the world, as well as a changing quarterly selection of four distinct beers on tap.

We took a look at their menu in advance to spot all the quirky beverages before you so you know what to spot when you visit in person. Some of our favorites include the Wychwood Hobgoblin with full-bodied toffee flavor and the Sori Brewing Hybrid Treats 2, Belgian Waffle, with roast-like maple syrup, and waffle flavors. If you’re team pancakes instead, you will love the Maltgarden Can’t Wait to Eat You that literally tastes like pancakes.

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2022 Ang Bao Rates: How Much Money Should You Give?

The roaring Year of the Tiger begins on 2022 Feb 1 and ends on 2023 Jan 21. Abundant food, vibrant family reunions, and little red packets called ang bao will grace Singapore once again.

Singaporeans usually give these red packets during social gatherings such as Chinese New Year or weddings. Its color embodies “good luck”, which is supposed to ward off evil spirits.

If you are new to giving these red packets, how much money should you give? Let us start by knowing what a red packet or ang bao is.

What is an ang bao?

Married couples usually give these red packets to single people. It dates back from the Chinese belief that you achieve the adulthood once you get married. So, the newfound status comes with the privilege to distribute ang baos to those who remain single or are younger.

Since Singapore consists of diverse cultures, we as a nation have created practices surrounding ang bao gifting. It is not uncommon to have marriages between two different races, leading to traditional practices being modified.

Why do people give ang baos?

Ang bao gifting is a sign of goodwill and symbolizes good fortune. You do not need to break the bank for this gesture to be meaningful. It is a kind gesture, so give whatever you can afford.

Moreover, do not open your ang bao in front of everyone as it is considered impolite to start counting money in plain sight.

Related Article: Interesting Ang Bao Facts Every Singaporean Shall Know

What is the minimum amount to give?

To this day, there is no strict rate to be followed. The amount you give usually depends on how close you are to the recipient. We have heard people receiving ang baos ranging from S$6 to S$1000. As a general guideline, you should give the most to your parents, grandparents, and in-laws. Doing this is a sign of respect and gratitude.

Your siblings and own children can receive about S$50 to S$200 as a symbol of your love. Cousins, nephews, and nieces can receive S$10 to S$50 as a symbol of well wishes. You can also pack a couple of S$2 or S$6 ang baos in case you meet your acquaintances, distant relatives, and their little ones.

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Are there numbers to avoid?

Giving S$4 is debatable because the number “4” in Chinese sounds like “death”. As tempting as it sounds to give a modest amount of S$4, it may be better to avoid this in case others take offence.

Furthermore, elderly folks may advise against giving odd number amounts as it is considered inauspicious. Steer away from amounts like S$7 or S$11.

Can you give digital ang baos?

Giving digital ang baos is convenient and fast! Who does not love saving time and effort? You can give digital ang baos through the help of banks or retailers.

While it sounds good theoretically, not all Singaporeans are open to it. Traditionalists may frown upon this rising trend. However, money is money! Just remember to give within your means.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Importance of Elderly Care Services

a woman holding an elderly's hand

According to the World Health Organization, Singapore is one of the top countries with the longest life expectancy at birth. Singaporeans on average can expect to live up t0 80 to 84 years old, at least 20 years more than what was expected in 1960.

This is thanks to technological advancements in medicine and healthcare to which Singapore is praised for top-notch standards of medical practice and ranks fourth best in the world in terms of health infrastructure.

With Singaporeans living longer, health services such as Elderly Care services are provided to ensure Singaporeans can live comfortable and fulfilling lives even in their silver years.

What is Elderly Care?

Elderly Care are caregiving services offered by nursing homes, senior centres and other medical organizations. It also includes healthcare services and benefits from the government such as home therapy, respite care and visits to rehabilitation centres.

What are the kinds of Elderly Care Services?

Elderly Care can provide home-based and centre based medical care services such as the following:

Home Care

  •       Meals on Wheels
  •       Medical Escort and Transport
  •       Home Medical
  •       Home Therapy
  •       Home Nursing
  •       Home Personal Care
  •       Hospice Home Care
  •       Befriending Service

Centre Based Care

  •       Day Care
  •       Senior Activity Centre
  •       Community Rehabilitation Centre

Stay In Care

  •       Community Hospital
  •       Nursing Home
  •       Shelter and Senior Group home

 What does Elderly Care help with?

Elderly care allows seniors access to the services they need based on the care they require and their preferences. Elderly Care services provide assistance for people who need help with ADLs (activities of daily living) as well as IADLs (instrumental activities of daily living).

Caregiving and Nursing care are available for the elderly who need assistance with ADLs such as

  •       eating
  •       sleeping
  •       dressing up
  •       bathing
  •       toileting
  •       grooming
  •       walking

Elderly Care also assists seniors who may be dealing with a medical condition and cannot perform non-essential tasks such as IADLs:

  •       cooking meals
  •       taking medication
  •       housekeeping
  •       outdoor errands
  •       exercising
  •       shopping

What are the Benefits of Eldercare Services?

As the population gets older, the old-age support ratio declines.  This is a ratio of the number of people who are capable of providing economic support (aged 20-64) to the number of people who may be dependent on others’ support (aged 64 years and above). From 7.4 in 2010, it has gone down to 4. It means that for every elderly person, there are four people who can provide support.

With the increase of elderly in the population, there is also an increased need to support and provide care for them. Family members often take on the task of caregiving for their elderly loved ones.

However, in cases where the care recipient demands a greater level of care, caregivers may find themselves in a compromising position, especially if they have a job and a household to maintain. This pressure and stress may in turn lead to caregiver burnout.

Elder Care Services are put in place to alleviate that pressure and are meant to provide support, relief and peace of mind for caregivers and care recipients alike.

Independence from family members

Elder care services alleviate the stress and worry from both care recipients who might have fears of being a burden and family members who want to provide the best possible care for their elderly loved ones. These services allow elderly loved ones to have a sense of independence and gives family members peace of mind knowing their loved ones have access to the care they need.

Access to Care Services at Home

Elderly loved ones who prefer to live at home can avail of home care services. Meals on Wheels is available for elderly loved ones who have trouble buying or cooking their own food. Meanwhile Medical Escorts can accompany them to doctor’s appointments and provide transport going to and from the hospital.

For those who need specialized care, hiring a live-in caregiver can ensure they received the focused care and attention their conditions require.  Other medical services are also available such as Home Medical, Home Therapy, Home Personal Care and Hospice Home Care.

Support From Community Healthcare Programmes

There are a variety of centres that can offer short term and long-term care.

Day Care centres provide seniors with the opportunity to socialize and engage in recreational activities as well provide their caregivers support and momentary relief.

Meanwhile Community Rehabilitation provides therapy for seniors who are recovering from an injury and aids their recovery so they can regain their strength and resume their day-to-day activities

Nursing Homes on the other hand, provide long term support for patients who have chronic illnesses, disability or who might need help with activities of daily living. Nursing care is available round the clock to ensure professional care can be provided for your loved one when they need it.

Conclusion

Elderly care is designed to help people with disabilities, health conditions and mental illnesses and provide them access to the care they need. A variety of services can cater to the demands that are unique to your elderly loved one’s needs and preferences. Making the most of these services can provide a better quality of life for your loved one and also eases the burden on caregivers.

 

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Time Management Tips: Work Smart, Play More

Time is the only commodity that money cannot buy. No matter how organized you are, you can only utilize twenty-four hours a day.

We must manage ourselves and maximize what we can do with the time we have. Let us appreciate how precious time is. Afterwards, let us move on to the next time management tip.

#1: CREATE A TIME INVENTORY

Track your daily activities to get an accurate picture of how much time you spend on various tasks. Creating a time inventory will help you know which activities you should cut down on. This is the first step to effective time management.

You see, many of us are timewasters. We spend too much time reading emails, posting on social media, browsing the web, messaging our friends, and making personal calls. Do your best to spend your time on more productive activities.

#2: SET ACHIEVABLE GOALS

If you have a pile of tasks on your desk, no amount of time management will help you accomplish it all. This is where prioritizing comes in. Use the four Ds of time management: Do, Defer, Delegate and Delete.

Do refers to tasks that are important and urgent. Prioritize these tasks.
Defer refers to tasks that are important, but not urgent. Place this at the bottom of the pile.
Delegate refers to tasks that are urgent, but not important. Delegate these tasks to others.
Delete refers to tasks that are neither urgent, nor important. Can you get rid of these tasks?

#3: WRITE A TO-DO LIST

Carrying a to-do list at work or at school is a time saver. If you have a trusty list, you will never wonder what to do next. A list keeps you motivated and focused. It also provides satisfaction whenever you tick off something from your list. Lists enable you to monitor your progress to ensure that you are on the right track. So, write a to-do list for the day.

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#4: USE TIME MANAGEMENT TOOLS

Whether you are using a planner or a smartphone app, you can speed up the process by planning your tasks with time management tools. These tools will help you plan out how you will spend your time in the future. A software program such as Outlook can help remind you of the events that will soon take place. While your smartphone’s clock app can help you time your tasks.

#5: MAKE A REALISTIC SCHEDULE

A physical planner or a digital timetable can help track your to-do list or important meetings for the day. There are many time management apps that can help you organize your schedule such as the calendar app on your smartphone. Think of the period that you are most alert and put the important tasks on that time block.

When you are planning out your schedule for the week, please do not forget to find time for socialization. Working smart means that you will have more time for fun and for sleep. Most people need about 7 hours of sleep to remain focused at work.

#6: GET IN THE HABIT OF SETTING TIME LIMITS

As you manage your to-do list, you can set time limits for the tasks. For instance, you can set a limit of one hour to answering and reading emails. Stick to the limit! This will help you minimize time wastage.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Sources: 1 & 2

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