Travel through Philately - Australia's Centenary of the First Commonwealth Banknote

I got myself a rather interesting FDC issue from Australia Post. Coinciding with the World Stamp Expo 2013 in Melbourne, it became the feature stamp issued on day 2 of the expo.

Malaysia had its own latest series of coins and banknotes commemorated through the issue of several FDCs, with the miniature sheets replicating banknotes being the most sought after and most eye-catching. Here though, instead of putting on the latest currency, Australia Post chose to commemorate the first paper currency the land down under issued, as well as the centenary of that issuance.

The FDC itself is relatively unremarkable with the 2 gummed stamps, but the miniature sheet is another story entirely.

Singapore Food Blog - Imperial Treasure Nan Bei Restaurant @ Takashimaya 御宝南北小馆

Location: Orchard, Central Business District (CBD), Singapore

To visit a restaurant along Orchard Road usually entails a significant lightening of your wallet. So when a friend of mine recommended Imperial Treasure Nan Bei Restaurant for their tasty dim sum at a not-so-significant reduction of the bills in my wallet, I should be forgiven for showing doubt. Even reviews online shared the same recommendation, and despite my cynical approach, I have to say that I was intrigued enough to give it a try. 

Imperial Treasure group is one of the large restaurant conglomerates in Singapore, bragging numerous awards and restaurants across the island republic. I would usually avoid such restaurants. For one, some of these restaurants are really a splurge – spending at least $30 or more per person is normal and I wouldn’t be able to enjoy without constant checking of the amount of bills in my wallet. The other reason is that the taste does not justify the price – a tastier version could be sampled in a stall rather than a restaurant, and at a lower price too. 

My misgivings on the restaurant proved unfounded. 

Diners are already lining in wait for their lunch.

Singapore Food Fair @ City Square Mall

Location: City Square Mall, Singapore

It seems that the month of July, coinciding with the mid-year's GSS (Great Singapore Sale), offers a whole lot of food festivals and offers. Right after the one I saw in Takashimaya Shopping Center, I stumbled into another one in City Square Mall, a short distance away from the former.

The food festival offered here has less choices, but the flavor caters more to the local taste. The average price of food items here is less than $10, an affordable choice for me. Most of the items on offer here are street foods, such as selling glutinous rice and fish balls, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a stall selling crabs, each of them cooked and readily soaked in your choice of gravy.

If you are working near the area or are passing by the area, why not drop by and savor the delicious items on offer on L1 Atrium of City Square Mall?

Date:           5 - 14 Jul 2013

Entry fee:    Free

Location:     180 Kitchener Road, L1 Atrium, City Square Mall, Singapore 208539.

Takashimaya Food Fest 2013

Location: Ngee Ann City, Orchard, Singapore

Anyone visiting Orchard Road in July should not miss the food fair that is partially hidden from view in the basement level of Ngee Ann City, which also goes by the name Takashimaya S.C. (Shopping Center). Running its course until 21 July, various food items are on display and on offer. 

From condiments to tea leaves, from local items to imported goods, an array of mouth-watering food dazzles and beckons. Miss not such an event and prepare to bring back loads of food to satisfy that rumbling tummy!

Date:           ends 21 July 2013

Entry fee:    Free

Location:     B2 level, Takashimaya Shopping Center, 391 Orchard Road, Singapore 238873.

2013 Lunar Snake Year @ Chinatown, Singapore 牛车水蛇年延庆

Location: Chinatown (牛车水), Singapore

It has always strike me as weird that a nation with the Chinese ethnic as the dominant population would have a place named Chinatown. And it strikes me even weirder that said nation celebrates Christmas with more bang than it does for Lunar New Year. 

Just as Orchard Road strives to be its best in the month leading to Christmas, the same happens in Chinatown during the Lunar New Year. In fact, one may notice that Chinatown is the place where Lunar New Year is celebrated with more festivities than most other areas in the island nation. Chinese lanterns adorn all over an area which borders blurred with its neighboring districts, and this year 2 special guests graced the streets. 

The gigantic Red Snake invaded Chinatown with a message: Happy Lunar Snake Year!

Singapore Food Blog - La Braceria

Location: Bukit Timah, Singapore

Lying hidden from sight in a rather upscale neighborhood is a small restaurant called La Braceria. To those who understand Italian, it is “The Grill”, but to those who don’t, its translation mattered not. Because they would have visited this restaurant anyway, or they wouldn't even know its name or its location. 

We chanced upon a voucher offering discounts and thought we would avail ourselves of the chance for some authentic Italian servings, although we had our share of doubt since there are so many franchises and restaurants out there that unabashedly claimed to have served “authentic Italian meals” as well. A website menu packed full of Italian words helped make up our mind and off we went to explore the gastronomic offers of La Braceria.

Tucked behind a garden is the topic of this sharing: La Braceria.

Singapore Food Blog - JUMBO Seafood Restaurant @ Riverside Point, Clarke Quay

Location: Clarke Quay, Central Business District (CBD), Singapore

Singapore. Even though it is claimed by some to be a hubbub of cuisines, which is not wrong in all sense, most have difficulty to recall what is truly Singaporean, and not some imported taste made local. If you are one of them, look no further than JUMBO, one of the chain of seafood restaurant, and its famed chili crab. 

In truth, even JUMBO could not lay full claim to its food as a truly Singaporean cuisine. The seafood it offers is really a fusion between Hong Kong style cooking and local tastes, but the chili crab it serves is something which Singaporeans are proud to say is their local trademark. 

The restaurant is usually crowded, filled to the sidewalk border. The amber sign beckons diners to visit its confines.

A panoramic shot of the Singapore River, with JUMBO Restaurant to the left of the view.