RANDOM HEARTLAND EATS: MARGARET DRIVE MARKETPLACE

There are two major eating places in in the new and improved HDB neighbourhood of Margaret Drive. One is the Margaret Drive Hawker Centre (Block 38A), a typical HDB food centre, and the other is the more upmarket and gentrified Margaret Drive Marketplace (Block 38). On this occasion, we decided to eat in the air-conditioned comfort of the latter. 

Now you know why it was called "Coffin Market".

Previously known as Margaret Market, Block 38 was originally the Commonwealth Avenue Wet Market, built in 1956 by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT). Sometimes nicknamed the "Coffin Market" because of its unusual shape with a high parabolic roof and ceiling, it is the only architectural remnant of this kind from Singapore's pre-independence history. 

Later, a refurbished version of this building house a number of popular eating places, including Sin Kee Chicken Rice, Chui Xiang Garden Restaurant, several food courts and even a Western restaurant. There was even a furniture shop on the second level. We had many enjoyable meals there about fifteen years ago before it underwent major renovation to become the spiffy new food centre it is today.

Prices have gone northwards, but if one looks hard enough, there are still places for good food. As we found out soon enough.

Hua Jie's dumplings and noodles
are far more delicious than they look.

MARGARET DRIVE MARKETPLACE

Block 38 Margaret Drive

Singapore 141038

Margaret Market – Welcome to Margaret Market

Margaret Drive was named after
Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II's
glamourous but scandalous younger sister.

PRE-CONCERT EATS: WOW! FISH @ CITYLINK MALL

It appears that I am eating through all of Citylink Mall's eateries, one by one, as long as concerts take place at the Esplanade. The close proximity of this mall makes it ideally suited to quick eats before rushing off to a concert. I remember a record 9 minutes needed from the time of order to completing a meal at Kim's Bibimbap, and just under $10. Kim's has now been replaced by Wow! Fish, another franchise outlet, one which specialises in Chinese-styled fish soup with pickled vegetable.

The premises is spare and simple, and also easy to clean for restaurant personnel. It's mostly self-service, and after payment one just waits for your number to be announced, and one can begin eating.

I chose the Signature soup,
which was slightly sour, slightly spicy,
 but still very palatable.

Spicy soups take a longer time to be gulped down, but I now have the luxury of time. I also have time to indulge in some pork strips, which are tasty when eaten with chilli flakes (provided). All in all, rather satisfying and it's a nice leisurely walk through Esplanade Tunnel to the next concert.

WOW! FISH @ CITYLINK MALL

1 Raffles Link #B1-19

Singapore 039393

Menu and prices at Wow Fish 哇哦酸菜鱼 - CityLink, Singapore | Quandoo

SUKA MAKAN: CHIRASHIZUSHI SHOU @ BUKIT TIMAH PLAZA

There is a Japanese restaurant literally just steps away from my office. Yet I had not been there until yesterday. That has been my loss, and quickly remedied by my good wife. In fact, there are two Chirashizushi Shou outlets in Bukit Timah Plaza, just a few doors away from each other. We just went to the nearer one.

Despite the small premises, it has a very wide menu. So wide that one is often spoilt for choice. Shall I have rice or noodles? Meat or seafood? Sushi or sashimi? Decisions, decisions, decisions... 

Unagi Don

Natsu bowl

A rather filling helping of sashimi

In the end, I opted unusually for a rice bowl, simply because I wanted unagi (eel). Janet had a rice bowl herself, and we were served miso soup and salad on the side. Then we went for the four-variety sashimi, and the slices were thick, chunky and substantial. This made for a rather filling lunch before I went for my post-prandial nap. Will definitely come back again soon. 

CHIRASHIZUSHI SHOU

1 Jalan Anak Bukit

#B1-55A and B1-60

Singapore 588996

Chirashizushi Shou (@zushishou) • Instagram photos and videos

SUKA MAKAN: HENRI BISTROT DU BOULANGER @ KRETA AYER ROAD

Discovering new places to dine is why I have Sukan Makan in this blog. The enjoyment of food (besides fine music) is what drives us on. In Singapore, there is no shortage of places to enjoy a wide variety of cuisines, in various settings as well as price ranges. Henri Bistrot du Boulanger, a French restaurant, is the discovery of my pianist friend Alyssa Kok, and believe it or not, it sits directly below what used to be Armenian cellist Khachatur Khachatrian's Blumine art gallery.

As fancy French places go, it is informal and friendly. The relatively small menu is inviting, and it has nice choices, and it was not difficult to settle on the set menu, which has an appetiser, main course and dessert. 

Starter: Duck rillette

Starter: Scallop, prawn & vegetables

Speciality of the house.

It was an enjoyable meal, but more importantly is the company of friends, old and new. And this was a very good and quiet place to have conversations.

The fish soup does look quite like the photo!
And it's very tasty too.

Creme brulee

HENRI BISTROT DU BOULANGER

29 Kreta Ayer Road

Singapore 089002

 Wine Bistro | Bakery | Singapore

SUKA MAKAN: WOLFGANG'S STEAKHOUSE @ INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL, ROBERTSON QUAY

This is a classy place. I'm not really used to classy places, but since it's a birthday celebration in the Chang family, it'll do finely. Wolfgang's Steakhouse is not to be confused with Wolfgang Puck, as this is an establishment by another Wolfgang, Wolfgang Zwiener. Whatever, it is a high-end steak place with ambience, excellent service and wonderful cuts of meat.

Quite a few animals were sacrificed for this meal, which were gratefully ingested by all at the table. That's what saying grace is about, thanksgiving. The starters were great, including fresh oysters and the bacon, which were enjoyed immediately And the sides of creamed spinach, Bratkartoffeln (oven-cooked potatoes, you can't get more German than this), mac and cheese were also roundly downed with satisfaction.

This bacon is so sinful!

Vegans now look away. The steaks, including a tomahawk and porterhouse, were thick, juicy and succulent. One can seldom get better than this. And the desserts - apple strudel, lava cake, tiramisu & cheese-cake to add to the calories. To make this a memorable event, a birthday tart and Polaroid photo was added for good measure. Enjoy the food porn while I ponder the next cholesterol test, and where to eat next.

The classic Tomahawk.

Porterhouse steak.

This is no time to count the calories.

Here are some family pics for a happy birthday celebration to remember.

Notice how everybody was attired
in Donald J.Trump Orange.

A nice momento to remember
an evening's at Wolfgang's.

WOLFGANG'S STEAKHOUSE

BY WOLFGANG ZWIENER

InterContinental Hotel,

Robertson Quay

1 Nanson Road

Singapore 238909

Wolfgang's Steakhouse Singapore - by Wolfgang Zwiener