Best dum biryani in Beach Road

There is a very famous dum biryani shop opposite Golden Mile Hawker Centre. A couple of weeks back, I wanted to try it out as many people had told me about how good it was. Now, I am a lover of biryani rice, even though I know that it is not the healthiest dish in existence. So I try to space out my consumption of biryani rice, limiting myself to two such meals a month. When I went to the shop, there as a very long queue. Well, you know the saying that Singaporeans will queue for anything and this was no exception. Finally after what was about half-an-hour of queuing, I managed to get my order, which was to go. I tried it the mutton dum biryani and it was very nice…especially the rice. But to be honest, I have tasted better biryani elsewhere. One such place worth mentioning is Dil’B’s at Changi Village. Now THAT is a good place to go for biryani.

Chicken biryani rice lunch at The Arcade

A couple of days back, I decided to eat lunch at Raffles Place before meeting a client of mine. I passed by this shop in The Arcade called Hot Plate or something like that. A day earlier, I happened to spot a pot of biryani rice cooking on their stove and so I decided to try it. So I ordered a place of chicken biryani rice and I was not disappointed. I mean, look at the portion. It is quite generous. They threw in some potatoes and some pickled cabbage as well. The chicken was slightly under-cooked but it was tasty and juicy. I totally enjoyed my lunch and the great-tasting cup of coffee that I had afterwards. So when you guys goto The Arcade in Raffles Place, check out this restaurant. The owner is a nice, affable guy who is very polite and the food is very nice too.

A&W Coney Dog combo review

I decided to get an A&W Coney Dog combo for dinner last night. I just wanted to know if A&W were the same standard as they were all those years ago. Besides, this would be the first time in a long while that I actually ate at A&W since the resurgence in Singapore. So after work, I went to Ang Mo Kio Hub and ordered my A&W Coney Dog

The Coney Dog was a combo meal which meant it also came with curly fries and a root beer. The root beer was served in a glass mug, not unlike the root beers of old. You gotta gave an A&W root beer when you go to their restaurants. The meal is just not complete without it. The fact that it was served in a frozen glass mug made it even better!

Now for the food. The curly fries were average at best. They all kept sticking together. To be honest, I would rather have the normal fries instead of curly fries but this was the combo. This is what it came with. As for the Coney Dog…I was a tad disappointed. The sausage was not cooked properly. I miss the days when it was actually cooked nicely. The sauce was like it was before with the same taste but I felt that it was not as thick. I suppose that somewhere, somehow, the recipe had changed.

The meal cost $8.90 and I have to say that it was not worth the money. But I consider it a small price to pay for a lesson learnt. Sorry A&W but you are not like you were before and I am really disappointed with that. Don’t think I will be coming back.

Sanyo ASW-F60AT washing machine

My mother has had this Sanyo washing machine for quite some time. Yes…it is not pretty to look at, I must admit. It has got some kind of gooey gunk on it that is almost impossible to remove. But what it has in looks it makes up for durability. This washing machine is still chugging along all these years and works great. I wonder…should I get another Sanyo washing machine, similar to this when this croaks? Highly probable. This washing machine has proved itself and I must admit, I kind of like it.

Kenny Rogers dead at 81 years of age

I just hear the news that one of my favourite artists Kenny Rogers had died at the age of 81. Like my late dad, I was a fan of his music. His album Eyes That See In The Dark is one of my favourites.

The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10:25PM at the age of 81. Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family. https://t.co/adxAgiMW2s pic.twitter.com/nggWiiotMT

— Kenny Rogers (@_KennyRogers) March 21, 2020

I saw this on Twitter, posted by his family. It is a sad day for me indeed. Rest in peace Kenny.

Le Noir MBS claims it is safe to patronise its MBS outlet

This was popping up all over my Facebook this morning and I thought that I had to make this post to show how dumb some owners of nightspots are. Also, I just got news that two patients in Singapore have died from COVID-19, the first deaths reported in the Singapore.

Anyway, back to this. Le Noir MBS claimed that it was safe, in this COVID-19 climate, to patronise them. How irresponsible can you fellas get? This is what was written in the post:

We know that in the current climate, going out might not be on the top of everyone’s to-do list but for those still trying to maintain some level of normality, here’s a few reasons that Le Noir Marina Bay Sands is the perfect choice for your evening out.

OUTDOOR SEATING
We have the benefit of large sections of outdoor seating, where the spectacular view and the fact that tables are at least one metre apart, give you peace of mind to relax and enjoy yourself.

REGULAR TEMP TESTING
Marina Bay Shoppes conducts strict testing of all people entering the mall and Le Noir carry out temperature testing for everyone entering the venue as well as regularly testing staff to ensure safety of all. This means that we are perfectly positioned to make sure everyone around you is in good health.

HAPPY HOUR ALL NIGHT LONG
With the uncertainty of the current climate, we think it is important to offer value for money and, with that in mind, have decided to adopt our amazing Happy Hour promo prices all night long, from opening to closing. Have a great time, eat, drink and enjoy yourself without giving your bank manager a heart attack!

AMAZING ENTERTAINMENT
While many venues have been forced to close or suspend their entertainment programme, Le Noir Marina Bay Sands is committed to making sure our stage is full operational. The very best talent from within the city can be found seven nights a week, delivering original as well as cover material. We are blessed to work with so many amazing artists and we are doing everything in our power to make sure they continue to perform. Come along and support them!

COCKTAILS & SCENES
We have an amazing array of mouth-watering cocktails and one of the best views in the city in which to enjoy them. Whether that’s at sunset, as day eases into night or in the evening, with the lights offering a glittering backdrop to your night out. From a cool place to hang out with work colleagues to a romantic destination, late night spot or special celebration, you don’t need an excuse to visit us. We are here waiting to make sure you have the very best time. See you soon…

I wonder…what happens if a person gets infected with COVID-19 while on their premises? Do you fellas conduct contact tracing like what they do in banks? Do you fellas think that only taking temperature is all that is needed for COVID-19 prevention? You guys really need to know that the government of Singapore have all those strict measures in place because this coronavirus can kill and it has already claimed two deaths in this country. Do you guys even think about the consequences?

The 1874 General Post Office building in Sydney sold to Far East Group

While browsing the Internet, I found out that in 2017, the Far East Group bought the General Post Office building in Sydney. I have passed by that place a few time and I did not know that one day it would be owned by a Singapore company. However, there was a lot of concern from Australia that that landmark should not be sold, despite the Far East Group saying that they will obey all Australian laws of preserving the heritage. According to this article I read in The Straits Times:

A deal to sell one of Sydney’s most famous buildings – the 19th-century General Post Office building – to Singaporean property developers has caused a backlash and prompted appeals to the federal government to block the move.

The 1874 building in Sydney’s Martin Place has been sold by Australia Post, a state-owned company, to Singapore’s Far East Organization and its affiliate, Hong Kong-based developer Sino Group. The firms are owned by Singapore’s Ng family and together comprise one of Asia’s largest property groups.

But the sale – reportedly for A$150 million (S$156 million) – has caused anger over concerns it could lead to the General Post Office building being renovated and losing its character. Far East and Sino Group have declared that they will respect all state and federal heritage requirements.

Sales of Australian icons – whether they are brands of biscuit or large farming estates – have often prompted public opposition, particularly when the sale involves foreign investors.

Criticism of the GPO sale has been led by Sydney’s Lord Mayor, Ms Clover Moore, and the National Trust’s New South Wales (NSW) branch president, Dr Clive Lucas.

Singapore has always been about law and order and I am sure that the Far East Group will not do anything drastic to such an iconic building without permission from the Australian authorities. In short, I think that the Singapore owners will pump in the capital to restore it to its former glory. I do not think Australia have anything to be worried about.

The difference between an impact driver and an impact wrench

I was thinking of getting an impact driver/electric screwdriver combo for my DIY stuff. Then I started asking myself a question. What is the difference between an impact driver and an impact wrench? They both look similar and both have a very high torgue. It was only after I saw this video that I knew the difference. So before you all go out to buy an impact tool, and are as clueless as I was, check this video out, as well as the other one below.

Leeches used for medical purposes

I saw this video on YouTube and while it might look gross, these leeches have an important role to play in the treatment of ailments like deep vein thrombosis and other ailments like varicose veins. Check out how the leech attacks the vein and clears it up. So, leches are not your enemy. If used the right way, they can help us tremendously, especially in the field of medicine.

Will the coronavirus hit the bike-sharing industry?

While waiting for the bus a couple of days back, I happened to glance at a space next to the bus stop where some ride-share bikes were parked. Then I started thinking to myself – will the ride-share industry be hit by this coronavirus scare? I dare say that they will. Sharing of bikes entails that the bikes are not always in the cleanest of conditions. For example, you may not know if the guy or gal before you coughed into his or her hand before placing their hands on the handlebar grips. Supposing someone else takes the bike after that user uses it and gets the germs from the grips? Very certain…unless he or she carries a bottle of sanitizer or in the very least, sanitizes the grips with isopropyl alcohol. Yep…best to stay clear of them for the time being.