Andrew Baisley

Ever been stuck in traffic on the Kosciuszko Bridge for so long that you think to yourself, "I would like nothing more than to blow this bridge the hell up, because I hate it with my life"? Great news, because with a new Kosciuszko Bridge almost ready to take on traffic, the state is blowing the old one straight to hell. [ more › ]

It’s On Sale: Ray Ban Clubmasters

It’s too early in the year to think about sunglasses, but that’s probably why they’re on sale. Groupon has a nice deal right now on Ray Ban’s Clubmaster – one of the company’s more iconic models, which they originally released in the 1980s (although, as a browline design, it draws on a lot of 1960s influence). The rounded, slightly angular frame flatters most men’s faces, and the style is easy to wear with everything from classic suits to motorcycle jackets. 

There are two sizes, 49 and 51. Most men would do better in the 51. And like with all Ray Ban eyewear, if you don’t like the logo on the corner, you can always scratch it off with a penny. 

The Clubmaster retails for $150, but it’s not hard to find them on sale for about $115 most of the year. Groupon’s price is a bit cheaper this week at $70. They also have aviators on sale for $90 and the Wayfarer for $95. 

The banner was stretched at the foot of the monument earlier today

Earlier today, a group of protestors unfurled a large banner reading “Refugees Welcome” on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. A Twitter account, Alt Lady Liberty, began posting photos from the monument this afternoon, and noted that “patriots unfurled a massive banner at the foot of Lady Liberty.”

The National Parks Service confirmed to Curbed that the banner was placed on the Statue, and other photos taken today show the enormous sign stretched across the bottom of the monument. As of right now, it’s unclear who was behind the banner, or how it was placed on the statue in the first place.

The Statue of Liberty has become a symbol of sorts for protestors in the weeks since the Trump administration took office, particularly in the wake of the executive order that banned travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries, as well as halting the arrival of Syrian refugees.

Since its placement in New York Harbor in 1886, Lady Liberty has been a beacon for new arrivals to the United States, thanks to the inclusion of Emma Lazarus’s poem “The New Colossus,” which is inscribed on a plaque within the monument.

Lazarus’s piece, which was “inspired by her own Sephardic Jewish heritage, her experiences working with refugees on Ward's Island, and the plight of the immigrant” (according to the National Park Service) is most famous for these lines:

"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Those particular lines have served as a rallying cry for protestors, as well as for elected officials—Governor Andrew Cuomo even added a Post-It with Lazarus’s words on the famous Subway Therapy wall before it was removed late last year.

Update: A representative for the folks behind the Alt Lady Liberty Twitter account sent Curbed this statement:

The banner was hung today at about 12:45 PM. There were four people involved in hanging it. We have no group, but are just private citizens who feel that the principles that make America great are under attack. We wanted to send a reminder about the America we believe in.

The National Park Service has issued the following statement regarding today’s action:

At approximately 12:50 PM this afternoon, a banner reading “Refugees Welcome” was unfurled atop the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. The banner, approximately 3 feet by 20 feet, was affixed by nylon rope to the wall of the public observation deck at the base of the Statue. Rangers, alerted to the presence of the banner, immediately made their way to the location and conducted an assessment of the banner and how it was attached to the monument. It was determined that the banner could be removed without damaging the pedestal and Rangers began the process of removing it. Affixing a banner to the national monument is strictly prohibited, and an investigation is underway by the United States Park Police to identify suspects.

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Watch: A look at the Statue of Liberty

When your kid is a baby, it’s a special time for many reasons. One of these is, of course, that they can’t tell you your music sucks yet. But that doesn’t mean they like it. In fact, no on really knows what makes the ideal baby-pleasing song. Well, that used to be the case. C&G Baby Club put together a team of child development experts, psychologists, and Grammy-winning musician Imogen Heap (of Frou Frou fame) decided to piece together a piece of music designed to engage and entertain your infant. Spoiler: You’ll probably hate it.

Based on the science, the first ever data-backed baby song had to follow a few ground rules. It needed to be simple, repetitive, and in a major key with a broad range of dynamics to keep infants engaged yet surprised. The tempo also needed to mirror a baby’s heartbeat, which is faster than yours. That brought forth probably the most challenging stipulation: it had to be recorded in the presence of a baby. That was probably difficult because despite their love of buttons, babies are historically terrible producers.

Given those parameters, the resulting song is, well, ear-shredding. But it’ll most likely make your kid smile. Since past studies show that infants are partial to female voices, the song had to be had to be sung by a woman. But don’t worry: In order to make the song more social, Heap interjected plenty of beep beeps, whees, and even a barking dog. So if you must sing along, that’s your part. Just pretend it’s the Beastie Boys, and you’ll be fine.

The post This Data-Backed Song Is Designed To Make Your Baby Happy appeared first on Fatherly.

A little while back Jorel wrote a post introducing our new logo and design. We’ve rolled it out slowly on our blog and twitter accounts and some emails, but this weekend we’ll be pushing it out to our public website and within The Old Reader application. 

Most of the feedback has been really positive and for that we’re grateful. But as with any change, we’re sure there will be a bit of pushback. The important thing to know is that while some colors and the logo may be different, the interface remains largely unchanged.

There is one big exception to that which is our new reading view. This is one of the most exciting updates we’ve made in a while and it’s changed the way that I personally I use The Old Reader. It’s revolutionary only its simplicity, but it truly puts the focus on reading and has improved that experience for me dramatically. I use it constantly on my iPhone and have really enjoyed it weekend mornings with a cup of coffee in a nice chair.

It’s like old school Instagram in that the only view is most recent to oldest, although you can modify that by changing your sorting preference. Most of the other chrome is gone, you just read and swipe to move forward or backward. You can share, like, comment as usual but the really great thing is the format feature. It basically takes partial posts and brings them back in their entirety and formatted for the browser.  

As of this weekend it’ll be available for all premium subscribers in the Experiment’s section. We just want to get some initial feedback from this group and then we’ll be rolling to the entire community.

We hope you guys are excited about the new look and new view. We’ve never been more excited about The Old Reader and we’ve never been more convinced of the importance of RSS, the open web, and people who make the effort to be informed and educated. You guys are the best!

Continuing their fight against Uber, Lyft and other ride hailing apps, the Upstate Transportation Association sent a letter to Governor Cuomo, state Senate president John Flanagan and state Assembly speaker Carl Heastie asking them to ban self-driving cars in New York State for at least 50 years. [ more › ]

This guy makes sweaters of things and then takes pictures of himself in the sweater with the thing. Enjoy!

We don’t have $250 million. You don’t have $250 million. But maybe if we all come together and pool our money we might be able to afford the most expensive home ever listed in America because—shockingly—it may actually be worth it. Consider some of the things included with the 12-bedroom Bel Air mansion. A car […]

This past May the MTA recorded 50,436 subway delays, 697 of which were caused by track fires that could have been ignited by the 40 tons of trash that are removed from the system every day. To curb this ongoing issue, the agency announced in August “Operation Trash Sweep,” an initiative that upped the frequency by which the 622 miles of tracks get cleaned. At the time, the MTA said it would also employ individually-operated Mobile Vacs that workers can use to quickly suck up trash. Yesterday, the agency released a video of the Vacs being tested, which not only shows their […]

A tourist who was celebrating his recent engagement in the city was stabbed in the head with a steak knife early Sunday morning in Midtown, police said. [ more › ]

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Here in Singapore, you can hardly be bored of food. From Thai and Korean to Mexican and French, our sunny island offers a smorgasbord of delectable cuisines from all over the world. And this time around, allow us to introduce you to the flavoursome world of Filipino food. From fancy restaurants to casual eateries, here are our fave spots for authentic Filipino food in Singapore like kare-kare (stew with peanut sauce), inasal (barbecued chicken) and tapa (dried or cured beef preserved in salt and spices).

Best restaurants for Filipino food in Singapore

1. Hayop

Could this be the fanciest spot for Filipino food in Singapore yet? Located within the hip and happening Amoy Street is Hayop, a restaurant founded by The Moment Group in Manila. This Singapore outpost serves classic and reinventing takes on Filipino comfort foods. Flavours are nostalgic and recognisable while embracing the use of the freshest ingredients from around the world.
Hayop, 104 Amoy Street, Singapore 069924

2. Lechon Republic

If you can’t get enough of crispy and succulent pork, we’re told that Lechon Republic probably does it the best. Cooked over charcoal, each piece of pork is treated delicately, ensuring the skin is crisp but the lechon still stays moist. Other popular dishes include the sisig, and the fried lumpiang which is great for sharing.
Lechon Republic, #01-09, Novena Regency, 275 Thomson Road, Singapore 307645

3. Esquinita

Taking the best of both Western and Filipino cuisines, Esquinita is here to tantalise your tastebuds with modern twists on traditional classics. It’s a great spot within Orchard that’s perfect for casual get togethers. The bangus sisig is a crowd favourite. Made with flaked fish, citrus, and peppers, it’s tangy, spicy, and so savoury.
Esquinita, The Centrepoint, Cuppage Terrace, 29 Cuppage Road, Singapore 229456

4. Max’s Restaurant

Located in Far East Plaza, Max’s Restaurant, aka “The House That Fried Chicken Built”, serves its signature tender, juicy sarap-to-the-bone fried chicken. We’d order a whole bird for the family to share. Be sure to dip it into the banana ketchup and Worcestershire sauce too! It even offers a grilled chicken marinated in a special citrus and soy based sauce. Yum!
Max’s Restaurant, #01-07, Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, Singapore 228213

5. Kuya’s Kusinang Pinoy

This little family-run Filipino diner might steal your heart the moment you visit it. This cosy spot along North Bridge Road is known for its home-cooked Filipino food. No frills here, just good ol’ family recipes. The menu is refreshed constantly depending on the ingredients available. Wanna know what you can get for dinner? Simply visit its Facebook page to get the latest updates.
Kuya’s Kusinang Pinoy, #01-06, 420 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188727

6. Don Lechon

Indulge in the aromatic, succulent meat and crispy skin of lechon (roasted suckling pig) at Don Lechon. You can enjoy this Filipino classic on its own, but if you want to try some variety the kitchen also serves lechon paksiw (pork in vinegar), lechon sisig, lechon kare-kare, and lechon sinigang (pork in sour tamarind soup).
Don Lechon, multiple locations including Grandlink Square and East Village

7. Tapa King

The authentic Filipino chain is well-known for its best-tasting beef tapa, as well as an assortment of signature rice dishes. We suggest you try the palate-pleasing Tapa King (marinated beef jerky), as well as other delicious favourites like cornsilog (corned beef) and smoked bangus (milkfish).
Tapa King, B1-038, Lucky Plaza, 304 Orchard Road, Singapore 238863

8. Iskina Cebu

Iskina Cebu is taking over Singapore, one Cebuano dish at a time. This open-air food truck restaurant at the hip Timbre+ serves mouthwatering barbecued pork. The crispy and crunchy exterior skin contrasts the uber tender meat and creates the best bite ever. You can pick between a spicy and non-spicy version, or go for the grilled pork for something hearty.
Iskina Cebu, #01-27, 73A Ayer Rajah Crescent, Singapore 139957

9. El Mesa

Nestled within the rustic Octapas settings, modern bar and restaurant El Mesa has become known for serving some mean Filipino dishes in the middle of a very bustling Clarke Quay. If you’re planning to come by during the weekend, we recommend making a reservation cause it can get packed. And for good reason! We hear the dishes here are as authentic as it gets when it comes to Filipino restaurants in Singapore.
El Mesa, #01-07, 3E River Valley Road, Singapore 179024

10. Kabayan Filipino Restaurant

Frequented by Pinoys especially during the weekends, Kabayan is a laidback, economical Filipino restaurant where you can get a myriad of Filipino food including appetisers such as lumpiang Shanghai, mains like pork sinigang, and leche flan (caramel pudding) for dessert. A set meal here costs about $5 to $10.
Kabayan Filipino Restaurant, #03-25, Lucky Plaza, 304 Orchard Road, Singapore 238863

11. Gerry’s Grill

Gerry’s Grill is popular for its inihaw (grilled) dishes. While the items are typically grilled on charcoal, the meat here is cooked on a gas grill. You can expect an assortment of Pinoy favourites on the menu such as sisig, inihaw na pusit (grilled squid) and tokwa’t baboy (boiled pork pieces served with deep-fried tofu cubes).
Gerry’s Grill, #01-12, Starhub Centre, 51 Cuppage Road, Singapore 229469

12. Inasal

Hop on a culinary adventure at this resto and feast on the best chicken inasal from Bacolod, Philippines. If you’re feeling adventurous, try its rendition of sisig served on a sizzling pan. What’s more, these folks will cook the food upon receiving your orders, so you’ll surely get your dishes hot and fresh!
Inasal, #04-49/50/51, Lucky Plaza, 304 Orchard Road, Singapore 238863

Bonus: Jollibee

Okay, we admit Jollibee is more of a fast food eatery than a restaurant, but we can’t not mention this popular brand. Jollibee has given Pinoys, not just in Singapore but all over the world, a taste of home. Must-tries include ChickenJoy and the oh-so-sweet Jolly spaghetti. Plus point: All Jollibee branches in Singapore are halal-certified.
Jollibee, multiple locations including Lucky Plaza, Square 2 at Novena, and Changi City Point.

And there you have it, all the best spots for Filipino food in Singapore.

The post Get your lechon and adobo fix at these restaurants serving authentic and affordable Filipino food in Singapore appeared first on Honeycombers Singapore.

UberPuppies: Get puppy playtime delivery on demand with the Uber app

Already having a ruff week at work? Need something to liven up your dreary commutes?

Well, get ready for paw-sibly the best day ever: Uber Singapore is teaming up with local dog shelter, SOSD, and Purina Pro Plan to bring you #UberPUPPIES! Valid for one day only, Uber users all around Singapore can request for a 15-minute cuddle session with puppies for free.

How it works

• Open your Uber app on Friday 9 December, between 1pm and 5pm
• Tap the PUPPIES button in the app to request a visit
• If furry friends are available, get ready for 15 minutes of puppy playtime!

While it is free to meet the puppies, you can still make a paw-sitive impact with a donation. 100% of proceeds will go directly to SOSD to further support the dogs at the shelter. The best part? All of the #UberPUPPIES are up for adoption! Simply ask the SOSD representative for more information.

This is the first time the ride-hailing app Uber has brought their insanely adorable #UberPUPPIES initiative to Singapore. Previously only available in select U.S. cities (charging a $15-$30 ‘snuggle fee’ with proceeds going to local animal shelters/organisations), it has now expanded to Australia, Jordan, Lebanon, and even an #UberKITTENS programme – in conjunction with National Cat Day – that we hope makes its way to our shores someday too. Can you say (bow) wow to this rare treat?

For more info, visit the Uber website and Facebook page.

Jeff Smilow is the Executive Vice President of buildings at WSP|Parsons Brinckerhoff, and perhaps his greatest accomplishment has been serving as the structural engineer for One World Trade Center. His streamlined, rhythmic approach is also seen at this contemporary glass and steel home in East Hampton, which he completed just this year. Now on the market for $5.5 million, the transparent residence best exemplifies Smilow’s handiwork on its first floor, where the 5,000-square-foot open plan is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, completely unencumbered by columns. That first floor holds the living room, dining room, and kitchen, which was custom made in Italy by Scavolini. Two separate staircases lead to […]

Birds Of A Feather in Singapore: We review the new Szechuan Chinese restaurant on Amoy Street

Heads up, this is a restaurant that packs a lot of heat; and as a Chinese who embarrassingly can’t take spices without turning his nose into a leaking faucet, this is no exaggeration. Unlike other Chinese cuisines like Cantonese and Teochew, Szechuan is notorious for its use of fiery spices – particularly, the Szechuan pepper that leaves an unforgivingly numbing sensation in the mouth; this is colloquially (and sadistically) known as the “ma la effect”. Such is the specialty you’ll find in Birds Of A Feather, the latest Chinese contender in the food scene that’s spread its wings along Amoy Street, yet it executes this with a contemporary twist that won’t alienate less-adventurous diners.

Coincidentally, the origin behind Birds Of A Feather is also one of ‘scorching’ nature – founded by Chengdu chefs who have moved to Singapore, the dual-shophouse unit is a nod to the Chengdu legend of the Golden Sunbird, an ancient tale about how the sun was rescued by sunbirds from an evil wizard. Admittedly, I’m a sucker for stories like that, and restaurants for fantastical concepts.

As such, a strong connection with nature is exhibited within the casual space – tables and countertops made from wood, chandeliers assembled using real leaves from Chengdu, fluffy cloud-shaped lamps, and plants and branches scattered all around that create the impression that you’re dining in a rainforest. Swooping down into Birds Of A Feather is definitely an immersive experience, and it’s certainly easy to lose track of time here when you’re sprawled across the restaurant’s emerald green sofas while sipping on a hot cup of tea. But rest assured, any torpor you accumulate here will be disrupted the moment you have a taste of the menu.

For the record, prata curries are barely tolerable for me, so I hope this gives you a gauge of how spice-sloppy I am. At $18, the roasted chicken and avocado salad with Szechuan pepper wasn’t potent enough to leave tears in my eyes, but I could still feel tingles on my tongue that cut through the thick, creamy avocado. The Fortune skewer in Szechuan pepper broth ($19, and $24 with Japanese glass noodles) is a spicy, clear stew filled with lightly boiled sticks of quail eggs, potatoes, cauliflower, lotus root and prawns – five sips of this was enough to get me coughing. But it was the restaurant’s devilish rendition of La Zi Ji – dubbed Find The Chicken In The Chillies ($16) – that did a number on me; marinated in Szechuan seasoning and deep fried with dried red chillies, these sizzling chicken poppers are perfect for snapping you out of a hangover.

With that said, not every dish on the menu is set to start infernos in your mouth. The Oriental angel hair Bolognese ($22) was thankfully tamer yet tantalising – the thin pasta is cooked and tossed in a savoury, nutty, mildly-spicy zha jiang sauce with minced pork, and is made thicker with the gooey yolk of burst onsen tamago. Another East-meets-West dish that goes easy on the heat is the grilled cheese panini ($20), stuffed with braised pork belly and pickled cabbage that resembles the popular Szechuan dish, Hui Guo Rou (or twice cooked pork).

And if that doesn’t fill you up, or you’re craving another punch to your palate, the hot and sour chazuke ($28) is one dish that aces in flavour and presentation. When served, a pickled mustard green broth is poured over char-grilled barramundi and Japanese Niigata rice topped with mentaiko, which ends up giving the dish a porridge-like consistency. But unlike your calming bowl of congee, the broth here will give you a sour, spicy kick similar to Thai tom yum goong, so brace yourself for this one… if your mouth’s not already fully numb by this point.

While I might’ve used up a whole packet of tissue over the course of this meal, I’ll certainly be brave enough for a return visit now that I know what to expect. Diners who can handle the heat will have feel right at home at Birds Of A Feather, as would traditionalists familiar with the boldness of Szechuan cuisine. A hot new reason to flock to Amoy Street? Most definitely.

Birds Of A Feather, 113 Amoy Street, Singapore 069935, p. 6221 7449. Open daily 10am-11pm.

We parents have to go through an awful parental edition of Pictionary. You know, that high-stress guessing game that begins when your kid hands you a drawing they drawed just for you?

“A chair! A cat? Um, a tractor? Is it a camel? Uhhhhh… a clown???”

You either guess it right or get sternly corrected and then try to smother your shame by hugging and thanking them. Later you may say to yourself, “In my defense, THAT did NOT look like a seagull!”

But what if it did? Well, this amazing dad, Tom Curtis, answers just that question with his @thingsihavedrawn Instagram and takes his 6-year-old son’s drawings and Photoshops them into reality-ish.
 

Psssst. It’s a seahorse!
 

 

A photo posted by Things I have drawn (@thingsihavedrawn) on Sep 18, 2016 at 1:38am PDT

 

 

 

 

A photo posted by Things I have drawn (@thingsihavedrawn) on Sep 12, 2016 at 5:13am PDT

 

 

 

 

 

A photo posted by Things I have drawn (@thingsihavedrawn) on Sep 3, 2016 at 2:08am PDT

 

 

 

Pssssst. It’s a goat. I think?
 

I’m a father and graphic designer so these are especially amazing for me to see. I can see, as I’m sure you can, that these aren’t just great internet fun, they’re a truly special experience between a father and his son.

There’s so much more, this is a must follow Instagram account: @thingsihavedrawn

 

This is a rural retreat like no other. Known as the Sixteen Doors House and designed by the firm Incorporated Architecture & Design, this is a modern cabin made practically transparent by the placement of sixteen doors and windows. Luckily, it’s surrounded by six acres of forest in the foothills of the Berkshires so privacy is a non-issue. 6sqft profiled the design project back in 2014; now it’s being offered as a vacation rental through Airbnb. For $300 a night, you can have your own tranquil experience at the Sixteen Doors House.

As the architects describe it, this modest 1,350-square-foot cabin is “literally ‘in’ the landscape.” It is a completely wood-framed structure–no steel was used to build the building–to better reflect the natural surroundings.

Of course, the placement of windows and glass doors are what really makes this cabin design stand out. From anywhere inside the house, you’re looking out.

The cabin was designed with a single room for living, dining and cooking in the center of the apartment. It’s all, of course, complete with a Danish wood-burning stove.

Much of the rustic design was inspired by nature.

With the living space located centrally in the home, the bathrooms and utilities then provide a “buffer” and privacy for the two bedrooms that flank the living area. The result is utmost privacy in the bedrooms, surrounded by the utmost privacy of Mother Nature.

The north bedroom is outfitted with a desk with an incredible view. Although it’s fair to say this is a home where views are not hard to come by.

View the full rental listing on Airbnb >>

RELATED:

• Go Glamping in a Geodesic Dome on a Catskills Farm for $350/Night
• Top 10 Architecture Day Trips Just Outside NYC for Modernism Lovers
• LM Guest House Takes Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Designs to a Greener Level

Photos courtesy of Incorporated Architecture & Design

The Bronx home, built in 1959, has tons of outdoor space

The listing for this four-bedroom Riverdale home calls it a "midcentury modern open-plan home and studio," though the vibe is probably better described as midcentury modern lite. It was designed by architect Julius Panero, a lifelong Riverdale resident who passed away in 2014; he built the home in 1959, and the "private oasis" is now on the market for $1.5 million.

The standout feature of the house is undoubtedly its abundance of outdoor space, including a small deck just off the kitchen, a landscaped backyard, and "an open greenhouse frame" surrounding a patio (with a built-in grill, no less). Other features include a sunken living room, floor-to-ceiling windows, a master bedroom with ensuite bathroom, and a private driveway.

• Listing: 5454 Palisade Avenue [Halstead]

Photos of the social media company’s Broadway digs are here and they’re awesome

In 2014, Facebook’s New York City-based employees made the move into their new Frank Gehry-designed office space at 770 Broadway. Back then, the place was only partially done , giving just a small hint of what was to come but now, Business Insider got a chance to tour the exclusive space and we can see why so many employees continue to help the company top the list of ‘Best Places to Work.’

The new offices are certainly a huge improvement over their former space on Fifth Avenue and 45th Street, which was painfully disenchanting. Now, there’s an actual Facebook “wall” for employees to post on, an open layout with quiet rooms tucked in various places, and an amazing cafeteria that includes everything from pizza and salad to office-made frozen yogurt and a pastry chef. The offices spread across four floors in what used to be the Wanamaker’s flagship department store.

A physical Facebook “wall” stands front and center at the office.

Sarah Jacobs for Business Insider

Employees can venture away from the open-concept main office floor for a more cozy work space (the employee in the background is enjoying that recliner).

Sarah Jacobs for Business Insider

And here’s the beloved cafeteria...

Sarah Jacobs for Business Insider

With a subway theme!

Sarah Jacobs for Business Insider

For a deeper look inside Facebook’s New York offices, head on over to Business Insider.

• A look inside Facebook's New York office, where employees of the $280 billion company enjoy virtual reality games and an in-house pastry chef [Business Insider]
• Here Now, Facebook's Partially Done, Gehry-Designed NYC HQ [Curbed]
• Inside Facebook's New, Non-Groovy NYC Offices [Curbed]

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mid-century-furniture:

DAMN! #lumber #impressive #oldschool #logging #sawmill

Christmas is truly our favourite time of year. It is also when you gather family and friends for a good, hearty meal. It is, after all, the season to be jolly.

If turkey is not the centrepiece you want for your Christmas dinner, it must be fried chicken. Yes, we know; you love KFC as much as we do. You know we would jump at every opportunity to eat KFC for it is our utmost guilty pleasure, and we are definitely ready to welcome the Red Hot Chicken again for Christmas this year.

Besides the Red Hot Chicken, KFC Singapore is also launching its new baked cheese tarts on 16 November!

Don’t tell us fried chicken is not Christmas food. You would agree after you’ve tried the KFC Red Hot Chicken, and Here Is Why You Should Be Digging Into The KFC Red Hot Chicken This Yuletide Season.

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KFC RED HOT CHICKEN

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Let’s swap the turkey for KFC’s Red Hot Chicken. As if the regular crispy and piping hot chicken from KFC isn’t enough; the chickens now get a douse of spiciness and we are all sold.

The Red Hot Chicken is back, and if you remembered it from last year, yes—it is very spicy. Fresh, juicy and succulent chicken pieces are first soaked in KFC’s signature Hot & Spicy marinade, then coated in paprika batter before being put to fry to obtain that familiar crispy, tender perfection that we all love.

If that is not spicy enough for you (you tough nut!), then turn up the heat with the accompanying Flaming Hot Sauce that is guaranteed to make you sweat. No joke; it was so spicy that we couldn’t be more thankful for the icy cold cup of Sjora (that came with the meal).

Honestly, Christmas and KFC fried chicken are the two best things and it is the best combination!

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POTATO WINDERS

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To accompany the spicy Red Hot Chicken, KFC has now added the new Potato Winders to the mix—tasty potato swirls that are a creative rendition of the usual stick fries. The skin adds a textural variety, and the crunchy snack is more addictive than we thought!

You can choose to have them on its own, but we like dipping ours into the Flaming Hot sauce. Fair warning: they weren’t kidding when the named the sauce ‘flaming hot sauce’.

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CHEESE TARTS

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But surely no Christmas feast is complete without some desserts to satisfy the sweet tooth in us all. Cheese tarts are all the rage now, yes? Well, let’s say hello to KFC’s all-new Cheese Tart—made with decadent European premium cream cheese. It got everyone on the table swooning.

You will be surprised by how creamy the new cheese tarts are. They simply crumble in the mouth, leaving you with a mix of sweet and salty, warm cheese. The cheese tarts are baked fresh daily, so you know that what you are getting is fresh, and not laden with preservatives.

But besides the taste of it, we are also really bought over by how affordable these cheese tarts are. They are available at just S$1.90 each!

The best things in life should be shared, and that is what Christmas is all about. So, with the Buy 5 Get 1 Free promotion, everyone will get their cheese tarts!

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RED HOT BOX

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This is the set to go for if you cannot decide on just one item. With the KFC Red Hot Box, you get a full meal that comes with two pieces of Red Hot Chicken, a tub of the Flaming Hot Sauce, Potato Winders, a whipped potato, two pieces of nuggets, and a refreshing SJORA® Mango Peach. It is available at S$9.50.

The next thing to do is to top-up for a cheese tart to complete your meal.

There is also a Red Hot Christmas Family Feast that is perfect for groups of four and above, and there is a delivery option for this as well.

The Red Hot Chicken and Cheese Tarts will officially launch islandwide on 16 November 2016, and be made available until 02 January 2017.

This post is brought to you by KFC Singapore.

Give your home a revamp at the best furniture stores in Singapore! After years of exploring home accessories and furniture stores across the city, here’s our advice: skip the mass-market retailers and inject personality into your abode with these best-kept gems. Far from the cookie-cutter dining tables and sofas, these best furniture stores prioritise unique design, quality and lasting value. Need expert intel? Hit up the best interior design firms in Singapore before your revamp.

Our recommendations if you’re pressed for time:

• Best for small abodes: Spaceman
• For wallet-friendly pieces: HipVan
• Kind to the planet: Heveya
• Resort-inspired collection: Island Living

Best furniture stores in Singapore

1. Journey East

Love discovering unique decor that adds character and creativity to your home? Meet Journey East, a top furniture destination known for its one-of-a-kind catalogue. With over 30 years of industry experience, this independent brand offers well-crafted furniture and decor that are anything but cookie-cutter – every piece comes with its unique story and design. Stealing the limelight is the United Strangers collection, known for its timeless pieces with modern appeal. Think textured marbles, premium leathers and geometric shapes.

Don’t miss other under-the-radar and well-loved brands – including dBodhi, Gangzai, Tala and Pappelina – with standouts like colourful rugs, quirky designer decor accents, reclaimed wood pieces, as well as mid-century modern and Art Deco vintage furniture dating back to the 1900s and 1960s. Swing by the showroom to browse the thoughtfully curated collection in-person, or get your retail therapy fix on its website anytime. The brand also holds pop-up events (think shopping events, cocktail speakeasies and art exhibitions) every now and then, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled.

Best for: Unique pieces that stand out
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 6pm
Address: Journey East, available online and at #03-02, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169704

2. Grey & Sanders

All for conscious living? Here’s your sign to dress up your home with the timeless furniture collection from Grey & Sanders. Deeply rooted in nature, this planet-friendly brand creates enduring pieces using top-quality natural raw materials from around the world. Every piece is meticulously handcrafted from scratch and designed in-house by a skilled team of designers. Just browse its vast collection of sofas, dining tables, bed frames and more to see for yourself.

If you prefer something bespoke, these folks have made-to-order dining tables and sofas. Trust us, a one-of-a-kind solid wood dining table will steal the limelight. Pick from a sustainably-sourced wood collection of over 300 live edge wood slabs – each preserved in its natural condition, with no two pieces alike – and let the crafting magic unfold. If you need any furniture styling tips, the team is happy to help, too.

Best for: An eco-conscious, handcrafted collection
Opening hours: Daily, 11am to 7pm
Address: Grey & Sanders, available online or at #06-02 and #15-03, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road; and #02-42 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard

3. Finn Avenue

Transform your home into a haven of elegance and comfort with Finn Avenue’s luxurious collection. Quality is the name of the game here, as every piece of furniture and decor is crafted from premium materials by skilled artisans. Boasting a selection of plush sofas, armchairs, sideboards, TV consoles, modern luxe rugs, wall mirrors and more, get ready to shop for the best of luxury, affordability and functionality.

Prefer to get a feel of these furniture pieces in person? The showroom is open from Wednesday to Monday, so stop by anytime to explore its collection firsthand. Whether you’re looking to unwind in style with a new coffee table or give your living room space a makeover with home decor pieces, there will be a gem awaiting you. And the cherry on top? You can snag these well-crafted pieces without burning a hole in your pocket!

Best for: Furniture and decor of top quality
Opening hours: Monday and Wednesday to Friday, 12pm to 7pm; Saturday and Sunday, 12pm to 6pm
Address: Finn Avenue, available online and at #04-18, Apex@Henderson, 201 Henderson Road, Singapore 159545

4. Born in Colour

If modern contemporary, Scandinavian, minimalist or even retro mid-century styles are your thing, you’ll love the design-centric interior finds at Born in Colour. This furniture brand specialises in affordable and trendy pieces that are smartly designed to fit into compact spaces – perfect for the standard Singaporean apartment. Of course, it also has furniture of all sizes. Designer furniture, here we come!

Best for: Wallet-friendly designer picks
Opening hours: Daily, 11am to 7pm
Address: Born in Colour, multiple locations including Tan Boon Liat Building and Yishun Industrial Park

5. Spaceman

Looking for stylish yet space-saving furniture? Check out this brand which offers innovative solutions for modern living spaces. With an exclusive collection made in Italy, expect a stellar blend of aesthetics and European safety standards. Think multi-function Murphy beds, real mattress sofa beds, expandable dining tables, stylish dust-free storage beds, and bunk beds for kids and teens. And the cherry on top? You can customise the finishes and fabrics, choosing from hundreds of options including handmade table tops, as well as Italian leather sofa beds and storage beds. Plus, every piece can be easily dismantled and relocated in future.

Whether you’re looking to maximise space in your apartment or create a multi-functional room, count on the free space planning services to unveil the best solution for your needs. Trust the expert design consultants to help you design a spacious yet harmonious abode from your kids’ bedroom to the dining area. Ready to save some space and give your home a facelift? Book an appointment and swing by the 5,000 sq ft showroom, stat!

Best for: Chic furniture that maximises space
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 7pm
Address: Spaceman, 259 Lavender Street, Singapore 338793

6. Cozmo

Hands up if customisable furniture has your heart! Get ready to fall head over heels with the modular sofa from Cozmo. Designed by an award-winning London-based studio, Raw Edges (which has collaborated with premium brands such as Louis Vuitton and Stella McCartney), this modular sofa is all about personalisation and adaptability. The modular system allows for various configurations (think linear setups, corner units and chaise longues) so it can fit into any space and adapt to your changing needs. You’ll also get to pick from an array of fabrics to suit your style.

To help with your decision, Cozmo will send a free sample of up to five fabric swatches so you can try them out in your living space first. Finally, just sit tight and await your delivery. Packed in a compact box, it fits into any doorway, corridor and lift for easy access. And bonus points for the modular design which allows for fuss-free assembly. Here’s the best part: Cozmo’s jackets (aka sofa covers) are interchangeable! To switch up the style of your sofa, simply head online or drop by the store anytime. A home essential that evolves with your taste and stands the test of time? We’re sold.

Best for: Customisable gems to suit your fancy
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 7pm
Address: Cozmo, available online and at #02-09, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074

7. Harvey Norman

As a leading household name in the home furnishings space, Harvey Norman needs little introduction. The brand has delivered a stellar retail experience since 1999, and continues to offer luxurious yet affordable furniture. Themed ‘Embracing La Villa Bella’, its Italian range celebrates the brand’s ethos – a lifestyle that marries luxury and comfort. Enjoying the finer things in life at wallet-friendly prices? We’re so here for it.

From elegant leather recliners to comfy fabric sofas, the Italian range boasts impeccable craftsmanship, made in the heart of Italy. It really doesn’t get more authentic than this. At Harvey Norman, furniture isn’t a one-size-fits-all. Choose from more than 100 types of leather, pick out your preferred size and configuration, and enjoy other customisable options. Our top picks for saving precious space? The Cubo Rosso Demetra sectional sofa elite series, Nicoletti Lulu sofa recliner, as well as Nicoletti Tesla 2.5-seater sofa.

Best for: A well-loved household name
Opening hours: Varies by location
Address: Harvey Norman, multiple locations including Millenia Walk and Parkway Parade

8. Commune

If you’re someone that loves surpassing everyday norms, Commune is exactly the brand for you. It’s all about bringing your home together with style and comfort. The designs are human-centric and focus on beauty and the needs of an individual person. We highly recommend taking a look at the office desks in three vintage designs. It’ll become the favourite piece in your work from home setup.

Best for: Pieces crafted with comfort in mind
Opening hours: Varies by location
Address: Commune, multiple locations including Millenia Walk and Tan Boon Liat Building

9. Scanteak

Support a local business and the environment while you’re furniture hunting. Sounds like a tall order? Well, not with Scanteak! This is a homegrown brand that has expanded abroad, with over 180 stores in Singapore, Japan and Taiwan. And what is it well-known for? Gorgeous Scandinavian designs made with sustainably sourced teak wood, specially obtained from plantation teak. Durable and beautiful, you can expect these pieces to last for ages. Plus, the classic designs mean they’ll fit in with the rest of your interior even through the ever-changing trends. So whether you’re deep in the minimalism trend or in love with a breezy, mid-century modern aesthetic, your Scanteak furniture won’t go out of style.

To top it all off, you can rest easy knowing these timeless furnishings are incredibly easy to maintain. From bed frames to coffee tables, the pieces are meant to be lived in – and they’ll look good for years, too. We’re also digging the handy gift ideas like condiment holders, serving trays and key holders – perfect for any upcoming housewarming parties. Want to up your wooden furniture game?

Best for: A homegrown gem making waves abroad
Opening hours: Varies by location
Address: Scanteak, multiple locations including Paya Lebar and Joo Chiat

10. Island Living

Redecorating your home? Take a peek at Island Living’s range of resort-style furniture for inspiration and new statement pieces, we say. Natural textures are a key feature in the brand’s pieces, adding a breezy, island vibe to any space. Think hand-carved stone, sustainable rattan and reclaimed teak. Curated with global interior trends in mind, these gorgeous items are sourced locally and from multiple countries in the region, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Kenya, and Australia.

Best for: Evoking a breezy, island vibe
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm
Address: Island Living, #06-03/04, Mapletree Industrial Trust, 8 Kaki Bukit Avenue 1, Singapore 417941

11. Cellini

A local designer furniture brand, Cellini’s products are all about quality, comfort and design. And if you want to streamline the process of furnishing (or revamping) your home, check out the living room, dining room and bedroom packages. These convenient packages let you purchase your essential decor pieces as a set (like a bed frame with a mattress), so you don’t have to hunt for them separately.

Best for: Fuss-free furniture packages
Opening hours: Varies by location
Address: Cellini, multiple locations including Suntec City and The Centrepoint

12. Originals

Owner Geri Murphy has great taste, as evidenced by Originals’ range of furniture. The selection features natural teak wood, vintage Indian and Indonesian pieces remodelled into stunning, contemporary designs. You can also take your pick of soft furnishings and handpicked accessories from all over Europe and Asia.

Best for: A selection sourced from all over the globe
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10am to 7pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm
Address: Originals, #05-02/03, 1 Bukit Batok Street 22, Singapore 659592

13. FortyTwo

The largest homegrown e-furniture site, FortyTwo boasts a collection of more than 20,000 items across furniture and accessories like sofa sets, bed frames, mattresses and rugs. Trust the brand to stock all the trending interior styles, whether you’re after a dark wood statement for a warm and cosy feel or black metal decor for a sophisticated look. Need more reason to drop by? Score free delivery with a minimum $300 purchase and enjoy a 100-day free returns period.

Best for: An online showroom at your fingertips
Opening hours: Open 24-hours
Address: FortyTwo, available online

14. Heveya

Heveya is a five-star reviewed bedding store and it’s easy to see why. This brand has everything from ergonomic motorised bed bases to organic latex pillows to meet all your sleep needs. It specialises in Heveya natural organic latex mattresses, which feature natural latex layers that provide amazing support for your spine to rest in its natural alignment. It’s also anti-dust mite and hypoallergenic, which is an added bonus!

Best for: A collection that’s kind to you and the planet
Opening hours: Varies by location
Address: Heveya, multiple locations including Eng Hoon Street and Tangs Orchard

15. Layard Interiors

We’re seriously swooning over this brand and founder Anna Layard’s impeccable style. Layard Interiors’ rattan chairs, coffee tables and lounges are making all our tropical fantasies come true – the collection, which extends to beautiful decorative items from bamboo trays to capiz shell bowls and textiles, is handmade by artisans in Java and the pricing is incredibly tempting. This is one of the most unique and exciting sources of tropical style in town, we say. Follow Layard Interiors on Facebook to shop online and get news on the next open house.

Best for: Realising your tropical fantasies
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 7pm
Address: Layard Interiors, #03-102, A Raft of Otters, Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247933

16. HipVan

Founded in Singapore, HipVan has been furnishing homes since 2013. The brand works with direct manufacturers to offer beautifully designed furniture with affordable price tags. Whether you need to spruce up your dining space or bedroom, you’ll find something to suit your needs here. The collection also includes bedding essentials, bath products and even a sustainable selection.

Best for: A pocket-friendly alternative
Opening hours: Daily, 11am to 9pm
Address: HipVan, available online and at #02-03, Clarke Quay, Block B, Singapore 179021

17. Soul & Tables

This homegrown furniture brand believes that affordable prices don’t mean quality and service should be compromised and we’re totally here for it. Specialising in ethically sourced wood pieces created with environmental sustainability in mind, Soul & Tables definitely ticks all the right boxes as one of the best furniture stores in the city.

The brand’s stunning showroom is conveniently located near the city centre at the design enclave of Tan Boon Liat Building, and we heartily recommend popping in for some unmissable interior inspiration. Or, simply place your orders through the online shop (yes, the full range is available!), which offers stellar customer service and delivery within two weeks.

Best for: Enduring pieces built to last
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 7pm
Address: Soul & Tables, available online and at #02-03/09, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074

18. Noden

Trip out at this indie concept store, as vintage enthusiasts Marko Yeo and Tawan Conchonnet bring you classic Scandinavian designs from the 40s all the way to the 70s. You can expect furniture pieces with clean, subtle forms from big names such as Hans Wegner, Børge Mogensen, and Kai Kristiansen, all of whom are pioneers of Danish modern furniture.

Best for: Shopping from Danish furniture A-listers
Opening hours: Wednesday to Friday, 11am to 5pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 6pm
Address: Noden, #02-02, 211 Henderson Road, Singapore 159552

19. Fritz Hansen

Looking for a new designer sofa, a luxe dining table or just some design inspo for your home? Chill out in this lounge that’s also the Fritz Hansen’s latest monobrand store in Singapore. Over the past 150 years, this interior decor brand has been continuously crafting visionary designs, like the Egg and the Swan, refreshed with special fabrics and colours.

Check out the new creations and don’t forget to pop by the beautiful space to experience luxurious and timeless designs from the brand’s world-famous collections. Plus, design lovers will appreciate how this showroom designed by Jaime Hayon juxtaposes luxe design with the retro aesthetics of home decor mecca Tan Boon Liat Building.

Best for: An iconic brand since the 1870s
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10am to 6.30pm
Address: Fritz Hansen, #13-08, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074

20. Danish Design

Who doesn’t love the clean, uncluttered Scandinavian aesthetic? Danish Design is 1,500 square feet of home decor paradise with the biggest names in Danish furniture under one roof. Hans Wegner, Jens Juul Eilersen, Andreas Hansen… you name it, they’ve got it. Products don’t come cheap, but you’re guaranteed quality and authenticity, so it’s a great option for those who want to invest in furniture.

Best for: Clean and minimalist Scandinavian furniture
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm; Sunday, 12pm to 6pm
Address: Danish Design, #06-03, B&D Building, 100E Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118521

21. Kuhl Home

Shopping for the kiddos? The sister brand of Danish Design, Kuhl Home, is the place to look. Modern Scandinavian design is at the heart of its collection, featuring top quality products at competitive prices. We also love how the pieces are crafted to adapt to your child’s needs as they grow. Take, for instance, the convertible and modular kids’ bed systems that can be easily adapted or rebuilt through the years. They mean serious business when they say the bed can last you a lifetime.

Best for: Pieces tailored for the little ones
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm; Sunday, 12pm to 6pm
Address: Kuhl Home, #01-01, 100E Pasir Panjang Road, B&D Building, Singapore 118521

22. Lema

With a history of excellent Italian craftsmanship, Lema was founded in 1970 by the Meroni family and continues to wow with its creations today. We’re talking about sleek and functional pieces that will look great in any abode. Case in point: the Ortis small table that’ll complete your living room setup. Pair it with the Cloud modular sofa to complete a classy, neutral space. For the dining room, invest in the Bule round table that’s perfect for hosting parties (there’s even a lazy Susan!).

Best for: An artisanal Italian collection
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10.30am to 7pm
Address: Lema, #01-01 & #03-01, 201 Henderson Road, Singapore 159545

23. Vitra

Looking for innovative products? The Swiss know how it’s done. Vitra’s designs are developed in Switzerland and installed worldwide at locations including the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Jazz up your home with pieces like the uniquely-shaped Petit Repos or La Chaise lounge chair, or the eye-catching Nelson Ball clock. It’s the perfect whimsical touch to dial up your home interior’s creativity!

Best for: Innovative products with Swiss flair
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 6.30pm
Address: Vitra, available at #01-04, 211 Henderson Road, Singapore 159552

24. Cassina

Contemporary, innovative designs take centre stage at Cassina, together with design icons from the Modern Movement. Founded in 1927, this brand has been designing interiors for over 90 years and is known for combining technological skills with traditional craftsmanship. Make a statement with its cosy yet striking seating options.

What caught our eye? The Soriana armchair boasts an unconventional structure made with polyester-padded cushions, while the Sengu sofa promises absolute comfort with simple geometries. Turn to its collection of modern classics by the likes of Gerrit T. Rietveld, Charles R.Mackintosh, Frank Lloyd Wright, Philippe Starck and more.

Best for: Iconic and striking designs with traditional craftsmanship
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday, and Friday to Saturday, 10.30am to 7pm
Address: Cassina, available at W Atelier, #01-01 and #03-01, 201 Henderson Road, Singapore 159545

Time to go furniture shopping at these stores in Singapore!

Frequently Asked Questions

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The Bird Southern Table and Bar in Singapore: A new American Southern cuisine restaurant opens at Marina Bay Sands

When it comes to food havens, Marina Bay Sands pretty much takes the icing on the cake. Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen, David Myers’ Adrift, Tetsuya Wakuda’s Waku Ghin – thankfully for our adventurous appetites, this list does seem to go on and on. But just when we thought that the culinary choices at MBS couldn’t get any more diverse, down swoops a high-flying franchise all the way from Miami, specialising in the hearty, homely Southern cuisine of the U.S.

Now soaring amongst the elite establishments of MBS is The Bird Southern Table & Bar, helmed by Founder, John Kunkel. Embarking on its first rodeo outside of The States (its flagship is in Miami, and has a sister outlet in Las Vegas’ Venetian | Palazzo), The Bird Southern Table & Bar sees the passing down of Kunkel’s grandmother’s Southern recipes – tried-and-tested renditions of chicken & waffles, shrimp & grits, buttermilk biscuits and other kitchen comforts. We get a taste of the love with a chat with Kunkel himself, who reveals more about the bites (and booze) to expect, and the appeal of Southern cuisine.

Hey there, John! Why open all the way in Singapore, considering it’s its first branch outside of the U.S.?

We have a great relationship with our Marina Bay Sands partners, and in my 20s, I was able to spend a lot of time in Southeast Asia. So when this opportunity presented itself, we were very excited to accept. 

What are some must-try eats on the menu that you’d personally recommend?

Without question, I’d say the Chicken ‘N’ Watermelon ‘N’ Waffles, our Shrimp ‘N’ Grits, the Fried Green Tomato BLT, and Mama’s Crispy Chicken Biscuit. They are classics for a reason, and our signature dishes too. We have taken tried-and-true Southern recipes and we have added the expertise of our amazing culinary team to create a chef-forward menu full of delicious fare.

What, in your opinion, makes a perfect fried chicken and waffles?

I think our version is the perfect pairing! Juicy, crunchy fried chicken and our amazing savoury cheddar cheese waffle, complemented with our spiced watermelon, bourbon maple syrup and honey hot sauce. You just have to get a bite with everything in it – trust me, it will be the perfect fried chicken and waffles.

We noticed that The Bird Southern Table & Bar  will also offer ’77 Elvis Pancakes that cater to the brunch crowd, which is swell considering how huge the brunch scene is in Singapore!

Yes, brunch is one of our most popular meal periods and Southern food is the most popular brunch food. Updated cocktail classics like Bloody Marys and our Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade are a great start, and our brunch menu combines sweet and savoury with dishes like the ’77 Elvis Pancakes, Maple Bacon Donuts, Eggs ‘N’ Ham, and the Yardbird Benedict.

Will The Bird Southern Table & Bar be a go-to hangout for bourbon and whisky connoisseurs?

Absolutely. We are right now in design and trying to dedicate a portion of the restaurant to whisky and bon aficionados. Currently, our Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade is one of our most popular drinks and customers love it – it’s tart, and a little sweet with blackberry puree, fresh lemon, cardamom, and Angostura bitters. Our Watermelon Sling is also a hit – it’s a refreshing combination of whisky, fresh watermelon juice and lemon, balanced with Aperol.

Do you think Southern cuisine has more heart than any other cuisine from the U.S.?

I don’t know if it has more heart, but it definitely has more salt! Southern food is all about passion, and there are a lot of different ways to make Southern classics, but it’s really all about sharing great food with family and friends.

Is that the biggest takeaway you’d like Singaporean diners to have from dining at The Bird Southern Table & Bar?

Yes, we want our diners to feel like family. We communicate through food that’s cooked with love and passion, and we want them to feel that. 

The Bird Southern Table & Bar also has a sister restaurant called Swine Southern Table & Bar in Florida, that focuses on nose-to-tail dining. Are there plans on expanding that brand?

I’d say swine is more like a tough younger brother! It’s a very successful concept, and we would love to bring it to Singapore, but no plans as of yet.

And let’s end with a fun one: if you could transform into any bird of your choice, what would it be and why?

That’s a tough question! If I had to pick, I would go with a condor; they live a long time, they are very unique, and they have a huge wingspan.

The Bird Southern Table & Bar, #01-82 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956. 

Craving more comfort food? Check out these best places for fried chicken and waffles in Singapore. 

The term “innovative” gets thrown around a lot these days, but not necessarily in the direction of the companies on Fatherly’s inaugural 20 Most Innovative Companies For Kids And Parents list. These businesses aren’t led by TED Talk stars or funded by king-making VCs with an eye toward the next disruptive technology. They’re established companies that quietly iterate everyday products to the point of perfection, or passion projects inspired by the founder’s true passion: Their kids.

We’d argue these 20 companies are more deserving than many of those you’d find on more traditional innovation lists — because who really needs innovative products? Is it the guy who wants to answer a phone call with his wrist, or a parent whose baby is screaming too hard to take their temperature? Is it the guy who wants to Snapchat while his car drives itself, or the parent staring down a 5-hour flight with a 3-year-old and needs screen time options that won’t melt their brain?

If you’re reading this, we know your answer. And so do these 20 companies.

Toy Makers

Mattel

There’s no law saying a 61-year-old company can’t innovate — particularly when it employs all the tools at its disposal as an industry-leading corporation, including R&D, new technology, and savvy acquisitions. In the past year, Mattel collaborated with Google to make virtual reality accessible to kids, completely reinvented Barbie to give them a more diverse choice of dolls, and displayed moonshot-like vision with Fisher-Price’s Future Of Parenting report. And, by snapping up Sproutling and Fuhu — makers of smart baby monitors and the Nabi line of kids tablets and wearables — Mattel showed it’s as good at shopping as the parents it courts. Signature Products:

• View-Master: Consumers and manufacturers have puzzled over what to do with Google’s remarkable Cardboard Virtual Reality viewer, but Mattel knew immediately: Turn its kitschy View-Master into a cutting edge, VR-enabled learning platform.
• Barbie: Mattel’s sweeping redesign of the iconic doll’s Fashionistas line includes 4 body types, 7 skin tones, 22 eye colors, and 24 hairstyles. It’s never been easier for kids to find a doll that speaks to them.

littleBits

Robotics kits are nothing new. Kits that seamlessly blend basic coding, electronic engineering, and old school maker ingenuity in a package suitable for kids as young as 8, however, are mind blowing. littleBits’ big innovation is taking elements like motors, switches, and LEDs, and placing them within self-contained “bits” that snap together magnetically — it’s basically a next-gen LEGO set, if every brick contained its own smart functionality. That doesn’t mean they’ll crawl out of the way before you step on one in the dark. (Unless your kid figures out how to program them to do that.) Signature Product:

• The Gizmos And Gadgets Kit: A kit that includes 15 “bits” and 48 accessories, with easy-to-follow instructions for 12 projects, including an RC car and a bubble machine. Plus, it comes with components to build literally hundreds more based on designs from littleBits’ robust online community.

Sphero

There are a lot of ways to know your company is doing something right — investors throw money at you; talent clambers to work for you. But this is how Sphero founders Adam Wilson and Ian Bernstein figured it out: Disney CEO Bob Iger personally asked them to help bring R2D2’s successor, BB-8, to life as a toy. The original Sphero robot was cool. The next generation Ollie was even cooler. Being identified by Disney for its TechStars accelerator program was even cooler than that. But using cutting edge mobile and robotic technology (plus a little Disney cash) to upstage every other toy launched by Star Wars: The Force Awakens? That’s cooler than Lando Calrissian partying on Hoth. Signature Product:

• BB-8: The original Sphero is a gyro-stabilized ball-within-a-ball; BB-8 builds on that with a head that uses an ingenious configuration to stay on top of the interior ball. It also responds to voice commands and can map rooms like an adorable (and slightly less useful) Roomba. Because it’s controlled by Sphero’s app, new functionality is always only an app update away. And because the company is working on a “Force Band” that will let you control BB-8 with hand gestures, your kid won’t just have their own pet robot, they’ll basically be Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Loog

You probably know all about the developmental benefits your kid gains by learning an instrument — what you don’t know is how to play one yourself. Enter Loog, a Kickstarted and Uruguay Innovation Agency-backed manufacturer of app-enabled, DIY guitars for little people with littler hands. By shipping its product unassembled, Loog provides great parent-kid bonding right out of the box. And by developing the Loog Academy app to teach traditional chord work on the guitar’s non-traditional 3-string design, it made learning to play easier than ever. Maybe order one for yourself while you’re at it. Signature Product:

• The Electric Loog: Loog’s original acoustic guitar is adorable, but be honest: Are you trying to raise a little Cat Stevens, or a little Zakk Wylde?

Tegu

Plenty of toy companies do right by kids, but how many think beyond that? Tegu’s entire business is built around 2 goals: Encouraging free play by updating arguably the oldest toy in the world — blocks — with magnets, and pursuing profit through sustainable economic development in the company’s Honduran manufacturing hub. While the blocks are amazingly crafted and weirdly addictive (It’s wood! It’s a magnet!), the company’s vertically integrated supply chain is a true thing of beauty. It ensures fair wages for workers, sustainable sourcing for materials, and responsible methods for manufacturing and shipping from forest to store shelf. Signature Product:

• Magnetron: To be fair, all of the Tegu’s block sets are equally fun, and promote fine motor skills, problem solving, and storytelling. Magnetron just sort of embodies the quirky digital-meets-analog vibe of the magnetized blocks.

Apps & Books

Tinybop

All your need to know about Tinybop’s approach to educational app design can be summed up in this quote from founder Raul Gutierrez: “Google is a terrible interface for a 6-year-old.” Instead, his studio creates richly detailed open worlds that come with no instructions, but powerfully intuitive cause-and-effect sequences. The bad news is they’re so engrossing, you can count on your kid’s screen time counter clicking way up. The good news is that they’re going learn basic physics, engineering, biology, and more in the process. Signature Product:

• The Explorer’s Library: A suite of 6 apps — The Human Body, Plants, Homes, Simple Machines, The Earth, and Weather — combine to give kids as young as 4 the delightfully animated equivalent of a middle school science education … with occasional fart noises.

Tiggly

Tiggly was founded on the idea that, while young kids are proven to learn better through tactile experiences, they’re also growing up in a world of ubiquitous screens. The company’s toys interface with apps that engage multiple senses and encourage problem solving in ways that neither toys nor apps can do on their own. Tiggly believes that screens aren’t inherently good or bad; it’s what you do with them that counts. But don’t take their word for it — that’s basically the new position of the AAP. Signature Product:

• Words: A set of vowels with silicone touch points that your tablet screen responds to as if it were a finger. Words’ 4 accompanying apps help expand your kid’s vocabulary by replacing the vowel in on-screen consonant-vowel-consonant word patterns to solve puzzles and create stories. Yes, that also makes it an epic pun generator.

Lost My Name

Now here’s a company that belongs on an innovation list: $9 million in Series A funding from firms like Google Ventures and Greycroft; company-sponsored hackathons to solve tricky software challenges —and all in the name of … kids’ books? Of course, every single one of Lost My Name‘s books is customized via an algorithm based on the individual kid’s name or address. It’s sold through a unique e-commerce platform that prints on demand for a zero-inventory retail business. None of which would matter if the books weren’t good. But, seeing as they’ve already sold 1.5 million of them, that doesn’t seem to be an issue. Signature Product:

• The Little Boy/Girl Who Lost His/Her Name: The publisher’s first title is about a little boy or girl who wakes up one morning and can’t remember his/her name. An adventure ensues that’s cleverly dictated by each letter of the missing name, which means every single edition is nearly unique. Multiple variations per letter mean that even a common name winds up differing from order to order.

Parenting Gear

Mountain Buggy

Twenty years ago, Mountain Buggy’s groundbreaking all-terrain stroller platform was the parenting gear equivalent of a badass minivan: It managed to make guys lust after something they previously associated with running errands. Today, those strollers are still top-of-the-line, with sophisticated suspensions and precision weight distribution. But the company now incorporates its “let’s do cool stuff with the kids” vibe into everything from carriers to whatever a Unirider is. Signature Products:

• Terrain: One of the first all-terrain strollers, and still one of the best, this is the stroller guys see and think, “Maybe having a baby isn’t going to cramp my style.” It even comes loaded with smaller wheels for use in places other guys go more often than the trail. Like the grocery store.
• Juno: It’s the baby carrier equivalent of the Terrain, and not just because it’s blessedly free of pastels. Its hip positioning in 4 different carry modes is certified by the Hip Dysplasia Institute, which led the Juvenile Products Manufacturer’s Association to give Mountain Buggy a 2015 Innovation award.
• Unirider: When a very smart father came up with a clever solution for a stroller-hating kid it was weird that he pitched it to a stroller company. It was even weirder for that stroller company to engineer the hell out of it and create the weirdest (and possibly funnest) kid-carrying device you’ve ever seen.

Kiinde

Co-founded by an engineer whose wife finished medical school and started her internship right after having their first kid, Kiinde’s products answer the question: How would infant feeding be improved if MIT eggheads took a crack at it? Their first product was a bottle warmer that didn’t deplete the milk of any nutrients. Next up was a system that streamlines the notoriously inefficient process of pumping and storing breastmilk, which new moms have muddled through for years. Now, they’re on to storing and serving proper foods (if you consider fruits, vegetables, and meats blended into mush “proper food”). Signature Product:

• Twist Kit: Unlike most milk storage options, which involve the dreaded pouch-to-bottle transfer and more random parts than a rebuilt Jeep, all elements of the Twist Kit interface seamlessly. The pouch goes from the pump, to storage, to warmer, and then effectively becomes the bottle. And the whole thing works with any breast pump and most major nipple designs. No, not those kinds of nipples.

CliniCloud

CliniCloud took the 2 gadgets your pediatrician breaks out immediately — the stethoscope and the thermometer — and digitized them to make their crucial data instantly shareable. Then, they cut a deal with Doctor On Demand, so all that data is shared with someone who can make sense of it and tell you if your kid needs a doctor of another bowl of matzo ball soup. The gadgets aren’t cheap, but considering that Debt.org estimates the average doctor’s visit costs $69 plus copay, the $150 price tag starts to look cheap by comparison. Signature Product:

• Connected Medical Kit: A handsomely packaged bundle containing the digital stethoscope and non-contact thermometer, which combine to collect respiration, heart rate, temperature, and more. The handsome packaging isn’t for looks — it’s easy to bring to a caregiver and even easier for them to connect to the app that stores all the data.

Home & Community

Dyson

The worst thing about vacuum cleaners are the bags. The grossest thing about fans are the blades. And the most frustrating thing about air purifiers is they still let pollutants smaller than .5 microns through. As a parent, you need all 3 of these products, and James Dyson managed to solve all 3 of those problems by completely reinventing each product. To say he succeeded is a bit of an understatement — his designs are showcased in modern art museums and the Queen didn’t give him the honorific “Honorary Commander Of The Order Of The British Empire” for nothing. Signature Product:

• Dyson Cinetic Big Ball vacuum: Dyson’s original innovation was the bagless vacuum. Then, they figured out how to make vacuums that really suck. With the Big Ball, they’ve removed the last pebble in your proverbial vacuum shoe: The filters. All that’s left is the most powerful vacuum made, which never loses suction and never needs replacement parts.

Amazon

Plenty has been written about Amazon redefining the retail experience through its maniacal pursuit of efficiency at every level of its business. But, for parents, it comes down to one simple thing: The company can practically deliver you a new diaper while you’re changing the old one. And, if you ordered with Amazon Family, you can get 20-percent off for the privilege. Plus, with the whole Amazon drone thing, “delivering a new diaper while you’re changing the old one” might not be a cheeky line. Because that thing might be hovering right outside the nursery window. Signature Product:

• Amazon Prime: Admit it — Prime’s free shipping turned “drunk online shopping” into something you can rationalize by throwing a box of diapers/juice boxes/your wife’s favorite shampoo in your cart. And that was before they gave you a bunch of free TV shows to go along with it.

Target

Last June, a mom in Ohio tweeted an image of a toy aisle at Target that had a sign for “Building Sets” and another for “Girls’ Building Sets” with the simple message, “Don’t do this, @Target.” Two months later, the company announced that it would no longer separate kids’ toys, bath, or bedding products by gender and would forgo the use of pink, blue, green, or yellow as signifiers of products intended for boys or girls. And just like that, one of the nation’s largest retailers took a significant step toward normalizing gender neutrality. That helps every parent who doesn’t want their son thinking he can’t play with dolls or their daughter thinking she can’t play with trains. In turn, that helps every boy who dreams of being a caregiver when he grows up and every girl who dreams of being an engineer. Signature Product:

• Pillowfort: Target doesn’t claim its new home collection for kids is “gender neutral,” but it doesn’t have to. Because it’s for kids. Not boy kids and girl kids; just kids. Who want might want dinosaur sheets this month and unicorn lamp next month and a teepee the month after that — so, you know, your kid.

Monstrum

Far too many communities in the U.S. are content to select a few uniform structures from a catalog, throw them up over some safety surfacing, and call it a playground. Monstrum, a Copenhagen-based playground firm founded by 2 theatrical set designers, comes at it a bit differently. Every feature is custom built from wood to fit within a narrative that’s inspired by the playground’s setting. This is how you get parks dominated by giant owls and insects, or a climbing wall lighthouse overlooking a massive wrecked ship. One firm can’t cure all the country’s playground woes. But just with their existing projects, Monstrum provides the blueprint.

Services

DonorsChoose.org

DonorsChoose.org pairs teachers with donors who can help them purchase supplies or build out more robust learning experiences. With over 2 million donors putting up more than $440 million to fund over 750,000 projects, the service is already hugely successful. Founder Charles Best combines his own experiences as a public school teacher in the Bronx with data and analytics savvy that’s straight out of Silicon Valley. His true vision is a platform that doesn’t just fund innovative teachers — it helps them connect and share learnings to improve education for kids everywhere.

Uber

Pretty much every complaint leveled at Uber gets handled in the next app upgrade. Don’t want to pay a black car premium? Here’s UberX. Need to move a party? Here’s UberXL. Want a sandwich? Meet UberEATS. But, while all of that great for business travelers, bar hoppers, and stoned people, what about families? Oh … right: UberFAMILY. The car seat service is still only available in New York, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Orlando, but if it rolls out nationwide only one question about Uber will remain: Why do they hate spaces between words? Signature Product:

• UberFamily: A top-rated driver, carrying a top-of-the-line IMMI Go car seat, who has been trained in both how to install it and how to install your kid in it, all for a $10 charge. As a simple button under an UberX request in participating cities, it’s about 3 million percent easier than trying to get a stroller on a subway at rush hour and about 30 million times faster than walking home.

Pley

Pley’s initial insight was pretty simple: There are waaaaaay too many LEGO sets out there, and every kid wants all of them. Thus was born the first LEGO rental service, which allowed kids to choose sets online, hang on to them until they completed them (or got bored trying) and then exchange it for a new set. When customers began clambering for a similar, preschool-focused service, Pley acquired Sparkbox, which already did for the Duplo crowd what Pley did for LEGOs fans. The end result? A “Netflix for toys” that will send you one of over 500 new toys every month for just $13 (unless your kid refuses to give it back, in which case you can just buy at a discount).

e-Nable The Future

Cutting edge prosthetics are fast approaching Iron Man-levels of awesome, but most kids with upper limb amputations or genetic defects don’t need neural-implanted, cyberkinetic hand blasters. They need rugged, functional designs, and they need them cheap because they’re going to outgrow them yesterday. Today, they can find these designs (16 of them and counting) on e-Nable The Future’s website. More importantly, they can connect with a 3D printing enthusiast, who can manufacturer the design for them. For free. E-Nable’s platform is so impactful, Google’s philanthropic arm recently granted them $600,000 to help them reach a goal of 10,000 prosthetics delivered, all while fine-tuning the exchange of ideas and feedback between designers, printers, and — most important of all — the kids.

Entertainment

Sesame Workshop

When it was announced that Sesame Street would move to HBO, there was no shortage of handwringing about the gentrification of TV’s most beloved block. But those who felt the Sesame Workshop was selling out its 60s ideals missed a glaring point: PBS wasn’t able to pay Sesame’s bills. DVD and licensed toy sales were, but those sales were cratering. Sesame Workshop has never been afraid of thorny subjects — the show helps kids tackle things like racism and autism, sometimes before parents do. With the HBO deal (which allows PBS to air the new shows after 9 months), they made their gutsiest call yet, and ensured your kids will have access to the same innovative programming that taught you your ABC’s and 123’s.

The post The 20 Most Innovative Companies For Kids And Parents In 2016 appeared first on Fatherly.

Last week, the New York Public Library released stunning photographs of the renovation of its historic Rose Main Reading Room and Bill Blass Public Catalog Room, along with news that the spaces would be reopening to the public on October 5th. As of this day, when guests request research materials, they’ll come from a new, $23 million state-of-the-art storage facility below Bryant Park. To bring the materials up, the library installed an innovative conveyor system known as the “book train,” which, according to a press release, “consists of 24 individual red cars that run on rails and can seamlessly and automatically transition from horizontal to vertical motion,” transporting up to 30 pounds of materials at a time in just five minutes.

The renovated Rose Main Reading Room via Max Touhey Photography

The $23 million storage facility came after a previous, controversial plan to move the research collection to New Jersey. As 6sqft explained, “The new space will hold 4.3 million research volumes, allowing the Library to ‘fill over 90 percent of research requests with materials located on-site.'”

The conveyor system, developed by NJ-based company Teledynamic, cost an additional $2.6 million and replaced the old system in which boxes of materials were placed on a series of conveyor belts. The new “book train” runs on 950 of vertical and horizontal tracks and, traveling at 75 feet per minute, moves materials through 11 levels of the library, or 375 feet. It will go from the Milstein Stacks (the underground facility) to both the Rose Main Reading Room and the first floor. Library staff can even track their requests, as the system has electronic sensors installed on the rails. Watch the book train in action in the video below:

RELATED:

• PHOTOS: After two-year renovation, NYPL’s historic Rose Main Reading Room will reopen October 5th
• New York Public Library Hires Dutch Architecture Firm Mecanoo to Lead Renovation
• New Yorker Spotlight: Behind the Reference Desk at the New York Public Library with Philip Sutton

Photos and video courtesy of Jonathan Blanc/New York Public Library (unless otherwise noted)

It is hard to pass up on a good milkshake, and some of us are even willing to go to the ends of the earth just to have a sip of the better ones. After all, a milkshake is essentially having a dessert in a cup—it is creamy, it is sweet, and it is often pretty.

Over the years, milkshakes have evolved to be so much more than just your average vanilla, chocolate or strawberry flavours. Now, brands are shaking—literally—things up with more creative flavours such as Cookie Butter, Nutella and Salted Caramel.

If you are still scouring the face of Singapore for more great milkshakes, here is a guide to the 10 Best Places for Milkshakes In Singapore.

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#1 EWF

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EwF at Bugis Junction might be known for their signature Har Jeong Kai burger and uniquely flavoured fries, but their Vanilla and Nutella milkshake (S$5) also deserve the limelight.

200 Victoria Street
#04-05 Bugis Junction
Singapore 188021
Tel: +65 6338 0135
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

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#2 ONCE UPON A MILKSHAKE

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The name says it all.

once upon a milkshake does flavours of all kinds, each accompanied with adorable fairytale-themed names—such as Sir Cookies and Cream, Agent Red Velvet and Babelicious Baileys. The Speculoos Cookie Butter fans would also love their Cookie Butter Milkshake, going for S$9 for a regular portion.

once upon a milkshake
13 Stamford Road, #02-31
Singapore 069115
Tel: +65 9823 3779
Tue to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 8pm
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 9pm
Closed on Mondays
Nearest Station: City Hall

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#3 CAKE SPADE

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This quaint little cafe plays on the Over The Top Milkshakes trend, with sweets and ingredients piling high on top of their milkshake cups.The Unicorn Cake Shake is a Vanilla-flavoured shake topped with Cotton Candy, a slice of Red Velvet Cake, Grape Wafer Biscuits, Old-school Biscuits, and a ton of Nutella Rainbow Sprinkles. You are definitely getting so much more than just a hearty milkshake!

The Unicorn Cake Shake is a Vanilla-flavoured shake topped with Cotton Candy, a slice of Red Velvet Cake, Grape Wafer Biscuits, old-school biscuits, and a ton of Nutella Rainbow Sprinkles. You are definitely getting so much more than just a hearty milkshake!

83 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088504
Tel: +65 6444 3868
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 9.30pm
Fri and Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Photo Credit: Hotel Jen

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#4 JEN’S KITCHEN ON-THE-GO

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Located at the lobby of Hotel Jen Tanglin, Jen’s Kitchen On-The-Go has their very own Dirty Milkshakes. The five flavours are Death By Brownie, Coco Kies, Melted Peanut Butter, Creamy Matcha and Birthday Cake, and they are all gloriously garnished with cream and flavoured sauce!

1A Cuscaden Road
Lobby Level, Hotel Jen Tanglin
Singapore 249716
Tel: +65 6831 4374
Daily: 24 hours
Nearest Station: Orchard

Photo Credit: Hungrygowhere

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#5 THE REFINERY

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The Refinery does things the Singaporean way by creating local-inspired flavours such as The Chendol Mendol, made with Gula Melaka, red beans, vanilla gelato and ondeh ondeh.

You can also get their Summertime Milkshake, with refreshing fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, passionfruit and yuzu.

#01-02, 115 King George’s Avenue
Singapore 208561
Tel: +65 6293 1204
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Lavendar

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#6 THE BENJAMINS

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If you simply love the idea of overflowing milkshakes, then The Benjamins should also be a place to check out. After all, the place is known for their towering, picture-perfect milkshakes!

They have flavours such as Coffee Avocado, Nutella Banana and Strawberry Cheesecake, and they are all priced at S$16. Yes, one of the pricier ones.

583 Orchard Road
#01-20/21 Forum The Shopping Mall
Singapore 238884
Tel: +65 6887 4117
Daily: 10.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

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#7 STEEPLE’S DELI

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Tucked away at Tanglin Shopping Centre, Steeple’s Deli is a real hidden gem.

It has been around for years, and what keep regulars coming back again and again are the Reuben Sandwich (S$13.90), Beef Burger (S$12.90), and the super thick and rich Milkshakes (S$5.90).

#02-24/25 Tanglin Shopping Centre
19 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247909
Tel: +65 6737 0701
Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 6.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

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#8 PÂTISSEZ

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You could say that Pâtissez invented the world-famous colossal milkshakes that you have probably seen all over your Instagram feed. The Australian brand has just recently opened its doors here in Singapore, and people are already going crazy for their shakes.

Order the Pretzella Freakshake—Nutella milkshake with pretzels, vanilla mousse and pretzel dust.

118 Holland Avenue #01-06
Singapore 278997
Tel: +65 6262 3616
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland

Photo Credit: The Lab SG

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#9 THE LAB SG

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The Lab SG’s milkshakes were definitely born from their motto of “We Experiment”. We are pretty sure that their Durian Caramel Monster Shake cannot be found anywhere else.

It mixes two popular flavours into one ultimate milkshake, and is a definite must-try, especially if you are a durian lover. But aside from that, there are other more “normal” flavours such as Nutella, Chocolate and Strawberry.

1 Jalan Pisang
Singapore 199069
Tel: +65 6299 5681
Daily: 12pm – 9.15pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

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#10 CLINTON STREET BAKING CO. & RESTAURANT

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Sometimes, we all crave a classic plain vanilla milkshake, and Clinton Street Baking Co. & Restaurant does just that. The famed New York eatery came to Singapore in 2015, and often sees full houses and queues, especially during the lunch and dinner hour.

Besides the classic shake flavours, they also have the Boozy Salted Caramel that is a salty-sweet mix with added bourbon.

Clinton Street Baking Co. & Restaurant
31 Purvis Street
Singapore 188608
Tel: +65 6684 4845
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

Just outside of New York City, at 170 Shonnard Terrace in Yonkers, you could be living like a literal king. This property is home to a stone castle with over 20 rooms replicated to reflect 16th through 18th century European style. The castle, known as Greystone Court, began as a country house in the 1880s and expanded over the years until it became its luxurious, grand current iteration. The current owner, Kohle Yohannan, purchased it in 2000 after the property had become rundown and restored the castle to its original splendor. It is now on the market for $3.95 million. […]

Source: NYC Food Photographer

Famous New York eatery Momofuku Ko—one of celebrated restaurateur David Chang’s successful business ventures—has appointed its new chef de cuisine and he is none other than 31-year-old Singaporean Max Ng.

It is important to note that this prestigious appointment is far, far away from an overnight success; Ng worked his way up and accumulated culinary experiences over the past decade.

Source: Zack DeZon

Ng’s relationship with the Momofuku empire started a couple of years ago in Momofuku’s Ssäm Bar, where he commenced his internship. But this opportunity did not just miraculously land on his laps. Ng was a go-getter who embraces the possibility of failures; he showed up at Momofuku Ssäm Bar and asked for a trial. “Even if I was rejected, at least I’d know,” he said.

Scoring a reservation at the 40-seater restaurant is a pretty tough mission due to its overwhelming popularity. Chang’s philosophy is to never forget one’s heritage and diners can look forward to scrumptious Asian-inspired American cuisine.

Ng’s fascination for cooking was sparked during his adolescent days, where he undertook Home Economics lessons for half a year at Temasek Secondary School.

Ng then went on to pursue his cooking aspirations at the Singapore Hotel And Tourism Education Centre (Shatec) and subsequently attended The Culinary Institute of America in The City of Dreams.

Source: Gabriele Stabile

Should the opportunity arise, Ng will not hesitate to introduce kaya to Momofuku Ko’s new menu. The sweet coconut jam is considered a staple in Singapore and Malaysia, but its existence remains relatively unknown in Western metropolis such as New York City.

Will Ng eventually return home and establish his own F&B empire? Maybe. But for now, Ng remains committed to Momofuku Ko and maintaining its consistent top-notch standards. Ng’s hard work has certainly paid off, but we believe this is not the pinnacle of his career because the best is yet to come.

Nevertheless, congratulations Ng! Chasing after one’s ambition is not an easy feat but his remarkable passion and perseverance are indeed commendable and one that Singaporeans should take a leaf from.

Dreams do come true if you believe, and work hard enough.

Momofuku Ko
8 Extra Pl, New York, NY 10003, United States
Tel: +1 212-203-8095
Closed on Mondays and Sundays
Tue and Wed: 6pm – 12am
Thu to Sat: 12.30pm – 12am
Nearest Station: 2nd Avenue

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Read: 9 Best Lobster Rolls You Must Try in New York.

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