A review of Picco Pizza and Ice Cream in Boston – indoor and outdoor seating is available.
If you’re looking for a place to have a casual lunch in Boston, Picco is a great place for pizza and beer. It was the recommendation of my Friend K, who spent a few years studying and working in Boston. Picco was open for outdoor and indoor dining when we visited in early November. I believe that only takeout and delivery is available during winter. When Friend A and I were there, we got an outdoor seat which was great, apart from the blinding rays of the sun. This restaurant is very popular among Bostonians, as there was a long line at about 2pm, when we left. Hope you find this review of Picco pizza and ice cream in Boston useful!
Review of Picco Pizza and Ice Cream in Boston
The Beer – Fiddlehead IPA
Trying out the Fiddlehead IPA – it was very good – perfect of an afternoon lunch! A can was US$8.
I couldn’t resist and ordered an IPA from the Fiddlehead Brewing Company, which is based in Vermont. The beer was great! It was medium bodied and had just the right amount of hops – I truly enjoyed the grapefruit and orange notes in this hazy beer. It was perfect for chilling on a Sunday afternoon.
The Appetizer – Meatballs
The meatballs were delicious – went really well with the ragu and cheese. The meatballs were priced at US$7.50.
For the appetizer, we had meatballs in ragu and parmigiano reggiano, a type of Italian cheese. I absolutely loved it and was disappointed when I had finished my share of 2 meatballs.
The Pizzas
The Specialty Half & Half pizza at $14.75
There were a variety of pizza flavours to choose from including classics like Margherita and modern flavours such as sausage fennel and ricotta. Friend A and I got a specialty half and half pizza, which included my selection of Alsatian, comprising sauteed onions, shallots, garlic, creme fraiche, bacon & gruyere, and his selection of Pepperoni which came with tomato sauce & fresh mozzarella.
For the uninitiated, Alsatian does not refer to the breed of a dog. According to Wikipedia, it is the cuisine of the Alsace region of France, which incorporates Germanic culinary traditions. The Alsation flavoured pizza, also known as Flammekueche, is traditionally made with onions, bacon and gruyere (a type of cheese).
I found the Alsatian really interesting as it was a good balance of flavours between sweet (caramelized onions) and savory (parmesan and bacon). As for the Pepperoni, it was always nice to have something familiar. As for the dough, I examined the crust and the back of the pizza, and there was leopard spotting! This shows that the fermentation process is quite robust – as long as 2 days according to a review by Lonely Planet.
The Dessert – A Dark Chocolate Brownie Sundae
Dark Chocolate Brownie Sundae – US$8.50. Nice, but extremely filling!
The sundae we ordered came with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and a cherry on top. I was glad we ordered vanilla ice-cream as anything else would have been too rich. It was pretty good, though I might have preferred having a special ice-cream flavour on its own. Till next time!
The Travelling Squid’s Take – Review of Picco Pizza and Ice Cream in Boston
We spent about US$28 per person including tips. I thought it was pretty worth it given that we had a beer, food and dessert. The meatballs and pizza were excellent, and the beer complemented the meal really well. I found the sundae a tad rich, but the ice-cream was good. If I were to return, I’ll definitely go for the pizza and meatballs. Highly recommended!
(If you’re feeling guilty thereafter and would like to burn off some calories, do head on to the Charles River Esplanade for a run!)
Charing Cross Bridge (overcast day) (1990). I thought this resembled the Harvard Bridge and Charles River at sunset.
If you’re in Boston any time from now to end Feb 2021, the ‘Monet and Boston’ exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts is a must-visit. The premise of this exhibition is that while Monet never visited Boston, many Bostonians were big supporters of his work while he was alive and visited him at his residence in France. They brought back many of his paintings, which were gifted to the museum in later years. Today, there are 35 oil paintings by Monet on showcase at this exhibition. Here’s why you should visit the Monet and Boston exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts.
At the Boston Museum of Fine Arts – greeted by Canadian Geese (and their poop).
The Monet and Boston exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts
I liked this exhibition because it provided some context to how Monet had impacted the art scene in Boston, despite not having visited at all. During Monet’s lifetime, many of his works were found in both Bostonian art galleries as well as collector’s homes.
The Monet and Boston exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts – check out the description if you would like to know more.
Ticketing
The ticket is a US$5 extra from the normal ticket price of US$25, which is extremely worth it in my opinion. Do make a reservation before heading over – this exhibition tends to be extremely popular, especially during the weekends.
The exhibition area was pretty crowded for a weekday.Rue de la Bavole, Honfleur [1864]. This was an earlier piece by Monet.Monet was influenced by Japonisme too. This piece was in the Japonisme section – unfortunately I failed to note down it’s name and couldn’t find it on Google. If you do know the name of this painting, please let me know!The Water Lily Pond [1900] I have seen some iterations of this piece other museums too.
The Travelling Squid’s Take
Valley of the Petite Creuse (1889). Some of the scenes reminded me of hikes that I’ve taken around Boston. This is one of them!
Entrance to the Village of Vétheuil in Winter [1879] I can see some semblance of this in New England.I enjoyed the delicate nature of Monet’s paintings and how he made a scene of nature come alive. I could actually relate many of the scenes in his paintings to my experiences in Boston – from going on hikes (like the one I did to Middlesex Fells Reservation), to catching the Harvard Bridge and Charles River in sunset. Definitely agree with the museum’s description that Monet found beauty in the mundane. I thought he was especially good at conveying emotion through his art pieces.
Sunset on the Sea, Pourville [1882]
In comparison to paintings by Van Gogh
Postman Joseph Roulin [1888] – love this picture! It’s from a scene in Loving Vincent.After exiting the exhibition, I found that the main gallery of the MFA also carried a few Van Gogh pieces. It was then occurred to me that while Monet and Van Gogh lived during the same time period, their styles were completely different. Friend S rightly pointed out that Monet was a more stable soul, possibly due to the recognition he had received during his lifetime. In comparison, I would say that Van Gogh’s paintings were interesting, but less approachable. From the perspective of art collectors at that time, I would hesitate to purchase a Van Gogh for my home as they’re harder to understand. I also thought that Van Gogh painted for himself (and didn’t really care about what his customers wanted), so the objects that he selected, such as the postman or the postman’s wife portrait could be construed as ‘random’ for art collectors at that point in time.
Ravine [1889] by Van Gogh – I would say such pieces of work are harder to appreciate, especially back then.Houses at Auvers [1890] by Van Gogh
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The Monet and Boston exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts
Exhibition dates: November 15, 2020 through February 28, 2021
Visit George Howell coffee roasters for great coffee in Boston
With several coffee shops closed during COVID, I was glad to find the George Howell branch at Washington Street open. I learnt about this roaster coming across articles, which said that its founder, George Howell, was one of the pioneers of the specialty coffee in Massachusetts in the late ’90s. He started off with a chain of 24 coffee shops called The Coffee Connection, which were later sold to Starbucks. Personally, I was rather impressed by the quality and price of the coffee sold. Here’s why you should visit George Howell coffee roasters for great coffee in Boston.
Visiting George Howell coffee roasters for great coffee in Boston – The store on Washington Street
Loved the store design – they were pretty well-equipped too.
Sitting space at George Howell at Washington Street is closed off, but I did have an opportunity to stand and finish my coffee, while checking out the various coffee apparatus that were on showcase in the shop. It was expensive – but definitely showed that the chain ‘knew their stuff’.
Coffee apparatus on sale.
Iced Coffee – Daterra (Brazil)
This Daterra iced coffee from Brazil was very good.
I enjoy medium-bodied coffees with chocolaty, nutty notes, and this coffee was brewed to perfection. I also liked how it had an acidic, fruity note, which was really interesting given its origin.
Coffee Beans – Tarrazu (Costa Rica)
Got a bag of these and I really liked them! You have the option of buying it at different roast profiles, including dark, medium and light.
I also purchased Tarrazu coffee beans from Costa Rica. The coffee tasted very balanced after I brewed it 2 days later with a French press. I could choose between a dark, medium and light roast and I found the medium roast just nice. As I didn’t have a grinder, I requested the barista to grind up the beans – which was most unfortunate as that reduced freshness due to oxidation. That said, the coffee was still very good. I wasn’t sure if I detected notes of almond and peach, but I enjoyed the chocolaty and slightly fruity finish. It was definitely a great level up from the supermarket ground coffee I had been having.
The cafe layout is actually pretty cool.
Pricing
I visited George Howell during the Black Friday weekend and was pleasantly surprise to find a bag of Tarrazu beans (12 ounce/ 340g) on sale for US$10, which was a price unheard of in the whole of Boston. It usually cost US$14 for the same bag of beans. The price very reasonable, considering that the average price for beans is about US$17 – US$22 for a 12 ounce bag. I thought George Howell offered better value as another popular coffee shop Gracenote had beans priced at about US$17 per bag. I’ve tried their coffee and while the flavours are good, I found it a tad watery. As for Blue Bottle Coffee, the quality was consistent to the coffees I’ve tried in Japan and San Francisco, but it slightly more expensive – I’m guessing due to its stronger brand name.
Seating area which is closed for now – seems like a nice place to chill pre-COVID.
The Travelling Squid’s take
If you’re living in Boston or simply just visiting for a couple of days, do check out George Howell. It’s located in downtown Boston near Chinatown and there’s also another branch located in the Boston Public Market. I spoke with the barista at George Howell, who shared that the roaster supplies beans to a number of cafes in Boston, Cambridge and beyond. Perhaps that is why they can afford to price their beans at a lower rate. There are also more premium selections of beans from Africa and Central America that fetch a premium price, hence I do advise you to check out the ‘beans of the day’.
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Visit George Howell coffee roasters for great coffee in Boston
Opening hours: Varies – check the links below for their opening hours/ Coffee for takeout only
One of my favourite parts of the Charles River Esplanade. This was taken in fall (Oct – Nov), the trees are mostly bare by now.
If you live in Cambridge or Boston, I would like to recommend a running route along Charles River Esplanade in Boston. The total distance is about 6km (3.8 miles) and it starts and ends from the Harvard Bridge on the Cambridge side. I like this route for a number of reasons – the scenery is great, there are plenty of other runners so there’s an incentive to run faster and the terrain varies but not in a difficult way. That said, do check the weather forecast before heading out, as the winds can get pretty strong.
If you’re tired, just take a break and enjoy the Charles River.
A suggested running route along Charles River Esplanade in Boston
Here’s a map of the running route along Charles River Esplanade in Boston. It’s about 6km/3.8 miles.
The route starts from the Harvard Bridge on the Cambridge side, where you follow the trail which passes under the Longfellow Bridge, all the way to the end, where you make a right turn to reach the Museum of Science. Continue to further and make a right at the junction and continue along the path along Charles River. The route ends when you cross over the Harvard Bridge, back into Cambridge. The start and end point can vary depending where you are, and you can extend your run along Memorial Drive to the Boston University Bridge if you prefer to cover a longer distance.
The Museum of Science, as seen from the Charles River Esplanade.
Pros:
1. Great Scenery
This might be the Storrow Lagoon – it’s a nice dating spot I believe!
I absolutely fell in love with the scenery while running along this path. My favourite moments were during the fall, where the trees took turns to change colour. There were also yachts, statues, boats and ducks to check out along the way.
This was taken closer to the end of fall, where the park was covered in a sea of leaves.I discovered that this dome shape structure was actually part of a stage, I believe the dome was constructed for aesthetic purposes. I can imagine music concerts were held in the park during pre-COVID times!
2. Competition is strong!
Competition is strong especially along these paths. This is a path along Memorial Drive in Cambridge.
In Singapore, I could easily outrun most park-goers (except for avid runners). I perceived myself to be the top 80 percentile. But since coming here, I have fallen to the bottom 20 percentile. It was a tad disappointing at the start, but I’ve since used that to motivate myself and I’ve gotten better :). But yes, there’s still a lot of room for improvement, especially running in a city known for its marathon culture.
Super cool sculpture I saw during my run. Had to stop to take a picture.
3. Terrain varies a fair bit/ Markings on the Harvard Bridge
While most of this path is flat, there are areas which have slopes and that introduces added difficulty during the run. I found it a real challenge running up the slopes of bridges/ ramp up the Harvard Bridge especially close to the end of the run, when most of my energy reserves were almost depleted. I would say that if you prefer to do proper trail running with more changes in terrain, heading to the reservations/ state forests would be a good idea.
I also like the markings on the Harvard Bridge to tell me the distance left in the run, as for some reason, it can occasionally feel like it’s never ending. The Harvard Bridge is about 600m/ 660 yards.
Cons:
1. Winds can be strong – check the weather forecast before heading out
Unlike running along paths in between buildings, the winds can be very strong especially if you’re running along the Charles River. I recalled that it was a bright and sunny day, and I was running along Memorial Drive. I recalled seeing very few people running, and found it a tad strange as there would be usually a group of runners when the sun is out. Later did I realise that the winds were going at about 30km/h, and not only was my hair smacking down on my face, it was incredibly cold and at times I felt I was running but not moving at all due to the wind resistance. Some part of me just wanted to call an Uber to get out of the park, but I persisted. I ended up achieving my second fastest run speed, I’m guessing due to the need for ‘survival’ so to speak.
Do take note that the reflection and glare from the sun can also be quite intense – bring a cap or a pair of sunglasses if you need to.
2. Duck poo along Memorial Drive
The running path along Memorial Drive in Cambridge. Also where ducks tend to poop.
To be fair, this happens closer to where I live, but I have spent a good part of my run leaping over duck poo, which happens when the ducks are fed. It’s just a bit of annoyance, especially when I think about having to bring back shoes with poop to my carpeted apartment. That said, this is nothing but a tiny hiccup during my run.
The Travelling Squid’s Take on the running route along Charles River Esplanade in Boston
Charles River Esplanade has been a great escape for me especially during COVID times. There aren’t too many people during the weekdays and most wear masks, even when exercising. In addition, I’ve been to other parks in Boston and I’d say this has got to be one of the best running paths. It’s also a great spot just to take a go for a walk, chill and take in the Charles River. Enjoy!
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For more on the Charles River Esplanade in Boston…
Open 24 hours a day
There’s a beer garden, Night Shift Owl’s Nest Esplanade which serves very good beer. It’s temporarily closed for the winter, but check them out in spring!
Middlesex Fells Reservation in fall was just so pretty.
This is my first post since coming to the US and I’m pleased to dedicate it to the Middlesex Fells Reservation. Here are four reasons to visit Middlesex Fells Reservation during your trip to Boston Massachusetts. Note: The pictures were taken during early October 2020, in fall.
I used to think that it was impossible to get around the States without a car, and there is some truth in that. As I don’t drive, it’s a bit of a bummer. But thankfully, there are a number of parks and reservations near where I lived along Cambridge, which is a short 10 minute walk from Boston.
It’s super quick and easy to get to from Boston.
If you’re wondering what is a reservation, Wikipedia defines an Indian reservation as “a legal designation for an area of land managed by a federally recognized Indian tribe.. rather than the state governments of the United States in which they are physically located”.
Indeed, Middlesex Fells used to be occupied by Native Americans, before the Europeans arrived.
According to website North Shore Nature, there were Native American tool workshops found in the reservation. It is said that the Native Americans used volcanic outcrops at the reservation as material for their tools. If you’re keen to learn more on Middlesex Fells Reservation, North Shore Nature is a great resource.
This could be the Fells Reservoir. Nothing beats perching on the stones, running your hand through the water!
1. There’s a varied landscape with several large water bodies including the Spot Pond
Of the forests I have visited near Cambridge, Middlesex Fells has got to be one of the most beautiful. It could be a function of me visiting the reservation in fall, but I really liked it. The brown leaves that cover the forest floor, the trees that provided shade against the sun and the serene water bodies – it was nice just sitting by the bank of the Spot Pond, while taking in the sights and sounds of nature.
Another reservoir that we came across.The Spot Pond is huge! Looks more like a lake than a pond.
I’d like to highlight here that Spot Pond is not a water pond in which you can see the perimeter across the horizon. It’s literally in my mind, a lake! I’m not sure of the definitions of a pond in New England, but coming from Singapore, one tends to see a pond as a small, enclosed body of water, where you could see from end to end. The Spot Pond as seen above, is 289 acres, the size of about 222 football fields. Really reminded me of the lakes (or lochs) I’d seen in Scotland.
I liked how the landscape was varied at different parts of the reservation.
Friend A raised a good point – that when hiking, it’s always nice to have a goal to reach, and making your way to a pond or a reservoir is always nice as it’s a change in landscape.
2. A great escape from crowds especially during COVID times
Great escape from the crowds.
It is true that the number of COVID cases in Massachusetts have been rising. While I’ve tried to avoid crowds, it is almost impossible to do so at times in the city. Visiting Middlesex Fells Reservation was a great way to get away from city life and pop into a place so steeped in nature. It wasn’t even that far away too. I’ve got to say that the air was super fresh (when I took off my mask to eat a pear).
3. Middlesex Fells Reservation is a ~15 minute car ride from Boston
Unlike other reservations which are located further away, Middlesex Fells is a short car ride away. You can always take an Uber or Lyft and it wouldn’t cost a bomb. While Boston has many great parks, nothing beats having a picnic in a place surrounded by nature.
4. The terrain is mostly flat, it is easy to get around
There are more challenging hikes but in general, the path was an easy one.
If you’re planning a trip with young children or with the elderly, there are easy paths for you to take to get from one place to another. The Spot Pond is a good place to walk around as the path is relatively flat.
Friend A decorates her roll cake with a log (similar to this) as an inspiration
The Travelling Squid’s Take
Middlesex Fells Reservation was the first New England forest that I visited and it was a memorable hike. Of the forests and reservations I have visited, I would say that this has got to be my favourite. Do check it out if you can.
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Four reasons to visit Middlesex Fells Reservation during your trip to Boston Massachusetts
Gates open at 9am (though when I was there, I did not detect any gates :))
“There’s nothing you can’t do, Now you’re in New York” Photo credit: Pixabay, RealStash
If you’re planning to pursue academic studies in the US with coursework exceeding 18 hours per week, chances are you might need a US F1 visa. Here’s a guide to the application process. That said, it is by no means all-encompassing. Do refer to the US embassy’s website and its partner site, USTravelDocs for the latest requirements. In general, while there were multiple steps in the process, I found it to be quite manageable. Do be prepared to pay a substantial amount for the visa processing fee (USD160) and SEVIS fee (USD350). That added up to a grand total of USD510. Here are 5 steps to applying for a US F1 study visa in Singapore.
Before you proceed with the online applications, make sure you have the following documents:
A passport with a validity date of at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the US,
A 2×2 inch digital photograph (you can use the software available on the Visa Application site to tweak a digital photo of yourself according to the requirements), and
A Form I-20 from your university/ school indicative of your plans to study in the US. The Form I-20 should also contain a valid SEVIS number.
5 steps to applying for a US F1 study visa in Singapore
Step 1: Complete and submit your DS-160 form.
The DS-160 form is also known as the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application Form. Do note that you will be linked to a site which is different from the US embassy partner site. Click the ‘Start an Application’ option and answer the questions in the form. You will need your SEVIS number and university’s details, such as the address and postal code.
Step 2: Pay the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application fee
The MRV fee for the F1 visa costs US$160. Earlier, I made payment of this fee through Singpost SAM online at 4pm – this took a while to process and I could only schedule an appointment at 10am the next day. However, at the time of writing, I noticed that the mode of payment for this fee has changed. Instead of using the Singpost SAM payment services, it appears that you can only make online payment with a Standard Chartered (SC) bank account. If you don’t have a SC bank account, you will have to visit a SC branch to make payment. Refer to this link on USTravelDocs for more information. (Just in case you’re wondering if USTravelDocs is a legit site, it is – you can find the link to it on the US embassy website, under Global Support Services.)
Step 3: Set up an account to schedule a visa appointment with the US embassy
USTravelDocs will link you to this website to schedule a visa appointment. You can set up an account by clicking on ‘New User’. You will need the following:
Your passport number
Your MRV fee payment receipt number
The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page
Step 4: Prepare the documents required for the visa interview
Once you’re done scheduling an appointment, prepare the documents required for the visa interview. The visa appointment documents are listed in your appointment confirmation notice. This by no means an exhaustive list, so please refer to your appointment confirmation notice for the full list. Just as a heads-up, you may be required to provide the following:
An admission letter from your intended institution,
Scholarship award letters from your current and intended institution, if applicable,
Certification from any specialty coursework or programs,
A letter of support from your financial sponsor including employment details and monthly salary, if applicable,
Bank statements for the past 6 months from you and/or your financial sponsor/ Income or property tax records from you/your financial sponsor,
A passport photo (50mm x 50mm) – Full face taken on a white background, taken within the last six (6) months.
There is also a passport photo machine in the embassy, so don’t worry if you are unable to get hold of a passport photo prior to your appointment. It costs SGD10 at the time of writing.
Step 5: Visa interview at the embassy
The steps were straightforward. Due to COVID-19 safe distancing rules, it will be good to get to the embassy 10-15 mins before your appointment. Depending on the number of people in line, there’s a sheltered area for you to wait at which is across the road from the guardhouse. At the guardhouse, surrender your phone – you are advised not to bring larger electronic items such as a laptop. The process was straightforward – submit the relevant documents and answer a few questions. I recommend selecting the home delivery collection of your passport as it was pretty fast too. The official time taken to process the visa is 4-5 business days and I received my passport within 2 working days.
The Travelling Squid’s Take – applying for a US F1 study visa in Singapore
While applying for the F1 visa, I couldn’t find much information available online on the visa application process, therefore I hope this helps. Please take this only as a guide – the requirements may change from time to time and will differ based on geography too. Do follow the advice from your university – it should be the most updated as their staff should be keeping track of developments on the ground. Good luck!
I used to avoid eating at Orchard because I thought the location was rather commercialized. However, during a recent staycation, S and I found that Orchard had actually a lot more to offer. Just between Shaw Centre and Pacific Plaza were a line of restaurants by the Les Amis group. The eateries we tried were pretty good – they were Mui Kee which sells Cantonese-style congee and noodles, Bistro Du Vin, a French bistro, and Aoki, a Japanese sushi restaurant. Just opposite that row of restaurants, there is Kam’s Roast at Pacific Plaza which does really good roasted meats. If you’re looking to have authentic Shoyu ramen, Sanpoutei at B1 of Shaw House offers a really flavourful broth. Here are five eateries to visit near Orchard Shaw Centre for all budgets.
Five eateries to visit near Orchard Shaw Centre
Kam’s Roasted duck – it’s super good!
1. Kam’s Roast (~$25/pax – best value!)
I’m a big fan of Cantonese-style roasted meats and Kam’s Roast’s roasted duck was one of the best I’ve had in Singapore. I typically avoid having the skin of such meats, but at Kam’s Roast, to not eat the duck skin is a travesty. The roasted pork belly (烧肉) was very well done too. The skin was crisp and the texture of the meat and fat was balanced – simply perfect. You can have the roasted meats with rice or noodles. The noodles were similar to our local mee kia, but finer – the kind you would see in Cantonese wonton mee soup. I ordered the soya sauce chicken noodles, which was tasty, but of all the offerings, their roasted duck and pork belly really shined through.
Pork belly from Kam’s Roast – it’s really good too.
The food was of good value – we paid about SGD100 for 4 pax, with each of us ordering a main as well as a plate of quarter duck and roasted pork to share. The pu’er tea acted as a good balance to the greasy food. Highly recommended. Make a reservation before going! If it’s full, fret not – there’s another outlet at Jewel @ Changi Airport.
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays – Last Order 9.30pm, Take Away from 10.30am
2. Mui Kee Congee (~$15/pax)
Parrot fish congee from Mui Kee
Mui Kee first caught my eye because of the mahjong tiles that lined the walls of its counter. Apart from this quirky decoration, Mui Kee has its roots in traditional Cantonese-style congee. The specialty of Mui Kee is parrot fish porridge, which is pretty interesting. It was my first time having parrot fish and it seems to be a rather blue-ish coloured fish – which is no wonder why I detected light blue bones in my congee. As for the style of cooking, the fish is first fried and then placed into the congee, giving the congee a ‘wok hey’ flavour, which was a pretty interesting taste.
Mui Kee’s Dace Ball congee
Mui Kee also does the traditional dace 鲮鱼 (a kind of fish) ball congee which S said was pretty authentic and similar to the congee he tried in Hong Kong. The dace fishball was pretty chewy and went very well with the creamy texture of the congee. We also tried their soybean milk, which tasted quite homemade too.
Address: Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road, #01-12, Singapore 228208
Tel: +65 6737 2422
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday – 11.30am to 3.00pm (last order at 2.30pm) & 5.30pm to 9.30pm (last order at 9.00pm)
Saturday to Sunday – 8.00am to 9.30pm
3. Sanpoutei (~$20/ pax)
A well-balanced shoyu ramen – delish!
We have been visiting Sanpoutei for many years and it never fails to deliver. Sanpoutei is from Niigata in central Japan and opened in Singapore in 2014. The shoyu broth is excellent (though some would say on the salty side). I enjoyed the way the noodles balanced well with the broth, bamboo shoots, egg and char siew. It’s very good ramen. It was also after S tried making his own shoyu ramen that I realised that it takes a lot of effort to make a good broth and get the balance of flavours right. Compared to its tonkatsu cousin, shoyu ramen takes a lot more time and effort to make due to the need to make the dashi, tare and flavoured oil separately and combine them together.
Address: Shaw House #B1-04/05 350 Orchard Rd 238868
Tel: 6836 4644
Open: 11:30AM -9:30PM (Last Order 9PM)
4. Bistro Du Vin ($25-$40++ for a main)
Escargots in herb butter
If you think French food is about delicate, small portions, Bistro Du Vin is the opposite of that. This restaurant resembles a traditional French bistro, where the portions are generous and the flavours are hearty. What I like about this place is its casual setting and you get very wholesome French food for a reasonable price. We had the escargots as part of the starter and I had Coq au Vin – which refers to chicken in red wine sauce and mashed potatoes. That was pretty tasty. S had the lamb and we shared a ratatouille, a French vegetable stew which was pretty good. Recommended if you’re looking to try authentic French bistro food.
Coq au vin – at Bistro du Vin in SingaporeI’m not sure if this looks like an authentic French bistro, but it’s pretty cosy!Lamb in the background and ratatouille
Address: 1 Scotts Rd, #01-14 Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208
Tel: 6733 7763
Opening hours: 11.30am – 2pm, 6pm – 9.30pm
5. Aoki
Akami (lean tuna) and baby kohada (gizzard shad)
If you’re on the lookout for good omakase in Singapore, Aoki is one option. We visited Aoki at the recommendation of a friend – I’ve got to say their omakase portion is probably the most generous. We opted for the omakase nigiri sushi set – there were about 16 nigiri sushis served along with a negitoro-roll sushi, miso soup and tamago.
The sushi counter could be view from the upper gallery
I enjoyed the ambience of the place – although we did not have counter seats, we could still see how the sushi was being made at the counter below. The head chef of Aoki is Japanese while the others are Malaysians. In general, while the sushi quality does not exceed that of Satake Sushi in Tokyo, I would say that the fish was fresh and flavourful. My only gripe was the tendons in the meat. I enjoy having my sushi in half bites and the tendons got in the way. There’s another sushi restaurant called Kan Sushi which I frequent and I think they have slightly more variety in terms of the fish served.
The Travelling Squid’s Take – Eateries to visit near Orchard Shaw Centre
The discovery of these restaurants near Orchard Shaw Centre did revive my interest in Orchard as a food hangout. These are also places to check out when you’re hungry from all the shopping. Hope you found this post on the five eateries to visit near Orchard Shaw Centre useful! A majority of them are under the Les Ami restaurant group – which I suppose gives them some sort of standard. Do drop a comment if you have other dining suggestions in the area!
When travelling, it’s always important to be careful. Unfortunate incidents can happen – you could have your belongings stolen or suffer some sort of personal injury (speak to a NYC PI lawyer for more info, if you need help). Here are a few things to bear in mind when travelling. The next time you’re abroad and feel like “going on an adventure”, think about the possible scenarios you could get yourself into.
Don’t hitchhike
With the advent of apps that will send a cab to your location within minutes, hitchhiking has become an activity that only idealists would even attempt. Still, it’s worth mentioning as it’s a serious issue. As a hitchhiker, you’re in an extremely vulnerable position. Once you’re inside the car, there’s little you can do if the driver refuses to unlock the doors.
Also, on a side note, if you are standing around looking lost in a foreign town or city, and
somebody approaches you to offer directions, always be wary of any directions that involve side streets and shortcuts. This could be a ploy to guide you to a secluded place where you could be mugged and the perpetrator makes an easy escape.
Don’t use ATMs at night
This depends on the city you’re in. In general, crime happens more at night as muggers and thieves prefer the cover of darkness and crowded streets filled with night time revellers. Always try to use ATMs in public places during the day.
Don’t be afraid to ask the hotel staff questions
It’s perfectly fine to ask hotel staff if there are places in the city to avoid. Every town or city has seedier areas, and the hotel staff will have good insights on areas to avoid at night. If you are unsure, look for areas where people of all ages gather. These family-friendly areas may never be 100% safe, but they are certainly safer than streets where the majority of people gathering appear to be the same demographic and gender, which could suggest organized gangs.
Fancy taking a road trip? Here are some areas to take note of.
Summer is the best time of year for a road trip. Making plans with your friends, deciding what you want to see, what you want to do, what food you’re going to eat and where you’re going to stay – it’s all part of the great American adventure.
But if you’re a little anxious behind the wheel, the idea of driving long distances and on unfamiliar terrain might be enough to put you off from hitting the road. Sounds familiar? If you’re anxious about driving, don’t worry, read on for some road trip driving tips for unconfident drivers.
Get confident around trucks
Many drivers dread driving on highways due to the overwhelming presence of large trucks and 18-wheelers on the roads, and it’s easy to see why. Getting caught up in an accident with a truck at high speed will probably prove to be fatal or result in life-changing injuries – speak to these truck accident lawyers (Indianapolis) if you or a loved one has been in a crash involving a truck. By driving sensibly and following these simple rules you’ll be able to drive safely and confidently around trucks on the highway:
– Stay out of truck blind spots
– Pass safely, giving yourself enough time and the truck driver enough time to see you and act
accordingly
– Increase your distance. Don’t tailgate. The closer you are to the truck, the more the driver will
struggle to see you
– Give them plenty of room to turn. A truck may move over to one side to give itself enough room to swing in the other direction and make a turn.
– Be patient!
Always wear a seatbelt
Sticking to the rules of the road will give you more confidence as a driver. Wearing a seatbelt
increases your chances of survival in an accident, prevents you from being ejected from the vehicle and keeps you in position for airbag deployment.
Get to know your car
Do you know how to activate the wipers? Turn on the lights or release the hood of the vehicle?
Making yourself familiar with the vehicle you’re driving in will give you more confidence while
you’re behind the wheel. Take some time to familiarise yourself.
Stick to the speed limit
Don’t feel pressured by your passengers or other road users to increase your speed and break the limit. Drive at a speed that is legal and comfortable for you. Ultimately, speed limits are put in place to keep us safe, so stick to them!
Take plenty of breaks
Driving whilst you’re tired and fatigued is incredibly dangerous. Focusing intently on the road ahead can take its toll, so make sure you stop as often as you need to. You should also take turns in driving, to relieve some of the pressure on you.
Finally, let your passengers know
A problem shared is a problem halved, according to the old adage. So, if you’re a little nervous about driving, tell your passengers. They can give you words of encouragement, help you spot turn-offs in time, guide you into narrow parking spaces and try not to distract you whilst you’re concentrating.
In an earlier post, we covered how certain products on Taobao are not only affordable, but are of good quality too. Of late, The Travelling Squid discovered that there are many useful and durable household items which can be bought on Taobao. That said, the international shipping cost of Taobao items has increased as well, so do the calculations before making a purchase. Here are 11 useful household items to buy from Taobao – hope they will be of some help especially during Taobao’s upcoming 11.11 sale.
11 useful household items to buy from Taobao
1. LED lights
Opple’s LED ceiling lights | Photo credit: Opple’s （欧普） Tmall store, link below
One of our fluorescent room lights started flickering recently. We decided to make the change to LED lighting due to its durability and energy efficiency. Unfortunately, a super bright LED light cost about SGD40 at our neighbourhood store, which was overpriced. I ended up ordering a LED light from Opple (欧普), a lighting brand I found to be of good quality while in China.
The 22w light which worked really well
I paid about CNY37.40/ SGD8 for a 22W LED light which is bright enough to be used in the bedroom. I also bought larger 36W LED lights at CNY82.90 per piece, which can be used in the dining and living rooms. While the price may seem affordable, do note that it cost about SGD15-20 for the shipment fee for a total of 14 LED lights, so it makes sense to buy in bulk. When I bought the 22W LED light to test out for the first time, I paid CNY25 for shipping. It also took about 3 weeks to come, so it’s definitely advisable to keep a few LED lights on hand.
Installation was pretty straightforward. Simply connect the earth and live wires from the LED light with the wire extension on the ceiling and you should be good. Do note that the Opple LED light does not come with a neutral wire, but it will still work fine. All you need to do is to tape the extra wire up.
A mahjong set tailored for MY and SG mahjong | Photo credit: 来生财’s Tmall store, link below
Now I know this doesn’t really fall under typical household items, but due to COVID-19, what better way to spend time at home than to master your mahjong skills? A study has shown that mahjong positively impacts memory and acts as a viable treatment option for dementia. Furthermore, it serves as good bonding time. My friends and I had such a great time in Beijing playing mahjong – it is my biggest regret that I left China without purchasing a mahjong set.
Friend E had purchased hers for CNY298, which is really more affordable compared to buying a set in Singapore as some sets amount to more than CNY500. Do note that before making a purchase, do verify with the Taobao seller that the set is for Singapore/Malaysia mahjong. Reason for this is that there are many types of mahjong in China and only the Singapore/ Malaysia one contains flowers (花).
Recommended website: This is the Taobao seller which Friend E purchased the mahjong set from. The tiles had a gold-coloured backing, were of good quality and came in a durable wooden box. Highly recommended!
3. Bean bags
A comfortable bean bag like this one cost me about CNY200 excluding the stool | Photo credit: 梵特森’s Tmall store, link below
One of the highlights of my Taobao shopping spree in China was buying a bean bag （豆袋）for Friend J as a secret Santa gift. I recalled looking for a Muji-style bean bag , but unfortunately the original was beyond my budget. I eventually bought a bean bag from another Chinese manufacturer during Taobao’s 11.11 sale. It arrived in good shape (literally) and was pretty comfortable and of good quality too. Just take note that the international shipment cost might be pretty high, so do your calculations before making the purchase! The prices fall quite drastically during the 11.11 sale, so keep watch.
4. Table lamps
Table lamps from Opple | Photo credit: Opple’s Tmall store, link below
If you’re keen on purchasing table lamps, I’ll recommend purchasing them from Opple too. The lamps use LED and seem to be a good buy at ~CNY90 per piece, depending on the size and design. Some models allow you to change the light to a warmer tone as well. Do take note that if you’re buying the lamp from a Chinese store on Taobao, you will have to use an adapter suited for your country.
5. Notebooks, pens and stationery
How the paper looks like – it isn’t as fine as Muji, but works for taking rough notes| Photo credit: Deli’s Tmall store, link below
If your job or studies require you to write a lot, I recommend ordering some pens and notebooks from Deli 得力, a stationery store on Tmall. The pens are affordable and work well. I would say it doesn’t write as smoothly as Uniball, but it’s still good to use. At 30% the price of a Uniball pen, the Deli pen is of good value.
These thinner notebooks are much nicer | Photo credit: Deli’s Tmall store, link below
I also purchased some notebooks from the Deli Tmall store. Similar to the pens, it doesn’t feel as smooth to write on them, as compared to a premium Muji notebook for instance. But if you’re using these notebooks for rough calculation and note-taking, they should suffice. I would say that as a notebook nerd, I was somewhat disappointed with the quality of the thicker notebooks. I’ve decided to keep a separate collection of nice notebooks vs ones that I use on a daily basis.
The thicker ones came with a plastic-ky cover | Photo credit: Deli’s Tmall store, link below
Recommended website: Deli 得力 for pens and for notebooks. They have smaller travel edition notebooks which are simple and stylish. I also bought thicker notebooks with about 100 pages each. Those came with plastic covers which did not feel as good to touch.
6. Home wear
Home wear for guys – they are really comfortable and of good quality | Photo credit: 依兰露’s Tmall store, see link below
With working/studying from home being the norm now, you’ll want something light and airy to wear at home. Taobao has a wide variety of home wear that is both comfortable and affordable as well. Cotton shorts for both girls and guys cost about CNY25-35, and there is a wide selection online. Check the reviews and store ratings before making a purchase!
7. Dustbins/ wastepaper baskets
Anti-rust dustbins | Photo credit: HOMEFISH/红鲱鱼’s Tmall store, link below
A good dustbin cannot be underestimated, especially if you’re spending more time at home and in the kitchen. For the kitchen, you should consider a bin with a lid that opens easy and shuts well, and does not rust as easily. A walk around Tangs in Singapore puts the price of an average bin with a lid at ~SGD50, which is definitely more expensive than what I expected. Taobao has a few sleek-looking and anti-rust bin options – do check them out. It cost about CNY46 for a 5l bin.
8. Salad spinner
Cute little salad spinner | Photo credit: 欧乐多Tmall store, link below
I didn’t think I needed a salad spinner until I bought one. It made a world of difference to my salad leaves. With a few turns, the salad leaves dried pretty quickly. The result – you get a salad which is crunchier and more flavourful as the vinegar and oil are not diluted from the water from the salad leaves. I bought the above salad spinner for CNY48.80. I thought it was a good deal but the additional shipment cost came up to CNY30. On balance, I was satisfied with the product quality when it arrived.
9. Bread baskets
Rattan bread baskets | Photo credit: San Neng’s Tmall store, link below
In an earlier post, I wrote about baking sourdough in Singapore. It turns out, bread baskets are actually quite pivotal in making a nicely shaped sourdough. Taobao offers bread baskets in a few shapes and sizes – we purchased a rattan one which came with a cloth. It’s really useful because once you add flour to the cloth, it stays there and as a result, the dough doesn’t stick. You can also find bread baskets on Shopee, but they’re more expensive and there are fewer options in terms of size.
10. Wooden hangers
A set of wooden hangers | Photo credit: Sumtoo/三特’s Tmall store, link below
I enjoy using wood hangers but they can be fairly costly. Not too long ago I discovered a wooden hanger shop on Taobao. A set of 10 hangers cost about CNY36, which is pretty affordable. Ratings for this shop are high too.
11. Robotic vacuum cleaner
Robotic vacuums | Photo credit: Xiaomi’s Tmall store, link below
If you’re planning to purchase a robot vacuum cleaner, I recommend the one from Xiaomi. My family has been using one for more than 3 years and it has been working well. It turns out, the latest version comes with a vacuum and mop function. You can get it off Taobao at CNY1,799 from the official Xiaomi store. The official Xiaomi store on Shopee also sells one at a similar price. I’ll encourage you to check out your local Xiaomi store before making a purchase.
The Travelling Squid’s Take – 11 useful household items to buy from Taobao
Of the list, I would say that a mahjong set is a bit of a stretch especially if it is to be considered a household item. But with remote working and learning these days, mahjong can be a fun social activity which challenges you intellectually as well. That’s how I got to know my friends from business school a lot better.
While there is a wide selection of products on Taobao, I’d strongly encourage you to check out the international shipping costs before making the purchase. It typically costs less per item if you consolidate a big shipment of items, but do factor in the shipping cost when making a purchase decision. With the 11.11 sale coming up, hope you get what you wish for!
Purchased anything useful from Taobao recently? Do drop a comment in the box below with your recommendation.
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