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ISSUE 109 NOV 28 - DEC 4, 2014
WK109A/MCI(P)119/08/2014
weekender.com.sg
FREE
PAPER
ISSUE 109 NOV 28 - DEC 4, 2014
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n e w r e s ta u r a n t
Nickeldime’s beer-based delights P12 n e w s to r e
grab great buys at tokyu hands’ New Branch P13 bucket list
be smothered by lovable rabbits! P17
s ta rs o f t h e we e k
What most FANS don’t know about Sandra Ng
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mov i e re v i e w
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Penguins of Madagascar: what are they up to now?
Can the citizens halt the saints?
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WK109A/MCI(P)119/08/2014
NOVember 28 - DECEMBER 4, 2014
Entertainment FUN @ more SENTOSA
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than one reason to have fun top 5 events this weekend
FREE! Sentosa PLAYcation 15 Nov 2014 – 4 Jan 2015, 11am-9.30pm Come down for a host of fun-filled activities that is bursting with the widest variety of Giant Inflatables, a spectacular Symphony of Lights show and celebrate the season with great music and succulent grills at Grill N’Chill.
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AFF Suzuki Cup 2014: Singapore Vs Malaysia 29 Nov, 8pm, from $18 The AFF Suzuki Cup is a biennial football competition organised by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), accredited by FIFA and contested by the national teams of Southeast Asia. Don’t miss the battle between 4-time champions, Singapore and their archrivals and 2010 champions, Malaysia. National Stadium, 1 Stadium Drive, www.sportshub.com.sg
Toyland @ Palawan Beach
1 2pm-8pm, activity charges apply Playtime has never been more fun with a floating Super Hero Bear, colourful Balloon Bouquet, huge Rocking Unicorn and much more! Don’t forget to snap some selfies with them at Toyland. Candyland @ Beach Plaza
Peter Pan, The Never Ending Story Until 20 Jan, 8pm (Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri), 3pm & 8pm (Sat & Sun), from $58 A lingering memory of the childhood in adults and a memory to be made for every child, it’s time to watch the classic JM Barrie tale come to life in this theatrical spectacular brimming with high-flying action, thrilling swordplay, magical fairy dust and well-known pop songs. Resorts World Theatre, Resorts World Sentosa, www.sistic.com.sg
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Hoobastank 30 Nov, 8-10pm, from $98 Best known for their mega hit “The Reason” which topped radio charts in Singapore, Hoobastank will be pulling no stops for their Asia tour and promise an electrifying performance. You don’t want to miss this one-night only event! The Coliseum, Hard Rock Hotel
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Santa Run for Wishes 29 Nov, 4pm-10pm Make this Christmas extraordinary and celebrate the spirit of giving. Participate and help bring smiles to the beneficiaries of Make-AWish Foundation Singapore! The Promontory@Marina Bay, www.santarunforwishes.sg
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Running Man: Race Start Season 2 29 Nov, 7.30pm-11pm, from $148 Following the success of Race Start: Running Man Fan Meet last year, the members are going to have to put on an even bigger show for their adoring fans this year! The Star Performing Arts Centre, 1 Vista Exchange Green, www.sistic.com.sg
sports family
to be won!
The Rink Tickets
THE RINK AT JCUBE (Beside Jurong East MRT)
At 60m by 30m, Singapore’s only Olympic-size ice rink offers an unparalleled ice experience, both on and off the ice. The Rink hosts activities such as recreational skating, figure skating and ice hockey. Spectators can also catch the action from the 460-seat gallery, such as training sessions by the Singapore Ice Skating Association (SISA) and Singapore Ice Hockey Association (SIHA). Those interested to learn to skate can do so at The Rink’s Learn-to-skate class. Participants will pick up the basics of skating in five lessons (each comprises 30 minutes with a coach and two hours practice). The class costs $171.20 per participant.
2. Valid from Mon–Fri during public skating session 3. Excludes eve of PH, PH & SH 4. Visit www.therink.sg/publicskating-sessions for available public skating session THREE EASY WAYS TO ENTER: Look for pinned post on our Facebook page:
facebook.com/weekendersgp
and follow the instructions Visit contest page to enter contest:
weekender.com.sg/therink
To find out more activities and promotions on Sentosa, scan here
Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League 2014 2-4 Dec, 3pm, from $49 Played across four countries, the round robin event pits current champions, tennis legends and upcoming talents like Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Marin Cilic against each other for a US$1 million prize. Singapore Indoor Stadium, www.iptlworld.com
(worth $17.50 Each)
Beach Plaza, Merlion Plaza & Palawan Beach
Hi-5 House Hits 2014 5-6 Dec, 11am, 3pm & 7pm, from $45 Hi-5 returns to Singapore for a spectacular show – Hi-5 House Hits 2014! The children’s musical group promises a dazzling sing-anddance extravaganza that can be enjoyed by children and parents alike. The Star Performing Arts Centre, 1 Vista Exchange Green, www.sistic.com.sg
10 sets of 4 tickets
Symphony of Lights 1-26 Dec, 7.30pm, 8.15pm, 8.30pm, 9.15pm & 9.30pm Be amazed by dancing lights, glittering and shimmering in sync to the music. The night extravaganza weaves together a dazzling display of colours, lights and music to give you an unforgettable visual and auditory experience. Catch the show before it’s gone!
doraemon christmas Until 31 Dec Bring your children down to enjoy the Doraemon Christmas Tree in the mall! Activities include guessing the number of Doraemon in the tree and a colouring contest. One Raffles Place, www.onerafflesplace.com.sg
Photo: pdrocha / Shutterstock.com
Explore the ultimate sweet tooth’s paradise in a never before seen inflatable Candyland. Treat yourself to delicious views of a gigantic Gumball Machine, Lolli-in-a-pot, Donut Chair and many more sugary treats.
A Treerific Christmas Sports Carnival 30 Nov, 3-8pm Come down for para-sports tryout stations, carnival booths, balloon sculpting, face painting and more. The event will also feature Singapore’s first ever Reindeer Walk-aWheelathon. OCBC Arena Hall 1, Singapore Sports Hub, www. aseanparagames2015.com
SMS to 85026567
CODE: The Rink, your Name, Age, Gender, NRIC, Address, Postal Code, E-mail
ONLY 1 ENTRY PER PERSON, Terms & Conditions of the Rink PLEASE. pass (2-hour admission + Skate CLOSING DATE: 3 Dec 2014 Boots Rental worth $17.50) 1. Valid for redemption at The Rink Good Luck! No charge for SMS. Please check our Promotional & from 5 Jan – 27 Feb 2015 Contest Rules at weekender.com.sg for details.
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christmas
Christmas at Changi Airport Until 5 Jan This Christmas, Disney magic will welcome travellers and visitors as Changi Airport transforms into a winter wonderland, bringing yuletide festivities to life. With captivating countrythemed decorations, Christmas freebies and fun-filled activities and performances, be sure to soak in the Christmas atmosphere in Changi Airport! Changi Airport, www.changiairport.com
All I Rail-ly Want For Christmas Until 28 Dec City Square Mall has lined up a fun combination of playful
Oui! Rendezvous with French Cinema
this school holidays, bringing them a series of exclusive live Christmas countdown shows featuring the stars of Cbeebies. Plaza Singapura, Main Atrium, Level 1
trains, melodious bells and snow play for the whole family. Some of the key activities taking place include Chugg-ful of Fun At The Park, and outdoor carnival with rides and Christmas carolling by the St Bernadette Choir. City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road, www.citysquaremall. com.sg FREE! Count Down to Christmas with CBeebies at Plaza Singapura Until 7 Dec, 1pm & 7pm (Mon-Fri, except Tues), 1pm, 4pm & 7pm (Sat & Sun) In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Plaza Singapura will be spreading Christmas cheer to families
Whimsical
Christmas at West Coast Plaza Until 28 Dec Discover the magic of a Whimsical Christmas this festive season for an Alice in a Christmas Wonderland experience. Highlights include the Speed Painting Transformation by world-renowned painter Brad Blaze and go hands on in Christmas workshops for canvas painting and snow globemaking. West Coast Plaza, 154 West Coast Road, #02-12, www.westcoastplaza. com.sg
Pink Elephant Jazz Party 28 Nov, 7.30pm, $95 Sip the delectable Pink Elephant Sparkling Rosé and save the gentle giants. Each guest can enjoy three glasses of Pink Elephant Rosé accompanied by Asian canapés. Be entertained by live music and a silent auction, and put your bid into raffles to win attractive prizes. Every ticket sold will include a donation to The Elephant Family. The Elephant Family Charity is the UK’s biggest funder for conserving the species. Weekender readers are entitled to 10% discount off tickets. SingJazz Club, The Sultan at 101 Jalan Sultan, jo.dorai@wineguru.sg
The best of contemporary French films are coming – here are our top picks Rendezvous with French Cinema is back for its 4th year with more intriguing films that have made waves in the film scene. Running from Nov 28 to Dec 7, the festival is held in conjunction with the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF). Here’s the crème de la crème.
Juliette Binoche: Sketches for a portrait Screening: 6 Dec, 6pm, Alliance Française Theatre Juliette Binoche is a star of both French and English films. Especially known for her roles in The English Patient (1996) and Chocolat (2000) she is the subject of this documentary, directed by her own sister. Binoche will be present after the screening to answer questions.
Saint Laurent Screenings: 29 Nov, 8pm, Alliance Française Theatre; 30 Nov, 4.20pm, Shaw Theatres Lido Directed by Bertrand Bonello,
this controversial film depicts the struggles of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. It will compete at the 87th Academy Awards in the Foreign Language Film category.
Beauty and the Beast Screenings: 29 Nov, 2.30pm, Shaw Theatres Lido; 7 Dec, 12pm, Alliance Française Theatre A childhood classic brought to life: An unexpected romance blooms after the youngest daughter of a bankrupt merchant offers herself to the mysterious beast, to which her father has become indebted. Relive your childhood with Lea Seydoux as Belle and Vincent Cassel as Beast.
Mea Culpa Screenings: 30 Nov, 8.30pm, Alliance Française Theatre; 1 Dec, 7.15pm, The Cathay Cineplex
Count down to 2015 at Singapore’s biggest beach party
A Pair of Passes
Worth $136 (PER pair)
to be won PER week
SILOSO BEACH PARTY
Scan the QR code for the answer!
The Siloso Beach Party makes a magical return to ring in the New Year – don’t miss out!
Look for pinned post on our Facebook page:
facebook.com/weekendersgp
and follow the instructions
Visit contest page to enter contest:
Siloso Beach, Sentosa www.silosobeachparty.com
Be at the fun party of the year
THREE EASY WAYS TO ENTER:
31 Dec, 6pm-6am Looking forward to the biggest countdown party of the year? The Siloso Beach Party is the place to be! With 12 hours of non-stop party hits, your favourite drinks at the bar, what better way is there to welcome 2015? Party 2014 away and celebrate late into the first night of the New Year! Weekender is giving away a pair of passes per week to this exciting event! All you have to do is answer the question correctly, and you could be celebrating New Year’s Eve at this smashing countdown party!
QUESTION: How much is the Party of 6 Early Bird Special?
weekender.com.sg/silosobeachparty
SMS to 85026567
CODE: : Siloso, answer, your Name, Age, Gender, NRIC, Address, Postal Code, E-mail ONLY 1 ENTRY PER PERSON, PLEASE. CLOSING DATE: 24 DEC 2014 [1 question per week]
Good Luck!
No charge for SMS. Please check our Promotional & Contest Rules at weekender.com.sg for details.
Asia’s largest beach countdown party, in Singapore, the Siloso Beach Party has a dazzling night of entertainment in store for all countdown revellers this year! On Dec 31, Siloso Beach, Sentosa, will be transformed into a magical kaleidoscope of fun-filled party zones and roving performing acts.
Electrifying Music & 5 Party Zones Headlining this year’s party is the internationally-loved DJ Shy, accompanied by Asia’s Youngest Video Disc Jockey, DJ Jenni-F; DJ FunkyT; and DJ Charlotte. More than ten international and local DJs
will take to the decks with their electrifying mixes. Stretching across 1.2km of sandy shores are five different party zones – from the highoctane Main Arena to the relaxed jazzy corners of the lounges – where party-goers can choose their idea of a great night out. Siloso Beach Party spans from 6pm all the way to the next morning, 6am, giving you a wonderful experience of overnight fun and dancing to send 2014 off and to celebrate the New Year! This is the countdown party you must not miss. Early Bird tickets are available at $48 each and $240 for Party of 6 (online only). These promotions are valid only until Nov 30 – so hurry, get them now! Advance tickets will be sold at $58 each and $300 for Party of 6 (online only), from Dec 1 to 24. Siloso Beach Party 2014 31 Dec, Wed, 6pm-6am Siloso Beach, Sentosa For more information, visit silosobeachparty.com
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Entertainment
RED CARD FOOTBALL FEVER
Juicy reviews & tips on the EPL & the best of world football
Can Man City halt the Saints?
win matches. Get with the programme, Rodgers! Liverpool must win this one. Prediction: Liverpool 1-0 Stoke City
Photo: EPA
Manchester United vs Hull City (Sat, 11pm)
Celebrations look to be forthcoming for the Red Devils, come Saturday
But the Saints’ credentials will be severely put to the test in the coming weeks as they will have to prove their mettle against traditional big boys Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United in consecutive matches. The clash against City will be their biggest test of the season so far, but there is no reason why they shouldn’t approach this match feeling supremely confident despite not having a great record against the mighty Blues. A stop-start City side will have to be at its very best to get anything out of the game. You could say that City will be the slight favourite coming into the tie, but Southampton should be good enough to get at least a point out of this one. Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Manchester City
Manchester City have a chance to close the gap or overtake high-flying Southampton in this week’s big clash This weekend’s big clash sees a battle between 2nd and 3rd as Southampton host reigning champions Manchester City at St Mary’s Stadium. Can the Blues halt the Saints’ winning run? The Big Match:
Southampton vs Manchester City (Sun, 9.30pm) It was only a couple of editions back when I was gushing over Southampton like a schoolboy gushing over his crush. The Saints have undisputedly been the surprise package of the season, sitting pretty in 2nd position. I can’t stress enough how well they’ve adapted to a mass exodus of players at the end of last season, with Ronald Koeman the mastermind behind the team’s unexpected rise up the Premier League table. Mind you, Southampton has earned its stripes coming into the tie, especially considering that it boasts the best defensive record in the league, having conceded only five goals.
weekender.com.sg
The battle between 2nd and 3rd: Which team will get ahead?
Photo: EPA
Other Fixtures:
Liverpool vs Stoke City (Sat, 11pm) There are some elated Liverpool fans out there, looking at this match. Even Burnley has found the recipe to
United’s victory over Arsenal will have done a lot of good for the team, and they should be expected to heap more misery upon Steve Bruce’s Hull City. Prediction: Manchester Utd 3-1 Hull City
Sunderland vs Chelsea (Sun, 1.30am) Sunderland actually did the double over Chelsea last season! Can we see that happening again this time around? Nahhhhh. Prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Chelsea By Ahmad Khan Log on to the all-new www.RedCardConnect.com for exclusive articles, interviews, radio shows & videos of the Premier League, Singapore & the world of sports.
About Ahmad Khan
Ahmad Khan (@AhmadKhan12) is a presenter for #RedCardConnect. He has the potty idea that football makes the world go round and is convinced that the beautiful game forges greater bonds than the United Nations. Call 6281 1898 and join him in his rant about football every weekend just before the EPL matches on #RedCardLIVE.
Netball Nations Cup 2014: Clash of the continents Singapore’s Micky Lin in full flight
The teams from the continents of Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania will certainly entertain you with their unique flair and passion for the game. One can expect a veritable clash of the continents.
Asian Champions Singapore
6 Days of Excitement
Singapore, recently crowned Asian Champions in the Asian Netball Championships in September and ranked 19th in the world, will have a real fight on its hands against such world-class opposition. Nonetheless, this will be the perfect build-up ahead of next year’s SEA Games 2015 as well as the Netball World Cup after that. Netball lovers will be sure to enjoy this tournament of nations. You can lend your support to our national team and give our girls that added home-crowd boost. The Nations Cup 2014 begins in nine days, and will be held at the OCBC Arena at the new Singapore Sports Hub.
Over Dec 7 to 13, each of these competitive teams will face one another in the six-day tournament, before reaching the final in a bid to become the esteemed Nations Cup 2014 Champions.
Tickets are available from Netball Singapore and at the OCBC Arena during competition. Visit www.netball.org.sg for fixtures and tickets.
Netball fans, be prepared for another action-packed tournament this December The prestigious netball Nations Cup tournament returns for its ninth edition this December with newly-crowned Asian Champion and host Singapore welcoming tough opposition from the likes of Botswana, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Ireland and Samoa, ranked 14th in the world.
NOVember 28 - DECEMBER 4, 2014
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NOVember 28 - DECEMBER 4, 2014
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Entertainment
Mothership.sg covers current affairs, lifestyle topics as well as soon-to-trend issues. It is read by more than 700,000 Singaporeans monthly.
8 Kinds of S’porean trolls you’ll find online all the time Do you recognise yourself? They used to be under bridges. Now they’re everywhere. Presenting to you, the eight most common kinds of trolls you’ll see in our garden city.
PEt Family photos
Submit your Pet Family Photo & get a chance to be published! Are your pooches or kitties your family’s pride and joy? Then whip out those cameras now! Send us the very best photos of you with your beloved pets. The cutest PET FAMILY PHOTO will receive an exclusive AVA umbrella! Don’t miss this chance to show off your pets. Send your best photos to:
general@weekender.com. sg with your Pet Name, Your Name, Date of Birth, Tel No., NRIC & Postal Code.
Weekender presents the PET FAMILY PHOTOS contest. Here are our readers’ cutest snapshots!
Winners will be contacted directly on the collection. Submit for the next one!
T besthis wee k a sp photo w ’s ecia in l um AV s wor brella A th $ 40!
Hall of Famers include Amy Cheong [who made an expletive-filled racist rant], and the person who started the “Filipino infestation” blog. The list goes on. Insensitive and ignorant, these guys are plain jerks.
2. THE LANGUAGE ZAI KIAS “Guai lan kia is spelled with a G, not a K.” These guys pick on everything. Double proof, triple proof, get all your friends to proof. But still might not be idiot-proof.
Caring for pet birds, fish & terrapins You see these pets around but do you know they are not any easier to care for? Here’s what you need to know
The lifespan of birds vary greatly. Some live for about ten years, while others like the cockatoo can live up to 80 years! Prevention is better than cure. It is important to provide your pet bird with a proper diet and a good stress-free living environment. If it is not well, you should take it to be checked by a veterinarian who is good with birds.
Tip 2: Caring for a Pet Fish
3. THE SHORT-FORMER It’s impsble 2 miss dese guys. Dey’re srsly jus a nuisance 2 e discussion. O, i almst 4got 2 mention, dey abbreviate (abv) everything. SBSS (si bei sian sia)
4. THE ANTI-GOVERNMENT ONE
All hail his furriness! Ndi’s kitty Elvis the Prince certainly has a regal air
Their world (their grievances) revolve around our men in white, and they associate every single little fault to the government.
5. THE LOUDHAILER Remember the guys who used to board buses and talk extremely loudly? They’re online now. THEY’RE TERRIBLY ANIMATED, AND IN AGGRO MODE CONSTANTLY.
Do you know, with proper care, most freshwater ornamental fish can live up to several years? Freshwater fish like the goldfish, koi and arowana can live for about 15 years with proper care and a healthy environment! For owners keeping marine ornamental fish, it is extremely important to also ensure that the salinity of water is constantly maintained at an optimal level for these finned creatures.
Tip 3: Caring for a Pet RedEared Slider (Terrapin)
6. THE ONE WITH DIFFERENT WAVELENGTH If the whole nation ran on one Wi-Fi account, these are the guys who got the password wrong: They just don’t seem to get it.
7. THE FUNNY TROLL Jin Xiaobo’s Bobby is such a cutie, you just want to ruffle his cheeks and cuddle :D
Lindy Lam’s Fudgie the Guinea pig is an adorable ball of fur
8. THE MEGA TROLL
Red-eared sliders or terrapins have been popular as pets for a long time but what do you really know about them? Do you know that they can grow up to the size of a dinner plate? Your adult terrapin may end up needing a pond as a house when it grows into an adult! And they can live for more than 20 years! Are you ready to commit to it throughout its lifespan? To find out more about responsible pet ownership, visit: www.petsforlife.com.sg
When trolls of harmful intent congregate into a single community, their reach and impact becomes magnified. Once you cross them, your life is over. We’ll let Jover Chew tell you more about that. And so the old adage goes: Don’t feed the troll. Nah. Not entirely true. Not all forms of trolling are bad. What we should do, however, is learn where to draw the line, and prevent different kinds of harmful trolling from becoming an accepted norm online.
by Shane Chua
Red-eared sliders are cute as hatchlings but don’t forget they will one day grow into large terrapins and can live a long time!
Tip 1: Caring for a Pet Bird
1. THE RACISTS
There are funny trolls around who are harmless, and they check the people who say stupid things. Gotta give it to these guys.
Advice on caring for your pet
Tips from Fluffy, the rescued pooch, on caring for your furry friends and being a responsible pet owner
Edna Chan and Latte never fail to give each other kisses
Crystal and Odee both look so content!
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C h a n n e l pa r t y
AXN’s Ultimate Year End Bash: Babe, beats & talent bonanza Enjoy all this together with specially-concocted Monkey Shoulder’s whisky drinks.
Be a part of the fun party and “The Voice” Season 7 semi-final screening in AXN’s first year-end party ever!
“The Voice” Season 7 & AXN Excitement
One of television’s leading entertainment channels, AXN, will be throwing an exhilarating party for fans. AXN’s Ultimate Year End Bash is the first of its kind, and promises an unforgettable celebration in the heart of Singapore.
DJ Nicole Chen & Other Hip Acts
This gala event will be held on Dec 13, at M2 Academy, Orchard Gateway @ Emerald. Registration at 7pm.
great way for me to express and balance my emotions. A good performance often makes me feel calm, warm and enlightened, especially when audiences are enthralled by my songs. It’s affirmation of my strengths and that I have what it takes to forge ahead.
Good vibes aplenty in Solitude Photo: People’s Association
Soldiering on despite panic attacks, Sufyan Supiani’s music is not just ear candy but a clarion call to blast the stigma of mental illness
What’s your favourite track from the album? My favourite track is “Do it”, composed when I was in high spirits. Its catchy tune will be motivating to the masses.
Why did you choose to go public about your mental condition?
Up-and-coming musician Suf Supiani just launched his debut album, Solitude. Meeting this talented and positive young man, no one would be able to tell that he once had a major struggle with mental illness. With his hopeful lyrics and upbeat tracks, Suf inspires us to dig deep during tough times.
The more I fight this condition to improve my quality of life, the greater the social stigma I had to deal with. As friends began to disconnect, I regarded my choice to be frank as a kind of litmus test for true blue friendships. With family love, support and therapy, recovery was still no piece of cake for me. Through my album, I want to raise awareness of mental illness and offer hope to anyone who has been down and out.
Congrats on your new album. What inspired you to create Solitude? I was inspired by Luigi, my cat who passed on one week prior to my departure to Mauritius for recording. I was grieving but I persisted with my mission because I was very sure he would want me to finish strong. During the lowest points of my life, I’d hug Luigi tightly to ease the panic attacks. He provided me with a sense of purpose to continue fighting, to believe in myself again.
Composing and performing music is a
Win a set of passes to admit 4 persons now!
Simply answer this question: Why do want to take part in AXN’s Ultimate Year End Bash? THREE EASY WAYS TO ENTER: Look for the pinned post on our Facebook page:
facebook.com/weekendersgp
and follow the instructions
Visit contest page to enter contest:
weekender.com.sg/axnbash SMS to 85026567
CODE: AXN Bash, answer, your Name, Age, Gender, NRIC, Address, Postal Code, E-mail ONLY 1 ENTRY PER PERSON, PLEASE. CLOSING DATE: 7 DEC 2014 Good Luck!
No charge for SMS. Please check our Promotional & Contest Rules at weekender.com.sg for details.
s ta r s o f t h e w e e k
What does music creation mean to you?
AXN Ultimate Year End Bash Leading entertainment channel AXN will be throwing an exhilarating party in the heart of Singapore. On Dec 13, party with local duo Trick (signed to Sony Music) and modelDJ Nicole Chen (who has 180,000 Facebook followers) at AXN’s Ultimate Year End Bash! You’ll also get to catch a screening of “The Voice” Season 7’s semi-final episode, and enjoy Monkey Shoulder whisky drinks! M2 Academy, Orchard Gateway @ Emerald
Model-DJ Nicole Chen is set to heat up the decks
to be won!
Local duo Trick have some cool beats in store for partygoers
10 sets of PASSES
Come Dec 13, from 8pm to 11pm, party with the sick beats of popular local acts Trick and model-DJ Nicole Chen. Trick is a duo formed in 2012 and is known for a unique combination of bubbly pop hits and the urban vibe of hip hop and rap. The team comprises singer, songwriter, and producer Marc Lian, and rapper and songwriter Richard Jansen. Their hit single, “Up All Night”, ranked among the top few on local radio charts. Last year, it was the opening song to Korean pop star Jay Park’s E! Showcase in Kuala Lumpur! They have been signed to Sony Music. Joining Trick at the bash is Singaporebased model-DJ Nicole Chen (with a 180,000 following on Facebook), who will be bringing her signature electrifying up-tempo sets to the turntable. The dainty dynamo DJ has opened for big names such as Steve Aoki and Felix the House Cat, and is sought after by clubs the world over.
AXN’s Ultimate Year End Bash will also give fans a sneak peek into AXN’s new line-up for 2015. These highlights include an on-site screening of “The Voice” Season 7’s intense semi-final episode. Guests can also pose for snapshots in the iconic “The Voice” judging chair as well as the standees of the celebrity coaches. There will also be attractive prizes to be won!
AXN ULTIMATE YEAR END BASH
Photo: 1Vibe Records
How do you think the stigma attached to mental illness can be removed? More survivors need to step forward and share their journeys. Information about various mental conditions has been available and accessible to everyone in the community. Hopefully, more employers can provide opportunities for recovering patients to be employed.
What would you most like your listeners to take away from your album? I’d like them to never lose hope that life can get better. Sharing the word about mental health can possibly save lives. Everyone goes through rough patches, so no one needs to suffer alone in silence. Mental conditions are not death sentences. Struggles can be blessings in disguise.
How do you intend to support your cause with your album Solitude? At this point in time, the charity we are looking to support is CLUBHEAL organisation, for the purpose of debunking mental stigma and creating awareness about mental health. By Runbin Yew Support Sufyan Supiani’s debut album, Solitude, produced in support of World Mental Health Day 2014. You may connect with Suf on YouTube @Suf Supiani.
The good vibes of each live performance by Suf are undisputed
He has come a long way in overcoming mental illness
NOVember 28 - DECEMBER 4, 2014
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Entertainment
A L S O I N T H E AT R E S
m o v ie re v ie w
Flipping fun in
Penguins of Madagascar This spin-off from the funny Madagascar series is good fun – and don’t expect many inside jokes
I
f you’ve seen any of the Madagascar films, you know those adorably crafty penguins deserve more than a few show-stopping scenes. Now, the four characters are finally the stars of their own movie. Penguins of Madagascar takes us through the story of the cunning quartet, following their adventures after Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted. Yes, you read that right – unlike what is advertised, Penguins of Madagascar is not about the origin story of Skipper (voiced by Tom Grath), Kowalski (Chris Miller), Rico (Conrad Vernon) and Private (Christopher Knights). All right, it does have one scene that shows how the first three came to adopt Private as their own brother. And it’s as adorable and exciting as you can imagine. From there, the movie skips ahead to their escapades in the present.
Silly, Kiddie Fun You can still expect lots of guffaws, though, especially if you’re bringing kids along! Penguins of Madagascar is chocka-block with slapstick humour as the penguins get up to their usual antics and hare-brained missions. New characters are also introduced to us: The capable agents of North Wind, an animal witness protection agency modelled after the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Together with North Wind – which features a giant cuddle-loving polar bear (Peter Stormare) and a dominant wolf voiced by none other than Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock himself) – the penguins must fight against the nefarious Dr Octavius Brine.
Dave, a.k.a. Dr Octavius Brine’s quips can be quite amusing
Jokes to Look Out For What’s a good comedy without some inside jokes? With the introduction of the slimy Dr Brine, the film also tosses in some witty quips for older fans to enjoy. For instance, it’s packed with amusing Hollywood mentions. Dr Brine has many squid minions conveniently named after famous stars. In one scene, he refers to actress Drew Barrymore when he barks the command: “Drew, Barry, more!” In another, he alludes to actor Nicholas Cage with, “Nicholas! Cage them!” But don’t look further for other references or cheeky sleights of hand. Unlike the original Madagascar movies, Penguins of Madagascar doesn’t sport many other winks and nudges at veteran Madagascar viewers.
Seeing in Black and White Is love in the air?
These guys will stop at nothing – to the benefit of our entertainment! Watch to see what nefarious scheme Dr Octavius is hatching
Owing to its fast-paced sequences of finslicing and flipper-kicking espionage, Penguins of Madagascar also doesn’t offer much in terms of giving these beloved flightless birds deeper characterisation. The movie is centred very much on the rise of Private as a valued member of the team, as he attempts to prove his worth to the leader, Skipper. Considering how the four have been in cahoots since three Madagascar movies ago, it’s surprising that Penguins of Madagascar chooses to feature Private’s development so late in the timeline. Nevertheless, this is a feel-good movie. After all, it’s stuffed to the brim with cute cuddly penguins and other puppy-eyed animals – so warmth and fuzziness is pretty much guaranteed! By Pamela Chow
Penguins of Madagascar [G] Directors: Starring: Genre: Run Length: Release:
Eric Darnell & Simon J Smith Tom Grath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights, Benedict Cumberbatch & Ken Jeong Comedy, Animation 92 min 27 Nov
Horrible Bosses 2 [M18] Fed up with answering to higher-ups, Nick, Dale and Kurt decide to become their own bosses by launching their own business. But a slick investor pulls the rug out from under them. Outplayed and desperate, and with no legal recourse, the three wouldbe entrepreneurs hatch a misguided plan to kidnap the investor’s son and ransom him to regain control of their company. More high jinks ensue. STARRING: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx, Chris Pine, Kevin Spacey & Christoph Waltz GENRE: Comedy RELEASE: 27 Nov
Women Who Flirt [PG13] Most women know that flirting can sometimes be the most effective way to get what they want, especially when it comes to men. However, flirting is an art that takes talent, and isn’t so easy to come by for some. STARRING: Zhou Xun, Huang Xiaoming, Sonia Sui & Sie Yi Lin GENRE: Drama, Comedy RELEASE: 27 Nov
Rise Of The Legend [NC16] Rise of The Legend follows the story of Fei, a young man who is destined to become a legend in the world of martial arts. Eddie Peng stars as Fei in this reboot of the Wong Fei Hung story. STARRING: Angelababy, Sammo Hung, Wong Cho-Iam, Eddie Peng & Byron Mann GENRE: Action Drama RELEASE: 27 Nov
the hunger games: Mockingjay – Part 1 [PG13] The Hunger Games continues to set the world on fire with Mockingjay – Part 1, which finds our protagonist, Katniss, in District 13. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta and a nation moved by her courage. STARRING: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Philip Seymour Hoffman & Julianne Moore GENRE: Action, Adventure RELEASE: 20 Nov
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Could you tell us something about yourself that most fans don’t know? I can be really quiet. I do hosting and interviews, (but) I’m not like that, because that is my job. I can be really quiet in my own time.
What do you like to do when you’re not working? How do you relax? It is always a pleasure to see Sandra on screen
Sandra Ng is known for portaying a range of roles and emotions
s ta r s o f t h e w e e k
What most don’t know about Sandra Ng Top-billing Hong Kong comedienne Sandra Ng tells us what she’s really like behind her comical act From provocative tai-tai to loud mama san, funny lady Sandra Ng has brought laughter to audiences through almost every kind of character imaginable. The versatile actress is loved for her portrayal of Tai Sou in the popular All’s Well, Ends Well film series, and of the boisterous lead in the Golden Chicken trilogy. Now, she appears in Singapore-Hong Kong comedy A Fantastic Ghost Wedding, alongside Singapore comedian Mark Lee. Ng plays a finicky and conservative mother who tries to find a bride for her suddenlydeceased son. In an exclusive online interview, Ng tells us about her filming experience in Singapore, the role she most desires to play, and what she is truly like when the curtains close.
How was it like being in Singapore for A Fantastic Ghost Wedding? Singapore is a very safe place to be in. It is a very familiar place to me because I visit Singapore quite often for movie promos and such. I feel so at ease when I’m in Singapore, I can even wear slippers.
Were there any memorable incidents during filming? The happiest part was to film the movie with Mark Lee. He is a very nice person who took very good care of me.
How challenging was it to act as a funny yet grieving character? My role in A Fantastic Ghost Wedding is a traditional yet eccentric mother. I think this movie is not just a comedy, there are many more emotional phases to it. She
had to face a lot of problems, including her marriage and the upbringing of their child. Also, this role was expected to speak Cantonese and Mandarin. Hence language was also a barrier for me.
You’ve acted in countless comedies. Which is your own favourite comedy? I believe there are many fans of Stephen Chow’s movies, including myself.
You’ve played extreme types of roles: from an elegant lady to a loud mama san. Which character is closest to your own personality? I think my role in A Fantastic Ghost Wedding also resembles myself in real life. Mama san’s character is louder, more passionate and bubblier. If you were to ask me if my real personality is so close to the roles I play, I will not think so. Sometimes, I wish that my personality is more similar to the roles I play. There are some characteristics in the roles I play that are similar to me, but it is definitely not 100 percent.
Is there any kind of role you’d love to play, that you’ve yet to have the chance to? What I’d really love to try is to act as a baddie, or a killer. I’ve acted as a baddie in comedies before but at the end of it people will not view that role as a real baddie, so I want to try (the role of a) villain.
I like to exercise and go for massage during my free time. I really like to spend time with my daughter. Just the both of us; we can go shopping and catch a movie. Otherwise, I’d like to stay at home, turn on music and just walk around, read newspapers and magazines. These activities are very relaxing for me.
What makes you truly happy? I’m happy when I do not have to worry about finance, (when I) can spend time with my family to have a simple meal or go on a holiday. I’m also happy when I can spend time with my parents. If you are talking about pursuing my career path, that is another type of happiness – I’m also happiest when I’m in the midst of shooting a movie.
Apart from A Fantastic Ghost Wedding, what else have you been busy with? Are there other film projects you’re working on now? Since I’ve already acted in so many movies, I’d like to play a different role in the movie scene now, like being movie producer. Just like in A Fantastic Ghost Wedding, I want to seize this chance to work with new people. Moving forward, I’d like to take up more projects where I can not only participate as an actress but also movie producer. By Pamela Chow Catch A Fantastic Ghost Wedding, starring Sandra Ng, Mark Lee and Marcus Chin, in cinemas now!
movie review
A Fantastic Ghost Wedding: Comedy in tragedy Amidst laughs and a charming cast, the movie addresses pressing concerns In Singapore, A Fantastic Ghost Wedding (AFGW) has a bright and comical poster, featuring a wide-eyed Sandra Ng and a wide-mouthed Mark Lee cruising in a beat-up motor vehicle. In Hong Kong, however, it is marketed as a montage of solemn, grieving faces. In truth, AFGW settles in the middle. Between humorous takes and pseudoaction sequences, the movie broaches the pains of death, change and personal fears.
Happiness after death? The story follows neurotic ex-singer, Mrs Wu (played by Sandra Ng), who copes with her son’s death by burning copious amounts of paper offerings. Despite her showers of extravagant paper products – such as rows of bungalows and a commercial airplane – Mrs Wu is still haunted by her son’s unhappy spirit.
To appease him, she hires a father-son spirit medium duo (Mark Lee and Keane Chan) to find him a wife. This duo has its own moving narrative arc. While Mrs Wu grapples with grieving, the mediums struggle with their dying practices in the modern world. Although the twists are predictable from early in the story, it’s refreshing to see a movie that unabashedly confronts pertinent issues.
Fantastic comedic pairing AFGW combines the laudable skills of Ng, Lee and many other comedy favourites. Ng is known for her roles in Hong Kong’s popular film series All’s Well, Ends Well, and Golden Chicken. For AFGW, most of her dialogue is in her native Cantonese tongue, allowing for the smooth delivery as the nitpicky Mrs Wu. Accompanying her is Lee, who takes on a slightly more serious role than usual. He toes the fine line between being a strict yet
What antics are Mark Lee and ‘son’ up to?
Mrs Wu approaches the mediums to get help in finding a bride for her recently-deceased son
adoring father, and an eccentric yet smart business owner. Joining them are the likes of Hong Kong veteran actor Jim Chim Sui-Man (as Mr Wu), Marcus Chin (store owner and funeral expert), and upcoming young actor Keane Chan. Henry Thia also makes a cameo appearance. While the special effects employed in AFGW fall behind by global cinema standards, this has worked to make this film sincere and close to home. Plus, the show doesn’t end on a sappy, conclusive note – it leaves many gaps that
only serious contemplation on our part can fill. By Pamela Chow
A Fantastic Ghost Wedding [M18] Director: Starring: Genre: Run Length: Release:
Meng Ong Sandra Ng, Mark Lee, Jim Chim Sui-Man & Keane Chan Comedy, drama 97 mins 20 Nov
NOVember 28 - DECEMBER 4, 2014
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Foodmania
new log cakes
Prime piCK:
Carlton Hotel Mango Yuzu Manjari Log Cake ($62+)
Carlton Hotel Mango Yuzu Manjari Log Cake Boasting of both sweet and tangy goodness in a delicate creation, the Mango Yuzu Manjari Log cake is a lovely balance of sweet, fresh mangoes combined with the flavour of yuzu, a refreshing Japanese citrus fruit. It just melts in your mouth. The bittersweet Valrhona Manjari dark chocolate coating is also welcome to those who prefer a less sweet option. This is our prime pick!
What’s Christmas without merrymaking and jolly feasting? We round up the prettiest log cakes to try this Christmas! Few would argue that log cake (or turkey for those who love savoury food) is the centrepiece of any Christmas feast. Whether or not you agree, these pretty log cakes certainly add to the Christmas spirit, and tingle the taste buds as well.
Available at Carlton Hotel
Medzs Rainbow Log Cake ($46.90)
Bakerzin Tropical Christmas ($62)
Prima Deli Santa’s Sleigh Ride ($59.90)
Delifrance Pistachio Log Cake ($45)
O’ Coffee Club White Lychee Christmas ($58.85)
Goodwood D24 Durian Christmas Log Cake ($64)
MEDZS Rainbow Log Cake
Bakerzin Tropical Christmas Log Cake
Prima Deli Santa’s Sleigh Ride
Delifrance Pistachio Log Cake
Goodwood D4 Durian Christmas Log Cake
This log cake comes with seven layers of flavoured cream: cream cheese, orange cream, caramel, blueberry, peppermint, chocolate chip and almond. Take a bite and relish the explosion of flavours. Each layer of sponge cake is light and cottony. Crowning the cake are chocolate ganache and a medley of fresh strawberries and berries. With such a wonderful splash of colours, it’s no wonder this stunning masterpiece is a choice pick!
This elegantly-decorated cake starts out with a delicate almond dacquoise base followed by a light genoise sandwiched between two layers of coconut mousse dotted with desiccated coconut. A generous layer of salted caramel mousse balances out the sweetness, while the coconut mousse encases the whole cake. It is beautifully topped with a light caramel cream.
The Santa’s Sleigh Ride is a classic offering with a sparkle. The centre of the cake is soft and moist vanilla sponge with light vanilla fresh cream, held together with a crunchy chocolate façade topped with a medley of fresh fruits. The sprinkle of icing sugar further adds a Christmas air to the cake.
Embodying the spirit of a white Christmas, this vanilla log cake is layered with cream cheese and savoury pistachio for pure mouthwatering pleasure. The soft, spongey texture of the cake is starkly-contrasted by the crunchy pistachios.
O’ Coffee Club White Lychee Christmas
Available at Delifrance outlets
This traditional Swiss roll log cake features a light orange sponge cake layered with a fragrant lychee emulsion and piquant raspberry jam. Nestled in the centre is rose essence cream.
A perennial favourite, this 1-kg treat promises lashings of creamy durian goodness within layers of vanilla sponge. This localflavoured log features a crown of colourful fruits, white chocolate swirls and meringue-tinged ‘twigs’.
Available at O’ Coffee Club outlets
Available at Goodwood Park Hotel
Available at Prima Deli outlets
Available at Bakerzin outlets
Available at Medzs By Nicole Lee
Celebrity chef iN Town
What’s it like to cook with Chef Rachel Khoo?
Celebrity chef Rachel Khoo was in town and I was treated to a masterclass with her How often can you get a private cooking lesson from a celebrity chef? At a fun-filled cooking masterclass on Nov 18, the sweet and bubbly Chef Rachel Khoo taught us how to whip up two of her favourite dishes. Born in England to a Malaysian father and an Austrian mother, Khoo is a renowned chef, writer and presenter. She was recently in Singapore to promote her new BBC series, “Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook: Cosmopolitan Cook”. In the show, Khoo travels to Europe and immerses herself in different cultures and cuisines. She uncovers a world of culinary inspirations in these cosmopolitan destinations. After her travels in each episode, she creates a dish inspired by her trip. I got to attend her cooking masterclass, and gleaned a few tricks of the kitchen from her!
The Best Ingredient Is...
Khoo began by sharing with us her preferences for food, and we were pleasantly surprised. She loves anything with lots of butter. In fact, her motto is: “More butter is better”.
We agree – everything automatically tastes better with butter. Khoo also chooses red wine vinegar over balsamic vinegar for salad dressing. Why? She explains that she likes her vinegar “with a bit of attitude”.
Big Cook-out
During her masterclass, Khoo introduced her savoury baked cheese cigars with green papaya, cucumber and radish slaw. I quickly mastered the dish, from scratch, thanks to her guidance. The thin filo sheet was generously buttered and stuffed with gooey mozzarella and feta cheese before going into the oven. Mine turned out looking just like Rachel’s – dashing, if I may say so myself! These crispy buttery cheesy rolls were well-complemented with the refreshing salad, which kept us going back for more. This dish is definitely going into my list of party staples. Catch “Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook: Cosmopolitan Cook” exclusively in Asia, every Tuesday, at 8pm, on BBC Lifestyle StarHub TV Ch 432. By Alison Chu
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Recipes and tips from local chef Violet Oon!
Choose fresh vegetables from local Singapore farms, as they reach our supermarkets more quickly from our own backyard. You will then be assured of better quality and nutrition, as vegetables start losing nutrients as soon as they are harvested.
Method 1. Cut beef into thin slices. Cut kai lan into finger lengths and separate the stalks from the leaves (Pic 2).
Beef with Kai Lan
2
3. Just before cooking, coat beef with marinade then add sesame oil, so that the marinade can permeate the beef first.
1
INGREDIENTS (Pic 1) • 300g
Beef – fillet, sirloin, ribeye or rump
• 300g
Kai lan
3
Vegetable oil
Marinade for Beef • 1 tbsp
Oyster sauce
• 1 tsp
Chinese yellow wine (hua tiao jiu) – optional
CHOOSE FROZEN MEAT
• 2 tsp
Stretch your grocery dollar by choosing frozen meat! Frozen meat comes from fresh meat, which has been rapidly frozen to maintain its freshness. When properly handled, frozen meat tastes just as good as chilled meat.
Cornflour
Sauce • 1 tsp
• Place thawed-out meat in the refrigerator if not cooked immediately. • For frozen meat, thaw only the amount you need.
• 1/2 tsp Sugar • 2 tbsp
S avo u r t h e S i p
Manchester United and Real Madrid legend and global icon David Beckham was in Singapore in mid-November to launch the new Haig Club whisky David Beckham and Tracy Phillips recently launched the new Haig Club single grain Scotch whisky in Singapore. Haig Club was developed in partnership with Beckham and British entrepreneur Simon Fuller. Fuller is the founder of XIX Entertainment and the creator of American Idol. Beckham, legendary footballer and global style icon, launched the distinctive new whisky with Singapore’s Haig Club brand ambassador, Phillips, who is wellknown in Singapore’s nightlife and lifestyle scenes. “I think we have made something really special,” said Beckham.
Light soya sauce
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• Do not refreeze meat that has been completely thawed.
David Beckham & Tracy Phillips for new whisky
4
6. Add the beef and the sauce. When the sauce thickens, stir fry the vegetables and beef together. Serve with steamed rice as part of a meal.
• 1/4 tsp Salt • 1/2 tsp Sesame oil
Food safety tips
4. Heat oil in a wok over high heat until it smokes. Add the beef and stir fry quickly for about 30 sec to sear the meat (Pic 3). Remove the beef from the wok. 5. Add chopped garlic, then add kai lan stalks (Pic 4) and stir fry for 30 sec before adding the leaves. Stir fry until the colour changes and use the ladle to push the vegetables to one side.
• 4 cloves Garlic, chopped • 4 tbsp
2. Mix all marinade ingredients together except the sesame oil. Mix sauce ingredients well and set aside.
Beckham with Phillips, presenting Haig Club
“For me, it has meant understanding how whisky is made and enjoyed, and then working with some incredible people to write a new chapter for Haig,” he said.
The Creation of an Icon
Crafted at Scotland’s oldest grain whisky distillery, Cameronbridge in Fife, Haig Club is built on heritage but designed for the modern world. The House of Haig can trace its whisky-producing roots back to the 17th Century, making the Haig family Scotland’s oldest grain whisky dynasty. The blue glass bottle was inspired by the tradition of blenders using blue tasting glasses so that the spirit can be reviewed on aroma and taste alone. The unique flavours of the whisky are created by carefully selecting mature whisky from refill, American oak and rejuvenated casks, producing a single grain Scotch whisky that showcases butterscotch, tropical fruit and spicy backing harmonies. Haig Club is available at several restaurants and clubs such as Bacchanalia, kinki, Manhattan at Regent Singapore, The Pelican, Cook & Brew at The Westin Singapore, Fenix Room and Club Empire, and at DFS Changi.
Water
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Foodmania
weekender.com.sg
new menu
n e w R e s ta u r a n t
Hitting the right notes with home cooked style I preferred the Broccoli with Shitake Mushrooms ($16.90) to the Four Heavenly Kings in Sambal Belacan ($11.90). With already many dishes with spices, it was good to have a dish that balanced our palettes and was lighter in taste.
Beer-based delights at Nickeldime I wouldn’t think twice about coming back for their Stout Braised Beef Ragout
Beer in Every Dish It seems as though Nickeldime has beer in every dish. The Stout Braised Beef Ragout is one of the dishes that I think captures the beer hints perfectly. The soft and springy spaghetti is definitely the star of the menu, paired with the flavourful and potent sauce. The beef is particularly special because it has been soaked for 24 hours in stout, resulting in the beef coming together with the beer in a fresh, aromatic combination.
Any Time is Makan Time
The Curry Fish Head is colourful and flavourful
PappaRich introduces PappaRich Plus outlets, with the addition of premium Malaysian favourites made for sharing PappaRich Plus presents a more extensive menu including a variety of classic Malaysian dishes in portions designed to be shared. Now, there’s no need to go across the causeway for authentic Malaysian dishes.
The Familiar Flavour With classic Malaysian dishes that range from rich and flavourful Indian curries to mouth-watering Peranakan desserts in portions that are also meant for sharing, PappaRich Plus manages to provide diners with a true Malaysian dining experience in a comfortable setting. The Curry Fish Head ($34.90), a family favourite, is a combination of influences from Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine. The dish uses 22 different spices that are lovingly-cooked for four hours, resulting in a deep and richly-flavoured curry base. The fish head, from a Red Snapper, was specially chosen for this dish. The result was a sweet flesh complementing the mild pepperiness of the curry.
The extensive menu at PappaRich Plus covers your hunger pangs at anytime of the day, from a hearty breakfast to a filling dinner. Now, PappaRich Plus even offers meals for teatime! Boasting new items perfect for breakfast or teatime, the all-day dining Malaysian street food chain introduces new items like the Iced Black Gold Coffee ($5.50), which uses the method of cold brewing, where ground Arabica coffee is immersed in ice cold water and carefully steeped overnight. Through this technique, the coffee’s essence is gradually extracted, leaving a slightly translucent brew without the sour or acidic aftertaste.
Intricate interior Apart from its food, PappaRich Plus also goes all out in ensuring the interior of the restaurant suits the cuisine served. While sharing similar colonial design features with other four PappaRich outlets, the PappaRich Plus outlets at Plaza Singapura and OneKM have incorporated additional elements to differentiate them. Taking inspiration from Peranakan interiors, the floors are sleekly lined with intricate geometric tiles. The ceiling features meranti wood, a prized native of Malaysia’s rainforest, fashioned into simple patterned panels. Marble dining tables here are also larger, allowing for big dining parties. This highlights PappaRich Plus’ concept of coming together and sharing new communal-style Malaysian dishes. PappaRich Plus has outlets at Plaza Singapura and OneKM. By Eu Shuqi
The Beef Geek Platter boasts an impressive offering of savoury delights
With the scattering of new beer-andburger joints popping up lately, we were surprised at how different Nickeldime is At one look, you can tell that Nickeldime Drafthouse has set itself apart from other establishments: A fantastic ambience is half the battle won for any restaurant, and this one has nailed it. With its Broadway-style banner and vintage beer retail cellar, Nickeldime is impossible to miss.
Food Seldom Looks this Good Most places take pride in their main courses, and Nickeldime should be proud of its platter. At a steep $42, this is an impressive spread. The Stout Meatballs had subtle hints of beer, having been glazed with a beer barbecue sauce. It was tasty and was definitely the highlight of this platter. The Beer Sriracha Candied Nuts were among my favourites too: It is crunchy and almost caramel-ly, a great side dish for late night beer sessions. The Garlic Chips were not bad too, delicious with the Hot Crab IPA Cheese Dip.
The Salami and Fresh Chilli Pizza goes particularly well with its ales
Pizza, the Popular Choice Nickeldime’s pizza was greeted with much enthusiasm at my table. I particularly loved how the thin crust was slightly burnt at the edges, leaving a delightful last bite. The ham (Parma ham or the usual type) were nothing exceptional, in my opinion, but I found this to be the best pairing for the craft beers. Nickeldime offers about 16 seasonal craft beers. The selection is ever-changing because once the beer runs out; a new one will take its place. So, whether you’re a beer or food lover, make sure you don’t miss these interesting flavours. I recommend to return regularly. Nickeldime Drafthouse, 273 Thomson Road, #01-06, Singapore 307644 By Nicole Lee
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SHOPsavvy
weekender.com.sg
Writer’s Pick: Braun
Vichy
La Roche-Posay
Beauty In Brief
The gift of luxe Part II
Our Christmas gift guide continues! This time we highlight the most luxurious beauty products. Are you game to splurge for the ones you love most? I am looking forward most to the period of time between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Just picture it: What you do from Christmas to New Year will wrap up and define how your 2014 has been. How surreal that we are only one month away from that! Christmas is a lovely time and excuse to pamper your loved ones in indulgent presents that they can’t refuse. We pick out the pricier of the offerings. Come on, Christmas is a time to be generous! Now say goodbye to your budget.
N e w s to r e
Grab great buys at Tokyu Hands
With an optimal SPF 50+ protection reinforced against UVA long rays, La Roche-Posay is one of the strongest sunblocks available on the market. The ultra-light fluid texture is suitable for all skin types but especially ideal for combination skin. The optimized filtering system also ensures no white marks! Available at Derma Center and departmental stores.
Writer’s Pick: SkinCeuticals
SkinCeuticals tops my list. This broad-spectrum treatment provides advanced environmental protection to defend skin against the reactive molecules (including free radicals) that are known to cause cellular damage. In addition to its superior antioxidant capabilities, it has been proven to correct existing damage from the inside out. Available at Derma Center
A dazzling assortment With over 2,400 items in Tokyu Hands, there is something for everyone! Some may have a penchant for quirky, creative pens and the big, furry pens in Tokyu Hands’ stationery section are an utter delight. If decorative stationery doesn’t interest you, there is an array of sensible home and kitchenware such as kettles and baking trays as well. Among these finds, the most popular Japanese-designed items in Japan have now been brought to Singapore, including stationary, kawaii items, well-designed travel ware, unique household items, innovative and safe beauty products, and much more. The Vecua Honey line of beauty products, such as hand creams, can also be found at Tokyu Hands @ Westgate.
Pin down re-decorating ideas
Orchard Road is abuzz with excitement over Tokyu Hands from Japan’s newest branch – are you ready to lay your hands on great items at great prices? The hype and the hubbub were intense when Tokyu Hands’ first branch opened at Westgate. It felt like a precious facet of Japan had been brought to our shores, and we couldn’t get enough. The hype continues with the newest branch of Tokyu Hands having opened at Orchard Road. The next wave of innovative, made-in-Japan products are here for you to discover and to bring back home!
Tokyu Hands’ slogan “Here is Hint Market” means it hopes to provide you with hints or ideas, on how you can enrich your life with its extensive variety of merchandise. When you enter Tokyu Hands, you’ll be inspired in a thousand different ways!
Get your purses ready! Orchard Branch Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, #B1-07, Singapore 238896 Opening From: 20 Nov 2014 Opening Hours: 11am-10pm See you there!
Vichy Thermal Spa Water, already known for its regenerative and soothing properties, has a new power: By opening the inter-cell gateways, it allows active ingredients to circulate in each facial zone. Hyaluronic acid will bring needed water to skin while maintaining long-lasting hydration by reconstructing the barrier function. Available at departmental stores.
Stila This set is curated from Stila’s popular beauty essentials, including deluxe Lip Glazes in Apricot, Grapefruit and Majesty and an Eye Shadow Trio in Gilded. It also comes with a gorgeous BaubleBar Rose Gold Pave Drop Bangle and $10 gift card to baublebar.com. Available at Sephora.
Braun Face lets you enjoy two treatments with one device – simply switch attachments. Precisely remove facial hair by the root with the facial epilator or cleanse skin pore deep with the facial brush. The sleek and compact design of the Braun Face lets you handle it like a mascara for absolute control and precision. It removes hairs from the root for up to four weeks of hair-free skin. Available at departmental stores By Nicole Lee
NOVember 28 - DECEMBER 4, 2014
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SHOPsavvy
home inspirations
Get ideas for transforming your home
T
he owner of this spacious Urban Resort condominium apartment loved what Ciseern did for his first home. So when it came to the design of his second property, which he intended to rent out, he handed the design reins over to Ciseern once more. The result is a clean and simple home that acts as a blank canvas for the tenants to fill in over the years. At the same time, Ciseern showcased its flair for design with distinct focal points throughout the home.
weekender.com.sg
Piece
By Piece
Our popular segment returns to bring you more creative ideas for your home
Naturally Spacious
One of the biggest advantages of this apartment is its expansive floor space. The living room, dining room and kitchen have all been kept open for a natural flow of air and light. “The apartment is quite big, so we felt like we should respect the spaciousness by keeping the interior clean and organic,” said one of the designers. The original layout came with an open kitchen and it was incorporated into the design as an extension of the living spaces.
The art piece features angular facets that jut out to create a unique 3D effect with mirrored surfaces that provide the showstopping factor in this home.
Mirror, Mirror Despite opting for a simple design in this home, Ciseern wanted to bring a “wow” factor that would leave a lasting impression. This takes place on the wall next to the dining area. Instead of the ubiquitous mirrored wall, the designers placed a three-dimensional structural art piece against a mirror backing. This wall looks into the dining room, living room and kitchen, becoming a focal point in this home.
Blank Canvas The design team wanted to create a blank canvas for the new homeowners to personalise over the years. As such, a monochromatic colour palette was employed. The feature wall is clad in a striking highgloss black laminate. Though eye-catching, the feature wall easily serves as an easy backdrop to work with should tenants decide to bring in decorative ornaments.
home makeover tips
Prints, patches & patterns Winning Whimsical Textile manufacturer Roselle Mont-Clair welcomes the spring season with a collection of fun and gorgeous textiles with the theme “Serendipity”. One of our favourite prints is called Whimsy, a 100 per cent linen fabric with intricate prints in four colour ways. Whimsy linen collection, price on enquiry, From Roselle Mont-Clair
Connecting Rooms
Go For Gold
The benefit of having such a large floor area is that every bedroom has its own attached bathroom. The master bathroom in particular, is very spacious and, with its elegant design, wouldn’t look out of place in a fivestar hotel.
The bedroom features a metallic luxe theme, with shades of gold, copper and creamy beige on the floor, walls and furniture. The wall above the bed, in particular, has been given special attention. Padded headboards rise up to the ceiling, looking luxuriant clad in cream-coloured synthetic leather with a subtle gold shimmer. By Redzman Rahmat
Flower bunch
Article first published in Lookbox Living #36 May/Jun 2014
These cheerful canisters will bring a perky pop of colour to your kitchen counter top. They’re decked out in Orla Kiely’s signature patterns so you know they’ll look fabulous whether they’re filled with tea leaves or coffee beans.
Lookbox Living #39 is out now! Available at major bookstores and news stands. For more interior projects, visit www.lookboxliving.com.sg
Orla Kiely Poppy canisters, $59 for a set of three, from Robinsons
All Patched Up When the comfort and quality of Artifort furniture meets the iconic fabrics of Missoni Home, we’re left with the inspired Patch lounge chairs. Artifort Patch lounge chairs, $1,615 upwards, from XTRA
NOVember 28 - DECEMBER 4, 2014
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TRAVELation
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Travellers’ essentials for shooting great photos
#5 Continuous Shooting for Optimal Photos The Canon PowerShot SX60 HS
#2 Advanced Zoom Framing Assist lock The Advanced Zoom Framing Assist Lock allows high-speed zoom photography without losing quality in the shots. Lock on a perfect view and safely click away without worrying about blurry or poorlycomposed shots. What a helpful feature!
Getting ready to travel? Here are 5 tips for the Canon PowerShot SX60 HS to enable you to take great travel photos Where are you thinking of going this holiday? I would love to head to Albuquerque in North America. Imagine being able to take photos and selfies at the beautiful locations that inspired the scenes of the Disney film “Up”. If my camera fails on me halfway on my travels, I would feel as though my world has turned upside down! But I trust my Canon PowerShot SX60 HS to be reliable and to give me great photos to save as beautiful memories. Here are five tips for getting fantastic photos with the Canon PowerShot SX60 HS:
#1 Maximise the Use of your Zoom The handy Canon PowerShot SX60 HS boasts the longest camera zoom in its
Many people like to take photos while in the car or coach. Sometimes, it is spontaneous – there is a view outside the window that you want to capture – and you have little time to respond to what you see. With 6.4fps continuous shooting, you can track the movement of interesting subjects who pass by, such as colourful street performers or cute animals! Now you’ll easily have better photos of your trip that you can treasure as memories to last a lifetime. Please visit www.canon.com.sg to find out more.
#3 Wi-Fi & NFC capabilities
The powerful zoom on the Canon PowerShot SX60 HS allows you to capture the view from anywhere you are – simply extend the zoom!
category, from a wide 21mm to a farreaching 1365mm (35mm equivalent) zoom. This is wonderful when you have many picturesque sights to choose from to shoot fantastic photos. For instance, you could hop on a hot air balloon in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and capture every single hot air balloon detail, or the scenery on the ground, wherever you are.
The Canon PowerShot SX60 HS allows a seamless, user-friendly interface for use with smartphone apps. You can capture a photo with the Digital Compact Camera, transfer it to your smartphone via Canon CameraWindow and upload it onto your social media accounts in an instant!
#4 Be in Full Control For the semi-pro or budding photographer, the Canon PowerShot SX60 HS is also excellent for full control. With its selection of control buttons, you can decide on and customise your own ideal settings. No more hopelessly toggling with the macro auto-mode function!
PHOTO TIP Canon CameraWindow App
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DO make sure to download the Canon CameraWindow app and ensure that you are able to connect your Canon PowerShot securely before you head out on your photo walks.
NOVember 28 - DECEMBER 4, 2014
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TRAVELation t r a v el f eat u r e
Victoria Lipov / Shutterstock.com
Hallstatt Village, Austria
Frankfurt, Germany
Istanbul Turkey
Prague, Czech Republic
New York City, USA
Looking like the town of Arendelle from the movie Frozen, Hallstatt Village rests peacefully at the base of snowy mountains on the shore of the Hallstätter Sea. It’s the perfect winter haven many of us dream of visiting, especially during this season. And Hallstatt knows this – which is why it is packed with numerous winter activities for those lucky enough to visit. Come Christmas, Hallstatt will be populated with traditional Christmas markets, snowshoeing itineraries, and parades that keep its residents joyous all through December. From munching on cookies and smoked fish to taking a romantic torchlit walk through the town, wintertime in this village is truly a complete Christmas experience.
Every year-end, Frankfurt plays host to one of the largest Christmas markets – or Weihnachtsmarkt – in Germany. It sees record-breaking visitor numbers, as revellers flock here from around the region and even the world. What draws them? Take your pick: The mesmerising carousel, elaborate booths and shops, and a giant Christmas pine tree, cuddled by the historical Paulsplatz and backed by the scenic Römerberg. And visitors don’t have to be afraid of getting overwhelmed. The Christmas market offers tours and weekend packages, so you can experience the village without worrying about missing out on the best sweets and savouries
Although most Turks don’t celebrate Christmas, they still dress their city to the nines for the season. These decorations are actually to usher in the New Year, but many Christmas-themed ornaments can be found. From mid-December, the streets are lined with stores and statues donning festive furnishings like lights, deer, and even Santa Claus. And there is no inundation of carols and commercial ads to bother you here. The best part is, because the celebration isn’t technically for Christmas, everything remains open! So, you can still visit museums, stores and tourist sites during this period. You can still celebrate if you’d like – there are a number of churches in Istanbul that hold Christmas mass in English, Italian or Turkish.
If you’re captivated by Orchard Road’s Christmas light-up, you’ll be astounded by Prague’s Christmas decorations. The Old Town Square at the heart of the city is transformed into a bustling market, much like Frankfurt’s Weihnachtsmarkt. Every day from end-November until mid-January, the stores are open in full sparkling grandeur. These brightly-decorated wooden huts sell almost everything – from handicrafts to traditional foods and drinks. Warm up over a mug of Czech beer or mulled wine as you feast on spit-roasted hams, sausages, and sugar-coated pastries. The market even has an animal stable, where you can pet sheep, goats, and a donkey amid a giant Bethlehem manger scene. Now that’s the true spirit of Christmas!
For the city dweller, perhaps traipsing in an urban environment is your idea of an idyllic Christmas. Well, where better to do so than in the city of dreams? From extravagant adornments and trimmings to the warmth of the metropolitan crowd, New York City has everything to make a perfect Christmas holiday. You can even find smatterings of ice skating rinks within this concrete jungle, and get cosy over a warm cup of pumpkin spice latte. And, of course, who can forget the winter sales? Now that’s an allrounded Christmas getaway! Just don’t forget that Christmas is the season of giving, not hoarding.
By Pamela Chow
L OW- C O S T G E TAWAY S If you need a short holiday but your budget for your flight is around $100 or less, look no further Don’t miss out on these promotions for budget airlines and low-cost carriers.
Misty morning at Ranu Pane Lake in Tumpang Surabaya, Indonesia
Aleksandar Todorovic / Shutterstock.com
TK Kurikawa / Shutterstock.com
Surabaya – House of Sampoerna
Kuala Lumpur – Jalan Alor
From $79, Jetstar. Promotion ends when sold out
From $44, Jetstar. Promotion ends when sold out
Without a doubt, House of Sampoerna is the city of Surabaya’s pride among all other tourist attractions. Built by Indonesia’s most famous cigarette company, the old Dutch colonial building has now been converted into a factory and a museum.
Kuala Lumpur is a city not lacking in history and culture, and one can look forward to world-renowned sites such as the Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur Bird Park and more. A real treat for street food lovers, Jalan Alor offers the freshest and most authentic seafood and other local delights.
Manila – Fort Santiago From $108, Jetstar. Promotion ends when sold out From tall skyscrapers to the most majestic of old buildings, Manila has it all in her backyard. One of many sites not to be missed when in Manila is Intramuros’ Fort Santiago. Backed by the history of the Spanish, immerse yourself in the country’s amazing history and architecture. All prices are correct at time of printing.
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Bucket List
JAPAN
Exceptional ideas to experience in your lifetime
Cuddle with hundreds of cute bunnies
A video of a tourist getting swarmed by Okunoshima rabbits was uploaded to YouTube and went viral
Be smothered with joy on the famous Rabbit Island
Kawaii Paradise
Okunoshima is populated with countless wild rabbits, who gladly welcome tourists to their home
Why spend Christmas anywhere else when you could be cosying up with hundreds of adorable rabbits on Rabbit Island? Okunoshima, also known as Usagi Jima (“Rabbit Island”), is a bunny island paradise lying on the Inland Sea of Japan off the city of Takehara in Hiroshima Prefecture. Although the rabbit population here is feral, they are rather tame and will happily approach humans for interaction. Being surrounded by such fuzzy creatures might be the most joyous way to celebrate Christmas, or any day for that matter!
Mutant Rabbits? Rabbit Chase These hundreds of cute rabbits can be found all over the island. They roam the paths, hide in the forests, hop after tourists, and just lounge around in the sun. If you visit, you can buy food to feed the rabbits at the visitor centre. Just be prepared to be chased by scores of these adorable balls of fluff – not that it would be a bad thing! Potential predators – such as dogs and cats – are banned from Okunoshima to protect the bunny population from harm.
It is believed that the swarms of bunnies hopping about on Okunoshima today are the descendants of chemical war survivors. During World War II, Okunoshima housed a poison gas factory – one of the key chemical weapons production sites in Japan at the time. Rabbits that were used for testing were euthanised after the war but eight rabbits were rumoured to have been released by schoolchildren in 1971. Whether or not this is true, the island is now overrun by these fluffy balls of cuteness, and they appear to be pretty normal and healthy (and not mutants).
Besides hitting a high on the kawaii (“cute”) meter, Okunoshima also houses a popular resort with hot spring baths, a small golf course, camping grounds, and other amenities. The island is bordered by beautiful beaches where you can lounge with a rabbit, or a dozen. If you’re curious about the history of the island, there are tours that bring you to the derelict poison gas facilities, military ruins, and the poison gas museum. The smile-inducing bunny population is the perfect counterbalance to the island’s dark history. After visiting the museum, feel free to comfort yourself with oodles of cuddles from the cute little critters. Getting smothered by lovable rabbits is now on top of my bucket list! By Pamela Chow
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