Month of December 2024

Updated finance page.

https://drinkingspot.blogspot.com/p/finance-sharing.html

It's a last burst of energy to cross into 2025. I took in four rounds of golf (one local, three in JB), met friends over dinner and brought the kids for their dental checkup. The two younger sons also needed to get new uniforms. This came after the school posting result was announced and we were so happy that they could be together in the same school. My morning schedule has also been resolved. A trip to my alma mater for the next four years before going to work.

There was a reacquaintance with a dear restaurant which used to be one of my go to place for an escape from the city. Previously, it was at Portsdown Road and if my memory is right, my first time dining there was about 15 years ago. The dimly lit road leading onto the steps and veranda remains with me, along with one of the brothers who is part owner and led the service crew. All was well until our urban planners then decided this rustic locale needed to make way for the development of Mediacorp city. So when Pietrasanta moved to One North, I didn't tag along as the vibe got lost. By chance, a friend suggested and I gladly accepted the invitation. On a weekday night, we were seated outside, facing the main road. The person serving us was an old staff at the former premise. I remember him. None of the brothers were around, perhaps I just didn't see them. Nevertheless, the food quality remained top notch and I received news that they have a smaller outlet (serving set menu only) on the second floor of Fusionopolis. While I have no complaints over how the evening unfolded, the new facade didn't impress enough.

In mid month, we left for Taiwan on a ten day holiday trip with two family of friends. It was an important downtime for us to just leave work aside and indulge in new explorations of places, food and pleasure. As there's too much happenings, I will record these in a separate post later.

Tip: Tramin Sauvignon Blanc 2019, lemon with a good touch of grass and guava, medium body and finish

Month of November 2024

Updated finance page.

https://drinkingspot.blogspot.com/p/finance-sharing.html

There was nothing more important this month than the release of PSLE results. One week prior, the youngest son's school held a celebration and farewell ceremony for the graduating cohort. That was a first as the other two sons did not get the same send-off. It was a nice touch as each form teacher spoke about his/her class before a video montage, with some student performances in between. Later, as I told my son, this also marked the end of my decade of morning school ferry service for this alma mater. It gave me great satisfaction as I watched my boys transform from mini tots to young men, standing below my waist then, till past my shoulder. Nevertheless, we still had to go back to school for results day. Our whole family went out to give full support. It didn't go exactly the way I envisioned. As we arrived, the parking in school was full, so they alighted while I waited outside the school gate, hoping to squeeze my way in. Then, the guard shut the gate and waved me off despite being first in line. I got a little anxious as I couldn't attend the principal address with the subsequent result slip handout and capture the son's moment. The driver of the car behind came over. It was my primary two form teacher! "Hi, Mrs M", came my greeting. She needed to get into school and advised me not to wait. So I reversed and made my way to a nearby parking area before walking back in double steps. Barely five minutes in, I was waiting to cross the traffic light when my wife called. The event was over! So it was there that I received them and saw the long awaited figures. The youngest son had scored the same as his second brother. What a joy! It was what I had hoped for. Giving him a hug, I let out, "Yes, you did it!" The credit goes to my wife for encouraging and putting him through intensive practice. All the effort paid off and we were proud parents in completing the primary school journey.

Over two weekends, my wife and I attended a couple of wine warehouse sales. One was at Pivene and the other at Cornerstone Wines. Delightfully, there were samples to try at the former and we were treated to some really tasty and good value ones. Even for novices, one could tell the good and great ones apart. Such was the apparent difference and the price tags showed. In total, the spending came to about $1000 and would be savoured during the festive period.

I invited ten friends for dinner at my place, intending to cook instead of buying the usual takeaway. On that morning, a trip to the wet market was made to get the freshest arrivals i.e clams, prawns and fish. Then a detour to the butchery for beef where I eyed two pieces of angus ribeye. However, the counter staff suggested that due to the big group, it was better to get a bigger quantity. He took out a 2kg slab of wagyu picanha and confidently pitched it as tastier than my choice. The price per kg was also cheaper. I was hesitant about the cooking method but decided to try it. Everyone enjoyed the tenderness and surprisingly non-oily texture. Complemented with a beautiful cabernet, the meal was elevated to an upper level. I am a new convert to this beef cut.

Tip: Glenfiddich 26 Years Grande Couronne, lavender and raisin, smooth and delicate

Month of April 2024

Updated finance page.

https://drinkingspot.blogspot.com/p/finance-sharing.html

School just started for my eldest son at SIM. He's enrolled in the Management Foundation Study program which would eventually lead to a diploma and degree. For now, he's keen to get into accountancy. I recall my own study journey with fond memories and wish to be of help later on in finance related topics. The student mix is rather interesting; at least 50% foreigners from a variety of nationalities and they usually have to enroll for a language course previously. For the local males, they had either completed NS or ITE. So, that makes my son the youngest in the cohort. Talk about a small fish in a big pond! Good luck boy, may you prosper in the environment and enjoy the experience.

Was it a surprise when Singapore announced the PM transition decision? My sensing is, the timing is appropriate which gives the incoming PM options to explore. Therefore, depending on internal and external environmental factors, the ruling party could call an election a) as soon as possible if something major happens eg war events escalating to a severe level or b) after the National Day rally and up until next year if required. Meanwhile, the list of candidates to fill the various ministerial positions will be deliberated and careful considerations on which voting areas to deploy them. The objective is surely to win all seats but strategic actions must be taken to account for potential losses to opposition parties. This will be one of the earliest and important tests the incoming PM and his team must pass.

On a drizzly morning, I was on usual duty to send the kids to school. We were travelling on a downward sloping portion of CTE when the car in front of me braked suddenly. In response, I did the same and there was adequate safety distance to prevent a collision. But the driver behind didn't manage to do. My bumper got damaged as it sustained several cuts and scratches. Fortunately, none of us was injured. The next two days, I was trying to negotiate a private settlement with the other party but unable to reach a compromise after a series of checks with our workshops. So I had to file an insurance claim and it's now pending settlement.

In between my business travels, I managed to find time to visit some restaurants. This month, I tried lunch at Capasso and Ling Ling, afternoon drinks at Orh Gao Taproom and dinner at Dosukoi X Donpachi and Kura Oyster Highball Bar. Perhaps it was a lucky month as all of them were really good in their domain. Now, I have a few more places to go during odd hours such as 2pm or even 2am!

Tip: Almaviva 2017, herbaceous fruity notes, decent length, already good yet can wait a few years

Month of January 2024

Updated finance page.

https://drinkingspot.blogspot.com/p/finance-sharing.html

Without fail, a new year is a much celebrated event as everyone attempts to forget the old and refresh the current state. I was home having dinner with friends and indulged in some good wines, with beef and pizzas complimenting as sides. It's amazing how conversations can flow for hours only to be punctuated by a glass refill. All you need are topics revolving around PTFS (Parenting, Travel, Food and Spouse). My kids were more enthusiastic about remaining awake for the countdown but in the end, none of us made it as we were in bed by 1030pm. I didn't even catch a glimpse of the television entertainment shows. 2024 welcomed me at dawn which hopefully brings a meaningful reset in another year of my mid life journey.

I was seated in a hall, next to my wife, and glanced straight ahead. There was a sea of blue and black. It was noisy as chatters rang out like bass concert music. One can hear it but cannot make out the words. The animated expressions received immediate reactions. Some were delighted faces, fingers cupping over their head, a number of shocked expressions or simply a clenched fist. Then, it was our turn. Seeing the lanky frame of my eldest son at the teacher’s desk, my heart beat really hard. He was about 20 meters away and walked towards us. Then the all important digits appeared. Two seconds later, there was a sense of relief. He had done better than expected for his ‘O’ levels! His decision in May last year paid off as Combined Science result was an A2. I gave a few pats on his shoulder and said, “Well done, Kor. This is great!” Around us, other parents continued their anxious wait. Inevitably, there were a few sobbing students who at that very moment, required no words but just a supportive arm. This was as nail biting as my time.

There were a number of events to highlight this month. The second son went on his 4D3N school adventure camp, came back sunburnt and flat out after canoeing, trekking and staying outfield. Most importantly, his attitude was positive. More good news was in store when the younger sons received their Edusave awards. Hopefully, such encouragement can spur the youngest one in his PSLE this year. My wish is for him to be in the same school as his second brother next year. I made a business trip to Selangor for a site visit and discussion on an old power plant that required maintenance. It's partly coal fired and budget was tight. Being environmentally friendly was not in consideration. Climate change will continue to hang around when state actors are oblivious to certain actions.

I probably over ate due to the following reasons. My family celebrated twice, one for good results and the other for the second son's birthday. My wife and I tried out new restaurants at Angie's Oyster Bar and Grill (for its cheap oyster deal) and Bistro Gaston (for something different). We also dined at past favourites such as Tapas 24 (happy hour drinks), Xiao Long Kan (good for value) and Chingu (bbq craving). Last but not least, the CNY lunches and dinners were in full swing.

Tip: Gallo Signature Cab Sav 2018, medium bodied, juicy and chewy tannin, fine expression

Month of August 2023

Updated finance page.

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Having lost a few kilos and trying to reduce more, I was thinking how to keep myself motivated. It's tough having to eat less so I rather burn more calories. That meant more and higher intensity activities. I did badminton with new friends and was breathless after an hour. Also tried new jogging routes near home and at Botanic Gardens. The furthest distance achieved was 4.7km and the cramps lingered for a couple of days. Walking was easy but the time efficiency value wasn't great. Among the various exercises, the most convenient was planking. It started with one minute in the morning after I wake up and then increased to two minutes at which I'm maintaining for now. The weighing scale remained stuck when compared to last month.

There were a number of meet ups with friends and business associates from overseas. Somehow, they managed to spread out and there was lunch/dinner appointment every week this month. In between, I visited Batam for site survey with two of them and stayed overnight. It's been such a long time since my last trip there and much changes were in store. New department malls, outdoor cafes and industrial developments sprouted everywhere. For a while, it felt like Singapore, where construction and road digging were part of the landscape. But there were also many empty storefronts and factories. Cost of living was affordable.

The best moment this month was to celebrate my wife's birthday. By some luck, we sneaked in last minute and watched the latest Mission Impossible movie at a Gold Class cinema. It's amazing how this franchise lasted so long and able to keep us captivated for almost three hours! Ethan Hunt will have to retire some day so let's enjoy while it lasts. Fortunately, I managed to refrain from visiting the restroom after restricting myself to a cup of ice lemon tea. Straight after, we went for dinner at Claudine. We already had fries and chicken wings earlier, so decided to manage the portions and ordered a pork terrine, tomato salad, cod and scallops. They came well plated like a garden and tasted delicious. The masterful technique was certainly a French culinary display, with the Ponderosa tomato dish a standout. Despite our full bellies, the meal rounded off with two desserts and a lovely digestif. Sometimes, we just have to indulge ourselves a little.

Tip: Iyo Kagiya Black Junmai Ginjo, nice aroma, mild candy floss and pear, supple finish

Month of March 2023

"Hey Pa, I bought something cheap in school today. Guess what?" 

My youngest son asked me as I picked him after school ended. He sounded excited and gesticulated five fingers at me. "$5?" I said, hoping to elicit more clues.

"Yup and it's something that's limited edition." Came his reply.

So my first guess was a pen since the only thing I could associate with was to do with stationery. Then I wondered aloud whether it was an edible snack. "Yes!", out came the hidden package and it was one of his favourite food, a chocolate bar. To me, it looked ordinary and then he explained this was the Mr Beast newly released merchandise only available in the US. Also, because of his good connection, his friend sold it to him at half price ($5), gave him additional discount to conclude the deal at $4.70. He was mighty proud when we reached home and proclaimed to his brother on his achievement while holding the bar aloft. I was amazed to see the look of the second son having that jaw dropped admiration. After lunch, they ripped the package and happily indulged in the moment, as if they were one of the first few people on the planet to experience it. I got offered a bite. It was fine. The marketing folks behind this did a good job making my sons really happy. I guess that's simple life pleasures.

There were other joyful moments during the month. A friend's wedding at Shangri La, reconnecting with a primary school classmate through sheer coincidence, a visit to Lawry's the Prime Rib after more than a decade and my wedding anniversary was celebrated at FLNT, a gorgeous looking restaurant with a sky view and matched by delightful Japanese Peruvian cuisine.

When you are on a emotional high, sometimes a reminder arrives to reset perspectives. I was out having dinner with my parents when the phone rang. My mum picked up, stepped aside and came back after a quick conversation. She calmly said, "Your Aunt C had passed away." Was that a mistake in hearing? She's after all only 68 and in the pink of health. The cause was colon cancer and that's all she heard. Immediately, I texted relatives to seek information. A cousin on business trip called from Thailand and tearfully confirmed it. Her funeral was slated two days later. Worse, we wouldn't be able to attend. Aunt C led a uniquely different life. She got married in her early twenties and reluctantly migrated to Australia under the request of her accountant Singaporean husband. When I was younger, my cousins and I would visit them during school holidays and it was during this period of time that I developed a fondness for nature through our adventures in parks, seas and mountains. Each visit could last up till a month and I enjoyed the family bonding in a foreign country, as well as appreciating the cool weather. Aunt C also made it a point to return to Singapore at times to catch up with friends and relatives. Her children were born and identified themselves as Australians but she never gave up her citizenship due to her strong attachment to home. However, even though she lived far away, various issues related to her parents, siblings and children occurred during different moments in her life. It was dramatic at times. Aunt C fiercely guarded her family and held the fort. She fought through and eventually settled herself to be a grandmother in her later life. The last time we met was about four years ago. Today, she's gone and while I respect her request for privacy, I just wished someone had given some hints on her health status. I, along with most of my relatives, was unaware of her secret struggle against stage four cancer over the past one year. She was beloved and will be very much missed. Farewell, Aunt C, you were amazing.

Tip: Louis Jadot Meursault 2019, a tinge of citrus harmony, vanilla and watermelon

Month of February 2023

Updated finance page.

https://drinkingspot.blogspot.com/p/finance-sharing.html

I'm sure many people tried and willingly spent effort standing in the hot sun, all for that improbable shot of winning. But it was in vain as three winners scooped the grand Toto prize for CNY. For days leading up to it, my colleagues and I bantered about what we'll do if we won. In a last minute action, we added more bets on the actual draw date using the convenience of the app and not joining the crazy queues. As per countless years, it turned out to be a dream and we didn't manage to submit our retirement letter the next day after results were announced. My wife later commented that none of the major Toto winners in previous draws had bought their tickets via app, suggesting that I join the masses in queue. I don't think so.

It was time to pick up tools and do some DIY at home. The kitchen light was changed, plants got repotted, leaky gaps were sealed, aquarium had a touchup and toilet seats were replaced. Now, it's waiting for the rainy season to stop before a little painting can be done. However, there was nothing I could do as my car tyre got punctured. The moment he opened the door, my son alerted me to a gushing sound. I thought about rushing to a nearby repair shop but the deflation happened too quickly. This was the second time within a year and I don't think it was by coincidence. Rather, there had been many renovation contractors moving in and out during this period of time and someone likely accidentally missed picking out the debris. I had to call in the mobile tyre repair service who arrived an hour later. A chatty young man appeared in a truck and did the patchwork in less than ten minutes. I was rather impressed by the well equipped vehicle as this was a one man repair shop on wheels. Paid him $70 and off he went for his eighth appointment of the day. It was 4pm, business must be going well, he told me the company had two trucks on the road at any time.

By some good fortune, I had the chance to visit two new restaurants. The first was Brasserie Les Saveurs for a weekday afternoon tea. The set came in a beautiful three tiered assortment of tarts, scones and cakes, served with a tea or coffee of choice. The taste, however, couldn't keep up to my expectation as I found them just ordinary, not one item but most. The calm ambience, aided by wonderful natural light and tall ceiling, did provide a little redemption. Don't think I'll be back unless someone invited. The second was Olivia Restaurant on a weekday night. The place was packed and specialized in one of my favourite cuisines, Spanish tapas. My friend and I ordered the jamon, octopus and beef cheek ragu, accompanied by a delectable Verdejo. This was meant to be a quick bite as we had a meeting straight after. We were done in 45 minutes and the impression left was a good one. Finally, to round off the gastronomic indulgence, my wife and I dropped by a stall that we patronized since school days. This was at the Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hoon. The owner was as usual, seated at the order counter with pen and paper in hand waiting for customers. He's obviously aged but looked fine and his sprightly voice confirmed it. The food was as delicious as before, underlined by years of dedication to his craft. Hopefully it's not another five years before I have this again.

Tip: Basa Blancos De Rueda 2020, lemon straw, light ham with a soft body

Month of September 2022

Updated finance page.

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It took a while and I finally broke the duck by embarking on a first business trip since Covid. Travelling to Jakarta with a colleague, we squeezed in an exhibition visit and eight meetings over three days. We adopted a new meeting concept where all were held in the hotel lounge so as to minimize road journey time and avoid the notorious jams. The only downside was there were not much meal options in the vicinity but we were fortunate to meet local friends who drove us out to malls and other eateries. The food experience was memorable. I tried Sup Buntut, various Nasi combinations, seafood and the all important Avocado juice. Spicy as they were, I enjoyed every bit until the payback came with a fiery toilet trip at the end of each day. Only managed to clock one gym session which meant the pants endured some buckle pressure. The airport and flight experience were smooth and felt the same as before. 

The SMEICC conference was held from 13 - 14 Sep at Suntec Convention Centre. I had the privilege to attend and hear sharings by various industry professionals on their respective views on exploring new trends and innovate towards a challenging future. The best takeaway was in regard to artificial intelligence (AI). To most people, the first impression is a complex, scary and yet exciting field of discovery. The key to manage this is to understand that AI needs good data to operate and can only manipulate what's given. The speaker offered his view on two areas which I found interesting. One, the humanoid AI robot depicted in movies is not coming any time soon because we must first crack the brain function code and that's not even close. Two, the jobs of the future cannot be scoped on manual or plain processing role such as warehouse packer or accounts management. An AI machine can compute faster and at a precision level that no humans can compete against. So we must make effort to understand machine learning, operate it and offer a creative and human touch. The biggest worry of a rogue robot comes not from its self learning but the bad actor behind the controls.

This month also saw a few meetups with old friends from secondary school, junior college and ex colleagues. People whom I have not met for six months to 4 years. Some spoke on their dealings with toddlers while some mentioned their intentions to get married. Such a spectrum of life hustles and we are mostly around the same age. One guy commented on the need to create new memories instead of reliving old ones which I totally agree. Now, there are two different groups of friends proposing an overseas trip next year. It's been such a long time since I travelled with either of them. Looks like something potentially exciting could happen!

I was about to regret my procrastination but fortunately the LKY musical dates were extended. My wife and I found a compromised schedule to spend a weekday night giving support to a local production. It was played to a packed theatre and for over 2.5 hours, we were touched by the stellar performance although we agreed the role of Mrs Lee could have been explored deeper. To end the night, we bought supper from a porridge shop in Chinatown that we had not visited for many years. The warm and velvety taste was reminiscent of our dating times while the kids were young and asleep.

Tip: Silverado Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, fresh, fruity and medium bodied. Ready to drink

Month of August 2022

Updated finance page.

https://drinkingspot.blogspot.com/p/finance-sharing.html

The month started with a visit to a physical event at the Asia Infrastructure Forum. The message from the various speakers is pretty clear; resource sustainability is at a critical point, not only for companies but also on individuals to put action into place. While progress has been very uneven, across countries and industries, more effort is required as we feel the heat of wildfires, droughts, inadequate drinking water and polluted air. I felt the awareness level was raised sufficiently and elevated our consciousness to be more prudent. What you can do starting today is to use less resource and use wisely, that would be a good first step.

I had the privilege to enjoy two new experiences, one for the wife's birthday and the other on a friend's recommendation. The first was a Japanese omakase at Sushi Yujo which I found by chance online. It's quite hard to find a reasonably priced set nowadays so I must commend the chef owner, Desmond, for being kind with his quality and well portioned servings. Apparently it's very popular and I think it deserved the high reviews. Perhaps I can go again when a new season arrives. The second was at Tong Xin Ru Yi Hotpot. What I liked about this restaurant is the clean premise, fresh food (I even had pig brains!), affordability and to sweeten it further, no corkage. Again, this is a crowded place and the only downside I can think of is the lack of parking lots in a super busy street. But I'll travel anywhere for good food and we are very blessed, living in a food haven.

In a rare occurrence, my wife took up golf lessons for the reason that she could play this as she aged. Considering her only form of exercise was grocery and window shopping, this was a complete reversal that I would never dream of. From her feedback, it seems like she's enjoying the coach's methods and with a friend alongside her, I guess it won't take long for both of them to be ready for the greens.

NDP was great! It's almost standard ritual to gather family and watch it on television. Instead of BBQ, we dined out at a cousin's place, indulging in tex-mex cuisine. I thought it was a long awaited celebration that we've been denied over the past two years. Kudos to the performers. I look forward to the NS Square concept that will take over the floating platform.

Tip: Tatenokawa Junmai Daiginjo Seiryu, mellow fruity, nice weight on the palate

Month of March 2022

Updated finance page.

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I took my Pfizer booster shot at the start of the month. The side effects (or lack of) were much better than earlier rounds, just a couple of days feeling tired and a sore arm. But if given a choice, I wouldn't have wanted this. My reasoning is, having been fully vaccinated, the consequence would be rather mild if I fall sick. That also helps in building natural immunity. Also, there were already many close contacts who had succumbed and recovered. When the drug companies announced findings to support a fourth booster shot or perhaps even regular annual shots, I could see the dollar signs in the eyes and nothing else.

For this post's recommended drink, it came from a new japanese restaurant that my wife and I visited. It's called Goku Omakase and located at Robertson Quay. For the price point and quality of food served, it's value for money and we were so full at the end of dinner. Nothing too fancy was served but it shouldn't take long before we are back again.

Perhaps the best uplifting news of the month was the government's announcements of relaxation of Covid measures. They came earlier and were better than I expected. While the travel lane is open towards Malaysia, I'm not so sure as to how the implementation will be like. Thus, it should be much later that any consideration for travel is revived.

Tip: Harukasumi Green Label Junmai Ginjyo, rich and flavorful, slightly sweet

Restaurant Adventures 1

Over the week, I visited 2 Spanish restaurants for the first time. They are "The Winery Tapas Bar" at Chijmes and "Binomio" at Craig Place.

Both offered comprehensive lists of food/wine selections and while the quality achieved my required standards, the more preferred place would be Binomio. From a price point of view, then The Winery comes to the fore. However, it's not a fair comparison since I tried different dishes at both restaurants and it's clear the crowd is different given the table settings. The Covid situation may be bad but I'm happy to see full seating and hearty orders of big meals plus drinks.

When dining out, it's not only the food and drinks that I look out for. Typically, I spend at least 2 hours in any restaurant and in that time, it gives me the chance to observe the crowd flow and provides an indication on how well the economy is doing on a whole. It shows whether domestic consumption is vibrant and purchasing power is strong. This is similar to how some economists view a country's development status eg the number of Starbuck outlets, tourist arrivals and toilet cleanliness. Uncommon indicators but nevertheless very useful in my opinion.

Tip: Comenge Criaza 2016 from The Winery, full bodied berry plum with vanilla

Month of September 2020

Updated finance page.

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It's been a rather uneventful month. Probably because work had left me feeling drained. Probably also because a dear friend of mine at my workplace left the company. Although I know he is moving on to better things, it will remain a regretful case of what-ifs. I sold him the company's prospect but it obviously fell short now. His supervisor couldn't get along with him and that was the cue to go. Like a Chinese saying, there comes a time when a gathering has to end. It's not the increased volume in webinars attended or zoom meetings but business activity is slow that I have to keep thinking of ways to motivate the team and make them feel gainfully employed. When the market condition is still overcast, it's difficult to talk positive while the back of the head keeps reminding, "The year is coming to an end, the time for tough decisions is near".

Fortunately, there were good distractions in the form of visits to new restaurants, Publico Ristorante and En Sushi. Both offer a comfortable and inviting ambience while being located in obscure locations. I mean, Singapore is so small but there are corners and roads one would not normally pass by unless for a specific intention. The menus are extensive and easily satisfy palettes that are looking for variety and sharing plates. The price is typical for their cuisines served and I would gladly go back if the occasion is right.

Tip: Hibiki 12

Month of July 2020

Updated finance page.

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The tug of war between stock market bulls and bears is looking like an epic is about to start. In a month, USD dropped almost 2%, Bitcoin rallied 18.5%, gold and silver rose while STI sunk 3.2%. Banks were told to reduce dividend payout amounts, some corporate results were really poor eg Keppel Corp and a dose of reality was offered by companies such as Capitaland on impending news. I'm going to adopt a long term view and hold on to my investments. If there are insensible price drops, I will add anything that can conceivably give back 4% or more, just to beat CPF interest rates. 

Now that the dining out scene is making a comeback, I finally got to try Kaiyo Sushi & Grill https://www.facebook.com/kaiyosushigrill/. It's located among a row of restaurants so competition must be tough. Having spotted it almost a year ago, I have always wanted to get in there until the wife's intervention. Turns out the food is good especially the grilled items (special mention that these appear so quickly on the table after you order!). If you are a fan of fish head and collar meat, then the choices here are more than enough and with good value too. I managed 3 visits in a month. However, news have appeared that the owner of the row of shop houses is looking to rebuild the piece of land. Hence, my joy at finding this little gem may be short-lived. 

Tip: Alma Mora Malbec, 2018. Full of berry plums and oakey taste stands out. Great with meats.

Month of June 2020

Updated finance page.

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The stock market is unbelievable. Even when Covid-19 cases continued to rise and re-emerge in some countries, people behave as if this was a footnote while egging on the indexes. From news outlets, I learnt many new brokerage accounts were opened and these retail investors probably had time on their hands to look at the markets.

Phase 2 in Singapore was implemented and the crowds gathered as expected. I chose to dine at Tuga (https://www.facebook.com/tugasingapore/), a portugese restaurant that served meats, pasta and potato. Interestingly, there were a number of eggs related dishes. I thought the roasted chicken was the highlight with tender pieces that slide open with a gentle pull amid well marinated sauce. Codfish was a little dry and picapau beef was slightly overdone. Everyone was after the potatoes that accompanied the mains. The manager had to nudge us to vacate and I understand the queue was healthily long. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.  

Life is also unpredictable. Two days ago, I received a message that an ex colleague committed suicide. Personally, I don't know him. He was a junior, we met maybe twice and our work locations were different. Still, there is a sense of sadness. By many accounts, he was a very likable character and left many stunned with no hint of the suffering he endured.

Half a year is gone just like that, people as well. Life, as with everything, is about balance.

Tip: Quinta Dos Carvalhais Alfrocheiro 2015, from Tuga above. Light to medium body, great freshness and smooth feel.