since I'm usually the one organizing activities (in that three respects)
Ok, I bragged a little there. Don't ever trust me on the drinking part. Can't tell a can of coke from a can of beer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpatokal
Why so? It's touristy
Precisely. I can’t imagine visiting Boston and not going to Legal Sea Foods for seafood or visiting Buffalo without going to Anchor Bar for buffalo wings. As for taste, the reason, being a rather subjective one, is that a nyonya told me so. And hence, I’m sold.
Quote:
Originally Posted by opushomes
The other serious consideration is whether the style will please the palate of the majority of the attendees.
Your suggestion of Jumbo at the end of the Changi Runway sounds interesting (can they handle a group of 40-50?) and it is probably easier to call taxis to that location or even to find them there than at East Coast.
Chomp Chomp is way too far away for the late arrivals to meet up with us.
Peranakan cuisine is a mix of Chinese and Malay cooking styles. Most out west are familiar with the former and less so for latter. Hence, the concern raised is very valid. That is a reason why the Swissotel place was thrown in as a viable option. It offers buffet spread in three cooking styles – paranakan, local and international. That should have everyone covered. And the other thing about buffet lunch/dinner is that the attendees get to mingle around. Yak a little on your way to the buffet spread, and chat a little on your way back to the table.
On that note, I was initially thinking the best thing to do is a local thing similar to the 4th July backyard party - BBQ at east coast. That was the reason why I was checking on the NSRCC as they have bungalows for rent and you can do a DIY BBQ on its front yard or balcony in the event of rain. Sambal stingray, prawn, squid; satay; otah; chicken wings; and of course hot dogs.
And the search led to the discovery of Jumbo at Changi, which I didn’t know it exists. Have yet to make a trip the Jumbo there. But I would imagine any seafood restaurant can easily host 40-50 guests. On second thought, holding the dinner by the pool might be a challenge. One possible option might be having a pre-dinner drink by the pool and do some bird-watching or just a casual stroll by nearby beach; before heading back to the air-conditioned restaurant for your dinner. Transportation could be a major challenge. But I noticed some folks were quite resourceful in previous DO's. And if you book a bus/van to bring all from city area to the restaurant, then it might be a reasonable option.
Chomp Chomp is indeed quite out of place. Was hoping with the opening of Lorong Chuan MRT Station (it’s up and running as of today), it would be more accessible. From the online map, it apparently is still quite a distance. Again, haven’t done a ground reconnaissance yet. So looks like the group is still stuck with Newton Circus (I blame it on gravity), which I doubt would be a problem as you folks seem to know the place inside out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mahasamatman
By the way, are you in?
I'm sorry that I can’t confirm at this point in time, as my boss is trying to send me elsewhere to brush up on my backward driving skill.
Quote:
Originally Posted by szg
This is a really good find, what the DO is about !!
Have to clarify on one thing. The methodology used here is simply a search on previous threads to gauge the general outline of a DO, make a wild (maybe wildest) guess on what the masses’ interest might be and using what I’ve gathered in my small little database I carry around above my shoulder to dish up those suggestions for discussion and maybe consideration. (I’ve to stress that I have a rather small processor and the database is still undergoing a rebuilding process.) Hence, they are mere suggestions to get the ball rolling.
But in any case, if it is helpful to anyone to tap into the paltry database to plan the event or your personal visit, feel free to send me a PM.
1. As the contrarian, I can imagine going to Boston and never stepping into the over-priced and mediocre Legal Seafood Restaurants. Much better and more reasonable seafood is available there.
2. No need to do a reconnaisance of Jumbo NSRCC. A simple telephone call provided the following information. It is capable of handling a group of 40-50; the restaurant capacity is 280. They have to call taxis to take people back to the CBD but Jennie says that it is much easier than at East Coast. Apparently the Safra Resort has a 44 person shuttle bus that runs on an unknown schedule to the closest MRT station (I could not understand some of her Singlish so did not get the name) (It appears to be Tanah Merah according to http://www.sgwiki.com/wiki/Shuttle_Buses ). They will not accept the Jumbo Discount Card for a group larger than 5 unlike the Clarke Quai and Riverside Point locations. Logistically the two along the river are much easier in terms of a group of our size which is why we did not go to East Coast last year as originally planned.
3. Buffets vary in quality. Therefore this poster is not a fan of them except for breakfast. Freshly prepared food is preferable, but obviously YMMV. Don't worry, the group has always managed to talk and then talk some more before, during and after dinner.
4. The Hawker Centre meet occurs after midnight. MRT is out since it does not run particularly late, which leaves taxis. That's why Newton is much better than expected because all the tourists are either in their beds or wandering around the river. Last year the place was almost exclusively locals.
Clothing: even if you provided me a Batik shirt gratis, I doubt you would appreciate the result. No Batik for me.
I can’t imagine visiting Boston and not going to Legal Sea Foods for seafood or visiting
Buffalo without going to Anchor Bar for buffalo wings. As for taste, the reason, being
a rather subjective one, is that a nyonya told me so. And hence, I’m sold.
Oop, your credibility took a dive ... Legal is fine, if you don't have time to
find something interesting (or at Logan, where it is the best choice). The
Anchor is like a millstone round my neck - I feel obligated to go there
when in Buffalo, and each time I feel more buffaloed (the first time I went
there, in the '70s, before the Sterns I think, it was fine).
Logistically the two along the river are much easier in terms of a group of our size which is why we did not go to East Coast last year as originally planned.
Having done every SIN DO except for one, I can attest that the in town location of this year's dinner was easier to do for many than either Geylang or East Coast. It is convenient, does NOT require transportation as the others have, and allows for everyone to get there under self power. My vote is to continue THIS tradition.
Quote:
Originally Posted by opushomes
That's why Newton is much better than expected because all the tourists are either in their beds or wandering around the river. Last year the place was almost exclusively locals.(
I have always had the same experience w/r/t Newton. I have not had the misfortune of seeing tour busses full of tourists there, so perhaps my perspective is jaded.
Dave
Was trying to break away from a re-visit to previous year's locations. And tried to inject a bit of variety by suggesting cuisine ranging from current locals' favorite (peranakan) to all-time tourists' favorite (seafood); and restaurants from way out in the east (Jumbo) to that way out in the west (Raffles Marina). But I guess my wildest guesses all served me wrong. My only consolation is that, at the very least, the ball is now rolling and my tummy rumbling.
If there is a long standing tradition with a particular spot, then that tradition should be kept.
Quote:
Originally Posted by violist
Oop, your credibility took a dive ...
A quick glance to the left and you would have noticed my post count is suggesting I'm starting on a near-zero credibility. No diving, so said the lifeguard.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SanDiego1K
pfffffffttttt!
You can show us your picture in batik first.
I look equally bad in a regular shirt or a batik shirt. So I'll save the rest the agony of seeing that horrific sight.
Was trying to break away from a re-visit to previous year's locations. And tried to inject a bit of variety by suggesting cuisine ranging from current locals' favorite (peranakan) to all-time tourists' favorite (seafood); and restaurants from way out in the east (Jumbo) to that way out in the west (Raffles Marina). But I guess my wildest guesses all served me wrong.
In fairness, your suggestions are GREAT. One thing about SIN DO is that it is generally a very unstructured event - with many 'groups' of people doing what they want all weekend. The Friday night meet and the dinner on Saturday have traditionally been the only structured events.
As a result, I anticipate that you could EASILY get takers for your excellent ideas at times other than Friday nite/Saturday nite. Lunch on Saturday would be a good example.
In any event, your insight is appreciated and I hope that we have the chance to meet in SIN!
Best wishes, Dave
Was trying to break away from a re-visit to previous year's locations. And tried to inject a bit of variety by suggesting cuisine ranging from current locals' favorite (peranakan) to all-time tourists' favorite (seafood); and restaurants from way out in the east (Jumbo) to that way out in the west (Raffles Marina). But I guess my wildest guesses all served me wrong. My only consolation is that, at the very least, the ball is now rolling and my tummy rumbling.
bseller echos my thought process. I suggest that we go to Jumbo Riverside http://www.jumboseafood.com.sg/special_branch05.html which subjectively based upon chili crab, cereal prawns and frog's legs has better food than last year's Clarke Quai location. It also has more room since it looks like we may have more attendees than last year. The room at Clarke Quai was nice but it was near capacity. Unless something has changed, they will still honor the Jumbo Card for the entire group which reduces the overall cost by 10%.
Actually none of us have formally welcomed you and your quite cogent suggestions. Yes, you have met a couple of the "grande dames" of FT over dinner. It is great to have a native on the ground since much of the previous years limited planning (the key here is limited planning since this is a free flow event which is why it is so well-attended IMHO) was done long distance. I for one thank you for the suggestions and thoughts. I was going to PM you after your kind offer to help, but will do it here.
On Friday night we need a comparatively quiet, fairly inexpensive, comfortable, with adequate seating for, lets say 20, venue for the early arrivals to meet before the Hawker Centre. The time frame would be approximately 9-11:30 p.m.
One year we met at the lobby bar of Le Meridien, now branded as the Concorde, 100 Orchard Rd. Someone needs to physically visit to see if the bar is still there, the sofas are still in the area, a bartender is available during the necessary hours and would they welcome a group who probably are not going to stay at their hotel. Would you consider taking on this task or perhaps coming up with an alternative. Just remember most of this group is not into loud music, $S17 beers and tobacco smoke, so please plan accordingly.
A quick glance to the left and you would have noticed my post count is
suggesting I'm starting on a near-zero credibility.
Credibility and post count have little to do with each other. There are
posters here with tens of thousands of posts whose palate and good
sense I would never dream of trusting.
Anyhow, it's clear that you are a gentleperson of a certain amount of
taste - but limited experience, especially on the east coast of the US.
Anyhow, it's clear that you are a gentleperson of a certain amount of
taste - but limited experience, especially on the east coast of the US.
Since I've had the pleasure of meeting the delightful TowTruckDriver and learning a bit of his story, I'm laughing at this. Then, again, do grad students ever leave their labs?
