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Podi and Poriyal 3 May 2025

Kovil Vadai with palakottai hummus 

My son and I last Saturday went to dine at the Podi and Poriyal Restaurant off Sturdee Road North (486 Serangoon Rd) and I was very pleasantly surprised that I am vividly reminded of the early days of my youth (late 60s and early 70s) when my father brought my brother and I to savor Dosai (Masala and Rava) at the Komalavilas Restaurant beside the Rex theatre. My palette was wonderfully stimulated and I savoured all the dishes prepared by the chefs in this 20 odd seater restaurant.

I was transported back 55 or more years and all the memories of my Dad and us eating using our fingers with the dosai dished out on a banana leaf no less. The hummus, or chickpea dhal is my all time favourite condiment. I can eat it practically everyday. There are essentially 3 different types of dosai

a) Rava  (with potato and vegetables)

b) Masala (I believe its the same as a), but named differently

c)  Paper 

The fare is South Indian no less, and the dishes are fried for the most part. Rather unhealthy, and the liberal use of butter and ghee makes the fare, rather heavy going. 

We ordered the Railway Cutlets, which is I believe fried beetroot with breadcrumbs cover. Its extremely tasty and the picture is shown at the bottom.

My son then had the Butter Dosai which included a Sambar Roast potato set. It had 2 different Rava Dosais and potato on the side. I was so pleased with getting a taste of my old Indian breakfasts back in the 60s and early 70s, that I reminded myself that I would return one other time, at least. 

Kanchipuram Idli with Chutney

My 3 course set menu started with the Kovil Vadai with Palakottai Hummus. It was fried to excellence and I dipped into the hummus with great gusto. 

My main course was the Kanchipuram Idli and though it is rice patties, I was feeling rather full after just taking one of them.

Railway Cutlets 

The final piece in this amazing dining concerto was a chocolatey paste not too sweet and had a hint of licorice. Safe to say it was a suitable end to a totally enjoyable Indian culinary journey, at least for me.

My son had a bottle of Asahi Black. He didn't quite take to the selections of foods but he gamely ate his share.

Total bill price : S$ 115. (or US$ 85) for 2.

My review overall.

Food :   4.5 / 5  (you MUST like Dosai and the fried Vadais, its not for everyone)

Ambience : 4 / 5 (rather small restaurant)

Service    : 4 / 5  (informative and helpful waiters)

Overall    :  4.25 / 5.

Would I go again : "Yes".

Pricing : Well there are many cheaper South Indian restaurants along Serangoon road probably serving the same fare at 60% of the price. Be prepared to queue for at least 15 to 30 minutes before getting a table. 

Once you find seating, be prepared to sit in a rather noisy and confined environment if you venture to those restaurants.

Healthy Living Habits

 

                          Exercise is one of the healthy living habits I humbly advocate 

I am no expert, to be honest, in writing this post. However, through my observations over the years and talking to people who have aged spectacularly well, as well as garnering much information through all those live healthy life gurus through social media, the summary points of people who live long and have as healthy a life as possible are as listed and described below.

1. Sleep soundly  for 7 hours each night.

    Travel can and will disrupt sleep patterns, we all need the recovery from a hard day's activity and each person has different needs. In my case, I feel re-energised when I have at least 7 full hours of continuous sleep without the need to wake up and go to toilet. 

2. Drink 2 cups of water when I wake up. 

 Firstly it rehydrates me, as I snore and water loss overnight is replaced. The toxins will be flushed out as the first thing which enters the body in the morning is water. It might be even more helpful if I add a slice of cut lemon for my liver cleansing, and boost my immunity.

3. Sweating as much as possible.

Prepare an exercise regimen so that I can sweat out all the toxins from my body as quickly and as efficiently as possible. I run and walk for 1 hour at least 2 times, I also cycle once a week for 2 hours, and I train karate for 1.5 hour each week.

The body tends to get lazy as I age, so no excuse, I need to keep it moving and sweating on a regular basis. There is no alternative.

4. Eat as much fresh vegetables and fruits as I can

Eating in at home is the best way to control this. Eating out should be kept to a minimum.

5. Reduce intake of sugar, salt and MSG

Self explanatory. 

6. Moving my bowels at least once a day.

This is so important, as equally important as sleeping and drinking. I take a 30 billion capsule of probiotics for my gut health, and as all the health gurus out there state. A healthy gut, is a healthy mind and a healthy body.

7. Have a Purpose in Life

Aim to keep doing something good and remain relevant to society 

8.  Minimise Stress  

Easier said than done. 

9. Choose good quality friendships, so that we can uplift each other.

Develop friends who provide quality to my life, and I  try to reciprocate in kind.

In the end, it may result in me having fewer friends rather than going out and meeting and end up drinking unnecessarily. 

10. Reduce alcohol intake.

I'm trying ever so hard to kick a lifelong habit. Happiness can be created through other means by exercising and doing good deeds. Alcohol masks pain sustained from poor choices made in life. If you make a mistake at work and get admonished, many people go to the pub for a pick me up. If they win a big contract, they do the same thing. 

The fact of the matter is, alcohol is detrimental to your health. Large or small quantities.

I am trying ever so hard to reduce the so called 'binge drinking'. 

11. Reduce Ultra Processed Food. (Crisps, bacon, sausages) 

This is one tough battle, but I am determined to reduce the amount of snacks I eat. If I win this one, my body will thank me in the later good years to come. 

Carpe Diem ! 

  

Project Management 101

 

Over the course of almost 3 decades, I've gained invaluable work experience in the field of Environmental Simulation Test Chambers. In the last 10 years, my company has undertaken over 20 major and minor projects requiring Project Management and I have learnt the hard way of delivering what the customer expects, most of the time.

Locally or overseas, it is crucial to follow strictly the following steps and this post is a timely reminder to all the readers and followers of what, in my humble opinion, would constitute a seamless and smooth transition from order placement to project handover of single item equipment, to much larger pieces of combined systems in order to grow the company's revenue and reputation.

Risk Analysis

At the start of any project proper, do a thorough Risk Analysis of what the project entails before even providing the initial quotation. Ask yourself what are the prospective gains in terms of profits, and what is the very worse case scenario, that is, what the business can potentially lose if all hell breaks loose and nothing is delivered, and there is liquidated damages to pay to the client.

The steps normally taken in the project - be it for something as simple as a piece of equipment sale to much larger multiple equipment cum construction deliverables.

a) Quotations and Technical Submissions

b) Presentations

c) Shortlisting  

d) Acceptance of Project

e) Gantt Chart and Possible Timeline Changes

f) Payment Terms

g) Payment Progress balanced with Company Cashflow Needs

h) Audit / Initial /  Pre / Post buy off of the said equipment or deliverables

i)  Installation 

j)  Commissioning 

k) Handover and final Payment. 

Rule 1 of Project Management 

Know your company and your suppliers' capabilities 110%. Be very familiar with what you can safely provide and what would constitute a 50 / 50 design call. 

Rule 2

Commit less and Deliver more than what your client expected

1.Equipment quality

2.Performance deliverables

3. Shipment Timelines.

4. Timely aftersales support.

Rule 3

Collect as much upfront in payment upon order 

Rule 4

Establish close communication with the factory making the equipment and ensure all items are double checked and tested in the factory before the equipment is shipped out.

Rule 5 

Trust only your instincts and what you see first hand. We do regular audit checks in factory before shipout, to ensure compliance and reliability of the equipment are to the highest performance standards.

Rule 6 

Install and commission thoroughly and speedily. Leave nothing to chance. Check multiple times with the factory and when the equipment arrives. Ensure a thorough checklist is done before the machine is shipped out and shown to client upon arrival and run through the same checklist upon arrival at client's location.

Signoff with the client speedily.

Rule 7

Aim for High Profits and High Downpayment ; Pare these with the cashflow situation of the company. 

Rule 8 (new)

Do a complete project debrief after each and every project to see what went right and what can and must be improved for the next upcoming project. 

 

What is the true meaning of Home.

                                                   Tiong Bahru Market 13 April 2025 

3 May will be our election day. While the hustle and hubris is yet to come, I am reflecting at a time about my home for the last 6 decades. I have travelled to over 40 countries over the last 40 odd years since my mid teens to be sure. I have visited some truly amazing places, some with beautiful scenery, some amazing people, some with majestic architecture from 3000 BC till the mid 20th century, many with totally unforgettable experiences, the list is endless. However, I consider Singapore my home, even though the lure of the foreign lands is there. 

What constitutes home ?

I was born in Kandang Kerbau Women and Children's Hospital (at Middle Road) by Professor Salmon (Prof Yvonne Salmon was our family friend). I was born in the year of the Tiger at 6.42 pm on the 27th of November in the early 1960s.  

That was what it was stated in my birth certificate.

I was raised by Dad, Mum and Por Por (maternal grandmother) at 6 Adis Roa, Singapore district 9, in a sprawling colonial bungalow of around 40,000 square ft which now is part of a large condominium complex. In my earlier posts and on Youtube, I recall my childhood being filled with very carefree days with nary a thought of school homework (there was practically none), ECA, nor any study concerns. I happily coasted through those 6 years in primary school. More of my early years in later posts.

Getting back to this post's objectives. 

Home in my mind, and experience is the intuition or feeling that I truly belong in a place. That sense of belonging results from a culmination of setting up of the following :

> The present network of family, close friends made from school (my alma mater is Saint Andrew's), National Service, University and then after University through work or networking.

> The presence of family and the ties that bind, through marriage, through blood (father and mother). We are family though we may be spread all over the world. At last count, I have cousins in Australia, Norway, USA, Malaysia, Portugal, Thailand, Republic of Ireland, Hong Kong and of course Singapore. 

80% of my extended family reside in Singapore.

> The sinking of roots in buying an apartment, then a house and raising my family here.  

> The common experiences shared between me and my fellow Singaporeans who have walked the path from the tumultuous 60s (Singapore was a newly minted country with many challenges, both external and internal), the rapid socio economic development of the 70s - 90s and early 2000s is something only the Baby Boomers of my fellow citizens will experience and knowingly acknowledge that, yes, we went through it.  

> The tough National Service training every able bodied 18 year old Singaporean male has to serve for 2 and a half years.

> The pre University and University experience of studying in the Halls of Residences, taking the many examinations, the project works, the sleepless nights, 

> I had also the  additional super enjoyable experiences of representing the Nanyang Technological Institute in the  televised TV debates in 1984 and 1986 respectively against all the other tertiary institutes like, the 2 NUS teams, the National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore Polytechnic (2) and Ngee Ann Polytechnic (2) 

> The 30 plus years of working first in a small MNC then starting my own businesses (2), starting a family in Singapore, raising 2 sons, and the time goes by all with the unique Singaporean experiences in the form of challenges, some wins, many yearly family holidays (since 1997)

> All these experiences shaped me, my thinking and over time the bonding I had and have with the country of my birth. I have always and will always be a Singaporean. 

So what makes me say that this is home ? Well below are many instances of situations which subconcsiously remind me :  

If I'm hungry, and its lunch time and I want to have a decent meal, with the food tailored to my decades old palette, I am spoilt for  choice with literally close to 50 types of dishes I can choose from, from the nearby hawker centres, coffee shops, shopping centres with Food Halls normally in the Basement. 

A quiet drink at the patio 

If I wish to cook, then the fresh food markets like Tiong Bahru and Toa Payoh sell everything from the freshest crabs, cuttlefish, sea bass, grouper (at least 20 types), poultry, pork, beef, vegetables and fruits.

If I feel lethargic, I can go for a run at at least 6 different parks with beautiful pathways and views all over Singapore. On other days, I take a walk around my neighbourhood and come to a forest just 3 minutes, away. My cycling days are at least once a week at East Coast Park.

If I want company outside of family, I can reach at least a dozen mates who can and will have time to chit chat, at any of the member clubs, or the numerous night spots in Club Street and downtown.

Fine dining, Singapore is a food paradise for people with some money, its not cheap (over USD 100 per pax) but the cuisine is world class for many many top restaurants. Even some of our hawker stalls are Michelin Bib Gourmand level.

If I don't feel well, I have my family doctor whom I've known for 30 odd years at Coronation Clinic, and if I want an Eastern doctor, I know of 2 major setups all within 15 minutes drive (one in McPherson and one in Toa Payoh)

So, Home is the 

1. collection of relationships developed over decades.

2. the shared collective experiences of doing things together as a united people (football matches at the old National Stadium for one) 

3. the self aware feeling of "I am part of this scene"

4. some purchases such as an apartment or house and car.

5. the social / business network - transactional at least, and transactional plus some at best - which supports me as I go about my daily life. Some examples :

a) my family doctor

b) my car service mechanic

c) the network of SME owners whom we meet every 3 to 6 months

d) the clubs staff who tend to my requests for food and drink. (No I don't hang out at any regular bar at all)

5. The acceptance of the way things are done here and no where else in the world :

a)  the familiarity of 'how things work over here' - like 'choping' of tables with tissue packs

b) cleaning up after ourselves at hawker centres.

c) No eating or drinking inside MRT stations and trains.

d) No Littering

Funny, I can't describe the meaning of home in one sentence. I guess that is why home evokes a whole orchestral performance of emotions intertwined with some logical  reasoning of why I love my home.

Comments anyone ? 

Bistecca Birthday Dinner 12th April 2025

 

Macaroni and Cheese 

Yesterday we celebrated May's birthday at Bistecca Tuscon Steakhouse at 26 Mohammad Sultan Road. The 3 of us, Noel, myself and May ordered 2 steaks medium done and a series of starters which I must say is truly exceptional.

The exceptional starters are :

a) Octopus Grilled with Tomato paste (bottom picture). 

   My Rating : 5 / 5

  

I've eaten some amazing grilled Octopus dishes in Singapore, from the likes of Alati (Amoy Street), Bakkalaki (Merchant Road) and Blue Kouzina (Dempsey) just to name 3. We've also tried some wonderful grilled Octopus in Napfoli Greece in 2022 which will go down as the best we have ever tasted. 

I can safely say, this ranks with the best Octopus we have eaten in Singapore. 

The texture is a little crunchy outside, tender inside, and so flavourful all around, without any hint of fishy or  salty taste. The tomato pesto tastes great too.  

Broccoli and Bacon Bits 

Squid Ink  Lobster Pasta 

M/y Rating : 5 / 5 

This has got to be the best Squid Ink Pasta I have ever eaten, here or anywhere else in Europe. There are bits of lobster which surprises my palate with every bite. 

The texture is wonderfully soft, the taste is like no other, and the aroma of the cheeses, and some wine is evident with each bite. Truly a heavenly tasting dish which I would be happy to eat again and again. The price tag of  $ 48 ++ is on the high side. I believe the calorie counter will go through the roof too. 

Ribeye M5 400 g (left) and Wagyu M2/3 200 g 

The true test of any steakhouse is ,well, the steaks. We've travelled the length and breadth of Italy 3 times in the last 7 years, and Tuscany steaks are well aged, and most oftentimes, eaten rare. In Florence, Tuscany, they proudly have their stakes done rare, and bloody. 

In our case, we had ours medium.

The rating 

Wagyu : 5 / 5

Ribeye  : 4 / 5

The Wagyu was superb, texture wise, grass fed Australian cow. The taste was a little salty but very savoury. Could I eat it without the sauces ? Yes, though the 4 sauces really enhanced the flavour to a 'heavenly'  note. 

Ribeye was highly marbled and if it was medium well, the fatty part would be turn out crispy  and more to May's palate and liking. I liked it the way it was done. With regard to the sauces, my favourites were the

a) Horseradish sour cream

b) Mushroom Steak Sauce

c) Dijon Mustard. 

Squid Ink Lobster  Pasta 

Octopus 

Finally for the side dishes, we had 2 to be shared amongst us. The Mac and Cheese I did not try but it appeared unappetising. The other one, the Brussel Sprouts with Bacon Bits was a 'hit', though it was salty.

Side Dishes 

Brussels Sprouts

Rating : 4 / 5 

Mac and Cheese

Rating : N A.

Drinks : Pinot Noir 

For $ 25 a glass it was expensive, but since it was a special occasion, I decided to splurge a little.

Service 

It was very good, but something I would expect from a top rated restaurant such as this. The service staff cleaned our plates quickly, wiped the table free from any breadcrumbs and food, refilled our water without prompting and was very helpful in suggesting the house specials.

Nothing spectacular but very welcoming. 

Best Steakhouse in Singapore ?

Its a toss up between Bistecca and Wooloomooloo at Raffles City. 

Price Range : $ 420 for 3 pax or $140 per pax all in.

Bistecca Tuscan Steakhouse

26 Mohammad Sultan Rd

Singapore 238 970

Reservations Needed ? Yes. 

Do it online, at least 2 weeks in advance. 

How will Trump's Tariffs impact the world ?

As a small business owner, I read and watched with some trepidation when Donald Trump announced on 2 April that the US was implementing tariffs worldwide to 181 countries. Major countries were slapped with as much as 54 % tariffs (China for example).

How will these tariffs impact the world ? Who will bear the brunt of his Make America Great Again ?

One thing is for sure, the stock markets around the world have dropped as much as 10 - 15% of their value and left a trail of trillions of dollars of losses.

US Citizens will feel the major brunt of the action, in the short run. Price of eggs for example have escalated from US$ 0.30 to US$ 1.00 per egg. If the person was a multi millionaire or billionaire, then the impact on his monthly expenses will be insignificant, but for tens of millions of Americans this will mean the difference of eating 3 meals a day to perhaps 2 meals a day.

It is a terrible reduction in the quality of life for tens of millions of American citizens.

The recent DOGE action to terminate literally hundreds of thousands of US Federal jobs have made millions of families go to the edge of bankruptcy and despair, coupled with the loss in trillions of dollars in ETFS share prices whereby the 401 (K) retirement funds are invested in, means that their promised pensions may be cut by up to 30%. Their 'golden retirement' nest egg and the Medicaid cuts are all being thrown into a cesspool of uncertainty.

Worldwide, there may be geopolitical instability as the bastion of democracy and freedom these last 80 years after the 2nd World War is no more. 

The USA is fast becoming no more than a self serving 3rd world country with a big chip on its shoulder. Friendly countries are being dumped and faced with uncertainty and stonewalling.