Food Choices N S E W!

It's been a while since I posted something about the variety of food choices we have around Viz. The post on the Commonwealth Crescent Food Centre is still valid, although precaution should be taken if you intend on using the shortcut. Use the main Queensway road if you intend to go there, for safety reasons.

For newcomers to Singapore or people unfamiliar with the area, we are literally at the crossroads of food delights...

Go North (Farrer Road and beyond) and you will encounter nearby middle- to upper-class Bukit Timah, with food choices ranging from reasonable budget meals to posh restaurants tucked away amongst landed properties.

Go East (Holland Road - Napier Road) and you hit the shopping belt Orchard Road and you'll be seriously spoilt for choices, although there are some good eating places within a 5km range (ish).

Go West (Holland Road - Ulu Pandan Road) and you hit residential condoland before getting to the Clementi Heartland, with pockets of decent food in between.

Go South (Queensway - Alexandra/Portsdown/Bukit Merah) and you get to more dining spots in the HDB estates, including plenty of hidden (decent) finds.

I hope to cover each of these areas soon, highlighting some of my personal favorites (although your taste and preference may of course vary!), choosing food places that are within a short (5-10km) radius so that it's easy for those who drive, or take public transport.

But some recommended sites (links included) for those too eager to begin exploring food choices around the area:

1. Hungrygowhere is a fantastic review-driven site listing out tons of eating spots around Singapore. You can narrow your search to specific areas or cuisine. Give that a spin if you're too hungry (or impatient) to wait for my subsequent suggestions.
2. ieatishotipost is a food blog run by Dr Leslie Tay and has been very popular for its focus on Singaporean foodfare, especially in the hawker centres around Singapore. These are cheap, good, meals.
3. I-S Magazine is available as a free magazine in various cafes in Singapore (eg Coffee Bean) as well as online. Recently, they have an iPad version which you can download their magazine and read on your device. The iPad version is pretty good! They have good recommendations for restaurants, albeit the more hip, happening (and expensive) stuff!
4. Ladyironchef is another food blog which has nice lists for best cafes in Singapore, best brunch in Singapore, best pancakes etc etc.

I'm sure there are more blogs or food sites out there. If you have a good one to recommend, put under comments here!

Be wary of strangers - Molest incident

Just received a letter from our resident manager titled "Incident of Molest at Viz @ Holland" dated 15 November 2012.

There was a recent incident whereby a female resident was molested at the HDB Access Gate on 6 Nov 2012 at about 7pm. A police report has been made and the cops are investigating the matter. The Management is looking into installing additional lighting at both access gates.

The following advice are provided to all residents:

• Be alert and mindful of strangers loitering at or near the access gates, especially when you are entering or leaving the estate.
• If you see any suspicious strangers, contact the management office or security staff at 64793143 immediately.
• Do not open or hold the gate for the next person to enter the estate, especially if you are not sure if s/he is a resident or not.

Being a regular visitor to the hawker centre and shops at Commonwealth Crescent, we were really shocked to hear the news. As regular users of the HDB gate will know, the area is not well lit at night, it is a long and narrow pathway from our gate to the stairs leading down to the HDB estate (and the hawker centre), creating a potential 'choke point' where a resident is sandwiched between the gate and the molester. There are also people who like to sit at the metal chairs at the bottom of the stairs.

I know in previous posts I suggested various shortcuts to Holland V (through Chip Bee Gardens). In light of this incident, can I suggest the following as well, to all residents:

• If you need to go to Holland V, use the main road - go onto Queensway, turn left onto Holland Road (at the major road intersection), and you'll hit Holland V quickly. You can cut through Taman Warna if you want. See below.

• If you need to go to the Commonwealth market/hawker centre, go via the main Queensway road and enter Commonwealth Drive and then turn right into Commonwealth Crescent. Again, slightly longer path but much safer as it's along main, well lit, roads with lots of cars. See below. (The crossed line indicates the path that is now potentially unsafe for single female residents.)

• If you have to use the HDB pathway, be especially alert of your surroundings. If someone decides to follow you, if someone who is seated at the metal chairs gets up after you and walks behind you:
• Get out your access card so that you can buzz yourself in quickly,
• Take out your mobile and make sure you have the security number on standby;
• Walk faster/briskly towards the gate, checking behind to see if that person has picked up pace as well. 
• The HDB gate can be heavy, so be prepared to PULL it once it's unlocked, and be prepared to PUSH it hard to close it to prevent the stranger from following you in.
• Wave at the camera that's situated there. A stranger may not be aware of the camera and may think twice about doing anything funny.
• Carry a shrill alarm to call for help or to dissuade him from coming too close. 
• Importantly, do NOT let any stranger into the estate, no matter how 'well dressed' or 'normal' that person is. It's often polite or less embarrassing, if someone is behind you, that you let that person in after you have opened the gate. Don't do that!! If he wants to be let in, tell him sorry but only RESIDENTS can use these access gates. Any visitor must go through the main entrance. If he claims to be a resident but has lost his card, tell him sorry, but he can call the security office and they can let him in. I know it sounds rude, or it may be frustrating to a genuine resident, but given the situation, it might be better to be safe than sorry! 
• The same applies in our lift lobbies! If someone comes in behind you just when you are about to enter your lift lobby, unless you know that person (have seen him before), do not let that person in. IF he pushes himself into the lobby, make sure he gets into the lift first (pretend you're making a call or you forgot something, and let him take the lift by himself). You should wait for the next one. If he doesn't take the lift up, leave the lobby and head to the guard post. Ask a guard to escort you if you don't see him leaving the lobby.

If you have maids who frequent the market/hawker centre, please let them know of this incident and tell them to be alert.

It's a pity we don't allow tasers in the country :( or pepper spray even... but personal alarms should be available, although I'm not sure exactly where to find one in SG!

Please be careful when you're walking alone outside the estate... Times have changed, and it doesn't matter where we stay, some people are getting more daring and crazy!