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Chotto Matte

Do good things really come to those who wait? Sara Lewis finds out at Chotto Matte, a new Japanese restaurant on Blair Road.

Good things come to those who wait – that’s what the old adage would have us believe anyway. The same is true for new Japanese restaurant Chotto Matte on Blair Road, whose name literally translates to ‘wait a moment’.

I know what you’re thinking. Why would anyone want to go to a restaurant whose name implies you’ll be waiting around for your meal? And while it’s true that you do have to wait slightly longer for food to be delivered after ordering at Chotto Matte, the result – incredibly fresh Japanese fare served with striking attention to detail – is worth the wait.

Located on the ground level of a corner-fronted shophouse on the prestigious Blair Road, Chotto Matte is a welcome addition to the area, which is home to a number of upmarket residential conservation shophouses.

The premises are split into three dining spaces: the main dining room, the outdoor seating area on the corner, and a speakeasy-esque sushi and sake bar around the back.

Co-owner Jeff Ong has experience running yakitori restaurant Torii in Kuala Lumpur, and his background is apparent in the menu on offer at Chotto Matte, which presents a whopping 28 yakitori variations on top of an equally vast variety of sushi and sashimi options. Yakitori is ordered per skewer, allowing diners to test out a number of the many variations from the juicy Wagyu ($9) or the Tokusei Tsukune ($4) – a special meat ball served with soy sauce – to the Tebasaki chicken wings ($3), the latter of which is worth ordering a few of.

Where sushi is concerned, the Aburi Salmon Maki ($19) is worth going back for, while the Foie Gras sushi ($8) is an unexpectedly delightful twist on the classic dish.

The sashimi is light and fresh, and a great way to begin the experience at Chotto Matte. For those keen to stick with sashimi, the Chirashi Don ($48), while a little more on the expensive side, provides a nice selection of thickly cut fresh sashimi over rice. It’s interesting to learn that this restaurant’s attention to detail even stretches to its water, with rice being is washed and cooked with water filtered through a Japanese-imported system that is said to enhance the sweetness of the grain.

One of the highlights is, without a doubt, the Buta Kakuni ($29) – braised pork belly with sweet sauce. Tender as a marshmallow, the meat on this dish peels effortlessly onto the fork and, though designed to be shared, is one dish that makes it difficult to exercise restraint.

An extensive drinks menu keeps diners busy between courses, and features an impressive array of Japanese whiskey (including Chichibu, Hakushu, Yamazaki and Nikka, for those who know their whiskey) by either the glass or the bottle. Elsewhere, a number of Japanese-inspired cocktails like the Yamazaki Plum ($25) and the Sake Blossom ($23) actually complement the food quite well.

Where dessert is concerned, the Kuro Goma Yam ($15) is a standout, which sees black sesame ice cream topped off with deep fried yam.

An omakase tasting menu is available from S$100 per person, which is quite reasonable given the prices of the individual dishes.

All in all, residents and visitors alike will enjoy the addition of Chotto Matte to the area. It may not be the cheapest dinner option, and certainly not the fastest, but it’s an entertaining and worthwhile dining experience that is worth going back to more than once.

Chotto Matte
54 Blair Road
Tel 6222 8846

ANZA Needlecraft Group takes a new direction

We catch up with one of ANZA’s special interest groups, the ANZA Needlecraft group, which meets every Thursday to make all manner of crafts, from knitting and embroidery to cross-stitch and now… tutus!

This year has seen many of the Needlecraft group leave, including our much loved coordinator of nine years, Karen. With busy schedules for many of us, it is time for a change and the Needlecraft group is planning a new direction for 2015.

The group meets every Thursday in members’ homes from 10.30 am. The host now provides tea or coffee while members bring their own packed lunch. Whether you pop in for an hour or you stay for longer is totally up to you. From time to time we also meet for lunch or coffee at various spots in the city.

Needlecraft, as the name suggests, covers a wide range of crafts. Knitting, quilting, embroidery, cross-stitch, beading and smocking are just a few of the crafts explored by members. We are a friendly group that welcomes new members throughout the year. We encourage our members to share their talents, so if you want to learn a new craft there is always someone to get you started and to provide information on where to find supplies.

Where possible we get involved in projects requiring crafty hands, the latest being ANZA Action’s ‘Poppies’ initiative to commemorate ANZAC Day 2015 (see page 31 for more information). Be sure to watch out for more details about this project and the workshops on offer.

In March we are delighted to be conducting a ‘Make a Tutu’ craft workshop day, which will be taught by one of our members, Helen Rodwell, who is a renowned professional tutu maker. This is a fun project that requires no sewing. The tutus are ideal for dress-ups, Halloween, costume parties or kindy ballet classes.

Come and try your hand at making a unique fantasy tutu for a lucky little person in your life! Register your interest by emailing needlecraft@anza.org.sg. We will keep you posted on the venue and what to bring. Kits with everything you need will be available. Save the date: Thursday 12 March, from 10.30 am!

ANZA NEEDLECRAFT

When: Thursdays from 10.30 am in members’ homes.

Bring: your own packed lunch. (Tea and coffee supplied.)

Email Helen or Kevina for more details on needlecraft@anza.org.sg

TUTU WORKSHOP

When: Thursday 12 March from 10.30 am.

Bring: your own packed lunch. (Tea and coffee supplied.)

Register your interest by emailing needlecraft@anza.org.sg

Further details and venue will be advised by email.

ANZA Quilters: Stitching for Charity

Regardless of nationality, something all quilters love to do is get together for a chat, some stitching and to learn some new skills from each other.

In recent years our membership has fluctuated and although numbers have diminished, the enthusiasm for a joint project has not.

Most of us have been touched by cancer in some way, whether it’s a friend, colleague or family member and just like the crafty groups we’ve belonged to in our home countries, the ladies of ANZA Quilters pooled resources and knowledge to make a quilt for a breast cancer charity.

Once we decided on a design, fabric stashes were raided and sewing machines hauled to the Hollandse Club, where we had a couple of fun days cutting and sewing. Once the top was put together, it was quilted by one of our members on her specialist quilting machine. Some of the fabric features the pink ribbon, as does the quilt stitching.

The finished quilt was presented to the Breast Cancer Foundation Singapore, who were thrilled to receive it for their fundraising efforts.

Our next project will be a quilt for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea charity.

We always welcome new members to join us.

Find out more about the ANZA Quilters group.

Freezing a Mini Pantry

Keeping a freezer stocked with staples and extra items takes thought and effort but means you have a mini frozen pantry so you’re prepared for anything and generally you’re eating well.

Meat
Wrap portions separately in a double layer of plastic wrap.

Bread
Foil wrapped bread sticks are great to pull out and heat. Slice full loaves before freezing and store in freezer bags.

Fruit
Ripe bananas can be peeled, cut into pieces and frozen ready for a deliciously cold thick smoothy (no ice-cream needed). Strawberries, rasberries, blueberries and cherries which feature cheaply in the supermarkets at certain times of the year can be frozen and ready to use in desserts.

Dairy
Blocks of butter, margarine and cheese can be frozen and portions of grated cheese, divided into freezer bags and frozen flat, can be used straight from the freezer.

Vegies
To freeze peas, beans, asparagus and broccoli, blanche by using the following method.
In a large pan of water, boil a handful of vegetables at a time for 30 secs. This will stop them going brown when frozen. Using a slotted spoon, scoop them out into a bowl of heavily iced water. Once chilled, drain the vegetable and scatter onto a tray lined with kitchen paper. Freeze on the tray then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook the vegetables from frozen in a large pan of boiling water. Do not steam, as they tend to go soggy.

Peas
Of course most people buy peas already frozen in a packet but just a reminder that they make a great kids snack just as they are.

Raw Pastry
Raw pastry such as cookie dough can be frozen in smaller portions and is then ready to bake after thawing in the fridge.

Bacon
Bacon can be chopped into bits, then frozen on a tray. The thin layer can be then broken up and frozen in portions in freezer bags.


Cooked Rice
For rice, put 2 cups of cooked rice into a strong freezer bag. Expel the extra air and flatten the bag for easy stacking. When reusing put a tablespoon of water along with the contents of the bag into a microwave-safe bowl, cover it with a plate, and microwave it for about 30 seconds.

Special Note
Freeze food in small portions to avoid wastage and if possible label and date packages. Do not refreeze frozen food. Package food well to avoid ‘freezer burn’.

Freezing Flavour

As an expat in Singapore, there are many reasons to utilise the freezer. Staying organised and prepared food-wise reduces trips to the supermarket, expense, waste and energy. Freezing fresh flavouring ingredients, makes sense all round.

Chilli
Chillies retain their colour, flavour and heat well when frozen. Place whole fresh chillies in a freezer bag or container and freeze. No blanching is required. Chop, slice or grate from frozen. Chilli can also be finely chopped and placed in ice cube trays with a little water for pre-prepared portions of flavour.

Ginger
Ginger can be frozen whole, sliced or grated. Whole frozen ginger is easier to grate than fresh. The same applies for turmeric.

Garlic
Garlic may be frozen whole, peeled or unpeeled. It can also be frozen in chopped form or made into a paste with a little salt and olive oil. Frozen garlic does not retain the crunch of fresh garlic, but the flavour is preserved so be sure to double bag it to prevent the odour from flavouring other items in your freezer.

Herbs
Many herbs can be frozen for use in cooking. Chop them then spread out in a zip-lock bag thinly, allowing you to break off portions as required. This works particularly well for parsley but also rosemary, thyme, chives, dill, lemongrass, mint and oregano.

Pesto
Pesto freezes wonderfully well. Make pesto as normal, but add a squeeze of fresh lime or lemon juice to stop it discolouring. Open freeze in tbsp heaps on a lined baking tray till set, then bag up.

Onions
For best quality and odour protection, package flat in freezer bags to hasten freezing and make it easier to break off sections as needed. Express out the air and place bags on cookie sheets or metal pans until onions are frozen. Then, restack bags to take up less room. For most dishes, frozen onions may be used with little or no thawing.

Lemons
Lemons can be juiced and frozen in ice cube trays then placed into zip lock bags.

Carol Asquini on Working with Riverkids

I arrived in Singapore two and a half years ago as a trailing spouse. I had been working crazy long hours running my own business in Sydney and suddenly here I was away from family and friends, my phone was silent, email box empty, that’s when I found ANZA.

I read an appeal in ANZA Magazine from a NGO called Riverkids asking for volunteers, and that’s where my journey began.

I met with Dale Edmonds, founder of Riverkids, and after two hours talking with her I was sold – this was an organisation I wanted to be part of.

Riverkids’s mission is to ‘prevent the sale and exploitation of children’, to ‘find non-exploitative labour alternatives for youths and families’ and ‘to transform families and communities as low-risk for child trafficking and exploitation.’

I became a Mentor to a young boy and we correspond regularly. He is learning English and aspires to become a doctor; with help from Riverkids I have no doubt that he will.

Riverkids runs many programs to support children and their families such as paying daily school fees; after-school classes; providing daily meals; and running programs for teenage girls and boys who are at risk of being trafficked.

If you are interested in seeing how Riverkids works, learning more about their programs and meeting some of the beautiful children under their care, why not partake in an Advocacy Walk? (Details can be found on their website). I am looking at organising a group to travel to Cambodia early this year. Those interested can contact me on carolasquini@hotmail.com or 8198 5646.

I help to raise funds for Riverkids by selling fair-trade products made in Cambodia at some fairs in Singapore. Help is always welcome, or just come by to say hello and purchase one of the beautiful products. Fairs are held throughout the year, and we have been very busy in the lead-up to the Christmas just past. Information on fairs for 2015 can be found on the website.

Carol Asquini

Visit Riverkids on with ANZA on Friday the 6th of March for an open house and morning tea. Find out more and register for the event.

Watching the pros play

ANZA Soccer enjoyed a night of cheering on Home United at the recent RHB Singapore Cup Final, says Cara D’Avanzo.

It was a dark and stormy night. The rain pounded down, and the traffic around Jalan Besar Stadium was a tangled mess. It seemed impossible that any soccer game could go ahead, or that any fans would make it to the stadium. But just in time, the clouds cleared and the final game of the 2014 RHB Singapore Cup was able to start.

A generous invitation from Home United FC General Manager, Mr Azrulnizam Shah Sohaimi, led to a special experience for over 100 ANZA Soccer players and parents in early November. We were invited to join the HUFC fans as the team attempted to win the Cup for the second year in a row.

Due to the downpour we were seated in the main, covered grandstand with the opposing Balestier Khalsa FC fans, rather than in the visitors’ uncovered seats across the stadium, but along with many other HUFC fans we made the most of the opportunity to see live professional soccer right here in Singapore.

We all enjoyed the opening ceremonies, which included cheerleaders, wacky mascots, lots of drumming, and the huge Cup being paraded onto the pitch. Then the game began, and a fast and furious match it was. Despite soggy conditions, both teams played at a rapid pace, with many tough challenges and impressive moves.

Our ANZA players, who came from all age groups and teams, soaked up the action eagerly and supported HUFC with cheers and clapping. They were impressed with the pace of the game, the skills of the players, and the intensity of the competition. ANZA parent coaches in the crowd pointed out how the players held their positions, used set plays, and communicated constantly. At half-time many of the ANZA fans refreshed themselves with ice creams and cold drinks.

In the end, HUFC failed to score with the chances they had, while Balestier capitalised on theirs and won 3-1. ANZA families trudged out tired but happy, with many kids chattering about the game with their friends until they had to part. Parents for whom this was a first experience of a game between S-League teams noted that it far exceeded their expectations in terms of the level of play and the interest it inspired in the kids.

We gratefully thank HUFC GM Mr Azrulnizam Shah Sohaimi for making this event possible for us, and our Head Coach Yakob for putting him in touch with us. We also appreciate Madam Farah Almuddin at HUFC and ANZA Soccer Community Relations Coordinator Luc Mongeon in making it happen. Hopefully this is the first of many professional soccer games we can visit as an ANZA Soccer group!

What the parents said…

‘This game seemed to move so much faster than other pro games

I’ve seen!’

‘We had a great time hanging out with our teammates and with

other kids in the Age Group who we didn’t know before.’

‘This was a lovely event, and I would come to another game for

sure if we can arrange it!’

‘It was fantastic to be able to actually show the kids what we mean

when we teach them about the game on Saturdays.’

‘Thanks for giving us this chance to see some great soccer!’

…and what the kids said:

‘Those guys play so rough!’

‘I loved seeing my friends outside of our usual games!’

‘This was an awesome game!’

‘I want to play with this team some day!’

‘Can I have another ice cream?’

5 Heritage Businesses in Singapore

1. PEK SIN CHOON

Traditional tea merchant Kenry Peh is the fourth-generation owner of Pek Sin Choon. This tea company began with Kenry’s grandfather in the early 1900s, when he decided to test his own abundance of tea flavours over a charcoal fire until proven successful. Nowadays, Kenry Peh keeps tradition an essential aspect, selling the different brands and respectfully packaging the high-quality grade tea in the same way since the 1950s, alongside encouraging the several relaxation benefits.
36 Mosque St, Tel 6323 3005
peksinchoon.com

2. BEE CHENG HIANG

Now a long way from its humble beginnings, the award-winning Bee Cheng Hiang chain started out as a small stall on the side of the road back in 1933. The biggest talk of town was the signature dish, bakkwa (BBQ Meat). Bee Cheng Hiang to this day still sells the 80-year unchanged and mouth-watering bakkwa recipe to the devoted masses.
Various locations, Tel 6500 0888
beechenghiang.com.sg

3. THYE SHAN MEDICAL HALL

Established in 1955, Thye Shan has had no shortage of quality, quantity and range in Chinese medicines. As 60 years have passed, another outlet has opened up and the company has grown. Furthermore, even though traditional Chinese medicine has become a rarity, Thye Shan continues to successfully cater for its loyal customer base.
Various locations, Tel 6223 0701
thyeshan.com.sg

4. JOHN LITTLE

A go-to department store in Singapore, John Little dates all the way back to 1845. Originally called ‘Little, Cursetjee & Co’ in Raffles Place, the company created the brand with commission agents, auctioneers and retail services. Eventually obtained by Robinsons in 1955, John Little now provides customers with a range of different goods.
Various locations
johnlittle.com.sg

5. MOI LUM

This restaurant has been selling its classic Golden Coin Beancurd and Crispy Fried Chicken ever since it opened way back in the 1920s. After several relocations, Moi Lum still endures and has a dedicated following. The family restaurant also continues to effectively blend tradition with current tastes, to attract any customers after a superb meal.
38 Maxwell Road, #01-01/02
moilum.com

Festive February: Chinese New Year


Photo courtesy of the Chingay Parade.

WHEN: Chinese New Year preparations begin early in the year, but official public holidays for the event are usually over two days. This year, the official public holidays fall on Thursday 19 February (Chinese Lunar New Year’s Day) and Friday 20 February. (See page 57 for more on regional celebrations for Chinese New Year).
WHO: The Lunar New Year is celebrated in China and by the Chinese diaspora all over the world.
WHAT: One of the highlights of Singapore’s cultural calendar, Chinese New Year sees Chinatown and other parts of Singapore come alive. A number of customs are observed during this time, such as the wearing of new clothes to signify the New Year; cleaning the home to ‘sweep away’ any bad luck and to make way for good luck; bringing family together; and giving hongbao (red packets). Anyone who has been in Singapore for Chinese New Year will be familiar with the music, sights and festive food smells all over the city. Lights and entertainment are plentiful in Chinatown, including fireworks and lion dances.

The first day of Chinese New Year is the most important, revolving around welcoming deities and to honour one’s elders by visiting them on this day. The second day of celebrations is also dedicated to family visits, while the third day is considered an unlucky day to visit family or to have visitors.
Many subsequent days of Chinese New Year are celebrated in various ways, with Renri on the seventh day and the Lantern Festival celebrated on the 15th day (not to be confused with the Mid-Autumn lantern festival later in the year).

The festivities carry on after Chinese New Year, culminating in the annual Chingay Parade, which this year will be held on 27–28 February.

Seeing Double: Planning for the birth of twins in Singapore

Planning for the birth of a child in Singapore is complicated enough, but what about when you’re expecting twins? David Marshall shares his experience.

In the spirit of the ‘Made in Singapore’ issue of ANZA Magazine during the nation’s 50th anniversary year, my wife and I are doing our bit and are expecting twins early in the New Year.

Having recently been married, we’re very excited by this surprise news, and count ourselves very fortunate to be expecting not one but two additions to the family. As we count down to the delivery, it’s no surprise the maternity services in Singapore are world-class and, as every conversation on the topic will confirm, are priced accordingly. So as we embark on this path towards parenthood, I hope some of the financial lessons we’ve learned along the way will be helpful to others.

When we visited the doctor for the first of our regular check-ups, we were prepared both mentally and financially for the thought of one newborn. I’m not sure if it was our doctor’s usual sense of humour, but during the scan when he casually asked if either of us had a history of twins in the family, our jaws hit the deck. Needless to say, it was a shock and took some time to fully comprehend.

Following the first scans, the cheeky receptionist put a smile on our faces with her ‘buy one get one free’ remark as we paid the consultant fees. It was time to reassess our situation financially, which as an initial adjustment meant putting away more money each month than we had originally planned.

Over the course of our pregnancy, the cost of check-ups have of course added up. Then there is the actual delivery and postnatal charges – in Singapore, maternity hospitals double as hotels, complete with private rooms and room service. We do hear it’s all worth it in the end however – sleepless nights included.

Our circumstances mean that we’re bracing to pay for the birth ourselves (no pun intended), though obviously having this covered via insurance would be preferable. A key piece of advice is to check out your work benefits, see what kind of coverage is included or check if existing policies can be upgraded to include maternity. Even if waiting periods apply, financially it may be worth the wait.

Along the way, we’ve also learned local maternity hospitals have their own versions of ‘happy hours’, where parents who had a [Year of the] ‘Dragon baby’ are now eligible for a discount if they deliver their ‘Horse babies’ at the same location.

Insuring the newborns is also key, as in the event of any complications where intensive care is required the hospital expenses would create a major financial burden. We arranged a policy with Expat Insurance, who were very helpful in providing peace of mind, and sleep at night while we can get it!

When the newborns arrive, we’re at least prepared on the home front, having already moved into a larger apartment to accommodate the many family members who have eagerly made plans to visit, and who have also made generous offers of gifts which will prove very useful.

If you’re happy with not-quite-new, the local classified market is very active for items that will only be used for a short time. Then there are the inevitable weekend trips to IKEA for other necessities, including the high-chair, which should come with a word of warning: once seen, it cannot be unseen (and once you’ve seen one, you’ll start spotting them everywhere).

Life is full of surprises, and we can’t wait to welcome our newborns into the world. The unexpected news of twins has thrown a few surprises our way both mentally and financially, but having had time to talk and plan for the changes involved, we’re as ready as we’ll ever be.

David Marshall is an Australian expat with experience in the banking industry, who has called Singapore home for the last four years.

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