Go and get shot

Photo: shots.

No, we don't mean it that way! We're talking about shots. cafe (yes, the lowercase and fullstop are how it's spelt). This cafe offers three different kinds of "shots". Their description of an ideal day at the cafe consists of:

a shot of espresso in the morning
taking shots of photography in the afternoon
shots of sake in the evening

Set up by Edward Loh, a professional photographer (who clearly likes puns), shots. combines coffee, photography and sake to offer an all rounded arty and social experience. Loh's business partner, WB Tan, oversees the cafe's F&B matters. Its menu contains of standard cafe fare like sandwiches and lasagne. Photography classes are conducted by Loh himself.


The cafe's location, Ann Siang Hill, is a perfect fit, what with its many indie bookstores and fashion shops.

shots. cafe
8 Ang Siang Hill, Singapore 069788
Tel: +65 6224 8502
Email: info@shots.com.sg
www.shots.com.sg/cafe

Have you been to shots. or do you know a similar cafe? Share it with TWG in the comments box!

Joo Chiat,the schizophrenic food hotspot

Having grown up in the East, Joo Chiat has always been one of my favourite makan places for cheap and good food. But recent years have seen many more upmarket restaurants popping up in the area. TWG wondered if the cheap hawker centres were being driven out by the “atas” eateries, so a walk around Joo Chiat was in order.

Photo: Private Affairs

First, TWG looked at why the new fine dining places chose Joo Chiat to set up shop. One of the most posh restaurants to make its name in Joo Chiat is Private Affairs, a kitchen-and-bar restaurant specialising in modern European cuisine. Its management felt that the charm of Joo Chiat made it slightly different from restaurants in the usual fine dining enclaves like Holland Village and Dempsey.

Photo: Smokey's

However, Rob Szepvolgyi, executive chef and owner of Smokey’s BBQ at Joo Chiat Place, said that the restaurants there succeed because of food first and location second. Szepvolgyi mentioned that many of his clientele come from other ends of Singapore such as Choa Chu Kang, Pasir Ris and Jurong.

For Joo Chiat’s hawker centres, it seems to be business as usual. Thomas Gan, 50, owns Hagashi Nishi Cuisine, a Japanese and Western stall at the popular Dunman Food Centre (Dunman). Gan told TWG that hawkers in Joo Chiat are aware of the new presence of gourmet eateries, but that it does not affect their businesses. In a mix of Mandarin and English, he said, “We are able to survive because of our regulars. Most of them are from around here and have known us for a long time.”

He also added that a good number of backpackers staying at nearby hostels, like Betel Box, visit Dunman and its neighbouring hawker centres. “They come from overseas, but they are like us. They also enjoy cheap and good food, so they will not eat at the restaurants either.”

So, coffee shop lovers have no cause for concern, Joo Chiat’s cheap treasures will not disappear. Joo Chiat evidently suffers from, or rather is blessed with, multiple personality disorder. The food on offer really depends on which part of the area one visits.

It is along the places closer to Katong like Joo Chiat Place, Still Road and Joo Chiat Road near the junction of East Coast Road, that most of the restaurants and gourmet eateries can be found. Private Affairs, Smokey’s, Everything With Fries, Astons and Wahiro Japanese Restaurant are just a few examples.

Walk down Joo Chiat Road in the other direction, toward the junction of Geylang Road, and a good number of Malay stalls can be found, such as Hilal Indian Muslim and Hjh Maimunah Restaurant. A comprehensive directory can be found at Joo Chiat’s community website www.myjoochiat.com.

Joo Chiat, then, is somewhat of a rarity in Singapore’s food scene. How many areas will offer a $2 plate of wan ton noodles next to a $100 champagne brunch?

Do you eat at Joo Chiat?
	A lot, I love the place!
	Now and then
	Hardly
	Never
	Where is Joo Chiat?
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When the circus came to town: the Sentosa Buskers Festival

Here in Singapore, free acts like those at the Mosaic Music Festival and Baybeats never fail to draw crowds. But what about busking? When was the last time you stopped to watch a busker perform instead of just dropping a fifty cent join into their tip box?

The first ever Sentosa Buskers Festival ran from 27 November to 5 December 2010. It featured a total of ten acts from around the world performing at various locations around Sentosa Island.

Contortionist Rani Huszar (Australia)

Magician/comic/zerba pants wearer Magic Brian (USA)

Combining various circus-type art forms was a trait shared by many of the performers. Australian Rani Huszar's mix of contortion, comedy and a bit of belly dancing made her a hit with the crowd. Magic Brian from the US combined his comedy with some classic magic tricks and lots of audience participation, which always adds to the entertainment value.

Musical act The Famous Unknowns...

Guitarist Carlos Vamos (the Netherlands)

Dulcimer player Lindsay Buckland (Australia)

The least “oddball” act were The Famous Unknowns, a duo comprising dulcimer player Lindsay Buckland from Australia and guitarist Carlos Vamos from the Netherlands. The only musical act at the festival, the pair were impressive nonetheless, Buckland with his creative use of the American folk instrument and Vamos with his skillful two-handed tapping playing style.

One frustrating occurrence was that the names of the acts may have been inaccurately provided. During his shows, Magic Brian kept saying that his name was Nigel, and the Famous Unknowns were labeled the Great Unknowns on the information brochure.

Also, when TWG attended the final day of the festival, the schedule had been changed. This was not reflected in the brochure given out or the signboards on display, so the only way to know which acts were on when was to keep going back to the information counter to check.

As long as the foibles are sorted out, TWG recokns the Sentosa Buskers Festival has potential as a local arts event. Its trump card was, of course, that it did not cost a cent. In fact, visitors stood to win $1,000 by taking a whacky photo with their favourite act. If the orgainsers continue to bring in unique performers, the event could build on the fair following it has gained from its first edition.

More photos and information can be found on the event's Facebook page.

TWG RATING: 6/10