Ramly Burger

“They provide serviettes to customers because the owner understands that the burger is so juicy, eating it can get very messy.” — Chia Shan Na, university student

FRIENDS of Chia Shan Na swear that the 21-year-old student loves to eat anytime, any day, and that she’s tasted an extensive range of food all over the country, from coffee shops to restaurants. And she always remembers where the good stuff are.

“She also likes to steal people's food, and we always end up ordering a lot more when we have dinners with her,” adds a friend. “She likes meaty stuff and thinks vegetarians are super boring.”

In this installment of I Recommend, Ms. Chia recommends a 24-hour canteen that serves her favourite hamburger.

“I love Ramly burgers, and it’s always hard to find them around, but M. Hasan canteen at the Tanjong Pagar railway station has divine Ramly burgers!

The Ramly burger first appeared in Kuala Lumpur back in the late 1970s, invented by a man named Ramly Moknin. How different is it from Western burgers? The extras — onions, egg, cabbage, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, cheese and Maggi seasoning — are wrapped around the patty using a thin layer of egg. Much like the way the Japanese do their omoraisu.

What are you recommending today?
M. Hasan canteen at the Tangong Pagar Railway station, which sells Ramly burgers.

What's so special about their Ramly burgers?
The stall owner only starts cooking after he takes your order. Although it will take about 5 to 10 mins for the burger to be ready, it is still worth the. The stall also provides serviettes to customers because the owner understands that the burger is so juicy, eating it can get very messy.

How did you discover it?
A friend recommended the place for supper since the place is open 24 hours.

How often do you crave for their burgers?
All the time.

How's the service at M. Hasan canteen?
Fast and efficient.

What's the best way to eat the burger?
Munch and gobble down the burger while it is still warm. Suck the juice and the sauce occasionally to prevent the sauce from getting onto your hands and clothes.

What’s nice to drink with it?
The burger is so good on its own, but any drink will complement it.

How often do you go back there?
At least once a month.

How many Ramly burgers can you eat in a day?
Two.

How much does it cost?
$2.50 to $3.50 (depending whether you want to add cheese or egg or both)

Other dishes there worth trying?
The stalls there sell relatively cheap and good food.

M. Hasan Canteen
Malayan Railway Tanjong Pagar Station
30 Keppel Road Singapore 089059

View original article for Ramly Burger in Singapore.

The Turquoise Room

“Arguably the best pizza in Singapore can be found at The Turquoise Room.” — James Ong, 88DB.com Editor

ALL my life I have been in the quest for the perfect pizza, perhaps because I grew up across an American pizza parlor chain and Friday nights were dedicated to trying all its flavors. This was the time when Japanese food had not yet become an international sensation, and so the idea of having carbs and protein in one slice of pizza (the equivalent of one full meal!) was sensational. Plus, we didn’t have to wash the dishes afterwards.

In Singapore, if I go to a restaurant, the first thing I ask is, “Do you have pizza on your menu?” More often than not, they don’t. So those restaurants that do serve it, and serve it well, have easily become my favourites, such as The Turquoise Room.

What are you recommending today?
The thin-crust pizzas at The Turquoise Room, particularly the Prosciutto and Parma Ham pizza which is ingeniously served with fresh rocket arugula and topped with shaved — take note, not grated — parmesan cheese.

What’s so special about it?
Eating — or if you want to be profound about it, life — is all about the yin and yang, so when you’re served a dish where you taste the contrast of hot and cold, it’s something very memorable (that said, don’t get the impression that the arugula is served straight from the chiller; it’s room temperature). The leaf’s piquant flavour also blends well with the saltiness of the prosciutto ham. Costs $22, but it’sworth every bite.

How about the place?
The Turquoise Room is hidden within the Gillman Village off Alexandra Road, which makes it perfect for afternoon trysts or an intimate getaway with friends. It is open 12 noon till late. The interiors, tables and chairs are bathed in white, and details are painted in French blue. It’s vibe spells linen-shirt, Arcopedico sandals, world music, and chilled white wine. It’s very South of France. The service is excellent; the staff are good in anticipating your need so you never so much as need to lift a finger for attention. The calamari is also intriguing, but too chewy. Their main draw is really the pizza.

How did you discover it?
I read about it in Singapore City Scoops, my lifestyle bible here. It’s published and written by insiders so chances are, the places they recommend are places where you can see (and taste) the local flavour, and not tourist traps.
Will you go back?
I’ve been back a few times whenever I crave for pizza. And it’s always top of mind when I have out-of-towners visiting. It’s a different side of Singapore that’s very urbanista.

Any other pizza places?
Trattoria Lafiandra beside the Singapore Arts Museum does good pizza, but the service borders on rude and the chef’s policy is a turn-off. He requires guests to order one entrée each if they’re not ordering starters — which is so not the philosophy behind a trattoria. I’d rather pay the extra taxi fare to go back to The Turquoise Room.

The Turquoise Room
7 Lock Road Gillman Village
Tel. No. 6473 3655

View original article for this food review on The Turquoise Room.

Reds @ Takashimaya

“My hairstylist is so good that she convinced me to chop off my frocks of 13 years!”
— Cheyanne Chan, senior sales officer

WHEN Cheyanne Chan, a senior sales officer with JobsDB.com, cut her long hair after 13 years, it wasn’t because she had been thinking about it for months. It was an impulse decision — not by her, but her stylist. “She’s dared me to explore hairstyles that I never thought would suit me,” she tells us.

The hairstylist is Anne Chea, who has been with REDS Hairdressing for nine years now. She started styling hair 14 years ago, and her regular clients include a girl who’s not even in kindergarten, an a 60-year-old plus lady.

Who are you recommending today?
My hairstylist, Anne Chea from REDS Hairdressing @ Takashimaya

Why are you recommending her?
She delivers good service and is confident of what she is doing.

How did you discover the place?
I was lucky! I just walked in randomly and found her!

How often do you go there?
Once in two months for a trim. Or just to gossip about the latest stuffs in town! *LOL!*

What makes her different from other salon stylists you've tried?
She gives a personal touch to customer service. And she’s dared me to explore hairstyles that I never thought would suit me. I would definitely give her credit for having the guts to totally change someone's look.

She is so good that...
She convinced me to chop off my frocks of 13 years. Beat that!

What time is it best to go there?
There is never a best time as she is always booked out. Do make an appoinment. A morning appointment always works best for me!

REDS Hairdressing
Takashimaya S.C. #B2-10A/11
Tel no: 6735 5711

View original article for REDS Hairdressing.

Sembawang Music

“Music CDs can be purchased convienently in most places today, but I will always return to Sembawang Music at Plaza Singapura”
— Allan Teo, arts gallery owner

ALLAN TEO likes music the way he does art. As owner of Momentous Arts gallery located off Boat Quay, he is a man who appreciates the finer things in life: music, painting, sculptures, clothes. He likes special details, as well as good service. JPO

Who are you recommending today?
This nice lady at Sembawang Music by the name of Siswanti bte Roosli. I have been to many other CD shops and the experience I get is no different from supermarkets where staff are hard to find, and when you do find one he or she might not be of much help. Sis is the main staff at the outlet.

How good is she?
Often I went there without knowing what I want to get and Sis would find out what I like and then bring out a stack of CD for me to test and listen.

Does she earn points for being extra thoughtful?
Sometimes I hear a song over the radio and would go to her, then sing her what I remember and she would most of the time know the song. Even when I find nothing I like after testing several CD, she would cordially ask me to come back again.

How did you discover the place/service?
I visit Raffles City a few times a week and Sis was originallyworking there before she was assigned to Plaza Singapura.

How often do you go there?
It depends. If I discover a new song I like, I'll head there. Sometimes I long for old songs and I would be there again.

What makes it different from other music shops?
The friendly staff. And if they do not have the stock, they will call me when it's in.

What time is it best to go there?
I'm normally there on weekdays. It gets a bit crowded after office hours.

How much does it cost?
I think the prices are pretty standard just about anywhere.

Sembawang Music
Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road,
Plaza Singapura, #03-05