Singapore Observations

Tiong Bahru hawker center remains my first stop for a fast-disappearing, Saint Jack-era Singapore, but managed to venture out for some Western food as well.

• Tiong Bahru hawker center: highlights include roast pork from Roasted Pig Specialist (stall 02-38) and fluffy pancakes from Mian Jian Kueh (stall 02-34).
• Gunther's Modern French Cuisine: the very pleasant Belgian chef Gunther Hubrechsen who went out of his way to make me happy; at the outset of the meal, one is greeted with a titillating display of the the day's specials on a silver tray; for me this included a whole Sri Lankan crab, sea urchins, a rump of beef, the finest Australian haricots verts and some super fresh mangosteen; specialities of the house--which you undoubtedly get if you choose the carte blanche or the chef's free reign menu-- include the cold angel hair pasta with konbu and truffle jus topped with Ossetra caviar (full of umami goodness), roasted rack of black pig served with a date sauce, and a fine apple millefeuille topped with candied almonds.
• Iggy's: apparently this should be the first stop on any foodie's Singapore map; next time. Also noticing that it comes in 45th place on S. Pelligrino World's Best Restaurants.