Handlebar - The Original @ Sembawang [Jalan Menpurong]

I don't remember much about Gillman Village along Alexandra Road but i could definitely recall that attractive harley davidson bike-themed bar known as Handlebar! 

While many thought handlebar is no longer operating with the inevitable development of Gillman Village, i had the fortune to chance upon it in one of the days that i aimlessly drive my car all over Singapore. 

Once i stepped in, i was hesitant to proceed further; the area was a bit too quiet without the rowdiness we often associated with bikers and i could not exactly pinpoint where the restaurant was. 

Fret not, walk towards the direction of the red-white communication tower!

Here we are! I could not remember how the structure in Gillman Village looked like as i visited at night when visibility was super low and that was also the period when pictures taken by camera phones sucked big time and owning a DSLR was unimaginable given the exorbitant price tag.

Honestly, that visit was a long time ago when i was still driving the old Toyota Corolla without any air-conditioning! I couldn't even remember if handlebar has an outdoor kitchen as it has in its new location at Sembawang now. 

There were fond memories of the decorations though and how each and every one of them was related to the bikers theme. 

Traces of those memorable decors could be found although sadly, i didn't quite get that impressive excitement as i did in the past. 

Nevertheless, this was one cool pool table i would love to get for my future house! 

Furthermore, the new location has a natural advantage; its close proximity to the Straits of Johor where sea breeze is a given! A perfect chill out place with your close friends! 

Blossom Onion

Since i don't drink, food would be my topmost priority! And for an onion lover, the blossom onion in Handlebar was the one food i had that remained so vividly impressed in the back of my memory.

Look at it; the presentation itself was already a spectacular sight! Even Alex was speechless for a split moment when the waiter placed it in front of him! 

It was a godsend for me of course as i totally love deep fried stuff and this dish heavily featured the one ingredient i immensely enjoyed in almost any forms! Do take note that the blossom is best eaten when hot and crispy. Once it turns cold, the taste was quite unappetising. 

Steak and Egg

Thinking back, i should have been more adventurous in my choice. Why a simple steak and egg when i could have a more sadistic unique dish known as "Silence of the Lamb"?

For some, the 250-gram steak would be considered as beautifully grilled with a marvelous looking shine! I like mine a bit more charred, if i could have my way. 

The medium done-ness i requested was perfectly executed even though i do find the price tag of S$30 a tad too high for my scrooge-like personality. Sigh, i should have gotten that silence of the lamb!

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Location

57 Jalan Menpurong

[Near Sembawang Park]

Map and Driving Directions

As above (red star). 

Motorists should turn in to Andrews Avenues from Sembawang Road and just drive all the way straight! For those taking public transport, do take note you would have to walk 10-15 minutes from the bus stop and the road is known to be very eerie when night falls.

Motorcycle / Bike Parking

Available as above.

Operation Hours

Closed on Monday! 

Tuesday to Friday: 17:00 - 01:00 

Saturday and Sunday: 15:00 - 01:00

Menu

As above

Pricing

Blossom Onion - S$12

Steak and Egg - S$30

[Subject to GST and Service Charge]

Shi Wei Xiang Hongkong Tim Sum (食为先香港点心) - Open Only on Saturdays & Sundays! @ Aljunied Crescent [Between Aljunied & Paya Lebar MRT Stations]

It was over a whatsapp group chat that Mr Kon excitedly informed us a fellow friend had recommended a place in Singapore that serves good yet affordable handmade dim sum! 

I am a sucker when it comes to such deals, especially when dim sum is not really that cheap when you compare to typical hawker fare that could fill your stomach with just one serving. 

Therefore, it didn't take us long to arrange for a weekend to check it out. Why weekend? Not because Saturdays and Sundays are my off days. Truth is, business was brisk enough for the eatery to open for business ONLY on weekends! 

Business ends at 5pm. Even though we reached at around 3pm last Sunday, some of the items were already sold out and we had to make do with whatever that was still available for our late lunch. p.s. those in the picture was only about 75% of what we actually stuffed into our tummies. 

The problem with most dim sum establishments is that there are hits and misses when it comes to the food. In the case here, i would say the review was relatively neutral since none was actually bad-tasting. 

Even the worst was considered average tasting in my opinion (maybe, we were lucky)! The four baskets of dim sum shown before this paragraph were placed in the "average" category. 

Both dishes (one steamed, another deep fried) above featured beancurd skin and although the meat filling was pretty generous (a plus obviously), i could not help but comment that the unique flavour of beancurd skin seemed to be lacking.

Lotus leaf rice was definitely one of the better ones i have so far, with the simple fragrance of lotus leaves absorbed into every single grain! Sorry, i forgot to take a picture after unwrapping it.

The chee cheong fun should have been tagged under "average"! However, i was very smitten with the delicious sauce that was drenched over the steamed flour! It was a bit heavy on the salty side yet the consistency was light enough for me to drink it like water! 

I think this was called swallow dumplings (yan jiao zi) and i can draw a similar comparison to the epic hong you chao shou 红油抄手 sold in selected crystal jade restaurants. Personally, i prefer the ones from crystal jade but Mrs Kon loved it enough to order a second basket.

What's dim sum without buns?! Let's have char siew bao!

Fluffy texture, savoury filling and they only cost us S$1.60! I think my younger sister would have enjoyed the bao here! Guess i should bring my parents and siblings here for a yum cha session that wouldn't cost me a hand and leg.

This was left to the last for a reason. Known as Ham Sui Gok, i have seen them around yet i had never tried them out (appearance wise, they just didn't appeal to me). Honestly, what have i been doing for the past 33 years?!

The seemingly hard cover totally betrayed its actual sticky texture and the surprise continued when i realised the skin was sweet rather than savoury (or bland in most cases)! The filling, usually accorded equal or higher importance in dim sum, was relegated to a role as a mere taste enhancer to the overall "package". 

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Location

Block 119, Aljunied Avenue 2,

#01-06 [note, Aljunied Crescent is incorrect]

Map

As above. The block is situated in between Paya Lebar and Aljunied MRT Stations. 

Opening Hours

Closed on Mondays to Fridays.

Saturdays and Sundays - 7am to 5pm

Price and Menu

As above. There wasn't any GST and service charge to the bill although you may wish to note that there could be special items not on the menu. Don't be afraid to ask the friendly staff! 

An Open Gate that Piqued my Interest

I knew i was too early for the volunteer meetup at Bukit Brown and hence, decided to explore the nearby residential area in the comfort of my air-conditioned car.

As i maneuvered a 3-point turn at the end of a short road, my eyes caught the above; an open, rusty-looking gate right next to a posh-looking bungalow! 

Despite my fear of snakes, i chose to check it out since i knew help would come quickly should anything happen. I just have to remember to SCREAM!

What appeared right ahead was nothing except tonnes of dried leaves and a sudden drop into thick foliage that would moving forward, in a safer manner, impossible. 

It was as if an earthquake had split the road apart and i was very curious to know what has exactly happened to have resulted in its abandonment.

Was it a private road that led to a house? Or was it a road that connect to the bukit brown cemetery in the old days? What was the history?

For a tree to have attached itself tightly to the barrier, i guess it must have been a while since anyone remembers this place. Having said that, the road didn't appear to be cluttered with rubbish as in the case with places of similar setting.

Anyone can enlighten the significance, if any, of such black / yellow barrier? 

My suspicion told me this disused road could be related to this house right next to the barrier although this would mean that its land area would be huge in Singapore's standard! One unique element about the house is its easy accessibility from the back where there is literally no fence to keep outsiders away! 

Hollywood Dreams Parade @ Universal Studios Singapore [USS]

One of the last few items i did before my annual pass lapsed was to check out the 'Hollywood Dreams' parade available only on Saturdays, Sundays and selected public holidays, if weather permits.

With the unpredictable weather we have in Singapore, a good way of confirming that the parade is going to proceed ahead is through the putting up of temporary posts along the sides of the wide passageway.

Another indication is the white tape that acts the same way as yellow line does in train platforms; stay behind the bloody line!

The parade starts from "Waterworld"! Station yourself and your family at this point if you wish to be the very first group to catch the themed procession.

I needed a place with an elevated view since my sole purpose was simply to take photographs to commemorate my last few days as a Fun Pass member in Universal Studios Singapore.

This stone statue at the "Ancient Egypt" with a raised platform was chosen although i was banished soon after to the opposite side. USS employees were fully aware of my intention and kindly informed me that visitors have to clear THAT chosen side.

'Hollywood Dreams' was segmented into different theme sections synonymous with the various zones in the theme park; first up was "New York" zone.

Vehicles and floats were used; hence the reason why visitors were limited to areas behind the white line. We wouldn't want to see an accident right?

Beetlejuice! Honestly, i doubt any of the younger generation would know who he is when the first and only movie of this character was way back in 1988! Even my memory of him was fuzzy!

Woody Woodpecker! Now, where's that pretty girlfriend of his?

I would have loved to catch Elmo and the Cookie Monster but they were conspicuously missing from the parade. Guess you can always catch them in action at the Sesame Street Stage Shows.

Madagascar was next!

Alex and King Julien respectively.

These flightless birds in tuxedos were the gems of the movie franchise and added much laughter to the shows! King Julien, though funny, was a tad too irritating in my opinion. Anyway, the penguins were once again up to no good!

Melman, the sickly giraffe, who became a witch doctor in the second installment of the Madagascar. Not a character i like; too weak.

And he sprayed water while i was taking pictures! Thank god i managed to protect my DSLR in time! $%@#$@#$@$@$ [up to individuals to decipher what the symbols represent in my vulgar dictionary]

Gloria the Hippo! Anyone still remembers her infatuation with Alex two years ago?

Marty, the talkative zebra! Is it a mere coincidence that both Marty in Madagascar and Donkey in Shrek share similar traits?

Anyway, here are the characters from Far Far Away!

I absolutely, absolutely adore the fairy godmother! There were a number of persons who would masquerade as her but this lady here perfected the role!

The majestic dragon with super long eye lashes that fluttered uncontrollably in the presence of the Donkey.

Look at that svelte, gracious body! Pity there wasn't any dronkeys... :(

Three little pigs, three blind mice and a miniature portrayal of the Dragon's Keep where Princess Fiona used to be locked up in the tower!

Puss! I still prefer him in his "awwwww, that's such a sweet little cat" look.

Now's the turn for the grand arrival of the king of the zone where i was in fact situated; Lost World!

Frankly, i think it was a big failed attempt to have humans controlling the pteranodons and giving that obviously fake impression that they were flying! Nonetheless, hats off to these employees who continued to give their best smile! 

I am no paleontologist but is this a caged up baby tyrannosaurus?

No wonder the adult one had such a pissed look!

I think it would be fantastic to add a few touches to make the T-rex more realistic! For one, give it a few strings of saliva and a deafening roar!!! 

Ancient Egypt! 

Everytime i see such nicely sculpted abs, i feel so self conscious of the lump i have! It doesn't help that i am a renowned glutton and it is extremely difficult for me to achieve that bodily aim!!! :(

On a happier note, it did seem a bit funny to have the "mummy" out in the open! 

Last part - the glamourous Hollywood! 

When did Marilyn Monroe get so chunky!? Maybe it was the angle of my camera...

Betty Boop was right behind this pair of dancing couple! It's a pity i didn't manage to catch her in my pictures. Either that or i have lost those pictures in the "SD card was spoiled" incident. 

Jovyn and Jerald would totally love the amount of bubbles generated by the last float of the parade! 

This parade was dated in 2011?? Time to give it a change and add in Sesame Street, Kungfu Panda and even the minions that seemed to be popping out in USS for photo-taking sessions with visitors! 

Popped champagne that appeared suspiciously like popcorn to me!

- End of the Hollywood Dreams Parade -

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Location

From "Waterworld" of Lost World Zone to New York Zone at Universal Studios Singapore! 

Additional Information

The crowd was immensely big towards the end of the parade! So, i would still recommend those with young families to catch the parade from the very beginning outside "Waterworld"

So, i guess this is it.

It's goodbye to USS for now!