Interview: Chang Yang Fa

The former electrical engineer and proud owner of the MINT Museum of Toys talks to Hidayah Salamat about living in Singapore and the person he’d like to spend time with the most.

Freedom of Information Request Reference #t0ta1bu11:

SUBMISSION LETTER REGARDING SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX RENEWALAugust 2012To: The Eternal and undying Leader, mr. Bernard Ecclestone, Esq.From: [redacted]Dear Bernie (can we call you Bernie? Are we even allowed to look you in the eye yet?),First of all, have we told you how much we love those funny little spectacles of yours? And that hair! So […]

Freewill Astrology, Week of October 5, 2012

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 22): While doing research in South America four decades ago, anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss found an indigenous tribe whose people claimed they could see the planet Venus in the daytime. This seemed impossible to him. But he later consulted astronomers who told him that in fact Venus does emit enough light to be […]

Tamarind Hill

The buzz: This Thai establishment opened a month and a half ago at Labrador Park care of the Samadhi Retreats group, which also runs Eco Gourmet Café just down the road. The vibe: It feels just like a tropical resort. Located in a historic colonial building, the place is outfitted with Asian-inspired elements such as […]

Au Chocolat

The buzz: A recent arrival in Marina Bay Sands, this quaint confiserie and bistro offers French fare and sweet treats galore. The vibe: Part whimsical, part Parisian style, the 92-seater is casual and bright, replete with vintage furniture, mosaic- tiled floor, marble-topped tables and an automated toy train moving along the suspended tracks on the […]

O Batignolles

The buzz: French couple Antoine Rouland and Marie-Charlotte Ley are behind wine bar O Batignolles, named after the owners’ favorite Paris neighborhood batignolles. The décor: Distinctly Parisian with marbletop tables and rattan chairs outside (great for people-watching) and a rich dark wood and red color scheme indoors. The owners have also included personal accents like […]

Interview: Fredrik Härén for Asia on the Edge 2012

Business creativity expert and author of bestselling book The Idea Book Fredrik Härén is on the panel for ideas incubation competition Pitch It!, a lead up to the Asia on the Edge 2012 conference. He tells Hidayah Salamat how to keep the ideas coming and why he’s now based in Singapore.