Going down Food Memory Lane, Old Restaurants/Coffehouses of yesteryear

[Ah Guan]

Two things about the grown up world that fascinated me in my youth....

The 蜜瓜园 mural somewhere in Kallang(?) and the Red House Cafe...

 

[halsey02]

You are d'man! Your memory bank is impressive.

Yes, Maxim niteclub was located in the basement of Supreme house. Did you bring your gf to Talk of the Town?

Someone just jolted my memory on Merlin Restn, used to call it 'mi gar', and Amber Mansions opposite Supreme House,now Park Mall, and the cute little bldh now Fish & Co., next to Park Mall, used to be call TGIF...Thank God It;s Friday...

Too young to go to Talk of The Town then...when I was older it was...chatter Box I & II ( Mandarin Hotel), could not afford the Library, get myself invited into Chinnoserie (Hyatt)..what else...something at the ANA Hotel at Nassim...

The Hokkien Prawn Noodle at Orhard Rd market next to Cold Storage, the pau etc.. at Keok Rd., Jacks Place @ Killiney Rd...and a Chinese Restn., over looking Buyong Rd..called Mandarin Room...

Ahh yes!, Tropicana at Scotts Rd., Day time Restuarant, where one can eat dim sum etc.., night time host Wedding dinners, must end at 9pm sharp, for it will become a Night Club thereafter...

Mayflower Restn at International Bldg. for delicious tim sum...Chicos & Charlie for Mexican food at Liat Towers...

was it Ban Chuan Coffee house , next to Thai Embassy...yummy food...then to Taman Serasi...

Mee Siam, Roti John, Mee Pok Dry, the 'ang mo durian' drink..ha ha ha..who can forget... a meal first there, then bring GF opposite to Botanic Garden for a 'ruba ruba', don't forget gates close at 23:00 hrs...

Orchard Rd Carpark ...satay bee hoon, satay...and meet the resident "ORCHARD RD COWBOY"...and we get our clothes from Pavillion...then Bibi BaBa...ha ha ha ha...

Those were the days...

 

[halsey02]

Two things about the grown up world that fascinated me in my youth....

The 蜜瓜园 mural somewhere in Kallang(?) and the Red House Cafe...

Yeah!...where did I last see the two white Lions Statues that used to be at the beginning & end of MERDEKA BRIDGE....??? know the bridge guys?, the one that span across Kallang River...Nicoll Highway...

Old Airport Rd hawker centre...remember?..the old version..where one can get to eat wild boar meat...

 

[snrcitizen]

Someone just jolted my memory on Merlin Restn, used to call it 'mi gar', and Amber Mansions opposite Supreme House,now Park Mall, and the cute little bldh now Fish & Co., next to Park Mall, used to be call TGIF...Thank God It;s Friday...

Too young to go to Talk of The Town then...when I was older it was...chatter Box I & II ( Mandarin Hotel), could not afford the Library, get myself invited into Chinnoserie (Hyatt)..what else...something at the ANA Hotel at Nassim...

The Hokkien Prawn Noodle at Orhard Rd market next to Cold Storage, the pau etc.. at Keok Rd., Jacks Place @ Killiney Rd...and a Chinese Restn., over looking Buyong Rd..called Mandarin Room...

Ahh yes!, Tropicana at Scotts Rd., Day time Restuarant, where one can eat dim sum etc.., night time host Wedding dinners, must end at 9pm sharp, for it will become a Night Club thereafter...

Mayflower Restn at International Bldg. for delicious tim sum...Chicos & Charlie for Mexican food at Liat Towers...

was it Ban Chuan Coffee house , next to Thai Embassy...yummy food...then to Taman Serasi...

Mee Siam, Roti John, Mee Pok Dry, the 'ang mo durian' drink..ha ha ha..who can forget... a meal first there, then bring GF opposite to Botanic Garden for a 'ruba ruba', don't forget gates close at 23:00 hrs...

Orchard Rd Carpark ...satay bee hoon, satay...and meet the resident "ORCHARD RD COWBOY"...and we get our clothes from Pavillion...then Bibi BaBa...ha ha ha ha...

Those were the days...

You do certainly get around to many places and like I said earlier, I admire your memory. Remembered TGIF but could not place Merlin Restn. Makan at Koek Rd, Orchard Rd carpark with cowboy, satay bee hoon and the king sized cockles. Yes, you jolted my memory.

You mentioned the Pavilion. Did you remember Pavilion was a cinema at Beach Road screening black and white films on a small screen? The original satay club was located on the side road next to the cinema.

My father treated me to Tropicana night club for my birthday and it was probably the only legal place in town with topless dancers those days.

 

[snrcitizen]

Two things about the grown up world that fascinated me in my youth....

The 蜜瓜园 mural somewhere in Kallang(?) and the Red House Cafe...

It is a real pity to see the Red House cafe all boarded up now. :(

 

[lolabunny]

It is a real pity to see the Red House cafe all boarded up now. :(

I loved going on dates to Red House cafe!! :p:p:p I loved the glass cups in saucers and the hainanese style cakes!3 The old style booth seats, the low rotating fans, the glass counters where the cakes are placed. WOW!

I remember Mont D'or's kway tiao soup and chicken pie. So yummy!

And silver spoon at Supreme House... TGIF had the best brownie and ice cream. :p:p

There was the original Old Chang Kee at the old Rex cinema, the old uncle frying the curry puffs. :p

Remember Country Manna in Far East Plaza and the flaming baked alaska dessert? The filo puff pastry over the bowl of soup was yums.

There was this Indonesian restaurant at the old Plaza Singapura which had the yummiest satay even though I don't eat satay.

The old satay club at what is now Esplanade, just sitting by the river. Along the same road, Empress place had a hawker centre, also just beside the river.

Handicraft Centre at Tanglin, at what is now the Tudor Court. Tuckshop Foodcourt at the current HPL house.

Some other places full of memories but ooh too secret. :p

 

[Kuailan]

Ooooo....... jogging down memory lane.....

1. Anson Road Singapore Polytechnic club house.
2. YMCA at Palmer Road before being forced to close down.
3. Medo Coffee Shop directly opposite Plaza Singapore (Logo is a spoon with the name medo on it)
4. Ponderosa... what has happened to Ponderosa ??
5. Anywhere... at Tanglin Shopping Center. We used to joke, where shall we go this evening? anywhere... and we end up at Anywhere. Tania and his sick joke !!
6. A&W.... are they still around ?? at Kheam Hock Rd in between Bukit Timah and Dunearn RD next to the River. With ample free car park.
7. Rex cinema back alley, that row of Mee siam - best in SG,
8. Hainanese Cendol 5cts half glass cup, 10cts full cup.
9. Indian rojak at it's best at Rex back alley.
10 Still remember the Indian mee goreng.
11. Kampong Chantek Indian man on tricycle Rojak bandung 20cts
the best I have tried today extinct! The sauce is the best better than the Chinese version of the Joo Her Eng Chai.
12. Orchard Fitzpatrick Super mart second floor coffee House D'atas
service western food very cheap and good, car par free some more
exact location now next to Paragon. Fitzpatrick extinct sold to Cold
Storage.
13. Bukit Timah 7 milestone, road side Bubor cha cha 10cts, taste the best.
Inside Beauty World Hainanese Ice Kachang one of the best i have tasted
10 cts per plate.
14. IN front of St. Joseph Sec School along the road Indian Rojak very tasty
was it Stamford Rd?? Now taken over by SMU...
15. Rochor Rd , Queens Street Hainanese Satay, gravy with pineapple, 5cts
per stick, Hokien mee by Rd side 70cts uses Or Peh leaf to wrap.
Bio-degradeable.
16. Prawn Noodle at Ceylon Rd Katong area, uses chilli powder those days
car park along the road, can have that tasy Prawn noodle. Can't
remeber the price.
17. Mont D'Or one at Ngee Ann Building next to the Madza showroom, grd flr remember my AIA agent bought me coffee and curry puff for $3.00. The was the first the and the last time , this man was a thrifty and stingy man. Stay in a big bungalow, I did some wall mural painting to his house all for free. This man is very manupulative, good speaker, can talk till the cow climb trees. No possible lah.

18 Standard price, Mee goreng 30cts, mee rebus 20cts, carot cake 10 cts bring your own egg. Rojak 10cts, ice cream potong 10cts big chunk! satay 5cts. Look at today's price??

 

[KKC007]

Surprised nobody mentioned Rendevous.

 

[lolabunny]

Surprised nobody mentioned Rendevous.

 

[troubledtimes]

Ooooo....... jogging down memory lane.....

1. Anson Road Singapore Polytechnic club house.
2. YMCA at Palmer Road before being forced to close down.
3. Medo Coffee Shop directly opposite Plaza Singapore (Logo is a spoon with the name medo on it)
4. Ponderosa... what has happened to Ponderosa ??
5. Anywhere... at Tanglin Shopping Center. We used to joke, where shall we go this evening? anywhere... and we end up at Anywhere. Tania and his sick joke !!
6. A&W.... are they still around ??

There is still an A&W near emerald hill, and another one across ray winston's gym, but the food aint that great.

I dont rate Ponderosa to be honest, the meat is tough and salad old and wrinkly, but it was a great secondary school hang out in my time.

 

[shelltox]

You know I really miss some old restaurants/coffee houses during my childhood and youth days like:

Troika, Tivoli, Copper Kettle, Magnolia Bar, Pavillion Restaurant at the old Specialist Centre , coffee house at the old Robinsons in the old Specialist Centre (served very tasty local pepper chicken curry hailam style!), coffee house at the old Ladyhill Hotel, coffee house at the old YMCA along stevens road (tasty Malay/Indonesian food), Mont D'or (loved their milkshakes served in those aluminium containers!), original Polar Cafe along High Street...aiyo getting hungry just thinking about those old days!!

What you guys/gals out there? What were your favs?

In the 60's Mont Do'r was known for their ice cream.. it was a real treat for us kids to have ice cream there. Still remember air con smell and drinking the ice water after eating the ice cream.

Copper Kettle at shaw tower was my favorite western food joint during my dating dates. steaks were around 20plus $.

The A&W restaurant along dunearn road was famous for their Connie dogs and ice cold root beer.

 

[Kuailan]

Surprised nobody mentioned Rendevous.

Rendevous those days were expensive, today worst even more expensive, I remember many years ago they were at Raffles City, went there for lunch 2 person cost $120+ I vowed never to patronise this Redevous rest. again.

They are still around but biz is not as good perhap their repution of being very expensive!!

 

[halsey02]

You do certainly get around to many places and like I said earlier, I admire your memory. Remembered TGIF but could not place Merlin Restn. Makan at Koek Rd, Orchard Rd carpark with cowboy, satay bee hoon and the king sized cockles. Yes, you jolted my memory.

You mentioned the Pavilion. Did you remember Pavilion was a cinema at Beach Road screening black and white films on a small screen? The original satay club was located on the side road next to the cinema.

My father treated me to Tropicana night club for my birthday and it was probably the only legal place in town with topless dancers those days.

Why never remebered Merlin as Merlin...I have always called it "min gar"...as in Cantonese for noodle shop..always with the "ngau lam min", "tow far sui with han yan"....that will be, Beef bisket noodle with, soya bean milk with almond flavour..

Pavilion cinema yes...the old satay club & all the BBQ chicken wings along beach rd...I miss No1 Store Satay..especially his satay 'berut'..at the esplanade...

Remember, Woh Hup in Chinatown...for their noodles?, 'gai cha min' with...& their oyster sauce....and they were the one who introduced us to "Tong Chee Kai"...ahhh.."Virgin Chicken", something like that..ha ha ha..ok!, it is deep fried chicken...like the ones we get from the so-called western food shops in the coffee shop...

Woh Hup...moved to Kitchener Rd in 1982...and thereafter..it closed I think...

Tropicana...I do remember...not for the nightclub, but for the resturant...wasn't into topless ahem!....

Kasbah...ontop of Mandarin hotel...Neptune on OUB Building...I missed Neptune most.....

ah, what memories..

 

[halsey02]

Rendevous those days were expensive, today worst even more expensive, I remember many years ago they were at Raffles City, went there for lunch 2 person cost $120+ I vowed never to patronise this Redevous rest. again.

They are still around but biz is not as good perhap their repution of being very expensive!!

I agree with you..Rendezous was not mentioned, for the reason is that, we will avoid eating there for their food are over hyped, over priced...and not a value for money!!!

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

Well if Locke can entice Michelle Chia and Fiona Xie to join the makan search then kindly count me in, I shall be happy to sponsor such a 'hunt' but please exclude the 2 twits Gurmit and Seetoh

It's been so long that I really can't remember the name of the hotel, but a "quaint old little" hotel is an apt description. Never been there for breakfast; only dinner. Locke is very familiar with that area. Perhaps he'll organise a makan-search, and sponsor of course.

 

[halsey02]

I loved going on dates to Red House cafe!! :p:p:p I loved the glass cups in saucers and the hainanese style cakes!3 The old style booth seats, the low rotating fans, the glass counters where the cakes are placed. WOW!

I remember Mont D'or's kway tiao soup and chicken pie. So yummy!

And silver spoon at Supreme House... TGIF had the best brownie and ice cream. :p:p

There was the original Old Chang Kee at the old Rex cinema, the old uncle frying the curry puffs. :p

Remember Country Manna in Far East Plaza and the flaming baked alaska dessert? The filo puff pastry over the bowl of soup was yums.

There was this Indonesian restaurant at the old Plaza Singapura which had the yummiest satay even though I don't eat satay.

The old satay club at what is now Esplanade, just sitting by the river. Along the same road, Empress place had a hawker centre, also just beside the river.

Handicraft Centre at Tanglin, at what is now the Tudor Court. Tuckshop Foodcourt at the current HPL house.

Some other places full of memories but ooh too secret. :p

Old Chang Kee, Cameroon...curry puffs still the best, unlike those of OCK today...yucks! an at $1.20 now...

Plaza Singapura...top floor, Mc Lionel King (right?), the first dine-in with the trays...and select your fare along the glide rails...

Remember RASA SINGAPURA, after St. Regis today?...where St.Regis is, there used to be a small restn call Tangle Inn...

At Rasa Singapura:
1. Lau Goh ( not wooden), Chinese Carrot Cake
2. Chee Cheong Fun, steamed on the spot with prawns or shitake mushrooms
3. Poh Piah, Kueh Pati
4. Indian Rojak from Bencoleen Street
5. Drinks stall with their lime jusice, soya bean drinls etc...yummy
.....and so forth...
.....

Viva Rasa Singapura!...was supposedly to be the showcase of Singapore hawker's fare to the tourist...but an extremely popular eating place for all those who frequent Orhcard Rd, those days, for their entertainment...first to eat and then...to the DISCOS!!!

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

Some times spotted eye candy SYT chiobus in bikinis having a dip in the pool while I munched away on satay and char kway teow, also ice karchang with ice cream scoop on top!

Laydyhill's coffee house, served free flow coffee, spend many early mornings there drinking coffee, & having to go to work at 7am..:

I gather the old apartments at the Ngee Ann Kongsi site(now Ngee Ann City) housed rich towkays mistresses! Spotted some buying the cakes.

Remember still the smell of Mont D'or and their cakes...yummy!!!..:

What I loved about the original Polar Cafe was the way they enticed their customers to eat by placing a tray of curry puffs, cakes, tarts etc on the table after you sat down. How to resist with that sort of a promotion!

Polar cafe @ high street, their curry puffs, chicken pie, egg tart & downing them with tomato juice...and club sandwiches..

I always bought a Fitzpatrick swiss roll whenever I visited the same

There was this coffee house next to Fitzpatrick's supermarket, ....

Liked Silver Spoon's sphagetti

Ahh!...Silver spoon @ then known as Supreme House,......

Yes the wanton mee dry was yummy, so too the ice kachang, still reminder the bees that used to buzz around the stall because of the sweet syrups!

Not far from there, the National Library canteen, where we have lovely Wanton Mee & the yummy tasting Malay Food..,

Ah yes, 7up floats and lime freezes, damn nice! Set meals were a soup, minute steak and a scoop of ice cream at cheap prices.

and wander to Capitol for Magnolia Snack Bar for their Coca cola or 7up Ice cream float or Lime Sherbet..western set meals....,we can just go on...!!!

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

"AAAAAAAA", "Sit on it Potsie" A&W at BT/Dunearn Rd was certainly something like "Arnold's" of "Happy Days" but with no Karate Kid Pat "Arnold" Morita:p Never thought Ron "Richie Cunningham" Howard would become such a successful film director, oh and become bald as well

I thought I was Fonzie...with my Tuesday Coney Dog...still irresitible to me, must eat when I am in KL...go to KLCC..and indulge... hmmm the taste of the A&W root beer, still fresh in the mind... yummy... their waffle..yummy

Spend lazy days like "fonzie" at the Bukit Timah/Duneran A&W, opposite then, University of Singapore & their the other outlet at Upper Thomson Rd, outside Taman Permata Opposite to Imperial Theatre, and next to Tal lee Bank, & Lake view Hawker Centre..

time.....time....1 2 3 4 happy days.. lah lah..!!! ha ha ha

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

Hence the title of the thread my dear

wow ... u guys sound old ...

Good question. I think perhaps under different management.

whatever happened to fitzpatrick supermart ? how come cold storage survived but fitzpatrick didnt ?

 

[KKC007]

Rendevous those days were expensive, today worst even more expensive, I remember many years ago they were at Raffles City, went there for lunch 2 person cost $120+ I vowed never to patronise this Redevous rest. again.

They are still around but biz is not as good perhap their repution of being very expensive!!

Raffles City? I'm talking about the space where the hotel is now. This is one of 2 places I always visit when I return to Singapore. The other being Ng Ah Sio BKT. Been eating there since their Great World days.