I learned everything about love from watching Fellini films.  It’s probably true that learning about love from the man himself would be a difficult schooling, and probably not entirely practical for most people, but I was willing to give it a go with the films.  I would have to make sure that I had plenty of suits, or at least two.  At first I thought I would have 8, one for every day of the week, and one to wear while the others were at the cleaners.  But then I considered having 8 1/2 suits, and tried to get my mind around that, which never happened.  And somewhere in there I realized that suits are very, very expensive, if you’re looking for something that you can wear well.

So I opted for 2 exquisitely tailored suits.  And when we added up the potential costs, I bought two at the second-hand store, and did a little bit of stitching myself on them.  Almost perfect.  I also decided that to begin, I would have to me a mysterious man, and to do that I should go to a mysterious place.  Singapore was always something I’d thought about, more for the sling than anything, but it would work.  There were plenty of restaurants serving Italian food, so I would be in my element.  Or at least, an element, and the one where they have Italian food in a very large city that I did not know.

It turned out you don’t need to know everything about Singapore before you go there.  If you are trying to evoke Fellini in Singapore, you will be successful in attracting attention.  Especially if you decide to hook up with a local and try to reenact the fountain scene from La Dolce Vita.  It will be wonderfully exotic and exciting for both of you, except that both of you will be you more than her.  She might decide that she will just take your shoes and leave you in the fountain by yourself.  And you might decide that the suit is still looking sharp, and the world is still your oyster, or rather, oyster sauce.

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Fellini in Singapore

The restaurant close to Central Park, Tavern on the Green, was originally designed as a pen for sheep. In 1870, the design of Jacob W. Mould was built to house the two hundred sheep that fed on the grass of the Park. For sixty four years the building served this purpose. But in 1934, Robert Moses, the New York Parks Commissioner, decided the building was up for a change. On the other side of the park at that time, was the Central Park Casino. Moses wanted to get rid of the casino, as the swanky and sometimes questionable activities that happened were threatening the integrity of the park, something with in which Moses was concerned.

During the time that Moses was suing the casino owner, he moved the sheep to Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and gave the Shepperd a job in the house for the lions at the Central Park Zoo. The renovations to the building were begun far before he announced to the city, in February of 1934, that this site would now be home to Tavern on the Green. The opening day was October 20th in that year of 1934, and what a night that was. The doormen were decked out and Mayor LaGuardia was the first to open the door with a key made of brass. And so, along with many of the newly constructed New York hotels rated as five star, the Tavern became the newest of Central Park’s attractions.

The people of the city quickly embraced the restaurant and it soon became one of the most popular places to see and be seen. In 1950, after many years, the building was again in need of refurbishing and renovation. One of the top architectural designers of the time, Raymond Loewy, was hired to perform that task, a process that involved the addition of the Elm Room, now referred to as the Park Room. Between the years of 1950 and 1962, the restaurant management changed hands many times, and was eventually shut down in 1974.

But two years later in 1976, a widely successful restaurateur, Warner Leroy, put ten million dollars into, yet again, another renovation project. A project that included the addition of stained glass, original art work and paintings, chandeliers and etched mirrors, and voila…Tavern on the Green breathed new life. Leroy ran the work in progress for many years, always changing the building and adding to its style and to its character. Leroy passed away in 2001, but his daughter continues the work, in progress. New murals are commissioned every year, and now future generations will be able to visit the historical restaurant, whether they are visiting from out of town, or just walking from their flat for a splendid night out. A great hotel to stay at in NYC is the Soho Grand Hotel.

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New York’s Tavern on the Green

Considered the dining capital of Australia, Melbourne boasts every kind of cuisine imagineable. When we left Hotel Melbourne Australia we decided it was no time to diet. Oddly, we immediately went for fast food at Hungry Jack’s, the McDonald’s (or should we say Burger King) of Australia. They have the old regulars, the hamburgers, the french fries. Happily, the one we went to had vegetarian burgers, and bottled water so we could skip the soft drinks. The burger was quite good, try getting that back in the states. Fast food fix satisfied, we just needed some familiar chow, plus it was cheap and fast.

After that, some caffeine was in order, and a stroll down Degraves Street led us to, well, Degraves Espresso. We were too fast-fooded out to try the panninis, the free range eggs and chorizo, the foccacias, the place smelling strongly of ground coffee, everyone nice and friendly. We “settled” for velvety cappuccinos (even though it was mid-day) and were content to watch business men zip by, the tourists ambling about as we sat under our umbrella at this funky fun place.

We stumbled into Flagstaff Gardens and watched some lawn bowling at this leafy oasis and headed over to the Shanghai Noodle House on Tattersalls Lane. We waited for a table in this bustling enjoyable place, menus in Chinese but a few English menus circulate. As we waited briefly for a table a fellow waiting with us suggested we try the dumplings. They were really good. Who doesn’t love a good dumpling? Served in soup with shreds of pork and vegetables, seasoned with cilantro and a little seaweed, the dumplings were heaven in a bowl. It was cheap, and we were OK getting our own table ware, tea and water.

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Cheap Eats in Melbourne

The Singapore Botanic garden is one of the most spectacular parks on the island.  It is a tropical paradise that is sent in the center of the city, and is a wonderful combinations of gardens, varying gardens of roses, desert plant-life, ferns and frangipanis along side the primary and un-tended natural forest.  There is a wide variety of species located within the garden, including many rare and exotic varieties of plant life.  There are more than twenty thousand orchids on display each day, with species from South and Central America, intermixed with ponds and fountains.  Outdoor concerts take place on Symphony Lake, and one can find any number of treasures in the shops throughout the garden.  All this is within walking distance of a fine dining French Singapore restaurant. The location draws many tourists throughout the year, and this month of August has something special to offer those who make their way to the garden.

The Galapagos Islands were not the only islands providing inspiration for the study of the theory of evolution.   Another scientist at the time, Alfred Russel Wallace had been traveling throughout Malaysia, was based in Singapore, and discovered the theory of evolution very close to time of Charles Darwin’s discovery of the scientific theory.  While Darwin was testing his theory on the Galapagos, Wallace was at work in Southeast Asia.  He conducted many hours of research, and extensively wrote about his explorations and discoveries of the Bukit Timah Hill Reserves.  Throughout his eight year exploration he collected more than one hundred and twenty-five thousands examples from different species of plants and animals, one thousand of which had never before been seen and were new to the scientific world.  He then collaborated with Darwin, and the theories were born.  The entire month of August is dedicated to this collaboration between the two men, and will focus on the achievements Wallace made throughout his lifetime.  This exhibit is appropriately housed within the Botanic Garden, it is open to the public and free of charge.

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Evolution and the Singapore Botanic Garden

The two neighborhoods one is most likely to find a Melbourne luxury hotel, is St. Kilda and Toorak.  While there are luxury accommodations located throughout the Australian city, these two districts have histories that are steeped in old money, wealth, style and decadence.  One a beach-side resort town for the genteel and upper class residents of Melbourne, St. Kilda became a bit seedy, a bit edgy during the late 1960′s and early 1970′s.  But as all neighborhoods in cities transition, today there is an air of cool cosmopolitan style and a vibe of independence.  Many of those living in St. Kilda take to the streets.  This is a fantastic vacation destination for those wishing to bike, walk and skate through their days.  Off shore, there are many opportunities for sailing and wind surfing.

The restaurants in the neighborhood boast some of the freshest and finest of seafood cuisine.  And local nightlife is alive with a thriving local music scene.  There are locations for spa treatment, including indoor purified seawater saunas and pools.  And each Sunday there is an open air market with a special section for crafts that children can participate in.  Book stores and boutiques of fashionable clothing are popping up on Carlisle and Acland Streets.  And each January the Yalukit Wilam Ngargee festival takes place with celebrate the cultures indigenous to the country, with performers, and artists lining the streets.

For those wanting high fashion and higher priced items, the village of Toorak is the spot to shop.  Some of the celebrities of the country live here and the higher priced real estate has kept this village to those wealthy who can afford.  It is however, fun to walk through the shops and indulge in the beauty salons and barber shops offering high-class shaves to the gentlemen in the group. One of the most beautiful gardens in Australia is located close by, the Como House and Garden.  Inside the house there is a fine collection of antique furniture and art work.  This is an historical site at one time the residence of the most wealthy pioneering families of Australia, the Armytages. And just down Malvern Road sits the village of Hawksburn, wherein at one time was the location of some of the most serious chefs in the world.  And is, by the way, still one of the best locations to find fine restaurants and interesting cuisine.

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The Luxury of Melbourne, AustraliaThe Luxury of Melbourne, Australia

As I stepped out from the Margao station, I found our driver waiting to take me and others to our Goa Resort Spa hotel. He was standing with a placard with my name on it, very nice. I’ve never been treated like an important person before. I felt a little giddy. I hopped into a mini air-conditioned bus which would take me to the resort. It took about a half-hour to get there, and the ride was harrowing and thrilling which helped me make instant friends with the other tourist on the bus.

When I arrived, I was amazed at the beauty of the landscaped garden and it’s proximity to the beach. The entrance lobby was big and open and had cane chairs with small tables next to them. In the center of the lobby was a huge lantern hanging majestically as a lantern can be and right beneath that was a mock boat with some beach rocks and plants around it to give, I guess, an authentic Goan look.  I see the resorts bar was not too far from the check-in counter. I could hear some solo singer with a guitar was playing inside. The restaurant was down the corridor of the main lobby and I could smell the wonderful aroma of indian spices being cooked into some fabulous Indian cuisine.

After I checked in and got situated, I immediately went on a tour to the Mangesh Temple and back to the resort to enjoy it’s amenities, such as air-conditioning! It’s very hot in India and a reprieve from the heat is truly a blessing. I had a small balcony that I went out on when the sunset to enjoy the evening air and local sounds. Then the next day I went to the Old Goa Church and took a Star cruise to sail in the Mandovi river that flows next to Goa on to Panaji and down to the Arabian Sea. I came back to the resort and enjoyed  the swimming pool and had my hair done at the beauty parlour and took a stroll around the lovely garden. I wondered into the bar to listen to that solo artist I heard when I first arrived. I was so happy and very very relaxed.

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Goa Relaxing

It might be hard to imagine how built in gas grills could change the way people think about cooking, but a few weeks of direct experience, and it becomes very clear.  Our grills are designed with multiple functions to serve individual needs for style, convenience, and preferences of taste.  There are lots of built-in features that will be immediately apparent to any user, but it’s worth spending time experimenting with the possibilities to see that the variations are really endless.  Even the most imaginative chefs will find that there are endless possibilities here, and the day is never long enough to try them all.  However, with your outdoor kitchen, when night falls you’ll find yourself eating excellent foods in your own paradise, among your best friends.

One of the most social foods in this hemisphere is carne asada, and the outdoor grill is the perfect place to perfect the art of this lovely meal.  Carne asada translates, basically, to “grilled meat,” so there’s nothing mysterious about it, on the surface.  Beneath the surface, however, there is a long history, with thousands of fantastic and funny stories, and it makes its way into lots and lots of family memories.  Besides the very basic simple function of carne asada as a meat that makes an excellent taco, it’s often the centerpiece of the family meal.  And the meal is often the central symbol of how the family is doing.  A bit of spice, plenty of interesting ingredients, and a tender and juicy meat, generally means that the kids are all right.

So it’s important to get a good grilling technique down, and you’ll want to perfect your own before you try this out with a large gathering.  For decent carne asada, choose between a flank steak or skirt steak, about a half pound per person if this is the central attraction with a few side attractions.  The marinade is perhaps the most important part here, and there are many carne asada recipes available, and family recipes are generally the best.  Try different regions in Mexico to find what’s the most spectacular for the locals, and experiment, experiment, experiment!  Oil, onion and garlic, lime, orange, or lemon juice, and salt, are all staples of these recipes.  Have plenty of corn tortillas at hand.  When the meat is well marinated, and the grill is nicely prepared, cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, and slice it fairly thin, and get ready to make a whole lot of family members smile!

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Carne asada on the grill

I love to grill, so cooking outside is a big part of my summer living. I have followed the latest trend in outdoor cooking and have installed an entire outdoor kitchen, including not only a Fire Magic grill, but a Subzero refrigerator, a sink and a prep area. I’ve turned my backyard into the ultimate BBQ palace and kept my house cool on the inside while I cooked on the outside.

I found when cooking outside, there are a few things to be concerned about, like grill safety. This includes the safety of the food I’m grilling, like the pre-grilling temperature, the internal cooking temperature and the serving temperature. I especially pay attention to cross contamination. The pre-grilling temperature is usually not a problem if I’m grilling at home, but if I’m taking food to a picnic area or another type of outdoor events, then keeping the food cold before it’s grilled is very important. Keeping meat and other perishables, especially potato salads, macaroni or coleslaw (due to the mayonnaise) in a cooler packed with plenty of ice with prevent bacteria to form. I also transport the coolers inside my truck where there’s airconditioning. I really recommend not putting your coolers in the trunk of the car. But, if you’re at your home and don’t have a refrigerator like I have, then fill up a tub full of ice which guests can drop their sealed containers of perishables and keep a thermometer around to make sure the foods are chilled below 40 degrees.

For the proper internal cooking temperatures, you need to purchase a meat thermometer to gauge the doneness of the meat. Most make the mistake of cooking the meat until it looks done or when the juices run out, but that is not a safe way to cook for your guest. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure that the meat is properly cook and at the right internal temperature. Steaks need to be cook to a temperature of 145 degrees for a medium-rare, a 160 degrees for a medium and 170 degrees for well done. Pork should be cooked to 160 degrees for medium and 170 degrees for well done. I recommend if you are grilling pre-cooking sausages and hot dogs only cook to 165 degrees. For uncooked sausages cook till they are at 160 degrees. Poultry a 180 degrees except for chicken breast which should be cooked to 170 degrees.

Happy Safe Grilling.

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Safe grilling tips

Americans love their grills! And of course, they love them about ten times more during the summer. The smell of smoky food searing and cooking over the barbecue grill is just so completely synonymous with summer! If you are not fortunate enough to live in a state in the Union where grilling is easy all year round the summer time cookouts are even more special.

Although, I know that when I was growing up in Ohio we did not hesitate to fire up the grill during the winter if we really wanted to grill some meat. Grilling was one of the number one ways that my family cooked. After moving to Arizona, I think I have become even more spoiled. Since it’s basically beautiful out here 365 days a year, you can grill every day.

And grills have only gotten bigger and better. They started out small; grills that you use to cook over coals are considered the classic American grill. It all started with the dome shaped Weber grill. Now people are keener on gas grills because they require a lot less maintenance than their coal counterparts. Although, grilling aficionados still swear by a Weber grill and Kingsford charcoal.

With gas grills becoming the grill of choice, so now have become an entire new industry of luxury outdoor kitchens. Because people are spending more time grilling than ever they want to have the state of the art equipment right in their backyard. Steve Barbarich started online selling luxury hot tubs and Jacuzzis but has since expanded to include luxury kitchens. His website, chooseoutdoorkitchens.com takes luxury outdoor kitchens to the next level.

Bottom line is that Americans love the taste that a grill gives their food and really is there anything better? With barbecue from Carolina, Texas to Memphis it really is a national pastime.

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Summertime Cookouts

The various neighborhoods of Singapore, are one of the unique aspects of the culture on the island.  There is rich heritage and a great diversity in that heritage.  While there is this contrast, there is also a blend that is harmonious, be it in the variety of the Singapore restaurants, the architecture, and the arts.  This little island offers the of the Eastern cultures and traditions and the best of the Western as well.  In one tour, one will go from the future, to the past in a single day, from conservative business centers to exotic market places.  One may pass a Hindu or a Chinese Temple, a Muslim Mosque, or a Catholic church all side by side on the same city street.  One may start the day with breakfast as the Singapore Zoo with the orangutans, have afternoon tea at one of the traditional tea houses, and then dress up for a night at the Opera or with the Symphony.  Every day brings something new and different in the city. In the Little India neighborhood, one will feel as though they are truly walking through a smaller version of Goa or Kerela.  The streets are filled with spice shops, palm readers, and the incredible scents flowing out of the kitchens and the restaurants.  Many of the Indians that have immigrated throughout the years live in this enchanting sector.  Little Arabia, (http://www.the-inncrowd.com/littleindiawalk.htm)is filled with mosques, notable the Sultan Mosque which is an architectural wonder.  There are many market places selling everything from vintage Arabic clothing to scarves and jewelry.  This, as in all of the neighborhoods of Singapore, is filled with a variety of options for delicious meals.  The architecture of the Mosque varies incredibly from the style of the Saint Andrew’s Cathedral.  Colonial style is indicative in the spire and the grand white columns.  Then, just down the way is the Renaissance building, the Church of the Good Shepherd, with is the oldest Catholic church throughout Singapore.  All three of these buildings are among those that are most photographed and most admired.

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Neighborhoods of Singapore