For many moons, we have been using Hans at Great Eastern as our venue for the monthly gatherings. I think it is still an ideal place.
-
It can take in any number of people, from 50 to 200 pax.
-
The venue serves drinks and food, so catering is no issue.
-
Pax guarantee is not required.
-
Pretty central, opens every day.
But, are you able to recommend another place, with similar flexibility as Hans?
Terence Seah
terence ah hiah ,
moths back ,i did ask macdonald resturant in boat quay & clark quay…they ve no surcharge ,we just nid 2 contact de outlet mgr in advance…they were reserve a corner space but ve 2 take during their off peak period….
cheers sam huat huat huat….
Terence,
I got to know the owner, Lawrence Tay, of Food Haven recently during one of my food hygiene course. They have 6 outlets, namely:
1) 500 Dover Road, S’pore Poly Food Court
2) 500 Dover Rd, S’pore Poly Staff Centre
3) 535 Clementi Road, Ngee Ann Poly (canteen 2)
4) 10 Simei Ave, Cafeteria 1
5) 9 Woodlands Ave 9, Food Court ‘C’
6) No. 2 Corporation Rd, #07-04 Corporation Place
If I remember right, the one at S’pore Poly Staff Centre has a big function room too and the pricing is quite reasonable and food is quite good. In fact, one of our SHC member, Jocelyn Yeo took me there for lunch & dinner the last time and atmosphere is quite nice too.
Do check it out and if you need my help to make more enquiries, I’ll be glad to. Rgds, Lisa
Hi Lisa #2,
Can you tell me how far are each of these places from a train station? Which one would you recommend, based on distance alone?
Terence Seah
Hi Terence,
Dover MRT would be the nearest to S’pore Poly Staff Centre. If you like I can take you there one day and we can have a meal there. Just tell me when and I’ll give Lawrence a call. Rgds, Lisa
Hans @ Great Eastern Building is conveniently located with ample parking and public transport systems. It is spacious and not crowded for our kind of timing even on weekends. It offers a wide variety of food and beverages at reasonable price and no minimum or maximum pax booking requirements. So, why change? Wouldn’t it be good that SHC becomes a regular ‘fixture’ there? Unless, you have been told that we are no longer welcome. Is that the reason?
Hi Terence,
just today Lin Chuah and me recced a potential venue at Fort Canning Lodge at 6 Fort Canning Rd. The cafe can seat up to 150 pax, foods served are cheaper than at Han’s.
There have a 1 for 1 offer for main course by May Bank credit card till end July 2010. The venue is very accessible being five minutes walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT.
You may check the website at ‘www.ywcafclodge.org.sg’
Dan
Hi Terence,
How about the “SHC” cafe in MPH Robinson Road? I know you guys close early, at 5pm? but perhaps you can consider staying open till “late” on “SHC Meeting night”; and perhaps we can then adjourn to satay & tea tarak at Lau Pa Sak? The Lau Pa Sak is quite empty during the evenings, and we can easily reserve one section of it. And on certain nights, they even have live band music. Free of charge, too!
Cheers, Lydia.
Hi all,when is the next SHC monthly gatering?
Rgds,
Hi LilyH #5,
Well, we have not been booted out by Hans, despite the roar we generate each time. I was just been “backside itchy”. Yes, Hans has many plus points. Good to hear your support for this venue. We will likely hold the next monthly gathering at Hans.
We should still consider other venues, that may be convenient to other SHCians. In principle, I look for the following guidelines. The venues does not force us to take a “pax guarantee” and does not insist we order a fixed menu at a fixed price. Aala carte is preferred, to meet members’ choice. Members should be free to order what they like, and when they like. In my mind, SHC gatherings should not have a food objective. Sure, venues must have MRT, circle or NEL access.
In fact, I have always preferred a venue where no one sits down. This is to enable everyone to wonder around. Have you noticed that at gatherings, most of the chairs have super glue? Bettter still, I think the chairs should have a pin, stuck in the middle, or they should just have conical seats. Haha, but something we should think about.
Well, this the thinking of the current Club Manager. I am open to suggestions.
Terence Seah
David-S, when the next SHC Gatjering, Terence or the EO will run a thread on this forum so stay tuned.
Terence, what’s the point of having a needle/pin wticking out from the middle of a chair? Rather, the chair shd not hv a seat…..better if the seatless chair has only 3 sides, like a “U”.
Opps, left out some words. It shd be “when the next gathering gathers steam……….”. Getting old, eyes koyak, typing koyak, sigh.
Dear Terence,
The Cafe at Fort Canning Lodge seems a good bet. When will you be in town to look at it. Dun put Lin’s effort to waste!
This is a huge place and seldom crowded and have a good variety of foods priced reasonably.
Dan
Terence/Lisa
Singapore Poly Staff center have a very big private room at Food Heaven suitable for SHC monthly gathering …and check it out with Eyvonne if she can get the staff discount …Pass over to Eyvonne Chew.
Karen
Hi Terence,
Attended a seminar at SIM last Saturday at Namly place and noted that there’s a canteen there with quite a good variety of food. There’s also a room upstairs which can house 100-120 pax at not extra charge but will need prior notification, so that means the whole room will be solely for our use.
The operation Mgr there is Michael Howe. If you do happen to be around that area, try out their food which is quite good & reasonable, i.e. $3.00 – $4.50 depending on what you have. Ambience is very calm, quiet and surrounded by lots of greeneries. The only set back is there’s no MRT nearby but quite a few buses which will take 10mins to walk to this place (that’s what I was told by the Opn Mgr).
It’s good to have a common place like Hans but I guess no harm in having a change of venue once in a while. Having said that, it would be nice if we can eventually find a permanent place that we can call our own. Rgds, Lisa
I agree with Lily @5
Hans is easily accessible with good food ,cosy environment too.Why meet so far away.?.some places recommended above sound so ‘ulu’ to me..oopps!
Perhaps can consider Fort Canning Lodge,at least its central..& near Orchard Road..for those not working,may go shopping first?…hehe
Thank you folks, for the many good suggestions you all have put up.
To my mind, the key consideration really is : will this place be able and willing to take in a motley lot, most behaving very strangely?
We had to be the stern and no-nonsense parents when we raised our kids. Deprived for so long, we now make up lost time by making a lot of noise when we see our own kind. So this isnt a strange bahaviour.
What’s strange is, many look forward to travelling half of Spore to go to a gathering place to simply sit down. A few do whisper a “hi” and then continue to sit down, look at each other and shut themselves up.
This must be scary to the food-joint operators or owners of the premises.
Thus, while the alternative venue shd accommodate a boisterous crowd, on our part, we need to carry ourselves properly……yes, carry our butts to move around and not just sit dreaming………. Forget abt prince charming or cinderella walking up; we’re split btwn silverhairs and no hairs.
In any social gathering, whether the participants are 17 or 70 of age, the typical scenario is the same –
there are a few actors and a big audience. Having it the other way will be disastrous, imagine Bangkok in recent times.
Some people find pleasure in flaunting their talent, inherent or othewise; while others simply enjoy watching and wondering. A movie ticket costs $8 or more so watching
a real time presentation at a social gathering is more economical, albeit hopefully entertaining.
Finally, with regards to chatting, check this out…..
???????, ???????
We have not fixed the daet of the June monthly gatering yet. Well, I am free this week, so I shall figure out a date for this month’s gathering.
Something in your mind?
Terence Seah
HI Terence,
How about combining the monthly meeting with some karaoke singing. Ros Lee is trying to set up some singing sessions. Just an idea.
Cheers, Lydia.
Hi Lydia #19,
I would be very pleased if you raise your hand to be the EO for one of the monthly gatherings. I am sure I would be comfortable if a singing session can be incorporated.
The EO has a lot of opportunity and jurisdiction to run the show he/she likes. Try it.
Terence Seah
Terence,
Trying to organise a karaoke session for such a big group of people is a major task… unless there are 5 other people committed to helping out.
Lydia.
Hi Terence/Lydia,
We had our last enchanting might at B Box KTV at Safra Toa Payoh. The only problem is that it can only accomodate 60 pax comfortably. The free flow of drinks without beer is about $12.00 and it come with a pool table. I can try to negotiate the cost to $9.00 if there is sufficient interest!
Anyone know of a KTV lounge that can fill in up to 80 pax?
Dan
Hi Lydia #21,
As a guide, the monthly gathering has the objective of providing a venue for SilverHairs to meet new and more friends.
I see this objective should continue to be observed. However, if an EO puts up his/her hand, I am most open to some singing items included. So, keep the options open.
Terence Seah
Hi Dan, Safra Toa Payoh will be closed down for 2 years by end June. They are rebuilding a new Safra Toa Payoh ready by 2012. Just fyi.
Orchid Country club, the cafe
nice place to meet
I think the cafe is open to public
If anyone is member, can help to pay first for 10% discount