Cugini Trattoria, Joo Chiat Place, Singapore - What is is and where?

Joo Chiat Road, Singapore.

Names

Cugina is Italian for cousin.

What is a trattoria?

Wikipedia explains in detail.

A trattoria (plural: trattorie) is an Italian-style eating establishment that is generally much less formal than a ristorante, but more formal than an osteria.^[1]

Trattoria sign in Tuscany

A trattoria rooted in tradition may typically provide no printed menu, casual service, wine sold by the decanter rather than the bottle, and low prices, with an emphasis on a steady clientele rather than on haute cuisine. Food tends to be modest but plentiful, mostly following regional and local recipes,^[2] sometimes even served family-style, at common tables. This homely tradition has waned in recent decades. Many trattorie have taken on some of the trappings of a ristorante, providing relatively few concessions to the old rustic and familial style. The name trattoria has also been adopted by some high-level restaurants.^[1]

Optionally, trattoria food could be bought in containers to be taken home. Etymologically, the word is cognate with the French term traiteur^[3] (a caterer providing take-out food). Derived in Italian from trarre, meaning 'to treat' (from the Latin tractare/trahere, i.e. 'to draw'),^[4] its etymology has also been linked to the Latin term littera tractoria, which referred to a letter ordering provision of food and drink for officials traveling on the business of the Holy Roman Empire.^[3][5]

Regarding the street names, the area is named after Chew Joo Kiat who was known as the King of Katong. (Katong was the area.) Several roads and areas bear his name. At one time he owned plantations in this area, now, alas gone. 

However, you can admire the Peranankan (Chinese mixed with Malay) architecture of the old days of the 19202 and art deco 1930s. You can see several two storey shophouses, shops and restaurants on the ground floor, with fancy fronts, some are deco, in assorted colours. Accommodation or a second storey of the business is above. Features are fancy doors and windows with windowsills and shutter, and lines of pattern from side to side on our below the first storey overhanging or embossed carved and painted line.

Joo Chiat was awarded  the status of National Heritage Town in 2011. UNESCO also recognized building in the area.

The area is now known for its many restaurants.

 37 Joo Chiat Place Singapore 427761

Tel +65 6243 5215

Useful Websites

https://www.cugini.com.sg/

https://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Restaurant_Review-g294265-d2355124-Reviews-Cugini_Trattoria_Pizzeria-Singapore.html

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See How The Rich Lived Royally At The Peranakan Museum, Melaka, Malaysia

The Peranakan Museum
The word Peranakan means native born in Malay, the children of the rich Chinese merchants who arrived in Malaysia (in those days called Malaya) and married local wives.

The house you visit is the ancestral home of a family, dating back to the 1860s, and the descendants are still around. The museum is private (so no reductions on the ticket price for pensioners).

The museum is open every day of the year except New Year's Day. (I presume that is the worldwide New Year, January 1st, and not Chinese New Year but I suggest you check.)

We paid for a guided tour and were given round stickers. Our guide, Shirley, who wore the pretty local dress of colourful, in her case blue, light thin unlined jacket with embroidered edge, fastened by three brooches. The thin, sometimes see-through jacket is called a kebaya.

When she sternly told those without stickers to leave the group we thought she was fierce but on the contrary she turned out to be very funny. Every fact she told us ended with a droll comment on how different things were nowadays.

At the Peranakan Museum. Buying tickets and waiting for the tour to start. You can take photos in this room.

Seclusion
We began in the grand entrance hall. In the early days, Peranakan ladies stayed behind the heavy door with glass you could not see through and peeped through gaps in the slatted woodwork at visitors.

I always wondered how the Chinese men managed to keep their Muslim Malay wives following Chinese customs. The women grew up in the house sheltered from meeting others and did what they were told. The style of food and clothing and worship was directed by the husbands. No need to leave. The family altar to venerate ancestors of the Chinese husband was within the home.

Special Staircase
On the ground floor I was impressed by the carving and gilding of the underwisde of the staircase, not a local feature but believed to be unique to this house. Upstairs the staircase has more surprises. A heavy carved double gate acted like a modern child gate to protect against falling and keep people out and in. Not just that. A sliding door with sides was pulled back to cover the entire staircase, so that from the ground floor the steps led nowhere.

A second security device was the movable floor tile where the upper front room was overhanging the doorway downstairs. You could look down on welcome, and unwelcome, visitors arriving. We could see unsuspecting tourists below.

Upstairs we saw wartime money. Banana money.

I was intrigued by the bride's wedding attire. She would have worn many hairpins inset with jewels.

Back downstairs to the kitchen. Huge pestle and mortar on the floor.  Everything, even the toilet doors, is distinctive, very local, different to anywhere back home in the UK or USA, the carving, the curves, the colour scheme.

At the back was a small shop, where one of our group bought a fan.

Peranakan Kebayas
Afterwards I looked at kebayas in a nearby shop. The embroidered, lacey edge is so pretty. The tops come in lots of colours, pale pastels which are summery, and more sophisticated darker colours. Unfortunately, what looked elegant on a slim woman was not tailored enough to look right on my ample figure. You also need a matching skirt. We tried a black and red jacket which we hoped would look good over a black dress. Black also shows creases less. If you are keen, as I was, a hotel shop such as the one in Casa del Rio might have a different style or quality.



Websites
singaporeair.com
https://www.malaysia.travel/en/experiences/top-25-experiences
https://www.malaysia.travel/en/sg

About the Author
Angela Lansbury is a travel writer and photographer, author and speaker, and teacher of English and other languages. Please share links to your favourite posts.

Indian Heritage Centre in Singapore

I spotted this advertisement for the Indian Heritage Centre last month in Singapore when I was on the MRT. I never got round to visiting it but it's on my wish list. I discovered the picture going back through my photos. How useful. I take photos of everything which might be useful later.

Indian Heritage Centre

5 Campbell Lane

Singapore 209924

Tel 6291 1601

Open Tuesdays to Sundays (closed Mondays)

Free admission for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.

Also in Singapore, museums and exhibitions on the Malay and Peranakan cultures (mixture of Chinese and Malay).

Finish with some tasty ethic food.

http://indianheritage.org.sg/en/visit-us/opening-hours-and-admission

See my previous post on Eurasian centre, which is near Dakota MRT station and then a bus ride.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.