WHERE Singapore, Feb 2015 by Asia City Media Group

FEBRUARY 2015

79 YEARS, 68 CITIES

TRUE ROMANCE 10 ways to charm that special someone in Singapore

ECLECTIC BOUTIQUES CHINESE FEASTS WATERFRONT BARS

A CUT A B OV E THE REST

ENTER A WORLD OF UNPARALLELED PRIVILEGES WITH SCARLET REWARDS EXPECT NOTHING LESS THAN THE MOST EXCLUSIVE SHOPPING PRIVILEGES, DELIGHTFUL GIFTS AND TREATS WITH OUR NEW PRIVILEGE PROGRAMME. SIMPLY PRESENT YOUR TOURIST PASSPORT AT PARTICIPATING STORES TO BE REWARDED IN STYLE. For full terms and conditions and other information, visit www.scottssquare.com

CONTENTS where

l SINGAPORE l FEBRUARY 2015

the guide 32 ATTRACTIONS New at Universal Studios

34 ARTS & CULTURE A new indie cinema

36 SHOPPING The best of lcoal design

38 WELLNESS Luxe facials by SK-II

41 DINING Hipster yakitori eatery

44 NIGHTLIFE Local live music

46 PROPERTY Apartments with a view

10 TWO’S COMPANY

48 NAVIGATE Essential information

Date ideas for an unforgettable day out

ALSO INSIDE 06 Editor’s Itinerary 14 Neighborhood Guides 49 20 Things We Love About Singapore 50 My City Celebrating 79 years of WHERE Magazine, the leading visitor publication around the world

8 l HOT DATES

Belle and Sebastian

31 l NEW ARRIVALS Hotpot Kingdom

wheretraveler.com

The website from the editors of Where magazine. Get all the latest city buzz from our local experts. Info only the locals know.

ON THE COVER © Singapore Tourism Board

FEBRUARY 2015 I WHERE SINGAPORE

ASIA CITY MEDIA GROUP PUBLISHER & GENERAL MANAGER Ric Stockfis ACMG | EDITORIAL WHERE EDITOR Clara Lim WHERE WRITER Joyce See MANAGING EDITOR Mrigaa Sethi JUNIOR WRITER Letitia Tandean ACMG | PRODUCTION SENIOR DESIGNER Camen Louise Ho GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Fishy Toh, Celeste Chooi ACMG | ADVERTISING & CIRCULATION BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Intan Agustina SENIOR MANAGER, MEDIA & MARKETING Shernan Plameras EXECUTIVES, MEDIA & MARKETING Lee Wee Keong, Roderick Wong, Joy Yao, Swathi Raj FINANCE MANAGER Lynn Legaspi ACCOUNTANT Huang Huiping MARKETING MANAGER Silver Adrienna Ng MARKETING & ADMIN ASSISTANT Geraldine Tan GROUP DIRECTORS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Gretchen Worth GROUP DIGITAL DIRECTOR Greg Duncan EMAIL ASIA CITY STAFF AT: WHERE@ASIA-CITY.COM.SG

MORRIS VISITOR PUBLICATIONS MVP | EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT Donna W. Kessler VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS Angela E. Allen CHIEF TRAVEL EDITOR Geoff Kohl GENERAL MANAGER, WHERE MAPS Christopher Huber MVP | NATIONAL SALES VICE PRESIDENT, NATIONAL SALES Rick Mollineaux DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS & NATIONAL DIGITAL SALES Bridget Cody NATIONAL SALES COORDINATOR David Gately MORRIS COMUNICATIONS CHAIRMAN & CEO William S. Morris III PRESIDENT William S. Morris IV PRODUCTION DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION Kris Miller MVP | CREATIVE CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER Haines Wilkerson SENIOR REGIONAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Margaret Martin DESIGN DIRECTOR Jane Frey PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Susan Strayer CREATIVE COORDINATOR Beverly Mandelblatt MVP | MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING Donald Horton E-MAIL FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE: FIRSTNAME.LASTNAME@MORRIS.COM

where SINGAPORE

#14-03 Block 211, Henderson Rd., Singapore 159552 Phone: (65) 6323-2512 • Fax: (65) 6323-2779 Email: where@asia-city.com.sg Published by where® Singapore Publishing Ltd., an Asia City Media Group Company. MCI (P) 094/09/2014 • ISSN: 0219 3280. Printed by KHL Printing Company Pte. Ltd. where® makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part strictly prohibited. where® is a registered trademark of Morris Visitor Publications-Where Magazine.

WHERE S I N G A P O R E I F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 5

World’s Largest Glass Greenhouse Flower Dome

“Avatar in real life: Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay”

“Top 10 Indoor Gardens of the World"

Guinness World Records 2015

— The Sydney Morning Herald

— FoxNews.com

Singapore’s Garden of

Wonder

Gardens by the Bay – Featuring more than 2,000,000 plants from over 10,000 species Showcasing the best of horticulture, sustainability and architectural design, this award-winning destination is filled with wonders from every continent except Antarctica. Explore diverse plant life from around the world displayed in its spectacular Cooled Conservatories or marvel at the Supertrees - towering vertical gardens that extend into the sky. Be inspired by nature where wonder blooms and experiences flourish.

Flower Dome

Cloud Forest

The Flower Dome replicates the cool and dry Mediterranean climate featuring 9 different gardens from 5 continents.

Explore the highlands amidst orchids, pitcher plants and ferns from the cool-moist Tropical Montane region, featuring one of the world's tallest indoor waterfalls at 35 metres as well as 7 discovery zones.

@gardensbythebay travelagents@gardensbythebay.com.sg gardensbythebay.com.sg 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953

OCBC Skyway & the Supertrees Suspended 22 metres above ground, between the vertical gardens of our Supertrees, the OCBC Skyway comes alive nightly with the Garden Rhapsody a free light and sound show - at 7:45pm and 8:45pm daily.

where Welcome Editor’s Itinerary Quality Time

The year has kicked off properly and the excitement has died down. With Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year on the calendar this month, it’s time to spend some quality time with your loved ones. Here’s how it’s done. T RIP PL AN N ER

In the News Marine Park on Sisters’ Islands

>> MORNING Whether you’re with the family or with your partner, few things bring people closer together than… a heart-stopping, scream-your-lungs-out roller coaster ride. Try the newly-revamped Battlestar Galactica (see page 30).

Singapore’s first marine park is now open to the public and is found on the neighboring Sisters’ Island. The 40-hectare park has hundreds of species of reef fish, hard corals and sponges. Go to www.nparks. gov.sg for info on how to visit. SEA Games

Singapore will play host to the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games that will be taking place from Jun 5-16. More than 7,000 athletes from 11 nations will gather to compete in 36 sports. Get tickets at www.seagames2015.com. >> AFTERNOON Steamboat meals are ideal for bonding—it’s so much fun doing your own cooking. New arrival Hotpot Kingdom (see page 29) is conveniently located as well as absolutely delicious.

>> EVENING There are plenty of concerts to catch and cozy up at this month. Our picks include Lily Allen, Christina Perri and Belle & Sebastian (see page 8).

6 WHERE S I N G A P O R E I f e b r u a ry 2 0 1 5

Global Tax Free

Visitors now have one more way to get tax refunds, thanks to the South Korean agency that recently launched here. Spend at least $100 at any Global Tax Free’s (look for the sign on the door) partner merchants and you will get a tax refund ticket which you can use for your cash refunds at Changi Airport, Singapore Cruise Centre or Marina Bay Cruise Centre.

A celebration of Singapore The fourth edition of the , the premier luxury guide for discerning travelers, will be published in March 2015.

Showcase your brand to the world. A very limited number of premium positions are available. Email sales@asia-city.com.sg to get special rates.

where Hot Dates February Feb 2 LILY ALLEN The straight-talking British singer will be making her Singapore debut in Feb. This tour marks her return from a four-year hiatus and she will be performing songs from her latest alblum, Sheezuz. The Star Theatre, 1 Vista Exchange Green, 6636-0055, S(138617), www. livenationlushington.net. $128-168 from L.

Feb 6 BILL BURR This comedy heavyweight of Chappelle’s Show fame will be taking to the stage in his debut stand-up comedy show in Singapore to tickle audience as he talks about his love life, pet dog and race-related issues. Kallang Theatre, 1 Stadium Walk, 6348-7907, S(397688), www.lacomedylive.com. $78-128 from L.

Feb 14

The Gathering

Feb 13

Live music series The Gathering starts 2015 with a bang by debuting its first multi-artist concert. Expect tunes from Scottish indie pop-rock band Belle and Sebastian, Canadian musician Caribou and local acts like the soulful Charlie Lim and indie-pop band Pleasantry. Fort Canning Green, Cox Terrace, 63321200, S(179618), www.thegathering.asia. $98-150 L. Before (or after) the show...

SSO POPS CONCERT: RHAPSODY IN BLUE Acclaimed Japanese jazz pianist Makoto Ozone will be sharing the stage with Singaporean conductor Joshua Tan and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra to perform “Rhapsody In Blue”, a classic piece by American composer George Gershwin. Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377, S(038981), www.sso.org.sg. $50250 from L.

Where to Eat [Lewin Terrace] This fancy Japanese-French

Through Feb 15

Where to Drink [Bacchanalia] There’s plenty of Champagne, craft cocktails, wine and sake on offer at this swanky restaurant. 23A Coleman St., 6509-1453, S(179806), www.bacchanalia.asia.

CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION Local theater group Pangdemonium’s latest play revolves around four strangers who meet in an acting class and

restaurant serves up elegant plates of fusion dishes that includes tons of fresh seasonal ingredients. Fort Canning Park, 21 Lewin Terrace, 6333-9905, S(179290), www.lewinterrace.com.sg.

Purchase tickets via SISTIC

(6348-5555, www.sistic.com) or Sportshubtix (6333-5000, www.sportshubtix.sg)

8 WHERE S I N G A P O R E I F E B r U A RY 2 0 1 5

the comedic events that follow. Led by veteran actors Adrian Pang and Neo Swee Lin. DBS Arts Centre Home of Singapore Repertory Theatre, 20 Merbau Rd., 6733-8166, S(239035), www.pangdemonium. com. $30-55 from L.

Singapore turns 50 years old this year, and this column commemorates the occasion by featuring a local heritage brand along with events taking place during the month.

Feb 27 CHRISTINA PERRI This American songtress who rose to fame with hit singles like “Jar of Hearts” and “A Thousand Years” will be serenading fans with tunes from her latest album Head or Heart. Also joining her on stage is local act Gentle Bones. The Coliseum, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway Singapore, 6577-8888, S(098269), www.midaspromotions.com. $98-138 from L.

Feb 20-Mar 1 HUAYI: CHINESE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS This festival has become an integral part of the annual Chinese New Year festivities in Singapore, featuring works from Chinese artists across music, theater, dance and visual arts. There’ll also be a slew of free performances and activities on offer. Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377, S(038981), www. huayifestival.com. $38-118 from L.

Feb 19-Mar 17 GREAT WORLD CABARET Singapore’s favorite comedians take center stage in this glitzy musical that’s a throwback to Singapore’s swinging ‘60s. Expect A-Go-Go singing and dancing with a few death-defying acrobats and illusion acts thrown in. Resorts World Theatre, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway Singapore, 65778888, S(098269), www.rwsentosa. com/gwc. $48-128 from L.

POH HENG This 66-year-old brand was founded by Chng Tok Ngam in 1948, twelve years after he left his home in China for Singapore to work in his uncle’s goldsmith shop as a humble apprentice. Today, with 15 stores across the island, it’s known for its solid craftsmanship and trademark 22K gold. Despite being more known for its ornate, traditional jewelry, it also has a contemporary range called Oro22, which is proving to be a huge hit among modern women thanks to its striking minimal designs. #01-17 People’s Park Complex, 1 Park Rd., 6535-0960, S(059108), www.pohheng.com.sg.

Feb 27-28 CHINGAY 2015 This annual street extravaganza is a longstanding Chinese New Year tradition which will see mega floats and more than 10,000 performers take to the streets for Asia’s largest street parade. This year’s theme is We Heart SG and will involve Singaporeans crafting flowers from used plastic bags to represent their good wishes for the nation. F1 Pit Building, 1 Republic Blvd., S(038975), www.chingay. org.sg. $28.50-60 from L.

FEBrUA RY 2015 I WHERE SINGAPORE

where now ÂŠ OlIVIER HENRy

Singapore

In the Mood for Love Ten date ideas for an unforgettable day out with that special someone.

tHE SANcHAyA

10 WHERE S I N G A P O R E I f e b r u a ry 2 0 1 5

WHERE NOW own in-flight butler catering to your needs, all while overlooking the city’s spectacular skyline. Feb 13-15. 30 Raffles Ave., 63333311, S(039803) www.singaporeflyer. com. MRT: Promenade.

get PaMPereD Head to Sentosa for a relaxing rubdown at the luxurious Auriga Spa, which includes vitality pools, herbal baths, aromatherapy showers and dedicated couple suites. Couples can opt for the P.S I Love You ($688+ per couple) treatment that comprises a twohour top to toe massage with rose and jasmine oil, a 30-minute candlelit bath with ylang ylang and rose petals and a 15-minute foot scrub.

SINGAPORE FlyER

Capella Singapore, 1 The Knolls, S(098297), www.capellahotels.com/ singapore. MRT: HarbourFront.

go on a Quick getaWay bOtANIc GARDENS

sonata unDer tHe stars One of Singapore’s favorite date spots is the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a sprawling, 60-acre green space overflowing with some 60,000 plants. It’s also home to the Swan Lake, so bring a mat and some wine as you watch the swans glide about elegantly. And if you’re lucky, you might be able to catch the free performance by local concert band AudioImage Wind Ensemble (Feb 15, 5pm. Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage). What better way to end

AuRIGA SPA

the day than enjoying soothing music under the stars amid lush greenery? 1 Cluny Rd., 6471-7138, S(259569), www.sbg.org.sg. MRT: Botanic Gardens.

sky Dining Instead of dining at a conventional restaurant, kick it up a notch by taking to the skies—or at least to our giant ferris wheel, the Singapore Flyer. They offer a romantic four-course meal ($399+ per couple) that comes with a glass of Champagne and your very

If you really want to get away from the crowds, hop on a ferry for a spontaneous trip to one of the neighboring islands. A good pick would be Indonesian island Bintan, a mere 45-minute ride from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, where plush beachfront resort The Sanchaya has just opened. Spend a lazy day lounging on the comfy sunbeds by the pristine beach and end the day at their wine lounge, which boasts an impressive selection of bottles and cheeses. Rooms start at US$560 ($745). Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, 50 Tanah Merah Ferry Rd., S(498833), www.thesanchaya.com. MRT: Tanah Merah.

f ebruary 2015 I WHERE SINGAPORE

WHERE NOW Get Cooking Spice things up in the kitchen by signing up for cooking classes at culinary school ToTT. There are two types of classes on offer; go for the hands-on class if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, or opt for the demo class if you just want to sit pretty. Their Valentine’s Day specials include classes that that teach you how to make heart-shaped macarons or strawberry glaze and Bavarian cream cheesecake (both $58 per person). Feb 7-8, 10am-12pm. 896 Dunearn Rd., 6219-7077, S(589472), www.tottstore.com. MRT: Clementi.

Discerning Drinks We love cocktail bar Manhattan’s old-school, gentlemen’s club atmosphere and imaginative cocktails. In time for this year’s Valentine’s Day, they’re also offering freshly shucked American oysters ($39 for three) to be

washed down with bubbly being served on a trolley Champagne cart ($60 per couple for two drinks). 2/F The Regent Singapore, 1 Cuscaden Rd., 6725-3377, S(249715), Tott www.facebook.com/manhattansg. MRT: Orchard.

Outdoorsy Fun

Dancing on Ice Another great date idea is to go ice-skating—and yes, you can do this in tropical Singapore! Hit up The Rink at JCube, which houses an Olympic-sized ice rink and a 460-seat gallery. Every Friday and Saturday night, they also throw ice-skating bashes complete with disco lights and dance music, and for Valentine’s Day they’re going all out with pink “snow”, an additional free hour of skating and candy floss for those dressed in pink. Skate rental starts at $21.50 for a two-hour session.

Enjoy a fun day out in the sun at East Coast Park. There’s plenty to occupy yourself with on the 15km stretch; from soaking up the cool sea breeze to cycling in tandem on one of the double bikes available for rent (from $10 per hour). For something more adventurous, try your hand at a spot of cable-skiing (from $38 per hour THe RInk at jcube on weekdays). East Coast Park, Eastcoast Parkway, S(449876), www.nparks.gov. sg. MRT: Paya Lebar.

Manhattan

12 WHERE S I N G A P O R E I f e b r u a ry 2 0 1 5

East Coast park

3/F J Cube, 2 Jurong East Central, S(609731), www. therink.sg. MRT: Jurong.

Dine Fine

Perched up on the 70th floor, Jaan offers a breathtaking view. Plus, the ambiance is elegant and the service spot-on. The real highlight, though, is chef de cuisine Julien Royer’s masterfully plated creations made with

WHERE NOW top-notch seasonal produce. His special five and sevencourse menus start at $158 and include options like milk poached white asparagus and barley risotto served with avocado, brocciu and pink garlic.

Julien Royer

cultured couples. This month’s top picks include eyepopping pieces by London duo Gilbert & George (through Apr 5) at Arndt, abstract art by Chinese contemporary artist Ding Yi (through Mar 15) at ShanghArt

Gallery and Indonesian artist Maryanto’s damning charcoal paintings of Indonesia’s changing environment (through Mar 30) at Yeo Workshop. 9 Lock Rd., S(108937), www.gillmanbarracks.com. MRT: Labrador Park.

70/F Equinox Complex, Swissôtel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Rd., 6837-3322, S(178882), www.jaan.com.sg. MRT: City Hall.

Feast Your Eyes There’s always plenty to see at art enclave Gillman Barracks, making it an ideal date destination for

Gillman barracks

f ebruary 2015 I WHERE SINGAPORE

where else

NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDES 15 18 22 25 28

LITTLE INDIA & KAMPONG GLAM ORCHARD SINGAPORE RIVER CHINATOWN HOLLAND VILLAGE & DEMPSEY HAJI LANE

14 WHERE S I N G A P O R E I F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 5

EXPLORING

Sultan mosque

Colorful garlands, stacks of jewelry, and great food—Little India is every tourist’s dream come true (and every local’s little secret). It's at its most bustling on weekends, so if you prefer a more leisurely experience, go in the late morning or explore on a weekday. Nearby Kampong Glam, meanwhile, was home to the Malay aristocracy in 1819, before British colonists divided the area between ethnic groups (Chinese, Arabs and Europeans). Today, it remains a stronghold among the Malay-Muslim community and is home to numerous eateries, chic bars and indie shopping boutiques, making it one of the hippest neighborhoods in Singapore. ATTRACTIONS Make time to explore Indian temples like 3 Sri Veeramakaliamman (141 Serangoon Rd.) and Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman (555 Serangoon Rd.) with their beautiful architecture and colorful arches that make for wonderful photo opportunities. You’re welcome to have a look inside; just remember to take your shoes off. There is also the picture-perfect Kampong Kapor Methodist Church

(intersection of Kg Kapor Rd. and Veerasamy Rd.), built in 1929 by Singapore’s oldest architectural firm Swan and Maclaren. Another must-see is the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hall (Race Course Lane)—you’ll know you're at the right place when you see a bronze statue of the man himself on the building's façade. Also known as the Arab Quarter, Kampong Glam is home to the Malay Heritage Centre

(85 Sultan Gate, 6391-0450) and the majestic 7 Sultan Mosque (3 Muscat St., 6293-4405), a Muslim place of worship that's stayed essentially unchanged since it was built in the late 1920s.

shopping If you’re looking to buy a new SLR camera or mobile phone, don’t miss 5 Sim Lim Square (1 Rochor Canal Rd., 6338-3859) and 24-hour shopping mecca 2

F EBRUARY 2015 I WHERE SINGAPORE

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Mustafa Centre (145 Syed Alwi Rd., 6295-5855). The latter offers pretty much every product under the sun. Also check out Singapore’s first eco-friendly retail hub, 1 City Square Mall (180 Kitchener Rd., 6595- 6595), housing retailers including Uniqlo, Giordano and Best Denki. For the fashion forward, artisanal is the key word at Maison Ikkoku (20 Kandahar St., 62942600). Grab a coffee on the first ﬂoor before browsing through chic menswear from labels like hobo, Nuggets and Discovered upstairs. Don't forget to check out the many indie boutiques found along hip street 8 Haji Lane. Two of the newest are quirky home decor and lifestyle stores Mondays Off and Shop Wonderland, both of which are filled with eclectic items sourced from all over the region.

NEW & NOTED

tHaIPuSam

ThAIpUSAM Feb 3-4. Serangoon Rd. MRT: Little India. Free. Blu JaZ

for almost 50 years, its trademark nasi biryani and mutton rendang are still the stars here. The rustic Bumbu Restaurant (44 Kandahar St., 6392-8628) is also great for its eclectic mix of Indonesian, peranakan and Thai dishes. Or check out contemporary cafés like Fika (257 Beach Rd., 6396-9096) for halal Swedish fare and the FOOD & DRINK charming Working Title (48 Arab Thirsty after all that shopping? St., 9734-4187) for affordable Chill out over a cup brews (both coffee and of fragrant Turkish beer). For vegetarian coffee or a bagalawa options, go to Namaste shake at Café le India (288 Serangoon Caire (42 Arab Rd., 6735-6755). If St., 6292-0979), you are feeling a bit before heading for adventurous, try the beer at Blu Jaz (11 fiery fish head curry at the Bali Lane, 6292-3800), maISon popular Banana Leaf Apollo IKKoKu which features live music. (54 Race Course Rd., 6297Alternatively, enjoy a 1595). Its Indian dishes are served quiet cocktail custom-made by the on banana leaves, and you’re mixologists at Bar Stories (57A encouraged to use your hands here; haji Lane, 6298-0838). the wait staff insists that it helps Don’t miss the chance to dine bring out the aroma of the food. at Islamic Restaurant (745 North Bridge Rd., 6298-7563). Around

This hindu festival celebrated by the Indian community in Singapore will see devotees seek blessings by walking a 5km stretch from one temple to another while carrying milk pots and kavadis (ornate structures balanced on the shoulders and adorned with religious decorations).

aSanoYa

ASANOYA BAKERY Wilby Central, 15 Queen St., 6703-8703, S(188537), www. asanoya.asia. MRT: Bras Basah.

Originally from Karuizawa, Japan, this bakery offers a wide range of bread, buns, pastries, cakes, sandwiches and pizzas as well as select hot dishes and coffee. The space is nice and airy with café-style seating.

F EBRUARY 2015 I WHERE SINGAPORE

EXPLORING

Orchard Road is not known as Singapore’s “shopping street” for nothing. Named after the plantations that lined it in the ’40s, it is today home to the world’s most prominent luxury brands, as well as stylish indie stores stocking hard-to-find labels and unexpected gems from across Asia. However, it is not just the vast variety of shopping that’s a draw. There are also choice dining and wining options located alongside quaint cafés to whet your appetite, so you can shop all day.

orchard road Pedestrian Night

Shopping The main shopping strip of Orchard Road is home to both high fashion and high street retailers, catering to both clued-in shoppers and the masses. There are Prada, Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo at 6 Paragon Shopping Centre (290 Orchard Rd., 6738-5535), Louis Vuitton and Dior at 5 ION Orchard (2 Orchard Turn, 6238-8228), Fendi, Chanel and Hermès at 7 Ngee Ann City (391 Orchard Rd., 6506-0461), and Michael Kors, Anne Fontaine and Hermès at 3 Scotts Square (6 Scotts Rd., 6733-1188), the strip’s newest luxury space. These malls

are spacious and inviting, offering world-class customer service. Popular high street stores like H&M at Orchard Building (1 Grange Rd., 6735-6370), Topshop at 8 Knightsbridge (270 Orchard Rd., 6593-6999) and Uniqlo at 11 313@somerset (313 Orchard Rd., 6496-9313) promise plenty of affordable purchases in a myriad of styles. You’re sure not to leave empty-handed either way. The city is also home to some of the best multi-label indie boutiques in the world, stocking fashion that represents the best of contemporary design. Some of the rarest international cult brands

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1. Forum The Shopping Mall 2. Wheelock Place 3. Scotts Square 4. TANGS 5. ION Orchard 6. Paragon Shopping Centre 7. Ngee Ann City 8. Knightsbridge 9. Mandarin Gallery

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orchard road Pedestrain night

NEW & NOTED

ORCHARD ROAD PEDESTRIAN NIGHT Feb 7, 6-11pm. Orchard Rd., 8119-6359, www.orchardroad. org. MRT: Orchard. Free.

The area between Scotts Road and Bideford Road is closed off to vehicles every first Saturday of the month as the street turns into a pedestrian carnival with activities and roving performers.

giUdi

GIUDI #02-21 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Rd., 6733-5389, S(238897), www.facebook.com/GiudiAsia. MRT: Somerset.

This Italian leather goods brand has opened its first Asian offshoot at Mandarin Gallery. The store stocks a range of handbags, purses and briefcases all using leather tanned with natural, eco-friendly essences called Vacchetta, produced by an Italian tannery in Tuscany.

like Undercover and Ganryu can be found at Club 21b at 1 Forum The Shopping Mall (583 Orchard Rd., 6732-2469) while Inhabit—The Other Store at 9 Mandarin Gallery (333A Orchard Rd., 6831-6363) offers desirable international and regional clothing labels like MM6 by Maison Martin Margiela from Paris, and Song for the Mute from Australia. For something uniquely Singaporean, Hansel, also at Mandarin Gallery, is local fashion designer Jo Soh’s cheery take on contemporary womenswear with a vintage twist. The Reckless Shop at Orchard Central, will please the fashion forward with its unconventional use of materials and silhouettes, while internationally renowned Ashley Isham, also in the same mall, stocks gorgeous, elaborate evening gowns for women. Those WheeLocK looking for something PLace edgier can check out Depression at Orchard Cineleisure (8 Grange Rd., 6235-1155) or Saturday at 2 Wheelock Place for ofashionforward designs and bold silhouettes that will make any wearer stand out from the crowd.

DINING & NIGHTLIFE After all that hard work, chill out at some of the best cafés and bars in the area. Take your pick from cafés like Arteastiq (#04-14/15 Mandarin Gallery, 6235-8370),

Wild Honey (#03-02 Mandarin Gallery, 6235-3900; #03-01/02 Scotts Square, 6636-1816), Jones the Grocer (#04-21/23 Mandarin Gallery, 6836-6372) and Dean & Deluca (#04-23/24 Orchard Central, 6509-7708). Their great coffee, tea, all-day breakfast items and desserts are guaranteed to perk you up. If you’re looking for something stronger to help you cool off, stop by Ice Cold Beer and No. 5 Emerald Hill along Emerald Hill for beers and spirits that won’t break the bank (especially during happy hour which typically starts from 5pm onwards).

ATTRACTIONS While you’re in Orchard, catch a glimpse of The Istana (www.istana. gov.sg), located close to Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station. This is the official residence of the President of Singapore and features stunning British architecture. Farther down the road towards City Hall and Bras Basah, you’ll also find two of Singapore’s biggest museums, the 18 Singapore Art Museum (71 Bras Basah Rd., 6332-3222, www.singaporeartmuseum.sg) and the 17 National Museum of Singapore (93 Stamford Rd., 63325642, www.nationalmuseum. sg). The Singapore Art Museum holds a permanent collection of approximately 7,000 South and East Asian contemporary and modern art pieces, while exhibitions at the National Museum investigate Singapore’s 700 years of rich history and diverse culture.

F ebruary 2015 I WHERE SINGAPORE

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ArtScience Museum

Located at the southern ATTRACTIONS Examples of early colonial tip of the island near the architecture abound here. There is Central Business District the 150-year-old 3 Saint Andrew’s (CBD), Marina Bay is home Cathedral (11 St Andrew's Rd., to luxury hotels, brand-name 6337-6104), the nation’s largest, boutiques, exclusive nightlife and Raffles Hotel (1 Beach Rd., 6337-1886), a regal establishment spots, fine dining destinations opened back in 1887. and world-class theaters— You can also find modern architectural sites such as the all of which are connected distinctive spike-covered by a beautiful waterfront 4 Esplanade - Theatres on the promenade. The heart of Bay (1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377), this district is the integrated a top spot to watch world-class entertainment. Nearby, the resort by the Las Vegas three-story 6 F1 Pit Building (1 Sands group, Marina Bay Republic Blvd., 6884-6940) is a Sands (MBS). It comprises hub for the Singapore leg of the three towers and a shopping Grand Prix, just next door to the 7 Singapore Flyer (30 Raffles arcade, with sumptuous Ave., 6734-8829), a 165m-tall suites and a casino. giant observation wheel.

Across the water—a short walk over the beautiful glass and steel mesh 8 Helix Bridge—is 11 Gardens by the Bay (18 Marina Gardens Dr., 6471-7808) with close to 100,000 rare plants housed in domed conservatories. Another attraction here is the 10 ArtScience Museum (Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8868), which is home to touring international exhibitions.

DINING & nightlife There’s plenty to eat, too, with an array of options at Marina Bay Sands. Japanese dining temple Waku Ghin (#02-02 Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 66888507) and American celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s steakhouse Cut (#B1-71 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-

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go! running tourS

GO! RUNNING TOURS Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun, various timings. 10 Eu Tong Sen St., 8645-1730, S(059815), www. gorunningrourssingapore.com. MRT: Clarke Quay. $40-100.

This new start-up offers guided tours that allows participants to explore the city while running. Their Marina Bay run starts along the Singapore River and includes attractions like the Esplanade and the iconic statue of Stamford Raffles.

KENKO WELLNESS #01-211 Marina Square, 6 Raffles Blvd., 6333-0303, S(039594), www.kenko. com.sg. MRT: Promenade.

Affordable spa chain Kenko now has a new outlet in Marina Square, a polished, tranquil space offering quick but effective neck and shoulder massages ($38) and foot reflexology($59), as well as more indulgent full-body massages ($120).

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8517) are both on-site. for the best views of the city, try Sky on 57 (57/f Sands SkyPark, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 66888857) or Ku Dé Ta (57/f Sands SkyPark, Marina Bay Sands Tower 3, 1 Bayfront Ave., 6688-7688). At night, clubbers can visit glamorous party venue Pangaea (South Crystal Pavilion, Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Ave., 8611-7013), but be sure you're dressed to the nines. Other top spots are at 2 Swissôtel the Stamford (2 Stamford Rd., 6338-8585), including french fine dining restaurant Jaan (70/f Equinox Complex, Swissôtel the JAAn Stamford, 6837-3322) and New Asia Bar (71-72/f Equinox Complex, Swissôtel the Stamford, 6431-5681). Waterfront Spanish restaurant Catalunya (The fullerton Pavilion, 82 Collyer Quay, 6534-0188, S(049327), www.catalunya.sg) also boasts incredible views of the bay.

for local food, visit 13 Lau Pa Sat (18 Raffles Quay, 6220-2138), a Victorian cast-iron structure with a wide range of hawker stalls. Also from the colonial era is the 19th century convent and chapel compound, 1 Chijmes (30 Victoria St., 6337-7810), which houses a cluster of food and beverage spots.

ShOPPING The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands house Louis Vuitton’s first Island Maison store (Crystal Pavilion North, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 67883888) in Southeast Asia, as well as Ralph Lauren’s duplex store (#B1/ B2-72/68 Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-7161). Beyond that, there’s 5 Suntec City Mall (3 Temasek Blvd., 68252667) featuring a comprehensive range of boutiques, as well as the Fountain of Wealth. for a quieter shopping experience, head to Millenia Walk (9 Raffles Blvd., 6883-1122) for high-end stores like Cortina Watch and Bose. 12

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Singapore River

View from southbridge

the Marina waterfront). It’s also ATTRACTIONS hard to miss the 5 MICA Building The sculpture of the mythical (140 Hill St., 6270-7988), home creature with the head of a lion to the Ministry of Information, and the body of a fish is one of Communications and the Singapore’s most iconic Arts, with its distinctive mascots. Known as the colorful window 11 Merlion (1 Fullerton shutters. Explore Square, 6736-6622), this vibrant stretch its head represents the along the river via country’s original name the Singapore River Singapura (lion city) Cruise (6336-6111, www. while its body symbolizes AsiaN rivercruise.com.sg, $3), the fishing village that the Civilisations Museum which takes you from Clarke island used to be. See the Quay to the Singapore Flyer historical site where Sir and on to Marina Bay Sands. Stamford Raffles landed in 1819 The first museum in the and the architecturally stunning 10 Cavenagh Bridge (linked to region to present a broad 22 WHERE S I N G A P O R E I F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 5

Back in the early days, the Singapore River was the former British colony’s main trade artery and focus for all commercial activity. Today, the riverbanks are still abuzz but the bustle of entrepôt trade has been replaced with an array of restaurants, after-dark entertainment and historical spots. The contrasting sight of restored colonial landmarks like The Fullerton Hotel sat next to towering modern skyscrapers makes this neighborhood a particularly striking one to explore. perspective of pan-Asian cultures and civilizations is the 9 Asian Civilisations Museum (1 Empress Place, 6332-2982). It houses 11 galleries that showcase over 1,300 artifacts. If you prefer theater, the Singapore Repertory Theatre (20 Merbau Rd., 6221-5585) stages both original and popular classic productions, including David Ives’ Venus In Fur and Peter Brook’s The Suit.

DINING and NIGHTLIFE Over the years, the Singapore River has grown to include a host of eateries and nightlife spots, one of which is 7 Boat Quay. Here,

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NEW & NOTED

Octapas

Happy Hour at Octapas Daily 12-8pm. #01-08 Blk. D Clarke Quay, 3 River Valley Rd., S(179023), www.octapasasia. com. MRT: Clarke Quay.

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you will find bustling sports bars showing live games on TV like Harry’s and hipster cocktail bars like The Spiffy Dapper. In the area, located just above Clarke Quay MRT, is 3 Central (6 Eu Tong Sen St., 6532-9922), which offers great dining options like awardwinning ramen house Marutama Ramen, fashion boutiques, as well as eclectic retailers like Goods of Desire (G.O.D.). If you’re looking to paint the town red, 4 Clarke Quay is right up your alley. Enjoy your meal with live entertainment at restaurant/bars such as Aquanova and The Pump Room. If beer is more your thing, knock back pints at Beer Market or Brewerkz. Those who want to dance the night away can sample clubs like Attica or Fenix Room. The 2 Robertson Quay stretch houses restaurants like sexy Argentinean joint Bochinche and Belgian mussels bar Brussels Sprouts. Those exploring this area in the day have plenty of options,

too. For a peaceful afternoon away from the hustle and bustle, take your pick from chic cafés like Toby’s Estate and specialty chocolatier Laurent Bernard. If you prefer something a little more happening after dark, visit 1 Zouk (17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988) for a world-class clubbing experience. The longest standing club in Singapore, this nightspot has a constant stream of international guest DJs.

Snug armchairs, warm interiors and terracotta floors give this Spanish tapas bar a cozy, casual vibe. Happy hour here is serious business, with beers, sangria, house wines and house spirits going at 50% off. A pint of beer starts at $7.75.

Dojo

Dojo 72 Circular Rd., 6438-4410, S(049426), www.facebook.com/ dojo.sg. MRT: Clarke Quay.

Central

24 WHERE S I N G A P O R E I F ebruary 2 0 1 5

This 30-seater Japanese fusion bar serves up plenty of pork dishes like pork steak with onion rings ($6) and fried potato with pork croquettes ($5). There’s also a handful of burgers such as Kaiju ($12), packed with mushrooms, cheese, a pork patty and a shiitake-champignon-paddy straw mushroom sauce.

EXPLORING

ATTRACTIONS One fascinating heritage site here is the sacred 4 Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum (288 South Bridge Rd., 6220-0220), where daily opening ceremonies involving the board bell and drum rituals take place as early as 4:30am. Another landmark is the 10 Thian Hock Keng Temple (158 Telok Ayer St., 6423-4616), one of the oldest Hokkien temples in Singapore. Built back in 1839, it is a masterpiece of traditional architecture, assembled entirely without nails. National monument 6 Sri Mariamman Temple (244 South Bridge Rd., 6223-4064) is the oldest Hindu place of worship in Singapore, with a history dating back to 1827. To learn more about the culture and history of the area, go for Chinatown Visitor Centre’s (2 Banda St., 6221-5115) daily walking tours.

DINING ann siang hill

This historically rich enclave is known by local Chinese as “niu che shui” (bullock cart water), so named after the common sight of oxen-drawn wagons on its streets in the 19th century. Today, the well-preserved shophouses that once held coolie houses, opium dens, brothels and factories have been replaced with modern bars and restaurants. Though it has evolved significantly over the years, Chinatown continues to boast a unique blend of heritage sites and new buildings with strong cultural influences.

Besides traditional street markets that serve local delights, there is 5 Maxwell Food Centre (1 Kadayanallur St.), home to a variety of Singaporean food. To sample Russian fare, pay a visit to Buyan (9 Duxton Hill, 6223-0027) at 1 Duxton Hill, or head to nearby Lucha Loco (15 Duxton Hill, 62263938) for Mexican street food and cocktails. Michelin-starred British chef Jason Atherton has also left his mark here with tapas joint Esquina (16 Jiak Chuan Rd., 6222-1616) and

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NEW & NOTED

ChinEsE nEW YEaR CElEBRaTiOns

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS Though Feb 28. New Bridge Rd., www.chinatownfestivals.sg. MRT: Chinatown.

This traditional holiday is regarded as one of the most significant events of the Chinese community. For all the action, head to Chinatown from Jan 10 to Feb 28 and experience highlights like lion dance performances, and the iconic street bazaar offering festive goodies and more.

ThE PUBliC iZaKaYa

THE PUBLIC IZAKAYA #01-09 100am, 100 Tras St., S(079027), 6604-9622. MRT: Tanjong Pagar.

Always buzzing and overflowing with diners, this vibrant restobar serves up comforting Japanese food like yakitori don with pork skewers ($18) and tuna sashimi with mountain yam ($16). There's also a DIY salad bar with options like potato salad and tomato pasta.

MaXWEll FOOD CEnTRE

Ding DOng

casual eatery The Study (49 Keong Saik Rd., 6221-8338). Right next door is a speakeasy-style secret bar, which you need a password to enter (tip: ask the waiters at The Study). Another great spot for drinks nearby is swank cocktail bar The Cufﬂink Club (6 Jiak Chuan Rd., 9694-9623). Over at 9 Club Street, you’ll find conserved shophouses occupied by galleries, restaurants and bars such as 83 (83 Club St., 6220-4083) and wine bar Ô Batignolles (2 Gemmill Lane, 6438-3913). Head to Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chophouse (20 Gemmill Lane, 6221-4468) for American food and Ding Dong (23 Ann Siang Rd., 6557-0189) for modern Southeast Asian dishes.

ARTS AND CULTURE Located nearby is 7 Red Dot Trafﬁc (28 Maxwell Rd., 6534-7001), which was formerly a traffic police headquarters. Now it's home to the Red Dot Design Museum and other creative services. Many contemporary art exhibitions such as the monthly MAAD (Market of Artists And Designers) also take place here.

SHOPPING Chinatown is the obvious place to hit up for souvenirs, snacks and Chinese herbs. Aside from the more touristy Chinatown Street Market along Pagoda Street, there are also quirky lifestyle stores like Egg3 (#0110/11/12 Scarlet Hotel, 33 Erskine Rd., 6536-6977) and hip Duxton Hill bookstore Littered with Books (20 Duxton Rd., 6220-6824).

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Singapore Botanic Gardens

Holland Village has long been a stronghold for bohemian culture and Singapore’s expatriate community, while Dempsey Hill is a hip neighboring district. The former is one of the city’s top lifestyle destinations with a cluster of wining and dining establishments set in quiet and mostly residential surrounds. The latter features trendy restaurants, spa facilities and shops hidden within the conserved colonial black-and-white buildings of a former British army barracks. 28

ATTRACTIONS Founded in 1859, the 63.7-hectare 9 Singapore Botanic Gardens (1 Cluny Rd., 6471-7138) is the main recreational park in the area. It has an extensive range of more than 10,000 types of plants including the most comprehensive collection of tropical orchids in the world. There are also arts and cultural sites in Dempsey such as the 6 Museum of Contemporary Arts (MOCA) (27A Loewen Rd., 6479-6622) at Loewen Gardens. The intimate contemporary art space brings in top artists from across Asia Pacific including Beijing-based sculptor Jiang Shuo and Sichuanese painter Ye Yongqing. Smaller galleries can be found at Holland Village too. A perennial favorite is Taksu Singapore

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(#01-72 Blk. 43 Workloft@Chip Bee, Jalan Merah Saga, 64764788), which has been open since 1989 and represents urban artists around Southeast Asia.

DINING and nightlife Among Dempsey’s hottest eateries is 8 The White Rabbit (39C Harding Rd., 6473-9965), an airy European dining spot housed in a former chapel built for the colonial British garrison. It has been beautifully refurbished with wrought-iron grills and stainedglass windows. Also popular is 3 House (8D Dempsey Rd., 6475-7787), a multipurpose space with a café, bar and salon. Fashionistas and creatives head to 4 PS. Cafe (28B Harding Rd., 6479-3343), a stylish spot where an eclectic mix

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NEW & NOTED Ladies night at Al Qasr Thu, 5:30-10pm. 46 Lorong Mambong, 6467-7793, S(277698), www.alqasr.com. sg. MRT: Holland Village. Ladies get mojitos on the house every Thursday night at this classic Middle Eastern and North African restaurant. There’s huge array of 72 hot and cold mezze, as well as excellent Lebanese desserts like maamool, baklawah and barazek.

the monocle shop and Café

The Monocle Shop and Café 74 Jalan Kelabu Asap, 6475-1791, S(278267), www.monocle.com. MRT: Holland Village. This cult magazine recently opened a store in Singapore. The tiny space is sparse but tastefully curated, stocking minimalist items like tan leather desk mats ($300) and gold-plated paperweights ($170). There’s also a café at the back, serving up espressos ($4) and lattes ($6).

chez petit salut

Mambong, 6462-4288), a casual two-story watering hole that hosts local music acts nightly. On the surrounding street, there's everything from local hawker fare to Vietnamese pho and Mexican food. Alternatively, head to Chip Bee Gardens stalwarts such as Chez Petit Salut (#01-54 Blk. 44 Jalan Merah Saga, 6474-9788), which offers French favorites such as escargots and profiteroles, or Original Sin (#01-62 Blk. 43 Jalan Merah Saga, 6475-5605), one of the nation’s pioneering vegetarian restaurants.

of recipes—including gado gado salad, miso cod and poutine—is on offer. SHOPPING For beer lovers, there’s In Holland Village Shopping Center, 5 Tawandang Microbrewery (#01there’s Lim’s Arts and Living (#0201, 26 Dempsey Rd., 6476-6742), a 01 Holland Road Shopping Thai restaurant and watering Centre, 211 Holland hole that’s popular Ave., 6467-1300), with the after-work a mammoth home crowd. Local seafood furnishings and specialties such as curios store with an fried dough fritters array of Chinoiserie stuffed with minced silk cushion covers, prawns, chili and black trinket boxes and pepper crab can be savored Original sin African figures that make 7 at Long Beach (25 Dempsey great souvenirs. Rd., 6323-2222). Dempsey’s Woody Antique Holland Village offers many House (#01-05 Blk. 13 Dempsey dining choices and is split into Rd., 6471-1770) stocks a similarly two main areas: the nightlife hub Asian-inspired mix of statues and 1 Lorong Mambong and the teak furniture while, emgallery quieter residential stretch 2 Chip (#01-04/05 Blk. 16 Dempsey Rd., Bee Gardens along Jalan Merah 6475-6941) and Rouge French Saga. The former is known for Designs (#01-01 Blk. 16 Dempsey its live music venues including Rd., 6475-9245) provide a range of Wala Wala Café Bar (31 Lorong Oriental-style garments.

WHERE S I N G A P O R E I F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 5

EXPLORING

Home to Southeast Asia’s first universal Studios theme park and one of Singapore’s two integrated resorts, Resorts World Sentosa, Sentosa is filled with exciting world-class attractions and activities. Meaning “tranquility” in Malay, Sentosa has transformed itself in the last decade from a redevelopment site to a top must-see spot. True to its reputation as one of the region’s leading leisure destinations, this popular island has fivestar spas, hotels, excellent restaurants, watering holes and renowned golf courses all set amid sandy beaches. ATTRACTIONS One of the best ways to get to Sentosa is via the iconic 10 Singapore Cable Car (109 Mount Faber Rd., 6377-9688) from Mount Faber Park—one of the oldest hilltop parks in Singapore. Within the vicinity is Faber Peak Singapore, with several great wine and dine options such as Faber Bistro and Moonstone offering magnificent views of the city. You can also take the cable

vIvo CItY

car from Harbourfront Center (HFC). If you feel like doing a little shopping, located beside HFC is 11 VivoCity (1 HarbourFront Walk, 6377-6860)—Singapore’s largest retail and lifestyle destination. Overlooking the scenic bay is Sentosa Boardwalk, the only garden-themed boardwalk in the region, which lets you stroll across to enter the island. drop by the Sentosa Visitor Center and let the friendly staff advise

WHERE SING A P O R E I f e b r u a ry 2 0 1 5

you on the best attractions and ways to travel around the island. One of the key attractions is 4 Resorts World Sentosa (8 Sentosa Gateway, 6577-8888), where you’ll find Resorts World Casino and the world’s largest oceanarium Marine Life Park, which consists of the S.E.A Aquarium and the Adventure Cove Waterpark. Located near Marine Life Park are 3 The Maritime Experiential

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Next to Siloso Beach is Underwater World Singapore and Dolphin Lagoon (80 Siloso Rd., 6275-0030), where you can watch seals and dolphins performing or feed gentle stingrays. 1 Fort Siloso (33 Allanbrooke Rd., 6736-8672) is also nearby. This preserved coastal fort contains the nation’s largest collection of World War II memorabilia and hosts interactive guided tours. For those who prefer some peace and quiet, 7 Tanjong Beach is ideal, especially for a romantic date at night. Restaurant and bar Tanjong Beach Club (120 Tanjong Beach Walk, 6270-1355) offers stunning beachfront dining—great for couples looking to spend some quality time together. A familyfriendly destination, 6 Palawan Beach has a range of shops and eateries that interest both young and old. For a unique experience, glide effortlessly down the beach on your own personal transporter at Gogreen Segway Eco Adventure (50 Beach View, 9825-4066). More food options can also be found at 9 Quayside Isle (31 Ocean Way, 6694-3410), a lifestyle destination with a wide selection of waterfront-facing restaurants. Otherwise, pamper yourself with indulgent massages at Auriga Spa (Capella Singapore, 1 The Knolls, 6377-8888) or So Spa (The Sentosa Resort & Spa, 2 Bukit Manis Rd., 6371-1288). Golf lovers will also be excited to know that 8 Sentosa Golf Club (27 Bukit Manis Rd., 6275-0090) boasts two of the region’s most challenging 18-hole courses. 2

wave house sentosa

Museum—an interactive, multisensorial museum showcasing Asia’s maritime history—and The Coliseum at Hard Rock Hotel (39 Artillery Ave., 6577-8899), a flexible open space that has staged international acts such as The Flaming Lips and Yellowcard. There’s also the highly popular 5 Universal Studios Singapore (11 Sentosa East Mall, 6577-8888), which features around 24 moviethemed rides and attractions, 18 of which are unique to Singapore. The coastline is lined with many beaches, each with their distinct characteristics. Siloso Beach, with its volleyball courts, is great for beach games and water sports. It also has some of the most interesting bars and restaurants like C Side (50 Siloso Beach Walk, 6631-8938) and Wave House Sentosa (36 Siloso Beach Walk, 6377-3113), where you can ride Singapore’s first artificial barreling wave.

WHERE SING A P O R E I f e b r u a ry 2 0 1 5

NEW & NOTED

Cable car back-of-house tour

Cable Car Backof-House Tour Daily, 10:30am and 2:30pm. Faber Peak Singapore, 109 Mount Faber Rd., 63779688, S(099203), www. faberpeaksingapore.com. MRT: HarbourFront. $39.

This exclusive tour will let you go backstage and learn about the technicalities of what goes on behind the scenes and the transformation of Singapore’s first cableway. The 90-minute long tour also includes unlimited cable car rides.

Fish & Co. Seafood Shack #01-401/402, 24 Sentosa Gateway, 6570-6138, S(098137), www.fish-co. com. MRT: HarbourFront.

This diner-style, 82-seater eatery is the newest outpost of casual seafood restaurant chain Fish & Co. Expect signature items like fried calamari ($7.90) and fish and chips ($11.90) served up in a fast food concept.

the guide

Hot Stuff As the name suggests, Hotpot Kingdom serves Chinese-style hotpot (from $29.80) with broth options like Macanese pork bone soup and beef consommĂŠ, all simmered with premium ingredients like Kagoshima wagyu beef and fresh seafood. Diners can add ingredients such as handmade meatballs; seafood such as clams and prawns; and meats like wagyu striploin and pork neck. They also serve dim sum (from $6.80) so you can fill up while waiting for the soup to boil. #B1-01B The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-7722, S(018972), www.hotpotkingdom.com. MRT: Bayfront.

32 34 36 38 41 44

ATTRACTIONS ARTS & CULTURE SHOPPING WELLNESS DINING NIGHTLIFE

F E BRUARY 2015 I WHERE SINGAPORE

attractions

the guide

ToAsTer CoAsTer After a one and a half year hiatus, the popular Battlestar Galactica rollercoaster ride at Universal Studios Singapore is set to re-open early this year. Touted as the world’s tallest duelling coaster, the new two-seater ride has a Human vs. Cylon theme and sees riders chasing the opposing coaster in a series of loops and inversions. Admission to Universal Studios cost $74-118.

HERITAGE WALK

Five spots to visit in the historical Balestier neighborhood. SUN YAT SEN NANYANG MEMORIAL HALL 12 Tai Gin Road, 6256-7377, S(327874), www.sysnmh.org.sg. MRT: Toa Payoh.

BURMESE BUDDHIST TEMPLE 14 Tai Gin Rd., 6251-1717, S(327873), www.bbt.org.sg. MRT: Toa Payoh.

THE CHURCH OF ST. ALPHONSUS (NOVENA CHURCH) 300 Thomson Road, 6255-2133, S(307653), www.novenachurch. com. MRT: Novena.

GOH CHOR TUA PEK KONG TEMPLE 261 Balestier Road, 6256-7908, S(329708), www.beokeng.com. MRT: Toa Payoh.

BALESTIER MARKET 411 Balestier Road, S(329930). MRT: Toa Payoh.

32 WHERE S I N G A P O R E I f e b r u a ry 2 0 1 5

Goh Chor tua peK KoNG teMple

Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, 6577-8888, S(098269), www.rwsentosa. com/attractions. MRT: HarbourFront.

the ChurCh of st. alphoNsus

attractions Architecture Ahoy

Five iconic historical buildings found downtown.

MICA Building

This curiously colorful building has more than 900 windows with brightly painted shutters and houses a handful of government ministries and an art courtyard. Up until the late 20th century, it was known as the Old Hill Street Police Station, and was where the Singapore Police Force worked to clamp down on Chinese secret societies. 140 Hill Street, S(179369). MRT: City Hall.

Square, 6733-8388, S(049178), www.fullertonhotel.com. MRT: Raffles Place.

SPOTLIGHT raffles hotel

the arts house

The Arts House

Built in 1827, it was originally the private residence of a Scottish merchant, before being taken over by the colonial government. This was also Singapore’s first Parliament House but has now transformed into a vibrant events space, offering its audiences a broad range of arts and culture programs since it opened in 2004. 1 Old Parliament Lane, 63326900, S(179429), www.theartshouse. com.sg. MRT: City Hall.

Fullerton Hotel

This hotel began life in 1928 as a multi-use building, housing the General Post Office (now the classy Post Bar which retains the original high ceiling and wall motifs) and the exclusive Singapore Club, along with other administrative and government bodies. 1 Fullerton

managed to retain its distinctively Victorian cast iron features and unique octagonal shape over the years. 18 Raffles Quay, 6220-2138, S(048582). MRT: Downtown.

Raffles Hotel

Built in 1887 and named after modern Singapore’s founding father, Stamford Raffles, this is another must-visit hotel even if you’re not staying here. Apart from luxurious suites that have hosted celebrities like Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, there’s also a charming theater, a beautiful courtyard, a shopping arcade and a museum of the hotel’s history. 1 Beach Rd., 63371886, S(189673), www.raffles.com/ singapore. MRT: Esplanade.

Joo Chiat is one of the most interesting cultural neighborhoods in Singapore, with eye-catching heritage shophouses lining its streets and a smorgasbord of authentic local food. For an in-depth look, Betel Box’s tours, led by local historian Tony Tan, allow you to sample over over 30 traditional dishes and learn all about the area’s rich culture. Thu, 6pm. Betel Box Hostel, 200 Joo Chiat Rd., 6247-7340, S(427471), www.betelboxtours. com/tours. MRT: Paya Lebar. $80.

lau pa sat

Go East

Lau Pa Sat

It comes as no surprise that one of food-crazy Singapore’s most iconic colonial structures is this hawker centre in the Central Business District. This food market goes all the way back to the 19th century and has

f ebruary 2015 I WHERE SINGAPORE

the guide

ARTS & CULTURE

Golden Age New indie cinema The Projector has breathed new life into the long defunct Golden Cinema, thanks in part to crowdfunding efforts. The space consists of two cinema halls, one inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining and sporting red and black décor with plush bean bags, while the other comes with refurbished old-school seats. There’s also a space for events and a café. #05-00, 6001 Beach Rd., Golden Mile Tower, S(199589), www.theprojector.sg. MRT: Nicoll Highway.

Museum Hop

Everything from vintage toys to Peranakan artifacts.

1 Peranakan museum

The Peranakan Museum

Housed in a former Chinese School, this intimate museum explores the culture of Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia. With one of the most comprehensive collections of Peranakan objects, the furniture,

34 WHERE S I N G A P O R E I f e b r u a ry 2 0 1 5

jewelry and artifacts exhibited across three floors illustrate the cultural traditions and distinctive visual arts of the Peranakans. 39 Armenian St., 6332-7591, S(179941), www. peranakanmuseum.org.sg. MRT: City Hall.

arts & culture on the lovable rare and one-of-a-kind treasures dating back to the 12th century. 26 Seah St., 6339-0660, S(188382), www.emint.com. MRT: Esplanade.

Artscience museum

ArtScience Museum

The lotus-inspired ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands embraces influences across art, science, media, technology, design and architecture. With over 4,600 square meters of space, the highlights of the museum are their roving galleries, which have held exhibitions on subjects as disparate as Harry Potter, dinosaurs and the Titanic. 10 Bayfront Ave., Marina Bay Sands, 6688-8826, S(018956), www.marinabaysands.com/ ArtScienceMuseum. MRT: Bayfront.

Red Dot Design Museum

Located in an eye-catching red building that was the former Singapore Traffic Police Headquarters, this museum is known for its edgy and eccentric exhibits that are created by winners of the red dot design awards. Drop by their monthly flea market MAAD on Feb 6 that showcases works by local artists and designers. Red Dot Traffic, 28 Maxwell Rd., S(069120), www.reddot.sg. MRT: Tanjong Pagar.

Mint Museum of Toys

Mint Museum of Toys is the world’s first purpose built museum for toys. Belonging to Singaporean Chang Yang, it’s home to more than 50,000 toys ranging from Astroboy figurines to vintage collectibles. Don’t miss out

The Changi Museum

This museum is dedicated to the prisoners of war (POW) held captive at Changi Prison during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore from 1942-1945. A nostalgic collection of artwork, photographs, and personal artifacts donated by former POWs are housed here, along with a replica of the makeshift chapels used by the prisoners. 1000 Upper Changi Rd. North, 6214-2451, S(507707), www.changimuseum.sg. MRT: Changi Airport.

Office in colonial times, this museum seeks to promote a better appreciation of the rich cultures in Singapore’s mutli-ethnic society. Highlights include the Singapore River Gallery, which tells the story of immigrants who worked along the Singapore River. 1 Empress Place, 6332-7798, S(179555), www.acm. org.sg. MRT: Raffles Place.

SPOTLIGHT

Tune In national museum of singapore

National Museum of Singapore

The nation’s oldest museum is the custodian of 11 national treasures, including the Singapore Stone which dates back to the 13th century, and gold ornaments unearthed at Fort Canning Hill in 1928. Its current exhibition investigates 700 years of Singapore’s past while other exhibitions showcase Singapore’s cultural mix. 93 Stamford Rd., 6332-3659, S(178897), www. nationalmuseum.sg. MRT: Bras Basah.

The recently opened Museum of Independent Music documents the history of Singapore’s music scene. The space will house memorabilia, art, artifacts, documentaries, short films and an audio archive. Visitors can listen to a wide range of local songs from past to present, learn about the local indie scene and attend performances, talks and workshops. 1B Aliwal St., S(199894) www.facebook.com/moimsg. MRT: Nicoll Highway.

Asian Civilisations Museum

Located in a 135-year-old building, which used to be the Government

f ebruary 2015 I WHERE SINGAPORE

shopping

the guide

PRetty PickiNGs Home to an interesting collection of trinkets, home ware and objets d’art created by local designers, Supermama is a haven for design-savvy shoppers. In addition to their flagship at Singapore Art Museum, they’ve recently opened a new outpost called Supermama Mobile Gallery, focusing exclusively on items representing the nation. #01-49 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd., S(039596), www.supermama.sg. MRT: Orchard.

Eclectic Boutiques

Update your wardrobe at these multi-label stores.

NANA & BiRD

NANA & biRD

Known for its floral prints and innovative textures that blend Japanese influences with Parisian sensibilities, this designer label has recently set up a flagship boutique at Marina Bay Sands. Expect the same bold patterns and sharply-tailored clothing that the label is known for

36 WHERE S I N G A P O R E I f e b r u a ry 2 0 1 5

worldwide. #01-22/23/24 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., S(018956), www. marinabaysands.com/shopping/ kenzo. MRT: Bayfront.

tHe eMPoRiuM

A collaborative effort of four local brands—Sylvia Lim of Triologie,

shopping Ana Vu of Ana Boutiques, Timothy Chen of AsiaFashionInc.com and Ellen Allen of Gaia Living—this multi-label boutique is brimming with fasion and gift-worthy knickknacks from the founders’ brands, as well as independent emerging designers including IndyK, Stones that Rock and Desino. #01-71/72 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd., S(039596), www.facebook.com/ TheEmporiumMillenia. MRT: Promenade.

Actually

Their biggest boutique to date is still as off-beat and hip as ever, with an unusual five-door storefront and quirky toys littered around the warm-industrial space. Brands on offer include mainstays like Freitag, Boy London and Dr Denim Jeansmaker alongside local names such as Coupe Cousu, Yumumu and Ownmuse. #03-18 Orchard Gateway, 277 Orchard Rd., 67353118, S(238858), www.actually.com. sg. MRT: Somerset.

Noel Caleb

This women’s only clothing boutique was founded by local fashion designer Eileen Yap and showcases Yap’s own line, Noel Caleb, which is a collection of quirky (but still wearable) tailored designs. Alongside Noel Caleb is a range of fashion, handbags and costume jewelry curated from other Asia Pacific designers including Yuna, Jude and Curiosity. #02-24/25 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., S(238896), www.noelcaleb.com. MRT: Somerset.

7 pact

Pact

The three-in-one concept store comprises a bar-restaurant, fashion boutique and hair salon. Fashion team K.I.N (Know It Nothing) showcases specially curated threads from the likes of preppy ties from C. Chauchat and bandanas and accessories from Kiel James Patrick. There is also a limited selection of New Balance kicks for the trendy crowd. #02-14/16/19 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., 6238-6281, S(238896), www.visitpact.com. MRT: Somerset.

Rockstar by Soon Lee

This is the only store in town which stocks the full range of Jack Spade ready-to-wear while carrying local labels like Drifters and Sifr. The Pointer men’s shoes are also fashionforward while the intricate necklaces by local designer Woon Hung made from recycled materials evoke a rustic vibe befitting the store. #0308 Orchard Cineleisure, 8 Grange Rd.,6836-8201, S(239695), www. rockstar.com.sg. MRT: Somerset.

SPOTLIGHT

Little Tokyo

et-i-kit

Et-i-kit

This multi-label store and online boutique stocks cult and emerging labels from around the world including Addison, Bec & Bridge, Cameo, Keepsake, Mawi, Self-Portrait, Stylestalker and Vita Fede. All the pieces are handpicked and the store only stocks a limited number of pieces for each design. It also carries local skincare brand Mandy T. 34 Kandahar St., 62982234, S(198892), www.et-i-kit.com. MRT: Bugis.

Japanese lifestyle mecca Tokyu Hands is making its presence known in Singapore with a brand new store on Orchard Road. There’s a wide range of products— everything from cookware to handbags to lipsticks—but the focus is definitely on racks of stationery and beauty products which fill at least half the store. Prices range from $4 for a notebook to $40.66 for face wash. #B1-07 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., 6834-3755, S(238896), www.tokyu-hands. com.sg. MRT: Somerset.

f ebruary 2015 I WHERE SINGAPORE

wellness

the guide

GloW FActoR This premium skincare brand just opened its new flagship SK-II Boutique Spa at the revamped Shaw Centre. Each new session starts with a consultation and skin analysis, after which treatments are recommended based on your skin concerns. Signature treatments include the luxe Cloud 9 Facial ($320/100 minutes) and the Urban Men facial ($260/85 minutes). SK-II Boutique Spa, #02-06 Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Rd., 6836-9168, S(228208). MRT: Orchard.

Fun Fitness

Hit up these alternative gyms for creative ways to shape up.

sup

The Stand Up Paddling (SUP) School takes it up a notch by offering SUP Yoga. Classes involve paddling out to sea and performing basic yoga asanas while balancing yourself on a board. This 60-minute session is more intensive than regular yoga as youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to

38 WHERE S I N G A P O R E I f e b r u a ry 2 0 1 5

work your core harder to keep your balance. 120 Tanjong Beach Walk, Sentosa Island, 9638-5565, S(098942), www.supschool.com.sg. MRT: HarbourFront.

suRFset sinGApoRe

Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first surfset studio enables you to mimic a surf workout, without getting wet. The

wellness studio is compact with cool, surfinspired wall motifs to help you find your element. Each 45-minute class is conducted on custom-made purposefully unstable surfboards, and combines elements of balance, aerobic exercise and core training. 3/F 454B Joo Chiat Rd., 9751-0793, S(427667), www.surfset. sg. MRT: Eunos.

R-evolution

There is a wide range of workouts from MMA to kickboxing to yoga and there’s also an in-house spa that offers an infrared therapeutic sauna that promises to burn 200600 calories in 30 minutes. Other signature workouts include the 45-minute Riot that packs a series of cardio, calisthenics and weighttraining into a single session. #03-09 Vivocity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, 63769697, S(098585), www.r-evolution. com.sg. MRT: HarbourFront.

amped trampoline park

drums session. There are vibration training in conjunction with resistance training to tone your muscles. It also has a nice range of programs including one-on-one kickboxing sessions. #03-01 Income at Prinsep, 30 Prinsep St., 6536-5580, S(188547), www.physicalabuse.com. sg. MRT: Bras Basah.

evolve mma

Evolve MMA

Ritual

They host world-class instructors from all over the world who specialize in an impressive repertoire of martial arts courses. Here, you can pick up or condition your skills in Brazilian Jujitsu, Muay Thai, boxing, wrestling and grappling, or take up a course on the art of selfdefense. #02-21 1 Selegie Rd., 63370082, S(188306), www.evolve-mma. com. MRT: Bras Basah.

Soda Pop

The gym’s 30-minute-get-inget-out concept is incredibly simple and leaves no room for excuses. You won’t need shoes; attire and towels are provided. You take part in a high intensity interval training session that takes place every 20 minutes, from 6:30am to 9pm and you’ll get a full-body workout. #03-01 11 North Canal Rd., 6536-7291, S(048824), www.ritual.sg. MRT: Clarke Quay.

Amped Trampoline Park

This indoor park features almost 50 trampolines lining its walls and floor. According to a 1980 NASA study, a 10-minute trampolining session equates to 30 minutes of cardio, and is more efficient and effective than running or swimming. But, you’ll have to book your hour-long slot online prior to your jump. 2/F 369 Tanjong Katong Rd., 8669-4894, S(437126), www.ampedsingapore.com. MRT: Dakota.

SPOTLIGHT

With 11 branches in Japan, Le Blanc by Mashu recently set up their first Southeast Asian hair salon in Singapore. Their signature Soda Spa Scalp Treatment (from $110) uses carbon dioxide (from the soda water) to deep cleanse and improve blood flow to your scalp, ridding it of grease, dirt and dead skin. Le Blanc by Mashu, #04-31 Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Rd., 6333-4681, S(238839), www.facebook.com/ leblancbymashu. MRT: Dhoby Ghaut.

physical abuse

Physical Abuse

Rock out while working up a sweat at this boutique gym, which is also the only place in town with a

f ebruary 2015 I WHERE SINGAPORE

A shopAholic's

best

friend

The latest arrivals, the hottest deals and the best spots to hit up along the stripâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; find all this and more in our brand new pocket guide to Orchard Road. Pick up a free copy from shops and hotels along Orchard Road.

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the guide

DINING

HIPSTER HANGOUT Creative types have been flocking to The Refinery, a three-in-one venue in the historical Jalan Besar neighborhood. The ground floor houses a yakitori (items from $6) restaurant with impressive high ceilings and a gritty, industrial vibe. Head up to the mezzanine level to find a bespoke cocktail bar (cocktails from $18), and on the third floor there’s a workshop housing local artisans and craftsmen. 115 King George’s Ave., 6293-0461, S(208561), www.therefinery.sg. MRT: Lavender.

Chinese Feasts

Six must-try Chinese restaurants this Chinese New Year.

WAN HAO

Best known for its Peking duck served with traditional Chinese crepes, this Chinese restaurant never disappoints. Seldom quiet at meal times, expect to find business people and well-heeled families dining in the restaurant. Also on offer are authentic dim sum and fresh seafood delicacies. 3/F Singapore Marriott Hotel, 320 Orchard Rd., 6831-4605, S(238865), www.singaporemarriott. com/dining. MRT: Orchard.

IMPERIAL TREASURE SHANGHAI CUISINE

Restaurant group Imperial Treasure’s a pretty reliable brand with a loyal following and this Chinese joint is always packed. With a focus on Shanghainese cuisine, options include chilled thousand layers pig’s ears, steamed eel (with a strong hit of rice wine) and glutinous rice and cream crab. It can feel a little stuffy but you’re guaranteed good food. #0402 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd., S(238872), www.imperialtreasure. com. MRT: Orchard.

CHERRY GARDEN

Expect only the best at this elegant fine dining Chinese restaurant, with a wide selection of Cantonese cuisine presented with an artistic touch. Noteworthy dishes include the BBQ meat platter, wasabi prawns and double-boiled soup. The weekend dim sum brunches, served with Ruinart Champagne, are also unmissable, featuring faultless food and service. 5/F Marina Square, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Raffles Ave., S(039797), www.mandarinoriental. com. MRT: Promenade.

F E BRUARY 2015 I WHERE SINGAPORE

DINING

WAH LOK

This classy Cantonese stalwart has been around for decades and has established a loyal following that keeps coming back for their specialty dim sum like the BBQ pork bun, carrot cake with XO sauce, the pillowy baked custard bun and signature appetizers like deep-fried century egg wrapped with minced shrimp. 2/F Carlton Hotel, 76 Bras Basah Rd., 6311-8188, S(189558), www.carltonhotel.sg. MRT: Bras Basah.

MIN JIANG

Its contemporary interior, attractive furnishings and poolside

dining option (the first for a Chinese restaurant) aside, it’s the consistently good food that makes Min Jiang worth a visit. The staff are efficient and well-trained too, so you’d be just as comfortable having a business lunch as you would a family get together. G/F Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Rd., 6730-1704, S(228221), www.goodwoodparkhotel.com. MRT: Orchard.

CASSIA

The extensive menu at this classy fine-dining Chinese restaurant certainly measures up to its tasteful and warm décor; with ornamental lamps, gorgeous screens carved with flower like motifs, stately windows and lush sofas. Expect wellexecuted modern Chinese cuisine (with Western, local and Sichuan influences), topped off with discreet and attentive service. G/F Capella Singapore, 1 The Knolls, 6591-5045, S(098297), www.capellahotels.com. MRT: HarbourFront.

SPOTLIGHT

Sushi Omakase In true Japanese fashion, Sushi Mieda is tiny, with only eight seats, but it promises a big experience as the restaurant sources premium ingredients from Tsukiji Market. Pick from three chef’s selection meals, such as the six-course Koufuku ($190) or the eight-course Omakase ($400); there are also à la carte options (from $15) available. 10/F OUE Tower, 60 Collyer Quay, 8425-7835, S(049322), www.sushimieda. sg. MRT: Raffles Place.

Shahi Maharani Namaste! We invite you to sample the royal cuisine enjoyed by the Moghul Emperors of a bygone era. Whether you are trying curries, biryanis or offerings from the Royal Tandoor Oven, our cooks bring you an exciting blend of exotic spices, passed down through generations from the royal chefs. Come and enjoy an exciting gastronomic experience you will never forget. #03-21B Raffles City Shopping Centre (3/F Fairmont Singapore), 252 North Bridge Rd., 6235-8840, S(179103), www.shahimaharani.com. Open daily noon-2:30pm, 6:30-10:30pm. 42 WHERE S I N G A P O R E I F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 5

nightlife

the guide

Music Mania Local live music venue Timbre recently expanded its riverside bar to now offer a huge range of music across three different venues with the opening of House of Timbre. Anchored by alfresco bar Timbre, which plays host to resident local bands, it also houses intimate gig venue The Barber Shop and French restaurant OCF, which offer more music options like soul, swing, blues and jazz. #02-01 The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, 6336-3386, S(179429), www.timbregroup.asia. MRT: Clarke Quay.

Private Party

Boutique clubs offering distinct experiences. 1

Canvas #B1-01/06 The Riverwalk, 20 Upper Circular Rd., 6538-2928, S(058416), www.canvasvenue.sg. MRT: Clarke Quay.

Pangea #B2-05 South Crystal Pavilion, Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Ave., S(018972), www.pangea.sg. MRT: Bayfront.

chateÂux

Fenix Room Blk. C, Clarke Quay, 3 River Valley Rd., 6305-6768, S(179022), www.facebook.com/fenixroomsg. MRT: Clarke Quay.

ChÂteaux #02-01 79 Circular Rd., 9298-9470, S(049433),

Kyo #B1-02 Keck Seng Tower, 133 Cecil St., 6225-6001,

www.chateaux.com.sg. MRT: Clarke Quay. S(069535), www.clubkyo.com. MRT: Telok Ayer. 44 WHERE S I N G A P O R E I f e b r u a ry 2 0 1 5

canvas

nightlife Waterfront Drinking

Five bars worth hitting up along Singapore River.

Brewerkz

One of the oldest microbreweries in Singapore is still going strong at this riverside location. The atmosphere is chill, the food comforting (think burgers, nachos and pizzas) and the beers fresh and cold. Classic brews include pilsners and golden ales, although it has a rotating list of seasonal beers like an American Pale Ale and X IPA. #0105/06 Riverside Point, 30 Merchant Rd., 6438-7438, S(058282), www. brewerkz.com. MRT: Clarke Quay.

Southbridge

One of the only rooftop bars along the riverside stretch, this oyster and Champagne bar is equal parts swanky and breathtaking. There are raw and cooked oysters on the menu and a slew of seafood-centric bar bites like lobster rolls. The drinks list comprises Champagnes, cocktails and artisanal spirits. 5/F 80 Boat Quay, 6536-5818, S(049868), www. southbridge.sg. MRT: Clarke Quay.

Harryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

The flagship outlet of this popular pub holds its own in Boat Quay. Aside from their house brews, this place has a good selection of wines and some standard cocktails. It's also gotten a facelift and now sports a more refined look, perfect for weekend drinks or a catch-up with friends. 28 North Boat Quay, 65383029, S(049818), www.harrys.com. sg. MRT: Raffles Place.

major sports events are shown on the screens. 26/27 Boat Quay, 65382300, S(049817), www.pennyblack. com.sg. MRT: Raffles Place.

SPOTLIGHT

Up in the Air ah sam cold drink stall

Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall

Among the sports bars and seafood joints on this stretch of the river, this hole in the wall cocktail bar draws a crowd with its local flair and superstar bartenders. Located above a minimart, there are no menus here but Sam Wong pushes out bespoke creations like Milo Whiskey and Rum & Raisin Manhattans. 60A Boat Quay, 6535-0838, S(049848), www. facebook.com/AhSamColdDrinkStall. MRT: Clarke Quay.

Cloud, a new multi-concept nightlife venue along Orchard Road, consists of a two-story bistro-bar and club-lounge. The bistro serves hearty Western-inspired dishes like beef cheek in red wine jus ($23) and a cocktails like its signature Stratus ($18), an updated Gin and Tonic concoction with added elderflower foam, while the club upstairs plays thumping music late into the night. #01-01, 9 Scotts Rd., Pacific Plaza, 9853-7390, S(228210), www.cloudsg.sg. MRT: Orchard.

The Penny Black

Remember to try the English ale Old Speckled Hen if you visit this pub. This cozy wood-furniturefilled place is a hotbed for yuppies and expats working nearby, and is especially packed and riotous when

f ebruary 2015 I WHERE SINGAPORE

PROPERTY

the guide

INSIDER TIPS Linda Yang (lindayangrealty@gmail.com) of ERA Realty (www.era.com.sg) highlights three residential properties in Singapore with breathtaking views.

Property 101 by Dennis Chan, Head of Sales at KOP Properties (www. kop-properties.com) Non-Singapore citizens are allowed to purchase condominium apartments, commercial and industrial properties. 15% Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty applies for residential properties.

D'LEEDON

Recently completed in late 2014, this is one of the biggest developments ever launched in Singapore, with over 1,700 units on an expansive land of 840,049 sq. ft. Some units offer amazing views of the northern and southern parts of the island. Those on the higher floors facing north can get views of lush greenery and low-rise landed houses making for a gorgeous unobstructed view, while those facing south offer a beautiful view of Singapore's cityscape, including the Central Business District and Marina Bay. 151A King’s Rd., S(268158). MRT: Holland Village.

THE VISION

Most people know about the many developments in the east side of Singapore offering highly sought-after sea views—and prices in the east have risen astronomically over the years. It's a little known fact that they can get the same sea view in the western part of

Singapore for almost half the price. The Vision is located just by the shoreline of West Coast, offering residents a surreal view of the sea nearby. Naturally, units on the higher floors will also get a cool breeze throughout the year. 81 West Coast Crescent, S(126794). MRT: Buona Vista.

FORESQUE RESIDENCES

Nestled in the quiet neighborhood of Upper Bukit Timah, Foresque Residences is the first of a few developments to be built close to Singapore's highest point, Bukit Timah Hill. Because it’s a less congested area, many units here have an unblocked view of the stunning hill. The tranquility of the trees and forest surrounding this development is great for sitting by the balcony and taking in the beautiful view and fresh air. Nature lovers can also take the various hiking trails just minutes away from the development.

Contact a property agency, real estate salesperson or property developer to get started. When making your purchase, you will have to put up a deposit (usually 1% to 5%) to receive the Option to Purchase or Sales & Purchase Agreement. Then, engage a qualified law firm in Singapore to transfer ownership to the buyer. The above process takes approximately 8 to 12 weeks.

111 Petir Rd., S(678271). MRT: Bukit Gombak.

Online resources: www.iProperty.com.sg | www.PropertyGuru.com.sg | www.STProperty.sg

46 WHERE S I N G A P O R E I F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 5

AFTER DARK 2015

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traditional Thai Crafts The secrets behind

Tap the unrivalled combined reach of WHERE‰ Singapore, Thailand and Kuala Lumpur. For special joint buy rates and other information, call (65) 6323-2512 or email sales@asia-city.com.sg. WHERE® is an international network of magazines first published in 1936 and distributed in 4,000 leading hotels in more than 50 places around the world. Look for us when you visit any of the following cities, or plan ahead for your next trip by visiting us online at wheretraveler.com

ASIA Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand AUSTRALIA Melbourne, Sydney CANADA Calgary, Canadian Rockies, Edmonton, Halifax, Mississauga, Muskoka/Parry Sound, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler, Winnipeg

EUROPE Berlin, Budapest, Dublin, Krakow, London, Madrid, Milan, Moscow, Munich, Paris, Prague, Rome, St. Petersburg UNITED STATES Alaska & Yukon, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Georgia, Indianapolis,

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f ebruary 2015 I WHERE SINGAPORE

NAVIGATE

the guide

USEFUL INFORMATION

DRINKING WATER—Water in Singapore is clean and safe to drink from the tap. ELECTRICITY—The voltage here is 220-240 AC, 50 Hertz. LOST PASSPORT/SINGAPORE IMMIGRATION SERVICES—If you’ve lost your passport, make a police report; then head to Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (10 Kallang Rd., 6391-6100) to get a temporary visa. Finally, inform your embassy so you can get through customs when you reach home. LOST/STOLEN PROPERTY—Call the Tanglin Police Divisional Headquarters (21 Kampong Java Rd., 6391-0000) to report your loss. Replace your plastic by calling your credit card company: see numbers to note below.

NAVIGATING THE CITY

Getting around in Singapore is a breeze. If you plan to travel via public transport a lot, buy a $12 EZ-Link card with an encoded $7 value (available from all MRT train stations), which allows cashless payment on all public buses and trains. BUSES—Buses travel to almost every part of the island and fares start from 73 cents. For information on bus routes and related enquiries, call the TransitLink Hotline at 1800-225-5663 or log on to www.sbstransit.com.sg.

TAXIS—There are five major taxi companies in the city: Comfort and CityCab, 6552-1111; Premier Taxis, 6363-6888; SMRT Taxis, 6555-8888; and TransCab, 6555-3333. Fares start from $3. Charges are higher for advance bookings. Alternatively, call 6-Dial-Cab, 6342-5222. Your call will be routed to the first company with an available taxi. Or simply text “Book<space>six-digit postal code” to 71222 (Comfort) or “Book<space>six-digit postal code<space>#pickup point“ to 75588 (SMRT Taxis).

SHOP TAX FREE

As a visitor to Singapore, you can get a refund of the seven percent Goods & Services Tax (GST) TAX FREE you pay on purchases that you are taking home.

There are two service providers in Singapore processing GST refunds, Premier Tax Free and Global Blue. Shop where you see the signs pictured above and pay using your credit card that will be your Electronic Tourist Refund Scheme (eTRS) token or cash upon which you’ll be given an eTRS ticket. Tickets can be issued for purchases of $100 and above. When leaving Singapore, simply head to the eTRS self-help kiosk and retrieve your refunds using your eTRS tickets.

NUMBERS TO NOTE

MASS RAPID TRANSIT (MRT)— Singapore’s world-class train system. Trains are punctual, air-conditioned and comfortable, and run from about 6am to midnight. Single trip tickets (from 73¢ with EZ-Link card to $1.10 cash fare) can be purchased from vending machines at all MRT stations. For information on MRT routes and related enquiries call SMRT at 1800-336-8900 or log on to www.smrt.com.sg.

CHANGI AIRPORT

CREDIT CARDS American Express...............6880-1111 Diners Card ...................... 6416-0800 JCB ......................................6734-0096 MasterCard .................. 800-110-0113 VISA ............................ 800-448-1250 EMERGENCY Police ....................................................999 Ambulance/Fire Brigade ............... 995 Flight Information ......... 1800-542-4422 24-hour Touristline.....1800-736-2000 MEDICAL SERVICES Raffles Hospital ........................6311-1111 (585 North Bridge Rd.) Singapore General Hospital.....6222-3322 (Outram Rd.)

The ultramodern Changi Airport is well known for making travel breezy for passengers arriving, departing and in transit—but it’s also worth scheduling some extra time to enjoy the facilities here. On top of the usual dining and retail options, there are also five gardens (including a butterfly garden), a swimming pool complete with jacuzzi, lounges and 24-hour movie theaters.

GETTING TO & FROM THE AIRPORT BUS—SBS Bus 36 plies between Changi Airport and Orchard Road. Buses depart every 10 minutes and cost $1.79 (one-way). TAXI—Taxis will take you to the city in about 30 minutes and cost between $20-26. A $3 airport surcharge applies at all times. MRT—The journey takes about half an hour and a single trip costs $2. The first train departs City Hall Mon-Sat at 6:01am; Sun and public holidays at 6:29am.

WHAT’S NEW Trendy jewelry brand Pandora has set up shop in Terminal 2’s Departure Check-in Hall, while beauty and perfume retailer The Shilla Duty Free has opened up more outlets across the airport’s three terminals. Meanwhile, food vendor Kedai Killiney Kopi has re-opened in Terminal 2’s transit area, serving up local favorites like kaya toast.

Look out for WHERE Magazine in

48 WHERE S I N G A P O R E I F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 5

20 Things We Love about Singapore 2

3 11

1 Knocking back half-priced drinks at Octapas. p. 24 2 Screaming our lungs out at the Battlestar Galactica . p. 32

Getting our indie film fix at The Projector. p. 34 3

Picking up locally inspired goods at Supermama Mobile Gallery. p. 36 4

Signing up for a luxe facial session at the SK-II Boutique Spa. p. 38 5

Treating our scalps to a soda spa treatment at Le Blanc by Mashu . p. 39 6

7 Laying our hands on the beautifully designed items at The Monocle Shop and CafĂŠ . p. 30

8 Tucking into the wide array of dim sum and seafood at Hotpot Kingdom . p. 31

15 Sinking our teeth into the pillowy buns at Asanoya Bakery. p. 17

9 Learning more about the local indie music scene at the Museum of Independent Music . p. 35

16 Shopping for eco-friendly luxe leather goods at Giudi. p. 21

Hitting up three-in-one hipster hotspot The Refinery. p. 41 10

11 Indulging in top-notch omakase meals at Sushi Mieda. p. 42 12 Swaying to live jazz at House of Timbre . p. 44 13 Sipping on gin and tonics at Cloud . p. 45 14 Dancing to the best of indie pop music at The Gathering. p. 8

17 Laughing to the comedic events unfolding on stage at Circle Mirror Transformation . p. 9 18 Taking to the streets for Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest street parade at Chingay. p. 9 19 Enjoying Chinese dance and theater at Huayi: Chinese Festival of The Arts. p. 9 20 Dig into hearty pork dishes at Dojo. p. 24

f ebruary 2015 I WHERE SINGAPORE

where My City my pe rfect day 8am Take a walk.

I’ll walk to the Botanic Gardens (1 Cluny Rd., 6471-7138, S(259569), www.sbg.org.sg. MRT: Botanic Gardens) and find a quiet bench to rest and stretch my body out.

Botanic Gardens

Jo Soh

12Am

Founder and designer of womenswear label Hansel (#02-14 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Rd., 6836-5367, S(238867), www.ilovehansel.com. MRT: Somerset) What makes Singapore’s design scene so unique? It’s young and it’s slowly gaining confidence. It’s searching for its own voice amongst the multitude of traditional heritage and modern influences. A lot of Singaporean designers are producing work that draws inspiration from local themes, such as Singlish and the HDB blocks. I feel that these products offer Singaporeans a different way to perceive their heritage and encourages us to take pride in our culture and in the environment that we live in. Where are some of your favorite shopping spots? I wear all of my own designs, so I typically shop non-clothing items in Singapore. I like the friendly and super knowledgeable husband and wife team of Le Vigne Wines (72 Namly Place, 6314-2287,

S(367220), www.singaporewines. com. MRT: Botanic Gardens) plus their whisky selection is really impressive. The façade of the shop doesn’t reveal what’s inside so you feel like you’ve walked into Aladdin’s cave.

Holland Village

Where do you hang out? I live near Holland Village (Holland Rd. MRT: Holland Village) and hang out around the area a lot, especially since there are so many great cafés and restaurants there. I like that you can also have a beer and a chat afterwards without having to shout over loud music.

50 WHERE S I N G A P O R E I F E B r U A RY 2 0 1 5

Have brunch and draw.

Then I’ll head to Food For Thought (Tanglin Gate, 6338-4848, www. foodforthought.com.sg. MRT: Farrer Road) for a cappuccino and French toast. After lunch, I usually draw and paint in my home studio. 3pm Treat myself to dessert.

Sometimes, I walk to The Living Cafe (779 Bukit Timah Rd., 6468-4482, S(269758), www.facebook. com/BalancedLivingCafe) for their super addictive raw chocolate ganache tart. 7pm Drinks with a friend.

I like the semi-alfresco The Pit Restaurant & Bar (21 Lorong Liput, 6468-3468, S(277733), www.facebook.com/pages/ the-Pit-Restaurant-Bar. MRT: Holland Village).

Where to find

where Singapore

*updated February, 2015

137 Telok Ayer Building Ambassador Transit Lounge T2 & T3 American Embassy Singapore Australian High Commission British High Commission Comfort Del Gro Mercedes Taxis CS Mobility JetQuay Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore ONE°15 Marina Club Premier Taxis Silvercabs Raffles City Convention Centre Singapore Tourism Board The American Club The British Club ATTRACTIONS ArtScience Museum @ Marina Bay Sands Asian Civilisations Museum Chinatown Visitor Centre Esplanade Flight Experience Gardens by the Bay (Malay Centre ticketing, information counter) iFly Megazip National Museum of Singapore Red Dot Design Museum Peranakan Museum Singapore Art Museum Singapore Botanic Gardens Singapore Flyer Information Counter Singapore Repertory Theatre Singapore Visitor Centre @ ION Orchard Singapore Visitor Centre @ Orchard The Arts House @ Old Parliament Lane The Substation Wave House Sentosa BARS & RESTAURANTS Bazin Brewerkz Boomerang Bistro & Bar Cafe Ritazza @ Airport T1 Carnivore @ MBS Catalunya Charlie’s Tapas Grill & Bar Dean & Deluca Enoteca L’Operetta Harry’s @ Boat Quay Harry’s @ Pier Robertson Jibiru Kith Cafe @ Sentosa Cove

London Mad For Garlic Madam Patisserie Panopolis @ Airport T3 Paulaner Bräuhaus Punjab Grill RedDot Brewhouse @ Boat Quay Ricciotti @ The Riverwalk Smoothie King @ MBFC Smoothie King @ Centrepoint Smoothie King @ Somerset 313 Smoothie King @ Suntec Sprmrkt Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Cafe The Soup Spoon @ Raffles City Shopping Centre Tanjong Beach Club Taphouse by Brewerkz The Chamber The Jewel Box The Muffinry Veganburg Wine Connection Cheese Bar Wings Bar Working Title HOTELS Amara Sanctuary Amara Singapore Capella Singapore Carlton Hotel Changi Village Hotel Concorde Hotel Conrad Centennial Crockfords Tower Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Days Hotel Dorsett Singapore Elizabeth Hotel Fairmont Singapore Festive Hotel Four Seasons Hotel Furama Riverfront Gallery Hotel Goodwood Park Hotel Grand Copthorne Waterfront Grand Hyatt Grand Mercure Roxy Singapore Grand Park City Hall Grand Park Orchard Hard Rock Hotel Singapore Hilton International Holiday Inn Atrium Singapore Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre

Hotel 1929 Hotel Fort Canning Hotel Jen orchardgateway Singapore Hotel Michael Hotel Re! @ Pearl’s Hill Hotel Rendezvous Hotel Royal at Queens InterContinental Singapore Kam Leng Hotel Klapsons The Boutique Hotel Link Hotel Singapore M Hotel Mandarin Oriental Marina Bay Sands Marina Mandarin Moon Hotel New Majestic Hotel Nostalgia Hotel Novotel ClarkeQuay One Farrer Hotel & Spa Orchard Hotel Orchard Parade Hotel Pan Pacific Marina Pan Pacific Orchard Park Avenue Rochester Park Hotel Clarke Quay Park Regis Singapore PARKROYAL on Beach Road PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road PARKROYAL on Pickering Quincy Hotel Raffles Hotel Singapore Ramada Hotel Royal Plaza on Scotts Shangri-La Singapore Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Sheraton Towers Siloso Beach Resort Singapore Marriott Sofitel So Singapore Studio M Hotel Swissôtel Merchant Court Swissôtel The Stamford The Club The Daulat Hotel The Duxton The Fullerton Bay Hotel The Fullerton Hotel Singapore The Mövenpick Heritage Hotel Sentosa The Regent Singapore The Ritz Carlton, Millenia Singapore The Scarlet The Seacare hotel

The Sentosa Resort & Spa The St. Regis The Sultan The Westin Singapore Traders Hotel V Hotel Lavender Village Hotel Albert Court Village Hotel Katong Wanderlust Wangz Hotel York Hotel MALL CONCIERGE COUNTERS Central Centrepoint City Square Mall Forum The Shopping Mall ION Orchard Millenia Walk Somerset @ 313 Suntec @ SICC Tanglin Mall SERVICED APARTMENTS Ascott Raffles Place Singapore Central Square Village Residences Citadines Singapore Mount Sophia Far East Plaza Residences Fraser Place Fraser Place @ Fusionopolis Fraser Residence Orchard Fraser Suites Lanson Place Winsland Le Grove Serviced Apartments Orchard Parksuites Residences Orchard Scotts Residences Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Park Avenue Suites PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Singapore Regency House Residences Riverside Village Residences Shangri-La Apartments Somerset Liang Court Serviced Apartments St. Regis Residences Treetops Executive Residences SPA & RETAIL CELUVA Dejewel Galleria Estheva Spa Icon Gallery Marina Bay Sands Hotel Gift Shop @ Tower 2 Lobby

For 79 years Where has been the world’s best information source for travelers, fueled with thousands of local listings, travel tools, features and recommendations by experts in local markets. Where products reach travelers on every platform including print and mobile, covering over 100 cities in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

where in the world Where is an international network of magazines first published in 1936 and distributed in 4,000 leading hotels in more than 50 places around the world. Look for us when you visit any of the following cities, or plan ahead for your next trip by visiting us online at wheretraveler.com

ASIA Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand AUSTRALIA Melbourne, Sydney UNITED STATES Alaska & Yukon, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Georgia, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Maui, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New

Orleans, New York, Northern Virginia, Oahu, Orange County (CA), Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix/Scottsdale, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, South Florida, St. Louis, Washington, D.C. CANADA Calgary, Canadian Rockies, Edmonton, Halifax, Mississauga, Muskoka/Parry Sound, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler, Winnipeg

EUROPE Berlin, Budapest, Dublin, Krakow, London, Madrid, Milan, Moscow, Munich, Paris, Prague, Rome, St. Petersburg

where

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO GO

Celebrate the Year of the Ram with Jen

H OT E L J E N O R C H A R D G AT E WAY S I N G A P O R E

Chinese New Year Dinner Buffet

Chinese New Year Brunch

For every 5 paying persons, get a chance to win a one night stay in our Panorama Club Room with breakfast for 2 and club lounge access and benefits.

$55++ per person 18 February 2015

$39++ per person 19 – 22 February 2015

19 – 20 February 2015

For reservations and/or enquiries, contact Makan@Jen at 6708 8899 or email taste@hoteljen.com.

5.30 – 7.30 pm 8.00 – 10.00 pm

(1st Seating) (2nd Seating)

6.30 – 10.00 pm

12.30 – 3.00 pm

Chinese New Year Yu Sheng

9 February – 5 March 2015 $38 ++ (4 persons) / $68 ++ (8 persons) Nett prices for takeaway

Choice of Yusheng: Tuna / Salmon with Passion Fruit Sauce

hoteljen.com/orchardgateway

277 Orchard Road, Level 10, Singapore 23 8 8 5 8