I-S Magazine June 20

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JUN 20 - jul 3, 2014 every two weeks

Check your suitcase cityscape Local music malcontent travel Fine dining in Phuket drink Best bubbly deals # 6 5 5 | I n s i d e s i n g a p o r e | www.is-magazine.com

is r a p p th r fo Cu Fli ove orld edule ide W ch gu plete tch S a m co 14 M 20

BEST BARS

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page 3 Find Page 3 online at is.gd/page3

danger

7

Cover story Crisis of Trust

Open letter to taxi App No-Shows

19 reasons you may not live to see tomorrow.

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10

CItySCApE

trAvEl

What’s wrong with local music?

Phuket’s haute cuisine

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DINING

fItNESS

Champagne in the city

under Armour

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18

rEvIEw

StAGE

Morsels

Peanut Butter Wolf

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23

NIGhtlIfE

INtErvIEw

Bar Council

jeremy nguee

who's in charge?

Country Manager Andrew hiransomboon countrymanager@asia‑city.com.sg Editorial Editorial Director ric Stockfis Managing Editor Mrigaa Sethi editor@asia‑city.com.sg Associate Editor Crystal lee Junior Writers Delle Chan, letitia tandean Editorial Interns Cheang Ming, lim yen Siu Custom Content Editor Clara lim Custom Content Writer Samantha David Design Senior Designers Beverly Chong, Carmen louise ho Designers fishy toh Multimedia Designer ‑ Photographer Mossy Chew wenzhi Design Intern Germaine tay Sales Business Development Manager Intan Agustina advertising@asia‑city.com.sg

where to find us!

Media Manager Shernan plameras Media Executives Gwen tang, lee wee Keong, roderick wong Marketing Marketing Manager Silver Adrienna Ng marketing@asia‑city.com.sg Marketing Interns Brian low yong wen, Geraldine tan, rio liang finance Finance Manager lynn legaspi finance@asia‑city.com.sg Accountant huang huiping ACMG Digital Digital Product Manager Nancy Ide

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Uncle writing you atas young people here because I know you read this atas magazine. Taxi Uncle sick of coming to pick you up in Tiong Bahru, pick you up in Keong Saik and waiting waiting waiting, and you no-show. Sibeh jia lat.

Uncle like taxi app. Last time, Uncle think got change, means life easy already. But now Uncle know all bluff one. You young people don’t care about Uncle, only care about going to high class restaurant and high class market. Only care about taking photo of yourself, always click click click, always eat cupcake in Uncle’s taxi, go to old building lancing and lim jiu in plastic cup. Simi tai ji? Why you go to that building? No one live there.

Uncle drive all the way there come pick you up, then bo lang. Buay sai, lah.

Let me tell you: Now Uncle sian already. Dowan to pick you up. Era of old taxi app over liao. Now got GrabTaxi, Uncle can see whether you no-show or what. Maybe can go to CC watch World Cup or go and lim kopi. No need waste time waiting.

You all think you sibeh young and sibeh rich but Taxi Uncle know you atas ang mo pai. Always chut pattern and think Taxi Uncle bo liao. Then you all wait long long for booking lor, now Uncle only want to go taxi stand in CBD. Long queue, more money. You want Taxi Uncle trust back? Don’t bin chao chao in the taxi, ok. Go kopitiam lim teh tarik and eat bee hoon. We talk cock about the gahmen. Then maybe you want to go to Simpang Bedok, I bring you there free.

Distributed by

Group Directors Chief Executive Officer Gretchen worth gworth@asia‑city.co.th Group Digital Director Greg Duncan gduncan@asia‑city.com.sg

Cover by Natcha Puttruksakun, Dechart Sangsawang

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UP FRONT Giveaways

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OB Index

Be Good

Charting the ups and downs of Singapore's openness, tolerance and freedom of expression.

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JUN

Donate your old camera

11

Disgraced National University of Singapore law professor Tey Tsun Hang, who was embroiled in a sex-for-grades scandal last year but has since been acquitted, is seeking to be reinstated into his tenured academic position. He claims that his dismissal is illegal, irrational and procedurally improper, and urges the university “to do what is right, and live up to the international reputation it aspires to.”

The professor is also noted to have criticized Singapore’s judiciary and legal system in the past, commenting that the government has used defamation proceedings to undercut their opponents.

As part of the My Neighbourhood Gems CARE initiative, you can now donate your old camera to less privileged children and help unleash their creative potential.

Donation points are located at 11 community clubs around the island, including Braddell Heights Community Club and Marine Parade Community Club. The donation period is through September 4; visit www. myneighbourhoodgems.sg for more details.

This week you will mainly love your city for its...

More green spaces East Coast Park just got even better—visitors will get to enjoy more open spaces and new amenities when works at Parkland Green and Marine Cove are completed. Parkland Green, which will open in September, will include a 1-hectare open lawn and eight F&B establishments, along with a laser tag arena and sports and retail outlets. Marina Cove is slated to be completed in mid-2016, and will also have similar new businesses.

At the other end of the island, there’s also the new Jurong Eco-Garden, where you’ll find a freshwater swamp, ponds, streams and a butterfly garden.

Quote of the Week “A Singaporean sought MFA’s assistance for a refund after he had gotten illegal sexual services in a foreign country. He wasn’t satisfied with what he had gotten.

We had to tell him that MFA could not help!”

— Minister for Foreign Affairs K. Shanmugam in a Facebook post earlier this month

Sources: Asia One, The New Paper, Channel News Asia, The Straits Times, Today.

Essential Events June 20 - July 3 SEE This

CALENDAR

Grace Under Fire Not part of Pink Dot but nicely timed anyway, Tamil-language play Akka tells the story of a transgender woman in Singapore, the choices she faces when she walks out on her community and the journalist whose life is changed through their friendship. With English surtitles. Jul 3-5, 8pm. SOTA Drama Center, School of the Arts Singapore, 1 Zubir Said Dr, 63389663. $31 from Peatix.

DO This

DON’T Miss

Give and Take Buy clothes and knick knacks for a good cause at this edition of Zouk Flea & Easy. Partial proceeds will go to Wicare, which provides support to grieving widows and their children. Jun 29, 2pm. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. Free.

Sleep Now Comedy stage hypnotist Alan Bates is back to elicit laughs as he hypnotizes audience members and makes them perform hilarious antics. Jun 25, 10pm. Hard Rock Café, #02-01/03-01 HPL House, 50 Cuscaden Rd., 6235-5232. $38.

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I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

FrIday, June 20 Last chance to catch Dear Nora, a local spin-off of Henrik Ibsen’s famous A Doll’s House. Jun 20-22, 3pm and 8pm. Black Box, Drama Centre, #05-01 National Library Building, 100 Victoria St., 6837-8400. $25-30.

Sunday, June 22 Seven emerging local artists are each given free rein to transform a room into a solo project in King For A Day, which will run for two days.

Through June 22. Equator Art Projects, #01-21 Gillman Barracks, 47 Malan Rd., 6694-3727. Free

Marvel at the contemporary works of British artists Horace Panter, Morgan Howell, Paul Oz and Tim Wakefield at the Icons Exhibition. Through June 28. Closed Sundays. Icon Gallery, 476 River Valley Rd., 6735-4550. Free.

We’re not done with Stones Throw Records yet. They are doing a special edition of Sunday at the Training Shed, with underground hip-hop beats, BBQ, cold brews and live graffiti. 3pm.

The Training Shed, 8 Port Rd., 6273-1993. Free.

Saturday, June 21 The Sideshow dudes team up with LA-based hip-hop label Stones Throw Records and its founder DJ Peanut Butter Wolf to premiere its new documentary Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton. 8pm. Kilo Lounge, 66 Kampong Bugis. $25-45.

FrIday, June 27 SCUM Cinema screens X-rated shock-umentary Machete Maidens Unleashed! before Filipino comedyaction movie For Your Height Only.

7pm. Screening

Room, The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, 63326903. Free.

Cool Ann Siang hangout Gem Bar turns five and is celebrating with five homegrown music collectives like Syndicate and Darker Than Wax. Don’t miss the free flow that starts from 7-9pm the following day. Gem Bar and Lounge, 10 Ann Siang Hill, 64239562. Free.

Saturday, June 28 Who says print is dead?

Bookworms, pick up the craft of bookbinding at A Bookbinding Cause: Masterclass.

10:30am. The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, 6332-6900. $150.

a Bookbinding Cause: Masterclass

CITYSCAPE All Ears

Tune Up

Our five‑song local band playlist to get you started WEISh Listen to: “Not a Day” Perfect if your head’s always in the clouds, or if you’re travelling solo and doing the whole Eat, Pray, Love thing.

Her dreamy tunes feature quirky mixes from her ukulele and looper.

What’s wrong with the local music scene?

By Samantha David and Mrigaa Sethi

www.soundcloud.com/wweishh

Baybeats

L

et’s face it. After music festivals such as 100 Bands Festival (Jun 21-22, 12pm. Kovan Hub, Hougang St.) and next week’s Baybeats (Jun 27-29, 6pm. Esplanade, 1 Esplanade Dr.), we are unlikely to hear much from the majority of the bands performing. Even though these gigs are wellreceived and each band has a small following on its YouTube channel, SoundCloud feed and Facebook page, it’s clear that most local acts are still struggling to make a living from their art. Local musicians, record labels and promoters tell us what’s wrong with the scene.

We’re bad listeners

Starting out is hard

Shame on so many of us who don’t get as “Today’s independent artists would not excited about catching local bands live as we only require marketing skills but also some do when hip young American things or indie knowledge and proficiency on audio, video Brit bands come to town. And it’s a sad but recordings, technology to help us keep in true fact that bands generally make more touch with our fans and enhance the creative money playing covers at bars than original work we put out,” says Celina Kimble, whose stuff—because that is what first EP came out earlier audiences want to hear. “[Charging low prices this month. But there aren’t “Foreign music is always enough shared resources out for local music] perceived as superior,” says there for newbies. Bands like becomes a vicious LGF—who do gigs at places 22 year-old singer-songwriter cycle—artists will (day job: secondary school like Timbre and who sold all teacher) Weish, who opened 500 copies of their EP—have always remain at for Tegan and Sara here last had to teach themselves the bottom of the year. Hopeless Records Asia copyright law as well as food chain.” label manager Sameer Sadhu marketing and promotion has even more damning strategies with little help. words: “There’s no nationalistic pride when it Even after learning the ropes, there’s still comes to Singaporean music. When you go to money to worry about—and the lack of any other country and ask them about their willing investors or patrons doesn’t help. bands, they’ll say, ‘You gotta check out these Earlier this year, singer-songwriter Jonathan guys.’ In Singapore everyone’s like, ‘F*** local Meur had to run a campaign on local music. There’s not that much to listen to.’” crowdfunding platform Avvio to raise funds for his first album.

Artists play for cheap

Because of the relatively low value placed on local music compared to international acts, Singaporean bands have to stay competitive by selling their CDs cheaply and perform for cheap. “This devalues the art even further, and it becomes a vicious cycle in which artists will always remain at the bottom of the food chain,” says Weish

We’re not thinking big “[Singapore is only] the size of Dallas, Texas,” says Sadhu. And a Dallas band will stay in Dallas if they’re not in the habit of thinking bigger. To reach out to a wider audience and get more fans on board, Sadhu believes musicians should cast a wider net and see local shows as a launchpad into the region—if not

the world. But they don’t. “Of the [local] bands that play Baybeats, how many have also played Malaysia or Indonesia?”

Not enough local musicfriendly venues We’ve got state-of-the-art concert halls aplenty on this little island. But maybe what we need for the local music scene to grow are a handful more small live music venues where up-andcoming acts can woo their audience without management pressure to pack in hundreds of people. And Singapore falls behind many other cities when it comes to paying attention to and working together to ensure a better live music experience for both musicians and audiences.

“There aren’t enough proper gig venues like the live [music] houses that you would find in Japan, Taiwan or Europe,” laments Kitty Wu Records founder Lesley Chew.

We need our Björk And Björks arrive only with time. Meur reminds us that Iceland—home of the dreamy songstress and Sigur Rós, among others—is another small country who only developed a strong musical identity after its scene reached a certain level of maturity. So there’s hope after all. “Maybe the key to unlocking Singapore’s musical potential is simply for artists to feel free to create music that they love, music that’s genuine.” n

CELINA KIMbLE Listen to: “Illusion” Pop’s the way to go for this upand-coming singer.

Some songs are pianodriven, while others are accompanied by heavy dance beats. www.soundcloud.com/ celina‑kimble

ThE VOODOO SOuND Listen to: “S.O.N” Their influences include Rage Against The Machine and Linkin Park, with the occasional injection traditional ethnic rhythms (classic Indian for example). www.reverbnation.com/ thevoodoosound

LGF Listen to: “m.e.s.s.u.u.p (Mess You Up)” LGF does a mix of English, Chinese songs; but all are generally dance-y and heavy on the electronic beats. www. soundcloud.com/lgfband

JONAThAN MEur Listen to: “Strangers in Motion” A fusion of folk, pop, rock and classical. Loads of easy-listening tracks for that slow Sunday drive. www. soundcloud.com/jonathan‑meur SAmANthA DAvID

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FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 I‑S MAGAZINE

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COVER STORY

19

to D ie iN

Ways

S inga pore

The end is nigh! The haze is going to be back with a vengeance this year. And with other crises like the MERS coronavirus and dengue cropping up, our paranoia is in full throttle.

Here are 19 deadly reasons you won’t live to see tomorrow. By Delle Chan

1. Asphyxiating on the haze

Brace yourselves—the haze this year is forecasted to be worse than last year’s (the PSI hit an all-time record of 401 last June), due to our Indonesian neighbors persisting with their slash-and-burn practices. Plus, the haze will likely be further exacerbated by an El Nino weather pattern (that’ll probably mean no rain to help dissipate the smog). While no one has actually died as a direct result of the haze, it’ll inevitably give rise to all sorts of major respiratory problems. On the bright side, we expect face masks to be the new and affordable fashion trend this summer.

2. Burning to a crisp by fires

Fires have been making the headlines of late. In April, two fires broke out at the National University of Singapore, both within the engineering faculty. More tragically, a father and his son were burned to death last November when their house along Jalan Gaharu (which was being used as a makeshift temple) caught fire. And while we have a decent civil defence force that’s pretty adept at fighting fires, we unfortunately might also be in danger of...

3. Dehydration from water shortage

The fact that Singapore is known for its limited water supply (we still pipe millions of gallons of water from Malaysia) doesn’t help our doomsday predictions about fire and erratic weather patterns much. Also, the few natural resources we actually have can be quite filthy as well—in 2008, the NEA declared Pasir Ris Beach unsafe for swimming after the water was found to be contaminated with faecal bacteria. If a severe drought were to take place (along with a nasty fallout with Malaysia), we’d best hope that our reclaimed water strategies (think NEWater) can save us all.

4. Annihilation by floods

Global warming has thrown weather patterns all around the world into disarray—the Greenland ice sheet is melting at an unprecedented pace, and rising sea levels might just swallow Singapore whole. Plus, we were inundated by scary floods at the end of last year—we sure hope they aren’t a harbinger of things to come. Thankfully, though, The Straits Times has reported that work will soon be starting on the Stamford Diversion Canal, which will hopefully reduce the risk of floods along the Orchard shopping belt—the most important part of Singapore, d’oh.

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I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, June 20, 2014

5. Getting infected by dengue fever

All that water spells nothing but bad news for our dengue situation. There was a significant dengue outbreak last year, and according to the Ministry of Health, there were a total of seven deaths throughout the course of the year. The National Environment Agency has been really proactive in weeding out potential dengue hotspots (Channel News Asia reported that the NEA audited 7,700 construction sites from January to April last year, 80% more than last year), but that’s not the only transmissible disease that’s been plaguing us lately.

6. Contracting pneumonia from MERS

First, there was SARS in 2003, which claimed 33 deaths in Singapore and over 700 worldwide (as stated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Now, there’s MERS, short for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus, which doomsayers are branding to be even deadlier than SARS with its high fatality rate of around 30%. The global death toll from MERS has already passed the 200 mark and is set to rise even further, according to the Business Recorder.

Our government has already implemented temperature checks at Changi Airport to help facilitate early detection of the virus among travelers—a really smart move, considering the fact that disease transmission in Singapore is all too easy due to overcrowding. In fact, we also run the risk of…

7. Getting squashed to death in MRT cabins

Singapore is a tiny country by most standards—we’re only 710 square kilometers in size, yet we’re home to more than 5.3 million people. And just about everyone’s been whinging about the fact that the government has carved out plans to increase our population by as much as 30%. If this place gets any more crowded, we just might literally suffocate, or get squeezed to death in uber-packed MRT cabins. And while we’re definitely nowhere as resentful as some more, ahem, outspoken social activists, we can’t help but think that all these will inevitably lead to higher costs of living. So we might just die from...

8. Poverty-induced starvation

Surprise, surprise—the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) ranked Singapore as the most expensive city to live in. Plus, the cost of running a car in Singapore is the highest in the world (no thanks to our exorbitant COE). Moreover, we’re actually the most expensive place in the world to buy clothes.

All these, coupled with the fact that our minimum CPF sum (what’s needed for us to be entitled to monthly CPF payouts when we’re old and gray) is about to be raised to $155,000, might just leave us naked and destitute during our retirement years. And if that poverty doesn’t kill us, it’s definitely something to be depressed about.

9. Death by suicide

Speaking of depression, suicide rates rose by nearly 30% to hit a 20-year high in 2013, as was reported in The Straits Times. This weighs in to around 10.3 suicides per 100,000 people last year—a rather chilling number. We wonder if some of these deaths are due to... *Note: Please reach Samaritans of Singapore at 1800-221-4444 if you need emotional support.

10. (Over)working to the grave

Singaporeans are workaholics—there’s no doubt about it. We work so hard that we almost never see the light of day on weekdays—we only crawl out of our office cubicles half-dead when it’s way past dinnertime. And according to a study by Taiwan’s China Times newspaper, Singaporeans work the longest hours in the world, clocking an average of 2,402 hours a year. Plus, there’s also been talk about raising the retirement age to 68. Hence, we’re not surprised that people are killing themselves by...

13. Getting killed in a car crash

Not all transport-related accidents in Singapore are confined to the MRT. While 2013 saw a 10.6% decrease in the number of fatal and injury accidents on our roads (6,426 cases in 2013, down from 7,188 cases in 2012, according to the Singapore Police Force), we still hear of horrific traffic accidents on a regular basis (memorable ones include the Ferrari crash at Rochor in 2012 and the two brothers who were killed by a cement truck last year). So drive carefully. Not only will you save lives, you’ll also avoid being...

14. Shamed to death by citizen journalism

This mode of journalism has been getting a lot of flak these days, and rightly so, we think. Recently, there was a petition to close STOMP down, with the petition’s founder Robin Li stating that “STOMP is becoming a place for people to shame their fellow citizens, cyber-bullying and the obvious case of invading one’s privacy.” And it’s quite true—just about anything gets reported on STOMP these days, no thanks to deep-seated kaypohness and holier-than-thou attitudes. It’s a gross invasion of privacy, and it has ruined the lives of many individuals, including a certain Mr. Casey (who admittedly deserves it). While you’ll probably not die a literal death, being a STOMP headliner spells disaster for your career and even social life.

15. Smothered by dangerous creatures

We’ve been experiencing an invasion of swallowtail moths lately. The Straits Times says that more than 800 sightings have been reported online so far. These large moths are roughly the size of a human hand, so forgive us for worrying about the possibility of being smothered to death by a bunch of them. And don’t forget the giant crocs! You’ll probably have read about Barney the crocodile in the papers—he was found dead at Kranji reservoir some time back in April. He was really massive, weighing in at 400kg, so he’s definitely...

11. Drowning in reservoirs

Unfortunately, our reservoirs are fast becoming favorite haunts for the suicidal. According to The Online Citizen, a total of eight dead bodies were found at Bedok Reservoir from June 2011 to September 2012, and corpses have been discovered in Kallang Reservoir and Pandan Reservoir as well, just to name a few. And then there’s also...

12. Jumping onto MRT tracks

16. Carrying around too much body weight

Sadly, this also seems like a favored way to die in Singapore. There has been a spate of MRT-related deaths over the past decade, including two suicides at Bukit Batok MRT station in August 2004, and a man jumping onto the tracks at Bedok MRT station in May 2010 (as documented by transitioning.org).

Thankfully, SMRT has since been revamping aboveground MRT stations and installing features like platform screen doors to improve safety, and this has helped in reducing the number of fatalities in recent years.

Hot Haunts: Afterlife Edition Where to see and be seen after you’ve been reduced to a translucent specter.

Bukit Brown Cemetery This abandoned cemetery is also affectionately known as “Kopi Sua” or “Coffee Hill”. Adjacent to Lornie Road, it apparently houses an estimated 100,000 tombs. Word has it that there’s a Pontianak (female vampire) that already haunts the cemetery, so if you’re looking for a gal pal in the afterlife, this could be a good place to start.

Obesity in Singapore is definitely a weighty issue—our obesity prevalence rate rose from 6.9% in 2004 to 10.8% in 2010, according to the Health Promotion Board (that means roughly one in ten Singaporeans is considered obese). And we’re not that surprised, really, considering the influx of new cafes all across the island—surely a diet of eggs Benedict and sugary lattes can’t be all that good for your health. Plus, the National Health Survey 2010 shows that 1.7 million Singaporeans with a BMI of 23 or greater are at risk of developing obesity-related ailments like diabetes and heart disease. But being the vain creatures that we are, we’re probably more concerned about how the extra weight makes us look, which brings us to death by…

Old Changi Hospital This dilapidated hospital (originally a British military hospital) is said to have been used as a torture chamber during the Japanese Occupation. It’s entirely abandoned now, but it constantly catches the fancy of thrill-seeking youths staying at the chalets nearby, despite rumors that some who venture inside never come back out. Perfect for haunting if you like spooking the youth.

Pulau Tekong Just about every male Singaporean has experienced ghost sightings on the island during his NS days.

Many allege that the spirit of a dead recruit (who died during a route march) still haunts Charlie Company, while others claim that a phantom grandfather and his grandson visit the bunks at night.

A must-visit if you have an undying thing for men in uniform.

FRIDAY, June 20, 2014 I-S MAGAZINE 7

COVER STORY I-S Asks:

danger

Ever had a near-death experience?

Robin Sie-Verbruggen, 21, intern at Dutch Embassy

Kenny Leck, 36, owner of BooksActually

“I actually got hit by lightning once, when I was at Kranji War Memorial. Thankfully I didn’t sustain any permanent damage, just some kind of light tension in my hand and chest.”

“When I was 15, my best friend and I were attacked by members of a rival gang. They were armed with baseball bats and other weapons, but both of us were Usain Bolt incarnates and we thankfully managed to outrun them.”

17. Botched cosmetic surgeries

Many people choose to go under the knife (definitely nowhere as numerous as South Korea, though). But this can potentially give rise to hazardous complications—last month, an Indonesian man undergoing facelift surgery at Camden Medical Centre was declared brain dead. This comes after two people died as a result of liposuction procedures last year. Folks, didn’t our parents tell us that beauty lies within?

18. Sex-induced heart attacks

Besides plastic surgery, our abysmal self-esteem has also led to poorer sex, it seems. Hence the need for some medical help in the form of Viagra and such—according to Channel News Asia, the Health Sciences Authority has just seized its largest haul of illegal sexual enhancement drugs, which have an estimated street value of over $400,000 (and give rise to detrimental side effects, of course). Singaporeans obviously aren’t that great when it comes to having a romp. But we sure hope that bad sex isn’t responsible for...

19. Mysterious HDB murders

Denise Khan Tan, 27, Marketing and Communications Manager at Unlisted Collection “I nearly choked to death on rainbow kueh before.”

Jasmine Tuan, 36, owner of Blackmarket “Once, when I was heading to KPO for a date, a Ferrari reversed and almost hit me. It was a valet who didn’t know how to handle the wheel properly.”

8 PATH-130614-STA-8713-WES-SGP-CooknBrew-ISMag-HPFC.indd I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, June 20, 2014

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Getting senselessly murdered in HDB flats seems like a really common way to go these days—earlier this year, The New Paper reported that a 48-year-old man was charged with murdering his 50-year-old girlfriend in a HDB flat in Jurong in 2011. And just recently, the body of a 75-yearold woman with multiple stab wounds was found in an Ang Mo Kio flat, while the body of her 51-year-old daughter was discovered at the foot of the very same block. Now, there’s fodder for local horror movies.

For the extended version of this story, download the I-S Magazine iPad app: www.is-magazine.com/app.

13/6/14 11:20 am

FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 I窶全 MAGAZINE

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Cape Crusader Phuket’s east coast is quietly emerging as a fine dining haven. By Ric Stockfis Nahmyaa

Phang Nga Bay from Cape Yamu

Breeze

L

ove them or hate them, the busy beaches and booming beach clubs of Surin and beyond are the first thing that come to mind when thinking about Phuket. But over on the remarkably unspoiled east coast, canny developers are beginning to take advantage of the breathtaking views out over the still blue waters and craggy outcrops of Phang Nga Bay (it’s not for nothing that the island’s top marinas are all on this side of the island) with some world-class resorts and now some serious dining destinations. And with the military-imposed curfew having been lifted, now’s a great time to get up there.

Among the most spectacular new spots is the development at Cape Yamu, a sliver of island halfway up the coast.

Nahmyaa, at the still-in-soft-opening Point Yamu by COMO (225 Moo 7, Paklok, Talang, +66 7636-0100, www.comohotels.com/pointyamu), is a Breeze sister outlet to Bangkok’s world-famous Nahm, with a focus on spicy Southern Thai cooking and street food. It’s a casual space right by the poolside, enlivened with bright orange colors and a playful sea-inspired theme (fishscale walls, fish-shaped bowls, hanging lights like fish-eyes), though the cooking, under Executive Chef Dan Moran, previously of The Metropolitan, is seriously good and reassuringly spicy. (Moran tells us he’s inspired by the depth of flavor of southern Thai cooking, citing gkaeng dtai bplah as an example. “It’s this incendiary fish innards curry that’s freaky on your first encounter, but it grows on you!”) Among the highlights of our visit: spiced oxtail Wagyu soup, coconut smoked duck (both THB300; $11.50), a dark southern curry with black kingfish (THB600; $23); a massaman lamb curry with sweet potato and cucumber (THB800; $31); and a humble but pretty wonderful stir-fried spinach in coconut milk (THB400; $15.40). There’s a strong signature cocktail list, too, with creations like The Fighting Duck (plum jam, ginger and hoisin, shaken with ruby port and reposado (barrel-aged) tequila, served over ice with cherry wood smoke) nicely judged to accompany the meal.

Nearby Breeze (+66 8 1271-2320 www.breezecapeyamu.com) is part of the same development, though unconnected to the hotel.

Launched in 2012, this open-on-all-sides spot is still a relative newcomer, though their Sunday sharing brunches by the pool (12:30-4pm, THB1,650 ($63) or THB2,800 ($108) with freeflow drinks) have built up a deserved reputation on the island. But it’s what goes on in the kitchen that’s really interesting. Alongside a number of locals, many of the kitchen staff are here, effectively on stage, from Montreal’s acclaimed Toqué! restaurant. It’s an idea dreamed up by the latter’s former sous-chef and now Exec Chef here, Cheryl Johnson. The dinner menu changes every few days, but the focus is on fine dining, using local ingredients wherever possible. Expect dishes like duck confit with kale, baby corn, leeks, shitake and a honey glaze; and scallops with endives and radicchio flambéed with brandy, snowpeas, orange and mint (both THB750; $29). The in-house pastry chef knocks out some pretty special creations, too. You’ll need to watch out for mozzies if you’re dining there after dark, but the trade-off is widescreen views out over the water.

The east coast might be relatively under-developed, but boat owners have been wise to its charms for years, and a short drive down the coast from Yamu, tucked away on the quieter side of one of the more upmarket marinas, is Le Winch (20/31/32 Boat Lagoon Marina Moo 4, Thepkassattri Rd., Koh Kaew, +66 (0) 8484-2822). It’s not new, but this 40-seat spot draws a loyal crowd, at least in part due to the fantastic outdoor deck right by the waterfront and facing the lighthouse; it’s perfect for daydreaming about that yacht you’ve always wanted to own.

The food tends toward Gallic classics—steak tartare (THB850; $32.70) frog legs “en persillade” (THB420; $16.20), pork cordon bleu with Serrano ham and parmesan (THB480; $18.50)—and, if it’s more solid than spectacular, that’s made up for with charmingly personal service (it’s pretty much a one-man show for chef-proprietor Vincent Meuwly).

The plat du jour is a great way to sample the best of what’s on offer and the daily lunch sets are deservedly popular, too. Mains go for $20 and up.

Essentials

GETTING THERE Jetstar, Tigerair, AirAsia and SilkAir all fly direct from Singapore to Phuket. Jetstar (www.jetstar.com) is the best after-work option: the flight leaves at 8:30pm, arriving at 9:20pm. Prices start from as low as $92 return, including taxes. Inflight meals ($12 for a pre-ordered main) aren’t gourmet, but we enjoyed the vegetarian Thai curry in our recent inflight taste test: is.gd/inflightfood.

STAY Aside from Point Yamu (225 Moo 7, Paklok, Talang, +66 7636-0100, www. comohotels.com/pointyamu), another highly-regarded newcomer on the east coast is Regent Phuket Cape Panwa (+66 2653-0555, www.regenthotels.com/ phuket) where rooms start from $180.

For something more affordable, the very cool Phuket 346 in Phuket Town (9 Soi Rommanee, Talang Rd., +66 7625-8108; www.phuket346.com) offers SinoPortugese charm, an on-site art gallery (the proprietor is also behind Bangkok’s beloved WTF) and rooms from just $33.

EXCHANGE RATE THB26 = $1

eastside Riders Three other places for a good meal on the quieter side of Phuket.

Blue Elephant

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I‑S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JUNe 20, 2014

Suay Restaurant A popular spot in old-world Phuket Town (not to be confused with the busier, betterknown and much-less-appealing Patong), this Thai eatery, helmed by an ex-Banyan Tree chef, is set back in a garden and serves up zingy dishes like samurai chicken skewers and the frankly baffling “Mrs Piggy took sun bath” (deep fried pork jerky).

50/2 Takuapa Rd., Talat Nuea, +66 8 7888-6990, www.suayrestaurant.com

Blue Elephant It might be a worldwide brand, but it’s hard to beat the location of this outlet: a stunning, century-old Sino-Portuguese mansion in Phuket Town. Expect classic Royal Thai food—and prices to match.

96 Krabi Rd., Phuket Town, +66 76354355, www.blueelephant.com

Baba Soul Food Perched at the far southeastern tip of the island, the Sri Panwa resort is a long way from the bustle of Patong. Its restaurant is focused on Southern regional food, with nearly everything sourced from the organic Royal Projects. Get the unusual red curry with pork and pineapple ($14).

Sri Panwa, 88 Moo 8, Sakdidej Rd., +66 7637-1000, www.sripanwa.com

BROUGHT TO YOU BY CLARKE QUAY Send your travel news and promotions to travel@asia-city.com.sg

ESCAPE ROUTES

$15

with Delle Chan

Power Up Your Lunch

RAS The Essence of India

I

mpress clients without breaking the budget with Clarke Quay’s Executive Set Lunch promotion. With more than 20 restaurants offering delicious, value-for-money deals priced at $15, $25 or $35 nett, there’s something for every type of meeting. The waterfront view and free parking from Mondays to Fridays, 12 to 3pm, are a bonus. Here are four failproof places to consider:

Soma Journeys

PHILIPPINES

Sun, Sand and Silk Regional carrier SilkAir (www.silkair. com) has just launched a route to Kalibo, a popular entry point to Boracay. A round trip fare in June will cost around $755 upwards. Bit steep, but you get that extra legroom and amenities that the full-service airline promises. If you need a cheaper option, don’t forget Tiger Airways (www.tigerair.com), which started its Singapore-Kalibo service in July last year, with a roundtrip ticket for $430 upwards. There’s also Cebu Pacific ($511 upwards, www.cebupacificair.com) and Philippine Airlines ($520 upwards, www.philippineairlines.com) to consider.

HIM AL AYA S

Top of the World Amateur mountaineers, rejoice.

Soma Journeys will be organizing an expedition to the sacred Mount Kailash in Western Tibet, where you’ll get to experience ancient Buddhist traditions and breathtaking (literally—the air is thin up there) views. The trip will run September 2-24, and will set you back USD8,550 (S$10,737). Alternatively, World Expeditions has just launched its 2014-15 Himalaya brochure—book any holiday by June 30 and save 15% on the second traveller (single travellers get 7.5% off). See www.somajourneys.com and www.worldexpeditions.com for further details.

Peony Jade

Enjoy a five-course set lunch of Chinese favorites like the signature roast chicken and Szechuan hot and sour soup.

Coriander Leaf

$35

M AL AYSIA

No-Nonsense KL LUXE City Guides just launched its Kuala Lumpur edition. Famous for cutting through the boring old format of historical overview and comprehensive listings, and going straight for the curated good stuff instead, the snappy travel guide series focuses its picky and succinct style on the Malaysian capital.

We haven’t bought it yet, but when we asked the editors for some tips, they recommended “the palatial Hotel Majestic, [which] comes with natty addons like gent’s cigar den, on-site barber, private kitchen and high tea in an orchid-filled glasshouse.” Purchase the guide for USD9.99 (S$12.51) from www.luxecityguides.com.

JAPAN

$25 $35

#02-02 Blk. A, 6338-0305, www.peonyjade.com.

use these credits to stay at another host’s place. Always be sure to do the necessary homework before you travel, though, to avoid creeps. Find out more at www.nightswapping.com.

$25 $35

#02-03 Blk. A, 6732-3354, www.corianderleaf.com.

Peony Jade

Your choice of two or three courses at this Asian-inspired bistro. The menu changes fortnightly, with dishes like mini chicken tikka burger and the deep-fried butterfly prawn.

$35 Coriander Leaf

RAS The Essence of India

$25 Fremantle Seafood Market

$15 $25 $35

#01-05A Blk. D, 6837-2800, www.ras.com.sg

Get two, three or four courses of hearty, flavor-packed Indian options here. They all come with rice, dal and naan bread.

Fremantle Seafood Market

$15 $25 $35

#01-05/06 Blk. E, 6337-1838, www.fremantleseafoodmarket.com.sg.

Sharing a massive seafood spread can help foster stronger relationships. Super hungry? Order the two- or three-course option.

Tokyo’s Biggest Treat

Two Michelin-starred restaurant Noma (#1 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list) is closing in January 2015. No, not for good, but for a field trip to the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo from January 9 to 31, where celebrity chef René Redzepi and his team will draw from local techniques and ingredients for lunch and dinner.

Reservations for lunch will WORLDWIDE cost a pretty penny at JPY39,000 (S$480). Want a table for dinner? You’ll have to book the “Noma Nightswapping is a new at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo” website that enables you to accommodation package (a stay for free at people’s places Noma whopping JPY149,500 or $1,842 for all around the world. Launched two) instead. These tables will go in October 2013, it’s based on the neat fast, so book early. Learn more at concept of peer-to-peer nights exchange. www.noma.dk/japan.

Accumulate credits (or “nights”) by

Pay it Forward

hosting guests at your home, then

Choices, Choices

Here are more affordable options if you’re still undecided:

$15 Nett Bayang (#01-05 Blk. A, 6337-0144) • Bamboo Bar by IndoChine (#01-02 Blk. A, 65576268) • Hutong (#01-07 Blk. D, 6336-0212) • Hooters (#01-03 Blk. D, 6332-1090) • Tomo Izakaya (#01-04 Blk. A, 6333-0100) • Renn Thai (#01-05 Blk. D, 6338-7200) • Muchos Mexican Bar & Restaurant (#01-04 Blk. D, 6338-4748) • Xiao Chen Gu Shi (#01-08 Blk. E, 6336-0939) • Fullhouse Signature Singapore (#02-04 Blk. A, 6338-0885)

$25 Nett Hot Stones (#01-06 Blk. D, 6333-4868)

$35 Nett Mulligan’s Irish Bar & Restaurant (#01-10 Blk. C, 6305-6726) ) • Vintry at Royal Selangor (#01-01 Blk. A, 6338-2808)

www.clarkequay.com.sg/lunchtime

3X

BONUS POINTS

WITH CAPITASTAR

*The award of STAR$® is limited to 2,000 STAR$® per member per day. 3X STAR$® are awarded upon scanning of valid Lunch receipts from participating outlets. Valid for Lunch Receipts from Monday to Friday, 12pm to 3pm, excluding PH.

/CLARKEQUAY

CLARKEQUAYBLOG.TUMBLR.COM

@CLARKEQUAYSG

@CLARKEQUAY

Now available for your iPad & Android Tablet The all-new Where® Singapore app —your complete guide to go.

Available for download now!

I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JUNe 20, 2014

11

island

fashion + fitness + tech + home

Heave Ho

FITNEss

TECH Q&A James Lai

Where to get in on the loaded movement training trend that’s taken over the local fitness scene.

By Delle Chan

We’ve spotted more and more folks zipping around town on electric scooters of late (hey, it beats waiting for a cab). So we caught up the importer of the ZoomAir model to find out what all the fuss is about.

First things first. Are these things legal?

There are currently no restrictions or regulations on the usage of electric stand-up scooters on walkways, pedestrian paths and park connectors.

You’re not allowed on the roads, though, and of course, you should slow down when there’s a crowd and step off to push the scooter at traffic junctions. Helmets are recommended too.

ViPR Fitness First

KB Functional Fit

A

fter years of Pilates and various types of yoga, brute force is making a comeback in the fitness world, with HIIT, TRX and other fads.

We’re really into loaded movement training at the moment, which mixes resistance training with task-oriented movement patterns using equipment like kettlebells and ViPR—that meter-long log that weighs anywhere between 4–20kg. Not only do you get fitter, you are able to carry out everyday tasks more effectively—so no more wheezing when loading your car boot with groceries.

Many gyms here have started offering training classes. Here are four that have caught our eye.

Vipr Vibes

ViPR

Swing It

KB Functional Fit

What: In this 30-minute class, you’ll be carrying, flipping, swinging and rolling the ViPR. The exercises emphasize three-dimensional movements, and are great for developing functional strength.

Where: Virgin Active, 6/F One Raffles Place, 1 Raffles Pl., 69087878, www.virginactive.com.sg.

How much: $50 for a drop-in visit. Book on their site.

What: Similar to the Virgin Active class, this 30-minute workout offers a range of ViPR weights and intensities—so don’t fret if you’ve not lifted anything heavier than your handbag in a long time.

Where: Fitness First, #16-03/04 Tower 3, Marina Bay Financial Centre, Marina Boulevard, 65362373, www.fitnessfirst.com.sg.

How much: Download a free pass from their site.

What: This 30-minute lunchtime class will have you swinging a kettlebell every other way.

It’ll cover major exercises like two-handed kettlebell swings, great for building your muscular endurance and aerobic capacity.

Where: UFIT Urban Fitness, 87-88 Amoy St., 6225-5059, www.ufit.com.sg.

How much: Try a free session by booking on their site.

What: Kettlebell classes here are typically an hour long, and include dynamic warm ups and various kettlebell lifts. Like Swing It, they focus on building functional strength not just sculpted biceps.

Where: AlphaFit, 2/F 789 Bukit Timah Rd., 9844-9191, www.alphafit.sg.

How much: $40 for a single session, $170/month for beginners.

OPEN sTORE

Under Armour The buzz: The beloved, colorful American sports label has (finally!) hit our shores, and it’s the brand’s first Southeast Asian outpost to boot.

The vibe: Functional, industrial-chic aesthetic with lots of steel and wood. Plus, there are the quintessential posters of super-fit athletes gracing the walls. One gripe—there are only two changing rooms, and given the brand’s popularity, we foresee snaking queues, especially on weekends.

The goods: While the range of apparel in store isn’t as extensive as what you can

find on the website, there’s still a decent selection of the brand’s staples like UA Tech and HeatGear tees, compression wear (for support and to show off those pecs), shoes and other accessories, all at attractive prices ($12 upwards). The average shirt costs $35, considerably less than rival stores. Expect a stock turnover when they bring in a whole new collection in July.

Why you’ll be back: Because there’s a new sports brand in town that’s considerably more affordable than the likes of Adidas and Nike, and quite a bit more interesting to look at.

#B1-05 Orchard Gateway, 277 Orchard Rd., 6702-4918, www.underarmour.com. Open Mon-Sun 10:30am-10:30pm. DELLE CHAN

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I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

How did you come to start importing scooters?

Coming back to Singapore after studying in Holland I found it frustrating that I have to take 25 minutes on a bus just to get to the nearest MRT station which is a mere 2.5km away. Unfortunately, our local climate does make it a little impractical to cycle, especially when you have to meet clients and don’t want to end up sweating a lot. So I began to look for alternative transport solutions that could help solve the first and last mile of my journey So you think Singapore could be doing more to make it easier to get around?

Singapore is perfect for sustainable transport because of its flat and even roads. More bicycle lanes should be designated and pedestrian pathways can be widened so that both cyclists and pedestrians can share the same path safely.

Go on then—sell the Zoom to us in 100 words or less.

ZoomAir is a revolutionary electric scooter that is designed to make your urban commuting easier and enjoyable. It is lightweight (only 9.8kg), portable, compact and can be easily brought onto public transport or stored in the boot of your car. Not only that, it is 100% zero-emission and green-friendly. Such alternative sustainable transport isn’t new, but the existing products in the market are either very expensive or not easy to bring around—think Segway and YikeBike). ZoomAir combines affordability, convenience and style in one scooter. Plus it can go up to 20km with a speed of 23km/hour. Ric Stockfis The ZoomAir is available for $1,099 (with a choice of black or white). Go to www.zoom.sg for more info.

JUn 20 - JUl 3, 2014 every two weeks

Check your suitcase cityscape Local music malcontent travel Fine dining in Phuket drink Best bubbly deals # 6 5 5 | I n s I d e s I n g a p o r e | www.is-magazine.com

is r a p p th r fo Cu Fli ove orld edule ide W ch gu plete tch S a m co 14 M 20

BEST BARS

BesT Bars gUIde—Free WITH THIs IssUe The city’s best cocktail bars, microbreweries, wine lounges and much more!

Singa

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DINING

Double the Bubbles

DRINK

Tasting notes to some of the city's most ubiquitous Champagne—and where to find the best deals. By Letitia Tandean

Q&A Drappier Carte D’Or Brut

Champagne Brut Tradition Yveline Prat Tasting notes: A zesty, creamy Champagne made with roughly equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, with ripe apples, fruit pulp and honey nougat on the palate and floral and herbal notes rounding things off.

Best deal: French bistro Cheapest Ô Batignolles (2 Gemmill Lane, deal!

6438-3913, www.facebook.com/ OBatignolles) carries this at $55/ bottle or $10/glass. On Wednesday nights, ladies in groups of four get a bottle for free.

Tasting notes: Made with an unusually high three-quarters Pinot Noir with a bit of Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, using only delicate first-press juice. Expect ripe stone fruits like peaches and apricots to engulf your palate.

Best deal: The wine lovers’ favorite, Wine Connection Tapas Bar & Bistro (#0129/20 Robertson Walk, 11 Unity St., 62355466, www.wineconnection.com.sg) sells this bottle at $60 a pop.

Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut N.V.

G.H. Mumm Brut Cordon Rouge Tasting notes: 45% Pinot Noir grapes and roughly equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Mixing in reserved wine from previous years also gives it a mellow complexity. An aroma of peaches and apricots blends in with notes of lychee and pineapple, ending with yeast and caramel.

Best deal: The Pump Room (#01-09/10 Clarke Quay, 3B River Valley Rd., 63342628, www.pumproomasia.com) sells two bottles $150. That’s only $75 per bottle.

Tasting notes: From the makers of the world’s first (allegedly) brut, this bubbly is 40% Pinot Noir and 40% Pinot Meunier, with a scant 20% Chardonnay. Cherry plum, lemon and bergamot give way to vanilla and butter. There are even hints of honeysuckle and butter, reminiscent of French pastries.

Best deal: Although their deal isn’t by the bottle, The Black Swan (19 Cecil St., 8181-3305, www. theblackswan.com.sg) has daily oyster happy hours between 5-7:30pm where two freshly-shucked oysters and a glass of this elixir go for $21. We did the math and drinking it by the glass is actually cheaper than the $150 bottle.

Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label

Off the Shelf Buying Champagne retail will always be cheapest, and there are some great deals online. Century Cellars (www.centurycellars.com.sg) has several Champagnes under $75. Their Piper Heidsieck goes for $50. Orders over $200 are delivered free. World Wine Vault (www.worldwinevault. com) has Champagnes starting at $50, and if you want a case of six or 12 bottles, you can call and ask about a discount. Wines Online (www. winesonline.com.sg) doesn’t have too many wallet-friendly options, but we did notice that you could get six bottles of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label for $437. That’s about $73 a bottle, $15 less than the deal at P.S. Café above (though you’d have to find your own truffled nibbles).

Tasting notes: Bubbly lovers must know this famed Champagne house. This brut has 50% Pinot Noir grapes that give it a vibrant and acidic taste with hints of blackberry. There are also hints of biscuit, honey, lemon and cherry.

It's balanced by vanilla and cream notes enhanced by finely carbonated bubbles.

Best deal: P.S. Cafe at Ann Siang Hill (#02-02 45 Ann Siang Rd., 9797-0648, www.pscafe.com/psash) has a special and free truffle everything every Thursday with bottles at $88 each.

Holy Trinity 3 essential grapes to know for Champagne lovers Pinot Noir: Known better for red wine, juice from Pinot Noir features heavily in Champagne and gives it both body and red fruit aromas.

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I‑S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, june 20, 2014

Pinot Meunier: A cousin of Pinot Noir, this white grape is relatively unglamorous but lends richness and quick aging to the Champagne.

Chardonnay: This fragrant grape with mineral and fruity aromas is used in small amounts for a bit of complexity and elegance. It also ages slower than the other two.

French sommelier and wine distributor Florent Mougin, talks us through the basics of drinking Champagne terminology and drinking it in style.

Florent Mougin

What’s the difference between good and bad Champagne?

All good Champagne should have fine bubbles, not those coarser ones found in beer or soda. These bubbles really open up the aromas as they rise. Good Champagne has bubble trails that come from the bottom or sides of the flute and float to the top. Better Champagnes also have an effervescence that lasts longer, so it does not fall flat as easily. Although all Champagne houses have different characteristics, good bottlings have a lightness and freshness that is offset by a tinge of creaminess.

What’s the difference between the types of Champagne?

Each cuvée [batch] has its own characteristics due to the percentages used of the three grape varietals of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. A prestige cuvée is the house’s proprietary blend that is usually top of the line. Blanc de noirs is made from red grapes and blanc de blancs uses white grapes, though both produce white Champagne. There’s also rosé Champagne that is a blend of red and white grapes. In terms of sweetness, very sweet bottlings are labelled "doux" while very dry ones are labelled "extra brut". Most classic bottlings will be made in the brut style.

What’s the best way to drink and serve Champagne?

It should always be chilled to about 3-7 degrees Celsius. When I say chilled, it doesn’t mean you put it in the freezer.

That is performing sacrilege to the delicate aromas and flavors. Ideally, it would be served in a tall and thin flute instead of short, round coupes. The small opening means that it is less exposed to oxygen and the bubbles don’t escape as fast, which maintains effervescence longer. Also, unless you’re really celebrating a big Grand Prix win, there’s absolutely no reason to spray champagne on to others. That’s just bad manners. Letitia Tandean

Sign up for our weekly food & drink newsletter at is-magazine.com/newsletters to get The Dish delivered to your mailbox every week.

NEW AND NOTED

Bottle

with Letitia Tandean

Strathisla 12-year old

Backstory: This bottle’s got a wee bit of pedigree that dates back to 1786, from the oldest continuously working distillery in the Scottish Highlands (bought by the Chivas brothers in 1950). Located near natural springs in a barley growing region, it has a maltier taste than some of its counterparts, but aging it in sherry oak casks balances some of that.

Appearance: A rich amber color expected of most single malt Scotch whiskies.

Smell: Aromatic and citrusy like an orange peel, it doesn’t have the heaviness that some other whiskies from the region do. Not heavily oaked either, but with a little spice and even a hint of sweet choux pastry.

Sip: A mid-weight malt that is punchy and

transforms as it is drunk. On later sips, notes of summery soft baked fruits, fruit cake, syrup, apricot and malt greet you.

Verdict: A single malt for those who don’t like such smoky oak flavors. It has a certain lightness and freshness that come with a summer’s day but still packs a pretty mean first punch.

Although it has a maltier body, it’s nicely offset by a creaminess and is best drunk neat to prevent dilution.

Where to get it: The Whisky Store (#01-09/10 Waterfront Plaza, 390A Havelock Rd., 6732-3452, www.whiskystore. com.sg) and KPO (Kiliney Post Office, 1 Kiliney Rd., 6733-3648, www.imaginings.com. sg) for $280 at both places. Letitia Tandean

Live to eat. Don’t just eat to live.

Go Local in Kranji An oft-overlooked neighborhood plays host to arguably the first true farmers’ market. Kranji Countryside Farmers’ Market (D’Kranji Farm Resort, 10 Neo Tiew Lane 2, 9736-6677) runs June 28-29, with local farmers who till the land and breed our chickens, goats and even frogs. The weekend-long affair will have local mushrooms, organic greens, goat milk and kampong chicken on sale, among other things. Too rustic for you? Don’t worry: our favorite made-in-SG labels, like Mofo Chilli and GSH Conserves will also have stands.

1925 Microbrewery & Restaurant

Suds & Sons A new local microbrewery run by a father-sonuncle team melds locally-inspired craft beers, Old World cocktails and modern pub grub at 1925 Microbrewery & Restaurant (369 Jalan Besar, 9364-0256, www.facebook.com/ the1925). Although their own creations like the Manuka honey-laced beer won’t be available for the next couple of months, they’re already

brewing Czech-style ales and pouring craft beers on tap. The cocktail bar is also shaking and stirring twists on classic 1920s cocktails (and cheeky oyster shooters with smoked salmon vodka) while the kitchen pushes out dishes like pan-seared foie gras with scallops ($28).

No Cutlery? No Problem Put on a bib and dig in with your hands at The Pelican Seafood Bar & Grill (#01-01 One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Rd., 6438-0400, www. thepelican.com.sg) which now serves all manner of edible aquatic life by the pot-load at their new Saturday fixture, The Pelican Boil.

No plates or utensils provided. Each assorted pot of mussels, clams, crab, prawns and lobster with sides of corn and potato goes for $128 and feeds up to three hungry mouths.

On the Hunt It’s hunting season, but you don’t have to get your crossbow out. Italian restaurant il Cielo (24/F Hilton Singapore, 581 Orchard Rd., 67303395) has got you covered with all things game with their month-long Wild Game Meat Chase.

Whether you fancy duck, pigeon, guinea fowl, quail or venison, Chef Fabrizio Aceti dishes out umamirich plates (between $33-55/dish) like pigeon ragout served with porcini-flavored tagliatelle, castelmagno cheese and cacao, until July 20. food@asia-city.com.sg

Book at Singapore’s best restaurants, get instant confirmation. chope.com.sg

OPEN door

Buttero The buzz: Tras Street’s newest restaurant mixes not only street art and comfort food but also Italian dishes and southern American barbecue. Peculiar?

Yes. Bad idea? No. The vibe: Cool and rambunctious. Even with stark white walls, the interior comes alive with a geometric neon mural of an American-Indianesque girl offset by exposed brick walls and lots of wood. Music from a vintage vinyl player fills the bright space with a mix of classic rock ‘n’ roll and funkier indie tunes.

The food: The portions are pretty generous so everything’s great for sharing. On the American front are dishes like crumbed veal taco ($19) balanced with a tangy granny smith and horseradish slaw, as well as a smoky coal-grilled Dirty Steak ($34) with Carolina dry-rubbed spice, verde sauce, onion rings and shallots. Australian chef Logan Campbell’s specialty are pastas, though, so do get dishes like the fluffy housemade gnocchi ($21) with sautéed Brussels sprouts, zest, sage and topped with honey. They even have daily specials that change every month. Oh, and, impressively, nothing is more than $34.

The drinks: The focus is on an interesting list of wines with strong Italian leanings (ranging from $54 to $115 per bottle). It’s pleasant to find seven different wines by the glass (even an inky, aromatic Nero D’Avola) on such a succinct list. They also have a wine exchange program so bring your empty wine bottle in exchange for house wine for $42. Not bad.

Why you’ll be back: Good prices, big portions, nice family-style dining vibe. Plus, vinyl lovers get a free drink on Chef Campbell if you bring in a record he approves of.

54 Tras St., 6438-7737, www.facebook.com/Buttero. Open Mon-Sat noon-3pm, 6-10.30pm. LETITIA TANDEAN

FRIDAY, june 20, 2014 I‑S MAGAZINE

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RESTAURANT REVIEWS

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Nara HHHHH

Morsels HHHHH

Thai. #B3-21 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6634-5787, www.narathai.com.sg

Fusion. 35 Mayo St., 6396-6302, www.facebook.com/ morselsinsingapore.

Nara has its recipe for success figured out: forego the hipster appeal and rents of standalone locations for an upscale commercial space with lots of foot traffic, offer a respite with purple banquettes and gold-trimmed wall art and serve up a (kind of random) hit parade of pan-Thai dishes with wallet-friendly prices and rounded, slightly sweet flavors that appeal to the masses. It has worked for their three locations in Thailand, and it’s certainly working for them here. The cavernous branch at ION’s B3 is packed to the gills, even on weekdays, with some Thai diners in the mix. It’s easy to see why: the service is valiant under the circumstances—though the occasional prod is needed and we had four different people serve us on our last visit— and the menu takes pains to reproduce all the dishes of the Bangkok branches, one advantage of being part of a chain. We’re impressed, for example, that the basil in their basil stir-fried pork ($13.90) is the holy variety that many other places blithely and disastrously replace with sweet Thai kind. The tangy Northeastern-style tofu salad, larb tao hoo ($13.90, also available with meat), has all the right fresh herbs and the satisfying crunch of ground toasted rice. But with these crowds, there are bound to be some misfires. The soft-shell crab in yellow curry that they’re famous for can be hit or miss, depending on the fry job. On our last visit, the greasy, over-browned crab, coupled with the egg-thickened curry, made the rich dish overwhelmingly so. But it’s hard to be miffed for long. Where else will such a sizeable platter of crab cost $18.90, and where else could you also order Sukhothai noodle soup ($14.90) and Southern sour curry with dill omelet and shrimp ($17.90) in the same meal? Curated fine dining this is not, but it certainly hits the spot. Open daily 11:30am–10pm. $$

“Fusion” is rather a dirty word among the culinary upper crust, but the chef-owners of Morsels, the pedigreed Bryan Chia (Culinary Institute of America) and Petrina Loh (Le Cordon Bleu in SF), are better-bred than to sniff at it. The menu only has 15 dishes in small-plate format, so for the best experience we suggest you get a couple of friends together and just order everything. At their very “worst”, dishes come out pleasant and hard-to-fault: the grilled king trumpet mushroom with egg ($11) and the yuzu-drenched hamachi carpaccio ($15) could’ve come from any good restaurant around town. At best, they’re remarkable: we’d be surprised if anywhere else did food quite as delicious as their compressed watermelon salad ($13), the clams and kimchi in slurp-worthy broth ($22) and the habanero-laden pulled pork pasta sauce ($16).

Although portions are small and the bill adds up fast, it’s hard to feel ripped off here given the kind of thoughtfulness and thoroughness that goes into each dish. (Also, some of the dishes are incredibly dense and rich—that little mound of squid ink risotto with salted egg yolk ($25) is best tackled on an empty stomach.) We wish the cocktails were better and the beer selection more interesting, but nonetheless Morsels is an experience that goes beyond good food and competent service. It’s is one of the few restaurants here that successfully pull off that “hanging out at a friend’s place” vibe, right down to the potted herbs out in front and the Weezer-heavy playlist. And we loved the chance to roam around the quaint/seedy back streets of Little India after dinner—beats being spit out back into the impersonal cold of a commercial complex anytime. Open Tue-Thu 6-10pm; Fri-Sat 6-10:30pm. $$$

I‑S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, june 20, 2014

Ratings ★ Forget it ★★ Only if you're stuck in the neighborhood ★★★ A pleasant dining experience ★★★★ More than just great food, tell your friends ★★★★★ Not to be missed Price Guide $ Less than $40 $$ $40-$80 $$$ $80-120 $$$$ $120-200 $$$$$ $200 and up

Price per person, including one drink, appetizer, main course and dessert.

Prices do not include bottles of wine unless stated.

New restaurants are not reviewed within three months of their opening.

Reviews are based on actual visits to the establishments listed, without the knowledge of the restaurants. Reviews are included at the discretion of the editors and are not paid for by the individual restaurants.

Recently Reviewed by I-S Moosehead “…our umami ecstasy, induced by perfectly-seared wagyu chuck ribs with bonito flakes and teriyaki mushrooms, was rudely interrupted by the heavy sprinkle of sea-salt…” HHHHH No Menu Bar “The homemade sausage and cold cuts were unapologetically meaty and barnyard-funky—at this point you find out if you're really a meat person.”

HHHHH Read all our reviews at is-magazine.com/restaurants

Need to know Theater & Arts

Ticketbooth > 6296-2929

The Arts House > 6332-6919 www.theartshouse.com.sg

Esplanade Box Office > 6828-8377 www.esplanade.com

Fort Canning Park > 6332-1302

chart chart the the weeks weeks ahead ahead

www.nparks.gov.sg

Gatecrash > 6100-2005 www.gatecrash.com.sg

National Museum of Singapore > 6332-5642

Cinema Ticketing Hotlines Cathay > 6337-8181 www.cathay.com.sg

Eng Wah > 6836-9074

www.ewcinemas.com.sg

Filmgarde > 6344-5997 www.filmgarde.com.sg

Golden Village > 1900-912-1234 www.gv.com.sg

www.nationalmuseum.sg

Shaw > 6738-0555

Singapore Art Museum > 6332-3222

Other Ticketing

www.singart.com

Sistic > 6348-5555 www.sistic.com.sg

The Substation > 6337-7535 www.substation.org

DON'T DON'TMiss Miss

www.ticketbooth.com.sg

www.shaw.sg

Eventclique > www.eventclique.com Peatix > www.peatix.com Sportshubtix > 6333-5000 www.sportshub.com.sg

SEE This

Pop Rocks

Heavy Metal

Food lifestyle fair 9MCM: The Pop-up Marketplace returns, this time featuring fashion items and home wares alongside gourmet dishes and artisanal coffee by brands like East 8, Habitat Coffee, Rokeby Bistro, sifr, Whole9Yards and Four & Twenty. Jun 21, 10am9pm. APS Building, 9 Muthuraman Chetty Rd., 6356-0988. Free.

In The Time Travelers Chronicle, Thai artist Rirkrit Tiravanija meditates on our perception of time through life-sized chromed/silver pieces and 3D printed objects (including a bowl of noodles).

Through Jun 28, 10am. Singapore Tyler Print Institute, 41 Robertson Quay, 6336-3663. Free.

DO This

Beach in Heat

The full moon beach party series returns (albeit eight days after the actual full moon) with a Full Steam Ahead edition and a stellar roster of local DJs, including Marco Weibel, Joshua P and The Electric Ambassadors. Expect great food, giant beach balls and beer pong.

Jun 21, 4pm. Tanjong Beach Club, 120 Tanjong Beach Walk, 97505323. Free.

Open Bar Bar Council The buzz: The mysterious new molecular cocktail bar on the periphery of Tiong Bahru has no signage, menus or even pricing. It’s a reservations-only joint that takes up to 20 guests per shift, and, like traditional speakeasies of yore, payment involves a cash-only “tipping” system.

The décor: The intimate shop house doubles as a creative office by day. The industrial look resurfaces in the form of raw concrete walls, wooden bar counters and minimalist furnishing. Seating is loosey-goosey, and tables are rearranged to accommodate guests.

The drinks: Order one of three ways: by personal spirit and flavor preferences; by the intangible but supposedly real

signature menu (you have to be a regular to know it) or a cocktail “omakase” where you say how many drinks you want and they do the rest. expect homemade syrups, infusions and barrel-aged concoctions, as well as multi-sensory cocktails that—for better or for worse—smell like one thing but taste like another. We tried a refreshing Kiwi Sour, made with vodka, egg white powder, lemon juice and kiwis, and perfect for a muggy day. Managing Director Mark Tay advises customers to tip between $15-25 per drink, although some have paid more and a lot have paid less. But if you under tip, don’t expect to come back.

The music: Anything goes—loud indie bands, soothing downtempo deep house

tracks and Buddha Bar-esque lounge music. It’s friendly enough that guests might plug in their own playlists.

The crowd: A mix of regulars, friends and worthy first-timers who take their cocktails seriously.

Why you’ll be back: It’s kind of cool to be “summoned” (reserve a week in advance, and enter a couple choices for day and time), it’s a cozy vibe and you’re bound to make a friend or two. Plus, their Smoky Havana, a take on the classic negroni, with aged rum, sweet vermouth, Aperol, smoked cinnamon and dehydrated orange, is a solid bet for a good night.

275A Outram Rd., www.barsmiths.com. Open daily 7-10pm and 10pm-1am. LeTITIA TAnDeAn

FRIDAY, june 20, 2014 I-S MAGAZINE

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MUSIC » Stage » art » StUFF Email event news to stage@asia-city.com.sg, art@asia-city.com.sg and stuff@asia-city.com.sg

MUSIC concerts

.

Weekend Noise Rock out with acts such as In each Hand a Cutlass and Great Spy experiment while shopping for handmade goodies crafted by local retailers like The Paper Bunny and Murdoodles. Jun 21-22, 1pm. *SCAPe, 2 Orchard Link. Free.

.

The Transitions Tour 2014 norwegian band Moe, renowned for their stellar live sets, performs alongside Singapore band The Observatory—with new additions Cheryl Ong on drums and Tuen Chee Wai on synth/electronics. Jun 22, 7pm. The Substation Theatre, 45 Armenian St., 6337-7535. $15-25.

WHY nOt?

theater I-S PICK

Stage comedy

.

.

Whose Line is it Anyway...? Improv legends Andy Smart, Stephen Frost, Steven Steen and Ian Coppinger will be bringing the legendary hit British TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? to our shores for the second time. Jul 2-5, 8:30pm. DBS Arts Centre - Home of SRT, 20 Merbau Rd., 6733-8166. $48-68 from Sistic.

Stefanie Sun 2014 Kepler World Tour The local mandopop songstress is back in concert after a five-year hiatus. She'll be performing old favorites, as well as songs off her latest album, Kepler. Jul 5, 8pm.

Singapore Sports Hub, 15 Stadium Rd., 6344-2660. $98-208.

60 SeCOnDS Peanut Butter Wolf Joel fri Jho ff

Dj/producer and founder of LA-based avantgarde label Stones Throw Records, Peanut Butter Wolf (Chris Manak) is in town for the first time to spin at the premiere of Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton, an intimate documentary about the label’s early days and global influence (jun 21). He’ll stick around for Sunday at the Tool Shed (jun 22), bringing his blend of soul, electro and hip-hop. But before all that, he tells us some deep stuff.

My number one guilty pleasure is… The Dog Whisperer.

The documentary didn’t really cover… Folerio's childhood.

I should have been born in… 1969.

If I were to change my moniker, it would be… Chris Cut. Los Angeles can be… overwhelming.

When I wake up in the morning, I… make a smoothie and/or bacon, eggs and toast, then do the dishes and jump on email for the rest of the day.

I wish I could stop… killing the plants in my backyard.

Music is best when… you're in the mood for it.

Hip hop is best when… ever.

I do it all for the… 99 problems.

The weirdest thing about Singapore is… I've never been.

For more information about Stones Throw Records events this weekend, turn to Essential Events (page 4). MRIGAA SeTHI

.

Red by Blank Space Theatre This Tony awardwinning play is a fictional account of legendary artist Mark Rothko, and examines the intersections of life, art, culture and history. Jul 10-11, 8pm; Jul 11, 10:30pm; Jul 12-13, 3pm, 7:30pm; Jul 12, 10pm.

Esplanade Theatre Studio, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377. $28 from Sistic.

Attend a photography workshop Have a DSLR, but are stuck on Auto mode because you can’t quite handle the rest of the twiddly knobs and buttons? Sign up for Baobab Photo’s Intermediate Photography Course (jun 28, 29 and jul 3, Baobab Photo, 37 niven Rd., 6402-3802, www. baobabphoto.com. $380), where you’ll learn how to master functions like aperture priority and shutter speed priority over three lessons. There will be a mix of theory and practical assignments. Bring your own camera and tripod.

.

Sweet Routine featuring Promthum Woravut For his first solo exhibition at Richard Koh Fine Art, emerging Thai artist Promthum Woravut will feature acrylic paintings on canvas that focus on thought-provoking themes centered around “childhood” and “growing up”, especially the pressure and anxiety of it all. Through Jun 30, 12pm. Richard Koh Fine Art, #01-05 Artspace@Helutrans, 39 Keppel Rd., 6221-1209. Free.

I-S PICK

art

.

Ripolles, The Colours of Life Often compared to 20th century greats like Picasso and Goya, Spanish artist juan Ripolles experiments with a variety of mediums ranging from paintings to engravings and glass sculptures to represent the centrality of the human mind. Jul 10-31.

Galerie Belvedere, #01-10/11/12 Old Hill Street Police Station, 140 Hill St., 6423-1233. Free.

.

Somewhere or Other Pakistani artist Donia Kaiser's first solo exhibition focuses on the dislocation between the divine and the physical world through the intense use of color. These detailed miniature paintings take up to three months to complete. Through Jul 5. Galerie Steph, #01-05 ArtSpace@Helutrans, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, 39 Keppel Rd., 9176-8641. Free.

.

Girls of the Underworld 34 young Singapore-based female artists explore what it means to be a woman living and working in a fast-paced and modern Asia, through subjects like music, identity politics, pop TV and movie culture. Expect illustrations, collages and even GIFs. Through Jun 28. Kult, #C2-5 Emily Hill, 11 Upper Wilkie Rd., 6338-1066. Free.

.

Genesis Magnum photographer Sebastião Salgado's exhibition showcases 245 black and white images of over 30 different destinations on our planet. The grand and dramatic images highlight the earth's fragility and the relationship between us and our surroundings. Through Jul 27. national Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Rd., 6332-3659. Free.

.

Vibrancy in Black and White: A Singaporean Artist’s Perspective Tung Yue nang's solo exhibition focuses on Singaporean landscapes which he paints with Chinese ink on rice paper, creating detailed and monochromatic views of the city. Jun 21-30. Cape of Good Hope Art Gallery, #01-06 MICA Building, 140 Hill St., 6733-3822. Free.

.

Insipid Awakening Singaporebased Chinese artist Lu Yifei reflects on his changing perception of art and life growing up though the creation of a self-contradictory boy, who has a thoughtful mind but cold expression to express a mix of loss and new awareness. Jul 5-22. SOCIeTe GeneRALe Gallery, 2/F Alliance Française de Singapour, 1 Sarkies Rd., 6737-8422 Free.

Download the free I-S Now app to find out about this and hundreds more upcoming events. www.is-magazine.com/app

co guid Flip 20 mple e o this 14 v M te W er fo atc o r h S rld a c h Cu ed p ule

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I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, june 20, 2014

gazi ne.c om

FRIDAY, june 20, 2014 I-S MAGAZINE

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StUFF » nIgHtlIFe » FIlM

Open Bar Kuro Restaurant & Bar

SpOrtS

FOOD & DrInK

.

I-S PICK

Taketsuru Pure Malt 25 Years, which is priced at a whopping $2,000 per bottle. Their specialty cocktails are also worth trying—interesting choices include the Irish Lover (gin and Bailey's, $15) and the popular Sweet Lips ($15), which has rum, ginger ale, Chambord and Apple Sourz.

KM Duathlon Push your limits with the first-ever KM Duathlon. The KM60 category features a 10km run, 40km cycling and another 10km run, while the KM30 distance follows a 5km-20km-5km format. There's also a KM60 relay category and KM Team Challenge. Jul 20, 7am. Changi exhibition Centre, 9 Aviation Dr., 6542-8660. $163-418.

.

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STORIES: A Pop Up Restaurant This mini series of thematic dining events—jointly organized by My Private Chef and the Singapore Tourism Board—highlights Singapore's heritage and history with food as a main element.

Expect local creations with refreshing twists during the fivecourse meal (items will only be revealed during the event), prepared by chef Stephan Zoisl. Jun 26-29, 6:30pm; Jun 28-29, 11:30am.

Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, 30 Keppel Rd. $188-248 from Peatix.

GK Fun Run: Run to Build 2014 This charity running event organized by Gawad Kalinga (GK) Singapore consists of a 4.3km and an 8.6km route. There'll also be a food fiesta to refuel at after the run. Registration closes june 30. Jul 20, 7pm. Bedok Reservoir, Bedok Reservoir Rd., 6472-2264. $35-45.

StUFF

.

State of The ART (START) The first digital design festival in Asia will offer three days of conferences, digital painting challenges, masterclasses and talks by industry insiders like Bobby Chiu from Canada's Imaginism Studios. Jun 26-28, 9am. The Star Performing Arts Centre, 1 Vista exchange Green, 66360055. $200-500.

The buzz: Clarke Quay’s latest addition offers solid cocktails and an extensive menu consisting both Asian and japanese plates put together by consultant chef Hide Yamamoto of the eponymous restaurant at Marina Bay Sands.

The food: A good mix of light bites and hearty mains. Dishes like the pan-seared tuna with ponzu sauce and truffle oil ($20) and prawn paste chicken wings ($15) make satisfying options, but for a full meal, go for the spider avocado roll (with deep fried softshell crab, $18) or the tonkotsu ramen, priced at a walletfriendly $12.

The music: Random clubby ambient techno.

Otherwise, it’s music from the live band— different acts take the stage on Wednesdays (9pm onwards), Fridays and Saturdays (9:30pm onwards), so it’s a legit live music spot. We hope it stays that way.

The décor: Big iron doors, plenty of wood with gold trim, concrete walls, plush furniture and dim yellow lighting give the place its grand allure. It’s also more spacious than the average gastrobar, and there are different seating areas to choose from, like the alfresco area and a private area next to the stage.

The crowd: A laid-back crowd looking to chill. not a suit in sight.

The drinks: There’s a focus on japanese whiskys.

They stock bottles like Hibiki 12 Years ($15 per glass, $220 per bottle) and top-shelf nikka

Why you’ll be back: We love gastrobars, but they tend to offer Western menus. This japanese version is a nice change from the usual options.

#01-11 Blk. 3C The Cannery, River Valley Rd., 9733-6669, www.kuro.com.sg. Open Sun-Thu 5pm-2am; Fri-Sat 5pm-3am. SAMAnTHA DAVID

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AMX0933_is cafe2 I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, june 20, 2014 Size: 254(W)x170(H)mm-ISO39L

CUCKOO

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Email event news to stuff@asia-city.com.sg, nightlife@asia-city.com.sg and film@asia-city.com.sg

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Vinyl Party Look forward to an urban ears headphones exhibition featuring the works of local artists, a vinyl sale and lots of pizza at this shindig. Jun 27-28, 7pm. Free.

nIgHtlIFe

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XX Marks Your Spot W Hotel's bar brings regional Djs to crank up the beats for this series of parties. From Bali to Hong Kong, Bangkok and back, each Dj brings their signature blend of dance music infused with genres like hip

hop, rock 'n' roll and even reggae.

Damian Saint spins on june 20.

Wrapping this series up is japanese Dj Kenji on june 27. Jun 20, 9pm.

WOOBAR, W Singapore Sentosa Cover, 21 Ocean Way (Sentosa Cove), 6808-7258. Free.

SCene & HearD with Clara Lim

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Kickback Sunday at Nosh The second edition of this house partylike bash comes complete with a summery theme and features a good ol' BBQ cookout and in-house bottled craft cocktails. Groove to nu-Soul, R&B and reggae tunes by Djs Chroam and Matteblacc. Jun 22, 3pm. nosh, 9 Rochester Park., 6779-4644. Free.

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Zouk x Mixmag present Cosmic Gate with Mixmag Allstars and Hong Rave to German trance duo Cosmic Gate as they take over Zouk’s decks again with uK music monthly publication Mixmag. Jun 28, 10pm. Zouk, 17 jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. $33-38.

Mink

Hello, Goodbye Goodbye to Mink, which enjoyed a good run carrying on the mantle of Filter (remember them?!) as the go-to party spot for sexy young things and riding the crest of Champagne-popping culture here. But—and this is typical of our nightlife scene—when one door closes another five open: Oxwell & Co.’s sister bar Operation Dagger (B1-01 7 Ann Siang Hill), converted Chinese medicine hall Nutmeg & Clove (17 Ann Siang Rd.), Instagram-worthy joint Squires & Scoundrels (72 Duxton Rd.), an ex-Bitters & Love barkeep’s new digs Tess Bar & Kitchen (38 Seah St.) and Bali legend Potato Head Folk (36 Keong Saik Rd.). Plus, our favorite brewpub Brewerkz will be opening a new outlet at Orchard Parade Hotel in july. Drink up!

Film Freaks Download the free I-S Now app to find out about this and hundreds more upcoming events. www.is-magazine.com/app

3 WAYS Garlic · DEMPSEY · Taphouse

by Brewerkz · jones The Grocer · White Rabbit · House, Barracks & Camp · Dome Café @ Dempsey · Red Dot Brewhouse · DHOBY GHAUT · Kith Café @ Park Mall · Dôme @ Plaza Singapura · EAST · Tolido's espresso nook · The Tuckshop · City Square Mall Customer Service Counter · Loysel’s Toy · Morsels · HARBOURFRONT · King Louis · Prive Bakery Café · Brotzeit @ Vivo City · Coffee Club @ Harbourfront Centre · Sky The Fitness Lifestyle · HOLLAND VILLAGE · Mu Parlour · The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf @ Holland Village · Barossa @ Holland V · Harry’s @ Holland Village · Wala Wala · Fosters - An english Rose Café · MARINA BAY · Carnivore Brazilian Churrascaria @ Marina Bay Sands · Foodology · erwin’s Gastrobar · The Coffee Bean @ Marina Bay Sands · Bazin · Salad Stop @ MBFC · Smoothie King @ MBFC · MOHAMED SULTAN / ROBERTSON QUAY · Kith Café @ Watermark · Harry’s @ Pier Robertson · Blow+Bar · Wine Connection Cheese Bar @ Robertson Walk · Wine Connection Tapas Bar & Bistro @ Robertson Walk · Toby’s estate · Bar Bar Black Sheep · en Grill and Bar · eM By the River · Singapore Repertory Theatre

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All Access Art Following their successful art gallery bus tours in january, the Art Galleries Association Singapore’s latest project is Edition(ed) (jul 17-20), a show across 23 galleries of over 70 editioned pieces—reproductions and prints in lay terms—starting at just $300. The idea is to show that editions are more accessible to beginner investors, yet can be just as collectible as original works. Also worth catching is The Substation’s Septfest (Sep 1-27), which will include an auction of works by local artists as well an interesting crowdfunding campaign involving works by SKL0 and MessyMsxi. Plus, we’re looking forward to the building’s “yarn bombed” façade, by craft collective Momshoo with over 200 collaborators. clim@asia-city.com.sg

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1 PICK up I-S at over 200 venues ARAB STREET/KAMPONG GLAM · Artistry Cafe · Working Title · BEACH ROAD · Blu jaz · WineBos · The Plaza L1 Office Lobby Reception · BOAT QUAY · The Vault · enoteca L’Operetta · Harry’s @ Boat Quay · The Arts House at Old Parliament · Timbre @ The Arts House · London · BUGIS · Hood Bar and Cafe · essensuals by Toni & Guy @ Bugis · K Suites @ Bugis+ · Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Cafe · BUKIT TIMAH · The Great Beer experiment @ Pasar Bella · CHINATOWN · The Chamber · The Muffinry · Table 24 · Wa-Cafe · Morsi & Sorsi · CITY HALL · The Soup Spoon @ Suntec City · The Soup Spoon @ Raffles City Shopping Centre · Addictions Café & Remedy Bar @ Marina Square · Barossa @ esplanade · Coffee Club @ Millenia Walk · Outback Steak House · Paulaner Brauhaus · Timbre @ The Substation · Ice Cold B’s · Brotzeit @ Raffles City · Coffee Club @ Raffles City Shopping · MICA Office Lobby Reception · The Substation · Bobby’s @ Chijmes · Hog’s Breath Café · Front Row · Loof · Dome Café @ Singapore Art Museum · CLARKE QUAY · Brewerkz · KuRO Restaurant + Bar · Ricciotti @ The Riverwalk · Wings · The Central L1 Customer Service · Crazy elephant · Mad for

Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), which last happened in 2011, is finally back this year (Dec 4-14) with plans to screen some 80 films—of which roughly two-thirds will be from Singapore and

around Asia. Budding auteurs, take note: call for submissions is open from now until Sep 15 (www.sgiff. com/submissions). We’re hoping to catch the premiere of the previously Ken Kwek banned Sex.Violence.FamilyValues. and director Ken Kwek’s forthcoming Unlucky Plaza. The film is so tightly-guarded that even folks working on the set claim they hardly know what’s going on; all we’ve gathered so far is that this tale of a financially-troubled restaurateur’s downward spiral stars Filipino actor epi Quizon and local actors, and there’s a cameo by scenester Tracy Phillips.

= new venues

· NOVENA · Kitchenette · novena Square Shopping Mall · ORCHARD · Active Life Center · IOn Concierge counter · The Marmalade Pantry · Balaclava · Coffee Club @ Paragon · Dome Café @ Paragon · Dôme @ Scotts Square · PS.Cafe @ Paragon · The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf @ Paragon · Dome Café @ Shaw House · TAB · Saveur · Skinny Pizza @ Wheelock Place · Sky Pilates · Smoothie King @ Centerpoint · essensuals

by Toni & Guy @ Orchard Central · Hansel · Lawry’s The Prime Rib · Leftfoot @ Cineleisure · Rockstar by Soon Lee · RAFFLES PLACE · &SOnS @ China Square Central · Catalunya · The Bank Bar & Bistro · The Coffee Bean @ The Sail · Coffee Club @ One Raffles Quay · 1-Altitude · Coffee Club @ Raffles Place Square · Impact MMA @ Shenton House · The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf @ Republic Plaza · The exchange · True Fitness @ Chevron House · Dome Café @ uOB Plaza 1 · O’Briens Irish Sandwich Bars · Salad Stop @ One George Street · Boathouse · Kinki · Capital Square · Simply Sandwich · RIVER VALLEY · Zouk · Bangkok jam · The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf @ Great World City · True Fitness @ Great World City · SENTOSA · Kith Café @ Sentosa Cove

· Hard Rock Café RWS · iFly @ Sentosa · The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf @ Palawan Beach · Tanjong Beach Club · Wave House Sentosa · SOMERSET · Smoothie King @ 313 · Actually · editor’s Market@Somerset · Dean & Deluca · Ice Cold Beer · no.

5 emerald Hill · Oriole Café & Bar · Brotzeit @ 313@ Somerset · jibiru · KPO Café Bar · Porterhouse Butcher Bar · Toni & Guy @ Mandarin Gallery · TANGLIN · The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf @ Forum Galleria · K Suites @ Orchard Parade Hotel · Hard Rock Café · TANJONG PAGAR · GAeST · Kyo · Impact MMA · 137 Telok Ayer Street Level 1 Reception · The Ogilvy Centre · Boulevard · Pacific Coffee Company @ Reddot Traffic · The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf @ CPF Building · Gloria jean’s Coffees @ Twenty Anson · Red Dot Design Museum · The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf @ International Plaza · The Coffee bean & Tea Leaf @ Fuji Xerox Tower · Broth · Latteria Mozzarella Bar · Sprmrkt · TIONG BAHRU · Tiong Bahru Bakery · Coq & Balls · Forty Hands · Books Actually · WEST · Skyve elementary Bistro & Bar · Salad Stop @ Fusionopolis · One Rochester · B @ Rochester · nosh · Alliance Francaise

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Mr. KNOW‑IT‑ALL Our Favorite Smart Aleck Answers Your Questions Dear Mr KIA, I’m a supervisor with a team of about 15 people. While we’re a close knit bunch, we spend all our time cooped up in the office together. We don’t even take the opportunity to go out to lunch. I have a small budget for team-building exercises, but because of our need to stay close to the office, I’m not sure what meaningful activity we could do together. Do you have any suggestions? —Mothering Manager Dear MM, Personally, there’s nothing better than staying indoors in my shorts all day, but I realize not everyone is unemployed (being a know-it-all is a full-time job, though, let me tell you). urban farming initiative The Plant Story (HortPark, 33 Hyderabad Rd., 9722-0438, www. theplantstory.com) does one-to two-hour corporate team building sessions. They’re all about bringing the rural life into the urban sphere, so you don’t have to worry about sweating outdoors. You don’t even have to drive out to some farm near jB—they come to you.

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I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, june 20, 2014

Week of June 20 © 2014 Rob Brezsny

CANCER (Jun 21-Jul 22): Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts has a collection of japanese art that is never on display. It consists of 6,600 wood-block prints created by artists of the ukiyo-e school, also known as “pictures of the floating world.” Some are over 300 years old. They are tucked away in drawers and hidden from the light, ensuring that their vibrant colors won’t fade. So they are well-preserved but rarely seen by anyone. Is there anything about you that resembles these pictures of the floating world, Cancerian? Do you keep parts of you secret, protecting them from what might happen if you show them to the world? It may be time to revise that policy. (Thanks to Molly Oldfield’s The Secret Museum for the info referred to here.)

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): In the next two weeks, I hope you don’t fall prey to the craze that has been sweeping japan. Over 40,000 people have bought books that feature the photos of hamuketsu, or hamster bottoms. even if you do manage to avoid being consumed by that particular madness, I’m afraid you might get caught up in trifles and distractions that are equally irrelevant to your long-term dreams.

Here’s what I suggest: to counteract any tendency you might have to neglect what’s truly important, vow to focus intensely on what’s truly important.

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): Writing at FastCompany.com, Himanshu Saxena suggests that businesses create a new position: Chief Paradox Officer, or CPXO. This person would be responsible for making good use of the conflicts and contradictions that normally arise, treating them as opportunities for growth rather than as distractions. From my astrological perspective, you Virgos are currently prime candidates to serve in this capacity. You will continue to have special powers to do this type of work for months to come.

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 22): In accordance with the astrological omens, you are hereby granted a brief, one-time-only license to commit the Seven Deadly Sins. You heard me correctly, Libra. As long as you don’t go to extremes, feel free to express healthy amounts of pride, greed, laziness, gluttony, anger, envy and lust. At least for now, there will be relatively little hell to pay for these indulgences. just one caveat: If I were you, I wouldn’t invest a lot of energy in anger and envy. Technically, they are permitted, but they aren’t really much fun. On the other hand, greed, gluttony and lust could be quite pleasurable, especially if you don’t take yourself too seriously.

Pride and laziness may also be enjoyable in moderate, artful amounts.

SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21): Scorpio novelist Kurt Vonnegut rebelled against literary traditions. His stories were often hybrids of science fiction and autobiography. Free-form philosophizing blended with satirical moral commentary. He could be cynical yet playful, and he told a lot of jokes.

“I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over,” he testified. “Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can’t see from the center.” He’s your role model for the next four weeks, Scorpio. Your challenge will be to wander as far as you can into the frontier without getting hopelessly lost.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): “Make a name for the dark parts of you,” writes Lisa Marie Basile in her poem “Paz.” I think that’s good advice for you, Sagittarius. The imminent future will be an excellent time to fully acknowledge the shadowy aspects of your nature. More than that, it will be a perfect moment to converse with them, get to know them better and identify their redeeming features. I suspect you will find that just because they are dark doesn’t mean they are bad or shameful. If you approach them with love and tenderness, they may even reveal their secret genius.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): Pet mice that are kept in cages need to move more than their enclosed space allows, so their owners often provide them with exercise wheels. If the rodents want to exert their natural instinct to run around, they’ve got to do it on this device. But here’s a curious twist: a team of Dutch researchers has discovered that wild mice also enjoy using exercise wheels. The creatures have all the room to roam they need, but when they come upon the wheels in the middle of the forest, they hop

on and go for prolonged spins. I suggest you avoid behavior like that, Capricorn. Sometime soon you will find yourself rambling through more spacious places. When that happens, don’t act like you do when your freedom is more limited.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): It’s transition time. We will soon see how skilled you are at following through. The innovations you have launched in recent weeks need to be fleshed out. The creativity you unleashed must get the full backing of your practical action. You will be asked to make good on the promises you made or even implied. I want to urge you not to get your feelings hurt if some pruning and editing are required. In fact, I suggest you relish the opportunity to translate fuzzy ideals into tidy structures. Practicing the art of ingenious limitation will make everything better.

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): It’s always important for you to shield yourself against our culture’s superficial and sexist ideas about sex. It’s always important for you to cultivate your own unique and soulful understandings about sex. But right now this is even more crucial than usual. You are headed into a phase when you will have the potential to clarify and deepen your relationship with eros. In ways you have not previously imagined, you can learn to harness your libido to serve both your spiritual aspirations and your quest for greater intimacy.

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): If you were alive 150 years ago and needed to get a tooth extracted, you might have called on a barber or blacksmith or wigmaker to do the job. (Dentistry didn’t become a formal occupation until the latter part of the 19th century.) Today you wouldn’t dream of seeking anyone but a specialist to attend to the health of your mouth. But I’m wondering if you are being less particular about certain other matters concerning your welfare. Have you been seeking financial advice from your massage therapist? Spiritual counsel from your car repair person? nutritional guidance from a fast-food addict? I suggest you avoid such behavior. It’s time to ask for specific help from those who can actually provide it.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “My music is best understood by children and animals,” said composer Igor Stravinsky. A similar statement could be made about you Tauruses in the coming weeks: You will be best understood by children and animals—and by all others who have a capacity for dynamic innocence and a buoyant curiosity rooted in emotional intelligence. In fact, those are the types I advise you to surround yourself with. For now, it’s best to avoid sophisticates who overthink everything and know-it-all cynics whose default mode is criticism. Take control of what influences you absorb. You need to be in the presence of those who help activate your vitality and enthusiasm.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “nikhedonia” is an obscure english word that refers to the pleasure that comes from anticipating success or good fortune. There’s nothing wrong with indulging in this emotion as long as it doesn’t interfere with you actually doing the work that will lead to success or good fortune. But the problem is nikhedonia makes some people lazy. Having experienced the thrill of imagining their victory, they find it hard to buckle down and slog through the gritty details necessary to manifest their victory. Don’t be like that. enjoy your nikhedonia, then go and complete the accomplishment that will bring a second, even stronger wave of gratification.

LAST WOrD jeremy nguee The charismatic chef-owner of high-end catering service Preparazzi—the official caterer of last year’s Dîner en Blanc—tells Samantha David about hating the restaurant business, how hipster cafés freak him out and the function of mod Sin cuisine.

When I serve someone something, I can see them have a food orgasm right in front of me. The reactions I see, like “Oh my God!” or “Oh sh*t, oh sh*t, oh sh*t”— it’s so funny.

I was inspired to set up Preparazzi when a friend of mine was thinking of holding a dinner party, but didn’t have time to fully prepare everything. Plus she didn’t want to go through the hassle of cooking. She did know how to operate an oven, though, so I designed a menu for her and helped marinate meats, packed food in foil and so on. everything was labeled with numbers so all she had to do was follow instructions and the sequence of throwing things in the oven.

I want to work part-time at McDonald’s

My experience at Diner en Blanc was amazing.

To anyone who can get a ticket: go for it, it’s totally worth the hassle. everyone dresses in white, there’s this whole sense of camaraderie, you share food with others, giant kites are flying everywhere, there are know Need to performers on stilts—the feeling is surreal. It made me tlines ing Ho r & Arts a Ticket Theate Cinem look at Singapore differently, kinda like seeing your dowdy girl-next-door with make-up for the first time.

Many people think I’m metrosexual or gay, but I’m actually very, very straight.

I love buying art and I love antiques. It’s important to support people who make life beautiful. I love the romance of finding something that had a past life, like a 1,000 year old teacup that an emperor used.

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I am a functional extrovert. I think I’m still an introvert at heart. In my own time, I’d rather stay at home with a bucket of fried chicken, a tub of ice cream, a bag of popcorn and watch cartoons the whole day.

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Mod Sin cuisine is very important. It can’t be that Singapore’s already 50 years old and the dishes that still define us are chicken rice and chili crab. Yes, those are important, but you and I were brought up eating burgers and pizza. There are so many cupcake shops here, and you say that cupcakes aren’t part of our national culinary identity? I’ll tell you that’s bullsh*t.

There are as many cupcake shops as there are soya bean places. Mod Sin is necessary to help us expand the definition of Singapore’s culinary identity.

I can tell you how much people will eat based on the timing of an event; based on the profile of guests, I can also tell you how much they’ll drink and whether or not you should do a sit-down dinner.

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What annoys me is people not taking the time to appreciate the beauty of things, especially if it’s out of the norm. The moth invasion we have now, for example. People are so scared of it. All you see on Facebook are posts like “Moth in lift C. Do not go into Lift C.” We don’t get experiences like that often, where nature comes that much closer, you know?

Fine dining with the Monte Carlo feel and fine silverware doesn’t exist in Singapore anymore—which is great. now we have more places doing cuttingedge cuisine in a smart-casual environment, like [new Mod Sin places] Labyrinth and ujong.

I don’t really like the restaurant business. You’d love to come up with a menu full of as many different creations as possible, but you can’t. You have to stick to a standard menu because people are gonna come in and say, “eh! I liked this dish. Why’d you take it out?”

The Arts

When I’m done with my business, I want to work part-time at McDonald’s, I want to be a retail assistant at Louis Vuitton and I want to be a yoga instructor.

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