August 29 - september 11, 2014 every two weeks
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Luxe
Lunches 17 glorious meals at the city’s top tables—without the dinnertime price tags
drink 6 ways to enjoy Negroni travel Up in the hills in Sri Lanka interview Catherine Lim
August 29 - september 11, 2014
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Sky on 57 - Mango Prawn Salad
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Cover story
Pop Quiz
The city’s best lunch deals
Are you up to date on Singapore’s key talking points this fortnight? Take our quiz and see. Why did former City Harvest treasurer Chew Eng Han say Sun Ho’s success is a scam? a. He’s secretly jealous of her pop stardom.
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travel
home
The hills of Sri Lanka
Dream furniture
b. He’s secretly in love with her. c. He saw Ho’s “China Doll” video and thinks there oughta be a law against such indecency. d. He finally realized that bankrolling a hip hop career is probably not the best use of church funds. What did Stefanie Sun do at McDonald’s that made such a splash on the blogosphere?
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tech
dining
Our favorite e-readers
Variations on a Negroni
a. She asked that her Big Mac be served without the bun. b. She cut line, sending little miss and mister kiasus into a mad tizzy. c. She failed to meet the dress code. Why were Singaporeans recently sent back from the immigration checkpoint at Batam?
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Review
stage
A rare 5 stars for Cicheti
Singapore International Storytelling Festival
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film
LAST WORD
A Design Film Festival
Catherine Lim
a. They were taking too many disruptive selfies. b. They were nudists. c. They opened their mouths to speak. Why was our unofficial national mascot Hello Kitty sent into space aboard the Japanese satellite Odoyoshi-3? a. To recover from a hip replacement surgery—she’s 40 after all. b. To relay the messages of Earthlings to galaxies far, far away.
Who's in charge? Country Manager Andrew Hiransomboon countrymanager@asia-city.com.sg Publisher Ric Stockfis Editorial Managing Editor Mrigaa Sethi editor@asia-city.com.sg Custom Content Editor Clara Lim Senior Writer Eimear Elkington Junior Writers Letitia Tandean, Rebecca Wong Design Associate Art Director Beverly Chong Senior Designer Carmen Louise Ho Designer Fishy Toh Multimedia Designer Photographer Mossy Chew Wenzhi Advertising Director, Business Development Intan Agustina advertising@asia-city.com.sg Senior Manager, Media & Marketing Shernan Plameras
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Where to find us! Executives, Media & Marketing Lee Wee Keong, Roderick Wong Marketing Marketing Manager Silver Adrienna Ng marketing@asia-city.com.sg Finance Finance Manager Lynn Legaspi finance@asia-city.com.sg Accountant Huang Huiping ACMG Digital Digital Product Manager Nancy Ide Intern Geraldine Tan
Group Directors Chief Executive Officer Gretchen Worth gworth@asia‑city.co.th
The Asia City Media Group Bangkok Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd 22/F, Silom Center 2 Silom Road, Bangkok 10500 Tel: 02‑624‑9696 Fax: 02‑237‑5656 bkmagazine@asia‑city.co.th Shanghai shonline@asia‑city.com.cn
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I‑S Magazine is published 26 times a year by Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd., 211 Henderson Road, #14‑03, Singapore 159552. Tel: 65‑6323‑2512 Fax: 65‑6323‑2779. Copyright ©2014 Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd. The title “I‑S Magazine,” its associated logos or devices, and the content of I‑S Magazine are the property of Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. I‑S Magazine may not be distributed without the express written consent of Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd. Contact the Publisher for ad rates and specifications. All advertising in I‑S Magazine must comply with the Publisher’s terms of business, copies of which are available upon request. Printed by KHL Printing Co. Pte. Ltd., 57 Loyang Drive, Singapore 508968. ISSN 0218‑8872 MCI (P) 151/12/2013
c. It’s where she belongs. According to a recent news story in The Straits Times, Minister Shanmugam said there was an excess of lawyers in Singapore. How does he suggest they occupy themselves? a. By suing their parents for emotional damages b. By suing monologue-prone taxi uncles c. By helping on government defamation suits d. By becoming performance artists What kept Singaporeans awake in the month of August? a. SingTel’s rate hike for monthly mobile subscriptions—and Star Hub is probably next b. Indigestion from the 10,000 moon cakes they’ve eaten this month
Distributed by
Group Digital Director Greg Duncan gduncan@asia‑city.com.sg
c. Something about CNN…no wait, CPF. CDC? Something like that.
Cover by Beverly Chong
d. All of the above—and then some
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I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014
UP FRONT Giveaways
And we have a winner Congratulations to Brian Cheung for winning a pair of Sennheiser MOMENTUM headphones (worth $489) and a pair of Café Fest Regular Passes (worth $50).
Want to win some amazing prizes? Go to is-magazine.com/giveaways to find out more.
We
SG
This week you will mainly love your city for its...
Rejuvenated heartlands The opening of Ng Teng Fong General Hospital may have been pushed back by six months (at least), but the Jurong Lake area as a whole is slated for a serious facelift. Currently the site of several petrochemical plants and other industrial facades, the place will soon see phase one of its URA-initiated makeover. PM Lee announced the plans at his National Day Rally address. First off, expect to see the Chinese and Japanese Gardens combined into an enormous green space. There are also plans to open a Science Center by 2020. It’s also possible that a station in the high-speed rail link between Singapore and KL will be built here.
OB Index
Numerology
Charting the ups and downs of Singapore's openness, tolerance and freedom of expression
6 hours, 32 minutes
7
Average amount of sleep Singaporeans get per night, according to a study by Jawbone.
Number of Singaporean directors involved in the making of a film that will celebrate Singapore’s 50th birthday. The names include Jack Neo and Eric Khoo.
AUG
20
The National Skin Centre and Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association have teamed up to help ex-drug addicts get subsidized tattoo removal. The program aims to help former drug offenders get clean, improve their image and increase their employment chances. It might be nice if people stopped judging people with sleeves, but still, we appreciate the change of pace from hard incarceration.
Who are you?
5 hours, 46 minutes Average amount of sleep Tokyo residents get, the lowest in the study.
7 hours, 5 minutes Average amount of sleep Melbournians get, the highest.
Quick questions. Big prizes. Tell us more about yourself — who you are and what you like, so we can bring you even more relevant lifestyle news and happenings from Singapore.
Readership Survey
Take part in the quick survey now and stand a chance to win some very exciting prizes. Survey ends Sep 12.
is-magazine.com/readership2014 Sources: The Straits Times, Channel News Asia, The Online Citizen
Essential Events Aug 29 - Sep 11 CALENDAR
SEE This
Goodbye Hymn Florida rock group Anberlin, whose hits include “Paperthin Hymn” and “Inevitable”, conclude their 12-year musical journey with a farewell tour supported by local band Caracal. Sep 12, 6:30pm. TAB, 442 Orchard Rd. $68 from Peatix.
DO This
Caffeine Culture Latte art, pastries, snacks and more at the world’s first-ever Café Fest, with 12 home-grown cafes such as Maison Ikkoku and Jimmy Monkey. Sep 6-7. Waterfront Promenade, 30 Raffles Ave., www.cafefest.sg. Free.
DON’T Miss
Arty Party Septfest features a cool crowd-funding campaign and a silent auction of work by local artists like Robert Zhao and Vertical Submarine. Sep 1- 27. The Substation, 45 Armenian St., www.substation.org. Free.
Friday, Aug 29 sculptor Daniel Yu. 7pm. Tuesday, Sep 2 Art Loft hosts its second Singapore Art Museum Chef Robert Galleti’s pop-up. See local at 8Q, 8 Queen St., Gusto Italiano Dinner artists like Chow 6332-3222. Free. features five courses of Chee Yong, coffee-infused dishes and Topping the or take a a modern Italian touch: Singapore iTunes screen-printing plates of scallops with chart with his workshop. cauliflower puree, panfirst single “Until 6pm. ArtOne21, fried foie gras with coffee We Die”, local 82 Tiong Poh Rd., crust and pumpkin puree, Art Loft musician Joel Tan 6520-0174. Free. all paired with wine from performs at his Gentle Carpazo winery. 7pm. A collab between Bones EP launch. 7pm. Garibaldi Italian Restaurant local fashion label TAB, 442 Orchard Rd., & Bar, 36 Purvis St., 6319Mash-Up and Canvas, 6493-6952. $25-25 from 4038. $208. #MASHUPDIGITRIBE is Peatix. a multi-media exhibition Monday, Sep 8 Sunday, Aug 31 exploring the impact of Well-known illusionist Get great deals at one of social media on modern David Blaine drops the city’s largest tech fairs society, with contributions by for a one-night only COMEX 2014. Expect the from artists like Natsuko show with his street-style latest digital products by and SSYSTM. 3pm. Canvas, magic and death-defying brands like Acer, Canon 20 Upper Circular Rd., stunts. 7:30pm. Resorts and Samsung. 12pm. 6538-2928. Free. World Sentosa Convention Suntec Singapore Centre, 8 Sentosa Saturday, Aug 30 International Gateway, 6577The Local People Night Convention 9977. $88-188 Market is back with a & Exhibition from Sistic. street party, live music, Centre, 1 roving performances and Raffles Blvd., food stalls. The event also 6747-4620. includes eclectic vendors Free. The Local People like Doob bean bags and Night Market
FRIDAY, august 29, 2014 I-S MAGAZINE 5
COVER STORY
Power Hour Break that lunchtime rut with these fine dining deals, whether you’re brokering a business deal or having a clandestine date. By I-S Editorial Affordable fine dining
Tippling Club
The deal: Two courses for $42 while a threecourse lunch is $57. House wines by the glass go for $15. Hits & misses: A string of hits—a proper degustation menu that doesn’t skimp on the finery. In between the course, we got four amuse-bouche, a palate cleanser, a digestif and petit fours. The menu changes every couple of weeks but the mock turtle soup with mushroom carpaccio and lamb rump with broad beans and truffle gnocchi ($15 supplement) are standouts. Although the barramundi with milk braised parsley root are a little heavier, palate cleansers like freezefiltered gazpacho manage to lighten things up. 38 Tanjong Pagar Rd., 6475-2217, www.tipplingclub.com. Lunch available Mon-Fri noon-3pm. Great for romance
Bacchanalia
UNDER $50 Bacchanalia
The deal: These party planners serve a decadent set lunch: $38 for two courses, $48 for three. All dishes are plated for sharing, and it’s pretty quiet at lunch. The unmarked doors and red velvet winged armchairs give it a touch of mystery and importance—perfect for corporate gossip. Hits & misses: We’re in love with the massive Norwegian scallop (an extra $5), which comes on a bed of toothsome borlotti beans, cacao powder and a tarragon butter sauce. Also try the parasitic but extremely delicious cordycep in their four-varietal Mushroom Fantasia. #23A Coleman St., 6509-1453. www.bacchanalia.asia. Lunch available Mon-Fri noon-3pm.
Bedrock Bar & Grill
The deal: Three-course sets go for $58 (steaks) and $38 (poultry and seafood). Expect ots of businessmen in animated conversation with glasses of wine and platters of red meat—it’s not a lunch you return to the office from. Hits & misses: They’ve recently added more options for each course. We like the creamy and rich green asparagus bisque and the juicy flat iron steak—less so the overdone petit tender and the slightly fishy cured ocean trout. Portions are big, so do share the rich warm chocolate pudding. #01-05 Pan Pacific Serviced Suits, 96 Somerset Rd., 6238-0054, www.bedrock.com.sg. Lunch available MonSat noon-3pm
The White Rabbit
Saha
The deal: Indian celeb chef Abhijit Saha has taken over Buyan’s old second-floor dining room, bringing a modern, light touch to the cuisine’s usual bold and heavy sauces. Two courses are $38 and three $48, but no food coma afterwards. Hits & misses: The menu changes often, but there are interesting Southern and coastal dishes. Get their interpretation of the meen moilly from Kerala: turmeric grilled seabass served with a coconut and mustard seed gravy and a side of curry leaf panna cotta. Dairy fans should try the ultra-fluffy rendition of mattar paneer, though we don’t love the too-crispy snap peas. #9A Duxton Hill, 6223-7321. www.saha.com.sg. Lunch available Mon-Sat noon-3pm. Value for money
The deal: It’s $32 for two and $38 for threecourses at this romantic, airy spot away from the bustle of the CBD.. Hits & misses: The food is pretty solid, despite the fact that we were a little disappointed at the repeat use of dishes from the dinner menu. However, what they did have as a lunch exclusive was legit, namely the seared bay scallops with cauliflower puree ($6 supplement), although we wish there weren’t so many dishes with supplemental charges, ranging from a $6 to $10 . #39C Harding Rd., 6473-9965, www.thewhiterabbit.com. sg. Lunch available Tue-Thur noon-2.30pm.
Sushi Kuu
The deal: Sushi Kuu’s lunch sets—16 of them—each have one main dish, plus miso soup, udon and ice cream. They put out basic but well-executed Japanese mains, ranging from black pork cutlet rice bowls ($32) to sashimi ($40) to sea urchin, salmon roe and tuna on rice ($66). Hits and misses: Compared to their pricey a la carte menu, the set lunches are good value for money, especially those chubby slabs of sashimi. Definitely go for the yuzu sorbet. The darkened, hushed ambience is nice for Orchard Road, though service can be a little curt when things get busy. Great for: An affordable, convenient, solid Japanese lunch that doesn’t deviate from the script. #01-07 Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Rd., 6736-0100, www.sushikuu.sg. Lunch available daily noon-3pm. Saha
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I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, august 29, 2014
The White Rabbit
bringing performances to life at
As the crown jewel of The Star Performing Arts Centre, The Star Theatre represents Singapore’s first and only 5,000-seat theatre. Constructed in a horseshoe shape with wrap-around balconies, theatre sightlines are optimised and visual intimacy is maximised. Event-goers are in for an exceptional experience and a feast for the senses whether it is a concert, musical or a seminar.
FRIDAY, august 29, 2014 I-S MAGAZINE 7
COVER STORY $50 - $70 Jaan
The deal: One of the city’s top tables has 40 seats, pretty plates and a relatively affordable lunch. The cheapest is $68 for three courses. But there are many treats in between courses (beetroot and herbed cream cheese, for example), so you get the full fine dining experience. Hits & misses: The menu is full of dainty but delightful touches like the Jaan’s Garden, which takes up exactly a quarter of a large plate and is a “composition” of lovely spring vegetables and herbs. Plenty of good options here for vegetarians, too: the spring barley risotto with a pleasantly funky brocciu cheese comes with or without frog legs, and the fat, juicy milk-soaked white asparagus with burnt bread bits and egg yolk ravioli is a party in the mouth. 70/F Equinox Complex, Swissôtel The Stamford, 68373322. www.jaan.com.sg Best view
Mikuni
The deal: There are11 lunch sets (bento, teppanyaki and robatayaki), including the business bento ($68), premium bento “Miyabi” set ($120), sashimi set ($90) and the Australian beef steak set ($70). Hits and misses: The business bento (one of the more affordable options), features dishes like truffle salmon sashimi, chicken karaage and grilled miso eggplant. We prefer the premium bento, which comes with mouthwatering grilled Kagoshima wagyu beef, and the very moreish teppanyaki prawns with golden sauce. 3/F Fairmont Singapore, 80 Bras Basah Rd., 6431-6156, www.mikuniatfairmont.com.sg. Lunch available MonSun 12pm-2:30pm.
Pollen
The deal: $55 for a three-course meal and with an additional $15 for wine pairings. There are four choices for each course, though many require a $10 supplement. The space is quiet and welcoming, but be prepared to get chilly as the Flower Dome’s central air-conditioning blasts through the restaurant. They thoughtfully provide pashminas, just in case. Hits & misses: The chicken liver parfait is addictively silken with chocolate shavings adding a nice touch. Mains include an ingenious poached red snapper with black paella-stuffed squid and perfectly tender Black Angus beef. Portions are small but filling, and desserts must not be missed: get the deconstructed Black Forest, a whimsical woodland diorama, and as well as ABC, a round robin mix of apples, beetroot and carrot. If you do opt for wine pairings, the sommelier recommends some pretty progressive vinos.
Lunch in a Pinch It’s the end of the month and reserves are running low. Here’s where to go below $20. By Letitia Tandean
Sky on 57
#01-09 Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, 6604-9988, www.pollen.com.sg. Lunch available Tue-Sun noon-2.30pm.
Sky on 57
The deal: There’s the value-for-money business luncheon ($50 for three courses and $60 for four). For something more indulgent, opt for the more upscale JQ Prestige Menu, which will get you five courses for $98. Hits and misses: No real misses here—do note, though, it’s not exactly veggie-friendly. Get the aromatic signature foie gras xiao long bao (additional $8) for starters. Mains include the grilled Angus beef steak (additional $6), with Sichuan flavors, and egg fried rice. Our faves from the Asian-inspired JQ Prestige Menu include the Hokkaido scallop ceviché with truffle vinaigrette and micro greens.
Jamie’s Italian Two courses go for $17.90 with options like Italianspiced chicken wings, crab & avocado bruschetta and baked lasagna with roasted pumpkin. #01-165/167 VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk, 67335500, www.jamieoliver.com. Lunch available MonFri noon-5pm. Bayang Clarke Quay’s restaurants have pretty killer deals for lunch with a slew going for $15. Choose from three options with Indonesian dishes like chicken satay, soto ayam soup and chicken rendang served with lime juice or iced lemon tea. #01-05 Clarke Quay, 3A River Valley Rd., 6337-0144, www.katrinahldgs.com. Lunch available daily noon2.30pm
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I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, august 29, 2014
Mikuni
Jaan
57/F Sands SkyPark, Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8857, www.marinabaysands.com. Lunch available Mon-Sun 12pm-2:30pm. Good for deal closing
Nadaman
The deal: Ranging from $40-85. A seasonal ‘Hiru Kaiseki’ menu is $65, while teppanyaki is $50. It’s conducive to high-end business meetings, with a quiet environment and efficient service. Hits & misses: The presentation is flawless, and each set comes with different courses, although the peanut tofu, edamame and jyunsai ginger appetizer are particularly refreshing. Some dishes, like the grilled iron pan beef, are pleasant but not special. G/F Shangri-La Hotel, 22 Orange Grove Rd., 6213-4571, www.shangrila.com. Lunch available daily noon-2.30pm.
Hard Rock Cafe Their three-course lunch set goes for $15 with a weekly-changing menu. Expect a lot of comfort food like crispy sea bass, lasagna and house salads and soups. #04-01 HPL House, 50 Cuscaden Rd., 6235-5232, www.hardrock.com.sg. Lunch available Mon-Fri 11am-3pm. Sabio by the Sea Although this three-course lunch set is a little over $20, the Spanish tapas place still has legit grub for $23: cold cuts, a variety of salads and traditional desserts like churros and crema Catalan 31 Ocean Way, 6690-7568, www.sabio.sg. Lunch available Mon-Fri noon-3pm.
Jamie’s Italian
I-S Asks: How do you spend your lunch hour? “My lunch break always comes in two parts: eating and leisure time. Leisure includes visiting a book shop for some magazine reading, and topping up on tidbits and fruits from the nearby supermarket.” Joan Lee, 40, crewing manager
“My work hours only allow me 15-20 minutes for lunch so I always dabao and eat at my desk.” Raditya Purwahjo, 22, equity trader
“For lunch I get a quick meal at a nearby hawker as I’m big on local food. A cuppa after, usually at Ronin, and always take a different route on the way back as you never know what you discover.” Vijay Mudaliar, 25, bartender/app-preneur of FinalSip
“I never have lunch! I always wake up at lunch and eat at dinner.” Guo Yi, 30, founder of Jigger & Pony and Sugarhall
“I drop by my restaurant [Standing Sushi Bar] at 8Q to eat a quick chirashi don and then I go home for 30 minutes and play with my cats since I live literally across the street.” Howard Lo, 38, owner of Shinkansen and Tanuki Raw
OVER $80 Yan Ting
The deal: Starting from $88 per person, we opted for the sixcourse Experience set menu ($128). There’s a minimum order of two sets, but you can share them. The tables are huge, and the vibe is boisterous with businessmen and families. Hits & Misses: This Cantonese restaurant checks all the right boxes: there’s a lightness to their pastries, a fineness to their dumpling skin and no greasiness whatsoever. We particularly love the pork and shrimp dumpling with black truffles and more surprisingly, the braised fish maw with sliced abalone. 1/F St. Regis, 29 Tanglin Rd., 6506-6887, www.yantingrestaurant.com. Lunch available Mon-Fri noon-2.30pm Good for groups
An extra long lunch
Sushi Ichi
The deal: From $60 to a cool $250, although the omakase knows no limits. We opted for the $110 Tsubaki comprises an appetizer, two assorted dishes, eight pieces of nigiri sushi, miso soup and dessert. The zen 24-seater is small but makes you feel very well taken care of. Hits & misses: We were hard-pressed to find a flaw in the made-to-order sushi Sushi Ichi lunch. We loved the fact that Yuki-san made us try new varieties of fish, like the stellar Kinmedai (Splendid Alfonsino) that was both sweet and succulent. The intimate Michelin-starred outpost of Ginza Sushi Ichi doesn’t disappoint with fresh produce flown in from Tsukiji regularly. It’s a great experience watching the chefs work, but don’t expect it to be a quick lunch. #02-02 Scotts Square, 6 Scotts Rd., 6299-0014, www.sushichi.com. Lunch available Tue 12.30-230pm; Wed-Sun noon-3pm.
Psst…there are more luxe lunches in the iPad edition of this story. Download it at http://is.asia-city.com/app FRIDAY, august 29, 2014 I-S MAGAZINE 9
TRAVEL
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Kandy Crush
Sri Lanka’s old capital is the gateway to the under-explored Knuckles Mountain Range and beyond. By Ric Stockfis
Knuckles Mountains
F
or somewhere less than four hours’ flight from Singapore (yes, really), it’s strange that Sri Lanka isn’t a more popular getaway. Five years since the end of the civil war, the number of visitors has more than doubled. Journey times to many destinations have halved thanks to new highways and construction sites with five-star names line Colombo’s Galle Face Green. The country has long been a cult favorite with travelers, but it’s clear the rest of the world is finally catching on. And while the seaside town of Galle is many peoples’ favorite (if you’re a sucker for faded colonial architecture, you can’t go wrong), as a change from sweltering Singapore, there’s the cool hill country and the former Sinhalese capital of Kandy.
City Tour First impressions, it must be said, are underwhelming. There’s not all that much to see, even when the town is not shrouded in mist, as it is much of the time. That’s not to say there’s nothing special, though. The lakeside, clues-are-in-the-name Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa; entrance LKR1000 ($9.50)), which houses a three-storey shrine as well as the World Buddhism Museum, is particularly beautiful around sunset when thousands of votive candles are lit. It’s also the focal point for the annual Kandy Esala Perahera, which runs for ten days in late July or August with thousands of dancers, drummers and even brightly decorated elephants (book at least a week in advance if you want roadside seats for next year; http://kandyperaherabookings.com). The British Garrison Cemetery, behind the National Museum, is another evocative and worthwhile stop (entrance is free).
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Up in the Mountains Those are the more obvious destinations, though. In fact, the highlight of our stay was a trip into the nearby Knuckles Mountains (so named because the peaks look like a clenched fist) for some bracing hikes and breath-taking views. Very few tourists make it here, despite the fact that it’s only an hour south of Kandy, perhaps because trekking in the high massif (there are nine peaks over 1,220 meters) requires permits, a guide and for you to be self-sufficient. But the foothills are open to anyone and you can get plenty high enough (our tip: bring an ample supply of jaggery, the local unrefined cane sugar Colombo-Kandy line timetable and coconut palm treat). We went with Ravindra Pinnaduwa (+94 7 7626-2626; ashiniduwa@hotmail.com) who, for US$50 ($62) drove us from Kandy, helped us find our way around and took us for lunch at the rustic Corbet’s View Lodge (+94 7 7737-5977; www.corbetsview.com), a guesthouse perched at 990m which opens out onto a stunning panorama of the mountain range and countryside below. You can eat here even if you’re not staying, but their two simple cottages allow for an overnight stay and more time on the trails. A fantastic place if you’re serious about hiking, biking, photography—or just Teahouse in the Knuckles Mountains getting to know Sri Lanka a little better. right by both the lake and the temple. For food though, cross the road to the Old Empire Hotel (21 Temple St., +94 7 7632-1867), the lobby of which is home to the new Empire Café, run by the people behind The Kandy House and serving up curries, pasta and sandwiches, as well as decent coffee and Sri Lankan-style smoothies.
Riding It Out But the real charm of Kandy lies beyond the town, in the sprawling countryside of lush green jungle, rice terraces and tea plantations. For one thing, it’s the perfect base for exploring Central Sri Lanka. Two World Heritage sites are in striking distance, Sigiraya (a soaring rock pillar that’s the highlight of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle) to the north and the old colonial hill station of Nuwara Eliya (nicknamed “Little England”) to the south. We recommend hiring Dhanushka of JB Travels & Tours (+94 7 2525-1020 or +94 7 6725-1020; jbtravels_tours@ rocketmail.com), whose air-conditioned Mercedes van makes the long-ish daytrip in either direction a lot more pleasant. He charges 5,500LKR ($52) for 10 hours/100km of driving, but is open to “negotiation”.
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I‑S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, august 29, 2014
The Kandy House
Essentials STAY The Kandy House is an atmospheric, 200-year-old walauwa (colonial manor) 20 minutes outside Kandy. With nine simple rooms, a lawn and an infinity pool overlooking rice terraces, it’s the kind of place evening G&Ts were made for. It’s not walking distance to anywhere important, but they do a twice-weekly 10-course
curry nights. Rates start from $355/night. Find out more at www.mrandmrssmith.com/ luxury-hotels/the-kandy-house or call 800 321-1098. The hotels in downtown Kandy aren’t much, but The Queen’s Hotel (D S Senanayake Veediya, +94 8 1222-2813), a former Governor’s residence, has a certain beat-up, 160-year-old charm, rooms from around $140/night, and is
The Wallawa is another stunning colonial property just a 15-minute drive from Colombo Airport. It also boasts a relaxing in-house spa. Rates start from $243/night. More info at www. mrandmrssmith.com/luxuryhotels/the-wallawwa or call 800 321-1098.
GETTING THERE Sri Lanka Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Emirates all offer direct flights to Colombo from Singapore, starting from around $440 return, including
Jaggery
taxes. Singapore Airlines flies there too, for around $1,200.
GETTING AROUND The most scenic way to get to Kandy is by train, with stunning views of the hilly countryside. An express service leaves from Colombo Fort at 7am, arriving at 9:30am. You can book tickets (1450LKR ($14) oneway) at www.exporail.lk. Driving back will take three hours and set you back US$50 ($62)—we went with JB Travels (see left).
VISA Singaporeans do not need a visa for visits of up to 30 days. Most other nationalities do, however, and need to apply online at http://eta.gov.lk/ slvisa and pay a fee of US$1530 ($18-36). Ours were issued within just a few minutes.
EXCHANGE RATE 105 Sri Lankan Rupees = $1
CQ Life After 5 IS Magazine_HPFC_HappyHour_FApath.pdf
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ESCAPE ROUTES
with Delle Chan
World Expeditions
JAPAN
Straight to Sapporo No more annoying transits— Singapore Airlines will be operating seasonal services to Sapporo (the capital of Hokkaido) Dec 1-Jan 16, making it the first direct flight from Singapore to the Japanese island. The airline will fly twice weekly to Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport on Mondays and Fridays. Tickets will cost you a pretty penny, though (it’s SIA after all)—$1,814 upwards in December. Book at www.singaporeair.com.
If research isn’t for you, organize a bespoke dive excursion with a dedicated dive butler, and even hire a photographer and videographer to document your underwater experiences. Find out more at www. randheli.chevalblanc.com. ASIA
India with Gurus
Adventure company World Expeditions is organizing several high-end themed trips led by experts from different fields. These include the “Nanda Devi and the Valley of the Flowers” trip (May 9 2015, AUSTRALIA $4607), where you’ll get to Ceduna Oyster trek through the Himalayas Festival with Lonely Planet author and photographer Garry Weare. There’s also the “Free the Bears” tour of The South Australian seaside town India (Oct 11, $4982), led by wildlife of Ceduna (famed for its oysters) photographer Alex Cearns. View will be hosting the annual Ceduna the full trip itineraries at www. Oyster Festival (or Oysterfest) on Oct worldexpeditions.com. 4-5. There’ll be thousands of oysters
C
M
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CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Booze and Bivalves
(paired with wine, of course), finger food, performances and live music from names like Bill Chambers and Black Stick Puppet Theatre to look forward to. The best part? No entry fees—save your cash for the food. Visit www.facebook.com/CedunaOysterfest for more info. MALDIVES
Marine Biology 101 Always dreamed of seeing the breathtaking coral reefs of the Maldives first-hand? At ultra-luxe resort Cheval Blanc Randheli and its PADI Dive Centre, you can go on a guided dive with resident marine biologist Sarah Kompatscher and assist her with data collection.
MALAYSIA
Hijack a Leica For a less wilderness-driven photography adventure, there’s the “Cultural Photography Journey II” package by Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur—ride around in a chauffeur-driven car stopping by attractions like Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur City Gallery and more. Plus, you’ll be accompanied by a professional photographer from the Leica store, who’ll dish out photography advice—think of the Instagram cachet. The package costs MYR1,875 or $732 upwards; visit www.mandarinoriental.com/ kualalumpur to book.
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, August 29, 2014
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island
FASHION + FITNESS + TECH + HOME | Get More Out of Singapore
Bobo Chic Check out the new pieces from bobo (that’s bohemian-bourgeois) furniture showroom Dream. We’re loving their simple but unique outdoor pieces, perfect for balcony spaces. They’ll also be hosting a pop-up furniture tent sale on-site from Sep 6-7, with outdoor and indoor pieces up for grabs, plus homewares from The General Company, Fittonia Mania and Threadbare & Squirrel and food and drink from Cicely Kitchen, Island Creamery and The Daily Juice. 456 River Valley Road, 6235-0220, www.dream.com.sg.
tech G Whiz Hot on the heels of the Samsung S5 is the LG G3, which pairs a classy metallic body with light yet powerful software. The main features include a 13MP back camera and 2.1MP front camera with laser autofocus and optical image stabilization to reduce blur and shake, 5.5-inch screen displaying a pixel density of 538ppi, making for a very sharp print quality. The phone also boasts a simpler user interface, packaging together a number of apps, while the smart keyboard even offers emoji suggestions (for when you don’t know how to feel). Available in black, white, gold, violet and burgundy. $785 at www.onephone.com.sg or on a contract at any major network provider.
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I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014
style Go Wyld
Previously an online-only offering, The Wyld Shop has gone brick-and-mortar at Raffles Place. This new Aussiefocused boutique will stock weekend- and club-appropriate womenswear, accessories and faux-jewellery. Much loved Aussie brands like MinkPink, Le Specs and Staple the Label will make an appearance, items to look out for include cute, splashy t-shirt dresses, chandelier-like ear cuffs and warrior-ish cuff bracelets from Survivor. 01-12B Clifford Centre, 24 Raffles Place, 8518-8620, www.thewyldshop.com.
style Racecar Treads In case you weren’t aware that F1 season is upon us, Puma is launching a new range of clothes and shoes with a race car theme, featuring BMW, Ferrari and Mercedes logos and colors. The signature Mercedes sneaker is designed for British driver Lewis Hamilton and has Hamilton’s signature and the Mercedes logo on the shoe. There’s also a design inspired by German Nico Rosberg featuring the German flag colors and the coordinates of Rosberg’s birth town of Wiesbaden on the sole. Clearly for dedicated fans. Available at Puma Vivo City, 1 Harbourfront Walk, 6376-8090, or online at www.puma.com.
fashion + fitness + tech + home
Just For Kicks
SPORT
All these (not so) friendly matches at Sports Hub got you in the mood? Round up your friends, head to these leagues and pretend you’re Juventus. By Delle Chan
ESPZen
Cosmoleague
The Cage
Who: One of Singapore’s oldest and most competitive amateur leagues—it’s been around for almost four decades—Cosmo targets the expatriate community, with 14 participating teams organized by nationality. When: Games happen on Saturday afternoon and follow the European calendar, where a season starts in August and ends in June. Where: ITE Tampines Oval, 2 Tampines Street 92, www. cosmoleague.com
Who: If street football is more up your alley, head to indoor soccer pitch The Cage. There are six 5-a-side pitches (from $54 an hour) available for booking 24 hours a day—just gather up eight to ten players to get the ball rolling. When: No team? Take part in their regular tournaments, which are open to anyone (some of which require as few as three players). Where: 38 Jalan Benaan Kapal, 6344-9345, www.thecage.com.sg
ESPZen
Goal Arena
Who: Also known as GA Sports Club, this Who: Arguably organization has over 60 Singapore’s largest amateur football teams football organization, from all across the island ESPZen has over playing 11-a-side matches. 4,000 players in 180 When: There are three teams, and runs a soccer The Cage league categories—Saturday school (training sessions are evening, Sunday morning and helmed by senior coaches with evening —which are further classified international experience) alongside into eight divisions for convenience. amateur football and futsal It also has a premier division for leagues. Tournaments are open more competitive teams. to public registration, but if you don’t have a team of your own, Where: 10 Anson Rd, 9238-2277, the comprehensive website helps www.goalarena.sg you network. When: Training is every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 9pm. New players are welcome to join at any time. Where: Centaurs Pitch, Turf Club Rd, 6325-9386, www.espzen.com
FRIDAY, august 29, 2014 I‑S MAGAZINE
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fashion + fitness + tech + home
tech
Good Reads
Books are awesome, but sometimes only an e-reader will do. Here are some of the best. By Asia City Editorial
Most portable
Best overall
Kindle Paperwhite The world’s bestselling e-reader boasts not only light portability (206 grams) and a highcontrast e-ink display, but also innovative builtin light and dictionaries, as well as impressive battery life. With built-in Wi-Fi, you can shop for e-books directly on Amazon. $119 USD ($148) without 3G / $189 USD ($236) with 3G from www.amazon.com.
Nook Glowlight Barnes & Noble’s latest six-inch e-reader, the Nook Glowlight is lighter (175 grams) and has slightly better lighting than the Kindle, but is noticeably slower. Still, it’s a really good choice.
Kindle 5 Kindle 5 is basically the Paperwhite minus touch screen and built-in light display, but everything else is the same. If you only need a great readable device, without much else, Kindle 5 is the pick for you.
$119 USD ($148) from www.barnesandnoble.com.
$69 USD ($86) from www.amazon.com.
Kobo Mini If small size is a big deal, then the Kobo Mini is your thing. While you can’t actually pick one up in Singapore (yet) you can buy one on your next trip to Hong Kong. With a 5-inch screen and weighing 133 grams, this is the smallest and lightest e-reader on the market and it has touch screen, adjustable fonts, and built-in Wi-Fi. $59 USD ($73), available at Swindon Books Hong Kong, www.swindonbooks.com.
Prices do not include international shipping
The New ismagazine.com I-S Online is already your trusted source for lifestyle news, top lists and new restaurants. Now we’re giving you more of it and making it easier to access.
Fresher look Bigger pictures, cleaner design
Responsive design The site adapts to fit whatever device you’re using: mobile, tablet or desktop
Easier navigation See more stories on what’s new and hot in your city
www.is-magazine.com
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DINING
New Age Negroni
drink
This dandy, bitter classic has resurfaced thanks in part to inventive variations by the city’s best cocktail bars. Here are some of our favorites. By Letitia Tandean By the book A classic Negroni is equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari, and Nick Haas at The Cufflink Club follows the classic to a T: London Dry Gin, Dolin Rouge vermouth and Campari. “Recently there has been a trend to have the Negroni served straight up,” he says. “I feel serving it on the rocks allows the floral notes in the gin to come through as the ice dilutes the Campari, creating a really nice transition from the start to the finish.” Cufflink Club, 6 Jiak Chuan Rd., www.thecufflinkclub.com
Q&A Javier de las Muelas The cocktail maestro behind the legendary Dry Martini in Barcelona was visiting recently. We met up with him at One Ninety Bar by Javier de las Muelas (Four Seasons, 190 Orchard Blvd., 6831-7671) for a flirty, philosophizing aperitif and learned all about the (kind of uncool) cocktails he liked as a young man.
Why do you love the martini so much? It’s pure, dry, transparent, with a touch of sweetness. I like this type of person, too. Plus the dry martini is very important in cinema, in books. It’s like with chefs and eggs. It’s simple and easy, but very difficult to make a great one. What’s hot in cocktails these days in Barcelona? The gin and tonic. If you go to a bar, it has to have a minimum of 20 gins. If not, it’s not a bar. Lots of celebrity chefs in Spain. Is it the same for drinks? The bartender is not an artist or a star. We’re here to serve our customers.
One without Campari
One with rum What's in it: Bartender Aki Eguchi's version opts for Plantation Grande Reserve 5 YO, Caribbean essence Velvet Falernum, Mancino Rosso sweet vermouth and Campari.
What's in it: Bitter and botanical Campari may seem like the backbone of the Negroni, but some skip it for higher-shelf stuff. Zdenek Kastanek's Cardinale starts with Gran Classico Bitter instead of Campari, and swaps sweet vermouth with dry.
Why we like it: It's one of our favorite incarnations. It's a touch sweeter than the classic, and more vanilla-y due to the dark rum.
Why we like it: It's balanced and hits all the right notes.
Where to get it: Sugarhall, 102 Amoy St., 6222-9102, www. facebook.com/sugarhallSG
Where to get it: 28HKS, 28 Hongkong St.
One with extras
One with a Japanese flair
One with Chartreuse
What's in it: This gin-heavy recipe tones down Campari's bitterness with a combination of Ford’s Gin, Campari, Aperol, Dolin Rosso vermouth and Antica Formula vermouth for the 19:39 Negroni
What's in it: Zac Mirza uses rye whiskey, Campari and Japanese shiso umeshu in equal parts. The plum wine's sweet and sour notes add a pleasant tartness.
What's in it: Alastair Tan's twist involves St. George Terroir Gin, Mancino dry vermouth, Campari, green Chartreuse.
Why we like it: The floral and citrusy Ford's gin makes the drink more palatable to Negroni newbies
Why we like it: Although the use of whiskey and shiso umeshu strays far from tradition, this reinvention is still aromatic and complex.
Where to get it: Potato Head Folk 36 Keong Saik Rd., 63271939, www.pttheadfolk.com
Where to get it: House of Dandy, 74 Tras St., 8661-2340, www. facebook.com/houseofdandy
Why we like it: It feels like several classic cocktails rolled into one with a fresh, herbal quality. Where to get it: L’Aiglon, 69 Neil Rd., 6220-0369, www.barlaiglon.com
Yeah, but everyone says they love the customer—in an interview. You have to show it. There are lots of bartenders who are focused on creating, on making the guest go, “Wow.” That’s not important to me. It’s important to be part of a story. I love to see people’s stories unfold in bars—it’s like a movie. That’s why the cocktail must be perfect. But doesn’t putting your name on a bar contradict that? I put my name with humility, knowing that bartending is a job. My father was a cobbler, making one pair of shoes every two days. My father was an artist. I’m not an artist, though I know that sometimes a name can push a business. What’s your personal favorite cocktail? The pisco sour. Or the Cathedral, which is several pisco sours in a pitcher. In the past, high class people in Lima, Peru—where pisco comes from—would get together after the evening mass and drink pisco sours. The drink is called Cathedral because everyone had just been to church. And what was the first cocktail that blew your mind? The Marazul. The second was the Tom Collins. The frozen daiquiri. And the frozen mojito. Simple but incredible. Those are all considered pretty uncool these days. Do you still like them? Yes, because it makes me think of when I was young. But I don’t order them anymore. Different cocktails are important to you at different times in your life. As you get older, you prefer drier drinks. Mrigaa Sethi
Book now to be in the definitive guide to Singapore's best restaurants. Booking ends September 23 so don't delay—call our sales team today at 6323 2512 or email sales@asia-city.com.sg
Out in October
FRIDAY, august 29, 2014 I‑S MAGAZINE
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DINING
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RESTAURANT REVIEWS
OPEN door
My Little Tapas Bar
Cicheti HHHHH
The buzz: Bukit Timah favorite My Little Spanish Place branches out with a sister outlet right on party street. The Spanish influence still runs deep, but this time the focus is more firmly on tapas and alcohol.
Italian. 52 Kandahar St., 6292-5012, www.cicheti.com.
The vibe: Warm yet vibrant—rustic wooden furniture, dim spotlights, an open bar and a red-brick wall complete the homey feel, while the energetic Spanish tunes lift the energy levels. The food: Traditional tapas with a twist. There’s an extensive choice of vegetarian, seafood and meat appetizers such as the pimientos de piquillos asados (roasted peppers stuffed with manchego cheese; $12) and the datiles con beicon (bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese and almonds; $14). You can also mix and match the jamon (Spanish ham; $7-$35), queso (Spanish cheeses; $6-$7) and embutidos (cured meats; $5-$8) for a customized sharing platter. Most of the produce is flown in from Spain, and the difference in taste is clear. The drinks: There’s a pretty decent list of Spanish wine starting at $59 for a bottle and helpfully arranged into categories like “fruity, lively reds” and “rich, dense reds”. Don’t miss the sparkling sangria (made with cava, $13/glass). Why you’ll be back: The place is a cool crowd magnet without even really trying and the resulting lively atmosphere is a great mood lifter. Besides, authentic Spanish food is hard to come by in Singapore, especially in the Chinatown area. 42 Club St., 6223-8048, www.mylittletapasbar.com.sg. Open Mon-Thu & Sat 5pmmidnight; Fri 5pm-2am. YEN SIU LIM
There’s no such thing as too much butter. Book at Singapore’s best restaurants, get instant confirmation. chope.com.sg
NEW AND NOTED with Letitia Tandean ingredients and hand-kneaded dough. Cool West Coast-inspired pizza bar AltPizza (#01602 Suntec City Tower 4, www.altpizza.com.sg) has a build-a-pizza component, with toppings like Manchego cheese and littleneck clams. Meanwhile, Eighty Days (#B2-67 Marina Bay Link Mall, 8A Marina Blvd., 6334-2962, www.facebook.com/eightydayspizza) takes you around the world with palm-sized mini pizza toppings like Berlin wurst and Delhi masala. The Raffles City area also recently got a pizza-salad-juice-coffee bar, Re:Fresh (18 Purvis St., 6337-2566, www.facebook. com/refreshsingapore), serving lasagne and rectangular pizzas. For more on the best pizzas in town visit is.gd/bestpizzas
AltPizza
Sweet Treats We wondered what would become of 2:am dessertbar (21A Lorong Liput, 6291-9727, www.2amdessertbar.com) after it closed for renovations. Well, it’s coming back with six new chocolate, an ever-changing roster of art, chocolate marshmallow walls, alcohol shots in sugar corals and even edible tableware. The space also comes with a new bar program manager, Kley Dhillon, formerly of Nuvo and Izy’s Cache, to work on cocktails that offset the sweetness but incorporate pastry techniques. Oh, and you can expect a takeaway bar with churros and beignets.
Great Wheels of Fire Artisanal pizza is hot. The staple food of misspent college days gets an upgrade with plenty of premium
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I‑S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, august 29, 2014
The Tapas Takeover
Speaking of trends, tapas are taking over the city (again?) with at least four new joints. A.T.O.S Asian Tapas (L/F Royal Plaza on Scotts, 25 Scotts Rd., 6589-7799, www. atosasiantapas.com.sg) is serving local favorites, like chilli crab mantou sliders, in bite-sized portions. Kampong Glam now has 26 Tapas Bar (26 Kandahar St., 6341-5027, www.facebook.com/26tapasbar), an Eastmeets-West tapas and shooters joint. Think crispy pork belly salsa finished off with childhood favorite Paddle Pop shot. The most anticipated is FOC on Hongkong Street, due to open any minute (as of press time), with Michelin-starred chef Nandu Jubany and A.T.O.S Asian cocktail genius Dario Nocentini, formerly Tapas's of Catalunya. food@asia-city.com.sg
Unlike many others of its kind, you won’t find a grizzled restaurateur or celebrated fourth-generation chef in charge at this Italian eatery, nor a self-indulgent backstory about how nonna’s treasured family recipes came into the hands of the chef as a young boy. Cicheti confidently sidesteps the clichés of the genre, and it’s nothing short of tell-all-your-friends terrific. The two-story space is small but well-puttogether, with sexy little wooden chairs, a riveting wood-fire oven and an urbane crowd. The style doesn't come without substance either. From the beautifully balanced starters and salads alone, it’s clear that they have a fine understanding of the ingredients’ flavors and textures. Do yourself a favor and order the prawns in smoked butter sauce ($11) before they run out, plus fresh bread ($3) to dunk in the grease. The combination is rich yet complex, in part thanks to the incredible crust on the bread, which is all rocky and mineral-tasting and makes you think of sun-drenched Mediterranean sea cliffs. Pizzas, of course, are similarly good; the bacon- and egg-laden Bismark ($23) is a crowd favorite, and the anchovy-studded, cheese-free napoletana ($17) a sleeper hit. And whether you’re a meat lover or not, the 120-day grain-fed beef ($33), cooked rare, is a must-order. It’s some of the most flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth meat we’ve ever tasted. For dessert, it’s worth going off the beaten track: we love the stoneground polenta and almond cake ($12.50) and, we hear raves about their elusive, off-menu strawberry shortcake. One nitpick is that the small wine list (from $12/glass) isn't all that exciting. Some of the reds also come chilled, so be sure to ask first. But it’s really hard to complain, especially when you get the check—who else could deliver such a satisfying dinner at these prices? Open Mon-Fri noon-3pm; Mon-Sat 6:30-11pm. $$
Uma Uma Ramen HHHHH Japanese. #01-41 Forum the Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Rd., 6235-0855, www.umaumaramen.com. There’s certainly no lack of ramen shops in Singapore but very few standouts. Uma Uma is not necessarily one of them, but it is an old faithful when we have a specific hankering. The small menu has seven noodle bowls and eight appetizers, but what sets this Fukuoka-style chain apart is its dry ramen dishes. In particular, the Mazesoba ($16) stands out due to the sweet, sour and salty shoyu sauce. (In fact, it was on our list of 50 Things to Eat Before You Die.) The other dry option is also great, if a bit skimpy on the minced pork: the dry Tan Tan Men ($14) has springy noodles and a sludgy (in a good way) pool of sesame-laced sauce at the bottom. Toss well! The chopped leeks contrast nicely with the umami-rich sauce, but if you like nose-scrunching sharpness, order extra for $.50. In more dire need of extras is the Bushi Tonkotsu ramen ($16), which is promising on paper, but actually is too light on the sour notes of lime and the bite of ginger to offset the (admittedly delicious) tonkotsu broth. You can also write off the underwhelming gyoza ($8) and slightly anemic tsukune chicken ball ($7)—save your appetite for the aforementioned dry noodle bowls, which are genuinely good, as is the service. On our last visit, we were promptly seated and offered bag bins before ordering. Overall, although we prefer slurping up the balanced and hearty Ippudo soups, this is a go-to if you have a dry ramen craving. Plus, you can always end the night by heading down the secret staircase for Japanese-inspired cocktails at speakeasy The Horse’s Mouth. Open daily 11.30am-10pm. $
Ratings ★ Forget it ★★ Only if you're stuck in the neighborhood ★★★ A pleasant dining experience ★★★★ More than just great food, tell your friends ★★★★★ Not to be missed
Price Guide $ Less than $40 $$ $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 Gangnaroo “As long as you steer clear of the pa jeon, much of the food is exactly what you want to be eating after a boozy evening: greasy, starchy, spicy with little finesse but lots of strong flavors.” HHHHH Ujong “In an ideal world—where there's less pressure to profit—we’d really love for Ujong to downsize their portions, source higher-quality ingredients and put in more care and love in the kitchen.” HHHHH Read all our reviews at is-magazine.com/restaurants
Need to know Theater & Arts
The Substation > 6337-7535
The Arts House > 6332-6919
Ticketbooth > 6296-2929
Esplanade Box Office > 6828-8377
Cinema Ticketing Hotlines
www.esplanade.com
Fort Canning Park > 6332-1302 www.nparks.gov.sg
chart the weeks ahead
www.substation.org
www.theartshouse.com.sg
Gatecrash > 6100-2005 www.gatecrash.com.sg
National Museum of Singapore > 6332-5642
www.ticketbooth.com.sg
Cathay > 6337-8181 www.cathay.com.sg
Eng Wah > 6836-9074
www.ewcinemas.com.sg
Filmgarde > 6344-5997 www.filmgarde.com.sg
www.nationalmuseum.sg
Golden Village > 1900-912-1234
Singapore Art Museum > 6332-3222
Shaw > 6738-0555
www.singart.com
www.gv.com.sg www.shaw.sg
Sistic > 6348-5555 www.sistic.com.sg
DON'T Miss
SEE This
Reinventing Neverland After successful European premieres, avant garde theater company Berliner Ensemble makes its debut in Asia, delivering a haunting rendition of Peter Pan. Sep 11-13, 8pm. The Drama Centre, #05-01 National Library, 100 Victoria Street, 68378400,www.sifa.sg. $40-$20 from Sistic.
DO This
Devilish Tunes
A Tall Tale
Zouk Sound System brings superstar DJ-producer Don Diablo, who has dropped electronic dance tunes with Axwell and Nicky Romero’s labels, and is responsible for the Beatport chart hit“Starlight”. Aug 30. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988, www. zoukclub.com.sg. $28-33.
Currently in its ninth-instalment, this year’s Singapore International Storytelling Festival includes performers from Korea, India, Italy and the UK, with the Asian premiere of reworked Shakespeare classic Lucretia. Sep 1-9. The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, 68488296, www.sisf.bookcouncil.sg.
Music
I-S PICK
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Sodagreen Taiwanese band Sodagreen makes their one and only stop in Southeast Asia as part of their major 10th anniversary tour. Aug 30, 7:30pm. Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk, 63442660, www.sodagreen10years. com. $88-158 from Sportshub.
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3:THESHOW Malaysian post-rock band COMA will share the stage with local outfit In Each Hand A Cutlass and fusion artists neoDominatrix. Sep 6, 7pm. Hood Bar and Café, #05-07 Bugis+, 201 Victoria St., 6221-8846. $20-38 from Peatix.
STAGE dance
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Listening to the 20th Century This brilliant, ambitious collaboration between London’s Southbank Centre, London Sinfonietta and our very own Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Orchestra attempts to distill the 20th century in music, from the jazz age to wartime music to contemporary avant garde, into just four concerts. Sep 3, 5, 8pm; Sep 6, 6pm; Sep 7, 3pm. SOTA Concert Hall, School of the Arts Singapore, 1 Zubir Said Dr., 6594-8411, www.sifa.sg. $40-100 from Sistic.
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Masterpiece in Motion SDT’s annual triple bill returns with the company premiere of Val Caniparoli’s Swipe, as well as Natalie Weir’s 4Seasons and Nils Christe’s Fearful Symmetries. Sep 12-13, 8pm. University Cultural Centre Hall, NUS, 50 Kent Ridge Crescent, 6338-0611, www. singaporedancetheatre.com. $30-70 from Sistic.
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musicals Hotpants This musical by Dick Lee is set in the early 1970s, and centers on the journey of three motherdaughter pairs whose lives are turned upside down when they decide to join an inter-school Talentime competition. Look forward to catchy pop songs, lovable characters, and of course, hot pants. Through Aug 30, 8pm. Drama Centre Theatre, National Library, 3/F National Library, 100 Victoria St., 9862-8033. $40-83 from Sistic.
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Beatlemania on Tour This musical biography will harness authentic instruments, amplifiers and costumes, complete with renditions of your fave Beatles classics, to recreate the spirit of the band and
explore its humble beginnings. Sep 5-6, 8pm. MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands, B1/F The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8868. $55-520 from Sistic.
theater
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Potted Potter Watch all seven Harry Potter books come to live on stage in just seventy minutes in this hilarious production. A mustwatch for all Harry Potter fans. Sep 9-10, 7:30pm; Sep 11-14, 5pm, 7:30pm. Raffles Jubilee Hall, Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Rd., 6337-1886, www.pottedpotter.com.au. $70-85 from Sistic.
FRIDAY, august 29, 2014 I-S MAGAZINE 17
STAGE » ART » FOOD & DRINK
SCENESTEALER Gene Whitlock all sorts of styles. Last year’s 24 Hour Comic Book Day had over 150 participants, and I heard some very big numbers for last year’s STGCC.
At the BooksActually stall at this year’s The Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention (STGCC), you’ll find new works from Singapore-based comic book artists. We speak to one of them—Gene Whitlock—about geek culture and his book The Unsavoury Alphabet. Tell us about your comic book. It isn’t so much as comic as a picture book for hardboiled noir enthusiasts. It started as a drawing exercise: I [was] drawing sets of 26 animals—a different creature for each letter of the Roman alphabet. Slowly the animals got more brutal, more self-absorbed, and the story took form. What’s the comic book scene like here in Singapore? Comics in Singapore are surprisingly vibrant. Talented individuals are creating all sorts of wonderful stories in
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Cavalia The 10th anniversary edition of this circus-inspired production (described as Cirque du Soleil on horseback) combines equestrian arts, acrobatics, dance, live music, multimedia and special effects. Yes, there will be real horses cavorting around in an actual big top tent. Through Sep 14, 7:30pm. White Theatre Tent, Bayfront Ave, (65)31586735, www.cavalia.net. $58-308 from Sistic.
ART
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Sambaso Set against the backdrop of stunning works by visual artist Hiroshi Sugimoto, this dance performance looks at one of Japan's oldest harvest rituals with eye-catching costumes and motifs. Aug 28-29, 8pm. Victoria Theatre, 11 Empress Place, www.sifa.sg. $40-100 from Sistic.
18 I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, august 29, 2014
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Amid the Clouds Young playwright Amir Reza Koohestani’s poetic play, performed in Farsi with English surtitles, follows the fates of two Iranian exiles struggling to find new life. Sep 11-13, 8pm. SOTA Drama Theatre, School of the Arts Singapore, 1 Zubir Said Dr.,6338-9663, www.sifa.sg. $35 from Sistic.
What kind of response do you get to being a comic book writer in Singapore? I get a very positive response. I work professionally as a corporate storyteller for a creative agency here in Singapore, and people are always keen to discuss concepts, and flesh out ideas using comics as a medium. Part of this is because comic strips can communicate a lot of information very quickly, making decision points and featured highlights very easy to understand. And at a very basic level, comics are fun. This means readers are more likely to read the content.
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Singapore Night Festival This annual nocturnal art festival gets under way as the museums in the heritage district throw open their doors late into the night, hosting special events and shows including music, dance, installation art and breathtaking aerial performances. Aug 29-30, 7pm. Bras Basah Bugis Precinct, 6338-0000, www.nhb.gov.sg. Free.
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Jimmy Ong The Singaporean-born artist, best known for his work with charcoal, has an exhibition of still-lifes. Besides featuring his most recent work, Nassim Hill Revisited, in which the artist reflects over his time in Nassim, selected works from his previous collections, Ancestors on the Beach (2008) and Beyond LKY (2010) will also be on view. Through Aug 31. Fost Gallery, Gillman Barracks, #01-02, 1 Lock Rd., 6694 3080. Free.
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Notes to Self The mixed media works featured in this group show explore the interactions between thoughts of the individual and the finished product. Artists include embroiderer Issiyana Suhaimi, mixed media artist Su-Jin Dorcas Ng (Kidcucumberinc) and painter Simon Ng. Through Aug 31. TAKSU Singapore, #01-72 Blk 43, Workloft@ Chip Bee, Jalan Merah Saga, 6476 4788, www.taksu.com. Free.
How are comics changing and developing over the years? Comics have developed in a variety of surprising ways, exploring new ways to tell stories, investigating the use of time and language and imagery. [Most] crucially, we’re seeing comics and geek culture shift into the mainstream. This is a wonderful thing! You can now have a conversation about Captain America in an office situation where once you might have saved that to discuss with your friends at the comic shop. The Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention (STGCC) runs Sep 6-7, Halls B and C, Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Center, 6780-4506, www.singaporetgcc.com. $19-25. EIMEAR ELKINGTON
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Ivan Sagita: they lay their heads on a soft place Indonesian artist Ivan Sagita’s symbolic works reflect his preoccupation with the fragility and uncertainty of life, especially in the volatile Suharto era. His solo exhibition will include paintings, sculptures and photography. Through Sep 18, 6:30pm. Gillman Barracks, 9 Lock Rd, 6694-3727, www.eqproj.com. Free.
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Peter Halley We’ve heard about his showcases in Europe and in the Guggenheim, so we’re pretty excited that Peter Halley’s colorful, geometric, modernist paintings (think reinterpreted prison cells and computer chips) are coming to town for this retrospective. Sep 3-Oct 3. Art Plural Gallery, 38 Armenian St., 6636-8360, www. artpluralgallery.com. Free.
Annie Leibovitz View 38 large-scale prints (in both color and greyscale) of Annie Leibovitz’s portrait photography. On view are iconic subjects like Meryl Streep, Andy Warhol, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, David Byrne, Queen Elizabeth II, the Dalai Lama and more. Sep 12-Oct 12, 11am. Sundaram Tagore Gallery Singapore (Gillman Barracks), #01-05 Gillman Barracks, 5 Lock Rd., 6694 3378, www.sundaramtagore. com. Free.
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Sensorium 360°: Contemporary Art and the Sensed World Singapore Art Museum’s latest inter-disciplinary blockbuster spans fields as diverse as neuroscience and cognitive psychology, and features work from artists based in Southeast Asia, Austria and China. Each artist’s gallery is dedicated to one specific sensory experience, and the range of senses covered goes beyond the usual five to include pain, the sixth sense, and even the ability to detect time. Through Oct 19. Singapore Art Museum, 71 Bras Basah Rd., 6332-3222, www. singaporeartmuseum.sg. $10.
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Reminiscence Malaysian artist and National Watercolor Society signature member Tan Suz Chiang’s first solo exhibition will feature his bold watercolor paintings and techniques usually found in batik and Chinese ink paintings. Through Sep 8, 11am. Y2ARTS Gallery, #0102 Old Hill Street Police Station, 140 Hill St., 6336-8683, www.y2arts. com. Free.
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Cory/Molly/Stumpy The works of esteemed indigenous Australian artists Wakartu Cory Surprise, Nyuju Stumpy Brown and Walka Molly Rogers will be showcased at this exhibition. Their body of work reflects the lives of Aboriginal women before interactions with the kartiya (whitefella), and portray the landscape and history they were accustomed to. Through Sep 13, 12pm. ReDot Fine Art Gallery, #01-05 ArtSpace@Helutrans, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, 39 Keppel Rd., 6222-1039. www.redotgallery. com. Free.
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Mies Julie Yaël Farber’s hugely popular Mies Julie, which centers on a deadly attraction between a black farm laborer and his white master’s daughter, is on a limited two-week run here. Catch it before the curtains are down. Through Sep 13, 8pm. DBS Arts Centre - Home of SRT, 20 Merbau Rd., 6733-8166, www.srt.com.sg. $50-70 from SISTIC.
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FRIDAY, august 29, 2014 I-S MAGAZINE   19
SPORTS » STUFF » NIGHTLIFE » FILM Email event news to food@asia-city.com.sg, stuff@asia-city.com.sg and nightlife@asia-city.com.sg
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FOOD & DRINK I-S PICK
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Korean Fiesta Chef Bae Han-chul brings his modern interpretation of classic Korean cuisine for this two-week long dinner buffet. Comprising of dishes like bulgogi (grilled marinated beef), healmul japchae (sauteed potato starch noodles with seafood) and favorites like bibimbap and kimchi jjigae (kimchi pork stew), it is accompanied by an endless array of different kimchis and banchan (side dishes). Prices go from $88 (Sun-Thur) with free-flow soft drinks and beer to $108 (Fri-Sat) with an added alcohol selection. Through Sep 7. Olive Tree, G/F InterContinental Singapore, 80 Middle Rd., 6825-1008. $88-108. Download the free I-S Now app to find out about this and hundreds more upcoming events! www.is-magazine.com/app
20 I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, august 29, 2014
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Nutopia: Food Meets Fashion Chef Stephan Zoisl’s previous culinary antics have set the bar high for this year’s iteration of Nutopia, his pop-up dining experience, which will be held in a secret location revealed only after you buy your tickets and involve eleven dishes tailored around the theme of haute couture and contemporary fashion. Aug 29-Sep 7. Location to be revealed after ticket purchase, www.nutopiaasia.com. $198288 from Eventclique.
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SPORTS
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Epicurean Market The second edition of this market brings some of the talents from Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants like Tetsuya Wakuda of Waku Ghin, David Thompson of Long Chim and Justin Quek of Sky on 57. This garden-themed indoor picnic allows guests to sample food and wines from over 50 participating brands, alongside a market peddling fresh produce. Sep 12-14. Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Center, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8868, www. marinabaysands.com/epicureanmarket. $23.
Singapore Slingers vs Hitech Bangkok City Get in on the fast-paced action as the Singapore Slingers battle it out against Hitech Bangkok City in this ASEAN Basketball League match. Aug 31, 4pm; Sep 19, 8pm. OCBC Arena, Singapore Sports Hub, 15 Stadium Rd., 6333-5000. $12-15 from Sportshub.
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Mission Foods Asian Netball Championships This quadrennial affair looks set to be the most exciting Asian netball championships yet, as it serves as the qualifier for the 2015 World Cup. Can Singapore stave off competition from countries like Malaysia and Sri Lanka, and successfully defend the title? Sep 7-14. Singapore Sports Hub, 15 Stadium Rd., 6346-5063. $4-40 from Sportshub.
WHY NOT? Create your own perfume Je T’aime Perfumery is hosting a series of perfume workshops where you will sniff, mix and design your way to your own signature scent. The niche perfumery is offering a DIY perfume workshop at SAFRA Tampines on Sep 9, 7-9pm, where you will walk away with 60ml of your own individually created fragrance. For more details and to book, visit www.jetaime-singapore.com. Safra Tampines, 1/A Tampines Street 92, 6785-8800. Eimear Elkington
STUFF
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Moonfest: A Mid-Autumn Celebration Celebrate MidAutumn Festival with a dose of Chinese traditional and folk arts programs including Chinese opera, music, puppetry, Chinese chess and lantern riddles. Sep 5-8. Esplanade, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-834, www. moonfest.com.sg. Free.
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Sentosa Buskers Festival International performers, running the gamut from jugglers and portrait masters to circus comedians, put on riveting displays of skill and dexterity in the sunny outdoors. Sep 6-14, 4:30pm. Sentosa, 1800-736-8672, buskers. sentosa.com.sg. Free.
The iBrew Challenge Aspiring craft brewers can enter their sudsy creations in the eighth edition of this homebrewing competition; with five competition categories to choose from (IPA, lager, ale, Belgian or special), chances to fight for bragging rights abound. Beer enthusiasts can look forward to free-flow craft beers at the event, and even sample select kegs of homebrewers’ creations. Aug 30, 2pm. iBrew, #01-195, 354 Clementi Ave. 2, 9002-0705. $50-60.
nightlife
sales & fairs
Fresh feat. Kavan + dissoul Top 40s pop songs are so yesterday, specially with Kavan and dissoul bringing back forgotten tunes and sleeper hits of yore. They spin their unique brand of unexpected mixes of deep house and tech house beats. Sep 6, 10pm. The Vault, 23 Circular Rd., 6223-9695, www. thevault.com.sg. $30-50.
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classes & workshops
Daydreams + Nightmares: Silk Screen Printing Workshops Print your own tote bag with a silk screen at this workshop by Monster Gallery. Register by August 18 by emailing registration@substation.org. Aug 29-30, 7:30pm, 9:30pm. The Substation Gallery, 45 Armenian St., 6337-7535, www.moonfest. com.sg. $12.
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KEEPERS Artisan Showcase: The Art of Storytelling The 12th keepers market features lots of local products, artisans and designers peddling their wares from the likes of Carrie K jewelry, MATTER travel wear and Gnome & Bow leatherwear. There will also be lots of canapes and cocktails courtesy of the boys from Bitters & Love. Aug 30, 2pm. Carrie K. Atelier, 136 Bukit Timah Rd., 6735-4036. Free.
MAAD Pyjamas This monthly arts market by the MAAD collective features original artworks, quirky finds by local artists and creatives as well as performances by homegrown musicians. Sep 5, 5pm; Oct 10, 5pm. Red Dot Design Museum, Red Dot Traffic, 28 Maxwell Rd., 6534-7194, www.facebook.com/ goMAAD. Free.
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ZSS presents Feenixpawl with Lincey ARIA award winning DJ duo Feenixpawl are definitely moving up on our list of favorite house music producers, having been given support by big names such as Swedish House Mafia and Avivcii. Catch them at Zouk on 5th September, and be prepared for some wicked beats. Sep 12-13, 10pm. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. www.zoukclub.com.sg. $25-$30.
REEL TIME
A Design Film Festival The 12 films showing at this year’s Design Film Festival cover topics like architecture, technology and fashion. Here are the five we’re going to.
Flake & Flames
Flake & Flames Kustom Kulture has commonly been associated a devil-may-care attitude, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. In this film, some of best car/ motorcycle builders, tattoo artists and pinstripers in the US and Europe share their experiences and demystify this unique subculture. Sep 7, 4:20pm
Cutie and the Boxer Chronicling the lives of married Japanese artists Ushio and Noriko Shinohara, this documentary depicts Noriko’s attempts to break out of the shadows of her domineering husband. Gender relations, sacrifice and aging serve as a backdrop to this intimate portrayal. Sep 6, 4pm; Sep 14, 8:30pm
FILM I-S PICK Finding Vivian Maier
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A Full Moon Beach Party Series: Full Steam Ahead Singapore’s only full moon beach party is back, this time for a pre-F1 weekend blowout. Expect the usual extravaganza of beer pong, fire twirlers, giant beach balls and lots of booze, plus thumping beats courtesy of DJ Aldrin and Stephen Day. Sep 13, 4pm. Tanjong Beach Club, 120 Tanjong Beach Walk, 9750-5323, www.facebook.com/ events/1409935955960355. $36.
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SCUM Cinema presents: Riki Oh: The Story of Ricky SCUM are keeping the cult factor up with yet another kooky movie offering. Hong Kong film Riki Oh’s (R21) twisted plot involving futuristic prison cells, and of course, sweet martial art moves will awe and terrify. Register free of charge at their website, and turn up before 8PM to collect your wrist tags. Aug 29, 8:30pm. Screening Room, The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, 6332-6903. Free from Peatix.
Tadao Ando: From Emptiness to Infinity In this documentary produced by German filmmaker Mathias Frick, one of Japan’s most respected architects, the so-called “father of haiku architecture”, talks about the inspiration and execution of some of his most impressive buildings.
Cutie and the Boxer
Finding Vivian Maier Nanny-by-day Vivian Maier secretly took more than 10,000 photos on the job and shot to fame in 2007 when a box of her negatives was uncovered just two years before her death. This documentary features never before seen photographs and interviews with people who knew the woman who has become one of the most recognized photographers of the 20th century. Sep 6, 6pm; Sep 13, 8:30pm; Sep 14, 12:30pm
Tadao Ando
Sep 6, 2:30pm; Sep 14, 7pm
Maker
Maker This feature length documentary explores the maker movement in the US, in which DIY design and manufacturing is being powered by the internet age. Also known as the Third Industrial Revolution, the movement challenges conventional manufacturing through crowd funding, open sourcing and 3D printing. Sep 6, 12:30pm; Sep 14, 2:30pm
A Design Film Festival is running Sep 5–14 at Shaw Theatres Lido, 350 Orchard Rd. For more information and tickets, visit www. designfilmfestival.com. REBECCA WONG
FRIDAY, august 29, 2014 I-S MAGAZINE 21
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22
I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014
freewill astrology
Week of August 29 © 2014 Rob Brezsny
VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): As you know, real confidence has no bluster or bombast. It’s not rooted in a desire to seem better than everyone else and it’s not driven by a fear of appearing weak. Real confidence settles in when you have a clear vision of exactly what you need to do. Real confidence blooms as you wield the skills and power you have built through your hard work and discipline. And as I think you already sense, Virgo, the time has come for you to claim a generous new share of real confidence. You are ready to be a bolder and crisper version of yourself. LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 22): As I understand your situation, Libra, you have played by the rules; you have been sincere and well-meaning; you have pressed for a solution that was fair and just. But that hasn’t been enough. So now, as long as you stay committed to creating a righteous outcome, you are authorized to invoke this declaration, originally uttered by the ancient Roman poet Virgil: “If I am unable to make the gods above relent, I shall move hell.” Here’s an alternate translation of the original Latin text: “If heaven I cannot bend, then hell I will stir.” SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21): “Start every day off with a smile and get it over with,” said the misanthropic comedian W. C. Fields. I know it’s weird to hear those words coming from a professional optimist like me, but just this once I recommend that you follow Fields’ advice. In the near future, you should be as serious and sober and unamusable as you have ever been. You’ve got demanding work to attend to; knotty riddles to solve; complex situations to untangle. So frown strong, Scorpio. Keep an extra sour expression plastered on your face. Smiling would only distract you from the dogged effort you must summon. Unless, of course, you know for a fact that you actually get smarter and more creative when you laugh a lot. In which case, ignore everything I said. Instead, be a juggernaut of cheerful problem-solving. SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972) was a renowned AfricanAmerican gospel singer who lent her talents to the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. often called on her to be an opening act for his speeches. She was there on the podium with him on Aug 28, 1963 in Washington, D.C. when he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. In fact, it was her influence that prompted him to depart from his prepared notes and improvise the stirring climax. “Tell them about the dream, Martin,” she politely heckled. And he did just that. Who’s your equivalent of Mahalia Jackson, Sagittarius? Whose spur would you welcome? Who might interrupt you at just the right time? I encourage you to seek out influences that will push you to reach higher. CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): When Europeans first explored the New World, ships captained by Italians led the way. But none of them sailed Italian ships or represented Italian cities. Cristoforo Colombo (today known as Christopher Columbus) was funded by the government of Spain, Giovanni de Verrazzano by France and Giovanni Caboto (now known as John Cabot) by England. I see a lesson here for you, Capricorn. To flourish in the coming months, you don’t necessarily need to be supported or sponsored by what you imagine are your natural allies. You may get further by seeking the help of sources that are not the obvious choices. AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): Walter Kaufman had a major role in clarifying the meaning and importance of Friedrich Nietzsche. His English translations of the German philosopher’s books are benchmarks, as are his analyses of the man’s ideas. And yet Kaufman was not a cheerleader. He regarded Nietzsche’s Thus Spake Zarathustra as brilliant and triumphant, but also verbose and melodramatic: a “profusion of sapphires in the mud.” I love that phrase, Aquarius, and maybe you will, too, as you navigate your way through the coming weeks. Don’t just automatically avoid the mud, because that’s probably where you will find the sapphires. PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): I’m not tolerant of greed. Acquisitiveness bothers me. Insatiableness disgusts me. I am all in favor of people having
passionate yearnings, but am repelled when their passionate yearnings spill over into egomaniacal avarice. As you can imagine, then, I don’t counsel anyone to be piggishly self-indulgent. Never ever. Having said that, though, I advise you to be zealous in asking for what you want in the coming weeks. It will be surprisingly healing for both you and your loved ones if you become aggressive in identifying what you need and then going after it. I’m confident, in fact, that it’s the wisest thing for you to do. ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): In the coming weeks it will be important for you to bestow blessings and disseminate gifts and dole out helpful feedback. Maybe you already do a pretty good job at all that, but I urge you to go even further. Through acts of will and surges of compassion, you can and should raise your levels of generosity. Why? Your allies and loved ones need more from you than usual. They have pressing issues that you have special power to address. Moreover, boosting your largesse will heal a little glitch in your mental health. It might be just what the soul doctor ordered. TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): The Icelandic word hoppípolla means “jumping into puddles.” I’d love to make that one of your themes in the coming weeks. It would be in sweet accordance with the astrological omens. You are overdue for an extended reign of freelance play . . . for a time of high amusement mixed with deep fun and a wandering imagination. See if you can arrange to not only leap into the mud, but also roll down a hill and kiss the sky and sing hymns to the sun. For extra credit, consider adding the Bantu term mbuki-mvuki to your repertoire. It refers to the act of stripping off your clothes and dancing with crazy joy. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): During the course of its life, an oyster may change genders numerous times. Back and forth it goes, from male to female and vice versa, always ready to switch. I’m nominating this ambisexual creature to be your power animal in the coming weeks. There has rarely been a better time than now to experiment with the pleasures of gender fluidity. I invite you to tap into the increased resilience and sexy wisdom that could come by expanding your sense of identity in this way. CANCER (Jun 21-Jul 22): I’m getting the sense that in the coming days you will be more casual and nonchalant than usual. More jaunty and unflappable. You may not be outright irresponsible, but neither will you be hyperfocused on being ultra-responsible. I suspect you may even opt not to be buttoned and zippered all the way to the top. It’s also possible you will be willing to let a sly secret or two slip out, and allow one of your interesting eccentricities to shine. I think this is mostly fine. My only advice is to tilt in the direction of being carefree rather than careless. LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): In his novel Les Miserables, French author Victor Hugo chose to write a convoluted sentence that was 823 words long. American novelist William Faulkner outdid him, though. In his book Absalom, Absalom!, he crafted a single rambling, labyrinthine sentence crammed with 1,287 words. These people should not be your role models in the coming weeks, Leo. To keep rolling in the direction of your best possible destiny, you should be concise and precise. Straightforward simplicity will work better for you than meandering complexity. There’s no need to rush, though. Take your time. Trust the rhythm that keeps you poised and purposeful.
LAST WORD Catherine Lim A couple of months ago, her critical open letter to PM Lee Hsien Loong made the rounds online and in the papers. More recently she’s submitted a new book manuscript, to be published in time for Singapore’s 50th birthday. Here, the prolific fiction writer and political commentator met up with Mrigaa Sethi for a conversation that veered from the PAP to dating in your 70s to even end-of-life plans. When I came here, I was a young mother. I was pregnant with my second one. My husband was looking for jobs. We were young teachers in in Malaysia, but we were not happy with what we were doing, so we moved. Singapore welcomed me completely. I love Singapore, partly because the PAP has made it an ideal place for a bodoh—a dumb person like myself who doesn’t know how to drive, who loves cleanliness. I love the orderliness. My [1994] articles infuriated [the government], I didn’t realize that this is still a Confucianist society where you never criticize your leaders.
I got married to a very conventional man, a good man, but absolutely clear about his role.
go with dignity and and joy, because I’ll go back to the cosmos. They say matter is indestructible.
I was brought up by nuns. They represented a different culture that to me seemed superior to my Hokkien culture. When I was 15, I converted to the Catholic religion, which is the most oppressive religion.
I don’t care for the Catholic heaven, where you have the corrupt popes. I don’t want to spend eternity with them.
I’m a very late riser. I love being alone. I couldn’t bear to live with anybody.
Do animals have orgasms?
My fear was that there would be a lawsuit coming, and I would be bankrupted. But if I write something, I seldom retract. You think carefully about what you write, and then it is there, and you defend it, and you’re responsible for it.
I’m very conscious about my health. I keep telling women, “I love the intellectual life, but please, please, please, the two most important things, my dears, are your health and your financial independence. If you don’t have these two, you’re finished in this world.”
I’m not a rabble rouser. I refuse to go to Speaker’s Corner. I’m not an activist. I don’t punch my fist in the air. I’m an armchair commentator, but that is a role I’m quite happy with.
I’m on the Internet for hours. I love new knowledge. It’s knowledge for itself, which is a luxury. When I was younger, I studied because the knowledge was useful for something—to pass exams, for example.
Some journalists hardly know Singapore, but they sail in, write a few provocative articles and then they go out. I think the real criticism comes from the people inside.
I google for info like, “Do animals commit suicide?” I even google, “Do animals have orgasms?”
I see myself as an important voice, because we don’t have many voices. And some of the voices, people don’t care to listen to—when they become too vitriolic, screaming and screeching. I like talking to young people. They contact me through the web. I want to influence them to be urbane, measured. If you’re a political commentator, you think through, you don’t let your emotions get the better of you. I’m not advising them to join the Workers Party. I’m not partisan. As a Chinese woman and a Catholic and a civil servant, I was suppressed by three structures—Four! Confucianism.
At this stage in my life, I’ve never been happier, and it spills into my work as a writer, as a commentator, as a person, as a woman, as a mother.
I want to be alive for the next 50 years, just to know the answers to all these questions: dark matter, dark energy, those strange things called neutrinos, the origin of life, the origin of consciousness. Male company is wonderful—the fun part of it, going on holidays together, the physical side of it. But I realized in the end that my freedom and time on my own override all this. But I still go on dates, and would you believe it? All my dates are younger than me! I talk too much about myself. I have to check myself and say, “Oh Catherine Lim, don’t be so self promotional.”
Systematically I broke out of all three: I got divorced, I walked out of my religion, I walked out of the civil service, and I’ve been happy ever since.
I see people who are frightened by death, disease, uncertainty, and I want to be in charge. I want dignity. I also have a very low pain threshold. And I’m very proud of my mind. Once my mind goes, that’s it.
My mother always said, “Don’t do this, don’t do that. Don’t try to be too clever, or no man will marry you.” Then
I’ve researched an [assisted dying] organization in Switzerland called Dignitas, and this is what I’ll do. I’ll
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