SG Magazine, Apr 24 by SG Magazine

w w w. s g n o w. s g

Your FREE independent guide to the next two weeks

Come what May

SG MAGAZINE | ISSuE #676 | AprIl 24, 2015 since 1995

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

what’s on what’s new what matters

Photographer and visual artist Juria Toramae layers the past and the present in these images of Changi and Tuas. See aRT , page 10, for interview.

nEighboRhood

CiTysCaPE

dining

TRavEl

What to Buy in Everton Park

7 Ways to Get Sustainable

Izakaya Neon Pigeon is Here

Byron Bay Bites

w w w. s g n o w. s g

Your FREE independent guide to the next two weeks

The modern Irish experience has arrived in Singapore

SG MAGAZINE | ISSUE #676 | APRIL 24, 2015 since 1995

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

McGettigan's Clarke Quay AWARD-WINNING FOOD, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT & GENUINE IRISH HOSPITALITY

NOW OPEN! mcgettigansclarkequay

INTRODUCING HEINEKEN EXTRA COLD

page 3

Sum of All Fears 12 cityscape

Eco-Warrior Cheat Sheet 6 top 20

10 film

Iconic Buildings with a Past

Local Sex Comedy Rubbers

11 neighborhood

15 shopping

What’s New at Bukit Timah

What to Buy in Everton Park 16 new restaurant

17 drink

Neon Pigeon

Where to Get Asian Whiskeys

20 travel

23 interview

Great Food in Byron Bay

Head Honcho of Maison Ikkoku

Who's in charge? Publisher & General Manager Ric Stockfis countrymanager@asia-city.com.sg Editorial Managing Editor Mrigaa Sethi editor@asia-city.com.sg

Senior Manager, Media & Marketing Shernan Plameras Executives, Media & Marketing Lee Wee Keong, Roderick Wong, Joy Yao, Swathi Raj

Dining Editor Letitia Tandean Lifestyle Writer Joyce See Design Associate Art Director Carmen Louise Ho Senior Designer Fishy Toh Designer Celeste Chooi Content Sales & Custom Media Content Director Clara Lim customcontent@asia-city.com.sg

Where to find us! 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

Advertising Director, Business Development Intan Agustina advertising@asia-city.com.sg

Marketing Marketing Manager Silver Adrienna Ng marketing@asia-city.com.sg

Finance Finance Manager Lynn Legaspi finance@asia-city.com.sg Accountant Huang Huiping Group Directors Chief Executive Officer Gretchen Worth gworth@asia-city.co.th Group Digital Director Greg Duncan gduncan@asia-city.com.sg On the cover Collages by Juria Toramae

Marketing & Admin Assistant Geraldine Tan

The collective logical reasoning powers of Singapore’s high school students would be much better applied to some of the nation’s genuinely impossible-seeming mathematical conundrums. For example: Question 1. Cheryl has just bought a $148 ticket to an EDM music festival for which a total of 14,000 tickets have been sold. Bernard and Albert have also bought tickets and are flying in from Hong Kong for the awesome-sounding event. How many days prior to its slated date will the festival be canceled for drug offences that may or may not have happened had the festival gone as planned? Question 2. Cheryl, Bernard and Albert are standing on the corner of Geylang and Aljunied Roads at 10:40pm, heading home after exactly two rounds of beer because no one will sell them any more booze. They see 15 taxis with green lights on. There are 0 other people on the sidewalk hailing for cabs. After how many attempts at begging will a taxi driver agree to take them home? Bonus: What time will it be by the time they get into bed and whine about it on Facebook? Question 3. A train is leaving Clarke Quay station traveling at 80km per hour. Albert is walking down a crowded train car at 5km per hour when he spots with great moral indignation Cheryl and Bernard sharing a single seat and canoodling profusely. The time is roughly 6:45pm. What time will Albert’s covert photo of the immoral couple go viral on STOMP? Please share this widely. Together, we can solve Singapore’s most pressing and difficult problems.

Who are we?

Published every two weeks (with daily updates at sgnow.sg), SG (previously I-S) delivers honest, independent and irreverent coverage of the Singapore lifestyle scene. We’ve been recommending what to do and where to go here for 20 years—and we’ve never been more excited about the city than we are right now.

The Asia City Media Group

Kuala Lumpur Pacific Tourism Communications Sdn Bhd Lot 2.44-2.45, 2nd Floor, Wisma Cosway, Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: 60-3-2144-4886 Fax: 60-3-2141-1911

Singapore Asia City Publishing Pte. Ltd. Block 211 Henderson Rd. #07-02 Henderson Industrial Park Distributed by Singapore 159552 Tel: 65-6323-2512 Fax: 65-6323-2779 contact@asia-city.com.sg

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daily updates on news and events

sgnow.sg

Awesome events, cool new places, the very best of the next two weeks

High-end, hawker and everything inbetween: news on the drink and dining scene

Hot topics, local initiatives and ideas for making Singapore even better

Because Singapore is only so big: the best deals and destinations around Asia

Escape the CBD and explore more with our hyperlocal neighborhood section

SG Magazine is published 24 times a year by Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd., 211 Henderson Road, #07-02, Singapore 159552. Tel: 65‑6323‑2512 • Fax: 65‑6323‑2779. Copyright ©2015 Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd. The titles “SG Magazine”, “I‑S Magazine” and their associated logos or devices, and the content of SG Magazine and I‑S Magazine are the property of Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. SG 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 SG 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) 174/12/2014

free ebook of every issue

Last week, a Singapore high school math problem went viral on the Internet as people across the world scratched their heads over Bernard and Albert trying to deduce Cheryl’s birthday. (Why didn’t they just add her on Facebook and find out there, one wonders.)

giveaways, updates, stories

facebook.com/sgnow.sg

last word Irreverent interviews with people who make Singapore great

We hope you like what you see: email us at editorial@asia-city.com.sg to let us know how we’re doing.

latest news and trends

@sg_now

see what we’re up to

@sg_now

FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

up front

Our biweekly study of the city’s burgeoning (and dying) trends

Hot: Koalas

be good chem7

Diliff

hot or not

Singapore’s latest news, numbers and dramas at a glance

Not: Dolphins

All Is Amazing

Four koalas are being flown in on Qantas’s climate-controlled capsules for a six-month exhibition at the Singapore Zoo in May. Too bad the dolphins at UWS did not receive similarly posh treatment. See Be Good (right) for a humane new dolphin tourism venture.

be a doll to dolphins Partially in response to the poor treatment of dolphins in captivity, local organization Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) is hoping to start wild dolphin-watching tours in Singapore waters. Already conducting a conservation-focused research project around the Southern Islands, ACRES aims to launch ethical tours for people to see the mammals in their natural habitat. You can donate to their campaign at ow.ly/LwgEH.

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

Hot: Parties on ships

Not: Parties on land

We’re finally over the last-minute cancelation of Future Music and looking forward to dancing at sea instead, with It’s the Ship (Nov 20-23) and Shipsomania (Jan 2-6 2016). For tons of cool things to do before that, turn to SG Now (page 7).

Hot: Asian whiskeys

Local answer to Whatsapp

SingTel recently launched a local (less cleverly named) app along the lines of Whatsapp and Skype. Finally catching on to the fact that no one seems to send regular text messages anymore, the telco giant’s new product, Wavee, will allow you to send messages, pictures and files as well as take pictures and make calls. The app is available for both Android and iOS users and all data charges are waived until Jul 9.

Not: Scottish whiskies

Celebrating the city’s entrepreneurs, start-ups and innovative thinkers

Can’t find a cab? How about carpooling with a friendly stranger going the same way and splitting the cost? New local startup Ryde (www.rydesharing.sg) hopes to promote carpooling in Singapore, using geo-location and user reviews to put people in touch. Founder Terence Zou tells us more. What’s the RYDE office like? Think white walls, simple furniture, glass partitions and lots of sunlight. We keep our environment clean and free from clutter so that the ideas can keep flowing. Besides, we spend long hours in the office and it’s a conducive place to be in.

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

What apps inspired RYDE? Airbnb matches people who have lodging with people who are looking for one. When people think of traveling, saving some money and meeting new people, they think Airbnb. When people want to move around daily, want to save a bit of cash, save the environment and meet new people, we want them to think RYDE. We are both part of the new sharing economy. Will Singaporeans be into carpooling with strangers? Carpooling takes place all the time in both formal and informal arrangements in many developed cities. Today, with geo-location technology, social networks and smartphones, the idea of carpooling makes more sense: along with the bigger idea of us being part of the sharing economy. Carpooling is a great way to save money, make new friends and reduce congestion. We are very confident it will catch on in a big way and it has been very encouraging with overwhelming sign ups to date. Mrigaa Sethi

We’re turning 20 this year and this issue we look at 20 famous Singapore buildings that once used to be something completely different. 1 Spruce @ Old Fire Station Today a laidback cafe, it once used to do important things...like put out fires. 2 ColBar This charming and old-timey cafe in Wessex Estate was once a canteen serving British soldiers. 3 The Fullerton Hotel Singapore This iconic hotel was once occupied by the General Post Office. 4 National Gallery This new art gallery will be occupying the same space as the Old Supreme Court and City Hall. 5 MICA

It used to be the Old Hill Street Police Station, home to Singapore’s first jail. 6 Chijmes For over a century, this trendy food enclave was a Catholic convent. 7 Skyve Wine Bistro This restaurant was the canteen of the old Monk’s Hill Secondary School. The name seems apt now. 8 The White Rabbit Before it became a restaurant, it was a chapel. 9 Raintr33 Hotel This hotel has taken over the derelict army barracks near the old Changi Hospital. 10 Old Ford Factory It was Ford’s first assembly plant in Southeast Asia. Today, it is home to images and artifacts from the war.

Japanese whiskeys have been all the rage for a while now, and last month, Taiwanese distillery Kavalan won Best Single Malt in a global blind tasting, cementing the age of Asian whiskeys. For more on where to get them, turn to SG Eats (page 17).

Singapore SparkS

throWback 20

11 Malay Heritage Centre This building was once Istana Kampong Glam—a regal Malay palace. It now houses Malay artifacts.

Say What? The best comments on our most popular web stories Philipp Aldrup May I comment, that Rochor Centre is definitely not a forgotten place, but full of life! —on “Meet the man whose mission is to remember Singapore’s forgotten places” Isaac HappyFingers To simply put it…the millennium kids. —on “8 kids (other than Amos Yee) Singapore should be very afraid of” Lynn Sheng Not everybody hands so fast like u ma —on “Bartenders spend too much time making one cocktails, says Ethan Leslie Leong” Eric Lim Hipster bar —on “Maison Ikkoku’s getting a second outlet” Nick Pan Please be the metal bar to my cable car. —on “Free entry into Sentosa for the rest of the year” Be a part of the conversation at www.facebook.com/sgnow.sg

12 St. James Power Station It might be a mega club today but way back when, it was Singapore’s first coal-fired power plant. 13 Black Swan The Quadrant used to be the HQ for banks. 14 Loewen by Dempsey Hill The site of a former military hospital, this place is now home to the Museum of Contemporary Arts. 15 Boathouse The former Port of Singapore Authority houses several restaurants and bars today. 16 Peranakan Museum This museum used to be Tao Nan Chinese School. 17 Singapore Art Museum One of Singapore’s more prominent museums, it was once a 19th-century mission school. 18 The Capitol Piazza It used to house the iconic Capitol Theatre. It’s now home to a supermall, a theater and a six-star hotel. 19 Asian Civilisations Museum This museum used to be the colonial-era Government Office. 20 Gillman Barracks This former military camp is now home to some 17 international art galleries.

For more lists revisiting Singapore’s history, visit www.sgnow.sg. JOYCE SEE

The essential guide to what’s on in Singapore

now

Send your events news to art@asia-city.com.sg, nightlife@asia-city.com.sg, stage@asia-city.com.sg

frI

Apr 24

SAt

Apr 25

fAIrS Kilowax x Beat Bodega

Buy, sell or trade vinyls and music-related merchandise while sipping on craft beers, cocktails and light bites. There’s also an outdoor sound system playing vinyl-only music, but the best part is that it doubles up as a party, too. Apr 25, 4pm. Artistry, 17 Jalan pinang, 6298-2420. Free.

thu

Apr 30

Art Oddlings by Allison M. low

This local artist and illustrator has made a name for herself after exhibiting in Sydney. She debuts her solo exhibition featuring some 20 drawings. Her striking pieces revolve around themes of emotional trauma and loneliness, apparent in the disconcerted faces and bodies. Apr 30-May 10. The Substation, 45 Armenian St., 6337-7535, www.substation.org. Free.

StAGE Hawa

Written by Johnny Jon Jon and directed by Faizal Abdullah, this Malay language (with English surtites) production about a recent Islam convert follows Siti on her journey of self-discovery as she has to make funeral arrangements for a close friend. It stars Isabella Chiam, Saiful Amri and Al-Matin Yatim. Apr 24-25. The Substation Theatre, 45 Armenian St., 6337-7535, www.facebook.com/hatch.theatrics.info. $24.

SAt

frI

May 2

Apr 24

NIGhtlIfE Moonbeats Asia x loof present DJ RAC

portuguese DJ-songwriter RAC has an infectious sound that has seen his remixes for bands like Foster the people and U2 reach No. 1 on Hype Machine’s charts. Apr 24, 9pm. loof, #03-07 Odeon Towers Extension Rooftop, 331 North Bridge Rd., 97739304, www.loof.com.sg. $25-35.

MuSIc Backstreet Boys

put on your ironic and nostalgic hat to see the one of the world’s best-selling boy band in history. Their In A World like This Tour will have tons of hit classics like “I Want It That Way”, “larger Than life” and “Show Me the Meaning of Being lonely”. Oh, and did you know that it’s been 20 years since their first hit? May 2, 8pm. The Star performing Arts Centre, 1 Vista Exchange Green, 6636-0055, www.livenationlushington.net. $98-198 from Sistic.

frI

StYlE Samsung Fashion Steps Out @ Orchard

This six-week fashion exhibition showcases the latest collections from local designers like Depression, pleatation and max.tan. through May 24. paragon Atrium I, Orchard Rd., www.orchardroad. org/fso. Free.

SuN

May 1

May 3 Nghiem Minh Nguyen Vo

StAGE Shakespeare in the park: The Tempest

The Singapore Repertory Theatre’s annual outdoor play series is back with Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Starring the UK’s Simon Robson and Singapore’s very own Julie Wee, the production also features light and sound effects by awardwinning designers Simon Higlett and Mike Walker. Tickets are at $45 or $55 (on event day) from Sistic. May 1-24, 7:30pm. Fort Canning park, Cox Terrace, 6332-1200. $45-55. www.srt.com.sg.

MON

Apr 27

fIlM Southeast Asian Film Festival

Although it’s already in full swing, the fifth edition of Singapore Art Museum’s film festival has more rare documentaries and indie films from the region. There’s still time to catch films like Vietnamese dystopic tale 2030 and a few others. Book fast, though. through May 3. Singapore Art Museum at 8Q, 8 Queen St., 6332-3222, www.singaporeartmuseum.sg/SEAFF. $10 from Sistic.

FRIDAY, ApRIl 24, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

now SCENE & HEARd with letitia Tandean

MuSIc

StAGE

concerts

comedy

In Each hand A cutlass Album launch This instrumental progressive/post-rock quintet is back with new album, The Kraken. Accompanied by violinist Josh Wei and cellist Hsiao Shan loh. Apr 24, 9:30pm. Esplanade Recital Studio, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377, www.ineachhandacutlass.com. $25 from Sistic.

SG PIcK

Open call

full circle

Circular Road’s new tenants include the folks behind now-defunct The Vault, with a new venture, refuge (79A/B Circular Rd., www. refuge.sg) is a sleek lounge-bar playing

R&B and funk tunes. The three-story space takes cues from old-school American-esque soul bars. A few doors down, Gong (25 Circular Rd., 8393-2216, www.gong.sg) is an industrial and open-concept bar with kitschy musical decor (think cymbals and modish circular furniture) playing afro, reggae and jazz music.

hawking Art

Don’t be alarmed when you see paintings on hawker center walls: it’s all part of a joint project between three government bodies, including the National Arts Council. Our hawker centres—A heritage & Art Project (www.nea.gov.sg) will paint murals in 40 hawkers centers around the island. Check out completed works at Amoy Street Food Centre and Newton Food Centre.

food Where to eat during World Gourmet Summit The star-studded foodie festival is well underway. These are the essential dinners to attend, from sake and beer extravaganzas to Mexican street food.

Art Kirin J Callinan Known for his intense live sets, this Australian genre-bending musician’s concerts feature lots of snarling vocals and jagged guitar sounds in songs like “Way to War”. May 1, 8pm. Blu Jaz, 11 Bali lane, 6292-3800. $28-35 from Peatix

Sleepmakeswaves The Australian instrumental rock band performs their electronic-laced tunes from the ARIA Awardnominated new album, love of Cartography, supported by up-and-coming local punk-emo quintet False plaintiff. Apr 25, 6:30pm. TAB, #02-29, 442 Orchard Rd., 6493-6952. $50-60 from peatix. Singapore through the Glass Known for remixing classical music, local ensemble re:mix performs “Singapore Seasons” alongside four original art videos by local filmmakers. Apr 26, 7:30pm. Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377, www.singapore50.sg. $15-25 from Sistic.

Discovery Sake This five-course sake pairing dinner sees each course paired with sakes like junmai daiginjo and junmaishu. The menu comprises dishes like oysters in sea water jelly. $218 per person. Apr 27, 7pm. lewin Terrace, 21 lewin Terrace, Fort Canning park, 6333-9905, www.lewinterrace. com.sg.

take 6 With 10 Grammy Awards under their belt, this wildly popular a capella group celebrates its 25th anniversary with more amazing vocals and harmonies fusing gospel, jazz, R&B and pop. May 5, 7:30pm. Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377, www.esplanade.com. $58-148 from Sistic.

Shakers & Brews Ku De Ta teams up with Coedo Brewery for a beer pairing dinner with plates of beef cheeks with a Coedo lagerita, and grilled lamb rack with aged dark lager. $188 per person. Apr 27-28. 57/F Skypark, Marina Bay Sands, 1 Bayfront Ave., 6688-7688, www.kudeta.com. Mexican Dream This culinary and cocktail tour of Mexico includes dishes like scampi in aguachile with pink gin

and vermouth, and Angus short rib with mole poblano. $249 per person. Apr 28, 7pm. El Mero Mero, #01-20 Chijmes, 30 Victoria St., 6337-1377, www.elmeromero.sg. IDES x fordham & Grand The three-night, six-course dinner with Australia’s “spontaneous cuisine” restaurant, IDES involves dishes like monkfish with sancho, as well as a juicy wagyu short rib with roast celery vinaigrette. $98 per person. Apr 30-May 2. 43 Craig Road, 6221-3088, www.fng.com.sg. D’Bell At its affordable four-course set dinner, D’Bell serves up signature dishes including Hyderabadi masala lamb chop with cloves and tandoori bread. $65 per person. Apr 30. 43 North Canal Rd., 6536-4046, www.dbell.sg.

World Gourmet Summit runs until May 3. for the full line-up, head to www.worldgourmetsummit.com. lETITIA TANDEAN

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, ApRIl 24, 2015

Dead celebrities 20 artists hailing from philippines, France, Indonesia, the UK and Singapore create works based on iconic celebrities who are now dead. Expect familiar faces like Kurt Cobain and Basquiat in paintings and sculptures. through Apr 30. Kult pop-Up, 4A Haji ln., 9816-1006. Free. falling Off Plastic chairs local artist Ian Woo’s solo exhibition features some of his most recent abstract paintings full of large and expressive brush strokes. through May 17. Tomio Koyama Gallery, #01-26 Gillman Barracks, 47 Malan Rd., 6659-7068, www.tomiokoyamagallery. com. Free.

SG PIcK

Demi lovato The platinum-selling global artist is back with recent hits like “let It Go”, “Heart Attack”, and her newest single, “Nightingale”. Apr 28, 7:30pm. Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Raffles Blvd., 6337-2888. $68-228. www.ACMusicEntertainment.com. Sphaeras Album launch The four-man instrumental band melds the math rock genre with odd time signatures at this album launch concert, supported by sub:shaman and Silhouette. May 2, 7pm. The Substation, 45 Armenian St., 63377535. $20 from peatix.

World Gourmet Summit festial

theater Public Enemy This satirical production explores politics and freedom of expression. When the protagonist of the play finds out that this town’s water supply is contaminated with bacteria, his decision to report it turns the public against him. through Apr 25, 8pm. Victoria Theatre, 11 Empress place, www.wildrice.com.sg. $45-80 from Sistic.

The o.P.E.N.

Singapore International Festival of Arts’ (SIFA) pre-festival event, the O.P.E.N. (Jun 17-Jul 4, www.sifa.sg), brings international film screenings, world-class performances and exhibitions to Singapore. The focus is on younger artists with highlights like Indian photographer pushpamala N’s exhibition “The Arrival of Vasco de Gama” and Chilean director pablo larrain’s trilogy: Tony Manero, post-Mortem and No. Festival passes start at $45 from Sistic.

Kumar Stands up for Singapore Directed by one part of the Dim Sum Dollies, Selena Tan, one of our favorite stand-up comedians takes the stage with more jokes based on SIngapore’s journey from a swampy island to the present-day bustling city. through Apr 26. Esplanade Theatre, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377, www.dreamacademy. com.sg. $46-116 from Sistic.

music festivals Motherlanz Music festival Commemorating all things Australia and New Zealand, this day-long party has comedy, food stalls, games and live coverage of Anzac Day Rugby and AFl. Music acts like Ian Moss, The Jordan luck Band, Tiki Taane and Ash Grunwald take the stage. Apr 25, 12pm. Wave House Sentosa, 36 Siloso Beach Walk, 6377-3113, www.motherlanz.com. $115. Pleasantry and Dunce presents channels & terminals part fundraiser, part concert, the spotlight is on local bands Monster Cat, plainsunset, Cashew Chemists and Anechois, who are gearing up for their first American tour. plus, you can buy band merchandise. May 3, 5:30pm. The projector, 5/F Golden Mile Tower, 6001 Beach Rd. $27-30 from peatix.

musical Showstopper! the Improvised Musical Each night features impromptu audience suggestions that turn into a spontaneous singing and dancing production. It’s no wonder they have sell-out West End seasons and a BBC Radio series under their belt. Apr 28-May 3. SOTA Drama Theatre, School of the Arts Singapore, 1 Zubir Said Dr., 6594-8411. $58-98 from Sistic.

The Leftover Banquet Known for his signature works of bald Asian children in surreal settings, chinese contemporary artist Zhang linhai shows 15 of his best works at this solo exhibition. through May 31. Museum of contemporary Arts, 27A loewen rd., 6479-6622, www.mocaloewen. sg. free.

the Sew-Out Show photographer Kevin Ou collaborated with local design firm The General Company for 14 photographs of colored lights printed on fabric. The General Company’s craftsmen will convert your favorite pieces into accessories like tote bags and bowties. through Jun 8. TCC The Connoisseur Concerto, 51 Circular Rd., 6533-9033, www.artmanagement.com. Free. After utopia Featuring iconic works from Singapore Art Museum’s collection, this four-part exhibition examines utopian and idealistic desires in society. Apr 30-Oct 18. Singapore Art Museum, 71 Bras Basah Rd., 63323222, www.singaporeartmuseum.sg. Free.

hAPPENINGS

literary friday Evening lecture: from Syonan to fuji-Go Fiona Hodgkins’s most recent book From Syonan to Fuji-Go: The Story of the Catholic Settlement of Bahau in WWII Malaya has an accompanying lecture where she’ll discuss the research, difficulties and why she believes the story has to be shared. Apr 24, 7pm. Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress place, 6332-7798, www.acm.org.sg. Free.

now fIlM rEVIEW rubbers HHHHH rubbers opens in cinemas on Apr 30 and stars Yeo Yann Yann, Julian hee, Alaric tay, catherine Sng, Martin chin and Ooh Shu An.

Speakeasy #19: featuring Deborah Emmanuel local actress, writer and musician Deborah Emmanuel, who has been featured in TEDx Singapore and The Singapore Writers Festival, hosts a night of poetry. Apr 29, 8pm. Artistry, 17 Jalan pinang, 6298-2420. Free.

conferences Startup Asia Singapore More than 200 startups share tips on investments, media and corporates. Conference and exhibition aside, there’s a new Night Crawl where you get to meet new people over drinks. May 6-7. Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Raffles Blvd., 6337-2888, www.startupasia.techinasia.com. $80-650.

sales & fairs

A collection of three stories happening on Valentine’s Day, this local sex comedy stars some hotshot actors. Household names Marcus Chin (The Wedding Diary) and Catherine Sng (Growing Up) play an old married couple struggling to rekindle the spark. Golden Horse Award-winning actress Yeo Yann Yann (Ilo Ilo) plays a lonely thirty-something condom critic trying to seduce hot, young plumber Julian Hee (Heartlanders 3). Finally, there’s funnyman Alaric Tay (The Noose) who plays a playboy who wakes up one day to find a condom stuck to his penis. The film could have easily veered into slapstick territory, and though it does flirt with that, it stays firmly in the realm of good comedy, made funnier by its unrestrained language and relatable mix of Mandarin, English and Singlish. The natural acting and great chemistry between the actors go a long way, too. While there are no NSFW body parts on show, Rubbers still manages to make us squirm with only clever camera angles protecting the actors’ modesty. And what comedy is complete without a few unexpectedly touching moments? In Rubbers, this happens when Chin’s character flashbacks to meeting his wife in their early teens, and when Yeo’s adorably OTT seduction attempt turns into a heart-to-heart with the sexy plumber about the pains of involuntary celibacy. All in all, it is an honest, if heightened, depiction of love and sex in Singapore. Kudos to director Han Yew Kwang (18 Grams of love) for taking on sex head-on and with refreshing candor. Joyce See

ART Juria toramae

Boutiques at the Pit Building: the Week-End Edition Over 120 independent local labels, jewelry brands, lifestyle products and home decor collections from brands like Kala pata, Elverd Designs jewelry and Indi Nyah scented candles are on sale. There’s also a chillout lounge by Violet Oon’s Kitchen. Apr 25-26, 10am. F1 pit Building, 1 Republic Blvd., 6884-6940, www. facebook.com/BoutiquesSingapore. Free.

Parallel presents Alex Niggemann with Zushan The German DJ takes over the decks for a nhight of prolific house and techno beats with songs like “Don’t Wait” and “I Don’t Care”. Apr 25. Velvet Underground, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988, www.zoukclub.com.sg. $28-33. Kilo After Dawn Kilo lounge gets behind this day-to-night outdoor party held in their lawn with more cool and alternative house beats, a whole roasted hog, carnival games and an art market. Apr 25. #02-01 Kampong Bugis, 6467-3987, www.kilokitchen.com. Free. Alex M.O.r.P.h. This trance heavyweight has always been on the forefront of the dance music scene with hits like “An Angel’s love”, “Sunset Boulevard” and “The Reason”. Apr 25, 10pm. Canvas, #B1-01/06 The Riverwalk, 20 Upper Circular Rd., 6538-2928, www.canvasvenue.sg. $18-25.

fIlM

indie screenings SG PIcK

Singapore Yacht Show If you’re into the high life, this luxurious boating event has a showcase of the world’s finest super yachts, supercars, jewelry and watches. plus, there’s Champagne. through Apr 26. ONE°15 Marina Club, #01-01 Sentosa Cove, 11 Cove Dr., 6305-6988, www. singaporeyachtshow.com. $48-148.

sports Games of Yesterday: A historical Workout A 75-minute nostalgic workout session, it’s all about kampong spirit with games like hopscotch, skipping, tag, scissors-paper-stone and chaptek instead of the usual circuit training exercises. Apr 25, 10am. www. aileron.com.sg. $45. Energizer Singapore Night trail Run using head lamps to guide you through the dark trails at this three to 18km night race. There are also carnival activities with games stations and photo booths. May 2, 3pm. Mandai, Mandai lake Rd., www. singaporenighttrail.com.sg. $37-65

NIGhtlIfE Defected in the house with franky rizardo and Sam Divine Defected Records DJs Franky Rizardo and Sam Divine, collaborate to spin their signature modern deep house beats. Apr 24. Kyo, #B1-02 Keck Seng Tower, 133 Cecil St., 6225-6001, www.clubkyo.com. $20-25.

SG PIcK

Singapore Chinese Film Festival It’s not too late to catch the end of this chinese language film fest with screenings of new and classic films, documentaries and shorts like Wan Jen’s It takes two to tango and a lee hsing classic, he Never Gives up. through Apr 30. Esplanade theatre, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377, www.ntlive.com. $22-27.

National theatre live pre-recorded screenings of the london Royal National Theatre’s best stage productions include Shakespeare’s King lear, international hit War Horse and heartwrenching A Streetcar Named Desire, all in the comfort of cinema seats. Apr 30-May 2. Esplanade Theatre, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377, www.ntlive.com. $22-27. first take at the Substation The Substation Moving Images showcases the newest and most promising short films by up-and-coming local directors. On the roster this month are shorts like Vengeance and Checkmate. Apr 30-May 2. Esplanade Theatre, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377, www.ntlive.com. $22-27.

cinema highlights Our cover this issue features three stunning panoramas by Moroccan-born Singapore-based visual artist Juria Toramae. Her new collection explores themes of identity, memory and place through a series of visual narratives where old photographs create surreal memories of Singapore’s landscape. What were the methods you used to create these images? The images were made through compositing— archival components were hand-colored and merged with my own photographs. Every component is deliberate: reflecting flaws, imperfection of memories gathered from interviews, local literature and past news articles. tell us a bit about the idea behind these images. The idea for the images was born out of my interest in restoring displaced memories,

especially those in the form of photographic artifacts. I realized that the more we look into these artifacts, the more displaced we became. To make sense of this, I felt compelled to weave individual memories according to their respective place of creation as if time in that particular place has collapsed. In some way, it’s an attempt to make the past less foreign. What drew you to these images of the sea? The sense of perpetuity. The sea has been the only constant in our ever-changing landscape.

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, ApRIl 24, 2015

I Am Hardwell: United We Are currently DJ Mag’s no. 1 DJ in the world, this Dutch electro-house DJ-producer brings his tour with hits “Spaceman” and “Never Say Goodbye”. May 9, 6pm. Gardens By the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Dr., 6420-6841, www.zoukclub.com. $98

What are you working on next? This series is a work-in-progress. I’m hoping to cover the entire coastline as well as other inaccessible islands.

the Age of Adaline A young woman (Blake lively), born at the turn of the 20th century is rendered ageless after a fatal accident. She questions her immortality and independence when she thinks she may have met her match in Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman). Also stars Harrison Ford. Opens Apr 30. cymbeline This blockbuster cast, including Ethan Hawke, Ed Harris and Dakota Johnson, portrays a take-no-prisoners faction war between dirty cops, an outlaw biker gang and a drug kingpin. Opens Apr 30.

What are your thoughts on Singapore’s relationship with nostalgia? It is normal. We just need to be mindful of the present, too, as Singapore continues to change.

Juria toramae’s exhibition, Points of Departure, is at the Promenade (10/f National library Building, 100 Victoria St., 6332-3255, www.toramae.com) through Apr 28. free. MRIGAA SETHI

Danny collins Starring Al pacino, Jennifer Garner, Annette Bening and Christopher plummer, this film is about singer Danny Collins who is still riding high on hits from his heyday when things come to a halt. He seeks inspiration in a letter written to him by John lennon. Opens Apr 23.

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NEigHBoRHood gUidE 4 reasons to go to Upper Bukit Timah

Necessary Provisions

Cover Up SG Magazine covers celebrate local artists, photographers and illustrators and their remarkable depictions of Singapore.

Roti Prata

They look so good, we’ve even started hanging them on our walls. To suggest someone we should feature or to partner with us on this initiative, email editor@asia-city.com.sg

Bukit Batok Nature Reserve

Carpenter and Cook

Upper Bukit Timah is a stretch known mostly for nature reserves and roadworks (thanks to an upcoming MRT line). The area will probably blow up, Holland Village-style, once the MRT stations are up and running. But in the meantime, there’s plenty in store now. Nature calls Even though Bukit timah Nature reserve is partially closed for the next year or so, there’s still Bukit Batok Nature Park (Bukit Batok East Ave. 2, 6471-7300, www.nparks.gov.sg) and the picturesque little Guilin. The latter looks like a scene straight out of China, with towering granite and tranquil lakes. legendary suppers Now that the hoarding has been lifted from the Cheong Chin Nam stretch, we remember why this strip is still a popular supper spot. long-time favorites Al Ameen (2-4 Cheong Chin Nam Rd., 64648052) and Al-Azhar (11 Cheong Chin Nam Rd., 6466-5052) pander to our late night prata and Milo dinosaur cravings, while in Beauty World Center and along lorong Kilat, there is a cluster of Korean eateries that serve up authentic dishes.

THIS WEEK, WIN A NIGHT OF PARTYING IN STYLE AT ZOUK WORTH $1,500

cute cafes Of course, no up-and-coming hood is complete without its Instagram-worthy cafes. There’s the quaint carpenter and cook (19 lorong Kilat, 6463-3648, www.carpernterandcook.com) that’s decked out in vintage furnishings, while deeper into the residential estate you’ll find Necessary Provisions (21 Eng Kong Terrace, 9231-7920, www.necessaryprovisions.com) which checks all the hipster boxes: industrial-chic decor, indie magazines on display and craft beer on the menu.

It’s our 20th anniversary, but we’re giving you the presents! Follow us on Facebook (our calendar is packed full of awesome giveaways!) and expect loads of amazing treats including a grand suite hotel stay in Hong Kong coming your way.

A brand new mall Regular heartland malls can be pretty yawn-inducing, but not the airy new hillV2 (4 Hillview Rise, www.hillv2.com.sg), which boasts some serious contenders on the food front, like Dean & Deluca’s third outlet and Joyden Canton Kitchen for seriously good Cantonese food. On the drinking front, there’s the much-loved Wine Connection and German bier bar Starker. Joyce See

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hipsters and heartlanders live in happy harmony. Where

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FRIDAY, ApRIl 24, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

city scape ENVIRONMENT

Eco-Warrior Cheat Sheet 7 ways to live more sustainably—and support local businesses— in Singapore. By SG Editorial

Or try growing your own

Recycle and upcycle everything

Nong by Edible Gardens is a pioneer of urban farming in Singapore and their online store has everything from self-watering pots (from $36) and chicken manure ($2.90) to gardening tool sets ($5.60) and planting mixes ($4.90). Super Farmers (www.super-farmers.com) is another local online retailer of urban farming supplies like compost mix ($3.50 per pot), non-GMO seeds ($2) and starter kits ($12), all geared towards growing food in small spaces.

And we’re not just talking paper and plastics. Repurpose your clothes, or at least repair them instead of throwing them away. Get some ideas with upcycler and blogger Agatha Lee of Green Issues by Agy (www.greenissuessingapore. blogspot.sg) who does regular workshops. The next ones are on May 16 and 29 at National Design Centre. Can’t be bothered? Then there’s homegrown mobile app Carousell (www.carousell.co), which got a huge injection of funds late last year to expand throughout Asia. The easy-to-use app lets you sell the stuff you don’t have the heart to send to a landfill.

Buying from eco-friendly labels doesn’t mean adopting an Earth Mother look. There are plenty of super chic ethical designers in Singapore. Saught (www.saught.com.sg) does minimalist, striking rings, earrings and necklaces made using scrap metal and unexploded ordnance salvaged from Cambodian landmines. For clothes, there’s local eco-friendly line Zhai (www. zhai.com.sg), which does garments and accessories made from bamboo fibers for both men and women.

Bamboobee

6 Kranji Countryside Farmers’ Market

arth Day may be over, but thanks to a growing number of eco-conscious local businesses, there’s always a good reason to try and live a more sustainable lifestyle. Here are (at least) seven ways to start.

Reduce your energy consumption

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, ApRIl 24, 2015

Ok, it might take you some courage to turn off the air-con. But in the meantime, how about dabbling in solar energy? Online retailer Greenpal Store (www.greenpalstore.com) sells water filter pitchers (from $45.50) and reusable plastic bottles ($8.60), but their star product is the Changers Solar Starter Kit ($250) that charges mobile phones and tablets using solar energy.

Skip fast fashion

Eat more local veggies

Singapore is far from growing all the food it needs, but making a conscious effort to buy locally grown produce at least some of the time will go a long way. The Kranji Countryside Farmers’ Market (www.facebook.com/farmersmarketsg) happens every quarter and brings together shoppers and Kranji’s farmers. Pick up fruits, veggies, goat’s milk and other food grown and raised on the island. The next one is on the weekend of May 30-31. Outside that, there are tons of organic farmers in Singapore, including Quan Fa Organic Farm (35 Murai Farmway, www. quanfaorganic.com.sg), which does free delivery for orders over $50, and Fireflies Health Farm (Lot 75 Lim Chu Kang Lane 2, www.firefliesweb.wix.com), which has a retail area on-site.

Travel green

Using Airbnb as a general model, new local startup Ryde (www. rydesharing.sg) puts you in touch with people who are going the same way so you can catch a ride. For more on this cool new venture, turn to Upfront (page 6). Or use this excuse to finally get a bike: local store Bamboobee (www. bamboobee.com.sg) stocks eco-friendly bamboo bicycles. What’s more, they come in a Build-It-Yourself (BIY) starter kit that consists of seven bamboos, making it easy to put this bicycle together from scratch.

Learn about local green businesses

In writing this story, we stumbled upon all sorts of local enterprises with ethical, environmentally friendly missions. There are tons more out there. For a start, mark EarthFest (Sep 26, www.earthfestsingapore.com) on your calendars. Held at the Marina Barrage, it will gather some 50 eco-friendly local businesses like Popaganda, VeganBurg and the Dorsal Effect for a mega sustainability festival, with live music, interactive kiosks and of course, no plastic bags or disposable plates.

Edible Gardens

Zhai

Q&A How can Singapore get more sustainable? “A recent public perception survey showed that 7 in 10 are concerned about climate change but less than half feel that they can do something about it. Our individual actions may seem insignificant but the cumulative effect is not.”—Yuen Sai Kuan, Director, Corporate Affairs Division, National Climate Change Secretariat “Currently, the environmental message is not strong or concerted enough to counter emotionally-driven advertisements to buy the latest, trendiest bag, clothing, shoes or watch. In countries like the US, NGOs get together to talk about their strategies. I think it would be a good idea for an international NGO staff member to train Singapore-based NGOs on campaigning.” —Olivia Choong, Green Drinks Singapore “Conservation and heritage can provide clues to our future green environments, and we as a studio are naturally part of this process. We are currently working on a 247-acre master plan in a 100-year old former colonial town in Johor—embracing the past as well as balancing new technologies is the future of hybrid green urban planning.”—Jason Pomeroy, eco-architect, Pomeroy Studio “Singaporeans can ask their government representatives to revamp the waste management system so that the recycling rate goes up and organic waste is not incinerated or ending up in landfills. Secondly, Singaporeans can ask for a faster transition to carbon neutral energy sources. Right now over 95% of our energy is from fossil fuels, which is obviously unsustainable.”—Michael Broadhead, Director, EarthFest

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FRIDAY, ApRIl 24, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

island

The latest openings and hottest trends in Singapore

TECH Don’t H8 The wireless headphone game is heating up and this sexy pair from Bang & Olufsen takes it to new heights. Made from anodized aluminum and leather, the BeoPlay H8 comes in two colors, a gray-hazel version and the sweet gold-beige Agrilla Bright, and are clearly built to last. It’s not short on tech, either—it comes with active noise cancellation, high-quality Bluetooth streaming and gesture controls—though we wish the touch pad worked a little bit better so we wouldn’t end up calling our friends by accident. $698 at Bang & Olufsen, #01-05 Grand Hyatt, 10-12 Scotts Rd., 6737-7500, www.beoplay.com.

FITNESS Because I’m Happy

If you need to keep your funky sock game up while you’re working out, Happy Socks has you (literally) covered. The new Athletic line is part of the Spring/ Summer 2015 collection and, being their first sportspecific socks, fittingly focuses on fitness-related features like increased arch support and sole cushioning. You’ll still be the dapper dandy as you sweat it out in 12 different patterns like stripes and polka dots. $24/pair at Hvper Sports, #03-303 Marina Square, 6 Raffles Blvd., 6337-2028, www.happysocks.com.

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, ApRIl 24, 2015

HOME Brakig Out

Ikea has finally brought in the limited edition Brakig collection, which is the result of a collaboration between the Swedish home furnishing giant and Danish design agency ArtRebels. Think mid-century-inspired color palettes and harlequin patterns, with some geometric shapes thrown in for good measure. Prices are affordable: $12.90 for lampshades and $19.90 for a set of two coffee cups with saucers; $59 for a quilt cover set and $129 for a clothes rack. $6.90-699 at Ikea, 317 Alexandra Rd., 6786-6868, www.ikea.com.

STyLE Tokyo Drift

Cycling meets street style with this New Balance and Tokyobike collaboration. The C-series “urban cycling shoes” feature understated monochromatic matte colors and bike-friendly features like reflective safety strips, neoprene tongues and ankles for a secure fit and a hidden pocket in the tongue to keep laces away from bike chains. There are even matching bikes at Tokyobike’s Haji Lane store. $149-169 at Leftfoot Entrepot, #01-19/20 The Cathay, 2 Handy Rd., 6734-3227 www.leftfoot.com.sg.

island

NEIGHBORHOOD

Everton For Ever This hot little estate is rife with great food. But there’s a lot more going on here, too. By Aaron Khoo Jotter Book

A Few Good Men

The noveau-quaint neighborhood is famous for its lunchtime food options, including The Provision Store. But there is plenty else too. Here are four other things to do (other than eat).

Get pretty Old-school barbershop A Few Good Men (#01-20A 5 Everton Park, 9085-8920, www.facebook.com/ afewgoodmen) was opened in January by the folks behind The Redundant Shop. It’s a mix between newand old-school barbershops and nicely replicates the atmosphere of them. Prices start at $15-20 for a shave and $25-35 for a haircut. Beauty by Kew (#01-47 2 Everton Park, 6534-8255, www.beautebykew.com) is a ladies-only “beauty bar” focusing on organic treatments and products. They’re the local stockist for cult brands like Black Chicken Remedies from Australia and Canada’s Yum Gourmet Skincare. Facials start at $90 for a 60-minute Organic Deep Pore Cleansing Facial, $260 for an anti-wrinkle Cucumber Apple Mint Engergizing RF Facial and go up to$650 for the topend Factional Skin Resurfacing Treatment Facial.

Pick up some leatherworking skills Cool Everton wouldn’t be complete without a bike shop and this nondescript place fits the bill. You’ll see their Papillionaire bikes parked in the area, but that’s not what Jotter Book (#01-22 5 Everton Park, 9634-7742, fb.com/mygemstudio) is primarily about. Instead, twin brothers Joe and Clive Chow run a leatherworking studio called Second Kings out of the space, where you’ll find a selection of their handcrafted small leather goods (from $80) and tote bags ($89-120). They also make a range of aprons that are popular with Malaysian cafes

and even hold leather craft workshops ($89-$99 per person, Fri-Sat) there.

Pimp your kitchen Nylon Coffee Roasters (#01-40 4 Everton Park, 62202330, www.nyloncoffee.sg) has been in Everton long enough to be considered a pioneer. The coffee is excellent, but they also stock a range of coffee brewing accessories. From bean grinders ($75) and pocket weighing scales ($26.50-50) to filters, scoops and coffee drinkware ($7-$32), you’ll find everything you need to make a similarly-serious cuppa at home.

Nylon Coffee Roasters

Health food shop Eden’s Kitchen (#01-34 5 Everton Park, 6100-9507, www.edenskitchen.sg) is a huge proponent of superfoods that are easily included in your diet. They’ve got a range of premium, locally-processed coconut oils ($9-75) and organic green teas from Japan ($18-$96), as well as snacks like cocoa nibs and nut butters.

Get utilitarian chic Multi-label store The Redundant Shop (#01-22 5 Everton Park, 6707-2005, www.redundant-shop.com) has also been in the area for a while. Imagine a Monocle-esque store without the borderline-absurd price points. You’ll find a whole range of personal accessories here: Protesta jewelry ($79-88), Cote & Ciel bags ($239-399) and even Vanmoof bicycles ($1,188-3,888) with matching helmets that look like slightly-oversized hats. Oh, and magazines like Apartmento ($33.90) and of course, Monocle. The Redundant Shop

NEW SHOP Naiise The buzz: Known for statement tees and locally-designed products, online design retailer Naiise has opened a brick-and-mortar store in the space formerly occupied by accessories retailer Aurora Wild. The store is slated to remain open until Mar 2016—so we’re not too sure about calling it a pop-up—making it a bit more permanent than their previous outings. The vibe: Though they hardly touched the fittings of the previous tenant, Naiise has managed to transform the space with its product selection and decor. The store has a cool, futuristic vibe with polished tile floors, gray cubbyholes and mirrored surfaces. You almost can’t tell that it used to be a shoe store.

The goods: There’s a range of products here: from homeware to apparel and fashion accessories to stationery and even food. Local designers are more than well-represented with an ample selection of men’s and women’s accessories. You’ll find stuff like Propaganda mugs ($15.90), Coat nail lacquers ($25), HappySocks gift boxes ($50), Status Anxiety Ivy wallets ($89), Tokyobay Obi watches ($120) and the creepycute Sleeping Grizzly Bear bean bag ($329). Why you’ll come back: Because the brand is known for carrying quirky products, it’s always nice to be able to see and touch the items before buying them. With all the fun stuff they have in store, it’d be hard not to drop by after browsing through the racks at COS, which is just opposite.

Open daily 10am-10pm. #01-03 Westgate, 3 Gateway Dr., 6702-3248, naiise.com. AARON KHOO

FRIDAY, ApRIl 24, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

eats

The inside scoop on Singapore’s drink and dining scene

NEw RESTAURANT All of the Lights The much-awaited modern Japanese izakaya Neon Pigeon (1A Keong Saik Rd., 6222-3623, www. neonpigeonsg.com) has finally opened its doors as a part of co-working space The Working Capitol. The hip and raucous restaurant has a menu full of small plates like chilled cucumber with goma and chili peanuts ($8), a toothsome bone marrow dish with crispy garlic ($18) and sweet-smoked baby back ribs ($18). Drinks-wise, there’s a small list of Japanese-inspired cocktails like The Green Hornet ($18) made with tequila and wasabiinfused honey, as well as a special in-house Neon Pigeon junmai daiginjo sake ($28).

EVENT It’s a Wrap

American chain Baja Fresh Express (#01-13A The Sail, 4 Marina Blvd., www.bajafresh.com/singapore), known for its fresh take on hearty Mexican food, opens a new outlet in the CBD. On the menu are classics like the Baja burrito (from $12.95) with your choice of chicken, pork carnitas, steak, shrimp or fish, as well as soft steak and carnitas tacos (from $5.95). Plus, there’s an alfresco area that’s great for beers (from $10.95) and margaritas (from $10.95). Their grand opening is on Apr 27, with free burritos between 11:30am and 3pm.

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, ApRIl 24, 2015

dRINK Cordially Yours

Here’s how to spruce up a basic gin and tonic: Hendrick’s gin has launched a new cordial to complement its cocktail recipes. Made by Master Distiller Lesley Gracie, Quinetum is based on the quinine plant (a key ingredient in tonic water) and comes with hints of lavender, orange blossom and rose petal. While you can’t buy it yet, bartenders at cocktail bars like Tess Bar, Jekyll & Hyde, Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall and Jigger & Pony are already experimenting with the concoction.

NEw MENU On the Table

Rang Mahal’s casual dining offshoot Table by Rang Mahal debuts a refreshed a la carte menu of Indian street food from its former sister restaurant Vansh. Dishes include lamb biryani ($24), Mumbai Frankie ($15), a spicy roll stuffed with potatoes and onions with chaat masala, as well as sampler platters of kebabs ($24) where you get a combo of murgh angar, chicken cubes in a yoghurt-chili marinade; malmali seekh kebab, minced lamb with bell peppers; and basil fish, a tandoor fish cooked with basil and chili.

eats dRINKS

Asian Flush

Skip the Scottish whiskeys and head straight for the Japanese and Taiwanese stuff. By Letitia Tandean Q&A Khoon Hui of Quaich Bar

Bincho

what are the major differences between Asian whiskeys and Scottish whiskies? Japanese whiskeys are very trendy, approachable, easydrinking and good as a starting point. It’s something everyone can enjoy as it has more rounded and softer flavors that are great for beginners. However, Scottish whiskies have a wider variety of taste and generally more complex in terms of flavor profiles.

The Auld Alliance

A Taiwanese whiskey was recently crowned the world’s best single malt whiskey by the World Whiskies Awards. Made by Kavalan distillery, King Car Solist Vinho Barrique snagged top spot for its creamy, hot brown sugar-like taste. Here’s where you can find it and other Asian whiskeys in Singapore.

The Auld Alliance The whiskey specialist has one of the largest and most comprehensive collections in Singapore. Aside from the usual Scottish and Irish varieties, the bar has a sizeable collection of Japanese whiskeys, too. Bottles include rare 90s Karuizawa and Hanyu Ichiro’s Joker Card series and can cost as low as $16 per glass. #02-02A Rendezvous Hotel, 9 Bras Basah Rd., 6337-2201, www.theauldalliance.sg.

Bincho

Saha

This Japanese restaurant and bar isn’t just good for grilled chicken. And while they’ve covered the classics like Suntory and Hibiki, the are rare bottlings like Ichiro’s Malt Card series and a 1982 Kawasaki in the cabinets, too. While the 17-year old Taketsuru is $17 a pop, most glasses are upwards of $20. #01-19, 78 Moh Guan Terrace, 6438-4567, www.bincho.com.sg.

On top of making wines and rums, India also distills its own whiskeys. The gastronomic Indian restaurant carries three different bottlings of Amrut whiskeys: cask strength, fusion and sherry matured that are priced from $16-22 per glass. 9A duxton Rd., 6223-7321, www.saha.sg.

La Maison Du Whisky

Known as that whiskey bar near Zouk, this place carries a small selection of Japanese whiskies like Hibiki, Yamazaki and Taketsuru that all hover in the $20 region. The forte here is that you can ask for whiskey flights so you can taste all sorts of blends in small portions. #01-09/10 waterfront Plaza, 390A Havelock Rd., 6732-3452, www. whiskystore.com.sg.

This Robertson Quay bar and retail shop has bottles from all over the world, but it’s the only place you’ll be able to find bottles from the award-winning Taiwanese distillery. The classic wooden bar stocks Kavalan King Car, Vinho Barrique and even the Peaty Single Cask. Bottles start at $120. #01-10 The Pier at Robertson Quay, 80 Mohamed Sultan Rd., 6733-0059, www.whisky.sg.

Quaich Bar

what should you look for in a whisky? Look for complexity, layered flavors and character like smokiness, tropical fruits, nuttiness, oiliness and more. A good whisky has lingering flavors and aromas. Japanese whiskeys tend to have a better balance without any defining characteristics that make it so popular among the younger crowd these days—unlike Scottish whiskies, which tend to be very strong in qualities like peatiness or smokiness. what’s the biggest differences between Japanese and Taiwanese whiskeys? To make a comparison to wine, French wines are traditional and have a pedigree, much like a Scotch whisky. New world wines and whiskeys became popular because they are easier to drink, but the biggest difference would be that Taiwanese whiskeys are trendier in terms of tastes. They experiment with fruitier aromas. Steps to tasting a whisky? Drink it the way you like it but always swirl, look and nose through all of them before you taste anything. Take it neat first and then add water to taste again. Letitia Tandean

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NEw RESTAURANT Adrift The buzz: You might have had a sneak peek of his food at the Epicurean Market but Californian chef David Myers’ East-meetsWest small plates restaurant has finally opened in the hotel lobby of Marina Bay Sands. The vibe: It’s much cozier than photos will have you think. The bar area is more enclosed and dim, but the main dining room is airy and spacious. While there are normal dining tables, the suspended sofa-like seats near the windows are comfier. Plus, the music is a playlist full of indie rock, funk and downtempo electronic tunes, adding to the casual and laidback vibe. The food: The menu can be tricky to navigate but is divided into categories like bar snacks, bread-centric dishes, protein-forward options and the “Nomadic” experimental options. While the spicy caramel popcorn ($9) debuted at the Epicurean Market last year, the version on the menu is slightly sweeter. What’s also great is the buckwheat-fried chicken with honey mustard ($18), fried three times for maximum crunch. Mains include the iberico

pork with salted plum with sweet potato ($36), which is tasty and tender, though the Asian salted plum touch doesn’t intrigue enough. The same can be said for the beef tartare on baguette ($26) that’s super fresh but needs a healthy dose of seasoning to offset the egginess. The drinks: The cocktail menu steals the show for its finesse and balance. Choose from drinks like the Mexican-inspired Torchlight ($23) made with tequila, lime, honey, cholula and cayenne; and their take on a Singapore Sling ($23) with homemade liqueurs, gin, pineapple and lemon. A standout is the Penicillin ($23) with Scotch, lemon, ginger, honey and an Islay float that is tart but full-bodied at the same time. Wines by the glass start at $18. why you’ll be back: It’s a great place to park yourself for afterwork snacks and drinks, more so than dinner. But if you are so inclined, be sure to take friends in order to sample more plates as portions aren’t huge.

L/F Marina Bay Sands Hotel Tower 2, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-5657, www.marinabaysands.com. Open daily noon-2am. LETITIA TANDEAN FRIDAY, ApRIl 24, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

eats Send your food news to food@asia-city.com.sg

NEW AND NOTED with Letitia Tandean

The Naked Finn

Jamie’s Italian

Orchard Invasion

Jamie’s Italian gets an Orchard outpost: Jamie’s Italian Forum (#01-01/04 Forum the Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Rd.). In addition to classic items like pastas and grilled meats, it’ll serve thin-crust pizzas like the Italian Hot, topped with salami, spicy meatballs and jalapeno chilies.

Raising the Bar

The short-lived replacement of Boat Quay’s Spiffy Dapper, Saint Monica’s gives way to Kacang Putih (61 Boat Quay, 8233-9810, www.kacangputih. sg). Retaining the same dive-y vibe, this bar shakes up craft cocktails in a dim environment with mismatched decor. And yes, you’ll get to snack on kacang putih. Refined cocktail bar Maison Ikkoku plans to open a new restaurant and bar, Fort by Maison Ikkoku, come May. Housed in Fort Canning’s The Legends, the 30-seater will push out Western plates with a cocktail pairing menu.

Spiffy Dapper

Arty Party

Gillman Barracks isn’t only for worldclass galleries. Recently, there’s been some exciting movement happening in the area. Seafood restaurant, The Naked Finn (Gillman Barracks, 39 Malan Rd., 6694-0807, www.nakedfinn. com) moved into a bigger space over at Block 39, complete with a tank for 140kg of lobsters and a herb wall. Their old space has been transformed into neighborhood watering hole Nekkid (Gillman Barracks, 41 Malan Rd., www. nakedfinn.com). The bar expands on the restaurant’s popular sorbet-based cocktails and comes with a choice list of small bar bites. Not too far away is Artistry’s new offshoot, Red Baron (Blk 45 Malan Rd., 9637-9201). The cafe and bar is decked out in cuboid light wooden furniture with lots of red touches and offers a menu of craft beer, sodas, cakes and savory snacks.

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LUNcH dEAL Ginzawa The deal: Formerly occupied by Sushi Kuu, it’s now a semi-fine dining Japanese restaurant that has a little bit of everything. Lunch is all about don sets that include choices like sanshoku takara don ($65) with sea urchin salmon roe and chopped fatty tuna and kuro buta zaku don ($35) with braised black pork belly. The most appetizing of the lot is the tokusen tokkai chirashi don ($50), overflowing with 11 types of sashimi including kinmedai, fatty tuna belly, sweet shrimp and uni. Each set comes with miso soup, chawanmushi and dessert. why it’s worth it: It may seem steep for a rice bowl, but you’re paying for the ample portions. Sashimi isn’t leftover scraps but properly sliced pieces of premium fish, while the Palais Renaissance setting is chi chi, complete with slate walls and attentive service. #01-07 Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Rd., 6736-0100, www.ginzawa.com. Lunch available daily from noon-3pm. LETITIA TANDEAN

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, ApRIl 24, 2015

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FRIDAY, ApRIl 24, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

escapes

Holidays, hotels and insider travel news

Tallow Beach

DESTINATIoN GUIDE

By Bay Love 4 ways to get the most out of Northern New South Wales. By Ric Stockfis

Bangalow

The Roadhouse

owntown Byron Bay may no longer be quite the laidback, hippy-dippy enclave it once was, but all the backpackers in the world can’t spoil the natural beauty of this part of the coast and its hinterland. Unlike the neighboring Gold Coast, you’re never far from stunning ocean views, rolling countryside, sleepy townships and some ridiculously good meals. Here are the best ways to soak it all in.

com.au). Mullimbimby, with a counterculture reputation to rival Byron, is even more sedate. Milk and Honey (59a Station St., +61 2 6684 1422, http:// milkandhoneymullumbimby.com.au) serves some of the country’s best pizzas.

Freakishly good food

Byron is the epitome of the healthconscious, outdoors Aussie lifestyle, with even the gnarliest old surfers knocking back gluten-free pancakes and kombucha tea after their pre-dawn patrol. But the sheer enthusiasm for living well means that what could come off as preachy is in fact all rather fun. Case in point: The Roadhouse (6/142 Bangalow Rd., +61 4 0335-5498, www. facebook.com/TheRoadhouseByronBay), whose hipster crew of fermenters and foragers “dedicate their lives to sourcing the highest grade, naturally grown local produce” but also stock the largest whisky collection in the country and turn the place into a serious bar after dark. We had a lot of good meals across Byron (with Harvest in Newrybar (www.harvestcafe.com.au) deserving of special mention), but nothing that came close to dinner here. Marvell Street Roasters (2 Marvell St., +61 4 02912465, www.marvellstreet.com) is great for coffee, if you happen to be downtown.

Marvell Street Roasters

Arcadia House

Fantastic farmers markets

You can’t bring it home with you, but there’s nothing to stop you gorging on fresh produce straight from the source. Byron hosts its own farmers market on Butler Street every Thursday morning, but the real action is out in the townships of Bangalow (every Saturday morning on Byron Street) and Mullimbimby (every Friday morning at the Show Grounds). Bangalow is a charming—and now rather chi chi—hamlet 20 minutes by car, so popular that you’ll have to fight for a brunch table at Utopia Cafe (13 Byron St., +61 2 6687-2088, www.utopiacafe.

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, ApRIl 24, 2015

Byron Bay

Multiple music festivals

Aside from the sheer frequency with which festivals take place, the setting and the acts they draw are remarkable. Highlights include Byron Bay Bluesfest in April (www.bluesfest. com.au), this year headlined by Lenny Kravitz and The Black Keys; the three-day Splendour in the Grass in July (www. splendourinthegrass.com), which last year hosted Outkast (AC/DC is rumored to be up this year); and the smaller, alternative Mullum Music Festival in Mullimbimby in November (www.mullummusicfestival. com).

ESSENTIAlS

Amazing wildlife

Byron is Australia’s easternmost point (it’s open ocean all the way from here to Chile) and the waters around here teem with marine life. Humpback whales migrate right past the Cape Byron headland, and Whale Watching Byron Bay (9 Marvell St., 1 800 243 483, www. byronbaywhalewatching.com.au) offers guaranteed sightings on 12-person boat expeditions from June to November (89AUD ($94) per person). Even just walking around Cape Byron, we watched a pod of dolphins playing close to shore for half an hour. To get even closer to the action, join a scuba or snorkel trip out to the nearby Julian Rocks, rated one of the top five dive spots in all of Australia and home to more than 1,000 species of fish, including leopard sharks and nurse sharks, as well as three species of turtle. Sundive (Shop 8, 9-11 Byron St., 1800 008 755, www. sundive.com.au) heads out there daily, with dives starting at 95AUD ($100), including equipment hire.

Scoot

GETTING THERE Scoot (www.flyscoot.com) is the only airline to fly direct from Singapore to the Gold Coast, with overnight flights every Friday and Saturday. It’s a 7.5 hour flight, followed by an easy 45-minute drive to Byron. Return flights start from around $425 including taxes. WHERE To STAY Book ahead, as Byron gets very full at weekends. We really liked Arcadia House (48 Cowper St., +61 2 6680-8699, www. arcadiahousebyron.com.au), a beautiful, whitewashed old Queenslander (the raised timber bungalows characteristic of NSW) in Old Byron, a 10-minute walk from the beach and from town. Rates start from 135AUD ($142)/night. More upmarket, and only a short stroll from the stunning sunsets of Tallow Beach, is the rainforestencircled The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa (800 321 -1098, www.smithhotels. com/luxury-hotels/the-byron-at-byronresort-and-spa), where rates start from $318 excluding tax. VISA Visitors from most countries need to apply for a visa before their trip. Europeans are eligible for the free eVisitor pass, while Singaporeans, Americans and certain other nationalities can apply for an ETA. Find out more at www.immi.gov.au. EXCHANGE RATE 1AUD = $1.05.

escapes Send your travel news and promotions to travel@asia-city.com.sg

ESCAPE ROUTES with Joyce See

datai langkawi

Hotel indigo Bangkok Wireless Road

THAilAnd

Bangkok Chic Southeast Asia gets its first Hotel Indigo, the cool younger sibling in the InterContinental Hotels Group, with the opening of Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road (81 Wireless Rd., +662 207-4999, www.ihg.com) in the heart of Bangkok. This modern 192-room boutique scores major points on the style front— all its rooms come with locally-inspired art, floor-to-ceiling windows and sleek bathrooms with rainforest showers. The opening rates see rooms starting at THB3,700 ($156) and are available from now till Jun 30. STAYCATiOn

Cruisin’ Along The 202-room Park Regis Singapore Hotel (23 Merchant Rd., 6818-8888, www.parkregissingapore.com) is offering a themed staycation that involves a sunset cruise along the Singapore River, cocktail-making classes or a yoga class, depending on the period of your stay. Also included is a free upgrade to the Quay Room that opens up directly to the hotel’s pool. Plus, you’ll also get discounts at the hotel’s restaurant and those in the nearby Clarke Quay area. The package starts at $290 per night and is available for stays until Sep 2015. lAOS

Wheely Spicy Travel around the scenic Luang Prabang on bike with SpiceRoads’ (www. spiceroads.com) new four-day cycle tour happening from May 2-5. The tour goes along the Mekong River, with pitstops

Insider travel tips

Park Regis Singapore Hotel

at local villages and time for a dip and splash at picturesque waterfalls like the three-tiered Kwang Si falls. This tour isn’t super intense so as long as you’re a fit and confident rider, you’re good to go. It costs US$595 ($811), and includes shared accommodation, meals, drinks and snacks while riding. MAlAYSiA

THE KITCHEN TABLE PRESENTS

SEAFOOD FROM THE HEART FEAT. CELEBRITY CHEF PETER KURUVITA

CHANGE THE WAY YOU ‘SEAFOOD’ WITH PETER KURUVITA ON 22ND & 23RD MAY. SAVOUR THE FRESHEST CATCH OF THE SEASON AS YOU VIEW THE SPECTACULAR SUN SET ACROSS THE MARINA.

lush langkawi

WHERE: THE KITCHEN TABLE

Set amid Langkawi’s thick tropical rainforests, the 125-room Datai langkawi (Jalan Teluk Datai, +60 49500500, www.dataihotels.com) overlooks the Andaman Sea and has been hot since it opened a few years ago. Plus, the beach along the gorgeous Datai Bay has been named one of the “Top 10 beaches in the world” by National Geographic. Now, the resort has rolled out a deal that includes free guided nature walks, discounts on spa treatments, and food and drink items. It’s only open to Singapore and Malaysian residents and is valid until Dec 22, 2015. Rooms start at RM955 ($356) per night.

WHEN: EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY TIME: 6PM - 11.30PM PRICE: SGD 85++ PER PERSON FOR RESERVATIONS +65 6808 7268 THEKITCHENTABLE.SINGAPORE@WHOTELS.COM PRICES ARE IN SINGAPORE DOLLARS, SUBJECT TO 10% SERVICE CHARGE AND 7% GOODS AND SERVICES TAX.

Malay Mojo

It’s been a sad period for Malaysian aviation, so here’s a bit of good news. The Malaysian government has announced the launch of (the oddly named) Flymojo (www.flymojo.com.my), a new privatelyowned airline that will be flying both domestically and around the region. The airline will be based primarily in Johor’s Senai International Airport, making it the first airline to use Senai as its headquarters. The first flight is slated for oct 2015.

FRIDAY, ApRIl 24, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

IS Magazine-April 2.pdf

15/4/15

2:06 pm

fREEwIll ASTRoloGy

TAURUS (ApR 20-MAy 20): I usually have no objection to your devoted concern (I won’t use the phrase “manic obsession”) with security and comfort. But there are rare phases in every Taurus’s life cycle when ironclad stability becomes a liability. Cruising along in a smooth groove threatens to devolve into clunking along in a gutless rut. Now is such a phase. As of this moment, it is healthy for you to seek out splashes of unpredictability. Wisdom is most likely to grow from uncertainty. Joy will emerge from an eagerness to treasure the unknown.

parties and park connectors.

GEMINI (MAy 21-JUN 20): There may be a flood-like event that will wash away worn-out stuff you don’t need any more. There might be an earthquake-type phenomenon that only you can feel, and it might demolish one of your rotten obstacles. There could be a lucky accident that will knock you off the wrong course (which you might have thought was the right course). All in all, I suspect it will be a very successful week for benevolent forces beyond your control. How much skill do you have in the holy art of surrender? CANCER (JUN 21-JUl 22): What is your biggest excuse? Or rather, what is your thickest, sickest, more debilitating excuse? We all have one: a reason we tell ourselves about why it’s difficult to live up to our potential; a presumed barrier that we regard as so deeply rooted that we will never be able to break its spell on us. Maybe it’s a traumatic memory. Maybe it’s a physical imperfection or a chronic fear. In accordance with the current astrological omens, Cancerian, you’d be wise to do an audit and reassessment of your own lamest excuse. I suspect you now have insight about it that you’ve never had before. I also think you have more power than usual to at least partially dismantle it. lEo (JUl 23-AUG 22): If you were a supporting character in a popular TV drama, the producers would be cooking up a spin-off show with you in a starring role. If you were in an indie rock band, you’d be ready to move from performing at 300-seat venues to clubs with an audience capacity of 2,000. If you have always been just an average egocentric romantic like the rest of us, you might be on the verge of becoming a legend in your own mind—in which case it would be time to start selling T-shirts, mugs and calendars with your image on them. And even if you are none of the above, Leo, I suspect you’re ready to rise to the next level.

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VIRGo (AUG 23-SEp 22): Free at last! Free at last! Thanks to the Lord of the Universe or the Flying Spaghetti Monster or a burst of crazy good luck, you are free at last! You are free from the burden that made you say things you didn’t mean! You are free from the seductive temptation to rent, lease or even sell your soul! Best of all, you are free from the mean little voice in your head—you know, the superstitious perfectionist that whispers weird advice based on fearful delusions! So now what will you do, my dear? You have escaped from the cramped, constricted conditions. Maybe you can escape to wide-open spaces that will unleash the hidden powers of your imagination. lIBRA (SEp 23-oCT 22): “To me, there is no greater act of courage than being the one who kisses first,” says Libra actress and activist Janeane Garofalo. I can think of other ways to measure bravery, but for your immediate future, her definition will serve just fine. Your ultimate test will be to freely give your tenderness and compassion and empathy—without any preconditions or expectations. For the sake of your own integrity and mental health, be steadfast in your intention to always strike the first blow for peace, love and understanding. SCoRpIo (oCT 23-NoV 21): It will soon be that time when you are halfway between your last birthday and your next birthday. I invite you to make this a special occasion. Maybe you can call it your anti-birthday or unbirthday. How to celebrate? Here are some ideas: 1. Imagine who you would be if you were the opposite of yourself. 2. Write a list of all the qualities you don’t possess and the things you don’t need and the life you don’t want to live. 3. Try to see the world through the eyes of people who are unlike you. 4. Extend a warm

welcome to the shadowy, unripe, marginal parts of your psyche that you have a hard time accepting, let alone loving. 5. Any other ways you can think of to celebrate your anti-birthday? SAGITTARIUS (NoV 22-DEC 21): As I climb the first hill along my regular hike, both sides of the path are dominated by a plant with glossy, three-lobed leaves. They’re so exuberant and cheerful, I’m tempted to caress them, even rub my face in their bright greenery. But I refrain, because they are poison oak. One touch would cause my skin to break out in an inflamed rash that would last for days. I encourage you, too, to forgo contact with any influence in your own sphere that is metaphorically equivalent to the alluring leaves of the poison oak. CApRICoRN (DEC 22-JAN 19): Today, the French Capricorn painter Henri Matisse (1869-1954) is regarded as a foremost pioneer of modern art. Some critics say his innovative influence on painting nearly matched Picasso’s. But during the first part of the 20th century, his work often provoked controversy. When a few of his paintings appeared at a major exhibition in Chicago, for example, local art students were shocked by what they called its freakishness. They held a mock trial, convicted Matisse of artistic crimes and burned his painting Blue Nude in effigy. I don’t expect that you will face reactions quite as extreme as that in the coming weeks, Capricorn. But it will make sense to express yourself with such forceful creativity and originality that you risk inciting strong responses. AQUARIUS (JAN 20-fEB 18): Leonardo da Vinci had skills in many fields, ranging from botany to engineering to cartography, but he is best known as a painter. And yet in his 67 years on the planet, he finished fewer than 40 paintings. He worked at a very gradual pace. The Mona Lisa took him 14 years! That’s the kind of deliberate approach I’d like to see you experiment with in the coming weeks, Aquarius. Just for a while, see what it’s like to turn down your levels of speed and intensity. Have you heard of the Slow Food Movement? Have you read Carl Honore’s book In Praise of Slowness? Do you know about Slow Travel, Slow Media, and Slow Fashion? pISCES (fEB 19-MAR 20): Modern movies don’t scrimp on the use of the f-bomb. Actors in The Wolf of Wall Street spat it out 569 times. The word-that-rhymeswith-cluck was heard 326 times in End of Watch, while Brooklyn’s Finest racked up 270 and This Is the End erupted with an even 200. But this colorful word hasn’t always been so prominent a feature. Before 1967, no actor had ever uttered it on-screen. That year, Marianne Faithfull let it fly in the film I’ll Never Forget What’s’isname. In the coming weeks, Pisces, I invite you to break a taboo that’s maybe not as monumental as Faithfull’s quantum leap, but still fabulously fun and energizing. Be a liberator! End the repression! Release the blocked vitality! ARIES (MAR 21-ApR 19): If you’re stumped about what present to give someone for a special occasion, you might buy him or her a gift card. It’s a piece of plastic that can be used as cash to buy stuff at a store. The problem is, a lot of people neglect to redeem their gift cards. They leave them in drawers and forget about them. Financial experts say there are currently billions of dollars going to waste on unredeemed gift cards. This is your metaphor of the moment, Aries. Are there any resources you’re not using? Any advantages you’re not capitalizing on? Any assets you’re ignoring? If so, fix the problem.

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last word

Ethan leslie leong Before elegant craft bartending, there was circus-y flair bartending, and Ethan Leslie Leong was its king. The cheeky head honcho of Maison Ikkoku has come a long way since juggling shakers and consulting at Singapore’s high-end clubs, but he’s still got plenty of edge. Here he tells Letitia Tandean about the glory days of bartending in Singapore in the 90s, his brand new bar at Fort Canning and his tumultuous beginnings in Malaysia. Back in the ’90s I was training as a chef, but I got tired of cooking and moved into the bar industry. Within a year, I represented Singapore in the 1997 world finals of a flair bartending competition in Birmingham. I was nervous because the night before I had just won the competition in Singapore and the next day, I was in Some Birmingham doing the world finals. The people were exactly like soccer fans. It looked like a stadium with two big screens and a thousand people watching. They even brought air horns while you were doing your shift. I never expected it to be so grand.

I cooked in a Chinese restaurant first and then moved to a Western steakhouse. I could turn over 500 people in one lunchtime service. I could handle sirloins, tenderloins, lamb, pork chops in all sorts of doneness from rare to medium-well and well done.

bar owners open a bar just so they have a place to drink their own cocktails.

Back then there weren’t many cocktail bars. It was all about showmanship and how you treated your guests. We were like rock stars. When we walked in a bar, everyone shouted and the girls would clap and try to get our attention. We could get a stranger to lie down on the bar top, put cream on their bodies and get another person to take shots. It was like we were magicians who hypnotized strangers to do crazy things. Bartenders now spend too much time making one cocktail. Let’s be sensible: if one drink takes 20 minutes, you have to also be sensitive towards your customers’ time.

If I had to cook a meal for a first date I would cook steak, paired with a cocktail like a Negroni.

I tell my staff that they have to balance everything. If you’ve eaten too much carbs, you better go to the gym. If you’re not spending time with your family, you better take a full day off, or if you haven’t spent time with your girlfriend, give her a call. It’s called balancing skills and it translates to balancing cocktails, too. I decided to design [new bar] Fort myself without ever studying interior design or graduating from an arts school. You just have to go through many sleepless nights and keep on thinking and rethinking the structure, layout and design. The tough part is that once it’s built, you can’t ever change it. Some bar owners open a bar just so they have a place to drink their own cocktails. You should just buy the bottle and drink it at home. It’s less investment. But they just want a place to treat their friends at a bar because it’s the cool thing to do.

I was born in Malaysia but on Mar 15, 1993, my mom bought me a one-way train ticket to Singapore with $300. I just packed three sets of clothes and a pair of slippers and she sent me off. I was only 17 years old. I’ve been through all the hardship and all the traditional Chinese family drama. I got beaten when I didn’t go to school, so I started working in a Chinese restaurant on Mountbatten Road. Working in a Chinese restaurant, I had to kill 120 pomfrets, chickens and ducks every morning. In those days, the restaurant business was good, and they asked me to kill a lot of things that the supplier delivered each morning. The world’s most expensive cocktail wasn’t my idea. A club director wanted me to create a drink because the big spenders were buying too much Champagne, and they couldn’t keep up with demand. When he asked me to create an expensive cocktail, I thought it would be just another expensive cocktail. Then he told me, “$35,000 per glass.” I was in the Maldives to consult for a cocktail bar recently. I thought to myself, “What the hell is this island?” Because everything was white: the sharks were white, the stingrays were white, even the unagi was white.

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FRIDAY, ApRIl 24, 2015 SG MAGAZINE