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Your FREE independent guide to the next two weeks
Time for a cocktail!
FREE INSIDE:150 of Singapore’s most exciting affordable eats SG MAGAZINE | ISSUE #696 | MARCH 11, 2016
what’s on what’s new what matters
Artist William Koh imagines Singapore in the year 2085 through a series of digital renderings. See ART , page 10,for an interview. DRINK
NEIGHBORHOOD
TRAVEL
NIGHTLIFE
New Cocktail Trends
What’s Hot in Chinatown
Hardcore Running in Hong Kong
Garden Beats Festival
w w w. s g n o w. s g | M PA S W e b s i t e o f t h e Ye a r
SG MAGAZINE | ISSUE #696 | MAR 11, 2016
CRAFT TO TASTE A Culinary & Mixology Experience
Learn a new skill, pick up tips and go on a dining journey with the masters at Adrift, Bread Street Kitchen, Spago, Waku Ghin and more. – Saturdays, from 12 March –
CULINARY SESSION Demonstrations by Executive Chefs followed by lunch
MIXOLOGY SESSION Cocktail demonstrations and tastings led by Head Bartenders
Book now at MarinaBaySands.com/CraftToTaste
Your FREE independent guide to the next two weeks
ADVERTORIAL
M
ade for aspiring chefs, foodies and cocktail lovers, Craft to Taste, A Culinary and Mixology Experience is a new masterclass series by Marina Bay Sands®, held weekly on Saturdays from Mar 12 to Apr 9. And get this: the star-studded lineup of award-winning restaurants and a celebrity chef guest appearance is just an amuse-bouche. Each food and drink workshop offers you tips and tricks when it comes to whipping up the perfect dish or cocktail at home—all in a fun and interactive session hosted by industry insiders. So gather your friends and partners, and check out some of these highlights.
Kitchen
Confidential
Culinary Tricks
6 gourmet masterclasses you can’t miss at Marina Bay Sands
1. famous Beef Wellington
’
Learn to cook Gordon Ramsay s
2. Celebrity Chef David Myers
Get up close and personal with
This award-winning chef and restaurateur is making his way down to Adrift to host his culinary class, Japanese-inspired Bites. He will be sharing tips and tricks for making tapas-style plates like Gyoza, Hamachi Shabu Shabu and Wing Bean Okra Salad, the California-izakaya way. The session also includes a lunch of salads, bites and the restaurant’s signature French Toast. Apr 2, 10am-2pm. $111 per person.
Think you have what it takes to become a reality masterchef competition contestant? Train up by registering for the British Classics session at Bread Street Kitchen. Set in an intimate and beginner-friendly environment, Executive Chef Sabrina Stillhart will walk a group of eight through the process of making Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Wellington, culminating in a delicious three-course lunch with wine pairings. Mar 12, 10am-2pm. $276 per person.
3.
,
Whip up a delicious seafood feast the db Bistro & Oyster Bar way
Learn how to make a gorgeous, home-cooked seafood plateau at The Perfect Plateau by Executive Chef Jonathan Kinsella. Here, you will be taught how to prepare ingredients like lobsters, prawns, clams, crabs and oysters, and cook tartare and ceviche dishes. Even better, you get to tuck into a fresh seafood lunch complete with Champagne and Chef Daniel Boulud’s signature plates. Apr 9, 10am- 2pm. $215 per person.
Mixology Tips
4. bartending techniques Master Japanese at Waku Ghin
Impress your date by preparing a well-executed cocktail using precise Japanese methods. At Shin-Gi-Tai: Techniques of Japanese Bartending by Head Bartender Kazuhiro Chii, you’ll be learning the art of making classic cocktails like the gin & tonic, the martini and the Sidecar. And if you get hungry, there are bar bites, too. Mar 19, 4-6pm. $89 per person.
5. cocktail at Flight
Shake up a garden-inspired
Elevate your basic bartending game by learning how to prepare creative unconventional cocktails using fresh herbs and fruits. Property Mixologist Lucas Swallows will demonstrate how to muddle ingredients and make homemade lemongrass and mint syrup. Who knows, you just might master recipes for concoctions such as the Ginger Raspberry Daiquiri for the next time you host a dinner party. Apr 2 and 9, 4-6pm. $109 per person.
6. expert at Adrift
Become a cocktail
Feel like every bit of an insider the next time you hit the bar. At Classic and Modern Cocktails by Head Bartender Anandha Ruben, you will be an expert on the difference between a classic and a modern cocktail, and how to mix up a classic Negroni and the Champagne-based cocktail, Love is Strange. Apr 9, 4-6pm. $89 per person.
Please visit www.marinabaysands.com/CraftToTaste for more details. All prices exclude $4 booking fee.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY MARINA BAY SANDS
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cityscape
The Silliest Questions Bartenders Get
Facebook Emojis for Singapore
8 event
11 outings
Singapore Restaurant Week
Heartland Walking Tours
12 drink
neighborhood
What’s Hot in Chinatown 16 fitness
18 dining
New Boutique Gyms
Local Chefs Win Big
21 travel
22 interview
Getaway to Khao Yai
Literacy vs Literature
Editorial Managing Editor Mrigaa Sethi editor@asia-city.com.sg Features Editor Chelsia Tan Contributing Editor Kurt Ganapathy Design Associate Art Director Carmen Louise Ho Senior Designer Fishy Toh Designer Carmen Chua
What it is: KNNCCB When to use it: When someone you didn’t know was your Facebook friend posts an anti-Madonna rant. What it is: Catch no ball When to use it: When your high-maintenance friend posts a cryptic, passive-aggressive post decrying people’s lack of humanity/good manners/loyalty, et cetera. What it is: Sian When to use it: When your entire Facebook feed is full of gym selfies.
Who's in charge? Publisher & General Manager Ric Stockfis countrymanager@asia-city.com.sg
What it is: Wah lao eh When to use it: When your friend posts yet another picture of their new baby. What it is: Talk cock When to use it: When that annoying couple makes a public declaration of mutual and neverending love on their six-month anniversary.
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Irish Bars
What it is: Bo jio When to use it: When your friend posts 200 pictures from their awesome day at Laneway.
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Finance Senior Finance Associate Nai Rohmat finance@asia-city.com.sg
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Group Directors Chief Executive Officer Gretchen Worth gworth@asia‑city.co.th
On the cover Art by William Koh
What it is: Kaypoh When to use it: When someone you barely know likes a photo of you from two years ago. What it is: Come I clap for you When to use it: When your frenemy humble-brags about their latest, boring professional achievement.
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 21 years—and we’ve never been more excited about the city than we are right now.
Where to find us! Bangkok Asia City Media Group 9/F, Room A, Sathorn Nakorn Tower, 100 North Sathorn Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Thailand Tel: 66-2-624 9696 Fax: 66-2-237 5656 bkmagazine@asia‑city.co.th
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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
Fashion, fitness, tech and more 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 ©2016 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) 166/12/2015
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SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016
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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.
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up front
Our biweekly study of the city’s burgeoning (and dying) trends
OB INDEX Balasi Dutt MV
HOT OR NOT
Singapore’s latest news, numbers and dramas at a glance
Hot: Rugby Sevens
23 American President Barack Obama’s pro-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender comments were censored from an episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show which aired in Singapore on Feb 23. Website gaystarnews.com reported the omission, which drew furore online. In a report by The Straits Times, Mr Lee Hung Sheng, assistant vice president of programming for Mediacorp Channel 5, said, “In compliance with Singapore’s Free-To-Air TV programme guidelines, the brief segment on Mr Obama’s firm endorsement and support of gay rights issues was edited out for our broadcast on Channel 5.”
Not: Void deck soccer
Alan Tan Keng Hue
Christopher Xie
Happening from Apr 16-17 at the National Stadium, the HSBC World Rugby Sevens is on its eighth leg here, with 16 international teams playing 45 matches over two days. While we’re all fired up for the event, putting a dampener on things are barriers installed to discourage void deck soccer. The railings sparked a heated discussion online, with one netizen commenting that it is “now effectively transformed into a dead space”, although the Tanjong Pagar town council’s public relations manager has said the barriers can be removed for weddings and funerals held at the void deck.
Hot: Conservation
FEB
Charting the ups and downs of Singapore's openness, tolerance and freedom of expression
Not: Gentrification
Lately, we have been hearing more groups like the Nature Society (Singapore) voicing their concerns about the impact of the Cross Island MRT line on the Central Catchment Reserve’s biodiversity in an encouraging bid to conserve Singapore’s eco-system. But in sadder news, parts of a heritage site in Tanjong Pagar will be levelled for the new Prince Edward MRT station. The Palmer House and the remnants of six Parsi graves are slated to be demolished when construction starts end next year.
WE
SG
NUMEROLOGY
This week you will mainly love your city for its...
Conservation efforts The Ubin Living Lab (ULL), a 2.1-hectare facility built to support students, researchers and conservationists, has launched on Pulau Ubin. Located at the former Celestial resort on the island’s southwestern edge, the $2 million building has two laboratories, meeting and seminar rooms, and two dormitories for field researchers there. Besides catering to research activities, it also serves as a venue for groups to conduct talks and workshops on the island’s heritage.
70 Number of new bus routes added in Singapore over the past four years.
9,000 Chilanga Cement
Number of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats to be launched in towns such as Ang Mo Kio, Bedok and Bukit Merah this year.
Hot: Car Free Sundays
$200 Fine for those caught aiding the breeding of mosquitoes in Singapore.
Not: COE prices
The first Car Free Sunday event on Feb 28 saw cyclists, joggers and walkers on the roads and participating in fun outdoor activities such as Zumba, yoga and tennis. There may even be plans to grow the 4.7 km route through Civic District and the Central Business District. That said, it’s not all doom and gloom for vehicular traffic, with COE prices dipping dramatically this year for Category A cars, reduced by $9,299 to $45,002, the cheapest in nearly five years.
50 km Length of the Cross Island Line, which will have about 30 stations stretching from East to West.
BE GOOD
Dine for Charity Mexican restaurant El Mero Mero has teamed up with The Food Bank of Singapore in a new monthly initiative to reduce food wastage. This collaboration features a new taco creation made by a different guest chef each month, and 20% of proceeds will be donated to the cause. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/thefoodbanksingapore.
Get this issue to go. Free eBook download from issuu.com/sg_magazine (or sign up at sgnow.sg/newsletters to never miss an issue)
600,000 Estimated number of trips made daily by commuters on the upcoming Cross Island Line. Sources: The Straits Times, Today
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SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016
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The essential guide to what's on in Singapore Send your events news to art@asia-city.com.sg, nightlife@asia-city.com.sg, stage@asia-city.com.sg
WELLNESS
Do outdoor yoga at Marina Bay
EAT
Part of the i Light Marina Bay light installation festival, a few yoga studios will be holding classes in the great outdoors. There’s Shine Your Light (Mar 12 & 19, $20), led by Outta Hatha Yoga, and then Yoga in the Mix over two days (Mar 16-17), with a DJ in tow. Stick around afterwards to check out all the dazzling light exhibitions from artists and design studios from around the world. More information at www.ilightmarinabay.com
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Be a cheap(er) date
The 12th edition of Singapore Restaurant Week will take place across more than 100 restaurants around town, with a focus on contemporary seafood dishes using seasonal ingredients. Participating restaurants include Fort by Maison Ikkoku, Forest, Sushi Meida, Dehesa and Portico Prime all doing three-course lunch and dinner menus from $28 and $38 respectively. Chi chi spots like Long Chim, Adrift, Gunther's and others will have menus priced from $40 for lunch and $58 for dinner. Mar 19-26, Various venues, www.restaurantweek.sg. $28-38.
DRINK
3
THEATER
4
Catch a rare play about gay issues in Singapore Have a cocktail or three
The second edition of last year’s wildly popular Singapore Cocktail Week features over 50 pop-up bars, workshops, parties and other fringe events, with new sponsoring booze companies like Absolut Elyx showcasing. This time there will also be a focus on food, with boozy brunches, supperclubs and other fun activities. Mar 12-19, Various venues, www. singaporecocktailweek.com.sg. $32.30-$35. Turn to page 14 for more drink trends.
Shown through the eyes of four gay men, Grind is an interactive play and performance art installation by Toy Factory Productions set in a run-down house filled with machines. This show is R18. Mar 24-Apr 2, Drama Centre Theatre, National Library, 3/F National Library, 100 Victoria St. www.toyfactory.com.sg. $42.
COMEDY
CONCERT
PARTY
5
Channel your inner Irish The St Patrick’s Day Street Festival is back for the fourth consecutive year, with lots of Irish food, music, and even a parade, held across two days. The Singapore Trad Collective and other local folk bands will also be making an appearance. Mar 17-20, Circular Rd., www.facebook. com/stpatsdaySG. Free.
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SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016
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Laugh out loud with these jokers
The regional Magners International Comedy Festival is underway along the Singapore River, and there are still seven shows left to catch this weekend. There’s Matthew Giffen, Paul Morrissey and Ria Lina (pictured) at McGettigan’s on Friday night and Anto Chan, Lars Callieou and Paul Morrissey at The Pump Room on Saturday night, among others. Through Mar 12, various venues, www.comedyfest.com.sg. $15-40.w from Sistic.
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Rock out to M83
The French electronic band is coming back to Singapore, in case you missed them at Laneway 2012. Look out for tunes from their first studio album in five years, Holes in the Sky, and old faves from Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming. Mar 19, The Coliseum, 8 Sentosa Gateway, www.sistic.com. $79-119.
ADVERTORIAL
de ra Pa al u n An
Invitation to be Irish Food, drink, live music and a big parade—here’s what to catch at the St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival at the Singapore River. It’s that time of the year again, when you get to sip on pints of Guinness, gorge on shepherd’s pie, dance in the streets and just enjoy a weekend of revelry—yes, the St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival is back on Circular Road (Mar 19-20), and these are the highlights.
Pad dy’s Bur ger
Hearty Irish food Boat Quay and Circular Road are the go-to places for a solid variety of hearty, meaty platters, and there are several great options to choose from. For something traditional, head over to craft beer bar Draft & Craft (31 Circular Rd., 65320604, www.draftandcraft.sg), which is serving a beef-laden Shepherd’s Pie, both with or without Guinness ($15-22), or Molly Malone’s (56 Circular Rd., 6536-2029, www.molly-malone. com) whose festival specials include fish n’ chips with steak cut fries and a mouthwatering whisky and bacon marmalade with Irish soda bread. Burger fans should stop by the Wild Westinspired Hero’s (69 Circular Rd., 6438-6058, www. heros.sg) for Paddy’s Burger, made with sliced corned beef, caramelized onions, Irish cheddar cheese and an optional fried egg. Keeping it light? Southbridge is bringing in special, hard-to-find oysters from the cold waters off the coast of Galway, and a half-dozen are $36.
An annual community tradition
Hero’s
Whatever you do, don’t miss the big annual parade on Sunday, which promises to be bigger than ever this year. The crowd will meet at Raffles Landing Site at 2:30pm and begin a festive procession along the Singapore River. The parade ends an hour later, after which you can return to Circular Road to enjoy the final hours of the street festival.
Fun festival vibes
Special drinks and deals St Patty’s Day is incomplete without a hearty pint of Ireland’s most famous beer. An official partner of the festival, Guinness is also giving away a whopping 20,000 free pints of beer to anyone who registers. Find out more on www.facebook.com/ Guinness.SG. Not into beer? Not a problem. Southbridge (5F, 80 Boat Quay, 6877-6965, www. southbridge.sg) is rolling out two Irish-inspired cocktails for the festival. Pat’s Martini features Triple Sec and Untamed Irish Vodka—and the addition of Midori makes the whole thing a festive green. Whisky fans should get the Irish Cola, with Jameson whisky, creamy Bailey’s and a dash of Coke, topped with decadent whipped cream.
Naturally, there will be live music and performances across two stages on both days of the festival, along with exciting activities and games. Get your nails painted by Fingerwork (#02-01 65 Circular Rd., 6327-5967, www. fingerwork4you.com), your hair braided by Flair Hairdressing (62 Circular Rd., 6221-5522, www.facebook.com/flairhairdressing) and your arm tattooed (temporarily!) while enjoying candy floss and popcorn from nearby vendors. Irish dancers will perform on the acoustic stage on both days. Also taking the stage are local Irish outfits like Cranberries cover band The Blackberries, folk music enthusiasts Trad Collective, Singapore’s oldest Celtic band The Craic Horse and others, rocking out till 10pm on both nights. For the full schedule, visit www.singaporeriver. com/stpatricksday2016.
The St Patrick’s Day Street Festival takes place from March 19-20, from 2-10pm. The annual parade will be held on March 20, at 2:30pm. For regular updates, visit www. singapore-river.com/stpatricksday2016
/StPatsDaySG
Southbrige
BROUGHT TO YOU BY SINGAPORE RIVER ONE Official Beer:
Official Card:
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OUTING
Go green at this car-free event The people from Lopelab are organizing Urban Ventures, a carnival that will close traffic on Keong Saik Road, making room for fun activities like yoga workshops and terrarium making classes. If those activities aren't your thing, then check out music performances by the Getai Group, which include Shak'thiya, Joie Tan, Charlie Blouse and Keith Soo-Tho. Mar 12, Keong Saik Rd., www.urbanventures.peatix.com. Free.
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William Koh
William Koh's futuristic digital renderings of Singapore made the rounds on social media recently. Here, the freelance concept artist talks about his motivation behind his personal project, "Neo Singapore 2085," how science fiction movies influenced his work and why some parts of Singapore may become more industrial in the future. What got you into concept art? I studied graphic design in Lasalle College of the Arts and had experience working for several companies in Singapore as a graphic designer. At some point, I decided to pursue a career in concept art as I've always loved drawing and have a passion for films and games. Currently I am working full-time as a concept artist for a game company in Singapore and freelancing in my spare time. What was the inspiration for this project? There are many sci-fi city concepts in the entertainment industry but none on Singapore. This sparked my interest to start a fresh concept using Singapore as a base. S2085 is my take on an alternate near futuristic city of Singapore. The main focus of this personal project was to include architecture, iconic landmarks and world building designs with some narrative. Are there any books or movies that you drew inspiration from? My biggest inspiration for this project are films such as Bladerunner, Akira and Ghost in the Shell. They are all futuristic worlds that are different yet
believable. I was looking at architecture trends and movements, looking back at how buildings in Singapore have progressed and imagining where it might lead to in the future. Zaha Hadid and Santiago Calatrava are some of the architects whom I was inspired by. Although it looks very futuristic, some of the elements of buildings draw from what already exists in Singapore. How much do you think Singapore will change in the future? It is a balancing act to design something futuristic yet familiar, estimating the extent of change and retaining the essence of Singapore's identity. However it is difficult to predict how much Singapore will change in the future as we currently live in an exciting time where technologies will exponentially affect how we live and work in the next 10-20 years, bringing about possible changes in the city as well. We can look back on changes over the past 50 years and multiply that change about two to three times fold as a gauge for the future.
Read the full interview on www.sgnow.sg. You can view William Koh’s work on www. williamkoh.artstation.com. SHI MIN XIE
Cover Up SG Magazine covers celebrate local artists, photographers and illustrators and their remarkable depictions of Singapore. 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
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SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016
TALKS
Meet the editors of sexy indie magazines
If you missed the U Symposium last year, it's here again, this time with Omar Sosa (pictured), founder of Apartamento, and Rosa Park, founder of Cereal among other indie editors who will be giving talks over two days. Mar 12-13, Singapore Airlines Theatre, LaSalle College of The Arts, 1 McNally St., www. tusym2016.peatix.com. $150.
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OUTING
Get fired up about MacRitchie
The NUS Toddycats, the Cicada Tree Eco Space and the BES Drongos will be conducting fortnightly tours at MacRitchie, in response to the ongoing debate about the Cross Island Line MRT (CRL), which will run through this ecosystem. Trails include the Petai Trail Walk, the Venue Loop Walk and the TreeTrop Walk. Mar 12, 13, 19, 20, 27, www.lovemacritchie.wordpress.com. Free.
© Edwin Lim
ART William Koh imagines a future Singapore
now Send your events news to art@asia-city.com.sg, nightlife@asia-city.com.sg, stage@asia-city.com.sg
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NIGHTLIFE
EAT
Get on the lobster ramen bandwagon
The lines have been long for the launch of Ramen Keisuke Lobster King, which specializes in lobster stock ramen. Options include clear soup ($13.90), rich creamy soup ($14.90), miso ($14.90) and spicy miso ($15.90), all loaded with pork belly and chicken char siew slices, prawn dumplings and bamboo shoots. The best part? It’s open till 5am. #01-07 The Cannery, 3C River Valley Rd., www.facebook.com/keisuketokyoSG. For more fun places to eat, see page 20.
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Have an electronic picnic
Sunshine Nation’s Garden Beats Festival promises two stages of DJs like Alle Farben from Germany and Faul & Wad from France, and Singaporean acts like Brendon P and Haan. There will also be garden games and food by the likes of Meatliquor and Lime House. For more on alternative ways to dine, see page 18. Mar 19, Fort Gate, Fort Canning, www. gardenbeats.com $85-105
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CONCERT
Groove to this indie French musician
Matthiew Chedid, also known as M, will perform in Singapore as part of his Extraordinary Live Show tour. The musician will be performing with Brad Thomas Ackleyand Lawrence Clais on bass and drums respectively. Expect to hear tracks from his new album, la B.O²- M - and some lesser-known tracks, too. Mar 19, 8 Sentosa Gateway, www.m2016.peatix.com. $90.
MARKET
PARTY
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Eat and shop away your weekend The Fleawhere people and PasarBella join forces for the next edition of Pop Market, taking place over two-days. Last time, the food focus was on udon. This time, it’s crepes, along with other yummy stalls and lots of on-trend shopping. Mar 19-20, PasarBella, 200 Turf Club, www.facebook. com/pasarbella
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FESTIVAL
Catch the end of Singapore Design Week You still have over a week to catch exhibitions, conferences, workshops and the flagship SingaPlural 2016, which will be held at 99 Beach Road. This year's theme is "Senses–The Art and Science of Experiences," and will show the best work that embodies all the five senses. Through Mar 20, various venues, www. designsingapore.org.
Party in the daytime at the Rail Corridor
Another in a string of events saying goodbye to the Green Corridor, Rail Collidoscope will have the usual DJs, live street art and food and drinks stalls. Local acts Jaime Wong, DJ Intriguant and others join the party before the space closes down for a makeover. Mar 19, Rail Corridor Art Space, Blk 44 Holland Dr., www.facebook.com/ noisesingapore. Free.
EXPLORING Heartland walking tours
No Man's Land
NO MAN'S LAND (THROUGH APR 10, SUNDAYS ONLY) If you missed the first edition of super secret interactive play No Man's Land, you can attend it again all the way till April. You have to figure out what's going on based on the clues in a hotel room, and learn about the history of the area along the way. Viewers will also confront issues like racism, and have to separate fact from fiction. www.nomansland. sg. $57.50
OH! POTONG PASIR, DIRECTOR'S CUT (MAR 12) Oh! Open House is doing what they do best: working with artists to bring site-specific art to the heartlands. This time they’re going to Potong Pasir, and leading guided tours through the artwork and stories. If you miss this director’s cut edition, there are regular tours, too, on Mar 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27, but do be quick because they sold out last year. www.ohopenhouse.org. $47.40.
DAKOTA ADVENTURES WALKING TOUR (MAR 13) Part of Singapore Design Week's flagship event, Singaplural, the first official walking tour open to the public has the Ah Mas and Ah Gongs of Dakota Crescent taking you through these flats before they move out in 2016. 9am-12pm, www.peatix. com. $35
GEYLANG ADVENTURES WALKING TOUR (MAR 13) Singaplural is adding a lot more coolness to our favorite red district by engaging with the creatives who live here. The art work on display on this walking tour is inspired by the five senses. The tour will be conducted by local hero Cai Yinzhou, beloved for his Backalley Barbers initiative. 2-5pm. www.peatix.com. $40.
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016 SG MAGAZINE
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Send your events news to art@asia-city.com.sg, nightlife@asia-city.com.sg, stage@asia-city.com.sg
DRINK 5 Irish bars to get in the St Patrick’s Day Spirit
PARTY
Dig into delicious Jamaican chicken
Cozy street party The Great Singapore Jerk-Off Part 2 is happening at Gillman Baracks, with lots of Jamaican chicken and a Rastafarianthemed market by Flea Fly Flo Fun, all set to the reggae, ska, and dancehall tunes by DJs, Dub Skank'in Hifi, Me.Layan and Lavin. Order your chicken in advance to avoid disappointment. Mar 19, Red Baron, Blk 45 Malan Rd., www.pelago.events. $3-12.
Molly Malone's
WORKSHOP
Molly Malone's
Muddy Murphy's
MCGETTIGAN'S Get down with live entertainment acts spanning from acoustic bands to comedy showcases at this Clarke Quay bar. Far from being just another watering hole, McGettigan's is serious about serving decent Irish plates. The food menu's by in-house chef Derek Flynn and it offers classic dishes like beer-battered fish and chips, Irish stew, buffalo hot wings and more. Drinks range from cocktails to beers and spirits, and happy hours are from Mon-Fri (5-8pm) and Sun (3-10pm), with house drinks and selected spritis going at $10. #01-01C Clarke Quay, 3 River Valley Rd., 6694-6911. www.mcgettigans.com. MOLLY ROFFEY'S IRISH PUB This classy gastropub has more than just Irish classics—they have a small but varied selection of French, Mexican, Italian and Asian-inspired plates too. Try the hazelnut escargot, chicken quesadilla and soft shell chili crab on top of the usual fish and chips and Guinness pot pie. Happy hours are daily from 12-9pm, with deals on selected wines and spirits that starts at $8 (house pours). Otherwise, there's cocktails, bottled craft beers and ciders, and drafts from names like Konig Ludwig Weissbier, Strongbow Gold and Sol. #01-02A Manulife Centre, 51 Bras Basah Rd., 6238-0987, www.mollyroffeys.com. MOLLY MALONE'S IRISH PUB AND BRASSERIE Possibly the oldest Irish pub in Singapore, this nightlife veteran has been serving up nights of revelry since 1995. Located at Boat Quay, this is probably the closest you'll get to an Irish dive bar. What you'll find is an unpretentious and hearty menu of bar bites like pork crackling and Irish stew, all best had with reliable pints of Guinness, Heinekein, Tiger Beer and more. Happy hours are from Mon-Sat, 11am-8pm, with promotions like $5 jager minis. 56 Circular Rd., 6536-2029, www.molly-malone.com. MUDDY MURPHY'S Located at TripleOne Somerset, Muddy Murphy's may sport a traditional Irish cottage theme but it's far from being a fuddy-duddy spot. Besides live bands and televised sporting events, it's also the place for brunch. The kitchen puts out a full Sunday roast daily, with slabs of hand-carved beef, creamy mash and Yorkshire pudding. But if you're there to unwind, then drinks range from the usual bottled Heineken, Corona and San Miguel Light beers, to Old and New World wines, sakes, spirits and cocktails. There are also regular promotions like a Sapporo bucket of 5 going for $20.16 nett. #01-02 TripleOne Somerset, 111 Somerset Rd., 6735-0400, www. muddymurphys.com. THE BLARNEY Apart from its Irish-inspired name, this bar and restaurant is probably the most modern of the lot. Tucked away at The Sail@Marina Bay, it houses a full bar and serves reliable Western fare like fish and chips, steaks and pizza amid sleek, contemporary surrounds. Drinks-wise, it offers happy hours from Mon-Fri from 4-9pm on house pours. #01-17 The Sail @ Marina Bay, 2 Marina Blvd., 6509-8817.
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SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016
SPORT
18
Learn from the greats
Marina Bay Sands is unleashing Craft to Taste, A Culinary and Mixology Experience, where people from their various celebrity chef restaurants give cooking and mixology classes on Saturdays. Highlights include a visit from David Myers of Adrift (Apr 2, 10am) doing a demo on Japanese-inspired bites and a class on Japanese bartending techniques (Mar 19, 4pm) at Waku Ghin. There’s a lunch/drinks component at the end of most classes. Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., www.marinabaysands. com/crafttotaste. $89-267
19
Cycle for a good cause
Held at the Punggol waterway and in conjunction with Singapore World Water Day, this event is all about creating awareness of re-using and recycling bicycles and their parts. According to their Peatix page, 50 gallons of water is saved as per one recycled bicycle. Mar 20, 3 Punggol Central, Waterway Pt., peatix.com/ event/147016. $15.
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THEATER
Call your mom from this show Clare Wong and Noorlinah Mohamed’s latest play, Recalling Mother, features both playwrights discussing their evolving relationships with—who else?— their moms, as they have to deal with the ageing process. It also explores how the role reversal affects these daughters as they end up caring for their respective parents. Mar 24-27, Esplanade Theatre Studio, 1 Esplanade Dr., www.esplanade.com. $35.
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Bar Talk
Local and international bartenders share the latest cocktail trends, and the silliest queries they get on the job. By Chelsia Tan
S
ingapore Cocktail Week (Mar 12-19, www.singaporecocktailweek.com.sg) is almost here, and with dozens of visiting bartenders, special events and booze pairings in store, we’ve got cocktails on the brain—no better time to interrogate both international and local bartenders about the latest drinking trends, silly questions they get from clients and their own go-to drink after a hard shift.
Alissa Gabriel
Charlie Ainsbury
Eau De Vie, Sydney
Australian Winner of Diageo World Class 2014
Silliest questions you get? There are too many to list, but the ones that stick out are “Do you have bathrooms?” and “What do you actually do?” It is still mind-blowing for a lot of people that some of us actually want to do (bartending) as a profession. The biggest trend in cocktails right now? Low alcohol options are increasingly becoming a staple on cocktail lists across Australian bars, and we’re seeing a growing trend of drinkers wanting an authentic, living narrative with their drinks; whether through foraged ingredients, native botanicals, sustainable ingredients or housemade elements. We have moved beyond just being a ‘drink in a glass’, and more drinkers are looking for a unique experience when they order a cocktail. Your drink of choice? It’s always the Dealer’s Choice, so whatever the bartender in front of me wants to make. It’s a great way of seeing a bartender express their personality through what they put in a glass, and it’s an easy way to get to know your bartender. Catch Alissa in action at The Fairer Shake—Femme All Stars, with fellow bartenders Beckaly Franks (Hong Kong), Micaela Piccolo (Seoul), Jenna Hemsworth (Melbourne), and Hannah Waters (Singapore). Mar 16, 9pm-12am, The Flagship.
Sillest questions you get? I always have guests asking for the ‘best’ cocktail or the ‘tastiest’, and subsequently they ask if certain cocktails are ‘good or not’ implying that we might make poor cocktails and showcase those on the list. I understand where the guest is coming from, it’s just perhaps not phrased as well as we would like it. Similarly, I get asked what my favorite cocktail is, which is a fair question in itself but would not help the guest at all, unless we happen to have exactly the same tastes. The biggest trend in cocktails right now? We’ve been seeing bartenders steer towards the less alcoholic side of cocktails and discovering a love for aperitifs, vermouths and fortified wines which lead into classic cocktail styles of the Spritz, Collins and Fizzes as well as turning the cocktail on its head by allowing the less alcoholic ingredients to reign supreme. Your drink of choice? I’m very keen on wine at the moment. There are some exciting things coming out of Australian vineyards by great young winemakers, so I’m always finding myself at tastings whenever I can get away from work. In terms of cocktails, I’m not shy of a Martini and the Negroni always seems like the right thing to order, no matter where I am in the world. Charlie Ainsbury will be hosting a masterclass on low alcohol cocktails and the next big cocktail trend at This Must be the Place: Low Alcohol Cocktails.
Aloysius Chon
Mar 17, 2-4pm, The Librar. $45.
Meta, Singapore Silliest questions you get? While watching me juice lemons, guests always ask, “Is that a lemon?”. Another guest has once asked me to make a mocktail...with vodka.
Dario Knox FOC, Singapore
The biggest trend in cocktails right now? It’s about bold and daring cocktails right now. Also, people are making their own wine and liqueurs behind the bar, and using those ingredients in their cocktails. Your drink of choice? It’s always a Negroni—sweet and bitter with herbaceous flavours from the gin.
Silliest questions you get? “Can I please get a Belvedere Tonic? But with gin please”, or “Do you have calorie-free cocktail?” The biggest trend in cocktails right now? When it comes to cocktails, there have been trends of all kinds. But at the end of the day, it’s all about flavor and taste. Your drink of choice? Jerez, or sherry wines from Jerez de la Frontera in Spain.
Bannie Kang Antidote, Singapore Silliest questions you get? On the flip side, I am actually impressed that guests are more educated on their drinks. The biggest trend in cocktails right now? Going back to the classics will be the trend in 2016. Guests are more discerning these days, apart from enjoying a good drink, they also want to be educated on the history of cocktails.
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SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016
Your drink of choice? Gin & Tonic. It’s a simple drink that’s easy and refreshing at the same time. Join Tipsy Tea Time with booze-laced confections and boozy iced teas and an optional free-flow package. Mar 13 & 19, 3-5pm, Antidote. $55.
Hannah Waters 28 HongKong Street, Singapore Silliest questions you get? To be honest, the bulk of the silly questions come from my mouth and are a direct result of my irregular bar shift, like “Oh, did my shift start at 9?!” or “Is <insert cocktail here> with or without egg white?” The biggest trend in cocktails right now? The global health movement is throwing some weight behind low alcohol cocktails and lighter beverages. The rise in the use of local and regional flavors is definitely my favorite growing trend. In the last few years, I’ve seen more and more menus showcasing local ingredients, and competitors in local, regional and global competitions are constantly raising the bar and crushing pre-existing notions of what can be used in cocktails.
Your drink of choice? Time, place and company all play a part in my drink of choice, That said, Logan Demmy at 28 HongKong Street makes a delicious Ramos Gin Fizz, one I’d willingly default to if it was a readily-available option in the greater collective of bars. Hannah Waters is hosting a women’s-only whisky tasting session with Beckaly Franks at Whiskeys Are for Ladies. Mar 16, The Flagship. $48.
Jim Meehan
Luke Whearty
PDT (Please Don’t Tell), New York
Operation Dagger, Singapore
Silliest questions you get? “Is the (the cocktail) sweet?”—we spend most of our energy balancing sweet, sour, strong and other flavors, so of course not. And, “What’s your favorite cocktail?” We all have different preferences. Most bartenders favor extraordinarily strong bitter ingredients like pot stilled rum or bitters, so you probably don’t want to drink what your bartender is having on his/her night off.
Silliest questions you get? After meeting for the first time they ask, “Can you make a drink that matches my personality?”, or the guest chooses asks “Is this cocktail good?”
The biggest trend in cocktails? Aperitif-style cocktails and oddities from the ‘80s seem to be coming back.
The biggest trend in cocktails? Probably fermentation. It’s been a huge part of our menu but it’s beginning to become popular now around the world.
Your drink of choice? I’m a chameleon when it comes to my cocktails: always trying to blend in to fit the occasion.
Your drink of choice? Pina Colada. Because even when it’s bad, it’s good!
Jim Meehan is guest bartending at Gibson on Mar 12, The Cufflink Club on Mar 15 and Manhattan on Mar 18.
Luke Whearty has a workshop on fermentation, distillation and wasteminimization called Potential Wasteland. Mar 12 & 19, Operation Dagger. $150.
Symphony Loo
Yugnes Susela
Neon Pigeon, Singapore
Smoke & Mirrors, Singapore Silliest questions you get? I personally don’t think there are any silly questions, but the ones that tickle me are, “Can you do something to wow me?”, “Can I have your favorite drink?” and “Do you get a lot of phone numbers from the ladies?”
Silliest questions you get? It’s really funny when people ask for a drink but can’t remember the name, the ingredients or the mix. We have a good laugh and it isn’t the same drink as they had before, but we will find something close, and maybe introduce something new. Biggest trend in cocktails? It’s not about mixing so many flavors to mask the spirits anymore. Now, a bartender should know the classics perfectly. Your drink of choice? A good Negroni, that is bitter and sweet at the same time. There’s also a touch of smoked rosemary and an orange twist for a clean finish. Check out Neon Pigeon on Bar Tour One that includes Meatliquor, Lime House and Oxwell & Co. Mar 14. $98.
The biggest trend in cocktails right now? The biggest trend is experimenting with flavors. The current breed of bartenders believe in finding new and interesting flavors to make cocktails. To give an example, I was in Brussels recently and had the chance to taste a cocktail made from tequila and mushrooms—it was so good I had it twice. Your drink of choice? I love Gin & Tonic. It is not only refreshing but it’s also the first drink I made as a bartender. It reminds me of how I started my career. Catch Yugnes Susela together with Code Deco’s Gauri Garodia and Edible Garden City’s Bjorn Low at Evoke, a cocktail workshop which shows you how to mix scents and science in a collaborative session. Mar 13, Smoke and Mirrors. $45.
NEW BAR La Terre The buzz: GQ-ready sommelier Daisuke Kawai runs this broody, blondwood-and-glass bar a couple blocks over from the Hong Kong Street revelry, perfect for a quiet chat after a hairy Monday at the office. The vibe: La Terre feels like the antechamber to a soothing sort of after world, all hushed sliding doors, impeccable and uncluttered surfaces and a bar that takes up most of the long, narrow space. The drinks: The menu is a long but very curated list of mostly Old World wines, with some intriguing bottles from Greece, Lebanon and elsewhere, most of them priced in the threeand four- figures, more than the amateur wine or whisky drinker would probably like to spend. That said, there are still a few good bottles at $80, and wines by the glass (which keep
changing) that range from $20-25. The whisky list is almost as exhaustive, with something like two dozen options from Karuizawa alone, though only some are available by the glass. The food: The bar bites, though, are thankfully affordable and good. The duck rillettes ($12) are excellent and come with good bread. There’s also stuff like marinated mushrooms and olives ($6 per plate) and a cheese selection ($6 per 25g). You’ll feel oh so French mixing and matching a few of these and pairing them with a nice Bourgogne. Why you’ll be back: The focus is squarely on elegant service, very nice wines and great whiskies, the latter mostly of the Japanese persuasion—fans of Japanese drinks will be pleased. #01-01 11 Upper Circular Rd., www.laterrewine.com. MRIGAA SETHI
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016 SG MAGAZINE
15
island
The latest openings and hottest trends in Singapore
Angeleno
NEIGHBORHOODS
Same Old, Brand New Singapore’s Chinatown is cooler than ever—here’s why. By Chelsia Tan
Oxwell & Co Singapore Cocktail Week
W
ith a new and revitalized heritage center, Singapore Cocktail Week and an all-you-can-eat-or-drink brunch affair, this bustling stretch has lots to offer, even though CNY festivities are over.
The Heritage Centre got a revamp Pagoda Street just got a little more exciting with the reopening of the Chinatown Heritage Centre. It’s still a tourist spot, but the newly renovated galleries are worth a trip down. Following the precinct’s evolution from its past as a Chinese migrant settlement to a modern heritage attraction, the space features multi-sensorial exhibits and is currently hosting a showcase about local dialects. For a crash course on the history of Chinatown, go on an interactive guided tour with actors channeling characters like a samsui woman and a trishaw rider. 48 Pagoda St., www.chinatownheritagecentre.com.sg.
New restaurants galore Back-alley hideout Gemmill Lane isn’t done with just the launch Mediterranean restaurant Maggie Jones last year— Californian-Italian restaurant Angeleno (20 Gemmill Ln., www.angeleno.com.sg) and the eponymously-named Gemmills (#01-02 110 Amoy St., www.facebook.com/ gemmillssingapore), a bottle shop, cafe and bar-in one, are giving diners more places to hit than just Keong Saik. And speaking of Chinatown’s coolest enclave, another restaurant has set up shop among its bevy of fancy
fun-dining establishments. 999.99 (29 Keong Saik Rd., www.fivenines.sg) bills itself as an affordable, modern European spot serving up Western-Japanese plates with premium ingredients.
Singapore Cocktail Week spills over The boozy event is back on Mar 12-19 and this year’s edition features over 50 pop-up bars, workshops, parties and other fringe events, with new sponsoring booze companies like Absolut Elyx showcasing there. Besides cocktails, one major highlight will be a focus on food, with brunches, supper clubs and other fun activities for foodies. For more on the bartenders, see page 14. www.singaporecocktailweek.com.sg.
Boozy brunches are now a regular thing Following the opening of its new rooftop bar,gastro-pub Oxwell & Co has launched a free-flow brunch party, set to happen monthly. There will be classic British canapes and bites like pork scratchings, mini Yorkshire puddings and mini fish and chips by head chef Nick Scorpion, with old-fashioned cocktails and DJ Patrick Oliver helming the decks. Tickets are at $111.83 from Peatix. 5 Ann Siang Rd., www.oxwellandco.com.
Chinatown Heritage Centre
Getai Soul is returning in May The popular Getai music series by Lepark and the Getai Group is happening from May 7-8. This time, the event features a line-up of 14 local and regional jazz, soul and funk musicians like The Steve McQueens, Charlie Lim & The Mothership and Za FeeDo. For now, details are minimal, but you can expect food stalls and an art market, set in an outdoor location within Chinatown. Look out for updates on the Getai Group’s Facebook page. www.facebook.com/thegetaigroup
WELLNESS 3 new boutique gyms in town
WeBarre
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SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016
Alpha Gymnastics
Spartans Boxing Club
WeBarre
The refurbished colonial cluster at Loewen Road now houses a new gymnastics and yoga studio, Alpha Gymnastics, which offers safe and instructional recreational gymnastics sessions for adults. There, you’ll learn how to build up your strength and flexibility in fun, guided classes available twice weekly. Prices start from $507 for a 13-week term, comprising 13 one and a half hour classes. #01-07 72 Loewen Rd., www.alphagymasia.com.
The Spartans Boxing Club is housed in a ‘70s style building and has a serious, no-nonsense vibe with its gray walls and black carpets, along with equipment like punching bags hanging at the back of the practice area. The gym provides equipment like helmets and gloves. For practice, bouts, there’s an arena to watch boxers to spar. Apart from boxing, Muay Thai classes are offered, too, priced at $660 for three months or $1,200 for six months. Annual fees are $2,280. 393 Joo Chiat Rd., www.spartansboxing.com.
A bit late to the trendy workout party, but welcome nevertheless, WeBarre is Singapore’s first ever barre studio. In case you didn’t know, the workout has been all the rage abroad and involves a blend of yoga, pilates, strength training and ballet techniques that ballerinas supposedly do. The 1,600 sq ft. studio is located in a shophouse, and resembles a typical ballet studio with sunlight streaming in from the windows. The center has three types of classes, Fundamentals, Signature and HIIT sessions, which start at $330 for 10 sessions. 86B Tanjong Pagar Rd., www.webarre.com. CHELSIA TAN
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FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016 SG MAGAZINE
17
eats
The inside scoop on Singapore’s drink and dining scene
NEW AND NOTED with Chelsia Tan
Corner House
TRENDS
Alternative Bites
4 ways to eat out without booking a table at a restaurant. By Chelsia Tan Gibson
BUTTER UP Hugely popular Hong Kong confectionery store Jenny’s Bakery is having pop-up at Pedder on Scotts. You missed the first one the weekend over Mar 4, but it’s not too late to catch the one happening Mar 11-13, from 10am. On sale are its rich butter cookies, coffee cookies, and various assortments of other flavors. Pre-orders are available, and each walk-in customers can purchase four to 10 boxes each. Prices hover around $50 for a box. More info at www.jennysbakery.sg.
Plate Culture
Catalunya
Garden Beats Festival
S
ure, dining at the latest big-name chef restaurants may get you all hyped up for your next night about town. But for a different food experience, why not give these places a break and try a more social way to eat out? From raucous parties to meal sharing, here are some ideas.
Boozy Foodie Parties
Mealsharing
There’s been a boom of events serving up everything from brunch bites to Jamaican jerk sauces, as seen at the upcoming The Great Singapore Jerk-Off on Mar 19 (Red Baron, 45 Malan Rd., ) and Catalunya’s boozed-up Easter Brunch Party happening from Mar 25-27 (#1712 The Fullerton Pavilion, South Beach Tower, 38 Beach Rd., www.catalunya.sg) Of course, it isn’t a proper party without a killer track list: DJs Dub Skank’in Hifi, Me.Layan and Lavin will be taking to the decks with reggae tunes at The Great Singapore Jerk-Off. Also not to be missed—Rail Collidoscope presented by Noise x LushLovesLocal on Mar 19 (Blk 44 Holland Drive Carpark) is sending off the rail corridor with a pop-up daytime party featuring DJs, live street art and food and drinks stalls.
If you fancy yourself an above amateur cook, then play host to a group of strangers at a dinner party set in your home. Bon Appetour (www.bonappetour.com), Plate Culture (www.plateculture.com) and Mealsharing (www.mealsharing.com) are some communities you can join here and this is how it works: like Airbnb, hosts list menus and their bios on the site, and guests can contact them through the platform’s messaging function to confirm dates and work out details like dining preferences. Once booked and paid for, you now have a dinner party to plan.
Dining for a Cause Eat, and help a social enterprise at the same time. Soul Food (#01-10 20 Lengkok Bahru, www.facebook. com/Soul-Food-Enterprise-Pte-Ltd ) is a new restaurant at Lengkok Bahru offering modern European food, and the establishment hires youths with learning disabilities opportunities with the aim of equipping them with life skills. Also championing the social movement is restaurant and bar New Rasa Singapura (#B1-02 Tanglin Post Office, 56 Tanglin Rd., www.hawker.com.sg), which is located at the Tanglin Post Office. Dishing out local plates like beef rendang, laksa and fish head curry, New Rasa Singapura hires those who are out-of-work, or those who have physical disabilities.
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SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016
Cool Picnics Making casual outdoor lunches a hip affair is Sunshine Nation’s Garden Beats Festival (www.gardenbeats.com) on Mar 19, a communal picnic and electronic music fiesta at Fort Canning Park. Unlike other outdoor music bashes, you can choose to bring your own food, or make do with stalls like Marco Marco, Meatliquor, Lime House and Selva Foods. The line-up includes showcases by Berlin DJ and producer Allefarben, deep house and electro band Jan Blomqvist, German DJ Klangkuenstler and French DJs Faul & Wad. Local acts like spin maestros Brendon P, Haan, KFC and Zig Zach will be performing, too.
RISE & SHINE Good news, CBD drones: food delivery service Deliveroo has launched a breakfast service that runs 8-11am. For a minimum order of $18, you can choose from cafes like 2 Men Bagel House, Dapper Coffee, Da Paolo Gastronomia and Gaest among a list of 15 establishments, and they promise to deliver within 32 minutes. If it’s your first time, get $20 off your first order with the promo code "BREAKFASTROO". More info at www.deliveroo.com.sg. BAR NONE A new offshoot to the World’s 50 Bars list (which has featured 28 Hong Kong Street, Tippling Club and Manhattan), Asia’s 50 Best Bars will have its inaugural announcement on Mar 31. Meantime, editor Hamish Smith has been busy notifying winners on Facebook, and many of the usual suspects in Singapore have made the cut: Fairmont Singapore’s Antidote, Bukit Pasoh speakeasy Gibson, mad mixology headquarters Operation Dagger, Daiki Kanetaka’s classy D.Bespoke, punch bowl paradise Jigger and Pony, Golden Age grotto Manhattan, rum joint Sugarhall and old stalwart Tippling Club. We didn’t see 28 HongKong Street, but that’s likely because they don’t have a Facebook page. CHUFFED CHEFS It was a big night for local chefs at the big annual Asia's 50 Best Restaurants announcement on Mar 1. Alongside our enduring heavy-hitters like Restaurant Andre, Les Amis, Waku Ghin and Jaan, two born-and-bred Singaporean chefs made their debut on the list. Jason Tan's Corner House entered the list at an admirable #17, and longtime institution Wild Rocket by Willin Low at #38. Also exciting: Cheryl Koh of Les Amis and Tarte became Asia's Best Pastry Chef. For the full list, visit www.theworlds50best.com LIBATION LEADS A little birdie told us that there’s yet another bar opening on 43 HongKong Street, a couple of doors down from Vasco. The people behind Proof & Company are cooking up a cozy, tufted couches and bevelled wall panels type of place focused on craft spirits. Stay tuned!
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FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016 SG MAGAZINE
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eats
999.99
Hokkaido Izakaya
Andong Zzimdak
NEW PLACES
To Eat List
Buzzing this month: jjimdak, a new rooftop bar at Suntec City and the launch of Hive by Wala Wala. By Chelsia Tan Terra
Terra
W
hile there’s been hot openings like Suntec City’s lush rooftop bar Terra, we are seeing a couple of old favorites taking the spotlight, too. Shabu Shabu sets and the launch of Wala Wala’s second bar show that it’s not always just about the newest big-name chef ventures and fancy tables. Here are the ones to note:
999.99 (Five Nines) Value-for-money prices and European fare may not usually go hand-in-hand, but 999.99 is set to make dining at an upscale setting a little more wallet-friendly. Go for the five-course dinner or two-course set lunch which will set you back at $59 and $19.80++ respectively. You will have a choice of mains like lamb and eggplant or tenderloin steak (dinner) or four different mains including the restaurant's signature lobster gratin (lunch). Otherwise, a la carte plates cost between $5 for starters to $29 for mains. In a precinct bursting with trendy, progressive (and costly) restaurants, this is probably as good as it gets. 29 Keong Saik Rd., www.fivenines.sg.
Andong Zzimdak This jjimdak specialty chain, which is available at over 65 locations in South Korea, serves the Korean braised chicken dish, marinated in a sweet and savory broth made from Korean soy and corn syrup. The menu’s mostly meant for sharing and features four jjimdak varieties: the original Andong Jjimdak ($45.90/$55.90), boneless jjimdak ($49.90/$59.90), seafood jjimdak ($42.90/$65.90) and mayak (spicy) jjimdak ($47.90/$57.90), all served with carrots, potatoes and sweet potato noodles. Besides the obvious highlights, the restaurant also dishes out other items like kimchi pork soup, soft tofu soup and sardine soup, and side dishes such as chicken karaage ($9.90), seafood pancake ($9.90) and spicy dokboki ($9.90). #B144F Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Rd., www.facebook.com/AndongZzimdak.
Hive by Wala Wala Holland Village stalwart Wala Wala has launched their second outlet at Havelock Road early this month. But don't expect a complete facelift for the 23-year-old
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SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016
nightlife veteran—Hive may be a little more spruced up than its sports bar sibling, but the chilled-out atmosphere remains. The 430-seater houses a bottle shop, bakery, cigar room and a restaurant and bar, with live music acts and typical pub grub. Fuel up with reliable dude food like chargrilled honey-glazed pork ribs with Maker's Mark Bourbon and oxtail stew, and wash them down with wines, beer or other spirits. #01-01 Furama RiverFront, 407 Havelock Rd., www.facebook.com/hivebywala.
Hokkaido Izakaya Setting up its first outpost here is Hokkaido Izakaya, which specializes in Hokkaido fare cooked using fresh and seasonal ingredients from the precinct's four town manufacturers—Yakumo, Akkeshi, Furano and Kamishihoro. The menu features the best-selling kakiage tempura soba, made with blackwheat flour ($14), sea urchin wrapped with wagyu beef ($35) and milk hotpot with salmon ($18), all reliable choices for a fail-safe dinner. 95 Tanjong Pagar Rd., www.hokkaidoizakaya.sg.
Roots Kitchen Bar Serving up European-inspired dishes along a quiet lane in Little India, this cafe and bar may resemble generic Melbourne coffee shop with exposed brick walls, industrial finishes and stylish metal chairs, but the menu has hearty and unpretentious items for brunch and dinner. Tuck into plates like egg benedict with caviar ($15), baked camembert ($15), with apple chutney; pancetta with poached egg ($16) and Nagano pork rack ($27 for 200g, $35 for 300g), and cap it off with a curated list of desserts such as the banana bailey ($10), a bread pudding dish with nutella and creamy bailey. Not hungry? There's a wide selection of beers, wines and spirits, and happy hours are from 11am-8pm daily, with draft beer at $10
per pint and selected housepour wines at $9 per glass. 30 Dickson Rd., www.rootskitchen.bar.
Sakurazaka Offering shabu shabu sets with premium meats like the F1 Joshu wagyu, Kyushu shirobuta pork and the Japanese Aomori rice-fed beef, Sakurazaka is a sleek and modern Japanese hotpot restaurant by consultant chef Masashi Horiuchi of Shelter in the Woods. Priced between $95 for two for a pork set to $150 for two for a beef set, each set comprises a starter, vegetables, rice or noodles, and desserts on top of a choice of two broths. There are a total of six available—chicken, pork bone, bouillabaisse, ago dashi, beef, and soya milk—but choices vary for each set. And to complete your simmering DIY meal, there are also three different dips (goma, shiyo ponzu and ponzu) to choose from. 24 Greenwood Ave., www.sakurazaka.com.sg.
Terra Drawing inspiration from Latin American influences, Suntec City's new rooftop bar is all about botanicalinfused cocktails and sassy bites in a trendy and lush setting. The 353 sq m. area is decked out in wood and iron, with pastel touches and plenty of greens, all reminiscent of an uber cool Brooklyn loft apartment. If you're feeling parched, then order breezy cocktails like the Viva La Brasil ($18), with cachaca, pineapple, agave and roesemary syrup. It's not really where you'd go for dinner, but Mexican tapas like stuffed piquillo peppers ($13) and gambas con chocolate, sauteed prawns in spicy chocolate sauce ($14), are some interesting bar snacks on the menu. #03-308 Suntec City Sky Garden, 3 Temasek Blvd., www.terrasingapore.com.
Holidays, hotels and insider travel news
escapes
HONG KONG
Rocky Road
5 tough trail races for a different perspective on Hong Kong. By Ric Stockfis
The Mira
Ovolo Central
ESSENTIALS GETTING THERE Tigerair (www.tigerair.com) can get you there from around $230 return. For Singapore Airlines (www.singaporeair.com) you’re looking at $550 upward.
TransLantau
Green Power Hike
MSIG Sai Kung
TransLantau
T
rail and ultra-running has exploded in popularity in Hong Kong over the last few years and it’s now surely Asia’s premier destination for great routes, competitive races and an enthusiastic—bordering on obsessive—running community. With multiple races held every weekend through the season (October through March), there’s no better way to explore the scenic hills, rural villages and remote beaches, all a far cry from the bustling heart of the city.
Green Power Hike
King of the Hills
Don’t be fooled by the name. While plenty of people do indeed hike the 10, 25 or 50km courses on offer, runners take them pretty seriously. Held early in the year, it’s a great way to see the best of Hong Kong island, with the 50km race starting at The Peak and finishing all the way on the other side of the island at Big Wave Bay. www.greenpower.org.hk
Held between November and February, King of the Hills (KOTH) has been going for nearly 20 years and is perhaps the most popular—and over-subscribed—series of races, with events on Hong Kong island and Lantau, as well as out in Tai Po and Sai Kung. Competitors get ranking points (and bragging rights). www.seyonasia.com
MSIG Sai Kung
The North Face 100
Organized in February by Action Asia, who put on a variety of races in Hong Kong as well as multi-day expeditions across the continent, this event offers up 12, 21 and 50k options out in the far northeast of the New Territories. It’s a wonderfully scenic, technically-demanding course that includes a run along Tai Long Wan beach. www.actionasiaevents.com
Widely considered the hardest 100k race in Hong Kong (at least compared to the better known Trailwalker), this December event covers a broad swathe of the New Territories, including Hong Kong’s highest peak, the brutal Tai Mo Shan. It’s not quite the ultimate test (that honor goes to the recently established Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge: close to 300km with a cut-off time of 60 hours) but it’s certainly a serious challenge. www.thenorthface100.com
TransLantau Held in March each year, with options of 25, 50 and 100km (the latter involving close to 6,000m of elevation gain, including the 934m Lantau Peak), this scenic (though punishing) race on the largest of Hong Kong’s islands is run almost entirely on trails, starting and ending on Silvermine Beach. www.translantau.com
WHERE TO STAY If you’re island-side, it’s hard to beat the location of boutique spot Ovolo Central (2 Arbuthnot Rd., www.mrandmrssmith.com/luxury-hotels/ ovolo-central), right off Wyndham Street and just up from Lan Kwai Fong. Some of the 42 rooms are small (it’s worth upgrading to an Executive Deluxe room), but they all come kitted out with nice luxe touches like in-room Nespresso machines, Malin+Goetz toiletries and Apple TV. Pitched halfway between a serviced apartment and hotel, it’s a great choice if you’re on a busy schedule and just need somewhere contemporary and convenient to spend the night (there’s even a small gym). While there’s no in-house dining, a decent complimentary breakfast is served next door at Café O. Rates start from $303 per night. Over in Tsim Sha Tsui (a great option if your race starts early out in the New Territories), The Mira (118 Nathan Rd., www.themirahotel. com) is a bigger but very much design-focused property, with 492 rooms and more than 50 suites. It’s a stylish spot, nowhere more so than at courtyard drinking and shisha spot Vibes, which plays host to events like the Absolut popup bar for Art Basel Hong Kong. The Mira is also home to some of the city’s best restaurants, including Cantonese delicacies at Cuisine Cuisine (which looks directly onto Kowloon Park) and international buffet offerings at Yamm. After a tough race, we particularly enjoyed the MiraSpa, home to an indoor infinity pool as well as a wet zone (featuring water beds and hydro pools) and aura rooms (with color therapy mood lighting and personalized playlists). Another nice touch: every room comes equipped with a “wifi buddy” a small portable device giving you complimentary high-speed internet connectivity wherever you go in the city. Rates start from $307 per night. SUPPLIES There are plenty of trail running stores in Hong Kong where you can stock up on supplies or get tips about an upcoming event, including the Action X Store on Hong Kong island (28 Bonham Strand, www.actionxstore.com) and Lantau Base Camp over on Lantau (Shop J, Sea View Building, 1 Ngan Wan Rd., Mui Wo, www.lantaubasecamp.com).
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016 SG MAGAZINE
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escapes THAILAND
Skipping Town 6 reasons why Khao Yai—not Bangkok—should be your next weekend getaway. By Asia City Editorial
Khao Yai’s GranMonte Vineyard
I
f you’re starting to tire of your frequent adventures to Bangkok—unlikely as it sounds— why not consider a couple quiet nights in nearby Khao Yai? Just a three hour drive from the city, this national park and surrounding town have plenty to offer, from design hotels and luxurious spas to good coffee and award-winning wine. Here are some things to do when you get there
Escape Khao Yai
1
Set on a former quarry, Nhapha Khao Yai Resort is designed to blend with the craggy surrounds and comes with two room types: the hilltop 90-sq-meter deluxe Chom Hin Pha (from about $471) and the hill-side 50-sq-meter Ping Hin Pha (from about $314), which combines floor-to-ceiling windows with marble-stone walls. As it’s owned by Thavorn Ko-Udomvit, a renowned lecturer at Silpakorn University and the guy behind Ardel Gallery of Modern Art, the hotel is full of art pieces from leading local and international artists such as ceramicist Nino Sarabutra and sculptor/ photographer Wasinburee Supanichvoraparch, along with Japanese printmakers Tetsuya Noda and Kansuke Morioka. There’s also a red pool on-site. Bungtoey-Khlongdindam Rd., Moo 14, Moo-Si, Pakchong, +65 (0) 93 636 9999.
Escape Khao Yai
2 Birder’s Lodge
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SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016
Nhapha Khao Yai Resort
Stay in a European-style wooden cottage
Birder’s Lodge is a quaint new resort that features five European-style wooden cottages spread across lush, florafilled grounds. Each one comes in a homely modern-meets-rustic style, fully equipped with a kitchen and utilities. Prices range from around $118-177 per night. You can even ask for a free barbecue set for a private grill dinner right outside their cottage. There are also bikes available for you to take in all that fresh air. If you’re only doing a one-day trip, there’s also a pretty stunning cafe on-site that sticks to that winning combo of raw wood and greenery. 282 Moo 10, Moo-si, Pakchong, +65 (0) 96-545-4154.
3
Atta Lakeside Resort
Submarine Coffee Tank
Stay in a resort that used to be a quarry
Check in to a beautiful lakeside resort with a spa
The people behind Kirimaya Golf Resort & Spa (complete with stunning Jack Nicklausdesigned 18-hole championship golf course) just unveiled a sister resort. Perched by a lake, in the foothills of Khao Yai National Park, Atta Lakeside Resort is home to 243 rooms spread across nine low-rise buildings. It flaunts modern-style decor, in soft brown hues to complement the leafy surroundings, while floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the real highlight: unbeatable views. Rates start at around $610 per night for a one-bedroom suite. Splurge on the rooftop penthouses (about $1,299 per night) for panoramic views of the national park from your private
infinity pool. The mountain scenery from the swimming pool and open-air restaurant are also not to be missed. 1/3 Moo 6 Thanarat Road, Moo-Si, Pakchong, +65 (0) 44-426000, www.kirimaya.com/resorts/atta
4
Or stay in a villa next to a gorgeous forest
Escape Khao Yai's new 263 sq-meter three-bedroom villas, decked out in neutral wooden furniture, come with three bedrooms and bathrooms, a pantry, spacious living room and, the highlight, a private, sunken pool. You can also throw in high ceilings and big windows showing great views of the lush Khao Yai forests. The resort has plenty to offer after your daytime nature walk, such as a multipurpose outdoor spot with a fireplace, a restaurant serving farm-to-table dishes, rooftop bar and communal pool with a wellstocked bar. There is also a fitness center offering classes like indoor cycling to boxing. Priced at about $984. 29 Pansuk-Kudkla Rd., Phayayen, Pak Chong, +65 (0) 92-823-2590.
5
Sample good wine
Khao Yai’s GranMonte Vineyard and its Chenin Blancs and Syrahs have regularly won regional prizes in blind tastings, and its young winemaker Nikki Lohitnavy was recently on the Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 list. Stop by for a scenic $11 wine-tasting tour and stay for lunch. 52 Moo 9 Phayayen, Pakchong, +65 (0)44-009-543, +65 (0) 81-900-8282, www.granmonte.com
6
Have coffee at this new cafe
Submarine Coffee Tank is a project by Secondfloor Architects, who have designed the property in a way that integrates it with the natural surroundings to provide visitors a relaxing, peaceful caffeine fix amid the leafy trees near the entrance of Khao Yai National Park. The industrial-chic, semi-open air cafe is already a hit with locals and visitors, thanks to its insta-friendly design and yummy drinks and dessert offerings, which include over 10 types of cold press juices plus a seasonal menu. It’s only open three days a week, though (Fri-Sun, from 9am-11pm), so plan wisely. 149 Moo 10, Moo-si, Pakchong, +65 (0) 96-981-0682, www.facebook.com/ yellowsubmarinecoffee
last word
Marc Nair From poetry, photography and song writing, to being the cofounder of culture magazine Mackerel, this multi-hyphenated spoken word poetry veteran has his fingers in many pies. Marc Nair is also one of the most prolific young poets in Singapore, and has represented the country at international arts events in cities like London, Amsterdam and elsewhere. He recently completed a writing residency at Gardens by the Bay and has just launched his sixth book, Spomenik, a collection of poems and photos from the Balkans, in March. Here, he speaks to Chelsia Tan about state funding, the lack of literary agents and Singapore’s disparity between literacy and love of literature. [Singaporean writers] are largely unknown abroad, to be honest. I think a few writers do get taught in schools, or make their way occasionally onto the syllabus at Western The first significant experience I’ve had with poetry universities, but because we don’t have agents, we rely was learning nursery rhymes from my mother. And later on the limited distribution networks of our publishers, on, memorizing and reciting the whole and often, we just don’t have the book back at her. I must have been all or weight to break into “I often feel that I live connections of four years old. more established markets overseas. My childhood was in the 1980s, which was the turning point of Singapore’s transformation into a metropolis.
in a country where
I often feel that I live in a country The book which I produced from my where fewer and fewer people actively fewer and fewer residency at Gardens by the Bay was read. We face a disparity between people actively read.” something I had to come up with in six a very high rate of literacy and an months! It was a little stressful for me, equally high rate of disinterest in as I like to have space to think about literature. It doesn’t help that many schools have dropped whatever I write. The work that has emerged out of that literature as a serious subject, and get “vendors” instead to residency constantly negotiates between this amalgamation teach students how to write a poem in two hours. of natural and constructed beauty. I see it being analogous to Singapore. This attitude of treating words as an addendum after core subjects like Math and Science persists into adulthood. We are a garden city after all, but the garden is very That’s why so many people automatically associate poetry much manicured in the shape of our economic desires. as “cheem,” or difficult, when they simply haven’t been And from that unlikely marriage, a number of poems that given the right tools to understand it. tackle issues of identity, language, culture and nature have emerged. It might only be published in 2017 though. I write about many things: quirky commentary on popular culture, observations on the road but also about things that I write differently for page and for stage. For stage, the are very local and contemporary. voice is as important as the text. While page poems do have a poetic voice, there are nuances of pace, tone, volume and
THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID
emotion that enter into spoken word or slam poetry. And slam was where I got my start and found my first audience; so performing poetry will always be an integral part of my practice. Poetry, especially local poetry, doesn’t often feature on the to-do lists of people here. But Singapore seems to have birthed more poets than novelists, so perhaps we aren’t the minority genre. Nevertheless, Singapore literature isn’t something that is the topic of many dinner conversations, and when I tell people I write poetry, they often remark that I’m the first poet they’ve ever met in their lives. I’m not entirely sure if I should be flattered or saddened about that. When it comes to the relationship between artists and state funding, I think you have to deal with the cards you’re given. I have writer friends in Indonesia and the Philippines who stand no chance of getting any state funding to publish and struggle to work on their own. But then they don’t have to worry about censorship either. If you want state funding, you have to play by the rules. If you want to walk your own path, don’t take someone else’s money then turn around and whine when things don’t work out. But honestly, I do think more state funding should be directed towards building new audiences. We can do so much more to engender a love for reading in our people.
by Kathy Macleod
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016 SG MAGAZINE
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