[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It’s not just Singapore’s temperature that is sizzling. Stylish hotel openings, exciting new restaurants and bars, and a vibrant shopping and entertainment scene are making the island a vital pit stop, especially during the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix in September.
DELICIOUS DINING
VENUE by Sebastian Down-to-earth and tasty sharing plates take centre stage in this new 80-seater opened by one of Singapore’s most illustrious chefs Sebastian Ng in the Central Business District. The breezy and open restaurant serves up contemporary European fare in a casual setting and includes chef-owner Sebastian’s signature French-style dishes with an Asian influence such as angel hair pasta with sakura ebi, konbu and chilli. venuebysebastian.com
Audace Pushing the boundaries of modern bistro fare is French chef Jérémy Gillon at his all-day dining debut in Singapore. Formerly from the Le Montana in Paris where he led the hotel’s L’Epicurien restaurant to its first Michelin star and retaining it the following year, Chef Jérémy takes local and regional produce and whips up dishes like Seabream Broccoli and Pork Beetroots with an element of surprise. audace.com.sg
Junior The team behind 28 HongKong Street, crowned Asia’s best bar in Asia’s 50 Best Bar Awards last year, unveils hidden experimental pocket bar, Junior, accessed via all-day diner Cracker Jack. A new cocktail concept is presented every six months, showcasing rare curated artisanal spirits paired with bar bites in an intimate, first-come-first-serve 10-seater private space. Debut concept Norma, which runs until January 2018, celebrates the craft and tradition of authentic agave spirits from Mexico.
Nouri Savour a melting pot of cultures and a unique ‘crossroads cooking’ experience in a home kitchen atmosphere at chef Ivan Brehm’s first restaurant. The former executive chef of The Kitchen at Bacchanalia, which earned its first Michelin star in 2016, skillfully weaves Southeast Asian influences into international dishes, which are well complemented by a range of organic, biodynamic and natural wines from boutique producers. nouri.com.sg
STYLISH STAYS
Andaz Singapore Set to open in October, the first Andaz property in Southeast Asia artfully echoes its location at the intersection of the Kampong Glam, Little India and Bugis cultural districts in each of its 342 guest rooms’ interiors. With four event venues, four dining and drinking concepts including the Mr Stork rooftop bar with a 360-degree view and street-dining-in-the-sky restaurant concept Alley on 25, there is no shortage of entertainment options in this accommodation spread across the 25th to 39th floors of the new commercial-residential Duo Tower. andazsingapore.comPark
Hotel Farrer Park For convenience and comfort for the family, plus cultural heritage thrown in the mix, check into Park Hotel Farrer Park’s sleek and cosy duplex Sky and Premier Lofts, featuring lavish touches like paraben-free Appelles toiletries and exclusive access to the hotel’s Crystal Club Lounge. parkhotelgroup.com/en/farrerpark
Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore For stays of one week or more, the elegant and well-appointed serviced apartments of newly opened Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore serves as an ideal base to explore the city or live like a local. Located in the heart of the Central Business District and designed in nature-inspired urban style, it is equipped with all the amenities of a five-star hotel and thoughtful homely touches such as personalised concierge services, outdoor infinity pool, round-the-clock fitness centre and a Samsung mobile phone and tablet. oakwoodasia.com
Shangri-La Hotel Singapore There is every reason to splurge on a stay at the brand new Tower Wing in Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore. After eight months of renovation, it now resembles a modern urban resort with lush indoor greenery and art installations. There are also new dining concepts such as Nami Restaurant and Bar helmed by head chef Shigeo Akiba who has served the Japanese royal family, a revitalised club lounge and 503 refurbished guestrooms with soothing colour palettes and chic contemporary furnishings, including a newly added 250 sqm Grand Suite. shangri-la.com/singapore/shangrila
HIP HAPPENINGS
Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix The world’s first night race celebrates its 10th edition in style with performances by A-list headliners such as Ariana Grande, Chainsmokers, Duran Duran and OneRepublic, as well as exhilarating parties and events by Amber Lounge with international DJs, live performances and free-flow champagne.singaporegp.sg
National Gallery Singapore Trace the transformational journey of the City Hall and former Supreme Court buildings into today’s National Gallery Singapore at the Listening to Architecture exhibition, and take time to ponder the evolving architecture of these buildings as a conversation between different generations that develops over time. nationalgallery.sg
Lulu’s Lounge Departing from the mega-club experience is Lulu’s Lounge at Pan Pacific Hotel, complete with the characteristics of a 1960s New York back-alley club and a quirky outlandish design to reflect its fictitious owner’s Bronx upbringing. Chill out with playful twists on classic cocktails and boogie till the crack of dawn with an evolving live mix of early-hour jazz segueing into retro DJ spins, hip hop and rhythm and blues. lulus.sg
Supermama The lifestyle store released the new Orchid Kebaya Souvenir kit that includes a postcard, 20-cm melamine plate and washi tape. In September, three new editions – Tiong Bahru, Bras Basah and Chinatown – will be added to its popular Singapore Architecture plate collection and the store will hold its annual porcelain and craft festival on 22 September at Gillman Barracks. supermama.sg
Dover Street Market Singapore (DSM) Aside from the usual edgy labels, fashionistas can find Singapore-exclusive gems in the fourth outlet of the multi-label store by Comme des Garçons’ founder Rei Kawakubo. The Singapore Dover Street Market T-shirt by Russian fashion designer and photographer Gosha Rubchinskiy, as well as a collaboration collection between DSM Singapore and K-pop superstar G-Dragon’s streetwear label Peaceminusone can all be found here. singapore.doverstreetmarket.com ◼
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]