Yup, the dream is to go zero-waste one day… soon. Sounds impossible and overwhelming? It isn’t and you shouldn’t be. It all boils down to each one us doing our bit – like recycling our rubbish, quitting single-use plastic and making small but impactful changes every single day. Like carrying our own damn reusable water bottle and shopping bag.

So you want to recycle at home? We’re psyched that you’re taking the initiative *fist bump*. 

Everything you need to know about recycling in Singapore

FYI

Singapore’s National Recycling Programme makes sure every public housing complex has a recycling bin in its vicinity – the large blue ones are for recycling and the big green ones for regular household garbage. So take a walk around the block or ask around for the big blue bin – we bet it’s nearby.

But you should know, recycling is an intensive process involving random variables – from world economics to food contamination. This year, China’s ban on importing recyclable trash has created problems globally. The National Environment Agency (NEA) said to Channel News Asia that it “recognises that there may be uncertainties involved in exporting plastic waste overseas”. While Singapore and the world consider its options and alternatives, our best bet is to continue to recycle and steadily work towards a zero-waste life. 

Apart from everyday waste such as plastics that are marked with the recyclable symbol, glass and paper, appliances, e-waste and batteries need to be dealt with responsibly too (don’t worry, we let you in on how to handle this).

Let’s be clear about the difference between recycling waste and giving a second life to goods you no longer need. Got unwanted outfits, furniture and stuff in good condition? Do the sustainable thing and give it away or donate it to charity. Trust us, it’s better to pass it on to someone who needs it than treat it as waste. Now, back to our recycling mission…

Purge your house of plastics

From shampoo bottles to milk jugs, from ready-to-cook spices to pre-packed produce – it’s hard not to notice all the plastic we bring home. Think you can toss it all into the recycling bin? Nope <insert dramatic plot twist music>. Those disposable plates and straws from your last house party, plastic film food packets and styrofoam takeaway containers cannot be recycled. But detergent bottles, plastic bags, body wash bottles and the likes are blue bin worthy if they’re marked with the famous triangle symbol that indicates it’s recyclable plastic, so take a second to check first! Be sure to give them a nice rinse before the toss – perfectly good recyclable things are often discarded if they’re contaminated with food and liquids.

Now you’ve noticed how much plastic you accumulate it might be a good time to start switching to eco-friendly alternatives Singapore’s eco-movement has us mighty excited – stores like The Green Collective, zero-waste grocery stores like Unpackt and Zero Ways that encourage you to bring your own containers and ethical concept stores like The Social Space that offer refill stations for cleaning products are all about the good vibes.  

Get rid of glass and cans

Almost all kinds of glass bottles and metal can be saved up and left in the blue recycling bin – after a good wash, of course. From kaya jam jars to tuna tins, you can recycle them all. Ceramics (teacups, mugs), mirrors and windows ought to be disposed of in the regular green bins in your complex. What about light bulbs? Light bulbs are e-waste. They don’t belong in the blue recycling bins. Is your beauty regime turning wastefully ugly? Sort it out with these plastic-free beauty swaps.

What to do with appliances, e-waste and batteries

Confession: We love our tech. If you’re anything like us, you too might have a drawer filled with old broken gizmos and other e-waste – first-gen iPod relics, dusty PS2 console, old rechargeable batteries, frayed cables and burnt-out fluorescent light bulbs. Drop your broken phones at Singpost x Singtel’s E-Waste Recycling Programme, old Dell products at Dell’s Free Consumer Takeback Services and small household appliances at City Square Mall E-Waste Recycling Programme.

What about batteries? Singapore doesn’t have a facility to recycle alkaline batteries. But in 1992, restrictions were imposed batteries exceeded stipulated mercury content. So all batteries you’ve bought in Singapore can be discarded with regular household waste to be treated at the waste-to-energy incineration plants. As for Lithium-ion batteries, hand them over the StarHub E-Waste Recycling Programme for safe disposal. Keep this map by the National Environment Agency handy and check our guide to dealing with e-waste for all the deets.

Toss that paper

Magazines, flyers, old study books, cereal cartons, cardboard boxes and toilet paper rolls – save these up for a bi-weekly trip to the blue bin in your block. But like plastic, some paper waste doesn’t belong in there – we know you don’t do this, but it has to be said that tissue paper, paper towels (swap them for washable cloths) and disposable plates and cups go into the regular green bin.

Heard of the rag-and-bone man?

Ask around for karang guni, unlicensed rag-and-bone guys or if you hear their distinctive horns on the street, flag them down. They come over to buy paper, cans, e-waste and other junk from your house and resell it to waste recycling company or secondhand dealers.

Give your furniture and home goods a second life

Are you redecorating or simply moving out? If you’ve got furniture and large appliances you no longer need, but are still in good condition, leaving it in the void deck or designated disposal area means you’re sending it straight to the incinerator.

First step? Check out our guide to giving away goods in Singapore: chances are, someone who needs it will snap it up. Our go-to Facebook group for clean living, Journey to Zero Waste Life in Singapore, has pulled together a comprehensive list to give away (and buy) pre-loved things. For larger, more cumbersome stuff, enlist waste removal and recycle services like Junk to Clear.

Chuck those clothes

Holding on to a closet full of outfits you never wear? All aboard the minimalist life or just spring clean (trust us, you’ll feel better). Sure you can bag and drop ‘em into the textile recycling bin. You’ll find them at H&M stores, and Green Square has a collection point at The Green Collective in One KM Mall (or can even collect from your home).

But if they’re gently used, we’d rather you go the sustainable way. Donate to charities like The Salvation Army, New2U Thrift Store, post it on Carousell or pay-it-forward on Facebook groups like Give away Singapore, Art Don’t Throw (SG) and many more. Keep an eye out for artists and upcyclers like Art Don’t Throw (SG) or take our lead and swap outfits at The Fashion Pulpit’s first retail store.

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The post Trash talk: The what, where and how of recycling waste in Singapore appeared first on Honeycombers Singapore.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year again (well, second to Christmas anyway). The Great Singapore Sale is back from 21 June to 28 July, and with so many promotions and discounts in malls and stores everywhere, sussing out the best deals can be understandably overwhelming. Not to worry; we took the stress out of shopping for you by sniffing out the best places to shop during the Great Singapore Sale 2019. Get your golden Cs (cash and credit cards) ready, and keep this page bookmarked as we’ll update this with new deals as we hunt them out. Ready, get set… shop!

Furniture and decor

Journey East

The Store: Full disclosure: we love this showroom in the famous Tan Boon Liat Building, and between the Honeycombers team we’ve snapped up dining tables for our homes, vintage sideboards… and our own headquarters is home to two fabulous art deco chairs from Journey East. With over 15 furniture brands residing under one roof, we say this the perfect store for the fickle-minded.
Get your hands on: Crazy deals right here from 20% off furniture, 50% off selected items, free delivery for purchases over $1000 and 10% off home accessories. You can get a taste of their offering online, but we say you should wander through the showroom to see the good stuff IRL.
Journey East, 25 May – 31 July, available online or at #03-02 Tan Boon Liat Building 315 Outram Road Singapore 169074

Comfort Design

The Store: Being in the furniture industry for over 30 years, it’s no surprise that Comfort Design is one of Singapore’s top spots for all your furniture needs. Racking up the style quotient but also keeping comfort in mind, it’s like a Pinterest board come to life over here.
Get your hands on: Make the most of the end of season summer sale with a new sofa set. From two and three-seaters to sofa beds, they’ve got it all. While you’re at it, visit the bundle sale section online for massive deals (up to 55% off) on dining table and chair sets.
Comfort Design, 110 Eunos Ave 7, Comfort Design Building, Singapore 409573, levels 1, M & 2; also available online

Smeg

The Store: No introduction necessary over here. Who could resist those retro designs and pastel colours from Smeg? And yes, you definitely need a bright red fridge in your kitchen.
Get your hands on: Get excited for new product launches like the variable temperature kettle at $228 (UP $298); and the stand mixer (SMF02) at $598 (UP $798).
Smeg, from now till 31 July, available island-wide, including the Smeg Gallery and selected retailers.

W. Atelier

The Store: Add a touch of luxury and elegance to your abode with W. Atelier. Going for Italian furniture, Scandinavian furnishings or Spanish lighting? You’ll definitely find something here.
Get your hands on: They’re generously piling on the deals over here. It’s 30% off with up to an additional 15% on selected items. Earn more savings as you spend more. There’s an additional 5% off for orders over $5000, to 15% off when you spend over $15000.
W. Atelier, from now till 30 August, W. Atelier Main showroom, 201 Henderson Road #01-01, Apex @ Henderson Singapore 159545, as well as Fritz Hansen Lounge and Vitra Store in Tan Boon Liat Building

etch&bolts

The store: At etch&bolts, you can expect the one basic thing we’d expect from any furniture store: stylish furniture that lasts. Shop leather Chesterfields, pastel armchairs, walnut tables, and marble shelving.
Get your hands on: The homegrown brand is putting out some of the best deals on the market; its early Great Singapore Sale promo includes 20% off storewide, as well as freebies like two free dining chairs of your choice with every purchase of one dining table, a free bedside table to pair with a bed frame purchased at the store. Now’s the best time for you to finally finish furnishing your home or working on that big makeover you’ve been dreaming about.
etch&bolts, available throughout GSS season, 3 Little Road Level 2, Singapore 536982

Castlery

The store: Every new homeowner in Singapore is familiar with Castlery. The homegrown brand is a treasure trove of high-quality, contemporary furniture that’s affordable too. And when we say you’ll be spoilt for choice, we aren’t kidding: sofas, armchairs, beds, dining tables, lighting, rugs, accessories… whatever you need to furnish your nest.
Get your hands on: There will be rewards! Castlery’s adopting the ‘spend more, save more concept’. So you save $100 off with minimum spending of $1500 to a whopping $1100 off if you spend over $7000. Plus, you even get rebates up to $1100. Did we mention that there will be rewards?
Castlery, available throughout GSS season, shop online or at 19 Keppel Road, #02-06 Jit Poh Building, Singapore 089058 and 200 Turf Club Road, #03-07 The Grandstand, Singapore 287994.

Scene Shang

The Store: It’s contemporary meets Asian heritage at Scene Shang. Get your hands on the best-selling Art Deco jet fans, Back to the End bookends or go big with the customisable Shang system and The Maverick armchair.
Get your hands on: Use the code “GREATSSSALE20” at the checkout to enjoy 20% off on new and customised furniture. Also, visit their special sale section to enjoy up to 50% off coveted pieces.
Scene Shang, available throughout GSS season, 263 Beach Road, Singapore 199542

Fashion & accessories

Naiise

The Store: Ask anyone where to look for truly Singaporean souvenirs and all fingers will point to Naiise. From non-tacky novelty items to original products, you’ll find the works of over 890 emerging, local and indie brands from around the globe.
Get your hands on: This GSS season, Naiise is treating us really nicely (we couldn’t help it!) with over 2000 markdowns, up to 70% off. Oh, and be sure to sign up for their newsletters to enjoy weekly promotions.
Naiise, 21 June – 28 July, available online and at three locations including Jewel Changi Airport

K.Blu

The Store: For chic to death swimwear, resortwear, and activewear for the Asian frame, as well as fashion accessories like hats and bags, K. Blu is a definite stopover before your next beach vacay.
Get your hands on: What is that we hear? It’s up to 70% off on selected items like one-piece swimsuits and activewear in the popular Indian summer and precious porcelain prints and more.
K.Blu, 290 Orchard Road, Paragon Mall, #03-48, Singapore 238859

Grana

The Store: Treat your wardrobe to modern essentials, classic silhouettes and perennial favourites. Grana carries collections made with the finest fabrics that could transcend seasons.
Get your hands on: Save up to 70% on selected apparel, activewear, swimwear and fashion accessories for women and men at Grana, available online.
Grana, available throughout GSS season, available online or check out the Facebook page for new popups

Matter

The Store: This sustainable and purpose-driven label has won countless accolades for its commitment to connect artisans with designers and customers. Long story short – every piece has a story behind it, which is why the Matter tribe is strong.
Get your hands on: It’s celebration central at Matter as they turn five this year. They’re rewarding us with 25% off for orders over $200, and 35% for orders over $300 on everything, save for the latest collection.
Matter, 9 July – 5 August, available at various locations including Zhai, The Green Collective and Kapok

Benjamin Barker

The Store: A purveyor for smart-casual menswear, Benjamin Barker is no stranger to the local fashion scene.
Get your hands on: Amp up your wardrobe with affordable dapper shirts, blazers and accessories that marry versatility and style. Enter ‘GSS20’ for 20% off storewide.
Benjamin Barker, available throughout GSS season, various locations including The Cathay, Tangs Plaza, Suntec City and Vivocity

Design Orchard

The Store: An emporium for local labels and products from the most talented designers, you’ll find everything from apparel to beauty products, fashion accessories, jewellery, gifts and even Singaporean snacks at Design Orchard.
Get your hands on: Make your way to Design Orchard and bag exclusive deals up to 70% off.
Design Orchard, 21 June – 28 July, 250 Orchard Rd, the junction of Orchard Road and Cairnhill Road, Singapore 238905

Great Shiok Shopping at Ang Mo Kio Hub and Jurong Point

The Store: North and west siders, say aye! These heartland malls have something special in store. All you have to do is play a game of Bingo.
Get your hands on: Spend at least $50 in a single same-day receipt to redeem a Bingo card. You’ll get a sticker if you spend the minimum amount stated on each category. You’ll receive a $5 reward once you complete each line. Tick off all boxes and you’ll be rewarded with an additional $50 mall voucher. With over 400 stores in both malls, we think this is a sweet deal.
Great Shiok Shopping, 7 June – 21 July, AMK Hub, 53 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3, Singapore 569933; Jurong Point, 1 Jurong West Central 2, Singapore 648886

Beauty and skincare

Sigi Skin

The Store: A local skincare brand that adopts the ‘less is more’ concept, Sigi Skin’s range holds just three key multi-tasking products.
Get your hands on: We’ve raved about this local skincare brand’s Pink Nectar daily eye mask and minimal range of multi-tasking products. Now, you can try a little bit of everything with the Super Trio Set, which consists of the Morning Glow sunscreen, Kaleanser Cleanser and Pink Nectar eye mask, at just 10% off. Travelling this season? Spend over $80 and receive a free tote bag and towel.
Sigi Skin, 21 June – 28 July, available online.

The Beauty Emporium

The Store: The Beauty Emporium is exactly what its moniker suggests – a boutique for all your beauty and skin-related needs.
Get your hands on: Enjoy weekly specials, one-for-one deals and up to 50% off across bestsellers like Browhaus Extend Lash and Brow Growth Serum, Two Lips Blackout Activated Charcoal Masks and Spa Esprit Plantation Shower Gels. ‘Cos you know, treat yourself.
The Beauty Emporium, 14 June – 18 July, available online.

Innisfree

The Store: The Korean skincare brand champions natural ingredients hailing from the island of Jeju.
Get your hands on: 30% off purchases above $80 at all Innisfree outlets. We’ve got our eyes set on the aloe vera and green tea My Real Squeeze sheet masks.
Innisfree, VIP members get first dibs on 21 June – 22 June; public sale: 23 – 30 June; available at Innisfree stores islandwide.

Need more Honeycombers in your life? Head this way…

The post Great Singapore Sale 2019 is here with major deals to get you in a spendy mood appeared first on Honeycombers Singapore.

En route to building your own business? Wondering how to get out of a funk? Craving meaningful connections with go-getters like yourself? We at Honeycombers are all about supporting local businesses and living our most fulfilling lives – that’s why our latest edition of HoneyTalks features an awesome panel that’ll inspire and empower, with a networking sesh to spark connections between fellow professionals with a passion. Who’s coming along?

Save the date for 31 July 2019, 7pm to 9pm and book your tickets for HoneyTalks: Like a Boss!

The sweet, sweet lineup

In typical HoneyTalks fashion, we’ve carefully curated a lineup of individuals with insightful journeys to share. Expect to see Winnie Ong of Young Hungry Free, an enterprising spirit who founded this fashion commerce at just 19; Amy Bell of The Meat Club, who juggles being a mother of two and managing this online butcher specialising in quality cuts; and Daniel O’Connor of Ice Cream Sundays, a fun-lover who takes charge of organising this popular party series.

Meet our speakers:

Winnie Ong, founder and creative director of Young Hungry Free
Winnie was just 19 when she decided to try her hand at running her own online fashion store, created out of a desire to provide something new to the blogshopping market. Since then, Young Hungry Free has grown from a small blogshop by a resourceful teen, to one of the leading ecommerce sites that countless locals get their latest buys from. Through the years, we’ve seen the brand put out different collections that range from the subtly edgy to the feminine and demure – and we can’t wait to see what else YHF has up their sleeve.

Amy Bell, co-founder of The Meat Club
Who would’ve thought this former lawyer would dip her toes in the meat supplying business? But life works in unexpected ways, and this mother of two had a passion for ensuring that everyone in Singapore had access to good quality yet affordable products. And so The Meat Club was born, sourcing proteins from Australia and sending them to local households through the brand’s ‘click and forget’ delivery model, providing premium cuts to your doorstep without the hassle (which, by the way, is life-changing for anyone who wants to save time on grocery shopping).

Daniel O’Connor, co-founder and lead organiser of Ice Cream Sundays
We all know Ice Cream Sundays as being synonymous with laid-back exploits with booze, ice cream, and funky basslines. But did you know that this local party collective originally began as a non-profit project? A desire to unlock unique outdoor spaces led Daniel and his friends to build this community. 24 iterations and three years later, the crew has taken over a series of iconic outdoor venues around Singapore, including the National Gallery, Gillman Barracks, DECK, Golden Mile Tower and, most recently, Haw Par Villa. Beyond music, ICS has also evolved into a collaborative platform to showcase the talents of Singapore-based creatives.

Wine, bites, and a meaningful night

Join us at The Hive’s newest and largest location at Carpenter Street – we’re talking five floors of work desks, meeting rooms, and office suites! Their network of coworking spaces across Asia is home to a range of startups and growth-minded companies, making it a perfect spot for our lineup of entrepreneurs to share their stories.

You’ll be welcomed with a glass of red or white, courtesy of the wine-loving crew from Vinomofo. Feeling peckish? We’ve also invited the good folk from Well Dressed Salad Bar & Cafe to bring out a spread of undeniably tasty meatless creations. Think nachos with smoky pulled jackfruit, vegetarian satay with peanut sauce, olive rice salad, maple rose crumble, choco creme pots and other bites.

You’re invited!

When: Wednesday, 31st July 2019
Time: 7:00pm – 9pm
Where: The Hive, 36 Carpenter St, Singapore 059915
Tickets: $35 (Your ticket includes a free glass of vino and unlimited helpings of the vegan spread!)

Book your tickets – you know these events sell out in a flash!

The post Entrepreneurs with a passion: HoneyTalks brings you local startup stories over wine and vegan bites appeared first on Honeycombers Singapore.

P.S.A: only six months to 2020. Some of us may already be counting the public holidays and planning a vacation for next year. Before that, let’s see what the month of July has in store, shall we? You’ll want to clear out your calendar as there’s just so much to do.

Things to do in Singapore this July 2019

Eat: Advanced Dining by Telok Ayer Arts Club

13, 20, 27 July
This is not your average dining experience. You can’t expect anything less from Telok Ayer Arts Club, anyway. This time, they’ve curated a special culinary experience in collaboration with Head Chef, Bertram Leong and artists Aiwei Foo and Wangxian Tan from The Picnic. Leave all food norms and dining standards at the door and be prepared for a mind-boggling three hours and a seven-course menu that’ll make you rethink the typical expectation of food, art and food art. Will you be turned off by the strange forms or break old habits surrounding local delicacies?
Advanced Dining, two slots: 1pm-3.30pm and 7pm-9.30pm, Telok Ayer Arts Club, 2 McCallum Street, Singapore 069043

Feast: Singapore Food Festival

All weekend
Passionate foodies, it’s time to step out of your cave. The Singapore Food Festival is back this weekend and there’s quite a line-up waiting for you throughout the rest of July. Adopting the theme, ‘Savour Singapore In Every Bite’, eat your way through the coolest restaurant collabs, interesting culinary experiences, a vegan street food crawl, workshops, special menu items like buah keluak burger by Park Bench Deli and Candlenut, the world’s only Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant, Singapore Tea Festival and masterclasses by kitchen maestros. Diet can wait.
Singapore Food Festival, 12-28 July, various locations islandwide

Shop: Katong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market July Edition

12 July
Once again, everyone’s favourite lifestyle and vintage market is back. There’s everything – vinyl records, fashion, mystic crystals, gothic gifts, home decor and more – yep, lots to satisfy all types of collectors. Block out the whole day, we foresee a day’s worth of tête-à-tête with craftsmen and vintage connoisseurs and a full entertainment line-up of the best DJs in town.
Katong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market July Edition, 4pm-10pm, Katong Square, 86/88 East Coast Road, Singapore 423371

Experience: The [Not-So] Convenience Store

7 June – 31 July
Here’s one way to get on board for plastic-free July. Drop by The [Not-So] Convenience Store that, at first glance, looks like an old-school 7-eleven store from the 80s. Enter the shop and it’s a completely different ball game. Instead of meal-on-the-go and drinks you’ll find sustainable alternatives, zero-waste products and solutions to lead a zero-waste lifestyle. Think everything from reusable cups and cutlery to deodorant bars and menstrual cups. Located at the newly opened Temasek Shophouse right in the heart of Orchard Road, the pop-up store is actually an exhibition to raise awareness about our inherent waste problem.
The [Not-So] Convenience Store, Weekdays: 8am-9pm; weekends: 11am-5pm, Temasek Shophouse 28 Orchard Road, Singapore 238832

Eat: Good Ol’ Days

12 July
Take it back to the kampong days at The Coliseum for an evening of live getai performances, free-flow food and drinks. Bring your appetite for a feast of fresh fruits such as mangosteens, rambutans, a variety of durians and street food.
Good Ol’ Days, The Coliseum, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, 6pm-7.30pm, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269

Eat: Lawry’s the Prime Rib celebrates 20 years

All month

Can you imagine that it’s been 20 years since Lawry’s the Prime Rib’s served its first dish? The renowned restaurant for prime roasts is celebrating the milestone with a special menu. The anniversary four-course menu ($119 per pax) comes with a glass of pinot noir or sauvignon blanc the original spinning bowl salad, foie gras and Japanese oyster, and a choice of the signature USDA roasted prime rib, quarter cajun roast chicken, USDA prime beef tagliatelle pasta or pan fried halibut. Sweeten your meal with tiramisu or puff pastry with Haagen-Dazs ice-cream.
Lawry’s the Prime Rib, 333A Orchard Road, #04-01/31 Mandarin Gallery, Mandarin Orchard Singapore 238897

Culture: Aliwal Arts Night Crawl

13 July

Need a dose of culture in your system? Look no further as the Aliwal Arts Night Crawl is back for its seventh edition. Learn about the rich heritage of Kampong Glam in a fun way through various storytelling tours, exhibitions, video installations, performances featuring Malay drums and percussion, interactive workshops and the famous So Gelam Market. While you’re around the area in the afternoon, make sure to visit Gelam Gallery, Singapore’s first outdoor gallery at the back alley of Muscat Street. We recently visited the streets ourselves and couldn’t help but gush over the original artworks and murals by local artists. The video above explains it all.
 Aliwal Arts Night Crawl, Aliwal Arts Centre, 1pm-10pm, 28 Aliwal Street, Singapore 199918

Music: Jazz up your July

1 – 31 July
Jazz enthusiasts are in for a treat as Esplanade transforms into a toe-tapping mecca for groovy jazz acts. Get ready to rediscover the roots of jazz and explore new horizons through exciting shows by up-and-coming jazz pianist Shai Maestro and his trio; a sultry performance by Tierney Sutton and her band, performing songs from their new album Screenplay; toe-tapping afro-Cuban jazz by Cuban duo Alfredo Rodríguez and Pedrito Martinez; Kyoto Jazz Massive’s 25th Anniversary Party and more.
Jazz in July, Esplanade – Theatres on The Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive Singapore 038981

Feast: Wickedly delish baby back ribs

1 July – 31 August

We love a good plate of baby back ribs around here so we won’t turn this one away. Meat lovers, gather ‘round for a scrumptious selection of fall-off-the-bone tender sticky sweet ’n’ sour pineapple baby back ribs, Thai peach Sriracha baby back ribs; chipotle and Jack Daniel’s bourbon baby back ribs and Hoisin glazed baby back ribs at Crossroads Cafe.
Juicy Gourmet Baby Back Ribs, from $38++, Crossroads Cafe, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, 320 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238865

Eat: The 50 Cents Fest 2019

27-28 July

The 50 Cents Fest is back for a fourth edition at Chinatown Food Street. This time, it spotlights Hokkien heritage, the largest dialect group in Singapore. Feast on over 50 varieties of rice dishes, noodles, soups, desserts and snacks from over 40 vendors. And the highlight of the event? Everything is priced at a humble $0.50 to $3.00. We got an exclusive first look and our top picks are the melt-in-your-mouth fantastic kong ba bao (braised pork belly bun) by the iconic Beng Hiang restaurant, ngoh hiang, ang ku kueh and Buddha Jump over the wall – a flavour-packed broth made with chicken, seafood, abalone and fish maw. Block your whole day as there are plenty of activities, bingo and nostalgic arcade games for all ages. Finally, look out for a hidden restaurant, a cool concept built specially for the festival.
The 50 Cents Fest 2019, 11am-11pm, Chinatown Food Street, Smith Street, Singapore 058935

Experience: Andsoforth presents –  The Wonderland Cabaret

19 & 20 July
It’s a dinner party you can’t miss. Go down the rabbit hole and rub shoulders with Alice and the gang for Andsoforth’s outrageously fantastic variety show. You’ll meet celebs, dance with a drag queen, sing with the wonder band and even get to participate in a game show. All shows include a four-course meal and a tipple.
Andsoforth presents –  The Wonderland Cabaret, other dates are sold out, 7.30pm-10.30pm, secret location

Experience: Guided tour of Kampong Gelam 

12 –14 July
This one extra special. Monster Tour’s free guided walks have put a smile on many faces but this edition takes you beyond the prettiest sightseeing spots and into an outdoor art gallery. The Gelam Gallery, touted as Singapore’s first outdoor gallery, is home to works of 25 artists from various backgrounds and inspirations. Sign up before the spots fill up!
Guided tour of Kampong Gelam: GSS Experience Kampong Gelam & Gelam Gallery, Masjid Sultan Front Entrance (Gate 5) 3 Muscat Street Singapore, Singapore 198833

Watch: Ballet Under the Stars

12 –14 July
It’s back! Catch the opening weekend of the 24th edition of Ballet Under the Stars presented by Singapore Dance Theatre. Don’t forget to bring your picnic mat and basket filled with snacks for an evening of enchanting and contemporary performances.
Ballet Under the Stars, Fort Canning Green, Singapore

Watch & feast: National Day Parade Rehearsals with Smoke & Mirrors

13, 20 July
It’s our favourite time of the year: fireworks galore! Smoke & Mirrors is giving you a sweet treat. The rooftop bar is making the most out of its strategic location atop the National Gallery by offering a local dinner buffet while watching the fireworks display during the National Day Parade rehearsals. Tuck into dishes such as bak kut teh, signature peking duck, wok-fried prawns with Singapore style chilli with deep fried bun, crispy fried soft-shell crab with salted egg yolk, Hainan chicken rice, laksa noodles and cheng tng. Choose among the first and second rows of the outdoor terrace or relax indoors at the lounge.
National Day Parade Rehearsals with Smoke & Mirrors, dinner buffet from $90, 6pm-9.30pm, 1 St. Andrew’s Road, #06-01 National Gallery Singapore, 178957

Watch: Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities

6 –21 July
You’ve not seen anything until you’ve witnessed Cirque du Soleil’s spellbinding shows. Not only does it set the bar really high, but you’re also immersed into a world of acrobatic acts. Cirque du Soleil drops by Singapore for its most acclaimed touring show, Kurios and you can be one of the firsts to catch it. Celebrating the greatest inventions of the 19th century, step into the works of an ambitious inventor and forget everything you know about the laws of time, space and dimensions. Rest assured, you will be #mindblown.
Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities, various timings, 6 –21 July, Under The Big Top, Bayfront Avenue, Beside Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Watch: Three Fat Virgins Unassembled (3FVU)

10 – 14 July
How has female identity in work, education, marriage and parenthood changed over the years? Or has it even changed at all? Witness four talented women Chanel Ariel Chan, Munah Bagharib, Rebekah Sangeetha Dorai and Zelda Tatiana Ng, along with director Grace Kalaiselvi as they give a modern spin to the hilarious 1990s play, Three Fat Virgins Unassembled, directed by Ovidia Yu.
Three Fat Virgins Unassembled (3FVU), various timings, TheatreWorks Singapore, 72-13, Home of TheatreWorks, Mohamed Sultan Road Singapore 239007

Concert: Jesse McCartney: The Resolution Tour Singapore

14 July
Remember earworms like ‘Beautiful Soul’, ‘Leavin’ and ‘She’s No You’? Yaas, this former teen heartthrob is going to take you down memory lane with his first-ever concert in the city. He’ll also be singing some new hits from his 2018 album In Technicolor. We’re counting down the days!
Jesse McCartney: The Resolution Tour Singapore, Gateway Theatre, 3615 Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 159461

Culture: The Peranakan Festival

All month
Put on your best nyonya kebaya and get ready for buah keluak overload – The Peranakan Festival is back for a third run, featuring a massive lineup including a gala dinner, a baba Nyonya literary festival, special promos for halal Peranakan cuisine, masterclasses, a pop-up exhibition, a bazaar, workshops and cultural talks. It begins with the much-anticipated gala dinner featuring the crème de la crème of the Peranakan dining scene. 11 celebrity guest chefs including Aziza Ali, Devagi Sanmugam, Damian d’Silva, Elizabeth Chan, Liza Kassim will be serving up a delectable 13-course dinner. Don’t worry if you can’t make it for the gala; there are plenty of events to keep you cultured all through the next couple of months.
The Peranakan Festival, 7 June to 31 July, 11am to 6pm, Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879

Concert: Bazzi: Live in Singapore

17 July

You may not be familiar with his name but we can bet our last dollar that you’ve heard his hits in the club. This pop sensation is coming to Singapore for the first time ever to perform earworms like ‘Mine’ and ‘Beautiful’ and many more chart-topping numbers. So bring your grooviest dance moves along; it’s going to be one helluva night.
Bazzi: Live in Singapore, 8pm, The Star Theatre, 1 Vista Exchange Green, #04-01, Singapore 138617

Watch: Aladdin the Musical

21 July – 1 September
A whole new world will unfold before your eyes, magic carpet and all. Brought to us from the producer of The Lion King, we’re expecting nothing but an awe-inspiring rendition of Jasmine and Aladdin’s story. Don’t miss singing along to your favourite classics like “Friend like Me” and “Arabian Nights”!
Aladdin the Musical, Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 4 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018973

Concert: Death Cab for Cutie: Live in Singapore

25 July
This American alternative rock band sure loves Singapore and we love them right back. Playing for the third time on our island, Death Cab for Cutie will be performing for one-night-only at Esplanade Theatre. The eight-time Grammy-nominated band will bang out their biggest hits, the words to which we all know and love. Get ready to sing along to ‘Soul Meets Body’, ‘Tiny Vessels’ and ‘The Sound of Settling’.
Death Cab for Cutie, Esplanade Theatre 1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore 038981

Concert: Cross-over X Sam Kim: Sun And Moon Concert

26 July
Korean American artiste Sam Kim is playing in Singapore for the first time ever and you’re in for a real treat. Fun fact: the multi-talent artiste, who participated in the third season of the talent show K-pop Star, released his first EP at just 18 years old.
Cross-over X Sam Kim: Sun And Moon Concert, 7.30pm, Zouk Singapore, 3C River Valley Road, The Cannery, Singapore 179022

Eat & drink: Sunday Sessions at Little Creatures

Every Sunday
If you need a damn good reason to trek all the way to the CBD on a weekend, this might be it. Spend Sunday like the Aussies at this Club Street bar with booze, tunes and good vibes only. Bringing Australian Sunday Sessions to our island, expect live music from Christo Alexander & Friends, DJs, a Sunday roast and all-day $8 lane brews.
Sunday Sessions at Little Creatures, 3pm – 11pm, 6 Club Street, Singapore 069469

Maduro’s 1819 Tuesdays & Tiara Friday Club

Every Tuesday & Friday
Maduro, the newest listening lounge in town, has made it a mission to make live music, jazz and classical a bi-weekly affair. Making Tuesdays come alive, Maduro’s weekly 1819 Tuesday sessions will set the stage (literally) for the next generation of musicians who are more experimental in their art. And Tiara Friday Club will see some of the best local chanteuses and crooners working magic with first-call musician counterparts. Read all about Maduro here.
Maduro, 40C Harding Road Singapore 249548
Need more jazz in your life? These are Singapore’s best jazz clubs… 

What you missed!

Eat: Mauri Tippling Club Takeover Dinner with Chef Mauricio Bombini

3 July

Transport to Bali via Tippling Club as Chef Maurizio Bombini, the owner of Bali’s Mauri Restaurant helms the kitchen for one night only. The menu is inspired by his Pugliese origins (a region in southern Italy) and offers a six-course menu with dishes such as Seppia; burrata with raw cuttlefish, lemon and caviar, 24 months Parmigiano Reggiano ravioli, Capesante; Hokkaido scallop with artichoke and kaffir lime and Costata di Wagyu. Opt for the drinks pairing for a complete and satisfying meal.
Mauri Tippling Club Takeover Dinner, S$195.00++ per pax for a six-course menu; S$280.00 ++ per pax for a six-course menu with drinks pairing, Upstairs at Tippling Club, 38 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088461

Party: Game On! At The Quay

4 – 6 July
Brace yourselves for a carnival at the Quay! We’re talking mini golf, arcade games, teas and tipples. Get ready to kick some putt ‘cos Holey Moley will be giving out golf passes and visors. Head to Pong Singapore for a game of digital beer pong that lets you compete with players across the globe in an immersive audio-visual gaming experience. In the mood for nostalgia? Throw it back to old school arcade games like Puzzle Fighter and Bishi Bashi at Level Up. And it doesn’t stop there – score complimentary tokens with HeyTea, win prizes at Chupitos Shots Bar and more. Get all the deets Clarke Quay’s Game On! At The Quay here.
Clarke Quay’s Game On! At The Quay, 4 to 6 July 2019, 6.30pm till late, Fountain Square, 3 River Valley Rd, Singapore 179024

Party: Celebrate local at Tiger District Party

6 July
Wear your #localpride on your sleeve at Tiger beer’s first-ever Tiger District Party. Enjoy a night of local food, music and the nation’s freshest local beer. Fuel up with Nam Seng wanton mee, Ah Lock tofu and other signature local dishes that will, of course, pair perfectly with a cold bottle of Tiger. Groove to the beats of local R&B funk and soul band, Astronauts and songstress, Abby Simone.
Tiger District Party, 5pm-10pm, Bunkerbunker, 120A Prinsep Street, Bugis Singapore 187937

Concert: 5566: Live in Singapore

6 July
Now, this is a blast from the past. We fondly remember the craze over this Taiwanese boy band back in the 2000s. After 17 years, they’re back for another exciting concert, just like old times. Even though Sam Wang has to skip this due to conflicting schedules, we’re positive that Tony Sun, Jason Hsu and Zax Wang will rock it out like old times.
Since 5566: Live in Singapore, 7.30pm-10.30pm, doors open at 6pm, Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore 500038

Party: Summerlong x Decker Barbecue Presents “Red, White & Blue” Party

7 July
Summerlong will be joining hands with Decker Barbecue for a belated fourth of July celebration. The theme of the party? American barbecue. Feast on a selection of juicy ribs, grilled steaks, chicken wings, deviled eggs and mac and cheese. There will also be an exotic Eastern Mediterranean-inspired menu with a Southern twist, in true Summerlong fashion.
Summerlong x Decker Barbecue Presents “Red, White & Blue” Party, 5pm-10pm, 60 Robertson Quay #01-04, Singapore 238252

Party: San Fermín Alley Party

7 July
Jiak Chuan Road transforms into a fully-fledged Spanish backstreet as Esquina channels the ‘Running of the Bulls’ festival as part of its Alley Party. Munch on tapas bites by Head Chef Carlos Montobbio and Esquina’s culinary team; along with guest chefs Aitor Orive of Basque Kitchen by Aitor and Sujatha Asokan from Botanico at The Garage. Guzzle down Estrella Galicia beer and Esquina’s modern and classic sangria, along with plenty of red wine. Now, that’s what you call a party!
San Fermín Alley Party, 3pm-10pm, Esquina, 16 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089267

Need more Honeycombers in your life? Head this way…

The post Things to do in July 2019: Celebrate with a fireworks display, a Peranakan festival, OTT dinner parties and concerts appeared first on Honeycombers Singapore.

Finding healthy and fun activities that the entire family can do together can be tricky. But we have an idea: getting outdoors for some fun under the sun! Nobody knows better than the folks at Health Promotion Board that an active family is a physically and mentally healthy one. That’s why they’ve come up with The Healthy Time Out Challenge, where families can try out heaps of fun activities every day while enjoying great rewards. Sounds cool? Here are the deets you need to know:

What is The Healthy Time Out Challenge?

Happening now until the end of August, HPB’s The Healthy Time Out Challenge features cool activities like flowboarding, splashing around in a water park and even archery for both adults and the little ones. It’s a great way to get the whole family outdoors and off the couch which is an excellent idea for quality and healthy family time! Oh, and many of the activities are FREE!

How do we sign up?

If you’re in for a summer full of active fun with your fam, simply download the Healthy 365 mobile app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Once you’ve successfully signed up for The Healthy Timeout Challenge, you’ll earn 350 bonus Healthpoints (*Terms and conditions apply) which you can accumulate to redeem shopping vouchers. The top three participants with the most number of Healthpoints earned through the Challenge will stand a chance to win one of the top three prizes, including a staycation at Sentosa!

The winning family will receive a one-night Family Room Weekend Stay at Village Hotel in Sentosa and entry tickets for two adults and two kids to Kidzania (worth $800)!

How does it work?

For every activity you do, simply scan the QR code using your app to earn Healthpoints. And the more you do, the more points you earn!

For every physical activity, participants can earn 80 Healthpoints. For workshops, participants can earn 40 Healthpoints. Also, participants can earn a maximum of eight Healthpoints with a maximum of one scan per day if they attend an event. For the full list of activities, click here.

If that doesn’t sound like fun, we don’t know what else does! Take your family bonding to the next level, get active and healthy. Sign up for The Healthy Timeout Challenge today!

This post is sponsored by Health Promotion Board.

The post Get up and get moving with your kids with HPB’s The Healthy Time Out Challenge appeared first on Honeycombers Singapore.

If you were born after the 80s in Singapore, you’ll know what a magical time it was to be a kid! Yes, we’re talking about devouring and sharing iconic retro snacks like the ice gem biscuits, white rabbit candy and haw flakes with friends during school. Considered a retro treasure, these old-school treats are hard to find nowadays. So, we decided to take up the challenge and hunt down our favourite childhood snacks. Let’s get nostalgic, people!

Our forever favourite childhood snacks

Ice Gem Biscuits

Ah, the king of old-school biscuits. Remember how we used to pick our favourite colours, leaving the boring white ones behind? Confession: I used to pick the yellow meringue icing off the biscuit to enjoy it on its own, but as I get older, I’m starting to actually like popping them in my mouth in one hit. Our style editor Nafeesa on the other hand, much prefers the bottom bit. Questionable…

White Rabbit Candy

Okay, real talk: is the wrapper edible? This was a huge topic of debate amongst kids, but as we grow older (and could finally understand the ingredients listed), we finally bust the myth — it’s edible glutinous rice paper!

Haw Flakes

Made from hawthorns, these sweet mini discs are super addictive. You either have them one at a time, or you pop a couple of discs at once. But believe it or not, these were given out to kids back in the day to treat digestive parasites. To be honest, we’re not 100% sure on this one, though.

Ring Pops

They say a diamond is a girl’s best friend, and a girl can dream, right? I used to be one of those girls waving her ring pop, pretending it’s a diamond ring, while having cheeky licks until the candy’s all gone.

Push Pops

These bad boys, on the other hand, have been substitutes for lipsticks for kids (tell me I wasn’t the only one who did this!). Due to its popular commercial, everyone in school had a push pop. That jingle is still burned into the brains of many children of the 90s…

Spectacle Chocolates

Can’t afford a pack of M&Ms or Smarties when you were a kid? This was a much more affordable alternative. The colourful round chocs either come in a flower-shaped packet or a figure-eight packet.

Pop Rocks

Remember how fun emptying a pack into your mouth was? Even as adults, we still can’t shake off the addictive sizzling sensation in our mouths! Even the Martini Bar at the Grand Hyatt is adding them to one of their crazy creative cocktails right now…

Choki Chocolate Stick

Leave the bread, we much prefer this on its own, thank you very much. It’s less messy to squeeze chocolatey goodness directly into our mouths than scooping and licking a tub of Nutella spread. Can you really blame us for having more than one stick?

Hiro Chocolate Cake

For easy access to chocolate sponge cake, Hiro chocolate cake was, well, our hero. The delicious treat was a great snack to have on the go, especially if you’re a massive chocolate cake lover.

Hacks Sweets

Although these were usually sucked on for medical reasons like relieving a cough or a sore throat, kids used to pop one in their mouths like any other sweets. There’s no denying that the sweet and pleasant taste (with a hint of bitter and sour) of the liquorice also had us coming back for more.

Monde Pola Snack

These were popular back in the day. The super tasty Monde Pola Snacks come with adorable animal characters imprinted on them and are packed in small rectangular packets which were easy to fit into pockets — uniform pockets, to be exact. The baked snack is also relatively healthier as it is made of wheat.

Animal biscuits

Pick your favourite and munch — ‘nuff said.

Where to buy old school Singaporean snacks and tidbits

Munch Munch

For all things nostalgia, Munch Munch will take you on a trip down memory lane. You can find everything from old school biscuits and packet cakes to crackers and sweets. Besides your favourite childhood snacks, the store also has shelves of card games like Old Maid and traditional kampong games like Five Stones.
Munch Munch, available at Fusionpolis Way (#B1-23) and Chinatown Point (#B2-03).

Nineties Candy Society

If you’d rather have your bag o’ treats delivered right to your doorstep, look no further than Nineties Candy Society. The online store has everything from gummy sweets and mini chocolates to savoury crackers and crisps fit for parties. And speaking of parties, the store also does goodie bags, candy buffets, and mascot rentals.
Nineties Candy Society, available online. Check out its website for the next sale booth

The Biscuit Shop

As its name suggests, the shop is filled with an assortment of retro biscuits like the ice gem biscuits and the animal biscuits. Keeping it ol’ school, the biscuits are displayed in those old iconic tins. The best bit about shopping here? You can mix and match biscuits in a tin!
The Biscuit Shop, #01-08/09, 6 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, Singapore 081006

The Biscuit King

Another biscuit galore, Biscuit King not only sells traditional and retro biscuits that are Halal certified, but also does other local snacks such as haw flakes, fizzy cola candies, lollies.
The Biscuit King, 130 Casuarina Road, Singapore 579518

All photography by Darissa Lee for Honeycombers

Like this story? Check these out:
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Best local food and where to find them
Keep it old school with these wet markets

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The post #OldSchool: Nostalgic childhood snacks we still want to binge on appeared first on Honeycombers Singapore.

Whether you’re a born and bred local, longtime expat or an in-the-know tourist, you’ve probably heard of the Kampong Glam district. Once an ethnic enclave for the Muslim community, including Arab and Bugis traders, the area is a hip neighbourhood peppered with hole-in-the-wall boutiques in Haji Lane, quaint restaurants and bars in Arab Street, and charming cultural spots. Here’s a little tour of this buzzy treasure trove — from Bussorah Street to Sultan Gate — that’s spilling with surprises at every corner.

Eat & Drink

La Marelle Cafe

How could you resist taking a picture of this gorgeous place? La Marelle is one of the cutest, most whimsical cafes you can find in the area. We’d gladly sit around for an entire day if we didn’t have more exploring to do. Menu picks include lots of halal Western fare like baked rice and pastas that are as satiating as the decadent desserts.
La Marelle Cafe, 25A Baghdad Street, Singapore 199664

Fika Swedish Café & Bistro

Need a Swedish meatball fix? Give Ikea a pass, and head over to the end of Arab Street for Fika. Here, you’ll find a small but serviceable menu of Swedish classics like Toast Skagen, Pytt i Panna, and Tunnbrödsrulle. With its whitewashed walls and light-filled interiors, the homey café is a breath of fresh air amidst the many Mediterranean eateries within the area. Don’t leave before trying the much-raved about lingonberry cheesecake!
Fika Swedish Café & Bistro, 257 Beach Road, Singapore 199539

Konditori

The glorious scent of baked dough and freshly brewed coffee will have you busting through its doors. Brought to you by the team behind Fika Swedish Cafe & Bistro, Konditori serves up artisan bakes alongside comforting cuppas. Take your pick from croissants (there’s even a red velvet version) and crusty loaves, to cinnamon buns and delectable tarts.
Konditori, 33 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199451, p. 6209 8580

Beirut Grill

Dining in a group? Beirut grill offers a selection of kebab platters that serve up to four of your buddies. Try out the mixed kebab platter that includes lamb chops, lamb kebab kofta, tikka kebabs and a serving of Arabic rice. If you’re after something a little different, go for the grilled seafood kebab platter (kebabs aren’t always beef, lamb or chicken). And to top it off, end your meal with a platter of fluffy, rich baklava.
Beirut Grill, 72 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199485. p. 6341 7728

Afterwit

This colourful and rustic cafe is in a niche of its own, serving up halal Mexican fare and sporting an indie vibe. Don’t pass up the tacos, we say – these little pockets store a zesty and meaty punch like no other. Wash it all down with a refreshing mocktail like the lime, lychee and mint pina colada.
Afterwit, 778 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 198746

Sofra Turkish Cafe & Restaurant

For over 15 years, Sofra has been dishing out authentic Middle-Eastern fare at its restaurant on Beach Road. What sets this joint apart from many others in Singapore’s Arab quarter is their all-Turkish kitchen staff. Pop by for a quick bite and try the signature Sofra kebab, which adds walnut, eggplant and cheese into the mix for a little extra texture.
Sofra Turkish Café & Restaurant, 100 Beach Road, Singapore 189702. p. 6291 1433

Alaturka Mediterranean & Turkish Restaurant

The colourful décor of Alaturka features azure tiles, Turkish lamps and raw brick walls that will have you walking into its restaurant. Order up all your favourite Turkish standards here, but make sure you don’t miss out on its signature kebabs. If you’re with a group, order the kebab sharing platter with a side of bread and assemble your own!
Alaturka Mediterranean & Turkish Restaurant, 16 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199437, p. 6294 0304

Flying Monkey

We’re all about fusion food, but get this: Flying Monkey offers contemporary Indian along with tapas and cocktails. Yes, cocktails! There really aren’t many serious Indian restaurants in Singapore with focused bar programs, and that’s where Flying Monkey fits in — seriously good Indian food, and Indian-influenced refreshingly spicy cocktails that aren’t merely an afterthought.
Flying Monkey, 67 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199480, p. 6291 0695

Positano Risto

What can we say about this Italian restaurant? Its menu of authentic Italian favourites is highly raved about — so much so that it’s ranked the number one Italian restaurant in Singapore on Tripadvisor! Tuck into plates of signatures such as fettucini with fresh whole lobsters, eggplant parmigiana and mushroom risotto. Don’t expect any wine-pairing, the resto’s halal-certified!
Positano Risto, 66 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199479

I Am…

Dreaming of a Europe trip but can’t quite squeeze out the time (or money)? An afternoon spent at I am… might be what you need. With an Amsterdam-inspired sign and signs that take you to the streets of Europe, this themed cafe serves up signature burgers to go with a side of people-watching. These include the charcoal-grilled beef burger and ‘The Boss’, stacked with crispy turkey bacon.
I am… , 674 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 188804

Hararu Izakaya

Looking every part like an authentic izakaya, this halal eatery is tastefully adorned with Japanese art and even has a tatami-seating area on one of the floors. On the menu are classic kushiyaki like assorted grilled meats and vegetables on a skewer, signature charcoal-grilled dishes like saba fish flavoured with shio and salt, udon bowls and more. And if you want to drop by for after-work drinks with your Muslim colleagues, this place serves up mocktails instead. Safe to say you guys won’t show up to work the next day with a hangover.
Hararu Izakaya, 16 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199437

Maison Ikkoku

This cafe/bar concept will get you sorted out for potent cuppas in the arvo and killer cocktails when the sun sets. Pop by in the day, and tuck into hearty portions of eggs Benedict, Croque madame, and if you’re in the mood for a sweet brunch treat, you can’t go wrong with the decadent French toast with sea salt caramel.
Maison Ikkoku, 20 Kandahar Street, #02-01, Singapore 198885. p. 6294 0078

Kampong Glam Cafe

With its massive maroon banner, it’s hard to miss this street-side outdoor eatery. Known for its low-priced authentic Malay food such as nasi goreng, mee rebus, lontong, roti kirai and laksa, patrons gather here for a break away from the surrounding pricey restos — and a good cup of hot teh tarik!
Kampong Glam Cafe, 17 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199438, p. 6294 1697

Mamanda

Now, this is an establishment that promises to treat diners like Sultans. Here, you’ll feast on authentic Malaysian delicacies like beef in sweet black sauce, spicy grilled chicken in Bedahara style, jackfruit in coconut gravy and the aromatic lemongrass honeyed chicken. The restaurant also prides itself on Malay hospitality, so expect stellar service all around.
Mamanda, 73 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198497. p. 6396 6646

Chix Hot Chicken

Local star Taufik Batisah and fellow fried chicken fanatic Ismail Bober joined forces to create Chix Hot Chicken and bring a halal version of Nashville fried chicken to the masses. With three levels of spiciness (plus a non-spicy option), a hot chicken sandwich and a creamy vanilla milkshake, you know where to go to indulge in one of fast food’s best inventions – in our opinion, at least.
Chix Hot Chicken, 1 Jln Pisang, Singapore 199069

Lickety

Instagrammable in itself, this pastel wonderland is a hot favourite for a cool down with its ice cream in an egglet waffle, and topped with all the sweet treats your heart desires: they’ve got everything from sprinkles and cookies to sauces and cereal.
Lickety, 34 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199452

Shop

So Gelam Market

This is a street market with a lawn and a view of the Sultan Mosque’s golden domes. Expect drinks, snacks, kitschy trinkets, performances and more at this marketplace that brings back the kampung vibes. Check out the Facebook page for updates – it seems this market is happening every month and we’re all for it.
So Gelam Market, along Baghdad St

Malay Art Gallery

Along the restored shophouses down the pedestrian bit of Bussorah Street lies the Malay Art Gallery. The store brims with Malay and Indonesian daggers (aka keris) in all shapes and sizes, as well as an interesting collection authentic Malay souvenirs, batik, talismans and heirlooms.
Malay Art Gallery, 31 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199449

Jamal Kazura Aromatics

Don’t be surprised when the exotic scents of Jamal Kazura Aromatics lead you to its Bussorah Street boutique. Prominent in the Kampong Glam scene since 1933, the store is popular for its natural oils which have medicinal or healing properties. It’s also known for the making and selling of attar oils, as well as carrying, Egyptian perfume vials, fragrances from the Middle-East, India and Europe, and massage oils.
Jamal Kazura Aromatics, 21 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199439

Explore

Gelam Gallery

The back alleys of Kampong Glam come to life with Gelam Gallery, Singapore’s first permanent outdoor art gallery. A project supported by Singapore Tourism Board and One Kampong Gelam, the art pieces feature a mix of contemporary art and a reflection of our rich culture and heritage. Featuring framed artwork by 30 local artists, the artworks beautifully compliment the murals and designs on the wall. No surprises if you find hoards of tourists and locals seeking for that perfect Insta-worthy shot. The gallery is located at Muscat Street, right beside Masjid Sultan.
Gelam Gallery, Muscat Street beside Masjid Sultan

Supermama

This little gallery store has stolen our hearts with its curation of meaningful pieces and a space that’s designed to help you slow down. After a busy day, popping into this gallery is the perfect way to catch our breath and admire the handiwork and art pieces that are part of the store’s collection. Our favourite? The wall-long mural with colourful depictions of local scenes.
Supermama, 265 Beach Rd, Singapore 199544

Malay Heritage Centre

The former palace of Sultan Hussein Shah is now known as The Malay Heritage Centre. With specially curated exhibitions, tours and workshops surrounding the Malay culture in Singapore and the thriving port Kampong Glam was once known for, it’s definitely a must-visit when you’re in the area.
Malay Heritage Centre, 85 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198501

Sultan Arts Village

Here’s where you’ll find fascinating street art and graffiti by both local and international artists. Explore graffiti shop The Black Book for all your spray painting needs, as well as its practice walls for new sprays and tags. After a quick browse and a shop, chill out on at the little garden situated on the opposite side of the road.
Sultan Arts Village, 71 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198496

Aliwal Arts Centre

Get well acquainted with Singapore’s arts scene at Aliwal Arts Centre. Besides holding the Urban Arts Festival, it also houses burger joint Kaw Kaw SG and kid-friendly cafe Eat Play Love. We also recommend checking out the wall behind the Aliwal Arts Centre every now and then to find jaw-dropping wall art that’s ever-changing!
Aliwal Arts Centre, 28 Aliwal Street, Singapore 199918

Sultan Mosque

Built in 1824 by the first sultan of Singapore, Sultan Hussein Shah, this magnificent mosque is the biggest in Singapore. The grand architecture of the mosque can easily be spotted as you talk a stroll down Bussorah Street. Learn more about the mosque and its surrounding area through the visual boards and art around it.
Sultan Mosque, 3 Muscat Street, Singapore 198833

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This may come as a surprise, but we do have a sheer number of parks and nature reserves that are hidden away from our rapidly developing cityscape! From forested hills to swampy wetlands, Singapore’s parks have loads to offer to the intrepid hiker. Here’s our list of 18 trails that’ll get you out of the urban gridlock and back into nature. Here’s to some solid hiking in Singapore.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

It’s no Everest, that’s for sure, but you’ll certainly give your calves a workout as you make your way to the summit of Singapore’s highest peak. Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot some of Singapore’s more elusive wildlife like the Sunda Pangolin and the Blue Bronzeback snake. The hill also retains historical significance, being the spot of the British military’s final stand against the invading Imperial Japanese Army.
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Coast-to-Coast (C2C) Trail

Nparks’ newest, this one isn’t for the faint-hearted or the easily tired. The 36 km long trail goes across Singapore from Jurong Lake (West) all the way to Coney Island (North-East). This curated trail cut across 18 parks and nature areas and 11 park connectors (whoop!). Don’t you worry if you can’t complete this at one go – it’s a long stretch and there’s a lot of exploring to do. There are 10 checkpoints and several wildlife viewing spots. We recommend downloading the Coast-to-Coast (C2C) Mobile App to plan your route and learn about the native biodiversity (with AR) you might bump into on your trail.
Coast-to-Coast (C2C) Trail

Southern Ridges

Connecting parks along Singapore’s south is this 10km connector trail that offers its fair share of scenic vistas. While not a hiking destination in itself, the trail connects to five other parks, so hikers can use this path to begin exploring other areas. For instance, connecting Mount Faber to Telok Blangah Hill Park is the Henderson Waves – Singapore’s tallest pedestrian bridge, and a structure famous for its distinctive wave-like architecture. Read about our trek through the Southern Ridges here.

Keppel Hill Reservoir

Care to venture off the beaten track? Purists wouldn’t call this a ‘hike’ but if you’re actively seeking spooky x abandoned scenes, the Keppel Hill Reservoir trail (see our guide) might float your boat. Head out to this forgotten reservoir with a dark past – apparently, it was abandoned in the 50s after three drownings and was only rediscovered recently in 2014. Get your friends and walk past the old reservoir, spooky diving board, a solitary tombstone and the lush empty roads. The roads and pathways are green and dense and although we didn’t take the route, we hear there’s a deserted trail that goes to Mount Faber.
Keppel Hill Reservoir 

Macritchie Reservoir Park

Macritchie Reservoir Park is probably one of Singapore’s most popular hiking trails, and for good reason! For starters, the park offers hikers beautiful tropical scenery, an impressive variety of wildlife and peaceful, secluded hiking paths. Spanning Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang, you’ll find the HSBC Treetop Walk, an aerial walkway that will give you a bird’s eye view (definitely Insta-worthy) of the forest’s canopy. Here, you’ll get to see flying lemurs and long-tailed macaques up close in their natural habitat.
Macritchie Reservoir Park

Fort Canning Park

If your knowledge of Fort Canning Park merely extends to its reputation as a site for music festivals, you’re missing out big time! Delve a little deeper into the lush greenery and you’ll find remnants of the park’s rich cultural heritage, like the Battle Box. The hill’s history goes back much further than that though, archaeological digs have unearthed remains of ancient brick buildings, thought to be palaces of ancestral kings. Definitely a must-see for history buffs who prefer the great outdoors to stuffy museums.
Fort Canning Park

Pulau Ubin

Paved paths and built-up treetop walks not rough enough for you? Hop on a bumboat and take a trip back in time at Pulau Ubin. Here, you’ll catch a glimpse of what Singaporean life was like back in the ’60s. Put on a good pair of boots and take to the Chek Jawa wetlands where you’ll trek through six distinct ecosystems. Don’t forget to fill up on some rustic kampung fare before you leave the island too! Prefer to bike? Read about our mountain biking on the rustic island here.
Pulau Ubin

Labrador Nature Reserve

Shutterbugs will want to pack their cameras for this park! One of Singapore’s most scenic seaside trails, the Labrador Nature Reserve boardwalk will bring you past cliff sides, secondary forests and marshes. The trail also gives hikers a stellar view of Singapore’s picturesque coastline. The park is also well known for its abundance of wildlife, so you’ll quickly get used to seeing squirrels scurrying across the boardwalk.
Labrador Nature Reserve

The Green Corridor

Once a railway track, The Green Corridor has since been repurposed into a hiking trail. Much like the Southern Ridges, this trail serves as a connector between several parks, like Bukit Timah and Kranji Wetlands. Along this trail, you’ll find grasslands, streams and marshes that are teeming with life, thanks to the area being relatively untouched.
The Green Corridor

Upper Peirce Reservoir

This tranquil park offers several easy-going lakeside trails that won’t leave you huffing and puffing. Like most of the parks in the Bukit Timah area, the forest is home to large populations of long-tailed macaque, so keep an eye on your trail snacks!
Upper Peirce Reservoir

Lower Peirce Reservoir

Continue hiking from the Upper Peirce Reservoir and you’ll find yourself surrounded by the dense forests of Lower Pierce Reservoir. The 900m boardwalk will lead you through the forest and along the reservoir, offering hikers some captivating scenes
Lower Peirce Reservoir

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Singapore’s first wetland reserve is home to a myriad of riverine species including water monitors, mudskippers and, if you’re really lucky (or unlucky), the ferocious estuarine crocodile. If you happen to be trekking through the park’s many trails during the migratory season, you’ll definitely be able to see flocks of shorebirds like sandpipers and plovers.
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Mount Faber Park

One of Singapore’s oldest parks, Mount Faber offers guests much more amenities than most other trails. If you’re not that big on the great outdoors, skip the hike and take the cable car to the summit where you can take a peek through several telescopes at the look-out points.
Mount Faber Park

Bukit Batok Nature Park

Want to enjoy the greenery without working your butt off on a crazy hiking trail? Bukit Batok Nature Park offers some pretty laid-back walking trails that’ll reward you with some stunning views and crystal clear lakes. Hardcore hikers looking to get closer to nature can go off the beaten path and explore some of the less-travelled forest paths – just be careful!
Bukit Batok Nature Park

Changi East Boardwalk

Sure, the more hardcore hikers might scoff at a ‘trail’ that’s pretty much all boardwalk, but there’s plenty to see here besides the holiday chalets and the famous Changi Village Food Centre. This easy-going boardwalk will take you past fishing villages and beaches before finally culminating at Changi Point, where you can reward yourself with some killer nasi lemak.
Changi East Boardwalk

Coney Island

If you think Pulau Ubin is rustic and untouched, Coney Island is even less developed. Only recently opened to the public, this ecologically sustainable park makes use of timber from fallen Casuarina trees to build signage, benches and the mangrove boardwalk. Budding botanists with keen eyes should look out for several rare plant species that are presumed to be extinct in mainland Singapore. And the island also serves as a refuge for migratory birds, so wildlife enthusiasts might want to pack a camera and a zoom lens.
Coney Island

Dairy Farm Nature Park

The Dairy Farm Nature Park’s Wallace Trail is not as done-up as other trails in Singapore, so expect mud and some harrowing terrain. While mostly used by mountain bikers, the trail is easily traversable by foot. At the end of the hike, you’ll find the Singapore Quarry that has been converted into a wetland habitat with a viewing area that lets hikers admire some of Singapore’s freshwater flora and fauna.
Dairy Farm Nature Park

Chestnut Nature Park

If you prefer a more laid-back hike, grab the family and head to the newly opened Chestnut Nature Park and take advantage of its relatively flat 2.1km hiking trail with the occasional slope. Want a little more adventure? Hop on your mountain bike and own the 1.6km mountain bike trail instead. Curious? Read about our hike at Chestnut Nature Park here.
Chestnut Nature Park

Kranji Marshes

With three unique biomes, Kranji Marshes is the perfect destination for wildlife enthusiasts. The marsh habitat is home to a broad range of aquatic plants, insects, fish and water birds like the purple heron. Lucky explorers in the woodland area of the park might even spot threatened bird species like the Changeable Hawk Eagle and the Grey-headed Fish Eagle.
Kranji Marshes

Windsor Nature Park

Despite its Downton Abbey-esque name, there are no sprawling, manicured gardens and palatial fountains at Windsor Nature Park. What you’ll find instead is a wetland wonderland befitting of Singapore’s Garden City rep. Located near Upper Thomson, the park features three new hiking trails, freshwater streams and marsh habitat. Perhaps most exciting for hikers is the Drongo trail, which boasts a four-metre-high, 150 metre-long canopy walk, for visitors to walk through flora beneath the forest.  All trails are marked as easy by NParks, and will take an hour and ten minutes to complete. For hikers looking for a challenge, take the 7km trail to MacRitchie’s treetop walk – this is estimated to take approximately three to four hours.
Windsor Nature Park 

Need more Honeycombers in your life? Head this way…

The post Yes you can go hiking in Singapore: nature trails to trek from Southern Ridges to Macritchie Reservoir appeared first on Honeycombers Singapore.

Clearly, you love food as much as we do… why else would you be here scrolling through list of hot new tables and menus. This July, eat your way through Singapore’s newest restaurants and some of the best refreshed menus at old favourites.

NEW RESTAURANTS IN SINGAPORE: JULY, 2019

Hot New Menu: Les Bouchons Rive Gauche

You might not have enough time to book a trip to wine and dine at a beach resort in St. Tropez, but you could decide to have a French Riviera-inspired brunch by the river this Sunday! Yes, Les Bouchons Rive Gauche has just launched the Bouchons Riviera Brunch at the Robertson Quay outpost, complete with Jean Vesselle champagnes that are exclusive to Les Bouchons establishments. Fancy a Bellini or Bloody Mary? Classic brunch cocktails are on the menu too.

Portions are generous and best eaten with a hungry crew. The Bouchons Sunday Roast is a standout, featuring perfectly roasted cuts of lamb leg (trust us on this one – it’s cooked to just the right amount of tenderness), with a mushroom sauce that is simply divine (think a more umami, concentrated version of a cream of mushroom).

We also love the Eggs Mimosa, a devilled egg taken to the next level with the addition of chives and mustard served with sauteed garlic asparagus; and the Escargots De Bourgogne, a skillet of escargots swimming in enough garlic butter to warrant downing a few toasted bread rolls for.
Les Bouchons Rive Gauche, 60 Robertson Quay, #01-02, Singapore 238252
Review by Amelia Ang

Hot New Table: Min Jiang

The iconic Chinese restaurant Min Jiang has not only relocated from One-North to this lush and vibrant enclave but also unveiled a brand new menu (yes, including some signature dishes), and we just had to head over and check it out.

The camera eats first, of course, with familiar favourites presented in a modern way. Take, for instance, the steamed prawn dumpling shaped like a darling goldfish swimming in an egg white sauce. The deluxe dim sum platter is a palate party and includes four unique creations – a meaty prawns and scallops dim sum, a pretty blue pea truffle vegetable one, crabmeat, prawn and vegetable one shaped like a manta ray and one sweet deep-fried glutinous rice crafted to look like the perfect golden pumpkin.

We enjoyed every moment of the braised sea treasure – a Sri Lankan crabmeat soup made with a broth that took four hours to make. In it, is a parcel made with a thin egg white crepe and stocked with Australian abalone, chopped bamboo pith and dried scallops. Served in a hot plate (this soup ain’t going cold anytime soon) and a long prawn and chicken spring roll.

Clearly, on a seafood run, we loved the generous portion of the turbot fish served in two styles. The stir-fried turbot has a hint of truffle but it’s generally infused with nutty shimeji mushrooms flavours. And the deep fried side of the platter is surprisingly not dripping in oil despite being super crispy and beautifully infused with curry leaves. Oh and the stewed egg noodles with local lobster is a stunner. The stunning dish is topped with a fragrant oil that’s fried with shallots, chicken broth, oyster sauce and dark soya sauce creating something that’s equal parts fancy-shamsy and comforting.
Min Jiang at Dempsey, 7A &, 7B Dempsey Rd, 249684
Review by Aditi Gaitonde Fernandes

Hot New Menu: Almost Famous

We’ve all been there: you spot a chili crab dish on a cafe or bar menu and you decide to give it a shot, only to get bits of frozen crab and a sauce that doesn’t quite hit the mark. Tbh, we’d rather have chef Addis’ smooth, tender, sauce-soaked enoki mushrooms variation over an unsatisfying attempt at bringing less-than-fresh crab meat to life. These Chili Crab Sliders aren’t meat and they don’t pretend to be – though, they do look pretty convincing from afar. The sauce and mantou were incredibly close matches for what you’d get with a traditional chili crab, making for a toothsome dish we’d totally order on our next visit.

This vegan menu update is a collaboration between Almost Famous and Meatless (where chef Addis hails from), so expect to see dishes that use meatless ‘meats’ like the Chili Tater Tots and Beyond Sloppy Sliders. But an unexpected plate that caught our attention was the Buffalo Cauliflower: a tempura dish that was surprisingly soft (in a good way!) on the inside. Turns out, the florets are first cooked in a broth before being fried and topped with vegan mayo made from scratch. The result is an interesting bite and a palate cleanser of sorts that paired well with stronger flavours on the table.
Almost Famous Craft Beer Bar, 30 Victoria St, #01-06, Singapore 187996
Review by Amelia Ang

Hot New Menu: Basque Kitchen by Aitor

Everyone’s talking Basque and perhaps the first to bring the unique cuisine to our island is chef Aitor Jeronimo Orive, formerly from the Michelin-starred kitchens of The Fat Duck and Mugaritz. At his Amoy Street restaurant where chef Orive’s love for his native cuisine meets his modern gastronomic skills, he recently launched a new multi-course tasting menu that totally caught our attention. Before we begin: Tx is pronounced Ch… you’re welcome.

The pastel green txakoli sphere made with sparkling, acidic Basque Country produce wine and a hint of pandan is a fitting introduction to the restaurant. For bites, snack on buttery and crispy sourdough topped with sweet tomatoes and oh-so-salty anchovies presented on a sea of pebbles. Or a mouthful of tempura scallops with prawn aioli and shaved scallop roe to colour. And we wished there was more of that complex crispy pig tail topped with dill jelly that’s to be eaten wrapped with a shiso leaf.

For mains, we dove into txangurro that tastes as intriguing as its presentation. Served cold and in a bowl that reminds us of river stones, Sri Lankan crab meat is encased in clear and delightful tomato essence jelly. Next stop, the vegetable bomba rice with all its buttery richness incorporates every shade and taste of green. We hear the oxtail version is equally popular. The hake fish fillet, lightly battered and seared perfectly, comes with a side of kokotxas – a gelatinous textured fish throat and a Basque delicacy – pairs well with sweet pepper sauce. And finally, the delicate slab of suckling pig with skin so crackling it’s almost musical paired with vanilla cauliflower and some buttery jus.
Basque Kitchen by Aitor, 97 Amoy St, Singapore 069917
Review by Aditi Gaitonde Fernandes

Hot New Menu: Antoinette

We didn’t think we’d want the honey on our savouries, but Antoinette won us over with the Schiacciata. This bistro-style starter presents a traditional flatbread filled with melted camembert, pecorino and bits of aromatic truffle, served with honey and a sunny side up. Maybe it was the specific type of honey, maybe it was the addition of the truffle, but whatever it was, this combination worked – and was inhaled in minutes. Another crowd-pleaser, the pork belly confit featured comforting, homely flavours of braised savoy cabbage and deliciously silky pomme puree (read: mashed potatoes) alongside the tender pieces of meat with perfectly fried, crispy skin.

With one fork in savoury French cuisine and the other in decadent gastronomy, you have to expect unmissable cakes too. We fell in love with Fluffy, a cloud-shaped cake that seriously tasted as good as it looked. The airy and velvety exterior is a vanilla-scented white chocolate mousse, hiding the heart of kirsch-soaked almond genoise, strawberry chocolate cream and a layer of passionfruit lemon jelly. The result is a lightweight dessert that had just the right amount of sweetness and tartness to make it more addictive than expected. PSA: They even have a full-sized version that would make a fab birthday cake. A party-sized edible cloud? Hell yes.
Antoinette, Mandarin Gallery 333A Orchard Rd, Singapore 238897; 30 Penhas Rd, Singapore 208188
Review by Amelia Ang

Hot New Menu: Firebake

Extra reasons to head to one of our favourite brunch spots on East Coast Road. Firebake, Konstantino Blokbergen’s woodfire bakehouse and restaurant, launched a refreshed lunch menu and even added a few new items. Apart from opening on weekends from 9am onwards, it’s also serving a two- ($22++) or three-course ($25++) set lunch from Tuesday to Friday. Can’t start a brunch without a brekkie favourite – toasted milk buns with kaya butter paired with traditional Greek coffee (psst: ask if you can watch them make it in the sand bath). Open-faced and big on flavour tartine are change toppings every week.

Got comfort food on your mind? There’s nothing quite like the seafood risotto. We could dig into a whole bowl solo… the seafood broth rich in squid, prawns and mussels topped with lovely charred fish grilled on charcoal (+$5 to the lunch set). Then there’s the big fat Australian wagyu cheeseburger with a surprisingly nice touch. Konstantino has introduced a thick tomato-based beef sauce, inspired by traditional Greek pastitsada stew, to add that extra spunk. Don’t skip the desserts – there’s a delightful lemon lavender cake, a wholemeal butter scone or a scoop of homemade ice cream or sorbet to pick from.
Firebake – Woodfired Bakehouse & Restaurant, 237 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428930
Review by Aditi Gaitonde Fernandes

The post Hot New Tables & Menus: all the new restaurants in Singapore you need to try appeared first on Honeycombers Singapore.

If breakfast is the most important meal of the day then it shouldn’t be anything less than epic. Consider yourself lucky to be living in Singapore where breakfast is merely a concept. Want to eat rice for breakfast? Try nasi lemak. Need something fried and dough-y? We’ve got prata and vadai. Here are our favourite dishes we love to start the day with. Just a heads up, look away if you’re anti-carbs and gluten. This is how we do local breakfast in Singapore and we’re not sorry! 

Kaya toast and soft-boiled eggs

Who wouldn’t love some toast for breakfast? We level it up by slathering some kaya (a custard jam made from coconut milk, pandan, egg yolk and sugar) on toasted bread or soft warm buns, prepare a simple side of two soft boiled eggs and complete the experience with a cup of hot teh tarik or kopi. You can find this Singaporean traditional breakfast set at any local coffee shop – and it wouldn’t even cost you more than $5. You can find us scoffing the kaya buns at Chin Mee Chin Confectionery in Katong often…

Nasi lemak

There’s nothing quite like it in cafe cuisine. Nasi lemak is fragrant coconut rice usually served with fried ikan bilis and nuts, fried fish, fried egg and a dollop of sambal. Some places go all out and provide a lot more variety in its side dishes like fried chicken, otah, luncheon meat and fishcakes. Good enough for any time of the day, Ponggol Nasi Lemak exclusively opens in the evenings to long queues but if you’re in need of some for breakfast, check out Selera Nasi Lemak in Adam Road.

Fried economical noodles

What is Singapore breakfast if you can’t find noodles in the mix. Available in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian versions, the beauty about economical noodles (usually beehoon) is what you can add: crispy beancurd skin, eggs, sausages, luncheon meat, mock char siew and vegetables if you want to keep things healthy.

Prata

If there’s a dish  we’ll never get bored of, it’s roti prata. A staple of Singapore breakfast (and supper), prata hits the spot every time. Crispy on the outside, soft and dough-y on the inside, there are many variations of prata from the kosong (plain prata) to prata bom (a thick smaller version with sweet filling), the prata plaster (like Eggs Benedict, but prata) to prata tissue (super thin and crispy prata drizzled with chocolate sauce). We love it so much we even attempted making it at home, true story.

Youtiao

If it ain’t fried, it ain’t breakfast. The best thing about youtiao, a long golden brown sort-of donut, is that it’s the gateway to other equally delicious breakfast dishes. The sweet soya beancurd and tau suan (a dessert mung bean soup) is usually accompanied by a youtiao stick. Remember to eat it while it’s still hot!

Chwee Kueh

And we’re back to the high cholesterol food again. Chwee Kueh is a type of steamed rice cake topped with crunchy and salty fried preserved radish and eaten with – never forget – a side of sambal. Because it’s so bite-sized and easy to eat, you’ll never stop at just one.

Thosai

A type of pancake with South Indian origins, thosai is always crisp and made from fermented rice and lentils. It’s usually served with a selection of curries and stuffed with a spicy potato filling. Best thing? Thosai is vegetarian and healthy, so not all our breakfasts are heart attack-inducing, alright?

Chee cheong fan

Fun fact: chee cheong fun translates to “pig’s intestines”, in reference to the way these rice sheets are rolled up and steamed. While it’s also a dish in dim sum restaurants, the breakfast version is usually served without any meat or prawns but topped with the sweet-salty hoisin sauce, chilli sauce, and sesame seeds for flavour.

Kacang phool

An underrated dish in the spectrum of Singapore breakfasts, kacang phool is a broad bean gravy with minced beef served with a runny sunny side up egg, chopped onions, fresh green chillies, with  a plate of warm bread on the side for dipping . While it’s not a native dish to Singapore, it can still be found in some coffee shops for breakfast. Think of it as a sort-of Middle Eastern bowl of chilli. While it’s not as indulgent as the rest of the dishes on this list, kacang phool is just as comforting and filling.

Need more Honeycombers in your life? Head this way…

The post Do local breakfast in Singapore the right way: from kaya toast to nasi lemak appeared first on Honeycombers Singapore.

In a city where space is limited, rooftop bars are almost a necessity. Boasting spectacular views, good drinks (hello, ladies night), and – relief!– cool breeze, you will never break a sweat up here. We’ve rounded up a list of Singapore bars (including the ones at our favourite hotels) with unbelievable views that aren’t just your usual Marina Bay variety. Get ready to see Singapore from a bird’s eye view – a toast to high times!

LeVeL33

Perched high above the city in the penthouse of the Marina Bay Financial Centre; this high tech brewery, restaurant, and lounge is an impressive venue to add to Singapore’s list of sky-dining. For a more intimate experience, book a private dining rooms with a spectacular view of the city where you can immerse yourself in relaxed elegance. There’s limited outdoor seating, so call ahead to snag that sweet spot.
LeVeL33, 8 Marina Boulevard #33-01, Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1, Singapore 018981, p. 6834 3133.

Zafferano

This Italian rooftop restaurant on the 43^rd level of Ocean Financial Centre features two open kitchens, a charcoal grill, antipasti bar, and a walk-in wine cellar showcasing a variety of Italian labels. But if you want to enjoy breathtaking views of the Marina Water Front, the refreshed Terrace Lounge is the place to be.
Zafferano, Lvl 43 Ocean Financial Centre, 10 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049315, p. 6509 1488

1927

It’s an urban oasis at 1927, a glitzy bar perched atop So Sofitel Hotel. Sip on artisanal equatorial cocktails, clink glasses with your girlfriends and enjoy the night by the infinity-edged pool.
1927, So Sofitel Singapore, 35 Robinson Road, Singapore 068898

Skai

This rooftop restaurant and bar tucked away on the 70th storey of Swissotel The Stamford, ticks all the boxes for a truly memorable experience. Save for the contemporary Japanese-inspired grill, the bar also offers cocktails inspired by Mother Nature. Thanks to its strategic location, Skai is probably one of the best spots to witness Singapore’s buzzing skyline in all its glory.
Skai, Level 70, Swissôtel The Stamford, Singapore 178882

The Other Roof

The Other Roof at Ann Siang Hill is a rooftop bar that wants to introduce tea to your pub situations. From the folks that gave us The Other Room, this tea bar merge the tea and spirits world by housing over 400 tea-infused spirits. Founder, Dario Knox and Bar Manager, Macarena Rotgers sourced tea leaves from all over the world, make their own blend and infused spirits with it in-house. Talk about spilling the tea! You’ll get a view of Chinatown and the CBD over here.

Tea lover? You’ll want in on our guide to the best tea houses in town! 

The Other Roof, Ann Siang House Hotel (Blue Shop House), 28 Ann Siang Road Rooftop, Singapore 069708

Mr Stork

Sitting at the rooftop of Andaz Singapore on level 39, Mr Stork offers an amazing 360-degree view. Lounge at one of the ten teepee huts and take in the tropical vibes. Sip on botanical cocktails featuring fruits like watermelon and grapefruit; or go for Ruby, a refreshing concoction of ginger, mint, lemon juice, vermouth and Ceylon arrack. You’ll definitely forget that you’re in Singapore for a second.
Mr Stork, Andaz Singapore, 5 Fraser St, Singapore 189354

Lavo Italian Restaurant and Rooftop Bar

Lavo has many faces – by day, it’s a luxurious lounge that throws massive weekend party brunches and by night, a sleek nightclub complete with live DJ sets at the outdoor bar and terrace come to life. At the 57th level, you best believe you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the city skyline. If you’re feeling peckish, turn to American-Italian cuisine like the famous Lavo meatball or the potato gnocchi.
Lavo Italian Restaurant and Rooftop Bar, 10 Bayfront Ave, Tower 1, Singapore 018956

Aqua Luna

Your turn to pick a spot for girls’ night out? Look no further than Aqua Luna, probably the most iconic rooftop bar in the Southwestern precinct. Enjoy a 180-degree view of the southern ridges and Queenstown hood (hello Interlace!) in a classy ceiling-to-floor glass enclave. What a stunner!
Aqua Luna, Park Hotel Alexandra, 323 Alexandra Road, 159972

Bar Rouge

You don’t have to travel all the way to Shanghai for this one. Just a trip to Swissotel The Stamford will suffice. Party up 72 storeys above ground level at the Bar Rouge. The bar promises exciting themed nights, performances from raised cages overlooking the venue, the hottest hits spun by regional DJs, unobstructed views of Marina Bay’s glitzy skyline and not to forget, the signature red lights (similar to the ones in the Shanghai establishment). Psst: check out our little tribute to one of the signature cocktails at Bar Rouge: Mr & Mrs Rouge.
Bar Rouge, Swissotel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Road, Singapore 178882

Potato Head Folk

Soak up the sights and sounds of Chinatown at Potato Head Folk’s dreamy rooftop bar. Offering a slice of tropical ambience, the rooftop bar in Keong Saik serves excellent tiki cocktails (created by Dre Masso). Sit back and relax amongst fragrant herbs and exotic flora planted around the rooftop as you take in the view of Singapore’s skyline.
Potato Head Folk, 36 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089143, p. 6327 1939.

Kinki

Situated on the second floor of Customs House is Kinki, a contemporary Japanese bar. A quirky mural by Miami Ink’s Chris Graver plus the rhythmic blend of beats give this establishment a cool, high-style vibe. It’s a particularly good joint to let your hair down, especially on a Friday night after work.
Kinki, #02-02 Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049323, p. 6533 3471.

1919 Waterboat House (The Rooftop)

Sitting atop the heritage-rich The Fullerton Waterboat House, Prelude offers an unparalleled view of Singapore’s CBD skyline, the gorgeous Fullerton Hotel and Marina Bay Sands. The rooftop bar’s refreshing summer signature cocktails are our choice of poison; try the Merlion Punch that’s made with vodka, passion fruit, white peach and pineapple.
The Rooftop, #03-01, The Fullerton Waterboat House, 3 Fullerton Road, Singapore 049215, p. 6538 9038.

Southbridge

Oysters and alcohol: Best. Combo. Ever. If you’re like us, be sure to hit up Southbridge. The bar, which overlooks the Singapore River, knows a thing or two about umami with its show-stopping creations like the Pearls (grilled oysters with white wine sauce and avruga caviar), lobster knuckle roll, and truffle and smoked pancetta sandwich.
Southbridge, 5/F (rooftop), 80 Boat Quay, Singapore 049868, p. 6536 5818.

The Mad Men Attic Bar

Hidden in a rustic shophouse along North Canal Road, this raucous watering hole is big on live music. But what keep us coming back for more is their infamous black forest mojito. They also serve Aussie beers, alongside bar bites, from The Merry Men.
The Mad Men Attic Bar, 11 North Canal Road, #03-02, Singapore 048826, p. 9191 9722.

CÉ LA VI

Perched above the observation deck of the SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands, CÉ LA VI Singapore boasts a restaurant, club lounge and an unrivalled view of Singapore and beyond. Girls, head here for arguably the most rewarding ladies night in Singapore: Ladies skip cover charge and get a free drink.
CÉ LA VI, 57/F Skypark at Marina Bay Sands, Tower 3 Marina Bay Sands, 1 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018971, p. 6688 7688.

Empire

Overlooking the Central Business District is the spiffy penthouse lounge known as Empire. Standing at 45 stories high, jaws are sure to drop upon entering the swish premises. Not only is the view amazing, but their avant-garde furniture is also a delight. While there’s an indoor sitting area, we prefer heading outdoors and toast to a view.
Empire, Level 45, Singapore Land Tower, Singapore 048623 p. 9128 7001

Loof

Singapore’s first standalone rooftop bar is a delightful marriage of swank and old school nostalgia. Sip Southeast Asian sunset cocktails and snack on local munchies of yesteryear like fried man tou with chilli crab dip, and Ahi Kueh Tea Pie.
Loof, Odeon Towers Extension Rooftop,#03-07, 331 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188720, p. 9773 9304.

Sum Yi Tai

Housed in a multi-storey shophouse, this restaurant-bar follows an old-school 1980s Hong Kong theme. On the third floor, you’ll find a private rooftop bar – which can only be accessed if you have an invitation or a reservation. Love whiskey? There’s a great range of options to choose from, such as single malts, whiskey-based cocktails, and even “white dogs” (white whiskeys). Chinese tapas – like crispy roast pork and XO carrot cake – is served on the ground floor, while a dining club (there’s a private dining room as well) is located on the second floor.
Sum Yi Tai, 25 Boon Tat Street, Singapore 069622, p. 6221 3665.

Lantern

Swish rooftop bar and tapas restaurant Lantern is the place to be if you want killer views of the Marina Bay waterfront. Mains like seared black cod and steak and frites are to be had, but if you prefer, go for light bites like the popular mini wagyu beef sliders. Head there before 8pm and  you can catch Marina Bay Sand’s spiffy laser light shows from your seat.
Lantern, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, 80 Collyer Quay Singapore 049326, p. 6597 5299.

Mr Punch Public House

Drinking at a toy museum may seem weird, but the concept works, and after our first visit we were happy to admit defeat. It’s in town and still manages to be a hole-in-the-wall. Plus, the décor reminds us of an old-timey Western diner. Bonus points for the kitsch promotions! You get a slightly obstructed view with Raffles Hotel on one end and Swissotel on the other, but the surrounding lights make for great ambience.
Mr Punch Rooftop and Winebar, Mint Museum of Toys, 26 Seah Street, Singapore 188382, p. 6339 0660.

1-Altitude

Elevate yourself up and away from the bustle of the CBD at the city’s tallest bar. Standing at 282-metre above sea level, this three-in-one venue houses an fully-alfresco bar (that’s 1-altitude), award-winning restaurant Stellar, and dance club Altimate.
1-Altitude, Level 61, 1 Raffles Place, Singapore 048616, p. 6438 0410.

Orgo

Located on Esplanade’s spacious roof terrace overlooking the bay, Orgo brings drinking and dining to the next level. Led by renowned Japanese mixologist Tomoyuki Kitazoe, the creative bartender who only uses fresh ingredients (read: no liqueurs and syrups) still manages to come up with a list of adventurous martinis, including a wasabi salt chocolate martini and a dragon fruit and vanilla concoction.
Orgo, Roof Terrace, #04-01 Esplanade, 8 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039802, p. 6336 9366.

Screening Room

Ann Siang Hill’s hiding one of the best bars in town. This award-winning bar (it’s on a world’s top 20 list) boasts great service, affordable prices, and killer cocktails. With charming Chinatown shophouses backlit by the CBD skyline from behind, this place is also cozy and much more intimate than some of the bigger bars downtown.
Screening Room, 12 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069692, p. 6533 3357.

Oxwell & Co. (Rooftop)

Kick back and enjoy a couple of quirky cocktails at Oxwell & Co’s brand new rooftop bar. The bar features refreshing drinks like Bathtime (a sharing tub of tipple) and the Clover Club Street that feature botanical elements from the bar’s own herb garden. The bar favours Hendricks, so gin lovers can expect loads of gin-based concoctions.
Oxwell & Co, 5 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069688. p. 6438 3984.

The Great Escape

We feel ya: sometimes a stiff drink is what you need after soaking in a life-changing art-house film at The Projector. So head on upstairs to get some liquid fuel for your intense post-pondering; this gritty rooftop bar will take good care of you. Grab a beer or cocktail and mingle with fellow movie buffs while you wrestle with opinions as passionately as you guzzle your grog. This film-friendly pad is also a popular spot for pop-up brunches and underground raves. Now showing: who knows?
 The Great Escape, Level 5 Golden Mile Tower, 6001 Beach Road, Singapore 199589, p. 9180 6728.

Braci

Perched atop the taller shophouses along the bustling Boat Quay stretch, Braci is the latest concept of restaurateur, Beppe De Vito, that serves modern Italian fare. The restaurant features a luxe 16-seat dining area on the fifth floor, as well as a 30-seat rooftop bar that flaunts a fantastic view of the Singapore River while you savour unique cocktails. If you prefer stronger tipples, opt for the Diplomatico Old Fashioned. Swapping whisky for date macerated rum, this rendition of the drink is a sweeter, more complex take on the classic. Fancy something refreshing to beat the heat? Opt for the Bramble Cocktail instead – a refreshing concoction of Bombay Sapphire gin, lemon and sugar served over a blackberry ice ball. Read our full review here.
Braci, 2 Boat Quay, #05-01/ #06-01, Singapore 049841. p. 6866 1933. Open Mon-Sat 5pm-12am. Closed on Sun.

Smoke & Mirrors

You don’t always have to be way up in the sky to enjoy a rooftop view; your scenery can be just as sensational six storeys above ground. Nested atop the summit of the grand National Gallery, Smoke & Mirrors boasts one of the most staggering skyline vistas in the isle, majestically overlooking The Padang, The Esplanade and Marina Bay Sands. You can choose to sit inside lest you get sweaty while you swig, but with a view like this, it’s truly hard to resist chilling out in the alfresco area grounded by wood and copper accents.
Smoke & Mirrors, #06-01 National Gallery Singapore, 1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957, p. 9234 8122

Artemis Grill

Having been inducted into our Hot New Tables and best rooftop restaurants round-ups, our adulation towards Artemis is nothing new. But what’s new, however, is Artemis’ rooftop bar’s (have you checked its sensational panoramic view yet?) latest range of playful cocktails. The Friends With Benefits is a refreshing mix of bombay sapphire gin and fruits, and the Don’t Call Me Baby panders to those who like it a little heavy with its use of dark rum, blood orange, and a dash of lime and ginger. Otherwise, the Beast Of Burden is swell for Scotch whisky connoisseurs with its infusion of Laphroaig 10 YO, and the Get Your Kicks mixed with bourbon and brandy will serve a strong roundhouse to your palate. Talk about a way to get high, and we’re not just talking about the 40 levels above ground!
Artemis Grill, #40-01 CapitaGreen (Rooftop), 138 Market Street,  Singapore 048946, p. 6635 8677.

Bar Canary

If the prospect of happy hour makes you sing like a lark – or a canary, in this case – then this is one hotel bar you’d wanna coop up in. Perched atop Grand Park Orchard, Bar Canary’s happy hour invites you with its Beat The Clock concept, giving you and your colleagues the perfect excuse to leave work early. Available daily from 6pm to 9pm, the prices climb the later you reach. Choose from a bucket of eight bottled beers, or a set of bottled house wine and four signature cocktails; either can be plucked from the bar for $66++ (at 6pm), $77++ (at 7pm), $88++ (at 8pm), and $99++ (at 9pm). Pick wisely!
Bar Canary, Level 4 Grand Park Orchard, 270 Orchard Road, Singapore 238857, p. 6603 8854.

Salt Grill & Sky bar

If you want high-end, this one takes the notion to a whole new level (literally!). Perched on the 56^th floor overlooking Orchard Road, Salt grill & Sky bar delivers celebrity chef, Luke Mangan’s, signature contemporary Australian cuisine and a menu of delish cocktails, with a dose of panache and urban luxe that you just can’t beat. Rising 218m from the ground, the restaurant is a fashionable urban restaurant serving up contemporary Australian food such as Luke’s signature Crab omelette and Liquorice Parfait.
Salt Grill & Sky Bar, #55-01 & #56-01 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801. p. 6592 5118.

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If you’re interested in sustainable fashion in Singapore, listening to inspiring personalities and learning to live a little more mindfully, chances are you’ve bumped into Stephanie Dickson around town. Or you’ve joined one of her talks at The Wedge Asia, or hit the brilliant Conscious Festival by Green is the New Black in Singapore or Hong Kong– which just happens to be her baby.

If you’ve been feeling the momentum behind ethical brands and businesses in Singapore, more of us taking responsibility for how we affect the environment through our fashion and food choices – and our relationship with plastic – this is the woman who’s helping it all come together. How do you become part of this bigger, meaningful change? Stephanie says it’s all about taking care of yourself first and taking little green steps…

Singapore is the place to make things happen – but what was your lightbulb moment that made you strike out on your own with The Wedge and GITNB?
I went to high school here, my family is here, and after living in Italy I landed my dream job in fashion events in Singapore. It’s where I built my foundation – but four years in, the glamour began to fade. I realised I was on autopilot, wasn’t living my life and felt something was missing. I began watching a lot of documentaries, and a few – especially those related to fashion and what the industry is doing to the planet – hit hard. To produce a single cotton T-shirt, for example, it takes 2,700 litres of water. It made me think: do I want to stay part of the problem? That’s how I started The Wedge – I wanted to bring together a conscious community, talking about real issues.

The more I got into researching and buying more ethically and sustainably, people became curious about the brands I was supporting and where to get them. I knew I was great at events and bringing people together, and I saw a thirst for knowledge, so that’s why I launched Green is the New Black.

Sticking to a purpose that’s at odds with your career takes guts…
Everyone has their awakening moment: it comes down to whether or not you choose to follow it. I’m not about getting preachy: I just practise what I believe in. I talk about ‘The Matrix moment’ all the time: I chose to take the ‘red pill’ because what’s happening to the environment is too big for me to go on ignoring. It’s easy to fall back into your old habits, but I didn’t want to do that. I quit. And I figured out who my real friends were quickly.

You have a lot of balls in the air: how do you stay sane?
When you’re young and new it’s really hard to get attention. When I was in fashion, I had all the right connections, then I had to start from scratch and it was tough. Rejection and constantly pushing yourself to get out there can eat you up inside.

I had massive overwhelm and burned out in my first year. I just worked slowly, putting into practice what I was learning from the speakers I’d researched and worked with. I’m still a work in progress and I’m proud of that. You can’t do everything at once. It started with getting solid mornings in place: meditation, doing a gratitude journal. I really worked on being kinder to myself.

Is that what living consciously means to you?
For me, conscious living is about understanding that our decisions not only affect ourselves but those around us and our environment. I think of conscious living as living wide awake. When you have those moments of awakening, choose consciously what you’re going to do about it. Don’t stay on autopilot, and don’t just do what you’re expected to.

On a deeper level, it always starts with us. How do we show up in the world? At GITNB we always start with the mind, and that’s what our talks and guest speakers are all about. We have to be strong first – we need to look after ourselves so we can give more to the world.

What do you think we really need to wake up to in Singapore?
In Singapore, single-use plastic is a huge issue. What drives me is the thought that one day my kids will say to me: “What were you thinking?”. It’s as simple as bringing a reusable bag every day, and bringing a container for takeaway. It’s a tiny step, but if everyone did it? Imagine the effect.

For those of us who love fashion and beautiful things, how do we reconcile this with the environmental impact of consumption?
I used to consume all the time and was one of those girls buying online every month. I still do buy beautiful things – I just cherish them more. Think about who made your clothes, and the story behind it. When you can fall in love with that story it makes your purchase more meaningful. For me, the most important thing when I want to buy anything is whether it was ethically produced. It may cost more, but that’s because somebody was paid fairly to produce it. I want to understand the deeper meaning behind what I buy, and I’ll save up to for something because I want to be proud of what I’m wearing.

You curate a very special group of brands for the Green is the New Black marketplace: who’s really resonating with you in Singapore?
My favourite brand is Matter – I wear it all the time. It’s an incredible brand because it made ethical fashion cool, and not in an atas, or posh or unattainable way – the people behind it are so passionate and just keep telling great stories. It’s a model brand. Touch the Toes does great eco yoga apparel and curates beautiful clothes from other labels. I love Twin Within – which is based in Singapore. [Ed: check out Steph’s necklace!] I find my favourite brands and wear them all the time. I’m okay with repeating!

Has Singapore come a long way since the last Conscious Festival by GITNB? What has given you the most hope? What do we still need to work on?
It has definitely been a year of more awakening globally – people are waking up to the extent of plastic pollution in so many parts of our lives. And that gives me a lot of hope. But there is still so much awareness and education to carry out, especially in this region. After the latest UN IPCC report coming up saying we are on track to hit climate catastrophe in 12 years, it certainly sends a shiver down my spine that we need to do more, faster and everyone needs to play a part. I am glad to see that more individuals and companies are putting sustainability as a priority moving forward, there are more events and conversations and people taking action. Because it really is our collective action that will move the needle, at all levels.

What do you want people to come away with after visiting The Conscious Festival?
Whether you come to our marketplace or listen to one of the talks, we want you to come away with something you can implement straight away. The most important thing about GITNB is helping people feel empowered to make a change – take their little green steps to live more consciously.

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When we heard that Chef Lachlan ‘Loki’ Lynch (formerly from Australia’s renowned The Coogee Pavilion) is the new captain of the Atlas kitchen, we knew we had to taste the hot new menu he created. What we found was layers of flavour and (surprise, surprise!) some unexpected tales…

Specials: Mini lobster rolls/ smoked beef short ribs

First off, we have to rave about the lobster rolls. We’ve experienced firsthand how difficult it is to find a good one in Singapore, so when we tasted Chef Loki’s version, we were stoked by how addictive they were. These canape-sized rolls had chunks of lobster stuffed in lightly toasted brioche buns, with lemon mayo, espelette and chives that brought out the natural flavour of the meat without overpowering its taste.

Sauce aside, we suspect the type of lobster used was the magic ingredient in this crowd-favourite dish. While many establishments typically favour the Maine variety, Chef Loki ships rock lobsters from Brazil, which he prizes for their sweeter flesh. And it’s a sweet starter indeed – it took us much willpower not to reach for a second helping of these mini rolls. The good news is, there’s a larger version (served with chips) that you can have as a main… Yes, we loved it so much that we asked.

Another specialty on Atlas’ new menu are the smoked beef short ribs. The beef was cooked til fork-tender, with the optimal meat-to-fat ratio that promises that melt-in-your-mouth experience. Have it with the crispy kale and pickled turnips on the side for a layered bite. You’ll find that Chef Loki has a penchant for incorporating fermented or pickled ingredients to his dishes – he even has an experimental pickling jar and kombuchas brewing at the back of his kitchen!

Main courses: Pumpkin salad
/ vongole

Simple dishes are the toughest to master, so no wonder Chef Loki is proud of his team for perfecting the art of the humble vongole. Virgin olive oil and clam juice was all it took to create the base of this dish (it’s dairy-free), with a slight tinge of spice from the chili (we recommend asking for more if you like it hot). Every strand of the al dente spaghetti was coated with flavour, and the handful of breadcrumbs sprinkled on top added to the layers of texture with its crunch. Intricate yet simple, this is one comforting dish we know we’d be happy to order on every visit.

Vegetarian options at Atlas are no pushover either. The pumpkin salad manages to be sweet, sour, bitter and savoury all at once – we have to admit, we didn’t expect such depth of flavours from a salad! This uncomplicated dish consists of roasted pumpkin, pear and bitter leaves, topped with sunflower seeds and burnt bitter vinaigrette. Sounds like a straightforward combination, though the taste is anything but.

Desserts: Panna cotta with strawberry/ banana and caramel pie

The panna cotta with strawberry and basil (pictured top) is definitely one to shout about – the tangy strawberry topping cuts through the delicate sweetness of the pan cotta base, providing a saccharine mouthful that’s not overly cloying. It’s designed to share, but this is one dessert we’d gladly devour by ourselves if no one was looking.

For the sweet-toothed crew, order the banana and caramel cream pie with chocolate shavings. This pie is oh-so-satisfying to slice into: the pastry is delightfully crumbly, and at the filling spills out almost in slow-mo. Most of all, it’s our preferred way to end the meal on a sugar high!

Bonus: We’re letting you in on these fascinating tales…

You’ll recognise Atlas’ towering pillar of alcohol, but did you know that before Atlas’ time, it used to be a wine pillar manned by a wine fairy? At least, that’s what people named the lady who used to fly up this iconic structure – with the help of cables and a harness – to get bottles of red or white that bar patrons picked out. We hear that many Atlas regulars have asked for this tradition to be brought back, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed too. Now that the pillar is filled with mostly gin, how catchy would ‘gin fairy’ sound?

If you feel like splurging on some bubbly, the bar houses what is known as shipwreck champagnes – these were recovered from the bottom of the ocean floor following the sinking of an unfortunate ship. Sounds like a Hollywood movie you know? We were told that it’s the same brand of champagne that was allegedly served onboard the Titanic!

Atlas, 600 North Bridge Rd, Parkview Square, Singapore 188778

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So we’re already down with cruelty-free and vegan make-up and natural, organic beauty brands in Singapore, but think back to your last beauty haul and all the single-use plastic bags, wrappers and cellophane you had to peel off, sometimes more than once for a single product. That along with every non-recyclable bottle of body wash, shampoo and serum… they all end up in the landfills and oceans, not decomposing for 1000-odd years.

Before it turns into a Wall-E like situation (without the cute sentient robots), see how you can make some changes of your own. We’ve scooped out these seriously luscious, effective and sustainable beauty swaps right here in Singapore that’ll help you cleanse your dresser and life.

The ultimate guide to plastic-free skincare & zero waste beauty products in Singapore

Shampoo bars that won’t hurt

Love a good lather? Biconi’s got a plastic-free shampoo bar (pictured above) that’s made with quality natural ingredients. We’re particularly fond of the Hair Revitalising one (found at Zerrin) that’s gentle on the scalp and environment.

Plus, there’s The Clean Attempt with its zero-waste shampoo bars and dry shampoo glass jars that we simply cannot get enough of. Singapore’s first zero-waste grocery store Unpackt stocks them. Protip: Pick up a soap saver bag to help your shampoo bars last longer.
Biconi at Zerrin
The Clean Attempt, Unpackt, 6 Jalan Kuras, Singapore 577724

Lip balms that won’t bite

Kiss single-use plastic lip balms goodbye with a chapstick by The Lala Lokal. It’s all natural – beeswax, organic jojoba oil and shea butter – but we love them extra for the handmade, recyclable push-up tubes they come in.
The Lala Lokal, online

Body scrubs that don’t get into our food

You know those exfoliating body scrubs with colourful microbeads that are supposed to exfoliate your skin… oh, they’re doing much more than that. They’re deadly dangerous! About 1 millimetre to 1 micrometre in size, these plastic beads (banned in many countries) are polluting our oceans, get eaten by fish and have entered even our bodies via food and water.

So do your bit and pick a natural body scrub like the ones by Twig & Co. If you’re a green tea maniac, this macha and sea salt scrub is will turn you green (in a good way). They come in reusable glass jars and the homegrown brand is open to refilling them for a lower price. Give them a buzz and meet them.
Twig & Co, available online and at Naiise stores

Toners that turn on us

It’s rather easy to spot an Aesop store in a mall. But their cult status products and alluring storefront aren’t the only reasons to love this brand. To reduce its environmental footprint, Aesop has made a conscious choice to use amber glass bottles to retail their famous formulas. Take these skin toners for instance – packaged in apothecary-style glass, it only extends the shelf life of the product but can be easily recycled too!
Aesop, various locations

Shampoos & body washes? It’s all about the refill…

You know we love The Social Space for all sorts of reasons. This lovely little ethical boutique slash social enterprise slash cafe has its own refillery for shampoos and body wash. Right now, they’ve got some good stuff on tap – Ecostore for shampoo and hand wash, and Vermont Castile for castile soap that can be used as a body wash. It’s best to BYOB here – bring your own bottle to eliminate wastage.
The Social Space, 333 Kreta Ayer Rd, #01-14, Singapore 080333 & Marina One, Downtown

Face masks that won’t end up in landfills

Rolled oats and chamomile might sound like breakfast but they’re actually ingredients of this lovely, natural earth face mask and cleanser. Made in batches upon request, Espoir & Co Fuller’s Earth & Chamomile Cleanser & Mask comes in a reusable and recyclable aluminium jar. When you’re done, use it as a travel kit for slices of soap, store sweets, earrings or even organise your desk. Conquer those pesky paper clips.
Trove of Gaia, online

Hair dyes that don’t kill

Changing your hair colour is good but changing your relationship with chemical-heavy, plastic-packaged dyes is even better. Get rid of those greys with plastic-free hair dyes by Lush made of henna, essential oils and cocoa butter because we gotta condition. These dyes come with no plastic wrapping, multiple sachets of random powder or disposable gloves – they are just bars of dye with a paper label.  
Lush, multiple locations across Singapore

Face oils that don’t clog our oceans

Give your skin the TLC it deserves with toxic-free face oils. Frank Skincare’s line of face oils is made in small batches and sold in recycled or recyclable packaging as much as possible – we’d call that a win-win for you and mumma earth. Once you’ve used up a dropper bottle, put them back to use – custom-make essential oil blends, or sterilise before using it to store hot sauce or homemade vanilla extract.
Frank Skincare, 6 Shenton Way, #01-46 Oue Downtown Gallery Singapore 068815

Soaps that don’t slip up decades later

Leave those plastic loofahs alone. Get your hands on these felted soaps that’ll make you feel great about your life choices. Soap is cold pressed into this merino silk-wool blend to create something magical and sustainable.

Regular old-fashioned soaps can be plastic-free too. Next time you need to restock this bare necessity, pick one from The Green Collective. The beautiful handmade soap bars from Himmel Blue are package-free, with shampoo and conditioner bars available in refillable tins.

Homegrown brand Oasis Skin’s soaps are made with no nasties and no single-use plastic packaging. Almost all the soaps come in sweet cloth bags that can be easily reused at home. We’re also crushing on the eco-friendly natural hemp soap bags for daily exfoliation.
Felted soap by The Sustainability Project, online
Handmade soaps by Himmel Blue, The Green Collective, OneKM mall, #01-26/27, Singapore 437157
Oasis Skin, available online

Deodorants doing good

We’ve got a nose for natural deodorants and we’re loving Pong Free Pits for more than its au naturel, chemical-free ingredients. This handmade roll-on is packaged in a biodegradable, plastic-free casing. This one lets you free all kinds of pits (if you get the drift).
Pong Free Pits, available at The Social Space and Shopee

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Oh hi there, July! We’re embracing the month by indulging at the tastiest new restaurants in Singapore AND we’ve got two banging Honeycombers events (Live Better and Honeytalks) coming at you later in July too. But if you’re looking to kickstart the weekend with ten amazing things to do, then don’t worry, we’ve done the homework and cherry-picked only the best events, parties and experiences. There’s a steady mix of blowouts, local poetry, an art fair and a picnic under the moon and stars. Read on for more things to do this weekend in Singapore.

Art: Discover contemporary art in daily living spaces at this three-day fair

19-21 July, all weekend
Listen up, culture lovers! There’s an art and design fair at Gillman Barracks and it’s going to be packed with educational tours, engaging workshops, film screenings and art showcases. Join comedian, Rishi Budhrani for a tour of the art galleries, discuss interiors and art with radio presenter and host, Simone Heng or catch film screenings and documentaries of contemporary artists. Heads up: film screenings and workshops are ticketed so book them in advance to avoid disappointment.
Start at Gillman Barracks, 19 July: 4pm-10pm; 20 July: 11am-9pm; 21 July: 11am-8pm; Blk 9 #02-21: Art and Design Fair, Blk 7 level 1: Film Screenings

Experience: Talk to the moon over a picnic under the planets

20 July, Saturday

In case you didn’t know, we’ll be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing on 20 July. What better way to commemorate this iconic moment than with a picnic under the stars? Your evening will be filled to the brim with movie screenings, planetarium shows at the omni-theatre, stargazing sessions and an immersive Moonshot 50 exhibition using AR technology.
Picnic Under the Planets, 6pm-11pm, Science Centre Singapore, 15 Science Centre Road, Singapore 609081

Party: Lounge by an infinity pool with groovy club tunes, cocktails and BBQ

20 July, Saturday

Ain’t no party like a pool party. Chill out by the infinity pool at Hotel Jen Orchardgateway with Lazy Beatz’ groovy tunes, cocktails, beers and a BBQ grill (from 6pm to 9pm) and some of the best city views. DJ Lazy Beatz will be laying down some smooth tunes so just relax on one of the sunbeds or cabanas and vibe hard.
Lazy Beatz presents Sunset Madness Pool Party, 2pm-10pm, BayWatch Poolside, Level 19, Hotel Jen Orchardgateway, 277 Orchard Road Singapore 238858

Music: An intimate night of art, music and chill-out session at The Moon

20 July, Saturday

Are you an aspiring writer who’s ready to share your work to the world? Share your art through music at this fun and intimate session with Mantravine. Take a stab at songwriting from scratch with elements of African music or express yourself through song, dance, poetry, spoken word or a story backed by the band’s soulful beats. No musical knowledge is required at this no-judgement zone. Just leave your inhibitions behind and get ready to express yourself.
Mantravine On The Moon, 7.30pm-11.30pm, The Moon, 37 Mosque Street, Singapore 059515

Party: Soak up the sun at Camp Kilo Charcoal Club

21 July, Sunday

Singapore’s perennial summer has its benefits too – endless parties to soak up the sun. Pack your sunnies and make your way to Camp Kilo Charcoal Club for refreshing ‘summery’ drinks like frosé and rose sangria; backed with summer beats by DJs Aurora, J.Goh and Zushan. Sounds like the perfect Sunday afternoon to us.
Summer Sundays, 11am-11pm, Camp Kilo Charcoal Club, Camp Kilo Charcoal Club, 66 Kampong Bugis #01-01, Singapore 338987

Culture: Witness the diversity of Singapore literature and poetry at the Poetry Festival

19-21 July, Friday to Sunday

We’re excited to see what this year’s Poetry Festival has in store, as it reflects on the metamorphosis of Singapore poetry. Emerging talents and exciting new trends will also on the spotlight, along with multilingual readings, panel discussions, workshops, plays, film screenings and poetry competitions. With over 30 free and ticketed events, there’s bound to be something for everyone.
Poetry Festival Singapore, Friday: 6pm-9.30pm; Saturday: 10am-7.30pm; Sunday: 11am-7.30pm, The Arts House at The Old Parliament, 1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore 179429

Drink: A festival strictly for tea snobs

19-21 July, Friday to Sunday

Passionate tea lovers, say aye! Explore over 50 tea brands – right down to Japanese, Chinese, health teas, exclusive blends, caffeine-free selections and even bubble tea – at the Singapore Tea Festival. If you’re looking for hands-on experience, there are numerous masterclasses (tea-infused, of course) that’ll brew you into a tea connoisseur.
Singapore Tea Festival, Friday, 19 July, 2-10pm; Saturday and Sunday, 20 & 21 July, 10am-10pm, Jewel Changi Airport, B1 Atrium, 78 Airport Blvd, Singapore 819666

Shop: Learn how to shop consciously at this conscious and mindful Living pop up!

21 July, Sunday

If you’re in the mood for some retail therapy, swing by this conscious and mindful pop-up. Learn all about conscious shopping and rub shoulders with sustainable brands like Hush Candle, Our Bralette Club, GreenieGenie, The Sustainability Project, Plantii Box, ETL Products and Wellness Within. See? Shopping can be guilt-free too.
Conscious and Mindful Living pop-up, 10am-8pm, Botany Singapore, 86 Robertson Quay #01-03, Singapore 238245

Party and dine: Lavo takes day-time partying to greater heights with a new brunch series

20 July, Saturday

You know how we feel about Saturday brunches – it’s a great start to the weekend and you also have the next day to recover from it. Lavo Italian Restaurant and Rooftop Bar adds another brunch blowout to the list, with the debut of its acclaimed Lavo Party Brunch series. The rooftop bar will be throwing a themed Saturday brunch every two months; complete with free-flow Perrier-Jouet champagne, house wines, house pours and beers. Throw in a scrumptious buffet spread of Lavo’s signature meatballs, pizza, mini sandwiches and charcuterie, the best DJ sets in town and you’ve got yourself a stellar party.
Lavo Party Brunch, 12pm-4pm, Lavo Singapore, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018956

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Making full use of the long weekend and taking a short break from Singapore is always a great idea. What’s not so great is packing for airport security, trudging through airports and the possibility of hanging around waiting rooms because a flight is delayed. That’s why we love a good ol’ road trip… to Malaysia! Time to go old school and just drive across the causeway for a road trip from Singapore to Malaysia.

But first! Some road trip reminders

On packing:
Packing for a road trip is a lot more liberal. No more restrictions on liquid in small 100ml bottles! Still, that doesn’t mean you won’t look dodgy travelling over to Malaysia with a trunk full of knives and assorted sharp objects. You do still have to make it through immigration…

Be the hostess with the mostest:
Do load up on snacks and water to keep you and your companions hydrated and the opposite of peckish. Although there’ll be a lot of food stops in Malaysia you can make along the way…

Immigration matters:
Might seem trivial, but when crossing the border to Malaysia from Singapore, always make sure that the immigration officers have stamped and inked your passport (and that it is visible to the naked eye!). Because if not, coming back in to Singapore is going to be a little difficult. Believe us, we’ve learned this the hard way.

Put these spots on your map…

Malacca

For the lazy adventurers

This sleepy colonial town is a gem with lively laneways and heritage buildings waiting to be discovered. The best way to get around? By foot! A little like Singapore, Malacca is a small coastal town rich in heritage and culture. A 4-5 hour road trip from Singapore, Malacca’s a great place if you’re just looking for a bit of quick respite from the city life. Stay in or near the Jonker River to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle and while you’re in Malacca, you have to try the Assam Laksa and chicken rice balls (and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!). Lucky for you, we’ve put together a little field guide to Malacca!

Kuala Lumpur

For the city-slickers

If you find that even on holiday, you get the urge to be near a swish mall, nice restaurants, and tall buildings, then Kuala Lumpur is the city for you across the causeway. A drive from Singapore would take you 5-6 hours, but brace yourself for the traffic in Kuala Lumpur when you arrive. It’ll be worth it when you hit the food havens of Jalan Alor (you have to get some roasted chicken wings!) and Petaling Street, shop a storm around KL from Bangsar to Bukit Bintang, and check in to a snazzy hotel like Aloft KL, Chaos Hotel or the rustic Sekeping Backlane.

Cameron Highlands

For the contemplative types

Hills and greenery for miles, fresh clean air, chilly weather… you don’t have to go so far, Cameron Highlands is just a road trip away! Go strawberry-picking, stroll through eucalyptus trees, check out tea plantations and generally take it slow because there’s always time for tea in Cameron Highlands. Check into Tudor-style resort on the hill,The Lakehouse, or the French chateau inspired Cameron Highlands Resort for that true away-from-the-city vibe.

Penang

For the culture vultures

Listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2008, the island of Penang has no shortage of cultural sights and natural scenery. Soft, sandy beaches and great food all around, Penang is also known for its vibrant street art. The quaint nooks and crannies of Georgetown and the Tropical Spice Garden – the only spice garden in South East Asia – as well as Penang’s many flea markets and night markets are must-see for visitors. Stay in a cosy B&B for an authentic Penang experience.

Johor Bahru

For the time-strapped traveller

Enough with the day trips to JB! Technically a drive (not a road trip) away, it’s about time you check in to a fab hotel for a weekend, and explore the capital of Johor’s cafes, night markets, heritage shops and more. It’s no secret, JB’s our favourite place to pop over for cool little cafes, authentic street Malaysian fare and shopping at those designer outlets. 

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While we often try our hands at Marie Kondo-ing our junk, we’ll admit, we aren’t perfect with it (hey, everyone’s a work-in-progress, right?). So we turn to the Muji storage collection for tools to declutter what is left of our very necessary stash. (Pssst: look out for all the promos happening till the 31 August!)

Stack ‘em up

Too many things, too little space? Give your knick knacks the home they deserve by popping them into one of Muji’s easily stackable containers – yes, that’s more good news for hoarders out there who can’t bear to part with their collection of vintage trinkets. And there’s a whole range of small storage pieces to choose from too. We’re talking wire baskets, acrylic boxes, fabric cases, rattan baskets and more.

The simplicity of Muji products makes them a dream to work with: Even if you tried playing around with mixing textures and materials of the storage containers on your shelf, the layered mix doesn’t look chaotic, instead, it looks comfortable and creative (i.e. like you actually have your sh*t together).

Most of all, we love Muji’s storage collection for being customisable and expandable – start with one shelf or box, and build it up horizontally or vertically as you please.

Changing things up

We recommend starting with the larger pieces of furniture: begin with a stainless steel unit shelf or stacking shelf before slotting those baskets and boxes in. If you love changing things up, you’ll definitely enjoy moving things around whenever it strikes your fancy. Heck, you could even change the layout of your living room everyday if you like!

Now, we know you could care less about how you store your cleaning supplies, but wouldn’t you rather have a storage system that you didn’t feel obliged to hide under the kitchen sink? We’re calling it: Muji’s storage collection can even make your cleaning products look aesthetically pleasing. Or at least, they won’t stand out like a sore thumb from the rest of your carefully designed interior – score!

Perks: From now till the end of July 2019, enjoy up to 15% off on the aforementioned stainless steel shelf, stacking shelf, baskets and boxes. (While stocks last.)

Where the pros are at

Whether you’re a design amateur or an organising geek (we’re both), we could all use a lil help from the pros to up our game. For that, we turn to Muji’s Interior Advisor service for complimentary consultations at selected stores – find out which outlets here!

learn from the pros on how to construct your own flexible shelving system at the Interior Advisor Workshop. (Get all the deets here.)

Looking for more inspo? Check out the Muji Storage Exhibition for more storage and styling tips from the pros, happening from now till 25 July at Plaza Singapura!

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Store small items such as accessories, stationery and essentail oils all in one place. Use a combination of velour inner cases to sort them out neatly. Enjoy selected Acrylic Storage and Velour Inner Cases now at 20% OFF till 31 July.

A post shared by MUJI Singapore (@mujisg) on Jul 3, 2019 at 9:39pm PDT

Muji Storage Exhibition, Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238839

This post is in partnership with Muji.

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You know we love our Bali getaways, and we’re pretty sure that you’re all about that easy-breezy lifestyle too. So if you’ve ever thought of cashing in on this hot destination, then the Citadines Berawa Beach Bali development exhibition is the place to dig a little deeper into an exciting property opportunity in Canggu.

Why Citadines Berawa Beach Bali?

It’s clear that Bali boasts a strong and growing tourism industry (and we bet many of you are contributing to it with your holidays too). In particular, we love Canggu for its prime location with a rapidly expanding population of vacationers and digital entrepreneurs. With its serene beaches and waves that are a surfer’s dream, who can blame people for returning to this tropical paradise time and time again? Yet, somehow, this slice of paradise still manages to retain its chill and peaceful vibes, and you can invest in one of the newest developments.

The best holidays come with a strategic stay, and Citadines Berawa Beach Bali is sure to be a hit with tourists thanks to its convenient location just a 4 minutes’ walk to Berawa Beach, a 3 minutes’ drive to Finns Beach Club, and 20 minutes to Potato Head – oh yeah! Take your pick from the 226 rooms, which comprises studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, and even a presidential villa. Want in?

Cue the numbers

First off, expect a 5% p.a. return for seven years, guaranteed by Genesis Indojaya. This property developer promises stable returns and will also absorb 10% value-added tax as well as legal fees, so all that will be taken right off your plate, meaning more time for cocktails, yoga or surfing, during your free nights of accommodation when you use the complimentary 30 points per year.

Are you sold yet? Once you’ve discussed the finer details with the Knight Frank specialists at the upcoming Citadines Berawa Beach Bali exhibition, select your property and get your payment sorted through one of the flexible payment schemes to cater to your preferences.

Wanna know more?

If you’re pumped for this hot investment opportunity and want to find out more, RSVP here to secure your seats and head over to Four Seasons Hotel on 20th & 21st July to learn more about an ideal addition to your portfolio.

Exhibition Details
Citadines Berawa Beach Bali, a development by Genesis Indojaya, 20 & 21 July 2019, 11am to 7pm (Seminar held at 2.30pm by the developer on both days)
Four Seasons Hotel, Windows West Room, 20th Floor, 190 Orchard Blvd, Singapore 248646

Property: Citadines Berawa Beach Bali, Jalan Pemelisan Agung, Tibubeneng, North Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia

For more information please visit the website here.

This post is in partnership with Citadines Berawa Beach Bali.

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As if Smoke and Mirrors needed more reason for us to flock to it! Apart from its strategic location (you get a clear view of the fireworks during NDP season over here), this modish rooftop bar located atop the National Gallery Singapore just got a new head bartender, and an interesting cocktail menu packed with unexpected combos and techniques that make you go, “say, what?”

Who’s that boy?

Jorge Conde combines his 15-year experience in bars across Spain and London, his graphic design background, and his love for the arts and modern techniques to create a progressive cocktail menu. Traditionalists might want to sit down for this.

“Illusion of Flavours” has 16 reimagined classic cocktails divided into six categories – fizzy and elegant, sour and neat, long and refreshing, strong and neat, fruity and punchy and savoury and umami.

What’s your tipple?

If a potent drink is what you crave, the La Fumata Bianca ($28++), is a twist on the Negroni. Jorge swaps key ingredients, gin, Campari and sweet vermouth with a smoky agave-based raicilla, gentian liqueur and a mix of Bianco and quinine vermouth. The Japanese Gang is Still Alive ($25++) is not your ordinary whisky sour. Jorge fat-washes black sesame and black rice with butter and whisky; topped with a frothy rice vinegar and aquafaba (brine from legumes) mix. We told you it’s a progressive menu.

Don’t be fooled by the unassuming colours and presentation of the drinks. By adapting techniques such as distillation, preservation and fermentation (even the garnishes are fermented in-house!) and using tools like a rotary evaporator to redistill flavours (and also to maintain the consistency of his cocktails), you get a full-bodied profile of complex, potent and layered flavours in every cocktail.

It’s also evident that art is a steady theme in the menu. Cocktails like Dali’s Self Portrait, ($28++); a smoky and robust mix of malts, bacon fat, herbal wine, artichoke and burnt rosemary, pays homage to Salvadore Dali’s ‘Soft Self-Portrait with Grilled Bacon’ artwork. Picasso’s Pencil ($25++) is an assault on the senses, using the aroma of cedarwood from pencils paired with smoky agave, preserved lemon, fruity Manzanilla sherry, apple vinegar and tonic. Apparently, Picasso’s first word was “piz,” short for “lapiz,” the Spanish word for pencil. How apt.

After a chat with the man himself, we soon discovered that his innovative techniques and bold twists are bound to gain traction.

Hi, Jorge. Why did you decide to join Smoke & Mirrors, and what’s your vision for the bar?
I joined Smoke & Mirrors because I could see the potential for the space – it’s a very unique bar with a great location and an amazing view. I was also looking for the opportunity to create a new bar programme and was excited to bring to life the vision and concept that I had for Smoke & Mirrors, which is based on three key themes: illusion, art and flavours. It was unique for the venue; illusion fits into the “Smoke and Mirrors” name and offers a peek into what the menu would be, art tied back to the location at National Gallery Singapore, and flavours as the core concept of the cocktails.

You use unique techniques like fermentation, distillation and preservation in your process of making drinks. Tell us more about these.
These techniques are all related to extracting and preserving the flavours, which is important for consistency. For example, if I were to use fresh fruit in the shaker, every cocktail would be different from each other due to reasons outside of anyone’s control (different sizes of fruit, levels of acidity, etc.). However, using these techniques allows me to extract the flavour and put it into liquid format so that it will be consistent all the time.

What’s your craziest concoction. Is it on the menu?
All of the cocktails on the menu are quite different with unique flavours; the combinations of the different ingredients are not something that most people would see together. One of the most unique concoctions is Picasso’s Pencil ($25++) where we extract the pencil aroma from the wood (cedar from the pencil) and use it as perfume. It’s a good example of working with an object (the pencil) rather than a typical ingredient and finding a way to translate that into a flavour.

Another interesting flavour combination is the Dali’s Self Portrait ($28++), which uses bacon fat, artichokes, rosemary and smoke. I always try to do something unique and rare, without limiting myself to classic flavours, and it’s not just thinking about putting a drink out but working with flavours and sensations that ties back into the concept.

You love unconventional combinations that surprise and intrigue guests. Tell us about a drink that caught you off-guard.
The beauty of this menu is that everyone will have a different perception, and the first sip is surprising for everyone in a good way. For me, the most surprising ones were what you would think would be the easiest ones. For example, the result of distilling the dog fennel with gin (Le Paix 75, $28++), or banana with ghee (for Peel & See, $28++), that was quite surprising. I try to surprise myself with all of the drinks, the first sip for me is always a surprise, and then I will try to find a way to balance everything out.

Why is storytelling important in cocktail mixing?
Storytelling is important in cocktail mixing because it’s part of the experience. Nowadays, when you have a cocktail, it’s not about just having the liquid itself. It’s the whole experience, and I believe that it comes with a story – right from the inspiration and the aroma; down to the music that is playing, the decorations and the surroundings. All these things add up and elevate the experience of having a drink.

You’re a graphic designer by trade. How has it helped behind the bar?
The relationship between graphic design and cocktails is all about storytelling as well. Creating a new logo for a brand is essentially creating an “icon,” but behind this, you have the marketing strategy, the story and the ideas. Similarly, for cocktails, it’s about telling a story and conveying ideas beyond just the visual “icon” of the drink.

You’ve been in the industry for over 15 years. What’s one thing you’ve learnt?
One of the most important things that I’ve learnt is how to understand the guest, how to evaluate and analyse their preferences in order to give them what they want. I believe this is something that you can only get with experience.

What’s your go-to cocktail when you’re off-duty?
It depends on the day and the time, but I normally do enjoy aperitif drinks such as Negroni or Boulevardier. I like bitter-sweet cocktails because I usually drink them before a meal. Being in Singapore, there are many cocktail bars with great programmes and menus, so I do enjoy going out and trying new and different things on the menu instead of just having a classic.

And your least favourite drink to mix?
I personally do not have a drink that I don’t enjoy mixing, each drink offers something new and exciting and I enjoy mixing them all.

Your favourite thing about Singapore’s cocktail scene?
My favourite thing about Singapore’s cocktail scene is how fast it’s growing and the mixture of cultures here. Even in the cocktail culture, there is a good mix of bartenders from America, Japan, Europe and local bartenders, who bring in their unique style into the industry. The cocktail scene in Singapore is always very experimental and people are open to trying new things here.

Your favourite local food?
I love all the food here; my favourites would be mee pok and laksa because I love spicy food. During my free time, I love going around Singapore and trying new dishes.

Tell us about an unforgettable night out in Singapore.
I don’t have one yet! I’m usually working at night – but the nights since I’ve joined Smoke & Mirrors have been unforgettable to me. I enjoy meeting new people and seeing them enjoy the drinks that I’ve made so every night has been an unforgettable one for me.

Any hangover remedies you’d like to share?
Fermented tomato is my go-to hangover remedy. I use natural fermentation where I add sugar, slice the tomatoes, put it in a vacuum bag and leave it to sit for a few days, then strain through a cheesecloth to clarify, and it’s delicious, with rich flavours. I usually have it on hand because I make big batches and keep extra to experiment with.

One of drinks here called The Farm is Burnt ($28 ++) uses the fermented tomato and incorporates celery, spices, radish brine, chipotle, chino agave and citric ash basil oil – which is a smoky take on the Bloody Mary.

You can sure as hell leave all preconceptions behind or challenge those expectations with these drinks.

Smoke & Mirrors, 1 St. Andrew’s Road, #06-01 National Gallery Singapore, 178957

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Living in Singapore, it’s too easy to get caught up in the fast-paced rat race. For those times when city living gets too tough, we’re giving you permission to check out of daily life… and check into a gorgeous resort instead. You don’t even need a ton of vacation days; research has proven that short breaks are better for you to recharge (but do you really need an excuse?). If you need some ideas, we’ve got 16 islands near Singapore (including luxurious private islands) for you to choose from, with some as near as 45 minutes away.

Gili, Indonesia

Made up of three tiny islands (Trawangan, Meno and Air) the Gili Islands beckons for you to unleash your inner hippie. Leave your fancy beachside frocks at home and bung on a sarong for your entire trip. Stay in a traditional Indonesian beach hut and prepare to spend your days just hitting the quiet beach in Meno, exploring the coral reefs at Gili Air with affordable dive packages, partying in Trawangan and stuffing your face with seafood barbeques. One word for your time in Gili? Chill.
Travel time: Fly from Singapore to Bali via a two hour 45 minutes flight. Then, take a two-hour fast boat ride from Benoa Harbour to the Gilis.

Bawah, Indonesia

Private Island

Set in a playground of five gorgeous gorgeous islands is Bawah: the epitome of eco-luxury. Only accessible via seaplane, Bawah is surrounded by three crystal clear lagoons, powdery white beaches and a lush jungle canopy teeming with exotic wildlife. Sustainability is key here; the wooden resorts are made from eco-friendly bamboo, conservation efforts are plenty and meals are only sourced from fresh local environments. The island houses a maximum of 70 people across 35 villas.
Travel time: 3.5 hours, after a car ride to the ferry terminal, fast track through immigration and a 70-minute seaplane ride to directly outside your suite.

Bintan, Indonesia

Less than an hour away by ferry, Bintan is the quick weekend getaway we always have on rotation. The island’s luxe factor has increased tenfold, thanks to the opening of resorts like The Residence Bintan and The Sanchaya, and we’ll always love Banyan Tree. Despite its popularity with the Singapore crowd for its buzzy beach life, the island also holds many treasures, including a mountain, hidden waterfalls and sea gypsy villages.
Travel time: 45 minutes via ferry ride

Bali, Indonesia

You’ve probably heard the phrase “Bali is always a good idea” time and time again. And as Bali regulars, we’re inclined to agree. For starters, the island has something for everyone, from azure seas in Uluwatu, awe-inspiring active volcanoes to trek, buzzy beach bars and cool home decor stores. You have a varied choice of stay too, as the resort is packed to the brim with all sorts of all-inclusive swanky resorts, private pool villas and cool boutiques. Check out our shopping guide to Canggu – and of course, our sister site Honeycombers Bali if you need any more reasons to book a flight stat.
Travel time: Fly from Singapore to Bali via a two hour and 45 minutes by direct flight

Rawa, Malaysia

We don’t use the term ‘slice of paradise’ very often, but that’s exactly what Rawa is. Popular with families, the coral island boasts powdery white shores and turquoise waters. Only two resorts are found here for maximum privacy – with both properties made up of rustic wooden chalets on stilts, and boasting unobstructed sea views. The only thing on your to-do list should be beach and water sports: think everything from seaside volleyball to stand up paddle boarding.
Travel time: Drive, or take a coach or private limo from Singapore to Mersing. The ride will take you three hours. Rawa Island is then an hour’s ferry ride from Mersing.

Telunas, Indonesia

Put Telunas on your vacay radar immediately. The tiny tropical gem just 50km south of Singapore is the plush getaway you need without the fuss of airplane travel. Take your pick from the private island or beach resort. The former is made for romance, with spacious over-water sea villas as the accommodation, wide-angle views of the azure sea and an infinity pool and bar for you to wind down in. The latter, on the other hand, is best recommended for those with a soft spot for slow island life, with rustic chalets created in the style of traditional Riau architecture and a personal porch area with hammocks. Bonus: this is where you can enjoy a digital detox and really unwind. No wifi here!
Travel time: Get on a one-hour ferry ride from Singapore’s Harbourfront Terminal to Sekupang Port in Batam. Next, board a wooden longboat which will you take to Telunas in an hour and 40 minutes.

Phuket, Thailand

Known as the party island of Thailand, Phuket is far more than its reputation. Avoid Patong – a beach town is home to raucous nightlife, restaurants and hordes of tourists – if it’s serenity you seek. The island is home to 30 unspoiled white beaches with clear blue waters, with one for everyone, ranging from lively (yet not overbearingly crowded) like Kata and Karon beach, to hidden beauties like Freedom beach. The island is also the main spot from where you can island-hop to unspoilt islands like Racha and Coral Island.
Travel time: Fly from Singapore to Phuket via a one hour 45-minute direct flight

Langkawi, Malaysia

An idyllic and serene archipelago sequestered 30 kilometres away from Malaysia’s mainland coast, Langkawi is a triple threat with a charm that’ll appeal to beach lovers, foodies, and adventure seekers alike. All around you is emerald waters, with paddy fields and jungly hills as the main backdrop. With so many choices, choosing a district for your stay can be a mind-boggling process but if you’ve got the dime, we’d urge you to splash your cash on one of the many upscale resorts on the island.
Travel time: Fly from Singapore to Langkawi via a one hour 25-minute direct flight

Pulau Pangkil, Indonesia

Private Island

Located off the Southeastern corner of Bintan Island, Pulau Pangkil is only accessible via ferry. When hiring Pangkil, you’ll receive the whole package: accommodation, snorkelling equipment, the bar, sound system, speedboats and a staff of over 20 to cater to assorted whims and fancies. Nine Driftwood Palaces are available for guests; situated close to the beach, each of them is made from logs salvaged from the sea and features large four-poster beds and adjacent bathrooms. And while there’s plenty to keep you active outdoors (sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddling or movie screenings), we suggest refuelling by spending your days sun-lounging and napping in hammocks.
Travel time: Board an hour ferry ride from Singapore to Bandar Bintan Telani in Northern Bintan. Next, take the land transfer to Pama jetty. This will take you an hour and a half. And finally, get on a 15 to 30-minute ride to Pangkil.

Tioman Island, Malaysia

This tiny pear-shaped island off the coast of Malaysia is a haven for both aquatic lovers and budget travellers. Itss waters aren’t the bluest or clearest in the region, but it does have a vibrant coral reef and waters that are easy to navigate for training beginner divers. The volcanic island is covered in rainforest, and still has a rustic, laidback way of life.
Travel time: Take a coach from Singapore to Tanjong Gemok Jetty. This typically takes three to three and a half hours. You’ll then take a one and a half hour ferry ride to Tioman Island.

Cebu, Philippines

Finding a serene beach in the Philippines is easy as pie, as it’s got over 7000 islands to its name. As an introduction to Filipino island life, head to Cebu, home of white sandy beaches and exciting dive spots over in its Northern coast. To couple your beach holiday with a bit of culture, Cebu is home to temples, forts and shrines for you to explore.
Travel time: Fly from Singapore to Cebu via a three hour and 45 minutes direct flight

Pulau Tengah, Malaysia

Private Island

Crowded beaches are unheard of at Batu Batu: a private island resort located in Malaysia’s uninhabited Pulau Tengah. Set amongst coconut groves and rocky outcrops, the resort is the only property in the island, giving its guests unparalleled privacy to frolic on the eight pristine beaches, dive and snorkel around with marine life or kayak around its perimeter. The resort on its own is a pure gem, as it organises active conservation missions like Turtle Watch Camp, and practices sustainable policies.
Travel time: Drive, or take a coach or private limo from Singapore to Mersing. The ride will take you three hours. Mersing to Pulau Tengah is accessible via a 20 to 30-minute speedboat ride.

Cempedak, Indonesia

Private Island

From by the same folks behind Nikoi Island, Cemepdak is a dramatically designed private island resort. You’re not likely to see anything like it near Singapore, as the eco-friendly resort boasts crescent-shaped roofs (made of local grass) atop its bamboo made villas. Within these, you’ll find private plunge pools, decks and spacious living spaces. Cempedak as an island is yet another stunning natural wonder, with a shoreline of white sandy beaches, white granite boulders and a rainforest inhabited by local birds. Other residents of the island – besides humans of course – are pangolins and otters.
Travel time: 2.5 hours away from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal

Lombok, Indonesia

Bali’s quieter cousin may look a lot like the Island of the Gods; but make no mistake, they are as different as chalk and cheese. For starters, Lombok lacks millennial and healthy cafe scene, as well as the spectrum of buzzing beach clubs, and world-renowned restos. What it does have in spades is raw charm. Like Bali of decades ago, the island is still authentic, with untouched landscapes and traditional markets.
Travel time: Fly from Singapore to Lombok via a two hour 40-minute flight

Koh Samui

There’s a lot to love about Koh Samui, and no we’re not just talking about its beautiful palm-fringed beaches. Hit up Ang Thong National Marine Park to explore hidden waterfalls, coves and mangroves. Or head to Bophut to enter a haven of tranquillity; there you’ll find a majestic 12-metre high golden Buddha statue and market shopping at the Fisherman’s Village Walking Street, where old Chinese shops and houses still remain. Alternatively, book a stay at Koh Tao (also known as ‘Turtle Island’), which boasts the clearest waters teeming with marine life.
Travel time: Fly from Singapore to Koh Samui via a one hour and 45-minute direct flight

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