Author: Evan Mua
At 45 Craig Road, a blast of salacious neon rains down on passers-by, dying them in a lusty crimson. To the side hangs a translucent sign, bare with a tousled weave of florid light tubes. On it, a vertical etching of “nou” greets the passers-by on the road, face first, whilst flanked by three words meant to succinctly elucidate what ensues upon entrance: “noodles & cocktails”.
The Lion City has been undeniably blessed by a gamut of cultural cuisines. It’s certainly not all-encompassing but already diverse in the spectrum. Naturally, certain styles still get lost within that flourish, criminally underrepresented and laden with potential — and it seems that African cuisine is one of the niches awaiting a breakthrough with the opening of the swanky new Tamba.
There’s a memory imprinted into every bar hopper in Singapore — one where they meander about Chinatown before bumbling onto a viridescent door at 20 Sago Street, then taking a leap of faith to trudge up the seedy flight of stairs to reach Sago House. Continue reading “Sago House”
The art of pastry. Full of intricacies and wrought with a need for delicacy. The simpler the pastry, the more finesse it demands for a truly outstanding outcome. Few rise to those stipulations even in this flourishing local cafe scene, but it seems newcomer Ami Patisserie could be the next in line. Continue reading “Ami Patisserie”
What do you go to a barber for? For a haircut? A shave? Or perhaps, a drink? On the off-chance that the last possibility appeals most to your sensibilities, introductions to the clandestine new speakeasy at Boat Quay, Close Shave, are in order.
The Keong Saik of today is not the same as before. Once home to numerous titanic names of Singapore’s dining scene, the vicinage seems to be on its last legs as it founders under the threat of vacating favourites and fading stalwarts. But even amidst the waning embers, a few sparks of optimism have roused — one of them is the vibrant new Hevel.
Sitting at the edge of Jalan Besar, near Bendemeer MRT, is a new cafe that would grab the attention of any passer-by with its bustling crowds and outlandish animated floating signs, flashing with reds and blues and dangling from the ceiling on chains. Brunch lovers would have heard of this one: it’s the stylish Moonchild. Continue reading “Moonchild”
It’s a Friday night and I sat waiting for my friend in the cosy dimness of Appetite, a chicly placid bar hiding away from the stir of pre-weekend Amoy Street, nestled in a loft sitting two storeys directly above its sister restaurant, Nouri.
Traditional Chinese cuisine is often looked upon with reverence here. An irrefragably dignified art. A time-honoured canon that is consistently refined and comforting. It’s regarded as a salient part of our proud heritage which, unfortunately, also stales the sea of ideas. But not at Peach Blossoms.
A suite of rustic Korean-style furniture populates the space, and a fleet of globe lamps dye the ambience in a passionate orange. At the back of the restaurant, a glossy art piece overlooks the restaurant — on it is a voguish illustration of a Geisha, seemingly supervising everything with a playful side-eye.
