Singapore’s passion for fashion is perhaps rivaled only by its love for food as all that shopping will surely get one in the mood for some chow time.
SHOP
Orchard Road
What: One of Singapore’s biggest tourist draws that just keeps getting better with retail malls such as Ngee Ann City, Mandarin Gallery, Paragon, Knightsbridge, 313@Somerset and Orchard Central
Explore: Local designers’ stores Ashley Isham, Hansel, Ben Wu, and Posse at Mandarin Gallery
Club 21
Where: Hilton Hotel, 581 Orchard Road (www.club21global.com)
What: An iconic multi-label fashion and concept boutique that houses high-end brands such as Lanvin, Dries Van Noten, Comme des Garçons, Dolce & Gabbana, and Marni among others.
Explore: Style Services Suite where Style Advisers host special presentations and previews for their clients. Clients can enjoy gourmet treats over a cup of organic tea or a glass of fine wine while the team goes over the spectrum of Club 21’s over 60 labels to create a carefully edited selection to meet the exacting needs of clients.
Ion Orchard
Where: 2 Orchard Turn (www.ion orchard.com)
What: Eight levels of shopping space (4 levels above and 4 levels below ground) that bring together the world’s “best-loved brands for their flagship, concept and lifestyle stores”
Explore: All Dressed Up and Kwanpen aside from high-end stores
Ann Siang Hill
Where: 45 Ann Siang Road
What: Hotspot for alternative tastes of chic street garb, fashion boutiques, antique furniture shops, art galleries and restaurants.
Explore: Front Row, Fuchsia Lane, Asylum, Fred Perry Laurel Shop and Style: Nordic
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Where: 10 Bayfront Avenue (www.marina baysands.com)
What: The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 800,000 sq ft of retail space
Explore: Brands such as Anne Fontaine, Henry Cotton’s, Paul & Shark, and Stefano Ricci as well as luxury retailers Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, Hermès and Frank Muller, among others, and the ArtScience Museum
Haji Lane
Where: Arab Street
What: A collection of eclectic narrow shop-houses transformed into a retail stretch recalling Le Marais in Paris or New York’s Meatpacking District
Explore: The Blog Store, Know It Nothing, Sup Studio, White Room and Straits Records
DINE
Wild Rocket
Where: Hangout Hotel, 10A Upper Wilkie Road (www.wildrocket.com.sg)
What: Wild Rocket creator Willin Low offers Modern Singaporean cuisine (a mix of Singapore flavors and hawker dishes, among others)
Must-try: Salmon carpaccio with octopus and bonito spiced brown rice
Blue Ginger
Where: 97 Tanjong Pagar Road
What: Serves traditional Peranakan cuisine in a homely shop-house, enlivened by local artist Martin Loh’s contemporary paintings
Must-try: Grilled chicken in coconut milk and spices
Crystal Jade Golden Palace
Where: Ngee Ann City, Orchard Road
What: Fine-dining Chinese restaurant offering healthy delectable dishes that can be prepared to meet your dietary needs
Must-try: Braised premium shark’s fin in brown sauce
Tippling Club
Where: 8D Dempsey Road (www.tipplingclub.com)
What: boasts the twin talents of chef Ryan Clift and bartender Matthew Bax offering an exciting menu in a minimalist setting
Must-try: Wagyu (yogurt, beetroot, and red wine quinoa) with a glass of Ghiaccio Forte (morellino di scansano, montalcino, Italy-2006)
TWG Tea Salon and Boutique
Where: Republic Plaza, 9 Raffles Place; Ion Orchard, Marina Bay Sands (www.twgtea.com)
What: Offering over 800 single estate fine harvest teas and exclusive blends to go with patisseries and other tea-infused delicacies
Must-try: Silver Moon Tea with macarons
The Glass House
Where: Hotel Fort Canning, 11 Canning Walk (www.hfcsingapore.com)
What: Set over two levels with floor-to-ceiling glass walls in the historic hotel with an all-day dining menu that embraces both Western and Oriental cuisine
Must-try: Fried vermicelli or locally known as “fried mee siam” (reinvented with Boston lobster)
Salt Grill and Sky Bar
Where: Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn (www.saltgrill.com)
What: An elegant 6,000-sq ft space set against the backdrop of the breathtaking city skyline helmed by celebrity chef Luke Mangan offering contemporary Australian cuisine
Must-try: Crab omelette, enoki mushroom salad, and miso broth or Pork Scotch at Salt Grill and “Charm Charm” (a champagne and tequila concoction served with muddled pineapples and basil) at Sky Bar
PS Café
Where: Ann Siang Hill, 45 Ann Siang Road
What: A corner shop house-restaurant reminiscent of the speakeasy days of yesteryear New York or London
Must-try: Double chocolate blackout
Ku Dé Ta
Where: Sands Sky Park, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue
What: Multi-tiered restaurant with club lounge, poolside terrace and skybar offering avant-garde dishes
Must-try: Slow-roasted yellow curry duck
Pizzeria and Osteria Mozza by Mario Batali
Where: Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue
What: Offers a selection of 100 Italian wines, world famous pizzas and other signature menu items
Must-try: Lasagna al forno
