Truth be told, I can be enticed to most openings with the promise of a glass of champagne *hangs her head in mock shame*. However an exhibition opened just recently which made me all tingly with happiness, so much so that no lure of bubbles was necessary. Korla Home, an inspiring new textile brand just launched their first collection. But what makes them really stand out from the crowd is the inspiring initiative they have taken, in collaborating with LaSalle College of the Arts Faculty of Design. Conscious of Singapore’s vibrant, undiscovered, design talents, Korla Home approached the LaSalle College of the Arts Faculty of Design to initiate a collaboration between student and designer. Geometry in Repeat is the result of that partnership. The exhibition features the fabrics conceived by the fashion textiles students in response to their given brief: create an Asian-inspired print suitable for the most stylish...
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Every other Saturday morning the conversation usually centres around dim sum. Want dim sum? Yes! Where to go? The usual. So the last dim sum weekend I thought it was time to break away from the mold. And that mold in Singapore for decent dim seems to be either a) a restaurant in a mall or b) a restaurant in a hotel. I was determined that wherever I was going to be eating dim sum that day, it wasn’t going to be at either of those. And then I remembered a restaurant I had walked past one weekend whilst mooching around Tanjong Pagar – Pavillion Restaurant. At the time dim sum wasn’t on the cards but there’s a time and a place for everything and now it was here. Unbeknown to me, Pavillion Restaurant was running a special offer with 30% off dim sum every weekend until 3rd June...
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I like to think that I’m usually quite on top of things when it comes to new joints on the cocktail scene. But somehow Tree totally escaped my radar until someone mentioned it a few weeks back. And it seems like I’m not the only one, as this very cool yet understated bar has been around since November but has kept things pretty low-key. Walking past it on Neil Road, from the outside you would never even know it existed unless someone had told you. Looking for number 148, we heard some cool beats winding their way down the stairs and so we followed them up. WOW! Are we really in Singapore? This reminded me of the super cool, artsy bars of my university days back in the UK or places I’ve hung out in Amsterdam. A trail of never ending almost psychedelic graffiti flows from one wall to the...
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It seems that in the past year, a mini explosion of Spanish/tapas themed restaurants have opened in Singapore. Finally last week I was presented the opportunity to get my feet wet at one these, Bilbao Restaurant and Gastrobar… Ingredients: a well designed and spacious Spanish restaurant, a visiting Portuguese winemaker with 4 of their delectable wines to taste and one hungry and curious City Nomad…Mix, and enjoy. Bilbao is located at Somerset Triple-One. In other words, the ‘other’ side of Orchard Rd. Basically, same sized road just with about 1/10 the amount of people. Perfect. And indeed it’s a fantastic setting for the second floor Bilbao. With a rather large indoor area, boasting a cool tapas bar, my favourite part by far was sitting was al fresco. Now considering this in literally about a 3min walk from the people-zoo that is Orchard Rd, this gorgeous and outdoor area provides...
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I had heard that the Bukit Timah neighbourhood of Binjai Park has become home to some new establishments of late, and so always keen on snuffling out new hidden gems I ventured off to check out one of the said…Capri Trattoria & Pizzeria. The restaurant is owned by Luca Lannone, one third of the brothers behind the restaurant Limoncello in Robertson Quay. Though I have to confess I’m not a huge fan of the latter, I feel in striking out on his own this brother is much more at home in this cosy trattoria which really feels like you could have just stepped into somewhere for lunch in the Bay of Naples. Think exposed brickwork, decorative tiles and warm colours which give this place a lovely traditional, old world feel. Being lunchtime, my dining accomplice Hehzee and I were only in for a glass of wine each. I have to say I...
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Before I sat down to write this piece, I was a poetry slam virgin, despite the fact that poetry slams have been around for years – and yes even in Singapore. Sure I was prepared for the celebration of spoken word, but that was merely just the beginning of what I was about to experience at my first slam, courtesy of Poesis. For it was this poetry slam – organised by Project Ecclesia as part of the i-AM Festival, the annual arts festival directed and produced by the students from the Arts Management at LASALLE – which opened up my eyes and ears and had me leaving the event absolutely buzzing. I have to be honest in saying that this was one of the rare occasions throughout my time in Singapore that I went in with no expectations and was subsequently blown away but what I experienced. Because this poetry slam...
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After hearing on the wind mention of the Riders Cafe legendary brunch, the opportunity finally presented itself in the form a big Sunday brunch out with friends. The first thing to say about Riders is that it is certainly out of the way, way down off Bukit Timah Rd, down the Fairways and next to the Saddle Club, you can actually see horses riding past the front entrance of the restaurant. It really feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Situated in a gorgeous old colonial-style building, the setting is perfect for brunch… There is outdoor seating but effectively the entire cafe is opened up, so there’s great lighting, and lots of ventilation by fans, but no air-conditioning. Surprisingly however, it’s really quite cool, to my relief. Anyway with a rumbling tummy, I eargerly sat down and began examining the menu…First things first, drink!...
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Like many, I was keenly anticipating the moment when the ArtScience Museum would fling open their doors to their exhibition of the the largest collection of Andy Warhol’s iconic works, showcased in Andy Warhol: 15 Minutes Eternal. When most of us think of Andy Warhol, images synonymous with the Pop Art movement like Marilyn Monroe and Campbell’s Soup spring to mind. But what is so wonderful about this exhibition is that not only does it enable us to have the opportunity to see many other lesser known works, but to journey with Warhol as he develops as an artist throughout the decades experimenting with different techniques and media along the way. Moreover, it enables us to really delve into and understand the fascinations, inspirations and the weird and wonderful world that was the beating heart of this unique and celebrated artist. The exhibition journeys through the decades, starting at the...
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The word has been out for a while now, some as whispers, and some as shouts… A new food festival…International Michelin Star Chefs… In Singapore? When, when, when? I recently found out that Singapore is apparently the ‘food capital of the world’ in that there are more dining establishments per capita here than any other city. We are a nation that LOVES food. So having a festival that not only celebrates delicious food from around the world but also shines a spotlight on some of Singapore’s local talent is definitely worth a visit. So let’s get down to it. What is Savour? Put simply, Savour is about the love of food. From the 30th March to 1st April, Savour will be taking over the massive indoor and outdoor F1 area. Savour’s primary focus will be the ‘Gourmet Village’, ‘Gourmet Market’ & ‘Gourmet Auditorium’. The Gourmet Village is all about...
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Mesdames et Messieurs! Your attention please….Between the 22nd to the 30th March, Singapore’s first French Animation Film Festival will be taking place at the Alliance Francaise….and after reading about the films playing, it seems a crime not to share this information as soon as possible. It was through the grapevine that I stumbled across this wonderful upcoming festival. I will guiltily admit that even as an adult, I love animation and the idea of an entire festival devoted to the art is to good to pass up. Unbeknownst to many, France has a rich culture of animated films (Asterix anyone!)…but what I particularly like about them compared to other cartoons around the world is that they are so, very, very….French! Whilst often whimsical and childlike in parts, French animation frequently carries much deeper meanings.There are subtle nuances of cultural diversity and differences, their clashes and their coming together. And...
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