San-Sui Contemporary Japanese Dining and Bar

I had my first experience at San-Sui during my first trip to Singapore and was thrilled to find a Japansese restaurant that served good food without breaking my bank. A newcomer in the bustling area of Clarke Quay, San-Sui Contemporary Japanese Dining and Bar offers a wide range of seafood and meat dishes that are contemporary interpretations of authentic Japanese recipes.  

San (land) and Sui (water) are the key elements of the menu, among them are the Beet Carpaccio—a vegetarian take on the ubiquitous beef carpaccio, and the “bamboo sushi” menu—sushi served in a bamboo stem with a wooden spatula. The mains include Somen, al dente egg noodles in a clear broth, and Rizotto, an Asian-inflected version of the classic Italian risotto made with Japanese rice. The place truly comes to life at night when you can also sip a glass of sake, shochu or Japanese single-malt whiskey at the bar while taking in a live music performance before or post dinner. San-Sui Contemporary Japanese Dining and Bar is located at 3B River Valley Road, #01-06, The Foundry, Clarke Quay. Tel: 6336 7737. http://www.sansui.com.sg/

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Han- Japanese Cusine

Han is a Japanese eatery that prides itself on kushikatsu, a fried food staple of Osaka. Kushikatsu are skewers deep fried in a light batter, flour and panko, and are one of the least known staples of Japanese cuisine. At Han you’ll get to enjoy the fine-dining version of this Japanese treat. Kushikatsu is the main reason to make a pilgrimage to Han, which is housed in a modern and minimalist setting reminiscent of a serene retreat. The best way to enjoy your fried delicacies is to sit at the counter and take in all the action as the chefs and his loyal team deep fry tantalizing morsels of fish, vegetables and beef, which you can dip them in an array of sauces lined up under your nose (the chef will tell you, with much authority, what sauce you’re supposed to pair with each dish). It’s hard to believe that you’re gorging on deep-fried food as you enjoy the soft texture of each skewer but in the hands of a skilled Japanese chef, even much-maligned fried food becomes a delicacy to savour and treasure. Han is located at 331 North Bridge Road, #01-04, Odeon Towers. Tel: 6336 2466

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Mount Faber Park: Henderson Waves

Part bridge, part observation deck, part skate ramp, this undulating "wave" bridge made up of rib-like slats of yellow bakau wood is a photo-op waiting to happen. Overlooking the southern ridges of Singapore all the way to Sentosa Island where the infamous "Reflections" hotel and resort calls home, the bridge is the highest pedestrian bridge in all of Singapore. Not only is it visually stimulating, but is the perfect place to escape the city for some exercise. The bridge lights up at night, with the wave-form illuminated with attractive LED light from 7pm to 2am daily. The bridge connects Henderson Road to Mount Faber to Telok Blangah Hill as is the perfect place to unwind, take a breath and get lost in nature. Visit http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/popup/hendersons.html for more information.

Word to the wise: Bring lots of water and bug spray. The park is huge and the trees trap in all the heat.

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Jasri Beach Villas

Sixty miles east of the jostling streets of Kuta and Seminyak are the Jasri Beach Villas, a pair of pristine villas bordering the attenuating seas of the Indian Ocean and the lush jungle of East Bali. Camouflaged against the exotic landscape, the villa estate only reveals itself to those searching for the ultimate retreat. Finished with hand-dressed stone and Merbau wood, the owner/architect Warren Sunnland in collaboration with Bali Mekar Studio envisioned traditional Balinese bales or pavilions amidst a living, breathing backdrop, brilliantly furnished with luxury in mind. The villas elegantly juxtapose traditional Balinese architecture with the finesse of contemporary design. The interior space is superbly functional, mashing together the best of digital age comforts—flat screen televisions, infinity pool, spa, air condition, walk in showers—without redefining the architect's original concept of bringing the true essence of Bali in and through each space. At night, the villa estate lights up under the stars, leaving you feeling weightless and malleable as the warm night air whisks you away to a dream-like state of mind.

See original article at http://freshome.com/2012/10/16/bordering-the-lush-jungle-of-east-bali-the-exclusive-jasri-beach-villas/

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Red Dot Design Museum

Located near the Tanjong Pagar MRT, on the perimeters of Chinatown is the red dot design museum. A bold red facade welcomes you inside this modern museum of marvels, as well as several eateries including a coffee shop, bar and restaurant. The museum itself displays winners of the coveted red dot design award, which is based in Europe. It has award-winning designs for all sorts of everyday objects, from advertising to toilets, and from medical equipment to pens. The labels explain the significance of these items and what makes them award-winning. The objects are works of art and, even if they didn't have practical value, they'd still be easy on the eyes.

Word to the wise: Visit their website at http://www.red-dot.sg/museum/ to read about their monthly free event called MAAD, where local artists and designers get to show off their latest creations.

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The Little Drom Store

This dream (or drom) inspired little bookstore, gallery and independent publisher is a hip little spot for some trinket scouring. Set in the rather trendy enclave of Ann Siang, The Little Drom Store has just enough treats to keep even the most ardent of dreamers occupied for a while.

Following the Singaporean trend of mixing eating with shopping, there's also a Japanese cake shop attached to the store - just in case you work up a hunger looking through the carefully selected books and collectibles.

Word to the wise: Keep an eye out for the handmade totes, mustache rings and stuffed animals; the cloud with raindrops is my particular favourite.

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The HAWKER.

There are few things in Singapore that rival the wild landscape of the HAWKER. From Lau Pa Sat, Holland Village, Chinatown and the more upscale Hawkers at 313 Somerset and Asia Square. All are unique in their own way and all offering tastes from around the world at prices you can't beat. It's no wonder why Hawkers are always so crowded, because really, it's cheaper then buying groceries. In many ways, Singapore's Hawker landscape mirrors one of the Peruvian odyssey: More languages are spoken here, though one may only hear the faint murmur of people chatting away, or the collective noise of hooting and shouting of shop owners; more foods are available here—including both kim chee, indian curry and italian-style tomatoes. The shop workers are like the birds found in Peru: their plumages in full color, both cooing and caw-ing at you to come their way. I could go with the Indian roti-prata set or the Japanese Udon, but today I feel like just plain-old chicken and rice—Singapore's signature dish. The rice is cooked in the chicken stock, making it oh-so-delectable. Whatever I decide, the Hawker never fails to provide. There are no maps to the world of the Hawker, but that is the beauty of it: the seemingly endless ecosystem.

East Coast Lagoon

Dim Sum Sum

Chinatown Hot Pot

SPICY!

Word to the wise: Don't be afraid to try new things. If you don't know what it is, ask around. If you want to play it safe, choose the stall that's the most crowded. You really can't go wrong.

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Touring the City.

Sights of Singapore.

Haji Lane a.k.a. The Seminyak of Singapore

Bugis is oh so colorful

Selegie street facades...

SOTA (School of the Arts)

Doby Ghaut sights

Offerings for the "Hungry Ghost Festival" Month

Clarke Quay

Quay Festival sights

Singapore River view

Bronze oddity

The Living Wall... 

...at Gastronomia

A little sunshine to brighten my day!

Lunching at Lau Pa Sat

Fullerton happenings

Marina Bay...never gets old.

The Durian Esplanade

St. Peter's Cathedral

The whimsical backdrops of Clarke Quay

Mosque @ Arab Street

Bali Lane

National Museum! 

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