Marina Bay Sands Hotel

With a $5.7 billion budget to boot, it's no wonder the magnificent and oh-so-picturesque Marina Bay Sands Resort and Casino has become a definitive fixture for Singapore's urban landscape and skyline. With a little help from partners like landscape architects Peter Walker and Partners, Moshe Safdie's crew has helped redefine modern architecture and created a buzz within the industry. Who would've thought 3 towering pillars with a boat on top of them would in fact do this? Nonetheless, the building has become a monument of everything Singapore stands for: innovation, exaltation and over-the-top extravagance. Towering 200 meters above the ground you will find the restaurant/lounge area and observation deck where you will wine and dine with the magnificent cityscape as your backdrop. Complete with an infinity pool, the hotel itself is your one-stop entertaining venue. Much has been written about the Infinity Pool, the breath-taking, three tower-spanning behemoth which is the world's largest outdoor pool at its height. And then there's the SkyPark, the platform on which the Pool is located, which offers a view so exclusive there's a $20 surcharge to enter. With the entire city beneath you, $20 will soon sound like a steal. Marina Bay Sands is located at 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956, Tel: 6688-8868.

Word to the wise: Every Wednesday night is Ladies Night in Singapore and the one night out of the whole week that you can enter Ku De Ta for free. Only the ladies get one free drink, but at least the fellas don't have to pay cover.

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Dolce Vita

Helmed by Michelin-starred chef Marco Pedrelli, Dolce Vita offers simple Italian fare with an emphasis on freshness of produce and traditional recipes with a modern twist. The best way to sample the wide-ranging menu is the restaurant’s famous Weekend Champagne Brunch—the free-flow of bubbly definitely helps lubricate the delicious fare. But to fully enjoy the atmosphere and setting of the place—Dolce Vita is located poolside at the Mandarin Oriental—book a dinner table in a quiet corner of the open-air terrace with stunning views of the city skyline and enjoy an intimate escape with your beau for a little taste of the sweet life, indeed. Dolce Vita is located at 5 Raffles Avenue, Marina Square. Tel: 6338 0066

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Debutante Delight

Singapore has its fair share of traditional French eateries offering staples of Gallic haute cuisine but if you’re looking for a casual bistro with outdoor seating and riverfront views exuding the laid-back charm of a French seaside resort rather than an old-fashioned Parisian establishment, Brasserie Wolf is the place for you. The chef, Claudio Sandri, who loves to mingle with patrons and casually drop by their tables to dish out old favourites such as the Traditional French Onion Soup, has introduced new recipes such as the Whole Roasted Spatchcock Chicken, a charred and juicy piece of meat drizzled in a flavourful gravy and prepared in Singapore’s first Josper charcoal oven. To complement this yummy entrée, start out with our favourite appetizer, Fresh Artichoke Heart, and end your meal with one of the classic desserts, Apple Tarte Tartin, a warm and crunchy treat served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The place is usually packed on weekends–both for dinner and brunch–but the crowd spilling on the waterfront sipping cocktails and French wine makes for great people watching. Brasserie Wolf is located at 80 Mohamed Sultan Road #01-13 The Pier at Robertson. Tel: 6735 3476. 

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The Fullerton Hotel & The Fullerton Bay Hotel

The Fullerton Hotel is one of the most happening spots in town during F1 season. The timeless elegance of its interior dates back to its luxurious history as the General Post Office in 1928. Immerse yourself in the lap of luxury in the hotel’s courtyard room overlooking the skyline of the city. Alternatively, The Fullerton Bay Hotel offers a more polished concept with tastefully furnished deluxe rooms and an exclusive balcony for an intimate ambience. Visit www.fullertonhotel.com and www.fullertonbayhotel.com

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Sky on 57

Known as the homegrown chef who harbors a particular finesse for French cuisine, Justin Quek is the the first Singaporean appointed to be the resident chef of the French Embassy in 1992. You can find him these days sharpening his skills at Sky on 57. The restaurant is housed at the highest point of Marina Bay Sands on the glitzy Sands Skypark. It prides itself on Chef Quek's creative interpretations of local delights such as the Nordic Crab Vermicelli, Maine Lobster Hokkien Mee and Wagyu Beef "Cheek" Rendang. Sky on 57 is located at 10 Bayfront Avenue, Tel: 6688 8868.

Prawn Mango Salad

Green Pea Bacon Risotto

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5 Must-Read Travel Books

1. An Italian Affair by Laura Fraser- Fraser’s depiction of sipping margaritas by the Mediterranean, lounging in Turin’s countryside and getting wooed by charming Neapolitan men will make you want to book a ticket to Italy.

2. Standard Deviations by Karl Taro Greenfeld- A former druggie turned editor of Time Asia, Greenfeld writes vividly of the party scene of Asia in the 1990s. His experiences in Bali and Tokyo will enthral.

3. Video Night in Kathmandu by Pico Iyer- A British-born Indian, Iyer returned to his homeland before turning to neighbouring China and then Japan and Thailand in search of his identity. This is the classic that made him the doyen of travel writers.

4. The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux- An odyssey of train rides that lead him from London to Singapore, Theroux’s prose lights up an already thrilling journey.

5. Cruelest Journey by Kira Salak- Braving man-eating crocodiles and unfriendly tribesmen, Salak journals her solo kayaking trip across West Africa. No wonder the New York Times called her a modern day Lara Croft. 

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The Dining Room-Sentosa Island

Think chaise loungers, sun-kissed bodies, cocktails by the pool and endless summer evenings. No, your're not on Isla de sa Ferradura, but only a few short miles from the heart of Singapore. Located on idyllic Sentosa Island and situated on the island's most picturesque beach, the Dining Room at Tanjong Beach Club offer a unique and scenic beach-dining experience. Inspired by retro beach clubs and mid-century modernism, the clean lines of the Dining Room's architecture blend seamlessly into the warm and lush tropical landscape at Tanjong Beach, allowing guests the option to dine in cool comfort indoors, or experience the crisp cool sea-breezes and stunning sunsets on the open-air terrace. With a culinary team headed by Chef Travis Masiero and Chef De Cuisine Ken Zheng, the menu is an ode to all things American. Comfort food staples are aplenty including the truffled corn chowder and the chilled cine ripe gazpacho. As for seafood, the lobster and burrata cheese and the roasted New Zealand wild king salmon are simply divine when accompanied with one of the freshly squeezed juices served at the bar. The Dining Room is not anything but your average beach-grub shack— it's a true culinary treat for laid-back alfresco dining. The Dining Room is located at 120 Tanjong Beach Walk, Sentosa. Tel: 6270 1355. Visit http://www.tanjongbeachclub.com for more information.

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Maison Ikkoku- Triple Threat

A hidden gem in the heart of the Arab Street vicinity, Maison Ikkoku (named after a Mangga comic) is an unpretentious and charming bijou three-storey shophouse, operating as a speciality cafe (1st floor), menswear boutique (2nd floor) and a semi-alfresco cocktail bar (3rd floor.) Literally translated as "House of the moment", Maison Ikkoku opened its doors in 2011 and so far it has proven itself to be the happening spot for locals and expats alike. The cafe is the only place so far in Singpapore that I've seen that sells actual spam musubis. There is no nori wrapping, but the core elements are still there. The cafe has a industrial/minimalist theme going on with pin-cushioned seating and dark wooden panels that provide a nice contrast to the whitewashed concrete walls, and copper piping that shimmers under the warm lighting. The suspended cupboards dotting the ceiling gives you a other-worldly feel like you've just entered into a realm of a Haruki Murakami novel. The bar is my favorite part (no wonder why) because of the dedication to providing the best cocktails in town. Each cocktail is freshly-made with only the best ingredients making a hangover virtually impossible to achieve—unless of course you blindly drink your way into a coma. There is no per se—menu because the waiters and waitresses go off on your palette. They ask you questions like "Do you prefer sweets or sours?" or "Do you like fruit or vegetables better?" When you give them an answer they "create" the perfect cocktail for you. The Long Island Ice Tea (personal favorite) comes with a choice of tea leaf, and while at first taste it may seem too sweet, the true essence of the vodka and gin reveal themselves soon enough and begin to politely clash with the Earl Grey and lemon turning the volume down on the sugar, resulting in a perfect mixture of sweet, sour and kick. Other must-tries are the Dream Catcher which is pineapple/pomegranate cocktail, and the Fabulous Diana V, which has red apple, mint, lemon and pomegranate. The only turnoff is the price. Each cocktail is in the $28-$40 range, so for a double-date out with friends, you can easily spend upwards of $200. But, there's certainly no complaints on measure nor quality. As the saying goes, "you get what you pay for" and with MI, you get brilliance. Maison Ikkoku is located at 120 Kandahar Street Singapore 198885; Tel: 6294 0078. Open Mon-Thurs 9am-7pm; Fri & Sat 9am-10pm; Sundays 9am-8pm. http://www.maison-ikkoku.net

Word to the wise: Perfect place to take a date, try a different cocktail until you find the perfect one!

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Coffee Stars by Dao

A girlfriend of mine (from Thailand) introduced me to this quaint cafe in the Wisma Atria Shopping Mall, and I was pleasantly surprised by the authenticity of the food. I learned that Coffee Stars by Dao is a very popular chain in Bangkok, with branches all over the world including New York, Tokyo and Beijing. We ordered the Guava som tum—a variation of the more common green papaya salad using crisp Thai guavas—for starters and shared the Pad Thai with shrimp and Thai-style Shabu Shabu, which were both excellent. The atmosphere poses a very upscale and relaxing persona and the open area setting is perfect for a break between shopping or a nice meeting with friends. By the end of the meal, we had spent $45, which is very reasonable and for the quality and portion size, it was superb. Coffee Stars by Dao is located at the Wisma Atria Mall 238877; Tel: 6733 3881. Open Mon-Sun 11:30am-10pm. http://www.coffeestars.sg/

Word to the wise: I suggest sharing everything, because the portions are very large.

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Nabins- Arabic Cuisine

Experience Arabia with this hitw (hole in the wall) that serves up a gamut of cuisines all influenced by the spirit of the middle east. After removing your shoes, you are taken to your table (which is more of a sofabed than anything) where you are then surrounded by elegantly draped red chiffon curtains and a dim, soft light that creates the perfect ambiance. The menu is very extensive, but Nabins's specialties include the Mandi roasted lamb and the Arabic appetizer platter (pizza bread, falafel and kofta kebab.) Their happy hour is all night which offers Tiger beer at discounted prices. Nabins is also one of the few restaurants in the Arab street district that serves alcohol. Nabins is located at 27 Bali Lane Singapore, 189863;  Tel: 6299.3267. http://www.nabins.com/

Word to the wise: For the price, the food is well worth it, but I would suggest against ordering anything American-like as this is a place that specializes in Arabic cuisine.

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