Brewerkz
This pioneering microbrewery—open since 1997—will screen the Super Bowl live from 6am. As you watch the game, dine on their full menu, and chug down a wide range of suds (from $5) such as the golden ale and pilsner. To sop up the booze, try their burgers (from $20); the patties are among the best in town.
Botak’s American Diner
Detroit-born (but now Singaporean) Bernie Utchenik offers up affordable easy drinking beers (from $6.50) and a cool track classic rock and blues at this laid-back joint. Plus, they serve humongous helpings of authentic diner grub like mozzarella-stuffed jalapenos ($8) and their signature Cajun chicken ($8.80) too. Friendly servers who chat with you freely—in typical American style—add to the atmosphere.
Chili’s
Sure, it isn’t exactly a groundbreaking concept, but everything at this comforting mid-priced joint is generous and hearty. Order up their famous margaritas (from $16) or American brews such as Budweiser ($12) or Miller Lite ($12) to wash down grub like nachos ($19) and the hulking Texas Chili Burger ($22).
Hard Rock Café
Decked out in music memorabilia from superstars such as Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley, this place offers filling chow from the good ole US of A including their justifiably famous burgers (from $26). There’s plenty of Budweiser ($13) to make it go down easy, too. Once you’ve filled your belly, take to the dance floor and groove to Top 40s for a rocking good time.
Advertisement
Order: Chili-infused Vodka, $13
One for the purists among us, this spirit is made in-house with Russian Standard vodka, chili padi (fiery seeds and all), black peppercorns and raw garlic, which is left to infuse for at least two weeks. It’s clear and innocent-looking but surprisingly potent.
Order: The Mini Mary, $26 for a pair of shots
A condensed version of the classic Bloody Mary, this concoction is served in pairs—because no one should ever have to do shots alone. The concept’s simple: douse Absolut vodka with Tabasco sauce and serve a fresh cherry tomato alongside. Pop the little orb in your mouth after for a fresh burst of flavor; it’s a great chaser.
Order: Thin Red Line. $14
This shooter of Smirnoff vodka and Vaccari sambuca straddling a layer of Tabasco sauce is not only pretty, it’s also really well-balanced. The sweet herbal anise liquor tames the spice of the hot and sour sauce so it all goes down smoothly.
Advertisement
Tue-Sun noon-3pm.
Starting at $60, set lunches here don’t come cheap but are a steal compared with dinner prices which run to $450. The most basic set will get you six pieces of sushi, an appetizer, miso soup and dessert. It doesn’t sound like much but all of it is exquisitely prepared right before your eyes by skilled Japanese masters.
Mon-Fri 10am-3pm.
This casual Vietnamese outfit is helmed by owner, director and chef Nam Quoc Nguyen. Going for just $9.90, the set lunch comprises fresh summer rolls stuffed with shrimp, chicken or beef pho, and iced coffee or tea.
Daily 11:30am-3pm.
There are two $40 weekday power lunch sets: one for vegetarians and one for omnivores. Both feature three courses—including dishes like savory-sweet dahi de kebab (yogurt kebab with cardamom and coriander)—as well as rice, a basket of Indian flatbread and lime juice, iced tea or homemade ginger ale. On weekends, there’s a three-course Kebabs & Briyani Feast ($40) instead. Whichever you pick, it’s a whole lot of food for the price.
Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm.
If the food doesn’t impress you, the view certainly will. As a bonus, the set lunches here change monthly, with two- ($32) and three-course ($38) options. Dine on plates like slow-braised lamb shank with herb crust.
Daily noon-2pm.
Housed in a beautifully outfitted colonial building, this Thai eatery puts out a choice of four $35 set lunches (in the style of northern, southern, eastern or central Thailand) with dishes such as beef phanaeng curry.
Mon-Sat noon-3pm.
A stalwart of Italian cuisine in Singapore, its three-course set lunch menu ($39, includes coffee or tea) rotates weekly and includes mains like homemade tagliatelle with bacon, leek and mascarpone cheese.
Mon-Fri noon-2:30pm.
The food here is inspired by the cuisine of Reine Sammut, a one-Michelin-starred chef who helms destination restaurant La Fenière in the hills of Luberon. The three-course Menu du Midi goes for $46 and offerings change daily based on what’s fresh at the market (think dishes such as figs with prosciutto).
Mon-Fri noon-2:30pm.
This sleek and refined steakhouse offers three-course sets for $36. Choose from mains including pasta, fish or chicken ($2 supplement), or steak ($6 supplement).
Mon-Fri noon-5pm (last order 4:30pm).
Celeb chef Daniel Boulud’s casual yet chic establishment dishes out well-executed fare, which you can sample with two- ($42) or three-course ($52) set lunches. There’s rustic country duck terrine and pork schnitzel with glazed potatoes.
Sun noon-2pm.
The set lunches—three- ($49), four- ($68) and five- ($87) course sets—include dishes like piquillo peppers with brandade and romesco sauce. The food is excellent as you would expect from an establishment by the most decorated chef in the world (with 26 Michelin stars under his belt), Joël Robuchon.
Advertisement
Since I started doing theater, I’ve became more confident and comfortable in my own skin. I used to have low self-esteem when I was in school because of my size.
In a word, I am full. Apart from my size, I think I’m full of love, energy and fun.
My best attributes are that I’m open to things and disciplined. I think it’s important because my line of work requires me to research and play people with different backgrounds and issues.
I most admire Karen Tan. Not only is she a versatile actress, she’s one of the most sought after in Singapore theater, a mother to two lovely girls, a wife, and she does community work! It amazes me how she manages her time and how she’s good and generous with everything she does. She inspires me.
I would like to meet Amy Winehouse. She’s one of my favorite singers and it’s sad that she’s gone, at a young age. Despite her messy life, she had amazing talent and I know she had so much more to give had she not surrendered her life to drugs.
I cannot imagine not being able to see. I appreciate beauty in a lot of things, and I’m thankful for the beautiful places I’ve been and people I’ve met.
I had a crush on Kevin Richardson from The Backstreet Boys. I grew up listening to boy bands. They were the thing then.
The craziest thing I’ve ever done was jumping out of a van in India in the middle of nowhere and running away from the creepy driver who—my friends and I suspected—was taking us to a dodgy place instead of our hotel. We crossed crazy traffic and got lost but we managed to find our way back. It was scary and exciting at the same time. Like a real life Bollywood film! And no. No regrets about that one.
I’m like a polar bear. I like cold weather and raw fish like sashimi. I can be all soft and cuddly, but mess with me and I’ll growl back at you.
All the notes in my wallet must face the same direction and be arranged from the smallest to largest amount.
I’ve never ever acted in a role where I’ve had to cross-dress before, so that would be interesting.
If I didn’t act, I’d be working at an architecture firm.
I would like the power to be invisible: to just disappear anytime I want and be able to do anything naughty without getting caught. It makes traveling a lot easier too. No need to pay for flight tickets!
My greatest fear is going stagnant in my performance. I have to constantly make sure that I’m improving with every show and learning different techniques.
There’s no right or wrong in theater. So never be afraid to try.
In 10 years I see myself being involved behind the scenes. Probably directing, teaching or even producing.
Advertisement
