Bar-Roque Grill

Opened: July 2013

This convivial French restaurant established by chef Stephane Istel (formerly of the Daniel Boulud Group) offers dishes such as tart flambee, as well as a range of meats (French free range chicken and pork knuckle). Also, don’t miss their signature rustic apple pie for dessert, which features some seriously delicious caramelized apples.

Izy

Opened: July 2013

This swish izakaya, helmed by chef Kazumasa Yazawa (formerly of Waku Ghin), is a long, narrow, concrete-lined space offering uber sophisticated Japanese bar food. We love the colorful Pop Art on the walls and cool light fixtures made from repurposed bottles. The food’s great, no matter what you order, but don’t miss the perfectly fried chicken karaage and the pork belly roll with fresh ginger. 

Lime House

Opened: July 2013

Chris Morris—who hails from Trinidad and Tobago—runs Singapore’s first Caribbean eatery. The decor of the two-story establishment is homey and rustic, featuring mismatched vintage tables and chairs. It’s a great place to chow down on well-spiced Caribbean recipes like jerk chicken and goat curry, served up in generous portions. In addition, there’s a variety of sweet easy-drinking rum-based cocktails.

Moosehead

Opened: July 2013

A 40-seat Mediterranean dining spot run by father-and-son team Glen and Daniel Ballis, this joint is outfitted with quirky furnishings like tables made from repurposed sewing machines. On the menu are small plates like chargrilled asparagus with garlic miso dressing and stewed baby calamari. There are also lunchtime specials like a pulled pork sandwich.

Fleur De Sel

Opened September 2013

A cozy space featuring an open-concept kitchen, this restaurant is helmed by French chef-owner Alexandre Lozachmeur, who was previously at the Spoon restaurants and Alain Ducasse Au Plaza Athenee. The menu includes classic French dishes like Atlantic cod with beurre blanc and grand marnier-soaked baba, as well as an eight-course degustation meal and set lunches.

Tippling Club

Opened: December 2013

Chef Ryan Clift’s acclaimed eatery has just moved in from Dempsey. There are new additions to the menu, like foie gras apple, with apple in several forms such as freeze dried and fluid gel, but the fun molecular cuisine concept remains the same. New cocktail creations have also been added to the range of tipples on offer at the bar, plus there’ll soon be a new lunch set to tuck into.

Want more of Singapore’s hottest restaurants? Check out our 2014 Top Tables guide for a lowdown on the best eateries in town. Featuring more than 150 spots and a fuss free interactive table booking app from HungryGoWhere, it’s the only dining guide you’ll ever need. Download the e-version today at is-magazine.com/store.

Where to eat in Telok Ayer:

Marukyu

Focusing on omakase and kaiseki-style meals, Chef Derrick Lau presents a Japanese fine dining concept that is a breath of fresh air for the Asian dining scene in the area. The omakase lunch and dinner sets start at $68 and $108 respectively. For simpler Japanese fare, there's a range of classics on the menu, from sashimi to yakimono.

Moosehead

This hip Mediterranean joint serves up other small plates like char grilled asparagus with garlic miso dressing ($14). Expect new funky-looking murals—graffiti-style—done up by the chef Manel Valero Ruiz and local artist SKL0 (a.k.a. Samantha Lo) in the cozy 40-seater.

Morsi & Sorsi

Opened by Lino Sauro of fine dining eatery Gattopardo, this casual (and cheaper) spot features an open-concept kitchen and a U-shaped bar. The menu focuses on ‘stuzzichini’—traditional Italian street food—with choice selections such as beef lasagna ($13), and toasted panini with parma ham, mozzarella, rucola and tomato ($13) or order the buffalo mozzarella platter ($23) to share.

The Muffinry

Muffins are aplenty at this unassuming café that schedules a weekly roster of sweet and savory muffins, including spiced carrot (co-owner Christopher Leow’s personal favorite), Earl Grey and fig (our pick) and even Green Eggs and Ham—all at $2.80. Those looking for more filling bites can tuck into their homemade pies (from $7.50) and mini sliders ($4). The original, snug space has since expanded to occupy three floors, welcoming regular open-mic nights.

Pho99

It's crammed during lunch hour, but the Pho Tai (sliced beef noodle soup, $8.50) or Bun Cha Gio (deep fried spring rolls with vermicelli, $9) make it all worth it. Finish your meal with a Vietnamese ice coffee ($2.50) which comes with its own drip filter.

Vanilla Bar & Café

If you’re looking for a place to sit and while the afternoon away, chill out in this cosy café which serves a variety of Japanese and Western fare. Try their Vanilla Dirt Cake ($8.90) which comes in a flower pot or pop by after work for their happy hours from 4-8pm for 1-for-1 draft beers and house pours.

Where to shop in Telok Ayer:

Made by Lauren Jasmine

The three-storey concept store combines its namesake label with a café to give you a single place to shop, eat and drink. Shop for their newest collection at the second level, then downstairs for their homemade pies such as Duck and Apple Cranberry ($8.50) while you sip a decaf Mescolato (Persian for ice-blended) Berry Breakfast ($7.90) made with blueberries, strawberries, low-fat milk and a touch of peanut butter.

Q Menswear

Get fitted from head to toe in a sharp set that not only shows off your form, but also speaks dapper from the cut, fabric to colour, by Raoul menswear alum and co-founder of bespoke menswear label Clothesmith Chong Han San. There are over 2,000 options in the fabric library to choose from for your bespoke suit—whether you like it conventional or quirky—and custom-made shoes by Hong Kong brand Shoe Artistry.

Where to stay in Telok Ayer:

AMOY

This boutique heritage hotel pays homage to Singapore's past and is also the island's first hotel to incorporate a museum; guests enter the hotel through the former temple and headquarters of the 1800's Hakka and Cantonese communities, Fuk Tak Chi. Its distinctive interior incorporates contemporary design with heritage features into its 37 rooms for a unique hotel experience.

Where to work out in Telok Ayer:

Athlete Lab

Tired of those run-of-the-mill fitness centers? Try pedalling your way through international circuits in this boutique indoor road-cycling gym. The compact space is fitted with Adjustabikes that are programmed to track the cyclist’s progress and adjust the settings accordingly. Membership choices range from $50 for a single session to the Yellow Jersey option at $300 a month.

This year, we went out of our way to reward restaurants that offer diners a different experience, in the choice of cuisine or in concept. Top Tables 2014 has also been tailored to include more accessible venues—it's not all about fine dining—and is a reflection of Singapore's maturing dining scene, with a hunger for places with more character.

And there's a spanking new addition this year: This Top 10 list, picked by a secret panel of experts, including restaurateurs, chefs, hardcore foodies—and us. While the celebrity chef spots still hog the limelight, there are a few welcome surprises too.

Uncover the rest of Singapore's best restaurants in Top Tables 2014.

As if 2013 wasn't eventful enough, the year ahead promises to be an exciting one, with all kinds of sporting, culinary and travel highlights, plus the release of more than 30 local films. And that's only the tip of the iceberg. Read on to find out more.

Sporting Glory

Set to be the city’s latest crown jewel, the new Singapore Sports Hub, located over 35 hectares of Kallang, will be home to the 55,000-capacity National Stadium (hello, world’s largest dome), Indoor Stadium, Sports Museum, Sports Library, Water Sports Centre, a multi-purpose indoor arena, and a sprawling 41,000 sq. m. of retail and waterfront space. Scheduled to open in April, it clinched its first award—the Future Projects Leisure-led Development title—at last year’s prestigious World Architecture Festival. The Sports Hub’s 2014 calendar is yet to be released, but Philippe Collin Delavaud, CEO of SportsHub Pte Ltd, says: “The Sports Hub will be proudly hosting the Southeast Asian (SEA) Swimming Championships, Asian Netball Championships, AFF Suzuki Cup and the WTA Championships this year. In 2015, it will hold its first international multi-sport competition: the 28th SEA Games.”

Game, Set, Match.

Come October, Singapore will be hosting the prestigious Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Championships, having beaten Mexico’s Monterrey and China’s Tianjin in the hosting bid. The WTA announced a staggering deal worth more than $70 million that will see the annual end-of-season tour championships take place here for five seasons. You’ll get to see world-class tennis players like Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova in the flesh vying against each other for a prize kitty of US$6.5 million at the new Sports Hub.

Oct 17-26. Sports Hub, 15 Stadium Rd., 6344-2660, www.wtachampionships.com. Price TBA.

Get Muddy

On the subject of sporting events, rumor has it that cult endurance event Tough Mudder, which has seen over one million participants worldwide to date, may be hitting our shores this year. With 25 incredibly challenging military obstacles—like swimming through a frigid ice bath—designed by British Special Forces, it has been dubbed the toughest event on the planet. However, participants aren’t timed, and are encouraged to regard the event as a personal challenge, rather than a race. Nothing’s been confirmed yet, but aspiring Mudders can preregister here.

Wax Lyrical

Get up close and personal (well, almost...) with your favorite celebrities at Madame Tussauds Singapore, Sentosa’s latest attraction, which is slated to open at Imbiah Lookout in the second half of the year. Besides housing life-sized wax replicas of the internationally famous including Jay Chou and Katy Perry, “Madame Tussauds are already working with a number of local celebrities on sittings, but [are] unable to reveal any as yet,” says Meike Schulze, Divisional Director of operators Merlin Entertainments in Asia. The museum will also feature a special ride—the first outside of its London flagship—that will take visitors through Singapore’s culture and history.

www.sentosa.com.sg

Prize Pearl

Art fans alert: More great works will soon be on show at Gillman Barracks’ latest addition Pearl Lam Galleries, which opens January 16. Founded by and named after the flamboyant Chinese heiress and art icon, the new gallery debuts with the blockbuster show Where Does It All Begin? (January 17-February 28), showcasing abstract works from the Asian and Western art worlds curated by Phillip Dodd, featuring Chinese greats like Zhu Jinshi and Su Xiaobai, and young British artist Peter Peri. “Our Singapore gallery has been strategically chosen to [...] engage in cultural exchange and provide a platform for rising and established talents from the West and East to meet, interact and engage, hence, complementing the critically acclaimed programs of the existing Shanghai and Hong Kong spaces,” says Lam.

I Object

See and be seen at two new exhibitions hitting town this year. Parisian fair Maison & Objet Asia is making its Singapore stopover at Marina Bay Sands for four days in March, part of its 10-day pre salon-tour of five Asian cities and Singapore Design Week 2014 (March 10-16), showcasing the latest design trends from the region. Confirmed exhibitors include Fendi Casa from Italy, Lala Curio from Hong Kong and Outsign from Singapore.

Also making its debut here is the prestigious Milan Image Art Fair, a one-of-a-kind exhibition solely dedicated to video and photography. The fair’s unique format is also a draw; over 140 international artists will each have individual booths, enabling visitors to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their artistic endeavors.

Maison & Objet Asia is on Mar 10-13. Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8868, www.maison-objet-asia.com. $65.

The Milan Image Art Fair is on Oct 23-26. Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8868, www.marinabaysands.com. Price TBA.

Wild Thing

Chef-restaurateur Willin Low has announced plans to reopen Wild Rocket later this year. However, the restaurant won’t be moving anywhere new; it will remain at its Hangout Hotel premises at Mount Emily. Of course, with every big change comes something new, but Low promises that the Wild Rocket ‘DNA’ will essentially remain the same, even with the inevitable revamp, so don’t expect anything other than modern Singaporean fare. “Wild Rocket opened in 2005 and our signature dish was the laksa pesto pasta. When we reopen, there will be a new dish also inspired by laksa and equally boomz (to borrow a word from Ris Low)”. He adds that his brunch and burger outlet Relish will be closing later this year and relocating to a new home soon after.

Wild Rocket will reopen at 10A Upper Wilkie Rd., www.wildrocket.com.sg.

Relish is currently at #02-01 Cluny Court, 501 Bukit Timah Rd., 6763-1547, and #02-07 My Village, Serangoon Gardens, 1 Maju Ave., 6634-3422, www.wildrocket.com.sg.

Mile High Club

The azure waters and pristine beaches of the Maldives are now within even easier reach. Tiger Airways has just ventured further afield to be the first budget carrier offering a direct flight route (from $350 return) to the tropical islands. With four weekly flights to Male, commencing on January 24, you can start daydreaming about your next beach getaway.

Meanwhile, Garuda Indonesia have just launched their new Explore flights to remote islands in the Indonesian archipelago, including Tambolaka and Bima. Until January 31 return fares start from $288.

Tiger Airways, 3157-6434, www.tigerair.com.

Garuda Indonesia, 6520-2888, www.garuda-indonesia.com.

Get a Room

The past year was an eventful one for hotels, what with the opening of Amoy, The Westin, Parkroyal on Pickering and Zhongshan Park’s Ramada and Days Hotel, but 2014 is set to be just as busy. French luxury hotel chain Sofitel So, which collaborated with Karl Lagerfeld to design its emblem, will finally open here in May. “Every corner of the hotel exudes a certain charm that is a mix of playfulness and elegance,” says General Manager Tony Chisholm. “Rooms have a Parisian feel but are accentuated with Singapore touches.

The golden-tiled pool at the rooftop bar HI-SO, the first of its kind in Singapore, as well as flagship restaurant Xperience are also major highlights.” More hotels expected to welcome guests this year include The Patina (at the junction of Stamford Rd. and North Bridge Rd., www.patinahotels.com) and Traders Hotel (www.shangri-la.com/singapore/traders) that’s part of Orchard Gateway.

Sofitel So Singapore is at 35 Robinson Rd., 6701-6800.

Peeping Tom

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands will heat up in April with the arrival of Tom Ford’s first store in Singapore, thanks to the folks at FJ Benjamin. Following the same design concept as the brand’s Madison Avenue flagship, the boutique features a classy, razor-sharp interior and stocks the complete range of menswear, womenswear, accessories, eyewear, fragrances and beauty products. “The brand’s exquisitely constructed and beautifully finished men’s suits have long been highly sought-after. Its womenswear is just as impeccable,” says Ben J Benjamin, Luxury Division General Manager of FJ Benjamin. In addition, opening in February, famous American brand Bath & Body Works (#B2-42) will make its Asia debut at the upscale shopping mall with a 3,000 sq. ft. standalone store.

On a High

Hush-hush speakeasies hogged the nightlife scene last year. In 2014, club and bar owners are taking their plush parties up to the skies, right within the CBD. At the top of Singapore Land Tower, the much-delayed Vogue Club will finally open (though dates remain unconfirmed at press time), the 11,000 sq. ft. space featuring a two-storey cylindrical glass structure, providing unobstructed, 360° panoramic views of the city from 200 meters above ground. Just a stone’s throw away is Ultimate 1-Altitude (opening in February), a sleek, futuristic lounge, replacing the sports bar 282 & City Golf, on the 61st floor of One Raffles Place.

Vogue Club is at 45/F Singapore Land Tower, 50 Raffles Place, 9151-1257, www.vogueclub.com.sg.

Ultimate 1-Altitude is at 61/F One Raffles Place, 1 Raffles Place, 6438-0410, www.1-altitude.com.

Palm du jour

The 41-unit luxury residence Seven Palms Sentosa Cove—Singapore’s only beachfront condominium—was released for sale back in 2009, and after around four years, we’re finally about to see if it lives up to its buzz. Designed to look and feel like a luxury resort (no surprise), the coastal residence features low-density architecture for an unobstructed view of the South China Sea, a 45-meter infinity lap pool, a beach club, as well as private lifts and decks with every unit. 12 units, priced at approximately $9 million per residence, have already been snapped up by the super-rich.

Picture This

The local film industry is gearing up for a bumper year, reportedly with more than 30 projects set to be released by the end of 2014. One of the highlights is Tony Kern’s anthology of horror shorts Afterimages in August. “The idea for a collection of Singapore horror stories came about after I began hearing various local urban legends repeatedly,” says Kern. “Being from the US, I’ve already had plenty to draw on in the way of American urban legends, but I became more interested in local legends and beliefs. I started to come up with my own stories based on events that seemed to reoccur here in the region. Pool drowning, suicide jumpers, body parts found in the canals... There is a pattern of reoccurring events that happen here Singapore that don’t happen where I grew up in Ohio. They are almost ‘uniquely Singapore’ as the old tourism campaign promises.”

Mars Landing

More marquee names are arriving in town for concerts, including Bruno Mars, Phoenix and a host of other stars at the brand new Hostess Club Weekender—featuring indie starlets The National and post-rockers Mogwai. Plus, don’t forget the returning St. Jerome’s Laneway Music Festival (Jan 26), with debut performances by Chvrches, Daughter and Frightened Rabbit at The Meadow @ Gardens by the Bay.

Phoenix performs on Jan 15, 8pm. The Star Performing Arts  Theatre, #04-01, 1 Vista Exchange Green, 6636-0055, www.thestar.sg. $68-$148.

Hostess Club Weekender is on Feb 22. Fort Canning Park, 70 River Valley Rd,
1800-471-7300, www.nparks.gov.sg. $118-$150.

Bruno Mars The Moonshine Jungle Tour is on Mar 26, 8pm. Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk, 6344-2660, www.sportshub.com.sg. $128-$328.

Cherry Garden Cantonese Chinese restaurant, Singapore

Cherry Garden

Book a table at Cherry Garden with Chope

Expect only the best at this elegant fine dining Chinese restaurant, with a wide selection of Cantonese cuisine presented with an artistic touch. Noteworthy dishes include the BBQ meat platter, wasabi prawns and double-boiled soup. The weekend dim sum brunches, served with Ruinart Champagne, are also unmissable, featuring faultless food and service.

Crystal Jade Golden Palace Teochew Chinese restaurant, Singapore

Crystal Jade Golden Palace

This fine dining outlet of the Crystal Jade Group is super luxurious, and serves up Cantonese and Teochew food. Aside from the exceptional service, the menu features authentic dishes with a decidedly modern twist that are healthier than most Chinese food options but still delicious, with a notable wine list to boot.

Imperial Treasure Shanghai Cuisine, Singapore

Imperial Treasure Shanghai Cuisine

This new venture serving traditional Shanghainese cuisine has been packed since it opened. We love the wide array of starters including chilled thousand layer pig’s ears. And you shouldn’t miss the rich glutinous rice and cream crab. It can feel a little stuffy but you’re guaranteed good food.

Hai Di Lao Chinese hot pot restaurant, Singapore

Hai Di Lao

The first overseas branch of the popular Sichuan hotpot chain offers good service, affordable grub and even free manicures. The food also doesn't disappoint with seven savory soup options and a comprehensive list of items, including their justifiably famous mashed shrimp and home-made tofu.

Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant, Singapore

Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant

There's something to be said for a good ole reliable standby, like this classy Cantonese stalwart that has recently enjoyed a facelift. It now sports a more modern look, with unexpected details like cloud decorations on the pillars, and a revamped menu with additions such as the pillowy baked custard bun and their latest signature appetizer, deep-fried century egg wrapped with minced shrimp.

more Chinese restaurants in Singapore

Cassia Cantonese Chinese restaurant, Singapore

Cassia

Book a table at Cassia with Chope

When it comes to the glam stakes, it’s hard to beat Cassia at the ultra chic Capella Singapore. The extensive menu at this classy fine-dining Chinese restaurant certainly measures up to its tasteful and warm décor; with ornamental lamps, gorgeous screens carved with flower like motifs, stately windows and lush sofas, all dressed in delicate shades of gray and lilac. Well-executed modern Chinese cuisine (with Western, local and Sichuan influences), top that off with discreet and attentive service.

Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant

This stalwart Cantonese restaurant has been dishing out scrumptious Chinese plates since 1995. The main dining room is swanky, featuring a dramatic gold and black color scheme, artistic calligraphy on the walls and antique displays. Though best known for their Peking duck, the dim sum (think juicy siew mai, golden barbecue pork pastries and deep‐fried shrimp rolls) crafted by Hong Kong native chef Chan Lam Pang, is also not to be missed.

Yan Ting Chinese restaurant, Singapore

Yan Ting

It's no wonder that the dining hall at Yan Ting, replete with stained glass panels, chandeliers and plush booths (perfect for canoodling), is as luxurious it gets. The food’s as pretty as the décor, so expect excellent Cantonese cuisine and attentive, well-trained wait staff. Also worth a try is the weekend dim sum brunch.

Chopsuey Cafe Chinese restaurant, Singapore

Chopsuey Cafe

This chic yet relaxed establishment from the PS. Cafe folks is in a corner black-and-white colonial house with a charming alfresco area. It dishes out interpretations of westernized Chinese classics such as General Tso’s Chicken Drumlets, as well as contemporary items including twice-cooked citrus and spice beef short rib. There’s also a handsome cocktail menu organized by style— shaken, muddled or stirred.

Min Jiang Chinese restaurant, Singapore

Min Jiang

Its contemporary interior, attractive furnishings and poolside dining option (the first for a Chinese restaurant) aside, it’s the consistently good food that makes Min Jiang worth a visit. The staff are efficient and well-trained too, so you’d be just as comfortable having a business lunch as you would a family get together. The delectable dim sum is a steady draw.

Craving for more of Singapore's best restaurants? Check out our 2014 Top Tables guide.

What can you tell us about the team behind the videos? 

Night Owl Cinematics (NOC) is our cinematography company, founded by Ryan Tan and Sylvia Chan, hence our channel name Ryan Sylvia. Ryan is the main guy behind every video, as the director, cinematographer and editor. Sylvia is the creative person as the co-director, script writer, producer, cast/props/wardrobe/location in-charge and actor. Basically, we come up with all the content, and during production the rest of the NOC team comes in. We are constantly looking out for fun-loving and passionate people who would love to join us. Our team is very dynamic. The Ryan Sylvia channel is a big family in which all members have a huge passion for making videos for Singaporeans.

How did you come up with the idea for these videos?

Because we are Night Owls, we sleep really late—five or six in the morning. The NOC team comes together for supper a few times a week and we just chat about everything. Sometimes during our random supper chats, ideas pop up. Otherwise, we discuss and research a topic we find interesting. Sometimes, we have sponsors who suggest concepts to us and we expand on their ideas. Our fans are our source of inspiration too. We have awesome people sharing video ideas. Many of our fans are now friends. Fortunately, ideas also strike while we are shooting; like when Ryan thought of our series - Hokkien Word of the Day when Franster (Mr Wong) used a Hokkien term that he didn't understand.

When do you first realise they were becoming popular?

Initially we started the channel with the aim of practising visual storytelling and improving our camera techniques. It was our third (random) YouTube video - Shit Singaporean Girlfriends Say that went viral. We went to bed after uploading the video as usual, but by morning friends were calling us and everyone was spamming our Facebook walls saying that our video went viral. Next thing we knew it was on STOMP/forums/radio/newspapers and people started requesting more videos. We created the team in February to come up with YouTube content and we are very grateful to everyone who has been supporting our Singaporean themed skits and short films.

Any funny stories from the shoot?

11 Reasons Why Singaporeans Complain was a completely spontaneous video. Initially, a friend wanted to shoot a music video that had a car wash scene. However he fell sick and didn't turn up. We decided to go ahead and do a car wash shoot for fun. We all ended up just laughing and playing with the water and soap. It was during Chinese New Year and people gathered outside their houses, pretending to be talking on their phones, but in actual fact, watching us. Recently, we did a fun video about security guards, so we borrowed a guard house. While acting, a MacDonald’s delivery bike came by, so we opened the door, made sure he did his delivery and waved as he left, just like real security guards. We were so proud of ourselves.

What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen on YouTube this year (that isn’t yours)?

Our favorite videos have got to be Key and Peele. We love their sense of humor; they don't do slapstick but they're wittier and full of inside jokes—NOC loves them. We never miss any of their episodes.