JANUARY

Ministerial Pay Cut

Singapore’s leaders had a disappointing start to the year, with their multi-million-dollar salaries slashed by up to 53 per cent. A drastic cut, but not enough to dislodge them as the world’s best-paid politicians.

The World’s an Art Stage

The second edition of Art Stage proved to be another stellar one, where art lovers got to feast their eyes on masterpieces by the likes of Gerhard Richter, Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, which weren’t displayed at regular art shows here.

High Tide

The ripples of discontent over the December Orchard Road flash floods had barely subsided, and with more floods happening in various parts of Singapore, such as Buangkok, Bukit Timah and Jurong, it’s safe to say that wellingtons and stilts remain essential wet weather equipment.

MARCH

U Wanted This

The launch of Japanese luxury streetwear brand Undercover’s collaboration line UU with high street brand Uniqlo sparked off a fashion frenzy, with queues outside the store at 313@somerset starting from 8am. Thankfully, the collection was actually pretty good.

APRIL

A Grave Sight

Exhumations began at Bukit Brown Cemetery, the oldest Chinese graveyard in Singapore, in line with plans to build an eight-lane expressway. The move threatens the historical and natural value of the place, as many pioneers such as Ang Seah Im and Chew Boon Lay are buried there, amidst a beautiful rainforest. So much for resting in peace.

Small Bait, Big Fish

When high-flying pimp Tang Boon Thiew was busted, a clientele list of 44 names was revealed. On it were a former school principal, an ex-cop and an environmental activist, all of whom have been charged for having sex with an underage prostitute. Naughty naughty…

For Real

Cultural Medallion recipient (and one of our most provocative visual and performance artists) Lee Wen finally got to hold a retrospective show at the Singapore Art Museum—Lee Wen: Lucid Dreams in the Reverie of the Real. One of the best curated shows this year, it spanned political video works and wonderful reproductions of installation pieces.

Man Enough

2011’s edition was a mess, so thankfully the team behind this year’s Men’s Fashion Week managed to get their act together, presenting a myriad of quality indie brands including Diet Butcher Slim Skin and Casely-Hayford, as well as emerging local ones like Reckless Ericka. Although we’re not too sure about all the tacky live music performances held between shows...

MAY

Moz Mania

Indie music fans rejoiced when Morrissey dropped in for a gig at Fort Canning Park (one of his few in Asia), playing all his solo signatures including “Everyday Is Like Sunday” and The Smiths classics like “Last Night I Dreamt that Somebody Loved Me”. Yes, some of us can finally die in peace.

Up at the Loof

More fun at the Loof when the rooftop bar reopened with a quirky redesign featuring The Mama Shop, which sells old-school knickknacks and unpredictable pub grub like Ramly burger and chili crab dip with fried mantou. Retrolicious.

JUNE

Scoot on over

Budget carrier Scoot launched its inaugural flight from Singapore to Sydney with more than 400 passengers and airline CEO Campbell Wilson on board the Boeing 777 plane. Despite a rather bumpy start—the flight was delayed by about two hours—good news came after landing: the airline announced they would also fly two new routes to Tokyo and Taipei.

Where the Street Has a Name

Local street and graffiti artist Samantha Lo aka SKLO was arrested for pasting stickers with slogans such as “Press Once Can Already” above traffic light buttons, as well as spray-painting the words “My Grandfather Road” on roads. The local authorities’ message? Stick to the right side of the road.

Religious Saga

Founder Pastor Kong Hee (aka Mr Sun Ho) of City Harvest Church, along with four other members, was arrested for allegedly misusing charity funds. The $24 million embezzled had been said to finance Sun Ho’s music career in glitzy Hollywood. So that’s how you put the “fun” into “funds”.

Garden Gotham

Singapore’s newest icon Gardens by the Bay threw open its doors on June 29. Featuring two domed conservatories and towering 50-meter-high steel Supertrees, the horticultural attraction fitted right in with the downtown landscape, naturally.

AUGUST

Big Brother Is Watching

To combat high-rise littering, the National Environment Agency announced that surveillance cameras will be set up at 100 locations across the city to catch the culprits. As the cameras will face the windows of housing block units, we say: don’t forget to smile for your close-ups!

Diner en Blah

Singapore was the city of choice for Asia’s very first Diner en Blanc, the all-white dining flash mob that has happened around the world. But it was the whole local-food-not-being-allowed fiasco that made the news: blogger Daniel Ang was uninvited because of his blog list of local dishes to bring, and later re-invited by the organizers.

SEPTEMBER

Hip Living

Glam rock hotel W Singapore opened, adding much liveliness to the far-off Sentosa Cove, with a spa and superb restaurants The Kitchen Table and Skirt that make it worthwhile to visit and stay.

Race to the Finish

Never mind the naysayers: This year’s F1 race was one of the most exciting yet, coupled with great live music acts like The Pretenders and The Proclaimers, and a series of exclusive parties. Plus, we’ve signed up for another five years, so deal with it.

Royal Wayang

When Prince William and Kate Middleton visited Singapore housing state Queenstown as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, the prince asked Member of Parliament Indranee Rajah if senior citizens really practiced tai chi at the playground. Her answer? “Yes, but not at 3pm in the afternoon.” Awkward.

Starry-eyed

The Star Performing Arts Centre opened with a star-studded concert featuring David Foster and Chaka Khan (and upcoming, Norah Jones!), and a slew of F&B establishments like Morganfield’s as well as alternative shopping options at nearby The Star Vista.

Bountiful Barracks

More great news for the local arts community when Gillman Barracks opened with 13 new art galleries. International works aside (who can forget those iconic photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe and the Annie Leibovitz show?), local artists like Donna Ong and Choy Ka Fai also got to hold solo shows.

OCTOBER

Unvalued

Local film fans missed the chance to catch Ken Kwek’s Sex.Violence.Family Values when it was banned from the local cinemas for depicting racial stereotypes, even if it did take home the Audience Award at New York’s Gotham Screen International Film Festival. Bummer.

Racebook

NTUC official Amy Cheong was fired for posting racially-insensitive comments (about Malay HDB void deck weddings), after which the union immediately posted a JobStreet ad for her position. Talk about dispensable.

NOVEMBER

Fab or Flop?

The biggest fashion collaboration of the year was—surprisingly—nowhere near to sold-out on launch day, though there had been a good handful who queued overnight for the H&M and Maison Martin Margiela re-editions collection.

Heaven Sent

Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós’ first gig here was transcendental.Fan favorites like “Hoppípolla” had the crowd in sing-alongs, and the band’s encore of “Popplagið” went perfectly with the pouring rain—a  magical concert moment.

Splashin’!

The Marine Life Park opened at RWS with over 100,000 marine animals in more than 60 million liters of water. Besides the S.E.A. Aquarium (the largest in the world), the park also has an Adventure Cove Waterpark, giving a new meaning to “swimming with the fishes”.

Strike Out

At least five SMRT bus drivers were charged in court and 29 given a stern warning, for being involved in an illegal strike. So to ensure your strike is legal, remember to give two weeks’ notice.

Furry Fun

The Giant Panda Forest opened at the Singapore Zoo, starring ursine couple Kai Kai and Jia Jia, who thrilled the crowds with their playful antics. Seems like the bears are settling in well—let’s hope their 10-year stay here will be most productive.

DECEMBER

Two to Tango

ZoukOut gave partygoers not one, but two electrifying nights this year. Hooray for this dance dance revolution!

Cherry Garden [ CHINESE ] 

Aside from nice surrounds and well-trained staff, the grub’s also consistently good. Set lunch offerings include nourishing doubled-boiled soups and oven-baked lobster in spicy XO-cheese sauce. Strapped for time? Order the Lily set ($48), which they guarantee will be served in 45 minutes flat.
Lunchtime Monday-Friday noon-2:30pm.

Garibaldi Italian Restaurant & Bar [ ITALIAN ]

A stalwart of Italian cuisine in Singapore, Garibaldi showcases great service and delicious food. The three-course set lunch menu ($39, includes coffee or tea) rotates weekly and includes mains like home-made tagliatelle with bacon, leek and mascarpone cheese.
Lunchtime Monday-Saturday noon-3pm.

HAN [ JAPANESE ]

Minimal and modern but still unmistakably Japanese, this 56-seater specializes in kushikatsu (deep fried skewers) and serves lunch sets with seven sticks for $75. Offerings change seasonally but might include Kurobuta pork and mushroom with cream cheese.
Lunchtime Monday-Saturday noon-3pm.

JAAN [ FRENCH ]

At $58 for three courses or $88 for five courses, this is ideal for important business lunches and ladies who lunch. Tuck into dishes like ballotine of quail and foie gras and 60 second saba fillet with smoked ratte potato. Then, finish with treats such as Bounty Gourmandise (coconut mousse, passionfruit heart and milk chocolate ganache).
Lunchtime Monday-Saturday noon-2pm.

Keystone Restaurant [ EUROPEAN ]

Smack dab in the CBD is this chic modern European establishment that has garnered quite a following, thanks to the classy yet minimal décor and commendable service. Set lunches go for $38 for three courses, with three to four choices for each course.
Lunchtime Monday-Friday noon-3pm.

Les Amis [ FRENCH ]

It’s more than just fantastic food and service; the setting is also divine. At $58 for a two-course and $70 for a three-course meal, you get three options to choose from for each course. We highly recommend starters such as smoked eel with marinated beets and mains like Maine lobster with chanterelles. Desserts are also exquisite.
Lunchtime Monday-Saturday noon-3pm.

Majestic Restaurant [ CHINESE ]

Expect exemplary modern Chinese recipes by chef-owner Yong Bing Ngen such as stewed mee sua with oyster and crab roe. It’s priced at $50 per person for the five-course set lunch. Plus, desserts here are to die for.
Lunchtime Daily 11:45am-3pm.

OCF [ FRENCH ]

This charming 60-seater with clear views of the Singapore River is a sophisticated grey hued space flanked with Roman ionic columns. On the second floor of The Arts House, it has a definite period feel. French-trained chef Jonathan Koh presents precise and pretty a la carte plates including starters like Encornet, Brittany squid, black rice cremeux and mussel vinaigrette, plus mains such as dry aged American prime striploin with parsnip puree. And Maitre’d Novalan Dorasamy curates an extensive list of wines, with a particular focus on boutique French tipples. It’s a polished spot—in terms of both food and service—that should impress deal-making execs.
Lunchtime Mon-Fri noon-2:30pm.

The Moluccas Room [ INDONESIAN ]

If you have a craving for Indonesian fare, this is just the ticket. Rattan-backed chairs, dark wood tables, parquet flooring and batik-inspired motif pillars make for a pretty spot to enjoy their 60-minute experience, a lunch with three courses ($35) including a menu signature, confit Sakura ayam.
Lunchtime Monday-Friday 11:30am-2:30pm.

Punjab Grill by Jiggs Kalra [ INDIAN ]

The $40 weekday power lunch offers vegetarians and omnivores an equally appealing array of dishes like savory-sweet dahi de kebab (yogurt kebab with cardamom and coriander) and chicken tikka masala. Both sets come with Indian flatbreads and lime juice, iced tea or homemade ginger ale.
Lunchtime Daily 11:30am-3pm.

40 Hands coffee | Tiong Bahru, Western Singapore area

40 Hands

The coffee at this cool hole-in-the-wall venture by Australian Harry Grover and the Spa Esprit Group has always been the main attraction, and they're at least partly responsible for making Tiong Bahru one of the hippest neighborhoods around Singapore. But it's not just the coffees that are worth the trip, the food's good too. The sarnies, cakes and baos all make for great company with a flat white or a long black. 

Chye Seng Huat Hardware coffee | Little India area

Chye Seng Huat Hardware

From the Papa Palheta folk comes this spot located in an Art Deco shophouse that's retained its original hardware store decor with a 360-degree coffee bar, The Roastery and The Annex, where you can learn and sample more unusual beans. Try the bottled cold brew coffee, served with milk and syrup on the side for you to doctor to your taste. 

Jewel Cafe and Bar | Little India area

Jewel Cafe and Bar

The second and larger branch of Jewel Coffee is a two story facility outfitted with cool metallic ceiling fixtures. The place puts out great coffee, from standards like the long black ($5.50) to less common cold drip manual brews like the Portland ($7) ice coffee. There are also cocktails including a refreshing white peach sangria ($16) made with sauvignon blanc. To eat, find a menu of hearty burgers such as Praise the Lard ($18), which is topped with bacon jam and apple slices, as well as lighter bites like the yogurt bowl with fruits and homemade granola ($9).

Jimmy Monkey | One-North, Western Singapore

Jimmy Monkey

Michael Ryan has kitted out this characterful old barracks space with the city’s first Slayer espresso machine (he helped build the $29,000 beast himself) and feeds it with a weekly rotation of high-end beans and blends. Every shot is an obsessively calibrated double ristretto; and it’s probably the most intense pull you’ll find in the city. 

CAD Cafe Singapore | Kampong Glam area

CAD Cafe

This place is run by designer Chad Samson and business partner David Ahier. On the menu are coffees like espresso ($3.50), Americano ($3.50) and iced coffee ($5.50). To go along with the drinks, order up pastries from The Bread Project such as pain au chocolate ($4) and apricot danish ($4.50). There’s also a food menu featuring toasties ($5) like mature cheddar and pickled asparagus, as well as mozzarella, red pepper and walnut pesto.

Oriole Coffee Roasters | Tanjong Pagar area

Oriole Coffee Roasters

The third Oriole outlet in a Chinatown shophouse is rather different from its cousins and features a dedicated roasting facility, a research laboratory for experimenting with new beans and new methods, and a training lab. The boutique café on site features a local twist and serves up kaya toast and soft-boiled eggs.

Department of Caffeine Singapore | Tanjong Pagar area

Department of Caffeine

At this cozy cafe, coffees (from Australian roasters Five Senses) start at $4, and teas ($7) from local blenders Tea Bone Zen Mind are also available. To eat, there are bites like the mushroom sandwich with thyme and brie ($12) as well as fresh salads (from $9) such as beetroot with plum, and soba with wakame. On weekends, there’s also brunch, with items including French toast stuffed with maple syrup bananas ($15).

Nylon Coffee Roasters | Everton Park area

Nylon Coffee Roasters

This place is a must for serious coffee lovers. Primarily a coffee roaster, this small joint is best for a quickie takeaway for a cup of espresso ($3) before you proceed to check out the rest of the area. Reminiscent of Papa Palheta and Chye Seng Huat (proprietors Lee Jia Min and Dennis Tang were former partners at the two joints), this is a quaint, scaled-down neighbourhood version specializing in six types of blends using beans from El Salvador and Kenya.

Rokeby | Serangoon area

Rokeby

The establishment serves artisanal coffee (from $3.50) complete with latte art, as well as a decent selection of starters (from $6.90), Western mains such as prawn risotto ($18.90) and kurobuta pork collar ($23.90).

Toby's Estate Singapore | Robertson Quay area

Toby's Estate

This Aussie arrival has taken up residence in a gorgeous old go-down on the Robertson waterfront and home to a state-of-the art smokeless roaster which spirals up toward the. The counter is split between a “fast” espresso bar, and a “slow” bar serving black coffee made with the likes of Chemex and Clover equipment. There’s also direct-sourced beans, coffee-making kit and appreciation classes.