Best New Restaurant: Waku Ghin

The $400 a pop price tag evidently hasn’t deterred diners one bit from heading to Waku Ghin. An understated, elegant space that mirrors chef Wakuda’s approach to his exquisite food, expect impeccable service along with a most impressive wine collection. #02-02 Casino Level 2, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8507, www.wakughin.com.

Best Restaurant: Les Amis

Les Amis has continuously placed itself on the frontier of modern European cuisine in Singapore. Lauded by the World Gourmet Summit and voted as one of the world’s top 100 restaurants by Restaurant Magazine UK (among other accolades), its resident Austrian chef Armin Leitgeb never breaks his promise of indulging diners with gastronomic surprises—a truly exceptional dining experience. #02-16 Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Rd., 6733-2225, www.lesamis.com.sg.

Chef of the Year: André Chiang

After a highly successful run at Jaan par André, chef André Chiang left to set up his own highly-anticipated restaurant, André. An intimate space in a three-storey shophouse that seats 30 with two prix fixe menus for both lunch and dinner, chef Chiang’s focus on fresh artisanal produce is showcased in exquisite dishes that reflect his roots in Southern French nouvelle cuisine. 41 Bukit Pasoh Rd. 6534-8880, www.restaurantandre.com.

Best Brunch: Privé

This port of call has a nice ambiance and is the ideal place for power breakfasts by the marina. Despite its stellar reputation, it manages to stay warm and humble without turning into a stifling, tight-ass brekkie joint. G/F Marina @ Keppel Bay, 2 Keppel Bay Vista, 6776-0777, www.prive.com.sg.

Trendiest Cafe: PS Café

This contemporary glass house in the woods is a perennial favorite (of both ours and yours, clearly). Half tuckshop, half living room, it combines homeliness with urban chic to winning effect. Watch this space next year, though. Runner-up, 40 Hands is already a real contender despite being barely six months old. 28B Harding Rd., 9070-8782, 6479-3343, www.pscafe.sg.

Best Alfresco Space: The Dining Room

You can literally taste the salt in the air when you dine alfresco at Tanjong Beach Club’s The Dining Room. With a smattering of lounge beds and deck chairs overlooking its swimming pool and the shores of Tanjong Beach, it's well worth the risk of taking a volleyball to the head. 120 Tanjong Beach Walk, Sentosa, 6270-1355, www.tanjongbeachclub.com.

Best Cocktail Joint: Martini Bar@Mezza9

This snazzy cocktail bar at Grand Hyatt Singapore houses one of the largest selections of martinis in Singapore. With over 30 martinis to choose from, expect a lipstick jungle of flashy patrons who do a good job of dressing up the bar’s sleek interiors. Not a place for teetotalers. Mezzanine Level, Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Rd., 6738-1234.

Best Late Night Food Spot: Timbre

So many good things have been said about Timbre, but we're pleased to see them gain recognition as a great after-hours spot. Though there is nothing unconventional about the menu, it appeases night crawlers with a selection of delish thin crust pizzas, beers aplenty and a line-up of the best in the local music scene. Timbre @ The Substation, 45 Armenian St., 6338-8030, www.timbregroup.asia.

Best Value Restaurant: Old School Delights

Kudos for bringing back our canteen favorites and making them cool again. With wallet-friendly selections like mee siam, nasi lemak and chendol, this unassuming place is great if you’re tight on cash and want to go back to basics. Bring on the nostalgia. 215M Upper Thomson Rd., 6458-4518, www.oldschooldelights.com.

Best Restaurant To Impress: Stellar at 1-Altitude

Gastronomy challenges gravity in this international restaurant at One Raffles Place, one of the tallest buildings in Singapore. From its open kitchen to the spectacular view of the surrounding landmarks, Stellar at 1-Altitude is bound to impress your dining partners. 62/F One Raffles Place, OUB Centre, 1 Raffles Place, 6438-0410, www.1-altitude.com.

Best International Chef: Tetsuya Wakuda

What sets Tetsuya Wakuda apart from the rest of the celebrity chefs who have set up shop over the past year? Top-notch, personalized service that pampers diners who’ve paid good money for chef Wakuda’s 10-course degustation menu, as well as a distinctive Japanese sensibility exhibited in his divine creations. #02-02, Casino Level 2, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8507.

Best Dessert Venue: 2am: Dessert Bar

Don’t expect your run of the mill crème brulee or banana split here. An intimate space for a late-night sweet fix, it redefines desserts with creations such as popcorn parfait, vinegar chocolate table and basil white chocolate with shiso and seagrapes and passion fruit puffs. 21A Lorong Liput Holland Village, 6291-9727, www.2amdessertbar.com.

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Party of the Year: ZoukOut

For its 10th edition late last year, the electronic dance music festival had ravers grooving till sunrise through tunes by the likes of Tiesto, Booka Shade and David Guetta. The only problem? They set our expectations higher every year. www.zoukout.com

Best New Bar: Ku Dé Ta

Expectations were high when this Balinese import landed atop the Marina Bay Sands, but with that killer view, a solid cocktail list and—most importantly—diverse musical offerings (including Depeche Mode's Andy Fletcher) it's safe to say they've been met. 57/F Sands SkyPark, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-7688, www.kudeta.com.sg.

Nightspot of the Year: Zouk

Having hosted the best DJs in the world such as Fedde Le Grand, Cosmic Gate and Bob Sinclar, Zouk upped the ante even further in 2010 with their “Zouk Live” nights, featuring acts like Chromatics and Crystal Castles. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988, www.zoukclub.com.

Best Happy Hour: Harry’s Bar

From lunchtime till 8pm every day, enjoy housepour, draft, white and red wine and half pint of Harry’s beers for $7—just the way you like it. Harry's @ The Esplanade, #01-05/06/07 Esplanade Mall, 8 Raffles Ave., 6334-0132 and other locations, www.harrys.com.sg.

Best Rooftop Bar: Loof

Having celebrated their fifth anniversary recently, Singapore’s first rooftop bar on the third level of Odeon Towers still stands out for its easy charm and great cocktails like Gummi Berry. It’s nothing less than a happy high here. Loof, #03-07 Odeon Towers Extension Rooftop, 331 North Bridge Rd., 6338-8035, www.loof.com.sg.

Best DJ: Aldrin

This famous DJ-producer has been kept busy with his regional and international gigs, continuing to push the boundaries of Singapore’s dance music scene with releases through his indie label, onewithaldrin. Also, his ONE nights at Zouk are now the stuff of legend. www.onewithaldrin.com.

DJ Gig of the Year: Carl Cox

The iconic British techno DJ-producer ripped Zouk’s dancefloor to shreds in October last year with his impeccable set, fusing epic moments with deep mixes that had hundreds with their hands in the air through the night. Now that’s what we call euphoria. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988, www.zoukclub.com.

Best Live Music Venue: Timbre

With establishments at The Substation, The Arts House and Old School, Timbre has gone from strength to strength with their delicious bar snacks, attractive drink promotions and, of course, their stable of quality local musicians such as Michaela Therese, 53A and Raw Earth. Danny Loong and Danny Chia's hard work has certainly paid off. Timbre @ Old School, #01-05 Old School, 11 Mount Sophia, 6338-0800 and other locations, www.timbregroup.asia.

Best Theme Party: Disco:Very

Funk, soul and disco are the main sounds at this much-loved night, where Zouk residents djB and Jeremy Boon, together with a lineup of special guest DJs and live musicians, drop quality classics that are a hit among more discerning punters (yourselves included, obviously). Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988, www.zoukclub.com.

back to Readers' Choice 2011

Yes, it’s that time of the year when we put our opinions aside (for once) and pass the pen over to you—our much loved readers—to decide what’s hot and awesome in the city. For two months we watched as you (and you, and you) voted for the individuals, venues, products and services that you think stand out. Now, at long last, the results are in.

Click the following links to find out who the winners are:

Nightlife
Dining
Shopping
Arts & Entertainment
Living
Travel
Tech

Full winner list

The buzz: Vintage furniture and homemade bagels? Former neighbors Hwee Min and Meg seem to have got the hybrid café concept down pat.

The vibe: The minute you step into this one, you know that it’s not your run-of-the-mill furniture store. The atmosphere is refreshingly laidback and the owners have granted a touch of whimsy to the place with chairs propped on the walls, low lighting and raw cement flooring.

The goods: No doubt, the main stars are the 50s-style dining chairs ($180-590), as well as stools upholstered in colorful, quirky fabric. Study tables, short cabinets and marvelous-looking shelves offer a pleasant blast from the past. The café’s sinful treats like strawberries and whipped cream ($8.80-9.80) and bagels ($5.50) present a separate indulgent experience altogether.

Why you’ll be back: If pre-loved items intrigue you, you’ll want to spend some time here. Best to come on the weekends because we all know how congested (human) traffic can get at Tanjong Pagar during office hours.

124 Tanjong Pagar Rd., 6222-3510. Open Tues-Thu 11am-7pm, Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 12pm-8pm, Sun 12pm-5pm.

Estheva Spa
Their Collagen Facial Treatment can be specially tailored to your skin type for the best results and bring that elasticity back in your skin. $184 for a 90-minute session. #03-25 Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6509-3900, www.estheva.com.

IYAC Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Clinic
This clinic’s star treatment is their IYAC Signature Facial, which uses micro currents, hyaluronic acid and vitamins claiming to slow down the skin’s aging process, exfoliate and extract impurities. $380 for a 60 to 80-minute session. #06-03 Camden Medical Centre, One Orchard Blvd., 6738-9989, www.iyac.com.sg.

Jet Concepts
Other than reducing fine lines, the Jet Skin Tightening Facial promises to give you a sharper jaw line and boost the cellular function in your skin. $98 for a 45-minute session. #B2-20/21 Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Rd., 6337-9598, www.jetconceptskin.com.

Porcelain Face Spa
With a five-step procedure, the Quintessential Facial offers to firm up your skin, stimulate cell renewal, up collagen and elastic production, refine pores and even decrease the sensitivity of your skin, on top of other things. $200-380 for a 90 to 120-minute session. 31A Cantonment Rd., 6227-9692, www.porcelainfacespa.com.

The Oriental Spa
Recommended for non-sensitive skin types, an enzyme peel, included in this organic anti-aging treatment, can give you a luminescent complexion at the end of the session. $220++ for a 60-minute session. Marina Square, 5 Raffles Ave., 6338-0066, www.mandarinoriental.com/singapore/spa/treatments.

Erabelle Prestige
Popular Japanese Sake, which contains Kojic acid, helps to lighten pigmentations, as well as smooth and brighten your complexion. That sounds like years taken off your appearance to us. $260 for a 90-minute session. #01-06-#01-11, VisionCrest Commercial, 103 Penang Rd., 6836-8388, www.erabelleprestige.com.

Spa Botanica
Combining clay and 24-carat gold in its mask in the fight against wrinkles, this Premium Gold Anti-Aging Facial also comes with an eye massage. $190 for a 90-minute session. The Beaufort Singapore, 2 Bukit Manis Rd., 6371-1318, www.spabotanica.com.

St Gregory Spa
A special formulation works to smooth out signs of aging and restore the skin’s youthfulness in the St Gregory Anti-Aging Facial. $200 for a 90-minute session. 4/F Pan Pacific Singapore, Marina Square, 7 Raffles Blvd., 6826-8140, www.stgregoryspa.com.

Conclude a summery outfit with a dainty straw hat from JQ The Clothing Store (G/F 43 Haji Lane, 6297-9279) that serves to complement rather than distract. Remove the scarf if you favor a less lady-like look. $25

Fedoras are ubiquitous these days but this unisex one from Egg3 (#01-10/11/12, 33 Erskine Rd., 6536-6977) stands out with its beautiful dark camel-brown furry texture. $79

This charming pink wool vintage hat is bound to be a topic among your friends. Quirkiness style points upped by five. $35.90 from Ohm Mani (29A Haji Lane, 9723-7359.)

On closer look, you notice the subtle lacy floral designs on this one from Skyroom (84 Haji Lane, 6392-4533.) Its polka dot sash brings a splash of color to this off-white fedora. $35

If you’re looking to cook up your next culinary masterpiece, chances are you’re missing some key gourmet ingredients. With newbie stores such as Cut The Mustard popping up around town, we round up a diverse range of gourmet destinations that likely have what you need.

Bunalun

#01-70 Chip Bee Gardens, Blk. 43 Jalan Merah Saga, 6472-0870. With an excellent assortment of organic products, this is the place to go to for everything from teas to spreads and dried fruits. On the pasta front, they stock wholewheat penne rigate ($5.90), lemon myrtle tubes ($8.30) and wattleseed spelt tubes ($8.90). Buckwheat or multi-grain pancake and waffle mix and cinnamon, vanilla or chocolate crepe mix (all $8.50) are perfect for conjuring yummy breakfasts within minutes. Add some homemade almond nut butter, citrus and passion fruit marmalade (both $14.80) or lime and blueberry conserve ($16.80) while you’re at it.

Cut the Mustard

1 Greendale Ave., Greenwood, 6466-9436.
One of the newest kids on the block (they’re less than three weeks old), this brainchild of husband-and-wife team Gerald Tan and Hui Chern stocks products personally sourced from abroad. Earthy tones greet you as you step in, along with wooden shelves busting with their eclectic range of products, including artisan flour, spreads, edible flowers and fruit soups. They also carry Hawaiian black lava salt ($11.50) and Cyprus salt flakes ($20.90) as well as their renowned Fever-Tree range of sodas and cocktail mixers ($2.90 per bottle).

German Market Place

615 Bukit Timah Rd., 6466-4044.
If you’re looking for German (and now Dutch) products, this is the place to hit. One of the hottest items here is the quark cheese, which serves well as a spread and as the main ingredient in desserts such as German cheesecake. There are four types of quark cheese ($3.90–$4.95) available; we suggest herb and paprika. They also fly yogurts and cheeses in weekly. For those with a sweet tooth, stroopwafels ($7.30) go wonderfully with German-made Nutella ($8.55), said to be much creamier and more spreadable than what we’re used to.

Jones the Grocer

#01‑12 Blk. 9 Dempsey Hill, Dempsey Rd., 6476‑1512.
Cheese heads should perk up at the mention of Jones the Grocer. Around 80 types of artisan cheeses from around the world are available in their special cheese room, and you can sample before you buy. Truffle cheeses like Brie Royal ($15 per 100g) and Brillat Savarin ($17 per 100g) are real stand-outs. Their selection of blue cheese ranges from organic Roqueforte to Colsten Basset Stilton and a creamy St Agur ($16.60; $9.90; $12.90 per 100g). Also give their hard and semi-hard cheese varieties a shot; especially recommended is the Ossau Iraty ($12.20 per 100g), a superb semi-hard French goat’s cheese.

Littlé Provence

#02-K2, Tanglin Mall, 6887-3842.
Focusing on olive oil with prices ranging from $17-118 for different bottle sizes, Little Provence Store consider their organic wine and fruit vinegar and their olive oil selection the bestsellers in their store. Tapenades of more than 20 varieties are sold—we especially approve of their Tapenade Noire au Basilic de Provence and Verte aux Tomate Sechee ($9.90 for the small jar, $18.90 for the large jar). Olive oil in spray cans (200ml), to allow for more controlled diffusion, is also stocked here.

SuperNature

#01-21/23/27 Park House, 21 Orchard Blvd., 6304-1338.
One of the largest organic food stores in town, offering a diverse assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products and deli meat. You can shop with ease knowing that you’re getting only what’s good for you. Enjoy some hormone-free chicken breast ($37.90), New Zealand eggs ($9.95) and a Farm Box full of fresh fruit and vegetables (from $70), delivered right to your doorstep.

The Butcher

#01-50 Chip Bee Gardens, Blk. 44 Jalan Merah Saga, 6472-0073.
Think choice cuts of beef, lamb, pork and chicken, with ready-to-cook options including Beef Wellington ($39.90) and Chicken Cordon Bleu ($24.75). Don’t pass on their honey, mint and rosemary lamb sausages ($14.75) or beef and Guinness Stout ($15.75) ones. Home delivery is also available.

Vom Fass

#04-25 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6509-8409.
Truly a treasure trove for oils, vinegars and liqueurs. Beer, pear and quince are some of the vinegar flavors they stock while oils run the gamut from avocado to cedar nut to basil. Pair the extra virgin olive oil Santini from Tuscany ($9.10) with their award-winning 25-year-old Diamond Quality balsamic vinegar ($32.80), or try their fantastic mango ($8.60) and star apple ($11.40) vinegars

If you haven’t already bought into the whole coupon craze, maybe it’s high time you did. Internetorganized group buying has exploded in the last two years, with world leader Groupon rejecting a US$6b offer from Google at the end of last year. The premise is simple—you indicate your interest in a deal and if the requisite number of other people do likewise (the "tipping point" in marketing speak), the deal is activated. While a deal-a-day might not keep the doctor away, the best coupon sites are worth exploring for some great savings. But with some 14 (and counting) different websites in Singapore offering deals that run the gamut of dining, travel and beauty services, it can all be a little overwhelming. We road-tested the most high profile of these sites, to save you time when it comes time to save.

BigDeal.sg
The Good: We imagine most folks would be pleased with the array of offers available here (food and travel, as well as beauty services). You can get your hair permed/colored on the cheap, a 60-minute body massage, or pick from a list of dining partners that includes Forlino, Michelangelo’s and miki yo (most of which are under $50).
The Bad: The uber tacky website, complete with images of Cupid, kissing couples and a red and pink background (barf). On top of that, their "more deals" tab on the homepage doesn’t list the time the offer is valid and the layout of Terms and Conditions is messy and unprofessional.
Verdict: If you can overlook the hideous design issues (we can't—so sue us, we’re all about aesthetics), there are a fair number of respectable offers.
Variety: ✔✔✔✔✔
Usability: *****
Notable merchants: Forlino, Sentosa, Outback Stakehouse, Night Safari
First Deal: May 2010
Frequency: Updated once a day, with one deal sent by email daily.
No. of ongoing deals: 4
Savings: 40-97%
Payment: AE/MC/V, PayPal

CityNomads.com
The Good: Carefully curated, one-of-a-kind deals. While the scope is narrow (it's almost entirely restaurants and bars), the selection is genuinely impressive, with recent offers including menu discounts at El Toro and 50% off at Infusion@Dempsey. We booked a wine dinner at Bistro Amigo ($99, down from $160) and the experience far exceeded our expectations. (The food was cooked by a former Top Chef contestant, no less.) City Nomads also hawk bottles of vino and shake things up once in a while with non-dining-related deals like golf at Urban Fairways.
The Bad: Not so great if you're not a foodie or nightowl. And typically only one or two deals a day. Still in need of some finetuning (not listing a time for one event, saying that a coupon would be sent when in fact none was required). Having said that,
they're quick to make corrections when pointed out.
Verdict: Well worth looking at, particularly if you’re big on food and drink. Professionally done and, barring a few teething problems, shows real promise. Not even Groupon offers such unique experiences.
Variety: ✔✔✔✔✔
Usability: *****
Notable merchants: El Toro, Infusion, Shots Cafe, Oosters Belgian Brasserie
First Deal: Dec 2010
Frequency: Every 2-3 days, with daily email reminders.
No. of ongoing deals: 1-2
Savings: 50-81%
Payment: AE/MC/V, PayPal

Deal.com.sg
The Good: This is one of the more established sites, with a good range of travel, retail, dining, beauty and entertainment deals. They've already worked with dependable brands such as Skinny Pizza, Marie France Bodyline and Hog’s Breath Café. On top of the usual tabs, they have a friend referral system that earns you $6 credits for each successful referral. Extra savings, score!
The Bad: While we appreciate the sidebar of other deals available, the slew of non-essential information crammed underneath really clutters the site. Worse still, customers who bought a four-day Bangkok holiday package back in January discovered they had to pay considerable extra charges, not listed in the promotion. The company did offer refunds, but it's hardly a tale that gives us confidence.
Verdict: It’s worth checking out to see what’s available (you never know what might pop up), although not all of the deals are with what we would consider top-notch partner merchants.
Variety: ✔✔✔✔✔
Usability: *****
Notable merchants: Holiday Inn, Hog's Breathe Cafe, Mad for Garlic
First Deal: May 2010
Frequency: Up to 3 new deals, one new deal emailed daily.
No. of ongoing deals: 3-5
Savings: 40-94%
Payment: AE/MC/V, PayPal, Smoovcard

Groupon.sg
The Good: Formerly known as Beeconomic (read our interview with co-founder Christopher Chong on p.8), this Singapore-born site has since been acquired by Groupon giant for a purported $24 million, but we don’t care about that. What we do care about is that they have (hands down) the greatest variety of deals: A smorgasbord of health and beauty, entertainment, dining, travel and retail options with over 280 merchants such as Chan Brothers, Ben & Jerry’s and L’Officiel. And the customer support hotline is something they can be deservedly proud of (other sites try to bury theirs at the bottom of the page).
The Bad: Users will only benefit from their "recommend a friend" function if the friend to whom they have recommended Groupon purchases a successful deal within 72 hours of the referral. That's sneaky. Also, the ‘more deals’ tab on their homepage doesn’t list the time the offer is valid till. And the deal write-ups, while still amusing, lack the polished humor that helped make its US parent such a star.
Verdict: As much as we shy away from the predictable, in this case, the brand name and (no doubt) financial backing really pays off. The site’s easy to use and the sheer assortment of deals makes this the site with the most mass appeal: There really is something for everyone.
Variety: ✔✔✔✔✔
Usability: *****
Notable merchants: Mint Museum of Toys, Groove, Tully's Coffee,
LAMC Productions
First Deal: May 2010
Frequency: Three new deals on website, one new deal emailed daily.
No. of ongoing deals: 3-5
Savings: 50-96%
Payment: AE/MC/V, PayPal

Hungrydeals.hungrygowhere.com
The Good: One of Singapore’s most popular food sites has gotten in on the coupon action. Should mean crowdpleasing deals, right? Some aren’t bad: 50% off at Shin Sapporo Ramen, an exclusive tie-up with Illy Coffee, and recently a foodie trip to Batam. Their Facebook page is pretty active; with prompt feedback on customer requests. The Bring Back Deal request feature is a nice touch, too.
The Bad: We know it’s not their main business, but it still feels like an afterthought. The site is so bare it might as well be naked and from what we can tell, it doesn’t seem to be very well-maintained. There’s also an additional $0.25 transaction fee (save us the arithmetic and just build into the total, why don’t you.)
Verdict: Let’s just say we won't be coming back. We expected a whole lot more from this foodie household name
website, and we most certainly didn't get it.
Variety: ✔✔✔✔✔
Usability: *****
Notable merchants: Shin Sapporo Ramen, Illy Coffee, Platypus Kitchen, Brewerkz
First Deal: Dec 2010
Frequency: One new deal emailed daily.
No. of ongoing deals: 1
Savings: 50-66%
Payment: AE/MC/V, PayPal

Liveoffcoupon.com
The Good: Aside from travel deals with affordable accommodation packages, beauty offers (fancy a Brazilian?) and discounted movie tickets, there are also dining deals aplenty.
The Bad: The site doesn't really provide details of past deals, so it's hard to get a sense of exactly what’s been offered or what’s to come. Also, their “refer friends and get money” option is listed but doesn't seem to be functioning. Quite a few of the partner restaurants aren’t very good in our book. So what if we pay less for a mediocre lunch? We’d rather spend our money (and calories) on food that’s really worth it.
Verdict: Some interesting offers, especially short travel ones. While we can’t speak for the quality of the hotels, it might be worth exploring for a cheap weekend getaway (if you aren’t too fussy that is).
Variety: ✔✔✔✔✔
Usability: *****
Notable merchants: SAF Yacht Club, Samy's Curry, Cathay Cineplexes, Pasta de Waraku
First Deal: Oct 2010
Frequency: One deal emailed daily.
No. of ongoing deals: 2-3
Savings: 40-92%
Payment: AE/MC/V, PayPal

StreetDeal.sg
The Good: The site’s layout is simple yet functional, with a sidebar of other deals as well as a concise 3-step “how does it work?” box. Deals vary from dining at Krish for a mere $16 to a 4D3N stay at Bangkok’s Four Points by Sheraton for just $235 (we stayed there when it opened in December and, at 60% off, that's a real bargain). They also have offers on health and beauty, games, retail and entertainment. Their friend referral system credits you with $8 per friend. That works out to be quite a hefty bundle if you invite all your “friends.”
The Bad: Not publishing a customer helpline number is a real deal breaker. And we’d appreciate being able to see how long the other deals on the homepage have left to run, without having to click through to them first. The How it Works section is also far from clear.
Verdict: Not bad at all. Ladies in particular will be impressed by the diverse range of health and beauty deals on offer; but frankly there's something for everyone here.
Variety: ✔✔✔✔✔
Usability: *****
Notable brands: Kusu Retaurant, Body Coutours, That Purple Place, Inizio
First Deal: Oct 2010
Frequency: One deal emailed daily.
No. of ongoing deals: 3-4
Savings: 30-92%
Payment: AE/MC/V, PayPal

Tip-It.com.sg
The Good: The site’s well-organized and navigation’s a breeze. We spied everything from art and cooking classes to dining and travel, not to mention health and beauty, entertainment and retail stuff too.
The Bad: The variety we like, but we call into question the quality of their partner merchants. We simply haven't heard of many of them. Also, you can't zoom in on the merchant locator map, which makes it kind of redundant.
Verdict: We recommend doing some serious research on the partner establishments before you bid.
Variety: ✔✔✔✔✔
Usability: *****
Notable merchants: Cathay, Seventh Heaven, Ramen Culture, Movenpick Ice Cream Creations
First Deal: Aug 2010
Frequency: A new deal emailed daily.
No. of ongoing deals: 2-3
Savings: 20-90%
Payment: AE/MC/V/ bank transfers, GiroPay, PayPal