Chatterbox
Open Since: Jan 1971
This local food institution is where you can try their widelylauded, award-winning Hainanese chicken rice, with some spicy chili sauce, fragrant rice and tender meat. Also worth trying are the lobster or seafood laksa and rojak. Be warned: Dishes here don’t come cheap.
5/F Mandarin Orchard Singapore, 333 Orchard Rd., 6831- 6291.

Gordon Grill
Open Since: Jan 1964
Fitted out in shades of cream and latte, Gordon Grill is one classy place to bring your wife (or that chick you’ve been trying to impress all year). The emphasis here is on clean, elegant flavors; highlights include the steamed garoupa fillet and chilled angel hair pasta with king crab, seaweed and caviar.
Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Rd., 6730-1744.

Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant
Open Since: Aug 1956
Palm Beach touts itself as the creator of Singapore’s famous black pepper crab, making its situation next to the Merlion along the Singapore River particularly apt. The Coco Lobo (lobster with vermicelli in superior stock), double-baked crab and chili crab are signature treats.
#01-09 One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Rd., 6336-8118.

Pete’s Place
Open Since: Jan 1973
The fact that Pete’s Place has been around since 1973 must mean it’s doing something right. Resembling a cozy, family-run trattoria, it serves up similarly rustic fare such as the seafood-laden cioppino and pizza pam pam (a two-inone special comprising a half calzone filled with mortadella, mozzarella and ricotta; and a half pizza with minced sausage, cherry tomatoes, fresh chili and mozzarella).
B/1 Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Rd., 6732-1234.

Prima Tower Revolving Restaurant
Open Since: Jan 1977
Singapore’s oldest revolving restaurant specializes in genuine Beijing cuisine—something you cannot easily find elsewhere. Besides the spectacular view, their signature dishes such as the crispy barbequed Peking duck and shredded scallops with fish and egg whites are also stunning.
201 Keppel Rd., 6272-8822.

Raffles Grill
Open Since: Jan 1923
Even though Raffles Grill has been around forever, the impeccable service, old world ambiance and a gourmet menu that reads like poetry all remain. From caviar, duck liver, lobster medallion to prime steaks, the food is one rich culinary delight after another.
G/F Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Rd., 6412-1185.

Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee
Open Since: Feb 1935
Over seven decades ago, Rendezvous started out as a small coffeeshop selling Western cuisine. Its Chinese owners then took a gamble and introduced Sumatran nasi padang; the rest, as they say, is history. Today, this grand old dame is still drawing crowds for its famous spicy curries. The juicy beef rendang, chicken curry and sambal sotong are musts.
#02-72/75/77/92 The Central, 6 Eu Tong Sen St., 6339-7508.

Rang Mahal
Open Since: Apr 1971
This long-standing fine dining Indian restaurant is still impressive after all these years. Serving regional Indian cuisine (North, South and coastal), signature creations are the tandoori masala oyster, hot stone tandoori lamb chops, tandoori salmon tikka, smoked bharta (aubergine) and lal mirch ka paneer tikka (spicy cottage cheese). There are excellent and extensive vegetarian options, too. For a contemporary yet traditional vibe, we’d recommend the elegant Rang Mahal anytime.
3/F Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Blvd., 6333-1788.

Samy’s Curry Restaurant
Open Since: Dec 1970
Since 1970, Samy’s has been offering finger-licking curries in their very unassuming and casual environment, and the profusion of trendy eateries in this area hasn’t made a dent in their popularity. Don’t miss the house specialties: The fish head curry, along with Samy’s famous masala chicken, mysore mutton and tandoori prawns.
25 Dempsey Rd., 6472-2080.

The Tiffin Room
Open Since: Apr 1910
Hands-down the oldest of the lot, The Tiffin Room’s antiquated surroundings and ceiling fans whirring slowly overhead is redolent of the colonial era and almost seems like a place untouched by the passage of time. The food here is good too; the mulligatawny soup, butter chicken, Hyderabad fish and spinach with cottage cheese are ever delectable.
G/F Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Rd., 6412-1190.

Masochism has a bad rep. Sometimes, the only way to know that you’re really alive is to be screaming through gritted teeth. Fortunately, you no longer have to risk arrest and humiliation, as there are a number of legitimate establishments offering pure agony disguised as holistic healing. We tracked down the city’s toughest wellness treatments and put them to the test.

Rolfing

Rolfing Wellness, #05-10B, Far East Shopping Centre, 545 Orchard Rd., 6423-1685, www.rolfing.com.sg.
Not to be confused with ROFLing (rolling on the floor laughing, in e-speak), Rolfing has been around for more than 50 years. Developed by Ida Rolf, it aims to correct misalignment of the body, through manipulation of the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds our muscle and nervous system. What that translates to is serious deep tissue massage over a prescribed course of 10 sessions; and, in the case of Vincent Lee, Singapore’s first certified Rolfer, the ability to transmit his entire body weight through his elbow into your back. The warning signs are there from the beginning: The first thing you’re asked to do once the manipulation begins (following a quick chat through your medical history) is to describe the level of pain you’re experiencing on a scale from one to 10—one being none and 10 being excruciating. Disappointingly, our pain score never exceeded a solid four. But the results were immediate, even after just one session: A straighter back and a lightness of limb we hadn’t felt in a long time. Price: $120 (60 minutes).
Pain Rating: 2/5
Effectiveness: 4/5

Zone Point Therapy

Willet Zone Point Therapies, #04-15, Far East Shopping Centre, 545 Orchard Rd., 9382-2748. What is it with Far East Shopping Centre and painful treatments? If Vincent Lee hasn’t Rolfed you into submission on the fifth floor, head down a level and shake hands with Willet Ong. That soft handshake is the initial part of his diagnosis, followed immediately by an agonizing 60 seconds of him pressing heavily on your cuticles. By determining which of them hurts, and watching the blood flowing back from your nails, Ong claims to be able to ascertain which areas of your body are likely to be tense and painful. Despite a healthy dose of cynicism on our part, the subsequent massage certainly seemed to nail just the right spots, but was even more painful than the diagnosis. The technique involves Ong’s clenched fists furiously kneading the knots out of every corner of your body, right down to the groin. Had we seen the sign on the wall beforehand—“Please note that if you experience bruises and swelling on your body … do not be alarmed. This is a sign of the body in the process of healing”—we might have thought twice. That would have been our loss. Price: Health screening by handshake and finger pressing $20, massage $30 (15 minutes), $60 (30 minutes), $100 (60 minutes).
Pain Rating: 4/5
Effectiveness: 4/5

Tui Na

Refresh Day Spa, #02-08 Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Rd., 6733-6344, www.refresh.com.sg/dayspa. Anyone who didn’t know better would be forgiven for thinking that “tui na” is Chinese for “Damn, that hurts.” Actually, it means to push and grasp with the hands, and this style of vigorous massage, not unlike a cross between shiatsu and acupressure, has several thousand years of pedigree. Like other therapeutic massages (though not Rolfing and its manipulation of the fascia) tui na targets muscles, with the goal of opening up the body’s chi channels (it is a form of TCM, after all). By far the most relaxing of the treatments we tried, it nevertheless hurts like hell at certain points:Specifically, when the masseuse presses down with her knuckles on the back of your neck (creating an uneasy feeling of total paralysis); and later when she straddles the table and lifts her entire body skyward, using the base of your spine as an anchor. Typically, tui na is combined with a spot of ba guan (fire cupping), though in the interests of maxing out on pain, we declined (cupping might be unsightly, even uncomfortable if it’s your first time, but it doesn’t really hurt). The result: One of the most thorough and impressive massages we’ve had in a long, long time. Price: $128 (60 minutes), $168 (90 minutes); Ba guan cupping optional.
Pain Rating: 3/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Shockwave Puncture Massage

Qi Spa, #03-09/10 Great World City, 6836-3682, www.qimantra.com. This acupressure treatment, exclusive to Qi Spa, involves the use of a rapid-fire hand-held device to penetrate deeper than what hands can reach, blast away persistent knots and supposedly stimulate new blood flow to the area in the process. It’s the polar opposite of a regular massage, in that you find yourself tensing up in anticipation of the electro-clicking sound that announces the next pulse. And boy do those pulses hurt. The device doesn’t just look like a gun; it inflicts pain like one too. While we were somewhat humbled to be told ours was on one of the lowest settings, there’s no getting around the fact that this isn’t a treatment for the faint of heart. It’s like volunteering for a skit in Jackass; only it won’t bring you fame and fortune, and the only audience is a pretty girl waiting to deliver more pain. Bringing some friends along might be a good idea—at least you can laugh when it’s someone else’s turn. We suspect we weren’t getting the full benefit, as this is really designed for people with chronic problems, but we certainly felt less tense afterward. That, though, might just have been relief at walking away alive. Price: $198 (90 minutes).
Pain Rating: 5/5
Effectiveness: 2/5

CoolSculpting by Zeltiq

Medical Aesthetics @ Cluny, #02-12 Cluny Court, 501 Bukit Timah Rd., 6462-2559, www.dryvonnegoh.com. It seems harmless enough—CoolSculpting has been featured on high profile TV shows, and is a non-surgical alternative to liposuction. The technique involves a machine drawing up your folds of flesh, and the fat cells within them. But the word ‘‘cool’’ is misleading: It’s positively freezing when it kicks in. Imagine getting frostbite—you can’t really tell where the pain is coming from but it’s definitely there. It takes almost an hour; and though the discomfort becomes more bearable after 10 minutes, you’ll still be thankful for the TV screen and its distracting Sex and the City rerun. And just when you think the worst has passed, the nozzle is released to reveal a huge block of frozen abdominal flesh, only eased by a brief massage. Dr. Yvonne Goh’s assurance that the fat cells there have been “frozen to death” and will be eliminated from the body in the next few months does nothing to ease the horror. n Price: Approximately $1,500, depending on target area.
Pain Rating: 3/5
Effectiveness: 3/5
(coupled with a proper diet and exercise plan, of course).

Is running a marathon or marching across a dessert on your list of things to do before you die? Make the challenge even more exciting by scheduling the big day abroad.

May 1, Malaysia

Borneo International Marathon

Run away to one of the region’s top holiday destinations, Kota Kinabalu. The scenic town makes the perfect backdrop for a half or full marathon, and this world renowned race slots in nicely between the famed Penang and Singapore Marathons to keep you in tip-top racing condition.
Register for RM15-110 (B150-1,110) at www.borneomarathon.com by Apr 23.

May 21, China (Filling Fast!)

The Great Wall Marathon

Widely regarded as one of the world’s toughest regular marathons, this is your chance to put your training to the test by attempting to overcome the 5,164 steps of the Great Wall. Plus points: The surrounding countryside is breathtakingly scenic. Negatives: You could run up and down Banyan Tree for weeks and still not be ready.
For information on race & international tour packages, log on to www.great-wall-marathon.com.

May 28, Singapore (Filling Fast!)

Sundown Marathon 2011

Those that grumble about running in the heat of the day just ran out of excuses. With 10k, half and full marathon options (the latter doesn’t even start until 10pm), it’s also a great opportunity to see Singapore in a different light. What with after-dark running and an F1 night race, perhaps it’s time we forget about daylight hours altogether and embrace being nocturnal.
Register for S$55-85 (B1,239-1,998) at www.sundownmarathon.com by Apr 21.

Jun 26, Malaysia 

Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2011

The Big Daddy of Malaysian races. As with other Standard Chartered marathons you can be assured of a professionally run event; though previous participants have complained of having to run alongside traffic, and bemoaned the absence of spectators. Still, it’s a great warm up for the Singapore event later in the year.
Register for US$35-60 (B1,050-1,800) at www.kl-marathon.com by May 31.

Jun 26, China

Gobi March

The RacingThePlanet series consists of rough country foot races through some of the most remote and exotic locations in the world. The Gobi March is one of the world’s top 10 endurance events; and at 250km, spread over seven days, it’s no wonder. You’ll need to carry your own equipment and food, and be prepared for tough conditions. Still, if 21-year-old Chue Zheng Yang (this year’s youngest competitor) is willing to sign up, so can you.
Register for US$3,300 (B9,900) at www.4deserts.com.

Jul 2, Mongolia

Grassland Extreme Marathon

Runners of all ages and levels of fitness are welcome to participate in the scenic 10km, 21km and 42km races across the sweeping Mongolian hills surrounding the city of Xiwuqi. While you’re there for the race, don’t miss the chance to absorb the traditional local culture. Stay overnight in one of their yurts, go horse riding and wrestling as well as visit famous landmarks such as the Genghis Khan Imperial City.
Register for 150-300RMB (S$29-59) at www.nordicways.com
by Jun 24.

Jul 22, Japan

Fuji Mountain Race

One for the super fit, or perhaps mentally unbalanced. Scaling one of the most beautiful snow-capped peaks in the world, Mount Fuji, is certainly a nice idea; but running the 21km to the summit takes a special sort of person. Temperatures will also be below freezing. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Register for the Summit or 5th Station Race for ¥8,000-10,000 (B3,080-3,700) at www.fujimountainrace.jp by Mar 28.

HOW TO: Train for Runs

Honda Brio

This new subcompact is inspired by Honda’s new “Man maximum, machine minimum” philosophy. It’s designed to fit more people into the car and saves space by making the engine smaller. It also features a new look for Honda: bold, compact and aggressive. While we love a car that’s small enough to fit into almost any parking space, the 90 hp engine sounds a bit underwhelming.
Price: B399,900-508,500
You might also like: Nissan March Hatchback
Where to buy: Try Phraram 9 Honda Cars, 819 Rama 9 Rd., 02-719-6830/-8. www.honda.co.th

Mazda3

2011’s redesign turns this formerly mundane model into something truly sporty and luxurious. New options include the 265-watt Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound System, auto leveling Xenon headlamps and clear-lens LED tail lights. What makes this car stand out is that the front fascia takes its design cues from the well-known concept car, the Nagare. If the Mazda2 is a tad too small for your needs, this is an ideal solution. It’s also assembled in Thailand.
Price: B966,000
You might also like: Nissan Versa, Lexus CT200h
Where to buy: Siam Motor Sales, 1055 Moo 12 Bangna-Trad Km 4 Rd., 02-731-2723. www.mazda.co.th

Mitsubishi Lancer EX 2.0 GT

The 2001 Lancer EX just got an infusion of sportiness thanks to the all-new Magnesium paddle shifters located on the steering column, bi-xenon headlights and retro looking Hi-Contrast gauges, as well as 18-inch sport wheels. The 2.0 Liter MIVEC engine is now matched to a 6-speed CVT gearbox offering quicker shifting than the previous model. Convenience is upped as well with a push-button engine starter and steering wheel based control buttons. If you’d like something even more special, check out the limited White Pearl Edition, which comes coated in—you guessed it—a White Pearl paintjob.
Price: B1,051,000
Comparable Models: Mazda 3, Toyota Altis
Where to buy: Try United Motor Sales Co., Ltd. 1793/3 Sirinthorn Rd., 02-434-7831/-50. www.mitsubishi-motors.co.th

Mercedes CLS

For better or for worse, Mercedes has come up with something truly unique: a sedan that only seats four people. That’s right, their massive flagship only has two back seats. They certainly aren’t riding Honda’s “Man maximum, machine minimum” trend. Call us biased, but this vehicle is plagued with the same problem as every Mercedes—it’s only available in the standard bland color choices. However, this isn’t a major drawback as the beastly new 382-hp V8 keeps it exciting. Styling is conservative and macho, and German-engineering means no detail is overlooked.
Price: TBA
You might also like: Audi S6, BMW 7-series
Where to buy: Try Benz BKK Vipawadee, 99 Soi Vipawadee 40, Chatuchak, 02-930-1888. www.mercedes-benz.co.th

BMW K1600GTL Motorcycle

The ultimate touring bike comes in the form of the all-new K1600GTL. It uses a six-cylinder engine that’s rated at 160-hp. For comparison, your neighbor’s Honda Jazz uses a four-cylinder engine that makes 89-hp. This bike, on the other hand, has an ultra light magnesium and aluminum engine and frame. To put it briefly, you’ll be the fastest thing on two wheels, not to mention the bike is designed for extreme comfort as well. We like what we see.
Price: B1,500,000
You might also like: Ducati Multistrada
Where to buy: BKK Motorcycle Co., Ltd. 4334/5 Charoenrat Rd., 02-673-3106.

BMW X1

Do you demand plenty of space but refuse to get an unsexy SUV? The fix is here. The all-new BMW X-1 is based on the 3-series platform so it performs just like a sporty sedan, but has the same cabin space as its older siblings, the X3 and X5. It’s classified as an “urban sports activity vehicle” and we think it fits the bill nicely. You no longer need to buy a truck outfitted to cross the Sahara if you’re just looking to cruise around Bangkok in style.
Price: B2,149,000
You might also like: Audi Q5, Mercedes GLK
Where to buy: Try Millennium Auto Ladprao Co., Ladprao Soi 112, 02-935-2000. www.bmw.co.th

Nissan March Sedan

The only thing worse than a boring two-door car is a boring four-door car. The upside is that this vehicle is practical and affordable. The new sedan version of the March will make its debut in Thailand following successes in India and Mexico; it will also be produced domestically as well. You’re not going to impress anyone with this set of wheels, but you will be making a wise choice in helping the environment and your pocket.
Price: B375,000
You might also like: Honda Brio
Where to buy: Try Newton Service, 36/9 Moo 14 Boromrachachonnanee Road, 02-887-6500. www.nissan.co.th

Sra Bua

Siam Kempinski, 991/9 Rama 1 Rd., 02-162-9000. Lunch Mon-Fri noon-3pm
The place: Sister restaurant of Copenhagen’s Michelin-starred Kiin Kiin, Sra Bua offers a hyper-modern deconstruction and re-presentation of Thai cuisine. Sound expensive? It is. The set dinner there will put you out B2,400 with an additional B2,400 if you want wine pairings. Not that we don’t recommend for everyone to save up and do it at least once.
The deal: B1,500, a fraction of the price of the dinner menu, gets you the same initial set of nibbles as well as a three-course menu with dishes like pad thai Kiin Kiin style, frozen red curry lobster and their wonderful ice cream platter inspired by three kinds of tea. And many of these dishes are also on the dinner menu, so you don’t feel you’re missing out by not going at night.

Gianni Ristorante

34/1 Soi Tonson, Phloen Chit Rd., 02-252-1619. Lunch daily noon-2pm
The place: Tucked away down Soi Tonson, Gianni has a lot of Old World Charm, from the décor to the affable Italian maitre d’ in the gray suit, as well as a large following of loyal customers who refer to the place fondly as “Gianni’s.” In addition to classic dishes, they also have a very extensive list of Italian wines, organized conveniently by region.
The deal: Impressively, a reservation is required here even at lunchtime, when the restaurant is packed to the brim with fancy Japanese, Thai and Italian business types, and a few hi-so ladies, all taking advantage of the luxurious two-course (B390) or three-course (B470) set lunches. Choose from simple, well-executed starters like lobster bisque and caprese salad and mains like risotto with green peas and Parmesan and homemade egg fettucine with bolognese sauce. Desserts include classics like tiramisu and slightly lighter fare like lemon sorbet with fruit salad. They do several wines by the glass, so you don’t have to blow your budget on a bottle.

D’Sens

22/F, The Dusit Thani, Rama 4 Rd., 02-200-9000. Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm
The place: One of the only places we’ve given five stars to, D’Sens is the jewel in Dusit Thani’s crown, an outpost of the Michelin-starred Pourcel brothers of Marseille, offering breathtaking service (and views) and contemporary takes on French food. Sadly, the prices reflect that, and the set dinner menu here is well over B2,000.
The deal: At lunch, there are cheaper option courses for B850 and three courses for B950, and the ingredients are sourced from the Royal Projects in Chiang Mai as Chef Julien has been consistently impressed with the quality of the produce. (Conveniently, it also keeps prices low.) Expect dishes like Provencale frog legs, seared sea bass with crunchy risotto and vegetable comfit and saffron and lemon mille feuille. The menu changes every few weeks, too.

Le Normandie

Mandarin Oriental, 48 Oriental Avenue, 02-659-9000. Lunch Mon-Sat noon-2pm
The place: A veritable Bangkok institution going back decades, Le Normandie requires gentlemen to wear a jacket to dinner, an indication of how fancy the place is. At B2,300, the three-course set dinner is well out of the price range of most people, except perhaps for very special occasions. Yet the appeal of sampling classic, fancy, heavy French fare is understandable.
The deal: Thankfully, the lunch deal (B1,150) offers much of the luxe experience without sacrificing on the gastronomic front. Also covering three-courses, the menu offers options like escargots fricassés with frog legs, yellowtail Provencale, braised duck leg with forest mushrooms and access to a dessert trolley—not to mention the famous Oriental macarons to go with your coffee. Oh, and the prices are net.

Le Beaulieu

Grand Mercure Asoke Residence, 50/5 Sukhumvit Soi 19, 02-204-2004. Lunch 11:30am-2:30pm
The place: A kind of French equivalent of Gianni, Le Beaulieu has a lot to get you excited about: a gorgeous space in a semi-standalone location (think lots of windows, a rustic sky blue ceiling and sketches on the walls), a knowledgeable clientele and a chef-driven experience, with the charming and talented Herve Ferard greeting you out front as well as busying himself in the kitchen.
The deal: There are two tiers of set lunches to choose from, both three courses: the Executive Set Lunch (B825) and the frequently changing Business Lunch (B525). But don’t think less of the cheaper option, as many of the dishes on it are even more exciting, such as the luscious goat cheese and poached eggs salad, the complex sea bass with beurre blanc and black truffle and the comforting sweetbread vol au vent. The Executive Set Lunch also has some hearty options, like the beef tartar with rocket salad and the fish bouillabaise. And when it comes time for your main course, the server helpfully brings a portable chalkboard listing their wines by the glass, even making a pairing suggestion. For dessert, we suggest the Alsacienne lemon tart.

21-40

21) Have a gay old time at PLAY, #01-02, 21 Tanjong Pagar Rd., 6227- 7400.

22) Catch an EPL football game at a heartland coffeeshop.

23) Sample an APB brewery tour. It’s always Time for a Tiger. 459 Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim, 6860- 3005, apb.com.sg/ brewery-tour.

24) Track down Cut, directed by “that street-gang leader” Royston Tan. tinyurl.com/roystontancut.

25) Order the Kodo 66 at The Red Comrades, 66 Dunlop Rd., 8261- 5247.

26) Try to start a chant at an S-League game.

27) Tag along on an OH! art walkabout, organized by unconventional art gallery Evil Empire, 48 Niven Rd., 9048-2902, www.ohopenhouse.com.

28) Browse the retro collectibles at Junkie’s Corner out near Kembangan. 94 Jalan Senang, 9791- 2607.

29) Settle in for a few pints with the travellers at Prince of Wales Backpacker Pub, 101 Dunlop St., 6299- 0130.

30) Break into the Singapore Botanic Gardens after official hours with some of your friends and a few beers in tow, and wait for the aliens to land (or watch the stars). 1 Cluny Rd., 6471-7138.

31) Potter around the Dragon Kiln Village and try not to smash any of the 10,000 items on sale. Thow Kwan Industry, 85 Lorong Tawas (off Jalan Bahar), 6265-5808.

32) Drink through all five price-timings at Brewerkz, #01-05/06 Riverside Point, 30 Merchant Rd., 6438-7438.

33) Revel in the honor of being a “citizen journalist” by posting on STOMP. Extra points if your story involves the invasion of someone else’s privacy.

34) Test your nerve with a nighttime visit to Old Changi Hospital, along Netheravon Rd.

35) Head on down to the next ROJAK; creatives from different disciplines presenting and partying. farm.sg/rojak.

36) Find a quiet space and read Allen Ginsberg’s Howl poem out loud.

37) Battle a sea bass at Hausmann Marketing Aquarium, 291 Neo Tiew Crescent, 6792- 1318.

38) Gather a group of your best friends and board your own flight with Air Charter Service. aircharter.sg, 6329-9767.

39) Ink on the design you’ve always wanted at Tattoo Craft, 28 Arab St.

40) Surprise someone you love with a drink at Mr Punch Wine Bar & Restaurant atop the Mint Museum of Toys. Perfect for nostalgic conversation. 26 Seah St., 6334-5155.

1-20 21-40 41-60 61-80 81-100

Sometimes, Singapore seems like a city built purely on press releases. Wishful thinking stacked on hype, held together with adjectival mortar. Tell someone something is great often enough and, even if they know better, eventually it starts to seep in.

Enough already. Enough with the integrated resorts. Enough with the shiny new malls. Enough of being told the Night Race is the most world-changing event since Adam and Eve first rubbed up against one another. Enough of hearing that we top livability and safety and environmental polls.

Here at I-S, we’re by no means always immune to this barrage of propoganda; but from time to time it pays to step back from it all.

The best experiences you can have here aren’t all quantifiable, or easy to do, or necessarily even all that good for you. (Many of them involve eating, but we’ll save that for our next 50 Things to Eat story.) Some of them don’t even require you to leave home. Others are to be found away from the city, where the smooth and polished heart gives way to more rugged and interesting edges. In no particular order, then, this is a list to inspire as much as it is to check off.

Unofficial, unendorsed, but guaranteed to be at least 100 times more fun than a regular visitor’s guide. This is Singapore, as you may never have seen it before.

1-20

1) Stop and listen to the deafening sunset bird chorus between Meritus Mandarin and Takashimaya on Orchard Rd.

2) Beg, borrow or steal a ticket to the Laneway Festival. singapore.lanewayfestival.com.au.

3) Join the Filipina dance party outside ION Orchard on Sunday evenings. Some people complain that it’s a nuisance. Some people are idiots.

4) Hit up the Racecourse on a Friday night. The thrill of the races are only part of the appeal. The other part is cheap beer. 1 Turf Club Ave., 6879-1000.

5) Down a refreshing glass of homegrown aloe vera juice at Poison Ivy Bistro, after a stroll along the surrounding country lanes. Bollywood Veggies, 100 Neo Tiew Rd., 6898-5001.

6) Contribute to Ceriph, the city’s most beautifully produced creative journal. www.ceriph.net

7) Lower yourself into a storm drain and see what you can dredge up. Or spare yourself the risk and check out artist Charles Lim’s own exploration in All Lines Flow Out, now showing at the Biennale. singaporebiennale.org.

8) Pick up some pencils and join a sketchwalk. urbansketcherssingapore.blogspot.com.

9) Try your hand at darts in a hooker bar on Duxton Hill.

10) Keep an eye out for raptors while crossing Henderson Waves; it’s a favorite haunt for migratory birds of prey. Henderson Rd., near Telok Blangah Green.

11) Toast author Paul Theroux near the site of his old house, across Bukit Timah Road from Serene House.

12) Steal a kiss on a Jewel Cable Car ride, 109 Mt. Faber Rd., 6270-8855, mountfaber.com.sg.

13) Look back at the island while getting drunk up against the border fence in JB.

14) Ask politely and plug your own iPod in at Night & Day, 139 Selegie Rd., 6884- 5523.

15) See an Alfian Sa’at play. If there isn’t one on, pick up one of his anthologies. Start with “Fugitives” from Collected Plays One.

16) Sneak into a condo pool at night. Better yet, reenact Burt Lancaster’s role in The Swimmer, and swim home from a night out.

17) Participate in a pickup cricket game in the field by Northumberland Road.

18) Overnight at least one boutique hotel. Try Wanderlust, 2 Dickson Rd., 6396-3322.

19) Down a G&T on the porch of a Black & White villa. If you have to sneak into an abandoned one (ahem ... Rochester Park) to do so, so be it.

20) Ride the length of the KTM railway line, from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands, before it’s gone for good.

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It was tremendous pride in being the first Asian musician to perform at Bluesfest 2004 and a deep passion for music that drove Timbre’s Chief Creative Director Danny Loong to spearhead the aural movement that is the Timbre Rock & Roots Music Festival. Kicking off last year to an amazing turnout, the festival is back again—this time featuring a truly impressive line-up. “This year’s bill is a fine balance between diversity, mainstream favorites with a couple of surprises and a rare concert here by a living legend. We don’t want to be pigeon-holed, which is one reason why the artists themselves cross over many genres,” says Timbre’s music and marketing manager Low Seow Yee. Here’s what to expect.

Stomping Ground

Kickstarting the carnival on Apr 15 will be Timbre’s resident blues band Raw Earth, led by none other than Danny Loong himself. Known for their spontaneity and old-school music style, we’re excited to see what these veterans of the local scene have in store for us as the Festival’s opening act. A little bit of Jimi Hendrix and BB King, perhaps?

You don’t need dreads to revel in the cacophonous joy of seasoned Jamaican powerhouses Toots & The Maytals and their classic tunes like “Pressure Drop” and “Funky Kingston.” Who knows, they might even rock the crowd with their awesome rendition of Radiohead’s “Let Down”.

And it really doesn’t get any bigger than the legendary Bob Dylan, whose zealous hymns of protest are certain to raise the pulse of the crowd. This might just be the biggest name we’ve ever had here (sorry, Bieber) and it’s not to be missed.

To top things off, ska and reggae-inspired Michael Franti & Spearhead will treat you to thoughtprovoking songs from their latest offering The Sound of Sunshine. Even if you’re sozzled by this point, the distinctive spit-fire raps of Senor Franti about big issues like anti-globalization, war and the green movement are sure to keep you tapping your feet.

Got Soul

The quirky and effervescent electro-pop duchess Imogen Heap is back to charm us with an outdoor performance that promises to be as intimately engaging as the indoor gig in Esplanade last year. During the second night on Apr 16, expect Heap to deliver a truly memorable set, thanks to that unique and instantly recognizable voice of hers. Read the full interview with Imogen Heap.

Then it’s time to gear up for something completely different as the New Orleans big band sound arrives via Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, led by acclaimed trumpeter Troy Andrews. Check out our interview with Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews himself.

Grammy Award winner (and probably the sexiest man in this festival) John Legend closes this year’s edition of Rock and Roots, with his heartfelt soul from his highly acclaimed discography. Expect rousing tunes from his latest album Wake Up! Check out our exclusive interview with John Legend himself.

Timbre Rock & Roots Music Festival is on Apr 15-16, 6pm at the Marina Promenade, F1 track behind the Singapore Flyer, 6338-8277. $70-200 from Sistic.