FOR MEN

1. TOPMAN, B1,450

2. TOPMAN, B990

3. Greyhound, B2,595

4. XXI Forever, B1,690

5. TOPMAN, B2,690

6. TOPMAN, B2,150

7. TOPMAN, B1,450

8. Jaspal, B495

Guys’ tip: Be safe and prepared, guys. Who knows what might happen on NYE? If you don’t want to lose all sensation down there, try Durex’s new super-thin (48 micron) condom, the Durex Featherlite Ultima for featherlite results. B58 per box of three condoms.  

FOR WOMEN

1. Disaya, B3,950

2. Steve Madden, B5,900

3. XXI Forever, B390

4. Jaspal, B2,595

5. XXI Forever, B1,690

6. XXI Forever, B990

7. TOPSHOP, B2,550

8. Katemoss TOPSHOP, B4,350

Girls’ tip: Classy, dark-colored evening wear means you can get away with more makeup, so make sure you opt for distinctive red lips that stand out from the crowd, such as the colors from MAC’s latest collection, Stylishly Yours.

Essentials

Jaspal. 2/F, Siam Center, 02-251-5968
Disaya. Lobby, Gaysorn Plaza, 02-656-1388
TOPSHOP TOPMAN. 1/F, CentralWorld, 02-613-1660
XXI Forever. 2/F, CentralWorld, 02-613-1426
Senada. 3/F, Siam Center, 02-658-1000
Greyhound. 3/F, Siam Center, 02-251-4917
Steve Madden. 2/F, Siam Discovery, 02-658-0299

The Fighter
Opens Jan 6
Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale get the year off to a start with a stirring boxing biopic that will uppercut your heart. The Fighter is the true story of “Irish” Micky Ward (Wahlberg) and his half brother Dicky Eklund (Bale). Eklund, the elder of the two was a working class hero until a crushing defeat at the hands of Sugar Ray Leonard. After spiraling into a word of addiction and vice, Eklund finds redemption as Ward’s trainer. Nominated for Best Motion Picture—Drama, Best Actor in a Motion Picture—Drama and Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture—Drama at the Golden Globe Awards.

Love & Other Drugs
Opens Jan 6
Fans of Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal won’t want to miss this one. After their last stint together in Brokeback Mountain where they shared a quickie sex scene on the backseat of a truck, the duo have a go at it again pretty much everywhere in this daring romantic comedy. Hathway plays a free-spirited artist who meets her match in a Viagra salesman (Gyllenhaal) as they journey in and out (pun intended) of love. Nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress in a Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globe Awards.

Burlesque
Opens Jan 13
Ali (Christina Aguilera) is a small-town girl who wants to make it big in Los Angeles. Joining up with a flagging burlesque club with the help of her mentor Tess (Cher), she just might make it. So what if the film has been receiving negative reviews? For better or for worse, we want to see Cher in all her botoxed, nipped and tucked glory act as a role model for Christina Aguilera as she “WHOAAHOOAHOAHs” her way to glory. Nominated for Best Motion Picture­­—Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globe Awards.

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives
Opens Jan 17
After clinching the Palme d’Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, we’ll finally get a chance to experience Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s far-out masterpiece. As the title character Uncle Boonmee nears the end of his life, he begins to revisit his past lives in search of the reason for his illness. In his presence are his loved ones, including the ghost of his wife and a monkey version of his lost son. Bold, bizarre and breathtaking.

127 Hours
Opens Jan 23
After making the world swoon for everything Indian with Slumdog Millionaire, Danny Boyle is back with a true story about a man trapped between a rock and a hard place (seriously, that was the title of the book it’s based on). Aron Ralston (James Franco) is hiking in Utah one day in 2003 when he gets trapped under a falling boulder. For five days, Ralston is stuck, and he begins to reflect on his life, before making an extremely difficult (and excruciating) decision. Nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture—Drama and Best Screenplay at the Golden Globe Awards.

The Green Hornet
Opens Feb 2
Just when you thought Jay Chou wouldn’t be getting any more boosts to his ego, he takes up the reins of Bruce Lee’s Kato in the big screen adaptation of The Green Hornet. Britt Reid (Seth Rogan) is a lackadaisical playboy who benefits from the wealth of his newspaper baron father. When his father dies, he inherits his empire and realizes he’s wasting his potential. Teaming up with an employee, Kato (Chou), they fight the gangs of the city led by Chudnofsky (Christoph Waltz, better known as the Jew hunter Colonel Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds).

The King’s Speech
Opens Feb 10
Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush star in the story of King George VI and his struggles with stammering. With the death of King George V (Michael Gambon) and the abdication of King Edward VII (Guy Pearce), Prince Albert of York (Firth) becomes heir to the throne. With the world plunging into war, the Empire needs a leader, and the newly crowned King George VI seeks help from speech therapist Lionel Logue (Rush). Nominated in literally all major categories (Best Film, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay) at a host of awards ceremonies, Firth has already picked up four awards for his performance.

The Kids Are All Right
Opens Feb 24
Jules (Julianne Moore) and Nic (Anette Benning) are a mature lesbian couple who have each conceived a child through the same anonymous sperm donor. Their kids Laser (Josh Hutcherson) and Joni (Mia Wasikowska) are now young adults, and independently, they contact their biological father, Paul (Mark Ruffalo). Complications ensue, not limited to Jules commencing an affair with Paul. Nominated for Best Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy, Best Actress in a Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy and Best Screenplay at the Golden Globe Awards.

True Grit
Opens Feb 24
The always excellent Coen Brothers’ latest offering is an adaptation of a 1968 novel of the same name. A teenage girl, Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), seeks vengeance for her father’s death and she convinces the alcoholic U.S. Marhsal Reuben J. “Rooster” Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to help her track the murderer down. Done in the classic Western style, True Grit the novel was previously adapted in 1969 in a film starring John Wayne.

Black Swan
Opens Feb 27
Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream) returns to his roots with a psychological thriller. After auditioning for the lead role in a production of the ballet Swan Lake, two competing dancers, Nina (Natalie Portman) and Lily (Mila Kunis), strike a twisted friendship. Swan Lake is a production which requires a graceful White Swan and a sensual Black Swan; roles which fit Nina and Lily respectively. As the season progresses, Nina embraces her dark side, and loses sight of reality. Nominated for Best Motion Picture­—Drama, Best Director and Best Actress in a Motion Picture—Drama at the Golden Globe Awards.

Never Let Me Go
Opens Mar 17
Based on the 2005 dystopian novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go charts the lives of Kathy (Carey Mulligan), Ruth (Keira Knightly) and Tommy (Andrew Garfield), and the eventual love triangle which develops between them. The three spend their childhood together in a boarding school, but they eventually realize their fate. This is a world where humans are cloned to be harvested for organs.

One way Singapore proves its mettle as a cosmopolitan city is by drawing inspiration from around the world and mixing elements of the old world with modern influences. According to Marie-Helene Piederiet, co-owner of Indian antique furniture store the Past Perfect Collection, mixing and matching different styles and eras has never been more popular. “Antique pieces can work well against a modern styled room, creating depth with contrasting elements. Similarly, pretty much any piece of antique furniture can be given a new lease of life with just some modern re-upholstery. You can use your creativity to combine two different styles of design and eventually have your home looking reinvented and fashionable,” she says. Interested in creating your own eclectic living environment? Get inspiration and antique-buying tips (as well as prices, which are typically only available on application) from the following establishments.

Just Anthony
Founded by Anthony Lee more than 30 years ago, Just Anthony maintains a fine collection of antiques from the Shianxi and Teochew provinces that are well suited for big spaces. Lee continues to spend much of his time in China hunting for prized dynasty pieces and overseeing restoration works at a factory in Guangzhou. At his shop, you can find stone statues, horse shoe chairs, marble chests and even panels from what used to be giant palace doors. “My father occasionally uncovers pieces that are in such perfect condition, they don’t need any restoration work at all,” says his daughter Danielle Lee, who also runs the store.
Look out for: Beautiful handpainted silk wall coverings illustrating classic Chinese landscapes ($340).
Where it’s at: 379 Upper Paya Lebar Rd., 6283-4782.

Akemi Gallery
Japan’s long history of isolation makes for some truly unique designs. Reflecting the simple aesthetic beliefs of Japanese artisans, the gallery showcases furniture as well as ceramic and lacquer accessories that fit perfectly with modern living environments. In keeping with the sensitive way in which the Japanese portray their culture, be it the way they display the obi (a sash used in traditional Japanese dress) or set the dining table, Akemi also offers a complimentary service to advise you on the right way to match and present accessories and furniture.
Look out for: A katana tansu (storage unit) used in the homes of warriors for keeping sword blades.
Where it’s at: #02-06 Tanglin Shopping Center, 19 Tanglin Rd., 6735-6315.

Learn how to care for your antiques

China Collection
Australian expat Anna Lockett was living in Hong Kong in the 80s when her passion for antique Chinese furniture first took hold. Today, she continues to go on regular buying trips to China with her son Doug in search of beautifully crafted works up to 200 years old. While Lockett prides herself on maintaining the original finishes of the furniture as much as possible, she’s willing to occasionally modify pieces in order to keep them relevant for modern living spaces. Here, you can find intricately carved and painted wooden screens and other rustic furniture options.
Look out for: A 100-year-old red lacquer trunk from Shanxi province.
Where it’s at: #01-08 Citilink Warehouse Complex, 102E Pasir Panjang Rd.,
6235-1905.

House of Huanghuali
Named after a type of rosewood commonly used in ancient China to make chests and cupboards, the House of Huanghuali recently moved out of its space in Alexandra, bringing with it a collection of antique furniture that at first glance, looks just like any other in Singapore. What draws us back here however, is their selection of eccentric paintings as well as sculptures and tribal masks originating from the Northern Wei period and the Qing Dynasty.
Look out for: Light rosewood chair meant for the “official hats” of the kingdom.
Where it’s at: #01-08/09/10, Blk. 1001 Jalan Bukit Merah, 6733-5843.

Adityaa Homes
Entrepreneur Kalay R. has stocked her gallery with original period furniture from Southern India, showcasing exquisite teak and rosewood surfaces on classic items like the traditional marital four poster bed. Admirers of the Maharajah’s impeccable taste can select from a range of age-old pieces such as pillars, cupboards, desks and chairs in bronze, brass and granite accents. With her experience in resort-style furnishing, Kalay is also able to tailor your buys for your home.
Look out for: A swing made of rosewood, said to signify a state of bliss and detachment from everyday concerns.
Where it’s at: #03-01 Tagore Bldg., 6 Tagore Dr., 9067-3672.

Past Perfect Collection
Owners Pieter Van Houten and Marie-Helene Piederiet lived in India for five years, giving them valuable insight into the period-style furniture they stock in the gallery, which ranges from romantic Indo-Portuguese to Dutch colonial style pieces. The antiques are typically made of hardwoods such as rosewood, mahogany, teakwood, satinwood and ebony, and display intricate carvings that make them the talking point of any living room.
Look out for: An Anglo-Indian ivory and rosewood dressing box circa 1880s ($3750).
Where it’s at: 480 River Valley Rd., 6737-3078.

Caring for your antiques

• Refrain from storing your furniture in a damp room like the basement. Maintain constant temperature and use a dehumidifier.
• Sunlight can turn a clear finish yellow even without direct exposure. Apply a UV-filtering film on your windows.
• Termites and wood beetles are a collector’s biggest nemesis. Pay for professional fumigation as often as possible.
• • Avoid surface damage by using coasters, mats and trivets, and preventing direct contact with very hot or cold items.
• Use a good quality paste wax to wax the wood. Don’t use typical lemon oil solutions like Pledge because they leave a residue. [TOP]

We don’t know about you, but we know exactly how we intend to spend our time over the festive season. Aside from the feasting (that’s a given) and some light partying, we’re factoring in hours upon hours of sleep due to the colossal deficit we’re running. Make no mistake. When we finally muster up enough willpower to drag ourselves out of bed (possibly while battling the hangover of the year), the overwhelming, driving force will be hunger. These are just a few of the places we’ll be popping by to grab some grub after enjoying a good lie-in.

10 at Claymore
Lobby Level, Pan Pacific Orchard, 10 Claymore Rd., 6831-6686.
Ah, the quintessential Sunday brunch. Few things can top it, but one magic word makes it all the better: Buffet. 10 at Claymore’s is exemplary (from $48). So dig into a mind-boggling array of offerings, such as stir-fried US turkey breast and crispy tiger prawns with avocado and tomato salsa and a mango emulsion, boneless leg of lamb, roast Wagyu beef and fresh seafood including Boston lobsters, sashimi and sushi. And of course, those with a sweet tooth will love the sinful selection of desserts.

Barracks
8D Dempsey Rd., 6475-7787.
Despite the fact that Dempsey is sometimes a little too crowded, we still have a penchant for the verdant greenery. Certainly one of the most enticing spots around is Barracks, with its alfresco terrace overlooking lush surrounds. An afternoon spent here, in the company of some well-poached free range eggs, buttery brioche toasties and spears of asparagus doused with béarnaise sauce ($15), is a restorative one indeed. Other things to try include their seven-layer pancake which hides Nutella, hazelnuts, pistachios, raisins, dried apricots and maple syrup ($15), chargrilled figs served with a sherry vinegar reduction, walnuts and goat’s cheese ($19) and golden brown slices of French toast filled with a medley of fresh berries ($17). We suppose you should probably bring at least another ravenous soul along, if only because it means you can safely order up a storm for variety.

Cherry Garden
5/F Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, Marina Square, 5 Raffles Ave.,
6885-3538.
This elegant establishment specializes in Cantonese fare, carefully prepared and artistically presented by executive chef Hiew Gun Khong. It wouldn’t be a Chinese brunch if it wasn’t dim sum, and here you can pair it with Champagne at weekends ($118). With over 50 different items to pick from including mini abalone siew mai with pork and mushrooms, shark’s fin dumpling with dried scallops and shrimps, juicy xiao long bao and spinach dumplings with prawns, garlic and salted egg yolk, it’s going to be a long meal, so get comfortable. We’re partial to chef Hiew’s honey-glazed Kurobuta char siew, wasabi prawns with fresh mango and fish roe and steamed scallop atop silken tofu with a mildly spicy black bean sauce. Before you yield, which you inevitably will, ensure you’ve saved some room for the delightfully refreshing watermelon chutney with aloe vera, pears and lemongrass jelly.

Peach Garden Sichuan @ Miramar
3/F Hotel Miramar, 401 Havelock Rd., 6736-3833.
Much like their other outlets, you can expect to find some seriously delectable Cantonese yum cha classics being wheeled around in those charming little trolleys. Unlike the others, this one has an added bonus element: Sichuan cuisine. Dressed in warm hues of bronze and burnt sienna with tastefully restrained furnishings, this is an ideal spot for a hearty Sunday buffet ($33.80). Expect to find familiar dishes such as steamed BBQ pork buns, pan-fried carrot cake, spare ribs with black bean sauce and egg tarts. More unusual items include deep-fried soft shell crab with plum sauce, chilled chicken in a spicy chili paste and braised eggplant with Sichuan chili. You simply can’t pass on the sweet jelly royale; the softest-set coconut jelly served in a young coconut.

Privé
#01-01/04 Marina at Keppel Bay, 2 Keppel Bay Vista, 6776-0777.
This port of call has such a great laidback vibe, it’s hard to resist the temptation to wile away the entire weekend here. Fortunately, that attitude extends to the simple, fuss-free food, which provides instant comfort and satisfaction. Case in point: The Privé ultimate breakfast ($17)—a plate full of eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms, toasted tomatoes, baked beans and arugula. They also offer chicken and mushroom béchamel pie ($15), grilled Cajun chicken wrap with mango and aioli ($14) and good old fish & chips ($17). Their bakery boasts a range of homemade goods including banana walnut muffins ($2.80), apple strudel Danishes ($1.20) and carrot and oatmeal cupcakes ($3.80). Top it off with a milkshake, in flavors such as peanut butter and jelly ($11), malted Malteasers ($12) and Kahlua with bourbon vanilla ice cream ($15), and you won’t want to leave. We suggest sitting outside by the water. The view doesn’t hurt, either.

Other Class Acts

PS. Café at ASH Park
Fine new space on the boutique street du jour.
45 Ann Siang Rd., 9797-0648.

Spruce
Wonderful verandah and killer Eggs Benny.
Phoenix Park, 320 Tanglin Rd., 6836-5528.

The White Rabbit
When was the last time you brought someone here and they weren’t impressed?
39C Harding Rd., 6473-9965.

Wild Honey
Beautiful breakfast for beautiful people.
#03-02 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Rd., 6235-3900.

Samsonite Cosmo Lite
3.2kg/28”/$870
The world’s best known  luggage brand recently  launched its lightest-ever case. Made from tough polycarbonates, it combines sleek style and durability.
Available at Samsonite, #B2-88 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Ave., 6688-7737.

Muji
2.9kg/21”/$179
Minimalist travelers will love this simply-designed, affordable bag made of high quality nylon and offering a roomy 26-liter storage space.
Available at Muji, #B4-16 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6509-9321.

Tumi Vapor
3kg/20”/$750
Thanks to a combination of super-light high performance ABS plastic and polycarbonate, this cool looking luggage item is both light and durable.  We particularly appreciate the extra tough corners and built-in wheels.
Available at Tumi, #B1-127 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Ave., 6222-1611.

Mandarina Duck Core DNA
3.3kg/20”/$506
This stylish case made of  durable nylon canvas includes an aluminum pull-out trolley. With several pockets and some expandable sections, you won’t have difficulty organizing your things.
Available at Planet Traveller, #04-15 Paragon, 290 Orchard Rd., 6732-5172.

Louis Vutton Pegase
3.5kg/21”/$3,800
Though a touch heavier (and a hell a lot pricier), LV is the must-have travel companion for high-flying jetsetters. Made from the renowned monogram canvas, the Pegase has the added bonus of coming with wheels—in case your porter needs a break.
Available at Louis Vutton, #01-16 Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd., 6334-3876.

January

Please Mr. Postman
In an eventful start to the year, for SingPost anyway, an outbreak of graffiti art targeting post boxes around the country turned out to be a misguided publicity stunt to promote the Youth Olympic Games.

Porky Problems
Not wanting to offend the Muslim community in Singapore, McDonald’s pulled the pig out of their Doraemon Chinese Zodiac toy line-up. The replacement? A cupid.

Live and Kickin’
The onslaught of great international live acts kicked off with the much-anticipated performance by Karen O and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs which had us going “Oh, yeah!” all night long.

February

Terrific Trio
Florence + The Machine, The xx and Echo and the Bunnymen took to the Esplanade stages and blew us away.

Missing the point 
Heartland ah lian Ris Low was crowned Miss Singapore-Universe, despite her mangled English and erratic mannerisms.

Basically brilliant
LTJ Bukem with MC Conrad in tow unleashed massive doses of drum ‘n’ bass on to Home Club’s floor, one of the best nightlife gigs this year.

Casino Royale
Resorts World Sentosa opens.

March

Neo Way
Formerly wholesome director of simply awful movies Jack Neo made the effortless transition to womanizer and national pariah after news of his extramarital affairs and attempted-but-failed-extramarital affairs broke.

Now You See Them…
…now you don’t. No, we’re not talking about magicians but stars and productions that promised a good show but never even showed up. They include Singapore Repertory Theatre’s Blackbird, Tom Jones and The Killers.

April

Stranded
Changi Airport became a temporary residence for many grounded travelers after the Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted.

Repeat Telecast
When you run out of ideas, recycle old ones. Restagings this year included Stella Kon’s Emily of Emerald Hill, Dick Lee’s Fried Rice Paradise and W!ld Rice’s Cinderel-LAH!.

Tres Chic!
La Maison opened next to Mimolette to offer us a slice of Parisian chic. Brought to us by hipster Parisian street artist Andre Saraiva, the club kicked off with invite-only dos attracting young models and music lovers alike.

Un-Bay-Lievable!
Marina Bay Sands roared into life on April 27 at the apparently auspicious time of 3.18pm. Things took a dip the week after, however, after the inaugural conference (involving lawyers no less) was plagued with problems. Lifts got stuck, construction noises deafened delegates, piped music in meeting rooms could not be turned off and phones were not connected, among a list of other hilarious faults.

World Gourmet Summit 2010
The 14th World Gourmet Summit saw the appearance of master chefs aplenty (including elBulli’s Ferran Adrià, L’osier’s Bruno Ménard and Ristorante Trussardi Alla Scala’s Andrea Berton).

Life’s a peach
Electro dance queen Peaches stirred the crowd during her unforgettable gig at Zirca, where she stepped all over punters, forced them to carry her and even spewed liquid on ‘em. Such a dame.

May

Oh Dear!
American DJ Matthew Dear dropped by Velvet Underground for a deep, smooth and throbbing set that had us dancing till the lights came on. Probably the best dance music set we’ve heard in a long, long time.

Party Shifts
Invite-only after-hours party people Midnight Shift threw its second do at the new La Maison. Detroit legends Octave One were on deck duties, cementing Midnight Shift’s status as one of the most-talked about parties in town.

Ooh la la
Tanjong Beach Club opened, adding a slice of St. Tropez in Sentosa. The swanky retro-luxe restaurant and bar sees the city’s who’s who fighting for space in the sun lounges.

Kode Red
Beat experimentalists Kode 9 and Kyle Hall invaded *Scape for one of the most-talked parties of the year—Heineken Green Room.

Kallang Gore
A series of random slashing robberies in Kallang struck horror into the hearts of Singaporeans before the perpetrators were quickly arrested. The gang of as many as seven attackers was made up of Sarawakians working here as odd-job laborers.  

Find out why 2010 is a year for epicureans

June

Street Style
The rights and wrongs of caning were again to the fore as Swiss software consultant Oliver Fricker was punished for graffiting an MRT train.

Sungei Orchard
In a scene straight out of a low-budget disaster movie, Orchard Road experienced its worst floods in over a century. Basement shops were completely submerged, shoppers were stranded and cars stalled on the road. For the rest of the year, every heavy downpour would be accompanied by a just-in-case flashflood warning from the National Environment Agency.

Injury Time
Having two cable TV operators in Singapore has had many “consumer benefits”: extra subscription fees, unnecessary TV table clutter and the joy of being told by a phone operator that “services are not available in your area.” Fortunately the clowns got one thing right, eventually securing the rights to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, fittingly (given their nincompoopery), at a price higher than the rest of the world.  

Beer-y Good!
A heady list of specialty beer bars, each with its own unique concept opened up this year adding more foamy goodness to the drinking scene, including Malted Milk at Studio M Hotel.

Critical Reception
The always brilliant Christopher Nolan delivered a mind-boggling and emotional tour de force of a film about the power of dreams (and reality) in the blockbuster Inception starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Who says you can’t dream big?

July

Deathwish
If ever Singapore falls in livability rankings, there’s always… die-ability. Singapore came out a respectable 18th worldwide in the inaugural “Quality of Death” index, making it the second best place in Asia to meet your demise.

Shadr-ache
Completing the hattrick of major legal incidents, veteran British journalist Alan Shadrake was arrested for alleged criminal defamation as author of the controversial book Once A Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice In The Dock. The book covers several incidents in Singapore involving the death penalty and features conversations with the jolly hangman himself Darshan Singh. Shadrake was convicted, and sentenced to six weeks in prison and over $20,000 in fines. 

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
The pop-up store concept was taken to the next level with ping pong bar Camp Pong, which lasted through October, a major hit among trendsetters and the sportier set. Can we have a pop-up bowling alley next, please?

Hit the Roof!
Together with the people behind Harry’s, Dutch expat Orhan Koc (the man who brought Supperclub here) and local veteran deejay Godwin Pereira teamed up to set up Ying Yang atop the Club Hotel. Since five of anything is proof of a trend, other rooftop bars that made their debut this year include Lantern, Fabrika, 1-Altitude and 282.

August

Why? Oh Gee
After a two year wait, the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) finally got underway. Unfortunately, so much time was spent talking about Singapore’s quality as a venue that nobody bothered to get the public excited about the actual sports. The result? Nearly empty venues for many events.

Tab Out
New live music venue Tab opened at Orchard Hotel. Its slew of hot acts quickly made it a contender on the scene.

Biggest Loser
The house always wins. Someone who can testify to that is Henry Quek, managing director of a seafood supply company, who managed to lose $26,000,000 at Resorts World Sentosa.

Young Guns
Newbie filmmaker Boo Junfeng proved his mettle with his solid debut Sandcastles, which was also shown at the Cannes Film Festival. The young Han Yew Kwang also premiered his comedy When Hainan Meets Teochew to mostly positive reviews a few months later.

Sing Along Now
30 Seconds to Mars, Smashing Pumpkins and Kanye West turned up the volume and brought the open space of Fort Canning Park to life with their performances at SingFest.  

September

The Return of the Kingpin
Terrorist leader Mas Selamat Kastari was finally brought back to Singapore more than two years after he escaped from the Whitley Road Detention Centre. It would later emerge that he had escaped by climbing out of an unsecured toilet window and received assistance from his brother and his family who helped disguise him as a woman.

Filter In
Touted as a “members-only” club, hip hop and R&B music joint Filter opened with a strict door policy, with memberships given only to a select group of clients and friends.

Race Matters
The Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix returned for a third successful run. Fernando Alonso reigned supreme once again, this time without the help of a suspicious crash.

Nightlife Revs Up
Ku Dé Ta opened to much fanfare at the Sands SkyPark thanks to that unbeatable view and the allure of that pool. Infinity has never been so desirable.

Simply Divine
Mick Hucknall enthralled with his silky, soulful renditions of classics like “Stars” and ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now” in an emotional farewell concert.

M-m-m-Mayer
German Michael Mayer zipped up the Velvet dancefloor with his unpredictable mix of minimal tech, house, disco and obscure psychedelic tunes. More, baby, more.

Avalon and Beyond
Upcoming superclub Avalon gave us a peek at what’s to come in 2011 over the F1 weekend with two nights of parties featuring The Chemical Brothers, Steve Aoki, Steve Angello and Flo Rida. It was THE party of the month.

October

Farewell Mrs. Lee
Singaporeans collectively mourned the death of Mdm. Kwa Geok Choo who passed away at the age of 89.

Hazy Daze
Just when it’d been gone long enough for us to forget about it (but not long enough that we’d actually appreciate it), the haze returned to Singapore.

The Korean Wave
Things started spiraling out of control after the sold out Korean Pop Night concert. Group concerts (MNET Ultimate Live), Korean dance shows (Sachoom) and countless mini showcases and fan meetings (with the various Lees, Parks and Kims) caused bottlenecks in the Sistic queues and a flurry in local entertainment media.

Fang You
Jangly pop tunes have never been more infectious than in the hands of preppie indie upstarts Vampire Weekend, who dropped by the Esplanade.

Gangster Blitz
19-year-old Republic Polytechnic student Darren Ng was brutally hacked to death by a group of youths at Downtown East, leading to a media frenzy over gang-related issues. In subsequent weeks there was barely a newspaper story that didn’t mention our wayward youths.

Face It
The socio-drama The Social Network was this year’s best film under the assured direction of David Fincher, starring Jesse Eisenberg as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

November

Lip Lock
Quirky stage sets (including what looked like a giant vagina) and lots of confetti took centerstage at The Flaming Lips concert. Too bad the sound system was shit, but we had fun.

Dark Twisted fantasy
It’s been a bumper year for sexual perversion in Singapore. Upskirters, serial molesters, a father sleeping with his daughter, a teacher seducing a student, a student seducing a teacher, a principal “acting inappropriately” towards a teacher and a child porn downloader. One extraordinary degenerate convicted in November managed to sneak his semen into his colleague’s drink. Twice.

Blockbuster Art Shows 
We’re proud to have played host to some of the biggest, most revolutionary exhibitions (Trans Cool TOKYO and Pompeii: Life in a Roman Town 79CE, among many others) in the global arts scene this year. The Affordable Art Fair made its debut opening here with great success but the real scene stealer was the Singapore Toys, Games and Comics Convention, which attracted over 21,000 visitors.

The End of an Era
Prominent local jock Tony Tay left Zouk, leaving many disappointed breakbeat and prog house fans. Not to mention big shoes to fill for whoever takes over his spot. He now spins for Zirca.  

December

Sticks And Stones
Who said you grow out of name calling? Thanks to WikiLeaks we learnt that Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew referred to North Koreans “psychopathic types” and singled out their leader Kim Jong Il as a “flabby old chap.” MM Lee also described dealing with Myanmar’s military junta as akin to “talking to dead people.”

Perfect 10
The mother of all dance parties celebrated its 10th anniversary, attracting a record 30,000 revelers to Siloso Beach. This installment of ZoukOut proved to be one of the most exciting yet and sold out in a matter of hours.

Groovy, Baby 
Two more great gigs by techno maestros Luciano and Tiefschwarz signed off this year’s unprecedented nightlife offerings.

Top of the World
High street staple Topshop opened its biggest store yet at new mall Knightsbridge. Fashionistas went on a shopping spree just in time for Christmas—bearing mainly gifts for themselves.

The folks: The first estate to produce and bottle their wines on-premises, Chateau Mouton-Rothschild in Pauillac, Bordeaux, is one of the acclaimed, first growth Bordeaux estates, and their wines can go for hundreds and thousands of dollars. In the 1930’s, after a bad grape harvest, Baron Phillipe de Rothschild created a second wine, which eventually developed its own popularity, even though the baron felt it wasn’t deserving of the Mouton-Rothschild name. The word ‘cadet’ refers to ‘youngest son,’ which implies that the Mouton Cadet is the runt of the litter. Nevertheless, it is a huge brand and the best-selling Bordeaux in the world, due to a combination of name and affordability.

The grape:  The fame of the Bordeaux region wines lies in the winemakers’ ability to blend several varietals. This one is a blend of 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, all typical varietals of the Bordeaux region. Merlot, which constitutes the majority of this blend, is typically medium-bodied and less intense and tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Franc is a milder version of the Cabernet Sauvignon and is almost always grown to be used in a blend. It can lend some heady fruits and floral tones to the overall composition, such as cassis and even violet.

The label: Bordeaux wines almost never bear the name of the varietals on the bottle. Instead they simply say Bordeaux. Also, in a first wine of Mouton-Rothschild, the appellation would read Appellation Pauillac Controlee. But the Mouton Cadet has a general Bordeaux appellation. This is because the demand for the wine has been so huge that the chateau has had to bring in grapes from other vineyards in the region. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as the popularity of the wine attests, though serious wine connoisseurs obviously would turn up their noses.

The look: A luscious garnet color.

The smell: Dark fruits like blackberry, some pepper and even hints of toast. The Cabernet composition is obvious in the pleasant, slightly musty aroma.

The sip: Dry yet fruity, with balanced tannins. Newcomers may not find it very easy to drink, but it’s a good introduction to serious wines, without actually being one, at a fraction of the price.

The food: Heavy meats and/or strong sauces. Lamb, game or even fish in heavy, creamy sauces or red wine reductions.

The damage: B1,250 at various stores and supermarkets such as Villa, Foodland and Tesco.

January 2010

The Lake House

18 Sukhumvit 39 Soi Phrom Mitr, 02-662-6349. Open daily 5pm-midnight
When The Lake House first opened, it had residents of the neighborhood flocking to enjoy the wine tastings and the loungey sala-like tables perched over the khlong running under this 100-year-old house. A storm and a fallen tree meant an enforced closure but they’re now open again, and we’re looking forward to returning for the wine, tapas, giant turtle and tropical jungle vibe.

Iron Fairies

394 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thong Lor), 084-520-2301. Open Mon-Sat 6pm-2am
The Dickensian-style, soot-laden fairy factory that serves burgers, potato wedges and lethal punch has been a runaway hit this year, managing to be successful across diverse ages, style groups and income brackets. It’s also a rare tiny standalone with a legit jazz band that plays regularly. And with the opening of its sister bar and eatery, Fat Gut’z ten paces away, leading to the addition of fish and chips as well burgers to the menu, our gastronomic esteem for Iron Fairies is quite high.

February 2010

Triplets

6/F, Parnjit Tower, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thong Lor), 02-712-8066. Open Wed-Sun 6-10pm
It may be tucked away in an office building, but Triplets is the only Western place to stock all-Thai ingredients (save for their olive oil and chocolate). That and Chef Nate’s warmth and expert handling from within the open kitchen makes Triplets a delightful opening this year.

April 2010

4 Garcons

1/F, Oakwood Residence, 113 Thong Lor 13, 02-713-9547. Open daily 11:30am-11pm
Who doesn’t love success stories involving wealthy professionals deciding to open a vanity restaurant that actually ends up being legitimately good and expertly-run? Especially when they’re so rare. Here, a doctor, a chemist, a lawyer and a finance guy got together to reignite Bangkok’s long-cooling love affair with French food, avoiding stuffy atmospheres and high prices, in favor of a brasserie serving simple fare: mussels, stews, cheeses, tartes and baguettes. And they don’t compromise on the details, evident in the exquisitely trained waitstaff who offer D’Sens levels of service.

JULY 2010

Phuket Town

160/8 Thong Lor Soi 6, 02-714-9402. Open daily 10:30am-10pm
Just a cute Thong Lor shophouse that’s packed every night and serves fiery and pungent dishes from down South like kanom jeen nam ya poo and kai thod kamin. The young owner, the little Sino-Portuguese touches and the wall-sized Phuket Town mural distinguish this homey place from other mom and pop shops.

Boran

2/F, Exchange Tower, 388 Sukhumvit Rd., 088-022-4022. Open Mon-Fri 7:30am-8:30pm, Sat-Sun 10:30am-8:30pm
A throwback to good, simple Thai food in this year full of fanciness, Boran (not to be confused with Bo.Lan) serves khao tom in the morning and kway tiaw reua and dim sum during the day and evening, in a relaxed space in the otherwise business-like Exchange Tower. It’s cheap, delicious and a bit of a master stroke by a first-time restaurateur. That and it manages to reminds us of both Chinatown and floating markets.

SEPTEMBER 2010

Soul Food Mahanakorn

56/10 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thong Lor), 085-904-2691. Open Tue-Sun 6:30pm-1am
A Scandanavian-decked shophouse serving regional dishes, Soul Food Mahanakorn has been a huge hit in the last third of the year. It packs both floors most nights with the young and the beautiful clamoring for Jarrett Wrisley’s strong signature cocktails and small plates of conscientiously-executed regional dishes like kai thod Hat Yai, khao soy, Muslim chicken samosas, shrimp satay and a whole host of daily specials.

Nahm

G/F, Metropolitan, Sathorn Rd., 02-625-3333. Open daily 7-11pm
Yes they’ve been the flashpoint of a minor controversy among Thai foodies and writers making some ridiculous claims about ethnicity and authenticity. But we don’t care. We think the food at Nahm is special and delicious and, considering it’s a seven-course meal in fine dining surroundings, not that expensive. David Thompson and Tanongsak Yordwai should be congratulated for ressurecting old-school recipes and executing them with long-lost time, care and attention.

Sra Bua

Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, 991/9 Rama 1 Rd., 02-162-9000. BTS Siam. Open Tue-Sat 6-11pm
We had a slight hesitation over adding a second Michelin-starred place to our list, especially considering the high prices (at least B1,800) you have to pay to experience their set menu of innovative Thai dishes. Then again, you won’t find the likes of red curry ice cream, or tom yam separated into a simple broth to be sipped with bite-sized herb jellies, being served elsewhere in town. Throw in soaring ceilings, soft, shimmering lighting, mini-rice fields and smooth service and you’ve got a good argument for why god invented sugar daddies.

OCTOBER 2010

Serenade

G/F, Grass, 264/1 Thong Lor Soi 10, 02-713-8409. Open daily 5:30-midnight
This astroturfed mini community mall has been all the rage this year, and its shining light, for us at least, has been this bar and tapas place by the former chef of Embassy. We like the strong double-pours of their inventive signature cocktails and the ever-changing menu of innovative small plates like seared pork belly on pickled radicchio and grilled longan salad.

What 2011 Needs

1. A soul food buffet (Southern African-American cuisine)

2. Something like Noma, the Danish restaurant
 

3. A Jamie Oliver 15-style restaurant that serves amazing food and trains underprivileged young adults in cooking and service.

New Year’s

If You Can't Beat 'Em
Join the crowds and let loose at these countdown parties.
The whole of Clarke Quay will be filled with merrymakers from all walks of life, partying the night away as host Daniel Ong takes charge at Poplicious—Clarke Quay's New Year’s Eve Countdown Party (10pm. Central, Clarke Quay, 3 River Valley Rd., 6337-3292. Free). Featuring an array of top international and local talents, celebrate the New Year with music from local hard rock band Energy, the quirky Flash Mob dancers, B-Boyz and Fly Girls breaking to the tunes of beat-boxers, cheerleaders, DJs and YouTube sensation, impersonator Derrick Barry, who will be channeling his inner Lady Gaga and Britney Spears.
With television personalities Michelle Chia and Gurmit Singh taking on mic duties,

Celebrate 2011 (8pm. The Float @ Marina Bay, Marina Bay Floating Platform, 20 Raffles Ave. $38) features not only a star-studded line up but will also be beamed live onto our TV screens. Performances by Taiwanese songwriter David Tao and Singapore Idol winner Sezairi Sezali and runner-up Sylvia Ratonel will have you partying the night away.

Siloso Beach Party (6pm. Siloso Beach, Sentosa, 1800-736-8672. $29-29 includes one drink) is also back. Take off your shoes, hit the beach and bar hop to five different beach parties at Sentosa this New Year’s Eve with thousands of revelers. Catch local and international DJs and video DJs performing mash up pop, R&B, trance and electro-house at the main arena for a night of mayhem!

Spinning Around
Music lovers are spoilt for choice with an array of top local and international acts in town for the biggest night of the year.
Start your New Year off right with a dose of trance at Zouk’s New Year’s Eve party with Marco V (10pm. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. $$40 includes two drinks) The Dutchman, whose sets never failed to please, will be spinning a special four-hour set for the first time ever in Singapore.

Party on to the wee hours of the morning as Daniel Wang takes you on a winding trip through music at The Crystal Ball—The New Year’s Eve Special (10pm. The Rabbit Hole, White Rabbit, 39C Harding Rd., 6473-9965. Free).

Or head on down to the beach and dance the night away with some quality dance tunes at DOOMPH! & Beyond 2010 (9pm. Tanjong Beach Club, 120 Tanjong Beach Walk, 6270-1355. Free). Led by ex-Zouk resident Brendon P and Matty Wainwright from the UK, together with a fire twirler performance by Starlight Alchemy; this party is an ideal alternative for anyone who wants something a little different.

Fire in the Sky
What’s a New Year party without fireworks?
Head up to Ku Dé Ta and come face to face with the dazzling display of light and colors and welcome 2011 at the Spectacular Fireworks Countdown New Year’s Eve Party (6pm. Ku Dé Ta, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-7688. $188 includes two glasses of champagne).
Celebrate your New Year with the best view in town at New Year’s Eve White Party (9pm. 1-Altitude, 61-63/F OUB Centre, 1 Raffles Place, 6438-0410. $68 includes three drinks) and pop champagne as the fireworks spectacle sets up the year ahead.
Dine under the stars and the impending firework display at Star Light & Star Bright New Year's Eve Dinner (IndoChine Waterfront, 1 Empress Place, Asian Civilizations Museum, 6339-1720. $198 includes six-course meal and free flow of wine and beer). Then be wowed by the performance of local rock band Cats in the Cradle as they close 2010 with a bang.

Christmas

Live It Up 
"Champagne wishes and caviar dreams,” was the signature phrase spoken by host Robin Leach after every episode of Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous. He'd be right at home here. 
Come Christmas Eve, make a beeline for the Diamond White Christmas at Ku Dé Ta (Dec 24-25, 7pm. Marina Bay Sands 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-7688) with its dinner package (from $288) boasting an expansive menu which includes crispy-sticky long island oysters, four-month aged baeri caviar on wagyu beef tartare and various cheeses, cakes and sweets of the season from pastry chef Bastien Jarry. Subsequently, get in your party mode with a glass of Louis Roederer Champagne as the night gets under way at the club lounge ($98 includes a glass of Chamapagne).
Looking to rub shoulders with the city's who’s who this Christmas? Then head 71 floors up to New Asia Bar (Dec 24-25, 9pm. 71/F, Swissotel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Rd., 6837-3322) for a swanky good time at their City Space Extravagance event ($200-250 per table for two, including a bottle of Moet & Chandon Rose champagne). Sip that Champagne and make a toast to the festivities amid a lavish setting and stunning views of the city skyline.

Join the Club
Christmas is a time for giving—and look out what our big clubs are giving you! 
On Christmas Eve, superstar Dutch DJ and producer Sander Kleinenberg will be dishing some hot fire festive tunes at Zouk (Dec 24, 10pm. 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. $30-35 includes two drinks). And on Christmas Day, French deck maestro Dimitri from Paris will lead the charge at Velvet Underground (Dec 25, 10pm. 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. $30-35 includes two drinks) with a myriad of funky and disco-influenced house music while trance legend Ferry Corsten looks set to jingle your bells to a euphoric high in the main room ($30-35 includes two drinks).
An insane Christmas party awaits at Zirca (Dec 24-25, 10pm. #01-02/05 Blk. C The Cannery, Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6333-4168) with two days of dance music mayhem. Rocking the decks on the eve of Christmas are local stalwart Inquisitive and Taiwanese DJ Mykal for their “X’mas Vendetta” night ($25-28 includes two drinks), ensuring they’ll bring the roof down with their brand of dirty electro and pulsating techno. On Christmas day, check out “Music Sounds Better With You: X'mas Party” ($25-28 includes two drinks) featuring the Round Table Knights hailing all the way from Switzerland. The idea of riotous merrymaking is hard to argue with.
Thought about heading up to Korea for Christmas but didn't get around to booking? Then let Stereolab (Dec 24,10pm. G/F 7 Raffles Blvd. 6337-0800. $28 includes two drinks) sort it out for you with not one but two DJs. Aptly titled “A Seoulful Christmas,” DJs Jung and Min-Gi will be dropping some seminal dance tunes while counting down towards Christmas.

Pig Out and Party
If you're going to drink, you'd better eat first. 
What’s Christmas without a feast? And what better place to have that feast than somewhere you can party immediately afterward? Head over to St James Wine Bar & Bistro for A Yuletide Special (Dec 24-25, 6pm. St. James Power Station, 3 Sentosa Gateway, 6270-7676), featuring a 3-course dinner for $58 per person. If you want to be closer to the river, a similar deal is on offer at Shanghai Dolly. Their Christmas Dinner 2010 (Dec 24-25, 6pm. #01-01 The Foundry, Clarke Quay, 3B River Valley Rd., 6336-7676) also goes for $58 a head.