Who doesn’t like to chill out at a small, cute café. In fact, for all the mushrooming of Starbucks and True coffee all over the city in recent years, we’ve also been seeing a lot of smaller coffee places opening up, many distinguishing themselves by selling fashion items to go with your coffee and snacks.

Nusara Chankaew, co-owner of 9cafe-closet, says, “At first we just wanted to have a place where we could gather, chat and chill out. But then the ideas got bigger. I love bakeries while my friends love fashion so we decided to combine the two.”

An online retailer of brand name bags, Sirima Kijpermpool, also known as Sophia, came up with a similar idea, which culminated in her four-month-old coffee shop which displays and sells brand name accessories. “I have always been passionate about brand name bags and I’d always thought of opening this type of cafe. When I actually saw one in Singapore, it confirmed that I should build one of my own here,” explains Sophia. “It’s a place where my customers can sit back and relax while also enjoying a conversation about brand name products over cups of coffee and tasty desserts.”
But FABB Fashion café, once a buzzing place, finally closed down after few years. Could this be a repeat of the internet café trend? “I don’t know how long it will last, but I just do my best to carry it on,” says Sophia.

9cafe-closet

1749/1, Town in Town 3/1, Ladprao Soi 94, 02-530-8233.
Open daily 10am-10pm. www.9cafecloset.com
A cute, hodge-podge concept combining Thai dishes, creamy desserts, coffee, and of course, fashion. You can either choose to chill with your friends inside, or have a seat outdoors for a romantic dinner with your date. But don’t miss checking out their collection of fashion items ranging from the princess blouses and skirts, to sharp cut pants and dresses imported from abroad, as well as exclusive and trendy designs by one of the co-owners. Prices start from B300-400.

Sophia Sweet Café

29-100, RCA, Rama 9 Rd., 084-421-6776. Open Mon-Fri 7.30am-8pm, Sat-Sun 10.30 am-7.30pm. www.sophia-brandname.com
If you happen to have an eye for glossy handbags, yearnings for both chic and cozy and a taste for coffee with low-fat ice cream, and homemade desserts, consider stopping by here after work. Apart from the free Wi-Fi, bag-obsessed ladies can also share their fondness for high-end handbags with like-minded fashionistas.

Montra Café

56 Yada Bldg. 1/F, Silom Rd., Suriyawongse, Bangrak,
089-483-0859, 087-681-9051, 02-662-6196.
Open daily 7am-11pm. www.montrajewelry.com
Two sisters, a baker and a jewelry designer are behind this cozy café bathed in mysterious purple, offering office workers around Silom good coffee, baked goods and a spot of lunchtime accessories shopping.

It’s Happened to be a Closet

2/F, Emporium, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-664-7211. Open Daily 10am-10pm. http://itshappenedtobeacloset.wordpress.com
The shop started small, ages ago, in Siam Square Soi 4, and has expanded its branches over the past few years, both here and abroad. The Emporium one has an charming café setting at the front and a dining area that gives an open kitchen atmosphere. The inside packs a variety of colorful clothes cluttered around the shop. All the garments are unique designs, and mostly inspired by a sense of vintage without any overtly trendy influences. The place also offers also lots of other, services like nail manicure, hairdressing, and foot massage. For more privacy, book their private room and you’ll be able to dine away from the Emporium foot traffic.

Popping in for a boob job or a bigger nose feels about as common now as getting highlights in your hair. We talk to people who decided to go under the knife and get the ultimate makeover. Why did they do it, how did it feel and, most importantly, what do they think about the results? Are the expense and pain of elective surgery really worth a brand new look?

BREAST IMPLANT

The PATIENT: Miss B., 25
The PLACE: Piyavet Hospital
The Cost: B120,000

Why did you decide to get breast implants?
I had always been dissatisfied with the way my body looked and I really wanted to get my boobs done to boost my self-esteem. I wanted to look better. It’s also easier when selecting and wearing clothes.
How did you choose the hospital?
The surgeon’s skill was my first priority, followed by price. I asked other people, mostly my friends, or friends of friends who’d had it done. Asking people I could trust who were satisfied with the results and getting to touch their breasts was helpful reference.
What was the process before the operation?
I met with the doctor and had an initial consultation where I selected the breast size I wanted. After that it was a matter of showing up and the hospital did the rest. Having a friend stay with you to help afterwards is really recommended.
What about the operation itself?
They injected me with anesthetic so I wasn’t conscious during the surgery. It only took about 30 minutes to get the breasts done.
How did you feel afterwards?
The pain wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be when I woke up. It just felt like the muscles and fibers in my chest were being stretched. I also had a cramp in my back caused by staying in one position for a long time. I think that was the worst part.
How long did it take to recover?
I felt no pain after the second day, and was able to drive on the third day after surgery. The swelling lasted for about two weeks.
Was it worth it?
I am now more confident with how I look. I am pleased with my body with and without clothes. I’d say I’m 100 percent happy with the result. I really made the right decision.

What the Doc Says

”The biggest problem that breast implant patients face is that the outcome looks unreal or stiff. Choosing the implant size is an important decision. To avoid disappointing results, the person needs to understand their body size. Don’t just focus on having it big, but instead, look for something that’ll make your body proportionate. Also, try to research as much as you can about the implants that your doctor is planning to use. Don’t trust the sales, and don’t count too much on friends’ feedback.”
—Dr. Chartchai, Rattanamahattana, Samitivej Hospital

Boob Job Facts

1.The incision actually takes place in the armpit area so you will have a slight scar.
2. After the scar vanishes, the patient will need to massage their new breasts for the next six months after surgery. This is to make the breasts soften and look more natural.
3. The recovery period for small surgery like eyelid surgery will only take around 1-2 weeks, while breast surgery patients need to rest for about one month.
Source: Yanhee Hospital

NOSE JOB (RHINOPLASTY)

• THE PATIENT: MISS S., age 21
• The PLACE: Dr. Somsak Khunjuk’s Clinic
• The Cost: B75,000

Why did you choose to get a nose job?
I wasn’t very satisfied with my natural appearance and always wanted to have a more exotic look. Most of my friends had done it, so it kind of made me feel that plastic surgery wasn’t such a big deal.
How did you choose the clinic? Before picking a place, I did a lot of online research and also got my friends’ testimonials. My friends are pretty familiar with the industry and so I gained a lot of insight from them. The Internet was also a very good source. They have the best doctors ranked, based on each type of surgery.
Were you anxious?
I went in for the consultation and by the next day, I was up on the table, ready for the chop. I wasn’t very well prepared, so I got nervous and kept thinking about the pain at the end of the surgery.
How did it go?
I wasn’t unconscious so I sensed almost everything the doctor did to my face. First he injected my nose with lots of anesthetic, which really hurt. I wanted the doctor to stop but I knew there’s no beauty without pain, so I endured it. I saw the doctor carve a silicon stick before he asked me my preferred style. I hadn’t thought about that so I let him chose. After the doctor finished carving, he drilled a hole in my nose, before inserting the silicon piece inside. He then fiddled with the stick until it fit perfectly.
And after the operation?
Near the end of the operation the anesthetic wore off and I could feel everything. It was horrifying, but I didn’t want to be injected with anesthetic again so I just had to bear it. Out of the room, I didn’t feel anything much, but there was a constant ache and some parts of my face were kind of bloated.
How long did the pain last?
About a week after the surgery, I went back to get the stitches removed. The pain started to fade after 3 days, but the swelling took about 2 weeks to go down. I think it took me about a month to be fully recovered.
Was it worth it?
The surgery helped boost my confidence, and I’ve got a lot of compliments saying how pretty my nose structure looks now. I really like the result of the surgery and I am certainly more than 100 percent satisfied. Other people might feel that their noses look fake after the job, but I think mine looks very natural.

KNOW Your Nose

During the surgery, the surgeon will have to drill the nose bone to make an opening wound, just large enough to insert the silicone. After shaping the nose, the doctor may then need to use a band aid or cast to stop the stick from moving around or changing shape.
Source: Yanhee Hospital

์ำNext: Facelift, Sex Change, Double Eyelid Surgery

Ratchawong (N 5)

Get off at one of the oldest piers in Bangkok and you’ll be within walking distance of Yaowarat and the always-bustling Sampeng Market. Head there for wholesale prices on small gifts, accessories and even some ready-to-wear options. Opens around 10am and closes early before the sunset around 5pm—get there early!

Saphan Phut (N 6)

Deserted during day time, the road under the Saphan Phut and Rama 7 bridges becomes a bustling market with more than a hundred stalls selling secondhand clothes, washed-out jeans, old shoes and silver accessories attracting lost of van boys and skoi girls. Not interested? Get a ten-minute portrait sketch or try the fried squid eggs.

Wanglang (N 10)

Where: Get off at Wanglang Pier (all boats)
Who: Dek naew dig up vintage gems hidden in piles of old junk while neighboring hospital employees fill their tummies.
When: Open from 8am for food and 10am for shopping till 6pm, but avoid noon-1pm when the market is packed with lunching office workers.
Hot Shops:
(10) 59/1 (087-693-1559. Open 9:30am-6:30pm). Named after the shop’s address and enshrined in dazzling purple walls, 59/1 sells ready-to-wear not unlike what’s in Siam Square. (Hope you like floral prints.) Except here, it’s around 30% cheaper, starting from around B290 for a dress and around B300 for a pair of high heels.
(11)Ma Ha Eng (080-979-9794. Open 10am-6pm). Not far from 59/1 you’ll find handmade earrings, hair pins, and necklaces studded with glittering crystal. Prices vary, depending on how bling it is, but nothing more than B280.
(12)So Pah (Wanglang Plaza, 080-946-8383. Open 11am–6pm) So Pah is a unisex fashion shop in Wanglang Plaza. Shirts (B199-B590) are relatively colorful and neatly cut but the trendy designs mean they get last season even faster.
(13) Almost Famous (Wanglang Plaza, 083-783-0303. 11am-6pm). Enough of this no-name stuff. Let’s get you some brand names. Almost Famous, in Wanglang Plaza next to the Top Charoen eyeglasses store, is a brand name that can only be found in Wanglang and Jatujak Market. This is a family run business so they are extra careful with the quality of their materials. The blouses are self-designed and handmade, but the T-shirts are from elsewhere, so make sure to check the tag. Prices of the shirts start at B290, and B700 for dresses. You can also buy jeans for B690.
The Vintage Market. A plot of around 50 shops selling different kinds of secondhand products. Our picks include a shop that sells shorts at B60 a pair and (14) a shop where you can find leather jackets (around B790) and (15) boots (B350 a pair) for your next winter holiday.
Market meal: Follow the queues and head to the popular (16) Wanglang Bakery, a favorite for its bread stuffed with floss and chili paste (B30). An old, open-air eatery, (17) Chuan Aroi (9:30am-10pm) whips up Thai dishes like pla samli ma muang (B70) and khua gaeng koong (B70).

Thewet (N15)

Where: Get off at Thewet Pier (all boats).
Who: Garden lovers go for their horticultural and floral needs.
When: The market opens 6:30am-6:30pm but we recommend you go between 10am-3pm to avoid the jams caused by parents dropping their little darlings at one of at least five schools in the area.
Hot Shops:
(18) Pis Prom (081-905-0917. Open daily 6:30am-6pm). Despite the small size of the shop Pis Prom is packed high with cactus and bonsai in a wide range of types and sizes. Prices start from as low as B20 but can rise to more than B10,000 if the owner needs to import a plant from Japan to meet your specific needs. She even flies there herself to pick out the best ones, too.
(19) Chor Prayong (02-282-6425. Open daily 7:30am-6:30pm). While the freshness and quality of the flowers found at the market is pretty standard across the board we have a soft spot for Chor Prayong thanks to their super friendly vendors. We love the bright yellow marigolds (B20 each) and the big pot of gypsy flowers (B180).
(20) Napaporn (02-282-7482). Located at the mouth of the street, this is where you get the hardcore gardening stuff, from trowels and trellises to fertilizers.
Market meals: There are two riverside restaurants located at the far end of the street to choose between.(21) In Love (02-281-2900) offers Thai dishes and seafood and a more upscale ambiance and is popular among locals and well-off NGO employees. For a more fun vibe, head to (22) Khao Tha Pub and Restaurant (089-450-3958, www.khaotha.com), which is located right next door to the pier in an old school house and serves up hot and spicy dishes alongside booze and live music.

Phra Athit (13)

Where: Get off at Phra Athit Pier if you the take slow boat or an orange-flag boat. Get off at Phra Pinklao Pier if you take yellow-flag or green-flag boat, and take a ferry.
Who: Indie kids meet backpackers, thanks to its location between tourist central Khaosan and Thammasat and Silpakorn universities.
When: No actual market but shops open from around 11-1am but go after 4pm once the sun starts to set.
Hot Shops:
(23) The Trapeze Swinger (081-908-1381. Open daily 1-9pm). Hidden in a small alley that connects Phra Arthit and Ram Butri roads, this is undoubtedly the coolest shop in the soi. A couple who fell in love with vintage fashion and music share their passion with others by selling their exclusive collections of retro fashion items, rock-band t-shirts, old CDs and cassettes, even vinyl discs.
(24) The Chonabod (089-494-5669, siamruaymidi.blogspot.com). If you know Siam Ruay, a famous t-shirt store in Chatuchak Market, then you already know what they sell here. If you don’t, then these guys take their design inspiration from popular Thai culture (think famous phrases and funny images) and apply it to everything from screen print tees to notebooks and mugs.
Market meal: Grab seats at  (26) Aquatini (02-280-9955) or (27) The Old Phra Arthit Pier (02-2812-9202) for a superb river view and touristy tastes. For a more local fare, try food at  (28) Take a Seat (02-766-6102) that serves favorite Thai dishes and  (29) Saffron (02-281-4228) for its famed cheesecake.

If you still got some energy left after all that market hopping, check out Ratchawong and Saphan Phut, two market giants you shouldn't miss out on.

Getting There

Tourist boat: Stops at Central Pier (BTS Saphan Taksin), N1, N3, N5, Wat Kanlayanamit Pier, N8, Maharat Pier, N10, N13. Daily 9:30am-7:30pm.
No flag: Stops every pier. Mon-Fri 6:20-8:05am, 3-5:30pm.
Orange flag: Stops at Central Pier, N1, N3-6, N8-10, N12-13, N15-16, N18, N21-22, N24, N29/1-30. Daily 6am-7pm.
Yellow & Green flag. Stops at Central Pier, N3, N5, N9, N10, N12, N15-16, N24, N30, N32-33. Mon-Fri 6:15-8:10am, 3:30-6:05pm.
Yellow flag. Stops at Central Pier, N3, N5, N10, N12, N15, N22, N24, N30. Mon-Fri 6:15-8:30am, 3:30-8pm.

Klongsan (N3)

Where: Get off the express boat at Si Phraya pier (N3) and take a cross-river ferry.
Who: Thonburi residents picking up bargain outfits on the way home.
When: Daily from 10am-9:30pm but go from 2pm onwards.
Hot Shops:
(1) Donman Shoe (089-146-0645). Although very last season (or even three seasons ago), Gladiator sandals are still a street fashion must-have thanks to their perfect fit with Bangkok weather. Pairs of shoes at Donman are made from genuine leather and are affordably priced at B150-450. Can’t find your size? Place your order and come back a day later to pick them up.

(2) Bung Bag Shop (089-130-3889). This vintage-bag heaven is where indie kids rummage through hundreds of pieces the owner brings back from Rong Kleua Market every week. Ranging from faux-retro to authentic luxe brand names, their prices are just as eclectic: B400-4,500.
(3) Sakda Karnwaen (02-437-4834). In love with nerdy glasses? Can’t afford Chanel or Oliver Peoples? Well how does B190-250 a pair sound? Since it’s also a proper optical shop, you can get your lenses done here, too.
Market meals: The one and only, the famous, the irresistibly sweet (4) Bua Loy Khai Wan Klongsan (081-697-5971) serves up a perfect combination of mochi-like balls and sweetened coconut milk. B12 or B18 with egg.

Prachan (N10)

Where: Get off at Wanglang Pier and take a ferry or get off at Ta Chang Pier and walk.
Who: Oldies and monks go for amulets while Thammasat and Silapakorn kid, grab bohemian finds and have their fortune told.
When: The amulet market is open from around 9am-7pm but for the other stuff, it’s better to head there after the uni kids finish class, from 3-6pm.
Hot Shops:
(5) Leum Mai Long (087-702-2188. Open daily 11am-7pm). Repeatedly featured in magazines, this shop is packed with dek naew searching for ironic luk thung t-shirts or nostalgic Ts with vintage prints and ancient Thai typography. Prices are between B150- B350.
(6) @Means (087-323-9136. Open daily 11am-7:30pm). Stylish and easy to wear, @Means is a one-stop shop for girls on a tight budget (B200-450) and schedule. With cute shoes, bags and even cosmetics, the shop can have your new look sorted within minutes.
(7) Passion (084-676-6813. Open daily 12pm-7pm). By the wall of a famous music store, Nong Ta Prachan, lies a large collection of gypsy fashion accessories. This colorful stall is enchanting. It has everything from feather earrings to rings with mysterious stones. Our pick? The dream catcher necklace (B159). Most of the products are handmade, with a few imports from Vietnam and Nepal. We sometimes get the feeling a few have magical properties—well, if only the ability to turn heads.
(8) Rodsaniyom (086-565-9517. Open daily 12pm-5pm) Located out in the open, right on the street, Rodsaniyom has two parts to it: glasses and women’s clothes. The clothes (B390-B790) are self-designed and are handmade—mostly brand copies with a pattern or detail added for good measure. The other stall sells fashionable glasses and sunglasses (B199-B290), but please make sure to change the lenses.
(9) Nong (www.nongtaprachan.com). Before there was Thai Ticketmaster, Nong Tha Prachan was where you lined up for tickets to P’Bird and other hot artist concerts. Even though its glory days have gone, this tiny shop is still one of the first places you can get the newest CD singles from Thai and international artists.
(10) A secondhand book shop (Open daily 10am-6pm). The uncle sells old Thai and international magazines with a variety of selections from fashion like Vogue to home decoration magazines. Prices can be as low as B20-35 for Thai magazines and B75 up for international issues.
Market meals: Ignore the grumpy stall vendor’s dirty nails and just try the yummy (11) grilled bananas stall that has beeb at Tha Prachan for as long as we could remember.

Next

Ensogo.com

With nearly 50,000 members, the #1 player is already breaking its deals down into various areas of Bangkok and five other cities (Hua Hin, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Korat and Pattaya). The F&B offerings are lackluster (Narai Pizzeria, Café Kaldi) and you can’t help but wonder about dental clinics offering 82% discounts (remember the clinic has to offer a cut to Ensogo on top of that).

Thaicitydeals.com

Thaicitydeals just opened, with a 60% deal on Paris Bangkok (B200 for a B500 voucher). This is the first F&B deal we see on a Groupon clone that actually had us fingering our credit card. But it’s way too early to tell if they will be able to maintain their high standards.

Dealdidi.com

We’ve been staring at Dealdidi’s zero sales on a Club Med stay in Bali (50% off) for 48 hours—not a good sign. There are already too many discount travel websites that hotel rooms are not the best match for deal-a-day websites, which normally focus on local shops, restaurants and services. For example, Dealdidi sold 48 half-off coupons for the Heineken beer garden (pay B240, get a B480 voucher). Cheers to that.

Coupon.sanook.com

More uninspiring coffee shops and clinics but a few travel deals worth noting. For example, Aana Resort & Spa has an 88% approval rating on Trip Advisor and looks very cute. Its B5,000 vouchers went for B1,990. Sweet!

Tiktokthai.com

While it only features one deal a day, we love the clean layout which comes with a decent photo slideshow and a Google map. There's no need for never-ending clicking or scrolling down either as all you need to know about the deal is right there on a landing page. The deals here have a strong lean towards pubs and restaurants. One of their recent deals is a 60% discount off a Sunday brunch with Champagne for two at Be Your Guest (valued at B3,380). More cities like Chiang Mai, Pattaya Phuket and Samui are soon to be added.

Dealicious.com

They offer a mishmash of deals from Korean BBQ to spa treatments. Look carefully, though, as they do have great discount on hotels and resorts. For example, pay B1,490 and get a B8,297 voucher for a one-night stay in a superior room at Centara Sawaddi Patong.

Go back to the article Coupon Crazy.

If you were inspired by our cookbook story last week (visit tiny.cc/6wu3m), chances are you’re missing some key ingredients to cook up your next masterpiece. Here we round up a diverse range of specialty food stores that have what you need.

INDIAN

Bimla Mini Mart

Sukhumvit Soi 10, 02-653-1524. Open daily 11am-7pm
This dusty little shop carries a wide range of Indian food products to suit every level of cookery: red chilli powders, poppadums, lentils, legumes, raita and pre-made mixes, and more. Should you become enamored and want vast amounts for your home, the folks behind the counter will even arrange a delivery. Ask them about their bricks of fresh paneer (B300 per kg) if you want to try your hand at making saag paneer at home. Also, be advised that although the store is officially open everyday, it is sometimes randomly closed on Sundays, so do call ahead if you plan to go then.

MEDITERRANEAN

Crescendo

7/F, CentralWorld, Rama 1 Rd., 02-613-1630. Open daily 10am-10pm
A bit hard to find in the madness that is the Central Food Hall at CentralWorld, this little set-up behind the escalators conceals a pretty big concept: specialty oils, vinegars and spices in small portions. Sure you know your peanut oil from your olive oil, but these guys have earthen jugs dispensing avocado oil (B199 per 100ml), grapeseed oil (B399), lemon oil (B149), four different kinds of olive oil with various Italian origins (B199) and more. Not to mention their vinegars: apple balsam, honey balsam, and different kinds of balsamic. Their spices aren’t that unusual, but we like the spice mixes, particularly the ones to help you make chilli con carne (B25 per 10g) and chimmichurri sauce (B25 per 10g)—and we love that you have the choice of taking only as much as you need in little baggies. As for the oils, though, bring your own empty bottle, unless you want to pay an extra B199 to buy one of theirs.

KOREAN

Food Mart

Sukhumvit Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 12, 02-653-3920, 080-975-6325. Open daily 9am-10pm
An unintimidating little mini-mart in the Korean plaza at the corner of soi 12, Food Mart manages to pack a range of products into its few shelves, limited not just to Korean instant noodles, cookies and ice creams, but also enormous, economy-sized bottles of sauces, which makes us think that some Korean restaurants probably come here to stock up. Dry goods such as Korean wheat noodles (B180) and buckwheat noodles (B230) are plentiful, but the highlight is the small selection of freshly prepared kimchis and other pickled vegetables at the far end of the store. A word of advice, though: bring a Korean friend as all the packaging here is in Korean and there are no helpful signs in English or Thai, a good sign that you’re in the right place.

RARE VEGGIES

Doi Kham

101 Kamphaengpet Rd., 02-299-1551. MRT Kamphaengpet. Open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun 7am-6pm
A small and manageable annex store of the Royal Project Foundation, the shop is located right next to Talat Or Tor Kor. At least twice a week, they receive fresh produce from the farms in Chiang Mai, including some produce not traditionally grown in Thailand. So if you don’t want to pay for imported jalapenos, Swiss chard, figs, radicchio, and more, check these guys out. It’s also good for a range of super cheap and fresh (not that bottled, dried junk) herbs like sage, rosemary and thyme.

NEW YORK DELI

Dean and Deluca

G/F, Mahanakhon Pavillion, Sathorn Road, 02-234-1434. BTS Chong Nonsi. Open daily 7am-8pm
In the well-lit, high-ceilinged space of this fancy deli, you may have neglected to notice that a small portion of the store is devoted to food and kitchen products, including a house-line of inspiring ingredients like hard-to-find spices, mixes and rubs (B150 for 40g), such as hot pimenton, for your Spanish tapas, and a tandoori blend, for your Indian roasts, as well as a range of flavored, large-grained sea salts to jazz up almost any finished meal. How about a tiny sprinkle of espresso flavored salt (B650 for a 200g jar) on a scoop of chocolate/caramel ice cream, or some chipotle salt with your steak? At these prices, though, you’re paying for the brand and packaging, so these are probably better given away as gifts than used in the kitchen.

FRENCH BUTCHER

Gargantua

10/2 Soi 6 Convent Road. 02 630 4577. Open Mon-Sat 10am-10pm
Right opposite Indigo restaurant, a right turn down a small alley on Soi Convent, Gargantua boasts a real-live French butcher at the helm. Drool over their display of house-made sausages: Toulouse, Cumberland, lamb merguez (B420 per kilo), as well as the more unusual liver pate (B570 per kg) and rabbit terrine (B590 per kg). Gargantua also does specifically French cuts of beef, like the cote de boeuf, which is headache to describe to non-connoisseurs (seriously, just try asking for a “1.2kg double bone-in ribeye steak, but very thick, and with the bone” at any other market). Gargantua’s Thai-French one is surprisingly succulent (B690/kg).

CHEESE

Quintessence

116 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-662-3577. Open Mon-Sat 10am-7pm
It may be a non-descript little store and cafe with little more than a black and white awning as a distinguishing mark, but Quintessence is the only speciality cheese store in the city. They specialize mostly in French stuff, including high-quality AOC cheeses such as Sainte Maure de Touraine (B575 per piece), bleu d’Auvergne (B1,131 per kg), brie de Meux (B1,480) and premium Camembert de la Perelle (B451 per piece). Sure they have a little stall at the Emporium supermarket, but their flagship store has a walk-in fridge and it also doubles as a café offering European-style sandwiches (the café, not the fridge). And don’t be alarmed by the prices; it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever need a whole kilo of cheese—unless you’re French. The folks at Quintessence will be happy to cut their cheeses to a size suited to your needs. So 250 grams of brie de Meaux, for instance, will only work out to about B370.

HOW TO: Choose Your Olive Oil

Alessi
It calls itself “The Dream Factory” and true enough, this renowned Italian kitchenware maker has been at the forefront of innovative and inspired product design since 1921. The store carries a good collection of products from all three divisions of Alessi (A di Alessi, Alessi, and Officina Alessi) with particular emphasis on pieces that highlight the commitment to design innovation.
Hot Picks: Designer teapots, flatware and other eclectic household knickknacks are housed in the kitchenware master’s Singaporean outpost. Pieces like the whimsical Miriam Mirri cat bowl ($175), Philippe Starck aluminum citrus juicer ($175) or a Karim Rashid watch ($168) are particularly good value, considering that they’re all designed by renowned names like Starck and Rashid. If you’re looking for head turners for your home, try the Blow Up Bamboo range of furniture by the Campana Brothers (from $198) or classic kitchenware like Andrea Branzi’s Scoiattolo nutcracker ($243).
#04-22/23 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6509-8117.

Made For SAM
A big black block of rubber that “swallows up” your pencil, a canvas tote emblazoned with a photo print of rocks and a ruler that measures 71 square centimeters—1/100,000,000,000 the area of Singapore. Art exhibition gone mad or a bunch of artists and designers taking the Mickey out of the things we’re familiar with? Well, it’s a bit of both. At the Singapore Art Museum’s newest exhibit-slash-design store called Made For SAM, everyday objects like pencil cases, rulers, greeting cards and tote bags take center stage, all available for sale. The idea was conceptualized and curated by art and design collective FARM and independent designer Hans Tan. More than 40 local designers and artists were drafted in to create the works, with prices ranging from $5-108.
Hot Picks: From cheeky takes on everyday objects (diamond shaped erasers by Casey Chen; a “bag of gold” coin bank by Yong Jieyu) to more high brow pieces (Ash Yeo’s chrysanthemum ruler), the art/design objects make perfect conversation pieces for your home.
Inner Lobby, Singapore Art Museum, 71 Bras Basah Rd., 6332-3222.

Red Dot Design Museum Shop
When the Red Dot Design Museum opened its doors back in 2005, it was an altar of good design; showcasing works that merged functionality and practicality. Like the main museum in Essen, Germany, the Singapore branch—also housed in a restored building—provides an apt exhibition space to showcase the winners of its annual Red Dot Design Awards show. But what’s been missing until now is the opportunity for you to bring a piece of award-winning design home.
Hot Picks: Peruse their racks and shelves for a wide range of goodies, including an umbrella that stands upright, salt and pepper shakers on wheels, a hairy pencil (it shows how everyday mundane objects can interact and illicit positive emotions in people) as well as lamps that you can simply stick on walls (or even the floor) with the use of adhesive tape.
28 Maxwell Rd., 6534-7194.

Strangelets
Things couldn’t get any stranger than the wares you find here. In case you’re wondering, the name is borrowed from particle physics; “strangelets” are theorized cosmological objects composed of an exotic form of matter known as strange matter. Hmmm, Big Bang Theory’s Dr. Sheldon Cooper we are not; but the shop is still a rather hip depository of beautifully designed curios worth checking out. The brainchild of Ong Ker-Shing and Joshua Comaroff from architectural practice Lekker Design along with two other partners, it stocks a number of mind-boggling creations sourced from their travels and research trips abroad.
Hot Picks: If you’re looking for the chic, stylish and yes, downright weird, for your home, look no further. Strictly following their manifesto of “militant craftsmanship” and anti-mass production, the owners have amassed an eclectic collection which includes artisanal soaps, hand-made pendant lamps made from hedge plants, travel-inspired paper stationery and leather cases by Postalco, as well as various quirky home furnishing objects.
87 Amoy St., 6222-1456.

The shopping scene is truly heating up in Orchard: Local label Hansel has just moved its playful offerings into Mandarin Gallery, curio store A Curious Teepee will be opening at Scape in the middle of the month and around the same time, two-year-old Blackmarket will be opening its second store in Orchard Central, their biggest yet, spanning 1,800 sq. ft. Clued-in fashionistas will be glad to know that the boutique’s proprietor, Jasmine Tuan, also one-third of local fashion label FruFru & Tigerlily, has upped the store’s ante with over 50 Asian labels, a significant increase from the existing 30 in its debut outlet at Jalan Pisang near Arab Street.

“When we first started Blackmarket, we wanted to give independent designers the spotlight they deserve. Now, we want to add the spotlight on Orchard Road by opening Blackmarket in the least expected mall, Orchard Central, just to give shoppers an alternative to high fashion and high street fashion,” says Tuan. “We want to highlight the fact that quality distinctive labels exist in Singapore too, and not just your usual run-of-the-mill collections.”

Indeed, Blackmarket is revered for its edgier, unexpected and, yes, lesser-known labels from the Asian region, including Dead & Not For Sale from South Korea, Form from Indonesia, Nixon Marquez from the Philippines and NormallyAnomaly from Singapore—all known for their billowy silhouettes and shapes that are so quintessentially now. “We offer styles at similar price points to most shops in Orchard Road except that ours are not mass produced. Why buy clothing that look like ‘uniforms’ when you can own a piece of unique design that speaks your style?,” says Tuan about the current state of offerings downtown. “Singapore is way too small. You do not want to end up walking along the very same street where you bought your latest dress from a high street or high fashion shop and see someone else wearing the same piece—the embarrassment is just not worth it. Plus, you are truly supporting and embracing local/regional designers by buying and wearing their work.”

But fashion won’t be the only thing that take centerstage at the new Blackmarket. Tuan has also sourced for various art and design books, as well as random artworks, like a chandelier made from Origina bottles, to add a more eclectic vibe to the place.”Yes, besides clothes, accessories, shoes, bags, we’ll play our favorite tunes in the shop, sell books that comes with strange titles or will pollute your mind like we did with our first shop,” quips Tuan. “We also have this habit of shifting things around, adding new installations or surprises here and there. So come and explore our new space regularly—there will be new additions every week of limited quantity items and a good handful of one-offs!” 

Blackmarket is located at #02-10 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., www.blackmarket.sg. Open daily 11am-9pm from Dec 18.