Akbar

In business for 25 years, Akbar serves mostly Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani dishes, but there are a few Arabic ones available, too.

The food: If Middle Eastern food isn’t really your thing, this place can help out with its wide variety of food from the Subcontinent. The special tandoori mix (B350) and vegetarian thali (B250) provide a good mix of foods in big portions, sure to fill up anyone. If you’re not quite ready to eat that much, the murgh makhani (tandoori chicken cooked in mild spices with a tomato and butter sauce, B180) is also recommended.
• 1/4 Soi 3, 02-650-3347, 02-255-6935, 02-253-3479. Open daily 10:30am-1:30am.

Al-Iraqi

Who would have thought that a combination of Iranian and Iraqi food would be the main feature on a restaurant’s menu? It is here, and we discovered that you can have the best of both countries.

The food: Kebabs and barbecued meats are the main components of this restaurant’s menu: fish, lamb, chicken, ribs and prawns. The restaurant has a bit of a hotel atmosphere as the location doubles as a guesthouse. Try the Iraqi kebab (B160) or kebab with rice (B200).
• 8/17-18 Soi 3/1, 02-655-5357, 02-251-8810. Open daily 9am-3:30am.

MehMaan

Like its neighbor Akbar, MehMaan serves Indian, Pakistani and Arabic food in a dining room featuring a giant picture of the late Yasser Arafat.

The food: If you feel hungry enough to eat one of the horse statues outside, perhaps the tandoori sampler is for you: It contains a number of assorted kebabs and comes in small (B340) and large (B650) sizes. Also popular are the lamb vindaloo (B250), chicken tikka masala (B220) and the ubiquitous garlic naan bread (B50).
• 69 Soi 3, 02-253-4689. Open daily 10:30am-3am; 5:30pm-12:30am.

Nefertiti

Shisha is hot at the moment, and this is one place in the area where you can come and smoke to your heart’s content. Just don’t tell your significant other that you’re “going to use a hookah.” They might misunderstand.

The food: Where else can you find an Egyptian restaurant that is open 24 hours every day? You can drop in for a few puffs of shisha while you relax and watch the world go by.
• 4/8 Soi 3/1, 02-655-3043, 02-255-7107. Open 24 hrs.

Petra

For Thai food we have rice; for Arabian food there is naan bread. The cooking area is at the front, and you have to walk past a clay oven—where bakers are baking naan—to enter this little Lebanese eatery.

The food: In addition to Lebanese dishes, there are also many Arab and Yemen specialties on the menu. Chicken curry (B150) is especially good when combined with fresh bread. The slowly cooked naan, baked to be crisp outside and soft inside, brings out the best of the flavorsome spices that are present in the curry. Many lamb dishes—such as lamb kebab (B130), barbecued lamb, and lamb ribs (B150)—are also popular.
• 75/4 Soi 3/1, 02-655-5230, 02-254-9226/-7. Open daily 8am-3am.

Shahrazad

With a display case full of animal parts (including various organs), and, if you arrive early enough, skinned lamb carcasses hanging from hooks, Shahrazad is hard to miss. With arguably the best food in the area, Shahrazad is also known for its waitresses in matching green hijabs and prayer room upstairs.

The food: Start your meal off with some Middle Eastern appetizers: hummus (pureed chickpeas with sesame seed paste, B80), mutabbal (a.k.a. babaganoush, pureed eggplant with sesame seed paste, B80), lemony parsley and bulgur wheat salad (B80) and hot-from-the-oven naan (B20). For heartier appetites, try the leg of lamb (B200), the lamb chops or anything else made of lamb—it’s all excellent, tender and not gamey. For the daring, try heart, head or testicles (and let us know what they’re like). For dessert check out the Arabic custard (made with fresh milk, coconut and almonds, B70).
• 6/8 Soi 3/1, 02-254-7392/3, 02-251-3666. Open daily 10am-3am.

No-name shawarma stalls

There are several—at least three—dedicated shawarma stalls (as well as restaurants that serve shawarma). By far the busiest and the best is on the corner of Soi 3 and a Soi 3/1 subsoi, next to the Grace Hotel. It’s loud, hot and stressful, and you’ll probably end up sitting next to some questionable characters (if you can get a seat), but well worth it. For B50 you get a choice of grilled beef or chicken in flatbread with veggies and your choice of yogurt or chili sauce. (You can also get it with the bread on the side.) A tip: place your order in Thai and you’ll get faster service.
The above-mentioned stall is a nighttime affair, so if you want your shawarma for lunch, try the shop next to Nefertiti, which serves them from 11am. They actually open at 7am serving a selection of Thai food.

Thai Restaurant and Seafood

Slotted into a small niche between Arab eateries is this small but cozy restaurant that is good for a quick meal of halaal Thai food.

The food: Thai dishes such as tom yum goong (B110), pork and chicken fried rice (B60), and grilled fresh fish (B180) are the most popular.
• Next to Petra Restaurant, 08-1859-0418. Open daily 10:30am-1am.

“Money Suit” by Vincent Leow

This excellent residue from Leow’s 1992 performance art show Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous: The Three-Legged Toad comprises a shirt, tie, jacket, shoes and a top hat. Laminated with mock American bills (and lacquered after the performance), Leow wore the outfit, where he impersonated a toad leaping around with a mouthful of dollar bills. The piece mocks Singaporeans’ obsession with wealth and superstition.

“National Language Class” by Chua Mia Tee

Chua’s works are reflections of human and social conditions during the ’50s and ’60s. One of Chua’s most iconic works, “National Language Class” captures a moment that reveals an important stage of Singapore’s history. Painted in 1959, the work is charged with nationalist sentiment and commemorates Singapore’s long-awaited attainment of self-governance in the same year.

“The Noveau Rich, The Elephant, The Foreign Maid or The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie” by Wong Hoy Cheong

This brilliantly satirical piece by Wong Hoy Cheong reflects a slice of contemporary life in urban Malaysia. Be enthralled by the riot of colors as the work bombards viewers with an assortment of partygoers posing and frolicking amidst the trappings of middle-class consumerism.

Vintage Advantage

Legendary designer Quentin Mackay’s Fashionaire collection for Samsonite, originally designed in 1968, is made available again following its reissue. Fans of the iconic psychedelic black and white prints, featuring striking flower motifs infused with modern shapes, is available via The Travel Collection—comprising duffel bags, suitcases, shoulder pouches and shopping bags—priced from $230-980. Worth shelling out every single penny for. Available from Samsonite, #01-19 Raffles Hotel Arcade, 1 Beach Rd., 6334-0955.

Foot Loose

Two recent collections by Crocs and Timberland prove that shoes can be stylish and functional all the same. The Croc’s Summer collection in particular, features innovative designs and cool color palettes like celery, lavender and cotton candy. Some of our favorites include the Sassari, which is also Crocs’ first ever high-heeled design. We especially like its sleek retro-inspire wedge which retains the benefits of the Crocs slipper, the Croslite. The Sobek is also good, with its slip-in-slides that is great for sports and leisure. Available from #01-63/64 VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, 6272-0163.

The PreciseFIT system from Timberland is a must for those looking for those with an active lifestyle. These new shoes address the challenges of the perfect fit when it comes to footwear, and is available via a revolutionary system of three foot inserts—narrow, medium or wide. The medium insert minimizes the volume in the shoe, while the narrow, thicker insert adds volume. This certainly allows adjustments to be made for the tightness or gaps between the feet and shoes for those who are really on the go. Available from #01-09/13 Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Rd., 6735-9050.

#02-12 P/Q Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd., 6835-1307

After being closed for a few months, the On Pedder store returns with a hipper and more sophisticated face-lift. Fashionistas already love its collection of labels that include Givenchy, Chloe, Marc Jacobs, Marni, Costume National and Miu Miu, and the current update makes the shopping experience here even more inviting. The Singapore store, based on the same design concept as the On Pedder flagship in Hong Kong, includes two unique rooms with content and design different to one another. The wood room is set with earthy tones and includes an accessories display featuring novelty one-of-a-kind finds. The other room, The Salon, uses carpet and velour finishing to give a luxe and sophisticated environment to the more exclusive pieces featured, such as evening accessories and designer fine jewelry. Make your way here now.

Verdict:
While we love the sleek and striking getup from River Island, it’s the effortless combination of luxe shoes and superior comfy pants that make Topshop the one to beat.

Address book:
River Island, #01-41/42 VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, 6376-8122.
Opening at Raffles City Shopping Centre some time in May.
Topshop, #03-16/21/41/49 Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Rd., 6235-3195.

“Eclectic,” “funk,” and “soulful” are all used-to-death phrases in the dictionary of musical jargon. However, no band breathes new life to those tired sentiments or represents the funky Mardi Gras spirit more than The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Danny Loong of Timbre, part of the team responsible for bringing them here, feels that Singaporeans deserve their own Mardi Gras. And what better band to bring that spirit here than this New Orleans band whose tremendous and, indeed, varied musical talents will dazzle and spoil local audiences.

Formed almost three decades ago in 1977, this band is a slice of living musical history. They have played with the likes of the great revivalist Danny Barker and the ethereal rocker David Bowie. They also count an immensely diverse bunch of musical talents as fans and collaborators: Like the father of bebop and modern jazz, Dizzy Gillespie, and the renowned rocker, Elvis Costello.

The sheer variety of performers they have played with is a reflection of their musical style. As you would expect from a brass band, they were originally inspired by the typical brass band sound of the time, playing the standard brass repertoire of second-line jazz funerals and parade anthems. They quickly branched out, however, bringing the brass band sound to previously uncharted territory. Their genius lay in being able to incorporate contemporary jazz sounds from the likes of Duke Ellington, James Brown and the more avant-garde, like John Coltrane and even Michael Jackson, into their music.

This cacophony of different musical sounds creates what the band’s saxophone player Roger Lewis calls a “musical jumbo,” which is given The Dirty Dozen Brass Band signature up-tempo makeover. In the words of Lewis, during their second-line parades people had to “have their jogging suits on just to keep in step!” The band also have some truly awesome originals to their name as well, such as “Hannibal,” making this is a band that reminds us what is really meant by “genre-defying.”

If the pedigree of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band is anything to go by, we can expect great things from Timbre’s new concert series.

We Singaporeans should feel so lucky. In an unprecedented move, 138 engravings from the esteemed Louvre Museum will be on display at the Singapore Art Museum—made possible by the good people at The Singapore Art Museum (of course) and the Singapore French Festival Voilah!.

The selection of engravings that is currently on display (even as you’re reading this) is produced by the Louvre’s Chalcography, and features historically significant works.

For the uninitiated, chalcography is the technique of engraving on copper, and was endorsed during the reign of France’s most famous king—Louis XIV (1643-1715). Fans of French history will probably be familiar with the Cabinet du Roi (King’s Cabinet)—a Louis XIV collection of etchings that recorded royal residences, landmarks, monuments, historical events—as well as etchings made in the likeness of masterpieces in the royal art collections.

The works of the Cabinet du Roi form a big part of the exhibition, but you’ll also get a privileged glimpse of other renowned works like Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Eugene Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People that have resonated throughout history. Prints based on the work of other maestros like Raphael, Nicolas Poussin and Jean-August Dominique Ingres are also available. However, you’ll also find contemporary prints by Louise Bourgeois, whose approach will most certainly lend a breath of fresh air to the exhibition.

“It is a rare opportunity indeed for us to present such a historically significant exhibition which goes back to the collection of France’s “Sun King,” Louis XIV,” says Mr. Kwok Kian Chow, Director of the Singapore Art Museum. And unless you’re heading to Paris soon, this might be your only opportunity in a while to catch these works.

At Your Finger Tips

Belkin, one of the most prolific iPod accessories makers, has come up with the SportCommand. Designed for the active iPod users, it lets them remote control their iPod from within a 50 feet radius while your precious iPod remains tucked somewhere safe and warm. Its lightweight and weather-resistant durability will allow you to enjoy your iPod in places where it has never ventured before. Look out for it in Jun when it will hit the shops.

Eye-Candy

The micro hi-fi system is back in the form of the LG Chocolate DVD Micro System FB162 ($399). As befits a product which is part of the “Chocolate AV Touch me series” and a winner of the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2007, this micro system is handsomely packaged. The stylish piano black design and touch pad navigator all add up to a sleek minimalist finish. Alongside some quality sounds churning out of its 160 W speakers, this a perfectly formed micro system which is immensely pleasing to the eye. Available at all major electronic retail outlets.

Visual Delight

The new LCD TV from Samsung, the Bordeaux Plus R8 LCD TV ($2,099-3,888) is a visual feast. It has curves in all the right places and comes in either neo-classic black or pearl white. It comes in a 32”, 37” and 40” versions. In terms of hardware, this isn’t a lightweight either, boasting an impressive 8000:1 dynamic contrast radio and a new Wide Colour Enhancer to add to your visual pleasure. Decorate your home with it from Samsung Flagship Store, #02-28/29 VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, 6376-9150.

Music To Your Ears

The newest addition to the XpressMusic phone range, Nokia 5700 XpressMusic is meant for the young and young at heart. The iconic twist design allows users to switch between four different modes with ease—music player, 2 megapixel camera, video call and smartphone. Music lovers need not fret about not having their favorite tracks to hand, as this music-driven device allows you to store up to 1,500 tracks. And with in-built stereo loudspeakers, you need not be selfish about your music either. This will hit our shelves in a few months.

It has been a bad start to the millennium for guys. With equal pay in most sports between the sexes, guys could at least rest content that all things tech was still safely in their domain. But with a plethora of gadgets now in bright pink, flowers galore and even decked in shiny stones, is nothing sacred anymore? Here are some that even your mum might dig.

HANNSPREE PEARL – 15”

What is it? This is a TV courtesy of Taiwanese brand Hannspree’s style range.
Why Your Mum Will Love This? This design focused TV does not have anything out-of-this-world about it in terms of hardware, but any girl who has a Little Mermaid inside them (and who does not) will love the seashell inspired design on the back of this TV.
The Details. $999. Best Denki, #05-01/04 Ngee Ann City Podium, 391 Orchard Rd., 6835-2855.

ASUS S6F PINK LEATHER LIMITED EDITION

What is it? Part of the Asus’s collection of leather-bound notebooks.
Why Your Mum Will Love This? This 11.1 widescreen, Pentium powered compact laptop is a winner of the Red Dot design award, and with leather crafted onto the aluminum body, this is a fashion statement for mums who want to flaunt their girliness at work, too.
The Details. $3,888. All authorized dealers at Sim Lim Square (1 Rochor Canal Rd., 6338-3859) and Funan Digitalife Mall (109 North Bridge Rd., 6336-8327).

SAMSUNG PINK WEP180

What is it? One of Samsung’s latest BluetoothTM headsets.
Why Your Mum Will Love This? Weighing in at a mere 11 grams and with around six hours of talk time, your mum can do what she does best, and gossip over the phone and still look stylish with this number—after all what need is there for earrings when she can adorn her ears with this pink number.
The Details. $98. Samsung Flagship Store, #02-28/29 VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, 6376-9150.

JBL SPYRO

What is it? Three-piece powered satellite speakers and subwoofer system from the people at JBL.
Why Your Mum Will Love This? Why get her flowers when you can get her this floral-inspired sound system? They will not screw with her sinuses but will pound out rich sounds to drown out her nagging—priceless.
The Details. $218. Song Brothers Marketing, #04-13 Sim Lim Square, 1 Rochor Canal Rd., 6339-8622.

NOKIA 7373

What is it? This 3G mobile phone is part of Nokia’s l’Amour collection.
Why Your Mum Will Love This? Because the ethnic and tribal inspired design is one which any self-respecting guy (and even metrosexual) would not touch with a barge pole.
The Details. $558 without operator plan. Nokia Concept Store, #03-29/30/31 Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Rd., 6738-0618.

For those who forgot their mum’s special day, try telling her that you were waiting for these oestrogen packed devices not yet available in Singapore:

EGO LAPTOPS

These laptops are made to look like handbags and the screen can be turned to an all important make-up mirror, courtesy of an on-board camera. Not only will the design bring a tear to the mascara-ed eye but so will the price—the diamond-encrusted version retails at around $500,000.

ACTIVE CRYSTALS

Sashaying into stores in Aug, this range by Philips and Swarovski adds the bling factor to the humble USB memory stick and in-ear head. No longer will ladies have to endure the ignominy of using a plain-looking USB memory stich when transferring data with a Swarovski be-jewelled memory stick.

The Fabulous Frenchies

The Club Street Brasserie

#01-01, 36 Club St., 6225-2202.
Recently renovated, this homely restaurant gives an intimate vibe. The menu consists of a classic selection of French brasserie items—soups, meaty mains, yummy pastas and loads of desserts. It’s a good let’s-try-this-out type of restaurant to bring your friends to, as the lovely bar makes for a good ambiance. Plus, service is good, and we know that’s a big plus.

Le Pont de Vie

42 Waterloo St., 6238-8682.
We hope you like purple as that’s the color this restaurant is decked out in. Bring your clients and friends here for a nice meal as the food is definitely good and the atmosphere is decidedly non-phony. Again, you’ll get some very competent French fare (think champignon pasta, chocolate fondant, bread and butter pudding) accompanied with polished service.

Novus

#01-02 The National Museum, 93 Stamford Rd., 6336-8770.
The refined interior of this new restaurant will get you feeling all sophisticated right away. The fact that it’s located within the National Museum also plays a very big part. What can we say—the food’s fab and innovative, the service is good—plus there’s a 14-foot bar to have a few drinks at. Check this one out for a very mod-yet-historical ambiance.

Le Tonkin

#01-01, 18 Mohamed Sultan Rd.,6235-6006.
This newbie offers an interesting variation of French cuisine—it’s French-Vietnamese. The décor is modern and sophisticated with a lounge area and a menu of mostly Vietnamese dishes from Hanoi, as well some French dishes. Chow down on spring rolls, chicken pho and main courses like scallops and prawns with vermicelli.

more French restaurants in Singapore

The Irresistible Italianos

BICE Bistro

#01-02 Blk. C Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6305-6768.
A 5,000 sq ft casual trattoria situated in the chill-out-wind-down locale of Clarke Quay, BICE believes in serving nothing but top-grade Italian cuisine. You’ll find pasta, pizza, risotto, ravioli that are all prepared in the authentic Italian style. Try the panna cotta and breaded jumbo prawns.

Bonta Italian Restaurant and Bar

#01-61 UE Sq. River Wing, 207 River Valley Rd., 6333-8875.
This name of this restaurant is the latest to emerge after an extended period of name-changing. That aside, tempting Italian dishes like lobster tartare, pesto risotto and Mediterranean seabass abound on the menu. And oh, did we forget to mention a whopping 200 wine labels are available here?

Fabbrica Restaurant

Blk. 18B Dempsey Rd., 6479-7808.
Yet another new restaurant emerges in the ever-hip confines of Tanglin Village. Intriguingly warehouse-shaped and possessing a quiet, happy vibe, you can tuck into mains like proscuitto wrapped mozzarella and squid ink tagilatelli lobster. There are many interesting permutations of standard Italian fare to be discovered here. The service is a little disorganized but it’s still worth a try.

Tavolo

#01-01, 5 Boon Tat St., 6423-1123.
Hurray for restaurants located in the CBD. This newbie has good food, great service and even quirky art pieces on its walls—all for an affordable price. On top of the reasobale prices, the vibe is comfy too and the service is down-to-earth and real. Hop by for a nice lunch or dinner on a weekday.

more Italian restaurants in Singapore

Culinary Debate

We quizzed two chefs from respective sides of the culinary debate on what makes their cuisine tick.

“Although people do say that one can’t have French food every day but when you do, it gives something special to the day. French cuisine is more adventurous in adapting other influences. For me, French cuisine is about taking time to savor everything.”—Anderson Ho, Le Papillon

“Italian cuisine is not only highly regionalized, it is very seasonal. It doesn’t stop with just food, it’s about lifestyle. The French firmly believe their chefs have the best culinary skills, hence emphasizing too much additional process in cooking a dish. However, the emphasis of Italian cuisine is on bringing out the originality of the ingredients, be it in the taste or characteristics.”—Roberto Galetti, Garibaldi Italian Restaurant & Bar

French Vs Italia (Who Wins?)

Butter        vs        Olive oil
Olive oil may have its health benefits, but at least butter isn’t so atas. What’s with this virgin, extra virgin and cold pressed jargon anyway?

Foie Gras      vs      Pork Belly
Both are sinful special occasion foods, but at least the pigs don’t suffer.

Crème brulee         vs         Tiramisu
The margin for error is too big with tiramisu (too soggy, too bitter, too dry, too alcoholic...), but when have you ever had crappy crème brulee?

Madeleines         vs         Macaroons
Duh, macaroons of course. They have loads of yummy fillings while madeleines (dry cakes) are only famous because of that whole Proust thing.