1. Guay Tiew Moo (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวหมู)

Good kratiem jeaw (fried garlic) alone can go a long way. But this noodle stall takes it to a whole new level. The noodles here are everything they should be, cooked to perfection—chewy, not too soggy and stewed in the most fragrant kratiem jeaw we’ve tried. The other ingredients are pretty special, too, and not just the fishballs, either; we’re addicted to the tender moo ghon (shredded pork) and tasty entrails. The best bowl (B30) is the haeng (without soup) version. Do call ahead for directions as their soi has no name.
Rama 4 Rd. (next to Tai Tang Duan Rama 4 Junction), 02-249-7316. Open daily 8am-3pm

2. Gai Ping (ไก่ปิ้ง)

Sat on the corner of this soi, Jae Cherry grills up big chunky chicken skewers (B10), marinated in rich spices and cooked to perfection. The golden brown meat is more tender on the inside than any other grilled chicken we’ve tried. It’s pointless trying to stop at just one, while the accompanying dipping sauce is totally delicious with a nice balance of spicy, salty and sour.
Charoenkrung Soi 103/1, 080-595-8449. Open daily 5-7pm.

3. Guay Tiew Pla (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวปลา)

This slightly hard-to-find stall is worth the effort for its must-try fishballs. They’re light yet tasty, delightfully melt-in-the-mouth but not soggy. They’re loaded with fish without being overly pungent and go beautifully with the noodles. Just like other great stalls, be sure to call ahead as they run out very quickly.
Soi Phraya Singhaseni, Rama 4 Rd., 02-215-2165, 086-555-1262. MRT Hua Lamphong. Open daily 7am-3pm

4. Gade Ocha (เกตุโอชา)

It may be out on the edge of Bangkok, but many foodies rank Gade Ocha as one of the best guay tiew nuea (beef noodles, B50) joints in town. There is a great richness and stickiness to their beef broth and the nuea toon is, of course, really tender and flavorful.
200 meters from the beginning of Pattanakarn Soi 53, Open daily 9:30am-1pm

5. Burmese Noodles (ขนมจีนพม่า)

Hidden in the small Burmese community in Phra Khanong, this tiny shophouse is habitually swarmed by Burmese ladies from the neighborhood. At the entrance to Phra Khanong Market, turn left down a small alleyway packed with colorful clothing, and eventually you’ll find yourself in Little Burma. T-shirts, raw betel nuts and all manner of spices are just some of the goods on display. Not too far away is this well-known Burmese eatery, where you’ll be greeted by the smiling face of Dao Giri, the Nepalese-Burmese cook. Her most popular dish among Burmese and Thais alike is mohinga (Burmese cold rice noodles, B35). It’s cheap, tasty and served up in a matter of minutes.
Phra Khanong Market, Sukhumvit Rd. Open daily 8am-5pm

6. Rai Tiem Tan (ไร้เทียมทาน)

One for those with plenty of patience, this noodles (B35) and congee (B30) stall gets their queues confused and orders all mixed up, but really, we think you should invest some time to sample the delicious bowl of pork noodles served here—and you may well find yourself going back. The standout is their pork, which is cooked to be very moist and is served in both noodles and congee—both excellent. The portion is very small, though, so order big from the get-go.
Sri Ayutthaya Rd. (near Phayathai Hospital), 081-622-3153. Open Tue-Sun 6-10pm

7. Jay Yai (เจ๊ใหญ่)

Shining out from the dark street thanks to its fluorescent lighting, Jay Yai does guay jub (Chinese noodles) in both thick and clear broths. Those who like a herbal soup with a great aroma of Chinese star anise should opt for the thick option but, really, both are equally good. The moo krob is insanely delicious, too. It’s crispy and it doesn’t have that burnt aftertaste you sometimes get elsewhere. Trok Nawa, Tanao Rd., 089-226-8577. Open daily 4-9pm

8. Dara Dalay (ดาราดาเล)

Chiang Mai organic farm and homestay Dara Dalay recently opened a small eatery here, and we find ourselves regularly returning for its authentic Northern dishes. Helmed by the friendly auntie who owns the farm, they do a brief list of Northern dishes including kanom jeen nam ngiaw (rice vermicelli with spicy pork and tomato soup, B40) and khao soi (B40). Their very addictive take on the latter dish features a perfectly rich soup with a nice balance of flavors, while the chicken is tender and moist. Almost every dish here is made with organic vegetables grown on the farm. We recommend you check their Facebook page (www.facebook. com/daradalay) for news on when they’ll be serving special treats like hed nueng namprik kha (steamed mushroom with galangal paste). Pichai Market, Pichai Rd., Dusit, 086-378-3837, 089-499-2878. www.daradalay.com. Open Mon-Sun 12-7pm

9. Poh Pia Sod (ปอเปี๊ยะสด)

Everyone seems to be swamping Tang Sui Heng Pochana in Sapan Leung for their haan palo (braised goose) but we are pretty confident about this other contender. The little stall run by an auntie serves up an impressive poh pia sod (rice sheets stuffed with Chinese sausage and tofu), a specialty that is not too easy to find nowadays. Your B35 gets you some very good quality gun chiang (Chinese sausage), while the well-balanced gravy sauce is a classic balance of sweet, sour and salty, just as it’s supposed to be. The prik chee fah (Cayenne pepper) gives good contrast to the dish, too. Perfect for grab-and-go, or have it while feasting on the goose. Be warned, though, on some days she skips making the poh pia sod as she concentrates on selling her desserts.
Rama 4 Rd. (next to Tang Sui Heng). Open daily 8-11pm

10. Chairoj (ไชยโรจน์)

This humble shophouse is a real hidden gem. Chairoj has been up and running for 70 years now, as you can tell from the pale greenish walls and vintage wooden furniture. The highlights of the brief Thai and Chinese menu have to be the pla krapong tod rad prik (fried seabass with chili and garlic, B80), fragrant tomyam (B80) and stewed ox tongue (B80) in Hainanese style, an increasingly rare find.
467/25 Phyathai Rd. (next to Phyathai Dental Group), 02-354-4090. BTS Phayathai. Open Mon- Sat 11am-8pm

11. Lee Nguan (หลีง้วน)

We must admit, we were first drawn to this guay tiew nuea (noodles with beef) shophouse because of Richie, the fat, grumpy-looking bulldog sat out front. Ever since we tried Lee Nguan’s tasty noodles, though, we’ve been returning as often as possible— and not just for Richie. All the right ingredients are here for repeat visits, from the tender stewed beef and light but flavorful soup to the friendly service. If a bowl (B30) doesn’t fill you up, we recommend strolling a bit further to Phaholyothin Rd. and trying the yen ta fo noodles at Meng Pochana (02-279-2004, 085-321-8474. Open daily 9:30am-5pm), where the fishballs are just bursting with flavor.
7312 Saliratthawiphak Rd. (near Saphan Kwai Junction), 087-900-9600. Open daily 8am-3pm

12. Hia Waan (เฮียหวาน)

Located on the busy Chan Road, this humble khao tom pla (soft-boiled rice with fish, B90) joint might not be a centuries-old institution but who cares, once you try their fresh seafood. The fish, shrimp and squid all seem to come from another planet they’re so huge, meaning you certainly get your money’s worth. As for their khao tom, the broth is well-balanced, slightly peppery and without any hint of fishiness.
Chan Rd. (in front of Soi 32/2), 02-211-0829. Open daily 5pm-midnight

13. Guay Tiew Ruea (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือ)

Legend has it that the way guay tiew ruea (boat noodles) are sometimes mixed with blood was started by the Chinese who would store thier beef on a sieve covered with ice. The blood would drip down into a pan and they would use it to make the soup more flavorful. We, of course, don’t know what the original version tasted like, but we do know that this shophouse serves up a pretty mean bowl. Forget the famous guay tiew ruea Rangsit, and come here for truly deepflavored broth with tender pork (B40).
Nanglinchee Soi 5, 084-159-7393, 082-687- 7966. Open daily 7am-2pm

14. Salim Porn Charoen (สลิ่มพรเจริญ)

Almost everything at Salim Porn Charoen is homemade. Featuring fragrant candle-scented coconut milk, the maprao kati (coconut, B30) is rich, almost sinfully so, while the smooth, silky texture will have you calling for seconds. Of course, you can choose your own flavor by adding the likes of salim (grass noodles) and tubtim krob (water chestnut) though disappointingly, the latter is not as good as it used to be.
Soi Sampeng (200 meters from the beginning of the soi), Chakkaphet Rd. Open daily 9am-4pm

15. Bua Loy Kai Wan (บัวลอยไข่หวาน)

This place takes their bua loy (taro balls in coconut milk) pretty seriously. While the very popular bua loy joint in Phaholyothin is now closed, this one is also a strong contender. The colorful array of little balls are a really chewy delight served with fresh coconut milk that’s not too sweet, fragrant and perfectly thick and rich.
Charoennakorn Rd. (Klongsan Pier), 081-697- 5971. Open daily 1-7:30pm

16. Somtam Khaya (ส้มตำขยะ)

Known as Somtam Khaya for its location, on the quieter side of Thammasat University Tha Prachan Campus, this stall may be small but it does a roaring trade. Despite its somewhat dodgy, burnt appearance, its fried chicken is a real treat. Marinated with spices and coated in a flavorful flour, the outside is nice and crispy while the flesh is simply succulent. If you pop in after noon, don’t expect any chicken though, as most will have been snapped up already.
16 August Rd. (right at the Phra Arthit entrance of Thammasat University). Open Mon-Fri 10am- 3pm

17. Lim Lao Sa (ลิ้มเล่าซา)

Lim Lao Sa occupies an old and charming space down a small alley. Open for more than 50 years, it’s now helmed by the second generation who are sticking to their family’s Teochew recipes. Everything’s homemade, from the giew pla (fish dumplings) to the fishballs in the guay tiew pla (noodles with fish, B60). The flavor is marvelous, as is the place: seat yourself by the pastel-framed windows as you contemplate your order of bamee (egg noodles), which features a sour sauce that gives the dish a welcome edge. The sen yai (rice noodles) is pretty unique, too—much lighter than you get at most places, so you needn’t feel guilty about ordering a second bowl. Do call ahead as opening times can vary and don’t mistake them for the other stalls around Bangkok boasting of using the same recipe under the Lim Lao Sa name.
Songwad Rd., 083-138-3636. Open daily 5:30- 10pm

18. Kanom Bueng Boran (ขนมเบื้องโบราณ)

Run by a grandma and her daughter, this stall is a shrine to the ever-comforting dessert that is kanom bueng (Thai pancake with stuffing). Here, you can be sure your B20 gets you a resolutely homemade treat: the foy thong (sweetened egg yolk) is not too sweet, while the coconut tastes fresh with a wonderfully fluffy texture. The pancake itself is thin, crispy and addictive. It’s fair to say that the opening times here can be pretty inconsistent—your safest bet for getting a delicious dessert is late afternoon (3pm-6pm).
In front of Ladprao Soi 33.

19. Rad Naa (ราดหน้า)

There’s nothing too revolutionary here, just one big, super-satisfying bowl of rad naa (noodles in gravy). The gravy is flavorful, perfectly balanced, while the pork is well seasoned and juicy. Just be warned that the sen yai (rice noodles) usually runs out around noon.
Soi Saladaeng, Silom Rd., 081-931-3380. Open daily 10am-3pm

More than just boozy fruit juice, these diverse hard ciders—some with wine-like complexity and others with novel ingredients like sake and hops—are versatile enough to drink straight, pair with dinner or even mix into old school shandies.

Aspall Dry Premier Cru Suffolk Cyder

What: This dry cider from Suffolk almost doubles up as a light sparkling wine, with its delicate fruity flavor, moderate body and tannic astringency. While most commercial ciders taste “loud” and unsophisticated, this one is quite restrained.
When: Pretty much a crowd-pleaser, plus it tastes more expensive than it is. It’d be perfect packed up with cold cheese and fruit for a picnic.
Verdict: √√√√√

$8.50 from The Cider Pit.

Anthem Hops

What: The bottle looks pretty boring, but open it up and you’ll find yourself inundated with the herbal, floral smell of hops. Basically, it tastes like a hybrid between craft beer and cider (albeit with a thinner body), only subtler, more complex and aromatic. Here’s the surprise: everyone, even beer haters, love it.
When: Impress your beer snob friends, or make this your contribution to the next boys’ night out. Even the most solid of dudebros need to express their sensitive sides now and then.
Verdict: √√√√

$21.90 from Thirsty - The Beer Shop.

Crispin Artisanal Reserve Cho-tokkyu

What: A cloudy American cider with a distinctive twist—its base of unfiltered apple juice is developed with sake yeast and finished with organic rice syrup. Though the drink lacks body, its strong sour notes and funky, fermented taste make it a divisive drink that people either love or hate.
When: It’s a lot of fun to watch the varied responses to this. Try pairing it with clean, seafood-centric plates, as one would with sake.
Verdict: √√√

$19.90 from Thirsty - The Beer Shop.

Etienne Dupont Cidre Bouché Brut de Normandie 2011

What: Not a cider for beginners, this unfiltered, unpasteurized specimen from Normandy is musty, earthy and tastes of leather. But we love it! The lovely soft amber color and fine consistent effervescence are big pluses too.
When: Its funky barnyard aromas mean that it can stand up to even pungent cheeses (think a nice stinky livarot). Pick up a couple of bottles for your next tasting party.
Verdict: √√√√√

$20 from Tippletown.

Napoleone & Co Apple Cider

What: This bottle’s crafted by winemakers (Punt Road Wines in Australia’s Yarra Valley) and it shows. Dry and sharp, it reminds us very much of a good trocken riesling. The light clear drink is made of a mix of apples—including plenty of Granny Smith—and the green apple flavor comes through beautifully.
When: Have it with dinner. It’d go great with some elegant poached chicken. Also, the almost bracing acidity would complement spicy Asian salads.
Verdict: √√√√

$7 from The Providore.

Thatchers 2011 Vintage Cider

What: Pumpkin-colored, with a ripe juicy red apple flavor, this initially seems a pretty standard. But what makes it interesting is the bittersweet balance: Aged in oak barrels, the stuff has a faint smokiness, which balances the sweetness.  
When: The smokiness would pair well with a well-browned, caramelized grilled cheese sandwich. And—this is a little déclassé—it could also work in cocktails like the Snakebite (stout and cider).
Verdict: √√√

$9.50 from Brewers’ Craft.

MODEL: True Visions Platinum HD

All-Rounder

FEATURES: Auto OTA (over-the-air programming which automatically updates new channels or changes) and 145 True channels including 23 HD channels.
TOP CHANNELS: HBO HD, Fox, Star Movies HD, Nat Geo HD, History Channel, True Sport HD and MTV, EUFA Champions League, Calcio Serie A and Spanish La Liga.
PRICE: B2,000 with installation B2,155 monthly fee.

MODEL: PSI S-X

Thai Channels & Free TV

FEATURES: Supports 66 True channels, 65 PSI channels and free TV up to 900 channels from Thaicom 5 (Thai communications satellite) with no monthly fee.
TOP CHANNELS: Fox, Travel Channel, Star Soccer, T-Sports, Cartoon Club, True Music, Nation Channel, Home and Food Channel.
PRICE: B3,500 with installation.

MODEL: IPM HD Pro

Movies Galore

FEATURES: Full HD 1080p supporting Dolby Digital 5.1 sound system, PVR, playbox, auto OTA, 11 free HD channels and 120 channels from Thaicom 5 with no monthly fee.
TOP CHANNELS: World Movies HD, Aniplus HD (cartoons), Film Plus HD, Sport 1 HD, Motor Sports HD and Fashion One HD.
PRICE: B4,900 with installation

MODEL: CTH

Budget Option

FEATURES: Auto OTA, 142 channels from Thaicom 5 including 31 HD channels.
TOP CHANNELS:  Fox Action Movie HD, Fox, Star Sports, Nat Geo Wild HD and All English Premier League games.
PRICE:  B1,800 with installation and monthly fee from B599 for 24 months with one year free

MODEL: GMM Z HD

Soap+Inter Lovers

FEATURES: Full HD 1080p supporting Dolby Digital 5.1 sound system, PVR (personal video recorder) onto harddisk, auto OTA, can play external media files (mp3, wmv, jpg, png, avi, mpg, mp4), four free GMM channels, HD channels and about 300 channels from Thaicom 5 with no monthly fee.
TOP CHANNELS: GMM Theatre (movies and series), Nat Geo Wild HD, GMM Sport Two HD, Euro Sport HD.
PRICE: B4,700 with installation

MODEL: Sun Box

For Guys

FEATURES: Auto OTA, about 300 channels from Thaicom 5 satellite and RS Satellite channels with no monthly fee.
TOP CHANNELS: Nation Channels, Cartoon Club, MTV Sea, Sky World, Movie Max and Sun Channel (Spanish La Liga, motors and movies).
PRICE: B2,990 with installation

Best For Value

Acer Chromebook, $369 from Courts
Acer’s entry is the cheapest model of the trio and its specs are comparable to the Samsung Chromebook while being lighter and smaller than HP’s. Its biggest selling point is the storage space. While the other two come with just 16GB, Acer trumps it with a whopping 320GB. We wonder why this is needed at all though, since all Chromebooks come with 100GB of free storage on Google Drive. That said, it performs well as an all-rounder and yet is compact enough to be toted around for work.

Best for Media

HP Pavilion Chromebook, $449 from Courts
This one’s meant for the home—it boasts all the hardware for a smooth viewing (and listening) experience, like a 14-inch screen and built-in speakers by Altec Lansing, all powered by an Intel Celeron Processor. But forget about lugging this around for work or play. It weighs 1.8kg and is nearly an inch thick. On the plus side, it has three USB ports, a multi-format digital card reader and a HDMI port so you can jack in all the media files you want and display it on your HDTV.

Best for Work

Samsung Chromebook $449 from Courts
Compared to the other two, the Samsung Chromebook makes working on the go actually possible. It’s the lightest of the lot at 1.1kg and also the thinnest, at just 17.5mm. For such a petite number, it has a surprisingly long battery life at over six hours (the other two clocked in just four). The drawback? Its lackluster screen looks washed out and videos don’t look as crisp as the others. That aside, it has proven to be a hit amongst buyers and is currently Amazon.com’s best-selling laptop.

Five reasons to consider a Chromebook.

1. It’s light and affordable.
All the models cost less than $500, making this the perfect additional computer to own for smaller tasks and working on the go.

2. It boots up in seconds and runs like a dream.
With no software checks to run on start up, it takes less than 10 seconds to start—that’s comparable to a tablet.

3. It lets you get straight to the point.
We’re already spending the bulk of our time on web browsers, so why not work out of one? The Chrome OS gets everything done on the cloud and nothing is (preferably) stored in your machine.

4. It’s secure and doesn’t need any maintenance.
Thanks to its nifty “sandboxing” capability, any harmful pages are restricted and will not affect other apps on your computer. It’s practically virus-free.

5. You’re already using plenty of web apps so switching is easy.
You’ve been two-timing Microsoft Office and using Google Docs, haven’t you? There’s also pixlr.com which mimics Adobe Photoshop, not to mention the tens of thousands of apps already on the Chrome Webstore.
 

You can’t go wrong with neutral color schemes, but you don’t get much personality either. Skip the tedious process of repainting and dress things up with these statement-making chairs instead.

Mid-Century Modern Restored Old Teak Armless Sofa Set, $2,200 from Things Your Mother Throw
This four-seater bears an unfussy teak frame, plus bright blue and yellow seats that will spruce up any space in no time.

Herman Miller Nelson Marshmallow Sofa, $9,069 from Xtra
Don’t be intimidated by this reproduction designed by fame & duo Ray and Charles Eames, it’s surprisingly comfortable.

Frozen Lounge Chair, $1,500 from Journey East
This curvaceous, vintage-inspired piece is upholstered with a kaleidoscope of colorful textiles for a hefty dose of fun.

New York Sofa, $2,500 from Like That One
With its black Baroque-style frame and New York City inspired upholstery, this rehabbed piece is the result of mixing contemporary with historical inspiration.

Up5_6 Armchair, $8,350 upwards from Space
A controversial piece, this conceptual armchair is Italian architect Gaetano Pesce’s interpretation of male prejudice against women. That it comes corded to a round footstool represents the old ball-and-shackle concept.

1.) Au Bon Pain (B40)

This croissant looks like a sad crab—and tastes just as bad, like butter gone stale. Insides, absent of layers, are more like a fluffy brioche in texture.
Verdict: Pas Bon!
Try www.aubonpainthailand.com.

2.) Yamazaki (B16)

Tastes undercooked and has an acrid smell. Plus, it’s dry and bland, as if it was baked the day before.
Verdict: Second only to Au Bon Pain in the yuck stakes.

3.) Foodland (B17.50)

At first glance, this pastry might look slightly overcooked, but has a nice buttery smell, flaky texture and tears apart wonderfully. Be warned, though, it goes stale in a matter of hours.
Verdict: A proper croissant!
Try www.foodland.co.th

4.) Lenôtre (B50)

Going by looks alone, this is the perfect puffed and layered croissant. It has a rich, buttery smell and a nice sheen, but the bland taste doesn’t live up to appearances.
Verdict:  Looks can be deceiving.
Try Langsuan Rd., 02-250-7050. www.lenotrethailand.com

5.) Big C Extra (B12)

Looking a tad too dark, the croissant from Big C Extra Supermarket somehow nails the balance between a crispy exterior and a soft chewy layered interior. There’s just the right amount of butter, too.
Verdict: Now, this was a surprise. This is our favorite!

Try Big C Extra or www.bigc.co.th

6.) Tops (B12)

We’ve noticed that different branches of Tops Supermarket have wildly varying levels of quality. The one we tried from Silom looked nothing like a croissant and tasted nothing like one either—overly-doughy, soggy and reeking of cheap butter.
Verdict: No crispy outer, no layers—this is one funny-looking limp pastry.
Try www.tops.co.th

7.) LB Patisserie (B40)

Authentic French restaurant Le Beaulieu has its own bakery, of which their croissant is a highlight. Pleasantly buttery and nutty in flavor, the flour used is evidently of high quality.
Verdict: A solid croissant but it still loses to a couple of supermarket offerings (Big C, Foodland).
G/F, Athenee Tower, 63 Wireless Rd., 02-168-8222. www.le-beaulieu.com
 

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Party / Festival of the Year
ZoukOut
There’s no beating this one. The city’s first outdoor dance music festival, already in its 12th edition, is still the go-to party for pure unadulterated fun in the company of 40,000 revelers (its highest yet) last year. Big names who rocked the crowd at Sentosa’s Siloso Beach for 2012’s edition include Paul Van Dyk, Paul Kalkbrenner and Above & Beyond. This year’s edition takes place Dec 13-14.

Best Exhibition or Arts Event
Night Festival
Close to 75 acts took to the streets surrounding the National Museum and School of the Arts (SOTA) last year for the festival’s third edition, with the highlight being the dance performance Fuerzabruta by Argentinean Ozono Producciones, where performers were suspended in mid-air. Quite the sight. And on Aug 23-24, 30-31, expect more nocturnal magic when the fest happens again.

Best Venue
Esplanade—Theatres by the Bay
While the sound system at the Indoor Stadium is unbeatable, the various spaces found at this beloved arts center are still the most versatile. Smaller international indie acts like mouse on the keys have played at its Theatre Studio and bigger names like Esperanza Spalding and Kraftwerk at its Concert Hall, while emerging local bands and musicians are always putting up performances at both its indoor and outdoor concourse areas.  There’s nary a dull moment here.

Best Museum
National Museum of Singapore
Not only are the interactive elements found throughout the museum’s many galleries totally cool, the diversity and breath of the exhibitions which opened over the past year are also highly commendable—not least the ongoing Princely Treasures from the House of Liechtenstein which features rare masterpieces from Europe and local artist John Clang’s recently concluded Being Together: Families and Portrait, which featured evocative contemporary photographs.

Best Art Gallery
MAD Museum of Art and Design
Before Japanese contemporary art got hip here with the recent opening of Tomio Koyama and Mizuma Gallery at Gillman Barracks, the guys at MAD were already at it—selling sought-after and rare works by the legendary Yoshitomo Nara, on top of their regular shows featuring many established Asian artists.

Best Local Production
Shakespeare in the Park
The event has grown from strength to strength over the years, having seen renowned classics of the Bard such as Othello, Twelfth Night and Macbeth. The recent Othello was particularly sexy, with palpable chemistry (and heat to match) between leading actors Daniel Francis and Wendy Kweh, with a plot revolving around deceit and jealousy—hot.

Artist of the Year
:phunk Studio
These guys are your favorite visual artists for a reason. Not only have they consistently held art shows—from Art Stage to Art Seasons—featuring their trademark whimsical silkscreened paintings, they’ve also collaborated with furniture makers Bench recently to produce a series of arty wood benches featuring the words “Dream” and “Armed”. Now that’s a smart way to garner further street cred.

NIGHTLIFE

Nightspot of the Year
Zouk
Despite stiffer competition from newer clubs like Kyo, the nightlife stalwart still holds fort for the best in dance music—last year’s playlist included visiting guest DJs like Pete Tong and Sven Vath. Resident DJs djB, Ghetto, Hong, Jeremy Boon and Adrian Wee also enjoy substantial local support with their regular nights spanning everything from house to soul to indie-dance to hip hop.

Best Lounge Club
Velvet Underground
Zouk’s sister space is also your pick for the best to simply dress up, look good and people watch. It also helps that you’re surrounded by some beautiful artworks.

Best New Bar
The Vault
What this cool watering hole has that not many bars can boast: space. The 7,000 sq. ft. duplex houses bistro on the ground floor and a swanky lounge-bar on the second level. Grub and tipples offered here may not be extraordinary, but its bimonthly Sunday Artists Market certainly ups its hip factor.

Best Cocktail Bar
28 HongKong Street
It was all very hush-hush when 28 first started, although this is still the go-to place for “insiders” (read: us) to sample mighty-fine bar bites and potent concoctions care of Best Bartender winner Michael Callahan. Nabbing the title two years in a row isn’t going to make it any easier to score a seat.

Best Rooftop Bar
Ku Dé Ta
Never mind that it faced some legal troubles last year, the plush nightlife spot still packs in the crowd with its unbeatable, tried-and-true formula: a luxurious space with killer views, serious cocktails, smooth sounds and ladies night that gives away expensive things. Nice...

Best Live Music Venue
Timbre
Arty-farty locations, hearty food, beers and great music by local musicians: Timbre ticks all the right boxes for a good night out.  The music roster changes from time to time, so emerging bands like Runaway Rose and Insight have their chance to shine.

Best Microbrewery
Brewerkz
The grand-daddy of the better beer movement has a large, loyal following for its fresh craft brews, with everything from golden ale and oatmeal stout to experimental seasonals. Plus, it has some of the best happy hour deals around (a jug goes for $14 before 3pm and $22 before 6pm).

Best Wine Bar
Wine Connection
Affordable, quality wines coupled with an unpretentious vibe (you get none of the wine snobbery nonsense here)—no wonder its outlets, including the latest and revamped branch at Robertson Walk, see a steady stream of customers every day of the week.

Bartender of the Year
Michael Callahan
Callahan’s innovative cocktails at 28 Hong Kong Street (also your pick for Best Cocktail Bar) rock, of course, but he’s also the most hardworking host in town. He’s currently working on a new menu featuring drinks infused with organic herbs grown on the bar’s rooftop—you heard it here first.

Best Local DJ
Aldrin
Still the city’s most consistent and reliable DJ to get the crowd going with his party-ready prog-house music sets, now featured monthly at Zouk for his monthly ONE with Aldrin nights. Our most famous export also toured Ibiza, Seoul, Bali, Taipei and even JB last year.

HEALTH & FITNESS

Best Gym
Fitness First
Winner in the same category for the second year running, the largest fitness chain in Singapore has expanded to 12 outlets islandwide, including seven Platinum gyms in the Central Business District. They’re vast and filled with the latest exercise equipment such as the Technogym Cardio Wave machine, but that’s not why they’re so highly sought after—you’ll find movie libraries, stunning heated pools, an outdoor group studio and even a sky garden.

Best Spa
Banyan Tree Spa Marina Bay Sands
Another one that’s topping the same category in two years is this amazing 55-story escape smack dab in the middle of the financial district. With grained parquet floors, twisted branches and earthy tones, Banyan Tree’s Singapore debut evokes the ambiance of a bamboo garden, with standard rooms equipped with kampong-style footbaths and double suites overlooking the skyline.

Best Yoga Studio
Pure Yoga
A vast and varied schedule sets Pure apart. The facilities here are conveniently located and extremely well maintained, plus the programs are nicely innovative, especially the intensive Forrest Yoga for Deeper Grounding series and the Satsang sharing sessions.

Best Gym Alternative
Wave House Sentosa
We may not have Hawaii or even Bali’s waves, but as long as we’ve got Wave House, we’re good. The two waves—the endless, non-curling FlowRider for beginners and the more challenging simulator, the FlowBarrel—are perfect for both those looking to pick up the sport and show off on its 10-foot wave.

Best Pilates Studio
Sky Pilates
With 50 classes a week, you’ll always have the opportunity for some corrective work at Sky Pilates. Looking for something fun and relaxing? The Gyrotonic expansion system sessions available here combine the best of yoga, dance and tai chi.

Best Running Event
StanChart Marathon
The undisputed standard bearer for a quality running event. This IAAF Gold Label road race has had more than 20 years under its belt with renowned runners marking the date each year in their running calendar. With various categories that cater to different running backgrounds, this is a truly inclusive event.

STYLE

Best Fashion Brand
Hansel
Much lauded designer Jo Soh’s whimsical, vintage-inspired creations get better with every collection, with the latest Spring/Summer’13 collection winning hearts (and votes) with its synchronized swimming theme, earning a perfect 10 in your books.

Best Indie Boutique
Blackmarket
Yet again, proprietor Jasmine Tuan’s 1,500 sq. ft. style den came up tops for the third year running, despite newer multi-label boutiques in the market threatening to usurp its throne. And it’s obvious why: the edgy store keeps things fresh and unpredictable with new collections and labels, all in the name of good taste.

Best Lifestyle Boutique
G.O.D.
The Hong Kong lifestyle label stays relevant with select goods specifically designed with the city in mind, like the tongue-in-cheek book/catalog The “Xi” Paper: 69 to 6.9 Million and adding “lah” for its signature DelayNoMore tees. Who can say no to nostalgic kitschy-cool items that remind you of the good ol’ days?

Best Flea Market
Flea & Easy
The city’s first trendy flea market has faced some serious competition in recent years, what with folks at Public Garden and For Flea Sake steadily gaining ground. To set itself apart, the Zouk team revamped the daytime flea to a convivial night market with great music vibes, courtesy of DJ group FFF DJ Bootcamp. Good times.

Best Mall
ION Orchard
With its diverse and impressive tenant mix (everything from fashion, dining, tech to home), ION Orchard pretty much offers the best of Orchard Road in a single location.

F&B

Best Restaurant
Les Amis
Last year’s winner is still the undisputed champion of fine dining in Singapore. Fans return time and again for the lovely ambiance, knowledgeable wait staff, sublime French fare and seriously impressive wine selection.

Best New Restaurant
Catalunya
A slick space encased in a glass dome floating on the water—the setup here (designed by award-winning New York design firm AvroKO) is undeniably gorgeous. The team—who trained at world famous joints like El Bulli and Sketch—puts out unfaultable Spanish bites and cocktails to boot.

Chef of the Year
Justin Quek - Sky On 57
Also the 2012 title holder, the Singapore industry veteran has been working this town for years, and we all know and love him from his days at Les Amis. Even though he left to expand his empire in Taipei and Shanghai, that’s affected his name recognition here not one bit. These days, folks flock to his MBS restaurant Sky on 57 for Singapore-inspired recipes.

Best Brunch
Wild Honey
From the exotic Tunisian breakfast—comprising fried eggs and chorizo in a spicy tomato sauce—to healthy muesli, this cute as a button establishment has everything a bleary eyed breakfaster could ever crave.

Best Coffee Joint
Chye Seng Huat Hardware
From the Papa Palheta folk comes this hip spot located in an Art Deco shophouse. With a 360-degree coffee bar, killer bottled cold brew coffee (served with milk and syrup on the side) and some seriously delicious pastries to go alongside—it’s your top choice for a jolt of caffeine.

Best Dessert Spot
2am:dessertbar
National pastry sweetheart Janice Wong helms this dimly lit sweet specialist, which is a favorite with area night owls (they stay open till two in the morn). Prettily plated and often including unusual ingredients (think mustard crumble and smoked tofu), dessert here is never boring.

Best Hawker Center
Old Airport Road
Time and again this hawker center snags the best street food title, and for good reason. Seasoned cooks at stalls like Blanco Court Kway Chap and Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee put out grub so good it makes the more than hour-long queues seem worth it. 51 Old Airport Rd.

Best Food Event
World Gourmet Summit
The who’s who of the food industry makes their way to Singapore for this annual event. And last year for its 17th addition, we saw superstars like three Michelin starred French chef Yannick Alléno and Aussie celeb chef Matt Moran.

TRAVEL

Asia Pacific’s Best Airline
Singapore Airlines
The undisputed champion of luxe air travel, our national carrier is ever reliable for impeccable service and efficiency. www.singaporeair.com.

Best Budget Airline
Jetstar
Affordable sister airline to Qantas is your top pick yet again, with its good range of routes (23 at last count) flying out of Changi Airport Terminal 1.

Best New Hotel
W Hotel
Located in chi-chi neighborhood Sentosa Cove, this establishment is super plushy by any standards, with a rocking branch of W’s signature watering hole Woobar—featuring nightly DJ acts—as well as two great restaurants The Kitchen Table and Skirt.

Best Boutique Hotel
The Scarlet
Its location in Chinatown is stellar, providing easy access to Ann Siang Hill’s top notch bars and restaurants. The hotel’s got lots of historic appeal too: the building dates back to 1924. And with classy wood and marble furnishings, the place exudes old world charm.

Best Hotel
Marina Bay Sands
The view from the SkyPark of this now iconic structure has got to be the most stunning in the city. Plus, the convenience of staying right by the world class casino, shops and celeb restaurants like db Bistro Moderne can’t be beat.

Best New Attraction
Gardens by the Bay
Who said parks can’t be fun for grown-ups? You have splendid flora to surround yourself with day and night, plus acts like Aerosmith, ATB, Kings of Convenience and Markus Schulz have performed on its grounds recently.

ETC

Coolest Local App
Uber
It’s no wonder you like it—there are still more taxi cabs than there are Uber sedans on the street, but snagging one and being driven around town in luxury is hard to beat.

Most Promising Startup
RedMart.com
This is a vote we badly want to get behind—everytime we order our drystores off RedMart, the delivery’s prompt and accurate, plus the staff’s friendly. The variety is just right, too.

Best Creative Networking Event
Creative Mixer
Each edition of the popular series
 by Relay Room sees an amazing turnout—up to 100 of the city’s creative game changers.

Hottest Neighborhood In Town
Tiong Bahru
The undisputed hip hood recently welcomed men’s only salon We Need A Hero and diners Two Face Pizzeria and Kisses to its turf. Competitors Jalan Besar and Everton Park still have a long way to go.

Best I-S Distribution Venue
Wine Connection Cheese Bar @ Robertson Walk
Its bustling Robertson Walk location, coupled with our distribution stand prominently placed at the entrance, makes this the best place to pick up I-S.

Azur

Café & Bar Gavroche stocks a wide range of over 50 types of pastis, some of which make its way into pretty mixed drinks like the Azur (blue pastis and Champagne). Chef-owner Frederic Colin says, “The color of blue pastis reminds me of the Mediterranean Sea, and when mixed with bubbly, the liquorice flavor is very fresh on the palate.” The joint’s also offering a Viva La France Indoor Picnic ($118 for four) basket—including camembert, pork rillettes, pâté en croûte and sweet madeleines—on July 13.

$18 at Café & Bar Gavroche

Pastis Manguin

On sale for $6 each (it usually goes for $10) at O Batignolles’ Bastille Day Party (July 13), are three kinds of pastis from Avignon producer Distillerie Manguin, in the colors of the French flag: white (original), blue and red (each macerated with different herbs). Bar owner Antoine Rouland says, “It is fantastic craft pastis from the south of France. They’ve been distilling since 1949, so they’re masters of the process. The production is also quite small as they are independent. We met them directly in Avignon and love the aromatic profile of their product.”

$6 at O Batignolles

Pernod Ricard

The special Bastille Day set menu ($78)—available for lunch and dinner, July 13-14—at Balzac Brasserie starts with an aperitif of ever-popular Pernod Ricard pastis. Served in a rocks glass with water jug and ice cubes on the side (for you to dilute it to taste), the classically French meal also includes a starter platter of oysters, saucisson brioche and eggs mayo followed by traditional mains like roast chicken and baba au rhum for dessert. Assistant restaurant manager Mohit Bahuguna says, “We choose Pernod Ricard as its famous throughout France: The French consume around 130 million liters of the stuff each year.”

$14 (or $78 with set meal) at Balzac Brasserie