What are some of the hottest must-do, must-buy and can’t-miss things this month? Here are our favourites.
What are some of the hottest must-do, must-buy and can’t-miss things this month? Here are our favourites.
GET TO KNOW: Current It girl Lea Seydoux
French model and actress Lea Seydoux may be a familiar name in her home country, but she’s not quite as well known in other parts of the world… yet. We reckon Lea will leave a big impression as the current face of Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2016 Travel ad campaign, especially as she already has an extensive acting repertoire which includes movies like Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, critically acclaimed film Blue is the Warmest Colour and James Bond flick Spectre.
More recently, she starred in French-Canadian film It’s Only the End of the World, which was awarded the Grand Prix at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival (the second most prestigious award at the festival), and X-Men franchise movie Gambit. Could she be the next French actress to break into mainstream consciousness a la Marion Cotillard? We say yes.
VISIT: Japan Food Town
The opening of Japan Food Town at Wisma Atria this month – yes, yet another Japanese food emporium – is proof that there’s always a market for more quality Nippon grub in Singapore. But besides its draw of bringing together 16 Japanese restaurants – most of which were handpicked for their reputation back home and are new to Singapore – what we love most about this particular concept is its affordability: prices range from about $10 for fried chicken to $100 for a Matsusaka steak, the famed beef type considered to be the best in Japan for its high marbling score. Other things we can’t wait to check out: the first official pop-up Dassai Bar outside Japan, where the luxurious sake Dassai Beyond will be sold – it was once served during a White House state dinner!
Japan Food Town opens on July 16 at #04-39/54 Wisma Atria.
TRY: Asian-inspired spirits from Paper Lantern Distilling
Asian-inspired cocktails are commonplace in many local bars these days, but Asian-inspired spirits? Not so much. Puzzled by the lack of regional flavours in liquor sold here, enthusiasts Simin Kayhan Ames and Rick Ames set up Paper Lantern Distilling with the intention of promoting Asian flavours in their booze . Their very first creation, Sichuan Pepper Gin, is a labour of love that was painstakingly put together after the founders and their distillers went through more than 100 ingredient combinations. They finally settled on using rice as a base and eight botanicals, including two types of Sichuan peppercorns, ginger, galangal, lemongrass and juniper. “Thankfully, it’s a lot easier to drink than it was to make!” they say – good news for all unadventurous palates! They recommend drinking the gin with a soda and a squeeze of lime, from a tall glass over ice. This could be your next party essential.
Sichuan Pepper Gin is available for sale at www.drinkpaperlantern.com. Price unavailable at press time.
INDULGE: Girls’ night staycation at M Social Singapore
A staycation weekend with the girlfriends doesn’t have to be pricey. The newly opened M Social Singapore, designed by the renowned Philippe Starck, off ers decently sized lofts that provoke plenty of serious room envy with sleek lines and luxe touches (like pashmina throws), from just $238 a night. It’s conveniently located along the Singapore River, which means party options aplenty. Otherwise, stay in at the hotel’s own restaurant and bar Beast & Butterflies, which serves an extensive selection of dishes with Eastern and Western influences, as well as artisanal cocktails.
M Social Singapore is at 90 Robertson Quay. Visit www.msocial.com.sg for more information.
