Update 19 Jan 2025: La Belle Epoque has closed.
Standing for “the golden age” in French, La Belle Epoque is the latest addition to the vibrant riverfront F&B belt that is Boat Quay. Helmed by Chef Firduaz, who brings over a decade’s worth of experience and tutelage from the industry’s best mentors, La Belle Epoque boasts an eclectic take on contemporary European cuisine.
For my birthday, I decided to go all out and treat myself to a weekend staycation at Capella Singapore in Sentosa. A 5-star resort that was thrust into the international spotlight after the 2018 Trump-Kim summit took place there, this luxurious, Bali-esque property had been on my radar ever since travelling became a distant memory amid the pandemic.
Singapore’s cafe scene has expanded to the far corners of the west, with Surrey Hills Grocer, an Australian-style cafe and grocer setting up shop in none other than Boon Lay. Helmed by ex-banker Pang Gek Teng who first earned her food business chops in Down Under, it boast farm-to-table brunch staples and exclusive Australian produce at competitive prices.
Looking out for last-minute Valentine’s Day ideas? Spend a whimsical evening “under the stars” at The Secret Patio @ Duxton’s Indoor Planetarium Campfire Night, which transforms a beautiful venue into a makeshift camping ground, complete with a galaxy projector that will make you feel as though you are dining amidst flora and fauna.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Lucky Dumplings has closed.
I don’t know about auspicious colours and numbers, but if someone labels a certain type of food “lucky”, you can be damned sure I’m getting my fill of it. Lucky for frequent town goers, the aptly-named Lucky Dumplings has set up shop in ION Orchard‘s foodie basement, with delicious noodles and dumplings available for the taking.
There has been a spate of Michelin Bib Gourmand hawker recipients expanding beyond their home bases and setting up shop across Singapore. Good for them – and good for us to be able to get a taste of their revered recipes closer to home! One of these growing hawker businesses is Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice, which recently opened its third outpost in Tampines Street 81.
Duo Chicken Rice ($5 – $6)
You’ve heard of 100-year old recipes passed down for generations, but what about 100-year old sourdough starters? Goldenroy’s San Francisco Sourdough Pizza is a takeaway kiosk whose claim to fame is American-style sourdough pizzas, the base of which is made from a 48-hour aged sourdough starter that is itself an heirloom strain aged over 100 years old!
