SEE
Chinese New Year floral display
Gardens by the Bay
Receive more luck and good fortune by visiting Gardens by the Bay’s annual Chinese New Year floral display Dahlia Dreams. Held at the Flower Dome from now till Feb 20, the annual event will feature a rush of 2,000 springtime blooms that surround a variety of Insta-worthy backdrops such as a large installation of three Chinese moon gates with River Hongbao lanterns, a red pavilion, giant paper rabbits and larger-than-life narcissus flowers. Also on display are adorable tiger cubs to ring in the Year of the Tiger, and auspicious decorations such as giant coin pouches, couplets and large-scale paintings of the Four Gentlemen that symbolises resilience, modesty, endurance, flexibility, perseverance and fortitude. Admission charge to Flower Dome applies. Visit gardensbythebay.com.sg/dahlia for details.
A mall-full of art
Funan
In conjunction with Singapore Art Week 2022, Funan launches its own month-long mall-wide art activation entitled Creative Intersections: In the Year of the Tiger, now on till Feb 13.
Shoppers can have a taste of an outer space-inspired “Aliens ate my homework” gelato, put their own creative spin on their Dr. Martens boots with customisation workshops, or explore physical and digital non-fungible tokens (NFTs) artworks by local artists.
See also: Step into the wizarding world with 'Harry Potter: Visions of Magic' at Resorts World Sentosa
Presented by Funan and art gallery Chan + Hori Contemporary, Creative Intersections will feature 15 unique artist and brand collaborations in the areas of fashion, food, lifestyle and more. Shoppers can look forward to art experiences produced in collaboration with diverse homegrown brands like Love, Bonito; Liho Tea; PPP Coffee and Edible Garden City; alongside international brands such as Bernina. For these art experiences, Funan have been paired with Singapore-based artists and creatives to engage in collaborations.
Beyond digital and hybrid art interventions, the public will also have opportunities to better appreciate art through talks, workshops, in-store activations and products. Visit capitaland.com/sg/malls/funan to download the digital catalogue.
See also: An iconic Christmas awaits at ION Orchard
DRINK
The Sidecar cocktail turns 100
Rémy Martin
Named after a US army captain whose favourite form of transport when out drinking in Paris was a sidecar motorcycle, the Sidecar cocktail — popularised during the Roaring Twenties — celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Perfectly timed for this centenary celebration is the Singapore launch of Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal, which joins the brand’s premium range of cognac fine champagnes that the House of Rémy Martin’s has been crafting for almost three centuries.
Composed of eaux-de-vie coming exclusively from the most sought-after vineyards of Cognac, Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, the Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal carries a distinctive oaky flavour due to the long, soft barrel toasting that teases out subtle notes of vanilla and brioche. Experts have awarded this spirit in some of the most prestigious competitions, including three Double Gold medals from San Francisco World Spirits Competition, making it the highest-ranked cognac in its category.
Spirit expert Paul Pacult says the Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal is the cognac best suited to the Sidecar. He adds: “Good acidity upfront promotes a crisp, tart, citrusy flavour profile that highlights Cointreau and 1738 Accord Royal in equal strength... complex yet extremely well-balanced, fruity, and spicy, rich and tart at the same time.”
To recreate your own Sidecar at home, mix three parts Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal with two parts Cointreau and one part lemon juice. Serve chilled to enjoy. The rich and robust Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal ($100) is available for purchase on LazMall and Amazon.
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EAT
Elevated bar bites
Binary
Inspired by the celestial phenomenon of a binary star — where two stars orbiting in such close proximity appear as a single star — is the newly-opened gastro-bar Binary at Palais Renaissance.
Joining a growing group of F&B establishments in the mall, Binary is based on the concept of two approaches to cuisine — in which guests have the option to choose from Asian or Western cooking. For example, you can have a tapas plate of octopus prepared in either style: Pesto alla genovese or “Lao Gan Ma” chilli crisp. Or you can enjoy juicy Iberico Pluma in either Argentine chimichurri or Korean gochujang. And tiger prawns can be cooked tempura-style or as a Gambas Al Ajillo dish.
For the health-conscious, there are plenty of options. Vegetables are highlighted in the 10 Veg Chopped Salad, Zucchini Fries, Mushroom Fritti and 16 Grain Veg Fried Rice. A must-try here is the soft and fluffy homemade Kubaneh bread — a traditional Jewish Yemeni pull-apart bread — served with garlic butter and kombu butter. Meanwhile, desserts are a tantalising array of sweets such as Warm Homemade Fudgy Brownie served with vanilla ice cream, and Hong Kong Egglet served with blue sea salt ice cream.
A perfect catch-up place for light bites and drinks in-between shopping and hair appointments, the gastrobar’s 45-seater location features an alfresco terrace that affords prime people-watching along Orchard Road. As a watering hole, Binary does not disappoint either. Aside from cocktails and craft beers, it carries over 60 wine labels from as little as $38, which you can enjoy while grazing on a Cheese and Charcuterie Platter.
Prices for food start from $14 for sharing plates and $38 for mains. Binary is at #01-01A Palais Renaissance. For reservations, call 9363-0101 or email [email protected]
Get your bake on
Baker X Baking Studio & Café
Far East Organization has just launched Baker X, a baking studio and café in Orchard Central. With the aim of supporting bakers who wish to explore scaling up into full-fledge outlets, Far East Organization provides a business opportunity through Baker X – a fully-fitted baking studio and café operated in tandem with social enterprise, Foreword Coffee Roasters. Each participating baker will take up a residency in Baker X for two to six weeks.
“With this unique concept, we seek to give budding home-baking entrepreneurs a chance to run their operations at a physical outlet at no costs and to scale their production. Customers will gain access to their favourite home-based bakers, interacting with them and trying their bakes, including their new items, first-hand in a café setting,” said Deborah Tan, Deputy Director, Retail Business Group, Far East Organization.
The baking studio and café features an industrial chic interior design with table and counter seating for up to 10 guests. It is fully fitted with appliances from brands such as leading Swiss household name, V-ZUG. Baker X is operated by the baker-in-residence, complemented by Foreword Coffee Roasters.
At present, Baker X will be working with a curated line-up of bakers till the end of this year. Get the latest update from the shopFarEast app.
