1. Have a Bloody Mary at the Astor Bar at the St Regis hotel. The Bloody Mary was invented at the St Regis (King Cole bar) in NYC in 1934 but the name had to be changed to Red Snapper. The name was changed back to BM when sensibilities became stronger. Here’s their recipe
    30 ml premium vodka, 325 ml Bloody Mary Mix, Juice of 3 lemons, 2.5 l tomato juice, 150ml Worcestershire sauce, 3ml Tobasco, 2 tbsp freshly ground black pepper, 2 tbsp cayenne pepper, 1 tbsp celery salt, 2 tbsp whole black peppercorns, 1 lemon wedge for garnish
    St Regis Singapore make a local version spiked with bird’s eye chillis (a good move), Chinese ginger and lemongrass -(www.stregissingapore.com) (www.astorbar.com)
  2. Must must eat the skirt steak at SKIRT at W Sentosa. It’s simply the best steak in the city (although the cut ‘skirt’ is generally regarded as inferior). This is David Blackmore’s wagyu cattle from Australia and the beef is 9+ grade which is pretty outstanding – melt in the mouth with great flavour. The saffron potato mash and the chocolate bourbon sauce for the steak also mouthwatering. Takes comfort food to another level (www.wsingaporesentosacove.com)
  1. A Bastien Gonsalez pedicure. It’s the king of pedicure treatments developed by a darned good looking French chap called Bastien Gonsalez after he had an accident skiing professionally. It’s all about old fashioned scraping, polishing and buffing with a fine stone and chamoix and restoration rather than masking, using absolutely no water. Very effective and long lasting.  He is now probably the most famous and most sought after name for a ‘mani pedi’, in the world. (www.remedespasingapore.com/bastiengonzalez)
  1. Explore the Tiong Bahru area (wet market/food court…try a shui kueh rice cake with cooked radish) and pick up a croissant from the Tiong Bahru bakery. It’s a fascinating area, very 30’s architecture and fast becoming “gentrified’ so you’ll find an old coffee shop next to a fancy French bakery.
  1. Bistro du Vin, Shaw centre. From the stable of the Les Amis group – a very affordable glass of wine and great tasting nibble, hugely convenient just off the intersection of Orchard and Scott’s road opposite the Grand Hyatt. (www.bistroduvin.com.sg)
  1. Tea at the Chihuly Lounge, Ritz Carlton at S$ 48….it’s worth it for the 8 courses including individual caviar boxes and all that pampering . Yes, the RC view from the bathtub is till scintillating. (www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Singapore/Dining/ChihulyLounge)
  1. My pick of hotel if you can afford it – St Regis.  It’s magical, you don’t feel like you’re in a hotel and it’s convenient. The service is second to none and that 24×7 butler service….hot, freshly brewed Arabica coffee in the morning and chamomile tea in bone china at night…and its all comp! Did I mention the Grand Astor Afternoon tea on Saturday with dancing and scones with shaved Perigord truffles? (www.stregissingapore.com)
  1. Bit geekish but I just love the National Museum and I always find something different and quirky for my special friends with unusual needs at their Banyan Tree shop.
  1. Saha, Abhijit Saha’s signature restaurant in Singapore, still undiscovered by many but quite a masterpiece of modern Indian cuisine from this masterchef.  (www.saha.sg)
  1. Mezza 9: Still going strong at the Grand Hyatt on Scotts Road, Mezza 9 has been constantly one of my favourite restaurants in the city since it opened in 1998. 9 different dining experiences in one very fashionable space – International style grills & rotisserie (including a fantastic seafood bar), steam basket, (Chinese), a fashionable martini bar, sushi, Thai, patisserie, a deli, yakitori, a gourmet shop. There’s jazz playing in the background and Singapore’s chic set always come here.  A great Happy Hour at the bar next door with comp snacks from the restaurant (www.singapore.grand.hyattrestaurants.com/mezza9/)