ultratravel

U.S. EDITION

FIVEIRRESISTIBLE ISLANDESCAPESSINGAPORE’SHipster HavenCroatia’s Culinary Catch

GRAB ABIKINI

ANDGO!

YOUR GUIDE TO HEAVEN ON EARTH

MEXICO SEYCHELLES CROATIA INDONESIA SINGAPORE

SPRING 2015

TAKEME

AWAY

Take me away

Cover Spring 2015_Layout 1 3/20/15 6:59 PM Page 1

Clockwise from top left: A tsukune dish at Bincho; ODP’s Gin and Raspberry Sour; guests awaiting sweet treatsat Plain Vanilla Bakery; the Nana & Bird shop; Bincho’s exterior, and chicken necks at the restaurant.

PHOTO

S BY EDMUND HO; JOHN HENG

T his island nation is celebrating its 50th birthday in 2015, putting its famousfeats of innovation (the lush flower dome of Gardens by the Bay, for example)in the spotlight. But there’s plenty more to discover in Singapore. A couple ofmiles west of the Central Business District is Tiong Bahru, a residential estatefrom the 1930s (characterized with Art Deco touches) that has transformed

itself into a beloved hangout for hip creatives who gather at the specialty coffee shops,indie boutiques and see-and-be-seen restaurants.

BooksActuallyOne of the neighborhood’s first commercial tenants back in 2011 (after a number of yearsin various locations all over the city), this bookstore whimsically juxtaposes periodicals,magazines and novels with a vast collection of old Pepsi and beer glasses in the back.BooksActually also publishes clever essays, poetry and fiction under the imprint MathPaper Press. booksactually.comNana & BirdTwo storefronts selling chic womenswear, adorable children’s clothing and modern homedecor grew out of a monthly pop-up in founder Georgina Koh’s apartment. Ladies willlove Singaporean Elyn Wong’s dresses and blouses—made sexier with draping andsculptural pleats that show off a woman’s back. nanaandbird.comODPExperience Singapore’s cocktail explosion at this recently renovated open-kitchenrestaurant. Beverages are on the fruitier side, making them ideal for mid-day revelry. Trythe ODP Old Fashioned, sweetened with gomme syrup and cherry liqueur. The frothy Gin& Raspberry Sour has a slightly drier finish thanks to gin and vermouth. odpsingapore.comTiong Bahru Food Market & Hawker CenterThe open-air second floor of this 1955 Art Deco building houses one of Singapore’s best

hawker outposts. Jian Bo Shui Kueh (stall #02-05) is great for traditional steamed ricecakes topped with preserved radish. Tiong Bahru Fried Kway Teow (#02-11) serves twoSingapore dollars’ worth of noodles sautéed with fish cakes and Chinese sausages. Wantmore toppings? Upgrade for four Singapore dollars. BinchoChef Asai Masashi’s crispy-on-the-outside tsukune (chicken meatballs) is made withchicken neck, which he likes for its tenderness, and then topped with a secret tare sauceand accompanied by an egg yolk. The melt-in-your-mouth beef tongue—decadent with abutter-garlic garnish—is another favorite at this industrial-looking yakitori hotspot.bincho.com.sgPlain Vanilla BakeryYou’ll spot this quaint bakery by the vintage-looking bikes parked out front. Inside, thefreshly baked cupcakes—made with the finest ingredients (vanilla from Madagascar, butterfrom France and local where possible)—are the stars of the show. The perfectly fluffy milkchocolate/banana combines the main ingredients subtly and deliciously.plainvanillabakery.comStrangeletsAn edgy nut-and-bolt bracelet from Carrie K. and a colorful print of typical Singaporeansnacks from graphic artist Shu Han Lee would make fabulous souvenirs from this sleekdesign shop, which offers trinkets and furniture from a global cadre of makers.strangelets.sgFlock CafeScan the tables of this minimalist family-run cafe and you’ll find most guests are tuckinginto a rich and flavorful panini of braised pork cheeks and creamy Gruyère kicked up witha mustard-mayo sauce. Follow their lead, and then finish with an energizing cup of espressofrom Liberty Coffee, a local small-batch roaster. flock.sg

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THE COOLER SIDE OF SINGAPOREIn a country known for striking modern

architecture and steely business acumen,Tiong Bahru, a historic, low-lying neighborhoodbecomes the stomping ground for fashionablelocals and in-the-know travelers. BY CHADNER NAVARRO

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