HOW TO LIVE LAVISHLY IN SINGAPORE: CRAZY RICH ASIANS EDITION

If you haven’t watched Crazy Rich Asians yet, then do so now and then come back to this. To say that the film impacted me dramatically would be more than accurate. I watched the movie twice within the first week of its opening, so it’s understandable as to why it has now become one of my favorite films. I read the book prior to watching the movie (as you always should) and I was pleasantly surprised by how much it impacted me emotionally because as an Asian American, I could relate to the identity struggle portrayed by Constance Wu’s character, Rachel Chu. 

I was proud that a film with an all Asian cast was shown on the big screen (last it happened was The Joy Luck Club, which premiered in 1993). I always felt somewhat disconnected when watching movies as it’s rare to spot leading or supporting roles portrayed by Asians, so this movie was a huge step for representation and diversity in the entertainment industry. I made sure to watch the movie without the biased judgment of the inclusion of an all Asian cast and I genuinely thought the movie was well directed and loved the romantic comedy storyline.

*Photography by Paris Chia

With all that being said, I was beyond ecstatic when Singapore Tourism Board and Protravel International approached me about exploring Singapore with a lavish itinerary, Crazy Rich Asians edition in a Crazy Rich Americans Love Singapore campaign. I had never been to Singapore before and of course, it was on my list after watching the film. I thought the campaign was brilliant and for someone like me who was deeply moved by the movie, I jumped on the opportunity immediately! For full disclosure, I do not live the grand lifestyle portrayed by the movie but if you’re curious to know how to live and dine lavishly in Singapore, then here are my top recommendations, all curated by luxury travel agency, Protravel International. You can also get the full itinerary here.

HOTEL: It doesn’t get any more luxurious than staying at St. Regis Singapore. The 5 star luxurious hotel is conveniently located in the shopping district of Orchard and houses an impressive collection over 70 art works. The decor is grand, with crystal chandeliers and their suites all have a sense of royal character and sophistication as depicted by the gold and red colors and ambiance. There is also a butler for each floor, available at your service both day and night. The hotel provides guests with a free pressing service, up to two clothing pieces a day. This was a great amenity as I had several clothing items that needed to be ironed because my dresses always get wrinkly no matter how well I pack. The butlers are also notorious for packing suitcases in a well organized manner, making it easy for guests to unpack once they get home. My butler was also so kind enough to fill my tub with rose petals so I can take my bathroom photos. I had to utilize the gorgeous space as it’s only once in a blue moon do I get to have a beautiful tub all to myself!  The breakfast options are plentiful, so you will never leave hungry. And of course, let’s not forget that you have the option to order in room dining service and enjoy a delicious breakfast spread like the one I devoured after taking the above photos!

DINING:

CANDLENUT

The world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant, Candlenut takes a contemporary yet authentic approach to traditional Straits-Chinese cuisine. The restaurant serves up refined Peranakan cuisine that preserves the essence and complexities of traditional food, with astute twists that lift the often rich dishes to a different level. Helmed by chef Malcolm Lee, Candlenut is committed to continually create inspired and elevated Peranakan dishes using the freshest seasonal produce available.”

Be mesmerized when you first enter Candlenut because the atmosphere and vibe is like no other. The name is appropriate as there are candle inspired decor hanging from the ceilings. The space not only makes for great photo opportunities, but it’s also a great place to enjoy a delicious Peranakan meal. It was the first time I experienced Peranakan cuisine and the flavors blended well with one another. I had a five set course meal, which is shown in the photos above. I really enjoyed every bite and thought that the portion sizes were perfect!

Address: 17A Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249676

FOREST

To best experience the modern, innovative dishes of celebrity chef Sam Leong, come here to the Equarius hotel for dinner rather than lunch. Signature dishes include milky chicken broth with morel mushrooms and bamboo; Sichuan-style mapo tofu with crab meat; and beef tenderloin with foie gras and black pepper sauce. Service in this airy, high-ceilinged dining room with its forest motif is courteous and eager.

If you are looking to explore a restaurant that is further from Central Singapore, then head to Forest. It is located in Sentosa and it’s another must visit Michelin Star Restaurant in Singapore. The dessert is to die for and I would recommend ordering the Crispy Thai Coconut Warm Custard and Textures of Black Sesame. The service is great, the ambiance is lovely and the food was delicious so overall, it was an amazing dining experience!

Address:
森, 16 Sentosa Gateway, Resorts World Sentosa,
#01-521 & 522, Via Equarius Hotel Lobby,
Singapore 098133

JAAN:

JAAN is an internationally recognized modern French restaurant in Singapore that has established itself as a gastronomic platform with a reputation for handpicking and grooming exceptional culinary talents. True to JAAN’s philosophy, an innovative cuisine that continues to pay tribute to seasonality and the skills of the world’s best gourmet producers. JAAN’s wine list is a proud display of nearly 500 different labels of Old World and New World Wines. With an exceptional menu paired with exquisite wines, JAAN attains the highest levels of excellence, placing it firmly amongst the greatest restaurants in Asia.

Hands down, this is my favorite restaurant in Singapore and it’s truly an experience that aligns with the Crazy Rich Asians lifestyle. The combination of the glass decor and the amazing view overlooking Singapore in addition to the delicious, unique dishes truly makes this restaurant worthy of a Michelin star. Chef Kirk Westaway is also personable and reached out to me on social media, thanking me for dining at his restaurant. I would return the next time I find myself in Singapore!

Address: Swissôtel The Stamford

INDOCHINE

Situated at the top of the iconic SuperTree, IndoChine serves a sumptuous blend of Indochinese and Western cuisines, complete with a wide selection of beverages, cocktails, beers and wine. Whether it’s chilling out at the alfresco rooftop bar or dining in the fully air-conditioned lounge, it’s the perfect place to soak in stunning, unobstructed views of nature’s best on one side and Singapore’s iconic cityscape on the other.

If you’re ever in Singapore, then catching the light show at Gardens by the Bay is a must. The next best thing to do is to dine at Indochine because you are truly on top of the world with this dining location and experience. I would recommend catching the 7:45 pm light show and then head over to Indochine after so you can actually enjoy the light show for the second time from above. The desserts really stole my heart so make sure you save some room in your stomach!

Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, #03-01, Gardens by The Bay, Singapore 018953

CORNERHOUSE

Gastro-Botanica is the contemporary cuisine created by Chef Jason Tan that emphasizes refinement and quality, and gives equivalent weight on the plate to protein and botanical elements. Cornerhouse was ranked 17th in the Asia 50 Best list in 2015. Chef Jason works with fastidiously sourced meats, poultry and seafood, and botanicals ranging from tubers, roots and fungi, to vines, fruits and herbs. A key innovation of Gastro-Botanica is that plants are given fuller elaborations, and garnishing becomes a highlight in its own right.

I love plants and the outdoors, so Cornerhouse was a beautiful place to have a meal, overlooking Singapore Botanic Gardens. I would describe it almost a hidden gem as it seems as though you are dining somewhere in the middle of the forest. I’ve also never had any dishes similar to the ones I had at Cornerhouse. Chef Jason’s creativity is truly on another level and I applaud him for his recipes and skills with mixing different ingredients and flavors together. If you want something different, then this is a restaurant I would try in Singapore!

Address: Botanic Gardens
1 Cluny Road, E J H Corner House
Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore 259569

DRINKS:

Ce La Vi:

Tantalise your palate with the award-winning, innovative Modern Asian cuisine at CÉ LA VI Restaurant and SkyBar. Elevated above the SkyPark Observation Deck of Marina Bay Sands, CÉ LA VI offers you breathtaking panoramic views of the city skyline and Singapore Strait to enhance your fine dining experience. The multi-level CÉ LA VI Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily, providing à la carte menu options, as well as tasting menus that allow you to sample a selection of dishes created by their international chefs. SkyBar is a vibrant circular bar where talented bartenders shake, stir and serve up classic and signature CÉ LA VI cocktails for your drinking pleasure.

What better way to enjoy Singapore than with some cocktails during sunset at Ce La Vi? I absolutely love watching the sunsets and make it a priority especially when I’m visiting a foreign country. The atmosphere and vibe is also an inviting way to start your trip in Singapore, especially if you’re a first time visitor. The drinks are delicious and I would highly recommend ordering the Singapore Sling as it’s a signature Singapore drink. This is a great place especially if you go with a group of your friends or make some new ones!

Address: 1 Bayfront Avenue Marina Bay Sands Tower 3, Singapore 018971

ATLAS BAR

ATLAS is a celebration of the grand Art Deco lobbies of Europe and of the era’s rich culinary and beverage traditions. Expect a truly memorable setting, delightful European cuisine from Executive Chef Daniele Sperindio and a bar helmed by Roman Foltán and Carla Soares, both formerly of London’s awardwinning Artesian at The Langham. Beverage highlights will include elegant European cocktails, one of Asia’s finest collections of spirits and champagne, and a thoughtfully curated tea and coffee service.

If you fancy getting dressed up and having a lovely, romantic evening, then head to the Atlas Bar. It’s not a rowdy place and I love that there’s an intimate and comfortable setting to enjoy drinks with some great company. The bar is huge with high ceilings and is decorated beautifully with a vintage vibe. It is also easy to spend hours here so I would recommend this as a date night spot!

Address: Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188778

OPERATION DAGGER

Operation Dagger is a bar located along Ann Siang Hill, which name was inspired by the movement in the late 1950s. Operation Dagger is anything but conventional, and aims to make the spirits, liqueurs and bitters used at the bar entirely in-house.

I’m not a huge drinker but if I do drink, my go to order is a glass of red wine. Operation Dagger has truly changed my mindset on alcohol because the drinks here are out of the world! I joke around saying it’s a dangerous place to have drinks because the drinks are all delicious and don’t even taste like there is alcohol in them! It’s a speakeasy bar, one where you simply overlook due to the hidden location. It is currently ranked as #23 best bar in the world and that’s truly saying something even though I think they should be ranked top 10! If you go, you have to try the hot and cold cocktail. I can’t even begin to describe how it tastes but it’s simply magical and you’ll thank me later 🙂

Address: 7 Ann Siang Hill

ACTIVITIES:

PRIVATE MAHJONG LESSON

 The Mahjong scene where Rachel Chu and Eleanor Young had their confrontation was one of the most powerful scenes in Crazy Rich Asians. I won’t spoil it too much, but for those who did watch it (and all of you should’ve if you have read this far into my post), then you would be familiar with Mahjong. It’s a popular Chinese game and I used to watch my family play this religiously growing up. For some reason, I never felt inclined to learn because I thought I wouldn’t understand it since the pieces are all in Chinese. After watching the film and growing older, I have been intrigued by this game so I was thrilled to have a private Mahjong lesson with Robin Goh. He is a wonderful instructor and I am confident going home and playing with my family!

SUNSET LE TARA YACHT CRUISE

Whenever I think of a private yacht, I think of luxury, so what better way to live lavishly like Crazy Rich Asians than to have a pre yacht cruise along the Marina at Keppel Bay with Fish2Go. As I mentioned earlier, I am all about sunset views so I would highly recommend taking Le Tara yacht around 6 pm. It’s a great way to enjoy Singapore and to experience a carefree lifestyle as you soak in the views and beautiful city.

PREMIUM PERFUME WORKSHOP AT SIFR AROMATICS

A lot of people aren’t aware that there’s a science and art when it comes to making perfumes. Sifr Aromatics is a great place to get the behind the scenes of fragrance creation. Johari is the owner of the shop and holds workshops to teach clients on how to make their own fragrance. I had the opportunity to select my favorite scents and create my own fragrance, in which I named Sunday Morning (it’s relevant as it was a Sunday morning when I visited and the scent reminded me of how I feel on Sunday mornings). In case you guys are wondering, my fragrance consists of notes including jasmine, vanilla, white floral, and citrus and I am proud of the scent!

After experiencing all these activities, I must say I can get used to this lifestyle inspired by Crazy Rich Asians. I would also like to point out that you obviously don’t need to be living that type of lifestyle in order to enjoy Singapore. However, if you have the time, then I would suggest dining at some of the locations mentioned and participating in one or two of the activities. I also can’t rave enough of St. Regis so that’s a hotel that you would not regret staying at. Overall, I had an amazing time in Singapore and I want to give a huge thank you for Singapore Tourism Board for having me and luxury travel agency Protravel International for creating the most perfect itinerary for a first time visitor like me!