Bright, bright, BRIGHT green, that should be the colour of your matcha powder. Think electric green, almost neon. And yeah I know, it sounds counterintuitive; usually the ultra-bright colours signal lower quality and food colouring. But for matcha, it's the opposite: the brighter, the better. If it's a dull, army green, or even a bit yellowish, that's when you gotta get a refund.
It might seem tedious, but spotting good matcha spot isn't that hard once you know what to look for. Before you start showing off your newfound matcha knowledge, let me introduce you to one of the OG spots, where their matcha are bright—like, BRIGHT green.
Since its debut in Paris in 2014, Café Kitsuné has carved a niche as one of the forerunners of the matcha movement. Known for its distinct blend of Japanese and French influences, Café Kitsuné sources its matcha directly from Kagoshima, Japan (that's when you know it's gonna be reaaal good.) Their matcha powder boasts a smooth, creamy texture, pronounced umami, and a delicate balance of flavours with reduced bitterness.
This month, Café Kitsuné marks its 10th anniversary with a sale of their matcha powder at The Capitol. So now you can flaunt not only your matcha knowledge but the real deal itself.
Running until 1 November, Café Kitsuné will showcase its rich heritage and expertise in matcha with a limited-time menu crafted just for the occasion. Expect inventive desserts like Matcha Strawberry Shortcake, Matcha Canelé, and Matcha Chocolate Loaf Cake. Obviously, there are exclusive matcha drinks like the Matcha Strawberry Latte, Matcha Jasmine Coconut, Matcha Coconut Cloud, and the refreshing Bergamot and Jasmine Matcha Fizz.
Located at 13 Stamford Road, #01-11, Singapore 178905, open daily from 10am to 10pm.
Matcha powder (30g) is priced at SGD59 and is also available online.
Ah, Paris... The city of love, art and culture. The perfect place for a summer vacay. And at the heart of it, Cheval Blanc Paris has opened its terraces for visitors to take in the iconic sights of Paris. The hotel itself is a veritable museum in its own right. Located within proximity to the Louvre and the Marais, Cheval Blanc Paris embodies the Art Deco essence, showcasing the French art de vivre that is inspired by a bold, contemporary spirit all through its 26 rooms and 46 suites, along with splendid living areas, restaurants and wellness facilities.
The Cheval Blanc Paris terraces are open to the public. Perched on the seventh level, each terrace is a window to the magic of three culinary masters: Chef Arnaud Donckele; Chef William Béquin and Pastry Chef Maxime Frédéric. Under the purview of these talented chefs, each terrace promises an unforgettable gastronomic adventure against the stunning backdrop of Paris’ romantic cityscape.
Le Jardin de Cheval Blanc Paris is a verdant haven that is the picture of summer. Vibrant and adorned with red and white furniture and chic yellow accents, the terrace celebrates Parisian epicureanism. Delight in Chef William Béquin’s curated menu that features dishes like cherry tomato tart with pineapple tomato and basil sorbet. A strawberry ice cream sundae—crafted by Pastry Chef Frédéric—is a fitting topper to a meal. This idyllic retreat is wrapped in the heady aromatic scent of herbs and scarlet flowers.
Offering unobstructed views of the Seine, this contemporary brasserie invites you to embrace Parisian life through the palate. With flavours imagined by Chef William Béquin, featured dishes like green bean tart with stracciatella and smoked velvet with black olive. Treat yourself to lobster, red mullet, monkfish and sea bass in a saffron-infused bourride. End your culinary journey with a rhubarb vacherin, a modern twist on iconic French gastronomy.
With a name like Langosteria, you do come in with certain expectations. But the restaurant manages to surprise you with its convergence of Italian and French cultures on a plate. The restaurant opens on to a terrace that looks over the surrounding sun dappled rooftops, providing a painterly vantage. Reflecting Italian vibrancy and summery influences, the menu’s offerings include Sicilian gambero rosso, red tuna carpaccio with eggplant, and tagliatelle with royal (of course) langoustines. Desserts get the same sort of magic, again, created by Pastry Chef Frédéric, the Langosteria’s signature tiramisu, sans crustaceans, bien sûr.
Cheval Blanc’s restaurant terraces are now open. For more info, click here.
It's bit ironic isn't it? Rishi Budhrani's comedy monologue is called "Can I make you a suit, mate?" —yet he was sacked from his father's tailoring business. Talk about a career pivot. But look, when life gives you lemons—or in this case, a pink slip—why not use it as fodder for a stand-up set? Which is what Rishi did in a show called Can I Make You a Suit, Mate? Drawing from his father's life as an immigrant, this semi-improvised show is hilarious and most importantly heartfelt.
As the first stand-up comic to host the National Day Parade (NDP) back in 2022, Rishi is a seasoned performer, whose voice you may recognise as Sammy from the Netflix series Downstairs. He has made appearance on Comedy Central Asia and his TikTok clips, where he interviewed audience members during the NDP.
Originally presented at Esplanade, Can I Make You a Suit, Mate? is now staged at The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre @ Wild Rice, Funan. Playing his father, Rishi narrates 40 years worth of stories, from outsmarting clients from every corner of the globe to surviving not only the tailoring industry but also the Gulf War, SARS, the Asian Financial Crisis, and the pandemic. All these while, he tries to make an audience member a suit. (Operative word here is "tries".)
Look forward to Rishi Budhrani's next endeavour, one that he stages with his wife and fellow-comic, Sharul Channa, called, rather aptly, The Rishi and Sharul Show 3.
Can I Make You a Suit, Mate? runs until 27 October. Get your tickets here.
We've seen some wild luxury fashion collaborations before—Versace x Fortnite, Nike's Chunky Dunky Madness with Ben & Jerry's, Christian Cowan x Teletubbies. But how about an Italian luxury brand teaming up with the world's first commercial space station? That's right, Prada is taking its expertise beyond Earth, joining forces with Axiom Space.
Since securing a USD228million Artemis task order in 2022, Axiom Space has capitalised on its partnership with NASA, working with top experts to create the next-generation spacesuit of the Artemis III mission. “We are pioneering a new era in space exploration where partnerships are imperative to the commercialisation of space,” said Russell Ralston, executive vice president of extravehicular activity at Axiom Space.
Prada's involvement goes beyond aesthetics. Its team has contributed expertise in materials and production processes, bridging the gap between high-performance functionality and innovative design. As Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group's chief marketing officer said, "Going beyond our limits is one of the company's values that perfectly reflects the spirit of the Prada brand and my parents' vision. I'm very proud of the result we're showing today, which is just the first step in a long-term collaboration with Axiom Space."
The Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit is made to withstand extreme temperatures and to endure at least two hours in the permanently shadowed regions of the Moon. Astronauts will be able to perform spacewalks for up to eight hours, supported by multiple redundant systems and an onboard diagnostic system for added safety.
The spacesuit incorporates advanced technologies, including a regenerable carbon dioxide scrubbing system and cutting-edge cooling technology to manage heat. It also features custom-made gloves with significant advancements over current designs, alongside a helmet and visor with specialised coatings to enhance the astronauts' view.
The AxEMU spacesuit recently passed a simulation with NASA, SpaceX, and Axiom Space—marking the first test of its kind since the Apollo era. It’s now entering the final development stages, with further underwater tests and integrated trials with the Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle prototypes. Critical design review is set for 2025 before the suit is deemed ready for its mission to the moon.
With its durable design, advanced life support systems, and innovative features, the AxEMU spacesuit will play a crucial role in expanding scientific opportunities and ensuring astronaut safety during NASA’s return to the lunar surface.
Why choose between Thanksgiving or Christmas at Wolfgang's Steakhouse when you can celebrate both? The storied steak place has crafted seasonal dishes (well, American-themed) for the upcoming Big Two: Thanksgiving and Christmas. Perfect for that gathering with family and friends or a convenient excuse not to do the post-feast washing up.
Say hello to Wolfgang's Steakhouse's Thanksgiving Turkey À La Carte option. In their stunning dining room, you and your guests can enjoy a hearty holiday feast. The centrepiece, a tender and perfectly roasted whole turkey that's around 5-6kg (proof that you're getting great value for your money). This main comes with all the traditional trimmings: traditional stuffing, rich turkey gravy, and tangy cranberry sauce. Appropriate for a large group or if you feel like you needed to go against the gods, go on your own.
Now, if you really want to impress without lifting a finger, the Thanksgiving Turkey Set is the way to go. Available for takeaway, this set includes comforting Butternut Soup, their famous roasted Whole Turkey, and a variety of sides like the Bacon Brussels Sprouts, Roasted New Potatoes, Jumbo Asparagus, Pilaf Rice, Stuffing, Turkey Gravy, and Cranberry Sauce.
Plus, you get a complimentary carving knife set to really do a number on the turkey while uttering "That's not a knife... That's a knife."
In addition to their Thanksgiving offerings, Wolfgang's has a special Festive Lunch Menu and a Set Menu for two to four guests. The Lunch Menu showcases some of the restaurant's most popular dishes, while the Thanksgiving Set offers a complete feast. It features highlights like Lobster Bisque, Colorado Lamb Chops, USDA Prime Ribeye Steak, Grilled King Salmon, and USDA Prime Filet Mignon, accompanied by classic sides such as Mashed Potatoes, Steak Fries, Mac ‘n’ Cheese, and Creamed Spinach. Lastly, select between Apple Pie or New York Cheesecake for dessert.
If you're in the mood for a seasonal toast, try the Amber Dusk cocktail—a stunning blend with layers of orange, purple, and white foam. This visual delight combines Buffalo Trace, Menage a Trois, Nashville syrup, freshly squeezed orange juice, and orange bitters.
The Thanksgiving Turkey À La Carte, Festive Lunch Menu and Set Menu runs 22-30 November.
Pre-orders for the Thanksgiving Turkey Set can be placed online here, while dine-in guests can pre-order by calling the restaurant directly.
Alright, now let's turn our attention to the Christmas Set Menu. Starting off with a choice of soup—either a comforting daily selection or savoury lobster bisque. For the main course, indulge in a selection of premium entrées, including 100 per cent USDA Prime Ribeye Steak, 100 per cent USDA Prime Filet Mignon, Grilled King Salmon, and Colorado Lamb Chops, each prepared to perfection. Complemented by gourmet sides like Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Fried Onion Rings, Sautéed Mushrooms, and Creamed Spinach. To finish the meal, enjoy Wolfgang’s signature Chocolate Yule Log, served straight from the trolley, adding a festive flourish to the occasion.
For a more relaxed experience, their Festive Lunch Menu is available daily till 4pm, offering a curated selection of signature dishes in a more casual setting. And to toast to the season, try the White Noel cocktail. This indulgent drink combines vodka, Baileys, caramel toffee, creamy white cacao, and blue curaçao, topped with a sprinkle of dry cranberry—a velvety treat to complete your festival meal.
The Christmas Set Menu and Festive Lunch Menu runs 1-31 December.
To pre-order or book reservations, visit sevenrooms.com
Among the more perplexing trendlets we’ve scrolled past this year is “rawdogging,” the act of denying oneself all forms of entertainment for the length of a long-haul flight. No books or games or movies or naps for our rawdoggers; instead, the guys—always guys, only guys—stare straight ahead at the flight map or the seat back of the person in front of them, spending the whole time lost either in thought or in search of a good one. As with all trendlets, there’s no way of knowing whether it’s real or just six goobers on TikTok with the same dumb idea. But it gained traction because it feels real. In a year when guys tried to out-guy one another via Cybertruck purchases and diss tracks, isn’t it more plausible than ever that they’d try to one-up each other at nothing?
Relax, try-hards, and try harder. If you’re going minimalist, go all the way. Rawdog the whole trip. Go somewhere new, with no plans, no guidebook, and—this is the key ingredient—no companions. If you do this in a foreign country whose language you do not speak, all the better. Solo travel, in an unfamiliar place and with an empty itinerary, is more extreme. It is much rawer. And it is delicious.
Apparently, we’re already doing it. Sixty-nine per cent of Americans planned to take a trip by themselves this year, according to an American Express survey. The number goes up to 76 per cent for millennials and Gen Z, which suggests younger people are more comfortable in their own company or else they are more unpleasant to be around. I have found both to be true!
Either way, I believe in solo travel with the zeal of the convert.
My conversion happened this summer in Italy, a place I had only seen over and over and over again on my Instagram feed. For years, it seemed like everyone went to Italy in the summer, and it was time for me to be everyone. As luck would have it, Gruppo Montenegro, a food and spirits company, invited me to tour its amaro distilleries in Bologna and Venice. It was all the excuse I needed. After the official business ended, I extended the trip five days.
When I touched down in Bologna, it hit me that I’d done nothing to give those five days any structure. I hadn’t picked out a town to hole up in, much less a room. I hadn’t learnt any words in Italian, including those for hello, help, and Italy. I hadn’t hit up my colleagues for good restaurants to try, and I work at Esquire magazine.
The official part of the trip was packed with activities, all of which, like everything in Italy, involved wine and snacks and Select Spritzes. When it wrapped up, I was in Venice, just me and my bag with nowhere to put ourselves. I stranded myself. And I liked the way it felt.
I hadn’t picked out a town to hole up in, much less a room. I hadn’t learned any words in Italian, including those for hello, help, and Italy. I hadn’t hit up my colleagues for good restaurants to try.
I’d had a grand and vague plan to rent a car and go into the mountains, or to hop on a train and find a small seaside village to make my own, but Venice was already in front of me, dense with art and architecture and history (and snacks and spritzes), so why not stay? I rented an Airbnb in the relatively quiet neighbourhood of Cannaregio and rawdogged Venice, with nothing on the agenda but my own whims.
So I followed them. I wandered, alone. The thing about Venice is that it is so tightly packed that you don’t really see the sights until you’re right on top of them. You turn a corner and the Rialto Bridge jumps out at you. You take a left off the footbridge over the canal and a massive medieval cathedral full of Renaissance art takes you by surprise. And you are always within arm’s reach of wine and snacks. It is a barrage of beautiful sights, sounds and smells, and I immediately understood how my dog feels whenever he sticks his head out my passenger-side window.
The urge to talk to people became overwhelming, particularly after a few lunchtime proseccos. I admit I broke from the ways of the rawdogger by making ample use of the iPhone Translate app, which is how I learnt that Italian is a language with an extremely high percentage of words that are fun to say. Italian could have stopped at “Ciao!” and secured a top-three finish in this category, but it did not. “Costruzione!” I shouted upon seeing a construction site. “Ospedale!” I bellowed as I passed the hospital across from the cemetery. “Sto imparando l’Italiano moltooooolentamenteeeee!” I enthused, surely the most triumphant reading of the statement “I am learning Italian very slowly” that any of my waiters and bartenders had ever heard. Honestly, I got on my own nerves this way only three or four times.
According to that American Express survey, two thirds of solo travellers planned their trips around self-care. There is no self-care like being on your own, in a place where you know no one, where a conversation with another person is impossible unless they only want you to shout “Construction!” at them. The conversation moves inward. You decide for yourself how you feel about Piazza San Marco or Canova’s tomb or the 12th little plate of ham you just ate. When there’s nobody to talk to, you learn to recognise the sound of your own voice.
The answers you seek within your soul aren’t in the seat back. They’re out on the streets of a place you’ve never been. They’re in the overheard snippets of rat-a-tat conversation in a language you cannot understand. If you are in Italy, they’re in spritzes and snacks. They’re in the simple act of maximum self-care: answering for yourself the question “What do I want to do with this day?”
Rawdog your next trip. But don’t be a weirdo: Bring a book for the flight.
Originally published on Esquire US
It’s likely you didn’t notice the effect. But if the last time you visited your doctor they spent a little more time than usual with you, there’s a good chance you felt somewhat better afterwards. “Doctors tend to be very time-pressured these days, but even just a few extra seconds can do the work,” says Liesbeth Van Vliet, assistant professor at the Department of Health, Medical and Neuropsychology at the University of Leiden. “Just sitting down or making more eye contact can make the difference. It seems that the more you like your doctor, the more empathetic the doctor is, the better the patient feels after their consultation”.
Indeed, while doctors have long been cherished by patients for their ‘bedside manner’, Van Vliet points out that what lies behind this is something of a mysterious concept. She’s part of the team at the university’s new Center for Interdisciplinary Placebo Studies, created to research a phenomena that you may have heard of, but not quite understand: the placebo effect. That’s when there are positive healthcare results but these results are not attributable to the technical medical aspects of their care. You can, for example, give someone a pill that is chemically inert. It can’t work pharmacologically, and yet work it does.
While there is now a considerable push to find out how the placebo effect operates in clinical practice it suggests that there is more to the interplay of mind and body in the body’s healing and the patient’s experience than has long been appreciated by Western medicine. While some of those investigating the phenomena say it likely operates at some intersection of epigenetics, neurobiology and psychology, it seems to be primed by a combination of the relationship between doctor and patient, the patient’s expectation—“if we are encouraged to expect a pill to work better, it will,” says Van Vliet—and conditioning, much as Pavlov’s famed dog could be primed to salivate by the ringing of a bell, once it had been conditioned to associate the sound with being fed.
So the rituals around seeing a doctor, in developed countries at least—making an appointment, travelling for consultation, undressing for examination, being given a prescription, and so on—and the imagery that surrounds those activities—white coats, stethoscopes, clipboards, those pale green walls, that distinctive hospital smell— prompt the release of feel-good neurotransmitters with increased activity in parts of the brain related to mood and emotions, but also, more simply, ready us to feel better. It’s why, too, many of the rituals around ‘healthy living’—diet, exercise, relaxation and mental wellness and so on—may also provide a placebo effect above and beyond those behaviours’ measurable effects.
“The idea that all we take from that whole process is chemicals from pills is myopic,” reckons Kathryn Hall, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and author of Placebos (MIT Press). “That’s why I, for one, feel better the minute I make an appointment with my doctor”. Just taking a pill—even a sugar or dummy pill—has a placebo effect. Having an injection—more invasive, more ‘medical’—has a greater placebo effect than a pill. It’s been found that pharmaceutical pills can be quietly replaced with a placebo with no change in health outcomes. Indeed, the fact that prescribed drugs often have minimal pharmaceutical effect in treatment anyway—as few as one in 10 according to one study—suggests that they are in some way working in concert with the placebo effect. Now the placebo effect is limited. It won’t, for example, cure cancer or fight a bacterial infection—drugs will be required for such very bodily, biological problems. The placebo effect has no part in unscientific New Age claims that you can simply think yourself better. But studies do suggest that it’s particularly beneficial in pain management, and in those many conditions in which stress is a major part: depression, PTSD, hypertension, fatigue, IBS, asthma, diabetes, other inflammatory diseases and so on.
"We have drugs that people have done amazing testing on, demonstrated how they work, shown them to be safe to go into humans and yet turn out to be no better than placebo. We have to ask why,” Hall insists. “What is it that we’re missing?”
Unfortunately, says Jeremy Howick, there’s a strong resistance— at best a grudging reluctance— within the medical establishment to accepting the placebo effect at all. “The placebo effect just can’t be dismissed as ‘not real’ any more. In fact, we’re building sufficient knowledge about it now that, I’d argue, it’s time for a revolution in the placebo effect that sees entrepreneurs rather than academics take its potential forward into implementation,” “argues Howick, professor of empathic healthcare at the University of Leicester, UK, and author of the recently published The Power of Placebos (John Hopkins University Press).
“Placebo studies were fringe just a couple of decades ago. They were considered wacky by the mainstream,” Howick adds. “The ‘placebo effect’ still gets used by some people in a derogatory way, in part because medicine has this undue focus on the bio- mechanical idea of the body—that it’s just a very complicated machine. Studies have gradually taken it into the mainstream”.
But not quite far enough, worries Hall. “I remember my mentor saying that when he would talk about placebos there would be nervous laughter. And still, not enough people take the idea seriously,” she suggests. In part that is because, as Howick points out, “it calls into question a lot of our drug-oriented medical training”. It summons up the spirits of woo-woo, of the mystical and metaphysical—all of which medicine, with its emphasis on the scientific method, is unsurprisingly dubious about.
And, certainly, there is much about the placebo effect that is, at the moment, hard to comprehend. Howick may argue that, since most of our thoughts are subconscious, the way our body reacts to a positive experience—for example, an unhurried appointment with a genuinely concerned doctor who isn’t time-pressured or over-burdened with form-filling, as so many are—has, ostensibly, little to do with what we consciously think about it. But even he still sounds surprised by the fact that “there’s a placebo response even if the doctor tells you that they’re giving you a placebo treatment”.
To make that clear: as if the placebo effect wasn’t already weird, it works even when you know, categorically, that there’s no active drug in your treatment; that is, if you take what medical types call an ‘open-label non-deceptive’ drug, the body is nonetheless tricked into thinking it’s getting some healing effect. You can even undergo what’s called sham surgery—in which there’s no actual surgery—and improve your shoulder impingement or knee osteoarthritis.
Likewise, while belief can play a huge part in the effectiveness of the placebo effect, studies suggest it works even with sceptics. Fabrizio Benedetti isn’t quite sure why this is so surprising—that we often knowingly experience the placebo effect in our everyday lives is self- evident, he suggests—and draws an analogy with watching a film.
“Movies are powerful triggers of strong emotional responses, ranging from love and tears to heartache and fear,” says Benedetti, professor of neurophysiology at the University of Turin Medical School. “These reactions take place even though the viewer is aware that everything is fiction. Considering human evolution and biology, this is quite surprising, as these reactions are supposed to have evolved for social interaction and survival. The fact that they take place during movie viewing even though neither social interaction nor survival is at stake indicates that emotional and behavioural responses can be elicited unconsciously— automatically—by merely simulating situations of real life”.
Yet you can see why the medical establishment might be wary of leaping to the same conclusion; the placebo effect might be why some "alternative" medicines—typically marginalised as lacking in evidence for their efficacy—actually work for some people, and so maybe shouldn’t be as dismissed quite so readily.
“There are quacks, of course,” Howick insists. “But perhaps the fact is that ‘alternative’ medicine practitioners are just better at evoking the placebo effect. Their philosophy aligns more with the science of placebos. It’s not that they’ve used crystals. It’s that they have given more time, attention and consideration to their patients and that has a positive effect. All this calls into question a lot of the fundamental tenets of modern medicine”.
There are also what Elissa Patterson, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan, notes as being more political reasons why the placebo effect is still pushed back out to the margins—not least that powerful pharmaceutical companies are not overly keen on the idea that we could be using fewer drugs, despite our current over-use of them, with all of their side-effects to boot.
“People in medicine are really nervous about the placebo effect because they want ideas to be evidence-based. [The general public] tend to want to align with what’s scientific, too, because of that fear of snake oil salesmen,” she says. “I’ve seen people who get better and then hedge because they’re embarrassed, even ashamed by it being explained by the placebo effect. There’s the cultural belief that those who respond to it are weak or foolish. But evidence is often marketing material from pharmaceutical companies, so there’s no big push to champion anything that doesn’t make money, and the placebo effect doesn’t”.
The placebo effect has no part in unscientific New Age claims that you can simply think yourself better. But studies do suggest that it's particularly beneficial in pain management, and in those many conditions in which stress is a major part: depression, PTSD, hypertension, fatigue, IBS, asthma, diabetes, other inflammatory diseases.
As Kathryn Hall puts it, “Nobody wants to rock the boat”. That’s even though regulatory bodies won’t sanction a new drug unless, as is the gold standard for drug testing, it outperforms a placebo—sugar pills and the like—in blind trials. That can not only mean that certain drugs, long known to be of benefit in ameliorating certain diseases, can’t actually be used to this end, but also that some pharmaceutical companies are no longer trying to develop treatments for the likes of chronic pain and depression—two of the most widespread and debilitating medical issues—because beating the placebo effect is too expensive and too taxing.
Indeed, as Hall points out, the very fact that the placebo effect is built into drug trials makes such trials ineffective—as expectation promotes a placebo response whether the test subject is taking an active pill or an inert one. “We have drugs that people have done amazing testing on, demonstrated how they work, shown them to be safe to go into humans and yet turn out to be no better than placebo. We have to ask why,” Hall insists. “What is it that we’re missing?”.
The implications of further research—answering the many questions being raised about the placebo effect—would likely be profound, says Patterson, bringing broad institutional change, from the way pharmaceuticals are created to the nature of doctor/ patient interactions.
“We might even just save a lot of money by giving doctors the [freedom] to administer placebos when they feel there is benefit in doing something [other than just prescribing ineffective or potentially harmful drugs] when the best course of action is to get out of the way and let healing happen,” she says. “We need to start seeing the brain’s power to heal yourself as a kind of super-power”.
What comes to mind when you think of British cuisine? Let me guess—sausages, baked beans, maybe some toast? If that's all you've got, you might be missing the mark on what's truly 'quintessentially British.'
Despite the criticism British food often receives, there are some dishes they're exceptionally great at—take the Sunday Roast for example (if I weren't just a broke university student, I'd have it every Sunday without fail.) Picture your choice of meat paired with crispy roast potatoes, veggies, and drenched in warm gooey gravy, mmmm. Though it's traditionally a Sunday meal, 21 Carpenter will be serving Sunday Roast all-day, everyday at Kee's a neo-bistro and bar, where guests can finally discover that British cuisine goes far beyond sausages, baked beans, and toast.
At the boutique hotel, indulge in a succulent Butter Roasted Chicken served alongside green olives, coriander, and tangy pickled red onions. This centrepiece is complemented by a Citrus Kale Salad that balances the dish with a refreshing crunch, a side of Potatoes au Gratin crisped to perfection, or the Basil Pesto Orecchiette offering a hearty, herb-filled pasta option. For the cherry on top, sip on The Tempest, an innovative twist on the classic Bloody Mary. This cocktail features bacon-infused vodka, with crispy maple bacon and rimmed with spiced bacon salt, it's mixed with tomato juice and a splash of Tabasco. That's a whole lot of bacon—I'd say it's "quintessentially British" certified.
I like to think of this as a two-in-one package deal, diners are invited to take a dip at the Rooftop Infinity Pool & Lounge, where they can sip on Kee's signature cocktails while soaking in the stunning views of Singapore's skylines and vibing to lively beats (Infinity Pool at MBS, who?) This spot brings a whole new level of relaxation and fun.
For more information or to make a reservation, visit 21carpenter.com.sg
It's common for birthdays to be a day all about yourself. I mean, no shame, after all it's the day when everyone gathers to celebrate you. But what if there's better way to mark the occasion? What if a birthday could go beyond the traditional and actually make a difference? That's exactly what Preeti Nair (previous Esquire SG’s Women We Love and Singapore’s TOP Everything) has planned as she steps into a new chapter of her life. To celebrate her big day, she will be throwing a party with a purpose—one where all profits will go to Love Aid Singapore, a non-profit organisation providing essential aid to people in Palestine.
She's calling it her 'Dirty 30 Swamp' birthday party, a fun Shrek-themed birthday where guests are encouraged to dress in their most 'swampy' and delightfully ugly outfits. There will be vibey tunes and exciting acts by @shakthiyas, @lycheebye69, and @candiceteosh. It promises to be a night filled with laughter, love and doing good. The first 100 guests will even receive special 'swamp goodies', making it an occasion that you don't want to miss.
Come celebrate Preeti’s birthday, one that truly does good. For those who can't attend tonight’s shindig but still wish to support the cause, donations can be made via PayNow to 87745281.
To get your tickets, visit preetidirty30.peatix.com
The New York experience—it's a dream many of us share. From the iconic New York pizzas, to mesmerising city lights to a Central Park stroll, there's no denying the magic. But let's face it, the night life is the real star. After all, some of the world's most famous cocktails were born right in New York—Cosmopolitan, Appletini, Martini and, of course, the legendary Long Island Iced Tea. (I could go on but I'm not paid by the word.) If a travel to the Big Apple is a bridge too far, there's an easier way. You'll find that New York-ness at Manhattan Bar. But if you venture into the bar's back room, you'll find an experience that's reminiscent of Andy Warhol's Silver Factory; an intimate 12-seater gastro-cocktail bar called East47.
Don't think rack your brains around the whole "bar-within-a bar" concept, East47 (named after the street where Warhol's Silver Factory was held at), draws inspiration from the avant-garde culture of the 1960s. Step inside and you're instantly transported to another realm—it feels almost like entering a portal, think the shimmer in Annihilation.
The space is wrapped in silver foil-like wallpaper, with undulating stainless steel elements that echoes Warhol's studio. Bold colours, reflective materials and striking details like the black mirrored ceiling and sleek stainless steel bar.
To match the vibe, we naturally need the drinks—an ever-evolving menu that pushes the boundaries of mixology and cuisine. The cocktail and culinary program is expertly crafted by Head Bartender Antonio Donato, alongside newly appointed Assistant Bar Manager Riccardo Lugano, formerly of London's Connaught Bar, and Chef de Cuisine Carolyn Or. That's when you know there's some seriously good shit here.
Their debut menu, Volume 1: High Low, pays tribute to iconic figures, artworks, and rivalries of Warhol's world. But let's get to what's offered, the Cosmo Marilyn, a vibrant Cosmopolitan-inspired drink, blends Orientalist Vodka, Ocho Tequila, and milky oolong tea with passion fruit and pecan nuts, reflecting Warhol's "Marilyn Diptych". It's paired with Chawanmushi, a tea-infused egg custard topped with fresh Hokkaido uni.
Miss Brown is a sophisticated twist on the Espresso Martini (the drink pays homage to Warhol Superstar Tally Brown. It comes with duck, featuring a foie gras torchon glazed with sake balsamic on a brioche bun.
THE LAST OFFERINGGGG: SBAAAAAM!! mixes bourbon fat-washed with yoghurt and popcorn, inspired by Roy Lichtenstein’s comic strip-style pop art. This cocktail is paired with Wagyu, a rich combination of hanger steak, Béarnaise, and pickled onions, delivering a mix of savoury, smoky, sweet, and buttery flavours. All cocktails and dishes are available à la carte or as part of a tasting experience with three pairings.
For more information or to make a reservation, visit conradsingaporeorchard.com
You have been sweating buckets this past month, as have most of us on this part of the world. But all that sweat dripping off your face, back and pretty much everywhere else isn’t an indication that your skin is well moisturised.
Yes, sweating has moisturising benefits, in addition to killing off harmful bacteria on the surface of the skin. It’s when those sweat glands get clogged that the adverse effects outweigh the benefits. You’re losing water, oil and dead skin through your pores, so keeping that balance right after a heavy bout of sweating from gym time or walking out for lunch is necessary.
Cleansing, moisturising and sun-protecting—the holy trinity of a good skincare routine—have become increasingly essential with global warming. While cleansing and adding sun protection are pretty straightforward, finding the right moisturiser can be a doozy. They can sometimes be too thick or rich for a tropical climate, or comedogenic (pore-blocking) for blemish-prone skin.
Like your favourite scent, the right moisturiser is also personal depending on your skin type and needs. The five that we have curated aren’t flawless guarantees to well-moisturised skin, but they are easy-to-adopt selections that promise to retain that moisture, all day (and night) long.
WATER BANK BLUE HYALURONIC GEL CREAM, LANEIGE
LANEIGE’s Water Bank line has been sought after for its moisturising capabilities since its launch in 2002. An impressive 17 million units have been sold to date, and the line has gone through multiple reformulations to cater to the changing skincare needs owing to evolving environmental stressors. Its latest is fortified with Blue Hyaluronic Acid.
Water Bank is already known for its quick absorption. Blue Hyaluronic Acid amplifies it further for deep, long-lasting hydration. Regular hyaluronic acid goes through a double fermentation process with fucoidan—a moisturising agent extracted from brown algae. It then undergoes a 10-step microfiltration refining process resulting in Blue Hyaluronic Acid.
Designed for combination and oily skin, the Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Gel Cream is the most lightweight formulation out of the trio in the new series. The gel formulation helps with the oil-moisture balance of the skin (thanks to mint leaf extract) while introducing a refreshing hydration feel. The hydration effect is instant with embedded skin-cooling capsules that cool the skin by around 16 per cent, making this perfect for those with sensitive miens.
PROTINI POLYPEPTIDE CREAM, DRUNK ELEPHANT
We are not saying that the Protini Polypeptide Cream by Drunk Elephant will shave years off of your face. However, the potent combination of ingredients promises to revitalise the state of your skin, at the very least. It’s a protein moisturiser consisting of signal peptides, growth factors, supportive amino acids as well as pygmy waterlily stem cell extract (a source of antioxidants and nutrients to replenish the skin to its youthful state). This proprietary formula works almost instantly. Lines, wrinkles and signs of sun damage will appear reduced, and most importantly, the skin will feel strengthened and moisturised.
The Protini Polypeptide Cream is also completely vegan (not all of Drunk Elephant’s products are) and contains no essential oil, silicone or fragrance, making this a good option for anyone prone to skin sensitivity. The brand recommends that the cream be used day and night for optimum effects. As with most moisturisers, concentrate on the nighttime portion if your mornings are typically rather rushed.
BIO-GOLD 24K GOLD SKIN ELIXIR, BIO-ESSENCE
Bio-essence’s Bio-Energy Complex is an energy booster for skin cells, designed specifically to change their state from inactive to energised so that they are better able to take in vital bio-ingredients. This complex powers every single product in the brand’s arsenal, including its latest Bio-Gold 24K Gold Skin Elixir.
The name might be a mouthful but the product does live up to its promises. Infused with Moroccan argan oil, the formula maintains the balance of the skin’s moisture for up to 24 hours. It’s also clinically proven to instantly increase skin moisture by 140 per cent just from one application. There is a strengthening aspect to the elixir too, with strong antioxidant protection against the harmful effects of UV rays. And if you’re intent on getting rid of stubborn spots, the elixir also minimises pigmentation.
BONG2 BOUNCE CREAM, THEN I MET YOU
Don’t discount the product because of its cute moniker. The Bong2 Bounce Cream by Then I Met You is a new lightweight moisturiser that’s suited for all skin types. If you didn’t know, the brand was founded by Charlotte Cho who has been credited for introducing Korean skincare into the US.
The Bong2 Bounce Cream’s hero ingredient is the vitamin C-rich Hallabong tangerines that are grown only on Jeju Island. Hallabong extract used in the cream works to hydrate the skin and can help to improve its elasticity and firmness. The formulation is fortified with plant-based squalane, and ceramides—both aiding in maintaining and retaining moisture as well as strengthening the skin’s lipid barrier.
Then I Met You considers this lightweight moisturiser—it’s a cream with a gel-like consistency—as the antithesis of thick creams while offering the same (if not better) level of protection and moisture-retaining capabilities. It’s also free of artificial colouring and synthetic fragrance so there is little need to worry about irritating dry skin.
THE MOISTURIZING FRESH CREAM, LA MER
For oily skin, La Mer’s latest The Moisturizing Fresh Cream is your best bet at keeping skin plump and moisturised. Its signature Miracle Broth ferment is enriched with a new 3D technology that transforms the gel consistency into a cream upon application. This creates a moisture cushion that boosts the radiance of the skin and infuses it with healing moisture. The result is a visible reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles, while keeping skin moisturised and hydrated throughout the day.
How impressive is The Moisturizing Fresh Cream? Clinical testing (on 132 Asian women who used the product twice daily for four weeks) resulted in all subjects displaying visible volume improvement in their skin in just two weeks. Aside from its hydrating properties, the cream also calms the look of redness for a more even skin tone.
Do you ever think if farmers from a century ago could see what we call a workout these days, they would genuinely be so confused? When they tirelessly endure a full day of manual labour to get paid, but we pay to do pretty much the exact same movements? There is literally a station called Farmer's Carry in Hyrox.
Not to incur the infamous defensive wrath of CrossFit fanatics, but the fitness competition is ultimately a first-world privilege. Sure, it’s a fun bonding activity and a novel personal challenge. Yet if you can’t picture pitching the concept to developing nations; where they are required to purchase not only participation, but training at gyms that specifically provide a dedicated programme (yeah, look it up), then the debate settles itself.
It’s just how the times have fashioned our attitudes. We do crash diets rather than cultivate healthy eating choices. We take pills to sleep rather than incorporate plans to fix terrible bedtime patterns. We shell out thousands for Botox rather than inculcate a lifestyle that actively resists aging.
The only reason why cure looks sexier than prevention is because the latter involves time and effort. And the modern age has convinced us that those are things we can’t afford. Whereas it is certainly much easier to throw money to achieve a quick fix, despite the cost of meagre durability.
For a people who are barely willing to get up to switch the light on and would much prefer telling their robot assistant to do it for them, let’s not be too ambitious. For a society that outsources feeding pets with automatic dispensers, let’s not get carried away.
What self-help books are right about is how we would naturally give up when the time taken to reach the goal is too short; and necessary actions are subsequently big to bridge the gap between where we are and where we want to be.
If we could simply reframe our expectations from overnight success to small building blocks that set us up for lasting benefit, we might realise that tiny adjustments can eventually ripple larger effects. As psychology proves—what we mistake for willpower is often a hallmark of habit.
90 days of lifestyle modification may seem daunting, but repetition in minute doses usually isn’t. Whether it is using streak-based motivation AKA the Duolingo method, or tying it to an existing daily routine, we have to trust that these little shifts will attain results should we have the patience to see them through.
The greatest impetus is that even if you avoid starting now, the time passes all the same. So why waste three months of what could be foundational moments of helping your future self? Perhaps if we embark on a long-term, balanced way of living, probably then we wouldn’t need to engage in a race to tell us how fit we are for only that particular chapter of life.
