Singapore (cont’d)
must-do list. At 24-seat eatery Burnt Ends, chef Dave Pynt’s take on modern Australian barbecue involves smoking, roasting, baking and grilling on wood-burning machines and custom-built grills. Drinks man Andrew Cameron’s smoked cocktail pairing is impeccable and his wine list features some brilliant small-batch producers. 20 Teck Lim Rd, Singapore. +65 6224 3933. www.burntends.com.sg. Smoked meat is also a theme at the aptly-named Meatsmith, run by Sydneysider Emmanuel Benardos. Highlights are the 1kg Cowboy T-bone and the barbecue platter for four. Drinks-wise explore the blends, single malts and bourbons (get one made as a flip), and the solid craft beer list from America including Deschutes. 167-169 Telok Ayer St, Singapore. +65 6221 2262. www.meatsmith.com.sg.
The 20-seat Bincho is located on the ground floor of a small apartment complex in a former traditional kopitiam, which offers some of the best Japanese we’ve ever had outside Osaka. Wash down a Swan Lake rice beer with cockscomb and gizzard yakitori, sea bream carpaccio, tuna belly, aburi char siew and chicken thigh tataki, or keep it simple and order a Wagyu omu curry that’s a steal at SG$45. 78 Moh Guan Tce, Singapore. +65 6438 4567. www.bincho.com.sg.
STAY
‘Quirky’ hardly cuts it when it comes to the New Majestic Hotel near Chinatown. The 30 individually designed suites feature elevated loft-style beds and dual bathtubs in the middle of rooms. There’s a pool over the restaurant and a tuktuk in the lobby. 31-37 Bukit Pasoh Rd, Singapore. +65 6511 4700. www.newmajestichotel.com.
Old-world charm and modern technology fuse seamlessly at Sofitel So Singapore, housed in a Neoclassical building. Here, find flatscreen TVS, free Wi-fi and balconies with city views in the rooms and suites, while on the roof there’s a pool and cocktail bar serving classics and South East Asian creations. 35 Robinson Rd, Singapore. +65 6701 6800. www.sofitel.com.
GETTING THERE
British Airways ( www.ba.com) flies daily to Singapore on modern Boeing 777-300ER aircraft featuring First, Club World (Business), World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) and World Traveller (Economy) cabins. Time Out recommends booking a ticket in Club World, which offers flatbed seats, restaurant-calibre cuisine, French and Australian wines, hundreds of hours of entertainment on demand and great British service from check-in to disembarking.