The Spirited Singapore team explores some of the more interesting news from the drinks, dining and hospitality trade in this part of the world this March.
Travel’s truly picking up now that the world’s pretty much opened up. Consider this – airlines have been launching new routes, while new hotels are popping up in our region like mushrooms after a rainy spell.
It’s also a good month for those who are looking to splash some dosh on interesting new spirits, with special releases from The Macallan, Maker’s Mark, and Ron Matusalem. But it’s not quite so good news for Singapore’s dining scene; high rents and a manpower crunch have forced some of our favourite eateries to close.
Read on for more.
News & Events
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ProWine Singapore to feature a German Pavilion for the first time
The German Wine Institute (DWI) has announced that it will be presenting a selection of wines from various German winegrowing regions at this year’s ProWine Singapore that runs 23 to 26 April 2024. Trade visitors can expect to sample a wide range of German red, white, rosé and sparkling as well as alcohol-free wines will be available for tasting during all four days. Members of the trade can sign up for ProWine Singapore here.
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Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards to recognise the wines of China
The judging for Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards, the world’s first-ever awards program dedicated to premium Chinese wines, took place at Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace earlier this month. An international panel of 27 judges – including seven Masters of Wine, three of whom are China-based – assessed and ranked in blind tastings over 750 submissions gathered from nearly 200 China’s premium wineries, with the winners to be announced at an awards ceremony at Wynn Palace on 13 April.
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Sotheby’s set to open flagship maison in Hong Kong
Auction house Sotheby’s will be establishing its flagship maison in Asia right in the heart of Hong Kong. Located in the city’s prestigious Central district, the space at Landmark Chater is set to be the premier destination for art and luxury collectors with a full suite of state-of-the-art experiences and offerings – including the company’s signature auctions and masterworks exhibitions – along with a full-service Sotheby’s café.
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Louis Vuitton fans need flock to LV The Place Bangkok
Luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton makes a statement with the opening of LV The Place Bangkok in the heart of Thailand’s capital. The multi-concept space at Gaysorn Amarin combines an exhibition hall, a shopping gallery offering an immersive shopping experience, a contemporary café, as well as Gaggan at Louis Vuitton, the maison’s first restaurant in Southeast Asia in collaboration with celebrated chef Gaggan Anand. Not just for fashion lovers, LV The Place Bangkok envisions a future where fashion, dining and lifestyle will blend seamlessly in a singular, holistic space.
Drinks & Dining
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Award-winning Italian restaurant Braci set to move
Braci, which has received its one Michelin star every year since 2017, is in search for a new home. ilLido Group’s award-winning progressive Italian restaurant Braci is set to move away from its current Boat Quay location where it was originally established in 2016. Its last day at Boat Quay is 13 April. ilLido Group has also announced two new culinary ventures, chic rooftop bar Baia and Southern Italian restaurant Sospiri in the upcoming second quarter of this year.
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Three Buns closes its Quayside location
Three Buns has announced that it is shuttering its Robertson Quayside location following a successful six year run. The contemporary burger chain will continue to offer its modern, playful twists on classic burgers at Potato Head Singapore in Keong Saik. The final day of operations for Three Buns at Robertson Quay is Sunday 31 March 2024.
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Caribbean eatery Lime House closes down
Longstanding Caribbean eatery Lime House has closed down. The pioneering rum-focused institution with its rum-centric bar Bago brought Caribbean ‘liming culture to Singapore, and was instrumental in growing the appreciation for rum with its iconic rum festival Rum Bellion. The closure of Lime House’s flagship restaurant on Jiak Chuan Road comes a few months after the closure of its East Coast outlet in August last year. A sad day for Singapore rum lovers.
Travel
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Samsonite reimagines sustainable travel with its new Suntec City store
Samsonite’s newest Singapore outlet in Suntec City isn’t just a retail store, it’s where the travel luggage brand has staked its intent to lead a sustainable transformation of the lifestyle bag and travel luggage industry. You’ll find aspects of upcycling and recycling not only in its various collections – such as the Samsonite Magnum Eco range made with recycled yoghurt cups and PET bottles – but also crafted into many fixtures in the store, such as a cashier counter fashioned from shredded plastic waste or wood sculptures crafted wood salvaged from local shipyards. You can find the Samsonite Suntec City store at Suntec City Tower 1, #01-476/482.
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Jetstar Asia offers new seasonal direct flights from Singapore to Broome
Singapore low-cost carrier Jetstar Asia has announced a new route, offering seasonal direct flights from Singapore and Broome in Western Australia. The carrier will operate two return flights every week during Broome’s dry season, offering direct access to the Kimberley region boasting unrivalled natural beauty, pristine waters, stunning beaches, incredible wildlife, and a tropical climate that makes it an alternative destination for those looking to explore Western Australia.
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Singapore Airlines upgrades its Premium Economy Class experience
Singapore Airlines has unveiled a revamped Premium Economy in-flight experience that comes with new dining options and the introduction of a new amenity kit. The Singapore carrier’s Premium Economy Class now comes with wider meal, snack and beverage options – with full meals served in porcelain dining ware on a full-sized tray – as well as a glass of champagne offered just before takeoff. An Off The Woods amenity is also provided for passengers on flights at least seven hours long. This is the most comprehensive revamp of this cabin class since it was introduced in 2015.
Hospitality
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PARKROYAL A’Famosa Melaka Resort opens in Melaka
PARKROYAL throws the doors open to PARKROYAL A’Famosa Melaka Resort in Melaka (pictured above), bringing its modern upscale hotel brand to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Malaysian city. The Peranakan-inflected 213-key resort offers easy access to Melaka’s main attractions, such as a 15-minute walk to Freeport A’Famosa Outlet & Coach Airways, and a 5-minute drive to A’Famosa Waterworld and Safari Wonderland. Facilities include all-day dining international restaurant Spice Brasserie, Cantonese restaurant Ya Yuen, a pool lounge, as well as SUASANA Spa for beauty and wellness treatments.
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Novotel Phnom Penh BKK 1 opens in Cambodia’s capital
Cambodia continues to attract new hotels to open in its capital city of Phnom Penh. Among the latest is the newly-launched Novotel Phnom Penh BKK 1, located in its lively Boueng Keng Kang 1 district within easy reach to various attractions and amenities. The modern mid-scale 254-key hotel comes flourished with a contemporary interpretation of Kbach Khmer graffiti design, and boasts guest rooms that offer either a city or Mekong River view. Interestingly its F&B offerings all-day dining restaurant Makila and lobby bar Kaixo are Basque-inspired, while other facilities like spanking new fitness centre and wellness spa Bodia Spa cater to those are looking to reset mind and body.
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Perth sees opening of Courtyard by Marriott Perth, Murdoch
Those going to Perth in Western Australia to visit friends and family or for a stopover before headed to the wine regions of Swan Valley and Margaret River now have another accommodation option with the opening of Courtyard by Marriott Perth, Murdoch. Located approximately 10 minutes from Perth’s Central Business District and 25 minutes from Perth International Airport, the 150-room hotel’s key USP is probably being a mere 10-minute walk to Murdoch University so it’s ridiculously easy to visit someone studying there.
Product Releases
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Ron Matusalem releases exclusive Sublime expression
Cuban rum brand Ron Matusalem has released the Matusalem Sublime, an exclusive limited edition release to commemorate its 150th anniversary. Limited to just 450 bottles, the Matusalem Sublime pays homage to the city of Santiago de Cuba during the Golden Age and draws liquid from some of their oldest barrels to create this one-of-a-kind rum. It comes in a magnificent decanter created by prestigious Portuguese glass makers Vista Alegre. Expressions of interest can be directed to Proof & Company.
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Maker’s Mark unveils Cellar Aged limited release
Kentucky-based bourbon brand Maker’s Mark has debuted Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged in Singapore, an annual global limited release expression that features a marriage of 11- and 12-year old bourbons. Singapore is the only market in Southeast Asia to carry this special release; it can be found at Manhattan Bar and other selected fine establishments and also available for online purchase from iShopChangi at an RRP of S$250.
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The Macallan Harmony Collection Green Meadow now available
Luxury single malt Scotch whisky brand The Macallan has launched the latest in its annual limited edition Harmony Collection. The Macallan Harmony Collection Green Meadow comes right after River Spey, and is created in collaboration with Stella and Mary McCartney. Taking inspiration from Scotland’s verdant grasslands and ancestral roots, Green Meadow is said to be “reminiscent of wild meadow, with a vibrant, primrose scented finish”. The Macallan Harmony Collection Green Meadow is available from The Macallan Global Boutiques, key airports and selected duty free locations from March 2024 with limited availability.
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