Latest Indochine
The Forbidden City at Clarke Quay is the latest addition to the family of restaurants managed by homegrown restaurant group Indochine. The new outlet is a bar, restaurant, gallery and supper club in one. Within the city, Restaurant Madame Butterfly serves modern Chinese cuisine originating from Indochina and Bar Cocoon has large opium beds with flowing silk draperies and lanterns.
3A Merchant's Court, River Valley Road, #01-02
Restaurant Madame Butterfly tel: (65) 6557-6266
Bar Cocoon tel: (65) 6557-6268.
Malay Village upgrades
Singapore's Malay Village underwent a six- month upgrading programme, which was completed last November. The attraction tries to depict life in a traditional Malay kampung (Malay for village). Within the complex is the Singgahsana Hall, the village's town hall, which has been completely renovated and has a seating capacity for 460. The Hall of Fame is an exhibition that tells the stories of Malays who have made contributions towards the development of Malay culture in Singapore's early days. Rumah Seri Pengatin is a new Malay wedding exhibition hall. Displays include decorative items, traditional Malay baju kurong (or bridal wear), bridal home set-up arrangements and wedding gift items. Other memorabilia in the complex include the wayang kulit (or puppet show) and open-air cinema of days past.
39 Geylang Serai, Geylang Serai Malay Village
tel: (65) 6748-4700
fax: (65) 6741-7794.
StraitsKitchen
Those who love Grand Hyatt Singapore's mezza9 would love the hotel's latest f&b outlet, StraitsKitchen. Like the former, the new restaurant has adopted an open-kitchen concept. It serves local cuisine buffet style, including Singapore laksa, nasi goreng, Hainanese chicken rice and roti prata with chicken curry.
Tel: (65) 6416-7114.
Journey of Faith
One hundred and fifty Vatican artefacts will be on loan to the Asian Civilisations Museum from June as part of its four-month Journey of Faith exhibition. The multimillion dollar display will include a crown and throne used by the popes, pilgrim badges, a fourth-century marble sarcophagus featuring Jesus and the apostles, and a 16th-century icon of the Virgin Mary.
Website: www.museum.org.sg/ACM/acm.shtml
tel: (65) 6332-7798.
