on the Go with Bo!

Sam Neill drops by the Screening Room ... to showcase his movie

I really didn't know what I walked into when Kate invited me to a movie night, wine tasting and talk with some actor last night.

When she summarized the evening to me I just quickly said yes, and that was it!

I've been to the rooftop bar of the Screening Room countless of times.  In fact it's one of my favorite places.  And I know they do regular movie nights, but this was not one of those.  This was more special.

Since we had been to the Biennale all afternoon, and it was a hot, hot day, I was wearing my typical tropical uniform - shorts and T-shirt.  And that's how I went to this event at the Screening Room.

We walk in to a reception with about 35 well-dressed and well-heeled people, a very artsy crowd.  And there's me looking like I just came back from the beach.  Experience tells me that in these situations the best thing to do is to quickly grab a drink.

As we are ushered to their third-floor comfy in-house theatre, we're told that the movie we initially came to see, called Yes, was not to be tonight.  Instead we were going to watch Dean Spanley.  In any case, I had heard of neither.

The movie was an Edwardian story about father and sun and their distant relationship.  The reconciliation happens at the end after many drinks of Imperial Tokay and countless dog analogies.  The storyline may sound weird right now, but actually it was captivating as well as brilliantly acted, with none other than Peter O'Toole playing the father.  It was an art house movie that you were most likely never to see, which would actually be a shame.

While watching the movie we were being poured some great Pinot Noir from a New Zealand winery called Two Paddocks, of which I also had never heard of before.

As the movie ended, the whole group moves to the restaurant below, where we're confronted by a delicious spread of Middle Eastern food prepared by Samia, who together with her husband own the Coriander Leaf Restaurant and the Screening Room.  The food was extraordinary!

No sooner than we sat down, Samia's husband (the sound of his name is in my head yet it's the spelling that escapes me) stands up and starts commenting about the movie and a discussion entails.  People are asking questions that are targeted at this older handsome bloke with a very British demeanor.  He's telling us his life story, introducing his wife, talking about his wines, his acting … and slowly I start piecing the story together.

The man standing and talking about himself is Sam Neill, the actor.  He was one of the protagonists in the movie we had just seen, as well as played in The Piano, Jurassic Park and several other movies.  And besides acting, he has found his passion in wine making, which is where the Two Paddocks brand comes in.

Can you say clueless?!

I really had no idea how my evening was going to turn out, but it ended up providing such an insightful view into the life of an actor, his passion the movies and wine, watched a jewel of a movie and had a wonderful discussion with a small group of movie aficionados which created a delightfully memorable evening.

Thanks Kate for dragging me out.

The Screening Room organizes these exclusive evenings randomly, so I recommend you somehow get on to their mailing list.

Sunday afternoon at Tanjong Beach Club

If you have no serious work to do on a Monday morning then this should be your itinerary for Sunday:  champagne brunch … drag it out till 1600 … and then head out to Sentosa's Tanjong Beach Club for cocktails at sunset.

Tanjong Beach is the most easterly beach on Sentosa.  Till about 1400 you will see lots of families here, but like a miracle, the families start leaving around 1400 and the gorgeous young things start moving in.  The music starts pumping loader, buckets of Corona beers are passed around, sangria comes by the jug-loads, music gets even louder.

And then you get the gorgeous late afternoon sun, half-naked bodies swaying to the tunes that the DJ is spinning and the evening goes on and on and on …

Remarkable!

But if you have serious work to do Monday morning … silly, silly you for going all out on Sunday night!  Someone will pay for this :-)

Ku De Ta - entertaining on top of the world

Admittedly, I waited to come here.  I had heard a lot of negative reviews of the place since it opened, mainly around the service.  But then this is part of Marina Bay Sands, a USD 5.5 billion dollar mega project.  Of course it takes months for all the machine parts to be oiled up and run smoothly.

And that is why I stayed away.  I was waiting for them to get their act together.

And they did!  We went there for dinner last night and I loved the experience.  We had great service, a wonderful table right by the edge with a stunning vista of downtown Singapore and beyond, and the taster menu of some 20 tapas was delicious.

A DJ nearby was spinning appropriate lounge music ... And the place was packed solid!  Tuesday!

If you want to go to the Ku De Ta dance bar, admission is free from Monday - Thursday.  Weekends there is a $50 cover charge ... Unless you (or even better, a friend of yours) splurged on the super expensive membership that gets you to the best tables on the deck.

There's also something I'm realizing with MBS.  Everything there is pricey.  Ku De Ta is no exception.  So get your credit cards ready, for you will be paying for that fantastic experience.

Now, I need someone to explain to me what is the difference between the Ku De Ta in Singapore and the one in Bali.  Rumours abound, but what is the truth? 

Lantern Bar on top of Fullerton Bay Hotel

Gosh, these rooftop bars are mushrooming all around the bay area.  Can't keep up with them anymore!

The latest one that I've been to is the Lantern Bar on top of the brand new and gorgeous Fullerton Bay Hotel.  Right next to the infinity pool you have a very stylish lounge area ideal for those champagne induced evenings ... with the mandatory panoramic view of the new and ever-changing Singapore skyline.

And the story behind the name has some historic significance:

“Lantern derives its name from Clifford Pier’s historical Chinese name - “Red Lantern Pier”. It was a landing point for Singapore’s first immigrants and red lanterns used to hang from the pier as a guide to seafarers.”

eM by the river

I've passed this place a million times on my Segway, and on Saturday we finally stopped and decided to have brunch ... partially due to the killer sign they had up ... 'Wake up to Bloody Mary'!  And also due to the joyous moose ladies gracing their entrance.

The name eM slightly confused me since their website is www.em-n-em.com ... but then I just focused on the Bloody Mary and forgot about the name!  It's a great outdoor casual joint right on the Singapore River.  Egss Florentine was my Saturday morning choice.

And when I drive by at night ... it's always packed with people ... seems like a great outdoor pub too!

One Altitude al fresco bar

via www.lifestyleasia.com

The whole area around Marina Bay is being completely revamped, with some fantastic venues popping up, besides just the new stellar Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

One Altitude is touted as the world's highest al fresco bar on top of the OUB Building (282 metres they say). I'm not sure when it's opening ... but I hope they've got something planned for the windy conditions up there. I always remember Vertigo Restaurant in Bangkok, on the 62nd floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel ... where suddenly a storm blew in and all the table clothes, plates and glasses came smashing down while we were scurried down to the floor below.  The evening was definitely eventful!

The other place I saw recently, that was just opening up, is the newly renovated Customs House ... with  plenty of new groovy and hip bars ... the top one being the Oyster Bar.  We stumbled on it while we were walking around the bay and exploring the transformation that is happening there.  The owners Cindy and Alexis have built an exclusive joint that will focus on seafood, caviar and of course, my fav, champagne.  The place just opened recently ... so I definitely have to return with a group of friends and experience it in its entirety.  It's looking like it could become my new hangout!

The Pump Room - Clarke Quay

 A great band is really what makes a fantastic party!  And of course the ambience comes a close second.

After seeing Victor Victoria last night at the Esplanade, we headed to The Pump Room at Clarke Quay for some late night entertainment :-)

Funny enough, I was there a few days ago, for a fashion show and charity event … but last night, it was all about jumping around, drinking and being with a great crowd.

And it's the band that made the evening.  Jive Talkin' is a local band that simply knows how to get the crowd going, combining a mix of top 40's, great pop and rock classics.  And the place was packed … inclusive of some rowdy Ozzies on a stag night and two hen parties.

And to the end the evening, I highly recommend their mini-burgers.  WOW … plus don't forget to combine that with fries, calamari, tortillas and a delicious chocolate dessert with hot oozing chocolate in the middle.  How about that for a grand finale!

Orgo ... the new rooftop bar at the Esplanade

Rooftop bars seem to be the new in- thing in Singapore.  I've always loved them for I like to be outside, contrary to many locals who often prefer air-conditioned spaces :-)

So the latest rooftop bar that I've been to is Orgo, on the rooftop of the Esplanade Theatre.  The setting is great, you can sit outside under the stars or inside air-conditioned glass cubes (not joking!) ... whatever you fancy.

What's missing though is some atmosphere ... for example, the music needs to be a bit louder to create a vibe.  But since it's brand new ... I imagine they're going to iron-out these issues shortly ... right?

Feel the Breeze at the Scarlet Hotel

Saturday night we were looking to do something special.  We were celebrating new beginnings with a friend from Switzerland, an Indian couple and a Singaporean girl.

I wanted something outdoors for I love tropical evenings.  After having lived in Belgium and Holland for several years, where being able to sit outside happens 6 times a year ... I tend to saviour every tropical evening.

The Breeze Restaurant at the rooftop of the Scarlet Hotel fits that bill perfectly.  Al fresco dining under the stars!  It's not a large place, and just like the hotel, feels somewhat boutique-ish.  For larger groups they have these canopied tables that feel very lush.  The champagne came in very funky flutes and the seafood platter for two was very fresh.  To end the evening we had a chocolate fondue, which put my taste buds into over-drive.

Since we didn't want to go home yet, we went for drinks to the Loof Bar at Odeon Towers.  It was packed when we got there, with groovy music and a great view overlooking the Raffles Hotel.  It's a perfect rooftop terrace for drinks after dinner.

We came home with a sense of mission accomplished.  And drunk!

The opening of the New Asia Bar

Last night was the opening of the New Asia Bar, located on the 71st floor of the Swissotel in downtown Singapore.

I remember going there one of the first times I came to Singapore and having a fantastic evening.  So I thought, let's get a little group together, get ourselves on the invitation list ... and go!

As we walk into the Swissotel there was a long red carpet starting right from the taxi drop-off area.  The lights were on, cameras out, gorgeous models in sexy red dresses everywhere ... as we got slowly ushered to the elevator which takes you to the top of the building.  As we get to the top, we enter the new expansive area and of course the first thing you notice ... is the view!  Singapore does look spectacular from up there.

View first ... champagne second.  We make a bee-line for the bar to grab some Moet.  Wonderful!  We're all happy.  The only thing that was odd was that there were not that many people there.  I thought it strange that they made such a big fuss downstairs when you arrived, and then you came to the actual bar and there were 2 people gyrating on the dance floor.  We thought that perhaps we're still early.

So we proceed to a table we found in one corner and sat down.  We're chatting, the girls are re-filling our champagne and bringing us hors d'oeuvres.  We look around ... still not many people.  OK ... let's have another glass of champagne.

At one point, my friend Nicky decides to go to the bathroom ... and comes back screeching 'we're in the wrong place!!!!!'  We have to go upstairs!  So we head across the empty dance floor, walk up some stairs ... and then ... we find ourselves on the rooftop of the Swissotel, under the stars and full moon, full of people drinking and chatting, music spinning ... and with an absolutely AMAZING 360 view of Singapore from the 73rd floor.  WOW!!!  It was a stunning setting.

We had to laugh at ourselves, for how stupid would it have been if we had just stayed downstairs, had a few drinks and left because the opening was a dud with no guests!!!  Thank god for Nicky and her bathroom breaks.  I knew women discussed intelligent things as they go in droves to the restroom :-)

And although you won't be able to go to the rooftop every time you go to New Asia Bar, you will still have a stunning view and a great setting from the dance floor, grooving high above Singapore.