Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Victoria Beckham were not there. But Kim Bong Ha was. Let me say that again – as one on the verge of going gaga repeatedly does. Mr Kim is a K-poppish star, in a manner of mixed styles. He is a mixologist in Korea, renowned for concocting bespoke cocktails for & with Bombay Sapphire gin. The elbow-bender-shaker was in Singapore at the behest of Bacardi-Martini to swirl our tastebuds from Chinese tea (& beer & brandy) to gin cocktails with our Chinese food. Herculean task you think. To this end a happy few were gathered at LE Restaurant & Bar (Suntec City Mall 2nd level) for a gin cocktails & oriental eats pairing. LE resto is an Asian tapas bar. (Pan-seared foie gras with peking duck reduction – I’m sorry but I will eat everything plated. Grilled soft-boned ribs tangy plum sauce.)
Alongside Bombay Sapphire’s herb gimlet, with rosemary & basil (the herb not the couple), east cooler, with lemongrass & peppercorns, sapphire yuzu, with yuzu jam & grapefruit. The vegan’s delight to be sure. Delectable to the last drop, refreshing, perky, sassy, hells’ bells delicious. The suited Bong Ha was not bad either. So one for the gin and zero for the pu-erh tea then. Your loss, Gaga, Alicia, Posh.
The Lady, Miss Keys, Mrs Beckham, according to my notes, have had their heads turned by Honey Birdette. Who is nothing like Miley Cyrus; though she, Cyrus, could use a set of Honey Birdette. HB is the let-us-not-be-coy sexy premium lingerie brand from downunder (excuse me) soon to fling open its smalls in Singapore. The high-end underwear label will launch here in 2014 (so keep your knickers on). Its pair of co-founding women said: “We’ve seen a development of women’s psyche, many are aware of both power and sensuality. Honey Birdette offers a bolder approach to express themselves.” More than a happy few fetched ourselves to Cloud 9, not a state but a super-yacht in One15 Marina Sentosa, for a sneak preview. A quartet of models walked the plank, all right, a runway, to exhibit why this line in lingerie will be much sought after when it docks here. From A$69 and up a piece.
Over at Grand Hyatt’s mezza9 we were treated to more than a piece, some 14 portions rather. And we thought Singaporeans kiasu. Grand Hyatt’s European executive chef laid on a groaning board of sumptuous Christmas fare, Father Christmas had to stand back as our buttons went ping! and ping! Baked oyster florentine, truffled egg, butternut pumpkin soup, goulash, chateaubriand, roast turkey, 18-hour slow-cooked venison ragout, an array of trays of every veg & root from the farmer’s market, pavlova, etcetera et al. Apparently this is how they celebrate the yuletide in Europe. You’d do well to check out Grand Hyatt’s Grand Advent festive menus in its many dining outlets, it includes free flow spirits – both michaelmas and the strong stuff. And there is Santa Claus about, handing out biscuits from his red tucker bag.
Mumm’s always the word when it comes to celebrating something. And so it came to pass, G H Mumm was there, at the AAF (Affordable Art Fair – though Singapore is so money-ed they should lose the “affordable” spin).
Mumm invited friends to its booth, where the not so faint-hearted could infuse their bubbly with raspberry and the like (from chic dispensers). The champagne people had the great idea to create a backdrop of upturned furniture, so you could have your picture taken, upside down. Just do not b u r p.
