One-North may be best known for unsexy science and technology hubs like Biopolis and Fusionopolis, but there’s a lot more going on here than R&D. Here’s an itinerary for your next journey to the west.
Curbside
Conduct gastronomic research at Biopolis
Research cluster Biopolis isn’t necessarily the first place you’d go to for good food, but there are some gems hidden in there, like specialty salad bar/grill The Lawn, American diner-influenced cafe Curbside and craft beer gastrobar Bodacious. There’s even a posh restaurant hidden in here, a modern French place called Infuzi.
Jimmy Monkey
See what the cult coffee fuss is about
Jimmy Monkey has been a cult hit among in-the-know caffeine junkies for a few years, partly because it brought in the first (super-exclusive) Slayer espresso machine to Singapore. It’s not easy to find though; it’s hidden inside a residential estate (near Meraki Yoga). Fortunately, eastsiders who make the trek to here get a discount.
Crosby, Stills & Nash, credit: Eva Rinaldi
Catch musical grandaddies before they retire
The Star Performing Arts Centre has played host to quite a few rock and heavy metal heavyweights, including Deep Purple and Joe Satriani, and evidently the trend is continuing with folk rock grandaddies Crosby, Stills & Nash. (Though note that the Backstreet Boys, from the other end of the musical spectrum, are also set to play here.)
Wessex Estate, credit: Nicky Almasy
Explore up-and-coming Portsdown
The black-and-white colonial buildings in this ulu neighborhood near One-North could give Dempsey a run for its money, but other than a small crowd of devotees to old standbys Colbar and Pietrasanta, Portsdown has never really taken off. We’re hoping that new cocktail bar DSTLLRY at Infinite Studios is a sign that things are about to change. In any case, the upcoming ArtWalk@Wessex is the perfect excuse to check Portsdown out.
