There are great new lunch options, both indulgent and healthy
Hungry Bazterdz
Claiming to be Singapore’s first “mason jar salad bar” (fun to say over and over), Jar’d by the Sarnie’s people extols the virtues of layering its salad ingredients so you don’t end up with a soggy mess. Dressings and protein go at the bottom where they do little damage to the rest of your crunchy ingredients. Just shake the jar up when you’re ready to eat. Salads come in either 750ml or 1 liter jars, and options include the tuna tataki, quinoa and feta and roast chicken and pesto (all $12.50/16). If you return your jar once you’re done, you get $1 off your next salad purchase.
If that sounds too healthy, try Hungry Bazterdz. A new venture by local coffee roaster Nomad the Gallant, the place serves juicy, meaty sandwiches such as their Mighty Cheesesteak (a mix of cheeses topped with 12-hour roast beef), tsukune (chicken meatballs with a sprinkle of chicken floss on a toasted brioche roll) and for the vegetarians, falafel marinara (with roasted mushrooms and their signature sauce).
Helmed by Jean-Philippe Patruno, who also does bold, meaty dishes at Dehesa, Mercado Spanish Food Market takes the recent healthy bowl trend and gives it the traditional Spanish market treatment, over at 50 Market St. Customize your own bowls from their display of daily-changing cooked dishes for $16,50. Pair your meal with their cold-pressed fruit juices, or get their signature sangria punch on Fridays, when glasses are just $8 from 12:30pm till closing at 7:30pm. Mercado is currently open Mon-Fri, 8am-7:30pm.
And a great new place for Mexican food and strong drinks
The beloved Mexican restaurant group behind brunch hotspot Super Loco and Duxton Hill watering hole Lucha Loco has done it again. Super Loco Customs House has just opened in the CBD area, at the picturesque Customs House with views of the water. There are tons of new and intriguing dishes like the de cangrejo taco with crispy softshell crab and pickled pineapple and the ceviche-esque aguachile, a refreshing mix of kingfish and prawns topped with coriander, cucumber, red onion and chia seeds. Get a pitcher of their tequila-laced sparkling sangria, made with sangria, yuzu, apple, white peach and mint.
There’s a great party during F1 (also a farmers market)
There’s no shortage of upcoming F1 parties in the CBD, but how many also come with a day-to-night rooftop farmers market? Head down to 1-Altitude for the day-to-night Farmer’s Market at Stellar. Expect fresh produce, food and wine across three days, Sep 16-19. When you’re done with that, head up to Altimate Circuit Party, an all weekend affair in association with Johnnie Walker where you will be able to get a stunning view of the race trac and spinning duo DJ Kitkat will be at the decks on Sep 16. For more ideas, incidentally, about where to party during F1, click here.
And a luxurious, Mad Men-esque place to do your work
Hot desks at The Great Room
If all this has you wishing you worked around Raffles Place, don’t worry, you can. For those who work from home and want a change of scenery, check out The Great Room, a new co-working space in Raffles Place. There are individual Hot Desks for those rushing to meet tight deadlines, Hot Offices that are private if you and your team need to brainstorm and, wait for it, the place also offers shoulder massage sessions.
