Stop Off
Table Talk
Provence in a bowl
Bouillabaisse, Marseille, France
Singapore
Touching down in this Southeast Asian city-state for a day or
less? We’ve got you covered. Let the Little Red Dot, as Singapore
is known, be an exciting addition to the rest of your trip
This tongue-tantalising broth was created by local
fishermen as a way of using up the bony fish they
were unable to sell. Served with rouille (a saffron and
garlic sauce) it’s a true taste of the area’s culture
4
Where?
Le Caribou
A bouillabaisse charter drawn
up in 1980 ensures that
consistently high standards are
met for this regional speciality,
which harbours the best
seafood amongst its golden
broth. Le Caribou is one of
the leading lights in the dining
scene — and has been making
diners happy for 50 years.
38 Place Thiars 13001
Marseille, France
HOURS
8
HOURS
Why?
Bouillabaisse really encapsulates
Provence in a bowl. Locally
caught fish combined with a
wealth of Provençal herbs and
spices ensure that you’ll never
recapture the exact taste outside
of its home region. Add to that a
dining experience in one of the
most important cities in France
and it will remain a flavourful
memory for years to come.
0 8 A sc o tt L I V I N G
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Got time for something
cheesier than a burger?
Head to Yishun Safra
Country Club, where
the whole family can
sing at Party World
KTV, a karaoke space
oozing with neon
and catchy tunes.
Nearby..
.
Stay at Citadines Castellane
Marseille or Citadines Prado Chanot
Marseille in July or August and
enjoy discounts in a studio apartment
if you reserve before May 31.
Visit www.citadines.com to book.
Photo: Food Esteem (Ribs at Handlebar)
Photo: Getty Images
Not only does Gardens by the
Bay, Singapore’s futuristic ode
to greenery, boast some of the
best views of the skyline from
its 16-storey solar-powered
‘supertrees’ — it’s also home to
Satay by the Bay, an airy food court
where you can soak up local ‘hawker
culture’ and renowned dishes.
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Alternatives
There's no denying the heart
warming comfort of a bowl of
bouillabaisse. On face value
it's a simple dish, but dip just
below the golden surface and
you'll find it teeming with the
freshest seafood delights. But
despite its straight from the
Mediterranean appeal, if soup’s
not your thing you can still enjoy
all the ingredients of the classic
broth, but in a form that’s more
recognisable to diners of today.
Traditionalists may pour scorn
on the idea, but chef Sylvain
Robert’s thoroughly modern
bouillabaisse burger is enjoying
critical acclaim, an up-market
twist on an age-old favourite.
This tasty contemporary version of the established classic
can be found enjoying pride of
place on the menu at Marseille’s
L’Aromat restaurant, its modern
interior nestling in the heart of
the old port.
There’s a reason Changi Airport has won
countless awards, including being named
as the best airport in the world by Business
Traveller UK 27 times alone. More than just
a stop-off, it boasts a rooftop pool, private
beds, butterfly garden, cinemas, and a ‘fish
spa’ where tiny critters nip languidly at your
feet. Bored of all that? You can sign up for
a two-hour tour of Singapore here, too.
24
HOURS
The Gardens are close to the ArtScience Museum, the
new cultural kid on the block — but if that’s old hat, take a
ten-minute cab to the Red Dot Design Museum, (below left)
housing some of the most creatively quirky tech in the world.
Book a very special breakfast — at the famed
Singapore Zoo. From 9-10.30 am, you can
dine on tropical fruits and snacks while a
family of orangutans crack open their own
meal of coconuts. You’ll be pleasantly tired
after hoofing around the zoo, so head north
to HandleBar, a laid-back, biker-themed
eatery that offers a mean burger and amazing
views of Malaysia, just across the water.
Well-connected by the easy-touse MRT (Mass Rapid Transit)
subway system and dripping with
cabs, you’d be surprised how much
of Singapore you can soak up in
a full day. If it’s your first time to
the Orient, you can experience
three cultures by visiting these
distinct neighbourhoods:
Nip to Little India and shop at the Little India
Arcade, a cluster of colonial buildings overflowing
with saris, knick-knacks and Bollywood DVD’s.
Then, experience a slice of the Middle East
at Arab Street, where you can haggle over a
Persian rug, lunch on fluffy hummus and pita, and
become one of the last people to smoke shisha.
The tobacco has been banned in Singapore, but
retailers have until July 2016 to clear their stocks.
Chinatown is the space to buy kooky
TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine)
ingredients for all your health needs.
Or, get a reflexology massage —
practitioners believe different parts
of your foot correspond to different
parts of your body, so while you’re
getting your heel pummeled, your
headache may just disappear.
If another type of fragrance is
more to your liking, then the
nearby Jamal Kazura Aromatics
is well worth a visit. At this
family owned boutique, you
can sniff out a range of soaps,
perfumes and massage oils,
or customise your own with
the help of the friendly staff.
Staying
longer?
Base yourself at Ascott Raffles Place Singapore, nestled in the heart of the
Central Business District. Book 21 days in advance for stays between
1 April-30 June 2015, and you’ll enjoy 15 per cent off best flexible rates.
Visit www.the-ascott.com to book.