This July issue of Dispatches sees the Spirited team curate some of the more interesting updates in our world of drinks, dining and travel, especially a couple of new restaurant openings in town and abroad.
In a blink of an eye we’re about the enter the second half of 2024.
The earlier part of the year saw the steady recovery of the travel and hospitality industries post pandemic particularly with a rush of hotels opening across Asia this year, and that looks to continue unabated as we move towards peak travel seasons in the latter part of the year.
And with Asia’s 50 Best Bars having been announced earlier this month and regional MICHELIN Guides having already been released – such as those for Singapore and Vietnam – the region’s dining and drinks scene is set to attract epicureans, gourmands and bon vivants in exploring newly unearthed venues in cities across Asia.
If we had to travel any time soon? Bar Leone in Hong Kong – recently named as Asia’s Best Bar – would be top of the list, followed by Jakarta for newly opened Cosmo Pony. We’d probably want to set aside some time this September for Kita Food Festival in Kuala Lumpur as well.
Back home, we count a number of restaurant openings worth checking out.
All these and more in this month’s news.
News & Events
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Kita Food Festival to feature star-studded chef lineup in Kuala Lumpur this September
Kita Food Festival makes a highly-anticipated return to Kuala Lumpur with its 2024 edition, and is set to bring together some of the biggest names in the region’s culinary landscape for a five-day food fest running 4 to 8 September. You’re looking at the likes of Prin Polsuk (Samrub Samrub Thai – Bangkok, Thailand), Jimmy Ophorst (PRU – Phuket, Thailand), Johnson Ebenezer (Farmlore – Bangalore, India), Hans Christian (August – Jakarta, Indonesia), Christian Lerouy (Lerouy – Singapore), Pete Smits (Dirty Supper – Singapore), Louis Tikaram (Stanley – Brisbane, Australia), and Ben Devlin (Pipit (NSW, Australia) among others, dropping in that extended weekend for four-hands dinners, kitchen takeovers, masterclasses, a Sunday barbecue (pictured above), and more. The Singapore edition will take place early next year.
For more information on Kita Food Festival, visit www.kitafoodfestival.com.
Drinks & Dining
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Manila’s modern Filipino dining institution Manam opens hayop in Singapore
Filipino cuisine gets a boost in Singapore as The Moment Group, the people behind Manila’s favourite modern Filipino restaurant Manam, opens fine casual offshoot concept, hayop, in Singapore this July. Having captivated palates across the Philippines with Manam, hayop will see The Moment Group – in collaboration with Singapore’s IKI Concepts and Patisserie G – elevate Filipino flavours with its unique contemporary take over at Amoy Street in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District with dishes such as Midnight Adobo, Manam’s House Crispy Sisig, and Kinilaw. Look forward to our review.
For more information about hayop, visit: https://hayopnimanam.com/.
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Basilico celebrates 15th anniversary with a refreshed space and menus for a new Italian experience
Popular Conrad Singapore Orchard flagship dining destination Basilico marks 15 years of Italian culinary excellence with a new experience following the completion of the hotel’s refurbishment earlier this year. Newly-appointed Chef de Cuisine Davide Del Gatto has created some all-time Italian favourites for the restaurant’s iconic buffet such as its new Romana-style pizzas, while the newly unveiled Basilico Bar will offer up twists on familiar Italian aperitivo-style libations to help wash down your meal.
Find out more at: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/sinodci-conrad-singapore-orchard/dining/basilico/.
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Michelin-starred Buona Terra launches casual trattoria offshoot Locanda
Locanda, a casual and convivial Italian trattoria concept by award-winning Buona Terra (pictured above), opens this July in Singapore’s heritage district of Little India offering a swathe of homely and robust classics that draw on Italy’s rich culinary heritage. You’ll find an array of pastas – such as linguine with clams and bottarga, or pappardelle in a Genovese ragu – and other house specialties designed to warm the heart as much as to please the palate. Over 150 wines, selected largely from boutique and lesser known producers including natural or biodynamic options are on hand for helping wash down your hearty meal. We’ll be checking Locanda out soon, so stay tuned.
Hungry yet? To learn more about Locanda, visit: https://www.locanda.sg/.
Travel & Lifestyle
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Coolies Club opens up in Phuket’s Old Town
What used to be a red light district in Phuket, Soi Romanee, is now one of resort island’s hottest post codes. Especially now with the opening of Coolies Club, a charming new restaurant and bar inspired by the town’s tin mining roots and the district’s colourful past. Designed by Bill Bensley, this sister venue of boutique hotel The Slate Phuket is housed within a traditional Sino-Portuguese shophouse with typical Chinese Baroque architecture (pictured above) and decked with antique furnishings so quaint and so Instagram-worthy our eyes hurt. Pen this down for your next trip to Phuket.
Curious about Coolies Club? Visit https://www.cooliesclub.com/.
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Cosmo Pony by Jigger & Pony and The Union Group officially opens
Highly anticipated craft cocktail destination Cosmo Pony (main picture) by Singapore’ Jigger & Pony Group and Jakarta-based The Union Group officially threw its doors open at Grand Hyatt Jakarta this month. First announced earlier this year, the collaborative bar brings two regional hospitality heavyweights together for a concept that celebrates the Indonesian capital. Its debut menu ‘Rising City’ features over 20 signature cocktails, non-alcoholic cocktails, punch bowls, as well as premium decanter serves in a menu that depicts Jakarta, its people, and its stories.
Learn more about Cosmo Pony at: https://www.cosmopony.com/.
Hospitality
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Courtyard by Marriott debuts its first hotel on Hokkaido right in Sapporo
Those of us who make annual pilgrimages to Hokkaido especially during ski season will love to know that there’s a new hotel in Sapporo perfect for a stopover. Courtyard by Marriott Sapporo, the first Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Hokkaido, takes you to the heart of Sapporo – one of Japan’s top travel destinations, known for its snow-capped mountains, miso ramen, Sapporo beer, and the annual Sapporo Snow Festival – at Nakajima. The 321-key property offers a contemporary design blending Hokkaido’s rich culture with modern flourishes, and comes with facilities such as a Japanese spa, all-day dining restaurant Substance, a fully-equipped 24-hour fitness centre, and more.
Learn more about Courtyard by Marriott Sapporo, or to make a reservation, here: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ctscy-courtyard-sapporo/overview/.
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Train-inspired The Osaka Station Hotel, Autograph Collection opens in Osaka
For the urbanites among us who love Osaka, the third largest city in Japan sees the opening of The Osaka Station Hotel, Autograph Collection. Boasting 418 rooms, this property in JP Tower Osaka at Umeda offers spectacular views of the city especially from its upper floor suites. The hotel is designed for luxurious relaxation, inspired by the philosophy of Japanese tea master Sen no Rikyu. Facilities include farm-to-table restaurant The Moment Grill & Dining (pictured above), Teppanyaki Mizuki, as well as a sprawling ballroom that can accommodate up to 900 guests among other event spaces.
For more information about The Osaka Station Hotel, Autograph Collection, visit: https://www.marriott.com/ja/hotels/osaak-the-osaka-station-hotel-autograph-collection/overview/
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Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang opens along Central Vietnam’s scenic coast
Da Nang sees the opening of yet another luxury beachfront resort with Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang. The property combines 85 upscale private villas and a 157-key hotel tower offering sweeping views of Non Nuoc beach in the popular Vietnam resort town, complete with lush landscapes in its outdoor spaces along with private swimming pools and sprawling golf course for those seeking privacy and comfort. It boasts one of the largest hotel spas in Vietnam, offering world-class facilities an indoor heated pool, infrared saunas, steam baths, a specialised fitness centre and a yoga studio as well as a range of massage treatments that will leave you feeling like a million bucks.
For more information, visit: https://fusionresorts.com/danang/.
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Stopovers at Kuala Lumpur gets easier with ibis Styles Sepang KLIA
Airport hotels are more a necessity than a conscious option, but ibis Styles Sepang KLIA may just change that for those travelling through Kuala Lumpur International Airport. This 229-room property located just 1.2 kilometres away from the airport offers a relaxing open-concept resort-like experience, and even features the largest pool in the area for those who need to swim off their jet lag. This airport hotel is also biker-friendly – obviously targeting those visiting the nearby Sepang International Circuit for motorsports – with automatic roller shutter-covered motorcycle parking and even rooms that are designed with bikers in mind.
To find out more about ibis Styles Sepang KLIA, visit: https://all.accor.com/hotel/B687/index.en.shtml.
Product Releases
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JINRO marks 100 years milestone with the launch of JINRO Gold
Korean soju maker JINRO is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary in Singapore with the exclusive Singapore launch of JINRO Gold, a zero sugar, 15.5% ABV soju made entirely from rice using a proprietary recipe. Blended for balance and harmony, the special commemorative release can only be found at selected Korean restaurants islandwide.
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Destileria Barako debuts its Ube Cream Liqueur in Singapore
Here’s a liqueur made with something you don’t quite expect – ube. Panay, Philippines based Destileria Barako has officially introduced its Ube Cream Liqueur (pictured above) made with the indigenous Filipino purple yam to Singapore. Clocking in at 17% ABV, this creamy liqueur – think yam-flavoured Bailey’s – can be savoured neat, enjoyed on the rocks, or mixed into tropical cocktails, but we find it’s really best simply poured over vanilla ice cream. Exclusively distributed by JD Sip in Singapore, you can also find it at good bars across town such as Jungle Ballroom, The Other Room, and 67 Pall Mall.
[Photos courtesy of newsmakers]
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