Singapore

Terence Bong

Managing director of Gam Investments’ Singapore office, he previously headed wholesale operations for Southeast Asia at Templeton Asset Management, where he was responsible for distribution to private banks, independent financial advisors, insurance companies, and commercial banks in Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the National University of Singapore and is also a CFA charterholder.

A business breakfast – Wild Honey

It was one of the pioneers of “all-day breakfast” in Singapore, serving imaginative, globally inspired breakfasts. It is inspired by Miami’s legendary Ocean Drive and its carefree atmosphere. Their third location in South Beach is decorated in beautiful pastel and watercolor tones and has a large outdoor dining area. The idea was born over ten years ago, in 2009, from a love of travel and a passion for international breakfasts.

A cozy, modern cafe with large windows, wooden tables, colorful chairs, cushioned benches, and warm lighting. Decor includes books, plants, and eclectic accents, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

An hour alone in a beautiful place – French Fold

Telok Ayer Street is a short detour between Raffles Place and Shenton Way, an ideal pit stop when I have free time between meetings in these two areas. Home to pre-war shops that have remained intact, it is a hot spot for foodies, drink enthusiasts, fitness lovers, and anyone who wants to have fun. French Fold is particularly known for its good coffee and buckwheat galettes. A space for drinking and eating all day long. The French crêpes are also worth trying.

A modern café interior featuring wooden walls, a marble counter, hanging globe lights, stools, small tables, and shelves with bottles and green plants, creating a cozy and stylish atmosphere.

A formal lunch with a client – Artemis Grill & Sky Bar

This is a contemporary Mediterranean-inspired restaurant on the rooftop with a sky bar. It offers one of the best wine lists in the central business district. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow diners to immerse themselves in the panoramic view of the iconic Singapore Marina Bay skyline from the 40th floor, although my preference is for one of the four booths at the back of the restaurant, away from the midday heat of Singapore.

A modern, elegant rooftop restaurant with large floor-to-ceiling windows offering a stunning city skyline view at dusk, featuring stylish tables, cushioned seating, and a well-lit, welcoming atmosphere.

A relaxing lunch – Summer Pavilion, The Ritz-Carlton Singapore

Exquisite, contemporary Cantonese cuisine with a Michelin star and dim sum with a robust tea menu created by Chinese executive chef Cheung Siu Kong. The service and food never falter. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the main dining room overlook a lush, manicured garden. Set menus and à la carte dishes are available for lunch and dinner, perfect for business meetings, family gatherings, or special occasions.

Elegant restaurant interior with round tables set with china, glassware, and silverware. Large windows reveal a modern geometric structure and greenery outside. The space has brown chairs, patterned carpet, and ambient lighting.

A trendy aperitif – Tippling Club

Would you like to try a special menu? Cocktail-flavored gummy bears are a must at the Tippling Club. But the staff can also give you masterful suggestions for pairing food with your drink. For the full experience, opt for their tasting menu. The Tippling Club pairs its cuisine with classy cocktails, pushing the extremes of ingredients and textures for an ever-evolving culinary experience.

A modern restaurant bar with a long counter lined with beige stools, set with plates and glasses. Chefs work in an open kitchen, and bottles hang above the bar. Large windows reveal greenery outside.

An ideal place for informal gatherings – PS Café at One Fullerton

Located next to Merlion Park, this bright and spacious venue follows a nautical-inspired design theme. It has an outdoor dining area with breathtaking views of the legendary Merlion. An icon of Singapore, it is a statue with the head of a lion and the body of a fish (the symbol of the Singapore Tourism Board) that spouts water into Marina Bay and the Marina Bay Sands Convention Center. It offers a full menu of classic dishes and a special menu that changes weekly.

A modern, stylish restaurant interior with high ceilings, exposed beams, hanging lights, and large windows. Several people sit at tables, and plants decorate the space, creating a bright, inviting atmosphere.

A dinner to intrigue – Candlenut

With Singapore’s multi-ethnic composition, what could exemplify its cuisine? Candlenut, the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant, takes a contemporary yet authentic approach to traditional Straits Chinese cuisine. It serves refined Peranakan cuisine that preserves the essence and complexity of traditional food, with clever twists that take the often rich dishes to a different level.

A modern restaurant interior featuring warm, woven pendant lights hanging from a high ceiling, wooden tables and chairs set for dining, and decorative shelves with plants and ceramics.

A gourmet dinner – Odette

Modern artisanal French cuisine located in Singapore’s National Gallery, Odette’s pastel-themed décor is understated and elegant. It fully deserves its No. 1 spot in the 2019 and 2020 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants rankings. It has a wine list that celebrates men and women who have dedicated their lives to perfecting their signature; each with an almost fanatical approach to terroir, harvest, and grape.

A bright, modern restaurant interior with white walls, round tables draped in white cloths, curved booth seating, a minimalist bar area, and abstract hanging decorations. Large windows and plants add to the airy atmosphere.

The latest hot spot – Avenue Lounge

An intimate and sophisticated retreat, it is tucked away in the heart of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, with its own elegant entrance along Bayfront Avenue. In a space that evokes the opulence of a lavish penthouse, it is ideal for those seeking a more personal venue for a magnificent night out. It serves both classic and original cocktails, as well as tailor-made cocktails. Enjoy games and experiences such as a pool table, mini bowling, vintage arcade pinball machines, and skee ball machines.

A stylish, dimly lit lounge with dark leather sofas, red velvet seating, and a large modern chandelier. The bar is visible at the back, and warm lighting creates a cozy, upscale atmosphere.

The place to be and be seen – Cé la vi

Enjoy contemporary Asian cuisine and signature cocktails while admiring the city skyline from the Sands SkyPark on the 57th floor of the Cé la vi restaurant. Although it is not the highest vantage point in the city (that honor goes to 1-Altitude at One Raffles Place), it is certainly the most iconic and has been associated with the new and sophisticated developments that have sprung up around the bay. The other side of the bridge overlooks Gardens by the Bay, a vast 100-hectare park in the city.