Working in the CBD – no thanks to ERP, the perpetual traffic jams, exorbitant parking, overcrowded trains and long queues at lunch hour – just got more bearable: One Raffles Place, which recently completed a major facelift, is back in business (all through the weekends), and there are some pretty exciting shops to check out. Here, we tell you what’s good to eat, shop and do at the relaunched mall.
Eat
Gym rats and health conscious eaters have raved about The Daily Cut (#B1-31), a casual spot that lets you customise your protein-heavy meal of chicken, beef, turkey or salon with a variety of toppings and sides ( the sous vide egg is beautiful). For steaming hot bowls of pho, slurp up at Vietnamese eatery Ngon (#B1-17), which also makes some mean crispy deep fried spring rolls that comes with their affordably priced set lunches.
Feeling for fusion? Ramen Isshi (#04-29), opened by the same people who run Orgo, offers three types of ramen – shiro, kuro, and aka – and innovative side dishes such as the homemade kua pao in flavours like black sesame and matcha. Feel Rock’s (#03-21/22) specialty dish, jambong (noodles in seafood broth), is a great for shellfish fans, and the pan-fried frog legs at JBM Coffee & Dining (#03-23-25) are worth a try. The latter spot also does awesome desserts – chef Chamara Fonseka was formerly from Au Petit Salut and knows his French cuisine well. Curb that post-lunch coma with a good cuppa from the cosy Three Cups Coffee Co. (#04-31), which serves up coffee brewed from a Signature Project Y blend or Single Origins coffee beans.
Shop
H&M (#01-03/04 & #02-01), Uniqlo (#03-10-14) and Victoria’s Secret (#01-10) are the biggest brands here, though there are more to procure your wardrobe pieces in this six-storey mall. Find an elegant range of sophisticated dresses and ready-to-wear gowns at Angel Republic (#03-08), made-to-measure shirts, pants and shoes at IWODE (#03-15/16), and ready-to-wear men’s apparel and accessories from Raffles Suits (#05-20).
Shopping for accessories here is also rather pleasant, especially without the crowds that plague Orchard Road – no fighting for the store staff’s attention. Check out Pandora (#01-02) and Swatch (#01-14/15) for gorgeous arm candy, plus the second outlet of Brazilian footwear brand Melissa (#01-11/12) for their bubblegum-scented plastic-fantastic shoes that’s perfect for rainy weather.
Do
If your fingertips are in dire need of a manicure, make an appointment at Nail Bliss (#04-37) to pretty up those digits. Blow + Bar’s (#05-18) first outlet in the CBD will help fix your hair up and ply you with bubbly at the same time, while Molly Coddle Spa by Dr Cindy (#05-23) is your one-stop solution to blemish-free skin. Stop by Presto Drycleaners (#04-06) or Sole-Mann (#05-03) if you need help with some wardrobe mishaps (we mean cleaning and sole-saving services).
One Raffles Place, located above Raffles Place MRT Station. Opens 10am-9pm daily.