A stand-up comedy by Indians, a dinner in the dark and a Moroccan bar with tabla performances, TTG Asia reporters shine the spotlight on new-to-town F&B and entertainment options that will keep Indian travellers buzzing long after sundown
Clockwise from left: Kasbah The Fort; food from Lucky 13; VIEW62 by Paco Roncero; AMMO; Sunba Retro Bar
Singapore by Liang Xinyi
Lucky 13
Opened in October 2011
Where #01-02 TripleOne Somerset, 111 Somerset Road
Hours of operation 17.00-00.00 (Monday-Thursday); 17.00-02.00 (Friday-Saturday)
What’s special A Miami-style club featuring Cuban and Latin cuisine. Popular among Indian expats, this restaurant-club will appeal to Indians’ love of drinks, food, music and partying. Its location in the heart of Orchard Road makes it convenient for Indian travellers to wrap up a day of shopping with drinks – happy hours run till 22.00 daily. The club boasts various sections, from the more intimate Viper Lounge to the L-shaped bar and al fresco deck.
How experience can be tailored for Indian guests Private bookings of the Viper Lounge can be made with a minimum of 25 people and S$2,000 spending (US$1,606), while a custom menu – which can offer free flow of drinks and food – is possible. The club’s operators are willing to discuss packages for bigger groups.
Fight Comic
Opened in May 2012
Where BluJaz Café, 11 Bali Lane
Hours of operation Every Thursday, from 20.00
What’s special This weekly event offers a view of Singapore’s nascent stand-up comedy scene, which has grown phenomenally in the last two years. Homegrown talents poke fun at Indian culture, making this ideal for good-humoured guests who love a fun banter. Fight Club’s headlining acts include the country’s only Indian female stand-up, Sharul Channa. Foreign comedians also perform occasionally; for example, Sanjay Manaktala from Mumbai.
How experience can be tailored for Indian guests Prior to the show, guests are encouraged to fill out an audience card to pose questions to ‘Uncle Agony’ as well as to suggest topics – the comedians never shy away from any issue requested, according to the organisers. There is no vegetarian menu, but menu customisations such as buffets and free flow of drinks can be arranged for groups of more than 25 people. Cover charge is currently S$10 (US$8) per pax, with no additional discounts for groups. Alternatively, if guests are keen to watch Fight Comic at other locations or on other days, a minimum of 50 pax is required.
Thailand by Timothy France
Calypso Cabaret Theatre
Opening in September 2012
Where Asiatique, The Riverfront, 2194 Charoenkrung Road, Bangkok
Hours of operation 20.15 and 21.45 (show times)
What’s special For the last 24 years, Thailand’s ‘lady boys’ have been dazzling audiences at the Asia Hotel, but come September, its new riverside venue will boast an increased capacity, from 350 to 500 seats, as well as a Thai restaurant on the premises. Regulars to the show can expect an expanded troupe of cabaret dancers, as well as new and improved acts. The theatre also offers immediate access to the Asiatique retail and lifestyle complex, which has late-night shopping and dining, with its 1,500 shops and 40 restaurants.
How experience can be tailored for Indian guests The show attracts a growing number of FIT travellers from India but few group bookings, said Nipon Boonmasuwaran, manager of Calypso Cabaret Theatre. Ticket prices are set at 1,200 baht per person (US$38), although discounts are available for advanced and prepaid bookings. Group deals are available on a case-by-case basis, as are private performances.
DID – Dine in the Dark
Where 2nd floor, Ascott Sathorn Bangkok, 187 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok
Opened in June 2012
Hours of operation Seatings at 18.30-20.30 and 20.30-23.00 (daily)
What’s special After a day’s sightseeing in the Thai capital, Indian tourists may wish to engage in a sightless dining experience, a phenomenon that originated in Europe and has now arrived in Bangkok. DID is a culinary concept designed to amplify your senses, thus offering a truly unique experience. Guests are welcomed by a hostess before they are guided to their seat by visually-impaired waiting staff. The restaurant donates 10 per cent of earnings to support programmes for the blind.
How experience can be tailored for Indian guests Three set menus are offered with a choice of Thai, Western or vegetarian food starting from 750++ baht (US$24) per person, and wines starting from 200 baht per glass. Diners are not immediately told what is in the three-course menu, as discovery is part of the pleasure. The standard vegetarian menu does contain eggs and dairy products, but vegans can also be accommodated.
The existing restaurant has 60 seats, and group bookings are accepted and prices are negotiable. Themed events happen regularly, and special arrangements can be made for private group bookings, such as an Indian menu prepared by an in-house chef, multiple courses and alternative entertainment.
Hong Kong by Prudence Lui
AMMO
Opened in May 2012
Where Lower Level, Asia Society Hong Kong Center, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty
Hours of operation 11.30-00.00 (Sunday to Thursday); 11.30-01.00 (Friday, Saturday and eve of public holiday)
What’s special Dining at AMMO is dining in heritage and history. A former explosives magazine compound created by the British army in the mid-19th century, the site underwent a conversion and is now the Asia Society Hong Kong Center. Its interiors evoke a cinematic experience with spiral staircases as chandeliers and a copper-crafted mural. The surreal and modern space makes it a surprise within bustling Hong Kong.
How experience can be tailored for Indian guests AMMO draws from the best of East and West, its menu comprising Asian and Mediterranean dishes. Signature starters include the Slow Cooked Egg with Toro, and its homemade pasta dishes include the Gnocchi with Braised Angus Oxtail, Sorrento Lemon Zest and Cocoa Powder. Vegetarian alternatives can be prepared upon request. A tailormade set menu for private events costs an average of HK$500 (US$64) per person for lunch and HK$800 per person for dinner, plus 10 per cent.
AMMO can organise a guided tour around the historic sites for groups before or after their meal. At the Joseph Lau Roof Garden, guests can take in the sights of the stunning Admiralty skyline as they pass through the Yasumoto Bridge to the Heritage Compound, where three Grade 1 historic buildings are located.
At additional cost, guests will also be able to visit the Asia Society Gallery. From September 25 to January 6, on display are 150 exclusive pieces of Indian jewellery dating from the 17th-19th centuries as part of the exhibition, When Gold Blossoms: Indian Jewelry from the Susan L. Beningson Collection.
VIEW62 by Paco Roncero
Opened in June 2012
Where 62nd floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai
Hours of operation 11.30-02.00 (daily for lunch, tea, dinner and lounge)
What’s special Paco Roncero, one of Spain’s most influential chefs, has brought nouvelle cuisine to Hong Kong’s only revolving restaurant, which boasts unrivalled views from Victoria Harbour to The Peak. The two-Michelin-star chef is famous for his innovative culinary techniques, and guests can expect avant-garde dishes with unforgettable textures and flavours.
How experience can be tailored for Indian guests Groups can book the entire dining area or lounge for private events, but there are minimum charges for lunch and dinner. Prices range from HK$80,000 (US$10,317) to HK$220,000. – Prudence Lui
The Philippines by Marianne Carandang
Seventh High
Opened in November 2011
Where 7th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila
Hours of operation Lounge (18.30-02.00); Club and Club Room (22.00-04.00)
What’s special This popular multi-level supper club in posh Bonifacio High Street is an intimate alternative to others like Prive, also in the same area, and the huge Republiq Club at Resorts World Manila, located near the airport.
The third-floor Lounge offers full dining service and drinks and can accommodate up to 100-120 people; the second-floor Club Room, a VIP area, 80-100 people; and the main Club, 500 people. The Club plays pop, R&B and mash-up dance mixes, while The Lounge has its own nightly live bands and the music ranges from ‘60s hits to jazz.
How experience can be tailored for Indian guests All areas can be reserved by private groups. Previously customised events include an Indian bridal shower at the Lounge, which served 200 come-and-go guests vegetarian food. Exclusive events can be booked for about four hours and 100 people at 1,000 pesos (US$24) per pax, or a smaller group size at negotiable rates. Live acts can also be brought in.
Kasbah The Fort
Opened in May 2012
Where The Fort Strip, 7th Ave cor Katipunan Circle Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Metro Manila
Hours of operation 12.00-00.00 (daily)
What’s special The two-level restaurant is an offshoot of Kasbah Bar in Boracay, known for its Moroccan food and sunset live music performances that run late into the night. In fact, it opened in Manila due to popular demand from Boracay visitors. To date, it is the only venue to offer Moroccan food in Moroccan-styled decor.
DJs spin on Tuesday nights, while on Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays, live music performances by local music legends are rotated. Performances at Kasbah often take on a world music feel.
How experience can be tailored for Indian guests Both the Manila and Boracay outlets bring in special performances by the Sing India band, which features the music and voices of CJ Wasu and Punnu Wasu. Punnu, trained in Hindustani classic music, plays the mandolin and the harmonium. His brother, CJ, plays the tabla, the harmonium, the dhol and the dholak. Belly dancers are sometimes brought in too.
Food-wise, there are many dishes suitable for Indian diners. The second floor can be blocked off for private groups and parties of about 40 people. Set dinners are available for events that can last up to around four hours.
Malaysia by S Puvaneswary
Sunmall stretch in Pantai Tengah, Langkawi
Opened in January 2012
Hours of operation Sunba Retro Bar (19.00-0.200); Sunsutra (18.00-00.00); Sunkarma (18.00-00.00); Sun Café (12.00-00.00)
What’s special Owned by Langkawi’s Sun Group, the row of entertainment and F&B outlets provides a good spread of night options. Dressed up in kampung (village)-style, Sunba Retro Bar has an in-house band, while just next door is Sunsutra, a restaurant that serves local and international cuisine. Guests can order food from Sunsutra and asked to be served in Sunba Retro Bar. Sunkarma is a chill-out lounge and Sun Café is a more casual eatery compared to Sunsutra.
How experience can be tailored for Indian guests Sunba Retro Bar’s live band can play songs in Hindi, Punjabi and Tamil. Sunsutra also has a vegetarian menu and on request, it can prepare special Indian dishes.
All the venues can accommodate private functions, and they are willing to work with tour operators to cater to the special needs of clients.
Nawab Authentic Moghul Restaurant
Opened in September 2011
Where No. 2 Chulan Square, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur
Hours of operation 11.30 to 23.30 (daily)
What’s special Chefs are very experienced in Indian cuisine and come from India. Non-vegetarian tandoor items are signature dishes.
How experience can be tailored for Indian guests The restaurant guarantees its dishes are similar to Moghul and North Indian cuisine found in India. Special rates can be offered for groups, and tour operators must book in advance for private functions. On request, the restaurant can arrange for live music by ghazal (lyric poem) singers and the closing time can be extended until 02.00. – S Puvaneswary
This article was first published in TTG India, August/September, 2012 on page 10. To read more, please view our digital edition or click here to subscribe.
