It is six months before Christmas but, hey, we all need a bit of cheer right now. Watch A Gift From Bob, the sequel to 2016’s A Street Cat Named Bob. The story in brief: Protagonist James looks back at the last Christmas he and his cat Bob spent scraping a living on the streets and how they kept each other company through a tough time. As with all feel-good movies, it has the cookie-cutter script that is a mix of strength, friendship and inspiration all played out at Christmas time. Check online listings for screen timings.
PHOTO: SHAW
ARTS
Virtual interactive whodunnit
The Curious Case of the Missing Peranakan Treasure
Ending its run in a few days’ time, The Curious Case of the Missing Peranakan Treasure is a first-of-its-kind virtual interactive play set in the Raffles Hotel Singapore, where the audience is invited — from the comfort of their homes — to unleash their inner detective and uncover a missing artefact. Get lost in this intriguing plot filled with unexpected twists and turns, directed by Hossan Leong.
To complete your at-home entertainment, Raffles Hotel is offering a Stay Home & Play bundle comprising tickets complete with Southeast Asian small plates from Raffles Courtyard and craft cocktails from Writers Bar. Take your pick from Spicy Tiger Prawns, Vegetable Spring Rolls, Chicken Laksa Spring Rolls, Chilli Crab Cake or Chicken Satay, as well as classic cocktails from Writers Bar including Vieux Carré, Negroni, Vesper and English Milk Punch.
A package for two includes single access to the virtual interactive play, choice of one snack and one 180ml cocktail at $80+ while a package for four includes single access tickets, two snacks and two cocktails at $120+. Order from Raffles Grab And Go.
PHOTO: DOUBLE CONFIRM PRODUCTIONS AND SIGHT LINES ENTERTAINMENT
EAT
Month-long epicurean fest
Chef’s Signature Series
Over 40 of Singapore’s top restaurants are taking part in a month-long gastronomic extravaganza from July 1 to 31 featuring specially curated menus by the chefs themselves from as little as $48 for an Elite Lunch or Dinner.
Brought to you by online food guide DiningCity, the Chef’s Signature Series features well-known restaurants like Gunther’s, 15 Stamford by Alvin Leung, Art Restaurant, Monti, Oso Ristorante and Basilico, just to name a few. To book tickets, download the DiningCity app or visit chefsignature.sg.
Launched in 2007, DiningCity is an online restaurant guide and instant reservation service for close to 100 premium restaurants in Singapore. Its platform and app also offers instant discounts off your food bill through its ‘Book & Save’ feature and rewards loyal users with welcome drinks and window seat priority.
DRINK
Cocktail masterclass
The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
If you have achieved Platinum status for your Global Hotel Alliance membership for stays at its appointed hotels, now is your chance to redeem one of the many Local Experiences from its loyalty programme such as a Cocktail Masterclass at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore. Find out what goes into the creation of your favourite libation in this two-hour masterclass conducted at The Bar at 15 Stamford. Its friendly and very knowledgeable bartenders will be sharing tips and tricks of creating two different cocktail styles, and you may choose your preferred ingredients to craft your very own personalised concoction. There will also be an exquisite selection of canapés, specially created by chef Alvin Leung that guests can order a la carte to pair with their drinks.
READ
Prepare for your trip
Great Railway Journeys in New Zealand & Australia
Aussie journalist David Bowden shares his love for railway travel in this guidebook featuring 35 classic railway journeys in Australia and New Zealand. They include renowned long-distance journeys such as The Northern Explorer in New Zealand’s North Island that stretches from Wellington to Auckland, and the Coastal Pacific that runs between Picton and Christchurch, now fully operational again since being shut in the aftermath of the 2016 earthquake.
For a memorable trip through Australia, Bowden recommends The Indian Pacific taking travellers on a three-day trip from Perth to Sydney, as well as the Spirit of the Outback offering stunning views of natural landscapes.
Re-released by John Beaufoy Publishing (UK), this 160-page book also includes amazing landscape shots taken by Bowden himself with interesting facts about steam locomotives and unique places of interest. The book can be purchased from www.johnbeaufoy.com for NZ$39.99 ($37.88).
