we loved our lunch at the informal coffee shop at raffles

It sounds like you plan to go to the LongBar in Raffles. Do do if you want, but I'd much rather go upstairs to Dec Chengs for cocktails. Very atmospheric, and no tourist hordes.... and yes, they have cute little umbrellas.

All the Chili Crab or Pepper Crab I've had has been pretty spicy. In restaurants (as opposed to hawker centers) you can ask for the amount of spice you want.

There is a cocktail bar at the top of the new casino. Drinks will be very expensive, but I understand the view is incredible.

For your giift shopping, you might try Tang's Department Store, at the corner of Orchard Road and Scotts Road. They often have lovely shirts, scarves, etc., in their local products section.

For Asian Arts magazines visit one of the local bookstores - there is a large bookstore in every shopping mall.

Part of the reason I'm going to Raffles is that someone in my husband's family had worked there. And I was planning to go to the Writers Bar rather than the Long Bar.

Thanks for the suggestions. Please keep them coming!

Writers Bar - much better than the Long Bar.

As long as we are talking about Raffles, they do have an afternoon tes there that is supposed to be fabulous. I haven't done it, but if I wanted to do an afternoon tea, Raffles would be my choice.

There is a small museum in Raffles that is quite charming. We usually visit each time we are in Singapore.

There are quite a number of lovely shops in the Raffles arcade, prices are high, but so is the quality.

For food markets we call them hawker/food centers which don't have air-conditioned and located within residential areas. Lots of them are near MRT stations. Food courts are air conditioned as they are mostly located in shopping malls. For good and budget food food centers are the places to go.

Gluttons Bay is a short walk from your hotel but pricy by local standards. Food in Lau Pa Sat isn't great...

http://ieatishootipost.sg/search/label/9%20Gluttons%20Bay

There's lots more listed in the food directory. Look for those with 9 prefix.

http://ieatishootipost.sg/

Take a light breakfast but don't skip lunch! You'll be missing out on lots of good food.

Other than chilli crab, there's black pepper crab, white pepper crab, butter crab. There's also crab bee hoon.

http://ieatishootipost.sg/2011/10/top-ten-things-to-eat-in-singapore.html

"Crab Bee Hoon is also another Singapore favourite. Here the crab is first blanched in hot oil, then braised in a stock with rice vermicelli until it the vermicelli is infused with that wonderful crustacean flavour. The originator of the dish is Chef Danny of Sin Huat Seafood Restaurant in Geylang. This man is what psychiatrists would term "Anal retentive". He does everything himself. He imports his own seafood, comes ti take your orders and then goes to the kitchen to personally prepare your dishes. Many Singaporeans baulk at the fact that he charges restaurant prices (or sometimes higher) for his food which is served in an old run down coffeeshop, but there is no mistaking the quality of his dishes! He has the only tank of live scallops I have ever seen in Singapore! (The scallops with pepper sauce are also worth ordering!)."

Warm greetings again loungelizardess, and congrats on booking the Mandarin Oriental in our fine home of Singapore. Suspect you are in for some fine times in SIN.

Concerning dining, and if so inclined, it's rather convenient at the MO's lovely Cherry Garden. Not too many weeks back, another joyous evening at that establishment with another couple. (And my review of Jade on my profile page doesn't begin to do her justice.)

Concerning afternoon tea, another shameless promotion for my 'old' Singapore business travel hotel, the Four Seasons. Great staff and some cherished friends at that property.

Are you still flying Singapore Airlines into and out of Changi? If so (and if flying up front), will propose booking SQ's Book the Cook for your departure. Of late, SIA Singapore-based catering has been doing a bit of a menu re-do; to date, her offerings just fine with this SQ business traveller.

Much more re SIN shopping / other at a later time; presently in the midst of an ongoing business trip. Savour your planning and warm wishes to you and all,

macintosh (robert)


... Singapore Girl, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

Have a drink at the Sky Bar at top of Marina Bay Sands. Get there around 6:45 so you can see the sunset. Great view.

For black pepper crab/chilli crab go to Jumbos at Dempsey hill. Lau pa sat is a great option or Hawker dining. I agree ref Raffles, GO I did exactly the same on my first trip to DP, sure it's touristy in the long bar but hey your are a tourist. The slings are overpriced but then you are in one of the most famous hotels in the world.
For some great bars try Ann send hill. It's a bit of an expat enclave by club street but has some nice little roof top bars. Le Crillion in the same place is a cute French bar that has ( or did when I was therre last ) very good offers on champagne
The Lantern bar @ the top of the Fullerton BAY hotel is fab for drinks, get your concierge to book you a table and watch the sunset and see the views of the bay ( you are best to book a table even for drinks)
I'm rushing off to work now but if I remember any new places I have tried I'll post them later. ( if you click on my name there is an abandoned trip report from my visits to SP and Lombok last year.
Haji lane for shopping is my new find in SP - cute one off local designer clothes/home stores.

Oh and you may look in the Asian Civilisation museum shop, my friend bought me a beautiful laquer box from there.
Getting cabs in SP is a breeze ( unless it's raining) but its a very easy city to navigate.

The Nanbantei on Scotts Road is a good Japanese Yakitori restaurant. For crab dishes (especially the black pepper crab), the Long Beach Seafood is an excellent and inexpensive choice.

For an English Afternoon Tea experience, L’Espresso at the Goodwood Park hotel is fairly ok. It's a little too close to the lobby for my liking, but the snacks offered are very good.

Thank you for your recs. I am still looking for more sushi bar suggestions if you have any. A friend recommended Rakuzen http://www.rakuzen.com.sg/ -- any thoughts on that one? Also, I understand there is a sushi bar out at Changi (Itacho) -- if I opt to get a bite there while waiting for my flight home, is it a decent place?

I've just been told that I may be bumped up to club level at the MO -- if so, that gives me a "home base" for afternoon tea and cocktails if I'm wiped out by the day's exploring.