Source : Today - 15 Sep 2008
A revamped Cuppage Terrace will feature a charming mix of haunts
IN SINGAPORE, traces of the past tend to be replaced by developments for the future. But one commercial project is about to buck the trend.
Cuppage Terrace will reopen at the end of the month, when Formula One comes to town, with several old haunts such as the Northern Indian restaurant, Maharajah, and the Chinese food and bar outlet, Cross Straits.
The former is even bringing back one of its chefs from when it opened in 1986, Mr K T Sharma.
And while it may have gone through a $15-million revamp, the strip’s heritage facade and foodie-centric focus remains.
“It’s a charming place with a very beautiful outdoor refreshment area. Foreigners coming to this place can appreciate what old Singapore used to look like,” Orchard Maharajah Restaurant director Chamkaur Singh said.
The intent is for “Cuppage Terrace to be uniquely Cuppage Terrace”, said Mr Kishin R K, on behalf of Royal Brothers, the property investment group behind Cuppage Terrace’s new facelift.
“The new Cuppage Terrace concept retains its historical roots through its tenants, some which have been serving diners there for more than two decades. These outlets have forged a strong identity and relationship with the Cuppage Terrace address and they provide variety and diversity in their key offerings,” he said.
Diversity will also come with a splash of the new — and a very international flavour.
For example, Cuppage Terrace will be featuring Kohiten, a new Japanese concept cafe from Apex-Pal International, whoseinvestor relations manager Loh Soi Min, told Today: “We’re the only one specialising in siphon coffee using Japanese beans and can be savoured on its own or enjoyed as a complement.”
There will be a gastronomical selection of 12 international food and beverage outlets ranging from Mexican to Italian to Middle Eastern. Cuppage Terrace will also include two spas and a dance centre.
The company behind upcoming restaurant Viva Mexico aims to provide “as much as possible from every region of Mexico”, said its manager, and will bring in a Mexican executive chef and up to 15 types of the premium 100-per-cent agave tequila.
Also bringing in foreign chefs is Kazbar, a Middle Eastern restaurant with a chef from Dubai. Several other new restaurants are bringing in chefs from their home countries.
“Our vision is for Cuppage Terrace to completely re-define and set a new benchmark for affordable and great dining along Orchard Road,” said Mr Kishin.
Not just the restaurants but the bars, such as the San Francisco-themed Cable Car Bar, will make a return, with more than 350 different choices of drinks on offer.
And for those pining for the old jazz bar Saxophone, circa the 80s, or a later reincarnation, Swing, there will be another jazz bar along the alfresco strip:Harry’s, which will bring back the live jazz band.
Mr Mohan Mulani, CEO and director of Harry’s International director, said: “All the ‘Harry’s Bar magic formula’ is very evident at Harry’s at Cuppage Terrace. The ‘extra Harry’s magic ingredient’ is also the famous and multi-talented art and musician Paul Ponnudurai who will be showcasing there.”
Singer-guitarist Paul Ponnudurai is recognised as one of the best in the Asia-Pacific region and has performed with Grammy Award winners.
So, what do fans of the “old” Cuppage Terrace think of this new revamp?
Mr Jeremy Monteiro, who used to perform at Saxophone, said: “I’ll definitely want to see if I enjoy it there. I hope with this revamp it will get people to come out, hang out and socialise like in the past. I look forward to going there.”
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