Tanjong Beach is very popular with locals and tourists

Sentosa Island has been considered Singapore’s premiere playground for a number of years. Since shrugging off its rather morbid Malay name of Pulau Blakang Mati (The Island After Death) is has become a rather gaudy mixture of reclaimed sandy beaches, five star hotels and a smattering of nightspots.

Basic admission costs $2 per person but additional charges are levied depending upon which attractions you intend to see. There is a direct monorail to the island from Vivocity which takes a little more than five minutes, although the famous cable car is currently being renovated until the middle of 2010.

The latest addition to the island’s attractions is the fourth Universal Studios Themepark in the world which is set to open in the next few months. As its counterparts in Japan and the US, there will be rides based upon popular films released by the Hollywood-based studio.

Tiger Sky Tower is the tallest observation tower in Asia and provides panoramic views of the area. While Dolphin Lagoon has pink dolphins performing tricks for the adoring crowds. Nearby Fort Siloso is a former British naval base with guns still seemingly posed ready for an invasion party. (9am to 9pm, $10/7 adult/child)

Images of Singapore provides younger visitors with a rather uncontroversial versions of the story of Singapore’s founding, complete with hi-tech gadgets showing how the many comprising races have come together and currently lie side-by-side in harmony. ($10/7 adult/child)

Sentosa Luge allows guests to feel the thrills of the bobsled, although the track’s incline makes it difficult to get any real speed up. Probably not the most exciting ride for teenagers but worth a look for younger kids. ($10 single ride)

Songs of the Sea is a multimedia extravaganza that features pyrotechnics, live casts, lazers and water jets. Worth booking ahead especially on weekends as it can be extremely popular. Very popular. (Shows at 7:40pm and 8:40pm.)

Underwater World is apparently Asia’s largest oceanarium featuring tropical fish and sharks. There is a walk-through aquarium which is extremely popular with youngsters and it is also very educational. ($19.50/12.50 adult/child)

Tired of crowded, staid Chinese food in Singapore? For something different, for something to amaze your palate, head to Chef Chan’s restaurant. Run by Master Chef Chan Chen Hei, who is not concerned about going mainstream, his restaurant is tucked away in the National Museum of Singapore on Stamford Road. Many complain that the restaurant is hard to find, with no obvious signage, but it is worth the treasure hunt! The interior is decorated with an amazing amount of Chinese antiques, all belonging to the Master Chef, this restaurant makes diners feel like they have stepped into China in the 1930s.

The restaurant offers a range of set menus, which have been time-consumingly arranged by the Master Chef. These are good choice for first-comers as well as returnees. The dishes are arranged to complement one another. However, it is possible to change or substitute dishes, if necessary. Make sure that the menu you choose includes the most famous, not to miss Chef Chan’s famous Crispy Roast Chicken – most set menus do. This is the Master Chef’s signature dish and what he is famous for. Even if you don’t like chicken, you must try this dish. You will never have tasted chicken like this ever before in your entire life and will be back for more. This is the most crispy and succulent chicken ever! The other dishes are good, but pale in comparison to this masterpiece.

The set menus run from approximately S$56++ per son, upwards. This new restaurant is much smaller than Chef Chan’s old restaurant in the Odeon Towers (located inside a commercial building, which took away from the ambience). According to Chef Chan, the reason for this is so that he can better control the quality and delivery of the food. The new restaurant definitely does manage that. There are only 6-7 tables in the restaurant, so booking ahead is a must, especially on weekends (Tel.  +65 6333 0073).

Interior of Chef Chans Restaurant

For those wanting some authentic Singaporean food, but in a clean and comfortable setting, head to the Chatterbox. The Chatterbox is located on the ground floor of the Meritus Mandarin Hotel on Orchard Road. Famous among locals, the Chatterbox is considered to have the best Hainanese Chicken Rice (or Mandarin Chicken Rice, as the restaurant calls it) in Singapore. Albeit being more expensive than at other restaurants, the chicken is amazingly succulent and comes with all the condiments, served beautifully on a lacquer tray. 

What is Hainanese Chicken Rice? Well, for those uninitiated, it is whole chicken that is boiled. The broth is then used to cook the rice. This infuses the rice with delicious chicken broth and the boiling of the chicken means that the meat is succulent, juicy, plump and soft. This is then served with dark soy sauce or ginger sauce (whatever you prefer) and chicken soup. The restaurant also offers this dish as a take-out, but eating it at the restaurant is better. The restaurant closely monitors the breeding of the chicken and chicken feed, to get the most plump and juicy chicken. You will not be disappointed and will most likely go back for more!

The Chatterbox has regularly won dining awards and according to the restaurant has served over 8 million Hainanese Chicken Rice sets since its establishment in 1971.

The restaurant is very popular with locals and visitors alike and can get quite crowded, especially on weekends, so book ahead to avoid disappointment,  on Tel. 6831-6288. The restaurant also serves a range of Western and Asian dishes, as well as other Singaporean favorites and has an extensive children’s menu. The milk shakes are popular among young and old! Opening hours are 05:00-01:00 (Sunday-Thursday) and 24-hours (Friday, Saturday and Public Holidays).