WHERE FOOD IS ALWAYS IN STYLE

A new scene is cooking along Singapore's iconic retail corridor

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A hearty spread of hawker specialties from the Food Opera court at Ion Orchard shopping center; the leafy lawns at the new Air CCCC

THE WEST END OF ORCHARD ROAD, the bustling, 1.6-mile shopping belt in the heart of Singapore, has always been a slightly strange case. Sandwiched between high-shine megamalls and the pricey Tanglin district, it's long felt a bit sleepy, with a smattering of karaoke lounges and red-light massage parlors. But the last year has seen the area clean up its act, with a bumper crop of sleek new hotels rising to transform the landscape. They're joined by a wave of food and drink spots from both celebrated expats and local chefs that hold their own in this global capital of cuisine. CHLOE SACHDEV

SUMMER'S NEW SEASON

The 43-year-old, Michelin-starred Summer Palace at the Conrad Singapore Orchard has gotten a refresh.

Gone are the red carpet and wood-paneled walls in favor of a neutral-toned dining room. But the tables are still filled with loyal families and local dignitaries, and the menu is reassuringly traditional-Peking duck, herbal soups, and seafood cooked every which way. Order a Chinese wine, like a biodynamic Silver Heights Chardonnay from Ningxia, and quiz the sommelier on this growing grape-growing region. conradsingapore orchard.​com

AFTER HOURS