Nothing manifests Basque vibrance like pintxo culture with its air of hedonistic, after-hours revelry. Located on the ground level of newly-relaunched Alkaff Mansion, TXA Pintxo Bar is the first and only bar in Singapore singularly dedicated to this experience. The letter combination ‘Txa’ is unique to the Basque language, forming the sound ‘cha’ which incidentally occurs in Hokkien to mean ‘noisy’, and in Cuban inspiring the dance cha-cha.
Pintxos (pronounced pin-chos) are small snacks served in bars to accompany drinks; and the bar-hopping culture this engenders is also referred to as pintxos. To eat at TXA is to be immersed in the uninhibited buzz of a pintxo bar in the Basque country. It is loud, fun and authentic.
Drinks include Spanish beers, wines and ciders. At the bar is a selection of signature cocktails based on wine, designed to complement the flavours of the pintxos, such as the Tinto de Pintxos created with red wine, pisco, and sweet vermouth as well as The Mansion created with brandy, Grand Marnier, cherry liqueur, and angostura bitters.
The lure of the pintxo culture really gets under one’s skin at TXA; and a stream of Basque-related activities aims to get people even closer.
Free-wheeling TXA is the vibrant soul of the Basques.
A culture needs a home and a proper theatre. The house on the hill, with its beauty and mantle of history, was ideal. The Alkaff Mansion is today a multi-concept Food & Beverage destination housing the Basque-centred TXA Pintxo Bar and UNA, while also housing all-day floral café Wildseed Café – each distinct and embodying a different character.
Restored and relaunched, Alkaff Mansion has become the centre of Basque culture and lifestyle. The greenery and hills, the visible coastline, echo the Basque homeland; the history and architecture, the centrality of food and social life, further the parallels.
The Alkaff Mansion celebrates, indeed flaunts, all things Basque: capturing its verve and heart; showcasing its produce, cuisine and wine. It does this in truest authenticity through a profound partnership with Basqvium, keeper, curator and tireless advocate of Basque cuisine and culture both in and outside Spain. Hand-in-hand with Basqvium through the shared platform of Basque Culinary Institute, 1-Group unites key facets of the essential Basque to create The Alkaff Mansion.
The deep synergy reflects into the experience in multiple ways, seen and unseen: through the rare Basque wine and spirits served in-house, the exclusive Basque produce and authentic Basque flavours, all the way to the Basque members within the team. The cuisine especially benefits from the inclusion of Basque chefs, Marta Elvira Segalés and Silvana Pascual Romero, into 1-Group’s own Spanish Cuisine Development Team which also comprises 1-Group’s talents such as Head Chef Tom Kung of UNA. Day to day, these key members of this development team also take personal care of kitchen operations at The Alkaff Mansion, so that research and theory becomes real; materialising in plate after plate of Basque cuisine on the plate of The Alkaff Mansion diners.
Seated on its hilltop, the Alkaff Mansion has witnessed the passage of time for a hundred years. This 2-storey Tudor-style building was built in 1918 by a member of the prominent Arab family, the Alkaffs.
In 2005, the Alkaff Mansion was accorded conservation building status by the URA, ensuring its key architectural features would be preserved for posterity. Following a number of years when it was left vacant, the mansion was again restored in 2011 to become an Italian restaurant until 2016. The second makeover cost another S$5 million.
Following the success of Japan Gourmet Hall SORA at Changi Airport Terminal 2, ANA Airlines is opening another outlet at Terminal 1, this time showcasing the best Japanese dishes from three prefectures: Fukuoka, Hokkaido and Kanagawa.
Japan Gourmet Hall SORA at Terminal 1 is modelled after a business class lounge and this 116-seater at Terminal 1 will feature classic favorites from these renowned brands as well as exclusive dishes from three restaurants: Ikkousha, Yoshimi and Megumi Maru.
Diners can tuck into an array of Yatai-style ramen, katsu curry and maze don, all at the same place. There will be wonderful desserts such as soft-serve ice-cream and pancakes for those with a sweet-tooth.
Japan Gourmet Hall SORA at Terminal 1 will be calling Singapore location for popular Japanese brands who will set up new outlets in Singapore:
Popular ramen brand from Fukuoka – Ikkousha, doles out Yatai-style ramen
Katsu curry specialist Yoshimi, set to open its first overseas outlet
Megumi Maru, Singapore’s first-ever maze don concept created by renowned maguro wholesaler Misaki Megumi Suisan
Dine at SORA and stand a chance to win a pair of round-trip ANA Airlines tickets to Japan.
CapitaLand has unveiled the highly-anticipated design of One Pearl Bank perched atop the verdant Pearl’s Hill. The development comprises two gently curving 39-storey towers linked at the roof by dramatic sky bridges. The slender, curved facades create a light and airy effect, providing ample space for residents and onlookers to look out and through the towers to admire the stunning views atop the hill. Towering at 178 metres, One Pearl Bank will be the tallest residential development in the Outram-Chinatown district in Central Singapore, offering panoramic views that extend from the Central Business District to Sentosa.
Designed by multi award-winning Serie+Multiply, a joint venture between London-based Serie Architects and Singapore-based Multiply Architects, the new scheme elevates the concept of high-rise living with a total of 774 apartments. It will support more urbanites in leading their dream city lifestyles at this prime location, in line with the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s vision to develop more homes in Singapore’s Central Area. A wide selection of unit types from studio apartments to penthouses, ranging in size from approximately 430 to 2,800 sq ft, will be made available.
Adding to its allure, One Pearl Bank will feature a world-first – a series of sky allotment gardens arrayed vertically at one edge of each tower. With each tower featuring an allotment garden every four storeys and each garden housing 11 plots, One Pearl Bank will have a total of 18 sky allotment gardens with close to 200 plots where residents can grow their own herbs, fruits and vegetables. The beautifully-appointed allotment gardens not only support urban farming, they offer spaces to promote community bonding. Visible from the city centre, they make a powerful visual statement on One Pearl Bank’s biophilic design that integrates nature to enrich residents’ quality of life. These allotment gardens are further complemented by two sky terraces and two roof gardens across the two towers and a sunken planter in every balcony to maximise the greenery on the development’s facade. Read more about this exciting project here.
Founded by designer and artist pair Max Shen and Chloe Ong; ROKU Atelier is an independent art & design studio which is open to public for workshops and classes. They also host art, architecture and design exhibitions.
One of the founders' first collaborative projects in 2017 won the 1st prize at the Shelter International Architectural Design Competition in Tokyo, Japan. The final jury was held at the Tokyo International Forum and the judging panel was chaired by Yoshiharu Tsukamoto of Atelier Bow-Wow.
They believe in providing quality workshops by giving our customers all the expertise and advice they need on materials and techniques, regardless of skill level. They have also designed the best possible environment for art-making, to make sure everyone who comes by feels comfortable and at home in the space. Find out more about their classes and workshops here.
Believing that everyone can do their part to make a difference in the industry, Singapore menswear & lifestyle brand, The Shirt Bar, works with socially responsible partners, crafting products of superior quality and fit, whilst keeping them affordable.
Recognising that gifting is central to every human connection, all accessories comes in interesting gift packages, and each shirt comes with a little message to inspire, motivate or bridge a relationship.
The Shirt Bar invites you to start on this No Ordinary journey with them.
Featuring intricate lingerie pieces designed for the modern sophisticated woman, Chaloné promises romantic and sensual style while not forsaking the importance of comfort and fit.
The winner of Singapore Tatler’s Best Lingerie Award, Chaloné carries luxury labels like Lejaby, Lou Paris, and Aubade, and also stock larger cup sizes. Vist their newly-opened boutique at Jewel Changi Airport to check out their home brand Miracle Transformation Bra, or approach their Lingerie Consultants in store for bra fitting consultations.
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