I had imaged the esplanade as a huge Stadium, not worth visiting unless you are going to a major event, but it's definitely worth visiting, to eat, photograph views, see statues and murals, and free concerts. We also passed happenings such as informal breakdancing in empty spaces. The Esplanade reminded me of the South Bank in London, England. The Esplanade has with concert halls on two levels, and outside restaurants along the waterfront. The Recital Studio is the smaller theatre, seating 'only' two hundred plus patrons - bigger than many modern theatres in London.
The walkway along from Esplanade MRT station to The Esplanade is through a very pleasant wide, light, white underground corridor. The food kiosks are varied, bakeries and sushi. The shops are entertaining and funky, paperwork, amusing handbags.
So you can arrive by MRT train. We changed at Promenade for the Esplanade which is only one stop.
But there are also car parks alongside, with access from the basement which is convenient if it's raining. I also noticed the map on the website shows drop off and pick up points for taxis - and / or cars?
You don't have to book high price events. In addition to regular events in the major concert hall there are cheaper events in the smaller halls and free events in the central indoor area. (We saw an excellent amateur children's choirs) Where do you eat and drink before and after a performance at the Esplanade in Singapore?
Upstairs Shop
On level two we found several amusing shops. My favourite was the violin shop advertising music lessons. Such unusual and colourful violins.
A poster shop would be worth browsing.
Answers
Pre-Performance Food
Simple Sushi
Assuming you want a simple snack before the performance, the Sushi Express bar in the basement below the Recital Studio is the most economical place. The dishes glide along at eye level above the counters, like miniature trains at a children's theme park. We'd seen this before many times, yet the novelty still entrances, long enough to get you to sit down.
It's actually a very quick way to serve. The staff with the gloves on behind the counter top are filling the conveyor. Another waiter waits to rush forward to help when you turn around with a query or to ask for the bill.
We paid only five Singapore dollars for a bowl of miso (Japanese) soup and two plates of sushi - each with two little rolls of rice and fish. We had chose one set of rice with egg on top, the other rice with smoked salmon.
At the till the bill was easy to understand and quick to add up. By the till was a small stand showing items you can buy, all novelties to us. The options included fruit vinegars.
Harry's Bar For Pre-Performance Drinks
I liked everything about Harry's Bar.
1 The amusing quotations.
2 The murals.
3 The welcoming staff, all smiles, instant service.
4 Displays of glassware and bottles.
Anything missing? Maybe nibbles. Many upmarket bars in London, England, and events in Singapore, have free bowls of nuts or olives to tempt you to linger.
From the original single Harry's Bar in Singapore, the brand has expanded to 30 bars in Singapore, their literature told me.
A Interval For Bakery and Brownie
During the interval we bought a chocolate brownie from a bread shop by the theatre. About two dollars, just enough to keep you going.
Esplanade Seafront Restaurant Closing Times
Afterwards, if you hang around to take photos with the cast, as we did, you might find everywhere shutting up, at least all the inexpensive places and some of the dearer ones which seem to be open. Although they were still serving drinks, and apparently food to customers, the last orders for food had already finished whilst we spent time strolling around reading menus and taking photos.
Upmarket Restaurants
We thought the restaurants on the waterfront were pricey. So were the ones upstairs alongside the Recital studio.
Art and Sculpture
A mural in the lower level corridor by the car park leading to the Esplanade complex.
A mural above the Recital Theatre on floor two. (Ground floor is called floor one or level one in Singapore).
Murals and quotations in Harry's Bar.
Sculptures by the waterside.
The board outside Sushi Express said that the dishes were all $1.50 each. They simply calculate the cost by counting the plates and adding the cost of the soup.
I came away wondering what I had done with the bill and where could I find the address. When I looked at my photo of the board outside showing the dishes I could see the numbers B1-23.
Looking at their website, I learned that they have other branches in Singapore in the centre on Orchard Road and out East towards the airport at Tampines.
The company started in Taiwan in 1996 and has expanded to China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and in the USA on the west coast to San Francisco and Los Angeles. They have 300 outlets worldwide. You can have a fast food snack lunch or early supper. They also supply a take away (Americans say take out). The board outside the branch I tried suggested party platters.
sushi express.com.sg
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer.
No comments:
Post a Comment