Saturday, September 16, 2006
[RealEdge] BT : Wine and dine under the stars in Tanglin Village
| Published September 16, 2006  | |||
| Wine and dine under the stars in Tanglin Village
By RUCHIKA TULSHYAN
(SINGAPORE) The Dempsey Road area - now known as Tanglin Village - may soon be the latest place for chic winers and diners, with a $6 million, 110,000 square-foot alfresco dining extravaganza slated to open there in November.
Spearheading the development of the project is property developer Richard Goh, who has teamed up with ex-electronics tycoon Tommie Goh and Japanese restaurant chain Sushi Tei founder Daniel Ong. Called Oosh, and touted as Singapore's largest alfresco bar and restaurant, the development will have several restaurants and bars, including a specialty Japanese restaurant, exotic European and Asian fare, and a wine and cigar lounge - under one roof. Tommie Goh will remain a 'sleeping' partner while Mr Ong will lend his F&B industry experience. The name of the development comes from Richard Goh's Chinese name spelt backwards, and industry watchers say it could help transform the area into Singapore's next Rochester Park. 'It will be multi-operational where one big premises is divided into various facilities catering to an upmarket crowd,' says Mr Goh, director of Synthesis Development Team, the company behind Oosh. Mr Goh has 28 years of experience in the development business but this will be his first foray into developing a food & beverage business. Although the location may be considered remote by some, Mr Goh says it is close to Orchard Road and still one of the 'best places' to enjoy a natural, outdoor ambience. While the designers of hip eatery PS Cafe - Aamer Taher Design Studio - are at the helm of the project, Oosh has also employed designers from Japan to conceptualise the second floor of the premises, which will be a specialty Japanese restaurant called 'Yen Dining'. On the ground level, there will be dishes from 'popular cuisines' such as Italian pizzas and pastas, Spanish tapas and grilled fare, elaborates Mr Goh. In addition, local favourites such as satay will be added to the smorgasbord. But while specialty food, wine and liquor are pivotal to the operation of Oosh, equally important is the ambience the team aims to create. The outdoor Balinese-style al fresco concept was adopted from popular Little Bali off Alexandra Road - but on a 'much larger scale', says Mr Goh. With plans for an outdoor pond, extensive garden landscaping and a waterfall, 'both refreshing and beautiful', Mr Goh says he has spared no detail to make Oosh 'comfortable, yet attractive'. Aamer Taher, director of Aamer Taher Design Studio, says the concept is 'one-of-a-kind' in Singapore. 'It follows the new fad of dining and drinking amid nature,' he says. 'We wanted to create a contrast between raw nature and something more refined.' The project is being completed in record time - with construction from April to late October, interiors included. Knight Frank Consultancy & Research director Nicholas Mak says Dempsey Road is now 'popular with young jet-setters and the expatriate community for dining, and benefits from its proximity to foreign embassies and prime residential developments' He adds: 'It is an exciting alternative to the usual areas, with an old-world charm to chill out after a long day.' Oosh plans to have 80 staff, including veteran Japanese chefs and bar management teams, and Mr Goh hopes for full recovery of investment within three years of opening. The Tanglin Village area has seen an influx of niche wine bars and cafes in recent years, with nightlife entrepreneur Michel Lu indicating previously that he would open an alfresco bar - The Hacienda - by year-end. Given the right impetus, Mr Goh believes the area could become Singapore's next hot spot. 'If the authorities would like to exploit the potential of the new area, then it could possibly be the next Holland Village or (Rochester Park),' he says. 'But what I'm coming up with, Singapore really doesn't have as yet,' he adds. | |||
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