Singaporeans are very acquainted with Orchard Road. And as walking directories, we’re able to instinctively navigate the crowds to the street corner where the ice cream uncle peddles his creamy desserts. But even those who know Orchard inside out wouldn’t have heard of this new gem – Claymore Connect. It might be built on the very ground Orchard Hotel Shopping Arcade once stood, but you’ll see no trace of its former days as “sketchville”. Risen from the ashes, here are 10 reasons why the newly-revamped Claymore Connect will steal that ‘new mall’ space in your heart. P.s. Keep your eyes peeled for some wild special promotions

– Food – 

1. Mon Bijou

You’ll sincerely mean it when you call this cafe “Mon Bijou”, after you dine on their tresaffordable French mains and pastries! Baked with French finesse are the financiers, palmiers, madeleines and caneles. Assemble your own pastry platter with dainty desserts crafted by Orchard Hotel’s dedicated pastry team. If you’re into savories, have yourself a slice of Mon Bijou’s freshly-baked quiches. Truffle Shuffle Quiche is cheesy custard mushroom mosaic infused with truffle oil. And the black base is not chao tah-ed, it’s made with squid ink. Source Truly a diamond that’s sprung out from the rough, a must-try off Mon Bijou’s menu is the MB Brioche French Toast  – a purported favorite of Hong Kong actor Francis Ng! Mon Bijou Address: #01-19/20 Mezzanine level, Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879 Opening Hours: Weekdays | 10AM – 9PM (last order 8.30PM) Weekend | 9AM – 9PM (last order 8.30PM) Contact: 67396738 Quote “ The Smart Local” for complimentary coffee/tea with any purchase of All Day Breakfast, Mains, or Pasta and 15% off a la carte food items. Valid from 15th Oct till 30th Nov 2016.

2. Hua Ting Steamboat

Source Most of us know Hua Ting for its delightful crispy roast duck and dim sum, but Hua Ting Steamboat brings a whole new spread to the table – a premium steamboat experience. Expect fresh garoupa, Kurobuta pork, Japanese fresh scallops, and homemade ingredients served ala carte and taste their intriguing soup flavors like Five Grain Porridge, Superior Fish Soup with Winter Melon and Conpoy or Tomato Soup With Century Egg & Coriander ($20++ and up). Source Kurobuta Pork Belly Casserole ($28++) – Hua Ting Steamboat’s specialty has to be their casseroles, which is basically a dry hot-pot that you can transform into a regular soupy one should you feel the need to. With a total of 26 different sauces and toppings – from belachan, sesame oil to Thai green chilli – it’s safe to say Hua Ting Steamboat has the complete condiment catalogue (free flow at $3++/pax). Booths can seat up to 8 and more if you’re down for a squeeze, so Hua Ting Steamboat is one place to consider for your family gatherings. Note: You can even dine solo with Hua Ting’s mini hotpots going for $13.90++ and up Hua Ting Steamboat Address: #01-08 Mezzanine Level, Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Road Opening Hours: 11AM to 10PM daily Contact: 67396628 Quote “The Smart Local” for 15% off à la carte orders and get receive a complimentary appetiser of the day for every order of the “Healthy Five Grain Rice Porridge” soup base. There’s also 2-hour complimentary parking with a minimum spend of $50 per receipt. Valid till 15th Dec 2016.

3. The Peranakan  

The Peranakan brings to you Straits Chinese sophistication with an interior bearing tiffin carriers, porcelain crockery and bedazzling chandeliers. At $24++/pax on weekdays and $28++/pax on weekends, tuck into their Peranakan High Tea set of traditional delights from mee siam, kueh kosui to pulut inti with durian – available from 11AM-5:30PM daily. The Peranakan also offers Tok Panjang Feasts ($45++ or $65++/pax), a massive spread of dishes served in tasting portions, where you can sample classic dishes like Nonya Chap Chye, Ayam Buah Keluak and Kaki Babi Pong Teh. This would also be the one and only Peranakan place offering Omakase ($288++/pax), where the chef surprises you with a customised one-of-a-kind menu that comes with wine and sake pairings. The Peranakan Address: #02-01/17, Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879 Opening Hours: 11AM to 10PM daily Contact: 62624428 Quote “The Smart Local” for 1-for-1 coffee or tea set (11am – 5.30pm daily). Valid till 30th October 2016.

4. Muddy Murphy’s 

One of the originals from Orchard Hotel Shopping Arcade, Muddy Murphy’s made its mighty homecoming back at Claymore Connect. Even with an upgrade, it’s still the place to get your dose of good ol’ Irish “craic” – lively conversations, good booze, and bar food with the best of company! Traditional Roast Beef ($19 nett) – Slow-roasted prime beef with a side of roasted veggies, creamy mash, Yorkshire pudding and very tasty gravy. Now you can enjoy this comforting Sunday Roast every day of the week! Beef & Guinness Pie ($18 nett) – Concealed under the puff pastry topper are chunks of tender beef and carrots simmered in homemade Guinness Gravy. Trust the Irish to put Guinness in everything. Throw in another $2 for parmesan mash and french beans on the side. Muddy Murphy’s Law states: too many choices can be too confusing – so they’ve streamlined their drinks menu to a concise selection of seven beers on tap! Go with their ales  – Old Speckled Hen or Kilkenny – or if you’re one for stout, get a frothy pint of Guinness draught($15.50 nett/pint)! With a live band playing Fridays 9.30PM and Sundays 4.30PM, a Sunday Roast promo ($24 nett/2 courses and $29 nett/3 courses) and Happy Hour prices running from 11AM – 7.30PM. Every Sunday’s an excuse to come down for some jolly merrymaking! Muddy Murphy’s Address: #01-02/03/04/05, Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879 Opening Hours: Mon – Wed | 11AM to 12AM Thurs & Sun | 11AM to 1AM Fri & Sat | 11AM to 2AM Contact: 67350400

5. Jewel Coffee

Jewel Coffee stands out as a single origin bean cafe, so caffeine-junkies can get the pure taste of coffee from El Salvador to Ethiopia’s Yirgacheffe Misty Valley. And all their espresso-based drinks come with a double-shot, so you’ll be getting none of that watered down coffee nonsense. Source If you’re into brewed coffee that doesn’t come from an espresso machine, the friendly staff will be more than happy to explain the flavour differences between brews prepared with the Chemex ($6), Aeropress ($6) and Syphon ($16). Take home exotic coffee variants like the La Esperanza (Honduras) and Simalungun (Sumatra) and remember to stock-up on your favorite bags, because Jewel Coffee does ever so often switch up their line of packaged coffees. Jewel Coffee’s efforts to go-green really shine through as they’re giving up to 3 free drinks with every purchase of their customised Klean Kanteens and Keepcups. You’ll also save $0.20 when you use them for your subsequent orders. Jewel Coffee Address: #01-01, Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879 Opening Hours: Sun – Thurs | 7AM – 10PM Fri & Sat | 7AM – 11PM Contact: 62353945 Quote “The Smart Local” to enjoy selected 1-for-1 promotions on their weekday breakfast, lunch, and coffee; and additional discounts on cakes. Find out more when you visit Jewel Coffee at Claymore Connect!

– Coolest Mall Finds – 

6. Trehaus

With freelance gigs climbing in popularity, coworking spaces have been springing up like daisies. But if you’re an entrepreneur with a child in tow, you’ll know the struggles of finding a child-friendly working environment that won’t eat into your profit margins. Trehaus is your solution. A unique family-oriented concept sets it apart from other coworking spaces allowing parents the option of taking their kids to work. A bright and clean workspace complete with an adjoining Kids Atelier – a special playspace for kids to dabble in activities like craft and storytelling under the special guidance of a facilitator – you can now work in peace, knowing your little ones are just next door. And if you’re more of a control freak, you’ll be glad to know that you can take charge of all other aspects of baby care from the feeding to diaper-changing, and check in on your child at any time. You won’t also just be guaranteed the standard coworking space amenities like WiFi, printing & photocopying and complimentary meeting room privileges – Trehaus also aims to build a community, with member-exclusive events like yoga practice and networking with other working parents over breakfast gatherings. Trehaus Address: #03-01/02/17, Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879 Opening Hours: Mon – Fri | 9AM – 6PM Contact: 98438077 Quote “The Smart Local” for a 1 day FREE work+Play pass* worth S$100. Valid till 24th October 2016.

7. Maharajas Custom Tailors  

Like Muddy Murphy’s, Maharajas Custom Tailors has also made its return to familiar homeground. This family-run business is one of the oldest tailors in Singapore and has been dressing gentlemen in fine suits made from cashmere, silk and wool ($400 – $700 for full suit)for the past 60 years. Their impressive line-up of prestigious clientele even includes foreign dignitaries, so we’re thoroughly convinced us that Maharajas makes suits befitting royalties. But this doesn’t mean you’ll have to pay skyrocket prices – they’ve got special deals on their bespoke dress shirts (6 shirts for $680), and you’ll only have to wait 3 days for your brand new bespoke suit. With every imaginable fabric in their arsenal, they’re prepared to take on all your requests. You can also bring a photograph something you’ve been eyeing and the expert dressmakers here will a better deal for you! Maharajas Custom Tailors Address: #01-12 Mezzanine Level, Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879 Opening Hours: 10.30AM – 8.30PM daily Contact: 67376474

8. Ch’i Life Studio

Carl Douglas sang in his classic hit “Everybody loves kung fu fighting”, and at Ch’i Life Studio – everybody CAN love kung fu fighting. Age is no matter here, as classes are universal and anyone from a feisty tot to a middle-aged man can learn true-blue wushu or kungfu from a real Beijing shifu. Founded by local Mediacorp celebrity Robin Leong, Ch’i Life Studio also has a special Kung Fu Kids Program for children with trial classes starting at $48. They’ also offer 10-40 session packages or unlimited class packages over time periods ranging from 1 month – 1 year. And here’s a glimpse of some of the Kung Fu kids who pull no punches with their high-kicks Ditch your usual spin class and give this workout alternative a go! Quote ‘The Smart Local’ to receive a 1-for-1 deal on their trial classes for kids and adults. Valid till 15th November 2016 Ch’i Life Studio Address: #03-03, Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879 Opening Hours: 10AM to 8PM daily Contact: 67358812 or email kris@chi-life.com Website

9. MapleBear Singapore

Calling all parents! If you’re looking for a preschool in a convenient central locale, consider enrolling your kid in MapleBear Orchard! Helmed by the founder of Pat’s Schoolhouse, Mrs Patricia Koh, parents can rest easy knowing an expert in early-learning is personally overseeing curriculum development and training of teachers to support their child’s learning. MapleBear Orchard offers a conducive learning environment, with floor-to-ceiling windows that not only let in tons of natural light, but also give children a chance to connect with their outdoor surroundings by catching glimpses of the hustle and bustle of the streets below. They also run range of services from infant care, playgroups to nursery and kindergarten enrolment, and take in children as young as as 2 months old – perfect for full-time parents working around town or in the CBD. MapleBear Preschool Address: #02-05, Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879 Opening Hours: Mon – Fri | 7AM – 7PM Contact: 67342369

10. Color Bar for Hair 

Take your salon experience up a notch with The Color Bar – a stylish unisex salon that prioritizes privacy and preens you in your own private room with a personal iPad to keep you entertained. If you expect such class to be accompanied by a hefty price tag, you’re in for a surprise. With their treatments starting from $75, you might just find yourself ditching your go-to salon in Far East for this suite deal. And they don’t call themselves The Color Bar for nothing. Give yourself a full makeover with a brand new shade from just $125 or create some dimension with some highlights and lowlights from just $135. Color Bar for Hair Address: #02-13/16, Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879 Opening Hours: Mon – Sat | 10AM  – 7.30PM Sun | 11.30AM – 6PM Contact: 6474 3393 Source: http://thesmartlocal.com/read/claymore-connect