The duo, whose work is inspired by nature, on their favourite spots in SIngapore to grab a bite while surrounded by plenty of greenery
Whether it’s a street mural in a heritage district or a framed painting hung up on the wall at your neighbourhood pasta joint, Ripple Root’s vibrant art can be found in various nooks and crannies all around Singapore. Made up of Singaporeans Estella Ng (Ripple) and Liquan Liew (Root), the pair first met as colleagues at a design firm and were making paintings on the side just for fun. Soon, they had enough pieces for a show, and after this first sold-out exhibition they decided to pursue Ripple Root full-time.
Characterised by a bright and bold palette in a riot of colours, jaunty brushstrokes and plenty of intrinsic movement within each painting, Ripple Root’s murals evoke a sense of freedom, whimsy and playfulness that immediately draws the eye. Their creations deal primarily with the themes of nature and wildlife, while their technique borrows from Southeast Asian ornamentation traditions – such as textiles and arabesque tiles.
As part of a campaign by Ink (sponsored by the Singapore Tourism Board) centred on the theme of Resilience, the duo takes us on a personalised tour of Singapore that you can watch here. From the beautiful and hardy greenery found throughout the city-state to the captivating street art that brightens many corners, the video spotlights these defining aspects of Singapore’s identity that have stood resilient throughout – and perhaps in spite of – its rapid development and urbanisation.
Read on for the duo’s favourite places in Singapore to dine in nature.
PS.Cafe (Harding Road)
Located in the lush Dempsey Hill enclave, PS.Cafe’s Harding Road location is one of its most popular outlets, and for good reason: whether you choose to dine indoors or at the outdoor patio, you’ll be surrounded by greenery. “It’s perfect for chilling or hanging out in the afternoon,” Ripple Root says. “Definitely get a slice of one of their delicious cakes and the truffle fries, too!” The decadent cakes come in flavours such as Double Chocolate Blackout Cake, Carrot Cake and Golden Banana Butterscotch Bundt, while the aforementioned truffle fries come shoestring style and are dusted with a generous shaving of grated parmesan and fresh parsley.
28B Harding Road
Read more: Three of Singapore’s best heritage hotels
Riders Café
Part of the Bukit Timah Saddle Club, Riders Café is a remote open-air restaurant located in a beautiful black-and-white colonial building. It’s surrounded by plenty of sprawling grassland and tropical forest canopy, making it an ideal escape away from the bustle of the city. “We love the old-world charm to it, and it’s best to come here for brunch and breakfast food like eggs Benedict,” Ripple Root says. Also on the menu are items such as the Brioche French Toast, which comes with torched bananas and salted caramel ice cream; and the Homemade Rosti & Breakfast Sausage, which is served with poached eggs, bacon and Hollandaise.
51 Fairways Drive
Masons
Part of the gorgeous Gillman Barracks arts hub in the southern end of Singapore, Masons is a gorgeous, bright and airy restaurant housed in a stately black-and-white bungalow from 1935. It has both indoor and outdoor seating and offers a menu of international dishes: including Asian classics such as crispy duck pancakes, Thai-style spicy stuffed chicken wings and black pepper beef served with white rice; as well as Western favourites including assorted thin-crust pizzas, bourbon-smoked ribs and warm goat’s cheese salad. “It’s a great spot for a romantic dinner and a glass of wine,” Ripple Root says.
8 Lock Road, Gillman Barracks
Read more: 5 Off-the-beaten path things you can do in Singapore
