Restaurants

Charter Quay is what town planners charmingly refer to as a Mixed Use Development, meaning that its a modern mix of apartments, shops, restaurants, canals and paddling ducks. As well as bringing new life to a derelict area, it has also attracted what many locals regard as Kingstons best oriental restaurant, or rather, two best oriental restaurants. On the first floor is a plush, intimate dining room, decked out with fine table linen and serving a huge variety of Chinese specialities, from good old sweet and sour pork to peking duck with the works. Downstairs is a modern noodle bar where freshly cooked Malay, Thai and Chinese dishes pull in a mix of Asian students, residents and local businessmen to sit at long communal benches. From a menu divided into little plates, big plates and big bowls, we particularly liked our big bowl of roast duck and egg noodles served in a delightfully aromatic chicken stock. Also good was a selection of daily dim sum. The only jarring note was the unwanted (and inauthentic) curry powder in an otherwise terrific char kway teow (rice noodles with seafood).

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2008