COCONUTS HOT SPOT — For a little taste of Hawaii in Singapore, head over to Ola Beach Club. The newest space in Sentosa’s Siloso Beach is decked out in wood, bamboo and greenery to give it rustic vibes, and you’ll find daybeds, private cabanas, bar swings and balcony tables for you to chillax by the waters. Bright and airy, the beachside sanctuary also features pretty sunset views, a 20m pool and a mural created by local graffiti artist Ceno2.
Oh, and did we mention the water sports? Yep, this is the only place in Singapore where you can try out water-propelled jet pack and jetblade activities. It’s all about thrills and spills here, thanks to Hawaiian company SeaBreeze Water Sports. Strap on the jet pack ($228/45 mins) and fly through the air at a maximum speed of 40km/hr to reach an all-time high of nine metres above the waters, or try out the jetblade ($228/45 mins), where your feet are secured to boots on the board and water jet thrusts help you soar up to 15 metres in the air.
If that’s too much of an adrenaline rush for you, there’s always the stand-up paddle board, kayak or banana boat. (But really, why go for these when you can freakin’ glide through the air?)
After exhausting yourself burning up all those calories, plop down at the restaurant for a meal of Hawaiian-inspired dishes. For starters, try the bite-sized lomi-lomi salmon ($16) with tomatoes, sweet Maui onions and fish roe in a mini waffle cup; or go for the ahi poke bowl ($20) of diced tuna with guac, pumpkin seeds, pomegranate and pineapples.
Otherwise, head straight to the meats and order the kalua pig taco ($25), which is made with one-day cured pork shoulder that’s been steamed and baked for three hours then sautéed with white cabbage over open fire to get that smokiness. Crammed into a crunchy taco shell, the pork is sprinkled with tomato relish, guac, lettuce, cheddar cheese and a sour cream chutney.
There’s also the grilled octopus ($18.50) that’s cooked over an open fire in a netted basket to give it a soft texture. It’s served with an olive tapenade, confit tomatoes, roasted fava beans, artichokes and a garlic and saffron mayo.
Now on to the mains. If you’re a fan of teriyaki chicken, try this Hawaiian version: Huli-huli chicken ($26). The bird’s steeped in a teriyaki marinade and sous vide before it’s plated with burnt leek and veggie purée. Another Hawaiian staple is the Loco Moco ($28) of wagyu beef patty on a bed of steamed Japanese koshihikari white rice dotted with sesame seeds and chopped kelp. It’s finished off with a panko-crusted egg, and you can add a side of pan-seared foie gras ($6) for extra oomph.
Another dish to try is the Hawaiian plate lunch ($32), where braised beef short rib and veal tongue rest on a layer of brown rice, and everything’s topped with fried spam and a soft-boiled egg.
As for desserts, Haupia Sphere ($22) is inspired by the traditional Hawaiian coconut pudding, and it’s made with coconut Chantilly cream, desiccated coconut sponge cake, nata de coco and vanilla ice cream enveloped in a dark choc casing. When you pour warm chocolate sauce on it, the exterior melts to reveal its insides.
If you’re feeling in the mood for a round of drinks, you’ve got eight signature Ola cocktails to choose from. Options include Hala Lei ($18) of gin, pineapple juice, chamomile tea and a homemade allspice liqueur; Siloso Firstlight ($18) with tequila, orange juice, pomegranate syrup and mango; and Uliuli Tiki ($22), a blend of Blue Curaçao liqueur, vodka, vanilla passionfruit purée and coconut froth.
To add to the beachside atmosphere, there’ll be resident and guest DJs on decks to provide you with everything from top hits to ’70s classics.
Ola Beach Club is at 46 Siloso Beach Walk, Sentosa, 6250-6978. Restaurant: Mon-Fri 10am-10pm, Sat & Sun 9am-10pm; Watersports: Daily 10am-7pm.
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