Checking out What’s New at Nex

Singapore is already neck to neck with malls and there’s always a new one sprouting up. Either a mall or a condo. I noticed that the most popular posts on Tiny Island right now are those about Nex (the gigantic mall at Serangoon MRT), so the euphoria about this new place hasn’t worn off yet.

What I do look for in a mall is variety, because all the malls just seem to have a duplicate of the same chain restaurants and boutiques. I’m quite sick of seeing the same old chains at every place I go. That’s why I’m easily pleased, when I see a new retail concept. At Nex it was the Furniture Store called King and King Wong, which has a shop on the 4th level and also on the roof top (Skygarden). I found their designs pretty, but the products rough around the edges. It sucked that I couldn’t take any photos indoors. (there was a no photography sign up perhaps to deter copycats?)

At the Skygarden there is also a cafe (that’s named Doggiestyle Cafe that made the juvenile in me giggle) which welcomes pets and a rooftop waterpark that will get the kids excited. There’s this blue bucket that takes about 2 minutes to fill up with water before it suddenly dips. The anticipation builds and the kids squeal with glee when they finally get drenched. I was only worried as the sky got dark and I felt it may not be very safe for children to be out. We do get quite a lot of lightning in Singapore.

At the 4th level there was a new local Restaurant serving Lobster called Fish Shop and the Greenwood Fishmarket & Bistro is mentioned on their signboard (the quality of the seafood is good there). I would of course be a lot more excited if it was the American casual dining chain, Red Lobster or Olive Garden.

I feel like such a mall spy because particularly at this one there are an abundance of security guards around. I somehow feel they don’t like it when you take photos. If I had a store I would gladly allow photos, because it’s free publicity.

photo by bookjunkie

Even the Popular Store at Level 4 has introduced a new section on paper crafts and scrap booking.

photo by bookjunkie

I know a sweet little girl who would love decorating cupcakes here. Just seems like a fun activity for for kids. The cupcakes are not that great, but I have always found this chain by BreadTalk very attractive, with all that pink. Seems very Japanese to me, with the counter girls dressed in pink outfits with white aprons.

photo by bookjunkie

Of course, my top pick at this mall is the Japanese Fast Food Chain, Freshness Burger which has the unique spam burger (luncheon meat and an egg sunny side up) and a huge variety of drinks, equivalent to what you would find at a coffee place. Maybe because of the higher prices, this place never gets too crowded and I like that. Although for Burgers, Carl’s Junior, Wendy’s or Texas Chicken, which are also at Nex, may be tastier options.

photo by bookjunkie

There’s the New Zealand natural cafe which I haven’t tried.

photo by bookjunkie

I tend to pick Starbucks instead. The double chocolate chip muffin was calling. A tad dry and not as good as the one I had at the Shun Fu Market. How cool if Starbucks were to pay those female chefs running the place, and order their freshly baked muffins. I don’t think people would mind paying a premium for fabulous muffins with their coffee. Maybe the Starbucks muffins could be better if they were freshly baked and not reheated.