I’m a total weirdo in that I love it when my mother-in-law’s in town (although she’s Singaporean she has lived in the UK for the last 40 years, and still does). I love it because I genuinely like her – which has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with her; everyone who meets her likes her – and together we have great fun.  Fun includes ridiculous actions to accompany stories, shopping for obscure things that neither of us need or will probably ever use and…eating.

She is, in fact, my meal ticket: I am the vicarious invitee (invitations flow with alarming rapidity when she’s around) and together we get taken to wonderful places that are sometimes ulu (read ‘out of the way’), sometimes mainstream but always interesting.  The China Club is a LO special place that I only ever go to when she’s around.

Whilst the food is faultless…

…we’ve only ever eaten lunch and the dim sum is perfectly perfect – I really love coming here for the view which is across almost all of the island, as well as out over the sea.

I know there are a hundreds of average bars in Singapore that promise a view of the city like no other, but they are all pale imitations compared with what the China Club offers. I think it must be the combination of the height of this restaurant, which teeters on the 52nd floor, plus the fact that its neighboring buildings are nothing like as tall that gives this place the edge.  On a clear day you can see all the way to Malaysia and Indonesia. Surprisingly though, I don’t think that’s the day you want to be here…

…Instead, a moody, rainy day that whips up a blustery seascape before your very eyes is absolutely perfect: the parked, waiting ships and tankers, rain, wind and sea make you feel that you are in the midst of a Turner painting.  Couple that with delicious food and being dry and you can truly experience what Turner always wanted his paintings to make people appreciate: the sublime.

The China Club is a private members club. By invitation only

Lantern image courtesy of  Bystander