by Daphne Tang (16S03M)
Reviews courtesy of anonymous Rafflesian contributors
Feeling the heat of stress from upcoming CTs these holidays? Unable to find a perfect place where you can focus and get down to work? Study Go Where?’s Holiday Edition is an article series where we feature potential study locations suggested by Rafflesians in each article, accompanied by a brief overview of its suitability for studying – so you can find out without having to visit it!
In this article, we review Carls’ Junior (NEX), La Ristrettos and Asia Square Food Garden.
1. Carl’s Junior (Level B1 NEX)
Photo courtesy of NEX Official Website
For a fast-food restaurant, Carl’s Junior @ NEX is a surprising exception when it comes to all the notorious grievances students have with most fast-food chain outlets. It has none of the frustrating noise or claustrophobia that comes with trying to study in a jam-packed MacDonald’s or Subway, plus the staff are pretty tolerant of students using their space – you’ll almost never get chased out unless it’s dinnertime (and anyway, you shouldn’t be trying to hog seats that customers need to use).
The only cons of choosing this place are the pricey meals, but seeing as every set meal comes with a free-flow of drinks at no extra charge (a sure refresher for all you lethargic students!), we’re just nitpicking.
Tip: The WiFi network access is rather unreliable – so it’s best not to bring work which you need to use the internet for here!
Directions/Accessibility
Located in Central Singapore.
By MRT: Serangoon Station via Exit E (North-East and Circle Line)
After taking the escalator up to the glass door entrance of NEX, you’ll be on Level B2.
Take an escalator upstairs to Level B1.
By Bus: Buses 22, 43, 45, 53, 58, 70, 81, 82, 100, 101, 103, 103M, 105, 107, 107M, 109, 133, 135, 147, 153, 158, 315, 317, and 853.
Alight at Serangoon Bus Interchange – which is on Level B2, so take an escalator upstairs to Level B1.
Wifi Access: Wireless@SG – However, it rarely works.
Power Sockets: Available – but they are non-functioning.
Aircon: Yes
Food Access: Carl’s Junior sells scrumptious meat burgers, and their meal combos come with a free-flow of drinks! (Unfortunately, they have no vegetarian-friendly options.)
Price Range: Prices start at $8.90 for a filling meal combo.
Noise Level:
Medium to High. It only get very noisy near dinnertime – otherwise, there may just be the occasional chatter from other customers in the restaurant, and some background kitchen noise.
Predicted Productivity:
Medium. If you can focus with some background noise, you’ll be able to accomplish work here.
Opening Hours
Sunday to Thursdays: 10 AM – 10 PM
Friday to Saturdays: 10 AM – 11 PM
Public Holidays: 10 AM – 10 PM
Public Holiday Eves: 10 AM – 11 PM
2. La Ristrettos (Level 8 Novena Medical Centre)
Photo courtesy of CafeHopping Singapore
A quaint cafe nestled on Level 8 of Novena Medical Centre, La Ristrettos boasts its fair share of good food and better sights. Warm lighting reminiscent of a homely environment casts a comfortable glow over your work that isn’t too straining, but just enough to keep you flipping those pages. And while you’re hard at work, why not bring along a friend or two, and grab yourselves a cup of premium coffee? The outdoors area too is relatively quiet and the staff don’t mind you staying there for long hours, since the outdoor seating areas are rarely crowded.
Tip: There’s no WiFi here – so it’s best not to bring work which you need to use the internet for here! The outdoors area may get stuffy at around afternoon time.
Directions/Accessibility
Located in Central Singapore.
By MRT: Novena Station via Exit A or B (North-South Line)
Walk towards Square 2, and take the escalator up to Level 1, then find the lift opposite Quiznos to take to Level 8.
Wifi Access: Not available, so you can’t Instagram that amazing coffee art you bought just yet… But hey, that means no distractions, right?
Power Sockets: Not Available
Aircon: Yes, indoors.
Food Access: La Ristrettos sells really tasty pasta, cakes, with coffee and tea too!
Price Range: Prices start at $10 for a filling meal.
Noise Level:
Relatively quiet — it’s a small, cozy cafe so there’ll be wists of conversations and smalltalk. The barista brewing coffee might make some noise, but that’s more charming than distracting, really!
Predicted Productivity:
Medium to High. Consider bringing along earpieces so you can listen to music when the noise gets too disruptive!
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 6 PM
Saturday: 8 AM – 1 PM
Closed on Sundays
3. Asia Square Food Garden
Photo courtesy of Earthscape
Airy, spacious and bright, this large space transforms from a bustling lunch hour hotspot to a serene, conducive environment once it’s off that dining peak hour. Tables and chairs are in abundance here; the Central Business District around the area is, for the most part, desolate during weekday nights and weekends, so you never have to worry about reserving a seat.
This location is a great fit for you if you’re too easily distracted to settle down. The wooden furnishings, coupled with flora in the form of green walls and real, living trees makes for a Zen atmosphere that certainly comes in useful as you pour over stacks of notes.
Tip: Avoid visiting during lunch hour (11 AM – 1 PM) on weekdays.
Directions/Accessibility
Located in Southern Singapore.
By MRT: Downtown via Exit E (Downtown Line), Raffles Place via Exit I or Exit J (North-South Line), Marina Bay via Exit B (North-South Line and Circle Line)
By Bus:
10, 10e, 57, 70, 75, 100, 107, 128, 130, 131, 162, 167, 186, 196, 196e, 541, 547, 576, 700, 850, 970, 971, 971e, NR1, NR6J
Alight at One Raffles Quay.
10, 10e, 97, 97e, 196, 196e, 531, 538, 539, 541, 544, 545, 552, 553, 554, 566, 585, 625, 641, 642, 644, 850E, 868, 982E
Alight at Opposite Robinson Point
10, 10e, 57, 70, 75, 97, 97e, 100, 106, 107, 128, 130, 131, 162, 167, 186, 196, 196e, 513, 530, 531, 541, 546, 576, 587, 588, 590, 598, 599, 700, 850, 970, 971e, 982, NR1, NR6
Alight at UIC Building (on Shenton Way road).
Wifi Access: Wireless@SG – once again, however, it rarely works
Power Sockets: Not Available
Airconditioning: Yes, but only on weekday nights. Though the air conditioning is switched off during the weekends, the building does not feel stuffy. Alternatively, tables are available on the ground floor, situated in a breezy open-air setting.
Food access:
Lau Pa Sat Food Centre – a newly reopened hawker centre hosting a wide variety of cuisines. It also contains some cafés and bistros. Most stalls are open around dinner time.
Price Range: Prices start at $4
Predicted Productivity: High
Opening Hours
Mondays to Sundays: approximately 7AM – 10PM
To read previous Study Go Where? instalments, click here.
