Frog Michaels, our Tatler Lunch columnist, braves dizzy heights to lunch with Elizabeth Wiluan and Celeste Basapa.

Stellar at 1-Altitude was the venue for this month’s lunch, offering a view to remember on the 62nd floor. It was a beautifully clear day and with the city sprawled at our feet, the conversation opened, naturally, with talk of the late Lee Kuan Yew and all he and the city of Singapore had achieved. The preservation of old and new is particularly startling when you look down upon the urban sprawl from such a vantage point. “It’s a city I have loved being a part of. Watching it develop and change over the years has been quite something,” commented Elizabeth who arrived here from England in the 1970s. Celeste added, “His achievements have shaped the nation. We are where we are because of him.”

Talk soon moved on and I commented on how well - and well dressed - both of them looked. “The secret to getting older is to embrace it but to also watch what you eat” shared Celeste. On the basis that I turned 37 that very day – that very hour in fact; I was a lunchtime baby – and was definitely feeling a whole year older, I listened closely. “Fruit and vegetables that are red in colour are always a very good source of nutrients” shared Elizabeth. “I agree” chipped in Celeste. “Watermelon and tomatoes are so good for you, I eat them both for breakfast.” Breakfast, for both, it turns out is fruit and fruit juice, as well as something else that I must rush out and buy immediately: psyllium husk. Add a few spoonfuls to a glass of water and gulp it down. It does you the world of good, apparently.

Having talked about healthy food, we soon moved on to sinful pleasures. “Clotted cream and scones for me” said Celeste. “I love that too!” Elizabeth agreed; “Victoria sponge cake with lashings of whipped cream and strawberry jam is exceedingly hard to beat.” This was my kind of conversation. We compared notes on where the best ‘angmoh’ tea in town was to be had and came up with a unanimous vote for home cooked creations, followed closely by a few select restaurants (see below under Tea for two).

Celeste looked resplendent – her looked topped off by a Hèrmes silk scarf she had knotted expertly. “A scarf can often save the day, Frog – sartorially speaking” she quipped. I nodded sincerely. I couldn’t agree more. Why wasn’t I wearing a scarf? I should be. I silently vowed to carry one with me at all times from this moment onwards. I like her style. She wears her clothes effortlessly and elegantly. Elizabeth too is always exquisitely dressed and perfectly turned out. The similarities don’t end there though. During our photo shoot - “Let’s do it before we eat” they suggested unanimously - they realised they we both wearing the same shoes (Chanel, bien sûr).

Travel is a big part of both Elizabeth’s and Celeste’s lives. Elizabeth has just returned from Vietnam and is about to leave for Japan in a few days time. “My husband [Kris Wiluan] and I stayed in what can only be described as, quite possibly, the most lavish hotel on earth during our recent trip to Ho Chi Minh City” she said. “It was almost too much: there were lifts made from solid amber and gilt-edged thrones for you to sit on whilst you checked in.” She was of course referring to recently launched Reverie Saigon Hotel, which has just opened in Vietnam’s capital and offers and eye-popping, unapologetic Italian splendour. There are a whopping 12 categories of room and furnishings that have been designed by Italy’s best: Visionnaire, Provasi, Giorgetti and Colombo Stile. Celeste has been invited to stay and will be there in the next month or so. “It all sounds too much. I can’t wait to see it for myself.” She commented as we oohed and aahed over the photos Elizabeth had snapped during her stay.

Food, shoes, hotels and attitude, my luncheon companions couldn’t have got along better. I was almost loathed to leave, as the clock struck three, to go to pick up my daughter from school. I left them still sitting at the table, chatting and laughing together and thought how lucky I was to have had two such interesting, aligned lunchtime ladies.

BITE SIZE: WE WORE: Celeste: Chanel, Hermès and Fendi Elizabeth: Chanel, Dior and Pucci Frog: Paul & Joe and Ferragamo WE WENT TO: Stellar at 1-Altitude WE ATE: Caramelized foie gras with honey shoyu, olive pound cake, frissee apricot salad and port glazed grapes; Pan seared salmon with a watercress coulis and Braised pork ribs, sous vide with pickled apple puree  WE DRANK: San Pellegrino with a slice of lemon.

Tea for two: Where to go in Singapore for the best and most traditional English cream tea Celeste: “May I suggest two places? I love both of them. TWG (MBS branch) and the Tiffin Room at Raffles Hotel.” Elizabeth: “I like a twist with my tea and biscuits. Cookies from the Cookie Museum are not only creatively conceived but beautifully packaged. Their satay cookies are excellent. I am also a fan of the classic English tea at Goodwood Hotel.” Frog: “The Tanglin Club’s scones come with Devon clotted cream and strawberry jam and cost a mere $1. I think they are the last bargain left in Singapore.”

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