What it is: A stretch of shophouses tucked into a quiet suburb of terraced houses in Hillcrest Park, off Bukit Timah Road.
Lana Cake Shop has been at its location since 1975 but otherwise, the area has been transformed. Reservations-only Shiro Japanese restaurant opened in 2001 and the Les Amis group's Sebastien's bistro staked out a spot in 2002.
Despite the upmarket entries in the dining stakes, there is a distinct small-neighbourhood vibe. It's the kind of place where you can imagine everybody knows your name, from the pub owner to the butcher.
Why it's hot: Diverse mix of shops and eateries offering everything from seafood to Japanese cuisine to gelato.
Why it's not: The tranquil setting is a little too obscure for some folks - which is perfectly fine with others.
Crowd it attracts: As diverse as the mix of shops - from casually dressed residents to families to couples to executives.
Check out:
Lana Cake Shop for Mrs Violet Kwan's famous chocolate sponge cakes (main head picture, 36 Greenwood Avenue, tel: 6466-5315, 6466-8940, advisable to order first)
Swiss Butchery for premium meats and cheeses (30 Greenwood Avenue, tel: 6468-7588)
Greenwood Fish Market and Bistro for fresh seafood (34 Greenwood Avenue, tel: 6467-4950).
