ONCE, Mohamed Sultan Road reigned supreme as a clubbing hotspot. It was the Sultan of Swing - as in the swinging fists of brawling drunks.

The street of shophouse pubs was notorious for its crowds of trouble-seeking revellers during its heyday from

But while it may have lost its battle in the clubbing world, the precinct has got its groove back in a new, more upmarket way - it has carved out a niche as a hip dining enclave within a quaint residential district.

Japanese Food Haven: Japanese expat Mishimagi (second from right, with his wife and two children) lives in UE Square and dines at Japanese restuarant Yoyogi twice a week. Next to him is Yoyogi's owner Edwin Tan.

Dine out, at home: Azhang a home-concept dining resturant, adds to the mix of unique tenants

Big harry deal: Harry's is one of that have sprouted up around the area.

Woof: Canine pals are not forgotten too - they can dine at pet cafe Pawtobello.

Respectable area: Mr Poh Say Eng, owner of Swiss restaurant The Tavern, is glad he distract has matured into a dinig hub.

These days, the chatter of conversation from many eateries has replaced the hard-thumping music that once prevailed.

Well-heeled folk, rather than teens in jeans, now flock to wine and dine at the area's 60-plus chic restaurants and bars.

These are located not just in the street's re-styled, former pub shophouses, but also within the huge UE Square, Robertson Walk, The Pier@Robertson and other nearby retail and apartment complexes that have sprung up over the past three years.

The new developments stretching down to the Singapore River have provided swanky space for a more chi-chi vibe to evolve in the restaurants opening for business.

In the evening, the area now provides a picturesque scene of residents dining at the alfresco restaurants, or walking their dogs along the riverside.

Thanks to the changes, some former residents, such as Japanese expatriate Tada, have been encouraged to move back to the area. Says the 55-year-old trader, who now lives in an apartment in nearby Kim Yam Road: 'It was very noisy when I first lived here in 2000. I moved back here on my second trip to Singapore because it has changed for the better.'

He is one of many expats who have moved into the area's stylish apartments.

At The Pier, 75 per cent of residents in the 201 apartment units are high-income foreigners from Britain, Japan, New Zealand, the United States and Australia, says its management. The price of a unit ranges from $1,563 psf to $1,914 psf.

There are over 1,000 apartment units at Mohamed Sultan, including those at Robertson Walk and Riverside View.

The serviced apartments at UE Square and Kim Yam Road managed by construction and property firm United Engineers Ltd (UEL) are enjoying full occupancy. Here, all 186 units are occupied by foreigners, says a UEL spokesman.

Restaurant owners are rubbing their hands in glee, of course.

Mr Poh Say Eng, 63, owner of The Tavern, a 14-year-old Swiss and Continental restaurant behind UE Square, says: 'Before, many businesses were affected because of the fights taking place outside the pubs. There was uncertainty how this area would shape up after the pubs closed down.

'But as the district matured over the years, we saw more established operators at the nearby properties who have raised the profile of Mohamed Sultan as a dining hub.'

A factor in the quayside regaining its hip quotient was when developer City Developments Ltd (CDL) launched eateries and drink outlets at the swanky The Pier@Robertson apartments two years ago.

The discerning set immediately lapped up the concept of chic decor, alfresco dining and good food.

Right mix of food haunts

The Pier's nine tenants include Brasserie Wolf operated by the Esmirada Group, which also owns The Steakhouse and Esmirada restaurants, and Belgian restaurant-bar Brussels Sprouts by the Saint Pierre group, also known for its French cuisine.

CDL's group general manager Chia Ngiang Hong tells Life!: 'We are mindful of the need to bring fresh and innovative dining experiences not only to the residents, but also diners to the new Robertson Quay.'

The area has also turned into a Japanese food hub, with over one-third of its 60-plus restaurants being Japanese eateries.

No wonder - UEL notes that 30 per cent of its 186 units at UE Square and Kim Yam Road are occupied by expats from Japan.

Japanese trader Mishimagi, 38, who has been living with his family at UE Square for over two years, points out: 'More Japanese expats have moved back here since the pubs closed. It is also near Liang Court, which has a Japanese supermarket and food court.'

Mr Edwin Tan, 38, who owns Yoyogi and Robataya Yoyogi Japanese restaurants at the quayside, says residents such as Mr Mishimagi make up up to 65 per cent of the clientele at both eateries during weekdays and weekends.

Adds Mr Lee Loon, 33, who runs Yumeya restaurant: 'When I set up shop here two years ago, there were already nine Japanese eateries. People already know Mohamed Sultan is a place for Japanese cuisine. That works for me.'

Business owners say there is ample opportunity for more growth.

Referring to some vacant shophouses along Mohamed Sultan Road, chef-owner Patrick Zhang of Azhang, a home-dining concept restaurant, says the district needs more eateries with a unique concept.

There's already one that's definitely unique - a pet cafe called Pawtobello, which serves pets posh nosh in bowls. Owner Alicia Yap, 29, says of her 1,300 sq ft space in Mohamed Sultan Road that she moved into last June: 'I chose this place over one at East Coast as there is a market here. Business is brisk as we are fully booked during weekends.'

Mr Danny Yeo, deputy managing director of property consultancy Knight Frank, says the Mohamed Sultan precinct now has all the right ingredients to succeed: 'Besides its proximity to town, it has an old- world charm with the mix of old and new architecture near the Singapore River. The properties are not centrally themed or controlled like in Clarke Quay, hence rental can be more competitive.'

The area will also see more tourists with three upcoming hotels in Merchant Road, Nanson Road and Unity Street.

Says Mr Poh of The Tavern: 'With the absence of the rowdy party crowd, Mohamed Sultan now has a respectable image. It's better for businesses as it draws the discerning set.'

» Restaurants to check out

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