Singapore and Hong Kong dominated a list of Asia’s best restaurants, but Malaysia made it into the elite ranks for the first time, an annual survey showed.

Singapore restaurant Iggy’s moved to the top spot from being #2 last year, according to this year’s ranking of Asia’s top 20 restaurants by The Miele Guide.

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Hong Kong slid to second place from being number one last year.

Absolut Vodka presents the “Absolut Sophie” mirror – a limited edition collectible designed by Singapore-based illustrator Sokkuan.

Sokkuan was the winner of “In an Absolut World, Every Drink is an Exceptional Experience” installation during Singapore Design Festival 2009.

The dark beauty is executed as a multifaceted mirror boxed in a matching package.

Sokkuan was inspired by the Bloody Mary legend of chanting into a mirror to summon her dark spirit; creating an alter ego Sophie Black.

Singapore threw open the doors of its second casino on Tuesday as part of a $US5.5 billion complex built by US gaming giant LasVegas Sands.

The Marina Bay Sands is the world’s second most expensive casino after MGM Mirage’s CityCenter in LasVegas and is expected to generate as much $US1 billion in annual profit.

Singapore gave the green light for casino gambling in 2005, setting off a flurry of construction that went ahead despite the city-state slipping into recession in 2008.

Wang Jing was all smiles as she strolled out of a Cartier boutique in Singapore after blowing close to 5,000 US dollars on a watch and a ring.

“It’s something I have always wanted, and besides, the economy isn’t looking too bad at the moment,” the Chinese tourist in her early 30s, in Singapore for a four-day spree, said.

“There’s no reason for me to hold back,” she said with a laugh that is music to the ears of the global luxury goods industry.

From diamonds to designer tea, high-end retailers battered by financial turmoil in the United States, Europe and Japan are now looking to China, India and other developing Asian nations for salvation.

Nokia will launch after October 29 a limited edition Nokia N97 mini RAOUL in only 1000 units and for Singapore market for now.

The kit will include a special back battery cover with fashion house RAOUL signature stripes, a leather pouch and leather dangler.

The whole package is sold in a big leather bound box, all for about $590. It can be pre-ordered now from Nokia Singapore.

Last month, Louis Vuitton opened the largest boutique in Southeast Asia at Singapore’s luxurious ION Orchard in Orchard Road.

The 905 square meter concept store was designed by Front Inc. of New York while the interiors were developed by the Louis Vuitton Malletier’s architecture team.

The duplex store showcases the luxury brand’s first curved glass facade, inspired by the “folds of a scarf”.