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Cervice, shrimp enchiladas and more from Mercado in Santa Monica.

The latest openings and events from around the world.

TEQUILA AND TAMALES

Los Angeles - Veer off the boardwalk and sample ceviche, sweet shrimp enchiladas and beer-battered whitefish tacos at Mercado in downtown Santa Monica. The new restaurant is the third in a series of fashionable L.A.-based cantinas owned by Jesse Gomez, who this time has teamed up with chef Jose Acevedo. Traditional Mexican staples such as enchiladas, empanadas and tamales are made using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The drinks menu features everything from spicy jalapeno-garnished cocktails to 70 premium silver, reposado and anejo tequilas. mercadosantamonica.com

THE INSIDE EDGE

Berlin - Plus One Berlin, a contemporary one-bedroom apartment you can book in the vibrant Kreuzkolln district, is a minimalist crash pad with an inside track. Decked with reclaimed-wood furniture and decorated with work by local artists, the suite comes with WiFi, a big-screen TV, a tiny kitchen and a reasonable price tag (from €120 a night). Its main perk, however, is owner Clare Freeman's link to more than 25 locals who are on hand to give guests an authentic view of the city. Once you book the suite, you'll get access to Freeman's little black book of insiders and a pick of whom you want to hang out with. Start with a half-hour meet and greet at a neighbourhood watering hole to get some basic trip tips, or tag along to a gallery opening or dinner party. plusoneberlin.com

INTERNATIONAL FASHION

Boston – Little-known global designers take centre stage at Vira, a new Beacon Hill boutique that offers a truly international shopping experience. Owners and Fashion Institute of Technology grads Vivek Patel and Radhika Rana have stocked their shelves with worldly finds that include frilly lace shorts by Romania's Yoana Baraschi, Parisian knits by Vertigo, colourful tunics by India's Anita Dongre and organic cotton T-shirts from Australian company Sosume. shopvira.com

BUZZ-WORTHY BISTRO

Singapore – Tucked between the bustling shops, food stalls and art deco buildings of Yong Siak Street in Tiong Bahru, Singapore, Open Door Policy brings modern bistro fare to one of the city's oldest neighbourhoods. The dining room is long and narrow, with a series of small tables, a tin ceiling, glass-walled kitchen and a menu that features Euro-Asian dishes including steak tartare with truffle mayo, confit chicken leg with cucumber salad, and basil-braised mussels. Classic English apple crumble goes perfectly with a cup of micro-roasted coffee by 40Hands, a popular local café. odpsingapore.com



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