In this month's edition of Hot New Tables: The Palmary, Spark, Salmon Samurai, and more
Fugu, a celebration of salmon, and a trio of affordable gourmet restaurants are just some of what May has in stock for ardent foodies. Looking to spice up your CBD lunch or plan that perfect date night? Here’s Hot New Tables for May!
Spark
A culinary canvas for Executive Chef Shawn Yan, one of Singapore’s finest private chefs, Spark Restaurant offers a fine dining experience that won’t leave you with sticker shock. The chef’s decades of experience and culinary skills shine through in dishes like the bone marrow with garlic thyme jus, negitoro with wasabi mayonnaise, and mains like the furikaka crusted Chilean seabass. The restaurant’s beautifully crafted industrial interior is just the cherry on top.
Spark Restaurant,Centro Bianco Building, 73 Upper Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 534818. p. 6282 0251. Open Mon-Thu 10am-11pm, Fri-Sat 10am-2am, Sun 11am-11pm.
BRINE
Co-founded by the gents behind The Laneway Market, BRINE aims to deliver restaurant-quality fare with prices that won’t raise eyebrows. On the menu, you’ll find quirky creations like The Crunch with soft-poached egg, puffed rice, marble potatoes, truffle mushroom pate, and ebiko as well as more familiar dishes like the battered John Dory burger with homemade tartar and tomato basil concasse.
BRINE. 775 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198743. p. 8748 0788.
Salmon Samurai
Maki, sashimi, donburi, oh my! If you can’t get enough of salmon dishes, pay a visit to this slammin’ salmon specialist. The casual eatery offers a selection of salmon-centric dishes, ideal for lunchtime takeaway, like the omega donburi, salmon mentaiko udon, and the hearty garlic shoyu salmon with a runny onsen egg.
Salmon Samurai, 100 Tras Street, Singapore 079027. p. 6543 6823. Open weekdays 11am-8pm, weekends 12pm-6pm.
The Palmary
Food & Friendship’s first-ever dining concept has just opened its doors on Owen Road in a beautifully restored, three-storey, pre-war transitional shophouse. The restaurant on the first floor offers a selection of intriguing fusion dishes like Boston lobster and mushroom cream linguine, and the “Quack!” confit of duck with mash, sauteed spinach, and berry compote. If you fancy a tipple after your meal, pay a visit to the bar’s lounge on the second floor for cocktails and bar bites.
The Palmary, 142 Owen Road, Singapore. p. 6909 1431. p. 6909 1431. Open Tue-Fri 5pm-12am, Sat 11am-12am, Sun 11am-10pm.
The Masses
Aimed at serving up “contemporary, happy food”, The Masses has been staying true to its word so far with quality restaurant fare at affordable prices. Don’t be surprised to see familiar Saveur dishes (like the crab & caviar angel hair pasta) on its menu – its owner was the co-founder of the French food chain. Dishes to try include the deep-fried camembert dessert, 12-hour braised short ribs and The Egg: a silky egg custard served with spoonfuls of salmon roe and flying fish roe, served with crispy house chips and hazelnut butter. Bonus: Most of the dishes are priced below $20.
The Masses, 85 Beach Road, #01-02, Singapore 189694.
63Paragon
Restaurant, bar, and specialty coffee joint – 63Paragon promises honest, borderless cuisine that takes advantage of seasonal ingredients. Expect dishes like tuna tartare, josper grilled heirloom carrots, and meaty crowd-pleasers like the Chef’s cut of Westholme steak. 63Paragon also offers a spectacular wine selection running the gamut from approachable New Zealand sauvignon blancs to full-bodied Napa cabernets.
63Paragon, #04-09 & #04-K1, 290 Orchard Road Singapore 238859. p. 6100 6363. Open daily 9am-9.30pm.
Guenpin
Fugu for you? Japan’s largest fugu restaurant chain has arrived in Singapore, making it the only fugu specialist in town. The signature dish, the Tiger Puffer fish (or “torafugu”), is prepped by the restaurant’s extremely skilled chefs (you’ll be fine, don’t worry) and is recognised as the highest grade of fugu. The restaurant also offers a selection of snow crab dishes.
Guenpin, #01-06, 32 Maxwell Road, Singapore 069115. p. 6634 2916. p. 6634 2916. Open weekdays 12pm-3pm 6pm-12am, weekends 5pm-12am.
Looking a new place to grab a cuppa? Here’s Hot New Cafes for May and our guide to the best brunches in Singapore.