8 New Restaurants in Singapore
It’s time to loosen your belt buckle and get ready for some feasting at these new restaurants in town! Fire up your tastebuds with spicy Thai delights, impress your date with classic French dishes, or head straight for plain ol’ comfort food.
Nara Thai Cuisine
You don’t have to fly all the way to Thailand for authentic Thai food anymore, not with Nara Thai Cuisine opening its first overseas outlet right on our shores! Combining the highest quality ingredients with age-old recipes, expect to feast on traditional Thai street food just like how it was meant to be. Signature dishes include Kuay Tiew Rua (Ayuthaya boat noodles), Pla Kra Pong Nung Manao (steamed whole sea bass with spicy chilli lime sauce), and I-Thim Mara (coconut ice cream with a selection of Thai sweet condiments). They’ve also partnered with specialty cocktail specialist, Bar Stories, to create two cocktails and a mocktail, all inspired by Thai flavours of course!
Nara Thai Cuisine, #B3-21 Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Road, Singapore 238801, p. 6634 5787. Open daily 1130am-10pm.
Pidgin Kitchen & Bar
Talk about getting a makeover! Chef-owner Adrian Ling has turned his French bistro, Pamplemousse, into a casual, industrial-chic space that serves Asian-inspired dishes. Think classic Western comfort food with a hawker spin on it, like crab otak croquettes, chicken rice arancini, bak kwa mac & cheese, and kaya bread & butter pudding. Sip on one of their Asian-inspired cocktails too, like the Kumquat Breakfast or Masala Apple Strudel.
Pidgin Kitchen & Bar, #01-04 7 Dempsey Road, Singapore 249671, p. 6475 0080. Open Mon-Sat 12-230pm, 630-1030pm.
Wolf
Due to open early this month, Wolf is sure to give neighbours Club Street Social and Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chophouse a run for their money. This newest venture by the Prive group offers nose-to-tail dining as a sign of respect for the animal. The focus is on pork here, but other meats like beef, poultry, and fish will be served too. Expect honest food with bold flavours, like braised ox tongue, juicy chops, and sweetbreads.
Fleur De Sel, Tras Street
Look forward to dining in an intimate setting, with refined French dishes using seasonal ingredients. Classic dishes on the menu include Le Foie Gras de Canard ($28), seared duck liver with apple tatin and duck jus vinaigrette; Les Saint-Jacques ($28), pan seared scallops with pumpkin puree, Parma ham, and chicken jus; and Le Chocolat ($18), chocolate and praline layers, fleur de sel caramel, with chocolate sauce and ice cream. A la carte and set menus available for lunch (from $38++ for 3 courses) and dinner (from $88++ for 4 courses), as well as an eight-course degustation menu ($168++/person) that’s specially tailored using the freshest produce. A selection of fine French wines are available too.
Fleur De Sel, #01-01 64 Tras Street, Singapore 079003, p. 6222 6861. Open Mon-Sat 12-230pm, 630-1030pm.
The Chophouse
Escape from the maddening crowds at this new dining spot by the folks behind Wooloomooloo Steakhouse. Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and a waterfront alfresco dining area, this casual joint offers Western eats, with a menu that’s heavy on beef and pork. Signature dishes include the pork burger with an Asian twist, the Berkshire pork chop, and a massive 4kg beef shank that can feed 4-6. They have a selection of artisan beers, craft cocktails, whiskey, and wines too. Pull your own pint with their self-serve bar system!
Roundhouse: Pizza, Bar & Grill
Set up by local DJ and actress, Vernetta Lopez, and her husband, this place is all about relaxing with good food, drinks, and great company! Favourites include their thin crust pizzas and charcoal grilled meats or seafood. Finish off with ricotta cheesecake or a chocolate trilogy: dark, milk, and white chocolate cream with sponge cake. Don’t forget to check out their specials board too.
Roundhouse: Pizza, Bar & Grill, 100 Turf Club Road, Singapore 287992, p. 6466 0966. Open Mon 12pm-12am, Wed-Fri 12pm-12am, Sat-Sun 8am-12am.
Guzman Y Gomez
Australia’s favourite fast-casual Mexican restaurant has arrived! The Guzman y Gomez experience is about all things Latin: the food, the music, and the personality. Get all your Mexican favourites here, from burritos and tacos to quesadillas. It’s quick, healthy, and tasty, without compromising on quality. Everything is made fresh and to-order, including their guacamole and pico de gallo. Grab their signature spicy grilled chicken burrito or slow roasted pork taco.
Guzman y Gomez Mexican Taquería, #01-11 Asia Square Tower 2 Food Court, 12 Marina View, Singapore 018961, p. TBA. Open Mon-Fri 10am-4pm.
Crab In Da Bag
It’s time to get your hands dirty! Dive into bags of seafood cooked Louisiana-style at Crab In Da Bag. Dig into goodies like Boston lobster ($65), prawns ($20), king crab legs ($35) or the massive Caboodle Boil ($299 for 6 persons), a Southern Louisiana specialty, which consists of mini lobsters, crabs, crab legs, yabbies, prawns, clams, sausages, corn, and potatoes. Pick from three sauces to season your seafood with, from Ultimate Curry, Caboodle Mix, and Mum’s Special.
Crab In Da Bag, Block D #01-25 Big Splash, 902 East Coast Parkway, Singapore 449874, p. 6440 0083. Open Tue-Thu 4pm-12am, Fri-Sun 12pm-12am.
Yakitori Bar by Loh Lik Peng
Local hotelier and restaurateur Loh Lik Peng is pairing up with chef Andre Chiang to set up a modern yakitori bar in popular Tiong Bahru later this month. You can expect charcoal grilled meats served alongside sake and cocktails. Judging by the success of his projects (case in point: COCOTTE, JING, Esquina, and The Market Grill), this is one place to keep an eye on!.
Yakitori Bar by Loh Lik Peng, Blk 78 Moh Guan Terrace, 20 Teck Lim Road, Singapore 088391.
Top image: Nara Thai Cuisine