Looking for new food, pop-up menu items in restaurants, or cheap discounts in Singapore? We roll out the news fresh from the kitchen, week after week
Granted, there’s tonnes to eat here in Singapore despite being an itsy bitsy dot on the map. We’re sure you can relate to the conundrum that plagues you every time you think about what you’re going to eat today, so here’s your weekly round-up of what’s new in the dining scene. From new dining promotions to cheap food deals, and revamped menus to the buzz on new restaurants, this is what’s cooking in Singapore this week.
Enjoy tiki cocktails and Peranakan plates by the river
Tiki cocktails and Peranakan dishes might seem like an odd pairing, but for the Kishore brothers (the same duo behind FIVE TEN), the concept is a conscious decision to fuse both of these vibrant cultures. Bee Bee, named after their mother’s affectionate nickname, serves a selection of Tiki cocktails (starting from just $10) that incorporate Peranakan twists to it like the Mai Tu Liao – a twist on the mai tai, the cocktail consists of gin, orgeat, peppercorn, chives, egg white, lime, mint, and a dash of cranberry bitters. The culinary side of the concept is helmed by Chef Shawn Koh who will curate a regularly refreshed menu featuring dishes like braised pork belly rice bowls and ‘Auntie Mary’s bruschetta’.
Bee Bee’s, 55A Boat Quay, Singapore 049844. p. 9172 6729.
Enjoy an afternoon wine tasting session at the Gardens at Botanico
Sample 69 labels of wine from 48 featured winemakers at the delightful Wine Lust Afternoon Affair at the Gardens at Botanico. Held on Sunday 27 August, oenophiles will also get to meet six wine partners from wine specialists like Alfa, Angra, Cellar Master, Crystal Wines, Culina, and The Straits Wine Company. The event will also feature highlights like a live acoustic band, house pours by the glass ($10 each), wine bottles for dine-in at wholesale prices, cases at $20 per bottle, and a selection of complimentary cheese and snacks. The afternoon will also feature activities like the Wine Lust brunch ($90++ per person, $65++ without Wine Lust Affair) and the Wine, Water & Food Masterclass by San Pellegrino & Culina ($30 per person). We suggest you don’t drive to this one.
Wine Lust Afternoon Affair, Botanico at The Garage, 50 Cluny Park Road (Level 2), Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore 257488. p. 9831 1106. 27 August.
Artemis presents the Balvenie Whisky Dinner
Artemis’ Executive Chef Fernando Arevalo and Balvenie brand ambassador Neil Strachan will hose an exclusive one-night-only whisky dinner showcasing the rare, exquisite Balvenie Thirty for $175++ per person. Diners will enjoy a selection of other Balvenie expressions along with a Mediterranean-inspired menu featuring dishes like venison loin, slow-roasted pork, and sea bass ceviche.
Artemis, #40-01 CapitaGreen (Rooftop), 138 Market Street, Singapore 048946. p. 6635 8677. 26 August.
Get messy with Sticky Wings
Opening at Westgate mall is an all-new fried chicken restaurant that specialises in the comfort food with a unique Straits-Asian twist. The signature fried chicken wings come in two flavours – a sweet kecap manis sauce and a spicy sauce. In addition to these mainstays, the restaurant also offers other mains like the Cluckin’ Good lemongrass chicken burger along with sides like butter rice, the rich beef rendang fries, and salted egg cheese salsa fries.
Sticky Wings, #02-05 Westgate, 3 Gateway Drive, Singapore 608532. Opens 7 September.
Toast to the weekend with shared plates and free wine
With its “secret” location at MINT Museum of Toys and vintage decor, Mr Punch Public House isn’t your typical restaurant and bar. Its menu is also chockfull of surprises – instead of conforming to a specific type of food, the restaurant serves up delicious communal plates spanning different types of cuisines. Up for something out-of-the-ordinary? Try the battered squid rings with marmite or opt for the seared scallops linguine, made with shio kombu (thin sheets of kelp). You may also want to gather the squad for this: Heineken and Guinness beers are going from $4.50 from 11am to 5pm and $6 from 5pm to 9pm.
Mr Punch Public House, 26 Seah Street, Singapore 188382
There’s a new brunch menu at Club Street Social
The social dining destination has just launched a brand-new weekend brunch menu that will be served from 11am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Choose from breakfast favourites like smashed avocado toast and house-made granola, or heartier options like a 200g grain-fed beef burger, or even a full Sunday roast with all the trimmings. Complement your meal with Club Street Social’s selection of reasonably priced wines starting at $11 a glass, or opt for brunch cocktails like the Sultan’s Iced Tea or the Bloody Mary with Singaporean spices and a hit of bacon-washed vodka.
Club Street Social, 5 Gemmill Lane, Singapore 069261. p. 6225 5043. Open weekdays 10am-12am, Sat 11am-12am, Sun 11am-4pm.
Junior unveils its first agave-themed concept
The Proof Collective’s latest pocket bar concept, Junior, will prove to be a treat for those who love variety. The bar serves as a platform to showcase the collective’s mixology experiments and switches up its concept every six months. The first concept, NORMA (short for Norma Oficial Mexicana, the series of compulsory standards for Mexican spirits), aims to celebrate the craft and tradition of authentic agave spirits through tasting flights, as well as traditional and progressive cocktails. In addition, each drink will be accompanied by a “small bite” chosen to complement the spirit.
Junior, 43 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088464, p. 8121 1462.
Zafferano unveils its Summer menu
Zafferano’s Summer menu is a showcase of seasonal summer fruits, vegetables, and the freshest bounties of the Mediterranean Sea. The new menu will feature summer ingredients in dishes like the mazara raw red prawn ceviche, squid ink risotto, and even a house-made ‘pizza’ adorned with truffle sauce and toppings of white asparagus, speck, and grated ricotta cheese.
Zafferano, 10 Collyer Quay, Level 43, Ocean Financial Centre, Singapore 049315. p. 6509 1488.
Butcher Boy opens in Keong Saik
Keong Saik is abuzz with new restaurant openings and the latest will be a treat for meat-lovers. Butcher Boy, an Asian-inspired bar and grill, is the newest venture by Chef-Owner Andrew Walsh of Cure, and will present to diners grilled meats, cocktails, buns, sharing plates, and a selection of decadent sundaes.
Butcher Boy, 31 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089138. Open Mon-Thu 5.30pm-12am, Fri-Sun 12-3pm and 5.30pm-12am.
Salted & Hung hosts a Westholme Wagyu dinner
Adventurous eaters on a quest for a feast out of the ordinary can look forward to Salted & Hung’s Westholm Wagyu Dinner. True to Executive Chef Drew Nocente’s ‘nose-to-tail’ philosophy, the six-course dinner will utilise all parts of the animal – from cheek and tongue to tail and trimmings. The dinner will feature the chef’s signature house-cured bresaola charcuterie, the Tongue ‘N’ Cheek, and cold smoked short rib with pickled cabbage, bone marrow butter, and nori salt.
Salted & Hung, 12 Purvis Street, Singapore 188591. p. 6358 3130. 30 August, 7pm. $118++ per person inclusive of welcome drink. Book before 16 August 2017 to enjoy 10% off.
The Lime Truck rolls into Singapore
Food trucks might have been slow to roll into the Singapore food scene, but here’s some news that should rev up your appetite. One of California’s most talked about food trucks will have a permanent ‘parking spot’ at Suntec City’s PasarBella. Called The Lime Truck, the roving Mexican-inspired food truck has left tracks in the global food scene after winning The Great Food Truck Race TV show in 2011. Aside from serving elevated Mexican food like beef short rib quesadillas, carnitas fries, and pulled pork tacos, The Lime Truck also whips up healthy food such as cauliflower ceviches and ahi tuna tostadas.
The Lime Truck, PasarBella@Suntec City, 455-456/459-461, 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983.
Enjoy a one-day-only happy hour at this pop-up at the National Museum
Happy hour at the National Museum? We’re not kidding – Nutmeg & Clove will host an exclusive pop-up bar in the National Museum on National Day (9 August) between 1pm and 8pm. The team has created four different cocktails inspired by the museum’s William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings that will cost $11 each. One of the four, the Joachim & Chrissy cocktail, is an exclusive National Day cocktail and will only be available on the day itself.
Nutmeg & Clove pop-up, National Museum, 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897.
Ramen Champion opens a new full-service restaurant at The Central
Ramen Champion has just launched a new full-service restaurant at The Central in Clarke Quay and they’ve got quite a few surprises on the menu. New dishes include the special tonkotsu pink ramen that owes its eye-catching pink hue to a beetroot-infused broth. In addition to ramen dishes, the restaurant also features Japanese cuisine mainstays like the fisherman don bowl with air-flown sashimi cubes as well as crispy mentai gyoza.
Ramen Champion, #03-89 Clarke Quay Central, Singapore 059817. p. 6221 2156.
Indulge in outstanding craft brews at Beerfest Asia
For the first time, Beerfest Asia will be held at Marina Bay Cruise Centre, an air-conditioned space that will keep you cool while you sample over 500 beers and ciders. Also represented are homebrewed heroes like Singapore’s Archipelago Brewery, The 1925 Brewing Co., Brewlander & Co and more. You can also learn how to make your own DIY brew with Beerfest Asia’s daily beer workshops.
Beerfest Asia 2017; 17-20 August; 6pm-1am (17th), 6pm-2am (18th), 3pm-2am (19th), 2pm-10pm (20th); Marina Bay Cruise Centre, 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Singapore 018947. Tickets from $15 onwards (incl. one welcome beer) through this website.
Ding Dong launches new Ladies & Lads Nights Deals
Ding Dong amps up its Ladies Night routine with a stellar deal. From 6pm to 11pm on Wednesdays, ladies will enjoy 1-for-1 pink prosecco for just $18++. The guys aren’t left out either – grab your crew and head down on Thursdays between 7pm and 11pm for ‘Lad Night’ where you’ll enjoy 2-for-2 Suntory beers with any order of crispy pork trotters with spiced vinegar.
Ding Dong, 115 Amoy Street, Singapore 069935. p. 6557 0189.
SPRMRKT’s new menu features Asian-inspired burgers and more
Need a reason to revisit SPRMRKT at McCallum street? The hip multi-concept establishment has put together a new menu featuring two burgers with an Asian twist. Tuck into Chef Joseph’s herb-crusted fish burger topped with fried fish skin or the kicap manis chicken burger – the latter a creation inspired by the chef’s love for Indo Mee. Other highlights include the SPRGRN (Super Grain) salad, Angus beef lasagne, and the bacon flammenküche (a savoury South German tart).
SPRMRKT, 2 McCallum Street, Singapore 069043. p. 6221 2105. Open weekdays 8am-9.30pm, weekends 9am-5pm.
A super healthy Japanese fermented rice drink is here
Health junkies, skip your usual juice cleanses and smoothie bowls and give this Japanese fermented rice drink a shot. Brought to Singapore for the first time by Amamoto Café, Amazake is touted to have a myriad of health benefits such as promoting digestion and warding off fatigue. Sip on the naturally sweet Original ($4.80), or opt for the spruced-up versions like Matcha ($5) and Cold-Pressed Fruit Drinks with Amazake and unsweetened soy milk ($5.80). If you’re feeling peckish, try the savoury Salad & Quinoa with Chicken marinated with Amazake ($9.80).
Amamoto Café, #B1-39, One Raffles Place, 1 Raffles Place, Singapore 048616, p. 9633 6536.
PS Cafe comes to Fullerton
Adding to PS. Cafe’s lineup of outlets is its new location in One Fullerton, opening in mid August. Spanning 5000 square feet, it’ll feature panoramic views of the Marina, as well as multiple spaces like an open air terrace and bar. Expect the design to be kept in PS. Cafe’s signature style – think sleek interiors and plenty of fresh florals or greenery. We’re certain it’ll be our new brunch hangout, but we’re just as excited to pop in for a luxe lunch or a post-work cocktail.
PS. Cafe One Fullerton will open in mid August at Fullerton Road, #02-03B/04 One Fullerton, Singapore 049213.
BUONO TRATTORIA opens at Vivocity
With over two decades of experience in Spanish, Mexican, American, and Italian cuisine under his belt, Chef Aloysius Lim is more than ready to take the helm of BUONO TRATTORIA at Vivocity. This new, unpretentious Italian restaurant serves up affordable and authentic hand-made pizza and pasta. Must-tries include the creamy shrimp and bacon risotto ($15++), the signature baked porcini mushroom ravioli ($12++), and the classic margherita pizza.
BUONO TRATTORIA, #B2-27 & 27A, Vivocity, 1 HarbourfrontWalk, Singapore 098585. p. 6358 2582. Open daily 11am-10pm.
Get ‘Hazed & Confused’ at Freehouse
There’s nothing to fear from a little ‘haze’ in your beer – in fact, you’ll find that cloudy, unfiltered beers are absolutely bursting with juicy hop flavours. Party-loving purveyor of top-notch brews, Freehouse, will be serving up a selection of unfiltered beers like Wylam Brewery’s fruity Into The Mystic, the Siren X Hawkshead Thresher collab, and the homegrown Brewlander Peace. Great beer goes best with great food (and company, of course) so make sure to order a couple of Freehouse’s new menu items like the ayam berempah wings (Malay fried chicken), spiced Brussels sprouts, and the Bombay burger with piccalilli.
Hazed & Confused, Freehouse, 21A Boon Tat Street, Singapore 069620. Mon-Thu & Sat 5pm-12am, Fri 3pm-12am. Closed on Sun.
A triple-threat collaboration
The third instalment of Moosehead’s Supper Series features a one-night-only collaboration between the Telok Ayer restaurant and the famous Gina’s Vadai. With a little help from Moosehead’s Inka charcoal oven, this iteration of Moosehead’s Supper Series sees Gina’s Vadai’s take on distinctly smoky flavours with a Mediterranean twist. Supper ends on a sweet note with jumbut jumbut for dessert while Vijay Mudaliar of NATIVE bar mixes up a selection of cocktails inspired by Indian beverages like chai and lassi.
Moosehead, 110 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068579. p. 6636 8055. Available 28 July from 10pm onwards.
A Midnight Supper at ADRIFT
Hawker centre food isn’t your only option for a late-night bite. ADRIFT’s all-new late-night menu will be available ’til the wee hour of 2am. On the menu, you’ll find ADRIFT favourites like the tempura crab & avocado maki roll, Iberico pork chop with umeboshi glaze, and the classic ADRIFT wagyu burger with fries. And if the mood strikes, treat yourself to a nightcap with ADRIFT’s cocktail classic, the Penicillin.
ADRIFT, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Hotel Lobby Tower 2, Singapore 018956. p. 6688 5657. Open daily 7am-4am.
Kotobuki’s buta bakuden ramen explodes onto the scene
Making an explosive entrance to Singapore’s vibrant ramen scene is Kotobuki’s buta bakudan ramen. Available until July 21, the massive bowl of ramen features a rich pork bone broth (which takes up to five hours to prepare) and is piled high with either pork ($18) or beef ($22), and topped with a huge sparkler – a nod to Japan’s summer fireworks festival. Truly a dinner for your Instagram feed.
Kotobuki Restaurant, #07-04, 15 Enggor Street, Singapore 079716. p. 6224 2750.