In this month's edition of Hot New Tables: Tapas Club, CHIKIN, Panko, and more
We’re always on the hunt for new places to eat, and August brings plenty of new restaurants that’ll thrill fervent foodies. Tuck into authentic Spanish tapas at Tapas Club or get your Japanese food fix sorted at CHIKIN or Rokukakutei. But that’s just scraping the surface – here’s our Hot New Tables in August for more new restaurants in Singapore.
CHIKIN
You can’t go wrong with creative cocktails and Japanese bar bites, can you? This brand new Szechuan yakitori joint on Bukit Pasoh lane serves up a bevy of chicken-centric yakitori skewers and other classic Japanese izakaya dishes like karaage. The classic chicken skewers (thigh, tail, and more) come served with a spicy mala miso dip. The bar’s signature cocktails include novel infusions and fruity twists – but there’s always ice-cold Asahi on tap if you prefer.
CHIKIN, 6 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089820.
COMO Cuisine
COMO Dempsey gets a little more exciting with the addition of COMO Cuisine. The enclave’s latest establishment, previously only available as a pop-up at the Paddock Club, serves up healthy and refined modern fare by Executive Chef Timothy de Souza. The restaurant’s all-day menu promises delights such as shrimp ceviche and COMO’s ‘Big Raw Salad’. Also on the menu is a selection of Indian-inspired dishes like the lamb kofta and the padron peppers done chaat-style.
COMO Cuisine, Block 18A Dempsey Road, Singapore 249677. p. 1800 394 6688. Open daily 6pm-9.30pm (12pm-9.30pm from 29 July onwards).
Tapas Club
Communal dining is always a joy – after all, the best accompaniment to good food is good company. And if you’re in the mood for Spanish food instead of your usual Chinese zi char dinner routine, we’ve got just the spot for you. Brand new to Orchard Central’s lineup of casual restaurants is Tapas Club, an authentic Spanish tapas bar that brings together heirloom produce shipped directly from Spain and authentic Spanish recipes – all at prices that won’t leave you reeling in sticker shock.
Tapas Club, #02-13 to 15, Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, Singapore 238896. p. 3163 7577.
VLV Riverside
Helmed by Executive Chef Martin Foo, VLV Riverside aims to elevate the zi char dining experience. In addition to the Singapore food staple, chilli crab, you can also find VLV’s Chairman’s Crab, with a sauce that you’ll want to soak your man tous (deep-fried buns) in. Other group-friendly highlights include the crispy bull frog with ginger, stir-fried sambal prawn with petai, crispy har cheong gai (shrimp paste chicken), and the curry fish head that goes perfectly with rice.
VLV Riverside, #01-02, 3A River Valley Road, Singapore 179020. p. 6661 0197.
Rokukakutei
With one Michelin star under its belt, Rokukakutei from Osaka – it also has a second outlet in Ginza, Tokyo – specialises in kushikatsu (AKA kushiage), which foodies might regard as Osaka soul food. Think deep-fried skewers of pork cutlets, shrimp, and vegetables with light, crispy batter (like what you’d expect from tonkatsu), and served with a variety of dipping sauces from sweet to savoury.
Rokukakutei, #01-04 Odeon Towers, 331 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188720.
The Bird Southern Table & Bar
Now soaring amongst the elite establishments of MBS is The Bird Southern Table & Bar, helmed by Founder, John Kunkel. Embarking on its first rodeo outside of The States (its flagship is in Miami, and has a sister outlet in Las Vegas’ Venetian | Palazzo), The Bird Southern Table & Bar sees the passing down of Kunkel’s grandmother’s Southern recipes – tried-and-tested renditions of chicken & waffles, shrimp & grits, buttermilk biscuits and other kitchen comforts.
The Bird Southern Table & Bar, #01-82 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956.
Panko
Unlisted Collection brings Japanese kushikatsu to town by way of Five Ten. This new kushikatsu joint, helmed by Executive Chef Asai Masashi, offers a mind-boggling selection of over 50 deep-fried meat, seafood, and vegetable skewers. Pop by for lunch between 11.30am to 3pm and treat yourself to their set lunch which features assorted kushikatsu, soup, pickles, and a dessert.
Panko, 33 Arab Street, Singapore 189197. Open Tue-Sat 11.30am-12am, Sun 6pm-12am. Closed on Mon. p. 6291 3323.
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