This month’s hot new tables will whet your appetite. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
What a year it has been, right? We’ve been treated to new restaurants and cafes and new menus from old faves. For our last Hot New Tables of the year, nothing has changed. From spotting a tasty trend to checking out hot new spots and menus, December is the perfect time to stuff yourself silly!
Hot New Restaurants and Menus: December 2019
Art by Beppe De Vito
Art has had a colourful history over the years. First, it omitted “Osteria” from its old moniker and then closed its doors at Market Street earlier this year. Now, it’s back in the F&B game at a new spot after a six-month hiatus. Michelin-starred chef Beppe De Vito gives it a new lease of life by taking over Aura’s space at the National Gallery.
We were pleased to try out the five-course meal ($138) that’s available during lunch and dinner. We’re still dreaming about the tuna belly carpaccio ($32) with white onion cream filling. It was flavourful and light, and the notes of truffle sold us. The Italian seabass ($48) served with a medley of root vegetables was a treat to the palate. It comes with a drizzle of a butter-like sauce that is anything but butter!! Chef De Vito’s innovative mixture of fish sauce, olive oil, apple juice and vinegar elevated the simple dish. The duck ($48) was tender and thanks to the cauliflower puree and duck jus, we relished in the smoky flavour.
No meal is complete without dessert and out came a work of art. Made to showcase the four different textures of the Italian hazelnut “Tonda Gentile”, we inhaled the tiramisu-flavoured dessert ($18) without any regrets. We’re still in awe of how Chef De Vito has managed to create meals that are light but full on flavour. All in all, the dishes were artfully elevated and you can order them a la carte.
Art by Beppe De Vito, National Gallery,1 St Andrew’s Road, #05-03, Singapore 178957
– Review by Venkat Gunasellan
Artichoke
No Christmas specials here – just unpretentious, hearty goodness and we’re totally digging it. Artichoke celebrates nine amazing years in the scene and they’re here to tell us that they are #stillnotdead. Instead, chef-owner Bjorn Shen presents nine new dishes – from brunch specials to mezze to desserts.
Highlights from the new dishes include the crab toast ($16) a generous two-biter mezze with fresh blue swimmer crab meat, topped with chicken crackling (a Bjorn special!) and salmon caviar. We immediately knew that we were in for a treat. The cuttlefish shawarma ($25) was a delightful burst of smokey flavours. This Israel-inspired dish is cooked over a mangal grill and paired with schmaltz.
Next up, the brunch menu surprised us with the crispy lamb floss ($28), an unassuming dish featuring crispy shredded braised lamb shoulder with a fried egg, Turkish toast and runny hummus. Maybe it was the hummus or the interesting style of lamb or the spicy kick from housemade pickled radish but everything just came together nicely. Star dish alert!
We ended the meal with a baklava cheesecake ($22). Here’s the thing: Baklava is an acquired taste and usually not the first choice of dessert for most Asians. Instead of shunning it altogether, Bjorn takes all the original elements of baklava and whips it into one of the tastiest cheesecakes we’ve had. We reckon to share this dense cake that perfectly balanced with whipped cream and kataifi pastry. Bursting with good vibes, it was honestly one of the best tastings we’ve had this year.
Artichoke, 161 Middle Rd, Singapore 188978
– Review by Nicole Nithiyah
Supergreek
Grain bowls are aplenty but have you heard of cuisine-centric grain bowls? Founded by the same guy who brought you Omakase Burger and food hall Picnic, Cheng Hsin Yao teams up with Greek chef Altin Mata aka Alex to bring us, Supergreek.
Located in Raffles City, this fast-casual greek eatery offers greek bowls at wallet-friendly prices. We tucked into a few of them and if you’re a bit of a health nut who doesn’t want to skimp on flavours, you should definitely check this place out. All bowls are below 550 calories and the menu also states the macro content of every dish.
We started off with the roasted barramundi ($12.90) that comes with mashed potato and creamy homemade Parmigiano sauce. The roasted vegetables added a nice crunch and the cheese sauce paired surprisingly well with the fish. Vegans can dig into The Roasted Vegan ($7.90), a nutritious bowl replete with vegetables like beetroot, purple and white cabbage, roasted broccoli and cauliflower, corn, cucumbers, onions and cherry tomatoes. For the sauces, you get a good dollop of house-made hummus and mango capsicum sauce which brings the whole dish together. And for the protein-obsessed, there’s a bed of quinoa hidden underneath all of that. The highlight for us has to be the flame-grilled steak option ($13.90). Packing a whopping 19.5g of protein, it comes with tzatziki which lends a minty depth to the dish.
One of the first things that comes to mind when we think about Greek cuisine is Greek yoghurt – and it’s housemade right here. Trivia: We were told that the greek yoghurt sold in stores is not the real deal – take a closer look at the fine print and you’ll see that’s actually greek-styled yoghurt. The art is in the straining, and the good guys here practice triple straining to remove the whey. Talk about commitment! Expect a dense, cottage cheese-like consistency and after taking a spoonful of it, we’ve got to say: The proof is in the pudding.
Supergreek, Raffles City Shopping Centre, #B1-54, 252 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179103
– Review by Venkat Gunasellan
The Line at Shangri-La Hotel
Known for its sumptuous buffets, The Line ups the ante by teaming up with award-winning author Shermay Lee. With two cookbooks and a popular food label (Shermay’s Singapore Fine Food) under her belt, we were pretty stoked to hear about this collaboration.
Happening every Tuesday for dinner until March 2020, the spread features Shermay’s mouth-watering Peranakan food – all drawn from her cookbooks – alongside The Line’s usual offerings across 16 live theatre kitchens. We’re huge fans of the nonya chicken curry, prawn sambal and ayam buah keluak, which we mopped up with roti jalas. You can also dig into other classics like ngoh hiang (five spice pork rolls), hati babi (deep-fried pork liver meatballs), chap chai (stewed vegetables) and bakwan kepiting (crab and meatball soup).
The Line at Shangri-La Hotel, 22 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350
– Review by Venkat Gunasellan
Caffe Cicheti
After bidding farewell to mod-Aussie resto Fynn’s, The Cicheti Group is back with another exciting concept. Say hello to Caffe Cicheti, a modern-day osteria that spotlights Italy’s coastal cuisines. The compact menu by chef and co-owner Lim Yew Aun compliments sommelier-partner Ronald Kamiyama’s specially curated wine list – expect a mix of red and white wines, Moscato and even a glass of fancy apple juice.
We were drawn to the highly addictive sardine frittes ($18) and panzanella ($15), a refreshing tomato salad with heirloom tomatoes, stracciatella cheese and Tuscan bread. The pesto dish ($15) – made with almonds instead of pine nuts – had a depth of flavour and the pillowy gnocchi ($23) with shiitake and button mushrooms was perfectly pan-seared resulting in a caramelised crunch. Suffice to say we were reaching for seconds. Oh, and did we mention that these dishes are vegetarian too? Big groups should order the Brussels sprouts ($10) and the superbly tender Iberico pork ($29.50). The restaurant also serves up hearty paninis made using the popular pizza dough from its mothership Cicheti for lunch on weekdays from 11.30am-2.30pm.
Caffe Cicheti, 26 Beach Road, South Beach Tower #B1-21, Singapore 189768
– Review by Nicole Nithiyah
Lino Pasta Bar
Pasta aficionados can rejoice at Lino’s new sister resto. The moniker’s a dead giveaway for what to expect – a wide array of pasta selections such as spaghetti, fusilli and even cappellacci. Located on the third floor of Shaw Centre, diners will be treated to the likes of fusilli with basil pesto and turkey, truffle mac and cheese and lasagna.
Lino Pasta Bar, #03-23, Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road, Singapore 228208
PS.Cafe by the Sea at East Coast Park
Our favourite go-to spot for truffle fries has set up shop in breezy East Coast Park. A nod to the serene locale, the menu here is seafood-centric. There’s the zesty lemongrass mussel and clam spaghettini ($29.50), hearty chorizo and calamari stew ($30) and Singapore chilli crab and prawns ($32), a modern twist on an old favourite which features soft shell crabs, grilled tiger prawns, crispy mantous, jade fried rice and a chilli crab dip.
PS.Cafe by the Sea at East Coast Park, #01-05/06/07, Cyclist Park, 1110 East Coast Parkway, Singapore 449880
Vegans, look away ‘cos beefy burgers are making a comeback
Shake Shack
We don’t have to head all the way to the east to bite into Shake Shack’s burgers as they will be opening its second outpost in Tanjong Pagar in 2020. Taking over a historical building along Neil Road – which was once a production factory for Tiger Balm, the new branch will focus on art and design, making it a perfect addition to the vibrant neighbourhood. Teaming up with Singaporean artist, Sam Lo, you can look forward to Shake Shack icons with a hint of cultural patterns adorning the space. And of course, chowing down the burgers as well!
Shake Shack, 89 Neil Road, Singapore 088849
Burger Frites
Yet another new burger joint has entered the fray and we’re not complaining. The brainchild of restaurateur-chef Alexandre Pini, who brought you the steakhouse Braseiro, Burger Frites is located in the quaint neighbourhood of Joo Chiat. Expect homemade burgers with a chef’s touch – farm-raised Angus beef served with housemade fries and sauces.
Burger Frites, 340 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427592
Five Guys
The waiting game will soon come to an end as popular American burger chain Five Guys will be opening its doors really soon. For those who have not heard of the brand (who are you?), expect artery-clogging beef burgers sans fillers and preservatives. Fingers crossed that the Singapore outpost will serve up its popular milkshakes!
Five Guys, Plaza Singapura, #1-32, Orchard Road, Singapore 238839
Paradise Dynasty
Paradise Dynasty debuts five new booze-filled xiao long bao flavours this festive season. Exclusively available in the outlet at Funan Mall, chow down on xiao long baos filled with Shaoxing rice wine, red wine and cheese, Tsing Tao beer, The Glenlivet single malt scotch whiskey and cognac (Martell). Other fan favourites like pan-fried chilli crab bun ($10.80 for three pieces), Shanghai-style BBQ pork pastry ($5.80 for three pieces) and slow-cooked braised pork belly ($9.80) are also making a much-anticipated comeback. Order any of these favourites and you can enjoy a basket of the Tipsy Surprise Xiao Long Bao for just $2.80 – the a la carte price is $18.80 so it’s amazing value for your buck.
Paradise Dynasty, Tipsy Surprise Xiao Long Bao basket and fan favourites are available until 19 January 2020, #B1-01 Funan Mall 107 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 179105
Da Paolo Dempsey Restaurant & Bar
Da Paolo Group’s newest venture brings a slice of Italian summer to Dempsey Hill. Spanning 5,000 sq ft, this multi-concept establishment boasts live pasta and pizza stations, a cocktail bar and a retail space. Highlights include Naples-style spilinga pizza, which is made using in-house pizza dough, and braised beef cheek pappardelle that’s cooked a la minute.
Da Paolo Dempsey Restaurant & Bar, #01-13, Block 8, Dempsey Road, Singapore 247696
Carmen’s Best
Popular in the Philippines, this ice-cream parlour has opened its first outpost in Singapore, churning out popular flavours like brown butter almond brittle and pistachio (apparently, even the Pope loved it on board Philippine Airlines). Local at heart? Try the Singa-Pour, an ice cream sundae that’s topped with desiccated coconut, cashew nuts and gula melaka.
Carmen’s Best, #B1-32, Capitol Piazza, 13 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178905
Hot New Restaurants and Menus: November 2019
Bacha Coffee
The new coffeehouse in Ion Orchard has a storied past. It all began in 1901, in Marrakesh, home to the majestic Dar el Bacha palace. The Moroccan aesthetics are extended to the brand’s first international outpost, from the black-and-white marble floors and wooden shelves with saffron linings to the accents of blue, brass and chrome draped in the space.
Take a minute to soak the elegance in before you browse through a selection of more than 200 single-origin coffees, fine flavoured coffees, fine blended coffees and even naturally decaffeinated coffees.
Feeling peckish? They have a wide array of pastries and main courses to choose from such as the pandan cheesecake and raspberry and cinnamon croissant. Read about our experience here.
Bacha Coffee, #01-15/16 ION Orchard Mall, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
– Review by Venkat Gunasellan
Indobowl
Fans of Indomie, listen up! A new cafe in the heart of Kampong Glam serves up dishes starring the popular Indonesian instant noodle, alongside classic Indo dishes like nasi goreng and satay. Our eyes are on the Indomie Mumbo Jumbo, a massive platter of chicken, lamb, beef, seafood and sunny-side-up eggs atop a bed of Indomie and sambal – just make sure you bring a group of four to inhale this massive meal.
Indobowl, 39 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198487
Little Damage
Looks like Kampong Glam is heating up, or should we say cooling down, with the flagship store of Little Damage setting up shop along Haji Lane. This popular LA-based ice cream parlour is often raved about for its poppin’ blue, black and pink shades of ice cream, and the new churros flavour is simply delightful! Just like its other outlet at Wheelock Place, the space here has a photobooth, plus merchandise like tote bags, pins, water bottles and t-shirts up for grabs. We’d recommend you use Gelam Gallery as the backdrop to your IG-friendly ice cream cones.
Little Damage, 2 Haji Lane, Singapore 189195
– Review by Venkat Gunasellan
Poulet + Brasserie
Brought to you by the same people behind Poulet (obvi), Thai Express and Xin Wang Hong Cafe, this new resto offers French food and all-day breakfast classics in the heart of Orchard. Expect dishes like duck confit, Nutella French toast, smashed avo with poached egg and rotisserie chicken. Finish off your meal with a dessert selection featuring the likes of banana crumble and tiramisu.
Poulet + Brasserie, #B3-31 Ion Orchard Mall, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Social Place
Hong Kong’s popular dining destination for mod-Chinese cuisine and dim sum has finally made its way to Singapore. If you’re looking for an interesting dining experience, this is it. We’re not kidding when we tell you the dishes are as intriguing as they are unusual – there are lobster glutinous puffs disguised as mangosteens, truffle shiitake buns adorably shaped like mushrooms and a sweet and sour pork dish served with ice and mini spheres of melon. These quirky dishes may mess with your mind, but they’ll also leave a smile on your face. Highlights include the seafood cracking soup, a comforting, umami seafood broth with scallops and crispy rice grains for crunch; the sweet-savoury lobster glutinous puffs filled with lobster broth and chunks of crab meat; and for dessert, the custard-filled pig pudding that’s almost too pretty to cut your spoon into!
Social Place, #01-22, Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road, Singapore 238884
– Review by Nicole Nithiyah
Como Cuisine
Working in various Como outposts, from Bhutan to Maldives, Chef Tshering Lhaden has made Como Cuisine in Singapore her home. Taking inspiration from her travels, she has recently revamped the menu by bringing popular Como dishes from around the world while keeping in line with Como’s beliefs, using fresh, seasonal produce and locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible. We started off with Como Metropolitan Bangkok’s signature dish, mangrove crab salad, a perfect refreshing appetiser that hits the right spicy and sour notes. Bhutanese Momo – which can be considered Chef Tshering’s speciality since she was an executive sous chef at Como’s Bhutanese properties – is a piquant dish, thanks to the chilli dip made of Szechuan peppers, Korean chilli powder, white onion and garlic. Other highlights include lobster biryani (yum!), lamb shank massaman and hoisin-glazed Kurobuta pork ribs.
Como Cuisine, Block 18A Dempsey Road, Singapore 249677
– Review by Venkat Gunasellan
Hot New Restaurants and Menus: August 2019
Tablescape
Tucked away in a quaint spot at The Grand Park City Hall Hotel, Tablescape is such a delight (read our review here!). Executive Chef Armando Aristarco is at the helm, dishing out European classics with a modern twist. Start your meal with freshly baked bread, served with house-churned butter.
Stalwart starters include beef ($20), a platter of tender black Angus beef tataki with pumpkin done two ways – roasted cubes and puree; and a white pepper foam for perfume. The egg ($28) is slow-cooked at 62°C and served with asparagus, black summer truffle from Umbria and – wait for it – a pool of indulgent 24-month-aged parmesan fondue. As for the mains, you gotta try the risotto ($28), elevated with pan-seared foie gras and house-smoked duck. Those with a large appetite should try the Iberico pork chop ($42). Perfectly cooked and grilled in a Josper Oven, the Iberico pork was tender, big on flavour with charred spots that hit the spot.
Tablescape, Lunch: 12.00pm to 2.30pm; Dinner: 6.00pm to 10.30pm, Level 3, 10 Coleman Street, Grand Park City Hall, Singapore 179809
– Review by Nicole Nithiyah
Crossroads
Crossroads is a prime spot, right in the heart of Orchard Road, for a sit-back-and-people-watch kinda day. But you already know that. This time, the restaurant has whipped out a fresh new menu, fit for all occasions. Big groups can tuck into the T-Bone steak frites; 400-day grain-fed Australian Wagyu beef, featuring cuts of T-Bone and Sirloin. Vegetarians will love plant-based offerings such as the Impossible Burger ($28++), a great beef alternative – but looks and tastes just like it.
Bonus: there’s more reason to drop by on Tuesday if you have a sweet spot for lobster. Crossroads’ lobster specials get you a lobster thermidor, 560g – 700g and grilled lobster, 650g – 700g (both at 58++ each) from 11am to 12am. Off to Orchard Road!
Crossroads, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, 320 Orchard Road, Singapore 238865
– Review by Nicole Nithiyah
Prego
This Italian restaurant just got a swanky facelift and we’re all for it. Located at the gorgeous Fairmont Singapore, Prego welcomes Mauro Sanna as the new Head Chef. Rustic, brick red walls, rattan chairs, terrazzo tiles, emerald green hues and vintage posters give the restaurant major Italian coastal vibes. The massive menu encompasses Chef Mauro’s 40 years of culinary experience and age-old recipes from his hometown in Italy.
The Ali di razza in “Agliata” is a unique cold starter dish featuring skate, a type of fish that resembles stingray. Other must-tries are the pancetta di maiale in “porchetta” con “scafata” ($42++), slow-roasted pork belly with crispy crackling; pappardelle farcite al gorgonzola su fonduta di spinaci e scaglie di parmigiano ($32++), silky pasta ribbons with gorgonzola, creamy spinach sauce and topped with shaved parmesan; and the signature prego pizza ($38++), pizza for meat lovers with bread-like pizza crust if thin crusts are not your jam.
Prego, Level 1, Fairmont Singapore, 80 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189560
– Review by Nicole Nithiyah
Hot New Restaurants and Menus: July 2019
Hot New Menu: Les Bouchons Rive Gauche
You might not have enough time to book a trip to wine and dine at a beach resort in St. Tropez, but you could decide to have a French Riviera-inspired brunch by the river this Sunday! Yes, Les Bouchons Rive Gauche has just launched the Bouchons Riviera Brunch at the Robertson Quay outpost, complete with Jean Vesselle champagnes that are exclusive to Les Bouchons establishments. Fancy a Bellini or Bloody Mary? Classic brunch cocktails are on the menu too.
Portions are generous and best eaten with a hungry crew. The Bouchons Sunday Roast is a standout, featuring perfectly roasted cuts of lamb leg (trust us on this one – it’s cooked to just the right amount of tenderness), with a mushroom sauce that is simply divine (think a more umami, concentrated version of a cream of mushroom).
We also love the Eggs Mimosa, a devilled egg taken to the next level with the addition of chives and mustard served with sauteed garlic asparagus; and the Escargots De Bourgogne, a skillet of escargots swimming in enough garlic butter to warrant downing a few toasted bread rolls for.
Les Bouchons Rive Gauche, 60 Robertson Quay, #01-02, Singapore 238252
– Review by Amelia Ang
Hot New Table: Min Jiang
The iconic Chinese restaurant Min Jiang has not only relocated from One-North to this lush and vibrant enclave but also unveiled a brand new menu (yes, including some signature dishes), and we just had to head over and check it out.
The camera eats first, of course, with familiar favourites presented in a modern way. Take, for instance, the steamed prawn dumpling shaped like a darling goldfish swimming in an egg white sauce. The deluxe dim sum platter is a palate party and includes four unique creations – a meaty prawns and scallops dim sum, a pretty blue pea truffle vegetable one, crabmeat, prawn and vegetable one shaped like a manta ray and one sweet deep-fried glutinous rice crafted to look like the perfect golden pumpkin.
We enjoyed every moment of the braised sea treasure – a Sri Lankan crabmeat soup made with a broth that took four hours to make. In it, is a parcel made with a thin egg white crepe and stocked with Australian abalone, chopped bamboo pith and dried scallops. Served in a hot plate (this soup ain’t going cold anytime soon) and a long prawn and chicken spring roll.
Clearly, on a seafood run, we loved the generous portion of the turbot fish served in two styles. The stir-fried turbot has a hint of truffle but it’s generally infused with nutty shimeji mushrooms flavours. And the deep fried side of the platter is surprisingly not dripping in oil despite being super crispy and beautifully infused with curry leaves. Oh and the stewed egg noodles with local lobster is a stunner. The stunning dish is topped with a fragrant oil that’s fried with shallots, chicken broth, oyster sauce and dark soya sauce creating something that’s equal parts fancy-shamsy and comforting.
Min Jiang at Dempsey, 7A &, 7B Dempsey Rd, 249684
– Review by Aditi Gaitonde Fernandes
Hot New Table: The Affogato Lounge
Adding to the stretch of buzzing establishments in Keong Saik, The Affogato Lounge unveils a second location at Kesa House. Whether you’re a coffee lover or not, you can’t look past the interesting coffee brews and extremely indulgent affogato desserts. Sweet tooths will go over the moon for trilogy ($16), served with a 70% dark chocolate sorbet, caramel blanc and single origin dark cocoa. Fitzroy, an aromatic coffee blend rich in floral and fruity notes is poured over the desert, giving – quite literally – a bittersweet finish. If you’re feeling peckish, there’s also a variety of paninis, hearty salads and quiches to munch on. We kept reaching for the spicy Italian panini and blue swimmer crab quiche – both are perfect starters to this rich, chocolatey journey. The Affogato Lounge also offers curated cocktails inspired by coffee, tea and marmalade.
The Affogato Lounge, 55 Keong Saik Road, #01-02, Singapore 089158
– Review by Nicole Nithiyah
Hot New Menu: Almost Famous
We’ve all been there: you spot a chili crab dish on a cafe or bar menu and you decide to give it a shot, only to get bits of frozen crab and a sauce that doesn’t quite hit the mark. Tbh, we’d rather have chef Addis’ smooth, tender, sauce-soaked enoki mushrooms variation over an unsatisfying attempt at bringing less-than-fresh crab meat to life. These Chili Crab Sliders aren’t meat and they don’t pretend to be – though, they do look pretty convincing from afar. The sauce and mantou were incredibly close matches for what you’d get with a traditional chili crab, making for a toothsome dish we’d totally order on our next visit.
This vegan menu update is a collaboration between Almost Famous and Meatless (where chef Addis hails from), so expect to see dishes that use meatless ‘meats’ like the Chili Tater Tots and Beyond Sloppy Sliders. But an unexpected plate that caught our attention was the Buffalo Cauliflower: a tempura dish that was surprisingly soft (in a good way!) on the inside. Turns out, the florets are first cooked in a broth before being fried and topped with vegan mayo made from scratch. The result is an interesting bite and a palate cleanser of sorts that paired well with stronger flavours on the table.
Almost Famous Craft Beer Bar, 30 Victoria St, #01-06, Singapore 187996
– Review by Amelia Ang
Hot New Menu: Basque Kitchen by Aitor
Everyone’s talking Basque and perhaps the first to bring the unique cuisine to our island is chef Aitor Jeronimo Orive, formerly from the Michelin-starred kitchens of The Fat Duck and Mugaritz. At his Amoy Street restaurant where chef Orive’s love for his native cuisine meets his modern gastronomic skills, he recently launched a new multi-course tasting menu that totally caught our attention. Before we begin: Tx is pronounced Ch… you’re welcome.
The pastel green txakoli sphere made with sparkling, acidic Basque Country produce wine and a hint of pandan is a fitting introduction to the restaurant. For bites, snack on buttery and crispy sourdough topped with sweet tomatoes and oh-so-salty anchovies presented on a sea of pebbles. Or a mouthful of tempura scallops with prawn aioli and shaved scallop roe to colour. And we wished there was more of that complex crispy pig tail topped with dill jelly that’s to be eaten wrapped with a shiso leaf.
For mains, we dove into txangurro that tastes as intriguing as its presentation. Served cold and in a bowl that reminds us of river stones, Sri Lankan crab meat is encased in clear and delightful tomato essence jelly. Next stop, the vegetable bomba rice with all its buttery richness incorporates every shade and taste of green. We hear the oxtail version is equally popular. The hake fish fillet, lightly battered and seared perfectly, comes with a side of kokotxas – a gelatinous textured fish throat and a Basque delicacy – pairs well with sweet pepper sauce. And finally, the delicate slab of suckling pig with skin so crackling it’s almost musical paired with vanilla cauliflower and some buttery jus.
Basque Kitchen by Aitor, 97 Amoy St, Singapore 069917
– Review by Aditi Gaitonde Fernandes
Hot New Menu: Level33
Rooftop restaurant and urban microbrewery, Level33 recently underwent a revamp recently, revealing new concepts and exciting menus. For starters, the space has cleverly been streamlined into three central areas: LeveL33 Dining Room (an intimate space for special occasions to important business meetings), LeveL33 Social and Terrace (a more casual spot to relax, unwind and enjoy the unrestricted city views). Take your pick.
The space is designed around the working brewery, paving the way for cool features like the customised floating beer taps and the use of wooden logs (used to fire up beer brew-kettles) at the base of the bar. But the highlight has to be Executive Chef ArChan Chan and her creative beer-infused dishes. Coining the term ‘ContemBrewery’ cuisine, she has fused a variety of beer ingredients and beer brewing elements into the nine-course degustation menu ($135++). We started with chawanmushi with shiitake, Level33’s wheat beer-infused dashi and a generous topping of Oscietra caviar. Served in an empty eggshell over a bed of dried spent grain, the dish felt like a warm hug. Needless to say, we were scraping the inside of the shell in no time.
The lager cured kingfish sashimi, probably the prettiest dish of the day, was served with house-pickled cucumber and marinated tapioca sago and chips – crunchy elements that paired well with the silky smooth sashimi. Mix ‘em together with the nori and spent grain sand, cucumber juice and a drizzle of seaweed oil and you get a refreshing dish. As for the mains, the generous portion of aged duck breast was brined and air-dried before it was seared on a plancha – stripping away all the gaminess from the meat. And finally, the spent grain linguine with seaweed butter and shavings of truffle, was such a simple dish but big on flavour. We’ll definitely come back for more.
Level 33, 8 Marina Blvd, #33 – 01, Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1, Singapore 018981
– Review by Nicole Nithiyah
Hot New Menu: Antoinette
We didn’t think we’d want the honey on our savouries, but Antoinette won us over with the Schiacciata. This bistro-style starter presents a traditional flatbread filled with melted camembert, pecorino and bits of aromatic truffle, served with honey and a sunny side up. Maybe it was the specific type of honey, maybe it was the addition of the truffle, but whatever it was, this combination worked – and was inhaled in minutes. Another crowd-pleaser, the pork belly confit featured comforting, homely flavours of braised savoy cabbage and deliciously silky pomme puree (read: mashed potatoes) alongside the tender pieces of meat with perfectly fried, crispy skin.
With one fork in savoury French cuisine and the other in decadent gastronomy, you have to expect unmissable cakes too. We fell in love with Fluffy, a cloud-shaped cake that seriously tasted as good as it looked. The airy and velvety exterior is a vanilla-scented white chocolate mousse, hiding the heart of kirsch-soaked almond genoise, strawberry chocolate cream and a layer of passionfruit lemon jelly. The result is a lightweight dessert that had just the right amount of sweetness and tartness to make it more addictive than expected. PSA: They even have a full-sized version that would make a fab birthday cake. A party-sized edible cloud? Hell yes.
Antoinette, Mandarin Gallery 333A Orchard Rd, Singapore 238897; 30 Penhas Rd, Singapore 208188
– Review by Amelia Ang
Hot New Menu: Firebake
Extra reasons to head to one of our favourite brunch spots on East Coast Road. Firebake, Konstantino Blokbergen’s woodfire bakehouse and restaurant, launched a refreshed lunch menu and even added a few new items. Apart from opening on weekends from 9am onwards, it’s also serving a two- ($22++) or three-course ($25++) set lunch from Tuesday to Friday. Can’t start a brunch without a brekkie favourite – toasted milk buns with kaya butter paired with traditional Greek coffee (psst: ask if you can watch them make it in the sand bath). Open-faced and big on flavour tartine are change toppings every week.
Got comfort food on your mind? There’s nothing quite like the seafood risotto. We could dig into a whole bowl solo… the seafood broth rich in squid, prawns and mussels topped with lovely charred fish grilled on charcoal (+$5 to the lunch set). Then there’s the big fat Australian wagyu cheeseburger with a surprisingly nice touch. Konstantino has introduced a thick tomato-based beef sauce, inspired by traditional Greek pastitsada stew, to add that extra spunk. Don’t skip the desserts – there’s a delightful lemon lavender cake, a wholemeal butter scone or a scoop of homemade ice cream or sorbet to pick from.
Firebake – Woodfired Bakehouse & Restaurant, 237 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428930
– Review by Aditi Gaitonde Fernandes
