New places to eat and drink in the cooler-than-cool neighbourhood of Keong Saik
Turns out our foodie guide to restaurants in Keong Saik isn’t complete. A bunch of cool eating and drinking establishments have recently popped up at the once-notorious red-light district, including a hip co-working facility. Here’s what’s new in the ‘hood when it comes to boozing, stuffing your face and playing in this hot Chinatown hub:
Lollapalooza
You’re probably wondering Lollapalooza has anything to do with Ann Siang’s mad popular dining temple Lolla. Well, the answer is yes. This snazzy “freestyle” restaurant is indeed by the same folks, and its menu changes daily based on what’s seasonal and fresh. Dishes are cooked in a wood-fired oven using apple wood (smokin’), and won’t be limited to small plates. Oh, and for those who have missed Kaixo (we loved its sous-vide organic eggs), you’ll be happy to know that chef Issachar Lee of the now-defunct Spanish restaurant is back to helm Lollapalooza’s kitchen.
Lollapalooza, 1A Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089109, p. 6221 3538.
Mad About Sucre
Mad About Sucre
Sweet tooths, take heart. This bright, minimalist patisserie, helmed by Le Cordon Bleu graduate and Parisian establishment Sugarplum Cake Shop former apprentice Lena Chan, makes some wickedly good and sophisticated desserts. Better yet, Mad About Sucre’s confections are handcrafted on-site, and the pastry chef uses only organic flour and raw unbleached sugar. They also provide bespoke and customized fondant cakes for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays or any other special occasions.
Mad About Sucre, 27 Teo Hong Road, Singapore 088334, p. 6221 3969.
Boca
Boca
There are three parts to this multi-storey establishment. On the ground floor is Tasca, a laidback space that serves tapas, a mean cuppa coffee and Portuguese egg tarts. Upstairs is Boca, which serves delicious and authentic Portuguese cuisines. Go up one more level and you’ll find yourself in the Wine Library, which houses a selection of over 50 wines. Try their flavoursome Bread Porridge with a choice of cod or shrimp and be prepared to scrape the sides of your bowl for more.
Boca, 6 Bukit Pasoh, Singapore 089820, p. 6221 0132.
Neon Pigeon
One of the five F&B concepts to open at co-working space The Working Capitol, this quirky dining joint by The Dandy Partnership serves up authentic Japanese small-plates like edemame hummus, cucumber-goma salar, tuna tartare and baos & bone marrow. In addition to these small dishes, dubbed “birdfeed”, Neon Pigeon also whips up some killer cocktails. Its bar program has been growing dramatically with major bartenders like Symphony Loo and Sam Wong, so don’t be afraid to challenge them to whip you up a unique bespoke cocktail. Or instead try Symphony’s personal favourite, the “Had’da Smoke”, a herbal, yet sweet cocktail with whiff of rosemary. She assures us it’s both beautiful and yummy!
Neon Pigeon, 1A Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089109.
The Working Capitol
The Working Capitol
It’s difficult to miss The Working Capitol — this massive facility is sprawled across five shop houses and occupies an old 1920’s biscuit factory. Adopting a minimalistic approach for their interior design scheme, they’ll provide co-working spaces, event spaces, private offices, a café and five other eateries. Talk about killing multiple birds with one stone.
The Working Capitol, 1 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089109, p. 6805 4050.
Top Image: Copper
