10 New Restaurants in Singapore
We know you’ve been waiting for this month’s edition of Hot New Tables, so we hope you’re extra hungry – we thought long and hard about these 10 stunners!
Morsels
Grilled octopus and squid ink risotto with salted egg sauce and wasabi sprouts. Visit Morsels without trying this dish and we’ll be the first to send you right back. This fusion resto is run by a couple well-versed in culinary chops; between the two they’ve chalked up experiences at the Culinary Institute of America, Spruce (San Francisco), and Thomas Keller’s French bistro Bouchon. It’s a labour of love here: these guys make everything from scratch! Definitely a must-visit in our book.
Morsels, 35 Mayo Street, Singapore 208316, p. 6396 6302. Open Tue-Sat 6-10pm.
The Patio
Greenwood’s got a local contendor. If you’re a fan of Perankan fare (or don’t want Italian on the Greenwood block), head to The Patio for reliable ngoh hiang or salted vegetable duck soup (Itek Tim).
The Patio, 18 Greenwood Ave, p. 6465 4226.
Mex Out
Andele andele! We’re mad about Mexican and this kid has got us listening. This chica is more fast-casual (just the way we like it) and for homesick Yanks – say hello to the city’s new Chipotle. Choose a burrito, taco, rice, or salad bowl meal, load it up with your choice of fillings, and top it off with homemade salsas, guac, sour cream, and cheese. Our pick of the meat fillings include the Lamb Birria (lamb spices braised in spices, onions, and fresh oregano) and Char-grilled Carne Asada (NZ flank steak in cilantro, onions, and paprika). Tip: these guys are mad crowded during lunch hour so treat yourself to a stress-free dinner after work. Dinner service starts at 5pm.
Mex Out, #01-01, 39 Pekin Street, Far East Square. Open Mon-Fri 11am-10pm.
Fordham & Grand
If you’re a night owl who gets inexplicably hungry at midnight, salvation lies at Fordham & Grand. Open daily from 6pm-3am, this 45-seater bar and bistro serves up unusual crowd-pleasers like Green pea risotto with zucchini flower and parmesan, Salmon Tartar with mustard and honey balsamic, and Lobster linguini with ginger, chilli, coriander, and olive oil. Vino fans will be glad to know that these guys have a selection of 100 Old and New World wines for under $100, but make sure to save space for the classic cocktails. The supper club starts from 1030pm with a spread of moreish nibbles like Oysters and mignonette and Kurobuta pork sausages and mortar potato.
Fordham & Grand, 43 Craig Road, Singapore 089681, p. 6221 3088. Open daily 6pm-3am.
Extra Virgin Pizza (United Square)
Don’t work in the CBD but know just how good those guys have it with Extra Virgin Pizza? Thank the Pizza Gods, the Lo & Behold Group has heard our prayers and has set up a second EVP branch at United Square (Novena). Unlike its central location, this family-friendly restaurant is partially self-service (you order at a counter and they deliver food to your table). Die-hard fans will be glad to know the faves are all available here (that’s Pistachio Pesto Pizza and Cauliflower Romesco for us), but they’ve also added some new dishes like Grilled Skirt Steak Salad, a White Pepperoni Pizza (with beschamel sauce), and Baked Chicken Wings (gotta keep those littlies happy). To find EVP, head to the left-most corner of the mall (the front-facing side with Starbucks). EVP, expect to see us often.
Extra Virgin Pizza, 101 Thomson Road #01-14, United Square Shopping Mall, Singapore 307591. Open Sun-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm. Reservations not available.
The Flying Squirrel
Like we said, the CBD folks have it good. The Flying Squirrel is a Japanese fusion resto inspired by one charming Australian sugar-glider. The names behind the place: Singapore singers jack & Rai, and Jack’s wife, Angeline. Prices are pocket-friendly (try the Truffled Ebi Fry and the TFS Chirashi), the vibe is laidback and stress-free, and there’s plenty of friendly chatter here.
The Flying Squirrel, 92, Amoy Street, Singapore 069911, p. 6226 2203. Open Mon-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-12am.
Shelter in the Woods
Ok, so the rule goes like this – want your suckling pig crispy? Head to a Chinese restaurant. But Shelter in the Woods nails the crispy skin/ moist & tender meat formula, and for that we give this Western restaurant two thumbs up. We also like the beef bourguignon – perfect for a rainy day.
Shelter in the Woods, 22 Greenwood Avenue, Singapore 289219, p. 6466 6225. Open Sat-Sun 11am-2pm, Tue-Thu & Sun 6-1030pm, Fri-Sat 6-11pm.
STREET 50
You have to love hotels and their international fare. As Bay Hotel Singapore’s new global cuisine resto, Street 50 is all about a little bit of everything. And that’s how we roll. Highlights include the Duck Pot Pie (pictured above), Lamb Rendang, and Tom Yum Flair.
STREET 50, Bay Hotel Singapore, 50 Telok Blangah Road, Singapore 098828. Open Mon-Sun 6-4am.
Olivia Cassivelaun Fancourt (OCF)
We know what you’re thinking – hokay, fancypants. Drumroll please… the namesake of this fine-dining restaurant – Sir Stamford Raffles’s first wife! The latest project of A Thousand Tales (recall Bar Stories and Table Manners), this place is part of a mission to restore Empress Place Building’s former glory – and we think they’ve succeeded. Looking for a new date night venue to impress? Here’s your answer. Choose from three different menus (ala carte, degustation, or seasonal), all straight from the kitchen of Chef Jonathan Koh (formerly from The Boathouse).
OCF, The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane #02-02, Singapore 179429, p. 6333 9312. Open Mon-Sat 12-230pm & 6-1030pm. Closed Saturday lunch and Sundays.
Frunatic
Fast-food raw fruit – totally counter-intuitive, but Frunatic has pulled it off. This 100-seater, no-frills space is really big on eating and living well – so much so that it even has a nutrition clinic, InOut Wellness Clinic, on its premises. The restaurant itself serves fruit treated in various ways – dehydrated and juiced, for example – and in many different forms: salads, “breads”, chips, juices, even sweet treats. Raw foodists, vegans, and generally conscious eaters – we’ll see you there.
Frunatic, #02-01/02 The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green, Singapore 138617, p. 6376 0081. Open Mon-Thu 11am-9pm, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 10am-10pm.