Showing posts with label hidden finds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hidden finds. Show all posts
Nami: Dainty set-lunches that champion the Art of Dashi
Labels:
dashi,
hidden finds,
japanese,
must go,
restaurants,
set lunch,
shangri la hotel,
will return
·
It's easy to build a killer menu from a bunch of gastronomical accessories and premium ingredients. But to build a restaurant's menu on the backbone of Japanese cuisine - dashi - is anything but derivative. Nami in Shangri-La Singapore does so with guns ablazing, and in doing so, challenges culinary boundaries of the eating out folk.
Botanico: Bon viveurs, we've got a game-changer on our hands
Labels:
botanic gardens,
date night,
european,
fusion,
hidden finds,
modern,
restaurants,
special occasion,
wine pairing,
winebar
·
Wine-lusters looking to up their game when it comes to food and wine pairings can now look to Botanico's revised wine program for sure-win epicurean dreams. Not that there's anything wrong with a medley of cheeses and cold cuts, but when occasion calls for a little bit of spice, Botanico steps up to the plate; literally, with Chef Sujatha Asokan visiting the spice pots often in an effort to match up to the burgeoning vino activities in the lush space.
[KL] Knowhere Bangsar opens with some excellent boozing options
Labels:
bangsar,
bar,
cocktails,
hidden finds,
kuala lumpur,
large groups,
overseas,
restaurants,
will return
·
Dining options may come and go in the Bangsar precinct, and with the spectrum of international cuisine offered, diners are spoilt for choice. It's the same in the boozing scope of things. However, a new kid on the block might just pique your curiosity. In fact, the azure of luminescent lights will cajole you into the debauchery of the drinking den. For which I implore you to take the plunge.
JYPSY: Casual Japanese restaurant with nomadic island life vibes
Labels:
affordable,
cafe,
date night,
fried chicken,
fries,
hidden finds,
japanese,
large groups,
martin road,
must go,
robertson quay,
romantic,
sharing,
small plates,
sushi,
will return
·
Opened this July, JYPSY is PSCAFE'S newest cafe concept - casual Japanese restaurant peddling a nomadic island life which you'll find expressed in its immaculate decor of hanging ferns, traditional Japanese paper lanterns and wind bells. It's a gorgeous space that touts an equally breezy menu of sushi rolls, sashimi and more in sharing plate formats. Despite the upmarket vibes, price remains easy on the wallet.
Plum and Toro: Not so much a meal spot as a fun night out of town, literally.
Labels:
big groups,
cocktails,
contemporary,
date night,
hidden finds,
japanese,
robertson quay,
will return
·
Looking to avoid jostling with the crowds in the mainstream part of town? Meet Plum and Toro, a secret enclave of a Japanese restaurant located in InterContinental Robertson Quay. A little devoid of the usual Japanese izakaya vibe - cue the words, homey, unpretentious and perhaps a little dingy - Plum and Toro swings into the contemporary jive of things with a tastefully designed food menu and an intimidating full fledged list of alcoholic tipples.
Alma by Juan Amador sprouts from a series of cosmic events
Labels:
expensive,
goodwood park hotel,
hidden finds,
michelin starred,
restaurants,
special occasion,
wines
·
Publications company owned? The Birds of America reprints on the walls? Chef Haikal who previously helmed the Water Library in Bangkok? The first ever four-hand kitchen collaboration with Chef Dan Barker of Upstairs at Mikkeller? Wait. How does three-Michelin-starred German chef Juan Amador even come into the picture?
Dining at Alma was as much a palate titillating experience as it was enlightening - the stories that unfolded over lunch extending to all facets of business. And despite the mind boggling series of cosmic events that have resulted in this manifestation of this Michelin-starred restaurant located with direct access to the car park of Goodwood Park Hotel (a bonus when hosting VVIPs ), I was intent on displacing the romanticism of the stories overheard and focusing on the food itself.
Yellow Pot: Six Senses Duxton's Modern Chinese Outpost
Labels:
boutique hotel,
chinese,
chinese food,
duxton hill,
hidden finds,
restaurants,
will return
·
Enter Yellow Pot, nestled in the lobby of the new boutique hotel Six Senses Duxton. The menu is straightforward Chinese, with no special emphasis on particular provincial cuisine - yet it's parroting of modish ingredients and ethical sustainability practises brings it into the 21st century. As you would expect of any Six Senses project, the decor is dynamic - an eclectic little enclave that's bedecked in lavish tones of black, gold and yellow; it's marbled table tops, the pedestal for 3 yellow pots of varied height - yes, you guessed it, the fountainhead. Soundtrack is techno vibe-d, and oddity for a six senses property, and much less a Chinese restaurant.
Otto's Deli Fresh: Premium steaks to be washed down with fine wines
Labels:
circle line,
cold cuts,
hidden finds,
holland village,
meatlovers,
might return,
restaurants,
steak,
waffles
·
Otto's Deli Fresh is an all-day restaurant inspired by the vision of Chef Otto Weibel, who has won multiple awards in International cooking competitions and has had vast experience working in various prestigious hotels.
This time around, Chef Otto has taken to introducing a whole new range of premium steaks at head-turning attractive prices. All done to perfection to please the discerning palates of meat-lovers.
Did it make the cut though? Read on to find out.
Rakuya at East Coast: Affordable Omakase to put you in high spirits. That, and Sake!
Labels:
date night,
East Coast/ Joo Chiat,
hidden finds,
must go,
omakase,
sake,
will visit
·
If you've heard rumours about a joint up in the East that does a 8-course Omakase at just $48 (also available at $88 and $128 options), chances are that it is newbie, Rakuya. And boy, do they do it with pizazz.
Upper Place hosts a clever menu, perfect for those looking to escape the noise
Labels:
asian inspired,
date night,
european,
fusion,
hidden finds,
hotel,
tiong bahru
·
Set on the highest floor of WANGZ hotel is Upper Place, a humble dining place that dishes out ambitious plates congealing Asian influences with European techniques.
Here's what our writer, Belinda has to say after a delectable multi-course meal at the Upper Place.
Panamericana: Authentic taste of the Americas with a generous spirit shuffle
Labels:
cocktails,
family friendly,
hidden finds,
must go,
restaurants,
sentosa,
special occasion,
sunday brunch,
will return
·
When it comes to the options for watering holes, it's stiff competition in Sentosa. I mean, island life, if there was "The Kennedy Package" (cue Linus from 'How I Met your Mother') for Piña Coladas, I would be first in line.
The shiniest joint (and no doubt, the swankiest) to join the list is Bar-grill Panamericana in Sentosa Gold Club - it's a 6000 square feet destination that houses a brick-encased asador in the heart of the dining room, and there couldn't be a sales tactic more enticing than seeing whole meats grilled in plain view.
Le Binchotan: It's the Remix to Ignition
Labels:
amoy street,
cocktails,
date night,
french,
fusion,
hidden finds,
japanese,
restaurants,
sake,
smokehouse,
special occasion,
will return
·
There is an air of nostalgia as I entered the cylindrical fashioned, moody realms of the restaurant, Le Binchotan. Yet amidst the somber nature of the space, there's a spark of excitement in the air, Chef Jeremmy Chiam's impish smile affirming rumours. Taking over the reigns of the restaurant, it's outwardly apparent that new Chef-Owner, Jeremmy had a new spring to his step.
Le Binchotan, known for it's manifestation of modern French-Japanese cuisine in the back alleys of Amoy Street has had a new fire lit under its ass and with that comes swooshing in, promises of something fresh, vital and extraordinary. With great mental resistance, I consigned my previous experience of the restaurant to oblivion - after all, everyone deserves a second chance.
The Summerhouse's New Menu defies classification
Labels:
family friendly,
fusion,
hidden finds,
restaurants,
Seletar,
special occasion,
will return
·
It has been a while since my last visit to Summerhouse. I zoomed in to the edible garden to check in on the cocoa pods progress and was delighted to observe that they were in good shape. Looking around, there is a discernible difference in the yard’s outlook - 3 ominous domes are dispersed through the luscious foliage. It’s fairy-lit interior slowly coming to life with the dramatic setting of the sun that unleashes a whirlwind of peach-pop colours across the sky. And there you have it, as any great ‘special occasion’ type-esque restaurant experience begins, it pulls me in from more then one direction. The alluring settings of plush fur carpets draped over solid wood benches, champagne flutes that tilt to your lips to reveal fresh hits of thyme and cool drafts of air circulating the domes, all work to prime my appetite for the food, even before the rye bread hits the table. And when it did, I reached zealously for the house made butter; making sure to fill all nooks and crevices with it. No patch was spared. The scrumptious morsel, a prequel to the fortuitous meal to come.
Singapore's first dedicated duck ramen at Kamo Soba Keisuke: Take a quack at it
Labels:
hidden finds,
holland village,
japanese,
ramen,
restaurants,
roast duck,
will return
·
My mind is engrossed with flashbacks from Mighty Duck (yes, I am an 80s kid), the awkward beginnings of the "Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack" at their first game building to a crescendo of triumphant cheer that illustrated true camaraderie. It never gets old. Ducks fly together.
And even more in the not so proverbial combination of Irish duck and ramen. Yes, before you voice your confusion and perhaps disapproval with this very non-Japanese ingredient, hold up. Chef Keisuke has succeeded in many combinations before this masterpiece, Kani King (Crab) and Lobster King leading up to him picking the bird as his new muse. And given his former training in French training, the pieces of the jigsaw begin to make sense.
HolyCrab!: Let's Get Physical
Labels:
affordable,
bugis,
crab,
hidden finds,
Hokkien mee,
large groups,
noodle,
tan Quee lan,
will return
·
Another Crab restaurant has popped up in Singapore, but wait, one that serves White Pepper, Butter, Green Chili and Balsamic Vinaigrette crabs? Count me in!
After seven years of operating as a private dining enterprise, HolyCrab has opened its first outlet at Tan Quee Lan Street, showcasing the titular crustacean in unique flavours that are bound to leave an impression.
Let's do the LOCO-motion - Mexican food trail with the Loco Group
The Loco Group brought us on a mini food trail to all three of their outlets, Super loco Robertson Quay, Super Loco Customs house and last but not least Lucha Loco.
We commenced the trail at Robertson Quay. Set just beside the Singapore river, Super Loco adopted a Mexican diner look and feel, with the strange use of vibrant colours, creative graphics, festival lighting, handwritten typography and street posters. It wasn't hard to fall in love with the venue. They even have a retail cabinet showcasing an array of quirky Mexican merchandise to be purchased!
Neon Pigeon: Autumn Migration
Labels:
cocktails,
fusion,
hidden finds,
izakaya,
japanese,
keong saik,
modern
·
If you asked me to name two things the Singapore dining-scape (in specific the Keong Saik precinct) already has plenty of, I'd reply "modern-Asian cuisine and cocktail bars." So did I need to review another place that thrived on selling a combination of these two concepts to the unsuspecting audience, mostly expats, sorry. Theoretically, no. Especially where full-house bookings and raucous crowds are concerned on a daily basis. But gastronomically, where the autumn menu is headed, yes.
Hear me out.
Morsels: Timeless cuisine fostered by Asian heralded techniques
Labels:
dempsey,
fusion,
hidden finds,
modern,
omakase,
restaurants,
romantic,
special occasion,
will return,
wine pairing
·
Areas like the lush Dempsey Hill have had its fair share of ups and down over the last decade. It spruced up nicely in its food and beverage conquest, attracting voracious appetites and roaring conversations in its hay-days with distinguished overseas brand backing. Think Jones the Grocer with its cool, softly lit gorgeous lofty interiors and fresh stacks of pancakes. However, the slowing economy took a huge hit and expatriates who were the majority denizens of Dempsey started making rarer appearances in the enclave. All of a sudden, things too a turn and these giants slowly moved out of the leaving a void to be filled. Not long after, new life style quarters Como Dempsey happened and the precinct teamed with life once again. Taking the plunge, was Petrina Loh, Chef/Owner of Morsels (previously located in Mayo Street) who moved her small plates restaurant into a more intimate 40-seater, 1000 sqf space just at stone's throw from Long Beach Seafood.
Having not patronise her previous outlet before, I was pleasantly surprised by the cottage like intimacy of the dining space adjoining the open kitchen. Wild ferns frame the bar while wicker chairs and wooden table tops up the 'rustic' quality one experiences once you slide pass those full length barnyard type doors. At the point, you'll wonder if you've inadvertently stepped into someone's home, lifting your eyes to look out for quilted corners.
Southpaw Bar & Sushi: The art of pairing food with whisky
Labels:
hidden finds,
japanese,
omakase,
restaurants,
whisky,
will go
·
Sat next to car repair workshops and hardware shops, Southpaw Bar and Sushi is a hidden gem and the island's latest attempt at diving deeper into our cups and pairing plates with heavier pours of whiskies and bourbons. With our restaurant scene awashed with wine and beer dinner options (the latter being a rarity as well), Southpaw is a lovely respite for jaded tipple pairing punters.
Whisky drunk neat always it the perfect mean to bookend a meal, the idea of a sit -down dinner pickled with spirit forward imbibes; maybe an ounce or so to invigorate the palate en route to the appetiser and a heavier sherry casked pour to complement the dessert. But that's where the fun stops, the resolution with the fish course or aburi salmon not something that can be fathom by most. Southpaw is where you find a solution to that wratched gap in the market. And why not? Why don't great whiskies bump the Bordeaux from beside those de rigueur plates of beef?
Lewin Terrace: 500 Days of Summer
Labels:
fort canning,
french,
fusion,
hidden finds,
japanese,
modern,
restaurants,
romantic,
wine pairing,
wines
·
There's barely anything left to coincidence on the plates as presented by Chef Shinkai that night at Lewin Terrace. His well-flourished career that took him through the kitchens of 3 Michelin star restaurant L'Osier in Tokyo to the beloved 1 Michelin star Beni on local grounds erecting some high expectations at the white-linen lined tables. Sure, we do know that the Chef is well-versed in the unique fusion of Japanese-French cuisine, but a quick glimpse at the summer menu revealed baffling misplaced words such as 'laksa' and 'lemongrass' - would these prove to be feign attempts at pushing the envelope, or will they actuate as pure ingenuity? I was curious to find out.
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