10 Food Places We’ll Miss in Singapore in 2016
PUBLISHED January 26th, 2016 06:00 am | UPDATED June 19th, 2020 04:12 pm
Imagine you have a dinner date. You Google one of your favourite restaurants or bars, only to be told that it’s permanently closed.
The devastation is real.
You remember the wonderful times you had at these establishments through the years, and the reminiscing begins.
As we begin our journey in 2016, we’d like to pay tribute to the places that have ceased operations in 2015 that we’ll miss:
Fordham & Grand
Tanjong Pagar’s rep as a late night mecca took a hard hit with the closure of Fordham & Grand, and it remains to be seen if any establishment can adequately fill its shoes. After all, Fordham & Grand helped to pave the way for other cocktail bars to hop onto the mixology bandwagon. With its remarkably solid combination of delicious tipples, tasty food, cosy ambience, and a late-closing time, it’s definitely a loss for Singapore’s F&B scene.
Shashlik
It pained many to see Shashlik close its doors for good in 2015, especially fans of their famed borsch and meat on skewers. The old school Russian eatery at Far East Shopping Centre is a victim of an aging workforce and slower business. Nevertheless, with 30 years of dishing out culinary delights to diners and putting smiles on people’s faces, Shashlik Restaurant had a run as good as any.
Loysel’s Toy
In a move that shocked Singapore’s cafe hoppers, the quirky Loysel’s Toy prematurely ended business at its unique Kampong Bugis space late last year. As we mourn the loss of this playful cafe by Papa Palheta, we suppose the fact that sister cafe Chye Seng Huat Hardware is still going strong is a consolation.
Audacious Cakery
Yet another tale of a petite café whose cute and Instagram-worthy cakes were never going to be enough to save it from hitting an early expiry date. Everton Park might be one of the most hipster spots to see (and be seen) in Singapore, but it sure is a lot less hip (and audacious) without Audacious Cakery in the neighbourhood
Rouse
After just over a year of operations along Dunlop Street in Little India, Rouse has sadly decided to bring down its shutters for good. The innovative Middle Eastern fusion concept was a breath of fresh air in the café scene; and the fact that it’s one of the better halal cafes in Singapore made Rouse mightily popular with Singapore’s Muslim community.
Raven Restaurant & Bar
The most surprising entry on this list, Raven Restaurant & Bar’s stint at the basement of CHIJMES lasted just a paltry four months. Dubbed ‘sexy’ and given rave reviews, it was expected that the 160-seater outfit would go on to shine and help in positioning CHIJMES as a go-to dining destination. Perhaps the owners – who also have glitzy nightclub Rakes next door to speak of – decided to focus on nightlife over dining.
Copper Singapore
Named after the material that gin stills are made out of, Copper Singapore had the potential to be hold its own in the hot neighbourhood of Keong Saik. Alas, this bar-restaurant’s wickedly cool steampunk interior and gin-based drinks menu were ultimately futile attempts to attract the right customers. We’re guessing that the exorbitant omakase menu didn’t exactly help either.
Kacang Putih
Crude, rude, and dodgy, it was thought that Kacang Putih would fit in perfectly with the raucous crowd of Boat Quay. Also, their nondescript setting was a brave move considering the myriad of atas (classy) drinking spots currently available in Singapore. Sadly, it was a move that didn’t particularly work out too well for them, and they’ve ceased operations ever since.
WOLF
Opened by The Privé Group and Chef Fergus Henderson, WOLF introduced the nose-to-tail dining concept to Singaporeans in 2013. This meant that items such as deep-fried pig brain croquettes, grilled beef hearts, and grilled ox tongue were the fixtures at this restaurant. No more. Their Gemmill Lane space is now housing Bar-A-Thym, also by The Privé Group and Chef Francois Mermilliod.
Sorrel
Selling the concept of bistronomy – the combination of a bistro atmosphere with a selection of refined small plates – it was only natural that Sorrel was one of the first ‘approachable fine dining’ restaurants in Singapore. This Boon Tat Street restaurant closed last week and will be reopening next month as Cheek by Jowl, helmed by ex-MACA Restaurant Head Chef, Rishi Naleendra.
Top Image: Sorrel
