Just Opened #10: Singapore’s newest restaurants and bars

PUBLISHED October 30th, 2013 12:56 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:47 pm

If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Hmmmm, similarly in this week’s Just Opened, some philosophical questions….if we only eat off teeny tiny plates, are we only eating teeny tiny food?….so can we eat more? And, if we drink copious cocktails and wine in the name of research, is that really drinking or is it work?

Those Little Things

The tapas craze continues full steam ahead in Singapore and it looks like it is here to stay! So it can be no surprise that a brand new tapas joint has sprung up in Robertson Quay, very sweetly named Those Little Things. It is a compact little space, with only 10 indoor seats by the bar counter…but word is that the food is great; the wine is varied and very well-priced; the restaurant is light, bright and interestingly decorated and the chef is welcoming, full of excellent recommendations and prepares the food right there in front of you at the counter. Their philosophy that ‘Wines are best consumed in the company of friends’, we whole-heartedly approve of and when we learnt that the restaurant also doubles up as a bottle shop and showroom for wine suppliers Iconic Wines (who specialise in old world wines from organic and boutique wineries in Spain, Italy, France and Portugal) we were intrigued. Expect a review soon!

Those Little Things is located at 38 Martin Road, Singapore 239059. Opening hours are 11am-11pm daily. For more information or to make a booking please call 8598 9807.

Ochin Tapas Bistro

More flirting with small plates but this is an interesting one… small tapas-inspired bites but with a Peranakan influence. Tucked away at the foot of a small apartment block on the outskirts of Little India, it’s tricky to find but apparently well worth it! Don’t go expecting familiar Spanish favourites…instead, Asian-fusion flavours that sound thoroughly unique, like Lychee stuffed with Prawn and Bacon in Tempura and Vodka infused Dory with Sautéed Watermelon. Ochin is a family-run bistro so reports are that the service is superb, just really warm and welcoming and it’s excellent value for money.

Ochin Tapas Bistro is located at 2 Marne Road #01-03, Singapore 208393. Opening hours are Monday – Saturday: 5pm-11pm. For more information, see their Facebook page here or to make a booking please call 6294 9636

Marukyu

For the freshest Sashimi selection air-flown from Tokyo and Kyushu daily, try new Japanese restaurant Marukyu on Telok Ayer Street. Helmed by Executive Chef Derrick Lau with over 22 years of experience in Japanese haute cuisine that includes 7 years with Nadaman in Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, this is fine Japanese cuisine in the Omakase and Kaiseiki style. A quick peek through the door showed an inviting scene of pale wood and chic designer-looking fixtures and fittings that definitely piqued our interest. Apparently the Omakase dinner set is a must try.

Marukyu is located at 116A Telok Ayer Street, Singapore, 068585. Opening hours are Monday – Saturday: 11am – 10pm. For more information, see their Facebook page here or to make a booking please call 6636 5608

Merchants

A purveyor of fine artisan wines from boutique wineries, Merchants is a brand new cellar door and café located on Duxton Road hoping to offer customers an authentic and warm ‘wine tasting room’ experience. They definitely seems to have the goods with a truly unique list of award-winning labels from over 40 exclusive wineries and 23 regions in Australia. More than 90 percent of these bottles have never been exported outside of Australia until now and it’s due to the team behind Merchants who have sourced and gathered these small, top-class wines producers from well-known and sometimes, offbeat regions for our tasting pleasure! The day and evening menus are specially-crafted to be wine-friendly but also very focused on the artisan/boutique premise, everything from the coffee to the cheese is curated for the best flavours and it all sounds delicious. You know where to find us!

Merchants is located at 2-53 Duxton Road, Singapore 089516. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday: 8am – 11pm. Friday: 8am – midnight. Saturday: 9am – midnight. Sunday: 10am – 6pm. For more information, check out their Facebook page here and to make a reseervation please call 6222 1162

House of Dandy

You know sometimes you just think something is going to be amazing…House of Dandy is giving us that feeling. Billed as an upscale cocktail bar with a slick masculine interior – the chairs inspired by World War II fighter planes! Think ‘old gentleman’s club’ but without the snootiness, Victorian ideologies and good news, ladies are definitely allowed. We hear they have an award-winning mixologist making visual feasts for the eyes as well as amazing taste sensations, and someone mentioned gourmet hot dogs – amazing. Opening soon!

House of Dandy is located at 74 Tras Street, Singapore 079013. Opening hours are to be confirmed, as is official open date but it’s sooooon!

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Written by Heh Zee