Just Opened August: 10 new restaurants, cafes and bars to check out this month
PUBLISHED August 14th, 2014 04:00 pm | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:47 pm
Juicy lobsters , high-end cuisine at affordable prices, customization, and the cool new kid on the Jalan Besar block are just some of the things we’re excited about in this month’s Just Opened. Check out what we say you should go forth and conquer this month, right here:
1. Babette
165 Tyrwhitt Road
Say hello to the new restro-bar on the Jalan Besar block – Babette. The second venture of DJ Darren Wee, nestled in the newly opened Parc Sovereign Hotel rustles up some French-Japanese inspired flavours against the backdrop of urban cool. We’re wiping the dribble away as we write the words Steak & Foie Gras Donburi and Octopus Tempura which sound like the perfect accompaniment to their specially-crafted in-house cocktails.
2. E’spuma Lab
1 Selegie Road, PoMo
Riding the wave of eateries serving up high-end food at low-end prices is E’spuma Lab. Unassumingly located at PoMo, Selegie Road, the name of the game here is culinary innovation, with techniques like espuma (that’s foam or froth to you and I) and sous-vide at the core of their offerings. Yes you can pinch yourself at the fact that such high-brow culinary techniques can even be mentioned in a set meal which costs only $8.80! Expect Asian fusion dishes like Curry Chicken or Beef Rendang  with Espuma Potato Foam as part of those sets and Sous Vide Eggs with Smoked Salmon for less than $4. Holy moly!
3. Ninetyfour Club Street
94 Club Street
The latest watering hole concept to hit Club Street is here, adding another bistro bar chill out spot to the enclave. A casual affair with a rugged, exposed brickwork interior and reloved furniture, if you need to sink something cold at the end of a long hard day in the form of craft beer courtesy of local brewery Archipelago, accompanied by some hearty bar bites and a rather mean selection of sausages, then this could very well be your new after work wind down spot.
4. Pints & Pince
32-33 Duxton Road
Crazy about lobster? Then head on over to Duxton, where its latest resident is bound to have you all in a lobster-induced tizzy thanks to the fact that not only do they serve fresh, succulent lobsters which are sustainably sourced, but they’re at accessible prices too, with all lobster dishes priced at $48. Your lobster is cooked according to your preference and their ethos – “it doesn’t take a master chef to make good lobster dishes; rather, it takes a great lobster” – says it all. We’re sold.
5. Match
Pan Pacific Hotel, 7 Raffles Boulevard
Customization seems to be king these days, something that Match – the new restaurant from the Privé group – is a firm believer in. Serving up modern American cuisine in a lively and playful setting, if you want food just the way you like it, then you’ve come to the right place. We love the cheeky way they invite you to customize by teasing you to “Sauce Me”, “Accessorise Me”, and “Get Dirty”, and if you’re looking for a new night scene, they’ll also be playing host to a roster of DJs spinning nu-disco, vocal house and electronic lounge as food goes on being served late into the night.
6. ALBA 1836
28 Duxton Hill
Just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be room for another Italian restaurant in Duxton, another one pops up! This time it’s ALBA 1836, a contemporary Italian affair where you can expect the fusion of of Italian traditional classics with modern cooking techniques and presentation – the result? A place where Italian elegance and innovative cuisine can both call home. Nestled away in an antique colonial building in Duxton Hill, it’s an intimate affair with 50 seats and an enviable wine cellar.
7. Soi 60 Contemporary Thai Restaurant + Bar
60 Robertson Quay
Being the big Thai lovers we are, we’re rather excited about the opening of Soi 60 Contemporary Thai Restaurant + Bar at Robertson Quay, which is here to fill the aching gap between high end Thai restaurants and hawker eats in Singapore. From the people that bought you Bistecca (read: droolworthy steaks), this time they’re here to infuse fresh, modern Thai flavours by award-winning Chef Martin Boetz into the riverside hood. We can’t wait to try their selection of curries amongst other things, and savour some of those fragrant flavours in a chilled urban setting.
8. Tess Bar & Kitchen
38 Seah Street
Along the row of shophouses at Seah Street, opposite Raffles Hotel, you’ll find new resident Tess Bar & Kitchen. A drink centric but food centred concept with a focus on modern interpretation of cocktails and food, this place aims to be a platform for young Asian talents to showcase their crafts, so expect some funky creations at this new joint from Diageo World Class Singapore’s top 10 finalist and former Bitters & Love bartender Steve Leong.
9. Flee Away Cafe
70 Dunlop Street
With Jalan Besar stealing the limelight of late, it’s about time to that something interesting popped up in neighbouring Little India, and here it is – Flee Away Cafe. A cute and very Instagram worthy cafe-cum-shop, housed in a shophouse on Dunlop Street with various cool bits of vintage this and that dotted around. We are loving the traditional menu with a modern twist – namely their Le Char Kuey which comes with an awesome range of fillings, and the fact that while you’re there you can pick a gift for yourself or your loved ones at their mini Flee mart – sweet!
10. Whale and Cloud
48 Niven Road
Just the name of this cafe is enough to intrigue, but add to the mix that Whale and Cloud is a secret little number hidden away in a non-descript building round the back of Selegie Road, opening hours are a bit hit and miss and once you get inside, you feel like you’ve stepped into another world altogether, then the intrigue deepens. We hear this place is definitely all about the ambience, and while the coffee and cakes are solid, it’s the adventure of seeking out and getting into this one that makes it worth writing home about.
Written by Ms Demeanour
