Just Opened December: 10 New Restaurants and Bars to Check Out

PUBLISHED December 26th, 2014 04:00 pm | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:47 pm

‘Tis the season to be feasting and if you’re so done with the ham and turkey, here’s the final edition of Just Opened of 2014 to take your palate on that last adventure before the year ends. With cool new multi-concepts, a true blue New York-style deli, and a couple more awesome Japanese restaurants joining the scene, it’s definitely ‘happy holidays’ in more ways than one!

The Prawn Star (Closed)

The newest contender on Duxton Hill brings something new to this dining enclave – contemporary zi char (home style cooking). This cheekily named establishment impressed us with their excellent service and fresh seafood – we loved the superb King Prawns in Vermicelli Clay Pot ($32) as well as the Roasted Scallops & Brocolli in XO Sauce ($18). If you’re feeling peckish, we highly recommend having the Sriracha Caramel Popcorn ($8) and the Not Your Typical Fish (Skin) & Chips ($9) along with their affordable (and more than adequate) cocktails or wine.

The Prawn Star is located at 21 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089604. Open Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm & 6-10:30pm, Sat 6-10.30pm. Closed Sunday and public holidays.

Chotto Matte

Helmed by the Chef Roy Chee, previously of the ever-popular Standing Sushi Bar, Chotto Matte is a new tapas bar-style Japanese restaurant situated in Outram Park. The star of the menu for us was the Kagoshima Pork Belly Don ($35) – the fragrant garlicky fried rice topped with chargrilled sliced pork belly has decided made its way into our top 10 list – and if you’re not out for a full meal, their well-executed yakitori go perfectly well their selection of beer or Japanese whisky. Omakase starts from $100 for 10 courses and it’s recommended that you book your spots at least a week in advance – yep, they’re that popular already.

Chotto Matte is located at 54 Blair Road, #01-01, Singapore 089954. Open 11.30am-12 midnight daily.

Sacha & Sons

Our Chief Nomad was mighty pleased with this New York-style Jewish deli – read his full review here – and it’s unsurprising why. Located where Wild Honey used to be in Mandarin Gallery, you’ll find their offerings a good representation of the food genre and they do most of it very, very well. Our top picks would be the traditional Latke ($16), a fried potato and onion cake served with crème fraiche and smoked salmon, and the Chopped Liver ($14). Looking for a meatier option? The Pastrami Knishes ($12) won’t disappoint.

Sacha & Sons is located at #03-01 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road, Singapore 238897. Open Sun-Thu 9am-9pm, Fri-Sat 9am-10pm.

KUVO

Derived from the word cuvee (French for ‘blend’), KUVO is a very decent option for wining and dining in the heart of Orchard Road. Housing all-day dining restaurant Ambrosia, a handsome wine bar Vine Lounge, and our favourite, the Elixir Bar, this multi-concept space also has a gift shop. We liked the KUVO Coffee Hot Wings ($14) – the flavour was a cross between zi char coffee pork ribs and buffalo wings – and peanut butter fans should definitely try the PB Mousse Pie ($14). Mixologist Yutaka Nakashima’s cocktails (all $21) like the Bloody Mary-inspired Lycopini and the gingerbread cream-spiked Spice Candy hints of his decade-long chef training.

KUVO is located at #02-01 Orchard Shopping Centre, 321 Orchard Road, Singapore 238866. Open Sun-Thu 12pm–1am, Fri-Sat 12pm–2am

The Refinery

We’re really psyched about this one! Not only is it located in our ‘hood of Jalan Besar, it’s by the people behind The General Company (aka Tyrwhitt General Company) and Architology. Home to a yakitori joint on ground floor, a bespoke cocktail bar – helmed by ex Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall bartender Eugene Chua no less – on the second, and a craft workshop on the third, The Refinery is set to be a hit with the cool kids.

The Refinery is located at 115 King George’s Ave, Singapore 208561. Open Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun: 6pm to Midnight. Fri, Sat: 6pm to 1am. Closed On Mon.

Joyden Canton Kitchen

If you’ve heard of Joyden Seafood (formerly known as West Coast Seafood), you’re right in guess that Joyden Canton Kitchen is their new concept at community mall HillV2 in upper Bukit Timah. Despite it being quite out of the way, the Cantonese menu, which includes Teochew and Hakka cooking styles, is good enough to keep us coming back for more. Our favourites are definitely the simple but tasty Signature Traditional Hakka Salt Poached Farm Chicken ($17) and the oh-so-delicious Fish Maw And Prawns With Glass Noodles In Homemade XO Sauce ($18.80).

Joyden Canton Kitchen is located at #02-21 HillV2, 4 Hillview Rise, Singapore 667979. 11.30am-9.30pm daily.

Sushi Jin

The folks at Les Amis have ventured out of Scotts Road with the latest addition to their group. And if you’re looking for sushi that’s sitting between the high-end likes of Shinji and the mass market, Sushi Jin might very well be the go-to place for you, with fish being flown in from Tsukiji market thrice a week. For something original to the restaurant, try their Truffle Seafood Chawanmushi ($15). Fans of tuna, you can’t go wrong with the Ootoro Aburi Sushi ($32 for two pieces).

Sushi Jin is located at #01-11/12 Owen Link, One Farrer Hotel & Spa, 1 Farrer Park Station Road, Singapore 217562. Open12 – 2.30pm, 6.30-10.30pm daily.

Hotpot Kingdom

Shoppers now have another affordable dining establishment consider in the mammoth complex of Marina Bay Sands. The name says it all; expect mouthwatering broths like Macanese Pork Bone and Spicy Szechuan that have been simmered for hours to accompany their fresh ingredients. Their soft yet bouncy Handmade Meatballs ($12-$14 for 6) was what really won us over. We’d suggest going for the attractively priced set meals, starting from $29.80++, and perhaps adding on a la carte items like Japanese Wagyu Striploin ($75 for 100g) that aren’t in the set.

Hotpot Kingdom is located at #B1-01B The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018972. Open 11am to 2.30pm (Hotpot & Dim Sum), 2.30pm-5pm (Dim Sum only), 5pm-11pm (Hotpot only).

Cloud

Yet another multi-concept located in the Orchard Road neighbourhood, Cloud is a two-story bistro-bar and club-ultra lounge. Serving up Western comfort classics like Poulet Rôti and Beef Cheek in Red Wine Jus, the restaurant is all gloss and marble, peppered with colourful graffiti and prints. Did we mention that Sham Hussain (alumni of Supperclub and Zafferano) is now serving up weather-themed cocktails – with names like Storm in a Glass and Tropical Blizzard – at Cloud?

Cloud is located at #01-01 Pacific Plaza, 9 Scotts Road, Singapore 228210. Restaurant open Mon-Sat 10am-10.30pm, bar & lounge open Wed-Sat 10pm-4am.

Joie

We’re not sure how far meatless cuisine will go in Singapore, but Joie (pronounced ‘joy’) seems to be doing well enough for itself. Inspired by the new wave of natural fare prepared with fresh veggies, fruits, and herbs, the kitchen is headed by Chef Sherwin Sim, previously of Coriander Leaf Restaurant. While an a la carte menu is available, guests would do well with either the 6-course set lunch ($38.80++) or 7-course set dinner ($68.80++) of Japanese-European flavours. Vegetarians, do note that they use animal products like milk, cheese, and eggs in their dishes!

Joie is located at #12-01 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, Singapore 238896. Open 12-3pm, 6-10pm daily.

Top Image: Sushi Jin