Just Opened February 2015: 10 New Restaurants and Bars to Check Out
PUBLISHED February 5th, 2015 04:00 pm | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:47 pm
Two new openings in the Club Street-Ann Siang area, a Korean bar with more swag than you can imagine, and a couple of fine-dining establishments at non-astronomical prices if you’re looking for your next gourmet adventure. Aren’t we – at least for the unmarried boys and girls – lucky Chinese New Year is on the way?
Joo
Korean BBQ restaurants are a dime a dozen so we were really excited about Joo (aka alcohol in Korean), ’cause one word: makegeolli ($7 for 150ml). The folks at Joo are the first in Singapore to brew their own rice wine, which comes pretty close to those we’ve tried in Seoul. On top of delightful anju (drinking snacks) – the Tofu Chips with Guacamole and Kimchi Salsa ($14) are really addictive – and heartier dishes like the Slow Roasted Mangalitsa Pork Belly ($32), there’s complimentary banchan with any food order and homemade chips with any drink order; what’s not to love?
Joo is located at 5 Tan Quee Lan Street, Singapore 188094. Open 5.30pm to 12am daily.
Shelter in the Woods
After 4-month hiatus, this European rotisserie restaurant reopened with Japanese chef, Masashi Horiuchi – who’s spent more than 20 years in two and three Michelin-starred kitchens in Europe – at helm. From their signature Shelter Quiche ($14.50) to the tender and juicy Rotisserie Rack of Lamb ($43), as well as the intensely flavoured Seafood Casserole ($39), everything we had at Shelter in the Woods was amazing. Our verdict? We like Shelter V2.0 a lot more; maybe the Japanese do it better.
Shelter in the Woods is located at 22 Greenwood Avenue, Singapore, 289219. Open Mon, Wed-Sun 6pm-10pm. Closed Tue.
Mitzo Restaurant & Bar
Hidden away in the Grand Park Orchard, you’d be amazed to find Mitzo…a genuine treasure trove of food and drink. This contemporary Cantonese restaurant cum bar was conceptualized to break the mold of Chinese dining, and we have to say, mission accomplished! Personally, we loved the cocktail bar with its giant fish tank decoration with bartenders offering an impressive array of bespoke cocktails to pair with the cuisine.
Mitzo Restaurant & Bar is located at Level 4, Grand Park Orchard, 270 Orchard Road, Singapore 238857. Open for lunch daily 12pm to 2.30pm, for dinner and supper Sun-Thu 6.30pm-12am, Fri-Sat 6.30pm-1am.
Erwin’s Gastrobar
The vibe of Erwin’s second outlet in River Valley takes after their flagship at Marina Bay Financial Centre – tall ceilings, warm lighting, and dark furnishings. The Pork Crackling ($6), chili roasted and served with honey mustard, was definitely the highlight of our meal. Some might find the Fish Burger ($17.50) a tad too salty, but I thought the spiced mango mayo balanced it out. Dessert junkies, try the Pazookie ($9.50), a giant cookie with peanut butter caramel, popcorn and ice cream. With 4 types of Paulaner on tap, house-made sangria and more, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the alcohol selection too.
Erwin’s Gastrobar is located at #01-21 Valley Point, 491 River Valley Road, Singapore 248371. Open Mon-Fri 8am-11pm, Sat-Sun 10am-12am.
May May
The newest kid on Tras Street dishes out fusion food, heavy on the Asian flavours – not surprising as the owners are the same as that of Blue Ginger. Rice bowls topped with different types of protein like Vinegar-Braised Pork Belly ($16) and Butter-Poached Cod ($18) take centre-stage during lunch while dinner stars fancier mains like Lobster Rice Noodles ($28) and Seared Wagyu ($32). For drinks, they’ve a Nylon Coffee Roasters brew and a selection of Japanese artisanal craft beers.
May May is located at 65 Tras Street, Singapore 079004. Open Mon-Sat 11am-11pm. Closed Sun.
Sorrel (Closed)
For the people who fear or are intimidated by the concept of fine dining, Sorrel is for you. Unlisted Collection’s new dining addition in the CBD claims to be gastronomy meets casual bistro – so yes, you can wear your jeans when you visit. The three and five course set lunches are priced at $45 and $88 respectively while the five and seven-course dinner are going at $88 and $118. We hear that the young Chef Johnston Teo also accepts omakase requests should you fancy something off the regular menu.
Sorrel is located at 21 Boon Tat Street, #01-00, Singapore 069620. Open Mon-Fri 12-2pm, 7-10pm, and Sat 7-10pm. Closed Sunday.
Syun
The latest celebrity chef to join Resorts World Sentosa’s stable is Hal Yamashita, who hails from Kobe, Japan. His first foray outside of Japan focuses on modern Japanese contemporary cuisine – in particular, ‘Jap-Jap fusion’, which refers to the melding of regional dishes from Japan’s different provinces. Diners can expect dishes like Grilled Cod with Saikyo Mizo Yuzu Miso Sauce and Sea Urchin Rolled by Wagyu Beef. The lunch menu (choose between a variety of sushi roll or jyu box sets) is priced from $18 – $52 while dinner starts from $95 for a 5-course meal.
Syun is located at Festive Walk, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269. Open Tue-Sun 12-3pm, 6-11pm. Closed Mon.
Bumbo Rum Club (Closed)
Taking over Club Street stalwart 83 Club Street, Bumbo Rum Club is the Deliciae group’s latest concept to hit our streets. Boasting a collection of 76 rums from over 20 countries, 7 infused rums, and 25 rum-based cocktails, Bumbo Rum Club takes the words ‘rum focused’ to a whole new level. Influenced by South American, Caribbean, and Southern USA so you can expect to be ordering ceviches (salmon, sea bass, and prawn) or tartines (like Cuban tomato or pork Cuban) off the food menu.
Bumbo Rum Club is located at 83 Club Street, Singapore 069451. Open Mon-Tue 5pm-12am, Wed-Thu 5pm-2am, Fri-Sat 5pm-3am, Closed Sun.
Layalina Privee (Temporarily Closed)
Opened by a British-based group that has three Lebanese restaurants in London, we’re hopeful that their first overseas outpost in Singapore is the start of a Mediterranean cuisine evolution here. Dining highlights include mezzes like Hummus ($12.30), Tabbouleh ($14.30), and Falafel ($14.90), as well as mains like Aubergine Masakaat ($21.90). We hear they’re also planning to have belly-dancing and magic performances during the weekends.
Layalina Privee is located at #03-14 Sultan Link Building, 63 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore 239002. Open Mon-Sat 12pm-10.30pm. Closed Sun.
TAPOW (Closed)
The space where Scoop used to sit has been taken over by TAPOW, which serves up affordable street food-inspired bites and craft cocktails. We’d never expect we’d see petai (aka bitter bean or stink bean) on the menu of a bar, which is in their Sambal Penyet Petai Wrap ($8.50). One thing we’re looking forward, besides trying the cocktails of Zac Mirza, formerly of House of Dandy, is the Damn Shiok Pizza ($12) – think tomato, pepperoni, prawns or ayam penyet, chili padi, and rocket salad – which, indeed, sounds very shiok.
TAPOW is located at 19 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069699. Open Mon-Sat 5pm-12am.
Top Image: May May
