PUBLISHED June 4th, 2018 06:00 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:47 pm
We are officially half way through the year! This month you just might find your new favourite gastropub with The Guild and Little Creatures. The Mediterranean and Spanish flavours of Fotia and Tapas 26 are a welcomed addition to our thriving food scene where local initiative, Magic Square is also making waves. Unwind after a day’s work at new whisky bars Tipple And Dram and Room For More.
New Restaurants In Singapore
Scissors Paper Stove
Power couple, Chomel Yang and Januver Chow have opened Scissors Paper Stove, serving meticulously curated tapas with an Asian touch. Must tries include the chilled Iberico Pork Belly ($11), tender Beef Skewers ($11) and the barbecue Baby Pork Ribs ($11) perfect for sharing (order 2 for $20, 4 for $36 and 6 for $48). Mains like Cartafata ($28) – a whole seabass with mixed seafood cooked in a sealed pouch (Carta Fata) and red wine braised Beef Cheek ($18) are delicious but leave room for their delectable desserts like the Panna Cotta ($4).
Scissors Paper Stove is located at 9 Teck Chye Terrace Singapore 545720, p.+65 6242 0021. Open daily from 12pm-12am.
Little Creatures
Little Creatures has finally come to Singapore! Opening a brewpub along club street, find the hoppy, full-bodied signature Pale Ale ($12 for 280ml/$15 for 430ml) and classic Pilsner ($12 for 280ml/$15 for 430ml). The tropical and fruity Bright Ale ($12 for 280ml/$15 for 430ml) is perfect for our summer heat and challenge your palette with the ever-changing House Brew ($11 for 280ml/$14 for 430ml). Offering a variety of delicious pub grub like Chicken Rice Risotto ($26), Pork Belly ($27) and a Sliced Beef Salad ($24) with an even wider brunch menu, you won’t go hungry.
Little Creatures is located at 36 Club Street, Mohamed Ali Lane, Singapore 069469, Open Daily from 8am-12 midnight.
Forbidden Duck
Led by three Michelin-Star Celebrity Chef Alvin Leung from Hong Kong, Forbidden Duck at the Marina Bay Financial Centre specialises in traditional Peking Duck. Their signature Slow Cooked Roast Duck ($88) is cooked in an oven for three hours before being roasted for a delicately crisp skin. The Cantonese restaurant also offers popular dishes like Iberico Pork Char Siu ($30) and the Seafood Rice in Aromatic Duck Soup ($32) as well as a comprehensive dim sum menu.
Forbidden Duck is located at Marina Boulevard, #02-02, Marina Bay Link Mall, Singapore 018984, p.+65 6509 8767. Open Daily from 11am-3pm and 6pm-10pm.
Tapas 26
The team behind La Ventana brings you Tapas 26, a Spanish restaurant specialising in classic tapas with a good selection of Spanish wine to go along with it. Head Chef Patxi Alvarez has impressive experience in kitchens like El Bulli and brings this expertise along with him. Popular tapas like Patatas Bravas ($6/$10) and Iberico Croquettes (2 pieces for $8) pepper the menu while paella options are also available. Mains like Iberian Presa($44), Crispy Suckling Pig ($42) and charcoal grilled Sardines ($19) will not disappoint.
Tapas 26 is located at 26B Dempsey Road, Singapore, p.+65 6479 0100. Open Tue-Sun 12pm-2.30pm and 6pm-10pm (Sun 9.30pm).
Fotia
Club Street might be known for its watering holes, but it has just welcomed a new Greek-Mediterranean restaurant that makes a great lunch venue too. Taking over the spot previously occupied by Sichuan restaurant Si Wei Yan, Fotia offers a variety of freshly made pita and handmade dips like Tzatziki ($13.80) and Aegean Eggplant ($14.80) coupled with traditional mains Mousaka ($18.80) and Imam Balidi ($13.80). Diners can also enjoy charcoal grilled souvlaki and kebabs, as well as a fresh selection of seafood at this authentic joint.
Fortia is located at 1 Club Street, Singapore, p.+65 9455 1004. Open Tue-Thu 12pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-11pm and Sun 11am-9pm.
The Guild
The Guild specialises in good ol’ homemade comfort food served with a twist and paired with craft beer from the Young Master Brewery, Hong Kong’s highest-rated independent craft brewery. Co-Founder and Executive Chef Vinny Lauria makes his Singaporean debut after successful restaurants in Hong Kong with offerings that champion locally sourced ingredients. Delicious examples include Oysters ($6 per piece) sourced from Pulau Ubin and Frogs from Jurong Frog Farm for dishes General Tso’s Frog Legs ($14) and “Marrow” Bruschetta ($22), where hashima is paired with oxtail marmalade on toast.
The Guild is located at 55 Keong Saik Road, #01-01, Singapore, p.+65 6224 1262. Open Wed-Sun 6pm-12am.
Magic Square
Magic Square, is a pop-up kitchen that serves as an incubator for young, talented and hardworking Singaporeans to nurture their culinary skills. An initiative by local restaurateur Ken Loon, for the next 12 months, the loft-style 18 seater space will feature 3 local chefs under the age of 30 – Desmond Shen, Marcus Leow and Abel Su. They will take turns each month to present a 9-course menu ($78) inspired by their personal experiences and memories while creating honest flavours using well-sourced ingredients.
Magic Square is located at 5B Portsdown Road, Singapore 139311, p.+65 8181 0102. Open Tues-Sat for first seating from 6pm-8pm and second seating from 8.15pm-10.15pm.
New Bars In Singapore
Magnolia By Junior
The team behind 28 Hong Kong Street and Proof & Company, introduces Junior’s latest concept, Magnolia. Celebrating New Orleans cocktail culture, find iconic tipples like The Grasshopper ($25) – Crème De Menthe and Crème de Cacao with Mezcal, fresh cream and Absinthe and The Truffle Sezarac ($25) – Pierre Ferrand Chestnut Barrel Brandy and Willett three-year Rye are combined with Black Truffle, Orleans Bitters and Absinthe for a sharp, spicy cocktail. Creole dishes like Dirty Rice Balls with Pimento Cheese Dip ($10) and the quintessential freshly fried Café au Lait Beignets ($12) complement the cocktail experience.
Magnolia is located at 43 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088464, p.+65 8121 1462. Open Mon-Sat 7pm – 12am.
Tipple and Dram
Tipple and Dram will take you on an exploration with their extensive collection of both wine and luxury whisky at this plush two-level bar. Dram’s enviable collection of over 100 unique bottlings of single malt whiskies consist of distillery exclusives, hand-fills or warehouse specials sold or available for tastings only at distilleries. The curated wine list is replete with predominantly French wines with a sprinkling from California, Australia, Italy and the like. With craft beer on tap, champagne and other spirits also available, Tipple has all the other bases covered.
Tipple and Dram is located at 24 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069704, p.+65 6423 0353. Open Mon-Fri 12am-12pm and Sat 6pm-1am.
Room For More
The whisky lounge is no longer intimidating with the ilLido group’s newest venture Room For More on Dempsey Hill. Boasting an extensive repertoire of Scotland’s finest you will also find more unconventional provenances that include Mackmyra Vit Hund from Sweden and Hammer Head 23 Years Old 1989 from Czechoslovakia that dates back to the Cold War era. The curated list of old vintages includes a Glenlivet 1968 and Glenfarclas 40-Year-Old. Enjoy your whisky with the finest Cuban smokes at the private cigar lounge.
Room For More is located at 40C Harding Road, Singapore 249548, p.+65 6877 6977. Open Daily 3pm-1am.
Top Image Courtesy of The Guild