PUBLISHED May 31st, 2019 06:00 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:46 pm
Half the year has gone by and the summer holidays are finally here! Take this month to bask in the sun with these new recently-launched culinary destinations. Fan of Japanese food? Head down to Dempsey Hill for Bincho at Min Jiang. As might be expected, Jewel is nothing short of surprises with the opening of Violet Oon’s largest outlet. While the cocktail scene has gotten a little quiet of late, there’s TXA Pintxo Bar bringing Basque-inspired tipples to Singapore, so we’re still good.
New Restaurants in Singapore
Bincho at Min Jiang
Brought to you by the same team behind Bincho at Hua Bee, Bincho at Min Jiang sets out to provide an authentic Japanese yakitori experience, this time to the buzzing Dempsey Hill. Diners can expect a more tranquil environment as the restaurant is enshrouded by Min Jiang at Goodwood Park Hotel. Whether you’re digging into signatures like the Grilled Miso Lamb ($40) or the chef-recommended Snow Crab Fried Rice ($40), revel in the specially-curated menu by Executive Chef Asai Masashi while being serenaded by Japanese folk songs.
Bincho at Min Jiang is located at 7A & 7B Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249684, p. + 65 6972 7328. Open Tue-Fri 6pm — 12am, Sat-Sun 12pm — 3pm and 6pm — 12am. Closed Mon.
Chico Loco
Amoy Street is no stranger to noteworthy restaurants and bars, and Chico Loco is its latest addition by serving hearty Mexican food to the CBD crowd — using antibiotic, hormone and cage-free meat, and organic ingredients to boot. Prick their Spit-Roasted Chicken ($9/$17/$32) with a fork, and savour the tender charred goodness. Wash it all down with their range of tipples, featuring signatures like the Loco Sling ($16) to the refreshing Summer Spritz ($13).
Chico Loco is located at 102 Amoy St, Singapore 069922, p. +65 9738 7828. Opens Mon-Thu 8am — 10pm, Fri 8am — 12am and Sat 5pm — 12am. Closed on Sun.
Culina at COMO Dempsey
Culina isn’t joking when they claim that they’re a foodie’s playground. Well-known for their fresh artisanal food and ingredients, you might have visited their original outlet at Dempsey Block 8. While they’re still nestled in the dining precinct, they have reopened, introducing their new flagship consisting of the Culina Bistro, Bar and Market all in one roof. Talk about convenience, huh? Freshness is not an issue here as diners can first select their foods directly from the Market before being presented on the dining table.
Culina at COMO Dempsey is located at 15 Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249675, p. +65 6474 7338. — Market opens Mon-Fri 10am — 10pm, Sat-Sun and PH 9am — 10pm. Culina Bistro opens Mon-Fri 11am — 3pm, 6pm—11pm, Sat-Sun 11am — 11pm (June), daily 11am —11pm (July onwards).
Chuan Hung The Noodle Place
Who else is incredibly picky when it comes to noodles? I know I am. As the name of Chuan Hung The Noodle Place suggests, noodles are their speciality, specifically Mian Yang rice noodles, having perfected it after months of visiting over 50 noodle stores in China. The restaurant lives up to the traditional styles of Sichuan cuisine, as shown with their trademark Braised Beef ($13.50) and Pig Intestines ($13.50) toppings. Just be sure to order the Tsingtao Beer ($8) for that bona fide experience!
Chuan Hung The Noodle Place is located at #01-01 51 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 048441, p. +65 9755 1058. Open Mon-Fri 10am — 3pm, 5pm — 9pm, and Sat-Sun 10am — 9pm.
Violet Oon Singapore, Jewel Changi Airport
You might have dined at Violet Oon in National Gallery and Bukit Timah. Or perhaps Orchard if you’re in the vicinity. Regardless, these outlets do not hold a candle to their space in Jewel. Since communal dining is all the rage these days, dig into the conversation starter DIY Nyonya Poh Piah ($58), as you practise your folding skills with a selection of both seafood and meat fillings. However, if you prefer your noshes grilled, try restaurant exclusives like the Ayam Panggang Katong ($16/$25), marinated with traditional Gula Melaka.
Violet Oon Singapore, Jewel Changi Airport is located at 78 Airport Blvd, #01-205/#01-206, Singapore 819666, p. +65 9834 9935. Open daily 9am — 11pm.
Vianney Massot Restaurant
If the name Bacchanalia rings a bell to you, the beloved one-Michelin-starred French-fine dining restaurant has revamped its name, concept, and menu with the talented Vianney Massot. Oh, the menu is produce-driven, so it changes every quarter – get surprised! They serve tasting menus, with the 2-course lunch starting from $68++, and the 7-course starting from $338++. Or choose to go a la carte during dinner, it’s entirely up to you.
Viannet Massot Restaurant is located at 39 Hong Kong Street, Singapore 059678. Open Wed-Sat 12pm — 2pm Tue-Sat 6.30 — 10pm. Closed Sun-Mon.
Indigo Blue Kitchen
By amalgamating Chinese ingredients with Malay cooking techniques, Peranakan food is Singapore’s culturally-richest cuisine, and Indigo Blue Kitchen pays homage to the distinctive exotic taste by delving back into the 1960s. Featuring signatures like the Bakwan Kepiting Soup ($22) and Satay Babi Lemak ($16) which exudes the delectable scent of coconut milk, expect an explosion of both salty and spicy flavours. End your meal on a sweeter note with the Apom with Three Pengats ($14 for 6 pieces), a real treat for durian lovers.
Indigo Blue Kitchen is located at 1 Scotts Rd, Shaw Centre, #03-09/10/11, Singapore 228208, p. +65 6235 3218. Open daily 12pm — 3pm and 6.30pm — 10pm.
SweetSpot
Whether you’re a fan of clean eating foods or not, you can’t deny that conscious eating has been the trend for quite some time now. Instead of the quick-and-easy French fries and burgers, people are increasingly leaning towards poke bowls, salads and protein smoothies. Such healthy restaurants and cafes are an abundance in Singapore, but SweetSpot steers away from the crowd by not only providing homestyle pastries and artisanal eco-friendly coffee as well, but also presenting the country’s first-ever robotic barista. How cool is that?
SweetSpot is located at ArtScience Museum, 10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956, p. +65 6688 8588. Open daily 7am — 10pm.
MEMO Cafe
The folks at Studio M have decided to rebrand their casual self-service deli to a full-service, all-day diner. During the day at Memo Cafe, perfect your coffee slurp with unconventional flavours of Iced Latte ($6), from the holiday-worthy Gingerbread or Peppermint, to the Chocolate Cookie that’s suited for all-year round. Once the sun begins to set, look forward to craft beers from Little Creatures, such as their smoky Pale Ale ($10) or Rogers Smooth Amber Ale ($10) for a lighter, fruitier alternative. Feeling those hunger pangs? Try the Seafood Casserole ($22), a combination of barramundi and prawn, drizzled with saffron tomato sauce.
MEMO Cafe is located at Studio M Hotel, 3 Nanson Rd, Singapore 238919, p. +65 6808 8908. Open Sun-Thu 7am — 11pm and Fri-Sat 7am — 12am.
New Bars in Singapore
TXA Pintxo Bar, The Alkaff Mansion
Surrounded by lush greenery, it’s no wonder that many garden weddings are held at The Alkaff Mansion when it was still doling out classy Italian food. The recent refurbishment sees Wildseed Cafe moving in alongside TXA Pintxo Bar. Besides serving the finest Basque pintxos, diners can get a sip of signature cocktails like the brandy-based The Mansion ($18), or the Frozen Throne ($18) with a refreshing melon flavour.
TXA Pintxo Bar is located at The Alkaff Mansion, 10 Telok Blangah Green, Singapore 109178, p. +65 6773 0070. Open Mon-Sat 5pm — 11pm. Closed Sun.
Top Image: Violet Oon Singapore, Jewel Changi Airport