PUBLISHED June 6th, 2017 07:00 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:47 pm
As the influx of new F&B establishment in Singapore start to slow during the summer, we still managed to pick out 11 restaurants and bars that make the cut. Expect a modern yakitori joint and a beach-style cafe to a spirit-forward American-style basement bar that oozes sophistication.
New Restaurants
Muse Amuse
Fancy an Uni Pie Tee ($15 for 2 pieces) – an umami-laden take on the local delight -, Korean-spiced Arancini ($15) with gochujang chilli, or a Royal Ratchaphruek ($12) ratatouille of six different root vegetables? This brilliantly lit restaurant along South Bridge Road features a medley of flavours around the world, with particularly strong Asian influences bound to impress. After-dinner drinks are just a few steps away, as unique concoctions such as the Tom Yum Bloody Mary ($25) and Mango Sticky Rice ($25) await.
Muse Amuse is located at 289 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058835, p. +65 8500 0588. Open Mon-Sat 11am – 12am.
Birders
Birders is the newest Japanese izakaya and yakitori establishment to hit Tanjong Pagar, with a constantly revolving list of delicious craft sake to boot. The casual and stylish space sees a menu split into three sections: Grill & Yakitori, Sharing Plates, and Fillers – the latter referring to the more hearty meat donburis. Skewers start from just $3.50 for Thigh and Breast and increase gradually to the more premium Nagaimo Mentai ($8) and Beef Skirt ($6.50). A great place for a grubby night with friends, complemented by a bottle of sake, of course.
Birders is located at 55 Tras St, Singapore 078994, p. +65 8748 4585. Open Mon-Thu 6pm – 12am, Fri-Sat 6pm – 1am.
Summerlong
Brought to you by the team behind Fat Prince and Neon Pigeon, Summerlong is Singapore’s newest ‘city beach’ cafe offering fresh food from the Eastern Mediterranean. Here, Chef Justin Hammond helms the breezy open kitchen to dish out healthier bites like the creamy Greek Style Burratina ($16) with tangerine, coriander, and honey, as well as the Roasted Forest Mushroom Tagine ($21) served with zucchini and pine nuts. For an invigorating mid-day tipple, you must try the Medius Terra Fizz ($15) in all its rosehip-infused gin glory.
Summerlong is located at 60 Robertson Quay #01-04, Singapore 238252, p. +65 6235 1225. Open Mon-Fri 5pm – 12am, Sat-Sun 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 12am.
VENUE by Sebastian
Chef Sebastian Ng, the former chef-owner of the now-defunct Restaurant Ember, has returned to the restaurant scene with a new venture. VENUE By Sebastian features a sizeable menu of unpretentious Contemporary European fare imbued with refreshing Asian flavours, curated over months of experimentation to result in signature dishes like Cauliflower Fritti with Spicy Mint Aioli ($10), Angel Hair Pasta with Sakura Ebi and konbu ($24) and Iberico Pork Jowl with Gremolata and Lemon ($18).
VENUE by Sebastian is located at Downtown Gallery, 6A Shenton Way, #01-02, Singapore 068815, p. +65 6904 9688. Open 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm.
Brine Restaurant
Brine Restaurant at Hotel Clover is co-founded by the same charming lads behind The Laneway Market, with the aim of dishing out fine-dining quality food at reasonable prices. An ever-changing menu means you’ll always have a different experience each time, whether it’s live Murasaki Sea Urchin flown in from Japan, Smoked Duck paired with Beetroot, or the special brunch offerings each weekend – think Pancakes with Caramelised Bananas, toffee sauce and banana espuma.
Brine Restaurant is located at 775 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 198743, p. +65 8748 0788. 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9.30pm.
Amò Restaurant
Taking the best culinary influences from all parts of Italy, Amò is an all-new casual restaurant operated by Beppe De Vito, the man behind restaurants like Aura, Osteria Art, and ilLido at the Cliff. The social destination dishes out an authentic slice of Italian cuisine with its exquisite menu of antipasti (Prosciutto di Parma with Rucola and Parmigiano, $25), artisanal pastas (Kurobuta Pork and Sunchoke Ravioli, $32), and impressively light homemade pizzas (Bone Marrow, Wild Garlic Pesto and Anchovy Salsa Verde, $29) that change toppings with the seasons.
Amò Restaurant is located at 33 HongKong St, Singapore 059672, p. +65 6723 7733. Open Mon-Fri 12pm – 2.30pm, Mon-Sat 6pm – 10.30pm. Closed Sun.
Blue Jasmine
Overlooking the cosy neighbourhood of Farrer Park, the colourful Blue Jasmine is housed on the fifth floor on the new Park Hotel Farrer Park and serves up eclectic Thai sharing plates of classics favourites and modern reinterpretations. Highlights include the traditional Prawn Pad Thai ($16) and Beef Green Curry ($24) among others, while more innovative dishes like the Crab Meat Yellow Curry ($26) – served with betel leaf and Blue Jasmine Vermicelli – and Deep Fried Prawn Donuts ($12) can also be found on the menu. Read our review here.
Blue Jasmine is located at L5 Park Hotel Farrer Park, 10 Farrer Park Station Rd, Singapore 217564, p. +65 6824 8851. Open daily 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm.
Audace Bar & Restaurant
Audace, the newest concept to arrive at the perpetually quirky Wanderlust Hotel (taking over the space where Cocotte used to be) is the brainchild of Michelin-starred Chef Jeremy Gillon from Le Montana in the French Alps. Expect unrelenting French bistro fare with a touch of influences from all around the globe, including dishes such as Braised Octopus and Grilled Onion Salad ($19) and Striploin Beef with Banana Shallot Papillote ($29). On Sundays, a buffet brunch ($68) is served with over 20 items to choose from.
Audace Bar & Restaurant is located at 2 Dickson Rd, Singapore 209494, p. +65 6298 1188. Open Mon 7.30am – 10.30am, Tue-Sat 7.30am – 11.30pm. Sun 11.30am – 4pm.
Bistro November
Rustic dishes see a breath of new life at bistro November, an all-day restaurant making waves at Keong Saik Road. Helmed by Australian Chef John Paul Fiechtner alongside award-winning sommelier Sally Humble, this is the kind of neighbourhood haunt you’d find in Melbourne and Paris, with a menu changing daily according to what the team manages to pick up from the Chinatown markets each morning. It might be Squid with Eggplant and Broccoli one day and Fromage de Tête made with frog the next. Whatever it is, you can bet it’s going to be splendid.
Bistro November is located at 50 Keong Saik Rd, Singapore 089154, p. +65 9054 1435. Open Tue-Sat 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm, Sun 11am – 3pm. Closed Mon.
ERGON Deli + Cafe
Travel to the sun-soaked islands of Greece with ERGON Deli + Cafe and its handpicked selection of premium Greek gourmet products, wines, and plenty more. With some 300 outlets in Greece and physical presence all across Europe, the range includes olive oil made from 2000-year-old trees, a variety of hummus spreads, and chickpeas from Larissa. For brunch, how about some Artisanal Coffee (they pack a real punch!) paired with the Bougatsa sweet milk cream pie?
ERGON Deli + Cafe is located at Suntec City Mall, 3 Temasek Blvd #01-365, Singapore 038983, p. +65 8360 3616. Open Mon-Fri 8.30 – 10pm, Sat 10am – 10pm.
New Bars
Catchfly
New York mixologist Liam Baer heads Catchfly, the latest concept to be situated at the multi-concept 12 Ann Siang shophouse. The American-style basement speakeasy is all about churning out contemporary twists on cocktail favourites like the Honey Badger ($22), a recreation of your classic Whiskey Sour with rosemary-infused bourbon, honey, ginger, and a kiss of Yellow Chartreuse. In the back bar, check out an impressive selection of craft spirits made in the US, from oat whiskies to Boston rums and over 10 varieties of agaves.
Catchfly is located at 12 Ann Siang Rd, Singapore 069692, p. +65 6222 7183. Open Mon-Thu 6pm – 12am, Fri-Sat 6pm – 2am. Closed Sun.
Top Image: Muse Amuse