PUBLISHED March 7th, 2017 07:00 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:47 pm
Is it just us or have poké shacks been multiplying like rabbits lately? This month also sees a number of new Japanese concepts, an American diner that promises authentic Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, a caviar-centric joint, as well as a regal Art Deco-style bar that’s plenty swanky.
New Restaurants
Violet Oon Satay Grill & Bar
This brings back fond memories of the old Satay Club at Clarke Quay, doesn’t it? Singapore’s culinary doyenne Violet Oon pays tribute to the traditional chargrilled meat skewers we know and love, with options like Chicken ($14), Hainan-style Pork ($16), Tripe ($15), Angus Beef ($18), Prawn ($20), and plenty more. You’ll find meats, seafood, and Nyonya signatures as well – including Garam Assam Barramundi with Pineapple and Gingerflower, and Nasi Goreng Nyonya – served to you under a sleek canopy of rattan-bladed fans.
Violet Oon Satay Grill & Bar is located at 3B River Valley Rd, #01-18 Clarke Quay, Singapore 179021, p. +65 9834 9935. Open daily 6pm – 12am.
Teppanyaki Hamburg Nihonbashi Keisuke Bettei
Keisuke Takeda isn’t a stranger in these parts. Known for his assortment of ramen restaurants across the island, Teppanyaki Hamburg Nihonbashi Keisuke Bettei (it’s a mouthful, we know) marks the chef-restauranteur’s 14th concept, although this one barely sees a strand of noodle. Instead, look forward to juicy beef hamburger steaks sizzling on a hot plate, accompanied by mouthwatering sauces, eggs done just the way you like them, and a massive salad bar brimming with over 20 items.
Teppanyaki Hamburg Nihonbashi Keisuke Bettei is located at 72 Peck Seah St, Singapore 079329.
Hansul Korean Dining Bar
Avid fan of Korean meat and spirits? Hansul – which means “bottoms up” – aims to revolutionise the Korean dining experience in Singapore by introducing the mini Hwaro grill with an extensive array of freshly-prepared Korean skewers ($2 to $8), from classic beef and pork to the likes of long-legged octopus. What’s more, expect a grand collection of soju, makgeolli, herbal cheongju, and Korean-style cocktails alongside Italian wines and ciders – all to the tune of contemporary jazz blasting from the speakers.
Hansul Korean Dining Bar is located at #01-05, 21 Tanjong Pagar Rd, Singapore 088444, p. +65 6906 7088. Open daily 5pm – 6am.
Philly Shack
True to its name, the signature dish here is the legendary Philadelphia cheesesteak ($15), featuring thinly sliced strips of rib-eye beef, caramelised onions, and oozy melted cheese in a soft, pillowy housemade bun. But that’s not all – elsewhere on the menu lie signature burgers, spicy Buffalo wings ($8.50/6pcs), sinful milkshakes, craft beers, and quite arguably the hottest Bloody Mary in town. It’s going to be messy and disastrous for your diet, but that hardly matters when it comes to comfort junk food like this.
Philly Shack is located at 3A River Valley Rd, Clarke Quay, Singapore 179020, p. +65 6837 0675. Open Sun-Tue 12pm – 11pm, Wed-Sat 12pm – 2am.
Kuro Maguro
As far as tuna kaisen dons go, Kuru Maguro ups the ante with a staggering 18 donburi dishes featuring the popular (and commercially valuable) fish, like the classic Otoro Meshi (premium fatty bluefin tuna belly). It’s worth noting that the restaurant sources its fish from Japan’s Miura Misaki Port, which is famous for supplying the freshest maguro to celebrated restaurants all over the globe.
Kuro Maguro is located at #01-04, 7 Wallich St, Singapore 078884, p. +65 6386 8561. Open Mon-Sat 11.30am – 2pm, 5.30pm – 10pm, Sun 11.30am – 2.30am, 5pm – 9pm.
Poke Doke
And here we are: poké. Need a dose of vitamin sea? Head down for a quick lunch bite or healthy dinner with four well-seasoned cuts of Norwegian salmon or Ahi tuna in varying levels of spiciness. Then, add on a base, toppings, and even a selection of premium superfoods that will perk you right up. If you’re not sure what to get, simply pick from the selection of signature bowls, including the What’s Up Wasabi, Spicy Almighty, and full-vegetarian Hippie.
Poké Doke is located at 9 Raffles Blvd, #01-95 Millenia Walk, Singapore 039596, p. +65 9181 9140. Open daily 11am – 9pm.
Pololi
For more flavours from the shores of Polynesia, try Pololi, the newest import from the shores of Hong Kong. Ordering is simple here – just pick from five unique flavours available in two sizes: a regular-sized Kama’aina ($17.99) with 180g of fish, or the smaller Keiki ($15.99) with 150g, before choosing a free topping (edamame, furikake, nori or seaweed salad) and one of Pololi’s signature sauces. Enhance your experience by pairing your poke bowl with craft beer from the Big Island’s Kona Brewing Company!
Pololi is located at 51 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 048441. Open Mon-Tue 11.30am – 3pm, Wed-Thu 11.30am – 6pm, Fri 11.30am – 10pm. Closed weekends.
28Wilkie
Get a taste of the decadent life at the elegant 28 Wilkie, boasting in-house caviar, exclusive beer from China’s Shangri-La Highland Brewery, and premium vodka from Austria. Forget eating caviar on blinis with sour cream – here, you are encouraged to indulge from right off your ski, as a professional team of staff guide you through the sensuous process. The restaurant also offers dinner set menus with equally gorgeous creations like Cappelini with Mentaiko, Vongole, and Nori; and desserts such as Strawberry Panna Cotta and Chocolate Mousse.
28Wilkie is located at 28 Wilkie Rd, Singapore 228051, p. +65 9776 2828. Open Mon-Sat 3pm – 10.30pm.
Sushi Kimura
Sushi Kimura is helmed by Head Chef Tomoo Kimura, a Tokyo native with 21 years of sushi-crafting experience at the likes of Ginza’s Sushi Ichi and Singapore’s Hashida. Serving up Edo-mae style sushi – the rice prepared with organic Fujisu vinegar brewed in Kyoto – the best way to take in the full spectrum of Chef Kimura’s techniques and experience is to go for the ever-changing seasonal omakase menu, with three sets available for lunch ($120, $180, $250) and dinner ($280, $330, $390).
Sushi Kimura is located at #01-07 Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Road, Singapore 238871. p. +65 6734 3520. Open Tue-Sun 12pm – 3pm, 7pm – 10pm. Closed Mon.
Ginett
If you remember the popular Scarlett Restaurant & Wine Bar in Bangkok, you’ll be pleased to know that its former chef Sylvain Royer is now heading Ginett – the contemporary bistro serving up hearty European favourites from the break of dawn till after midnight on its large communal tables. Whether it’s a quick and easy lunch or group dinner, feast on a wide-ranging menu of gourmet dishes from rotisserie chicken to organic lamb chops while sipping on highly affordable wines that start from $6.
Ginett is located at Hotel G Singapore, 200 Middle Road, Singapore 188980. p.+65 6809 7989. Open daily 7am – 11.30pm.
New Bars
ATLAS
ATLAS is the bar that everyone’s been talking about, and for good reason. Tucked away in the towering ‘Gotham’ building opposite Raffles Hospital is this ritzy all-day drinking and European dining concept – decked out in glamorous Art Deco, no less – with a dizzying collection of gins; ranging from rare craft gins from around the world to exclusive 1910 London dry gins. But that’s not all – walk into the lavish rose gold room to find a bewildering array of champagnes, some of them selected from the cellar of the Parkview family.
ATLAS is located at Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Road. Open Mon-Thu, 8am – 1am, Fri 8am – 2am, Sat 3pm – 2am.
JW Marriott
It’s rare to find more than one bar in any hotel, let alone three. Together with the opening of the much-awaited JW Marriott comes a happy trio of drinking concepts: the cocktail-focused Court Martial Bar that showcases skillfully prepared cocktails and an impressive selection of wines; the gin-centric and very stylish Tonic with its extensive selection of the botanical-based spirit; and Media Bar, which styles itself after the gastropubs of New York and serves up a global selection of beer and wine.
JW Marriott is located at 30 Beach Rd, Singapore 189763, p. +65 6818 1888. See individual bars for opening hours.