PUBLISHED November 17th, 2016 05:00 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:47 pm
We’re seeing an increasing number of Asian and Asian-inspired concepts in Singapore, from the Sichuan-influened Birds of a Feather to Clark Quay’s new Cantonese restaurant VLV, and even a Chinese laundromat-style bar Phat Cat Laundry. Also on our list this month is the highly anticipated MONTI on Marina Bay and a cool new place for jazz lovers to catch live performances over bespoke cocktails.
New Restaurants in Singapore
Birds of a Feather
Contemporary Western fare with a Sichuan influence may sound unusual and even a tad weird, but wait till you try the food at this all-day diner and bar, with a lush and comforting ambience to boot. Don’t miss the Oriental Bolognaise ($20) with onsen tamago, mizuna, and ebi sakura, and Tofu Burger with Mapo Meat Sauce ($22) – remember, spice is nice!
Birds of a Feather is located at 113 Amoy Street, Singapore 069933, p. +65 6221 7449. Open daily 10am – 11pm.
Plentyfull
Self-service bistro by day and full-fledged restaurant by night, Plentyfull runs on an ever-changing modern food menu according to the freshest seasonal ingredients and produce. In the mornings and afternoons, customers select from a buffet-style line-up as they build their own bowls from scratch, while evenings see a la carte offerings. We were told that there isn’t a single can opener on the premises, and that everything is made from scratch, from the super-soft pumpkin pillow gnocchi ($24) to the meaty platter of Thai chicken, pork jowl, and lamb sausage ($52).
Plentyfull is located at 9 Raffles Boulevard #01-79/80, Millenia Walk, Singapore 039596, p. +65 6493 2997. Open Mon-Fri 8am – 10.30pm, Sat-Sun 10.30am – 10.30pm.
MONTI
Taking over the space previously inhabited by Catalunya, MONTI is the city’s latest waterfront lifestyle destination, combining food, drink, and entertainment in a super sexy multi-concept space. The dining experience is elegant to say the least, dishing out modern interpretations of Italian food such as the Rhombo (a full turbot served with potato crusts) and Garganelli pasta, handmade using fine Manci flour and organic hen eggs.
Monti is located at 82 Collyer Quay, The Fullerton Pavilion, Singapore, p. +65 6535 0724. Open Mon-Thu 6pm – 1am, Fri-Sat 6pm – 4am. Closed Sun.
Otto’s Deli Fresh
Chef Otto Weibel, one of the oldest veterans of Singapore’s F&B industry, now has a restaurant in his name. It’s a welcome addition to the Holland Village neighbourhood, which has seen a lack of decent dining establishments for the longest time. The restaurant celebrates the chef’s personal tastes and skills with homespun recipes that are chock full of gourmet flavours, such as a burratina roquette salad ($17), beef stroganoff fettuccine ($17) and a 300g Heritage Kurobuta pork rack ($39) – all at superb value. You’ll find a small deli section at the front offering a curated selection of cheeses, meats, and cakes too.
Otto’s Deli Fresh is located at 118 Holland Ave, #02-01 Raffles @ Holland Village, Singapore 278997, p. +65 6694 3291. Open daily 11am – 10pm.
Yentafo Kruengsonge
We’ve all love yong tau foo, but are you aware of its roots in Thailand? Yentafo Kruengsonge has a loyal following in Bangkok, and it’s now in Singapore to dish out its version of the popular noodle dish, along with other tempting Thai specialities such as yum woonsen (glass noodle salad, $7), fried seasoned taro ($5) , and golden sesame wings ($5 for 4). The main draw is definitely the yentafo, available ‘dry’ or in a bowl of savoury pork-bone broth (both $8.50), topped with the umami pink sauce in varying levels of spiciness.
Yentafo Kruengsonge is located at Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, 8 Grange Road, #02-06A/B, Singapore 239695, p. +65 6736 0971. Open daily 10am – 10pm.
Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant
Opened by Teppei Yamashita (of Orchid Hotel’s Teppei fame), Man Man specialises in everything unagi, aka charcoal-grilled Japanese eel. You’re looking at dishes like the Una Tama Don ($18.60), essentially unagi and tamagoyaki on rice with the usual pickles and soup, and the Hitsumabushi ($26.80) – unagi don with spices and dashi. If you’re the kind that can’t stand the sight of blood, take note that chef Nakagawa will pretty much gut and skewer your fish in front of you. Otherwise, Man Man is a great place for quality eel at great prices (and without a three-month waiting time).
Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant is located at 1 Keong Saik Road, #01-01, Singapore 089109, p. +65 6222 0678. Open Mon-Sat 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm. Closed Sun.
Tsuta
Ramen is hardly the first thing one would think of when it comes to Michelin stars, but here it is, in sunny Singapore. To be exact, only the Tsuta in Tokyo is certified, but we expect the quality to be more or less consistent. The signatures are the Shoyu (soy sauce base, made with whole chickens, vegetables, clams, and other seafood) and Shio (salt base, a careful blend of Okinawa sea salt and Mongolian rock salt) ramen, both priced from $15.
Tsuta is located at #01-01 Pacific Plaza, 9 Scotts Road, Singapore 228210. Open daily 11am – 6pm.
VLV
Housed in a large 1800s heritage building right at Clarke Quay ‘s fountain square, VLV attempts to reimagine lifestyle establishments of the past in a stylish and modern affront. Led by Executive Chef Martin Foo, expect traditional Cantonese recipes with a contemporary twist, like the unique black truffle roasted duck ($90) and fried Canadian lobster wontons ($16). Come the weekend, check out the dim sum brunch buffet at $58++, with a free-flow champagne option as well.
VLV is located at Clarke Quay, 3A River Valley Road, #01-02, Singapore 179020 , p. +65 6661 0197. Open Mon-Fri 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 3am, Sat-Sun 11.30am – 3.30pm, 5pm – 3am.
New Bars in Singapore
Phat Cat Laundry
Phat Cat Laundry is the latest entrant on Jiak Chuan Road, setting up shop next to the likes of Cufflink Club and Lime House. Inspired by Chinese laundromats, this cool (and very clean) new bar has a large drinks menu with gourmet tea cocktails and original Asian-style cocktails like the Teh Botol (Red Tea Rum, Jasmine Flowers, $26) and Mango Sticky Rice (Rice Vodka, Coconut Rum, Mango Purée, Coconut Milk, $26) – best paired with the Brontosaurus Char Siu Beef Rib, and Bone Marrow Fried Rice.
Phat Cat Laundry is located at 4 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089261, p. +65 6221 8262. Open Mon-Sat 5pm – 11.45pm. Closed Sun.
Montreux Jazz Café
Named after the home of the popular jazz genre, Montreux Jazz Café (which also has six other locations around the world) offers up creative cocktails based on iconic jazz titles that even Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday would approve of. We’re talking the Feeling Good ($18), made with gin, cointreau, passion fruit, cranberry, and lychee juice, and The Girl from Ipanema ($18) – Cachaca 51, falernum, lemon and orange juice, passionfruit, and chocolate mist. It’s a glitzy and rather dark setting, apt for the frequent live jazz, soul, and blues performances that take place at night.
Montreux Jazz Café is located at Pan Pacific Orchard, 10 Claymore Road, Singapore 229540, p. +65 6733 0091. Open Sun-Thu 12pm – 12am, Fri-Sat 12pm – 1am. Closed Sun.
Top Image: VLV