PUBLISHED May 14th, 2017 11:45 pm | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:47 pm
We’re now well into May, and with it comes a slew of spanking new restaurants and bars in Singapore for you to discover! And as it turns out, Asian flavours (whether Chinese, Japanese, or Indian) appear to be trending this month.
New Restaurants
Sens Singapore
At last, another Japanese restaurant at Holland Village. Housed within the gourmet grocer TASTE, Sens Singapore dishes out a dazzling array of contemporary Japanese fare across sashimi, sushi, teppanyaki, as well as omakase, alongside a large selection of sake, Japanese craft beers, and even wines from different Japanese regions. Looking for a quick lunch or indulgent dinner? Try the Miyazaki Wagyu Tataki, Kurobuta Rosu Katsu, or Sashimi Moriawase Mix.
Sens Singapore is located at 118 Holland Avenue, Raffles Holland V, Singapore 278997, p. +65 6262 5618. Open daily 11am – 11pm.
Guenpin Fugu
Always wanted to try the infamous puffer fish? Guenpin Fugu is Japan’s largest fugu restaurant chain, and it’s just opened its first-ever overseas outlet here. Savour rare torafugu (the highest-grade fugu on the market) in different styles: thinly-sliced (tessa), thick slices (butsusashi), deep-fried (karaage), grilled, hotpot, and even with porridge! And that’s not all: the restaurant also offers exquisite snow crab dishes that complement the delicacy to a tee, available à la carte from $15 or as a set lunch (from $26).
Guenpin Fugu is located at 32 Maxwell Rd #01-06, Maxwell Chambers, Singapore 069115, p. +65 6634 2916. Open Mon-Fri 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 12am. Sat-Sun 5pm – 12am.
Coriander Leaf Grill
Coriander Leaf Grill is the latest concept by CHIJMES’ much-lauded Pan Asian restaurant Coriander Leaf, presenting a menu of modern charcoal-grilled dishes embellished by Asian elements. Complete with an outdoor terrace that offers views of the Chinatown heritage district, the restaurant sees offerings like the Black Angus Burger ($23), Watermelon and Turkish Cheese Salad ($16) and Roasted Hen with Thyme and Grilled Lemon ($23). Those, and a robust assortment of fine wine and beers.
Coriander Leaf Grill is located at 12 Ann Siang Rd, Singapore 069692, p. +65 6222 7276. Open Mon-Fri 11am – 2.30pm, Mon-Sat 6.30pm – 10.30pm. Closed Sun.
Steamroom with The Pillar and Stones
This new multi-concept space at Orchard Centrals is many things at once: a kaffatea room (Steamroom), a restaurant (The Pillar), as well as a retail and art laboratory of sorts (Stones). It’s a daring concept by Austrian Executive Chef Stephan Zoisl for sure, incorporating art and design pieces into a delightful repertoire of affordable bistro-style cuisine, with the likes of Spanner Crab Salad ($15), 2015L Slider ($19), Coal Smoked Red Snapper ($28), and Ghost Kimchi ($8).
Steamroom with The Pillar and Stones is located at #03-08 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238896, p. +65 6592 0571. Open daily 10am – 10pm.
O Mamma Mia Sapore Italiano
The same people who brought us the beloved yoghurt brand llaollao now presents O Mamma Mia Sapore Italiano, which currently boasts 23 outlets across Spain. Now available at two heartland malls islandwide, look out for the same authentic pizzas handmade with exquisite premium ingredients – Boletus mushrooms, Italian tomatoes, and cheeses included – from Italy, such as the signature O Mamma Mia, Prosciutto, cheesy Bufala D.O.C, and Pizza Nutella for dessert.
O Mamma Mia Sapore Italiano is located at #01-K04 Causeway Point, Singapore 738099 & #01-11 The Clementi Mall, Singapore 129588.
Goldleaf Taiwan Restaurant (Katong)
Goldleaf Restaurant may be a name familiar to fans of Taiwanese cooking, having been serving Taiwan-style porridge together with classic Chinese dishes here for 45 years. After stints along the iconic Orchard Road stretch and another outlet at Amoy Street, its new Katong outlet continues to stay true to original recipes passed down from generation to generation. Highlights include the Goldleaf Pork Ribs ($18), Three-Cup Chicken with Basil Leaves ($14), Curry Leaf Chicken ($12), and Signature Cod with Specialty Sauce ($12/100g).
Goldleaf Restaurant is located at 86 East Coast Rd, Katong Square, Singapore 428788, +65 6344 1735. Open Mon-Thu 11am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm, Fri-Sat 11am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 12am, Sun 11am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10pm.
Be Frank
While not a restaurant per se, Be Frank certainly deserves a spot on this list. The kiosk concept dishes out piping hot gourmet dogs for customers on the go, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it soon becomes Singapore’s go-to spot for gourmet wieners. Where the magic really happens is in the homemade toppings, specially conceptualised to offer several unique flavour profiles, including ingredients like Raclette cheese (Bac & Cheese, $6.50), juicy minced beef (Coney’s Island, $6.50), slivers of caramelised onions, and chunky mashed potato (S’mash, $6.50).
Be Frank is located at #B1-K26 Paragon, 290 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238859. Open daily 10am – 9.30pm.
New Bars
Lulu’s Lounge
Need a spot to relax till the wee hours? Lulu’s Lounge, located next to Pan Pacific Hotel, adds a new dynamic 1960s burlesque experience to the Singapore nightclub scene, offering guests a quirky and outlandish lounge and dance floor, outdoor terrace, and a norm-defying entertainment programme. Expect playful twists on classic cocktails like the spicy Va Va Voom ($24) – Ilegal Mezcal, housemade grenadine, chilli-flavoured ice cubes), Take Me To Fiji ($26 – Diplomatico Rum, Aperol, Cherry Brandy), and White Sangria ($26) which is, you know, fruity wine with some Vodka.
Lulu’s Lounge is located at 7 Raffles Blvd, Pan Pacific Hotel, p. +65 8322 4182. Open Wed-Sat 9pm – 6am.
Flying Monkey
This new bar on Bussorah street is all funky and exotic, featuring a colourful drinks programme put together by Head Bartender Kannan “The Beard” with Indian-influenced drinks like the gingery Flying Monkey ($18) spiked with jaggery syrup or The West Indian ($20) – a refreshing cocktail that utilises coconut water, ground cardamom, yellow chartreuse, and Plantation 3 Stars White Rum. It’s not all drinks at the Flying Monkey either; you’ll find contemporary Indian tapas and bar grub too.
Flying Monkey is located at 67 Bussorah St, Singapore 199480. p. +65 6291 0695. Open daily 11.30am – 11pm.
Ishizuchi Sake Bar
With 100 years of sake brewing history, it’s no surprise that Ishizuchi is considered one of Japan’s best sake makers, which makes us all the more excited about Emporium Shokuhin’s new Ishizuchi Sake Bar – the first of its kind in the world. The small bar offers top-quality Ishizuchi sakes that are made with the famous pure spring water from Mt. Ishizuchi (the highest summit in Japan), including its award-winning, Daiginjo Daiyuho, Gentei Daiginjo Muroka Genshu, and Junmai Daiginjo (which is incidentally served to Japan Airlines’s First Class guests).
Ishizuchi Sake Bar is located at Emporium Shokuhin, 6 Raffles Boulevard, #01-18 Marina Square, Singapore 039594, p. +65 6812 2153. Open daily 12pm – 12am.
Top Image: Coriander Leaf Grill