PUBLISHED November 2nd, 2017 07:00 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:47 pm
From comforting Singapore fare and premium steaks to Spanish tapas and Japanese-inspired burgers, these new restaurants and bars have opened up in time for the year-end festive gathering season.
New Restaurants
Blackwattle
Chef Clayton Wells, the man behind Automata in Sydney (located in the Old Clare Hotel), has opened a second restaurant with the Unlisted Collection. And this time, it’s on none other than Amoy Street. Named after species of trees native to Australia, Blackwattle serves up contemporary Australian dishes inspired by Chef Clayton’s travels. Savour the bold flavours as you dine on the Grilled beef short rib, carrot & kelp puree, dill pickled cucumber and Charred octopus, fennel, squid ink, XO & red vinegar at this new kid on the block.
Blackwattle is located at 97 Amoy Street, Singapore 069917, p. +65 6224 2232. Opens Mon-Fri 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm; Sat 6pm – 11pm.
Publico Deli
Situated in the newly opened InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay in the midst of new lifestyle enclave The Quayside, Publico Deli serves up all-day Italian breakfast in a large delicatessen. Have a leisurely breakfast or lunch within the vibrant, trattoria-esque space, paired with coffee by local coffee roasters Liberty Coffee. Highlights include the Tostada Catalana ($16; grated tomato, Pata Negra, sourdough) and Mediterranean Scramble ($19; scrambled egg whites, Mediterranean-spiced yoghurt, chicken breast). Stay long enough for it to go dark, and Publico Deli splits into two concepts – a dessert cafe and cocktail bar Marcello.
Publico Deli is located at 1 Nanson Rd, InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay, Singapore 238909, p. +65 6826 5041. Opens daily 6.30am – midnight.
Kabuke
Learn more about the art of sake at new sake gastrobar Kabuke, located in the heritage shophouse neighbourhood of Telok Ayer. Pairing the Japanese rice wine with food, get cosy in the intimate space as you feast on the dishes prepared with a recommended sake in mind – lunch sees a number of beef and pork bowls like the Wagyu Suki Bowl ($18) with add-on uni (sea urchin) and foie gras, while dinner offers up light bites of Crispy Goma Goma Wings ($12) or heavier Mini Umami Bomb rice bowls packed full of flavour.
Kabuke is located at 200A Telok Ayer Street, Level 2, Singapore 068638, p. +65 8822 5525. Opens Mon-Thu 11.30am – 2pm, 5pm – 11pm; Fri 11.30am – 2pm, 5pm – 12am; Sat 5pm – 12am. Closed Sun.
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Singapore
Famous for its dry-aged beef and having opened in various Asian cities before making it’s way here, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse has made its Singapore home in Robertson Quay’s The Quayside. Feast on tender sub-primal cuts of prime USDA Black Angus meat, dry aged in a specially-designed aging room for 28 days, and match them with a selection of signature side dishes, for a decadent dinner paired with wine.
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Singapore is located at 1 Nanson Road, #02-01 InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay, Singapore 238909, p. +65 6887 5885. Opens daily 11.30am – 11.30pm.
Ishi
Experience the traditional Japanese kaiseki at Ishi, a new dining option opened with Intercontinental Singapore Robertson Quay and sister restaurant to modern Izakaya IZY Dining & Bar. Seating up to 28 diners including three private dining rooms, dine on the finest and freshest seasonal ingredients imported from Japan, while revelling in the calming, zen-like ambience as you feast.
Ishi is located at 1 Nanson Road, #02-06 InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay, Singapore 238909, p. +65 9829 8239. Opens Tue-Sat 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm. Closed Mon.
B Burger
Umami is the word at B Burger, where the team serves up a combination of familiar Japanese flavours into the classic American burger. Expect two halves of a bun with Japaese-style filling – sink your teeth into fried chicken karaage in the Karate Burger ($7.90) packed with condiments such as wafu slaw and daikon pickles, or into Japanese-style beef curry and cheese in the Curry Cheese Burger, ($8.90 for single, $11.90 for double). Finish off with their indulgent desserts of frozen concretes (a slab of icecream and toppings) and toasted marshmallow milkshakes.
B Burger is located at 8 Grange Road, #01-01/02 Orchard Cathay Cineleisure, Singapore 239695. Opens daily 12pm – 10pm.
La Pepa
If you’re craving Spanish tapas, try out La Pepa, the latest opening on Gemmil Lane. Focusing on accessible yet traditional dishes and drinks, La Pepa’s fare ranges from light to heavy – refreshing bites include the Ensalada Pepa (garden salad with heirloom tomatoes, manchego cheese, fresh mandarins and Spanish Marcona almonds), while hearty mains include a stable of paellas, such as the Squid Ink. For home chefs, La Pepa also features a Spanish gourmet grocer, Mercado, which stocks an array of specialty olive oils, vinegars, preserved vegetables and dips, cured meats and seafood.
La Pepa is located at 10 Gemmill Lane, Singapore 069251, p. +65 9830 0908. Opens Mon-Fri 12pm – 3pm, 6.30pm – 12am; Sat 6.30pm – 12am. Closed Sun.
Hawker Heroes
Enjoy your favourite hawker dishes in air-conditioned comfort at Hawker Heroes, the latest concept by the Pezzo Group. Collaborating with entrepreneuring hawkers to bring their food to malls, the first Hawker Heroes brings Ru Ji Kitchen and Hong Seng Curry Rice from Redhill Hawker Centre to the north, where you can now try the famed Hainanese curry rice and handmade fishball noodles from both stalls.
Hawker Heroes is located at 930 Yishun Avenue 2, #01-07 Singapore 769098. Opens daily 7am – 10pm.
New Bars
Marcello
Opened along with Publico Deli at InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay, the first Italian craft cocktail bar Marcello takes over half the space come nightfall to mix a fine Negroni or two. Highlights include the Smoked Black Olive Negroni and the Cinema Paradiso, which goes well with Marcello’s food offerings of Truffle Arancini and Golden Ages of Parmigiano platter, best for gatherings into the night when the table needs a bite.
Marcello is located at 1 Nanson Rd, InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay, Singapore 238909, p. +65 6826 5041. Opens Sun-Wed 5pm – 12am, Thu-Sat 5pm – 1am.
Aloha Poké Tiki Bar
Most of you know of Aloha Poké, one of the pioneers that started the trend in Singapore. It’s since expanded beyond its original outlet in Amoy Street, and one of their new ventures involve a transformation of their flagship joint into a tiki bar when the sun sets. Crowd favourites include the rum-based Fiery Passion ($18) with lime, lemongrass and vanilla, served in a flaming passionfruit, as well as the Mauna Loa ($18), a gin and aperol cocktail infused with bacon wood-chip smoke. Want something to munch on with your tropical cocktails? The peckish can go for sides such as Musubi ($11, spam sushi) and Roasted Pork Belly ($12), served with charred pineapple cubes, while those looking for dinner can still find Aloha Poké signature bowls on the menu – if the options are still available after a long day.
Aloha Poké Tiki Bar is located at 92 Amoy Street, Singapore 069911, p. +65 6221 6165. Opens Mon-Sat 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm till late. Closed Sun and Public Holidays.
Top image: Publico Deli