PUBLISHED November 1st, 2018 06:00 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:46 pm
There are so many openings this month that we’re barely keeping up. This month is about getting in touch with nature and cultural roots – dine while surrounded by lush greenery at Faber Peak or revisit traditional Canton classics at BLOSSOM. For a tipple on a scenic rooftop bar of your choice – we have three! After all the fine and dandy, let’s not forget burgers, mazesoba, or DIY gins at the newest local distillery.
New Restaurants
Basque Kitchen
Joining the diverse range along Amoy Street is Basque Kitchen by Aitor. The casual menu presents modern reinterpretations of traditional Basque cuisine, reflecting Head Chef Aitor Jeronimo Orive’s culinary personality. Enjoy subtly layered flavours from the 7-course tasting menu ($115): Marmitako made with bonito crudo, peppers and Basque stew, and a Oxtail “Bomba” Rice – umami-packed risotto inspired by gyudon. The extensive beverage menu features more than 100 boutique references from around Spain.
Basque Kitchen by Aitor is located at 97 Amoy Street, Singapore 069917, p. 6224 2232. Open Mon-Fri 12pm-2.30pm, 6.30pm-11pm, Sat 6.30pm-11pm. Closed Sun.
Arbora
Located 100m above sea level, the newly opened Arbora seats up to 160 pax in a primarily alfresco setting. An all-day dining menu by experienced Executive Chef Kenny Yeo sees Western-style favourites with an Asian twist. The Rack of Lamb (S$36++) is served with homemade prune sauce, while the Fisherman’s Stew (S$42++) is a tomato-based seafood broth with slow-cooked baby abalones.
Arbora Hilltop Dining is located at Faber Peak, Level 2, 109 Mount Faber Road, Singapore 099203, p. +65 6377 9688. Open daily 11am – 11pm.
Pandora’s Garden
Looking for a place to enjoy a glass of rosé? The rooftop bar Pandora’s Garden houses the most comprehensive collection of rosé wines in Singapore, with over 35 different selections on hand. In addition to regular flat or sparkling, the bar also stocks ultra rare rosé champagnes such as the Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé ($1,888), 2007 Krug Rosé ($888), and Whispering Angel’s L’Esclans Gamus ($535) – named “The Greatest Rosé” by influential wine critics. Pair your glass of pink with cured meats, premium cheeses, British pork pies, and a homemade Jäermeister paté.
Pandora’s Garden is located at 28 Ann Siang Rd, Singapore 069708, p. +65 9723 9372. Open Tue-Sat 5pm – 12am.
Menya Kokoro
Menya Kokoro is one of Tokyo’s most popular mazesoba (dry ramen) restaurant chains and it’s come to Singapore. Using authentic ingredients flown in from Japan, the local outpost serves up its best-selling signature Maze-Soba ($10.80) – chewy wholewheat noodles drenched in a secret sauce and toppings like slow-braised chashu and ground saba fish. There are also three Singapore-exclusive creations: the first-of-its kind Maze-Don ($10.80), Curry Maze-Don ($13.80), and Vegan Maze-Soba ($11.80).
Menya Kokoro Singapore is located at 3 Temasek Blvd, #03-313 Suntec City Mall, Singapore 038983, p. +65 6235 3386. Open Tue-Thur 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm, Fri-Sat 11am – 10pm, Sun 11am – 9.30pm.
Three Buns Quayside
The award-winning burger brand Three Buns has set up a new home filled with up-cycled decor and furniture crafted by artisans in Surabaya. A new curated menu showcases savoury burgers with Asian twists such as the Red Man Beef Rendang Burger ($28) – spicy gula melaka and tender beef cheeks and Bun DMC ($13) with tangy watermelon relish on bawang goreng. Desserts are pretty swell too, like the Vanilla Guerilla ($9) with gula melaka coconut butterscotch sauce, sandwiched between dark chocolate demi-brioche buns.
Three Buns Quayside is located at 60 Robertson Qy, #01-01 Singapore 238252, p. +65 6909 7838, Open Tue-Fri 5pm – 12am, Sat-Sun 10am – 12am.
LINO
The name LINO originates from linen, a material used in traditional methods of pizza-making. Guided by his love of classic techniques and seasonal ingredients, Executive Chef Shaufi Yuso has created a selection of 48-hour-proofed pizzas, pastas, and small plates that centre around honest and artisanal flavours. Signature creations include the Asparagus ($28) with braised leek, scallion, garlic, goat’s cheese and pancetta, and Cappellacci ($22) with celery root and edamame. Have a look at their beverage menu for an elegant range of organic wines and digestifs.
LINO Restaurant is located at 7 Binjai Pk, Singapore 589821, p. +65 6463 7800. Open Mon-Fri 4pm – 12am, Sat-Sun 11am – 12am.
BLOSSOM
At the lobby of Marina Bay Sands Hotel, this new Chinese restaurant boasts a menu laden with authentic flavours from Beijing, Shanghai, Sichuan and Canton. Lead by Culinary Master Chef Fok Kai Yee and award-winning Executive Chef Jason Lau, expect dishes that balance tradition with the new and innovative, from a dedicated dim sum spread to seafood and roasted delights: slow-roasted organic Peking Duck ($40/half) with crispy glazed skin, and a marinated Smoked Chicken ($25/half) with fermented 15-yea-old pu er leaves.
BLOSSOM is located at L1-05, Marina Bay Sands Hotel Lobby Tower 2, 2 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018972, p. +65 6688 7799. Open Mon-Fri 11.30am – 1pm, Sat-Sun 11am – 11pm.
New Bars
Brass Lion Distillery
Want to learn more about gin? Why not pay a visit to Singapore’s first full-fledged micro distillery? Housed in a 4,000-square-foot standalone building, Brass Lion specialises in producing high-quality craft spirits in small batches. On the upper floor is a tasting room with a selection of gin tonics, classic martinis, tropical beverages, and special Brass Lion cocktails such as Matcha Baby: Brass Lion Gin ($88/bottle), yuzu jam, and matcha powder. Alternatively, take a personal tour to learn about the distilling process or attend a workshop to create your own bottled gin!
Brass Lion Distillery is located at 40 Alexandra Terrace, Singapore 119933, p. +65 6954 0602. Tasting room open Tue-Fri 5pm – 12am, Sat 2pm – 12am, Sun 2pm – 7pm.
The Other Roof
From the legends behind The Other Room (Asia’s 50 Best Bars) come this exciting rooftop bar concept, led by award-winning bartender Dario Knox. Expect hundreds of never-before-seen, world-class bespoke blends unique to The Other Roof, in particular tea-finished craft spirits and cocktails infused with special tea blends. The possibilities are quite endless, so be prepared to fall in love.
The Other Roof is located at Ann Siang House Hotel, 28 Ann Siang Rd, Singapore 069708, p. +65 6100 2882. Open Tue–Sat 4.30pm – 12am.
SKAI BAR
If you’re looking to impress your date, this newly-launched cocktail bar at SKAI will do the trick. Surrounded by panoramic views on the 70th floor of Swissôtel The Stamford, relish in a nature-inspired list that spans four contrasting altitudes. At sea level, the Samphire Cocktail ($25) is a refreshing blend of gin and salty ocean samphire. A trip to the lush Amazon is in store with Camu Camu ($25) – pisco and ultra tart camu camu powder. Meanwhile, a climb to the Summit ($25) tastes of Icelandic Glacier Vodka and volcanic rock. Mmm.
SKAI is located at 2 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178882, p. +65 6837 3322. Bar open Sun-Thu 3pm – 1am, Fri-Sat 3pm – 2am.
Top Image: SKAI Restaurant & Bar