PUBLISHED July 28th, 2016 11:26 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:47 pm
As Singapore moves into National Day month and anticipates the impending F1 mania, it’s business as usual with new restaurants and bars opening in Singapore. In this edition, highlights include two new clean eats in the CBD, an incredibly popular pizza chain from the UK, and more rum than you can imagine.
New Restaurants in Singapore
LongQing
Despite our sweltering climate, we love our hotpots and a new one has joined the fray on trendy Hong Kong Street. LongQing’s concrete walls are marked by street-style murals, giving it an edgier feel than most of the steamboat places we’ve been to. Soups include spicy mala, tomato, and their signature clear broth while ingredients are available a la carte or as a pre-selected set for two.
LongQing is located at 18 Hong Kong Street, Singapore 059661, p. 6533 1618. Open Tue-Sun 5.30pm-11pm. Closed Mondays.
PizzaExpress
The retail slump means that to survive, malls need to now court F&B brands like PizzaExpress, a popular pizzeria chain that has come a long way (more than 500 outlets around the world) since the first restaurant opened in London’s Wardour Street. Expect a gourmet selection of pastas and handmade pizzas like the calabrese pizza with soft n’duja sausages, Hawaiian with sweet chilli pineapple chutney, and the buffalo mozzarella.
PizzaExpress is located at #B1-08/09 Scotts Square, 6 Scotts Road, Singapore 228209. Open 11.30am-10pm daily.
A Poke Theory
What started with the seasoning of the cut offs from Hawaiian fishermen’s catch has become an increasingly popular healthy raw food salad (and trend) in Singapore. A Poke Theory dishes out dressed tuna and salmon atop your choice of rice, quinoa, or romaine lettuce. The poke bowls are available in two sizes based on the weight of the fish, 100g and 150g. They also have superfood smoothie bowls going at $6 each.
A Poke Theory is located at 27 Boon Tat Street, Singapore 069623. Open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-3pm. Closed Sundays.
Kitchen by Food Rebel
Kitchen by Food Rebel might not be exactly new, but hey, better late than never. The delicious new menu at this independent health food joint is a collaboration between owner and health coach Elika Mather and Head Chef Yuliya Tyschenko; think organic clean eating food – like the Bolognese with zucchini noodles – that leaves you satisfied because your body has everything (fats, carbs, and proteins) it needs.
Kitchen by Food Rebel is located at 28 Stanley Street, Singapore 068737, p. 6224 7088. Open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm. Closed Saturdays and Sundays.
Xiao Ya Tou
Literally meaning ‘little lass’ in Mandarin, relive the Duxton neighbourhood of the 1950s and 60s at Xiao Ya Tao with the large red lanterns hanging above the entrance, and seating in the form of plastic red stools and plastic-topped tables outdoors. Food-wise, expect your favourite local food with a twist – like this Oil Fried Soon Hock with tamarind gochujang (Korean spice paste), coriander, red chilli, and spring onions.
Xiao Ya Tou is located at 6 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089592, p. 6226 1965. Open Mon-Tue 11am-12am, Wed-Thu 5pm-12am, Fri 11am-12am, Sat 9am-12am, Sun 9am-5pm.
Monkswood
By the folks behind Cantonese roast meat restaurant Char – which has moved to Jalan Besar – Monkswood serves up comforting British pub grub. Think traditional fare like Steak & Ale Pie, Fish & Chips (mushy peas included), and Scotch Eggs. Those on a lookout for a weekend roast can try their rendition of Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding and Roast Potatoes. Wash everything down with craft ales on tap from English breweries.
Monkswood is located at 393 Guillemard Road, Singapore 399790, p. 9030 8392. Open Tue-Thu 11.30am-2.30pm, 6pm-10.30pm, Fri 11.30am-2.30pm, 6pm-11pm, Sat-Sun 11.30am-11pm. Closed Mondays.
New Bars in Singapore
Bago at Lime House
Singapore’s original Carribean restaurant Lime House has added a laid back cocktail bar on the second level. Conceptualised in collaboration with Global Rum Ambassador Ian Burell, Bago is host to more than 150 types of rum and rum infusions that you can enjoy neat or in a cocktail. If you’re wondering how it got its name, Bago is an abbreviation of Tobago, where owner Chris Morris hails from.
Bago at Lime House is located at Level 2, 2 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089260, p. 6222 3130. Open Wed-Sat 6pm-12.30am, Sun 3pm-11pm. Closed Mon, Tue, and public holidays.
Artemis Bar
Artemis, a Mediterranean grill restaurant in the CBD focused on sustainable food, has launched their new bar, located at their breezy outdoor terrace. With Rico Deang behind the stick – the man was a familiar face for us at CUT by Wolfgang Puck in Marina Bay Sands – tippleholics can imbibe crafty cocktails like Eastern Promise, a concoction of two types of whiskies, rosemary, becherovka, and lemon.
Artemis Bar is located at Level 40 CapitaGreen, 138 Market Street, Singapore 048946, p. 6635 8677. Open Mon-Sat 5pm till late. Closed Sundays.
Chimichanga
Named after the popular deep-fried burrito popular in Tex-Mex cuisine, this Mexican dive bar in Little India serves up tacos and quesadillas stuffed with carnitas, spicy chicken, and shrimp with avocado, as well as other bar bites like chipotle wings and jalapeno poppers. Tipples on the menu include mezcal-based margaritas, the Paloma, and basic bottled beers.
Chimichanga is located at 36 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209364, p, 6293 3314. Open Mon-Tue 11am-11pm, Wed-Sat 11am-12am. Closed Sundays.
Caché
Located within Izy Dining & Bar, Caché is a Japanese cocktail bar helmed by bar manager Shinya Koba and barman Gento Torigata. With the Japanese bartender’s religious embrace of perfection, expect well-balanced classic and modern cocktails. For the month of August, they’re presenting three National Day cocktails like the Cha Cha Cha inspired by Masala chai – a Ceylon tea infused rum, roasted hojicha, lemongrass and chrysanthemum.
Caché is located at 27 Club Street, Singapore 069413, p. 9678 0027. Open Mon-Sat 5pm-1am. Closed Sundays.
Top Image: A Poke Theory