Foodie News Flash: Best New Restaurants in Singapore this May

We’ve got the lowdown on all the hot new restaurants in Singapore this month, mama!

Hey, mama! Need a quick shot of inspiration for a night out on the town (no kids that is!)? Here’s our pick of Singapore’s latest restaurants and newest bars, condensed and served up in tasty bite-sized pieces just for you.

Alpine cuisine? Does that conjure up cheese fondue and schnapps? If so, you’re in for an education (both foodie and geographical) at Zott’s True Alps. This Alpine restaurant’s German owner, Christian Zott is drawing on cuisine influences from the six main countries that border the Alps. How’s your geography? That’s France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia. Does the cuisine yodel loud and clear in true Alpine spirit? Well, the menu ranges from classics like Wiener Schnitzel ($48), Bratkartoffeln (crispy pan-fried potatoes with ham and onions $14) and Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake) as a main course/dessert ($32/$24) to the more unusual, including kinky items like Bondage Chicken ($36). And for those that can’t get their heads around the fact the you could possibly order anything other than fondue, there’s always the ZOTT’S Fondue of melted Emmenthaler, Appenzeller, and Gruyere cheese served with vegetables, fruit, potatoes and rye bread ($54). Zott’s True Alps, 97 Amoy Street, Singapore 069917. Tel: (+65) 6223 0913.

Walk into Manor Cocktail Room on Ann Siang Hill and you’ll be greeted with chesterfield sofas and homey mismatched armchairs, with a stag’s antlers on the wooden wall. If a couple of old English boys in their country gear were sipping G&T’s in the corner, you probably wouldn’t blink an eye. This is where Din Hassan, one of Singapore’s biggest cocktail names reigns (he consulted for Lucha Loco’s cocktails a while back and was last behind the bar at his joint Bitters & Love). Try their Breakfast ($20) a vodka based cocktail with all the quirky hints of breakfast from marmalade to English breakfast tea, all topped off with egg whites. Or go for Campbell’s ($20) – this Andy Warhol inspired drink sees in tequila and a refreshing blend of red pepper and celery juice. Line your stomach with Cajun Baby Back Ribs ($24), Breaded Jalapeno Poppers ($14), Truffle Fries ($14) Calamari ($14) and pizza. Manor Cocktail Room, 8 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069788. Tel: (+65) 9696 6695.

NOLA: “New Orleans, Louisiana” inspired comfort food arrives with Life is Beautiful — an edgy joint in Duxton Hill with a distinct industrial feel. Think Southern dishes like Roasted Bone Marrow Brioche with Horseradish ($21) and 3-day Soaked Buttermilk Fried Chicken ($38 for 2 peeps). We even spotted crocodile on the menu (Gator & Fennel Boudin $28)! In the kitchen is Chef Robert Staedler, previously head chef of Ku De Ta Bali, bringing with him the Ku De Ta spirit of dinner turning to cocktail bar turning to club, with DJs pumping the volume from Wednesdays to Saturdays till the early hours. Watch out for their quarterly Sunday brunch fair (11 May), featuring musicians, local artistes and designers, with canvas painting for the kids! Life is Beautiful, 99 Duxton Road, Singapore 089543. Tel: (+65) 6423 0939.

Manhattan, a 19th century New York styled grand hotel bar of yesteryear where gentleman sat and admired their whiskies in hand. They claim the world’s first in-hotel rick house (which is a posh name for a whisky warehouse) where over 100 American oak barrels are used to finish whiskies and spirits in house. Fancy a classic Manhattan? Enter gleaming trolleys laden with rare spirits, artisanal vermouths and bitters, so your cocktail can be made truly bespoke. Even the ice is taken seriously (and hand cut in different shapes to complement each drink). Nibble on pan-American gourmet bar bites like Citrusy Shrimp Ceviche Tacos topped with Bloody Mary cocktail sauce ($20), fresh Maine Lobster “Roll” ($26) and Street Style Hot Dogs ($15), and to finish The Big Apple Cheesecake ($10) and Bourbon-infused Donuts ($10). Regent Singapore, 1 Cuscaden Road, Level 2, Singapore 249715. Tel: 6720 8000.

While schlepping all the way to Resorts World for some fodder may seem far-fetched, if you live ‘on the island’ or you’re there for a day’s worth of entertainment at Universal Studios or the Aquarium, take note. PISCO South American Kitchen and Bar (managed by Deliciae, the people who brought us Sabio and L’Entrecote) has just opened at RWS. They serve dishes from South America (from Peru to Chile) and specialise in ceviches (six different types of raw seafood salad marinated in citrus), Prawn based citrus-y Mambas ($13) and passion-fruity Conchas Borrachas ($15) with scallops. Plus there’s Beef Empanadas ($14), Manchego Cheese Quesadillas ($9.50) and lots of grilled meats (rib eye steak $39) and seafood, like their Whole Red Snapper grilled in Banana Leaves ($30) to choose from. PISCO, 26 Sentosa Gateway, Festive Walk #01-231/232 Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore 098138. Tel: 6795 4720.

Editor’s Pick! 
Whether it’s for a good value business lunch or an intimate dinner, Sprigs, a modern clean cut restaurant on Purvis Street, has it covered. Starters like Grilled Langoustine ($26) pack a tasty punch despite being rather modest in size, while delicious mains of Australian Pork Tenderloin with Apple and Sage ($28) speak of great ingredients, fine cooking and delicate presentation. In the kitchen is Chef de Cuisine Shubri, formerly from upmarket (and distinctly pricier) Gunther’s next door. Lunch here won’t burn much of a hole in your wallet, with dishes like sous vide Confit Scandinavian Salmon ($16.9) – a meltingly soft salmon served with couscous, glazed zucchini and dill emulsion – and the Pork Milanese ($16.9) in panko bread crumbs with lemon caper sauce and salad (which of course means you’re allowed dessert!). Don’t miss the Crispy Chocolate and Caramel Crumble ($12) a chocolate and toffee-layered mousse with sea salt crunchy crumble. Hmmm-mm! Sprigs, 12 Purvis Street #01-01, Singapore 188591. Tel: (+65) 6338 5844.

Little Hiro is a new Hawaiian-Japanese BBQ & Grill taking over the Burger Shack spot at King’s Arcade. This super colourful casual diner is still linked to Island Creamery – it’s basically just undergone a rebrand (so expect the same student following and stock of ice cream). Some of the old favourites from the burger shack menu remain but there’s some quirky new bites too –check out their Sanzoku Pepper Beef and Chicken Karaage Ramen Burgers ($8.90) where the ‘bun’ is made from… ramen noodles! Say what? Little Hiro, 559 Bukit Timah Road, #01-01 King’s Arcade, Singapore 269695. Tel: (+65) 6466 3477.