

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.
Two newbies open in the same ‘hood:
Further up the hill, there’s Alba 1836 for some Italian fine dining. Alessandro Frau, Chef Owner of Acqua (Phuket) and winner of Thailand’s Iron Chef, who designed the menu and fired up the kitchens, has now left things in the safe Sardinian hands of Chef Luca Piras. Chef Frau however will still be jetting back and forth from Phuket to keep an eye on things and keep the menu fresh. For starters, there is a plethora of fresh ingredient-led dishes starring Burrata cheese, raw Sicilian prawns, and various carpaccios (a good sign that they really respect the ingredients they work with) or you can try the slow cooked Octopus Salad with Fennel Leaves, Celery and Taggiasche Olives ($28). Of the first courses, the comforting moreish Saffron Risotto with Stracchino Cheese, Sea Urchin and Caviar ($40) and the Home Made Ravioli Agnolotti stuffed with Burrata and Black Truffle with Ossobuco Ragout ($35) were scrape-the-plate winners. It is striking how interesting and varied the menu is, and the mains keep up the surprises with dishes like Roasted Lamb Loin in a Sardinian Pecorino Cheese Crust, Stewed Artichokes “Cacciatora” Style ($42) and Oven Roasted Suckling Pig with a Millefeuille of Potato and Goat’s Cheese, Broad Beans Frittata and Suckling Pig Jus ($50). Leave room for the gelati for dessert – it’s pretty special stuff. Ladies who lunch best look here too – the set lunch is fantastic value at $35 for three courses (doubly so given the range of menu choices). Midweek ‘meetings’ will never be the same again – especially once you clock their wine machines offering 40 (that’s no typo!) choices of wine by the glass! Alba 1836, 28 Duxton Hill #01-01, Singapore 089610. Tel: (+65) 6222 2048.
The name of this traditional coffee shop, Sin Lee Foods, doesn’t belie the urban feel of this new unassuming café, which actually inherited the name from the former shop occupant who used to serve prawn noodles. Once you find this out of the way, hole-in-the-wall, restaurant tucked underneath an HDB, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. On the menu are unusual dishes – their Fried Chicken & Waffles ($21.90) has everyone talking, there’s Spud & Fish ($16) comprising a slab of layered russet potatoes topped with cold smoked salmon and a soft egg, or try their Foie Gras Danish ($22) if you dare – pan roasted duck liver with a raisin danish, Nutella, cucumber and dressed beets! But what we really recommend is that you tuck into the restaurant’s Soft Shell Bun ($17) – panko encrusted soft shell crab, a lick of spice and some slaw in a brioche style toasted bun served with fries – deelish! For dessert, there are waffles galore or try their hot mini doughnuts ($8.50) with daily changing dips (like poached apple jelly and marshmallow cream). A very worthwhile destination to stroll off the beaten path to, if you’re in the Tiong Bahru neighbourhood that is. Sin Lee Foods, 4 Jalan Bukit Ho Swee #01-164, Singapore 162004. Tel: (+65) 6377 3170.