Foodie News Flash: New Restaurants in Singapore this February

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-size pieces just for you. Check out this month’s serving, from unbeatable burgers, to authentic Italian, to a health-conscious juicery. 

*EDITOR’S PICK*
Teepee Kitchen & Bar  – Back-alley Burgers & Bar

There’s no signage for Teepee Kitchen & Bar at this new hipster spot on Hong Kong street (look for the lit up ’31’ sign on the street instead). You’ll be greeted by the bar first; pull up a bar pew or grab one of the few table seats at this small outfit which is all industrial walls and minimal decor  in keeping with its no-fuss back alley feel. The very cool soundtrack is Latin American beats. What’s for chow? Burgers (made with wondrous brioche buns) like the Umami Swiss ($18) of beef, mushrooms, cheese and caramelised onions, and the Spiced Kimchi Beef Burger ($19) of a decently thick beef patty, salad, kimchi and cheese, all served with fries. We went for the garlic vinegar fries ($2 extra) and they very nearly stole the show – huge beasts dusted with garlic and sprayed with vinegar. Alongside the burger menu is a Rice Bowl menu: Crispy Chicken ($16), Pork Belly Kimchi ($22) and a Wagyu Beef Bowl which consists of grilled wagyu, 63C egg, leek sauce, and garlic sautéed kale. Bar bites include alluring Croquettes ($8) made with sweet potato and parma ham, Pork Buns ($9), and freshly shucked Oysters ($24 for 6 pieces). Wash this down with a few cold beers or  cocktails shaken up at the counter.

Teepee Kitchen & Bar, 31 HongKong Street, #01-02 Singapore 059670, Tel: (+65) 6225 0025, www.teepee.com.sg

*EDITOR’S PICK*
The Summerhouse – Seletar ‘Nature Inspired’ Fine Dining

The Summerhouse is the fine dining jewel in the crown of new foodie destination The Oval in the redeveloped Seletar Aerospace Park. Set in an ex-RAF commander’s black and white bungalow, this multi concept space houses a casual cafe Wildseed (see below) while The Summerhouse upstairs does fine dining dinners (with lunches to come). At the helm is German chef Florian Ridder, who is no stranger to Michelin stars with tenures at 1-Michelin-star Piment, 3-Michelin-star La Belle Epoque in Germany, and most recently sous chef of the Michelin-starred Alma by Juan Amador at Goodwood Park Hotel. The menu is “nature-inspired” with produce from the backdoor edible garden and locally grown as much as possible. Plump for one of the tasting menus (6 courses for $90 or 10 courses for $128), though there are a la carte options too.

The sourdough and house-made butter, made with yoghurt cultures for added tang, is particularly good. You may be treated to Buckwheat Porridge, a comforting bowl of creamy, chewy buckwheat, sunflower and pumpkin seeds with smoky bacon and parmesan crisps. Or the deceivingly simple German dish of Iberico pork, brined, smoked and then  cooked sous vide for 3 days resulting in clean, sweet smoky flavours, or the Australian Mayura beef (the cows are fed cacao!) with slivers of pickled pumpkin. To end, a refreshing tropical dessert of guava yoghurt, lychee-coconut mousse, raspberry puree and rose meringue. This Chef is one to watch.

The Summerhouse, The Oval, 3 Park Lane Singapore 798387, Tel: (+65) 6262 1063, www.thesummerhouse.sg

*EDITOR’S PICK*
Wildseed – Countryside-style Brunch Cafe at Seletar

Wildseed is the ground floor casual cafe of The Summerhouse. A florist is to the left, to the right, Wildseed with both indoor and alfresco seating. This is the spot for families, dog walkers and cyclists alike. Order at the counter and eye up the house-made patisseries and cakes. Tables heave with a colourful spread of brunch goodies, smoothies and juices while the coffee is by Nomad the Gallant. All Day Breakfast ($28pp) consists of a choice of eggs, a small plate of of European cheeses, cold cut meats, homemade artisanal jams like passion fruit, papaya and chocolate spread and breads and croissants. Also on the menu: Corn Pancakes ($8) or Kaya Toast ($8) – an interesting rendition of the local breakfast favourite made with a pocket of sourdough roll stuffed full with kaya jam and topped with shredded coconut and served with a soft wobbly egg.

Wildseed at The Summerhouse, 3 Park Lane Singapore, The Oval, www.thesummerhouse.sg

*EDITOR’S PICK*
Acqua e Farina – Authentic Italian at Rail Mall

Acqua e Farina is pure Italian through and through – set up by two Italian chef-owners Roberto Galbiati (formerly of Galbiati Gourmet Deli) and Antonio Manetto (formerly owner of Pizza Bella and Pasta Bella). Let’s talk about their pizzas ($18-26) – the dough is left to rise for a whopping 30 hours – that officially (in our books anyway) qualifies their pizza for trend-alert slow food status! The flavourful crust is Neapolitan-style; thin, chewy and light. Pizza Acqua E Farina ($25) is topped with spicy salami, tomatoes, mozzarella, ricotta and sautéed spinach and is a winner. But it is their ‘Barcas’ ($25-26) that will have us going back again for more. Barca means boat in Italian –  due to the boat like shape of these open pizzas that resemble Turkish Pide. The Barcas are filled with tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella and then either Italian sausage or Parma Ham. The usual Italian staples are found here from Linguine ai Frutti di Mare ($26), to Risotto alla Zafferano e Salsiccia ($23) of creamy al dente saffron risotto with fennel pork sausage. This spot oozes authentic Italian and that is mostly down to the Italian chef and owners who are in the restaurant daily; you can’t beat a true Italian accent and the warm Italian hospitality. By the way, don’t miss their Piatto di Dolci ($14), a pretty portion of mini desserts for those that are decision-shy.

Acqua e Farina, The Rail Mall, 400 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 678050, Tel: (+65) 6462 0926, www.facebook.com/acquaefarinasg

Upper Place – Mod-Asian Fine Dining Wangz Hotel

Wangz Hotel rooftop sees a new concept with Upper Place taking over the very bright space – think floor-to-ceiling windows that curve around the whole side of the odd shaped building with view of Tiong Bahru’s modest skyline. The cuisine by Chef Gregory Lau is modern Asian. For starters, the very artistic offering of fresh Yellow Fin Tuna Tartare Tart with Avocado ($14), or the mini portions of Slow Cooked Pork Belly Tacos ($10 for 3) made with cubed pork belly in sweet homemade barbecue sauce with coriander, red cabbage and a squeeze of lime. Short Ribs Congee with veal sweetbreads ($17) didn’t quite deliver in flavour or texture but wow, the Reconstructed Laksa Risotto ($27) was a mood lifter with the laksa-infused sambal risotto cooked perfectly, topped with coconut foam, a small sliver of Boston Lobster, a whole Hokkaido Scallop, and some mussels.

Upper Place, Wangz Hotel, Rooftop, 231 Outram Road, Singapore 169040, Tel: (+65) 9643 4366, www.wangzhotel.com/eatdining

The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough – Small Sourdough Bakery

The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough has popped up at Serene Centre offering goodies from crackly brown country loaves, to buns and even doughnuts, all made with sourdough. The husband and wife team keep things interesting — every day the menu changes. We found cacao and cayenne-dusted sourdough doughnuts alongside chocolate and sea salt cookies. There might be orange currant buns or Kanelbullar. Bread and sweet treats are ready between 9am and 10am. They do drip and cold brew coffee (no cappuccino machine) and made-from-scratch dark chocolate cinnamon milk ($6). The cafe opens at 8am for sourdough toast with homemade nut butter, honey and sea salt ($3.50), or sage cream cheese with berry compote ($4). These guys are into their fermented food so in the works are homemade kimchi, sauerkraut and fermented drinks. For now they do grilled sandwiches with tapenade and mozzarella ($9) and kimchee cheddar ($7), with Fridays being sourdough pizza night ($18 each) from 6pm till sellout.

The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough, 10 Jalan Serene, #01-05 Singapore 528748, Tel: (+65) 9816 6251, www.woodlandssourdough.bigcartel.com

EGA Juice Clinic – Turmeric Lattes & Cold Pressed ‘Medicinal’ Juices

A few doors down is EGA Juice Clinic – this little hole in the wall shop carries freshly squeezed juices made with health in mind. EGA (Age backwards, as in reverse ageing) is Ayurvedic-based. Pop in for a body type consultation or just for a cold pressed juice like ‘Sunshine’ (250ml $8.50) of Orange Turmeric and Ginger, or some cold pressed Vanilla Coffee ($8.50). They also do Turmeric Lattes (of turmeric, homemade almond milk and soy) to boost your immune system, plus take-home goodies of Turmeric Drink mix or ‘medicinal’ quality coconut oil.

EGA Juice Clinic, 501 Bukit Timah Rd, 01-4 A Cluny Court, Singapore 259760, Tel: (+65) 64662100, www.startega.com

The Wall – Whisky Bar

The Wall is a new Whisky & Sumiyaki Bar in Tanjong Pagar. It’s set out to demystify whisky drinking so if you have questions, grab one of the 10 bar seats and order your tipple with the bartender on hand. There’s also a lounge and private room. Choose from 20 top-quality whiskies by the glass starting from $14 per glass, with whisky flights starting at $37. Food is no side affair here, with a a full sumiyaki pairing menu on offer. There are whisky and sumiyaki pairing sets from $49, and Chef’s omakase with whisky at $168.

The Wall, 76 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088497, Tel: (65) 6225 7988, www.thewallsg.com

Greyhound Café – Famous Bangkok Cafe comes to Orchard

Greyhound Cafe has reached cult status in Bangkok with its growing sprawl of cafes. The Greyhound brand encompasses menswear (since 1980), women’s wear, leather goods, accessories and of course all in the same breath, food. Expect Thai food often with a twist that tips a toe into the waters of western cuisine mainly by swapping in the carbs from rice to bread, rice noodles to pasta. The Complicated Noodle ($16) of fresh romaine lettuce, betel leaves, minced pork and chilli garlic sauce atop squares of kway teow is recommended by many, then there’s the Green Curry served with slices of toast instead of rice, and Spicy Spaghetti ($26) with the addition of fiery fresh peppercorns, and holy basil as well as more traditional dishes like Tom Yum Soup ($18).

Greyhound Café, #01-25/25A, The Paragon, Singapore 238859, Tel: (+65) 6235 4078, www.facebook.com/GreyhoundCafeSG

Hot off the Hob: More Foodie News

• The slick digs that is the Warehouse Hotel is open on Robertson Quay. Their restaurant Po, is by mod-Sin cuisine pioneer and Wild Rocket founder, Chef Willin Low – think Iberico satay and posh popiah eased down with locally inspired hipster cocktails. We will report back soon!
• The Garage in the Botanics: consisting of Botanico upstairs and their casual dog-friendly cafe Bee’s Knees downstairs is finally open! Hurrah! Head to Bee’s Knees for pasta and pretty cakes or a post-jog coffee, and to Botanico for fine dining dinner.
• Davide Oldani, chef-owner of a one Michelin-starred restaurant in Milan has opened FOO’D by Davide Oldani at The Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall. His affordable fine diner – nicknamed Cucina Pop – ranges from a 3-course lunch menu at $45 to 7 courses at dinner for $168. Cucina Pop encompasses very quirky dishes from coffee, blueberry and bottarga risotto to lettuce ice cream.

• Ippudo’s Kuro-Obi  is open in MBS for affordable takeaway Japanese ramen with a base of 100% chicken broth. Diners can customise their lunch from $8 – perfect for city slickers who don’t have the time for the full Ippudo experience (also newly opened at MBS). Full review coming soon!
• Ola Beach Club – a new Hawaiian-themed beach club along Siloso is where to go for poolside-seaside Hawaiian food (Ahi Poké Bowls, Kalua pig tacos).
• Resorts World Sentosa lines up four guest Chefs from overseas Michelin-starred restaurants for the Art at Curate 2017 dining series throughout the year. Chefs from Japan, Korea and Europe will cook up their award winning cuisine (as well as exciting new dishes) in February, April, August and October. The series kicks off 4 to 11 February 2017, with Chef Masayasu Yonemura of his own namesake restaurant, Michelin-starred Yonemura in Kyoto, Japan – and stars a Sake Pairing menu (from $160).

Menu Changes:

• Strangers Reunion has had a smart facelift and sees in a menu change with the addition of some healthy wholesome dishes – think Avocado Superfood Bowls, Acai Smoothie Bowls, Salmon & Kale dishes as well as Sweet Potato chips (in lieu of the stodgier white potato version) – we tried, we liked.
• BoCHINche adds to their Argentinian brunch classics with Faina & fried eggs, crushed avocado, coriander & “aji molido” crème fraiche, a meaty Beef & bone marrow burger, and the Grilled Chorizo, capers and burnt tomato salad amongst others.