We’ve got intel on the hottest new restaurants in town…
This November in Singapore…
– Bacha Coffee comes to ION with a whiff of fancy coffee in swish digs
– Singaporean Kin represents with local cuisine’s multi-faceted heritage
– There’s a new brunch spot at Bukit Timah offering coffee cocktails and delicious brunch
-A whimsical bubble tea import with blue-tinged spirulina drinks
– The CBD welcomes a new fast-casual Mexican joint
– A new pizzeria from a popular international chain
– Japanese Izakaya with Hokkaido-style tsukune skewers
– And more! Read on for all the deets!
Elixir Boutique Roasters— Coffee cocktails & Brunch
Elixir Coffee Roasters is a Melbourne-style cafe hidden away next door to Cluny Court. These guys take great pride in roasting their own coffee beans in small batches, offered in a variety of single origin as well as blends, for that perfect brew. If the space looks familiar it’s because this spot is Fat Belly by night (known for their affordable and great quality steaks), and now by day it’s Elixir Coffee Roasters for coffee and brunch. The barista here is keen to woo you with crafted coffee centric cocktails like his frankly delicious Killer Queen ($15) cocktail, a sexy mix of Disaronno Hazlenut Amaretto, inventive homemade cascara syrup (made from the coffee bean fruit leftovers), a shake of egg white, and a citrussy finish of lemon juice. Order up their stunning Brûlée French Toast ($18) – a thick slab of brioche toast dipped in custard and brûléed three times to get an extra crispy burnt sugar crackly coating that gives way to light fluffy eggy French Toast. A generous serve of summer berries, candied bacon and a dollop of chantilly cream make this a pretty special breakfast order! For something more lunchy, try their Grilled Halloumi with Kenyan Beans and Aioli Tahini sauce ($18), or the Wagyu Beef Cheek Rendang ($22) which is meltingly tender and comes with unlimited servings of their blue coconut rice made with Butterfly Pea Flower and topped with a sunny side egg. Kids will be more than happy with an order of the aforementioned French Toast, or order individual items from the small plates menu (like Toast and Eggs $8), or there’s a kid’s dish of Spag Bol ($10) on offer, too.
Elixir Boutique Roasters, 10 Jalan Serene, #01-03A Serene Centre, Singapore 258748, Tel: (+65) 6314 2247, www.facebook.com/elixirboutiqueroasters
Kin — Singaporean cuisine
Lo & Behold Group‘s latest concept, Kin is set to open on 4 November. The restaurant is located in the lobby of private members’ club Straits Clan and offers heritage cuisine by Chef Damian D’Silva “showcasing time-honoured cooking methods, recipes and ingredients that have been left behind”. We can’t wait to taste the melange of Peranakan, Indonesian, Chinese, Malay and ultimately Singaporean dishes that await.
Kin, Straits Clan, 31 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089845, Tel: (+65) 6320 9180, www.restaurant-kin.com
EDITOR’S PICK!
Bacha Coffee –– Fancy coffee
Bacha Coffee started in 1910 in Marrakech at the splendid Dar el Bacha Palace. As much as we would love to trek to Morocco for a taste of their single-origin bean, we don’t necessarily have to as Bacha Coffee has opened their first international luxury coffee room and boutique outside of Marrakech here at ION Orchard Mall. The mall location may be a huge change from its palatial origins but the décor at Bacha Coffee is still plenty snazzy, with brass chandeliers, black and white marble floors, and rattan chairs. It’s all about the 100% Arabica single origin here, from farmers in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Asia and beyond. If coffee is your cult, you’ll find respite at Bacha Coffee, where each customer’s unique taste is taken into consideration before grinding, preparing and pouring your choice of coffee. You won’t find cappuccinos or flat whites here, instead coffee is served in a stunning pot (from $9), and served hot or iced with signature Bacha Coffee vanilla whipped cream or foamed milk. To nibble, order a tray of wonderful flaky croissants ($8 for two), Pandan cheescake ($9) or for something more filling, Eggs Florentine ($22), Vegetable Tagine ($22) or Moroccan Kefta meatballs and fries ($28).
Bacha Coffee, 2 Orchard Turn, #01-15/16 ION Orchard, Singapore 238801, Tel: (+65) 6363 1910, www.facebook.com/BachaCoffeeOfficial
The Whale Tea — Whimsical Bubble Tea Chain
The Whale Tea, a well-known brand from Nanjing, China, brings its unique drinks and desserts to our shores. This includes a Volcanic Lava Tea (from $4.50) made with collagen-rich peach gum, and an electric blue coloured drink called Blue Crystal Milk ($3.80) surely made with Instagram in mind (the blue colour is said to be from superfood spirulina). For desserts there are soufflé concoctions and soft-serve like the alcoholic Wuliangye soft serve ($4.80) made with a blend of cocoa, activated charcoal and Wuliangye, a Chinese grain-based liquor and topped with gold powder. The Whale Tea brand is coming in strong and fast; besides stores at Lot One Shoppers’ Mall and City Square Mall, expect stores at China Square Central and Rivervale Mall in Sengkang soon.
The Whale Tea, various locations, www.facebook.com/thewhaleteasg
Trattoria Pizzeria LOGIC –– Wood-fired Napolitano pizzas
Trattoria Pizzeria LOGIC, a popular Italian restaurant chain in Japan with 18 restaurants in Japan itself, makes its debut in Singapore with a 79-seater restaurant located at 20 Craig Road. Trattoria Pizzeria LOGIC is best-known for its Naples-style pizzas designed by Junichi Shoji, a World Championship-winning Pizzaiolo. Pizzas arrive with a crispy, charred, chewy, pillowy crust thanks to being cooked in the custom-built 2.1m kiln at 500 degrees Celsius for 90 seconds. Try the Marghertia D.O.C. ($26) made with Buffalo mozzarella and fresh cherry tomatoes (which tends to result in a wetter base), that is served with cherry tomatoes, or the Quattro Funghi ($20) with smoked mozzarella, four types of mushrooms, and duxelles sauce. There are plenty of other dishes on the menu, too, from pastas like Spaghetti Carbonara “Angelo” ($16) to Tagliata Steak and Salad ($32). And leave room for their door slab of a Tiramisu dessert or the very refreshing panna cotta.
Pizzeria LOGIC, #01-03 Craig Place, 20 Craig Road, Singapore 089692, Tel: (+65) 6226 2250 www.pizzalogic-sg.com
Read more: Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Singapore: Play Areas, Playgrounds & Healthy Menus Included!
Tenjin — Tendon and Tempura bowls
Tenjin on the third floor of Shaw Centre is the latest addition to the Les Amis Group. This Japanese spot focuses on tempura donburi/tendon which comprises seafood or vegetable tempura served on a bowl of rice from the Ibaraki prefecture. The Yasai Bowl ($12.80) is made up of seasonal vegetables (aubergine, lotus root, shiitake and ohba leaves) while the Jo Bowl ($14.80) consists of prawn and vegetable tempura with a Freedom Range egg. The ultimate feast is the Tempura Moriwase ($24.80) which features a selection of premium ingredients such as anago (eel), crab leg, prawn and fish. Every set at Tenjin comes with a warm house-made tentsuyu sauce, kyabetsu salad and miso soup.
Tenjin, Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road #03-08, Singapore 228208, Tel: (+65) 6235 3312, www.tenjin.com.sg
Mad Mex — CBD Burritos & fast-casual Mexican
Singapore’s first Mad Mex can now be found in Marina Bay Financial (MBFC) Tower 3 with many more outlets across Singapore and Malaysia planned. Get to the Mad Mex counter early to order before the lunch-hour madness at 12pm. There’s everything from stuffed-to-the-brim Burritos (from $8.90) to Quesadillas ($11.50), gluten-free Corn Tacos (3 for $10.90), and Nachos ($12.50). Choose your fillings (pork-free, lard-free Chicken Chorizo, or Beef Barbacoa), then a variety of toppings (their hand-smashed super fresh guacamole is their pride and joy), and select your spice level for the salsas (all made from scratch using imported Mexican chillies). Those looking for a low carb option will be happy to know Mad Mex offers Naked Burritos with all the good stuff from a regular burrito (black beans, fresh pico de gallo, cheese, crisp shredded lettuce, sour cream and fresh-grilled meats or veggies) without the tortilla. Provecho!
Mad Mex, Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC) Tower 3, 12 Marina Blvd, #02-05, Singapore 018982, https://www.facebook.com/madmexmbfc/
Farmers and Chefs — Casual, Kid-Pleasing Outdoor Eatery
Farmers and Chefs is a casual eatery set up off the main road under an alfresco marquis outside LeClare Preschool and Singapore Conference Hall. As Farmers and Chefs also caters to the preschool, its focus is simple wholesome meals (no deep-frying, no flavour enhancers). The menu offers breakfast items, rice bowls and pasta dishes like Pomodoro Pasta ($10) or Truffle Mushroom Cream with Asparagus ($14). The Farmer’s Breakfast ($10), sees boneless chicken thigh slices served with creamy scrambled eggs, grilled tomatoes, button mushrooms, and a Rösti served with Ciabatta. Rice bowls with rice, broccoli, tomatoes, an onsen egg and a choice of meat from Yakiniku Beef ($14) to Teriyaki Chicken ($10) are available from 12pm to 2pm daily. For kids, there’s a little play corner with blocks and colouring and a special Mix and Match menu (starting at $3) where kids can choose a carb like mashed potato, a fruit, a vegetable and a meat or they can have the same pasta and main courses from the main menu in kid-friendly sizes priced from $4 to $6.
Farmers and Chefs, 7 Shenton Way #01-04, Singapore Conference Hall Singapore, Tel: (+65) 6721 9398, www.facebook.com/Farmers-And-Chefs
Amazing Hokkaido — Izakaya
Amazing Hokkaido is all about prime produce imported from the Northern region of Japan (seafood flown in daily from Sapporo and vegetables from organic farms). This Izakaya has a rep for its Bursting Salmon Roe Rice Bowl ($39) comprising a bowl of rice topped with a generous overflowing portion of salmon roe. This dish is served to the beating of drums and garners much attention, so consider yourself warned. The menu spans Hokkaido-style pork tsukune skewers served with a variety of toppings such as mentai mayo, wasabi and cheese to Hokkaido sashimi from just $19.90.
Amazing Hokkaido, 30 Robertson Quay #01-16 Singapore 238251, Tel: (+65) 6235 0212, www.facebook.com/Amazinghokkaidosg
Read more: River Valley Neighbourhood Guide: Foodie Paradise and Family Fun
In other foodie news
- Jinjo, the little modern sumiyaki restaurant by Les Amis with a focus on Japanese charcoal-grilling, has new lunch set menus. Lunch sets start from $22, but we recommended going all out with the Fire set ($37), which comprises two hot/cold bites (don’t miss the tofu, aichi and kyoto miso), three kushiyaki (skewers of bishops nose, or chicken thigh for example), one charcoal grilled item and one dessert (like the cooling yoghurt soft-serve). Jinjo, Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road #02-19/20, Singapore 228208, www.jinjo.com.sg/menu
- Kind Kones the all-natural vegan ice cream that’s free from dairy, egg, refined sugar, and soy is launching a Keto Collection in December! The new keto scoops ($6.90) will be a blend of plant-based milks or nut milks and sugar alternatives like Xylitol or Erythritol, that do not spike blood sugar. Look out for the Kind Kones’ Keto Collection flavours of Chocolate Sorbet and Vanilla with more flavours coming soon! Kind Kones, Forum The Shopping Mall, B1-27, 583 Orchard Road, Singapore 238884, www.kindkones.com
Read more:
New Restaurants in Singapore this September: Foodie News Flash
Coffices in SG: The Best Work-Friendly Wi-Fi Cafés in Town