Foodie News Flash: 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-size pieces just for you. Check out this month’s serving, including delectable sourdough, authentic Thai bar eats, Aussie share plates and more!

*EDITOR’S PICK*
Firebake – Wood-fired Sourdough and Slow Cooked Meats

Singapore’s first-ever full-scale wood-fired bread oven proudly takes centre stage at Firebake in the East Coast. Breadmaking as an artisan craft is taken to the max here by owner and food & beverage consultant Konstantino (or Tino if you are breaking bread with him) Blokbergen. Here sourdough is made using European historical methods and honest, unprocessed ingredients. The hand-built ovens bake sourdough used for tartines, sandwiches and bread-centric salads, as well as slow-cook main dishes such as grilled meats, fish, and even desserts. Highlights include the starter of deliciously creamy four Spiced Chicken Liver Pate ($12) served with slabs of toasted bread;Wood-fired Pumpkin, Burrata and Pistachio Dukkah ($16); and the Smoked Eggplant with Spiced Hummus ($15) — perfect with a  pint of Brew Dog on tap or a glass of crisp white wine. For mains don’t miss their Grilled brined pork belly with garden vegetable broth of pumpkin, celeriac and fennel plus of course rye bread ($22), and Charcoal-grilled Rangers Valley striploin ($38 for 300g) with wood fire-roasted Jerusalem artichokes and chimchurri sauce. In keeping with the sourdough theme, check out their interesting dessert of sourdough ice cream with peach and rye chip ($12) or some hearty Bread and Butter Pudding ($10).

Firebake, Wood-fired Bakehouse & Restaurant, 237 East Coast Road, Level 1, Singapore 428930, Tel: +65 9784 2950, www.facebook.com/firebakesg

*EDITOR’S PICK*
Sa Yum – Authentic Thai on Club Street

A yellow and black awning displaying the restaurant name Sa Yum is all there is to declare the presence of this authentic Thai restaurant and bar on Club Street. We were taken by surprise  by the food’s authenticity cooked by two Thai chefs. First up, a Spicy Papaya Salad ($13) full of garlic, spice, fresh beans and tomatoes with a depth of flavour from the pungent dried shrimp. Red Curry Roast Duck ($17) is a generous portion of creamy red curry hiding slices of tender roast duck, mounds of fresh vegetables and Thai basil, plus sweet bites of pineapple and lychee — one of the best curries we have had in Singapore in a while! The menu has a section for bar bites from Grilled Pork Skewers ($15 for 5) with a tangy spicy Nam Jim sauce served with homemade pickled vegetables, to Thai Fish Cakes ($10) and the quirky-yet-addictive Tom Yum Fries ($8) to go with your all-day one-For-one drinks. Happy hour all day everyday? Hello! That’s 2 Heinekens for $14, 2 glasses of Shiraz for $14 plus buckets of beer at $40 for 6! If you work nearby, note their lunch deals: Chicken Pad Thai ($9.90) or Thai Basil Chicken with Egg and Rice for $9.90, and they’re on delivery apps, too. Mai pen rai (you’re welcome).

Sa Yum, 42 Club Street, Tel: (+65) 6221 1180, www.facebook.com/SaYum-1266138883436458

Bottega – Italian Deli-Dinner Restaurant and Pizzeria

The Italians are flocking to the East. The reason? Bottega. A new all-day deli selling affordable imported goodies like buffalo mozzarella, Italian wines and pasta as well as good quality Italian cheeses and cold meats. Come dinner, the kitchens open. Bottega is modest in appearance and size. It is one of many shops on Tanjong Katong and the setting is very casual — a few alfresco bar stools and high tables perched on the narrow pavement outside the shop with minimal decor. Italian conversation and Italian music add to the authentic buzz. Pizzas are tip top, made by a Sardinian pizza chef. Prices are affordable, too, from the simple Napoli ($13.80) to the most expensive: Bologna pizza ($19.80). This not-to-miss pizza is a wonderfully quirky concoction of crispy thin pizza base topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, creamy gorgonzola, finely shaved Mortadella and sprinkled with a fine dusting of ground pistachios that shimmers like green gold. Other dishes on the menu include starters of Burrata ($17.80) or traditional Italian Fish stew ($15.80) as well as homemade Tagliatelle Al Nero Di Seppia ($19.80) blackened with squid ink, served perfectly al dente, the pasta melding well with the garlicky herb sauce abundant with clams, sweet tomatoes and prawns. Bottega is also opening up a contemporary Fusion restaurant on Hong Kong Street next month as well as a Pizzeria in Farrer Park so watch out for these guys.

Bottega, 263 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437050, Tel: (+65) 816 1834, www.facebook.com/bottegatk

*EDITOR’S PICK*
Don Ho – Buzzing Australian & Cocktail Bar

Don Ho is now open for dinner only on Keong Saik Road (the entrance for which, as any socialite will know, is always through the back door). This spot is positively buzzing. Don Ho is the sister outfit to Loloku and the well-heeled and high heeled have already descended. The decor is every luxe nomad’s dream – tropical prints, low lighting and mirrors galore. The bar is prominent, perfect for lingering chats over cocktails while the seating curves around the L-shaped restaurant with prime seats overlooking the open kitchen.There are two seatings (6.30-815pm and 8.30pm till late) and the cuisine is Australian sharing plates separated into Land, Earth and Sea categories. Favourites include the Crispy Eggplant ($12) with wedges of crispy fried sweet caramelised eggplant; Grassfed Black Angus striploin (120g $22), Ash-Cured Ocean Trout Pastrami with Mustard Cream and Trout Roe ($16), and Zaatar Flatbread ($14) — impressively large discs of flatbread liberally sprinkled with blackened zaatar and served with homemade labneh. If you mean business, plump for one of the family style mega-dishes – a whole Baby Suckling Pig (advance order needed. 4kg for $280) or the Cote De Boef  with Chimchurri sauce (1.3kg $148). For dessert there’s Baklava or saucy Chocolate Pudding ($10 each), or instead sip your sweets at the bar in the form of a heady cocktail like their Coco Bongo ($18) of Reyka, St. Germain, fresh passion fruit, elderflower and vanilla syrup.

Don Ho, 1 Keong Saik Road, Tel: (+65) 6223 5001, www.don-ho.com

Sens – Japanese Bistro

Sens is not your average Japanese restaurant. Located inside the newly opened supermarket Taste in Holland Village. It shouldn’t work but interestingly it does, with tables looking onto the fresh produce aisles, it has a mini London Selfridges food floor feel to it. That might be taking it a tad too far but after a few lunch time sakes, we are sure you could fuzz the details. Here you can buy meat fresh off the slab in the supermarket and get the chefs to cook it up for you at $8/100grams. But really that does sound a little like micromanaging so instead just grab a seat and order off the menu. There’s everything from sashimi to sushi, teppanyaki to tempura and yakitori. Sashimi Moriawase Mix ($48.80) lets you try five different sashimi including the excellent melt-in-your-mouth Maguro tuna (normally $12.50 a piece). Also recommended is the Miyazaki Waygu Tataki ($68.80) thinly sliced marbled beef or for something more affordable Aburi Salmon Mentai Roll ($18.80) or Sirloin Beef Teppan ($18) with Garlic Fried Rice ($8).

Sens, 118 Holland Avenue Raffles Holland Village, B1-12/13 Singapore 278997, www.facebook.com/senssingapore

One Night Only – American Diner

Gone is Tony’s Pizza on the prominent corner of River Valley Road, in its place,  One Night Only, a new concept run by the people behind Muchachos and The Daily Cut. This modest, unpretentious diner is rather bland in appearances. Muted blues, beige and greys make it unlike the brightly coloured kitsch American style diners that you may expect. But we were pleased with the burger they served up: No Frills Cheeseburger ($13.50/18 for single/double patty) sees a perfectly cooked juicy patty, lettuce, tomato, and cheese (albeit processed) in a toasted soft brioche bun with fries. Also on the menu, Buttermilk Fried Chicken ($16.50/19.50) and Chicken-Fried Steak ($21), the latter having confusingly no chicken, just breaded steak which was a little too chewy for us. It was served with a choice of two sides. We went for the delightfully large crispy onion rings and a tasty sweet tangy red coleslaw — both very satisfying. American classics of Lobster Roll, Maryland Crab Cakes, and All-Day Build-Your-Own Breakfasts (including eggs your way, bacon, smashed avocado, hash browns, corned beef hash and classic buttermilk pancakes) can be found too. Do note that the diner only opens from lunch on weekdays and at 9am weekends.

One Night Only, 397 River Valley Road, Singapore 248292, Tel: (+65)  6235 1248, www.onenightonly.sg

Flying Monkey – Pan-Indian Food & Cocktail Bar

Flying Monkey in Kampong Glam sees a modern, industrial looking space of cement walls with grafitti art, a medley of seating and a cocktail bar helmed by Kannan (formerly from Cufflink Club and Long Chim). Mini barrels along the bar house the signature whiskey cocktails. One of which is Flying Monkey ($18), a reinterpretation of the Old Fashioned, using Monkey Shoulder Whiskey, ginger, Jaggery syrup and bitters. The restaurant is by the same people behind next door Pizza Fabbrica though here the food is classically Indian. The pan-Asian theme refers to the three chefs in the kitchen from North, South and West India (including Head Chef Azad, formerly from Yantra) so dishes are offered from across the country. Many dishes double up as bar snacks should you be here for a dose of cocktails or beer. These include Tandoor Chicken ($10), the frankly fabulous crispy Okra Crisps ($8) and Calamari 65 ($10) of battered, fried calamari with a hint of spice, fragrant with fried  curry leaves. In lieu of truffle fries, there’s truffle naan ($14) with paneer mousse and pear chutney but we preferred the less fussy crispy classic naan alongside the Nalli Gosht ($26) of overnight cooked lamb shank that falls off the bone in a deliciously spicy curry that uses cashew for its creaminess. If Indian sweets are your thing, don’t miss the Jalebi ($10); normally a street side snack made in the morning and eaten cold, these sweet golden orange delights are fresh out of the deep fryer and heart attack heaven.

Flying Monkey, 67 Bussorah Street Singapore 199480, Tel: (+65) 6291 0695 , www.facebook.com/flyingmonkeysg

Be Frank – Hot Dog TakeAway Stand

Home-grown hotdog stand Be Frank has opened at Paragon. Head there for gourmet hotdogs of pork bratwurst in a bun with different toppings like the Coney’s Island ($6.50), a classic American of diced onions, minced meat, mustard and Worcester sauce or the Bac & Cheese  ($6.50) with crispy bacon and raclette cheese topping.

Be Frank, B1-K26 The Paragon, 290 Orchard Road, Paragon, www.facebook.com/befrank.sg

Hot Off The Hob:

• Andiamo Gelateria atB2-06 Orchardgateway is the spot for Italian gelato and coffee from  espresso to matcha, artisan gelato and desserts.
• Monumentlifestyle: For some retail therapy and coffee all in one, plus sandwiches by Park Bench Deli and simple bites like pastries and avo toast. 75 Duxton Road Singapore 089534
• O Mamma Mia opens three outlets in quick succession (Causeway Point,  The Clementi Mall and Changi City Point) for simple pasta and pre-made sliced pizzas.
• Song Garden Chinese: Plush modern Cantonese restaurant at Mercure Singapore Bugis for a mod dim sum menu including chilled five-spice foie gras with blueberry compote and Kurobuta pork cutlet with pistachio crumble.
• Ding Dong has a menu change: Expect Asian cuisine with a fun interpretation from Crispy pork trotters with spiced vinegar to Lobster tail in tom yum broth with sriracha crab cake and for dessert, Coconut snow, pandan jelly noodle and gula melaka ice cream.
• Wolf Burgers opens at Changi City Point for gourmet burgers, milkshakes and handcrafted coffee.
• Guenpin Fugu, Japan’s largest fugu restaurant chain, has just opened its first-ever overseas outlet at 32 Maxwell Road, Singapore. On the menu: torafugu (tiger puffer fish) cuisine. Do you dare?