Restaurant News & New Menus in Singapore: Hot Off The Hob October

Foodies: we bring you the latest food news including new menus, new chefs, restaurant relocations and refurbs in town

This month we check out the new digs (and private rooms) at Ola Cocina Del Mar, we try to scoff one of the biggest meatballs a plate can handle at Club Meatballs, and eat gourmet beef bowls from Tokidon. We bring you news of a nightcap happy hour at hip kebab cafe Fat Prince, new burgers at The Hangar, new brunch menus at Publico and Summerhouse, Lucha Loco and more!

EDITOR’S PICK!
OLA Cocina del Mar — Spanish Seafood Resto has New Private Dining Rooms

Award-winning OLA Cocina del Mar has a loyal following thanks to its six years of solid friendly service and traditional Spanish cuisine by Chef Daniel Chavez at Marina Bay Financial Centre. After a short hiatus, OLA Cocina del Mar reopens its doors to unveil a newly expanded dining area which includes two private dining spaces, each seating 10 and 12 guests – good to know for those organising smart birthdays or corporate dos. The menu leads with traditional Spanish seafood dishes, some with a Mediterranean flare. New dishes include three new paellas; Paella “OLA” ($38) with wild fish, saffron potatoes and Japanese baby shrimp; Traditional “Noodle” Paellas with langoustines and crab in tangy romesco; and Paella “Valenciana” ($35) with marinated chicken, chorizo and green beans. Don’t miss the special Gazpacho soup ($12) to whet your palate, the grilled Octopus with Fennel ($28), and the leg/loin Suckling Pig ($68) or for something lighter, the sustainably caught Wild Market Fish ($43) from New Zealand.

OLA Cocina del Mar, 12 Marina Boulevard, #01 -05/06, Singapore 018981, Tel: (+65) 6604 7050, www.olarestaurant.sg

EDITOR’S PICK!
Three Buns Quayside — Free Doggie Meals & Kids Play area

Three Buns (our go-to spot for amazing burgers) now welcomes dogs, too! Your furkids will get the same premium, Angus-beef patties as you all day, everyday—for free!* Plus families note that there’s a bubble machine and playground on site to keep the kids happy while the parents sip craft cocktails! Little ones will love the kids’ meal (complete with two mini burgers, fries and a home made milkshake) while big appetites have plenty to choose from. Read our full review here.

Three Buns Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay, #01-01 Singapore 238252, www.threebuns.com

EDITOR’S PICK!
Fat Prince — New Night Cap Happy Hour Cocktails

A departure from typical happy hours, Fat Prince, one of our fave spots for upmarket kebabs, has launched The Fat Prince Night Cap. Available from 10pm-close from Monday–Saturday, the Night Cap deal features cocktails priced at $14 instead of the usual $20. Look out for three new mixology creations: Maleficent – with Mezcal, Prosecco, Juniper, Pomegranate Honey, Bitters; the full-bodied Majesty – with Rhy Whiskey, Red Wine, Green Chartreuse, Honey, Bitters; and the sweet yet spicy Sultan’s Martini – of Cardamom Infused Vodka, Dry Vermouth, Honey, Olive Essence. Go early for dinner (we highly recommend the Fried Cauliflower with Skordalia as well as the Feta Dip and any of the Kebabs) and hunker down for the night at this cosy spot.

Fat Prince, 48 Peck Seah Street, Singapore 079317, Tel: (+65) 6221 3683 www.fatprincesg.com

Summerhouse — New brunch & Bouncy Castles

Chef Christopher Millar brings in a new weekend brunch menu that focuses on nature and fresh ingredients sourced from Singaporean and Malaysian farms as well as a Singapore kelong. This back-to-basics approach also sees up to 100% of the garnish used in the restaurant being harvested from the in-house edible garden! Take a little jaunt around this lovely space and introduce your kids to all the fresh herbs they’ll be eating later. On the new menu: a stunningly delicious Mud Crab Omelette, using hand-picked fresh mud crab from local Fish Farm and oozy Gruyere cheese; wood-fired free-range French Poulet, comprising half a chicken from local Toh Thye San Farm that is steamed, sous vide and then finished off in an Inka charcoal oven; and the crispy Open Portobello Mushroom Tart, with roasted portobello mushroom sautéed with thyme, topped with Cameron Highland cherry tomatoes and handpicked sweet potato leaves tossed in balsamic vinaigrette. There is a fun bouncy castle every day to keep the little ones happy and you can even make a day of it and take the kids to the petting farm or go cycling –  read our Seletar guide here!

The Summerhouse Dining Room, 3 Park Lane Singapore 798387, www.thesummerhouse.sg

Read more: Seletar Day Trip: Our Top Family-Friendly Picks From Dining to Petting Farms

Super Loco & Lucha Loco — New Menu Items and Cocktails

Already purveyors of some of our favourite Mexican cuisine on the island, the Loco Group has taken things up a notch with exclusive new menu items and an exciting list of curated cocktails for its three locations at Robertson Quay, Customs House and Duxton. Highlights include the Taco de Cangrejo ($16) – Tacos with buttermilk fried soft-shell crab, avocado, habanero sauce and lime – which are exclusive to Lucha Loco, and the Pollo al Pastor (well-priced at just $9!), a Robertson Quay-only dish featuring juicy marinated chicken topped with achiote, salsa verde, red cabbage, jalapeño and pineapple salsa. Super Loco Customs House has also refreshed its popular Tostada de Atun ($15) with fresh yellowfin tuna tartare that is perfectly complemented by aguachile salsa, avocado, and a whole heaping of zingy herbs. Throw in signature classics like the Corn Elotes ($7) and Almejas (Yucatan-style clams, $16) and you’re well on your way to a bellyful of happiness. NB: All meals best enjoyed paired with the Loco Group’s exclusive Mexican-inspired craft beers!

Super Loco and Lucha Loco, Various locations, www.super-loco.com

Club Meatballs –– Revamped menu & New Chef 

Club Meatballs, a restaurant, café, bar, wine cellar and co-working space in the CBD welcomes a new chef and with that a revamped menu featuring modern comfort food favourites and fun renditions of the humble meatball. The all new menu, designed by millennial chef Mei Mei La from New York, features baked meatball dishes from different cultures with a modern twist: Ginger Pork Ball Lettuce Cups ($14), Mac and Cheese Balls ($12), Club Meatball Pizza ($22), healthy meatball wraps ($12.50-$13.50) and a comforting Shepherd’s Pie ($18) — currently the most popular item on the menu. Don’t miss The Baller Platter ($25-$35) which comes in a choice of signature balls – classic beef, ginger pork, garlic thyme chicken, cumin spiced lamb, panko-crusted fish, tofu and mushroom; it’s all served on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes and topped with a selection of sauces of your choice (tomato, garlic aioli, mushroom, red wine onion gravy or pesto). Great for sharing and a delicious accompaniment with drinks (wine ranges from $29 to $259) or a jug of Pimm’s and Aperol Spritz ($45). Head over for Wednesday ladies’ night, with 1-for-1 on Aperol Spritz at $15. Additionally, groups of 4 ladies enjoy a complimentary bottle of Champagne! Happy Hour on weekdays runs from noon to 2pm and 4 to 8pm and Friday all night from 4pm. Bottled beers start from $9++ and buckets from $40++.

Club Meatballs, 20 Cross Street, #01-05/06 China Court, Singapore 048422, www.clubmeatballs.com  

Tokidon — New Japanese Beef bowls

The people behind sake gastro bar Kabuke have launched Tokidon, which offers gourmet beef bowls. The setting is all edgy neon lights in blue and purple, while the menu sees traditional Japanese beef bowls – Gyu Don ($11.90), Truffle Tenderloin Don ($15.90), Wagyu Sukiyaki Don ($17.90), Truffle Wagyu Don ($23.90) and Wagyu Misozuke Don ($23.90), as well as the Salmon Cha Soba ($16.90). The beef bowls feature Grade 6 Wagyu slices and Grade 9 Sukiyaki Wagyu, both served medium rare on top of Japanese rice, served with pickles and a wobbly onsen egg. Want lunch at your desk? Order through the TOKIDON website, and get free delivery on orders $100 and above! TOKIDON has also released the Beef Bowl Party Set: good for six, the set comprises two Gyudon, two Sukiyaki Wagyu Don, two Truffle Wagyu Don with two Tori Karaage, two Corn Cups and six Green Tea for $99 (U.P. $136.40).

Tokidon, 16 Raffles Quay, Unit #B1-33 Hong Leong Building, Tel: (+65) 9151 9572,  www.tokidon.com

Publico Ristorante — New Brunch

Publico Ristorante at Quayside launches a refreshed menu featuring lunch items like and an Ibiza-inspired brunch, ISOLA Weekends, which will take place every Saturday and Sunday and feature free-flow Moët & Chandon Ice Imperial. Channelling his wealth of experience and Italian flair towards Publico’s menu revamp, Executive Chef Marco Turatti’s new dinner menu features Black Truffle Tagliatelle, Charcoal Roasted King Fish and a new pizza addition, Publico Seven Cereali,while the revived brunch menu incorporates a wellness twist including gluten free and low carb options.

Publico Ristorante, 1 Nanson Road, Singapore 238909, Tel: (+65) 6826 5041, www.publico.sg