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September 8, 2016

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Sampling Singapore’s exciting new eateries

SINGAPOREANS love their food stalls and take their local recipes seriously. Such culinary obsessions have made the city a paradise for foodies. But if you look beyond the endless food stalls lining streets and market centers, there are many cool new venues worth checking out.

The lion city has undergone a dramatic transformation in its food and beverage scene with the arrival of indie boutique cafes, hidden cocktail bars and tucked-away restaurants.

I just spent a weekend in Singapore checking out some of the coolest venues that reflect the city’s shifting tastes. They may differ in the concepts, but all offer well-executed food and meticulously-crafted ambience.

Beast & Butterflies

This Philippe Starck designed restaurant was apparently furnished by objects the design guru picked up from around the globe. The restaurant is housed in the M Social hotel along the Robertson Quay.

The dining space features chandeliers, lava lamps, video projections, table-top TV screens and a wall lined with 40 tablets screening contemporary artworks. Every single eclectic detail in the space is designed by Starck.

However, Beast & Butterflies is not only a platform for funky designs; the dining experience is equally impressive. Executive chef Bryce Li and his team have crafted a concise menu of a-la-carte dishes that blend Eastern and Western influences with the best ingredients.

I started the meal with the oyster shot, featuring freshly-shucked oysters served with a savory Thai-style vinaigrette. I also enjoyed Chef Li’s Lobster Porridge. This comforting traditional Chinese porridge was filled with moist and tender slow-cooked umami-laden lobster and abalone slices.

The chef also brings to the table his prowess in Cantonese cuisine with a signature collagen soup, a thick tonic made from boiling fish cartilage and pork bones overnight and served with fish maw and a juicy Western mushroom ravioli. Asian women often order this delicacy, which is considered a natural supplement to increase skin radiance.

Address: 90 Robertson Quay

Le Binchotan

This chic hidden gem can be found in the popular restaurant and bar area around Amoy Street. The interior is modeled after a luxury train carriage.

The highlight of the long, narrow dining space is the bar where you can watch the skillful bartender creating your favorite craft cocktail.

Le Binchotan’s French-Japanese fusion tapas concept couldn’t have come at a better time as the local market demands diversity, creativity and impressive dining experiences.

I was blown away by several small plates, such as Myoban Uni (corn mousse, grilled corn, sudachi, shoyu) and Foie Gras (Shaven Foie Gras, Daikon, Daishi Gelee, Shitake). The kitchen has skillfully fused the best from both culinary traditions.

However, most of the dishes are a bit unsalted so ordering a bottle of white wine to better complement the flavors is recommended.

Address: 115 Amoy Street

Ding Dong

Housed in a refurbished shophouse on Amoy Street, Ding Dong draws crowds of foodies every night to its small, Asian-fusion plates. This hip, trendy eatery is at the forefront of the cool trend with a concept centered on rustic Southeast Asia flavors executed with Western techniques.

I was fortunate to meet the head chef at Ding Dong, Jet Lo, on his last working day at the restaurant. The Malaysian chef was invited to Shanghai last year by Ginger by the Park for a three-day pop-up event where he presented some of the signature dishes and showed off his culinary skills.

Some of my personal favorites include the Waygu beef char siew, which Lo associates it with his childhood memory. He served the dish his own way but he says the flavor is exactly as he remembers it. Other signatures include the Hokkaido scallop tartare, coconut and chili; foie gras banana bread and kimchi.

The dessert menu at Ding Dong is equally fantastic and highly creative. Inspired by the Asian ingredients and flavors, each dessert item is well executed, such as the salted caramel, brownie and natto and cheng teng with dried longan.

Address: 115 Amoy Street

Potato Head Folk

Bali’s hippest beach bar, Potato Head in Seminyak, is a favorite among the trendy set. The DNA of the original has carried over to the Singapore outlet, which is housed over four floors of a restored Art Deco building on Keong Saik Road in China Town. It’s a creative playground for those who seeking a cool and fun ambience.

The building itself was built in 1939. Potato Head’s vision was to create an appreciation for the area without compromising its values or heritage.

The ground floor is the location of burger joint Three Buns. The second floor offers seating and a place to linger in a fun and laid-back interior.

The rooftop terrace is an tiki lounge overlooking the beautiful facades of China Town. The clientele is a mix of locals, expats, and probably a few tourists. I enjoyed my aperitif cocktail at the terrace with some delicious nibbles.

Address: 36 Keong Saik Road

My Awesome Cafe

My Awesome Cafe stands out amidst a crowd of food and wine venues. The exterior is eye-catching with its old wooden panels indicating the history of the place as an old medicine hall; what used to be the Telok Ayer Chung Hwa Free Clinic.

The historic venue was updated with retro-looking details and some cool design flourishes: fire pipe bar stools, reclaimed wood tables, vintage knick knacks.

The menu is a bit confusing but the friendly staff can make recommendations according to your tastes. The concept is centered on health-conscious ingredients. They have an array of sandwiches, salads, as well as baked bread and treats.

Address: 202 Telok Ayer Street




 

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