Singapore F&B scene has been very exciting over the past few years. There is always a new place opening almost every week. There are so many new and cool restaurants that I find it hard to keep up. While I love checking out the latest hip place in town – it is, after all, my job to do that – sometimes, I just like to go somewhere familiar. One of my favourite restaurants in Singapore is House at Dempsey Hill.
Il Cielo is located on the 24th floor of Hilton Singapore, right beside the pool. Upon arriving at the restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it is very small, cosy and intimate. I also like the fact that the Italian restaurant is very focused. They only have a few dishes under each category of the menu – because they pride themselves on the quality and standard of every item.
Tim Ho Wan, the cheapest 1 Michelin Star dim sum restaurant from Hong Kong, is opening in Singapore at The Atrium @ Orchard, Plaza Singapura today. Opened by Chef Mak Kwai Pui (previously from Lung King Heen at Four Seasons Hong Kong), Tim Ho Wan has gained a strong following over the years and long queues are a common sight at his restaurants.
We got a sneak preview at a media tasting last night. Here are some of the highlights from the much anticipated Tim Ho Wan in Singapore.
At level 102 of The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, Tin Lung Heen is probably one of the highest, if not the highest, Chinese restaurants in the world. While there are plenty of good Cantonese restaurants in Hong Kong, Tin Lung Heen is a popular venue as it not only delivers a modern interpretation of Cantonese food, it also has a spectacular view of Hong Kong.
Au Chocolat, opened by the folks behind Ku De Ta and Catalunya, occupies a huge space at a corner of Marina Bay Sands. It is divided into two sections: a retail confectionery store where you can find all sorts of delicious snacks – such as slice cakes, cupcakes, gelato, truffle – and fun merchandise. The other half is the bistro which has an all-day dining menu.
We have been to Au Chocolat many times, and tried quite a few items from the bistro and confectionery. Here are some of the highlights.
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An unobstructed view of the marina and an array of restaurants & lifestyle retail outlets – A whole new world is born in Singapore. Quayside Isle is a new integrated F&B and retail development within the luxurious Sentosa Cove enclave.
What makes Quayside Isle a place you can return to again and again is its excellent mix of eateries — from affordable options such as Kith and Grillado, to chill-out spots like Sabio by the Sea, Tapas & Grill and Brussels Sprouts – Belgian Beer & Mussels — and a breath-taking view of the beautiful marina. There are few places in Singapore that can match this new spot in terms of its diversity of dining options, as well as the overall ambience.
This is a place where I can come with a few friends to relax over drinks and finger food, or bring my family for celebratory meals during the festive season. It is also great for an intimate gathering with friends or a romantic date with your partner – the setting of the waterfront dining restaurants makes you feel you are on a vacation without even having to leave Singapore.
Below we share some of the highlights of the restaurants at Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove.
Szdechuan Court is known for serving good Szechuan and Cantonese cuisine, and its location at level three of Fairmont Singapore makes it the perfect place to have a nice meal with family and friends, or to host a business luncheon in an elegant and upmarket setting.
Words and photographs by Sarah Lim.
If you were patient enough to learn about the history of The White Rabbit at Harding Road, you’d probably have had a pretty intense lesson on Singapore’s history. Occupying the space of what used to be a chapel, this one-of-its-kind restaurant impresses the moment we step foot in. It is whimsical, classy and charming all at the same time.
We were excited to find out Chef Benjamin Tan is back, assuming the role of Head Chef after a hiatus, and has made a radical overhaul of the menu. It seems we weren’t the only one pleased; our waiter gushed over the good news, and reassures us that the meal was going to be nothing short of spectacular.
Even though I have been to Ritz-Carlton Singapore many times, for some reason, I never had the chance to eat at Summer Pavilion, the luxe hotel’s Chinese restaurant. So, when I was there for a staycation recently, I made a reservation to drop by for lunch to sample some of their signature Cantonese dishes.
Words by Sarah Lim, photographs by ladyironchef
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse is quite a household name among steak lovers, with over 130 restaurants worldwide. It’s rich history dates back to almost half a century ago, when a single mother mortgaged her home to buy a neighbourhood restaurant called Chris Steak House. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Fast forward 50 years, and Ruth’s Chris has managed to find its way onto our shores. The restaurant, like the rest of the Marina Mandarin Hotel, is dimly lit and cosy. There is no fancy tableware or glitzy décor to speak of and is reminiscent of an authentic American steakhouse.
Chef Sam Leong needs no introduction. He is one of the most famous local chefs in Singapore, and he has an impressive list of accolades which includes being named the Chef of the Year at the Hospitality Asia Platinum Award in 2006 and 2007, and Asian Cuisine Chef of the Year (2009) by the World Gourmet Summit. After leaving Tung Lok Group, he has joined Resorts World Sentosa to open Forest Restaurant, which serves Chinese cuisine with a Western approach (in terms of food presentation).
The restaurant’s interior design is inspired by the lush tropical rain forests, and it is definitely one of the most stunning Chinese restaurants in Singapore.
At Forest, Chef Leong acts as a consultant, and besides providing guidance for the cuisine and menu planning of the restaurant, he also conducts cooking classes with his wife, Forest. He has launched a special culinary class combined with a four-course set lunch. This means to say you can have a nice lunch at the restaurant, and then move on to the culinary class in the beautiful state-of-the-art show kitchen to learn some tips from Chef Leong.
One of the best meals that I’ve had this year was at Black Coffee Lyrics in Gold Coast. I chanced upon it when I was doing research on places to eat in Gold Coast, and I am happy to say that the recommendations online were spot-on.
It is not difficult to understand why Black Coffee Lyrics is so popular. The restaurant and cocktail bar is an “insider” spot for coffee and good food. It has a kick-ass vibe – artsy, cosy and very very cool. In short, the sort of underground cafe for those “in the know” to hang out.