Estuary is a new seafood restaurant & oyster bar by ex-radio DJ and restaurateur, Daniel Ong who is behind Dan’s Steak, Chef Polo Seah (the Ex-Group Executive Chef of Jigger and Pony Group), and Chef Gary Lian.

The new pescatarian restaurant has opened at Palais Renaissance in Orchard Road on 28 May 2022.

Estuary’s kitchen will be helmed by Chef Polo Seah, who is listed as the ex-Group Executive Chef of Jigger and Pony Group by Estuary and he was previously in charge of several popular restaurants under the Jigger and Pony Group including Humpback, Sugarhall, Live twice, Gibson & Caffe Fernet.

Chef Gary Lian, previously Ex-Chef de Cuisine for Sugarhall and Caffe Fernet, will be joining Chef Polo Seah in the kitchen.

Estuary specialises in seafood, oysters, grilled vegetables as well as a curation of wines, cocktails and local craft beers.

They have a fantastic Happy Hour promotion from 4.30pm – 7pm where you can enjoy live oysters at S$3 each and wines and beers at S$10. Estuary has 4-5 kinds of oysters available every day and some of the options include Coromandel (New Zealand), Coffin Bay (Australia), Geay La Friandise (France) and David Hervé Royale (France).

Other than seafood and oysters, Estuary delicates a section of the menu for its garden greens. They are working with local hydroponic farms to source for the freshest vegetables—grown in mineralised water instead of soil.

The Hispi Cabbage (S$15) didn’t look like much but it was truly outstanding. We never knew cabbage could taste like this and the accompanying rosemary cheese sauce was so good.

The Crispy Sebago Potato (S$16) featured layers with potatoes deep-fried to a beautiful shade of golden brown and paired with a super addictive anchovy aioli.

The Dungeness Crab Kataifi (S$18) was quite possibly our favourite item out of the many dishes that we tried. It came with huge chunks of crab meat stuffed in a pastry and served with Kano Miso sauce. It is definitely a must-order dish when you are dining at Estuary. Pro tip: ask for extra Kano Miso sauce to go along with the crab meat.

Another dish that you must not miss is the Tua Tua Clams (S$24)—huge and huicy clams served with roasted Jerusalem artichokes.

Estuary has a dry-aging cabinet on-site to dry-age Farmed Turbot, Murray Cod, Barramundi, Scottish Salmon and Hamachi.

We had the Scottish Salmon and Hamachi and both were absolutely delicious. Nothing too fancy, just simple and hearty dishes that were superbly cooked.

The Sarawak Bario Claypot Rice (S$35) was the highlight of our dinner. The claypot rice featured 4 types of aged fish including salmon, barradmundi, hamachi and tuna. And the Chao Tah rice was topped with uni and ikura. This was the bomb and easily one of the best claypor rice that we’ve ever had.

We ended off our dinner with Fresh Medjoul Date Pudding (S$14) with freshly roasted pecans and crème fraîche ice cream. If you love sticky date pudding, you will love Estuary’s rendition.

It goes without saying that Estuary is our new favourite seafood & oyster restaurant in Singapore. Come here for a great seafood meal without breaking the bank.

Estuary
390 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238871
Palais Renaissance B1-04/05
Tel: +65 9888 8888

The Mandala Group and Jekyll & Hyde have partnered together to reopen Operation Dagger, one of the World’s 50 Best Bars, in a new form.

They will be opening two concepts—graft and DAGGER at 76 Neil Road, just next to Jekyll & Hyde at 74 Neil Road.

The new brand is a collaboration between two powerhouses—The Mandala Group, which owns Mandala Club (previously known as Straits Clan) in Singapore as well as various restaurants, bars and resorts around the world; and Jekyll & Hyde, one of the most popular cocktail restaurant & bar concepts in Singapore which is known for its elevated Singapore soul food and whimsical cocktails.

In order to comply with URA requirements, food will be front and centre as graft’s main offering, while serving their signature drinks to complement the dishes.

Photos credit: Jekyll & Hyde & graft

A sustainability-first restaurant, graft is now open for booking, while DAGGER will only open early next year in 2022.

They have an edible garden in the courtyard, where all plants will be used in their food and drink. The restaurant will also be using glassware that is made all from used bottles, and cut and sanded down by hand.

The food is inspied from Chef Alvin’s—formerly head chef at Shanghai Dolly, and at Straits Clan—experience in both Western and Eastern kitchens and the drinks are made from Eco-Spirits.

graft
76 Neil Road
Singapore 088840
Tue to Fri: 5pm to 10.30pm
Sat: 12pm to 10.30pm

Specialising in Taiwanese-style hotpot and bubble tea, Coucou Hot Pot is opening two outlets in Singapore at Suntec City and Jewel Changi Airport.

Photo by Lynde Lim

Established in 2016, Coucou Hotpot has currently has outlets in China and Hong Kong and it is opening its first outlet in Singapore at level three of Suntec City’s North Wing will open in Dec 2021 while the second outlet at Jewel Changi Airport level 2 (next to Kam’s Roast) will open in Jan 2022.

While Coucou Hotpot Singapore has yet to announce the full menu for its Singapore outlet, it has revealed on Instagram that it will serving a selection of meat (Japanese wagyu, Iberico black pork slices USDA beef), seafood (abalone, live shrimps, Boston lobster) as well as the usual hotpot ingredients such as vegetables, mushrooms and meatballs.

Photos credit: Coucou Hotpot Singapore

Other than hotpot, Coucou Hotpot will also be offering a selection of Taiwanese tea and bubble tea.

Coucou Hotpot Singapore
Level three of Suntec City’s North Wing
3 Temasek Blvd, Singapore 038983

Jewel Changi Airport level 2
78 Airport Blvd., Singapore 819666

Sky Lido is a new rooftop bar & bistro that has opened up in Outram during the last Phase 2 HA. Located on level 5 of Concorde Shopping Centre, Sky Lido—a 6,000 sq ft open rooftop space—offers unobstructed views of the River Valley and Robertson Quay neighbourhoods.

The new rooftop bar & bistro is helmed by executive Chef Gabriel Cher who has over 18 years of experience in the F&B industry at establishments that include Klapsons The Boutique Hotel, and most recently as the Head Chef of Potatohead Folk.

Some of the dishes that you can try from their modern bistro menu include:

• Oxtail Ragu Pasta
• Beef Sausage Béarnaise Pizza
• Mushroom Bone Marrow Cream Pasta
• Bacon & Onion Jam White Pizza
• Bacon & Potato Pesto Pasta
• Chendol Panna Cotta

The rooftop bistro offers a pretty sick view of the sunset!

Photos credit: Sky Lido

We are definitely going to visit Sky Lido once dining restrictions have lifted. Until then, Sky Lido is currently offering a15% discount for customers who self-pick-up by ordering from their take.app https://take.app/s/6591772802.

Sky Lido
317 Outram Rd, #05-01 Concorde Shopping Centre
Singapore 169075

Premium yakiniku restaurant Yen Yakiniku has opened a new sister concept Yen Social at DUO Galleria on 2 July 2021.

Other than its Butcher Platters and premium cuts, Yen Social will be offering its in-house dry-aged Wagyu beef including whisky dry-aged Wagyu ribeye, using Kavalan single malt whisky from Taiwan.

Widely touted as one of the most popular Yakiniku restaurants in Singapore, Yen Yakiniki is a modern Yakiniku dining experience with farm-to-table premium wagyu cuts.

Yen Social Butcher Platters (pre-order required two days in advance) are available in sizes from 300gram (2 to 3 persons), 600gram (4 to 6 persons) and 1200gram (8 persons).

Look forward to thick cut karubi, chuck eye roll, chuck short ribs and Australian Wagyu ribeye. The restaurant host will demonstrate the precise way to grill each different cut.

Photos credit: Yen Social

You have to also order their signature in-house whisky dry-aged wagyu ribeye, as well as other speciality cuts such as ox tongue and wagyu intercoastal (rib finger) cubes.

Yen Social
7 Fraser Street, #01-25/26 DUO Galleria, Singapore 189356
Mon-Sat 6pm – 11pm (10pm last order)
Tel: +65 8669 6788

Opened by Chef Raymond Tan—the owner of high-end sushi restaurant, Hiyru—Shinsho Ramen is a new ramen eatery at Singpost Centre. Originating from Malaysia, Shinsho Ramen specialises in chicken paitan (white soup) ramen.

Shinsho’s paitan ramen is made from boiling and simmering a large amount of whole chicken, pork bones, chicken legs, and several kinds of vegetables over more than 8 hours. The result? A creamy, collagen-rich consistency with deep, savoury flavours.

There are 8 ramen on Shinsho Ramen’s menu:

• Aged Soy Sauce Ramen (S$14.90)
• Black Garlic Ramen (S$15.90)
• Spicy Red Miso Ramen (S$16.90)
• Special Black Truffle Flavour Ramen (S$17.90)
• Sakura Ebi & Chashu Curry Tsukemen (S$17.90)
• Pork Ribs Teriyaki Ramen (S$29)
• Half Rock Lobster Ramen (S$48)
• Kuroge Wagyu Ramen (S$54)

For delivery, you can opt for Shinsho Ramen’s raw noodle pack and cook the ramen yourself. The ramen ingredients, noodles and paitan soup broth will be packed separately and all you have to do is to cook the noodles in boiling water and heat up the soup broth which comes in a vacuum-packed bag. It’s a great way to enjoy piping hot ramen at the comfort of your place.

There are also premium ramen options including Half Rock Lobster Ramen and Kuroge Wagyu Ramen.

Apart from ramen, you can also choose from a selection of sides such as Fried Chicken Skin with Spicy Aioli, Homemade Wagyu Gzoya (S$12.40 for 4 pcs) and Roasted Pork Belly Bun (S$6.20).

We absolutely loved the spicy aioli dip which came with the fried chicken skin.

While we didn’t quite like the roasted pork belly which was too lean and dry, we thoroughly enjoyed the Homemade Wagyu Gzoya.

• Order Shinsho Ramen from their website—http://order.tabsquare.ai/ShinshoRamen.
• Islandwide delivery at only S$4 per trip with a minimum order of S$25.
• Free delivery for orders S$100 and above.

Shinsho Ramen
10 Eunos Rd 8, # 01-136, Singapore 408600
Daily: 11am – 8pm

Famous Chinese sauerkraut fish (Suan Cai Yu, or sour vegetables fish) restaurant from China, Tai Er Chinese SauerKraut Fish is opening its first outlet at Jewel Changi Airport.

Not to be confused with Tai Er Grilled Fish, Fragrant Spicy crab (which apparently is not from China) at Compass One which has the same name and spots a similar look and concept, Tai Er Chinese SauerKraut Fish is a massive chain with many restaurants in China.

Photo credit: Zara Zhang

It specialises in the Chinese sauerkraut fish—a traditional Sichuanese dish that is popular throughout China.

Other than its signature Suan Cai Yu, Tai Er Chinese SauerKraut Fish in China is also known for its rules:

• You can only have four people max at one table at a time, and no latecomers will be seated.
• The restaurant will not adjust the spiciness level of the grilled fish
• No takeout

We wonder if Tai Er Chinese SauerKraut Fish’s outpost in Singapore will maintain these rules.

Photo credit: Lynde Lim

Fans of Suan Cai Yu must visit them when they officially open at Jewel Changi Airport. The new outlet is located on level 3 next to Chun Yang Tea.

Tai Er Chinese SauerKraut Fish
78 Airport Blvd., Singapore 819666
#03-208 Jewel Changi Airport

Helmed by Daniel Ong, Dan’s Steak is a relatively new Korean-influenced Steakhouse which opened at Serangoon Gardens in April 2021. It is a small and cosy space which can seat around 30 pax.

Dan’s Steaks is a steakhouse with a slight Korean twang and what makes it different from the other steakhouses in Singapore is that it offers free banchan (Korean side dishes) just like the usual Korean restaurants. Daniel Ong will be cooking and serving the steaks himself.

For those of you who follow Daniel on Instagram, Dan’s Steaks is actually not a new concept. It first started as a home-based business in May 2020 during the Circuit Breaker period.

Here are the dishes that you can look forward to at Dan’s Steaks

• Grass-fed Steaks from S$28
• Wagyu/USDA from S$58
• Other mains from S$18
• Large format steak cuts (1-1.4kg) from S$118
• 12 sides at S$8 including fries, garlic mash, kimchi and namul, male and nuts, cream spinach with a fried egg on top, Honey balsamic tomatoes
• Cocktails, fresh fruit soju, vintage wines.

There will be around 20 different types of banchan that are made in-house—including kimchi, spicy tteokbokki (Korean rice cakes), and Daniel’s mum’s speciality, braised black beans—on a rotational basis.

Dan’s Steaks served only big format cuts (think 1kg tenderloin, 1.2kg bone-in ribeye, striploin) when they first started selling steaks online, but the new Dan’s Steaks at Serangoon Gardens will also have a range of 250g – 350g grass-fed steaks, wagyu steaks, USDA Prime steaks.

For people who don’t eat beef, there are other options such as miso salmon, and Korean chicken.

Do not miss out on the fantastic side dishes. The creamy and buttery Mashed Potatoes completely stole the show, while we also loved the Cream Spinach with Fried Egg.

Dan’s steaks
12 Maju avenue (Opp MyVillage)
Singapore 556690

Established in 2012 at Tanglin Post Office Building, Nassim Hill Bakery is best known for its brunch dishes and fresh bakes. The original outlet is a pet-friendly cafe and it is absolutely perfect for families looking to unwind over the weekend, if not, casual drinks at the bar with your mates.

Nassim Hill Bakery has opened a second outlet at the Killiney Post Office building, on Level 2 of KPO Café Bar.

The new outlet is right opposite the Orchard Central taxi stand, and only a few minutes walk away from Somerset MRT.

Nassim Hill @ Killiney will be serving breakfast and lunch from Tuesdays to Sundays 9am to 3pm.

The menu is a distilled version of the original Nassim Hill brunch menu. Regulars will be happy to know that the signature dishes such as Chilli Crab Pasta and Cheddar Cheese Bacon Waffles will be available on the menu, together with freshly baked artisanal sourdough and their popular Brioche Donuts.

Enjoy a cuppa by Liberty Coffee and Nassim Hill’s brunch fare in a spacious setting with lush greenery surrounding the Killiney Post Office building.

Nassim Hill @ Killiney
1 Killiney Road, Level 2
Singapore 239518
Tel: +65 8339 5368

Joël Robuchon Restaurants are reopening in Singapore in 2021.

Both L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Joël Robuchon Restaurant first opened in Singapore back in 2011 and the late French chef Joël Robuchon closed both of his Michelin-starred restaurants in Singapore abruptly in 2018 without stating any reason.

According to an Icon’s article in January, Aimi Shibuya—the founder of Japanese restaurant Sushi Kou—is bringing Joël Robuchon’s restaurant and cafe back to Singapore.

Holding the most Michelin stars globally, the late French chef Joël Robuchon has over 25 Michelin stars to his name and more than 20 establishments around the globe.

A meal at a Joël Robuchon establishment is not the most affordable, of course. A five-course dinner was priced at S$228 at the now-defunct two-Michelin-starred L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon while a four-course dinner three-Michelin-starred Joël Robuchon Restaurant started at S$298.

However, having a meal at a Joël Robuchon Restaurant is not just about the food; it is about the overall dining experience right from the moment you step into the restaurant. We are certainly looking forward to the reopening of Joël Robuchon Restaurants in Singapore.

Arteastiq DePatio
BREW | SHARE | HOOCH

Looking for a perfect getaway from the concrete jungle?

Arteastiq De Patio is a new tropical garden-themed cafe at Plaza Singapura by the Arteastiq group. Known for its elegant afternoon tea affair, all-day brunch menu and freestyle art jamming, Arteastiq is one of our favourite hangout spots in town.

From brunch to pasta, artisanal pizzas and tea blends, Arteastiq DePatio has something for everyone. The new casual dining concept has an affordable menu with many dishes priced around S$16 and there are also more family-friendly sharing plates for communal dining.

Here are some deliciously beautiful dishes that you have to try when you dine at Arteastiq DePatio.

AFTERNOON TEA

Gather your friends for a delightful afternoon tea at Arteastiq DePatio! They offer a modern Japanese take on an afternoon tea spread serving dainty fine sweets and relishing bite-sized savouries.

The Afternoon Tea set is (S$48 for 2 people) comes with a selection of savouries and sweets as well as two speciality teas of your choice.

Savouries

• Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Roulade
• Kani Salad in Kueh Pie Tee
• Open-faced sandwiches with parma ham, brie, and tomato.

Sweets

• Hojicha choux pastry
• Shiratama dango with purple crumble
• Donut lollipops
• Macarons

ARTISANAL JAPANESE-ITALIAN PIZZAS

Calling all pizza lovers!

Arteastiq DePatio specializes in making artisanal Japanese-Italian pizzas! All pizzas are lovingly hand-stretched and topped off with the freshest quality ingredients such as the rich tomato marinara, creamy burrata cheese, and premium grade Japanese wagyu beef.

Expect to find Italian classics from the Margherita Pizza (S$16) to the highly recommended Japanese-inspired creations including Soy Garlic Wagyu Beef pizza (S$29) and Burrata Parma ham Margherita pizza (S$29)

You can also go for the Double-Happiness Pizza to enjoy 2 flavours on a 12-inch pizza.

BRUNCH

Enjoy a hearty brunch with your family and friends. It is hard to decide on a dish when there are so many mouth-watering choices to pick from!

Try the highly recommended signature Tuscan Butter Salmon (S$18) which comes with a pan-seared Salmon creamy sauce with garlic, cherry tomato, spinach, basil, parmesan cheese and sunny side up; or if you are feeling hungry, go for the Full Breakfast (S$22) with scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, chicken cheese sausage, sauteed mushroom, roasted cherry tomato, kernel corn, green salad, blueberry jam and toast bread.

PASTA

One of our favourite dishes from Arteastiq Bistro at Jewel Changi Airport is the Spicy Crayfish Spaghetti (S$16) and it is also available at the new garden-themed cafe.

It features two generous slabs of crayfish atop a bed of tri-coloured pasta that is tossed and sautéed with chilli oil, garlic, cocktail onion and light cream.

Other options include Squid Ink Spaghetti (S$16), Macaroni Beef Bolognese (S$16) and Mentaiko Tuna Spaghetti (S$16).

BREW

Amongst Arteastiq’s extensive tea choices—there are more than 20 delicately perfumed teas to pick from—our absolute favourite has to be their famed Lychee Oolong Tea which is served in a crystal perfume bottle and poured over plump and succulent lychees.

For caffeine lovers, you have to try their premium grade Hojicha Espresso. It’s the ideal pick-me-up treat. Akin to the flavours of deep caramel, the Hojicha Espresso offers a natural sweetness, a deep roasted nuttiness and a gentle hint of smokiness. Ornately served in a dark crystal perfume bottle and poured over milk and ice, this fine beverage will keep you wanting for more.

Arteastiq Depatio
68 Orchard Road, #03-70/72, Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839.

This post was brought to you by Arteastiq Depatio.

DUCKLAND

Photo Credit: Eleven Strands

Eleven Strands is the latest Italian and French dining concept in Serangoon launched by the team behind South Union Park. They’ve revitalised the defunct space left behind by Kombi Rocks Diner with nautical-inspired décor and golden molecular chandeliers. With 13 options of pasta, they’re no doubt doing what they’re good at. Choose anything from garlicky Bacon Aglio Olio (S$19) to tomato-based Beef Bolognese (S$21). White Crabmeat Pasta, Short Rib Pasta, and weekend-only brunch, Smoked Salmon & Avocado, are some of their features.

Eleven Strands

66 Yio Chu Kang Road

Singapore 545568

Tel: +65 9487 1398

Tue to Sat: 12pm – 11.30pm

Sun: 12pm to 10pm

(Closed on Mondays)

Nearest Station: Serangoon

KAFE UTU

Kafe Utu is Singapore’s first African-themed café and owner Kurt Wagner brought with him East And West African mains and desserts. That would include Utu Plate (S$18) for starters, Swahili Fish Curry (S$29) for mains, and Mandazi (S$8) for that sweet tooth. If you prefer something safer and more familiar, get yourselves brunch with Ricotta Hotcakes (S$23) or some Curried Avocado with Raw garlic and Toast (S$16).

Kafe Utu

12 Jiak Chuan Rd

Singapore 089265

Tel: +65 6996 3937

Tue to Thu: 8am – 5pm, 6pm – 11pm

Fri & Sat: 8am – 5pm, 6pm – 1am

Sun: 8am – 5pm

(Closed on Mondays)

Nearest Station: Outram Park

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Photo Credit: Kebun Tea Bar

KEBUN SPECIALTY TEA LATTE BAR

Swing by Kebun Specialty Tea Latte Bar for a spot of vegan latte which is Singapore’s first. Their Signature Cashew Mylk is tempting with whole cashews ground and made with non-dairy mylk which is not ordinary milk. Other featured menu items include Kebun’s Earl Grey Latter (S$5) Royal Thai Latte (S$5), Seoul Misugaru Latter (S$5.50), and Violet Sweet Potato Latte (S$5.50).

Kebun: Specialty Tea Latte Bar

Blk 531 Upper Cross Street #01-41

Singapore 050531

Tel: +65 9009 8375

Mon to Sat: 10am – 7pm

(Closed on Sundays)

Nearest Station: Chinatown

Photo Credit: Lee’s Confectionery

LEE’S CONFECTIONERY

Deep in Jurong East, Lee’s Confectionery is a spot in the heartlands that introduces French haute pastry to the West. This patisserie is named after Lee Yin Quan who assembles his elegant creations upon order. Jiao (S$8) is like a traditional banana cake upgraded to a pretty pastry. It’s made of banana sponge, banana compote, and creamy mascarpone on a base of cinnamon oat crumble. For a twist to your Singaporean breakfast, Puff (S$7) is an earl grey-infused kaya clasped between pastry puffs.

Lee’s Confectionery

343 Jurong East Street 31, #01-59

Singapore 600343

Tel: +65 9183 8447

Mon to Fri: 12am – 10pm

Sat & Sun: 11am – 10pm

Nearest Station: Chinese Garden

Photo Credit: littlewoodentable

LITTLE OASIS

For fresh bakes and healthy nosh, Little Oasis is a cosy refuge in Everton Park for some calm respite away from roads nearby. The café began as an online home bakery called The Little Wooden Table which uses less sugar and natural flavouring and offers craft-your-own cakes. They specialise in chiffon and pound cakes so try their Banana Yoghurt Loaf (S$4.50), Lemon Drizzle Cake (S$6.50), and Early Grey Lavender Chiffon Cake (S$2.50) to name a few. There’s healthy soba, bagels, waffles, and salads too.

Little Oasis

Blk 3 Everton Park #01-79

Singapore 080003

Tue to Sun: 9am to 5pm

(Closed on Mondays, 2nd and 4th Sunday)

Nearest Station: Outram Park

Photo Credit: Micro Bakery & Kitchen

MICRO BAKERY & KITCHEN

If you’re on the hunt for artisanal bakeries, Micro Bakery & Kitchen is a new spot that took over The Bakery By Woodlands Sourdough at Bukit Timah. The previous partner of previous owners Chalith and Nur has continued the business with little change to the philosophy of making small batches of handmade bread. Most customers might not even have noticed the difference. Get sandwiches like Grilled 3-cheese with Seuerkraut or House Ricotta, both at S$12, and check out their board for fresh bakes of the day.

Micro Bakery & Kitchen

Serene Centre 10 Jalan Serene #01-05

Singapore 258748

Wed to Sun: 8.30am – 5pm

(Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)

Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

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Photo Credit: The Feather Blade

THE FEATHER BLADE

For eight weekends straight across March and April 2019, The Feather Blade will bring you odd cuts executed perfectly, closely resembling that of London’s renowned £10 Flat Iron Steaks to Singapore. You’ll find these guys at Zui Hong Lou on Club Street. Get a cut known as the flavourful flat iron, aka the feather blade, which is the shoulder blade of the cattle. At S$21++ for 200 grams, it’s very good value. This pop-up concept is inspired by chef and founder, Sheen Jet Leong, who worked at Soho’s Flat Iron steakhouse in London for a time.

The Feather Blade

90 Club Street

Singapore 069458

Pop-up house: Sat to Sun: 5.30pm – 1am

Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

Photo Credit: Hannah Hang

VOYAGE PATISSERIE

You’ll find Voyage Patisserie hidden snugly in a stretch of shophouses along Outram Road with zi char and steamboat restaurants for neighbours. Chef Jonathan officially opened their doors on 22 February with Cynthia (S$9) as their signature cake. It’s named after his girlfriend and the sweet story behind it is that it’s the first “rose” he gave to her. Try their gorgeous Flor de Passion or Louis XV for some bitter cocoa. If you get a surge of cake cravings at night, Voyage Patisseries opens till midnight from Fridays to Sundays.

Voyage Patisserie

249 Outram Road

Singapore 169048

Tel: +65 6223 2490

Tue to Thu: 10am – 10pm

Fri to Sun: 10am – 12pm

(Closed on Mondays)

Nearest Station: Outram Park

Photo Credit: Wild Wood Café

WILD WOOD CAFÉ

Wild Wood Café is an under-the-radar bistro-stye café tucked away in Yishun’s Wisteria Mall where Poco Loco is located. You’ll find the usual café items like Classic Breakfast Set (S$11.80), French Toast (S$8.80), Turkey Bacon Aglio Olio (S$11.80), and Wild Chicken Carbonara (S$10.80). Expect all-day breakfast sets, savoury waffles, pasta, and burgers here.

Wild Wood Café

598 Yishun Ring Road

#01-51/52 Wisteria Mall

Singapore 768698

Mon to Fri: 10am – 10pm

Sat & Sun: 8am – 10pm

Nearest Station: Khatib

Love Korean chicken and fast food? Well if you do, we have great news for you because No Signboard Holdings is bringing in eateries under the South Korea-based Mom’s Touch Chicken and Burger brand to Singapore and Malaysia.

For those of you who are not familar with the brand, Mom’s Touch Chicken and Burger is a popular fast food chain with around 650 stores in South Korea.

The company’s adorable name stems from their belief that food made the same way as a mother would for her family is always the best.

Photo Credit: Mom’s Touch

Mom’s Touch mainly specialises in fried chicken wings, chicken burgers and hamburgers. Their all-time popular wings come in a variety of mouthwatering flavours such as spicy, chilli pepper, honey, garlic, onion cheese and curry.

What makes Mom’s Touch great is also the fact that they do not use trans fat oils or monosodium glutamate in any of their products, so you know that you are getting some great quality food.

The first of these stores will be opened in Malaysia in 2019, with another seven stores to be opened in different parts of both Singapore and Malaysia within the first three years of the agreement.

So, for all our fried chicken fans out there, get ready to sink your teeth in some solid Korean fried chicken real soon!

It is no secret that Singaporeans are addicted to Korean food. Ever since the K-wave hit us a few years back, we have never stopped craving for Korean food. It also goes without saying that our favourite kind of Korean food comes in the form of Korean fried chicken.

Chik Soo Korean Chicken at Punggol Drive Oasis Terraces specialises in Korean Fried Chicken—if their name isn’t already obvious enough. And hearing so much about it, we were excited to see how their Korean chicken tasted compared to other famous brands such as Nene Chicken, Chicken Up and 4 Fingers. Here’s what we thought.

The entrance of Chik Soo is not hard to spot, and it is located right smack under the giant Samsung television in the main area.

The interior of the place is quite small and dim, but it made for a cosy environment that is great for intimate get-togethers with family and friends.

The wings came in 3 flavours: Soya Sauce, Sweet Chilli and Hot & Spicy Wings. All of these were priced at S$12 per plate of 4 wings. We decided to opt for their Hot and Spicy Wings because we were curious to see how spicy they really were.

The fried chicken was much bigger than we expected it to be, and the 4 large wings were jostling with each other for space on the plate. Each wing was generously drenched in a copious amount of spicy, chilli sauce, and the sight of it definitely made our mouths water.

The chicken skin was incredibly crispy and crunchy while maintaining a good tender inside that was cooked thoroughly. The spicy sauce, we were sad to say, was not very spicy, so people who can’t take spice can order this without fear. However, we didn’t mind the lack of spice as it was still deliciously tangy and sweet.

Besides chicken, they also sell a number of other classic Korean dishes like Army Stew, Bibimbap and Ginseng Chicken Soup. We also tried the Army Stew set as they were having a promotion where any choice of stew came with a plate of gyoza for only S$36.80.

The army stew has 3 levels of heat, so you can choose how spicy you want it to be. It came in a large pot and had delicious ingredients such as spam, crab rolls, chicken, sausages, tofu, corn and spicy paste mixed in.

The stew had just the right amount of spiciness and tanginess, and we love how all the ingredients soaked up all the goodness of the broth. It definitely is an incredibly satisfying dish that is great to slurp down on a cold, rainy day.

For the gyoza, we had the ones with kimchi and pork fillings. The gyoza was deliciously crisp and golden and made a satisfying crunch sound when we bit into it.

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Chik Soo Korean Chicken
Blk 681 Punggol Drive Oasis Terraces, #01-07
Singapore 821669
Tel: +65 6909 7465
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Oasis LRT

Our favourite Fresh Fruits Lab (FFL) is back at it again. They have opened a second cafe—Fresh Fruits Lab Z Edition—in Clementi just behind NUS.

The new outlet is nothing short of amazing. Just like their previous branch, they stick to the core of incorporating fruits into their menu as much as possible, being kid-friendly, and serving up absolutely delicious food at even more reasonable prices than before.

We already know what’s great at their first branch, so what is it about The Z Edition that makes it fantastic? A bouncy castle for kids during the weekends! And on top of that, there are some tweaks to the menu and here is everything we love.

From now until 30 Nov 2018, kids below 8 dine for free during weekends at Fresh Fruits Lab Z when you quote ‘ladyironchef’. Every order of a main course comes with a complimentary kid’s main (from the kids’ menu).

Calling all mommies: this is also the next brunch spot you must bring your kids to for a jolly good time!

BANGING APPETISERS

Just like before, FFL serves their signature cold-pressed juices in a small test tube for you to sample, and in an adorable beaker should you order the full-size ones (averagely S$5 per glass).

We ordered the Spam Fries (S$8) as well as the Golden Brown Chicken Wings (S$8)—both served with homemade sweet chilli sauce.

The chicken wings had a lovely crispy skin that readily soaked up sweet garlic taste of the chilli. It was well seasoned down to the bone, and juicy without being oily. The light batter coating the spam fries also had an interesting texture to it, that provided a pleasant contrast between it and the soft spam inside. Despite being deep fried, it wasn’t greasy at all.

VALUE-FOR-MONEY MAINS

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. The Classic British Fish and Chips (S$12) is our all-time favourite main at FFL.

As plain and boring as it sounds, the portion size is massive, and the fish remains firm, flaky and delicately soft, encrusted by a thin layer of white ale batter. Their homemade tartar sauce boasts a slight spice to it that made the whole dish even more enjoyable. As if the generous serving is not filling enough, it comes with a side of fruit salad and truffle fries.

Another main to try is the FFL Baked Rice (S$9). The rice is cooked in buttermilk before being baked with a layer of mozzarella cheese, and it is pleasantly cheesy without being cloying or heavy. With bacon, chicken ham and mushrooms in it, kids are bound to love this dish of baked rice for sure!

The Grilled Pork Loin (S$15) is also a chef’s recommendation. Tender, thick and juicy, each morsel was a delight in itself to eat.

Served with mashed potatoes, eggplant pesto and green zucchini, the flavours intermingled with one another to highlight and emphasize the natural sweetness of the meat. It also comes along with pesto mayo sauce and apple chutney that helped to change up the flavour profile as we ate it.

Cafes are usually not known for their steaks, but FFL’s Angus Rib Eye (S$22) is definitely worth its price. It is a genuine 250gm of Angus ribeye that’s tender and soft, with the perfect amount of chew before easily sliding down your throat.

We loved how with every chew it released more of that beef flavour we all know and love, which melded well with their brown sauce that was slightly sweeter than the typical chargrill or mushroom sauce.

We also enjoyed their Cajun Chicken (S$10), which is really a simple yet comforting roasted cajun chicken served with grilled vegetables, sweet corn and mashed potatoes.

BITE-SIZED FUN FOR THE KIDS

Just like their first branch, FFL aims to cater to the entire family. Treat your kids to deliciously adorable meals such as FFL’s Teddy The Daddy (S$8), Little Miss Koala (S$8) or Chicken Little (S$10).

Their kids’ menu is prepared with less salt, without compromising on any of the other flavours for the children to enjoy. That is, if they’re willing to cut into something so cute.

From now until 30 Nov 2018, kids below 8 dine for free during weekends at Fresh Fruits Lab Z when you quote ‘ladyironchef’. Every order of a main course comes with a complimentary kid’s main (from the kids’ menu).

They also offer cake decorating to allow your kids to have a hand at crafting their own desserts. Choose from a range of their signature and have your children’s creativity flow from the tip of their chocolate pens.

For those kids that just can’t sit still, there’s a bouncy castle out in their backyard—set up at Fresh Fruits Lab Z on weekends. Boy, won’t the kids get so excited about this!

Your kids will absolutely love the bouncy castle where they can bounce and run back and forth. Fresh Fruits Lab Z Edition is the perfect place for parents to kick back and relax with good food while their children entertain themselves.

During lunch hours from 12pm to 3pm (except on public holidays), FFL offers a set menu consisting of a drink, salad and main for only S$10.90++.

For the alcoholics, you’d also be glad to know they have daily beer promotions. The most bang for the buck ones being Wednesdays for students, with beer towers at only S$39 (U.p. S$49–53), and Fridays with two towers going for S$89! Worth it!

Fresh Fruits Lab – The Z Edition
28 Clementi Road
Singapore 129754
Tel: +65 6803 7472
(Closed on Mondays)
Tues to Fri: 12pm – 12am
Sat & Sun: 11am – 12am
Nearest Station: Kent Ridge

Fresh Fruits Lab
351 Changi Rd, Singapore 419818
Tel: +65 6677 6741
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Eunos/ Kembangan

This post was brought to you by Fresh Fruits Lab.

Occupying floors 25 to 39 of the Duo Tower and towering over the beautiful Kampong Glam enclave is the latest lifestyle hotel brand, Andaz Singapore. Boasting marvellous skyline views and a sensational snippet into Singapore’s vibrant dining scene is Alley on 25, an immersive novel dining concept that shares the hotel lobby of Andaz Singapore.

An F&B destination in its own rights, you’ll find various different restaurant concepts, a bar and a lounge that cohesively share the space; each of them with its own identity and no two concepts are alike. It is like stepping into a different world despite being in the same zone; it is one enthralling alley.

Inspired by Singapore’s vast and fluid dining culture, tuck into a splendid array of edible delights from hearty stews and family-style roasts from The Green Oven, charcuterie, a variety of cold dishes and locally-inspired desserts from Icehaus, to rustic modern Asian fare from Smoke & Pepper.

The truth of the matter is, whichever dining concept you choose to dine at, you can be certain that the impeccable service standard at any of their 5 restaurant concepts will have you feeling pampered from head to toe, and leave your taste buds sufficiently satisfied. Here’s every reason why Alley on 25 should be on your go-to list.

ICEHAUS

Icehaus—the all-day dining restaurant at Alley on 25—offers cold cuts, sustainable seafood, heirloom salads and locally-inspired desserts.

During lunch, Icehaus has a semi-buffet lunch concept whereby you can opt for the full spread of edible delights for only S$18++/ pax. Tuck into the likes of freshly baked bread from the local bakery, Tiong Bahru Bakery, a well-stocked salad bar, as well as unlimited amounts of charcuterie, cheese, soft-serve ice cream and iced tea.

Guests hankering for a light yet satisfying desserts can also opt for Icehaus’ famous desserts that beautifully encompass the elements of local street sweets but with a modern approach.

We are huge fans of their Pandan Chiffon Cake (S$14++) as well as their Andaz Chendol Pop (S$10++). The former really took us by surprise with its heady pandan aroma and decadent yet light mouthfeel, and the latter in itself was such a joy to eat (and look at).

The Andaz Chendol Pop consists of gula melaka coconut ice cream, red bean caramel and pandan white chocolate—all of which work wonderfully well together to form the ultimate treat.

AUNTIE’S WOK & STEAM

Meandering down the alleyway, guests will surely be drawn to the sounds of clanking metal and a strong scent of stir-fried delights wafting through the air courtesy of Auntie’s Wok and Steam. The restaurant emulates Singapore’s zichar scene but with a hint of Szechuan influences thrown into the mix.

The result? An array of hearty zichar-style dishes that pack massive flavour, heady wok hei and a fiery kick.

Diners can also look forward to a smorgasbord of dim sum offerings in addition to classic rice and noodle dishes.

A variety of the signatures from Auntie’s Wok and Steam include Double Boiled Beef Short Rib (S$22++) that comes with hand-stretched egg noodles and a spicy Szechuan broth, Jiao Zi Dumplings (S$12++ for 6 pieces) as well as Organic Fried Rice (S$18++) that comes with massive chunks of crab meat.

PLANCHA’LAH!

Currently available for dinner service only, Plancha’Lah! is where one can find a multitude of premium ingredients spanning from all corners of the Pacific Rim—from Japan to as far as South America—all expertly prepared by a team of seasoned teppanyaki chefs.

The live culinary theatre that features an open flat top, also known as a plancha is a true spectacle to behold.

Combining both the precision and sophistication of Japanese teppanyaki techniques and a wide array of international dishes such as Hokkaido Scallops, Grass-fed Black Angus Tenderloin and Patagonian Toothfish, what diners can expect is no less than culinary finesse with a hint of dramatic effect.

We absolutely love their Patagonian Toothfish “en papillote” (S$42++) and their Grass-Fed Black Angus Tenderloin (S$35++), both of which boast a superb sear before being tossed around with a combination of seasonal root vegetables.

And what better way to round off our meal than with their must-try Pineapple Flambé (S$15++). Perfectly seared on the flat top with lots of clarified butter before being a shot of tequila is added for an added kick (and dramatic effect), this savoury-sweet dessert is literally the best thing one can have after a hearty meal.

SMOKE & PEPPER

Dishing out primarily Asian-focused fare with a touch of modernity, Smoke and Pepper impresses with not just their stellar interior furnishings, but with their food as well. Perhaps the largest dining destination at Alley on 25, this humble restaurant entices with its barbecued specialities that are prepared over an open-fire grill.

Dig into the succulent likes of their Black Angus Beef Burger (S$18++), Grilled Squid (S$18++) that comes served with shiso peppers and a green chilli dressing, Black Angus Beef Skewers (S$35) and more!

THE GREEN OVEN

For those who crave all things homey, comforting and meaty, The Green Oven works up the ultimate treat. This restaurant is where one can tuck into a myriad of classic international fare, prepared from the heart of the kitchen, that is within the confines of the restaurant’s massive green-colour Beech oven.

Look forward to comfort dishes such as Roast Black Figs (S$18++), Whole Spring Chicken (S$ 35++)—cooked in a claypot along with bacon lardons, baby potatoes, rosemary and thyme—,Braised Osso Buco–a Milanese staple—and not forgetting their oh-so-glorious Lobster Mac & Cheese (S$35++)

These homey, soul-warming dishes are a favourite among many and will definitely delight every palate.

NEW EXTENDED “LAZY BREAKFAST”

Too tired to wake up for brunch on weekends? Now, you can sleep in and still have an awesome breakfast/brunch meal at Andaz Singapore! Alley on 25 just launched their new “Lazy Breakfast” from 11.30am to 2.30pm daily, priced at just S$35++ per pax (Child S$17.50++). You can enjoy unlimited offerings at their breakfast buffet spread, including one a la carte dish of your choice. For another S$35++, you can enjoy free-flow Proseccos, wines and draught beer.

A la carte items include Eggs Benedict, Steak and Egg prepared with Australian Sirloin, Breakfast Burger, Smoked Salmon Bagel, Breakfast Quesadilla and Grilled Pastrami & Cheese Sandwich. Besides the a la carte dish, stuff yourselves with their huge variety of items in the buffet spread that features pastries from Tiong Bahru Bakery, gluten-free cereals and even Asian dishes such as congee and dim sum.

Alley on 25
5 Fraser Street, Level 25
Andaz Singapore
Singapore 189354
Daily: 6.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

This post was brought to you by Andaz Singapore.

Replacing the now defunct Jimoto-Ya along Pickering Street is Mister Wu, a casual dining eatery serving up Chinese far with a modern twist.

The concept behind the shop is simple staple food with little platters to share with colleagues and friends, with old-school Chinese and Cantonese music adding to the easy-going vibe of the place.

Catering to the lunch and dinner crowd with a specific menu to both, Mister Wu serves up la mian and rice bowls at affordable prices.

The main dishes start at just S$8, and with an additional S$4 you can get a lunch set inclusive of a side dish and tea.

We ordered Mr Su’s Braised Pork Rice (S$8), Revenge on Marco Polo (S$8) and Mahjong La Mian (S$8), along with a side of Fried Ping Pong Wanton (S$3 a la carte) and Brown Butter Oolong (S$3 a la carte).

We were told that the teas at Mister Wu are their own special blend, offering tea cocktails and tea ice creams made from the same blend.

The Brown Butter Oolong had a very subtle and light taste to it and was just perfect for cleansing our palate between each dish.

The Revenge of Marco Polo is a truffle mushroom dry la mian. The smell of truffles greeted us before we saw the dish, and piled at the side of the noodles were a mix of Enoki and Shimeji mushrooms, crunchy greens and a soft-yolk egg.

The Mahjong La Mian, on the other hand, had much stronger flavours. The spicy sesame sauce gave the creamy noodles a nice kick, while the shredded chicken and sliced cucumber helped to combat the heat and add texture to the bowl. Though the noodles were nice, we found the chicken a tad bit too dry.

Mr Su’s Braised Pork Rice is essentially a bowl of rice with braised pork on the side, with the same greens and egg as the previous two dishes. The braised pork was a good mix of fat and lean mean—not too dry, not too fatty, and just melts in your mouth.

The braising sauce was also rich, which accent the flavour of the pork. Though the rice had a bit of sauce on it, we did wish that the pork and rice were not served separately, as that would have allowed the sauce to soak into the rice more.

For just S$12, Mister Wu offers value-for-money meals in the CBD and is a place that would have you returning after trying their lunch menu to see what’s different in their dinner menu.

As they’ve only opened for about 2 weeks, Mister Wu is still currently undergoing their soft launch. Their full menu with pictures will be available from the 18th of this month onwards.

Mister Wu
3 Pickering Street, #01-44/45
China Square Central
Singapore 048660
Tel: +65 6781 3833
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm to 10pm
(Closed on Sundays & PH)
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

Aqua S—Sydney’s famous soft serve shop—is opening in Singapore. For all the dessert fans out there with an incurable sweet tooth, be prepared to get the sugar rush of your lifetime.

Aqua S’ famous blue-hued soft serve has taken the internet by storm and stunning pictures of this dessert have flooded our Instagram feeds ever since it was founded in 2016.

The mastermind behind these whimsical desserts, Aqua S, will be opening their first outlet in Singapore at Orchard Xchange. Here’s what you can expect besides insanely long queues.

Aqua S is most famous for their pastel blue sea salt-flavoured swirls that are often accompanied with toppings including toasted marshmallows, caramel popcorn, popping candy and of course, their signature dreamy fairy floss.

But that’s not all—Aqua S boasts over 130 rotational different flavours, all of which are pastel-coloured. This includes flavours such as D24 durian, apple cinnamon pie, tiramisu, grapefruit and taro.

Make sure to try their signature sea salt flavour, which was inspired by the famous sea salt ice-cream from Okinawa, Japan. This flavour will be permanent on the menu.

Like their outlet in Sydney, Singapore’s Aqua S will offer ever-changing flavours. Their soft serve flavours will rotate on the 1st and 16th of every month, so you may look forward to something new and exciting every fortnight! Prices start from S$5.70 for a plain cone and an additional S$0.80 for each topping.

Aqua S Singapore
437 Orchard Road, #B1-01
Orchard Xchange
Singapore 238878
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Red Holic is where lovers of Korean food can settle in for some of the tastiest tteokbokki around. Helmed by the same folks behind Super Star K, this cosy joint boasts a myriad of home-style Korean stews, dumplings and other tasty delights that go well with beer or soju.

Red Holic specialises in comforting Korean food in the likes of classic tteokbokki, ramyeon and Korean street snacks. While their menu is pretty selective, this Korean eatery does make for a nice pit stop for a quick snack on the go or for your friends and yourself to retire to over drinks after a hard day’s work.

Kick start your meal with one of Red Holic’s Giant Mandus (Korean dumplings). Red Holic serves a selective variety of this classic Korean street snack at a relatively affordable price per piece.

We opted for the Giant Kimchi Mandu (S$1.80++ per piece) and each piece came steaming hot and stuffed with generous amounts of kimchi, minced pork and glass noodles.

While the variety of textures, flavours and tongue-tingling heat surprised us in some way, we would have much preferred if it was less dry.

If you are tired of drooling over the Jjajangmyeon you often see in Korean dramas, hop over to Red Holic and order up a portion of Jjajang Tteokbokki that will satisfy any of such cravings.

The Crispy Chicken Jjajang Tteokbokki (S$27.80++) comes with Korean ramyeon noodles, quail eggs, 2 pieces of fried mandu, tteokbokki and pieces of diced up chicken thighs that are deep-fried to a nice golden brown.

The Jjajang sauce was mildly sweet and savoury with a slight spicy kick to it, which we felt went pleasantly well with the tteokbokki and ramyeon. The fried chicken arrives tender on the inside and crisp on the outside but we suggest you finish them up quickly before they turn soggy.

If you’re a fan of spicy food, don’t beat around the bush and head straight for the Red Holic Tteokbokki which comes with a broth that is equally as sweet as the Jjajang sauce, but with a fiery element that will impress.

The Red Holic Beef Brisket Tteokbokki (S$28.80++) can feed 2 to 3 people nicely given its size. Similar to the Crispy Chicken Jjajang Ttekbokki, this dish gives you the best of both worlds as it comprises both ramyeon as well as their signature Tteokbokki. Carbs aside, this dish will fill you up with the beef brisket, fried mandu as well as glass noodles too!

Tanjong Pagar may be home to plenty of Korean restaurants—this area is known to be Singapore’s ‘Little Korea’ after all—but what makes Red Holic stand out is their exceptional tteokbokki which are undeniably one of the best that we tried.

And while Red Holic’s menu is rather limited, they definitely deliver when it comes to quality. Should you wish to indulge in inexpensive and hearty Korean fare that is not overly pretentious, Red Holic is a great place to consider.

Red Holic
88 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088509
Tel: +65 6224 1064
Daily: 11.30am – 2am
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar