New Restaurants

TXA Pintxo Bar
The truth is I have never stepped foot into the previous Alkaff Mansion when it was an Italian restaurant. Fast forward a few years, the centurion old historic building reopened last month and is now home to three dining concepts. Managed by 1-Group, TXA Pintxo Bar located at level one of the mansion focuses on Basque cuisine, with Wildseed Cafe occupying a separate space on the same level. UNA, a familiar Spanish restaurant name which was previously at Rochester Park, occupies level two of The Alkaff Mansion. (Read more here…)
Address: 10 Telok Blangah Green, Singapore 109178

% Arabica
One of the most anticipated coffee brand from Kyoto has finally opened in Singapore. Located at 56 Arab Street, this is % Arabica first outlet in Singapore. The seating capacity is pretty limited, with a few seats by the counter, and a long white bench by the window. It is a very open setting I would say, which allows a good dose of natural light in the store. Go for the signature Iced Caffe Latte. (Read more here…)
Address: 56 Arab Street, Singapore 199753

Gram Cafe and Pancakes
Originally from Osaka, Japan, Gram Cafe & Pancakes opened in Singapore at VivoCity earlier last month in June 2019. The famous Japanese souffle pancake specialist is located at level two of the mall, with a 40-seater capacity. The menu in Singapore is a mix of sweet and savoury dishes, with its signature and most popular dish being the Premium Pancakes. (Read more here…)
Address: 1 Harbourfront Walk, VivoCity, #02-110, Singapore 098585

Afuri
Afuri ramen, the famous Yuzu base ramen which hails from Ebisu, Tokyo, has opened at the revamped Funan mall. The space of Afuri (ramen + dumpling) is quite open as you can see all the tables at one glance, including the open kitchen. There are 73 seats, which is quite huge for a ramen joint. In terms of menu, it is not exactly identical to Tokyo, which explains the slightly different name in Singapore. That said, I was elated to spot the signature Yuzu Ramen and Tsukemen. If you can only order one dish, go for the Yuzu Shio Ramen. (Read more here…)
Address: 107 North Bridge Road, #B1-29 Funan, Singapore 179105​​​​​​​

Gochi
A new Japanese premium dining concept, Gochi, opened at Capital Square along Church Street in the CBD, housing a total of 6 different Japanese concepts under one roof here. The 6 concepts includes Hokkaido Curry chain Suage, Japanese-Italian cafe and bar Pronto, a conveyor belt sushi Chojiro, an old time unagi restaurant Unaemon, confectionery brand Morozoff and frozen fruit bar Paletas. (Read more here…)
Address: 23 Church Street, #01-02/08, Singapore 049481

Yujin Izakaya
A Japanese izakaya concept has quietly opened at Zion Road. By the Les Amis Group, Yujin Izakaya is located beside Zion Road Food Centre and is right opposite Great World City. The industrial chic space spots a bar counter at the entrance, whereas the interior space is an intimate size with mainly small tables and counter seats. (Read more here…)
Address: 56 Zion Road, Singapore 247781

Sikdang 
Joining the ranks of Korean restaurants along the buzzing Tanjong Pagar Road is Sikdang, a one month old restaurant which specialises in Korean hotpot. Sikdang literally means restaurant in Korean, and it spots a casual, no frills shophouse setting. There are a few semi-private rooms towards the end of the restaurant for a more intimate space. The restaurant is helmed by a Korean chef, and the dishes at Sikdang are hugely inspired by how his mum would have prepared them. (Read more here…)
Address: 28 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088451

Clove
Clove is a brand new buffet concept at Swissotel The Stamford, which spots a contemporary look and serves International cuisine. There is a Poke bar where you can customise your own Poke bowl, one of my favourite stations here. Other highlights include the seafood selection, cheese, and Asian dishes like Seared Seabass with Asian style sauce and Angus Beef Bulgogi Salad.
Address: 2 Stamford Road, Level 2, Swissotel The Stamford, Singapore 178882

Xing Fu Tang
Opened in Tampines’ Century Square on 28 June 2019, Taiwan No. 1 Brown Sugar Boba Milk brand Xing Fu Tang has finally landed on the shores in Singapore. The popular Taiwanese bubble tea brand had a pop-up stall in Ngee Ann City recently, and the Century Square outlet marks the brand’s first permanent space in Singapore. A quick introduction about Xing Fu Tang – it is a Taiwan originated brand that started back in January 2018, becoming an instant hit with the locals and Taiwan now has over 60 stores, and another 30 stores worldwide. (Read more here…)
Address: 2 Tampines Central 5, #01-22, Singapore 529509

Buzzing Restaurants

New dishes introduced at Shangri-La Hotel’s Shang Palace
One restaurant which I wasn’t aware with such a long history in Singapore is Shang Palace Singapore, the flagship Shang Palace outlet for Shangri-La Hotel. The Singapore outlet was opened since 1971, the same year the property opened its doors. I have been to Shang Palace a few times and the one thing which strikes me most is the elegant oriental interior of the Cantonese restaurant at Orange Grove Road. The Cantonese restaurant recently launched a new menu with a focus on three parts – Nostalgia, Signature and Innovative dishes. (Read more here…)
Address: Lobby Level, Tower Wing, Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, 22 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350

Top Singapore Restaurants in 2019’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants
This year’s edition of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants award was held in the Marina Bay Sands Singapore. With only 1 restaurant from the island nation entering the top 50 list in 2018, Odette snagged the No. 28 position and with Burnt Ends at No. 61 in the extended list of top 100. Here’s the list of restaurants in Singapore that are in the 2019’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants. (Read more here…)

Yes, Antoinette joins in the Battle of Souffle Pancake
We like the savoury Forestiere, where the soft pancakes are stacked with creamy mushroom sauce and omelette. The souffle pancake here is soft and delicious. Sweet options include the likes of the Tres Berries, a classic berries and pancakes combination complete with honey maple syrup sauce. That said, the Ondeh Ondeh is the most interesting as it is drizzled with pandan-flavoured custard and Gula Melaka syrup which is not too sweet surprisingly. (Read more here…)
Address: 30 Penhas Road, Singapore 208188

Crystal Jade Palace spots a new look and new menu
After months of renovation, the flagship restaurant of Crystal Jade has finally opened with a brigher and more contemporary look. New dishes and menu has also been introduced at Crystal Jade Palace by Group Executive Chef Martin Foo, who is also the Resident Chef of Crystal Jade Palace. Some of our favourite dishes are the Roasted Honey BBQ Iberico Pork, Roasted Irish Duck with Black Truffle and Sauteed Beef Cubes with Shishito Peppers in Black Pepper Sauce.
Address: 391 Orchard Road, #04-19, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Singapore 238872

Ranted by The Rantee