New Restaurants

Kagayaki by Ishigaki Yoshida 
Good Japanese teppanyaki restaurants are hard to come by in Singapore and Kagayaki by Ishigaki Yoshida located along Keong Saik Road is the latest Japanese restaurant to open in the buzzing dining enclave. Kagayaki by Ishigaki Yoshida is a Singapore-based offshoot of Ishigaki Yoshida in Tokyo.  I would recommend going for chef Kamiko’s 8-course Kagayaki Menu (S$380) for first timers, or there is also the Omakase Menu at S$480 which includes more specialty dishes created by chef Yoshida. The restaurant also offers specialty add-ons such as Masuda Beef Curry with Rice (S$48) or Chateaubriand Sando (S$60).   [Read more here…]

Address: 27 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089134 

Bacata
A Colombian dining concept restaurant is not common in Singapore, but I am glad we have a slice of this part of Latin America in the form of Bacata, a new contemporary Colombian restaurant by Chef-Owner Fernando Arévalo located in Frasers Tower in the CBD of Singapore. The space of the 36-seater Bacata took over the now-defunct Preludio (also by Chef Fernando), and the interior is anything but the impression I had when I last visited Preludio.  Other than Set Lunch and Chef’s Tasting Menu, there is also an A La Carte Menu which offers more flexibility in terms of what you want to try. In addition, there is also an Executive Set Lunch where you get three-course at S$68. [Read more here…]

Address: Frasers Tower #03-01/02, 182 Cecil Street, Singapore 069657 

Ikkoten Omakase
Located at Telok Ayer Street is a new Japanese Omakase restaurant Ikkoten Omakase, which is “Paradise on Earth” when translated to English. Ikkoten is helmed by Executive Chef Brandon Low, who has close to 10 years of experience in Japanese cuisine with previous stints in restaurants like Yoshi and Chikuyotei. The space of Ikkoten takes on the Japanese zen element with a minimalist, 10-seater counter space wooden setting. The cuisine at Ikkoten Omakase focuses on traditional Keiseki dishes and for now, there is Lunch Omakase from S$88++ or 9-course Dinner Omakase at S$198++. [Read more here…]

Address: 86 Telok Ayer, Singapore 048469 

Hua Yi Restaurant 
Located in Joo Chiat, Hua Yi Restaurant might be a familiar name to some as the Chinese restaurant brand has been around for more than twenty years. It was previously located in International Building and only relocated to the buzzing Joo Chiat neighbourhood last month right beside King’s Cart Coffee/Joo Chiat Oyster House. The menu is extensive and while I thought that the restaurant specialises in Fujian dishes, the menu covers a wide range of Chinese cuisine since I also spotted the likes of Steamed Pork Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) and Spicy Chicken (La Zi Ji). [Read more here…]

Address: 328 Joo Chiat Road, #01-04, Singapore 427585 

Cheeky Bee Hoon  
A new addition to the buzzing East Coast Road & Katong district is Cheeky Bee Hoon, a casual restaurant which specialises in handmade Malaysian-inspired beehoon dishes. The menu is straightforward, with three main dishes and a selection of sides. Options include the Cheeky Bee Hoon Soup ($8.80), Cheeky Bee Hoon Dry ($8.80), and the Cheeky Bee Hoon With Braised Pork ($8.80). [Read more here…]

Address: 37 East Coast Road, Singapore 428755 

Le Petit Paris
A two weeks old patisserie cafe by French Chef Felicien Cueff, the relatively under-the-radar Le Petit Paris is located along the same stretch as Baker & Cook – Swan Lake, and it is a pretty quaint looking bright blue facade cafe along this road. For the small space, I am surprised by the rather extensive all-day menu where you can find the likes of Eggs Benedict and Escargot. Otherwise, if you are just in the mood for light bites, there are freshly baked French pastries, savoury or sweet ones, to choose from. [Read more here…]

Address: 15 Swan Lake Avenue, Singapore 455711

Buzzing Restaurants

Michelin Guide Singapore 2023
The seventh edition of Michelin Guide Singapore has 5 new restaurants in the One Michelin Star category, 6 restaurants with 2 Michelin Stars and 3 restaurants with 3 Michelin Stars. First timers for One Michelin Star include Poise, Born, Sushi Sakuta, Willow and Seroja. Seroja is also the winner of the first-ever Michelin Green Star award in Singapore, where Executive Chef Kevin Wong also bagged the Michelin Guide Young Chef Award. [Read more here…]

A Vivacious Summer Of Seasonal Gems At Esora
Mention modern Japanese kappo-style restaurant in Singapore and Esora is one of the top ones to come to my mind. The One Michlin Star restaurant by The Lo & Behold Group is located in a conservation shophouse along Mohammed Sultan Road, helmed by Head Chef Takeshi Araki. The new summer menu presents signatures dishes like the Foie Gras Monaka with the addition of Japan’s summer fruits; Esora Summer Hassun featuring the likes of seasonal kinmedai and tachiuo (beltfish) from Nagasaki; delicious Donabe with unagi (eel) or akamutsu (blackthroat seaperch) from Nagasaki, both expertly grilled over binchotan, and more.

Address: 15 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore 238964 

New S$150 Lunch Menu At Sushi Sato
This summer, the zen looking Japanese restaurant in Dempsey introduced a new omakase lunch menu by Chef Sato’s right-handman, Head Sushi Chef Kawana Yusuke. The new lunch menu started in June last month and will last for just four months. It is a relatively good value meal priced at S$150 for 7 courses of sushi and assorted dishes, and is served exclusively in the private room. [Read more here…]

Address: 6B Dempsey Road, Singapore 247662 

‘10 Hands Culinary Showcase: A Rediscovery of Cantonese Classics’ Returns For A Second Year At Min Jiang, Goodwood Park Hotel
Following the success of last year’s ‘8 Hands Culinary Showcase’, the line-up of chefs this year features five veteran culinary maestros specialising in Chinese cuisine – Chan Kwok, Yim Yiu Wing, Cheng Hon Chau and Min Jiang’s very own Chan Hwan Kee and Ho Chee Hee. To be held from 13 to 20 July 2023, expect classic exquisite dishes like Steamed Diced Chicken in Pomegranate Egg White Parcel with Seasonal Greens, Crab Roe and Superior Stock; Pan-fried Dace Fish Meat, Liver Sausage and Orange Peel stuffed in Whole Dace Fish; Boneless Chicken Thigh stuffed with Bird’s Nest and Yunnan Ham in Double-boiled Superior Soup; Wok-fried Crispy Silver Hill Irish Duck with Yam Paste accompanied by Mushroom Brown Sauce; and more.

Address: Min Jiang, Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road, Singapore 228221

Rosemead By Jigger & Pony Group Is Now A Farm-To-Table American Grill Restaurant Concept
The Jigger & Pony Group’s restaurant is now focused on farm-to-table American grill cuisine with a new menu split into “Starters”, “Farm Vegetables”, proteins “From the Hearth”, and “Desserts”, where The Farm Vegetables section embodies the Californian farm-to-table ethos. Some favourites for me include the Chicken Liver Donut, Ora King Salmon and Miyazaki Wagyu A4 Striploin.

Address: 19 Cecil Street, Singapore 049704 

Ranted by The Ranter