New Bites - April 2014 | OpenRice Singapore

Lo and behold, a new month has dawned upon us and that can only mean it’s time for another round of New Bites! Instead of 5, we’re pumping in a smashing 10 new restaurants and cafes to our list this April. The food scene certainly isn’t slowing down for anyone. And neither shall we. Wallets ready? 1. Royal Pavilion

Photos courtesy of Royal Pavilion

Royal Pavilion is the newest dining destination to go to for a sumptuous round of Cantonese cuisine. Dim sum is served all day here, with no lack of steamed prawn dumplings or intriguing croissant-like radish pastry rolls. Oh and did we mention? The Carrot Cake with “Lao Gan Die” chilli sauce is to-die-for. Located on the ground floor of Park Regis Singapore, the elegant interior of the restaurant matches that of Chef Chung’s dishes – a range of modern and creative interpretations of traditional Cantonese dishes like a nutritious Double-boiled Chicken Soup with Fish Maw and Macalan, as well as a Royal Smoked Duck that begets the sweet aroma of rich lychee wood. Level 1, Park Regis Singapore, 23 Merchant Road, Singapore 058268. Open daily from 11.30am- 2.30pm & 6pm – 10.30pm. 2. My Awesome Café

Photos taken by OpenRice Singapore

Do a little walk along Telok Ayer Road and when you spot what seems to be Chung Hwa Free Clinic, stop, enter and order. Currently the premises of one of the latest cafes in town, the three-level shophouse with a rustic fantastic appearance is home to My Awesome Café on the ground floor and a design agency above. We’d recommend the substantial My Awesome Salad, which gives you three different kinds of protein – smoked salmon, herbs chicken breast and duck rillettes – on a mesclun salad. Vegetables used here are flown in from Australia three times a week and if salads aren’t your thing, they’ve got sandwiches, quiche and various scrambled eggs/ croissant pairings to fill you up real good. Also, Awesome Time (Happy Hour) is from 5 to 9pm on weekdays. Awesomeness. 20 Telok Ayer Road, Singapore 068630. Open Mon – Tue (7.45am to 9pm), Wed – Fri (7.45 to midnight) & Sat – Sun (10am to 3pm). 3. British Hainan

Photos taken from British Hainan Facebook Page

Opened by a Hainanese family in Singapore, British Hainan is collaboration with British restaurant, Streets of London. Step back in time with this new yet old-looking restaurant in Joo Chiat, which brushes you with its nostalgic spread of vintage relics like old gramophones, telephones, televisions and typewriters. Sit and soak in the museum-like environment while you tuck into their British-inspired dishes. Some must-tries include IPA (Indian Pale Ale) Chicken served with perfect mashed potatoes and their coffee whose beans hail from Toby’s Estate. Old is gold, and we’re glad they’re open on Mondays. 75 Carpmael Road, Singapore 429812. Open Mon – Sat (11.30am to 10pm) & Sun (6pm – 10pm). 4. Koryo Korean Baked Chicken HOF

Photos taken by OpenRice Singapore

Korean fried chicken has had its say in the local food scene with the likes of NeNe Chicken, BonChon Chicken and even KFC following in tow. Enter Koryo Korean Baked Chicken HOF: a mouthful of a name that promises chicken to match. The classy restaurant serves up 100% baked chicken that almost guarantees a double take with its crispy, fried-looking skin; an identity crisis resolved when we bit into the moist, tender chicken that had us reaching to the basket for more. We think the chicken is to quote Gardenia – good enough on its own, but there are 5 dips ranging from soy garlic to wasabi mayo for the saucy people. Wash down the meal with your choice of patbingsu, a traditional Korean dessert reminiscent of our local ice kachang, only more.. ‘K’. 3 Pickering Street #01-44/45, Nankin Row, Singapore 48660. Open daily from 4.30pm to midnight. 5. Sanpoutei Ramen

Photos taken from Sanpoutei Ramen Facebook Page

Holland Village will never lose its attraction for its food and nightlife options and the arrival of Sanpoutei Ramen gives you yet another reason to visit the bustling cluster. Originally from Niigata, Japan, the new and promising ramen shop is known for its classic Niigata Shoyu Ramen made with homemade fresh noodles that spring to life. The broth consists of a mixture of vegetables, whole chicken, tonkotsu, two different dried sardines from Japan, as well as secret ingredients for the added mystery. Also, you might want to leave some space for the a la carte side dishes like the deep fried spring chicken or their specialty Aburi Chashu. 253 Holland Ave #01-01, Singapore 278982. Open daily from 11.30am to 11pm. 6. The Cereal Pantry

Photo taken by OpenRice Singapore

The Cereal Pantry gives your entire cereal munching experience a brand new spin. From the front of your television, you’ll be crawling towards their shop in Telok Blangah to unite with fellow cereal lovers. Here, you’ll find your childhood favourite honey stars or koko krunch, of which you can pair with a wide range of toppings like oreo bits, caramel sauce or fresh fruits like strawberries and bananas. The colourful combinations are never-ending and they even provide delivery to offices if you’re looking to give your colleagues a wonderful morning surprise. 45 Telok Blangah Drive #01-171, Singapore 100045. Open Mon – Fri (9am to 9pm) & Sat – Sun (10am to 10pm). 7. Life Is Beautiful Kitchen & Bar

Photos taken from Life Is Beautiful Facebook Page

Life Is Beautiful Kitchen & Bar adds a dreamy American sparkle to Duxton's nightlife, serving up Southern flavours in ways you’ll never expect. Fancy some Absinthe-washed oysters or Spiced frog legs? We hear they’ve even got alligator meat on the menu. Besides bringing some exotic New Orleans Louisiana food works into town, the restaurant also offers a range of cocktails and a seasonal drink menu to hit up as you cruise into the night. 99 Duxton Road, Singapore 089543. Open Tues (6pm to midnight), Wed – Sat (6pm to 3am). 8. Porridge Paradise

Photos taken by Bernard Tan

Joining the bunch of Hong Kong dessert stalls and steamboat restaurants in the vicinity, Porridge Paradise fires up its kitchen along Tan Quee Lan Road, located a road away from Liang Seah Street. A stunning must-have is their 3C Porridge. What seems to be a “traffic-light” platter comprises three bowls of porridge offering you a taste of their respective flavours: Pandan and Basil, Pumpkin and Prawn, as well as Red Yeast Rice and Ginger with Chicken. More than just a haven for porridge lovers, it also offers other local delights like Prawn Paste Chicken, Assam Fish and Curry Chicken to name a few. 2 Tan Quee Lan Street #01-02, Singapore 188091. Open daily from 11am to 10pm. 9. Zott's True Alps

Photos courtesy of Zott's True Alps

If you’re looking for something beyond the average dining experience, Zott’s True Alps might be the place for you. In a two-storey colonial-style shop house, a gallery of art pieces is strewn purposefully on the walls – a feast for your eyes while you’re taken on an epicurean journey with some fine Alpine cuisine. Salivate over their signature Bouilabaisse Marseillaise that features a medley of red scorpion fish, dory sea bass etc. Or a special 3-course dish, Tellerfleisch, where a tender serving of beef is boiled to perfection in its own juice. 97 Amoy Street, Singapore 069917. Open Mon – Fri (11am to 2.30pm & 6pm to 11.30pm) & Sat (6pm to 11.30pm). 10. Cotton

Photos courtesy of Cotton

If you’re looking for a romantic restaurant to impress your date, this restaurant and cocktail lounge at Big Splash previously known as 1-Twenty Six will entice you with its panoramic sea-front view. At Cotton, you can expect contemporary European cuisine with a robust Asian touch. The Angel Hair Pasta with King Tiger Prawns grilled in smoked sea urchin butter is one of their signatures and we’re pretty sure their new communal menu of a seafood appetizer platter, char-grilled signature mains and desserts, would fit the occasion well. Don’t miss the live band, which plays from Wednesday to Saturdays. Finally, round up the night with a romantic walk along the nearby beach and you're all set. 902 East Coast Parkway #01-26, Big Splash, Singapore 449874. Open Sun – Thurs & PH (5pm to midnight), Fri – Sat & PH eve (5pm to 3am). Don't miss any of our past 'New Bites' finds! Read them here: New Bites - March 2014 New Bites - February 2014 New Bites - January 2014 New Bites - December 2013 New Bites - November 2013 New Bites - October 2013 New Bites - September 2013 See Also: Explore these new food places Don't miss the best eats in town - check out OpenSnap now!