New Bites: February 2015 (Part 2)

In part 2 of February's New Bites, the latest waffle joint in town proves that the waffle craze isn't over, while a beauty hot pot restaurant opens up in the east and Macau's famous pork chop burgers are now somewhere on the island! Click here to read part 1

1. Montana Brew Bar

If you share equal amounts of love for waffles, coffee and alternative hip-hop tunes, add Montana Brew Bar to your list right this instant. Besides espresso-based coffee, you can also choose from brewing methods such as pourover and aeropress. Managed by the same people behind Roosevelt’s Diner and Bar, this café holds the goodness of Southern fried chicken – sandwiched between a waffle and layered earnestly with a tangy wasabi slaw for $9.50. Also highly recommended was the Breakfast B.L.T, of which we’d gladly return for in the future, together with six other waffles available to choose from. Montana Brew Bar, PoMo, 1 Selegie Road #01-04, Singapore 188306 (Photo: Peh Yi Wen)

2. Manzoku

Fans of Chikuwa Tei can now skip the long queues and head to its sister restaurant, Manzoku instead. With the head chef of Chikuwa Tei currently at this month-old restaurant on Purvis Street, standards are kept up high so ease up and order their famous Chirashi, known for generously thick slices of sashimi such as salmon, tuna, swordfish and amberjack, as well as tamago and glistening ikura pearls all for just $25. In addition to the existing signatures from Chikuwa Tei, Manzoku also offers a classic yakitori section on the menu. We say skip the squid and perhaps try their other grilled items instead. Manzoku, 18 Purvis Street #01-01, Singapore 188597 (Photo: Peh Yi Wen)

3. Wildfire Kitchen + Bar

Attention all carnivores. A protein swop of eggs from Hatched, to slabs of meat at Wildfire Kitchen + Bar has taken place along Evans Road. Gourmet burgers include the Classic 001 ($16) and an impressive-looking The Works ($23, pictured), as well as the more premium Blackmore Wagyu and Rangers Valley Dry Aged ($26 each). If you’re not looking for a messy burger, try their binchotan charcoal grilled Hanger Steak ($36 for 250g) or Wagyu Inside Skirt ($36 for 280g) and pair them with any one of their 60 bottled craft beers, which are going for just $9 till May. Wildfire Kitchen + Bar, 26 Evans Road, Singapore 259367 (Photo: Wildfire Kitchen + Bar’s website)

4. Beauty in the Pot

We Singaporeans are all about steamboats especially towards to the Chinese New Year season, so this new hot pot concept by Paradise Group comes in rather timely. For your first visit, go straight for their twin flavours broth ($25), which stars the rich and creamy collagen soup boiled for over eight hours with shark’s cartilage and a contrasting spicy nourishing soup, available in three levels of spiciness. And make sure you try their homemade Fish Tofu – a melt-in-your-mouth delight that’s exclusive to the restaurant. Beauty in the Pot, OneKM Mall, 11 Tanjong Katong Road #02-21/22, Singapore 437157 (Photo: OpenSnap user peace_in_u)

5. Tai Kei Loi Kei 澳门大利来记猪扒包

If you’ve not tried Macau’s famous pork chop buns, now’s your chance. Tai Lei Loi Kei has arrived in Singapore with its first outlet opened at Serangoon nex. Try the Signature Pork Chop Bun ($6.90) and get a set upgrade with side options like sawdust cake, curry fishballs or chicken wings. Their all-day breakfast sets, such as the Supreme Burger Set ($5.90), are filled with ham, cheese, egg and luncheon meat goodness, with the option of polo buns instead of the usual baguette. Tai Lei Loi Kei 澳门大利来记猪扒包, Nex, 23 Serangoon Central #B2-15, Singapore 556083 (Photo: Peh Yi Wen)

6. BaaMee Bangkok

This Thai wanton noodle stall in Jalan Besar is the result of its owners’ love for Thai-style wanton noodles built upon by their frequent travels there. After months of training at a wanton noodle shop in Thailand, they returned to Singapore and created their own recipe tailored for the locals here. If you’re up for a spicy challenge, roll those sleeves up and try BaaMee Bangkok’s Tom Yum Wanton Noodles. Don’t “act hero” and throw in additional chilli oil before tasting it first – you might cry. For non-spice lovers, go for the BaaMee Boat Noodle ($1.20), otherwise known as 一口面, which gives you a full-flavoured mix of Thai egg noodles, char siew and a savoury gravy. We’ll have five of that please. BaaMee Bangkok, 45 Syed Alwi Road, Singapore 207636 (Photo: Peh Yi Wen)

7. Selfish Gene Patisserie

Conceptualized by the team behind Selfish Gene Café, Selfish Gene Patisserie is the new kid on the block. Joining the likes of new dessert joints here in Singapore, they whip up plates of intricately-plated desserts that are sure to leave you awed. Try this: Coconut ($12), a deconstructed dessert featuring components of a classic chendol. This reinvented version features a homemade coconut pudding paired up with a perfectly quinelled red bean ice cream scoop, green pandan jelly and red beans. Selfish Gene Patisserie, 40A Craig Road Level 2, Singapore 089678 (Photo: Selfish Gene Café’s Facebook page)

8. Frozen

There has been a sudden onslaught of new Korean dessert restaurants and cafes here for the past couple of months and Frozen joins the league with a menu boasting a wide range of themed desserts that are sure to bring out the kid in you. If you, like many, love the 2013 hit animation, Frozen, you will dive straight into Elsa Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Flakes ($17.90). This delicious dessert is a treat and a milky, creamy delight. Frozen, CityVibe, 3151 Commonwealth Avenue West #01-13, Singapore 129581 (Photo: Frozen’s Facebook page)

9. Monochrome Fusion Bistro

It doesn’t matter if you’re black or white! Calling all monochromatic lovers to this hip new bistro located in Chinatown. Monochrome Fusion Bistro celebrates the love of black and white with a sleek interior and quirky themed menu items. Try this: Monochrome Aglio Olio ($25). Staying true to its name, this is made with normal pasta with squid ink pasta and topped with either fresh mussels or prawns. Monochrome Fusion Bistro, 291 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058836 (Image: Monochrome Fusion Bistro’s Facebook page)

10. YiLi Pao Pao Ice

Hailing from Taiwan’s well-known Shilin Night Market, YiLi Pao Pao Ice brings a whole new concept of desserts here. In short, served here are delicious blended shaved ice concoctions made with different sweet ingredients such as fresh fruits and jellies. Try mixing two of your favourite toppings or flavours together ($4.95), and create your own unique cup! YiLi Pao Pao Ice, Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road #B2-05, Singapore 238896 (Image: YiLi Pao Pao’s Facebook page)

11. Chir Chir

Korean Fried Chicken has been making our tummies happy ever since it was first brought over. Now, we have plenty of options from various restaurants to choose from such as the famous Nest Snow ($32.90) chicken from Chir Chir. Located at 313 @ Somerset, only large sharing portions are sold here so come in a group of at least 3-4 people to enjoy a range of different delicious fried chicken! Chir Chir, 313@Somerset, 313 Orchard Road #B3-04/05/06, Singapore 238895 (Image: Chir Chir’s Facebook page)

Written by Peh Yi Wen and Cheryl Chong See Also: Find the best restaurants in Singapore Check out the eateries nearby you