Your guide to 15 of the hottest and newest restaurants in town for the month of December.
1. Joie by Dozo
Meatless dining is a recent and ongoing trend in Europe and owner Mr Huang Yen Kun hopes to start this same concept here in Singapore with newly opened Joie by Dozo. Elaborate lunch and dinner sets are introduced here to ensure customers are satisfied with a wide range of fresh produce and intricate plating of food items. Private rooms – a popular request and free of charge are available upon early reservation.
What to try: The Rubik’s Cube Salad (Pictured on the bottom right) is an interesting duo-watermelon with cubed mint gelee and feta cheese combo, stacked in a cube. A six course lunch is going at an affordable $38.80++, a seven course dinner at $68.80++.
Joie by Dozo, Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road #12-01, Singapore 238896
Image: Cheryl Ann Chong2. Pie Face
This popular bakery from Sydney, Australia has reached our shores with already two outlets opened this month at 313@Somerset and Bugis Village. Specially trained and skilled pastry chefs make the pies using a special recipe, with pie lovers flocking over during lunch and the weekends.
What to try: Chunky Steak Pie ($5.20), a crowd favourite and a specialty. The tastiest beef stew is stuffed inside the most crisp and flaky puff pastry. Best eaten fresh and warm, the tender beef chunks inside the pie are complimented by carrots and onions for an enhanced flavour.
Pie Face, 313@Somerset, 313 Orchard Road #B3-10, Singapore 238895
Image: Pie Face3. The Find
This fresh new face at Rochester serves up comfort food at its finest. A simple menu with mainly European cuisine, The Find serves up fuss-free and delicious fare that is best enjoyed with friends or family.
What to try: The signature Lobster Risotto ($28) with a cup of their Apple Fizz Mocktail ($8) and your meal is set. The former is a creamy risotto with generous lobster chunks and crowned with a huge lobster on top. The sundried tomatoes are a nice touch, as it balances out the acidity of the dish with additional hint of tanginess to the otherwise rich-tasting risotto.
The Find, Rochester Mall, 35 Rochester Drive #02-15, Singapore 138639
Image: Cheryl Ann Chong4. Chotto Matte
Tucked away in the shop houses at Blair Road, this newly opened Japanese restaurant is one head-turner with its sleek design and edgy concept. Chotto Matte specialises in both sushi and yakitori items and is headed by former executive chef of Standing Sushi Bar, Chef Roy Chee.
What to try: Patrons can look forward to an extensive menu of yakitori items and, makis and an assortment of skilfully prepared sashimi including Hamachi and Maguro, flown 2-3 times a week from Japan. Chef Roy uses only white charcoal to cook his yakitori items so all the items will be cooked well but not charred, while still retaining its taste and moisture. Chotto Matte also has an Omakase option that starts from $100++.
Chotto Matte, 54 Blair Road, Singapore 089954
Image: Cheryl Ann Chong5. Shelter in The Woods
Shelter in the Woods at Greenwood Avenue returns with a brand new concept and a new chef at the helm – Chef Masashi, armed with 20 years of Michelin restaurant experience. Sporting a cosy and inviting interior, the traditional rotisserie restaurant has refocused their specialty from a tavern that serves up home-made rum, to a restaurant that offers fine rotisserie meats and the best range of homemade charcuterie.
What to try: The Rotisserie Suckling Pig ($35) goes amazingly well with the accompanying pineapple. Crisp on the outside with a juicy meat in the centre, this dish is a definite must-try.
Shelter in the Woods, 22 Greenwood Avenue, Singapore 289218
Image: Cheryl Ann Chong6. The New Black
Do not underestimate this sleek new coffee joint, because The New Black isn’t just another typical café that has popped up in Singapore. Futuristic yet retro-looking, the cafe sets itself apart from the rest with bright pop art-like décor and snazzy machines to churn out the best coffee around.
Using a steampunk mod instead of the typical espresso machines, the coffee made here forces out all the complex flavours of the coffee beans and the result is a smooth and full bodied coffee that is ready to consume. They use coffee beans from all over the world including George Howell and Nylon Coffee blends.
The New Black, 1 Upper Circular Road, Singapore 0584007. Asanoya Bakery
Hailing from Japan, Asanoya Bakery is a successful bakery chain in its country of origin and it has finally opened its first outlet here. Besides a takeaway counter, the Japanese bakery also has a dine-in area for customers to enjoy their freshly baked pastries with a cup of warm coffee. Sandwiches, salads and soups with artisanal teas and cold-pressed juices are also available in store.
What to try: Caramel Apple Cube ($4.50) – Everyone loves the perfect combination of caramel and apples and this pastry is a crowd pleaser as it features the softest and fluffiest bun with slices of apple and caramel inside.
Asanoya Bakery, 15 Queen Street #01-03, Singapore 188537
Image: Asanoya's Facebook Page8. Joyden Canton Kitchen
After a decade of serving unpretentious and seriously good seafood at Joyden Seafood Restaurant, the Joyden group has opened a brand new restaurant with a different concept – Joyden Canton Kitchen. Creating the menu was an arduous 6-month project, where the team flew all the way to Guangdong to garner inspiration and to taste the most authentic Cantonese cuisine.
What to try: Signature Traditional Hakka Salt Poached Farm Chicken ($17) and Cantonese Roast Duck ($14/27/50) – Because no authentic Cantonese meal is complete without the crispest roasted duck skin and the tastiest chicken meat that is best accompanied by their homemade ginger and scallion sauce.
Joyden Canton Kitchen, Hill V2, 4 Hillview Rise #02-21, Singapore 667979
Image: Joyden Canton Kitchen9. The Prawn Star
Residing in the trendy Duxton Hill area, this new seafood joint is dishing out fancy tze char items at inexpensive prices. Channelling an ‘urban ghetto cool’ look, this place is already gaining recognition for their innovative and delicious seafood dishes.
What to try: TPS Grilled King Prawns ($26) and Sriracha Caramel Popcorn ($8). Yes, Sriracha on popcorn is unconventional but we promise you, it is oh-so-satisfying!
The Prawn Star, 21 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089604
Image by: The Prawn Star10. Dojo
Setting itself apart from other burger joints is a new face at the bustling Circular Road, Dojo. Boldly offering a full-pork menu with 8 different burgers, the pork patties range from grilled to fried. The burgers here are also reasonably priced from $10 onwards with a side of fries.
What to try: Little Dragon ($12). Grilled pork steak marinated Asian-style with the trio of classic burger toppings – cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. A safe choice, but this burger is a star on its own.
Dojo, 72 Circular Road, Singapore 049426
Image: Dojo's Facebook Page11. Takumen
Started in 2010 as an online ramen delivery store in Japan, Takumen takes on a ramen gallery concept in its first physical store here, catering to the ever-growing ramen fandom in Singapore. Featuring multiple brands of ramen, customers get to taste the six unique flavours of ramen from various brands that are already well-loved in its native country. Ask for the Singaporean version if you prefer less oil and salt in your meal.
What to try: Honda Shonten Ramen Kurume ($15.90++) is Takumen’s signature and a hot favourite that is sold out quickly. This rich and savoury pork bone broth is accompanied by perfectly cooked ramen and crowned with generous toppings. We also love the creamy but light Hajime Tori Paitan Ramen ($14.90++), whose broth is simmered for a good 8 hours.
Takumen, 66 Circular Road #01-01, Singapore 049420
Image: Takumen12. SEAR
Perched on the 45th floor of Singapore Land Tower, expect panoramic views of the city at newly opened steakhouse, SEAR. As one of the few restaurants that serve up authentic certified Kobe beef, quality meats are ensured here. The meats are cooked in Pira ovens imported from Spain and they come in an array of sauces – from homemade Seaweed Butter to fresh Chimichurri.
What to try: Australian Jacks creek Wagyu, 450 Days Grain Fed ($70,250g Rib Eye). The intense marbling of this meat is best enjoyed medium rare with some of SEAR’s ‘enhancements’ or add ons – Grilled Bone Marrow (+$6) or Truffled Poached Egg (+$6).
SEAR, 50 Raffles Place #45-01/02, Singapore 048623
Image: SEAR13. Sushi Jin
The growing trend of high-end Japanese dining has been on-going in Singapore for the past few years and Sushi Jin hops on the bandwagon to offer premium grade sashimi prepared in the hands of skilled chefs. The solid oak sushi counter gives customers a unique Japanese dining experience with a laid-back ambience and modern interior.
What to try: Wagyu Don – mouth-watering goodness of the perfectly seared Wagyu meat is served generously atop fresh Japanese rice and accompanied by a runny and delicious poached egg.
Sushi Jin, One Farrer Park Hotel and Spa, 1 Farrer Park Station Road #01-11/12, Singapore 217562
Image: Sushi Jin's Facebook Page
14. KUVO
Multi-concept F&B outlet KUVO gives you four different dining experiences under one roof. This includes a bespoke cocktail bar, an all-day dining restaurant, a gift shop that sells artisanal food for takeaway and a wine lounge.
What to try: Atlantic Cod Meuniere ($38++) and Portobello & Cheese Wagyu Burger ($36++). Both are signature dishes at the dining area, Ambrosia.
KUVO, 02-01 Orchard Shopping Centre, 321 Orchard Road, Singapore 238866
Image: KUVO
15. Fuku
FUKU – Singapore’s first kaiseki restaurant specializing in Fugu (Puffer Fish) has recently opened its doors to public and has received rave reviews ever since. Fugu is known to be a poisonous fish to consume if not prepared with skill, however, be assured that the food here is clear to consume as they are all pre-checked by Japanese authorities before they are air-flown to Singapore.
What to try: Tessa, Fugu sashimi (pictured) – thinly sliced fugu is prepared with skill by the chef. Paper-thin and translucent, the fresh fugu is beautifully plated and delicious with every bite.
FUKU, 14 Mohamed Sultan Road #01-01, Singapore 238963
Image: OpenRice user, dairycreamWritten by Cheryl Ann Chong
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