From a modernized Japanese izakaya to a new nose-to-tail joint, here are our 10 recommendations on the newest restaurants and cafés we think you ought to check out this February.

1. Whitegrass

Experience an unprecedented fine dining dinner at Chef-Owner Sam Aisbett’s newest venture, Whitegrass. Living up to the uniqueness of its name, Whitegrass promises to deliver experimental cuisine that is bound to challenge your preconceived conceptions of Australian food fare. Be prepared to be pleasantly astounded by an exquisite fusion of Australian ingredients, local produce as well as Japanese influences. The epitome of the restaurant’s unconventionality would be the Butter-Poached Quail (pictured above) that features a French quail dish with century egg. However, do take note that the restaurant only offers a choice of 5 or 8-course menus at $170++ and $265++ respectively. #01-26/27 CHIJMES 30 Victoria Street Singapore 18799 (Image: Whitegrass)

2. Atlas Coffeehouse

Helmed by the team behind the hip Assembly Coffee, Atlas Coffeehouse is a brand new café tucked along Duke’s street, a few mins’ walk from Botanic Gardens MRT Station. Not just your quintessential brunch café that serves the usual Eggs Benedict, Atlas Coffeehouse endeavours to meet the needs of the masses by offering a wide spectrum of dishes that include Salmon Soba Noodles ($17) and Creamy Mushroom on Sour Dough Toast ($12, pictured above). After a hearty meal, you might want to consider cleansing your palate with their home-brewed coffees that consist of beans supplied by Two Degrees North Coffee Co. 6 Duke’s Road Singapore 268886 (Image: Atlas Coffeehouse Instagram Page)

3. Sing HK Café

Singlehandedly established by the Hong Kong citizen Alfred Mo, Sing HK Café promises to deliver an authentic Hong Kong dining experience. Indulge in all three meals of the day with the café’s extensive menu that offers a plethora of dishes including Classic French Toast ($5.80), Duck Breast Mashed Potato ($10.80, pictured above) and Hong Kong Fried Noodle ($6.80). Alternatively, for the meat lovers, Sing HK Café also serves well-made Western dishes such as Red Wine Ox Tail Steak ($18.90). After assuaging your hunger pangs, unleash your singing talent with the guitar and keyboard specially set up by the owner in a corner of the cafe. Blk 4 Everton Park #01-42 Singapore 080004 (Image: Sing HK Cafe Facebook Page)

4. Oh My Tian

Walk through a bizarre and surreal world beyond the monotonous humdrum of everyday life with Oh My Tian’s intricately-prepared decorations. This new cafe from the folks who brought you Hatter Street features a vibrantly painted carousel redolent of one’s childhood memories, a European vintage-styled wooden mirror and walls with painted hot air balloons and airships, provokingly subverting your notions of societal norms. This rebellious desire to challenge is carried across to the array of food fares catered by the cafe and one can expect to find unconventional fusions such as Donut Burger ($13, pictured above) and Hashbrown Pizza ($12). 34 Whampoa West, Singapore 330034 (Image: Oh My Tian Facebook Page)

5. Lucca's Trattoria

If you’re looking for authentic Tuscan cuisine, Lucca’s Trattoria is the place to visit. Their Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli ($23++) features handmade ravioli wrapped in a creamy mortadella and mushroom sauce. Save space for Lucca’s Tiramisu ($10), a rich and decadent dessert that melts in your mouth. #01-12 11 Unity Street Robertson Walk Singapore 237995 (Image: Zee & Marina Photography)

6. Steamed Gourmet

The esteemed Gao Ji Food has once again come up with a new brand called Steamed Gourmet in its endeavor to provide patrons with nutritional goodness served in a clay bowl. Inspired by the traditional clay bowl rice of Fo Shan, the age-old act of steam cooking is retained so as to preserve the nutrients of the steamed rice. Select from an extensive variety of clay bowl rice, steamed side dishes and soup-of-the-day. Go for the signature Mushroom and Chicken with Steamed Rice ($4.50) or the Shrimp Paste Pork Slices with Steamed Rice ($4.50) for a gratifying and piping hot meal! Waterway Point, 83 Punggol Central #02-20/01 (Image: Gao Ji Food Facebook Page)

7. Dehesa

For the intrepid food explorer, tantalize your taste buds with eccentric parts of the Iberian hog at the newest nose-to-tail venture in town - Dehesa. Spearheaded by former head chef of Spanish restaurant UNA, Jean-Philippe Patruno, Dehesa offers an entirely unconventional and unforgettable dining experience of alternative cuts, offal, and classic cuts. Feast on the signature Dehesa Platter of Cold Meats ($32) that reflects the restaurant’s philosophy of whole-animal-usage with its fusion of numerous parts of the hog. Alternatively, channel your dauntless energies with the Bone Marrow dish ($22, pictured above). 12 North Canal Rd Singapore 048825 (Image: Dehesa.sg Facebook Page)

8. Miss Lok

It is hard to pinpoint a specific culinary style Miss Lok slants towards to. The joint is best described as a medley of Asian influences that offers a refreshing eclectic culinary experience. At Miss Lok, you certainly have to give the traditional Malaysian delicacy, Lok Lok, a shot. Dip the fresh morsels of food into a soup of your choice or alternatively, concoct your own soup at the open sauce bar. Choose from a variety of meat that costs $5 onward and skewer those heavenly morsels onto lok lok sticks that are priced at $1 onward. Afterwards, clean your palate with the multitude of Asian craft beers, sake, or fresh juices. Other must-try dishes include Signature Salted Egg Yolk($2) and Thai Nam Tom($2). 5 Magazine Road #01-01 Singapore 059571 (Image: Miss Lok Facebook Page)

9. JINzakaya

Sporting a vibrant outlook with its Japanese noh masks, vintage Japanese commercials and posters, JINzakaya might just be the most exciting Japanese izakaya around in Singapore. Savour from an extensive list of yakimono priced from $2.50++. Alternatively, one can opt for the Four by Four lunch menu that features four types of rice, noodles, salads and sandwiches to choose from at $12.80++. For the party-goers, the izakaya also caters a vast array of sake, shochu, and beer to quench your thirst. #01-08/10 Owen Link 1 Farrer Park Station Road (Image: JINzakaya Facebook Page)

10. Punch

Established by the owners behind the well-loved Ronin Café and The Plain, Punch definitely lives up to its name as it delivers a subtle yet potent blow with its refined décor and delectable food fares. Expect to find fuss-free marble topped tables, whitewashed walls as well as an open-spaced courtyard where anyone can busk in the natural environment with a cup of brewed coffee (from $4.50). Other more gratifying food items you can anticipate are the Grilled Seabass ($26) and Mashed Avo on Sourdough with Poached Eggs and Charred Lemon ($13, pictured above). 32 North Canal Road, Singapore 059288 (Image: Punch Instagram Page)

Written by Tan Siew Bee