New Bites: January 2015 | OpenRice 新加坡開飯喇

One of our New Year resolutions: Eat better. Diets can wait. If you agree with us, then take your pick from our curation of 12 of the newest eateries in Singapore. Apart from a sleek Korean bar beside the famed steamboat street, more cafes are chiming in – each proving to be a standout on its own with unique dishes and ambiences to offer.

1. Joo

Makgeolli bar and restaurant on Tan Quee Lan Street adds a sleek touch to the row of heritage shophouses. Named after the Korean term for alcohol, Joo brews its own makgeolli and even has it on tap. Order the sampler ($35 for 5) to enjoy this cloudy light-bodied rice wine in a variety of flavours like strawberry and yucha (our favourite!). Equally worth your visit are items like Slow Roasted Mangalistsa Belly ($32), Joo Bossam ($28; pictured), Kimchi Pot Pie ($12) and a bucket of Baby Eel Paper ($12) that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else in Singapore. Joo, 5 Tan Quee Lan Street, Singapore 188094 (Image: Joo)

2. The Lab SG

At a corner of Jalan Pisang, you'll find a giant wall mural with the words “THE LAB”, making it hard to miss this cosy experimental-themed space. The Lab SG is a month-old café that serves up wholesome food at inexpensive prices. Try their Heisenburger ($12.90), a sinful combination of turkey bacon, thick-cut beef patty, bleu cheese and caramalized onions. Also worth your attention are their homemade ‘experiments’ (fresh-squeezed juices), available at just $5 a glug. The Lab SG, 1 Jalan Pisang #01-01 Singapore 199069 (Image: The Lab SG Instagram)

3. The Pancake House of Tokio

Adopting a simple café concept in the heart of Orchard Road, expect delicious and affordable pancakes at The Pancake House of Tokio in Cineleisure Orchard. Pancake dishes start from as low as $6.50 and they come in a range of toppings, from Apple Cinnamon to Fruit Explosion. They also serve other breakfast items such as paninis and salads. The Pancake House of Tokio, Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, 8 Grange Road, Singapore 239695 (Image: The Pancake House of Tokio Facebook Page)

4. Horizon Bistronomy

Slightly reminiscent of the food offered at Saveur, this modern French bistro led by Chef Chris Fong serves up beautiful food at inexpensive prices. As head chef, Chris Fong definitely knows his way around the kitchen with years of experience working alongside big names such as Bruno Menard and Damien Le Bihan from Restaurant Guy Savoy. Bursting with potential, Horizon Bistronomy is one to watch with meticulously concocted dishes such as Chilled Crab Meat Angel Hair ($11.90) and King of the Sea ($22; pictured above). Horizon Bistronomy, The Punggol Settlement, 3 Punggol Point Road #02-04, Singapore 828694 (Image: Horizon Bistronomy Facebook Page)

5. Fatcat Ice Cream Bar

Another neighbourhood dessert joint? Don't underestimate Fatcat Ice Cream Bar because they serve up much more than your conventional ice cream cups and waffles. While its location might not be convenient for all, your trip there will be worthwhile once you bite into their Instagram-worthy Mojito Spheres that burst inside your mouth with tangy goodness. Also try their unique Charcoal Waffles that come with all-time-favourite Salted Egg Sauce. Fatcat Ice Cream Bar, Blk 416 Bedok North Avenue 2 #01-25, Singapore 460416 (Image: Opensnap User tohalex)

6. Sacha & Sons

Sacha & Sons brings classic New York deli food to Singapore. After 4 years of hard work, from putting together a team of talented chefs to drafting out an enticing and unique menu, they are finally open for business at Mandarin Gallery. Expect brunch items such as LATKES - onion and potato pancakes fried and topped with smoked salmon, cream fraiche and ikura. Also look forward to freshly made bagels and other fresh deli bakes. Sacha & Sons, Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road #03-02, Singapore 238897 (Image: Sacha & Sons Facebook Page)

7. I Want My Noodle

Opened by noodle enthusiasts, this fresh new face at Shaw Centre serves up handmade egg noodles with different variations. Dubbing themselves ‘The Noodles Craftsmen’, they certainly live up to the name, whipping out delicious noodles with generous toppings. Try My Noodle with Double Roast ($12.50) or My Aromatic Prawn Noodle ($14.50). Both are tasty dry noodles that goes well with the accompanying chilli. (Fair warning though, it’s really spicy!) I Want My Noodle, Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road #03-14/15, Singapore 228208 (Image: Cheryl Chong)

8. May May

Fusion food has never looked this cool. May May introduces different flavours from Korean to Thai and creates amazing dishes such as Lobster Noodles with Lemongrass, Lime in Coconut Broth and Seared Wagyu Ribeye on Rice Pastry. This trendy restaurant resides in Tanjong Pagar and has a modern and sleek interior to ensure a pleasant ambience. May May, 65 Tras Street, Singapore 079004 (Image: Kaeting Yong)

9. Rookery

After Twelve Cupcakes and Dulce & Sucre comes local celebrity Daniel Ong's third F&B venture, Rookery, which transitions from a chill-out brunch spot in the afternoon, to a restaurant and bar at night. Besides an extensive brunch menu that includes classics such as Eggs Ben ($15) and Grilled Cheese ($11), the kitchen also doles out meaty tummy-fillers such as Rookery Wagyu Burger ($26) and Grilled Ribeye Steak ($36). Rookery, Hong Leong Building, 16 Raffles Quay #01-02A, Singapore 048581 (Image: Rookery Facebook Page)

10. Revelry

This new café along Lorong Kilat stands out with a bulbous sign that reads Revelry, as well as a vibrant set of elephant motifs on their clean white walls. Specializing in savoury Belgian waffles, star picks from their unique fan-like menu include the Signature Burffle ($18), Chicken & Waffles ($16). Need a hearty English breakfast combination? Get The Full Band Waffle ($19; pictured). Revelry, 21 Lorong Kilat #01-02, Singapore 598123 (Image: Revelry Facebook Page)

11. Whisk & Paddle

Love a spacious café with a view? Those living in Punggol can now revel in some good brunch fare and sip on a cuppa (we hear they have “Spiked Coffee”) at Whisk & Paddle, which takes a short five to ten-minute walk from Riveria LRT Station. The wide spectrum of food here spans from DIY breakfast plates to savoury waffles and more interesting dishes like Duck and Lychee Pizza ($17), Oriental Wings with a thai chilli dip ($12) and Pulled Pork Soft Tacos ($17). Swing by for lunch or dinner for their line of pastas and mains like Crabmeat Linguine ($17), Sea Bass En Papillote ($26.80) and even Gnocchi ($21) served with sweet potato chips. Whisk & Paddle, 10 Tebing Lane #01-01, Singapore 828836 (Image: Whisk & Paddle Facebook Page)

12. Aeiou

New café Aeiou, located in the Jalan Besar enclave, breathes new life into the antique house it now occupies, with strong old-school nuances. While they are still settling in during this soft launch period with a limited menu, feast your eyes on the many vintage furniture and lamps placed on every table. For those who’d rather drop by when they’re officially opened, the date to mark down is 11 January, when you can expect more than 20 dishes to choose from, such as Beef Cheek Pasta ($24.90), Roasted Pumpkin Quinoa ($14.90), as well as cakes like Avocado Cheesecake and Down-to-Earth Chocolate to pair with your latte. Aeiou, 111 King George’s Avenue, Singapore 208559 (Image: Aeiou Facebook Page) See Also: New restaurants you don't want to miss The best ice-creams that will melt your heart

Written by: Cheryl Chong & Peh Yi Wen