Because going local is cool, this year’s Epicurean Market is, for the first time in five years, stepping away from its fine dining slant and featuring Singaporean favorites at a new Singapore Street Food experience booth that will be modelled after a two-story shophouse. The people behind RISE, the international buffet restaurant at Marina Bay Sands, will be offering dishes like Teochew png kueh, rendang pipi daging, roti prata, ice kachang ball, and much more, over the three-day event.
There will also be a new Kampung Bar that will be serving up local hawker fare inspired cocktails designed by Diageo World Class bartenders. We don’t really know what that means yet, but expect to taste familiar spices such as chili, lemongrass and pandan in your drink.
This doesn’t mean the celebrity chef cuisines, fine wines and farm-to-table produce that has been the event’s highlight, are taking a back seat this year. For one, Lavo, the much-anticipated multi-concept restaurant, lounge bar and nightclub from New York and Las Vegas, will be offering attendees a first taste of what is to come when the establishment opens its doors at MBS (they still haven’t announced a date). For now, you can look forward to trying Lavo’s Italian offerings like meatball with ricotta and Prawn Fra Diavalo Chifferi Pasta at Epicurean Market.
And of course, MBS’ signature restaurants—Adrift by David Myers, Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen, CUT by Wolfgang Puck, db Bistro & Oyster Bar by Daniel Boulud, Osteria and Pizzeria Mozza by Mario Batali and Nancy Silverton, The Bird Southern Table & Bar by John Kunkel, Waku Ghin by Tetsuya Wakuda and Spago by Wolfgang Puck—will all be making their annual appearances at the event.
Anchor participants of Epicurean Market such as Ce La Vi, Punjab Grill, Jin Shan and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf – Beanstro will also be at the event, alongside new entrant Ippudo, the Japanese ramen chain, which will be serving up maze soba and sides such as crispy corn and chicken karaage.
Returning to the Epicurean Market since its introduction last year is The Connoisseur Series, where experts in wine and spirits will be conducting masterclasses and take a deep dive into the finer points of appreciating whiskies and wines.
After having your fill of food and drinks, stay on as the venue transforms into a night spot with international DJs turning up the volume and as the Diageo World Class Bar, helmed by renowned bartenders, serves up handcrafted cocktails.
Tickets to the Epicurean Market, taking place from Aug 11-13, are on sale now on their website. Three-day passes are priced at $39 and includes a signature dish worth $15, access to masterclasses and the late night revelry. The event takes place at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre from 12pm-2am on Friday and Saturday and 12pm-9pm on Sunday.
