Don’t let the June heat bog you down. There are plenty of reasons to brave the scorching sun and get your fill of yummy eats this month. Lovers of the king of fruits will already be aware of the durian season happening now, while hipsters will undoubtedly be willing to swelter as they hunt down that trending item at the Geylang Serai Bazaar. For dining in air-conditioned comfort, Stellar at 1-Altitude now serves up Tajima wagyu cuts you’ve probably never had before, thanks to them being the first to rear and serve their own Tajima cattle. There are many new or revamped restaurants to check out as well. Happy feasting!
Having steaks a cut above the rest
While Tajima wagyu is nothing new in Singapore, Stellar at 1-Altitude is now the first restaurant here rearing and serving its own Tajima cattle from Australia’s premium wagyu farm, Tiana Park. What this means is that while you can easily enjoy cuts of Tajima wagyu elsewhere (including Kobe beef, which are Tajima wagyu with very high marbling scores), you’re not likely to be able to order Tajima cuts such as the tri-tip, oyster blade, intercostal and karubi, which are on Stellar’s menu now because Executive Chef Christopher Millar has the whole cow at his disposal.
He is serving them up as part of several different course menus: the a la carte three-course menu ($110) allows you to have your pick of appetizer, main and dessert from the entire menu (we highly recommend the flight of three different cuts of Tajima wagyu), while the six-course Constellations menu ($130) offers a good mix of Tajima cuts and choices from Stellar’s seasonal lineup. Or simply go for the indulgent eight-course Antipodes menu ($190) for an unforgettable dinner that ends with a surprise “dessert art” performance. More here.
Beers, comfort food and stunning views for Saturday brunch
If you’ve always wanted to check out Singapore’s highest craft beer brewery/restaurant Level33 but was hoping to avoid the office crowd, their Saturday-only brunch menu (served 11:30am-3:30pm) would be your best bet. They’ve just added new items like the Grilled Artichoke Ceviche ($12), Confit Salmon ($15) and the plain-sounding but so surprisingly good Fried Rice ($14.50) with braised brisket, spices and poached egg into the menu, and they all make great accompaniments to the fresh brews made in-house ($13.33/pint).
Since transforming their Saturday brunches from a buffet line into an a la carte offering in March, they’ve also included dishes like Cheeseburger Bao ($8), savoury Bacon “Man-Cakes” ($15) and Roti ($12) that is served alongside an Indian Pale Ale curry dip, because it’s awesome and they can. For beers, the light and fruity Blond Lager and hoppy House Porter makes for easy afternoon drinking. But if undecided, just go for the Beer Tasting Paddle ($23.33) for a taster of all five of their home brews. More here.
Chilli crab tarts served as part of a theater show
Those needing more reason to catch the highly-entertaining, non-verbal South Korean comedy theatrical performance, CHEF: Bibimbap vs Chilli Crab, debuting at the Resorts World Theatre on Jun 10 and running till Jul 22, will be ecstatic to know that a special edition chilli crab tart will be served during the show for Category 1 ($98) and VIP ($118) weekend ticket holders. The pastry snack, the work of Resorts World Sentosa’s Executive Pastry Chef Kenny Kong, can also be purchased at the theater’s food and beverage counter on the weekends, in case you wish to tabao some home. More here.
The king of fruits is back in season
It’s that time of the year again when it is more affordable to feast on a wider selection of durians. Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel is throwing a durian high tea buffet from Jun 1-Aug 9 while Goodwood Park Hotel’s annual Durian Fiesta has already begun and will continue till the end of July. Resorts World Sentosa will undoubtedly throw their own durian festival again this year but details are not out yet. If you’re old school like us, just head down to the heartland durian fruit stalls and dig in with your bare hands. You can also have durians delivered to your home if you’d like. Find out what are the options here.
Street food and good vibes at Singapore’s largest bazaar
Partake in the Ramadan festivities while having your fill of novelty eats like fried durian, rainbow ice-cream wraps, candyfloss burritos and kit kat crepes at the annual Geylang Serai Bazaar. It’s going to be a hot month in June, so dress light as you comb through the maze of stalls to find that Instagrammable treat you’ve been looking for (or check out our guide to the best eats here). But if you’re posting anything on social media, remember to practice cultural sensitivity. The event is traditionally meant for families observing Islam’s holy month to stock up on Hari Raya treats and bask in the festivities together. The Geylang Serai Bazaar is not a flea market to be reviewed, unlike a certain privileged “influencer” has done.
Raffles Hotel is celebrating 130 years with a feast
In commemoration of the iconic Raffles Hotel’s 130th Anniversary, the Raffles Grill will be preparing a special three-course dinner ($130) for the entire month of June. Seasonal ingredients will take centerstage with offerings like Crispy King Crab with Yellow Chanterelles or Green Asparagus with Argan Vinaigrette as starters, while mains include the Confit Wild Trout with Kale, Turnip, Salmon Roe and Chartreuse Sauce. Raffles Grill will also be closing in August as part of the hotel’s ongoing restoration program, so check out the restaurant while you can. While you’re there, snap away, as the entire hotel will fully cease operations by the end of the year before reopening in mid-2018. More here.
Lobsters hot off the grill for Sunday brunch
Starting June, Oscar’s at Conrad Centennial Singapore will be offering an upgraded version of their usual Sunday brunch offering ($98; $128 for boozy option; $168 for premium booze) that now features lobsters and steaks grilled from their outdoor BBQ pit. Also new is a carving station that offers three kinds of roasts, including Filipino lechon de leche, a Spanish suckling pig slow-roasted Filipino-style; Salmon Coulibiac, a Russian-style salmon pie with lemon cognac cream sauce; and Conrad’s signature roast London duck. Enjoy the new offerings alongside their oysters at the seafood bar, an array of international hot dishes, DIY salads and a broad selection of desserts. More here.
Dig into unlimited plates of Michelin-starred soy-glazed chicken
Chef Chan Hon Meng, owner of Michelin-starred Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle at Chinatown Food Complex, will be bringing his signature soy-glazed chicken to the dinner buffet lineup at The Fullerton Hotel’s Town Restaurant from Jun 1-10. This not only means that you can get to eat as much of the dish as you want, but you get to skip the queues as well—assuming that massive queues don’t start forming at Town also. Chan will be making a personal appearance on some nights too, so you can catch the man himself in action. He will be there on Jun 1-3, as well as Jun 8-10 (basically Thursdays to Saturdays) from 7pm-9pm. More here.
The second coming of Michelin Guide Singapore is upon us
The first-ever Singapore edition of the Michelin Guide took place at the Resorts World Sentosa’s convention center last year. They’re back this year on Jun 29 to reveal the 2017 selection of Singapore’s best eateries and award them with the highly coveted Michelin stars at the iconic Fullerton Hotel. Just like last year, the Michelin Guide Singapore 2017 Star Event, where the winners will be announced, will be open to the public. So if you want to be part of the action, make sure you get your tickets ($595 a pop) online early. More here.
A new French restaurant takes over Cocotte’s old space
If dining in the Little India and Jalan Besar area just hasn’t been the same for you since the closure of Cocotte at Wanderlust Hotel, you’ll be happy to hear that its former space has reopened with its French roots intact. At Audace (that’s short for “audacious”), diners can expect contemporary French bistro fare with Asian inclinations. A number of dishes are made with ingredients sourced at nearby Tekka Market and produce will also be brought in from around Southeast Asia—think Vietnamese oysters and caviar, and Thai micro herbs. Open all day, highlights include their two- and three-course lunch menus ($28 and $32) and three- and five-course dinner menus ($68 and $98). An ala carte menu is also available. More here.
Orchard Road welcomes Singapore’s largest alfresco dining
If you had always wanted to enjoy handcrafted burgers along with a side of truffle dumplings, now you can. F&B group Deliciae Hospitality Management has brought four of its brands—&Made Burger Bistro, Sabio Tapas Bar, L’Entrecote The Steak & Fries Bistro and Angela May Food Chapters—together under a single establishment at a purpose-built new wing of Robinsons The Heeren. It is a huge 4,300 sq feet duplex, the largest dining terrace on Orchard Road, with the ablility to accommodate 220 diners across all four eateries. More here.
Restaurant Ember’s former chef strikes out with a new casual dining concept
Chef Sebastian Ng first made a name for himself at the now-defunct, semi-fine dining Restaurant Ember. He is now back in the scene with a modern European small plates concept opened in early May at Downtown Gallery, simply named Venue by Sebastian, that is in every way a casual diner—from the disposable ordering chit more often seen at dim sum restaurants to the communal tables and bar stool seats—but still carrying fine dining sensibilities when it comes to the food. More here.
A new halal Thai restaurant opens in time for Ramadan
If you’re a fan of Thai cuisine, the opening of Blue Jasmine at Park Hotel Farrer Park will have your mouth watering. Drawing inspiration from Thailand’s traditional dishes and street food culture, Blue Jasmine is all about authentic flavors presented in a communal dining format. Blue Jasmine serves up all the expected classics along with signature dishes like salmon larb ($18), “Tiger Cry” beef salad made with grilled Australian rib eye ($20), prawns with petai ($22), and orange curry stingray ($24). On top of that, guests will have a choice of four different types of rice—steamed, sticky, organic multi-grain and the restaurant’s namesake blue jasmine rice. More here.
There’s a new cool Eastern Mediterranean spot in Robertson Quay
Robertson Quay has gotten yet another cool hangout spot in the form of Eastern Mediterranean cafe and bar Summerlong. The menu, the work of Chef Justin Hammond of Keong Saik’s Neon Pigeon, features a range of sharing plates, seafood dishes and grilled eats plus brunch items on the weekends. There is also a cocktail bar specializing in refreshing but stiff drinks. More here.
