Wouldn’t it be great to live in River Valley? You’d be a stone’s throw away from Orchard Road and the arts district, and not to mention the amazing bars, cafes and restaurants that just seem to dot this neighborhood. Here are six restaurants that serve some classic offerings, from char-grilled bone steak to Japanese grilled meats.
Bistecca Tuscan Steakhouse
Dim lighting, earth tone furnishings and croc print-inspired chocolate chairs give this Italian steakhouse a distinctly sexy feel; a great date venue. In case the name wasn’t a dead giveaway, it’s all about the meat here, specifically wagyu, so forgo their pastas in favor of their signature Fiorentina—a deliciously smoky char-grilled 1-1.2kg T-bone steak of marble score six Aussie wagyu, big enough to be shared by three or four people. 25 Mohamed Sultan Rd. Make a reservation via Chope here.
Ellenborough Market Cafe
With a bright and airy revamp just a few months ago, this sun-drenched riverside restaurant does buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as an international and Asian a la carte menu. But the big draw is their selection of local and Peranakan fare, such as Nyonya laksa, ayam buah keluak, black bean slipper lobster and babi pongteh. There are good vegetarian options, too. 20 Merchant Rd. Make a reservation via Chope here.
FOC
It opened a couple of years ago, but this boisterous yet elegant Spanish tapas and cocktail joint, by Michelin-starred Nandu Jubany in collaboration with Jordi Noguera and Dario Nocentini, is still perpetually packed most nights of the week, thanks to its affordable cocktails and gently tweaked versions of classic dishes. Expect modern takes on dishes like black Mediterranean paellawith seafood and garlic mayo. Jubany has also added in some Asian flair with progressive plates of onion soup ramen noodles with smoked quail eggs, pork belly and shiitake mushroom. 40 HongKong St. Make a reservation via Chope here.
Japanese Bbq Yakiniku Yazawa
You can’t swing a bat without knocking into a Japanese eatery in the Robertson Quay area, but this BBQ establishment is a standout, despite the pretty ordinary setup (think black booth seats, dim lighting and wood accents). Grilled everything is the order of the day, from seasonal fish to Kurobuta to Saga beef. The Yazawa meats on offer are reason enough to warrant a return visit, as are the set menus at lunch and dinner. #01-01 Robertson Walk, 11 Unity St.
The Kitchen at Bacchanalia
The mood and the menu lightened considerably after Bacchanalia moved from the Masonic Building in City Hall to HongKong Street a while ago—no more heavy velvet drapes and black-out brunch parties. Former head chef of London’s renowned restaurant Maze, Chef Luke Armstrong, all about big and bold flavors has crafted a five or eight-course menu that features signatures like roasted monkfish with Zeeland mussels and saffron sauce, grass-fed tenderloin with aubergine compote and garlic veloute and a Pavé chocolate dessert with mint ice cream, yogurt, passionfruit and citrus. 39 HongKong St. Make a reservation via Chope here.
Tamashi Robataya
Run by chef-owner Patrick Tan, his wife Nicole and chef-co-owner Max See, this joint specializes in Japanese grills or robatayaki. Snag a seat at the long chef’s counter: they serve food up on long wooden paddles, making for a fun interactive experience. Recently, they’ve introduced the new shabu shabu/sukiyaki menu which includes two specialties—Sake Nabe, which uses 100% sake in hot pot and Whisky Sukiyaki for whisky lovers. If you don’t want to blow the budget, affordable lunch sets are available too. #02-01 12 North Canal Rd. Make a reservation via Chope here.
