If you thought CHIJMES was for the older crowd looking for classic (read: safe) food and drinks, you’re wrong. There are a bunch of cool new restaurants and watering holes to whet your appetite and get those after-work juices flowing. Here’s a list of some of the new places to watch out for.
El Mero Mero
From the folks behind Señor Taco, this Mexican place does a modern take on traditional Mexican food. Although there are classics like tuna tostadas, enchiladas verde and pork carnitas, we’re excited for playful plates like razor clam ceviche with pickled onion and almond; a braised pork belly salad; and tacos with Black Angus tenderloin and Korubuta pork. They’ve got a pretty good list of South American wines too and, of course, tequila and mescal.
Here & There
A contemporary take on traditional kushiyaki (grilled skewers), this cool space is all about sexy, dark interiors and turns into a swanky bar by nighttime. They’ve got imported oysters, foie gras & wagyu skewers and an addictive umami spicy garlic miso pork belly dish, too. The Japanese-leaning modern Asian gastropub has a pretty alfresco area that’s great for after-work drinks and snacks. Don’t miss their “Shuck & Suck Thursdays” where French Fine de Claire oysters go for $2 with a minimum spend of $20.
Paprika & Cumin
This Mediterranean leaning, eco-friendly gastropub has over 200 wine labels, cocktails and lots of grilled dishes like chicken kebabs. It’s more than your typical watering hole with daily special cocktails, happy hours and set lunches using home-grown organic herbs and spices. Plus they open from mid-morning to late at night, which means you can squeeze in a meal and a glass of wine any time you like.
Prive
Their second outlet has more of the same casual cafe vibe with easy favorites like Wagyu beef burgers, mushroom soup, stone-baked pizzas and fish & chips (and they’ve still got their popular brunch with dishes like eggs benedict and fluffy pancakes too). One of the best parts of this outlet is their huge alfresco space, a prime spot for people watching among the white walls of the heritage building. There’s lots of bar snacks, beers and wines to go around.
Tatsu
Sushi joint by day and teppanyaki bar by night. Dinner includes some indulgent ingredients like live lobsters (market price) and their signature flambé wagyu beef teppan-style. They’ve got a selection of assorted teppanyaki meats and seafood, while lunch is more about the makimonos, sashimis and sushis. For those looking for a quick fix, they’ve got convenient bento lunch sets, too, with options like sashimi and tsukune (fried breaded chicken).
