It’s a brand new month, and that means we’re once again scoping out brand new eats and drinks to excite all you foodies. This May, head to new spots like Sen-Ryo, which hails from Tochigi, Japan to offer affordable Japanese cuisine; as well as Drunken Farmer that has officially found a permanent home along Stanley Street. Feel free to indulge in drinks at Singapore’s newest sky-high lounge in 1-Atico, or even try the new Tiny Bubbles Bar in Don Ho – Social Kitchen & Bar. Bottoms up.
1-Atico
It’s been teasing its opening for some time now, and Atico Lounge has finally opened its doors at Ion Orchard, 218 metres above ground. Soak up 360-degree, sweeping views of Singapore within the cosy, sky-high lounge; the space hopes to truly come alive with entertainment when Covid-19 restrictions ease. For now, take respite at the bar with refreshing tipples such as the gin-based Aviation cocktail, or the Mirukuuron, an easy-drinking libation that pays homage to the Land of the Rising Sun. As for bar bites, you won’t go wrong with some Hand-Cut Shoestring Fries served with truffle mayo or the Japanese Snow Crab Croquettes.
Monthly travel-inspired guest shifts have also been announced, so get excited for Tiki Atico Takeovers, One Night in Paris with The Bar at 15 Stamford and more.
Drunken Farmer
No longer the nomadic, travelling natural wine bar it once was, Drunken Farmer has officially settled into a home in the CBD by taking over Common Man Stan come sundown. Transforming the cafe into a bistro and natural wine bar during evenings, the new spot offers a sourdough-focused menu some may remember from Levain, previously hosted at Tiong Bahru Bakery’s Eng Hoon flagship.
Think eats like the Sourdough “Couvert”, a basket of naturally-leavened sourdough slices made using a 159-year-old starter, as well as the Sourdough Karaage which features slow-marinated crispy chicken bites which gets its name from the tangy batter that’s made using sourdough discard.
No meal at Drunken Farmer is complete without some sourdough pizza; choose options like the classic Margherita to enjoy an airy, chewy crust alongside house-made temple stracciatella cheese and tangy tomato sauce. Finally, complementing the food menu is an exciting arsenal of over 80 natural, organic and sustainably-farmed labels from winemakers across France, Italy and Spain, so guests are in for a treat.
Pipes by Hattendo
Famed Hiroshima bakery Hattendo’s first dual-concept cafe is located right here in Singapore. So besides indulging in coffee and cream buns, locals can also enjoy a complete izakaya experience at Pipes which operates during dinnertime. On its refreshed menu are delicious dishes such as the plump and juicy Fresh Oysters, Premium Moriawase showcasing fresh sashimi as well as the Tonkatsu Sando. If you ask us, the Sando is the perfect main as a large, tender pork cutlet is sandwiched between two light and fluffy milk bread slices.
Sen-Ryo
Hailing from Tochigi, Japan, Sen-Ryo’s arrival in Ion Orchard means more accessibility to affordable Japanese cuisine. In the elegant local outpost, find a sake bar, sushi and grill counter as well as intimate dining areas plus private rooms. Some highlights to enjoy include the DIY Hokkaido Uni that presents generous servings of premium Hokkaido uni to be paired with fresh sushi rice, ikura, cucumber strips and roasted seaweed sheets. There’s also the Shokunin Sushi series that features handcrafted creations like the signature Sen-Ryo Sushi, an indulgent combination of uni, negitoro and ikura; as well as the Maguro for tuna done two ways.
But besides sushi, try hot meals including the Singapore-exclusive Kaisen Soy Nabe, a hotpot featuring a milky, soy broth teeming with chewy kuzukiri noodles, king snow crab legs, scallops and more.
Tiny Bubbles Bar at Don Ho – Social Kitchen & Bar
Don Ho – Social Kitchen & Bar has always been a crowd-pleaser. From its pre-Covid days hosting luau parties to its newly-revamped dinner menu, the restaurant is always keeping diners on their toes. Now, it has traded in its previous poke bowl concept for a gorgeous new bar at the front of its home in The Working Capitol Building to offer happy hour drinks and more. Try anything from the zesty Morning Glory Fizz to the refreshing Oh Daisy! Spritz while basking in the good vibes; feel free to order up some small plates too—popular items like the Crispy Eggplant, US Beef Short Rib and Blackened Chicken are sure to delight.
