In just a blink of an eye, November has arrived. This month, look forward to welcoming new players in our F&B scene. From a new crepe shop by the people behind French diner Merci Marcel to Singapore’s first outpost of Japan’s leading tendon chain, expect to dine out and well at these eight new restaurant and cafe openings in Singapore.
Barossa Bar & Grill
Carnivores, rejoice! Australian-inspired restaurant Barossa Bar & Grill is essentially a meat-lovers’ paradise with a special focus on Australian beef and Josper oven-grilled dishes. This new outlet at VivoCity showcases a different menu proffering dry-aged Australian beef and Josper oven-grilled lamb, poultry and seafood dishes. That means you can look forward to Ah Hua Kelong’s Tiger Prawns, Australian Full Blood Wagyu Ribeye MS7/8, and Australian Premium 50-day Dry Aged Porterhouse ($138 for 600g). The latter requires at least 30 minutes to prepare but it’s sure worth the wait and hefty price tag.
DurianBB
Founded by a team of passionate durian enthusiasts (‘cause who else, right?), DurianBB has stores located all across Asia that dish out unique durian products, and so much more. Now, it has opened its first concept cafe in Singapore, where locals can head to for tasting platters of premium durian, cakes and pastries, including the Boom MSW Mousse Cake and I’m Burnt, a Mao Shan Wang cheesecake. On your way out, feel free to pick up durian-inspired soft toys for you or your little one.
Flipper’s
Having been a trailblazer of the souffle pancake trend in Japan, the original kiseki pancake chain that is Flipper’s will finally make its local debut at none other than Takashimaya Shopping Centre. Here, tuck into a myriad of fluffy ones like the Kiseki Pancake Matcha or Millennial Strawberry which is an opening special. The savoury option may tickle your fancy if you don’t have a sweet tooth; simply enjoy some eggs benedict, shrimp and smoked salmon as well as dollops of Hollandaise sauce atop the cloud-like pancake. Wash that all down with a cuppa joe or Insta-worthy beverages like the Rose Strawberry Milk and Blue Honey Ade.
French Fold
From the same folks who brought us Merci Marcel comes French Fold, a cosy all-day dining shophouse venue on Telok Ayer featuring crepes, galettes and easy-drinking alcoholic beverages. Feel transported to a hole-in-the-wall bistro in Paris as you indulge in savoury galettes like the No.4, a classic take filled with chiffonade of ham, organic egg sunny side up, sauteed mushrooms and Comte cheese. Or try the No.11, a galette with a local twist, that’s topped with chicken satay chunks, ginger and peanuts.
For crepes, you can’t go wrong with the buttery-good classic brown sugar option. But we especially liked the salted caramel for the added layer of flavours, as well as one topped with Valrhona chocolate gelato sourced from Birds of Paradise. French Fold also boasts a great selection of drinks exclusive to them, including a range of French craft beers, limited-edition wines and cocktails (try the Kopi Cognac) finished with organic cider. It’s an offering you literally won’t be able to get anywhere else.
Gemma Steakhouse
A brand new concept has arrived at National Gallery Singapore, and this time, it’s a contemporary dining destination with a focus on steaks. So be introduced to Gemma Steakhouse, opened by Michelin-star chef-restaurateur Beppe De Vito of the ilLido Group and step into a place boasting old world charm and fantastic vibes. With the trademark Josper oven and an in-house curing room, patrons can expect to feast on large-format steaks sourced from around the world (think A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Sirloin from Japan and New Zealand’s Te Mana Lamb Rack) as well as fish carvery including Tea-Smoked Ora King Salmon and Drunken Striped Jack Tartare.
Sugar Toast
Forget your typical breakfast toast. With the opening of China’s popular bread chain Sugar Toast, readily grab artisanal slices painstakingly prepared with quality ingredients, natural colouring, and no preservatives. Those long hours in the kitchen culminate in loaves such as the Rainbow Cranberry Toast that boast a combination of Sugar Toast’s popular Original, Matcha and Dragon Fruit flavours, as well as the Purple Sweet Potato Toast made with purple potato puree. Feel free to pick up the Cheese Crown too, as this premium flavour is an homage to the original Hokkaido milk bread and encompasses six dough balls filled with sugared cream cheese. Yum.
Suki Suki Thai Hot Pot
If you’re craving an authentic, spice-laden Thai feast, then look no further than Suki Suki Thai Hot Pot that has opened at HomeTeamNS Club House Khatib with an all-you-can-eat halal Thai hotpot buffet experience. Savour classic Thai soup bases like the spicy-sour Tom Yum Soup or fragrant coconut-curry broth, Khao Soi. The adventurous may even wish to try the Sweet Basil Chicken Soup that’s an aromatic rendition of everyone’s favourite Siam rice dish. The extensive ala carte buffet offers signature items such as the thinly sliced shabu shabu beef and homemade fish paste, plus over 40 different vegetables, mushrooms and more. Finally, dip all your ingredients in either the homemade Jaew Sauce or Seafood Sauce which truly elevates the hearty hotpot affair.
Tenya
Since travelling to Japan for its delectable eats isn’t possible for the time being, satiate your hankering for crisp tempura at Orchard Central’s Tenya, Singapore’s first outpost of Japan’s number one tendon chain restaurant. Here, sink your teeth into delicious shrimp and vegetable tempura fished right out of its patented automatic fryer; the tempura may come atop a bowl of fluffy Aomori rice or alongside some Japanese udon or soba noodles. Upsizing, downsizing and even set meal options are all available depending on your appetite.
