Can you believe it’s November already? Thus begins the season of feasting, and we have 10 new places to help you get started this month.
El Mero Mero
Mexican food isn’t all about tacos and burritos. At the upscale El Mero Mero, you’ll find items like slow cooked veal tongue and oxtail, and slow roasted suckling pig. Mains aside, we must say their bar bites and appetisers – such as the savoury smoked corn and mushroom donuts and ceviche of razor clams with serrano chilli – have also got our taste buds tingling with pleasure.
El Mero Mero, #01-20 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996, p. 6337 1377. Open daily 12pm-3pm, 5:30pm-1am.
Sear
A steakhouse with a view? We’re on our way. This sky-high restaurant up on the 45th floor of the Singapore Land Tower in the CBD has all the top steak cuts (USDA and Australian beef) and grilled creations to send meat-loving hearts afluttering. Hold your horses, though – it’s set to soft-open middle of November, but you can be certain we’ll be first in line!
Sear, #45-01/02 Singapore Land Tower, 50 Raffles Place, Singapore 048623, p. 8228 5568. Open Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, Mon-Sat 6:30pm-11pm. Closed Sun.
Chilli crab at The Catch Seafood Restaurant & Bar
The Catch Seafood Restaurant & Bar
This Changi-based seafood restaurant is one of those “faraway” places that are worth the journey. Choose from over 20 species of sea-dwelling critters (you know, Alaskan king crabs, blue lobsters, geoducks and the likes) cooked various ways, from the traditional (Chinese wine) to the modern (egg white with truffle oil). Order a round or two of their delish homemade sangria cocktails to wash them all down. Mmmm!
The Catch Seafood Restaurant & Bar, 27 Cosford Road, Singapore 499549, p. 6546 2155. Open Tue-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, 6pm-10:30pm. Closed Mon.
La Taperia
From the same folks behind Bistro du Vin and NamNam Noodle Bar, this Spanish tapas joint in what we call the “Empire Shaw Building” is all about the familiar classics. Look forward to plates like squid ink seafood paella, grilled octopus and suckling pig croquettes.
La Taperia, #02-10/11 Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road, Singapore 228208, p. 6737 8336. Open daily 12pm-2pm, 6:30pm-10:30pm.
Prive @ CHIJMES
Privé @ CHIJMES
The Keppel Bay dining spot now has a second branch, and it’s serving signatures like the eggs benedict, wagyu burger and the must-try sticky date pudding – one of the best in town, in our opinion. New dishes including coconut waffles and spaghetti arrabbiata with slipper lobster are also available. After dinner, move over to the bar area to take advantage of Happy Hour.
Privé @ CHIJMES, #01-35 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996, p. 6776 0777. Open Mon-Thu 11:30am-12am, Fri 11:30am-1am, Sat 10am-1am, Sun 10am-12am.
Takumi Kacyo
This new Japanese spot got us at “fresh seafood”. Following a teppanyaki concept, the restaurant’s culinary highlights include a Japanese-style bouillabaisse, as well as a grade A5 wage tenderloin. Of course, there’ll be lots of sashimi to wolf down.
Takumi Kacyo, #02-01 Marina at Keppel Bay, 2 Keppel Bay Vista, Singapore 098382, p. 6271 7414. Open daily 12pm-2:30pm, 6pm-10:30pm.
Grilled oysters with white wine sauce and avruga caviar (left) and Sex on the Quay (right) at Southbridge
Southbridge
We think oysters and alcohol is the best combo ever. If you’re like us, be sure to hit up Southbridge. The new rooftop oyster bar on Boat Quay knows a thing or two about umami with its show-stopping creations like the Pearls (grilled oysters with white wine sauce and avruga caviar), lobster knuckle roll, and truffle and smoked pancetta sandwich.
Southbridge, 5/F (rooftop), 80 Boat Quay, Singapore 049868, p. 6536 5818. Open Mon-Thu 5pm-12am, Fri-Sat 3pm-12am. Closed Sun and PHs.
Paprika & Cumin
Eco-friendly restaurants are far and few between, so this newcomer certainly gets our attention. Paprika & Cumin handpicks the freshest ingredients from their little backyard garden and throws them into wholesome, Mediterranean-inspired creations such as chicken kebabs and Tournedos Rossini (a French steak dish). There’s also a range of fine wines (238 labels in all) to choose from.
Paprika & Cumin, #01-15/16 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996, p. 6883 2294. Open daily 11am-2am.
Here & There
Here & There
This kushiyaki (skewer grilled) specialist offers an assortment of both meat and vegetable delights on a stick. One item we can’t resist is the chicken skin with black truffle. Don’t miss out on their wagyu and foie gras sliders, too!
Here & There, #01-11/12/13/18 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996, p. 6333 0106. Open Mon-Thu 11:30am-11pm, Fri 11:30am-1am, Sat-Sun 11:30am-11pm.
Club Meatballs
A meatball specialist? Where do we sign up? This gastrobar is the brainchild of the folks behind Sarnies and The Lokal and here you can customise your meaty bowl of goodness with choices like Iberico pork and fennel and wagyu and rosemary. Top it all off with a sauce of your choosing; we’re feeling particularly excited about the truffle mushroom option.
#01-35 China Square Central, 20 Cross Street, Singapore 048422, p. 6222 8660. Open Mon-Sat 5pm-12am. Closed Sun.
Top image: Octopus (left) and sweetbreads (right) at El Mero Mero