Should you find yourself stuck in a what-to-eat predicament, our regular TGIF column is your weekly dose of dining inspiration for the weekend, whether you need it or not. Now, bring on that toppoki and salted egg yolk cupcake!
#1 – Tapas goes Korean
No, we’re not talking about banchan, side dishes served at almost every Korean restaurant. SYNC is a full-fledged Korean tapas bar that serves your favourite dishes in dainty small plates. Even better, traditional plates like baked rice cakes (toppoki) and Angus beef jowl (sogogi jowl) are upgraded with fancy-pancy ingredients like three-cheese and garlic confit. There are big plates to share as well, such as chicken paella (comes with sausage and kimchi) and the classic Army Stew – a colourful mish-mash of ingredients like clams, ramen, octopus and mushrooms.
SYNC Korean Tapas Bar, Serangoon Garden Estate, 12 Maju Avenue, Singapore 556690, p. 6282 0612.
Chirashi bowl by Zairyo (left) and fresh greens from SimplyFresh (right)
#2 – Two new online grocers to check out
Feel like staying in this weekend? Good news: two new online grocers have launched today, you can order some very gourmet ingredients for your next kitchen experiment. Zairyo is chockfull of premium Japanese goodies like hotate, ikura, botan ebi (!), and uni (!!), while SimplyFresh specialises in greens – find exotic produce like blue potatoes, purple carrots, and the elusive kale, all air-flown from Europe.
#3 – A seafood feast by a celeb chef
Peter Kuruvita is one celebrity chef that does it all, from Sri Lankan cuisine to Mexican fare. Now, you can get a taste of his tantalising seafood creations at W Hotel’s The Kitchen Table. Every Friday and Saturday (6pm to 11pm, $85 per person), look forward to bite into dishes like the Southeast Asian black pepper and curry leaf crab, seared yellow fin tuna with sweet pork crackling and blue swimmer crab in squid ink stock. Meaty selections like wagyu beef and short ribs are also featured in the spread.
The Kitchen Table, W Hotel, 21 Ocean Way, Singapore 098374, p. 6808 7268.
2am:dessertbar (left) and Shuzo Nagumo (right)
#4 – Cocktail pop-up at 2am:dessertbar
Bartender Shuzo Nagumo has abandoned his venture codename MIXOLOGY in Japan, and is helming 2am’s bar from 4 to 14 November 2014. He’ll be shaking up intriguing mixes during this 10-day stint, like a wasabi-infused G&T and a grilled miso chocolate martini. If you’re still feeling adventurous, order drinks like the Nitro Foie & Pumpkin Cup or the Laphroaig Blue Cheese Martini.
2am:dessertbar, 21A Lorong Liput, Singapore 277733, p. 6291 9727.
#5 – Exquisite artisan cupcakes by Gourmet Carousel
The pastry chefs at Gourmet Carousel certainly know how to up the ante with cupcakes. Their new range of artisan treats doesn’t just feature the usual suspects like red velvet and caramel almond – there are also choices like honey and figs, salted egg yolk and olive polenta and salami. Those who can’t take gluten, great news: there are gluten-free options including the raspberry lemon and flourless dark chocolate.
Gourmet Carousel, Royal Plaza on Scotts, 25 Scotts Road, Singapore 228220, p. 6589 7788.
Top image: Topokki at SYNC Korean Tapas Bar