Fancy, top-end dining establishments almost always fill this list, but you gotta admit the casual, laid-back ones that have that magic touch simply cannot be ignored. We’ve got a great mix of both worlds for you in this edition of Hot New Tables, so start planning your culinary journey for April – stat.
Long Chim
Celebrity chef David Thompson (of award-winning Nahm in Bangkok) has launched his first casual dining venture at Marina Bay Sands. Long Chim is all about BKK’s iconic street grub; the difference here is that it’s crafted with a touch of sophistication, and it boasts a good mix of traditional and contemporary flavours. Beef with holy basil, roasted prawns with vermicelli and coriander, banana roti, durian ice cream – see how the culinary team takes things up a notch with these seemingly straightforward dishes.
Long Chim, #L2-02 Atrium 2, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956, p. 6688 7299. Open daily 5pm-11pm.
Dog cockles tartare (left) and lamb oyster stew (right) at Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza
Yes, Lollapalooza is brought to you by the same folks behind uber popular dining temple Lolla. The menu at this cool “freestyle” restaurant changes daily based on what’s available for the season so you never really know what to expect. Dishes are prepared in a wood-fired oven using apple wood (smokin’), and won’t be limited to small plates.
Lollapalooza, 1A Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089109, p. 6221 3538. Open Mon-Sat 6pm-11pm. Closed Mon.
Seafood saffron risotto at FYR
FYR
Pad that stomach of yours with a slew of smoky treats cooked in the Josper charcoal oven at this Modern European-Asian restaurant. Items like the red snapper with sambal belachan are a must-try for those who can take the heat, and the baked freshly shucked oysters are great for seafood lovers. Desserts – like the baked pistachio melt with pandan ice cream – are given the same smoky treatment, too.
FYR, 19 Boon Tat Street, Singapore 069619, p. 6291 0986.
Fettucine ai frutti di mare (left) and tiramisu banana cioccolato (right) at 2it&drink
2it&drink
From the owners of upscale dining establishments OTTO Ristorante and OTTO Locanda comes this casual, family-friendly outlet that takes pride in its classic, top quality Italian offerings. Watch the chefs whip up handmade pasta in the Pasta Lab, or see them in the pizza-making process over at the Pizza Bar. Then, tuck into favourites like carbonara pasta, calamari fritti, and the tiramisu nocciola (this Italian staple’s hazelnut-infused).
2it&drink, #01-01 Valley Point, 491 River Valley Road, Singapore 248371, p. 6737 3001. Open Mon-Fri 12pm-2pm, 6pm-10pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-3pm, 5:30pm-10pm.
Grilled wagyu beef at Tburu
Tburu
First there was One On The Bund (which closed to make way for The Clifford Pier), and then there was Kiku at Duxton. Now, chef and restaurateur Calvin Yeung has opened Tburu, a Japanese sushi and grill bar, right in the heart of town. Aside from the usual classics, the ultra-chic restaurant offers several kinds of special fish, including itoyori (Golden Thread) and renkodai (yellow seabream) – items rarely found on the menu at other Japanese dining spots.
Tburu, #05-01 orchardgateway@emerald, 218 Orchard Road, Singapore 238851, p. 6221 0004. Open Mon-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10:30pm. Closed Sun.
9Goubuli
This Chinese eatery is another newcomer to the dining scene at Marina Bay Sands, but – surprisingly – it’s not as pricey as its counterparts. Experts in making the famous Tianjin bun called goubuli baozi, 9Goubuli offers buns filled with meat (pork or wagyu) and soup (think xiao long bao, but with a lot more dough) at wallet-friendly prices ($1.90 to $3.50).
9Goubuli, #B2-02 Canal Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018792, p. 6688 7799. Open daily 11am-11pm.
Motorino
Chow down on New York-style pizza at this new kid on the (Clarke Quay) block. Originally from Brooklyn, this 75-seater pizzeria puts out creations topped with stuff like fresh clams, and Brussels sprouts and bacon, all prepared the traditional way – in wood-fired ovens. Complete the meal with antipasti like roasted chicken wings and meatballs.
Motorino, #01-01A, 3A River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, Singapore 179020, p. 8182 2205. Open daily 4pm-11pm.
Top image: Long Chim