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May is the month for kawaii cartoon cafes. Pompompurin Cafe has just arrived at Orchard Central, while Hello Kitty cafe is set to open at Changi Airport and a pop-up Pokemon Cafe will appear at Bugis Junction.

Some other new foreign cafes with a first Singapore outlet MAY cause a queue.

No, not talking about BAKE Cheese Tart, but Honolulu Café at Centrepoint and Kyushu Pancakes at Novena. Shall wait and see.

15 New Cafes In Singapore May 2016 – Hello Kitty, Pokemon Cafes, More Pancakes & Hotcakes

Hello Kitty Orchid Garden
Arrival Hall Central #01-22, Terminal 3, Singapore Changi Airport
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily

Finally (for fans). Take note of the official opening date of Singapore’s 1st Hello Kitty Café… 12 May 2016.

Named as “Hello Kitty Orchid Garden”, the interior and menu will be inspired by Singapore’s national flower.

Local influence will be woven into the menu, which comprises of all-day breakfast fare and an array of Kitty-fied desserts, including gelato sundaes, waffles, pastries and tea cakes.

Located at Terminal 3’s Arrival Hall Central, the cafe will be opened 24/7. (There are also plans for application of Halal certification, making this the possible 1st Halal Hello Kitty Cafe.) Hello Kitty Orchid Garden (Changi Airport T3)

Pompompurin Café
Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road #04-08 Singapore 238896 (Somerset MRT)
Opening Hours: 11am – 10.30pm (last order 10pm)
Takeaway services are not available
No reservations, walk-in only

The Pompompurin Café in Singapore has a “Garden City” theme (same same as Hello Kitty), with a signature Pompompurin Gate at the entrance, and Pompompurin and Friends Tree. Though people will rush to sit in the ‘tree houses’.

Food includes Spaghetti Napolitana ($26.99), Mushroom & Bacon Carbonara ($26.99), Taco Rice in a Cup of Friendship ($19.99), Pompompurin’s Coconut Milk Chicken Curry ($17.99) and Pompompurin’s Beef Stroganoff ($18.99).

Cuteness aside, we didn’t come expecting a satisfying meal in terms of taste. A lot of the dishes tasted ‘kiddy’ and might not please the adult palate. Okay lah, was not THAT bad.

Pokémon Café Singapore
200 Victoria Street, #04-05, Bugis Junction Singapore 188021 (Bugis MRT)
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (May 27 – Jul 31)

Pika Pika… Gotta Catch ‘Em All! For a limited period from May 27 to July 31, EwF at PARCO Bugis Junction will be changed to a Pokémon Café.

This ‘pop-up’ café will take over Everything With Fries at Level 4. The café will sell 12 specialty Pokémon related dishes, and don’t be surprised if you see a Pikachu mascot appearing too. Pokemon Café (Bugis Junction)

Dutch Baby Cafe
The Paragon, B1-13, 290 Orchard Road, Singapore 238859 (Orchard MRT)
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon-Sun)

Located at the basement of The Paragon, Dutch Baby Café is opened by the people behind Japan Food Holdings. Think Ajisen Ramen, Menya Musashi and Fruit Paradise – whch served as one of the desserts here).

Their signature items are the Dutch Baby Pancakes ($11.80 – $13.80) with both sweet and savoury versions made with eggs, flour, sugar and milk on hot cast iron pans straight from the oven. Dutch Baby Café (Orchard Paragon)

Kyushu Pancake Singapore
275 Thomson Road Novena Regency #01-08 Singapore 307645
Tel: +65 6352 6265

Kyushu Pancake is coming to Singapore, known for their pancakes made with a proprietary flour base, combined with fresh fruits and dairy products.

The Kyushu Pancake Mix is made from 7 different finely selected grains, 100% homegrown in Kyushu Japan, free of emulsifier, artificial fragrance, additives or processed starch.

Ninja Bowl
15 Duxton Road Singapore 089481
Tel: +65 6222 8055
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 7:30pm (Mon – Fri), 9am – 6pm (Sat – Sun)

Ninja Bowl has taken over the space where Department of Caffeine used to be

While my friends initially had the impression that Ninja Bowl just serves “healthy bowls”, there are other intriguingly sounding brunch items.

These include Gyu & Tama ($17) – mushroom scrambled eggs with 24-hour braised beef cheek, Tonkotsu Spirit ($16) of aburi cha shu and poached eggs (no tonkotsu or spirits in this one), sandwiches, bites such as Bacon Tempura ($10) and Poutine Fries ($14), and cakes at the display counter. Ninja Bowl (Duxton Road)

Sprout
41 Duxton Road Singapore 089505
Tel: +65 5221 1227
Opening Hours: 9am – 7:30am

A friend noted that there are SO MANY salad shops at the CBD area. Seriously a lot.

Just a few shops away from Ninja Bowl is Sprout, serving Salad Bowls such as Ahi Poke Bowl, Beef & Broccoli Bowl and Korean Chicken Bowl – no worries, not deep fried, it’s grilled.

Shiberty Bakes
46 Owen Road, #01-277, Singapore 210046 (Farrer Park MRT)
Opening Hours: 12pm – 9.30pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Blogger turned baker turned business owner. Shiberty has been baking for the past 4 years and finally opens her own serving signatures of Shiberty Toast aka Shibuya Toast ($16), Gourmet Waffle ($14), Dessert Pizza ($14) and Milkshakes ($9).

The Shibuya Toast called Shiberty Toast ($16) is offered in 3 different flavours: Classic (sea salt caramel and vanilla ice cream), Rocher (hazelnut and vanilla ice cream) and Matcha (green tea and vanilla ice cream).

We were recommended the Rocher Shiberty Toast ($16) with lots of toppings (chocolates, marshmallow, macaron shell, chocolate fudge) that resembled an Over-The-Top Milkshake. Shiberty Bakes (Owen Road)

South Union Park
101 Jalan Kembangan, Singapore 419139 (Kembangan MRT)
Tel: +65 9061 8703
Opening Hours: 5:30pm – 10pm (Tues), 11:30am – 10pm (Wed – Thurs), 11:30am – 11pm (Fri – Sat), 11:30am – 10pm

About a 10 minute walk from Kembangan MRT, located within a private estate is South Union Park.

During our visit, food seemed reasonably good. Offerings include Poutine Fries ($12), Short Rib Ragu Homemade Pasta ($22), Duck Confit Pasta ($19), with desserts such as Apple Crumble ($10) and Souffle ($13). Prices are nett. Slightly inaccessible, but quite a promising place.

Fuel Plus
16 Morse Road 01-207, Singapore 099228
Tel: +54 6352 7680
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Wed – Mon), Closed Tues

Need some fuel to energise your inner engine? Refuel Café has opened a sister café called Fuel Plus, located at Telok Blangah.

One of the recommended is a Pump It Up Hotcake ($16) where chunks of baked apples top a cinnamon hotcake. (We were not kidding when we mentioned the many hotcakes around.)

Two Plus One
30 Woodlands Ave 1 #01-01 The Woodgrove, Singapore 739065
Opening Hours: 1pm – 12am (Mon – Thurs), 1pm – 1am (Fri), 12pm – 1am (Sat), 12pm – 12am (Sun)

Two Plus One is a gelato shop, found way up north at The Woodgrove.

Normal ice cream flavours go for $3.80 while premium are at $4.50 per scoop. Premium flavours include Chocolate Rocky Road, Strawberry Cheesecake, Hazelnut Rochor, Durian, Salted Caramel, Bubble Gum, Earl Grey with figs, Crème Brulee, Thai Milk Tea and Dark Chocolate.

Buy Two Plus One special promotion at $10. That means 3 ice cream scoops at $10. Two Plus One (Woodlands)

Brew Maison
6 Raffles Boulevard, #02-226A/B, Marina Square Singapore 039594
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm

This is the 2nd branch of Brew Maison, and we must say we are a little surprised.

Brew Maison is a pretty little place, said to be inspired by both Japanese and Korean cafes. Kawaii ne! Gwi yeo weo!

The kitchen serves standard, no-fuss affordable breakfast, hot food, cakes and drinks that introduce Japanese and Korean flavours.

Signatures include the Dekku Toast with scrambled eggs, chicken patty or fish fillet on a warm toast, and Waffle Tower of chicken patty or fish fillet, sunny side up and cheese melt sauce. (available during weekends).

Honolulu Cafe
#01-33F/G The Centrepoint 176 Orchard Road, Singapore 238843

Honolulu Café from Wanchai Hong Kong, known for its old school cha chaan teng style of food, is set to open 10th May at The Centrepoint.

The signature Honolulu Egg Tart (set to be priced at SGD$1.70) is known for its 192 layers of flaky pastry, crumbly, with wobbly aromatic eggy fillings.

Nunsongyee 눈송이
9 Yuk Tong Ave, Singapore 596314 (Beauty World MRT)
Tel: +65 9728 8563
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Everyday

There is no stopping for Korean dessert café Nunsongyee 눈송이, which has opened up yet another bingsu shop, this time at Bukit Timah.

The better news is, it is opened 24/7!

The offerings are still similar from when it started, with varieties of Pat Bingsu, Oreo, Choco-Banana, Cheesecae, Injeolmi, Blueberry, Mixed Berries Black Sesame, Strawberry, Coffee, Snow White and the latest addition of Mango Bingsu ($12.90 – $18.90). Nunsongyee (Yuk Tong Ave)

Plane Daze
The Noble Hotel, 407 Jalan Besar Singapore 209012
Tel: +65 9818 2243

Plane Daze is located within The Noble Hotel along Jalan Besar, which is within walking distance from many prominent hipster cafes.

The Mains served include TomYum Pasta ($14.90), Thunder Tea Rice ($12.90), Teriyaki Don ($12.90), Beef Stew ($15.90), Chicken Stew ($13.90) and Roasted Chicken ($11.90 for half, $19.90 for whole).

Would need further refinements of their menu and coffee, perhaps still in a daze. Plane Daze (Jalan Besar)

* Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary and Nicholas Tan @stormscape.

The post 15 New Cafes In Singapore May 2016 – Hello Kitty, Pokemon Cafes, More Pancakes & Hotcakes appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Appears that May is the month for many Chinese restaurants. A Hong Kong style steam potting concept restaurant Steam Box is coming to Singapore, Imperial Treasure starts a new concept called Yi Dian Xin, and Ju Hao from Lavender Food Square returns.

For the cafe series, read: 15 New Cafes In Singapore May 2016

10 New & Hot Restaurants Singapore May 2016 – Steam Potting, Yi Dian Xin and More Dim Sum

CRAVE @ ION Orchard
Ion Orchard #B4-58/59, 2 Orchard Turn Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6238 7181
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 9:30pm

CRAVE houses both the popular Adam Road Nasi Lemak by Selera Rasa, as well as the Amoy Street Teh Tarik by Rafee’s Corner in the same place.

Two local hawker delights in an upscale shopping mall? Why not?

A normal Nasi Lemak set would be between $4.90 and $5.90 (good to know it is still possible to get cheap and good food at Orchard), while a Royal Rumble with Chicken Wing, Bergedil and Kuning Fish is at $6.90. Top up $1 for Otah Otah.

Space is slightly cramped, good for takeaways.

Ju Hao Xiao Long Bao 聚豪拉面小笼包
Novena Square 2 #01-47, 10 Sinaran Drive Singapore 307506 (Novena MRT)
Tel: +65 6352 0082
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm

Remember Ju Hao Xiao Long Bao 聚豪拉面小笼包 from Lavender Food Square?

The stall used to be known for their Shanghainese Xiao Long Bao and The Beijing Zha Jiang La Mian, has worked in collaboration with Ministry of Food MOF – better known for their Japanese chain of restaurants.

Recommended are the “4 Heavenly Kings” – the Original Xiao Long Bao ($5.80 for 5 pieces, $8 for 8 pieces), Pan Fried Guo Tie ($6.00 for 6 pieces, $9.40 for 10 pieces) Steamed Cabbage Dumpling ($6.00 for 6 pieces, $9.50 for 10 pieces) and Egg Fried Rice ($6.80).

Yi Dian Xin – Treasures by Imperial Treasure
290 Orchard Road, Paragon #B1-08 Singapore 238859
Tel: +65 6262 3662
Opening Hours: 11.00am – 10.00pm (Mon – Fri), 10.30am – 10.00pm (Sat – Sun)

Imperial Treasure introduces a new “Treasures Yi Dian Xin” concept restaurant, which serves up signature selections of the Group’s classic Chinese cuisine in a more contemporary setting to cater for a younger clientele.

Recommend dim sum dishes include Marcella Fungi Dumplings, Deep Fried Porcupine-Shaped Buns filled with Red Bean Paste, Crispy Stuffed Minced Prawns with Wasabi Mayonnaise and Crispy Mixed Fungus Spring Rolls.

Steam Box 蒸好食创意蒸汽火锅店
68 Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555962

Steam Box is introducing Hong Kong’s hottest food trend “Steam-Potting” — a new way of enjoying steamboat— to Singaporeans.

Similar to a hot pot experience, all the ingredients are brought to the table raw. They are then freshly steamed (not boiled) before your eyes using the innovative culinary technique of high-speed steaming.

This is also one of the few places in Singapore to enjoy dim sum dishes that are steamed upon order at your table.

Hong Kong Wonton Noodle
Ion Orchard #B4-54, 2 Orchard Turn Singapore 238801

Itacho Sushi has opened another Hong Kong Wonton Noodle shop at ION Orchard called, emm… Hong Kong Wonton Noodle.

The usual staples are available – Prawn Dumpling Noodle ($7.80 for both soup and dry), Stewed Beef Brisket Noodle, Dry Shrimp Seed Noodle ($6.80). We also spotted Chicken Feet with Mushroom ($7.80) and Pig’s Trotter in Red Fermented Beancurd Sauce Dry Noodle ($7.80).

No roasted meats anywhere on the menu, but there is congee now. I think the taste is better than before.

Nung Len
33 Mackenzie Road, Singapore 228686
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 10:30pm

A hipster Thai restaurant that appears to have fair amount of support from the Thai community in Singapore, with quite brisk business.

Prices on the higher side, no air-con, but food appears to be quite authentic.

Recommended dishes include the Tom Yum Talay ($15), Kway Tiew Tom Yum Doran ($14) and Khapow Moo Sab ($12). I think can skip the Green Curry ($15) though.

Hajime Tonkatsu & Ramen
MyVillage @ Serangoon Garden, 1 Maju Avenue #02-07/8/9 Singapore 556679
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3:00pm, 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Chef Tan-San who is helming Hajime’s Kitchen was the founding Chef of Tampopo. Hajime uses fresh Nama ramen noodles which is slightly thicker and chewier, compared to Tampopo’s Kyushu ramen noodles.

The Tonkotsu broth is simmered over 12 hours in-house and not purchased from production factories, while imported pork from Japan is used for the quality and tenderness.

Ginza Kushi-Katsu
Paragon, 290 Orchard Road, #B1-47 Singapore 238859 (Orchard MRT)
Tel: +65 6262 1304
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm

Ginza Kushi Katsu at Paragon Orchard claims to be the first to serve Gyukatsu in Singapore, that means deep fried BEEF cutlet. I do see some restaurants in Japan serving it, but it is about time Singapore caught on the wave.

The beef fillet is only deep fried for 60 seconds at a high 210°C, which gives the beef cutlet a supposedly wonderful crispy crust while the meat remains medium rare within.

Though the quality may differ from what you get here, compared to in Japan. Reasonable, not the best.

Burger Joint Singapore
115 Amoy Street #01-03 Singapore 069935 (Entrance from the back on Gemmill Lane)
Tel: +65 6221 8648

Craving for a taste of some authentic NYC burgers? Some call this the “best burger in New York City”, the joint hidden behind the dark curtain in the atrium lobby of Le Parker Meridien Hotel.

The menu is no fuss, with a choice of Hamburger ($13.10) or Cheeseburger ($13.80), with grilled cheeses called “Cheeseburger, Hold the Burger” ($11.00) sides of Fries ($5.50), Milkshakes ($11.80), and Brownie ($4.80).

Curate
8 Sentosa Gateway #01-231/232, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore 098269

CURATE at RWS is done in collaboration with the incoming Michelin Guide Singapore, where visiting Michelin-starred chefs from around the world to showcase their culinary creations at a single place.

The inaugural edition of Art at Curate will feature three-star Italian Michelin chef, Massimiliano Alajmo.

Prices range from S$220++ (no wine pairing)/S$280++ (with wine pairing) for four-course lunch to S$380++ (no wine pairing)/S$480++ (with wine and champagne pairing) for eight-course dinner. Strictly by booking only.

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SAVOUR is back, where you can eat your way around the world in a single place. What is special about this year’s SAVOUR is that there is not just one, but three separate and unique events.

The first is SAVOUR Gourmet (which is the event we are most familiar with) and this takes place 12-15 May.

The 2016 SAVOUR Calendar:
SAVOUR Gourmet: 12 – 15 May
SAVOUR Wines: 8 – 11 Sept
SAVOUR Christmas: 17 – 20 Nov

Will you be there? Here are 10 Reasons Why You MUST Visit SAVOUR 2016

Free Tickets
Ticketing to SAVOUR 2016 is complimentary this year!

Isn’t this already a good enough reason? You can just go look-look-see-see, but you probably won’t leave empty-handed, or more correctly said, empty-bellied.

Eat 30 Dishes At A Single Place
There is a reason why SAVOUR is touted as one of the best food festivals in the world.

This is one of the few opportunities where you get to literally savour more than 30 dishes by some of the top restaurants from Singapore – all in one place.

These are some of my favourites that you should try: Siew Yoke Umami Rice from Labyrinth, Angel Hair Lobster Pasta from Team Saveur Art and Iberico Pork Jowl from Team Bar A Thym.

Enjoy Reduced Prices For Signature Dishes
What’s more, these gourmet dish prices have been reduced to two easy prices of $6 and $12.

Cash and credit are also now accepted on the grounds.

Meet Celebrity Chefs
Get up close and personal with your favourite celebrity chefs at hands-on classes, live demonstrations and workshops.

I do know many would want to chat with 3-Star Michelin Star, otherwise known as “The Demon Chef” Alvin Leung from Hong Kong’s Bo Innovation.

So guess who I met?!

Support Homegrown Chefs
SAVOUR will be focusing on HOMEGROWN talent this year, from some of Singapore’s best chefs and restaurants.

The restaurants featured include Artichoke, Buona Terra, CATO, Gattopardo, Labyrinth, Lower East Side, Salt Tapas & Bar, and Saveur Art.

I also spotted Chef Pang Kok Keong from Antionette and couldn’t resist getting one of his famed matcha lava croissant (chilli crab and salted egg croissants also available).

Vote For Your Favourite Chefs
You can also get to be part of the experience by voting for your favourite chef and dishes.

This is part of the DBS Live Your Dream initiative which will pit the featured chefs against each other to vie for the title of Emerging Chef Singapore 2016.

Every transaction at the Gourmet Village restaurants comes with a voting ball so vote wisely.

Join The Gourmet Market
When you are at SAVOUR, you cannot miss the Jasons Gourmet Market.

You can actually sample a selection of products from hundreds of food and drink exhibitors, including wine, fresh produce, seafood and artisanal products.

Some highlights include Iberico pork, Miyazaki wagyu, Hokkaido lavender-flavoured ice cream and a cheese room with over 200 cheeses to sample.

You must must must must get the Lavender Soft Serve.

Learn In The Wine Cellar
Over 70 principal wines from around the world is featured, and you can get to enjoy tastings and learn more about wine from the sommeliers.

Seafood Galore
Wild caught seafood from Alaska, the most diverse Oyster Bar up-to-date, and a bistro which offers an extensive selection of great cooked food such as Creole Crab Cake, Poached Alaska Sockeye Salmon and Alaska Pacific Cod Fish Taco.

Get The SAVOUR Experience Pack
Limited to 300 packs per session, you can get a SAVOUR Experience Pack for just $30 Nett.

This pack includes vouchers for Molecular Xiaolongbao by 3-Michelin Star Bo Innovation (worth $6), a main-course dish at any restaurant in the Gourmet Village (worth $12), an Iberico Char Siew platter from Jasons Gourmet Market (worth $20) plus a limited edition SAVOUR Goodie Bag (worth $20).

Some of the Deliciousness Available:

Team Buona Terra
Over baked Sicilian Red Prawns with Cauliflower, Almonds, Raisins and Shellfish Sauce

Team Salt Tapas & Bar
Taco of Tempura Fish, White Cabbage, Pineapple Salsa, Wasabi Mayo with Tobiko and Spring Onions

Team Cato
Pan Seared Black Cod with Salted Egg Veloute and Fennel Salad

Team Saveur Art
Angel Hair Lobster Pasta, Fish Roe and Crispy Ebi

Team Lower East Side
Signature Stewed Ancho Pork Taco, Sweet Corn and Cilantro

Team Gattopardo
Purpiceddu – Citrus Glazed Octopus with Bell Pepper Aioli and Sundried Tomatoes

Team Artichoke
Foie-ffle – Corn Waffle, Foie Gras Butter, Orange Blossom, Golden Syrup

Team Bar A Thym
Iberico Pork Jowl, Tatsoi, Pickled Pear, Hazelnut Dressing

Labyrinth
Siew Yoke Umami Rice

Guest Team R&D
Laska Seafood Chow Mein

Tip: As there is so much food to try, the best thing to do is to gather some of your best foodie friends together to enjoy the deliciousness.

SAVOUR 2016
Location: Bayfront Avenue (Next to Marina Bay Sands Exhibition Centre)
Date: 12 – 15 May 2016
12th (Thurs) 6 – 11pm,
13th (Fri) 6 – 11pm,
14th (Sat) 11am – 4pm & 6 – 11pm,
15th (Sun) 11am – 7pm

You can PRE-BOOK an exclusive SAVOUR Journey with a SAVOUR Experience Ticket. Limited Experience tickets available so book now at http://www.savour.sg/#!book-now

Get live updates of SAVOUR 2016 at https://www.facebook.com/savour.sg and https://www.instagram.com/savourevents

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Savour 2016.

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This is a chance for you to ‘travel the world to eat’ without leaving the country.

The Epicurean Journeys Pop-Up Chef Dining Series is back to Singapore again, this time bigger than before with 5 internationally acclaimed chefs from The Luxury Collection Hotels in Austria, Greece, India, Italy and Thailand.

The chefs will bring some of the best tastes and dishes from their respective hotels to Singapore from 30th May to 3rd June (Mon – Fri), at The Fullerton Waterboat House.

Five destinations, five cuisines, and this range from Afternoon Tea to curated Dinner experiences.

So if you crave for anything from Indian fine-dining, flavours of the Aegean, to Viennese sweet treats, you shouldn’t miss this.

Epicurean Journeys brings diners four exquisite wine-paired dinners with cuisines from:

India
Monday, 30th May 2016
ITC Luxury Collection Hotels in India, presented by Corporate Chef Manjit Gill

A highly acclaimed chef with over four decades of excellence in the culinary profession, Manjit Gill is ITC Hotels Luxury Collection India’s Corporate Chef, overseeing the famed Bukhara, Dum Pukht and Royal Vega restaurants.

Prithvi Rasa: A Journey Of 6 Tastes
Dishes include: Gound Ladoo (Royal Vega), Tandoori Jhinga (Bukhara), Buchka Nimona (Royal Vega), Murgh Handi Korma (Dum Pukht), Chandra Gupta Malpua (Royal Vega), Kheer Sagar (Royal Vega).

Italy
Wednesday, 1st June 2016
Hotel Danieli, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice, presented by Executive Chef Dario Parascandolo

Dario Parascandolo, Executive Chef of the Hotel Danieli, is at the helm of the internationally known Restaurant Terrazza Danieli since 2014.

Venetian Sojorn: 6 Courses
Dishes include: Whipped Codfish, Venetian Grilled Octopus, Pumpkin and Rosemary Risotto, Broccoli Tortelli with Lobster Royal, Sea Bass with Almond Razor Clam Au Gratin, Tiramisu.

Thailand
Thursday, 2nd June 2016
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok, presented by Executive Sous Chef Manachai Konkangplu

Executive Sous Chef Manachai Konkangplu is a highly accomplished chef who has worked at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit since 1995.

A Taste Of Thailand’s Four Regions: 6 Courses
Dishes include: Pla Hoi Shell (seared scallop), Goy Tuna (raw tuna), Khao Soi Gai, Goong Hom Sabai (prawns in a sash), Kiew Waan Hua Gam (premium beef cheek), Khao Neaw Ma Muang (mango sticky rice mousse).

Greece
Friday, 3rd June 2016
Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens, presented by Executive Chef Sotiris Evangelou

The talented and multi-awarded Chef Sotiris Evangelou has been delighting with his mouth-watering repertoire in Greece and abroad for several years now.

Flavours Of The Aegean: 6-courses
Dishes include: Greek salad sorbet, Molecular Kalmata olives, Seabass Tartar, Octopus with Santorini’s Fava, Red Snapper, Baby Lamb Fillet, Chios Mastiha Rice Pudding.

And for dessert lovers…

Austria
Wednesday 1st June, and Friday, 3rd June, 2016.
Viennese Afternoon Tea from Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna, presented by Executive Chef Manuel Gratzl

Chef Manuel Gratzl’s outstanding career began at the tender age of 17, and at 34 years of age, has worked in luxury hotels and fine dining restaurants all over Austria.

Sweet Symphony: A Viennese Afternoon Tea
Items include: Banana Cake, Chorizo Madeleines, Caramel Apple, Lemon Baiser, Assorted Macarons, Apple Strudel, Cardinal Cake and others.

This year’s Epicurean Journeys will thrill food lovers who enjoy a variety, with tastes of Austria, Greece, India, Italy, and Thailand.

Each Epicurean Journeys Dinner is priced at SGD128++each, and SGD168++ with wine pairings, and the Viennese Afternoon Tea is priced at SGD53++, and SGD77++ with Champagne.

For more information and to book your seats, please visit www.epicureanjourneys.sg. Book early as there will be Early Bird Discounts of up to 20% OFF, available for a limited time.

Epicurean Journeys Pop-Up Chef Dining Series
1919 Waterboat House
3 Fullerton Road, The Fullerton Waterboathouse, #03-01, Singapore 049215

Dates of event: 30th May to 3rd June 2016
Organised by: The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts
Prices: SGD128++ each, SGD168++ with wine pairings and the Viennese Afternoon Tea is priced at SGD53++, and SGD77++ with Champagne

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Epicurean Journeys.

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Yes, yes! The popular Yunomori Onsen & Spa is here in Singapore, at Kallang Wave Mall. This is probably the first Japanese onsen in Singapore with the biggest variety of baths.

Yunomori Singapore has quite a huge space at 16,000 square feet, with 11 pools – 6 for the guys (because apparently onsen seems to be more popular with males. Serious!) and facilities such as sauna, steam bath, massage, spa treatment room, a relaxing area, luggage concierge and a dining café.

More on the dining café later.

I have been to the Bangkok outlet for a number of times, because it was spacious, clean, professional (no dirty stuff, if you know what I mean), and affordably priced (even though still more expensive than many others).

It was like my ‘secret’, because most Singaporeans I know go to Healthland and such. Until recent years… there are really many Singaporeans (can hear from the accent) there.

The common question I get from my friends is, “Cannot wear clothes ah???”

Em. Yah, naked. Totally naked.

Though in Singapore, you can request for a disposable underwear (bra top and underpants) if you are SHY.

According to the staff at the counter… If the first people inside goes ‘commando’ (applies to ladies as well), generally everyone else will follow suit.

SO my recommendation if you want to jio friends over is, you have to be comfortable with them in their own skin literally, and be relaxed appearing in your birthday suit in front of them.

We local guys had our ‘training’ in army and pool toilets. See until don’t want to see already. LOL. In fact, my very first visit to Yunomori Singapore, I saw my friend Desmond, well appearing in a different context, ”Good to see you…. here.”

Don’t SHY.

Onsen Entrance Fees
Yunomori’s Onsen Entrance fee is priced at $28+ for children and seniors ($29.96 with GST) and $38+ for adults ($40.60 with GST), which gives customers access to the onsen facilities for the entire day and allow them to try out different variation of baths.

Customers can add on massage and spa treatments from the Spa Menu available.

Spa Treatment Prices
Thai Traditional Massage – $88+ for 60 min($94.16 with GST)
Aroma Oil – $138+ for 90 min ($147.66 with GST)
Foot Massage – $38+ for 30 min ($40.66 with GST)
Head and Shoulder Massage – $38 for 30 min ($40.66 with GST)

Opening Hours
From 10am to 11pm daily. Great for those who need a de-stress after work, especially Friday nights. There are plans for the onsen to be opened after midnight, but not yet.

Baths
The range of Onsen Baths available include Jet Bath, Bubble Bath, Hot Bath, Silk Bath, Cold Bath, Soda Spa.

Plus a sauna (for the guys) and steam room.

Other Facilities
Includes a relaxing lounge where….. you cannot bring a handphone in. Yes, just rest there, don’t check emails, and a Yunomori Café serving healthy homestyle Japanese food.

The following information, hopefully will be useful for those who have never experienced Yunomori Onsen before. Just to get yourself more prepared.

Upon Entering Yunomori
– Leave shoes in foot locker. Get a set of shoe keys.
– Check in at the receptionist. Decide which package you want. Note: Customers who would like a massage (especially those 2 or more together), pleasssssse book way earlier.
– Pass shoe keys to receptionist. Receive locker key.
– You wear the locker key on your wrist at all times.

Entering The Locker Room (Before Onsen)
– Go to the locker room in which you will receive 2 towels (one small, one big) and Yukata. (Don’t blur blur enter the wrong gender room. Yikes!)
– Do leave your belongings in the locker provided and only the SMALL towel is allowed inside the Onsen.
– Additional note for ladies: Bring your makeup remover.
– Japanese Onsens are supposed to be enjoyed NAKED, so unfortunately (or fortunately depends on how you see it), swimming suits and underwear are NOT allowed. You can however, request for disposable underwear.
– Wash your body before you get into the Onsen. Must, must, must be hygienic.
– Do sit down on the stools provided when you shower. They provide shampoo, conditioner and shower gel, so don’t worry. You basically enter the shower room with JUST one small towel. Everything else they have. LOL.
– Very important. Do refrain from taking photos (or using your handphone) inside the dressing area, shower room, or onsen because obviously everyone is naked.

During The Onsen
– DO NOT wash your body or put your towel into the onsen bathtubs.
– Rinse your body and feet (kakari-yu) with the buckets provided before getting into each bathtub.
– You can alternate the bathtubs with relaxing in the sauna and steamroom.
– Drink sufficient water to prevent dehydration. There are watercoolers outside.

After The Onsen
– Wipe yourself clean.
– You can wear your Yukata into the café or relaxing room. (Tie tightly hor, later drop.)
– Once done, return Yukata and towels into the bins provided.
– Hairdryers, combs, cotton buds, body lotions are provided.
– Return locker key, make payment (if you purchased food and drinks) and check out.

Since this is a FOOD BLOG, I really need to talk about the food.

The menu includes items such as Hamburger Steak Plate ($17.90), Curry Set ($16.80), Udon Set ($10.80), Oden Set ($14.00), Tempura Don ($15.80), Katsu Don ($12.80), Tempura ($11.80 – $13.80), side dishes and fried items.

I would recommend the Japanese Assorted Plated ($17.80) – a colourful, totally-looks-healthy platter of grilled fish, teriyaki chicken pieces, prawns, vegetables and rice.

Reminded me of food at Café & Meal MUJI, a rather filling and nutritious tasting version. Not top-notch restaurant quality, but actually good enough for ‘spa food’. I think 2 females can share this.

An onsen like this comes at a right time, can be suitable place to just hang loose (literally) during days off (since we are really all quite stressed out), and perhaps for families – for father and son, mother and daughter bonding sessions.

Having been to Bangkok’s Yunomori, the facilities are actually quite comparable, though Bangkok’s space felt larger and had a more obvious Japanese feel as it was not located within a mall.

However, I do expect the crowds especially during the weekends (and defeats the purpose of , so book your massages earlier, and go during off-peak hours if possible.

Yunomori Onsen & Spa
Kallang Wave Mall #02-17/18, 1 Stadium Place, Singapore 397628 (take escalator near the exit of Fairprice, Carpark B Area 3 / 4)
Tel: +65 6386 4126 / +65 6385 7985
Opening Hours: 10am – 11pm Daily

* Photos were taken 10 minutes before official opening and I went to seek for special permission from Yuomori. DON’T bring your camera inside. DON’T.

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We have quickly reached June 2016 (how times flies). Despite how people are talking about economic downtown and retail decline, cafes are still opening up (almost) like wildfire.

There may be at least 20 new cafes in Singapore this month. Daniel’s Food Diary will add more, just that we have yet to be done with visiting ALL OF THEM. (So wait for a week or so. We will be there.)

So here’s for the café hopping fans who need some coolness in your life. There seems to be many gelato and dessert cafes in Singapore opening up.

If you can’t find your favourite NEW café, they may be listed at
15 New Cafes In Singapore May 2016
10 New Cafes In Singapore April 2016
10 New Cafes In Singapore March 2016

10 New Cafes In Singapore June 2016

NICEDAY Taiwanese Desserts
Tiong Bahru Plaza #02-111A (Food Street), 302 Tiong Bahru Road Singapore 168732 (Tiong Bahru MRT) Opening Hours: 11am – 10:30pm

No, this is not Korean Bingsu, but a Taiwanese style “Milky Snow Mountain” dessert.

So during this time when Korean desserts and hipster cafes are flooding the Instagram feed, it is literally REFRESHING to see a home-grown Taiwanese dessert café NICEDAY.

NICEDAY Desserts is an ice desserts café paired with traditional ingredients like grass jelly or bean curd.

The menu offers the signature Snow Mountain desserts ($9.90), Taro Q Ball Series ($4.50), Glassjelly Bowls with Nata Mochi ($4.50), Polo Ice ($6.90) and Eggette with Ice Cream ($6.80)! Quite affordable pricing.

Geometry
2 Jalan Bukit Merah #01-5142, Singapore 150002 (Redhill MRT)
Opening Hours: 12pm – 9.30pm (Sun-Tue, Thu), 12pm – 11pm (Fri-Sat), Closed Wed

Geometry reminded us of similar ice cream cafes located in the heartland estates, serving homemade ice cream and waffles, with limited space of 20 or so seats, with a playground near their doorsteps.

With a total of 18 flavours to choose from, expect interesting flavours such as Earl Grey Tie Guan Yin, Mandarin Orange Sorbet and Watermelon Lychee Sorbet.

75% of the flavours were classified under “Premium” flavours at an additional $0.70 per scoop due to the fresh fruits added.

Choose your gelato to be on tarts, instead of waffles.

Noshery
9 Rochester Park Singapore 139220
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:30pm (Tues – Fri), 10:30am – 10:30pm (Fri – Sat)
Lunch: 11:30am – 2:30pm
Brunch: 10:30am – 2:30pm (Sat- Sun)

A relatively under the radar new café for brunch and lunch. Noshery is the sister café to Nosh, located at 9 Rochester Park, surrounded by lush greenery and charming peace.

The weekend brunch menu sounds appetizing – Crab Benedict with coconut curry hollandaise ($20), Shakshouka ($19), and Devil’s Breakfast with spicy tomato ragu, sambal flakes and guacamole ($20).

Perhaps because they are newly opened, some further fine-tunings are needed for the food aspect.

Paik’s Coffee
40 Pasir Panjang Road, #02-39 Mapletree Business City, Singapore 117383 (Labrador MRT)
Opening Hours: 7.30am – 8pm (Mon – Fri), Closed Sat – Sun
Other Branch at Tiong Bahru Plaza Level 2 Food Street

In you been to Seoul Korea, Paik’s Coffee chain is almost EVERYWHERE, known to be both cheap and fashionable. How difficult to achieve.

Paik’s Coffee is distinctive from the rest of the Korean coffee chains in terms of price point, 15cm tall cup size and the bright colours .

A cup of Iced Americano is priced at $3 whereas a cup of Iced Latte at $4, cheaper than other coffee chains. Size wise, at approximately 500ml a cup (that’s half a litre!).

Pretty much a good deal.

Cake Spade
83 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088504 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Tel: +65 6444 3868
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 9:30pm (Mon-Thurs), 12:00pm – 10:30pm (Fri-Sat), Close Sun

So Cake Spade has moved from Orchid Hotel to 83 Tanjong Pagar Road. A 1-2 minute walk from the previous location, this patisserie café has a much bigger space, painted in a baby pink on the exterior.

Some of the recommended desserts include the Red Velvet ($6.20), Spiced Carrot Cake ($6.20) and Hummingbird ($6.20).

Cake Spade’s proudest cake is perhaps the Strawberry Tofu Cheesecake ($6.50 per slice, $49 for whole 7”) with fresh strawberries encase in jelly with digestive biscuit crust at the bottom.

Think Jelly Hearts in cake form, with strawberry, peach and mango (seasonal) flavours.

Seng Kee The Black Seed By Chef Benny
Bugis Junction #01-71/72, 200 Victoria Street Singapore 188021
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 10:30pm

Helmed by Chef Benny Se Teo, you can say Seng Kee The Black Seed is a kopitiam version of Eighteen Chefs, located at the prominent ground level of Bugis Junction (opposite Honeymoon Desserts).

It seems like the concept continues to target at the youths, with modernized local delights and beverages on its menu.

You can expect items such as their signature 63 degree sous vide runny egg ($2.50 for 2), Chee Cheong Fun ($3.20 – $7.80), localised Sandwiches ($6.50 – $7.80) and Curries in Bread Bowl ($5.20 – $6.60).

Café NIDO
No 162 Tyrwhitt Road Singapore 207581 (Within Hotel YAN)
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 4:30pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

“Nido” refers to nest in Italian, a name to go complementary with Hotel “Yan” which meant “swallow” in Mandarin. The café was also designed in hope that it would be a comforting nesting place.

Indeed, it was modern and spacious.

Food included Roasted Charcoal Brioche with Kaya & Sous Vide Egg ($16.90), Raspberry Pancake with Honey Pistachio ($9.90), Homemade Laksa with Charred Crayfish ($12.90), Salted Egg King Prawn Aglio Olio ($16.90), and Tom Yum Wings ($10.90).

More misses than hits though.

Scoop Therapy
11 East Coast Road, The Odeon Katong, Singapore 428722
Opening Hours: 2pm – 10pm (Tue-Thu), 12pm – 12mn (Fri-Sat), 12pm – 10pm (Sun), Closed Mon

Previously known as Regroup x Scoop Therapy at Balestier, the shift in location to Odeon Katong is a reunion with the sister café, Group Therapy at Katong V.

The café is separated into 2 sections, with an Ice Cream Bar serving 16 flavours each time and a Dessert Station.

Interesting flavours include the Salted Egg Yolk (again), Apple Pie, Butter Beer and Lychee Rose.

It was déjà vu when we saw something which looked similar to the famed Frozen S’more from Dominique Ansel Bakery though. Hmmm…

Sweet Garden Dessert Café
Blk 32, Cassia Crescent, #01-50, Singapore 390032
Opening Hours: 12pm – 11pm (Tues – Sat)

Sweet Garden Dessert Café took over gelato café The Hideout, located near Old Airport Road Food Centre.

Green-coloured walls, fake flowers, a wooden signboard that says 甜蜜花园 (Chinese translation to the store name), and a rather homely feel, the entire vibe is Taiwanese meets Malaysian style café.

The menu consists of “Dessert In Pan” – Apple Crumble ($15.50, $18.50), Banana Flambé with Grand Marnier ($17, $20); “Dessert In Plate” –Golden Banana Bread ($12, $15) and Chef Signature Brownies ($15, $18), Belgium Waffle ($11.90, $14.90), Charcoal Waffle ($12.90, $15.90).

Slightly too sweet for us.

KOOKS Creamery
Blk 211, Serangoon Avenue 4, #01-02, Singapore 550211
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Tue-Thu), 12pm – 11pm (Fri-Sat), 12pm – 10pm (Sun), Closed Mon

KOOKS Creamery is different from other ice cream cafes in the heartland of Singapore, serving molten lava Kooks (which are actually cookies), and ice cream.

The menu was straight-forward. Ice Cream ($3.60 for single, $6 for double, $8.40 for triple, additional $0.50 for premium flavours) and Cookie ($.50 for lava, $5 for plain).

Lava Cookie Sets were available at $8.50 for Chocolate molten cookie and Matcha molten cookie with a scoop of ice cream.

* Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary and Nicholas Tan @stormscape.

The post 10 New Cafes In Singapore June 2016 – Many Many Dessert Cafes For More Sweetness In Your Life appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

There are too many new restaurants opening up in Singapore. Just this month alone, we have KAMA British Indian Company Kitchen & Bar (North Canal Road), Scottish Restaurant UsQuBa (Fullerton Road), Superbowl (8 Circular Road), Ding Dong and BoCHINche (new location 115 Amoy Street), Gyromania (9 Circular Road), Barrio by Mex Out (313 @ Somerset), The BetterField (The Treasury), Hareloom Deli (Klapsons Hotel), Chow Fun Restaurant & Bar (The Grandstand), Café Melba (Mediapolis), K Cook Westgate), and Tang Restaurant and Bar (Keong Saik Road).

And the following featured here including Camp Kilo Charcoal Club (Kampong Bugis), Full of Luck Club (Holland Village), Gu Thai Noodle Café (Selegie), Source (Chai Chee), What’s This (Killiney Road), Ah Bong Italian (Beach Road), Knicker+Bockers (Ocean Financial Centre).

Tried my best combing everything. Believe me when I say I visited a lot more than these, but listed those I think are fairly more interesting (or less covered). Snapchat @DanielFoodDiary if you really want to know where I went.

Café entry here: 10 New Cafes In Singapore June 2016

10 New & Hot Restaurants Singapore June 2016

Camp Kilo Charcoal Club
66 Kampong Bugis #01-01, Singapore 338987
Opening Hours: 5:30pm – 11pm, 11am – 11pm

The team behind Kilo and Grain Traders at Market Street has launched quite a different concept – Camp Kilo Charcoal Club at Kampong Bugis. (Fans of Loysel’s Toy should be familiar with this location.)

This eatery is inspired by semi-outdoor pig-roast parties they’ve had in recent months, serving Bonless Lechon, Whole Roasted Hog, Chipotle BBQ Ribs, Crispy Pork Belly, Jerk Chicken & Kai Yang Chicken. I thought it was slightly on the expensive side. Be prepared to spend about $35 – $60 per pax (rough estimate).

A tad smoky (understatement) during early evenings. Come in light attire, and don’t mind sweating a little.

Full of Luck Club
243 Holland Ave Singapore 278977 (Holland MRT)
Tel: +65 6208 6845
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm (Sun – Thurs), 11am – 1am (Fri – Sat)

Full of Luck Club 福乐 has opened at Holland Village, from the same team behind Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant, offering a “progressive and contemporary take on authentic Cantonese cuisine”.

Its specialities are the steamed bao such as Salted Egg Yolk Prawn Bao, Braised Pork Belly Bao, Kung Pao Fried Chicken Bao, Portuguese Pork Chop Bao and Panko-crusted Portobello Bao (any 2 for $9.80).

Its menu will also incorporate Li Bai classics, and offerings of dim sum ($5.40 – $7.20), Hakka Crispy Kurobuta Pork Belly ($18), Crispy Aromatic Duck ($35 for half, $70 for whole), King Prawn Crispy Noodles ($24), Sweet Mint and Lime Cod ($24).

Recommended dishes include the Boat Noodle that came in 2 sizes, small palm size bowl ($1.90) slurped down within one mouthful (probably I had a bigger mouth) and large bowl shaped like a boat ($6 for pork, $6.80 for beef). Full Of Luck Club (Holland Village)

Gu Thai Noodle Cafe
1 Selegie Road, #01-04, PoMo Mall, Singapore 188306 (Dhoby Ghaut, Rochor MRT)
Opening Hours: 11am – 5am (Mon-Sun)

Opened by the folks behind Noodle Cafe at Golden Mile, Gu Thai Noodle Café took over the space once occupied by Montana Singapore beside Ya Kun Kaya Toast at PoMo. (

The menu was different: more comprehensive with Boat Noodles, Tom Yum bases, tze char styled Thailand Street food, Appetizers and Side dishes.

SOURCE
750A Chai Chee Road, #01-03, Viva Business Park, Chai Chee Estate, Singapore 469001
Opening Hours:
Lunch 11:00 am – 2:30 pm, Dinner 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm (Tues – Thurs)
Lunch 11:00 am – 2:30 pm, Dinner 5:30 pm – 12:00 pm (Fri)
Lunch 12:00 am – 2:30 pm, Dinner 5:30 pm – 12:00 pm (Sat)
Lunch 12:00 am – 2:30 pm, Dinner 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm (Sun)

SOURCE is the latest restaurant by funky celebrity Chef Melvyn Lee, best known for his cooking travelogue show “Accidental Chef” (and perhaps his bulging biceps).

Having successfully started up 2 takeaway joints, Chef Melvyn now helms his own kitchen and restaurant, located at Technopark @ Chai Chee.

Mains include Grilled Squid ($23), Pork Belly ($26), Beef Tenderloin ($29), and Pasta dishes such as Aglio Olio with Spicy Mushrooms ($17), Carbonara Truffle Wagyu ($24) and Orange Duck Ragu ($24).

The other highlight of SOURCE is OFFSIDE, a social sports area where diners can enjoy eDarts and automated baseball batting while waiting for their food. SOURCE (Chai Chee Road)

Yunomori Onsen & Spa Restaurant
Kallang Wave Mall #02-17/18, 1 Stadium Place, Singapore 397628 (take escalator near the exit of Fairprice, Carpark B Area 3 / 4)
Tel: +65 6386 4126 / +65 6385 7985
Opening Hours: 10am – 11pm Daily

Many have talked about wanting to go to this Yunomori Onsen & Spa, probably the first Japanese onsen in Singapore with the biggest variety of baths.

There is an eating area at the back, which not many talked about.

I would recommend the Japanese Assorted Plated ($17.80) – a colourful, totally-looks-healthy platter of grilled fish, teriyaki chicken pieces, prawns, vegetables and rice. A rather filling and nutritious tasting version. Yunomori Singapore (Kallang Wave Mall)

Bigiya Ramen at Ramen Gallery Takumen
66 Circular Road #01-01 Singapore 049420
Tel: +65 6536 4875
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3:00pm, 5:30pm – 10:00pm (Mon – Thurs),
11:30am – 3:00pm, 5:30pm – 12am (Fri),
11:30am – 3:00pm, 5:30pm – 9pm (Sat – Sun)

Bigiya Ramen, which was listed as within the Michelin Tokyo Bib Gourmand in both the 2015 and 2016 guides, has quietly made its entrance in Singapore at Ramen Gallery Takumen – ラーメンギャラリー宅麺 Boat Quay.

Bigiya (the original store at 2-4-9 Takaban, Meguro-ku, Tokyo) is known for its tasty rich soup cooked with fish and chicken, and special noodles containing whole wheat flour.

The highlight in the taste of citron within the soup, with the secret sauce “airlifted from Japan”.

Three different ramen types are offered: The Bijiya Yuzu Fragrance White Soy Sauce Ramen ($15.90); an option with a flavoured egg (additional $2); and special version ($19.40) with extra two types of charsiew and bamboo shoot.

Didn’t think it was mind-blowing exceptional, but good enough if you crave for ramen with that citrusy soup base. Bigiya Ramen (Circular Road)

What’s This
87 Killiney Road Singapore 239533z
Tel: +65 6734 3010
Opening Hours: 10am – 12pm

Miss Korea by Supulae closed at Killiney Road, and in comes in another Korean Restaurant What’s This? Yeah, the name is What’s This?

The Master Chef is said to be a celebrity chef Alex Kim.

Food looked quite authentic, and you can look forward to some Korean Fried Chicken ($14 – $15 for 4 pieces, which was quite the yums), Barbecue, Hot Pot ($13 – $48), KimBob ($10.50 – $22) and Ramen ($12.50 – $13.50). Can get slightly too smoky, so we had to sit outside.

Monkswood By Char
393 Guillemard Road Singapore 399790
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10:30pm (Tues – Thurs), 11:30am – 2:30pm, 6pm – 11pm (Fri), 11:30am – 11pm (Sat – Sun)

The team behind Char opened a British Bistro called Monkswood, specialising in pies with fillings of steak and ale, fish pie, cottage pie ($16 – $19). Add a staple of every British weekend, the roast.

They also serve unique traditional dishes such as Toad-in-the-Hole ($16), and their own take on Melton Mowbray Pork Pie ($16).

Ah Bong Italian
103 Beach Rd, #01-02 (below Marrison hotel), Singapore 189704 (Tan Quee Lan Street area)
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2pm, 6pm – 9pm

The humble pasta food stand at the Tiong Bahru Kopitiam has apparently done well enough to open its 2nd!

Taking over the space left vacant by Gastrosmith, owner Chris continues to serve pasta dishes at affordable prices. Though seems slightly more expensive at this outlet.

The pasta variety changes regularly, though some of the favourites include Crab Meat Aglio Olio ($14), Atas Duck Ragu ($16) and Carbonara ($10)

Knicker+Bockers
Ocean Financial Centre #B1-10, 10 Collyer Quay Singapore 049315 (Raffles Place MRT)
Tel: +65 6509 9247
Opening Hours: 8.30 am – 8pm (Mon – Fri), 9am – 1pm (Sat)

Knicker+Bockers, a DIY pizzeria is opened at Ocean Financial Centre Raffles Place and Leisure Park Kallang, serving both build-your-own pizzas and pastas.

You can choose from 4 types of hand-stretched dough (NY style, Cali style, NY Herb Crusted and Cali Herb Crusted), 5 special sauces, 8 kinds of cheese and 40 toppings. That would mean (almost) endless combinations.

Prices are affordable, considering a central CBD location, at $12.90 for pizzas and $8.90 for pastas.

And unlimited toppings. Ah-huh. UNLIMITED. You can tick off E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. Knicker+Bockers (Ocean Financial Centre)

The post 10 New & Hot Restaurants Singapore June 2016 appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

The World’s 50 Restaurants 2016 first announces those ranked 51-100.

Singapore’s Burnt Ends at Teck Lim Road helmed by Chef Dave Pynt is a new entrant on the list, debuting at Number 70.

There are 15 new names from restaurants across the globe including The Jane in Belgium (54), Lasai at Rio Janeiro Brazil (64), Lyle’s in London UK (65) and Epicure in Paris France.

51. Maní, São Paulo, Brasil
52. Per Se, New York, USA
53. Hof Van Cleve, Kruishoutem, Belgium
54. The Jane, Antwerp, Belgium
55. Nerua, Bilbao, Spain
56. Mikla, Istanbul, Turkey
57. L’Astrance, Paris, France
58. Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, Paris, France
59. Martin Berasategui, Lasarte-Oria, Spain
60. Hedone, London, UK
61. Maeemo, Oslo, Norway
62. La Grenouillere, La Madelaine Sous Montreuil, France
63. Aqua, Wolfsburg, Germany
64. Lasai, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
= 65. Brae, Birregurra, Australia
= 65. Lyle’s, London, UK
67. The Restaurant at Meadwood, St.Helena, USA
68. Tegui, Buenos Aires, Argentina
69. Epicure, Paris, France
70. Burnt Ends, Singapore
71. Daniel, New York, USA
72. Pavillon Ledoyen, Paris, France
73. Hertog Jan, Bruges, Belgium
74. Le Chateaubriand, Paris, France
75. Twins, Moscow, Russia
76. La Colombe, Cape Town, South Africa
77. Den, Tokyo, Japan
78. Belcanto, Lisbon, Portugal
79. DiverXO, Madrid, Spain
80. L’atelier Saint-Germain de Joël Robuchon, Paris, France
81. Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare, New York, USA
82. Hajime, Osaka, Japan
83. Manresa, Los Gatos, USA
84. Reale, Castel di Sangro, Italy
85. The French Laundry, Yauntville, USA
86. 8 1/2 Otto e mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong, China
87. Indian Accent, Delhi, India
88. Die Schwarzwaldstube, Baiersbronn, Germany
= 89. Benu, San Francisco, USA
= 89. Zuma, Dubai, UAE
91. St. John, London, UK
92. Quintessence, Tokyo, Japan
93. Daniel Berlin, Skane Tranas, Sweden
94. Bras, Laguiole, France
95. L’Effervescence, Tokyo, Japan
96. Cosme, New York, USA
97. Momofuku Ko, New York, USA
98. Quay, Sydney, Australia
99. La Petite Maison, Dubai, UAE
100. Chestnaya Kuhnya, Moscow, Russia

No 52. Per Se’s signature starter course Oysters and Pearls.

No 70. The Burnt Ends’s Sanger -pulled pork shoulder in home-made brioche bun with slaw and chipotle mayonnaise.

No 92. 3 Michelin-starred restaurant Quintessence in Tokyo.

No 98. Quay’s Snow Egg, an egg-shaped poached meringue with an ice cream centre.

Also congrats to French Chef Alain Passard who has been named the 2016 recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award by organisers of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. His food was truly exceptional.

The post The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 – 51-100 Positions. Singapore’s Burnt Ends at 70 appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

The East Japan Railway Company, also known as JR EAST, will be opening a Japan-bound themed café at the ground level of the new Tanjong Pagar Centre.

It is anticipated to open this coming November, and will be connected to Tanjong Pagar MRT Station.

The upcoming Japan Rail Café will provide Japanese food, kawaii Japanese items, travel information to Japan, and a convenient rail ticketing service for Japan rail passes.

That means you can purchase first a variety of train passes before you get over to Japan (and maybe not needing to queue that long there). Will be looking forward.

The post Japan Rail Café – JR EAST Will Open Japanese Themed Café At Tanjong Pagar Centre appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

We have reached the second half of 2016. While thinking of a theme for this month’s café openings, I have realised that many of these are off-the-radar and seldom talked about on social media.

There will be some which almost every single food or lifestyle media/websites will cover; while others are not as visible due to zero marketing or low visibility.

Just to share what the team (me @DanielFoodDiary and @stormscape) do: We basically, virtually COMB all around, everywhere for new cafes; look at the menu online to get a sense (sometimes give a call, write an email) then decide whether to go or not.

North, south, east, west, we will visit anonymously if we think it is worth the try.

So here are the 10 cafes, from next to a temple, to below the Treasury Building, to faraway Nanyang CC.

Chong Wen Ge Café
168 Telok Ayer Street Singapore 068619 (next to Thian Hock Keng Temple, 5 minutes walk from Telok Ayer MRT Downtown Line)
Tel: +65 8688 3028
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 6pm, 9am – 6pm Daily

Chong Wen Ge Café’s location alone may raise a few eyebrows – right next to Thian Hock Keng Temple, and that is still within Singapore’s CBD we are talking about

There are no typical brunch and waffle items here, but local delights that can literally delight many locals (okay, pardon the pun) – Nyonya Laksa ($8.80), Nyonya Mee Siam ($6.80), Satay Bee Hoon ($8.80), Nyonya Curry Chicken ($9.80), Nonya Otah Sandwich ($4.80) and a selection of Peranakan Kuehs (cakes). Chong Wen Ge (Telok Ayer)

Il-Sole Korean Desserts
Jurong Point Shopping Centre #03-54/55, 1 Jurong West Central 2, Singapore 658886 (Boon Lay MRT)

Just to note: This is called Il-Sole Korean Desserts, even though it has a very similar logo to Sulbing Korea. [Updated] We have been informed by Jurong Point that Sulbing Singapore is a sub-franchise to the China franchise of Sulbing in Korea.

The Snow Ice variety range from the signature Red Bean with Milk ($12.50), Injeolmi ($12.50) to more fanciful Strawberry Cheese ($18.90), Mango Cheese ($18.90) and Grapes ($16.90).

The BetterField
The Treasury 100 High Street #01-03 Singapore 179434
Tel: +65 6694 2361
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 10pm (Sat – Sun)
(Hot kitchen closed from 3 – 6pm during weekdays)

The BetterField has moved from its previous location at Waterloo to the Treasury at High Street, taking over the previous SHATEC restaurant previously known as Charcoal / RECIPES Bistro.

The pros of The BetterField moving to The Treasury: Much larger space, increased visibility (at least quite near City Hall), and the impending temporary closure of Funan Centre would mean nearby office workers have less choices for mealtimes.

There are also not many ‘indie’ coffee places around the area. Plus, it is opened at 8am.
Mains include Pulled Duck Burger ($21), French Duck Confit ($22), Mushroom Truffle Risotto ($22), and a selection of “premium selected beef” and spaghetti. The Betterfield (High Street)

Matchaya
#01-72 Icon Village, 12 Gopeng Street, Singapore 078877 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm (Mon-Fri), 10am – 7pm (Sat-Sun)

Matchaya first made an appearance at various weekend pop-up events in Singapore to “test water” before committing themselves to a physical shop.

Located at the extended (and ulu) wing of Icon Village, it is a takeaway kiosk (unlike the usual cafes) with a clean, minimalist, wooden shopfront (so Japanese!).

The Milk Tea comes in 4 flavours: Matcha, Houjicha, Royal Milk Tea and Kuromitsu, and 3 options: Hot, Cold (additional $0.40) and Bottled (additional $0.90).

The other to-get is a Magnum lookalike Cha Cha Pop ($8), created in collaboration with the team of Nenepop. Matchaya (Tanjong Pagar)

Alchemist
International Plaza, 10 Anson Road #01-34 Singapore 709903.
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 3:30pm (Mon – Fri), 7:30am – 1:30pm (Sat), Closed Sun

The Alchemist, which may remind some of Paulo Coelho’s best selling novel, is an off-shoot of Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters at Upper Thomson – which is also related to coffee roaster and cafe Pacamara at Thailand.

Prices range from $3.00 from an espresso, $4.50 for a white or black, to $5.50 for an Ice White.
Two blends were available when I visited – Dark Matter which was bold and nutty, or Luminous with floral and fruity pineapple tones. Alchemist (Tanjong Pagar)

Rayz Bistro
100 Selegie Road Singapore 188308
Tel: +65 6352 6651
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Tues – Sun (Closed Mon)

Rayz Bistro has set itself to a promising set. A Halal eatery serving Western fare with a dedicated pastry line.

Location is around the familiar supper haunts of Selegie Road right opposite Rochor Beancurd. There is a carpark behind. Check, check, check.

Everything but the price. For the mains, the Fish and Chips at $15 is probably the cheapest item. That is saying a lot.

The other items included Aglio Olio ($23), Penne Carbonara ($23), Chilli Crab Pasta ($26), Paella ($30), Braised Beef Ribs ($32), Spatchcock Morrocan Style ($32), Rack of Lamb ($35), Rib Eye Steak ($35). Rayz Bistro (Selegie Road)

Hashtag88 Café & Bar
88 Tanjong Pagar Road Singapore 088509
Tel: +65 6222 2214
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Mon – Thurs), 12pm – 12am (Fri – Sat), Closed Sun

A super out-of-radar cafe, even though it is located at prime Tanjong Pagar.

Hashtag88, so called because it is on 88 Tanjong Pagar Road, serves up simple homely fare with homemade-cakes.

Food includes Smokey Salmon Sandwich, Baked Cajun, Spicy Bak Kwa Olio, Chicken Breast with Foccacia, Cheezy Baked Pork Ribs, and Bak Kwa Pizza. I had a Salted Egg Cheesecake. Okay lah.

The café really needs more marketing and social media presence for its own good.

Crown Coffee
114 Lavender Street, CT Hub2, Singapore 338729

Another café that few on social media are talking about, but we shouldn’t let this go.

Not to be confused with Crown Bakery & Cafe at Bt Timah, Crown Coffee is a sandwich meets salad coffee place at CT Hub (next to a CrossFit studio). I know right? Some of you may be even asking where CT Hub is – it is near Lavender and Kallang MRT stations.

Owner Keith Tan told me VERY enthusiastically that his sandwiches were the best, and the place would be packed lunchtime. I listened half-skeptically because almost every café owners would tell me similar things. Keith did it with much more conviction though.

Yes, his sandwich – I had a chicken pesto, was fab. I would actually return again.

Pits & Pans
60 Jurong West St 91 #01-04, Singapore 649040
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Tues – Fri), 10am – 10pm (Sat – Sun

A locally-owned burger joint serving a selection of gourmet burgers such as Salmon Ikura ($16.90), Mega Bello ($11.90), Camilla’s Flight ($12.90 – that is grilled chicken thigh), Baconator ($14.90 with bacon-stuffed pork patty) and Sir Charles’ Swiss ($13.90).

Located at the ground level of Nanyang Community Club.

Café 3
5 Teo Hong Road Singapore 088323 (Near Outram Park MRT)
Tel: +65 6224 9368
Opening Hours: 12:00pm to 9:30pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Remember the Sugar Granny Café known for its Asian and local style desserts?

It has converted to be called Café 3, which we all think is a nondescript, unmemorable name for a café. The signboard in a casual-looking font and yellow base didn’t help.

Café3 serves local delights such as Nasi Lemak, Laksa, Mee Rebus, Prawn Noodles and Curry Chicken.

The recommended dish to order has to be the Debone Fried Chicken Wings ($3.90 for 2 pieces), the signature since ‘Granny’ days.

* Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary and Nicholas Tan @stormscape.

The post 10 New Cafes In Singapore July 2016 – The Under The Radar Places appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

The struggle between having delicious meals vs healthy ones is real. Those on diet (like me) may feel that salads and eating little are the ONLY options. Noooooooo… Here is something exciting that has come up.

46 restaurants, 95 dishes, 1 aim. It is all about healthy eating for this year’s Singapore Restaurant Month.

The culinary teams have spent time to create these locally inspired dishes, to also prove the point that healthier dishes can be appetizing too.

The Singapore Restaurant Month 2016 (1 July – 31 July) organised by the Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS) in collaboration with the Health Promotion Board (HPB) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB), is about the creation 95 healthy dishes, ranging from Chinese, Fusion, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Thai to Vegetarian and Western cuisines.

I was so keen to find out what was created. Here are some…

What is so healthy about these dishes?

Calories checked. Each of the 95 dishes contains either 500 or less calories and/or made up of at least 8% wholegrains such as brown rice, oatmeal and wholemeal bread, and are approved by certified HPB nutritionists.

Health checked. Keep a lookout for the red labels with “Healthier Choice” on the menu, which could be as tasty.

After trying some of the dishes, I would personally recommend include the Coca De Higos Y Foie Con Vermouth ($26) from UNA at One Rochester.

Topped with foie gras and grilled figs on a crispy Spanish flatbread with vermouth reduction, alternating sweet and savory taste. Delightful.

For your info, this is only 384.1 calories, which is less than 2 bowls of white rice.

The Double-boiled White Fungus in Pear Vessel ($15) from Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant was another crowd pleaser with its theatrical entrance.

Dry ice pew-pewing out of the bowl to reveal a boiled Korean Pear, which contained the white fungus. Soothing for the throat and good for the skin (ladies alert!)

Heritage Restaurants – Date of availability of dish 1 to 31 July 2016
The following 10 are heritage restaurants that had been around for decades.

Beng Thin Hoon Kee Restaurant
Braised Sea Cucumber with Mustard Greens & Chinese Mushrooms
Chicken Treasure Wrapped in Lettuce

Fatty Weng Restaurant
Prawns in Mushroom Sauce
Curry Pork Loin
Scallops with Singapore Chili Crab Sauce

Gim Tim Restaurant
Fried Brown & Short Grain Rice with Tobiko

Jumbo Seafood Restaurant
Steamed Cod Fish with Jin Hua Ham in Rice Wine

Islamic Restaurant
Grilled Fish Beryani
Butter Chicken with Plain Naan
Chicken Beryani

Moi Lum
Golden Coin Beancurd
Mixed Brown Rice Fried with Taiwanese Sausage

Prima Tower Revolving Restaurant
Jade Potage with Multigrain Crispy Rice
Shredded Scallop with Fish & Egg White
Steamed Crystal Ball with Chinese Yam

Qian Xi Lou – Carpenter 29
Prosperity Abalone Rice
Double-boiled Abalone & Chicken Soup with Black Garlic
Mushroom & Tofu Soup in Chicken Broth

Red Star Restaurant
Stir-fried Celery with Sliced Fish
Fish Head with Mustard Leaves & Tofu Soup

Zi Yean Restaurant
Farmer’s Six Mix & Matches
Wok-fried Sliced Fish, Snake Marrow and Fungus
Abalone, Dried Scallop and Figleaf Gourd Soup

General Category – Date of availability of dish 1 to 31 July 2016

Bali Thai
Basil Leaves Chicken Lettuce Wrap
Tom Yum Soup with Seafood
Braised Glass Noodles with Seafood

Big Street
Ocean Heaven (Oven-baked Teriyaki Salmon served with Lobster Fruit Salad)

Crystal Jade Dining In
Double-boiled Sea Whelk Soup with Chicken & Morel Mushroom
Poached Prawns with Herbal Soup & Chinese Wine
Baked Crab Shell stuffed with Seafood Paste

Crystal Jade Golden Palace
Pan-fried Cod Fish with Black Truffle Sauce
Double-boiled Morel Mushroom Soup in Coconut
Braised Mustard Green with Fish Maw & Crab meat

Crystal Jade Palace
Steamed Egg White with Conpoy and Diced Chicken
Braised Homemade Beancurd with Honshimeiji Mushroom
Sauteed Kailan with Assorted Fungus

Earle Swensen’s
Baked Hoisin Cod Fish

Georges
Grilled Salmon Fillet

iSTEAKS Diner
iSTEAKS’ Grilled Pacific Dory

JPOT – Hotpot Singapore Style
Silky Porridge Soup Broth

Kampong Café @ BM
Nasi Briyani with Curry Barramundi Fish & Achar

Lao Beijing
Beijing-style ‘Zhajiang’ Noodles

LingZhi Vegetarian
Black Truffles and Organic Sweet Corn Bisque with Smoked Beancurd

Mamanda
Royal Laksa Lobster

Nara Thai Cuisine
Yum Som O (Pomelo Salad)
Pla Kra Pung Nung Manao (Steamed Whole Sea Bass with Spicy Chili and Lime Sauce)

Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant
Fragrant Tofu

Peach Garden Chinese Restaurant
Grilled Fillet of Sea Perch with Olive Oil and Poached Broccoli
Chicken Breast Superior Soup with White Fungus & Gingko Nuts
Steamed Organic Brown Rice with Sweet Corn and Black Fungus

Pies & Coffee
Beef Rendang Pie
Charcoal Crust Curry Chicken Pie
Black Pepper Chicken Baked Pasta

Prata Wala
Chappati with Dal Gravy
Idli with three Chutneys and Dal Gravy
Prata with Dal Gravy

PUTIEN
Pan Fried Tomatoes with Minced Pork
Stir Fried Yam with Fruits

Seoul Garden Hotpot
Bap-Assorted Korean Mushroom
Bap-Marinated Chicken

Seoul Yummy
Korean Mushroom Pot with Tuna
Grilled Eel Hot Stone Bibimbab
Kimchi Soup

Shin Yeh Restaurant
Eight Treasures Box

Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant
Premium Truffle Salad
Double-boiled White Fungus in Pear Vessel
Healthy Eight Treasures Rice

So Pho
Summer Roll with Prawns and Lemongrass Chicken
Vietnamese “Pho” with Sliced Beef, Beef Brisket and Beef Balls
Mango & Papaya Salad with Crispy White Bait

Streats Hong Kong Café
HK Shrimp Dumpling Noodles
Stir-fried Six Treasures
Sauteed Chicken & Mushrooms with Thick Gravy on an Omelette with Steamed Rice

Sufood
Sufood Shaker Salad

Sushi Tei
Salmon Chasoba
Salmon Don
Nabeyaki Don

Switch by Timbre
Nicoise Salad

The Manhattan FISH MARKET
Fiery Hot Cherry Snapper
Island Grilled Cod

The Orange Lantern
Vietnamese Char-Grilled Chicken Satay and Sugarcane Prawn serve with Vermicelli & Salad
Hanoi Tumeric Fish with Dill & Rice Vermicelli

The Soup Spoon Union
Grilled Salmon with Cauliflower Rice
Grilled Cod Fish with Cauliflower Rice
Grilled Portobello Mushroom with Cauliflower Rice

Timbre (@The Substation, @The Arts House, @ Gillman)
Grilled Peach & Prawn Summer Salad

Tim Palace
Steamed Cod Fish with Black Garlic Sauce

UNA at One Rochester
Cogollos Con Idiazabal Y Anchoas Ahumadas (Grilled Spanish Sucrine lettuce, Idiazabel cheese form, smoked anchovies and promegranate)
Coca De Higos Y Foie Con Vermouth (Foie gras and grilled figs on a crispy Spanish flatbread with vermouth reduction)

Yam’s Kitchen
Yam’s Kitchen Soya Bean Curd
Homemade Meatballs with Double Mushrooms in Bean Paste
Sliced Fish with White Cabbage Soup

Zaffron Kitchen
Naan with Dal Makhani
Biryani Rice with Chana Masala and Jaipuri
Tandoori Fish Tikka with Salad

So if you do go to these 46 restaurant concepts, keep a lookout for these 95 wholesome dishes containing less than 500 calories or with wholegrain.

Remember, they are only available till the end of July!

* Written by Nicholas Tan. This entry is brought to you in partnership with Restaurant Association of Singapore. For more information, head over to http://www.singaporerestaurantmonth.com

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Looks like Orchard Central is almost turning into a Japanese themed mall with a Global Flagship store of Uniqlo, Tokyu Hands and many Japanese food places.

Say “Hello” to financiers, madeleines and biscuits, all packed prettily in boxes with the opening of Japanese patisserie chain Henri Charpentier at Level 1.

This is primary a kiosk with a small seating area.

Some of the signature items include their popular Financiers ($2.90 for 1) made with fragrant almond and an original cultured butter recipe; Madeleines ($2.90 for 1) made with Hokkaido flour, Japanese lemons, fragrant rum and honey; and Petits Gâteaux Assortis ($14.30 for 8 pieces in a box).

With a slice of tart or cake was between $7.50 to $9.50, it is on the pricey side.

However, their cakes are generally of a good quality – soft, fresh cream used, and not too sweet, with Strawberry Shortcake, Matcha Opera and Mille Crepe counting as some of my favourites.

Their packaging is also top-notch, with dry ice given and boxes correctly aligned, almost ensuring that no cakes ‘get hurt’ in the process of takeaway.

Henri Charpentier – Orchard
Orchard Central #01-18, 181 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238896
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm

Henri Charpentier – Dempsey Hill Shop
9A Dempsey Road. Singapore 247698 (next to House)
Tel : +65 6479 5518
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm

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To be really honest, there are many more restaurants opening up in Singapore (than just these 10). Some look promising, while others can be struggling – Empty Chairs and Empty Tables. Can be a combination of bad timing, or the right food at the wrong place, or vice versa.

Not the most hopeful way to start a piece introducing NEW restaurants in Singapore, but diners are becoming more discerning. They may give the NEW place a try, but if it doesn’t mean up to the minimum satisfaction, then a return visit can be difficult.

If you across any NEW restaurants with potential and need some help, do let me know.

Cafes entry available here: 10 New Cafes In Singapore July 2016

10 New & Hot Restaurants Singapore July 2016

Collin’s
61 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8 #01-07/08/09/10 Jubilee Square Singapore 569814
Tel: +65 6452 5887
Opening hours: 7am – 1am (Sun – Thurs), 24hrs (Fri,Sat & PH Eve)

Collin’s (also known as Collin’s Grille Bento) is popular among locals for its extremely affordable and hearty Western cuisine.

To continue to reinvent themselves, Collin’s has just released NEW Asian Fusion dishes featuring distinctive Southeast Asian spices.

The seasonal items include Asian Seafood Spaghetti, Summer Lime Seafood Salad, Crispy Asian Wings with Tomato Dip, Chicken Baked Rice with Cream Spiced Tomato Sauce, and The New Hawaiian! ((With A Taste of Asia) Pizza (mouthful name, I know).

For supper regulars, the good news is this branch at AMK is opened from 7am to 1am on Sundays to Thursdays, and 24 hours on Fridays, Saturdays and eve of public holidays. Great for early breakfasts (lunch and dinner), great for late-night suppers. Collin’s

Riverside Grilled Fish 江边城外
Raffles City Shopping Centre, #B1-06/07 252 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 6352 2035
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Last Order 9:30pm

Popular Chinese restaurant Riverside Grilled Fish 江边城外 with 54 outlets in China, has set up its first overseas outpost in Singapore at Raffles City basement.

Here’s how it works: Diners can choose to pair their selected fish –Red Tilapia ($35.00), Sea Bass ($35.00), Black Pomfret ($38.00) or Garoupa ($42.00) with any of the 8 accompanying sauces of their choice.

The sauces include the Signature Fragrant Spicy Sauce (spicy and sweet), Black Bean Sauce (non-spicy), Unique (sweet, sour, and mala TOGETHER), and Ma La (intense spicy). Riverside Grilled Fish 江边城外

WHEAT
Raffles City #B1-78, 252 North Bridge Road Singapore 179103 (City Hall MRT)
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm (Mon-Sun)

WHEAT continues to be my go-to place for Japanese and Asian style salads, which by the way has opened another branch at Raffles City Basement 1.

Folks around City Hall, you know where to get your healthy greens now.

If you do not know what to pick, the Top Three Popular items are the Grilled Salmon Soba ($10), Bull Run ($8) and Penguin ($8). WHEAT (Raffles City)

Aloha Poké
Marina Bay Link Mall, 8A Marina Boulevard, #B2-46, Singapore 018984
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 8pm (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 2:30pm (Sat)

This outlet at Marina Bay Link Mall is the second after Amoy Street, opened by these two couples who first brought the concept to Singapore after getting inspired in Hawaii.

There are three standard sizes of Poké bowls – the Lil’ Swell ($11.90) that comes with 1 scoop of 75g Poké, Standard Nalu ($15.90) with 2 scoops of 150g Poke and Big Kahuna ($19.90) with 3 scoops of 225g Poké.

As for the poké, you can pick either Raw Ahi Tuna or Raw Salmon in three different flavours – original, wasabi mayo or spicy. Sometimes there are seasonal specials. Aloha Poke (Marina Bay)

Ah Bong Italian
103 Beach Rd, #01-02 (below Marrison hotel), Singapore 189704 (Tan Quee Lan Street area)
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2pm, 6pm – 9pm

The used to be more-elusive Ah Bong’s Italian has opened another at the accessible Tan Quee Lan Street (near Bugis MRT).

Taking over the space left vacant by Gastrosmith, owner Chris continues to serve pasta dishes at affordable prices. Though seems slightly more expensive at this outlet.

The pasta variety changes daily, though some of the favourites include Crab Meat Aglio Olio ($14), Atas Duck Ragu ($16), Carbonara ($10), Barramundi Cream ($13) and Fresh Pesto ($12). Ah Bong Italian (Beach Road)

Souper Tang
176 Orchard Road, Centrepoint, #02-52 & #02-K01,Singapore 238843 (Somerset MRT)
Tel: +65 6737 6772

Diners who frequently visit Malaysia for food may be familiar with Tang Shi Fu, with 18 outlets across the country, known to serve comforting Chinese soups and cuisine.

The soups are enhanced with Chinese herbs, yet retain delicious flavours that are pleasing on the palate.

Their signatures include Signature Souper Pesto Pot ($26.90 for 2 pax, $39.90 for 4 pax) – a homemade pesto broth hot pot teeming with healthy vegetables, Home Braised Pork Belly in Rich Dark Sauce ($18.90), and Stewed Fish Head with Ginger and Chuan Xiong ($21.90). Souper Tang 汤师父 (Centrepoint)

Barrio by Mex Out
313 Orchard Road 313@Somerset #01-14/15 Singapore 238895
Opening Hours: 11am – 10:30pm (Sun – Thurs), 11am – 11pm (Fri – Sat)

This latest concept by Mexican eatery, Mex Out, Barrio by Mex Out serves a healthy and accessible Fresh-Mex cuisine emphasising fresh ingredients and authentic flavours.

There is a range of starters such as Snapper Ceviche and Sliced Steak & Chilli Jam, tortas (Mexican burgers) and larger plated dishes of marinated Flank Steak and pan-roasted Snapper.

Mex Out favourites such as burrito wraps and rice bowls, tacos and salads are also available.

The Peranakan
422 Orchard Road, Orchard Hotel – Level 2 Claymore Connect, Singapore 238879
Tel: +65 6262 4428
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm

The Peranakan spans 3000 square foot, can sit 130, and Executive Chef Raymond Khoo (Tong Shui Café, 3 Monkeys, Rasa Singapura Macau) helms the kitchen.

The décor, space and size can be considered jaw-dropping in Singapore… the flowers, the prints, the tiffin carriers, the crockery, and THE CHANDELIERS.

There are most of the Peranakan favourites available here, from Kueh Pie Ti ($20), Ngoh Hiang ($15), Itek Tim ($7), Nonya Chap Chye ($15), Petai Kicap Manis ($12), Nasi Ulam ($15), Ayam Pong Teh ($17), Beef Rendang ($19), Ayam Sioh ($17) to the quintessential Ayam Buah Keluak ($19). The Peranakan (Orchard)

Blu Kouzina
Blk 10 #01-21, 10 Dempsey Rd, Singapore 247700
Tel: +65 6875 0872
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 2:30pm (Fri – Sun), Dinner 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Blu Kouzina, a favourite destination for authentic Greek cuisine in Singapore for the past few years, has moved from Bt Timah to a new location on Dempsey Hill.

Totally loved the space, especially the more open area at the back – a feel of the Mediterranean meets garden setting. Santorini would feel near again.

Best to come with family or a couple of friends, to share plates of Kalamaki Souvlaki ($15.80) – beef kalamaki served with fresh onion, sliced tomatoes and inhouse bread; Greek Grilled Fish ($45.80 for 400g sea bream) and Jumbo Prawns.

Fat Lulu’s
297 River Valley Road, Singapore 238338
Tel: +65 9236 5002
Opening Hours: 6pm – 11pm (Tues – Thurs, Sun), 6pm – 12am (Fri – Sat)

The rather popular Five and Dime Café along River Valley Road has closed, taken over by Fat Lulu’s which is operated by the same team.

The focus is on Western-meets-Asian flavours, grilled meats and seafood, and a “spirited dessert program”.

One of the highlights is a 3-course Dessert Menu ($35) where you get items such as “Atas” Kinder Bueno, The Black Forest, Peanut Butter Popsicle, which can be prepared right in front of you if you sit by the counter.

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Japanese food lovin’ Singaporeans will find more reasons to get really excited, especially with the launch of Japan Food Town at Wisma Atria Orchard.

This is a 20,075 square feet food hall on the 4th level of Isetan Singapore (next to Food Republic), which will offer authentic Japanese cuisine at affordable prices.

The concept does remind us of Emporium Shokuhin at Marina Square, and Eat At Seven at Suntec City. Some more no-business than the others. Opps.

Japan Food Town’s location is not a bad one – town area, right next to Ngee Ann City where the Japanese are known to hang out and shop.

Having 16 dining restaurants in one place, instead of the typical food court style, can mean that each outlet will have certain level of quality and consistency, and diners will likely make return visits. (Even if you decide to ‘restaurant hop’, the max any group could handle is probably 2-3.)

The food outlets appear to be well-curated, with a level of variety and affordability.

You can expect Dassai Bar (sake), Hokkaido Izakaya (Hokkaido produce), Inaniwa Yosuke (udon), Bonta Bonta (onigiri), Yomoda Soba (soba), Nabe Seizen (the original being a 2 Michelin stared Kaiseki restaurant), Sabar (mackerel), Osaka Kitchen (Teppanyaki), Sushi Takewaka, Machida Shoten (ramen), Temura Tsukiji Tenka (tempura and donburi), Yakiniku Heijyoen, Shabu Shabu Tajimaya, Rang Mang Shokudo (fried chicken), Anzu (farm to table concept).

Here is a first look at the 16 food outlets opened at Japan Food Town:

Machida Shoten #04-40
The ambience here was boisterous and buzzling, which reminded me of ramen shops in Japan. Machida Shoten from Kanagawa prefecture specialises in Iekei ramen, which directly translates to “house-type” from its kanji characters.

This means that noodles are cooked to diners’ preferences, just like how one’s mother might cook it at home. They come in a tonkotsu and shoyu stock, with spicy miso and shio options.

I was recommended the Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen, in which I chose the Special All-In ($17).

The cha-shu indeed tasted like what grandma would have spent hours cooking at home, superbly tender though notches too salty for the average Singaporean’s taste buds.

The slightly thick and flat Yokohama-style yellow noodles reminded me of a slight thinner version of the Hokkien-style noodles, which I did not quite mind. The soup was invariably thick and on the saltier side, so be mindful before slurping the whole spoonful down.

Yomoda Soba #04-53
“Yomoda” supposedly means many things – Carefree, Easy-going – but most of all, it is a word to be used for friends, to see things on the lighter side of life.

Okay, while service was adequate, maybe more than be purported to deliver that warm, carefree sense of fun.

The recommended dishes include Kake Soba ($10.80), Hote Pork Nanban Soba ($16) and Hote Picy Soy Milk Chicken Soba ($22). You can choose either hot or cold versions.

I ordered a Cold Katsu Soba which supposedly came in hot and juicy pork cutlet dunked within the dashi soup.

Enjoyed the bite of the thin and slippery buckwheat soba. The dashi stock made from mackerel, sardines, bonito, kelp and shiitake was expectedly refreshingly.

Tempura Tsukiji Tenka #04-42
Tempura Tsukiji Tenka which specialises in Tempura and Donburi, is run by graduates of the Tokyo Sushi Academy, one of Japan’s top traditional culinary institution.

The recommended dishes are Kaisendon ($24.80) and Tendon ($19.80).

I liked the freshness of the ingredients used in the Tendon – the prawn was sweet, and squid surprisingly tender and NOT rubbery (my friend commented finally no ‘jun jun’ bite). The batter could have been crisper and less oily though.

Sabar #04-50
38, a number that sounds like ‘Saba’ (Japanese word for Mackerel) with 38 seats, 38 items on the menu, 38cm long mega size toro-saba (yes, you can bring a ruler to measure and reject if it’s not 38cm) and a lunch time from 11.38am – 2.38pm.

Sorry if I sounded 38 (aka bitchy), but this obsession is real when the entire menu is filled with saba dishes (apart from the desserts).

The fresh Toro- Saba Sashimi ($18) were fresh, smooth and were not fishy (Heng ah).

Tsukiji Sushi Takewaka #04-43
Started 28 years ago in Tsukiji, the biggest wholesale seafood in the world, Takewaka maintained a strong relationship with the fishermen there to ensure the best quality for theie EDO style sushi.

Each sushi was prepared with such speed and skill that we could barely blink our eyes.

Rang Mang Shokudo #04-54
KFC! Korean Fried Chicken… I mean Japanese Fried Chicken (karaage)! Marinated in buttermilk for 6 hours and double fried to give is a crispy crunch, it’s offered in 3 different sizes: Small ($8), Medium ($16) and Large ($21).

Interesting sauces include yuzu pepper and wasabi cream that made us go Sugoii desu!

Inaniwa Yosuke #04-45
Specializing in Inaniwa Udon, it’s thinner than normal udon and are slightly chewy in texture. The menu revolved around the Inaniwa Udon, with both chilled and hot version.

Our favourite was the Tempura & Ajikurabe, served with 2 types of Tare: Soy sauce with wasabi and Sesame based with ginger.

The former tasted similar to our usual style of eating soba whereas the latter was richer and more flavourful. Oishii!

Osaka Kitchen #04-46
Specializing in teppanyaki, sitting at the bar table was definitely the highlight as we see the chefs prepared our meals right in front of our eyes.

An interactive and fun experience to speak to the chefs (even though they might not fully understand what we were saying. Wakarimasen!)

Nabe Seizan #04-44
Kaninabe means “Crab Hot Pot” in Japanese, don’t think of the other ways.

Hokkaido Izakaya #04-51
The only one out of the 16 stores that already had another exisiting store at Tanjong Pagar. Ingredients were sourced from 4 cities: Yakumo Town, Furano City, Kamishihoro City, Akkeshi Town and 2 different menus, one for lunch and one for dinner.

Recommended dishes for lunch include the Kakiage Tempura Soba ($12) and Cold Soba with Simmered Meat ($15).

Dassai Bar #04-52
A pop-up bar for 6 months serving premium Junmai Daiginjo sakes. Famous people such as President Obama and Chef Joel Robuchon are one of the few who had tried it.

An entry level sake will cost us $88 for a 720ml bottle, Dassai 39 at $165, Dassai 23 at $278 and Dassai Beyond at $1,100!

It is almost for certain Japan Food Town will pack in the crowds during opening days. Hopefully, the quality will not let us down.

Japan Food Town
435 Orchard Rd, #04-39/54 Wisma Atria Shopping Centre, Singapore 238877
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Daily

*Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape and Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of photos without express and written permission is strictly prohibited.

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Does Airline Food play a part in your choice of flight? Or it is just a ‘good-to-have’.

In the world’s largest airline passenger satisfaction survey conducted by Skytrax, Dubai-based Emirates was chosen as the World’s Top Airline, taking over Qatar Airways which was champion last year.

Singapore Airlines slips one position to Number 3.

In terms of Airline Classes, Worlds Best First Class is Etihad Airways, Best Business Class is Qatar Airways, Premium Economy is Air Zealand, while Asiana Airlines clinches the top – which is an important award because the majority of air travellers go on economy.

The World’s Top 10 Airlines of 2016
1. Emirates
2. Qatar Airways
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Cathay Pacific
5. ANA All Nippon Airways
6. Etihad Airways
7. Turkish Airlines
8. EVA Air
9. Qantas Airways
10. Lufthansa

World’s Best Economy Class Airlines
1 Asiana Airlines
2 Qatar Airways
3 Singapore Airlines
4 Cathay Pacific
5 Emirates
6 Thai Airways
7 Turkish Airlines
8 Etihad Airways
9 ANA All Nippon Airways
10 Garuda Indonesia

As for the Airline Catering categories, Etihad Airways, Turkish Airlines, Qantas Airways and Asiana Airlines take in top honours.

A surprise for Singapore Airlines. With ‘Book The Cook’ and introduction of ‘Deliciously Wholesome’ programme, the Business class and Premium Economy Foods are ranked 9th and 10th respectively. I mean, it is not bad, but aren’t we (Singaporea) always aiming for first?

Complacency at works? To be honest, I was thrilled when I realised there was a Book the Cook service even with SQ’s Premium Economy, but the food offered (ordered Nasi Lemak) – both in terms of taste and presentation wasn’t quite what I expected.

Hopefully better results the next year.

Best First Class Airline Catering
1 Etihad Airways
2 Air France
3 Cathay Pacific
4 Emirates
5 Singapore Airlines
6 Lufthansa
7 ANA All Nippon Airways
8 Qantas Airways
9 Garuda Indonesia
10 Qatar Airways

Best Business Class Airline Catering
1 Turkish Airlines
2 Qatar Airways
3 Austrian
4 Etihad Airways
5 Garuda Indonesia
6 Hainan Airlines
7 Qantas Airways
8 ANA All Nippon Airways
9 Singapore Airlines
10 Emirates

Best Premium Economy Class Airline Catering
1 Qantas Airways
2 Air New Zealand
3 Air France
4 Lufthansa
5 Japan Airlines
6 Virgin Australia
7 ANA All Nippon Airways
8 Virgin Atlantic
9 Cathay Pacific
10 Singapore Airlines

Best Economy Class Airline Catering
1 Asiana Airlines
2 Thai Airways
3 Turkish Airlines
4 Singapore Airlines
5 Cathay Pacific
6 Etihad Airways
7 Garuda Indonesia
8 Qatar Airways
9 Emirates
10 Austrian

Your choice of Best Airline Food?

The post World’s Best Airline Food 2016 – For First Class, Business, Premium Economy and Economy Class appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

34 eateries from Singapore have made it to the Michelin Bib Gourmand for 2016.

First responses from friends include “Why this stall, why not that?”

I quickly glanced through the list and noted the predictable favourites (shoo-ins) – Tian Tian Chicken Rice, Song Fa BKT, Whampoa’s Hoover Rojak.

Some food are conspicuously, obviously missing.

No Prata? No BCM? No Nasi Lemak? No Char Kway Tiao? No Satay? No Chilli Crabs? (Maybe stars are reserved for the crabs.)

The Bib Gourmand guide highlights restaurants offering “exceptional good food at moderate prices.” In Singapore’s case, there is the inclusion of hawker stalls.

They must offer menu items priced below a maximum determined by local economic standards. In Singapore’s guide, the price is set at $45.

The 34 eateries from Singapore awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand 2016

Hawker Stalls
1. Claypot Laksa – Alexandra Village Food Centre
2. A Noodle Story – Amoy Street Food Centre
3. Famous Crispy Curry Puff – Amoy Street Food Centre
4. Hong Kee Beef Noodle – Amoy Street Food Centre
5. Hoo Kee Rice Dumpling – Amoy Street Food Centre
6. The Fishball Story – Golden Mile Food Centre
7. Wedang (Indonesian food and satay) – Golden Mile Food Centre
8. Famous Sungei Road Trishaw (laksa) – Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
9. Na Na Curry – 115 Bukit Merah View Market & Food Centre
10. Chey Sua Carrot Cake – 127 Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre
11. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice – Maxwell Food Centre
12. Shi Hui Yuan (noodle with chicken and duck) – Mei Ling Market & Food Centre
13. Alliance Seafood – Newton Food Centre
14. Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice – Tiong Bahru Market
15. Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee – Tiong Bahru Market
16. Balestier Road Hoover Rojak – Whampoa Market Place
17. Liang Zhao Ji (soy duck) – Whampoa Market Place

Restaurants
1. Alaturka (Turkish) – Bussorah Street
2. Hjh Maimunah (Malaysian) – Jalan Pisang 11-15
3. Ka Soh (Singaporean) – College Road
4. Kok Sen (tze char) – Keong Saik Road
5. Lagnaa (Indian) – Little India
6. New Ubin Seafood – Sin Ming Road
7. Peony Jade at Keppel Club (Cantonese) – Bukit Chermin Rd
8. Shish Mahal (Indian) – Albert Street
9. Song Fa Bak Kut Teh – New Bridge Rd
10. 328 Katong Laksa – East Coast Road
11. True Blue Cuisine (Peranakan) – Armenien Street
12. Whole Earth (vegetarian) – Peck Street
13. Yhingthai Palace (Thai) – Purvis Street
14. Zaffron Kitchen (Indian) – East Coast Road

Other Street Food Establishments
1. Bismallah Biryani – Dunlop Road
2. JB Ah Meng Kitchen (Cantonese) – Geylang Road
3. Sin Huat Eating House (crab rice noodle) – Geylang Road

My Guess is for this inaugural guide, they are likely to be more conservative and thus did not include too many establishments.

Also, there seems to be a higher concentration of food stalls within Central region – Amoy Street Food Centre.

Any other places you feel are left out?

By the way, my Favourite hawker stalls and Zhi Char places, I hope you don’t raise prices so quickly after receiving the Bib Gourmand, okay?

The post Singapore Michelin Bib Gourmand Guide 2016 – The 34 Eateries That Make The Cut appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

[Bangkok] If there is a champion for street food, the Thais may just clinch it – no offence to other countries around the world. Thai Street Food from Tom Yum Goong, Pad Thai, Khao Soy, Som Tum, and Gai Yang have captured our bellies and heart.

This event right outside Bangkok’s CentralWorld is going to keep your feet (from walking) and mouths (from eating) pretty busy.

Called Bangkok Varee, the concept is to take you back in time to experience “the Venice of the East” ,the Thai way of life along the Chao Phraya Riverbank on the occasion of the 234th anniversary of the Rattanakosin Kingdom celebrations. (It is a public holiday for the Thais next week!)

This is where you can enjoy shopping for popular products of the different riverside communities from over 200 shops, including 5-star OTOP products from around the country together with Thai folk performances and various cultural activities.

The focus for me is THE FOOD.

Bangkok Varee stretches from one end of CentralWorld to the end, with a few lanes of food stalls, so you can just imagine just how much food they have.

It gathers some of most popular shops and restaurants from the cultural communities, giving you an opportunity to taste delicious rare local food items, and desserts from all regions of Thailand. (I couldn’t find the names of some of the street food items below, as descriptions are written in Thai. If you know of any, would appreciate if you can let me know.

Happening 14th – 31st July 2016 at CentralWorld Square, Bangkok. The Thais will say, ”Reu, reu!”. You only up to the end of this month.

CentralWorld
999/9 Rama I Rd, 10330, Bangkok Thailand (BTS Siam)
http://www.centralworld.co.th
Google Maps – Central World

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with CentralWorld.

The post Bangkok Varee – The Best Of Thai Street Food At Central World With Over 200 Stalls! Till End July appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

The Singapore Michelin Guide 2016 is OUT. Joël Robuchon Restaurant at RWS is the first and only 3 Star Michelin Restaurant from Singapore. (For the convenience of readers, I have also included all previous reviews of Singapore Michelin-starred restaurants here > Michelin Singapore – Restaurant Reviews.)

Singapore is the first Southeast Asian country, and only the fourth Asian territory after Japan, Hong Kong and Macau to be rated by the Michelin Guide.

When preparing the selection, Michelin inspectors reviewed all types of cuisines and considered only the quality of the food.

All establishments are selected according to the same five criteria used by Michelin inspectors around the world. They are
1) quality of the ingredients used
2) mastery of cooking techniques and flavors
3) projection of the chef’s personality in his cuisine
4) value for money
5) consistency – both over time and across the entire menu.

Other factors, such as place, décor, service and facilities offered, are not considered.

On the contrary to public belief, restaurant inspectors DO NOT look at interior decor, table setting, or service quality in awarding stars – these are instead indicated by the number of ‘covers’ it receives, represented by the fork and spoon symbol.

And the Singapore Michelin Guide 2016 results…

3 Michelin stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey
Joël Robuchon Restaurant (Resorts World Sentosa)

2 Michelin stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour
Restaurant Andre (Bukit Pasoh Road)
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Resorts World Sentosa)
Les Amis (Shaw Centre)
Odette (National Gallery Singapore)
Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro (Mandarin Orchard Singapore)
Shoukouwa (One Fullerton)

1 Michelin star: A very good restaurant in its category
Alma by Juan Amador (Goodwood Park Hotel)
The Kitchen at Bacchanalia (Hong Kong Street)
Beni (Mandarin Gallery)
Candlenut (New Bridge Road)
Corner House (Botanic Gardens)
Crystal Jade Golden Palace (Paragon Shopping Centre)
CUT (Marina Bay Sands)
Forest (Resorts World Sentosa)
Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodles (Crawford Lane)
Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle (Chinatown Food Complex)
JAAN (Swissotel the Stamford)
Lei Garden (CHIJMES)
OSIA (Resorts World Sentosa)
Putien Restaurant (Kitchener Road)
Rhubarb Le Restaurant (Duxton Hill)
Shinji by Kanesaka (Raffles Hotel)
Shinji by Kanesaka (St Regis Hotel)
Summer Pavilion (Ritz-Carlton, The Millenia Singapore)
Sushi Ichi (Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel)
Terra Tokyo-Italian (Tras Street)
The Song of India (Scotts Road)
Waku Ghin (Marina Bay Sands)

Bib Gourmand
The Bib Gourmand – named after Bibendum, the friendly Michelin Man and the official company mascot for the Michelin Group – is a just-as-esteemed rating that recognises friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices

The 34 eateries from Singapore awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand 2016 (Read: Singapore Michelin Bib Gourmand Guide 2016 – 34 Eateries That Make The Cut)

Hawker Stalls (Read: 17 Michelin Bib Gourmand Hawker Stalls from Singapore)

1. Claypot Laksa – Alexandra Village Food Centre
2. A Noodle Story – Amoy Street Food Centre
3. Famous Crispy Curry Puff – Amoy Street Food Centre
4. Hong Kee Beef Noodle – Amoy Street Food Centre
5. Hoo Kee Rice Dumpling – Amoy Street Food Centre
6. The Fishball Story – Golden Mile Food Centre (Note: The Stall has moved to Timbre+ Ayer Rajah Crescent)
7. Wedang (Indonesian food and satay) – Golden Mile Food Centre (Note: Has moved to Aljunied Ave 2 Blk 117)
8. Famous Sungei Road Trishaw (laksa) – Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
9. Na Na Curry – 115 Bukit Merah View Market & Food Centre
10. Chey Sua Carrot Cake – 127 Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre
11. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice – Maxwell Food Centre
12. Shi Hui Yuan (noodle with chicken and duck) – Mei Ling Market & Food Centre
13. Alliance Seafood – Newton Food Centre
14. Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice – Tiong Bahru Market
15. Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee – Tiong Bahru Market
16. Balestier Road Hoover Rojak – Whampoa Market Place
17. Liang Zhao Ji (soy duck) – Whampoa Market Place

Other Street Food Establishments
1. Bismallah Biryani – Dunlop Road
2. JB Ah Meng Kitchen (Cantonese) – Geylang Road
3. Sin Huat Eating House (crab rice noodle) – Geylang Road

The post Singapore Michelin Guide 2016 – The 3 Stars, 2 Stars and 1 Star Restaurants! appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

There was once I asked a café owner what the specialties were. The reply (very confidently): Eggs ben, pancakes, waffles and good coffee. I paused, not quite sure how to react.

The good thing about the August openings are, these new cafes are playing up their game.

There is DW Workshop which has the most welcoming space with a design studio, Birds of Paradise with special gelato flavours (read on to find out more), and… 4 NEW cafes at the Katong and East Coast stretch, each with its own character.

10 New Cafes In Singapore August 2016

DW Workshop
41 Rochester Drive Singapore 138582 (opp Star Vista taxi stand, next to Pies & Coffee)
Tel: +65 6659 0879
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 11pm (Mon – Fri), 9:30am till Late (Sat, Sun, PH)

DW Workshop lists 6 reasons why they are not your average hangout. That includes traditional bistro in modern style in a heritage black and white colonial house, home-style hangout, chef-inspired food goodness, best-in-class coffee, lifestyle workshops by designers and curated events.

Started by DW Communication which is a Singapore based design agency, you would find that the space is a gorgeous, well designed one (#OOTD, #Cafehoppingsg alert) – it feels like a comfortable home.

Healthy rice bowls are offered during weekdays, while brunch and communal dining items are for the weekends. Do not miss the Signature Potato Rosti and Crab Salad Croissant.

Patissez Singapore
118 Holland Avenue #01-06, Singapore 278997
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm (Mon-Wed), 10am – 10pm (Thu-Fri), 9am – 10pm (Sat-Sun)

Café Patissez in Manuka, Canberra first gained internet stardom with their milkshakes piled with cakes, cookies, Nutella and whipped cream. The café famous for the OTT Milkshakes or Freakshakes has opened an overseas outlet in Singapore.

The milkshake we had was smooth, slightly creamy and not as jelak (rich). The minty flavour was distinct, yet not overpowering whereas sweetness level was on point.

However, considering the amount of toppings, perhaps $16 was a tad steep.

And are they about a year too late to open in Singapore?

Ajoomma
36 Lorong Mambong (Holland Village, Opposite Wala Wala), Singapore 277693
Tel: +65 6816 2996

More at Holland Village. Craving for something cold on a hot day? Ajoomma has opened their doors selling Korean Bingsu, Waffles and Toast.

The Mango Bingsu ($18.90) boosted fine shaved milk, and was soft and fluffy. However, some of the mango cubes were sour though.

Tok Panjang Peranakan Cafe
392 East Coast Road Singapore 428992
Tel: +65 9663 3392
Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Tok Panjang Peranakan Café has just opened at 392 East Coast Road, though the family behind it is not unfamiliar to Peranakan food. This is opened by the House Of Peranakan Group of restaurants, with this fourth branch taking a more casual, café approach.

What you get are dishes such as Assam Laksa ($8.90), Nonya Mee Siam ($7.90), Nonya Mee ($8), Bibik’s Fried Bee Hoon ($7.90), Nasi Lemak ($10.90), light bites such as Satay ($8 for 10), Kueh Pie Tee ($6.50 for 4), Ngoh Hiang ($5.50) desserts and coffee.

Stamping Ground Coffee
87 Upper East Coast Road, Singapore 455223
Tel: +65 9070 7610
Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm (Mon, Wed – Sun), Closed Tues

Stamping Ground Coffee previously located on Club Street has moved to 87 Upper East Coast Road. The café shares the space with Dawn Q (florist) and East Mezzanine (venue space).

The revamped café also has an expanded food menu, with offerings such as Bacon Jam Brioche ($13.50), Tuna Croissant ($13.50), Beef Pastrami Sandwich ($15) and Mushroom Toast ($14.00).

Birds Of Paradise
63 East Coast Road #01-05 (Opposite Katong I12 and Roxy Square) Singapore 428776
Tel: +65 9678 6092
Opening Hours: 4:30pm – 10pm (Tues – Fri), 12pm – 10pm (Sat- Sun)

You would be forgiven if you have thought this café is at Jurong Bird Park. No.

Birds of Paradise is so named because the shop creates gelato inspired by the botanical flavours of nature. That means fruits, flowers, pods, herbs, and spices.

Flavours include Basil, Lychee Raspberry, Spiced Pear, Mint Cacao, Strawberry Basil, Pandan and White Chrysanthemum.

Gastrosmith
i12 Katong, 112 East Coast Road #03-06, Singapore 428802
Opening Hours: 10am – 9:30pm (Tues – Sun)

Welcome back Gastrosmith. They moved away from their previous Beach Road location to the current space within HomesToLife at i12 Katong (the mall looks emmm… empty though).

The menu retains some of the previous favourites. Small Plates recommendations include Mushroom “Escargots” ($6.50), Not-So-Humble Eggs ($7), Gastrosmith Tori Kaarage ($8); and Big Plates include Gastrosmith Chicken Roast ($18), Pork Chops ($18) and Roasted Alaskan Black Cod ($24).

Grounded By CMCR
22 Martin Road Level 2, Singapore 239058
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 6:00pm (Mon – Sun)

If you find Common Man Coffee Roasters too crowded, the tip is to move upstairs (Yeah, I know I am writing some of my coffee-peace away too.)

Grounded is located next to a Yoga Movement Studio, and thus food is skewed towards the more healthy and balanced.

So you literally get stuff such as a (no-patty) Balance Burger ($17) with folded organic eggs, kale, spring onions, streaky bacon (bacon?) with sriracha mayonnaise; GF Redemption Bowl ($17) of roasted veggies with poached eggs; and Matcha Pancakes ($16).

VXX Cooperative
20 Foch Road Singapore 209261
Opening Hours: 11am – 6pm

Taking over 20F Specialty Coffeehouse at Foch Road, VXX Cooperative offers brews from Nylon Coffee, Koppi, Tim Wendelbow and Cloud Catcher.

Café Muji
Raffles City #02-20/22, 252 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179103
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm

This is Café Muji’s 2nd café and 10th store in Singapore. The 70-seater serves up similar items to the Paragon store, such as Japanese Deli rice sets (aka Japanese style chap chye peng), desserts and drinks.

Food items exclusive to this store include a Chicken Nanban Donburi ($14.90) with chicken nanban in tartar sauce, topped with avocado, mesclun salad on ten-grain rice; Soy-sansho French Fries; and Matcha and Yuzu Swiss Rolls.

* Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary and Nicholas Tan @stormscape.

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Friends typically ask me how many new restaurants open per month, since I typically have to comb the island for this monthly guide. My estimate can be 1-3 PER DAY. You literally get one new restaurant or cafe opening up in Singapore every single day.

Competition IS TOUGH. New concepts and brands excite me.

Even if it is a mass market brand, I will check its menu to see if they are re-inventing themselves, while still maintaining consistency in their signature favourites.

I am personally happy and proud to see home-grown brands get bigger – you will see a number listed here. Wok Master is one of them. Haven’t heard of them before? Time to give it a try.

10 New & Hot Restaurants Singapore August 2016 (The cafe list is here: 10 New Cafes In Singapore August 2016)

Japan Food Town
435 Orchard Rd, #04-39/54 Wisma Atria Shopping Centre, Singapore 238877
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Daily

Japanese food lovin’ Singaporeans will find more reasons to get really excited, especially with the launch of Japan Food Town at Wisma Atria Orchard.

This is a 20,075 square feet food hall on the 4th level of Isetan Singapore (next to Food Republic), which will offer authentic Japanese cuisine at affordable prices.

Wok Master
City Square Mall #02-51, 180 Kitchener Road Singapore 208539
Tel: +65 6835 9096
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm

Opened by the team behind Coffee Hive Singapore, Wok Master serves up familiar local zhi char favourites, many presented in claypots.

The place to bring daddies and mummies, for affordable, actually delicious comfort fare.

There are favourites such as Salted Egg Pork Ribs, Boxing Chicken, Braised Superior Chicken, Sambal Kang Kong to more east-west dishes such as Baked Miso Cod Fish with Champagne.

PizzaExpress Singapore
Scotts Square B1 08-09 Scotts Road Singapore 228209 (Orchard MRT)
Tel: +65 6538 0083
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:00am
https://www.facebook.com/PizzaExpressSG

With over 50 years of history and more than 500 restaurants across the United Kingdom, Europe, Hong Kong, India and the Middle East, this is PizzaExpress’s first foray to Singapore.

PizzaExpress specialises in handmade pizza, founded by Peter Boizot who opened its first restaurant in London’s Wardour Street after being inspired by a trip to Italy.

The recommended pizza is the Calabrese ($26), rectangular in shape, containing toppings of Calabria-style sausage, spicy Italian sausage, fresh mozzarella, jalapeno peppers, roasted peppers and red chillis.

Two things I liked about this pizza, amongst others: That it is robustly spicy, and delightfully thin crusted. PizzaExpress (Scotts Road)

Paradise Teochew Restaurant
6 Scotts Road, #03-04/05/06/07, Scotts Square, Singapore 228209
Tel: +65 6538 0644
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 3pm last order 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm last order 10pm (Mon to Fri), 10.30am – 3.30pm last order 3.00pm, 6pm – 10.30pm last order 10pm (Sat, Sun and PH)

Paradise Teochew Restaurant’s 2nd outlet (The first is at Amber Road.) The Executive Chef Cheng Fa Kwan is from Hong Kong, and has 34 years of culinary experience under his belt.

There is a good mix of both popular dim sum items such as Steamed Pork Dumpling “Siew Mai” ($5.80), Prawn Dumpling “Ha Kau” ($5.80), Pan-fried Radish Cake ($4.80) and Steamed Spare Ribs with Yam Strips ($5.80); and Teochew Dishes such as Teochew Style Steamed Pomfret, Sautéed Sliced Beef in Satay Sauce ($22.00) and dessert of Steamed Sweetened Yam, Sweet Potato and Gingko ($8.00).

Kohaku Tempura
Eat At 7, 3 Temasek Boulevard #03-311 Suntec City Mall Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6333 4386
Opening hours : 11am – 10.30pm (Last Order 10pm)

Kohaku, the newest entrant at Eat at Seven Suntec City, I boldly predict, is likely to give Tendon Ginza Itsuki a run for its money.

The eatery specialises in Edomae Tendon, where bowls of Hokkaido rice piled with tempura drizzled in a specially made sauce are served. So, so good.

The options are straight forward – the signature Kohaku Tendon ($15), Vegetable Tendon ($14), Spicy Flavour ($15) and Vegetable Spicy Flavour ($14).

A set comes essentially with an additional bowl of udon, costs $4.50 more. Kohaku Tendon (Suntec City)

A Poké Theory
27 Boon Tat Street, Singapore 069623
Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm (Mon-Fri), 9am – 3m (Sat), Closed Sun
https://www.facebook.com/apoketheory/

The Hawaiian styled staple consists of the freshest cut of the fish, topped with ingredients that bring out the best flavour. Think chirashi don in a healthier way.

Unlike Aloha Poké with both Signature and Customised Poké bowls, A Poké Theory’s is fully customised according to our preferences.

A regular bowl (100g) of tuna will cost $11.50 and salmon at $12.50, whereas a large bowl (150g) of tuna will cost $15 and salmon at $16.50. A Poke Theory (Boon Tat Street)

Soi Thai Kitchen
58 Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555954
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3:00pm, 6pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Probably one of the newest Thai restaurants in Singapore, in the foodie land of Serangoon Garden (opp Chomp Chomp).
Prices are pretty affordable here, plus no service charge or GST.

The rice and noodle dishes are mainly $6 or $10, so you can eat your fill of Pad Thai, Thai Style Vermicelli, Drunken Noodle, Olive Fried Rice and Thai Kway Tiao Soup.

Seafood dishes, vegetable, appetizers, salads, desserts also available, making Soi Thai suitable for the family to come.

Idaten Udon
Changi City Point #B1-12/13, 5 Changi Business Park Central 1 Singapore 486038 (Expo MRT)
Tel: +65 6636 1736
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm

Idaten is a NEW Udon restaurant where you can mix and match smooth udon, sides and tempura.

Customising your own udon bowl is fun, and I noted they have Original, Matcha and Japanese Pepper Togarashi flavoured Udon.

If you like the more ‘original’ taste, go for their specialty Kamatama Udon which comes with a half-boiled egg. Complete the Udon Meal with a choice of tempura for below $12.

My recommendation would be the Spicy Miso Pork Udon ($9.20) which has a kimchi soybean broth, and Seafood Udon ($10.80) generously added with tiger prawn, scallop, crabstick, and oyster mushroom.

Lian Peng Bak Kut Teh
Changi City Point #01-28, 5 Changi Business Park Central 1 Singapore 486038 (Expo MRT)
Tel: +65 6538 4366
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm

Lian Peng Bak Kut Teh serves up clear, peppery Teochew-style Bak Kut Teh, as well as other popular Teochew dishes and sides such as Braised Duck, Braised Pig Trotter, Hae Bee Hiam, Salted Vegetable, and Beancurd.

You would realise that several items taste like what is served in a Teochew restaurant. That is because Head Chef Tan boosts of more than three decades of culinary experience in Teochew cuisine.

Now you can enjoy 30% off the dinner set (good excuse to order more food!)

Other than the Bak Kut Teh and Braised Pig’s Trotter, my personal recommendation is the Hae Bee Hiam which should spice up your bowl of rice and dinner.

Doodles
Tiong Bahru Plaza, 302 Tiong Bahru Rd, B1-111, Singapore 168732 (Tiong Bahru MRT)
Tel: +65 6702 4311
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Not a restaurant, but I thought it would be interesting for you to know. You may have heard of “Bai Wei Noodles” from Hong Kong, which literally means “hundred of tastes”, a concept where cold noodles are mixed with a myriad of chosen ingredients, shaken in a bag.

Singapore’s Doodles, opened at the basement of the revamped Tiong Bahru, seems to have taken a cue or two from it.

Choose from options of protein and vegetable to include in a packet of noodles, and shake! The most basic Herbivore packet of noodle with 2 veg is at $4, the On-Nom-Nomnivore with 2 veg and 2 protein is at $6. Doodles (Tiong Bahru Plaza)

* Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary and Nicholas Tan @stormscape.

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