What: Rule-breaking chef of the moment Jason Tan cooks up a storm with his second iteration of his Gastro-Botanica cuisine which parades the botanical elements of vegetables, tubers, herbs, spices, and fruits. Version 2.0 showcases botanical essences to create base sauces known as Gastro-Botanica Essences. Trust your instincts and the critics, as the results are awesome!
Where: 76 Tras Street, 079015
What: This new, high-end culinary casket on South Beach Avenue brings both freshness and dynamism to Singapore’s Japanese scene. Its light wood tones and eye-catching stone charcoal hearth provide a contemporary setting but make no mistake the food is rooted in the best Japanese traditions and the artistry and presentation is plain for all to see.
Where: 26 Beach Road, #B1-17 South Beach Avenue, 189768
What: Bringing its own brand of shiny sophistication to Dempsey Hill, Moonbow’s modern European cuisine with Asian influences looks just the ticket for smart locals in search of a little refinement. Best experienced at night when tall ceilings, muted tones and flattering lighting are seen to best effect, and Chef Heman Tan packs a delicate punch with the likes of fine de Claire oysters with yuzu gel, cucumber pearl and, for a bit of texture, yuzu granita. Brunch on the patio is an added treat.
Where: 10 Dempsey Rd, #01-21, 247700
What: Kotuwa's kaleidoscopic colours and lively vibe brings Sri Lanka’s history, culture, cuisine and pizzazz to the heart of Singapore. It’s casual and fun and packed with flavour. Think chicken curry or crispy pork belly with black pepper kithul alongside crispy fried calamari or stir-fried prawns with ginger and green chilli. Close your eyes, the Indian subcontinent just got a whole lot closer.
Where: 2 Dickson Rd, Wanderlust Hotel, 209494
What: Young chef Lewis Barker shakes the pans in the kitchen of this breezy new restaurant occupying a prime corner position of The Sail at Marina Boulevard. Light and bright is the theme, both in the surrounds and the Modern European dishes inflected with techniques from around the world. Try Brittany turbot with petit pois, wild garlic, noir de Bigorre (black pork) and vin jaune or Japanese red bream with eringi, ginger and foie gras. One to watch.
Where: The Sail at Marina Bay, 2 Marina Boulevard, #01-02, 018987
What: Fresh sushi served on a wooden ladder anyone? It might be a gimmick but here it works for the Instagram crowd who also give a ‘like’ to the prices and the familiar, user-friendly flavours that are the stock in trade of this informal Japanese restaurant, sushi and saké bar all rolled into one. Wash your sushi or nigiri down with a nice selection of saké.
Where: 38 Lorong Mambong, Holland Village, 277694