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GASMF D

Singapore isn’t called a food city for nothing. The Finder

serves up something for every palate with these hot picks.

S F 0 4 1 6 _ p 2 3 - 2 3 2 0 1 6 - 0 3 - 2 8 T 2 1 : 0 6 : 5 5 + 0 8 : 0 0as seen in The Finder April 2016

©2016 SPHM Pte Ltd. Reproduced with permission.

24 April 2016 TheFinder.com.sg

COVER STORY

WESTERN-ISHIt may not be exactly how they make it in Europe or

Down Under – but that's a good thing, right?

LuxeStart with freshly shucked oysters ($36 for 6) before moving on to the Luxe Burger ($28), which is dressed up with a spicy sauce. For a sweet fi nish, end with Pandan Madeleines with Coconut Jam ($8 for 2). (1 Keong Saik Rd,

#01-04, www.luxesydney.sg)

WhitegrassThere are two sets: a fi ve-course menu ($170) and an eight-course one ($265) The fi ve-course menu is a winner thanks to the Mangalica pork. The pork cubes have thin streaks of fat and sit in a warm and sweet seaweed and pork broth, with slivers of

abalone, fermented cabbage, turnip and fi ddlehead fern. (30 Victoria St, #01-26/27,

6837 0402, www.whitegrass.com.sg)

OSO RistoranteIt’s all about classic Italian fl avours at this artistic Bukit Pasoh space. Top picks include the Granchio ($21) – crab meat that’s conveniently deshelled and decked in a veggie dressing tartar – and the worth-the-calories Crostata ($14). This dark chocolate tart comes with a scoop of milk ice cream and oozes molten chocolate once the crust is broken. Delish! Show this article to enjoy 10 percent off a la carte menu items. (46 Bukit Pasoh Rd, 6327 8378, http://oso.sg)

Cheek By JowlChef Rishi Naleendra mixes modern Australian cuisine with elements from

various cultures to create a la carte offerings like the Confi t Duck Leg, with cucumber waffl es ($30) plus intriguing desserts like the nutty and refreshing Coconut, Laksa Leaf Ice Cream, which is coated with pomelo and a punchy, jam-like green chilli sauce. There's also a two-course lunch menu for $30 that's just as rad. (21 Boon Tat St, 6221 1911, www.cheekbyjowl.com.sg)

VineyardNestled in verdant Hort Park, this French-Italian restaurant revamps its menu this month. Expect up to 15 new dishes such as delicate Orange Miso Cod in Collagen Broth-marinated Capelli d'angelo, creamy Foie Gras, Vineyard Salmon

Tatare and White Balsamic Baked Brie. (33

Hyderabad Rd, 6479 7977, www.vineyardhortpark.com.sg)

Don QuijoteWhat’s good here: the fl avourful Paella Especial Don Quijote ($53 and up) fi lled to the brim with fresh seafood and the Cochinillo Asado ($169 and up) – roasted suckling pig that is moist and tender. Pair your meal with a selection of bold Spanish wines. (Block 7, Dempsey Rd, www.

don-quijote-restaurants.com)

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DUDE FOODMeatliquorIt’s burgers gone wild at this neon-lit London import. Chow down on a Dead Hippie ($22) – two juicy mustard-fried patties with pickles, cheese and a special sauce – and the Shambal Fries ($12) with lashings of sambal sauce, topped with a fried egg and crispy onions. (99 Duxton Rd, 6221

5343, http://meatliquor.com/singapore)

MeatSmithThis cosy smokehouse is all about meat, booze and Southern pride. Go for the Premium BBQ Platter ($270), which has Cowboy T-Bone steaks, beef ribs, smoked chicken, pork ribs, bone marrow and a choice of three sides. (167/169 Telok

Ayer St, www.meatsmith.com.sg)

Sandbank Bistro & BarSip icy cold brewskis, watch live sports matches on six TV screens and chow down on fall-off-the-bone BBQ Baby Back Ribs ($26). There's even a 15-metre plunge pool. Score! Just bring your swimmers (there's a changing room) and a towel to dry off. (920 East Coast

Pkwy, 6247 7988, www.sandbank.com.sg)

Yes, we're stereotyping: Men like meat. Women, too!

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Meatliquor

Luxe

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TheFinder.com.sg April 2016 25

A TASTE OF ASIA

TburuWarning: This restaurant on Level 5 of Orchard Gateway isn’t necessarily easy to fi nd. In fact, it’s accessible only by a lift from inside Crate & Barrel. But the food and tranquil ambience are so worth the search. Stunners include the delicate Kanpachi Carpaccio ($22) seasoned with truffl ed oil and the succulent Iberico Pork jaw ($18) that's served fresh off the charcoal grill. Want to be surprised by the chef? Try the omakase sets ($100 and up). (218 Orchard Rd, 6221 0004, www.facebook.com/Tburu)

Chikuwa TeiThe menu brings out the best of Japanese cuisine with handmade sushi, traditional simmered broths and more. Try the Chirashi Don ($25), which has chunky slices of sashimi and generous portions of salmon roe. And don't miss out on the Wagyu Miyazaki ($38) – 130 grams of seared premium wagyu beef from the Miyazaki prefecture, complete with enoki mushrooms and fried garlic chips. (9 Mohamed Sultan Rd, www.chikuwatei.com.sg)

MitzoThe dishes are made to share, so go ahead and order anything on the menu that sounds tempting. Don’t miss out on the Black Truffl e Crispy Roast Duck ($38) – tender meat, crackling skin with a truffl e-fl ecked gravy. (270 Orchard Rd, 6603 8855, http://

mitzo.sg)

BinchoBy day, the popular Hua Bee mee pok stall shares the space. By night, it morphs into a super-chic yakitori joint. The main star of the restaurant: Tori (chicken). We're nuts for the Tsukune-don – a hearty chicken meatball with a raw egg yolk (dishes start at $25). Drink the night away with Bincho's fab selection of sakes, shochu, wines and playful cocktails, a.k.a Japeritifs. (78 Moh Guan Ter, 6438 4567, www.

bincho.com.sg)

Long ChimThai street food takes centre stage at Brit chef David Thompson’s brainchild. The dishes here are suitable for work lunches or for after-work indulgence. Must tries: Dried Prawns Ginger Toasted Coconut ($14), Green Curry of Chicken ($24) and the Banana Roti ($12). There’s also a new Weekend Brunch menu out in April ($60). (Atrium 2, L2-02, The Shoppes

at Marina Bay Sands, 6688 7299, www.longchim.com.sg)

LagnaaBoth North and South Indian curries are cooked in 10 spice levels – 1 for mild and 10 if you’d like to set your tongue and belly on fi re. Leave a written review on Lagnaa’s walls afterwards – loads of other satisfi ed vandals have done so. (6 Upper Dickson Rd, 6296 1215,

www.lagnaa.com)

SahaTrendy yet comfy, Saha dishes out fragrant Chicken Briyanis, crunchy Jaipura Okra and a not-too-sweet Gulab Jamun Cheesecake. A la carte items range from $18 to $38; the degustation menu costs $98 for veggie options and $108 for non-vegetarians. (1 St. Andrew's Rd,

6223 7321, www.saha.sg)

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You can travel Southeast Asia without leaving Singapore, thanks to the collection of cuisines here.




COVER STORY

Blue LotusThe Chilli Pomelo Crab ($7.80/100 grams) mixes chopped herbs and spices like lemongrass and curry leaves with chilli oil to bring the heat. Fresh pomelo fruit sacs lend a refreashing twist. (31 Ocean Way, 6339 0880,

www.bluelotus.com.sg)

SG FLAVOUR

Majestic RestaurantThe pungent durian gets plenty of side eye, but Majestic’s Crispy King of Durian Ice Cream with Maple Syrup dessert ($10) is a frozen treat that's oh-so shiok (i.e., sheer pleasure). The juicy fl esh of a Mao Shan Wang durian is mixed with custard, coated in batter and deep-fried to crispy perfection before being slathered in sweet maple syrup. (31-37 Bukit Pasoh Rd, 6511

4718, www.restaurantmajestic.com)

Char Kway Teow at Zion Riverside Food Centre Word on the street: PM Lee Hsien Loong gets his char kway teow fi x here. The fl at rice and egg noodles are fried to smoky perfection, with blood cockles and lup cheong, Chinese sausage ($3.50 and up). (Stall 17, Zion Riverside Food Centre, 70 Zion Rd)

Roti Prata at Har Yassin Restaurant Eat this fried pancake ($1) plain, or order it with a variety of fi llings: cheese, eggs, onions, and/or mushrooms. Shred it into pieces for dipping into curry sauce, or pour the curry over it to “fl ood” it, called prata banjir. (48A Changi Rd)

Nasi Lemak at Nasi Lemak KukusOpt for the Nasi Lemak Ayam set ($4) or go a la carte and pair the fragrant coconut rice with any of the seven decadent dishes in store. Confused? Ask the helpful servers for pairing recommendations. (229 Selegie Rd)

Wild RocketWilin Low, founder of Modern Singaporean (Mod Sin) cuisine, reinterprets Singapore’s hottest street fl avours for the ultimate made-in-SG experience. Try the Laksa Pesto Linguini with King Prawn ($37) – sweet, spicy linguini with fresh king prawn. Can’t pick just one? Opt for the set lunch or dinner ($75), or the constantly evolving, eight-course omakase menu ($118). (10A Upper Wilkie Road;

6339 9448; www.wildrocket.com.sg)

Killiney KopitiamSkip the fancy macchiatos and kick it old-school at Killiney Kopitiam. This humble Hainanese franchise serves up rich, aromatic cups of kopi, brewed from Columbian Arabica beans ($1.40 and up). Fuel up with a plate of charcoal-grilled kaya toast ($1.10 per piece) – you’ll hear a satisfying crunch when you take a bite – or slurp the mee siam ($4.30) – thin vermicelli soaked in spicy, sour gravy (www.killiney-kopitiam.com for locations)

Rabbit StashThe multi-sensory spring menu comprises seven courses ($168 per person), many of which are served with small scoops of semi-savoury ice creams (think bacon, sambal). Spoiler alert: Chef Matthew Mok comes to your table to create dessert. The menu is available until June. (231 Outram Rd, 6595 1380,

www.therabbitstash.com.sg)

Violet Oon’s KitchenThe doyenne of Peranakan cuisine Violet Oon celebrates her culture and heritage with a variety of Peranakan dishes. Raved-about offerings include the Sambal Petai with Prawns ($18) – stinky green beans fried in a spicy dried prawn sambal sauce – and the aromatic Beef Rendang ($23). Pair them with one of three different sides of fragrant rice. (http://violetoon.

com for locations)

Noted with thanks: The Red Dot is a mouth-watering mashup of cultures. .


70 Zion Rd)

STREET EATS The Finder explains three of SG’s best local offerings.

Rabbit Stash

Majestic Restaurant

Killiney Kopitiam

Nasi Lemak

KukusHar Yassin

Zion Road

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COVER STORY

Digital Bonus!Get even more insider scoop on SG restaurants from the EATSingapore book team.

GOOD FOR GROUPS

Alt. PizzaYou won’t need a crazy night in Vegas to enjoy The Hangover ($17), chockfull of mozzarella, pepperoni, fennel sausage, roasted onions and Parmesan. Alternatively, go for the “Design-It-Yourself” option (Alt. Pizza says they have more than 650,000 combinations!) Want to win cool prizes like a pizza-making party for 10? Order an Alt. DIY pizza, think of a cool name and tag Alt. Pizza on IG to win. (www.

altpizza.com.sg for locations)

boCHINcheDispelling the notion that Argentinian cuisine isn’t just a big meat blowout, boCHINche dishes up exceptional meat-free plates like the grilled, juicy watermelon tossed with rich mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and crunchy sunfl ower seeds ($14). If meat’s a must, the Lomo fi llet ($60) and Chimichurri Steak Burger on a brioche bun with Provolone, mayo and a side of crisp chips won't disappoint ($29). (22 Martin Rd,

Lvl 2, www.bochinche.com.sg)

El Mero MeroAn innovative Mexican restaurant? In Singapore? It exists! Start the evening at El Mero Mero with botanas (small plates) like the golden brown, sugary Suckling Pig Bao($15 for 2) that’s fi lled with chunks of pork and topped with sharp pickled cabbage and cucumber, or the Wild Fish Ceviche ($20), which mixes tangy lime and passionfruit with fi ery habaneros. Better yet, opt for the six-course Tasting Menu that’s carefully curated by Chef Remy Lefebvre at $88 per person – and changes each month. (30 Victoria St, #01-20 Chijmes, 6337

1377, www.elmeromero.sg)

Kilo KitchenThe team takes its food inspiration from all over the globe, and is one of the hottest hangouts in Bugis. Its menu is regularly updated, so there's often something new to try. We heart the Wasabi Tuna Tartare with avocado, sesame seeds, onion sprouts, fl our chips ($22) and the Truffl ed Tai Yuzu Roll ($23), with plenty of crab meat, fresh snapper and tempura fl akes. Make a reservation for two or more at Kilo Kallang between 6-7 p.m., Mondays to Fridays and enjoy a 5-course sharing menu for $75. (http://kilokitchen.com for locations)

The Black SwanA 1920s Art Deco setting plus its drool-worthy menu and funky cocktails are just some of the reasons you’ll want to keep coming back to this Cecil Street establishment. Must-orders include the oyster selection (pick from four types: $36 and up for 6 pieces), Baked Bone Marrow Crostini ($18), the so-tender 18-hour sous vide Duck Leg Confi t ($36) and the decadent Dark Chocolate Dome ($16) – a sinful combination of Valrhona Guanaja, vanilla crème, seasonal berries. (19 Cecil St, 6438 3757,

www.theblackswan.com.sg for reservations)

Because yummy is meant to be shared.

Great Gift for Foodies“When having dinner at OSO, we can’t resist sneaking into the cheese room and checking out what they have – dangerous and delicious at the same time!!”

That’s just a taste of what EATSingapore publisher Karin van Vliet thinks about one of the restos within the new book ($65). Crave more? The lovingly curated book – the fi rst of its kind in Singapore – shares 11 other dining hotspots. The Finder readers get $15 off the book’s price for the month of April. Order online with code FINDER15. (http://eatsingapore.sg)

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COVER STORY

Alt Pizza

El Mero MeroKilo Kitchen

Win It!pg. 12



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