New Restaurants, Cafes and Bars in Singapore: March 2017

This long-anticipated opening is THE place to go to for stellar woodfired sourdough bread (check out their custom-made lava stone oven) and hearty dishes to accompany them. Start with the Firebake Bread Board ($10), which showcases the best of chef-owner Konstantino Blokbergen's made-from-scratch creations — rye, wholemeal, white and fruit — served with salted butter and olive oil on the side. Beef that up with lip-smacking plates like the super Smoked Eggplant ($15) and, what seems to be a house favourite, Norwegian Blue Mussels ($25). Slurp that all on their own, or mop it up with more bread. If you're dropping by before sunset on a lazy Sunday (as you should), dine alfresco and dive into the decadent 4-Spice Chicken Liver Paté ($12) as you soak in the relaxed vibes and warm hospitality. The restaurant is currently open for dinner, but plans for all-day dining in April are underway. Stay tuned.
Avg price: $40 per person
Photo by Burppler Veronica Phua

What started out as a nine-seater ramen shop in Nagoya back in 2010 is now a successful ramen chain in Japan and Indonesia. The first Singapore outpost of Menya Sakura is located along buzzy Boat Quay, offering extremely affordable lunches and bar bites (otsumami) with drinks at night. Prices start from just $9.90 for a bowl of ramen — great for enticing your colleagues to make the trip down with you. Swing by and order our favourite Tonkotsu ($10.90) that features a creamy and flavourful pork broth that's been simmered for 12 hours. The thin noodles, nori, wood ear mushroom strips, flavoured egg (ajitama) and four slices of fatty, melt-in-your-mouth cha shu ensures that you'll get the most bang for your buck! Also worth trying is the Spicy Abura Soba ($10.90) that features thick, chewy noodles tossed in a special blend of soy sauces and a scoop of ramen chilli. Its spice is mild, so add a little chilli oil should you want a bigger punch. Pro tip: From now till the end of March, quote "WAttention" when you order any ramen for a complimentary side of gyozas!
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler Muriel A

To cool down on hot days, head to Leng Leng Ice Cream for old-school ice cream treats. The menu is simple but full of retro flair, and we love their in-your-face Singaporean branding. Ice cream, mostly in local flavours like Thai milk tea and coconut, starts from $3.20 a scoop. Choose to have it sandwiched in a slice of Rainbow Bread for free, in a Cone ($0.80), or on top of either the Pandan Waffle ($1.50) or Sugee Waffle ($3.50). The latter is quite dense and cakey, and bears a hint of almond. We like that familiar childhood toppings like gem biscuits and peanut candy are complimentary. Alternatively, quench your thirst with Milkshakes (from $6.80 each), a Root Beer Float (from $4.20) or a chocolaty Milo Godzilla (from $4.20 with a scoop of ice cream).
Avg price: $5 per person
Photo by Burppler Leigh Khoo

At this sleek Korean seafood joint on Amoy Street, you'll be served staggering seafood towers filled with ingredients like scallops, Boston lobsters and even Sri Lankan crab — all stacked on top of a soup broth of your choice (seafood, kimchi, ginseng or army stew (additional $10)). Each table bears its own in-built induction plate which heats the tower and keeps it steaming, allowing the natural flavours of the seafood to flow back down into the broth. Prices start from $58 for a Three-Tier Tower that is good for two to three to share, and go upward to $298 for a feast that would feed a group of eight to 10. We like how the restaurant thoughtfully includes dustbins built into the table for discarding your empty shells. Apart from their signature towers, they also serve Korean dishes like the incredibly flavourful Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup ($17.90) and a fun Shake Shake Rice Box ($9.90) that you have to rattle vigourously to mix all the ingredients!
Avg Price: $30 per person
Photo by Burppler Hilary See

This stand-alone stall within Rivervale Plaza is hard to find, but well worth the hunt. Located across the cashier section of NTUC, Boat Noodle Express dishes out hearty portions of Thai noodles. The menu is simple — choose to either have pork or beef, and in tom yum broth, soup or dry (from $4.80). From there, select your noodles (glass noodle, bee hoon, kway teow and tang hoon) before indicating to the staff if you would like to have additional chilli flakes. Spice lovers will have a field day with the crowd favourite Pork Tom Yam Noodles ($5.50) — the spicy version doesn't hold back and packs a punch! While the other sides like Thai Fish Cakes ($3.50 for two pieces) didn't impress as much, a generous portion of Pork Lard ($2.80) is worth splurging on. Wash it all down with a cup of refreshing Signature Thai Ice Milk Tea ($2.50).
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Xing Wei Chua

This cozy joint in the heart of Toa Payoh serves charcoal frozen yoghurt that is set to give other yoghurt chains a run for their money. Made with natural black charcoal powder, the "incredibly soft and velvety" yoghurt will create a "silky sensation that will send immense pleasure to your palate," says Burppler Ken Poon. For a satisfying midday snack, opt for the Pistachio ($6.90), one of the two signatures on the menu. The charcoal yoghurt comes drizzled generously with lusciously rich Pistachio sauce that you can't get elsewhere! Otherwise, customise your own by choosing from four sizes like the Mini Me ($2.90), which comes with one topping, to the Popular ($5.90), which comes with two toppings and one sauce. What makes this joint stand out from the rest is their unusual selection of toppings and sauces. These include toppings like sliced watermelons, nata de coco and our favourite brownie brittle, and more unusual sauces like choco wafer and croco milk. The latter is a combination of chocolate sauce and biscuit balls. Black Mamba also dishes out Lava Cakes ($7.90) available in both chocolate and matcha flavours.
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Raine Liu

This diner-style space on the ground floor of Hotel G is where you should head to on your next "treat yo self" day. Swing by with your friends during lunch on weekdays (11-3pm) to take advantage of their Lunch Special ($18). This gets you a complete meal comprising of a signature burger (regular price $14), French fries (regular price $5) and half a pint of beer (regular price $12) or a soda (regular price $5). There are five signature burgers to choose from, of which we liked the Number One and the Number Three best. Both come with a juicy, well-seasoned patty of ground sirloin, cooked to your preferred doneness. Number One comes stuffed with caramelised onions, blue cheese, bacon, arugula and with Thousand Island sauce, while Number Three comes with Mezzo Secco Jack cheese topped with green chilli, chipotle and avocado. For burger enthusiasts, go crazy customising your burger with an extensive selection of ingredients including 12 types of cheeses!
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Shawn Loh

Wine and Chef's main draw is that they serve wines by the glass at super reasonable prices (from $6). Pair that with some equally affordable mains and you've got yourself a happy meal. Located across the street from Foong Kee Coffee Shop on Keong Saik Road, Wine and Chef sees floor-to-ceiling walls stocked with wine bottles, making the space dark and tight, but cozy. Service is friendly and prices are reasonable — great for a relaxed, affordable date. Start your meal with the Homemade Focaccia Bread ($3) that Burppler Jayson Yeo recommends dipping into the Egg Confit with Mushrooms ($5). For mains, order the Steamed Black Mussels ($18) cooked with a generous amount of coriander, chilli and a splash of Chinese wine. Feel free to add on pasta (additional $3) should you want a more filling meal. Big eaters will love the humongous portion of Curry Pork Knuckle ($20). Served with achar on the side, the hearty, tender pork is deboned and cut into smaller, bite-sized pieces that can easily feed a group of four! Pro tip: Visit on Mondays to have the Steamed Black Mussels ($18) at half price!
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Jayson Yeo

Local celebrity chef Violet Oon's latest venture features char-grilled satays and meats alongside her celebrated Peranakan classics. Decked out in dark woods and intricate tiles, the space is reminiscent of her other restaurant National Kitchen at National Gallery, and equally chic. This is where we'll bring foreign friends for modern Nonya food with flair, and then take them for drinks around the quay after! Start with the satay — both the Chicken Satay ($14) and Pork Satay Hainan ($16) boast meaty skewers with loads of flavour, and a killer chunky peanut sauce. Also from the grill, the Garam Assam Barramundi with Pineapple and Ginger Flower ($32) is punchy and tender, albeit pricey for its portion. Fill up on the comforting Chap Chye (braised vegetables, $15) and famed Dry Laksa ($22), which is redolent with aromatic dried shrimps (hae bee). We'd skip the Buah Keluak Otak ($16), unless you're a big fan of the nut's smoky, slightly sandy personality. Save space for the stellar Chendol with Durian Pengat Sauce ($15). It comes topped with fragrant durian pengat AND durian pureé, and we're told the shaved ice is made from gula Melaka syrup, so it's consistently flavoured. Pro tip: The restaurant fills up fast so make reservations early.
Avg Price: $35 per person
Photo by Burppler Shawn Loh

Taking over the now defunct Azzura Gelato Bar in Katong V is this casual spot by Group Therapy that serves handmade pastas and pizzas. Strong Flour may be tucked away in a sleepy corner of the mall (it's near the entrance leading to the carpark), but the scent of freshly baked dough is what draws the crowds. Seats are aplenty, portions are hearty and flavours are spot on, which makes this the perfect place for big group gatherings. Order the Truffle Pizza ($22) and the Prawn & Salami Aglio Olio ($18) to share. The pizza dough is freshly rolled upon order and baked thin crusted, so be sure to order this first. Burppler Hwans Lim likes how the Prawn & Salami Aglio Olio ($18) comes with "springy squid ink spaghetti and juicy fresh prawns". Add a dash of chilli flakes for just the right amount of heat in your pasta!
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler Hwans Lim

Located on Peck Seah Street, this 12th concept by chef Keisuke Takeda only has two items on the menu: the Keisuke Prime Beef Hamburg Set ($18.80) and the Triple Cheese Prime Beef Hamburg Set ($20.80). Both are made with minced prime US beef shoulder. In the Triple Cheese Prime Beef Hamburg Set, the juicy 180g patty is stuffed with a trio of cheeses (cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan), resulting in an unbelievably oozy, molten cheese centre. Apart from the steak, the set also comes with strips of fried beancurd, tofu, fried shrimp and a choice of sauce on the side. Of the four sauces (demi-glace, ponzu, teriyaki and Keisuke original sweet and spicy sauce), we liked the latter the most — slightly spicy with just the right amount of tang. Be sure to help yourself to the spread of complimentary Japanese side dishes too! There are 20 items on rotation, including a DIY salad bar, pre-marinated sides like the cha soba salad as well as a live egg station where you can have eggs scrambled, sunny side-up or tamagoyaki style. Pro tip: Teppanyaki Hamburg Nihonbashi Keisuke Bettei is slated to open this coming Monday (13 March) — now you know where to go to chase your Monday blues away!
Avg Price: $25 per person
Photo by Burppler Hilary See

This part retail, part cafe space diagonally opposite Kream Beer along Duxton Road offers a good cup of joe and light bites. The vibes are casual and relaxed, with ample seating space for getting work done (WiFi and power points available). Opt to sit at the window counter seat if you prefer more privacy, or at the sofa if you're catching up with friends over a Pourover ($6.50). Otherwise, pop by to grab a Latte ($6) on the way to work — they start operations at 8am. All coffees are brewed using Four Barrel Coffee beans imported from San Francisco. Those feeling peckish can fill their tummy with the open-faced Artisanal Toast (from $6.50). Of the flavours (avocado, Nutella, cinnamon, lemon and apple), we liked the Lemon ($6.50) very much. Made upon order, a generous layer of cream cheese is slathered on top of a thick piece of sourdough, and topped off with a layer of tangy lemon curd. Pro tip: Those working in the area can look forward to heartier sandwiches that will be introduced next month.
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Dex Neo