New Restaurants, Cafes & Bars in Singapore: August 2020

The Social Kitchen is a new cloud kitchen concept housed in the YMCA building at Dhoby Ghaut, gathering well-known F&B brands like Ming Fa, Foreword Coffee Roasters, Boufe, and Pin Si Kitchen under one roof to sell delivery and takeaway food. Besides helping out these businesses during the difficult COVID period, they also hire people from disadvantaged communities, including people with disabilities, single moms, low-income families. Burppler Gary Lim says The Mixed Ball Soup with La Mian ($12.90) has "firm noodles with a nice bite, which are an interesting combination compared to the usual mee kia or mee pok. The premium fish balls and signature pork balls are juicy and bouncy, and taste like they are made by hand!"

Photo by Burppler Gary Lim

There's a new minimalist confectionary from Denmark opening on the first floor of Isetan Scotts! Remember those Danish butter cookies in blue tins? The småkager we know and love are back in a selection of eight core flavours ($2.80 each), with flavours such as Raspberry with raspberry icing and jam, and the Lemon with white chocolate coating. Joining them are a small selection of small bakes. Burppler Gary Lim says "you won't go wrong with the Lemon & Sea Buckthorn Tart ($7) with its buttery shortcrust and citrus tang or Almond ($7) cake clad in blackcurrant curd ruby chocolate pearls."

Photo by Burppler Gary Lim

Mono Izakaya is the night time alter ego of Gather Misfits, which has a nice selection of bottled coffees and teas. An izakaya that specialises aged fish & meat dishes, you can expect good food paired with the not so usual cocktails. New dishes include the Bulgogi Duck Rice, available as both a donburi and as a sharing plate, as well as the dry-aged beef Mono Gyu Don. Don't forget their self-fermented drinks like Kvass, made with pipagao, monkfruit and Ya Kun toast. Yes, you read that right.

Photo by Mono Izakaya

Remember Laut, that cocktail bar along Stanley Street? NOA takes over the space in the daytime and even dishes up a similar food menu. Try the Fish Rendang Set, which comes with Nasi Ulam, Seasonal Vegetables, and Homemade Sambal Balachan, which Burppler Xing Wei thinks "came as a great package altogether." Burppler Evan Mua is also impressed by their coffee, made from Sumatra Musfaha beans. "It's not your typical boring balanced white. Body was robust, nutty, with hints of fruitiness."

Photo by Xing Wei Chua

Clubbing may be off the list, but Zouk is transforming its huge lounge space into a pop-up dining concept, Capital Kitchen. Look forward to a delish spread of Asian and Western dishes from its RedTail kitchen, as well as sakes, wines, and locally-inspired bottled cocktails. Familiar creations include the Battered Haddock Fish and Chips ($27), Aussie Ribeye Strips ($48), and Royal Broth Congee ($15)!

Photo by Zouk

From the group behind Bang Bang and Employee's Only comes Bar Milano, a new establishment along Keong Saik Road serving up rustic Italian fare at fair prices (~$20). Burppler Xing Wei Chua counts this as "a spot that would work well for dates to impress," with dishes such as the Shakshouka-style Baked Eggs ($14), Burrata & Honey Roasted Peaches ($28), and Pugliese ($18), a pizza with roasted broccolini, anchovy, and confit garlic cream.

Photo by Burppler Xing Wei Chua

Residents around Kovan can now rejoice with the launch of Wado Dining, a cosy heartland restaurant with large aspirations. The focus is on Modern European cuisine, with inspiration drawn from Asian cooking techniques. Burppler Yang Xunsheng, who ordered the 4-course meal ($38), likes the Grilled Striploin, which was "well-salted, chewy and easy to cut." He recommends "drizzling the truffle red wine sauce to add some sweetness to it."

Photo by Burppler Yang Xunsheng

That's right, the famed pizzeria Lucali from Brooklyn is here in Singapore in a partnership between pizza guy Mark Iacono and Gibran Baydoun of BYGB Hospitality. Expect a variety of pastas, salads, and calzone on the menu. And of course, the Original 18″ Pie ($55), a classic with just tomato sauce, cheese, and basil - perfect with a bottle of wine while admiring the Kallang river.

Photo by Lucali BYGB