Where To Eat & Drink: Chin Mee Chin Reopens, A Sakura-Themed Pancake Place & More
Our round-up of great dining spots to check out, fab drinks and the latest in food news this week
By Michelle Lee SM -
Always on the hunt for new dining spots? We bring you sound bites on where to eat, including new restaurant and eatery openings, the best places for your after-work tipple, and what’s new in the food scene.
To know this week: Iconic bakery Chin Mee Chin Confectionery has reopened at East Coast Road, Argentinian restaurant Bochinche is now at Club Street, Gram Cafe & Pancakes has revamped its Vivocity outlet with dreamy sakura-inspired decor, and more.
After shuttering in 2018, Iconic Katong bakery has opened its doors again. This time, its third-generation Hainanese owner has teamed up with the Ebb & Flow Group to unveil a relaunched space that includes a new extension on the side of Chapel Road and can seat about 40 people.
Traditionalists can revisit classics like its charcoal-toasted buns ($2.20 for toast, $4.90 for toast set with eggs and kopi or teh) with handmade kaya, plain cupcakes ($1.60), luncheon meat buns ($2), and retro hae bee hiam buns ($2.20).
But there'll be an assortment of menu updates you can look forward to as well. Think coffee gula melaka chiffon cake ($2.20) with the deep flavours of Nanyang-style coffee, peanut butter and chocolate tart ($2.20), and a layered cheesecake brownie ($2.60) that brings to mind treats from old school neighbourhood bakeries.
Chin Mee Chin is at 204 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428903. Opens from Tuesday to Sunday, 8am to 4pm.
After five years at Amoy Street, Argentinian restaurant Bochinche has moved to Club Street. Its new 60-seater quarters boast a tribal-inspired aesthetic with marble finishings (inspired by the marbling of its steaks, we're told), with a stairwell that allows natural light in. There's also an open kitchen and grill where you can watch all the action.
The menu has been refreshed by head chef Fabrice Mergalet. Get started with the light and refreshing burrata ($29), accompanied by sweet and tangy fermented tomatoes, avocado mousse and edible orange cosmos. The empanadas are not to be missed, and we also enjoyed the Bomba Arroz Verde, spotlighting al dente grains in a satisfying seafood stock with Argentinian prawns, scallop tartare, and manchego cheese.
Obviously, the steaks are the stars here. Previously using only Argentinian beef, it now imports grass-fed beef from Australia, New Zealand, USA and Japan too. The in-house dry-aged Bone-In Vintage Galiciana Striploin from Australia boasts a deeper flavour, while the wet-aged ribeye offers a tender hunk of meat.
Get a glass of organic wine to accompany your meal, and dessert, like the decadent Espresso Martini Creme Brulee ($19), to round off your meal.
Bochinche is at 27 Club St, Singapore 069413.
Gram Cafe & Pancakes at Vivocity has a new sakura theme and Kit Kat creations
Gram Café & Pancakes, best known for its fluffy stacked souffle pancakes, has unveiled its newly revamped store at VivoCity.
Now decked with a whimsical sakura or cherry blossom theme, it has also debuted a series of Kit Kat items from Sept 18 that is exclusive to the VivoCity outlet for three months. If you have room for just one pancake, make it the Limited Edition Gram Premium Matcha Pancakes made with KitKat ($22.90), featuring three pancakes with a side of Kit Kat Chocolate Soft Serve and other toppings.
Also in the lineup are the Limited Edition Chocolate Premium Pancakes made with KitKat ($20.90), and Lotus Biscoff Premium Pancakes ($18.90). You can also sip on the new Kit Kat Frappes ($8.90), available in two versions, or sink your teeth into the Kit Kat Soft Serve ($3).
From Sep 18 to 26, get the Kit Kat Soft Serve at $1 (u.p.: $3) . Additionally, the first 50 dine-in with any purchase of ala carte pancakes. You can also get a limited edition Gram fluffy pancake cushion with any purchase of ala carte pancakes (limited to one cushion per table).
Gram Café & Pancakes is at 1 HarbourFront Walk, #02-110 VivoCity, Singapore 098585.
Tras Street has a new Japanese restaurant, helmed by Chef Kazuhiro Hamamoto previously from celebrated restaurant Ki-Sho. Characterised by dark minimalist interiors and gentle curves, the 10-seater Sushi Kappo (Kappo refers to a multi-course meal that is left entirely up to the chef) restaurant exudes an intimate vibe.
For lunch, you'll get to savour the Sushi Experience (from S$280), which comprises a seasonal appetiser, seasonal dish, sushi, and ends with a dessert. But if you prefer a more elaborate meal, head there during dinner time, where you can choose between the Hamamoto Experience (from $425) or the Fancy Omakase (from $550).
The former offers a three-course meal with a seasonal signature dish, seasonal sushi and dessert, while the latter stars an extravagant Beef Bone Marrow and Bafun Uni, topped with Caviar; and Chef Kazu’s signature Wagyu Bomb, that is cooked over binchotan in front of diners.
You can expect the menus to change seasonally.
Reservations are taken via phone only, at 9672 7110. Whatsapp is preferred.
Popular tempura specialty chain Tempura Makino, best known for quality tempura at affordable prices, is launching its first outpost outside of Japan on our shores, at Suntec City.
Expect handcrafted and delightfully light tempura made to order in front of you via an open kitchen, with a la carte tempura items starting from $1.50. You'll also find Okinawan influences on the menu, like the Goya Tempura with Okinawan salt ($4.50), as well as Mozuku Tempura ($5.80). Bentos and sets are also available. To retain its authenticity, it imports the same flour, dashi, and dipping sauce used in Japan, and will also similarly serve free-flow homemade yuzu daikon all day.
Look out for tempura omakase menus priced below $100 in the coming months, spotlighting seasonal specials and premium ingredients. To celebrate its opening, the restaurant will give out free tempura eggs to all diners with any order from Sept 22 to 24, 2021.
Tempura Makino opens Sept 22 at #02-48 Suntec City Mall, 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983.