Dinosaurs have invaded Gardens by the Bay. The Jurassic Nest food hall has just opened its doors, with prehistoric creatures scattered across the area, including a menacing T-rex that takes centre stage, a 5m-tall Brachiosaurus, a Velociraptor and more.

Plus, some of the animatronic dinosaurs will come to life at hourly intervals — the T-rex and Brachiosaurus from 12pm to 8pm, and the outdoor Oviraptor (atop a waterfall) from 11.30am to 7.30pm.

You can look forward to savouring food from seven stalls, including four Michelin-rated food brands — there’s ramen restaurant Tsuta, six-time winner of the Michelin Bib Gourmand award Bismillah Briyani, the famed Hawker Chan, Thai restaurant chain Took Lae Dee and Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang. Ma Ma by Putien is set to join the mix soon.

There’s also JN cafe, with bites like salads, pasta, and sandwiches alongside treats like waffles, ice cream and desserts. Be sure to give its signature Chicken Avocado Croffle a whirl. And if you can’t get enough of everything dinosaur-related, right next to it is a small retail area selling dino-themed merch, from books to plushies and games.

Jurassic Nest is at Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Dr,Singapore 018953. Opens 11am to 9.30pm daily (last order 8.45pm). JN Cafe opens 8.30am to 9.30pm daily (last order 8.45pm).

Popular for its chic airy space and brunch fare, East Coast Commune at East Coast Park is turning two. To mark the occasion, it has rolled out new menu items for brunch and lunch, including new all-day dining plates.

Consulting chef Sujatha Asokan turns out classics with an imaginative twist and creative plating, like the Chicken and Sourdough Waffle ($19++). The crisp housemade sourdough waffle has a distinct tang, and is smeared with melted buffalo mozzarella cheese. The spiced fried chicken with a light panko crust is succulent and juicy. But if you’re up for something sweet, try the Tiramisu French Toast ($15++). Coffee lovers will appreciate the soft ladyfingers that are doused in a strong hit of espresso and brightened with orange reduction and fresh orange segments. Sesame coffee crumble add a lovely texture.

For lunch (from 11am), there’s the Crab Dashi Linguine ($24++) which has al dente strands in a silky and deeply umami pool of dashi cream. It’s heaped generously with crab meat, together with pickled kombu in ponzu, edamame, sesame seeds, and lemon breadcrumbs. The Crispy Snapper ($25++) is enjoyable too with turmeric-cumin marinated snapper wrapped in a thin crisp package, atop chewy spelt grains coated in moreish baba ghanoush.

For a plant-based option, you can go for the Tom Yam Tindle Burger ($20++)  with Tindle plant-based ‘chicken’ accompanied by roasted eggplant, Asian herbs, and lime aioli.

East Coast Commune is at 1000 East Coast Park, #01-03, Singapore 449876. Visit its website for more information.

Come Nov 22, the French-style Stamford Brasserie in Swissotel The Stamford will be turned into a whimsical haven starring Hello Kitty and the Little Twin Stars.

The young and young at heart will adore the collab with Sanrio, which sees the cafe dressed up in starry and cloud-inspired motifs, as well as that of the Sanrio characters. Hello Kitty and the Little Twin Stars will also make an appearance on the dishes, too, from starters the likes of On Cloud Nine ($16++), a hearty foam-topped wild mushroom soup served in a Hello Kitty cup. Fried Rice Paradise ($22++), gives the classic a twist with butterfly pea flower bechamel sauce and an egg stamped with the iconic feline.

For a casual meal, there’s the Kawaii Pulled Pork Milk Bun ($28++) which houses juicy pulled pork and pink garlic aioli, and the Burger Buddy ($30++), which has succulent Angus beef patty with pink garlic mayo. You can swap this out for an Impossible patty, too.

Don’t miss the equally Instagrammable desserts, from the colourful Chocolate Dreams Sable Tart ($16) made with Grand Cru Cocoa Coulis, sea salt soil and vanilla gelato to the dreamy the Sun, Moon and Stars Gelato ($16++) that offers a variety of flavours like Madagascar vanilla, matcha tea, wild strawberry, Sicilian pistachio, and tangy Alphonso mango.

The Stamford Brasserie is at Level 1 Swissotel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Rd Singapore 178882. Visit its website for more information.

The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore’s Republic Bar has launched its Volume 2 series of 16 cocktails. These draw on the pop culture of the 1960s, centred around the themes of art, cinema, fashion and music.

The art-inspired tipple, for instance, sees “Glass in Bloom”, a cocktail inspired by renowned glass artist, Dale Chihuly. Crafted with sous vide beetroot with cognac, rye whiskey and feta cheese, it’s also garnished with stained glass candy. For fashion, there’s a “Smoking Suit” libation, which pays homage to French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent’s androgynous Le Smoking outfits.

In cinematic style, you can look forward to channelling your inner Audrey Hepburn with “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, or savour tropical flavour profiles with “Lion City”, which was also the first local post-war Chinese film of the same name.

Want to try Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite drink, the Queen’s Dubonnet Cocktail? It’s part of the newly expanded vintage cocktail series, made with 1960s James Burrough Beefeater London dry gin and 1960s Dubonnet.

 Republic Bar is at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, 7 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039799. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

While ox tongue might not seem like the first choice of cut for most, it has slowly been gaining popularity. What’s billed as the first gyutan (ox tongue) specialty restaurant on the island, Gyutan-Tan has made its debut on Tras Street. Nestled within a Japanese-Scandinavian space clad in illustrated wallpaper, catch Head Chef Yoshiyuki Kuroshima and his team in action behind a show kitchen as they meticulously prepare the delicacy.

It appears across various dishes, from delectable appetisers to chargrilled mains, donburi (rice bowls) and teishoku (set meals). Kickstart the experience with thin slices of the Cold Roasted Gyutan Carpaccio ($15++, dinner only), finished with a drizzle of sweet balsamic glaze, or the Home-made Gyutan Gyoza ($8++), pan-fried dumplings stuffed with small chunks of gyutan. The Gyutan Demi-glace Stew Set ($24++) is made with luscious chunks of ox tongue braised for four hours, along with vegetables, all sitting in a velvety roux-based demi-glace. 

Lunch sets are available, with options like the Sumiyaki Gyutan Combo Set ($25++) that
serves up thin and thick cuts of charcoal-grilled gyutan simply seasoned with salt and pepper to showcase its earthy flavour.

It’s not all just ox tongue at the restaurant. Diners can also order plates like Hokkaido Zangi ($8++) – a Hokkaido specialty of boneless fried chicken chunks, or the Tonteki Plate (from $18) that highlights pan-fried pork chop, as well as other charcoal grilled meats (think chicken, pork and striploin steak).

Gyutan-Tan is at 41 Tras Street, Singapore 078980. Visit its website for reservations or more information.