Local seafood restaurant stalwart Red House Seafood now has a new outlet at the Esplanade, which affords views of the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade. Designed by local interior firm Chalk, you’ll also find wallpaper printed with whimsical artwork by local artist Tan Zi Xi.

What also sets it apart from other outlets are the exclusive barbeque items, including succulent jumbo-sized satay and a housemade Hainan-style satay sauce with sweet zesty pineapple puree. There’s also a Chef’s Trio of Squid Platter that showcases a moreish medley of well-marinated barbequed squid, sweet crisp baby squid, and crisp springy calamari coated a house-made salted egg mixture.

On to the crustaceans. The thinly battered Lobster in Signature Creamy Custard, a well-loved signature, is rich but not cloying thanks to the use of evaporated milk and chilli padi bits. The ubiquitous chilli crab can be found here, too, a tangier version that is made for mopping up with fried mantou. What really stood out is the White Pepper Alaskan King Crab, with a fragrant white pepper stock that doles out enough heat without overwhelming the sweetness of the crab’s succulent flesh. Fun fact: The restaurant uses specially designed tanks that mimic the pressure and temperature of the crab’s deep-sea habitat.

Also on the menu: A comforting Crab Meat Pao Fan with a light but sweet and flavourful stock made from simmering mature hen, pig trotters and clams.

Red House Seafood is at #01-14/16 The Esplanade Mall, 8 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039892.

Surreptitiously nestled within Hong Building along Rangoon Road is Fleurette. Opened in 2020, the restaurant showcases contemporary plates that reflect chef-owner Tariq Helou’s own mixed Japanese, Chinese, Lebanese and Singaporean heritage. The young chef has also honed his culinary chops in Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe, including the two-starred Domaine de Chateauvieux in Geneva and Restaurant Louis in Paris.

For the new autumnal menu, he turns out a memorable line-up that opens with an amuse-bouche of snow crab and chestnut blanketed with crustacean jelly. Next up, a ginger honey glazed chicken wing served hot and crispy, and stuffed with a soft earthy mix of fresh matsutake mushrooms and yam.

The autumn Hassun (or seasonal platter) is a visual spectacle, showcasing deftly crafted appetisers amidst a dramatic botanical arrangement. There’s lemon ponzu-cured hirame, aori ika (reef squid) in a refreshing yuzu vinaigrette, a caviar-topped donut filled with onion creme fraiche and a foie gras monaka that’s a delight to eat — its richness balanced with sweet persimmon and airy wafer shells. Chef Helou’s signature cold ebi somen laced with prawn oil, his riff on local prawn noodles, also makes an appearance.

Then there’s gently poached Mozambique langoustine on top of cold buckwheat risotto, brightened with coriander emulsion and sudachi juice and zest. Along the way, there’s also a luxurious chawanmushi with uni, anago (eel) and autumn truffle, as well as smoke-kissed Hokkaido scallops with pumpkin gnocchi.

If you’ve never had pigeon, Fleurette’s a great place to start, serving up Mieral pigeon that’s lightly crisped over binchotan. Cooked medium rare, the flesh is just slightly gamey, and absolutely moist and tender. Each bite is best enjoyed with the seared foie gras, alongside parsnip puree, lemongrass oil and charred kailan.

For the month of December, a business lunch is priced at $198++ and a 10-course omakase meal at $298++. Sake pairing is available at $198++. Corkage fees at $75++ per bottle, or 1-for-1. Closed Sunday & Monday (for December). 

Fleurette is at 204 Rangoon Rd, Singapore 218451. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

Specialty grocer Little Farms has headed northeast with its newest store at MyVillage shopping mall within the Serangoon Gardens estate. Here, browse a thoughtfully procured and fully traceable range of meats, seafood, deli and pantry essentials, fresh vegetables, and fruit, ready-to-eat must-haves, as
well as a sizeable plant-based selection. And a wine corner with specially curated French and Australian wines.

You can also kick back and wind down with the adjacent Little Farms Bar + Grill. Park yourself at the counter to watch chef Carl Jaeger and his team work the grill or lounge in the alfresco area beneath glowing string lights.

For brunch (till 2pm) the Shakshuka ($20++) is a great way to start the day, with a robust sauce, juicy heirloom tomatoes, avo slices and feta cheese that add creaminess. It’s served with sourdough slices to scoop everything up. I also appreciate that it isn’t spicy — great for non-spice lovers and the little ones.

The Bolognese ($24++) here is served with lumaconi, a large snail-shaped pasta that cradles flavourful and meaty pork and beef ragu, and grated Parmigiano Reggiano. If you like a hearty burger, try the hefty Smash Burger ($24++). The O’Connor beef meatballs, flattened with an iron cast, are just a little too thin and overcooked (I like my patties thicc and juicy), but the pillowy, slightly sweet brioche buns and the kick from sriracha mayo save the day.

On the dinner menu, there’s the Roaring Forties Lamb Cutlets ($36++) cooked perfectly pink and paired beautifully with curry leaf and mango chimichurri. Don’t skip the drinks, with a stellar lineup of margaritas and wines.

Little Farms Serangoon Gardens is at 1 Maju Ave, Serangoon Garden, #01-12/19, MyVillage, Singapore 556679. 

Known for its bistro-meets-gourmet store concept, So France has rolled out the So France Café at the Alliance Francaise Singapour cultural centre in the Newton area. The 35-seater cafe doles out the same classic French bistro experience, with blue accents, rattan-backed chairs and Patrick Nagel-style Pop art posters dotting the space.

The menu’s more streamlined here, where diners can swing by for casual fare like hearty sandwiches ($12) and rustic quiches ($12), and a bakery selection of croissants, cakes, tarts and pastries.

If you like So France bistro’s galettes (sold only on the weekends), you’ll be glad to find it’s made daily here. Slice into classics like the Complète with ham and Emmental cheese, or the Norwegian with smoked salmon, spinach, and creme fraiche. For a less common take, try the Chorizo, with the thin buckwheat crepe enveloping spicy house-cured chorizo, roasted red peppers, Emmental cheese and an oozy sunny side up.

So France bistro’s signature Croq’s are also available here, with the Monsieur Croq’ ($22) and
Madame Croq’ ($24, with a fried egg). If you’re after a more substantial breakfast, you can opt for two eggs cooked either scrambled or sunny-side-up, then amp it up with sausage ($8), bacon ($8), ham ($8) or smoked salmon ($10).

For lunch, there’s a weekday set menu ($14.90) , or if you’re after a sugar hit, there are also French waffles and crepes.

So France Cafe is at 1 Sarkies Road, Singapore 258130. Visit So France’s website for more information.