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.
What to know and where to dine at this week: Sentosa Food Fest is making a return this October, there’s a new Korean grill restaurant, Canchita has a new vegetarian menu of Peruvian delights, and more.
There’s a 10-week food festival landing on the shores of Sentosa this October. From Oct 21 to Dec 31, 2022, foodies can anticipate exciting gastronomic experiences, in conjunction with the island’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.
For starters, have a sizzling good time at the Sentosa GrillFest (Oct 21 to Nov 13. , Fri to Sun, 5pm to 9pm) located on Siloso Beach. With four different food zones encompassing 31 F&B establishments and over 200 offerings this year, it’s set to be the event’s largest edition yet. Plus, there’ll be live performances to enjoy while you feast.
Over at Palawan Green, there’s also the Sentosa Food Truck Fiesta (Nov 18 to 27, Fri to Sun), which will see food trucks, free Movies by the Beach screenings, as well as a Festive Market.
The party doesn’t stop there. Hop on the inaugural Sentosa Restaurant Trail (Nov 7 to 17 November, Mon to Thurs), that will take you on a culinary adventure across dining outs around Sentosa. Savour cuisines from around the world at 12 picturesque venues including hip beach clubs and romantic waterfront restaurants. Guests can enjoy specially curated lunch or dinner set menus at fixed prices in participating restaurants.
Beer enthusiasts will want to make a pit stop at the Craft Beer Jamboree (Nov 25 to Dec 4), which will showcase an array of local and international craft beers, including those from some of Singapore’s best breweries.
There’ll also be a range of food-themed programmes and activities — think cooking and sustainable farming workshops — which will be rolled out over the next few weeks so keep your eyes peeled!
Sentosa Islander members stand to earn double the number of Islander points at Sentosa GrillFest and Sentosa Food Truck Fiesta, by spending a minimum of $20 in a single receipt. Sign up for a Sentosa Islander membership here.
Entry to Sentosa Food Fest is free, with food payable separately. Visit its website for more information.
You might have heard of Hanjip Korean Grill House, and now it’s spawned a sister outlet – Nami Korean Grill House, a modern space located along a stretch of restaurants and cafes at Greenwood Avenue.
You can expect premium meats like Kurobuta Berkshire Pork, Australian Wagyu and USDA Prime Beef. Even better — you can kick back and allow the trained staff to grill the meat. An absolutely good idea, IMO. Unless you’re great with the grill, why waste good meat with sub-par grilling abilities?
Signature cuts include an MS 7 Australian wagyu striploin ($68++ for 200g), a thick fat-flecked slab with unctuous beefy flavour and a good chew, as well as tender USDA Prime Boneless Short Ribs. We also had the US Kurobuta Marinated Pork Collar ($35++ for 100g), which was succulent and well-marinated in a sweet-savoury house marinade.
Undecided on what to order? Go for the various platters, such as the Nami Platter ($168++), Beef Platter (from $138++), and Kurobuta Platter ($98++), with a curation of meats that are good for two to three persons.
Other than the grill, there are dishes like pancakes, noodles, seafood and soup to make it a merrier affair. The fresh and subtly spicy Marinated Prawns ($48++) are worth ordering, and you won’t go wrong with the comforting Ginseng Chicken ($30++). Shoutout to the range of banchan, which includes a sweet soy lotus root (dinner only) we couldn’t get enough of.
Get a complimentary plate of Wagyu Beef Brisket when you make a reservation on Chope with the promo code “NAMIBRISKET”.
Nami Korean Grill House is at 18 Greenwood Ave, Singapore 289212.
Peruvian restaurant Canchita, helmed by husband-wife duo Daniel and Tamara Chavez, has added 23 new vegetarian dishes to its repertoire of authentic South American fare.
Starters include snacks like Patacones ($14++), deep-fried plantain crackers with guacamole, or the Solterito ($16++), a refreshing salad of fava beans, cherry tomatoes, black olives and crispy fried quinoa. There’s also a ceviche or two – we enjoyed the tangy and tasty Ceviche “Marinero” ($26++), which uses plant-based prawns and squid in tiger’s milk (citrus-based marinade). Causa Verde ($26++), which has mashed russet potatoes
and Peruvian yellow chilli is also enjoyable.
There’s no going wrong with the Mushrooms “Al Ajo” ($22++) that stars tender grilled king oyster mushrooms, avo puree, and parsley mayo. The dish is lifted with crispy garlic that add lots of flavour and crunch.
You can also get tacos — choose from the Roasted Cauliflower Taco ($24++ for two), and the Super Veggie Taco ($26++ for two) that’s filled with a crunchy mix of roasted asparagus, baby corn, Mexican beans, pico de gallo and an earthy mushroom sauce.
The culinary tradition of Chifa — a mix of Cantonese elements and traditional Peruvian ingredients — is showcased through dishes like the Spring Veggie Saltado ($32++). This has a medley of greens like eggplant, cauliflower, baby corn and potato fries stir-fried in a spicy dark soy sauce. Or if you’re all for embracing carbs, there’s the Asparagus & Baby Corn “Arroz Chaufa” ($30++), a Peruvian-Cantonese style fried rice.
If you’re looking to veer out of your regular coffee routine, Ujong Gourmet by homegrown tea brand Gryphon Tea Company has a range of Asian and botanical-inspired blends to try.
The small batch-roasted 100 per cent Arabica drip coffee comes in five blends: Pandan Island, Osmanthus Bliss, Orchid Vanilla, Orange Florentine, and Rose Supreme.
For a bright floral or fruity cup, there’s the Osmanthus, perfumed with notes of osmanthus and peach, or the Orange Florentine which serves up a medium-bodied brew infused with orange peel and orange blossoms. With Pandan Island, you get a grassy, almost coconut-like scent thanks to an infusion of pandan leaves.
Each box is priced at $9.65, but if you’d like to have a sample of each, you can go for the Melange box that gets you an assortment of five flavours at $10.70 (five sachets).
Coffee aside, Ujong Coffee also offers other products like a thick, smooth kaya spread made with blue pea flower, artisanal baked granola and herbal tisanes.
Visit its website to shop or for more information.
After its debut last year, Conrad Centennial Singapore’s Fashionista Afternoon Tea is back at its Lobby Lounge.
Created by head pastry Chef Richard Chew and his team, delight in a chocolate stiletto filled with pistachio praline, or swipe on the Limited Edition Raspberry Sensation Lipstick, that’s really a raspberry-flavoured chocolate. You’ll also be delighted by an exquisitely crafted ‘Hash Bag’ that houses 64% Chocolate Anglaise Mousse, jelly, and crunch.
Savouries see the likes of salmon blinis, foie gras pate and caviar on sourdough, and a lemon sable with smoked fish and yuzu lemon cream.
In partnership with The Fashion Pulpit, six dresses from the social enterprise will also be showcased at The Lobby Lounge to promote environmental education and awareness in the field of fashion and upcycling clothing.
$49++ per person, inclusive of unlimited Ronnefeldt Tea or Brazilian Coffee. Add on $20++ per person for unlimited Prosecco (two hours). Takeaway or delivery is available from $96.30 nett per set (for two persons). Click here to order.
Available from now till Nov 22, 2022, Mon to Sun. Two seatings daily, 1pm to 3pm, and 3.30pm to 5.30pm. Visit Conrad Centennial Singapore’s website, call 6432 7483 / 6432 7357, or email sinci.lobbylounge@
Pan Pacific Singapore’s Hai Tien Lo has welcomed a new executive chef, Hong Kong born-chef Rickey Leung, who is presenting a refreshed menu alongside his signature dishes. With 30 years of culinary experience on hand, the chef has also worked in the kitchens of prestigious Chinese restaurants in Singapore.
Available for dine-in from Oct 10, highlights include his specialty deep-fried Crispy Chicken Smoked with Royal Tie Guanyin, which gets its smokey flavour from lychee wood and Royal Tie Guanyin tea leaves.
There’s also the inventive Fresh Crab Meat and Egg White stuffed in Chicken Wing, perfumed with truffle notes. Don’t miss the Stewed Eight Treasure Wagyu Beef Cheeks with Spring Onion and Garlic that has been cooked sous vide for seven hours then stewed for hours over a traditional claypot, as well as the Traditional Steamed Grouper in Superior Stock.
If you’re up for dim sum, Hai Tien Lo has also rolled out three new innovative creations by dim sum chef Ho Kam Fai. Tuck into the Steamed Fish Dumpling with Queensland Grouper and Fresh Crab Meat or the Deep-fried Yam Puff with Foie Gras, Shredded Chicken and Dragon Chive. There’s also an elevated take on the ubiquitous siew mai, which sees the classic dish topped with quail egg and black truffle.
A la carte items are priced from $10++. Lunch set menus start from $58++, and dinner set menus from $88++. Lunch starts from 11.30am to 2.30pm, and dinner from 6pm to 10pm.
Hai Tien Lo is at Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Blvd, Singapore 039595. Visit its website for reservations or more information.