Born out of the pandemic, home-based food business Jelebu Dry Laksa by chef Renee Tang has opened a brick-and-mortar store — in partnership with F&B  group Tipsy Collective — at Vivocity.

The dry laksa here uses thin rice noodles that offer bite, with each strand coated in spicy fragrant sauce — it’s lacking just slightly in umami that would make for a more gratifying mouthful — with the homemade rempah concocted using a mix of twelve herbs and spices. A punchy, slightly sweet sambal is included on the side if you’d like to turn up the heat. There are three variations to choose from, from the Kosong laksa topped with just crunchy fried ebi ($13++) to the Grilled Tiger Prawn Dry Laksa ($18++), crowned with perfectly charred and succulent tiger prawns. Or splurge on the Butter-Poached Whole Lobster Dry Laksa ($58++), with succulent Boston lobster.

Dry laksa might be the specialty, but don’t sleep on its other dishes as well. A standout is the Duck Confit Teochew Braised Risotto ($26++), inspired by Tang’s grandmother with al dente grains sitting in an umami-laden braised gravy — absolutely delightful when mixed with the sous vide egg. Eat it with the garlicky chilli on the side for added punch.

Smaller plates include the Scallop & Otah Pillow ($18++ for three pieces) which has tender smoke-kissed scallops, a creamy otah mousse, and briny caviar on crunchy battered seaweed. The Larb Moo on Perilla Leaf  ($18++ for three) serves up a herbaceous and spicy mouthful of minced pork that’ll transport you to Thailand, and the Assam Barramundi Fillet ($32++) also makes for a deliciously tangy dish that’s good for sharing.

If there’s room still, keep the party going with the Kaya Goreng ($12++), a sweet treat of creamy coconut ice cream, kaya coconut mousse in a cone, chocolate soil and salted peanut.

Jelebu Dry Laksa is at #02-48 VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, Singapore 098585. Opens daily from 11.30am to 10pm (last order at 9.30pm).

The latest venture by the Les Amis group is Elan (also located along the same row of restaurants as Les Amis) at Shaw Centre, serving up French cuisine with sprinkles of Asian influence.

The 48-seater space is convivial and contemporary with eclectic artwork lending a splash of playfulness. Chef de cuisine Peter Teo, formerly of La Strada and Bistro Du Vin, mans the kitchen and brings to the table French cuisine with an Asian slant.

Starters include Frog Legs ($34++), using local bullfrogs and served tempura-style atop a creamy mix of Mangetsu scrambled eggs, creme fraiche, and fine herbs. What’s memorable is the Wagyu Tartare ($30++). Handcut Australian wagyu striploin is topped with a deliciously gooey confit egg yolk and given a tangy, spicy edge thanks to capers, gherkins and fresh chilli. It’s sandwiched between flaky pastry wafers that add a delightful crisp contrast.

Tilefish ($65++) — or Japanese Amadai — is also a delight, boasting edible scales that have been poured with hot oil for a spectacular crunch.  Silky potato mousseline, melted leeks, and an umami bonito veloute are the perfect accompaniments.

If you love the local chicken rice, try Elan’s riff on it — the Aqina “Pineapple” Chicken ($110++, good for two), which sees a whole roasted organic kampong chicken fed with pineapple enzymes to achieve a sweet succulent flesh. It comes accompanied by a fluffy and fragrant pilaf of jasmine rice, lemongrass, ginger, coriander, pandan leaves — and chicken fats. Sinful but delicious.

End the meal with zesty Lemon ($20++) that cracks open to reveal lemon and kaffir lime cream, a tart lemon compote and basil gel. Or go for the Elan’s Chocolate ($20++), a luscious chocolate mousse, passion fruit jelly, and sponge cake concoction.

Diners can opt for a la carte items, or a set menu ($70++ per person for lunch) and a four-course tasting menu ($135++ per person) for dinner.

Elan is at #01-13 Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road, Singapore 228208. Visit its website for more information or reservations.

One-Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant Shang Palace has welcomed new Hong Kong-born executive chef Daniel Cheung, a seasoned veteran with 37 years of experience in whipping up Cantonese fare.

He brings with him a stellar line-up of specialties. These include the Applewood Smoked Bean Curd Rolls with deep-fried and braised shiitake mushroom, flash-fried shredded carrot shreds and mustard greens ($18++) that masterfully combine crunch, texture and subtly earthy flavour. The Steamed Spotted Garoupa Fillet with crisp skin sits in a savoury egg white sauce that’s topped with crispy parma ham, and wispy strands of ginger.

Not to be missed is the Stewed Shrimp Pomelo Peel ($28++), a labour-intensive Cantonese classic that isn’t readily found here. Using a 50-year-old recipe, the otherwise bitter pomelo peel is transformed with a tender, slightly yam-like texture that soaks up an umami-laden superior stock of dace, dried shrimp, chicken feet, and grilled sole fish.

A local adaptation of Chef Daniel’s well-loved Hong Kong recipe of crabs with Chinese peppercorn, the baked local live prawns ($58++) tossed with a piquant mix of Sarawak white pepper and garlic is a dish worth ordering. Then there’s the Fried Rice with Kagoshima Wagyu Beef ($28++), an elevated take on the beloved beef tomato stir-fry that’s creatively presented in a hollowed-out tomato and served with a tangy sweet and sour sauce.

Fans of Shang Palace will be glad to know that crowd-favourites like the boneless quail that’s packed with bird’s nest in an intense supreme broth ($98++), as well as an appetiser platter (set menu only) of sake-marinated abalone, a flaky barbequed pork pastry, Australian scallop siew mai, and chilled tomato with plum jelly remain on the menu.

Shang Palace is at Lobby Level, Tower Wing, Shangri-La Singapore, 22 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350. Call 6213 4473 /4398 or e-mail dining.sls@shangri-la.com for reservations.

Home bakery Ree & Mummy, which was conceived by Celine Ng and her daughter Reeyern, during the Circuit Breaker period in 2020, has opened a physical cafe. The bakery, which also took up residency at baking studio and cafe Baker X, is best known for its Charred Pineapple Cheesecakes and Almond Pecan Toffees.

Located with Katong V, the cosy 12-seater named Ree.Connect serves up a repertoire of cakes and gelato as well as its signature toffees. You can sink your teeth into its signature cheesecakes, from the Charred Pineapple Cheesecake ($6.50 per slice) to the Creamy Caramel Biscoff Cheesecake ($6.50 per slice), and the Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake ($7.20 per slice). This has an Oreo base and is topped with a rich hazelnut ganache.

Celine’s husband Mark is behind the housemade gelatos ($4 per single scoop, $7.50 for double scoop, additional $1 for premium flavours), with flavours like Pineapple Cheesecake (inspired by the bestselling cake), Lemon Tart, Pistachio and dairy-free Dark Chocolate. For takeaway, they also come available in cute grab-and-go gelato cans.

To go along with the gelato, you can order the housemade waffles ($8.50 with single scoop of gelato, $12.00 with double scoops of gelato).

Ree.Connect by Ree and Mummy is at #01-03, Katong V, 30 East Coast Road, Singapore 428751. Visit its website for more information.

Kumoya at Orchard Central, which specialises in thematic pop-up cafes, has partnered with Line Friends to unveil a My Little Buddy Cafe pop-up that will open on Oct 21, 2022 (Fri). The cafe will be split into two sections, each separately themed around BT21 World and Line Friends and decked with picture-worthy decor. Over at the BT21 section, including Koya, RJ, Shooky, Mang, Chimy, Tata, Cooky and Van. Or hop into the Line Friends World to catch beloved characters like Brown, Cony and Sally.

The menu will see a line-up of six snacks, five mains, three desserts, as well as 10 beverages (priced from $11.90 to $28.90). Think Budae Jjigae, Cooky and Shooky Fried Chicken Burger, Chimmy and Mang Seafood Curry Rice, and Line Friends Pomodoro Pasta with Grilled Salmon. Expect cute touches by food artist Little Miss Bento (Shirley Wong) and the Kumoya kitchen crew.

Note: There is a minimum order of one food item per person. According to Kumoya, its menu has no pork, lard and alcohol, and is suitable for the Muslim dietary palate. It’s also prepared by a team that includes Muslim staff.

The My Little Buddy Cafe pop-up opens Oct 21, 2022. Kumoya Pop-Up Cafe is at 181 Orchard Road, #04-08 Orchard Central, Singapore 238896. Opening hours from 11am – 9.30pm (last order at 8.30pm). Click here for reservations; walk-ins are welcome.

After debuting in Singapore in March earlier this year through partner restaurants, Indonesian alternative protein startup Green Rebel has recently launched its signature flavoured meat analogues at select FairPrice Finest outlets.

The range runs from plant-based alternatives of chicken and beef satay to beef rendang and steak, they’re made using whole foods such as mushroom, non-GMO soy and rolled oats. Using proprietary technology and seasonings and spices like galangal, turmeric and chilli, they recreate the juiciness, flavour and texture of meat. They are also free from added MSG, preservatives and refined sugar.

The bestselling Beefless Rendang comes drenched in a robust rendang curry with juicy plant-based chunks that boast meaty fibres, as with the Beefless Satay. The Chick’n Satay has a distinct soy flavour but what’s impressive is its meaty fibrous texture. And for a whole cut meatless steak — Asia’s first — go for the Beefless Steak which has a smoky, savoury and earthy flavour. Prices range from $9.90 to $11.90.

Bonus points for the convenience: These ready-to-cook options can be heated up in quick time on the pan, oven or grill, and last up to 12 months in the freezer.

Green Rebel is available at select FairPrice Finest outlets (AMK 712, Bedok Mall, Causeway Point and Coronation Plaza) and on Shopee.

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