The Hainan Story has opened its fourth outlet and first coffee house concept at Nex — The Hainan Story Coffee House. Step in and you’ll be greeted with nostalgic retro elements like a red brick wall, terrazzo tables and mosaic tiles, interspersed with contemporary accents like neon signs.

The Hainan Story’s signatures like the Toast Bun (from $2.20++) and Newspaper Curry Rice (from $10.80++), and Hainanese Western fare are on the menu, but you can also dine on new outlet-exclusive dishes.

Don’t skip the Hainanese Pig’s Trotter Assam Curry Noodle ($9.80++), with slippery smooth thick rice vermicelli bathed in assam curry gravy. It’s tangy with subtle heat, and satisfyingly slurp-worthy. The pork trotters are cooked till the skin’s wobbly and gelatinous, with the meat adequately tender.

A spin on the breakfast staple, the Hainanese Ah Mai’s Chee Cheong Fun ($7.80++) brings to the table smooth rice rolls that offer bite, and come drenched in a spicy, savoury blend of four sauces: chee cheong fun, rojak, green chilli as well as light soya sauce. You also get fishballs and crispy wanton.

A fun fusion dish is the Hae Bee Hiam Spaghetti with Soft Boiled Egg (from$9.90) which leans a little greasy but brims with spicy shrimp flavour. The panko-crusted pork cutlet on the side is a touch dull, however. Other protein choices include pork chop, chicken chop and cheesy meatballs. Comparatively, the Childhood Fried Chicken Wings ($2.80++ per piece or $10.80++ for a rice set with vegetables and a fried egg), boasts a light crackling crust and juicy flesh.

If you have room or if you’re looking for a midday snack, order the Pandan Waffles (from $1.80 for original) that are thick, pillowy and lightly crisped. Filling-wise, you get the options like fragrant housemade gula melaka kaya, avocado egg mayo, Nutella and decadent honey butter.

The Hainan Story Coffee House is at #02 – 17 Nex, 23 Serangoon Central, Singapore 556083. Opens daily from 8am to 10pm.

Remember the Mister Donut pop-up at Jurong Point Shopping Centre last year that saw snaking lines for the chain’s signature Pon de Ring donut?

The doughnut franchise originated in the United States but received immense popularity in Japan; it’s now headquartered in Osaka and has 9,557 stores in Asia. And come May 2023, it’s setting up shop with a permanent specialty store in Junction 8 in Bishan.

It also promises the same doughnut quality, with the sweet confections made using ingredients from Japan. The staff for the Singapore outlet will also be sent to the Mister Donut Academy in Osaka for training.

More details will be released at a later date.

After a two-year hiatus, beloved North Indian restaurant Tandoor is once again opening its doors at Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre come Feb 14, 2023. The elegant and modern space comes laced with traditional elements — from Jaali, a latticed screen typical of Indian architecture and the traditional Indian craft of inlay mirrors. Those looking to host an intimate event can check out its adjoining private dining room, Maharajah Suite, which can seat up to 50 diners.

The kitchen is led by chef Sunder, who’s sending out a menu that’ll take your tastebuds on a tour of India’s rich culinary heritage, from the Malmali Seekh Kebab (from $24++), a tender cinnamon-smoked minced mutton skewer to the delicately spiced lamb shank, Nalli Gosht ($40++). Other chef recommendations include Zafrani Murg Badam Ka Shorba ($20++), a  rich infusion of saffron and almonds, and Samudri Malai Jhinga ($65++), chargrilled lobster marinated with creamy cheesy garlic and spices.

Along with its opening on Valentine’s Day, Tandoor is rolling out a special four-course menu ($78++) that gets you a starter, soup, main course, and dessert, alongside Indian breads. There’s also a special reopening promotion: Enjoy a complimentary bottle of house wine for every table of four diners during dinner. Valid from Feb 17 to 26, 2023.

A buffet lunch is available every Sunday.

Tandoor is at Level B1, Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre, 11 Cavenagh Road, Singapore 229616. Click here for reservations or more information.

If you’re in the CBD and after a quick bite, Surrey Hills Grocer has opened a new Melbourne-inspired sandwich shop at Raffles Place.

Brightly lit with a laid-back modern farmhouse atmosphere, the 20-seater Surrey Hills Deli is where time-pressed urbanites can grab sandwiches, salads, pasta and coffee for a quick meal. There are to-go options, too.

Its eight signature sandwiches run from Let’s Pull Through ($20), a ciabatta stacked with 36-hours pulled pork shoulder to the Avo-cardio ($20) that has avo, smoked turkey ham, cranberry jam and brie stacked between white sourdough. There’s also the Korean-inspired Spam the Positivity ($19) that sees gochujang-glazed spam, fried Nuyolk egg, aged cheddar and kimchi.

A mini grocer in the store also stocks items like fresh fruit bowls, antipasto platters, loaded hummus, gourmet yoghurt parfait with granola, Australian dairy, alcohol and more.

When evening rolls around, the space is great for post-work drinks — it serves alcohol and bar snacks from 5pm. Choose from Australian craft beer on tap (from $15) from cult brands like Moon Dog Lager and One Drop Brewing Co, as well as Australian wines ($$15) and a Gin & Tonic Cocktail ($18). Pair your booze with nosh such as Whoppie Wings ($12), Triple Truffle Fries ($12) and Tater Tots ($12).

Surrey Hills Deli is located at #01-02 Raffles Place, 6 Battery Road, Singapore 049909. Opens Mon to Fri (8am to 10pm) and Sat (9am to 5pm). Closed on Sun.

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