Andaz Singapore’s all-dining restaurant Alley On 25 is paying homage to its culturally rich neighbourhood with a new Kampong Glam-themed afternoon tea experience. The treats come sitting pretty on specially handcrafted stands, with doors designed to resemble those in the hotel’s guestrooms, and also recall the shophouses found within the enclave.

Local favourites get imaginative twists, like the moreish deep-fried Hainanese Chicken Arancini paired with a sweet punchy chilli cucumber salsa, as well as a spicy Beef Rendang Tartlet. Then make your way through sourdough dough toast with sambal mayo-coated tiger prawn and Avruga caviar as well as satay chicken sliders coated in a sauce that leans sweeter.

Desserts, too, are infused with locally beloved spices, from fragrant scones made with seven types of chai and served with ginger apricot jam, to a Hokkaido milk panna cotta laced with saffron. End off on a sweet exotic note with the Spiced Dark Chocolate Bon Bon with a luscious filling and crumbly base.

There’s a free-flow of coffee, TWG tea as well as teh halia to accompany the spread, but you can also add on with a glass (from $20) or bottle (from $90++) of Delamotte Brut Champagne, Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne, or organic Copenhagen Sparkling Tea (5 per cent alcohol).

The Kampong Glam Afternoon Tea experience is available daily from 3pm to 5pm, at $55++ per guest.

China’s award-winning cat-themed barbeque restaurant Meow Barbecue has arrived on our shores with its first overseas outpost at Bugis+. The chain has 30 outlets across 10 major Chinese cities like Chongqing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing, and is known for drawing snaking lines.

Why Meow Barbecue? Its name actually comes from the founder’s life-long love for cats, and is also by their particularly picky tastebuds. Spot adorable feline-inspired accents around the restaurant, from the entrance to the decor and crockery.

Menu-wise, the restaurant promises quality meats — you’ll be digging into premium beef from Australia and the US, as well as Iberico pork from Spain. Signatures include the Meow Signature Beef Cubes with Onion (from $10.80), and the Savoury Beef Flank ($21.80) that which comes dressed in a sauce discovered in Sendai, Japan.

Spice up your meal with the Meow Signature Spicy Beef ($23.80) that stars grain-fed 129-day-old sliced beef marinated with pickled chillies, or the Meow Signature Chicken with Szechuan Peppers ($14.80), the spiciest dish on the menu with green peppercorn and a secret house-made chilli blend. And for cheese lovers, there’s also a Meow Signature Chicken with Cheese Dip ($15.80).

If you’re dithering over what to get, there’s a Meow Signature Mixed Meat Platter ($66.80) that comes loaded with the best of its beef, pork and chicken selections.

From now till Sep 30, 2022, enjoy 50 per cent off Meow Barbecue‘s top two signature dishes including the Spicy Beef at $11.90 (U.P $23.80) or Chicken with Cheese Dip @ $7.90 (U.P $15.80). Orders are limited to only one serving per bill per table, while stocks last.

Meow Barbecue is at Bugis+, #01-17, 201 Victoria Street, Singapore 188067. Opens Sun-Thu (11pm to 9.30pm), and Fri, Sat and PH (11am to 1am). Visit its Facebook page for more information.

If you’re missing Ipoh hawker fare, the newly opened Small Tables at Pacific Plaza could help tame those cravings. Perched on the edge of Pacific Plaza, the interiors are a mix of modern and industrial elements, with retro furnishings like steel gates and milk tin cans. An alfresco area outside is made for watching the world go by while you enjoy your meal.

Executive chef Sandra Sim runs the kitchen, which sends out a repertoire of 26 dishes. The signature’s the Ipoh Curry Mee ($20++), generously crowned with toppings like poached chicken, char siew, crisp roasted pork, braised pig ears, pig skin, and prawns. The silky hor fun is a winner, said to be made in Ipoh daily with natural spring water.  You can have it with soup or but I preferred the dry version tossed with a housemade curry rempah, and is the spicier of the two.

Sharing plates include the Hakka Yong Tau ($16++), Pork Satay with housemade satay sauce, as well as Cuttlefish & Water Spinach ($12++). Instead of fish chunks, you get the entire fish with the Whole Fish Otah ($28++), which has a whole yellow croaker stacked with tender housemade otah, and baked in a banana leaf.

Unsurprisingly, there’s Ipoh White Coffee ($7.50++) on the menu. It’s smooth and rich, but just a bit too sweet for my liking. A small pillowy kaya taiyaki on the side’s a pleasant surprise.

Small Tables is at 9 Scotts Road, Pacific Plaza, #01-09/10/11/12, Singapore 228210. Visit Small Tables’ Instagram page for more information and updates.

The popular Yanji Seafood Soup, with hawker stalls at Woodlands, Marsiling and Jalan Besar, has spawned yet another outlet and its first in the East. First founded in 1983 by the late Mr Chia Chioh Koh, it’s now helmed by his son and second-generation owner Mr Chia Tok Whee.

What draws crowds here is the broth, a rich umami concoction of old hen, pork ribs, Chinese ham, Japanese scallop, dried mushrooms and dried sole fish that’s cooked for up to six hours.

The new stall is located within Foodhub@Bedok Central, and diners here can choose from a menu of six dishes. There’s the Crayfish Seafood Soup with Dory, Batang or Red Grouper (from $14), Red Grouper Seafood Soup ($14), Batang Seafood Soup ($12), and the best-selling Dory Seafood Soup (from $7.50). Or go for the Premium Seafood Soup ($32) with a generous bounty of crayfish, prawns, minced pork, red grouper, fish maw, half-shell scallops and baby abalone.

Add-ons include abalone ($4), scallop ($2.50) fish maw ($2), batang fish slices (five slices for $6) and red grouper slices (four slices for $6). You can also order the homemade Deep Fried Prawn/Ngoh Hiang ($8), made by Mr Chia’s mother for a hearty addition to your meal.

Yanji Seafood Soup is at Foodhub @ Bedok, 209 New Upper Changi Road 01, Singapore 460209. Opens daily from 11am to 9pm.

From Jurong Point now till Oct 23, be whisked away to Japan with the mall’s first Japan Matsuri fair, packed with delish food, performances and activities.

Catch the food fair (now till Oct 9) with Japanese street food that includes takoyaki, okonomiyaki, sushi, mochi ice cream, and more. Look out for the delicious bakes by the popular Sourbombe Bakery, which will dole out Japan-inspired bomboloni dusted with kinako, black sesame and matcha sugar, and served with a side of kuromitsu.

During the festival period (now till Oct 23), you can enjoy exclusive deals offered by retailers and F&B brands for Japanese brands and goods at Best Denki, Harvey Norman, Chocolate Origin, FairPrice Xtra and more.

It’s not all just food — there’s a plethora of fun activities, too. Catch various traditional Japanese performances like the Taiko drum as well as dance performances. On Oct 8, famous Japanese cosplayers Mariko and Mahio will also be making guest appearances and hosting a cosplay workshop. Plus, you and the kids can have fun with popular Matsuri games.

Spend $10 in a single same-day receipt at the Japan Matsuri Fair to redeem a game pass.Redemption at JP1 L1 Centre Stage (Near Daxi, JP1 #01-48/49). Each shopper is entitled to 2passes daily from Mon to Fri, and one pass daily on Sat and Sun.

The Japan Matsuri Fair is located at JP1 Centre Stage on Level 1. Jurong Point is at 1 Jurong West Central 2, Singapore 648886.

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