Opened in late January, the 70-seater fine dining establishment by Australian chef-owner Sam Aisbett (formerly from Sydney dining spots Quay and Tetsuya) combines native Australian produce with Asian and Japanese influences.

The five or eight-course dinner service (from $170++ to $265++) offers interesting pairings, like Hokkaido scallops with pickled melon and caviar, as well as butter-poached quail with diced century egg whites and garlic.

Desserts are something chef Aisbett doesn’t dabble in lightly either, giving them the same exacting attention to detail as he does for his mains. Case in point: Black Gold – a chocolate mousse with a white chocolate centre and edible gold leaf – which is almost too pretty to eat.

It’s the same for Whitegrass‘ interior decor, designed by local architecture firm Takenouchi Webb. Exuding a warm, inviting feel with a calming pastel palette of soft pinks, greens and blues alongside large rugs and sofas, local artist Messy Msxi was also commissioned to create a nature-themed mural on one of the restaurant walls. #01-26/27 Chijmes, tel: 6837-0402

It may be serving Chinese dishes, but four-month-old Empress doesn’t employ the use of cliched cultural emblems. Instead, its interior is done in a tasteful, sophisticated manner, from the naked light bulb fixtures to the clean, contemporary furnishings. Bonus: An outdoor dining area by the river – there’s a happy hour promotion daily from 4pm-8pm – for pre or post-dinner cocktails.

Food-wise, it’s as Cantonese as you can get. There’s a platter full of roasted meats (crackling pork, char siew and pork ribs), a range of hearty soups as well as palate-pleasing appetisers like deep fried tofu with salted egg yolk and a duck salad with plum-citrus dressing. Desserts are a lot more whimsical – a chempedak creme brulee featuring jackfruit and a sticky date and longan pudding are on the cards. #01-03 Asians Civilisations Museum, tel: 6238-8733

Along crowded Amoy Street sits a casual restaurant that flies in ingredients and produce thrice a week from Greece, which executive chef Sotsous Dimitrious uses to whip up tasty, traditional dishes like mousaka (comprising minced beef, eggplant and potatoes) and flavourful dips such as Taramosalata (aka fish-roe cream).

Interior-wise, the stark white and blue colour palette evokes immediate comparisons to Santorini – and if the reviews we’ve seen thus far are to be trusted, this restaurant is the place to get your fill of authentic Greek cuisine. 73 Amoy Street, tel: 6221-6124

We love The South Beach for its playful, modern aesthetic, and ADHD (which stands for “All Day Hotel Dining”) offers a menu that’s just as eclectic. By that, we mean that it offers everything from American breakfast options to Chinese congee and dim sum, and sharing plates of pickled mackerel and truffled oxtail.

Its interior, too, is anything but ordinary. Marble, stainless steel and leather are juxtaposed against red and orange hues, with Philippe Starck’s signature Louis Ghost chairs and Amsterdam-based design company Pols Potten’s ceramic plates and vases dotting the space. The best bit: Dishes are easy on the pocket (a la carte items range from $15 to $20, while drinks are from $10 to $12). The South Beach, 30 Beach Road, tel: 6818-1888

The newish Italian joint – it opened mid-December last year – features hearty mains (from $48) that are big on flavour and freshness, with ingredients directly sourced from California and Italy. Executive chef David Almany, formerly of Osteria Mozza, serves a mean pork chop dusted in wild fennel pollen and drizzled with Tuscany olive oil, and a a veal chop parmigiana that’s been breaded and fried then covered in red sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. The latter, like all of its pastas, are made in-house.

The dessert offerings by pastry chef Ariana Flores may not be extensive, but will lend a sweet finish to your meal. Our picks: the tiramisu and the rum cake. And do book ahead of time: the cosy, minimalist space reportedly fills up quickly. 20 Gemmill Lane, tel: 6221-6986

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