Craving a hearty salad or looking for a new brunch spot? Here are some new restaurants serving tasty meals and Instagram-worthy decor.
Situated by the scenic Kallang River, Camp Kilo (by the same group of people behind the Kilo group of restaurants and Grain Traders) is an outdoor dining experience with campsite sights, sounds, and of course, grub.
Meats are the highlights here, but other dishes like the kai yang roasted French poussin; corn bread with honey butter; patatas bravas; tom yam “cocido” beans and dulce de leche flan are also bound to satisfy. Meats start at $10 for 100g of pork belly or half a roast chicken, going up to $30 for a full rack of ribs. Sides range from $6–$14. #01-01 66 Kampong Bugis, tel: 6467-3987
Part of Unlisted Collection’s group of restaurants, Cheek by Jowl, which opened in February, serves up modern Australian cuisine in a cosy 38-seater space oozing a perfectly relaxed Aussie charm. The bar seats are by far one of the best spots in the restaurant where you can sit by the window and enjoy a glass of wine.
Highlights from the menu includes the Duck & Waffles (confit duck with 5-spice & chilli caramel served with crisp waffle slices); the Wild Venison, Wasabi & Zucchini; and the Ocean Trout with Cucumber, Yuzu & Buttermilk. Items on the dinner menu are priced between $5 and $42. Do note, however, that groups of 8 or more will be offered the set menus only. 21 Boon Tat Street, tel: 6211-1911
Nestled in the lush greenery of Rochester Park is Noshery, a cafe by day and bar by night, by the same people that bought you restaurant Nosh. Opened on May 12, it is located on the ground floor of the black-and-white colonial bungalow next to Nosh, and will transport you into a world of expedition and exploration. The botany-printed wallpaper brings a touch of the outdoors in, and there are vintage books, timepieces, postcards and posters left around to be explored. The heavy use of warm wood will evoke memories of that trip to a rustic holiday destination.
The food also promises to be an equally enriching experience, focusing on hearty weekday lunches and brunches. Here are just some of the items on the menu to whet your appetite – Spicy Cod Roe Pasta, $18; Fish and Chips, $18; Nosh Burger, $22; Crab Benedict, $20; and Cured Salmon, $19. 9 Rochester Park, tel: 9755-5015
Think of comfort food and its often the familiar that we immediately recall. Fusion restaurant-bar Kite, which opened this month, wants to challenge that concept. It has blended Asian and Western influences into small bowls (like the small plates way of dining) of Char Siew Wagyu, Lime Sambal Stingray, Chicken Rice Crackers, Black Spanish Pig, Ubin Sea Bass and Pork Collar ($6 – $18). Adding to its modern sensibilities: An industrial-looking interior, heavy on wood furnishings and metal accents.
Equally exciting is its drinks list of unique concoctions with tongue-in-cheek names, such as Who Moved My Kueh (Pandan Vodka, Cointreau, passion fruit, fresh lime and egg white); Samsui Martini (espresso, gold rum, orange liqueur, condensed milk and chocolate); and Inner Peace (ginger flower gin, yuzu liqueur, chrysanthemum honey, cherry bitters, fresh lemon and pu-erh).
“What we’ve done here is to channel that same sentimentality of traditional comfort foods from across different cultures, but give them new life by using ingredients unique to different corners of Asia. At the same time, we want to create a place for people to gather and share food and companionship. That for us is what makes modern comfort food,” said Ms Quek Sue-Shan, co-owner of Kite and bistro SPRMRKT. #01-01 53 Craig Road, tel: 9729-7988
If you work around the Duxton Road area and are looking for something that is less likely to send you into a post-lunch food coma, Sprout is just the place for you. Opened by local It girl Stephanie Er, you can tuck into healthy salad bowls with vegetarian and gluten-free options in a homely environment.
For those up for something a little more substantial, there’s the Beef and Broccoli bowl (from $18.90) and the Korean Chicken bowl ($16.90), which are both dairy-free.
“When I was pregnant, I found it extremely difficult to find a healthier place to eat where I didn’t have to feel rushed. I wanted to create a cosy environment for healthier options, and I wanted to have salads that incorporated Asian flavours”, said Ms Er.