The Gen XY Lifestyle
New Year, New Eats
With the New Year just making its way in, kick off your quest for novel eats with our list of newly opened dining venues.
Now that we’re done with February’s festivities, it’s time to make way for new discoveries and experiences. Put down those Chinese New Year goodies for a bit and have your taste buds refreshed with these newly opened dining venues.
Portico Prime At Dempsey: For Tochigi Wagyu Steaks
Togichi Prefecture Wagyu Beef
Besides serving flavour-packed dishes, Portico Prime has also secured exclusive rights as the only restaurant in Singapore to serve richly marbled wagyu steaks from the famed Tochigi prefecture in Japan. With signature tasting menus (SGD 78++ each) offering dishes ranging from Pan Seared Pulau Ubin Barramundi to Locally Farmed Chicken Done Two Ways; diners may also satisfy their sweet tooth with a selection of desserts including the Deconstructed Blackforest.
The new outlet has also stepped up on its beverage offerings, with a choice of brews from Twinings’ special selection; ‘Bean to Cup’ cuppas made from Dutch Colony Coffee’s beans; and exquisite wines conferred by wine partner, Crystal Wines.
Portico Prime also offers a sprawling outdoor space, making it an ideal venue for cosy get-togethers or large gatherings should you wish to hold an event or celebration there.
Location: 10 Dempsey Road, #01-20, Singapore 247700
Opening Hours: Tuesdays – Sundays, 11:30am to 11:30pm
Yuzu At Holland Village: For Bespoke Omakase Dishes
For a casual Japanese fine-dining experience that will not break the bank, the newly opened Yuzu restaurant is the place for you. Located in the cosy enclave of Holland Village, the bespoke Omakase restaurant offers premium food at great value.
The restaurant is helmed by Tokyo-born head chef, Takahashi Tadashi, who boasts an impressive F&B portfolio with stints including two Michelin starred restaurant Komuro in Tokyo, and London’s Michelin star restaurant Umu and Nobu. Chef Takahashi brings to Singapore his mastery of the Kaiseiki, where his creativity and flair is reflected in his customised menus to cater to special dietary requirements.
While substantial Omakase sets are starting from SGD 120, Yuzu also offers pocket-friendly lunch sets that are starting from SGD 35. Lunch sets include dishes such as Wagyu Steak Don (SGD 35) and seven-piece Nigiri Sushi (SGD 50); while all Omakase sets come with an appetiser, assorted sashimi, cooked dishes, sushi rolls, soup and a dessert platter.
Location: 6A Lorong Mambong, Holland Village, Sinapore 277673
Opening Hours: Tuesdays – Sundays, 12pm to 11pm
Humpback: For Oyster Lovers
Tucked away in a shophouse along Bukit Pasoh road is Humpback, a breezy Seattle-style restaurant serving up fresh seafood and craft cocktails. The new kid on the block is the latest F&B concept by the owners of Jigger & Pony and Sugarhall – bringing seafood lovers buckets of fresh oysters at pocket-friendly prices.
Slurp on endless amounts of fresh, crisp oysters imported from the Pacific Northwest, and pair them with the restaurant’s white spirits-based cocktails. Oysters on the half shell are going at SGD 6++ to SGD 7++each and at just SGD 2++ to SGD 3++ each during Happy Hour, depending on the type. The Happy Hour promotions are available from 5pm to 7pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays, and all night from 5pm to 12 midnight every Monday.
While its seafood selection is kept small, Humpback constantly evolves its menu to keep diners looking forward to new inventive creations. Expect to savour dishes prepared with a twist such as Rainbow Trout (SGD 16++) served with egg yolk, almond milk, and the zest of pickled mustard seeds.
Besides seafood, Humpback also offers light gourmet bites and other protein options to cater to everybody’s palate. Guests may find healthy innovative dishes such as Kale (SGD 14++) cooked two-ways – fried and dehydrated as chips, as well as fresh and dressed in buttermilk. Other light bites include snacks such as the Clam Dip (SGD 10++), featuring deshelled clams cooked with pork, cream cheese and butter, and served with Ritz crackers.
Location: 18/20 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089834
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 5pm to 12am
The Chop House At I12 Katong: For Hearty Grills
Following the success of its flagship at Vivocity, The Chop House opens its second outlet in the heart of heritage Katong – making it accessible for foodies residing in the East. Created by the same team behind Wooloomooloo Steakhouse, the gastrobar prides itself in serving classic, hearty meals along with a range of ice cold draught beers.
With the addition of a Southbend boiler in its kitchen, diners can expect to tuck into quality meats seared to perfection at the new 112 outlet. Meat-lovers can pick from an extensive selection of steaks including the premium USDA Prime Grain Fed Rib Eye (SGD 38++); the tender Berkshire Pork Chop (SGD 29++) basted in a Mongolian glaze; and the Aussie Burger (SGD 26++) – featuring a half pound beef patty topped with tomatoes, lettuce, onion jam, beetroot, sunny side up egg and bacon.
Great for family gatherings, The Chop House also offers an extensive sharing menu with a little something for everyone. Generous platters include the Pork Knuckle Platter (SGD 85++) – featuring a 1.2 kg pork knuckle with smoked BBQ baby back ribs, assorted sausages and truffle potato salad; the Mixed Seafood Grill (SGD 58++) – featuring salmon, prawns, mussels and more; and the Mixed Grill Platter (SGD 68++) – a carnivore’s fantasy featuring grass fed beef tenderloin, lamb cutlets, and assorted sausages.
With the gastrobar’s all-day Happy Hour promotion, guests may pair their hearty meal with five ice cold draught beers at any time, starting at SGD 9++ per 300 millilitres. Other drinks available include wines such as Victoria Park Sauvignon Blanc (SGD 9++ per glass) and adventurous cocktails from their Curious Cocktail range.
Location: 112 East Coast Road, #01-13 112 Katong, Singapore 428802
Opening Hours: Mondays to Sundays, 12 noon to 12 midnight
