Eating is mostly social here. Most of us live to eat, often using it as a means to a night out with family and friends. Especially—it's inevitable to say—with the gradual resumption of travel, an easy experience to revive that sense of novelty and derive joy from is to stuff our fat faces try new restaurants and bars. Equally important too, to share our verdict along as suggestions to those who have yet to visit. So we'd like to propagate this culture with our monthly recommendations of places to check out, from savoury feasts to sweet desserts. See if you'll agree.
Umami10
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What's surprising about this tapas bar is that the food actually slaps. Don't get us wrong, the range of craft sakes are adequate, but the bites unquestionably surpass bar grub. Start with the juicy Premium Hyogo Oysters, or Scallops Carpaccio, which is a lovely medley of complex flavours presented simply. For hot tapas, you can't go wrong with a 12-hours braised tender Wagyu Boneless Short Ribs with Veal Jus or yuzu Asari Clams.
Heavier dishes like the Tsukune Don don't disappoint either. Another interesting pointer is the standard and creativity of plating which elevates the experience. The interior is a tad gaudy for our liking, but it's an informal hole in the wall with plain view of the kitchen for you to witness magic happen.
Umami10 is located at 163 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068616.
Binary
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The namesake is a play on the unit number, but also what inspires the unique dual concept of Asian VS Western. No, we don't mean a fusion. You'll see that your menu is subtly split into two, where each dish is interpreted in either style. For instance, Mains like Iberico Pluma is dressed in either Argentine chimichurri or Korean gochujang and prepared according to respective cuisines. Similarly with Small Plates like Octopus in pesto alla genovese or Lao Gan Ma chilli crisp; as well as across Kebabs, On the Side, and Desserts.
For Bread & Chips, you won't regret trying the homemade Kubaneh Bread with garlic & kombu butter. The more than 60 wine labels displayed in-store are also the pride of the gastro-bar, which are very reasonably priced for quality and available for both takeaway or dine-in at supplement of SGD30 by bottles. Against a refined yet intimate seating indoors and social al fresco terrace overlooking the Orchard bustle, it's an attractive spot for a cosy catch-up.
Binary is located at Palais Renaissance #01-01A, Singapore 238871.
Smoke and Mirrors
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It's about time the bar perched on a museum creates a series of art-inspired libations. Encounter Raden Saleh's giant masterpiece Forest Fire through the equally dramatic Smoke on the Water; distilled wine and cognac expertly smoked with an infusion of dried citrus peels and jasmine tea. Find other literal counterparts with the Shocking Pink that parallels Manit Sriwanichpoom's Pink Man, and more subtle abstractions like Over the Horizon, which tower of bubbles takes cues from the momentous public unveiling of Singapore's national flag at City Hall steps in 1959.
All accompanied with an interactive menu showing the pairings, the 10 varied translations surely add another layer to the very pieces exhibited in and spaces around National Gallery. For an even more immersive journey, the Art X Cocktails tours (SGD35/pax) opens from 15 January as part of the Light to Night Festival, entitling one complimentary cocktail, or its non-alcoholic option if desired.
The Real Art of Drinking happens until 31 January at Smoke and Mirrors, National Gallery #06-01, Singapore 178957.
Long Bar x Native Bar
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2022's first installation of the historic bar's Slingology series—following the successful run with Junior the Pocket Bar—features award-winning Native Bar's take on the iconic tipple. Garden Sling is sweet yet tangy with the craft of Colombo Gin, roselle, pineapple, Thai basil and calamansi. Alternatively, the aromatic Melon with the same base but Junmai sake, jasmine flower, and of course, melon. The Pu-Err pushes the depth of the tea with whisky, complemented with Trigona honey and chrysanthemum. No better place to rendezvous these three reimagined drinks than along Long Bar's famous counter, home of the Singapore Sling.
Slingology series with Native Bar happens until 5 February at Long Bar, Raffles Arcade #02-01, Singapore 188719.
The Kampong Bakery
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Rather than the usual European or Japanese flavours, this collective of millennials (the irony) decided to express traditional Singaporean dishes in these modern bakes. Meaning Rojak and Ondeh Bombolonis; an Asian citrusy tart with mango and masala; a cinnamon roll variant with TCM ingredients like goji berries, longan, and red dates; and a polish bread decorated with a pesto of laksa leaf, Thai basil, pine nuts, and parmesan, topped with cured egg yolk grains.
What we love is that the flavours do really come through without feeling too forced (unlike say, bubble tea-inspired foods), and the textures of the bakes are pretty damn decent. For the upcoming Lunar New Year, they've also launched a Fortune Box of Orange Sugee, Pineapple Kaffir Lime Tart, Black Sesame Financier, and Sichuan Peppercorn Chocolate Cookie; a clever alternative to your usual CNY goodies.
The Kampong Bakery Bake Box of Five can be ordered via Oddle. Orders for Fortune Box are now open and will end 29th January.
