From The Straits Times    |
 New restaurants to visit in November

The F&B scene in Singapore is ever changing, with new restaurants opening each month. While we love having options, choosing one can be tricky task – and that’s where our handy list comes in. Whether you’re dining with friends, family or alone, these new restaurants have something for everyone. From generous omakase offerings to affordable fusion food that pairs local flavours with wine, November looks to be a very satisfying month for foodies.

 

1. Rizu

Rizu's truffle sukiyaki bowl and abalone rice

Rizu’s Sukiyaki Rice Bowl is topped with shaved truffle; their delicate Abalone Rice

The latest fine-dining Japanese joint to hit the trendy Duxton Hill area, Rizu is an intimate space among the noisier F&B offerings that surround it. Hailing from Hiroshima and an alumni of Beni, head chef Noboru Shimohigashi has launched three omakase sets.

We tried the Rizu Special Omakase ($200/person), a ten-course extravaganza that has six appetisers, two mains, a rice dish (choose between Abalone Risotto and Sukiyaki Rice Bowl with Miso Soup) and dessert.

One highlight was the Ikedukuri, a sashimi platter consisting of Boston lobster topped with gold flakes, abalone from Korea and assorted fish from Japan. The sashimi was so fresh, we didn’t need to dip it in soya sauce.

The assorted Nigiri was a delight as we were served five delicate pieces of sushi, from sea eel to fatty tuna; this was followed by the superb Lobster Bisque that was packed with flavour, and had chunks of lobster at the bottom.

For mains, the Miso Marinated Black Cod outshone the Wagyu Steak with Special Wasabi sauce (a little too fatty for our liking, but we can’t fault how it was perfectly medium-rare), and we recommend choosing the Abalone Risotto over the Sukiyaki Rice Bowl, as it’s a little less heavy, but full of umami. If you love truffle, pick the Sukiyaki, which comes with a generation helping of truffle shavings.

39 Duxton Hill. Tel: 6904 8880

 

2. Kinou

New restaurants to visit in November Kinou

Clockwise from left to right: Whack a Quack, Signature Beef Tartare, Kinou, Lost in Peru

Frenchman Benjamin Tilatti used his mother’s nickname for this Tras Street restaurant, which specialises in fresh, quality food such as ceviche, tartare and meat platters.

Inspired by his travels around the world during his time in the French navy, Tilatti’s menu is an eclectic mix of cuisines, with tongue-in-cheek names for each dish.

The Kinou, Lost in Peru ($25) is their twist on ceviche, with creative corn guacamole instead of avocado and red snapper marinated in tomato and lime.

The Signature Beef Tartare ($24) uses Comté cheese to hold the beef together, as opposed to the traditional egg, a twist that works extremely well. If you prefer something a little stronger, the Whack a Quack ($24) duck tartare pairs duck breast with gingerbread, to make it less gamey.

Groups of friends and co-workers can opt for the Carnivorous Crew ($128), a meat platter that presents a succulent plank steak, pork ribs, bone marrow, Wagyu sausage and a sinful baked Camembert cheese for you to dip your bread into (available on Tuesdays).

Indulge in Nadya’s “Some Sort of Chocolate Dessert” ($15), a creation by Tillatti’s right-hand woman that sees shoyu glaze laid on top of miso, caramel, chocolate mousse and crunchy cashew brittle. It sounds a little daunting but everything worked well, and you’ll find yourself fighting with your friends for more.

Kinou has an extensive drinks menu with over 100 cocktails and their beer is poured in 60ml servings rather than the normal 30ml – for the same price.

Last, but definitely not least – they have the ultimate party toilet. From the outside it looks like any other toilet, but once you lock the door, the disco ball starts, lights flash, and French disco or ABBA starts to play.

81 Tras Street. Tel: 6224 0463

 

3. Lino

One of Lino’s healthier options: Roasted Beetroot Salad with Beetroot Cream, Bufala and Horseradish

Brought to you by the people behind Les Amis, Lino is an Italian-inspired restaurant in the upscale Binjai Park area. The name comes from the word linen, the material used to cover pizza dough as it leavens. Lino’s team hopes to utilise classic cooking techniques to allow flavours to develop naturally, specialising in handmade pizza, pasta and small plates.

An alumni of Prego at The Westin Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Mozza at Marina Bay Sands and Publico Ristorante at the InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay where he was specialty pizza chef, executive chef Shaufi Yusof will be dishing out handmade pasta and artisanal pizza to whet your appetite.

With both al-fresco and indoor seating, diners can sink their teeth into exquisite dishes like Burrata with slow roasted cherry tomatoes, passata and basil (S$28)  and Asparagus with braised leek, scallion, garlic, goat’s cheese and pancetta ($28) for starters, and handmade Pork and veal tortellini with parmesan sauce (S$24).

7 Binjai Park. Tel: 6463 7800

 

4. The Wine & Gourmet Friends

New restaurants to visit in November Wine and Gourmet Friends

Asian flavours with a twist: Foie Gras Lotus Leaf Rice 

Sommelier William Seah and chef Wilson Ang’s new Asian tapas bistro seeks to encourage communal-style dining, with guests sharing not only food, but knowledge with each other.

The portions are served tapas style to allow guests to order and try more dishes, all of which feature Asian flavours with a twist, such as the Foie Gras Lotus Leaf Rice ($18)  and their moreish Lamb Trio ($30): lamb kofta, lamb rendang and a traditional grilled rack of lamb.

The bistro and menu is meant to take away the intimidating atmosphere wine places usually have, and the staff are keen to share more about the wine and will happily recommend which wine matches which local flavour.

48 Bukit Pasoh Road. Tel: 6224 1982

 

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