The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan starts on June 29 this year.
While many popular hotel buffets are almost booked out, there are some new and interesting eateries offering a myriad of cuisines for breaking fast this year.
MUSLIM-OWNED AND RUN RESTAURANTS
Pastilla Cafe
Chicken Prune Tajine. -- PHOTO: PASTILLA CAFE
What: The restaurant will be serving harira, a traditional Moroccan soup of tomatoes, chickpeas and lentils usually enjoyed during the month of Ramadan. It will be offering break fast or Ifar set menus that will include a choice of starter and main course, and a dessert. Main courses here include chicken and prune tajine, as well as lamb tajine.
Where: 334 Changi Road, tel: 6440-0849
Open: 5 to 10.30pm (Tuesday to Friday), 5 to 11.30pm (weekends), closed on Monday. The break fast set will be available only until about 9pm, after which the a la carte menu will be available.
Price: An Ifar set is priced at $28++ a person.
Le Steak
Mr Amri Abdul Azim is the chef consultant of Le Steak in Jalan Kayu. -- ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
What: Chef-owner Amri Abdul Azim, 38, is offering wagyu beef rendang served with yellow rice ($35) for the month of Ramadan. For an additional $15, those who order a main course will also be served artisan bread, soup and dessert of the day, and tea or coffee. The restaurant also offers various types, cuts and grades of steak.
Where: 248 Jalan Kayu, tel: 6556-3588
Open: During Ramadan, the restaurant will be open from 5 to 11pm (weekdays) and 4 to 10pm (weekends). The Ramadan special ends on July 25 and the restaurant will be closed thereafter for four days. Bookings are advisable for meals between 6.30 and 8pm.
Price: Steaks range in price from $15 to $49. The Ramadan special with wayu rendang is priced at $35.
Info: Go to lesteak.com.sg
Le Bistro Parisien
Baked escargots bourguignon on green pea puree from Le Bistro Parisien, a restaurant serving halal French food located at 10 Haji Lane. -- ST PHOTO: DELON HO
What: The French bistro's popular dishes include a traditional French onion soup and baked escargots bourguignon served with green pea puree. Main courses range from duck confit to rack of lamb.
Where: 48 Bencoolen Street, 01-02, tel: 6333-3138
Open: 7am to 10pm daily.
Price: Salads are priced at $15, while main courses start at $25 a serving.
Info: Go to www.le-bistroparisien.com
I AM Cafe
Mr Salleh Ahmad, 48; Mr Jaffar Sariban, 48; Mr Muhamed Jamuri Busori, 42, owners of I Am cafe at the intersection of Haji Lane and North Bridge Road. -- ST PHOTO:MATTHIAS HO
What: Aside from its regular a la carte menu that includes sandwiches, pizzas and main courses such as fish and chips, it is also offering break fast sets that can be shared among two or four diners. The sets include popular favourites such as its burger and pasta.
Where: 674 North Bridge Road, junction of North Bridge Road and Haji Lane, tel: 6295-5509
Open: 11.30am to 11pm (Monday to Thursday), 11.30am to 1am (Friday and Saturday), 11.30am to 10pm (Sunday). The cafe will not be serving brunch on Sundays during Ramadan.
Price: Expect to spend $10 to $30 a person. A break fast set for two is priced at $30.90, while a set for four cost $60.90.
Info: E-mail iamathajilane@gmail.com. or go to www.iam.com.sg
Fika
Meatballs served with pan-fried parsley potatoes and lingonberry jam, from Fika cafe. -- BT PHOTO:YEN MENG JIIN
What: Head to this Swedish cafe to break fast over dishes such as Swedish meatballs with lingonberry jam, savoury crepes and pastas. The Millenia Walk outlet will be serving dishes off its usual a la carte menu, while the Beach Road outlet will offer a semi-buffet on weekends. Diners at Beach Road can help themselves to salads, drinks and desserts, and have a choice of one main course. The buffet starts next weekend (first weekend of July).
Where: 257 Beach Road, tel: 6396-9096; and Millenia Walk, 9 Raflles Boulevard, 01-20, tel: 6336-7234
Open: 11am to 10pm (Sunday to Wednesday), 11am to 11pm (Thursday to Saturday)
Price: Expect to spend about $20 to $30 a head, depending on what you order. The weekend Ifar buffet at Beach Road is priced at $36 a person.
Info: Go to www.fikacafe.com
Pho 4 All
What: This Vietnamese restaurant serves both chicken and beef pho - thin flat rice noodles in a broth, served with herbs such as mint.
Where: 7 Jalan Pisang, tel: 6294-0703
Open: 11am to 3pm, 6 to 9pm (Monday to Friday), 6 to 9pm (Saturday), closed on Sunday
Price: A bowl of pho starts at about $7
Rouse
Rouse, a new eatery in Dunlop Street, is owned by Ms Fizah Nizam, 28; her husband Helmindra Khalim, 32; (not pictured) Helmindra's cousin Pippi Firdaus and Pippi's mother Kamariah Ahmad, 52. -- PHOTO: CHEF MEL DEAN
What: Rouse's a la carte menu includes dishes such beef wrapped asparagus and an open-faced roast beef sandwich. New items will be introduced in the coming weeks. The bistro's Ramadan special includes a choice between two soups; main course from a list of six options; assorted cakes and dessert and a drink.
Where: 36 Dunlop Street, tel: 6292-2642
Open: It will be open from noon to 10pm, daily, during the month of Ramadan. The break fast set menu is available from tomorrow (June 30) to July 27, between 6 and 8.30pm. The a la carte menu resumes from 8.30pm onwards.
Price: $41.90 for the set menu
Info: Go to facebook.com/rouseondunlop
Bluespoon
A dish of chicken stew accompanied by white rice and cucumber salad. -- ST PHOTO: STEFFI KOH
What: The Western restaurant, which has applied for halal-certification, serves dishes such as shepherd's pie and chicken stew. For the month of Ramadan, it is offering special set meals ($33.90) which are good for two to three people. You get a choice of main course such as buah keluak rendang or lamb shank stew; and a side dish of either shepherd's pie, chicken chop, turkey-ham wrap with cheese, or macaroni and cheese; and another side dish of either hummus with naan, spicy chicken wings or breaded shrimp. It is also offering frozen or chilled meals for those who want the convenience of takeaway dinners. Orders can be made through its website, and deliveries take place on Wednesdays and Fridays for now.
Where: 325 Joo Chiat Road, tel: 6455-6455
Open: 11am to 10pm (Tuesday to Sunday), closed on Monday
Price: A set for two to three people is priced at $33.90.
Info: www.bluespoon.sg
HALAL-CERTIFIED RESTAURANTS
KOREAN
NeNe Chicken
NeNe Classic Freaking Hot chicken from The Star Vista. -- PHOTO: NENE CHICKEN
What: The casual Korean chicken restaurant offers fried, baked and grilled chicken. Those who like their chilli should opt for the spicy Freaking Hot chicken, which is tossed in a fiery sauce.
Where: Three outlets - The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green, 01-24, tel: 6222-6363; Scape, 2 Orchard Link, 02-39, tel: 6509-0907; Bedok Mall, 311 New Upper Changi Road, 02-02, tel: 6702-4008
Open: All outlets open from 11am to 10pm (Sunday to Thursday), 11am to 11pm (Friday and Saturday). On Sundays, the Star Vista outlet opens at 10am.
Price: Prices start at about $8 for four pieces of chicken
Info: Go to english.nenechicken.com or facebook.com/nenechickensingapore
Seoul Garden
What: The Korean barbecue restaurant serves a range of marinated meats which diners grill on hotplates at their tables.
Where: 11 outlets islandwide including Ngee Ann City, 391A Orchard Road, 05-10, tel: 6836-1339; The Clementi Mall, 3155 Commonwealth Avenue West, 05-18/19/20, tel: 6659-2339; and Compass Point, 1 Sengkang Square, 03-18, tel: 6385-6339
Open: 11.30am to 10.30pm, daily. Dinner starts at 5pm from Monday to Thursday, and at 4pm from Friday to Sunday, public holiday and public holiday eves.
Price: $24.99++ for adults Monday to Thursday), $27.99 for adults (Friday to Sunday), $8.99++ for children, daily.
Info: Go to www.seoulgarden.com.sg
Seoul Garden HotPot
What: This Korean hot pot restaurant serves various types of Jjigae or Korean stews. Side orders include seafood pancakes, fried chicken and bibimbap or rice with condiments such as meat, vegetables, kimchi and pickles.
Where: Four outlets - HarbourFront Centre, 1 Maritime Square, 02-03/04, tel: 6275-6338; Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, 8 Grange Road, B1-08, tel: 6732-6338; IMM Building, 2 Jurong East Street 21, 01-112, tel: 6566-8339; Jurong Point, 63 Jurong West Central 3, B1 - 45/46, tel: 6686-3478
Open: 11.30am to 10.30pm, daily, except the outlet at Cathay Cineleisure Orchard which is open from noon to 10.30pm, daily.
Price: Jjigae starts at $10.90 a serving
Info: Go to www.seoulgarden.com.sg
CHINESE
Tang Tea House Hong Kong Cafe
What: The tea house serves dim sum and other zi char delights. These include kang kong with cuttlefish, barbecued stingray, lemon chicken and Yangzhou fried rice.
Where: Simpang Bedok, 357 and 359 Bedok Road, tel: 6445-9100
Open: 10.30am to 4am, daily
Price: Expect to spend about $15 to $25 a head, depending what you order
Info: Go to www.tangtea.net
SINGAPORE-INSPIRED
Curry Times and Curry Times Tingkat
What: Here dishes range from fish head chicken to chicken curry. Non-spicy items include the curry fish cutlet rice and tofu with century egg. Curry Times Tingkat is a self-service outlet of Curry Times.
Where: Curry Times - Velocity, 238 Thomson Road, 02-33/34, tel: 6354-3206; West Gate, 3 Gateway Drive, 02-08, tel: 6369-9609; Curry Times Tingkat - Alexandra Retail Centre, 460 Alexandra Road, 02-36, tel: 6273-3686
Open: Curry Times - 9am to 10pm, daily; Curry Times Tingkat 8am to 9pm (weekdays), 8am to 4pm (Saturday), closed on Sunday.
Price: An individual serving of chicken curry is priced at $7.90.
Info: E-mail info@currytimes.com.sg or go to www.currytimes.com.sg
MONGOLIAN
Kublai Khan Mongolian BBQ Restaurant
What: The restaurant not only serves Mongolian barbecued meats, but a selection of seafood and other Asian foods, from sashimi and Japanese teppanyaki to Sichuan chicken served in a claypot.
Where: Park Mall, 9 Penang Road, 04-01, tel: 6334-4888
Open: 6 to 10pm, daily.
Price: $28 for adults, $15 for children, $23.80 for students and full-time national servicemen (Monday to Thursday), $29.80 for adults, $16 for children, $25.80 for students and full-time national servicemen (Fridays to Sundays, public holidays and public holiday eves)
Info: Go to kublaikhanbbq.com
JAPANESE
Shabu Sushi
Steamboat at Shabu Sushi restaurant at Nex Mall, Serangoon Central. -- PHOTO: ZAO BAO
What: The shabu shabu and sushi restaurants offers a daily buffet with assorted sushi and items including meat and vegetables for the shabu shabu.
Where: nex mall, 23 Serangoon Central, B1-38, tel: 6834-3383
Open: 11.30am to 10.30pm, daily. Dinner starts at 5.30pm and last orders are taken at 9.30pm.
Price: $24.60 a person (weekdays), $29.30 a person (weekends)
Ramen-Ten & Shin-Tokyo Sushi
What: Each outlet offers two restaurant concepts in one space. Expect a variety of ramen and toppings to be served alongside assorted sushi and other dishes such as a Japanese-style baked rice.
Where: Two outlets - Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, 01-22, tel: 6238-7983; and Clementi CityVibe, 3151 Commonwealth Ave West, 02-05, tel: 6775-8862
Open: 11.30am to 10pm, daily.
Price: A bowl of ramen starts at $9.90.
Info: Go to www.ramenten.com
VIETNAMESE
So Pho
What: The halal Vietnamese restaurant serves popular items such as spring rolls, Vietnamese pancakes known as banh xeo, hot pots, pho, rice dishes and banh mi or Vietnamese baguette sandwiches.
Where: Two outlets - Jem, 50 Jurong Gateway Road, tel: 6339-0058; and nex mall, 23 Serangoon Central, B1-15, tel: 6636-8195
Open: 11am to 10pm, daily
Price: A bowl of beef pho starts at $8.80
Info: Go to www.katrinahldgs.com/sopho.html
SEAFOOD AND WESTERN
Fish & Co.
What: Popular dishes here include mussels served in a garlic lemon butter sauce; grilled white fish with ebiko; and fish and chips done in different styles. The restaurant also serves pasta and rice dishes. For the month of Ramadan, the restaurant is offering a set for two ($42.95), which includes buffalo drumlets, grilled peri-peri prawns, succulent prawns, and grilled barramundi with a sambal sauce.
Where:15 outlets islandwide including VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk, 02-116, tel: 6224-3176; Sembawang Shopping Centre, 6604A Sembawang Road, 01-01/02, tel: 6481-9192; Paragon Shopping Centre, 290 Orchard Road, B1-35/36, tel: 6733-0938; and Bugis Junction, 200 Victoria Street, 01-90, tel: 6338-2836
Open: Various opening hours, but are most open between 11.30am and 11pm, daily
Price: Expect to spend about $ 25 a person, depending on what you order. The Ramadan set for two is priced at $42.95.
Info: Go to www.fish-co.com
The Manhattan Fish Market
What: Highlights for Ramadan include new dishes such as Lamb Stew And Grilled Dory, served with garlic herb rice, fried calamari rings and vegetables; and a Lamb Stew And Fish Rendang Platter. Other offerings here include pasta, soups and chowders, seafood done in a variety of ways.
Where: 16 outlets islandwide including Changi City Point, 5 Changi Business Park Central 1, 01-39/40, tel: 6636-1566; United Square, 101 Thomson Road, B1-32/33, tel: 6352-6008; JCube, 2 Jurong East Central 1, 04-10/21, tel: 6684-4208; and Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, 06-07, tel: 6835-9300
Open: 11am to 10pm, daily
Price: Expect to spend about $20 a head.
Info: Go to www.manhattanfishmarket.com
J's Restaurant
Chipotle and tomato meatballs from J's Restaurant in Purvis Street, which serves halal Latin-and European-inspired food. -- PHOTO: J'S RESTAURAN
What: The Latin American-inspired restaurant offers dishes that include tostadas, fajitas and quesadillas. Starters include chipotle meatballs ($17); and scrambled eggs with smoked salmon ($19). Feast on main courses such as adobo chicken ($31) and braised lamb shank ($33).
Where: 7 Purvis Street, tel: 6887-4787
Open: noon to 2.30pm (weekdays), 6.30 to 10.30pm (Monday to Thursday), 6 to 10.30pm (Saturday), closed on Sunday.
Info: Go to www.dineatjs.com