SINGAPORE - Maine-style lobster rolls from New York's Luke's Lobster, and dainty cakes from Danish pastry shop Leckerbaer - both new-to-market brands - can be savoured in Singapore once their outposts open here.
The brands are brought in by lifestyle company Caerus Holding, best known for the debut of New York's famous cake boutique, Lady M, here in 2013.
The company's chief executive officer, Mr Vijay Pillai, 34, says food delivery is now a "core priority" to reach customers who remain cautious about dining out.
He says: "Previously, when you start a business, plans for delivery come after it opens. Now, that's the first to be ready, even the store takes a back seat. Getting products to customers in their homes is No. 1 on our list."
With the start of phase two, he is moving full steam ahead to launch the two brands next to each other at Shaw House, after a "tormenting" wait because of the circuit breaker period, and after more than a year in the making.
This is Leckerbaer's first overseas outpost, and it opens on July 23.
It is known for reinventing the Danish cookie, which many might be familiar with from the "blue tin of butter cookies" eaten as a child, says Mr Vijay.
The cookies (smakager in Danish, $2.80 each) and cakes (which start at $7 each) are made with Danish butter and jazzed up with elements such as meringue, jam and icing.
Luke's Lobster, whose Japan branches are a must-go for visitors to the country, will open here next month - once it gets the green light to start renovations. Prices are not fixed yet, but Mr Vijay says they will remain "affordable for the quality".
Both outlets can seat about 30 diners, with numbers reduced to 15 to 20 seats because of safe distancing measures.
There are plans to expand both brands around South-east Asia, and yet another brand is in the works, to be revealed later this year.
On opening now instead of waiting for phase three, Mr Vijay says: "We have the framework ready, should things take a turn for the worse. Better to open now, when we can."
