VIOLET OON SINGAPORE
After a six-week renovation, food doyenne Violet Oon re-opened her eponymous Peranakan restaurant in Bukit Timah yesterday, with revamped menus as well as local-style breakfast and tea offerings on weekends. Feast at a Nyonya Tok Panjang long table, with new items for lunch and dinner, such as slow-braised Aunty Nanny's daging chabek beef cheek ($35), udang goreng chilli ($27) and Hainanese chicken rice ($18). Nonya and local favourites remain on the menu, such as dry laksa ($22), buah keluak noodle ($24) and kueh pie tee ($17). On the breakfast menu, highlights include Violet's Big Breakfast ($22), with otak otak, deep-fried turmeric chicken wings and sambal telor, all served with traditional nasi kuning; and Roti Violet, a take on the traditional prata with yogurt, herbs and spices. The restaurant includes a show kitchen for culinary workshops (launching next month), which doubles as a private dining space for up to 12 people.
Where: 881 Bukit Timah Road
Open: Noon to 3pm (Tuesday to Friday lunch), 9 to 11.30am (weekend breakfast), 11.30am to 2.30pm (weekend lunch), 3 to 5.30pm (weekend tea), 6 to 10.30pm (Tuesday to Sunday dinner), closed on Monday
Info: Call 6468-5430 or e-mail eat@violetoon.com
ALMA BY JUAN AMADOR
Three-Michelin-starred German chef Juan Amador has opened Alma (which means soul in Spanish), a nod to his Spanish heritage, at Goodwood Park Hotel. The kitchen is headed by chef de cuisine Christophe Lerouy, who has worked with the likes of the acclaimed Pourcel brothers, before working at chef Amador's restaurant in Abu Dhabi. More traditional menu items include monk fish cheek ($22), croquetas de bacalao or salt cod croquettes ($18) and seafood escabeche ($22). Dishes with an Asian influence include yellow fin tuna green curry ($18), pigeon with mango and purple curry ($32) and tooth fish with red pepper and herb salad ($28). Degustation menus are also available, from $68 for a four-course menu.
Where: Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road
Open: 6pm till late (last order 10.30pm), Monday to Saturday, closed on Sunday
Info: Call 6735-9937 or e-mail reservations@alma.sg
MACA
Amid the greenery of the old Tanglin Post Office is contemporary restaurant Maca, named after the ancient Peruvian superfood said to boost energy and health. Dishes on the seasonal menu include chargrilled baby octopus with smoked miso ($22), chargrilled lamb rump ($36) with eggplant, yogurt, pine nuts and mint; as well as desserts such as blackberry ice cream with coconut cream ($15) and burnt pear with molasses yogurt and almond crumble ($15). The drinks menu features cocktails, wines and sake.
Lunch service starts in mid-July.
Where: B1-01 Tanglin Post Office, 56 Tanglin Road
Open: 5 to 10pm (Wednesday to Monday, closed on Tuesday), noon to 4pm (Sunday lunch)
Info: Call 6463-8080 or e-mail dine@macarestaurant.com
CORIANDER LEAF RE-OPENS
First established in 2001 at Gallery Hotel, Singaporean restaurant Coriander Leaf now has a new home in Chijmes. The menu is classified into five flavour categories - Fresh, Familiar, Spicy, Umami and Sweet. Dishes under Fresh include steamed Venus clams in a tamarind, coconut water and calamansi broth ($12); while those under Spicy include a Korean take on the local kong bak bao - braised beef brisket with spicy kimchi and daikon slaw, served on a steamed bun ($14). For desserts, the Sweet options include White Rabbit condensed milk ice cream, mango granita, leche flan and sweet potato.
The 41-seat restaurant with a private dining room for up to 24 people is located next to its culinary education centre with two cooking studios. Lunch service starts in the next few months.
Where: 02-01 Chijmes, 30 Victoria Street
Open: 6pm to midnight (Monday to Thursday), 6pm to 1am (Friday and Saturday), closed on Sunday
Info: Call 6532-3357 or go to www.corianderleaf.com
MAVRX COFFEE APOTHECARY
No frills here, just coffee for those who need a caffeine jolt. Choose either black ($4.50), white ($5) or espresso ($3), made with Allpress Coffee beans. Add $1 for an extra shot or for an iced version. The space is part of Signature Office Suites, which offers fully serviced office space for rent.
Where: 1A Duxton Hill
Open: 8.30am to 4.30pm, weekday only, closed on weekend
Eunice Quek
