1 TOK PANJANG PERANAKAN CAFE
Established by the House of Peranakan Group of restaurants, the 40-seat Tok Panjang Peranakan Cafe at 392 East Coast Road is its fourth and latest branch offering classic Nonya dishes.
The menu features snacks such as Bob's pork bun ($8 for two buns), named after the group's 75-year- old chef-owner Bob Seah, with caramelised braised pork belly served in a steamed bun with lettuce and coriander leaves; and Nonya ngoh hiang ($5.50).
Main courses include assam laksa ($8.90), made with kembong fish stock; and Peranakan rice set ($11.90), with a choice of main dish, such as babi pongteh or beef rendang (photo 1). The set is served with Nonya chap chye and its signature itek tim (salted vegetable and duck soup). For dessert, options include durian chendol ($6.50) and gula melaka sago pudding ($4).
The other three outlets under the restaurant group are at 42 Eng Hoon Street, 103 Frankel Avenue and 210 East Coast Road.
Where: 392 East Coast Road
Open: 9am to 9pm (Tuesday to Sunday), closed on Monday
Info: Call 9663-3392 or go to www.facebook.com/tokpanjangcafe
2 GILLS N SHELLS
Seafood lovers can head to Gills N Shells, a modern European seafood restaurant in Hotel Boss in Jalan Sultan.
Dishes have a fusion twist to them, such as the hae bee hiam pasta with soft shell crab ($18.90); salted egg pasta with grilled tiger prawns ($18.90, photo 2); and truffle-infused cod, which is topped with chye poh(preserved radish).
Other items include baked oysters with bacon, cheese and herbs ($25.90 for six); lobster roll ($24.90); salmon burger ($17.90); clams and mussels ($15.90); and Gills N Shells crab cakes ($12.90).
Where: Hotel Boss,500 Jalan Sultan, 01-19
Open: 3pmto1am daily
Info: Call 6493-2238 or go to www.facebook.com/gillsnshells
3 ROYAL LONDON DUCK
Food and beverage groups Fei Siong and Akashi were partners when they opened the popular London Fat Duck in Scotts Square last year.
But since February, they have gone their separate ways and Fei Siong has now opened its own brand- Royal London Duck -in Mandarin Gallery.
It takes over the space formerly occupied by Jones the Grocer. As expected, roast meats take centre stage in the restaurant. The menufeatures Royal London Duck rice ($8.80), char siew rice ($8.80) and crispy pork rice ($8.80).
Other dishes include Royal London Duck ($48, photo 3); conpoy chicken (from $15 for half portion); prawn wonton noodle soup ($7.80); beef brisket noodle (dry, $8.80); Royal London duck congee ($7.80); scallop and sea cucumber congee ($9.80); crispy salt and pepper beancurd ($4.80); char siew pineapple bun; and Royal London Duck xiaolongbao ($5.20).
Where: Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road, 04-21/22/23
Open: 11am to10pmdaily
Info: www.facebook.com/royallondonduck
4 WOK MASTER
The owners of the Coffee Hive chain-better known for its kopi and toast cafes -have launched its new zi char brand called Wok Master.
The first outlet in City Square Mall has an extensive menu with many claypot dishes such as Wok Master's premium claypot ($28 or $38), which comes with prawns, scallops, clams, sea cucumber, sliced fish, fish maw and broccoli; claypot crayfish laksa ($12); claypot XO crayfish tanghoon ($14 or $28); and sizzling claypot tofu ($12 or $18).
Other highlights include miso cod with champagne sauce ($38); curry fish head ($28); pine nut "squirrel" fish ($28); and crispy skin duck ($28), a version of Peking duck served with crepes, cucumber, carrots and spring onions; and royal three eggs spinach ($12 or $17, photo 4).
Where: City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road, 02-51/52
Open: 10amto10pmdaily
Info: Call 6835-9096 or go to www.facebook.com/wokmastersg
5 KOHAKU
Tendon- tempura on rice- has been the "It" Japanese dish recently.
Tendon Ginza Itsuki in Tanjong Pagar, part of the Ramen Keisuke group, still draws long queues, and now Japanese food arena Eat At Seven in Suntec City has introduced its final brand- Kohaku, which also specialises in tendon.
Kohaku uses Nanatsuboshi rice imported from Hokkaido and the simple menu features its signature Kohaku Tendon($15, photo 5), vegetable tendon ($14), spicy flavour ($15) and vegetable spicy flavour ($14).
Add $4.50 for a set, which comes with udon and tsukemono (Japanese pickles).
The tempura items are drizzled with a choice of original or black sugar sauce.
Where: Eat At Seven, 3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City, 03-311
Open: 11am to 10.30pm daily
Info: Call 6333-4386 or go to www.facebook.com/kohaku.tempura
Eunice Quek
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