New restaurants, bars, or seasonal menus perfect for a fancy date night or casual dining with friends …would be an honest, albeit SEO-driven description of these establishments. Not that we are any authority, but each has definitely earned their spot on this written highlight reel. Or if you have already been eyeing these places, take this as a lowdown of key dishes and worthy mentions to try. Succinct? You betcha.
Park Bench Deli was a staple at Telok Ayer Street. When we used to work out of Ann Siang Road, for lunch we'd shuffled down to PBD for some sandos and good vibes. The joint shuttered back in March 2023 and dreams of dancing Pastrami Reubens still haunt us, reminding us of what we once had.
Ladies and gentlemen, it brings us great pleasure that Park Bench Deli has return, albeit as a pop-up for three months.
PBD—and sister burger concept, Rosita's Deluxe—take up space at The Pantry and after three years of absentia, the magic wasn't lost. Now catering to families, the PBD menu has all your favourites (with some upgrades) like the Pastrami Reuben, with toasted sourdough doing the Herculean task of holding in the goodness that is thick slabs of smoked beef pastrami, provolone and coleslaw. My favourite, the Corn-flaked Crusted Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich, is now part of the kid's menu (which swaps the dishes names for a child's retort in the face of the question: what do you want to eat?, like I Don't Know! [PBJ sandwich]; I Am Not Hungry! [chicken tenders and fries]; I Don't Care! [peanut butter, banana, bacon sandwich).
When the weekend arrive, PBD brings out Rosita's Deluxe menu. From Friday to Saturday, between 6pm and 10pm, cheeseburgers take centrestage. Smashed and double-stacked, the Rosita’s OG is as old school as it gets with ketchup, mustard and chopped onions. If you're looking for more full-bodied flavour, the Western Burger is pimped out with bacon, blue cheese, BBQ sauce, and an onion ring.
Remember, Park Bench Deli will operate for three months, starting 10 January. And after that? Who knows, if the venture prove successful, maybe PBD will return to the scene in a more permanent form. Maybe.
Vibe: The best thing between two buns that you can put in your sandwich hole. (Is the secret sauce nostalgia?)
Must-trys: All is good. Pastrami Reuben is marvel, thanks to the pastrami brisket cooking in a smoker outside of the restaurant. The PBD Big Breakfast and Sausage Egg Muffin bears the hallmarks of one's childhood of eating Mickey D's breakfast. Oh, and the Hot Fried Chicken (a new addition to the menu) has a kick, which you'll keep begging for more, you culinary masochist, you.
Park Bench Deli pop-up is located at The Pantry, 16A Dempsey Road, Singapore 2476955.
One of the latest additions to Weave's schnazzy line up is a outpost that fits right in. Chef Paul Pairet (count them Michelin stars if you're into that) brings the best of his native French gastronomic training and extensive time in Asia to a meat-heavy menu that pays homage to a humble accompaniment.
"Mustard" in French, Moutarde serves renditions of the dressing (spot dedicated vintage art around the space) with what the live carvery station has on roster that day. The daily rotating woodfire roasted cuts include XXL Turbot, Australian Prime Rib and New Zealand Lamb Leg, which are unimaginably tender. A unique dish is the Cheese Soufflé, presented tableside because it's intriguing how they can achieve the rise without flour.
Not many restaurants can claim that they have an acclaimed sommelier on tap, but Xavier Thuizat curates the selection, alongside smoked ice tea and other specialty beverages, available quite literally off the wall. You can get your post-meal sugar high at your seat, but head next door for the creative expressions. What Sundae Royale arguably does best is the French classic Chocolat Liégeois Sundae; a simple combination of and French cream.
Vibe: A gentlemen's parlour for the carnivorous caveman in us
Must-trys: Obviously anything from the carvery, Chocolat Liégeois Sundae
Moutarde and Sundae Royale is located at WEAVE at Resorts World Sentosa #B1-219-221, Singapore 098138.
The set up is right there. An all-day bistro, the original team behind PS.Cafe, and the quieter half of the Holland Village neighbourhood. A winning combination pushes the nostalgia of cafe-hopping heyday with an ambience and menu inspired by Australian hospitality. Rich teak and plenty of natural light are some elements of the entirely in-house designed interior, with a locally-commissioned mural as the cherry on top.
While many diners are guilty of serving food we could easily prepare ourselves, we know there's no way we can achieve the ageing of the CB Bistro Burger or chew of the Sticky Short Rib. Have your carbs in three different styles under Sides, because remember, these are the folks behind the iconic Truffle fries.
Desserts play on the safe side but come in a range of choices, as do the beverage line up. Tipples are developed in collaboration with namedrop-worth Jay Gray, so do opt for the spritzes or use it as an excuse to add a little kick to your cuppa in the caffeinated boozies.
Vibe: The perfect balance of chichi and casual
Must-trys: Casarecce, Crispy Smashed Potatoes, the "Lunchtails" or 0% Bistro Sodas
Chip Bee Bistro is located at 44 Jalan Merah Saga #01-48, Singapore 278116.
Ah mamma mia, la dolce vita, prego! And all the stereotypical phrases you can throw into one expression because this cafe absolutely does not shy away from dialing up the Italian charm. As we're sure you've already heard, the impeccable Fortuna Italian Trattoria recently diversified for a more laidback seating just doors down.
While the OG delivers in service, food and interior, the little sister is stronger in its ambience. Awash in sunny hues, complete with beach umbrellas shading the terrace area, even the plates be injecting joy to your dining experience. The casual fare distinctly inherits the culture's traits, but shines better with the indispensable Olio Santo.
Vibe: A slice of Amalfi Coast since you never made time to go to the real thing
Must-trys: Quinoa & Cauliflower Salad, Mortadella Panuozzi, the sizable Tarts
Fortuna Terrazza is located at 10 Craig Road, Singapore 089670.
Fortuna Group's efforts on world domination continues with its third concept that's specific to the capital city. As an ode to his Roman wife Alessandra Gulino by founder and director Egon Marzaioli, the restaurant focuses its fare on the way of Rome.
Perhaps our unsophisticated Asian palates could not discern what's truly traditional with the pizzas and pastas (though they certainly do photograph as nicely), but the space was enough to blow us away. Unapologetically decked in red and a myriad of mirrors, the decor spares no expense yet is strangely no overkill. If all else fails, sit by the bar and order a Medusa with your dessert.
Vibe: Red hot date night
Must-trys: Roman-style Porchetta, Truffle Tiramisu
Medusa is located at South Beach Avenue #B1-22, Singapore 189768.
After more than a decade of quietly shaping Hong Kong's café scene, Elephant Grounds has finally decided to expand its outreach to this sunny little island. The Singapore outpost retains all the elements of what made the original concept work: careful sourcing, in-house roasted coffee beans, and on-site baking from scratch.
But the kitchen isn't just limited to your usual café grub. Expect Açai Yoghurt Bowls, Fish Fillet Sandos, Steak Gyudons, and Wildberry Pancake Stacks. But we think the pastries are still where Elephant Grounds sets itself apart. You'll wanna try their Earl Grey Doughnut, Banoffee (banana + toffee croissant), and Chocolate Cookie.
Vibe: Weekend brunch to stuff your camera
Must-trys: Earl Grey Doughnut, Banoffee, Fish Fillet Sando, Wildberry Pancake Stack
Elephant Grounds is located at 124 Beach Rd, #01-04 Guoco Midtown, Singapore 189771.
HONOURABLE MENTION
Where else can we get our protein intake and call it a dessert? Shortly after the success of its first outlet at Mandarin Gallery, the Korean tofu-based craft gelato expands its territory just down the same Orchard street. We're happy to report that its the same live-churning magic, creamy consistency and lack of guilt after finishing a sweet treat.
Vibe: Straight out of a Jeju Island postcard
Must-trys: Black Sesame, Chodang Sweet Corn
The newest TOFU G outlet is located at Ngee Ann City #B1-29, Singapore 238873.
