Run bird, run
The Bird Southern Table and Bar is the latest to join Marina Bay Sands’ league of signature restaurants, offering the comforts of classic Southern cooking with farm-fresh ingredients. Better known as Yardbird in Miami, USA, its Singapore outlet was renamed so as not to clash with another dining establishment in Asia of the same name. Buttermilk Biscuits, Shrimp ‘N’ Grits and Chicken ‘N’ Watermelon ‘N’ Waffles are just a few of the establishment’s several must-try signature menu items, available alongside regionally-inspired and localised dishes such as the Low Country Laksa, a combination of red snapper, Carolina gold rice pilau, panko fried egg, and caramelised ginger coconut broth.
Fire and spice
Coterie Dining Concepts, the team behind popular Cantonese tapas bar Sum Yi Tai, has unveiled what it claims to be Singapore’s first Szechuan yakitori bar along Bukit Pasoh Road, Chikin. The casual Izakaya-style eatery uses traditional Japanese methods of grilling skewers over Binchotan flames, but replaces the typical tare (soy basting) sauce with Szechuan peppercorn. Fried and cold dish options are also available alongside a variety of up to 20 cocktails – mostly inspired by Japanese ingredients such as Shiso leaves and Kyoho grapes – to be savoured amid a snazzy mash-up of neon lit walls, Japanese cartoon collectibles, and the promise of “happy tunes” spanning from the early 90s to the present.
Edible art
Japanese cheese tart chain Pablo has just opened its first Singapore café outlet at Wisma Atria, offering its signature 15-cm Pablo Freshly Baked Cheese Tart alongside Matcha and Chocolate variations. Those who seek a more indulgent alternative can opt for the Premium Cheese Tart which is made with two types of cream cheese and topped with a crème brûlée-inspired caramel glaze. Aside from other cheese-based products in the form of soft-serve ice cream and boxed confectionaries, cheese fanatics can even purchase Pablo-branded merchandise ranging from mugs to collectible lapel pins.
Happy hours
CBD workers who happen to be so fortunate as to clock out early should head on straight to The White Rocket along Stanley Street to enjoy its latest Wine o’ Clock promotion, where house red and white wines are priced by the hour from 3–10pm from Monday to Friday. That means a glass of sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, cabernet or merlot costs as little as $3++ when the order is placed between 3–4pm. The café by day and bar by night also offers affordable weekday lunches from 11.30am–2.30pm, with salads going for $9.90++ and selected pasta dishes at $12++.
Wine and dine
Robert Parker Wine Advocate has launched its first-ever lifestyle programme, RP Benefits, which provides RPWA subscribers exclusive excess to wine and dine experiences, for an annual membership fee of US$99 ($134). Through RP Benefits, members are able to enjoy bring-your-own-bottle privileges at over 50 establishments as well as special promotions, such as complimentary wine beverages and kitchen tours, among others. Participating establishments include Michelin-starred-establishments such as Saint Pierre and Summer Pavilion.
