4 new F&B spots to visit in November

This month, two international brands open new outlets in Singapore. Meanwhile, a popular dining spot in South Beach Towers undergoes a quick rebranding, while a new brand aims to be the It restaurant in Singapore for donburi.

The Social Place

Known for its modern take on cha chaan teng favourites, this Hong Kong dining brand has opened its first outlet in Singapore. Hong Kong chic best describes the quirky interior furnished with soft blue and gold coloured walls and vintage floor tiles. (The private dining room boasts a wall made of mahjong tiles.)

The food similarly offers refreshing twists to signature dishes, such as the Sweet and Sour Pork on Ice ($24.80) and Eggs (Ain’t) That Simple ($22.80); the latter is a platter of Sichuan-style chicken which is served with two mango “egg yolks” to temper the spicy dish. The Wagyu Char Siu ($19.80) is reminiscent of the fattier cuts of Hong Kong-style char siu and boasts well- rendered fat. Dim sum, another specialty of The Social Place, comes in too-pretty-to-eat designs. They include the Black Swan Pastry ($9.80), Steamed Rose Floret Bun ($1.80) and the mangosteen shaped Deep Fried Lobster Glutinous Puffs ($7.80).

#01-22, Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road. Tel: 9760 1110

Caffe Cicheti

Modern Australian restaurant Fynn’s draws diners with its cafe style nosh in a dreamy garden setting. Unfortunately, that time has come to pass as the space recently underwent a speedy renovation and now offers a completely new concept, Caffe Cicheti, an off-shoot of the popular Bar Cicheti at Jiak Chuan Road.

Caffe Cicheti will be run by the same owners behind Bar Cicheti, restaurateur Liling Ong, chef Lim Yew Aun and sommelier Ronald Kamiyama, who runs Cicheti. Modelled after a modern day osteria, the offshoot will offer unpretentious Italian fare accompanied by an extensive list of biodynamic, natural and organic wines. While brunch favourites like waffles and ricotta hotcakes will be there to retain Fynn’s regulars, the new menu is entirely Italian. Expect antipasti like Mortadella and Panzanella, and traditional mains of pastas, Branzino and Cioppino.

#B1-21, South Beach Tower, 26 Beach Road. Tel: 6384 1878

Donburi King

Compared to Jewel Changi Airport’s fanfare opening, Paya Lebar Quarter has been a more under-the-radar launch. However, Donburi King is poised to make the new mall a must-visit for fans of Japanese rice bowls. Premium air-flown seafood and meats, such as botan ebi, otoro, scallops and Iberico pork, are piled high above vinegared sushi rice in each of their 14 different donburi choices.

Meat lovers can choose the Iberico Pork Cheek Don ($22.80), which boasts succulent morsels of the fatty cut, but the stars of Donburi King are definitely the seafood rice bowls. They are served with specially imported Kanena Miso and soya sauce from Miyazaki Prefecture, a boutique, small-batch producer that was established in 1887. These range from the standard Chirashi Don ($23.80), creamy Spicy Mayomentai Don ($22.80) and the luxe Ootoro Don ($35.40). For the full works, order the signature Kaisen Don ($58.80). It’s topped with a veritable bounty of oceanic delights, including uni, Botan ebi, scallops, oysters, salmon, octopus and salmon roe.

#03-26, Paya Lebar Quarter, 10 Paya Lebar Road. Tel: 6611 6657

Rumours Beach Club

There’s a well-known spot on Siloso Beach that is the haunt for beach parties. It once housed Cafe del Mar, one of the first beach clubs in Singapore and the premier beach club in Sentosa. Then came Mambo Beach Club, which shuttered in June last year. It will now house the popular Seminyak-based Rumours come 15 November, and is set to bring the brand’s trademark hot and wild parties to our shores.

Revellers can bask in the sand, sun and sea, or take a dip in one of the swimming pools within Rumours (they will be the first beach club in Singapore with three pools). We recommend the new VIP area, which comes with its own private pool. Lounge with a glass of Rumours Beach Club’s signature Sea-loso Affair cocktail, or tuck into smoky, Jimbaran-style seafood or signature Rumours grill items from the live BBQ lounge. A beach club is defined by the parties it throws, and Rumours aims to be the premier party destination in Sentosa, with monthly weekend R.U.S.S.H parties that feature international guests DJs. There are also plans for big live shows in the near future.

40 Siloso Beach Walk.