#savefnbsg: 6 new and exciting restaurants to try this August 2021

These restaurants bravely opened over the last few months but had to deal with ever-changing dine-in rules and restrictions. Dining in will soon be allowed, but in the meantime, the restaurants are still open and available for takeaways and delivery. They are proof that you can still have an enticing feast even at home, whether it’s date night, a boisterous family dinner or birthday party.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit them in person, here’s your chance to try their menus at home first. It’s a tantalising taster of what’s to come; once they reopen, you can look forward to a full culinary experience. Just remember to make reservations ahead.

Basque Kitchen

Its new location at the iconic Fullerton Waterboat House marks a new chapter for the one-Michelin-starred Basque-centric restaurant and chef-patron Aitor Jeronimo Orive. It’s a beautiful space that marries rusticism with modern sophistication where diners can enjoy a more immersive experience. 

The pintxos bar and lounge welcomes with an expanded beverage list and a diverse selection of light bites, while the main dining hall teases the palate with a semi-open kitchen fitted with two custom-designed Josper grills. Get a picturesque view of the Fullerton waterfront while you enjoy an elevated menu featuring painstakingly sourced Basque produce, premium seasonal ingredients from Japan, and house-aged beef – prime cuts of Australian and Japanese wagyu dry-aged for a minimum of 45 days. 

Enjoy classic Basque dishes here, available for delivery and takeaways. We suggest the Sharing Sets for two or four persons that include Marinated Slow Cooked Honey Glazed Iberico Pork Ribs and Jamon Croquetas. 

Basque Kitchen is at 3 Fullerton Rd, #02-01/02/03, Fullerton Waterboat House. 

Canchita Peruvian Cuisine

Canchita Peruvian Cuisine recently welcomed guests into its spanking new space at Dempsey Hill. Start with Canchita’s signature dishes – go with the addictive Patacones for crispy plantains crackers served with avocado guacamole as well as the Arroz Con Mariscos, a crayfish and seafood rice tossed with Peruvian panca chili, crab butter, white wine and tomatoes.

Check out the delivery and takeaway menu here. Must-tries are the classic Peruvian Ceviches, Arroz Chaufa (Cantonese-Peruvian fried rice) and Aji de Gallina (traditional Peruvian chicken and yellow chilli stew).

Canchita is at 9A Dempsey Road.

Casa Restaurant

Located within the snazzy neighbourhood of Chijmes, Casa Restaurant is led by Chef Remy Lefebvre and essentially reflects the chef’s relationship with nature and produce while focusing on his preferred method of cooking with woodfire. That entails smoky, savoury eats which utilise fresh, seasonal ingredients including aged meats and seafood as seen in menus like the four-course Discovery and six-course Experience. 

Enjoy eats like the Palermo Pepper which serves Sicilian sweet peppers with Muhamara sauce and gluten-free croutons, as well as the Hamachi that presents an aged hamachi fish – grilled before being plated alongside lemon puree, sauce verge and sauteed kampot rice with sofrito sauce. Desserts are fairly experimental too, so come with an open mind. 

Enjoy the dishes in the delivery and takeaway menu here. Casa@Home offers convenient bundles such as the Living Set (serves four) which includes Joselito Iberico Ham, Freres Marchand Cheese Platter, Starterlab Sourdough Bread and a bottle of wine.

Casa Restaurant is at #01-20, Chjimes, 30 Victoria Street.

Dopo Teatro

Dopo Teatro, which means “after theatre” in Italian, is a solid option for theatre-goers to grab a bite after catching a riveting performance at Esplanade. Reminisce the spectacular show over antipasti like Japan Sakoshi Bay Oysters and Sake Flambe Mussels which showcase a mix of Japanese and Italian flavours. As for pizzas, try the hand stretched Verde which is topped with generous slices of mortadella, bocconcini, toasted pistachio and rockets.

Available for takeaways and delivery here. We suggest the Stay Home Special that comes with a choice of two mains, one pizza, three sides and one dessert. 

Dopo Teatro is at #01-11 Esplanade Mall.

IKO

This upscale restaurant opened earlier this year in April with plenty of buzz, thanks to its quirky mod-Japanese creations. Its space at Neil Road may be small but cosy (and might we say, noisy at times), awashed in neon lights and funky murals. 

The menu is available for takeaways and delivery here. Try the Luxe Box for your stay-home indulgence. This delivery-exclusive boasts aromatic truffle rice alongside air-flown ingredients such as Hokkaido Bafun Uni, Torched Hokkaido Scallops, Ikura and Torched Botan Ebi. Add on some Iberico Pluma and Asari Sake and you’ve got yourself a decadent, gourmet spread.

IKO is at 65 Neil Road.

Nae:um

If you are tired of the usual Korean BBQs, ramyeon and gojuchang chicken, head to Nae:um at Telok Ayer Street. Chef Louis Han’s homely restaurant offers contemporary Seoul cuisine inspired by memories of his youth in South Korea and his work in foreign lands. The result is a blend of old and new – dishes that are familiar yet innovative with nuanced and layered flavours. 

Special sets are available for takeaway or delivery from Monday to Saturday. Try the sumptuous Bansang set (serves one) comprising nine dishes and a homemade chung fizz drink, or the signature Uni Somyeon with Somyeon Kit (serves two).

Nae:um is at 161 Telok Ayer Street.

A version of this article first appeared on SG Magazine.