Spirited’s Dispatches for August focuses on some of the many openings – and closings – in Singapore’s frenetic, overheated F&B landscape.
Another day, another doom and gloom pronouncement on Singapore’s fine dining scene, coming after many restaurant closures in the past few months. Anecdotally though, the sentiment – when you speak to restaurateurs and industry observers – is certainly grim.
Yet it seems some haven’t gotten the memo. Aside from a number of high profile restaurants calling down their curtains, the month of August still saw a slew of restaurants and bars opening across town.
We look at some of the key openings and closings, as well as news in the hospitality and travel scene.
News & Events
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Origin Bar’s Aki Nakata wins Southeast Asia leg of Nikka Perfect Serve 2024
The ongoing Nikka Perfect Serve competition has announced its Southeast Asia regional champion, with Origin Bar’s Aki Nakata beating out nine other finalists from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. They were tasked to create two cocktails for the judges, and the Shangri-la Singapore bartender impressed hospitality, proficiency, and product knowledge. Nakata will go on to compete in the Nikka Perfect Serve grand finals in Paris at the end of this year.
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Sake Samurai Association appoints first Singapore-based Sake Samurai
Inter Rice Asia director and Sake Matsuri Singapore founder Adrian Goh has been honoured with the title of Sake Samurai by Japan’s Sake Samurai Association. This appointment by the junior council of the Japan Sake Brewers Association makes Goh the first in Singapore and Southeast Asia to receive the honour, recognising him as an individual who not only has a deep understanding of sake but is also committed to promoting it globally.
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Singapore Food Festival returns this October
The upcoming 2024 edition of Singapore Food Festival – which will take place from 1 to 31 October – will see a revamp of its festival format. Gone is its usual festival village as was in previous years; in its place will be two signature events – Future Food, a multi-sensory dining experience complete with theatrics and entertainment, as well as The Long Table, a four-course culinary journey presented by some of the Lion City’s best chefs – and various pop-up activations across the city.
More information of Singapore Food Festival 2024 here: www.singaporefoodfestival.com.
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Pernod Ricard promotes responsible drinking with new digital labels
Leading wine and spirits producer Pernod Ricard has announced that it will be introducing digital labels to bottles across all its key brands for more product transparency to guide responsible consumption. So the next time you pick up a bottle of Martell, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, or The Glenlivet, Absolut, simply scan the QR code with your mobile device and easily access in-depth product information, alcohol-related health risks, and guidelines on responsible drinking. One more for the road may soon be a thing of the past.
Drinks & Dining
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Mandala Club to house Bees by Narisawa
Chef Yoshihiro Narasawa of Tokyo’s award-winning Narisawa has announced his first offshoot concept in Singapore. Bees by Narisawa, located within private members’ club Mandala Club, will see Chef Yoshihiro explore Tokyo’s homegrown street culture with fun and reimagined riffs on familiar Japanese eats – as well as those from other cultures – when it officially opens this October. Mandala Club is currently running a preview for Bees by Narisawa if members want first dibs.
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Manhattan Bar introduces progressive gastro-cocktail concept, East47
What’s more fun than making cocktails? How about making up a new concept for making even more cocktails? Conrad Singapore Orchard cocktail lounge Manhattan has pulled the covers of East47, a little 12-seater pocket bar on one of its flanks that will blend mixology and culinary creativity. Whatever that means. Review to follow once we check it out.
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Le Bon Funk spawns cocktail bar Bar Bon Funk
Wine gastrobar Le Bon Funk has unveiled a new concept, this time a cocktail bar. Bar Bon Funk, located in the new and very gentrified dining and lifestyle enclave New Bahru, is a 47-seater neighbourhood cocktail watering hole with a drinks programme that leans into chef-owner Keirin Buck’s own produce-driven approach. Its debut cocktail menu, consisting eight classics and eight signatures, is inspired by Sunday morning breakfast – think a glass of milk, a scoop of peanut butter and a slice of sourdough.
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Celebrated chef Sergio Herman to open Le Pristine in Singapore
Recently refurbished Grand Hyatt Singapore is set to house a new dining jewel when Le Pristine Singapore opens this October. An offshoot of lauded Dutch chef Sergio Roman’s (main picture) Le Pristine group of restaurants, the sprawling casual fine dining restaurant takes over what used to be mezza9 and will celebrate Chef Sergio’s seafood-centric Zeeland cuisine.
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Huize van Wely comes to town
Here’s one for lovers of all sweet things – revered century-old Dutch patisserie and chocolatier Huize van Wely will be opening its first-ever outlet in Singapore. Located within Raffles Singapore facing Seah Street, the concept store combines a refined tea room and bar that will issue forth all manner of delicious desserts including its beloved signature Champagnecake, and exquisite creation of white chocolate and champagne cream enrobed in decadent chocolate. Huize van Wely Singapore opens this October.
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New contemporary steakhouse Wild Blaze to open on Tras Street
Brasserie Gavroche on Tras Street has relocated – it’s moved to Mohamed Sultan Road – and its place is new modern steakhouse concept Wild Blaze helmed by chef-owner Nic Wong, who worked at the former brasserie for 13 years before taking over the location with his own take on steak. Carnivores can expect Wild Blaze to offer up Rubia Gallega beef from Galicia, Spain, one of the very few places in Singapore to do so. We’d be checking them out very soon, so stay tuned for our review.
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Melbourne dining institution MoVida opens Singapore outlet
Australia’s best-known hatted Spanish restaurant MoVida Original has opened a standalone tapas and wine bar MoVida Singapore (pictured above) – in partnership with Singapore’s Surrey Hills Grocer – at Raffles City Shopping Centre, dishing out its brand of authentic Spanish dining. This follows a successful pop-up at Surrey Hills Grocer at One Holland Village earlier this year, and is MoVida’s inaugural expansion outside Australia.
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Horse’s Mouth makes its spirited return as a gastrobar
Horse’s Mouth at Forum The Shopping Mall was among Singapore’s foremost cocktail bars in its hey day, but sadly closed a year or so back. It has announced its return, this time resurrected as a gastrobar. The new Horse’s Mouth – now located at Millenia Walk – will offer a food menu that blends influences from Asian and Latin cuisines, as well as a cocktail programme boasting 10 signature cocktails along with bespoke creations upon request. Our full review to come.
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Michelin-starred Sommer to close
Fine dining in Singapore continues to take a hit with the closure of award-winning modern European restaurant Sommer. First opened in 2021, Sommer landed its first Michelin star that year under the guidance of Chef Lewis Barker who maintained it all the way to this year. Chef Lewis remains with the Ebb & Flow Group.
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Contemporary Chinese restaurant Yue Bai quietly shutters
Yue Bai at Duxton Hill is officially closed without notice. The modern Chinese eatery – whose cuisine revolved around ancient Chinese culinary philosophies of dietary therapy and wellness – served its last meal earlier this month.
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Chuan by Nutmeg bids farewell after three years
Chuan by Nutmeg, the chinoiserie pocket cocktail bar by Nutmeg and Clove set within award-winning Chinese restaurant Si Chuan Dou Hua at UOB Plaza known for its tea-infused cocktail classics paired with Sichuan-inflected bar bites, has announced its permanent closure at the end of August. We’re going to miss it.
Travel & Lifestyle
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Hilton Bali Resort pulls covers off Elara Seaside Lounge and Bar
Nusa Dua cliffside retreat Hilton Bali Resort has unveiled, as part of its recent refurbishment, Elara Seaside Lounge and Bar, its new adults-only Mediterranean-inspired waterside dining venue. Guests to the resort can look forward to a thoughtfully crafted menu featuring dishes inspired by the Mediterranean as well as artfully-crafted cocktails amidst a serene, intimate setting that captures the essence of both Balinese and Mediterranean hospitality.
To learn more, visit: baliresort.hilton.com.
Hospitality
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Cicada Resort Bali Ubud, Autograph Collection opens
Indonesia’s popular resort island of Bali gets yet another luxurious resort with the opening of Cicada Resort Bali Ubud, Autograph Collection. Nestled within a verdant valley in the heart of the island, this resort – inspired by a tasteful blend of Balinese and contemporary design – features 20 suites with stunning hillside views and 10 pool villas, offering a tranquil escape for those seeking solitude and nature. Guests can also participate in cultural activities such as a sacred Balinese ceremony for ritual cleansing practiced by the nearby Sebatu village community.
For more information on Cicada Resort Bali Ubud, Autograph Collection, visit: www.cicadaubud.com.
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Adelaide Marriott Hotel takes hold in the heart of South Australia capital
Dropping in Adelaide on the way to visit South Australia wine country such as nearby Adelaide Hills or Barossa Valley? There’s a swanky new hotel to check out. Adelaide Marriott Hotel (pictured above) transforms what used to be the historic General Post Office building in the heart of the city’s Central Business District is now home to a property offering some 285 exquisitely appointed guest rooms, including 11 spacious suites and a massive Presidential Suite. To complete your quintessential Australian experience? There’s Penny Blue, a contemporary Australian restaurant, as well as coffee-centric Exchange Lane.
Find out more at: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/adlmc-adelaide-marriott-hotel/overview/.
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Moxy Hotels debuts in Mumbai with Moxy Mumbai Andheri West
Heading to the City of Dreams? You may want to consider Moxy Mumbai Andheri West, a newly-opened 105-key hotel nestled in the heart of Mumbai’s vibrant and prestigious Andheri West precinct. The hotel boasts a kaleidoscope of colours reflecting the flamboyance of Bollywood, and offers stylish and cosy rooms dripping in industrial chic targeted at the needs of the modern traveller.
More information on Moxy Mumbai Andheri West here: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/bomaw-moxy-mumbai-andheri-west/overview/.
Product Releases
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Premium PATRÓN EL CIELO lands in Singapore
World’s No.1 super premium tequila brand PATRÓN has released PATRÓN EL CIELO, another prestige offering in its already glittery range. This plata tequila is distilled four times – with the fourth distillation done in one of its smallest copper pot stills – to achieve an even cleaner and purer finish. PATRÓN EL CIELO is currently only available at CÉ LA VI Singapore.
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Citadelle Rouge is a berry-forward flavoured gin
Citadelle has launched Citadelle Rouge, the French artisanal gin brand’s latest addition to its permanent range. Created from Citadelle Original Gin with the addition of rhubarb, cranberry, raspberry and blackcurrant, the expression is a celebration of the French tradition of distilling with seasonal fruits. Citadelle Rouge lends itself well to certain cocktails, such as in a G&T, spritzes, or a Clover Club. You can find Citadelle Rouge at all good bars such as SO France, Alleybar, and Potato Head Singapore.
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