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These Michelin-worthy restaurants should be your next dining stops in Singapore

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Cyrene de la Rosa

<p>Singapore is no longer just known for its hawker fare. The city has the ability to attract some of the best culinary talents from around the world to move to its shores. While the dining public loves its chicken rice and fish head curry, it also clamors for cooking that is multicultural and cosmopolitan. And Singaporeans are constantly looking for what’s new and who’s in. During a recent visit, I got the chance to check out these most buzz-worthy places run by talented chefs from other countries who are helping forge Singapore’s dynamic, world-class dining scene.</p><h3>More great dining spots</h3><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/08/24/19/bangkoks-top-restaurant-gaggan-is-closing-downheres-where-to-dine-instead">Bangkok’s best restaurant is closing down—here’s where to dine instead</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/08/06/19/theres-more-to-british-food-than-fish-and-chips-at-this-singaporean-landmark">There’s more to British food than fish and chips at this Singaporean landmark</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/06/12/19/the-latest-filipino-restaurant-in-new-york-is-called-tsismis">The latest Filipino restaurant in New York is called Tsismis</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/04/12/19/kyotos-foodie-treasures">These 5 Kyoto food haunts are known to still serve authentic imperial cuisine</a></li></ul><h3> </h3><h3>Cloudstreet</h3><p><a href="https://cloudstreet.com.sg/">Cloudstreet</a> is a highly touted new restaurant collaboration, the result of a chance meeting between Cloudstreet’s co-owner and general manager Gareth Burnett and celebrated Sri Lankan-born chef Rishi Naleendra, who made his mark at the one Michelin-starred Cheek By Jowl.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/23/sg4.jpg"/><figcaption>The open kitchen at Cloudstreet</figcaption></figure></div><p>Located in a beautifully converted shop house space on Amoy Street, Cloudstreet boasts spacious, modern interiors, but with “masculine” aesthetics. An eclectic mix of accent and art pieces includes a wall filled with nude sketches painted by the chef himself, giving the space a home studio vibe. The heart of this 35-seater restaurant though is the 14-seater chef’s counter that surrounds the open kitchen, allowing diners to watch the action and interact with the chef.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/23/sg13.jpg"/><figcaption>Chef Naleendra’s nude sketches dominate one wall</figcaption></figure></div><p>According to Naleendra, Cloudstreet is like a culmination of his development as a chef. It is where he intends to showcase a side of him that has yet to be revealed. Guests can choose from three or five courses during lunch, and from five to seven courses at dinner.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/23/sg6.jpg"/><figcaption>The super addictive Singapore Stout and Liquorice Bread, glazed with sticky molasses and served with Echiré butter—best restaurant bread by far!</figcaption></figure></div><p>Naleendra’s ingredient-driven cuisine at Cloudstreet is supported by an extensive wine list featuring around 350 natural and classic style wines curated by the resident sommelier, Vinodhan “Vino” Veloo.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/23/sg5.jpg"/><figcaption>Barbecued Turbot with fermented bell pepper, horse ears—my favorite dish of the night paired perfectly well with a La Castellada, Pinot Grigio 2011</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/23/sg11.jpg"/><figcaption>A David &amp; Nadia Pinotage 2017 from a top wine producer in the Swartland region, regarded amongst the most exciting in South Africa, and served with Venison Tartare with pickled cashews and zucchini (my other favorite savory dish)</figcaption></figure></div><p>Incidentally, he did an excellent job of pairing the seven-course dinner that I tried last August with some great vintages, alongside wines from smaller, independent winemakers from around the world. It was one of the most inspired wine pairing dinners that I have tried to date. Veloo also offers a special juice pairing for those who do not imbibe. </p><div> </div><h3>Esora</h3><p>Tucked away in a heritage shop house along Mohamed Sultan Road is the Lo &amp; Behold Group’s first Japanese concept called <a href="https://www.restaurant-esora.com/">Esora</a>. This zen-like 26-seater features modern kappo-style dining helmed by chef-owner Shigeru Koizumi. His culinary credentials include stints at Tokyo’s three Michelin-starred Nihonryori RyuGin and Singapore’s two Michelin-starred Odette at the National Gallery.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/23/sg7.jpg"/><figcaption>Inside Esora’s sparse, bright space</figcaption></figure></div><p>Kappo simply means “to cut and to cook,” with the chef having the freedom to choose what to prepare. Kappo involves a multi-course meal, similar to kaiseki albeit a less formal version, and with emphasis on the chef’s close relationship with his customers.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/23/sg1.jpg"/><figcaption>Foie Gras Monaka-Aichi, Japanese fig, myoga (Japanese ginger)</figcaption></figure></div><p>At Esora, Koizumi combines his experience of growing up in the mountainside town of Nasu in Tochigi Prefecture with his time in Michelin-starred kitchens to showcase his own modern take on a kappo-style meal, which he personally curates from the choice of dishes to the serve ware sourced from Japan.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/23/sg10.jpg"/><figcaption>A tea pairing of Hamo Soup with Tokushima winter melon and sudachi (citrus fruit), with cold Kinsen Jinxuan, Wenshan Pouchong tea from Taiwan</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/23/sg2.jpg"/><figcaption>Omi Wagyu Sirloin from Okaki farm with maitake and azaku mushrooms, and paired with Iribancha and Hojicha tea from Kyoto, Japan, flavored with cinnamon</figcaption></figure></div><p>Fellow tea lovers should try the tea pairing option, with the teas selected by Koizumi himself to go with each course to create the most unique tea pairing that I have tried so far. For the preparation of his teas, the chef applies the “one-degree approach,” believing that the slightest change in temperature, even just a degree, can affect the outcome of a dish, or in this case, the tea itself.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/23/sg3.jpg"/><figcaption>Three of 7 teas from the Esora tea pairing menu</figcaption></figure></div><p>“In Japanese culture, drinking tea symbolizes peace, spiritual rejuvenation, and calmness. Hence, unlike alcohol, tea pairing helps to create a soothing condition for diners to best enjoy the dishes,” shares Koizumi.</p><div> </div><h3>Salted and Hung</h3><p>This contemporary Australian restaurant on Purvis Street is a known pioneer of nose-to-tail dining in Singapore, aptly named <a href="https://www.saltedandhung.com.sg/">Salted and Hung</a> for the cured meats it “salts and hangs” in-house before serving to guests. The restaurant just celebrated its third birthday last June with a fresh and elegant new look and menu.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/23/sg14.jpg"/><figcaption>House-made charcuterie platter</figcaption></figure></div><p>According to its award-winning chef Drew Nocente—whose Italian-Australian background greatly influences what he serves at his restaurant—the new menu takes the concept of “minimal wastage,” the philosophy that the Salted &amp; Hung menu revolves around, to a higher level.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/23/sg15.jpg"/><figcaption>Chef Drew Nocente</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/23/sg8.jpg"/><figcaption>Wagyu Tri Tip with cauliflower and shallot</figcaption></figure></div><p>This entails using all possible techniques to cook meat and seafood, skin to bone, to decrease wastage. In so doing, Nocente seeks to educate his diners on how to minimize waste, as he strives to build a sustainable kitchen that showcases the beauty and functionality of unpopular meat parts that we often discard. Salted &amp; Hung’s new menu highlights include both new dishes as well as reinterpreted crowd favorites, with lots of delish seafood options to complement the meat-heavy offerings.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/23/sg9.jpg"/><figcaption>Anzac cookies</figcaption></figure></div><div> </div><h3>Le Bon Funk Singapore’s Takeover of Savage in BGC</h3><p>If you can’t fly to Singapore, you can still get a taste of the city-state’s dynamic dining scene when Chef Keirin Buck, former sous-chef of the much-raved about Burnt Ends and currently owner of hip natural wine bar <a href="https://www.lebonfunk.com/">Le Bon Funk</a>, comes to Manila to show his bold style of cooking.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/23/sg17.jpg"/><figcaption>Keirin Buck</figcaption></figure></div><p>On September 26, he does a four-hands dinner with Chef Josh Boutwood at <a href="https://www.joshboutwood.com.ph/helm">Helm</a>, to be followed by Team Le Bon Funk’s complete takeover of Boutwood’s <a href="https://www.joshboutwood.com.ph/savage">Savage</a> on September 27. This collaboration between Buck and Boutwood is part of the Nomad series ongoing at Helm and Savage. Make sure to follow Helm @helmmnl and @savagemnl ASAP on Instagram to get first dibs on a slot, once reservation details are posted.</p><div> </div><div><em>Photos by Cyrene de la Rosa</em></div>

<p>Cloudstreet, Esora, and Salted & Hung are three Michelin-worthy restaurants to try on your next Singapore food trip. (But if you’re stuck in town, then check out Le Bon Funk Singapore when the chef and his team visit Manila later this month.)</p>

Cloudstreet, Esora, and Salted & Hung are three Michelin-worthy restaurants to try on your next Singapore food trip. (But if you’re stuck in town, then check out Le Bon Funk Singapore when the chef and his team visit Manila later this month.)