Tampines’ cafe and desserts scene just got a little busier – hooray! – with the arrival of Around Cafe’s second outpost in the east. Occupying a gorgeous glasshouse outside The Alps, a condominium situated a bus ride away from Tampines West MRT Station, Around Cafe is fast becoming a crowd favourite with its light-filled vicinity and overseas cafe vibes.
Shake Shack’s prettiest, most flowery outlet opens today at Gardens by the Bay! The seventh Singapore outpost of the American fast-casual restaurant features stunning displays of flora, including coral bells and home-grown calla lilies, as well as a picturesque mural by visual artist soph O.
A limited-time Roasted Garlic Mushroom menu will launch first at this outlet, before hitting all Shacks across Singapore from 3 September to 15 October.
Japanese food lovers are incredibly privileged it seems, with multiple Japan-based food brands setting up overseas outposts in our country. Not that I’m complaining!
Opened in 2006 by Chef Atsushi, Konjiki Hototogisu has grown tremendously, from a humble eight-seater stall in Shibuya, to a One Michelin Starred brand in 2019 and 2020 after attaining the Tokyo Michelin Bib Gourmand title four years in a row.
The Bar Kakure, which was soft-launched a month ago, has a couple of great things going for it. For one, it is helmed by a seasoned Japanese bartender, Kazuhiro Chii of Waku Ghin fame. For another, it is currently offering an exquisite 5-Course Omakase Dinner at an irresistible $95++.
Occupying the upper level of 29 Scotts Road, above omakase fine dining restaurant Ki-Sho, The Bar Kakure is an intimate 15-seater bar that boasts bespoke cocktails and limited edition sakes and brews from Japan. The decor is a flawless blend of East and West.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Softhaus has closed.
A nice ice cream parlour is in town! Janice Wong, chef and owner of the eponymous Janice Wong Singapore brand of sweets and desserts, just launched a new ice cream brand, Softhaus in Great World’s basement.
Taking over the space once occupied by the now-defunct Plentyfull, Softhaus brands itself as a place where “the wild and whimsical worlds of ice cream and art collide”. Here, ice cream lovers and fans of Janice Wong’s legendary 2am: dessertbar alike will find themselves spoilt for choice, with a dizzying array of 16 flavours and 22 toppings.
With the rare, but welcome spate of sweater weather these days, comfort food has become the main order of the day. And a bowl of piping hot laksa is at the top of that list.
Mention the words “Singapore” and “laksa”, and the legendary stalls of Katong instantly spring to mind. But if you are seeking something closer towards Singapore’s central district, a humble stall by the name of Sungei Road Laksa is where you can get your fix for a low, low price of $3.
We visited this place in November 2019, prior to Covid-19. Do check for pandemic-related updates and precautions before making your visit.
Though overlooked by travellers in favour of her more famous neighbour, Kyoto, Shiga 滋賀県 also has her own undiscovered charms to offer. Aside from being home to Japan’s largest inland lake, Lake Biwa, Shiga also presents a bevy of culinary treasures, many of them exclusive to this humble and peaceful prefecture.
If you’re taking a trip off the beaten track, here are some of Shiga’s local delicacies to feast on!
Chue On It 