They say that the days are long yet the years are so short. That rings true as the first two months of 2022 are well and gone and soon, so will the first quarter.
But a new month brings new opportunities, and with it, new restaurants to discover. This March sees a diverse slate of openings, from a famed American pizzeria to a space that bills itself Asia’s first vegan butcher. If that doesn’t raise your eyebrows, we frankly don’t know what will. Here’s more.
Willow
It’s been a while since a new restaurant has appeared on Hong Kong Street, and contemporary Asian restaurant Willow has taken the honour. The space is opened by Chef Chef Nicolas Tam, who brings his experience from various stints in the who’s who of Singapore’s fine dining scene. That includes the likes of Joel Robuchon Restaurant, Esora, and Zen. The menu changes regularly in tandem with the seasons but expect degustation menus going at $148++ for lunch and $198++ for dinner.
Binary
A restaurant name like Binary may raise many eyebrows, but rest assured, there’s nothing black and white about this new Palais Renaissance space. It’s the perfect spot to rest your feet after a round of shopping as the food is uncomplicated and served up gastro-bar style. Those feeling peckish can order up a range of small plates like the tapas-inspired gambas al ajillo and the deep-fried burrata. There’s also a cheese and charcuterie board which you can pair with a selection of wines if all you need is some finger food.
White Marble
Chef Otto Weibel – dubbed the godfather of Singapore’s culinary scene – has a new restaurant, this time at Orchard Rendezvous Hotel. The 150-seater restaurant serves up Mediterranean dishes with a specialised focus on grills from countries in the Middle East, Southern Europe and Northern Africa. Expect delicious versions of Morocco’s bone-in chicken leg tagine which is cooked with preserved lemons as well as a range of skewers grilled to perfection.
Roberta’s Singapore
We’ve had a pizza-shaped hole in our hearts ever since Pizzeria Mozza at Marina Bay Sands closed all those years ago. Now, famed Brooklyn pizzeria Roberta’s is raising its shutters and possibly filling up the void that Pizzeria Mozza left behind. The brand is known for its thin crust base and chewy cornicione Neapolitan-style pizzas. Expect 10 different pizzas on the menu for now, including classics like the Margherita and the The Bee Sting – the restaurant’s bestseller which sees tomatoes, mozzarella, Calabrese salami and basil topped with generous lashings of chilli oil and honey.
Love Handle
Love Handle – loved for its vegan burgers – has opened a full-fledged butchery that serves only plant-based meats. The curious and skeptical may wonder how that might work, but the answer lies in the strides made by large plant-based meat companies that have been producing everything from burger patties to spam and sausages. These are available over the retail counter but those who are feeling peckish can also dig in to a selection of vegan dishes. The Pulled Rendang Burger sees rendang from Indonesian brand Green Rebel slotted into fluffy brioche-like buns while those who love their waffles can go for the chick’n and waffle where chicken substitute Tindle is breaded and deep-fried, southern style.
