Our team at Singapore Tatler Dining have reached a consensus
You may know the Hong Kong Tatler Best Restaurants guide, but did you know that our colleagues in Singapore have just launched the 2016/2017 edition of Singapore's Best Restaurants? Below, Digital Dining Editor Dudi Aureus details the winners in this year's guide.
It’s that time of the year again when we culminate our wining, dining and reviewing with our event, A Food Affair at W Singapore, where we honour the 200 restaurants that made it to our annual guide, Singapore’s Best Restaurants.
Putting together this year’s version wasn’t an easy task with our food-loving nation bearing even more excellent restaurant to take note. Given our voracious appetite, we discovered many hidden gems and innovative dishes that we shortlisted in our annual publication.
Like all other years, we and our esteemed panelists hand-picked a few names that have excelled in selected categories: Best New Restaurant, Best Service and Hall of Fame. Here are the chosen ones.
Best New Restaurant
Photo courtesy of Whitegrass
Whitegrass
Chef Sam Aisbett—who cut his teeth working for luminaries such as Peter Gilmore and Tetsuya Wakuda—isn’t a new name in the culinary world. But he came into his own last year when he setup Whitegrass offering mod-Oz cuisine (modern Australian cuisine with Asian and Japanese touches).
With a mind that’s always on overdrive, he constantly updates his menu based on the best produce, ingredients, as well as daily inspiration. One thing is constant, however: he ensures that his food has the perfect balance of umami flavours, coupled with contrasting textures that leave a lasting impression.
Whitegrass | 01-26/27 Chijmes, 30 Victoria St, S(187996) | 6837 0402
How We Do It: In operation for 12 months or less with minimum 8 points for food and 32 points in total for all categories.
Best Service
Photo courtesy of Corner House
Corner House
Corner House—our Best New Restaurant winner in 2015—earns another accolade this year for its service. Not only are we continually impressed with how chef-owner Jason Tan consistently dishes out exemplary Gastro-botanica fare, but how the staff works efficiently and professionally to give diners a memorable experience.
Service is always smooth, light and professional even on a full house. Best yet: they understand the menu, knowledgeable in explaining each course, and their attention to detail is commendable.
Corner House | 1 Cluny Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens, E J H Corner House, S(259569) | 6469 1000
How We Do It: A minimum of 9 points for service this year and total of 32 points for all categories.
Best Service
Photo courtesy of Odette
Odette
Good food alone won’t cut it in today’s food scene; discerning diners are looking for the overall experience that encompasses ambience and service. No one understands this better than French restaurant Odette, housed in the beautifully preserved National Gallery of Singapore.
Staff here are professional, courteous and go out of their way to make everyone feel at home. You can easily tell how knowledgeable they are of their menu as they can explain each dish from the cooking techniques to the ingredients. They do all these with a warm smile on their faces.
Odette | 1 Saint Andrew's Road, 01-04, National Gallery, S(178957) | 6385 0498
How We Do It: A minimum of 9 points for service this year and total of 32 points for all categories.
Hall of Fame
Photo courtesy of The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse
The restaurant atop The Fullerton Hotel Singapore draws diners with dazzling views of the Singapore skyline. What keeps them coming back for is chef Carlo Marengoni’s delectable southern Italian fare made using the freshest produce from Campania, Sardinia and Sicily.
The Lighthouse | 1 Fullerton Square, S(049178) | 6877 8140
How We Do It: A minimum of 9 points for food this year plus 32 points or more in total for setting, food, wine and service for four consecutive years.
Hall of Fame
Photo courtesy of Osteria Mozza
Osteria Mozza
Celebrated chef Mario Batali has mastered the intricacies of Italian cuisine in his 30-year career to build a restaurant empire all over the world. In Singapore, he has Osteria Mozza, helmed by executive chef Peter Birks. With his help, they whip up sumptuous Italian fare that takes us on a gastronomic journey through the different Italian regions.
Osteria Mozza | 2 Bayfront Avenue, B1-42-46, Galleria Level, Marina Bay Sands, S(018972) | 6688 8522
How We Do It: A minimum of 9 points for food this year plus 32 points or more in total for setting, food, wine and service for four consecutive years.
Hall of Fame
Photo courtesy of Rang Mahal
Rang Mahal
Established in 1971, the restaurant remains our go-to destination for mouth-watering traditional Indian food laced with contemporary touches. You’ll never get tired of dining here as the menu highlights classics from the north, coastal and south India.
Rang Mahal | Raffles Blvd, S(039595) | 6333 1788
How We Do It: A minimum of 9 points for food this year plus 32 points or more in total for setting, food, wine and service for four consecutive years.
Hall of Fame
Photo courtesy of Tóng Lè Private Dining Restaurant
Tóng Lè Private Dining Restaurant
The revolving restaurant trend may have died down in the 90s, but Tóng Lè Private Dining remains steadfast as it sits on top of the OUE Tower at Marina Bay. Considered as one of Singapore’s best Chinese restaurants, it offers panoramic vista of marina bay as well as a prefix menu that changes daily to highlight the season’s best.
Tóng Lè Private Dining | 60 Collyer Quay, OUE Tower, S(049322) | 6634 3233
How We Do It: A minimum of 9 points for food this year plus 32 points or more in total for setting, food, wine and service for four consecutive years.
Source: Singapore Tatler