新加坡良木园酒店

The entrance to this intimate restaurant in a refurbished colonial house is flanked by an imposing display of wine bottles, including many interesting Italian vintages. The interior is elegantly furnished with refined contemporary charm. They serve set menus comprising impeccably executed dishes. Signatures include house-made tagliatelle with freshly shaved and intensely aromatic white truffle. Wine list comes with options of Italian labels, natural wine and whisky flyer.

The silky smooth and tactile counter was fashioned from a 300-year-old cypress and the wooden ornaments on the wall were handmade by a famous carpenter in Nara. Traditional Edomae sushi is made with seasonal seafood and vegetables from Japan. Only the best rice, marinated with red or white vinegar, makes it to the counter. Even the sauces are shipped from their flagship store in Japan to maintain consistency. The omakase menu is recommended.

A picture window in this elegantly furnished room gives diners a front-row view of the kitchen team in action. The tasting menu served at dinner features multiple courses that showcase top-notch produce from Japan and France, such as Miyazaki Wagyu and Bresse pigeon, deftly crafted with European techniques. There is also a plant-based menu for vegans. With thousands of labels from Burgundy, the wine list is worth perusing.

Further to a recent refurbishment, the interior still exudes luxury and elegance, but in an updated, understated manner. The head chef, who honed his craft at the Tokyo branch for over 12 years, champions a refined take on Chūka Sichuan cooking. Try his signature mapo tofu, or the stir-fried Hokkaido Mangalica pork – packed with bold flavours, it is also bursting with umami, thanks to the fatty pork belly and a blend of fermented bean sauces.

The chef hails from Osaka and honed his skills in some of Tokyo’s top kitchens. In his 6- or 8-course omakase menu, he revisits his Japanese roots with classic French techniques. Exquisite dishes made with quality seasonal Japanese produce taste light, sophisticated and subtle. With only 16 seats at the pine wood counter overlooking the open kitchen, reservations are recommended. The immaculate service further adds to the experience.

The serene interior is furnished in contemporary Chinese style, in a palette dominated by warm whites and muted tones. On the menu, wok hei-laden stir-fries such as crocodile fillet in brown sauce, and venison with Chinese kale feature alongside Cantonese classics including baked stuffed crab shell, steamed Chinese marrow rings stuffed with shrimp, and spinach and tofu in crabmeat sauce. Be sure to try the exquisitely crafted dim sum, too.

Dark wood furniture and antiques add to the elegant colonial spirit of this restaurant nestled in a bungalow, also known as ‘The White House’. The menu offers Peranakan cuisine and the dishes look deceptively simple, but involve subtly blended spices and seasoning. Wagyu beef rendang uses the cheek cut for tenderness, while spices, fermented shrimp paste, chilli and coconut milk underscore the rich, deep flavour.