Essentials - travel checklist

Hip cafés in Chinatown Singapore

Lee Jian Xuan

---

Updated today at 08:50 AM

At least five hip eateries have sprung up over Chinatown in the past year, hinting at a wave of gentrification that has seeped into neighbouring estates like Everton Park and Tiong Bahru. Most of the Chinatown cafes are opened by young entrepreneurs drawn by the area's rich culture and its central location. Here are five to check out.

1. Arterial, 24 Temple Street
+65 6222 8589

-- PHOTO: ARTERIAL

Right in the heart of Chinatown amid a cluster of teahouses and hotels along Temple Street, this 40-seater cafe sees brunch-loving hipsters jostling for space with tourists ducking in for a beer to escape the searing heat. It opened in July and serves Western fare such as salads and pastas. The spot it sits on was previously occupied by two eateries: the now-defunct Table 24 restaurant and the CrazyWorld cafe set up by devotees of Taiwanese mega-band Mayday.

Arterial is in the midst of revamping its menu, to be launched soon. A spokesman said it will also feature a retail space along its walls selling French decor knick-knacks, kitchenware and collectibles in partnership with local blogshop Au Lapin Noir.

Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 10pm, closed on Monday
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arterial.sg
Instagram: @arterial.sg

2. 49 Seats, 49 Kreta Ayer Road
+65 6225 4332

-- PHOTO: 49 SEATS

Opened early last year, this Western fusion dinner-supper joint has earned rave reviews for creative dishes such as its Smoked Duck Aglio Olio and Tom Yam Seafood Pasta (both $14.90) and Golden Escargot ($9.90).

Unlike most other eateries, it stays open into the wee hours of the morning to cater to the supper crowd and hungry partygoers trickling in at all hours of the night from the Tanjong Pagar area.

Open: Monday to Thursday, 6pm to 1am, Friday and Saturday, 6pm to 4.30am, closed on Sunday
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/49Seats
Instagram: @49seats

3. Bread & Hearth Artisanal Bakery Cafe, 18 Keong Saik Road
+65 6534 7800

-- PHOTO: BREAD & HEARTH ARTISANAL BAKERY CAFE

This four-month-old eatery specialises in pastries and rustic breads, such as sourdough and baguettes, baked in small batches to ensure quality. It also serves brunch favourites like English breakfast and grilled pork patty sandwiches on weekends.

Popular items include the plain croissant ($2.80), made with unbleached flour from France, as well as the chocolat blanc bun ($2.80), made from melted white chocolate and without any sugar.
Open: 8am to 9.30pm daily
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreadAndHearth
Instagram: @breadandhearth

4. Well Dressed Salad Bar & Cafe, 282 South Bridge Road
+65 6534 7727

-- PHOTO: WELL DRESSED SALAD BAR & CAFE

Located right below Eight Treasures Vegetarian Restaurant, this vegetarian cafe which opened in June last year offers a huge drinks selection, which includes beer, coffees and fresh fruit smoothies ($2 to $8.50).

For grub, customers can either order the salad bowls ($5.50 to $9.50), or customise their own, selecting their own greens, toppings and dressings. Set dishes like vegetarian satay ($10) and the Rocketfella Burger ($12.90) are also available.

Open: 11.30am to 10pm daily
Facebook: -
Instagram: #welldressedsaladbar

5. The Mama Shop, 195 Pearl's Hill Terrace
+65 9168 2258

Felicia Chin at her cafe Mama Shop at Pearls Hill Terrace.: RUDY WONG

Perched atop a secluded, grassy knoll inside a former police barracks converted into an office building, the retro-themed Mama Shop is the newest entrant to the string of cafes that have sprouted in Chinatown.

Opened by television actresses Felicia Chin and Sora Ma, 30, the eatery serves snacks like quiche, curry pie and waffles with sweet and savory fillings ($4.90), as well as burgers ($10.90 or $14.90). Childhood knick-knacks like country flag erasers, wafer biscuits and chaptehs are also on sale.

Open: 12pm to 10pm on weekdays, 12pm till late on weekends
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mama-Shop/1499558526956124
Instagram: @themamashopsg

jianxuan@sph.com.sg

London best places to eat recommended by top chefs

Simon Rogan is a fan of Goodman. Photographer: Richard Vines/Bloomberg

Chefs like to entice us into their restaurants. Where do they go on their nights off?

I asked some of the leading U.K. culinary stars where they like to eat inLondon. Their picks range from the formality of establishments like Le Gavroche, where gentlemen must wear a jacket, to the casual pleasures of the Soho noodle bar.

Here’s what the chefs had to say:

Sat Bains (Sat Bains): “I had a brilliant meal at Le Gavroche. I hadn’t been there for 12 years and I was blown away. It was a master class of service, ambiance and food. I was with a table of chefs and if any of us could achieve that in our lifetime, we’d be doing very well. I’ve never seen anything like it. I like Little Social. Every meal I’ve had there has been delicious. Gymkhana is incredible: Indian food is my heritage and they have very exciting dishes.”

Nieves Barragan Mohacho (Barrafina): “I go to Koya Barwhenever I work an early shift. It’s good for one person and I really like the noodles, which they make themselves. On my days off, I always try to go to new places, but when I’m working I go somewhere nearby, likeBarnyard. I like the simplicity. On Sundays, I sometimes go toMerchants Tavern, which is relaxed.”

Brett Graham (Ledbury): “I like theClove Club because Isaac (McHale) is a brilliant young cook and the food is delicious. Dinner at Gymkhanawas one of my best meals of the year: I like everything from the cocktails to the innovative food.Koya in Soho is great because there are always interesting dishes besides the noodles. For steak, it’s hard to beat the Belted Galloway atGoodman Mayfair.”

Skye Gyngell (Spring): “I love River Cafe. It’s a restaurant I go back to time and time again, sitting outside for Sunday lunch. I love everything about it. I go to Koya for delicious noodles. I always go to Quo Vadis -- I love Jeremy (Lee). And Barrafina is one of my all-time favorites in London. For somewhere local in Shepherds Bush, I go to Sufi for delicious Persian food.”

Angela Hartnett (Murano): “I like Pellicci in Bethnal Green. It’s a proper old caff. They are just lovely people. The family has been doing it for decades. And I like Tramshed. It’s a great Sunday night place if you don’t want to think about cooking. It’s walkable from my house, which helps. I enjoy Casse-Croute in Bermondsey. It feels like you’re inFrance. Jose and Zucca are also great and very affordable.”

Tom Kerridge (Hand & Flowers): “There are amazing places popping up all over the place but I do find it difficult not to go and eat Anthony Demetre’s food. I’m a huge fan ofArbutus and Wild Honey. They are two of the best restaurants that London has. And next to Arbutus is another I always go to, Barrafina. I absolutely love it. Then there are two restaurants at a level above everyone else: Hibiscus, where Claude Bosi is just so individual, and Brett Graham at The Ledbury, with some of the best food in Europe.”

Jeremy Lee (Quo Vadis): “St John is my favorite and (St John) Bread & Wine from time to time. They have that beautiful, uncluttered ease and charm that I like so much and the food is delicious, as is the wine, as is the service. They are bonny and delightful. I like Royal China for a Manhattan skyline of dumplings; Viet Grill for great Vietnamese food and the best salt-and-pepper squid in town; Towpath for its calm serenity.”

Nuno Mendes (Chiltern Firehouse): “I spend a lot of time in East London. It’s my home, and I have an affinity for the businesses there. I like the way Lyle’s changes during the day. James Lowe’s food is unique. I often go to Rotorino and the food atRawduck is amazing. Koya is one of the best restaurants in town, and I had a really nice meal at Gymkhana. I want to go back with my wife.”

Pierre Koffmann (Koffmann’s): “The place I always enjoy the most is Hereford Road because the food is very good and simple. It’s almost like home cooking. For the same reason, I like Le Colombier, where the staff are very nice and it’s a bistro atmosphere. You can have the fruits de mer and a rib of beef, or grouse now. Garnier I like for the same reason and Brasserie Chavot for the beautiful food. I had a fantastic meal at Rivea.”

Michel Roux Jr. (Le Gavroche): “I’ve been several times to Abbeville Kitchen in Clapham. Recently I had a lovely bowl of borlotti beans with a neck of lamb. It was perfectly cooked. It’s real comfort food: hearty and delicious. The Dairy is an unsung hero of Clapham. The food is modern but not silly. They even grow their own vegetables on the roof. I enjoy the new Roka in Mayfair. It’s just round the corner from Le Gavroche. I finally made it toDabbous and I enjoyed it. Everything on the plate belongs there.”

Simon Rogan (Fera): “I love the cuisine at Roka Mayfair, which is three doors from where I live. And I’ve been to Antidote because one of my boys, Chris Johns, is chef there. And Mikael Jonsson of Hedone is heavily involved, so you know it will be good. I’d better mention my (Maybourne Hotel Group) stablemates. Helene Darroze is really special. I was very impressed with her food and Marcus (Wareing) likewise.”

Karam Sethi (Gymkhana): “My wife and I like to go to a few places, such as Yauatcha, Roka and Barrafina. We’ll have small plates in each place. I’m just back from San Sebastian and that’s what you do in the pintxos bars there. For a complete blowout, I love going to Zuma. And for high-end haute cuisine I’d probably go to The Ledbury. I like Tommi’s for a good burger and Busaba for Thai, and I’m also a big fan of Lahore Kebab House.”

Lee Westcott (Typing Room): “The best places are Clove Club and theLedbury. At the Clove Club, it’s not over-complicated food. It’s simple on the plate and the atmosphere is good: it’s chilled and they look after you well. Everything you eat at The Ledbury is perfectly cooked and seasoned. I’ve been there about six times this year. The Dairy is good and Koya is a once-a-month treat. I also like Lyle’s -- which is cool and relaxed -- and Kitchen Table.”

Here are the results of similar surveys I conducted in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

(Richard Vines is the chief food critic for Bloomberg. Follow him on Twitter@richardvines)

To contact the reporter on this story: Richard Vines in London atrvines@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Jared Sandberg atjedsandberg@bloomberg.netRobert Valpuesta, Justin Ocean