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FOOD & WINE
Enjoy the Flavors of Familiarity and Comfort at these Restaurants
by Anton D. Javier
03 Jul 2024
03 Jul 2024
A roundup of reliable restaurants – some familiar, some new – that will always hit the spot with their flavorful, honest, and well-executed dishes.
- FIZ
- CHOON HOY PARLOR
- FORTUNA
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Market fish -
Lamb shank -
Pomelo salad
Fiz, which was recently awarded a MICHELIN Green Star, does a timely launch of their Episode 2 menu, showcasing a wealth of new dishes. But what is even more exciting is the introduction of an a la carte option, which chef-owner Hafizzul Hashim says “is a format closer to how we eat in Southeast Asia.” He adds, “Our guests have demonstrated that they’re increasingly passionate about embracing contemporary Southeast Asian dining through an experience that doesn’t have to take too long, and also offers value and flexibility of choice.”
Based on how most Southeast Asians eat at home, where rice is at the center of the table, the a la carte offerings at Fiz are designed to pair well with the heirloom rice options (Sarawak Heirloom Beras Adan and Sarawak Heirloom Beras Sia). Menu standouts include the Blue Swimmer Crab, a Fiz signature that features a creamy yellow crab curry served over generous chunks of crabmeat. Then there are new dishes like the moreish and spicy Lamb Shank Masaman garnished with cashews, fried shallots, and onions, as well as the Market Fish (typically pomfret), which is expertly fried to a crisp where even the fins are edible, and served with a sweet and sour tawai sauce and garnished with watermelon cubes, pickled watermelon rind, and showered with coriander, kaffir lime leaf, and lemongrass. Complete the meal with a selection of vegetable dishes like Grilled Chayote Shoots and Fiddlehead Ferns, as well as a side of Seasonal Fish Pekasam (fermented fish relish) served with an assortment of vegetables and seasonal fruit.
Visit Fiz at 21 Tanjong Pagar Road, 088444, Tel: 9679 8021
(Related: Get to know some of Singapore's top chefs beyond the kitchen)
- FIZ
- CHOON HOY PARLOR
- FORTUNA
CHOON HOY PARLOR
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Baby pomfret -
Jelubu laksa -
Kampung chicken -
A personal ode to family, food, and heritage – this is the driving force behind Choon Hoy Parlor (CHP), which was recently opened by Chef Dylan Ong, known for his cooking at Saveur and The Masses. The offerings here are playfully termed Singapore Soul Food, where heirloom and heritage recipes aim to bridge generations, “offering flavors that are beloved and familiar to older folks, while at the same time, recreating these traditions into fresh experiences for younger diners.”
Start the journey at CHP with the Mini Fried Pomfret with Plum Taucheong Dip, where baby pomfrets are fried to an incredible crisp rendering the entire fish – bones and all – edible. Meanwhile, it’s all about freshness with the Ulam salad, comprised of a selection of fresh herbs, vegetables, and fruits paired with a potent, homemade sambal belachan. The Hainanese Kampong Chicken with Scallion and Ginger Sauce paired with the Triple L Rice (A Lil Lard, A Lil Soy, A Lil Love) is a must-try combination, proving that the simplest things sometimes offer the most satisfaction. As for those who miss Chef Renee Tang’s Jelubu Dry Laksa at Vivocity, find its latest iteration here, where the dish expertly combines the essence of dry laksa with irresistibly charred beehoon, mixed with fresh cockles, fish cake, and taupok. Among the selection of desserts, it is the Yuzu Citron Chng Tng we loved most, thanks to its cooling, zesty freshness that will round up a very satisfying meal.
Visit Choon Hoy Parlor at 85 Beach Road, #01-01, 189694, Tel: 6266 0061
- FIZ
- CHOON HOY PARLOR
- FORTUNA
FORTUNA
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Gambero & stracciata pizza -
Cuoppo di pesce -
'1000' Layers lasagna -
New Italian joint, Fortuna, just swung its doors wide open at Tanjong Pagar, bringing with it Sicilian-Neapolitan offerings that are comforting, uncomplicated, and flavorful. The menu, comprised of a wide selection of antipasti, pizzas, pasta, mains, and dessert feature generous portions perfectly shared among groups, and is complemented with warm, friendly service courtesy of the three Italian gentlemen who run the place – Egon Marzaioli, Giorgio Sorce, and Omar Tutino.
The pizza selection is plentiful at Fortuna, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. Dig into classics like the Napoletana Pizza, made from dough that’s been left to rise for 50 hours through a two-process fermentation, Marinara, Margherita, Capricciosa, and Diavola. For something different, go for the Fried & Baked pizza that has an addictive toothsome texture, or the flavor bombs, such as Truffle & Anchovies and Mortadella & Pistacchio. Up next, eat your way through the ‘1000’ Layers Lasagna, with layers of Provolone del Monaco and Bronte Pistacchio Pesto, the ribboned Mafalde pasta paired with a rich, 24-hour slow-cooked ragout, or the umami-rich Spaghetti al Gambero di Mazzara with Mazzara king prawn and bisque, finished with lemon and Fortuna’s in-house chili and garlic concoction.
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