Hidden Hawker Gems - The Original Nan Xiang Chicken Rice

Seriously, when you talk about the best char siew places in Singapore, you should avoid fine dining restaurants. Instead, look for authentic hawkers using old school methods for their classic roasting goodness.

And before discovering this, my only other two "go to" char siew stalls are Foong Kee and Fu Shi. The former is as classic as it gets, and the latter, a newer entry that has similar traits to the KL's Ming Kee which I still hold as the gold standard for char siew.

Hidden Hawker Gems - Blanco Court Traditional Hainan Beef Noodles

Instead of perpetually showcasing fine dining food, this is gonna be the start of a new series to showcase hidden hawker gems.

The idea behind this is that we are far too familiar with the STB favoured hawkers for too long. In addition, blogs and other publications tend to only write about the ones that are already having too much attention, or hawkers that have become media savvy.

Pollen at Gardens by the Bay - Immaculate Cooking

Pollen has a new head chef and his name is Steve Allen. The Briton's resume includes stints with Gordon Ramsay and in person, he looks like a slimmed down version of the famous loud-mouthed celebrity.

Talking to him, however, is a totally different ball game. He's actually quite unassuming, though when engaged on the subject of cooking, he will light up immediately and is rather animated to talk about the stories behind his dishes.

2017 Yusheng Round Up - Lan Ting

Seriously, if you really want to celebrate Lunar New Year, you should be cooking at home for your family as there is a true spirit of bonding at work.

But I do acknowledge that the majority of Singaporeans would prefer their matriarchs to take a breather for once and dine out. So here is my round up for the coming rooster year.

Hajime Tonkatsu - My Favourite Meal of 2016

There is a misconception that favourite meals of the year must exist in an exclusive vacuum of michelin starred establishments, or a table bill of a couple hundred bucks per head.

The simple truth is the best food is usually the most comforting, and the ones that you will likely go back for, again and again.

Tsuta Singapore - Delicate and Exquisite Shio and Shoyu Ramen

Michelin Guide's only ramen entry is making its debut in Singapore at Pacific Plaza. Chef Yuki, who is the maestro behind Tsuta in Tokyo is bringing the same quality and excellence here.

As a testament to preserving his pristine and precise approach to his ramen making, everything is sourced at the highest level and even using specially concocted soy sauce and bringing over the special wheat from Japan to construct the noodles.

Tochigi Waygu at Fat Cow - Beef Nirvana For Three Nights Only

Seldom do I rave to the high heavens on food these days, so when I say this is the apex of beef gastronomy, you better believe it.

Fat Cow is a place that I have heard and read raves for some time, but never got around to visiting it for one reason or another. For 3 nights only, visiting Chef Seichi Shinbo brings with him a tasting menu that is guaranteed to dazzle and charm even the most jaded of diners.

Super Loco at Customs House - Possibly the Best Mexican Food in Town

Mexican food has never been my thing. Until now, that is. The Loco chain of Mexican gastrobars have certainly lit up the food scene in town since Lucha Loco opened its doors a few years back.

Adding Super Loco at Clarke Quay to bolster its lineup, it was only a matter of time before the third, and most high end Loco outlet is up and running.

Plentyfull - Scratch Cooking is the Way to Go

Plentyfull may be a mouthfull to say, but it certainly resonates with me with its scratch cooking philosophy and it's insistence of using fresh produce.

In an era where hardly anything you eat is fresh outside, Plentyfull is plenty refreshing when it comes to its cuisine.

Maggie Joan's New Lunch Menu - Rustic Goodness

Despite the injection and relocation of more eating establishments within the Telok Ayer vicinity, Moosehead and it's sibling, Maggie Joan's have pretty much held the banner for the best eateries here.

In fact, some of the relocated ones have actually gone backwards in terms of their food, and is possibly a mistake to compete with the mad scientist brilliance of the double Ms.

OCF Singapore - Refined Modern French Cuisine

Elegant and refined cooking is almost a rarity these days. Too much emphasis on gimmicky fusion food has taken the focus away on what's most important in the culinary scene.

And that's sublime cooking skill and fresh ingredients. Both of these critical factors are happily in full evidence at OCF Singapore at the Arts House.

Maguro Blue Fin Tuna Nirvana at Hokkaido Sushi

Revisiting Hokkaido Sushi at M Hotel recently has elicited a new gastronomically delightful experience. The discovery of their maguro blue fin tuna addition.

For most, eating fatty otoro is not only a luxury that will nibble incessantly at your wallet, it is also hard to come by really fresh and good quality tuna.

Osteria Mozza - Classic Italian Fare

Osteria Mozza presents classic Italian fare executed with tried and tasted flavours that will not infringe on nonsensical combinations, and for that, I applaud it heartily.

And hearty food is also the order of the day as there is simply too much fusion play in less established cafes and joints these days.

Moosehead Kitchen Bar - Genius Reigns Supreme

Moosehead Kitchen Bar has a new head chef, Seumas Smith for 2016 but the standards are still as high as it ever has been. Owner and chief mad scientist genius, Glen Ballis is still the brains behind the place.

Some of their favourites are still here, though upgraded with better flavours and creativity. In fact, the place has been somewhat spruced up too.

Full of Luck Club - Full of Yummy Plates

Chinese eateries are not having the best of times.
Beyond the established top fine dining ones, most Chinese restaurants tend to regurgitate the same myriad of tried and tested dishes.

Outside of Mitzo, which tries to be more hipster and actually manages to connect, the only other Chinese establishment that inhibits the same rarified air is Full of Luck Club.

Patisserie Platine From Waku Ghin - Divine Desserts

Actually, divinity does not even begin to describe the new dessert pastries being dished out at the RISE Lounge at Marina Bay Sands lobby area.

Extracted from its mother outlet at Waku Ghin, the new dessert counter is wholly the domain of master pastry Chef Yasushi Ishino.

Usquba at One Fullerton - A Refined Simplicity

Usquba is like a breath of fresh air. Yet, the cuisine formulated at this week old joint at One Fullerton is hardly considered avant garde.

If anything, it harks back to a more familiar European tradition of classic techniques, albeit enhanced by some necessary modern tweaks here and there.

Hokkaido Sushi at M Hotel - More Than Just a Japanese Buffet

Hokkaido Sushi has been around for quite awhile, nestled on the 9th storey of M Hotel. It has also seen a number of personnel changes but their recent focus on buffet might seem a step away from their more talked about Omakase offerings.

Indeed, with the hotel's own cafe offering buffet options, it might seem odd that Hokkaido Sushi would want to cater to the same crowd.

1933 By Toast Box - Something Closer to Home

Written and photographed by Soh Gail

Nestled in the heart of the spanking new Capitol Piazza, one can take a walk down heritage lane with 1933 by Toast Box.

The menu has been recently revamped and refreshed, and patrons can look forward to nostalgic Nanyang-inspired dishes that reflect the identity of 1930s Singapore. Local food never tasted more like home.

Alba 1836 Wine Bar and Restaurant - An Italian Masterpiece

Restaurants these days hardly excite me, but Alba 1836 certainly breaks this depressing trend for me. Perched deep within the confines of Duxton Hill, it is almost hidden in plain sight.

Beautifully designed with both a touch of elegance and modernistic virtues, Alba 1836 will charm you from the moment you reach its entrance until you step all the way inside.