Set in a row of shophouses along Upper Thomson Road, Pasta J makes an excellent spot for pasta-loving dog owners. Dogs are welcome indoors, but you will have to keep yours on a leash beside you. The owner is likely to come by with lots of cuddles though! He's also known to host dress-up events for fur babies. The upcoming Pasta J Dog Halloween Party is on 29 October, with a best dressed competition for owners and their dogs who show up in costume. Food wise, Pasta J does excellent pastas. Get your meat on with the Caramel Carnivore ($16.90). Burpple Tastemaker Kelly Wong loves how the pasta is slicked with smoky, caramelised onions and tossed with marrow, meat and cartilage. She also declares the topping of pork balls to be the yummiest she's had! Pro tip: Seating is limited so make reservations if you're visiting in a group.
Avg Price: $30 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Kelly Wong
Pizza was the best dish!
crispness, cheesiness and egg runniness 10/10
Arguably one of the best burgers in town, Omakase is known for burgers that people can't get enough of. Seared and seasoned well, the beef patties are topped with a slice of good ol' American cheese, tomato, lettuce, Omakase's secret sauce, and sandwiched betweeen two super soft, pillowy buns. Of all the different fries, go for the Cheese Fries - easily the best of the lot. While the burgers taste fantastic, the soft bun gets soggy. Another gripe is the price, which is pretty steep for its size. But hey, that means you get to eat 2 burgers?
If you haven't yet tried the Pulled Pork Sanger at Burnt Ends, you're missing out. Imagine this: Brioche bun. Cheese. Pickled jalapenos. Red cabbage slaw. Tangy chipotle aioli. Smoky, juicy, tender pork shoulder that's been cooked for 10 hours and lovingly pulled. Brioche bun (again). Sink your teeth into all that and you'll be catapulted to heaven with the combination of textures and flavours. Pure satisfaction. Beware, it can get pretty messy!
Housed in the iconic Tong Ah building, this new kid on the Keong Saik block has been the talk of the town in recent months. The burgers come in beef, chicken, lamb, and vegetarian options, which makes it easy for eating in a group. The Baby Huey is a crowd-pleaser - a 150g beef patty slathered in their 'TOM' sauce and miso mayo. Also good is the Rambo; the lamb is cooked to tender perfection, paired with eggplant pickle & cucumber aioli. Please get a side of the Naughty Fries, hand-cut chips nestled beneath a spicy bearnaise sauce, beef chilli and parmesan. Crazy good!
There aren't many places like Grub, where you're able to satisfy your craving for great fish, chicken or pork burgers. The Crispy Fish Burger ($12) has a satisfying crunch, while the Pork Steak Burger ($13) surprises with tender, sous-vide meat. Can't decide? Go for the Chicken Thigh Burger ($12) with fried enoki mushrooms and kaffir-lime mayo! Because you shouldn't leave without trying their Mentaiko Fries, change the fries that come with your burger to a salad or mash. Perfect for a lighter meal, order these non-beef choices for a nice brunch in the park!
Located on Dempsey hill, Roadhouse promises Josper-grilled burger patties and meats with fantastic flavour and that perfect char. If you love bacon, go straight for their Bacon Marinated Burger - a delicious combination of melted gorgonzola, streaky bacon, caramelised onions, garlic mayonnaise, sauteed mushrooms, and of course, a 170g Josper-grilled wagyu beef patty. Complete your all-American meal with a side of cheese or truffle fries! The dim light and satisfying food makes for a great spot for date nights and family meals.
Relish is sort of an oldie-but-goodie, with great value for money. Chef Willin Low really knows how to create unique local twists on the classics. The Wild Rocket Beef Burger ($18.50) features a Sarawak pepper cream and a sun-dried tomato relish that combines to work wonders. Give the Ram-Lee Beef Burger ($21.90) a try if you love the flavours of the iconic Malaysian burger. If having Asian flavours in your burger doesn't appeal to you, go for the Blue Cheese Beef Burger with Rucola, Poached Pear & Walnut Butter ($21.90), it's a superb combination.
