Go cheeky on your next night out at Xiao Ya Tou, an upmarket fusion zi char restaurant and bar on Duxton Hill. Borrowing inspiration from Duxton's sordid past of brothels and opium houses, the dining room is bathed in the glow of red lanterns, and pictures of vintage Chinese pin-up girls adorn the walls. The food, too, is no boring matter. The kitchen turns out creative interpretations of familiar Asian and other zi char dishes — think Lu Rou Fan ($9) topped with braised wagyu beef instead of minced pork, and Oil Fried Soon Hock ($42) with tamarind gochujang. There are also tapas-style choices like Kurobuta Pork Cheek Sliders ($6 each) and Crispy Otak Otak Rolls ($12) — perfect for munching on as you sip on the Suntory Highball ($15), which combines Suntory whisky with soda, ginger, lemon juice and sugar. Pro tip: We can't wait for their brunch menu, which launches mid June — expect Minced Beef with Fried Potato Biscuit ($21) and Coconut Tau Huay ($6).
Avg price: $35 per person for tapas and a drink
Photo by Burppler Shawn Loh