New Restaurants, Cafes And Bars: October 2015

Don’t expect the usual rotisserie kebab wheel or the Turkish döner-style kebab here. Instead, look forward to Indian-inspired meats lovingly marinated overnight in yoghurt and spices before being cooked it in a traditional charcoal tandoor. Go for the spice-kissed Pistol & Mortar if you love chicken tikka, or try the milder Creme Poulet (chicken malai tikka) and the flavoursome Mughal Mouton (mutton seekh kebab). Resistance is futile, so just give in to a side of their moreish Masala Fries, made even better with their creamy mint sauce. Best part is, they're open till late and prices are nett!

Pro tip: Make a pit stop here for lunch on weekdays — the Kebab-of-the-Day's prices are slashed to $9 from the usual $11 (or $13 for the mutton)!

Tumbling into Thomson V Two is Famous Ice Cream Rolls, the popular concept from Bangkok that has turned ice cream making into quite a spectacle. Watch as the liquid ice cream base is "fried" and chopped on a super cold surface, turned into solid ice cream, and scraped into rolls right before your eyes. Available in six flavours like Milk or Oreo, go for the Ovomaltine flavour ($3.90 a cup) for a taste of nostalgia. Go crazy with their additional toppings at 50 cents each, or pair the ice cream rolls with some waffles. Be prepared to wait at least 45 minutes, and to eat your ice cream quickly as it melts pretty fast!

Jalan Besar has no lack of eateries, yet Roots Kitchen & Bar stands out as a unique spot in the area. It sports an industrial theme with unfinished red brick walls, with a touch of oriental flavour. Fitting for a teatime snack is the Egg & Truffle Mousseline ($4) featuring a smooth, creamy egg mousse spiked with truffle hidden in an egg shell, along with their special Ginseng Coffee ($7) that would perk up any weary soul. For something heavier, opt for the Seared Atlantic Seabass ($22). End your meal with the Citron & Passion ($12), which sees a delightful combination of tangy lemon and passionfruit curd with sweet Marshmallow Cookie ice cream. Come by after a long day, and wind down with a cold beer or glass of wine.

Initially starting out with a Thai-Western fusion menu, The Fickle Mussel has changed tack and is now going French-inspired. Some French offerings include escargots and foie gras (both $9.90), while other dishes lean toward more Asian flavours, like the Laksa Linguine with Grilled King Prawns ($15.90) — pasta coated with “slurpilicious” laksa gravy and two large prawns. If you are a little fickle (hah), the Fickle Burger ($18.90) with foie gras, premium beef patty and sweet potato fries should be an easy choice. This casual spot is good for a lunch treat (look out for their $16.90 set lunches) or an afterwork wind-down.

As the Korean wave continues to rage on, a new fried chicken place has been spotted along South Bridge Road, all neon lights and Korean pop blaring. Oppa Chicken is no Girls Generation, with their fried chicken boasting flavours that pack a serious punch. If you're up for a challenge, order their Extra Flaming Yangnyum Wings ($13.90, small), which is technically off the menu. For something less killer, go for their best-selling Honey Garlic ($13.90, small) — think a sticky honey glaze topped with a generous heap of sauteed chopped garlic. You may even customize the level of spiciness here (levels 0-3), making it easy to come here in a group! Their tables are suitable for groups of 4-6 people.