Lunch

By the people behind Maggie Joan's and Moosehead, this hole-in-the-wall bar is just the place to pop in for an afternoon tipple and a bite. Enter from the back alley and look out for the green and white striped awning, as well as the word ‘Gemmills’ painted on the wall by the door. Inside, the space is cosy and dimly lit — perfect for kicking back with a glass of wine. Ask about John’s Choice, a regular rotation of wines by the glass (from $11), and savour it with nibbles like Artisan Cheeses (from $10 per 100g), Charcuterie (from $7 per 50g), Marinated Olives ($4) and Spiced Nuts (from $5). They also serve Coffee (from $4) and a daily selection of Sandwiches (from $13) and Tarts (from $9).

My love for tuna would never gone.
Love how all the things on the plate compliment each other.

Opened by South Korean chef-owner Sun Kim, who honed his chops in Waku Ghin and Tetsuya's in Sydney, Meta marries French cuisine with Asian flavours. Come for their Meta Executive Lunch Set ($48) — a three-course meal that is "an experience for the palate", according to Burppler Dex Neo. Don't be surprised to see interesting pairings on the menu like Hokkaido scallop served with pickled apple, baked raisins and yuzu basil oil, as well as slow-cooked beef cheek with a savoury parsnip miso paste on the side. The latter has been cooked for 40 hours — resulting in unbelievably tender beef that doesn't require any knife action. End your meal on a sweet note with the poached pear with ginger sorbet — it comes with the yummiest honey jelly and cookie crumble base.
Avg Price: $60 per person
Photo by Burppler Jayson Yeo
Reservations available via Burpple

The set lunch ($30 for two-course, $38 for three-course, $58 for five-course) at this highly acclaimed restaurant (it's no.1 on our 2016 Hot 100 list!) is a value-for-money way to experience chef Rishi Naleendra's take on modern Australian cuisine. Get the three-course for a holistic experience that won't leave you feeling over-stuffed. The crispy-skinned Barramundi with charred lettuce, prawn floss and onion is an iconic main, but we also really enjoyed the complex profile of the Roast Pumpkin with spiced cashew nuts, kale and pumpkin seeds. Get the laksa-inspired dessert (if it's available) for something different — it's a really unique manly dish for those who don't fancy anything too sweet. We, on the other hand, loved the delicate flavours of the honeydew melon dessert.
Avg price: $40 per person
Photo by Burppler Muriel A
Reservations available via Burpple

Was most excited to try this, but I think we came with a wee bit too high expectations. Can’t deny that the fish was cooked beautifully (why, hello crispy skin and flaky flesh!) and that the bonito butter and caramelised onions complemented the delicate fish well, we just wished that the charred leeks were taken way further for that smokey punch, and maybe throw in some form of acidic relief too.

It is a wonder why Spago isn't packed everyday at lunch time. As Burppler Veronica Phua discovered, their Express Prix Fixe Menu ($45 for three courses) offers superb value for what they offer, and you get to enjoy the excellent cooking while taking in the view from the top of Marina Bay Sands. File this away for a lunch date to impress! Veronica is all praise for the "audacious flavours" of chef de cuisine Greg Bess' chicken "laksa" fried spring rolls, which she insists you dunk in the accompanying lime dipping sauce. She also enjoyed the main of grilled Angus beef burger, thanks to its pillowy house-baked buns and the smokiness of the juicy meat. The generous portion of golden fries the burger comes with, really, is a bonus. The dessert of coconut-passionfruit trifle is fixed, but we're not complaining. Pro-tip: Ask your server for a complimentary self-park coupon when you spend $75 and above for lunch; limited to one ticket per table.
Avg price: $45 per person
Photo by Burppler Veronica Phua

As part of the Signature Truffle Wagyu Don lunch set ($45), the premium Japanese wagyu beef served is tender, smooth and almost melt in your mouth. As they are thinly sliced, the truffle is evident not only with scent, but also the taste. This is not the artificial-but-nevermind truffle-flavoured dish, but the real deal. However, if you prefer chunky beef instead of this thinly sliced, go for the Foie Gras Bifuteki (same price).
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Missing this so much. Almost forgotten about this item on the menu. The sour dough is pan toasted and sandwiched in between is home-made kimchi cabbage, marinated pork belly and oozing melty cheese (I think it's cheddar). The kimchi is not overpowering and less tangy (and raw) than usual. I think it's because the cabbage and pork are stir-fried together first. Served with their signature baked crushed purple sweet potato and regular potatoes; and a nice tomato salsa.

The soup base is essentially slow cooked duck broth that emanates a rich and creamy duck umami flavour. The poached duck breast is amazingly tender and succulent and the minced duck wantons were really juicy.

Apple wood smoked Spanish pork cheeks marinated with Thai aromatics