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FOOD & WINE
Table for One, Please
by Anton D. Javier
04 May 2017
04 May 2017
If you enjoy dining solo, these are the top five restaurants to visit now
Solo dining — once considered awkward and sad, but these days, it’s about the real pleasure of dining and choosing to disconnect from the world. Here are our favorite spots for a party of one.
- BEST SOLO SPOT TO ENJOY A SKY HIGH VIEW: ARTEMIS
- BEST SOLO SPOT FOR DISAPPEARING IN THE CBD: GEMMILLS
- BEST SOLO SPOT FOR A WEEKEND DINNER: FYNN’S
- BEST SOLO SPOT FOR AN EAST SIDE ESCAPADE: FIREBAKE
- BEST SOLO SPOT TO SEE AND BE SEEN: SPRMRKT DAILY AND KITCHEN & BAR
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If you’ve been having one too many long and trying days at work and street-level dining just doesn’t cut it, then make your way up to Artemis to help soothe those frayed nerves. Located on the 40th floor of CapitaGreen, the green landmark on the corner of Cecil and Cross Street, Artemis boasts sky-high dining paired with lush, green surroundings that satisfy both the soul and taste buds.
Sustainable Mediterranean produce takes center stage here and transports you to coastal European towns, thanks to the capable hands of Chef Fernando Arevalo. Some of our personal picks from the menu include the Alaskan king crab with grilled pimento peppers and avocado, and the Acarigua & Cherry, which is comprised of Griottes cherries, hazelnut sponge cake, and espresso ice cream.
To wind down after the meal, park yourself at the bar and peruse the wine list that boasts over 300 types of wine from all around the world — ranging from old world favorites to new additions from surprising sources like Slovenia, Lebanon, and even India. If a customized cocktail feels more festive (you are on a date with yourself, after all), bar manager Rico Deang will gladly whip up something to your liking.
Visit Artemis at CapitaGreen Rooftop, 138 Market Street, Level 40, 048946, Tel: 6635 8677
- BEST SOLO SPOT TO ENJOY A SKY HIGH VIEW: ARTEMIS
- BEST SOLO SPOT FOR DISAPPEARING IN THE CBD: GEMMILLS
- BEST SOLO SPOT FOR A WEEKEND DINNER: FYNN’S
- BEST SOLO SPOT FOR AN EAST SIDE ESCAPADE: FIREBAKE
- BEST SOLO SPOT TO SEE AND BE SEEN: SPRMRKT DAILY AND KITCHEN & BAR
Best Solo Spot for Disappearing in the CBD: Gemmills
Even if it’s conveniently located at Tanjong Pagar, in between the extremely hyped Burger Joint and the ever-buzzing Maggie Joan’s, it’s still easy to miss Gemmills — and we like it that way.
While the watering hole and all-day dining café has gone through a slight interior shakeup since opening over a year ago, the same homey, comfortable vibe still pervades, making an immediate fan of anyone who steps in for the first time. Perhaps it’s the highly coveted corner couch area, the small tables in quiet pockets, the genuine and unobtrusive service, or the jumble of antique pieces and the softest of lights. Given all these, it’s easy to see why disappearing at Gemmills, even for a short while, is one of our ultimate solo luxuries.
Interior rejig aside, the menu has gone through a revamp too, with the addition of sandwiches, salads, and heartier offerings, which include pizzettes (small pizzas perfect for one) with a selection of toppings like smoked salmon, salami, roasted peppers, zucchini, and olives. The lamb lasagna is indulgent and delicious too, with piquant flavors coming from hand-shredded and red wine-braised lamb, tomatoes, and a mix of gorgonzola and manchego cheese.
And what is a retreat from the real world without a drink in hand, so choose between craft beers and beer on tap or red and white wine by the glass.
Visit Gemmills at 110 Amoy Street, #01-02, 069930, Tel: 6221 5564
- BEST SOLO SPOT TO ENJOY A SKY HIGH VIEW: ARTEMIS
- BEST SOLO SPOT FOR DISAPPEARING IN THE CBD: GEMMILLS
- BEST SOLO SPOT FOR A WEEKEND DINNER: FYNN’S
- BEST SOLO SPOT FOR AN EAST SIDE ESCAPADE: FIREBAKE
- BEST SOLO SPOT TO SEE AND BE SEEN: SPRMRKT DAILY AND KITCHEN & BAR
Best Solo Spot for a Weekend Dinner: Fynn’s
While sous vide this and nitrogen that might look impressive on a menu, a solo diner will appreciate food and drinks at their uncomplicated best even more, which is what you can expect at Fynn’s. The casual, modern Australian restaurant is located at the up-and-coming South Beach Avenue and prides itself on a selection of classic dishes done right.
Once you’ve made yourself comfortable, start with the Secret Garden cocktail — a tipple comprised of vermouth, peach liqueur, lemon, and mint. It’s dangerously easy to drink, so pair it with a light dish like the crispy endive salad or the pan-seared Hokkaido scallops that stun with their inherent sweetness.
The pasta dishes stand out at Fynn’s, with owner Liling Ong sharing, “I’m confident that whenever someone chooses a pasta dish, they won’t be disappointed.” The ones that earned top marks include the chewy and earthy mushroom gnocchi, as well as the lamb orecchiette infused with Middle Eastern flavors through a drizzling of mint pesto and sumac yogurt.
As for mains, the grilled Iberico pork is well worth the calories, with its balanced meat-to-fat ratio and perfect char, as well as the accompanying glazed roasted brussels sprouts and celeriac mash.
Visit Fynn’s at South Beach Avenue, B1-21, 26 Beach Road, Tel: 6384 1878
- BEST SOLO SPOT TO ENJOY A SKY HIGH VIEW: ARTEMIS
- BEST SOLO SPOT FOR DISAPPEARING IN THE CBD: GEMMILLS
- BEST SOLO SPOT FOR A WEEKEND DINNER: FYNN’S
- BEST SOLO SPOT FOR AN EAST SIDE ESCAPADE: FIREBAKE
- BEST SOLO SPOT TO SEE AND BE SEEN: SPRMRKT DAILY AND KITCHEN & BAR
Best Solo Spot for an East Side Escapade: Firebake
Firebake is the newest restaurant to hit East Coast Road that reinforces the charm of the neighborhood. While an indulgent solo dinner that centers on the complexity of bread is something you’d expect here, a meal at Firebake also includes a crash course on food history, which is admittedly, something we’ve all forgotten about.
Beyond the meal, there are lots of things that will keep you entertained. In place of modern ovens and gadgetry, chef-owner Konstantino Blokbergen went old school and opted for a hand built twin woodfire oven, which allows the theater of breadmaking to unfold. Also take a peek at the two giant mixers from the 1970s, responsible for mixing the dough and at the same time, replicating hand-mixing techniques. Finally, two Husqvarna cast iron stoves from the 1880s are blazing away in a corner, cooking the restaurant’s sumptuous dishes using woodfire. Clearly, the food here is full of (old) soul.
The Bread Board shouldn’t be missed and it won’t disappoint. Thick slices of white, sourdough, and fruit bread are piled on a plate and served with olive oil and Norwegian butter. If chicken liver pate is more to your liking, Firebake’s version is worth a try — a buttery concoction that’s velvety and bursting with creamy flavors.
The Norwegian blue mussels are a great choice if you want to mop up flavorful broth with all the bread. The mussels are plump and juicy, while the garlicky chorizo, Kingpin lager, and butter broth is comforting. But if you’d like to cut down on the carbs, load up on the protein instead with these two choices — grilled pork belly with garden vegetable broth or the beef striploin with grilled Jerusalem artichoke and chimichurri sauce.
Visit Firebake at 237 East Coast Road, Level 1, 428930, Tel: 6440 1228
- BEST SOLO SPOT TO ENJOY A SKY HIGH VIEW: ARTEMIS
- BEST SOLO SPOT FOR DISAPPEARING IN THE CBD: GEMMILLS
- BEST SOLO SPOT FOR A WEEKEND DINNER: FYNN’S
- BEST SOLO SPOT FOR AN EAST SIDE ESCAPADE: FIREBAKE
- BEST SOLO SPOT TO SEE AND BE SEEN: SPRMRKT DAILY AND KITCHEN & BAR
Best Solo Spot to See and Be Seen: SPRMRKT Daily and Kitchen & Bar
There’s a calming buzz that pervades the Robertson Quay area, thanks to its proximity to a historical wharf, all while nestled between greenery and residential buildings. Lazing around the area rewards the senses — the frenetic sights and sounds of diners milling about, residents walking their dogs as their children shriek while playing, and finally, SPRMRKT Daily and Kitchen & Bar providing eye candy thanks to its stunning interiors and close proximity to the Singapore Tyler Print Institute (STPI).
The bright, multi-level restaurant is more than just a dining destination. It’s a lifestyle-oriented space that brings together dining, retail, and art, which will satiate the solo diner when it comes to people watching.
But when it comes to satiating the appetite, SPRMRKT does a stellar job too. The café, SPRMRKT Daily, boasts an all-day menu comprised of the usual suspects with a twist like The English Breakfast with Kurobuta pork sausage, Carbonara and Truffle Fries with Parmesan and Kelp, as well as a boozy Rum & Raison Chocolate Truffle Cake.
Meanwhile, the main dining area, SPRMRKT Kitchen & Bar, boasts an all-new European bistro-style menu that’s conceptualized by Chef-Owner Joseph Yeo. Highlights from the new menu include our favorite Twice Cooked Chicken Roulade, Monkfish Liver, Smoked Lobster Tail, Malbec Oxtail Pasta, Stockyard Côte de Bouef, and the Earl Grey Crème Brûlée for a sweet finish.
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