FOOD & WINE

Taste: Top Tables for May 2024

by Anton D. Javier
30 Apr 2024

From authentic Italian pizzas to stellar Japanese cuisine, here are our top spots for eating, drinking, and merrymaking this summer season.

  • SUSHI HARE
  • YAN TING
  • L’ANTICA PIZZERIA DA MICHELE

SUSHI HARE

  • Ankimo sushi
  • Dining pavilion
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The Japanese pursuit of perfection meets Taiwanese warmth and hospitality at Sushi Hare, a fine sushi omakase 10-seater restaurant helmed by Chef Angus Chang. Bringing these pillars together and forged by the Japanese spirit of shokunin (‘artisan’ or ‘craftsman’) and the Taiwanese ethos of ren qing wei (loosely translated as ‘the flavor of humanity’), the restaurant is a celebration of harmony – exhibited not just through food, but through design and service as well.

The perfect introduction to the culinary journey Chef Chang will be taking you on is the Ao menu ($380++/person), comprised of approximately 19 items that are executed with utmost finesse. The meal starts with beautiful bites like the Iwashi, where flavorful ingredients like shiso leaves, ginger, and spring onions are wrapped in fresh sardine and nori seaweed. The Chutoro Noodles, made with thin strips of medium fatty tuna, is playful yet elegant and paired with an umami-rich dipping sauce comprised of konbu-marinated soy sauce, pieces of Bafun uni, and roasted nori strips. A parade of sushi follows, featuring seasonal ingredients like cuttlefish, grilled beltfish, firefly squid, ankimo, nodoguro, and more, served atop rice from Yamagata flavored with five types of vinegar. To end the memorable meal, Chef Chang serves a sweet, savory, and fluffy Baked Castella Style Egg, which is baked at a low temperature for three hours, as well as seasonal Japanese fruits.


Visit Sushi Hare at 14 Stanley Street, Tel: 9737 0113

  • SUSHI HARE
  • YAN TING
  • L’ANTICA PIZZERIA DA MICHELE

YAN TING

  • Wok-fried Lobster Angel Hair Pasta with Truffle
  • Braised Superior Bird’s Nest Soup
  • Steamed Leopard Coral Grouper with Dough Stick and Garlic
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Following a timely renovation, Yan Ting at The St. Regis Singapore welcomes guests back, boasting refreshed interiors that will complement the dining experience. Upon entering, note the reflective dome that crowns the entrance, complemented by a red marble reception table. Further in, the space is adorned with new furniture, as well as premium materials like brass, onyx, and suede, further cementing the Cantonese restaurant’s luxurious atmosphere. 

At the helm is Executive Chinese Chef Chan Chung Shing, who draws from his Cantonese heritage to present a revamped menu that strikes the perfect balance between classic and contemporary. He shares, “I look forward to presenting guests with diverse modern flavors, whilst still keeping the commitment to the authenticity of the cuisine.” Sink your teeth into new additions like the Crispy Beef Short Ribs, boasting a blend of spices and aromatics, the moreish Steamed Leopard Coral Grouper with Dough Stick and Garlic, as well as the Wok-fried Lobster Angel Hair Pasta with Truffle. A number of beloved classics remain, including the succulent Honey-glazed Barbecued Iberico Pork, Pan-seared Hokkaido Scallops with Caviar, and the Braised Superior Bird’s Nest soup, which is complemented with strands of crabmeat and velvety pumpkin broth.


Visit Yan Ting at Level 1U, The St. Regis Singapore, 29 Tanglin Road, Tel: 6506 6887

  • SUSHI HARE
  • YAN TING
  • L’ANTICA PIZZERIA DA MICHELE

L’ANTICA PIZZERIA DA MICHELE

  • Cetara pizza
  • Friarielli and salsiccia pizza
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A brief history lesson: When talking about authentic Neapolitan style pizzas, L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele is sure to be mentioned. The institution from Naples, Italy was founded in 1870 and for over 150 years, has been synonymous with pizza excellence thanks to a quality ingredients and a meticulously-guarded recipe that has been passed down for generations. Today, however, there’s no need to travel all the way to Italy for a slice of tradition because the famous pizzeria just opened its doors along Club Street.

At L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele, expect the legendary 15-inch pizza a ruota di carro (wagon wheel pizza) to take center stage on the menu. In true Neapolitan fashion, each pizza is light and airy, boasting a characteristic char that’s achieved through the custom-built Stefano Ferrara Napoli domed brick oven. Classic pizza options here include the Margherita, an all-time favorite that satisfies even with the simple combination of tomato sauce, Agerola Fior di Latte and pecorino Romano DOP, as well as the Marinara – an even simpler pizza with just tomato sauce, garlic, and a light sprinkling of fragrant oregano. For more flavorful options, we recommend the Cetara, which brings together the briny, savory flavors of Cetara anchovies, pecorino Romano DOP, Leccino olives, and capers. Then there’s the white-based Friarielli & Salsiccia with fennel seed-specked sausage and broccoli rabe – an Italian classic that local diners will want to familiarize themselves with.


Visit L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele at #01-08, Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre, 8 Club Street, Tel: 9823 5724