FOOD & WINE
Taste: Top Tables for September 2025
by Anton D. Javier
09 Sep 2025
09 Sep 2025
Laid-back in atmosphere but ambitious on the plate, these restaurants are putting a new spin on what casual dining can be.
- KAYA AT THE STANDARD
- 1-ALFARO BY MONTI
- CHOON HOY PARLOR
-
Oyster Yaki -
Kani Meshi Nabe -
Nikujaga -
Yuzu Tart, Sweet Potato Mont Blanc, Miso Tiramisu, Matcha²
At Kaya, Executive Chef Nicholas Cheng redefines the modern izakaya with a menu that thrives on fire, fermentation, and creativity. The refreshed à la carte offering leans into Japanese techniques while embracing playful invention, with dishes shaped by hours of pickling, curing, and experimentation. The result is food that’s distinctively layered – bold, smoky, and unexpected.
Signature plates include Oyster Yaki, with kombu-butter-brushed oysters grilled over charcoal, and Slapped by a Marlin, swordfish tataki glazed in fermented garlic miso for a meltingly tender bite. Equally memorable are lighter counterpoints that reset the palate without losing intrigue. Burrata no Shoyu melds silky burratina with honey shoyu jam and incredibly crispy renkon chips, while the Mizuna Apple Salad offers a crisp, refreshing crunch. Desserts follow the same fearless trajectory: Strawberry Ferment, a house-fermented strawberry ice cream; Matcha², brioche with rich matcha ganache; and Sake Kasu ice cream with roasted grapes.
Visit Kaya at The Standard at 12 Orange Grove Road, #02-00, S258353, Tel: 6040 1888
- KAYA AT THE STANDARD
- 1-ALFARO BY MONTI
- CHOON HOY PARLOR
1-ALFARO BY MONTI
-
Queensland Baby Barramundi with Fried Cauliflower Florets with Pecorino Custard, and Parmesan Cheese & Fried Wagyu Fat Potatoes with Garlic Crumbs & Rosemary -
Pan-Roasted Lasagna -
Australia Linz Ribeye on the bone ‘Costata’ & Fried Wagyu Fat Potatoes with Garlic Crumbs & Rosemary -
Perched atop the new 34-storey Labrador Tower, 1-Alfaro by Monti is a dual-concept rooftop destination with food offerings inspired by Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. The space houses La Torre, an elegant Italian restaurant with sweeping harbour views, and La Luna, a lively rooftop bar. The name ‘Alfaro’– Italian for lighthouse – nods to the maritime heritage of both Emilia-Romagna and Labrador Park, serving as a beacon for gatherings from day into night.
La Torre’s menu, helmed by Chef Felix Chong and Chef Alessandro Giustteti, pays homage to ‘Italy’s Food Valley’, highlighting soulful authenticity and a modern touch. Small plates like Adriatic Red Prawn Tartare and the addictive Fried Lasagna invite sharing, while handcrafted pastas and wood-fired mains, such as the USDA Prime Heritage Linz Ribeye or Queensland Baby Barramundi, make for hearty centrepieces. Meanwhile, La Luna pairs panoramic skyline views with signature cocktails like the Enzo Robutti and Antonio Canova, plus refreshing sharing jugs perfect for groups. Whether for a leisurely brunch, spirited dinner, or an evening under the stars, 1-Alfaro captures the Italian art of living with warmth and style.
Visit 1-Alfaro by Monti at Labrador Tower, Level 34, S118479, Tel: 8093 5683
(Related: What's new in Singapore dining – Buffets, pasta-tasting menus, and innovative cocktails)
- KAYA AT THE STANDARD
- 1-ALFARO BY MONTI
- CHOON HOY PARLOR
CHOON HOY PARLOR
-
Oriental Charcutrie Board -
Chilli Crab Kueh Pie Tee -
Mocha Prime Pork Rib -
Chef Dylan Ong’s culinary tribute to his mother returns in a new home at Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski, bringing with it a refreshed and expanded menu, larger space, and the largest baijiu collection in Asia outside of China. Choon Hoy Parlor 2.0 continues its mission to champion Singapore Soul Food (a multi-cultural cuisine rooted in heritage, heirloom recipes, and nostalgia) through its guiding ‘3H’ philosophy: Heritage, Heirloom & Heartstrings. The double-storey space channels retro-modern charm, calling to mind kopitiam culture and mid-century Asian parlour design.
The menu blends beloved signatures with inventive new dishes. Think Mocha Prime Pork Rib, Claypot Dry Laksa, and White Pepper Pig’s Stomach Soup alongside playful creations like Chilli Crab Kueh Pie Tee and an Oriental Charcuterie Board featuring Asian-style cured meats. Baijiu takes centre stage, offered neat, in curated flights, or reimagined in approachable cocktails like the Jing & Tonic. With its mix of soulful plates, accessible pricing, and convivial spirit, Choon Hoy Parlor is as much about preserving Singapore’s food heritage as it is about writing new stories for the next generation.
Back
