Viva Lavender @ Lavender Street – Modern European Plates, Charcoal-Grilled Meats & A Cozy Hideaway

Situated along a quieter stretch of Lavender, Viva Lavender brings together modern European flavours, house-aged meats and a breezy, welcoming space that transitions nicely from bright daytime dining to a warm, intimate evening ambience. With a strong focus on charcoal grilling and a surprisingly robust tapas/appetisers selection, the restaurant also offers one of the more attractive weekday happy hour deals in the area.

Truffle Mushroom Croquette 3.5/5

Perfect as a starter to warm up the palate, Truffle Mushroom Croquette ($8 for 2 pcs) comes crispy on the outside and creamy within. The truffle is intentionally subtle, allowing the mushroom filling to stand out without being overpowering. A comforting, easy-to-like bite.

Gambas Al Ajillo 3/5

A classic Spanish dish - Gambas Al Ajillo ($22) featuring four shrimps and toast. The house-made chilli oil adds personality, but we wished for a more potent garlic punch and more of that sizzling olive oil base to mop up with bread. Still enjoyable but could be bolder in flavour.

Padron Peppers 3.5/5

Padron Peppers ($16) came in a generous portion, ideal for sharing. Mildly spiced, light cream sauce on the side and topped with shaved cheese. Works well as a snack between heavier dishes or with drinks. Simple but satisfying.

Charred Cabbage 3.8/5

One of the more memorable vegetable dishes is the Charred Cabbage ($16), where the wedges of cabbage are juicy inside, served with herb yoghurt and house chilli oil, and topped with crispy kale for texture. While delicious, smaller wedges might allow the charred flavour to develop even more deeply. Still a solid, well-balanced plate.

Spanish Vintage Chilled Striploin 3/5

Known for dry ageing and grilling their meats, we were recommended the Spanish Vintage Chilled Striploin ($42/300g). It was well-seasoned and delicious with the grilled garlic, but the cut leaned a little ‘veinier’ than ideal for us. That said, it showed enough promise that we’d gladly return for their Tomahawk next time.

Braised Lamb Shoulder 3.5/5

Fork-tender and deeply comforting, this Braised Lamb Shoulder ($36) comes with silky pomme purée and yoghurt. The flavours reminded my dining partner of a refined rendang, which is rich and aromatic. Best shared, as the dish becomes quite heavy after several bites.

Miso Black Cod 4.5/5

A standout for me is the Miso Black Cod ($45) - buttery, silky, and melts instantly - complemented by a luscious tobiko beurre blanc that adds brininess and depth. A dish we would order again without hesitation.

Saffron Risotto with Hokkaido Scallop 4.5/5

Another favourite of the night is the Saffron Risotto with Hokkaido Scallop ($38), which was exceptionally fresh, and the ponzu pearl rice carries beautiful umami with each spoonful. A luxurious, well-executed entrée.

Hot Yuzu Margarita and Negroni

Espresso Martini and Mimosa

Viva Lavender runs a Monday–Thursday Happy Hour (3–8pm):

• 1-for-1 cocktails from $15
• Housepour wines at $10/glass
• Beer Bucket at $35 for 5 bottles

We tried four cocktails, including their Hot Yuzu Margarita, Negroni, Espresso Martini and Mimosa, and all were surprisingly well-balanced. Definitely worth stopping by early for drinks.

Viva Lavender strikes a balance between cosy neighbourhood charm and polished modern European dining. While a few dishes could deliver a punchier flavour profile, the seafood plates and lighter tapas truly shine, making it a spot worth returning to, especially with their generous weekday Happy Hour.

The restaurant also caters well to private events and group bookings, offering two private sections: a contemporary front bar area ideal for smaller, social gatherings and a warm, semi-private rear dining space suited for seated meals or intimate celebrations. Both areas are available with a minimum spend requirement, providing flexibility depending on the group size and occasion.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Viva Lavender
161 Lavender Street
#01-02/03/04
Singapore 338759
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Bendemeer (DT Line), Lavender (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 1130am - 230pm, 430pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun: 1130am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bendemeer MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road at the traffic junction of Lavender Street and Kallang Bahru. Turn right and walk down Lavender Street. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Lavender MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to the bus stop at Lavender MRT station (Stop ID 01311). Take bus number 133 or 145. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to Foch Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 10 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Lavender MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Horne Road. Walk down Horne Road. Turn right onto Tyrwhitt Road. Walk down Tyrwhitt Road. Turn left onto Lavender Street and walk down Lavender Street. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 15 minutes. [Map]

Edge @ Pan Pacific Singapore - Celebrates The Festive Season with Well-Loved Local and International Spread Alongside Festive Seasonal Creations

Celebrate the festive season at Edge at Pan Pacific Singapore with one of its most abundant spreads of the year. The line-up features festive seasonal creations alongside the restaurant's well-loved local and international offerings.

Traditional Roasted Whole Turkey, Maple-glazed Gammon Ham

At the Festive Carving Station, highlights include the Traditional Roasted Whole Turkey, classically paired with cranberry sauce, and a succulent, sweet-savoury Maple-glazed Gammon Ham served with zesty spiced pineapple marmalade.

Charcoal-grilled Grass-fed Lamb Leg

The Charcoal-grilled Grass-fed Lamb Leg rubbed with Ras El Hanout spice stood out for its heady, aromatic flavours. Alongside it was a Slow-roasted Tomahawk, finished with a final torching of the exterior to add an extra layer of char and smokiness.

We also tried an interesting take on Duck Confit, served with Savoy cabbage, that offered a comforting, well-balanced combination.

Roasted Duck, Maltose Honey-glazed Char Siew

For Asian roasts, both the Roasted Duck and Maltose Honey-glazed Char Siew impressed with their succulency and depth of flavour.

"Jiang Zheng" Red Snapper

"Bi Feng Tang" Roasted Chicken

Under Asian Delights, the "Jiang Zheng" Red Snapper was moist and tender, robustly flavoured with fermented bean paste chilli and crispy pork lard. A clear crowd-pleaser was the "Bi Feng Tang" Roasted Chicken, made moreish with crispy garlic and dried chilli.

Wok-fried Singapore Hokkien Noodles

My personal favourite was the Wok-fried Singapore Hokkien Noodles wrapped in Opah Leaf, fragrant and satisfying.

Sambal Berlado Turkey

The Taste of Malaysia section included a festive twist with Sambal Berlado Turkey, alongside comforting staples such as satays.

Lamb Biryani

Over at the Indian Cuisine station, popular dishes like Butter Chicken and Lamb Biryani were well represented.

Cheese and Charcuterie Station

The Cheese and Charcuterie Station offered a wholesome assortment of cheeses, condiments, and handcrafted cold cuts, including Pan Pacific home-cured beef salami, Virginia ham, pastrami, mortadella, paprika lyoner, and Black Forest ham.

Chocolate Fountain

The highlight of the festive spread was undoubtedly the Dessert Stations, featuring a chocolate fountain, ice cream, and log cakes.

Homemade Stollen

Upside-Down Pineapple Cake

The festive sweet creations were impressive, with standouts including Homemade Stollen, Minced Fruit Pies, and Raspberry Choux Puffs. The buttery Upside-Down Pineapple Cake was particularly memorable and a fitting end to the meal.

For reservations, please call +65 6826 8240 or email dining.ppsin@panpacific.com.

Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Edge
Pan Pacific Singapore
Level 3
7 Raffles Boulevard
Singapore 039595
Tel: +65 6826 8240
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Promenade (DT, CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

Fat Prince @ Peck Seah Street - Mediterranean Food in Singapore with Middle Eastern Soul

Fat Prince is one of those restaurants where the moment you step in, you already know you're in for a treat. Warm light, low seating, soft fabrics. The air hums with conversation and clinking glasses. Intimate yet lively, this is Mediterranean dining with Middle Eastern flair, done the Fat Prince way.

Cashew Hummus 4/5

We started with the house-baked pita bread served with cashew hummus and baba ganoush. The Cashew Hummus ($14) was creamy and nutty, topped with a roasted cashew gremolata and smoked paprika.

Baba Ganoush 4/5

The Baba Ganoush ($14) was smoky and bright, topped with a harissa-tomato topping and fresh parsley. Both were delicious spread over the warm Pita Bread ($5 per piece). Other dip options include Muhammara ($14) and Labneh ($12).

Egyptian House Roll with Date Butter 4/5

Their pillowy-soft Egyptian House Roll ($8), also house-baked, deserves a mention of its own. It comes with a date butter that's slightly sweet, and feels like a Middle Eastern twist on honey butter.

Halloumi 4.5/5

One of the table favourites was the Halloumi drizzled with truffle honey ($16). The cheese was grilled to a golden crust, springy inside, salty in a good way, and the truffle honey added a lovely sweetness and aroma, making us all eye for that last piece.

Chicken and Lamb Skewers 4.5/5

The skewers arrived on a rather impressive large platter, and the meat was plated with a flourish. The Chicken Skewer ($16/piece), served with a traditional Lebanese garlic toum, was tender and juicy with a lightly charred exterior. The Lamb Skewer ($18/piece) was nicely seasoned and complemented by a refreshing mint tzatziki that cut through the richness. They also have a beef skewer option, as well as other tempting mezze plates such as crispy calamari, Fattoush and Tabbouleh salads, fried cauliflower, falafel, and fried harissa chicken!

Build your own kebab - Fried Red Snapper 4.5/5

For sharing, the build-your-own kebab is a fun and communal way to enjoy the evening. The ingredients are vibrant and fresh! We had the Fried Red Snapper ($48), which I loved! It's crispy on the outside, flaky and tender inside, and paired with a very appetising fennel slaw, tahini yoghurt, and pickled vine peppers. If fish isn't your thing, they also have a version with Wagyu Beef Cheek ($68) or a vegetarian Grilled King Oyster Mushroom ($32).

Marble Potatoes with Harissa Aioli 4.2/5

On the side, the Marble Potatoes with Harissa Aioli ($12) were dangerously snackable. Crispy skins, fluffy centres, and a smoky-spicy aioli that kept us reaching for more.

Dubai Chocolate Knafeh 4.2/5

Fat Prince doesn't let the meal taper off quietly; the desserts demand some attention, too. The Dubai Chocolate Knafeh ($15) was warm, decadent, and drenched in a dark chocolate sauce. Paired with rose and pistachio ice cream, it offered a contrast of floral and nutty notes. You have to devour it though, before the centre gets soggy from the ice cream.

Baklava Ice Cream 3.8/5

We also tried the Baklava Ice Cream ($14) served with orange honey, almonds, and shards of filo pastry. It has some of the crunch and sweetness of baklava, reimagined into an ice cream dessert.

Drinks

Don't leave without trying their drinks. I like that the drinks menu is inclusive and offers Full Proof (classic cocktails with a full pour), Half Proof (half the alcohol but all the flavour), and No Proof (completely alcohol-free). It's perfect for someone like me who doesn't drink much but still wants a beautifully crafted drink in hand.

Fat Prince creates a dining experience that offers a fresh interpretation of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. The plates are designed for sharing, and the atmosphere invites relaxed conversations. Whether you come for the smoky skewers, the halloumi, or that pretty chocolate knafeh, you have a meal filled with character, warmth, and generosity.

Photographed and penned by Shermine. Through her pictures and stories, she shares her journey of savouring new flavours and experiences. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Fat Prince
48 Peck Seah Street
Singapore 079317
Tel: +65 8876 8769
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right onto Peck Seah Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Po Restaurant @ The Warehouse Hotel - Celebrates Singapore Nanyang Heritage Cuisine

This October, Po Restaurant at The Warehouse Hotel unveils its brand-new menu, celebrating Singapore's rich Nanyang heritage and culinary traditions. Moving away from its previous mod-sin concept, the new direction is led by Head Chef Desmond Yong, who brings nearly two decades of experience, including his tenure as Head Chef at Rempapa, and a background spanning hawker stalls to refined kitchens. Together with his team, he has crafted a diverse yet concise menu showcasing dishes from Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian, and Peranakan traditions. Treasured family recipes, either his own or generously shared by others, are reinterpreted with finesse.

Samsui Chicken 5/5

For starters, the Samsui Chicken was a pure delight. Served chilled, the poached organic chicken was tender, with slightly gelatinous skin. Complementing it was a gingery, garlicky dressing that beautifully whetted the appetite.

Singgang Serai 4.5/5

Another outstanding starter was the Singgang Serai ($24), inspired by a Eurasian fish curry. The mackerel stew, rich with turmeric rempah and coconut milk, was encased in a toasted rice shell and topped with a delicate tomato jelly. The jelly lent a fruity sweetness and gentle tartness that balanced the umami-packed stew, while the rice shell, reminiscent of a Japanese monaka, added mild sweetness and textural crunch to each bite.

Ikan Kerabu 4/5

The Ikan Kerabu ($28) reimagines the classic Peranakan kerabu with yellowtail cured in ginger flower and plum dressing, topped with a tangy herb salad, sakura shrimp, and coconut. While the dish was delicious, the use of herbs and coconut could be less restrained to better accentuate its kerabu character.

Kambing Masak Lemak Chilli 5/5

The Kambing Masak Lemak Chilli ($28) was scrumptious, featuring ultra-tender, slow-braised lamb in a rich, aromatic spiced curry. The meat had a lovely char that deepened its flavour, and the fluffy steamed rice vermicelli served as the perfect accompaniment to the heady curry.

Housemade Beancurd with Crabmeat 3/5

Among the main dishes, the Housemade Beancurd with Crabmeat ($32) featured silky steamed egg beancurd topped with plump crabmeat in superior sauce. While enjoyable, it leaned more toward an elevated Japanese chawanmushi than a Chinese-style dish, perhaps because of the addition of ikura.

Sotong Masak Hitam 4.5/5

The Sotong Masak Hitam ($30) showcased a Peranakan classic of squid cooked in its own ink. Stir-fried with rempah and reduced to a thick, glossy sauce, it was richly spiced with just a hint of heat. The squid roe, left intact, lent additional depth and creaminess, making each bite satisfying and full-bodied. The tentacles, coated in a blend of rice and corn flour, were a brilliant touch, adding crisp texture to this traditional dish.

Itek Sioh 5/5

The Itek Sioh ($30) was prepared confit-style, simmered in tamarind, coriander seed, and dark soy sauce. It was easily one of the better duck leg confits I've had in a while, with meat that was perfectly tender and well-balanced in flavour.

Babi Tohay 3/5

The Babi Tohay ($32) featured Iberico pork slowly braised in Po's house-made fermented krill paste and red rice paste. While the gravy was delectable, I found some of the meat slightly dry.

Lobster Mee 4.5/5

The Lobster Mee ($58) offered a luxurious take on KL Hokkien Mee, brimming with pork lard and premium seafood. Udon noodles were used instead of the typical yellow noodles. While purists may miss the alkaline bite of the original, I appreciated the chewiness of the udon, which made the dish feel lighter against the dark, flavoursome soy gravy.

Brinjal Fry 2/5

For vegetables, the Brinjal Fry ($24) featured South Indian-style pan-grilled eggplant, drizzled with honey and topped with spiced puffed rice and feta. While it aimed for an Indian-inspired profile, the flavours didn't quite come together, and the brinjal itself was slightly tough and watery. I was reminded of a stir-fried brinjal dish I had previously had over here. It was more rustic in presentation but homely and delicious in flavour.

Nasi Telang 4.5/5

There's always room for rice, and the Nasi Telang ($12) was a fragrant pleasure, glossy with ghee and aromatic with herbs.

Kueh Tingkat 3/5

Yuzu Cheng Tng 3.5/5

For desserts, we had the Kueh Tingkat ($22), featuring three freshly made varieties of kueh, and the Yuzu Cheng Tng ($18). The kuehs were pleasant, though the kueh kosui was a touch too sweet and lacked the desired softness. The Cheng Tng was light and refreshing, elevated by a scoop of yuzu sorbet.

Po's refreshed menu reflects Singapore's diverse culinary roots with heart and intent. Many dishes shine with thoughtful execution, though a few have lost a touch of their traditional soul in the process of refinement. Still, kudos to Chef Desmond Yong and his team for steering Po in a bold new direction amid today's challenging F&B landscape.

Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Po Restaurant
The Warehouse Hotel
320 Havelock Road
Singapore 169628
Tel: +65 6828 0007
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Havelock (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 7 - 1030am, 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Havelock MRT station. Take Exit 4. Turn left and walk down Havelock Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]