December’s Dining Edit: Fresh Openings & Exclusive Menus To Seek Out
CONTENT: Michelle Ng/ Yiew Kai Jie
December’s festive feasting season always brings with it the perfect excuse to regroup, recharge, and make room for something new on the dining calendar. This month’s lineup spans buzzy openings and refreshed menus that set the tone for indulgence: a Japanese restaurant unveiling a polished new cocktail programme, a Korean BBQ spot spotlighting beautifully aged cuts grilled to perfection, and more exciting menus!
MOGĀ
The modern Japanese izakaya tucked away in the corner of Pullman Singapore Hill street shakes up the night with a whole new cocktail menu inspired by a traveling modern girl, with 12 cocktails that are based around the flavours, ingredients, and spirits that Kiyoko visits. Highlights include Graaape~, a Volcan Blanco tequila blends refreshingly with Kyoho grapes from Mexico, Is It Biscoff? is a Diplomatico Exclusive rum topped with lichiki salten and Biscoff syrup that transforms the spicy trademark biscuit of Belgium into a cocktail, and the Caffeinated Monkey from Vietnam, a boozy coffee concoction of Vietnamese coffee, Nusantara coffee liqueur, coconut, and matcha for a sweet finish. New nibbles on the menu to pair with your tipples include a Pancake Kaiseki and Beef Tongue.
1 Hill St, Pullman, Singapore 179949
Kott-Don (꽃돈) 360
Kott-Don (꽃돈) 360 is serving up their signature aged beef and pork barbecue in their latest outlet in PLQ mall. The meats are the star of the show here, as they are all aged for 360 hours and scored in a flower-cut technique to enhance the aging process and bring out the flavours. The meats are chosen for their flavour profile most similar to Korean Hanwoo and Jeju Black Pork, so diners know that they are getting the most authentic Korean barbecue experience short of actually flying to Korea themselves. For the most fuss-free option, get the beef or pork sets that come with the steakhouses’ best selection of cuts. Sides to complete the meal include Aged Salmon Sashimi, a Wagyu Beef Tartar (also kown as yukhoe),and the Garlic Pig’s Trotters, which is steamed with fragrant garlic yet still tender and full of flavour. Kbbq is not complete without a drink, and Kott-Don 360 has Soju Slushie Cocktails and Makgeolli Slushie Cocktails that are refreshingly sweet and also acts a palate cleanser for all the heavier meats.
10 Paya Lebar Road #04-09 PLQ Mall Singapore 409047
Sophia
Stepping into Sophia at The St. Regis Singapore feels like entering an elegant glasshouse, where refined Italian hospitality and modern glamour set the stage for an exceptional dining experience. Bathed in natural light by day and radiating a soft romantic glow by night, Sophia’s interiors offer a sanctuary of tranquility and sophistication—perfect for a leisurely lunch, an indulgent brunch, or an intimate evening celebration.
Each detail is meticulously curated to transport guests to the heart of Italy’s epicurean traditions. Chef Angelo Sergio’s menu draws inspiration from 11 different Italian regions: starters like homemade focaccia, beef bresaola with goat cheese and honey, and creamy stracciatella with smoked red tuna instantly signal Sophia’s devotion to honest ingredients and elevated flavors. The antipasti—especially the Polpo Grigliato (grilled octopus on fava beans, Tropea onions, and mint) and Carpaccio di Gamberi (slivers of Mazara red prawn with raspberry-lemon accents)—bring contemporary finesse to beloved classics.
Sophia’s luxury is most evident in its communal style and tableside rituals. Celebrate with signature pastas like the hickory-smoked Tagliatelle Atavi e Porcini, available exclusively here, or experience the grandeur of the Angus Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a one-kilogram T-bone grilled to perfection and served with rustic cannellini beans. For a sweet finale, desserts such as Tiramisu and Baba Napoletano are complemented by indulgences like Cannoncini alla Crema and Salame di Cioccolato, prepared tableside to heighten the sense of theatre and celebration.
For those who embrace the weekend lifestyle, the Sunday Brunch at Sophia is an affair to remember: live music, a mozzarella bar, artisanal cheeses, a gelato cart, and free-flowing champagne create the ultimate social experience!
St Regis Singapore, 29 Tanglin Rd, Singapore 247911
Wildseed Café
Wildseed Café has brought its breezy, pet-friendly charm to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, making it a must-visit locale in November for brunch lovers, families, and anyone craving a relaxed meal in nature. Set within The Garage at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, the caféleans into wellness and comfort with a menu that moves seamlessly from fresh, feel-good platesto indulgent local-inspired favourites!
Start with the Garage Specials, created just for this outlet. Lighter options include the Smoked Salmon Croissant (S$15)layered with silky fish and greens, a crunchy Granola Bowl(S$15), and a tropical-leaning Acai Fruit Bowl (S$18)piled with seasonal fruits. For something heartier, The Moroccan (S$19)brings roasted pumpkin, falafel and cilantro tahini together in a satisfying vegetarian plate, while the Fully Loaded Avocado Toast (S$28)is upgraded herewith juicy tiger prawns on creamy avo for a brunch dish that eats like a main. Regulars will recognise Wildseed classics, all tailored for all-day dining. The Atas Kaya Toast(S$11)cleverly elevates a kopitiam staple with house-made kaya and a sous-vide egg on sourdough, while the Big Pan Breakfast (S$32)remains the go-big option—smoked chicken, bacon, mushrooms, avocado, and eggs done your way. If you’re in the mood for some pasta, the Soft Shell Chilli Crab Linguine (S$28)delivers rich, sweet-spicy sauce and crispy crab atop al dente linguine. Sharing-friendly mains like the Kelong Prawn & Scallop Pizza (S$32),topped with coastal-fresh seafood, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, mascarpone, and pesto, are perfect for groups and families. Come evening, the café shifts into a cosy dinner spot with comforting, locally inspired plates. The Assam Pedas (S$28)pairs tender seabass with a tangy lemongrass-spiked assam gravy, lady’s fingers, and garden herbs, while the Beef Cheek Rendang (S$32) is slow-braised until meltingly soft and served with butterfly pea flower rice and crunchy achar. Desserts lean petite and shareable: choose from Black Sesame, Strawberry Shortcake, or Cocoa Petite Cakes(S$13 each)to end the meal on a sweet note! Coffee fans shouldn’t miss the Signature Kopi Kaya Latte (S$8), which folds local kopi and kaya notes into a modern latte, or the Wildflower Coffee (S$8), a floral-leaning twist the typical cup. If you’d rather take it all outdoors, pre-order one of the curated Picnic Baskets—Picnic for two (S$80)or Picnic for Four (S$150)—which come loaded with food, drinks, a mat, low table, cushions and even candle light, so you can turn any corner of the Gardens into your own laid-back dining room.
The Garage, Level 2, 50 Cluny Park Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore 257488
Curly’s
The newest grocer-dining concept in town has everything from organic and sustainable products to fresh bakes, and a café which features a garden-to-kitchen philosophy. Mornings are done in local Asian style with favourites like kaya toast and Jeju abalone porridge. Later in the day, the menu features hearty mains and seasonal plates – with Curly’s Pork Lard Fried rice, Sake-steamed Australian Pipis, Big Juicy Prawn Dumpling, Pork Porchetta, and Curly’s Slaw. June Baek of Hup San Social Club has also curated a special cocktail programme which sees excitingly refreshing twists on classics like a tomato-water Bloody Mary, tea-based martini or sparkling spritz, alongside lighter coolers and seasonal sangria.
40C Harding Road, Level 1, Dempsey Hill. Singapore 249548
