This cosy, Chinese-inspired restaurant bar on Duxton is cheeky and in-your-face (check out the red lanterns and pictures of vintage Chinese pin-up girls), and so much fun because of that — so bring a brunch date with a sense of humour. Like the dinner menu, the brunch selection is adventurous and creative. Sit down to raved about plates like the Unagi Benedict ($23), which Burppler Alison Ho describes as "a fantastic fusion dish that combines fried mantou with that umami from the unagi and a whole dollop of an amazing yuzu hollandaise". Also try the popular Mentaiko Mac & Cheese ($16) and Mung Bean Frittata ($17). For dessert, get Coconut Tau Huay ($6) or the Mantou French Toast Ice Cream Sandwich ($7).
Avg Price: $50 per couple
Photo by Burppler Titus Phoon
Remember when we said we couldn't wait for Xiao Ya Tou's brunch menu (which by the way, has a drool-worthy Unagi Eggs Benedict)? Now, there's also lunch to look forward to! Story goes, when Xiao Ya Tou takes her beauty nap, her lover, Little Husband, cooks on her behalf from 10am to 4pm (weekdays only). Little touches like how the menu is folded into a pocket-sized book and slipped to you discreetly by the staff makes the whole dining experience that much more fun. The menu is simple — two mains, four salads, four sides, one drink and a dessert. The sides and salads were standouts, especially the incredibly moreish Fried Chicken ($14) with a tasty coriander mayo that we're still thinking about, and the shatteringly Crispy Egg Salad ($14) topped with swimmer crabmeat and a tangy Thai dressing. For mains, the Pho ($17) comes with a choice of wagyu striploin or brisket. The slow-cooked broth is not as flavourful as we would have liked it to be, but the meats are cooked expertly. Wash it all down with a cup of Vietnamese Coffee ($6).
Avg Price: $25 per person
Photo by Burppler Hwans Lim
Go cheeky on your next night out at Xiao Ya Tou, an upmarket fusion zi char restaurant and bar on Duxton Hill. Borrowing inspiration from Duxton's sordid past of brothels and opium houses, the dining room is bathed in the glow of red lanterns, and pictures of vintage Chinese pin-up girls adorn the walls. The food, too, is no boring matter. The kitchen turns out creative interpretations of familiar Asian and other zi char dishes — think Lu Rou Fan ($9) topped with braised wagyu beef instead of minced pork, and Oil Fried Soon Hock ($42) with tamarind gochujang. There are also tapas-style choices like Kurobuta Pork Cheek Sliders ($6 each) and Crispy Otak Otak Rolls ($12) — perfect for munching on as you sip on the Suntory Highball ($15), which combines Suntory whisky with soda, ginger, lemon juice and sugar. Pro tip: We can't wait for their brunch menu, which launches mid June — expect Minced Beef with Fried Potato Biscuit ($21) and Coconut Tau Huay ($6).
Avg price: $35 per person for tapas and a drink
Photo by Burppler Shawn Loh
