The best dishes of 2017: Top 10

From Iggy's

Barely a month old, newcomer Ishi has already blown us away with its kaisen chirashi don that’s available only during lunch. For $68, you get a series of starters alongside the rice bowl that’s brimming with fresh seafood like horse mackerel, baby barracuda, tuna and prawns. But that’s not all – the fish is then covered with a generous mound of negitoro and ikura. Ahh, pure bliss.

$68.

From Restaurant André

Before chef André Chiang leaves Singapore for good in February, head to his restaurant for a lesson in Octaphilosophy – the eight elements of gastronomy that inspire his cooking. While everything he serves is beautifully executed, Memory stands out not just for its taste but its story. He created the foie gras and truffle dish in 1997 when he was a young chef cooking at three-Michelin-starred Le Jardin De Sens in France and it’s been his go to ever since.

Part of a $800 prix-fixe meal.

From Venue by Sebastian

Fans of Restaurant Ember rejoiced when chef Sebastian Ng rejoined the culinary scene in May with his new casual concept, Venue by Sebastian. It carries some of Ng’s signature creations from his Ember days including the Chilean seabass served with mushroom-bacon ragout and a truffle yuzu butter sauce that’s sinfully decadent. Those who need their carbs should not miss the springy cold pasta with kombu and truffle oil ($23).

$32.

From Nouri

Chef-owner Ivan Brehm declares that the food at Nouri is ‘crossroads cooking’ as he whips up dishes that draw on cultures from around the world. Case in point is his fried pinto bean falafel that’s served in an intense two-toned sauce with salted prawn vatapá in the middle of the plate and a turmeric and coconut curry on the outer rim. While the dish draws from Brehm’s Brazilian roots, it’s also reminiscent of laksa, showing us how appreciating of good food is universal passion.

Part of a $140 prix-fixe meal.

From Tono Cevicheria

Fresh ceviche is the order of the day when you visit Peruvian joint Tono Cevicheria. There are four types of ceviche on the menu but go for the Tono. It’s served with thick chunks of trevally and deep-fried baby calamari tossed in tiger’s milk with a mix of local limes, onions, chilli paste and fish sauce. We’re happy enough with a plate of this and a never-ending supply of warm bread.

$28.

From Authentic Hock Lam Street Popular Beef Kway Teow

After trying countless bowls of beef noodlesthis year, we’ve found that Authentic Hock Lam Street’s takes the cake. The supreme mix is packed with various cuts of beef such as tripe, brisket and tendon in a thick sauce or soup. Each cut is incredibly tender so you won’t find yourself chewing for an eternity only to have to spit out a sinewy piece of meat.

$9.50.

From Birders

While Birders is known for its yakitori, the chicken liver mousse is surprisingly the restaurant’s star dish. The smooth and creamy chicken livers are spiked with bourbon and topped with salted kombu for an intense burst of umami. Spread it over a golden deep-fried mantou that is crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle. And if that’s a little too intense for you, add a dollop of yuzu marmalade to the mix for a touch of sweet citrus.

$16.

For Five Ten

For simple comfort food that hits the spot, pop over to Five Ten. Its Taiwanese-inspired rice bowl, Lu Rou Fan, is only available during lunch and comes with melt-in-your-mouth tender pork belly slathered in the chef’s secret sauce, served on top of Japanese rice and finished with an onsen egg and kai lan.

$10.

From Ishi

Barely a month old, newcomer Ishi has already blown us away with its kaisen chirashi don that’s available only during lunch. For $68, you get a series of starters alongside the rice bowl that’s brimming with fresh seafood like horse mackerel, baby barracuda, tuna and prawns. But that’s not all – the fish is then covered with a generous mound of negitoro and ikura. Ahh, pure bliss.

$68.

From Sugarhall

There’s no two ways about it – Sugarhall’s corn bread is the perfect bar snack after some heavy drinking, just like we’ve been doing this year. Served warm, these delightful morsels are dense and packed with kernels of corn. Spread some honey butter over the cake and call it a night because you’ll be having sweet dreams of this corny dish night after night.

$12.