October dining picks: Alice Boulangerie, Horse’s Mouth and more

Whether you’re planning a date night or a gathering with friends, you’ve come to the right page. From new menus to the latest restaurant openings, ahead, we’ve rounded up some of the most exciting dining spots to check out this October. 

Restaurants to check out this October

Alice Boulangerie 

You may know Alice Boulangerie for its signature handcrafted pastries, but did you know the brand has expanded its savoury offerings with a newly curated dinner menu that blends Asian influences into traditional European dishes?

This charming spot in Tanjong Pagar now serves an array of new delights, including the Seared Foie Gras Toast—a decadent dish featuring homemade brioche complemented by a fig and balsamic compote. For something more hearty, try the Sakura ‘Cherry Blossom’ Pork Loin, specially marinated in honey mustard spices and herbs, and grilled over binchotan for a rich, smoky char. Another standout is the Tiger Prawn Capellini, with perfectly al dente capellini doused in savoury prawn stock, topped with fresh cherry tomatoes and chilli flakes, and served alongside freshly baked mentaiko tiger prawns.

Of course, no meal is complete without dessert. We highly recommend the Pebbles—a black sesame mochi delicately placed on a bed of peanut butter crumble, paired with smooth peanut butter and tangy raspberry jam. Not only is it beautifully presented, but its rich flavour is balanced and perfect for sesame lovers.

For something more Instagram-worthy, opt for the Squirrel. This adorable dessert features a moist chocolate flourless cake layered with chocolate biscuit, pecan brownie, and luscious salted caramel crémeux, all coated in a dark chocolate crunch, and topped with a cute squirrel made from orange milk chocolate crémeux and 64% Manjari Chocolate mousse.

Alice Boulangerie is located at 12 Gopeng St, #01-05/11 Icon Village

Horse’s Mouth 

Horse’s Mouth isn’t new to the scene—those who remember might recall its original location in the basement of Forum the Shopping Mall. This time, the restaurant has moved to a more intimate space on the second floor of Millenia Walk, offering a private dining experience for those seeking a cosy setting.

Here, you can expect Latin fare with an Asian twist, featuring a range of mouth-watering dishes like the Ceviche, served with homemade sweetcorn kernels that add a delightful texture, and the Piparra Tempura, made with Spanish green chillies coated in crispy tempura batter. For meat lovers, the Red Curry Butifarra is a must-try—handmade pork sausages served on a bed of patatas revolconas, drizzled with a turmeric sauce inspired by the spices of Indonesian bergedil.

The gastrobar also serves a range of delicious cocktails. We tried the Siam Sunset Smash, a Thai-inspired creation that blends bourbon with Thai tea, oolong, basil, and lime for a refreshing twist — without the signature milkiness of the traditional Thai tea that we’re all familiar with.

Horse’s Mouth is located at 9 Raffles Blvd, #02-06 Millenia Walk

Ging Sun Ho King of Bun

Easties, it’s time to rejoice. Hong Kong’s acclaimed Shanghainese eatery, Ging Sun Ho King of Bun has just made its debut in Singapore. What started as a 100-square-foot eatery in Mong Kok in 2010 has since expanded, partnering with the popular American headwear brand New Era to release limited edition merchandise and meals. The brand has also teamed up with airline HKExpress to introduce its signature Pan-Fried Pork Soup Buns and other dishes into the airline’s in-flight menu in early 2024.

The restaurant is famed for its signature Shanghainese-style signature pan-fried pork soup buns that are filled with generous servings of savoury pork. Other fan favourites include the Signature Pork Chop with Veg Rice which is well-loved for its tender texture and secret sweet and savoury marinade and the Ging Sun Ho Dan Dan Noodles, featuring a rich, nutty broth that perfectly complements the thin, silky noodles.

Ging Sun Ho King of Bun is located at 4 Tampines Central 5, Tampines Mall, #B1-K17/18

Madame Fan 

Cantonese fine-dining restaurant Madame Fan has just refreshed its menu. Helmed by Executive Chinese Chef Pak Chee Yit, the new menu pays homage to timeless Cantonese classics that have been reimagined with contemporary flair. The new dishes piqued our appetite and we decided to try some of the new dishes from the refreshed menu such as the Deep Fried Queen Crab sprinkled with Osmanthus Egg, that’s so crisp and flavourful, you’ll go for seconds. Other notable dishes from the menu that we got to try include the Stewed Beef Clear Soup, which goes well with just about any dish on the menu and makes for a great palate cleanser; and the Poached Xin Hui Tangerine Peel Yellow Croaker Fish in Salt Water. What I love most about the latter is that it has a zesty note to it and it complements the dish really well.

Alternatively, you can also look forward to other new additions like the Marinated Free-Range Chicken in Chinese Herbs, Fruity Garlic Black Char Siew and the Assorted Seafood and Tofu Rice.

Madame Fan is located at 32 Beach Rd, The NCO Club

Shakō-Ba

If you’re on the lookout for a new izakaya to visit, check out Shakō-Ba. The name comes from the Japanese word 社交 (Shakō), meaning ‘socialising.’

Nestled along North Canal Road, this new watering hole offers an impressive selection of over 100 drinks, from delicate pours to high spirits, along with tasty Japanese bar bites. Some of the few must-try dishes we recommend include the exquisite Salmon Treasure Box, savoury Minced Chicken Tsukune and Pitan Crab Tofu.

To celebrate its opening, customers can also rally their friends and enjoy 10 highballs for just $88!

Shakō-Ba is located at 12 North Canal Rd, #02-01

MoVida

Raffles City has become a hotspot for new dining establishments, with one of the latest and most exciting additions being MoVida. The popular tapas restaurant from Melbourne, Australia, renowned for its delectable Spanish tapas and wines, offers a tempting array of mouthwatering dishes.

Led by Chef Adrian Clemmens, former Head Chef and founding team member of MoVida Original, the restaurant has unveiled new, exclusive creations crafted specifically for local palates, all perfectly paired with an exciting selection of award-winning wines.

Some standout dishes include the Anchoa, featuring a generous serving of smoked tomato sorbet; the Bomba, a flavorful combination of potatoes and chorizo; and the classic Paella, a hearty dish brimming with seafood, perfect for sharing with a party of four.

MoVida is located at 252 North Bridge Rd, #03-43

StraitsKitchen

In tandem with the opening of Grand Hyatt Singapore, StraitsKitchen has also opened its doors, revealing a refreshed look and selection of food for its buffet menu.

Famous for its authentic local flavours, StraitsKitchen features live cooking stations and an extensive menu featuring Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Nonya dishes.

Led by Chef Nelson Wong, who has over 25 years of experience, you can look forward to seasonal delights like Fish Head Curry, Salted Egg Prawns, and Black Pepper Crabs, along with a wide selection of delectable local desserts that are sure to whet your appetite

StraitsKitchen is located at Grand Hyatt, 10 Scotts Rd