The once-quiet stretch of colonial houses on Rochester Park, off North Buona Vista Road in Singapore, is providing a lush backdrop for foodie grazing, Law Kah Yen reports
In a city that lives for the next meal, foodies are now trooping to an area where the buzz has always come more from the insects than a horde of eager diners.
For the been there-done that clique, Rochester Park provides a quaint escape from Singapore’s overly crowded and strident eateries. The lush Eden-like charm is quite unlike any heavily marketed clusters that have cropped up in recent years – think revamped Clarke Quay, Holland Village and Club Street.
What could possibly rival its appeal are up-and-coming destinations Dempsey Road and Gillman Village promising an equally rustic and bohemian experience.
The rejuvenation of the neighbourhood by developer Jurong Town Council Corporation sees the conversion of 11 sprawling double-storey colonial bungalows – affectionately called “black and white” – into a one-of-its-kind “lifestyle hub”.
For starters, the inaugural stage produces five F&B outlets that will soon be complemented by boutiques, galleries and spas.
Already there’s word of more entrants jumping on the bandwagon at the relatively untouched Dempsey Road that aims to produce an eclectic mix of antiques warehouses, furniture shops, wine bars and restaurants.
Particularly good are new-kid-on-the-block PS Café with its modern Australian fare and long-standing Samy’s Curry Restaurant for some mind-blowing South Indian cuisine.
For now, the “it” crowd is flocking to Rochester Park for a taste of its far-flung tropical setting and chi-chi hangouts while getting upclose with Mother Nature. Credit goes to the tenants for their praiseworthy restoration efforts to cash in on the greenery and original architecture of the bungalows, once homes of post-World War II British military officers. They have gone the extra length to marry the verdant playing field with plush modern features and bring chic alfresco dining to greater heights.
North Border Bar & Grill
Not for the faint-hearted, this southwestern American restaurant hawks the bold and comforting flavours of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah, peppered with generous doses of chipolte, jalapeno chillies, spices, corn and meat. Pair Arizona-inspired chicken with?stuffed jalapenos and black bean stew, or a tortilla-layered lasagne with red enchilada sauce.
While lacking the flamboyance of its neighbours, North Border offers a more laidback and down-to-earth vibe. A retail corner turns up the heat with its range of “Ass Kickin” hot sauces and merchandise. A meal for two with wine costs about US$70.
Details: 2 Rochester Park, tel: 65 6777 6618. Open daily 1130-1200.
Da Paolo Bistro Bar
The enterprising Italian restaurant chain Da Paolo brings its empire in Singapore to a total of seven outlets with this latest stake at Rochester Park. Understatedly classy and sexy, the bistro-bar wins fans easily with its eye-candy resort-villa surrounds and reputable Italiana cucina. Guests can lounge on the sun beds at the open terraces and proceed to the pavilion adjoining an open kitchen counter.
Here, the dishy Italian chefs conjure a concise menu of specialty grilled items and finger food to accompany a long list of Italian vino. A meal for two with wine costs from US$70.
Details: 3 Rochester Park, tel 65 6774 5537. Open daily except Tues 1130-1400, 1830-2300; bar serves until 0100 weekdays and Sun, and until 0200 Sat.
Graze
As the first restaurant venture on her home turf by Singaporean hotelier Yenn Wong of the award-winning JIA designer hotel brand, Graze has been herding in a horde of cool cats since its gates opened in early April.
Its name suggests what its fashionable regulars probably do best – nibbling on gourmet bites while sipping on the alcohol-infused sorbets. The modern Australian fare, including the likes of soy-lacquered Wagyu ox cheek on coconut rice and papaya-pomelo salad, looks promising but is let down by poor execution – so probably best to stick with the generous BBQ choices.
Its saving grace is the edgy stylish backdrop boosted by a large outdoor screening of black-and-white movie classics. A meal for two with wine costs from US$80.
Details: 4 Rochester Park, tel 65 6775 9000. Open Tues-Sun 1800-1200; Mint Bar serves until 0100 Sun and until 0200 Sat. Sunday brunch is 0900-1500.
Minjiang at One-North
Established restaurant Minjiang at Goodwood Park Hotel fills the gap in the local dining scene for a spot of Oriental chic alfresco dining with its second outlet at Rochester Park.
As the only fine-dining Chinese restaurant, it’s the place to indulge in specialties such as Hongkong-style dim sum, famed lobster noodles and Peking duck painstakingly roasted in a custom-made wood-fired oven. The interiors are elegant, dressed with contemporary touches, while the timber-decked terrace is just as alluring on a cool evening. A meal for two with wine costs from US$70.
Details: 5 Rochester Park, tel 65 6774 0122. Open daily 1100-1430, 1800-2230; dim sum high tea on Sat and Sun 1500-1700.
