Where to eat & drink: Flipper's souffle pancakes, a new buffet restaurant & more

Always on the hunt for new dining spots? We bring you sound bites on where to eat, including new restaurant and cafe openings, the best places for your after-work tipple, and what’s new in the food scene.

Flipper’s launches in Singapore

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Artisanal souffle pancakes so soft that you literally need two forks to gently pull apart a bite-sized portion.

Don’t use a knife because cutting through the pillowy kiseki (or ‘miracle’) pancakes could potentially flatten it.

Drawing large crowds wherever it opens (Flipper’s first debuted in Tokyo in 2014), we’ve spied queues forming outside the Singapore branch since its opening day on Nov 6.

A bite into the ultra fluffy made-to-order pancakes tell us it’s well worth the hype. There are six flavours in total and must-tries would be the original Kiseki Pancake Plain ($16.80) as well as the (only) savoury option: the Eggs Benedict Souffle Pancake.

From now till Nov 30, Flipper’s has a special Millennial Strawberry flavour made with Chitose strawberries to celebrate its opening, and the cafe plans to drop seasonal options that include yubari melons and shine muscat grapes in the future.

Flipper’s is at #B1-56 Takashimaya S.C., Ngee Ann City.

A revamped menu at Taste Paradise

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After a seven-month-long refurbishment, Cantonese fine-dining restaurant Taste Paradise is back with contemporary new interiors and a revamped menu.

Abalone aficionados will appreciate the Signature Braised 10-Head Australian Dried Abalone in Abalone Sauce ($228++ per piece) that’s carefully dried for a week before braising for two to three days.

What you get: A deeper, more umami flavour and a firm texture.

Another star is the Baked Live Prawn with Vermicelli in Black and White Pepper ($10++ per 100g), which spotlights succulent Swa Lor prawns and bouncy vermicelli. The peppery sauce adds a nice kick without overpowering the dish.

And (elevated) comfort food doesn’t get better than the Poached Rice with Assorted Seafood in Lobster Broth ($52++) that boasts a robust and moreish broth with chunks of lobster, crab and scallop.

The crispy rice that’s added just before you dig in add a nice crunch.

Other dishes to order: Stir-fried Japanese A4 Wagyu Beef Cube ($98++), Double-boiled Sea Whelk with Kampung Chicken Soup ($78++ per pot for four-five persons), as well as the Signature Charred Honey BBQ Kurobuta Pork ($20++ per serving).

Taste Paradise is at #04-07 Ion Orchard.

Li Nanxing's Curry Chicken and more at Bakers & Co.

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Want to try out actor Li Nanxing’s cooking? You can get a taste of his speciality curry chicken at the new bakery section of Raffles Holland V Mall’s Taste Gourmet Market, Bakers & Co.

Named Ah Ge’s Curry Chicken, each set is priced at $9.90 and comes with a baguette on the side. You won’t be seeing the actor helming the counter though — it’ll be whipped up by in-house chefs using his recipe.

Or get your hands on another of his signatures: croissants stuffed with dried scallop hae bee hiam, cucumbers and butterhead lettuce (three for $7.90).

Other options at Bakers & Co., include Blueberry Cream Cheese, Pizza Bread and Cinnamon Roll, which are also specially curated by him.

Taste is at #B1-12/13 Raffles Holland V Mall, 118 Holland Ave.

Ginger at Parkroyal Beach Road

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Parkroyal Beach Road’s Ginger buffet restaurant is back with a brand new look that feels fresh, modern, and stylishly photogenic.

Dreamt up by award-wining Singapore-based Australian designer Emma Maxwell, the decor feels tropical, and is doused in pretty pastel hues.

It’s got a revamped a la carte buffet menu, too.

Feast on classic local flavours like Singapore Chilli Crab with Mantou, Hainanese Chicken Rice and Slow-braised Beef Rendang. Other favourites include Crispy Lamb Ribs with Thai Green Sauce and Durian Pengat.

Ginger at Parkroyal Beach Road is at 7500 Beach Road.

The Japan Rail Fair – A Virtual Trip to Japan

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While we’re fervently crossing our fingers for when we can take a leisure trip to Japan, here’s how you experience the country from your couch.

To celebrate rail travel, food and Japanese culture, Japan Rail Cafe has launched a virtual fair that’s packed with fun ticketed and free activities, including experiential live programs with food and alcohol delivery!

All ticketed programs can be attended for free without food and beverage add-ons.

It will take place online via this link and its Facebook Page on five days over two weekends, from Nov 20-22 and Nov 27-28, 2020

Take part in a shochu (traditional distilled liquor) workshop, hop on a virtual rail ride with an ekiben (lunch box) and JR East train memorabilia delivered to your home in advance, or go on a digital yuzu farm tour in Umaji Village, Kochi Prefecture, where 50 per cent of Japan’s yuzu is produced.

Visit its Facebook Event Page for updates and get your tickets here.