Three to try: .elia, Kilo Lounge, The Other Room

.elia

You might be wondering what the full-stop at the front symbolises — well, for .elia,  it's about marking a fresh start and bringing something new to the table. The 30-seater establishment might exude a quiet and unassuming façade, but underneath it all lies an amalgamation of flavours in the plates dished out here. They pay a great deal of attention to comfort food — their Jamon Iberico Grilled Cheese might appear to be just another sandwich, but it bags a mouthwatering stuffed trio of stringy and soft cheeses alongside cured ham and housemade bread. Pastas are handmade here, which is a rarity in today's current bistro scene. Don't leave without ordering The Panchetta, in essence freshly made trenette simmered in brown butter and topped with an egg yolk and Italian bacon. Craving for something more sophisticated on date night? Their sous-vide Wagyu Beef Shortrib is seared to a perfect medium-rare — just the way we like it. — JS 

10 Jiak Chuan Rd, Tel: 9642 2361
Opening hours: 9am-5pm, 6.30-11pm

Kilo Lounge

Our favourite cool kid on the block, Kilo Lounge, has a brand-new food menu for peckish folk to savour alongside their favourite cocktails. If Kilo Kallang's moreish dishes (hello, tuna tartare and squid ink rice) are anything to go by, expect hearty crowd pleasers jam-packed with flavour at their lounge space. Call for the beautifully tart Octopus Ceviche, and the Tai Truffle Yuzu Roll, crafted with fresh crab meat, red snapper, and tempura for a clever play on textures. These pair nicely with the bar's signature bourbon and gin-based cocktails, such as the New York Sour and Thyme is of the Essence respectively. Still hungry? Try the Tequila Cured Salmon Flat Bread — topped with jalapeño, cream cheese, pickled onions, and cilantro, the scrumptious combination is slightly spicy, yet exquisitely tangy. If you have a long night ahead of you, pop by Kilo Merienda, Kilo Lounge's food stand that operates from 11pm till an hour after closing on Fridays and Saturdays. Their Ang Moh Bak Chor Mee, BBQ Pulled Pork Tacos, and NY Beef Frank hotdog are true winners in our heart. — AC 

21 Tanjong Pagar Rd, Tel: 9824 9747
Opening hours: 5.30pm-3am

The Other Room

Tucked away in a corner (finding it is half the fun) at the Marriott Hotel at Tang Plaza is The Other Room, an extraordinary little bar hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the world. A quick ring of the doorbell gets you in, where your theatrical experience awaits. With 30 different cocktails on the menu, created by multi-award winning bartender Dario Knox, it almost takes a bit of eeny-meeny-miny-mo before you pick one. If you're a lover of all things gin, try the Reversed Gin & Tonic, which packs in a dry, smoky flavour and is a delicious take on the conventional gin & tonic. Otherwise, the Scotch & Tea combines scotch whisky, matcha tea, mint, celery, and lemongrass for an intriguing whirl of flavour. And don't forget your "passport", because once you've tried every cocktail on the menu, you'll be presented with a Golden Key. This unlocks a multi-sensory experiential cocktail that will evoke emotion and ignite nostalgia. We shan't say any more, because it's one you'll want to discover all by yourself. — AC

#01-05, Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, Tel: 8300 6085
Opening hours: 6pm-3am