Following the part 1 of Semi-Fine dining that fills in the gap between fine- and casual-dining, this entry is a nostalgic one, for me to remember the places I’ve been for the past year or so when I was slack in blogging. It’s outdated, and some places have already moved or changed concepts. But if it’s useful to you, then I’m happy to have helped.

Kulto
87 Amoy Street  Singapore 069906
t: +65 96205626
12:00PM – 2:30PM, 5:30PM – 10:30PM, closed Sunday
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Visited: 14 Apr 2022

Kulto serves elevated Spanish food and strangely when we were there, the place was full of tai-tais in their 50s, not the usual yuppie crowd. The food was alright, nothing exceptional, nothing bad. Everything from service to food was average.

Food: 6/10
Decor/ambience: 6.5/10
Service: 6/10
Price/value: 6/10

Mad About Sucre
27 Teo Hong Rd, Singapore 088334
t: +65 6221 3969
Tues – Sat 12pm – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun 12pm – 5pm
Closed Mon
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Visited: various times over 2022 and 2023

Full disclosure: since my first anonymous review that I paid myself, the owners had recognised me from my subsequent visits and we became great friends. As with anything with feelings involved, it’s hard to be objective. But I have returned several times on my own volition over the years–and I seldom return to a restaurant–and paid myself every single time. When I’m nearby and can’t find anything to eat, I’d drop in for their salad or cake. See previous reviews: when they were new, and a revisit.

No rating.

Nixta
116 Amoy St, Singapore 069936
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Visited: 10 Dec 2021

Nixta is a Mexican grill restaurant that is so fashionable that their door is a side-door, not a main entrance. Their food is not bad but the ridiculous prices don’t commensurate with the quality. The spit-roast chicken cost a ridiculous $69, NTUC sells it for $3.99. The wagyu rib eye fajitas cost $98 and I had to wrap it myself?! (It’s a joke, I know how fajitas work.) And the most ridiculous thing was this joint was so popular that they chase you out for a second seating when you spend so much there. I really can’t with these hipsters. As with any hipster joint, the service was “cool.”

Food: 6.5/10
Value/price: 2/10
Service: 5/10
Decor/ambience: 7/10

Sinpopo at Tangs
Tang Plaza #02-22/27/29, 310 Orchard Road, S238864
t: +65 6530 3825
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Visited: 6 Jul 2022

I visited the outlet at Joo Chiat, which has since moved to Tangs Plaza at Orchard. Besides cakes which they are famous for, they also serve mod sin cuisine. Their food is rather interesting and innovative and delicious albeit expensive.

Food: 7.25/10
Value/price: 5/10

Bar.celona
30 Robertson Quay #01-10/11 Singapore 238251
t: +65 8854 1645
Tue-Sat: 5-11pm
Sun: 4-11pm
Closed Monday
Visited: 28 Aug 2022

You wouldn’t expect a watering hole to serve good Spanish food at relatively good prices. As like any other watering hole, the service can be a bit hectic.

Food: 6.5/10
Value/price: 6.25/10
Service: 5.75/10
Decor/ambience: 6/10

You may be interested in…
– New Restaurants & Promos: Soll (Havelock Road), Goldenroy Sourdough Pizza (Desker Road), The Alkaff Mansion (Telok Blangah), GOHO Kaiseki (Duxton)
– New Restaurants & Promos: Nori Nori Yakiniku (Telok Ayer); Zorba (Clarke Quay); Peppermint (Parkroyal Marina Bay)
– Fine Dining Part 3: Whitegrass (CHIJMES); Brasserie Les Saveurs (St Regis); Firangi Superstar (Craig Rd); Restaurant Born (Neil Road)
– Fine Dining Part 2: Lavo (MBS); Orchid Live Seafood (HomeTeamNS Khatib); Racines (Sofitel Tanjong Pagar); Rosemead (Cecil St); and Siri House (Dempsey)

Written by Dr. A. Nathanael Ho.