The Sushi Bar

It has been a while, or even ages if I dare say, since I was asked whether I had tried The Sushi Bar at Far East Plaza. No, I have not, I replied. After checking its online reviews, I included this small hole-in-the-wall Japanese sushi bar into my list of places to check out. But unknowingly, weeks had crept by. And then months, before I finally made my way to the shopping mall near Scotts Square and opposite Pacific Plaza. Almost walked a whole storey before I found it tucked away in a far corner on the 3rd floor. Deterred by the long queue, I decided to go back another day and it was during my 2nd visit that I managed to try its food. This time, it was for late lunch on a weekend afternoon. Asking for a table of two, we were led to our seats immediately. Beer posters stood out against blue walls and ceiling lit up by round paper lamps in the sparsely furnished place of wooden tables, white stools and black chairs with back rest.

Saveur

Set up by aspiring chefs Joshua Khoo and Dylan Ong who had prior experiences at Guy Savoy and Sydney's Tetsuya, Saveur started in a small kopitiam in Joo Chiat before moving to Purvis Street where the average wait is easily an hour. The space has since expanded and a 2nd branch opened on the 1st floor of Far East Plaza. There were no queues the few times I passed by and despite its glass frontage, could not see if the inside was packed as it was dimly-lit with a neutral palette of black and brown. And when the sun was too glaring, heavy curtains would be drawn. Reservations are not allowed here which sits about 80 and opens throughout the day. Other than lunch and dinner (some dishes are available for takeaways too), there is a tea-break menu that I was told consists mainly of coffee and tea. Stepped in for late lunch on a weekday to try its duck leg confit with homemade mashed potato, sautéed shitake mushrooms, orange segments and orange-infused natural jus.