In the beginning, there was fire. Well, not the very beginning, but that element has become so useful in our evolution since then, some places like FYR Cycene Ond Drinc – pronounced ‘fire kitchen and drink’ – have continued the tradition of using an open fire to cook. Using lychee wood in their Josper charcoal oven, most dishes have a sweet, smoky flavour.

Sitting along Telok Ayer’s busy Boon Tat Street, FYR has a warm vibe suited to those needing post-work fuel. The mod­ern European kitchen that insists on not being called ‘fusion’ is instead influenced by Asian spices. With earthy colours and a mural paying tribute to the birth of fire, most of the dishes found here have a spicy, carnivorous feel to them. Dishes are served on thin charcoal-coloured stone slabs, the edges stylishly chipped.

To begin, baked shucked oysters ($15) sitting with an orange coat of chilli and garlic – making an easier dish for those afraid of the smell of the sea that some­times comes with oysters.

Served in half a bone, the baked bone marrow ($15) with veal sweetbreads comes with a spicy coating, and a side of toasted bread to offer more texture. Marrow on its own can be off-putting for some, so treating it like pâté can work a treat.

FYR’s grain-fed ribeye ($32) didn’t need the java curry sauce offered on the side, being properly cooked at a tender medi­um-rare. The small pot of buttery mashed potato is always a welcomed extra.

The grilled fresh fruit juice ($4.50) is grilled before juicing. The pineapple juice had a noticeable sweetness considering its roasting beforehand.

The restaurant’s pride and joy, the baked pistachio melt and pandan ice cream ($10), was a sweet finish. The warmth of the lava cake, sitting in a moat of green lava, goes great with the home­made pandan ice-cream – that takes 24 hours to make.

Nights get busy with their all-day happy hour deal, and the neighbour­hood offers more to continue the night if there’s still fire in your eyes for more.

FYR Cycene Ond Drinc
19 Boon Tat Street
facebook.com/FYRBTS

The first part to grab your at­tention is the black and white wooden porch out front almost resembling piano keys. You’ll notice the large communal table in the middle with the same pat­terns. There are pieces of international and local art adorning the minimalistic walls – which change frequently – and separate seating scattered around and out the front. Artistry is a bit of cool breathing space in the sometimes packed streets of Haji Lane and Arab Street. Small music gigs, spoken words and events run during the week.

Serving local coffee and soft drinks from New Zealand’s All Good Organics – like the fiery Gingerella ginger ale ($6). There’s a great handful of craft beers and ciders to try as well, and their twist on the mojito ($12) uses a sweet pandan syrup instead of brown sugar.

The main menu serves up breakfast until 5pm – from eggs on toast to potato hash – and some salads and pasta dishes too. Their selection of cakes includes a deep red velvet cake ($7).

Artistry Space
17 Jalan Pinang
artistryspace.com

Perched at the top of Send Poh Road in the ever-growing hipster vibe of Tiong Bahru, PS Cafe Petit has the appeal of its established upper-class PS Cafe kin in Ann Siang Hill Park and Paragon, encouraging diners to take their finely made meals home.

All orders are served in nice black paper boxes, but there’s no rush to leave during this visit. The look outside shouts a dining experience, but the small gold signs on each of the black wood tables inside remind diners that seating is first come, first served.

The reflections of light bouncing from the gorgeous set of black tiles on the walls and roof of the restaurant gave brightness to the room, adorned with champagne bottles on shelves and wine bottles in cupboards. Every bottle had an information card and a price tag attached to it, offering diners the chance to browse as they waited. The fashion and design magazines left on hooks were those you’d find at a Melbourne café.

The first four pizzas on offer were vegetarian, and while there’s an alluring set of tempting meat-focused pizzas – like the fennel sausage ($27) and Hungarian winter salami pizza ($28) – the Green Goddess ($25) was the winner. Broccoli, peas, French beans, spinach, green capsicum and crisp sugar snaps, with a great smoky pesto base and topped with shaved mozzarella and chevre.

The waft of truffle oil in the air became a sign that the truffle shoestring fries ($12) were next on the menu to be chosen. You can’t escape the smell, even though the garlic flatbread and mushroom cheese are the only other items with truffle oil. Slightly salted, the fries had enough crunch on the ends for satisfaction, with the shavings of grated parmesan and parsley to equally distribute on your fork – though in takeaway boxes, there’s pressure to stick to knives and forks when eating, even with fries.

To counter the guilt of fries, the ‘Petit’ House Salad ($10) came with pomegranate gems, sliced red cabbage, cucumber pieces, cherry tomatoes, lentil sprouts and salad leaves. The container of prune, sherry and balsamic dressing is generous, though it’s easy to forget taking the rest home is allowed and intended.

Aside from the wine list on the walls, the beer selection offers more than your lagers and pilsners, including the hoppy Hitachino Dai Dai IPA beer ($14), with hints of orange on the palette.

You’ll have friendly service, though with electronic buzzers to let you know when food’s ready, there’s not much interaction past the food and drink orders.

PS Café Petit Tiong Bahru
78 Guan Chuan Street
9226 7088
pscafe.com

Askew from the entrances of the Botanical Gardens, this cosy café attracts the right mixture of laid back students and small groups within its cosy walls – offering a combination of breakfast and brunch.

The Earl Grey caramel waffle with strawberries and vanilla ice cream ($11.50) was a sweet, crunchy delight heavy on the syrup. The same care goes into their coffees too – the cappuccino ($4.50) is smooth with velvet steamed milk, made by the baristas with a single serve jug – pouring each coffee out with an inch of distance between eye and ceramic cup is time-consuming, but assuring knowing your coffee isn’t rushed. Those wanting a heart-thumping caffeine kick should try the double ristretto Magic Tulip ($4.50) – essentially two shots made with half the water topped with milk.

The slice of key lime pie ($6.50) on offer had the right luminescent colour one expects to have from the American dessert, with faint shavings of lime inside for some citrus sharpness.

Assembly Coffee
26 Evans Road
6735 5647
assembly.sg

You’re either the kind of person who would happily shell out a tenner for a rare, single-origin cuppa or you’re not.

Those partial to the specialty coffee scene (and who don’t mind emptying their wallets a little for it) will enjoy laboratory-style cafe The New Black – a newcomer to Upper Circular Road that fancies itself a curator of ‘the rarest and best green coffees’ from coffee ‘artisans’ around the world.

Their seasonal menu ranges in price from $5.50 (for a ‘Sermon’ espresso courtesy of Californian roasters Verve) to a whopping $18, which will nab you a ‘Geisha Manantiales del Frontino’ Colombian coffee via Single Origin Roasters in Sydney. (Coffee aficionados will be familiar with Geisha coffee, renowned in the specialty scene as one of the rarest, most expensive varietals in the world.)

Just make sure to come prepared – perhaps unsurprisingly, The New Black only accepts payments by card.

The New Black
1 Upper Circular Road
Tel 6443 0332
thenewblack.asia

Asian fusion newcomer May May is a great spot for a mid-priced lunch in the CBD, says Sara Lewis.

Opening late last year, May May has been welcomed with open arms by the CBD lunch crowds who know a good lunchtime deal when they see one.

Nestled in Tras Street, May May offers modern Asian fare, fusing elements from a number of Asian cuisines with Western ingredients. During the day, this means a selection of rice bowls ranging from Red Chilli Chicken with caramelised onions and toasted cashews ($15) and Beef Rendang with kaffir slaw ($16) to the incredibly tender and moist Braised Pork Belly ($16), Butter Poached Cod ($18) or the token vegetarian option of Grilled Miso Aubergine ($12). Topped with a soft centred egg and some with pickled lotus root, the rice bowls resemble little works of art – even more so with the option to switch the rice for quinoa (for an extra $2). For an extra $3, you can upgrade to a lunch combo complete with a salad and a drink.

Come night-time, the menu stretches its legs into more diverse territory, serving up entrees such as the Indian-inspired Fried Cauliflower with chat masala, pear and tamarind ($14), the May May Bossam (thinly sliced pork belly, $12) or the succulent Double Fried Chicken with BBQ sauce ($16).

As far as mains go, vegetarians may be a little disappointed with the meat-heavy selection, though carnivores will surely delight at the likes of the Seared Wagyu Ribeye served with a crispy rice patty and seaweed salsa verde ($32) or the lighter option of Lobster Noodles ($28) topped with lemongrass, kaffir lime and a creamy coconut broth.

Dessert options are simple, with the option of Sweet Potato Mousse ($12) or Black Sesame Mochi ($12), both with savoury undertones that complement the main meals nicely.

Friendly service and an elegant but inviting contemporary interior top off the overwhelmingly pleasant experience of eating at May May, which can be commended on the delicate and intricate flavours it manages to deliver at incredibly reasonable prices. It keeps some good company on Tras Street, but May May stacks up against the competition and will hopefully enjoy a good long stint in the area.

May May
65 Tras Street
Tel 6221 4698
maymay.com.sg