Of the 37 restaurants with one Michelin star, seven are new and two were promoted
While we had to wait for the results a little bit longer this year, The Michelin Guide Singapore has finally unveiled the establishments that have earned a place in the coveted guide, in a star-studded gala dinner and awarding ceremony held this evening (September 17) at the Capella Singapore.
A total of 44 restaurants have made it into the 2019 guide, which is 5 more than last year. It’s not surprising given the number of stellar names that have opened up on the island after the closure of two-starred L’Atelier de Joel Restaurant and three-starred Joel Robuchon Restaurant) last year.
More importantly, two feted homegrown establishments are honoured with the highly coveted three stars.
Of the 37 restaurants with one Michelin star, seven are new and two were promoted (they were previously plate holders).
See also: What Went Down At T.Dining MY's Best Restaurants 2018 Awards
Five restaurants also earned their two-star rating, two of which are new entries, stalwart Saint Pierre and 10-month-old Restaurant Zén. The latter is the offshoot of acclaimed chef Bjorn Frantzén’s three-starred restaurant in Sweden. Also a new entry, Basque Kitchen by Aitor, helmed by head chef Aitor Jeronimo Orive (former head chef at one-Michelin-starred Iggy's), earned a star. Aitor tells T.Dining: "I didn't do anything differently; I just continued doing what I've always done, but better. But it does feel like the first time because this time, I have complete freedom."
Worth mentioning too are one star restaurants Lerouy, by French chef Christophe Lerouy who whips up modern French fare, and Robuchon alum Vianney Massot, who has finally come into his own with his eponymous restaurant, after working with the late French chef icon for nine years. Massot confesses that he feels more proud this time around because he has earned the star for his eponymous restaurant. "I will definitely celebrate with my team with lots of champagne because this accolade is all about our great teamwork."
Throwback to: Our First Review Of Saint Pierre's Second Restaurant In Kuala Lumpur
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Another favourite that has done well to regain its star after a recent revamped is casual eatery Cheek, formerly Cheek by Jowl, that had closed for a transformation in February and thus lost the star it earned in 2017.
When asked what he had done right again, chef-owner Rishi Naleendra said: “I think it’s the team; when we have strong people around us that pushes really hard.”
He made the bold move to close the restaurant for a facelift and change of menu, while he worked on the opening of another, Cloudstreet, which opened on Amoy Street in July.
“The team really stepped up keeping the quality and the consistency,” he affirms.