After the excesses of the Christmas and New Year holiday season, it’s a good idea to give your body a break by eating healthily, until the festivities kick off again in February and you find yourself indulging in all the Lunar New Year goodies.
But eating healthier doesn’t mean eating bland, uninspiring food or consuming only salads every day. We rounded up six dining outlets that know how to make wholesome meals taste amazing – so you can satisfy your tastebuds and stomach without feeling guilty.
Nassim Hill Bakery Bistro Bar
Unwind with friends at this inviting eatery, which combines a bakery, a bistro and a bar. Located at the Tanglin Post Office Building on Tanglin Road, Nassim Hill Bakery Bistro Bar has something for everyone. It’s open from 8am to late, transforming from a casual brunch spot during the day to a chic restaurant and bar in the evenings. Their menu is extensive, with cafe classics like Eggs Benedict and Fish and Chips to fusion dishes like Chilli Crab Pasta and Dry Laksa Pasta.
Healthy picks: The Detox ($23) is a hearty salad packed with avocado, greens, red quinoa, cranberries and other veggies, all tossed together with a citrus vinaigrette. The Nutty Bird ($24) is a tasty combination of grilled chicken, toasted buckwheat, roasted squash and beets, mushrooms, nuts and seeds.
SAFRA members enjoy 10% off regular-priced food and drink items daily; 11B holders receive 10% off regular-priced food and drink items on weekdays. For more information, go to safra.sg/promotions/NassimHillBakery
Blue Jasmine
For an authentic Thai meal, check out Blue Jasmine at the Holiday Inn Singapore Little India. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it specialises in traditional Thai delights as well as popular street foods. The dishes are perfect for sharing family-style, so come with a large group, although you can certainly order one-dish meals, such as pad Thai, if you’re dining alone.
Healthy picks: The Tofu Seaweed Soup ($16), made from vegetable broth, egg tofu, seaweed and long cabbage, is a good option if you’re after something light. The Wok-Fried Vegetarian Pad Thai ($14) is prepared the traditional way, but using tofu instead of meat for the protein.
SAFRA members get 20% off the total bill. Click on safra.sg/promotions/blue-jasmine to find out more.
Wheeler’s Tropikana
Nestled within Gillman Barracks, Wheeler’s Tropikana is a 15,000 sq ft paradise, complete with an outdoor pool, vibrant murals by local artists and lush greenery. The menu, designed by Australian Head Chef Jayd Kitt, fuses Australian, Pacific and Asian flavours and is presented as Australasian. Make this your next stop for a lazy weekend brunch or a romantic dinner with your beloved. Don’t miss the live music every night from 7.30pm.
Healthy picks: Available on weekends is the Aloha Acai ($22), a cold smoothie bowl made from organic acai, granola, bananas, raspberries and passionfruit. The Josper Grilled Barramundi ($43), from the dinner menu, features the Australian fish served with green tomato and mint salad, roasted capsicum, charred lemon and sea herb chimichurri.
SAFRA members and 11B holders get 10% off the a la carte menu ($50 minimum spend). Go to safra.sg/promotions/wheeler-s-tropikana for more information.
The Daily Cut
Build your own unique bowls at The Daily Cut. With two centrally located outlets at Tanjong Pagar and Raffles Place, this restaurant aims to make healthy eating uncomplicated, using only the freshest, highest quality ingredients and changing its menu according to what’s in season (seasonal produce is not only tasty but also better for our health and the environment). One of the best things about eating here is being able to pick and choose what goes into your bowl, so you can get as creative or crazy as you want.
Healthy picks: Choose from bases like baked sweet potato, wholegrain pasta, cilantro lime brown rice and shredded kale, proteins like herb-crusted dory, salmon fillet and baked chicken breast, and extras like sauteed green beans, braised red cabbage, tofu, baked tempeh, onsen egg, charred broccoli and walnuts.
Locations at One Raffles Place and Guoco Tower
Bearded Bella
A small neighbourhood eatery along Craig Road, Bearded Bella boasts Melbourne cafe vibes and offers an inventive menu that the owners describe as “a bit quirky”. Coffee is a specialty here, but you’ll also find whole cakes that you can order in advance. The brunch and dinner menus are pretty extensive, with a range of small plates, mains, sides, desserts, coffee-based drinks and cocktails to choose from.
Healthy picks: Scallop and cold pasta ($22) is a medley of seared Canadian scallops, capellini pasta and chuka wakame marinated with truffle oil and yuzu ponzu. The Yuzu Pepper Chicken Salad ($25) combines poached chicken breast with yuzu kosho, citrus rocket and carrot salad, avocado, feta, red radish and sesame.
The Ritual
The Ritual is housed in a serene space along Bukit Timah Road, offering baked goods, breakfast, brunch and coffee. Everything is freshly prepared using top-of-the-range ingredients and the menu is designed to be simple, wholesome and inclusive. If you’re plant-based, vegetarian or gluten-intolerant, you’ll be spoilt for choice here.
Healthy picks: Grandma Lee Chicken Congee ($13) is the ultimate in comfort food, featuring slow-cooked congee topped with seasoned chicken cooked sous-vide style, scallions, egg and dough fritters. If you’re cutting down on carbohydrates, try the Ritual “Butter Chicken” Cauliflower Rice ($21), which uses vegan “meat” for the chicken balls, soy cream, spices and cauliflower rice.
Save more with SAFRA! Enjoy special deals and discounts on dining, entertainment, travel, fitness and more from over 1,500 merchant outlets islandwide. Sign up or renew your SAFRA membership for one year at $43.60 inclusive of GST) and get two years FREE! Plus, get your spouse and children on board to enjoy the same privileges too at $5.45/year. Visit safra.sg/savemore for more details.
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