In July 2016, four newcomers to Singapore’s dining scene were giving diners reasons to try something different: a Japanese soft-serve twist in Novena, popsicles dunked in wine and sake on Orchard Road, a New York cocktail institution on Amoy Street, and a Greek restaurant with a roomier new home in Dempsey. Here is what each offered then, and what can be confirmed about them now.
Sweet Japanese swirl at Small Potatoes
Small Potatoes Ice Creamery opened in Novena Square 2, at 10 Sinaran Drive, with just two soft-serve flavours: Japanese sea salt and Japanese purple yam. In July 2016, a serving started at S$5.
The smart order was the twist, which combined both. The milky, lightly salty sea salt swirl set off the sweet-savoury yam. For something bigger, there were parfaits, such as the Small Potato Party at S$9.50 in 2016. It came with a small Japanese yam, yam paste, warabi green tea mochi, azuki beans and crispy rice.
The shop then traded from 11am to 10pm daily. No current trading details could be confirmed, so check before heading to Novena.
Popsicles in booze at Bar Canary
Bar Canary was a laidback alfresco bar on the fifth floor of the Grand Park Orchard hotel at 270 Orchard Road. Guests took off their shoes and sat on bean bags on artificial turf.
The signature was a fruity popsicle served in a glass of alcohol. The pops came from local artisan pop-maker Popaganda. In 2016 a pop cost S$6 on its own, or S$18 with a glass of alcohol. The pairings included:
- Passionfruit Mint pop in riesling
- Mango Cayenne pop in sparkling wine
- Mixed Berries Shiso pop in sake
Cocktails at S$20 each included the Coco Chanel, a mix of rum, coconut liqueur, wheatgrass, coconut water, mint and lime. Another was Sugar ‘N Spice And All Things Nice, which combined salted caramel vodka, kaffir lime and gula melaka. The bar then opened from noon to 1am on Sunday to Thursday, and to 2am on Fridays, Saturdays and the eve of public holidays. Its present status could not be confirmed.
Good food to go with drinks at Employees Only
Employees Only on Amoy Street was the Singapore offshoot of the West Village bar in New York, which had been named among the best bars in the world. It opened to much fanfare, and Difford’s Guide describes it as the brand’s first international opening, built to replicate the original as closely as possible. That includes the floor plan, the pressed tin ceiling and a space for a fortune teller at the entrance.
This is the one pick of the four that can be confirmed today. It is at 112 Amoy Street, and a 2026 guide to the street’s restaurants and bars lists it with the address and the employeesonlysg.com website. Its entrance is discreet, with no clear signboard. Art deco styling and a speakeasy feel set the mood.
In 2016 the food was as much a draw as the cocktails. Dishes then included:
- Steak tartare, mixed table-side and served with the house hot sauce (S$27)
- Bacon-wrapped lamb chops with salsa verde (S$32)
- Fried skate (S$31)
- Smoked rainbow trout (S$38)
- Cavatelli with pork sausage (S$23)
Those were 2016 prices and dishes. Current guides point to hand-cut steak tartare, a pork katsu sando, truffled grilled cheese and a 250g grassfed ribeye. Cocktails mentioned include the Whiskey Soursop and the Plump Plum. Hours differ between listings, so check the bar’s own channels before going. Phone: 6221-7357.
Greek fare at Blu Kouzina
Blu Kouzina had moved to Dempsey Hill, to 10 Dempsey Road, #01-21, from its earlier shophouse home off Bukit Timah Road. The new space was larger and far better ventilated, so diners no longer left smelling of the kitchen. It sat in the same block as Portico Prime and ChopSuey.
The 2016 menu included:
- Greek salad with cucumber, olives, onions and a block of feta (S$21.80)
- Imam baildi, baked eggplant under a rich tomato sauce (S$18.80)
- Tzatziki, a yogurt, cucumber and garlic dip (S$14.80)
- Fava, a mellow yellow lentil dip (S$13.80)
- Melitzanosalata, a smoky eggplant and herb dip brightened with lemon juice (S$15.80)
For mains, the meat platter started at S$94.80 and brought lamb chops, beef patties, beef kalamaki (grilled marinated beef cubes on skewers) and meatballs. Grilled octopus was S$29.80. The restaurant then ran two evening seatings, from 6 to 8pm and from 8.15 to 10pm, plus weekend lunch. Whether it still operates at Dempsey could not be confirmed.
What to do with this list now
Of the four, only Employees Only can be recommended with confidence as a current address. For the others, treat the 2016 details as history. Confirm opening status and prices directly with each venue before planning a visit.