5 great spots for a catch-up

The holidays are always incredibly hectic, running from party to dinner. Doesn’t it seem like you’re so busy that you don’t really connect with people? That, my friend, is what January is for: taking time to relax and enjoy time together. Here are five great spots at Dempsey Hill to do just that!

#1 Blu Kouzina

If you’re already missing your vacation, come to Blu Kouzina and be transported to Greece. You can indulge in authentic and organic dishes, including some brand new menu entries such as soutzoukakia. It might be hard to pronounce, but trust us, these beef or lamb meatballs in a Greek tomato sauce are oh-so-easy to eat. There’s a new meze platter, too, as well as a killer seafood platter. Kick back in furniture sourced from villages in Greece and savour the flavours.

10 Dempsey Road, #01-21
6875 0872 | blukouzina.com

#2 Da Paolo Dempsey

Just yum. This new Italian spot in Dempsey offers everything from made-to-order handcrafted pasta to hand-stretched wood-fired pizza. Finish off your meal with the signature Tiramisu or an authentic house-made Italian gelato. The restaurant is light and airy with iconic maiolica tiles and terrazzo tables set against Dempsey’s lush backdrop. Sicilian lemons hang overhead the bar, and an upside down olive tree with preserved bark pays homage to the family’s olive plantation. The place just couldn’t get any cooler – only it does. The big 5,000-square-foot space is also a retail haven, meaning you can buy fresh-made pasta to take home, too – or even order online.

8 Dempsey Road, #01-13
6261 3128 | dapaolo.com.sg/dempsey

#3 Harry’s Bar

Unwind at this casual, unpretentious urban getaway. Harry’s serves quality dishes ranging from a Jazz Burger to the signature curried lamb shank. If you’re craving Italian, Harry’s has that, too, with a great selection of pasta and pizza, making this place very family-friendly, especially at lunchtime. Prefer some bar bites to share? Try the deep-fried fish skin or the signature chicken wings. Toast the new year with something from the extensive menu of draft and imported beers, wines, spirits and innovative cocktails. It’s great that this ideal island standby has a home in Dempsey.

Block 11 Dempsey Road, #01-17A 
harrys.com.sg

#4 La Salsa

If upbeat fun and delicious food is your thing, you have to check out this gourmet kitchen, which offers food from across the Latin world. The menu includes dishes from Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico and South America. Must-try items include Mini Crab & Lobster Tacos, Fajitas and Grills – and you can wash it all down with a margarita or sangria. Celebrate 2020 and find out just how different the dishes are from these varied and vibrant cultures.

11 Dempsey Road, #01-17
6475 6976 | lasalsa.com.sg

#5 The Wine Company

Looking for a new place to try? This is it! The Wine Company now has a bigger outlet at Dempsey’s Block 8 – and what a spot it is. The pioneering wine bar set in an old barracks exudes Old World glamour with a high ceiling, stunning chandelier, red drapes and an extensive cocktail menu. Toast 2020 with a globally sourced wine and food offerings that run the gamut from Japanese or French dishes and sharing plates. With more than 300 well-priced wines from more than 50 wineries, the selection is wide enough to enjoy a different drop for every day of the new year! Overwhelmed with the selection? No worries. There’s an Editors’ Choice guide to send you in the right direction. Perfect.

Block 8 Dempsey Road
6261 5123 thewinecompanyonline.com.sg

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Melinda Murphy

Melinda does Special Projects for Expat Living which includes pulling together big stories, videos — all sorts of cool stuff. It all builds on her background as a television correspondent, producer and author back in the US. Her life is kind of a special project, too, with two young kids, an old dog, a ridiculous number of volunteer activities — and a very understanding hubby.