Singapore Wins Its Most Michelin Stars Despite Dining Curbs

(Bloomberg) -- Singapore now has a third three-star Michelin restaurant, along with five two-stars and 41 one-star establishments, the most accumulated stars the city-state has ever been awarded since the guide started ranking here in 2016.

Zen, a Nordic restaurant from Chef-Owner Bjorn Frantzen and Executive Head Chef Tristin Farmer with a fixed menu that’s S$480 ($356) per guest before drinks, joins Chef Sebastien Lepinoy’s Les Amis and Chef Julien Royer’s Odette in taking the coveted designation. Michelin made the announcement via a video ceremony on Wednesday. 

“It’s been one hell of a slog to get here, but what a result,” said Loh Lik Peng, chief executive officer of Unlisted Collection, the restaurant group that’s part of the partnership behind Zen.

The awards come in a year when restaurant dining in Singapore has whipsawed between open and shut, with many during the pandemic forced to create takeaway or delivery services to survive. Even after recent easing, dining in is capped at tables of five, while alcoholic beverages must be finished by 10:30 p.m.

Jaan by Kirk Westaway, a 40-seat modern British restaurant atop the Swissotel The Stamford with expansive views of Marina Bay, gained a second star. It joined four restaurants that retained the level, including Chef Tetsuya Wakuda’s Waku Ghin and Chef Emmanuel Stroobant’s Saint Pierre.

A new one-star designation went to Chef Rishi Naleendra’s Cloudstreet, where Young Chef Award winner Mark Tai works as well. Others gaining a star included Cure, Esora, Shang Palace, Sommer and Thevar.

“Every year, Singapore is reaching another level -- and we see a lot of energy, a lot of commitment resulting in a very energetic and vibrant list,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides, in an interview. “We can’t overlook the fact that it was a difficult year for everyone. Restaurants have to adapt, and it was not so easy. But we were really impressed.”

Here’s the full list:

Three stars:

• Les Amis
• Odette
• Zen

Two stars: 

• Jaan by Kirk Westaway
• Saint Pierre
• Shisen Hanten
• Shoukouwa
• Waku Ghin

One star:

• Alma
• Art
• Basque Kitchen by Aitor
• Beni
• Braci
• Buona Terra
• Burnt Ends
• Candlenut
• Chef Kang’s
• Cloudstreet
• Corner House
• Cut
• Cure
• Esora
• Garibaldi
• Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle
• Iggy’s
• Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine (Orchard)
• Jag
• Labyrinth
• Lei Garden
• Lerouy
• Ma Cuisine
• Meta
• Nouri
• Oshino
• Putien (Kitchener Road)
• Rhubarb
• Shang Palace
• Shinji (Bras Basah Road)
• Shinji (Tanglin Road)
• Sommer
• Summer Palace
• Summer Pavilion
• Sushi Ichi
• Sushi Kimura
• Table65
• Terra
• Thevar
• Whitegrass
• 28 Wilkie

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