I’m still feeling the happy vibes from the 2010 Singapore Sun Festival’s Opening Gala Concert. It may have fed my uncultured soul, but this foodie needs to eat to be truly satisfied. Salta (#01-56 Icon Village, 12 Gopeng St., 6225-8443) has been open for a while and I’d heard good things, but it wasn’t till I had a real hankering for honking slabs of meat that I decided to heed the call of my tummy and head down for what I foolishly thought would be a quick lunch. Of course, that didn’t happen. It’s hard to find Argentinian cuisine in Singapore, so we like that they’re doing something a little different, and well too. Their Jamon Ibérico ($20) is outstanding. Don’t believe me? Hop to it and have some for yourself. You’ll be inclined to agree. My other favorite was the Entraña—beef skirt ($27), juicy, flavorful and succulent. It was exactly what the doctor ordered. And I couldn’t pass on dessert (when do I ever?). The Panqueque ($10) was a sinful crepe tunnel filled and smothered with dulce de leche milk caramel made from condensed milk (yes, it’s as good as it sounds), with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

Another place that I’d recommend if you’re on the hunt for some tasty Thai is Soht & Baay. For the month of Nov, chef Apasara has added light and fresh salad options such as an unusual coconut shoot one done in “Som Tum” style with charcoal-grilled jumbo prawns, papaya strips accompanied by fried chicken wings and crunchy julienned cucumbers that contrast beautifully with crispy soft shell crab (from $15.90). If you’re not really a veggie person, there are some scrumptious crab dishes including fresh blue crab in an intoxicating turmeric gravy, addictive black pepper soft shell crabs tossed with kaffir lime leaves and yet more crabs in a coconut milk-based sauce of red onions, chili and tamarind.

After five too many beers at the newest Boulevard (#01-23 Millenia Walk, Times Square, 9 Raffles Blvd., 6883-2033), take your pick from Summer Ale, Wheat Bier and Bohemian Lager, I stumbled on Sarong Grill & Chill (#01-03 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd., 6837-2728). While I was a little too inebriated to dine at this Indonesian restaurant (it’s hard to stomach food when your belly’s full of beer), I did have a quick glance at the menu and that certainly looked promising. Also newish is PS. Café at ASH Park (45 Ann Siang Rd., 9797-0648). I’ve been too busy to venture to that part of town recently, but it’s going on my list of places to check out.