Having fun en plein air has been a bit of a theme in the later half of 2016, with more block parties, pool parties and garden parties than ever before. But looks like outdoor fun is getting gussied up with several leafy openings in quick succession. Here’s why we think you’ll be eating and drinking with sunblock in the coming weeks.

Dempsey Hill is getting hot again

Candlenut

We’ve been waiting months and months for the launch of the two-block lifestyle enclave on Dempsey Hill known as Como Dempsey. We’ve been promised Dempsey Cookhouse and Bar, a new restaurant by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, as well as the Singapore outpost of London’s Dover Street Market. Neither are open yet (though you can purchase DSM’s collection of sweatshirts and t-shirts at their online store), but there are already plenty of reasons to scamper off to Dempsey countryside. There’s Malcolm Lee’s Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant Candlenut, which recently moved there. Then, Asian-focused gourmet retail outlet Como Marketplace is open already, selling fancy oils, vinegars, Picque Tea, Japanese whiskies, Chinese-style sausages from Wing Wing, and lots more. And let’s not forget Osaka’s tempura specialist Ippoh, who is already operating there.

For something more low-key, though equally outdoorsy and no less delicious, there’s another Singaporean institution that has moved to the hill. Little India’s Morsels, which we’ve raved about since it opened, has a new home a few blocks down from Como Dempsey. Chef-owner Petrina Loh has her own herb gardens going on and continues to serve up creative comfort food with exotic touches, like the fermented heirloom tomato with ash spring onion pancake, and the steamed Venus clams with pickled wakame, fig broth and homemade kimchi.

So is Seletar Aerospace Park

The Summerhouse

We were excited to report just a few short weeks ago that 1-Group (of Una and Stellar/1-Altitude fame) had refurbished some beautiful black-and-white bungalows at Seletar Aerospace Park and turned them into The Summerhouse, a micro-roastery, cocktail terrace and restaurant all wrapped into one, with chef Florian Ridder, formerly of Alma by Juan Amador, doing the food, Yadhevan Santheran slinging kaya martinis and beetroot slings, Nomad the Gallant roasting the beans and Edible Gardens doing the botany.

But that’s not even the half of it: probably the most Instagrammed place in Singapore, Wheeler’s Yard, has a follow-up establishment, also at the aerospace park. Wheeler’s Estate is the stuff weekend brunch dreams are made of: a two-acre space with lawns, refurbished colonial-era verandahs, picnic tables, avocado toasts and pull-apart breads and the option to grab a bike and explore the area.

And Singapore Botanic Gardens

Bee's Knees at The Garage
 

Seletar too far for you? Well, seems like the 1-Group is spreading the love when it comes to dining-in-foliage because they have just brought a Summerhouse-style concept to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, too. Already home to fine dining establishments like Halia and Michelin-starred Cornerhouse, it is now the location of The Garage. Once a high “stable for cars” the space now comprises Bee’s Knees; a casual, pet- and kid-friendly brunch spot, serving eggs, waffles, sandwiches, salads and the like. The slightly more serious Botanico, with Una’s chef Antonio Oviedo at the helm, is a Spanish-leaning bistro, serving dishes like grilled carabinero with saffron rice and pork trotter terrine; lamb tartar with mustard ice-cream and pickled onion; and Spanish mackerel with Brussels sprouts and grilled kumquat.