Singapore Garden
Swiss Cottage, London
Opened on Fairfax Road in 1983, and a Guide stalwart back in the day, this smartly decked out, family-run restaurant is still ‘packed with expats and locals’, according to one returning fan. Famed as a flag-bearer for Singaporean and Straits cooking, its renditions of pork satay (‘nicely caramelised’) and chilli crab (‘garlicky and spicy’) are among the best in town, although there’s punchy authenticity across the board. Kuay pie tee (little pastry cups filled with finely shredded bamboo shoots and chicken) and ho jien (stir-fried oyster omelette with chives) are worth a punt, as are stir-fried beef ho fun (flat rice noodles) which come with a lovely taste of 'wok hei'. Elsewhere, big bowls of Singapore laksa, fiery squid blachan, beef rendang and rojak (fruit and vegetables tossed in shrimp paste with peanuts and sesame) are bang-on for flavour. The menu also features a raft of Chinese regional staples, ranging from steamed sea bass with black bean sauce to Szechuan crispy chilli beef. End on a rosy note with sago pudding, coconut milk and gula melaka (palm sugar) or ice kachang (shaved ice and red beans, topped with evaporated milk). Prices may be more W1 than NW6, but flavours are true, and service from waitresses in traditional batik costumes is friendly. To drink, 30 tempting cocktails vie with four dozen spice-friendly wines.
Dining Information:
Outdoor dining, Wheelchair access
83 Fairfax Road, Swiss Cottage NW6 4DY
020 7624 8233
