Saveur @ Purvis Street, Singapore

Due to the over-priced French affair locally, indulgence for dishes, like foie gras and duck confit are indeed hard to come by, until the recent opening of Poulet and a personal discovery of Saveur. Nestled along Purvis Street in Bugis, Saveur is the brainchild of two young food enthusiasts, who has worked at top French restaurants, like Guy Savoy, Fifty Three and Tetsuya’s in Sydney. Their goal was never less than bringing good and affordable French cuisine to people from all walks of life. Being said that, be prepared to queue up if you are 5 minutes later than their opening hours.

Despite being a full-fledged French restaurant, most of their dishes are fusions between the former and a tint of the local Singaporean taste. Take for example, Saveur's rendition of Beef Bourguignon (S$13.90) was not the typical beef chunks, which one expected to be simmered in thick brown sauce and wine. Nevertheless, the beef slices were tender and juicy, with seasoning kept to the minimal. The dish is completed with scalloped potatoes and salad greens.

Chin Chin Eating House @ Purvis Street, Singapore

For me, the basis of Hainanese cuisine lies none other than the famed chicken rice itself. While the debate for the best chicken rice in Singapore is a never-ending process, I was introduced to the ones at Chin Chin Eating House  recently, a classic restaurant that brings the nostalgia back from the 1980s. Located at the corner of Purvis Street, Chin Chin is no stranger to Hainanese food lovers, who swear by their authentic chicken rice and signature sweet-and-sour pork chops.