New restaurants that celebrate the Mediterranean diet

It’s February 2020. Juice detoxes (read: crash diets) are out, and once again we scramble to find the latest scheme that guarantees weight loss and wellness without, well, much effort. One diet stands tall – and has been for awhile, after it was named Best Diet Overall in the U.S News & World Report annual rankings for the third straight year recently. The diet mimics various cuisines from the ever-sunny Mediterranean region, with an emphasis on plant-based whole foods, nuts, extra virgin olive oil and seafood. From tapas to carpaccio, or shakshuka to spanakopita, the region offers centuries of gastronomic delights that prove healthy doesn’t mean bland.

Studies have shown that the diet can ward off chronic diseases such as diabetes and high cholesterol, as well as dementia and depression. And of course, it helps you keep the weight off. The best part? Nothing is completely off-limits: not alcohol, not meat and especially not carbs. You don’t have to restrict your calories, nor when you have them. That makes the Mediterranean diet one of the easiest diets to adhere to, especially when dining out where you can’t control what goes into your food. These are some of our tropical island’s latest restaurants and menus that make dieting actually delicious.

Summerlong
Summerlong brings Aegean inspiration to Robertson Quay with new head chef Fotis Kokoshi’s updated menu focusing on what the Mediterranean does best: the finest whole ingredients in every colour imaginable. Along with its convivial decor and quayside al fresco seating, the Dandy Partnership beach-club-esque establishment now offers delights such as its zesty seabass carpaccio topped with trout roe; grilled octopus on a puree of organic Kastorian fava beans along with tomato confit and caramelized onions - a vibrant mix of sweet, smoky and tangy; and Middle East-inspired halva cake, finished with mascarpone, caramel and crushed pistachios (who says you can’t have dessert on a diet?). Relax on one of their sofas (or hammocks) with one of Summerlong’s frozen cocktails, a surefire way to beat the Singaporean heat. Summerlong is open for only dinner on weekdays; on weekends, it is open for brunch onwards.

60 Robertson Quay, #01-04. Tel: 6235-1225.
Fat Prince
Following its recent renovation and menu revamp just October last year, Fat Prince brings its Royal Brunch Menu to Tanjong Pagar under the helm of chef Paul Lim. Contemporary Middle Eastern cuisine meets lazy Saturday brunches in the cosy establishment replete with plush pillows, warm lighting and their unique take on classic brunch fare. Heart-healthy highlights include hummus topped with paprika and roasted cashew gremolata; an oceany and zesty cured salmon crudo, sprinkled with dukkah, apple cubes and fresh dill; and the full English's salubrious cousin, the Fatteh Breakfast - avocado and baby spinach salad, poached eggs, toasted halloumi, pita and falafel. Don’t forget their ‘koktails’: unconventional, bold and exactly what you need to brighten up your Saturday afternoon.

48 Peck Seah Street. Tel: 6221-7794
Da Paolo Dempsey
Da Paolo Dempsey is the Scarpa clan’s first venture in Dempsey Hill after three decades in Singapore. The trattoria comprises a dining, bar and retail section that boast a myriad of fine Italian cheeses, meats and delectables. Evoking the coasts of Italy at the peak of summer in decor as well as cuisine, Da Paolo Dempsey sticks to the classics. Fresh vegetables and seafood prepared simply with generous lashings of extra virgin olive oil (and, we’ll admit, cheese as well) make Italian food a veritable mainstay of the Mediterranean diet. Da Paolo Dempsey doesn’t disappoint: butternut pumpkin mezzelune, pasta shells stuffed with pumpkin and parmegiano reggiano, topped with pumpkin carpaccio and cashew curcuma creme; a pungent gorgonzola ravioloni suffused with truffle oil and adorned with toasted hazelnuts; and carbonara calabrese that devastates watery imitations (you’d best save this for a cheat day). Da Paolo Dempsey’s dessert offerings feature the Scarpa patriarch’s signature dessert, tiramisu, alongside a selection of gelato straight out of a Florentine piazza. The trattoria also has a weekend brunch menu and dynamic seasonal menu.

#01-13, Dempsey Hill. Tel: 6261-3128
Zorba the Greek Taverna
Opening directly opposite the Riverhouse, Zorba the Greek Taverna by 1-Group delivers authentic Greek food. Period. True-blue Hellenic ingredients are sourced from Greek suppliers to ensure that whatever you eat here is as faithful as it gets. Moussaka – think of it as low-carb lasagna with layers of eggplant and zucchini instead of pasta – is classic Greek comfort food. For mains, chef Giorgio features a mix of delights from the land and the sea. The slow-roasted lamb kleftiko is marinated for 24-hours in herbs before being slow-roasted until it is fork-tender - and well worth the few extra calories from the luscious fat coming off the ribs. You haven’t really eaten grilled octopus until you’ve tried Zorba’s htapothi sti skhara: the octopus receives a beating and massage with a smooth rock before being grilled on coals. Supremely tender and smoky, it comes with fava bean puree and lemon. Finally, end off with a Greek baklava – buttery layers of filo pastry with chopped nuts and bathed in sugar syrup. The restaurant is open daily for dinner, except Sundays.

3A River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, #01-02. Tel: 8558-1704