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Amid the restored art deco buildings of the Tiong Bahru neighborhood, Magpie stands out for its edgy yet comforting approach to globally inspired dishes. It’s a welcoming Michelin-listed spot filled with the passionate energy of New Zealand–born chef Eliot Thomas, who has developed a single-page menu of what he calls “borderless soul food.” The lineup reflects his travels across the years, with hearty, flavorful dishes made for sharing, while the decor is full of personal touches: black-and-white photos from Thomas’s childhood grace the walls, as does a 2.5-meter-long three-layer stone necklace made by his cousin.
While solo diners are welcome, Magpie’s dishes are rich and filling, so come on a date or bring a bunch of friends. Starters include a perfectly plated chicken parfait served with seasonal condiments like cherry jam, or heirloom tomatoes with burrata and tandoor bread. From the mains, the Westholme wagyu picanha with oyster mushrooms and Mexicorn sauce exemplifies the melding of global flavors. Feeling ambitious? The tamarind-glazed lamb shoulder from New Zealand’s Lumina Farms feeds three to five. Alas, we were a party of two, but luckily my husband didn’t bleat about missing out on his favorite meat.
This food is complemented by a concise yet interesting wine list and expertly made cocktails, like the green-pepper margarita Fire Ember and an espresso martini which provided a sweet tequila goodbye with a touch of rum at meal’s end.
On the face of it, Magpie is a simple concept: great food enjoyed with tasteful music (what’s not to love about old-school vinyl?) in a cozy space. But then simplicity is at the heart of most successful ideas. Like a magpie’s collection, the restaurant sparkles with treasures. —Alison Marshall 
<a href="https://magpie.city/?DestinAsian">magpie.city 
</a><a href="https://www.sevenrooms.com/explore/magpie/reservations/create/search?DestinAsian">Reservations 
</a><a href="http://google.com/maps?sca_esv=4f38280b320b6d53&amp;rlz=1C5GCEM_enSG1098SG1098&amp;output=search&amp;q=57+Eng+Hoon+St,+%2301-88+Block+57,+Singapore+160057&amp;source=lnms&amp;fbs=ADc_l-aN0CWEZBOHjofHoaMMDiKpUrv6YeyJhXfuYqj4Fj6c1U4Z6Yq0xAU8tFlmuJvKXCt2iug6axOV8fORMUDyzql5yS-7I47NBwEibTJqmJA1joK-kGl2Q4lzW6VKPxskZr0X15yyaGvTkAh_HztvLeVY4l-BLhDp3qVOKtY1Ui8GmCKobp3ISUORyZpgNXB9mj-2TQ1ab58Ac8mFvixh_cEKD4jdig&amp;entry=mc&amp;ved=1t:200715&amp;ictx=111">57 Eng Hoon St, #01-88 Block 57, Singapore 160057</a>
Closed on Mondays

The dining room at Magpie Singapore lends itself to cozy dinners and discovering new flavors.

Magpie: Deliciously Unconventional