Celebs’ First Meal Out In P3HA: Shaun Chen Celebrated Wed Anniversary, Chantalle Ng & Xu Bin Had Tea

After a five-week ban during the heightened alert, dining in finally resumed on June 21. Like many of us, some celebs couldn’t resist heading out for a meal, even if it’s limited to parties of two per table. Chantalle Ng and Xu Bin caught up over tea after filming, Shaun Chen celebrated his wedding anniversary with his missus, and Jean Danker couldn’t be more thrilled to lunch at her usual haunt before work.

Not only did Xiuhuan chiong out for lunch as soon as the dine-in ban was lifted, she also headed to the fitness studio for a workout. After attending her first ever spin class, which was taught by her daughter-cum-part-time fitness instructor, Shalynn Tsai, she rewarded herself with a luxe lunch at Japanese restaurant Ishinomaki Grill & Sake, where she enjoyed a chirashi don while Shalynn had a wagyu steak don.

“I am so happy to be able to dine out again ‘cos food tastes better when you eat it freshly prepared at the restaurant. We have ordered via delivery from [Ishinomaki] before, but the sashimi is not as good as when you have it there. I hope the situation in Singapore improves soon, so more people can dine out together. This will really help F&B businesses a lot,” Xiuhuan tells 8days.sg.

Ishinomaki Grill & Sake is at #B1-02 Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Rd, S238871. https://ishinomaki.com.sg

Chantalle and Xu Bin, who happened to be shooting long-form drama The Heartland Hero at Hangar66 café, decided to catch up over dessert like Oreo cheesecake and waffles with ice cream at the eatery after they wrapped for the day. “It felt convenient. At least I didn't have to worry about the ice cream melting and I could have the waffle while it's still warm,” says Chantalle. Though being at the aviation-themed café at Seletar Aerospace didn’t make her miss travelling, it brought back memories of her Star Awards photo shoot at the airport tarmac and the co-stars even joked about recreating some of the shots.

Hangar66 cafe is at 66 Seletar Aerospace View, Level 1 WOA Aviation Hangar 66, S797509. https://www.facebook.com/hangar66cafe/

The lifting of the dine-in ban couldn’t have come at a better time for Shaun, who celebrated his sixth wedding anniversary with wife Celine Chin at swish steakhouse Cut by Wolfgang Puck. “I've been wanting to try Cut, so we told ourselves that if the ban was lifted by June 21, then we'd enjoy a candlelight dinner there. We wouldn’t have gone out if it weren’t for our anniversary ‘cos we can’t bring our kids with us,” the father-of-two tells 8days.sg. Besides wagyu rib-eye steak, the couple also had scallop carpaccio, pork chops, and a surprise chocolate cake from the restaurant. How sweet.

Cut by Wolfgang Puck is at B1-71 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, S018972. https://wolfgangpuck.com/dining/cut-singapore/

Check out that grin! Jean was so excited to be able to return to her routine of dining at Café Melba before her radio show that she had to document her lunch of eggs and avocado. “Don’t mind me as I spam u with a coupla pix from my first DINE IN SOLO LUNCH today. I always enjoyed my little quiet time before Cartunes at Cafe Melba and was THRILLED to be able to do it again (sic),” gushes the Class 95 DJ on Instagram.

Three outlets including Cafe Melba at Mediapolis at #03-01, 1 Stars Ave, S138507. https://www.cafemelba.com.sg

“Liberating”, that’s how the Star Search 2019 finalist described her lunch at Japanese sushi chain sen-ryo at Ion. It was so enjoyable that what was supposed to be a quick and simple meal turned into a two-hour affair. “I didn’t think that I would miss dining out … but it was more liberating than I thought. I had a slow lunch and watched a movie,” says Jernelle, who had the Aburi Sushi with Udon set, and warabi mochi for dessert. “The food is really good and so is the service. For my first meal out after so long, I think I went to the right place.”

sen-ryo is at #03-14 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, S238801. Facebook

“’Cos the Beng must feed the Queen of Lian”, enthuses Pat, who decided to check out hawker stall-turned-omakase restaurant Beng Who Cooks, recommended by her cousin, for her first meal out. There, they had a variety of small plates like Wanton with Caviar, Crab Cake with Caviar, Har Cheong Gai, and the “super delicious and fatty” Pui Pui Belly (braised pork belly), which Pat says is so good that she can devour two servings by herself. “Had a great dinner and this beng really can cook very well,” writes Pat on Instagram.

Beng Who Cooks is at 39 Neil Road, S088823. Instagram Faceook

Jade also couldn't wait to dine out again — she was clearly enamored by her bowl of lu rou fan from casual Taiwanese restaurant Isshin Machi. “It's the whole experience of meeting friends, eating in a different environment, seeing the presentation of the food, appreciating the choice of crockery and cutlery, etc. Also, a lot of the food I like really doesn't travel well,” she shares.

Isshin Machi is at 224 East Coast Rd, S428921. Instagram Facebook