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Fancy restaurants have their place, but most days, we’d much rather kick back at a casual joint. This weekend, check out five new establishments that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. Whether you’re looking for a comfy Italian hangout, budget Japanese, New York pizza, slick Japanese small plates or a cool new café — we’ve got you covered. 
 

Paddy Hills

38 South Buona Vista Rd., 6479-0800, www.facebook.com/paddyhills.sg. Open daily 9:30am-10pm.

Outfitted with deep blue walls, emerald green tiles and gold pipes, this gorgeous new café serves up serious coffee (they’ve got a Slayer Espresso Machine) and a menu of fusion eats all day long. Try the Orange Ricotta Pillows ($18) for breakfast, Potato and Fish ($22) for lunch, and sharing plates like Hao Da De Ji ($32) — whole roast chicken with corn and salsa verde — at dinner. Don’t miss the quirky, colourful outdoor mural too. It features a matador, beef steak, surfer and dinosaur (among other things)—totally Instagram-worthy. See photo above.
 

2it & drink

#01-01 Valley Point, 491 River Valley Rd; +65 6737 3001, www.2itandrink.com. Mon-Fri noon-2pm, 6-10pm, Sat & Sun noon-3pm, 5:30-10pm.

This homey spot is the latest project by the folks behind Italian stalwarts Otto and Otto Locanda. It’s a great neighbourhood go-to with all the necessities: a specialty pasta lab, pizza bar as well as a retail corner with gourmet Italian products. Drop by for comfort classics like spaghetti carbonara ($20), pizza diavola ($24) — generously strewn with salami — and tiramisu ($12). And wash it all down with their neat selection of regional Italian vinos (from $11/glass; $48/bottle).
 

Manzoku

18 Purvis St; +65 6734-4436, www.manzoku.com.sg. Daily 11:30am-3pm; 6-10pm.

Fans of the Yoi Group’s affordable Japanese spot, Chikuwa Tei at Mohamad Sultan, will like their latest venture. Manzoku, a budget-friendly eatery, is just a stone’s throw from Raffles Hotel. The space isn’t much to look at but they draw crowds with their value-for-money chirashi bowls ($25), featuring thick slabs of four kinds of fish, plus lots of ikura. The other bento sets (from $14) are a steal too, including everything from teriyaki chicken to sukiyaki. It’s perfect for a quick lunch in the usually pricey area.     

Motorino

#01-01A Merchant’s Court, 3A River Valley Rd., 8182-2205, www.motorinopizza.com. Open 11:30am-11pm.

The well-known artisan pizzeria from New York City — which already has branches in Manila and Hong Kong — is now in Singapore. The menu’s pretty much the same as their other outlets worldwide, with highlights like brussels sprout and bacon pizza ($26), meatballs ($15) and steamed clams ($16). To drink, order up one of their reserve bottles (from $88) — they’ve got some lovely Chiantis and Barolos—or pick one of the by-the-glass options (from $15). Weekdays, they do a solid set lunch ($25), including pizza and a green salad. 

Neon Pigeon

#01-03, 1 Keong Saik St., 6222-3623, www.neonpigeonsg.com. Open Mon-Sat 6pm-12am.

Set in swish new co-working space The Working Capitol, this izakaya concept is by the team behind Fatty Crab Hong Kong. The space is dark and industrial, covered with the restaurant’s namesake bird motifs (check out the pigeon mural and bright pink lights). Head chef Justin Hammond (of Melbourne’s Gingerboy) puts out Japanese-inspired small plates like grilled shishito peppers ($9) and miso roasted pumpkin rice ($15). To go with, throw back cocktails such as Harajuku Girl ($16) — gin, shiso leaf and plum bitters — plus Japanese beers (from $9).