Hailing from Queensland, Australia, Drew Nocente isn’t new to Singapore’s dining scene. He helmed Salted & Hung for six years before starting Cenzo at Club Street at the tail end of 2022. Nocente’s tribute to his Australian-Italian roots, Cenzo is a maelstrom of fresh homemade pasta and beautifully cooked meat and seafood treated with respect. This ethos is reflected in his list of favourite dining destinations around the world.
Essa Restaurant—Brisbane, Australia
One of my favourite restaurants in Brisbane. There is a lot of focus on techniques and quality produce at this awesome little eatery. This is modern Australian cuisine done right, combining sophistication with a chill vibe.
Restaurant Labyrinth—Singapore
It’s hands down my favourite here. I’ve enjoyed watching this restaurant evolve over the years. In addition to highlighting local produce, chef LG Han has demonstrated that new Singaporean cuisine can be fun, exciting, and dramatically unexpected.
St. John—London, United Kingdom
The OG of nose-to-tail dining, this holds a special place in my heart. With unpretentious and excellent cooking, it pushes out bold flavours. It’s an incredible testament to anyone that something so simple can be so delicious. You’ll find all your favourite offal here, including roasted bone marrow and pig ears, tongues, kidneys, and livers.
Nusara—Bangkok, Thailand
Chef Ton’s tribute to his grandmother, this restaurant was the perfect way to end our last trip to Bangkok. The combination of traditional and modern ideals made our meal such a delight. It kicked off with an array of snacks, followed by the most epic crab curry. Booking this one is hard, but it is well worth the effort.
