Say it isn’t so – two of Holland Village’s longtime tenants are packing up after more than two decades in the neighbourhood.
Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao, the popular casual Chinese dining spot at a corner unit of Holland Avenue, will be serving its final bowls of noodles and baskets of dumplings on June 30. Meanwhile, live music pub Wala Wala Café Bar – a regular haunt for crisp beers and after-hours fun – is also slated to shutter before the year ends.
Their exits add to the growing list of F&B closures in Singapore’s F&B landscape this year. Just yesterday, ramen chain Kanada-Ya announced the closure of all three of its Singapore outlets. And earlier this year, we also said goodbye to international chains like Burger & Lobster and Eggslut, as well as other popular F&B brands like Flor Patisserie, 1939 Singapore, and Fluff Stack.
While this double blow in Holland Village might raise flags about the neighbourhood’s dwindling popularity, it’s possible that the buzz has simply shifted. One Holland Village (OHV) – a newly developed, pet-friendly mall just a stone’s throw away – has been drawing the weekend crowds with its breezy layout and mix of cafés and restaurants.
Not to mention, it’s mostly shaded, offering some respite from the scorching heat. You’ll find plenty of folks chilling out with dogs in tow, sipping iced coffee at one of the many free seating areas. In fact, you’ll still be able to dine at Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao’s sister restaurant, Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen, at the nearby mall.
Still, it’s bittersweet. Loyal customers will always remember the Chinese restaurant as a reliable spot for casual family meals, and Wala Wala for its lively gigs and happy hour deals. So if you’ve got time before June 30, head down to Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao once more for old time’s sake, and raise a final toast at Wala Wala before it shuts its doors at the end of the year.
Find out more about Crystal Jade here and Wala Wala Café Bar here.
Meanwhile, check out exciting openings in Singapore like Oriental Kopi’s second outlet in Nex, and a new pet-friendly café at Jurong Lake Gardens.
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