We're always on the hunt for new places, even better if they're easy on the wallet and there's certainly potential in the month-old eatery Five & Dime. The menu's inspired by Japanese flavors and we're already planning on sampling items like mentaiko spaghetti ($24) and braised Kurobuta pork with cha soba ($25).

Another newbie in the River Valley 'hood is Wine Connection Tapas Bar & Bistro which joined the fold in December 2011. With 34 wines by the glass and 150 wines by the bottle, this could very well be the next go-to place for after work drinks.

Located somewhere between these two newcomers is Bistecca Tuscan Steakhouse which opened in early January. The menu sports choice cuts like their signature Fiorentina ($178), a 1-1.2kg T-bone steak of Australian Wagyu made for true-blue carnivores.