It's tricky business foretelling the fortunes of a new restaurant, given how unpredictable the food industry is. But one thing we can place our money on is that Garage Inc will attract curious foreigners after it launches this weekend. How do we know? Simple. The restaurant is housed in a stately SoBo building that is now a backpackers' hostel, and its lodgers have already started peeking in through the eatery's door since it's right under their noses.

A couple, for instance, walks in when we are there for a preview, and the guy says, "Nice," immediately on entering, effectively giving the place its first review. They are offered a table since the kitchen and bar staff are in, and what do you know? Another foreign tourist walks in minutes later, this one a lone ranger, who gets a corner seat.