IKO @ Neil Road - Transform Into Restaurant And Bar Dripping With Style And Seasonality

Hit by Phase 2 Heightened Alert and the various COVID restrictions in its initial opening, IKO at Neil Road has recently reopened with a brand new kitchen team and menu. The restaurant has even gotten Dylan Ong, chef-owner of Franco-Asian restaurant The Masses, as consultant chef in its transformation.

Fresh Oyster 4/5

We started with the Fresh Oyster from Japan. You can give the oyster a shot of sake (+$5) to perk up the enjoyment. It is my first time having oyster and sake pairing. It is a refreshing way of enjoying the oyster with the sake, giving it a subtle sweetness.

Charred Edamame 3.5/5

Great to go with a few cups of sake is the Charred Edamame ($12) paired with oyster leaf, wasabi powder and wasabi rice,

Tempura Jalapeno 4.2/5

A delightful snack I enjoyed a lot is the Tempura Jalapeno ($9) coated in a light and crispy tempura batter. Be careful when you bite into the crunchy jalapeno, as it is stuffed with hot, oozing cheese.

Salmon 3.5/5

We tried the Salmon ($19) and Scallop ($18) under the sashimi section. The presentation of the salmon sashimi is pretty with the orange and green colour combination from the kiwi ravigote, dill oil and chive. However, I felt it lacked a bit of zest to elevate the freshness.

Scallop 3.8/5

I preferred the scallop sashimi more as it carries more punches in flavour. We have mixed opinions on the gin compressed watermelon though. I felt the gin infusion of the watermelon gives the scallop a bitter finishing. But, on the other hand, if it is without the alcohol, the watermelon's sweetness may give it a more refreshing touch instead.

Tempura Soft Shell Crab 4/5

The Tempura Soft Shell Crab ($14) is usually enjoyed with mayonnaise. Still, IKO has given it an elevated twist, pairing it with avocado puree and soy cured egg yolk.

A5 Wagyu Sukiyaki 4.5/5

The A5 Wagyu Sukiyaki ($26) is a beautiful dish on the menu. There is shiitake mushroom, leek, scallion, egg yolk, and perilla in the bowl. However, the highlight has to be the fatty and tender A5 Wagyu beef.

IKO Roll 4.2/5

The IKO Roll ($24) is a delicious work of art whereby foie gras, maitake, and fig are rolled a la sushi to showcase the balance of flavours. It is finished with a shower of truffle shaving to top the enjoyment.

Pasta 4.5/5

A pasta dish on the menu is the Bucatini with charred firefly squid, ikura, tobiko and bottarga. It is a bowl of slurping goodness that is worthy of your calories.

Not Your Ordinary Rice Bowl 4.5/5

A signature at IKO is the Not Your Ordinary Rice Bowl. There are five different bowls - Classic, Simple, Fun, Sexy and Luxury. I had the tasting portion of the Luxury Bowl ($42). It comes brimming with luxe and premium seafood such as otoro, maguro, salmon, ikura, tobiko, snow crab and uni on top of the seaweed rice

Lamb Loin 4.5/5

We had the Lamb Loin ($29) from the grill, which is incredibly tender and juicy, stewed in a delicious broth made from 10 different kinds of mushrooms.

Matchamisu 4.5/5

Wrapping up our dinner at IKO is the Matchamisu ($13). It may look sort of messy, but this is one yummy dessert to save some space for.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


IKO
65 Neil Road 
Singapore 088897
Tel: +65 88665218
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW, NE, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12 - 3pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1. Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to Duxton Plain Park. Walk along the park to Neil Road. Cross the tunnel and take the staircase to Neil Road. Walk to junction of Neil Road and Craig Road. Cross the road and walk down Neil Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Barrio by Mex Out @ Vivocity - Mexican Cuisine In A Beer-Garden Inspired Casual Dining Setting

With the success of its 313 Somerset outlet, Barrio by Mex Out has opened a second outlet at Vivocity offering Mexican cuisine in a beer-garden inspired casual dining setting. On weekends, it even has a breakfast deal at $12.90, which comes with a breakfast dish + a coffee (available 9am to 12pm).

Smashed Avocado on Toast 3/5

Let us check out what do Barrio by Mex Out has to offer on its breakfast menu. The Smashed Avocado on Toast ($7.80) comes with tomato jam and smashed avocado on a grilled sourdough. You can add bacon/fried egg / mushrooms for an additional cost of $3 each.

Huevos Rancheros 3/5

Comes in a Tortilla shell is the Huevos Rancheros ($12.80) that comprises of black beans, rice, guacamole and a fried egg with barrio breakfast sauce. This is a bit heavy for me to eat as breakfast though. For those with big appetite, you may want to add extra bacon/fried egg/mushrooms for an additional $3 each.

Churros with Yogurt & Fruits 3/5

How about Churros ($11.90) for breakfast with Yogurt and Fruits? It is a first for me to have churros for breakfast. Not my preference but it is quite nice though with its crispy exterior and fluffy interior.

Loaded Nachos 4.2/5

Be warned! The Loaded Nachos ($13.60) is super addictive. I have told myself not to have to eat too much but I just could not control myself from going back for more of the freshly fried corn tortillas, which is topped with a generous amount of chilli con carne, cotija cheese, moazzarella and cheddar cheese sauce, pico de gallo, coriander, sour cream and freshly made guacamole.

Pulled Pork Torta 4/5

For a more hearty bite, the Pulled Pork Torta ($15.90) is a good consideration. Sandwiched in between the deep fried brioche buns is the delectable pork marinated with Chipotle Aioli, cotijatas cheese, pickled red cabbage and mayonnaise. Be prepared to get your hands messy.

Fish Taco 4.5/5

A mush try at Barrio is their Fish Taco ($13.40 for 2pc / $15.90 for 3pc). The taco uses beer battered sea bass and topped with pickled red cabbage, pico de gallo and chipotle aioli. With a squeeze of the lime to zest up the whole enjoyment.

Barbacoa Quesadilla 4.2/5

The Barbacoa Quesadilla ($13.40) did not disappoint with the diced chargrilled flank steak encased in a crispy tortilla, paired with pico de gallo, chilli jam, cheddar and jalapenos for a delightful combination of flavours and textures.

Jalapeno with Cheese 4/5

I am great that Barrio is still servicing the Jalapeno with Cheese ($8.40) on its menu. Lightly battered for a crispy exterior, the Jalapeno is stuffed with cheese for a harmonious combination of spicy and cheesy finishing.


Barrio by Mex Out
Vivocity
1 Harbourfront Walk
#01-116
Singapore 098585
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11am - 11pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 12midnight

Direction: 
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Barrio by Mex Out @ 313 Somerset - Modern Mexican Beer Garden Offering Fresh-Mex Cuisine

Opening at the heart of Orchard Road is the latest concept by Mex Out called Barrio by Mex Out. The new restaurant looks like a modern Mexican beer garden at the street level of 313 Somerset. The restaurant features an expanded menu of fan favourites at Mex Out and new plated Fresh-Mex cuisine.

Margarita 4/5

We started off with some Margarita ($12) to get the mood swinging while we waited for our food to be served. The drink list at Barrio by Mex Out includes also sangrias, homemade soft drinks called aguas frescas and a selection of wines.

Burnt Nachos 4.5/5

A great starter for sharing is the Burnt Nachos ($13.60). The corn tortillas is freshly fried everyday. It is then topped with a generous amount of chilli con carne, cotija cheese, moazzarella and cheddar cheese sauce, pico de gallo, coriander, sour cream and freshly made guacamole.

Barbacoa Quesidillas 4.2/5

Encased in a crispy tortilla and sliced for easy consumption is the Barbacoa Quesidillas ($13.40). The chargrilled flank steak which is diced into pieces works beautifully with the pico de gallo, chilli jam, cheddar and jalapenos for a delightful combination of flavours and textures.

Chicken Wings 4.5/5

One of the best Chicken Wings ($8.50 for 6pc) I have eaten for a while. Besides the crispy exterior, the highlight is the spicy and tangy homemade sauce which the chicken wings are tossed in.

Mexican Street Corn 4.2/5

Corn itself already carries a sweet flavour. Imagine the Mexican Street Corn ($7.90 for 3pc) is further chargrilled with butter, mayo, paprika and cotija cheese, topped with coriander and oregano. It totally enhanced the whole enjoyment.

Jalapeno with Cheese 4/5

The other item from the snack menu that I personally enjoy a lot is the Jalapeno with Cheese. Lightly battered for a crispy exterior, the Jalapeno is stuffed with cheese for a harmonious combination of spicy and cheesy finishing.

Pulled Pork, Chicken, Fish and Carne Asada Tacos

What is Mexican cuisine without the traditional and staple tacos. At Barrio, guests can a choice of Pulled Pork Taco ($12.90 for 2pc), Chicken Taco ($14.40 for 2pc), Fish Taco ($13.90 for 2pc) and Carne Asada or Steak Taco ($13.90 for 2pc). Each of them has their own characteristic with their own filling folded in a tortilla shell.

Fish Taco 4.5/5

Out of the four tacos I tried, my favourite is the Fish Taco. The beer battered sea bass is topped with pickled red cabbage, pico de gallo and chipotle aioli. The golden brown crispy batter with moist flaky white meat, coming together with the rest of the ingredients like musical scores in a musical composition, a symphony performance you should not miss.

Protein Salad 3.5/5

When this is served to the table, the first impression of the Protein Salad ($15.90) is it looks like the Korean bingsu, topped with a guacamole ice cream. When salad looks so pretty in sight, it already whets up the appetite.

Vegetables "De le Cruz" Bowl 3.8/5

Vegan lovers will be rejoiced with the Vegetables "De le Cruz" Bowl ($13.30). The messy plate of fluffy basmatic rice is topped with capsicum, black beans, pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream. I understand a burrito version is also available if that is what you like.

Fried Chicken Burger 4/5

A crowd flavourite is the Fried Chicken Burger ($14.90). A multi texture enjoyment starting with the beef battered buttermilk marinated chicken. The crunchy fried chicken fillet sandwiched with the soft brioche buns, rounded up with chipotle mayo for a spicy and tangy finishing.

Chilli Cheese Burger 4.2/5

I preferred the Chilli Cheese Burger ($16.90) over the fried chicken burger. The beef patty is moist and juicy which consists of chilli, beef, tomatoes, beans and cumin. The crowning jewels to the burger is the guacamole, black beans, homemade cheese sauce (cheddar and mozzarella) and pico de gallo.

I am not a big fan of Mexican food but after checking out Barrio by Mex Out, it definitely has added new colours just like their colourful dishes into my food journal. I can't wait to return to try some of their snacks and tacos. I would recommend spending your calories on the barbacoa quesidillas, chicken wings, jalapeno and tacos.


Barrio by Mex Out
313 Somerset
313 Orchard Road
#01-14/15
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 66342102
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11am - 1030pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 11pm

Direction: 
Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to 313 Somerset. Take the escalator to basement 3. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]