Berlin65 @ Stanley Street - Serving Up an Authentic Experience from the Understated, Unassuming and 'Underground' City of Berlin

Nestled in the heart of Telok Ayer, Berlin65 stands out as a unique establishment that celebrates Berlin's multicultural food scene. With a fusion of German classics, Asian street food, and Middle-Eastern dishes, dining here promises a convivial experience. Co-founded by Chef Stephan Zoisl, currently leading Chef's Table by Chef Stephan in Singapore, and Lorenz Raich, Group Executive Chef at Brtzeit, Berlin65 offers a diverse and authentic experience of Berline food.

Watermelon & Cherry Tomatoes Salad 4.2/5

To start, the Watermelon & Cherry Tomatoes Salad ($18) presents a refreshing medley of diced watermelon, cherry tomatoes, sliced onions, basil, mint, and parsley. The addition of feta cheese adds a touch of saltiness, while a vibrant drizzle of olive oil and lemon ties it all together, creating a harmonious blend of flavours.

Konigsberger Kopse 4/5

For a hearty and homely dish, the Konigsberger Kopse ($16) delights with tender veal and beef meatballs bathed in a traditional white roux infused with tangy capers.

Simit Bread 4/5

A first-time encounter with Simit Bread ($4.50) reveals a Turkish delight dusted with sesame, perfectly paired with a spicy tomato dip. Its soft and chewy texture, reminiscent of a bagel, makes for a delightful indulgence.

Currywurst 4.2/5

No Berlin experience is complete without the iconic Currywurst ($16), featuring plump pork sausages smothered in a rich, homemade sauce of German-style curry powder, tomato paste, and ketchup — an absolute treat for sausage lovers.

The Banh Mi 3.5/5

The 1972 Berlin Original 3/5

The Doner Kebab, a beloved street food in Berlin, takes centre stage in the Banh Mi ($18) and The 1972 Berlin Original ($18). The well-marinated chicken, cooked on a vertical rotisserie, is sandwiched between pita bread, complemented by an assortment of vegetables. While both versions impress, the Banh Mi stands out with its piquant flavors comprising pate, pickles, sriracha, and coriander.

Adana Kebab - Mixed Beef & Lamb 3.5/5

Another highlight is the Adana Kebab ($26), featuring mixed beef and lamb hand-minced meat shaped onto skewers and grilled to perfection. Served with fragrant basmati rice, shredded onions, and pickles, the lamb variant steals the show with its juicy tenderness.

Berliner 4.2/5

To round off the meal, the Berliner ($8) offers a classic German donut experience with a choice of indulgent fillings such as vanilla bean custard, strawberry jam, or apricot jam. Dusted with a generous sprinkle of powdered sugar, this sweet treat is the perfect ending to a satisfying journey to the streets of Berlin.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Berlin65
30 Stanley Street
Singapore 068739
Tel: +65 9788 4230
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 11:30am - 11pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:

1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk along the covered walkway until the junction of Mccallum Street and Telok Ayer Street. Turn right onto Mccallum Street and then left onto Stanley Street. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to junction of Telok Ayer Street and Upper Cross Street. Turn left onto Telok Ayer Street. Turn left again onto Boon Tat Street and make a right onto Stanley Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Ki Su Shoujin Omakase @ Tanjong Pagar Road - Experience the First-Ever Innovative Plant-Based Japanese Omakase

Ki Su Shoujin Omakase is the first-ever plant-based Japanese omakase in Singapore. It is an exciting new culinary venture led by the original team behind Joie by Dozo. The focus is inspired by shojin ryori cuisine, which is traditional Buddhist cooking.

The restaurant sits along Tras Street and is decked in wood elements to create a zen Japanese atmosphere. Diners can opt to sit at the counter or book a private room for a cosy get-together.

Dinner Omakase 4/5

Lunch presents an 8-course omakase menu priced at $88 per person, while dinner elevates the experience with a 10-course offering at $168 per person. The staff revealed that extensive research went into curating a diverse array of ingredients and combinations, which excited us to explore the potential of a complete plant-based omakase. During this visit, we tried the 10-course dinner.

Beetroot Cigar

Our starters began with the delicate Beetroot Cigar, a paper-thin beetroot casing carrying diced apples and mayonnaise.

Avocado Taco, Egg Yolk Toast with Air Flown Tonburi Caviar

Following that, we had the Avocado Taco and Egg Yolk Toast with Air-Flown Tonburi Caviar. Personally, I found the latter more appealing, with its velvety sous vide egg yolk atop crunchy buttered toast. The addition of caviar provided an extra burst of savoury flavour.

Shiro Shimeji

The next part of the omakase was the 4-piece Nigiri Sushi, which seemed to focus a lot on providing a variety of textures. Our first sushi was Shiro Shimeji, white mushrooms.

Red Capsicum

The Red Capsicum was lightly torched for a lovely char. All sushi rice used was pre-seasoned with soy.

Eggplant

The third piece featured Eggplant. This was also my favourite among the nigiri sushi.

Uni with Ikura

We were all intrigued by how this plant-based Uni with Ikura sushi looked. I will keep it a surprise as to what they are both made out of, but the "uni" carries hints of sweetness with a smooth texture.

Truffle Pâté

The following dish drew inspiration from foie gras. The Truffle Pâté featured a base of crispy buttered toast adorned with mustard seeds and truffle sauce. I was pleasantly surprised by the lusciously creamy texture of the cashew nut pâté, which complemented the earthy truffle notes.

King Oyster

My favourite dish was the King Oyster course, featuring juicy king oyster mushroom with fried shiso leaf and a sweet pea purée. I loved the burst of juiciness and texture of the mushroom.

Yakimono

For the Yakimono dish, we had a skewer of beancurd skin wrapped with enoki mushroom and a cherry tomato. This leaned slightly more sweet.

Kabutoni

Next was the Kabutoni, our simmered course. This traditional stew dish had daikon, eggplant, tofu skin, morel mushroom and bamboo fungus cooked in a soy sauce and sake combination.

Golden Temaki

We were then each handed a Golden Temaki, a crunchy seaweed hand roll with maitake mushrooms and egg yolk.

Entrée

The Entrée showcased a meaty Monkey Head Mushroom, meticulously prepared to preserve its juiciness. The black pepper sauce was notably mild, but the truffle mash, although slightly salty, was buttery and flavourful.

Soup

Before concluding our omakase dinner with dessert, we were served a Leek-based Soup with a subtle hint of yuzu.

First Dessert

For our First Dessert, we were presented with slices of Honeydew and a bowl of Matcha Cake. The latter had layered sweet caramel, nutty pistachio mousse, matcha cookie crumbs and watercress leaves, and a crunchy leaf-shaped corn biscuit. I found this too sweet but appreciated the thought behind it.

Second Dessert

We each had a bowl of colourful edible flower petals, mint leaves, and fragrant herbs sitting in front of us before the chefs came around to pour liquid nitrogen into them to freeze-dry them. After crushing them, we had a scoop of Hokkaido ice cream mixed in. This Second Dessert is only available for dinner.

While the omakase price is considerably steep, the team put a tremendous amount of creativity and detail into each dish. The restaurant currently only offers omakase, but we are also looking forward to perhaps having an a la carte menu in the future.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Ki Su Shoujin Omakase
60 Tras Street
#01-01
Singapore 078999
Tel: +65 8522 6824
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tras Street. Turn right on Tras Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

1864 The Bar @ Sofitel Singapore City Centre - Sofitel x Sulwhasoo Ginseng Afternoon Tea

In an exclusive partnership with renowned Korean luxury beauty brand Sulwhasoo, Sofitel Singapore City Centre has recently launched a co-branded afternoon tea experience. Available from 1 March to 26 April, this limited-time afternoon tea set incorporates the essence of the brand's signature ingredient, ginseng, into a repertoire of sweet and savoury delights. What's more, you get to walk away with a set of Sulwhasoo Anti-aging Kit.

Chinese Herbal Tea Quail Egg

We started with Chinese Herbal Tea Quail Egg, which was simply adorable and tasty. I appreciate the addition of olive oil pearls which added a unique flavour and mouthfeel to the egg.

Chilled Ginseng Egg Royale with Shredded Crab Meat was delicious with soft egg custard paired with sweet crab meat.

Chicken Collagen Broth with Coconut Noodles and Goji Berries

Chicken Collagen Broth with Coconut Noodles and Goji Berries was my absolute favourite. Served chilled, it was like a delectable savoury-sweet ginseng shot with a texture bite lent from coconut noodles.

Ginseng Crème Brûlée Sable Cookie

Among the sweets, Ginseng Crème Brûlée Sable Cookie was infused with a pronounced taste of ginseng, which harmonised well with the creme brulee. The sugar bits are reminiscent of ginseng candy. However, the uneven caramelised sugar affected the overall texture and sweetness balance.

Yuzu Ginseng Tart with Swiss Meringue

Caramel Ginger Puff

Adorned with a flower, both Yuzu Ginseng Tart with Swiss Meringue and Caramel Ginger Puff captivated us aesthetically. The Yuzu Ginseng Tart was like an elevated version of a Lemon Tart, offering a tangy blend of yuzu and ginseng, while the latter surprised with an interesting cylindrical puff pastry filled with sweet and eggy custard.

Honey Mascarpone Lemon Cake

Among the sweet pastries, Honey Mascarpone Lemon Cake stood out with its fluffy sponge cake, honey mascarpone layer, and soft chantilly cream. Each layer harmonised with the others, and the sweetness level was just right.

Chilled Hashima Ginseng Soup with Goji Berries

Chilled Hashima Ginseng Soup with Goji Berries added a nourishing and refreshing touch to the Sulwhasoo Ginseng Afternoon Tea experience.

Each Sofitel x Sulwhasoo Afternoon Tea Set also comes with two sets of Sulwhasoo Anti-aging Kits worth $222. Each kit features sample sizes of Sulwhasoo's top products: Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream (5ml), First Care Activating Serum (8ml), Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum (5ml), and Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream (3ml).

Sofitel x Sulwhasoo Ginseng Afternoon Tea Price: $118++ for two persons. High tea hours is 2pm to 5pm daily. Make a reservation via their official website, call 6428 5000 or email HA152@sofitel.com

Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


1864
Sofitel Singapore City Centre
Fifth Floor
9 Wallich Street
Singapore 078885
Tel: +65 6428 5000
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
High Tea: 2pm - 5pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right on Peck Seah Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Abura Kappo by Hashida @ Amoy Street - A Restaurant Within the Restaurant Concept

Abura Kappo, nestled within Hashida Singapore, unveils a new and more casual dining experience with its restaurant-in-restaurant concept, centred around the essence of oil. The term "Abura," translating to oil, aptly captures the spirit of this casual and playful menu housed within Hashida. Our journey through Abura Kappo's Vol. 1 menu, priced at $200++ per diner, unfolded as a revelation of 13 bites, each a masterpiece of textures and flavours.

Monaka 4.5/5

Commencing the evening is the Monaka, where crisp wafers cradle a luxurious blend of creamy egg custard, a duet of blue cheese and comte cheese, mushroom sauce, and pearls of roasted beetroot and Japanese radish steeped in kombucha. This dish is a delightful symphony of textures and flavours.

Carpaccio 4.2/5

The Carpaccio course follows, featuring slices of raw Japanese buri (yellowtail) and raw Japanese squid accompanied by green apples and pickled red onions in a zesty pickled dashi sauce. The dish culminates with a touch of gin salt for a refreshing palate experience.

Camembert 4/5

The Camembert, a piece of deep-fried cheese, takes centre stage. Camembert cheese is encased in a kinome leaf, coated in batter, and deep-fried to perfection, revealing a crispy exterior and a molten interior.

Tuna Consomme 4/5

What initially appears as wine turns out to be Tuna Consommé, a delectable broth crafted from Japanese bluefin tuna simmered for four hours with a mirepoix of carrots, onions, celery, leek, and mushrooms. Served cold, the consommé, enriched with drops of spring onion oil, provides a refreshing interlude.

Managatsuo 4.2/5

The Managatsuo, a Japanese silver pomfret, is delicately coated in a thin tempura batter and deep-fried to a light and crispy texture. Served with tempura sauce and housemade onion sauce, it's a delightful seafood indulgence.

Ebi Toast 4.2/5

Ebi Toast's interpretation of the Hong Kong prawn toast consists of angel shrimp paste topped with a spongy and intensely savoury housemade tamagoyaki. A topping of panko gives it an extra crispy bite.

Tebagyoza 4.2/5

Tebagyoza takes a twist with a crisp, deboned chicken wing generously stuffed with glutinous rice and egg, echoing the parent-child combination found in oyakodon. Paired with oyako sauce, it offers an elevated and flavorful finish.

Wagyu Beef Tempura 4.2/5

Wagyu Beef Tempura, adorned with a drizzle of tart balsamic and pomegranate sauce, features Hokkaido Tokachi Wagyu wrapped in green shiso leaf, coated in batter, and deep-fried. Sprinkled with sakura salt and red shiso salt, it's a sensory delight.

Duck Salad 4/5

Duck Salad provides a refreshing interlude with tender duck breast paired with pickled turnip and persimmon vibrancy.

Soft Soba Taco 4.5/5

Soft Soba Taco introduces a housemade soft buckwheat tortilla, mirroring Japanese soba noodles. It's filled with a play on Japanese sukiyaki ingredients — beef, tofu, shungiku, and raw egg yolk — and is a creative twist on a familiar concept.

Oden Tempura - Radish 4.5/5

Oden Tempura - Tomato 4.2/5

Oden undergoes a unique transformation as it is served in tempura form. Sweet Radish and Tomato, stewed in dashi, are deep-fried to golden perfection, offering an intriguing take on enjoying oden.

Donabe - Spicy Tuna, Prawn Tempura, Kimbap

The Donabe is a lavish affair accompanied by an array of toppings. The Donabe Rice takes centre stage, featuring grilled seasonal fish, including seabream and golden eye snapper, harmoniously paired with Nanatsuboshi rice. Cooked with dashi, Hokkaido scallops, and butter shoyu, the rice is a symphony of flavours. A selection of sides awaits to complement the Donabe Rice: a medley of pickles, a savoury soup, zesty spicy tuna, crispy prawn tempura, and flavorful kimbap. The ingenious touch lies in the interactive element: diners can partake in a do-it-yourself maki adventure, crafting their own delectable rolls using seasoned Korean seaweed. This engaging addition adds a playful twist to the dining experience.

Dessert 4.2/5

Dessert unfolds as a two-part curiosity: shavings of shiitake mushroom-infused chocolate paired with housemade vanilla ice cream and a slice of dried persimmon alongside rich, earthy, housemade matcha ice cream.

Abura Kappo offers a casual dining experience that transcends the ordinary, presenting an array of inventive dishes that captivate the senses.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Abura Kappo
77 Amoy Street
Singapore 069896
Tel: +65 8129 5336
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue: 12pm - 3pm
Wed-Sun: 7pm -1030pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Turn left and walk down Telok Ayer Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Cross Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]