Lumbre @ CHIJMES - Modern Spanish Grill Cuisine in the Heart of Town

Sitting new in CHIJMES is Lumbre, a modern Spanish restaurant that features a contemporary menu of Spanish small plates and grilled dishes. In Spanish, Lumbre means fire, commonly associated with the "hearth of the home". It's especially apt as the menu centres around cooking with open fire and Josper charcoal grills, and their large open kitchen and stylish yet cosy interior exude an inviting warmth.

Homemade Foie Terrine, Cheese, Apple Purée and Pistachio 4.5/5

The Homemade Foie Terrine ($26) was an impressive start. The creamy terrine is topped with a Mexican cheese mouse, crushed pistachios and a mildly sweetened apple purée, served as a spread with slices of crunchy toasted bread.

Grilled Ibérico Chorizo with Mexican Cheese 4.2/5

Another starter on the menu is the Grilled Ibérico Chorizo with Mexican Cheese ($22) which features chorizo aged and smoked in-house.

Grilled Aged Beef Sliders 4.2/5

Sandwiched in between soft buns in the Grilled Aged Beef Sliders ($26) are black Angus ribeye patties that were dried and aged for 45 days. Simple marination of salt and pepper is used to retain the meat's original flavours.

Grilled White Asparagus, Bluefin Tuna Belly and Confit Green Peas 3.5/5

In the Grilled White Asparagus ($26), white asparagus from France are grilled and paired with thinly sliced Spanish bluefin tuna belly and confit green peas.

Charcoal Octopus & Ibérico Pork Belly with Chorizo Foam 4.5/5

The octopus for the Charcoal Octopus & Ibérico Pork Belly with Chorizo Foam ($38) is prepared by first slow-cooking in salt water before charcoal grilling with olive oil. The result is slices of fork-tender octopus that carry a light char, accompanied by pork belly chunks and a slightly spicy chorizo foam.

Seafood Wet Fideua ‘Arroz Caldoso’ with Calamari and Smoked Eel 4.8/5

One of our favourites was the Seafood Wet Fideua 'Arroz Caldoso' ($48). The pasta noodles thoroughly soaked up its tomato-pepper sauce and seafood stock base. It packed a lot of smoky and intensely rich seafood flavour in a mouthful, with well-charred smoked eel and cubes of calamari for more textural bites. It was a refreshing change from the usual bed of rice in paellas.

Lamb Rack with Pistachio Praline, Baby Tomatoes & Black Olives 4.5/5

Served with pistachio praline, baby tomatoes and black olives, the slightly fattier cut of Lamb Rack ($42) was cooked nicely tender and didn’t have a hint of gaminess. The pistachio praline adds a light nuttiness.

Beef Short Ribs with Smoked Cauliflower Purée and Broccoli 4/5

The Beef Short Ribs ($36) are tender and juicy and fall apart easily with a slight cutlery pull. It is paired with smoked cauliflower puree and broccoli to cut the richness.

Caramelised French Toast 4.2/5

Lumbre’s take on the seemingly simple french toast will surprise you. Their Caramelised French Toast ($16) boasts a fluffy texture, akin to a soft bread butter pudding, served with a scoop of rum and raisin ice cream.

Tiramisu 4/5

Although the menu only has a choice of three desserts, we recommend ending your meal with one. The Tiramisu ($16) is a classic done right with distinctly flavoured yet well-balanced layers.

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.


Lumbre
Chijmes
30 Victoria Street
#01-20
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 97228171
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (NS Line, EW Line), Bras Basah (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tues-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 530pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Mon, Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Cut across Raffles City Shopping Centre to Bras Basah Road. At the junction of Bras Basah Road and North Bridge Road, cross the road to Chijmes. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Bras Basah MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk southwards towards Victoria Road. At the junction of Bras Basah Road and Victoria Road, cross the junction to Chijmes. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

KULTO @ Amoy Street - Honouring The Spanish Roots, Taste The Elevation

KULTO, nestled in a historic unit along Amoy Street, is a new homely space serving Spanish food that reflects Chef-Owner José Alonso's philosophy of respecting traditions, seasonality of produce, and elevated precision. Beverages also play a huge part in the experience of his guests. Other than the usual Sangria, Chef Alonso's extensive list includes wines featuring the different terroir.

Chili Crab Croquette 4.5/5

We had a variety of Tapas, starting with Chili Crab Croquette ($12). They were simply delicious, definitely one of the more refined croquettes I have to date. The mixture had a good ratio of béchamel sauce, shredded jumbo crab meat, caramelised onion and paprika, resulting in a well-blended creamy texture without being overly rich. The accompanying housemade chilli crab sauce may seem tiny, but it did reinforce that chilli-crab nuance with much intensity.

Jamón Ibérico Bellota 4.5/5

I like the Jamón Ibérico Bellota (36-months) with Tomato Bread ($29) just as much too. The housemade tomato spread on the house-baked sourdough is made with grated roma tomato, minced garlic and olive oil. Refreshing on the palate, that made the crispy toast the perfect pairing for the sliced jamón ibérico, which was incredibly rich, mouth-filling and savoury.

Tuna Tartare & Shrimp Tullie 3/5

Tuna Tartare & Shrimp Tullie ($22) fell short a little. Though the diced fresh tuna loin was plump and well seasoned, the shrimp tuille was too oily. A simple toast to go with it would have been enough for me.

Ibérico Chorizo, Confit Potatoes & Soft Eggs 4.2/5

Ibérico Chorizo, Confit Potatoes & Soft Eggs ($22) was almost like a good old hangover dish - comforting warm and soft confit potato, oozy eggs and chunks of josper grilled smoky Ibérico chorizo.

Grilled Avocado, Homemade Pesto & "Pipirrana" 3.8/5

Compared with the above, the Grilled Avocado, Homemade Pesto & "Pipirrana" ($22) was a bit muted in terms of flavours.

Mushroom and Pork Sausage Paella 4.5

Squid Ink Paella 4.2/5

The paellas here are done specially on Josper Grill, and you have a choice of Seafood Paella, Squid Ink Paella, or Mushroom and Pork Sausage Paella. We had the Pork Sausage and Mushroom Paella and Squid Ink Paella ($38 for 2-3 pax/ $62 for 3-5 pax). I very much prefer the first, perhaps it was brighter and more vibrant in terms of flavour profile, and the charred edges were also more pronounced than the latter. A housemade master pork stock is used, which the bomba rice absorbs as it cooks, then french beans, sweet peas, pork sausage and mushroom are added. As for the Squid Ink Paella, a housemade master seafood stock is added instead, followed by french beans, sweet peas, mussels, asari clams and baby squid.

Cheese Cake 4/5

For dessert, we had a beautifully crafted Cheese Cake ($12) made with Manchego cheese blended with a few other soft kinds of cheese, served with a molten centre. Its creaminess was balanced by the burst of acidity from the dried freeze raspberries.

Sponge, Whisky-infused Chantilly Cream and Nikka Whiskey 4.8/5

My favourite dish of the evening was this slab of dessert made with a layer of sponge, Whisky-infused Chantilly Cream and egg yolk ganache. Served with a drizzle of Nikka Whiskey over the cake, the sponge underneath sopped up the whiskey was given a bitter-sweet profile, and every layer came together in harmony. So good.

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.


KULTO
87 Amoy Street
Singapore 069906
Tel: +65 96205626
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 230pm, 530pm - 1030pm
Sat: 530pm - 10pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Amoy Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk down Telok Ayer Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Allium @ Kensington Square - A Little-known 16 Seater Restaurant By Ex-Chef Of GastroSmiths And Humble Loaf

Kind of under the radar without much fanfare of its opening is Allium located at Kensington Square. The 16 seater restaurant is helmed by husband-wife team, Executive Chef Dillon Ng, formerly from The Humble Loaf and GastroSmiths and Pastry Chef Lusiana Hendrika, formerly of Sukha Delights in Bandung, Indonesia. The restaurant offers a multi-course prix fixe lunch or dinner menu, embracing both local and cultural Asian flavours through a timeless culinary style that is modern yet modest.

House Bread, Smoky Speck Butter 4.2/5

Changing their menu quarterly, I visited Allium in February for lunch to celebrate my friend, Alison's birthday. We have the 5-course Modern European Menu ($88+ per pax). Our lunch started with freshly baked House Bread, accompanied by Smoky Speck Butter. The pairing is so good that we asked for a second serving.

Charred Rosemary & Wild Mushroom Soup

Next is the Charred Rosemary & Wild Mushroom Soup. While the earthy mushroom flavour is prominent, I felt that it lacked the creaminess which I preferred.

Roasted Alliums 4.2/5

While the Roasted Alliums may not be the best of presentation, the onion and celeriac sweetness tasted heavenly. The honey-roasted seeds provide the textural contrast, while the house 'Boursin' cheese gave it an elevated creamy finishing.

Chorizo Iberico, Celeriac, Port Wine Glaze 4.2/5

Following that, we have the Chorizo Iberico and Celeriac dressed in port wine glaze. I am not too sure, but I think it is topped with shaved parmesan. The combination works wonderfully. It even reminded me of my travel to Spain. How I wish we can travel again.

Black Cod, Bay Scallop & Hiroshima Oyster Pot Pie 4/5

For the mains, the guest has either the Black Cod, Bay Scallop & Hiroshima Oyster Pot Pie and Five Founders Carbon Neutral Striploin. The seafood pot pie comes encased in a flaky shell which you can find black cod, scallop and oyster in it. 

Five Founders Carbon Neutral Striploin 4.2/5

The striploin, which has been beautifully cooked to medium-rare, is paired with duck fat potatoes with marrow gravy. Nothing fancy but simply allowing the natural flavour of the beef to shine.

Sourdough Waffle with Orange Caramel Ice Cream 4/5

Wrapping up the five-course meal is the Sourdough Waffle with Orange Caramel Ice Cream. The waffle has a delightful texture, slightly chewy and fluffy with a lovely crisp on the exterior. As Chinese New Year was around the corner during my visit, the orange caramel ice cream gave the dish a delicious festive mood.

The modern European menu I had didn't showcase their philosophy of embracing local and cultural Asian flavours. While it is good, it did not wow me. I look at their upcoming March menu. I thought it is more exciting featuring dishes such as Sea Urchin, Local Mussels with Gazpacho "Sambal Cincalok", Fried Pomfret Pao Fan, Epok-Epok Mackerel etc.


Allium
Kensington Square
2 Jalan Lokam
#01-11
Singapore 537846
Tel: +65 88306230
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tai Seng (CC Line), Serangoon (CC Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Thu: 6pm - 10pm
Fri-Sun & PH: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm
Eve of PH: 6pm - 10pm
(By Reservation Only)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tai Seng MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk to bus stop at Tai Seng MRT station (Stop ID 70281). Take bus number 22, 24, 43, 58, 62, 70, 76 and 80. Alight 5 stops later. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Serangoon MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop opposite Serangoon MRT (Stop ID 66359). Take bus 22, 43 and 70. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Serangoon MRT station. Take Exit H. Turn right and walk to bus stop at Serangoon MRT station (Stop ID 62131). Take bus 58. Walk to desintaion. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Tapas Club @ Vivocity - Beyond The Repertoire Of Paella And Croquette In Spanish Cuisine

Almost twice the size of its first restaurant at Orchard Central, Tapas Club at Vivocity aims to share with you a slice of Spanish culture, that is beyond the limited repertoire framed by paella and croquette. A Spanish terraza's inspired terrace welcomes you as you first step in, before coming to the full panoramic view of Sentosa Island. Find warmth and rustiness as you sit yourself down in the restaurant, with an ambience emulating a Spanish tavern. The restaurant even houses a mercado where you can purchase authentic Spanish food products, ranging from beers and wines, Spanish preserves, olive oils, preserved vegetables and seafood, to signature cold cuts like Iberian ham. Helming the kitchen is Executive Chef Manuel Berganza who was the opening chef of the Michelin-starred, Andanada 141 restaurant in New York City before moving to Singapore.

Croquetas De Jamon 3.8/5

Our evening started with a crowd pleasing Croquetas De Jamon ($11.90) – ham croquettes, a staple at any Spanish restaurant. Within the crispy puffed crumb is creamy mixture of bechamel sauce and Spanish Iberian ham. They were finger-licking good when hot and surprisingly remained so even after sitting on the table for a little while.

Berenjena Con Miel 3.5/5

Another common tapas delicacy in Spain is the savoury-sweet Eggplant fritters, Berenjena Con Miel ($9.90). Fried in a light batter and finished off with a drizzle of honey, these vege chips proved to be just as moreish as its counterparts. With the perception that they are guilt-free, you may have to fight for the last piece!

Piquillos Rellenos 2.8/5

I would have loved this Piquillos Rellenos ($12.90) should it not be deep-fried. The ground beef filling is already rich with bechamel and deep frying them made them a tad too greasy. The piquillo pepper also seemed to have shriveled in the heat, when I would really love to taste its alluring smokey sweetness. The previous Serenity Spanish Bar served up a non-fried version with tuna filling which was really enjoyable but this pales in comparison even though the filling is more indulgent.

Cojonudos 4/5

Introducing Cojonudos ($13.90), a tapas dish originated from the villages located near the border between the regions of Castile and La Rioja in Spain. At Tapas Club, they look like mini Egg Bens with a fried quail egg atop of the crisp Chapata bread with Fermin Chorizo. Made from the famous Iberian pork of Spain, the dry-cured sausage had quite an intense and complex flavour, and what I appreciate is the traces of fat within that moist up the texture.

Bocata de calamares 3/5

Bocata de calamares ($10.90) reminisces a soft shell crab burger with deep-fried squid rings sandwiched between a brioche bread roll. Despite the alioli sauce and spicy red sauce in between, I find the overall combination rather dry.

Filete De Ternera 3.5/5

The Tapas+ section of the menu offers more substantial dishes and each dish comes with one complimentary side. What's good for your wine would be the Filete De Ternera ($24), a medium-rare serving of grilled pork accompanied with homemade garlic aioli. Underneath the charred surface was a good portion of fats and its worth taking your time to savour each piece slowly in your mouth, and down it with a sip of wine.

Pulpo A La Brasa 3/5

Pulpo A La Brasa ($24) features a charred grilled octopus imported from Spain, drizzled with paprika oil, pimenton powder (ground dried Capsicum annuum chillies) and garlic aioli (garlic aioli is made with eggs, vinegar and garlic OR garlic and mayonnaise). Stunning on the plate, the char on the surface lends a pleasant smokey flavour but it wasn't as tender as I wish it would be.

Arroz Negro 3/5

One of its signatures is paella. We had Arroz Negro ($26) - squid ink paella with cuttlefish and clams, served with garlic aioli for a creamier texture. The rice was well cooked through with seafood stock and I really like how each bite of the juicy clams releases the briny, sweet flavour into the rice. However, I would prefer the rice to be more briny, as the squid ink seemed to be just kissing the surface of the grains.

Chocolate Mousse with Caramelized Banana 2.5/5

Churros Con Chocolate 3/5

For desserts, we had Churros Con Chocolate ($9) and Chocolate Mousse with Caramelized Banana ($10). While the churros was delicious with rich chocolate dip, the latter fell flat without any textural or flavour contrast. Be it the sliced bananas, cake or mousse, they were just sweet and soft.

Celebrate the weekends the way Spaniards do, where large communal sharing dishes are enjoyed in a high energy atmosphere. On Saturday, Sunday and PH brunch, between 12-3pm, come down and indulge in unlimited servings of paella cooked in a 1.2 metre wide communal paella pan, for just $10!

Words and photos 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.


Tapas Club
Vivocity
1 Harbourfront Walk
#01-98/99
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 62844680
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 10pm
Sat-Sun, PH: 1130am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Senso Ristorante & Bar @ Club Street - Introduces New Moet & Chandon Courtyard Brunch Held Quarterly In A Year

Situated along Club Street and beside the buzzing district of Chinatown is Senso Ristorante & Bar - known for its high quality Italian fine-dining cuisine and impeccable service, this charming Italian restaurant serves up exquisite creations curated by a team of dedicated and passionate chefs with a strong focus on fresh produce and robust flavours. Beyond the unassuming shophouse facade, a probe into the premises reveals a classy interior with its colonial architecture, modern design and an al fresco courtyard, creating an excellent atmosphere that blends tradition and elegance wonderfully.

From October 2018, Senso launches a Moet & Chandon Brunch to be held every quarterly in a year. The first of all Moet & Chandon Brunch was held on 7th October 2018, with the Imperial Brut as the special theme. Diners can expect to indulge in free flow Imperial Brut, wines and beers in this Courtyard Brunch, which features a Pop-Up Champagne Bar, a buffet and live carving station. The subsequent Moet & Chandon Brunch will be held in the following months where diners can expect to indulge in a series of extravagant brunch buffet represented by different special themes:

October 2018 – Imperial Brut (by bottle)
December 2018 – 1.5L Imperial Brut with Golden Sleeve
March 2019 – Imperial Brut (Magnum)
June 2019 – Ice Imperial
September 2019 – Moet Rose
December 2019 – Moet Grand Vintage

Take a seat in the beautiful courtyard seating area and relish in a sip on your first glass of Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut. Refreshing with a crisp acidity and nuances of harmonious fruitiness, the House's iconic champagne features an utter balance between its layers of complex aromas and flavours - the perfect palate cleanser for the amount of rich flavourful dishes in anticipation of the brunch buffet.

Head straight for the antipasti sections of the buffet table, featuring a variety of appetisers which include the cold cuts such as the Chorizo, Aged Parma Ham, Salami, Mortadella, Breasola, the traditional Caprese Salad, a selection of cheeses such as the Parmesan, Fontina, as well as an assortment of freshly baked breads.

For something lighter, go for their selection of salads, which include the Mediterranean Cous cous Salad, Chicken Salad, Beef Salad, Pasta Salad, Vegetarian Pasta Salad.

Moving on from the antipasti to the more substantial mains, diners can expect an array of hot dishes, presented in alluring heaps within heated-up trays on the buffet table. The Senso Puree with Truffles features a bed of soft mashed potatoes elevated by a rich truffled aroma of the generous truffle pieces layered atop.

One of my favourite is the Beef Tenderloin with Black Pepper sauce. Despite being prepared in mass quantities and heaped on a tray, the beef is kept warm, retains a tender succulence that just melts in the mouth. The pepper sauce adds a rich flavour to the meat, while not being too overwhelming nor overshadowing the rich beef essence within.

The Sea Bass Fillet comes in a close second, with its soft tender meat that comes off easily with a fork beneath a thin layer of slightly crisp skin. The complementing flavours of the diced vegetables and Virgin sauce were on point as well, providing a good counterpoint to the natural sweetness of the fish to form a divine combination of depth and richness of flavours.

Apart from the pasta salads, opt for the Penne Arrabiata with al dente pasta boosting a good bite and texture, robustly flavoured and accompanied by a tinge of spice and umami which makes it a greatly addictive dish.

For the seafood lovers, expect fresh crustaceans such as the Fin De Claire Oysters and Steamed Tiger Prawns.

Ditto the Marinated Salmon and Norwegian Smoked Salmon - not to be missed out if you're a fan of salmon too!

Finally, end the brunch buffet on a sweet note with a selection of desserts such as the Tiramisu, Chocolate Cake, Raspberry Chocolate, Mango Mousse, or the excellent Pistachio Creme Brulee.

Overall, the brunch experience at Senso is defiinitely enjoyable, with scrumptious food selections and impeccable service rendered by attentive staff who are committed in keeping the champagne glasses filled to the end.

Guests are welcomed to extend the party from 3pm till late, with the option of The S bar A la carte drinks menu. Prices: $129++ (Early Bird) / $149++.

In case you have missed the special Moet & Chandon brunch, the Sunday Prosecco Brunch is available every Sunday, except during the special-themed Prosecco brunch and Moet & Chandon brunch. Diners can expect to indulge in Senso’s enhanced free flow Italian Prosecco Brunch, featuring an extensive selection of Italy’s finest and freshest produce; Salads, Antipasti, Hot Mains, Pastas, Desserts and more Italian Classics paired with Italian Bubbly as well. Prices: $68++ / $98++ (Served with free flow of Prosecco).

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Senso Ristorante & Bar
21 Club Street
Singapore 069410
Tel:+65 62243534
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE Line, DT Line), Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat: 6pm - 1030pm
Sun: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Club Street. Turn left on Club Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk down Upper Cross Street to junction of Upper Cross Street and South Bridge Road. Continue down Upper Cross Street and turn right onto Club Street. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]