Ginkyo by Kinki @ One Holland Village - Redefining Japanese Dining with a Festival of Flavours

Nestled in the heart of One Holland Village, Ginkyo by Kinki emerges as a vibrant social haven, weaving a tapestry of contemporary creativity into the fabric of traditional Japanese dining. Drawing inspiration from the Icho Matsuri 'Ginkgo Festival' in Tokyo, this modern Japanese bistro is the brainchild of the visionaries behind Kinki Restaurant + Bar at Customs House. Ginkyo doesn't just offer a meal; it orchestrates an experience, blending authenticity with a touch of avant-garde flair.

Truffle Fat Wings 4.2/5

We first sampled the Truffle Fat Wings ($19) - a delightful symphony of textures and flavours. Deboned wings, generously stuffed with Niigata Koshihikari rice infused with truffle paste, edamame, and sea kelp. Charcoal-grilled to perfection and glazed with housemade yakitori sauce, these wings transcend the ordinary. The oil from the chicken skin elevates the dish, and a squeeze of lemon adds the perfect zing.

Uni, Caviar, Ikura 4.2/5

The Uni, Caviar, Ikura dish ($22) is a visual and gustatory masterpiece. Resembling sushi, the rice is seasoned with kombu, shaped, and pressed overnight. Tempura-battered and deep-fried for a crispy texture, it's adorned with negitoro, Tokujo grade uni, Magnum ops, Oscietra caviar, Kita-sanriku ikura, sliced cucumber, and gold flakes. A symphony of flavours unfolds with each bite—a perfect harmony of the sea and land.

Kimchi Onigiri Arancini 3.8/5

Ginkyo's playful creativity shines in the Kimchi Onigiri Arancini ($14). A Japanese twist on Italian arancini, deep-fried kimchi rice filled with gorgonzola is wrapped in seaweed and served with kimchi aioli. The result is a tantalising explosion of spicy and savoury notes, redefining the boundaries of fusion cuisine.

Swordfish Ceviche 4/5

The Peruvian Swordfish Ceviche ($19) is a journey to South America and Japan on a single plate. Diced swordfish marinated in fig-infused Japanese rice vinegar and lime juice meets a medley of citrus, tomato, avocado, Japanese cucumber, shallots, pickled green chilli, and spicy mayo. Enjoy it on crispy rice crackers for a burst of textures and flavours — a delightful wrap of freshness.

Hamburg Wagyu 4.2/5

For a carnivorous indulgence, the Hamburg Wagyu ($36) steals the spotlight. Kagoshima A4 wagyu, minced and seasoned to perfection, graces a bed of crispy rice. Topped with a hot egg bath, burdock chips, and oba tempura, this dish is an orchestra of flavours and textures — grilled elegance that unfolds with every bite. There is also the option of topping up $15 for foie gras.

Okonomi-Rosti 4.5/5

The Okonomi-Rosti ($30) offers a quirky take on the traditional okonomiyaki. Grated potatoes seared to a crisp form the base, adorned with cabbage, bacon, Hokkaido scallops, bonito flakes, mentaiko sauce, and shredded nori. Each bite is a dance of flavours — a perfect fusion of Japanese and European influences.

Ginkyo by Kinki is more than a restaurant; it's a culinary overture that celebrates the fusion of tradition and innovation. The menu is a curated symphony, with each dish a note in the harmonious composition of Japanese flavours and global influences. As you step into Ginkyo, prepare for a gastronomic journey that transcends boundaries, guided by the expert hands of culinary maestros.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Ginkyo by Kinki
One Holland Village
7 Holland Village Way
#03-01 to 04
Singapore 275748
Tel: +65 9337 7451
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Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 1130am - 230pm, 5pm - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 1130am - 230pm, 5pm - 1030pm
Sun: 5pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to Lorong Liput. Turn right onto Lorong Liput. Walk down Lorong Liput. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Poonsti @ Owen Road - Sister Brand of Old Hen Kitchen Offering a Specialised Rösti Menu Made Fresh Daily

Situated on Owen Road, Poonsti is Old Hen Kitchen's brand new rösti concept, offering a full menu of rösti dishes that are crafted entirely from scratch. Each rösti is meticulously prepared, with potatoes freshly shredded and handmade in small quantities, ensuring the utmost quality. The menu boasts five delightful variations of rösti, including a classic rendition paired simply with sour cream. Exclusively available at the Owen Road outlet, these delectable offerings are available daily, starting at 9:30am until they are sold out.

Rösti with Bacon 4.2/5

Each dish features a crispy and airy golden brown rösti base, served with different toppings. One of their signatures is the Rösti with House-cured Bacon and Fried Egg ($18) that comes with hot tomato jam, cream cheese and pickled radish. What sets Poonsti's house-cured bacon apart is its sumptuous and fatty texture, a result of a carefully crafted marination process. At the same time, the tomato jam contributes a fusion of sweetness and tanginess. This innovative combination creates a truly well-balanced dish that marries the satisfyingly fatty bacon with the nuanced flavours of the tomato jam.

Rösti with Smashed Avo 4.5/5

The Rösti with Smashed Avo ($17) comes with mango salsa and fried shallot, topped with a jammy egg and paired with a dollop of basil pesto cream. While I love the contrast between the crunchiness of the rösti and the creaminess of the avocado, what elevates the dish is the refreshing and zesty mango salsa that adds a burst of tanginess and tropical flair, complemented by the savoury crunch of fried shallots. The addition of a jammy egg adds a rich and velvety touch to the dish, while a dollop of basil pesto cream infuses a herbaceous and aromatic note. The combination here is executed with finesse, resulting in a symphony of flavours that intertwine seamlessly on the palate.

Rösti with House-cured Salmon 4/5

The Rösti with House-cured Salmon ($19) introduces an elevated take on a classic pairing. Unlike the conventional rösti with smoked salmon, Poonsti's rendition showcases their commitment to creativity and refinement. This dish presents a beautifully composed plate featuring a golden-brown rösti base topped with a generous portion of their house-cured salmon. The salmon's succulent and rich flavour is enhanced by adding creamy ricotta, which creates a luxurious contrast against the crispy texture of the rösti. Adding fried capers and pickled onion also contributes a sharp, vibrant note to the dish, turning this classic pairing into anything but ordinary.

Overall, the rösti dishes at Poonsti showcase creativity and refinement, featuring unique pairings and meticulous preparation. From the Rösti with house-cured salmon adorned with ricotta, fried capers, pickled onion, and dill to the Rösti with smashed avo complemented by zesty mango salsa and fried shallots, each dish is a symphony of flavours and textures. Do note that their rosti is only available in limited amounts daily, so head down early to avoid disappointment!

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.


Poonsti
127 Owen Road
Singapore 218931
Tel:+65 6818 3333
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Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 930am - 3pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk down Race Course Road to Owen Road. Turn left onto Owen Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Allô @ Jalan Besar - Indulge In French Cuisine For A Chic Brunch Or Cosy Dinner In Modern Shophouse

The newly opened French restaurant Allô sits along one of the many lanes of shophouses in Jalan Besar. It may seem to be quite an unexpected location at first. Still, the restaurant has done its interior in a chic yet cosy fashion, which makes it suitable for various occasions. When we came by for dinner, there were several groups of diners celebrating Father's Day.

Dinner aside, Allô also offers both brunch and value-for-money lunch sets. The Brunch menu is available on weekdays from 11am to 3pm and all day on weekends, offering classic brunch options such as Eggs Benedict ($23) and elevated dishes like Rosti, Eggs & Minute Steak ($32).

The Lunch Sets, on the other hand, are priced affordably from $15.90 onwards. Available from Tuesdays to Fridays, 11am to 3pm, the three-course weekday set lunch includes a choice of starter, a pasta main and a dessert.

Beverages

The restaurant offers various alcohols: beers, house pours, reds, whites, dessert wines and champagnes. We opted for non-alcoholic beverages of Sparkling Apple ($6) and Citrus Blue Magic ($7.50). The former is made with sparkling water infused with 100% apple juice, while the latter has blue pea flower tea, yoghurt drink and citrus juice.

Salmon Rillette 3.5/5

Our starter of Salmon Rillette ($18) features a rillette made of cured salmon slow-cooked in butter, served with capers, a petit salad and a side of sweet potato chips. My dining companion and I were quite disappointed with this as the rillette was mostly overpowered with a sharp sourness and masked any flavour of the salmon. The sweet potato chips lacked crispness as well.

Lobster Bisque 4.5/5

Thankfully, the next dish fared much better. This Lobster Bisque ($18) was also one of our two favourites of the night. Made in-house from freshly caught lobsters, the bisque turned out luscious and creamy but not overly thick. It was bursting with seafood sweetness and had just the right amount of savoury notes.

My dining companion and I enjoyed this very much and mopped it up quickly with the bread from the complimentary bread basket. I did wish there were bits of lobster meat in it for extra texture, though!

Saucisson Croquettes 3.8/5

The homemade Saucisson Croquettes ($12) came in a portion of three, served with a tangy peanut butter dressing with a touch of heat. We appreciated the crunchy exterior and creamy filling; otherwise, it was average. We also hoped to have a better bite of the saucisson bits in it.

Duck Confit with Pomme Purée & Orange Balsamic Glaze 4/5

Next, we were served our first main, the Duck Confit with Pomme Puree & Orange Balsamic Glaze ($30). The dish uses a whole duck leg roasted in its own fat, served with a side of purée and asparagus.

While I enjoyed the tangy-sweet orange balsamic glaze and the slight crispiness on the duck skin, the duck meat was not as fork-tender as I expected. The meat could be better tenderised, and the mash could be more buttery.

Lobster Risotto 4.5/5

Then came our second favourite of the night, the Lobster Risotto ($32). It was hands down one of the best risotto we have had in a while. The rich lobster stock base had an impressive amount of crustacean sweetness brimming through and was nicely finished with cream to achieve that lip-smacking consistency. The arborio rice was perfectly cooked to a lovely creaminess and further topped with chunks of tender butter-poached lobster meat.

Valrhona Dark Chocolate Feuillantine Cake 4/5

We ended our dinner on a sweet note with the Valrhona Dark Chocolate Feuillantine Cake ($15). Made of dark chocolate covertures on a base of feuillantine and crumbles, the chocolate portion was rich without being cloying. The accompanying scoop of yoghurt gelato gave a refreshing and tangy touch.

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.


Allô
72 Desker Road
Singapore 209595
Tel: +65 88979230
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Nearest MRT: Jalan Besar (DT Line), Farrer Park (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Jalan Besar MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk straight down Jalan Besar Road to Desker Road. Turn left onto Desker Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to Roberts Lane. Turn left onto Roberts Lane, walk to Serangoon Road. Cross the road and walk down Desker Road. Walk down Desker Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Nude Seafood @ Marina One - It Is Not All About Seafood Here, The Non-Seafood Dishes Are Delicious Too

I decided to drop by Nude Seafood at Marina One for a weekend lunch to get myself out of the house for a change from all the food delivery. We decided to go for the Feast For 2 priced at $98, which comes with 2 Starters, 2 Mains, 1 Side, 1 Dessert and 2 Drinks. While the menu is extensive, the choices are pretty limited for the feast for 2 unless you top up for most of the dishes.

Kale & 'Ma Haw' 4.2/5

For the starters, we go for the Kale & 'Ma Haw'. I am not a big fan of kale, but this version is exceptionally addictive. The Thai pork dressing brightens up the earthy flavour while adding pomelo and mint gives it a refreshing touch, finished with nuttiness and texture from the peanut.

Clam in White Wine 4.2/5

The other starter we choose is Clam in White Wine. We have to add an extra $6 for it. The sweet and juicy clam accentuate by the confit garlic, and wine broth is worth the extra dollar. It even comes with sourdough to soak up the delicious broth.

Nude's Rosti 4/5

For the side, we had the Nude's Rosti. I like the charred edges for their crispiness.

Young Chicken 4.2/5

It is not all about seafood here. I tried the Young Chicken, which comprises coriander emulsion, nameko, daikon, chicken fat aioli, Sansho and sourdough crisp. What stood out for me was the dark-coloured sauce which complemented the grilled tender chicken excellent. If I am not wrong, the dark coloured sauce is some squid ink concoction.

Miso Halibut & Udon 4.2/5

The other main we had is the Miso Halibut & Udon. I love the chewy texture of the sanuki udon in the refreshing mushroom dashi broth. Not forgetting the grilled halibut, which has a delectable buttery flavour further enhanced by the sweetness of the miso.

Daifuku Mochi 3/5

Wrapping up our dinner is Daifuku Mochi. It comes in a sweetened filling, but the texture is gelatine like instead of the chewy type, which I didn't enjoy.

While the Feast for 2 Pax at $98 seems quite value for money, the choices are pretty limited unless customers decide to add on extra for more options on the menu. Before my visit, I thought Nude Seafood forte was on seafood, but the non-seafood dishes I had were as delicious.


Nude Seafood
Marina One
East Tower
5 Straits View #01-23
Singapore 018935
Tel: +65 87261576
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Nearest MRT: Downtown (DT Line), Marina Bay (CC Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon: 1130am - 2pm Tue-Sun: 1130am - 2pm, 6pm - 8 pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Downtown MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to junction of Straits View and Boulevard Central. Turn right onto Stratis View. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Marina Bay MRt station. take Exit B. Walk to junction of Marina way and Boulevard Central. Turn left onto Marina way. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 mintues. [Map]

Burger & Lobster @ Raffles Hotel Singapore - Second Outlet With Wider Selection Of Lobsters, Burgers and Cocktails

Following the successful opening of Burger & Lobster at Jewel Changi Airport, it opens a second outlet at Raffles Hotel Singapore, situated at the newly reopened Raffles Arcade. The space is three times larger than the Jewel outlet with a wider selection of lobsters, burgers and cocktails. It also has an outdoor bar and an eclectic fresh seafood counter. Another great news is that guests can make reservations at the new restaurant via their website, unlike Jewel outlet whereby reservation is not allowed.

"BBQ" Whiskey Sour 4.2/5

From the bar, we started with some pre-dinner drinks. I had the "BBQ" Whiskey Sour ($22++)  which is a concoction of Wild Turkey 101 bourbon, lemon, sugar, charred lapsang souchong and egg white. It is an easy drink to kick start dinner with a hint of smokiness.

Fresh Seafood Platter 4.5/5

Great for sharing is the Fresh Seafood Platter (Medium $240++). The huge platter comes with freshly shucked oysters, half a lobster, chilled Dutch mussels, king crab legs, Vietnamese tiger prawns and octopus. All served on a bed of ice with samphire, mignonette dressing, chilli and coriander dip and fresh lemon.

Lobster Rosti 4.2/5

The Lobster Rosti ($18++) makes a perfect brunch item with its slightly crispy exterior topped with gently spiced guacamole, succulent lobster meat, red chilli and fresh lime.

Kale & Quinoa Salad 4/5

For a healthy luxury salad, one can go for the Kale & Quinoa Salad ($65++). The kale comes with quinoa avocado, dried fig, cranberry and roasted walnuts. Not to forget the bouncy texture of the lobster tail and claws. Holding all these together is the balsamic dressing, which gives the salad the needed sweetness and acidity.

Marinated Octopus 4.2/5

A dish that I would order in my return is the Marinated Octopus ($16++). Lightly pan-fried, the octopus is dressed in lemon, parsley, garlic and olive oil. Instead of char-grilled, which gives the octopus a hint of bitterness, the execution preserved the natural flavour of the octopus with a tender, bouncy texture. Give the lime a squeeze to perk up the taste profile.

Uni, Lobster and Caviar Roll 3.8/5

At Burger & Lobster Raffles Arcade, the restaurant ups its game with the Uni, Lobster and Caviar Roll ($50++). This is the ultimate combination swerved in a toasted brioche roll. Unlike the original lobster roll which comes with the rich lemon garlic sauce, this version is lightly seasoned to allow the appreciation of the luxe ingredients.

The B&L Beef Brisket Roll 4.2/5

Surprisingly, it turned out that I enjoyed The B&L Beef Brisket Roll ($25++) more than the Uni, Lobster and Caviar Roll. The buttery roll sandwiched with braised Angus beef brisket marinated in the jerky sauce and finished with Havana spiced rum is more robust in flavour. Guess I have a preference for strong flavour.

Spicy Miso Burger 4.5/5

It is not just about lobster roll at Burger & Lobster. As the name of the restaurant suggests, it serves burgers too. And they serve a damn good burger. I had the Spicy Miso Burger ($23++), and I love it. The Nebraskan beef patty glazed with spicy miso sauce is moist and juicy. It is topped with provolone cheese, lightly spiced guacamole, kale, red chilli flakes, onion and sandwiched in between their signature brioche bun.

Laksa Lobster 4.2/5

Like its flagship outlet in Singapore, there is a locally inspired dish on the menu. Over at the Raffles Arcade, there is the Laksa Lobster ($70++). The aromatic laksa sauce is legit with rice noodles, bean sprouts and crispy tofu. It is really delicious but expensive too.

Ice Cream Mochi 3.5/5 and Apple Crumble Pie 3.5/5

Wrapping up the dinner, we have the Ice Cream Mochi ($11++) and Apple Crumble Pie ($14++). I would pick the ice cream mochi over the apple crumble pie. It is like having those old school ice cream sandwiched in waffle biscuit, but with a slightly softer texture. It comes drizzled with either strawberry or chocolate sauce.

Given a choice, I prefer the new outlet at Raffles Arcade. The menu is larger with more variety. Location is more central and it accepts reservation.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Burger & Lobster
Raffles Hotel Singapore
Raffles Arcade
328 North Bridge Road
#01-25
Singapore 188719
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

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

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to the junction of Bras Basah Road and North Bridge Road. Cross the road. Walk down North Bridge Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Hustle Co @ Craig Road – Of Indulgent Brunch Fare, Handcrafted Coffee And 12 Craft Beers On Tap

Situated along Craig Road is Hustle Co, one of the newest hipster addition to the Tanjong Pagar neighbourhood. With a curated food menu of hearty mains available all-day from brunch to dinner, it offers a wide selection of craft beers on tap ranging from ale, lager, porter to cider to pair with your brunch offerings, while coffee options are also available for your caffeine fix in the morning.

Tuna Tartare 4.2/5

For the starter, we had the Tuna Tartare ($16) which comes in a portion of fresh tuna chunks well-mixed with avocado and cucumber. An interesting element to the dish - crispy wanton skin is used to pair with the tuna tartare, which contributes a crunchy texture to the creamy avocado mash and fresh tuna chunks.

Salmon Rosti 4.2/5

The Salmon Rosti ($22) features a 160g salmon fillet pan-seared to a perfect skin-crisp while the meat was butter-soft tender and well-seasoned. Coupled with a golden brown crisp rosti, dill creme fraiche and generous amounts of salmon roe. The sour cream is a great, non-overpowering. It complement the savoury salmon and rosti while those mouth-popping granules lend a sweet, mildly savoury note and a refreshing twist to the dish.

Hustler Burger 3.8/5

The Hustler Burger ($18) features a 160g dry age beef patty, mini hash, bacon and a fried egg atop, all held together by two toasted soft brioche buns. While the nicely-seasoned beef patty is slightly tougher in texture, the crispy hash added a crunch element, and together with the bacon and cheese which constitute flavorous additions that give the dish an uplift.

French Toast 4/5

End the meal on a sweet note with the French Toast ($18) which features two pieces of soft pillowy brioche toast with a slight crisp in its pan-fried exterior, and paired with glazed apple, mixed nuts and vanilla ice cream. The pieces of glazed apple provided a subtle juicy sweetness to the french toast while the nuts has a nice crunch to it. The vanilla ice cream is sourced from Apiary, which is known for their house-made creamy and rich ice cream. Overall, a pretty decent dessert constituting a medley of accompaniments with lusciously sweet notes atop well-executed fluffy french toasts.

With just less than half a year into operations, Hustle Co has undergone a series of menu tweakings to introduce a variety of unqiue offerings to indulge in for brunch. Instead of being the conventional brunch-and-coffee cafe, it places a stronger emphasis on their local craft beers on tap as well, which provides for a great avenue to unwind with your friends after a long day of hustle.

Words and photos 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.


Hustle Co
52 Craig road
Singapore 089690
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 9am - 12midnight
Sun: 9am - 5pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. Walk to Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road and walk to Craig Road. Continue on Craig Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]