Il Toro Woodfire Grill @ Gemmill Lane - A Celebration of Woodfire Showcases Fire-Driven Italian-Australian Flavours

IL TORO Woodfire Grill at Gemmill Lane is a brand new concept by Chef Drew Nocente, the same chef-owner behind Cenzo and Chicco Pasta Bar. Drawing inspiration from the Italian tradition of grigliata and shaped by the Australian spirit, the restaurant places fire at the core of its menu. Expect bold flavours, whole cuts of meat, and a warm sense of hospitality, all anchored by the primal draw of woodfire cooking.

Focaccia, Beef Fat Candle 4/5

A playful start to the meal, the Focaccia ($8) comes accompanied by a candle made from beef fat. As it melts, the rendered fat becomes a savoury spread. The Focaccia itself is grilled for a crisp exterior, making this both fun in concept and enjoyable in flavour.

Foie Gras, Fig & Pistachio 4/5

The Foie Gras ($8/pc) is rich and creamy, paired thoughtfully with sweet fig and crunchy pistachio. The combination provides a balance of sweetness and nuttiness, lifting the foie gras without overwhelming it.

Coffin Bay Oysters, Yuzu Koshu & Smoked Beef Fat 4/5

The Coffin Bay Oysters ($6/pc) offer clean brininess with a bright citrus touch from yuzu koshu. The smoked beef fat adds depth, resulting in a finish that is both vibrant and savoury.

Sea Bream, Amalfi Lemon, Bone Reduction and Caviar 3.8/5

The Sea Bream ($22) is served in a ceviche style with Amalfi lemon and bone reduction, topped with caviar. While well assembled, the flavours could be bolder to better highlight the fish's natural sweetness.

Iberico Pork Belly & Sausage Skewer 3.8/5

The Iberico Pork Belly & Sausage Skewer ($8/pc) is hearty and satisfying, and many tables seemed to be ordering it. Although nicely grilled, the seasoning could be punchier to fully showcase the meat's richness.

Tiger Prawns, Garlic Chilli 4/5

The Tiger Prawns ($10/pc) are sweet and smoky from the grill. The garlic chilli brings bold flavour and enhances the prawn's natural sweetness, giving a rich, robust kick.

Octopus, Nduja, Burnt Chive Butter & Miso Corn 4.2/5

The Octopus ($36) is well handled, tender, and has a pleasant bite. The pairing of nduja and burnt chive butter adds layers of umami and spice. The side of miso corn is notably excellent, sweet, juicy, and highly addictive.

Blackmore Wagyu MS9+ Tri Tip 4.2/5

The Blackmore Wagyu MS9+ Tri Tip ($78, 200g) is exclusive to IL TORO and available daily in limited quantities. While tri tip is naturally leaner, it is cooked beautifully here, resulting in tender, flavourful meat with the signature woodfire aroma.

Baby Potatoes, Hot Honey & Ricotta 4.5/5

A standout side, the Baby Potatoes ($12) are tossed in hot honey and served on creamy ricotta. Sweet, savoury and texturally satisfying. This is the kind of side you'll want seconds of.

Mint Slice Al Fuoco 4/5

For dessert, the Mint Slice Al Fuoco ($16) features mint semifreddo, smoked chocolate ganache and meringue. The tableside brûlée of the meringue adds theatre and creates a pleasing caramelised crunch to finish.

Overall, IL TORO delivers a bold, fire-forward dining experience that showcases Chef Drew's strong understanding of balance, produce and smoky depth. The woodfire element is consistent and intentional, from starters to dessert. A welcome addition to Gemmill Lane for those who appreciate grilled meats and Italian-Australian conviviality.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Il Toro Woodfire Grill
18 Gemmill Lane
Singapore 069255
Tel: +65 82591021
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line)

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

Direction:
Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Cross Street. Turn left onto Club Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Skyve Wine Bistro @ Winstedt Road - A New Menu Showcasing Modern Bistro Fare

The last time I visited Skyve Wine Bistro was back in 2013. I am back again at Skyve Wine Bistro to welcome the home coming of Executive Chef Jachin Tan, joining her sister Celine Tan to relaunch Skyve. The new menu showcases modern bistro fare inspired by Chef Jachin's personal experiences with food from around the world.

Beef Tartare 3.5/5

Our dinner started with the Beef Tartare ($18) which is topped with a miso cured truffle yolk, paired with shallot dust, gherkin gelee and biscuit. Mixed everything together to get a combination of different flavours. I like the fact that the grass fed Australian beef remains the centre piece, not over shadowed by the different components on the plate.

Smoked Tomato 4.2/5

A light and refreshing starter is the Smoked Tomato ($12) garnished with buffalo snow. The Momotaro tomato which is sourced from Cameron Highlands is sweet and comes with a hint of smokiness. What caught my attention on the plate is actually the heart of palm, I didn't know it can be eaten. Best of all, what holds the whole dish together for me is the basil sorbet which complements the tomatoes and heart of palms excellently.

Mediterranean Octopus 4/5

The Mediterranean Octopus ($18) is char-grilled to a delightful firm but yet tender texture, paired with lemon pickled eggplant, vandouvan and cauliflower puree. The char is like icing on the cake, giving the subtle sweetness of the octopus a lift in flavour.

Smoked Tenderloin 4.2/5

When you come across a good piece of beef, you will just immersed in the beautiful flavour lingering in your mouth and that is what I got from the Smoked Tenderloin ($38) which is paired with gobo, pickled green pepper, braised shitake and truffle soil. The depth in flavour probably comes from the fact that the meat has been left to cure and tenderise overnight in a smoke chamber.

Cilantro Chilli Smoked Duck 4.2/5

It seems like smoking is Chef Jachin's forte. Another excellent dish is the Cilantro Chilli Smoked Duck ($24) served with quinoa, edamame, pink peppercorn and corn ricotta. The tender and flavourful duck meat has a lovely aroma from the dried cilanto and chilli that is used to smoke the duck. It also added a hint of heat to the duck meat.

Lobster Sang Mee 4.2/5

One of my favourite dishes for the night is Lobster Sang Mee ($32). Who would expect to find a Zi Char dish on the menu but given a modern twist with French techniques, using regional and local produce. The atas plate of sang mee even comes with abalone, mussels and half a lobster, in a egg drop soup. It is a familiar dish that is close to the heart and comforting, yet given a luscious interpretation.

Semifreddo of Lime 3.5/5

Wrapping up our dinner, we have the light and creamy Semifreddo of Lime ($10) topped with blue pea flower caviar. At the bottom is sable dust, giving the semifreddo another layer of texture.

Molten Chocolate 4/5

For something richer, there is the homemade Molten Chocolate ($12) paired with salted caramel ice. I enjoyed the candied zest that cut through the richness and also giving it a more dimensional enjoyment. Cut through the molten cake for the oozing lava moment.

For bigger group, you can check out communal options such as the Seafood Menage ($95) with whole live lobster, shoyu saba and chimichurri squid; Australian Angus Cote De Boeuf ($130) and 48-Hours Roasted Suckling Pig ($228). One can also look forward to the weekend brunch menu that showcases dishes with Asian flavours.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Skyve Wine Bistro
10 Winstedt Road
Block E #01-17
Singapore 227977
Tel: +65 62256690
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Nearest MRT: Newton (NS Line), Little India (DT Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 11pm
Fri-Sat, Eve P.H: 10am - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Newton MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and follow the path way to the overhead bridge. Cross the overhead bridge to Newton Food Centre. Cut across the food centre to the car park. At the car park, turn left and continue walking to end of Monks Hill Terrace. At the end of the road, turn right onto Winstedt Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Little India MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop along Bukit Timah Road (Stop ID B40011). Take bus number 48, 66, 67, 170 and 960. Alight 2 stops later. Walk down Bukit Timah Road towards Shell petrol station. Turn left onto Winstedt Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]