Griglia Open Fire Italian Kitchen @ Craig Road - Treat To The Tastes, Sensations And Emotions Of The Grigliata In A Casual Setting

Another new restaurant has opened in the vibrant Singapore F&B scene, bringing the traditions of Italian summer outdoor grill cook-out to Craig Road in a casual dine-in setting. The restaurant named Griglia is conceptualised by Chef Andrea De Paola and executed by Head Chef Federico Schiraldi, showcasing the culinary essence of grigliata.

Burratina 4/5

We started with a couple of appetisers, beginning with the Burratina ($16++). It is a modern take on the traditional Neapolitan appetiser. Thinly slices of marinated zucchini are served on a thin and crispy tart with a fresh burratina, garnished with herbs and olive oil.

Eggplant 4/5

The other appetiser we tried is the Eggplant ($15++), a lighter rendition of the Neapolitan parmigiana. The layers of grilled eggplants, tomato and basil, are tangy and succulent.

Hiika Squid 4.2/5

From the sea, we tried the Hiika Squid ($18++) and Hokkaido Scallops Crudo ($22++). Best showcasing how Italians like to combine different appetisers on a plate is the Hiika Squid. I like the pairing of the light nduja foam, complementing the savouriness of the smoked calamari.

Hokkaido Scallops Crudo 4.5/5

The other seafood item we had was the Hokkaido Scallop Crudo ($22++). The combination of scallop, corn and lemon is classic grigliata. I adored the sweetness from the caramelised corn, brightening the enjoyment of the briny and tangy scallops.

House-Made Pappardelle 4.8/5

Not to be missed at Griglia is their pasta dishes. The House-made Pappardelle ($20++) has a delightful texture bite, paired with tender pork jowl cooked over long hours in a rich Chianti reduction.

Spaghetti di Martino 4.2/5

Simple but yet deliciously good is the Spaghetti di Martino ($18++). I understand the Datterino tomatoes are brined in seawater from Italy to maintain the freshness of the produce. But, frankly, I can't taste the difference. The star goes to the tomatoes and tomato sauce, elevating the simplicity of the staple pasta dish in Italian cuisine.

Whole Spanish Turbot 3.8/5

A selection of beef, lamb, pork and fish on the menu highlights the open fire grill. We tried the Whole Spanish Turbot ($58++ 400grams/ $98++ 800grams) served with romaine lettuce and almalfi lemon dressing. Nothing fancy, just lightly seasoned with olive oil and sea salt, grilled over the open fire to showcase the natural flavour of the fresh wild-caught turbot from Spain.

Grass Fed Wagyu Striploin 4.5/5

The other mains we had is the Grass Fed Wagyu Striploin MBS 3/4 ($68++ 200 grams) served with pickled mustard, red wine jus, garlic sauce and pickled lettuce dressed with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. I don't feel any need for the condiments as the wagyu is already so flavoursome on its own. All you need is to sprinkle some sea salt to appreciate the tender and juicy striploin fully.

Potatoes Puree 4.5/5

An enticing selection of refreshing sides complements the main course. Some notable small plates include Gratinated Bone Marrow with rosemary and wild garlic crumbs, Cherry Tomatoes with cucumber, Olives and Rocket Salad and Potatoes Puree ($10++) with horseradish and smoked caciocavallo.

Capri in a Cake 4.2/5

We wrapped up the dinner on a sweet note with the Capri in a Cake ($12++). The classic limoncello caprese is served with Amalfi lemon cream and extra virgin olive oil ice cream.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Griglia Open Fire Italian Kitchen
37 Craig Road
Singapore 089675
Tel: +65 89497011
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Outram Park (EW Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours;
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat: 6pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Walk to Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road. Walk to Craig Road. Turn left and walk down Craig Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit H. Walk to Duxton Plain Park. Turn right and walk to Neil Road. Cross the road using the underpass. Take the staircase and walk to Craig Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

La Dame de Pic @ Raffles Hotel Singapore - Re-opens After The Circuit Breaker With A New Summer Menu

I have the pleasure of dining at La Dame de Pic by Chef Anne-Sophie Pic when it first opened at Raffles Hotel Singapore. Unfortunately with the COVID-19 pandemic and the circuit breaker measure taken by the government, the restaurant was temporarily closed for dining. Great news for diners looking forward to dining in one of the world's top female chefs' restaurant, having a total of seven Michelin stars under her belt, you will be glad to know that La Dame de Pic has reopened!

Before commencing on our dinner, we receive a number of amuse bouche to kick start our dinner. We have the Olive-green Chocolate Truffle infused with yuzu. You get an explosion of flavour when you bite into it.

Then there is the Marshmellow coated with Peanut which tastes like our local muah chee. There is also the Honeycomb Cracker with a delightfully crispy texture.

Last but not least, the Corn Taco and Milk Yoghurt to round up the amuse bouche surprises. We already have 5 dishes before starting on the courses.

I have to warn that you need to control yourself in eating too much of the freshly baked bread. It is so good that my dining companions had 3 servings. You probably do not want to get yourself full before even starting on the courses.

Tomato Myriad

Starting the 5-course meal is the refreshing Tomato Myriad paired with a scoop of burrata ice cream. The sweetness of the colourful tomatoes is lifted with the tomato consomme lightly infused with elderflower, tasting of summer with each bite of the sweet and tangy fruit.

Berlingots 4.5/5

An iconic dish in every Anne-Sophie Pic restaurant is the Berlingots which incorporates local elements. In Singapore, the restaurant has infused the broth with the herb of grace, a local ingredient used in Chinese medicine and cooking. The flavour of the pasta parcel also changes with seasons. In my previous visit, I had green Matcha pasta parcel filled with French cheese fondue. This time it is beet pasta parcel filled with French cheese fondue.

Turbot from Brittany 4/5

Next is the Fish dish - Turbot from Brittany. The fish is cooked elegantly with a delicate, lightly sweet flavour. Simple but yet will get you craving for more.

The Pigeon from Bresse 4.2/5

Saga Wagyu Beef 4.2/5

For the mains, the diner can choose between the Saga Wagyu Beef and The Pigeon. As I have already tried the Saga Wagyu Beef in my earlier visit, I decided to go for The Pigeon. The bird was beautifully roasted on its chest, complemented by the lightly smoked broth infused with Madagascan vanilla, roasted barley, Phu Quoc pepper and kumquat.

Brie de Meaux Cheese with Vanilla 4/5

The Brie de Meaux Cheese with Vanilla is a pre-dessert which is like have a bowl of cheese soup with a thin cracker film.

White Mille-feuille

For dessert, diners have 3 choices. If you are dining here for the first, I would highly recommend you to go for the White Mille-feuille. This is another iconic dish that they have kept it in their new menu.

Alpaco Chocolate

Gariguette Strawberry

The other 2 desserts on the menu are the Alpaco Chocolate and Gariguette Strawberry. They are the new dessert creations for the new summer menu. I had the Alpaco Chocolate which comes with Hojicha and cubeb pepper light mousse paired with beeswax honey ice cream. It is rich but yet not heavy to wrap up the dinner.

Last but at least the whole dinner experience is wrapped up with the Petite Four. The menu I had is the 5-course Experience Menu at $238 per pax with an additional $158 for wine and sake pairing. I realised the restaurant has increased its price since my visit last year. Maybe it has to do with the increased ingredients' price due to the significant reduction in overseas freight flights in the aviation market.

Note: this is an invited tasting.


La Dame de Pic
Raffles Hotel Singapore
1 Beach Road
Singapore 189673
Tel: +65 63371886
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 12pm - 2pm, 7pm - 930pm
(Closed on Sun and Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to the junction of Beach Road and Bras Basah Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time is about 3 minutes. [Map]

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

La Dame de Pic @ Raffles Hotel Singapore - Acclaimed Chef Anne-Sophie Pic Asia Debut

With Raffles Hotel Singapore reopening after its restoration work, the hotel welcomes La Dame De Pic by Anne-Sophie Pic, one of the world's top female chefs with a total of seven Michelin stars under her belt. This is also her debut into Asia. Having followed Chef Table and Final Table on Netflix, I am really looking forward to dinner at the beautiful restaurant and the cuisine by world-renowned chef.

Before starting on our dinner, we are treated to not one but three surprises. The first surprise is the Olive-green Chocolate Truffle infused with yuzu and coffee that comes with an explosion of flavours. Second is Honeycomb with Mushroom and Lemon Jelly, that has a sharp citrusy finishing on top of the crispy texture. Last but not least, Rice Crispy topped with Yogurt Milk and Amadai, and Marshmellow coated with Peanut which tastes like our local muah chee.

Complimentary Sourdough and Matcha Bread with Star Anise Butter are served before we even start our dinner.

Amuse Bouche 4/5

Our Amuse Bouche is Italian green pea, green pea puree, green pea broth and herb of grace. An interesting ingredient used in the amuse bouche is the herb of grace or more commonly known as "stink grass", a local herb which Chef Pic discovered while exploring Chinatown. It is not stinky at all but gives it a refreshing flavour that is hard to describe, kind of tangy-sweet profile.
                                          

Berlingots 4.5/5

I was so excited when Chef Pic's iconic dish the Berlingots was served. Though the dish has been given a slight tweak to incorporate the local elements, the presentation is still the same as per what I have seen on Netflix. The matcha pasta comes in a pyramid shape, filled with French cheese fondue. It is paired with green zebra tomato, fresh verbena and herbs of grace consomme. It may be a pasta dish, but it is packed with vibrant flavours that are kind of new for my palate.

Wild Turbot 4.2/5

Another interesting pairing on the menu is the Wild Turbot with Granny Smith Apple broth. It also comes with textures of zucchini. I have grown to like turbot for its firm texture and mildly sweet flavour. What enlivens the dish is the granny smith apple broth that gives it a vibrant finishing, complementing the freshness of the white meat.

Saga Wagyu Beef 4.5/5

Unlike the earlier dishes where there are a lot of vibrant flavours at play, the Saga Wagyu Beef is cooked beautifully to pink over coals. Nothing fancy, just allowing the beautiful meat to speak for itself, dressed in beef jus. It is paired with smoked beetroot rose and lovage completing the lovely dish.

Cheese Course 4/5

I was expecting a pre-dessert but not a cheese course before that. The Brie de Meaux Cheese with Vanilla is like having a bowl of cheese soup with a thin cracker film on top.

Pre-dessert 4/5

The Pre-dessert comes in the form of a lime foam with fresh cherry and olive ice cream in it. I would recommend having a bit of everything to get the balance from the different components in it.

White Mille-feuille 4.8/5

Another signature dish on Chef Pic's menu is the White Mille-feuille. The dessert is encased in a light ginger flower cream. Cutting it open reveals layers of crispiness with confit grapefruit and litsea cubeba emulsion. On the sides that look like cloud are ginger bourbon and berry foam.

The dining experience didn't stop at dessert. Even the Petite Four is so exquisite with an interesting play of flavours. On the first plate we have Calamansi and Curry, and Peach and Basil. On the second plate, the flavours are more intense and richer. We have the Jasmine and Caramel Tartlet with Walnut Shaving, and Black Current Chocolate.

The 3-Course Lunch Menu at La Dame De Pic is $128 per pax with an additional $58 for wine pairing. For dinner, there are 3 menus. 5-Course Exploration Menu at $198 per pax with additional $98 for wine pairing, 6-Course Experience Menu at $218 per pax with an additional $118 wine and sake pairing, and 7-Course Elegance Menu at $328 per pad with an additional $158 wine and sake pairing.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


La Dame de Pic
Raffles Hotel Singapore
1 Beach Road
Singapore 189673
Tel: +65 63371886
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:

Lunch (Fri-Sun): 12pm - 145pm

Dinner (Wed-Sat): 630pm - 845pm
(Closed on Mon and Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to the junction of Beach Road and Bras Basah Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time is about 3 minutes. [Map]

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

Min Jiang @ Dempsey Hill - Relocating From One-North To Dempsey Hill

After 12 years at Rochester Park, Min Jiang at One-North has relocated to another heritage destination at Dempsey Hill. The new premises features an interior of contemporary chinoiserie. It is bigger and more spacious compared to their previous location. With the relocation, Master Chef Goh Chee Kong has also revamped the whole menu, which eloquently showcases the intricacies of Cantonese and Sichuan cuisines.

Steamed 'Goldfish' Prawn Dumpling 4/5

The skilful chef at Min Jiang has shaped the Prawn Dumpling ($4.80/pc) into a goldfish. It is really too cute to be eaten. The juicy prawn is wrapped in a housemade crystal dumpling skin, steamed and topped with tobiko, swimming in a pool of simmering egg white, chicken stock, Chinese ham and potato starch.

The Heritage Treasures Platter 3.5/5

The Heritage Treasures Platter ($88) showcases iconic dishes that were much acclaimed from the 60s to 80s in Singapore. From left to right, we have the Crisp-fried Teochew-Style Shrimp Roll, Braised Pork in Wuxi-Style, Deep-fried Crabmeat with Chicken Liver and Salted Egg Yolk, and Stir-fried Freshly Harvested Seasonal Greens and Macadamia Nuts. I am glad that I am still able to savour this heritage dishes in the 20th century.

Sichuan Hot and Sour Soup accompanied with Prawn Spring Roll 4/5

The delicious bowl of Sichuan Hot and Sour Soup ($12/pax) comes in a chicken broth with finely cut sea cucumber, bamboo shoots, tofu and chicken meat. They are simmered with white pepper, black vinegar, light soya sauce, dark soya sauce and housemade chilli oil. The combination of spicy and sour is very appetising. Probably my personal option, I would prefer the ingredients to be more coarsely cut, for that textural enjoyment. Not to forget the crispy prawn spring roll at the side. If only I can have more of it.

Turbot Fish served in Two Styles 4/5

A rare fish to be used in Chinese restaurants is the Turbot. At Min Jiang, It is served in two styles for the appreciation of the fish. The deep fried style comes with aromatics such as chopped garlic, shallots, almond flakes, dried shrimp and bread crumbs. It somewhat reminds me of the Bi Feng Tang style. The stir-fried style allows the natural flavour of the fish, paired with Australian baby spinach, carrots and hon shimeji mushrooms. Truffle oil is added, but I thought it is not necessary.

Steamed Chicken and 'Kai Lan' served with Ginger Paste 3.5/5

The Steamed Chicken and 'Kai Lan' served with Ginger Paste ($34) reminds me of the samsui chicken dish at Soup Restaurant. The chicken is cooked to perfection. It is tender and comes with a layer of gelatin skin. Maybe I am used to the way of eating samsui chicken with a lettuce wrap, I felt that it is missing something to bring the chicken and ginger paste together.

Homemade Tofu with Crabmeat, Assorted Mushrooms and Seasonal Greens 4/5

The Homemade Tofu with Crabmeat, Assorted Mushrooms and Seasonal Greens ($28) is not your ordinary vegetable dish. There are many components in the dish. Besides the stir-fried spinach, the highlight is the handmade tofu that is formed into shape from a mixture of mashed tofu, minced prawn, egg and mushrooms. Holding the dish together is the baby spinach puree with crabmeat sauce.

Iberico Pork Fried Rice served in Mini Pumpkin accompanied with XO Sauce 4/5

Packed with 'wok hei' fragrant is the Iberico Pork Fried Rice served in Mini Pumpkin ($18/pax) accompanied with XO Sauce. It is a comforting yet luxe enjoyment of fried rice with the use of Iberico pork char siew.

Chilled Blue Pea Lemongrass Jelly and Malay Cake with Salted Egg Custard 4/5

Last but not least, we have the Chilled Blue Pea Lemongrass Jelly with Lime Sorbet and Malay Cake with Salted Egg Custard ($12/pax) for dessert. A light and refreshing dessert to wrap up the meal.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Min Jiang At Dempsey
7A and 7B Dempsey Road
Singapore 249684
Tel: +65 67740122
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line), Holland Village (CC Line), Farrer Road (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 630pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to the bus stop along Orchard Boulevard (Stop ID 09022). Take bus number 7, 77, 106, 123 or 174. Alight 7 stops later. Walk to Dempsey Road. Walk to the roundabout near block 17 and 18. Continue walking into the far right inside of the estate. Walk to destination. Journey time 30 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to the bus stop at Block 12 (Stop ID 11401). Take bus 106. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to Dempsey Road. Walk to the roundabout near block 17 and 18. Continue walking into the far right inside of the estate. Walk to destination. Journey time 20 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Farrer Road MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Farrer Road MRT station (Stop ID 11119). Take bus number 174 or 564. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to Dempsey Road. Walk to the roundabout near block 17 and 18. Continue walking into the far right inside of the estate. Walk to destination. Journey time 20 minutes. [Map]