Offbeat @ Far East Square - Asian-inspired Dishes by Coq & Balls

Offbeat, located in Far East Square, introduces the latest dining concept by Coq & Balls. The food menu showcases Asian-inspired dishes, ranging from Bites and Tapas to Mains, Grills, and Roman-style pizzas.

Salmon Tartare 4/5

We started with the Salmon Tartare ($18.90), a delightful dish featuring marinated raw salmon tossed with avocado and baby radish, garnished with tobiko. To complement the creamy tartare, crispy black sesame rice crackers were provided for a textural contrast. The combination was mouthwatering, with occasional bursts of nuttiness from the black sesame crackers.

Spanish Squid 4.5/5

From the Flamed Grill section, we indulged in the Spanish Squid ($22.90) dressed with salted egg beurre blanc and sweet tare. The expertly prepared grilled squid was delicious. It boasted a firm yet tender texture and a delightful smoky flavour. While the salted egg sauce added that Asian twist, it didn't quite elevate the natural flavours of the squid as expected.

Tiger Prawn Laksa Spaghetti 3.8/5

Drop by Offbeat during lunch and enjoy their mains at a special lunchtime price, with add-ons available, such as a glass of wine for just $6. Most items are crafted with Asian flavours, such as Pulled Pork Bahn Mi and Wagyu Beef Krapao Rice Bowl. During our visit, we tried the Tiger Prawn Laksa Spaghetti ($16.90). The Laksa sauce was more complex and heady than other laksa pasta variants I've tried, slightly reminiscent of curry noodles. The prawns were succulent, pairing well with the al dente spaghetti.

Egg Quinoa Cauliflower 'fried rice' 4.8/5

While most of the lunch specials are richly flavoured, there are also lighter options such as the Egg Quinoa Cauliflower 'fried rice' ($14.90), served with roasted butternut squash pumpkin. The 'fried rice' was flavourful and satisfying, with delightful bites of fried egg, reminiscent of a traditional fried rice dish. The large chunks of pumpkin were soft and deliciously sweet, accented with a hint of smoky flavour. I also appreciated the added freshness from the greens and slices of baby radish, which enhanced the dish's overall taste.

Okonomiyaki Pinsa 3.8/5

Offbeat offers Pinsa, a Roman-style stretched pizza. We indulged in the Okonomiyaki Pinsa ($24.50), a hearty Asian fusion creation featuring bacon and prawns, topped with oozy mozzarella and finished off with a drizzle of mentaiko cream and a sprinkle of bonito flakes. The ciabatta pizza base was light and airy, perfectly complementing the rich pizza toppings. While it could get a tad salty after a while, it was a scrumptious dish meant for sharing.

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.


Offbeat by Coq & Balls
Far East Square
40 Pekin Street
#01-01
Singapore 048770
Tel: +65 6322 3835
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11:30am - 11pm
Fri: 11:30am - 12:30am
Sat: 5:30pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Sun & PH)

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

The Gyu Bar @ Stevens Road - Celebrates 6-year Milestone With An Extended Menu

This March, The Gyu Bar, situated on Stevens Road, celebrated its 6-year milestone by introducing its first menu extension. The new dishes draw inspiration from cuisines across Asia, seamlessly combining the restaurant's signature quality beef with familiar flavours from the region.

Wagyu & Mizuna ‘Salad’ 4.5/5

Inspired by the Thai Beef Salad, the Wagyu & Mizuna 'Salad' ($38) features luscious marbled Miyazaki Wagyu sirloin, lightly seared and wrapped around fresh mizuna greens. The Wagyu imparted richness to the palate, perfectly balanced by the sharp, peppery notes of the mizuna greens. What elevated this starter was the savoury and zesty salad dressing, concocted with lime, chilli, dashi, fish sauce, onion, and basil, making each bite even more mouthwatering.

Deep-fried Wagyu Cha Gio 4/5

Deep-fried Wagyu Cha Gio ($18) was inspired by Vietnamese spring roll. A layer of Kumamoto seaweed enveloping minced Kagoshima Wagyu and chopped prawns was encased within the crispy skin. The filling was juicy and flavoursome with rich, beefy notes. While it was undoubtedly tasty, using Vietnamese rice paper instead would have improved the experience.

Spicy Pumpkin Wagyu Nabe 5/5

Spicy Pumpkin Wagyu Nabe ($48) is The Gyu Bar's take on Chinese sauerkraut fish. While it lacked the piquant and spicy notes of the classic version, I thoroughly enjoyed the hotpot, which offers two indulgent pieces of wagyu slices. The broth, comforting sweet with mashed Japanese pumpkin and a slight hint of heat, was also wholesome with a combination of fresh produce, which included cabbage, enoki mushrooms and Hokkaido milk corn.

Braised Wagyu Lu Rou Fan 3/5

Braised Wagyu Lu Rou Fan ($28) is a beef rendition of Taiwanese Lu Rou Fan. The Gyu Bar replicates the dish by simmering finely chopped Miyazaki Wagyu in a fragrant herbal mix and serving it atop a bed of Hokkaido rice alongside an Okinawan onsen egg. I appreciate the blend of chewy tendons and minced meat, which gave the dish an excellent textural bite. However, while the beef topping was decadent and morish, it is not a dish that allows you to appreciate fine quality wagyu. I reckoned this dish could be made with any beef.

Stir Fried Wagyu Konnyaku Noodles 3.5/5

We also tried a healthier version of Korean Japchae - Stir Fried Wagyu Konnyaku Noodles ($28). Replacing glass noodles with springy konnyaku noodles, slices of Kagoshima Wagyu were sautéed alongside julienned carrots and shimeji mushrooms. The execution was decent, but I prefer it to be less sweet and have a more savoury profile

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.


The Gyu Bar
30 Stevens Road
#01-08
Singapore 257840
Tel: +65 67320702
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Nearest MRT: Stevens (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Stevens MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk to bus stop at Stevens Court (Stop ID 40229). Take bus number 105, 132, 190 or 972. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]