15 Stamford by Alvin Leung @ The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore - A Wood-Fired Steakhouse With Whole Giant Turbot

After the opening of the Forbidden Duck Singapore last year, Chef Alvin Leung has opened another new restaurant 15 Stamford by Alvin Leung at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore. The new restaurant focuses on wood and charcoal grill, a grill house that uses a fete of fine Asian flavours with its exquisite dry-aged beef and premium seafood.

Bluefin Tuna Tartare 4.2/5

Dinner at the beautiful restaurant started with the Bluefin Tuna Tartare ($18 for 3pc) served in a nori taco shell. The aroma from the seaweed definitely whetted up the appetite. The bluefin tuna cubes are tossed in housemade Gochujang sauce which enliven the flavour with a tad of spiciness.

Grilled Hokkaido Scallop 4/5

The plump and juicy Grilled Hokkaido Scallop ($12) is paired with soy garlic vinegar butter sauce and topped with deep fried shredded ginger. Have a squeeze of the calamansi to elevate the enjoyment.

Indonesian Spiced Roasted Bone Marrow 4/5

The highlight for the Indonesian Spiced Roasted Bone Marrow ($22) is actually the accompanying shallot marmalade (shallots reduced by red wine and zhenjiang vinegar). It is like icing on the cake. The bone marrow and ox tongue braised in beef jus, garlic and soya sauce, jump to live when eaten together with the shallots.

72 Hours US Bone-In Short Ribs Rendang 3.5/5

Sous vide for a good 72 hours to achieve the tender texture is the US Bone-In Short Ribs Rendang ($68). I find the rendang sauce slightly on the sweet side and lacked that rempah fragrant, taste more like a peanut sauce instead. On a side note, I enjoyed the pickled cabbage at the side to cut through those richness.

Chargrilled "Bak Kut Teh" Pork Chop 4/5

Marinated for 12 hours with over eight different Bak Kut Teh spices is the Chargrilled "Bak Kut Teh" Pork Chop ($38). The tender meat alone may not be able to highlight the characteristic of the local pork bone soup. Hence I would recommend having it together with the housemade barbecue sauce which has been infused with Bak Kut Teh herbs. It will taste closer and more familiar to the bak kut teh dish that we know.

"Har Mi" Linguine 4/5

The "Har Mi" Linguiine ($38) may looking assuming, like any other ordinary plate of pasta with grilled tiger prawns. Be surprised to be hit by a tsuami flavour of prawny robustness infused into the pasta. The pasta that has been cooked in prawn stock, and stir fried with ebiko, shrimp oil and shrimp floss.

Turbot 4.5/5

One of the my favourite dishes is the chargrilled whole Turbot ($120). Nothing fancy, just lightly seasoned with salt and chargrilled to bring out the natural sweetness of the white fish. It comes with lemon and 2 housemade sauces (Thai Salsa and Spicy Peppercorn Sauce).

Mashed Potatoes and Salted Fish 4.5/5

To complete your meal, you may want to order some sides to go along such as Grilled Eggplant ($12) and 50-40-10 Mashed Potatoes and Salted Fish ($12). The mash potatoes is to die for. It uses a ratio of 50% potatoes, 40% butter and 10% salted fish. The addition of salted fish is like bacon on baked potatoe for the smooth and creamy mash potatoes, providing the addition texture and flavour.

Grilled Eggplant 4/5

The Mango Pomelo Sago with Coconut Snow ($16) is an elevated inspiration of the local "Ice Kachang" with the crowning of nitrogen coconut ice for a dramatic entry.

Mango Pomelo Sago with Coconut Snow 4.2/5

Besides the grilled items on the menu, 15 Stamford also offers some local renditions such as laksa and chicken rice. Unfortunately the local favourites in my opinion is quite expensive considering there are many options around the vicinity. I would recommend the grilled item instead, especially their steaks and turbot.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


15 Stamford by Alvin Leung
The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
15 Stamford Road
Singapore 178906
Tel: +65 67156871
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

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

Charcoal-Grilled & Salad Bar Keisuke @ Paya Lebar Square - A Free-flow Salad Bar Worth Going Back For

Charcoal-Grill & Salad Bar Keisuke at Paya Lebar Square embodies the concept of sumiyaki (charcoal-grill), in which food items are slow-grilled over hot charcoal. Uses only bincho-tan imported from Japan, such Japanese white charcoal not only burns cleanly with a high steady heat, it also has alkalised heat which neutralises the harmful acids that occur during cooking. Cooks four times faster than gas, they are known for producing food that are tender and succulent as any loss of moisture and flavour during cooking is being minimized.

The free-slow salad bar, with more than 30 types of Japanese side dishes and fresh vegetables is impressive. And I do want to come back simply because of this salad bar.

I love the pickled cabbage and celery, which serves as great appetizers while waiting for my grilled items to be served. Another of my favourite is the Chasoba salad, tossed with mushrooms and wakame.

You can choose from 6 types of salad dressing, and this Honey Miso Ginger dressing makes all greens devilish.

Atka Mackerel 2.8/5

Focusing on traditional fish dishes well liked by the Japanese, each set meal comes with miso soup and onsen egg. What I find a nice touch is the serving of Japanese rice cooked traditionally in a small iron pot, served to each diner. One of the specialities here is the Charcoal Grilled Dried Atka Mackerel ($14.90), a fish not commonly served elsewhere. The soft bones are not an issue at all, as I do enjoy taking my time to slowly pick off meat from the bones but in between bites there was slight bitterness, especially the burnt parts.

Miso Marinated Black Cod 3/5

The Charcoal Grilled Miso Marinated Black Cod ($21.90) was definitely more satisfying, especially the fatty part. Pairing the meat with the little items at the side also helps to enrich the texture of the meat, especially that cube of grilled cheese that is served in every set. However, it was not as moist, tender and flaky as I expected it to be. In fact, some parts were rather stiff.

Coffee Jelly 4/5

But I guess that can be forgiven when their Coffee Jelly tastes so good! This fellow diner was exclaiming how good it is as he drowned his coffee jelly with scoops of the cream sauce. Nope, he wasn't exaggerating at all. While most jelly are simply sugar and colouring, this bitter-sweet version with cream carries reminiscences of a Viennese coffee. With this, I don't really need a coffee to end my meal afterall.

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. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Charcoal-Grilled & Salad Bar Keisuke
Paya Lebar Square
60 Paya Lebar Road
#B1-16
Singapore 409051
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Nearest MRT: Paya Lebar (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours: 
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to decision. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]