Viio Gastropub @ Balestier Road - For Affordable Weekday Lunch Set and Craft Beer On Tap

Situated in the heart of Balestier, just next to Zhongshan Mall is Viio Gastropub – the latest upscale casual dining restaurant in the Balestier neigbourhood, helmed by Chef Ronald Li who has an impressive history of culinary experiences at high end restaurants and hotels over the years. Featuring a menu of specially curated pasta and donburi, they have an affordable weekday lunch set option from 11.30am to 2.30pm as well. Each main comes with house greens and soup of the day, starting from $9.90++ onwards. They also sport a lineup of fresh craft beer on tap to cater to the casual happy hour gatherings as well.

Spaghetti Aglio Alio with Prawns 3.8/5

We had the Spaghetti Aglio Alio with Prawns ($9.90) which features al dente pasta tossed in a homemade prawn and olive oil mixture, giving the dish a fragrant aroma and a subtle hint of spice. Paired with plenty of small shrimps atop which has a crunchy sweet texture. Although I wished plump juicy prawns were used instead but for the pricing, it is rather value for money.

Rigatoni Bolognese with Onsen Egg 4/5

The al dente chewy texture of the pasta for the Rigatoni Bolognese with Onsen Egg ($12.90) was pure enjoyment on its own. The dish is cooked in a flavourful bolognese sauce to elevate its flavours. Not forgetting a flowy onsen egg to gel everything together as well.

BBQ Pork Ribs Donburi 4.2/5

A personal favourite is the BBQ Pork Ribs Donburi ($14.90) which features flavourful slabs of pork cooked till tender, and seasoned with a marinate to give it a tinge of sweetness. Also comes with complements of seasonal vegetable and pickle to add another flavour and texture dimension to the dish, as well as to cut through the richness of the BBQ pork ribs. Break into the oozy onsen egg to meld all the elements in the bowl together.

Duo Wagyu Beef Slider and Chips 4.2/5

The Duo Wagyu Beef Slider and Chips ($16.90) is served with a side of fries. Although mini in size, the beef patty sandwiched in between the buttery toasted buns was thick and succulent. Each slider also comes with tomato, melted cheese, oyster mushroom and pickle, which adds some sweetness and crunch to the sliders.

D.Chocolate Fondant 3.8/5

End the meal on a sweet note with their D.Chocolate Fondant ($14). Featuring a beautifully plated desserts of two mini chocolate lava cakes with assorted berries and mango sorbet, which adds a sour flavour to complement the richness of the chocolate. My only gripe is that the chocolate cakes did not flow, and would be better if there is more chocolatey goodness in it.

Overall, we were impressed with flavour-focused menu at Viio Gastropub, with the lunch set deals being an extremely worthy deal especially for people working around the area on the weekdays.

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.


Viio Gastropub
520 Balestier Road
#01-01
Singapore 329853
Tel: +65 62535752
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Toa Payoh (NS Line), Novena (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am – 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Novena MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Irrawaddy Road. Walk towards Ren Ci Community Hospital direction along Irrawaddy Road. Turn onto Shan Road and walk to the end. At the end of the Shan Road, cross Balestier Road to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Toa Payoh bus interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus number 139 and 145. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Toa Payoh MRT station along Toa Payoh Lorong 2 (Stop ID 52189). Take bus 56, 105 or 153. Alight 1 stop later. Cross the canal. Cut through the cluster of HDB flats and carpark towards block 103 onto Ah Hood Road. Continue on Ah Hood Road to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

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
Facebook
Website
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]