LUMO Bar and Restaurant at CMO building is a new cocktail bar and restaurant that is designed based on the concept of light. Where Light being one of the keys to life, the cocktail menu focuses on the principles of breakfast, which many considered a staple of life. And as light can both unify and contrast, LUMO's kitchen combines wood-fired cooking and modern methods kitchen to explore the nature of dichotomies.
Dr Brown
Corresponding to the 7 constituent colours of natural light, the cocktails are categorised based on a study of 7 ingredients – Brew, Milk, Fruit, ABC, Impossible™ Salad, Toast, Treat. With each ingredient distilled into its purest form, the cocktail menu progresses from low to high ABV akin to how our day shifts from brightness to darkness. From the 'darkest' category, I had Dr Brown ($20), concocted with Plantation Original Dark, Impossible Distillate, Tomato Vermouth, Verjus, Smoked Agave Cordial, Foamee. Although I didn't feel it embrace the idea of being a 'dark' drink, neither was it bold enough for me, I like the whole Impossible™ inspiration behind it. Impossible™ distillate is made from the re-distillation of seasoned Impossible™ patty and vodka. Even the foam atop is not egg white, but a Foamee, a natural food additive to create foam.
Shoestring Fries with Mentaiko Mayonnaise and Bonito Flakes 4/5
Food-wise, the menu here is quite evolved, with fine quality ingredients presented to you in ways that are inviting and ideal for sharing. There are many versions of mentaiko dishes out there, but LUMO's Shoestring Fries with Mentaiko Mayonnaise and Bonito Flakes ($12) is one of the few that left a lingering presence in my memory. It wasn't merely a task of drizzling mentaiko mayonnaise and piling a heap of bonito flakes over the fries, but the finishing touch of torching the fries that added a dimension of smokiness just brought it up to another level.
Tomatillos & Momotaro Tomatoes 2.8/5
I had mixed feelings towards the Tomatillos & Momotaro Tomatoes ($16) done tempura-style. Deep-fried in tempura batter, the juicy Tomatillos from Mexico and Momotaro Tomatoes from Japan are meant to create a tasty contrast with the crisp batter, but their juiciness was too much for the thin batter, turning them soggy.
Aged Chicken Mid-wings Aigre Doux 3.5/5
For small plates, Aged Chicken Mid-wings Aigre Doux ($17) piqued my curiosity with the word 'Aged'. Aged beef is norms, but I have yet come across aged chicken. The chicken wings are brined with saltwater and ginger for 1 day, then aged in the dry-ager for 3 days to allow the flavours to fully seep deep into the wings. To serve, they are hot smoked with applewood on the grill and then finished with a glaze made with housemade aigre doux, a sweet and tangy housemade BBQ sauce. Although I couldn't really differentiate them from an un-aged batch of marinated wings, the method of grilling them over a fire made a huge difference to their flavour.
Potato Hash, Duck Prosciutto, Homemade Sour Cream 4.5/5
This is a must-order - Potato Hash, Duck Prosciutto, Homemade Sour Cream ($15). It is blanched and deep-fried twice, every tiny potato cube was crisped with a fluffy core. What I love was the housemade duck prosciutto - cured and aged for at least 7 days, they were fatty and meaty with a luscious mouth fill.
Bone Marrow 4.2/5
Equally satisfying is the Bone Marrow ($18) with veal jus, yellow frisee and tuile. Nothing too fancy. It is cooked, torched and simply spiked with salt and pepper, it showed off the true flavour of it.
Westholme Wagyu Intercostal 4.2/5
Sakura Pork Chop, Whisky Raisin Jus 4/5
We had two excellent meat, thanks to the firewood grill - Westholme Wagyu Intercostal ($32) and Sakura Pork Chop ($34). Both were luscious with tasty, flavorful fats that had been rendered out on the firewood grill. I prefer the wagyu as the fats were more evenly distributed, which made each piece of it equally decadent. I like how the Sakura pork chop was being fanned out, showing off the beautiful layers of fats. My favourite was the fatty slices as the lean portion tend to be a tad dry.
Wood-fire Burnt Leek 4.5/5
On the menu, there is a section dedicated to vegetables. We consumed the Wood-fire Burnt Leek ($14) as we were savouring a bone marrow - served halved, within the completely charred exterior was a soft, creamy core of the leek. Slathered with savoury anchovy butter, it attained an even fuller mouth fill and texture.
Roasted Cauliflower Steak 2.5/5
On the other hand, the much anticipated Roasted Cauliflower Steak ($15) didn't quite live up to the standard of a good cauliflower steak. It was too crunchy, and the togarashi aioli was on the richer side.
Coco Maria, Hazelnut Mousse, Feuilletine 3.5/5
For dessert, we had Coco Maria, Hazelnut Mousse, Feuilletine ($16) served with apple mint celery sorbet. The chocolate and hazelnut components were delightful. The sphere consists of a few layers - Roasted hazelnut at the centre, encased with hazelnut praline ganache, followed by chocolate mousse. Covered with a chocolate glaze, having it was like enjoying a gigantic Rocher.
Classic Apple Pie 3/5
We also had a Classic Apple Pie ($16) served with vanilla gelato and rum raisins. The apple pie itself was really delicious with sweet-tangy apple filling. It could have been even more enjoyable if the gelato was a lot creamier.
During the circuit breaker measure period where food establishments are not allow to accept dine-in customers, LUMO has put together a menu for takeaway and self collection during this period. Call or WhatsApp at 8921 3818, 45 minutes in advance before collection.
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.
LUMO Bar and Restaurant
CMO Building
50 South Bridge Road
#01-00
Singapore 058682
Tel: +65 89213818
Website
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line)
Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 53pm - 2am
Fri-Sat: 530pm - 3am
(Closed on Sun)
Direction:
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Cross the street. Walk to Carpenter Street. Walk down the street and turn right onto South Bridge Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]
