Thursday, February 25, 2021

Pint & Dine @ Kensington Square - New Cafe In Bartley Serving Korean Fusion Western Food With Soju Tower In A Fire Extinguisher

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Cafe by day and bistro by night, Pint & Dine is a Korean Fusion Western Cafe that has recently opened within Kensington Square.

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Seafood Ramyeon 3.5/5

We had their Seafood Ramyeon ($10). The warm and comforting bowl comes with noodles, squid, clams, mushroom and egg.

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Kimchi Spaghetti 3.8/5

The Kimchi Spaghetti ($16) is creamy with generous servings of kimchi and bacon bits embedded within the pasta. It packs a delightful burst of tangy flavour from the kimchi, yet not too overpowering. Break the egg and stir in the yolk for a creamier mouthfeel.

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Korean P&D Chicken Wings 3.5/5

Besides the mains, they also offer a variety of finger foods. Their Korean P&D Chicken Wings (6pcs/$12) are available in original, soy garlic or Yang Nyum. We opted for the soy garlic. The battered chicken has a crispy skin and tender meat, with a subtle soy garlic flavour.

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Yakult Soju Tower 4/5

The Yakult Soju Tower ($28) comes in a 1.5L fire extinguisher where you can pump the drink out. While the interesting and instagrammable presentation caught our attention, the drink itself also stood out with a prominent taste of yakult and grape soju sweetness. You can't really taste too much of the alcohol, which is perfect for your non-alcoholic friends. The fire extinguisher tower is available for the Yuzu Milkis Soju and Conjinganmek Soju Tower as well.

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Yuzu Soda 3.8/5

Besides coffee and tea, a non-alcoholic option is the Yuzu Soda ($5.50). This punchy drink is refreshing and bold with citrusy notes.

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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.


Pint & Dine
Kensington Square
2 Jalan Lokam
#01-48
Singapore 537846
Tel: +65 88915928
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Serangoon (CC Line, NE Line), Tai Seng (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 12pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun: 11am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tai Seng MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk to bus stop at Tai Seng MRT station (Stop ID 70281). Take bus number 22, 24, 43, 58, 62, 70, 76 and 80. Alight 5 stops later. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Serangoon MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop opposite Serangoon MRT (Stop ID 66359). Take bus 22, 43 and 70. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Serangoon MRT station. Take Exit H. Turn right and walk to bus stop at Serangoon MRT station (Stop ID 62131). Take bus 58. Walk to desintaion. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Monday, February 22, 2021

1-ATICO @ ION Orchard - Newest Sky-High Luxe Multi-Concept Housing 3 Different Concepts: FLNT, FIRE & ATICO Lounge

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1-ATICO is the latest sky-high luxe multi-concept on level 56 of ION Orchard that houses an Argentinian restaurant FIRE, Japanese-Peruvian influenced sumiyaki bar and grill FLNT and ATICO Lounge, which will be launched at a later date. Located at the top level of ION Orchard, with floor-to-ceil windows around the place, it also offers a spectacular panoramic view over the city.

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Mizuame 4.2/5

We started our gastronomy journey at FLNT with a couple of their signature cocktails - Mizuame ($25) and Nuevo Casa ($23). The Mizuame is an easy and fruity drink that consists of cognac, kyoho grape sake, blood orange liqueur, cheery blossom syrup and fresh citrus.

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Nuevo Casa 4.2/5

The Nuevo Casa is another easy drink that is a mixture of kumquat, pisco, yuzu sake, cherry blossom syrup, yerba mate orange tea and tonic water.

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Ceviche Nikkei 4.2/5

While the cocktails at FLNT are beautiful, what attracts me is the food. Being Singapore's only Nikkei-influenced sumiyaki bar and grill, I look forward in tasting the culinary movement that started in Lima in the 1980s. First up is the Ceviche Nikkei ($25) comprises of seasonal raw fish with leche de tigre, lime, yuzu, roasted hazelnuts, shallots, tomatoes, avocado and white corns. It is best to enjoy together with the taco. The combination of sweet, sour and different textures make the dish a multi-sensory enjoyment.

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Foie Gras Taco 4/5

A delightful snack or appetiser is the Foie Gras Taco ($12/pc), in which you get a chunky piece of grilled foie gras resting on a deep-fried taco. It brightens up by the toppings of rocoto yogurt, flying fish roe and kaffir lime.

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Gindara Misoyaki 4.5/5

From the grill section of the menu, we tried the Gindara Misoyaki ($28). The highlight is the greenish Aji Verde sauce. It is a vibrant Peruvian green sauce made with mayonnaise, nutty cheese, cilantro, spicy peppers, garlic and lime.

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Inka Sushi 4.2/5

For something more filling, you can go for the Inka Sushi ($14), which is similar to a chirashi bowl. It comes with fresh ingredients such as flame-seared salmon, ikura, seaweeds and aji amarillo. Arousing my interests is aji amarillo, a type of yellow pepper that is commonly grown in Peru.

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Wood-fried Sourdough 4.2/5

After checking out FLNT, we proceed to FIRE restaurant upstairs for their dishes cooked by various Argentinian fires - Parrilla, Asado, Rescoldo, Caldero, and Chapa. Upon settling down at our table, we are served Wood-fired Sourdough ($10) brushed with wagyu fat paired with yerba mate smoked sea urchin butter. The first item already got me excited for the rest of the menu.

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Mud Crab 'Rescoldo' 4.2/5

Served in a scallop shell is the Mud Crab 'Rescoldo' ($36); Rescoldo is an ancient method of ingredients buried and cooked under the embers. Nothing fancy, just allowing the sweetness of the mud crab and Hokkaido scallop to shine through.

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Patagonian Red Prawns "Parrilla" 4.2/5

Next, we have the Patagonian Red Prawns "Parrilla" ($28) dressed with northern criollita sauce. Parrilla is an open wood-fire hearth grill with adjustable grates.

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Salt-Baked Whole Rainbow Trout 3/5

Guests having the Salt-Baked Whole Rainbow Trout ($52 for 400g/ $70 for 600g) has to be careful. It is quite an unpleasant experience as I need to stop eating a few times to remove the fish meat bones. I also notice my dining companion sitting opposite me doing the same thing.

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'Devesa' Argentinian Grain-Fed OP Rib 4.2/5

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Plato de Verduras 3.5/5

The night's highlight has to be the 'Devesa' Argentinian Grain-Fed OP Rib ($210 for 1kg). The beautiful piece of beef is grilled to perfection, allowing the natural flavour to shine through. It is paired with red chimichurri sauce made with chopped fresh parsley, oregano, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and red pepper flakes. You may want to order the Plato de Verduras ($36) to go along with the beef. The platter comprises pickled heirloom carrots and new world potatoes 'Rescoldo', purple Asparagus 'Parilla, wood-fire white corn & corn 'humita', and wood-fired palermo peppers and smoked salt.

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Flan 'Adriana' 4/5

Besides the savoury items, there is a selection of desserts such as Flan 'Adriana' ($24), Alfajores & Dulce de Leche Cookies ($3 each), and Choco Torta with Gianduja Sorbet ($22). The Flan 'Adriana surprises with its rich creaminess, complemented by the acidic strawberries and berries.

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Alfajores & Dulce de Leche Cookies 3.5/5

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Choco Torta, Gianduja Sorbet, Hazelnut 4.2/5

The Choco Torta with Gianduja Sorbet may appear very rich, but surprisingly, I didn't find it. I kept going back for more though I am not a sweet person.

Note: This is an invited tasting


1-ATICO
ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Level 56
Singapore 238801
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
FLNT
Daily: 1130am - 11pm

FIRE
Daily: 12pm - 2pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]