Thursday, October 19, 2023

Mosella @ Pan Pacific Orchard - New Chic Restaurant at Pan Pacific Orchard Hotel

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Nestled on the second floor of Pan Pacific Orchard in the heart of Orchard Road, Mosella is a culinary haven offering a fusion of Mediterranean and Peruvian-inspired cuisine. The restaurant boasts an enchanting setting perched over a waterfall and surrounded by lush foliage, providing a unique dining experience. Helmed by Executive Chef Pedro Samper, a San Sebastian native, the menu features a wide range of delectable dishes, from fresh ceviches to expertly prepared premium cuts grilled over a charcoal fire. Guests can choose from an à la carte menu or enjoy three-course set lunches and dinners, regularly updated to keep the experience fresh for returning patrons.

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Salmon Tataki Tiradito 4.2/5

The Salmon Tataki Tiradito ($32) is a stunning dish that balances delicate and bold flavours. It features thinly sliced seared salmon, elevated by a vibrant mango salsa and burnt orange, which brings a sweet and citrusy touch to the plate. The dish is adorned with ikura, which offers bursts of briny and salty pops and finished with tahini, a creamy and nutty sauce that ties all the elements together.

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Hamachi Tiradito 4/5

The Hamachi Tiradito ($36) combines fresh, thinly sliced Hamachi with a Mandarin Ponzu sauce that offers a zesty and slightly sweet contrast. The addition of truffle adds an earthy and luxurious note, while delicate garlic chips provide texture and a subtle savoury flavour. This dish represents a sophisticated blend of flavours and textures, showcasing Mosella's culinary creativity and commitment to using premium ingredients.

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Gambas Al Ajillo 3.8/5

The Gambas Al Ajillo ($40) at Mosella is a classic Spanish dish featuring tender king prawns cooked to perfection in a fragrant garlic oil infused with a touch of chilli, adding pleasant heat to the dish. The use of garlic oil infuses the prawns with a rich and aromatic garlic flavour, enhancing the overall taste profile.

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Black Cod 4.2/5

The Black Cod ($62) features a luxurious and buttery fish known for its fork-tender texture. It was expertly prepared to perfection, ensuring it practically melts in your mouth. The dish includes fresh green peas for a touch of sweetness, celeriac for an earthy note, and a zesty salsa verde that adds a vibrant note. The asparagus provides a crisp and fresh element to the plate.

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Beef Tenderloin 4.2/5

The Beef Tenderloin ($48) is presented distinctively - served on two metal skewers. The beef is expertly roasted with a blend of aromatic spices, enhancing its flavour and tenderness. Accompanied by chilli oil and Anticucho sauce, a Peruvian-style marinade known for its bold and savoury character, the dish offers a harmonious balance of savoury and spicy flavours. The creamy potato puree adds a comforting element to the ensemble, complementing the beef's richness and spices. This dish is rich, flavourful, and a must-try for those seeking a satisfying and indulgent dining experience.

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Japanese Sweet Corn 3.8/5

The Japanese Sweet Corn ($12) is a unique fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavours. It features tender Japanese sweet corn generously drizzled with tangy lime miso butter for creaminess. The Aji Panca adds smokiness and mild heat, while togarashi provides a gentle kick of spiciness and a hint of umami. The dish offers a harmonious balance of sweet, tangy, smoky, and spicy flavours, showcasing the restaurant's culinary creativity and expertise.

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Cacao 4/5

The Cacao ($22) is an interactive and delightful sweet treat. It features a Manjari chocolate tart with a rich cocoa filling encased in delicate pastry. The unique presentation lets you crack open the top part of the tart with a spoon, revealing a creamy hazelnut and caramel filling. This dessert offers a symphony of flavours, from deep chocolate to nuttiness and buttery sweetness, providing a memorable and indulgent way to end your meal at the restaurant.

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Tarta de Queso 4.5/5

The Tarta de Ques ($24) features a creamy Burnt Basque Cheesecake, accompanied by apple for a fruity and slightly tart note, finished with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for sweetness. The combination of warm cheesecake and cold ice cream offers a delightful temperature contrast, providing a satisfying and memorable conclusion to our dining experience.

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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.


Mosella
Pan Pacific Orchard
10 Claymore Road
Singapore 229540
Tel: +65 6991 6875
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Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Breakfast (Daily): 630am - 1030am
Lunch (Daily): 12pm - 230pm
Dinner (Mon-Thu): 6pm - 10pm
Dinner (Fri-Sat, PH): 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk towards Wheellock Place via ION. Exit Wheellock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Cross the road at the traffic light junction and turn left towards Royal Thai Embassy. Walk to Palais Renaissance which is right after Royal Thai Embassy. Cut through Palais Renaissance to the other side of the building. Pan Pacific Orchard is opposite the building. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Kemuri @ Cuppage Plaza - Chicken-focused Yakitori Omakase in Elusive Japanese Restaurant

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Kemuri might slip from your notice if you are not intentionally seeking its space. Nestled on the 4th floor of Cuppage Plaza, its unpretentious entrance is marked only by a modest doorbell. We were promptly ushered into the cosy 18-seater space upon ringing it, settling comfortably at 2 of the 10 counter seats.

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Kemuri, the sibling establishment of the esteemed 5-time Michelin Plate recipient Kappo Shunsui, maintains its exclusivity by opening solely for dinner and presenting only an Omakase Menu ($99++/person) that is expertly curated by Chef Michio "Mitchy" Murakami.

The focus on chicken in its Yakitori courses is evident, showcasing top-tier seasonal ingredients imported from Japan. Complementing the Yakitori are appetisers, side dishes, rice and noodle dishes.

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Assorted 3 Kinds Appetisers

Our course began with an Assorted 3 Kinds Appetisers consisting of a wedge of sweet fig, a slice of duck and asparagus wrapped in smoked salmon. The standout surprise was the utmost tender slice of duck.

Before starting on the Yakitori courses, we were introduced to 4 types of spice powders we could pair, including Yuzu Chilli, Japanese Black Pepper, Sancho Chilli and Seven Spices.

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Tsukune 4.2/5

The Yakitori series kicked off with the Tsukune, delivering a delightful tenderness and well-balanced marinade.

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Chicken Heart 4.5/5

Beyond the conventional chicken cuts, you can expect the more unconventional offerings, such as the Chicken Heart, which had a satisfying chew while being tender within.

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Chicken Tail 4.8/5

This was one of the best Chicken Tail I've had in recent times. The skin on this was done wonderfully thin and crisp.

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Salad of the Day - Chicken Salad 4/5

Before moving on to the next set of Yakitori, we enjoyed a refreshing palate cleanser of Chicken Salad with corn, edamame, chicken and a mildly tangy vinegar jelly.

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Chicken Thigh 4.5/5

Grilled to a smoky char, the Chicken Thigh was juicy and tender, albeit a little salty

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Lady Finger 4/5

A number of vegetables complement the poultry dishes. The crunchy Lady Finger was the first we had.

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Chicken Neck 4.5/5

I’m not usually a fan of Chicken Neck, but Kemuri’s rendition was more than likeable with a light smokiness.

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Grated Radish with Salmon Roe 4.2/5

I particularly appreciated the change-ups between the skewers, which kept the whole meal fun with variety. This Grated Radish with Salmon Roe came timely before the third series of Yakitori.

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Chicken Gizzard 3.8/5

Of the various chicken parts, the Chicken Gizzard was among my least favourites due to its overly chewy texture.

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Shiitake Mushroom 4/5

The simple-looking Shiitake Mushroom was grilled just right, with its juiciness locked in.

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Chicken Drumstick 4.2/5

While the glaze was a little salty, like the Chicken Thigh we had, we still enjoyed the juicy Chicken Drumstick.

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Uni Chawanmushi 4.2/5

The final non-Yakitori course of the night was the Uni Chawanmushi, smooth and tasty, elevated with fresh uni.

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Chicken Soft Bone 4/5

Next was the Chicken Soft Bone, crunchy and seasoned with a generous hand of pepper.

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Eggplant 4/5

The final vegetable feature was the Eggplant. I appreciated how lightly seasoned the vegetables were so as not to overpower them.

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Chicken Liver 4.8/5

The Chicken Liver skewer claimed the top spot for me that night. The ultra-thin and crispy outer layer encased a melt-in-your-mouth inner texture. If not for how full I was at this point of the meal, I would have requested for another!

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Chicken Wing 4.2/5

Our Yakitori course concluded strongly with the Chicken Wing. We thoroughly enjoyed the lightly charred, crisp exterior and similarly tender meat.

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Duck Soba 4/5

The Duck Soba, a part of the meal with a choice between noodles and rice, featured soba noodles of decent quality. The standout was the impressively succulent slices of duck.

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Minced Chicken and Egg Bowl 4.5/5

Between the 2 choices of mains, I'd definitely recommend the Minced Chicken and Egg Bowl more. The generous topping of minced chicken with the silky raw egg yolk was such a comforting combination. Make sure to give the bowl a good mix before digging in.

Our experience at Kemuri was memorable, particularly considering the price tag. Drop a WhatsApp message to them to make your reservation.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Kemuri
Cuppage Plaza
#04-02
5 Koek Road
Singapore 228796
Tel: +65 9772 4300
Facebook
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Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset MRT (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B, C or D. Walk to Orchard Road. Cross the road and walk to Cuppage Road. Walk down Cuppage Road. Walk to Cuppage Plaza. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]