Monday, February 12, 2024

AMI Patisserie @ Scotts Road - Popular Online Pastry Shop Opens First Physical Concept, Crafting Fine Pastries through an ode to Japanese and French Traditions

AmiPatisserie22

AMI Patisserie, celebrated for its online prowess in crafting exquisite pastries under the skilled hands of Chef Makoto Arami, has finally materialised into a physical haven at 27 Scotts Road. The Kyoto-style wooden townhouse on the grounds of the colonial black and white bungalow marks AMI Patisserie's debut in the brick-and-mortar world.

AmiPatisserieScott-2

Upon entering, patrons are greeted by a serenely elegant Patisserie Café, offering seating for 12. This inviting space provides the perfect backdrop for intimate brunches or leisurely afternoon teas, showcasing fine a la carte sweets, savouries, and viennoiseries — all artfully prepared a la minute. The Chef's Table Discovery Experience ($118++) awaits for a deeper gastronomic affair in the exclusive 8-seat Tsudoi Dining Room.

AmiPatisserie1
Piedmont Hazelnut Financier 4.8/5

I had the privilege of embarking on the Chef's Table Discovery Menu — an exquisite 6-course culinary journey that delved into the artistry of pastry creation by Chef Makoto Arami. The Piedmont Hazelnut Financier initiated our journey. Spread with hazelnut praline and adorned with shaved roasted Piedmont hazelnuts, it provided a sweet overture to our 6-course symphony.

AmiPatisserie5
Bread Basket 4.5/5

A complimentary Bread Basket graced our table, featuring Sourdough Bread and Iwa Nori Escargot Bun. Accompanied by applewood-smoked and whipped unsalted Lescure butter, these creations showcased Chef Makoto's prowess in bread making too.

AmiPatisserie10
1st Course - Signature Choux 5/5

The Signature Choux held a special place in Chef Makoto's heart, paying homage to his father's choux recipe. This Japanese egg-filled craqueline choux, topped with crème fraîche, Schrenckii caviar, hanaho, and edible gold flakes, delivered a delightful blend of sweet and savoury flavours — a perfect harmony of crispiness and complexity.

AmiPatisserie12
2nd Course - Shizuoka Tomato Tartelette 4.8/5

The Shizuoka Tomato Tartelette drew inspiration from Chef Makoto's love for Italian flavours. Aged parmesan tartelette, topped with fromage blanc cream, fresh Amela tomatoes, basil oil, micro basil, and cornflower, harmonised Italian classics with a modern twist.

AmiPatisserie22
3rd Course - Japanese Uni Brioche 4.8/5

The Japanese Uni Brioche showcased Chef Makoto's fusion prowess, featuring brown butter brioche topped with lime cream, sea urchin, grated fresh wasabi, finger lime, and lime zest. This creation provided a burst of flavours, bursting with a firework of delights.

AmiPatisserie26
4th Course - Nasu Brulee 4.2/5

Inspired by Kyoto's Miso Dengaku, the Nasu Brulee featured bruleed eggplant custard, grilled beinasu dusted with sansho powder, and miso caramel. Paired with soy and miso ice cream, it presented a unique and complex flavour profile.

AmiPatisserie30
Palate Cleanser - La France Pear 4.2/5

A refreshing interlude came in the form of La France Pear — fresh pear topped with pear puree, chamomile gelee, and yuzu and pear granita. It is a sweet and invigorating dessert that cleanses the palate.

AmiPatisserie34
5th Course - Marble Dark Chocolate 4.2/5

The Marble Dark Chocolate was an artistic ode comprising three types of ganache, layered with plain and chocolate tuile and finished with a quenelle of Amaretto ice cream. This dessert celebrated the craftsmanship of the ceramic ware master who crafted the tableware for the Tsudoi Dining Room.

AmiPatisserie37
6th Course - Ichigo Milk 4.2/5

The Ichigo Milk, a finale featuring Amaou strawberries, showcased the 'king of Japanese strawberries.' With strawberries mixed in strawberry sauce, fromage blanc mousse, mint gelee, Hokkaido milk ice cream, strawberry granita, and edible gold flakes, it was a delightful conclusion — a light yet sweet ending to the culinary journey.

AmiPatisserie40
Oyatsu - Kumquat & Kokuto Pineapple Pie 4.5/5

To cap off the experience, the Oyatsu — Kumquat & Kokuto Pineapple Pie — offered a taste of Lunar New Year festivities. A Mille feuille puff pastry filled with almond cream, pineapple jam simmered with Okinawan kokuto black sugar, and kumquats from Miyazaki prefecture provided a sweet and symbolic ending.

In conclusion, the Chef's Table Discovery Experience at AMi Patisserie transcended a mere culinary journey — a symphony of flavours, artistry, and sentiment. Chef Makoto Arami's meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful compositions elevate pastries to a form of culinary art, offering patrons an unforgettable and deeply personal gastronomic encounter. AMi Patisserie's physical concept place is more than a patisserie. It is a testament to the craftsmanship and passion that defines Chef Makoto Arami's culinary world.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


AMI Patisserie
27 Scotts Road
Singapore 228222
Tel:+65 8907 6146
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Newton (DT, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Patisserie Café
Tue-Fri: 1130am - 6pm
Sat-Sun, PH: 11am - 6pm
(Closed Mon-Tue from 19 Feb 2024 onwards)

Tsudoi Dining Room - Chef's Table Discovery Experience
Wed-Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 7pm - 9pm
Sun: 12pm - 6pm

Diretion:
1) Alight at Newton MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Scotts Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Surrey Hills Grocer @ Raffles City - Indulge in Limited-Time Menu for a Hearty Chinese New Year Feast

IMG_1969

This February, Surrey Hills Grocer at Raffles City has 2 gastronomic collaborations going on - with British pop artist Philip Colbert till 18 February 2024, as well as with a local home-based chef Kenneth Loh, widely known as "Chef Ken", till 27 February 2024.

IMG_1943
Philip Colbert Lobster Roll 4.5/5

Philip Colbert x Surrey Hills collaboration - Philip Colbert is a Scottish-born British artist with a global following for his distinctive cartoon lobster persona. Surrey Hills Grocer drew inspiration from Philip's artwork to celebrate his inaugural large-scale solo exhibition in Singapore from 6 January to 3 March 2024 and launched an exclusive "Philip Colbert Lobster Roll" ($42). The brioche bun was soft and buttery, loaded with chunks of fresh Canadian lobster meats that were creamy with Surrey Hills Grocer's special lobster dressing. I like the slight tang in the dressing. Accompanying the roll was some lightly spiced zucchini fries coated with parmesan cheese.

IMG_1922
Golden Nectar

Surrey Hill Grocer has also launched 2 festive drink options for this Chinese New Year celebration. One of which is "Golden Nectar" ($25), a concoction of Kiku-Masamune white peach liqueur, white wine, orange juice, and cranberry juice, complete with a slice of Medallion bakkwa.

IMG_1961
Kyoto Style Miso Pork Rib 5/5

The Surrey Hills Grocer x Chef Ken collaboration menu features Festive Flavours of Chef Ken's three new savoury dishes. Inspired by his recent trip to Kyoto, the "Kyoto Style Miso Pork Rib" ($32) is almost like a feast served on a single plate - slow-braised miso pork ribs and daikon piled over scrambled eggs that blanketed over Niigata rice, which is wholesome with edamame and charred onions. Notably recognised for his Taiwanese braised pork rice bowl, his culinary mastery over pork is also showcased in this dish. The fork-tender pork was tantalising with the flavours of the miso sauce, which also provided a mouthwatering gravy for the homely omu rice.

IMG_1980
Seafood Udon in Crab Broth 4/5

Seafood Udon in Crab Broth ($42) comes luxurious with fresh local farmed mussels, sea prawns, seared Hokkaido scallops, chikuwa, and wakame seaweed. The milky crab broth had a good depth of crustacean flavour, accentuated with savoury sea grapes. I reckon a thinner udon would better suit the broth.

IMG_1990
Spicy Basil Lala Capellini 4.8/5

Spicy Basil Lala Capellini ($28) is a well-executed dish that surprises with a harmonic blend of East and West ingredients. The al dente capellini carried the delightful aromatic blend of aged hua tiao wine, garlic, clam stock, chilli, and basil.

IMG_2002
Seafood Shashuka 3/5

If you are here for a celebratory brunch, spruce up your meal with one of their regular items - a hearty Seafood Shashuka ($42). Loaded with flavourful beef sausages, potatoes, oozy eggs, and seafood, I loved how robust and heady the gravy was. While the seafood didn't necessarily elevate the shakshuka experience, it did amp up the luxe factor for a Chinese New Year Feast.

IMG_2012

If you still have room for something sweeter, ⁠Banana Bread ($18) will provide a little comforting, sweet ending to your meal.

Photos and words 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.


Surrey Hills Grocer
Raffles City
252 North Bridge Road
#03-42
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 83321024
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

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