G Izakaya @ Golden Mile Tower - 1-for-1 8-Course Omakase at $188++

G Izakaya at Golden Mile Tower is once again offering a value-for-money 8-course Omakase at a promotional price of $188++ for two pax. The restaurant has garnered popularity for its seasonal omakase menus, which are offered at attractive prices. We visited in March, but we are back here again for their new menu, which is valid until 31 August.

Chi Ayu 3.8/5

The appetiser course includes two perfectly fried Chi Ayu, known as sweet fish, topped with Ikura. The tempura batter was light and very crispy. The fish reminded us of shishamo, or plumper whitebait, with a hint of sweetness.

Grilled Hokkaido Pork with Shiokoji Dressing 4/5

Next comes the Yakimono, with tender and flavourful pieces of Grilled Hokkaido Pork with Shiokoji Dressing, a type of marinate fermented from rice. The dish was again topped with Ikura, but we found that it didn't elevate it. Perhaps some tempura bits might add some texture to the dish.

Sashimi 3 Kinds 4.2/5

G Izakaya made the usual Sashimi course fun by combining them into a Rubik's cube! The 3 kinds of sashimi consist of Sakura Masu, Hamachi and Tuna, each topped with a sauce on top and coated with a seasoning of sesame seeds and herbs. Chef Edison said there is no right or wrong way to enjoy this dish, but he suggested we eat them individually first to taste. On our last bite, we combined all 3 sashimi, and the flavour was mind-blowing! We highly recommend you keep the last bite combining all.

Lobster Chawanmushi 4.2/5

The chef is generous with the chunks of lobster meat in the Lobster Chawanmushi! Other than the silky-smooth egg custard, a big shout-out to the rich umami broth within. This chawanmushi definitely left us wanting more! Even the flower is edible, but it has a rather bitter aftertaste, so you may leave it aside if you are not a fan of a bitter taste profile. There were also ginkgo nuts at the bottom of the chawanmushi.

Amela Tomato with Ume Jelly 4.2/5

We were served chilled Amela Tomato with Ume Jelly for the palate cleanser course. If you don't know, the Amela tomato is known for being the highest-grade sweet tomato in Japan. What caught us by surprise in this dish was the sliced lotus flower stem. It doesn't have much of a flavour, but the texture is crunchy, like eating apple slices! We have never heard or seen this ingredient, let alone tasting it so Chef Marcus brought it out to show us how it looks.

Madai

Then we have 7 Kinds of Sushi, made with seasonal sashimi, so we get to try the different profiles of fish, and Chef Edison pairs them with different sauces and toppings to enhance the flavours.

Hirame

Akami

Isaki

Shima Aji

Chutoro

Uni Handroll

The star of the show is definitely the Uni Handroll, which comes last. The chef sprays gold dust on it before serving it. If you like to experience this more than once, you may add it for $32++ per piece. They also have an A5 Wagyu Handroll at $25++, which is not included.

Pumpkin Fish Soup with Fish Curd 4.5/5

At an omakase, we are typically served miso soup, but G Izakaya levelled up the soup course for us by serving Pumpkin Fish Soup with Fish Curd. The soup is a flavour bomb, and despite its thicker consistency, it is very light! The fish curd is house-made using fish paste and egg. Its texture resembles a 'tau pok' (beancurd puff).

Melon and Cheesecake 3.8/5

Sweet Japanese Melon and Cheesecake were served as the dessert course, along with a cute free-hand drawing by another chef. The couple beside us was celebrating a birthday, and the restaurant was lovely to present them with a slice of cake with a birthday message written on the plate. Be sure to let the chefs know if you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary.

Overall, we really enjoyed the Omakase experience at G Izakaya. The intimate setting is very welcoming and most importantly, the food was great. Seats are limited so make sure to make reservations in advance. For dinner, they have 2 seatings at 6pm and 8pm.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


G Izakaya
Golden Mile Tower
6001 Beach Road
#01-52A/B
Singapore 199589
Tel: +65 91835393
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Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am - 130pm, 530pm - 930pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead bridge to Beach Road. Turn right onto Beach Road and walk down Beach Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Casa Vostra @ Raffles City - Popular Homegrown Takeaway and Delivery Brand Opens a Brick-and-Mortar Restaurant

Conceptualised as a takeaway and delivery concept by Chef Antonio Miscellaneo of La Bottega, Casa Vostra has transitioned into a full-service restaurant at Raffles City. The menu now features a wholesome range of home-style Italian fare, extending beyond Casa Vostra's Newpolitan® and Doublecrunch® pizzas, including house-made pasta, house-cured charcuterie, and other Italian classics. Every item on the menu is made from scratch using carefully sourced and directly imported ingredients, free from preservatives and artificial additives.

Frittatina 3/5

We started with a couple of antipasti, beginning with the Frittatina ($8), a Napoli street snack. It is a deep-fried ball of pasta typically moulded with eggs, salami, and cheese. Casa Vostra's version is available in Carbonara or Lasagna flavours. The latter had a moreish crusty exterior that broke into oozing and creamy layers of flavorful minced beef and house-made lasagna sheets.

Bresaola 4/5

Bresaola ($14) is a classic dish featuring beautiful slices of home-aged beef served with rocket and Parmigiano Reggiano.

Chef Antonio's trademark Newpolitan® Pizza is made using a mix of selected Italian white and brown flours, fermented through different stages and temperatures for 36 hours. Baked in a wood-fired oven at 460°C, Casa Vostra's Newpolitan® features charred, bubbling crusts that are softer and floppier than most pizzas. Categorised into Red and White Sauce, we tried the Gamberi ($28) and 4 Formaggi ($22), respectively.

Gamberi 3.8/5

Gamberi was delectable with San Marzano DOP, topped with chunky Argentinian prawns flavoured with a sweet umami tomato and prawn reduction, finished off with lemon zest for a lift. The crust was amazingly fluffy and soft, with an almost melt-in-your-mouth centre. However, I found the crust lacking in flavours, especially the tang of a well-fermented dough.

4 Formaggi 3/5

4 Formaggi was rich and assertive with Fior di Latte, Taleggio, Gorgonzola, and Parmigiano Reggiano. Its taste could benefit from a dough with a more developed flavour profile.

Mortadella 3.5/5

Doublecrunch® Pizza draws inspiration from the traditional street food Pala Romana, featuring Italian ingredients sandwiched between airy and crispy pizza pastry. Mortadella ($22) had a very enjoyable texture, given by the combination of the airy and crispy pizza pastry contrasted with meaty and saltish mortadella (an Italian luncheon meat). It was complemented by milky burrata, bits of crunchy pistachio, and Parmigiano Reggiano.

Crab Tagliatelle 4/5

Housemade pasta is also a key offering; each portion is made fresh and available in various traditional shapes and forms to carry different sauces and ingredients. The Crab Tagliatelle ($26) was delicious. Its al dente tagliatelle was generously coated with garlic-infused olive oil, tossed with meaty jumbo crab meat lumps, and accentuated with bursts of tangy sweetness from tomato confit.

Agnolotti del Plin 3/5

Agnolotti del Plin ($23) is a stuffed fresh pasta dish that tastes pretty rustic. It has a much thicker-than-expected pasta dough stuffed with pork stew, served in a chicken jus and butter sauce.

Tiramisu 2.8/5

Panna Cotta 3/5

The desserts were all right. The Panna Cotta ($8) satisfied with a wobbly and creamy custard, while the Tiramisú ($10) was a tad too sweet for my liking.

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.


Casa Vostra
Raffles City
252 North Bridge Road
#01-49/50/51
Singapore 179103
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line)

Operating Hours:
Daily: 1130am to 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 2 minutes. [Map]