Aniba @ Battery Road - Revamped Menu and New Cocktails Lineup

Aniba, located at Battery Road, has introduced a revamped menu showcasing inventive seafood and vegetable-forward dishes, blending Asian, Middle Eastern, and European influences. The new lineup also includes a selection of curated cocktails to complement the dining experience.

Pani Puri 3.8/5

For starters, the Pani Puri ($9 per piece), inspired by Indian street food, was elevated with yoghurt-yuzu foam, candied mandarin peel, and a slice of hamachi. This bite-sized snack delivered a refreshing tang and creamy mouthfeel.

Tartlet 4/5

The Tartlet ($12), a crispy shell filled with smoked trout, miso labneh, cucumber, and green peas, offered a well balance of umami and textural contrast, whetting my appetite.

Fatayer 4/5

Fatayer ($10) came hot and cheesy, featuring a classic combination of feta, spinach and leeks, served with a punchy shot of Hamusta soup.

House Baked Breads with Dips 4.5/5

Eggplant 4/5

A highlight was the House Baked Breads ($18), featuring Jerusalem Bagel with Labneh and Za'atar, Kubaneh with Crushed Tomatoes and Schug, and Focaccia with Tahini and Matbucha. The Kubaneh, a soft, sesame-studded braided bread, stood out with its slight buttery sweetness, punctuated by a hint of salt. The accompanying dips, notably the herbaceous Schug and fruity-sweet Matbucha, were delicious. I recommend pairing these breads with Eggplant ($29), a dip similar to the classic Babaghanoush.

Tabuleh 4.5/5

The warm breads were great accompaniments to the two cold dishes we had. Tabuleh ($28) was refreshing with yellowtail ceviche, bulgur, fresh herbs, and pomegranate, brought together with yoghurt and nutty tahini.

Hamachi 4/5

Cauliflower 4/5

A serving of vibrant tomato-capsicum salsa profiled the freshness and delightful mouthfeel of the Hamachi ($29). Other sharing plates we tried include a crowd-pleasing Cauliflower ($27), which was surprisingly indulgent with rich Parsley Pesto, Tahini and curry oil, with a hint of tartness lent by tamarind.

Toro 4.5/5

Toro ($42) was memorable with fluffy pancake-like Lahuch Tacos, which paired perfectly with the lean tuna. The slather of creamy Jalapeño Aioli on the taco boosted an even more satisfying mouthfeel. The acidity of the pickled celery and the sharp shallots and herbs provided a good balance to its flavours.

Cod 3/5

Under Hot selections, we had the Cod ($64), served with Smoked Freekeh and Greens Coulis. The cod was tender and flaky but slightly on the saltier side.

Malabi 4/5

Semolina Cake Bites 4.5/5

Desserts were delightful. Basbusa features soft Semolina Cake Bites soaked with orange blossom water. They were divine with elegant Cheesecake Chantilly and Pistachio Ganache. Malabi was a wobbly milk pudding zesty with spices compote and berries.

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.


Aniba
6 Battery Road
#05-03
Singapore 049909
Tel: +65 9668 8036
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Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW, NS Line)

Operating Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 12midnight
Fri: 12pm - 3pm; 6pm - 12am
Sat: 830pm - 2am
(Closed on Sun)

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

Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu @ Raffles City - Japan Largest Gyukatsu Speciality Restaurant Opens First Outlet in Singapore

With over 70 outlets worldwide, Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu, Japan's largest gyukatsu speciality restaurant, debuted its first Singapore outlet in September 2024. Known for its breaded and deep-fried beef cutlets, served medium-rare, diners can grill their gyukatsu to their desired doneness on a personal hotplate.

Sirloin and Tenderloin Gyukatsu Zen 4/5

Sirloin and Chuck Tail Flap Gyukatsu Zen 4/5

We sampled both the Sirloin and Tenderloin Gyukatsu Zen and the Sirloin and Chuck Tail Flap Gyukatsu Zen. Each set is served with rice, miso soup, Japanese curry, and an onsen egg, giving diners the flexibility to enjoy the gyukatsu with or mixed into the rice. The sets also include two dipping sauces - dashi soy sauce and house-made gyukatsu sauce, plus the tangy sansho pepper salt, which beautifully enhances the flavour of the beef cuts. A touch of wasabi adds an extra kick for those who like some heat.

The menu offers five beef cuts - Sirloin, Wagyu, Chuck, Tenderloin, and Beef Tongue -available as single servings for diners with a preferred cut or as the "Half & Half" option as we did.

Miyazaki A5 Sirloin 4.5/5

The Miyazaki A5 Sirloin (½ portion, $25) stole the show with its perfect fat-to-meat ratio. Served medium-rare, it’s delightful as is or after a quick sear on the hotplate, resulting in a bite bursting with rich, beefy flavours.

For non-beef eaters, the menu also includes the Seafood Katsu Zen ($32), featuring shrimp, scallop, and salmon katsu, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

While Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu offers a satisfying meal with its quality cuts and customisable grilling, the dining space can get busy, so expect queues during peak hours. Additionally, as the restaurant specialises in deep-fried dishes, the lingering smell of oil can cling to your clothes and hair, a minor issue that could be improved for a more enjoyable experience.

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


Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu
Raffles City
252 North Bridge Road
#B1-63/64
Singapore 179103
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm

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