Cavern Restaurant @ Rainforest Wild ASIA - Ups Its Game with Fresh Flavours

Recently, I made a return visit to Cavern Restaurant at Rainforest Wild Asia for dinner. Since my previous trip during its opening, the restaurant has refreshed its menu, introducing new dishes and refined flavours that made this revisit worthwhile.

Prawn Cocktail 4/5

We began the meal with the Prawn Cocktail ($16 for 3pc). Each prawn sits atop lettuce, paired with sriracha mayo, pomelo, and crispy cucumber, creating a refreshing starter that combines sweet, spicy, tangy, and crunchy elements. It’s a simple dish, but one that delivers a satisfying multi-sensorial play of flavours and textures.

Berry Good Time 3.8/5

Ginger Slammer 3.8/5

Cavern also boasts a beautiful bar, so we explored a couple of their beverages. Berry Good Time ($16) is a lively blend of mixed berries, mint, lime juice and soda. It is bright, fruity, and perfectly fizzy. The Ginger Slammer ($23), made with tequila blanco, ginger syrup, lime juice, and soda water, is bold and zesty, with a spicy kick from the ginger. Both drinks bring refreshing profiles that pair well with the rainforest setting.

XO Burrata with Heirloom Tomato 4/5

The XO Burrata with Heirloom Tomato ($22) stands out for its unique Asian twist. The pairing of XO sauce and chilli oil with creamy burrata may sound unconventional, but it works, similar to the sambal-burrata combination I’ve tried at One Prawn Co. The result is creamy, savoury, slightly spicy and well-balanced, with the tomatoes adding a sweet finishing lift.

Smoked Pork Rack 4/5

The Smoked Pork Rack ($30) features a tender pork loin served on a bed of mashed potatoes. It comes completed with a strawberry chilli and herb salad, adding brightness and a gentle heat that cuts through the meat’s richness. A hearty and well-executed dish.

Clam Vongole 3.8/5

The Clam Vongole ($24) arrives with perfectly cooked tagliatelle accompanied by juicy asari clams, chilli padi, parsley, chives, garlic, and white wine. The pasta is al dente and full of flavour from the sweet clams. The addition of chilli padi gives it a punchy lift. One puzzling detail: the dish comes with a white wine broth, which isn’t typical as vongole is usually served dry. Still, the flavours are enjoyable.

Brulee Oolong Cheesecake 4/5

The Brulee Oolong Cheesecake ($12) features a biscuity base and a creamy cheesecake body infused with subtle oolong notes. The crackling layer of caramelised sugar adds a delightful textural contrast, making it a satisfying dessert for tea lovers.

Rocher 4.2/5

The Rocher ($16) is a visually appealing dessert of dark chocolate ice cream, hazelnut cream, and hazelnut pieces. Rich, nutty, and texturally layered, it is a well-crafted sweet finish to the meal.

This second visit to Cavern Restaurant proved even more enjoyable than the first, thanks to its refreshed menu and creative flavour pairings. From starters to desserts, the dishes feel more confident and refined. Paired with its cavern-inspired interior, textured stone elements, and an intimate, cave-like ambience, Cavern offers a cosy, immersive dining experience that makes it even more memorable.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Cavern Restaurant
Rainforest Wild ASIA
20 Mandai Lake Road
Singapore 729825
Tel: +65 60220229
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Nearest MRT: Springleaf (TE Line), Choa Chu Kang (NS Line), Khatib (NS Line)

1) Alight at Springleaf MRT station. Take Exit 3. Walk to bus stop opposite Thong Soon Road (Stop ID 56091). Take bus number 138. Alight 12 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 25 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Choa Chu Kang MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange (Stop ID 44009). Take bus number 927. Alight 16 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 30 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Khatib MRT station. Take the Mandai Khatib Shuttle Bus (not free). Journey time about 30 minutes. [Map]

Cendra Tapas Bar and Grill @ Gemmill Lane - Modern Catalan Flavours in a Cosy Hideout

Tucked away along Gemmill Lane, Cendra Tapas Bar and Grill is a cosy, modern Spanish-Catalan restaurant helmed by Chef-Owner Xavi Palau. Hailing from Barcelona, Chef Xavi brings a thoughtful mix of tradition and innovation, backed by his experience as former Executive Sous Chef at FOC. At Cendra, his personal interpretation of Catalan cuisine shines through in comforting, flavour-driven plates.

Crystal Bread with Tomatoes 4.8/5

We kick-started the meal with the Crystal Bread with Tomatoes ($12), further elevated with Iberico Ham ($36 for 50g). The sweet tomato spread layered over the crisp toast combined beautifully with the intensely flavoured Iberico ham. Each bite brought back fond memories of Barcelona, in which simple ingredients were treated with respect and allowed to shine.

Canadian Oysters N2 4/5

The Canadian Oysters N2 with Gin Fizz Foam ($8) offered a refreshing counterpoint. Briny and creamy, the oyster was lifted by the bright, zesty gin fizz foam, giving the classic raw oyster a playful twist.

"Ensaladilla Rusa", Smoked Mackerel on Crisp Toast 4.8/5

The Ensaladilla Rusa with Smoked Mackerel on Crisp Toast ($22 for 2pc) was one of the standout tapas. The classic, creamy Spanish potato salad paired harmoniously with smoked mackerel. It was simple yet incredibly satisfying. This dish is a reminder of how straightforward components can come together to create something truly memorable.

Cod Fish Fritters 4.2/5

The Cod Fish Fritter ($10 for 2pc) is another Spanish classic done well. Encased in a paper-thin, golden crust that gently shatters, the interior reveals a light, airy, mousse-like texture brought about by the whipped batter. The flavours unfold gradually, from the crisp, lightly toasted exterior to the tender, mildly briny cod within. A squeeze of lemon or a swipe of aioli brightens and completes this comforting bite.

Roasted Leek, Romesco, Hazelnuts 4.2/5

The Roasted Leek ($16) is grilled just enough to achieve a slight char, imparting a hint of smokiness while preserving its sweetness. Paired with romesco (a traditional Catalan sauce celebrated for its nutty, smoky richness) and hazelnuts, the dish offers a lovely balance of textures and flavours.

Spanish Octopus with Iberico Chorizo Foam 4.5/5

Another highlight was the Spanish Octopus with Iberico Chorizo Foam ($30). The octopus was cooked to a beautifully tender consistency, complemented by the rich, savoury Iberico chorizo foam that added depth and umami to every bite.

Pork Butifarra Rice "a la Llauna" 4.5/5

Unlike typical Spanish restaurants, Cendra does not serve paella. Instead, it introduces diners to A La Llauna, a traditional Catalan technique where rice is baked in a shallow metal tray. The Pork Butifarra Rice "a la Llauna" ($40) comes laden with a tomato-based sauce infused with butifarra sausage, pork ribs, and mushrooms. Smoky, savoury, and deeply comforting, each spoonful evokes the warmth of home-style Catalan cooking, refined just enough for the modern table.

Chocolate Soufflé with Stracciatella Ice Cream 4.2/5

We ended the meal with the Chocolate Soufflé with Stracciatella Ice Cream ($18), a flourless soufflé made with Costa Rica 70% chocolate. Soft, fluffy, and intensely chocolatey, it's a dessert that will undoubtedly delight chocolate lovers.

Cendra Tapas Bar and Grill stands out for its honest, flavour-driven approach to Catalan cuisine. While the menu keeps things tight and focused, each dish reflects Chef Xavi's depth of experience and personal connection to his heritage. Whether you're here for small plates, comforting baked rice, or simply to explore Catalan flavours beyond the usual paella, Cendra offers a warm and satisfying dining experience worth seeking out on Gemmill Lane.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Cendra Tapas Bar and Grill
5 Gemmill Lane
#01-01
Singapore 069261
Tel: +65 96634084
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Mon, Wed-Fri: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 11pm
Sat: 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Tue)

Direction:
Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Cross Street. Turn left onto Club Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]