Monday, February 22, 2021

1-ATICO @ ION Orchard - Newest Sky-High Luxe Multi-Concept Housing 3 Different Concepts: FLNT, FIRE & ATICO Lounge

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1-ATICO is the latest sky-high luxe multi-concept on level 56 of ION Orchard that houses an Argentinian restaurant FIRE, Japanese-Peruvian influenced sumiyaki bar and grill FLNT and ATICO Lounge, which will be launched at a later date. Located at the top level of ION Orchard, with floor-to-ceil windows around the place, it also offers a spectacular panoramic view over the city.

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Mizuame 4.2/5

We started our gastronomy journey at FLNT with a couple of their signature cocktails - Mizuame ($25) and Nuevo Casa ($23). The Mizuame is an easy and fruity drink that consists of cognac, kyoho grape sake, blood orange liqueur, cheery blossom syrup and fresh citrus.

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Nuevo Casa 4.2/5

The Nuevo Casa is another easy drink that is a mixture of kumquat, pisco, yuzu sake, cherry blossom syrup, yerba mate orange tea and tonic water.

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Ceviche Nikkei 4.2/5

While the cocktails at FLNT are beautiful, what attracts me is the food. Being Singapore's only Nikkei-influenced sumiyaki bar and grill, I look forward in tasting the culinary movement that started in Lima in the 1980s. First up is the Ceviche Nikkei ($25) comprises of seasonal raw fish with leche de tigre, lime, yuzu, roasted hazelnuts, shallots, tomatoes, avocado and white corns. It is best to enjoy together with the taco. The combination of sweet, sour and different textures make the dish a multi-sensory enjoyment.

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Foie Gras Taco 4/5

A delightful snack or appetiser is the Foie Gras Taco ($12/pc), in which you get a chunky piece of grilled foie gras resting on a deep-fried taco. It brightens up by the toppings of rocoto yogurt, flying fish roe and kaffir lime.

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Gindara Misoyaki 4.5/5

From the grill section of the menu, we tried the Gindara Misoyaki ($28). The highlight is the greenish Aji Verde sauce. It is a vibrant Peruvian green sauce made with mayonnaise, nutty cheese, cilantro, spicy peppers, garlic and lime.

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Inka Sushi 4.2/5

For something more filling, you can go for the Inka Sushi ($14), which is similar to a chirashi bowl. It comes with fresh ingredients such as flame-seared salmon, ikura, seaweeds and aji amarillo. Arousing my interests is aji amarillo, a type of yellow pepper that is commonly grown in Peru.

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Wood-fried Sourdough 4.2/5

After checking out FLNT, we proceed to FIRE restaurant upstairs for their dishes cooked by various Argentinian fires - Parrilla, Asado, Rescoldo, Caldero, and Chapa. Upon settling down at our table, we are served Wood-fired Sourdough ($10) brushed with wagyu fat paired with yerba mate smoked sea urchin butter. The first item already got me excited for the rest of the menu.

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Mud Crab 'Rescoldo' 4.2/5

Served in a scallop shell is the Mud Crab 'Rescoldo' ($36); Rescoldo is an ancient method of ingredients buried and cooked under the embers. Nothing fancy, just allowing the sweetness of the mud crab and Hokkaido scallop to shine through.

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Patagonian Red Prawns "Parrilla" 4.2/5

Next, we have the Patagonian Red Prawns "Parrilla" ($28) dressed with northern criollita sauce. Parrilla is an open wood-fire hearth grill with adjustable grates.

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Salt-Baked Whole Rainbow Trout 3/5

Guests having the Salt-Baked Whole Rainbow Trout ($52 for 400g/ $70 for 600g) has to be careful. It is quite an unpleasant experience as I need to stop eating a few times to remove the fish meat bones. I also notice my dining companion sitting opposite me doing the same thing.

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'Devesa' Argentinian Grain-Fed OP Rib 4.2/5

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Plato de Verduras 3.5/5

The night's highlight has to be the 'Devesa' Argentinian Grain-Fed OP Rib ($210 for 1kg). The beautiful piece of beef is grilled to perfection, allowing the natural flavour to shine through. It is paired with red chimichurri sauce made with chopped fresh parsley, oregano, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and red pepper flakes. You may want to order the Plato de Verduras ($36) to go along with the beef. The platter comprises pickled heirloom carrots and new world potatoes 'Rescoldo', purple Asparagus 'Parilla, wood-fire white corn & corn 'humita', and wood-fired palermo peppers and smoked salt.

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Flan 'Adriana' 4/5

Besides the savoury items, there is a selection of desserts such as Flan 'Adriana' ($24), Alfajores & Dulce de Leche Cookies ($3 each), and Choco Torta with Gianduja Sorbet ($22). The Flan 'Adriana surprises with its rich creaminess, complemented by the acidic strawberries and berries.

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Alfajores & Dulce de Leche Cookies 3.5/5

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Choco Torta, Gianduja Sorbet, Hazelnut 4.2/5

The Choco Torta with Gianduja Sorbet may appear very rich, but surprisingly, I didn't find it. I kept going back for more though I am not a sweet person.

Note: This is an invited tasting


1-ATICO
ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Level 56
Singapore 238801
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
FLNT
Daily: 1130am - 11pm

FIRE
Daily: 12pm - 2pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Yakiniku-GO @ The Seletar Mall - Mini BBQ Grill And Affordable Japanese Yakiniku Set Meals From $9.80

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Yakiniku-GO is the latest restaurant by RE&S Enterprise, with its first-ever Yakiniku concept marks its 76th outlet in Singapore. Diners can enjoy a vast repertoire of meats, from beef, lamb to chicken and seafood, with quality meat sets from $9.80. The electric grills produce no smoke as well, so there is no lingering BBQ odour even after your meal. Ordering at the restaurant is fuss-free and contactless as diners can scan the QR code on their mobile devices to make their orders.

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Yakiniku-GO Set 4.2/5

The Karubi Set starts at $9.80 for only the boneless beef short ribs (100g). For something fancier, go for their signature Yakiniku-GO Set ($20.80 for 220g), which features three popular beef cuts - Beef Short Plate, Beef Ribeye Steak and Beef Tongue, along with rice, soup, kimchi or salad. A favourite among yakiniku aficionados, the Karubi (Beef Short Plate) has a superb tenderness and juiciness. We also loved the Beef Tongue, which has a rich, deep flavour yet tastes surprisingly clean.

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Value Treat Set 3.8/5

The Value Treat Set ($19.80) comes with Beef Short Plate, Beef Flap meat and chicken, served alongside rice, soup, kimchi or salad.

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Double Karubi Set 4/5

The Double Karubi Set ($20.80 for 200g) comes with Beef Short Plate and Beef Boneless Short Rib, served alongside rice, soup, kimchi or salad.

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DIY Niku Sushi Set 4/5

For some DIY fun, you can make your own sushi with the DIY Niku Sushi Set ($6.80). First, grill the beef short rib meat and lay the grilled meat on the sushi rice. Then, wrap with seaweed and garnish with kimchi, spring onion and sesame seed.

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Wagyu Tokujou Karubi 4.2/5

Besides the value sets, we also had ala carte orders of other meats. The Wagyu Tokujou Karubi ($11.80 for 50g) is evenly marbled and said to have a marbling score of at least eight or nine out of twelve, which has a good balance of fattiness and lean meat for a melt-in-the-mouth texture upon grilling.

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Harami 4/5

The Harami ($6.90 for 50g) is one of the most popular items on the yakiniku menu. The outside skirt has a deep, umami flavour and a slightly chewy texture.

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Ribeye 4/5

The Ribeye ($2.90 for 50g) was also equally good, with a strip of fat that runs the middle that lends an incredible depth of flavour.

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Seafood Hoiru Yaki 4/5

Other than beef, they also have a seafood alternative. Baked in foil, the Seafood Hoiru Yaki ($12.80) consists of fresh scallops, prawns, and squid in a rich teriyaki and butter sauce. Non-beef options also include chicken, lamb leg and salmon.

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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.


Yakiniku-GO
The Seletar Mall
33 Sengkang West Avenue
#01-49/50/51/52/53
Singapore 797653
Tel: +65 62425939
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Sengkang (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am – 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Seng Kang MRT station. Walk to LRT station. Take LRT to Fernvale LRT station. Take Exit A. walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes [Map]