Kimoto Gastro Bar is a quaint little Japanese kushiyaki bar at The Sail @ Marina Bay that offers pretty traditional Japanese bites at a fairly affordable price point.

Set in the busy Marina Bay area, this humble joint exudes a certain rustic charm reminiscent of local eateries off the busy streets of Tokyo. Not just that, the staff here display exceptional politeness and hospitality which gives you a familiar sense of Japanese hospitality.

They serve up an exciting array of caramelised, gorgeously charred kushiyaki (grilled skewers) pleasures along with a decent selection of small plates, salads, donburi and tempura. If you happen to be around the CBD area, this would probably be a good spot to check out.

The restaurant boasts a small and cosy space with a relaxed vibe. You get an amazing view of the open concept kitchen where you can see the chefs work their magic.

The menu here may not offer a huge selection of dishes but for what it lacks in variety, it compensates in quality—you will not be disappointed, we guarantee it!

Each lunch set comes with a simple salad drizzled with a sesame-based dressing and miso soup.

The serving for their Kushiyaki Don (S$14.90++) was modest with a mixture of 3 meat skewers, 2 vegetable skewers, a fried onsen egg and a good measure of the same of Japanese rice providing the cushion for the grilled skewers.

We really enjoyed the pork belly-wrapped asparagus, mushroom and zucchini skewers as they were delectably tender and brimming with a smoky, flame-licked flavour. The chicken breast skewers, however, were a tad bit dry.

Pop a few glances left and right and you will probably notice the Special Tempura Don (S$14.90++) being a popular choice among diners. The individual tempura featured ingredients such as shrimp, chicken, sweet corn, baby corn, pumpkin and a poached egg.

Kimoto Gastro Bar offers one of the best and reasonably priced tempura dons around the CBD.

Kimoto Gastro Bar
6 Marina Boulevard
#01-15 The Sail @ Marina Bay
Singapore 018987
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Downtown

For more recommendations, read our guide on the best tendon in Singapore.

For those who work in the CBD, are you on a constant lookout for cheap places to dine at during lunch? It is true that prices of food in the CBD are usually fixed slightly higher than elsewhere, but this does not mean that there aren’t hidden gems where you can enjoy delicious food without breaking the bank.

Let us introduce you to Gochi-So Shokudo, an under-the-radar eatery located at the corner of the basement of One Raffles Place that brings to you top-quality Iberico Pork all the way from Spain at affordable prices. Their Iberico Pork Belly Don will cost you just S$10; isn’t that a steal?

One of Gochi-So Shokudo’s most value-for-money menu options is the Iberico Pork Belly Don (S$10). If you are feeling slightly hungrier, you can upgrade your meal with side sets such as Set C (S$4) which will give you a plate of Iberico Belly Enoki and Iberico Miso Soup.

The Iberico Pork Belly Don (S$10) comes with a generous portion of thinly-sliced Iberico pork belly, an onsen egg, a handful of seaweed strips and spoonful of sliced spring onion atop a bowl of hot, fluffy rice.

If you were to glance at the store front, you would notice that the Iberico pork belly will be grilled over a charcoal fire prior to service. The wonderful char-grilled taste was evident in every slice of meat and it further enhanced the taste of the pork belly. Elsewise, our onsen egg was executed perfectly and when broken, the egg yolk added a velvety texture over the whole don that was just so enjoyable.

The Iberico Loin Katsu (S$15.80) comes with a deep-fried Iberico pork loin cutlet, fluffy bowl of rice, sesame seeds and their special dipping sauce. Admittedly, we were hoping for something more when we compared the price point of the Iberico Loin Katsu (S$15.80)  to the Iberico Pork Belly Don (S$10).

Although the skin of the Iberico pork loin cutlet was a lovely golden-brown, we found the meat of the cutlet slightly dry and lacking flavour.

Gochi-So Shokudo
1 Raffles Place, #B1-30 One Raffles Place,
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6536 6447
Mon to Thu: 11am – 9.30pm
Fri to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

China Square Central is a dining establishment located in Singapore’s Central Business District. Featuring Chinese architecture, the modern shopping mall has artfully preserved and modified several traditional shophouses from the 60′s into cafes and restaurants.

While most people tend to associate China Square Central with its grand office tower, there is more to this place than meets the eye. There are not one, but three distinct blocks that make up China Square Central—18 Cross Street, 20 Cross Street and 22 Cross Street. Yes, that means dining options are aplenty!

From Korean BBQ to Thai favourites and coffee houses, here are 9 Restaurants, Cafes & Eateries In China Square Central You Must Dine At.

#1 CLUB MEATBALLS

An open restaurant with a cocktail and wine bar, Club Meatballs is one of the nicest chill-out spots in China Square Central.

As the name suggests, meatballs are a core of Club Meatball’s menu. Some meatball dishes to try are The Vietnamese (S$9.50 and S$12.50 for 2 and 4 meatballs respectively), ‘Pimp Your Burger’ (S$14.90) and ‘Pimp Your Balls’ (S$15.90). Quirky names, but honest food.

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, diners can enjoy 50% off club sodas and soft drinks when you bring your own mug to the restaurant.

Club Meatballs
20 Cross St, #01-34/35/36, China Square Central, Singapore 048422
Tel: +65 6222 8660
Mon to Fri: 8am – 12am
Sat: 11am – 12am
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#2 ESPRESSOLAB

Espressolab is a huge franchise chain originated from Malaysia with more than 20 outlets spread across the Malay Peninsula. Good news—they have expanded to Singapore in 2014 and it is at China Square Central!

The sophisticated cafe has since been keeping diners happy with their house blend handcrafted coffee. Some unique specialities include the red velvet hot chocolate and grilled salmon with yuzu orange dressing. Also not forgetting the value for money set lunch options with complimentary ice lemon tea.

Espressolab is a welcoming place at an ideal location to host corporate meetings, all sorts of events, lunch and social gatherings. It is a great spot in the CBD that is heavy with goodness but light on the pocket.

Espressolab
18 Cross St, #02-07/08 China Square Central, Singapore 048423
Tel: +65 6536 2328
Mon to Fri: 8.00am – 7pm
Sun: 9.30am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#3 FOLKS COLLECTIVE

A vintage shophouse inspired by Bangkok’s Rod Fai Vintage Market, most of the décor at the Folks Collective (even the bricks on their walls) were sourced directly from Thailand.

Start your meal with comforting Thai favourites such as the Pomelo Salad (S$10.90) and Angel Wings (S$10.90). Enjoy the Thai-style Sea Bass (S$33.90) before completing your meal with Ice Cream Kati (S$5.90)-a coconut ice cream with sweet coconut glutinous rice, toasted peanuts, palm seeds and jackfruit strips.

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, diners will receive a free Coca-Cola or a Cold Lemongrass upon ordering any Daily Special Set at S$10.90 (U.P. S$14.80 to S$16.80++).

Folks Collective
20 Cross St, #01-25 China Square Central, Singapore 048422
Tel: +65 6536 6730
Mon to Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#4 J3 COLD PRESSED JUICE

Detox juice cleanse is all the rage right now. One brand to try out is J3 Cold Pressed Juice. They offer a range of juices—from the Detox Series (vegetables and superfoods) to the Refresh Series (fresh cold-pressed fruit juices).

Green juices tend to have a bad rep, with many having a generally unfavourable taste. But that’s not so for the green juices here, so much so we’d gladly go on a juice cleanse programme here. We especially loved the D2 Beet-Liver from the Detox Series which is a mix of beetroot, red dragon fruit, broccoli, celery, tomato, red apple, pear, orange, starfruit and lemon.

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, you can get 3 cold pressed juice bottles for S$18.90 (U.P. S$20.70); 1 cold pressed juice bottle and 1 nut milk bottle for S$13.80 (U.P. S$14.80) or a full 1-Day Cleanse with 6 juices and 1 nut milk for S$43.90 (S$49.30).

J3 Cold Press Juice
18 Cross St, #01-12 China Square Central, Singapore 048423
Tel: +65 6221 0754
Mon to Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sun: 12pm – 6pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#5 MOUTH RESTAURANT

The Mouth Restaurant is known for their seafood delights. The signature Sautéed Boston Lobster is S$49.80 each and there is an optional top-up of S$6 if you wish to enjoy it with vermicelli.

Crabs come in 6 different flavours—such as Salted Egg Yolk or Black Pepper. The BBQ Trio Combi (S$28) is also a hot favourite of the restaurant!

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, visit the restaurant with a mug or tumbler to enjoy a complimentary hot or cold drink. A minimum spending of S$68 and S$78 will also entitle you to a free Sautéed Sri Lankan Crab in Cream of Chardonnay or a free Sautéed Boston Lobster with Vermicelli respectively.

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Mouth Restaurant
22 Cross St, #01-57/62 China Square Central, Singapore 048421
Tel: +65 6438 5798
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 4pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#6 SPINELLI COFFEE COMPANY

Widely acclaimed for its fragrant coffees and cakes, Spinelli Coffee Company is a coffee chain that hails from San Francisco and only brews coffee from locally roasted beans.

Nestled in the corner of China Square Central, this coffee joint is usually not overcrowded unlike other coffee places in the CBD, thus making it a perfect place to grab a quick cuppa in a comfortable environment.

Why not also enjoy a slice of their signature cheesecakes, or a dish of roasted chicken with mashed potatoes?

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, order any Spinelli Coffee Company’s Signature Beverage to go in your Spinelli Tumbler and enjoy S$1 off your drink.

Spinelli Coffee Company
18 Cross St, #01-28 China Square Central, Singapore 048423
Tel: +65 6327 4837
Mon to Thu: 8am – 8pm
Fri: 8am – 9pm
Sat: 9am – 8pm
Sun/PH: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#7 TA LU PRAWN NOODLES

Tucked away on the 2nd level of China Square Central, Ta Lu Prawn Noodles is a humble air-conditioned eatery well-known for local favourites, in particular, the prawn noodles (S$5, S$7, S$9, S$12).

The broth is thin yet very flavourful, and a bowl of noodles is served with a generous portion of tender pork ribs and prawns.

Another local favourite worth a try is the tasty fried carrot cake.

From 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017, bring along your own mug or tumbler to Ta Lu Prawn Noodles to redeem a complimentary hot or cold drink and do your part to support Singapore’s World Water Day.

Ta Lu Prawn Noodles
18 Cross Street, #02-32/33 China Square Central, Singapore 048423
Tel: +65 6536 1538
Mon to Fri: 7am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#8 WANG DAE BAK KOREAN BBQ RESTAURANT

Oh glorious, glorious meat! Enjoy a massive meat feast at the ever popular Wang Dae Bak Korean BBQ Restaurant where you can find premium cuts of meat such as Boneless Prime Rib (S$29), Marinated Chicken ($18), Pork Belly (S$18) and Marinated Shoulder-Loin (S$18).

The meats here are the undisputed frontrunners, especially the beautiful marbling on the prime rib. After cooking to a nice medium doneness, dip it in the sauce of your choice and savour those melty textures.

Popular side dishes include the Spicy Seafood Tofu Soup (S$11 – S$16), Kimchi Pancake (S$19) and a huge selection of side dishes or bapsang.

You can also redeem a free cup of cold or hot drink here when you bring your own mug or tumbler from 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017.

Wang Dae Bak Korean BBQ Restaurant 
22 Cross St, #01-64 China Square Central, Singapore 048421
Tel: +65 6225 2646
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

#9 YUAN KEE FAMOUS CHICKEN RICE

Yuan Kee Famous Chicken Rice’s history dates all the way back to the 1970s when it used to be just a small stall selling Cantonese-style chicken rice. While it has since transformed into a much bigger air-conditioned eatery, Yuan Kee Famous Chicken Rice still sticks to its original philosophy of “home cooked goodness for all”.

Signature chicken rice dishes to try there are the steamed and roasted chicken rice sets. We thoroughly enjoyed having the fresh white chicken together with fragrant rice and spicy chilli sauce!

Besides that, the eatery also offers Emperor Chicken with Rice, Hainanese Pork Cutlet with Rice & Egg and other zi char style dishes.

You can also redeem a free lime or chestnut drink when you bring your own mug or tumbler from 28 March 2017 to 30 April 2017.

Yuan Kee Famous Chicken Rice
20 Cross St, #01-03/04 China Court, Singapore 048422
Tel: +65 9658 8955
Mon to Fri: 9am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

This post is brought to you by China Square Central. 

Japanese donburi sets for only S$12 nett? Yes, you got that right!

Katanashi is a Japanese tapas bar along Boat Quay that offers reasonably priced set lunch meals on weekdays, catering mostly to working professionals whose offices are nearby.

For those who are not familiar with the area, Katanashi is a less-than-ten-minutes walking distance from Raffles Place MRT station. We are giving the Japanese bar bonus points for easy accessibility, but is their food really value-for-money? 

While Katanashi has an alfresco area, we would recommend going indoors to escape the scorching heat. Those who are dining alone can also choose to sit by the bar as you watch the chefs prepare your food right before you.

We first tried the Unatama-Don (S$12) which came in a lovely presentation.

The plump unagi glistened from the teriyaki sauce drizzled over it and went extremely well with savoury egg omelette and warm Japanese rice. There is also the usual seaweed flakes which adds extra texture in your donburi.

Every set meal comes with pickles, miso soup and cold chawanmushi. Considering the generous portion, having a lunch set meal at Katanashi is definitely a bargain!

Next up, we decided to go for that day’s Special Don—which happened to be Spicy Tuna Sashimi Don. Also at S$12 nett, it came with a huge serving of deep red tuna sashimi slices served atop warm rice and the same side dishes.

While the tuna was fresh and well marinated in spicy sauce, we would enjoy it more if the sashimi was served chilled instead.

Those who are keen to try other options can look forward to Rouleau-Don, Chicken Teritama-Don, Katsu Curry-Don and Maguro Salmon-Don (S$12).

Otherwise, treat yourself to something slightly more luxurious, such as the Hokkaido-Don and Roast Beef-Don (S$15).

Katanashi
77 Boat Quay
Singapore 049865
Tel: +65 6533 0490
Mon to Fri: 11.45am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 11.30pm
Sat: 5pm – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

Julee is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She is an advocate of travel and hopes to visit Iceland someday. She enjoys having a good conversation over tea and a slice of cake. There are two things in the world she cannot live without—food and humour.

Newly opened contemporary restaurant Ash & Char sits in the heart of Singapore’s CBD. The gastro-bar—opened by the team behind Rise & Grind Coffee Co—is just a short walk away from Tanjong Pagar MRT Station and Telok Ayer MRT station.

Ash & Char derived its name from the primary cooking techniques used for its dishes. Do not let the fancy interiors put you off; the menu is actually surprisingly affordable. The scrumptious main courses here range between S$15++ to S$21++ for a scrumptious plate of Aglio Olio and Hanger Steak respectively.

The versatile venue is perfect for business luncheons, dinner dates and even after-work drinks.

The Hanger Steak (S$21++) was cooked to medium rare, but we thought the soft and chewy slices were leaning towards rare doneness instead. The 150-day grain-fed Angus steak is served with charred baby romaine lettuce, tomatoes, garlic flakes and a semi-spicy pickled jalapeño purée.

Ash & Char’s Korean Chicken Burger (S$17++) was served with crisp sweet potato fries. Succulent marinated fork-tender Korean fried chicken, in-house fermented kimchi and refreshing apple slaw are sandwiched between two fluffy sesame buns.

If you are torn between the Korean Chicken Burger and the Hanger Steak, we say go for the burger instead.

We also recommend the Bacon & Mushroom Carbonara (S$16++). Al dente penne pasta is cooked in fragrant white wine and served with aromatic mushrooms, crispy garlic flakes, streaky bacon and a sous vide egg.

Ash & Char
#01-03/04, 21 McCallum Street
Singapore 069047
Tel: +65 9132 8880
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves travelling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all-time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.

The bustling Central Business District (CBD) is home to many restaurants, pubs, bistros and eateries. There is always something to eat, but sometimes, everything seems expensive.

What you may not know is that there are many independent eateries that offer mains for S$10 and below in the vicinity of Raffles Place, Tanjong Pagar and Telok Ayer – on top of what you might get at the usual food courts and food centres.

We bring you 10 Affordable Eats in Singapore’s Central Business District Under $10 that will not burn a hole in your wallet.

#1 AUSSIE ROLL

We first chanced upon such rolls in Australia and were impressed by the convenience of it. It is that easy to simply grab a roll to go and they are really affordable, with prices starting from S$2+ onwards. You can expect premium fillings such as avocado, prawns and lobster, and so much more.

30 Raffles Place
#B1-05 Chevron House
Singapore 048622
Tel: +65 6746 3077
Mon to Fri: 8am – 7pm
Closed: Fri & Sat
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#2 COFFEE HIVE

Farther down on Robinson Road, Coffee Hive – a Singaporean-style eatery – has a menu of affordable local fare. Expect dishes such as Chicken Curry (S$5.80), Claypot Tofu (S$5.80) and Gong Bao Ji Ding Rice (S$5.80). They also have a couple of Western dishes.

63 Robinson Road #01-02
Singapore 068894
Tel: +65 6224 8707
Mon to Fri: 7am – 6pm
Closed: Fri & Sat
Nearest Station: Downtown

#3 KOMALA’S

Komala’s is a well-known name in Singapore for Northern Indian vegetarian food, with multiple outlets islandwide. Komala’s is a popular choice for many in the CBD as most lunch options here will cost you approximately S$3 to S$5. We highly recommend the murtabaks here and trust us, the portion is huge.

#B1-06, Chevron House, 30 Raffles Place
Singapore 048622
Tel: +65 6533 0644
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#4 MOI LUM

This popular Chinese restaurant on Maxwell Road typically offers communal-style dining food and is very popular during dinner time for big groups.

What most may miss out is the fact that they offer S$7.90 set lunches (a main + a soup or drink) that is huge bang for the buck. Some popular choices include Roasted Chicken Noodles and Seafood Rice Noodles. You can go for their Cantonese Set Lunch at S$8.90 instead with slightly better mains.

38 Maxwell Rd
Singapore 069116
Tel: +65 6226 2283
Daily: 11am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#5 NGON

There are quite a number of pho places in the CBD, but because Ngon is strategically-located in One Raffles Place, it is perpetually packed during lunch hours. However, if you are lucky enough to find a seat, be sure to grab a bowl of pho (S$9.90) or a Vietnamese rice dish.

1 Raffles Place, B1-17
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6536 6466
Daily: 7.30am -9pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#6 PHO STOP

We actually prefer Pho Stop over Ngon but it is a longer walk away from the main area of the CBD. But for pho enthusiasts, it is so worth the walk – just to get a bowl of really tasty and hearty pho. They are mostly under S$10 per bowl.

72 Tanjong Pagar Rd
Singapore 088493
Tel: +65 6534 8178
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#7 QQ RICE

QQ Rice is Taiwanese chain, specialising in customisable healthy rice balls and rolls, packed with a variety of ingredients. You can pick your base rice that ranges from brown rice to purple rice and more. Choose from fresh vegetables, hearty meat options, eggs and a whole lot more, too. Something to eat on the go, and it is definitely filling. Prices are an average of S$3 to S$5, but you will definitely not exceed S$8.

#B1-07, One Raffles Place, 1 Raffles Place
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6536 9558
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 6.30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#8 SALAD & WRAPS

Customise your very own salad or wrap to go, or you can pick from their selection of more than 10 specialty salads and wraps. A regular-sized salad starts from only S$7 and a full wrap will cost you about S$8.

1 Raffle Place, #B1-11 One Raffles Place
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 9654 9868
Mon to Fri: 9.30am – 8pm
Saturday: 10.30am – 5pm
Closed: Sunday
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#9 THE SANDWICH SHOP

Made fresh daily, the sandwiches here (S$8 – S$9.50) can also double up as a great breakfast option. The sandwiches are unpretentious without the fluff, just simple and honest sandwiches packed in convenient take-away boxes in a supermarket checkout style. Their sandwiches are preservative-free and trans fat-free and they include unique spreads and sauces.

16 Collyer Quay #02-07
Singapore 049318
Tel: +65 6536 5141
Mon to Thu: 7am – 6pm
Fri: 7am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#10 THE WICKED GARLIC

The Wicked Garlic has pasta options that are pretty affordable. From carbonara to risotto, our pick for the best pasta here is the Linguini Al Nero Di Sepia ($9.70) – a squid ink pasta that is pretty flavourful. The Wicked Garlic gets pretty packed during lunchtime, so be sure to head down early.

10 Anson Road
#01-37, International Plaza
Singapore 079903
Tel: +65 8509 2942
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 9pm
Sat: 11.30am – 8am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Xperience sits within the luxurious Sofitel So Singapore which is strategically located in the Central Business District (CBD) of Singapore.

The modern European restaurant is helmed by one of Singapore’s youngest and most charming executive chef, Trevor Paulo, who has a flair for recreating western classics with interesting local twists that has surely captured our hearts.

Chef Trevor Paulo’s unique culinary creations have successfully pushed the boundaries of traditional French cuisine, where his dishes have impressed even reputable 3-Michelin Starred Chefs such as Chef Christophe Muller and Chef Hideaki Matsuo. Despite all the glorious achievements, Chef Trevor remains down-to-earth and enjoys interacting with all his guests.

The next time you are in the CBD or need some surprises in your life, head down to Sofitel So Singapore’s Xperience Restaurant to experience Chef Trevor’s new menu. You will be in for a great time, we promise.

With its open-kitchen concept, it allows diners to catch the gastronomic team in action. Of course, Chef Trevor will be there to chat with you about his dishes, or about anything at all!

Xperience Restaurant is also an ideal venue for business luncheons and romantic date nights. We’ve been there on numerous occasions, and our favourite mood has to be dinner time, where the CBD crowd is non-existent, and the whole restaurant transforms into a sexy and intimate space for you to kick off your shoes, and simply relish the night with your date.

Every starter at Xperience Restaurant is truly a showstopper and the Spanner Crab (S$24++) is our favourite one among them all.

The fresh crustacean – integrated with wasabi mayonnaise – is garnished with edible flower petals, green herbs and seaweed crackers. The different textures of flavours had us devouring the entire entrée within seconds.

Poached Sweet Prawns (S$26++) is yet another stunning creation by Chef Trevor. The refreshing layers consist of fresh Granny Smith apple slices alternating with poached sweet prawns that are marinated with homemade ponzu.

Every mouthful packs a satisfying punch and we love how gorgeous it is plated with bonito flakes and pink edible floral petals. The precise ingredients vary according to season, so do expect a few tweaks here and there!

The Home Cured Salmon (S$24++) looks simple, but what do you know! Much effort has been channeled into attaining the fish’s overall superb taste and texture profile. Served with dollops of whipped yoghurt infused crème fraîche, fried capers, tobiko roe coated with gold powder, mirin pickled onions and almond truffle soil-looking earthy crumble, this dish is in fact a complicated one with varying flavours.

Just like that, Chef Trevor has redefined cured salmon. Impressive.

The Grilled Pork Pressa (S$36++) stole all the limelight with its delicious well-marbled meat. The prime pork cut has been marinated in duck fat and roasted over chargrill to medium rare doneness; the meat was so creamy and flavourful that everyone on the table did a double take and thought it was beef instead.

The smoky pork is complemented with asparagus, capsicum honey purée, pumpkin tuile, shallot confit and vanilla pumpkin purée. Such a colourful dish that reflects elements of winter and rusticness of all sorts.

We have two other mains to love and share.

The ‘Curried’ Lamb Shoulder confit (S$35++) utilizes the cut that extends to the neck. Marinated in a myriad of spices, the meat is sous-vide for 36 hours to achieve a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

The lamb main is then complemented with carrot purée, fresh peas and goat cheese crumble. Love the play of flavours and colours using vegetables to tone down the gaminess of the meat.

The Braised Short Rib (S$35++) is another stellar highlight of Xperience Restaurant’s new menu. The fork-tender braised beef short rib is robust in flavour, and is further enhanced with Bordelaise sauce, green tea purée, roasted baby beetroot and three knob celery cubes.

Fun fact about the celeriac in case you are brushing it off already – each celeriac is cooked and presented in a different flavour – namely grilled salt, smoked salt and Vadouvan – so that every bite is a surprise.

Just when you think the show is only on the entrées and mains, wait till you see the desserts. Chef Trevor and his pastry chef will make you rethink Xperience Restaurant’s already popular desserts with his innovation and brilliance; they are works of art to say the least.

The Araguani Chocolate Dome (S$22++) is a theatrical crowd pleaser, where lukewarm pistachio and vanilla bean crémeux is poured over the sphere, and voila! The 72% dark chocolate sphere opens in a dramatic manner, revealing the Madagascar vanilla and hazelnut praline ice-cream inside.

For an exotic tropical dessert, we highly recommend the ‘Flexi’ Coconut Ganache (S$19++).

This visually stunning deconstructed treat features flexible coconut agar-infused gelatine, and is accompanied with chilli-marinated pineapple slices, noisette butter chip and artisanal goreng pisang ice-cream. The ice-cream is made from scratch with local pisang barangan bananas, a local twist done with European flair.

The Tasmanian Pepper Meringue Spike (S$20++) is the prettiest of the lot, and is definitely Vogue-worthy. The dome comprises basil cream, greek yogurt, olive oil sponge, roasted persimmon ice-cream and tomato jam.

Dressed in attention-grabbing blue and white meringue spikes, this dessert stole our hearts and we will totally return to Xperience Restaurant just for it.

These 9 dishes executed with masterly finesse are a great representation of what diners can anticipate at Sofitel So Singapore’s Xperience Restaurant.

Each dish is a photogenic masterpiece that Chef Trevor proudly presents, and if you have the chance to grab Chef Trevor, speak to him. He always has stories about his food and inspirations to share, and his passion for culinary is burning through every word. We are nothing short of impressed by him.

For the latest updates, go to Sofitel So Singapore’s website and like them on Facebook and Instagram.

Xperience Restaurant
35 Robinson Road
Sofitel So Singapore, Level 1
Singapore 068876
Tel: +65 6701 6800
Daily: 6.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place/Telok Ayer

This post is brought to you by Sofitel So Singapore.